Nigeria Targets Meeting 2017 Deadline For Digital Switch Over

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04/03/2016

By Solomon Dung

Jos (Nigria) — Nigeria’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, says his country is working towards meeting the June 2017 deadline for its Digital Switch Over (DSO) in broadcasting.

“After missing an earlier deadline for Digital Switch Over (DSO), Nigeria has committed to achieving DSO by June 2017. Let me state here, for the avoidance of doubt, that we will not miss that target. This is because missing the target will amount to delaying the huge benefits that will accrue to the nation from a successful DSO. More over if we do not meet this deadline all our channels will suffer from interference,” he told stakeholders in Jos on Friday.

Mohammed said the Digital Switch Over is a unique opportunity for the country to increase the provision of television and radio channels and enhance the quality of signals as well as the local content, which in turn will contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.

“Digital compression allows more channels to be transmitted with better image quality, good sound and improved interactive applications. I am informed that about eight times as many channels can be broadcast with the same amount of transmission capacity as is currently used for one analogue channel.

“In addition, the switch off of the analogue signal will result in a large increase in the supply of television channels available to viewers, with viewers receiving 30+ digital channels instead of 4-5 analogue ones

”Nigeria currently has 20 million TV households, and DSO will make the country the biggest free-to-air market in Africa and indeed the world, and a host of value added services such as news, information and video on demand. Also, bandwidth will be freed up for other uses,” the Minister said.

Mohammed said 5,000 direct jobs will be created for young engineers and technicians and another 10,000 jobs from small scale entrepreneurs and technicians who will start up distribution and retail outlets throughout the 774 local government areas.

“More creative hands will be required to create the 24/7 content needed to operate the digital television channels, thus leading to the creation and spring-up of new TV content producers and artists. The DSO will also allow Nollywood producers to monetise their movies directly to 20 Million TV households in Nigeria at the same time, and this will solve the problem of distribution and piracy,” he said.

In addition, he said software developers can also cash in on the situation to create applications that can sit on the Set Top Box for the provision of interactive services.

Mohammed, who was conducted round the digital transmission system by Rotimi Salami, the General Manager of Integrated Television Services, expressed delight that the DSO will create another window of opportunity for the government to directly interact with the citizens.

Malawi Police Orders Shoot-To-Kill Of Albino Killers

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04/03/2016

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Albino Children — Children with albinism sit at the Golden Valley English Medium School, a school sponsored by Under the Same Sun (UTSS), in Geita November 24, 2011. REUTERS/Emmanuel Kwitema

The Malawi’s police chief has issued a shoot-to-kill order against those caught in the inhumane act of abducting and killing of albinos in the country.

According to a report by CCTV Africa, albino abduction and killings in neighboring Tanzania has sprang into Malawi, as such, it became important ‘to fight against the criminality aggressively and professionally’ said Kachama.

Criminal gangs nicknamed “albino hunters’ have been terrorizing the southeast African country, armed with machetes, knives and axes, abducting and often killing albinos in broad day light and in the dead of the night.

According to the police, by now about 50 criminal offences have been committed against albinos and the number might even be higher, as some incidents may not have been reported to police.

Police figures show that as of January 2016, at least 11 people with albinism were killed while 34 others were attacked with some of them suffering body mutilations.

Besides the use of violence, the police say all sorts of tricks are used by criminals involved in a syndicate that is hunting for albino body parts in Malawi, including the use of parents and relatives to catch their prey.

The abductors often sell the albino body parts for witchcraft purposes.

Source: CCTV Africa

Nigeria: Land Owners Demand Justice Over Government Seizure Of Lands

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04/03/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Hundreds of protesters on Thursday stormed the secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalist in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria demanding justice from the Kaduna state government over what they perceived as illegal acquisition of their lands.

They also accused the administration of El-rufa’I for taking over their lands without due compensation – showing no feelings of sympathy.

Protesters who were Land owners in Dan-hono II also known as the Millennium city carried placards with various inscription such as “El-rufai is a cheat, enough is enough, leave our land for us, El-Rufai is a dictator; Osinbajo! El-rufai will tarnish your image; we demand justice.

Spokesman of the group, Lucky Akpojosevbe while addressing newsmen said they came to the NUJ secretariat to let the public know about the injustice done to them by the El-rufai’s administration; saying, they had duly acquired their lands for decades but the government confiscated it without compensating them.

He added that as land owners of Dan-hono II, they will not relent until justice is serve as their lands were forcefully taken over and given to the private developers under what the government called public private partnership (PPP) without due process.

He described the action of El-rufai as ‘unjust, dictatorial, fraudulent, anti-people’ as well as going against the change mantra of the Buhari led APC government in the country.

“We all voted for APC change with the high hope of getting a change for the better, but it is unfortunate that, the likes of Governor El-rufai are spoiling the name of the APC change.”

Akpojosevbe also charged those who are affected in other areas of the state in this regard to come out and voice their grievances as well as demand justice.

Similarly another land owner, Mansur Suleiman also stressed that; they will do everything possible to reclaim their lands, since the era of government impunity is over. “We will fight against government insensitivity, recklessness, and impunity and reclaim our lands since we have the right under sun to fight, secure and keep our lawful property.

Reacting to the protest, the Director General, Kaduna Geographic Information System (KADGIS), Ibrahim Hussaini said the state government will pay compensation to those that have their land papers intact as soon as the money is ready.

He said the essence of the exercise is to clear the area for the 500 mass housing scheme for civil servants in the state; while warning village heads not to sale government land again as there are many cases of illegal sales of land on ground.

Gunmen Abduct Director in Kaduna Northern Nigeria

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02/03/2016

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By Iliya Kure
Kaduna (Nigeria) — A Director with Kaduna State Finance Ministry in northwest Nigeria, Aminu Sambo, has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

A source said, Sambo was kidnapped Saturday in his farm at Kangimi – a village near Kaduna.

AFRICA PRIME NEWS learnt that security agents have launched a search on the abductors.

However, a family source said the abductors were demanding a large sum of money before his release.

“I was not there, but our brother Aminu Sambo was kidnapped last saturday in his farm in Kangimi. We are praying and begging kidnappers to release him unconditionally. Sambo is gentle man to the core, who loves peace. We are pleading with kidnappers not to harm him wherever he is” said the source.

As at the time of filing this report, phone calls to the Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Abubakar Zubairu, to comment on the incident were not answered.

Nigeria: Taraba Harnesses Non-oil Sector To Develop State

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02/03/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Taraba state government has reiterated its commitment in developing its Agricultural, Tourism, and Mining sector to generate wealth and provide job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths of the state than depending on oil.

Speaking during the Taraba state special day at the 37^th Kaduna international trade fair, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku said Taraba state is bless with both natural and mineral resources as well as fertile land for agriculture, ready to be harness for diversification of the states’ economy.

Governor Ishaku also noted that in its quest for diversification, it will partner the federal government to curb illegal mining activities; develop the tourism sector like the Mambilla Plateau to attract tourist, and it rivers to encourage both dry season farming and fishing.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Haruna Manu, stressed that the state is open to both local and international investors.

“In its policy to rescue the state, we have made a policy to participate in both local and international fair with a view to attract investors. The state is endowed with many minerals and natural resources like barite, limestone, precious stone/medals among others waiting to be harness.

“Having visited some of the pavilions, I have seen much potential. It is high time for us to look inward to develop what we have in our various states; because we have all that it takes to diversify the economy of Nigeria rather than depend on oil,” he said.

Taraba state commissioner of commerce and industry, Iliyasu Mohammed Ajibu in his remarks said the theme of the fair, ‘promoting the solid minerals sector for sustainable economic development in Nigeria’ is in line with the rescue mission of the state to reduce the over dependence on oil revenue due to its dwindling fortunes.

“Many countries have now discovered oil on their lands and countries are developing more environment friendly alternative sources of energy. We therefore, cannot be said to have competitive advantage on this resources any longer. Hence, it necessitated for diversification into more sustainable resources like solid minerals, agriculture and tourism that abound the state.

He added that the state have invigorated an export committee that would harness its abundant resources as well as add value on them to be exported in accordance with the Nigerian export promotion council’ concept, ‘to grow at home, and sell abroad’.

“The organized private sector will be fully mobilized and carried along in the conceptualization of ideas or policies through implementation and evaluation. This is believed to in the long run results in a private sector driven economy with the government restricting itself towards facilitating and creating the enabling environment.”

Earlier in his welcoming remarks, chairman, special day committee, Mailafiya Abu Mada said the fair serves as an avenue to interface with the world, so that the various potential within the states can be showcase to the world and local investors.

Journalists In Sudan Go on Hunger Strike Over Newspaper Suspension

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02/03/2016

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KHARTOUM – Journalists at Al-Tayyar daily Tuesday have started a hunger strike to protest against the suspension of the newspaper by the Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Last December, NISS suspended al-Tayyar daily newspaper indefinitely without giving reasons.

Editors at the newspaper said the move was likely triggered by a series of Op-eds by the editor in chief, Osman Merghani in which he fiercely criticized the Minister of Finance’s announcement of a new round of subsidy cuts on fuel, electricity and wheat.

The newspaper submitted a claim to the Constitutional Court challenging the constitutionality of the NISS move and demanding immediate lift of the suspension decision.

One of the Journalist, Merghani described the hunger strike move as “historic”, saying it is considered the first of its kind in the history of the Sudanese press.

He expected that the move would draw large attention from the international news agencies and human rights organizations; describing it as a civilized way of protest that would educate the Sudanese how to claim their rights without engaging in a direct confrontation with the authorities.

The journalists went into the hunger strike at 1:00 pm. (local time) Tuesday amid large presence from fellow journalists and politicians including the deputy chairman of the National Umma Party (NUP) Mariam al-Mahdi and member of the Central Committee of the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) Suleiman Hamid.

They lined up in the newspaper’s courtyard and handcuffed and gagged themselves to reflect the government crackdown on the press.

It was learnt that some physicians have volunteered to monitor the health status of the strikers and provide intravenous fluids in case of any emergency.

It would be recalled that the newspaper received a written pledge from the police to protect the striking journalists and their belongings throughout the strike period.

Last week, Al-Tayyar launched a campaign to collect one million signatures to demand the lift of ban on the newspaper.

The NISS routinely suspends and confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively on previous issues.

In February 2015, NISS seized entire print runs of 14 newspapers in one day without stating the reasons for its decision.

In June 2012, NISS suspended Al-Tayyar indefinitely and allowed it to resume publication two years later upon a ruling of the Constitutional Court.

Source: Sudan Tribune

Unidentified Attackers Beat Displaced Women In North Darfur

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02/03/2016

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Kalma1-bdcf4 — Internally displaced women carry firewood to Kalma Camp, near Nyala in Darfur in this handout photograph released by MSF, April 3, 2008. REUTERS/Avril Benoit/MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES/Handout (SUDAN). FOR EDITORIAL -- -- -- USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

EL FASHER (Sudan) – Three women had been beaten by two masked attackers while they were collecting firewood outside Ain Al Das area, in Millet County, North Darfur state.

A local chief Ahmed Salih, told Sudan Tribune, on Tuesday, that the masked men beat the women severely with their sticks before escaping.

Salih said that they filed a complaint at the office of Millet Commissioner, adding that no action has been taken to arrest the offenders; noting that, the local authorities prevented them from undertaking any effort to arrest them.

He condemned the inaction of authorities further pointed out that the victims were taken to El-Fasher Hospital for treatment.

Different reports have documented attacks and rape of women in Darfur region when they go out of their villages or camps to collect firewood.

“It’s a risky business but these women have little alternative. They depend on wood in order to cook their families’ meals.”

Last year Ain Al Das area and Millet town witnessed violent tribal conflicts, where many people died.

Also, last Saturday evening, gunmen intercepted a vehicle carrying three women and two men heading to Millet town 60 km northern of El Fasher. The criminals killed the drivers and looted the passengers’ belongings.

Source: Sudan Tribune

Nigeria And China Exchange Views On Bilateral Relations

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01/03/2016

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Abuja (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described China as one of the most important partners in Nigeria’s quest to develop its infrastructures and tourism sector.

The minister made this known while receiving the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Nigeria, Ambassador Gu Xiaojie, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja recently.

Statement by the special Assistant to the Minister, Segun Adeyemi, quoted the minister to have said that, the Nigerian government holds very dear its relationship with China.

”China is a veritable development partner with Nigeria. The relationship between the two countries started at the level of cultural collaboration but has now gone beyond that to the developmental level,” he said.

He cited examples of the strategic relationship between the two countries; partnership between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Star Times of China; the funds being provided by China for Nigeria’s rail project and the involvement of a Chinese firm in the Lagos State Government rail project.

He also called for more partnership between the two in the area of tourism, saying China has done well, especially in the area of domestic tourism.

While accepting the invitation to attend the First World Conference on Tourism Development in China in May 2016, the Minister said the trip would give him the opportunity to exchange views with China’s Tourism authorities on how best to help boost tourism in Nigeria.

Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Xiaojie described the relationship between his country and Nigeria as ‘excellent and strategic’.

He said both countries attach great importance to the relationship and would work harder to strengthen it, especially in the areas of information, tourism and culture.

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