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South Africa: President Ramaphosa Tees Off For Charity

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The Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantis Golf Estate, outside of Cape Town, on Friday morning

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the annual Golf Day that he participates in, a day after the State of the Nation Address, goes a long way to contributing towards education and entrepreneurship.

The President said this shortly after teeing off at the Presidential Golf Challenge at the Atlantis Golf Estate, outside of Cape Town, on Friday morning.

“The benefits of this event go to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. As you know, every President in the past has chosen a charity to which the contributions of the day will go to.

“So we have golfers here today, about 120, as well as sponsors who have sponsored the event. And we will have a wonderful evening and give prizes but whatever proceeds that go beyond the expenses, will then go to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, which focusses on education and also focusses on business development,” he said.

The President said this after delivering a State of the Nation Address that announced a basket of economic reforms aimed at getting South Africa to work, on Thursday evening.

A much more relaxed President Ramaphosa arrived in his golf outfit, accompanied by fellow golfers and sponsors, to play golf under a hot Cape sun, with all proceeds from the event dedicated to charity.

Speaking of his foundation, the President said: “So it has three arms, it gives bursaries to young people, and it also focusses on adopting schools.

“And we have got a number of schools that we have adopted over the 15 year period and which also focusses on small businesses through the Black Umbrella entity. So the proceeds here funds those programmes and it is a wonderful charity that we support which I have been associated with for many years.

“I am rather glad to participate in this today as this is a charitable day.”

Responding to a question about the recent burning of Parliament, the President said he was glad that some public landmarks were protected from such unacceptable crimes.

“I am happy that our public institutions are kept intact, they are not burnt. It is unfortunate that there are people who are bent on destroying public infrastructure and we still need to fathom why they are doing things like that so I am happy that we had a wonderful State of the Nation Address yesterday and we look forward to the debate. And I will see you all on Tuesday when I will be talking to all of you. So get ready with your questions and I have questions for you as well.”

SAnews

Nigeria: Wike Broker Truce Between Jang and Useni

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By Joseph Edegbo :

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has brokered a truce between the immediate past governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang and Senator Jeremiah Useni.

Governor Wike, who met with the two Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in Jos, Plateau State capital on Wednesday, said his reconciliatory visit was necessary if the party is to reclaim State governorship position and defeat the All Progressives Congress in 2023 general election.

The Rivers State governor during the meeting which took place at the residence of Senator Useni, explained that his visit was necessitated by friction that had existed between the two leader adding that if the friction is not urgently resolved, it would affect the success of the party in future.

“I do know that there will be by-election at the federal constituency and state constituency, and then again we are talking about the gubernatorial and national election next year. If the party is not united, no matter how bad APC is, there is no way we can win .”

He further continued: “And so, for me personal sacrifices can be made if you’ve fought wars for this country for the unity of Nigeria and today Nigeria is bleeding, not only Nigeria is bleeding , Plateau too is bleeding. I have no apology to say that the people of Plateau State are waiting for you both to put the party together and then you will just take back Plateau State. Plateau state is a natural PDP state.”

Governor Wike stated that it will be a disservice to the people of Plateau if the two leaders allow the APC to remain in power because of small disagreement between them. He therefore urged them to set aside their political difference in the interest of the party.

“There are disagreements everywhere. There are disagreements in the party both at the national level. So, it is not a question of I am right. It is not a question of Jang is right, you are wrong or you are right, Jang is wrong. It is a question of, for whatever it takes, can we please, in the name of God, leave our personal interests and make our party move forward.”

The Rivers State governor implored both Jang and Senator Useni to make personal sacrifices to move the party forward not only in Plateau State, but in Nigeria at large. According to him, the unity of the party is key at this crucial moment because APC moles within the PDP are trying to sow seed of discords.

“APC is trying to penetrate our party to make sure that the leadership of the party at the national level is being distracted through one or two persons, but we are making sure that does not happen. While we are doing that we also want to make sure that the branches are also united.”

Governor Wike explained that rebuilding the party is what is most paramount to concerned members of the PDP who want the party to return to power at the centre and retake majority of the States in the country.

“If the party is united, then we are sure of coasting home in 2023, and not just the national election, also Plateau State, knowing fully well that Plateau is a PDP state but somehow we are no longer in power in Plateau State.”

After a close door meeting with the two PDP leaders, Governor Wike announced that they have agreed to set aside their difference and work together.

“I can tell you that the two of them have agreed. They will meet on their own, compare notes, and share, then we will later meet. By the grace of God, I can tell you that PDP will bounce back in Plateau State.”

Governor Wike also took a swipe the ruling APC and declared that Nigerians who are already disenchanted with the pervading hunger in the land, insecurity and growing adject poverty are anxiously waiting for the PDP to return to power and rescue the nation. And for this reason, he urged PDP members to unite in order to successfully wrest power from the APC.

“We have to put ourselves together. If we put ourselves together, then we will be helping Nigerians. But if we don’t put ourselves today, then Nigerians will not be happy with us because that means we are allowing the ruling party, its maladministration to remain in power.”

Former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, thanked Governor Wike for visiting Jos to broker truce between him and Senator Useni.

He further disclosed that following the intervention of Governor Wike, himself and Senator Useni have agreed to work together in the interest of the party.

“We have agreed to work together to ensure the unity of PDP on the Plateau and ensure victory in 2023 election, not only governorship, all other elections, Federal or state. We want PDP to take its rightful position again on the Plateau and this is what we are going to work on. We want to thank His Excellency for coming to talk to us and we have agreed that we will continue from here.”

On his part, Senator Useni commended Governor Wike for finding time to come to Jos on a reconciliatory visit. He assured the governor that himself his former state governor will henceforth forge a common alliance in the interest of the party.

He disclosed that he has been following the developmental stride of the Rivers State governor and urged other governors to emulate him.

“I have been following your activities and I always tell people that if we have governors like you, Nigeria would have been changed.”
On Governor Wike’s entourage were, former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe, Rivers State PDP chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, former Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuchi and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Lee Maeba, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and former Rivers State PDP chairman, Felix Obuah.

 

Polio Immunization: Present Your Children For Polio Immunization–JAP Tasks Parents

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polio

 

By Joseph Edegbo :

Parents and caregivers have been charged to ensure they make their children less than 5 years of age available for vaccination as Kaduna State commences another round of polio immunization campaign.

The exercise is scheduled for 12th-
15th February 2022 and would be conducted by vaccinators during House-to-House visits and immunization on the streets, worship centres, markets, motor parks among others.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the State Coordinator, Journalists Initiative on Immunization against Polio (JAP) Lawal A. Dogara.

JAP emphasized that immunization would protect children from childhood killer diseases, as such, parents should try and ensure they allow the vaccinators to attend to their wards.

JAP explained that all adequate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the exercise by the State Government, Development partners and other stakeholders.

JAP further explained that during the exercise, a lot of intervention will be
provided such as health camps to provide other maternal and childhood services especially in the high-risk areas.

JAP commended the Traditional Rulers and Religion Leaders for their
continued efforts for the success of all campaigns implemented in the state.

JAP commended the World Health Organization for partnering with JAP with a view to educating the parents and the general public on the importance of immunization and other public health interventions.

It appealed to the ad-hoc staff engaged in the conduct of Polio immunization to ensure all eligible children are reached for the progress of the exercise.

 

Nigeria 2023 Kaduna Guber Race: Group Roots for Sen. Shehu Sani

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BY Joseph Edegbo :

Group under umbrella of Movement For Real Change ( MRC) has described Senator Shehu Sani as the best candidate for Kaduna seat of power.

The group in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Abdulganiyu Abdulkarim, stated “We have studied the current development in the state and arrived at a conclusion that Kaduna needs a leader with the requisite experience, comraderie and passion for overall development.”

The 2023 election is going to about giving account and records of proven track records performance, history of struggles for liberation of the masses and ability to stand firm against injustices.

These are some of our criteria for mobilizing votes for any credible candidate during the forthcoming 2023 election across all State of Nigeria.

It was against this background that our research unit studied all potential politicians in Kaduna and came up with the name of former Senator ,who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial ,Comrade Shehu Sani as the Best option for Kaduna people come 2023 .

” We are urging Kaduna people regardless of religion ,tribe and ethnicity to join MRC to support the call for Senator Shehu to aspire for highly coveted seat of power at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House.

“The only answer to development without pains, focused leadership with a human face and Democratic administion with recourse to constitutional provisions as panacea for conflict resolutions is Senator Shehu Sani.

“We are urging the electorate to shun party affiliation and join hands together to vote the right leaders who can deliver dividends of democracy across all ramifications of human endeavours .

“It is not about APC ,not about PDP or APGA ,but about a leader who will give citizens value for their votes.

Apparently we see these qualities in Senator Shehu Sani who was a leading figure in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. And who was arrested and jailed by successive past military regimes in Nigeria for speaking out for the oppresed Nigerians .

Breaking: NNPC Tackles Low-spec Fuel, Unexpected Queues- GMD

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By Joseph Edegbo :

The NNPC Ltd has taken quick and bold steps in addressing the problem of low-spec Petroleum and unexpected queues, which was quickly withdrawn by its affiliates.

This followed a special directive from the CEO/ GMD of the NNPC, Dr. Mele Kyari for the MD of PPMC, Mallam Isiyaku Abdullahi to relocate to Lagos for the appropriate, final action on the problem. He also approved more trucks to bridge the supply gap.

The MD PPMC’s movement of his office to Lagos  following the CEO’s directive was essentially to supervise the quarantined contaminated products with the Authority and most importantly ensure it stabilizes fuel availibilty from the Lagos area and other parts of the country. So far, according to our findings, his zeal to bring to normalcy and all stakeholders in the industry has started yielding results. He has opened more trucks into Lagos from his strategic reserve to wet Lagos in the coming days and to kill the looming queues due to the unfounded panic mood by many commuters.

Investigations further confirmed that the Managing Director PPMC, Mallam Isiyaku Abdullahi has paid attention to the supervision and total withdrawal of the bad fuel and all the trucks conveying same product to various parts of the country. A source at the NNPC said senior management staff have all made inputs in making sure the challenge was tackled successfully, with the PPMC MD going on fieldwork full-throttle in Lagos.

Earlier, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has announced that limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as Petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the supply chain.

A cross-section of Nigerians interviewed by our reporters confirmed that the  bad fuel tended to finish less than an hour of being filled into their car tanks, wondering what brand of fuel it was. The anxiety over this withdrawn fuel was the rate at which it is burned out in vehicles and the accompanying costs for motorists.

“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit

“Our technical team in conjunction with NNPC Ltd and other industry stakeholders, will continue to monitor and ensure quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide,” the agencies revealed in a media statement on Wednesday.

The media statement also revealed that “the source supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the Authority and NNPC Ltd.”

It further stated that “NNPC Ltd and all Oil Marketing Companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of Petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.”

Industry watchers expressed deep concern over the possibility of sabotage by unpatriotic Nigerians. Engineer Benjamin Moses told newsmen in Lagos thus: “what I see happening is  deliberate act of sabotage by people who had wanted to use the festive seasons of Sallah, Christmas and New Year to create artificial scarcity but were defeated by the new NNPC Ltd, distribution strategy”, he said.

Also reacting to the development, an Abuja-based legal practitioner Hannatu Daniel said she was first disturbed by the sudden return of fuel queues, until a staff of Total filling station  told her that a low-spec petroleum product that was ealier supplied to Nigeria has had to be withdrawn, hence the long queues.

Industry watchers expressed joy over the swift response of the management of NNPCLtd, saying the effort has yielded positive result by ensuring the safety of millions of car engines in the country.

A cross-section of respondents told our reporters that the oil and gas sector has always been the butt of sabotage because the saboteurs assume that it is the only way they can cripple the national economy

Some of the respondents also urged the Federal Government to go after the saboteurs and bring them to book.

The NNPC and affiliates’ intervention is seen in some quarters as the strongest indication that the reform in the company is paying off, particularly in taking action at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, NNPC has intensified efforts at increasing the supply of Petrol into the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap. This was affirmed by the Nigerian  Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and reliable sources inside the PPMC.

Zamfara State Deputy Governor Impeachment Saga: Who is the Devil and Who is the Saint?, By Auwal Ahmed Goronyo

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Africaprimenews
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The political proverbs of politics says there is no a permanent enemy and a permanent friend in politics and that is exactly what we are watching unfolding in Zamfara state politics, though, a political proverbs says no man can be his own king and another one says no man can do it alone. Again a Nigerian proverb on good conducts says only a selfish human bury his faults and expose of his friends.
A saga that is now making the airwaves between the governor of Zamfara state and his deputy Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau is really a sad one looking at the provisions of Nigerian laws and political ethics that guarantees any person to join any political party of choice but for the governor’s interest he wants to turn his deputy to devil just to achieved his goal of doing away with him as his deputy.
To Nigerians, politicians are selfish and full of egocentrism and what the Governor of Zamfara state is doing to thwart the rights and the freedom of his Deputy is unlawful according to political constitutions and the constitution of the sovereignty.
Just because Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau the Deputy Governor of Zamfara state has proven to Nigerians that politics is not about selfishness and for refusing to join his boss party and not to disappoint his party that made him the state deputy governor the Governor turned him a black goat.
 The rejection of Aliyu Muhammad Gusau to join the All Progressive Congress Party (APC) is based on constitutional rights and of political parties and his personality should not continue to be taunted, ridiculed and  harassed  because his passion made him a candid and trusted leader that changed the proverb of politics which expressed that politicians can do everything that will benefit them and their families.
Zamfara state governor and his deputy governor did not made it alone but with assistance from prominent people of Zamfara state including the father of the youngest deputy governor.
Despite the fact that their victory was ruled by court but the Zamfara state governor should know that many people sacrificed for them to lead the state and the two of them owed them a lot.
Like the deputy governor that has his right as a Nigerian citizen to choose his party without intimidation, Governor Matawalle jumped from one party to another and served in various political capacity. Matawalle served as a state member, state commissioner from 1999 to 2003 in the Ahmad Sani Yeriman Bakura, contested and served as State House Member in 2023, decamped to People Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011 aspired to be the governor of the state and won but later changed to All People’s Party (APC) in 2021. With all these changes and dropping the party of his master he was not witch hunted for all his political maradonna. To put all his eggs in one basket the Governor of Zamfara state has been in a loggerhead with his Deputy because he refused to join him to the APC.
Just in few days, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara state is facing charges including breach of the constitution, abuse of office, and financial fraud and I wondered why the Deputy Governor of the state who is hindered from discharging his responsibilities could commit such sins? Mahdi was not allowed to play his constitutional assignments even in the absent of his boss and limited to render his political affairs of the state then why labeled with those charges if not to stir the water and beat an unwanted dog to death?
Before the charges of the Deputy Governor of Zamfara state, the Governor has been accused of so many sins. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accused Governor Matawalle of mismanaging N31 billion as security votes and the PDP state deputy chairman, Professor Kabir Umar
Jabaka described Matawalle’s leadership as the worst that failed the state in education, security and healthcare. It was also reported that Governor Matawalle has a private jet, allows illegal mining in the state and frequently jets out of the state leaving his subjects at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers.
In a video Zamfara state governor is captured sharing money with his hands to jubilating Nigerian soldiers which was an unlawful act, and now that the Governor has decamped to APC, PDP members have been accusing the governor of causing public unrest and thuggery on the supporters of PDP.
Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau as the youngest deputy governor in Nigeria has gained momentum supporters for his leadership style, his trust and confidence and loyalty to his party and elders had given him a good name in Nigerian polity. While his love to the people that supported him has proven his good conducts, good home charity and this attitude will surely pay him a gem prize.
The Governor of Zamfara state should know that his victory to clinch the veto power of the number one seat of the state was not his own alone but with the much efforts of his Deputy Governor and his father Aliyu Gusau and a Hausa proverb says any man that doesn’t appreciate his people’s efforts cannot appreciate their  deeds no matter the amount of their sacrifice but there is a day of reckoning and reaping deeds and to me only time will surely differentiate between a saint and the devil in Zamfara state political tussle.
Goronyo is an analyst and writes from Kaduna. He can be reached via auwalgoronyo@gmail.com

Survey To Gauge HIV Prevalence In South Africa Kicks Off

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BY Joseph Edegbo :

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and its partners on Tuesday launched its sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey.

The aim of the survey, also known as the sixth South African Behavioural, Sero-status and Media Impact Survey (SABSSM VI) is to gather information on HIV incidence, prevalence and other related indicators in the country.

First commissioned by late President Nelson Mandela in 2001, the study is a population-based, cross-sectional survey of households throughout South Africa.

HSRC’s Overall Principal Investigator, Professor Khangelani Zuma, said the study is conducted to understand the factors driving the HIV epidemic and its dynamics and is used to inform policies and strategies to tackle the epidemic.

Repeated every five years, 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the first round of the survey.

The agency said one important addition to the study this year is that a sub-sample of participants will be randomly selected to test for SARS-Cov-2 antibodies to better understand the impact of COVID-19.

The data gathered will also determine the antiretroviral treatment (ART) exposure, viral load suppression, HIV drug resistance, and risk behaviours.

The study will take place across all nine provinces and is targeting 93 000 participants from about 25 000 households.

According to HSRC, fieldworkers have already started working in communities and will continue throughout the year.

Fieldworkers, who will be identifiable by their HSRC-marked bibs and identity cards, will introduce themselves and explain the purpose of the study.

Once a participant has consented to participate, researchers will complete a questionnaire on the health behaviour of the participant using a tablet and collect a blood sample to test for HIV, and for some, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provided the participant consents to testing after completing the questionnaire.

If a participant consents to be tested for HIV, the HIV testing and counselling (HTS) data collectors will provide pre-and post-test counselling.

‘If a person tests HIV-positive, the HTS counsellor will link them to HIV treatment with their consent.”

The United States President’s Emergency Plan funds the survey for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the US Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).

“The success of this survey rests with the South African people. We encourage all the selected households to participate. By completing the survey, people are making a direct contribution to shaping the South African government’s health policies and ensuring that all the people that need testing and treatment get it,” said CDC Country Director, Dr John Blandford.

SABSSM VI is conducted by the HSRC in partnership with the CDC, South African Medical Research Council, the University of Cape Town, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, and PEPFAR South Africa.

South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) CEO, Dr Thembisile Xulu, said: “This study is arguably the most important health survey done in the county. It gives us an up-to-date picture of HIV prevalence and incidence. Plus, it helps us identify hotspot areas so that the Health and Social Development departments can develop highly targeted interventions to address the spread of HIV and provide treatment to those that need it most”. – SAnews.

Nigerian Farmers Build Maize Pyramids In Kaduna

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Africaprimenews
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Maize pyramids underway in Kaduna Nigeria (Credit: Daily Trust)

By Iliya Kure

Farmers under the auspices of Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) have been moving thousands of tonnes of maize to Kaduna, to set up pyramids, ahead of the Association’s 30th anniversary.

Many trucks were sighted bringing in maize from 21 maize growing states under the 2021 rain-fed season, cultivated under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

The Association’s officials said the required quantity of maize and sizes of the pyramids would be determined by availability of space at Eid prayer ground, Unguwan Sarki, where the pyramids would be set up.

Speaking with journalists at the flag-off of the pyramids, Coordinator of the ABP for the MAAN, Joseph Bamidele, said the pyramid was to showcase the successes the farmers had achieved in maize production in Nigeria.

President of the Maize Association of Nigeria, Dr Bello Abubakar, described the formation of the maize pyramids as “the second national pyramid ever in Nigeria and Africa.

“We want to showcase what we have done and acknowledge what Mr. President has done for maize farmers in Nigeria. We also want to show the effort and appreciation of all maize farmers in Nigeria.”

Speaking on high price of grains in the market, he said it was a global issue, adding that statistics by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had predicted increase in prices of food commodities by the end of 2021.

“The price of maize is even better than the prices of other commodities. It is a global issue, it is not only in Nigeria,” he said.

“One factor that contributed to the high cost of maize is COVID-19 in 2019 and 2020. There was a scarcity of inputs that farmers needed. Even mechanisation equipment was scarce due to COVID-19. What a farmer would buy at N1,500 has gone up N4,000. And the cost of production has increased significantly.

“Before this administration came in 2015, we only had 8 million tonnes of maize, but by the end of 2020, it was 20 million tonnes. Apart from that, farmers now have access to inputs without their money but as a loan; they get the technology under the ABP,” he added.

Speaking on productivity of farmers, the MAAN president said, “Where farmers were getting 20 metric tonnes of maize, they are now getting 50. There is a new technology of farming. And there are extension services under the ABP, as well as mechanisation, monitoring and evaluation. The farmers are benefiting, and they have increased their production.

“The maize mills we have in the country have increased. The processors have more companies now, so they employ more people. These are the success stories of the ABP. In one season, more than one million people get jobs under the programme.” He stated.

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