Shi’ites/Soldiers Clash: Shi’ites Threaten Boycott Of Inquiry Commission

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01/03/2016

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shi’te has threatened to boycott the sitting of Commission of Inquiry set up by Kaduna State government to investigate the clash between the group and soldiers in Zaria

Department of State Security (DSS) has continued to deny Shite legal team access to Leader of the group, Shaikh Ibraheem Zazzaky who ihas been in their custody since December, 2015.

The continued denial of access to the leader had led to several adjournments of the commissions previous sitting in the state.

The group representatives refused to appear before the commission, saying until they get access to their leader for briefing they will not make presentation at the commission.

Chairman of the Resource Forum, Dr. Abdullahi Danladi said it is unfortunate that their legal team headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana were denied access to Shiekh Zakzaky at the DSS headquarters in Abuja after four attempts.

“It is now a common knowledge that a legal team led by Femi Falana SAN and Festus Okoye have made more than four fruitless attempts to see Sheikh Zakzaky for the purpose of submitting memorandum to the Judicial commission of inquiry and his appearance before the said commission,” he said.

He said the purpose of seeing Sheikh is to have audience with him and all the visits yielded no positive result, adding that, it is therefore clear that there is a laid out plan to prevent the legal team of the movement from getting access to its leader.

“It is not fair that a judicial commission of inquiry was set up but the leader of the movement at the center of the storm will be held incommunicado. Shiekh Ibraheem was shot severally and his sons as well as other family members murdered before his eyes and his personal House fire bombed by the military would be denied access to his lawyers.

“Our appearance before the Commission shall be predicated on the following: The unconditional release of the leader of the Movement Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky to lead the Movement to the said Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State Government.

It would be recalled that during the first sitting of the commission, Its Chairman Justice Muhammed Garba, has ordered the Counsel to the commission Yusuf Ali to find out the whereabouts of Sheikh Zakzaky within 24 hours.

Nigerian Senator Donates $30,000 Worth Books To University, National library

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Africaprimenews

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29/02/2016

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By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — As a gesture to his constituency, the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, Monday donated books worth over 10 million naira to Kaduna State University (KASU), and the National Library in Kaduna.

The donation was first phase of $100,000 he planned to donate to the schools in his constituency within four years.

“Those who have passion to learn and those who want to research must be encouraged. You are what you read and if you don’t read what is new, your thought and vision become obsolete.”

Senator Sani this while making the presentation at National Library in the state.

He added that the donation became necessary owing to the fact that the education sector of Nigerian economy has suffered neglect in recent times.

“We have a duty as elected representative of our people. We need to take education seriously.

“Library in nigeria has for a long time been neglected. A library is a temple of learning where you come and get updated knowledge.

“I have spent about 30,000 dollars on these books. Few are available within the country while others were brought from outside. It is important to add that giving back to library is giving back to institution that belong to all of us. I want to encourage the library managers to take proper use and custody of the books.

“It is true that we are backward. Our leaders must raise the hope of new generations through provision of enabling environment for them to strive without necessarily experiencing so much difficulty,” he said.

Chief Librarian of the National Library in Kaduna, Muhammed Ndagi, said the donation was a fulfilment of promise by the Senator who had earlier visited the library.

According to him, Senator Sani is contributing to the uplifting of fallen standard of education in the state.

“He came around, and we gave him the list as regards latest books. He has boosted the morale of our staff.” He said

Nigeria To Create More Jobs Through Economic Diversification

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29/02/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar has reiterated the federal government’s commitment in diversifying the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth and development.

The Minister stated this during the opening ceremony of the 37^th Kaduna International trade fair over the weekend in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria. The theme for the 2016 trade fair is, ‘Promoting solid minerals sector for sustainable economic development’.

She said for a country to achieved development, its economy has to be diversified in order to ensure job creation and increased investment inflow into key areas like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing in order to enhance rapid industrialization.

The minister added that government would ensure that the on-going reform programs in the areas of trade, industry, power, agriculture and solid minerals sectors result in a vibrant private sector participation and increase efficiency in the national economy.

“As we confront the challenges ahead, I urge the entire private sector operators in Nigeria and their foreign counterparts to positively reciprocate these gestures by investing in the identified growth and employment generation sector of the economy,” she said.

In his key note address, Kaduna state governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, who was represented by the Commissioner of Commerce, Balarabe Shehu, said the State government is making efforts to revitalize and diversify the economy of the state to attract local and international investors and also encourage non oil exports.

The governor said that the 37th Trade Fair would create an environment to explore new markets, create and sustain better understanding among nationalities, adding that, the state government had also proposed one modern market for every town in the state to open business opportunities for rural dwellers;

“ We are also making effort to acquire some sites for the establishment of Industrial Parks in the State. Similarly, the State has expended substantial amount in the development of Kaduna Inland Dry Deport to ease clearance of goods in Kaduna and the North West Geopolitical Zone and to also serve as origin of the final destination,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Abdul-Alimi Bello said that within six months, members of the organized private sector have lost about N1.46 trillion as a result of the stalled business activities cause by inadequate supply of foreign exchange which was as a result of the Federal Government policy on foreign exchange restriction.

He said the 37th edition of the trade fair, “as in the previous versions has witnessed an upsurge in the number of participants, stakeholders and patrons.”

He said the this year’s trade fair, is aimed at complementing federal government effort to boost diversification of the national economy and reduce the over dependent on oil and gas as well as creating jobs in the country.

Nigeria: Kaduna Journalists Acquire Skills On Reporting Zoonotic Diseases

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28/02/2016

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By Iliya Kure
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Journalists in Kaduna will on Monday undergo a training on reporting zoonotic diseases – diseases contracted from animals. This is coming from a collaboration between Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF).

In a statement, Chairman of NVMA Kaduna State Chapter, Dr Yila Umaru said the training is meant to expose journalists to understanding issues related to diseases humans contract from animals.

He said recently the world had been plagued with diseases of animal origin, but poor information management had left people confused on how to manage the diseases, leading to rise in myths and misconceptions.

He said “we are excited working with AMDF in reaching journalists for the training. We believe once journalists understand zoonosis related issues, the public will in turn understand how to protect themselves from these diseases”.

On her part, the Coordinator of AMDF, Mrs. Sekyen Dadik who also noted that the training is informed by rising cases of diseases contracted from animals, added that the preparedness and response capability of a country towards an outbreak depend among other factors, the information readily available to the public.

She said “to achieve any meaningful success in prevention and control of such outbreaks, there must be collaboration between the media and experts involved.”

The media, according to her, serves as the easiest means of educating and enlightening the general public, but “for the media to give accurate information to the public, there is the need for experts to maintain transparent information and provide scientific expertise.”

Dadik said, AMDF will continue to work with experts and other stakeholders to provide the media with useful and basic information on different diseases contacted from animals and their timelines.

Handball: Northwest Nigeria Maiden Competition Opens

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Africaprimenews

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26/02/2016

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Annang Bako
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Maiden edition of North-West Zonal under 17 Handball competition has open in Kaduna Friday, bringing 196 players from the states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa.

The competition which features male and female players is organised by National Sports Commission (NSC), and is expected to last three days.

NSC Zonal Coordinator,Alli-Durotoye, told AFRICA PRIME NEWS that the competition is “the first of its kind in the north-west” and is meant to promote handball in the zone .

He said cash prizes of N10,000, N7,500, and N5,000 will be given to winners in the different categories. “We will also give award of N5,000 to the most valuable player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer.” He said

Apart from the cash prizes, “we have trophies and certificates of attendance to be given to all players that participated.

Dorutoye also said that the commission will also organise competition for other games to stimulate sport activities in the region.

“By March 17-28, we shall be organising Under-19 volleyball competition for the zone which will be sponsored by Musa Nimrod.

“We will also have community soccer game in April which we expect more teams to participate than last year’s competition.”

He added that more sporting events like volleyball clinic, marathon and Northern chess competition are in the offing.

Ghana: 500 Sacked Recruits Not A Threat – Ghana Army

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26/02/2016

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The Ghana Armed Forces has downplayed fears that some 500 army recruits it sacked on grounds of alleged misconduct about two months ago will pose a security threat to the country.

A lawyer and former minister under the regime of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, B.K. Senkyire, had urged the state to take steps to absorb the sacked recruits or risk possible revolt.

But speaking with Class News, the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Col Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, said the service carried out a thorough inquiry before the decision was made.

“The decision to sack them is not something that somebody just got up and said let them go. Several considerations were taken before that decision was arrived at. [If] somebody wants to be a criminal, it doesn’t matter where he is, he will still be a criminal,” he asserted.

“We are always looking at what can happen today, but for the years ahead, we don’t look deep into that. They started training, and in less than two months, they will not take instructions and they were saying that the training is too difficult, organizing demonstrations; you want to keep such a people in the system?

“This happened while they were under training, when he becomes a soldier …and when you take him on a mission and things are hard, what do you expect from such people?” he asked.

With regards to fears that these recruits might turn criminals, Col Aggrey-Quarshie said “even if they are not trained and they want to become criminals, they will, and if even they pass out and still want to become criminals they will.”

Source: Ghana web

Nigeria: Supreme Court Upholds Reverend King’s Death Sentence

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26/02/2016

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Lagos – The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Reverend King), general overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly.

In a unanimous judgment on Friday afternoon, a seven-man panel of Justices ‎of the apex court led by Justice Walter Onnoghen, upheld the death sentence that was earlier handed to Ezeugo by the Lagos State High Court.

Consequently, the court in its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, dismissed the appeal the convicted clergy lodged before it.

Ngwuta said the facts of the case were “like what you see in a horror movie” adding that the appeal lacked merit.

Ezeugo challenged the judgement of a Lagos High Court sentencing him to death by hanging.

The apex court had last year December fixed February 26, 2016 for judgment in the appeal.

The apex court presided over by Justice Walter Onoghen adjourned for judgment after entertaining arguments from counsel to prosecution and defence in the matter.

Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, who appeared before the Supreme Court alongside the Director of Public Prosecution, Idowu Alakija, and other senior counsel in the state had urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the lower courts.

Ezeugo was arraigned on September 26, 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted murder and murder.

He was convicted of murdering one of his church members, Ann Uzoh. The convict was said to have poured petrol on the deceased and five other persons and that Uzoh died on August 2, 2006, 11 days after the act was perpetrated on her.

Source: News24

Nigeria Holds National Summit On Culture, Tourism

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Africaprimenews

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25/02/2016

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By Stanley Olu

Lagos (Nigeria) — Abuja in April will host a National Summit on Culture and Tourism, in a bid to make the Culture and Tourism Sector a major revenue earner for Nigeria. The summit will bring stakeholders to look into issues militating against culture and tourism being huge revenue earner for the country.

”The summit will signpost our determination to put culture and tourism at the very centre of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to diversify the economy away from oil,” Says Information Minister, Lai Mohammed

Mohammed was Thursday visiting Governor Akinwumni Ambode of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, also invited the Governor to the summit, saying Lagos State, the hub of entertainment, arts, culture and tourism, has a big role to play in repositioning the creative industry in the country.

”With the drastic fall in the price of crude oil, the Federal Government is currently in the process of diversifying the country’s economy to shift emphasis to other key sectors like tourism, agriculture and solid minerals. With particular reference to tourism, we have a lot to learn from the giant strides that have been made by this state in the provision of infrastructure, which is critical to stimulating tourism.

”The intra-city rail transportation system that is expected to come on stream in December 2016, the 10-lane highway to Bagadry, which is one of the state’s foremost tourist destinations, and the provision of effective security through the innovative Lagos State Security Trust Fund all stand the state in good stead to remain the top tourist destination for a long time to come,” he said.

The Minister also sought the support of Lagos State Government for the Federal Government’s efforts to revamp the National Theatre and restore its lost shine.

”Let me reiterate that the Federal Government will not sell the National Theatre. Our plan is to develop the fallow land around the edifice, using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, and then use the proceeds to rehabilitate the National Theatre. Again, Lagos State is a trailblazer in this respect, having successfully leveraged the PPP model for the Lekki Expressway,” he said.

Responding, Gov. Ambode accepted the invitation to participate at the summit, adding: ”We will bring a large team.”

The Governor stressed the need for the country to pay greater attention to the service sector which, he said, has been neglected for a long time.

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