Ukraine bars Russian men from entry as tensions flare

Ukraine bars Russian men from entry as tensions flare

source: AFP

 AFP/File / STR Moscow has held 24 Ukrainian sailors since the confrontation

Ukraine on Friday barred Russian men aged 16-60 from entry as tensions mounted between the two countries over Moscow's seizure of three Ukrainian ships last week.

The move came after Kiev imposed martial law in border regions this week in response to the Russian seizure of the ships and 24 sailors off Moscow-annexed Crimea.

The incident was the most dangerous in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours -- who are locked in conflict over Russian-backed separatist regions -- and has raised fears of a wider escalation.

"As of today, entry is restricted for foreigners -- in the first instance for male citizens of the Russian Federation age 16 to 60," the head of the border service Petro Tsyhykal said at a meeting with President Petro Poroshenko that was broadcast live.

Poroshenko said the restriction will not apply to "humanitarian cases."

Moscow slammed the move, but said it will not impose similar restrictions on Ukrainians.

"If someone will try to mirror what is happening in Kiev, it would lead to some kind of insanity," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a press briefing Friday.

She called the decision part of the "ill-conceived, wild direction" of the Ukrainian leadership.

- Ukrainian sailors 'taken' to Moscow -

Moscow and Kiev have traded angry accusations since Russian navy vessels fired on, boarded and captured the three Ukrainian ships last Sunday.

Courts in Crimea sentenced the 24 Ukrainian sailors to two months detention, despite international calls for their release.

US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned meeting at the G20 summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over Moscow's detention of the sailors.

Russia insists they crossed into Russian waters illegally, with Putin saying the border guards "fulfilled their military duty" in seizing the ships.

Crimea's human rights ombudsman Lyudmila Lubina on Friday told Russian media that the sailors have been transferred from Crimean jails to Moscow.

Ukraine has called their detention "illegal."

Kiev imposed martial law for 30 days in 10 regions that border Russia, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea on Wednesday.

The decision came after Poroshenko warned of a build-up of Russian tanks near Ukraine's borders, escalating the most dangerous crisis in years between the ex-Soviet neighbours.

European leaders this week rebuffed calls from Ukraine for greater support against Russia, after Kiev urged NATO to send ships into waters disputed with Moscow.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked Kiev to be "sensible" following the request from Poroshenko, just hours after the European Union failed to agree to threaten new sanctions against Moscow.

But, while blaming Russia for tensions, Merkel showed no signs of being ready to back military support.

Ukraine has also urged Western governments to impose more sanctions on Russia over the incident, but there too it has seen little support.

In a statement on Wednesday, the EU strongly condemned Russia's actions but, after three days of debate among senior officials, could not agree on a tougher response.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the issue would be raised at next week's regular meeting of alliance foreign ministers in Brussels, where Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin is also expected

Trump quarrels infuse tense G20 summit

Trump quarrels infuse tense G20 summit


 AFP / JUAN MABROMATA US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Argentina on Air Force One

G20 powers geared for summit talks on Friday in a deserted Argentine capital, after an incident-packed buildup dominated by controversies pitting US President Donald Trump against Russia and his combative stance on trade and climate change.

With Buenos Aires on security lockdown, Trump along with the Russian and Chinese presidents were among the world leaders gathered against a backdrop of tensions surrounding also the Ukraine conflict and relations with Saudi Arabia.

On the G20 margins, Trump scored one victory for his "America First" agenda with the signing of a successor to the North American free trade pact NAFTA, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Although the new pact inherits key features from the old one, Trump has declared it a victory for the US workers he claims were cheated by NAFTA and on Friday called it the most "modern and balanced agreement in history."

"This is a model agreement that changes the trade landscape forever," Trump said at the signing ceremony in Buenos Aires.


AFP/File / Brendan Smialowski Trump abruptly cancelled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin planned for the G20 summit


The landscape was more rocky on the Russia front. Trump abruptly cancelled a planned meeting with President Vladimir Putin, citing Russia's recent seizure of three Ukrainian ships, but remains billed to dine with President Xi Jinping on Saturday after igniting a trade war with China.

The US president began Friday with another Twitter blast defending his past business dealings in Russia, a day after his ex-lawyer pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in the context of an investigation into allegations that Putin's government meddled to help elect Trump to the White House.

If Ukraine was the stated reason to cancel his talks with Putin, the latest revelations in the probe showed that Trump cannot escape the lengthening shadow of what he again called the "witch hunt" at home when he comes to international fora like the G20.

Putin jetted into Buenos Aires Friday morning, and the Kremlin said it "regrets" Trump's decision to scrap the meeting.

Amid the Ukraine crisis, European Union president Donald Tusk said he was "sure" that the EU would roll over its sanctions on Russia next month. And on the G20 front, he admitted the world was undergoing a "difficult moment" overall.

Protesters have vowed a mass rally later Friday as Argentina endures a crippling economic crisis, underlining security concerns after recent football violence forced the relocation of a showpiece final to Spain.

But the government is vowing zero tolerance of any unrest, and declared a public holiday for Friday, shuttering the metro system and keeping the normally choked roads largely free of traffic.

"The summit seems a nonsense to me," call center worker Agustina Vianello, 25, told AFP.

"We are in a bad situation, and we're putting a pile of money into this? Everything's high security. It's strange to see everything so empty," she said.

- Trade, China -


AFP / JUAN MABROMATA China's President Xi Jinping will meet with Trump on the sidelines of the G20

Trump has cast his talks Saturday with Xi as a deadline for China to cave on his key trade concerns, including access for US companies and protection of their intellectual property.

The US leader has slapped $250 billion in tariffs on the world's second-biggest economy and threatened more to come in January.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile was to miss the summit's opening after her plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Cologne due to what she called a "serious" technical problem.

She eventually took off on a flight from Madrid bound for Buenos Aires on Friday.


 AFP / Ludovic MARIN France's President Emmanuel Macron was hoping to build a European front against Trump at a meeting of EU leaders attending the G20


Her temporary absence could complicate French President Emmanuel Macron's attempts to build a European front against Trump at the G20.

Macron on Thursday rejected those who wish to confront economic challenges by being "bellicose, isolationist and closing down borders."

Among the other leaders at the summit will be Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the focus of tensions over the murder of one of his prominent critics in October.

Macron said he would raise the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi with the crown prince on the sidelines of the summit.

- Climate dispute -

G20 sources said climate change was emerging as the biggest stumbling block to agreement on a joint communique when the summit concludes on Saturday.

Trump has yanked the United States out of the landmark Paris climate accord. His opposition to collective action stands in defiance of scientists' increasingly urgent warnings that policy action is desperately needed to counter the climate threat.


AFP / Nicolas RAMALLO G20 summit in Argentina

With a major UN meeting on climate change starting next week in Poland straight after the G20, UN chief Antonio Guterres said in Buenos Aires that "this is a make-it-or-break-it moment."

US objections on climate and trade have seen two major summits this year, of the Group of Seven democracies and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, end without the once-routine statements.

"Will we even have a (G20) communique? It really is an open question," said former Canadian negotiator Thomas Bernes, a senior fellow at the Ontario-based Centre for International Governance Innovation.

source: https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/trump-quarrels-infuse-tense-g20-summit-doc-1b80h14

Anger as herdsmen graze on N3m maize farm in Oyo state

Anger as herdsmen graze on N3m maize farm in Oyo state 

By Adeola Badru


IBADAN-IT was a sad experience as a commercial farm owner at Akoya community in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Kayode Olaitan expressed his ordeal of cattle invasion that caused serious damage to his eight hectares maize farm, which he said, led to a loss of 40 tonnes of maize, among other costs amounting to N3 million.

•The affected farm land located at Akoya community in Ibarapa North LGA of Oyo State.

Delta women threaten to boycott 2019 election over herdsmen, rickety road

Olaitan, the Manager of Fempanath Nigeria Limited, while expressing his sadness to Vanguard, stated that he planted maize on a total of eight hectares of land expanse and to his surprise, cattle herders around there came to his farm and devoured all the crops, leaving them with nothing to harvest. Narrating his ordeal, Olaitan said: “These are crops that were already developing the cubs.

The cubs were already forming. There are several of them that were due for harvest in the next three or four weeks, but we have nothing left to harvest. We have invested a lot of money here. It cost us thousands of naira to bulldoze this land; we spent a lot of money to plough this land; we got seeds that were planted; we paid workers to plant these seeds; and we have a sprinkler irrigation system that we are using. These cost us a lot of money.

“We are commercial farmers, cultivating hundreds of hectares of land.”

However, Olaitan is looking up to the police and the judiciary to adjudicate over the loss of millions of naira to herdsmen invasion, noting the need for cattle herders to be willing to lease, purchase or rent land to ranch their cattle.

His words: “We are willing to embrace compensation. We are commercial farmers, cultivating hundreds of hectares of land. We also expect the cattle herders to invest and acquire land, own their own ranches where they can own and keep their own cattle, as it is done in several parts of the world. They should also be able to lease, or purchase land to ranch their cattle without incurring losses for other farmers.”

One of the leaders of Akoya community, Mr. Taiwo Moses, noted that reports of invasion of farmlands had assumed an alarming dimension and was threatening the peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and community dwellers.

According to Moses, more worrisome for residents was the seeming failure of security agents and traditional rulers to effectively call the herdsmen to order.

He said: “The herdsmen have continued to wreak havoc on farmlands in this area. We have met with them several times not to continue to graze on our farmlands but they remain hesitant. We have informed leaders around to caution them but this has not yielded results. We report to the police but they only beg us to remain calm. The police seem to be conniving with the herdsmen leaders. What we basically want is that the herdsmen should stop grazing on our farmlands. It is the herd of cattle that meets the farmland not farmland meeting the herd of cattle.

“When there is negotiation between the herdsmen and owner of destroyed farmland, offer of compensation would usually begin from N2,000 and they hardly pay N15,000. For the past four years, I have not received compensation above N40, 000; whenever my farmland is destroyed. To get a higher compensation, the case will have to be handled by the people in Ibadan.”

Farmers’ association express anger

Reacting to the incursion by herdsmen, the Secretary of Ibarapaland farmers association, Taiwo Adeagbo said the situation had assumed a grave dimension, stating that in a day, the association had been inundated with reports of herdsmen destruction of farmlands totalling about 100 acres.

Adeagbo echoed the state of fear that had gripped farmers in Igangan, who are now scared to go to their farms, for fear of attack from herdsmen.

Adeagbo said: “These occurrences began in 2013. We got petitions of the destruction of farmlands ranging from eight acres to 20 acres and 30 acres. I have just been called again that cows are on a farmland grazing. We have forwarded a petition to the Alaafin of Oyo, the Commissioner of Police and the Governor over the several incidents there. Today, alone we have got reports of destruction of farmland of about 100 acres. Years ago, we went to Osogbo to report to the Assistant Inspector General of Police and he promised to arrest and sue the concerned herdsmen.

“Then, the herdsmen signed an undertaking. On the 7th of November, this year, a meeting was convened by the state government but many residents failed to speak up about their plight. Then some executive members of Ibarapaland farmers association spoke about the plight of the people, on their behalf. We found out that one of the problems is that some are benefiting from the presence of the Fulani farmers not thinking of the havoc wreaked on the entire community.

“When we questioned the Seriki Fulani on why cattle continued to graze over farmlands, his response was that occurrences of cattle grazing over farmlands were not new and that as the number of herdsmen were growing, so was cattle growing and farmers increasing, hence farmers had to be patient. But we reprimanded him and asked that was it legal for cattle to continue to destroy crops. We are at a stage where we are tempted to say that farmers can also kill cows that destroy their farmlands. It’s peculiar to Igangan, as it is not happening in neighbouring places like Tapa and Ayete. We have complained that we are not sure of the capability of the police and traditional rulers to handle the issue.”

Allegation of backing herdsmen false—-Oyo Police

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in Oyo State, SP Adekunle Ajisebutu dismissed allegations of being on the side of the herdsmen as false, spurious and baseless.

He stressed that the police usually admonished both parties to embrace alternative dispute resolution to prevent a resort to violence, while offenders are charged to court when an amicable settlement could not be reached.

Ajisebutu said: “Allegation of supporting the herdsmen over community dwellers is false and baseless. We stand on the path of justice and fairness. Ours is to act as arbiters between the two parties, using alternative dispute resolution approach to avoid violent clashes.

“Where amicable settlement cannot be reached, cases are charged to Court. Often, it is the parties themselves that initiate out-of-court negotiation to get financial compensation but when the results fall short of their expectations, spurious allegations are made. However, no fewer than 6 cases involving farmers and herdsmen in the area have been charged to court while some are still under investigation at the state CIID, Iyaganku. The CP, Abiodun Odude, has directed the DPO Ayete as well as other DPOs to treat such cases with all seriousness and promptness.”

Allegations against us unfair—Sarkin Fulani

However, when contacted by Vanguard, the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Soliu Abdul’Kadir refuted the allegations levelled against the herdsmen as unfair and lies, pointing out that they usually investigate reports of their cows destroying farmland.

He was quick to add that compensation is usually paid to any farmer who brings such information of an invasion to their notice.

Abdul’Kadir said: “Whenever we are informed of cows invading a farmland, we try to find out the truth, the kind of farmland, and whose farmland was destroyed, and what measures the police was using to address the issue. There is no herdsman that is said to have destroyed a farmland that does not pay compensation. In fact, the situation is such that they kill the cows of herdsmen and we get no compensation from the farmers and community. There is no week that our cows are not killed.

“They tell several lies against us that we kill them. In the same way that they say we kill them, we can also say that the farmers do same to us, herdsmen. For everywhere they allege that a Fulani has killed a farmer, you find out that a farmer has also killed herdsmen.” Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/anger-as-herdsmen-graze-on-n3m-maize-farm-in-oyo-state/

American writer, Nora Roberts responds to accusations of plagiarism by Nigerian writer, Tomi Adeyemi and its epic

American writer, Nora Roberts responds to accusations of plagiarism by Nigerian writer, Tomi Adeyemi and its epic

 

A few days back, Nigerian author Tomi Adeyemi called out American writer, Nora Roberts accusing her of stealing her book title.

'it would be nice if an artist could create something special without another artist trying to shamelessly profit off it' went viral and certainly got the attention of the international community'. Adeyrmi wrote on Twitter

Nora Roberts reached out to her, explained things and Tomi was forced to make a partial retaction saying, 'Nora was kind enough to reach out & explain that today was the first she’d heard of my book. After talking to her, I believe our titles were created in isolation. I’m grateful she explained & I’ve apologized, but I wanted to address it here as I know others were upset too'.

Nora has now taken out time to react in a lenghty and epic manner to the false accusations and social media can't get enough of it.

Read her response below....


I’m not on Twitter. I’ve said before and will say again, I’d rather be poked in the eye with a burning stick than tweet. I’m only on Instagram and Facebook because the amazing Laura runs the show.

I write. I spend my days working, my evenings either working or with my family. Or zoned in front of the TV, basically brain dead.

I don’t spend much time on social media. I recognize its power, I appreciate its ability to connect writers with readers. And I also understand how easily it can be weaponized to incite flame wars. So I’m very careful with my use of it–and Laura is even more so.

I write. It’s what I do. What I love and what I’ve spent three decades learning how to do well. Or as well as I possibly can.

But there are a lot of authors who spend a great deal of time on social media. Some are absolute geniuses with the tools, and use them beautifully.

Others. Not so much.

I don’t believe, and have never believed in taking personal issues onto public forums. I don’t believe, and have never believed–will never believe–in a writer attacking another writing on a public forum. It’s unprofessional, it’s tacky and the results are, always, just always, ugly.

Recently another writer used her social media forums to baselessly, recklessly accuse me of stealing the title of her book–which is bullshit right off–to attempt to profit from this theft. She had no facts, just her emotions, and threw this out there for her followers.

First, let’s address the particular title which happens to be similar. I titled this particular book, wrote this book, turned this book into my publisher nearly a year before her book–a first novel–was published. So unless I conquered the time/space continuum, my book was actually titled before hers. Regardless, you can’t copyright a title. And titles, like broad ideas, just float around in the creative clouds. It’s what’s inside that counts.

It’s just a title.

By accusing me, in public, of attempting to ‘shamelessly profit’ off of her creativity, she incited her readers into attacking me–on her feed, then on my pages, then on the internet in general. She did nothing to stop this. I have been accused of theft, of trying to use this first time writer–whose book has been well received–for my own profit. To ride her coattails as I have no originality. This after more than thirty years in the business, more than two hundred books.

I was accused of plagiarism–for a title–of stealing her ideas–though I had never heard of her book before this firestorm, have never read her book.

And trust me, I never will now.

This is what happens when a reckless statement is made on social media. It becomes a monstrous lie that spreads and grows and escalates.

I don’t know this woman; she doesn’t know me. She lit the match, foolishly. Perhaps being young and new and so recently successful she doesn’t fully understand the relationship between a writer and her readers, or the power of an ugly insinuation posted on Twitter. But, God, you should know how tools work before you use them.

We should all take a lesson here. Think, then think again, before you post. Be sure of your facts before you take a shot at someone. Be prepared for the vicious fallout once you do.

Could you have dug a little deeper to check facts? Could you have contacted the person in question and had a conversation? In this case–writer to writer–could you have spoken to your publisher, your agent, about the fact that a title can’t be stolen in the first place?

Could you have, perhaps, checked the timeline? If your book came out a few months before the other book (and if you know SQUAT about publishing) you’d certainly realize it was written, titled and in production when yours hit the stands. So how could a damn title be ‘stolen’?

To be accused of plagiarism by some faceless reader on the internet, one who felt entitled to spread that lie gutted me. I’ve been plagiarized, and will always have an open wound from the blow. To me, plagiarism is the most terrible sin a writer can commit.

I have worked my entire career to build a foundation of professionalism, of teamwork with my publisher, to create a community with other writers, and to show readers I value them–not just with communication, but by doing my best to give them good books.

No one who knows me would believe any of these accusations. But that’s the problem. Those making them don’t know me, they simply lash out because they can.

This foolish and false statement has damaged my reputation. Vicious and ugly accusations and names have been tossed at me when I did nothing but write and title a book.

While this writer issued a kind of retraction after I reached out to her, it didn’t stop some of her readers from calling me a liar, and worse. We reached out again, asking her to put out the fire.

We’ve had no response, not from her, not from her agent.

Shame on them.

I had every intention of letting this go, until the flames kept burning, until the attacks kept coming. And nothing was done by the person who lit the match to stop it.

I don’t like taking my issues public. But I will stand up for myself. I will defend my integrity and my reputation and my work.

I’m appalled by this, sickened by it. I’m disgusted that people who don’t know me would feel free to say vicious things about me. I know very well the anonymity of the internet can foster such nastiness, but it still disgusts me.

Words have great power–to harm, to heal, to teach, to entertain. A writer, one who wants to forge a career with words, should understand that. And use them, as well as the tools at her disposal, wisely.

I’ve very deliberately not mentioned the name of the writer who started this, or the title of her book or mine. I don’t want this to escalate any more than it has. I don’t want my readers to go on the attack. It’s not cool. I simply want to set the record straight.

I’m Nora Roberts. I’m a hard-working writer, and an honest one.

That’s it.

Source:

http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2018/11/american-writer-nora-roberts-responds-to-accusations-of-plagiarism-by-nigerian-writer-tomi-adeyemi-and-its-epic.html

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Massive Talent & Entrepreneurship Program at Sahara Group 2018 / 2019

Sahara Group Talent & Entrepreneurship Program 2018 / 2019

Sahara Group nutures businesses in the energy sector. These companies operate essentially within the energy industry and its associated sub-sectors. The Group consists of individuals, who are determined to make a positive impact on the business environment.
Applications are invited for:
Title: Sahara Talent & Entrepreneurship Program
Location: Nationwide
Summary

• In Sahara, we believe that taking the right step in sourcing young talents and developing them into a formidable force is critical to our business success and sustainability. The Sahara Talent & Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) was therefore borne out of the desire to reposition the Group’s talent management strategy in line with our business expansion and future ambition.
• The objective is to focus on developing entrepreneurship leadership skills of young talents and to improve their business acumen, strategic thinking & relationship management required to support growth strategies in the group.
• The one-year program is structured systematically to expose the young talents with entrepreneurial mindset to all areas of the business as it reflects the diversity of roles across board. The development programme will include two or three rotations that combine on-the-job learning with formal training opportunities with blended foundational skill training, in-house classroom training program, feedback sessions, hands-on projects, coaching and mentoring opportunities. The young talents will be given stimulating hands-on roles, and have the opportunity to not only understand the culture and core values of the company but to live by them.
• If you want to grow and make an impact as a business leader, explore a world of possibilities and harness your potential in a vibrant young environment, then the Sahara Talent & Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) is just right for you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

The Unlimited Value Proposition to Young talents:

• Challenging & Evolving Career- Participants will be exposed to challenging real-life business scenarios in today’s rapidly evolving business environment working in a diverse and global environment. There will be opportunities to be part of an organization that believes in disruption as a tool for strategic development in today’s business world.
• Unique Mentorship Opportunity- Participants will have a unique mentorship opportunity to shadow renowned business leaders. The participants will have the unique opportunity to relate directly with top management in order to enhance their growth, mind-set and self-empowerment
• Capacity Building- Participants will receive training in our business tailored to their skills and career aspirations. They will be given a veritable platform to develop their potential.
• Multicultural Exposure- Participants will have the opportunity to travel and be exposed to our businesses across locations and will develop an extensive understanding of the diverse culture within the group.
• Strategic Growth & Personal Empowerment- Participants will be groomed to have an extensive understanding of the energy business and the opportunity to build a broad network both internally & externally

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the programme (on-the-job tasks, peer learning, mentoring and training assigned).
• Take full ownership and charge over your development: leverage on each opportunity and feedback
• Participate in departmental and cross-functional business projects (on project basis or as full rotation to other departments).
• Take full responsibility with planning and organizing activities related to your assignment, as well as delivery of assigned objectives, projects and results. Actively propose process and business improvements.
• Work on assignments related to assigned role within a function.
• Collaborate, develop and maintain relationships with colleagues from own team, other departments, mentors, project sponsors – while proactively seeking feedback.

Minimum Qualification/ Experience

• University degree in a reputable University (Minimum: Second Class Upper)
• Maximum of 2 years (Post-NYSC) experience. Completion of NYSC is a must.
• Maximum age- 26 years old by December 2018

Personality Traits:

• Independence: the ability to take initiative, lead on projects and be proactive in prioritizing a dynamic and diverse workload.
• Interpersonal: confidence informing effective working relationships with a broad range of people, including working as part of a team.
• Analytical: the ability to draw accurate and informative conclusions from detailed research without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Communication: effective oral and written communication of ideas with an excellent command of English
• Adaptability: the ability to multitask, and to respond effectively to change, on a day-to-day basis and between placements.

Working Relationships:

• Group Human Resources
• All staff

Click here to apply

Massive Trainee Recruitment At First Generation Nigerian Bank Transaction 2018

First Generation Nigerian Bank Transaction Trainee Recruitment 2018

Whytecleon Limited - Our client, a first generation Bank in the Nigeria economy seeks to recruit highly intelligent, young, well-articulated professional with integrity for the position below:

Job Title: Transaction Trainee (TT)
Location: Nationwide

Responsibilities

• Attend to customers enquires promptly and efficiently
• Taking deposit from customers and crediting their accounts respectively.
• Collection and posting of dividend warrant
• Processing of cheque lodgment for local and central clearing
• Opening of Savings and Current Accounts
• Calling of tellers transaction on daily basis
• Posting of profit and loss account
• Payment of cheques that meet mandate requirements
• Receive all cheques of any amount, provide timely and courteous teller services
• Ensure cash analyses are done on all cash transactions.
• Call over of daily transactions.
• Escalation of issues bothering on cash theft, lose, shortages/ overages.
• Carries out other tasks as assigned by the head of teller
• Obtain approval from head of tellers or appropriate authority for amount beyond own limit.
• Monitor the cash-in-till balance and request for funds as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by head of teller
• Open and close of teller batch for the day’s operations.
• Payment of cash and cheques withdrawal to customers.
• Received of both cash and cheques deposit into customers accounts.
• Register of all cash transactions in their respective registers and balance registers daily.
• Posting all customers’ transactions.
• Check customer’s balance and verify customer’s signatures.

Requirements
Educational Qualifications:

• A good Bachelor's degree or HND only (Minimum of Second Class Lower or Upper Credit)
• Age: Not more than 26 years
• Experience in the banking industry will be an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Very quick learner
• Strong computer skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Good written and oral communication
• Service orientation and strong Customer focus
• Integrity
• Keen attention to details
• Good team player
• Relationship Management
• Problem Solving
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite1

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

  

Latest Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Massive Recruitment 2018 / 2019

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Massive Recruitment 2018 / 2019

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) invites applications from suitably qualified Nigerians for enlistment into the Nigeria Police Force for 2018 / 2019 as:

The need by the present leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to reposition the Force through capacity building calls for the recruitment of Police Officers of lower cadre into the Nigeria Police Force. In order to align with International standard and best practices and the United Nation Standard of Policing, the Force needs virile and dynamic police officers for better service delivery and mitigiating emerging security challenges. To this end, our goal is to ensure the safety of lives and property of the Nigeria citizens and make Nigeria safer and more secured for economic development and growth.

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recruitment 2018

Job Title: Police Constable (Recruits)
Location: Nationwide
General Requirements
Applicants must have passion for a career in the Nigeria Police Force and must satisfy the following:

• Nationality: Be a Nigerian citizen by birth and possess National Identity Number (NIN).
• Age: Must not be less than 18 years of age or more than 25 years of age.
• Education: Must have an O’ Level Certificate at least Five (5) Credits level passes including Mathematics and English Language in not more than two sittings in WASSCE/GCE/N ECO/NABTEB.
• Chest Measurement: Must not have less than 86cm (34 inches) expanded chest measurement (for men only).
• Physical Features: Must not have any one of the following abnormalities or deformities: Speech Impediment, Knock Knees, Bow Legs, Bent Knees, Flat Feet, Deformed Hands which cannot perform the full functions of the hand, Tattoos, Bodily Scar, Defective Eyesight or Squint Eyes, Amputation of any part of the body, Gross Malformation of teeth, Protruding Navel.
• Pregnancy: Must not be pregnant at the time of Recruitment.
• Financial Status: Must be free from any pecuniary embarrassment.
• Character: Must be of good character and must not have been convicted of any criminal offence.
• Height: Must not be less than 1.67 metres in height for men and 1.64 metres for women.
• Guarantors’ Form: Must download and fill the Guarantors’ Form, presenting verifiable references from any two (2) of the following: Traditional Rulers, Magistrate, Local Government Chairman, Heads of Educational Institutions attended, Career Civil Servant not below the rank of Grade Level 12, Police Officer not below the rank of CSP, or Military Officer not below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Possession of a valid National Drivers’ License is an added advantage.
• NOTE: All candidates must undergo medical examination before final selection.

 How to Apply for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recruitment 2018/2019
Read Carefully Please

• All applications must be submitted “Online”.
• You “Must” have a functional Email Address and Mobile Phone Number before you begin your application;
• Visit: www.policerecruitment.ng
• Fill and “Submit” the Online Form. (Review the information before final submission).
• Ensure that you print out the information that is sent automatically to your Email., and do not forget to copy and save your “Registration Number” for future correspondences. The “Number” is case sensitive please.
• You would be required to present a hardcopy of email message sent to you if you are shortlisted and contacted for the next stag.e of the recruitment process.
• The recruitment exercise is absolutely free

Warning!

• No email and/or phone number can be used more than once in this application.
• The Nigeria Police Force shall not enter Into any correspondences with candidates or on behalf of candidates in this exercise aside this portal or candidates emails/telephones.
• Applicants with multiple applications would be disqualified.

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Afghan Taliban not serious about peace, says government chief

Afghan Taliban not serious about peace, says government chief



Soccer Football – The Best FIFA Football Awards – Royal Festival Hall, London, Britain – September 24, 2018 Didier Drogba before the start of the awards Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley The Taliban in Afghanistan have not yet shown any sign they are serious about ending their 17-year insurgency despite US efforts to push a fresh peace process, the country’s de facto prime minister told AFP.

Abdullah Abdullah, who serves as “chief executive” of the unity government in Kabul, struck a far more sceptical tone about the prospects of a deal than his political rival, President Ashraf Ghani, and his Western counterparts.

Ghani said earlier this month it was “not a question of if, but when” an agreement would be reached with the Taliban, while the US envoy to the country even raised the possibility of a breakthrough before presidential elections in April.

“Recently there are renewed efforts in terms of the international community and especially the US,” Abdullah told AFP during a wide-ranging interview in Paris that also covered his own political ambitions.

“We are not judging it too prematurely, but I would say that our experience as of now has been that they (the Taliban) have not shown any intention to get seriously engaged in the peace negotiations,” he added.

The comment on Wednesday came after the latest atrocity targeting civilians in Kabul when a bomber killed 55 people at a banquet hall at a ceremony to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.

Abdullah, a political veteran of the fight against Soviet forces in the 1980s and Taliban rule in the 90s, called it “beyond comprehension.”

Beleaguered Afghan security forces are also suffering an unprecedented level of casualties across the country where the Taliban and the Islamic State group are stepping up attacks.

Presidential candidate?
Returning to Kabul on Thursday after a three-day trip to France, Abdullah said he expected to be briefed fully about the latest round of talks between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban, which are believed to have taken place in Qatar last week.

Whatever the outcome, he argued that Afghanistan should hold its presidential election as scheduled next April despite a recent upsurge in violence and suggestions from some that it should be delayed.

“My idea is to stick to the timing, make it work, because it’s part of the system and legitimacy of the system depends on the elections,” he said. “At the same time, continue the efforts on peace with full vigour.”

He downplayed any suggestion of a pre-election breakthrough with the Taliban.

“It will be very surprising if that happens, but should it happen … that would be welcomed by the people of Afghanistan,” he added.

Abdullah has kept up suspense about his own political ambitions after twice running for president in 2009 and 2014 in campaigns that ended bitterly amid accusations of fraud.

After being beaten in 2014 by Ghani, Abdullah agreed to become prime minister of the unity government in a US-brokered deal — but the rivalry between the two men continues.

“I will actively be involved one way or another, but I have not made that final decision,” Abdullah said when asked if he would run in 2019.

Fraud Fears
Looking ahead to next April’s vote, Abdullah was candid about the lack of progress made in correcting the weaknesses in Afghanistan’s fraud-plagued electoral system.

He said he was “disappointed” by parliamentary elections in October, which were marred by a shambolic rollout of new biometric polling technology and missing or incomplete voter lists.

“Our expectations for the parliamentary elections and the conduct of them was much higher, and the people’s expectations were much higher,” he said.

There were thousands of complaints lodged against the Independent Electoral Commission, although four million voters did defy the security worries to turn out and cast a ballot.

The unity government had pledged to tackle problems that have repeatedly undermined faith in Afghan elections since the US-led invasion in 2001 overthrew the Taliban government in Kabul.

But Abdullah suggested that these efforts, like in other areas, have been hit by the fractious nature of decision-making in the multi-party government.

“It was the commitment of the unity government in 2014… that we will start implementing reforms. We started very late. Why did we do that?” he asked.

Abdullah’s defeats in 2009 and then again in 2014 — when he won the first round but slumped to a surprise defeat in the second — led to political crises which threatened to unravel the country’s fragile political system.

Should observers fear another tainted poll?

“There were a lot of lessons from the parliamentary elections. Should we and other relevant institutions deal with them thoroughly and seriously we can have and we should have better elections than in 2014,” he said. Source:

https://guardian.ng/news/afghan-taliban-not-serious-about-peace-says-government-chief/

What Senate President Bukola Saraki Said Over Death Of Offa Prime Suspect

What Senate President Bukola Saraki Said Over Death Of Offa Prime Suspect


Michael Adikwu

Senate President Bukola Saraki has called for the probe of the death of the leader of the gang that robbed five banks and killed 32 people in Offa on April 5.

Michael Adikwu, who is alleged to be a political thug of Saraki is reported by the police to have died and could not be arraigned along with four other suspects.

Adikwu who had confessed to the robbery was also explicitly captured by the CCTV cameras installed in one of the banks during the robbery.

Saraki in a statement signed on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged the Presidency to institute a judicial inquiry into how and when the principal suspect died in police custody.

“Following eventual disclosure by the Police that Michael Adikwu, the principal suspect in the deadly bank robbery attacks in Offa, Kwara State, on April 5, 2018, is dead, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on the Presidency to institute a judicial inquiry into the ‘how and when’ the suspect died.”

The Senate President added that the new disclosure by the police has vindicated his earlier claim that the suspect had been murdered in police custody and that the investigation was politically motivated to implicate him, Governor Abdul-Fatai Ahmed and a few others.

“It should be recalled that when we mentioned it that the principal suspect had been murdered and that investigation into the Offa robbery attack was politically motivated and targeted at implicating me and other individuals, the Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh said: ‘Michael Adikwu is in Police custody.

“You know that he is the one that led the killing of 22 people. The firearms that were carted away, he is helping the police in the investigation to recover them. There is a state in the South-west where they kept him. I can’t mention the state. It is in one of the South-west states’.

“The fresh facts have now thrown more light into why there had been inconsistencies in the various statements by the police. The Police initially told the Attorney-General of Kwara State that the principal suspect was alive and they only later reluctantly disclosed that he died in the course of the arrest.

“How can a suspect confirmed to be in custody now be said to have died in the course of arrest? This contradiction shows a deliberate attempt to cover up something,” he said.

Saraki added that an inquiry into the death would help to thoroughly examine and interrogate how the investigation into the robbery incident was conducted by the police and whether the investigation followed the normal process and complied with global best practices.

Saraki had been invited by the police to throw more light on the allegation from the confession made by some of the suspects.

The robbery suspects alleged that they were associates of Saraki and Governor of Kwara state.

Saraki had made a statement to the police, in respect of the investigation into the multiple robberies in Offa on 5 April.

The police said Senate President “made cautionary statement to the Police Investigation Team investigating the case of Offa bank robbery that occurred on 5th April, 2018”.

The Inspector General of Police had invited Saraki to report to the Head of investigation team, of the Intelligence Response Team ( IRT) on July 24 at 8 a.m. in Guzape, Abuja. But Saraki ignored the invitation until Thursday 26 July.

The police had on 4 June asked for Saraki’s reaction to the statement made by some of the suspects arrested in connection to the most deadly robbery in the history of Nigeria. Saraki wrote a statement dated 7 June.

Idris ruled the statement inadequate.

“After a careful perusal of your letter to the Police, it was discovered that the statement requires further clarification and coupled with the fact that you stated that the full text of the statements of the suspects were not shown to you, it is imperative you report to the Police to make further statements after giving you the full text of the statements of the suspects.

“It is in line with the above that you are requested to report to the head of the Investigation Team at the Intelligence Response Team at Guzape Junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja on 24th of July, 2018 at 8am for further investigation on the matter.”

In a response, Saraki described the invitation as a mere afterthought which is designed to achieve political purpose.

“The Police have obviously corrupted and politicized their investigations into the Offa robbery incident. They have turned it into an instrument for the party in power to suppress perceived opponents, witch-hunt issue for blackmailing people from freely choosing which platform on which they want to pursue their ambition and a matter for harassing the people whose exit from APC would harm the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections.

” I want to make it apparent that I have no hand in either the robbery incident or any criminal acitivity. The Police in their haste to embarrass me sent the invitation to me at 8pm and requested that I report to the station by 8am tomorrow morning. This obviously demonstrated their desperation as I do not see why they are now in a hurry.”, Saraki said.

The invitation was later to be mired in controversy as a report by the Ministry of Justice was leaked to the media. The report by the Office of Federal Prosecutor said the Police had no evidence to hang any charge on Saraki, in connection with the robberies in which 31 people were killed same day.

The police clarified the position of the federal prosecutor, Samuel Ogundipe:

“It is incumbent on the Force to educate the writer of the story that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation in the legal advice did not restrain or restrict the Force from investigating further, the indictments against the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfattah Ahmed by the principal suspects arrested in connection with the Offa bank robbery of 5th April, 2018.

“The DPP advice did not exonerate the Senate President, it only called for further investigations into the matter

“It is in the course of further investigations into the case that a letter of invitation dated 23rd July, 2018 was sent to the Senate President to appear on 24th July, 2018 at 8.00am before the Investigation Team at Intelligence Response Team office, Guzape Junction, Abuja.

” Consequently, the Force is hereby re-affirming that the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki has case to answer by virtue of the facts that the statements submitted by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki earlier to the Investigation Team was not explicit and detailed enough, and was discovered to require further clarifications and interrogation, and coupled with the fact the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki in his statement, claimed that the full text of the statement of the suspects who indicted him in their confessional statements to the Police was not shown to him. It is therefore, imperative for the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki to report to the Police to make further statement after sighting the full text of the statement of the suspects”.

Some elders in Kwara had also called on Saraki, to allow the police do their investigations into robbery.

The elders also want diligent prosecution of everyone mention in the case as “this is not the first time a top politician would be accused, investigated and found culpable of aiding and abetting crimes”.

They referred to the case of Bacita robbery of 1971 in which the suspects implicated S.T Oredehin. After police investigation, Oredehin was tried alongside the robbery suspects by a court of competent jurisdiction, found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.”

The Kwara elders, under the auspices of Kwara Elders’ Unity Forum, also called on the Inspector General of Police to carry out thorough investigation into case so that justice will be done on the matter.

Dr. Saliu Ajia, Chief Isiaka Jimoh and Mr. Adebayo Daramola, all representing Kwara Central, North and South Senatorial districts respectively, made the call in a statement on Friday.

The elders said that revelations and political colourations being given to the confessions of the arrested suspects showed that “the lives of Kwara people are in danger and must be protected”.

-NAN Source:

https://www.tori.ng/news/111312/what-senate-president-bukola-saraki-said-over-deat.html

EPL, Champions League: Xavi predicts Manchester City’s season under Guardiola

EPL, Champions League: Xavi predicts Manchester City’s season under Guardiola




Barcelona legend, Xavi has predicted that manager, Pep Guardiola, will achieve at Manchester City what he did at Barcelona.

Xavi, who played under Guardiola during their time at the Camp Nou, believes that the former Bayern Munich manager will be successful at the Eithad this season.

According to him, Guardiola can win the Champions League trophy and also the Premier League title this term.

Guardiola’s side currently top the Premier League table with 32 points from 12 games and Xavi is expecting the 47-year-old to do well with the Premier League champions.

“Pep will only improve Manchester City,” Express UK quoted Xavi as saying ahead of Man City’s Premier League clash with West Ham this weekend.

“He’s always looking to improve, always looking to better the team.

“The next target will be the Champions League and under him I think they will do it. He built something at Barcelona that will always be remembered in football history – he can do the same in Manchester.”

Xavi added: “In football it’s not just what you achieve but how you achieve it.

“Manchester City are playing great football and I can guarantee that the players will be enjoying training sessions as well as the games.” Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/22/epl-champions-league-xavi-predicts-manchester-citys-season-guardiola/

Rivers APC crisis: What Amaechi did to me in presence of my wife – Senator Abe

Rivers APC crisis: What Amaechi did to me in presence of my wife – Senator Abe


Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe, has revealed how the leader of the party in the state, Chubuike Amaechi, humiliated him in the presence of his (Abe’s) wife.

Abe, who represents Rivers South East constituency at the Senate, said Amaechi, humiliated him by telling him not to contest for Rivers governor in the presence of his wife.

The lawmaker told the Interview magazine that Amechi’s actions may hurt the party badly in the forthcoming elections.

Abe said the Minister of Transportion and Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, was running a one-man show in the state’s politics.

“My grievances with the transportation minister has nothing to do with him supporting me or not. I have told him clearly that he is free to support who he wants.

“My disagreement with him is that he said I should not run, and I said I would run,” he stated.

“To come to my house, call me in front of my wife and tell me not to try contesting was the height of it. I said no, I would not accept, I would contest,” he added. Source:

http://dailypost.ng/2018/11/22/rivers-apc-crisis-amaechi-presence-wife-senator-abe/

Jonathan raises alarm over fake version of book

Jonathan raises alarm over fake version of book

 
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised the alarm over a fake online version of his book, “My Transition Hours’’ which he launched to mark his 61st birthday on Tuesday.

My Transition Hours, Goodluck Jonathan’s book 

In a tweet on Thursday, Jonathan said: “We have just been informed that a fake document contrived by mischief makers is being passed on as the e-version and hard copy of the just launched ‘#MyTransitionHours’’’.

“ Also, note that the e-copy of #MyTransitionHours ’is not being marketed, as such, the fake online version could only have been created by those out to deceive the unsuspecting public.


 Original and fake “My Transition Hours” Goodluck Jonathan’s book

“ We advise the general public to ignore such publication as the chapters and contents are not the same as the book publicly presented two days ago in Abuja. #MyTransitionHours,’’ Jonathan further tweeted.

As the cover of the book displayed to differentiate the true from the false version, he further threw more light on the difference.

Jonathan in his book accused ex-President Barack Obama of U.S of pushing for his defeat in the 2015 Presidential election.

Jonathan said Obama took unusual step by “prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition” in the election.

“On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians all but telling them how to vote,” Mr Jonathan wrote.

“In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open the “next chapter” by their votes. Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government.”

Jonathan said that the message undermined Nigerians and smacked of hypocrisy.

“The message was so condescending, it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to direct them,” he said.

The former Nigerian leader added that although Obama, in his message, said “all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear,” his government was vehemently and publicly against the postponement of the elections to enable the military defeat Boko Haram and prevent them from intimidating voters.

“This was the height of hypocrisy!” Jonathan declared.

Jonathan’s grouse with Obama went beyond the video. He narrated in the book that the actions of the then U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, especially his visit to Nigeria after the elections were rescheduled from February 2015 to March belied a plot to humiliate him.

This, he explained, was because even though the decision to postpone the elections was taken by INEC after a meeting of the Council of State, Kerry refused to accept that it was in the interest of the country and the electorate.

“In fact, John Kerry did not accept our reasons for the rescheduling.

“How can the U.S. Secretary of State know what is more important for Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government?

“How could they have expected us to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the North East and was killing and maiming Nigerians? Not even the assurance of the sanctity of May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In Nigeria, the Constitution is very clear. No President can extend his tenure by one day.”

Despite the criticism that followed the decision to reschedule the election, Jonathan insisted that the decision was the right one and it paid off.

“Anyhow, the six weeks served us well. We received the military equipment we were expecting within that period and our Armed Forces commendably dealt a deserving blow on the terrorists and repossessed all territorial areas of Nigeria previously occupied by the terrorists. Boko Haram was deflated up to the point I handed over to my successor on May 29, 2015.

“We conducted the elections peacefully, even if there were issues raised about its fairness. At least, the nation was relieved that the election held peacefully and that there was no post-election violence.”

“The decision and announcement to postpone the elections were eventually made by the only body which could do so under the Constitution. I should talk briefly about the INEC here because of the insinuations that my administration muscled INEC to make the pronouncement. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth as people came to realise.

“Yes, the posture of INEC could appear edgy, but it knew it was not ready and that the election was too important to mess up.

“The PVC shortage was everywhere. The lopsided collection of PVC caused an uproar that grew into a national din. The suspected housing of PVCs in the custody of non-INEC personnel was an issue.

There were also issues with card readers. All of these happening despite years of preparation and substantial funds made available. It was all building up to a perfect storm, but those were INEC’s problems which we were willing to help resolve.

“Even then, the security of our country was our job and the military advised as they deemed fit. Before the election was eventually rescheduled by INEC, I summoned all the Service Chiefs, the NSA, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director General of State Security (DG DSS), among others to get further information.

“Then I called a meeting of the Council of State and requested the heads of security services and the INEC chairman to attend. These were not apolitical, but at least they could rise above politics and represent the interest of the entire country.

“At the end of deliberations, it was agreed that the elections should be postponed for six weeks in order to create a safer environment for voters and officials on Election Day.

“Let me add that the Council of State comprises all former Presidents and Heads of State, all former chief justices of the federation, and all 36 serving State Governors who are from different political parties.

“The INEC was then directed to hold meetings with political parties while the NSA was to brief them on the security angle to the rescheduling.

“The vote in favour of the rescheduling was overwhelming. INEC thereafter announced the rescheduling of the election to the nation.

“I must add that beyond security concerns, one finds it difficult to understand how INEC or the political parties would want elections held at a time when more than 30% of the Nigerian electorate where yet to get their PVCs. This would have disenfranchised a significant portion of the electorate.

“The foreign pressure on the issue of election rescheduling was intense. They maintained the curious posture of one who had been deceived before and therefore had every reason to cede no credence to our position. But there was no reason to have such a posture.

“The United States and the United Kingdom were especially agitated. David Cameron, then the U.K. Prime Minister, called to express his concern about the election rescheduling, just as John Kerry came from the United States to express further worry. It was at best unusual and sobering. In fact, John Kerry did not accept our reasons for the rescheduling.

“It was unbelievable because at the back of our minds we knew why the agitation was beyond what meets the eye. There were deeper political interests.

“In attendance at the meeting of the Council of State where the decision to reschedule the election was taken were almost all the living former Heads of State of this country.

“That should have convinced John Kerry of the good intentions of the government. He cannot claim to love and defend Nigeria more than all our former heads of state present at the meeting. I have stated earlier how Kerry’s visit was designed to humiliate a sitting Nigerian President and clearly take sides in the country’s election.

“Anyhow, the six weeks served us well. We received the military equipment we were expecting within that period and our Armed Forces commendably dealt a deserving blow on the terrorists and repossessed all territorial areas of Nigeria previously occupied by the terrorists. Boko Haram was deflated up to the point I handed over to my successor on May 29, 2015.

“We conducted the elections peacefully, even if there were issues raised about its fairness. At least, the nation was relieved that the election held peacefully and that there was no post-election violence,” Jonathan stated in his book. Source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/jonathan-raises-alarm-over-fake-version-of-book/

Experts cast doubt on upcoming Bahrain elections

Experts cast doubt on upcoming Bahrain elections




(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 21, 2017 Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa takes part in a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump at a hotel in Riyadh. – As Bahrainis head to the polls on November 24, 2018, the validity of this year’s parliamentary elections has been brought into question after members of the dissolved opposition were banned from running. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) Bahrainis head to the polls Saturday, but experts have questioned the value of a parliamentary election in which dissolved opposition groups have been banned from taking part.

The country’s two main opposition groups, the Shiite Al-Wefaq and secular Waad, were barred from fielding candidates, prompting renewed calls for a boycott.

The tiny Gulf kingdom has been hit by ongoing unrest since 2011, when security forces crushed Shiite-led protests demanding a constitutional monarchy and an elected prime minister.

The Sunni-ruled country of around 1.4 million people has a majority Shiite population, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government.

Neil Partrick, a specialist in Gulf Arab politics, said Bahrain’s elections “have lost all practical and political meaning” since the 2010 boycott by Al-Wefaq — the main movement representing the country’s Shiite population.

“The subsequent outlawing of Al-Wefaq, and of the relatively liberal, cross-sect, Waad trend, has merely underlined the meaninglessness of Bahraini elections,” he told AFP.

“Elections can still serve as a prestige vehicle for individuals seeking to present themselves as representative of the wider national community, however they have no political or practical substance regardless of whether boycotts are called for or adhered to.”

Opposition leader imprisoned
Opposition parties shunned the last elections in 2014, the first since the 2011 crackdown, denouncing the vote as a “farce”.

A court banned Al-Wefaq in 2016 for “harbouring terrorism”, inciting violence and encouraging demonstrations which threatened to spark sectarian strife.

Bahrain, a key ally of the United States and home to the US Fifth Fleet, regularly accuses Shiite Iran of provoking unrest in the kingdom, which Tehran denies.

Bahrain’s interior ministry said in a statement Wednesday that authorities had “taken all required steps” to make sure the vote passes off safely.

King Hamad in September urged voters to take part in the vote, in which officials say 293 people are running for parliament.

A municipal poll coincides with the parliamentary vote.

Since 2011, authorities have imprisoned hundreds of dissidents — including top Shiite opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, who headed Al-Wefaq — and stripped many of their nationality.

Salman was sentenced to life in prison on November 4 for spying for rival Gulf state Qatar, in a ruling rights groups have called a travesty.

Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, severed ties with Qatar in 2017, banning their citizens from visiting or communicating with the emirate over its alleged ties to both Iran and radical Islamist groups.

Boycott calls
At least six people were detained and charged this month for “obstructing the electoral process”, according to statements released by Bahrain’s public prosecutor.

One of the six was Ali Rashed al-Asheeri, a former member of parliament with Al-Wefaq, according to the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy.

Asheeri had tweeted that he and his family would boycott the polls.

Al-Wefaq called for a boycott of this year’s parliamentary poll after a law issued in June barred “leaders and members of political associations dissolved for violating the kingdom’s constitution or its laws” from standing.

The 40-seat lower house has the authority to examine and pass legislation proposed by the king or cabinet.

However, the upper chamber, or Consultative Council, appointed by the king, has the power to block legislation passed by the lower house.

Jane Kinninmont, an analyst specialising in Gulf politics, said many citizens will either boycott or “simply not bother to vote” in this year’s elections.

“The elections will not change much as almost all the opposition parties are now banned and their leaders in jail,” she told AFP. Source:

https://guardian.ng/news/experts-cast-doubt-on-upcoming-bahrain-elections/

Jonathan denies being pressed by Okonjo-Iweala to reject 2015 results

Jonathan denies being pressed by Okonjo-Iweala to reject 2015 results




Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (left); former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Ghana ex-President, John Mahama; his counterparts, Goodluck Jonathan (Nigeria); Boni Yayi (Benin Republic) and Ernest Bai Koroma (Sierra Leone) at the presentation and formal launch of a book, My Transition Hours’by Jonathan in Abuja… PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has denied claims in a media report that he was pressed by then finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other former appointees to reject the 2015 presidential election results.

According to the story published in The Nation, “Jonathan said he rebuffed the advice by the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Mohammed Bello Adoke; Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, who was a compere at the book launch; and his Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Warpamowei Dudafa.”

In the book, Jonathan wrote, “They were recommending sundry alternatives, but I was quiet in the midst of their discussions. I hugged my thought, figuring out how to do that which was best for the country. My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large. I excused myself and left the conference.”

He added, “I walked into my study. Even there, my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me. Let the country survive. Let democracy survive. My political ambition is not worth people being…”

However, the former president said his statement in the book was misinterpreted in the media report.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story in the Nation newspaper titled ‘Jonathan: I was pressed to reject 2015 election result’ which erroneously claimed that some identified former aides and ministers of ex-President Jonathan advised him “not to accept defeat,” president Jonathan’s media aide Ikechukwu Eze said in a statement.

“This is obviously a gross misrepresentation of what was stated in the book which one wouldn’t ordinarily expect to read in a credible paper like The Nation.”

Eze explained that “President Jonathan had maintained that he never consulted anybody over the decision to call and congratulate his opponent while the results of the 2015 Presidential election was still being tallied.”

He stated that “the decision to concede defeat was one he took without any compelling, the former President is however grateful to those who were with him at that moment and many other Nigerians that shared in his conviction to put across the historic phone call (to then president-elect Muhammadu Buhari).

The former president’s spokesman, however, urged journalists to “keep their interpretative reporting within the limits of credible and constructive imagination.” Source:

https://guardian.ng/news/jonathan-denies-being-pressed-by-okonjo-iweala-to-reject-2015-results/

Buhari, Atiku, others scheduled for presidential debate on December 14

Buhari, Atiku, others scheduled for presidential debate on December 14

…Osinbajo, Obi, others scheduled for January 19

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

The Nigerian Election Debate Group has fixed December 14, 2018 for a debate for presidential candidates of different political parties taking part in the 2019 elections.


The vice presidential candidates are billed to have their debate on January 19, 2019.

The group’s chairman, Mr. John Momoh, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Momoh who is also the chairman of the Broadcasting Organisation added that the debates will hold at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and will be broadcast live by all BON members.


President Muhammadu Buhari is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar with Mr. Peter Obi as his running mate.

Details later…


source: punchng.com

Nissan board meets to oust fallen tycoon Ghosn as chairman

Nissan board meets to oust fallen tycoon Ghosn as chairman



AFP/File / Yoshikazu TSUNO Carlos Ghosn once dominated Nissan

Top executives from crisis-hit Japanese car giant Nissan gathered to sack Carlos Ghosn as chairman Thursday, after his spectacular arrest for financial misconduct stunned the car industry and the business world.

Ghosn stands accused of under-reporting his income by millions of dollars, along with a host of other financial irregularities, in a stunning fall from grace for the once-revered titan of the auto sector.

The 64-year-old Brazil-born tycoon is credited with turning around the Japanese brand and forged an alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors that last year sold 10.6 million cars between them -- more than any other firm in the world.

Ghosn's fate appears all but sealed after his hand-picked replacement as CEO, Hiroto Saikawa, launched an astonishing broadside at his mentor following his arrest Monday at a Tokyo airport as he landed in his private jet.

Saikawa said "too much authority" had been placed in the chairman's hands and lamented the "dark side of the Ghosn era", as he called the board meeting to fire him.


AFP / Jonathan WALTER The crisis appeared to be going from bad to worse for Nissan, as the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported that prosecutors believe the firm also had a case to answer. Both Nissan and the authorities declined to comment


The meeting started around 0700 GMT with seven board members voting on the motion to dismiss Ghosn, which needs a simple majority to pass.

Insiders say Saikawa would likely not have suggested the ouster unless he were sure of support from his fellow board members.

"This would not have been proposed if there had been any doubt and the results of the investigations have already been presented to the board members," a source close to the company told AFP.

Appointing a new chairman will take some time as it has to be approved by shareholders, but Saikawa is seen as front-runner.

Even if removed as chairman, Ghosn will technically remain on the board as a shareholders' meeting is required to oust him.

- 'Huge sums' -

Ghosn is being held in a Tokyo detention centre and has not been seen in public nor made any comments since his arrest.


 AFP / Toshifumi KITAMURA Ghosn is being held in spartan conditions at a Tokyo detention centre

He received a visit from Brazilian consul Joao de Mendonca on Thursday, who told AFP that Ghosn "sounded very well, in good health".

On Wednesday, prosecutors successfully applied to extend his custody for an additional 10 days as they step up their questioning.

Authorities believe Ghosn and an American executive Greg Kelly "conspired to understate Ghosn's income five times between June 2011 to June 2015", reporting a total of five billion yen ($44 million) instead of the actual 10 billion yen.

Deputy chief prosecutor Shin Kukimoto said that the type of crime Ghosn is accused of is "one of the most serious types of crime" under Japan's Financial Instruments Act.

Under the law, companies themselves can also be held accountable for the falsified documents, Kukimoto said, following reports that prosecutors believe Nissan also has a case to answer.

Kukimoto said Ghosn faces a fine of 10 million yen and/or 10 years behind bars if convicted.

Public broadcaster NHK said Nissan had paid "huge sums" to provide Ghosn with luxury homes in Rio de Janeiro, Beirut, Paris and Amsterdam "without any legitimate business reason".

Ghosn had a reputation as a hard-nosed workaholic with no qualms about closing factories and slashing jobs -- earning the nickname "Le Cost Killer" in France, where 47,000 people work for Renault.


AFP / Toshifumi KITAMURA Japanese authorities have extended Ghosn's detention by 10 days, media reported Wednesday


But his exorbitant salary and flashy lifestyle -- at odds with Japanese corporate culture -- drew fire and his current accommodation will be a far cry from his usual expensive surroundings.

He is thought to be alone in his detention cell in northern Tokyo, with 30 minutes of daily exercise and two baths a week.

- 'Couple divorcing' -

The arrest has sparked questions over whether the alliance of Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors can survive without Ghosn, seen as the glue holding together his fractious creation, which globally employs around 450,000 people.

According to the Financial Times, the fall from grace came as Ghosn was working on a full-blown merger of Nissan and Renault.

This was opposed by executives in the Japanese firm that has ended up being the most profitable player in the partnership and the FT said Ghosn's departure could be used as a pretext to rebalance the alliance in Nissan's favour.

Renault has held off jettisoning Ghosn, pointedly saying Nissan had failed to share the evidence it had gathered with its sister company.

Governments in Paris and Tokyo have been scrambling to contain the fallout from the arrest, with President Emmanuel Macron saying France would be "extremely vigilant" about the stability of Renault and the alliance.

Analysts said that despite clear tensions between the two firms headquartered 10,000 kilometres apart, neither company has the financial might alone to make the heavy investments in electric vehicles considered to be the industry's future.

"It would be like a couple divorcing after 20 years -- it would be complicated, very expensive and not easy to do," said Gaetan Toulemonde, an analyst at Deutsche Bank.

"Honestly, I don't know if it's even possible."

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source: AFP

Greenhouse gas levels in atmosphere hit new high: UN

Greenhouse gas levels in atmosphere hit new high: UN
source: AFP



GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / MARK WILSON 'The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago,' World Meteorological Organization chief Petteri Taalas said

The levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, have hit a new record high, the UN said Thursday, warning that the time to act was running out.

Ahead of the COP 24 climate summit in Poland next month, top United Nations officials are again trying to raise the pressure on governments to meet the pledge of limiting warming to the less than two degrees Celsius, enshrined in the 2015 Paris accord.

"Without rapid cuts in CO2 and other greenhouse gases, climate change will have increasingly destructive and irreversible impacts on life on Earth," the head of the World Meteorological Organization Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

"The window of opportunity for action is almost closed."

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the UN weather agency's annual flagship report, tracks the content of dangerous gases in the atmosphere since 1750.

This year's report, which covers data for 2017, puts the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere at 405.5 parts per million (ppm).

That is up from 403.3 ppm in 2016 and 400.1 ppm in 2015.


AFP / Simon MALFATTO, Paz PIZARRO Record levels of greenhouse gases in 2017


"The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3°C warmer," Taalas said.

Researchers have reliable estimates of C02 concentrations rates going back 800,000 years using air bubbles preserved in ice in Greenland and Antarctica.

But by studying fossilised material the WMO also has rough CO2 estimates going back up to five million years.

In addition to CO2, the UN agency also highlighted rising levels of methane, nitrous oxide and another powerful ozone depleting gas known as CFC-11.

- 'No magic wand' -

Emissions are the main factor that determines the amount of greenhouse gas levels, but concentration rates are a measure of what remains after a series of complex interactions between atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, cryosphere and the oceans.

Roughly 25 percent of all emissions are currently absorbed by the oceans and biosphere -- a term that accounts for all ecosystems on Earth.

The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that in order to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, net CO2 emissions must be at net zero, meaning the amount being pumped into the atmosphere must equal the amount being removed, either though natural absorbtion or technological innovation.

WMO's deputy chief, Elena Manaenkova, noted that CO2 remains in the atmosphere and oceans for hundreds of years.

"There is currently no magic wand to remove all the excess CO2 from the atmosphere," she said.

"Every fraction of a degree of global warming matters, and so does every part per million of greenhouse gases," she said.

According to the UN, 17 of the 18 hottest years on record have occurred since 2001, while the cost of climate-related disasters in 2017 topped $500 billion (439 billion euros).

US troops limited to batons on Mexico border

US troops limited to batons on Mexico border
source: AFP
https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/us-troops-limited-batons-mexico-border-doc-1b08382

AFP / Thomas WATKINS Soldiers from the Kentucky-based 19th Engineer Battalion have installed barbed and concertina wire in Laredo, Texas

US troops stationed on the border with Mexico ahead of the expected arrival of a Central American migrant caravans can intervene to quell violence but will be armed only with batons, Defense Minister Jim Mattis said on Wednesday.

The White House has given almost 5,800 troops posted along the frontier guidance that they can come to the aid of any Customs and Border Protection agents who come under attack, Mattis told reporters.

But even if migrants try to force their way through border posts, they will likely be met by military police with shields and batons, with "no armed element going in," he added.

In all, some 8,000 migrants are currently crossing Mexico in several caravans, according to the Mexican interior ministry.

They are mostly fleeing poverty and unrest in Central America's "Northern Triangle" -- El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, where brutal gang violence has fueled some of the highest murder rates in the world.

President Donald Trump ordered troops to the border in a move critics decried as a costly political stunt to galvanize supporters ahead of hard-fought midterm elections earlier this month.

Trump declared the exodus a "national emergency" and an "invasion" -- suggesting US troops could shoot migrants if they threw stones at the US border -- but he has since been less vocal on the issue.

The US military is not allowed in almost any case to get involved in domestic law enforcement and the border mission has put the supposedly non-political military in an uncomfortable spotlight.

Mattis said he had taken no decision on the duration of the deployment, initially expected until December 15, because that would depend on HOW the mission developed, he said.

The estimated cost is currently $72 million but "I am confident that number will go up," the Pentagon chief said.

African great Drogba retires from football

News

African great Drogba retires from football



GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / Christian Petersen Drogba spent the last four years of his career playing in North America

Ivory Coast and Chelsea great Didier Drogba announced his retirement on Wednesday after a 20-year career.

The 40-year-old scored 164 goals in 381 appearances for Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League, while he is also Ivory Coast's all-time record goalscorer with 65.

Drogba most recently played for Phoenix Rising in the United Soccer League.

"I wanna thank all the players, managers, teams and fans that I have met and made this journey one of a kind," he wrote in a statement on Twitter.

"If anyone tells you your dreams are too big, just say thank you and work harder and smarter to turn them into a reality."

Drogba played club football in six different countries in total, with the majority of his success coming in France and England.

He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2006-07 and 2009-10, netting 104 times in the English top flight in total, and also scored a dramatic late equaliser when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on penalties in the Champions League final six years ago.

Drogba's last game was Phoenix's 1-0 loss to Louisville City in the USL Cup final on November 8.

source: AFP

Silent plane with no moving parts makes 'historic' flight

Silent plane with no moving parts makes 'historic' flight



 AFP / Simon MALFATTO A plane powered by supercharged air particles

The blue glowing jets of science fiction spacecraft came a step closer to reality on Wednesday as US physicists unveiled the world's first solid-state aeroplane powered in flight by supercharged air molecules.

More than a century on from the Wright brothers' first artificial flight, scientists hailed the "historic" test of the new technology, which could eventually slash greenhouse-gas emissions from aviation.

Ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright's momentous glide in the winter of 1903, aircraft have been driven by propellers or jets that must burn fuel to create the thrust and lift needed for sustained flight.

A team of experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology managed to unlock a process known as electroaerodynamics, previously never seen as a plausible way to power an aircraft.

They were able to fly the new plane, with a wingspan of five metres (16 feet), a distance of 55 metres at a speed of 4.8 metres-per-second.

That's hardly supersonic, but the implications of this unprecedented mode of flight could be stratospheric.

"The future of flight shouldn't be things like propellers and turbines," said Steven Barrett, who designed the prototype.

"It should be more like what you see in Star Trek with a kind of blue glow and something that silently glides through the air."

At first glance, the plane itself doesn't look lightyears away from other renewable aircraft, such as the Solar Impact II craft that in 2015-16 used energy from the Sun to fly around the world.

Unlike Solar Impact, Barrett's plane doesn't have any propellers or solar panels -- or any moveable parts whatsoever.

Instead of engines, it is powered by a system comprising two main sections.

At the front of the plane sit a series of parallel electrodes made up of lightweight wires that produce an enormous voltage -- +20,000v -- supercharging the air around it and splitting away negatively charged nitrogen molecules known as ions.

At the plane's rear are rows of aerofoils set to -20,000v. The ions automatically move from a positive to negative charge, dragging with them air particles that create the so-called "ionic wind" to provide the aircraft with lift.

- 'Something we never knew possible' -


Solar Impulse 2/AFP/File / Bertrand Piccard The news plane itself doesn't look lightyears away from other renewable aircraft, such as the Solar Impact II craft that in 2015-16 used energy from the Sun to fly around the world


The technology to create ionic wind has been around since the 1960s, but it was previously thought nowhere near efficient enough to prove useful to aeronautics.

The team not only showed that it was possible for ion-driven craft to fly but also -- due to the relative lack of drag created by the electrodes -- predicted that efficiency would increase in lockstep with speed, potentially opening the way for bigger, faster planes in future.

"It's clearly very early days: but the team at MIT have done something we never previously knew was possible, in using accelerated ionised gas to propel an aircraft," said Guy Gratton, aerospace engineer and visiting professor at Cranfield University, who was not involved in the study.

Barrett said he believed the current prototype could be scaled up "a significant amount" but cautioned that their may be a limit to how much propulsion the technique can produce.

"We don't yet know if there is such a limit and we will certainly try to scale up as much as possible," he said.

"I don't yet know if you'll see our vehicle carrying people any time soon but obviously I'd be very excited if that was the case."

- Commercial applications -


AFP/File / JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER Ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright's momentous glide in the winter of 1903, aircraft have been driven by propellers or jets that must burn fuel to create the thrust and lift needed for sustained flight

He told AFP that the technology could be used on the skin of commercial aircraft, reducing drag and therefore the energy needed to power modern passenger jets.

"This would be much more efficient than the current situation where you have concentrated engines that generate thrust, which have to fight against a large passive airframe that generates drag," he said.

In an editorial, the journal Nature, which published the study, said its success would encourage other sectors to re-visit technology that was long thought to be confined to sci-fi films.

It listed possible military applications including the development of silent drones and aircraft, and engines with no infrared signal and thus impossible to detect.

The prototype flight "will stimulate both awe and anxiety," it said.

A hundred and fifteen years ago, Nature published a short news item on the Wright brothers' "first successful achievement of artificial flight."

Barrett and the team noted a pleasing parallel with their revolutionary test and the one that sparked the aerial age: both flights lasted all of 12 seconds.

source: AFP