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Buhari signs Federal Polytechnics Amendment, Security Studies bills into law

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Buhari signs Federal Polytechnics Amendment, Security Studies bills into law

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja signed into law the Federal Polytechnics Amendment bill and the National Institute for Security Studies bill.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Alhaji Umar El-Yakub disclosed this when he addressed State House Correspondents on Tuesday.

According to him, the new Act on Federal Polytechnics now pegs the tenure of Rectors of Federal Polytechnics at single five-year tenure.

He said, “The Federal Polytechnics Amendment Bill sought to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act of 2004, whereby there were amendments to several sections of that Act.

“This includes the tenure of the Rectors, which has now been harmonised to five-year single tenure and whereby a Rector is currently serving the old four-year tenure, he/she will have an additional year to make it five.

“The amended Act now stipulates that the Polytechnics will now have Governing Councils of five members, reflecting the national character, comprising a lady, an alumnus of the Polytechnics and a person from the area where the Polytechnic is based.”

According to the presidential aide, the National Institute for Security Studies ACT now paves the way for the establishment of the institute with a view to ensuring that middle and senior managers in the security environment have their competences improved.

El-Yakub also said when operational, the institute would serve as a critical research organisation, “with a view to ensuring that there are competent people managing the security environment for global peace and stability.’’

I NEVER SAID I WILL FIX APAPA GRIDLOCK IN 60 DAYS – SANWO-OLU MAKES U-TURN

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I NEVER SAID I WILL FIX APAPA GRIDLOCK IN 60 DAYS – SANWO-OLU MAKES U-TURN

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has made a U-turn, insisting that he never promised to solve the Apapa gridlock crisis in 60 days.

The governor said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.

Sanwo-Olu, who was still governor-elect on May 18, 2019 had during an interactive session with his classmates at the Executive Master of Business Administration class, University of Lagos, 1998/2000 set, said that he would end the protracted gridlock in Apapa area of the state within the first 60 days of his administration.

He said not minding the politics involved, he would rid the area of all the trailers whose operations have been responsible for the intractable gridlock.

Sanwo-Olu had said, “The Apapa trailer issue; it’s a campaign issue, it’s very serious. I’m going to take it very seriously. I believe that it is something that we are going to solve in the first 60 days of our government. Whatever is going to be required of us, we will take them out.

“There is a lot of politics being played around there. But no, it cannot be the way we’ll continue to live. We cannot continue to give excuses.”

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, however, the governor said he never promised to clear the traffic congestion in 60 days rather, he would review what has been done on Apapa roads in 60 days.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up a task force to address the Apapa issue but said a permanent solution would only be reached when the port has been decongested.

NIGERIA HAS LOWEST REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – NDI/IRI

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NIGERIA HAS LOWEST REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – NDI/IRI

The joint Nigeria International Election Observation Mission of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) at the presentation of its final report on the 2019 Nigerian elections, decried the low representation of women in elective positions. The groups noted that Nigeria has the lowest number of women (3%) elected to public offices in the entire sub-saharan African region.

The public presentation featured a panel discussion with Professor Remi Sonaiya, a former presidential candidate on the platform of KOWA party. Other panelists included the national chairman of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim and Simon Karu, a newly elected House of reps member representing Kaltungo-Shongom constituency of Gombe state.

Remi Sonaiya also lamented that women were not only short changed in elective positions but also in appointive positions. On her part, the former lecturer said she now, more than ever, favour a legislation that would guarantee female representation in public offices.

“What it means is that we are denying ourselves the enrichment that these women can bring to the running of our affairs.”, she said.

Yusuf Ibrahim disagreed that a legislation on women participation will efficiently remedy low participation of women in political offices.

“Even if we have a special legislation for that, most of the things that such legislation would want to address would still be happening and more”, Mr Bashir Yusuf said.

He further said that the concentration should be more on capacity and competence.

2019 POLLS FELL SHORT OF 2015 STANDARDS – IRI, NDI

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2019 POLLS FELL SHORT OF 2015 STANDARDS – IRI, NDI

The joint Nigeria International Election Observation Mission of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) released its final report on the 2019 Nigerian elections. The final report is a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process and includes important recommendations ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.

This final report builds on the findings and recommendations of three pre-election assessment missions in July 2018, September 2018, and December 2018 as well as preliminary statements released following the February 23, 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections.

The NDI/IRI observation mission in its report concluded that the 2019 elections did not meet the expectations of many Nigerians, citing the last-minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections on the morning of Feb. 16 and delays in opening some polling units and other administrative challenges on Feb. 23 that undermined public confidence in INEC. The joint observation mission said they observed many serious irregularities, including vote buying, intimidation of voters and election officials, and election-related violence.

The groups therefore urged the Nigerian government to pursue a comprehensive, inclusive and expeditious electoral reform process as well as establish time limit for the adjudication of pre-election petitions. They further recommended improved coordination between security agencies and INEC and the provision of electoral security, enforce electoral law by investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of election-related criminal act.

When asked how they would rate the 2019 elections in comparison to 2015’s, Mr Christopher Fomunyoh of NDI said 2015 elections was one the most credible elctions in the country’s history.

“The 2019 general elections fell significantly short of standards set in 2015. Citizens’ confidence in elections was shaken,” said Dr. Daniel Twining, IRI President. “Election stakeholders should take concrete steps to address the concerns of citizens with regards to the polls in order to rekindle their faith in the power and possibility of credible elections.”

“The 2019 elections highlighted for many Nigerians the need for a national conversation about the country’s democratization since the 1999 transition to civilian rule,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, NDI President. “We hope this report may both spur and contribute to enriching that national conversation.”

Michel Platini questioned over awarding of World Cup to Qatar

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Michel Platini questioned over awarding of World Cup to Qatar

Former Uefa president Michel Platini is being questioned by French anti-corruption investigators over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Platini, 63, was head of European football’s governing body until being banned in 2015 for ethics breaches.

The former France midfielder and three-time Ballon d’Or winner has always denied any wrongdoing.

Qatar beat bids from USA, Australia, South Korea and Japan in 2010.

Platini is in custody and being questioned in Nanterre, a suburb in western Paris.

Officials have been investigating alleged corruption connected to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups for the past two years and were reported to have interviewed Sepp Blatter, the former president of world governing body Fifa, in 2017.

In a statement, Platini’s lawyers reiterated he had not been arrested and has “expressed himself serenely and precisely, answering all the questions, including those on the conditions for the awarding of Euro 2016, and has provided useful explanations”.

They added: “He has nothing to do with this event which doesn’t concern him at all. He is absolutely confident about what’s next.”

Platini was banned over a 2m Swiss francs (£1.3m) “disloyal payment” from Blatter, who was also banned from football for his part in the matter. Blatter has also always denied any wrongdoing.

Platini’s eight-year ban was later reduced to four on appeal and will expire in October 2019.

Qatar’s bid team has been previously accused of corruption, but was cleared following a two-year Fifa inquiry.

Global Anti-terrorism Conference honours Buratai with multiple awards in London

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Global Anti-terrorism Conference honours Buratai with multiple awards in London

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has
been honoured with two Special Awards at the first ever Global Anti-terrorism and Counter-terrorism Conference and Workshop at the University Square, Stratford, London, United Kingdom.

The First Award is – The Pave The Way Award For Exceptional Bravery And Peace Building in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region under Multinational Joint Task Force which are Focal Points of DAESH/ISIS.

While the Second Award is – The Certified Master of Anti-Terrorism Specialist Award.

According to the organisers, the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB) and Global Risk International United Kingdom. “Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai is the first African to get this award”.

Represented by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs Major General US Mohammed, the Chief of Army Staff delivered a lecture titled: “Nigeria Unique Counter Insurgency – A Working Counterterrorism Model For Replication in Africa”

Lampard to Chelsea ‘is going to happen’ – Harry Redknapp

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Lampard to Chelsea ‘is going to happen’ – Harry Redknapp

Frank Lampard becoming Chelsea manager “looks like it’s going to happen”, says his uncle Harry Redknapp.

Derby boss Lampard, 40, is the favourite to replace Maurizio Sarri after the Italian left Stamford Bridge to take charge of Juventus.

Lampard led the Rams to the Championship play-off final last season – his first year in management.

“If Chelsea come calling, it’s a difficult one for him to turn down,” Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“In my personal opinion, he’ll be the manager of Chelsea.

“It looks to me like it’s going to happen.”

Redknapp – who managed teams including Portsmouth, Southampton, West Ham, Tottenham and QPR – revealed he had personally told Derby chairman Mel Morris to hire Lampard, who he says “wasn’t even on the radar”.

If Lampard was to return to Stamford Bridge, where he won three Premier League titles and the Champions League as a player, Redknapp says there would be little pressure on him.

“It’s a no-lose situation unless he finishes outside the top six. Anything in the top six would be ok, but the Champions League would be a good season,” he said.

“No one is expecting him to finish first or second, third maybe. If he makes the Champions League next year, he’s going to be a success.”

Redknapp, 72, added: “He’s a true legend at Chelsea, one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

“It may not come along again, you never know in football, the opportunity is there for him to go back now.

“He has a house around the corner from the training ground, his wife works in London.”

Woman sits final year exams 30 minutes after giving birth

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Woman sits final year exams 30 minutes after giving birth

A woman in Ethiopia took her final year exams in hospital just 30 minutes after giving birth to a baby boy.

Almaz Derese, 21, went into labor overnight Monday and delivered her baby on the day her secondary school exams were due to start.
Derese told CNN she did not want to wait another year to sit the exams.
“Although it was very hard to take an exam after giving birth, I did not want to waste the opportunity that I tirelessly worked for a decade,” she said.
Derese, who lives in the Illu Aba Bora district, in Ethiopia’s southwest, sat for papers in English, Maths and Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language.
Kebede Negesu, the district’s education head, said they assigned an examiner to monitor her while she wrote the exams at the hospital.
“Her husband told us [Almaz] was unable to sit for the exam in a classroom, and we asked her whether she would be able to take the exam or not. She said ‘yes,'” Negesu said.
Almaz got married at the age of 17, but says her husband always encouraged her to continue her education.
“My husband was so supportive, and he always encouraged me to be strong in my education. When I say that I must take the exam right after giving birth, he did not hesitate to help me,” she said.
Almaz returned to the exam center on Tuesday to take more tests.
It is not unusual for pregnant girls to continue their education in secondary schools in Ethiopia, where more than 40 percent of young girls are married before the age of 18.
According to a 2018 UNICEF report, the country is home to 15 million child brides, and more than a third of them were married before they were 15 years.
More than 11 students, who gave birth since the start of the National Examinations on Monday have also sat for their tests, a spokeswoman for Ethiopia’s education said.
“We have seen more students giving birth. The number has more than tripled since last year,” Haregua Mamo said.
About 1.2 million students are taking the national examination, of which half are women, according to Haregua.

Ebola outbreak in Congo still not a international health emergency, W.H.O says

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Ebola outbreak in Congo still not a international health emergency, W.H.O says

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not constitute a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organization said Friday.

WHO defines a public health emergency of international concern as “an extraordinary event” that constitutes a “public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease” and “to potentially require a coordinated international response.”
In announcing the decision by the committee, Dr. Preben Aavitsland, the acting chair of the emergency committee, said “possible unintended consequences” and risks of an emergency declaration had been “extensively debated” by the committee members. Possible risks include border closures and restrictions on travel and trade that could “severely harm the economy” in Congo, he said. “This is not a global emergency. This is an emergency for [Congo] and it may affect neighboring countries.”
Ultimately, the committee decided there was “potentially a lot to lose” by declaring a public health emergency, said Aavitsland, who emphasized that funding is needed to continue efforts to contain the outbreak.
The international community must “step up funding and strengthen support” for preparedness in Congo and neighboring countries, he said.

KFC is launching a vegan chicken burger

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KFC is launching a vegan chicken burger

KFC is jumping on the meat-free bandwagon, launching a vegan version of its signature crispy chicken burger in the United Kingdom.

The fast food chain is calling its first plant-based offering “The Imposter.” The burger, which uses a Quorn fillet and vegan mayo, will be sold at select restaurants for four weeks starting June 17.
Quorn is a meat substitute that gets its protein content from a fermented fungus. KFC describes the burger as “a triumph of deception.”
KFC is the latest in a series of restaurant chains and food producers to attempt to capitalize on the public’s growing appetite for meat alternatives.
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