2015-01-14 10:12
Malawi - Malawi President Peter Mutharika has declared half the
southern African country a disaster zone after torrential rains over the
past few days killed at least 48 people and left around 70 000
homeless.
The heavy rains have also damaged crops in the country,
which last year harvested a bumper 3.9 million tonnes of the staple
maize crop, a surplus of almost a million tonnes.
Malawi's
Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has warned of
heavy rainfall and flash floods in the country for the next two to three
weeks.
"So far, it is estimated that 69 995 people have been
displaced by the floods and 48 people have lost their lives. The floods
have also damaged a lot of hectares of crops, washed away livestock and
damaged infrastructure such as roads and bridges,"
Mutharika said in a statement late on Tuesday.
He also said many people remained stranded and would need to be rescued from low-lying areas prone to flooding.
"I
declare all the 15 districts that have been affected by floods Disaster
Areas... I appeal for humanitarian assistance, from the international
donor community," he said.
The crop outlook in the country, where
much agriculture is still done by subsistence farmers, has deteriorated
after a late start to rains in the summer planting season which usually
gets underway in October or November.
"Delayed and overall
below-average cumulative rains since the start of the rainy season in
October last year have adversely affected the 2015 cereal crops, but
prolonged heavy rains may worsen the situation," said Jeffrey Luhanga,
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture.
Wet weather
has also wreaked damage in neighbouring Mozambique, which has been hit
periodically by catastrophic floods in the past.
Bridges have
collapsed in the country and the newly elected government there has
declared a "red alert" for the central and northern parts of the country
and was sending rescue boats and aid to stricken areas.
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Wednesday, 14 January 2015
APC concerned at plans to disempower Rivers indigenes
2015-01-14 08:03
Abuja - The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has condemned the alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sack non-indigenes from the State Civil Service if it wins the governorship poll.
He also expressed ‘horror’ to leaked plot by the party to withdraw all non-indigenes on scholarship and take over their business centres if the prize of oil in the international market did not stabilize before May 2015, thus resulting in continued reduced Federal Allocation to the state.
“I am at a loss as to what non-indigenes who have lived all their lives in Rivers State and pay their taxes did to warrant this type of treatment. We thank God that with the support of Rivers State people PDP’s wicked plots against the non-indigenes will not come to pass as collectively we can frustrate the evil enterprise by voting against all PDP candidates come February, 2015,” Peterside said on Monday at Rivers State APC Campaign Head Office in Port Harcourt.
Also Read:NUJ holds debate for 17 Lagos governorship candidates
The APC gubernatorial candidate, who spoke while inaugurating his campaign committees, assured all the non-indigenes in Rivers State they would not only have a rosy future if he is elected the next Rivers State Governor but will play a very crucial role in his administration.
“I will sustain the policy initiated by my mentor and leader, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, to make the non-indigenes group the 24th Local Government Area of Rivers State. This unit is to cater for the welfare and interests of all non-indigenes in the State,” he said.
Meanwhile, Peterside used the opportunity to formally present his campaign described as a “Road Map to Prosperity.”
It focuses on public sector accountability, security, employment generation and wealth creation as well as social and human capital development and empowerment.
Institutional and physical infrastructure development and food security also feature.
Abuja - The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has condemned the alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sack non-indigenes from the State Civil Service if it wins the governorship poll.
He also expressed ‘horror’ to leaked plot by the party to withdraw all non-indigenes on scholarship and take over their business centres if the prize of oil in the international market did not stabilize before May 2015, thus resulting in continued reduced Federal Allocation to the state.
“I am at a loss as to what non-indigenes who have lived all their lives in Rivers State and pay their taxes did to warrant this type of treatment. We thank God that with the support of Rivers State people PDP’s wicked plots against the non-indigenes will not come to pass as collectively we can frustrate the evil enterprise by voting against all PDP candidates come February, 2015,” Peterside said on Monday at Rivers State APC Campaign Head Office in Port Harcourt.
Also Read:NUJ holds debate for 17 Lagos governorship candidates
The APC gubernatorial candidate, who spoke while inaugurating his campaign committees, assured all the non-indigenes in Rivers State they would not only have a rosy future if he is elected the next Rivers State Governor but will play a very crucial role in his administration.
“I will sustain the policy initiated by my mentor and leader, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, to make the non-indigenes group the 24th Local Government Area of Rivers State. This unit is to cater for the welfare and interests of all non-indigenes in the State,” he said.
Meanwhile, Peterside used the opportunity to formally present his campaign described as a “Road Map to Prosperity.”
It focuses on public sector accountability, security, employment generation and wealth creation as well as social and human capital development and empowerment.
Institutional and physical infrastructure development and food security also feature.
Obasanjo fails to shift ground on Jonathan
2015-01-14 10:12
Abeokuta- Indications have emerged that the meeting geared towards ending the frosty relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo flopped, Saharareporters reports.
It was gathered that Obasanjo merely accepted to allow Jonathan and other PDP chieftains to visit him as a mark of respect to the office of the President and not to mend fences with him.
The meeting which did not yield the expected result was held in the presence of Pastor Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and Bishop David Oyedepo of Winner’s Chapel.
Also read: Jonathan, Obasanjo meet to mend fences
Obasanjo was said to be angry by last Sunday’s statement in which Jonathan referred to some elder statesmen as ‘motor park touts’, a classification, Obasanjo reportedly took in bad faith.
He later played host to the presidential campaign team of All Progressive Candidate (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari at his hilltop residence in Abeokuta.
Read more at Saharareporters
Abeokuta- Indications have emerged that the meeting geared towards ending the frosty relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo flopped, Saharareporters reports.
It was gathered that Obasanjo merely accepted to allow Jonathan and other PDP chieftains to visit him as a mark of respect to the office of the President and not to mend fences with him.
The meeting which did not yield the expected result was held in the presence of Pastor Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and Bishop David Oyedepo of Winner’s Chapel.
Also read: Jonathan, Obasanjo meet to mend fences
Obasanjo was said to be angry by last Sunday’s statement in which Jonathan referred to some elder statesmen as ‘motor park touts’, a classification, Obasanjo reportedly took in bad faith.
He later played host to the presidential campaign team of All Progressive Candidate (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari at his hilltop residence in Abeokuta.
Read more at Saharareporters
Three feared killed in Gombe suicide bombing
2015-01-14 11:35
Gombe - Three people were feared dead, while 21 others sustained various degrees of injuries when a suicide bomber blew up himself near a Mosque at Kasuwan Mata, Gombe State, on Tuesday evening.
Personnel of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other related personnel were seen at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Specialists Hospital, Gombe, trying to rescue victims.
Umar Ahmed, the Disaster Management Coordinator of the Red Cross Society in Gombe State, said that immediately they heard about the blast, the Society mobilised its personnel to rescue the injured persons.
Also read: More killed as Boko Haram attacks Borno town
He said all the victims were conveyed to the specialists hospital and were being treated by doctors and other health workers.
A source said the suspected suicide bomber was seen loitering around the area, apparently trying to detonate the explosive.
The source said not quite long when the suspect was sighted; he detonated the bomb which killed him and two other persons.
He added that irate youths who were at the scene set the remains of the suspected suicide bomber ablaze, while those injured were taken to the Specialists Hospital, Gombe for treatment.
21 persons who sustained various degrees of injuries were being attended to by doctors.
Gombe - Three people were feared dead, while 21 others sustained various degrees of injuries when a suicide bomber blew up himself near a Mosque at Kasuwan Mata, Gombe State, on Tuesday evening.
Personnel of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other related personnel were seen at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Specialists Hospital, Gombe, trying to rescue victims.
Umar Ahmed, the Disaster Management Coordinator of the Red Cross Society in Gombe State, said that immediately they heard about the blast, the Society mobilised its personnel to rescue the injured persons.
Also read: More killed as Boko Haram attacks Borno town
He said all the victims were conveyed to the specialists hospital and were being treated by doctors and other health workers.
A source said the suspected suicide bomber was seen loitering around the area, apparently trying to detonate the explosive.
The source said not quite long when the suspect was sighted; he detonated the bomb which killed him and two other persons.
He added that irate youths who were at the scene set the remains of the suspected suicide bomber ablaze, while those injured were taken to the Specialists Hospital, Gombe for treatment.
21 persons who sustained various degrees of injuries were being attended to by doctors.
Ondo PDP chieftains defect to APC
2015-01-14 11:35
Akure - The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State
was again depleted on Tuesday as 46 chieftains of the party moved to
the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, reports Vanguard.
The defectors were led by the younger brother of the immediate governor of the state, late Dr Olusegun Agagu, Femi and a former Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Hon. Victor Olabimtan.
The defectors also included commissioners during the first term in office of Governor Olusegun Mimiko-led administration, Niran Sule-Ogunsuyi, Bukola Tenabe, Akin Akingbesote and Tola Wewe.
Also read: Ondo PDP crisis worsens
Welcoming them, the vice chairman, South-West and state chairman of APC, Pius Akinyelure and Isaac Kekemeke respectively, urged them to work tirelessly for the party to win in the February general elections.
Read more at Vanguard.
The defectors were led by the younger brother of the immediate governor of the state, late Dr Olusegun Agagu, Femi and a former Commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Hon. Victor Olabimtan.
The defectors also included commissioners during the first term in office of Governor Olusegun Mimiko-led administration, Niran Sule-Ogunsuyi, Bukola Tenabe, Akin Akingbesote and Tola Wewe.
Also read: Ondo PDP crisis worsens
Welcoming them, the vice chairman, South-West and state chairman of APC, Pius Akinyelure and Isaac Kekemeke respectively, urged them to work tirelessly for the party to win in the February general elections.
Read more at Vanguard.
SA warned against fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria
2015-01-14 11:35
Cape Town – A military expert has reportedly warned South Africa would be under threat if the country's soldiers joined the African Union (AU) forces in the fight against Boko Haram militants in Nigeria.
According to Times Live, Military analyst Helmoed Heitman said the threat of terror attacks closer to home would be increased if SA troops led the AU force in the fights against the terror group in Nigeria.
This comes as the AU is reportedly said to be mulling plans to deploy its military intervention force to fight the Islamic group.
Boko Haram has killed thousands in a five-year rebellion which is seen as the biggest security threat to Africa's top oil producer and is a headache for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of what is likely to be a closely fought vote on 14 February.
There is also the risk of the militants destabilising neighbouring countries.
At least 11 320 Nigerian refugees have fled the violence by crossing into neighbouring Chad since the start of the year, according to reports.
President Jonathan was recently quoted as saying over 13 000 people were killed in 2014.
The United Nations on Tuesday called on Nigeria to restore law and order in the northeast and investigate "mass killings" of civilians blamed on Boko Haram insurgents.
Cape Town – A military expert has reportedly warned South Africa would be under threat if the country's soldiers joined the African Union (AU) forces in the fight against Boko Haram militants in Nigeria.
According to Times Live, Military analyst Helmoed Heitman said the threat of terror attacks closer to home would be increased if SA troops led the AU force in the fights against the terror group in Nigeria.
This comes as the AU is reportedly said to be mulling plans to deploy its military intervention force to fight the Islamic group.
Boko Haram has killed thousands in a five-year rebellion which is seen as the biggest security threat to Africa's top oil producer and is a headache for President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of what is likely to be a closely fought vote on 14 February.
There is also the risk of the militants destabilising neighbouring countries.
At least 11 320 Nigerian refugees have fled the violence by crossing into neighbouring Chad since the start of the year, according to reports.
President Jonathan was recently quoted as saying over 13 000 people were killed in 2014.
The United Nations on Tuesday called on Nigeria to restore law and order in the northeast and investigate "mass killings" of civilians blamed on Boko Haram insurgents.
Reps, INEC bicker over voters' cards
2015-01-14 11:35
Abuja - Less than 30 days to the February general election, the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently in a battle of wits with the House of Representatives over the procedures for the elections, reports Leadership.
The House at its plenary on Tuesday directed INEC to allow eligible voters to vote with their temporary voter cards (TVCs) during the forthcoming general election.
The House arrived at the decision after adopting a motion by the House minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila to that effect.
Also read: Jonathan orders INEC to issue PVCs to registered voters
Gbajabiamila noted that it was impossible for INEC to distribute the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to all registered voters before the elections.
INEC insisted that that only voters with PVCs will be allowed to vote in the 2015 general elections
Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC, noted that the commission is yet to receive any directive to allow voters with TVCs to vote.
Read more at Leadership.
Abuja - Less than 30 days to the February general election, the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently in a battle of wits with the House of Representatives over the procedures for the elections, reports Leadership.
The House at its plenary on Tuesday directed INEC to allow eligible voters to vote with their temporary voter cards (TVCs) during the forthcoming general election.
The House arrived at the decision after adopting a motion by the House minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila to that effect.
Also read: Jonathan orders INEC to issue PVCs to registered voters
Gbajabiamila noted that it was impossible for INEC to distribute the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to all registered voters before the elections.
INEC insisted that that only voters with PVCs will be allowed to vote in the 2015 general elections
Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC, noted that the commission is yet to receive any directive to allow voters with TVCs to vote.
Read more at Leadership.
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