Nigeria: President Buhari Appoints Yakubu As New INEC Chairman

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22/10/2015

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has been appointed as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) by President Mohammadu Buhari – to take over from the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Amina Zakari who has been acting for about four months after the expiration of Attahiru Jega’s five years tenure.

The appointments came after an emergency meeting of the National Council of States, being the first meeting held under President Buhari, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, Wednesday.

Apart from Yakubu’s appointment the council made additional appointment of other five national commissioners for the electoral body. They include: Amina Bala Zakari – North West, Antonia Taiye Okoosi-Simbile – North Central, Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo – North East, Mohammed Mustapha Lecky – South South and Soyebi Adedeji Solomon – South West.

Before Yakubu appointment, he was the former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and also a Professor of History and International studies.

While briefing journalist after the meeting, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal explained that the situation in INEC necessitated the emergency meeting.

He said, the Council received a memo on the nomination of Chairman and five Commissioners for INEC which it conformed to in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution particularly Sections 154 (1 and 3) and 156 (3) which confers on the President the powers to appoint a chairman and national commissioners of INEC, in consultation with the Council of States.

“The situation in INEC as at today is such that requires for this emergency meeting to approve the nominations by Mr. President, because the law requires that a minimum of four commissioners should form a quorum in INEC, which is not the case as today, because the tenures of 11 of national commissioners of INEC had expired.”

The meeting had in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Heads of State – Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar, and Ernest Shonekan; Speaker of the house of Representatives Yakubu Dogara; former Chief Justices of Nigeria – Mohammed Uwais, Alfare Belgore and Idris Kutigi, as well as many Serving governors.

South Africa: Protesting Students Break Through Parliament Gates

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21/10/2015

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Cape Town – Thousands of protesting students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) descended on Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene medium term budget policy statement (MTBPS).

The students forced their way though Parliament’s gates. Stun grenades were fired as students forced their way into the Parliamentary precinct.

Earlier, the students burned tyres outside the building, as public order policing dressed in riot gear looked on from behind a police line.

ANC MP Loyiso Mpumlwana was seen chatting with some student leaders outside Parliament, who, with their peers, were heard shouting “Down with 6%, down with fees, down”.

The chants were in reference to the deal struck by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and university vice chancellors on Tuesday after a marathon meeting in the Mother City, where they agreed fee increases for 2016 would be capped at 6%.

Outside Parliament, students called for unity among themselves, with many climbing on the statue of Louis Botha at the end of Roeland Street, which with Plein Street was closed off to traffic, as legislators entered Parliament for Nene’s speech.

Call for Nene to address students

Sibusiso Twala, student representative council president at CPUT, addressed the students outside Parliament. Students want the respective varsity management teams to address them, along with Nene himself.

Students sitting on the Louis Botha statue wrapped police tape around their heads as bandanas, holding a poster stating, “Fokof, fokof, fokof to fees”.

Later, Economic Freedom Fighters chief whip Floyd Shivambu addressed media, saying the party supported the call for university education to be free.

He said the party would ask Nene about it during the sitting on Wednesday.

However, students did not take kindly to Shivambu only speaking to media, chasing him away shortly afterwards, shouting “EFF must leave”, and “We want Blade”.

It was also believed that 10 000 CPUT and University of Western Cape students had gathered at CPUT’s Belville campus, north of Cape Town.

Meanwhile, at Stellenbosch University up the N2 highway, students had gathered in the Rooiplein to hear each other’s experiences.

One speaker, from the Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO), said: “[The] 6% increase is not low enough. The money must come from the state. Where is Blade Nzimande?”

‘I won’t get a degree, I’ll get an invoice’

A legacy student, whose mother was one of the first coloured students at Stellenbosch University, told the crowd: “This is everybody’s problem. I am reliant on NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme]. At graduation, I won’t get a degree. I will get an invoice that says ‘You owe me’.”

Medical students from the university’s Tygerberg campus also later joined the gathering, with one student telling those assembled: “I am paying R45 000. Next year i must pay R73 000. From where?”

Another student said, “This is the bastion of apartheid. The Broederbond must fall.”

The protests flared up after students at the University of the Witwatersrand last week protested against a 10.5% fee increase for the 2016 academic year.

The Wits uprising sparked protests on campuses across South Africa, including UCT, CPUT, UWC, Stellenbosch University, Rhodes University in Grahamstown, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth, the University of Pretoria, the University of Fort Hare, the Tshwane University of Technology, the University of Limpopo and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The University of the Free State closed all three of its campuses on Wednesday, with varsity management and the student representative council meeting on Tuesday to discuss next year’s fees.

At NMMU, police fired rubber bullets at protesting students throwing stones at the institution on Wednesday, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Marinda Mills.

She said no one was arrested or injured.

Culled from news24.com

E-Readers: Foundation Boosts Literacy Among Children In Northern Nigeria

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20/10/2015

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By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – As part of efforts to transform and enhance literacy in northern Nigeria, a Nongovernmental Organization, Hope for the Village Child Foundation (HVCF), in collaboration with Britain-Nigeria Educational Trust Fund (B-Net) has donated E-Readers worth about one million Naira to Primary school pupils in Rimau Gari and surrounding villages in northern Nigeria.

Like other surrounding villages in northern Nigeria, there is a low level of literacy in Rimau Gari village. The E-Reader program targets 5,000 to 10,000 children in the school and surrounding community.

Executive Director of HVCF, Rita Schwazenberger, said the donation was aimed at boosting learning capacities; saying, it could make them become interested in learning to read in a unique way.

She said, the Foundation hoped to improve the pupil’s reading ability and general knowledge – the books include English, Mathematics, and Geography among others which would be increased yearly for at least three years.

The 35 pieces of the device is intended to be used in a class at a particular period. “That quantity was donated due to its delicate nature and for easy maintenance, she noted”

On HVCF’s reach to rural areas, she said, “The Foundation has been providing textbooks – Mathematics, Social Studies, and English; and has reached 201 schools and thousands of children.”

B-Net Director, David Brandler, in a remark said B-Net is aimed at doing many projects in Nigeria to promote education, and their target is reaching schools in rural/public areas not urban/private schools.

Brandler said each of the devices has over 200 textbooks and they cost about one million naira (5,000 US Dollars). He said, Nigeria is a young country that is still growing, and one thing that can help it grow is education – Education is knowledge and knowledge comes through reading.

He explained that, B-Net is a small charity organization based in the UK comprising of Nigerians living there and British people who have connection with Nigeria and has been working for over 40 years in different forms.

“We raise funds to help educational projects in Nigeria. The supply of these E-Readers is a pilot project in the country. If the books downloaded into these devices are those that meet the requirements of the school and children, we hope to do more in other parts of Nigeria.”

Head of Education, HVCF, Babara Marok while explaining the uses of the device, said, B-Net has been partners with the Foundation for nine years and have provided funds to buy text books, aimed at improving children’s learning in rural schools.

She said this year’s support has taken a new turn with the provision of the electronic devices, describing it as a fascinating way for the children to read and experienced – noting that their target is to reach hundreds of children, helping them to discover the joy of reading.

She said, according to B-Net, “world reader is a not for –profit organization with one goal; to make digital books available to all with the help of E-Reader technology. Having an e-reader is like having a library in your hands.”

Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and also Vice Patron B-Net, Dalhatu Sarki Tafida in his remark said, B-Net’s impact is felt all over in the country through donations in various capacities – renovating and building schools, scholarship and sponsorship in various schools.

He posited that donation like this is very helpful and needful as Government cannot take care of schools alone.

The Agwon of Adara (Local Chief), Maiwada Galadima in a remark thanked the organization, and said the community is indeed lucky for receiving such gesture from the Foundation stressing that it is important for them to follow the trend of gaining western education.

He pointed out that, it has reduced the stress of parent buying textbooks for their ward and said it is a blessing to their community; he advised the teachers to ensure they teach the pupils properly and the device maintained for the benefit of the younger ones coming up.

Member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Kajuru constituency, Samauel Ubankato Tanko, in a remark said Government is fully ready and prepared to boost the educational through engagement into various programs that could developed the sector.

He commended the initiation of the e-reader device and said it is a welcome development which the government is prepared to engage through collaboration with partners; and called on philanthropist and well meaning individuals to emulate what the foundation has done.

Head master of the school, Joseph Danfari while expressing appreciation over the donation, said he would ensure that the devices are utilized for the benefit of the pupils and community as a whole.

Nigerian Police Beef-up Security For Elections In Two States

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20/10/2015

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By Veronica Bazim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – As part of plans to ensure a successful gubernatorial elections to hold in Kogi and Bayelsa states, the Nigerian Police Force says it has perfected plans to deploy additional manpower to ensure its smooth conduct.

The polls are scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold on 21^st November and 5^th December, 2015. The deployment of the security personnel is necessitated due to tensions usually generated from past elections experiences in the states and the country as a whole.

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, while briefing members of the police management team in his office pointed out that an additional manpower was necessary so as to ensure hitch-free elections.

He added that, the police force has also given directives for the deployment of the special Anti-Robbery squad to compliment the effort of the high way patrol team for an effective policing of the nation’s highway.

“These measures have become imperative to ensure proper monitoring of activities leading to a hitch-free election. This is in addition to stepping-up police visibilities in our highways in the yuletide and systematically decapitate hoodlums taking advantage of the season to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians,” he noted.

Nigeria: Police Says Ban On Fireworks Still In Force

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20/10/2015

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By Veronica Bazim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – In anticipation of the yuletide celebrations, coupled with the security challenges faced by the country, the Nigerian Police Force has warned Nigerians to desist from using fireworks and firecrackers otherwise called ‘knock out’ and said its ban is still in force.

Statement by the Force Spokesperson Olabisi Kolawole explained that, the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase gave the warning following an information gotten that some Nigerians have started using it.

It also added that, the warning was crucial due to the present security situation, occasioned by recent bombings in some parts of the country – reports has it that hoodlums are now using fireworks to confuse Nigerians in order to carry out their nefarious activities.

He however advised Nigerians to desist from using them or violators would face the wrath of the law.

Kenya: Group Condemns Bill That Imposes Harsh Punishment on Journalist

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19/10/2015

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Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in Kenya has condemned the passage of a bill by Kenya’s National Assembly that would impose a harsh fine or two years in jail, or both, for a Journalist who is found guilty of defaming the Kenyan parliament or its members.

Kenya’s constitution guarantees freedom of the media, but President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee coalition has introduced several bills that undermine rather than enforce that principle. Journalists are vulnerable to legal harassment, threats, or attack, while news outlets are manipulated by advertisers or politician-owners.

According to the CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, Sue Valentine, the bill has no place in democracy; stating that, the public has a right to hear news and criticism of what is discussed in parliament and how members conduct themselves.

The group further urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to live up to his promises to respecting press freedom and the role of the media in ensuring the free flow of information.

In a remark, the Kenya Correspondents’ Association criticized the bill and said it violates the articles in the country’s constitution which guarantee press freedom and access to information.

Earlier in July, 2015, CPJ released a special report, titled ‘Broken Promises: How Kenya is failing to uphold its commitment to a free press,’ where it emphasized that, a combination of legal and physical harassment is making it increasingly difficult for journalists to work freely in the country.

Global Hand Washing Day: Nigerians Urged to Wash Hands Regularly To Prevent Epidemic Outbreak

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17/10/2015

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In an effort to prevent transmission of pathogens and outbreak of epidemic diseases, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Water Resources has urged Nigerians to embrace the habit of hand washing with soap and water on regular bases.

While commemorating the 2015 global hand washing day on Thursday, 15^th October at a Community School in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, Permanent Secretary of the Water Resources Ministry, Musa Istifanus said hand washing enhance hygiene and break the chain of Fecal-oral diseases transmission, which in a long run, reduced morbidity and mortality among adults and children particularly those below the ages of five.

Statement by the Ministry’s Director of press, Musa Mato said the Permanent Secretary was represented by its Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Adamu Wakil.

It stated that, “Today we join the rest of the International Community to commemorate hand washing day which intend to demonstrate the importance of hygiene. Hand washing with soap or ash under running water is life –saving intervention, the single most cost effective health intervention and cornerstone of public health”.

He explained that the commemoration was aimed at motivating children to embrace and share proper hand washing practice which would place them as hand washing champions at the heart of national and local initiatives; while also urging them to be ambassador by carrying the message to their families and friends at home.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Ambassador (WASH),Ebele Okeke in her remark said Global Hand Washing Day, is a set campaign day aimed at motivating millions of people around the World to wash their hands with soap and water on a regular basis.

She said hand washing also prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid fever, polio, cholera, and the deadly Ebola virus that was experienced last year in the Country.

“Hand washing with soap and water at critical times- before eating or preparing food, after a hand shake, when back from work or school, and after using the toilet reduces diarrhea incidents among children under five years of age and adults by almost 50 percent – also it reduces the incidence of acute respiratory infections by around 23 percent” Okeke explained.

Nigeria: Group Decries Government Policies, Says It Is Inconsiderate

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14/10/2015

114

Gov. El-Rufai — Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Nigeia

By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – A coalition of Southern Kaduna groups have decried some of the policy formulations and implementations carried out by the Kaduna state Governor, Nasir El-rufai describing them as policies that show ‘shocking injustice, clear favoritism, arrant arrogance, inconsideration and blatant violation of extant laws’.

Chairman of the coalition, James Kanyip, stated this during a press conference on Tuesday in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria.

The coalition which is made up of a 13 civil society groups and Non Governmental Organizations said, “The inconsistency in policy formulation and implementation in the state is becoming laughable,” citing school feeding and land reclamations amongst other policies of the present administration as policies that go against the desires of the citizens.

They said, on inception to power, the governor abolished the settler/indigene dichotomy making it possible for anyone who resides in Kaduna to gain equal access to everything a native of the state may be entitled to; stating that, not only did he make the pronouncement but was evidenced in his appointment of non-indigenes into prominent and key political positions.

“For instance, we have today an alleged wanted man who has been brought into his government as a Special Adviser and is even regarded as the de facto Governor; Hadiza Bala Usman as Chief of Staff; Muyiwa Adekeye as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity; Peter Ayim as Special Assistant on Entrepreneur; Hafiz Bayero as Special Assistant on Job Creation; Hajiya Rabi Abdulsalam as Commisioner for Women Affairs; Hajiya Hadiza Yahuza as Interim Chairman of Chikun Local Government Council, among others.”

They termed the policy as strange which has gone against Sections 25, 26 and 27 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, indicating the citizenship status of every Nigerian. “Those who are not of Kaduna State origin, though resident in the State, are citizens but not indigenes of Kaduna States because they cannot claim dual indigeneship. This is without prejudice to their fundamental and other rights as humans and citizens of Nigeria”.

According to them, in the composition of his new Commissioners, El-Rufai also violated section 14 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution which stipulates that government at all levels in it affairs should recognize and carry everyone along to give them a sense of belonging.

According to them; “Apart from the Deputy Governor who is from Southern Kaduna, all the other key positions of governance have been taken by the North, including the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly.”

The group also alleged that the governor rejected the report of the Committee set up by the previous administration to upgrade the Kafanchan campus of the Kaduna State University to a full-fledged university (Kaduna State University of Science and Technology); instead, he lobbied for a Federal University of Science and Technology to be sited at Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

On the Kaduna state Logo law; they said at the governor’s request, the State House of Assembly has passed a bill on it without proper consultation, public hearing, or input from the people of the State, stressing that, it does not reflect the yearnings and aspiration of the people.

On security, the coalition said, El-Rufai promised to make issues of security his priority in his campaign speeches but wondered why the attackers and murderers in the southern part have not been found and prosecuted.

“He has spent millions of Naira to form collaborations with northern neighboring states as soon as he came to power. A task force of the military, Police, Directorate of State Security Services and the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps was formed, well kitted and funded. They have now chased out all the bandits and rustlers in Birnin Gwari and environs.”

“Daily killings are going in these villages and the Sanga Road artery has become a hot bed for violent robbery far worse than what was obtained in Birnin Gwari. The Governor would rather play blind to these happenings, because he probably feels he has no responsibility to protect those who did not vote for him. We just want to have it on record that he has abandoned Southern Kaduna people.”

On siting of grazing reserve in that area of the state; they declared that they would not accept any move to convert any portion of their land into a grazing reserve.

They however noted that, the Southern Kaduna people are law abiding indigenes of the State who are very desirous of development, peace, unity; they would support the Governor in every way they can if he shows evidence that he means well for every section of the State.

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