GRAPHITTI NEWS : 2016-09-25

Saturday, October 01, 2016

Buhari Presides Over Low-Key 56th Independence Anniversary

From left: Chief of Air Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff; General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Mahumud Mohammed; Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President Sen. Bukola Saraki; Former Head of State Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami; Minister of Defence Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, observe as President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Abuja presided over the celebration of Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary with former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and other personalities in attendance.

Scottish fighter Mike Towell: Towell, 25, was taken from the ring on a stretcher in the fifth round of his welterweight title final eliminator with Dale Evans on Thursday night

Brain injury charity Headway has called for boxing to be banned after Scottish fighter Mike Towell died following a serious injury suffered in a bout.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria has spent ₦720.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) on capital expenditure this year to help drag Africa's biggest economy out of recession, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for collective efforts towards addressing inducement of voters with money by political parties and their candidates during elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Today – 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today.

Image credits: Flag embossed with Coat of Arms (Openwalls) & Cuff Links (Vintage Laurel wreath Cufflinks 56 Year Anniversary vintage Tie Clip set Men's Clothing Accessory 1956)

Happy Independence Day!

Friday, September 30, 2016

United States Investing In Niger Air Base

Niger and neighboring countries. Image source/credit: The Intercept

The United States is investing in a military air base capable of deploying drones in Niger's central city of Agadez, the Pentagon confirmed.

A US-made Reaper drone operated by the French military as part of Operation Barkhane, at the French army base in Niamey, Niger ©Philippe Desmazes (AFP)

Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist Lauritta Onye

The Imo State sports commissioner Rodney Ajaelu has explained why Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist Lauritta Onye was not among athletes rewarded by the state last week.

The CFA currency is pegged to the Euro, with France as guarantor of its value. AFP

The CFA currency used in twelve former French colonies in West and Central Africa as well as in Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea is an outdated monetary mechanism, the UN deputy Secretary General, Carlos Lopez, has told the AFP news agency.

Edo Gov Poll: APC’s Obaseki Wins As PDP’s Ize-Iyamu Kicks

Governor-Elect for Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, celebrates his victory after he was declared winner of the gubernatorial election by INEC in Benin-City Thursday

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki has been returned winner of the Edo governorship election held Wednesday.

In this Aug. 5, 1936 photo, American athlete Jesse Owens practices in the Olympic Village in Berlin. Shortly after Jesse Owens returned home from his snubbing by Adolph Hitler at the 1936 Olympics, he and America's 17 other black Olympians found a less-than-welcoming reception from their own government, as well. On Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 relatives of those 1936 African-American Olympians will be welcomed to the White House and will get to shake the President's hand, an honor Owens and the others didn’t receive after they returned home from Berlin 80 years ago. (AP Photo)

Shortly after Jesse Owens returned home from his snubbing by Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics, he and America's 17 other black Olympians found a less-than-welcoming reception from their own government, as well.

The Federal Government has declared Monday as public holiday to mark the nation’s 56th Independence Anniversary celebration.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world AFP

A study by scientists at Oxford University has found that 10% of children infected with HIV don't develop AIDS, even without treatment.

Oil pipeline explosion

The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate on Thursday claimed another attack on a pipeline in the country’s oil-rich south, the latest in a string of strikes against infrastructure that has hit production.

Gabon's new Premier, Franck Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet, was his Foreign Minister in the previous cabinet AP

President Ali Bongo of Gabon has appointed his former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franck Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet, as Prime Minister to lead a national unity cabinet.

In August, farmer Bulama Mohammed said people were dying of hunger in his camp in Maiduguri, Borno state capital BBC

The medical charity MSF says that the humanitarian situation in north-east Nigeria "is reaching catastrophic levels".

Pension operators in the country are increasingly getting uncomfortable with the moves being made by the Federal Government to use part of the ₦5.8tn Contributory Pension Scheme assets to fund infrastructure development and move the nation out of economic recession.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole's thumb being captured by a card reader at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho to cast his vote in the Edo governorship election, on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Okhiria

• Odigie-Oyegun loses ward • Oshiomhole hails exercise, Igbinedion hopeful of PDP’s victory • Opposition party alleges planned rigging overnight • APGA claims inducement

The residents of Edo State yesterday went to the polls to elect a new governor. The election which began at 8:30 a.m. witnessed a massive turnout of voters.

Rangers International (white shirt) beat Ikorodu United 2-1 in Abeokuta to set the tone for a final day hurray in Enugu….on Sunday. PHOTO: LMC

• MFM must beat FC Ifeanyi Ubah to survive, cries Onuwa

Aside getting the coveted Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) trophy, champions designate, Enugu Rangers, will also pocketed a ₦40 million prize money from the Merit Award of the League Management Company (LMC).

Nigerian blogger, Jamil Mabai

A Nigerian blogger who was arrested last week for writing a controversial blog post is still in detention without bail.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet and a lack of exercise, all contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, research shows

The vast majority of people have an older "heart age" than their actual age, a new study suggests.

APC’s Godwin Obaseki and PDP’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu

The Edo State governorship election, held on Wednesday, appeared to be a tight race between the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Praise For Honest Ethiopian Airlines Crew Member

Roza Shiferaw - Ethiopian Airlines Image source: Ethiopian Airlines/Facebook

Ethiopian Airlines has taken to its Facebook page to praise one its cabin crew for giving back US$10,000 (£7,600) to a passenger who had lost the money during a flight.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane

Liverpool's Sadio Mane has won the PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month award for August and September, beating Kevin De Bruyne and Etienne Capoue to second and third respectively.

Nigeria's National Assembly

The House of Representatives on Wednesday suspended Abdulmumin Jibrin, a lawmaker from Kano at the centre of the unfolding budget padding scandal, for 180 legislative days.

An oil refinery in Kuwait, April 16, 2016 Photo- Yasser Al-Zayyat

Prospects are dim for a deal among OPEC countries on Wednesday to freeze production and support oil prices, as disagreements persist between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Côte d'Ivoire is often at the receiving end of child trafficking and first lady Dominique Photo: AFP

Six children from Côte d'Ivoire who were victims of human trafficking have been rescued and returned home, the news website Abidjan.netreports.

Trafficking and exploitation of children: six Ivorian children intercepted in Agadez returned to Côte d`Ivoire. The Ministry of Promotion of Women, Family and Child Protection hosted six Ivorian children brought from Agadez in Niger on Tuesday (September 27) in the early evening at the international airport Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan. © Abidjan.net par DR

MVP: F Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles

Los Angeles Sparks forward and three-time Stanford All-American Nneka Ogwumike was named the 2016 WNBA Most Valuable Player the league announced Tuesday.

Across Africa, more and more people are now spending, saving and planning for the future through banking services offered by mobile phone companies ©Tony Karumba (AFP)

When farmer Isaac Tondo fell on lean times in Liberia's long rainy season, his brother in the capital sent 8,000 Liberian dollars (US$87) to his Lonestar mobile money account, ensuring his children's school fees would still be paid.

Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III received the US Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry at his palace on Kerry’s visit to Sokoto State over the Militant Islamist insurgency and peace in north east Nigeria earlier in August

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar said Nigerian politicians manipulate religious leaders for their selfish interests.

The militants have pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group. Photo: AFP

The Nigeria military has denied that anyone was killed in Boko Haram attacks on Tuesday in villages near the town of Chibok, except for a vigilante member who was injured.

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele at the launch of the SDGs

The Nigerian government plans to sell only some percentage of its shareholding in selected asset, and will not sell entire national property, a top presidency source has said.

A pastor with a Pentecostal ministry, Chinedu Rockson, has accused the management of Ilogbo Central Hospital in the Ajangbadi area of Lagos State of removing his wife’s womb and damaging her bladder during childbirth.

Sam Allardyce is now a former England manager

Sam Allardyce's behaviour has made England the laughing stock of world football, former Three Lions skippers Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand claimed.

South African telecoms giant MTN on Wednesday denied an allegation that it had illegally repatriated US$13.92 billion from Nigeria, saying the claim was without merit.

Residents of Edo State will today choose a new governor to succeed the outgoing Adams Oshiomhole.

This photo taken on July 6, 2014 shows Israeli President Shimon Peres speaking to members of the Foreign Press Association during a visit in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, following the recent Palestinian rocket attacks on the city. Israeli ex-president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres died on September 28, 2016, his personal doctor told AFP, some two weeks after suffering a major stroke. PHOTO: MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP

Israeli ex-president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres died on Wednesday, his personal doctor told AFP, some two weeks after suffering a major stroke.

Nigeria would today across various states mark this year's World Rabies Day. 2016 marks the 10th World Rabies Day, a milestone in rabies prevention. This year's theme is Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate.

Bribery A 'Cradle To Grave Problem' In Sierra Leone

Most people are forced to pay bribes in Sierra Leone Photo: AFP

In a video released as part of the Pay No Bribe campaign, Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission urges the public to call the toll-free number of 515 to report any case of a bribe being solicited.

Ali Bongo was sworn back as president Tuesday after Gabon's top court controversially validated his disputed election win, extending his family's rule over the oil-rich nation into a fifth decade.

The new pill combines three drugs Photo: AFP

The world's first drug specifically-designed to treat tuberculosis in children is being launched in Kenya.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday appointed Chief Executives for 13 Federal Government agencies.

Smoke rises from an illegal oil refinery along the Diebu creek in Nigeria's Niger Delta, May 15, 2012. Some cities in Africa suffer from severe air pollution problems but data to quantify the problem

Nine out of 10 people globally are breathing poor quality air, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, calling for dramatic action against pollution that is blamed for more than six million deaths a year.

Chad is part of a regional force battling the militants. Photo: AFP

Four Chadian soldiers were killed and six wounded after militant Islamist group Boko Haram attacked their base on the northern border with Niger at the weekend, a Chadian military source has told BBC Afrique.

*Peterside, Soludo, NLC offer recipes

More facts are coming up on the Federal Government’s plans to sell some assets in a bid to push back the recession that has hit the economy.

Saturday, October 01, 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Tuesday, September 27, 2016