The FBI is testing a number of envelopes sent to the Pentagon in Washington after a “suspicious substance’’ was found, a U.S. Department of Defence spokesman said on Tuesday.
“On Monday, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency detected a suspicious substance during mail screening at the Pentagon’s remote screening facility,’’ Rob Manning confirmed to dpa.
He added that the mail had been placed in quarantine and did not pose a threat to staff.
Citing defence sources, U.S. broadcaster CNN reported that the mail had tested positive for the toxic substance ricin.
Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), has called for collaboration of stakeholders to strengthen capacities of journalists on fact-checking and verification to curb the menace of fake news in the society.
Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, Executive Director, PTCIJ, made this call in Abuja on Tuesday at a Stakeholders’ Meeting on Fake News Partnership.
He stressed the importance of fact-checking and verification of news in various media organisations’ newsrooms toward the 2019 general elections.
Olorunyomi said the collaborators, if keyed into the project would strengthen their capacity to be able to do verification and fact-checking and as well curb the menace of fake news in the society.
According to him, the whole process of fact-checking is trying to involve what you might call the platform, where collaborative newsrooms will work together to avoid fake news and its negative effect on the nation before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
”I think this is important because in the advent of new technologies, the phenomenon of fake news had being proven to be one of the greatest dangers to democracy.
”Somehow, it has worked in the United States, India and Brazil. Some of the killings after electoral violence in Kenya was attributed to this.
“There was also an attempt using fake news and in a concerted way to affect the lives of Nigerians.
“So, we think that if newsrooms can come together and strengthen their own capacity to be able to do verification and fact-checking, we will be able to help, build a defensive wall against misinformation,” he said.
Olorunyomi added that education was paramount to achieving the aim of fact-checking, hence the need for continuous collaborations with academic communities to inform the public on the importance of fact-checking and verification.
He also said that setting up fact-checking desks within every newsroom would help strengthen the capacity of reporters to understand that fact-checking was a little different from regular reporting.
In a similar view, Mr Joshua Olufemi, programme Director, PTCIJ, said fact-checking was important in the media and newsroom for effective dissemination of truthful, reliable and credible news.
Olufemi explained that fact-checking news would help amplify the culture of truth in public disclosure, public policy and journalistic partice.
He said PTCIJ governance and organisation structure was transparent as it operates with a clear work flow system, which indicates the role, responsibilities and deadlines that members should adhere to.
Olufemi further said that fact-checking and tracking news would deploy capacity building, technology to strengthen a culture of accountable journalism in newsrooms across.
He said analysing different forms of news and information would help in fact-checking to curb the spread of fake news in the society.
He added that developing a national response to misinformation by setting up fact-checking desks in media newsrooms and joint participation with other stakeholders on election project and training of journalists and researchers would help in fact-checking to eliminate fake news.
He, therefore, called for collaborations to promote knowledge sharing between partners as this would transcend the primary purpose of fact-checking and verification.
Also, Prof. Umaru Pate, a lecturer at the Bayero University of Kano, pledged to work with the centre to engage in joint research on fact-checking and fake news.
Pate also promised to work with National Universities Commission (NUC) to include Investigative Journalism into the curriculum of mass communication in Nigerian universities.
Also, Mrs Phoebe Arnold from Brazil stressed the need for social framework for passing across effective news for accountability in news dissemination.
Zimbabwe would soon host the first International Horticulture and Floriculture trade show, HortiFlor, as the nation seeks to boost exports and become once again one of Africa’s top horticulture exporters.
“Zimbabwe will, in a relatively short time, become one of Africa’s largest exporters of horticultural products,’’ Dick Van Raamsdonk of HPP Exhibitions was quoted as saying by online agriculture publication, Farmers Voices, on Tuesday.
He said the Oct. 9 to 11 trade fair is open to players in the fresh flowers, vegetables and fruit industry.
Over 50 Zimbabwean and international companies will showcase their products and services at the event, Van Raamsdonk said.
After having been Africa’s second largest exporter, the Zimbabwean horticulture industry is eager to climb back up the ladder and again become one of Africa’s top exporters.
According to Van Raamsdonk, the industry can achieve this within five to 10 years as they do not have to start all over.
“They are not starting from scratch. The know-how is still there; surprisingly a lot of know-how actually is available,’’ he said.
One major factor that could hold back the country is high transport costs, Van Raamsdonk said.
“They are high as the cargo volumes are low. However, if the cargo volumes increase, the transport costs will decrease and that is when the strength of Zimbabwe will show to its full extent,’’ he said.
Van Raamsdonk said Zimbabwe grows many summer flowers, expressing the hope that a good market for them could be established.
However, he noted that Zimbabwe will not rise to become a fierce competitor for other African countries like Kenya and Ethiopia.
“Zimbabwe will complement the assortment of Kenya and Ethiopia, as roses are their main product. I would sooner think that Zimbabwe can become a competitor for South America.
“The price of Zimbabwean flowers will be lower than those from South America,’’ Van Raamsdonk said.
Horticulture production, which used to be Zimbabwe’s third largest agriculture export sector after tobacco and cotton, declined significantly over the past years due to disturbances caused by the land reform programme.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Tuesday said Turkey was capable of carrying out its obligations under its Idlib deal with Russia, which involves the removal of armed radicals from a demilitarised zone that Ankara will patrol.
Turkey is a supporter of Syrian rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
Its deal in September with Russia, an ally of Assad, averted a Syrian government assault on Idlib, the last major rebel foothold in Syria.
“According to our information, we believe that Turkey is capable of carrying out its obligations,” Moualem said in an interview with the Lebanese channel al-Mayadeen, referring to the Sochi agreement Ankara struck with Moscow over Idlib.
Under the agreement, a demilitarised buffer zone patrolled by Russian and Turkish forces will run 15-20 kilometres deep along the contact line between the insurgents and government forces.
Report says the deal also requires the withdrawal of insurgents deemed “radical” by Turkey from the area by Oct. 15.
The Turkish army has had a small presence along the contact line since setting up a series of observation posts earlier this year.
Moualem also said militants in Idlib needed to hand over their heavy and medium-sized weapons before December.
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gwamna came second in the primaries with 147 votes after the winner, Nafada who scored 1,104 votes to defeat 12 others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Gwamna had earlier rejected the results in a statement by his Media Coordinator, Ibrahim Sani.
Gwamna, however, announced his defection at a news conference in Gombe on Tuesday.
He said since justice had not been served in the just concluded PDP primaries, he could no longer stay in such party that believed in imposition and injustice.
According to him, his ambition to serve the good people of Gombe State is not borne out of personal interest, but a response to the clarion calls for him to serve as governor.
“Injustice has no place in Gombe State and that must be sacrosanct in a democratic setting like ours.
“I am not seeking leadership for personal gains, but only answering to the several clarion calls for me to serve as the governor of Gombe. I have been in the party since 2007.
“Today, I have resolved to leave the PDP with my supporters. This is a decision that we have taken after wide consultations.
“Since PDP cannot meet the aspirations of my people, I am defecting to a party that can guarantee that the aspirations of the good people of Gombe are well attended to.
“I see that APC is the only party that can best represent the interests and aspirations of Gombe people. I hereby declare for APC. I cease to be a member of PDP.”
He also declared his support for President Muhammadu Buhari and APC candidate in Gombe, Inuwa Yahaya.
“I am declaring my support for President Buhari as I will work to see that he is returned in 2019 and also that APC takes over Gombe.
“The final verdict will be in February 2019 when PDP will be defeated in Gombe State.
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo after the match REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo after the match REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
A Nevada woman has sued Cristiano Ronaldo and is participating in a police investigation of the global soccer star, for an alleged rape at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, according to a complaint filed by her lawyer.
Lawyers for Ronaldo, one of the world’s best-known athletes, on Friday threatened to sue a German magazine that published the accusation.
Kathryn Mayorga sued Ronaldo in a district court in Clark County, Nevada on Thursday.
And she is also seeking to void a $375,000 settlement she alleges she was coerced into signing to keep quiet, according to the complaint seen by Reuters and according to Mayorga’s lawyer.
On Monday, Ronaldo’s agent, Gestifute, said they had no comment beyond a Friday statement by Ronaldo’s lawyer Christian Schertz, who called the German magazine report “an inadmissible reporting of suspicions in the area of privacy.”
The lawsuit contends that Ronaldo met Mayorga at a Las Vegas nightclub in June 2009 and the next night invited a group of people, including Mayorga, back to the penthouse suite where he was staying.
That night, the lawsuit alleges, Ronaldo asked the woman to perform a sexual act on him in a bathroom as she was changing into attire to wear in a hot tub.
He then pulled her into a bedroom and raped her as she screamed “no, no, no,” the lawsuit said.
“When Cristiano Ronaldo completed the sexual assault of the plaintiff, he allowed her to leave the bedroom stating he was sorry, he was usually a gentleman,” the lawsuit said.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police on Monday said an incident report with the number listed in Mayorga’s lawsuit was filed on the night of the alleged attack.
The Las Vegas said the case was reopened last month after the unidentified victim came forward with new information.
They declined to say whether the athlete was the subject of an investigation.
Contacted late on Monday, Ronaldo’s representatives did not immediately return a request for comment about the reopening of the case by Las Vegas police.
Lawyers for the Portuguese athlete said in a statement on Friday they would sue German magazine Der Spiegel after it published “blatantly illegal” accusations by Mayorga.
They did not respond to specific questions about the content of the Der Spiegel report.
Der Spiegel’s deputy editor-in-chief, Alfred Weinzierl, on Sunday said the magazine stood fully by its story.
“We have worked professionally as journalists, confronted, and laid out the evidence. Schertz claims that this is illegal. We say: It is allowed under Germany’s press law,” Weinzierl said in a statement to Reuters.
Leslie Stovall, Mayorga’s lawyer, said in a statement on Monday that his client wanted to “obtain justice by holding Cristiano Ronaldo accountable for his conduct.”
The lawsuit, which seeks more than $200,000 in damages, names as defendants Ronaldo and an unnamed team of fixers described as “personal reputation protection specialists” hired to make the situation go away.
Mayorga told Der Spiegel she no longer felt bound by the non-disclosure agreement as she suffers from the consequences of the night in 2009.
Ronaldo has been named player of the year five times and transferred to Juventus from Real Madrid this summer for 100 million euros ($116 million).
The Italian club declined to comment on the Der Spiegel report on Friday.
Former Nigeria's Minister of State for Health, Gabriel-Aduku
Former Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Gabriel-Aduku
By Joseph Edegbo
What looked like an assemblage of who is who in the architectural profession was the scenario at the 4th Distinguished Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Architects held on the 24th September 2018 at Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja, the country’s capital.
Introduced in 2015, the Distinguished Lecture was set for those that are referred to as the Doyens of the profession, having attained unequalled qualities or Achievements.
The ‘ball’ was set rolling on the 30th of April 2015 with late Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc (Chief) Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, followed by Arc (Chief) Vivian Thomas Uku on 4th of August 2016 and the 3rd, by Arc Olufeni Majekodunmi on August 16th 2017.
The 4th which is the focus, was by Arc (Chief) Gabriel Yakubu Aduku whose land mark projects dot the skylines of the nation’s cities and beyond.
The Distinguished Lecture by Chief Aduku featured a book presentation titled BEYOND SIMPLE LINES: 2, x-raying the five decades of his architectural practice in the country from 1970 to Date.
Celebrating Chief Aduku, the current President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc Festus Adibe Njoku said the Doyen has made truly significant contribution to the profession and the nation at large through his firm, ARCHCON Nig. Ltd. confounded by the first Nigerian Professor of Architecture, Ekundayo Adeyemi.
“His contributions in the socio- economic and socio- political spheres of our nation cannot be overstated. At various times, he has served on boards of companies and government parastatals. He was appointed Minister of State for Health in 2007 by Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“In the Institute, his contribution to its continued progress has never waned, even after over two decades of serving as President. His lecture today and the presentation of the second edition of his book BEYOND SIMPLE LINES will no doubt take us through the remarkable story that has been 48 years in the making and still counting,” Njoku remarked.
Felicitating with the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (apbn) which Aduku also belongs, describes him as a great and unassuming personality with enviable high ethical character worthy of emulation.
According to the President of the association. Dr. Omede Idris, “Aduku had served the profession and Institute of this great profession, Architecture and its regulatory council, his communities and the nation at large.”
Eulogizing Chief Aduku, the Kaduna State chapter of NIA, where Headquarters of his firm, Archcon Nig (Ltd) is located, pledged to continue to celebrate his impact contribution to the Architectural profession in Nigeria and the world at large.
“When the roll call of Great African Architects is mentioned, our Architect Gabriel Yakubu Aduku will be top on the list for his design innovation and functional consistency. He has established his identity as an Architect that is bold in designing buildings with Unforgettable and delightful features,” the Chapter noted.
Beyond the shores of Nigeria, Chief Aduku is a cooperate member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), international Associate American Institute of Architects (AAA) -1993, Member Eco-legid Arqhuitects de Catalunya, Barcelona 1996.
Having gone down the memory lane in the lecture, Chief Aduku used the occasion to challenge Nigerian Architects to be in the vanguard of the country’s development through the dredging of River Niger.
Nigeria, he said, should use her God given resources, particularly, the rivers Niger and Benue which have confluence in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital to full advantage in terms of development.
According to Arc Aduku, Lokoja the city of Amalgamation in 1914, is United Nations’ heritage without any benefit for the people of the State and therefore advocated that it should be sustainably dredged.
“The current government has spent a lot of money through annual budgetary allocation for the dredging of River Niger and even said the dredging has been done, contrary to the reality on ground,” Aduku emphasised.
Chief Aduku however noted that the challenges before Nigeria are numerous hence the need for people of good will all over the world to be sympathetic to her.
As the news slowly begins to filter out, the magnitude of the decision reached at the Rivers state APC primaries to field Tonye Cole as the candidate for 2019 is quietly becoming obvious. Leading up to today, he had 4 people to contend with. Magnus Abe, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Dawari George (all of the APC) and Nyesom Wike of the PDP. I expect one or two of his APC contenders to still challenge the outcome, but like I said to Awuse, when he felt sure he could upturn my direct primary victory over him in 2007, “Can an elephant fly?”
In the end, it will be Tonye Cole vs Nyesom Wike and so the forces of light will finally confront the forces of darkness, head to head in a generation defining moment that our children will read about for many decades to come. The task before us is not a walk in the park. Our opponent has money he did not earn, readily placed at his disposal. He is very desperate and he places little or no value on human life. In 2019, by Gods grace, he will be thoroughly demystified. Take my word for it and look forward to that day.
The battle is not about political parties, Riverine or Upland nor is it about ethnic tribes. It is about the future of Rivers state and the need to place value on human life, reaffirm the dignity of Rivers people and enshrine unity amongst all of us. The term “One Rivers, One People” that Tonye Cole oftentimes uses as he tours the state is no mere coincidence. The man is no ethnic jingoist. That’s what traveling the world does to you. The man is not short of big ideas. That’s what having to think on your global feet does to you. And the man is not afraid. That’s attributable to him being a pastor. “All things worketh together for good”. I can go on, but let me also observe that the man does not hold a grudge, that is because he knows forward ever and backward never is the way you win, it is the way you govern and it is how you leave a legacy. This is a character trait sorely missing in the current Governor of Rivers state.
While many are celebrating this victory across the length and breadth of Rivers state and beyond, many of his allies, me included, are looking ahead to the task in front of us. Top on our list is reconciliation. Magnus Abe against the wishes of the National Working committee of the party went ahead to conduct what he described as a “primary” and then unashamedly proceeded to declare himself the winner. Such an act for me is not only unfortunate but an exhibition of how much he has alienated himself from the mainstream, all in the pursuit of ambition. If we are unable to pull him back from the brink, we will wish him journey mercies and open the door to a time in the future when calmer heads will prevail.
Magnus is in no position to conduct a primary by himself, supervise it himself and declare himself winner. I expect those with a basic understanding of politics to appreciate this. Governorship primaries are conducted by the national office. Who came from Abuja to conduct his primary? Did INEC send its officers to go to the 319 wards to observe it? That is what you do for a direct primary. Did the decision to conduct indirect primaries in Rivers state by the APC National fly over his head? If all that it takes to send out fake news via established channels is to pay them to cover it, politicians will keep confusing voters and the established channels will lose credibility. Some media stations covered a lie, broadcast it and kept mute waiting for the truth to also go live. There is a difference between being neutral and being truthful. For me, his “primary”, is best described as a “nursery”, an exercise in futility. The media should take note.
Nobody in their right mind can argue that what transpired in the authentic primary in front of TV cameras and in the full view of national officers, under the supervision of INEC wasn’t free, fair and credible. With an overwhelming majority, Tonye Cole now has the mandate of the party to proceed forward and chart a path to victory where to quote him, “women, elders, people with disabilities, youths and students, have a sense of hope and belonging”. It is our job to help him deliver. All glory goes to the Man upstairs, our Father, the Almighty, for giving our state the opportunity to reclaim its rightful place at the zenith, among the comity of states.
I want to thank all the other contenders for putting up a spirited fight and would advise them to show uncommon maturity for the interest of our dear state. You’ve all fought a good fight, but in the end, only one seat was vacant. There is no time for internal wrangling. All energies must now be directed at unseating Nyesom Wike aka the Commissioner for Everything. One reason I decided not to contest was so because us winning, is far more important than me winning. A word is enough for the wise. A big thank you to the state exco under the distinguished Chairmanship of my blood, Ojukaye Flagg Amachree who has always delivered to the highest of standards, the delegates who came out in their numbers to vote and the national officers who did us very proud. Finally I want to thank the security agencies, the ushers and also the APC volunteers for making this primary one of the smoothest primaries ever. Your efforts are not only acknowledged and appreciated; they are an investment that will most certainly pay off. You can take that to the bank.
It is a new day, a new dawn and a new month. And I’m feeling good. Let’s get to work. It’s time to send the message out, loud and clear. Politics is too important to be left to politicians. Happy Independence Day to us all. Today we have gained our freedom.
Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill is the Convener, Riverine APC Leaders
