Sports Could Be Use As A Tool To Reduce Unemployment, Terrorism, Gender Violence, Others – President Buhari

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26/10/2016

By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards the development of sports saying, it can be use as a tool to reduce the high youth unemployment and also a tool for social mobilization to get messages across to people such as malaria control and eradication, HIV/AIDS, violence against women, Insurgency, human trafficking and the message of peace among others.

The President made this known on Tuesdaywhile speaking at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Biennial Ministry of Interior Games Tagged ‘MIGA 2016’ held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, North-west Nigeria.

He said the games would serve as an avenue to scout for talents that will be groom to represent the country at an international level as well as to foster unity among Nigerians.

Represented by the Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Bala Bantex, the president called on the officials to shun sentiments and be transparent while officiating. He said the Interior games will serve as a unifying factor among security agents.

The minister of youths and sport development Solomon Dalung, while making a remark said the essence of sport is to promote National unity. He called on the federal government to redirect its energy in Investing in internal security, noting that with a vibrant interior ministry, it is possible to maintain peace and stability all over the country.

He also called on officers to work hard in ensuring stability for all and the future generation.

While making his remarks, the Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Danbazau, expressed optimism that the games would help in unifying and integrating the five services that make up the interior ministry and also serve as a mark for the beginning of good things in the ministry and Nigeria as whole.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of the main Organizing Committee (MOC), Mr. Ejembi P. Elaigwu said that the 2016 Ministry of Interior Games is a historic event which would promote the ideals of great sports, excellence, respect, friendship, and re-ignite the bond of unity among the services.

He said, “It is also part of our attempt at restructuring the Ministry in order to create a balance between bureaucracy and operations, so as to deepen camaraderie and promote the general wellbeing of our civilian staff and paramilitary personnel, with a view to foster and engender better mental physical and psychological operational alertness to identify and nip in the bud antisocial activities to guarantee safety and security of lives and property.”

Elaigwa further commended the Minister of Interior, Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahaman Bello Danbazau for conceiving the idea of organizing the sports fiesta and the confidence reposed in the MOC.

Five teams comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Prison Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will compete in ten games at the week long event.

Botswana Reaffirms Support For ICC, ‘Regrets’ SA Decision – News24

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26/10/2016

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The government of Botswana has become the first African country to “regret” the decision taken by South Africa to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Botswana’s ministry of foreign affairs confirmed to News24 that it had indeed released a statement that circulated on social media on Wednesday in which it “regretted” South Africa’s decision to withdraw from the Hague-based court.

“While Botswana fully respects the sovereign right of any country to become a party to, or to withdraw from any international instrument, the Government of Botswana nonetheless regrets that the Government of South Africa reached this decision,” read part of the statement.

See the whole statement below.

South Africa dealt a heavy blow to the international court on Friday by announcing it was withdrawing from the institution set up to prosecute the world’s worst crimes.

The decision followed a dispute last year when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited the country for an African Union (AU) summit despite facing an ICC warrant over alleged war crimes.

South Africa was the second country last week, after Burundi, to move to leave the ICC.

Gambia on Tuesday also joined the queue to leave the international court, accusing it of “humiliating Africans”. But Botswana reaffirmed its support for “a strong international criminal justice system”.

“Botswana is convinced that as the only permanent international criminal tribunal, the ICC is an important unique institution in the international criminal justice system. Botswana therefore wishes to reaffirm its membership of the Rome statute and reiterate its support for a strong international criminal justice system through the ICC,” the statement said.

#Botswana stands up for justice; regrets #SouthAfrica‘s decision to withdraw from the #ICC, says withdrawals “betray rights of the victims” pic.twitter.com/RaPRJzoaKp

— Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) October 26, 2016

Only Africans have been charged in the six ICC cases that are ongoing or about to begin, though preliminary ICC investigations have opened elsewhere.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni over the weekend described the ICC as “Useless”, as he praised South Africa and Burundi’s move to leave the tribunal.

“It is a very good decision that South Africa has done that. In fact it is [the ICC] that is very useless,” Museveni was quoted as saying.

In July this year, Botswana defended the ICC, even as some of its continental peers threatened to revoke their membership of the tribunal, according to Bloomberg.

“The best defense is not to abuse, stick to the law… We would never allow our president to get away with murder. We are not being prescriptive, we are just asking that we up the game,” Botswana’s vice president Mokgweetsi Masisi was quoted as saying at an AU summit in Kigali, Rwanda on July 17.

Culled from News24

Proper Policies On ICT Can Boost Nigeria’s Revenue And Create Job For Youths – Echono

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Africaprimenews

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26/10/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria has been identified as one of the viable means for economic diversification which if properly harness would boost income generation and provides job opportunities for the teeming youths of the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication and Technology Sonny Echono, while speaking during the opening ceremony of the 4^th National Council on Communication in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria said, with proper focus, policies and strategies, ICT can be a major revenue earner for government and game changer in the nation’s economic advancement.

He said as an enabler of innovation, productivity and growth in all sectors of socio-economic activities, ICT in the country has contributed to employment especially among the youths who constitute more than sixty percent of the nation’s population.

According to him, “globalization and advancement in Information and Communication Technology has brought about phenomenal changes and opened opportunities for developing countries including Nigeria to meaningfully participate at the International level.

“It has also added impetus to the movement towards knowledge based, as against resource base economic growth,” he added.

Echono also described the meeting as timely, saying it came when concerted efforts are being made to place ICT as the focal point of economic diversification in the country.

The permanent secretary however implored participants to use the opportunity to contribute meaningfully on policies that would help to move the country’s economy forward using ICT.

The Kaduna state governor Nasir El-rufai, in his remarks said the state has keyed into the utilization of ICT in running several of its programs.

The governor who was represented by the state commissioner of Education, science and Technology Andrew Nok, pointed out that the state would utilize ICT to tackle criminal activities and improve health system in the state among others.

The theme of this year’s meeting is; ‘ICT as a focal point for Economic Diversification’, and participants were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Nigerian Police Trains Officers On Cyber Crime, Forensic Investigation

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25/10/2016

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Kaduna (Nigeria) – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reiterated its commitment in the fight against cybercrimes and all forms of criminalities in the country.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, stated this on Monday while declaring open a two day workshop on cybercrime, forensic investigation for Nigeria Police Officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, organised by the NPF in collaboration with UK Justice for All, Department for International Development (DFID) and IBM Digital Forensic LTD.

Idris who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police In-charge of intelligence, Umar Shehu acknowledged the support of both National and international parties to tackle cybercrime and negative impacts on its victims.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Professor Olu Ogusakin, emphasised the need to face the challenges posed by cybercrime which he described as borderless crime that do not affect Nigeria alone, but the entire world. He stressed the need to create awareness through pro-active and reactive policing to curtail the menace posed by cybercrime.

A statement by the Force spokesperson Don Awunah pointed out that at the end of the two days workshop, participants will be able to conduct internet investigation, Policing Cyber Terrorism in cyber space, and become efficient cyber investigators, and managing effectively digital forensic laboratory.

Tuberculosis: Family Members May Be Infected Because Of Proximity To Patient, Not Hereditary – Dr. Gajere

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25/10/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – The transmission and acquisition of Tuberculosis is said to be easily transmitted among family members because of their proximity to patients not through genetics as it is widely speculated.

A specialist with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health Dr. Julius Barnabas Gajera made the clarification on Monday while making a presentation during a one day lecture on, ‘Tuberculosis, its dangers and preventive measures’ organized by the Kaduna state chapter of the National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) in Kaduna.

According to him, “Tuberculosis (TB) is not a hereditary disease; however, members of the same family may be infected because of their closeness to the person infected,” adding that, the infection is transmitted from person to person through air.

He pointed out that only about 10% of infected people will develop TB at some point in their lives; and an individual could also be infected with TB for years without developing the disease.

He explained that, TB is a disease caused by a bacterium called Bacterium Mycobacterium which primarily affects the lungs; saying, one of its major symptoms is a cough that persisted for more than two weeks without responding to treatment.

“Symptoms of TB includes; Cough for two weeks or more (usually with sputum, can be blood stained), fever, night sweats, weight loss, lumps on neck, under arms and chest pains.

“People at risk are those close contacts of people with TB, staffs at the health care facilities, HIV-infected individual, person with diabetes, cancer and children especially under five years of age and the elderly.

While stressing that TB treatments are free in public hospitals, he advised that if an individual experience any of the symptoms, they should visit any health care facility for TB test which can be treated with correct drugs. “A patient must take all of the drugs for the entire time (usually six months) to be cured, but when a patient skips drugs, MDR-TB can develop (Drug resistant), and it could easily be spread to others and dead may occur,” he added.

In a remark, Vice president of NAWOJ Zone A, Zainab Shuibu Ringim, while commending the body for organizing the workshop said it is a milestone in the history of the Association in its drive towards the promotion of health at all levels.

She however called on government and private organization to collaborate with NAWOJ to promote health and developmental issues for the attainment of a healthy society.

Earlier in her welcoming address, Chairperson of the Kaduna state chapter of NAWOJ Mrs. Juliet Oyoyo, noted that the essence of the workshop was to enlighten members on how to safe guide themselves and most likely live with patients suffering from the disease without being exposed to the inherent dangers of getting infected as well as educating members of the public through their mediums.

Cameroun Mourns Over 75 People Killed In Train Crash

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25/10/2016

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By Iliya Kure

A national mourning service was held Monday in Eseka, Cameroun, to honour the over 75 people who loss their lives in a train crash.

On Friday, a passenger train derailed at Eseka station, 125 kilometres west of Yaounde, killing more than 75 people, injuring 600 others.

The train was travelling from Yaounde, capital of the country, to the port city of Douala.

On Saturday, President Paul Biya of Cameroun declared Monday 24th October as a national day of mourning, instructing that all flags fly at half-mast across the nation.

He also ordered a probe into the circumstances leading to the accident.
‘‘I have ordered an in-depth inquiry into the causes of this accident. I have ordered for victims’ [medical] costs to be paid for by the state.”

Reports say the train was carrying more than 1,350 passengers, instead of its 600 passenger capacity.

Cameroun officials told a local radio station the weight of the train had exceeded the limit of the 30-year old railway line.

There were other reports saying a road had collapsed following heavy rains between Yaounde and Douala.

Recession: Dangote Sacks 36 Expatriates, 12 Nigerians – Punch

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24/10/2016

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President of Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote

The current recession rocking the Nigerian economy has hit one of the biggest employers of labour in the country outside of the government as the Dangote Group, belonging to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has fired 48 members of staff.

Our correspondents gathered that those sacked were made up of 36 expatriate and 12 Nigerian workers from the group’s headquarters and one of the subsidiaries, Dangote Cement Plc.

Though no official of the group was willing to speak on the matter on Sunday, one of our correspondents gathered from highly placed sources that the decision to sack the workers was not unconnected with the current high cost of running business in the country occasioned by the unavailability of foreign exchange and the unprecedented hike in the naira to dollar exchange rate.

It was further gathered that the huge amounts in foreign currencies being paid to the expatriate workers had become a burden on Dangote due to the steady depreciation in the value of the naira and the difficulties of raising enough dollars.

Consequently, the industrialist, according to sources, has decided to replace the expatriates with Nigerians, who have acquired the requisite experience on the job, as paying them in naira will be less problematic.

For the affected Nigerians, it was gathered that most of them had disciplinary issues, which made it easy for the group to do away with their services.

When contacted on Sunday, the Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina, said he could not speak on the development.

However, in a letter signed by the President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, dated Thursday, October 20, 2016,the firm stated that it was constrained to take the “tough” decision as economic factors had affected the cost of production.

The letter, which was titled: ‘Recent Retirement Exercise’, however, appreciated those affected for their contributions to the growth of the group.

The letter read in part, “This year has been a very challenging year for us as a business. The unavailability of foreign exchange coupled with an unprecedented hike in the exchange rate has resulted in increased costs across the organisation.

“This called for a proper review and adjustment of our costs across board to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the deployment of our factors of production in a bid to eliminate redundancies that we know exist, which resulted in some tough decisions, which means losing staff, including some of our colleagues.

“On Friday, October 14, 2016, we began the process of staff cutbacks as it is imperative to review our human capital deployment for the required cutbacks that would ensure efficiency and eliminate redundancies in the allocation of human resources.

“This first phase of this exercise involved the cutback of 36 expatriate staff across the Dangote Cement Plc and Dangote Industries Limited, and 12 local staff members in Dangote Industries Limited.”

As an organisation with international operations, the group promised that it would continue to review and restructure its human capital deployment to ensure “optimal allocation of skill sets and size of the workforce each function requires.”

The group urged the workers to shun lateness, improper dressing and other unsavoury behaviours in the workplace.

Bloomberg had in its latest ‘Billionaire Index’ reported that Dangote had lost $5.4bn of his fortune this year due to the fall in the value of the naira and the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria to ration dollars to stem huge capital outflows in the wake of Nigeria’s worst economic crisis.

Dangote had recently urged the Federal Government to sell off the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other dormant but huge capital-generating enterprises and reinvest the proceeds in the economy to bring the country out of the current economic recession before the end of the fourth quarter.

Dansa Foods Nigeria Limited, which claims to be a member of the Dangote Group, has reportedly been unable to pay its workers for the past six months.

The company is being run by Alhaji Sani Dangote, a brother of Aliko, who is the Executive Chairman, with Aliko’s shares embedded in the firm.

Multiple sources in the Dangote Group claimed that Dansa Foods was not part of the group but was an independent company owned and run by Aliko’s brother.

However, in a statement announcing its participation at the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair, the group listed some of its subsidiaries as Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Agrosacks, NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt), Dangote Rice Limited, Dangote Cement Plc and Dansa Foods Limited.

It was reported that the company, which produces Dansa Juice and other goods, had laid off more than half of the workforce following dwindling sales and high cost of production caused by high exchange rate of the naira.

It was gathered that the company had suspended the production of Dansa Juice and other products, and was only producing Mowa Bottle Water.

As a result, the workers have reportedly embarked on a strike to press home their demand.

Culled from Punch

Kaduna: Previous Governments Spent N2.1 Billion On Juice And Sweets Annually – Commissioner

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24/10/2016

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Kaduna (Nigeria) – The Kaduna State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mohammad Sani Abdullahi, has alleged that the previous administration in the state spent N2.1billion on sweets and juice yearly.

He also revealed that a sum of N500-N600 million was spent on purchase of newspapers annually.

Abdullahi made this revelation on Saturday in Kaduna during a round table discussion on the Kaduna State 2017 drafted budget, organized by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Kaduna state government.

According to the commissioner, the present administration felt such expenses were not necessary, as such it erased some provisions and limited the number of newspapers to the offices of the Permanent secretary, commissioners and the libraries. He stressed that the government did that to correct spending and diverts such funds for projects development.

The commissioner also added that the previous administration equally spent about N2 billion yearly on staff trainings which does not have any corresponding output, noting also that the present government is working on modalities on how it could conduct trainings which are relevant to staff’s field.

While noting that adoption of the treasury single account (TSA) and the zero base budget had assisted the state government in generating N38 billion to an open balance of 2016 budget, he said they are borrowing larger percentage to fund the 2017 budget to develop infrastructure.

Also speaking, Senior special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye, noted that the discussion offers journalists an opportunity for accurate reportage of the process of Budget and other development agenda.

In a remark, NUJ vice president North-West zone Yusuf Idris, urged journalists on the need to bridge the gap between the people and government, adding that journalists are saddled with the responsibilities of analyzing government policies to educate the public.

Speaking earlier, in her welcome address, the state acting NUJ chairman Zhiroh Jatau, said the discussion had provided an opportunity for members of the press and public to be better informed on what the administration was providing for the overall development of the state as well as ensure full implementation by proper monitoring and reportages in all stages.

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