Tanzanian Food Sellers Defy Ban Amid Cholera Outbreak

BBC

Street food vendors in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam are defying a government order to stop selling food on the roadside. BBC reports on Thursday, the regional commissioner Said Meck Sadick issued the order in an effort to contain a cholera outbreak. The infection has killed at least four people since last week and at least 50 people in the city have been admitted to hospital with acute diarrhoea and vomiting.

Ugandan Children's Book Tackles Sexual Abuse

BBC

An illustrated children's book about sexual abuse was launched in Uganda yesterday. It's a fictional story which teaches children how to recognise and reject sexual abuse. BBC reports the Ugandan author of the book, Lillian Butele Kelle said she was abused by a family friend from the age of seven.

"As a victim of child sexual abuse myself I have used the pain that I have endured all my life towards something positive and empower children to not have to go through the same things that I did," she told me.

Job Creation Pledge: Shocker for Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

*Job creation drops massively
*Oil & Gas, Cement industries score zero

As President Muhammadu Buhari begins action on his campaign promises one of the key promises, job creation, appears to have become further worsened as a high powered report indicates a sharp drop in that major economic front in the second quarter 2015 (Q2 2015), covering his first month in office. In the Q2 2015 total number of jobs created in the economy was just 141,368, a massive 70 per cent decline from 469,070 jobs created in the economy in the first quarter 2015 and also 45.5 per cent decline against the position in the corresponding quarter of 2014.

Two of Buhari’s key campaign promises were anti-corruption and job creation which earned him massive voter supports that pull the victory at the pools in March 2015 presidential election.

The President has since inception of his regime on May 29, 2015 embarked on further measures to stem and stifle corruption especially in the oil sector, but no visible action has been taken on job creation and general economic framework.

New FIRS Boss Deletes PhD Degree From Wikipedia

“Dr” Williams Babatunde Fowler, new head of FIRS holds fake honorary doctorate degree (Image source: naija247news.com)

Amid the controversies generated following revelations that the newly appointed head of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, was brandishing a fake doctorate degree from a United Kingdom institution, Irish International University, the 59-year-old has since dropped the honourary degree from his Wikipedia entry. President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday named Fowler as the new head of the FIRS, but hours after the announcement of his appointment, it emerged that his doctorate degree might have been fraudulently obtained.

Sahara Reporters, an online news platform, claimed in one of its stories that Fowler’s ‘Ph.D’ obtained from IIU in May 2007 was fake.

Governor Wike Sacks VC Weeks After Abduction, Release

Professor Rosemund Green-Osahogulu

Professor Rosemund Osahogulu, the Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University, Port Harcourt who was kidnapped on June 20 and released by her abductors on June 26 has been sacked by Governor Nyesom Wike with immediate effect. Her sack may not be unconnected to the saga concerning her alleged abduction that has been under police investigation.

In statement signed by Mr Kie Obomanu, Director of Media and Publicity in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, today, ordered Professor Mrs Osahogulu to proceed on compulsory leave and hand over to the Deputy Vice Chancellor with immediate effect. No reason was given for her sack.

GMA Strike: Ghana Gov’t Threatens Striking Doctors To Resume Work By Thursday

Alex Segbefia, Ghana's Minister of Health kasapafmonline.com

The Ghanaian government has warned the country’s striking public medical doctors under the umbrella of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) that if they refused to call off their strike by today (Thursday), it would consider their action a breach of labor laws.  The Ghanaian government has warned the country’s striking public medical doctors under the umbrella of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) that if they refused to call off their strike by today (Thursday), it would consider their action a breach of labor laws.

Ghana’s Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, made the ultimatum at a press conference held to review the four-week-long strike of the unrepentant public medical doctors of the country.

“Effective Thursday, 20th August, 2015 all members of GMA who have not reported and assumed full duty shall be considered as being on strike and in clear breach of the Labour Act,” Mr. Segbefia told journalists. He also said that management of government health facilities have been directed to ensure that the doctors are back to their duty post to attend to patients.

Amaechi Loses Bid To Stop Tenure Probe

Amaechi's tenure probe halt bid scuppered

The Rivers state government has been given the go-ahead to probe the administration of former governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Dismissing a suit filed by Amaechi on Thursday, Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers state high court said the constitution of the Justice Odedeji-led judicial commission of inquiry was in order. Nyesom Wike, Amaechi’s successor, had set up the panel to probe the sale of state assets by the past administration.

Justice Amadi said the inquiry was not established to investigate the personal activities of the former governor but to investigate previous actions of government as they affect the people of the state.

Ooni: Succession Tussle Toughens

Ooni of Ife: Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II

As the process of choosing a new Ooni of Ife gains momentum, Prince Adeyemi Adeoye Aderibigbe Ologbenla who is from one of the ruling houses in Ile-Ife, has advised all stakeholders in the selection process of a new monarch to be wary of those jostling for the title, noting that most of them are not from any of the lineages that produce kings in the town. This came just as he dismissed the claim of one Prince Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin who said the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade had anointed him as his successor, adding that no king since inception of the ancient town, had ever chosen a successor.

The retired Professor of Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University said the claim of the prince was a complete falsehood, adding that he was not recognized as a member of any of the ruling houses from Ife.

He said this yesterday in Ibadan in an exclusive interview with Vanguard.

Over 100m Nigerians Living Below Poverty Line – Osinbajo

Vice President Hosted NIPPS Alumni Association at the State House, Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Wednesday stated that about 110 million Nigerians were still living below poverty line despite the policies of past governments to improve their welfare. The Vice President however stated that the policy were wrongly formulated and as a result did not have direct impact on the people.

Speaking at a courtesy visit by members of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), at the State House, Abuja, the Vice President said the his concern was how to implement the policies to address the need of the people.

According to him, “This is the main challenge”.

“When you look at the economic and social policies, and you look at the level of illiteracy in parts of the country, some are extremely bad and some with cases of about 80% or 90% of children out of school, and other cases of unimaginable decayed infrastructure”, he said.

Fortress Calais: UK, France To Build Police Outpost To Tackle Human Traffickers

General view of tents in the makeshift camp called "The New Jungle" in Calais, France. © Regis Duvignau / Reuters

Britain is to build a police command center in the French port town of Calais. It will be charged with tackling people-smuggling as part of a bilateral deal with France aimed at alleviating the ongoing migrant crisis. Home Secretary Theresa May will visit Calais on Thursday, where she will sign the joint-declaration focusing on bolstering border security around the port with her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve.

Human rights campaigners have urged May to drop the British government’s “tough rhetoric” on migrants during her trip to France and instead focus on how the UK can save lives.

Amnesty International said on Thursday that Europe is in the midst of the biggest global refugee crisis since the Second World War and called on the UK to work alongside EU member states to protect “desperate people.”

How PDP Was Destroyed, By Bot Chair Haliru

Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed

The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, yesterday said the violation of the zoning principle by vested interests destroyed the party. Mohammed, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Emeka Nwakpa, attributed the fast declining fortune of the PDP to the abrogation of the zoning principle in 2011. The party jettisoned zoning to pave the way for the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as presidential candidate — a development which Mohammed said severely undermined the principle of equity and justice on which the party was founded.

According to him, the PDP paid dearly for it with the loss of power at the centre in the last general election.

He added that the development created crises of confidence among key stakeholders and eroded sense of belonging among many party faithful.

Mohammed said: “When the founding fathers formed the party in 1998, they established the principle of justice and equity whereby power resided with the people, who could decide who became what at any point in time.

Burundi's Nkurunziza Sworn In For Controversial Third Term; No Foreign Leaders At Inauguration

Mr Nkurunziza won a disputed third term by a landslide (Image by BurundiEcho)

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has been sworn in for a controversial third term in office. The ceremony came as a surprise, as Mr Nkurunziza had been expected to be sworn in next week. At least 100 people have died in protests since Mr Nkurunziza announced in April he would run for a third term. The government accuses the opposition, which says the third term is illegal, of causing the violence.

In his inauguration speech, Mr Nkurunziza promised to end the violence within two months.

The African Union, European Union and the US State Department have all expressed concerns that July's election was not free and fair. The UN observer mission said the election was not free and credible and was held "in an environment of profound mistrust" between political rivals.

The African Union did not send observers - the first time it has taken such a stance against a member state.

US Boxer Roy Jones Jr. Asks For Russian Passport Over Cup Of Tea With Putin In Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with U.S. boxer Roy Jones, Jr. in Sevastopol, Crimea, August 19, 2015 © Aleksey Nikolskyi / Reuters

During their brief meeting in Crimea, famous boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. has asked President Putin for a Russian passport which would help facilitate business. Putin noted that fans would be thrilled, promising assistance if the champ spends enough time in Russia. The 46-year-old US boxer and rapper who will take part in a show in Sevastopol this weekend, opted to stay away from politics during a meeting with Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea city, and said that sport could help “build a bridge” between the US and Russia.

Finding a common interest with Putin in his favorite martial art, judo, the champion told the Russian President that as a kid, before turning to the boxing ring, he wanted to master the Japanese sport. However Putin, who initially began training in sambo before switching to judo at the age of 14 (which he continues to practice today), praised Jones’ achievements in the sport he had chosen.

Buhari Set To Confirm Zakari As INEC Chairman

Acting National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari

Despite the current opposition to her candidature especially from the Peoples Democratic Party, President Muhammadu Buhari may soon confirm the appointment of the acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari. The Punch correspondent learnt on Wednesday that Buhari may soon name Zakari the substantive chairman of the electoral body therefore foreclosing speculations that he may appoint somebody from outside the commission as Prof. Attahiru Jega’s successor.

A source close to the arrangement said that the President had decided to confirm Zakari’s appointment instead of shopping for another chairman for INEC.

The source, who pleaded anonymity because she is neither the spokesperson for INEC nor that of the Federal Government, said Zakari’s appointment would be confirmed early enough to enable her to oversee preparations for the governorship elections holding in Kogi and Bayelsa states this year.

Osinbajo, Governors Meet At Aso Rock

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

The National Economic Council (NEC) comprising of state governors on Thursday held a meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Nation reports that the meeting presided over by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo started at few minutes past 11:00am.

Most of the states in attendance were represented by their deputy governors.

While details of the meeting is unknown, some of the outstanding issues that may be  considered include the clamour for bailout by state governments and updates on probe of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other revenue generating agencies.

1.5m IDPs In Nigeria, Says UN

SRSG Leila Zerrougui and Mr. Daouda Toure, Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, participate in a panel discussion in Adamawa, Nigeria.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mr Daouda Toure yesterday pleaded for more resources to meet the needs of internally displaced people. There are about 1.5 million of them. Toure spoke in Abuja during the activities to mark this year’s World Humanitarian Day celebration with the theme: “Inspiring the World’s Humanity”.

“We appeal for more resources to respond particularly to the education and health needs of the displaced people. What is available is not commensurate with the situation on ground as the crisis in the North-East is not publicized enough. Nigeria is the major contributor to peace keeping in the world, so the international community needs to contribute more resources, step up their support and restore the livelihood of these vulnerable people. We need to come and help them, help their brothers and sisters and help them get a better future for their children.’’

Mid-Air Collision Of 2 Planes Over Western Slovakia, At Least 7 Dead - Officials

© TV Markiza

At least seven people have been killed after two planes collided near a village in western Slovakia, officials said. Media reports suggest there were about 40 people on board both aircraft.  The incident took place near the village of Cerveny Kamen at about 0830GMT, Zuzana Farkasova, a spokeswoman for Slovak firefighters told AP.

An ambulance and at least three helicopters were deployed to the crash site, Andrej Hirjak, a spokesman for the rescuers said.

The seven victims were confirmed by the Slovak Interior Ministry.

Doudou Ndiaye Rose: Famous Senegalese Drummer Dies

Renowned Senegalese drummer Doudou Ndiaye Rose has died at the age of 85. Photo: AFP

Renowned Senegalese drummer Doudou Ndiaye Rose has died aged 85, his family has announced. Famous for playing the sabar drum, he toured the world and played with jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, and the Rolling Stones. He led an orchestra of more than 30 drummers, many of them his children and grandchildren. The UN cultural agency declared him a "living human treasure" in 2006 for keeping alive traditional rhythms.

Rose continued to play up until his death and a few years ago explained how happy he was to have spawned a dynasty of percussionists.

Ribadu: There’s A Lot Of ‘Dirty Money’ In Nigeria; Many Nigerian Investments Done With Dirty Money

Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, former EFCC Boss

Nuhu Ribadu, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has linked the cause of Nigeria’s problems to the flow of illicit funds. Speaking at the second anti-money laundering/combating financial terrorism stakeholders consultative workshop organized by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS‎) in Abuja on Wednesday, Ribadu said Nigeria has not reached its full potential owing to terrorism and money laundering.

“Everything that is wrong about Nigeria came from dirty money. If you can follow it, get it back and punish these people, then you have cured the problem of Nigeria,” he said, “When I look around I see a lot of investments that were done with dirty money. Government needs help to identify and arrest these people. Though it may seem like a daunting task, with professionals like ACAMS, Nigeria is ready to achieve this‎.”

UN Hit By New Sex Abuse Claims

UN troops were deployed to end conflict between between mainly Christian and Muslim militia, Photo: AFP

UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic have been accused of sexually abusing three young females, including a minor. "A new series of disturbing allegations of misconduct have recently come to light," UN spokeswoman Vannina Maestracci told reporters.

BBC reports that the alleged abuse took place in recent weeks in Bambari city, where troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo are deployed, she added.

The UN headquarters had been "immediately informed" of the alleged rapes and "all available evidence" was being collected, Ms Maestracci added.