Senegalese-American singer Akon has revealed he wants to create a music streaming service in Africa that can compete with its global competitors.
The artist has announced he is purchasing 50% of the Senegalese company Musik Bi.
He spoke to BBC Africa about why young people needed to invest in the continent and his secrets on making it big.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from BBC News syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
By Amos Tauna
Chairman, Centrum Initiative for Development and Fundamental Right Advocacy, John Danfulani, has noted that the unity of Nigeria is negotiable, saying that the principle of self determination is a universal norm not a vice.
John Danfulani while addressing newsmen in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria Friday on President’s broadcast on Monday, 21st August, 2017 said, “Buhari and his underground political power string pullers are pretending not to understand that the principle of self determination is a universal norm and not a vice. It was on the same principle that nationalists pillared our movement for self rule that peaked with the lowering of the Union Jack on 1st October 1960. It is on this same principle that IPOB are advocating for a referendum for South Eastern Region. This is legal and fair game.
“Recently, we have seen clusters in existing nation states that clamoured for referendum and they were successfully organized: Kosovo, East Timor, Eritrea, South Sudan, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Crimea.
“Still, Catalans in Spain, Irish and Scottish in the U.K. etc are pushing for referendums. In all these instances cited, leaders of climes they seek to break away from are not treating them as criminals or labeling such advocacy treasonable.
“Thus far, IPOB (a movement government is in a hurry to tag a fraternity of felons) have conducted their activism peacefully and within the parameters of our laws and other global and regional protocols. IPOB’s strategic and tactical decisions like; sit-at-home, staging of rallies, and no-elections, and formation of cells in all the nicks and crannies of South East are quite acceptable in our law books.
“Elsewhere, these decisions falls within the bracket of Civil disobedience. It’s our candid opinion that IPOB’s leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his loyal cum dedicated cadres should be commended not crucify for their measured, civil, and responsible manner of advocacy- despite provocations from overzealous security agencies and pro system politicians.
“Lest we forget, Sir Ahmadu Bello called Nigeria the 1914 mistake. Chief Obafemi Awolowo also said Nigeria is a mere geographic expression. These statements are a clear demonstration of the fact that we were not one and might likely not be. And since then, new issues have germinated and made anything short of a referendum a mere waste of time.
“Consequently, packing people in a country hemmed for economic exploitation, political subjugation and cultural domination without their consent is undemocratic.
“The imperialists’ action created a semi-apartheid entity that enslaved majority of Nigerians and deliberately refused to collapse the mischievous chains of slavery on the free people they made slaves through an unholy political wedlock knotted in 1914.
“We must be courageous enough to put the question before Nigerians once and for all. We have pretended far too long and the pretext must cease, right away. If we are truly indivisible and indissoluble as Buhari and his sing-along cohorts want us to believe, why are they afraid of testing their position via a referendum?
A survey of opinion across the country shows that all Southern zones and entire middle belt are not satisfied with the country’s political structures. Sequel to that, narrowing dissatisfaction to our current political structures to the South East and IPOB shows the quantum of insincerity of Buhari and his men in the loop. Just yesterday the 24th of August 2017, kingpins of Southern Nigeria Leaders’ Forum reiterated their dissatisfaction on the Nigeria Project and insisted that the Unity of Nigeria is negotiable.
“We want President Muhammadu Buhari to know that threat to unleash brutality on dissidents and opposition will never make us turn-tail-run. We shall continue to enjoy our freedom to disagree with any political decision or stance under the political sun of Nigeria. Self determination is a right, never a privilege. And we are prepared to exercise that right to its fullest.”
Speaking on the President’s broadcast on Monday, Danfulani said, “Buhari’s speech raised more questions than answers and dashed the little hope compatriots have on the 1914 colonial masters’ political contraption called Nigeria. Truth be told, he affirmed the dictum: once a dictators, always a dictator.
“Mandate givers expected an outright apology for violating his personal order that barred all public officers from embarking on medical tourism abroad. This is another confirmation of the notion that Buhari’s government operates on the Orwellian Animal Farm dictum of “All Animals Are Equal But Some Are More Equal Than Others”.
“Buhari is refusing to accept the fact that the political milieus of 31st December, 1983 – 27th August, 1985, are not the same. His inflicting of below-the-belt blows on new media stems from the undying spirit of his infamous decree No2 which he deployed in harassing and jailing journalists wantonly. He must know that freedom to hold onto an idea and expressing same is a concomitant part of democracy. Social Media is an “uncensorable” information revolution he must live with, willy nilly, if he does not want to suffer the kind of backlash such an idea would visit upon him and his government.”
He said, “Reading between the lines in his unsubstantiated narration about Dim Chukwu Emeka Ojukwu’s visit to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State, in 2003, assuming (without conceding) that Dim Ojukwu was in Daura, Kastina State for two days and the duo indeed agreed that Nigeria should remain a single political cluster, is Buhari not aware of Ojukwu’s interview with the Newswatch magazine edition of 13th September, 2004, which graced the magazine’s cover page under the title “I SUPPORT BIAFRA”? If the Ikemba Nnewi were to be alive today, he would have been advancing a similar position with IPOB and leading his people like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is doing today.
By Amos Tauna
With the International Toilet Paper Day, people are now abandoning the old practices of using toilet paper to the use of water that is comfortable and hygienic.
A revolutionary toilet hygiene shows that advanced technologies provide a much fresher, cleaner and more pleasant feeling than the use of toilet paper or wet wipes, making for a better, cleaner experience.
It noted that the type, intensity, temperature and position of the water stream as well as the jet types and cleaning method can be individually adjusted.
There is no doubt that the original toilet paper is a far cry from the hygiene product that we are all familiar with today,
Washing instead of wiping is now the new motto for the most intimate area of personal care. This new way of thinking, prompted by the rising popularity of shower toilets, is changing the world.
Shower toilets are regarded as much more comfortable and hygienic than conventional toilets.
After using the toilet, small spray arms with a range of adjustable jet types provide thorough cleaning using warm water. Odour extraction and warm air-drying functions ensure maximum personal comfort.
shower toilets are not only more pleasant to use; they are also more environmentally friendly, as toilet paper is no longer needed: a clear case of washing instead of wiping.
The Romans relied on their fingers. Later, they soaked small sponges in salt water and tied them to a stick. In the Middle Ages, moss, leaves or old rags had to suffice, though wealthier folks were able to use sheep’s wool.
This new way of thinking, prompted by the rising popularity of shower toilets, is changing the world.
Image copyright Reuters Angola’s ruling MPLA party has won the country’s parliamentary election, provisional results suggest.
The party received 61% of votes cast during Wednesday’s ballot, the Angolan electoral commission said on Friday.
The opposition Unita party, which received 27%, disputes the commission’s count.
João Lourenço will take up the presidency, after an election marking the end of nearly four decades in power for President José Eduardo Dos Santos.
The electoral commission says 98% of the country’s votes have been counted.
However, voting in the election does not end until Saturday due to delays in getting the ballot papers to more than a dozen polling stations in remote areas.
But with the MPLA taking such a commanding lead, the outstanding ballots will not change the outcome.
Angola’s Casa-CE alliance party gained nearly 10% of the vote.
Angola is one of Africa’s largest oil producers, but it is struggling to recover from a 27-year-civil war between the MPLA and Unita and most people live in poverty.
Mr Lourenço, the former defence minister known as JLo, was the MPLA candidate to succeed Mr Dos Santos.
However Mr Dos Santos, whose 38-year reign makes him the world’s second-longest serving president, will remain in control of the party.
His children also still hold several key positions of authority.
Is Dos Santos really giving up power?
On Thursday, Unita, whose Isias Samakuva had been the main challenger to Mr Lourenço, said it had carried out its own count and that its results were very different from those announced by the commission.
The MPLA has been the only party in power since Angola’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
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Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from BBC News syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
The removal of Colonel Gaddafi in 2011 has been a “tragedy so far” for the people of Libya, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “we were way over-optimistic” about Libya’s future, adding that the elections of 2014 “made things worse”.
His comments came after a two-day visit to Libya, where he urged rival parties to compromise and unite the country.
Mr Johnson pledged £9m to help tackle people trafficking and terrorism.
In a landmark meeting, Mr Johnson became the first senior Western politician to visit the Libyan military commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar on the ground at his home base near Benghazi.
He said Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who controls eastern Libya, has pledged to give up military rule if he becomes the country’s president.
Mr Johnson said he pushed the point of political compromise to Libyan politicians.
He said: “I think the politicians need as it were to suppress their own selfish interests, compromise for the good of the country and get behind the UN plan.”
But he said he told Libyan politicians to learn from UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s mistake – and not to hold an election before they were ready.
Oliver Miles, the UK’s former ambassador to Libya and deputy chairman of the Libyan British Business Council, said that Mr Johnson’s visit was a “useful and good follow-up” to the French president’s meeting during which Field Marshal Haftar and his rival, the UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, agreed to a ceasefire.
But he told the Today programme it was “misleading” to think of Libya as divided into two parties, adding that it is much more divided than that.
Though it is six years since the removal of Col Gaddafi, he said: “There’s been a complete breakdown of government authority – Libya is not in a state of civil war – it would be more accurate to describe it as in a state of anarchy.
“There is no government authority who runs the country and there are large parts of it where there is no government at all”.
Shortly after Col Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011, thousands of Libyans turned out to cheer former Prime Minister David Cameron and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Benghazi – hailing the pair as heroes for their support.
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Field Marshal Haftar’s forces control much of eastern Libya and he is seen as a key player if Libya is ever to be united, something the UN-backed government of national accord has failed to achieve.
While there have been questions about whether Field Marshal Haftar would ever allow his forces to be subject to civilian control, the foreign secretary said he had been given at least one assurance.
Mr Johnson told the BBC earlier: “We are very clear, and so is Ghassan Salame, the UN special representative, that there has got to be civilian leadership in this country.”
Adding that while that does not mean there cannot be a role for Field Marshal Haftar, Mr Johnson said he accepted that were he to stand and be successful, “then he could not continue in his military role”.
After visiting the many different sides of this deeply divided country, Mr Johnson said he was encouraged and that there was a chance of a political deal.
But he said other countries with different ideas about Libya’s future should unite behind a new UN plan expected to be announced next month.
“A secure and stable Libya, better able to deal with the threat from terrorism and the challenge of migration, is firmly in the UK interests,” Mr Johnson said.
“The Libyan people need a stable state that can meet their fundamental economic and security needs.
Adding that all sides needed to “compromise and work together”, Mr Johnson said only a united Libya could “defeat the terrorists and smuggling networks who are exploiting the instability”.
Though Mr Johnson did not say which countries should unite behind the UN, Mr Miles told Today: “I hope he had in mind the fact that the United Arab Emirates and, to some extent, Egypt have been supplying arms – contrary to the UN embargo to Hafta and his forces.
“And [there are] allegations that Qatar and Turkey have also been supplying arms to the other sides. I think that we and the other ‘big boys’ in the UN, the Security Council, should be stamping this out because I don’t think it’s helping a solution.”
The BBC’s James Landale, who is travelling with the foreign secretary, said the visit highlighted just how insecure Libya remains.
By BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale in Benghazi
In the naval port in Tripoli, one is reminded of the different roles Britain has played in Libya in recent years.
In one dock lies the wreck of a frigate sunk by the RAF in 2011. It rests on its side, a rusting symbol of David Cameron’s decision to use military force against Colonel Gaddafi’s regime.
In another dock is a handful of coastguard vessels whose crews were partially trained by British Marines to help tackle the trafficking of migrants.
As Boris Johnson visited the port, it was clear both the scale of the problem Libya faces and the lack of resources it has to deal with it.
On Wednesday, 11 of Field Marshal Haftar’s soldiers were beheaded by the so-called Islamic State group in the south of the country.
And in Benghazi, Mr Johnson was only able to hold his meetings within the safety of Field Marshal Haftar’s compound or the well-defended airport.
During Wednesday’s meeting with Libya’s unity government prime minister Fayez Sarraj in Tripoli, the foreign secretary said the UK would give the country more than £9m to bolster efforts to combat “terrorists, gun-runners and people traffickers”.
Mr Johnson said Libya was the front line in Europe’s struggle against illegal migration and terrorism.
The aid package includes £4m to support the removal of mines and improvised explosive devices, particularly in the city of Sirte, a former IS stronghold from which the militants were removed by Libya’s military earlier this year.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from BBC News syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.
An Aircraft belonging to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday crashed in Kaduna killing the pilot.
A statement by Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, says, “the cause of the accident is unknown but the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has ordered the constitution of Board of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
“The CAS and the entire NAF family commiserate with the relatives of the late instructor pilot,” he said.
Read The Statement Below
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Beetle Aircraft today crashed in Kaduna while on a mission. The only soul on board the aircraft, one of the NAF’s experienced instructor pilots, was unfortunately lost during the mishap.
The cause of the incident is unknown but the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
The unfortunate incident is a tragic reminder of the hazards associated with the flying profession.
The CAS and the entire NAF family commiserate with the relatives of the late instructor pilot.
OLATOKUNBO ADESANYA
Air Commodore
Director of Public
Relations and Information
Gombe (Nigeria) — A non governmental organization, Mamaye, E4 Action has launched a community campaign in Kaltungo local government area of Gombe state, northeast Nigeria, in effort to reduce maternal and child death in rural areas,
Intro
Women in ungwan jatau have described pregnancy as a night mare following lack of health facilities to take care of women, most especially during pregnancies and and delivery.
Some of the women in the community who spoke to Nagarta radio in this special report, narrate their experience as better imaging.
Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia who was at the community tells us more, his report.