IDPs In Sudan Calls For Food And Medical Assistance

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25/02/2016

YEI – More than 1, 500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled insecurity threats in Mundri and Maridi counties in South Sudan last year for the newly-created Yei River State have called for food and medical assistance from government and other donor organizations.

Those displaced said they received food rations for two months from World Food Program, which were distributed in November 2015. Till now, they have not received any.

“We are really suffering; we don’t have something to eat. We last having got some food in November last year. We appeal to the government to look into our problems”, said Samuel Martin, a man who owns a family of seven children.

Those displaced, said Martin, are sheltering in temporary small grass thatched huts with too much heat. They have decried the suffering they undergo when heavy rains start.

“You can see it for yourself, we call ourselves as south Sudanese but miserable and poor South Sudanese who were forced to sleep in places that can be compared to either animals or guerrilla fighters. We don’t know where to sleep when rain begins. We don’t have tents here” he further narrated.

However another woman, only identified as Awadia complained that they were facing a lot of problems when it comes to accessing clean drinking water.

“You can see this water which I have just fetched from the bore hole. It’s yellow and red in colour we used to boil and drink this. But the worry is that the nearby area women have denied us to fetch water from wells and boreholes they are getting water from,” said Awadia.

“We always end up in quarrels and fighting with them. I would best suggest that let the government repair for us this bore hole so that we can access water from” she added.

Awadia said they were still lacking medical services at the displaced peoples’ camp.

’There are many cases of people who are sick sleeping without even a single paracetamol tablets to swallow,” she said

Awadia expressed concerns that over 500 children were without education at the camp.

“Since we came here for nearly two years, our children are without education. What is affecting us so badly is on the future of our children”, she stressed.

Officials from Yei county’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission were not readily available to comment on challenges raised by the internally displaced people in the area.

Culled from Sudan tribune

One In Five African Children Denied Access To Vaccines – WHO

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25/02/2016

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Addis Ababa – The World Health Organization (WHO) have reported on Wednesday that, one in five children in Africa do not receive basic life-saving vaccines, despite the continent making great strides on immunization.

The report noted a dramatic rise in child vaccination rates, from 57 percent in 2000 to 80 percent in 2014, but said more needed to be done to prevent the spread of diseases such as measles, rubella and neonatal tetanus that have been virtually eradicated in some parts of the world but remain prevalent and deadly in Africa.

According to Ethiopian health minister, Kesetebirhan Admasu, a host who will be holding a two-day summit on immunisation in Africa starting on Thursday, “We can and must do more to protect all our children from devastating illnesses – not only because it is our responsibility to ensure healthier futures for our citizens, but also because it is a smart economic decision”.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti added, “For Africa to achieve its full potential and secure a bright future, we must unite to ensure that every child on the continent receives the vaccines he or she needs to survive and thrive”.

She said, “It is unacceptable that one in five African children lack access to life-saving vaccines, and this report is an urgent wake-up call to Africans of all walks of life and at every level”.

Medical charity Doctors without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said global pharmaceutical companies should be taken to task for charging “inflated vaccine prices” that keep the drugs out of reach of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.

“If vaccine prices continue to spiral out of control, we will continue to see countries in Africa and around the world faced with difficult decisions about which deadly diseases they can and can’t afford to protect their children against,” said Myriam Henkens, MSF’s international medical coordinator.

“Ministers at this conference literally can’t afford to waste this opportunity to again speak out against high prices and push for change,” she said.

News24

Nigeria To Restructure Its Public Media

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23/02/2016

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Abuja (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that public media (government-owned) organizations will be restructured and reinvented in order to position them to compete favorably with other privately own medium in the country.

The minister made this known in Abuja on Monday when he received on courtesy visit members of the National Executive Committee of the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU).

He said for the public media to compete with others, there need to restructure, and reinvent them because that is the only way it can compete favorably with other broadcasting outfits.

On the issue raised by RATTAWU on the low patronage of public media, Mohammed said the government media organizations have to be retooled to provide compelling contents that will make them attractive to viewers and advertisers.

The Minister further noted that, public media organization under his watch would not deny access to the political opposition but emphasized that the media, especially the broadcast outfits, should always adhere strictly to the provisions of the Broadcasting Code in the performance of their duties.

He assured that the Federal Government was committed to the diversification of the economy through an organized and coordinated approach to mainstream culture, tourism and agriculture into the economy.

“Agriculture is one area where our diversification is going to be felt but what we have done is that we are not just talking about agriculture in the abstract. We are picking a few crops and a few items that we intend to be self-sufficient in and these items are today taking a large chunk of our foreign exchange. So in diversifying in agriculture, we are linking it to the entire economy,” he said.

Mohammed told the RATTAWU executives that he has been studying the minutes of their meetings with the government on improved remuneration package for its members and promised to continue to engage the stakeholders in that regard.

Earlier, the President of RATTAWU, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose commended the Buhari administration for the successes it has so far recorded in the fight against corruption and insurgency; he urged the government to extend the same vigour to revamping the nation’s economy.

He also spoke on the need to diversify the economy, improve the remuneration of media workers, curb the instability in the leadership of the public media and ensure their independence.

The RATTAWU president also called for the review of the law that empowers Local Governments to collect radio license fees because, saying, the third tier of government has no input in broadcasting.

Nigeria: 600,000 Children In Jigawa Are Malnourished – UNICEF

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23/02/2016

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Dutse (Nigeria) – The United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) on Monday stated that no fewer than 600,000 out of 1.1 million children below the age of five in Jigawa State, North-west Nigeria are malnourished.

The organization’s Chief Nutritionist in Nigeria, Arjan de-WAGT, made the disclosure when he led other partners on “Improving Nutrition in Northern Nigeria” on a courtesy visit to Governor Muhammad Badaru in Dutse.

De-WAGT said 165,000 children between the ages of five to 59 months were severely malnourished.

He warned that if not catered for, an estimated 32,000 of the number were likely to die this year.

He said: “In our latest statistics, Jigawa has the highest number of malnourished children in the country, which means half of its children are affected.

“One hundred and two thousand children from zero to six months do not get exclusive breast feeding.

“Breast feeding is the most effective intervention to prevent malnutrition and save lives.”

The chief nutritionist also said 650,000 children from six months to five years did not receive Vitamin A supplement.

According to him, 117,000 of the 265,000 pregnant women in the state do not also take iron supplement during pregnancy to prevent anaemia.

He stressed the need for the federal and state governments to put in place “nutrition coordination and planning mechanism” as intervention measure to curb malnutrition and save lives.

De-WAGT said UNICEF had in the last five years been working in 15 out of the 27 local government areas of the state to improve the nutrition status of children and mothers.

He said the work was being undertaken by UNICEF in collaboration with other partners such as the Save the Children and Action against Hunger.

He said over 40,000 children’s’ lives were saved in the state through treatment and various interventions undertaken by UNICEF and its partners.

In his response, Badaru, who described the situation as “worrisome and pathetic”, promised to take drastic measures to reverse the trend.

He said his government had commenced reforms in the health sector to improve the health conditions of the people.

He said: “We are aware of the dangers and my government will take all the necessary steps to reverse the situation.

“This is of great concern to me because there cannot be any growth or development in the state without healthy people.

“I shall expend all necessary political will to tackle the problem.”

The governor pledged to set up a technical committee to look into the statistics and find immediate solutions to the problem.

Source: The Eagleonline

Syria War: US And Russia Agree New Truce ‘To Start At Weekend’

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23/02/2016

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The US and Russia have agreed terms for a ceasefire in Syria beginning on Saturday but many questions remain over whether the agreement can be implemented on the ground.

The deal would in theory mean an end to fighting between the Syrian regime and all major opposition groups except for al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate and the Islamic State (Isil).

The truce, which would begin at the stroke of midnight on Saturday, should also mean an end to Russian airstrikes against rebel forces.

However, news of the agreement was met with deep scepticism by observers of a conflict that has raged for five years and claimed around 300,000 lives.

John Kerry, the US secretary of state, announced plans for a similar ceasefire two weeks ago but its start date came and went without an end to the fighting.

The deal would allow Russia to continue bombing Isil and the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda group in Syria.

Britain and other Western governments have accused Russia of bombing rebel groups opposed to the Assad regime while claiming to be attacking the two jihadist groups.

“About 90 percent of Russian air strikes have been against the opposition, not against [Isil],” said a spokesman for the US-led coalition.

News of the peace deal could lead to an escalation of fighting as all sides scramble to take ground before the ceasefire takes hold.

“Expect a major intensification in fighting this week,” said Charles Lister, resident fellow at the Middle East Institute think tank.

curled from The Telegraph

Nigerian Army, Shi’ite Clash: Shi’ite Shun Inquiry Panel as Public hearing commences

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23/02/2016

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Shi’ite, on Monday refused to appear before the inaugural sitting of the Judicial Commission of inquiry which commenced sitting in Kaduna to look into the clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the movement which occurred between 12 and 13 December, 2015.

However, the General Officer Commanding (G.O.C) of 1 Division , Major General Adeniyi Oyebade and other Officers of the Nigerian Army were present to tell their own side of the story.

It will be recall that a 13-man Commission of Inquiry was set up by Kaduna state government to look into the immediate and remote cause of the Zaria clash.

Lawyers to the Islamic movement were also absent. They wrote to the commission of their inability to submit any memorandum because of lack of access to their leader, Sheik Ibraheem el-Zakzaky whose directive they needed to obey and work with.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the commission, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Garba, in his speech said; “This sitting has to be adjourned till Wednesday because of the absence of one party involved in the inquiry.

He also told Counsel to the commission, Yusuf Ali (SAN) to find out the whereabouts of the leader of the Shi’ites and report back to the commission within 24 hours; adding that, it is required by law for every party in the clash to be present at all the sittings of the proceedings.

The chairman also announced that a total of 105 memoranda had been received from members of the public; while reassuring the sitting that the commission would conduct an unbiased investigation and recommend necessary action that would be fair to all parties involved.

The Islamic movement had, before now, faulted the 13-man composition of the panel, saying some of its members are already against the movement.

Former Nigerian Hotel Workers Demand Entitlement 7 Years After Retirement

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23/02/2016

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By Bashir Bello

Kaduna (Nigeria) — Former workers of Arewa Hotels Ltd, a subsidiary of the New Nigeria Development Company, NNDC Monday staged a peaceful protest in Kaduna, northwest nigeria, to demand payment of their entitlements seven years after retirement.

They marched to Secretariat of Nigeria Union of journalists, NUJ Kaduna State Council, lamenting what they described bitter life experience, as a result of the non payment of their entitlements.

The former workers carried Placards with inscription such as “please save us, President Buhari, Northern Govs.”, NNDC pay us our entitlement” and “We are dying, our children no longer go to school”.

Chairman of the movement, Umar Musa said all attempt by members to get the management settle the entitlements issue proved abortive and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Northern Governors to intervene.

“The reason why we take a unanimous decision to come out enmasse alongside sister units, i.e Sokoto hotel, Zaria hotel, Aso motel, NTICC, Hamdala hotel and Arewa Hotel headquarter is, to collectively speak with one voice, to reach out to Nigerian communities – Northern communities, the call was necessitated out of bondage, economic hardship, traumatization, neglect for this period of stagnation.

“This ex-staff contributed immensely to keep the dream and aspirations of late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto alive, dedicating their useful age, strength, energy, commitment and hardwork to their fatherland.

“For the past 7 years, after retiring from service, several approach was made to the management and board members for payment of the workers….

“Unfortunately, it has come to our notice that even the existing staff working are in salary arrears of 13th months. In all ramifications this catastrophe has grossly affected we the ex-staff, because currently our wards and dependents no longer earn a livelihood, no decent houses…. rendered our colleagues to die untimely, through heart breaks and blood pressure, among others.

“We are appealing for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Chairman Northern Governors Forum, Distinguished members of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Sultan of Sokoto in the matter.

“Indeed, we the ex-staff are helpless and want to use this medium to solicit for your aggressive approach on this matter, to solve it once and for all, as soon as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, when contacted on the matter, the General Manager of Hamdala hotel and PRO of NNDC, declined to talk to newsmen.

Arewa Hotels Limited started hotel management business in 1975. The business blossomed spreading to management of top ranking hotels in various states across northern region, before losing market. It then diversified into investment, human development and consultancy.

Observers like Muhammad Abdulsalam, are of the opinion that the present company managers lack vision and sense of investment to keep the company alive.

“None of them would want to employ quacks to run the business if it were their personal property. They need to bring in professionals who will turn around the fortune of this company.

“In the early 1980’s, all hotels in northern nigeria were managed by Arewa Hotel, because of their service – today that glory is gone.”

additional reporting by Iliya Kure

Egypt Jails Author Over Explicit Novel

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22/02/2016

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An Egyptian author Ahmed Naji has been sentenced to two-year imprisonment for “violating public modesty” after publishing a book with references to sex and drugs.

Ramy Yaacoub, a political analyst and friend of the defendant, tweeted a picture of Naji bowing his head in the darkened courtroom as his case was fought. The ruling was initially overturned in January, but after an appeal by the prosecution the case returned to court and Naji was given the maximum possible sentence on Saturday.

An Egyptian citizen brought charges against the author after an excerpt of his novel The Guide for Using Life was published in the magazine Akhbar al-Adab. The editor of the magazine, Tarek El Taher, was also given a fine equivalent to £885.

The plaintiff claimed that reading the sexually explicit material, which also mentions smoking hashish, caused him to become ill after his blood pressure dropped and his heartbeat fluctuated.

Naji had previously said that The Guide for Using Life had been approved by the Egyptian censorship board.

“They didn’t consider the constitution at all, which says you can’t jail artists,” said Naji’s lawyer Mahmoud Othman. “Article 67 of the constitution states this, and the constitution trumps all.”

Naji was detained in court and remained in custody as the preparations began for his appeal. Asked about the likely success of the appeal, Othman responded: “We hope the judiciary will respect the constitution so it’s not just ink on paper.” Yaacoub later tweeted that Naji was in good spirits as he prepared for prison.

“Today’s verdict is a travesty for freedom of expression and justice more broadly. It comes in the context of a broader crackdown which has brought us the detention of academics at airports, the harassment of cartoonists for their artwork, and the raiding of publishing houses,” said Mai El-Sadany, a non-resident fellow for legal and judicial analysis at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.

Sadany argued that Naji’s sentence contravened domestic and international law, including article 67 of the Egyptian constitution and article 19 of the international covenant on civil and political rights. “It is beyond me how a man can be sentenced for exercising his artistic freedom, while police officers who torture detainees are left to act with impunity,” she said.

Writers in Egypt gets maximum two-year sentence for ‘violating public modesty’ with novel containing sex and drug references.

Source: the guardian

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