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Saturday, 25 February 2017 16:48

Buhari calls Femi Adesina, says I'm still resting

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday spoke with his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on telephone for the first time since he embarked on his extended medical vacation on January 19. Adesina who felt elated about the development confirmed the conversation on his Facebook page and Twitter handle. He had during previous interviews said he was only speaking with those around the President. Giving details of his discussion with the President, Adesina said Personal Assistant to the President, Tunde Sabiu, called him at exactly 2.43pm and asked that he hold on for the President. On recognition of…

Saturday, 25 February 2017 16:35

Zimbabwe's Mugabe marks 93rd birthday in opposition area

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 93rd birthday Saturday amid granite hills where ancient spirits are said to dwell, defying calls to resign after nearly four decades in power in a region known for opposing the man who says he'll run again in 2018 elections. Thousands of government supporters, some wearing clothing adorned with Mugabe's image, converged in Matabeleland for a birthday bash and show of strength for the ruling ZANU-PF party, beset by squabbling in the past year as the elderly president weakened and factions, one including his wife Grace, sparred ahead of an expected power vacuum. Mugabe, a…

Saturday, 25 February 2017 03:18

We should be patient with president’s health - Buhari's former physician

Professor Sadiq Suleiman Wali is 76, and he was Chief Physician to five former heads of state, namely General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the late General Sani Abacha and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Question: People remember you more as a former chief physician to five ex-heads of state. How did you begin your medical career? Wali: I did my post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom and qualified as a physician. I came back to Kano State and served for about three years. I preferred academic work, so I went to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria. Kano…

Saturday, 25 February 2017 03:16

With Buhari in UK, aide’s advice on Made-in-Nigeria patronage sparks backlash

A call by President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide for Nigerians to patronise locally-made products, ironically at a time the president is receiving medical treatment outside the country, triggered a social media ruckus on Friday, with many accusing the presidency of hypocrisy. Bashir Ahmad, a media assistant to President Buhari, earned the ire of mostly Twitter users after advising Nigerians to help drive up the value of naira by patronising locally-produced goods. The clash began when Mr. Ahmad, 25, propped up a newspaper report that said the naira had been making gains against the U.S. dollar at the parallel market, following this…

Saturday, 25 February 2017 03:12

Donors pledge N205bn to tackle Boko Haram crisis

The Oslo Conference on Boko Haram humanitarian crisis realised $672 million (N205 billion) in pledges from 14 donors, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said. Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Mr Stephane Dujarric, at a press briefing on Friday, said Guterres welcomed the donors’ pledges. He explained that the donors pledged $458 for 2017 and 214 million U.S. dollars for 2018. “The Secretary-General welcomes donor pledges made today at the conclusion of the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region. “He stresses the need for sustained support to humanitarian, human rights, development and security needs in the region.…

Friday, 24 February 2017 15:58

South Africa anti-immigrant protests erupt in capital

Police fired stun grenades, rubber bullets and water cannon Friday as the latest wave of anti-immigrant protests broke out in South Africa's capital, while President Jacob Zuma condemned anti-foreigner violence and appealed for calm. "We don't have hate! We don't have hate!" one foreign man shouted in video posted by local broadcaster eNCA. Police tried to keep protesters apart from foreigners who gathered to express alarm about recent attacks. Police Commissioner Khomotso Phalane said 136 people had been arrested in the past 24 hours. Resentment against foreigners has sometimes turned deadly in South Africa amid accusations that they take jobs…

Friday, 24 February 2017 15:55

Nigeria releases hotlines as S/Africans protest

As anti-immigration protests erupt in South Africa, police have been deployed in key cities while Nigerian Consulate has released hotlines for emergency. According to the twitter handle of Newsroom daily, many protesters have hit the streets. Reports say that some shops and houses have been touched. Chris Gibson‏@ChrisGibsonNews reported a large anti-immigrant protests in South Africa. “Follows torching of dozens of shops and houses owned by immigrants", he tweeted on Friday. Also Africa Review reports also that the police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to break up clashes between local South African protesters and migrants in Pretoria on Friday.…

Friday, 24 February 2017 10:54

Xenophobia: Zuma condemns attack on Nigerians, other foreigners

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has condemned acts of violence perpetrated by citizens against non-nationals, his office said on Friday. Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically in South Africa against a background of near-record unemployment, with foreigners being accused of taking jobs from citizens and getting involved in crime. Citizens in Pretoria are set to march against foreigners on Friday and domestic media are reporting vandalism and acts of violence in the Atteridgeville area west of the capital. At least 20 stores in Pretoria owned by foreigners were looted on Tuesday, but police could not confirm that the attacks had deliberately…

Friday, 24 February 2017 02:39

Design, implement coherent, credible economic policies, IMF advises FG

International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday urged Nigeria to step up its economic reforms ef-forts before the opportunity for reforms becomes more limited. “Urgency is needed in implementing a coherent and credible package of monetary, fiscal and structural policies as the window for bold reforms is closing as the 2019 elections are approaching fast", IMF spokesman, Gerry Rice said at a regular news briefing with reporters. Rice also confirmed that Nigerian authorities have not approached the global lender about a programme, but said the IMF “stands ready to help should the country make a request for financial assistance.” Minister of Finance,…

Friday, 24 February 2017 02:31

Mimiko formally hands over to Akeredolu

Ahead of his inauguration today Friday, outgoing governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday formerly handed over the instrument of authority to the incoming governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu. The exchange of baton, which occurred at about 7 p.m. at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, saw Mimiko handing over to Akeredolu bound documents relating to the government of Ondo State. Mimiko, in his valedictory speech, described himself as an embodiment of God’s grace. He said he was leaving the state better than he met it and charged Akeredolu to do all within his ability to develop the state.…

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Friday, 24 February 2017 02:30

Herdsmen, hunters in shootout in Ekiti

Tension raged in Ipao Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Wednesday night, as some local hunters engaged Fulani herdsmen in a shootout over attempts to dislodge the cattle rearers from their land. Two persons were last year May 20 killed and several wounded by suspected gun-wielding herdsmen over alleged plan to take over a portion of the land in Oke Ako, a neighbouring town to Ipao. The development culminated in the enactment of the anti-grazing law by Governor Ayodele Fayose-led government, which pegged grazing time to between 6a.m. and 6p.m. A source from the community confirmed…

Friday, 24 February 2017 02:27

Brazil's sexy Carnival puts Pentecostal mayor in tight spot

While campaigning last year to become Rio de Janeiro's mayor, Marcelo Crivella, a retired Pentecostal bishop, insisted his faith would not get in the way of governing the nation's most famous city. The former gospel singer and missionary, a high-profile member of one of Brazil's most powerful evangelical churches, captured 59 percent of the vote and took office Jan. 1. But less than two months into his four-year term, Crivella's promises are about to be tested by Carnival, Rio's annual weeklong party often marked by heavy drinking and drug use, wild sex and round-the-clock dancing. The mayor's office signaled this…

Friday, 24 February 2017 02:22

Mother, four children die as fire consumes home

A woman and her four children were killed by a midnight fire at Malam Inna quarters in Gombe, the Gombe State capital. The victims – a housewife, her infant child, and three stepchildren – were asleep when the fire started, witnesses said. The fire is believed to have started at about 3 a.m. when electricity supply was restored to the area. Witnesses said the family was trapped in the house, which has only one entrance and whose windows have metal bars attached to prevent a break in. A PREMIUM TIMES reporter who visited the area on Thursday, reports that officials…

Thursday, 23 February 2017 18:02

What did Buhari actually say in phone call with Ganduje?

Our BBC Hausa colleague Halima Umar has sent through a translation of the phone conversation between Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. It was the first time the president's voice has been heard in public since he left for the UK more than a month ago on extended medical leave. Here's how their conversation, which was put on speakerphone and played live to the audience at a prayer meeting in the northern city of Kano, went: Kano Governor: How is your health, sir? Pres Buhari: Glory be to God, I am feeling better.…

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