19:44 01/07/2015
Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the
appointment of Amina Zakari as the Acting National Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports Punch.
Zakari
was appointed as the acting head of the commission on Tuesday by
President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of
Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The party noted that Zakari was too close to the Presidency to occupy such sensitive position.
Olisa Metuh, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary stated his party’s position at a crowded press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
He
noted that Zakari needs to convinced Nigerians that she merits the
position by explaining her closeness to the Presidency and one of the
governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North-West.
Read more at Punch.
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Thursday, 2 July 2015
Commercial taxi drivers protest in Bwari over alleged harassement
21:41 01/07/2015
Bwari - Members of the Commercial Taxi Drivers Union in Bwari, FCT, on Wednesday staged a protest against what they called harassment and maltreatment by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ushafa Community, the drivers said that the activities of the road traffic officials caused road crashes.
The drivers said that their protest was triggered by the death of a pregnant woman last Saturday in a car accident caused by officials, who tried to maltreat a commercial driver who was in motion.
While some of the drivers carried tree branches, some others ensured they forced passengers in painted taxis to disembark to allow their colleagues to participate in the protest.
Mr Mohammed Daudu, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said they were protesting to attract the attention of the Federal Government and to demand its intervention to stop the incessant harassment.
"They disguise themselves in mufti to arrest defaulters.
"The officials waylaid a driver on Saturday and in their bid to catch him, they hooked the hand break in the vehicle.
"The incident resulted in the car hitting an electric pole; that was the main cause of the death of a pregnant woman who was a passenger in the vehicle.
"We have embarked on the strike to press home our protest that no commercial vehicle will carry passengers from Bwari to the central area.
"We appeal to the government to intervene in the matter and also help us to recover the 20 impounded vehicles belonging to our members from the officials.
"The officials must release our vehicles and give them back to us.
"The officials should wear their uniform when on duty instead of wearing mufti and disguising as passengers intimidating us."
Speaking with NAN, the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari, Mr Danladi Isa said that the protest, which started at about 6 a.m., attracted security operatives, who went to the scene to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens.
According to him, normalcy has been restored to the community and everybody can go about their business.
Early hours of this morning, we received information that the taxi drivers union (was) demonstrating at Ushafa junction.
I quickly mobilised my men and I am still on ground; I have addressed them and they have complained about maltreatment by the officials and that was the basis of their protest this morning.
I have talked with them on the need to conduct themselves peacefully; a lot of them have dispersed; the road is clear and commuters are moving without hindrance on the highway.”
NAN reports that an attempt to get the view of the Chief Officer of the VIO, Bwari Branch on the matter did not yield result, as he rebuffed all efforts to have him speak.
Bwari - Members of the Commercial Taxi Drivers Union in Bwari, FCT, on Wednesday staged a protest against what they called harassment and maltreatment by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ushafa Community, the drivers said that the activities of the road traffic officials caused road crashes.
The drivers said that their protest was triggered by the death of a pregnant woman last Saturday in a car accident caused by officials, who tried to maltreat a commercial driver who was in motion.
While some of the drivers carried tree branches, some others ensured they forced passengers in painted taxis to disembark to allow their colleagues to participate in the protest.
Mr Mohammed Daudu, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said they were protesting to attract the attention of the Federal Government and to demand its intervention to stop the incessant harassment.
"They disguise themselves in mufti to arrest defaulters.
"The officials waylaid a driver on Saturday and in their bid to catch him, they hooked the hand break in the vehicle.
"The incident resulted in the car hitting an electric pole; that was the main cause of the death of a pregnant woman who was a passenger in the vehicle.
"We have embarked on the strike to press home our protest that no commercial vehicle will carry passengers from Bwari to the central area.
"We appeal to the government to intervene in the matter and also help us to recover the 20 impounded vehicles belonging to our members from the officials.
"The officials must release our vehicles and give them back to us.
"The officials should wear their uniform when on duty instead of wearing mufti and disguising as passengers intimidating us."
Speaking with NAN, the Divisional Police Officer of Bwari, Mr Danladi Isa said that the protest, which started at about 6 a.m., attracted security operatives, who went to the scene to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens.
According to him, normalcy has been restored to the community and everybody can go about their business.
Early hours of this morning, we received information that the taxi drivers union (was) demonstrating at Ushafa junction.
I quickly mobilised my men and I am still on ground; I have addressed them and they have complained about maltreatment by the officials and that was the basis of their protest this morning.
I have talked with them on the need to conduct themselves peacefully; a lot of them have dispersed; the road is clear and commuters are moving without hindrance on the highway.”
NAN reports that an attempt to get the view of the Chief Officer of the VIO, Bwari Branch on the matter did not yield result, as he rebuffed all efforts to have him speak.
El-Rufai inaugurates 16 man committee to end killings in Southern Kaduna
21:41 01/07/2015
Kaduna - Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday inaugurated a 16-member committee to find solutions to the incessant killings in the Southern part of the state.
The committee, headed by retired Gen. Martins Agwai, a former Chief of Defence Staff, had 30DAYS to unravel the causes of the attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency showed that 23, 890 people were displaced by communal clashes in Kaura, Kachia and Sanga Local Government Areas of the state in 2014.
El-Rufai said that government was determined to end the circle of violence through dialogue.
"The circles of killing in Southern part of Kaduna have been a source of great concern to us.
"We are concerned because communities that have lived together for hundreds of years have suddenly turned against each other.
"We know this problem can only be solved through community dialogue so as to get to the root of the problem and bring everyone to the table and hear their side,’’ the governor said.
According to him, the setting up of the committee is part of the government's multi-dimensional approach in finding lasting solutions to the problem.
"The idea behind the committee was started by the previous administration, but for some reasons the committee never took off.
"When we came in and saw the idea, we thought it is a very good idea that can contribute in no small way in resolving the problems that had resulted to the killings in Southern Kaduna.’’
El-Rufai commended Agwai for agreeing to serve, and hoped that he would deploy his experience in crisis management at national and international levels, to end the conflict in the area.
He pledged that the administration would use the committee's recommendations and that of the Peace and Reconciliation ``to lay the foundation for sustainable peace, reconciliation and progress in the state’’.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Agwai pledged to deliver on the mandate given to them.
"I promise that we would do our best and meet the 30 days deadline to come out with the report on the findings,’’ Agwai said.
Kaduna - Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday inaugurated a 16-member committee to find solutions to the incessant killings in the Southern part of the state.
The committee, headed by retired Gen. Martins Agwai, a former Chief of Defence Staff, had 30DAYS to unravel the causes of the attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that statistics released by the National Emergency Management Agency showed that 23, 890 people were displaced by communal clashes in Kaura, Kachia and Sanga Local Government Areas of the state in 2014.
El-Rufai said that government was determined to end the circle of violence through dialogue.
"The circles of killing in Southern part of Kaduna have been a source of great concern to us.
"We are concerned because communities that have lived together for hundreds of years have suddenly turned against each other.
"We know this problem can only be solved through community dialogue so as to get to the root of the problem and bring everyone to the table and hear their side,’’ the governor said.
According to him, the setting up of the committee is part of the government's multi-dimensional approach in finding lasting solutions to the problem.
"The idea behind the committee was started by the previous administration, but for some reasons the committee never took off.
"When we came in and saw the idea, we thought it is a very good idea that can contribute in no small way in resolving the problems that had resulted to the killings in Southern Kaduna.’’
El-Rufai commended Agwai for agreeing to serve, and hoped that he would deploy his experience in crisis management at national and international levels, to end the conflict in the area.
He pledged that the administration would use the committee's recommendations and that of the Peace and Reconciliation ``to lay the foundation for sustainable peace, reconciliation and progress in the state’’.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Agwai pledged to deliver on the mandate given to them.
"I promise that we would do our best and meet the 30 days deadline to come out with the report on the findings,’’ Agwai said.
Buhari advised to merge airlines to form national carrier
21:37 01/07/2015
Abuja - Nigeria should merge its debt-laden airlines and create a national carrier in partnership with a global airline to boost revenue and create jobs, a ruling party strategy report seen by Reuters on Wednesday shows.
Muhammadu Buhari, who was sworn in as president of Africa's top oil producer and biggest economy on May 29, is considering recommendations in the strategy document produced by a 19-member committee from his All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
The report may influence policy decisions by Buhari, who was elected on an anti-corruption ticket and has vowed to recover billions of dollars allegedly stolen by officials. He has, however, been criticised for not naming a cabinet yet and party officials say it may not happen until September.
Three years ago, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a state-backed "bad bank" established in 2009, took on more than 132 billion naira ($663 million) of debts from 12 Nigerian airlines including the biggest carrier, Arik, and Aero.
The APC strategy document says the aviation ministry should create a national airline "in partnership with a global airline", which would involve "merging all airlines currently with AMCON", to serve as a West and Central African hub.
The report, submitted to Buhari about two weeks ago, says the proposals would lead to "increased revenue, reduce capital flight, expand the local aviation industry and create more employment opportunities due to the scale created".
British billionaire Richard Branson set up domestic and international carrier Virgin Nigeria in 2000, but pulled out in 2010 in frustration at what he said was interference by politicians and regulators.
The airline he created, which was later rebranded Air Nigeria, closed in 2012 after collapsing under about 35 billion naira of debt which left it unable to pay staff, a former finance director of the company told Reuters at the time.
The APC strategy report also proposes upgrading the airport in the capital Abuja by building a second runway, as a possible way to increase passenger numbers.
The report says airline operators should be required to have a minimum of five planes, rather than three now, and capital requirements should be increased to 2.5 billion naira for a domestic carrier and 5 billion for an international one.
Abuja - Nigeria should merge its debt-laden airlines and create a national carrier in partnership with a global airline to boost revenue and create jobs, a ruling party strategy report seen by Reuters on Wednesday shows.
Muhammadu Buhari, who was sworn in as president of Africa's top oil producer and biggest economy on May 29, is considering recommendations in the strategy document produced by a 19-member committee from his All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
The report may influence policy decisions by Buhari, who was elected on an anti-corruption ticket and has vowed to recover billions of dollars allegedly stolen by officials. He has, however, been criticised for not naming a cabinet yet and party officials say it may not happen until September.
Three years ago, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a state-backed "bad bank" established in 2009, took on more than 132 billion naira ($663 million) of debts from 12 Nigerian airlines including the biggest carrier, Arik, and Aero.
The APC strategy document says the aviation ministry should create a national airline "in partnership with a global airline", which would involve "merging all airlines currently with AMCON", to serve as a West and Central African hub.
The report, submitted to Buhari about two weeks ago, says the proposals would lead to "increased revenue, reduce capital flight, expand the local aviation industry and create more employment opportunities due to the scale created".
British billionaire Richard Branson set up domestic and international carrier Virgin Nigeria in 2000, but pulled out in 2010 in frustration at what he said was interference by politicians and regulators.
The airline he created, which was later rebranded Air Nigeria, closed in 2012 after collapsing under about 35 billion naira of debt which left it unable to pay staff, a former finance director of the company told Reuters at the time.
The APC strategy report also proposes upgrading the airport in the capital Abuja by building a second runway, as a possible way to increase passenger numbers.
The report says airline operators should be required to have a minimum of five planes, rather than three now, and capital requirements should be increased to 2.5 billion naira for a domestic carrier and 5 billion for an international one.
Ambode elated at confirmation as Lagos governor
06:55 02/07/2015
Abuja - The Lagos State Government has welcomed the confirmation of Akinwunmi Ambode as the governor.
Ambode said the ruling of the State Election Petition Tribunal, headed by Justice Mohammed Sirajo, on Wednesday, as a reaffirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of Lagos State.
“I am elated at the ruling of the tribunal which is an affirmation of my victory at the polls. On April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos spoke with their votes about continuity and that is what the tribunal has just reaffirmed,” said Ambode.
“The task ahead requires concerted efforts from everyone. I urge all my opponents to put the election struggles behind them and in the spirit of sportsmanship join hands with me to take Lagos to the next level” Ambode said.
The Election Tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition filed against the election of Ambode of the All Progressives Congress by the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Jimi Agbaje, following a preliminary objection filed by the counsel to the APC Candidate, Wole Olanipekun.
The winner polled 14 696 votes to his closest rival’s 11 292.
He added that it was needless in the first place for the PDP to have petitioned the election result which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
“Now that the right thing has been done which of course the people expected, we should all come together above partisanship and move the State forward,” Ambode said.
Abuja - The Lagos State Government has welcomed the confirmation of Akinwunmi Ambode as the governor.
Ambode said the ruling of the State Election Petition Tribunal, headed by Justice Mohammed Sirajo, on Wednesday, as a reaffirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of Lagos State.
“I am elated at the ruling of the tribunal which is an affirmation of my victory at the polls. On April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos spoke with their votes about continuity and that is what the tribunal has just reaffirmed,” said Ambode.
“The task ahead requires concerted efforts from everyone. I urge all my opponents to put the election struggles behind them and in the spirit of sportsmanship join hands with me to take Lagos to the next level” Ambode said.
The Election Tribunal on Wednesday struck out the petition filed against the election of Ambode of the All Progressives Congress by the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Jimi Agbaje, following a preliminary objection filed by the counsel to the APC Candidate, Wole Olanipekun.
The winner polled 14 696 votes to his closest rival’s 11 292.
He added that it was needless in the first place for the PDP to have petitioned the election result which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible.
“Now that the right thing has been done which of course the people expected, we should all come together above partisanship and move the State forward,” Ambode said.
Australia prison riot ends with police assault
06:55 02/07/2015
Sydney - Three hundred prisoners who rioted in a Melbourne jail ahead of a smoking ban were back in their cells on Wednesday, prison authorities said, after police stormed the compound with tear gas and water cannon.
Four injured prisoners, two with dog bites, were taken to hospital after police teams moved in at 03:30 am (17:30 GMT on Tuesday), about fifteen hours after the riot began.
Prisons across the state are in lockdown with inmates confined to their cells.
Victoria State Corrections Commissioner Jan Shuard told reporters the smoking ban, which began on Wednesday, was probably the cause of the riot, but an investigation would be held.
The state government said the ban would be enforced despite the riot, and smoking was now unlawful in Victorian jails.
Meanwhile, prison staff in the larger state of New South Wales are bracing for similar disturbances when a smoking ban in prisons starts there on August 10.
About 85% of prisoners smoke, and state governments across Australia have brought in bans for health reasons.
Prisoners advocate Brett Collins of Justice Action said the smoking ban was causing enormous stress and tension inside jails.
He told broadcaster ABC the smoking ban was a "denial of their rights" and it was like taking away prisoners' wages as cigarettes were like currency inside jails.
"It shows a lack of concern for these people as human beings and a lack of appreciation that jail is their home," Collins said.
Sydney - Three hundred prisoners who rioted in a Melbourne jail ahead of a smoking ban were back in their cells on Wednesday, prison authorities said, after police stormed the compound with tear gas and water cannon.
Four injured prisoners, two with dog bites, were taken to hospital after police teams moved in at 03:30 am (17:30 GMT on Tuesday), about fifteen hours after the riot began.
Prisons across the state are in lockdown with inmates confined to their cells.
Victoria State Corrections Commissioner Jan Shuard told reporters the smoking ban, which began on Wednesday, was probably the cause of the riot, but an investigation would be held.
The state government said the ban would be enforced despite the riot, and smoking was now unlawful in Victorian jails.
Meanwhile, prison staff in the larger state of New South Wales are bracing for similar disturbances when a smoking ban in prisons starts there on August 10.
About 85% of prisoners smoke, and state governments across Australia have brought in bans for health reasons.
Prisoners advocate Brett Collins of Justice Action said the smoking ban was causing enormous stress and tension inside jails.
He told broadcaster ABC the smoking ban was a "denial of their rights" and it was like taking away prisoners' wages as cigarettes were like currency inside jails.
"It shows a lack of concern for these people as human beings and a lack of appreciation that jail is their home," Collins said.
Young Greeks flee abroad as crisis deepens
06:55 02/07/2015
Athens - What does the future look like for young people in crisis-hit Greece, where years of hardship and sky-high unemployment were followed this week by bank closures? The answer: self-imposed exile.
"I don't see a future in Greece," sighs Dani Iordake. The 21-year-old, who proudly sports self-styled tattoos on his arms, was forced to drop out of university to help his mother pay the bills.
"It's a beautiful country... [but] I couldn't imagine living here and struggling every day," he said.
With youth unemployment at nearly 50% and a breakdown in negotiations with Greece's international creditors heralding further financial woes, many of Iordake's contemporaries are packing their bags.
Over 200 000 Greeks have quit the country since the financial crisis began in 2010, according to Endeavor Greece, a local chapter of an entrepreneurial promotional group. They have been driven away by a dearth of jobs, pitiful wages, endemic corruption and lack of meritocracy.
Thirty-two year old Christos Pennos left in 2013 because of a scarcity of opportunities in the scientific field, and managed to snap up a post as a university researcher in Norway.
"My brother lives in Spain, my best friend in Germany. I have a lot of friends in Britain, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and even in Poland," he said.
At first he had only planned to spend two or three years in Norway, but now believes he'll stay longer - though he admits "I really miss my friends and family, and most of all the Greek sun and Greek food".
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his radical left Syriza party were elected on the promise to help those worst hit by years of austerity, but instead have been forced to impose capital controls and close banks.
'Situation is awful'
Friends Marilena and Josie, 22 and 33, catch up over a beer and falafel sandwich, which they eat on a bench in the street while they discuss their future.
As a massage therapist, Josie cannot find full-time work and has been forced in the past to take baby-sitting and cleaning jobs to make ends meet.
"Before the crisis, I was paid $1 440 net. Today, I don't get even half that, gross."
Her boyfriend, a Syrian refugee she met while volunteering for a migrants association, is currently in the Netherlands and she's thinking of going to live with him.
Marilena may also pack up and head to Germany, where her brother lives. He signed up with the military there and earns a 2 000-euro salary, with practically no expenses to pay, she said.
The decision to leave her homeland is not one she will take lightly, however. "It's an option, not a must."
Unemployed civil engineer Giannis Grigoriou does not have the luxury of waiting the crisis out, and is planning to immigrate to an Arab country because he thinks he'll have more luck finding work.
"The situation is awful. Had I known this four to five years ago I would have studied to be a chef or hairdresser, which have more appeal in this country," he said.
Emigration increasing
Greek emigration, particularly among the young, "is not a new phenomenon, but it increased considerably during the crisis," said Lois Labrianidis, economic geography professor at Thessaloniki University.
Labrianidis has been called in to help at the economy ministry, and wants more done to boost investments and develop high-value industries to encourage young graduates to stay in Greece.
He hopes the government will be able to renegotiate with the country's creditors, saying: "If we don't have to pay more money, we'll have more money to put in the economy".
"These days are crucial for Greece, but especially for the young," he said.
Athens - What does the future look like for young people in crisis-hit Greece, where years of hardship and sky-high unemployment were followed this week by bank closures? The answer: self-imposed exile.
"I don't see a future in Greece," sighs Dani Iordake. The 21-year-old, who proudly sports self-styled tattoos on his arms, was forced to drop out of university to help his mother pay the bills.
"It's a beautiful country... [but] I couldn't imagine living here and struggling every day," he said.
With youth unemployment at nearly 50% and a breakdown in negotiations with Greece's international creditors heralding further financial woes, many of Iordake's contemporaries are packing their bags.
Over 200 000 Greeks have quit the country since the financial crisis began in 2010, according to Endeavor Greece, a local chapter of an entrepreneurial promotional group. They have been driven away by a dearth of jobs, pitiful wages, endemic corruption and lack of meritocracy.
Thirty-two year old Christos Pennos left in 2013 because of a scarcity of opportunities in the scientific field, and managed to snap up a post as a university researcher in Norway.
"My brother lives in Spain, my best friend in Germany. I have a lot of friends in Britain, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and even in Poland," he said.
At first he had only planned to spend two or three years in Norway, but now believes he'll stay longer - though he admits "I really miss my friends and family, and most of all the Greek sun and Greek food".
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his radical left Syriza party were elected on the promise to help those worst hit by years of austerity, but instead have been forced to impose capital controls and close banks.
'Situation is awful'
Friends Marilena and Josie, 22 and 33, catch up over a beer and falafel sandwich, which they eat on a bench in the street while they discuss their future.
As a massage therapist, Josie cannot find full-time work and has been forced in the past to take baby-sitting and cleaning jobs to make ends meet.
"Before the crisis, I was paid $1 440 net. Today, I don't get even half that, gross."
Her boyfriend, a Syrian refugee she met while volunteering for a migrants association, is currently in the Netherlands and she's thinking of going to live with him.
Marilena may also pack up and head to Germany, where her brother lives. He signed up with the military there and earns a 2 000-euro salary, with practically no expenses to pay, she said.
The decision to leave her homeland is not one she will take lightly, however. "It's an option, not a must."
Unemployed civil engineer Giannis Grigoriou does not have the luxury of waiting the crisis out, and is planning to immigrate to an Arab country because he thinks he'll have more luck finding work.
"The situation is awful. Had I known this four to five years ago I would have studied to be a chef or hairdresser, which have more appeal in this country," he said.
Emigration increasing
Greek emigration, particularly among the young, "is not a new phenomenon, but it increased considerably during the crisis," said Lois Labrianidis, economic geography professor at Thessaloniki University.
Labrianidis has been called in to help at the economy ministry, and wants more done to boost investments and develop high-value industries to encourage young graduates to stay in Greece.
He hopes the government will be able to renegotiate with the country's creditors, saying: "If we don't have to pay more money, we'll have more money to put in the economy".
"These days are crucial for Greece, but especially for the young," he said.
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