GRAPHITTI NEWS : 2017-02-05

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Why Govs Don’t Want To Kill Condemned Prisoners — Daily Trust Investigation

Image source: Daily Trust

Despite rising judgments on capital punishment, governors are reluctant to sign warrants for condemned prisoners to be executed.

Nothing can be more traumatizing than waiting for the hangman. When in 2013, the then Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, signed the death warrants of some condemned prisoners, sources revealed that the condemned prisoners screamed and wailed on the way to the gallows.

With a record of two hours, 10 minutes, Kenya’s Abraham Kiptum, who won the maiden edition of Access Bank marathon race, has emerged winner of the 2017 edition.

In 2016, Kenya’s Abraham Kiptum won the race with a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 19 seconds.

Rhoda Jepkhorir winner of Access bank Marathon female category / Photo: Twitter/Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Athletes participating in the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon last year. Over 55,000 athletes from different countries will feature in the second edition today

30 Wheelchair Athletes Among Competitors

A total of 55,000 local and foreign runners and 30 Wheelchair athletes will battle for the various cash prizes at stake, as the second Access Bank Lagos City Marathon holds this morning.

#StopTheSoot: Port Harcourt Residents Angry At Pollution

Black soot pollution. Image source: Lilian on Twitter

People in the Nigerian oil city, Port Harcourt, have been posting photos on social media, showing black soot pollution. It's been a recurrent problem but seems to have got worse recently.

Black soot pollution. Image source: The Jonathanian on Twitter

The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include the oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, date from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD. (AFP Photo/Gali Tibbon)

Archaeologists have uncovered a new cave that once housed Dead Sea Scrolls, in a discovery described as one of the "most important" in 60 years.

Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah

100,000 houses built yearly grossly insufficient, says bureau

The Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) yesterday cautioned that urgent attention should be given to the housing shortage in the country which has made over 108 million Nigerians technically homeless.

Côte d'Ivoire international Cheick Tiote made 156 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions

Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has joined Chinese second-tier side Beijing Enterprises Group FC for an undisclosed fee.

Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo receiving the 18-Point Demands by Labour Movement for Good Governance from the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Ayuba Waba and the Trade Union Congress President, Bobboi Kaigama (l) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 09/02/2017

Organized labour, yesterday, at a protest rally in Abuja and Lagos against worsening hardship and frustration in the country, asked the Federal Government to change its style of governance and implement people-oriented policies to avert a looming social uprising.

FOR THE RECORD: AMCON Takes Over Arik Airlines

The Federal Government has come to the aid of Arik Airline which has been experiencing difficulties in recent times.

Claudio Descalzi was appointed to his post by the Italian government. AFP

Italian oil giant Eni has rallied behind its CEO Claudio Descalzi after prosecutors decided that he should stand trial for alleged corruption related to the firm's 2011 purchase of a Nigerian exploration licence.

South African President Jacob Zuma (C) has faced growing criticism over a series of corruption scandals, worsening unemployment levels and slowing economic growth ©Mujahid Safodien (AFP)

South African President Jacob Zuma prepared to deliver his annual state of the nation address on Thursday after deploying more than 440 soldiers to prevent a repeat of violent clashes outside parliament.

Constitutional experts say there president's move is breach of the separation of powers. AFP

Mr. Ogebe, the Chibok girls that escaped from captivity and some American friends, benefactors

Emmanuel Ogebe, a U.S.-based Nigerian lawyer and social welfare campaigner, has slammed a US$5 million libel lawsuit against the Nigerian government, court filings showed.

Emmanuel Ogebe Image credit: Alliance Defending Freedom

Lagos State Government, yesterday, announced restriction of vehicular movement in the major highways earmarked for the February 11 International Marathon scheduled to start by 6:00am at National Stadium, Surulere and terminate at the Eko Atlantic City.

Power, Sex And Slaves: Nigeria Battles Beliefs Of Boko Haram Brides

Changing her son's nappy, a wry smile flickered across Aisha's face as she recalled the power she wielded as the wife of a leading Boko Haram commander, living in the jihadists' forest stronghold in northeast Nigeria.

Senate President Bukola Saraki on Tuesday criticized how the power sector was privatized, saying it was sold to individuals who had no idea about how to run it.

Justice Walter Onnoghen

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has nominated Walter Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, ushering in the first southern head of the apex court in about 30 years.

Brazilian midfielder Oscar arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, on January 2, 2017 ©- (AFP)

Megabucks import Oscar began repaying some of his hefty price tag when he scored on his competitive debut for Shanghai SIPG, helping them seal a spot in the AFC Champions League group stage.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, never dares to speak against Muslim leaders who make hate speeches, but that he comes after those of the church.

UPDATED: Athletes Banned From Changing Nationalities To "Protect African Talent"; The Nations Kenyan Athletes Choose

Bahrain's Abraham Rotich competed against Kenya's David Lekuta Rudisha in the Men's 800 metres in the World Athletics Championships in Beijing 2015. Getty Images

Earlier reports said the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has banned athletes swapping nationality.

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway under construction

The Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has explained how the federal government has prioritized highway projects across the country in order of economic importance.

NACA Logo

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has dismissed an HIV cure claim by Professor Maduike Ezeibe, a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State.

BLUE HEAVEN: Gabriel Jesus celebrates City's opener. Image credit: MCFC www.mancity.com/news/

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure believes Gabriel Jesus is a special talent - but has urged him to remain focused on improving his game.

More than 70 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Gao, Northern Mali, last month. AFP

Five countries in Africa’s Sahel region have agreed to set up a joint counter-terrorism force to tackle the jihadist threat.

Beijing and the Vatican have not had diplomatic ties since 1951 and remain at odds over which side has the authority to appoint senior clergy ©Vincenzo Pinto (AFP)

China will attend an organ trafficking summit at the Vatican for the first time Tuesday, local media said, as Beijing tries to persuade the world it is no longer using executed prisoners as donors.

Ali Kaya (R) from Kenya represents Turkey in cross country running. Getty Images

Athletes are now banned from changing nationalities following a proposal by the president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lord Coe, who said athletics was "vulnerable" to the practice.

We Hear You ‘Loud And Clear’ Says Acting President Osinbajo

In Spite of initial threats by the Police, many Nigerians protested the harsh economic conditions in the country, yesterday, with marches in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Ijebu-Ode and London, saying “enough is enough.”

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday, said he would banish yellow commercial buses from Lagos roads this year.

Danfo Buses - ubiquitous and chaotic

Liberia Bars Foreign Travel For Officials For 60 Days

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf AFP

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered a 60-day moratorium on all foreign travel by government officials, effective from the beginning of February.

To mark her latest milestone, a poignant photograph of her wearing a suite of sapphire jewellery given to her by her father King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947 has been issued

On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II marks her Sapphire Jubilee, becoming the first British monarch to reign for 65 years. It's just one of many milestones the queen has marked in her nine decades.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stops to receive flowers from 3-year old Jessica Atfield, after the queen and her husband Duke of Edinburgh, attended a church service at St Peter and St Paul church in West Newton, England, Sunday Feb. 5, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)

Abuja protesters closing

According to Channels Television, police dispersed protesters in Port Harcourt, making it impossible for them to gather — or even protest.

Femi Aborishade, human rights activist and lawyer, addressing protesters in Ibadan.

Earlier NAN reports that the police on Monday took over strategic locations in Lagos metropolis in readiness for the anti-government protest initially planned by popular musician Tuface Idibia alias 2baba.

Two groups comprising those in support of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and those demanding a better deal from the government are currently at the Unity Fountain, Abuja. Those protesting against the current economic situation are under the aegis of #ISTANDWITHNIGERIA, while their counterparts are of the Buhari Volunteer Network.

In a 2015 report China told the UN that it had 501,000 cases of HIV/AIDS as of the end of 2014

China will double the number of AIDS patients it treats with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), officials have said, part of a broader push to increase the use of the ancient practice in the country's medical system.

Police have stopped anti-government protesters from reaching Nigeria’s presidential villa in Abuja.

Let no one blame Tuface. His stage name Tuface is the name of Janus: the two-face Greek god, who looks in two directions.

Tuface’s decision to lead a protest to register the dissatisfaction of Nigerians with the performance of the incumbent administration and to reiterate the value of government’s responsibility to the people was his finest moment as a citizen and artiste. But it is also now, with his Jammeh-like volte-face, his worst moment.

ABUJA, NIGERIA

A large number of President Buhari's supporters converged at the Unity Fountain, Abuja where the #IStandWithNigeria protest is ongoing.

LAGOS, NIGERIA

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, State of Osun (l), exchange handshake with the Nigerian Head, West African Examination Council, WAEC, Mr Olutise Isaac Adenipekun as he receives an endorsement frame on Opon Imo from the WAEC representative.

The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has endorsed Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s policies, especially in the education sector.

Britain-based CABI said the pest, which had not previously been established outside the Americas, is now expected to spread "to the limits of suitable African habitat" within a few years.

Scientists tracking a crop-destroying caterpillar known as armyworm say it is now spreading rapidly across mainland Africa and could reach tropical Asia and the Mediterranean in the next few years, threatening agricultural trade.

UPDATED: Cameroon Defeats Egypt To Lift Fifth AFCON Title; Aboubakar Delivers Cup Of Nations For Cameroon

Cameroon team players and Cameroon's Belgian coach Hugo Broos (C) celebrate after beating Egypt 2-1 to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final football match between Egypt and Cameroon at the Stade de l'Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on February 5, 2017. / AFP Photo / Gabriel Bouys

Cameroon came from a goal down to defeat the seven-time African Cup of Nations winner Egypt 2-1 in the final game of Gabon 2017 at Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville, Gabon.

Cameroon's forward Vincent Aboubakar celebrates after scoring the team's second goal in Libreville on February 5, 2017 ©Issouf Sanogo (AFP)

A long-range Boeing 777-200LR crossed 10 time zones on its marathon flight from Doha to Auckland

The world's longest commercial flight landed in New Zealand Monday with the arrival of Qatar Airways's 14,535 kilometres (9,032 miles) Doha-Auckland service, the airline announced.

Cameroon fans ecstatic. AFP

Cameroon have won AFCON 2017!

Saturday, February 11, 2017

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