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SSS releases Nnamdi Kanu to visit his doctors

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Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB,) says the IPOB leader has finally undergone his medical examination.

Mr Ejiofor, in a statement on Saturday, said Mr Kanu underwent the medical examination in an unnamed hospital in Abuja on Friday.

“…We are pleased to inform you that Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu met with his choice personal physician yesterday (Friday) in a hospital in Abuja, outside the facility of the State Security Service (SSS),” he said.

Mr Kanu, facing a terrorism trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, has been detained at the SSS facility since he was rearrested in June 2021.

Mr Kanu, since 2022, repeatedly requested access to his medical doctors to enable him to conduct an independent medical examination, as earlier ordered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on 20 October 2021.

But the SSS declined to allow a private medical examination of the separatist leader.

Angered by the SSS’ action, Mr Kanu, through his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, sued the SSS at the Federal High Court Abuja.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2341/2022, the IPOB leader prayed to the court for an order granting him unhindered access to medical doctors of his choice for his health condition.

The SSS, through their lawyer, A.M. Danladi, asked the court to discountenance the application, arguing that records show the IPOB leader was “clinically stable.”

The secret police insisted that Mr Kanu had been receiving adequate medical attention at its facility.

But delivering judgement on 20 July, the judge, Binta Nyako, ordered the SSS to grant Mr Kanu access to his medical records and doctors of his choice.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Planned strike will cripple Nigeria, Senate appeals to NLC

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Nigeria Labour Congress

Amid the impending nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Senate has issued an urgent plea, requesting that the labour union reconsiders its planned action.

The Senate’s appeal stems from a deep concern about the strike’s potentially drastic impact on everyday Nigerians, warning that the nation could be plunged into a state of extreme hardship.

Addressing the situation, the Senate on Monday expressed that while the legislative body respects the NLC’s right to protest, it is crucial to weigh this against the potential fallout that could greatly affect citizens’ daily lives and livelihoods.

With the Nigerian economy still reeling from the effects of the global pandemic and the ongoing recovery efforts, a widespread labour strike could further strain the economy, leading to inflation, scarcity of goods and services, and significant inconvenience to the populace.

The Senate also emphasized the legislature’s commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue with the NLC to address its grievances. By focusing on negotiation and communication, it is hoped that a compromise can be reached that safeguards the rights and interests of the workers, while also ensuring the smooth functioning of the nation’s economy.

The Upper Chamber further called upon other relevant stakeholders, including the Federal Government and private sector representatives, to join in the dialogue with the NLC. Such a broad-based discussion, it is hoped, would lead to a more comprehensive and long-lasting solution to the issues at hand.

As the nation watches the developments unfold, the collective hope is for a peaceful resolution that prioritises the welfare of workers and maintains economic stability. With the proposed strike looming, the call for dialogue and understanding has never been more critical.

Credit: channelstv.com

Ministerial Screening: You won’t regret nominating me –Wike tells Tinubu

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Nyesom Wike, appearing before the Senate for ministerial screening

Minister-designate, Nyesom Wike has assured President Bola Tinubu of his loyalty if he becomes a Senator. Wike said Tinubu would not regret nominating him as a minister if confirmed.

He disclosed this during his ministerial screening on the floor of the Senate on Monday.

The former Rivers State governor also boasted of infrastructural development while he was a minister.

According to Wike: “In four years I constructed 12 flyovers which were done by Julius Berger.

“I never left my state during my second tenure and when I was leaving women brought out their wrappers to say well done my son you have done well.

“Mr president will not regret nominating me if I’m confirmed.”

The Senate on Monday commenced screening of ministerial nominees submitted to it by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday last week.

The upper legislative Chamber, had, Thursday last week adopted a resolution to conduct confirmation proceedings on days outside the normal sitting days to finish the exercise in record time before proceeding on annual vacation.

In the first batch, President Tinubu submitted 26 ministerial nominees, saying, others from States not reflected would follow suit in a few days.

It cannot be confirmed at the moment if nominees from states yet to be appointed will be communicated before Senators embark on their annual recess.

Credit: dailypost.ng

House of Reps committee to amend existing laws in fight against HIV/Aids, Malaria

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Nigeria House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Committee on HIV, Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria has pledged to make necessary amendments to existing laws to ensure the fight against Malaria, HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis is enhanced.

The Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Ogah stated this while addressing a press conference on Monday in Abuja.

He said the committee will work with relevant stakeholders to enhance the fight against Malaria, HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis and also ensure that monies budgeted for are used for the purpose for which they are made.

Ogah said: “The House Committee on HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria control is not unmindful of the challenges faced by Nigerians in the fight against these ailments, especially the control of Malaria in the country, which appears to defile solutions.

The Chairman pledged that the committee would work assiduously in line with the 10th legislative agenda in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people and collaborate with the present administration in the fight against HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Ogah stressed that the committee was ready to hit the ground running in view of the enormous responsibility ahead.

The Chairman said according to the World Health Organization, four African countries accounts for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide, saying Nigeria tops the list with 31.3%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 12.6%, Tanzania (4.1%) and Niger (3.9%)

Ogah said he was aware that the WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, which was updated in 2021, provides a technical framework for all malaria- endemic countries, including Nigeria.

He added that the document was expected to guide and support regional and country programmes on malaria control as they work towards control and elimination of malaria.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Budget Review: 1D1F creates 160k direct and indirect jobs

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1D1F

More than 160,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, especially for the youth, who have been mobilised to establish agro-processing factories in 58 districts as part of the One District One Factory Initiative.

Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, said as of June 2023, 126 factories were operational nationwide, adding that in line with the Government’s unwavering commitment to industrialisation, the implementation of the Initiative was on course.

The Minister said this when he presented the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Statement and Policy Review to Parliament in Accra.

The Review was to provide an update on economic performance for the first–half year of 2023 and outlook for the rest of the year; provide an update on the implementation of the IMF-supported Post COVID-19 -Programme of Economic Growth (PC-PEG), including update on structural reforms and the progress towards achieving the quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets.

It was also to provide an update on the Debt Restructuring Programme; present a revised 2023 fiscal framework which aligns with the IMF supported PC-PEG; and outline the government’s Growth Strategy to drive the recovery process.

He said in the 2023 Budget, the Government outlined a series of measures to mitigate the impact of the severe economic challenges and to preserve growth.

These include the implementation of flagship programmes such as One District One Factory, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) – Phase II, Strategic Anchor Industries, Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP), GhanaCARES, YouStart, Agenda 111, among others.

The Minister said within the context of the IMF-backed PC-PEG, these interventions assume greater significance in promoting growth and medium-term fiscal consolidation.

“In addition, as stated earlier, we are pursuing a social protection agenda to mitigate the impact of adjustment on the vulnerable,” he added.

He said as of May 2023, total payment under the Agenda 111 Initiative stood at US$189.34 million, with 83 active project sites in all 16 regions of the country.

The Initiative was to address infrastructure deficit in the health sector and improve healthcare outcomes in the country.

On agriculture and food security, the Planting for Food and Jobs had brought substantial improvements in Ghana’s agriculture sector.

The Minister said this had resulted in increased food security, employment along agricultural value chains, and accessibility of raw materials for developing industries.

The programme has directly contributed to increased crop yields for major food staples such as maize, rice, and soya by 135 per cent, 67 per cent and 18 per cent respectively within the period.

He said after a comprehensive review, the Government was finalising PFJ Phase II to ensure a more efficient and targeted support for the agricultural sector.

The key elements of Phase II are Inputs Credit System, Storage and Distribution Infrastructure, Commodity Trading and Digitised Platform.

In the area of the GhanaCARES “OBAATAN PA” programme, Mr. Ofori-Atta said, “I can report that efforts toward promoting commercial agriculture, building technological capability, and advancing digitalisation under the programme are on track.”

He said last year, he indicated that the Government was spearheading the Economic Enclaves Project (EEP) to establish ‘growth poles’ in key locations, including Kasunya (Greater Accra), Kumawu (Ashanti) and Banda (Oti Region).

The approach under the EEP is to provide agriculture infrastructure and land development support to entrepreneurial youth and the formal private sector.

He said to enhance production and value-addition in the enclaves, the provision of ancillary services such as housing, training facilities, irrigation canals, farm roads, and electricity have also commenced.

He said to equip participants with entrepreneurial skills, investment readiness tools as well as coaching and mentoring services under the YouStart initiative, 26,626 persons nationwide have received business advisory support services.

“We will continue to work with participating financial institutions, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme and Ghana Enterprises Agency to provide soft loans and managerial skills for the setting-up of youth-led enterprises,” he added.

By Morkporkpor Anku

Source: GNA

250 schools contest in the 2023 STEMNNOVATION project 

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Officials from competing schools in group photograph with the Education Minister

A total of two hundred and fifty-second cycle institutions in the country have registered to participate in the 2023 edition of the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project competition dubbed “STEMNNOVATION”.

The competition officially starts with the submission of project videos from all contesting institutions nationwide from 25th to 29th September, 2023 after training staff, regional coordinators, coaches and their students, and judges from June7 to August 8, 2023.

Out of the 244 contesting institutions, 123 of them will be submitting innovative projects in urban gardening, 69 in the flexible use of electricity and 52 submitting videos on clean water projects.

Eastern and Ashanti regions submitted the highest number of contesting schools with 46 entries each, whilst Western North region registered only three entries for the competition.

Speaking to the media in Accra, on Friday, the Deputy Coordinator of the Free Senior High School Secretariat, Miss Afrah Mensah Sika, stated that the competition will see all the participating schools locking horns with their creative potential in finding solutions to challenges confronting their immediate community or the country.

She indicated that all the participating institutions are current beneficiaries of the Free Senior High Programme and would use the contest to assess what they have been learning at school, at home or outside school with their peers in their societies.

Miss Afra Sika explained that Pre-judging and shortlisting of the top 20 in each project category will be done between 2nd and 5th October, followed by online judging of the top 20 in each category from 9th to 13th October, 2023.

The Deputy Coordinator stated that after the online of the top 20, those who would qualify for the grand finale pitch camp in Accra from 24th October to prepare for the ultimate finals scheduled to take place on 26th October 2023.

She hinted that each institution would be represented by two students making the presentation of their projects, adding that this year’s edition of the event would be more competitive.

This year’s competition, which has the theme: “Future–Proofing Socio-Economic Development in Ghana through STEM Education” creates an opportunity for all Senior High Schools, as well as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions, to showcase their prowess in innovative projects.

Last year, a total of 200 schools submitted videos of their projects meant for the contest but only 97 of the schools qualified after going through vetting by the team of experts put together for that purpose.

The Kumasi Academy Senior High School won the maiden edition of the competition after scoring 24.6 points to beat Pope John Senior High and Seminary and Worawora Senior High School with 24.4 and 23.8 points to place 1st and 2nd runner-up respectively.

For emerging winners, Kumasi Academy SHS took home a trophy, a laptop, a printer and a GH¢12,000 cash prize.

By Felix Baidoo

‘Education Ministry would not interfere in Adisadel College investigations’ 

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Mr Nti Fordjour interacting with the students

The Education Ministry has announced that it would not interfere in any investigations being undertaken by any state institution interested in the recent bullying incident at Adisadel College in Cape Coast.

The Deputy Minister for Education, in charge of General Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, who announced this, explained that although the Ministry and the Ghana Education Service have their regulations on resolving issues they would, however, not hinder any other state institutions interested in investigating the issue.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour announced this when he interacted with the staff and management of Adisadel College, in Accra, on Thursday.

Students of Adisadel College

The Deputy Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Director General of GES, Mr Stephen Kwaku Owusu, the Central Regional Director of Education, Mr Emmanuel Essuman and others

Rev. Ntim Fordjour explained that there was the need for all Ghanaians, irrespective of age and location, to understand that there are laws governing the behaviour and conduct of every Ghanaian, so there was the need for people to be mindful of how they conduct themselves.

The laws must work

He stated that apart from the general laws binding all adults, there are also laws governing juveniles’ behaviour and, therefore, reminded all residents in the country to watch how they behave at every point in time.

The Deputy Minister stated that, “it is time all students across the country have a paradigm shift on bullying and general indiscipline, having in mind that every action has consequences under the law.”

He urged the staff and management of the school to be extra vigilant and ensure that high standard of discipline is established on the campus.

By Felix Baidoo

GAWU pleads with gov’t to ban export of cuplums materials

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KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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GAWU Gen secretary Edward Karewe addressing the media

The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) of Trade Union Congress has observed that government policy on the rubber industry appears to be destroying the industry. This policy, according to the union, allows side buyers to openly purchase cup lumps materials and export them without paying taxes.

GAWU is, therefore, appealing to government to take immediate steps to ban the export of cuplumps materials in other to save the rubber industry and same save jobs.

Speaking to journalist at the tour of the plantation site of the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL), following the destruction of about 40 hectares of rubber farm plantation, the General Secretary of GAWU, Edward T. Kareweh, stressed that “government must ban export of cuplumps materials because we don’t even have enough.

“Why do we export-we must first produce to feed ourselves, produce to feed industry then we export the excess.”

He further stressed that it was important for Government to ban the export of cuplumps materials because jobs were at stake. He indicated that over 70 thousand jobs were at stake if the rubber industry, particularly GREL, goes down.

The cuplumps materials at the factory site

The call by GAWU comes at a time GREL was struggling to find raw materials to feed its 25milion Euro processing factory. The factory was opened in 2020 and is under the 1D1F initiative.

GREL says it needs 113 tonnage of cuplumps materials for processing at its factory on daily basis. But due to shortage of cuplums materials, it intermittently shuts down in other to go and search for raw materials.

Acting Factory Manager, Sampson Boafo, told the GAWU delegation and news men that the factory was shut down because there was no raw materials.

“This is the second time we have shut down because of lack of raw materials”. The processing capacity of the factory, he indicated, is 113 tonnes daily and “we are likely to close down again next week”.

He conceded it was difficult to gather 113 tonnes of raw materials because of the infiltration of side buyers in the rubber market.

This, he observed, has come at a cost to the company, because apart from the daily allowances workers get whilst the factory is working, the machines are also at risk of getting shut down.

The loan the company took in establishing the new factory was also likely to be affected.

It is as a result of this that GAWU is appealing to government to regulate the rubber industry by immediately taking steps to ban the purchase and export of cuplumps materials.

General Secretary of GAWU, Edward Kareweh, mentioned that the capacity of rubber producers in Ghana stood at 100,000 but has got capacity to produce 140,000.

“It means we should be importing to feed our industry”.

However, what has accounted for the gap was because government policy appeared to be destroying our industry because anybody can buy and export cuplumps materials.

“The side buyers go to buy from the farmers, they do not support to grow the rubber, either do they pay workers. However, GREL supports the farmers to grow the rubber and pay workers,” he said, adding that the company has created direct employment of 4,000 people and indirect employment of 50,000.

The GAWU General Secretary explained that his outfit was concerned about the activitiesof side buyers and lack of raw materials because the company has invested so much in its latest processing factory.

A total amount of 25million euros, according to him, had been invested in the new factory.

Unfortunately, Mr. Kareweh mentioned that “all these investments will go into the drain. The factory as we talk now has been closed down.”

He continued, “I am raising this point because government recently raised $200m from the World Bank to support tree crop areas. So if in one vein, you can go and take a loan to support the growth and growing of trees and in another vein, you sit aloof and allow those trees that are already existing to be destroyed, you sit aloof and allow those who do not pay taxes to buy rubber and export, and you deny the country of revenue and opportunity to create jobs.

“What we are calling for is that government must immediately ban the export of cuplumps materials”.

Meanwhile, GAWU executives have inspected the extent of destruction caused to GREL, following the cutting down of about 40 hectares of rubber trees.

A total of about 100,000 trees were cut down by some criminals.The trees in question were replanted between 2021 and 2022 and GREL says it spent over 100,000 euros in the replanting exercise.

Ahanta chieftaincy dispute: suspected thugs strike at Busua

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KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Pictures of the destroyed canopies and bruises suffered by victims

The Chieftaincy dispute in the Ahanta Traditional Area over who takes over from the late Otumfuo Baidoe Bonsoe XV as the Overlord nearly turned bloody last Wednesday at Busua, when the warring gates allegedly clashed.

Information available to this paper indicates that the AnonaAkade family of Busua, which is laying claim to the stool, had gathered at their family house in Busua to hold a commemorative prayer for Baidoe Bonsoe II, who was cruelly murdered by the Dutch in 1878.
As the event was ongoing, some suspected thugs, numbering about 30 and reportedly wielding cutlasses and knives stormed the venue of the ceremony and clashed with the other faction, including journalists who were covering the event.

Canopies, chairs and tables that had been arranged at the venue were destroyed,but no one was injured during the confrontation.

The Ahanta traditional area has been embroiled in a chieftaincy dispute since the death of their overlord, Baidoe Bonsoe XV.

Following his death, one Kobina Antwi is claiming to be the overlord with the stool name Otumfuo Baidoe Bonsoe XVI.

He has consequently introduced himself to the Omanhene of Upper Dixcove, Obrempong Hima Dekyi.
However, the Otumfuo Baidoe Bonsoe family and the other royal gates have denounced the enstoolment of Kobina Antwi as Ahanta overlord.

The Kingmakers of the stool have remained silent over the issue, but in a letter intercepted by this reporter and addressed to the National House of Chiefs (NHC), the kingmakers denounced Kobina Antwi as overlord of Ahanta.
Following the non-recognition of ‘Otumfuo Baidoo Bonsoe XVI’ by the royal gates, kingmakers and odikros, the Ahanta land is currently embroiled in a chieftaincy dispute.

For instance, the sitting acting president, Nana Eziaku IV, had to escape through his window after thugs allegedly stormed his house for not supporting one of the gates.

A family member and Okyeame to the head of Akade family, Okyeame Kweku Frimpong, in an interview with this reporter confirmed the story and added that, in the process of performing rituals to remember the cruel death of their great grandfather, Baidoe Bonsoe II, the thugs stormed the venue and ordered them to stop what they were doing.

According to him, the thugs, who were wielding cutlasses and knives told the family head that they have been instructed by a claimant to the stool to stop the ceremony.
Okyeame Frimpong continued that Ebusuapayin Awandzi told the thugs that he does not know anyone by the stool title they were looking for.

Rather, what the Akade family knew was that there was a caretaker in the person of Nana Eziaku IV and since they have received no instruction from him to stop the ceremony, the orders of the said claimant would not be respected.
This, according to him, angered the thugs who went back and later returned with reinforcement, looking for one Ben Ansah.

As a result, the thugs, according to Okyeame Kweku Frimpong, started searching from room to room, looking for Ben Ansah, who they (thugs) claim was the cause of the chieftaincy troubles in the area.
Okyeame Frimpong revealed to this reporter that Ben Ansah was hiding in a room where the gods are kept and rituals performed.The thugs requested for keys to the gods room but the family refused.
The thugs consequently broke into the room but were unable to locate Ben Ansah. They, however, bolted with items such as a stool, cash, Batakari, gun, arrow and walking stick amongst others.

A reporter with Ogya FM, a local community radio station at Agona-Nkwanta also confirmed the story.

According to Benjamin Kobby Arthur, popularly known as ‘Kobby Mighty”, together with his colleagues had to run for their dear lives after the thugs stormed the venue of the ceremony wielding cutlasses, knives and clubs. In the process of escaping, he said a female reporter sustained bruises on her fingers.
Ben Ansah confirmed in a telephone interview that sensing that the thugs had come for him, he quickly escaped from the ceremony.

A formal report, according to our unimpeachable sources, has been made to both the Agona Nkwanta Police Command and the Regional Command.

Drake buys 2Pac’s $1 million ring

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Drake displaying 2Pac’s ring he purchased

Hip hop star, Drake is the proud owner of a rare piece of 2Pac jewelry that recently sold for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s auction.

Earlier this week, the gold, ruby, and diamond-encrusted ring, which ‘Pac wore during his last public appearance at the1996 VMAs was sold for $1,016,000.

On Instagram, Drake revealed that he is the one who made the hefty purchase. In a post on his Instagram Story to promote Travis Scott’s latest album Utopia, Drake shared a close-up photo of the ring on his finger.

Meanwhile, it appears that Drake references his latest jewelry purchase on his guest verse on Utopia cut “Meltdown,” in which he raps “I pull out a million to stare at this shit.”

Drake will have a difficult time topping his latest purchase, as ‘Pac’s ring is already considered the most valuable hip-hop artefact ever sold at an auction.

The 14-karat yellow gold ring “sits atop a diamond-encrusted gold band is the ‘crown’ itself: a gold circlet studded with the three largest jewels in the entire piece—a central cabochon ruby, flanked by two pavé-cut diamonds,” Sotheby described on its website.

“This one-of-a-kind, custom ring was meticulously designed by Pac and is among the final products of his boundless creative energy — a unique artefact from a period of time that is a testament to his enduring influence on hip-hop,” Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Science and Popular Culture, added.

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