 President John Mahama has arrived in Paris, France to news of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Mr. Mahama who is attending a two-day summit on peace and security in Africa spent the early part of his arrival in Paris to finalise a short piece in celebration of Mandela and published by the New York Times.
FUll article below
He was a celebrated symbol of peace and democracy the world over.
But in the last years of his life, Nelson Mandela's own family has been at war, bickering between themselves over his many millions.
And in the wake of the anti-apartheid leader's death at 95 today, it is feared his surviving family will be plunged in to deep rifts over who stands to gain his fortune.
Mandela was married three times and fathered six children - only three of whom, his daughters Makaziwe, Zenani 'Zeni' and Zindziswa, are still alive.
Makaziwe Mandela Zenani Mandela pictured with her father Nelson
Bitter dispute: Makaziwe Mandela, left, and her sister Zenani, right with Nelson Mandela, are locked in a legal wrangle with two of their father's oldest friends over a £1million trust fund set up by the former South African president in 2005.
Farmers and Fishermen across the country will be honoured Friday for their contribution to food security and national development.
The acknowledgement and award scheme instituted in 1984 during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era recognises the vital role farmers and fishermen play in the Ghanaian economy.
As part of the National Farmers' Day celebrations, various activities and programmes are held by the Ministeries for Food and Agriculture and Fisheries and Aquaculture, but the climax of these activities is marked on the first Friday of December every year.
The day is always a national holiday.
AN Economist with the Lagos Business School, Dr Doyin Salami, on Thursday said the foreign portfolio investment in the nation’s capital market reached 15 billion dollars (N2.36 trillion) in 2013.
Salami made this known at the 2013 Triennial Delegates Conference/Gala Night organised by the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) in Lagos.
Salami spoke on: “Nigerian Economy in a Post Global Recession Era: Challenges and Opportunities.”
He said that change in the spending pattern had attracted international attention to the nation’s economy, especially the equities market.
THE Federal High court sitting in Lagos, on Thursday, ordered the Attorney-General of Lagos State to address the court on its claim that it paid and secured approval from the Federal Government to erect the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge.
Justice Saliu Saidu gave the order at the resumed hearing of a suit filed by a lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa against the Lagos State government, challenging its collection of toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi suspension bridge.
Joined in the suit as first and second respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), while Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Adeola Ipaye and Lagos State government are third and fourth respondents respectively.
THE Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, says Nigeria’s infant mortality rate has improved to 65 per 1,000 live births and maternal mortality at 224 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The Minister said this on Thursday in Abuja at the national dissemination workshop on the findings of the National HIV and AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS Plus 2012).
Gambian international midfielder Tijan Jaiteh has left Norwegian second tier side Sandefjord (football) for top flight Sandnes Ulf after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal this week, Observer Sports can report.
The 24-year-old former Gambia Ports Authority midfielder spent the last two seasons with the Adecoligaen (Sandefjord) side but will return to Norwegian top flight football for the 2014 season after departing Brann Bergen almost three years ago.
The club has also announced the agreement with the former Gambia U-17, U-20 and U-23 player who courted serious interest from English premier league sides Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers in the winter of 2009 but failed to sign with any as a result of issues surrounding attaining working permit to play in England at the time.
All roads lead today to the selected 18 polling stations in Kiang West in the Lower River Region (LRR) where an electoral population of 9,330 decide who will occupy the constituency’s seat at the National Assembly following the expulsion of Hon. Yahya Dibba in September, this year.
The by-election pits Menata Njai of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) and a journalist-turned politician, Pa Touray Bajinka of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), the only opposition political party that has been contesting all general elections in recent times.
Today’s vote came against the backdrop of intense campaign by the two candidates in their attempt to woo the electorate to put the right person into the Legislative House that can better serve their interest. They had both sold their programmes to the electorate who now decide the candidate with better ideas in a poll to be refereed by the Independent Electoral Commission under the watchful eyes of its chairman, Mustapha Carayol.
The National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) has graduated at least 193 youths, who are now prepared for the formal and informal job markets after two years of vocational and technical skills training in 13 different disciplines.
The corps members, who formed the 11th batch since the establishment of the NYSS, were graduated in a ceremony held at the premises of the President’s International Award in Bakau. They were trained in areas such as agriculture, carpentry, auto-mechanics, plumbing, tailoring, hairdressing, livestock management and electrical installation amongst others.
In his remarks, the minister of Youth and Sports, Alieu K. Jammeh, expressed his delight with the successful completion of the two-year programme, which he said is in line with the national development agenda.
Congratulations to a Quincy Mom and Dad on the birth of their little girls.
It's rare--about a one in a million shot--but three identical triplets have been born at Sutter Memorial Hospital. Abby, Brin and Laurel Hepner were conceived without fertility treatments. A single egg split three-ways
The Lassen Varsity Mens basketball team put on a clinic for the U-Prep Panthers Tuesday night with a strong 76 to 40 win over the Panthers.
Compared to last years team, the difference this season proves to be ball control, speed and fundamental basketball skill. The Lassen Grizzlies showed that every player on the team has the skill to step in and keep the heat on the opponents. The Lassen bench came in numerous times in relief and accounted for 32 points off of the bench.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is expecting to hire 7,000 correctional officers over the next three years. Retirements are reportedly the big factor in the current personnel shortage--some 1,800 CDCR officers retire each year.
The Lassen County Coroner's office has released the name and age of the stabbing victim who died Friday following an altercation in the 100 block of South Fairfield in Susanville. The deceased male is James Howard Trumbull, Jr. of Susanville. He was 37.
Earlier in the evening he had been stabbed and the cause of death was determined to be a puncture wound to the upper torso.
Dr Joseph Oteng-Adjei, the Minister of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation, has called for the development of a cadre of African Space Scientists to enable African countries build, deploy and operate space-based systems.
He also called for the building of institutional capacities and legal framework which will provide “African solutions to African challenges”.
Dr Oteng-Adjei stated during the opening of the 5th African Leadership Conference in Accra on the theme: “Building a Shared Vision for Space Science and Technology in Africa”
He told the participants, mainly scientists and academia, to ensure that space based products are used by African policy makers to plan and manage natural resources.
He said there was the need to use space-based platform for health service delivery, sustainable agriculture development, disaster and emergency management, marine surveillance and pollution control, climate change, deforestation, land degradation and desertification monitoring in Africa.
So this girl called me on our landline on Sunday morning while my parents were sitting in the hall watching a local football match.
Boy-girl talk those days, was facing a taboo not facebooking.
"Okay,okay,okay, that's fine, yoo, ok, bye" - that was the entire transcript of my conversation.
In the presence of my parents, it lasted under one minute and as I left I saw my Dad suppress a giggle. His influence had won.
Now that's influencing an outcome.
But some government officials and 'unofficials' would want us to believe influence is not winking an eye, it always has to be talking.
Former president John Agyekum Kufuor has described as inaccurate, the claim that his administration gave away a substantial amount of Ghana's interest in Ashanti Goldfields Company to Anglogold Ashanti.
Former Head of Policy Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidency, Dr. Tony Aidoo on Wednesday said the the Kufuor administration behaved "irresponsibly" by selling government's 25 per cent "golden shares" in the only indigenous Ghanaian mining firm, Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) in 2004.
"The only indigenous company we set up, nurtured and promoted to international stature was destroyed by a previous government. The Kufuor regime came out and destroyed the Ashanti Goldfields...by selling the 25 percent golden share that gave the government of Ghana the corporate veto over any corporate decision taken by AGC.
"I was holding four million Ghana cedis shares. At the end of the day, the value of my shares were 4,000 ghana cedis," Dr. Tony Aidoo said on the Super Morning Show.
• Oduah endorses Dutse cargo airport
GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State may have succeeded in eating his cake and still keeping it, having reconciled his differences with President Goodluck Jonathan at the expense of his other colleagues in the G-7.
Lamido, one of the arrowheads of the governors, who staged a walkout on the president at the Eagle Square in Abuja during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) special convention in May, had been critical of Jonathan, as regards the president’s aspiration to seek a second term in 2015, and alleged lack of reforms in the ruling party.
However, when the aggrieved governors and the New-PDP announced their merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month, Lamido, and Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State) backed out and chose to remain in the PDP.
His meeting, along with Aliyu, with the Presidency on Sunday might have been fruitful to the extent that Jonathan dispatched Aviation Minister, Mrs. Stella Oduah, to inspect facilities at the Dutse Airport under construction.
Controversial leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, spoke to Liberty Radio, Kaduna, on a wide range of issues bothering on the proposed National Conference by President Goodluck Jonathan; why the preference by the people of the South-South for a Sovereign National Conference; his recent incarceration in Benin Republic, and why he became a Muslim, reports Northern Bureau Chief, Saxone Akhaine.
ON his comment that if President Jonathan did not run, and win in 2015, there would be no Nigeria and that he was coming to the North to help northern Christians who were being persecuted by the Muslims.
In politics, people take different camps depending on where their ideologies and principles lie. Nigeria is a conglomerate of many nations and in this conglomerate, I happen to be an Ijaw man. Goodluck Jonathan is also an Ijaw man like me.
Whether you like it or not, when you go to London, if you see somebody speaking your language, you will be more attracted to the man speaking your language than the one who does not speak your language. You will feel more secured and safer by associating with the man who speaks your language than the man who doesn’t. This is natural and that is the way God has made it.
THE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has released the guidelines for farm out and operation of marginal fields in the country.
OSAHON-DPRThe Director of DPR, George Osahon, told stakeholders at a road show in Lagos yesterday as part of its 2013 marginal field awards exercise, that interested bidders must demonstrate technical ability with regards to evaluation and development of assets.
Osahon added that there must be evidence of relationship with a technical partner that has adequate capacity and financial resources to operate the field. “In your application, you must state clearly where your finance will come from”.
He added that all duly registered Nigerian companies must have at least 51 per cent of the beneficiary interest owned by Nigerian citizens. “The indigenous company shall be substantially Nigerian and shall be registered solely for exploration and production business”.
•Ex-Minister bemoans economic team’s performance
A fresh round of revelations may taint further the nation’s governance profile, in respect of accountability, as the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), said the missing fund from the organization was far above N500 billion earlier discovered by the body.
Indeed, the gradually unfolding scenario may open an unsavoury can of worms, with top officials of the organisation being fingered in the phenomenal financial sleaze.
Meanwhile, the Senate committee on Industry and Investment has described the country’s economic team as a lame duck.
Speaking yesterday, at a scheduled meeting with Ministers of Petroleum Resources and Finance, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdul Ningi, maintained that the SURE-P lacks transparency and accountability.
The government through the national telecommunications giant, GAMTEL, under the Ministry of Information and Communication and Infrastructure Wednesday signed a US$33.23M agreement contract with Huawei Technology, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, for the implementation of the country’s component of the ECOWAS Wide Area Network (ECOWAN) project.
The signing ceremony, which took place at GAMTEL House in Banjul, was graced by representatives of Huawei Technology and officials of the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure.
The project has the objective, among other things, to develop a ‘Regional Backbone Infrastructure – approximately 8,000Km terrestrial fibre optic cable, and WIMAX last mile solution – to connect government nodes in all 15 ECOWAS member states.
Experts drawn from various member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are currently meeting in Banjul for the Eight Tourism Ministers’ Conference with a focus to explore ways of ‘fostering wealth creation through tourism development.’
The event kicked-off proper Wednesday with an experts or senior officials’ meeting that will prepare the grounds for the Ministers’ Meeting on Friday where recommendations or resolutions are expected to be adopted.
In his remarks, the assistant secretary general – Economic Affairs of OIC, Hameed A. Opeloyeru underscored the importance of the meeting, and noted that tourism has indeed received the primary attention of this global Islamic body.
The president of the Republic Wednesday conferred the insignia of distinguished officer of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia (ORG) award on the outgoing secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at State House in Banjul.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh also confirmed the promotion of Professor Dr. Ikmeleddin Ihsanoglu as The Gambia’s consul general to the Republic of Turkey after serving for many years as the country’s honorary consular.
Professor Dr Ikmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who will be stepping down as the OIC secretary general in a few weeks, was at State House to meet President Jammeh and to later attend the 8th Session of the Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers, taking place in Banjul.
In his remarks, President Jammeh thanked him for all the support he has rendered to the Gambia during his tenure of office, saying he has served the country well both as the SG of the Organization and as the Honorary Consul.
Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, George M. Weah, has descended on ‘rapists’, saying they must be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the country.
Amb. Weah, who described rape as a crime of violence, maintained that anyone who is found guilty of rape must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law so as to serve as deterrence for others who may want engage such a wicked act.
He stated that it is the responsibility of every Liberian, including the government to collectively work together to lower incidents of rape against young girls, boys and women.
His statement was contained in an anti-rape campaign message released in commemoration of the 16-days of Activism against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
The Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Mr. Harrison Karnea, has asserted that Liberia will not move back to the ugly memories of the Private Use Permits (PUPs) as the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) gets into force.
The objective of this VPA, consistent with the Parties' common commitment to the sustainable management of all types of forest, is to provide a legal framework aimed at ensuring that all imports into the Union from Liberia of timber products covered by this Agreement have been legally produced and in doing so to promote trade in timber products.
In addition, this Agreement provides a basis for dialogue and cooperation between the Parties to facilitate and promote the full implementation of this Agreement and enhance forest law enforcement and governance.
The Minister of Youth and Sports (MYS), Mr. Eugene Len Nagbe, says the National County Sports Meet (NCSM) is not only an event for pleasure or merry making, but is meant to unite Liberians in order to ensure development.
The NCSM is a sports festival that brings together all the 15 counties of the country to participate in various sporting games. It is one way or the other regarded as Liberia’s own Olympics.
When Kim Mickle described herself recently as “a little girl from Perth who just likes to train and throw things,” she was expressing her feelings at defeating Sally Pearson to win Australia’s Female Athlete of the Year Award last month.
“It’s pretty special,” the Javelin thrower added, after being chosen ahead of an athlete who was the IAAF 2011 Female Athlete of the Year, a World champion the same year and a London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist.
“She’s the leader of the pack. I’ve tried to hang on to her, follow her pathway. This year, I overtook her for once.”
‘Pretty special’ might convey the feeling of being ranked alongside Pearson, but it also summarises Mickle’s 2013, a year which saw her advance from being something of an also-ran to an IAAF World Championships silver medallist. Along the way, she improved her personal best three times.
England boss Roy Hodgson will be hoping his team avoid the poisoned chalice of being chosen for the same pot as the South American and African teams for Friday's draw for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
FIFA has announced a change to its usual draw procedure which will see one of the nine unseeded European teams - including England - placed in Pot Two along with Algeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Ghana and Nigeria.
If England were selected for that pot, it would mean Hodgson's men would be in the same group as a seeded South American side such as Brazil and Argentina, and would face another of the unseeded European sides, with Holland or Italy among the possibilities.
Five prominent Ghanaians have been listed among the 100 most influential Africans for the year 2013.
The annual list was compiled and published by the New African magazine in the December 2013 edition of the magazine which is owned by London-based IC Publications.
The Ghanaians were Komla Dumor, Senior Broadcaster at the BBC, Foreign Minister Hannah Tetteh and world renowned visual artist El Anatsui.
The other two were David Adjaye, an architect and investment banker Tutu Agyare. Below is how the magazine described the five Ghanaians:
1. Hannah Tetteh
A barrister by profession, she has become known as one of the most astute and efficient politicians of her time. She has been active in politics since 2000, and in 2013 she took up her post as the Minister of Foreign Affairs after President Mahama appointed her with parliamentary approval. Humble yet forthright and persuasive, she is known as a great communicator who engages with public at all levels. She joins the ranks of a growing number of women who given the opportunity, are showing how it should be done.
Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA X-rays the agitation mounted by the G7 governors within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and how the cookie eventually crumbled.
The Tuesday November 26, 2013 defection announced by five of the seven aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not come to many as a surprise. In the estimation of many political watchers, the defection was long delayed. The governors were believed to have dragged the matter following repeated declaration of intent to defect. Governor MurtalaNyako of Adamawa State had been reported to have started working for the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which has merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the 2011 polls and had asked his loyalists to defect to that party in the wake of the G7 uprising. It was thus surprising to many that he did not defect alongside his supporters.
That notwithstanding, a number of political watchers never really believed that the threat of defection would eventually materialise. Many had thought that the PDP would find a way round the matter and make it one of the now famous “family affair.”
Assistant Editor, SAM NWAOKO, writes on the defection of a member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State, Mr Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], now a part of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the Labour Party and the underlying issues.
Finally, after months of speculations and teasers about his next line of action, the die is now cast for the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party now has its work cut out. At least, officially, running with the hare and hunting with the hounds will cease to be the accusation in Ekiti politics, following the action of Mr Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, on Sunday, in Emure-Ekiti. The hide and seek that had dominated the numerous quarters of Ekiti politics until recently when it became clear that the schism in the party as represented by Bamidele and Dr Kayode Fayemi, had reached a point of no return.
Bamidele, the member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I in the House of Representatives, had fallen out with Governor Fayemi, his friend, over the 2014 governorship election in the state. The matter had made several twists and turns, creating so many ‘friendly enemies’ among the members of the ruling APC in the state. It got so bad that being a supporter of MOB, the acronym Bamidele is known by, automatically meant being an enemy of Fayemi or the state government.
SYLVANUS EZE reviews the twists and turns in the Anambra State governorship election that culminated in the final outcome.
AS the key actors in the Anambra State governorship election take stock, it is indisputable that the polls shall remain in the front burner of national discourse for some time. The reign of claims and counter-claims occasioned by hiccups that trailed the initial November 16 election has refused to fizzle out from most vested interests in the polls. Issues ranging from the real to the mundane concerning the conduct of the election now dominate discussions in every nook and cranny of the state.
In the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), some of the officials have heaved a sigh of relief that the commission has been able to overcome another awesome challenge. This is because of the flak sparked off by some perceived lapses when the election held on November 16.
For the chieftains, members and sympathisers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the celebration party has just begun. Apart from rolling out drums to celebrate the victory of the party’s candidate, Mr Willie Obiano, they are bombarding the air waves with an avalanche of reasons that worked in favour of the party at the polls.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh was on Monday conferred with the prestigious Champion of Religious Peace and Unity International Merit Award by the Africa chapter of the Yeshua Embassy of Church International, a Nigerian leadership religious institution based in Philadelphia, United States of America.
The award was received on his behalf by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, during a brief ceremony held at State House in Banjul.
The accolade is in recognition of the Gambian leader’s contribution to the maintenance of religious peace and co-existence in the country, as well as promoting unity on the African continent.
A 29-year-old man believed to be an infantry soldier in The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) was last Thursday found dead in a bush near Basore, West Coast Region, after he reportedly hanged and set himself on fire.
Family sources have told the Daily Observer over the weekend that the deceased, Matarr Cessay, a native of Brikama, was enlisted into GAF in 2006 and attached to the Farafenni Military Barracks.
Until his death, the late Cessay was a lance corporal who had in 2008, participated in a peacekeeping mission in the restive Sudanese region of Darfur. Prior to his death, he was reported to have gone missing until his body was discovered in the bush where he committed the suicide a week later.
Stakeholders under the aegis of the Ministry of the Environment, Parks and Wildlife and its partners Monday gathered at the conference hall of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) for a training workshop, designed to build the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
The Inventory guidelines are expected to be used to ensure that The Gambia meets the demands of all the international conventions and treaties it has so far ratified on climate change and its related issues.
The Environment, Parks and Wildlife minister, Fatou Ndey Gaye at the event, described the workshop as an important milestone in the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in The Gambia. The minister hastened to thank all the members of the National Climate Committee (NCC), the UNFCCC focal point and secretariat, as well as various national experts for their solid engagement in the development of the National Greenhouse Inventory Report (NIR) of the Third National Communications of The Gambia.
Just a few days after Pope Francis decried capitalism, Argentine lawmakers weighed a new way to honor him: putting his face on a coin.
A proposal to create a commemorative coin as a tribute to Latin America's first Pope passed in Argentina's lower house on Thursday, Rep. Oscar Cachi Martinez said in a post on his official Facebook page.
Martinez first proposed the measure in April, and it garnered approval from congressional committees earlier this month. Now the bill will be sent to the South American county's Senate for consideration.
The goal of the coins, according to the text of the proposed law, is "to commemorate an event of global dimensions, so our present and future generations remember this splendid act in the history of humanity, in which the principal actor is an Argentine."
The Bank of Ghana is seeking more powers under Foreign Exchange Act 2006,(Act 723), to enable it to impose stiffer sanctions on banks and forex bureau operators that flout the law with impunity.
The Central Bank is of the view that instead of merely suspending recalcitrant players in the industry as per the present Act, there should be a situation where it can be allowed to completely ban offenders to help check the growing indiscipline within the market.
The move by the central bank is said to be a response to the blatant disregard for the Act by players in the industry, who find their dubious deals more profitable than the fines imposed on them by the Bank of Ghana.
At the recent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the Governor of the BoG, Dr Henry Kofi Wampah, explained that the quest by the central bank to seek more powers was to help inject sanity into the foreign exchange market while ensuring that players in the sector did not take advantage of the loose nature of the present Act to short-change customers.
How I wish I was a lawyer who could file and argue cases in court, I will have sued the Board of Trustees of the Social Security and Naitonal Insurance Trust (SSNIT) on behalf of social security contributors and pensioners.
My statement of claim in my layman’s language will be as follows.
Claim Number 1: An order from the court to compel SSNIT to fully disclose to contributors and pensioners the reasons for the disposal of SSNIT’s majority interest in Merchant Bank; the criteria for the selection of a buyer for SSNIT’s interest; the bidding process; the details of the bids submitted; the bid evaluation report by the transaction advisor, KPMG; minutes of the SSNIT Board meeting that decided to sell Merchant Bank to Fortiz.
If upon full disclosure of the transaction, it was established that the deal was a bad one for SSNIT contributors and pensioners, I will make the following additional claims.
Claim Number 2: An order by the court to cancel the sale.
Claim Number 3: An order by the court to dismiss the entire Board of Trustees.
Claim Number 4: An order by the court to ban each member of the Board of Trustees from holding office as a member of the Board of Directors of a public company or public institution for 20 years.
The leader of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, speaks on his arrest in Benin Republic, relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, the proposed national conference and other sundry issues as guest of the week on Liberty FM Radio monitored in Kaduna by HASSAN IBRAHIM. Excerpts:
On his comment that if there was no Jonathan in 2015,there will be no Nigeria and that he was coming to the North to help Northern Christians who were been persecuted by the Muslims.
In politics, people take different camps depending on where their ideologies and principles lie. Nigeria is a conglomerate of many nations and in this conglomerate, I happen to be an Ijaw man. Goodluck Jonathan, is also an Ijaw man like me. Whether you like it or not, when you go to London, if you see somebody speaking your language, you will be more attracted to the man speaking your language than the one who does not speak your language. You will feel more secured and safer by associating with the man who speaks your language than the man who doesn’t. This is natural and that is the way God has made it.
Wasiu Ibrahim Adeniyi, an engineer, is an Ibadan indigene aspiring for the South West Local Government chairman under the Accord Party. He spoke with Segun Adebayo about his chances and the current administration in the state. Excerpts:
Why are you still pressing on with your ambition when there is no sign of a local government election holding in Oyo State?
Actually, the interest has been there for long, but the fact remains that the APC state government is not doing the right thing. Because of Ajimobi’s delay to conduct local government election, the people have continued to clamour for it and the noise is getting louder by the day. That is how there can be peace, not only in the state, but the nation entirely because the people at the level are the ones truly close to the people, not the governors. The interim thing that APC is using to direct local affairs is illegal. It’s unconstitutional. That is the reason if you go to Osun State, they call them Executive Secretary not interim chairmen. That is what is in the constitution. To call council chairmen interim local government chairmen is unconstitutional. It’s illegal and Ajimobi, Senator Bola Tinubu, APC know this.
The House of Representatives recently claimed that it had uncovered plan by some government officials to sell the official residence of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Tarry town, New York, sitting on over 16.6 acres of land. Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate the allegation and report back within two weeks.
A member of the House, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and 18 others had raised the alarm through a motion entitled: “Urgent Need to Forestall Alleged Plan to Sell the Official Residence of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Tarry town, New York.” Leading the debate on the motion, Honourable Dogara noted that, “all past Permanent Representatives of Nigeria to the United Nations, except the current permanent representative, have lived there and have very fond and nostalgic memories of their residence in the property. They never expressed any need, whatsoever, to rent other apartments in New York for the purpose of residency.”
A group of investors from the Eastern European nation of Poland recently met with their Gambian counterparts to explore business opportunities in the country.
At a business forum organised in Bijilo by The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and The Gambia Export Investment Promotion Agency (GIEPA), the Polish investors were presented with the opportunities that can be explored in the country in the different areas of economic development.
The president of GCCI, Muhammed Jagana at the occasion, said the Chamber is here to facilitate private sector investment with their counterparts from government and the Ministry of Trade; and GIEPA to help link investors link with local partners and see how they can sell off.
The minister of Health and Social Welfare has disclosed that the president of the Republic personally sponsored the vaccination of all children aged 1-5 years as well as health personnel in the affected regions to the tune of over D37M when the country in 2012 experienced a meningitis epidemic caused by serotype W135.
Minister Omar Sey was speaking recently in Brikama during the launching ceremony of the nationwide meningitis “A” vaccination campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI).
The vaccination targets a staggering 1.2 million people that falls within the age bracket of 1-29 years across all regions of the country.
The United States charge d’affaires to The Gambia has assured that his country will continue to seek ways to work together with the latter, extend cooperation and deepen ties, saying the two countries have been partners since pre-independence.
Speaking on the topic “the ongoing relationship between The Gambia and USA” during the third annual business dinner, organised in Brufut by the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) in The Gambia, Richard Yoneaka assured that they are open for business in the quest to promote economic development.
Yoneaka further assured that his government will continue to send Gambians to the US on international leadership exchange programmes including the prestigious African Women’s Entrepreneur Programme
Reporters Association of Liberia (RAL) has condemned what it calls the arbitrary suspension of three journalists from the state-run Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
LBS Management recently suspended the entity’s Workers Union leadership in person of Titus Togba, Alfred Rogers and Richard Manuba for two months with pay cut.
LBS management revealed in a statement that the decision was based on the three officials “continuous disrespect and a gross insubordination for the senior management.”
Rape is topping the list of crimes committed in Margibi County during the month of November 2013. A copy of court statistics shows that there were 26 cases of rape during the month, including one gang rape and an attempted rape.
The crime statistics also shows that theft of property ranked second, while armed robbery is third followed by aggravated assault and one alleged kidnapping.
The President of the Liberia Bankers Association (LBA), Mr. John B. S. Davies, has declared that the accessibility of citizens to finance remains paramount to economic growth and development in any nation, including Liberia.
The Liberia Bankers Association (LBA) was founded in 1976 as a non-political, professional, not for profit, association to promote the continuance of a professional and sound banking system in Liberia; to provide a forum for the discussion and communication of issues affecting the banking community in particular and the economy and development of Liberia in general, and to promote public and individual education of the banking industry and practices.
The LBA is a major advocacy group in pushing for development of the financial sector in Liberia.
According to Mr. Davies, citizens must have access to finance through what he called a “consistent and sustained credit culture.” He said the banking sector in Liberia is taking major steps to boost the economy and sustain investments in the country micro loan scheme.
A United Nations report has revealed that young children and pregnant women in developing countries including Ghana are exposed to high levels of toxic lead in paints used to decorate toys.
The United Nations Environment Programme reported of danger of exposure to paints in colours red and yellow particularly in the course of a recent International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action.
UN says parents painting their child’s nursery a cheerful red, or handing their child a colourful toy may, through no fault of theirs, be exposing the child to lead - a pernicious toxin.
Government says the reassignment of ex-National Security Advisor as well as immediate past CEO of the FDA, has nothing to do with their conduct while in office.
According to a Deputy Informationa and Media Relations Ministry, Murtala Mohammed, the two officials had demonstrated that they were competent in their previous positions and could not have been reassined merely because of the bad press they received.
Government over the weekend announced the then National Security Advisor, Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (retired), had been appointed head of the Human Security Department while the CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority, Dr. Steven Opuni was named the Acting CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
When I was a wee lad, condoms came in a pack of six, in different colors and scents. For a few pesewas, I forget the exact amount now, you could get a cocktail of six and the teenage prophylactic world was such a simple one to navigate. In those days you didn’t just walk to the counter and buy. Deep penetrating, quizzical attendants stared you into lurking behind the colds and Paracetamol sections. If you were unlucky and it was a she, it was easier to ask your father for a pack than to face the revelation that you were contemplating something really evil that night with someone other than her. We got by using older siblings to purchase, and that came with its torturous nonsense when they threatened to tell mama and papa when you got to fighting; as boys do.
And such it was that I grew up knowing that you should check the condom after, to make sure that the wriggly little things had been trapped properly. Many an unplanned parent was created from a miscarriage of condom vigilance.
But it was never about God, prayers and intervention when it “locked”.
In October 2013, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) issued a warning regarding sub-standard Hitman Condoms from India. If you accept FDA’s statement, the largest pharmaceutical distributor, Tobinco should be shut down and all Directors with fiduciary responsibility should be arrested and tried. This has not happened and so we are in a prayer appeal for redress by the ultimate power in our society. Then there is the bizarre feud between The Ministry of Health and the FDA about sub standard “Be Safe” condoms, imported by the MoH from India and quarantined by the FDA. No one has been arrested for this, it was couched as an improper standards procedure matter.
KOLAWOLE DANIEL writes on the looming multiplier effects of the merger announced by five aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (APC) with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The dust is yet to settle over the sudden decision of five out of the seven aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who broke away to form New PDP and are now on the same page with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Already, the debate is raging on the likely ripple effects of the political marriage on other major political institutions, especially the National Assembly. It is instructive to note that the present Seventh session of the House of Representatives from its inception has proved to be a House where the unexpected often happens, judging by the way and manner its leadership was elected.
The new PDP led by Alhaji Kawu Baraje last Tuesday announced the group’s merger with APC alongside five PDP governors: Rotimi Amaechi(Rivers); Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) and Abdulfatai Ahmed(Kwara). But Dr Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa), who are members of the G7 Governors, distanced themselves from the merger, despite the fact that Baraje had, while announcing the decision of the aggrieved party members to join the APC was a collective one.
Kabir Kola-Balogun, son of late Chief Gani Kola-Balogun, speaks to TADE MAKINDE on his father, Governor Abiola Ajimobi and an organisation, Oranmiyan Youth Consultative Forum for good governance in the state. Excerpts:
How good has it been publishing in an economy that does not encourage the business as it used to?
So far so good, I wouldn’t say that it’s been easy. It’s been some couple of years now that we’ve been publishing. I will say it’s a dream I had sometime ago. I have had a flare for journalism. When we did our first edition, we covered the South-West. Because the desire has been to cover the entire country, I moved my office to Abuja from where we are now distributing to other regions in the country. But as I said, it has been very challenging, but we are getting there. Even though we are having problems with our production and all that, good things do not come easy.
Why the choice of Abuja and not Ibadan?
Like I said, we started in the South-West and only covered the region in our first edition before we moved our office back to Abuja. Being in Ibadan, we might not be able to reach out to the whole 36 states in Nigeria. We want to reach out to the whole nation and even though we have our base in Abuja, we have correspondents all around. That allows us to meet our targets.
Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, believes that critics have been unfair to President Goodluck Jonathan, in the way they deliberately ignore his achievements in office. He says in this interview that, more than any other leaders before him, Jonathan has placed the country on a better pedestal for development and that the President knows what to do to win in 2015, just as he speaks on insinuations that the President plans to bribe some Northerners in a bid to secure another term of four years. LEON USIGBE brings the excerpts:
President Goodluck Jonathan is very concerned about the legacy he will leave behind. From your perspective as the Minister of Interior, what would you say he has on ground that he can cite?
The current President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, was elected popularly by Nigerians on a political platform of transformation and therefore the transformation agenda has become synonymous with him. And the essence of it all is that because Nigerians were gradually losing faith in governance, because Nigerians were losing faith in the machinery of government, on the leadership of this country, it became necessary that some form of ideology, should be unleashed to galvanise Nigerians into once more believing in government and the leadership of government. And I think sincerely that is the major reason that majority of Nigerians overwhelmingly elected the President of the country today. And so, from day one, a new dimension has been added to the process of government. Because if you look at our various political parties, you will discover that on the surface, they are bereft of ideologies, that driving force that could chart the direction of governance. And so, I think that the major achievement of this administration is the introduction of the transformation agenda. The fact that after about 50 years of Nigeria as an independent nation, we have not evolved that propeller, that generator that can put everybody in a very good picture of the direction of government.
The fifth meeting of ECOWAS experts in charge of education and training is scheduled to take place in Banjul from the 2nd to the 6th of December 2013.
The meeting is in line with ECOWAS protocols in the areas of education, human resource development and social and cultural affairs.
The forum will bring experts from ECOWAS member states to assess progress made in the execution of recommendations of the fourth conference held in Abuja in 2012 on education and training in the region.
Experts will deliberate on efforts made by the commission, and the challenges that require the attention of stakeholders for meaningful impact in the education sector, and prepare reports for consideration by ministers.
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) recently held a stakeholders’ forum for National Assembly members on the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) in The Gambia.
The seminar, organised by the GRA through funding and support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was held at the National Assembly Chambers, on Independence Drive in Banjul.
Participants were introduced to topics such as the general principles of VAT, policy, regulations, administrative procedures and legislations.
The seminar was also designed to be a practical convergence in context with examples and exercises to provide the essential knowledge and also the opportunity to share experiences on technical, administrative and regulatory VAT issues in enhancing skills, providing relevant information and encouraging participation.
Ndiku Sarr, a 12-year-old girl and resident of Ebo-Town, is in dire need of help to undergo an overseas treatment.
Ndiku is suffering from Rheumatic Heart Disease and severe mitral insufficiency, discloses her medical report.
The 12-year-old girl also encounters “shortness of breath, easy fatigability, chest discomfort and non-productive cough”.
According to a medical report issued by Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Ndiku Sarr was born healthy until few years ago when she started experiencing gradual onset of difficulty in breathing associated with easy fatigability.
A few weeks ago, it took a Plumas County jury only two hours to convict Gregory Chad Wallin-Reed of homicide, and it took a Superior Court Judge less than two minutes to order an 84 Year prison term.
Wallin-Reed took a moment to give a brief statement to family members of 20 Year old Rory McGuire who was killed in a deadly car chase that started near Wallin-Reed's cabin on the Janesville Grade and proceeded to Antelope Lake two years ago.
If a normal amount of rain ans snow hits California this year, folks may think it's a wet one. But forecasters now say it's difficult to predict what kind of winter lies ahead given that fact there's not a clear El Nino or La Nina pattern.
Most experts say 2013 has been one of the driest years on record, and there's a two thirds chance that California will not emerge from a three year drought pattern. Even Texas and other parts of the southwest are looking at another drought year. That may be hard to imagine considering the stormy weather that has claimed 11 lives so far.
Lassen Volcanic National Park's Kohm Yah Mah Nee Visitor Center will have limited access this winter, thanks to budget restraints at the federal level.
With the exception of the vestibule and restrooms, it will be closed to the public from December 1 through March 31. Officials say when the government shutdown ended, Congress provided funds to operate the Park through January 15, with the final funding to be resolved sometime after that.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has condemned what considers as the gag order released by the Criminal Court “C” on the coverage of a high level scandal in government, terming the restriction as a declaration of a state of emergency.
The Union says the court order is a state sponsored attack on press freedom and citizen’s right to the free flow of information and curtails free expression.
It can be recalled that on November 29, the Criminal Court “C” under the directive of Judge Blamo Dixon ordered media outlets “to refrain and desist from publishing and/or broadcasting directly or indirectly,” activities of Ms. Ellen Corkrum, former Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority who is needed in the country to answer to corruption charges.
Vice President Joseph Boakai has lauded the friendly ties subsisting between Liberia and Ghana as well as the mutual understanding and brotherhood between their peoples.
He recalled the tremendous contributions Ghana made to the restoration of peace and the rebuilding of post war Liberia, noting that it was through the Ghanaian Government that electricity was made available to Monrovia during the first term of the Unity Party-led Government.
Vice President Boakai made the statement Thursday during the official opening of the Solo Exhibition of Made-in-Ghana products and services organized by the Ghana Export and Promotion Authority through the Ghanaian Embassy in Liberia.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has dispelled rumors that she had died while on an official visits outside of the country recently.
“Like Jesus I’m resurrected and more than ever prepared to lead my people,’’ Madam Sirleaf told a cheering crowd.
 Of late, there were wide spread rumors in Monrovia that President Johnson-Sirleaf had died while on an official visits out of the country.
A Deputy Propaganda Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress has slammed Parliament for intervening in the recent stand-off between pharmaceutical giants Tobinco and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Solomon Nkansah insists the action by the legislative body is only to undermine the FDA.
The regulating body has in recent weeks been in battle with the pharmaceutical company, accusing it of importing fake drugs into the country.
It has proceeded to forcibly lock warehouses owned by Tobinco Pharmacy.
Silvio Berlusconi has already been convicted in three other trials
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may face a new inquiry after a court judgment accused him of bribing witnesses at his prostitution trial.
The accusation is contained in a written judgment in the trial of three of his associates, who were convicted of procuring prostitutes for him.
Witnesses were paid at least 2,500 euros (£2,080; $3,400) on a monthly basis to give false testimony, it says.
The former prime minister denied any wrongdoing at his trial.
A member of the Communications team of the New Patriotic Party is demanding a new regulatory regime in which heads of companies found in breach of laws would be punished without necessarily destroying the reputation of the company.
Richard Asante Yeboah is disappointed with how successive governments always run down Ghanaian companies in the name of punitive measures for one offence committed or another.
He was commenting on the ongoing feud between the Food and Drugs Board and Tobinco pharmacy on Asempa FM’s Ekosii sen programme, Friday.
FDA is accusing Tobinco of importing fake drugs into the country and has taken steps to lock warehouses belonging to the Pharmaceutical giants.
Editor in Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper Kweku Baako Jnr has produced copies of Board minutes of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) in which former boss of the Corporation Tsatsu Tsikata defended a 40 million debt claim by Societe Generale.
Quoting copiously the December 16, 1998 minutes of the Board meeting, Baako said Tsikata also defended fully the hedging policy the corporation entered into with the French Bank Societe General which has now become the basis of a judgement debt scandal in the country.
Kweku Baako Jnr was discussing on Newsfile, the controversial sale of GNPC's oil drill ship in 2001, which the Sole Judgement Debt Commission, constituted to investigate all judgement debts in the country is currently probing.
A communications team member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel George Nettey has described as intriguing the conflicting testimonies of former Deputy Minister of Energy regarding the sale of the Discoverer 5II drill ship.
He said KT Hammond on various occasions had given different accounts about the circumstances that led to the sale of the drill ship belonging to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the whereabouts of the remaining US$3.5million realized from the $24million sale.
KT Hammond who led the team which sold the oil drill ship justified reasons for the sale when he appeared before the Judgement Debt Commission investigating the matter.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, on Friday, struck out an application filed by the Lagos State government seeking leave to appeal its judgment which acquitted Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan.
When the case was called on Friday, counsel from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr Femi Adamson, informed the court of a pending application seeking the leave of court to appeal its judgment.
Adamson, however, in an oral submission, prayed the court to strike out the application, which had also been withdrawn by the respondents, due to effluxion of time.
THE Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, freed two Lebanese, Mustapha Fawaz and Abdallah Thahini, from the 16-count criminal charge slammed on them by the Federal Government.
The court, however, sentenced the third accused person, Talal Ahmad Roda, to life imprisonment having been found guilty of conspiracy.
The court also discharged Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park as no concrete evidence was established against the two organisations linking them with terrorism.
A major political and security breach is now brewing in the Obio/Akpor council area of Rivers State over the dissolution of the council by the state government as the chairman of the council vows not to vacate office.
The state government, in a statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii, had announced the dissolution of the council, directing the Timothy Nsirim-led executive to hand over to the Head of Personnel Management of the council.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Thursday convened a daylong forum for stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, designed among other things, to discourage stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with the disease.
The forum also created the opportunity for information sharing, consensus building on key development issues, facilitation of dissemination of best practices and strengthening of policy making for the government of The Gambia.
The director of the National Aids Secretariat (NAS), Ousman Badjie, at the occasion, disclosed that the number of people living with AIDS in 2001 was 34 million, with sub-Saharan Africa severely affected.
Officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Thursday morning met at the President’s International Awards in Bakau for a two-day quarterly review, aimed at taking stock of the achievements as well as the challenges for redress in the march towards achieving the set development targets.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Youth and Sports minister, Alieu K. Jammeh, described the year under review as “a very eventful one”, but hastened to add that more needed to be done in meeting the goals.
The vice president and Women’s Affairs minister has praised the efforts of the institutions under her office for their ‘giant achievement’ of over 98% progress in the implementation of their activities.
Speaking to heads of various public institutions under her office at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) office in Bakau during their quarterly meeting, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy said that progress being made is a pointer that they are effectively carrying out their responsibilities. She however reminded that it is pertinent for the officials to always put in place adequate planning procedures in the implementation of their activities, saying “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.
The quarterly inter-sectoral retreat was meant to review activities and identify challenges for redress. The institutions are the Women’s Bureau, National Population secretariat, National Nutrition Agency, Office of the Vice President and the Food Safety and Quality Authority.
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly called Sir John, will on Monday appear before the committee investigating allegations that the judgement of 2012 Presidential Election Petition was compromised, DAILY GUIDE has gathered.
DAILY GUIDE sources within the Judicial Service stated that Sir John's appearance was for him to clearly state the case in the petition he filed with Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, following a leaked tape containing damning allegations that some of the nine Supreme Court justices who sat on the 2012 presidential election petition were 'seen' before they delivered their judgement.
Interestingly, Victoria Lakshmi Hamah is also appearing on the same day and may make some startling revelations that may shock the nation before the committee.
Music legend, Alfred Benjamin Crentsil, simply known on stage as A.B. Crentsil, has confirmed over a decade-old humourous rumour that he was nearly beaten in the north for one of his all-time hit songs – Atia.
AB narrated how he jumped a wall to safety in a middle of a concert in the North with an angry fan swearing to beat him up for allegedly referring to Northerners as drunkards.
For years, a story was told about A.B. Crentsil, usually in a comic setting, that he went to Bolgatanga, Upper East regional capital, to stage a concert there.`
A.B. Crentsil, at his prime, and at his best on the day, played all his known songs to thrill his fans, but cautiously refrained from singing Atia: the song that had generated huge controversy which inadvertently mocked natives of Bolga at the time.
Ghanaian finalist in this year's Big Brother Africa (The Chase) reality show, Elikem Kumordzi has vehemently denied fathering any of the children of former Black Stars player, Niii Odartey Lamptey.
News went viral Thursday that the ex-Ghanaian international footballer, after a DNA test, found out that all three children he had with his wife, Gloria are not his biological children. The couple are said to have been married for 20years.
There were allegations that Elikem might have fathered one of the kids who is alleged to be ten years old.
The recent developments in Anambra governorship election must be a cause for concern for any patriotic member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There are growing insinuations in political circuits, particularly in PDP that the disposition of ‘Presidency suggests he romances opposition parties in states where he is said to have alliance with some non-PDP governors. This view is reinforced in some quarters against the background of the treatment meted to PDP and its governorship candidate, Mr Tony Nwoye, before, during and after the Anambra election.
The President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who doubles as the leader of our party, should not be seen to be supporting opposition elements and parties against his own party.
I am from Isuofia Ward in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. I have been a member of PDP since its inception and have occupied key positions in the party in the past. I was a Senior Special Assistant to former governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju of Anambra. I was privileged to be part of the Presidential campaign in 2010/2011 and saw all the intrigues and power plays that took place especially, how the South-West states were traded off and compromised to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) now All Progressives Congress (APC).
TRUE to its billing, the fall-out of the November 16, Anambra State governorship election is still heating up the nation’s body polity. Between the day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced its verdict on the governorship poll and now, there have been several reactions to it with majority of the people, including legal experts condemning the electoral body’s pronouncement.
The main grouse of many people was the failure of the INEC to meet the expectation of the electorate and the people of the state in the last election; hence it was no surprise to political watchers that the poll was pronounced inconclusive. Even INEC admitted that one of its own officials frustrated its plan to make the election free and fair despite the huge resources both human and materials committed to the cause.
Saturday, November 30, all things being equal, a section of the Anambrarians, precisely the people of Idemili North and South who were disfranchised in the last election are expected to exercise their civic rights.
THE spirit of the king dwells everywhere and I pray that Osogbo, and indeed Osun State and entire Nigeria will continue to be peaceful and progressive.
As we continue to hold the fort in our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), let me commend our chairman and the entire executive council for keeping the banner of PDP flying. It is another good opportunity to be together in peace and in good health.
As we continue in the journey towards November 26,2014 in Osun, when our party shall, by God’s grace, take over the mantle of leadership from Governor Rauf Aregbesola and give the state a governor of the people, by the people and solely for the people, it is my prayer that God will give us the strength and wisdom to move ahead.
Officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Thursday morning met at the President’s International Awards in Bakau for a two-day quarterly review, aimed at taking stock of the achievements as well as the challenges for redress in the march towards achieving the set development targets.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Youth and Sports minister, Alieu K. Jammeh, described the year under review as “a very eventful one”, but hastened to add that more needed to be done in meeting the goals.
Barely two weeks after two nurses at the Serrekunda Health Centre were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in a rare incident that forced a woman to deliver on the street, a new case has also emerged in Brikama Health Centre involving three others, the Daily Observer can authoritatively report.
Unimpeachable sources have told the Daily Observer that three female nurses (names withheld) were recently rounded up for their complicity and ‘negligence’ in the ‘avoidable’ death of a new born baby, who was reported to have fallen off the bed after delivery at the maternity ward.
The vice president and Women’s Affairs minister has praised the efforts of the institutions under her office for their ‘giant achievement’ of over 98% progress in the implementation of their activities.
Speaking to heads of various public institutions under her office at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) office in Bakau during their quarterly meeting, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy said that progress being made is a pointer that they are effectively carrying out their responsibilities. She however reminded that it is pertinent for the officials to always put in place adequate planning procedures in the implementation of their activities, saying “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.
Ghana will soon benefit from the construction of a new grinding media plant in Tema, by South African steel products manufacturer, Scaw Metals Group. The plant, with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons, would become operational soon, and will offer a number of job opportunities in the local community.
The move valued at more than $40m USD is done in partnership with a consortium comprising Guma, a South African player as well as the Jospong Group of Companies, based in Ghana.
The Scaw Metals Group is the largest producer of cast high chrome grinding media in the southern hemisphere and is the leading producer and supplier of high chrome and forged grinding balls primarily to the African platinum, copper and gold mining industries.
The CPP is raising "serious" concerns that if Parliament goes ahead to pass the Plant Breeders bill, it will introduce dangerous modifications in the DNA of foods causing diseases and deformities.
The Party at a press conference Wednesday says the bill which has entered consideration stage in Parliament, is an attempt by "an overwhleming lobby" of multinational companies such as Monsanto, Du Pont, Sygenta, Bayer to push a "sinister" agenda to control Ghana's food chain through unsuspecting lawmakers and on the blind side of Ghanaians .
Genetic Modification involves the mutation, insertion, or deletion of genes. When genes, usually come from a different species, are inserted into a new organism such as plants or animals, and take on properties and behaviours that it otherwise did not have.
If you build it, they will use it for sex.
The PlayStation 4, Sony's new gaming console, has a camera that can be used to record gamers while they play. But after only two weeks on sale, the PS4 is already being used to broadcast sex sessions with the virtual-reality game "The Playroom," which lets gamers share feeds of their living rooms through a video platform called Twitch.
"People streaming 'The Playroom' are getting banned," Reddit user beethy wrote. "A few minutes ago there was a guy having sex with his partner on the couch."
THE Lagos State Government on Wednesday issued a bond to raise N87.5billion from the capital market to fund key on-going infrastructural projects in the state.
The bond was approved in Ikeja at a Completion Meeting between officials of the state government and major issuing houses led by Chapel Hill Denham.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bond with a fixed interest rate of 13.5 per cent completes the state’s N275 billion debt issuance programme launched six years ago.
SENATOR Uche Chukwumerije has said the controversy trailing the yet-to-be concluded governorship election in Anambra State portends a danger signal to the country, ahead the 2015 elections.
He said this on Wednesday during the confirmation, by the Senate, of Professor Akinola Muritala Salau as a national commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“INEC requires somebody like Professor Salau. I would continue to say that.
“Unfortunately the recent experience in Anambra State, the heated controversies that followed the governorship election of 16th November (in Anambra State) are the kind of things we must not allow to repeat themselves in 2015 elections if we want to save this country.
MORE than 40 suspected Boko Haram sect members were Tuesday killed in an offensive military raid using airstrikes and ground troops by the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Bita village along Damboa-Gwoza road of Borno state.
It is recalled that in the last 12 days over 20 suspected terrorists had been reportedly killed in the late hours of Friday 15th November, 2015, by troops of the Division in Bita village, while several others escaped when the troops laid an offensive attack in one of the Boko Haram hideouts in the area as confirmed to journalists by the spokesman of the Division, Colonel Mohammed Dole.
Bita is a village which harbours camps of Boko Haram terrorists located 32 kilometres west of Gwoza. Gwoza town is about 135 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital which had witnessed series of attacks and killings with the bombing of public schools, a new generation bank, among other deadly activities including road attacks in recent times.
The government of Turkey plans to double the higher education scholarship package it offers to Gambian students by next year, its ambassador in Banjul disclosed Tuesday.
Speaking during his meeting with the vice president and Women’s Affairs minister at State House, Ambassador Ergin Soner also informed that his government through the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TCDA) will procure and install electronic equipment for the video and translation systems of The Gambia’s new National Assembly building at the end of the year.
Commenting on Banjul-Ankara cooperation, the diplomat said the two countries have many areas of development that can be exploited together.
The Zenith Bank Gambia Limited recently presented a cheque of D250, 000 to the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Orphanage Scheme at a ceremony held at the GAF headquarters along Marina Parade in Banjul.
Speaking at the présentation ceremony, Abdoullah Sarr, the officer commanding of the GAF Child Rights Protection unit, described the day as important, revealing that GAF Orphanage Scheme has been in existence since 2007.
He disclosed that the scheme was suggested by the president, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh and commended him for the brilliant initiative. ‘‘This is the first time we have received such donation from an institution’’, and lauded Zenith Bank on behalf of the GAF for the gesture.
The lord mayor of Kanifing Municipality has deplored the Bakoteh Dumping site describing it as a health hazard to residents in the vicinity. Mayor Yankuba Colley made these remarks at his office on Monday during the visit of the executive director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to KMC as part of his nation wide tour.
The lord mayor said the dumping site is a concern for every patriotic citizen, citing its implications to people’s health. He thus urged the NDMA to assist his municipality with the required equipment to clear the area.
Mayor Colley said the Kanifing municipality is more prone to disasters than any other region in the country, saying according to records from the police,fire service and NDMA , KM registers the highest number of disasters annually. He said due to the impact of flash floods his council spends about 40% of its budget on cleansing but to no avail because of the population density of the municipality.
Lassen Volcanic National Park's Kohm Yah Mah Nee Visitor Center will have limited access this winter, thanks to budget restraints at the federal level.
With the exception of the vestibule and restrooms, it will be closed to the public from December 1 through March 31. Officials say when the government shutdown ended, Congress provided funds to operate the Park through January 15, with the final funding to be resolved sometime after that.
A few weeks ago, it took a Plumas County jury only two hours to convict Gregory Chad Wallin-Reed of homicide, and it took a Superior Court Judge less than two minutes to order an 84 Year prison term.
Wallin-Reed took a moment to give a brief statement to family members of 20 Year old Rory McGuire who was killed in a deadly car chase that started near Wallin-Reed's cabin on the Janesville Grade and proceeded to Antelope Lake two years ago.
If a normal amount of rain ans snow hits California this year, folks may think it's a wet one. But forecasters now say it's difficult to predict what kind of winter lies ahead given that fact there's not a clear El Nino or La Nina pattern.
Most experts say 2013 has been one of the driest years on record, and there's a two thirds chance that California will not emerge from a three year drought pattern. Even Texas and other parts of the southwest are looking at another drought year. That may be hard to imagine considering the stormy weather that has claimed 11 lives so far
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Liberia, Ratidzai Ndhlovu, has said the provision of family planning services for women and girls offers the answer to reducing maternal and newborn deaths including the prevention of obstetric fistula in Liberia.
Ms. Ndhlovu said access to family planning is an essential human right that delivers immeasurable rewards to women, families, communities and the nation at large.
She spoke on Saturday 23rd November in Phebe, Bong County at the graduation ceremony of sixteen fistula survivors from the Fistula Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center. The UNFPA Resident Representative disclosed that fistula has all but disappeared in countries where women experiencing complicated deliveries have access to timely emergency obstetric care.
Grand Bassa County District # 3 Representative, Gabriel B. Smith, has underscored the dual role that the oil sector plays in the development or destruction of any nation, including Liberia. According to him, the oil sector serves as an instrument for the development of a nation when it is managed properly for the benefit of the entire citizenry.
On the other hand, he said the availability of oil will also serve as an instrument for chaos and crisis if it is mismanaged by those at the helm of power.
The Grand Bassa lawmaker made these comments recently when he spoke at the ongoing nationwide consultation held in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. The ongoing consultation on the New Petroleum Law of Liberia and the act of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) is intended to have the citizens’ inputs in the final legislation of the two documents.
He said due to the dual role the natural resource plays, members of the House of Representatives decided to embark on consulting their constituents so that some of their inputs and suggestions can be embedded into the document.
With the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, all activities at the University of Liberia (UL) are hereby suspended with immediate effect until otherwise ordered.
This announcement, according to a press release issued in Monrovia on Monday, November 24, 2013, is based on the recent violent disruption on both the Capitol Hill and Fendall Campuses. As a result, the administration of the UL directs that all concerned stay away from the Institution’s premises while a full investigation is being conducted.
If you are a regular patron of Uncle Ebo Whyte’s plays (and you really miss a great deal if you are not), you will have been accustomed to the loud uncontrolled laughter, usually interspersed with thunderous claps that often threaten to bring down the roof of the National Theatre in Accra, venue for the plays in the capital.
Now the man behind such hilarious plays as, Unhappy Wives, Confused Husbands, Every One Has a Secret, Don’t mess with a woman, Sins of the fathers, and many more, says his latest play, The Last Flight tops the chart as his most hilarious play yet.
The renowned playwright and his Roverman Productions, unarguably the most successful theatre production company in the country, have, since 2008, produced an internationally standardized, humour-packed, lesson-filled, family-oriented play every quarter of the year.
Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, says Ghana’s lower middle income status has taken a toll on the country’s ability to borrow on soft terms thereby delaying key infrastructural projects.
Answering questions on the 2014 Budget which he presented to Parliament last week the Minister said policy initiatives in this budget were in response to changes that has come about as a result of Ghana’s status as a lower middle income country. He was speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Saturday November 23, 2013.
“As a middle income country, some of the sources from which we borrow on very soft terms are no longer available to us. They are dwindling”, he noted.
There are serious issues to discuss this week and next, so forgive me if my humor does not burst through as normal. I have a national budget to talk about, possible backdoor sale of a bank, a panel review of Supreme Court Judges’ involvement in the election petition and my own petition to CHRAJ on the GYEEDA program.
How can you find humor in these matters? Maybe Vicky Hammah will have the last laugh. She might be asked to party with the eight-member panel headed by Justice Date-Baah without the Attorney General’s gracious face, she excused herself for some reason, I hope it was a possible conflict of interest.
FIVE persons were reportedly killed and over 200 houses burnt in a fresh attack on Kuka Village in Shendam Local Council Area of Plateau State yesterday.
It was gathered from members of the community that the attackers, who came in hundreds, stormed the village Sunday morning shooting sporadically and setting houses on fire.
Shendam Council is in the southern part of the state and about 300 kilometres from Jos, the state capital.
Apostle Hayford Ikponmwosa Alile, the pioneer Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, is worried about the mono-cultural profile of the nation’s economy and the culture of impunity ravaging the nation’s body polity. In this interview with KENECHUKWU EZEONYEJIAKU, speaks on the strategic options for effective transformation of the economy. Excerpts.
THE gloomy days of capital market may have passed. But how did the saga really come about and do you think the investors have overcome the trauma?
It may take time to rub off that impression. Stock market is built on confidence. It just happened as an accident of time and it was a global issue. I will be surprised even if President Obama did not get some of his money lost in the meltdown in American capital market. Nigeria was not an exception. We tried very hard to cautiously link the Nigerian Stock Exchange to global market but unfortunately, what happened to us was a stage where we were opening our market to the global interactions to attract what they call hedge fund managers, international portfolio managers to bring their money into our market. As I was there, although I believe in competitive market, market force, but at the same time, the perfection in our economic environment is not there. You can’t call a Nigerian environment a perfect market. In a perfect market, foreigners can come in with their money and go out at will but one little thing I learnt in life was my experience working with the British situation. Margaret Thatcher- who was their Prime Minister then, started privatisation when a lot of companies in Britain then were under the control of the government but she opened up and privatised as much as possible. But when she was privatising the British Petroleum, I remember, she was not in the country when it was done and 15 per cent or so was sold to the Kuwait Investment Organisation. When she came back and found out what had transpired in her absence, she said no no no no no, and she was running one of the most open market but yet, she intervened in the interest of Britain. That was the role I too had to play in the interest of Nigeria.
Trinidad and Tobago offers Nigerians scholarship in Carnival Art
AS an enduring element of nation-building and national cohesion, the Federal Government has pledged continuous support for promoting culture. And to uplift capacity of Nigerians in carnival organisation and management, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has promised to offer scholarship in Carnival Art. The training and skill acquisition programme will be done at the University of Trinidad and Tobago as well as University of West Indies.
Speaking in Abuja at the weekend at the opening of the Abuja International Carnival 2013, Culture and Tourism Minister, Chief Edem Duke said the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation would remain committed to the development of the creative sector.
The managing director of the Assets Management and Recovery Corporation (AMRC) has disclosed that the institution has since its inception in 1992 collected/recovered about 72 percent of the entire defunct Gambia Commercial and Development Bank (GCDB) portfolio to the tune of more than D241M from the various accounts – commercial loans, development funds and managed funds accounts.
Presenting the Corporation’s annual activity report for 2012 Thursday to the Joint Session of the Public Accounts and Public Enterprises Committees (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly, Saikou Kujabi informed the members that the balance outstanding on the said GCDB loan portfolio is about D93, 596, 040.00 as at the year ended.
The managing director reminded that the AMRC was established by an act of parliament to manage the assets and liabilities of the defunct Gambia Commercial and Development Bank (GCDB) and subsequently to take over the management and administration of any assets of the Gambia government which the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs may assign to it from time to time. These, he added, include the portfolio of assets from various Commissions of Enquiry established after the July 22 Revolution.
The minister of Youth and Sports, accompanied by a high-powered delegation comprising senior officials of his Ministry and members of the Youth in Agriculture and Fishing Initiative (YAFI) Friday visited a 10-hectare rice field cultivated for President Jammeh by the community of Sanyang in Kombo South, West Coast Region (WCR).
The visit by Minister Alieu K. Jammeh was the culmination of his five-day tour that took him and delegation across the length and breadth of the country visiting youth farms, youth projects, and holding meetings with local authorities in all the regions.
Speaking to the Daily Observer at the farm, the National Assembly member for Kombo South Constituency, Honourable Abdou Colley, said the idea by the people of Kombo Sanyang to cultivate a rice farm for the president was in response to his call for people to venture into farming so as to improve food security in the country.
The chief justice of The Gambia, Justice Mabel Agyemang, Friday led a workshop of legal practitioners under the aegis of the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG) to raise awareness on the debilitating menace of gender-based violence perpetuated against women.
With its focus on strengthening the capacity of legal practitioners to represent victims of gender-based violence, the members of the third arm of government used the opportunity to call for a halt to the menace as well as advocate for the ratification of two bills concerning the issue, that are yet to pass at the legislature.
In her remarks, CJ Mabel Agyemang said gander-based violence seems to be “on the increase”, lamenting that there have been instances when women have died through beatings or other physical health assaults, rape as well as other sexual forms of violence. “Many victims have lost faith in their world as human beings because of such acts that are perpetuated against them,” she further lamented, while calling for concerted efforts in stamping out the menace.
A low pressure system off the southern California coast and a high pressure ridge building off the northern coast don't mix well for those in the middle.
A High Wind Warning is forecast over the ridges and along the western slopes of the Sierra beginning this evening around 7 p.m. and continuing through Saturday afternoon to 4 p.m.
Members of the Bureau of Land Managements Northeast California Resource Advisory Council will review and comment on a draft environmental impact statement on conservation of greater sage-grouse and their habitat, Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m., at the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville.
A group of Maidu Indians has succeeded in its quest to be named the official owner of Humbug Valley, a 2,325-acre area in Plumas County that is the last remnant of their once vast homeland still in relatively pristine condition.
The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council unanimously recommended that the Maidu Summit Consortium hold title in perpetuity to the grassy meadow laced by a wild trout stream seven miles southeast of Chester.
The action caps the 10-year Maidu effort to regain ancestral land and use traditional techniques to manage ecosystems that include several endangered and sensitive species.
A Nigerian man has be sent to the Monrovia Central Prison for allegedly drugs trafficking after he allegedly defecated with the cocaine. According to a Drugs Enforcement Agency charge sheet, this is in the possession of this paper.
Defendant Samuel Sunday Nweke a Nigerian bearing passport number 03601478 was arrested at the Robert International Air Port (RIA), and violated section 41.23 of the reverse public health law of Liberia. The charged sheet further averred that he had 50 tubes of cocaine concealed in his stomach, value at twenty thousand United States dollars $US 20,000.00.
The new Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has asserted that that he has not come to the position to make friends, but to serve Liberia by vigorous fighting the menace of corruption.
Cllr. James Verdier pointed out that he has not come to the position to witch hunt anyone, but to bring credibility to the Commission means of embarking on a proper and orderly manner of fighting corruption.Cllr. Verdier was speaking Friday, November 22, 2013 when he took over from Cllr. Frances Johnson-Alison as Chairperson of the LACC.
: The Land Commission (LC) through its Commission for Land Disputes Resolution has called on the House of Representatives to pass the Criminal Conveyance Bill currently before that august body.
Submitted to the Liberian Legislature in 2012, the Criminal Conveyance Bill seeks to deal with suspected criminal(s) who are involved in the multiple sales of land in the country.
The bill was unanimously endorsed by the Liberian Senate but still lingering in the House of Representatives without concurrence.
The Ghana Golf Association will hold the maiden edition of the Golf awards come 22nd December, 2013 at the La Palm Hotel as it was lauched on November 18.
The launch was attended by known persons in the sport of golf in Ghana, including the country director for golf, Mr. Tom Kennedy, who is in his first year of his three-year tenure, Mr. Mike Aggrey, Dr. Frimpong, President of Ghana Golf Association (GGA), Gp Capt. F.A. Gyimah-Kwakye, Hon. Secretary of GGA and Madam Alice Attipoe. At the launch, Mad. Alice Attipoe, President of the National Sports Authority (NSA), in her address, encouraged patronage of golf by people at all levels and reiterated the NSA’s support for all sports disciplines
Government's efforts at supporting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) with loans could be a total failure if it continues to rely on private banks to push its agenda, an economist has noted.
Sydney Casely-Hayford is therefore advising government to stick with its own banks who are more sympathetic with its stated development objectives.
He was speaking on Multi TV's PM Express Wednesday discussing a new government initiative to help SMEs with a 50 million Ghana cedi fund.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Seth Terkper announced the new initiative to support SMEs during the reading of the 2014 Budget Statement in Parliament last Tuesday.
For those who are marginalized in society, the 2014 budget statement presented last Tuesday presents no hope for change, a CPP statement has said.
The satement issued by Nii Armah Akomfrah, CPP Director of Communication, says government is sharing "misery" not prosperity and that the budget will not meet the aspirations of Ghanaians in 2014.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Seth Terkper last Tuesday present government's 2014 Budget Statement in Parliament aimed at achieving a "stable, united, inclusive and prosperous country with opportunities for all and reinforce the foundation of socio-economic transformation in partnership with the private sector".
The Minister reiterated the President's commitment to enhance the 'Better Ghana Agenda' and will put people first by addressing human development issues through decent work for all.
Mark-SENATEPRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated the need for concerted effort to deepen democratic governance on the African continent.
In a keynote address to participants at the first Africa Legislative Summit in Abuja, the president remarked that there still exist threats to democracy and good governance in spite of the removal of autocratic regimes in the continent in recent years.
Similarly, the Senate President, David Mark, acknowledged that African democracy was at the crossroads, with mixed results of consolidation in some countries and regression in others.
However, he stressed that democracy remains the panacea to the insecurity problems, declining economic growth, social exclusion, ethno-religious and communal conflicts and endemic corruption besetting the African people.
I won’t honour invitation, says Osun ex-gov
WITH a plot that might ultimately determine the fate of its aggrieved members, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday directed its four recently suspended members to appear “unfailingly” before the Umaru Dikko-led disciplinary committee next Wednesday to answer to the charges against them.
Wednesday, the party listed the offences allegedly committed by its four suspended members, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Abubakar Baraje, its former Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, and former Vice Chairman (North West), Ibrahim Kazaure.
However, in a press statement by the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Onwe S. Onwe, who doubles as secretary to the Disciplinary Committee, it was made clear that the suspended persons “could appear in person or send their lawyers.”
• Falae seeks ethnic representation
THE nature of the composition of the federating units in Nigeria, as well as the form of government that would be adopted to suit the country’s complex structure are expected to dominate discussions at the proposed national conference.
Also expected to be part of deliberations are the issues of indigene-settler relationship, Bakassi, security and corruption in the country.
Meanwhile, former presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, has insisted that for the national conference to get the approval of the Nigerians, the committee must ensure that it uses the ethnic nationalities to pick the delegates that will represent them at the conference.
Chairman of the National Dialogue Committee, Senator Femi Okorunmi, who disclosed this to reporters Wednesday at the committee’s one day retreat in Abuja noted that the issues were dominant as presented by stakeholders in the 13 states visited.
Investigations have been mounting since November 12 at The Gambia Police Force following what was described as a “gruesome” attack on a man by his friend, now on the run.
Fajatta Touray, a resident of Tallinding Bantaba, was left with severe wounds on his arm after his friend and partner, one Almamo Saho, attacked him in the West Coast Region village of Tujereng and ran away with ‘huge’ sums of both local and foreign currencies belonging to the victim, the Daily Observer can report.
Sources told this paper that the duo, who both hail from the same village of Jarumeh Koto in the Central River Region (CRR) have been friends since childhood.
The minister of Youth and Sports, Alieu K. Jammeh, who is on a nationwide tour of all the regions of the country, Monday visited a 2.5-hectare sesame and a 1.3-hectare groundnut farms cultivated by the Karantaba Youth Development Association in Jokadu and the Kerewan Red Cross Link respectively in the North Bank Region.
Minister Jammeh is accompanied on the tour by the deputy governor of West Coast Region (WCR), Bakary Jaiteh; nominated National Assembly member, Hon. Seedy S.K Njie; APRC national youth mobiliser, Pierre Minteh; the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malang Jassey; National Youth Council executive secretary, Abubacarr Sissawo; deputy director of Youth and Sports, Pa Suwareh Faye; and the coordinator of the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI), Landing Sanneh, NEDI.
The Fourth Consultative Committees’ meeting of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) is scheduled to kick-off today in Banjul with stakeholders seeking to “fast-track the ECOWAS regional electricity market”.
Spearheaded by the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), today’s meeting was preceded by a daylong technical meeting that set the agenda of the two-day fourth consultative summit.
The forum, among other things, is designed to promote cooperation and exchange of information amongst the regulatory bodies of ECOWAS member states. It also serves as a platform for discussions by regulators and all other stakeholders in the electricity sector in West Africa. The forum further reflects the uppermost concern of ERERA, that regulation is central to the development process of the regional electricity market.
With no money in the bank, no design, no specified location and no time-frame to build it, the prospects of a new community pool are brighter now that a Joint Powers Authority will decide all those elements, including financing and staffing, if the project comes to pass.
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors and the Susanville City Council met in a special, combined session yesterday, finalizing the document that will serve as a framework for all efforts that now go forward
A California transportation advocate is laying down plans for a tax measure that, if approved by voters, would raise $3Billion each ;year to fix California's roads, highways and bridges.
The Susanville "Five" will resume more normal business tonight after a joint meeting with the Lassen County Board of Supervisors on Monday that tied down a Joint Powers Agreement between the two parties regarding a community swimming pool.
One of the highlights of tonight's session is the release of the annual report of the Susanville Municipal Energy Corporation.
: Cellcom, one of the leading GSM companies operating in the country, has extended its affordable 4 G services to Margibi and Sinoe Counties respectively.
Making the pronouncement at a major press conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, the management of Cellcom said the two counties bring to four the number of counties its affordable 4G services have reached. Montserrado and Grand Bassa Counties are the first two counties the company launched its 4G services.
The Cellcom 4 G services make it easier for one to communicate faster through either cell phone or internet. Before the launch of the Cellcom 4G services in the country, it was difficult for one to access the internet faster.
Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has expressed gratitude on behalf of the Liberian Government to the Governments of the States of Qatar and Kuwait for their exemplary support to Liberia’s reconstruction efforts.
The Liberian Foreign Minister, who is currently in the Middle East to attend the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit taking place in Kuwait, in separate meetings on the margins of the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit with his Qatari and Kuwaiti counterparts conveyed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's profound greetings, while thanking them for their respective support to Liberia.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has begun the inspection of the headquarters of all registered political parties in country.
The exercise started on Monday and is due to end today, Wednesday. The inspection of the headquarters of registered political parties in Liberia is in line with Article 79 (c) sub section (i) of the Liberian Constitution which requires all registered political parties in the country to operate functioning headquarters in Monrovia, the Capital City of Liberia.
Grand Gedeh County District #2 Representative Zoe E. Pennue has denied media report that he (Pennue) had abandoned his ambition to contest the 2014 Special Senatorial Election.
Last week, it was reported by a local daily that Rep. Pennue had abandoned his quest to contest the Special Senatorial Election due to alleged pleads from his kinsmen for the county’s present Senator Isaac Nyenabo who has also expressed his desire to contest again.
But Rep. Pennue said only God can stop him from contesting the upcoming senatorial election. He said no one, including his kinsmen can persuade him to abandon or forgo his plan to be the next Senator for the county, boasting that he (Pennue) remains the most popular contender in Grand Gedeh.
Former Zebilla Member of Parliament (MP) and a plaintiff in the controversial GNPC, Aker case, is accusing the Energy Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah and the clerk of Parliament of contempt.
John Ndebugri says he is in talks with his lawyer and may soon haul both men before the Supreme Court.
The former MP had sought an interim injunction at the Supreme Court, restraining the Energy Minister from laying a new agreement between the GNPC and AMP Petroleum over oil exploration in the Deep South Tano block.
According to Ndebugri, the injunction application was duly served on the minister and the clerk of Parliament with the former filing an affidavit in opposition to the interlocutory injunction.
Mr. Chairman, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, Former President of the Republic of Ghana
Honourable Ministers of State Honourable Members of Parliament Chiefs and Traditional Leaders Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Representatives of other Political Parties
Members of the Media Distinguished Invited Guests Fellow Ghanaians
Ladies and Gentlemen
Assalamu Alailkum and Good evening!
I would like to thank all of you for making the time from your busy schedules to be present at this inaugural Alhaji Aliu Mahama Memorial Lecture. I am very humbled to have been asked by the Foundation to deliver this first lecture. In fact, when the request came, I thought there must have been some mistake as I felt someone else more qualified, perhaps a statesman like our Chairman, should be the one giving this lecture. I am truly honoured for the opportunity.
Ghana and Ivory Coast have agreed to constitute a joint team to establish the geographical boundaries of a disputed area off the coast of Ghana, rich in oil and gas.
Ivory Coast recently renewed its efforts to claim the oil-rich C100 maritime area, which Ghana said is part of its territorial waters. Ghana thought it had exclusive possession and occupation of the territory until April this year, when Ivory Coast announced it had struck oil on a block off Ivory Coast and adjacent Ghana’s Jubilee Field.
The territory is estimated to hold about 2 billion barrels of oil reserves and another 1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
SOUTH Africa leads the African continent in names appearing on Forbes list of Africa’s 50 Richest. With 14 individuals on the list, the country trumps both Nigeria (11 fortunes) and Egypt (9 fortunes). South Africa’s 14 richest have a combined net worth of $28.79 billion, and an average net worth of $2.06 billion.
South Africa’s largest fortunes have seen slow growth in the past year, weighed down by meager gains in the resources and mining sectors. Nicky Oppenheimer ($6.6 billion), who recently sold diamond mining firm De Beers to mining giant Anglo American for $5.1 billion; African Rainbow Minerals chairman Patrice Motsepe ($2.7 billion) and Assore chairman Desmond Sacco ($1.4 billion) barely saw their fortunes move compared to a year ago.
Founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Movement, on Tuesday, converged in Abuja and declared that a political party, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), was registered without compliance with the requirements of the law.
The leaders vowed to take all legal steps to ensure that the name of the movement now registered as a political party is taken back and the movement reverted to its original role as a pressure group within the PDP.
The new party, PDM, is widely seen as a political party on which platform former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar may contest the 2015 presidential election.
THE United States (US) government has designated Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), according to US and Nigerian government statements, Empowered Newswire reported.
Two statements from the White House and the State Department, on Wednesday morning, made the designation formal, and a third statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC expressed the reaction of the Nigerian government.
While the US Department of State “announced the designation of Boko Haram and Ansaru as FTO under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended,” it also labeled the groups as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” under Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224.”
The Director-General of the National Bureau of Veteran Affairs has disclosed that the bureau is faced with enormous constraints. Retired Brigadier General Rudolf F. Kolaco said lack of logistics, budgetary constraint and lack of vehicles were undermining the smooth operation of the bureau.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Liberia News Agency(LINA) on Friday, November 8, 2013, Gen. Kolaco said the bureau has no outside support apart from government subsidy, and appealed to donor agencies to buttress government’s efforts in making the institution viable.
Several Liberians have described the demise of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) for Economic Policy as a great loss not only to the CBL, but to country as a whole.
Mr. Theophilus Totee Beetie died Sunday, November 10, 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria. Born August 25, 1963, the deputy CBL governor died at the Saint Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria on Friday, November 8, 2013 while attending the bi-annual conference of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM).
Montserrado County District #7 Representative, Solomon George, has described the Township of West Point in Monrovia as the headquarters of ‘drug addicts’ in Liberia. West Point is a slum congested community in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
Asserted Rep. George: “You talk about drug; West Point is the headquarters of drug addicts. That area is also a major place for drug trafficking. We have been talking to some of our people to desist. I think we need more police stations and officers in West Point.”
Gender advocate, Angela Dwamena Aboagye has condemned threats by a deputy Director of the Ghana Education Service, to severely punish girls who get pregnant while in school.
According to her, the proposition was too archaic to be applied in modern, democratic state.
Mrs Bernardette Banongwie, who is the Head of the Inspectorate Division at the GES, last week said any girl who gets pregnant through consensual sex, should be severely punished.
A Research Fellow at the Center for Policy and Research believes the unguarded utterances of some politicians in Ghana persist because the country celebrates "noise-makers".
Samuel Kingsford said on Multi TV's PM Express Monday, that "the problem we have in Ghana is that we celebrate noise-makers, people who can talk, they are eloquent..but no content".
We may have glossed over the real but perhaps unconscious import of the President's response to public concerns that corruption under his watch is a lost cause.
Yes, he said, governing was difficult; Yes, he doesn’t expect solidarity (although it would be great if he got it).
Add the two together and in a weird way this is what it suggests – ‘get me a technical director’.
That is how women talk to their husbands when they need help. They use language in a roundabout way.
“Oh darling am tired doing chores but if you are not gonna help that’s fine, I will do it myself’ – sounds familiar doesn’t it?
It is no longer a partisan position to say the government's commitment to fight corruption is lacklustre. It used to be a partisan posture, but no, now it is not. Not any more.
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has declared that he is the greatest beneficiary of the late former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina’s political influence, by becoming the state governor in 2011.
Ajimobi made this disclosure on Monday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, during the one year remembrance for the former All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state.
Governor Ajimobi revealed how the late Lam, as a leader of the party, tactically calmed him whenever he visited him at his Felele residence.
Prior to the 2011 elections, according to Ajimobi, “everybody was being addressed as His Excellency. Whenever anyone of us was around then, shouts of His Excellency always rent the air. But whenever I sat beside the late Lam, he will tell me to wash my hands in the bowl and pick pawpaw from the plate. At first, I will resist but he will insist I do as he ordered, so as I put my hand into the bucket, he will place his hand on my palm and whisper into my hearing that ‘don’t worry, we will pick you as our governorship candidate.’
THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, has been asked to investigate the link between a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Esho Jinadu (aka Buruji Kashamu) and five judges of the Federal High Court.
However, Kashamu, in a reaction to the petition said it is an attempt to blackmail and tarnish the image of the judiciary in the country.
In a petition to the CJN, dated November 1, 2013, a copy of which was obtained by Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, the petitioner, Nigerians Against the Abuse of Courts (NAAC) said it is worried that Buruji Kashamu, the self-acclaimed leader of the PDP in the Southwest and Ogun State is now notorious for subversion of justice through the instrumentality of principally the Federal High Court.
UNKNOWN gunmen attacked police station located at Osara, in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, Sunday night, killing three policemen and one civilian.
The civilian, a middle-aged man, was said to be exchanging greetings with a friend not too far from the station, when a stray bullet hit him during exchange of fire with the gunmen.
The police station is a stone throw from the Kogi State Polytechnic, Department of Advanced Studies, Osara campus
The massive demolition exercise currently underway in Banjul has been welcomed by the Banjul City Council (BCC) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), who are in fact key partners in the implementation of this crucial safety precaution process.
It would be recalled that on Wednesday, partners under the supervision of the Department of Physical Planning demolished decades-old structures at Grant Street in Banjul in what was seen as an attempt to not only ensure safety, but to bring sanity to the city.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, has told the Pan-African magazine, New African, that the centuries-long imperialism and colonial hegemony “brought Africa nothing but poverty, backwardness, exploitation and slavery”.
In his marathon exclusive interview with New Africa’s deputy editor, Regina Jane Jere, at State House in Banjul, published on its November edition, President Jammeh did not mince words when he reiterated that under colonialism, “Gambians were not trained to be doctors or scientists” in sharp contrast to the current prevailing situation under his regime where the Medical School under the University of The Gambia continues to produce homegrown doctors
“Yes, a few years ago there was no university here. And that is part of the reasons why we have left the Commonwealth. The British were here in The Gambia for 400 years, and in that time they built only one high school,” the Gambian leader told the New Africa editor, who appeared to be dumb-founded by that revelation.
The Imam of State House has renewed his call for Muslims within The Gambia and elsewhere in the world to remain steadfast and show even more commitment to the teachings of the Islamic religion.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer Monday, Imam Abdoulie Fatty, also an executive member of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, also encouraged Muslims to fast the ninth and tenth days of the Muslim New Year (Muharram), commonly called ‘Yowmal Ashura’, saying fasting in those the days carry bountiful rewards from Allah.
A committee of Florida lawmakers rejected a proposal to repeal the ''stand your ground'' self-defense law Thursday, following an hours-long hearing.
Republican Representative Marti Coley argued that Floridas is a safer place and the crime rate is the lowest it has been in 42 years.
The Florida House of Representatives Criminal Justice Subcommittee held a five-hour hearing starting at 3 p.m. to vote on a bill repealing the law granting individuals to use deadly force when they believe their life is in jeopardy.
As part of its mission to provide healthy, educational and community-building opportunities, the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds has decided to allow the general public to participate in a day of raking leaves Nov. 9. This activity, which has usually been reserved for a small group of specialists, gives a chance to anyone who is inclined to spend a couple of hours breathing clean, fresh air, as well as learning about the multitude of different leaves the 65 acres of fairground produces.
Communities in this country and others around the world will be conducting ceremonies to mark Veterans Day, originally Armistice Day.
In Susanville, a company of local veterans will be marching in a parade that steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the National Guard Armory at the Fairgrounds and heads west on Main Street to the Memorial Hall for a brief ceremony and a lunch supplied by auxiliary groups
The Liberia National Police (LNP) through a joint security team on Saturday, November 9, 2013 arrested the head of the Presidential Police escort in connection with alleged drugs trafficking.
According to a press statement issued in Monrovia over the weekend, the head of the Presidential Police Escort Detail, police officer Supt. Perry Dolo, was arrested for transporting what has been estimated to be 297kg of green leafy substance believed to be marijuana at the Tennie Check Point in Grand Cape Mount County.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Elections were on Saturday, November 9, 2013 halted in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County City by the Civil Law Court of Liberia.
Members of the PUL were about to hold their elections on Saturday when a sheriff from the Civil Law Court arrived with a writ of injunction, halting the process. The pen pushers had earlier gone through other key components of their two-day congress and were about to hold their elections when the court halted process to their disappointment.
The Managing Editor of the FrontPage Africa Newspaper (FPA), Mr. Rodney Sieh, has been permanently released from prison. Mr. Sieh was released permanently on Friday, November 8, 2013 from the Monrovia Central Prison (South Beach).
According to information gathered by this paper, Mr. Sieh was picked up by police officers on Friday, November 8, 2013 and taken back to prison, following the expiration of a-30-day compassionate leave given him by the Government of Liberia (GoL). At one point, he was even placed under house arrest by the government.
It can be recalled that the GoL through the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 granted the Editor-In-Chief of the FPA a compassionate leave for the period of 30 days effective as of October 8, 2013.
The driver of dismissed deputy Communications Minister, Victoria Hammah, is suspected to have been kidnapped by two unknown men Monday morning.
Lawrence Quayeson had sought refuge at a family residence near Dansoman after packing out of Victoria Hammha’s house.
A family friend only known as Nadia, with whom he sought refuge told Joy News the two men who picked him up did not identify themselves.
She said Lawrence came to them yesterday evening to charge his phones but had to sleep over because it was late in the night.
Energy Expert, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby has described as "sad", government's decision to cut utility tariffs by about 25 per cent.
He said the action was an unnecessary inteference with the work of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the constitutionally mandated body to set utility prices in consultation with the relevant stakeholders..
"This is a sad day for Ghana", Dr. Wereko-Brobby, who is also the Chief Policy Analyst at the Ghana Institute for Public Policy Options (GIPPO), said on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Monday.
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Nana Oye Lithur has refuted claims by Victoria Hammah that she influenced the verdict of the 2012 election petition.
On a secretly recorded tape Ms. Hammah, who was dismissed as deputy Communications Minister, alleged that prior to the landmark ruling, Mrs Oye Lithur met the Supreme Court justices, suggesting she might have influenced their ruling.
But the Children and Social Protection Minister has vehemently denied the allegation in a statement dated November 9, 2013.
"The allegation is untrue and preposterous," she rebutted.
• NACA vows to win war against HIV/AIDS
THE Jigawa State government has urged that individuals, non-governmental organisations and other interest groups are free to attend and express their views at the sitting of the presidential advisory committee on national dialogue.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America (Egbe Omo Yoruba) has commended the setting up of the committee for a national dialogue, demanding that the resolutions from the conference should be subjected to a referendum by the people.
The advice by Jigawa government was contained in an announcement to the residents of a letter by the national dialogue panel notifying it of the committee’s plan to visit two states in each geopolitical zone in order to collect memoranda and interact with Nigerians with a view to determining the agenda, duration and composition of the conference
• Partner Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
TO accelerate Nigeria’s progress in achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and beyond, a coalition led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Jim Ovia, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Mrs. Sola David- Borha and others will Tuesday launch the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN).
The board has appointed Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq as the Executive Director (ED)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PHN.
Co-chair of the PHN, Ovia, in a statement Sunday stated that the launch of the PHN would provide a platform to share the vision of the alliance and called on private sector leaders to join the initiative towards improving healthcare delivery for lasting impact.
• Enugu governor may divorce spouse
• Community insists on proper dissolution of marriage
• Onwenu, Okei-Odumakin seek probe, protection of victim
• Groups petition United Nations, urge her release
ONCE upon a time in the not-too-distant past, the wife of a state governor somewhere in the old Eastern Region took ill, reportedly of depression.
Her once-loving husband, rather than show her the care that could have helped her recover, shipped her off to a United States (U.S.) hospital. .
Not much was heard of her, and till date, not much is known of what befell the lady. .
Now, also in the East, specifically in Enugu State, another script with similarities to the earlier incident is allegedly being acted out.
Even before the official start of preparations for The Gambia’s 50 years of nationhood since it ended what many described as a “degrading era of imperialism and colonial hegemony”, a Gambian artist has began work in earnest with a view to making the 2014 Golden Jubilee a success.
On Wednesday, Artist Pa Sang Carvalho presented 32 proposed designs of his artistic works in various catalogues to the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs ahead of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary slated for February 18th, 2015. The designs are also meant for the 20th anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution next year.
Receiving the designs, Vice President Njie-Saidy commended Carvalho for the work, while reiterating President Jammeh’s continued call for young people of The Gambia to take up responsibilities. “Carvalho has shown to us that he is versatile in his areas of professionalism,” she said.
The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh on Thursday afternoon held talks with the chief executive officer of Ballore Africa Logistics Group.
CEO Dominique Lafont was accompanied to Banjul by top officials of the Group, in an attempt to explore the country’s investment opportunities. The Group is particularly interested in exploring investments in the area of ports, amongst others.
Welcoming the investment delegation, President Jammeh expressed delight for their visit, informing them that his wish is to make The Gambia’s port one of the best in the whole world. “We want to make sure that before the end of 2014 we lay the foundation stone of the railway system and start the construction work because we realised that as the ports is saturated so also our roads too,” he told the investors.
Leaders of the Republics of The Gambia and Nigeria have reaffirmed their resolve to work together to strengthen the longstanding bilateral relations that bind their governments and peoples together, for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Their Excellencies, President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan made the pledge Saturday at the end of the latter’s two-day official visit to The Gambia.
It was Jonathan’s maiden visit to The Gambia, and during his stay, bilateral relations between Banjul and Abuja were reviewed. He also presided over the historic commissioning of the new Chancery Building of the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in The Gambia.
At least one thousand five hundred young women in Paynesville City, Montserrado County are expected to benefit from a job creation program known as “Be The Change Academy”. The “Be The Change Academy”, which is run by the Youth Crime Watch of Liberia, with support from the Norwegian Government through Peace Child International (UK Based); aims at creating economically stimulating jobs and enterprises for young women through intensive business skills training and guidance.
It was launched recently (Wednesday October 30), at Youth Crime Watch’s Young Women Empowerment Center in Wood Camp, Paynesville City, outside Monrovia. The two-year program officially launched in Liberia includes: two other Mano River Union countries, Guinea and Sierra Leone in which the program is currently being implemented.
The program seeks to provide young women between ages 15 and 35 with marketing, business management and accounting skills, and access to finance for start-up-capital to run their business enterprise.
The Executive Director of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), Mr. Roosevelt Woods, has blasted Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson for criticizing the Government of Liberia(GOL) new regulation against commercial motorcyclists.
FIND is an international human rights and pro-democracy organization operating in the country. Commercial motorcyclists are generally referred to here as ‘Pehn-Pehn’ riders.
According to Mr. Woods, it is uncalled-for for an official of government to condemn a regulation which borders on the protection of the rule of law.
He said it was bad for Senator Johnson to use the new regulation against motorcyclists to gain political relevance.
He said the Nimba County Senator must support the government’s stance because the senator is part of the government and therefore he must support the measure which is aimed at maintaining law and order in the country.
Normal working activities were stalled at Sime Darby Plantation-Liberia for two days as a result of a protest that was staged by employees of the Plantation against the workers Union. The Sime Darby Plantation-Liberia (SDPL) is situated between Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
The protest, according to report, was occasioned by the throwing of stones and destruction of several properties, including a shop owned by the workers union’s President, Madam Grace Mason.
According to the report gathered by this paper, the SDPL workers staged the violent protest against their union in demand of an increment of 14 US cents per day to their monthly salary.
When 74 year old former Marine and USO volunteer John Colas heard with just an hour's notice that a Marines' plane was bearing down on Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, he and others scrambled to make sure they got a hero's welcome.
The reception started with a water salute in which their plane taxied underneath an arch of water from fire truck hoses.
A committee of Florida lawmakers rejected a proposal to repeal the ''stand your ground'' self-defense law Thursday, following an hours-long hearing.
Republican Representative Marti Coley argued that Floridas is a safer place and the crime rate is the lowest it has been in 42 years.
The Florida House of Representatives Criminal Justice Subcommittee held a five-hour hearing starting at 3 p.m. to vote on a bill repealing the law granting individuals to use deadly force when they believe their life is in jeopardy.
As part of its mission to provide healthy, educational and community-building opportunities, the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds has decided to allow the general public to participate in a day of raking leaves Nov. 9.
This activity, which has usually been reserved for a small group of specialists, gives a chance to anyone who is inclined to spend a couple of hours breathing clean, fresh air, as well as learning about the multitude of different leaves the 65 acres of fairground produces.
Those lucky enough to participate will be allowed to bring their own rakes, since we understand how important it is to wield a garden tool you are familiar with. If you are selected to be part of the event, you would be grouped with other fortunate rakers to gather the leaves in a particular area of the fairgrounds.
Oxfam has warned of a worsening state of hunger in the last quarter of the year in the three Northern Regions.
The international aid agency has attributed the dire phenomenon to the low rainfall experienced this year which has culminated into low yields.
This came to light at a round table discussion organized by Oxfam and its partners on the enhanced livelihood security through climate adaptation learning project.
Oxfam is working in partnership with the Partners in Rural Empowerment and Development in the East Mamprusi District in the Northern Region, ProNet North in Nadowli District and Nandom Denary integrated Development program in Nandom district all in the Upper West regions and the Presbyterian Agric Station-Garu in the Upper East Region to ameliorate the state of hunger in the Northern Regions.
A former Majority Leader, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has pooh-poohed government’s measures to fight corruption in the country, saying much is left to be desired.
He said he was yet to see a semblance of political leadership and commitment to fight corruption which is said to have progressively worsened over the years.
Mr. Bagbin was expressing frustration at government’s handling of findings contained in an investigative report on the operations of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA).
Exactly a year ago, November 1, 2012, I took one of the toughest decisions of my career. It started with an early morning call from the managing news editor of Joy FM, Mr Elvis Kwashie. He wanted us to meet and talk. But I was heading for South Africa the following day. So we agreed to meet when I returned.
And we did. “I will think about it and get back to you,” I said after a meeting that lasted about 15 minutes. And I came.
Joining Joy FM was a tough decision, I must confess. I was naturally not a Joy FM person. I am a GBC person. Back in Kete-Krachi where I grew up, I I knew only about three types of “Graphic.” Daily graphic, The Mirror, Junior Graphic and P&P.
When it came to the electronic media, it was GBC Radio and GTV. So I never had the opportunity to listen to Komla Dumor, at least once, on Joy FM.
INVESTMENT profile in submarine fibre optic cables sub-sector of Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has been projected to hit $3.05 billion this month, even as the country may further experience capacity glut.
Indeed and presently, Nigeria has four major international submarine cables, which are on her shores. These include MainOne’s 14, 000km, $250 million cable; Globacom’s 640 Gbit/s 14,000km, whose estimate is put at about $800 million, while 14,000km MTN WACS cost over $600 million. NITEL SAT3 also cost about $600 million.
All things being equal, the investment is expected to increase this month, as Dolphin Telecoms, a global communications carrier and operator of the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable system in West Africa, would land its $700 million fibre optic cable in the country.
Warns against unchecked FDIs, CBN mulls new capital flow measures
For Nigeria to attain and surpass its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) projection of 7.4 per cent by 2014, it may need to address the issues of capital flow measures or control, policy sustainability, sanctity of contracts, income inequality, pre-election anxiety, poverty, and technology.
This was the view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and stakeholders within the financial sector during IMF’s presentation of its October 2013 Regional Economic Outlook titled, “Sub-Saharan Africa — Keeping the Pace” in Lagos, yesterday.
According to the stakeholders, uncontrollable downside risks from external factors, especially in the area of capital inflow may weaken the prospects for growth in Nigeria and the sub-Saharan Africa region if not monitored.
Minister denies requesting armoured cars , NCAA’s officials trade blame
• Okonjo-Iweala disowns duty waiver for Coscharis Motors
• Senate probes NNPC, demands documents on chartered jets, others
DESPITE a spirited defence by the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, the House of Representatives Aviation Committee probing her insisted yesterday that she violated the 2013 budgetary provision and the Procurement Act.
Besides, as part of its probe of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Senate yesterday focused on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) requested that NNPC submit documents relating to its 2013 budget implementation, distribution of petroleum products across the country, the number of aircraft in the corporation’s fleet, how much is spent on hiring of aircraft as well as their ownership.
Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and their regional representatives have stated that the Food Agriculture Sector Development Project (FASDET) is expected to reduce rural household poverty as well as fight food insecurity and malnutrition.
The officials, who were speaking during the regional launching of the scheme at the Rural Farmer Agricultural Training Center in Jenoi, Lower River Region (LRR), said the above objectives would be achieved through increased agricultural production, productivity and commercialization.
The deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Sheriffo Bojang, hailed the government for giving agriculture greater attention, while challenging all and sundry to work towards the realisation of the project’s objectives.
Celebrants commemorating this year’s World Food Day have amplified calls for greater commitment to the ongoing fight against hunger as millions more continue to go to bed each day without food.
The call was re-echoed Wednesday in Brikama where government representatives, development partners, and a cross-section of other dignitaries gathered to observe the Day, which was also marked alongside the Rural Women’s Day.
World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to mark the day the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was founded in 1945. Organised under the theme “Sustainable Food System for Food Security and Nutrition,” the Day provided a unique opportunity for policymakers, development partners and other key stakeholders to make a deep soul-searching about what can be done to improve food security with a view to lessening the distress of the global hungry population.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Thursday gathered stakeholders in Banjul for a two-day governmental meeting to review its draft Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS), aimed at denting illicit sub-regional maritime activities.
The meeting also sought to devise mechanisms that would effectively strengthen the framework of curbing “unacceptable” marine activities within the West Africa coast and the Gulf of Guinea.
The Gambia’s Interior minister, Ousman Sonko, who presided over the opening ceremony, described the ECOWAS maritime sector as a critical strategic element in the security development nexus. The abundant resources associated with the maritime domain, in his view, plays a key role in the economies of almost all coastal states in the region and constitutes an important base on which regional prosperity can be anchored.
The improving state of Liberia’s governance structure and its apparent fiscal discipline continues to win the hearts of international and bilateral actors thus attracting millions of dollars for the economic development of the country.
Since the inception of the Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf administration in 2006, the country has witnessed substantial improvement in various internationally accepted governance indicators as evidence by the World Bank produced global governance report.
The 28-member European Union is a key economic and political bloc that has made it its sole policy to finance Liberia’s post war development. The EU in recent times has made direct budgetary support to the government to address several development issues including health.
Montserrado County Superintendent, Madam Florence F. Brandy, has renewed calls for the relocation of the Liberia Cement Corporation (CEMENCO) on the Somalia Drive in Monrovia. CEMENCO is a company that has been producing construction cement in the country for over 50 years.
The company is surrounding by several communities, including Billima, Cow Factory and Doe communities. CEMENCO is also located opposite two other companies, including Premier Milling Corporation. According to Madam Brandy, the company is causing “serious health hazard” to community dwellers within its area of operations.
 President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf kicked off the celebration of her 75th Diamond Jubilee with a reception Monday evening hosted by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and its local chapter, Eta Beta Omega Chapter, at the new Level 1 Restaurant located on Tubman Boulevard, in Sinkor.
According to an Executive Mansion release, on hand to join President Sirleaf celebrate her 75th birth anniversary, along with Liberian well-wishers and family, were Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha, including the Rev. Dr. Elaine Flake, Co-Pastor of The Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Cathedral of New York; her equally famous husband and CEO of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral, the Reverend Floyd Flake; members of their congregation; and members of The Links, Incorporated, another U.S. organization for women of color.
The Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to Liberia has asserted that Liberia is losing many great females future leaders through abortion and early marriages.
Madam Rati Noashovu said many girls are dying at their early ages through abortion, while others are destroying their own future through early marriages.
The top UN official was speaking Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at the launch of the state of the world population report 2013 held at the James Fromoyan Conference Hall situated on the compound of the National Elections Commission (NEC) in Sinkor, Monrovia.
The report was held under the theme: “Motherhood in childhood: facing the challenge of adolescent pregnancy”. Program marking the launch of the state of the world population report 2013 report was organized the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs in collaboration with UNFPA.
As Kanye West statements go, it's probably one of his most absurd.
The lovestruck rapper talked up fiancee Kim Kardashian in a new interview in which he claimed the reality star is more influential in terms of style than the First Lady Of The United States Michelle Obama.
He told Ryan Seacrest: 'There's no way Kim Kardashian shouldn't be on the cover of Vogue.
'She's like the most intriguing woman right now. She's got Barbara Walters calling her like everyday,' he said.
And bizarrely he claimed the reason Kim was more influential that Michelle Obama, was because the First Lady could not share a bikini pic like Kim's recent bottom-baring pose in a white swimsuit
 President John Dramani Mahama has appointed hospitality expert Samuel Atta Mills as the Acting Managing Director of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC).
Mr. Atta Mills worked for more than a decade in senior management positions in various tourism and hospitality companies in the United States.
Between 2009 and January 2012, Mr. Samuel Atta Mills was an Aide to the President of the Republic of Ghana.
The Speaker of Parliament has sent a strong warning to ministers of state who fail to honour invitations from the House to answer questions from Members of Parliament (MPs).
“I do not want the situation where ministers are summoned before the House and they are not available without any explanation. You know the power of the House over ministers of state,” he reminded the ministers.
Mr Adjaho was reacting to the inability of the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Clement Kofi Humado, to appear before the House to answer a question posed by the MP for Kintampo North, Mr Stephen Kunsu.
SAMBOCOME tomorrow, the Vice President and Chairman, National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Mohammed Namadi Sambo, will formally hand over the physical assets of all 14 PHCN successor-companies to their new owners, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said in a statement yesterday.
Signed by the Head of Public Communications, Mr. Joe Anichebe, the statement said the event would take place simultaneously at the headquarters of the successor-companies across the country, where Sambo would be represented by ministers and other top government functionaries.
However, it said the Sapele Generation Company (SGC) would not be involved in the exercise since the NCP has directed its legal committee to undertake a comprehensive legal review of its status following the preferred bidder’s failure to complete payment.
• Why I’ve no regrets, by Appeal Court ex-president
• Soyinka warns against silence in face of injustice
FORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Muhammadu Lawal Uwais yesterday in Abuja said that the National Judicial Council (NJC) was wrong when it suspended Justice Isa Ayo Salami.
Speaking at a book presentation in honour of Salami titled: Isa Ayo Salami: Through Life and Justice, Uwais also said President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had no role to play in the suspension, citing Section 153(2) of the 1999 Constitution to support his position.
The event was attended mainly by opposition politicians including former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, the governors of Ekiti, Osun and Zamfara, Kayode Fayemi, Rauf Aregbesola and Abdulasis Abubakar Yari respectively.
A prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Ahmed, Wednesday told a Federal High Court, Lagos that there were no documents showing whether the contracts, which were alleged to have been split were indeed executed when former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Raymond Omatseye was in charge.
Ahmed was testifying before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in the trial of Omatseye who was re-arraigned by the EFCC on an amended 27-count charge bordering on contract scam.
Eight teachers from The Gambian Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI) Monday left the shores of The Gambia for the Republic of China (Taiwan) to take part in a two-month intensive training and field study on the latter’s tourism industry. The training will take place at the Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism.
Initiated by the Taiwan embassy in Banjul and sponsored by its government, the training programme is expected to upgrade their knowledge and expose them to new experiences.
The outgoing ambassador of France to The Gambia has attributed the decision by his government to close 10 embassies in West Africa to economic reasons, saying their mission in The Gambia is unfortunately among those recommended to cease operations.
Speaking to reporters in an interview Monday shortly after meeting the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, His Excellency Jean Marc Transon also informed that although Senegal is not affected by this measure, the French government has decided to reduce staff at her Dakar embassy.
Two more foreign diplomats accredited to the Republic of The Gambia Tuesday officially assumed office in Banjul after presenting their letters of credence to The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh.
The diplomats, who received red carpet treatment right at the entrance of the presidency, are their Excellences, Ambassador Eduardo Medina Rubio of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the new resident coordinator of the United Nations to The Gambia, Ade Mamonyane Lekoetje.
It was a tough night for the Lassen Grizzlies Friday night. The Lassen Varsity would lose to West Valley 45 to 8. Jordan Atkinson was 6 of 24 passing in the game with Kyle Barnetche being the leading rusher on the night rushing 10 times for 57 yards. Jake Thomas had 8 tackles in the loss with Skyler Ingwerson and Kyle Barnetche collecting 5 tackles each.
A fatal big-rig accident on highway 70 in the Feather River Canyon has closed that roadway until further notice. The incident occurred before 3:30 this morning near the Chamber Creek Bridge and resulted in a fire that severely damaged the roadway. No other details are available so far.
Nearly 58 million Social Security recipients are now finding out how much their monthly payments will go up next year, and it's nothing to write home about.
The Cost Of Living Adjustment, or COLA, is based on a government measure of inflation, and that information was released today. Preliminary figures suggest a raise of just 1.5%. That would make it among the smallest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. The government measures consumer prices and they haven't gone up much in the past year.
The Management of Cellcom, one of the leading GSM Companies operating in the country, on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 formally unveiled its third winner of its ongoing Goal millionaire campaign.
According to the management of Cellcom, the campaign is aimed at improving the living standard of the Liberian people, particularly those who subscribe to the company. This current campaign offers several chances for subscribes to win, unlike the previous one which had required three identical symbols to win.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has reiterated that Liberia-Turkey relations have taken a fresh and encouraging direction with the bilateral cooperation between both countries nearing an unprecedented height.
The Liberian President made the assertion as contained in her Monday, October 29, 2013 congratulatory message to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkey on the official observance of Turkey’s National Day on Tuesday October 29th.
The Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. Lamine Blamo, has urged county attorneys to be connected to their city solicitors in order to avoid diversion of cases reported. She stressed the need for coherence in the reports that come from the Judges’ return.
“The Judges’ return should not be different from that of the public defender,” she stated. Cllr. Lamin made these comments on Monday, October 28, 2013 at the start of a five-day county attorney forum, which is being held at the Samuel Kayon Doe (SKD) Sport Complex in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
My attention was drawn to a story on ghanaweb.com on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2013, attributed to the Al- Hajj newspaper, which carried the headline, ‘Akufo- Addo Abandons Third Term Bid.’
Whiles it was just one of the speculative reports on the political future of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, the Al-Hajj, perhaps, in its attempt to inject but a false dose of credence into the speculation, referred to me as a source.
The Al-Hajj wrote, “This sudden decision by Nana Akufo-Addo, who had received numerous calls from leading party members to once again contest the flag bearership of the party for the third time, according to our sources was what informed his nephew, Gabby Asare Otcherc-Darko’s decision to make good of his promise of exiting national politics.
The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service in Tafo, a suburb of Kumasi have arrested a 63 year old man, Alhassan Iddi, for forcing his 13 year old daughter into marriage.
The marriage ceremony has already been performed and the primary six pupil has been declared wife of the 25 year old man in Libya.
Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Erastus Asare Donkor reports the ceremony was done Sunday morning.
According to him, they had a tip-off and followed the lead but on reaching the home of the suspect, sheep had been slaughtered and the ceremony concluded.
Dr. Conrad Murray left the Los Angeles County jail under sheriff's escort, avoiding reporters and Michael Jackson fans waiting for his release early Monday.
Murray, who served two years of a four-year sentence for causing Michael Jackson's death, was driven away in a sheriff's car for the "safety and security" of the jail, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
The handful of Jackson fans gathered outside the jail accused the Los Angeles County sheriff of showing favoritism to Murray by slipping him out of the jail through a back exit, instead of the door where freed prisoners normally leave.
Adetoun Adekoya is gradually becoming a brand following her success at the 5th edition of MTN Project Fame as the second runner-up winner. The Ogun State-born and African Pop singer, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, says she is hale and hearty after her involvement in an auto crash, while speaking on her career and fashion preference. Excerpts:
My state of health after the auto crash.
I want to sieze this opportunity to give all thanks to God for the gift of life. I feel great and full of life. Adetoun is sound. I am neither dead nor paralysed. I want my fans and the entire public to debunk whatever news they might have heard about me.
Recalling what happened.
Sure I can, but I guess there’s really no point trying to remember how it happened, I just thank God for the covenant of security.
President of Word Communication Ministries (WOCOM), Apostle Sunday Popoola, in this interview, with newsmen, speaks on the proposed national conference, unity of Nigeria, role of the church in nation-building, among other issues. KUNLE ODEREMI brings the excerpts:
DO you think the nation should be talking about dialogue now at the threshold of its chequered 100 years as a federation?
I think it is necessary and that is why I believe that the national conference called by President Goodluck Jonathan presents a golden opportunity for us to do this. Nigeria as a country has its foundation on the fraudulent intrigues of the imperialists. In Berlin Conference in 1884, they divided Africa into 52 countries, as if it were an unoccupied landscape, for the purpose of their own use. The 2,000 nations in Africa were ignored. No consideration was given to the people and their diversity of cultures, language, ethnicity and religion. So, most African nations are heterogeneous in their make-up. This makes nation-building difficult and creates tensions, conflicts and wars, which have typified our lives. Nigeria, for instance, is a country with about 645 nations.
Against the background of the clamour for a truly federally operated Nigeria, especially the call for fiscal federalism and resource control, KUNLE ODEREMI and DARE ADEKANMBI look at the deposit of solid minerals and how their harnessing can address the disagreement that has always attended shortfall in oil revenue.
“A people that expects the best, plans for the best and settles for nothing but the best. A nation that accepts mediocrity will sooner sink into abyss of poverty and wretchedness,” Dr Kayode J, Fakinlede, a research chemist, based in United States of America.
ARCHITECTs of Vision 20:2020 had toed the path of similar policies in the past. Before then, the common nomenclature had been National Rolling Plans, all of which were designed to take Nigeria to the league of developed nations at least to the ranks of what are commonly referred to the Asian tigers, if not the league of advanced industrialised western nations.
THE Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu would today consider a motion for interlocutory injunction against the release of guidelines for the November 16, 2013, governorship election in Anambra State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meanwhile, reconciliation may have finally come the way of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh and his predecessor and now the National Chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP) Chief Chekwas Okorie, as both men at the weekend in Nkpor, Anambra State, embraced each other.
The vice president and chairperson of the National Security Council has praised the the Republic of China (Taiwan) for what she called the “numerous” military assistance it extends to The Gambia and its armed forces. She made particular reference to Taiwan’s donation of high speed boats to The Gambia Navy, the funding of three fuel dumps at Fajara, Yundum and Farafenni barracks respectively, as well as the capacity building trainings for both officers and soldiers.
Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, also the Women’s Affairs minister, was speaking Wednesday at Fajara Barracks, while presiding over the official handing over of The Gambia Armed Forces newly rehabilitated Training Center on behalf of The Gambian leader.
The rehabilitation and transformation of the officers mess is funded by the government of Taiwan through her Banjul embassy at the tune of US$113, 787.88. The Center is composed of a lecture room, reception, a meeting room, coffee room and two offices. The project that was contracted to the Gambia Armed Forces Engineering Corps was completed in a period of four months.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has registered his country’s sincere gratitude and appreciation to the government and people of The Gambia for the latter’s support to Tokyo in its bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh and copied to the Daily Observer, the Japanese PM expressed his wishes for the prosperity of the leadership and that of the country.
The turnover for the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) jumped to D16, 058, 556 in 2012 compared to 2011, when it stood at D13, 544, 667, its finance director has disclosed.
Speaking Wednesday while presenting NARI’s annual financial statements before members of the Joint Session of Public Accounts and Public Enterprises Committees (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly, Assan Mboge also revealed that the Institute’s total expenditure was D18, 616, 162 in 2012 compared to D17, 133, 481 in 2011. The deficit/surplus, he indicated, was D2, 557, 606 in 2012 compared to D3, 588, 804 in 2011
A Northern California community is anguished over the fatal police shooting of a popular, 13-year-old boy who had been carrying a pellet gun that looked like an assault rifle.
Sonoma County sheriff's deputies had repeatedly asked the boy, Andy Lopez, to drop the weapon, but instead he raised it in their direction, police said at a news conference Wednesday.
Only after the shooting did deputies realize the gun was a replica that looked strikingly similar to a real AK-47 assault rifle.
A local, Northeast CA bank is making some serious waves this week on Wall Street.
Plumas Bancorp, the bank holding company and the parent company of Plumas Bank, announced yesterday, third quarter 2013 earnings of $1.0 million. Thats an increase of $461 thousand or 84%, as compared to only $546 thousand during the third quarter of 2012.
The parents of two students shot by a seventh-grader at Sparks Middle School said Wednesday that their sons are recovering and that they dont believe the boys were targeted in the schoolyard rampage.
Police were interviewing students who witnessed Mondays shooting as investigators try to unravel the mystery of what motivated the shooter, whom they still have not identified two days after he killed a teacher, shot the boys, then took his own life.
Prince Charles lives in the public eye (and then some), but that doesn't mean people know everything about him.
The Prince of Wales was recently profiled in Time magazine, and the article's author, Catherine Mayer, apparently had so much material that she wrote a second article, listing 10 unusual anecdotes about His Royal Highness.
Among the amusing factoids:
the prince can hike with the best of them;
actress and friend Emma Thompson believes dancing with him is "better than sex";
he did not (repeat: did not!) design that fire station everyone blames him for;
the public has a very interesting idea of what he does with his time. Mayer quotes one 8-year-old as saying, "He tells people what to do, and if they don’t, he’ll behead them."
Thirty (30) suspected drug peddlers were arrested in a police swoop at the Tarkwa Railway area by the Western Region Drug Law Enforcement Unit (WRDLEU) of the Police Service.
After screening, 22 of them were found to be dealing in narcotics and had been arraigned before the Takoradi Circuit Court for unauthorized possession of narcotics.
They are Kofi NtiBoakye, 26, Yaw AnoKyi, 35, Usman Mohammed, 35, Kwadwo Dindomah, 27, Tieku Williams Amponsah, 34 and Baba Yahaya, 41.
The International Criminal Court has told Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto he must attend most of his trial on charges of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors had appealed against an earlier decision which would have let him spend most of his time in Kenya.
While he must appear at most of his trial, the court ruled he can be excused on a "case by case" basis.
Mr Ruto's lawyers argued he was needed in Kenya after the attack by Islamist militants on the Westgate centre.
He denies responsibility for post-election violence in 2007 and 2008. An estimated 1,200 people were killed in the ethnic bloodshed and about 600,000 fled their homes.
TWO crew members who are believed to be American citizens were reportedly kidnapped from an offshore support vessel while an unknown number of soldiers were alleged to have been shot dead in two incidents off Nigeria, according to reports.
The master and chief engineer of a vessel, said to be Edison Chouest Offshore’s C-Retriever, were abducted off the coast of Brass on Wednesday, Reuters claimed.
Reuters cited a US defence official as saying the State Department and the FBI were leading a response to the abductions.
According to the reports, nobody was immediately available for comment on Thursday morning local time.
In what appears to be a separate incident, the Captain also reported that militants attacked a Nigerian Joint Task Force security boat off Brass on Thursday, killing all the personnel on board and taking weapons.
Comrade Keme Engozu, was a former member of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and currently a member of the Ijaw Youth Leadership Forum. In this interview with Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, he declares that the agitation of G7 governors aimed at stopping President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term aspiration is misplaced as, according to him, such a bid lacks the backing of the Constitution. Excerpts:
LET’S look at the division in the PDP. The break-away faction is claiming that President Jonathan would be gunning for a third term in 2015 if he seeks re-election in 2015. How do you view that?
That’s a wrong conclusion because the Constitution already clarifies that. He was late president Umaru Yar’Adua’s deputy and when the latter died, somebody had to step in, in accordance with the law. He didn’t contest election at that point in time. So, for those who are saying that it would amount to third term if he contests in 2015, I’m not sure they know what they are talking about. After all, former president Obasanjo was military Head of State in 1976. Afterwards, he came back in
1999 and ruled Nigeria for two consecutive terms. So, I do not believe that they have any point on that position. They just want to be seen saying something.
These are the people that have struggled over the years to destroy the country. If you look at them, apart from Governor Amaechi that is a young man.
The news making the rounds about of Honourable Opeyemi Bamidele, the seriousness or otherwise about his bid to contest for the governorship of Ekiti State against Governor Kayode Fayemi has daily become instructive. The latest of the unfolding news and events about Bamidele’s ambition is his formal resignation as the leader of Ekiti State Caucus in the House of Representatives. He had been in the position since the election of 2011 and is representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, which comprises Ado Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas of the state.
The resignation letter made public by Bamidele on Tuesday, did not come to many people in the state as a surprise. On July 9, 2013, the other members of the House from the state had announced Bamidele’s sack as their leader of the House caucus, citing various reasons and replaced him with Mr. Robinson Ajiboye. The other members namely: Dr. Ife Arowosoge (Ekiti South West, Ikere, Ise/Orun); Mr. Bimbo Daramola (Oye, Ikole); Mr. Oyetunde Ojo (Ekiti West, Ijero, Efon); Mr. BamideleFaparusi (Gboyin, Emure, Ekiti East) and Mr. Robinson Ajiboye (Ido/Osi, Moba, Ilejemeje) announced Ajiboye as their new leader.
The chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) has disclosed that a total of 1, 293 people were appointed into the civil service in 2012, while noting that the said body approved 33 applications for voluntary retirement during the year under review.
The PSC chair, G.O Bright, made this disclosure Wednesday while presenting to the members of the Public Accounts and Enterprise Committees (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly the annual activity report of the Commission for the year ended 31st December, 2012.
The Gambia’s ambassador-at-large has spoken of the investment potentials of the country, thus encouraging investors to consider the country as a choice for their ventures given that it is a gateway to the 300 million population of West Africa.
Speaking Tuesday during an exclusive interview with these reporters at his Old Yundum residence, His Excellency Apostle Dr. Kenneth D. Jackson, Sr. said President Jammeh is committed to making The Gambia an economically independent nation among countries in West Africa.
He described The Gambia as a safe haven and peaceful with a great potentials, making it a place suitable for investment. He described the country as even “safer than USA and Europe” owing to the fact that one could walk the streets of this country at night without fear of being harmed.
It doesn’t matter which one of the four networks you are subscribing to, anyone who is an active user of a mobile phone of recent, must have already experienced strange unknown international calls raining on their cell phones, the source of which one finds difficult to figure out.
It has become a daily occurrence for months now, making many a user receiving such strange calls that are normally answered without any response from the caller and hanging off automatically, but also the fact that such calls cause great inconvenience to the subscriber population.
The Japanese prime minister, Shino Abe, has registered his country’s sincere gratitude and appreciation to the government and people of The Gambia for the latter’s support to Tokyo in its bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh and copied to the Daily Observer, the Japanese PM expressed his wishes for the prosperity of the leadership and that of the country.
With barely one year to the holding of the 2014 Special Senatorial Election, Grand Gedeh County District #1 Representative, Zoe Emmanuel Pennue, has broken silence over persistent reports that he has ambition to contest the senatorial race.
Speaking to a cross section of Grand Gedeans residing in Monrovia Thursday, October 24, 2013, the Grand Gedeh lawmaker announced his intention to contest the ensuing 2014 Special Senatorial Election.
The Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives (LMDI) and the Ministry of Gender and Development (MoGD) are embarking on the second phase of a series of interactive public forums in rural communities under the Ministry’s STAND UP AGAINST RAPE Campaign.
The forums according to an LMDI release will feature discussions between rural community dwellers on one hand and MoGD Anti RAPE campaigners on the other. The forums will be facilitated and moderated by the LMDI under its media and community outreach blended platform “THE DIALOGUE”.
During the second phase of the forum series, the community dwellers and MoGD Anti RAPE Campaigners will exchange frank views on potential causes for the increase of RAPE in rural communities.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners of Liberia will today, Friday, October 25, 2013 begin a four-day long National Integrated Polio, Vitamin A and Deworming Campaign.
Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease caused by a virus that spreads from person to person invading the brain and spinal cord and causing paralysis.
Brussels with fresh allegations of US spying threatening to overshadow talks.
It comes a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel called President Barack Obama over claims that the US had monitored her mobile phone.
France's President Francois Hollande is pressing for the issue to be put on the agenda following reports that millions of French calls had been monitored.
EU leaders will also discuss Europe's economic recovery and immigration
BBC Europe Editor Gavin Hewitt says some leaders are likely to want to use the summit to demand further clarification from Washington over the activities of its National Security Agency (NSA) in Europe.
A 13-year-old boy carrying a replica assault rifle has been shot dead by police in the US state of California.
Officers in the city of Santa Rosa say they opened fire after the boy refused orders to drop the rifle, which they believed to be real.
The shooting on Tuesday is now being investigated.
It comes a day after a 12-year-old boy in Nevada gunned down a maths teacher at his school and wounded two fellow pupils before taking his own life.
In the latest incident, two sheriff's deputies saw the teenager "with what appeared to be some type of rifle", a news release from the Sonoma County Sheriff's office said.
More than two years after the ban on the importation of used undergarments and sanitary ware came into effect, the items can be found on the Ghanaian market.
Importers, according to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), were using unapproved routes to smuggle the items into the country.
Ban
The ban on the importation of used undergarments came into effect on February 1, 2011.
Second hand underwear are said to contain germs and bacteria from the fluid of the previous user and have the potential of being transmitted to the next user.
Those who use second hand underwear such as panties, brazziers, handkerchiefs and singlets risk contracting rashes and other skin diseases.
[President Jonathan] TWO things usually characterise public discourse pertaining to the prevalent condition of Nigeria as a country. One of them is the immense potential of the most-populated black nation in terms human and material resources. The second issue is the incontrovertible fact that its resources have not been properly harnessed for the benefit of the vast majority of the human population. Within and outside the country, the twin issue has elicited angry outbursts because of the seeming misery among the populace in the midst of plenty.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo made a tacit reference to the deplorable state of affairs on Monday, when he revitalised his sermon of hope. He said Nigerians need not despair, ostensibly notwithstanding the current predicament of his fatherland. “I know that those who are thinking that Nigeria has no future will today have a change of heart. This is because one person, Chief Afe Babalola, has been able to make a difference in the field of education. This is an indication that hope is not lost on Nigeria,” the former leader was quoted to have said after he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
[Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State governor ] Growing democracy, I must admit, without any fear of contradiction, leads to a sustainable development and thus guarantees the inevitability of a stable polity. Good governance is the palm oil with which democracy is eaten, to borrow from the Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Any democracy without good governance is only democracy in nomenclature.
By good governance, it is meant that the state operators are providing their citizens with what is generally referred to as the dividends of democracy. Although not yet a determinate term, good governance is used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realisation of human rights. Thus, the process of decision making and the process by which such decisions are implemented are generally regarded as good governance. To this could be added, how governments and other social organisations interact as well as how they relate to their publics. In ordinary parlance, this is what is referred to as the dividend of democracy once in place. Thus, dividend of democracy is neither the provision of portable water, food, good roads, electricity or any such other category. These categories are just a small tip of the iceberg.
Hakeem Oyetunde Oyedokun, is the chairman Accord Party fund raising committee UK. He speaks with TUNDE OGUNESAN on the plan of the party to win in Oyo State in 2015 elections. Excerpts:
AS an accountant by profession, how did you come about politics, more so that you’re based UK?
Some of us in the Diaspora came together under the platform of professionals and took interest in the happenings in the state, especially the way the state was being run during the time of former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala. So, we contributed our own quota to ensure that the aim then was achieved. And the aim at that time was to get rid of bad leadership and bad governance in the state and we thank God we achieved that. After the 2011 elections, I formally pitch my tent with Accord Party.
The country’s first Digital Opportunity Center, housed at The Gambia Telecommunications and Multimedia Institute (GTMI) in Kanifing, was Tuesday commissioned by the minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Nana Grey Johnson.
Funded by the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at a tune of US39,750 US, the Center is established to help strengthen the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) capacity and training for government officials as part of the implementation of The Gambia’s e-government strategy.
The project was conceived during a capacity building training for major communication providers in The Gambia at the Paradise Suites Hotel last April. That training, which was organised by the Taiwan Embassy in Banjul, got its funding from the Taiwan Institute for Information Industry (TIII); the major planner of e-government in that Asian island nation.
In his inauguration statement, Minister Grey-Johnson applauded the government of Taiwan through her Banjul Embassy for her continued and unflinching support to The Gambia’s development strives. He informed the gathering that the project came into being just after three months after his Ministry signed MOU with the Taiwan Institute for Information Industry (III).
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Tuesday announced that it will conduct a by-election in the West Coast Region Constituency of Foni Jarrol on Thursday, 9th January, 2014, a press release sent to the Daily Observer has disclosed.
The Gambia’s Attorney General and minister of Justice Tuesday, on behalf of the government, challenged African leaders to push on with the fight against terrorism and continue promoting peace and security throughout the continent so that Africans “enjoy the beauty and riches of our beloved continent”.
Speaking while presiding over the opening ceremony of the 54th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights being hosted in Banjul, Minister Mama Fatima Singhateh reminded the gathering that the African continent is rich, not only economically, but also culturally and intellectually, which she stressed must be nurtured and protected.
A Plumas County sheriff's deputy who killed a hospital patient during a violent struggle early Sunday morning is being praised by the sheriff and the hospital staff for preventing further bloodshed.
The unnamed deputy, a four-year department veteran, was the lone responder just after midnight Saturday when staff at the Eastern Plumas Health Care Center called to report the 53-year-old patient in room 201 was scaring the nurses. The nearest backup was in Quincy, a 30-minute drive with lights and siren.
MINERAL, CA - Lassen Volcanic National Park plans to hand ignite burn piles as cool and wet weather dominate the forecast. The park will take advantage of the changing weather conditions to complete the final phase of fuels reduction projects throughout the park when enough precipitation has fallen to prevent flames from spreading beyond pile areas. The burning of piles is a critical part of the process to protect park facilities and improve the safety for park visitors, stated Superintendent Darlene M. Koontz.
North State Assemblyman and Chief Republican Whip Dan Logue urged Governor Brown to include in the 2014-2015 State Budget funding to bring the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) current on past due monies owed to counties for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT).
Yesterday, Logue crafted a letter to the Governor requesting a reimbursement to the 36 counties involved. Joining Assemblyman Logue in his efforts are Senators Bob Huff, Ted Gaines and Tom Berryhill, and Assemblymembers Kristen Olsen, Tim Donnelly, and Brian Dahle, who have all signed on. You can read the full text of the letter here.
The Spokesman of the Liberia National Police (LNP), Mr. Sam Collins, has said authorities of the LNP are currently holding conversation with Mr. Jefferson Koijee for him to substantiate his allegation that some prominent Liberians were planning to assassinate President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Mr. Koijee is the Chairman of the Youth League of the main opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).
According to Mr. Collins, Mr. Koijee is on record of saying that he had all information about the alleged assassination plot against President Johnson-Sirleaf, and therefore, it is necessary for him to prove the evidence.
A Commissioner of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Counselor Augustine Toe, has called on top government officials who have not yet verified their assets to “show the source of their wealth” in order to avoid questions and speculations.
The Assets Verification Exercise being carried out by the LACC is intended to ascertain the integrity and credibility of public officials.
It can be recalled that recently, the LACC accused several top government officials including Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and the Director of the Liberia National Police (LNP) C. Clarence Massaquoi of “deliberately” failing to verify their assets.
According to Cllr. Toe, “people are determined to become corrupt” in the public sector and therefore, the refusal of government officials to verify their assets raises a lot of questions.
County Representative, Richard Matenokay Tingban, has expressed serious disappointment over the lack of medical drugs at the Sanniquellie Hospital in the county.
According to him, the scarcity of medicines for patients at the hospital poses serious threat to their survivability.
He said the hospital is also in “complete darkness” due to the lack of funding to provide fuel for the generator.
Rep. Tingban made the disclosure over the weekend when he participated on a local radio morning show in Monrovia via telephone.
The deceased, identified as Sekou Bility, met his untimely demise while he was trying to help an assistant driver of the container truck to make his way out of a parking lot in the Logan Town Rice Store area when the truck crushed him to death straightaway.
The identity of the assistant driver could not be established by this paper.
The late Bility, who was a resident of Logan Town, is believed to be in his mid 30s. The heartbreaking incident attracted several residents of Logan Town, including bystanders who trooped to the scene to get a glimpse of the dead man.
State Security have arrested at least eight of the leaders of the Ellen Step-Down Campaign as scores of civil servants were being bused to the Roberts International Airport (RIA) to welcome President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from a visit to the Americas including representation at the United Nations General Assembly.
Mulbah Morlu of the main opposition political party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) is one of the leaders of the Ellen Step-Down Campaign. According to Police sources, he was arrested at the Airfield Community in the Sinkor area at 1:30 p.m. on October 9 while allegedly distributing T-shirts to supporter of their campaign.
Key among those arrested include the Campaigner’s Public Relations Officer, Julius Jensen and their Chief Strategist, Bah-Wah Brownell as well as five unidentified mobilizers on the vehicle of the campaigners conducting public awareness for their supporters to turn out and call for the resignation of Africa’s first female President.
Egypt has criticised a decision by the US to suspend a large part of the $1.3bn (£810m) in aid it receives.
Foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said the decision was wrong and Egypt would "not surrender to American pressure and is continuing on its path towards democracy".
The US announced on Wednesday it was suspending the delivery of large-scale military systems and withholding cash assistance to the Egyptian government.
It follows months of political turmoil.
Since the Egyptian army ousted Mohammed Morsi as president in July, the authorities have clashed repeatedly with his Muslim Brotherhood supporters.
The government has announced plans to restore Westgate Mall and support traders to re-establish their businesses.
East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet secretary Ms Phyllis Kandie said her ministry has started plans for rapid restoration of the mall following the terrorist attack a fortnight ago.
She said her ministry would establish a team comprising Westgate Mall stakeholders to consider and advise on specific measures that government and other parties would jointly take to restore the mall.
PSGH says there is the need for a full risk assessment of FDA in order to find out what had gone wrong with the regulatory system, culminating in leakage of large qualities of alleged fake and unregistered drugs into the country
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has backed calls for investigations into operations of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) due to what it describes as a "systemic regulatory failure" at the Authority.
The PSGH says a lack of technical assessment and inputs into regulatory decision-making at the FDA is the cause of the recent allegations of fake drug importation and distribution between FDA and some pharmaceutical companies.
PSGH's call for a scrutiny of FDA's operations will be the third of such calls from a recognised body this week in the wake of a media row between the FDA on one hand and Tobinco Pharmaceuticals and Bliss GVS Pharma Limited on the other.
A three week old baby has been made an orphan after his father was shot and killed by the police on Tuesday in an alleged robbery operation.
The baby had already lost the biological mother during delivery.
Police claimed the baby’s father who is now deceased and a resident of Asawase in the Ashanti Region was one of a four-member armed robbery gang who robbed some residents of Kumasi yesterday. The 21 year old physically challenged man was identified only as Rashid.
Scores of Zongo youth Wednesday morning went on riot, demanding the release of the body of their colleague.
Residents have also disputed the claim that he was an armed robber.
Aligning with the Federal Government’s cashless policy, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would soon introduce cash transaction in all post offices across the country.
This was disclosed by the Area Postal Manager (APM), Jigawa State Territory, Mr Paschal Ijara, while addressing newsmen in Dutse, as part of activities marking the World Post Day celebration.
Mr Ijara explained that the aim of the programme was to give cash access to rural dwellers and areas with no banks but post offices saying programme would commence soon and would be in full operation nationwide be May next year (2014).
According to him, under the programme, civil servants could collect their salaries in any post office close to them, “without travelling a distance for cash deposit and collections, especially in states where banks are not everywhere like post offices.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decried Federal Government’s use of methods it considers blackmail to force it to back down on its demands, vowing to press its course through, until its demands are met.
Speaking at a press briefing on the Abuja Campus of the University of Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, the chairperson of the UNIPORT branch of ASUU, Professor Antonia Okerengwo, noted that the Federal Government had not been entirely truthful about the reasons Nigerian lecturers are on strike.
According to her, it was both untrue that the struggle embarked upon by the ASUU was basically to better their personal welfare deal and that the lecturers were being used to fight a political war.
According to her, the number one reason for their fight was for the revitalisation of the university system in the country, adding that they chose the industrial strike option when their other means of persuasion failed with the government.
THE Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has made renewed calls to corporate organisations and employers of labour to inculcate the culture of inclusive policy formulations and practices that would be non-discriminatory to Persons Living With Disabilities (PWD) in the corporate work environment.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Youths and Social Development, Dr Enitan Badru, made the call on Tuesday during the 2013 Corporate Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum, on the theme, ‘Lagos State Special People’s Law: The role of Corporate Organisations.’
Dr Badru, who was represented at the event by the Director of Finance and Administration in the ministry, Mr G. A. Rufai, lamented the years of neglect and the wrong cultural perception about people living with disabilities.
A team from the British insurer of the crashed Associated plane, Loyds of London yesterday arrived the country to assist in the investigations of the controversial crash of the Embraer 120 plane few seconds after take off at the Lagos airport last Thursday.
The team from the Blake Group, a UK-based international crisis management company while in the country will work with the Accident Investigation Bureau and the airline management as to douse tension regards controversy surrounding the insurance of the ill-fated plane.
Information gathered yesterday evening showed that the team on arrival had visited the office of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the crashed site and the airline.
They also visited the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) after which they all left for the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to see the survivors at the hospital.
The team is said to be an advanced team as others are still being expected.
It is exactly five days today before Muslims in The Gambia join millions of others around the world to celebrate the feast of Eid-Ul-Adha, widely referred to in the Senegambia region as Tobaski. It is a time when families ritually slaughter a ram in commemoration of the day Prophet Abraham decided to sacrifice his only son to God, but Allah at the last minute replaced the son with a ram.
This day comes once a year, and about 70 days after the end of Ramadan, virtually the whole of The Gambia holds a barbecue on this important day which coincides with the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam and very much encompasses another one of the pillars, the giving of alms.
Traditionally, Tobaski day is usually a public holiday and one of the major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. After open air prayers at the local mosque, families return home, kill their sheep and divide it into three portions, one to be kept aside for the family, one to be given to relatives and friends and one to be given to the needy. Indeed, the idea of sharing is the essence of the feast, bringing unity and harmony among families and neighbours and it is a day to forgive past wrongs. During this time also, every married man or head of the household is expected to buy a sheep (ideally a ram) or other suitable animal such as a cow, goat or even chicken, depending on what one can afford.
Sittings in the National Assembly for the 2013 Legislative Year wrapped-up Wednesday at the Assembly Chambers in Banjul. The National Assembly adjourned sine die after days of intensive sessions and debates on issues of national interest.
The long adjournment debate, which was presided over by the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, witnessed contributions from members of both sides of the House on various issues affecting their constituencies in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, water, electricity, agriculture and security. It also availed members the opportunity to seek possible solutions to some of those constraints and bring them to the attention of the authorities.
During the sessions, different motions, bills, and reports were tabled, which members dealt with appropriately before adopting them. Speaker after speaker praised the Gambian leader for transforming the country, while commending the current leadership of the National Assembly for effectively and efficiently handling the affairs of the Assembly.
The deputy minister of Council for Economic Planning and Development of the Republic of China, Taiwan, has assured allies in Africa that the Asian island nation will continue the current development programmes it is implementing in those countries.
Speaking during an hour-long meeting with a 52-member international delegation of journalists drawn from various media houses – print and electronic – across the world, Hsiao-Hung Nancy Chen highlighted the economic transformation process of the 23-million population nation, its current challenges that include reaching out to the rest of Africa, as well as the prospects of their nation in its continued drive for more rapid socio-economic development.
The meeting with the top Taiwanese official, among other things, was meant to expose the visiting journalists to the economic situation and outlook of this Asian nation. The objective of the presentation was to give a concise analysis of Taiwan’s current economic situation including its economic growth, foreign trade, domestic demand, industrial production, employment, prices and financial aspects. Such a presentation was described as necessary in enabling the visiting journalists to have firsthand in-depth analysis and information about the gains the country is making vis-à-vis economic development.
Liberia’s Vice President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has asserted that the environment of Liberia is threatened as a result of increase in population, commercial activities, wildfires, the effect of climate change, and other non-sustainable use and forest resource.
According to VP Boakai, environmental sustainability is necessary for wealth creation, noting, the environment is the resource base of the economy.
He pointed out that Liberia is endowed with natural wealth including forest resources and agriculture crops that are the mainstay of our economy, but noted that sustainable development therefore depends in large measures on how to successfully integrate the environment into economic planning and decision-making.
VP Boakai made these comments Monday, October 7, 2013 at the start of the week-long second international environmental sustainability forum hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The week-long second international environmental sustainability forum hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being held at the Murex Plaza in Sinkor, Monrovia.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has begun the assessment of inaccessible communities in Liberia in preparation for the Voter Roll Update Exercise and the 2014 Special Senatorial Election.
According to a press release, the assessment exercise started Monday and is due to end by October 14. The exercise is being conducted across the fifteen counties of Liberia by staff of the 19 Elections Magisterial areas.
The result of the assessment will inform the commission in the formulation of schedules for deployment and allocation of personnel for the upcoming Voter Roll Update Exercise.
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 granted the jailed Editor-In-Chief of the FrontPage Africa Newspaper(FPA), Mr. Rodney Sieh a compassionate leave for the period of 30 days effective as of October 8, 2013.
In a communication dated October 7, 2013 and addressed to, Cllr. Beyan D. Howard, Mr. Sieh’s lawyer, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Christiana P. Tah, said this is in keeping with Chapter 34, Section 34.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law, 1LCLR.
According to Minister Tah, the government action was also based on a formal request by Cllr. Howard and Atty. J. Fonati Koffa.
A baby who was dying of rabies has infected his father and brother with the disease by biting them.
The infant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo infected his seven-year-old brother and 27-year-old father during an outbreak which affected 154 people.
Both the father and brother recovered after being treated by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) which says at least ten people have died during the outbreak.
It is very rare for rabies to be transmitted between people - most people who become infected do so by being bitten by
an infected dog.
Dr Jantina Mandelkow, who leads MSF's team in Lemera which is in the DRC's South Kivu region, said: ‘I held my breath when I heard that a child dying of rabies had bitten and infected his father and brother - it was horrific.
A 34-year-old nurse is alleged to have stabbed her 21-year-old lover to death in what police claim is love turned sour.
The young man, a former Alliance High School student, was waiting to join Kenyatta University where he had been admitted for a course in architecture. He had scored straight As in KCSE examinations, which he sat in 2011.
Ms Leah Muthoni — who is now in police custody after being charged in court on Monday — is suspected to have stabbed Adrian Ochingwa Kabala five times in the neck.
ILL-FATED NIGHT
She is also said to have stabbed another woman she found in Kabala’s company during the shocking incident that occurred around 3am on Sunday in Kinoo area near Nairobi. The second woman, identified as Sara, was treated at the Kikuyu Hospital and discharged.
Kabala was living with Ms Muthoni, a nurse at the Kikuyu Hospital, in an apartment only a stone’s throw away from his parents’ house.
On the ill-fated night, Kabala was in Sara’s company in another apartment just two doors from Ms Muthoni’s. It is there that police allege Muthoni found Kabala and stabbed him five times. Sara tried to flee but she, too, was stabbed on the right hand.
GHANA: (My joyonline,09/10/2013)
The Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Mr. Kofi Asamoah says the leadership of organised labour is "fed up" with holding meetings with government when the agreements reached at those meetings are disregarded.
Mr. Asamoah's comment comes on the back of a call from government indicating its preparedness to dialogue with organised labour over workers' threat to embark on a nationwide strike, if government fails to slash utility tariff increases announced a few weeks agao, within 10 working days.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) approved 79 percent increase in electricity tariffs and 52 percent in water tariff with effect from October 1, 2013.
GENERALLY, medical conditions should not hinder you from flying. However, due to cabin pressure equivalent to an atmospheric pressure at 5, 000 to 7, 000 feet altitude, special precautions are sometimes required before you are fit to fly.
For instance, if you have any specific medical conditions, it is better you consult your medical practitioner on your fitness to travel and bring sufficient medication for your trip.
Under any medical issues, the passenger is expected to have the medication in the hand luggage and not in the checked-in luggage, with a letter on hand outlining the condition and medications, in case you encounter difficulties while overseas.
Consequently, some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. While most have medical advisors who provide advice and ‘clear’ passengers as fit to fly. The airlines may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF).
GENERALLY, medical conditions should not hinder you from flying. However, due to cabin pressure equivalent to an atmospheric pressure at 5, 000 to 7, 000 feet altitude, special precautions are sometimes required before you are fit to fly.
For instance, if you have any specific medical conditions, it is better you consult your medical practitioner on your fitness to travel and bring sufficient medication for your trip.
Under any medical issues, the passenger is expected to have the medication in the hand luggage and not in the checked-in luggage, with a letter on hand outlining the condition and medications, in case you encounter difficulties while overseas.
Consequently, some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly. While most have medical advisors who provide advice and ‘clear’ passengers as fit to fly. The airlines may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF).
ARMED groups Tuesday attacked the Nigerian embassy in Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, a country of about 1.7 million people. The reason for the action is not yet known.
The event is happening just as the country is preparing for its general elections slated for next month.
Guinea-Bissau currently has an Interim President, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo, who emerged in May 2012 to head a transitional government following the sacking of the country’s democratically-elected government by a military coup.
According to The Guardian sources, armed personnel and militias stormed the Nigerian embassy in a commando style, attacking everyone in sight and eventually causing the closure of the Nigerian sovereign outpost.
As at press time, members of staff of the embassy, including the Nigerian envoy to that country, Ambassador Ahmed Adams, were said to be taking refuge in a police station. No casualty has so far been reported.
PIQUED by the recurrence of plane crashes in the country, the Senate Tuesday summoned the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi and chief executives of aviation parastatals.
They are expected to brief the chamber on the state of the aviation sector and the likely reasons for the high level of air disasters in recent times.
They would be appearing when lawmakers reconvene on October 22. The Senate, which was just resuming from its one-week break, yesterday adjourned for another two weeks to enable various committees complete their oversight duties in anticipation of the 2014 budget.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma (Imo West), had moved a motion on the crash of Associated Airline’s plane bearing the remains of the former Governor of Ondo State, Chief Olusegun Agagu, on October 3.
The Senate observed that out of 20 passengers on board, 16 had been confirmed dead. It also expressed worry that the country had witnessed seven fatal air mishaps and averted two within two and half years.
The minister of Health and Social Welfare Tuesday presided over the official opening of a five-day meeting on the development of the Gambia National Health Sector Strategic Plan, at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
Speaking at the Forum, Hon. Omar Sey explained that the process of the development of the Gambia National Health Sector Strategic Plan document started in September 2013 and is expected to be finalised in January 2014. He added that the plan will bridge the gap between the health and non-health sector. He said that the plan will help the Ministry improve the public health system, and will also focus on prevention, protection, promotion, rehabilitation and treatment of common endemic diseases.
Following the uncovering of a political asylum scam involving a senior executive member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), by Gambian intelligence operatives, more revelations continue to put the credibility of the party on the line.
It would be recalled that the UDP national treasurer, Amadou Sanneh; Malang Fatty, the alleged asylum seeker; Alhagie Sambou Fatty, (brother to Malang); and Bakary Baldeh, commissioner of Oaths, were recently apprehended for their involvement in the scam.
Malang, a native of Bantanto, Central River Region (CRR), was arrested at Amdallai Border Post by state security agents and during a routine search, he was found in possession of the bogus attestation against the state, written by Sanneh, seeking for political asylum on behalf of the suspect so that he could be granted protection under all international human rights regulations as alleged.
The Government of The Gambia has exposed the United States of America’s hostile actions against The Gambia since 1994.
In a televised statement read on behalf of the Government, the secretary general, head of the Civil Service and the minister for Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, reminded Gambians of the British and US Governments’ various attempts to have this current Government overthrown since 1994, when the Great July 22nd 1994 Revolution definitively and truly asserted Gambia’s independence from their colonialist and neo colonialist hegemony thereby ending all their hopes of “exploiting our natural resources to the detriment of The Gambia”.
Below we reproduce the full text of the statement.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’S HOSTILE ACTIONS AGAINST THE GAMBIA SINCE 1994
Gambians and the whole world are hereby reminded of the British and US Governments’ various attempts to have this current Government overthrown since 1994 when the Great July 22nd 1994 revolution definitively and truly asserted Gambia’s independence from their colonialist and neo colonialist hegemony thereby ending all their hopes of exploiting our natural resources to the detriment of The Gambia.
Protesters demonstrating in support of teachers receiving better pay in the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have clashed with police.
The centre of Rio was packed with more than 10,000 people marching peacefully.
But as it got dark, some protesters threw firebombs at public buildings and riot police responded with tear gas.
A similar protest in Sao Paulo also ended in violent confrontation with police after many banks were ransacked by hooded protesters.
Brazil's security situation is a challenge to cities that will play host to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
The Veteran Administration, Ghana, (VAG) is to embark on a massive sale of Red Poppies to solicit funds to support its members and victims of peacekeeping operations, as well as their relations.
The Red poppy has been adopted worldwide to remember and honour all those who lost their lives and continue to lose their lives in pursuit of peace.
During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. In soldiers' folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from the blood of their comrades soaking the ground. The sight of poppies on the battlefield at Ypres in 1915 moved Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the poem In Flanders fields.
In English literature of the nineteenth century, poppies had symbolised sleep or a state of oblivion; in the literature of the First World War a new, more powerful symbolism was attached to the poppy – the sacrifice of shed blood.
Africa has 55 billionaires, far more than previously thought, Nigeria-based Ventures financial magazine says.
They include three women - the mother of Kenya's president, a daughter of Angola's president and a Nigerian oil tycoon and fashion designer.
The richest man is Nigeria's Aliko Dangote, with a fortune of $20.2bn (£12.5bn), Ventures said.
The list is likely to reignite debate about inequality between rich and poor people in Africa, correspondents say.
In April, the World Bank said the number of people living in extreme poverty in Africa had risen in the past three decades from 205 million to 414 million.
'Conservative estimate'
Large sums of money allocated to five metropolitan assemblies in 2010 under the Second Urban Environmental Sanitation Project (UESP II) were used to pay consultants rather than for the project, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) learnt yesterday.
For the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA), out of the $614,709 meant for the execution of the project, only $35,195 was spent on civil works and $41,043 on equipment and spare parts, while a whopping $157,221 was spent on “consultancy services, studies and training”.
In the case of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), out of the $1,939, 999 allocated to it, $1,153,475 was used for civil works, $83,176 for equipment and spares and $428,691 for “consultancy services, studies and training”.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) spent $679,114 on consultants, out of its total allocation of $8,956,219. It allocated $7,808,138 for the execution of civil works and $36,748 for equipment and spares.
A 20-year-old mother is devastated after her three-year-old daughter was denied kidney transplant allegedly due to her poor background.
Ncebakazi Mbirha, from Cwebe village in Mqanduli, took her daughter to the Nelson Mandela Academic hospital early last month when her body started swelling. She says her daughter was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to be operated on.
Mbirha alleges that doctors told her that her daughter will not be operated on because she has no money to take care of her. She says doctors told her they tried their best to treat her child.
Mbirha continues: "Even a doctor from Cape Town said he can't help me because I have no money or car. They said kidney transplant is for people with cars who live close to hospitals so that when the kidneys start giving them problems they can quickly rush to the hospital. So I told them I have no money. It's so painful that my child is refused treatment because I'm poor."
The public hearing on the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), scheduled to hold on Wednesday, has, once again, been stalled due to the ongoing Hajj operations.
This was as the Senate assured that the PIB would see the light of the day, the several hiccups it had suffered notwithstanding.
The public hearing, which was scheduled to take place last week, was also put on hold due to the recess the Senate went on to mark the nation’s 53rd independence anniversary.
Confirming the latest forced postponement of the public hearing, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum, (Upstream) Senator Emmanuel Paulker, on Monday, said it was “due to circumstances beyond our control.”
He, however, gave the assurance that national interest would prevail and the PIB would see the light of the day in the life of the seventh National Assembly.
IT has been gathered that samples of Deoxyribo-Nucleic Acid (DNA) collected from victims of last Thursday’s plane crash and their families are due for a United Kingdom hospital today for testing.
A source explained to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday that forensic experts at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, took the decision, after sample collection processes were concluded on Monday.
It was gathered that a relative of the victim delayed the process by showing up on Monday morning, unlike their counterparts who had done their DNA exercise and had the processes almost completed since Saturday.
The result was expected in Lagos in another four weeks, beginning from the date samples arrived at the UK hospital, already scheduled for the DNA testing and mapping.
Some relatives, who showed up at LASUTH demanding for corpses of their relatives, especially bodies that were identifiable, were, however, turned down.
[From left: Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson; Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim; former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Supervising Minister of Defence, Mr Labaran Maku, at the inauguration lecture of National Defence College Course 22 in Abuja, on Monday.] Former Military Head of State, General Abdul Salami Abubakar, on Monday, canvassed a comprehensive approach to national security management in the country, saying the upsurges in violent extremism and domestic terrorism had rendered the traditional approach to security obsolete and ineffective.
He said that there was urgent need to evolve new ways, procedures, mechanisms and institutions that would be effective in preventing, mitigating and managing the myriad of security challenges confronting the country.
General Abubakar spoke at the National Defence College Course 22 inaugural lecture entitled: “Comprehensive Approach to National Security Management in Nigeria.”
The Lamin sports committee in collaboration with the Gambia Football Coaches Association (GFCA) at the weekend held a two-day training course for coaches and administrators with participants drawn out from all the 20 registered teams in the community’s 2013 Nawettan competition.
The Saturday and Sunday event which was held at the Babilon Nursery School in Lamin is meant to build the capacity of the participants and to help them understand the basic techniques and rules of football to better administer the game in the community. The training which was funded by the Village Development Committee (VDC) brought together 40 participants.
The secretary general, head of the Civil Service and minister for Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, Saturday urged students of the University of the Gambia (UTG) to deliver as expected and leave no room for compromise as far as national development is concerned, through education.
SG Sabally was speaking in his capacity as the guest speaker for the second edition of the Law Day, organised by Law Students Association (LSA) of the UTG. The programme was initiated and implemented by the LSA in collaboration with the administrative authority of the UTG and is aimed among other things, to promote and develop sound academic excellence among students of the Faculty of Law and its sister faculties.
The Law Day celebration centred on the theme “Law and Society”, and brought together distinguished personalities from both the public and private sector, among them the vice chancellor of UTG, Professor Muhammadou O. Kah, Hon. Gibril Semega Janneh, a judge at the Supreme Court of The Gambia; senior legal practitioners, lecturers and UTG students.
The Government of The Gambia has reacted to the relentless smear campaign against the country and its people orchestrated by some Western powers using selfish Gambians and non-Gambians.
In a televised address on Friday evening on behalf of the government, the secretary general, head of the Civil Service and the minister of Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally, said that government has been following events with utter dismay since 1994.
The message also stressed that the Gambia Government stands for three things; the worship of Allah and our total submission to HIS WILL; to ensure that The Gambia will never be recolonised in whatever form or manifestation and The Gambia will never be enslaved again.
Below is the full text of the message.
The Government of the Gambia has been following events with utter dismay since 1994: the smear campaign orchestrated by some Western powers using selfish and unpatriotic individuals (Gambians and non-Gambians). The enemies of The Gambia have been sponsoring Gambians and non-Gambians to set up organizations with media facilities outside of The Gambia to mount a shameless campaign of lying against the Government and people of The Gambia. These people and institutions specialize in lying and providing false attestations for would-be asylum seekers using the main opposition party (UDP) as a platform for such nefarious activities thereby casting a very bad and negative image of both the Government and noble people of The Gambia.
A 45 year old Chester man was killed after the motorcycle he was riding failed to stop at an intersection.
The driver of the bike was unable to stop at an intersection while traveling down Aspen St. The motorcycle skidded across the intersection crossing both lanes of First Avenue and left the roadway.
All evacuation orders were lifted at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, where firefighters gained ground on a wildfire that has burned nearly 4 square miles of dry brush.
About 230 residents were allowed to return to their housing unit near Lake O'Neil Sunday evening, base officials said in a statement. Some 30 patients evacuated from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton because of a power outage have been returned and the facility is fully functional.
A serious threat between students at Janesville Elementary raised concerns with parents over the weekend, and was quickly fueled on local social media sites.
Janesville School Superintendent/Principal Zach Thurman issued a pre-recorded message to parents on Sunday assuring them that the school was safe and would open as usual this morning.
The statement from Thurman is as follows:
A serious threat between students at Janesville Elementary raised concerns with parents over the weekend, and was quickly fueled on local social media sites.
Janesville School Superintendent/Principal Zach Thurman issued a pre-recorded message to parents on Sunday assuring them that the school was safe and would open as usual this morning.
The statement from Thurman is as follows:
Liberia's anti-corruption commission has accused the country's defense minister and police director of failing to cooperate with efforts to verify their assets.
Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and Police Director Chris Massaquoi on Monday both denied the allegations. A new report from the commission released over the weekend identified 22 senior officials who had "deliberately refused" to cooperate with its asset verification team, including some who allegedly flouted notices to appear. Downloan and see the report LACC AD verification report no. 1.pdf .
The commission also accused three officials of "unexplained wealth accumulation," including a former minister who allegedly could not account for $100,000.
The Judge of Criminal “D” at the Temple of Justice, Yussif D. Kaba, on Friday, October 5, 2013 sentenced one of the sequestrated jurors in the Mercenarism trial to one month imprisonment in a common jail in Montserrado County for providing the court false information.
Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice situated at Capitol Hill, Monrovia, Liberia had for the past four months been conducting trial for 18 Liberians charged for alleged mercenary activities in Liberia and neighboring Ivory Coast. But those indicted have since pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Jeremy Neufville, one of the jurors sitting on the case was accused by government lawyers of providing false information to the court about himself and his relations. In a complaint filed by government lawyers called “Bill of Information”, the juror was accused of filling the jury information form calling himself Jeremy Neufville, his father as Paul S. Dweh Neufville, his wife as Hawa Sonii Neufville and his two children as Prince Neufville and Carlos Neufville. The jury information form is a form used by the court to solicit information from potential juror.
A 32-year-old teacher of the Nana Amoakwah Model School at Damang, in the Prestea-Huni Valley District of the Western Region, Simon Jude Yifaa, was on Saturday crowned the National Best Teacher at the 19th National Best Teacher awards ceremony held in Wa in the Upper West Region.
He took home a cheque for GH¢65,000 for a three-bedroom house to be built at a place of his choice, a laptop and a computer and its accessories for his school.
Mr Tia Yahaya of the Tamale Presbyterian Senior High School in the Northern Region came second, while Mrs Mariama Antwi-Adjei of the Ashanti School for the Deaf placed third.
They were given saloon cars, laptops and computers and accessories for their respective schools.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government deserves credit for so far complying with a chemical weapons deal, the US secretary of state has said.
John Kerry was speaking after international monitors began the destruction of Syria's stockpile.
The mission was established under a UN resolution, which was passed after a deal between Russia and the US.
The initiative followed international outrage at a chemical weapons attack near Damascus in August.
"The process has begun in record time and we are appreciative for the Russian co-operation and obviously for the Syrian compliance," Mr Kerry said after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit in Bali, Indonesia.
"I think it's extremely significant that yesterday, Sunday, within a week of the (UN) resolution being passed, some chemical weapons were being destroyed.
A Ghanaian citizen has brought an action in the public interest for the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional, contracts awarded to nine Spanish companies because those contracts did not receive parliamentary approval.
Mr Moses Ampem said he brought the action “in the public interest and for the specific public purpose of promoting and ensuring constitutional, democratic governance and the supremacy of the rule of law” and was, therefore, urging the court to order a refund of the 70 million euros received under the said invalid contracts which were awarded in 2006.
In the alternative, the plaintiff, who filed the suit on October 4, 2013, has implored the court to grant an order requiring the Attorney-General to take appropriate action to forthwith recover all the money received by the Spanish companies.
He is, accordingly, invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to declare the said contracts between the Government of Ghana and the said Spanish companies as not having received the formal approval of the Parliament of Ghana, in violation of the 1992 Constitution, and for that reason must be declared “unconstitutional and invalid in law”.
Despite her passion for acting, she has added another feather to her cap as the publisher and the CEO of Central Star magazine. Mariam Omolara Barake, actress, is a mother of three. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, she speaks on why she ventured into magazine production, her take on the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) crisis and her fashion preferences. Excerpts:
Why I kept a low profile.
I agree with you that I kept a low profile in recent time. It was my decision to focus on another things and I don’t have any regret that I am still in the industry. I think it was high time for me to take such step since I had already registered my face in the minds of my fans and it was a thing I have been longing for years back. To me, what I am doing at present is still part of entertainment. I now produce a magazine called ‘Central Star magazine’. Despite all odds, the outcome is really impressive. The magazine focuses on the entertainment industry, both up-and-coming and stars, legends of the industry, entertainment events, behind the scenes, culture and tradition among others.
THERE are indications that the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) may suspend its six-day old industrial action after the emergency meeting of the executive members of all chapters in Abuja Monday.
NARD President, Dr. Jubril Abdulahi, told The Guardian on telephone Sunday that the suspension of the industrial action would depend on the opinion of union members at the meeting today. He added: “The agreement with the government is that payment should be between now and October 11, 2013.
“So it means that the option we are left with is to agree and suspend the strike and wait for the government to pay by October 11 or continue with the strike and wait for them to pay. The problem is that of government bureaucracy is so annoying.”
TWO years ago, Enugu State House of Assembly, in shock, listened to a group of women and non- governmental organisations led by Umuada Igbo International, who besieged the House to protest “how youths aged between 18 and 21 were raping widows and elderly women in their homes and farms.”
Mrs. Kate Ezeofor, chairperson of the group narrated how the women, in conjunction with the Christian community had only rained curses on the perpetrators.
Ezeofor who begged the lawmakers to take appropriate steps to protect the women, stressed that, “rape is a taboo in Igbo culture and some of these women have died from injuries they sustained,” during the rape.
Governor, Sullivan Chime alarmed by the incessant cases of rape said: “This is very strange considering the ages of the victims and suspects. Government is not taking kindly to the issue of rape, so if a boy of 18 years wants to go to jail for life for playing with an 80-year old woman, so be it.”
The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh Saturday afternoon received in audience at State House, the special envoy of His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The emissary, Nurudeen Mohammad, Foreign Minister of Nigeria, told waiting reporters shortly after his closed-door meeting with the Gambian leader that he was in Banjul to deliver a special message to the Gambian president from his Nigerian counterpart. Minister Mohammad described the meeting as successful, while highlighting the many shared values the two countries have.
National Assembly members on Thursday unanimously considered and approved the motion entitled “The committal of the report of the Auditor General on the Government of The Gambia Budget Accounts for years ended 31st December 2008, 2009, and 2010 to the 2013 Public Accounts and Public Enterprises Committees (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly”
The Technical Working Group on Tobacco Control and Prevention Tuesday sensitised the senior management team of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the proposed 3% tax allocation for tobacco control activities in the country.
The meeting, which was held at the Ministry’s conference room, brought together senior staff of the Health Ministry and members of the Technical Working Group.
Speaking at the meeting, Sambujang Conteh, director of Raid The Gambia, an NGO working in the area of tobacco control, explained that the objective of the development campaign is to discuss proposed tax allocation to the Non-Communicable Unit of the Ministry. He said that the Technical Working Group is lobbying for an increase in tobacco tax so that 3% would be allocated to the Ministry to run tobacco activities in the country. He added that intensive campaign and resource mobilisation for the lobbying of the proposed increment on tobacco tax for the Ministry would be an ongoing process.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made the assertion when Liberia’s Foreign Minister, His Excellency Augustine K. Ngafuan, met with her at the State Department in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 2013.
Ambassador Greenfield was responding to remarks by Minister Ngafuan, in which he followed up on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s request to the U.S. Government to review the U.S. sanctions list comprising Liberians, many of whom have already been de-listed from the U.N. sanctions list.
Liberia’s Representative to Season Six of the Project Fame in Nigeria, Margaret Cephas,arrived in the county on Friday, October 4, 2013 via the Roberts International Airport(RIA) in Margibi County.
outside Monrovia, Margaret expressed gratitude to Liberians, including LoneStar Cell MTN for their role played in making her dream a reality.
She said, “you guys have made me proud and I am glad that I brought something home.”
Project Fame is intended to spark and expose young talents in West Africa. Margaret came as second runner-up in the competition.
Speaking at a welcomed ceremony organized by LoneStar MTN at its head offices in Congo Town,
While conditions in the country’s prisons continue to deteriorate due to lack of funds, congestion and the spread of diseases, vulnerable persons such as pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies are still being thrown into jail.
The latest annual report (2011) by the Ghana Prisons Service indicated that there were 14 pregnant women, six nursing mothers and six babies in four of the nation’s prisons, namely Nsawam, Kumasi, Sekondi and Sunyani. All 14 pregnant women took seed before they were locked up.
There were four pregnant women at Nsawam, Kumasi - seven; Sekondi - two, and Sunyani - one. For the nursing mothers, two were in Nsawam, Kumasi - three, and Sunyani - one, but there was none in the Sekondi prison.
The distribution of babies in the prisons were as follows; Nsawam – two, Kumasi – three, Sunyani – one, with none in the Sekondi prison.
Church activities at Beposo in the Sekyere Central District in the Ashanti Region have come under close surveillance by the police, following a clash between members of the local Calvary Presbyterian Church and the traditional authorities over a ban on noise-making.
The move is to prevent further clashes and thus protect life and property.
The clash, which resulted in injuries to three persons and destruction of property of the church, was related to a 40-day ban on noise making announced by the traditional authorities in line with the celebration of the annual Fegyare Shrine yam festival to give thanks to the gods for abundant harvest in the yam season.
But the Presbyterian Church maintained that it would not obey instructions emanating from a shrine as it was against the dictates of Christianity.
The Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs of the United States of America, Mrs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has lauded the successful conduct of Ghana’s election petition hearing by the Supreme Court.
She said this had demonstrated how far Ghana had come with democracy.
The Assistant Secretary was answering questions from the Daily Graphic in the areas of partnership, which the United States of America has with Ghana, during a video conference beamed live from the State House, Washington, USA, in Accra on Thursday.
Supreme Court Judgement
“We have a very strong partnership with the government of Ghana – we are very very pleased with the results of the Supreme Court decision, where Ghana had free fair elections and it was confirmed by your court and it was accepted by the opposition,” Mrs Thomas-Greenfield said.
AN air traffic controller at the Lagos airport control tower has given a graphic detail of how a light aircraft crashed on Thursday.
An Associated airplane on charter operation, with registration number 5N-BJY, ferrying the remains of a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, some family members and friends crashed near the Joint User Hydrant Installations (JUHI), an aviation fuel depot at the Lagos airport, killing 13 passengers onboard.
A controller, who spoke to The Guardian under condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said from all indications the aircraft had a technical fault.
GOVERNOR Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state has enjoined the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to evolve a new revenue allocation formula for the three tiers of government that will not only be fair and just but stand the test of time.
The evolution of such desired revenue formula, the Governor observed, becomes necessary in the quest for Nigerians to have a united and prosperous nation, which their fore fathers have laboured to build.
Yuguda, in a keynote address to the North-east zonal public hearing on the review of revenue allocation formula for the country held in Bauchi, recalled that the formula has been a topic of debate since the Phillipson Commission in 1946.
THE death of the Funeral Director of Magbamowo Industrial Company (MIC), Lagos, Mr Tunji Okusanya and his son, Olatunji Okusanya fondly called Junior in the crashed plane that was conveying the remains of the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu on Thursday, was the climax of the calamity that befell some of the people and companies that were involved in organizing a befitting burial for the late governor.
The Ember 120 aircraft with registration number SCD 361 belonging to Associated Aviation Limited was heading for Akure but crashed less than two minutes after take-off from the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos killing 13 of its
20 passengers and crew.
MIC is undoubtedly one of the leading funeral and casket making companies in Nigeria for over half a century.
Muslims around the globe are bracing up for one of the most important feasts in their calendar, the Eidul Adha (Tobaski), slated to take place in the middle of this month.
Observed on 10th of the 12th month of the Muslim calendar, Tobaski is a major religious activity celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is meant to honour the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his young first-born son Ishmael as an act of submission to God's command and his son's acceptance to being sacrificed, before God intervened to provide Abraham with a ram to sacrifice in place of his son.
The minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, and National Assembly Matters, has disclosed that malaria incidences in The Gambia have been reduced to 81% with admissions to hospitals also dropping to 71%.
Speaking Monday at the National Assembly chambers in Banjul, Bala Garba Jahumpa, who was previously the Health and Social Welfare minister, also declared that malaria-related deaths have also dropped to 90%, crediting the gains to the Gambian leader’s attachment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The Gambia’s minister of Tourism and Culture is to officially open this year’s 9th Edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market (AfTM) 2013, slated to take place from the 27th to 29th October in Lagos, Nigeria.
A former president of Africa Travel Association (ATA), Minister Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, in her capacity as the guest of honour, is expected to deliver an inspiring speech at this high-level travel exposition.
Ikechi Uko, organiser and publisher of ATQnews, described The Gambia’s Tourism and Culture minister as one of the “hardest working” of her kind in Africa. He told the Daily Observer that The Gambia Tourism Board, which is under the tutelage of The Gambia’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture, has since registered its readiness to participate in this year’s expo.
Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 588 into law on September 30th, 2013 increasing awareness of concussion injuries in high school athletes. The law was already in place as section 49475 of the California Education Code but is now enhanced to encompass additional entities.
Prior to this bill revision, a school district was required to immediately remove a high school athlete from an athletic event if the athlete is suspected of sustaining a concussion during an athletic event. According to the previous law, that athlete must have written medical clearance prior to being allowed to participate in sports once the injury has healed.
The new part of the law which was signed by Governor Brown adds the following rules to the law. AB 588 now requires not just school districts, but now also private schools and charter schools must comply with the Doctors clearance concussion rule.
Listen in to the morning show on Friday Morning with Chris Montgomery for your chance to win 2 tickets to watch the San Francisco 49ers against the Houston Texans live a Candlestick Park.
RENO, Nev. The Reno Aces are excited to announce the first-ever Trick or Suite event, to be held at Aces Ballpark the night of Wednesday, Oct. 30, the club announced today.
Children are invited to dress in their favorite Halloween costume, and Trick-or-Treat on the suite level at Aces Ballpark from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Local non-profit organizations and local businesses will decorate the suites and provide candy and games for the children.
The accused sequestrated trial juror in the ongoing Mercenary Trial at the Temple of Justice has admitted that his real name is Jeremy Dweh and not Jeremy Neufille, which he is currently called in court.
The Temple of Justice is situated on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
The ongoing Mercenary Trial involves 18 Liberians who were indicted sometimes ago for alleged subversive activities in neighboring Ivory Coast. But those indicted have since pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Accused Juror Neufille made the admission on Thursday, October 3, 2013 when he testified in an ongoing investigation launched by the Judge of the Criminal Court “D” Yusif D. Kaba. The investigation was prompted by a formal complaint filed before the court by the State.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says while her administration has made many advances, there is still much to do. According to President Johnson-Sirleaf, it cannot be expected that any country devastated by civil war should, 10 years on, be a fully functioning modern state.
In her article: Africa’s Young Democracies, Moving On Up, which was published in The Washington Time, the Liberian leader recalled that twenty years ago, few African countries could be considered democracies, and where elections were held, many were merely showcases for long-entrenched strongmen pretending they had public support.
Said the Liberia and Africa first female President: “This was an age of coups and man-made disasters. Now, Africa is a continent dominated by young and genuine democracies with many, such as Liberia, emerging from a period of sustained conflict that severely weakened their fundamental institutions of state.”
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that police have restored calm in Fuamah District after three days of protest by some citizens of Lower Bong County.
A statement from the Justice Ministry said it regrets the incident in the concession area and warned of drastic action against any group of individuals that will undermine the peace of country.
The Ministry of Justice maintained that it is under moral and legal obligations to protect all concession companies operating under the laws of Liberia and its citizens, and called on those having problem with any of the company operating in the country to use the court system than to get involved in acts that will undermine the progress made so far in the country.
The House of Representatives Thursday said it would conduct a comprehensive investigation into yesterday's crash of an Associated Airlines plane at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, expressed shock and disbelief that the country was witnessing yet again another plane crash barely a year after the Dana plane crash.
Onyejeocha explained that the regulatory agencies had actually stepped up their monitoring and supervision of airlines operating in the country since the Dana crash.
She also disclosed that the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) had also procured and commenced the installation of some new gadgets to improve safety of the air space.
Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Thursday requested the Lagos State chief coroner to conduct an inquest into the crash of the Associated Airlines plane that plunged within the vicinity of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, shortly after take-off.
Falana, in a letter dated October 3 to the chief coroner, a copy of which was given to THISDAY, said the inquest was necessary to determine the cause of the incident as a way of preventing a recurrence.
He warned that should the chief coroner failed to heed the request, he would be compelled to ask the Lagos High Court for an order of mandamus to carry out the exercise.
The letter read: “Following the Dana plane crash which occurred in Lagos on June 3, 2012 in which 153 passengers and crew members were killed, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN and I requested for an inquest into the tragic incident. Our request was promptly granted by the Lagos State Coroner. Regrettably, the ongoing inquest has been unduly delayed due to the desperate moves by the aviation authorities and Dana Airline to cover up the cause of the crash.
The funeral arrangements for former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, scheduled for his Iju-Odo hometown today, will go ahead as planned despite Thursday’s plane crash in which 13 persons were killed while his remains were being ferried to the state.
THISDAY gathered that the family had directed that the incident, which sent shock waves round the state, where many had gathered awaiting the arrival of the funeral party, should not stop the burial of the former governor, who slumped and died in Lagos on September 13.
Agagu, whose corpse was in the Associated Airlines flight that was taking it alongside family members and others to Akure for the funeral rites before it crashed in Lagos shortly after taking off, was billed for interment today in his hometown in Ondo State.
THISDAY gathered that the Agagu’s family in Iju-Odo had ordered that the remains of the former governor be brought to the town for burial today.
A police chase in Washington DC has ended in gunfire, sparking panic at the White House and US Capitol and leaving a woman dead and two officers injured.
The chase and wreck that preceded the shooting were neither an act of terrorism nor an accident, police said.
A female driver was shot dead by police. A one-year-old girl was taken from the car by the officers.
The shooting happened two weeks after 12 people were killed and three injured in a shooting at nearby Navy Yard.
The incident began at 14:12 local time (18:12 GMT) when a suspect in a black Infiniti sedan attempted to bypass fencing at the outer perimeter of the White House, police said.
The suspect fled the scene and led officers on a high-speed chase through Washington DC toward the US Capitol.
US President Barack Obama has cancelled his trip to Asia because of the US government shutdown.
Mr Obama will miss two summits, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) meeting in Indonesia.
The decision was made due to the "difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown", the White House said.
The US government closed non-essential operations after the two houses of Congress failed to agree a new budget.
Mr Obama called Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday morning and expressed his regret for the cancellation, Indonesian Presidential Spokesman for Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah told the BBC.
The visit has not been rescheduled, the spokesman added.
An airport taxi driver, Mathew Babatunde who witnessed the crash narrated how it happened. He said, “I was just passing the toll gate with passengers in my car when I saw the aircraft coming down.
I even thought the plane will crash on my car the way it was bent.
My passengers immediately shouted at me that I should swerve the car. Immediately, I swerved my car then I saw that the plane was struggling to go back up.
It eventually hit a Mango tree behind Saraha Tank Farm. Immediately the plane hit the tree, it divided into two and caught fire. I saw one man walked out with his leg, he was supported by two other people. It took about 20 minutes before ambulance came and another forty minutes before fire service people arrived the scene.
A Muslim cleric has been shot dead in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, amid high tensions between the Muslim community and the security forces.
Ibrahim "Rogo" Omar and three other people were shot as they drove home on Thursday night after preaching.
The killing is similar to that of Aboud Rogo Mohammed last year, which sparked days of rioting by Muslims.
It comes two weeks after the attack on a Kenyan shopping centre, which killed at least 67 people.
Somali Islamist group al-Shabab, which is part of al-Qaeda, said its militants stormed the mall in Kenya's capital Nairobi in retaliation for Kenya's military involvement in Somalia.
Dear Serwaa,
If we can have a successful marriage in future, then you must be prepared to do away with this utopian attitude of yours towards our relationship. You seem to be living in an imaginary world and think our relationship should be like the ones you see on television.
Your obsession with telenovela and romantic movies, especially those of Ghanaian producer Shirley Frimpong Manso, do not only take away your precious time but seem to have given you a perception that is far removed from reality. In recent times, I have observed with keen interest your tendency to cite movies, soap operas and telenovela anytime we are discussing issues affecting our relationship. And I think our relationship will come to ruin if you continue the way you’re going.
Omar Bojang and Musa Bojang, natives of Sabiji in the Kombo North district of West Coast Region, based in Germany Thursday donated a giant trophy to Hon. Bintanding Jarju, National Assembly Member for Foni Brefet Constituency, at a ceremony held in the National Assembly Chambers in Banjul.
Handing over of the trophy on behalf of the donors, Lamin Touray explained that the Bojang brothers have contributed immensely to the community of Sabiji and its surroundings in the development of sports and other areas. He informed the gathering that the duo is ready to give fullest support anytime the trophy is staged for a competition in Foni Brefet.
The King of Belgium has said that the relations between Banjul and Brussels are “marked by mutual respect”, while hailing the ties that unites the two countries.
In his letter to the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, the king also expressed his gratitude to the latter for the wishes extended to him on the occasion of his swearing in ceremony as the king of the Belgians.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh continues to receive more messages from Gambians from all walks of life, felicitating him on the occasions of the various national events or feasts, as well as thanking him for his numerous gestures extended to the citizenry.
The letters read:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I wish to extend my sincere greeting to Your Excellency, the president of the Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhagie Yahya A.J.J Jammeh. It indeed gives me honor and pleasure to thank you for the kind gestures and good wish you have for our dear country, The Gambia.
Your Excellency, we have seen you since 1994 to date and we are grateful to experience progressive development in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, transport, fisheries to mention but a few.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has launched the National Reading Campaign with a call to all Liberian students to see reading as the foundation for anyone’s success in education.
According to an Executive Mansion release, speaking at the Gray D. Allison High School at the Barclay Training Center, President Sirleaf told students who had gathered for the ceremony that reading in Liberia is one of the deficiencies of students and hoped the launch will have an impact.
She stressed that this can only be achieved by the collective effort of school administrators, teachers, parents and the students themselves.
The Liberian leader believes that if all of these people work together in making this program a success, it will benefit all Liberian students thereby enabling them to compete with others outside the country; and at the same time, build a firm foundation for themselves to take on future challenges.
The Judge of the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice, Yusif D. Kaba, has ordered an immediate investigation into a complaint filed before his court against one of the sequestrated trial jurors sitting on the ongoing mercenary trial for allegedly using ‘fake name’ instead of his real name.
The complaint, which was filed before Judge Kaba by the prosecution, was contained in a Bill of Information submitted before the court by the said prosecution.
In the Bill of Information, a copy of which is in possession of this paper, the prosecution claimed that Juror Jeremy Neufville provided the court false information about his real name. Instead of giving his real name (Jeremy Dweh) to court, the prosecution further claimed that the Respondent gave the name Jeremy Neufville.
Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has congratulated the Government and people of Nigeria on the occasion of the 53rd Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Government and people of Liberia.
Vice President Boakai said “I extend warmest congratulations and sincerest best wishes to you, Madam Ambassador, and through you, to His Excellency Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on this auspicious occasion marking the observance of your 53rd Independence anniversary.”
Vice President Boakai made these comments Tuesday when he spoke at programs marking the 53rd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria held at Nigeria House in Oldest Congo Town.
Mr. Cummeh noted that the research implored series of tools including; focus group discussion, three population surveys, external actions for civil society, coupled with the desk review of civil society literature, and a national workshop. The nine month project, he said was funded by Trust Africa based in Dakar in Senegal, Humanity United based in California the USA and CIVICUS-World Alliance based in South Africa.
The senior policy adviser further disclosed that the 2012 public perception corruption index was released as a result of thorough engagements of Civil Society organizations, Private Sector, multinational organizations, international organizations, Taxis Drivers, Business community and ordinary people as well as government agencies on the performance of the Liberia National Police.
Mr. Cummeh made the disclosure at the launch of the 2012 public perception index on corruption in Monrovia during the weekend. Meanwhile, the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission has released an update in its fight against corruption in the country.
Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf met at the Costa Rican Art Museum in the La Sabana neighborhood of western San José on Monday to discuss future relations between the two countries, as well as international work on women’s rights, the environment and peace.
Johnson Sirleaf talked about her visit with Liberian students at Costa Rica's University for Peace, and then moved to praise for her host nation.
“I’ve been impressed by the country, by what you’ve been able to do with the environment, by the high level of education, and by the peace,” Johnson said at a press conference on Monday, referring to Costa Rica.
Last week in New York, where several events around the United Nations General Assembly involved Liberia, AllAfrica had an opportunity to interview Robert Sirleaf about his work at NOCAL. He pointed out that as chair, he did not run the regulatory body. That's the job of the president and CEO, currently Randolph A.K.W. McClain, a chemical engineer with a PhD and thirty years of business experience, mostly outside Liberia. Sirleaf said he welcomed an independent audit of Nocal's finances - including funds provided for health facilities and other social purposes by oil companies, as provided in negotiated contracts. Sirleaf, who was also 'special advisor' to the president, said his mandate was to seek out the best international expertise to help Liberia negotiate with exploration companies and to craft legislation to regulate the oil and gas sector. The stated aim was to ensure that Liberia's oil - should commercial reserves be found - would be used to benefit the country's people, now and in the future.
His 17 September resignation, after less than two years in the position, should not have surprised anyone, Sirleaf said. Exploration contracts have been signed and a petroleum bill has passed the Liberian Senate and is under consideration by the House of Representatives. His job as Nocal chair, he said, was finished, and he welcomed the chance to step out of the limelight. Here are excerpts from the conversation. Also see video clips.
THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new Automotive Industrial Policy Development Plan designed to transform the Nigerian automotive industry by attracting investment into the sector while phasing out importation of used cars.
The council, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday, also approved two different contracts worth about N41billion for development of engineering infrastructure in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, joined by his Trade and Investments counterpart, Olusegun Aganga, told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that the new automotive policy was to encourage local manufacture of vehicles.
President of the Senate, David Mark, has assured that nothing would be swept under the carpet in the bid to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing of nine suspected insurgents in Apo District, Abuja about two weeks ago.
He gave the assurance on Wednesday, while speaking at the Senate Joint Investigating Committee (Judiciary and Intelligence) probing the extra-judicial killing.
“Let me assure you that the Senate is committed to ensuring lasting peace; peace that you can truly imagine; peace that collectively will make all of us one united nation.
“There will be no biases, no sentiments and we have no preconceived idea. All we are interested in is to get to the root of the matter. We are approaching the matter with an open mind in order to get the facts so that justice would be done,” he said.
A major supplier of equipment in the telecommunications industry in the country, ZTE, on Wednesday, confirmed that it has successfully executed and delivered several projects for the Federal Government.
Speaking through a statement issued by the principal partner of Renux Media Strategies, Mr Kayode Jones Omopariola, the firm said it had continued to offer quality service in all its operations.
“We have maintained effective presence in Nigeria for close to 10 years with stable, long term partnerships with the Federal Government and major private telecommunications operators,” ZTE stressed.
It explained that the clarification became necessary, following a report in the Nigerian Tribune of September 9, 2013 that did not reflect the actual account of the activities of the Chinese firm in the country.
They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, over 500 beautiful ladies took a bold step into prominence and auditioned for Miss Malaika 2013 but only ten smart, intelligent and beautiful delegates were chosen to compete for the enviable Cash, Crown and Car.
The journey is almost coming to an end for these ten delegates who are anxiously waiting for the grand finale on October 12 at the National Theater for their dreams to become realities.
The delegates are campaigning vigourously and tirelessly for their fans to keep voting for them. However this year’s competition goes beyond just the delegates: it’s also a competition for the celebrity god sisters, Joselyn Dumas, Sandra Ankobia and Hamamat Montia.
My attention has been drawn to a publication headlined above in a section of the online media to the effect that IMANI has suggested that the Ministry of Education is of no use to our country's development efforts.
I wish to state that, that impression is incorrect. Sometimes the spontaneity of public commentary particularly over passionate subjects can have moments of passive fancy and should be forgiven.
The online story was based on a radio discussion on the subject of corruption in the Ghana Education Service which featured my Vice-President. According to the online story, "The 2013 Global Corruption Report (GCR) has revealed that corruption is impacting negatively on the education of children in many developing economies. According to the report, Ghana's education sector scored 4 out of a maximum score of 5, with 5 being countries whose education sectors are most corrupt."
Supporters of the Progressive People's Party have started a march through the principal streets of the capital, Accra, to protest what they say is the increasing spate of corruption in the country.
Numbering a few thousands, the demonstrators say corruption by public office holders was deepening and are therefore demanding accountability in the management of public resources.
William Doworkpor, spokesperson for the PPP is leading the demonstration in the absence of party founder Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom.
A new board of directors for the 22nd July Academy, formerly Charles Jaw Memorial Academy, was inaugurated Tuesday at the Office of the Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC).
The development came after the Academy was handed back to the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, which took its oversight functions.
Under the chair of Ousman Ndow, the challenge for the new board is to monitor the management of the school with a view to ensuring that it continues to play a critical role in the provision of quality basic education in the country. Other members of the board are Aji Haddy Saine, vice chairperson; Majority leader and National Assembly member for Serrekunda East, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta; regional education director for Region One, Anna Burang John-Ceesay, the chief executive officer of the KMC, Mustapha Njai, Lawyer Mustapha Bittaye, Babou John, Ebrima Tamba, Mamadi Faal, Turo Darboe, Karamba Touray and Furumus Gomez.
Four brand new engines and propulsion systems for the Johe Ferry that plies Banjul-Barra crossing point were Wednesday morning handed over to the officials of The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) by the Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia.
The engines are part of a US$1,625, 384.80 (one million six hundred twenty-five thousand three and eight-four dalasis and eighty bututs) grant meant to procure new engines for four ferries plying Banjul-Barra, and Yellitenda-Bambatenda.
Jointly funded by the Republic of China (Taiwan) and The Gambia government, the procurement of these engines is aimed at enhancing ferry services by strengthening the technical capacity of the ferries to be able to provide safe, reliable, and efficient services to the traveling public.
Gambian-born chief prosecutor of the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, has warned against interference or obstructing the course of justice.
Bensouda’s warming came as the ICC issued an arrest warrant against a Kenyan journalist for "corruptly influencing or attempting to corruptly influence ICC witnesses, according to the Daily Nation.
"The issuance of an arrest warrant in this case should be a warning to others who may be involved in obstructing the course of justice through intimidating, harassing, bribing or attempting to bribe ICC witnesses,’ she warned.
Entire divisions of the federal government are locking their doors and the ripple effect can be felt locally.
Here are some:
The Plumas and Lassen National Forest (all national forests) offices are locked. Many employees have been furloughed effective last midnight. Law enforcement and public safety personnel will likely stay on the job, in force. The same is true of the Bureau of Land Management.
All 401 national parks have been closed because of the shutdown of the federal government. And that includes Lassen Volcanic National Park. All visitor facilities are now shuttered. That includes the visitor center, the Loomis museum, Drakesbad Guest Ranch, Manzanita Lake cabins, campgrounds and rods. Even the highway through the park is closed.
They were put on hold--sometimes as long as 90 minutes--and often watched a blank computer screen. Still, thousands of Californians began shopping in earnest yesterday for private health insurance under the state's "Covered Care" program.
The website launched at 8 a.m. and four minutes later state exchange officials reported enrolling the first applicant. By the end of the day, some 20,000 calls had been made and 5 million page views were recorded on the website.
Leading mobile phone manufacturer, Samsung has introduced an innovative application aimed at bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of its users.
The application, Smart Health App, was introduced during the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear at the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 World Tour Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.
The application, which is preinstalled in all new Samsung devices - including the Galaxy Note 3 - and later available for other devices - according to the company will bring valuable medical information to users.
George Ferreira, Vice President and COO of Samsung Electronics Africa introducing Smart Health App said its introduction is part of efforts by the company to become a global healthcare leader.
The Chairman of the Ghana National Fire Service Council, Amadu Sorogo, has revealed that bails of camouflage uniforms procured for fire officers and found to be of low quality were certified by an Acceptance Board.
He said the quality of the uniforms was so bad and colours so different from those of the Ghana National Fire Service that the officers who approved them must be held to account.
Mr Sorogo was speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Wednesday in reaction to reports that bails of uniforms and tricycles procured by the Service had been locked up in the Service’s stores for years.
He said the Council had instituted an inquiry into how the uniforms were accepted in their state.
The Ministry of Education has failed to live up to its functions as a supervisory body of the country's education system and must therefore be scrapped, Vice president of policy think tank IMANI-Ghana has stated.
According to Kofi Bentil, the challenges facing the sector are the result of the "huge leadership failure coupled with the over-centralisation of power at the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service".
"There is one big factor; zero leadership...If we had no Ministry of Education, Ghana's education will be better," Mr. Bentil stated on the <b>Super Morning Show</b> on Joy FM Wednesday, October 2, 2013.
 PRESIDENT Goodluck JonathanTuesday marked Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary at the Presidential Villa, Abuja with a presidential change of guards parade at the forecourt of the President’s office.
The change of guards, which is a regular weekly event at the Presidential Villa, was conducted by officers and soldiers of two battalions of the Presidential Guards Brigade, the 177 Battalion based in Keffi, Nassarawa State and the 7 Guards Battalion, Abuja.
The ceremonial event involved the inspection of new guard/quarter guard, silent drill, posting of sentries/colour patrol and echelon reporting of parade among others.
At the end of the parade, which lasted for about one-and-a-half hours, President Jonathan, flanked by Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police signed the independence anniversary register and released pigeons to signify peace.
The President also cut the 53rd anniversary cake.
Among the dignitaries who witnessed the event were Vice- President Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and former Head, Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have taken a definite stance to shore up the value of the naira against the persistent free fall of the currency in recent times, as it banned the importation of all foreign currencies unless by regulatory approval.
The move, which is part of its determination to save the economy from external threats and dominance, may also be a strategy to stem the rising tide of Naira-Dollar speculations and unpredictable quantity of dollars in circulation.
There were indications that the latest move was sequel to the bank’s withdrawal of the operating licenses of 20 Bureaux de Change (BDCs) found to have purchased and sold huge sums of dollars with no documentation to show details of the transactions.
 PRESIDENT Barack Obama has cancelled two stops on his four-nation Asian tour because of the government shutdown. The White House said Mr Obama would not now visit Malaysia and the Philippines but would still travel to Indonesia and Brunei.
Malaysia had already announced Mr Obama would be replaced by Secretary of State John Kerry for the visit next week.
The U.S. government has partially shut down after the two houses of Congress failed to agree a new budget. More than 700,000 federal employees face unpaid leave, and national parks, museums and many buildings are closed.
Mr Obama earlier vowed not to allow Republicans to undermine his signature healthcare legislation as a condition to restart the US government.
The outgoing ambassador of the Republic of Cuba has once again hailed as “enviable” the longstanding relations between Banjul and Havana, underscoring that the ties between the two nations are based on “mutual respect” for each other’s sovereignty and development.
Her Excellency Ines Fors Fernandez was speaking to the Daily Observer Tuesday during an exclusive interview at her office.
Further commenting on the relationship that started in 1979, the ambassador noted that this has now taken a new congenial direction since the advent of The Gambia’s Second Republic in 1994.
Fernandez, whose successor has been named after the end of her tour of duty in the country, said the two countries have enjoyed important cooperation in the areas of health, agriculture as well as education and sports.
Gambian intelligence operatives have busted another huge political asylum scam in the country, involving a senior executive member of the main opposition party – the United Democratic Party (UDP) and three others, apparently putting the image of that political party in what many referred to as in “shambles”.
Highly placed security sources have it that the UDP national treasurer, Amadou Sanneh; Malang Fatty, the alleged asylum seeker; Alhagie Sambou Fatty, (brother to Malang); and Bakary Baldeh, commissioner of Oaths, were apprehended for their involvement in the scam.
“On the 19th of September, 2013, one Malang Fatty, a native of Bantanto, Central River Region (CRR), currently residing in Latrikunda Sabiji, was arrested at Amdallai Border Post by state security agents and during a search, he was found in possession of seditious attestation against the state, written by one Amadou Sanneh, UDP National Treasurer and an executive member, seeking for political asylum/refugee by all definitions and standards on behalf of the suspect so that he could be granted protection under all international human rights regulations as alleged,” a senior intelligence officer told members of the fourth estate Tuesday in Banjul.
The First Lady of the Republic, Her Excellency Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh, who accompanied her spouse to New York for the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, had also participated in a flurry of high-level sessions bordering on different critical sectors.
During her stay in New York, Madam Jammeh joined her counterparts from around the world, diplomats and tastemakers for Fashion 4 Development’s First Ladies Annual Luncheon and Fashion show; participated in a high level forum on the theme; “Building bridges for peace on Health Disability: Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda Initiative”, on the margins of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Fisheries Section of the United Seamen Port &General Workers Union has spoken strongly against what it calls the “failure” of the West Africa Regional Fishing Project (WARFP) to address their plight.
WARFP is an International Organization partnering with the Bureau of National Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture in Liberia to protect Liberia’s seacoast and regulate all fishing activities in the country.
Speaking to this paper at a forum organized by the United Seamen Forum in Logan Town recently, the group expressed their frustrations over the new Fishing Regulations introduced by the new International regulatory body [WARFP].
Liberia’s President and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has been speaking about Liberia’s journey from peace to recovery.
President Johnson-Sirleaf, who is currently on an official visit abroad, recalled that ten years ago Liberia began its journey from peace to recovery.
She said the peace accords signed in Ghana ended the second of two devastating civil wars, leaving more than a quarter of a million dead, “my country’s infrastructure destroyed and the lives of exhausted survivors shattered.”
According to her, the “task before us seemed overwhelming”.
Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, George M. Weah, has called on Liberians, including politicians to preach what he called “peaceful politics” in order to move the country forward.
Amb. Weah said now is the time for every Liberian to do away vices that have the potential of derailing the peace and stability that the country enjoys so far.
After a busy weekend in the Ghana Premier League, the action continues on Wednesday with champions, Asante Kotoko, who lead the log aiming for their fourth straight victory.
Kotoko appear to have turned the corner this season, having won their opening three games in the competition.
Unlike their title winning campaign in the previous season where they drew their opening four games, the Porcupine Warriors have this time round picked three wins out of three matches.
On Wednesday, Kotoko travel to Wa as they will attempt to extend their winning run in their meeting with Wa All Stars.
All eyes will be on Kotoko, who had to dig deep to defeat New Edubiase from a last-gasp penalty on Sunday. However, they will be aware that the Blues will strive to burst their bubble in their match-day-4 clash.
The Director of International Relations for governing National Democratic Congress, Mr. Kofi Attoh has challenged party members in the UK and Ireland to do all they could, to follow the vision of the NDC and support the Government of President John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing delegates at the Congress by UK and Ireland on Saturday 28 September to elect new Chapter Executives, Mr. Attoh stressed on the need for unity in party in order to strengthen its base.
The event which took place at the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, Philip Lane North London N15 4JA, was attended by a large section of the NDC UK & Ireland Branch party members, supporters and party faithful from all walks of life in the UK.
Miss Ghana 2012, Carranzer Naa Okailey Shooter who was adjudged the second runner up in this year's Miss World beauty pageant believes she broke boundaries with the win.
The Ghanaian, who emerged third among 126 contestant from across the world in the finale held at the Bali International Convention Centre in Bali, Indonesia Saturday night, arrived in Ghana Monday night.
Before achieving the impressive feat, Naa Okailey made it to the Top 10, and after that number was whittled down, she still managed to get a place in the Top 5.
THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) urged Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the history of socio-economic woes of the nation and ensure that credible and transparent leaders are voted into positions of leadership in 2015.
But the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said only a national conference would provide solutions to the challenges facing the country, even as it denied endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan’s rumoured second term bid.
The Arewa elders also said that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary, while insisting that the people should make judicious use of their democratic rights to vote in good and God-fearing leaders that would make poverty history in the country.
SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said though Nigeria is passing through tough times, the challenges confronting the nation are not insurmountable.
He said as the country celebrates its 53rd independence anniversary, all hands must be on deck to foster unity, peace and reconciliation.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said all Nigerians must work tirelessly to promote the tenets of democracy, good governance and responsible citizenry.
He appealed to the political elite to moderate their utterances and be mindful of their responsibility to the country. He said with elections scheduled for 2015, all leaders must lay emphasis on executing the mandates given to them by Nigerians, not heating up the polity by engaging in unnecessary politicking when it not yet time for such endeavours.
EMINENT Nigerians from all walks of life yesterday paid glowing tributes to the late former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, describing him as a quintessential politician and bridge-builder who lived his life in the service of humanity.
The University of Ibadan (UI), where he studied and later became Acting Head of the Department of Geology, set yesterday aside as day of tributes for him, as part of his burial activities.
The dignitaries were unanimous that Agagu was a patriot, nationalist and one of the foremost Yoruba leaders who practised politics without bitterness. Among the personalities present at the event at the International Conference Centre, UI, were Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
The president of the Republic has told the United Nations General Assembly that Muslims and Africans will never tolerate any agenda that calls for human extinction vis-a-vis homosexuality; a practice he said, is becoming an epidemic.
In his speech at the 68th UN Summit, President Jammeh noted that those who promote homosexuality want to put an end to human existence, in sharp contrast to that of Africans and Muslims, whom he said, want the continuous existence of humanity on this planet.
“We will never tolerate any agenda that clearly calls for human extinction,” he declared again, while making it clear that Africans cannot be hoodwinked anymore.
The president of the Republic has reiterated his condemnation of what he referred to as “so-called Islamic militants or extremists” who hide behind the noble religion of Islam to engage in the killings of people, especially innocent Muslims, stressing the need for all to stand against the phenomenon.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking to journalists in an interview Saturday morning at the Banjul International Airport shortly after returning from the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Gambian leader and delegation were received on arrival at the foot of the aircraft by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang; the chief justice, Cabinet ministers, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, managing directors and a cross-section of the Gambian community.
The director of marketing at the GTBoard has declared the readiness of the Gambia tourism sector to replicate the achievements made in the last edition of Akwaaba West Africa Trade Fair, held annually in Lagos, Nigeria.
Adama Njie, the director of marketing at the GTBoard was speaking recently in an interview with the Daily Observer. He disclosed that at the expo, there is a day set aside as ‘The Gambia Day’, which he said, is always full of activities.
As part of efforts to market destination Gambia, the GTBoard director of marketing said preparations for this year’s edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market expo by the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MoTC) is in high gear.
United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Madam Deborah Malac, has asserted that Liberia has one of the freest media in the world.
Against this backdrop, Amb. Malac challenged the Liberian media to exercise complete responsibility in its reportage, especially reportage on sensitive issues that are of national concern and security implication.
She made these assertions Monday, September 30, 2013 at the start of a seven-day training forum for the Liberian media on the oil and gas sector.
The forum, which brings together seven Liberian journalists at the iLab in Sinkor, Monrovia, is organized by the International Institute of ICT Journalism (Penplusbytes). The seven journalists were selected among 40 journalists, who initially applied for the training.
A seven-day training forum for Liberian journalists on the oil and gas sector opened in Monrovia on Monday, September 30, 2013.
The forum, which is organized by the by International Institute of ICT Journalism (Penplusbytes), is being held at the iLab in Sinkor, Monrovia. It brings together seven Liberian journalists. The seven journalists, including this writer, were selected among 40 journalists, who initially applied for the training.
Penplusbytes is a registered company limited by guarantee since 18th July 2001. The organization seeks to empower the media through the use of ICTs to advance the work of journalism. It consists of a network of media organizations and journalists interested in using ICTs effectively to advance journalism.
The Government of Liberia(GOL) has launched the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons, a professional institution established by law to train medical specialists in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology to independently manage surgical and medical problems to the highest level of competence.
The Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons will produce Liberian medical specialists who will demonstrate the highest standard of medical excellence, while efficiently and effectively delivering health services across Liberia.
Speaking at the launch Monday, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai said as part of the ten-year- strategic plan of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, President Sirleaf forwarded to the Legislature a bill to establish the Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons.
United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Madam Deborah Malac, has asserted that Liberia has one of the freest media in the world.
Against this backdrop, Amb. Malac challenged the Liberian media to exercise complete responsibility in its reportage, especially reportage on sensitive issues that are of national concern and security implication.
She made these assertions Monday, September 30, 2013 at the start of a seven-day training forum for the Liberian media on the oil and gas sector.
The forum, which brings together seven Liberian journalists at the iLab in Sinkor, Monrovia, is organized by the International Institute of ICT Journalism (Penplusbytes). The seven journalists were selected among 40 journalists, who initially applied for the training.
Operators of television stations on the continent have been urged to pay particular attention to improving their content and dedicating more funds to it rather than their coverage (reach).
The call comes at a time when Africa is preparing to switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) by the close of 2015.
At the just-ended conference in Dubai, dubbed Digital Dialogue, panellists said the competition among the stations would be expected to heighten sharply with the migration and noted that those which would survive would be the ones with rich content and not coverage.
The Chiefs and people of Saasabi, Adengon, Kuberkrom and Zenu, all under the custody of the Tema Divisional Chiefs Council, say Volta Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, is neck-deep in ongoing encroachment on their lands.
Nii Ashitey Saasabi II, chief of Saasabi, Nii Mensah Bossah II, chief of Kubekrom and Nii Tetteh Attanya II, chief of Adegon, all claim the Volta Regional Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kpone-Katamanso, is in collusion with officials of the Lands Commission (Lands Title Registry) to sell their lands against their will.
Miss Ghana 2012, Carranzer Naa Okailey Shooter has been adjudged the second runner up in this year's Miss World beauty pageant which came off in Indonesia.
The Ghanaian emerged third among 126 contestant from across the world in the finale held at the Bali International Convention Centre in Bali, Indonesia Saturday night.
THE Niger State government has formally informed the Presidency over the discovery of oil and gas deposits in commercial quantity in the Bida Basin of the state.
The message, conveyed to President Goodluck Jonathan was signed by the Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, but details of the letter was not immediately known, even as the Presidency was said to have acknowledged its receipt.
Niger, almost two years ago, commissioned the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai and some experts to study the Bida Basin, with the sole objective of determining if the hydrocarbon deposits in the area were in commercial quantity.
NIGERIA’S long and tortuous journey to electricity reforms seems to be coming to an end.President Goodluck Jonathan will Monday hand over certificates and licences to buyers of the successor companies of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), heralding the end of an era and the beginning of another. The handover is expected in the next few weeks.
But it is not clear what becomes of two of the utilities whose cases are either in court or being subjected to final scrutiny.
There is already excitement in government circles. It is hoped that the coming of the private sector to take over the nation’s generation and distribution companies (gencos and discos) would lead to efficient electricity. The failure of government’s monopoly personified by the battered PHCN is one reason the majority of Nigerians have supported the privatisation of the utilities.
The ceremonial event, which would be held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, heralds government’s direct disengagement from the management of the plants and networks. Government would, however, continue to oversee the transmission network in the interim.
THOSE waiting for President Goodluck Jonathan to officially declare interest or otherwise in the 2015 presidential election may have to wait longer.
He explained Sunday that apart from an early declaration creating more problems in the polity than it is aimed to solve, it would equally be breaching regulations in that regard.
During a Presidential Media Chat in Abuja Sunday, Jonathan noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rules and regulations concerning election processes were clear and none of the provisions mandate that the President must declare early.
However, the President denied ever entering into any agreement with any person or group not to seek a second term in office. He challenged any person or group with such a document to make it public.
Further to Central Bank of The Gambia’s approval for name change from the Bank PHB to Keystone Bank (Gambia) Limited, the board, management and staff of the Bank wish to inform their customers of the formal activation and unveiling of the Bank’s new name, Keystone Bank (Gambia) Limited, which shall take effect from September 30, 2013, says Darlington Lawson, the managing director/ CEO of the Bank.
According to him, this new name replaces the erstwhile Bank PHB brand, aimed at aligning international subsidiaries with their parent brand. “Keystone Bank is a full service commercial bank with head office in Lagos and over 200 branches in Nigeria and Africa,” he revealed.
A high-level meeting of 14 Ecowas ministers in-charge of Information Communication and Technology as well as telecommunication was convened Friday in Kololi with the officials looking at key issues that will sustain and accelerate growth in the sector.
Presided over by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, the meeting was the culmination of the experts’ four-day meeting, which will avail the participants the opportunity to look at ways of bridging the ICT divide in the sub-region.
In her remarks, Vice President Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy underscored the importance of the forum to the development of the ICT/telecom sector. She observed that ICT has evolved tremendously and is now at centre stage as a game changer in the social and economic transformation not only in the sub-region, but the African continent and the world at large.
The Gambian leader has challenged fellow world leaders to be sincere in conflict prevention and management, observing that the current status quo across the world has cast serious doubts on the effectiveness of the mechanisms adopted by regional organisations and most importantly, the United Nations to address them.
Addressing the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Friday, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh observed that instead of acting as an effective mechanism for conflict prevention and resolution, as well as advancing global security, the United Nations Security Council has become a “barrier to progress, peace and security.
The Gambian president lamented that “unilateral bullying” and “criminal” invasion of resource-endowed sovereign states under the pretext of strengthening democratisation, combined with terrorism, organised crime, poverty and diseases remain serious threats to global peace and security unless appropriate steps are taken to eradicate them.
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A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows residents are concerned about the possible early release of inmates and they say they are not confident local governments can handle the additional responsibilities under realignment.
A jury of 10 women and 2 men deliberated about four hours on Wednesday, slept on the verdict and delivered a guilty decision to Plumas County Superior Court Judge Ira Kaufman on Thursday morning.
The Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through its Ambassador accredited to Liberia has emphasized that its development partnership with Liberia is not only limited to grand buildings, but in other areas of development.
Amb. Zhao Jianhua said China has contributed immensely in all aspects of the nation’s recovery process. According to him, China has been financing Chinese Doctors who are working at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK).
He also noted that a group of Chinese technicians are maintaining equipment provided by the Chinese Government at the Tappita Hospital in Nimba County.
A movement named and styled: Liberians for the Protection of Peace and Democracy(LPPD) has been launched in the country. The movement was launched at the Monrovia YMCA edifice on Friday, September, 27, 2013.
The launch of this initiative was attended by political parties’ leaders, civil society organizations, religious groups, pen-pen boys, market women as well as other women groups, members of the professional and intelligential community and those from the progressive ranks.
 President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has expressed confidence that the bond of friendship that so happily exist between the Republic of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China will continue to grow stronger, as China celebrates its National Independence Anniversary on October 1ST, 2013.
The committee set up by the New Patriotic Party to review the landmark Supreme Court verdict on the 2012 presidential election petition is set to finally decide on whether the party should seek a review of the verdict or not next week.
The party is still contemplating on testing the law again, if it may this time turn to their favour, chairman of the committee Ayikoi Otoo hinted on Joy FM's news analysis programme Newsfile on Saturday, 28th September 2013.
He is therefore advising functionaries of the ruling National Democratic Congress who have gone to bed with the ruling, believing everything is over to rethink, because the NPP has not completely shelved its intention to go for a review.
Winner of the 2013 Big Brother Africa Reality Show (The Chase), Dillish has opened up on her father’s sudden appearance into her life after she she emerged winner of the hit TV Reality Show.
Speaking to Joy News, the Namibian winner, said "joining Big Brother has only sped up the process of meeting my father and I’m blessed and I thank God for bringing him back to my life.”.
His father, Abdi Galgalo Guyo, a Kenyan ex-soldier met her mother Selma Pashukeni after 23 years of separation.
The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Nii Armah Ashietey, has cautioned workers who stage illegal strikes to stop the practice, else they would have to forfeit their salaries for the period that they do not work.
Mr Ashietey gave the warning at a symposium held in Tema to mark the 20th anniversary of the Textile, Garment and Leather Employees’ Union (TGLEU) .
The theme for the celebration was: “Salvaging Ghana’s Economy: The role of Trade Unions”
He quoted the Labour Act to support his statement.
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Friday joined the friends, colleagues and associates of the Nwodo family to extol the virtues of the late Hon. Justice Regina Obiageli Nwodo, as she was laid to rest in the family vault in Ukehe, Nsukka, Enugu State.
The President described the death of the late Nwodo, a former Justice of the Appeal Court, as traumatic.
“She represents stories of virtue, long suffering, patience. When someone like her passes on, an indelible mark is left and it is my prayer that what she left behind is shared by all,” said President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.
ANGERED by the action of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu in ordering the dispersal of newly-recruited teachers with teargas, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if Mbu is not redeployed in the next 21 days.
The organised labour is also seeking an unreserved apology from the police commissioner over the incident.
The state NLC Chairman, Chris Oruge, and his TUC counterpart, Hyginus Onuegbu, while briefing journalists Friday in Port Harcourt, called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to act on their demand, if they are interested in the welfare and development of Rivers State and the country at large.
THE Federal High Court, Abuja Division Friday ordered the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delete the name of former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola from their records as PDP National Secretary.
In his ruling, Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati ordered the PDP and INEC to replace Oyinlola with Prof Adewale Oladapo who was nominated by the Southwest PDP at extra-ordinary zonal congress held in Ibadan, Oyo State on July 13, this year.
The judge also extended to July 13 this year, the time limit he had granted, in the court’s January 11 judgment, for the conduct of the zonal congress.
He also deemed Prof Oladipo’s nomination by the congress as replacement for Oyinlola “as proper and due compliance with the January 11 judgment.”
Six youths from the National Youth Council (NYC), National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) and the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) will be attending a one-month ECOWAS capacity building programme on Agro-business and food processing in Benin.
The six selected youths are: Elody Mendy, Kumba Ceesay, Sheriff Jammeh, Alieu Mbye, Yankuba Dumbuya and Fatou John Jallow.
Speaking at their orientation ceremony, the deputy director of Youth and Sports Pa Suwareh Fye reminded the nominees of the daunting task a head of them, noting that seeking knowledge especially in a foreign country is never easy. He advised them to maintain discipline, work together as a team and focus more on their training.
Awa Jonga from the Gambia has made it through to the P’tit Galle semi-final to be held on Saturday 28th September at the Senegalese capital, Dakar.
Sen P’tit Galle is a musical talent concert organised by “Prince Arts” for teenagers aspiring to become musicians and aired on tfm television station every weekend. Sen P’tit Galle started in 2011 with the objective of showcasing the hidden talents of young people in singing and dancing among other. The participants also receive trainings on social moral, religion and cultural issues as well. They also embark on a conducted tour of Senegal to enhance their understanding of the country. Awa Jonga with the stage name Awa Gambi Jonga, is a 13-year-old girl who will turn 14 on Sunday, 29 September. She is a grade 8-student at New Life Lower Basic School in Kanifing.
GAMBIA: (daily observer,28/09/2013)
The deputy permanent secretary Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has said that education is critical to the infrastructure of any country serving as primary engine for innovation and growth.
Momodou Sanneh was speaking on Thursday during the Fanta Science and Mathematics Quiz Competition Award ceremony held at Gambega Limited in Kanifing.
He said a top performing education system enables individuals to maximize their true potentials regardless of their background. He said in order to change the landscape of the education service delivery, it is crucial to prioritise areas that need adjustment in order to achieve maximum output.
The Sirleaf administration has received a US$15 million credit from the World Bank to increase access to finance, inputs, technologies and markets for smallholder tree crop farmers in Liberia, and to develop a long term development program for the tree crops sector. This Smallholder Tree Crops Revitalization Support Project (STCRSP) would be implemented over a period of four years in several districts of Liberia's main tree crop producing counties.
Chinese direct investment in Liberia reached 10 billion by 2010 according to the World Bank. The Chinese Government is not slowing down and these investments are accompanied by tangible development aid packages that have given China a special place in the hearts of many ordinary Liberians. Some of the development aids include: a modern health ministry building for the Government of Liberia; the new Ministry of Health and Social Welfare building, the University of Liberia Fendall Campus; the Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Hospital, and the Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center at the Central Agricultural Technology Institute (CARI).
Judges at The Hague have upheld the 50-year jail sentence of former Liberian President Charles Taylor for aiding murderous rebels in Sierra Leone's civil war.
Taylor, 65, had earlier been found guilty by the Special Court for Sierra Leone on April 26, 2012, of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including terrorism, murder, rape and using child soldiers.
He was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) on Thursday rejected Taylor's appeal against his earlier conviction
The Member of Parliament for Bantama, Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has called on religious institutions to be agents of social change in development in the society.
To him, though the church and the mosque were agents of socialisation, they constituted the human mass of producing developmental effects.
The MP was speaking during the climax of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Bantama Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church and the inauguration of the church website (www.bantamasdachurch.org) at Bantama in Kumasi.
He said much as followers of Jesus Christ and Mohammed were expected to live exemplary lives, they were also expected to develop their human base in support of development in the society.
The Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cape coast, Right Reverend Daniel Sylvanus Adotei Allotey has cautioned Ghanaians, particularly politicians against running down some state institutions when their decisions do not favour them.
He stated that as a democratic country, we must ensure that the integrity of state institutions were protected and respected.
He noted that strengthening of state institutions would enhance our fragile democracy to enable others to learn from it.
According to him, institutions such as the Electoral Commission and the judiciary are independent constitutionally mandated bodies, that must be allowed to discharge their duties without fear or favour irrespective of the decisions they may come out with.
Live ideals of accountability, integrity which Awoonor stood for; Rawlings tells NDC
Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings
Former President, Jerry John Rawlings, says the governing NDC must properly recognise the selfless role of the late Prof. Kofi Awoonor in the 31st December Revolution which served as the foundation stone of the party .Mr. Rawlings on Thursday wrote in a book of condolence opened in memory of Professor Awoonor, that: “On the onset of the 31st December 1981 revolution when integrity was very high you were one of the bold and leading advocates of the PNDC principles and we thank you for it.”
NIGERIA is on the brink of collapse as indicated by the failure of the Federal Government to pay states their allocations, according to the splinter group of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
But the Federal Government dismissed the claim as a political gimmick.
Trade and Investment Minister of State Samuel Ortom stated that the decline in foreign direct investment from $8.1 billion in 2011 to $7.1 billion in 2012 was not enough to conclude that the economy was not doing well, stressing that the country still leads in the Africa in terms of foreign direct investment.
Besides, two Christian organisations Thursday urged President Goodluck Jonathan and other politicians not to heat the polity over 2015 elections.
Meanwhile, a group of PDP stakeholders has decried an alleged bid to divide the party in Edo North senatorial district and affirmed Chief Mike Ogiadomhe as the leader of the political grouping in the area.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the New PDP decried the failure to pay the 36 states their own share of the Federal Allocation since June.
NASARAWA State Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura again came under attack from displaced people taking refuge in Agyaragu and Kadarko towns of Jenkwe and Giza development council areas who protested against his visit to their camps yesterday.
Besides, the senator representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District, Solomon Ewuga, has condemned the governor’s handling of the crisis in the state.
The governor had visited the displaced persons to condole with them over alleged attacks on them by Fulani.
Some of the protesters, who spoke with reporters at the refugee camps, said the governor had better not come to them and insult them with pittance and a handful of bags of millet and corn, wondering whether Al-Makura knew at all that they produce these items themselves.
FORMER Liberia President, Charles Taylor yesterday lost his appeal against a war-crimes conviction as judges confirmed a 50-year jail term against the Liberian ex-president for encouraging rebels in Sierra Leone to mutilate, rape and murder victims in its civil war.
Presiding Judge, George Gelaga King said Taylor had aided and abetted crimes committed by Revolutionary United Front and Armed Forces Revolutionary Council rebels, advising and assisting them while knowing well the kinds of crimes they were committing.
“Their primary purpose was to spread terror. Brutal violence was purposefully unleashed against civilians with the purpose of making them afraid, afraid that there would be more violence if they continued to resist,” he said.
The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs Thursday morning held talks with the First Lady of Nigeria’s Oyo State on issues bordering on strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two destinations, especially in the area of tourism.
Her Excellency Florence Ajimobi, who is in the country for a three-day visit, was accompanied to the presidency by Nigeria’s high commissioner to The Gambia, Esther John Audu.
The secretary general of the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) has commended the government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh for “remarkable achievements” in the health sector.
Tao Wenlung was speaking Wednesday during a meeting with officials of the Upper River Region regional health team. He was in the region to assess the maternal health project that they are sponsoring in the region.
The top Taiwanese official said the project in question seeks to help Gambians, especially communities in URR with a view to improving the quality of its maternal health services through the development of the capacity of midwives, amongst others. While noting that their previous assessment of the project indicated that it is on the ‘right track”, the ICDF boss applauded the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its support to the success of the sheme.
 The president of the Republic has called for a durable solution to the crisis gripping the Sahelian region, while renewing his landmark call for a “decade of peace and reconciliation in Africa”.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh was addressing multitude of high-ranking politicians and development partners Thursday during the opening of a high-level meeting on Sahel, organised on the fringes of the ongoing 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Gambian leader stressed the need for collective efforts in the Sahel region of Africa so as to address all the aspects of the various crises. “We must equally address all the aspects of the crises in the region through such a platform that convenes, as and when necessary, under the leadership of the United Nations. It is my humble view that an annual forum that brings together the countries of the region and all stakeholders including regional and international organisations would go a long way in forging a strong partnership for the Sahel,” he stressed.
A panel of federal judges has given Governor Jerry Brown the go-ahead to extend a deadline to fix the state's prisons overcrowding. They agreed to a postponement and ordered California officials and inmate attorneys to begin talking about solving the issue.
The Susanville Symphony's inaugural performance for their 11th season is October 16 and 17 with the Swing Band Concert at Susanville's Memorial Hall. But some kick-off events will begin sooner.
A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows residents are concerned about the possible early release of inmates and they say they are not confident local governments can handle the additional responsibilities under realignment.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, on behalf of the People of Liberia has sent messages condolence to the Governments and Peoples of Ghana and Kenya respectively.
The Liberian leader, in her message of condolence to the President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama, on the saddening news of the untimely death of Professor Kofi Awoonor, former Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Ghana, who was caught up in the brutal attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya on September 21, 2013.
The Government of the Peoples’ Republic of China has donated computers, stationery and Office equipment to the Group of ’77 with the Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua reaffirming his country’s commitment to stronger and deeper friendship between the two nations.
The Chinese Envoy said it is commendable for the Second Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Mrs. Kartumu Y. Boakai to go out and seek assistance for the well-being of Liberian citizens with disabilities.
The Judge of Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice Yussif D. Kaba on Thursday September 26, 2013, set a date for the legal Memorandum to be filed in the ongoing Mercenary case.
The mercenary case is being tried at the Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice by Judge Yussif D. Kaba.The Temple of Justice is located on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
Chinua Achebe on March 21, much has been written about the tremendous impact his work had on the world of contemporary African literature.
He said “but writers were not the only ones who held him in high esteem. In the same way that Achebe’s books helped foster the talent of countless writers in Africa’s post-colonial era, they also inspired a number of Africa’s current political leaders”.
According to President Mahama, the “late Achebe had such influence on the African political landscape that three years ago, he started governing an annual colloquium at Brown University, where he was a professor that brought together leaders, scholars and artists to discuss, strengthening democracy and peace on the African continent”
The Minority Caucus in Parliament, yesterday, entreated the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Seth Tekper to appear before the House to update it on the three billion dollars Chinese Development Loan.
According to them, that would accurately inform Ghanaians on the recent development of the facility.
This follows a press briefing by the Minister of Information, Mahama Ayariga, last Thursday that government has sorted out relevant documentation to ensure that the loan was received by the Ghanaian government early.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he wants to reach a deal with world powers on Tehran's nuclear programme in three to six months.
He told the Washington Post he saw a resolution of the issue as a "beginning point" in easing US-Iran relations.
Mr Rouhani said he was fully empowered by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to negotiate on the issue.
On Thursday, Iran will hold talks with the P5+1 group of world powers on Tehran's uranium enrichment programme.
In a rare encounter between US and Iranian officials, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet US Secretary of State John Kerry as well as diplomats from the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany in New York.
The World Bank Country Director, Ms. Marie-Francoise Marie-Nelly, Wednesday said there would be no meaningful development or evaluation of national strategies without quality statistics to identify socio-economic challenges.
Speaking in Abuja at the opening of a two-day National Statistical User Satisfaction End-line workshop, which was organised by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with its development partners, she stressed the importance of strong statistical systems to enhance the country's ability to control and monitor its development.
JPMorgan Chase & Co is in talks with government officials to settle federal and state mortgage probes for $11 billion, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
The sum could include $7 billion in cash and $4 billion for consumers, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private.
The talks are fluid and the $11 billion amount could change, the people familiar with the matter said. The discussions include the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York State Attorney General, the sources said.
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Pakistan climbed to more than 230 on Wednesday after hundreds of mud houses collapsed on their inhabitants throughout the remote and thinly populated area, officials said.
Pakistan's army airlifted hundreds of soldiers to help with the aftermath of the worst earthquake in the South Asian country since 2005 when about 75,000 people were killed in the north of the country.
The Tuesday earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck Baluchistan, a huge earthquake-prone province of deserts and rugged mountains, and was felt across South Asia.
A new grassroots initiative dubbed the Senegalese-Gambia Association for Integration and Socio-economic Development (SGAISD) was Saturday officially launched in Mbour as part of efforts to promote unity, cooperation and economic development in the Senegambia region.
The Association, which draws its membership from the regions in Senegal and The Gambia, has two chapters with each headed by a president. Its launching was done on the fringes of the annual Mbour cultural festival that brought together musicians, cultural ambassadors and intellectuals to showcase the culture of the region. In attendance at the launching were scores of dignitaries including the lord mayor of Mbour, Fallou Sylla, as well as divisional and regional representatives.
The mayor of Banjul has disclosed that the government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh “will construct 20 roads” in the city, while indicating that it recently assisted the Banjul City Council (BCC) with a staggering amount of five million dalasis for the development of the over 35, 000-population metropolis.
Speaking Wednesday during a meeting with the city’s market vendors, who matched to the Council to put numerous demands on the table for attention, Mayor Abdoulie Bah praised President Jammeh for his commitment to the advancement of the city, indicating that he also donated D500, 000 to the Council to clean the gutters in the city.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources under the stewardship of Minister Mass Axi Gye is poised to tackle a looming fish shortage in the country, as a result of the fast approaching Muslim feast of Tobaski, a period the country usually experiences acute fish shortages.
The minister and his team yesterday engaged Aque Blue, a Gambian company, and Chinese-owned Red Sea International Fishing Development Company Limited to take charge and combat fish shortage in the country during a meeting held at the Ministry in Banjul.
For many years now, the country always experience fish scarcity whenever feasts like Tobaski, Koriteh and even Touba Magal approach due to the fact that majority of the fishmongers, who are from the neighbouring country, would return home to spend these special periods with their families, thus leaving the few Gambian fishermen unable to meet the local demand. Although the government has tried over the years to discourage the phenomenon by putting up multi-million dollar projects in almost all the major fishing communities as well as advocating for young Gambians to dominate the sector; it however remains a challenge.
The Government of the Peoples’ Republic of China has donated computers, stationery and Office equipment to the Group of ’77 with the Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua reaffirming his country’s commitment to stronger and deeper friendship between the two nations.
The Chinese Envoy said it is commendable for the Second Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Mrs. Kartumu Y. Boakai to go out and seek assistance for the well-being of Liberian citizens with disabilitie
A joint delegation from the National Elections Commission and the Liberian Legislature has returned to the country following a two-week study tour and election observation mission to the East African State of Rwanda.
The delegation comprises the Chairman of the House Committee on Elections and Inauguration, Representative Gabriel Smith and Montserrado County Representatives Edward Ford and Richmond Anderson.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public and Autonomous Agencies, Bong County Senator, Jewel Howard Taylor, was also part of the delegation
The State on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 produced an “Ivorian” Rebuttal Witness to testify in the ongoing Mercenary Case.
The mercenary case is being tried at the Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice by Judge Yussif D. Kaba. The Temple of Justice is located on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
Eighteen (18) persons have been charged by the state with Mercenarism, a charge they have since denied.
Some of those standing trial are: Sam Tarley, Ofori Diah, Christophere Lakpayee, Timothy Barley, Philip Moore, Junior Gelor, Emmanuel Pewee, Fred Chelly and Jacob Saydee.
A former President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Madam Grace B. Minor, has threatened to institute a legal suit against the President of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Dr. Randolph McClain for allegedly lying on her.
Appearing on the popular talk show, Just Another Day (JAD) on Sky 107.0 FM, on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, Madam Minor openly told Liberians that she did not receive any money from the President of NOCAL as being widely speculated in some quarters of the society and the media.
Korle Bu defies Parliament; refuses to stop 'illegal' service charge
Play the attached audio to listen to Rev. Albert Okpoti Botwey.
The Acting Chief Executive of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is defying an order by the Chair of a Parliamentary Committee, asking the Hospital to stop charging patients unlawful service fees.
Rev. Albert Okpoti Botwey insists, Korle Bu will only withdraw the charges upon instructions from the Ministry of Finance and not Parliament or any individual for that matter.
.jpg) Ghana will not be complacent in attaining MDG - Mahama
President Mahama addressing the forum on how Ghana is working to meet the 2015 timeline.
President John Mahama has told world leaders in New York that his country is working to keep the progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MGGs) on course.
Ghana, he said, will not be complacent in its efforts, especially as challenges such as regional and socio-economic disparities still remained.
He was speaking at an UNDP/World Bank organized side event on MDGs: Tackling the unfinished business and accelerating progress. Other heads of state and governments at the event were from Tanzania, Bangladesh, Costa Rica and the Kingdom of Tonga.
Ghana will this year, will begin a demonstration project vaccinating girls against human papillomavirus (HPV).
The HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which is the biggest cancer killer of women on the African continent.
President John Mahama revealed this in New York on Tuesday, when Ghana hosted a side event at the ongoing UN General Assembly, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and the Global Fund.
"In fact Ghana, was the first GAVI partner country to introduce two new vaccines at the same time. In April last year, we added pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines to the national routine immunization programme, thus protecting our children against the deadly diseases of pneumonia and diarrhoea.
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, listed Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.
The position of the electoral body was made known on Tuesday in its comprehensive list, as signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode R. Idowu.
According to the statement, 23 candidates will contest the November 16 election, with the commission clearing issues in relation with two leading political parties.
THE House of Representatives on Tuesday threatened to issue a bench warrant on the Managing Director of Mainstreet Bank Plc, Mrs Faith Tuedor-Mathews, over the sack of 670 workers of the bank without regard to laid-down rules.
Chairman, House committee on banking and currency, Honourable Jones Onyereri who threatened to issue the bench warrant on the bank boss over her failure to honour the committee’s invitation noted that, if Mrs Martins failed to appear before the committee by October 2, the committee would have no option than to issue a warrant of arrest on her.
There seems to be no end in sight over the crisis that has rocked the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting as the Federal Government and states disagreed over the exact sum of outstanding claims due the states and local government councils.
While the states are claiming the sum of N336.0 billion as accrued and arrears of augumentation and FAAC Budget Benchmark differentials, the Federal Government said it was the N75billion being expected from the NNPC that was due to the states.
A press release issued by the forum of Finance Commissioners of Nigeria signed by its chairman, Barrister Timothy Odah on the FAAC crisis, expressed the members’ utter disenchantment with the way and manner in which the Minister of State for Finance, as the Chairman of FAAC, Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama, has been running the administration of the committee with resolute recklessness which demonstrates absolute insensitivity to the financial problems of both the sub-national and the local governments of the Nigerian federation.
The participation of a representative of the National Assembly in the 10th annual general meeting of the Southern Africa Development Community Organizations of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) held from 2nd-7th September 2013 in the Tanzanian capital, Arusha was applauded by the organizers.
Hon. Lamin Kebba Jammeh, a member of the Public Account and Public Enterprise Committees (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly who doubles as the 2nd vice chairman of the West African Association of Public Account Committee disclosed this to the Daily Observer shortly after his return from the meeting.
The minister of Lands and Regional Government has underscored the importance of the Community Improvement Livelihood Infrastructure Project (CILIP), saying the scheme, among others, is poised to reduce poverty.
Momodou FK Kolley was speaking Monday during a meeting with the top brass of The Gambia Agency for the Management of Public Works (Gamworks). He said the project also seeks to build infrastructure at the local level and develop the capacity of communities, amongst others.
The CILIP is a Gambia Government-Islamic Development Bank funded project to the tune of US$18 million. It has a lifespan of four years, and is being implemented in all the regions of the country under the coordination of Gamworks.
The debate of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly officially opened Tuesday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York with world leaders taking turns to debate on a range of cross-cutting issues affecting the world.
It is the largest and most diverse gathering in the diplomatic calendar, bringing together leaders and senior ministers from all 193 member countries of the United Nations.
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), Madam Ratidzai Ndhlovu, has praised the Liberian Government and People for the level of success scored thus far in addressing sexual reproductive health, particularly rape.
Madam Ndhlovu made the assertion Tuesday, August 27, 2013 when Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan received her at the Foreign Ministry on Capitol Hill as she begins her tour of duty here in Liberia.
The new UNFPA Envoy who commended President Sirleaf for the country’s improved sexual reproductive health stated, “Also visible and tangible are the national efforts to address sexual reproductive health, particularly sexual and gender based violence, especially rape which seems to be one of the most recorded crimes in the country.”
A senior of the National Bureau of Concession (NBC), has sharply responded to recent media report linking him to serious issues of corruption.
It can recalled that two local dailies in Monrovia including this paper, reported that the Assistant Director-General for Administration and Chief of Office Staff to the Director-General, Mr. Wilmot Smith, allegedly misapplied public funds in the tone of US$ 150,000 between April and June of this year.
The papers reported that the amount in question was misapplied when the late Director-General, Mr. Tarnue Marwolo was seeking medication.
A joint delegation from the National Elections Commission and the Liberian Legislature has returned to the country following a two-week study tour and election observation mission to the East African State of Rwanda.
The delegation comprises the Chairman of the House Committee on Elections and Inauguration, Representative Gabriel Smith and Montserrado County Representatives Edward Ford and Richmond Anderson.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public and Autonomous Agencies, Bong County Senator, Jewel Howard Taylor, was also part of the delegation.
The Progressive People's Party (PPP), as part of its comprehensive programme to beef up its support base, has organised a workshop for its members and executive in the Central Region.
The workshop, which was held at Elmina last Saturday, was attended by the 2012 Presidential candidate, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, national executives, regional executives, constituency chairmen and former parliamentary candidates in the Central Region.
According to the National Secretary of the party, Mr Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, the Central Region meeting was the first in a series of regional meetings to be organised by the party's national officers to discuss grass-roots organisation and educate members on the party's position on a number of national issues.
An Aide to New Patriotic Party’s 2012 running mate, wants people to "totally disregard" any report that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will contest the party's presidential primaries for 2016 elections.
"Dr. Bawumia harbours no intention whatsoever at this point in time to be interested in leading the party", Anthony Karbo responds.
This follows alleged sponsored posters, seen in some parts of Accra, depicting the 2012 vice-presidential aspirant clad in a smock. It is inscribed "Bawumia for 2016".
Ghana is unlikely to become the target for any terrorist group as long as it does not serve as a proxy in the United States' war against terrorism, an expert on Middle-East Affairs has said.
Irbard Ibrahim, says provided that government does not allow itself to be used as "a stooge to fight US proxy wars", terror attacks such as the recent one experienced by Kenya will not be visited on the nation.
At least 62 people were killed while over a hundred others were injured in the militant attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall, in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, last Saturday.
The dead included Ghana's former Chairman of the Council of State, Prof. Kofi Awoonor who was shot several times. His son, who was with him however, survived gunshot wounds
DESPITE the acclaimed improvement in ability of local hospitals and medical centres to handle more complex health cases, the number of Nigerians trooping to India and other countries for medical treatment has risen astronomically, latest figures have revealed.
Information from the Indian High Commission indicates that a total of 18000 medical visas were issued to Nigerians in 2012. Of the figure, 10, 621 were issued in Abuja while 7, 611 were issued in Lagos. The figure, according to the factsheet, is on continuous rise.
And to enable more Indian hospital investors establish in Nigeria, a Public-Private-Partnership model has been proposed. This, according to the country’s High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev, could involve remodeling existing medical facilities and partnering with Indian experts to bring in world class facilities and experts to jointly run them.
NIGERIAN writers have joined their colleagues all over the world in mourning the untimely passing on of Ghanaian writer and diplomat, Prof. Kofi Awoonor. He was killed in a terrorist attack in Kenya at the weekend.
Awoonor and other writers from across the world, including United States-based Nigerian writer, Teju Cole, author of Everyday for the Thief and Open City, were attending a literary festival, Storymoja Hay Festival, when Somali terrorists, Al-Shabab, struck at Westgate shopping centre, killing dozens of people and holding several others hostage .
IS Nigeria broke? Notwithstanding the vigour with which officials of the Federal Government may respond with a no, they would not have the support of finance commissioners who returned to their states from Abuja Monday empty-handed.
They were in the federal capital to get their statutory revenue allocation from the Federation Account. But a shortfall of N75 billion from the last month’s revenue which could not be remedied by the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) aborted this.
The commissioners and their accountants-general who were gathered for the second time this month to share revenue for September on the instruction of their governors, turned down the N548.393 billion revenue for the month, insisting that NNPC must clear the outstanding N75 billion before they could settle down for the distribution of the current revenue.
The minister of Lands and Regional Government has stressed the need for effective and judicious exploitation of the sand at the mining site in Sanyang, Kombo South, West Coast Region.
Addressing workers at the site on the last day of his weeklong nationwide farmiliarisation tour of councils, institutions and other establishments under the purview of his Ministry, Momodou F K Kolley underscored the importance of the mining area to national development. He told the workers that his visit to the site was meant to get firsthand information and assess the state of affairs of the area, especially after being recently transferred from the Geology Department to his Ministry.
A two-year water project, jointly financed by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany and ChildFund Germany at a tune of €300,000 on Saturday, officially came to a close, during a ceremony held at Mayork Senior Secondary School in Foni Bondali, West Coast Region (WCR).
The project dubbed “Building Capacity for Sustainable Access to Portable Water in 12 villages in The Gambia”, was implemented by ChildFund The Gambia in partnership with Ding Ding Bantaba and Eastern Foni Federation.
The project, according to officials, dug nine wells and rehabilitated five existing ones; conducted series of capacity building programmes, on pump operation and management, water hygiene and sanitation in the intervention villages and schools.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Sunday evening jetted down at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, USA ahead of the commencement of the 2013 68th General Assembly Session of the United Nations (UN); a summit already billed as a “crucial” one for world leaders.
The Gambian leader was accompanied to New York by the First Lady of the Republic, Her Excellency Zineb Yahya Jammeh and other high-ranking officials of his government. They were received on arrival at the Ritz Carlton Hotel by US-based APRC militants under the leadership of one Ebrima Drammeh.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) today announced series of actions in further solidarity with the jailed Publisher of Front Page Africa Newspaper, Rodney Sieh, who has been taken back to hospital.
The launch of the Liberia version of the “FREE RODNEY CAMPAIGN” will take place on Monday, September 23rd in Monrovia with a nation-wide poster and signature campaigns, calling for his release from prison.
As of Monday, PUL says, newspapers, radio and television stations will carry messages in support of the release of Rodney, who has now spent his first month in jail since he was seized on August 21st.
Floods resulting from intense rainfall over the weekend overcame several communities, including the Freeport and Doe Communities on the Bushrod, outside Monrovia.
According to our reporter, who visited some of these communities, the flood also impeded normal working activities and vehicles’ movement.
Our reporter said the entrance of the Free Port of Monrovia was one of the main flooded areas. The Free Port of Monrovia is regarded as the gateway to the nation’s economy.
MTN, parent company of Lonestar Cell MTN has been recognised as the best African and overall brand in Africa in a ranking of the continent’s most admired and valuable brands by Brand Africa.
The Brand Africa 100 award for the Most Admired and Valuable African Brand was presented to MTN at the African Business Awards on Friday evening in New York, USA.
Initiated in 2012, the Brand Africa 100 listing distinguishes the continent’s top brands based on a methodology that blends financial performance and consumer admiration scores to create a unique index and ranking
Cocoa farmers in parts of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions have received cocoa certification bonuses and other incentives from Noble Resources and Ferrero.
Members of the Ahafo Ano North and South UTZ Cocoa Farmers Association (AHANSUCOFA) received bonuses for complying with UTZ Certification code of conduct for cocoa.
Noble Resources paid Gh¢322,560 ($148,816) for 1400 metric tonnes of exportable certified beans sold through Federated Commodities, a licenced cocoa buying company.
Cocoa farmers in parts of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions have received cocoa certification bonuses and other incentives from Noble Resources and Ferrero.
Members of the Ahafo Ano North and South UTZ Cocoa Farmers Association (AHANSUCOFA) received bonuses for complying with UTZ Certification code of conduct for cocoa.
Noble Resources paid Gh¢322,560 ($148,816) for 1400 metric tonnes of exportable certified beans sold through Federated Commodities, a licenced cocoa buying company.
Heavy gunfire and explosions have been heard at the shopping centre in Nairobi where militants are said to be holding a number of hostages.
68 people have been killed and more than 170 injured since the attack began in Kenya's capital on Saturday.
Between 10 and 15 attackers - thought to be militants from the Somali al-Shabab movement - are still inside the Westgate shopping centre.
Reporters at the scene said there had been heavy and rapid bursts of fire.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday morning it was adjourning the trial of Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto on charges relating to violence following elections in 2007.
Former Chaiman of the Council of State, Prof. Kofi Awoonor has been killed in Saturday's shooting incident at a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
Prof. Awoonor died from gun shot wounds in the stomach during an attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi which Somali militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for.
He was in Nairobi as a guest speaker for a conference. Professor Awoonor left his hotel with his son who drove him to the mall to have breakfast together when the fatal incident occurred.
OVER N850 billion was saved from reforms in the oil and gas sector by the Federal Government in 2012, according to Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
In a statement at the weekend, the minister said the figure was arrived at from a N467.20 billion obtained from the N32 per litre mark-up in petrol pump price of January 2012 and the N412.30 billion savings from the 20 million litres per day reductions (down from the 60 million recorded in 2011) in national consumption of PMS.
She noted: “In spite of these savings, we have also been able to maintain stability of products supply, while putting in place stringent regulatory conditions which would make it difficult for dubious marketers to short-change the system.”
THERE is worry within the nation’s defence sector about the vacuum created by the absence of a substantive Minister of Defence since Dr. Haliru Mohammed Bello was removed on June 22, 2012, a clear 15 months ago. Bello was sacked at the height of the insecurity in the North.
The situation has been compounded by last week’s sacking of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Olusola Obada, who was the acting minister while holding on to her official portfolio as Minister of State for Defence.
In the absence of a substantive minister in such “important and sensitive” ministry, President Goodluck Jonathan two weeks ago appointed the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, as Supervising Minister. This means that while Maku still has full responsibility to his core ministry, the spokesman of the Federal Government would also exercise oversight functions over the Ministry of Defence.
THE European Union (EU) has projected a further rise in its trade volume with Nigeria if the country and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states become signatories to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The EU’s projection came even as the issue of tariff regime adoption lingers amongst the trade partners.
Specifically, the EU noted that with about 40 billion euros recorded in trade transactions between Nigeria and the union in 2012, bilateral trade between the two partners would be fostered with the signing of the trade deal.
OVER N850 billion was saved from reforms in the oil and gas sector by the Federal Government in 2012, according to Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
In a statement at the weekend, the minister said the figure was arrived at from a N467.20 billion obtained from the N32 per litre mark-up in petrol pump price of January 2012 and the N412.30 billion savings from the 20 million litres per day reductions (down from the 60 million recorded in 2011) in national consumption of PMS.
She noted: “In spite of these savings, we have also been able to maintain stability of products supply, while putting in place stringent regulatory conditions which would make it difficult for dubious marketers to short-change the system.”
THERE is worry within the nation’s defence sector about the vacuum created by the absence of a substantive Minister of Defence since Dr. Haliru Mohammed Bello was removed on June 22, 2012, a clear 15 months ago. Bello was sacked at the height of the insecurity in the North.
The situation has been compounded by last week’s sacking of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Olusola Obada, who was the acting minister while holding on to her official portfolio as Minister of State for Defence.
In the absence of a substantive minister in such “important and sensitive” ministry, President Goodluck Jonathan two weeks ago appointed the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, as Supervising Minister. This means that while Maku still has full responsibility to his core ministry, the spokesman of the Federal Government would also exercise oversight functions over the Ministry of Defence.
Ahead of the 12th ECOWAS Telecom/ICT meeting of ministers in charge of Telecommunication/ICT in Banjul on the 27th of this month, 2013, a high-level four-day experts’ meeting will commence today 23rd, September at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi.
Organised under the theme “Bridging the regional ICT divide”, the programmes in Banjul are expected to attract 14 ICT/Telecommunication ministers from the regional bloc, as well as over 80 international experts.
The construction of a health centre financed at the tune of D16.58 million by the Gambia government and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will soon commence in Janjangbureh, the administrative capital of the Central River Region.
The governor of the region, Ganyie Touray, recently handed over the construction site to the contractor, Sheikh Bittay Enterprise. The handing over ceremony was also graced by the coordinator at the Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mamat Cham.
Speaking at the ceremony, the consultant, Joseph Sarre, said the new health facility when completed will have an outpatient department, maternity and child health, utility building, staff quarters, kitchen, external work and services. He added that the construction period will last for 12 months.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, accompanied by a high powered delegation, Sunday evening left Banjul to attend the 68th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, United States of America.
The Gambian leader and delegation were seen off at the Banjul International Airport by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, the speaker of the National Assembly, the chief justice, Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, service chiefs, managing directors and a cross-section of The Gambian community.
The Lassen Lady Grizzlies went to the Burney Tournament and with an undefeated record beat Liberty Christian in the Championship game Saturday night to win the 2013 tournament.
Lassen started out the day early with 2 solid wins over Liberty Christian 25 to 21 and 25 to 9. Stevie Woodbury was outstanding with some great digs while Miesha Shepard was dominant on the net with some hardcore kills. The serving master for that first match was Lassens Clari Scheff. An outstanding overall team effort was the factor in this one.
Fire officials say an arsonist set two wildfires in Northern California's Siskiyou County, and they're offering a $20,000 reward to find the suspect.
Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement Thursday that the fires threatened dozens of structures, burned nearly 58 square miles of national forest land and put firefighters at great risk.
Downtown Reno may soon be getting only its second grocery store in the past two decades.
A Reno businessman has acquired the seven-story building that once housed a Woolworth's five-and-dime a block north of the Truckee River on North Virginia Street at First Street
The ongoing Economic Sabotage and Theft of Property case continued on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill, Monrovia with the plaintiff fumbling on the witness stand.
The trial is presided over by Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh of Criminal Court “C”.
It can be recall that Mr. Amos Brosius, former Managing Director of Ducor Petroleum Incorporated was indicted by the Ministry of Justice by and through it chief Executive Officer Mr. Charles Carron.
The Vice President of the Liberia Bar Association who doubles as Professor of Law University of Liberia, Cllr. Jerome Verdier has challenged Liberians not to abuse the open space for civic participation in the democratic dispensation by rather being responsible in enjoying their inalienable rights.
He was delivering a keynote address on the occasion marking the African Union Democracy Day, as part of a joint project implemented by Center for Democracy and Development West Africa based in Nigeria, with Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding, (CEMESP) being the Liberia focal organization.
Floods resulting from intense rainfall over the weekend overcame several communities, including the Freeport and Doe Communities on the Bushrod, outside Monrovia.
According to our reporter, who visited some of these communities, the flood also impeded normal working activities and vehicles’ movement.
Our reporter said the entrance of the Free Port of Monrovia was one of the main flooded areas. The Free Port of Monrovia is regarded as the gateway to the nation’s economy.
Our reporter observed that many vehicles were forced to park, while residents abandoned their normal activities due to the flood. Speaking to this paper, several commercial drivers and motorcyclists described the flood as a complete disappointment to them, who had left their various homes to come and get earns meet.
Hundreds of Zamalek ultras stormed the club’s headquarters in Cairo calling for an immediate change in the club’s leading board.
The fierce protest, which comes in the wake of a thumping 4-2 Champions League defeat to arch-rivals Ahli, is mainly staged against under-fire chairman Mamdouh Abbas.
Although no casualties have been reported so far, Zamalek were forced to evacuate the club, turn off the lights and close the gates in fear of further tension.
Beverage firm Zummo Ghana Limited have become headline sponsors of the monthly “Accra Works Out” fitness session.
The producers of Zummo Natural Fruit are supporting the monthly fitness and aerobics session organized by Primeval Consult in conjunction with the National Sports Authority.
The month sessions will henceforth be titled “Zummo Accra Works Out” to reflect the new relationship between Zummo Ghana Limited and organizers of the event.
Awful stench from decomposing bodies in an uncovered mass burial pit at Awudome Cemetery in Accra has raised health concerns.
Two mass burials were carried out last week in the pit. The stench from the decomposing bodies is causing discomfort for those who live in the area and motorists.
Cemetery officials say the Police Hospital and the Medical School have been dumping bodies in the pit, the last being nine days ago. They, however say they are waiting for more bodies from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital before they cover the pit.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have picked Saturday November 16 for the return leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifier playoff against Ethiopia.
However, the NFF are considering holding the game at Super Eagles regular home ground, U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar as public power outage almost ruined the reopening party for the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday night.
Although elections are not due to be held in Zamfara State until 2015, some leading politicians have begun preparations for the race to take over from Governor Abdulaziz Yari, of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which has dissolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Various strategies are being deployed in a bid to capture and glue the minds of the electorate to competing parties and aspirants.
One of such aspirants locked in the fierce battle is Dr Bello Mohammed, who is jostling to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election. A current member of the House of Representatives representing Bakura and Maradun Federal Constituency, Dr Mohammed has reportedly set machinery in motion and put structures in all the local government council areas in the state, with his campaign slogan of BELMAT 2015 being trumpeted across the state
Although elections are not due to be held in Zamfara State until 2015, some leading politicians have begun preparations for the race to take over from Governor Abdulaziz Yari, of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which has dissolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Various strategies are being deployed in a bid to capture and glue the minds of the electorate to competing parties and aspirants.
One of such aspirants locked in the fierce battle is Dr Bello Mohammed, who is jostling to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election. A current member of the House of Representatives representing Bakura and Maradun Federal Constituency, Dr Mohammed has reportedly set machinery in motion and put structures in all the local government council areas in the state, with his campaign slogan of BELMAT 2015 being trumpeted across the state.
BOKO Haram Islamists opened fire Friday on security operatives conducting an operation near Apo legislative quarters in Abuja, sparking a gunfight that injured several people, the intelligence branch has said.
The minister of Lands and Regional Government has disclosed that plans are underway to kick-start the road construction project in the Sarahulleh community of Gambissara in the Upper River Region.
Minister Momodou Kolley was speaking Wednesday during a meeting with the people of Gambissara as part of his ongoing familiarisation tour of councils and establishments under his purview. He further disclosed that work would commence by January 2014
The minister of Lands and Regional Government has urged local area councils to judiciously use their resources for efficient service delivery.
Momodou F.K. Kolley, who is currently on a nationwide tour of councils, municipalities, departments and other institutions under the purview of the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments, made the call Wednesday in Mansa Konko, Lower River Region (LRR), during a meeting with the local government authorities in the region.
Minister Kolley enjoined the Mansa Konko Area Council to judicially spend the revenue collected for the right purposes in order for it to achieve its development needs for the people of Lower River Region.
The secretary general, head of the Civil Service and minister of Presidential Affairs has reaffirmed the Gambia government’s fullest support to the annual legislative scrutiny of Public Accounts and Public Enterprise Committees (PAC/PEC).
Momodou Sabally was speaking Wednesday while presiding over the opening ceremony of the 2013 annual PAC/PEC pre-session retreat currently underway at the Kunta Kinteh Hotel in Albreda, North Bank Region (NBR).
The three-day convergence, which is an annual meeting, brought together National Assembly members, subject matter specialists, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, director of Treasury, the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) and Office of the Auditor General.
The Vice President of the Liberia Bar Association who doubles as Professor of Law University of Liberia, Cllr. Jerome Verdier has challenged Liberians not to abuse the open space for civic participation in the democratic dispensation by rather being responsible in enjoying their inalienable rights.
He was delivering a keynote address on the occasion marking the African Union Democracy Day, as part of a joint project implemented by Center for Democracy and Development West Africa based in Nigeria, with Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding, (CEMESP) being the Liberia focal organization.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has again, made several appointments in government, pending their formal nomination for confirmation by the Liberian Senate upon their return from break.
The key areas touched in appointment include the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE).to ensure continued smooth functioning of the concerned entities.
The ongoing Economic Sabotage and Theft of Property case continued on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill, Monrovia with the plaintiff fumbling on the witness stand.
The trial is presided over by Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh of Criminal Court “C”.
It can be recall that Mr. Amos Brosius, former Managing Director of Ducor Petroleum Incorporated was indicted by the Ministry of Justice by and through it chief Executive Officer Mr. Charles Carron.
Taking the witness stand, Mr. Charles Carron, who according to the indictment is the owner of Ducor Petroleum, told the court that he does not know how much share he has in the company, stating, he does not understand the Liberian Law.
While most parents, especially men, pray and wish that their first children would be spitting images of them, popular actor and comedian, Lil Win did not have such a wish.
Through out the nine-month period of his girlfriend’s pregnancy, although Lil Win, real name, Kojo Nkansah, prayed for the safe delivery of his baby, he more importantly prayed that the baby would not look like him.
Though he has endeared himself to many with his comical looks and acting skills, he honestly admits he does not have the sort of attractive looks several other male actors possess.
He, therefore, did not want his son to look like him and also suffer the teasing and name-calling he endured until the breakthrough that brought him fame and wealth
The Chairperson of the Convention People's Party, Samia Yaba Nkrumah says Ghana requires a radical shift from the current economic policies if it is to realise her father's dream of a prosperous, self-sufficient, confident nation.
She said the economic policies pursued by successive Governments since the 1980s had not helped the nation's development in any sustainable manner.
The daughter of Ghana’s first President said, a paradigm shift in Government’s policy orientation is the only way Ghana and the rest of the African continent can achieve true economic independence.
She said her father - Dr. Kwame Nkrumah - envisaged a united African continent consisting of self-sufficient industrialised nations that are capable of providing for the basic needs of all their citizens.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has suggested castration of child rapists to curb the crime, which he described as a rampant problem.
President Mugabe told lawmakers from his Zanu-PF party after officially opening parliament on Tuesday that his new government must introduce stiffer penalties for rape.
“Fathers be aware. We are going to make it very, very tough for you,” he said.
"No molestation of youngsters, not molestation of women.”
The 89-year-old leader said it was time to consider tougher sentences, especially for child rapists.
“We are going to increase sentences,” President Mugabe said.
THE White House and House Republican leaders may again move into the trenches as the latter Wednesday announced plan to take double-barreled attack on President Barack Obama’s health care law, making it the cornerstone fight over government funding due to expire September 30 and the effort to lift the Treasury’s borrowing authority.
Revealing the move to journalists Wednesday, Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), who was flanked by his leadership team, told reporters that the stopgap government funding bill that they will advance tomorrow would yield to conservative demands of including a rider to block funding for the law commonly known as Obamacare.
The Washington Post quoted House Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor (R-Va.), in addition, laying out his party’s legislative grab bag of requests that will be attached to a bill that would lift the debt ceiling, including a delay of the health law, an overhaul of the tax code and approval of an energy pipeline running from Canada to the gulf coast.
AS the hearing of the case on confiscation of assets of former Delta State Governor James Ibori entered its third day at Southwark Crown Court, the prosecutors presented a video clip that showed his opulent lifestyle Wednesday.
After getting permission from the judge, Sasha Wass opened the prosecution’s submission with a video clip of about 20 minutes that showed how operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ransacked the mansion of the former governor at Clement Isong Street, Abuja.
But while the prosecution further reiterated its argument that Ibori did benefit according to the sum for which he pleaded guilty and for which he was subsequently jailed for 13 years, defence counsel, Ivan Krolick, cross-examined the prosecution witness, Detective Peter Clark, for about two hours.
FAR from the position of the Bamanga Tukur’s group, the Alhaji Abubakar Baraje-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has not reached any agreement with President Goodluck Jonathan on re-election in 2015.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Baraje’s group, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, Wednesday urged Nigerians to ignore all reports that had been published to create the impression that the group had reached accord with Jonathan on 2015.
In a statement he issued in Abuja, he advised “Nigerians to ignore the issue of lies and propaganda on the outcome of our meeting with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the Presidential Villa last Sunday, September 15, 2013.”
He continued: “We wish to specifically urge Nigerians and our supporters to ignore all claims that we have accepted that President Jonathan should contest the 2015 presidential election and that most of our demands are being met.
Three Ecobank customers emerged winners at the bank’s raffle draw held on Tuesday at its main office on Kairaba Avenue.
Bakary Kujabi, Michael Jobe-Mendy and Paul Chemish Mendy were the winners of the first draw out of 472 qualified members.
The prizes of the raffle, whose draw was held in the absence of all the winners, included a smart phone for the first winner, a vacuum cleaner for the second and a home theatre for the third.
Speaking on the occasion, Ecobank head of domestic banking, Fatou Jallow, told reporters that the draw, which was the first of another series, is expected to run in the coming months to be climaxed at the end of the year with a mega draw for a return air-flight ticket to the UK, a plasma TV and dinner for two at the Sheraton Hotel.
Sixteen officers of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) have been selected to undergo a six-month course in the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The officers were yesterday, 18 September, bade farewell at a ceremony held at Taiwan Culture Centre located at GNPC building by the Army Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia.
Meanwhile, 8 of the officers will be studying aviation while the other 8 will read navigation at a Taiwanese university.
Speaking to the officers ahead of their departure, Ambassador Samuel Chen said all the two fields of studies are important for the country.
“GAF expects that you can learn a lot while in Taiwan and come back to contribute to the development of your country,” he told the student officers.
The Secretary to Cabinet, Nuha Touray, was the latest prosecution witness to testify in the trial involving Njogu Bah, former Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, and Presidential Affairs Minister, former Attorney General and Minister for Justice Lamin AMS Jobarteh, and former Solicitor General and Legal Secretary Pa Harry Jammeh.
The three were arraigned before Justice Emmanuel Nkea of the Special Criminal Court, charged with three counts, which included conspiracy to carry out a lawful purpose by an unlawful means, giving false information to a public officer, and abuse of office; charges they denied.
California is asking for a three-year extension from federal judges so that the state can avoid mass inmate releases prior to the end of this year. At issue is about 8,500 California inmates who would be out on the streets by January 1st if the panel doesn't grant the delay.
California is asking for a three-year extension from federal judges so that the state can avoid mass inmate releases prior to the end of this year. At issue is about 8,500 California inmates who would be out on the streets by January 1st if the panel doesn't grant the delay.
For the first time in Lassen County's history of 149 years, the Board of Supervisors opened their session with Hindu mantras. The invocation was delivered by Hindu statesman Rajan Zed who is the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism.
Lassen County's Board Of Supervisors have approved the sale of some of the original properties that the county had received from the federal government in 2003, following the BRAC process that began in 1995. The properties consist of some commercial plots that now house the Post Office and other entities. Originally, a credit union, real estate office and others had occupied those structures, many of them in a run-down condition
Finance Minister Amara Konneh has provided a bright outlook for the country’s mining industry with the announcement that a new gold mining project will generate US$120 million yearly for eight years commencing 2014.
He said Tuesday that the New Liberty Gold Mine project is expected to produce 120,000 ounces per year and that the projects will involves the resettlement of some communities will build modern structures for the affected inhabitants and provide job opportunities for Liberians.
Aureus Mining, a Canadian based company engaged in the exploration and development of gold deposits in highly prospective and under explored areas of Liberia and Cameroon is holder of the concession.
Touching on the forestry sector, the Minister said several legislation has been proposed to reform the sector, “The act to repeal annual bid premium and replace it by stumpage fees will streamline the collection of revenues from the forestry sector and help increase transparency.
The family of former Liberian President, Charles Ghankay Taylor, has announced that a mid-day intercessory service will be hosted on Saturday, September 21, 2013. According to a release, the intercessory service will be held at the Dominion Christian Fellowship Center in Congo Town, adjacent the Catholic Hospital Junction.
The Taylor family said the prayer is intended to invoke God’s intervention in the wake of the appeal judgment scheduled to be handed down on September 26, 2013 by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has declared that the Government of Liberia (GoL) will no more spend money intended for development purposes to pay for “illegal” structures as government carries out its development initiatives.
President Johnson-Sirleaf observed that people have over the years built in the alleys and illegal lands on the basis on being compensated by government.
The Liberian leader made these comments Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at a one-day meeting hosted by the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA). The LDA is aimed at coordinating the implementation of the national development plan of Liberia; The Agenda for Transformation (AfT).
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Charles Palmer Buckle says the practice of winner takes all in Ghanaian politics is an impression that has been given credence, but not captured in the constitution and wonders why ruling governments will not consult the opposition parties for ideas and policies that will move the country forward.
He added that, there is a certain mentality that reinforces this trend. “It is egocentric, which moves on to become clannish, to become tribalism, ethnocentric and becomes partisan politics; the same human attitudes that have been allowed into the microcosm of the society”, he said.
In a conversation with Dr Charles Wereko Brobby on Tarzan’s Take on Multi TV, the Archbishop reiterated that, “each one of us has something to contribute, therefore there is the need to at least consult if we don’t want to bring others in”. He cited examples in America where President Obama has appointed and consulted members of the Republican Party on policy issues.
The Convention People's Party (CPP) has said that it does not oppose privatisation.
It is important to dispel the notion that we are opposed to privatisation and by extension the private sector, the Chairman of the Political Committee of the party, Mr Ekow Duncan, told •he Daily Graphic in an interview.
Explaining further, he said the CPP was not opposed to the privatisation of non-strategic public investments that had profitability and management challenges.
Under a CPP government, Mr Duncan promised that "all such strategic investments that have challenges would have an overhauled management structure with clearly spelt out goals and lon-interference by government to achieve investment goals."
Parliament will meet Finance Minister, Seth Terkper and officials from the Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD) to discuss government's freeze on their HIPC accounts and its failure to make payments into various statutory funds.
Government recently froze the Parliamentarians' HIPC accounts without notifying them, but to make matters worse, statutory payments such as the Health Fund, District Assemblies' Common Fund, and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) have also not been forth coming.
The situation has angered the Members of Parliament (MPs), especially those from the Minority side, with some of them threatening to sue government for reneging on its statutory obligations.
The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, said on Tuesday that the National Assembly would support the convocation of a conference of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities to discuss the peculiarities of the Nigerian nation.
Mark, who stated this in an address he read to welcome his colleagues on their resumption from the annual recess, said that such a conference should have a few no go areas including the dismemberment of the federation.
He said that any conference called to discuss the differences within the ethnic configuration of the Nigerian nation would be seen as operating in line with the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to him, the differences in the polity has been responsible for a number of snaps here and there, adding that the political leaders and institutions should not continue to play the ostrich.
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said the fight against corruption was not what the government alone could handle.
He said there was need for joint efforts to fight the evil which he noted was still going on in both public and private institutions.
Speaking while declaring open the 54th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NSE), Jonathan, however, assured that his administration would continue to strengthen anti-corruption agencies in the country to strengthen the corruption fight.
The president hinted that his administration targeted building institutions, and plans using the instrument of rule of law as a framework to tackle corruption.
He disclosed that the anti-graft agencies have been repositioned to adopt more effective, efficient and transparent way of managing corruption and corrupt practices, while expressing regret that Nigerians, through their actions still reward corruption, by celebrating those who enriched themselves through dubious means, despite reforms aimed at fighting corrupt practices by government.
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja, submitted to the Senate, the 2014-2016 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
The MTEF and FSP set the parameters for the medium-term expenditure plan of government before the 2014 budget presentation.
In his letter, read by Senate President David Mark, Jonathan said the 2014-2016 MTEF and FSP were prepared after due consideration of global economic uncertainty.
“The 2014-2016 MTEF and FSP reflect the reality of our circumstance and will ensure that planned spending is set at prudent and sustainable levels consistent with government’s overall medium-term development objectives.”
He expressed appreciation for what he described as the enduring partnership between the legislature and executive arms of government.
Every employee; be in the public or the private sector is entitled to a vacation at least once every year as stipulated by the United Nations International Labour Organisation Convention on Decent Work.
This period is spent differently, but many a time people use this moment to relax in luxurious places – hotels, restaurants, bars; or adventure and so on, just to take a complete break away from normal working hours to focus on something that will remind them of the pleasures of life.
More so Heads of State, who tend to be constantly engaged in state matters. Their vacations provide the only effective moment to respond to other commitments of their lives. In most cases, these leaders will leave palaces, state houses and other official residents just to spend quality time during their holidays. The only time they will cut their vacations short is in the event of emergencies like imminent national calamities, complete breakdown of national laws, threats to national security that need the urgent action of the head of state and so on.
United Guardian Youth for Development Association (UGYD) yesterday commemorated its fifth anniversary on the theme: “Moving from the culture of reaction to the culture of prevention”.
In his anniversary speech, the acting-chairperson of the group, Momodou Juju Jallow, said the theme for this year was chosen to meet the requirements of the UGYD global objectives.
The theme, he said, is an excerpt of a quote by the former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anna in a statement he delivered in 1999.
This year’s anniversary, held yesterday at the Kanifing Multipurpose Hall, brought together members of the association and government officials.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment on Monday commenced a five-day training aimed at strengthening The Gambia trade negotiation process.
The training, which brought participants from both the public and private sectors, was part of the first in a series of training sessions on trade negotiation skills under the ministry’s new project called Strengthening The Gambia Trade Negotiation Process.
The training brought together experts to share their expertise and experience thus enhancing their negotiation skills.
In his official remarks at the opening ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Hon. Abdou Kolley, Minister of Trade, said that in 2011 the UK Department for International Development (DFID) launched a project called Trade Advocacy Fund, a TAF funding to the tune of £13 million.
National Theater, Accra, Ghana: Before the end of Tuesday, September 17, 2013, participants, facilitators, organizers and sponsors of an international forum on fertilizer would have all converged in the Ghanaian capital Accra, awaiting an official start on Wednesday through Friday.
Hosted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the first annual West Africa Fertilizer Stakeholders Forum will be organized under the theme “Ensuring a Favorable Policy & Regulatory Environment for Fertilizer Trade & Use in West Africa,” which keynote speech will be given by ECOWAS Commission President, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo. Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, is expected to grace the forum. Organizers are yet to confirm this, however.
This ECOWAS Forum is supported by the USAID/West Africa Fertilizer Program and implemented by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP).
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at the head of a high-level Liberian Government delegation, has held bilateral talks with the Government of India led by Prime Minister His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh during the first ever State Visit by a Liberian President to that Asian nation.
According to an Executive Mansion release quoting a Dispatch from India, President Sirleaf was tendered a ceremonial reception at the Forecourt of RashtrapatiBhavan (Presidential Palace) where she was received by the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Manmoham Singh and the Indian President ShriPranab Mukherjee, followed by the traditional 21 gun salute and the inspection of the Guard of Honor.
The Liberia leader was later escorted to the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi (Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi) for a solemn, traditional and historic wreath laying ceremony to the memory to the fallen Indian hero.
Liberian officials who accompanied President Sirleaf at the memorial also paid homage by sprinkling roses and soberly reflecting.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Mr. Robert Alvin Sirleaf has resigned.
Mr. Sirleaf, who is one of the sons of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, also relinquished his position as Senior Advisor to the Liberian Chief Executive.
The resignation of Mr. Sirleaf comes just few days after a group calling itself the “Ellen Step Down Campaign” threatened to stage a peaceful protest in Monrovia and other parts of the country if the President fails to address the issues of nepotism and corruption in government.
In his letter of resignation dated Tuesday, September 17, 2013 and addressed to President Johnson-Sirleaf, Mr. Sirleaf stated that his resignation “fulfills promise made to the Liberian people” by the President that his role at NOCAL will come to an end were “reforms were in place.”
No team has successfully defended the UEFA Champions League title but Josep Guardiola is warming to the challenge ahead of FC Bayern München's Group D curtain-raiser at home to PFC CSKA Moskva on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old coach is too savvy to fall victim to complacency having learned the hard way against the Russian outfit during his playing days with FC Barcelona. His counterpart Leonid Slutski, meanwhile, promised that his team – shorn of playmaker Alan Dzagoev – would "give everything" to make life difficult for a Bayern side comprised of "extraordinary players"
Egyptian national team manager Bob Bradley expresses confidence after the Pharaohs were drawn with Ghana in the African qualifiers playoff to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
"Matches against Ghana will be very tough as the team consists of several players from the biggest European leagues," American Bradley told reporters Monday after the draw in the CAF headquarters in Cairo.
"There is no need to worry as we could have been paired with any of the five teams and they are all powerful," he added.
"We are ready for the matches and I am personally hoping that we can play the second leg in front of our fans," the 56 year-old tactician said.
Officials of Societe Generale have told the Judgment Debt Commission that both their offices in Ghana and France do not have any record on the $19.5 million judgment debt government claimed it paid to the company.
Government in 2001 sold an oil drilling ship belonging to the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation at $24 million to service several debts owed by the institution. $19.5m out of the said amount was paid to Societe Generale as judgment debt.
Former deputy Energy Minister K.T. Hammond who led the sale of the ship said $1m was used to pay for the services of government lawyers and the remaining $3.5 which he claimed to have paid to the Ministry of Finance has remained a mystery the Commission is yet to unraveled: the Finance Ministry said it cannot trace document covering the transaction.
CROWN prosecutors in the confiscation of assets hearing involving former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, said Monday morning in London that they would call as a witness former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, concerning the $15 million bribe he was offered.
There was, however, a moment of confusion and drama at the Southwark Crown Court, London proceedings yesterday when two female members of the public - who arrived late and couldn’t get any seat in the packed courtroom sitting about 30 people - saw that there were vacant seats in the dock and mistakenly entered there. Unknown to them, it was the dock and the former governor was meant to be there had he been present.
EFFORTS being made to blackmail and stampede President Goodluck Jonathan out of the 2015 election will fail, his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ahmed Ali Gulak, affirmed Monday.
The antagonists have only the law, said the presidential aide who noted that Jonathan did not have the power to stop any statutory agency of government from carrying out its responsibilities, irrespective of the individuals or group of persons involved.
Speaking with State House correspondents Monday, Gulak described the truce reached between the President and aggrieved governors of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday night as a mark of the enduring character of the ruling political grouping that had survived several internal problems in the past.
A FEW months to the end of the year, the implementation of N4.987 trillion 2013 budget may be facing hitches, following inability of the government to get revenue to match its highly expansionary fiscal plan.
In fact, meeting the monthly statutory commitment of N623.786 billion revenue to be distributed to the three tiers of government at the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has become a difficult task for the panel headed by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawal Ngama.
He has to be sourcing revenue outside the Federation Account to augment the required budgetary sum of N623.786 billion outlined in the budget, as revenue has consistently fallen below the mark.
The crisis heightened at the weekend in Abuja when a meeting of FAAC to share the August federally-collected revenue became inconclusive, as states insisted that the N140 billion outstanding budgetary revenue shortfall for the preceding month of July must be produced by the Federal Ministry of Finance before they could consider the August account.
The remains of the former vice president of the Republic of The Gambia during the First Republic, who passed away Sunday evening, was Monday afternoon laid in state at the National Assembly chambers in BanjulThe solemn ceremony was attended by top government officials including the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, Cabinet ministers and National Assembly members to pay their last respects to the late Hassan Musa Camara, who was very active in the political affairs of the country during the First Republic.
The funeral service was also attended by members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, the Imam Ratib of Banjul, relatives, friends and other sympathizers.
The Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure has tasked contractors working on the Basse-Wellingara road and the Masajang Bridge in Basse, Upper River Region, to expedite the work with a view to ensure that the projects finish on the stipulated timeframe, while stressing the need for quality to be adhered to at all times.
Bala Garba Jahumpa, accompanied by officials of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the European Union (EU), was speaking on Friday during a visit to the Basse-Villingara road that is undergoing construction. The funds for the project were provided by the EU.
A five-day capacity building training meant to strengthen the trade negotiation skills of participants Monday commenced at a local hotel in Kololi.
The training is financed by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and The Gambia government through the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment.
Presided over by Trade Minister Abdou Kolley, the training brought together over 25 participants drawn from both the public and private sector. The initiative is among series of similar ones to be organised as part of the Trade Ministry’s new project called “Strengthening The Gambia's Trade Negotiation Process”.
The state on Monday, September 16, 2013 produced two rebuttal witnesses to testify in the ongoing Mercenary trial currently taking place at the Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
A Rebuttal witness is a witness whose testimony contradicts another witness.
The two rebuttal witnesses were produced by the state to rebut explanations provided by one of the 18 co-defendants, Ophere Diah.
Eighteen (18) persons have been charged by the state with Mercenarism, a charge they have since denied. Some of those standing trial are: Sam Tarley, Ofori Diah, Christophere Lakpayee, Timothy Barley, Philip Moore, Junior Gelor, Emmanuel Pewee, Fred Chelly and Jacob Saydee.
Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has asserted that more need to be done by the Government of Liberia (GoL) especially the Legislature to help improve the lives of ordinary Liberians.
According to him, Liberia currently needs pivotal laws that would make the three (3) branches of government become “better stewards of the country’s resources” to help benefit the ordinary citizens.
He said the government owes its citizens accountability and stewardship in the proper management of the nation’s resources. The Vice President made these assertions on Friday, September 13, 2013 during a brief occasion marking the climax of the second session of the Liberian Senate.
Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson (PYJ) has been suspended with immediate effect as Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Defense, National Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs by the Plenary of the Liberian Senate.
Plenary is the highest decision making body of the Liberian Senate.
The senators unanimously took the decision following a motion filed by Grand Gedeh County Senator Isaac Nyenaboon Friday, September 13, 2013 during the 10th day sitting of the Special Session.
The plenary suspended Sen. Johnson for allegedly encouraging the Inspector-General of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Col. Clarence Christopher Massaquoi not to appear after he (Massaquoi), who was summoned by that august body.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have called for an engagement between political parties and the Council of State in the appointment of an Electoral Commissioner.
The party, in letter addressed to the Council of State, wants the council to act upon advice of groups like the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) when advising the President on who should serve on the Electoral Commission.
This, according to the party would not need an amendment to the constitution as in the case of the appointment of Appeals and High Court Judges on the advice of the Judicial Council, who are deemed most knowledgeable about their colleagues.
NPP's Chairman, Jake Obestsebi Lamptey, who signed the letter told Joy News "What we are saying is that before the Council of State give that advise to the president to act on, they should please consult the political parties and this should be done in a transparent way so that we get people who everybody accepts...
Nana Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Sunday, thanked executives and sympathizers of the party in the Greater Accra region for their support in the 2012 elections and subsequently, the Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.
He also thanked them for supporting the party's parliamentary candidates during the December polls.
He made these remarks on Sunday September 15 during the first in a series of 'Thank You meetings' which as been put together by the party to thank its core supporters in all ten regions of the country for their various roles during the 2012 electioneering campaign, the election petition hearing and for their support and prayers in general.
Dr Bawumia leads thank you tours
Akufo-Addo leaves Accra; hands over post verdict thank you tours to Dr Bawumia
Dr Mahamadu Bawumia
Akufo-Addo leaves Accra; hands over post verdict thank you tours to Dr Bawumia
Nana Akufo-Addo
Nana Akufo-Addo, 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Sunday, thanked executives and sympathizers of the party in the Greater Accra region for their support in the 2012 elections and subsequently, the Presidential Election Petition at the Supreme Court.
He also thanked them for supporting the party's parliamentary candidates during the December polls.
He made these remarks on Sunday September 15 during the first in a series of 'Thank You meetings' which as been put together by the party to thank its core supporters in all ten regions of the country for their various roles during the 2012 electioneering campaign, the election petition hearing and for their support and prayers in general.
Dr Bawumia leads thank you tours
Akufo-Addo leaves Accra; hands over post verdict thank you tours to Dr Bawumia
Dr Mahamadu Bawumia
Double agony: ambulance conveying women in labour rams into another car
Two pregnant women being conveyed from Obuasi Government Hospital to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) suffered double agony when the ambulance conveying them was involved in an accident at Ofoase Kokoben in the Ashanti Region at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
They were being rushed to KATH in severe labour pains when a Toyota Corolla saloon car, with registration number AS 3239-13, veered off its lane and rammed into the ambulance.
The out-going Chairman of the UK and Ireland Chapter of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah has charged his fellow politicians to show a good level of what he believes the good people of Ghana are looking for in nation building.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Ankrah is of the view that “the Ghanaian is looking for authenticity, innovation, lateral thinking and boldness in politicians as their genuine contribution towards nation building.”
He stressed that “I am not calling for an era of contrarianism but a particular form of authenticity where integrity, character and judgement should be the rod to always guide us in addition to making it a duty to give reasons for decisions.”
KEY issues, including the task of completing the constitution review process, the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB), consideration of committee reports and strengthening of the oversight functions of the legislature will form the crux of business in the House of Representatives when the parliament resumes on Tuesday from its annual recess.
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, who gave the indication during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, said the Chamber will also look at other contending issues arising from the protracted Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike as the House hit the ground running in addressing the other myriad of challenges requiring legislative attentio
SOCIAL activities may be disrupted Tuesday as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) begin a two-day protest against transfer of minimum wage from the exclusive to concurrent legislative list.
A statement signed by the President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, and General Secretary, Musa Lawal, Sunday said arrangements for the protest are in top gear.
The statement reads in part: “Mobilisation to protest the decentralization of National Minimum Wage slated for September, 17 and 18, 2013 by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and its sister body, Nigeria Labour Congress is in top gear. The labour centres have given directive to their over 60 affiliates throughout the country to be battle-ready against the obnoxious move. We are surprised that in one breathe; the Senate proposed decentralization of minimum wage against the wish of the people of Nigeria, eroding the earning power of vulnerable workers while they legislated life pension for the leadership of the Senate.”
THERE is tension in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, following the killing of over 50 people in a renewed ethnic clash between the Eggon majority and Alago in Obi Local Council.
There has also been unusual movement of heavily armed soldiers in a convoy of over eight luxurious buses in the state capital. It could not be confirmed whether their presence in the town is a result of the latest killings.
Lafia is now being flooded by residents of Obi, especially women and children. They were sighted in various locations in the state capital having fled their place of abode for fear of reprisal attack by Ombatse.
The tension was escalated in the evening of Sunday in Tudun Gwandara area of Lafia when residents were seen packing their belongings to flee into safety.
The death has been announced of a veteran politician and a former vice president of the Republic of The Gambia during the First Republic under the rule of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Hassan Musa Camara, a native of Basse Mansajnag and resident of Banjul, met his untimely death Sunday evening at his residence at 51 New Perseverance Street in Banjul.
A member of the Jawara-led PPP party after it was formed in 1959, the late Hassan Musa Camara was very instrumental in the political dispensation of the country and in its independence struggle.
A group of 11 villages under the banner of ‘Dadoll Fullbeh’in Nokunda Ward, Illiassa Constituency in the North Bank Region (NBR), on Saturday adopted as ‘father’ the secretary general, head of the Civil Service and minister of Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally.
The ceremony held at Lamin attracted scores of dignitaries including Cabinet ministers, regional governors, senior government officials, National Assembly members, bigwigs of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), and a cross-section of the community of Lamin.
Speaking at the event, Minister Sabally thanked the group for the honour, dedicating it to President Jammeh for his good work and exemplary leadership he has been exhibiting since the advent of the July 22nd Revolution 19 years ago.
Thousands of volunteers drawn from various sectors of the country Friday through Saturday converged on the numerous farms belonging to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, in his birth place of Kanilai, to render support to his anti-hunger crusade.
The activities in Kanilai saw officials from the Office of the President and its line departments under the coordination of the secretary general, head of the Civil Service and Presidential Affairs minister; staff of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education; and personnel of the armed and security services, amongst others, weed the farms in the village.
With more than 50 ballots still to be verified, the results of the Special Recall Election conducted yesterday will not affect the outcome. South county businessman Tom Hammond will replace 5th District Supervisor Jack Hansen on the Board of Supervisors.
A light turnout had Hammond in front by a margin of 3-2 at 9:30 last evening.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company officials will hold an open house in Chester tonight to explain the $3.8 million, 3-month project that is designed to reduce the frequency and duration of power outages for thousands of customers in the Lake Almanor Basis and beyond. The Open House is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.ml. at the Almanor Community Center on Meadowbrook Loop in Chester.
Tom Hammond will be sworn into office as the new 5th District Supervisor for Lassen County On September 24. According to Clerk Julie Bustemante election results have to be canvassed and a report issued to the Board of Supervisors. With agenda scheduling and the Brown Act, that can't happen before the 24th. Only after the Board approves the report can Hammond be sworn in by the Chief Elections official of Lassen County.
The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has called for the dissolution of the General Auditing Commission (GAC), amidst comments from top government officials condemning the works of the GAC.
It can be recalled that Minister of Justice, Cllr. Christiana Tah, the Deputy Minister of Justice for Economic Affairs, Mr. Benedict Sarnoh, the Solicitor General of Liberia, Madam Betty LarmieBlamo, the Minister of Information, Mr. Lewis Brown, and the Deputy Minister for Information, Mr. Isaac Jackson, recently “rubbished” reports issued by the General Auditing Commission as not competent for prosecution, something which the PUL sees as an affront to the GAC’s efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in public sector financial management in Liberia.
Prior to 1956, the General Auditing Office (GAO) was established by an Act of the National Legislature, as the Bureau of Audits, to pre audit requisitions, vouchers and payroll in connection with the disbursement of public moneys. This was amended under Chapter 32, section 740-744 of the Executive Law of Liberia in 1956 to audit all accounts of the Government of Liberia in the manner prescribed in the Revenue and Finance Law of Liberia.
Nimba County District #9 Representative, Richard Matenokay Tingban, has expressed serious disappointment over the nomination of Madam Mary Broh as Director General of the General Services Agency (GSA).
In continuation of the nomination of officials in government, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf over the weekend appointed the former acting controversial Monrovia City Mayor and others in government.
It can be recalled that on March 1, 2013 Madam Broh tendered in her resignation days after she (Broh) was suspended for time in definite along with former Montserrado County Superintendent Madam Grace T. Kpan by the President.
President Johnson-Sirleaf’s action stemmed from a communication from the House of Representatives concerning Madam Broh’s “role” played in preventing the incarceration of Madam Kpan at the Monrovia Central Prison.
Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson (PYJ) has been suspended with immediate effect as Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Defense, National Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs by the Plenary of the Liberian Senate.
Plenary is the highest decision making body of the Liberian Senate.
The senators unanimously took the decision following a motion filed by Grand Gedeh County Senator Isaac Nyenaboon Friday, September 13, 2013 during the 10th day sitting of the Special Session.
The plenary suspended Sen. Johnson for allegedly encouraging the Inspector-General of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Col. Clarence Christopher Massaquoi not to appear after he (Massaquoi), who was summoned by that august body.
Chinese weapons trading cheaply as ‘garden eggs’ in mining areas
Illicit arms believed to have been left behind by Chinese illegal miners following their deportation, are widely circulating in mining areas across the country.
Nhyira News investigations reveal people in communities where the Chinese operated before their recent ejection, now process assorted weapons, including pump action guns.
The situation is said to be alarming in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western Regions.
Ghana has been battling with arms proliferation even before the arrival and subsequent departure of Chinese illegal miners. Experts indicate locally- manufactured weapons were used to commit about 80 per cent of gun-related crimes in the country.
Three persons have been arrested in connection with the death of a Level 400 student of the Evangelical Presbyterian University College in Ho.
They are: Senyo Anku, 28, a driver; Frank Awudey, 22, student and Albert Nunyuie, 30, a painter.
The suspects allegedly attacked the deceased, Percy Nubuake, who at the time, was in the company of his girl-friend, said to be a former girlfriend of Anku, one of the suspects.
Anku is alleged to have led the other suspects to kill Nubuake to pave way for a reunion between him (Anku) and the lady.
Aburi orphanage attack: Administrator disappointed in Police, authorities
After armed robbers raided, beat and raped inmates and caretakers of the Lighthouse Christian Children's Home, no authority has extended any help to them.
The administrator of the home, Bridget Miriam Ogoe who described the situation as traumatic said she is very sad and frustrated. She added that only the leaders of the Lighthouse Chapel which set up the orphanage has provided assistance.
A SUSPECTED addiction to movies may have influenced the behaviour of 13-year-old Daniel (Ricky) Oikhena, who stowed away on an aircraft bound for Lagos.
His mother, Mrs. Evelyn Oikhena, hinted at this Monday when she said that her son was always watching movies.
In fact, he had watched movies almost throughout the night shortly before embarking on his adventure.
But the mother said she was shocked that her son could embark on such a life-threatening journey to where he had never been before.
She spoke with journalists at her residence at No 7, Ehiegba Street, off Goodwill, off Ekenwan Road shortly before she went to the airport where she was handed over to operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) for interrogation.
Mrs. Oikhena said her son was at home with his elder sister, Tonia, his two younger brothers and grandmother while she was away to visit her elder sister who had put to bed.
Healthy diet, moderate alcohol decrease risk in patients with diabetes
Nigerians can reduce their risk of developing end stage kidney disease (ESKD) by reducing the intake of alcohol, quitting smoking, hard drugs and indiscriminate intake of herbal concoctions and analgesics as well as maintaining healthy weight and diet, among others. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.
A TEAM of medical experts led by the President Elect of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) and Head of the dialysis/transplant unit and clinical director of St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye, has warned that unless certain urgent steps are taken more Nigerians would come down with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and End State Renal Disease (ESRD).
Reasons: Persons of black African heritage are four times more likely to develop CKD than people of other races; the prevalence of three major diseases associated with kidney failure –hypertension, glomerulonephritis and diabetes – is on the rise in the country; growing indiscriminate use of herbal concoctions, bleaching creams and soaps, alcohol, hard drugs and smoking; increasing number of persons living with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); low socio economic status that is Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, which is associated with high CKD burden, among others.
Funmilayo Olayemi Olakonu is a woman of many parts and dreams. Unlike the popular adage, she is a Jack of all her trades and master of them all. A seasoned caterer, fashion designer, bead maker, artiste, producer of coco craftworks, Funmi is also into shoe repair and she plays the talking drum. Her dream, she told BISI ALABI WILLIAMS, is to become a big-time entrepreneur, who adds values to peoples’ lives through her world of creativity.
AS a caterer, Funmi has a way with soups. She has become adept and creative at cooking tantalising soups from different tribes in Nigeria. She also cooks African and continental dishes for all events, as well as undertaking home service deliveries. As an incentive for interested women, she has packaged most of her customised Nigerian spices in CDs to enable them develop interest while trying their hands on the preparation of various Nigerian and intercontinental dishes and soups. Her clientele spreads across Nigeria and overseas.
Her cooking adventure started at the age of five when she would ‘cook’ special soups with leaves in tins of milk placed on three stones. This she tagged: “obe mi nso oyinbo” meaning my soup is speaking English.
The vice president and chairperson of the National Security Council (NSC) has reiterated that the Gambia government will not ‘condone recklessness’ of any sort that might cause damage or threaten national security.
Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking Friday at the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) in Banjul during the handing over of three high-speed boats to the government of The Gambia by the Taiwanese government through its Banjul embassy.
The boats, namely GN Berre Kuntu, GN Kenyeh Kenyeh Jamango and GN Sanimentereng are fitted with twin 115 horse power outboard motors with an endurance of 2 hours at full throttle and capable of speed up to 80km per hour.
The president of the Republic has called for a more public participation in both pre and post disaster management as a solution towards mitigating calamities.
Speaking during a day’s unannounced tour that took him to disaster-prone neighbourhoods in the Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh lamented the appalling conditions of people living in these localities.
He lamented the problems crippling the road network, especially around Bundung and Latrikunda. The Gambian leader also ordered for the relocation of people settling down around the Talinding Medina area as they search for a definitive solution to the flash floods that render the whole neighbourhood inhabitable.
A consortium of six universities under the banner U6 Monday began a two-day forum in Banjul under the aegis of the University of The Gambia (UTG).
The forum, taking place at the UTG Faculty of Law in Kanifing, brought together vice chancellors, professors and deans from different universities across Africa. The Banjul meeting is a follow-up to the U6 Consortium meeting held in March 2012 at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria.
The formation of U6 Consortium was anchored on the importance of education as the platform for any community development. Initiated by the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, the Consortium is presently composed of six universities, they are: Bondo University College, Kenya; Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa; Kwara State University, Nigeria; The University of The Gambia, and the University of Cape Coast Ghana.
The Northern California Cancer Advocates are holding the first annual Swing for Cancer golf tournament at the Diamond Mountain golf course in Susanville. The tournament is being held on Saturday August 31 with a shotgun start at 10:30 am and dinner around 4 p.m.
Another Modoc District Fair is in the can. And some are wondering out loud if it might be the last Frontier Fair. According to Fair Manager Danette Depaul, there's enough money to last until next June.
Two men arrested in Lassen county at a marijuana grow have had a 2-count federal indictment returned against them charging Cathedral City residents Antonio Perez-Cardenas and Jose Luis Barrios-Rodrequez with conspiring and growing marijuana.
Liberia’s Finance Minister, Amara Konneh, has declared that tribal and religious differences are seriously hindering Liberia’s progress, warning that this situation could be further compounded by an emerging class struggle bordering on wealth and opportunity acquisition.
Addressing hundreds of Liberians in the United States of America when he served as Independence Day Orator, Minister Konneh pointed out that ethnic discrimination as witnessed during the country’s war years leads to death thus it should be stopped to pave way for sustained unity, peace and development.
Said Minister Konneh: “I have seen the damaging impact of tribal and religious prejudice. I was raised in a diverse family; my grandfather married a Dei woman from Gbojay, Bomi County. And as a child I witnessed, with great displeasure, members of my community treating her harshly because she did not speak our language or share our faith from birth.
The same is true for many other ethnic groups before and during the war, as people were ostracized, or robbed of their dignity, their limbs and lives, simply because of their ethnicity.”
A young Liberian businessman has won a grand prize of LD$1M from the Cellcom, one of Liberia’s leading GSM Companies. Mr. Musa F. Kromah, 30, walked away with the LD$1 M on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the head offices of the GSM Company on Capitol Bye-Pass, Monrovia.
The gesture is part of CellCom “Scratch and Win” LD$1M Campaign and other fabulous prizes. Speaking during a brief ceremony, Mr. Kromah, who is also the General Manager of the Kromility Trans-World Incorporated, expressed thanks and appreciation to the Cellcom family for making him one of Liberia’s “young millionaires.
The Governments of Liberia and Benin have reaffirmed their willingness to work for the enhancement of relations between the two countries and the opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations for the well-being of the two nations.
According to a dispatch from Cotonou, the reaffirmation was contained in a Communiqué issued at the end of a two-day State and Working Visit by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to Benin at the invitation of her friend and brother, His Excellency Dr. Thomas YayiBoni on August 21-22.
In the Communiqué, signed by the Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable NassirouBako-Arifari, and Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sylvester Grigsby, highlighting the goodwill for cooperation and the aspiration to build and diversify the exchanges, both at the bilateral and regional levels, the two Heads of State decided to hold the first session of the Bilateral Commission in the first quarter of 2014 in order to define the areas and projects of cooperation between the two countries.
In this regard, experts from both countries will meet in Monrovia in November to set the agenda for the Meeting of the Bilateral Commission between Liberia and Benin.
The government is upbeat about the growth prospects of the economy because of the various economic measures it is implementing.
Already, the services and the agricultural sectors have recorded positive growth and the government believes that with the easing of the power crisis, the performance of the two sectors will improve.
This was the optimism expressed by President John Dramani Mahama and his Cabinet at the end of a mid-year review of the economy at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra on Saturday.
The meeting reviewed the economic performance of the government and developed strategies to achieve macroeconomic and fiscal targets for the rest of the year.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe threatened on Sunday to retaliate "tit for tat" against companies from Britain and the United States if these Western powers persisted in pressuring his government with sanctions and what he called "harassment".
"They should not continue to harass us, the British and Americans," Mugabe, Africa's oldest leader at 89, said at the funeral of an
air-force officer.
"We have not done anything to their companies here. The British have several companies in this country and we have not
imposed any controls, any sanctions against them, but time will come when we will say well, tit for tat, you hit me I hit you."
British companies in Zimbabwe include banking groups Standard Chartered Plc and Barclays Plc. These are already the target of a so-called "indigenisation" policy that requires they cede a majority stake to black Zimbabweans.
Two men on Sunday agreed to share a woman in a written contract in which they vowed never to fight over her.
The pair from Kisimani in Kisauni, Mombasa County, made the deal after realising they have both been having an affair with the woman for more than four years.
Community policing officer Adhalah Abdulrahman said he came to know of the two during a fight. “I heard people fighting and went to check, but I was surprised to see two men fighting over a woman who is said to be a widow and a mother of twins. I tried solving the issue but they refused, each insisting he could not live without the woman,” said Mr Abdulrahman.
When asked to make a choice, the woman also declined, saying she could not live without either of the men. This made them agree to take turns to live with her.
Mr Sylvester Mwendwa, one of the ‘husbands’, said they decided to share the woman with Mr Elijah Kimani.
Mr Mwendwa claimed he went to the woman’s parents and was given permission to live with her and pay bride price when he was ready.
[Aruma Otteh, SEC DG] The direction of the nation’s economy could be mirrored by the activities of operators in the stock market if the words of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME), Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, on the occasion of her visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), recently is anything to go by.
This underlying factor shows the importance of the NSE being supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) and the need to ensure that it is catered for effectively to move the nation forward.
At the beginning
The Securities and Exchange Commission dates back to 1962, when an ad hoc consultative and advisory body, known as the Capital Issues Committee, was established under the aegis of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Its mandate was to examine applications from companies seeking to raise capital from the capital market and recommend the timing of such issues to prevent issues clustering which could overstretch the market’s capacity. The committee operated within the Central Bank of Nigeria unofficially as a capital market consultative and advisory body with no regulatory framework.
NAMIBIAN representative at the 2013 edition of Big Brother Africa (BBA), tagged The Chase, Dillish Matthews, emerged winner of the competition after 91 days in the house.
The damsel would be smiling home with $300,000 and other mouth-watering prizes.
Nigerian representatives, Melvin and Beverly, were booted out at the final stage of the competition.
After expressing her desires to be the first woman to win the Big Brother grand prize since Zambia’s Cherise did seven seasons ago, Dillish said she had done it for all of Africa’s women.
The Namibian started her Chase race as the proverbial underdog and was labeled everything from lazy to a pampered princess.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, said on Sunday that the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), which got registered as a political party penultimate week, could not become a political party.
Anenih, who spoke in Abuja, said that the PDM was not established to transform into a political party.
Anenih’s statement was coming on the heels of a similar declaration by the zonal leaders and elders of the PDM, who met in Abuja on Friday.
Anenih, who is a leader of the movement, said in a statement the original leaders of the movement did not intend that it should transform into a political party.
In the statement entitled, ‘Our PDM is not a political party,’ Anenih said that the movement had worked with other political associations to form the PDP in 1998.
He stated that the mischievous registration of the PDM as a political party amounted to “trickery,” which, he said, would not endure the test of time.
The Gambia Ports Authority has said that it is committed to the safety of ferry services in The Gambia.
This follows reports reaching this paper indicating that the Kanilai Ferry ran aground close to the vicinity of Barra in the North Bank Region on Friday, 23rd August 2013 and had to stay at that location until salvage efforts materialised the following morning, almost 16 hours after this incident.
When the Daily Observer visited the Banjul Ferry Terminal during the early hours of Saturday, 24th August 2013, the presence of large crowds of people and vehicles waiting to use the ferry services was noticed. Some of the people whose views were sampled told the Daily Observer that they had to spend the night in Banjul as the ferry left Banjul the previous night and did not return from Barra.
The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has again strengthened The Gambia’s maritime security with the donation of three more boats, meant to enhance operations in this regard.
Handed over to the vice president and chairperson of the National Security Council (NSC) by the Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia Friday at the Naval headquarters in Banjul, the gesture brought to 10 the number of boats the Asian island nation donated to its West African ally in recent years.
The donation of these M2A2 high speed boats formed part of the commitment of the Taiwanese president, His Excellency Ma Ying Jeou to assisting his Gambian counterpart, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh in safely navigating the development of his country.
As part of his efforts to abreast himself with the impact of the heavy downpours that have been pounding several households of recent, as well as to see for himself the state of affairs of the current drainage infrastructure, the president of the Republic Saturday made an unexpected visit to flood-prone neighborhoods of Tallinding Farokono in the Kanifing Municipality and Nema-Su in the West Coast Region.
The visit by His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh came barely a week after a 24-hour heavy downpour that wreak havoc on scores of communities in many parts of the country, including the places he visited.
The Lassen Grizzlies had a grueling 7 game road schedule last year and were only able to entertain the home crowd 4 times all season. This year the schedule is opposite. Lassen will enjoy a 6 game home schedule with only 4 regular season games on the road. Lassen ended up 4 and 7 overall with a 3 and 2 league record. A tough 1 point loss in the playoffs against West Valley ended the 2012 run.
Here is a rundown of this years schedule-
August 30th Galena Grizzlies at Lassen. Last year, Galena smashed Lassen in Reno 41 to 7. I for one under estimated this Reno team. They were fired up and ready to play before their home crowd. This year they are coming to Lassen and it should be a different story.
It was a discussion item only in last night's Susanville City Council agenda--but it's likely an affirmative vote would have been achieved if one had been called for in supporting efforts to create a JPA with Lassen County and matching the County's efforts at finding $200,000 annually to jumpstart the funding for construction, maintenance and staffing of a new pool.
Lightning that had rain with it was a benefit to firefighters last evening that were dealing with multiple fires in the Mt. Hough Complex at Taylorsville in Plumas County. According to Incident Commander Mark Nunez, several of the smaller fires are considered to be "control" while the more than 500 personnel continue to make strong advances on the remaining fires.
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC)has said it strongly opposes a proposed Bill entitled: ‘Level Playing Field Bill’.
The Act was passed recently by the House of Representatives and subsequently forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.
In a press release, the ECC said it strongly opposes the passage of this Bill because it does not seek to promote the common good or public interest.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Saturday, August 24, 2013 National Flag Day to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
The Day is in consonance with an Act approved by the National Legislature on 25th October, 1915 declaring the 24th Day of August of each year to be observed as ‘National Flag Day’ throughout the Republic.
Authorities of the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) on Saturday, August 24, 2013 demolished several criminal hideouts and mishit structures around the ELWA Junction, outside Monrovia.
Speaking to reporters before the operation, which began at 12:00 midnight, the PCC through its Public Relations Director, Madam Jani K. Jallah, said the demolition exercise was part of the ELWA Junction “rendering” process. According to Madam Jallah, the city government of Paynesville has decided to give the ELWA Junction a face lift by clearing all street peddlers, “pehn-pehn” riders and money from the main junction.
The Asanteman Council, presided over by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has dismissed a petition by some members of the Kumawu royal family seeking a declaration that the queen of the traditional area, Nana Serwaa Amponsah, who was enstooled about eight years ago, is of Fulani descent and, therefore, not qualified to occupy the stool.
Consequently, the Asantehene has directed that the queen and other members of the royal family who were locked up in a bitter six-year chieftaincy dispute that polarised and hightened tension in the area should join forces to begin the process for the nomination and installation of a new Omanhene to succeed the late Omanhene, Barima Asumadu Sakyi II, who died on June 11, 2007.
The government has signed a co-operation agreement with Equatorial Guinea on the exploration of hydrocarbon and the maintenance of petroleum equipment.
The agreement, an amended version of what has existed between the two countries since 2010, will also see the two countries co-operate in the area of the production, storage, transportation and commercialisation of hydrocarbons.
It will also take into consideration the country’s gas development infrastructure component, whereby the Equatorial Guinea Gas Company will provide technical expertise for the Ghana Gas Company to ensure that Ghana achieves its target in the development of its gas resource.
Thousands of Roma turned out for the funeral of their self-styled King as he was laid to rest in his hometown in Transylvania today.
Florin Cioaba, 58, who had taken to wearing a king's crown as the leader of the minority community, became famous around the globe for arranging a marriage for his 12-year-old daughter.
After watching her storm out of the church to avoid becoming a child bride, 'King' Cioaba became an advocate for education for Roma girls and began preaching that girls should not marry before the age of 16.
This despite the fact that his dutiful daughter Ana-Maria had returned to the church moments later and was indeed married off to a 15-year-old boy of her father's choice.
HER sister was given a revelation and asked to pray against untimely death. She joined her sister on a three-day fast. On the last day of the fast, she was breaking her fast with a bottle of coke when armed robbers barged into their apartment (where she lived with her elder sister, grandmother and a care giver) wielding locally made guns.
The bandits ransacked the house. Valuables, including phones and available cash, were creamed off all occupants. Then one of the robbers threatened to shoot the sister (who had been warned of untimely death). Her 24-year-old younger sister then started praying, speaking in tongues.
[Boko Haram] IN yet another reprisal attack by insurgents, some gunmen have slaughtered no fewer than 44 people at Dumba village on the outskirts of Baga town, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Saturday Tribune Friday that about 50 gunmen stormed the village, which is a few kilometers away from Baga, on Tuesday and slaughtered 44 people. Many people were also said to have been injured in the attack.
The gunmen were also said to have set some houses in the village on fire. News of the killings got to the state capital only on Friday.
Baga is about 157 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital, and it has been an epicenter of terrorist activities, including bombings
THE Federal Government’s patience seems to have run out with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as it has decided to wield the big stick on its members threatening to invoke the no-work-no-pay policy to force the striking lecturers back to work.
Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, on Friday ordered the striking university lecturers to return to their duty posts while the pending issues were being resolved. He also directed all the governing councils of the various universities to open the gates of the institutions to students as from next week.
The directives followed the inability of both parties (FG and ASUU) to reach a definite agreement on the issue earned allowances to university workers after about two months of dialogue and negotiations and the threat by the union to discontinue talks with government.
The vice president and minister of Women's Affairs has reassured the country’s private sector of the government’s commitment to providing a peaceful environment for them to operate.
Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking Thursday at State House while welcoming the new managing director of Gambega Gambia limited who paid a courtesy call on her.
The Sierra Leonean-born Eugene Allen, who replaces Adolfo Marti Llacer, will be at the helm of affairs of the beverage bottling company for the next three years. His predecessor is now returning to Spain where he is expected to take up a new responsibility for the international bottling company.
The newly appointed ministers of Lands and Regional Governments; Health, Social Welfare and National Assembly Matters – Momodou FK Colley and Omar Sey respectively, were sworn in Thursday afternoon at State House.
The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy. The ministers took three oaths – office, allegiance and secrecy, administered by the secretary to Cabinet, Noah Touray.
Minister Momodou FK Colley until this appointment was the director of Physical Planning and Housing under the Ministry of Regional Government and Lands, whilst Minister Omar Sey was prior to his appointment, the deputy permanent secretary at the Health Ministry.
A two-week cultural exchange programme that brought together the youths of The Gambia and their counterparts from the Republic of China (Taiwan) Thursday wrapped-up at the Baobab Holiday Resort in Bijilo.
Started in 2010 under the banner "Taiwan Youth Ambassadors”, the programme is poised to strengthen and initiate series of goodwill missions with Taiwan’s allies around the world, exchange goodwill visits to sister cities, advocate Green Tech Solutions through field trips as well as establish new sister-cityhood during the visits.
One of the scores of residents who filled the board chambers yesterday left behind a gift that he wants to go toward building a new pool. Not a small amount -- $10,000. A million pennies. Added to the fund that has been growing for nine years, it brings the total of private contributions to over $25,000.
Supervisor Jim Chapman was looking for board support to at least advance a proposal that the county and city share in funding $400,000 of general fund dollars each year to finance construction and operation of a new community pool. At least a dozen people went to the podium to voice support for the concept --- many saying it only made good sense to build a project that would be a community asset.
Lightning that had rain with it was a benefit to firefighters last evening that were dealing with multiple fires in the Mt. Hough Complex at Taylorsville in Plumas County. According to Incident Commander Mark Nunez, several of the smaller fires are considered to be "control" while the more than 500 personnel continue to make strong advances on the remaining fires.
It was a discussion item only in last night's Susanville City Council agenda--but it's likely an affirmative vote would have been achieved if one had been called for in supporting efforts to create a JPA with Lassen County and matching the County's efforts at finding $200,000 annually to jumpstart the funding for construction, maintenance and staffing of a new pool.
: Liberian Journalists have been urged to be more “analytical and objective” in reporting on issues of corruption in order to maintain peace and stability in the country.
According to the Chairperson of the University of Liberia (UL) Mass Communication Department, Weade Kobbah- Wureh, Liberia’s peace is still fragile, and therefore, journalists must focus their reportage on “good governance, transparency, and the rule of law.”
She said journalists must monitor access to justice and other ills objectively in an effort to sustain peace in the country. She made these comments on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at the official launch of the Press Union of Liberia’s (PUL) website in Monrovia.
Senate Pro-Tempore Gbenzongar M. Findley has called for the prosecution of government officials accused and indicted of corruption charges in Liberia. Senator Findley said the Liberian Senate was gravely concerned about reports of corruption in government, and therefore, officials involved in corruption must be prosecuted by the Government of Liberia (GoL).
He said the issue of corruption remains a “major problem” in every sector of the Liberian society. According to him, the total eradication of corruption is not attainable in any nation adding that, “corruption is not unique to Liberia alone.”
The Grand Bassa County lawmaker made these assertions recently at his regular monthly news conference held at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
The Capitol Building is the seat of the Legislature.
A defendantin the ongoing mercenary case has accused the Government of Liberia (GoL) of having grudge for the krahn ethnic group which he comes from.
The mercenary case is being tried at the Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice by Judge Yussif D. Kaba.The Temple of Justice is located on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
Eighteen (18) persons have been charged by the state with Mercenarism, a charge they have since denied.
Some of those standing trial are: Sam Tarley, OforiDiah, ChristophereLakpayee, Timothy Barley, Philip Moore, Junior Gelor, Emmanuel Pewee, Fred Chelly and Jacob Saydee.
New Delhi (CNN) -- A 23-year-old photographer was gang-raped by five men in the Indian financial hub of Mumbai, police said Friday, the latest shocking report of sexual assault to make headlines in the South Asian nation.
The attack took place Thursday evening in a deserted area of the Shakti Mills district in Mumbai, said the city's police commissioner, Satyapal Singh.
The unidentified female victim and a male colleague were on assignment in the area for a print publication when some of the men approached them and asked if they had permission to take photographs, Singh said.
The attack unfolded from there, he said, without providing a full account of events.
CALABAR — A 42-year-old Cameroonian lady who gave her name as Evelyn Atemkeng was, Wednesday, arrested in Calabar with a three-day-old baby she allegedly bought for N1.2 million.
Mrs Atemkeng accompanied by her 70-year-old mother, Anastasia Fambong, was said to have bought the baby boy from a matron of a clinic in Delta State into whose account she paid the N1.2 million.
Commander of the Cross River State Immigration Command, Mr Samuel Ichoi, who ordered the arrest of the woman told Vanguard in his office that his men accosted the lady while boarding a ship to Cameroon and after interrogation, she confessed that she bought the baby.
NO fewer than eight persons have been reported dead after unknown gunmen opened fire on traders at Abakpa Nike in Enugu State on Thursday.
The incident, according to eye witness account happened around 5.00 p.m. at Ogwuagor Market, popularly known as Ahia 4, in Abakpa suburb.
An eye witness said that the hoodlums stormed the market in commando style and shot at traders.
The eye witness, a trader, who said he escaped death by the whiskers, lamented that his colleague died during the attack.
“I was discussing with my neighbour, a cobbler, when suddenly we heard gunshots, I quickly ran into my shop; after the gunshot had stopped, I came out and saw my friend lying lifeless in the pool of his blood.
The police officer linked with killing of one late Olalekan Ajayi in Lagos State has been arrested, detained and is presently undergoing investigation.
The late Ajayi’s death on August 20 sparked off protests on Wednesday at Ikorodu, Lagos, by aggrieved citizens.
However, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has called for calm to enable police authorities wade into the matter and ensure that justice is served
SINCE 1999 when democracy began anew in Nigeria and Ekiti State in particular, it seems to have been one hullabaloo or the other. The voting pattern of the people is believed to have always been influenced by the issues of the moment. For instance, many believe that the voting pattern in Ekiti, largely like in the other five states in the South-West about 14 years ago, was influenced by the June 12 debacle, which was then burning in the hearts of the Yoruba, as well as factors relating to the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere.
Some analysts claimed the political pace then was dictated by the leadership of the organization from at Ijebu Igbo, where the list of who would contest for what in all the six states in the zone was allegedly distilled and determined. Those who argue along this line are quick to claimed that in Oyo State, late Chief Bola Ige, nominated late Alhaji Lam Adesina, who later became the state governor. It is argued that the same pattern was noticed in Ogun, Ondo and Osun states.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDEA) through its public relations officer has condemned an assault on its operatives who were executing their constitutionally mandated duties, warning the general public to desist from such acts.
The condemnation came following the arrest of four people in Barra, Lower Niumi, North Bank Region (NBR), for assaulting the operatives of the Agency who were there to execute their duties.
At a press briefing Wednesday, the public relations officer of the NDEA, Modou Joof, informed that operatives of the Agency were assaulted on August 15, 2013 by the family of one Ebou Njie, a suspected drug peddler in Barra.
A team of 40 medical volunteers from the Republic of China (Taiwan) recently arrived in The Gambia to provide medical treatment to the populace at no cost.
The team has since August 7th been treating patients at selected health facilities, namely; the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital in Bundung, Brikama Major Hospital and Brufut Health Centre. The medical personnel that are dispatched to the country by the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corp (TRMPC) for a two-week treatment programme are expected to treat about 4, 800 patients.
Gambians residing in Spain are bracing up to celebrate the 19th Anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution on September 6-7, 2013, the president of the Association of Gambians in Spain disclosed Tuesday.
Alhagie Sanyang, who was accompanied by the Association's spokesperson, was speaking during audience with the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy at her Office at State House.
While commending the leadership and the entire Gambian populace for their support to the Association over the past years, Sanyang informed the vice president about the positive projects the Association has undertaken in recent times to assist its members overcome some challenges.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Focal Person for Climate Change (CC) says the EPA will ensure that certain percentage of Liberia’s land is deserted for the protection of the country’s Biological diversity.
Biological diversity or biodiversity is a term use to describe the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms: animals, plants, their habitats and their genes.
Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth. It is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems which provide humans with products and services without which no one could live. Oxygen, food, fresh water, fertile soil, medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods, stable climate and recreation - all have their source in nature and healthy ecosystems.
An official of the Government of Liberia (GoL), Dr. Marcus S. G. Dahn has asserted that corruption will undermine the peace of Liberia if corrupt public officials are not prosecuted by the government.
Dr. Dahn, who is the Deputy Planning Minister for Administration, further asserted that the peace of Liberia remains fragile until public officials are prosecuted in line with the laws of the country. He said public officials found guilty of corruption charges should make restitution based upon court proceedings.
He made these assertions in Monrovia on Monday, August 19, 2013 when he spoke in an exclusive interview with this paper.
As the world joins Liberia to observer ten years of uninterrupted Peace and stability, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the development arm of the Swedish Government has commenced the conduct of five- day training to enhance the skills of Public Works engineers in Labor Based Feeder Road Maintenance exercise.
The training workshop, which is being held in Voinjama, Lofa County, started on Monday, August 19, 2013 and will end on August 23, 2013. In a welcome remark, Lofa County Superintendent, George Dunor, thanked President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for the many development initiatives undertaken in his county and called on authority of the Ministry of Public Works to fast track the pavement of Voinjama City Streets which, according to Supt. Dunor is a major concern to the county authority.
The spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, General Guide Mohammed Badie, has been arrested in Cairo, Egyptian officials say.
Reports said he was detained at a residential flat in Nasr City.
A state of emergency is in force in Egypt amid turmoil following a crackdown on Islamists in which hundreds have died.
Three days of mourning are being held for 25 police killed in Sinai by suspected Islamist militant extremists.
Almost 900 people, including more than 100 police and soldiers, are reported to have been killed in Egypt since Wednesday, when the army cleared protest camps set up by supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi, many of them members of the Muslim Brotherhood movement.
A 3-year-old boy in a small Michigan town was killed over the weekend when he accidentally shot himself in the head with a gun he found on the closet floor of his home.
The shooting death will undoubtedly renew the debate about gun safety, particularly after the boy's father took to Facebook calling for it.
The incident took place Sunday at a home in Dundee, near the Ohio border.
Police said Damon Holbrook discovered the gun, which belonged to a family friend who was living in the house.
Authorities told CNN affiliate WXYZ that the family friend, Joshua Greenhill, had a concealed pistol license and he put the .40 caliber handgun in the closet. It was loaded, with a bullet in the chamber -- but was not locked.
Imagine carrying a bowling ball between your legs that weighs close to 200 pounds. If that image is too much to stomach, continue reading with caution.
Wesley Warren, 49, spent more than four years with this extra burden before having surgery to repair the damage from a rare medical condition called scrotal lymphedema.
When doctors placed the swollen mass they had cut from Warren's scrotum on the scale, it weighed 132 pounds. That's not counting the fluid or smaller pieces of tissue the surgeons had also removed from the Las Vegas man.
"There are a lot of people that will look and laugh and stare in shock and awe and amazement," Warren says as he walks down the street in a preview for TLC's upcoming show "The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum." The one-hour special airs Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
SATURDAY night was a bloody one for oil thieves, as no fewer than 12 were mowed down during a fierce battle with operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NNS), Delta, Warri, Delta State.
The gun duel between the criminals and men of the Navy on waters took place at Forcados in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
At the end of the warfare, no fewer than three AK 47 rifles (with about 6 magazines of 120 rounds of ammunition) were recovered from the oil thieves and brought aboard NNS BADAGRY by the naval personnel.
The successful operation was said to be at the instance of a well-thought-out strategies by Western and Central Naval Commands, Lagos and Yenagoa.
AN Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, presided over by Justice A. O. Okuma, yesterday adjourned hearing till September 2 in a motion ex-parte filed against Governor Peter Obi, by Chief Bonaventure Mokwe, the detained proprietor of Upper Class Hotel, Onitsha, which was demolished on August 1, 2013, on the orders of Governor Obi, following the discovery of some decomposing human heads and arms inside the hotel room.
The adjournment came shortly after the counsel for the applicant, M. N. Umenweke, leading Franklyn Ibeh, K. J. Bielu, F. A. Naza and L. M. Ikwuka, moved the motion afresh as directed by the court.
TWO reporters of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, on Sunday, won in two categories of the Nigerian Media Nite-Out Award (NMNA).
The reporters, Mrs Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare, a chief reporter, won the Crime Writer of the Year award, while Mr Dare Adekanmbi, a senior reporter, emerged the best Politics Writer of the Year.
To emerge winner at the event held at 10 Degrees Events,, Oregun, Lagos, Gbenga-Ogundare defeated Henry Umai (Sun Newspaper), Juliana Francis (Newswatch) and Eniola Akinkotu of the Punch Newspaper.
A three-member high-powered delegation comprising of the ministers of Lands and Regional Government, the Interior and the Agriculture – Momodou Aki Bayo, Ousman Sonko and Solomon Owens respectively, recently brokered a compromise on a longstanding issue of cattle track disputes involving farmers and cattle owners in three villages in the Fulladu East District of the Central River Region (CRR).
Assigned by the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, the ministers met the cattle owners from the village of Shinchang Chandual and the farmers from the villages of Kerewan and Dingerai during what was described as a very constructive meeting chaired by the Lands and Regional Government minister at the Governor’s Office in Janjangbureh.
Stakeholders in the fisheries sector have denounced illegal fishing activities by some fishing vessels on the territorial waters of member countries of the Sub Regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC), lamenting the threat they pose to the fisheries resources.
This emphasis formed part of the recommendations issued at the end of a three-day national forum on ‘port state’ measures awareness campaign at a hotel in Banjul.
The stakeholders also agreed that to address the deeply entrenched threatening activities in the sea, a strong collaboration and concerted efforts are needed to effectively preserve the fish stock for the benefit of member states.
The ministers of Agriculture and Youth and Sports, Solomon Owens and Alieu Kebba Jammeh respectively, have reiterated the president’s back-to-the-land call with a view to enabling The Gambia stop importing rice by 2016.
They made the call recently during a joint visit to Sapu where a total of 100 youths have been deployed by their ministries to engage in massive rice production.
The two ministries that are billed to cultivate a 600-hectare rice field at the Jahally-Pacharr area are also targeting to employ 300 youths. The first 100 deployed at Sapu will be working on 20 plots of rice fields while the remaining phases will see the deployment of the other 200 youths.
FRESNO, Calif.The Aces had a pair of two-run home runs on Sunday night, but it was not enough, as Reno fell 6-4 to the Fresno Grizzlies at Chukchansi Park.
Alfredo Marte blasted Renos first homer in the fifth, as a pinch hitter for Aces starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger. The long ball was his fourth of the season for the Aces, and his first since July 26. It was just the second pinch hit home run for the Aces this season. The other, which also came against the Grizzlies, was a walk-off grand slam off the bat of Ed Easley on June 18.
Rural hospitals that deliver skilled nursing care to residents are getting a reprieve from that 10% reduction in Medi-Cal reimbursements. Assemblyman Brian Dahle announced late yesterday that the Department of Health Services will exempt qualifying facilities from the cuts that actually added up to be much more--and could have crippled the operation of at least two facilities in NE California.
Update 0900: Lightning has sparked 15-25 small fires in the central and eastern portions of the Plumas National Forest. Several small fires around Lake Davis have lines around them in addition to several in the Calpine/McNair Meadows area. The majority of the fires are in the Keddie Ridge/North Arm areas of Indian Valley near Taylorsville CA. Most of the fires are reasonably small. Several, including the Johnson (approx.10 acres) & Mt. Hough (approx. 130 acres) fires, on the north slope of Mt. Hough are very conspicuous, especially at night.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has renewed her commitment to upholding religious freedom and equality, as enshrined in the Liberian Constitution, and has challenged all Liberians to see such freedom as essential for the common good of the nation.
Unless Liberians can agree on this, she said, the country’s rebuilding process will be hampered because the religious community plays a vital role in its forward march.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf was speaking on Friday, August 16, at the 72nd Mosque, during a special Islamic Prayer Service held as part of celebrations marking a decade of sustained peace in Liberia since the signing, on August 18, 2003, in Accra, Ghana, of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The Judge of Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice, Peter W. Gbeneweleh, has asserted that the State manipulated the Grand Jury in an Economic Sabotage and Theft of Property Case involving the former Managing Director of Ducor Petroleum, Mr. Amos Brosius and others.
The Temple of Justice is situated on Capitol Hill, Monrovia. The prosecution is represented by the Republic of Liberia by and thru Ducor Petroleum, Inc. represented by its Chief Executive officer, Charles Carron, while the defendant, Amos Brosius is represented through his defense counsel.
An official of the Government of Liberia (GoL), Dr. Marcus S. G. Dahn has asserted that corruption will undermine the peace of Liberia if corrupt public officials are not prosecuted by the government.
Dr. Dahn, who is the Deputy Planning Minister for Administration, further asserted that the peace of Liberia remains fragile until public officials are prosecuted in line with the laws of the country. He said public officials found guilty of corruption charges should make restitution based upon court proceedings.
He made these assertions in Monrovia on Monday, August 19, 2013 when he spoke in an exclusive interview with this paper.
A two-year advocacy project to help people with disabilities and women within the reproductive age to increase their attendance at medical facilities in five districts was launched at Jasikan in the Volta Region last Thursday.
The project, dubbed "Mobilising grassroots participation for effective implementation of the patients’ charter for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and rural women in Volta Region" is being implemented by Royal Health Organisation (ROHEO), a Jasikan-based NGO.
It is being sponsored by USAID, UKAID, European Union and DANIDA.
The project is being undertaken in the five districts of the northern sector of the region.
The districts are Jasikan, Krachi-East, Kadjebi, Nkwanta North and Nkwanta South.
By Gibby Zobel BBC World Service, Uberaba, Brazil
Alfredo Moser is a modern-day Thomas Edison, whose invention is lighting up the world. In 2002, the Brazilian mechanic had his own light-bulb moment and came up with a way of illuminating his house during the day without electricity - using nothing more than plastic bottles filled with water and a tiny bit of bleach.
In the last two years his idea has spread throughout the world. It is expected to be in one million homes by early next year.
So how does it work? Simple refraction of sunlight, explains Moser, as he fills an empty two-litre plastic bottle.
"Add two capfuls of bleach to protect the water so it doesn't turn green [with algae]. The cleaner the bottle, the better," he adds.
Mali's presidential election has been won by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita after his rival admitted defeat in the second round.
Ex-Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse said he had congratulated Mr Keita and wished him good luck, AFP reported.
Mr Keita, 68, served as prime minister from 1994 to 2000.
Mali has suffered a year of unrest including a military coup and a French-led military intervention to oust Islamist rebels from the north.
No official results have yet been released following Sunday's runoff, however, reports had put Mr Keita well ahead.
Funmi Fiberesima likes to call herself an entertainment entrepreneur. And this is not an exaggeration as she has her hands in various aspects of entertainment. She is a producer, an actress, an On-Air-Personality (OAP) and an advocate of change. In this interview with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, Nigeria’s Tyler Perry, as she is called, speaks on her career, growing up, upcoming work, weaknesses and fashion preferences, among others sundry issues. Excerpts:
Definition of style
My definition of style is not complicated; it is simply allowing my personality to shine through my dress sense and whatever I do. I am generally a lover of colours. My zodiac sign is Pisces and music and colours lift our spirits, so, a rhythmic pattern can be tied to all I would call style.
It is no longer news that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had cleared the dust on the status of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the commission gave it recognition as a registered party. However, hardly had the euphoria that greeted the announcement died down than the party started experiencing some hiccups. Noticeable among the negative signs are the pending suit filed by a rival political ‘party’ over the issue of the acronym and the pronouncement of APC interim National Chairman, Chief BisiAkande, at the party’s maiden press conference in Abuja last Tuesday, as well as the reported refusal of General TheophilusDanjuma, to be associated with the party.
The chairman of the yet-to-be registered African People’s Congress (APC), Chief OnyinyeIkeagwuonu, had, immediately after the registration of the rival APC, addressed a press conference where he described the registration of the latter as an attempt by the chairman of INEC, Professor AttahiruJega, and his team to cause chaos in the country’s democracy.Ikeagwuonualleged that the commission erred by registering APC since, according to him, there is pending case in the court over the acronym.
AT 80, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, had set out to give thanks to God and give back to the society. He set up a thanksgiving event at the Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro Cathedral, Area 3, Abuja and reception at the International Conference Centre, also in the heart of the Federal Capital, for that purpose.
No one was in doubt that politics will take the central stage at such events, especially with the huge presence of current and former office holders.
Those who graced the events included President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Dame; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senate President David Mark; Governors Peter Obi (Anambra); Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), former governors Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); and Segun Oni (Ekiti), President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsajefor; Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma; his wife, Daisy; former Senate President Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and Ministers
Former Chief Justice of The Gambia last Wednesday had one of the rudest shocks of his life as prosecutors filed a seven-count charge of giving false information to a public officer against him.
Joseph Wowo, who was charged with similar offences earlier this year, was arraigned before Magistrate Lamin Mbai, who subsequently remanded him in state custody pending his next appearance in court, on 21st August.
Appearing before the court unrepresented, Wowo denied the charges and applied for the court to grant him bail as the offence charged is bailable and a misdemeanour.
The National Assembly Member for the Niani Constituency has lauded the tremendous efforts registered by the farmers in the region.
Speaking to The daily news at his Latrikunda residence last Friday, Demba BT Sambou noted that the plight of farmers in the area should be considered given the fact that they are hardworking farmer who needed to be encouraged.
He said these farmers has responded rapidly to the President’s back to the land call saying that the area which is both an upland and lowland area, the farmers has been cultivating different varieties of crops including rice, millet, maize and groundnut in order to achieve a food self adequacy. Hon Sambou calls for more support to accorded to them as they have constantly been focus in their farming activities.
While most people will no doubt agree with President Yahya Jammeh’s condemnation of the British government for besieging for over a year the Ecuadorean embassy in London, apparently in a bid to apprehend Julius Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, as well as his criticism of the US government’s desperate attempts to get Edward Snowden extradited to the US for blowing the whistle against its internet surveillance program, during his most recent exclusive interview with the GRTS as part of the commemoration of his 22nd July “Revolution”, but his approach has been quite abominable, to say the least.
RENO, Nev. The Reno Aces took a 3-2 lead into the eighth inning, but fell 6-4 to the Memphis Redbirds in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Aces Ballpark.
The loss forced Renos 11th series split of the season.
Mike Jacobs hit a two-run home run to right in the third, putting the Aces on the board and tying the score at two. An RBI double off the bat of Alfredo Marte later in the frame gave Reno a 3-2 edge.
Both squads cruised through the middle innings, until Memphis exploded offensively for four runs in the eighth. Reliever Kevin Munson struck out Chris Swauger to start the inning, before allowing the next four batters to reach base. Brock Peterson, who was in Reno last month as a Pacific Coast League All-Star, drove in two runs on an RBI single to give the Redbirds the lead.
A Lassen County Supervisor and a Susanville City Councilman have teamed up to spearhead a joint county/city funded community swimming pool for Susanville. Jim Chapman and Brian Wilson presented their plan Friday at a special kids event at Susanville Super Market. They were there to honor children and residents of Lassen county who have, so far, raised nearly $20,000 in support of building a new community pool.
The Plumas National Forest is continuing to solicit feedback on its current motorized travel management planning effort. That plan involves roads the FS says may no longer be needed and/or are posing a risk to natural or cultural resource.
Monrovia and Cairo, two great cities that had continued to play active political and cultural roles in the African Continent signed a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement to begin initiating developmental programs in the areas of Culture, Sciences, Education, Health, Tourism and Sports at the Monrovia City Hall on Friday 9 August 2013.
Honorable Henry Reed Cooper, former Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia and presently City Council Chairman ad Interim of the Monrovia City Corporation signed on behalf of the Liberian capital city’s governing body, while H.E Mr. Sameh Lotfi, Egyptian Ambassador in Liberia, signed on behalf of Prof. Dr. Usama Ahmed Kamal, Mayor of the City of Cairo and the People of Cairo.
Liberia’s domestic revenue generation has increased by 17 percent as a result of an effective implementation of the Revenue Enhancement project that was recently initiated by the Ministry of Finance. Accordingly, the Ministry says it has collected $77m more than in the previous 2012/13 fiscal budget.
The Ministry of Finance says its revenue enhancement project is a legitimate operation that is currently closing loopholes in the system.
According to a press release, the Ministry says as a result of the enhancement operations, the Government of Liberia(GOL) was able to disburse funds for the construction of water kiosks in the West Point area by the Water and Sewer Corporation to address safe drinking water problem in that community. Government has also budgeted to construct 10 public latrines in populated communities in Monrovia and its environs to address sanitation and hygiene conditions thereby preventing common diseases that affect residents in those areas.
President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf has directed the Minister of Health & Social Welfare to reopen the Bureau of Vital Statistics and to designate an Acting Director to coordinate the activities of the Bureau, but with operations at a reduced level during the interim period.
President Sirleaf’s directive took effect as of August 3, 2013. According to an Executive Mansion release, the interim arrangement is not to exceed two months, under which birth certificates, passports, naturalization decrees, lost passport clearances, attestations and naturalization decrees can be issued.
A suspected serial killer who was arrested in Mombasa last week will be arraigned before the High Court in Kisumu on Monday to answer more charges.
At the same time, the county government of Kisumu is looking for a crane and an excavator to help in the search for more bodies believed to be in two pits at Mr Harrison Okumu’s home.
A Ghanaian business advisor and trainer, Ms Maureen Erekua Odoi, was one of 20 international women leaders who participated in the United States (US) Department of State International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the USA this year.
The four-week funded mentorship and study tour programme was on the theme: “Women and Entrepreneurship Development”.
The participants represented government, politics, the media, education, non-governmental organisations, the arts, public health, international security, business, trade and other fields.
Robert Mugabe is to deliver his first public speech since he won Zimbabwe's disputed presidential election.
Mr Mugabe will address a Heroes' Day celebration in the capital, Harare, to commemorate those who died during the country's war of independence.
The Movement for Democratic Change of his main rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is boycotting the event.
The party has lodged a legal challenge against the result of the "stolen election", demanding it be rerun.
Mr Mugabe won 61% of the vote in the election on 31 July, while Mr Tsvangirai came second with 35% and Welshman Ncube third with 3%, according to official results.
A judge in Tennessee changed a 7-month-old boy's name to Martin from Messiah, saying the religious name was earned by one person and "that one person is Jesus Christ."
Child Support Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew ordered the name change last week, according to WBIR-TV. The boy's parents were in court because they could not agree on the child's last name, but when the judge heard the boy's first name, she ordered it changed, too.
"It could put him at odds with a lot of people and at this point he has had no choice in what his name is," Ballew said.
Security forces personnel are likely to begin by surrounding both sit-ins
Reports from Egypt say the interim authorities are planning to start breaking up two sit-ins by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.
An interior ministry source told the BBC an operation to clear the protest camps would begin shortly before dawn.
However, so far there has not been any police activity at the sit-ins outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque in eastern Cairo and at Nahda Square, to the west.
The Muslim Brotherhood, to which Morsi belongs, has warned of bloodshed.
President Goodluck Jonathan Sunday dismissed the claim by the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, that he is statute barred from running for a second term in office.
He also warned him to stop denigrating the Office of the President by using uncomplimentary words to criticise the incumbent.
The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, described Akande’s criticism as a cheap ploy to gain popularity for the APC and divert attention from the alleged feud between the two prominent chieftains of the opposition party— former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.
NIGERIA’S golden girl, Blessing Okagbare battled long and hard to put her fatherland on the gold medal honours list, but in the end she had to settle for the silver owing to the unyielding stance of U.S.A’s Brittney Reese at the on-going IAAF World Championships holding at the Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia.
Okagbare’s medal also ended Nigeria’s 14-year wait to climb the podium in the championship that features such African countries as Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, Gabon, South Africa and even Tanzania regularly among the winners.
EFFORTS to recognize and encourage the rich artistic talents of children around the world through environmental activities have thrown up gifted global and regional children, with 13-year-old Chiratchaya Kaeokamkong from Thailand, emerging the 2013 top prize winner, out of almost 700,000 entries from 110 countries.
Similarly, 10-years old Nigerian, Ephraim Finapri’s painting was picked as the best entry for African region, by a jury composed of the representatives of the organizers, out of 3,923 entries received by the Regional Office from 20 countries.
All of the young artists painted under the theme of Water: Where Does it Come From?, in support of the 2013 UNInternational Year of Water Co-operation. Each United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office (Bahrain, Bangkok, Geneva, Mexico City, Washington DC, and Nairobi) chooses regional winners and also submits paintings to the global selection.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, shortly after attending the congregation at the King Fahad Mosque in Banjul, granted audience to the Muslim elders of The Gambia, to among other things, discuss various cross-cutting issues bordering on national development and the way forward for the Islamic religion.
The elders were led to the presidency by members of the Banjul Muslim Committee, whose long-gone predecessors pioneered this annual affair, predating both the First and Second Republics.
History has it that this activity started in the colonial era when the then Muslim elders in Banjul would meet the colonial authorities on Koriteh day to greet them and use the opportunity to discuss an array of issues bordering on national development and the plight of Muslims in the country. What started as a small gathering of specific people was sustained in the First Republic, but only got expanded in the Second Republic whereby the core of Gambian Muslim leaders attend instead of only Banjul Muslim elders.
The death has been announced of the former chief of Kombo North, Eric Tundeh Janneh, who passed away at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul after a long illness.
The remains of the deceased were laid to rest at the Banjunlinding Muslim cemetery. His funeral rite was attended by hundreds of relatives, loved ones, colleagues and others who visited the bereaved family not only console them, but to pay their last respects to Janneh.
Speaking to Daily Observer at the family’s compound, Kassy Janneh, brother to the late former chief described him as a man of exemplary character who contributed in no small measure to the development of the country.
Nineteen prisoners, incarcerated for various crimes punishable by the laws of The Gambia, on Thursday, the day of the Muslim feast of Koriteh, had their various jail sentences cut short after the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh exercised his prerogative of mercy.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Authorities say a man driving a truck with police lights on top made a crucial misstep during a bogus police stop in northern New Mexico.
Police say the two men he pulled over for speeding were real state police agents in an unmarked vehicle.
According to New Mexico State Police, 26-year-old John Shelton, of Logan, was arrested Wednesday following the sham traffic stop in San Miguel County.
Use internet to better yourselves; Second lady tells teachers
Second Lady Mrs. Amissah-Arthur (left) presenting an HP Lap Top to the overall best participant, Ayesu Belinda of Boso Anglican Primar
The Second Lady, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur, has charged teachers across the country to use the internet to better their professional skills.
She says the internet provides a huge opportunity for teachers at all levels to build their capacity and confidence.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Berekum East in the Bono Ahafo Region, Dr. Kwabena Twum Nuamah is calling on President John Mahama to sack the Deputy Minister for Communication, Victoria Hammah for "displaying immaturity and incompetence".
According to Dr. Nuamah, Ms. Victoria Hammah has continuously committed "unpardonable mistakes" that should not be entertained by the president.
GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of LAGOS State has urged Nigerians to sustain the spirit of tolerance, peace and brotherhood during the holy month of Ramadan even after the Eld El-Fitri celebrations.
Speaking at the Dodan Barracks Praying Ground, Obalende, Lagos, he noted that the nation has sadly witnessed the escalation of division and insecurity, and Nigerians to close ranks and refuse to accommodate those who seek to profit from their pains.
“Nigerians must join hands to repair the fabric of love and oneness that binds us together. We are all members of one nation and in spite of our diversity, we are bound by a common humanity,” he said.
WITH the ongoing agitations from the North that the region should be allowed to produce the President of the country in 2015, one of Nigeria’s surviving nationalists and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, has advised Northerners to hold their peace for now.
He stressed that out of over 50 years of the country’s independence, the North has ruled for over three decades.
“The North has ruled the country for over three decades. Ideally, what happens in a true democracy is for a president to be elected from anywhere based on his personal merit, no matter where he comes from. But Nigeria is not an ideal country, so where the president comes from is still a very potent factor in the government and peace of the country and so the North should hold their peace for now.
THE Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Ahmed Makarfi, has advised Nigerians to elect candidates based on their ability, rather than religious affiliation, to promote peace and unity in the country.
Makarfi said this Friday in Kaduna when he received a delegation of Arewa Christians’ Political Forum (ACPF) at his residence.
He advised the group to ensure the unity of the North by not championing overzealous politicians based on religious sentiments, which was capable of destroying the corporate existence in the region.
“As a nation, the basic requirement for good governance is security, and this requires all stakeholders to pursue it holistically,” he said.
Travelling to the United Nations headquarters in New York was a great and exciting experience for me, but what was more exciting and memorable was going there as an UNGEI-sponsored young participant in the recent Malala Day First Ever Youth Takeover UN Meeting.
It was surreal to sit in the front row and listen to Malala speak. I was so touched when she said that she wanted education for the sons and the daughters of all extremists, especially the Taliban. Her statement will continue to motivate and inspire me, particularly whenever I recall her saying, “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution.”
Caravan of Mercy, an international NGO operating in The Gambia, helping the poor and needy recently distributed food items worth over one million dalasi.
The items were distributed in the Central River Region, Upper River Region and West Coast Region, disclosed an NGO official.
In an interview with reporters at the NGO’s headquarters in Brikama, Pa Modou Sillah, Caravan of Mercy Oversees coordinator, said the NGO is in The Gambia to support the needy, widows, and orphans in the country by giving them helping hands in support of food, clothes and learning materials.
Minister of Presidential Affairs who also doubles as Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. Momodou Sabally, on behalf of the Government of The Gambia, on 6 August 2013 received a funding of US$300,000 from H.E. Samuel Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The cheque was the final part payment of the US$600,000 grant allocated to the country’s health sector by ROC.
The fund is meant to assist the Gambian Government to recruit and employ medical personnel to enhance its health service. These medical personnel will be dispatched all over The Gambia to also better equip rural hospitals to provide quality medical services to the people.
Lassen College Volleyball will be holding their annual 2013 volleyball camp for young athletes on August 3rd and 4th for 7th and 8th graders, and August 11th for high school athletes.
The 7th and 8th grade camp will be held from 9 am to 3:30 on August 3rd and 4th at the Lassen College gym and is only $75 for the 2 day camp.
The high school athlete camp is being held on August 11th with freshmen and sophomores having their camp from 1:30 to 4 at a minimal cost of $20 per camper.
Amber Alerts have expanded to four states--California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington--as authorities search for a Southern California man suspected of abducting a 16-year-old girl and wanted in the death of the girl's mother and possibly her 8-yeare-old brother.
A huge pot grow has been ripped up, thanks to the cooperative efforts of Lassen County and a half dozen other agencies.
A local ranch owner reported his employees pushing cattle near Petes Creek and Snowstorm Mountain discovered a big grow of plants stretching about a mile down the creek. They notified their boss who, in turn, notified local authorities. A joint effort by the Lassen County Narcotics Task Force and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the grow. Due to the large scale of the operation, the north state Marijuana Investigation Team, known as NSMIT (out of Redding) was called in to assist. NSMIT is a task force with law enforcement agents of the DEA, California Department of Justice, the National Guard, BLM, Siskiyou and Trinity county sheriff's office and the U.S. Forest Service.
Renowned Liberian broadcast journalist, Othello T. K. Yarsiah, has been diagnosed of liver complications after being confined to bed for nearly four months.
The complications is said to be gradually emerging and at a level that can be controlled at the moment, doctors have advised.
“For the past four months I have been very ill, seeking all the necessary medications, from one place to the other, and I have just been told that I am suffering from liver problem,” Othello told fellow journalists in his bedroom in Bardnersville Thursday morning.
The former state and UNMIL radios employee stated that because of his illness he has not been able to move about to fend for his family after spending all he had on seeking medication.
The European Union Delegation(EU) to Liberia has released a statement in Monrovia, quoting the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, as reaffirming the EU's support to Indigenous Peoples around the world.
The statement by High Representative Ashton is in celebrations of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on this Friday, 09 August 2013.
The EU High Representative and Foreign Policy Chief said as the EU joins Indigenous Peoples in celebrating their rich cultural heritage, she was honored to pay tribute to the enormous contributions their traditions and knowledge have made to the world's cultural heritage.
Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has hailed considerable gains achieved in Liberian-Ivorian relations as both countries endeavor to stabilize security within the Mano River Basin and the larger West African region.
“We have worked well together to respond to recent security concerns along our common border, while enlisting the support and assistance of both UNMIL and UNOCI. Several joint border patrols have been conducted by our security personnel in pursuit of a safer and more secure atmosphere along our border,” Minister Ngafuan asserted.
He spoke on behalf of President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf during La Cote d’Ivoire’s 53rdIndependence Day program, conveying the President’s best wishes to the Government and People of that sisterly nation as it observed the auspicious occasion.
Noah and Connor Barthe, the two boys apparently killed by a 100-pound African rock python in Canada, died from asphyxiation, according to preliminary autopsy results.
"While we now have some preliminary information, investigators still have to wait for other test results to come back and for the final report," Sgt. Alain Tremblay of the New Brunswick Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Wednesday.
"We recognize that this has touched the hearts of people across the world and that people want to know how this could have happened. Our investigators are looking at all aspects of this tragic incident, and that will take some time," he said.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is to regulate the sale of sperms and ovaries in the country.
This is to ensure that problems associated with the practice are minimised when they come up in future.
The sector minister, Nana Oye Lithur, who disclosed this in Accra at an advocacy forum on the 2013 budget, said the ministry was concerned about the rising incidence of people, mostly the youth, offering their sperms and ovaries in return for cash.
To that end, she said, the ministry was to initiate a national dialogue, between health professionals and civil society organisations to help come up with modalities on who could sell or buy sperms and ovaries, when they could be sold and how to protect the offspring of those transactions.
The Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater Kayayei Project is appealing to the President to help compensate innocent girls and young women who lost their monies during a raid of their sleeping places at the Mallam Atta Market in Accra.
According to a statement issued by the Communication Director of the project, Mr Bawa Bumuo and copied to the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, a police raid on June 9, 2013, led to the loss of Gh¢ 4,600 and eight pieces of clothes at the market.
The statement said on that day, around 12 midnight, police officers from the Kotobabi Police Station stormed and attacked the kiosk of a foster mother of the Kayayei, Madam Adama Sulemana, and also attacked other kiosks that were used as places of shelter by the young women with the excuse that the women were sleeping at a “wrong place”.
Following the footsteps of their compatriots in other oil producing states, oil producing communities in Ondo State have threatened to embark on mass action if their request for the direct payment of the 13 per cent derivation fund is not acceded to.
In a letter written to President Goodluck Jonathan and signed by Elder Thompson Shawana, Chief Adewale Omojuwa, Comrade Samuel Ebiwanno, Chief (Mrs) Funke Oyekanmi among others, the communities posited that the 13 per cent derivation fund belonged exclusively to the oil and gas producing communities which are the source of the derivation.
ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Culture, Edem Duke and the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, tasked Nigerians on the promotion and preservation of the various indigenous languages in the country.
They said since languages were part of the culture of the people, efforts should be made to ensure that they did not go into extinction.
They all spoke at an international conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the Yoruba literary icon, Chief Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa, with the theme “D.O. Fagunwa (1903-1963), 50 Years On.”
Mimiko said there was the need to encourage the use of mother tongue and the development of the culture of the people.
MILITARY authorities have arrested a medical doctor and a lawyer for their alleged link with the Boko Haram insurgent group.
The doctor was said to be aboard a pick-up van plying one of the routes in Borno State with some suspected Boko Haram insurgents when he was nabbed.
He and other occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled and abandoned the vehicle at a military checkpoint mounted by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) when soldiers accosted them, the Nigerian Tribune gathered.
Military source told Nigerian Tribune that when the military men eventually searched the vehicle, cache of arms and ammunition were found concealed in strategic places in the van.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, continues to receive goodwill messages from Gambians and non-Gambians, congratulating him on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution, as well as thanking him for his generosity and the mammoth developments registered by his government.
The latest to write to the president included The Gambia’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom and its ambassador to Spain, their Excellencies Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding and Lang Yabou respectively.
Below is the full text of their messages.
On the memorable occasion of the nineteenth anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution, please allow me to present on behalf of members of staff of this mission and our compatriots living in the countries we cover, and on my own behalf and family, our warmest congratulations to Your Excellency, the First Family, the Government and people of The Gambia.
At least 200 Gambians currently under detention in Libya are awaiting deportation, the assistant superintendent in charge of Irregular Migration at The Gambia Immigration Department, has disclosed.
Malafi Jammeh made the disclosure recently during a sensitisation training jointly organised at the Basse Area Council by The Gambia Immigration Department, the Ministry of Trade, Integration and Employment and the National Training Authority (NTA).
Jammeh said that the “back-way” syndrome has been existing in the country for many years now, adding that the menace seems to be on the increase. He informed that the government of The Gambia has been doing everything within her power to ensuring that irregular migration becomes a thing of the past.
An accident Monday morning claimed the lives of four members of the same family, after the vehicle they were travelling with plunged into the Barajally River in Central River Region.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle with registration number 3179H was heading to a lumo (local market) in Wassu when the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle, apparently due to a brake failure, and plunged into the river.
The victims are said to be natives of Pateh Sam village in Niamina East district, CRR south. They are Fatou Thin (the eldest), Amie Gaye 17, Jami Gaye 5, and Fatou Sarr, a two-week old baby.
There are mixed reactions over the decision by the Standard Bearer of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Ambassador George Manneh Weah, to contest the Special Election for Senators in 2014.
The CDC is regarded as the leading opposition political party in the country. Ambassador Weah, while speaking in the United States recently, openly declared his intention to contest the Senatorial Seat of Montserrado County next year.
Amb. Weah contested the presidency during the 2005 Presidential and General Elections and won the first round of the election after he accumulated 36.4% of the total votes count. But he was defeated by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in the second round of Presidential Election in that year.
The Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) through its Chairman, Dr. John Mulbah, has warned doctors and nurses across the country to desist from carrying out what he called illegal abortion.
Dr. Mulbah, who described illegal abortion as a “Criminal” offense, further warned medical doctors and nurses involved in such act to discontinue.
He claimed that some doctors or nurses were using what he referred to as their “political connection” to abort pregnancy illegally. But he did not name any doctor or nurse he claimed were using his/her “political connection” to carry on “illegal” abortion in the country.
The LMDC chairman sounded the warning on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at a one-day workshop for media practitioners. The workshop was held at the LMDC’s head offices in Sinkor, Monrovia. He pointed out that the LMDC would penalize any doctor or nurse caught carrying on illegal abortion in the country.
As Muslims in Liberia and around the globe prepare to celebrate the Festival of Fast-breaking today, August 8, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has extended best wishes to all of them.
In a statement issued in Monrovia on Wednesday, August 8, 2013, President Johnson-Sirleaf said: “Ramadan – one of the five pillars of Islam – is, for all Muslims, a time of deep reflection and sacrifice. It is a period of intense spiritual renewal, a time when Muslims reflect upon the good decisions and directions that come with the belief, and upon the duty that all human beings have to each other, and to God.”
African Development Bank and the Belgian Government through the FAO have provided emergency assistance to The Gambia, in response to the 2011/2012 crop failure.
The FAO on Monday handed over livestock subsector relief inputs worth over three million dalasi to the Ministry of Agriculture for onward transmission to the livestock subsector.
The items presented included livestock drugs and vaccines, poultry equipment, day old chicks and poultry feed among others.
The objectives of the support was to mitigate the impact of the food shortages on household food security and help restore the livelihood of vulnerable population that were severely affected by the extreme weather conditions.
The Gambia government through the vice president and chairperson of the National Security Council (NSC) Monday afternoon honoured the outgoing Turkish Military Adviser with Insignia of Member of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG) Award. Col. Yuksel Yigit, whose award was approved by President Jammeh, was decorated at State House in Banjul.
The top Turkish military officer, whose tenure ended after two years in The Gambia, was expected to leave for his native country yesterday where he will take up a new assignment. He is succeeded by Lt. Col. Bayram Ozer, who arrived in the country a few weeks ago.
GAMBIA: (daily observer,07/08/2013)
The Gambian Muslim population Sunday night joined millions of other Muslims around the globe to observe Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) with special and dedicated prayers in mosques and other sacred places.
The day described as the “holiest” of all comes at the tail end of Ramadan, a 30-day period of fasting and intense worshiping. It creates the opportunity for Muslims to increase their rewards, strengthen their connection with God, and seek Allah’s forgiveness and blessings.
Scholars believe that while the Qur'an was revealed during the Night of Power, it is also considered that it is the night in which the first revelations of Islam and the prophethood of Muhammed began. In Arabic, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Qur'an as, “better than a thousand months” (Sura 97:3). It is often a point of debate among Muslim scholars as to when exactly the Night of Power occurs.
A plant has to be tough to survive in the deserts and rocks of northwest Nevada and northeast California.
A ground-hugging rose found in our region is being proposed for protection as a threatened species. The US Fish and Wildlife Service wants 2,011 acres in Nevada's Douglas and Washoe counties and California's Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties identified as critical habitat for Webber's ivesia.
Construction is now expected to start Wednesday on US395 over Bass Hill south of Susanville. The 5.5 mile stretch will run from the intersection of SR36 over Bass Hill to almost Sunnyside in Janesville.
There's encouraging news from Congress regard the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Program (SRS). Both houses have taken steps toward extending the program which expired on September 30, 2012. It means a sizable slice of money for many timber counties, Like Lassen and PLumas. Plumas county stands to receive more than $5 million--to be split evenly between schools and roads. Lassen county's share would be about half that.
The Judge of Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice, Yussif D. Kaba, on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 denied a motion to acquit 8 of the 18 defendants in the ongoing mercenary trial.
The Temple of Justice is situated on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.The Prosecution is represented by the Ministry of Justice while the defendants are represented by their lawyers.
The 18 defendants are currently standing trial on Mercenarism Charge. The defendants have since denied the charge.
On Monday, August 5, 2013, the lawyers representing the defendants filed a motion to acquit 8 of them(defendants). They named the 8 defendants to be acquited asSam Tarley, Ofori Diah, Christophere Lakpayee, Timothy Barley, Philip Moore, Junior Gelor, Emmanuel Pewee and Fred Chelly.
The Government of Liberia (GOL) is yet to make public a report on circumstances and conditions that led to the crashing of the CASA CN-235 aircraft in Charlesville, lower Margibi County.
It can be recalled thaton February 11, 2013, the plane crashed while conveying a high level Guinean military delegation for the 166th Armed Forces Day celebration in Monrovia.
At least 11 persons, including the head of the Guinean Armed Forces, General Souleymane Kelefa Diallo, died in the tragedy.
Few weeks after the incident, an investigative body comprising of members from the Liberian and Guinean Governments, and the manufacturing company of the aircraft, amongst others was established to probe the incident.
Contrary to press statementissued Friday, 2 August by the Deputy Director of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Col. Rose E. Stryker justifying her action for nullification of a US$33,600 bid legitimately won by a local vendor, this paper has obtained copy of a ruling by the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) which described the Deputy Police Chief action as “wrong and illegal”.
The PPCChasoversight responsibility to regulate and monitor all forms of public procurement and concessions practices in Liberia. The PPCC replaced the Contract and Monopolies Commission(CMC) with elaborate mandates of monitoring procuring entities to comply with the Act of 2010 for all public procurement and awarding of concessions in order to ensure economic efficiency, transparency and to promote competition so that Government gets “value for money” in using public funds.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and the National Sports Council (NSC) have jointly condemned the elective congress held by the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) on Saturday. They both declared the results of the election null and void and not binding.
In a press release sent to the Daily Observer, the Ministry and the NSC described the decision to conduct the GNOC elections as a blatant lack of respect for official authority. The release further stated that Saturday’s election is illegal and unacceptable. In this vein, the Ministry and the Sports Council jointly condemned what it called an undignified and insolent act and therefore will not recognise any results of any ‘so-called bogus and sham election’.
The Managing Director of the National Transit Authority (NTA) Mr. Karmo D. Ville has disclosed to the House committee on Ways, Means and Finance that the US$1.5 million that was approved by the Legislature over the fiscal period 2012/2013 for the NTA was not disbursed by the Ministry of Finance.
According to Director Ville, the amount was proposed by the NTA to purchase 30 additional new transport buses at a cost of US$ 50,000 each but up to the end of the 2012/2013 budget year, the NTA has never received a cent out of the million dollars allotted for the entity.
Appearing before the House Ways, Means and Finance Committee yesterday, NTA Director Ville told the lawmakers that NTA has about 45 buses, 41 available and 30 of them have been in active operation for the past three years.
A project core name- “Restore Electricity to Voinjama City” is said to be on course in Voinjama City, Lofa County.
This will be the first time for electricity to be restored to the City of Voinjama since the end of the 14-year- civil war that destroyed the country’s infrastructures.
According to our reporter, the project has already covered all major streets and communities, including the Presidential area.
The project, our reporter disclosed, was jointly initiated by the county’s administration, including the Office of the Superintendent George Dunor and Lofa the County’s Legislative Caucus headed by Senator Sumo Kupee.
The National Oil Company of Liberia(NOCAL), in compliance with its core value of transparency, has released its annual budget for the fiscal year 2013/2014.
According to a press release, the budget, which is a balanced budget,projects inflows from Social Welfare contributions, Hydrocarbon Development Fund, Assets Transfer, Data Agreement, Annual Training and Bid Round Application Fees.
A significant portion of projected outflows, the press release disclosed, is at Manpower Training and Capacity Building, as well as capital Expenditure and Development.
Cairo (CNN) -- Supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy attempted Friday to storm a media compound outside Cairo, burning tires and firing bird shot at security forces who responded by firing tear gas.
The clash came as the new military-backed government called for an end to two massive pro-Morsy sit-ins in Cairo that have drawn tens of thousands of protesters -- primarily Muslim Brotherhood supporters -- since the military ousted Morsy from office.
Egypt's military toppled Morsy, the country's first democratically elected president, on July 3 and quickly rounded up some of his top supporters. Morsy was just over a year into his presidency. He has not been seen publicly since being detained last month.
Morsy supporters have vowed not to end the protests until Morsy is returned to office, and they have been gearing up in recent days for a possible confrontation with the military after the government's warning.
A leading Zimbabwe opposition figure has called for a campaign of "passive resistance" after election results showed President Robert Mugabe's party had won a large majority in parliament.
Roy Bennett, treasurer of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said people should force Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF to "rule by themselves".
The MDC has already said it will not recognise the results, alleging fraud.
It comes as the party holds emergency meetings to discuss the outcome.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission earlier said Zanu-PF had won 137 seats in the 210-seat chamber - just short of two-thirds - with most seats declared.
A former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, is one of the selected Ghanaian women who have been nominated for the prestigious 2013 Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government awards.
Other nominees for the awards, to be held in Ghana in September, include the Head of Corporate Communications, of Global Media Alliance and Head of Department and Lecturer at the African University College of Communications (AUCC), Mrs Rosemond Aryeetey.
The Country Director of Action Aid Ghana, Mrs Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse; an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana, Professor Anna Lartey and the Managing Director of Domod Alluminium Limited, Mrs Cecilia Adwoa Kwofie.
THE Ministry of Power said Friday that it has commenced the review of the Electricity Sector Power Reform Act of 2005 in line with current realities.
Stressing that it is the mandate of the Ministry of Power to formulate policies, the Ministry said the review of the law is now more paramount, especially now that the power sector is at the final stage of privatisation.
In a statement, it noted: “Indeed, the Ministry is already looking ahead to those obvious challenges that would arise post privatisation. The question is for a legislation made in a period when the power sector was wholly Federal Government affairs, should it not be reviewed to address the present realities? For example, 2005 Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR Act) was borne out of the 2003 National Electricity Power Policy (NEPP), which was developed by the Ministry. Why should some individuals be against review that has just begun to gather momentum?
RIVERS State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has said that he desires peace with President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, irrespective of their perceived misunderstanding.
Amaechi said his misunderstanding with the First Lady arose out of his desire to provide a conducive learning environment for the children of Okrika, her hometown.
The governor stated this when clergymen of the Niger Delta Bishops’ Forum visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt Friday as part of their efforts to mediate the political crisis in the state.
Amaechi, who is also Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), however, said he has enormous respect for both President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife.
AHEAD of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election slated for November 16, The Guardian learnt Friday that majority of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants have resisted and disagreed on the consensus arrangement by the national leadership.
Many of them believe it is in favour of former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and presently senator representing Anambra South zone in upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Andy Uba.
Sources within the party leadership revealed that Uba who wielded a lot of influence during Obasanjo’s administration, is highly favoured in the alleged consensus arrangement as means of pacifying Obasanjo and get his support for President Jonathan’s alleged second term ambition in 2015.
Mustapha Kebbeh has been elected the new president of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) for a four-year term at a well attended national elective congress held Wednesday at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
Kebbeh, president of Steve Biko Football Club, polled 30 out of the 51 votes while his frontrunner, Modou Moussa, polled 21 votes. Kebbeh's election brings to end a 15-month normalisation process, which was instituted in March 2012 after the dissolution of the former executive.
Kebbeh was elected alongside seven other executive members to steer the affairs of Gambian football in the coming years. Former Gambian international Buba ‘Star’ Janneh of Bombada was elected as the first vice president with 34 votes against Abou Khan’s 17. Gamtel/Gamcel FC’s Kebba Touray was also elected as the second vice president with 30 votes against Martin Gomez’s 21. Basirou Bajo of Brikama went unopposed for the third vice presidency after his opponent Sadibou Kamasso withdrew his candidature.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Thursday bade two diplomats farewell following the end of their tour of duty in The Gambia.
Cuban ambassador, Ines Fors Fernandez, and Kuwaiti ambassador, Dr. Hamad Burahamah met President Jammeh in separate engagements to seek his blessings as they leave the shores of the country, as well as to reemphasise their commitment to the relations binding their countries and The Gambia.
The first to meet the Gambian leader was Ambassador Ines Fors Fernandez, who told waiting journalists shortly after her audience that her four-year spell in Banjul was a successful one.
A Millennium Development Goal 1c (MDG1C) Initiative Project, financed by the European Union through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) at the tune of Euro 7.6M is poised to improve food security through crop production intensification and school feeding programme, as well as reducing poverty in the selected intervention districts of The Gambia.
The project that was officially incepted Wednesday in the form of a two-day workshop at a local hotel in Cape Point, Bakau, is a European Union support to The Gambia to accelerate progress towards achieving the MDG1c, which is to reduce by half, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.
Hundreds of school going kids yesterday began their long vacation with several sporting activities at the Youth and Sports Ministry as the Ministry formerly launched its inaugural Vacation Sports Program.
The kids will for the next one month be engaged in athletics activities including football, basketball, tennis, track and field and some academic works as they observed the vacation. The Vacation Sports Program according to the Youth and Sports Ministry is intended to have the students engage into meaningful initiatives as they observed this year’s vacation from school.
MONROVIA: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and People of the Swiss Confederation on the auspicious occasion commemorating the 722nd Anniversary of Switzerland’s National Day.
In her message to the President of the Swiss confederation, His Excellency Ueli Maurer, President Johnson Sirleaf extended on behalf of Liberia, heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Swiss Leader as well as the Government and People of the Swiss Confederation as they celebrate that country’s National Day.
MONROVIA: As the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) draws down its peacekeeping forces, the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has announced the deployment of a 140-member riot police to Liberia.
The Chinese Government through its Defense Attache to Liberia, Senior Colonel Zhao Xizhang, made the disclosure Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at the reception for the 86th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Reception for the 86th anniversary of the PLA was held at the Chinese Embassy in Congo Town, outside Monrovia. Sen. Col. Xizhang also disclosed that the troop will arrive in September to join the remaining batch of the peace-keeping mission here.
Pastor in police grips for allegedly sodomizing a 14-year-old boy
Head Pastor of New Jerusalem Fellowship Church at Tema Community 4, Pastor Prince Mark popularly known as Malvin Brown is in the grips of the Tema Regional Police for allegedly sodomizing a 14-year-old boy severally.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Olivia Turkson told Adom News the pastor confessed to forcibly penetrating the boy in the anus once and spilling his semen on the boy.
Police quoted the pastor as saying “it was difficult penetrating his [the boy’s] anus - I did it only once and I spilled my semen on him.”
Residents of railways slum watch helplessly as fire consumes their habitat
Fire has gutted a slum quarters at Railways, near Graphic road in Accra.
The Thursday night fire, which started around 11:00 pm completely razed down dozens of structures.
Joy News' Anny Osabutey, reporting from the scene, said firemen had been struggling to control the blaze.
He said the fire kept spreading quickly because most of the structures were wooden and contain items such as gas cylinders which fueled the blaze.
Expeditions on Mount Everest will be more closely monitored than before from next year, reports the BBC.
Nepalese officials say that for the first time, a government team will be located at the base camp.
They will monitor and help expedition teams, coordinate rescues and protect the environment.
The move follows embarrassing incidents on the slopes of the world's tallest peak, including a fight between sherpas and mountaineers.
"A need for a permanent government mechanism at the Everest base camp... [will] regulate mountaineering activities," Purna Chandra Bhattarai, chief of the tourism industry division that oversees mountaineering, told the BBC
Watching comedy flicks and taking a walk around is Governor Sule Lamido’s perfect way to unwind, writes Shola Oyeyipo
Certainly, the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, is one of the active political players in today’s Nigeria. And this is not far-fetched. With his name featuring in many of the developments in the country, his place is therefore not in dispute. That his name has repeatedly featured as an intending successor to President Goodluck Jonathan, a speculation that is somewhat heating up the polity and putting him on political spotlight, Lamido sure has a lot to contend with.
Onitsha, on Thursday, experienced another horror, as Anambra State police command arrested 11 persons and discovered two fresh human heads, two military AK47 rifles and two magazines in a hotel (name withheld).
Nigerian Tribune gathered that policemen from the Onitsha Area Command, acting on a tip-off, swopped on the hotel located at the bank of the River Niger in the popular Ose-Okwodu market in the early hours of Thursday. After several intelligence gathering concerning the criminal activities in the said hotel, where they arrested 11 suspects, which included male and female accomplice and the owner of the hotel.
THE Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan and National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mr Sylbriks Obriki, has called on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to work towards improving the image of the country by checking influx of immigrants who pose security threats to the nation.
He said the service could achieve the feat by ensuring excellent professional conduct by its officers and men and evolving effective border patrol.
The vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs has described the Republic of Turkey as a genuine partner and ally of The Gambia not only in the area of military cooperation, but also in other sectors as well.
Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking Thursday at State House while bidding farewell to the outgoing Turkish military advisor and welcoming his replacement.
Col. Yuksel Yigit, whose tenure of service has expired, is succeeded by Lt. Col. Bayram Ozer. They were led to State House by the chief of Defence staff of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lt. General Ousman Bargie, alongside the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Thursday afternoon presided over the swearing-in ceremony of The Gambia’s first female chief justice at a ceremony held at State House, Banjul.
Ghanaian-born Justice Mabel Agyemang, who was confirmed Tuesday as chief justice of The Gambia following her brief spell as acting CJ, took oaths of office, administered by the deputy secretary to Cabinet, Mariama Njie.
Agyemang is the second Ghanaian chief justice of The Gambia. Her swearing in ceremony was graced by top government officials including the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency, Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, and scores of Cabinet ministers.
State Prosecutors yesterday filed a new indictment against a former managing director of the Gambia Ports Authority, Abdoulie Tambedou and, Hali Abdoulie Gai, the institution’s former director of finance, at the Banjul Magistrates Court before senior Magistrate Lamin Mbai.
Abdoulie Tambedou and Hali Abdoulie Gai were earlier arraigned before the said court and charged with economic crime, but the case was later transferred to the High Court.
They now face new charges which include two counts of neglect of official duty, and three counts of disobedience of statutory orders.
On count one, the state accused Hali Abdoulie Gai and Abdoulie Tambedou that, in May 2011 being employed in the public service and in their capacities as Acting Managing Director and Director of Finance of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) respectively, by willful negligence and without expressed approval diverted a loan of D150,000,000 secured from the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporations (SSHFC) for the purpose of purchasing new ferries.
After years of trying to negotiate uneven pavement, ruts and chuckholes, Caltrans has hired Hat Creek Construction from Burney to begin paving operations on US395 at Bass Hill beginning next week. Crews will be paving just north of Sunnyside Road in Janesville to a mile south of the intersection of SR36 and US395
The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says a new digital automated claim filing system and improved training for VA employees will start to eliminate a growing backlog of claims by 2015. Eric Shinseki was the keynote speaker at the AMVETS organization's convention in Sparks.
Erratic winds pushed a roadside fire on SR36 in several directions yesterday afternoon, sending motorists heading into or out of Susanville to a detour on Johnstonville road. The alarm for the McDonald's incident came in about 4:50 Wednesday afternoon of the brush fire burning on the north side of the roadway, heading toward the Susan River where some residences and industrial properties were located off Commercial Road.
MONROVIA: Liberian Government through the Special Grand Jurors for the County of Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia has indicted the former Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority(a regulatory authority of the James Spriggs Payne Airport and the Roberts International Airport(RIA) , currently resident in the United States of America, Ellen K. Corkrum and Musa Bility, Chairman of the Board of the Liberia Airport Authority of the City of Monrovia with the crimes Economic Sabotage, Theft of Property, Criminal Conspiracy and Misapplication of Entrusted Property.
MONROVIA: Grand Bassa County Representative, Byron Brown, has asserted that peace cannot be sustained and maintained in the midst of abject poverty in the Liberian society.
According to him, the fragile peace of Liberia cannot be upheld when vast majority of citizens continue to “go to bed hungry.”
He said the peace and stability of Liberia is not properly guaranteed when a single family is “controlling” the oil sector of the nation.
He made these assertions recently in Fendell, outside Monrovia at a conference on peace and reconciliation for traditional leaders across Liberia. Rep. Brown said peace and stability cannot be nurtured when one person is serving in dual positions in the public sector. He said there would be instability when the interest of the citizenry is not protected.
MONROVIA: The Paynesville City Corporation on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 honored its best employee of the month.
Paynesville (sometimes Paynesward) is a suburb east of Monrovia, located in Liberia.
Despite being a suburb, it is geographically larger than the city of Monrovia and is currently expanding eastward along the Robertsfield Highway and northeastward beyond Red Light Market.
Having the population of over 314,000 inhabitants, Paynesville was the location of the Paynesville Omega Transmitter, the highest structure of Africa, until the tower's demolition in 2011.
President Mugabe and his main challenger, Morgan TsvangiraiPresident Mugabe and his main challenger, Morgan TsvangiraiVote counting has begun in Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections.
Turnout was high in a fierce contest between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and PM Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC.
Some polling stations remained open into the evening to allow those already queuing at closing time to cast votes.
Mr Mugabe, 89, has said he will step down after 33 years in power if he and his party lose. Zanu-PF denied MDC claims it doctored the electoral roll.
Members of Uruguay's House of Representatives have passed a bill to legalise marijuana.
If it goes on to be approved by the Senate, Uruguay will become the first country to regulate the production, distribution and sale of marijuana.
The law is backed by the government of President Jose Mujica, which says it will remove profits from drug dealers and divert users from harder drugs.
Under the bill, only the government would be allowed to sell marijuana.
The state would assume "the control and regulation of the importation, exportation, plantation, cultivation, the harvest, the production, the acquisition, the storage, the commercialisation and the distribution of cannabis and its by-products".
Age at first sex - the age at which girls and boys have their first sexual experience - has slumped from between 11 and 14 to 8 years in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem (KEEA) district in the Central Region, a new reproductive health study has revealed.
The study conducted by Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR) in four districts, KEEA and Agona East in the Central Region, as well as Bongo and Builsa districts in the Upper East Region, also found that some of these 8-year olds keep up to five concurrent sexual partners.
In Builsa, female adolescents had two or three concurrent sexual partners, and the fear of disappointment by boys accounted for multiple sexual relationships.
THREE people are now in the police net in Jigawa State in connections with the five dead bodies of children found on a street at Gwaram town, headquarters of Gwaram Local Government Area of the state in the earlier hours of Wednesday.
Report from the state indicated that the five children were under 15 years and from two families. They were seen on the street in the town at around 5.00 a.m. when people in the area came out from the mosque after early morning prayers.
The name of the children were given as Basiru Malam Inusa, 12; Mansur Mallam Inusa,12; Rabi’u Abubakar, 13; Buhari Abubakar, 10 and Bashir Inusa, 11 years respectively.
“As elderly people, who have served this country, whoever we curse will be cursed, whoever we pray for, it shall be so. We don’t want to curse any state governor, but if any of them deserves our curse, we will curse them, I repeat, we will curse them o. If it gets to a frustrating point, and we open our caps and we curse them, they will not overcome the curse,” the National President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr Abel Afolayan, surrounded by over 50 pensioners, declared, on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, on Wednesday, on what the new National Executive Council of the union termed its seven-point agenda and programme for the next four years, Dr Afolayan, flanked by other pensioners also demanded for a minimum pension and welfare package for the pensioners.
A woman and her three other accomplices have been arrested by the Plateau State Police Command for selling her eight months old grandchild for paltry sum of N200, 000 in Jos, Plateau State.
Briefing newsmen in Jos, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Olakpe, said the principal suspect, Mrs Kate Anwacha, cunningly sent her daughter, Blessing Godspower, on errand and thereafter, sold her baby to one Chiamaka Obinna, a waiting buyer at the sum of N200, 000.
The president of the Republic of Togo, His Excellency, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe has written to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, acknowledging his letter of felicitations addressed to him on the occasion of his country’s 53rd Independence anniversary. In his letter President Gnassingbe assured of his commitment to work to consolidating the relations between two nations.
The vice president and minister of Women Affairs has spoken about the enormous importance of exclusive breastfeeding, saying the practice can boost mothers’ immune system. She also noted that the practice further saves the mother the money, energy and time, delays new pregnancy and protect her from breast and ovarian cancers.
Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking Wednesday morning at State House while delivering a statement as part of the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week which centered on the theme; “Breastfeeding support; close to mother support”.
The vice president said many mothers find that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is simple provided that the enabling environment and support needed is provided.
The recently-released report of the High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda will be launched in Addis Ababa on 5 August 2013 by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The report, “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development,” sets out a universal agenda to eradicate extreme poverty from the face of the earth by 2030, and deliver on the promise of sustainable development.
The report calls upon the world to rally around a new Global Partnership that offers hope and a role to every person in the world.
The Panel was established by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-¬moon and co-chaired by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron.
The Lassen Grizzlies had a grueling 7 game road schedule last year and were only able to entertain the home crowd 4 times all season. This year the schedule is opposite. Lassen will enjoy a 6 game home schedule with only 4 regular season games on the road. Lassen ended up 4 and 7 overall with a 3 and 2 league record. A tough 1 point loss in the playoffs against West Valley ended the 2012 run.
Here is a rundown of this years schedule-
August 30th Galena Grizzlies at Lassen. Last year, Galena smashed Lassen in Reno 41 to 7. I for one under estimated this Reno team. They were fired up and ready to play before their home crowd. This year they are coming to Lassen and it should be a different story.
The man suspected of killing his wife and two daughters near Shingletown earlier this spring has been added to the U.S. Marshals Services list of most wanted fugitives. The federal government announced that it added 45 year-old Shane Franklin Miller on that list.
The Susanville American Legion baseball team traveled to Fairfield, California to play in the Area One tournament. The Renegades played with only ten players but managed to win two games, and lose two. They finished in a third place tie with the host team, the Fairfield Expos, in the eight team format.
In the opener, the Renegades beat Humbolt 12-2. Ryan Sharpe went three scoreless innings and Izak Davenport pitched two innings of relief in a game shortened by the mercy rule. Hunter Morris led the offense with three hits and three runs batted in. Daniel Perry, Ryan Sharpe and Travis Fuller each had two hits.
MONROVIA: President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf says that unless early childhood education is prioritized, efforts to transform the nation’s educational system will be futile.
Delivering the keynote address at the Graduation Program of the Pre-Service “C” Certificate Teachers’ Training Program of the Kakata Rural Teaching Training Institute (KRTTI) on Saturday, June 29, President Sirleaf highlighted steps already undertaken through the Ministry of Education in enhancing this process, including an increase in the number of public schools catering to early childhood education, as well as formulating a policy that will address the total well-being and development of the child. “While these measures are being taken,” the Liberian leader said, “it is equally the responsibility of parents and the community to join hands with government in making early childhood development a success.”
MONROVIA: The Kparblee District Association (KDA) Chapter in the United States of America (USA) through its National President has decried the poor condition of roads and a major bridge in the Kparblee Administrative District. Kparblee District is situated in Nimba County.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, July 24, 2013, following a tour of the district, Cllr. Gabriel S. Wehjla, said local residents are living in abject poverty due to the bad road and bridge condition.
Cllr. Wehjla said the district has been totally forgotten in both the local and national development drives of the country.
He said the Kparblee District, which has 10 major towns, has been totally cut off from other districts as a result of the damaged Kwi River Bridge. The Kwi River Bridge borders Tappita and Zodru in Nimba County.
MONROVIA: The Liberia National Cultural Union (LNCU) through its President has threatened to stage a protest if the Government of Liberia (GoL) through Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) continue to pay less attention to the group.
Speaking at a one-day Independence Day peace and reconciliation cultural jamboree on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Providence Island in Monrovia, Mr. Kekura Kamara said the Union has for over five decades contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country, but has been forgotten by the current government.
A section of the Botanga Irrigation Dam in the Northern Region. INSET: One of the channels of the Botanga dam.A section of the Botanga Irrigation Dam in the Northern Region. INSET: One of the channels of the Botanga dam.The Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) is to build low technology irrigation infrastructure in lowland areas in the three northern regions to harvest and manage rainwater for rice cultivation.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIDA, Dr Ben Nyamadi, this is to promote the cultivation of rice by guaranteeing the availability of water and reducing drastically the overreliance on rainfall
The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere, has said the ministry, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is intensifying efforts to address the issue of child labour, especially those in commercial sex exploitation.
He said the underlying basis for child labour in the country was poverty, adding that the ministry was committed to helping solve the issue of child labour, as well as reduce poverty in the country with the implementation of social intervention programmes, such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP).
The Chief Justice, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood, has called on the government to put in place the necessary structures and systems that will make Ghana an arbitration centre and an attractive destination for disputants.
She argued that, with Ghana having endeared herself to the international community as a democratic, peaceful, stable and fast-growing economy of middle income status and the gateway to Africa, it now behoves the country to venture into the arena of an arbitration centre.
The Chief Justice made this statement when she addressed the closing of a training programme on arbitration in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the Marian Conflict Resolution Centre (MCRC) at the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG), Fiapre, in the Sunyani West District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Julian Assange, founder of the anti-secrecy organisation Wikileaks, has said the conviction of US Army
Private Bradley Manning on spying charges is a "dangerous precedent". Pte Manning, 25, had admitted leaking thousands of classified documents to Wikileaks but said he did so to spark a debate on US foreign policy.
The leak is considered the largest ever of secret US government files. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 136 years. Pte Manning was convicted on Tuesday of 20 charges in total, including theft and computer fraud but was found not guilty on the most serious charge of aiding the enemy. In addition to multiple espionage counts, he was also found guilty of five theft charges, two computer fraud charges and multiple military infractions. His sentencing hearing is set to begin on Wednesday.
U.S. spy agencies plan to release newly declassified documents as early as this week about the National Security Agency surveillance programs revealed by former contractor Edward Snowden, and also material related to a secret intelligence court, a U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday.
The declassified documents were intended to provide the public more information about the programs as part of a commitment by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper for greater transparency, the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The documents would also include information about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the official said.
President Robert Mugabe Zimbabweans go to the polls on Wednesday in a fiercely contested election pitting President
Robert Mugabe against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has vowed to push Africa's oldest leader into retirement after 33 years in power.
With no reliable opinion polls, it is hard to say whether the 61-year-old Tsvangirai will succeed in his third attempt to unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe, who has run the southern African nation since independence from Britain in 1980, reports Reuters.
Both sides are forecasting landslide wins but, in a country with a history of election violence, the bigger question is whether the loser will accept the result of a poll dogged by logistical problems and allegations of vote-rigging.
The director general of the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) has hailed the government of The Gambia for its decision to revamp the legal and institutional framework for food safety and quality in the country by establishing the FSQA.
Dr. Kebba Daffeh was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer Monday at his office at the headquarters of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNa). He said such a move places The Gambia in a clear vantage position to put in place a more effective and efficient modern national food control system. This, according to him, is expected to substantially impact on the national economy by enhancing agri-food trade and access to lucrative export markets.
The fanfare in the form of singing and dancing that characterises the ongoing ‘Wanterr’ – fall in the prices of goods – in markets has been denounced by the president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) who stressed the need for the Holy Month of Ramadan to be respected.
Imam Momodou Lamin Touray was speaking Tuesday in an exclusive interview with this reporter at his office along the MDI road in Kanifing.
His comments came in the wake of the launch of ‘Wanterr’ in Gambian markets in anticipation of the Muslim feast of Eid-I-Fitr (Koriteh) that is just a week away.
Officials of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, headed by the minister, recently visited the Central River Region (CRR) settlement of Kuntaur where they assessed and repaired the community’s major health centre, which was damaged by a recent windstorm.
A windstorm that recently struck the community damaged the staff quarters and part of the perimeter fence of its major health centre. It also claimed the life of a health labourer called Daraman.
A coalition of meat producers in North American countries is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the mandatory "country of origin" labeling law from taking effect in November. In a suit filed on July 8, the groups said the revised rule unveiled this spring violates the U.S. Constitution by "compelling" speech in the form of detailed labels on meat products and that it exceeds the scope of the statutory mandate by being arbitrary and capricious.
RENO, Nev.A fielding error by Tacoma Rainiers first baseman Jesus Montero with one out in the ninth allowed Chris Owings to score the winning run in a 7-6 walk-off Aces victory Monday afternoon in the series finale.
Reno held a 6-4 lead going into the ninth, when reliever Kevin Munson loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a single. Munson allowed a sacrifice fly before being replaced by lefty Eury De La Rosa. Carlos Triunfel crossed the plate on a force out to tie the score at six. De La Rosa issued a walk to Ty Kelly before Franklin Gutierrez lined out to end the threat.
A judge in Quincy has ruled that CalFire didn't present enough evidence that Sierra Pacific Industries was responsible for the Moonlight Fire in 2007. The court dismissed the lawsuit that was seeking damages.
MONROVIA: Internal Affairs Minister Morris M. Dukuly says the reform agenda of Liberian culture and traditions is not intended to abolish any tradition of the country.
He says the Ministry’s agenda is to reform and modernize cultural and traditional practices to conform to contemporary realities. According to a Ministry of Internal Affairs release, Minister Dukuly assures commitment to working with all traditional leaders including; Chiefs, Zoes, Elders and Tribal Governors throughout the length and breadth of the country to achieve the reform agenda of the Ministry
MONROVIA: Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, George Manneh Weah, has asserted that “political will” is needed to sustain and maintain peace and stability in the Liberian society. Amb. Weah said the sustenance of peace in Liberia must be made a “national priority.”
He said a “national drive” must be made towards the equitable distribution of the country’s wealth and resources. His comments were contained in his July 26, 2013 speech released from his Florida’s home in the United States of America.
Amb. Weah called for “equal opportunity and increased participation in the decision making process” of the country by Liberians in order to maintain peace and stability in the country.
MONROVIA: The Former Director of Public Information and Outreach of the National Elections Commission(NEC) has attributed the dismal performance of government information management to the misplacement of key actors responsible to do the job.
According to Atty. Bobby W. Livingstone, the main drivers of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s information and public affairs programs do not have the requisite technical expertise and educational background to effectively and efficiently gather, package, process and disseminate consumable information for the various publics of the Liberian citizenry.
 Johannesburg - Former president Nelson Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital in Pretoria and continues to show improvement, the presidency said on Tuesday.
"President Jacob Zuma has urged the public to continue praying for Madiba and he thanks those who partake in community work to take forward the good work of Madiba," said Zuma's spokesperson Mac Maharaj.
Mandela has been in the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital since 8 June, when he was admitted with a recurring lung infection. He spent his 95th birthday there on 18 July.
[Dr Oluwatoyinbo] Dr Foluke Oluwatoyinbo is the Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture (FCA), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, and chairperson, the Association of Colleges of Agriculture and Allied Institutions in Nigeria. She, among other issues, laments the exclusion of the colleges from TetFund list; advocates agriculture as a tool for national economic development and expresses optimism about abundant food production in the country.
Colleges of agriculture and allied institutions are now excluded from the list of TetFund. How does this affect research, teaching and other activities that you are mandated to carry out as an institution?
It is affecting us seriously. In fact, it is a big blow on the effectiveness of our job in this college. Actually, we enjoyed a little benefit from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) project while it lasted. What we were given as of that time was nothing to write home about compared to what other institutions were having from the fund. But even then, it was going a long way in helping our development and progress, in helping the effectiveness of our training and the quality of our product. But sometime, the Act was amended and the name was changed. I think that also led to the restructuring of the form and it also led to the definition that should benefit (tertiary institutions) and somehow erroneously, tertiary institutions were designed to exclude colleges of agriculture and that was a big error. So, we are not given anything at all. If you go to any college of agriculture anywhere in the country that has ever enjoyed something for each year, you will see the tremendous impact that even the little we were given then was able to make. You will see a lot of buildings labelled ETF different years, equipment, computers, even vehicles, and you will wonder if these colleges have any other source of funding. I know we have other sources, but ETF really did much in our development and effectiveness.
[Aregbesola and Olasunkanmi] The stage is gradually being set for a titanic battle for the soul of Osun State in 2014, as political gladiators across party lines are dusting their arsenals, preparatory to the governorship polls. To the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, no effort will be spared to wrest power from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-controlled administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Pundits believe that for the opposition to really alter the political equation in the state, dubbed “Ipinle Omoluabi”, they need to work extraordinarily hard in convincing the electorate to pitch their tent with PDP in the coming election. Though election may appear to be far away, but there are pointers already that a keen contest could be in the offing. The ACN members are exuding confidence of emerging victorious in the pending poll, taking into consideration what they described as the sterling performances of the state governor and his cabinet.
Chief Kunle Sanda is a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State. In this interview with LAOLU AFOLABI, he speaks on the fortunes of the party, forthcoming local government election, and sundry issues.
AS a chieftain of the ACN in Oyo State, what can you say the party has been able to achieve in the last two years?
We have to thank God for giving us a very active governor. As one of the leaders who stood firmly with him to see that he emerged, I owe the Almighty God a lot of thanks. I am very happy today. I know he has a lot of experience, because he has travelled far and wide and for that reason, I know he must have seen many things and thought of ensuring he brings the best to this part of the country. The last we saw of this kind of government was during the time of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and partly, Alhaji Lam Adesina, because those who know what they’re coming to do in government will achieve better.
The public relations officer of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) has lamented the sustained increase in automobile accidents on Gambian roads, stressing the need for traffic regulations to be respected with a view to averting calamities. ASP David Kujabi was speaking to the Daily Observer Monday afternoon.
His comments came in the wake of Saturday’s fatal accident in the village of Taneneh in Kombo East that claimed the lives of five people, all of them family members from the village of Kiang Nema in the Lower River Region.
The public relations officer of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) has lamented the sustained increase in automobile accidents on Gambian roads, stressing the need for traffic regulations to be respected with a view to averting calamities. ASP David Kujabi was speaking to the Daily Observer Monday afternoon.
His comments came in the wake of Saturday’s fatal accident in the village of Taneneh in Kombo East that claimed the lives of five people, all of them family members from the village of Kiang Nema in the Lower River Region.
The Gambia International Airlines (GIA) has explained the rationale behind the increase of its 2013 Hajj package, which jumped from D136, 500 in 2012 to D169, 000, this year.
In an interview with the Daily Observer Monday, the public relations officer of the GIA, Baboucarr Fatty, said the increment is as a result of foreign exchange volatility and the global economic problems that propelled global inflation.
He explained that the new package is inclusive of air transportation to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hotel reservation and accommodations in the cities of Mecca and Medina, three square meals amongst others.
Recent remarks by the leader of the opposition National Reconciliation Party (NRP) about the development strides of the Jammeh Administration over the past 19 years has been applauded by a prominent militant of the Ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).
It would be recalled that in the run up to the 19th Anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution, Hamat Bah in his most recent interview with The Point newspaper, acknowledged that the APRC has achieved ‘some progress’ since it came to powe
A Frederic Remington painting depicting U.S. Cavalry soldiers has fetched $5.6 million, and a Norman Rockwell painting featuring a Boy Scout and two American presidents drew $4.2 million at auction in Reno over the weekend. The annual Coeur d'Alene Art Auction had some 600 registered bidders taking part in what's billed as the world's largest Western art sale.
Japanese-American groups are protesting plans to build a fence around the Tulelake airport in Modoc County that would cut through the site of a World War II internment camp. A petition from the San Francisco-based Tulelake Committee claims the proposed fence would desecrate the physical and spiritual aspects of the camp.
CALTRANS AND CHP RESOURCES HAVE CLEARED HIGHWAY 36 AND TRAFFIC IS MOVING NORMALLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
A head-on collision left one person dead and another had to be extricated from the collision that was dispatched this morning at 11:41 a.m. The survivor was Life flighted to Enloe Hospital in Chico.
MONROVIA: Liberia’s Finance Minister, Amara Konneh, has declared that tribal and religious differences are seriously hindering Liberia’s progress, warning that this situation could be further compounded by an emerging class struggle bordering on wealth and opportunity acquisition.
Addressing hundreds of Liberians in the United States of America when he served as Independence Day Orator, Minister Konneh pointed out that ethnic discrimination as witnessed during the country’s war years leads to death thus it should be stopped to pave way for sustained unity, peace and development.
MONROVIA: Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, George Manneh Weah, has asserted that “political will” is needed to sustain and maintain peace and stability in the Liberian society. Amb. Weah said the sustenance of peace in Liberia must be made a “national priority.”
He said a “national drive” must be made towards the equitable distribution of the country’s wealth and resources. His comments were contained in his July 26, 2013 speech released from his Florida’s home in the United States of America.
Amb. Weah called for “equal opportunity and increased participation in the decision making process” of the country by Liberians in order to maintain peace and stability in the country.
BOMI COUNTY: As part of Liberia’s 166th Independence Anniversary, the Government of Liberia (GoL) on Thursday, July 24, 2013 dedicated two new re-enforced concrete bridges (RECB) in Bomi County.
The two new bridges were dedicated by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Acting Public Works Minister, Mr. Victor B. Smith in Clay and Guie Towns respectively.
Speaking to journalists following the dedicatory ceremonies, Min. Smith disclosed that the two bridges cost US$1M, meaning, it cost US$500,000 each. According to him, the bridges were constructed on a public/private partnership initiative
Fire gutted a warehouse at the Winneba Main Market last Thursday evening, destroying items worth hundreds of thousands of Ghana cedis.
The 40-foot container was a cold store 10 years ago but has now been converted into a warehouse. The affected traders who had no place to keep their items kept them in part of the warehouse for a fee, while part of it had deep freezers.
According to information received, there was lights out in the entire Winneba town around 12:30 p.m. but when the lights came back around 6:30 p.m., there were intermittent power outages which may have caused the fire around 7:30 p.m.
Items destroyed by the fire included cosmetics, children’s wear, foot wear, cooking oil, food items and plastic plates, among others.
However, officials of the Fire Service responded timely and in about 45 minutes were able to bring the fire under control.
The Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, has explained that students were consulted before the introduction of the GH¢100 levy to be paid from the 2013-2014 academic year.
During the consultation, he said, some students supported it, while others were against it, and a majority of them were indifferent to the fee which was being charged to enable the university to raise funds to complete three building projects.
The projects are the Faculty of Arts, School of Performing Arts and the School of Allied Sciences.
Addressing the press in Accra on Wednesday on a wide range of development issues in the university, Prof. Aryeetey said the university had been obliged to, as a result of its growing needs and the need to finance its projects, ask its students for help.
A housing programme initiated by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in conjunction with the Department of Rural Housing and Cottage Industries for cocoa farmers in cocoa growing areas of the country is crumbling.
This is due to the astronomical increase in the cost of the buildings, which is way beyond the reach of many farmers.
Since the project started in 2001, not more than 40 buildings have been constructed because farmers could not afford the cost.
A three-bedroom building that cost GH¢15,000 on inception in 2001 is now GH¢60,000.
Many farmers have complained about the high cost of the building and are shying away.
.jpg) The closed door meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last week, had no undertone other than an expression of a desire by the president to keep the hope of his second term in office alive. IDOWU SAMUEL writes on other issues revolving round the two leaders’ parley.
IN the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a trusted three-man think-tank comprising a minister, a close aide and personal friend of President Goodluck Jonathan is in place. Its special task is to save the president the antics of grovellers, praise singers, political jobbers and aides who are adept in taking advantage of their closeness to power to make personal gains, even at the expense of the president. The group is to read the barometers of national politics and tell the president the truth about the general situation of things.
[Okagbare] Nigeria’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara (MON), has advised top sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, to be more organised and design a structured programme with her coach.
Okagbare had on June 30 won the Birmingham Diamond League in the 200m in 22.55 seconds where she dumped Jamaican and two-time Olympic 100-metres champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, while she also on July 5 and won the long jump event at IAAF Diamond League in Lausanne with 6.98metres as well as the IAAF Diamond League in Monaco with a personal best of 7.04m last Saturday.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medallist is also among 16 athletes listed for the 11th meeting of the IAAF Diamond League in London, the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games scheduled to end today ahead of next month’s 14th IAAF World Championship in Russia.
MAJORITY Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, was blindfolded by the police on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport Friday, before being taken to the Police Command for interrogation.
The Guardian gathered that Lloyd, who had on Tuesday July 23 reported to Police Headquarters in Abuja following an earlier invitation by the police, was flown back to Port Harcourt yesterday morning amidst tight security.
On arrival, the police immediately blindfolded him and whisked him away to the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt for further interrogation.
Counsel to Lloyd, Emenike Ebete told The Guardian that he had anticipated that the Police would arraign Lloyd in court to enable him apply for his bail but after several hours of delay, the police legal team failed to take him to court.
He accused the police of deliberating frustrating Lloyd’s legal team effort to secure his release.
The first ever radio station established by the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, as part of its renewed commitment to the propagation of Islam through broadcasting, Thursday hit the country’s airwaves after it was commissioned by the vice president and minister of the Women’s Affairs.
Stationed at the Council’s headquarters along the MDI Road in Kanifing, the Al-Fallah Radio, which can be tuned at a Frequency Modulation (FM) of 107.2, is sponsored at a tune of D585, 000 by one Sheikh Abdul Karim Qashami through an organisation called the Charitable Establishment of Islamic Development based in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The possibility of the establishment of the radio station was also facilitated by President Jammeh.
Without properly utilised instruments of due process, institutions exist merely by name. Separating business and private matters in relation to resources is crucial to maintaining standard of excellence in successful upkeep for best practice required by institution building and organisational development.
Public institutions of Gambia, organisations in contrast to private ventures are the focus of this featured series regarding conformity to standards while serving stakeholder interest with best shared values observed.
Office of the President
Highest public office in Gambia is the presidency. Office holder of this most responsible position is answerable to the citizenry and subject to public scrutiny by all account while serving a term according to constitutional provisions.
The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) will stage another extraordinary annual general assembly meeting on July 27 as part of a roadmap recommended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The IOC has asked the GNOC to call its members to determine which among them is eligible to vote.
In a letter dated June 14 and sent to the President and Secretary General of the GNOC, Momodou Dibba and Peter Prom respectively, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed they have no objection in principle if the GNOC agrees to convene a new Extraordinary General Assembly to review again the membership and voting rights of the few federations/associations in question, provided however that the following conditions are met:
A-three year old girl, Mama Kpaka who got missing on July 3, 2013 has been found dead in a creek close to the Kuwait Market in Duala, Bushrod Island. According to family sources Mama got missing on July third but was discovered dead on July 9 by a girl who went to defecate near the creek.
The Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Currency, Judiciary, Claims and Petition has expressed more concern about the operation of the Central Bank of Liberia especially its disbursement of US$22.5 million micro loan scheme given out to the private sector.
Yesterday the committee invited financial experts from both the public and private sectors to provide information on the functions of the CBL in accordance with its Act and the organic law of the country.
At the public hearing held in the chambers of the Senate, former Finance Minister Prof. Wilson Tarpeh explained that all around the world, Central Banks are independent and the regulations are set by the lawmakers of that country. In Liberia, Prof. Tarpeh said some of the CBL objectives are to collect deposits for government, guide against inflation and to safe-guide national currency value among others
Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Elijah F. Sieh, says Liberia's 166th Independence Day will be celebrated on the theme “Consolidate Peace and Reconciliation for Transformation. According to Mr. Sieh, on Friday, July 19, 2013 there will be an investiture ceremony at 4:00 P.M. in C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Sieh further disclosed that 36 persons will be honored during the occasion and out of the 36, 29 persons will be honored in Montserrado County while the rest will receive their flowers on July 26 in Tubmanburg, Bomi County.
Madison Cole, a high-rising local talent swept the competition at Thursday night's County Showdown at the Lassen County Fair. The judges decision was unanimous. Deb Sokol, Chris Gallagher, Jason Wheeler, "Rhino" and Katie Anderson all named the Standish Teenager after her second offering of the night. The Standish phenom will receive $500 and will move to the state competition at Knott's Berry Farm in September.
Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell was introduced to the statewide One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire interagency campaign during a recent visit to the Sacramento State Fairs Camp Smokey.
Beth Brady, fire prevention officer from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, briefed the Chief about the One Less Spark background and its message to the public about fires that start from vehicles and equipment.
Joanna McElrath and Robin Glen James are accused of plotting and carrying out the murder of James McElrath, a Susanville Police Officer nearly 18 months ago. This morning, visiting judge John T. Ball announced the defendants will stand trial in Marysville, Yuba County. That's if their attorneys don't object when all sides visit the facilities in August.
Ball is a retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge assigned to the case since the preliminary hearing for the two. He'll be on the bench for the entire trial that is expected to start in October.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has waded into ongoing arguments by some people who are calling on the government to increase the age for which a person may legally enter into marriage, from the present 18 years to 23 years.
A statement issued on behalf of the ministry by Matilda Tettey of the Communications and Media Unit indicated that 23 years may not be desirable because it could not guarantee that at that age, a person would be fully prepared for marriage as argued.
It said at the international level, there were several Declarations and Covenants at both the global and regional levels that dealt with the issue of marriage. The Convention directly addressing the issue of marriage is the Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age and Registration of Marriages 1964, which obliges States to stipulate the minimum age for marriage.
The Kenyan government Thursday accused former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of failing to return six government vehicles in his possession almost four months after leaving office.
Through the spokesman Muthui Kariuki, the government also accused the former premier of putting a siren on one of the cars and using it to manoeuvre through traffic in the city.
“He is forever mourning that the government is not giving him recognition, yet he has refused to return six government vehicles and has gone on and bought an illegal siren and is forever driving all over town using the wrong lanes,” the spokesman said yesterday.
.jpg) President Goodluck JonathanPresident Goodluck JonathanABUJA — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, gave a firm commitment that he would take decisive action to curb political excesses ahead of the 2015 general elections.
He gave the commitment when a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by its president, Mr. Okey Wali, visited him and raised concern on a number of challenges facing the country.
According to President Jonathan, the rising political tension in the country is uncalled for and disturbing, and urged those in elected position to concentrate on governance.
President Jonathan said: “The political tension in the country is mainly built around the 2015 elections which should not be the case. It is quite disturbing. The year 2015 is still far off. I expect politicians to focus on the business of governance.
Prince Harry has said one of his duties as an uncle to his new nephew Prince George is "to make sure he has fun".
Harry said that he had already cuddled the prince, who was born on Monday, and has been named George Alexander Louis - Prince George of Cambridge, reports the BBc.
Pope Francis has visited Copacabana beach, in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, to hold the greeting ceremony for World Youth Day.
After arriving by helicopter, the pope drove along the 4km of the beach, stopping many times to greet the crowd.
An estimated 1m pilgrims attended the event, following a papal visit to a shanty town, or favela.
Meanwhile, bad weather has forced this weekend's events to be moved from a drenched farm on the outskirts of Rio.
A site set up at a farm on the western outskirts of the city for Saturday's vigil and Sunday's service, where up to 2m people are expected, was covered with mud and puddles after two days of relentless rain.
King Juan Carlos has said all Spanish people feel the pain of the families of the 80 people killed in a high-speed train crash in north-western Spain.
The king was speaking on a visit to the dozens of hospitalised survivors in Santiago de Compostela, near to where the train derailed on Wednesday night, reports the BBC.
PM Mariano Rajoy, who hails from the city of the crash, declared three days of official mourning on Thursday.
One of the train drivers is under formal investigation, officials say.
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lamin AMS Jobarteh, alongside former solicitor general and legal secretary Pa Harry Jammeh yesterday re-appeared before Justice M. Abdoulah of the High Court in Banjul.
Jobarteh and Jammeh were earlier arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, under a 10-count charge which included conspiracy to defeat justice, abuse of office, official corruption, destroying evidence, and neglect of official duty.
When the case was called, the state counsel, Adeyemi, announced her representation for the state, while the 1st accused was being represented by Lawyer L.S. Camara, and the 2nd accused was represented Lawyer E. Jah.
The state counsel then informed the court that the matter was for mention, as the case was coming for the first time.
She said they needed time to advise themselves, and applied for an adjournment.
As part of activities marking the nineteen anniversary of the 22nd July Revolution, the Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, on Tuesday presided over the official launching and laying of the foundation stone for an ultra-modern cargo complex at the Banjul International Airport.
Coming under the Trade Facilitation Project, the US$3, 115, 400 project seeks to, among others, facilitate trade and increase national participation in international trade.
The funding of the project was obtained from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) project that gave US$2, 494, 200, while the Gambia government contributed US$621, 200.
Former coordinator of the Gambia Emergence Agriculture Production Project,(GEAPP), Sheikh Tijan Sosseh, yesterday applied for bail at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea.
Sosseh, who until his indictment was the project coordinator of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), is yet to make his plea on a three-count charge, including economic crime and neglect of official duties.
The bill of indictment filed against him stated in count one that Sheikh Tijan Sosseh, while employed as the project coordinator of GEAPP, failed and or omitted to fully apply the €5.3 million agricultural grants from the European Union through the World Bank, and thereby caused the return to the World Bank of the sum of $67,489.20, which omission was detrimental to the Gambian economy and the welfare of the people of The Gambia.
A former Modoc County Supervisor who was forced to resign after his arrest on criminal charges is seeking the recall of Supervisor Jim Wills. Ray Anklin claims that wills, who took office in January, "has acted in a personal capacity in a manner concerning Modoc County, which is a gross misuse of Supervisor Wills' political office".
Susanville's Mountain Life Flight EMS Helicopter Service issued a press release following the announcement that a former pilot had been arrested on federal charges. Here's that document in its entirety:
There's more information coming out about the former Mountain Life helicopter who is facing federal charges. According to the FAA, that agency does not NORMALLY conduct criminal background checks on most applicants. But their names are run through the national driver registry to see if they have any drug or alcohol-related arrests.
That's the protocol that Mountain Life Flight management followed when they hired Tom Cuni --actually John Michael Dial in July, 2011. Chief Pilot Gavin Duncan told us that Cuni had presented a resume showing extensive experience in flying for several EMS and other companies nationwide, and during the course of his employment, he proved to be a competent pilot.
The USAID Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development (EHELD) Project team is gearing up for the official commencement of the 2013 Summer Programs across Liberia.
Four hundred and eighty students will benefit from the Fast Start program which runs from July 15-26, 2013 at the following camp locations: Dolokolen Gboveh High School, Gbarnga, Bong County; Voinjamin Multilateral High School, Voinjama, Lofa County; John W.Pearson High School, Ganta, Nimba County; St. Joseph Catholic High School, LAC, Grand Bassa County; Zwerdu Multilateral High School, Zwerdu, Grand Gedeh County; and C.H. Dewey High School, Tubmanburg, Bomi County.
Lack of adequate budgetary support may lead the nation's number one radio station, Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) to immediately go off the air for time indefinite.
LBS Director General, Mr. Ambrose Nmah at the expenditure component of the 2013/2014 budget hearing yesterday held in the William R. Tolbert joint chambers told the committee on Ways, Means and Finance that if nothing is done to improve the budget under the LBS project, fuel supply to the substation will be cut off and the stations will shut down.
Under the rural broadcasting project, Mr. Nmah said a new division was established by the Executive and staff were also appointed and recruited; compensations of those staff are budgeted over a period of one year (contractual) under the project.
The Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has called on the Liberian populace to respect the independence of the bank. The CBL Board in a statement issued in Monrovia yesterday resolved that it unconditionally confirm, affirm and reaffirm their implicit confidence and satisfaction in the ability of the CBL's Executive Governor, Dr. Joseph Mills Jones to ably steer the affairs of the CBL.
The Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) confirmed that all policies, decisions and instructions issued to date and duly executed by the Management of the Central Bank of Liberia, including the work with microfinance institutions, are valid and legal in keeping with the CBL Act of 1999.
MONROVIA: A Commissioner at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. J. Augustine Toe, has said many Liberian leaders have consciously displayed a callous disregard for the welfare of young people of the country.
Cllr. Toe noted that instead of showing concern about the welfare of young people, who are the future of the country and its people, they (leaders) have engaged in acts inimical to their (young people) survival.
The LACC Commissioner made these comments on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the graduation exercises of the Jimmy Jolocon High School in the Township of Gardnersville, outside Monrovia.
According to him, leaders of Liberia have failed to undertake programs to adequately address the rising wave of juvenile delinquency, child labor, prostitution, and drug addiction, among others.
MONROVIA: The Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Offices of the Vice President, on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 dedicated a cassava project in Daniel Town, Garwula District, Grand Cape Mount County.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Commerce Minister, Mr. Axel M. Addy, said the initiative is a means of empowering young people to be self-empowered. He said whatsoever cassava product that will be produced in the town will be processed in the center.
He challenged residents of the Daniel Town Community to make proper use of the project for the betterment of the community.
According to Minister Addy, when Communities take care of government orientated projects, the entire country stands to benefit.
MONROVIA: The Kparblee District Association (KDA) Chapter in the United States of America (USA) through its National President has decried the poor condition of roads and a major bridge in the Kparblee Administrative District. Kparblee District is situated in Nimba County.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, July 24, 2013, following a tour of the district, Cllr. Gabriel S. Wehjla, said local residents are living in abject poverty due to the bad road and bridge condition.
Cllr. Wehjla said the district has been totally forgotten in both the local and national development drives of the country.
He said the Kparblee District, which has 10 major towns, has been totally cut off from other districts as a result of the damaged Kwi River Bridge. The Kwi River Bridge borders Tappita and Zodru in Nimba County.
The Sole Commissioner of the Commission on Judgement Debts, Mr Justice Yaw Apau, has identified the lack of coordination between the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General’s Department as accounting for the state losing huge sums of money to litigants.
He said the state could avoid the needless judgement debts it paid to individuals and organisations if persons who were supposed to defend the state against such payments were up to their responsibilities.
Mr Justice Apau made this observation at the commission’s sitting yesterday when an accredited representative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Anthony K. Kokoroko, testified in respect of the wrongful dismissal of Lance Corporal Baba Bukari from the Ghana Police Service.
A train has derailed in north-western Spain, killing at least 60 people and injuring many more, officials in the Galicia region have said.
All 13 carriages of the train, which was travelling from Madrid to Ferrol, came off the tracks near the city of Santiago de Compostela.
Images from the scene showed bodies strewn near ruined carriages, and emergency crews searching the wreckage.
Analysts say it is the worst rail accident in Spain in four decades.
Leader of the regional government Alberto Nunez Feijoo confirmed the death toll but told radio Cadena Ser that it was too early to say what caused the accident.
"There are bodies lying on the railway track. It's a Dante-esque scene," he said in comments translated by the AFP news agency.
A train has derailed in north-western Spain, killing at least 60 people and injuring many more, officials in the Galicia region have said.
All 13 carriages of the train, which was travelling from Madrid to Ferrol, came off the tracks near the city of Santiago de Compostela.
Images from the scene showed bodies strewn near ruined carriages, and emergency crews searching the wreckage.
Analysts say it is the worst rail accident in Spain in four decades.
Leader of the regional government Alberto Nunez Feijoo confirmed the death toll but told radio Cadena Ser that it was too early to say what caused the accident.
A decade since conflict broke out in Sudan’s Darfur region; the word from the joint African Union-United Nations envoy is that the security situation there remains volatile.
In his first briefing to an open session of the Security Council since assuming the position in April, Joint Special Representative Mohamed Ibn Chambas described a steady upsurge in inter- and intra- ethnic violence throughout the Darfur states in the first half of 2013 that just weeks ago saw seven UN peacekeepers killed in an ambush, injuring 17 other UN Mission staff.
Ten years later and still people are dying in Darfur, as tensions grow over access to land, water and mineral resources. Chambas has described it a deteriorating security environment.
A fresh initiative to curb the widespread oil theft in Nigeria known as ‘Publish What You Pump’ was Wednesday inauguration by a coalition of civil society groups in the country
The advocacy campaign is aimed at filling the gap in the present initiative and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) processes.
At the event in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital, which was graced by representatives of civil society groups, community-based organisations and the media, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) said although the NEITI processes had been ongoing for nearly 12 years, it had largely failed to sanitise the nation's petroleum sector or reduce the level of corruption as the country loses nearly 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day, costing the nation about $8 billion a year.
Mrs. Patience Jonathan
Anenih, Abdulsalami, join Jonathan to welcome back president's wife
Ernest Chinwo , Omololu Ogunmade and Muhammad Bello
More condolence messages poured in Wednesday for First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, whose foster mother, Mrs. Charity Obah, died in a car crash on Monday on the East-West Road.
She died on her way to Bayelsa State when her car had a tyre burst that made the driver, Stanley Enyinnaya, to lose control as the car veered into the bush and hit a tree.
Senate President David Mark Wednesday opened up on the controversy surrounding the alleged endorsement of child marriage by the Senate, explaining that those who voted for the retention of Section 29 4(b) in the 1999 Constitution were blackmailed to change their mind under the guise of religion.
Mark, who made the disclosure while receiving a coalition of women groups that visited the National Assembly to protest the retention of Section 29 4(b) by the Senate, regretted that the Senate was arm twisted to alter its first vote on the clause during which 85 senators, which exceeded the required number to get it deleted from the constitution, had already voted against the clause.
President Yahya Jammeh last Friday distributed over 14, 000 bags of sugar to Muslims across the country in observance of the holy month of Ramadan.
The annual gesture, presented at a ceremony held at State House grounds, went to all the regions in the country as well as institutions.
Banjul City Council received 777 bags; Kanifing Municipality, West Coast and the North Bank Regions each received 2, 222 bags. the Lower, Central and Upper River Regions respectively, each went home with 1,111 bags. The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council received 500 bags; the Gambia armed forces and the Interior ministry combined received 1,111 bags each; whilst ‘Yai-Compins’ went home with 300 bags.
Triad Global Inc, a US-based company, yesterday donated five water filtration machines to the Gambia Women’s Bureau at a ceremony held at the market place of Gambian women in Brusubi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ida Faye Hydara, executive director of Women’s Bureau, on behalf of Vice President and Minister of Women Affairs Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, welcomed their partners from America and Nigeria.
She said the donation would go a long way in complementing government’s efforts in providing safe and clean drinking water for all Gambians.
The Government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Yahya Jammeh has joined international congratulations to Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate on the birth of their first baby, a boy destined to become king.
Like many others, ‘‘Gambians at home and abroad have received the news with great delight and wish the British High Commission to convey to Clarence House our profound sentiments of goodwill on this great news of the birth today of the couple’s first child and the third in line to the British throne,’’ the presidency said in a statement.
Former Director of Communications at the Presidency, Koku Anyidoho has disclosed that he has been seeing his former boss, late President John Atta Mills, in his dreams.
In all his dreams, he revealed, former President Mills assured him that he (Mills) was doing well in his eternal rest.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s political analysis programme Ekosii Sen on Tuesday, Koku Anyidoho said he became a victim of regular twitch months after Mills’ death: a man he perceived as his father.
“In fact I keep seeing him in my dreams. Every now and then he comes up in my dream and he is speaking to you telling you 'thank you for the work you did for me, don’t grief too much I am comfortable and happy at where I am, just make sure you continue to work hard and serve your country well'.”
Central Regional Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the reign of late President John Evans Atta Mills as "weak, ineffective and indecisive".
According to Mr. Kwamena Duncan, although the late Professor was non-aggressive and patient in his demeanour, his leadership quality was a "complete disaster".
Speaking on Peace FM's Kokrokoo on Wednesday July 24, the NPP stalwart said the current economic woes of the country must be blamed squarely on the period of the late President's administration.
.jpg) Decency still has a place in our politics – President Mahama
President John Mahama
President John Mahama has strongly advocated a Professor Mills-inspired conviction that, decency still has a place in Ghana’s politics.
He made this comment in reference to the harsh, scornful and cynical critique of Professor Mills during his incomplete tenure as president.
But news of his death triggered a torrent of kind words from a wide spectrum of the Ghana society. | |
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