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I Crawled Inside The Gutters To Escape Death In Kaduna Crisis – Nigerian Journalist

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Temitope Mustapha
Temitope Mustapha on AMRULLAH Hospital stretcher in Kaduna
Temitope Mustapha
Temitope Mustapha on AMRULLAH Hospital stretcher in Kaduna

 

By Temitope Mustapha

Passing through Kaduna State on Sunday 21st of October 2018, to connect to Kano State for a two day Media Dialogue on ‘Equity for the Girl Child Education’ , I never thought would end up bloody for me.

About 4:35pm (local time), Two times this gentleman who was in the same car with me woke me up and said “Madam stay awake” I replied him, see i had written stories previous nights before I embarked on this journey. Again this man woke me up and said “Madam please stay awake”.

Then I opened my sleepy eyes very wide and clearly, I saw Military officers seated on their vehicles. Suddenly, a fellow passenger like me said “Madam we have been making calls to know the safest road” and I said you mean this road is safe for us all? They all answered Yes. Suddenly at Kaduna By- Pass, I saw a trailer blocking the road and traffic was building up and the driver of the same car I boarded (public transport of course) beckoned on one of the youths holding a fibre of an iron,  of course he responded in Hausa language & another passenger translated this to me that he wanted to find another route out of By- Pass.

Suddenly, a number of the young men sighted me in the car & my driver started pleading with them, telling them ” Da Allah ki ya kuri” ,I was the only female in the car and extremely unusual of me I wore what you saw in the pictures above with an headtie ( turban) that I had on me.

RACE OF MY LIFE
The young men best described as Miscreants were more than 15, they started hitting the side of the car I was, Actually my head was blank, I couldn’t say one word of prayer, I didn’t  panic and I was ready to run the race of my life.

Immediately my fellow passengers took to their heels from the front door and the left door side , then I summoned courage opened the right side door which was already confronted by men holding all manner of irons and stones. My turban ( headtie) fell off , And I started running towards an uncompleted building immediately I realised I could be finished in the building, With heavy stones landing on my back and long metallic objects hitting my body from people running after me ,I turned an thought of crossing the Gutters on Kaduna by- Pass.

O Yes I fell down with the heaviness & marathon of stones landing on my body then I watched myself being LYNCHED with all manners of iron rods, sticks and i was being stoned at the same time.

Nobody dared stopped these youths from stoning me neither was I rescued from their hands.  I actually saw one of them videoing what they were doing to me & I sincerely was running within me to catch up with breathe. Death is Painful.

I suddenly didn’t  feel the hitting of the irons on my body again & the stones were no longer making sounds to me. I was hearing ,Jesus is Lord inside my Head clearly as if with a mega phone, I was seeing my mother, my Son & my daughter’s faces all at the same time & somehow I kept hearing in my head that all they were doing was not up to Labour Pains.

I crawled inside the Gutters of course I was already almost inside the Gutters by by-Pass. I felt peace in my body & I found solace inside the Gutters. I saw these youths gathered on the other side ,I blurrily saw a crowd of men watching me , And I saw clearly one of them carrying a stone with his two hands right over me, I raised up one hand pleading to him & making gestures appealing. That was the last I saw.

HEAVY SLEEP OVER POWERED ME
Heavy & Deep Sleep came over me inside the Gutters, the thing overpowered me & I watched my hand threw away, from this moment I didn’t know what happened again, I cannot tell what, where & anything about me again. I don’t know what switched me off. I was completely switched off.

Till I woke up at AMRULLAH Hospital (also along Kaduna by-Pass ) on a stretcher, I started talking telling them I am a Journalist with Voice of Nigeria and I was only passing by Kaduna State to attend a Media Dialogue in Kano State. I attempted standing from the stretcher my body didn’t respond. I was asked for phone numbers, Heaven helped me to remember my younger sister’s number & the father of my children’s number.

 

 

AMRULLAH Hospital…
Totally to my rescue, about six drips including flagyl & All manners were set into my system. I was revived, Head suturing were done, the young Muslim doctor was crying while suturing my head, hospital attendants were cleaning stretcher stained with my blood. Everybody was put on guard. The Miscreants traced me to the hospital & demanded that the lady brought in should be released by the hospital to be killed. This Muslim hospital saved me, hidden me away from them & I realised I was kept in a ward locked with a nurse who was given instructions not to open the ward to anyone she possibly didn’t know the voice. Only the Hospital Manager, the doctor on duty & two nurses were given access to where I was.

 

 

2nd Day

I asked the only face I saw when I woke up from the “deep sleep”, I said Please who brought me. He looked at me with tears filled in his eyes & said A JTF Member brought you life-less. He said “we rejected you because you were not breathing and demanded he should not drop your body with us”

The AMRULLAH Hospital Manager said,  when we refuse to take you the JTF Man dropped you on our stretcher & said you could come back that we should try.

AMRULLAH Hospital treated me & stabilised me. Then A thousand plus calls came on the Hospital Managers’ Phone, they said My Family Members were dead alive & Colleagues had sleepless night.

MANAGEMENT OF VOICE OF NIGERIA STOOD FOR ME
In the Midst of it all, Mr Ahaziah Suleiman, the Executive Director of News, Mr Ben Shemang, Hajia Sani, Hajia Hauwa even the Director General, I heard all sets contacts in motion for my proper care.

VON KADUNA STATE CORRESPONDENT SUDDENLY BECAME A MOTHER

Her name is Hajia Asmau, she was the family I saw, she was the colleague on ground, she wept uncontrollably and was still the one consoling herself, I watched Asmau wiped tears several times. Above all this lady risked her life to identify with me in the hospital and practically carried a wheeled chair colleague to her house to ensure my safety.

Baba we all call him, Hajia Asmau’s Husband was there to carry me from the vehicle to hospital stretcher, he was there all through right beside his wife fixing my neck most times carrying me on wheel chair. Hajia Asmau’s children all cried uncontrollably and kept asking their Mother, Mummy what did she do to them.” Her family owned me straight up.

 

 

 

AGAIN MY BOSSES & COLLEAGUES TRIED

Aisha John Mark, Gloria Essien and Omolayo Alabi all pinned Professor Dr Ogrimma down, owner of SKILLS HOSPITAL, He was there for VON, Of course curfew did not allow X-tray operator to be at work. But Dr Ogrimma tried for me. He ensured the fractured hand was well tied and he gave instructions that further saved me.

UNICEF TEAM & KADUNA STATE GOVERNMENT ALSO CARED
I Sincerely hail Mr Geoffrey Njoku, UNICEF Head Communication Officer, who i learnt contacted his colleagues in Kaduna State and informed them of my attack the same night I was revived at AMRULLAH Hospital. Of course UNICEF contacted Kaduna State government. Lo & Behold ! Commissioner For Health Kaduna State visited the following afternoon of the attack, he later sent an ambulance who took me to government hospital on “KD State government’s demand though no bed space & everywhere was already filled with victims.

44 MILITARY HOSPITAL & MY FRACTURED HAND

My bosses didn’t sleep nor take a Nap over my situation in Kaduna. The third day of the incidence my Bosses contacted General Burutai’s Men to save the situation as there was still curfew & I almost couldn’t walk. A very calm Army Boss reported at Hajia Asmau’s residence with his men, the third day and carried me to 44 MILITARY HOSPITAL to attend to my dangling fractured & dislocated hand. The army medical doctors insisted on thorough x-ray including that of my head. At the end, the Army left me better.

VON DELIVERED ME WHOLE TO MY FAMILY

Spending three days in Kaduna State at the heat of the crises wasn’t easy at all for my family. (Though Hajia Asmau’s presence created relief for my mother) VON sent an official car with the office nurse and armed men escorted my scattered body with my breathe intact out of Kaduna town. I was exchanged into VON official car @Kaduna Toll gate.

I do have a lot to say about Kaduna State October 2018 crises. While recuperating & been on bed rest, I think when my Nurse ( My mum’s eyes are few times away from me) I think about being carried from the Gutters by an Unknown Possibly Muslim JTF Member, I think about AMRULLAH Hospital ( a complete Muslim hospital who God used to stabilised me after coming of deep sleep & yet not delivering me into the hands of the Hot Headed Miscreants, I think about the safety of Nigerian road users TRAVELLERS in the midst of CRISES across Nigeria???

 

 

So many thoughts feeling my sutured head but I sure must put all these thoughts down…

That I am Alive alone for now ,I am grateful to God Almighty.

Nigerian House Of Reps Receives President Buhari’s 2019-2021 MTEF

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Nigeria House of Reps
Nigeria House of Reps plenary session
Nigeria House of Reps
Nigeria House of Reps plenary session

 

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday acknowledged the receipt of the 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the receipt came just as the lawmakers resumed from a two-week recess.

The transmission of the MTEF/FSP was encapsulated in the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

The key assumptions proposed for 2019 Budget include: $60 oil price benchmark, 2.3 million barrels per day, $305/$1 exchange rate and 3.01 per cent GDP growth rate.

President Buhari, in the letter, solicited for the cooperation of the House toward fast-tracking the consideration and approval of the document.

NAN reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Oct. 24, approved a budgetary proposal of N8.73 trillion for 2019 fiscal year, N400 billion lower than N9.12 trillion for 2018 fiscal year.

The revised 2018-2020 Medium Term, Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper was approved by the House on the Nov. 22, 2017.

According to the revised MTEF/FSP submitted by the Budget Office of the Federation, the fiscal deficit was reduced from N2.356 trillion (2.61%) to N2.005 trillion (1.77%) to be financed mainly by borrowing of N1.699 trillion.

The inflation rate was pegged at 12.42%, nominal revenue of N11.3 trillion and 3.5% growth rate for 2018 fiscal year.

NAN

President Buhari Commits To Introduction Of New National Minimum Wage

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Minimum Wage
Pic 13. From left: President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating the Chairman, Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage Amal Pepple during the submission of the report of the Committee to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday 6/11/18 (Photo: Callistus Ewelike)
Minimum Wage
Pic 13. From left: President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating the Chairman, Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage Amal Pepple during the submission of the report of the Committee to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday (6/11/18) (Photo: Callistus Ewelike/NAN)

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday expressed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of a new National Minimum Wage.

Buhari said this in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving the report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage from the committee’s chairman, Amal Pepple at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He expressed delight that the committee had successfully completed its assignment in a peaceful and non-controversial manner.

He revealed that the Federal Government would soon transmit an Executive bill (on National Minimum Wage) to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

“Our plan is to transmit the Executive bill to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

“I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.

“Let me use this opportunity to recognise the leadership of the organized labour and private sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all your hard work.

“The fact that we are here today, is a notable achievement.

“As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report.

“I therefore would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks,” he said.

The president, however, enjoined the leadership of the labour unions as well as the Nigerian workers to avoid being used as political weapon

“May I therefore, employ workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as political weapons,’’ he said.

He explained that the exercise had become necessary for many reasons, saying that the last review took place in 2011.

“We all know since then, the prices of key consumables have increased and the most vulnerable of our workers are struggling to make ends meet.

“Since 2011, many changes have taken place. Nigeria rebased its GDP to become the largest economy in Africa. We reported very strong GDP growth rates and exceptional performance of our capital markets.

“However, these reported successes did not flow into the pockets and homes of majority of Nigerians.

“In the last three years, we focused on correcting this deficiency. We are working to create a diversified and inclusive economy,’’ he said.

President Buhari further revealed that his administration had been pushing to clear pension arrears owed to retired workers with the limited resources available to it, and also supported state governments to pay workers salary.

He lauded the efforts of members of the committee for their commitment and sacrifice throughout the period of their assignment

“From the onset, we knew the committee had a difficult task ahead of it. But at the same time, we were also confident that the patriotic and professional background of its members would produce realistic, fair and implementable recommendations that will be considered by both the executive and legislative arms of government.

“I am not surprised that the committee has worked for close to one year. I am also not surprised that on a few occasions, the debates got heated and sometimes, these differences came out.

“What is truly inspiring is that, in almost all instances of disagreements, the committee members always came back to the negotiating table with a common goal of improving the welfare of Nigerian workers.

“On behalf of all Nigerians today, I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifice in getting us to where we are today,’’ he said.

The president acknowledged that the concerns raised by representatives of government in the committee were around affordability, while many states struggle to meet their existing salary requirements.

“On the side of labour, the points raised focused on the need for any increase to be meaningful.

“In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas,’’ he said.

 

From left: President Muhammadu Buhari congratulating the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige on the successful submission of the report of the Committee to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday (6/11/18) (Photo: Callistus Ewelike/NAN)

 

In her remarks, Pepple explained that the recommendation was predicated on the high cost of living, occasioned by the exchange rate, and rising inflation in the country.

She said the committee also considered micro economic indicators including the revenue and expenditure profile of government.

Pepple expressed the believe that the implementation of the recommended minimum wage would boost the purchasing power of the working class, increase consumption expenditure and stimulate economic growth.

“Consideration was also given to the critical role of the informal sector in employment generation and the need for a realistic minimum wage that will not stifle the growth of the sector and the overall economy.

“After carefully weighing these critical factors and bearing in the mind the overriding interest of the economy the Committee while noting the offer of N24,000 by the federal government, is recommending an increase in the existing minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000.

“We believe that the implementation of the recommended minimum wage, will, no doubt, boost the purchasing power of workers, increase consumption expenditure and ultimately stimulate business and overall economic growth.”

“The committee has also produced a draft national minimum wage bill 2018 for condition by government.

“We strongly believe that the enactment of the draft bill into law is very critical to the operation and future reviews of the National Minimum Wage,’’ she said. (NAN)

Africa Investment Forum A Game-Changer

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Africa Investment Summit
africa-investment-summit
Africa Investment Summit

 

This week’s inaugural Africa Investment Conference is expected to be a game-changer for the development and economic growth prospects of the continent, organisers said on Monday.

The three-day forum, which will kick off on Wednesday, will see government leaders and captains of industry gather at the Sandton Convention Centre to chart a new growth path for the continent. The forum is organised by the Gauteng Provincial Government and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

The forum comes hot on the heels of South Africa’s first Investment Conference last month that saw businesses pledge to invest billions of dollars into the South African economy.

“The Africa Investment Forum is a game-changer,” said Victor Oladokun, AfDB director of communications and external relations during a press briefing. “This is an unprecedented investment forum all of Africa has never seen.”

The forum, he said, would be less talk and more tangible progress.

“This forum is about working together as one, forming alliances, collaborations in a way never taken place before on the African continent. It’s not gap-fest, it’s a talk shop. In actual fact, talk will be limited. As we all know, talk is cheap. What we are interested in is transactions, transactions, transactions and deals,” he said.

About 28 boardroom sessions will deliberate on 61 bankable projects worth $40 billion across the continent.

“We are excited about the opportunity and platform that we have together,” said Oladokun.

He said Africa needed to challenge itself and bust myths about the continent being an investment risk.

“Some are more myth than reality but to defray these perceptions and to encourage investment on the continent, we are providing a number of de-risking instruments that will support investors coming in.

“What we are saying is that as far as economic transformation is concerned, it has to be business unusual. We cannot continue to do things same old, same old, and expect different results. The bottom-line is that South Africa and the rest of the continent needs to be the favourite destination for investment conferences and financial conferences.

“At the end of the day, we do a whole lot of talking and that’s about it. That time is over; that has to change. This is the beginning of a new conversation and way of doing business moving forward,” he said.

First of its kind

Forum steering committee chairperson and Gauteng government executive, Mduduzi Mbada, expressed delight to see the conference coming to life a year after it was conceived.

“As the Gauteng government, we are delighted to be the hosts and planners of this forum, the biggest first of its kind investment market on the continent. I have no doubt that this forum will be a success,” he said.

Hosting the Africa Investment Forum is one of Gauteng’s pillars in the programme for transformation, modernisation and reindustrialisation.

“Gauteng has strong credentials, and is a proponent of intra-Africa trade and investment, as well as regional integration. Gauteng based companies are significant investors in the continent and the provincial government is working with key leaders to assist Gauteng firms in assessing major value and supply chains on the continent,” Mbada said.

The province, he said, is strengthening relations with key economies in the Southern Africa Development Community region and the rest of the continent.

Gauteng a springboard to the rest of Africa

“We are off the firm view that the best for our continent still lies ahead. Africa’s economy is capable of delivering sustainable, decent and reliable return for investment. Africa has entered a new and exciting era of growth and development, hence we believe in this partnership,” he said.

Mbada said the ultimate goal was to see better standards of living for the poor on the continent.

The Gauteng government aims to use the forum to once again position the country, the continent and province as the destination of choice for investors.

“We’ll showcase our world class infrastructure, sound and investor friendly regulatory environment. We will draw investors’ attention to what we are doing to reduce red tape, eliminate bureaucracy and inefficiencies in government.

“Our primary message is that Gauteng is open for business. We are a springboard to the rest of the continent. Gauteng is where Africa’s business starts,” he said.

SAnews.gov.za

Feature: Artificial Intelligence Is Changing The Face Of Gauteng

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map of Gauteng province
Map of South Africa showing Gauteng province
map of Gauteng province
Map of South Africa showing Gauteng province

 

Often synonymous with Hollywood blockbuster movies and technological developments of a distant future, drones have shaken off stereotypical thoughts that they only belong on the big screen. These eyes in the sky are fast emerging as tools that are transforming the delivery of services to Gauteng residents.

Recently drone technology became a very real part of the lives of the province’s citizens, through a partnership formed between the provincial Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) and the University of Johannesburg.

The partnership has resulted in the construction process of critical infrastructure such as schools, clinics, hospitals and libraries being monitored by the use of a drone.

Head of Department at the DID, Bethuel Netshiswinzhe, believes that  through the use of  drones,  government is leveraging on the use of technology, especially that related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to deliver infrastructure in a smart and efficient manner.

The built environment is still largely a traditional industry, which one might still be forgiven for  associating with the Stone Age era of the Flintstones. Just ask MEC Jacob Mamabolo.

“Although it dates back to the days before the building of the Egyptian pyramids, it still remains as one of the most Dark Age methods and has not yet come to where the world is today,” he says.

No doubt, you might ask, what drones and construction sites have to do with one another – except for what has become a common feature of action movies involving a building engulfed in flames and a bespectacled guy watching the whole scene play out through images projected by a drone to a remote control room, but I digress.

At the launch of the programme that was announced back in May, it was announced that the DID was deploying the drone programme as a tool to monitor progress at construction sites.

This essentially limited the single drone to giving the department a snapshot of the site which enabled officials to verify independently whether work is continuing, that material is on site and that the contractor adheres to occupational health and safety standards on site.

While still in its youthful stages, the partnership between the two entities has been refined in the last five months, with the department realising that there is an opportunity to harvest more data other than the hundreds of high images captured by drones.

Commonly known as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles boast top class technologies with simple flight controls.

Through the partnership, officials can now take a virtual tour through the construction site without having to leave the comfort of their offices.

“I can sitting in the office and walk through the construction site without me needing to be there and see the milestones reached on site without having to drive to the site,” remarked a clearly chaffed Mamabolo.

A demonstration of how the process is carried out also shows how through the use of technology, officials can accurately measure quantities of materials on site, in this case at the Greenspark Clinic, which is currently under construction in Fochville, without having to physically visit the project.

Among the  ground breaking capabilities that this collaboration has brought to the fore is the ability to regularly monitor progress on site as it relates to architectural drawings, an  extremely important feature as it empowers DID to detect any variations from the plans.

This is crucial especially in containing cost escalations and guaranteeing that a project will be delivered in accordance to the plans.

Director of the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in the Built Environment (CARINBE), Professor Innocent Musonda, believes it is now possible to process photos taken by the “staff” complement of five drones to generate both 2 D and 3 D models.

“We can check where information claimed by contractors is there or not there,” said the Professor, adding that pictures from the drones are exported to a software which overlays over what was initially imagined to be constructed and compared for variations.

In addition to being able to accurately measure supplies such as sand on site, the technology makes it  not only possible to track material supplier for maintenance purposes, but also makes it possible for the department to keep tabs of which sectors of the economy are benefiting from the inputs into the  built projects.

The capabilities of the programme will drastically reduce scope variations, the shifting of milestones which delays service delivery and leave state coffers bleeding while also opening the door for corruption and fraudulent activities which have marred the industry.

The technology also helps the department to conduct quality checks during the construction process as opposed to discovering variations only once the project has been completed.

The use of this technology no doubt speaks to the National Development Plan’s (NDP) Outcome 6 of an efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network. This infrastructure it notes, efficiently delivers essentials like electricity, water and sanitation.

The MEC is acutely aware that in past projects, it would be claimed that activities were taking place on site while in reality very little work if at all was taking place on the ground.  Through the use of smart technology, the department is tracking progress made on a fortnightly basis to ensure that targets are reached.

A constant bug-bear of the sector relates to the timeous delivery of infrastructure, within budget and with the desired quality.

Drone technology is addressing this in that software is able to be overlaid on what was initially imagined to be constructed and compare deviations.

Further adding fuel to the fire to the industry that continues to be depressed, are often flawed tender processes where companies tendering for projects submit the lowest fare bids. After securing the tender, these companies then introduce scope changes that will eventually drive up the cost of the project.

Certainly one drone at a time is changing the way in which the department is delivering on its projects, ultimately making a difference in the lives of citizen.

With the help of this technology, the department is able to keep tabs on its spread of 340 projects valued at around R4.5 billion of which R1.7 billion has been allocated for the 2018/19 financial year.

“We are trying to improve our work and these new capabilities are an important aspect to our systematic and continued determination to root out corruption,” said Mamabolo who also spoke out against the abuse of scope changes.

Technological advancement which was once thought to be a figment of movie makers scripts and imagination have come to life, fundamentally changing the way the world addresses its challenges.

“Digital technology and Artificial Intelligence is not the future anymore; it’s the present; it has taken off. What we are doing now is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we can be able to achieve. We are living in very exciting times,” said Musonda.

Visiting University of Toronto Professor Murray Metcalfe of the Globalization Centre for Global Engineering attests that there is a huge opportunity for sub-Saharan African countries to better themselves through the use of technology.

“We see this fertile combination of the use of technology, strong engineering schools, very entrepreneurial environment and the potential growth of the economy given projected growth of the populations, particularly in cities.”

“We see all those things creating an opportunity to leap frog ahead from a technological point of view to bypass a number of issues with other world cities and to move to a new unique African form of a city to be defined by Africans.”

Acknowledging that technological advancements often face rejection by communities fearing a loss of jobs, these advancements can be used to the benefit of communities.

“Certainly in general, people are hesitant regarding change, particularly around issues of privacy and access to personal data, we see that in Canada also. However there is great evidence that there will be other new types of industries that will require greater human endeavour than it has in the past, while some tasks may be automated with the use of Artificial Intelligence.

“There will be other things having to do with the advancement of human life, of research into healthcare and social services. Certainly there are great opportunities and challenges,” he said.

While the 2001 blockbuster AI Artificial Intelligence was set in a post climate change era in the future, AI has arrived and is changing the world as we know it one drone at a time. Now would you please pass the popcorn?

 

SAnews.gov.za

U.S. Mid-Term Election: Trump Warns ‘Illegal Voting’ Attracts ‘Maximum Criminal Penalties’

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Trump
President Donald Trump of U.S..
Trump
President Donald Trump of U.S..

 

As Americans go to the polls in a decisive midterm election on Tuesday, President Donald Trump has warned against what he termed “illegal voting” saying it attracts “maximum criminal penalty”.

“Law Enforcement has been strongly notified to watch closely for any ILLEGAL VOTING which may take place in Tuesday’s Election (or Early Voting).

“Anyone caught will be subject to the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law. Thank you!” Trump warned in a tweet.

Trump and his predecessor, former president Barack Obama, have clashed while making last-minute push at rallies before the election day on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all the 435 House of Representatives seats representing the 50 States are up for grabs.

Also, 35 of the 100 Senate seats are being contested, while governorship elections will be held in 36 states and three territories.

There are also 6,066 State legislative seats across 46 states in the midterm election that analysts say would be a referendum for the Trump’s presidency.

Republicans currently control a 51-49 simple majority in the Senate and a majority of 235-193 in the 115th Congress, while seven seats are vacant.

While Republicans are projected to retain the majority hold on the Senate, Democrats are projected to regain majority of the House, currently controlled by Republicans.

The odds and the polls have continued to favour the opposition Democratic party against Republicans, as the president’s party traditionally loses seats in an off-year election.

However, Trump hopes to change the age-long tradition, as he has spent the closing days of the election campaigning as if he was running himself, railing against the Democrats and trying to ensure that Republicans keep control of Congress.

Trump, among his series of tweets said: “Republicans have created the best economy in the HISTORY of our Country – and the hottest jobs market on planet earth.

“The Democrat Agenda is a Socialist Nightmare. The Republican Agenda is the AMERICAN DREAM! Vote. GOP”.

He added: “You have been loyal and faithful to your Country, and now you have a President that is loyal and faithful to you. Get out tomorrow, and VOTE. GOP!”

NAN reports that in the U.S., a Senate term is six years, and senators may choose to run for re-election every six years unless they are appointed or elected in a special election to serve the remainder of a term.

However, House of Representatives elections are held every two years on the first Tuesday after November 1, in even years.

NAN

Nigeria Police Officers Receive Training On Use Of Technology To Fight Crimes

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Nigeria Police Badge
Nigeria Police Badge
Nigeria Police Badge
Nigeria Police Badge

 

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Wise World Firm Consult Limited, has trained some police officers in Nigeria on use of technology in tackling crimes and insecurity in the country.

The training, organised by the Nigeria Police Force in Collaboration with the Wise World Firm Consults Limited in Abuja, was aimed at using technology in tracking security challenges in the country.

Christie Dagogo-George, the Managing Director of the firm, said that the training was to educate security officers in understanding modern day security threats and to upgrade their intelligence gathering skills.

“It was discussed that the Ministry of Interior should ensure a mechanism in which National Assembly members, Leaders, Service Chiefs, among others were exposed to such workshops to enhance their own security.

“At the workshop, they will be trained on various security technology and how to defend themselves.“

Hon. Lawal Abubakar, the Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, said that the world was changing into a technology era and the society was becoming more complex.

He said that the use of technology scanning machine is very important, especially during this period of election and stressed the need for Nigerians to be more vigilant and security conscious.

According to him, how we can add value to the women and men of police, it is to ensure that the security force are well educated on modern day technology.

Abubakar said that introducing new security technology would go a long way to improve the security of the nation and safety of lives of officers on duty.

However, Prof. William Waldo, the Guest speaker, said that the workshop would help the Nigeria Police Force on how to use technology to track offenders and criminals in the country.

He said that with the use of technology the insecurity situation in the country would drastically reduce.

NAN

Saudi Arabia Expresses ‘Regret, Pain’ Over Khashoggi Murder At UN

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Jamal Kashoggi
Jamal Kashoggi
Jamal Kashoggi
Jamal Kashoggi

 

Saudi Arabia has expressed “regret and pain” for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, during a scheduled review session at the UN in Geneva.

Dr Bandar Al-Aiban, President of Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission, and head of the country’s delegation, stated this at the 31st Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

He said Saudi was asserting its commitment to achieving the “highest possible standards” in human rights in the country, including for women and migrants

He confirmed that an investigation was still ongoing into the murder of Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2.

Al-Aiban told Member States that King Abdel-Aziz had personally initiated the probe.

Al-Aiban said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already expressed its regret and pain for the death of Jamal Khashoggi.

“King Abdel-Aziz has already instructed the prosecution to proceed with the investigation into this case according to the applicable laws and preparation to reaching all facts and bringing all the perpetrators to justice in order to bear the facts to the public.”

Following Al-Aiban’s comments, 40 Member States appealed to Saudi Arabia to find out what had happened to Khashoggi, many also are calling for reform to the Kingdom’s freedom of expression laws.

Amid concerns over freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi representative insisted that it was a “guaranteed right”.

Al-Aiban’s noted the launch of “many multilingual television and radio channels” as evidence of people’s right to express their opinions.

The issue was picked up by many Member States, including Denmark, France, Germany and the United States, which although it is not a current member of the Human Rights Council, was permitted as a UN Member State to attend UPR discussions.

The United States specifically urged Saudi Arabia to more clearly define what constituted terrorism in law, so as not to criminalise expression, association or peaceful assembly.

Another non-Council member, the Russian Federation, meanwhile, echoed other countries’ comments that welcomed Saudi efforts to increase women’s participation in social and political life.

Russian Federation, however, expressed concern about possible violations of religious minorities, prisoners and detainees, amid reports of alleged torture in detention centres – and of migrant workers, who make up one-third of Saudi’s population.

In addition to many calls for the abolition of the death penalty amid concerns that its use was increasing in Saudi Arabia, Member States present also urged the kingdom to banish the practice of male guardianship of adult women.

Reforms of the practice had only been put in place “partially”, Switzerland’s delegation said, adding in most cases the discrimination against women “persists”.

The Swiss delegation explained: “Recent news tells us of the oppressive atmosphere creating lethal consequences.

“We call for freedom of expression to be reinforced, freedom of association and expression for all, ensuring security for all journalists and releasing from prison all those who have been imprisoned for freely expressing their opinions.”

A total of 97 countries spoke at the Universal Period Review of Saudi Arabia in Geneva.

Al-Aiban noted that Saudi Arabia had accepted more than 150 recommendations made at its last UPR appearance in addition to another 37 recommendations, which it had accepted partially.

According to UPR rules, all 193 UN Member States are reviewed by their peers, at a rate of 42 a year.

The body meets three times a year and reports to the UN Human Rights Council.

States that have been reviewed also receive recommendations, which they are expected to implement before their next review.

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