Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Seriake Dickson, has sent a warning signal to his political opponents that the state is not for the highest bidder.
An angry Dickson also accused politicians engaging in early political machinations ahead of the 2016 governorship election of not being interested in the development and growth of the state.
According to him, never again will the state be offered to the highest bidder and be surrendered to those who do not mean well for the state.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said there are no plans to turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation.
Abubakar, who is also the President-General, Jamatu Nasril Islam (JNI), made this known at the golden jubilee lecture of the JNI in Kaduna late Sunday.
“Nobody can Islamise Nigeria, if Allah wanted he would have made everybody Muslims, so also with Christianity. God would have made everybody Christians if He wanted,” he said.
Jonathan: We'll defeat terrorism
Jaiyeola Andrews, Yemi Akinsuyi and Senator Iroegbu
Two years after a bomb blast hit the office of THISDAY Newspapers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it was a black Monday yesterday in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, when a bomb-laden, red Volkswagen Golf car, with number plate XQ229LSD, exploded at a bus park in the neighborhood, killing 71 people and injuring 124 others.
The chassis number of the vehicle, 26AS 9730302621, was still visible on the engine after the blast.
The tragic incident, which occurred between 6.30 am and 6.45 am, destroyed about 16 luxury buses (otherwise known as el-Rufai; named after the former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai), of which four of them were said to have been filled with over 50 passengers.
Also, several commercial motorcycles, mini-buses and cars parked within the motor park were burnt beyond recognition.
Living a normal life is a reality Grace Panyin cannot really relate to.
She has been struggling since she turned five years old because of a strange goitre-like disease threatening to keep her life hopeless, her plight voiceless, and her nights sleepless.
Grace Panyin lives in Mumford in the Gomoa West district of the Central region. Assembly man for Penkye electoral area, Samuel Koomson visited Grace's family and describes her pligh
The camp of NPP flagbearer hopeful, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, is seething over a “calculated” introduction slight at the main opposition New Patriotic Party’s recently held national delegates’ conference in the Northern region.
A criminologist, Professor Ken Attefuah has advised inmates at the various prisons in the country to sue the state for the dehumanizing condition they are subjected to.
The deplorable state of the nation’s prisons has been unresolved concerns for years, and Prof. Attefuah suggests it is time the inmates themselves take the state to the task to wake up to its responsibilities.
Inmates at the Koforidua Central Prison had the cause to demand for better condition when the Eastern Regional Minister toured their facility.
It was revealed that about 700 inmates crammed at the facility queue to attend nature’s call in three water closets which had water hardly running through them. Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and chicken pox are a common sight at the place.
Daily feed for inmates was recently increased from 60 pesewas to GH¢1.80.
Members of The Gambia’s National Assembly were told recently that the total estimated budget for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) for the period 2014-2017 Strategic Plan is US$69, 534, 298.
The disclosure was made by the Majority leader and National Assembly member for Serrekunda East, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, shortly before lawmakers adopted PAP’s Third sitting of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) held from the 10th-19th March 2014 in Midrand, Republic of South Africa.
Jatta told members that these funds will be mobilsed through member states’ contributions and support from development partners. He informed that the session witnessed the swearing-in of 35 new members. The newcomers, he said, had sworn to protect and defend the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the protocol establishing the Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament, and to promote the principles of good governance, democracy and human rights.
The 14 militants in Kanifing Municipality who were on Saturday evening conferred the prestigious award of excellence by the president of the Republic, founder and national chairman of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) have returned thanks and gratitude to the awarder for recognising their contributions to the development of the party.
The Interior minister, Ousman Sonko, has disclosed plans by his Ministry to build more police stations in the country, especially in rural Gambia, as part of the government’s efforts to consolidate the gains in crime prevention. This, he said, will ensure drastic reduction of the crime rate and enhance the prevailing peace and stability the country has been enjoying.
Speaking recently in Basse as part of his nationwide tour of installations under the purview of the Ministry of the Interior, Sonko said the police are exhausting all efforts within their capacity to track down what he called “unscrupulous elements – criminals – in our society”. But the minister stressed that the cooperation of the general public in stamping out crime and crime related activities in the country would be crucial given that the security services alone cannot do it all.
“We should all perform our duties and responsibilities as citizens of the country in order to reduce crime rate in the country,” Sonko urged, pointing out that community participation particularly will help in complementing their efforts.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has called for a change of attitude among Liberian youths, urging them to begin to respect their elders.
President Sirleaf also observed that Liberians must demonstrate love for one another, if the country is to move forward.
She made the call at a special worship service to mark the observance of National Fast and Prayer Day held at the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia over the weekend.
The Chief Executive said as a people, Liberians can only prosper and attain their goals when they stand together, work together and pray together because, she noted, “everything we do or say reflect on our entire nation.”
MONROVIA - Government of Liberia (GoL) and the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formulate and implement projects in Liberia targeting human security initiatives in the areas of Health,
Education, Finance and Economic Planning, Labor and Youth and Sports.
The parties acknowledge that there are key development gaps in Liberia, including Leadership Initiative, Feed Africa Initiative, Girl Child Initiative, Youth Empowerment and Employment and Non-Communicable & Waterborne Diseases, and the need to bridge the gap so as to advance human security.
Outstanding Sex Registrant Santos Bagano, age 65 of Stagecoach Nv., is now in custody. A Deputy with the Lassen Co. Sheriffs Office spotted the vehicle Bagano had been seen driving at 10:00 AM this morning at a local motel in Susanville.
Voters in the Big Valley area, which overlaps portions of Modoc and Lassen counties, will be asked to approve two measures to fund a taxing district to provide emergency medical services.
The Big Valley Emergency Medical Services Working Group has been working for nearly a year to bring back advanced life support ambulance services to the Big Valley, which includes the communities of Adin, Lookout, Bieber and Nubieber.
Hundreds of people showed up for the Lassen Family Services walk a mile in their shoes event on Riverside Drive Saturday. The morning kicked of with testimony from victims and leaders of the organization before the mile walk down Riverside and around the park commenced at around 10:30am.
Organised and widespread theft of electricity continues to be a longstanding problem crippling the efforts of the Electricity Company of Ghana despite the deployment of its prepaid metering system.ECG, in the last three and a half years, identified 9,537 illegal electricity connections across the country.In 2011,the company detected 2,929 illegal connections and was able to recover over Ghc 5.6 million as revenue to the state. In 2012, the power utility company identified 3,425 illegal connections, out of which over Ghc9 million in revenue was recovered.In 2013, 2,242 were identified, out of which Ghc11.8 million revenue was recovered by the state.
At another meeting held on March 12, 2014, employers offered only a 2.5 per cent increase in the national daily minimum wage. They cited the high operational costs and government’s proposal to freeze public sector wage increments as their main reasons.
Labour rejected the offer, prompting the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Nii Armah Ashitey, who chairs the committee to adjourn the negotiations.
Business Dav Ghana reports that the National Tripartite committee has not met since the meeting was adjourned.
A member of the committee who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity said the Employment Minister has since been out of the country for some international assignments.
I personally backed the right of Mr. Paul Afoko to gun for the chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), when it eerily and disturbingly appeared that some undemocratic elements among the top ranks of the party membership with an axe to grind with the Upper-East native, wanted the man summarily bumped off the NPP national chairmanship column on the ballot and the entire electoral process altogether.
I was also convinced that granted this well-deserved opportunity, Mr. Afoko was bound to clinch the topmost administrative position of the NPP because there were too many southern-descended candidates ranged against him.
Mr. Afoko had also done the most savvy thing by intensely focusing his energy on several regions outside of the southern-half of the country where his popularity seemed to be commanding, such as the three northern regions, the Volta and Brong-Ahafo regions.
As a result of complaints of scarcity of lower denomination naira across the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday indicated that it had increased the supply of banknotes to deposit money banks (DMBs).
The central bank explained that presently, there was sufficient supply of lower denomination notes, adding that it had directed all its branches to interface directly with members of the public, including shop owners to enhance easy circulation of the currency.
The CBN, which said this in a statement at the weekend, expressed concern over the unwholesome act of hawking the naira, dispensing it in parties and squeezing it.
• Nigeria is largest recipient in sub-Saharan Africa with $21bn in 2013
By Steve Omanufeme in Washington DC
The World Bank Group has predicted that remittance flow to developing countries will rise 7.8 per cent to $436 billion in 2014 from the 2013 volume of $404 billion.
This forecast is contained in the bank's latest issue of the Migration and Development brief released at the weekend in Washington DC, United States, during the 2014 Spring Meetings.
The expected increase in flows to developing countries this year, according to the World Bank, will be maintained in the next few years despite deportations of international migrants from some host countries, adding that remittances will rise to $516 billion in 2016.
Access Bank Plc has commenced the execution of the judgment of a United Kingdom court entered against the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, with the sale of two of his properties in the UK, which fetched £13.45 million.
Justice Michael Burton of the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, Commercial Court, London had in 2012 ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank £654 million for sharp and fraudulent practices he committed when he was in charge of the defunct bank, which Access Bank later acquired.
THISDAY gathered at the weekend that the decision to commence the enforcement of the judgment was sequel to the dismissal of Akingbola’s appeal seeking to overturn the decision at the UK Court of Appeal last year.
The secretary general and Presidential Affairs minister, Momodou Sabally, has strongly urged young people to befriend libraries to develop their reading and writing abilities, underscoring that the search for knowledge is a continuous process.
Sabally, author of several books, said he is a fundamental believer of reading given that it is a transformational tool that can change the lives of people and the nation at large.
Speaking recently during a handing over ceremony of books to Serrekunda Lower Basic School Library by a youth group called Creating Readers Programme (CRP), Sabally urged parents and teachers to encourage their children to make best use of the books in the library, as reading is an indispensable tool for both personal and national development. He opined that no civilisation in this world was built in the absence of knowledge, saying it is the foundation of everything.
Thousands of Bissau-Guineans residing in The Gambia on Sunday turned out in their numbers to exercise their democratic rights in a poll that is billed to end the two-year transitional government brought about by a coup in April 2012.
They were taking part in Presidential and Legislative elections that had suffered series of setbacks. Polling staff told the Daily Observer Sunday that voters came as early as 5am at the Serrekunda and Brikama stations to decide who should run the former Portuguese colony.
The garden of the Senegambia Beach Hotel in Kololi was the scene of much fun and cultural extravaganza, as the vice president of the Republic and Women Affairs minister, H.E Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy and other senior government officials joined others to celebrate the first anniversary of “Sunu Chosan”, a television show aired on the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS).
The event was held under the chief patronage of the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh.
‘Sunu Chosan’, a wollof parlance meaning ‘Our culture in English’, is produced and presented by Bana Jarju every Sunday, and has since inception greatly helped in showcasing the very best of the country’s culture and tradition.
On April 10, 2014 around 1:30 PM, an unknown male was found on another persons property in the area of Honey Girl Ln., in the Janesville area. The man claimed to be from the Sacramento area and was looking for real estate. During the conversation the mans story seemed very suspicious and he commented about having family members who were in law enforcement. The unidentified man was asked to leave the property, which he did.
The Lassen National Forest will soon open select campgrounds near prime fishing waters in conjunction with the start of the 2014 fishing season.
Forest officials project plenty of camp sites will be available to meet anticipated demand for the opening day of trout season.
Almanor Ranger District campgrounds, including Butte Meadows, Cherry Hill, Alder, Elam, and Potato Patch, are set to open on April 23, weather permitting. Visitors planning to camp at these locations should be prepared for low nighttime temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s.
All other Almanor Ranger District campgrounds, including Gurnsey Creek and Almanor, are scheduled for opening the weekend of May 16, as conditions allow, in time for Memorial Day weekend. Updates will be posted on the Forest web site.
Human remains found in the Doyle area in October of 2013 have been identified as that of Edgar Carrera of Doyle.
Carrera was reported as a missing person in September of 2012, having last been seen in late August of 2012. During the course of the investigation, many tips were received about Carreras whereabouts and circumstances of his disappearance. Based on this information, cadaver dogs were used in areas of southern Lassen County to search for Carrera, but were unsuccessful.
A 16-member team of medical specialists from the Canadian based Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF) has successfully conducted brain, back and other critical surgeries on eighteen patients at the Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County.
The patients, who benefited from the neurological surgical operations, include women, men and children who, for a protracted period, had been suffering from brain, back and other illnesses and injuries.
The team includes: neurologists (brain and spinal surgeons), anesthesiologists, pathologists, respiratory specialists and Registered Nurses from world-class universities.
Since the medical specialists’ arrival in the country on March 14, 2014, scores of Liberians and non-Liberians have on a daily basis, visited the JFD Hospital seeking brain and other related surgical treatments.
The Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) has ended a one-day awareness campaign on the Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) in the city.
The awareness campaign, which was attended by 51 schools within the city of Paynesville, was aimed at sensitizing students to be knowledgeable about how the deadly virus can be contacted and how it can be prevented.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976.
The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized.
The Chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), Cllr. Gloria M. Scott, has disclosed that Liberians want certain articles in the 1986 Constitution amended.
Panshak Zamani, popularly known by fans as Ice Prince is a Nigerian hip-hop recording artiste best known for winning the 2009 Hennessy Artistry for his song “Oleku”.
The music crooner hit the limelight with his party banger ‘Oleku’ after which he released several other rave tracks in his debut album, ‘Everybody Loves Ice Prince.’His second album, ‘Fire of Zamania’ which was unveiled in November 2013, has also been applauded by music lovers and critics alike, in the music industry. The singer ran into one of our reporters at an event recently, and an interesting chat ensued. Excerpts:
What are you doing presently?
I just dropped my new album ‘Fire of Zamania’, its on the street right now, I am also up to recording a video for the album. I’m about doing my tour of UK and around Africa and I have new artistes I’m trying to promote as well.
How has life been treating you generally?
On Saturday April 12, 2014, the New Patriotic Party will go to the polls to elect officers for another term of office.
However, the challenge remains to be seen, if the NDC leadership will take any valuable lessons from the challenge thrown to the party by Nana Akufo-Addo while addressing partisans at his residence to declare his intentions to contest the race for President in election 2016.
“We have done very well over the last four months, under challenging conditions, to hold elections to choose some 140,000 officers to prosecute our 2016 campaign. No party in Ghana has been able to achieve this feat and I expect none will do so in the foreseeable future. We have plenty to celebrate and plenty more to look forward to. Let us focus on the bigger picture and complete satisfactorily the process of choosing national officers on April 12, in Tamale” Nana Akufo-Addo stated this to a thunderous applause from his teeming supporters.
Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah
The Director of Elections Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reacted to claims by national chairman aspirant Paul Afoko that some members of the party have illegally been given voting rights ahead of the party's national delegates conference.
According to Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, some of the concerns raised in Paul Afoko's petition to the election committee were inaccurate and partly untrue.
The chairman aspirant in a petition quoted a constitutional provision and listed a category of people he claimed had no voting rights.
Among such people included directors of the party, past presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.
Sam-Tsokwa (PDP, Taraba), made the remarks against the backdrop of the court case on the matter of the 37 legislators of the lower chamber who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He pointed out that all the stories about the legislators being required by the court to vacate their seats and disengage from any activity in the House are simply "being speculative and over-heating the polity on this matter."
He said: "The constitution is very clear about it, that it is only the Senate President or the Speaker that has the power to sack a defecting member."
Seriki Adinoyi
The United States of America has described the 2015 general election as an important test for Nigeria, urging politicians, the media and individuals to make a pledge “that they will not advocate, support or condone violence before during or after the elections.”
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, said this during his interactive tour of the Middle Belt .
The envoy who paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang and the University of Jos where he interacted with staff and students of the institution, however noted that Nigeria had great potential.
The police have said that a child bride forced into marriage in Kano State prepared a poisoned meal that has killed her groom and three of his friends.
According to AFP, the police quoted 14-year-old Wasila Umaru as saying she used rat poison in the food because she was forced to marry a man she did not love. The couple was married last week.
The Pakistani international legal luminary who was recently sworn-in as the new chief justice of the Republic of The Gambia has stated the need to restructure and codify the customary laws of the country. He announced that a training programme to this effect will be launched very soon for the benefit of the tribunals in building the skills of their personnel in writing judgments and maintaining proper records.
Chief Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan, a former judge at The Hague-based International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, unveiled this reform Wednesday in Janjangbureh during a meeting with district chiefs and the governor as part of “an elaborate professional programmee for training of magistrates, cadis and tribunals” that is in the offing.
The vice president and Women’s Affairs minister has applauded the various institutions under the purview of her office for what she called a “good performance” in the first quarter of the year, and urged for the momentum to be sustained.
H.E Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking Thursday during a quarterly sectoral meeting that took stock of the progress and challenges of the institutions under the purview of the Office of the Vice President for the period under review.
The review brought together officials of the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), National Population Commission Secretariat (NPCS), and the Women’s Bureau.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the closed-door meeting, the state’s no.2 said: “They have done well even though some are above others considering the difficulties and constraints they faced in terms of getting enough resources to implement programmes because resources are scarce globally not just in The Gambia.” Commenting further, she thanked Gambians, development partners, and the leadership of President Jammeh for partnering with these sectors to see them implement their programmes.
The grim exploitative tendencies of some members of the business community in The Gambia is under the radar again, with the deputy speaker of the National Assembly strongly warning that the country’s liberal market policy is by no means “a visa” for such malpractices.
The issue emerged Wednesday as legislators unanimously passed the ‘Consumer Protection Bill’, tabled before them by the Trade, Integration and Employment minister, Abdou Kolley.
The new legislation aims at protecting consumers from unfair and misleading market conduct, while providing for the establishment of a consumer tribunal to hear unlawful cases. Hon. Mbaye argued that the bill is long overdue, but hastened to state that it will henceforth ensure fair play and promote competition.
Finance Minister Amara Konneh will lead Liberia’s delegation to this year’s spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) in Washington DC, USA.
The government delegation is scheduled to participate in high-level meetings to discuss Liberia’s development agenda and conclude on commitments made by international organizations and other donor partners.
These meetings will include discussions with the World Bank Vice President Maktar Diop, the IMF Director for Africa, Antoinette Sayeh, as well as the Liberia reviewer under the IMF Program.
- President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared the Second Friday in April 2014 (Friday, April 11, 2014) as a Fast and Prayer Day to be observed throughout Liberia as a National Holiday.
The Day is set aside as a Day of Supplication, Prayer, Fasting and Meditation in order that the blessings of the Almighty God may rest upon the high and noble duty which He has laid upon Liberia, to the end that its efforts as a nation, may be crowned with great achievements to the common cause of the State and its common humanity.
Two respected legal brains in the country are expected to clash in an atmosphere of learning at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, this Thursday, April 10.
Lawyers Ernest Kofi Abotsi and Egbert Faibille Jnr. will be making captivating arguments at the maiden edition of Joy FM Debates on the relevance or otherwise of the Judgment Debt Commission.
The Judgement Debt Commission was set up by President John Mahama under Constitutional Instrument (CI) 79 in November 2012 to enquire into the payment of judgment debts in the country.
She was married at 6 years old
Her big brown eyes, framed by long soft lashes, are wide open as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings. She's never stepped foot into a place like this, with books, computers, classrooms and musical instruments. In fact Naghma has never been to school, let alone one that looked like this.
The seven-year old dressed in a blue headscarf and a tattered, red dress, is at Afghanistan's National Institute of Music with her father, Taj Mohammad.
Monies allocated to the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority are meant to improve the lives of poverty-stricken people of Northern Ghana. But huge amounts of funds allocated to the authority are doled out monthly to consultants.
Investigations by Joy News’s Manasseh Azure Awuni have revealed that these consultants were wrongly recruited and their performance leaves much to be desired.
The report is part of Joy FM's investigative series titled the "Sad SADA Story".
SADA was created to coordinate development to bridge the poverty gap between the north and the south.
Management’s explanation for engaging consultants is that SADA had only a skeletal staff at its inception and needed qualified technical staff on short term basis.
• Air Force chief: Military to ensure conducive environment for 2015 polls in North-east
Jaiyeola Andrews, Yemi Akinsuyi and Senator Iroegbu
From President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday came an assurance to Nigerians of the determination of his administration to checkmate the activities of Boko Haram with a view to making the nation safe again.
He said in Abuja at the inauguration of the Nigeria Police International Peacekeeping Centre and Police Museum that despite the escalating cases of terrorism in the North-east, he was determined to restore sanity to the country.
He identified terrorism as a threat to the development of the country and vowed that he would stop at nothing to combat the menace.
•Nnamani calls for zonal rotational presidency with six-year tenure
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

President, Newspapers Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Tuesday affirmed his belief in Nigeria as a nation, despite the challenges it is going through and called for efficient management of its resources through the restructuring of the legislative list to create an environment that will make the country produce more Aliko Dangotes in the nation's economy.
Obaigbena, in his contribution to the debate on the speech of President Goodluck Jonathan to the delegates at the inauguration of the National Conference, also called for the rebuilding of the middle class.
Other delegates who spoke at yesterday's session included former Senate President Ken Nnamani who called for zonal rotational presidency with six-year tenure.
According to Obaigbena, Nigeria is a nation of proud citizens and there are many opportunities for people to be all they want to be in the country.
Chinedu Eze
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a food vendor, Chinelo Okorom Lynnette, 36, in Lagos while attempting to smuggle 685 grammes of cocaine inserted in her private part into the country.
It said Tuesday that anti-narcotic operatives apprehended Lynnette at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said the suspect ingested few wraps and inserted others in her private part.
“The suspect tested positive for drug ingestion and vaginal insertion. She however expelled a total of 685 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine while under observation at the airport,” Hamza stated.
The Gambia Police Force on Tuesday announced the death of Commissioner Numo Kujabi, the former director general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), aged 45.
The late Kujabi, who until his demise was the head of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) unit of The Gambia Police Force, died in the early hours of Tuesday at Serrekunda Hospital after a brief illness.
The Police spokesperson, ASP David Kujabi, told the Daily Observer that the late commissioner, who had been in the service for 33 years, went to office on Thursday and was there until the end of the day, but fell ill during the weekend.
Lawmakers at the National Assembly Monday adopted a motion that called for the observance of the National Natural Medicines Day every 17th January.
At the sitting, the members hailed the healing powers of the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, a man they said has given foremost attention to the importance of traditional medicine in the contemporary society.
The Health and Social Welfare minister, Omar Sey, who tabled the motion before lawmakers, said The Gambia is well known worldwide for its numerous contributions to the development of traditional medicine. He described the Gambian leader as dynamic, saying he has achieved a lot in traditional medicinal practices, particularly in finding a cure and treatment for debilitating ailments like HIV/AIDS, asthma, hypertension, and infertility amongst others.
“The president didn’t stop at that, but went on to establish a traditional medicine health facility exclusively for the care and treatment of patients on free basis. These achievements and developments have undoubtedly put Gambia prominently on the world map in the area of traditional medicine,” he told deputies.
Lawmakers at the country’s Legislative Chambers Tuesday endorsed with a unanimous vote, two books on the decision to end The Gambia’s decades-long marriage with the Commonwealth, a 53-member bloc headed by the queen of England, as well as the centuries-old “British misrule” in The Gambia.
The books entitled: “A million reasons to leave the Commonwealth” and “How the tragic consequences of British looting and misrule in The Gambia inspired the foundation of the United Nation’s drive for decolonisation in January 1943 and beyond”, were authored by the president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh.
The two intellectual works of President Jammeh were presented at the Chambers by a nominated National Assembly member, Hon. Seedy Njie, during the first session of the House in the 2014 Legislative Year.
A World War II veteran has been found deceased after his pickup truck became stuck in a remote area of Lassen County. 94-year old Carl Parks, of Bieber, left his wife and went for help after the pickup became mired on Forest Service Road 54, just off County Road A-2.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is proposing to increase penalties for drug and alcohol use among inmates in facilities in California.
About one fourth of inmates tested in a random screening last year used one or more illegal substances, but the actual number could be higher. The screening in June involved about 25 percent of the total inmate population, but officials say the percentage of abuse is likely higher because nearly one in three chosen for random testing refused to be tested.
More than 5,000 businesses in California and outside the state will be getting welcome surprise in their mailboxes: refunds of security deposits paid to the Board of Equalization.
The names and online archives of three suspended state senators have been erased from the California Senate website. Pictures, video clips and legislative arches were gone after this past weekend.
Team Liberia put in a performance that their country and their sponsors Putu Iron Ore, NASCORP and Aqualife should be proud of as they tried their level best, but was knocked out by Burundi at the quarter final stage of the Street Child World Cup.
Putu Iron Ore and NASCORP are the lead sponsors of the team who is taking part in the international tournament -‘The Street Child World Cup’ in Rio this week.
It was through their support the team was able to represent Liberia on this global stage.
MONROVIA - The Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (MICAT) has announced a new radio program - Ebola Half Hour – to respond to the reported Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
Acting Information Minister, Atty. Isaac Jackson, Jr. said the Chief Medical Office of Liberia, Dr. Bernice Dahn, or a designee, will appear on UNMIL Radio from 12:10 - 12:40 daily to provide the latest information on the status of the disease in the country, with simultaneous broadcast on Radio Veritas, Farbic FM, Truth FM, Power FM, Hot FM and the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
Finance Minister Amara Konneh will lead Liberia’s delegation to this year’s spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) in Washington DC, USA.
The government delegation is scheduled to participate in high-level meetings to discuss Liberia’s development agenda and conclude on commitments made by international organizations and other donor partners.
These meetings will include discussions with the World Bank Vice President Maktar Diop, the IMF Director for Africa, Antoinette Sayeh, as well as the Liberia reviewer under the IMF Program.
The embattled former National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Aminu Abdulkadir, Wednesday stepped down from his leadership position in the crisis-ridden association.
Abdulkadir also handed over the reigns of the association to his former deputy, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, who is now acting as the president of the association.
Although it was gathered that the development was in contempt of an existing judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt which had ruled in favour of Obasi Lawson as the president of the association and ordered Abdulkadir to handover the leadership of IPMAN to him.
Abdulkadir's handover of affairs to Okonkwo was also followed by an alleged stakeholders’ meeting which was summoned by the Managing Director of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Haruna Momoh, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Despite the federal government’s directives to the new investors to ensure there is visible supply of electricity, Nigerians, are still reeling under longer durations of power outages, months after the private sector took over the generation and distribution companies unbundled from the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
The situation has gone from bad to worse in most parts of Lagos State as electricity consumers in areas such as Ogba, Agege, Ojodu, Akute, Omole, Ikorodu, Surulere, Epe, Festac and Idi Araba often witness days of total blackouts, with only the high brow areas enjoying between three and four hours of power supply in a day.
The Bauchi State Government has denied the closure of schools allegedly by insurgents in Ganjuwa and Darazo Local Government Areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mohammed Damina, Wednesday in Bauchi denied the story which was published on social media.
He said: “All our schools are open, and both teachers and students have continued with their end of the term academic activities without any problem.”
The president of the Republic has disclosed that his government has disbursed a total of D24.5M in two phases in June 2013 for the implementation of the housing loan scheme for civil servants to build houses, purchase vehicles as well as address other personal needs. This, he explained, was effected following the executive’s approval of a Cabinet Paper on the scheme.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh made the disclosure Monday at the Chambers of the National Assembly while opening the 2014 Legislative Year.
The move formed part of the government’s commitment to not only revive the Civil Service Revolving Loan Scheme (CSRLS) for eligible and deserving civil servants, but also to boost retention within the force. “That is not all; it will be a continuous thing. We are replenishing the fund, because we want to make sure that all civil servants are able to take loans at a lesser interest,” he told the National Assembly.
ssion chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to The Gambia has declared that the country’s exchange market is stabilised based on their assessment of the economy, which started last November.
Women leaders of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) Tuesday visited the presidency to renew their ‘undivided’ allegiance to the party chief, founder and president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh.
The women, comprising mobilisers, councilors and vice chairpersons were received by the vice president and Women’s Affairs minister, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy at her office in Banjul. The women were also at the seat of the government to solicit the vice president’s blessings and advice on their approach.
Liberia enjoyed an emphatic victory in the ongoing Street Child World Cup with a 5-0 thrashing of South Africa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to collect all three points.
A hat-trick from man of the match, Daniel Nimleh Bowdior, and one goal apiece from Foday Marah and Elijah Saysaw gave the Liberian team a deserving victory over the night.
Team Liberia was dominant from start to finish, as it dictated the entire game working as a unit and attacking with real purpose and quality.
Pascal Kollie, the first state witness in the trial of the 18 alleged mercenaries on Wednesday gave a contradictory account of the number of persons he actually knew in the cross-border attack into Cote d’Ivoire.
The Management of the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 showcased several equipment it purchased from the proceeds of its “$ Campaign.”
The “$ Campaign” is a program organized by the LBS management as a means to galvanize support from the general public in order to beef up its budget.
Speaking at the presentation of the equipment, the Chairman of the “$ Campaign”, Mr. Patrick Honnah, said the program, which is still ongoing, is intended to raise money for the station due to its low budgetary allocation.
Mr. Honnah, who first presented the equipment to the Director-General Mr. Darryl Ambrose Nmahfor onward presentation to the Deputy Director-General for Media Services, Mr. Legerhood Rennie, lauded Liberians for their support to the campaign.
There will be shuffling of personnel in at least one more Lassen County department. Bob Burns was selected from a field of two yesterday to take on the job of County Counsel, a legal endeavor that seldom resembles that of a prosecutor. Burns was one of two candidates standing after two other out-of-area applicants dropped from the running.
A survey yesterday showed California's snowpack is abysmally low--32 percent of average water content--but not nearly as bad as water officials had feared a few months ago.
Fourth of July fireworks will be back at lake Tahoe this year. Tourism officials have settled a lawsuit alleging the event polluted the lake in violation of the Clean Water Act.
Tamale based music trio, DEENSI have expressed delight at their Ghana Music Awards nomination and are pretty optimistic of winning the award despite the competitive nature of the category in which they have been nominated.
DEENSI made up of Sraw Dagara, Shocker Rauf and Commy Dada, have been nominated in the Traditional Artiste of the Year category alongside Sherifatu Gunu, King Ayisoba, Yaa Pono and others.
Speaking on Tamale based Kesmi Fm late night entertainment review with Dr Cue on Tuesday, DEENSI thanked their fans for their unflinching support and prayers over the years.
He is not levelling up with Ghanaians, when Dr. Nii Moi Thompson asserts that the "Bank of Ghana is an independent institution that is separate from the Government and carries out its own independent actions".
Even every reasonably well-schooled Ghanaian elementary pupil is well aware of the fact that unlike the Federal Reserve (Bank) of the United States, the Bank of Ghana is the veritable marionette, or play toy, of Ghana's government of the day.
And it can scarcely be disputed that the decision of who heads, or manages, our national treasury decidedly belongs to the extant President of Ghana, with absolutely no input, whatsoever, from our national assembly or Parliament.
With a greater mandate as Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako has sworn he will never rest until the governing National Democratic Congress loses power.
The 36-year old businessman elected last January, is promising to replicate in the Ashanti Region, a regime-changing uprising in Tunsia popularly known as Arab Springs.
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo
Former Vice-President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has said the need to rework the current federal arrangement in the country should be a major focus of delegates at the on-going national conference.
In a speech delivered at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, he observed that the current federal structure appropriates too much functions and resources to the government at the centre, and thus killing the spirit of innovation and enterprise among the people, which is a critical component in building a self-sustaining economy.
Accuses Nigerian elite for aiding military overthrow of democratic government
With $400bn stashed overseas, delegates want corruption tackled
CAN worried about religious imbalance, accuses FG of supporting Islamic superiority
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo
The debate on President Goodluck Jonathan's speech during the inaugural address to the National Conference continued Tuesday, as delegates reflected on the state of the nation and a blame game ensued when a former Minister of Defence and Chief of Army Staff, General Alani Akinrinade said that the military had no apology to offer for being in government.
He also accused the Nigerian elite of aiding the military in their venture into governance and was involved in drafting the constitution that the delegates are condemning.
A dermatologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Nike Omotoyosi, has said Nigeria has the highest number of people who indulge in skin bleaching.
Delivering a lecture entitled, “The Harmful Effects of Skin Bleaching,’’ yesterday in Ilorin at a Lenten season programme, organised by the wife of Kwara State governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, the dermatologist stated that the rate of skin cancer and other kidney diseases was on the rise due to bleaching.
“Nigeria is the foremost country where people bleach their skin in the whole world due to the negative effects of advertisements on billboards where white skinned women are portrayed as beautiful.
Deputy House Speaker Hans M. BarchueMONROVIA - Deputy Speaker Hans M. Barchue has called for the empowerment of young Liberian citizens across the country. The Deputy Speaker is also the Representative of District # 1 in Grand Bassa County.
According to him, the future of Liberia and young people would be bleak if they (youths) are not supported adequately.
He stated that micro-loan initiatives must be established in order to help young Liberians to become self-productive.
He was speaking on Friday, March 28, 2014 at a ceremony marking the official launching and installation of the Kpai-MeonGbo (Help Yourself) organization in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
MONROVIA - The Embassy of the United States of America (USA) accredited near Monrovia through PAE on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 donated a consignment of Basic Study Books on Constitutional Law and International Law to the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute.
The James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute is located at Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.
Speaking at ceremony making the donation of the books, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Sheila Parkman, the books serve as a great resource and learning aid, noting that they will assist the Judicial Institute in its mission to strengthen the capacity of the Judiciary.
According to her, the content of the book was developed by the Judiciary institute itself-testament to the talent and ability of the institute to develop material tailored to the needs of Liberians.
President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf has departed the country on official visits to Belgium, Italy and France.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the first leg of the Liberian leader’s visit takes her to Brussels, Belgium where she will attend the 4th European Union (EU) - Africa Summit.
The summit, which takes place from April 2 to 3, 2014, brings together the Heads of State and Government of the EU and the African continent, together with the EU and African Union institutions.
State surveyors are heading into the High Sierra today to take monthly measurements of the snowpack. They'll learn if recent storms brought any measurable relief to California's drought. It's been a wend end of March, but expectations are not high.
Those CalFire Fire Fee bills are in Lassen County mailboxes. They started arriving last week. The fee applies to parcels with habitable dwellings in the State Responsibility Areas. It's $155 this year, a cost that is being challenged by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Beer Brewers in California are up in arms over a proposed federal rule that would make it harder for them to sell leftover grains as animal feed. The FDA rule chance would mean that brewers would have to meet the same standards as livestock and pet food manufacturers--meaning new sanitary handling procedures, record keeping and other food safety processes.
The Susanville Symphony's Youth Orchestra performs in concert tonight--40 members this year, the most ever. The program is free at the Assembly of God Church on Richmond Road beginning at 7:00 p.m. You can make a donation at the door for this worthwhile project funded by the Symphony.
Prices of some Petroleum products have gone up this morning at the various service satiations. Petrol would now be sold at 2 cedis 73 pesewas per liter representing a 7 percent increase from the old price.
GHANA: (My joyonline,01/04/2014)
The Deputy Mayor of the Qingdoa Municipality, Mr. Wang Wei, led a high-powered Chinese business delegation to meet the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mawuena Trebarh, to explore possible business opportunities in the country.
Welcoming the delegation last week, Mawuena Trebrah said the delegation has expressed interest in a broad range of[investments in the country.
She noted that the partnership presents a win-win situation since there are exciting investment opportunities in Ghana
She was hopeful that the benefit would be mutual since the Group has expertise in building and construction.
Sterling Bank Plc has concluded plans to hold the second edition of its annual ‘Get Ready for Work’ concert in Ibadan this Saturday.
The bank explained that the concert was conceived to change the mindset of graduates towards entrepreneurship and equip them with skills to bridge the gap between employee expectations and employer requirements.
Already, Non-governmental Organisations and professionals have aligned with the financial institution on the forthcoming initiative.
Speaking at the pre – event press conference held in Lagos, representatives from LEAP Africa, Iyaduni Olubode and Muyiwa Afolabi commended Sterling Bank for investing in the future of youths in country through the concert.
Justice Samuel Oseji of the Court of Appeal in Lagos Monday tried to seek a compromise amongst the four feuding children of the legal luminary and Nigeria’s first Senior Advocate, the late Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams.
Justice Oseji, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the two elder sons of the late legal icon, Ladi and Kayode, urged the four children to reflect on their childhood years when they ate together from the same plate and table. He further advised them to shun mundane riches that will perish and focus on their brotherhood.
He urged them to consider their childhood relationship and reflect on what their parents would have felt seeing them bickering over their legacy.
The judge, who read the lead judgment, stayed proceedings in the suit instituted by Ladi and Kayode against their younger brothers, Folarin and Tokunbo, over the estate left behind by their father.
• Rejects G-50's report for appointment of committee officers
• Oil, religion, federalism, unemployment, ethnicity and security top delegates' debate
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo
In a new atmosphere of cordiality, devoid of the usual rancour, the delegates to the National Conference Monday unanimously adopted a voting pattern of 70 per cent for the resolution of any contentious issue, thus confirming THISDAY's exclusive report on Friday.
But the delegates rejected the decision of the 50-man committee to, along with principal officers, constitute themselves into a select committee for the purposes of appointing chairmen and deputy chairmen of the conference committees.
Economists from the five Anglophone countries of West Africa have begun a five-day seminar in Banjul, designed to upgrade their knowledge and skills in liquidity management and monetary operations.
Spearheaded by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), the course also seeks to introduce participants to fiscal liquidity forecasting techniques and short-term determination of the public sector borrowing requirement to engender cash management and avoid excessive borrowing.
In her remarks, the deputy governor of Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), Oumie Savage-Samba underscored the importance of monetary operations and liquidity management in the modern economies, noting that an effective and efficient framework for management of liquidity is at the very heart of the conduct of the monetary policy.
The World Bank’s board of executive directors has approved a grant to help The Gambia strengthen primary health care services and improve community nutrition for the country’s most vulnerable children and women, the multilateral agency has announced in a press release.
The project is expected to reach approximately 183,000 children under five and 180,000 women aged 15-49, yielding a total of 363,000 beneficiaries by 2019, it disclosed.
The new US$3.68 million WB’s International Development Association (IDA) grant, according to the release, supports the maternal and child nutrition and health results project, which will bring community-based nutrition and primary health care services for women and children in three of the country’s poorest regions: the Upper River, the Central River, and the North Bank West Regions. The project, it indicated, is supported by an additional US$5 million grant from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Health Results Innovation, totaling to US$8.68 million.
The president of the Republic has pledged that Gambians will witness greater economic progress in the next six years, while pointing out that his near 20-year-old government has achieved a lot to celebrate and be proud of.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh was speaking Monday morning at the Chambers of the National Assembly in Banjul while opening the 2014 Legislative Year.
The state opening of the National Assembly is a moment of reflection, in fulfillment of a constitutional requirement. Described as one of the biggest and most important events on the National Assembly calendar, the official ceremony provided the chief executive of The Gambian constitution the opportunity to outline his government's development plans for the year and the achievements of his administration.
Final arguments relative to the introduction of new evidence by the prosecution in the case involving 18 alleged Mercenaries ended Friday, at the Criminal Court “D” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
According to the Defense Counsel Dempster Brown, the motion filed earlier by the defense was intended to suppress new evidence adduced in court in the case.
A local child rights group, Media in Advocacy for Children (MAC) is demanding a thorough and speedy investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of a 9-year-old boy whose remains were discovered on Wednesday, March 26, in a cellphone booth in the Sayon Town Community on Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia, three days after he went missing.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has concluded the conduct of the Voter Roll Update Exercise across the country.
The Voter Roll Update Exercise ended Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the 1,780 Voter registration centers across Liberia.
Health Care officials are braced for a wave of last minute signups for the Affordable Care Act, both here in California and nationwide.
A Modoc county man has been arrested by Homeland Security investigators for making and distributing child pornography.
A host of Lassen County officials will be kicking off the county's sesquicentennial celebration tomorrow in front of the historic courthouse. Time is 12:30. Expect to see members of the Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce and elected officials there.
Head of the Economics Department at the University of Ghana, Prof. Peter Quartey is calling for the institution of independent budget office to monitor government spending.
This he indicated is a sure way to instill fiscal discipline on the part of government, more than ever during election year.
Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Wednesday, Prof. Quartey said Parliament, which has oversight responsibility on the economy, has failed to live up to the task, hence the need for an office akin to the Congressional Budget Office of the US.
"If Parliament were to do its job then we wouldn't need this body. But otherwise, if we can create an independent body that can be efficient in ensuring that we stay within our fiscal space [discipline], then that will be a great idea," he recommended.
The Economist however, said the situation will persist if the nation's economy is left in the hands of politicians, who would always seek first, the interest of their political parties rather than the generality of the country.
I made two core points when asked to comment on Nana Akufo-Addo’s announcement of his intention to contest the 2016 General Elections of the New Patriotic Party. The first and most important was to query the timing, especially in the run up to the election of a new national executive for the party. The second point was to do with the propriety of Nana’s age.
Without knowing the reason which informed the choice of date, I suggested that it was unfortunate and likely to accentuate and exacerbate divisions in the campaign for the Executive elections, a development that could have knock on effect at the General elections if Nana won the candidacy.
For whatever reason, the reportage focused on the age factor, which I dismissed as totally irrelevant, citing the Abdulai Wade’s experience in Senegal. I still stand by this view and will buttress it further with reference to Ronald Reagan, who became US President at the age of 70 in 1981, survived a gun shooting to boot, and is regarded as America’s greatest leader of recent times.
The Finder’s investigations have revealed that Lance Corporal Isaac Kwaako, who is being investigated for rape, has told investigators that he had the consent of the wife of his friend he allegedly raped.
According to our investigations, the suspect told investigators that he gave the victim GH¢ 20 after the incident.
Lance Corporal Kwaako of the Nungua District Police, who is in police cells accused of raping the wife of another Lance Corporal, from information gathered, has told investigators that the sexual intercourse was of mutual consent and that he gave the victim GH¢ 15 for transportation after the act.
According to the suspect, the lady, who sells popular local beverage ‘sobolo’, and her husband usually visit him and he also reciprocates the gesture.
Mallam Sanusi Lamido
Allege sale of bank to Access Bank fraudulent
Tobi Soniyi
There are more troubles for the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido, as three shareholders of the defunct Intercontinental Bank have dragged him before a Federal High Court alleging wrongdoing in the way the bank was sold.
The shareholders: Abdullahi Sani, Adaeze Onwuegbusi and Chijioke Ezeipke through their lawyers, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) are demanding the sum of N10 billion as special and general damages against Sanusi for breaches culminating in the wrongful take over of Intercontinental Bank Plc by Access Bank.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday gave the figure of people displaced by the insurgency in the North-east in the last three months as three million.
NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Mohammad Sani-Sidi, said in Abuja at the seventh National Humanitarian Coordination meeting, organised by NEMA for donor agencies that the agency in collaboration with the Red Cross and state emergency management agencies in affected states, carried out a comprehensive multi-sector rapid assessment of humanitarian situation in the areas.
Represented by NEMA’s Director of Administration, Dr Zanna Mohammad, Sani-Sidi said the assessment was carried out between March 3 and March 7.
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo
The inability of National Conference delegates, for two consecutive days, to reach a consensus on whether votes by three-quarters or two-thirds of participants should pass the resolutions of the conference yesterday led to the suspension of further debate on it till next week.
The suspension would give room for further consultations on the issue and for the secretariat to meet with leaders of various groups at the conference.
During a debate on the issue on Monday, the delegates had argued along regional lines, with those from the North calling for the adoption of three-quarters of the votes for any resolution, while their counterparts from the South pushed for two-thirds.
The president of the Republic and Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Dr. Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh has conferred Honorous Causa Posthamus to the late Professor Ndondi S.Z Njie (N.S.Z Njie-JP) during the eight Convocation ceremony of the University of The Gambia (UTG).
The ceremony, which was presided over by the Gambian leader, was held at the 22nd Square in Banjul. His son, Modou SNZ Njie, on behalf of the family of the late professor, received the award.
Maintenance works on the Johe Ferry that has been going for more than a month now is at an advanced stage and there are plans to release it to resume normal routine service in the next two weeks, the general manager of Banjul Shipyard told the Daily Observer Tuesday.
The Johe Ferry, it would be recalled, was in January, docked by The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) for four-week intensive maintenance to enhance safety at the Banjul-Barra crossing point. The maintenance work is being carried out by experts from one of the ship building companies in China, in collaboration with the staff of GPA. Experts have been rehabilitating both its underwater system and the installation of brand engines. Upon completion, it is expected to give the Johe ferry a new look, thus guaranteeing the safety of the thousands of passengers who cross the point daily.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has strengthened surveillance at the various border posts around the country in an effort to detect and prevent the highly contagious Ebola virus from entering the country.
This, after the deadly outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever - Ebola disease – has reportedly killed 59 out of the 80 people infected in Guinea, whilst Sierra Leone is making efforts to contain it.
At an emergency meeting convened on Monday by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) under the guidance of Minister Omar Sey, Permanent Secretary Dr. Makie Taal affirmed that they have strengthened a team of public health officers at all the border points around the country.
Lassen County Supervisors have chosen an interim treasure/Tax Collector who will serve until January. She is not a candidate for election.
Firefighters responding to a fire in Westwood yesterday say it was a good save of a mobile home that was attached to a 2-story structure which was fully involved by the time they arrived yesterday morning. The mobile served as a residence, the 2-story structure was used as storage for wood carvings.
A storm system headed toward California is promising up to two feet of snow in the northern Sierra. The national Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for western Plumas County and the west slopes of the northern Sierra from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning.
Dr Charles Wereko Brobby concludes his article on the energy crisis. The first part was published last Monday.
The Government of Nigeria and NGas have made it clear that it does not respect the sanctity of the Gas Supply Agreement that underpins the supply of natural gas to Ghana, Benin & Togo. So much for ECOWAS Economic cooperation and integration!
Add this to Nigeria’s continuing bar of our industrial products and we might as well bury ECOWAS and stop the waste of half-yearly summits that have failed to deliver a single tangible outcome of regional integration for almost 40 years of the Lagos Plan of Action.
Isaac Coffie has done his part as a studious student but poverty threatens to undo all the good work as this brilliant Senior High School graduate wastes away somewhere in Apam in the Central Region.
The extremely brilliant Senior High School graduate racked up an amazing score of 7 A's and a 'B' in the 2013 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.
GHANA: (My joyonline,25/03/2014)
The two sides in the Dagbon conflict, (the Andani and Abudu Gates,) have agreed, in a new spirit of reconciliation, to resume the peace process between them, under the auspices of three eminent kings led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
This welcome development followed a closed door meeting held by President John Mahama with the two sides, the eminent persons, the National Peace Council and the President of the National House of Chiefs, government announced Tuesday.
As part of activities to commemorate International Women's Day, over 5,000 women delegates converged on Ado-Ekiti recently to discuss their involvement in strengthening social cohesion and women emancipation in Nigeria. Funke Olaode writes
The International Women’s Day is celebrated in March of every year globally. In different countries, the focus of the celebration ranges from respect, appreciation and love towards women, as well as a celebration of women’s economic, political, and social achievements. The over 5000 delegates that thronged the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, venue of the event in Ekiti State recently, were drawn from various ethnic communities, professional bodies and associations across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. Clad in different uniforms and headgears, T Shirts and fez caps, the women, no doubt, had a swell time from the start to the end of the event, which was aired live on the state-owned television.
The Supreme Court yesterday said it would hear the suit filed by the 36 states challenging the legality of the Excess Crude Account (ECA) maintained by the federal government on September 23.
The court fixed the date after the federal government told a full panel of the court that the out-of-court settlement with the states had collapsed.
The states are also challenging the transfer of $1 billion from the account to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
THISDAY gathered that several attempts to settle the dispute had failed to yield any positive result.
• Swiss-based VistaJet recalls hired plane
• Jonathan admits irregularities in oil corporation's accounting system
Chinedu Eze and Chineme Okafor
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday rose in defence of the beleaguered Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who the House of Representatives had ordered its Committee on Public Accounts to probe for allegedly spending N10 billion on chartering jet over a two-year period.
The minister was accused of flying with the chartered Bombardier Challenger 850 aircraft, along with her family.
The state-run oil corporation denied the allegation, saying it did not hire the jet for the minister's exclusive use or for the use of her family.
But despite the denial, THISDAY has gathered that VistaJet, the Swiss-based operator of the Bombardier Challenger 850, has hurriedly recalled the aircraft, following the decision by the House to probe the transaction.
A high-powered delegation from Senegal is due in Banjul tomorrow, Wednesday March 26th, to finalise arrangements with members of the newly formed Senegalese-Gambian Association for Integration and Socio-Economic Development (SGAISD) regarding media coverage for the much anticipated “The Great Senegambian Symposium and Conference” scheduled for April 25th and 26th 2014.
Led by a renowned media consultant, subject specialist and proprietor of KYS-GROUP, Yorro Dia, the delegation also included the director of Sports at TFM TV Station, Abdoulie Nderr, the director of Centre National D’information et de Documentation at the Ministry of Youths and Employment (CNID), Moussa Thior and the director of Publication at DAKARACTU, Serigne Diagne.
Seven horses belonging to the Dukureh family in Gambisara, Upper River Region (URR), were recently burnt to death by unknown individuals, the second such incident in recent years. It came at a time farmers are preparing for another cropping season, a period they highly depend on horses for ploughing.
But it looks like the unfortunate incident has incapacitated this particular family that has for many years been depending on horses to sustain their agricultural endeavours.
Acclaimed Senegalese international music icon, Youssour Ndour, has signed over D3M (three million dalasis) contract with the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation Staff Association (SSHFC) for a string of concerts in The Gambia next month, officials have disclosed.
It will be the star’s first appearance in The Gambia since re-launching his musical career in 2013, which was interrupted by politics.
MONROVIA - The Corporate Communications Assistant at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) on Sunday, March 23, 2014 died in a motor accident, while on her way from Marshall, Margibi County.
Finance Minister Amara M. Konneh over the weekend presented the annual report for Year-One of the Agenda for Transformation (AfT) with more emphasis on infrastructural development, justice and peace and security.
The AfT is a five-year development strategy of the Government of Liberia (GoL). It is otherwise known as “Steps towards Liberia rising 2030. Basically, there are five pillars that make up the AfT.
Speaking at a one-day round table conference for the release of the first-year report of the Aft, Mr. Konneh, who is also the Coordinator of the steering committee of the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA), outlined road construction, restoration of electricity, rehabilitation of port facilities around the country, rehabilitation of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) runway, improvement of peace and security and education as some of the major marks over the year under review.
The Executive Director of the Liberia National Lotteries Corporation (LNLC), Mr. Martin S. Kollie, has been elected as Auditor (Executive Committee member) of the Association of African Lotteries.
Mr. Kollie and his counterpart from Benin Madam Honorine Attikpa were elected as Auditors recently in Dakar, Senegal during the 16th Congress of the Association of African Lotteries held from March 10 _ 15 2014.
Mr. Kollie and Madam Attikpa joined other newly elected officials of the Association ,including the President, Mr. Amadou Kane Sambas head of the Senegal Lotteries, Vice Presidents Jean Marie Emungu head of Lotteries in DR Congo (representing Zone-2 Central Africa), Mrs. Talata Rahmatou head of Lotteries of Niger (representing zone-3) and Professor Bongani Khumalo head of South Africa Lotteries (representing zone-5) on the new Executive Committee of the Association.
Lassen County Supervisors are in "Special" session today, essentially because they're meeting on a Monday instead of Tuesday. Some key staff members will not be available to attend tomorrow.
Birch and Third Streets have been closed since about 7 a.m. this morning as responding fire units from several communities responded to a structure fire in Westwood.
Lassen County's stab at Prop 84 Money is moving ahead. Almost every county in the state has created an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan and Lassen County if coming on board.
Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby is blaming Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan for sabotaging crucial gas supply to Ghana which has left the country in partial darkness.
The Chief Policy analyst criticized the Nigerian president saying unlike his predecessor Obansanjo, Goodluck Jonatan has undermined a long standing ‘romantic’ relationship between Ghana and Nigeria.
Instead of honouring the contractual agreement to supply gas consistently to Ghana, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria, chose to fulfill his promise to a tertiary institution, GIMPA, by raising $1 million towards the construction of the proposed Jubilee Library.
“It is not worth the paper it is written on” is one of the most used sentences in everyday dialogue. It’s most famous manifestation is the 1938 speech of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain describing the Munich Agreement with Hitler as bringing “Peace in our Time”. Within one year, World War 2 broke out and the rest is history.
The Government of Nigeria, acting in concert with its Nigerian national Petroleum Company (NNPC), and its joint venture partners, Chevron Nigeria and Shell Nigeria, have finally come off the vacillating wall and told the Government and people of Ghana, that the agreement to supply 123 million cu ft gas per day is not worth the paper it was written on .
This is the full import and meaning of the outcome of the Minister of Energy’s mercy mission to Nigeria which yielded the pathetic capitulation that no more than 50 million cu ft of our contracted supply can be guaranteed. Call me a war monger if you like, but as with 1938, Ghana must take this Nigerian slap in the face as having bloodied our nose, sabotaged our economy, and tantamount to a declaration of war.
Hundreds of commuters have been left stranded by floating commercial bus operators in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.
The bus operators are not picking any passengers this morning.
They say the action is in protest against arbitrary police arrests and extortion of money.
According to Luv FM’s Prince Appiah, many bus stops in the city are swarming with frustrated commuters who can’t get to work because of the protests.
The protesting drivers say they have been forced to embark on the action because the police arrest them when they drop and pick up passengers at bus stops.
They accuse the police of harassment and extortion, the reason for Monday’s suspension of services.
Prince Appiah said the police were on hand to control the crowds and urge calm.
The Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a party that has no real attributes of democratic ideology that would propel the nation to the Promised Land.
The governor who stated this at the weekend, while receiving the members of Nigerian Guild of Editors that paid him a courtesy visit, said the APC as a political party had no particular history.
Lamido said Nigerians cannot take the risk of handing power to a group of aggrieved politicians that have left their former political parties simply because they were denied tickets to contest for leadership positions.
The police in Oyo State have arrested seven persons in connection with the discovery of a kidnappers' den at Soka area on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The den, located in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state, and littered with severed human parts of scores of yet-to-be identified victims of ritual killers, was discovered on Saturday.
No fewer than 20 decomposed bodies were discovered while about 23 people, comprising 18 males and five females who were looking gaunt, were found with their legs manacled at an uncompleted building in the den.
One of the women was said to have been delivered of a baby early yesterday, but the infant was sold. The woman was brought out of the bush with bloodstains on her body.
What would have been another bloody attack was Sunday averted by security men in Jos, the Plateau State capital, when over 100 gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, shot sporadically at worshippers in churches at Rantya Low Cost.
The gunmen however met their match in soldiers deployed in the area, who repelled the attackers.
A security man with one of the churches told journalists that the incident occurred at about 10am when most of the churches were just about to commence services.
The Kanifing Municipal Council, under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Alhaji Yankuba Colley on 12th March 2014, signed a Cooperation Agreement with Mohammedia Municipal Council of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The mayor of KMC led a five-man delegation to Morocco on a five-day training programme, where both Municipal Councils reinforced ties on economic cooperation, environment, sports, urban development, trade, cultural integration, education and knowledge-sharing in the area of management of local authorities.
Speaking to the Daily Observer in an exclusive interview at his office on Thursday, the KMC boss disclosed the significant role The Gambia foreign mission in Morocco had played in creating the linkage for the deepening of ties with Mohammedia Municipal Council of Morocco.
Health authorities in The Gambia appear to have been alerted by the deadly outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever – Ebola disease – in neighbouring West African countries after 59 out of the 80 people infected in Guinea reportedly died, whilst Sierra Leone is making efforts to contain it.
The Daily Observer Sunday afternoon gauged the reaction of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for comments on the potential threat the highly contagious disease poses to the population, and from all indications they are ready to deal with it in case of any suspected incident.
Young academicians at the University of The Gambia (UTG) have been challenged by the International Monetary Fund’s chief officer in Banjul to intensify research in the area of economics so as to acquaint themselves with its policies, reforms and statistic aimed at expanding their knowledge.
Gaston K. Mpatswe, who was speaking recently during a day’s session with UTG students at the UN House in Bakau, described such an undertaking as critical to their academic success. He inspired the students with a reference to the Gambian-born top economist and former governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), Bamba Saho, whom he said is one of the 24 members of the Board of Governors of the IMF. He further stated that Saho is serving as the representative of the Anglophone countries in the whole of Africa.
Plumas County will see around $350k of approximately $1.2 million in grant awards for projects that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health. The money was recently approved by the Sierra Nevada Conservancys governing board during its quarterly meeting in Sacramento.
The second and final public workshop regarding plan insight and project applications for the Lahontan Basins Integrated Regional Water Management Plan will take place the first of next week.
State regulators announced Thursday that one of California's largest utilities has agreed to pay a $24.5 million penalty for safety violations uncovered after a 2011 windstorm left more than 400,000 customers without lights and a power-line failure electrocuted three family members.
MONROVIA - Following three postponements of the trial of the suspected mercenaries due to lack of jurors, the Criminal Court ''D'' at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia has finally selected nine jurors for trial of the case.
Presiding Judge Emery Paye Thursday officially noted the appointment of the nine pre-trial jurors to serve in the court.
Judge Paye disclosed that the jurors were selected from the Townships of Barnersville and Johnsonville.
MONROVIA - President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has reassured her Guinean counterpart, President Alpha Condé that the Liberian Government will adhere to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries for the export of Guinean iron ore through Liberia’s port.
“Our commitment is firm,” she said.
Last year, the Governments of Liberia and Guinea signed a MOU that will allow the export of iron ore produced at its Nimba project in Guinea through Liberia’s seaport in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. West Africa Exploration SA (WAE) is expected to undertake the project.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader made the remarks when a visiting 12-member high-level Guinean delegation paid her a courtesy call at her Foreign Ministry office recently.
A prominent Liberian Talk Show Host, who is jailed at the Monrovia Central Prison, Mr. Henry Costa, has accused President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, “and all her people” of being corrupt.
But Mr. Costa did not produce evidence to substantiate his claim that President Johnson-Sirleaf and “all her people” are corrupt.
Mr. Costais the former host of the popular “Costa Show” on Hot FM 107.9FM.
His fierce stance and boldness on critical national issues has made him to be admired by hundreds of Liberians in and around the capital, Monrovia.
The renowned Liberian Talk Show Host made the accusation against the Liberian leader and others on Friday, March 21, 2014 at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
Myjoyonline has obtained a copy of the University of Ghana's response to the Minister of Education on why it has restricted access to some of its roads.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Jane Naana Opku-Agyemang, last Tuesday, gave authorities of the University of Ghana three days to explain the circumstances under which they are preventing some motorists from entering the university.
The restriction has triggered public disaffection.
In a six-page response, the University of Ghana defended the decision explaining, general access to its roads was always going to be temporal measure.
Report to Minister of Education on Restricted Access to
University of Ghana
An Accra Fast Track High Court has dismissed an application for stay of exercise of summons for Isofoton S. A. to refund part of a judgment debt wrongly paid to it by the government.
The dismissal of the application paves the way for the State to retrieve $325,472 from the Spanish company.
Isofoton S. A. had filed a motion praying the court, presided over by Justice K. A. Ofori-Atta, to set aside a writ of summons and statement of claim against the company by the Attorney- General (A-G) for the company to refund the cedi equivalent of $325,472 to the State.
Among the reliefs it sought, the company claimed that the court lacked the jurisdiction to ascertain the writ of the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff’s suit was wrongly filed indicating an abuse of the process of court.
Fishermen in Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region have expressed worry over the sudden invasion of their beaches by strange weeds that is posing a big challenge to their activities.
The strange huge weeds which have covered almost the whole shore -- stretching from Dixcove to Axim -- are causing nuisance to both children and fishmongers.
Fishermen say the weeds are also producing worms.
According to Nana Kweku Eshun, Chief Fisherman of Lower Axim, activities have been halted for the past two weeks due to the weed invasion.
Challenges opposition to a debate on achievements
By Chuks Okocha
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday said some politicians are out to politicise its statement on Tuesday that some people are behind the serial insurgency in the country, stating that it was standing by its statement.
The party also challenged the opposition political parties in the country to a debate on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, the party said, “We wish to state categorically that we stand by our statement and
restate our commendation to President Goodluck Jonathan for remaining undaunted and posting unprecedented achievements for the benefit of all Nigerians against all odds.
The umbrella body for Muslims in the North, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), yesterday criticised the federal government for undermining the interests of adherents of the Islamic faith in the ongoing National Conference.
The group accused the federal government of bias in the selection of delegates to the conference, saying of the 20 delegates selected by the government, only six slots were given to Muslims.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also has its own grudge against the nomination of delegates to the conference, as it has rejected the one slot allocated to it by the federal government and declined to participate in the national discourse.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna yesterday, JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said the federal government acted in outright disregard and disrespect for Muslims by ensuring their under-representation at the National Conference.
He explained that “although democracy is a game of number, this has not been respected”, adding that “for instance, while Muslims constitute the majority in the country, Christians, who by all acceptable records are not more than 40 per cent of the country’s population, ironically constitute 62 per cent of the total delegates”.
After about three years without a substantive President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday finally announced the appointment of Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa as the next president of the court.
With her appointment, two women would effectively be in charge of the two major appellate courts in the country – the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, was appointed by the president in July 2012.
The president, in a letter addressed to Senate President David Mark and read by his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said Bulkachuwa's appointment was in compliance with Section 238 (1) of the 1999 Constitution and appealed to the upper legislative chamber to expeditiously confirm the appointment.
Yesterday’s session was presided over by Ekweremadu following Mark's trip to Geneva where he's participating in the ongoing 130th session of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).
According to the letter, Jonathan said Bulkachuwa's appointment was in accordance with the recommendation of National Judicial Council (NJC).
A former parliamentarian, who now chairs the Board of Gamcotrap, a leading women rights civil society organisation, has highlighted the gains registered by the government of President Yahya Jammeh in the area of women empowerment, arguing that today more women have been entrusted with many leadership responsibilities compared to the First Republic.
Hon. Nyimasata Sanneh-Bojang was speaking Tuesday at the opening of a day’s seminar on “promoting women’s active participation in governance and leadership positions”. The synergy, spearheaded by Gamcotrap, is being funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
It formed part of Gamcotrap’s series of sensitisation seminars for women in selected communities beginning in Kanifing Municipality where 50 attended the session at the Council’s multi-purpose hall along Jimpex.
Four men in the West Coast Region (WCR) have been sentenced by the Foni Bondali Tribunal after they were found guilty of “illegal felling and charcoal burning”.
The Tribunal arrived to this conclusion Wednesday during a hearing presided over by the chief of the district, Bakary Dembo Badjie, at his home village of Bullenghat.
The culprits, Bakary Sanneh of Kanwally village, Karafa Colley of Bondali Jola, Saikouba Badjie of the same community and Saja Kujabie of Kayaborr village, according to the chief, were handed fines ranging from D2, 300, to D2, 200 and D2000.
The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure Wednesday said that her office wants to engage young girls to embrace math and science, in order to be game changers in the sector. She stressed the need for them to play their mandated role to spearhead an extensive campaign in empowering girls and young women in the important role ICT stands to play in their lives.
PS Nancy Nyang’s words were contained in a press release sent to this medium ahead of series of planned activities marking this year’s celebration of the International Girls in ICT Day in The Gambia, under the auspices of the Ministry.
The International Girls in ICT Day is an initiative backed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member states in its Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 (Guadalajara, 2010) to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs). International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in April every year. This year, it will be celebrated on the 24th of April.
MONROVIA - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered an immediate halt to the operations of the Chinese company, SKY, on the Cestos River in southeastern Liberia.
Residents had complained that the Chinese company was involved in mining of sand and gold along the Cestos River, impeding the free flow of the river.
They also complained that the operations of the company were undermining the Cestos River Bridge.
MONROVIA - The Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. says it is the share equal responsibilities of all citizens and residents of Liberia to ensure the protection of the nation’s stability and integrity by supporting and assisting in the crackdown on criminal behaviors in various forms.
Conservationists are gearing up to hike and bike portions of the 1,200-mile trail of wandering wolf OR-7 as he trekked across Oregon into Northern California, crossing territory that hasn't seen his kind in nearly a century.
As many as 500 people rallied at the Fresno City Hall prior to a hearing today to take up California's drought crisis. The House Natural Resources Committee will hear testimony from central valley farmers, community leaders and state water officials.
Lassen County Supervisors came away from a closed-door session yesterday without appointing a temporary successor for Richard Egan, the former Lassen County Treasurer/Tax Collector.
Love is sweet. Love, when very strong can get you to do what you have vowed never to attempt in life.
When people are deeply in love, they virtually relegate all other matters to the background. Love they say is blind, conceals the flaws of the one we love, and thereby tends to make it impossible for those in love to think logically
Veteran journalist and former minister, Elizabeth Ohene, says the country's journalists are failing the nation by paying little attention to stories that affect lives.
According to the former BBC broadcaster, producer and editor, many Ghanaian journalists are failing to live up to the expectation of the masses by choosing to "preach" rather than tell compelling stories.
"It is your job to make sure that the things that people do in darkness are brought to light," the former Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education during the John Kufuor administration, stated on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Wednesday.
The Ghana Highway Authority is confident of completing work on a temporary route to be developed to further ease the traffic on the Tema motorway, in one week.
The development of a crater on some parts of the bridge resulted in heavy vehicular congestion.
Engineers from the Authority subsequently diverted traffic to make way for repair works on the damaged bridge which officials say will last five weeks.
In an interaction with president John Mahama who visited the site early Wednesday, engineers announced that works on the temporary route would be done by next week.
Muhammad Bello
In the face of the recurrent terror upsurge in the North-east, the House of Representatives is now contemplating the increase of the federal government's allocation of N2 billion as an intervention fund to boost the region's economy.
Adibe Emenyonu
Attempt by the suspects to abduct a pregnant woman identified as Mrs. Ehi at Evbomoma road, off Sapele Road Benin City, Wednesday left three of the suspected kidnappers killed by the Police in Edo State,
The suspects were said to have met their waterloo after they abducted the pregnant woman said to be from a wealthy family into a waiting car.
• National Assembly orders probe
Omololu Ogunmade and Muhammad Bello
The Senate Tuesday expressed grave concern over the escalating unemployment rate in Nigeria as manifested in last Saturday's recruitment tragedy, observing that lack of job opportunities could provoke a reenactment of the French Revolution or even the more recent Arab Spring which led to violent change of governments in the Middle East and North Africa.
This is just as the National Assembly condemned the death of 16 applicants at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) exercise Saturday and ordered a public hearing into the incident.
In the Senate, the Committee on Interior was directed to organise a public hearing on the matter and report its findings to the chamber in two weeks.
The Senate, which also resolved to constitute a committee with the mandate to evolve a holistic road map for employment in Nigeria, observed a minute’s silence in honour of the dead.
A multi-sectoral approach has been sought in addressing issues relating to Civil Service reform, currently being implemented by the Personal Management Office (PMO) under the purview of the Office of the President.
The urge was made Tuesday at a local hotel in Kololi during a validation workshop on the Civil Service Reform document that seeks to complement the existing 2012-2015 policy due for expiration next year.
The dialogue, organised by the PMO, would enable stakeholders to draft and develop a comprehensive policy for the country’s Civil Service in the years to come. It came after PMO made a request to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide further support in its bid to obtain the view of all sector leaders on the new pathways for Civil Service Reform and to complement the 2012-2015 reform’s strategy.
Health experts under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through its Directorate of Health Promotion and Education Monday commenced a five-day seminar in Bwiam, Foni Kansala District, to develop a new communication plan for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
The gathering, which brought together 25 participants from the Ministry of Health and other associate partners, is funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The Tourism and Culture minister and a high-powered delegation recently returned from Berlin Germany where they took part in the 2014 Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) that brought together over 10, 000 exhibitors and other actors in the industry.
The delegation returned home with an award presented to them by the Germany-based Unister Travel that recognised their efforts in the development of sustainable tourism in the country.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer in Juffureh, the director general of The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), Benjamin A. Roberts, said the recognition came at a time when efforts have been focused on eco-tourism for the realisation of a sustainable and prosperous industry.
MONROVIA - The Chief Executive Officer of Cellcom GSM, Mr. John Vasikaran, has announced the company’s largest discounted bundle for SMS, voice, and 4G data.
Mr. Vasikaran made the announcement this week at the company’s Headquarters on Capitol By-pass.
The new bundle, which has been named the *231, combines three services for one significantly lowered price. The *231 bundle gives customers 2,000 free minutes, 3,000 SMS and 1GB of internet data. The total value of the package is $240 but has been discounted to $10.
GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY - The empanelled Jury at the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga City, Bong County late Monday brought down a guilty verdict against 43-year-old Jerry B. Flomo, for raping a 13-year-old girl.
Susanville voters will have a wide array of choices to represent them when they go to the polls this June. There are seven vying for 2 slots on the Susanville City Council. Rod DeBoer is an incumbent seeking another term. Cheryl MacDonald was elected four years ago and chose not to run for a second term.
1st District Assemblyman Brian Dahle has won a key seat on a vital assembly committee that oversees energy policy and utilities. He'll be a voice for green energy development of northeastern California's energy resources, including forest-based biomass energy.
An attempt to persuade California voters this year to approve a $12 per hour minimum wage has hit the skids after its chief supporter announced he was struggling to qualify the proposal for the ballot
With an ever increasing world population and global climate change, agriculture faces an immense challenge in achieving sustainable food security.
The goal of a strong agricultural sector cannot be achieved without a robust research environment. Innovation, especially in agriculture, is a source of economic growth, economic development for the rural sector, and also a major source of new employment.
A dynamic and sustainable agriculture depends on scientific progress and the application of science to crop development through plant breeding to suit society’s needs. Plant breeding seeks to develop crops that are high yielding, resistant to pests, of high nutritional value, tolerant to mineral and environmental stresses and adapted to mechanisation among others.
It was concluded at the September 2009 Second World Seed Conference that if agriculture is to meet the challenge of food security amidst population growth and climate change, government measures and increased public and private investment in the seed sector are needed. Specifically, intellectual property (IP) protection was deemed to be crucial to any sustainable contribution of plant breeding and seed supply.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Alhassan, has unveiled and an ambitious programme to, in his own words, “reaffirm public confidence in the Ghana police service.”
He said the public image of the police service had sunk so low that urgent steps needed to be taken to salvage the image of the Service.
Launching his one year Public Confidence Re-affirmation Campaign in Accra Tuesday, Mr. Alhassan cited acts of distortion, unlawful arrests and prolonged detention, meddling in civil matters by police officers, among others as the causes of the sunken image of the Ghana Police Service.
A Circuit Court judge has waded into the debate on the legalisation of marijuana started by the Narcotics Control Board Executive Secretary, Mr Yaw Akrasi Sarpong, last week.
Mr Francis Obiri, who presided over some drug-related cases Monday, suggested that instead of legalising the drug, which could make matters worse, the country would be better off, if the sentence for drug-related offences was reviewed.
Expressing his views on whether Ghana as a nation must legalise the use of marijuana, locally referred to as “wee”, in open court, the judge said, “Someone can embezzle so much funds and can be bailed but somebody who commits a narcotic offence cannot be bailed. It does not make sense.”
The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has devised inclusiveness of the community members as an instrument to curb the agitation in the Niger Delta region and also, expand the frontiers of development, Victor Efeizomor writes
The sparkle in her eyes and the smiles of contentment that constantly flashes on her face tells the story of a woman who not only enjoys the companionship of an association, but the joy and benefit she has been privileged to get since she became a contractor to Chevron Nigeria Limited in Delta State. Previously, Madam Mercy Olowu, a member of Ikpere Ale- Meje Women Traders Association of Ugborodo could hardly afford to feed her family nor could she meet with the expense of basic essentials like clothing, shelter and the payment of school fees for her children.
Interestedly, she no longer despair now since Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), introduced the General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), which has not only empowered her but has boosted the development of the host communities in the Niger Delta region.
Previously, communities close to CNL’s operations in the Niger Delta region were not exceptionally different from other communities in the region. The projects executed in the communities through Chevron’s direct intervention, in many cases, were abandoned by the communities. The projects were described as ‘Chevron’s projects’. The communities did not see the projects as their own because they felt the projects were imposed on them even when the projects were executed based on requests by some community leaders.
Once known for its billion-dollar notes and hyper-inflation, Zimbabwe must be the only place in the world to have eight currencies as legal tender - none of them its own.
For the last five years, most people have been using US dollars or South African rand, but pula from Botswana and British pound sterling have also been changing hands.
Now the central bank is also allowing the use of Australian dollars, Chinese yuan, Indian rupees and Japanese yen.
For the moment, customers can open bank accounts in these currencies but the hard cash is not yet in circulation.
"I definitely think there is going to be confusion being caused by so many currencies - for a cashier to be handling so many currencies at the same time," says Denford Mutashu, General Manager of Food World, a nationwide supermarket chain.
Currently most shops in the capital, Harare, mark prices in US dollars. The rand is more commonly used in Bulawayo, closer to the South African border - and cashiers check daily exchange rate for conversions.
Acting Central Bank Governor Charity Dhliwayo says she hopes the move will bring in more cash, as a liquidity crisis has meant some banks have stopped lending, making imports difficult.
Promises to get to the root of the incident
Our Correspondents
For over two hours Monday, Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Parradang, were on the hot seat as they told President Goodluck Jonathan all they knew about the circumstances that led to the death of over 16 job seekers during a recruitment exercise last Saturday.
The duo is under fire following the deaths that occurred during stampedes at the recruitment centres in Abuja, Minna and Benin, and was summoned to the State House to shed more light on why what should have been a smooth exercise turned tragic.
Also yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and more groups joined in the call for the probe and removal of the minister and the NIS boss for their alleged culpability in the tragedy.
The governor of Upper River Region (URR) has told touring lawmakers assigned to the National Assembly Select Committee on Lands and Regional Government that the Basse Area Council with the exception of services, has “failed to implement a single project in the region for the past three years”.
Omar Sampo-Ceesay was speaking Friday in Basse while responding to queries from lawmakers who wanted to find out the number of projects executed in the region in the last three years.
The governor, who recently took charge of the region after his elevation from the chairmanship of the Basse Area Council (BSAC) to the top job, explained that activities are now taking centre-stage to mitigate the challenges the Council has been confronted with. He disclosed that the Council pays the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) D50, 000 every month despite the fact that the utility giant owes the former.
Representatives from the U.S. government will tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19th hand over a container of medical equipment and supplies from the U.S.-based Benevolent Health Foundation’s Project Cure to The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), the US Embassy in Banjul has announced.
The consignment, according to the release, includes a wide range of supplies including admission kits, IV kits, casting supplies, nasal speculums, lab coats, gowns, goggles, gloves, and bed linen.
A nominated National Assembly member has defended a book entitled ‘A million reasons to leave the Commonwealth’, authored by the president of the Republic, saying the intellectual work amply justified why The Gambia as a sovereign nation, decided to end its long marriage with what it sees as a “neo-colonialist institution”, the Commonwealth.
Hon. Seedy Njie, who was speaking to the Daily Observer in an exclusive interview over the weekend, was reacting to a publication by a local newspaper in which the author intended to “prove that the title of the book is not backed by substance when it comes to the details in the presentation”.
The Judge of the Civil Law Court, Peter W. Gbeneweleh, has frowned on the retirement package set aside by the Government of Liberia (GoL) for judges across the country.
The Civil Law Court is situated at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill in Monrovia.
Judge Gbeneweleh described the retirement package as “regrettable.”
According to him, judges, who served the country and its people for so many years, “were retired without adequate retirement package.”
The President of the University of Liberia (UL), Dr. Emmett Dennis, has observed that the country lacks qualified instructors at all levels of the educational system - including the primary, junior, senior high and college levels.
He said the perennial shortage of competent classroom teachers needs to be urgently addressed by the government, so that the young people will be adequately prepared to assume future leadership roles.
MONROVIA - Two persons on Monday, March 17, 2014 got seriously wounded in a motor accident in Monrovia. The wounded persons were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
But their identities could not be established by this paper up to press time.
According to some eyewitnesses, who trooped to the accident scene, the victims are employees of Sawyer and Associate Construction Company.
The accident, the eyewitnesses averred, was caused by a drilling machine belonging tothe Sawyer and Associate Construction Company.
The Ministry of Health has given up to Friday March 21, 2014 to take a final decision on the controversial missing baby saga that has rocked the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The ministry is currently awaiting a report on the issue from the Nurses and Midwife Council as well as that from the Medical and Dental Council, the regulatory body that oversees the conduct of the practitioners.
The health sector has been in the news for weeks following the mysterious disappearance of five babies at KATH who were believed to have been born dead
President John Mahama says dividing Ghana along political lines is drawing the country back and preventing it from achieving its development goals.
The president noted that religious leaders are enjoined by the gospel to pray for the nation irrespective of the political party in power. He therefore cautioned against tagging such persons as being partisan, describing it as a major challenge to our development.
President John Mahama made the call while interacting with senior Clergymen and women at the Flagstaff House, Monday. The meeting was to discuss how this year’s national prayer and fasting week was to be organized.
Governor Willie Obiano will today take over from Chief Peter Obi as governor of Anambra State after a week-long activities preparatory to this day.
Obi had hitherto been addressed simply as Mr. Peter Obi until Saturday when he, for the first time in his public-office life accepted to be conferred with the chieftaincy title “Okwute” by a conglomerate of traditional rulers in the state.
He had vowed not to take any chieftaincy title while in office and kept to that until weekend when the Chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe with the Igwe of Awka, Eze Gibson Nwosu and the other 175 monarchs in the state officially conferred on him a title he already goes by.
As stakeholders look up to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), to release headline inflation data for February 2014 ,in a few days, analysts have predicted a five per cent reduction in inflation figures.
Analysts at the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), after taking into account various developments in the economy ,observed a decline in food prices which it noted, is expected to be reflected in February inflation numbers due to be released soon.
“Our forecast is that the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) ,will decline marginally to 7.95 per cent from 8.0 per cent in January.
“ This shows a moderation in the headline inflation rate after remaining flat in December and January. The reduction in price level is partly due to the post-festivities drop in purchasing power of consumers,” noted FDC analysts in their March 14, economic bulletin.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other groups have called for the sack of the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, over the incident which claimed the lives of 19 applicants.
This is just as the families of the deceased asked the government to release the corpses to them for burial.
Vice-President of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) and General Secretary of the Textile Workers Union of Nigeria, Issa Aremu, said on Sunday that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) must be prosecuted over the death of many applicants who went for the NIS screening at the weekend.
“The issues of unemployment and job creation should dominate discussion at the National Conference billed to commence on Monday, March 17 (today), 2014. The crisis of unemployment is one issue that cuts across all the regions of the country,”he said.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Sunday, Aremu said the death of the unemployed was a tragedy for the nation where millions of applicants had scrambled for the 4,500 employment vacancies declared by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Legislators assigned to the National Assembly Select Committee on Lands and Regional Government have called on the country’s security apparatus to beef up security in the Central River Region (CRR), especially around the Panchang area, to avoid armed robbery and banditry mushrooming in the locality.
The lawmakers, who are currently on a tour of the country to inspect area councils, municipalities, projects and programmes implemented within the sector, were speaking during a visit to Panchang.
Their calls came barely a week after four men who were armed to the teeth and driving a pick-up vehicle stormed two shops in the Upper Saloum District village of Panchang and took away the savings of affected shopkeepe
The president of the Republic and chancellor of the University of The Gambia (UTH) has renewed his commitment to make the country’s citadel of learning the best in Africa and the world at large, saying the institution has come a long way in proving the sceptics wrong about its viability.
His Excellency Sheikh Prof. Alh. Dr. Yahya Jammeh was speaking Friday evening at the July 22nd Square in Banjul where he presided over the Eighth Convocation Ceremony of the UTG.
The occasion witnessed the conferring of Bachelors and Masters Degrees on a staggering 736 graduates in different fields of study, and 3, 157 diplomas and certificates on those who graduated from The Gambia College.
The National Assembly Select Committee on Lands and Regional Government recently inspected a number of grassroots projects in rural Gambia, meant to acquaint themselves with their state of progress.
On Wednesday the Committee visited the ongoing works at the Kaur market, where members indicated their impression with the level of progress at the site.
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell is in Boise today for a briefing about the outlook for this summer's fire season. She'll be joined by Idaho Governor "Butch" Otter, along with federal fire officials and members of the Oregon and Idaho Congressional delegations.
Susanville Police are crediting alert members of the community who were walking on the River trail and observing what they thought was suspicious activity at a construction site on Riverside Drive. They called the Susanville P.D. and officers began an investigation that revealed a burglary and attempted grand theft.
Two suspects have been arrested and one person is still "outstanding" after a search warrant was served in the Janesville area Friday. The Lassen County Sheriff's Office served the warrant at a residence on Cummings Road, looking for evidence related to several thefts in the greater Janesville area.
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell is in Boise today for a briefing about the outlook for this summer's fire season. She'll be joined by Idaho Governor "Butch" Otter, along with federal fire officials and members of the Oregon and Idaho Congressional delegations.
Susanville Police are crediting alert members of the community who were walking on the River trail and observing what they thought was suspicious activity at a construction site on Riverside Drive. They called the Susanville P.D. and officers began an investigation that revealed a burglary and attempted grand theft.
Two suspects have been arrested and one person is still "outstanding" after a search warrant was served in the Janesville area Friday. The Lassen County Sheriff's Office served the warrant at a residence on Cummings Road, looking for evidence related to several thefts in the greater Janesville area.
The leadership of Parliament has made a passionate appeal to the public to provide any evidence of bribery against any Member of Parliament (MP).
The House has opened investigations into a pronouncement by MP for Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency, Alban Bagbin that MPs collect bribes from people and come to the floor to advocate for the persons or institutions from whom they collect bribes.
The MP claimed he had evidence to back his allegations.
His comments have generated lots of furore with calls for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Police in Akim Oda have arrested a-twenty-five-year old man, Victor Amewuga, for allegedly killing an-eighteen-year old Taxi Driver.
The suspect is said to have hired the taxi, killed the driver in the course of the journey and bolted with the vehicle.
The Akim Oda Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent James Sarfo Peprah tells Joy News the suspect has confessed to the crime
GHANA: (My joyonline,15/03/2014)
So how bad can the city get? In this picture taken at Circle in Accra, a waterway gradually solidifies into a 'wasteway' as commuters, sellers, hawkers, and just about anybody with waste to dispose.
“For some of us, one of our legs is in the grave and the other is outside. It is only the one outside that will step in to meet the one in the grave, then the box is closed”.
This is one reality of life which Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, popularly called “Baba Jang”, easily acknowledges. As forthright as it comes, this statement provides an insight into the mind of one man who understands the vanity that life is, and its temporal nature. It is the sum of his beliefs which also find expression in the immortal question: what do we bequeath to today’s generation and indeed future generations?
Could this be the motivation and driving force behind Governor Jang whose physical frame disguises the giant strides recorded in his public life?
Late Professor Chinua Achebe, it was who said, when dry bones are mentioned in proverbs, the old women feel uneasy.
I find the Edo Secondary School teachers behaving like such old women. The state government says it wants to organise competency test for the secondary school teachers in the state. And the teachers rush to the court seeking to stop the government from doing so on the banal argument that the state does not have the capacity or right to organise such test. That it is only the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria that can determine the standard of knowledge and skill in Nigerian schools.
A leader of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Wantaregh Paul Unongo has fingered the federal government in the sacking of Jato-Aka village in Benue State, purportedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen, alleging, instead, that it were soldiers of the Nigerian Army that perpetrated the act.
Unongo, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, on Friday, also flayed the forthcoming constitutional conference as a monumental waste of resources from which those with the requisite experience and exposure, like himself were excluded by the federal government because they were critical of its approach to governance.
The elder politician, who once contested for the governorship of Benue State and lost under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), advised President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, sack the service chiefs, who were allegedly insubordinate to the minister of defence, Gen. Aliyu Muhammad Gusau.
A rural water project financed at a tune of D2.5M was recently commissioned by the Lands and Regional Government minister in the Illiassa Constituency of the North Bank Region (NBR).
Facilitated by the Rural Development Organisation-Gambia (RDO), the project was sponsored by Stiftung Sabab Lou of Germany and Lufthansa Help Alliance. It will provide clean drinking water through solar-powered boreholes to Jumangsarr, Dutabulu and Chamen communities. The scheme also dug 18 wells at the Jumangsarr horticultural garden as well as four and nine reservoirs in Dutabulu and Chamen communities respectively, meant to promote food security in the area.
Members of The Gambia Maritime Workers’ Union Thursday presented to the president of the Republic 119 bags of groundnut, being the produce harvested at their Dobong farm in Foni Kansala, West Coast Region (WCR).
The secretary general, head of the Civil Service and Presidential Affairs minister took delivery of the produce on behalf of President Jammeh during a presentation ceremony held at Stat House.
In his remarks, Momodou Sabally commented on the importance President Jammeh attaches to agriculture, describing the head of state as a “passionate farmer”.
The Police crackdown on vehicles that failed to renew their licenses and regularise other documentation as at the Wednesday, 12th March deadline, has hindered transportation within the Greater Banjul Area.
The situation has forced passengers to scramble for the few available regularised commercial vehicles, especially around the main Westfield Junction. It is worsened by the fact that some drivers now choose to stay at home in an attempt to avoid their vehicles being impounded by the Police.
Drivers said the situation has also been aggravated by the fact that passengers come at the same time to board vehicles, particularly in the morning. “It is true that we have started impounding vehicles on Wednesday and it cuts across the country,” the police spokesperson, ASP David Kujabi, told the Daily Observer.
A Justice Ministry official has disclosed that the ministry granted clemency to 12 youths who were among 52 child offenders in 2013.
The 52 child offenders were charged with minor offences and subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention at the Monrovia Central Prison.
The Communication Director at the Justice Ministry, Ms. Maude Somah, told the Liberia News Agency(LINA) Thursday that Defense for Children International (DCI-Liberia) carried out advocacy intervention on behalf of the 52 child offenders.
The Minister of Gender and Development, Julia Duncan Cassell, has said global efforts to ensure universal access to reproductive health by 2015 are facing challenges worldwide.
This, she noted, is because the quest to reduce maternal mortality, one of the two gender specific goals, remains "unattainable and off track," especially in Africa and South Asia, according to the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs at the Permanent Mission of Liberia at the United Nations, Mr. Abu Kamara.
Minister Cassell made the statement in her address to a cross-section of delegates at a side-event co-sponsored by Liberia, France and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), on the margin of the Commission on the Status of Women, held at Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, UN Headquarters in New York.
Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai has lauded the Government of France for its assistance to the Liberian Government, especially the training of personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
He made the remarks when the French Ambassador to Liberia, Joel Godeau, paid a courtesy call on him at his Barclay Training Center office on Tuesday.
Minister Samukai informed the French envoy that he and the Defense Chiefs within the Mano River Union are in direct communication, noting that this was necessary for sub-regional security.
Current incumbents and 2 district 5 supervisor chaleengers all met the March 7th deadline for filing their nomination papers. District 5 Supervisor Jon Kennedy is being challenged by Clio residents Jim Judd and Jeff Engle. The district 5 area covers Greaeagle, Mohawk Valley and East Quincy. Thedistrict 5 race
About 924,000 people have picked insurance plans through California's health care exchange as the race continues to attract more Latinos and younger people ahead of the enrollment deadline later this month.
A federal appeals court on Thursday largely upheld a 2008 plan that called for restrictions on water deliveries from California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to protect a tiny, threatened fish.
Alban Bagbin addressing representatives of 40 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) recently said that, some MPs collect bribes to lobby for the interest of others.
This has stirred the hornets nest, but the fact remains that the cost of getting 'elected' is becoming astronomical for politicians.
Other factors added to this make true service very hard - and it gets worse when accountability comes in.
It was 11:30 am. The suite at the hotel was as cozy as my Vietnamese companion’s cheeks; so chubby and rosy. She was entertaining me with a hearty and flirty foreplay of conversation.
She was pretty and sporty, her eyes gleaming lusciously, her legs absolutely sensuous and her dimple cheeks absolutely gracious. She took off her brazier and asked me to come closer, ready to quench a passionate fire.
My name was John Sullivan, from America, working on the oil rig for Tullow Oil Ghana at the Takoradi Harbour; Ghana’s newly found oil city. I was undercover.
Enticed by the promise of well-paying jobs as factory-hands in the United States of America (USA), six women aged between 29 and 38 years agreed to leave Vietnam: believing their Chinese recruiter would deliver as promised.
One of five persons trapped under a collapsed uncompleted hotel building in Accra has been rescued with one other confirmed dead. A member of the rescue team has also has been rushed to the hospital after he collapsed at the scene.
The Inspector-General of Police Alhassan Mohammed, the Greater Accra Regional Police Command and over a dozen security chiefs have swarmed the site where 5 persons are trapped under the rubble of a collapsed six-storey uncompleted hotel in Accra
More Gambians have written to The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheik Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, felicitating him on the occasion of the country’s 49th Independence Anniversary, as well as thank him for his numerous gestures extended to the citizens.
Their messages read: GNOC/IOC/FIFA Solidarity scholarship: NCCP Level 4
First and foremost I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th October 2013 ref: OP 326/317/01 Temp III (94-1A) wishing me the best success with my course in CANADA. To God be the Glory, we give him back all Thanks and Praises for all he has done for us all, more especially my humble self.
Glad to inform you that I completed the course, was successful and I was awarded ADVANCE TRAINING DIPLOMAS in: Coaching; Training of Trainers in Performance Planning; Training of Trainers in physical Preparation; and Certificate in Practical Physical preparation training.
Lawmakers touring the country under the banner of the National Assembly Select Committee on Lands and Regional Government have expressed deep concern over the “eyesore” at the Barra Car Park in the entrance of the North Bank Region (NBR), stressing the need for the “poor sanitary conditions” to be improved.
They were particularly shocked by the state of the pit latrines at a strategic place where hundreds of people transit to use such facilities on a daily basis. The conditions of the toilets are exacerbated by the fact that they lack proper roofing with broken doors at both ladies & gents toilets.
The lawmakers could not quite comprehend how the toilets, which were rehabilitated at a tune of D92, 150 in 2011 have been left to deteriorate to that extent, making them user-unfriendly.
The Trade, Integration and Employment minister has said the government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh is committed to cutting the country’s unemployment rate through new opportunities as manifested in the number of projects and programmes it successfully crafted over the years.
Speaking in Basse Monday while officially presiding over the official inauguration of the rlg/Unique Solutions Technology Center and the start of a training programme for 30 youths on mobile phone repairs and other ICT applications, Minister Abdou Kolley said government is committed to the cause, but hastened to challenge young people to be proactive in national development.
Jaiyeola Andrews
The federal government has authorised a forensic audit of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
It also told the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who had accused the oil corporation of failing to remit $20 billion of oil sale proceeds to the Federation Account, to respond to the report of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), which indicted him of financial mismanagement, among others, instead of whipping up sentiment over his ouster.
The presidency, in another development, has challenged the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court to hear the case filed by Sanusi against his suspension.
Solomon Elusoji
In its effort to sensitise Nigeria’s medical community about the risk of leg amputation for people living with diabetes, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki, is scheduled to hold Nigeria’s first Podiatry (an area of medicine that looks after the feet) and Diabetes Foot Care Workshop.
Announcing this at a press conference in Lagos, the Medical Director of the centre, Dr. A. R. Isiavwe emphasised that the workshop was aimed at educating key players in the medical community on how to look after the feet of persons with diabetes in a bid to reduce the rate of amputation currently experienced in hospitals, nationwide.
The workshop would be held in partnership with Members of the Podiatry Institute, Georgia, USA. “We are trying to stand in the gap,” Isiavwe said. “As at today, we do not have any foot care training policy in Nigeria, so we are partnering the Podiatric Institute from USA, which members would be the facilitators of the workshop.”
Godwin Haruna
The Assembly of Health Care Professional Associations (AHPA) and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has bemoaned the decline that has bedeviled the sector in recent time and laid the blame squarely at the feet of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.
Addressing journalists on a range of issues in Lagos on Monday, President, Association Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, (AMLSN) and Chairman, AHPA
Dr. Godswill Okara, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, rejected the proposed unilateral changes to their schemes of service.
“It is to be noted that the Hon. Minister is taking this unilateral action to please his colleagues who want to head every imaginable service and function in the health sector. It is noteworthy to mention that the scheme of service for medical laboratory scientists has been a subject of litigation and judicial pronouncement by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
A Senior Magistrates' Court in Lagos, Wednesday remanded a former pastor with the Christ Embassy Church, Jones Nweze, at the Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa, for allegedly assaulting his colleague.
The Senior Magistrate in Isheri, Mrs. Adejumoke Olagbegi-Adelakun, ordered the accused to be remanded following his re-arraignment and the violation of a court order.
MONROVIA - The International Law Group (ILG), which represents the legal interest of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has said it intends to initiate legal action against the Chronicle Newspaper if the management of the paper does not withdraw immediately a story it posted in its paper on March 7, 2014.
Mr. Philibert Browne is the publisher of the Chronicle Newspaper. In an official communication dated March 7, 2014 and addressed to the management of the Chronicle Newspaper, a copy of which is in possession of the Heritage, the ILG recalled that the story was headlined “In the wake of Aicha Konneh’s Alleged Gold-And-Diamond Smuggling For President Sirleaf: President Sirleaf Under International Security Watch.”
The Minister of Gender and Development, Julia Duncan Cassell, has said global efforts to ensure universal access to reproductive health by 2015 are facing challenges worldwide.
This, she noted, is because the quest to reduce maternal mortality, one of the two gender specific goals, remains "unattainable and off track," especially in Africa and South Asia, according to the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs at the Permanent Mission of Liberia at the United Nations, Mr. Abu Kamara.
Minister Cassell made the statement in her address to a cross-section of delegates at a side-event co-sponsored by Liberia, France and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), on the margin of the Commission on the Status of Women, held at Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, UN Headquarters in New York.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made new appointments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Financial Intelligence Unit and the National Transit Authority.
The President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Dr. Randolph McClain, says the new Petroleum Act of 2013 will be a strong instrument in harnessing government’s efforts aimed at ensuring that Liberians benefit optimally from their potential oil and gas resource.
The National Oil Policy, among other things, seeks to separate the commercial, policy, and regulatory functions of the National Oil Company of Liberia.
According to Dr. McClain, a major element of good governance is broad based citizens’ participation in all matters that affect them, noting, NOCAL remains fully supportive of the inclusiveness of the on-going consultative forums that have characterized the discussions around the Acts under discussion.
It's almost politics as usual in Lassen county. Several incumbents either retired or dcided not to run for re- election in this year's primary, and the extension of the deadline to file runs until 5 p.m. this evening.
Lassen County Supervisors will take more time to review a Memorandum Of Understanding that is due to be updated according to the implementation of the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. That "plan" is mandated by the state.
A 20-yeaer old Doyle man was sentenced to five years in state prison for involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Susanville resident. According to D.A. Bo Burns, his list of witnesses to the crime were "liters, drug addicts" and otherwise not "reliable". The results is that Gregory Eugene Dodson was sentenced last week for involuntary manslaughter instead of second degree murder.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
President Mahama says this turnabout in language forced the country to look into ourselves and gain a sudden insight into the late Mills’ unassuming humility.
Says: 23.9 % unemployment rate doubtful
Chuks Okocha
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu,Tuesday told the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the federal government was renegotiating the 2009 agreement that it had with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The reason for renegotiating the agreement with ASUU, the minister said, was because there were some areas that are not acceptable to the federal government.
He also described as doubtful, the 23.9 per cent rate of unemployment in the country released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Speaking with journalists after briefing the PDP NWC members, the minister said: “ We have made an offer to ASUU. The demands by ASUU are as complex as presented by both the federal government and ASUU.
By Sheriff Balogun
He is 45. She is 16 and his daughter. But despite her filial relationship with him, it never stopped Toyin Sodimu of Temidire community of Oke Apo, Akomoje area of Abeokuta, Ogun State from lusting after his daughter. He bid his time and when the time came, he seized the occasion of the wee hours of the day when others had slept to have carnal knowledge of her.
But he never reckoned with his daughter’s bravery not to be cowed by a father who had violated her trust, a cardinal principle of father-to-daughter relationship, by reporting the incident to the police. Following her report to the police, Sodimu is now in custody until he clears his name.
Grieving relatives are angry at the school authorities
Police in India have arrested the head teacher of a school where 23 children died after eating food contaminated with insecticide last week.
Meena Kumari had been sought since the tragedy in eastern Bihar state. She handed herself in on Wednesday, reports the BBC.
Police believe she can help explain how the deadly insecticide ended up in the free school lunch.
In all, 47 primary school children fell ill after consuming the meal of rice and soybeans.
The government and people of The Gambia joined by President Yahya Jammeh Monday evening sent their heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of Britain on the joyous occasion of the birth of a royal baby boy to Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
President Jammeh is among prominent leaders including the United States President Barrack Obama; who Monday congratulated the Duke and Duchess of the Britain on the birth of the third in line to the throne.
Kate was admitted to St Mary's Hospital on the morning of July 22. The birth came after an anxious waiting period, which was preceded by huge media speculations and commentaries about the future king of Britain.
The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Sunday hosted a day-long Islamic Conference at State House in Banjul, to mark the 19th Anniversary of the July 22nd Revolution
Centered on the theme; ‘Let’s live and behave according to our religion”, the day was a commemoration of 19 years of uninterrupted socio-economic development.
The celebration at State House began on Sunday morning with Q’uranic recitations that later culminated in a well-attended Islamic conference, which ended in the wee hours of Monday morning.
Presided over by President Jammeh himself, and attended by the entire government machinery including the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, the occasion availed scholars the opportunity to discuss contemporary issues and problems affecting the Islamic Ummah as well as the threat posed by the campaign launched by the West to legalise same sex marriage.
In the wake of the latest attack on United Nations peacekeepers in the Darfur region of Sudan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warmed recently that such incidents may constitute war crimes.
Gambian-born Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda condemned the killing on 13 July of seven peacekeepers serving with the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), and the wounding of 17 military and police personnel.
The ambush carried out by a large unidentified group, which drew condemnation from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council, was one of the most serious attacks against the mission since its deployment in early 2008, and the third in the past few weeks.
RENO, Nev.Reno started off strong on Sunday night, but two big innings made the difference for the Las Vegas 51s, as the Aces fell 15-8 in the series finale at Aces Ballpark.
The Aces held a 6-1 lead entering the fifth, when Las Vegas struck with their first of two big innings. The 51s pushed across five runs in the frame, all charged to Reno starter Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy, in the first game of his Major League Rehabilitation Assignment from the D-backs, was charged with six runsall earnedon nine hits through 4.1 innings.
Nevin Kennemore walked away with the first place prize money at this years Lassen County fairs demolition derby. With seven cars competing you would think that it would be a short race but these seven cars were out for blood.
Johnny Hay won the prettiest car with a dedication to fallen firefighter Luke Sheehy on his hood. After a moment of silence for Luke by the packed crowd, Johnny would collect his prettiest car trophy from Miss Lassen County Ginger Miller.
Jonathan Stevenson in car 68 won the first heat with a strong finish but lost his steering box in the win that would be the end of the night for Stevenson. Rich Cramer in car 16 went on to win the second heat with a strong finish as both heat winners would be presented with the heat trophies by Miss Lassen County, Ginger Miller and her court
Invading barred owls are threatening an endangered species--the Northwest Spotted Owl. The bigger birds have invaded the habitat of the smaller owl and prey on them for dinner.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service began exploring ideas on how to better balance nature and have put forth a plan to kill 3,600 of the larger birds by hunting over a 4 year period. It's not final yet, but if the plan goes to fruition, the hunting will start this fall and continue each fall for the next five years
MONROVIA: Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nearly half of the world’s usable, uncultivated land but so far the continent has not been able to develop these unused tracts, estimated at more than 202 million hectares, to dramatically reduce poverty and boost growth, jobs, and shared prosperity. According to a new World Bank report, “Securing Africa’s Land for Shared Prosperity,” released today, African countries and their communities could effectively end ‘land grabs,’ grow significantly more food across the region, and transform their development prospects if they can modernize the complex governance procedures that govern land ownership and management over the next decade. Africa has the highest poverty rate in the world with 47.5 percent of the population living below US $1.25 a day.
MONROVIA: Counselor Fonati Koffa, a managing partner of the International Law Group, has warned that giving the National Elections Commission (NEC) responsibility for managing the Democracy Sustainability Fund would prove very controversial and that an independent fund manager should be assigned management responsibility of the Fund.
He made the remarks at the 14th Policy Dialogue convened by the Governance Commission on 18 July 2013 at its 9th Street, Sinkor offices, Monrovia.
Cllr. Koffa maintained that the NEC management of the Fund might prompt social unrests, especially if the Commission decrees that specific parties are in violation of the Fund regulations and that their accounts be suspended or frozen. He also cautioned that the Bill has the propensity of benefitting the big parties; and make a lot of smaller parties below the 5% or 10% threshold to cross carpet, thereby leading to much fewer parties than currently exists.
MONROVIA: Several residents of the Soul Clinic Community in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, on Monday, July 22, 2013 staged a road block in protest over what they called the mysterious death of a young man in the Soul Clinic Community.
Eyewitnesses identified the young man only as John. His dead body was discovered during the early morning of Sunday, July 21, 2013.
According to the eyewitnesses, the late John, believed to be in his early 20s, was a “pehn-pehn” (motorbike) rider, and a resident of the Diamond Creek Community in Soul Clinic. The eyewitnesses told this writer that the deceased operated his bike on a commercial basis mainly in the Soul Clinic Community and other nearby communities such as Bona Farm, Morris’ Farm, Coca Cola factory and Red Hill and other areas.
Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Donald Osifo and four other officials of the association, including Jerry Soker, Fagbos, lost their lives an auto crash on their way from Abuja to Uyo. The NANS officers were travelling to Uyo to address student issues, especially students being allegedly victimised in the struggle for students’ welfare.
Governor T.A. Orji visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, to commiserate with the Nigerian students over the death of the NANS Senate president and four other officials.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State police command has confirmed the death of a student following the violent protest by students of the University of Uyo on Wednesday.
GUNMEN, on Thursday morning, attacked Kwasakwasa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing several people, including security personnel.
The attack, which came four days after a similar one on three villages in the area, was said to have occurred at about 6.00 a.m.
A resident of Kwasakwasa, located about 70 kilometres from Birnin Gwari, Malam Isa Jatau, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Kaduna that four vehicles belonging to security personnel were also burnt.
He said several other villagers and security men were injured, but added that the bravery of soldiers and other security officers helped to fend off the attackers.
The secretary of the local government, Alhaji Zubairu Zakariya, confirmed the attack on the village, but said details on the casualty was being compiled.
 [Three Lebanese arraigned for keeping an illegal armoury in Kano coming out of the Fedral High Court in Abuja on Thursday.] The State Security Service (SSS), on Thursday, brought three Lebanese before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in compliance with an earlier court order.
The SSS, however, said it is against national security to release the three suspects who were arrested in connection with armed cache found in the Kano house of one of them.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola had on Monday ordered the SSS to produce the accused persons in court.
The order was sequel to an ex parte application brought by the suspects through their counsel, Robert Clarke (SAN), seeking for the enforcement of their fundamental human right.
 Talented Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson has hinted of going back to the labour room soon.
She told Africa Magic in an interview that taking care of her baby, Purity and spending time with her was inexplicable and fun.
She said “Motherhood is great; it’s so magical and special.”
.jpg) Five persons, including the Assemblyman, Mohammed Bawa, of the Banda Nkwanta electoral area, have already been arrested for illegal mining operations at the Bui National park, posing a threat to the Bui Dam.
Reports say in recent times, illegal miners have suddenly surfaced and begun digging pits at the National Park.
.jpg) Former South African President Nelson Mandela's "health continues to improve but his condition remains serious", President Jacob Zuma has said.
After visiting Mr Mandela in hospital, Mr Zuma urged people to keep him "in their prayers".
The 94 year old is spending his sixth day in the Pretoria hospital suffering from a recurrent lung infection.
He became South Africa's first black president in 1994 after leading the struggle against white minority rule.
He stepped down five years later.
 Dr. Njogou L. Bah, minister of Petroleum has been removed with immediate effect yesterday, a press release from the Office of the President revealed.
The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has contributed the sum of US$1M (approximately D35M) to President Jammeh's youth development initiative.
President Jammeh unveiled the initiative project, alongside some other major development projects for the country’s social sector during a banquet organised last week by the First Lady, Her Excellency Madam Zineb Jammeh in honour of his 48th birthday anniversary.
The new development packages include the establishment of a US$1Million development fund for Gambian youths, the launch of a new public transport system -Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC), as well as specialised medical services at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, meant to end referral of patients outside the country.
Thousands of people from Basse and its surroundings Wednesday gave a tumultuous welcome to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh and his entourage, in the Upper River Region (URR) town of Basse. As usual, multitudes of people converged on Allunhari and accompanied the president and delegation via the back way, as the main Trans-Gambia Highway is under renovation. The Gambian leader was accompanied all the way to Masanjang Kunda, where he was installed.
The president, who was accompanied by a high-powered delegation including cabinet ministers, APRC bigwigs, militants and supporters, was on his third day of the 2013 Dialogue With the People Tour, which is a constitutional requirement.
 MONROVIA: The head of a visiting South Korean Business Delegation to Liberia has predicted that Liberia will be a success story. Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia after a 10-day business visit to Liberia, Mr. James Juhee Han, said after series of assessment visits to various parts of Africa, the Korean group prefers Liberia for investment.
Mr. Hun, who is also the Chairman of the Make Group in South Korea, said the group is seeking at least 325 acres of land from Liberia to construct an industrial complex. He said the investment will be done by different South Korean companies, and not only the seven companies that comprise the Make Group.
For the first time in six years, the flag of Liberia is flying high among the ensigns of other African Countries participating in the African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo, taking place in Abuja, Nigeria.
The 6thAFAC EXPO at the Eagle Square in Abuja from June 11-15 under the theme: “Leveraging the Arts and Crafts Industry for Job Creation and Economic Empowerment,” brings together traders from more than ten countries, including Liberia, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Mali, Chad, Gambia and host Nigeria, as well as China and Korea.
A young Liberian entrepreneur Fatumata Conde, a dealer in textiles, beads and art work, is representing Liberia.
Ms. Conde, who has been participating in the fair for the past three years as an ordinary trader, said she felt accomplished representing her country. “All these years Liberia has not been present, I feel I have already achieved much just by the presence of the Liberian flag here among other country flags and people are trooping in, some former peacekeepers; just to identify with us” she explained.
Ms. Conde said that she was proud that people have the opportunity to see the creativity and hard work of Liberians and know that the country has graduated from war and is moving forward. She is also hopeful of making good sales during the one week fair.
 MONROVIA: President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf has issued a Proclamation declaring Sunday, June 16, 2013 ‘Day of The African Child’ (DAC) to be observed throughout Liberia as a Working Holiday. The daywill be celebratedon Monday, June 17, 2013 since it falls on Sunday.
The President, in her Proclamation, called on all citizens and foreign residents, national and international youth organizations and all government agencies concerned to join the Ministry of Gender and Development in executing appropriate programs befitting the observance of the day.
Liberian children are expected to join other children across the African Continent to celebrate the DAC under the theme “Our Collective Responsibility In Eliminating Harmful, Social And Cultural Practices Affecting Children In Liberia”.
More than half of Americans polled in a survey released today say they agree with the statement, "we are really in the era of Big Brother." USC conducted it last year, before recent revelations of large-scale, secret government surveillance. Even then it found that 35 percent of respondents believed "There is no privacy, get over it."
California schools will see an infusion of $3.6 Billion in more money this year under the Brown compromise budget. Much of that is targeted to the neediest students as part of a redistribution plan pushed by the governor.
Much of that money won't be controlled by rigorous standards, according to critics. They say there should be strict language in the budget for fiscal transparency, parental involvement, and accountability to ensure to insure it's spent as intended.
A tense situation for Susanville Police Tuesday evening when they went to a residence in the 500 block of Woodside Way on a report of a man who had barricaded himself in his home and was threatening suicide.
They found 45-year old Joseph Adair of Susanville standing in front of his residence and attempted contact. As officers came closer, Adair went back into his house through a garage door and then revealed himself in a front window. He then fired several pellets from a pellet gun in the general direction of the officers
The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$155 million International Development Association grant to support the Government of Ghana’s efforts to increase access to sanitation and water supply services and to improve the capacity of government agencies to plan and manage natural resources more sustainably.
The funds will support two of the Government of Ghana’s priorities: manage natural resources in a sustainable manner and bring improved sanitation and water supply to over 3.6 million people living in and around the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).
The first US$5 million IDA grant supports the Natural Resources and Environmental Governance project with Technical Assistance. The project is designed to provide technical assistance to help improve the capacity of government agencies to plan, manage and use natural resources in selected sectors more effectively and sustainably. The project will support the analytical work, policy dialogue, consultations and capacity building to address critical sector challenges identified in the first phase of the NREG Program (2008-2012).
 Since former president, Nelson Mandela's admission to a Pretoria hospital on Saturday, his name has become one of the top searched on the net.
It's the third time this year the global icon was admitted to hospital. According to the Google Insight Stats, an online analytical tool,
"Tata", as he is fondly known, is the number one fastest rising search item on the web. Reports say the surge in online search terms around the world include Nelson Mandela and Apartheid.
 The family of the late President Mills has stated that they are planning and preparing to make the one-year anniversary of his death in Akumfi Narkwa in the Central Region.
The Late president passed on the 24th of July 2012.
According to Citi FM’s Central regional correspondent some of the family’s buildings in Ekumfi Narkwa are being renovated to house people who will attend the anniversary ceremony.
THE Osun State governor Mr Rauf Aregbesola has cited pending court cases as the reason local government elections had not been held in the state.
Dislosing this at the 2nd edition of the National public discourse held in Lagos, on Tuesday, the governor described it as a mischief for anybody to accuse the government of imposing its own people on the local governments.
According to him, some mischievous persons had been insinuating that Osun State government is guilty of imposition of government on the local councils without election.
‘The truth is that members of the Osun State Electoral Commission who were dismissed by the court as having been improperly constituted exercised their rights of appeal to the Court of Appeal and having lost, they have proceeded to the Supreme Court.
 [Opadokun] Chief Ayo Opadokun was the Publicity Secretary of the once dreaded National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the struggle for the re-validation of June 12 presidential poll won by late Chief M. K. O. Abiola. He speaks on various issues around the struggle and the polity as the country marks another anniversary of june 12, in this interview with BOLA BADMUS. Excerpts:
As somebody who was deeply involved in the June 12 struggle, what do you think the day represents?
Well, June 12, 1993 was a major landmark in the history of Nigeria’s socio-political setting. It was a day when Nigerians from all walks of life, Nigerians of all colours, manners and abilities decided to ignore or bury the dubious national divide of North-South, Christian-Muslim and the like and voted for the Muslim-Muslim ticket of M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe.
 [The Late Chief MKO Abiola] Ambassador Susan Rice was up until recently the American Ambassador to the United Nations. Her long-standing aspiration of becoming the Secretary of State for her country was dashed when the Republicans in the Senate started sharpening their knives in anticipation of her formal nomination for that position by President Barak Obama.
Sensing that her nomination would not scale through the Senate and that she would not be confirmed as Secretary of State due to the role she played in the cover up of the Benghazi affair in which the American Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other American citizens were murdered by a group of islamist terrorists, her nomination was withdrawn.
Instead of Secretary of State, President Obama has now nominated her for the position of National Security Advisor which is a job that does not require Senate approval or confirmation. I wish Susan Rice well in her new assignment but I am constrained to ask the following questions.
Mixed reactions have greeted the signing into law of the cremation bill by the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola.
The law had given legal teeth to state authorities to burn unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries– after a period of time.
Since the bill was signed into law, Lagosians have been reacting in many ways.
Reacting to the development, Mr Charles Audu, a lawyer, said that the signing into law of the bill was a commendable effort by the governor because it would help reduce the problem of unclaimed corpses.
In fact, it has simply been a kind of mixed reactions trailing the signing exercise. While some residents of the state and participants on an online media, Nairaland, who gave environmental reasons, supported the idea, others who condemned it gave religious and cultural reasons for their opposition to the new law.
The deputy governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) has reiterated the Bank's strong commitment to continue to perform and maintain its role as supervisor, regulator and promoter of micro-finance in The Gambia. He said: "To unleash the potentials if micro-finance, the CBG is committed to the maintenance of a gentle macro-economic environment.
Basiru Njie was speaking on behalf of the governor of the CBG yesterday, at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi, where he presided over the opening of a four-day regional course on micro-finance operation and regulations. The course is conducted by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM).
The Gambia leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, Monday received in audience, The Gambia's honorary consul general to the Republic of Kuwait, at State House in Banjul.
Speaking to waiting reporters shortly after his closed-door meeting with the Gambian leader, Dr. Nadeel Abdul- Raheem, said he is very pleased to be in Banjul again and honoured to meet His Excellency the president.
"We discussed [strengthening] cooperation between the Government of The Gambia and the Republic of Kuwait. You know that my government in Kuwait is financing a number of infrastructural projects in The Gambia and I was honoured today to discuss the future cooperation. There are a number of projects and His Excellency has given me the instruction to follow up with the Kuwaiti government and the Kuwait Fund and Inshallah (God willing) we will do our utmost best to get all the assistance to the Gambian people and government, to promote development in the country, as well as further increase the cooperation between The Gambia and Kuwait," he remarked.
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN: The 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) concluded on Monday, June 3, came to an end with the adoption of the Yokohama Declaration 2013 and the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017.
The Yokohama Declaration 2013 and the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017 will set the course for Japan-Africa partnership and Africa’s growth over the next five years and beyond.
The conference was attended by 51 African Heads of State and Government including Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. In adopting the Declaration, participants committed to address the challenges facing Africa and to pursue quality growth through the promotion of a robust and sustainable economy, an inclusive and resilient society, and peace and stability.
MONROVIA: Over 300 Albinos in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties have benefited from free medical treatment for skin cancer enlightenment.
The two counties are located in Western Liberia. The medical treatment, which is the first of its kind, was provided recently by the Liberia Albino Society (LAS). The latest gesture by the LAS is part of a nationwide free medical outreach for people with albinism and visually impaired.
According to the Executive Director of the Liberia Albino Society Madam Patricia Logan, thousands of albinos across Liberia will benefit from the gesture.
 MONROVIA: The Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) of the African, Caribbean, Pacific and European Union (ACP-EU) have urged the Government of Liberia (GOL) to lift its people out of poverty as a means of sustaining peace in post-conflict Liberia.
The ACP-EU JPA said vast majority of Liberians are yet to benefit from their country’s many economic prosperities, but rather continue to live in poverty.
Speaking at a news conference recently at the office of the European Union in Monrovia, the Co-President of ACP-EU JPA, Mr. Louis Michel, said a general analysis of Liberia’s economy shows that the country’s economy is in a pretty good shape and there have been some level of improvements in the country as compared to the past.
Fire restrictions will go into effect on June 15, 2013 within the Plumas National Forest. They're a couple of weeks early this year because of hot weather and dry, woody fuel conditions, according to officials.
1. No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be allowed outside designated areas even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with the Permit available from. Forest Service offices;
The Lassen County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the disappearance of a CalTrans worker from Doyle. Employees are donating personal leave time to participate in the search for Patrick McCarthy. The 45-year old equipment operator works out of the Susanville facility.
He called in sick on June 3, and his neighbor saw his truck that afternoon in McCarthy's hometown of Doyle. He;s not been seen or heard from since.
The Forest Service has identified a smokejumper killed yesterday while fighting a fire in the south Warner Wilderness Area.
28-year old Luke Sheehy of Susanville died when debris fell out of a tree and struck him. The fire was a mile and a half southeast of Soup Springs Campground in the Modoc National Forest.
Tuesday marks the fourth day that former South African President Nelson Mandela spends in hospital. More South African Police Service (SAPS) members and Metro Police have been deployed at a Pretoria hospital where Mandela is believed to be admitted. Police are searching and scanning all cars entering the hospital parking.
Mandela has been receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection. His condition has been described as serious, but stable
 Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, former First Lady of the Republic of GhanaDr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, former First Lady of the Republic of GhanaA former First Lady, Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills, has bemoaned the rate of immorality and fallen ethical standards among the youth, especially senior high school (SHS) students.
She has, therefore, urged the youth to return to the Bible and devote their early years to strengthen their relationship with God, since nothing could be achieved without Him.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Ghana First Lady SHS Students Bible Project at the Aburi Girls' Senior High School at Aburi in the Eastern Region last Sunday, Mrs Mills said the best way for anybody to live a functional life was to be at peace with God.
 Mrs Abena Osei-Asare, who represents the people of Atiwa East in the Eastern Region, is one of the youngest MPs in the Sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic who is determined to work hard as a legislator to champion the hopes and aspirations of her constituents.
Since 2003, the 34-year old has nurtured the ambition to lead her people at the highest level of the country’s political governance.
In December 2003, Mrs Osei-Asare was posted to the then office of the Presidential Special Initiative on Garment where she spent one year on national service.
She worked at the New York University (NYU) in Ghana between 2004 and 2007 as Assistant Director (Finance and Facilities), where she managed a budget close to $1 million annually and had added responsibility of all accounting and financial information for the university.
 Heading a ball can leave footballers with brain abnormalities and memory loss, a study has found.
Players most fond of the "header" suffer changes similar to those seen in patients with traumatic brain injury, scans have revealed.
Researchers in the US used an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to study the brains of 37 amateur adult soccer players, reports Sky News.
The technique, known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), can identify microscopic changes to the brain's white matter, which consists of billions of nerve fibres.
Like communication cables, the fibres, or axons, connect different regions of the brain.
"We chose to study soccer players, because soccer is the most popular sport worldwide," said study leader Dr Michael Lipton, from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
.jpg) Dr E.O Gbonko, Rector of Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture (AOCA), Yandev, Benue State, in this interview with FEMI IBIROGBA, advocates sustainable interest, willpower and commitment as elements required (of individuals, the government and agro-industrial stakeholders) to develop the agricultural sector, saying his college has contributed to the economy, especially in the North Central zone, among other issues.
How is your college contributing to the agro-economy of Nigeria?
Initially, our institution was established to train middle-level manpower that would actually handle the agricultural sector in the nation. Apart from the major role of training agricultural personnel who gain their diplomas and higher diplomas, I can say that our institution, in the Middle Belt area, has actually been a pioneer to others in citrus fruits research at any time. Maybe it is because of the soil type, we are the best in the citrus fruits like mango and orange development. Our institution has always done a lot in soya beans research and development also. Maybe it is because of the varieties of soil needed in the development of crop in the area. In the area of sesame seed, our institution has contributed a lot in the research, development, propagation and distribution of sesame seeds and seedlings in the Middle Belt area.
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have announced $1.2 million new funding to provide assistance to 70,000 cocoa farming households in at least 10 Nigerian states by 2015.
The programme will focus on business skills training and support for diversification of rural economies in order to increase cocoa farm household incomes. The programme is expected to generate benefits for more than 480,000 Nigerians and help double household incomes within the next five to six years.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, made the announcement at the WCF’s 23rd annual partnership meeting in Washington, D.C at the weekend.
The Lower River Regional branch of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has received directives from the Office of the President to campaign for the relocation of settlers on disaster hotspots in the region ahead of the raining season.
The presidential instruction was communicated to the LRR disaster agency by the acting-executive director of the NDMA, Serign Modou Joof, accompanied by other senior officials from the NDMA at a meeting held in Mansakonko on Saturday.
Mr Joof submitted that the President has questioned the reason for giving disaster assistance repeatedly to several names of people year after year.
“There are names he calls as popular members of beneficiaries of disaster reliefs,” he said.
According to Mr Joof, the presidential orders are meant to discourage people from relying on disaster packages as their way of lives.
The Association of NGOs in The Gambia (Tango) recently held a validation workshop on a study on NGO policies in Africa at its office in Kanifing.
The workshop, which brought participants from different member organizations and other stakeholders, was funded by the ACBF with the aim of supporting the human and institutional capacity of Tango.
Tango and ACBF entered into an agreement in 2008 to fund a project that seeks to build the capacity of the secretariat and members of Tango in management, operational and governance issues as well as enhance their participation in public processes and promote a result-based national development.
Dr Katim Touray, who presented a report on NGO policies in Africa and position paper on agriculture and environment, said the Government of The Gambia, in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Vision 2020, is to transform the agricultural sector from subsistence farming system to surplus-producing system.
Da Vinci Technical Senior Secondary School in Nemasu has produced 156 students who completed Grade 12 in flying colours this year.
On Friday at Nemasu, where the school also inaugurated a six-classroom block under the name Yakanu Nursery and Primary School, the director of the school said the school has been giving quality and affordable education to students of the community and has always been producing students with excellent grades, such as aggregates six and seven, over the years.
School Director Lamin Kandeh also said his school hardly registered a failure over the years.
“This is all through discipline,” he noted, saying: “I will ensure the school remains to serve mankind generation yet unborn.”
President Bouteflika is unlikely to run for a fourth term. However, following resignations and in-party tensions, his successor is far from clear.
For weeks now, speculation has been rife on whether the Algerian President, the 76-year old Abdelaziz Bouteflika, will run for a fourth consecutive term in April 2014.
On 27 April, he was flown to a hospital in Paris after suffering a minor stroke. A number of official communiqués have confirmed he is recovering well and expect him to return to Algiers very soon. But he has yet to resume his presidential duties.
This latest setback might not prevent him from pursuing his mandate until next year, but his health has been steadily deteriorating since 2005, when he was hospitalised after developing a ulcer. What, then, are the likely scenarios ahead of the next election?
South Africa produced a focused and intense performance when they most needed it to crush Pakistan by 67 runs in front of a lively crowd in an ICC Championships Trophy Group B match at Edgbaston on Monday.
On a difficult pitch, in a game they had to win to keep their semi-finals hopes alive, the Proteas posted 234 for 9 after AB de Villiers elected to bat, and then bowled the Pakistanis out for 167 in 45 overs.
With Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel all missing the team was without four of its leading players, but Hashim Amla was still there and he delivered a man-of-the-match winning performance by scoring 81 off 97 deliveries with the bat.
Superb bowling
Ryan McLaren, meanwhile, continued to put on an excellent impression of Kallis by following up his unbeaten 71 against India with a superb 4 for 19 in eight overs with the ball against the Pakistanis.
Tunis — Interim Prime Minister Ali Larayedh said the Tunisian government "is advocating neither for a religious State nor a State at war against religion."
"Tunisian people, in their majority, want to live in democracy and in modernity and "reject both a religious state and a state at war against religion," he said in an interview with German daily "Frankfurter Algemein Zeitung".
In this interview, published on Saturday by this general circulation daily, the day after Larayedh's visit to Berlin, the Prime Minister stated that "democracy in Tunisia is not only a political issue or system but also a question of mentalities and social and cultural behaviour."
The country "would benefit from the great efforts exerted on the cultural level and in thoughts to entrench democracy values in each family member and within the community," he added.
 The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reminded the public of the need to observe the ban on smoking in all public places.
That, it said, was necessary to protect non-smokers from the adverse effects of tobacco smoke, considering the overwhelming evidence concerning its harmful effects on humans.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive of the FDA, Dr Stephen K. Opuni, said tobacco smoke was known scientifically to contain over 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which caused cancer and affected all parts of the body.
“Those who inhale the smoke are exposed to all these chemicals and are at risk of the adverse health consequences of these chemicals,” it said.
Consequently, Part Six of the Public Health Act 2012 was enacted to protect the public against the harmful effects of tobacco.
 Residents of the New Town suburb of Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region are yet to come to terms with the murder of a man suspected to be a homosexual.
It is believed that Samuel Osae Boampong, a tailor at the Sunyani main market aged between 26-28, was killed by his partner.
The incident is reported to have happened after the love affair between the deceased and his male lover from Kumasi turned sour.
Kuuku Abban of Sky FM reported that according to residents, Samuel was last seen on Friday night entering his room with another young man of his age. He was later found dead in his room.
 Four persons were burnt to death while three others suffered injuries when fire gutted their six-bedroom house at Agric-Nzima in Kumasi on Sunday morning.
The deceased whose bodies were substantially burnt included the landlady, identified only as Auntie Mary; her 27-year-old daughter, a graduate of the Kumasi Polytechnic (known only as Araba) and a tenant, Alex Frimpong (a truck driver).
One other victim, 38-year-old Eunice Owusu Afriyie later died in hospital. she was also the daughter of the landlady.
The injured are the pregnant wife of Frimpong and the couple’s four-year-old child, as well as a relative of the landlord. They are receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
Apart from the deaths and injuries, nothing was salvaged in the house.
Anthony Sani, National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative (ACF), speaks with Regional Editor North-West, HASSAN IBRAHIM, on current issues affecting the polity. Excerpts:
What’s your take on Chief Anenih’s endorsement of President Jonathan for 2015?
I have answered this question several times. Chief Tony Anenih’s calls that incumbents should be exempted from party primaries is not only anti-democratic but is inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act which seeks to promote internal democracy within political parties in the sense that it denies parties members from participation in the choice of the party standard-bearers. And in the absence of provision for independent candidates, such practice will limit the choice by voters during general elections.
 Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, who recently hosted newsmen, addressed issues bothering on the marginalization of the Yoruba and other sundry matters. TAIWO ADISA presents the excerpts:
IN the past, Afenifere was known to constantly interrogate national issues. Why has it taken you so long to speak out and what exactly is your anger this time?
Most of us, who knew when the first civilian government was in place, are now appalled with what we are seeing. Our dreams have been shattered and we must find solutions to some of these problems. We want to continue to sustain our stands. That is why we feel, we should address the nation. There is the problem of unemployment, teeming millions of young university graduates without any job. Then, we have the problem of Boko Haram, which is the same phenomenon. We have never seen this before. The stand of the Federal Government is very dicey, speaking from both sides of the mouth, denouncing it and at the same time, relaxing.
 FOREMOST baby making factory, the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, established in 1959, clocked 54, on May 13, this year.
Getting the management of the hospital to speak since last month was not an easy task as The Guardian was first directed to get approval from the Lagos State Commissioner of Health. The approval from the commissioner came only recently before the hospital’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oreose Donald Imosemi, agreed to speak.
Imosemi, who spoke on the challenges faced by the 54-year-old institution and what is being done to modernize it, said the place had played prominent role since it first started operation in the 50s, when it was apparently the only General Hospital in the whole of Lagos, up till the ‘70s and ‘80s, when a few other General Hospitals began to spring up.
The government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh Friday re-launched the public transport system with the commissioning of 50 state-of-the-art buses as part of efforts to provide a cheaper and more reliable means of transportation in the country.
The buses that were commissioned on behalf of President Jammeh by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, have been specially assembled for The Gambia by Ashok-Leyland, one of the most reputable bus and truck manufacturing companies in the world.
The buses are meant for the newly established Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC), established to facilitate easy and timely movement of goods and people for the convenience of the travelling public who are mostly at the mercy of shylock type of commercial drivers. But more importantly, it is expected to enhance economic growth, provide employment opportunities and expedite the overall development of the country for the fact that a reliable and safe public transport system is indispensable to the development endeavors of any country.
The president of the Republic has unveiled major development projects for the country’s social sectors during a banquette organised by the First Lady, Her Excellency Madam Zineb Jammeh in honour of his 48th birthday anniversary.
The new development packages, according to His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh include the establishment of US$1Million development fund for the youths of the country, the launch of a new public transport system- Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC), as well as other specialised medical services at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul to end referral of patients outside the country.
Rlg Communications Gambia Ltd, a multi-million dollar mobile phone and laptop assembly plant was on Saturday officially commissioned by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Dr. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy at a ceremony held at the company’s headquarters along Kairaba Avenue.
Rlg Gambia, is a subsidiary of the Rlg Communications Group headquartered in Accra Ghana. The Group specialises in the production and sale of communication equipment such as mobile phones, electronic notebooks, tablets, laptops, LCD TV monitors and other ICT accessories.
Rlg also provides capacity building programmes through its Mobile Phone Repair Training Programme. The Rlg Group has been in existence for more than a decade, and operating in many countries including Ghana, Nigeria, China, Dubai and now The Gambia. According to its officials the company has plans to further expand to Senegal, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the future.
A disabled U.S. military veteran and the American Legion's District Commander for Northeastern California as well as the Susanville Post Commander died Wednesday night following a traffic collision in a crosswalk connecting the Memorial Building and Lassen High School.
Suasnville police say Thomas Irven Robinson, 68, was in a power chair traveling through the crosswalk on Main Street when he was struck by a Chevy Silverado pickup driven by Charles Bradley Illes of Chico. His vehicle was traveling westbound on Main St. directly into the sun just before 8 p.m.
The allegation of nepotism is the biggest political missile repeatedly unleashed by critics of the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Liberians at home and abroad often debate this polemical topic. Some have written voluminous articles while others attack the regime on this issue whenever they are given a space on the podium.
Interestingly, those who continue to accuse the president of nepotism have one thing in common: they insist that nepotism is simply the employment of family member(s). All arrows have been pointed at Mr. Robert Sirleaf, Chairman of the Board of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL). The accusers reinforced their case by drawing in the limelight Mr. Charles Sirleaf, Deputy Bank Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) who was recently replaced, and Mr. Fumba Sirleaf of the National Security Agency (NSA).
 “Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s voice bellowed with a somber drawl as he addressed a joint session of the US Congress on December 8th, a day after Japan’s devastating surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.
Those were the beginning words of President Roosevelt’s so-called “Infamy Speech” declaring war on the Empire of Japan. And within hours of his speech, the US Congress passed an official declaration of war against Japan, overturning the nation’s policy of non-interventionism, and setting the stage for the US to enter World War II and ultimately, play a crucial role in ending the specter a world under the submission of Hitler’s genocidal Nazi Germany.
 At its basic level, politics in Liberia has always been about the political elite using government resources for private generosity to acquire supporters, perpetuate cronyism, and stifle public debates about corruption and poor public policies. The goal is to build a following large enough to insulate themselves not only from their critics but also from the wrath of their own ineffective public policies. This political culture fundamentally skews the organization of power in Liberia by de-institutionalizing the State, and de-incentivizing the government to rebuild and legitimize public institutions
NO fewer than nine persons were killed in their sleep in Kushaka village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State by invading Fulani herdsmen from neigbouring Kaduna State.
The state police command spokesman, ASP Richard Oguche, said the report reaching the command showed that the villagers were killed in their houses at about 1.00a.m., when the Fulani herdsmen attacked them without any provocation.
He said the village is on the border between Niger and Kaduna states, while no reason could be adduced for the attack, as the village had no previous quarrel or misunderstanding with their neigbours.
The chairmanship of the All Progressive Congress (APC) zoned to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has become a source of disagreement and rivalry within the merging parties, the Nigerian Tribune has learnt.
Party sources who confessed that they had been banned from talking to the media disclosed that the party’s chairmanship zoned to the ACN is now a source of disagreement, pitching the ACN national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu and governors of the party against one another.
While the party leader reportedly preferred the retention of Chief Bisi Akande as the new national chairman of the APC, governors of the party were said to have opted for Chief Tom Ikimi, former Foreign Affairs Minister.
NIGERIA’S forefathers, among whom are the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikwe had, on several occasions during their lifetimes, proffered solutions to most of the problems the country is facing today.
This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, while delivering a lecture, entitled: “The essentials of Nigeria’s survival,” at the 2013 Distinguished Annual Public Lecture, organised by the Faculty of Social Science & Enterprises, Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, on Thursday.
A number of doctors, nurses and pharmacists in hospitals and clinics across the country are working under the influence of a powerful opium-based prescription pain killer called Pethidine and in some cases have been busted stealing the drug or illegally altering patient records to fuel their addiction.
Investigations has revealed that a nurse at the Korle Bu teaching Hospital was struck off her duties because she frequently altered patient prescription records to get an extra patch of Pethidine for herself and was endangering patients.
The problem is widespread and is threatening health delivery in hospitals across Ghana, according to interviews with various health professionals in Accra. Doctors and nurses are using the drug at work, delivering compromised services to their patients.
 The Western Regional Police Command has conferred with the chiefs and people of Ahanta West District to find solutions to recent murders in that part of the region. Aside the murders, the people said their night life had been curbed by thieves, who attack even when inhabitants went out to attend to nature’s call. Travellers are not spared either.
Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Boakye said solutions to the mysteries required collaborations between the police and the public.
He said the meeting followed recent increases in cases of instant justice meted out to suspected criminals in the district, with Apowa and Agona Nkwanta recording three such cases in a month.
.jpg) The Presidency has announced a twenty-five thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢25,000) prize to reward any person who provides information leading to the arrest of suspected arsonists involved in the recent fire outbreaks in various markets in the country.
President John Dramani Mahama has also directed the state security agencies to declare a security alert at all important public buildings and installations across the country.
The directive, according to a statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani, follows updated security briefings received by the President on the recent fire outbreaks in various markets in the country.
The community of Sare Nfally village in the Lower Fulladou West district of the Central River Region is in dire need of clean drinking water, as a result of an inadequate local well that serves the villagers.
In a recent trip to the district and the village, in particular, this reporter spoke to a number of villagers who expressed their concern over the current situation they are grappling with, and called on the relevant authorities to come to their aid.
According to village Alkalo Bokary Leigh, the villagers have for the past five years been struggling not only to have access to safe drinking water, but also sufficient wells, which remains a major concern particularly to the women.
 Banjul is hosting the Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics in Africa, CAPA’s international conference on regional cooperation in TVET for sustainable development in Africa.
The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye Tuesday presided over the official opening of the weeklong international conference.
The conference, which brought participants from various countries in the sub-region, was held at the Paradise Suites Hotel, hosted by the Gambia Technical Training Institute, GTTI.
The Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics in Africa is a grouping of polytechnics of vocational and technical institutes in the Commonwealth countries in Africa.
 The Chief Executive Officer of Qcell GSM company, Muhammed Jah, yesterday donated two brand new Mercedez Benz cars to President Yahya Jammeh, at a ceremony held at State House in Banjul.
The cars, a Mercedez Benz 4x4 M Class 2013 and E-300 Saloon vehicle B Class were presented to President Jammeh as a special birthday gift.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Muhammed Jah recalled that during Qcell’s first year anniversary, President Jammeh graced the occasion and made remarks that he felt if anybody is going to come up with a car or vehicle assembly plant in the country, it will be Muhammed Jah.
 As the Lassen Grizzlies prepare for the annual Gold Beach football camp on June 15th, history proves that Lassen has had athletes well represented at the annual event.
Former Lassen Grizzlies still hold camp records that stand till this day. In 2001 Lassen Grizzly Taylor Polan set the camp record for the 40 yard sprint recording a time of 4.44 seconds, a record that has not been beaten to this day. Another camp record for the Pro-Agility competition was set in 2004 by Lassen Grizzly Jared Boucher who recorded a time of 3.90 seconds.
A panel of experts from the National Academy of Sciences is saying the BLM's removal of nearly 100,000 horses form the western ranges over the past decade is having the opposite effect of its intention to ease ecological damage and reduce over-populated herds. The government would be better off investing in fertility control of the mustangs and let nature cull any excess herds instead of spending $40 a year to house them.
Also, there is little scientific basis for establishing what the BLM considers to be appropriate, ecologically-based caps on horse populations in various management areas.
The 14-member panel commissioned by the BLM concluded that the removal of nearly 100,000 horses from the range over the past decade isn't working. It's not helping repair the ecological damage or actually reducing over-populated herds.
The Susanville City Council last night put off until their June 19th meeting any decision to accept the environmental document that lays out some potential obstacles that might lie ahead in the proposed sierra spots park on the south edge of Susanville. the 16 acre project could be troublesome in ways that might end up costing the city more than the $2 million-plus grant it will get form the state to develop it.
At issue are some riparian issues and the Carson wandering skipper, a listed butterfly that may or may not make its home on one corner of the parcel. Mitigation efforts could resolve most of the issues being identified in the environmental document, but if there are persistent ecological problems, the fcosts to deal with them are not fully known.
The Government of Liberia (GOL) through the National Transit Authority (NTA) has pledged its unflinching support and commitment to providing affordable and efficient transportation services to the Liberian people.
The (NTA) was established by the Government of Liberia through Legislative enactment on September 11, 2008 and passed into law by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on March 24, 2009. The NTA has a mandate to provide and expand access to affordable, convenient, reliable and sustainable mass transit services to all parts of Liberia.
According to the Deputy Managing Director of the NTA Mr. Tarnue N. Jeke, the NTA will strive to provide efficient and effective transportation for all citizens in the country.
 MONROVIA: Garbage has taken over the city of Monrovia leaving residents with the fear of imminent health problems if nothing is urgently done to address the situation described as ugly and embarrassing.
Huge pile of garbage can be seen across Monrovia and its environs at street corners, schools and market places, among others. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) as part of its 2013/2014 activities, supported by WaterAidin Liberia and Sierra Leone is focusing media attention on sanitation.
In the wake of the garbage problem in Monrovia, WASH R&E has placed a media focus on the Soniwein Community in central Monrovia with a population of hundreds of residents.
The Soniwein residents upon seeing a team of WASH journalists expressed optimism that with the presence of the media, relevant authorities would intervene and take concrete actions to avert imminent sanitation hazards in Soniwein and other parts of Monrovia.
 Several citizens of Sinoe County including youth, have called on the Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Liberia National Police (LNP),to form a partnership with the Liberia Motorcycle Transport Union (LMTU) to institute a measure aimed at stopping children of school going ages from ridding commercial motorbikes, especially during school hours.
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