Torrential rains will continue for days as Harvey – now a tropical storm – moves inland. Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from BBC feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
Photo Exhibition By Hanan Buhari, A Game Changer – Lai Mohammed
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described as a ‘game changer’ the ongoing photo exhibition in Abuja by a daughter of the country’s President, Hanan Buhari, saying her uncommon passion for photography will encourage more young people to showcase their creativity.
“This exhibition is a game changer. A game changer in the sense that it is going to change the perception of our people towards the Creative Industry. I am using the word Creative Industry in a very elastic manner to include film, music, photography, interior decoration, architecture and publishing. The truth of the matter is that this is the future of Nigeria,” the Minister said at the opening of the exhibition, tagged ”INNOVATION BY HANAN”.
”In my generation, our parents wanted us to be lawyers, doctors, engineers and accountants. It was very unusual in those days to see a parent that will encourage his son or daughter to take to the Creative Industry,” he said, adding: ”This is no longer the case. Regardless of background, gender, or education, the new and next generation are totally consumed by this Creative sector.”
Mr. Mohammed said the work of Hanan would change the perception of people towards the Creative Industry, which is no longer for drop-outs and the less-privileged in the society, but a sector for the highly talented.
“What we are witnessing today is an endorsement from the highest quarter that the Creative Industry is that area of our economy, which we have not really paid enough attention to,” he said.
The Minister said the present administration has demonstrated beyond doubt that it is committed to moving the Creative Industry from the back burner to the front burner of the economy through various initiatives, including the granting of pioneer status to the sector, capacity building, and exploring creative approach to funding.
He said the government’s target is to ensure that the Creative Industry contributes about 5% to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the next few years, from its present contribution of 1.34%.
In her remarks, Hanan said she is inspired by her passion to show the world another side of Nigeria through unique photographs.
She encouraged the youths to always carry their parents along on issues bothering on their passion and career path in order to enable them excel in their chosen profession.
“You should always stand for yourself and let your parents know what you want to do,” she said.
Wife of Nigeria’s President, Aisha Buhari; Director Generals of the National Tourism Development Board, Folarin Coker, and the National Gallery of Arts, Abdullahi Muku; the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Bayo Onanuga; ace photographer T.Y. Bello and some members of the diplomatic corps also witnessed the opening of the exhibition.
Enlighten Nigerians On Your Activities, Minister Charges Federal Character Commission
By Amos Tauna
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has enjoined the Federal Character Commission to ensure that Nigerians are properly enlighten on the Commission’s activities and federal appointments.
Speaking on Friday when the officials of the Commission, led by its Secretary, Mallam Mahmoud Bello Tukur, on a courtesy visit, the minister said,”Nigerians need to know and appreciate what you are doing, and I think we need more of this interaction.
“At our level at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, we will very readily partner with you in the area of enlightenment campaigns because it is going to unite the country better. Once the people have a sense of belonging, then it’s the recipe for unity.”
The Special Adviser to the minister, Segun Adeyemi in statement said Alhaji Mohammed said it’s important for the Commission to change the perception and the mindset of people about the Commission, adding, “To do so, you must invest in advocacy, interactions and visits like this.”
He said it is always convenient for people to look at a few appointments and make a general statement of marginalization, without taking a holistic view of federal appointments.
The Minister noted, however, that adequate and equitable representation in federal institutions would give a sense of belonging to every Nigerian and equally strengthen the bond of unity in the country.
“It is gladdening to note here that the objective and the mandate of the Commission go beyond just ensuring that there is a balance, equity and fairness in the federal ministries and parastatals, but that you are also very duly concerned about the spread of infrastructure. I think the two mandates are very important and germane to the unity, stability and peace of this country,” he stated.
In his remarks, Mallam Tukur said the Commission was currently engaged in promoting the aspect of its second mandate, which extends beyond placement in federal institutions to ensuring equitable distribution of infrastructure.
“The second mandate of the Commission also extends to the aspect of distribution of socio-economic amenities and infrastructure in the country, and this is one key area that most people have not focused on and we want to focus more on that in the Federal Character Commission now,” he said.
The Commission’s Secretary decried how development was centred in certain corridors and the urban areas, stressing the need for amenities and infrastructure to be broadly spread to extend to the rural areas in order to encourage private sector investment, particularly in areas like agriculture.
President Trump pardons controversial sheriff Joe Arpaio
US President Donald Trump has pardoned ex-Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who had been convicted of criminal contempt.
Mr Arpaio, 85, was found guilty after he defied a court order to stop traffic patrols targeting suspected immigrants. He was due to be sentenced in October.
The president had hinted at the pardon at a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday.
Thanking the president, Mr Arpaio said his conviction was “a political witch hunt by holdovers in the Obama justice department”.
“Thank you…. for seeing my conviction for what it is,” tweeted Mr Arpaio.
“I’m not going away,” he said, while declining to say whether he would run for sheriff again.
Mr Trump has frequently praised the former sheriff, who is known for his controversial hard-line stance on immigration.
Mr Arpaio appeared on the campaign trail with Mr Trump in 2016 – describing him as “the law-and-order candidate”.
In a statement announcing the pardon, his first, Mr Trump said: “Arpaio’s life and career, which began at the age of 18 when he enlisted in the military after the outbreak of the Korean War, exemplify selfless public service.
“Throughout his time as sheriff, Arpaio continued his life’s work of protecting the public from the scourges of crime and illegal immigration.
“Sheriff Joe Arpaio is now 85 years old, and after more than 50 years of admirable service to our nation, he is a worthy candidate for a presidential pardon.”
Joe Arpaio, who styled himself as “America’s toughest sheriff”, rose to national prominence for his sweeps of undocumented immigrants in Hispanic communities, and for detaining Spanish-speakers under suspicion of being undocumented migrants.
In July 2017, he was found guilty of violating a 2011 order to stop detaining migrants.
The decision to pardon the former policeman was condemned by Democrats and civil rights groups.
Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy said it was “disheartening that [the president] set the bar so very low for his first pardon”.
Greg Stanton, the mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, called the move a slap in the face for the Latino community and those who had been victimised.
Mr Arpaio, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, could have faced six months in jail at his sentencing in October.
He served in the US military before he became a police officer – where he quickly acquired a reputation for his anti-immigration stance and tough enforcement tactics.
The former sheriff lost a bid for re-election in Arizona’s Maricopa County in November 2016, after 24 years in office.
Mr Arpaio famously forced the prisoners to wear pink underwear and socks and old-fashioned black-and-white striped prison jumpsuits. The inmates lived outdoors while enduring sweltering Arizona desert temperatures.
He also revived chain gangs, including a voluntary one for female prisoners.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from BBC News feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
I Do – A Song By Tosin Martins
By Iliya Kure
Tosin Martins hit home with all and sundry when he released ‘Olo Mi’ in 2005. The song became an anthem for many wedding events and since then has stayed a favorite.
On the 11th anniversary of his wedding he relives the joy with a brand new wedding song ‘I Do’. It’s a feel good, vow laden sweet song for all especially those in the thick of their wedding celebration.
‘It is my hope this arms people particularly men with more words and music to further express their deepest affection for the ones they love,’ Tosin said.
The song was produced by rising music producer Justice Adigho a.k.a J Piano and Tosin Martins with contributions from ace producer Wole Oni [iamwoleoni].
Download Link: https://goo.gl/WuXt1m
Official Hashtag: #IDoByTosinMartins
It is the first on the list of songs billed for a major love album project. A title is yet to be decided. The recording will include a remake and re introduction of some love songs from his earlier albums.
‘I Do’ follows Tosin’s current project I’M A M.E.S (Minister, Entertainer, Statesman) which features some special collaborations including one with the music legend, Ebenezer Obey which was released in late 2016.
From 2018, an annual concert will be staged to ensure fans of Tosin Martins get an exclusive ‘in concert’ feel of the artiste and his likes.
Tosin’s career has in his recent history graced the stage of the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts in Washington DC, performing to an international audience.
He honors bookings for private and corporate functions both home and abroad to his fans.
‘I Do’ is his latest and it promises to be a top song on the playlist of good music enthusiasts and critics alike.
South Africa coffin case: White farmers convicted
Image copyright Reuters Two white South African farmers who forced a black man into a coffin have been convicted of attempted murder and kidnapping.
Victor Mlotshwa, 27, was beaten and made to get into the coffin by Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen in August 2016.
The pair will be sentenced on 23 October. They had denied the charges.
The case has caused outrage in South Africa and highlighted racial tensions in some farming communities.
Africa Live: More on this and other stories
Mr Mlotshwa only reported the matter after footage of the assault emerged on YouTube months later.
His attackers threatened to douse him in petrol and burn him alive.
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In a court affidavit, Jackson and Oosthuizen said they did not mean to harm Mr Mlotshwa but merely wanted to “teach him a lesson”.
They claimed that Mr Mlotshwa had been trespassing on their land.
He denied this, saying he was taking a short cut to the shops, where he had been sent by his mother.
As Judge Segopotje Mphahlele read out the guilty verdict in Middelburg Magistrates Court on Friday, supporters of the victim burst into songs of celebration.
“I’m relieved that justice has been served,” Mr Mlotshwa told the BBC.
Judge Mphahlele told the court she was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and that it was clear that the convicted men intended to kill the victim.
The prosecutor has asked the court to revoke their bail for security reasons.
Many attacks unreported: Nomsa Maseko, BBC Africa, Middleburg
Shortly after the guilty verdict was delivered to a packed courtroom, the visibly emotional victim, Victor Mlotshwa, told me he was relieved:
“I feel good about the outcome. I’m not saying all white South Africans are racist, but the court must set an example to those who commit such acts.”
The video of the assault caused outrage here in South Africa. At one point during Mr Mlotshwa’s ordeal, his attackers threatened to bury him alive, even going as far as asking him if he wanted to die fast or slowly.
Mr Mlotshwa’s mother, Malehlohonolo, also welcomed the ruling.
“The ordeal left my son deeply traumatised… and I’m happy that his attackers have been found guilty,” she said.
“All I’m asking is for harsh prison sentences for these men.”
Family members of the convicted men were also in court. Willem Oosthuizen’s wife broke down, saying she was shocked by the outcome.
The victim and his attackers live in the same province of Mpumalanga, which is seen as synonymous with such attacks, and many of these incidents go unreported due to fear or intimidation.
It is believed that some white farmers attack their black employees, who never report them to police because they fear losing their jobs.
This incident lays bare the discrimination that still runs deep in South African society.
Many hope that those who commit such crimes will be harshly dealt with by the law.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from BBC News syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
South Africa Donates US$615,000 To Sierra Leone Disaster Response
By Iliya Kure
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed the announcement of a US$615,000 contribution by South African Government for the provision of vital emergency services to more than 10,000 people affected by mudslides and flooding in Sierra Leone.
“This timely and generous contribution from South Africa comes as people are at their most vulnerable, having lost not only their homes but also their livelihoods,” said WFP Representative and Country Director Housainou Taal. “We are most grateful for South Africa’s response to Sierra Leone’s appeal for international assistance.”
WFP is currently leading a coordinated humanitarian response in the hardest-hit communities of Regent, Sugar Loaf and Mortomeh outside the capital of Freetown.
Together with their partners, they are providing food, shelter and other essential assistance to affected families. WFP is also working closely with the government to strengthen disaster risk management and emergency response capabilities.
“The people and Government of South Africa have demonstrated their solidarity with the people of Sierra Leone,” said acting Regional Director for southern Africa Lola Castro. “South Africa’s humanitarian support to Sierra Leone is vital at a time when so many global emergencies require support”.
WFP has been working in Sierra Leone since 1968. Its food and nutritional assistance helps in strengthening the resilience of more than 800,000 people and supports some of the country’s most vulnerable residents, including Ebola orphans and survivors, people living with HIV and tuberculosis, and smallholder farmers
Nigeria: UN Experts Denounce Ultimatum And Death Threats Targeting Igbos
By Iliya Kure
A group of United Nations human rights experts has expressed “grave concern” over the ultimatum given to the Igbos in Nigeria asking them to vacate northern part of the country to their homes in the southeast part of the country.
The experts also deplored a hate song and audio message being circulated on the internet and on social media.
The Hausa-language audio message urges northern Nigerians to destroy the property of Igbo people and kill anyone who refuses to leave by 1 October, the same date given in the ultimatum.
“We are gravely concerned about this proliferation of hate messages and incitement to violence against the Igbo and their property, especially considering the previous history of such violence,” the experts said in a statement.
“The Government must be vigilant, as hate speech and incitement can endanger social cohesion and threaten peace by deepening the existing tensions between Nigeria’s ethnic communities.”
The ultimatum was issued on 6 June 2017 during a press briefing by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum in the city of Kaduna. It called for sustained and coordinated campaigns to remove the Igbo population from the northern region.
The human rights experts noted that some local and national figures, as well as some media representatives, had publicly denounced any form of hate speech and incitement, but said other officials still needed to follow suit.
“We are deeply concerned that some prominent local leaders and elders have not condemned the ultimatum, hate speech and the perpetrators,” the experts stressed.
“We call on the Government, media and civil society representatives, and local and religious leaders, to reject and condemn hate speech and incitement to violence unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms.”
The UN experts said any incidents of hate speech and incitement to violence had to be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted and punished. “This includes the people behind the ultimatum and those responsible for the creation, publication and circulation of the hate song and audio message,” they added.
The experts: Mr. Mutuma Ruteere, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Mr. Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and Ms. Anastasia Crickley, Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Source: APO