Kifasi Urges Permanent Secretaries to Maintain Transparency, Effectiveness

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Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, has urged permanent secretaries to maintain transparency and effectiveness in their procurement processes.

Kifasi gave the advice at the 6th Annual Procurement Retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries, held in Uyo on  Saturday. He said in the face of dwindling resources, the nation could not afford to waste its revenue through corrupt procurement processes.

According to him, as accounting officers, the permanent secretaries must ensure that every naira of the federation goes far to bring development to the people.
“In an environment of dwindling economic resources, effective procurement is vital. We need to ensure that every naira goes as far as it can to delivering development to our people.”

He emphasised that permanent secretaries would be held responsible for any corrupt practices which might occur during procurement processes in their respective ministries even after retirement.

Kifasi said Section 20 of the Public Procurement Act 2007 vested the responsibility for compliance on the accounting officer.

He said the country’s procurement reforms embarked upon by the President had been appreciated for attracting foreign investments into the country.

In her remarks, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, said the culture of transparency and accountability should be the embraced in conducting government’s business. She said the implementation of procurement reforms had reduced waste and ensured efficiency and effectiveness in public expenditure.

The minister urged the permanent secretaries to work with ministers to ensure that all actions taken were in line with due process. She charged them to guard against frictions with their ministers during procurement processes.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, who declared the event open, said the procurement reforms of the Federal Government had entrenched due process in the award of contracts.

Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Valerie Ebe, said that before the enactment of THE Procurement Act, corruption in procurement accounted for 70 per cent of government’s budget.

He said that ministries, departments and agencies should base their annual procurement budget on verifiable need assessment and impact positively on the needs of the people.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the involvement of states’ heads of service was to encourage states to buy into the procurement reform.

Ezeh urged State Governments to enact Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement Laws to ensure due process in the handling of government’s financial transactions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six state heads of service were invited from the six geo-political zones to attend the retreat.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Jega: Our Database is Fortified, Can’t Be Hacked

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Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

 Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has assured Nigerians that its database is well fortified and cannot be hacked, contrary to a recent allegation by the Department of the State Security Services (DSS).

The INEC Chairman made the assertion on Saturday during a Town Hall meeting hosted by BBC Media Action’s “Talk Your Own radio” programme, held at Protea Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja.

According to an INEC bulletin released late night on Saturday, the INEC Chairman, who answered various questions from participants said: “I can tell you from our own integrity test and from our own knowledge of the security features that we put in place, it is virtually impossible to hack into our system. It does not stop people from trying but we believe they will not succeed. Hacking is possible if your data is online; our data is not online”.

When asked on the possibility of a staff member compromising the data, Jega replied: “We have taken stringent measures to ensure our data cannot be compromised even by our staff, but if for any reason somebody succeeds in compromising our data, we can know who it is very easily. We have checks and balances”.

While admitting that there have been challenges in the production and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Jega cleared the air on INEC’s preparedness to conduct the February polls due to such challenges.

He said: “There are challenges associated with the production and distribution of the PVCs, but these challenges are not sufficient to reach the conclusion that INEC is not prepared to conduct the 2015 general elections. We feel confident that before February 14th, when the first in the series of elections will take place, every person who has registered will have his card produced and made available for collection. And so we cannot use the issue of card as a measure of if INEC is prepared or not for the election”.

He added: “From our own assessment we are ready to conduct the 2015 general elections. There are many indicators of preparedness; yes voters need to have their cards to be able to participate in the election. But it takes two to tango. If we produce the cards and make them available and people do not go to collect them, can INEC be blamed for that?”

He used the opportunity to re-emphasise the Commission’s stand on the use of only PVCs and Card Readers for the February polls, which he said will check fraudulent tendencies and improve the integrity of the elections.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Armed Soldiers Lead PDP Takeover of Rivers Stadium

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Read Time:4 Minute, 24 Second

 The controversy surrounding the use of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its January 28 presidential rally in Rivers State took a new turn on Saturday as heavily armed soldiers led the party to take over the facility.

THISDAY gathered that the soldiers moved into the stadium early in the morning and prevented workers from entering the facility.

Also, barely two weeks after unknown persons razed the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Okrika, suspected thugs on Saturday morning again attacked the venue of a scheduled APC governorship rally in Okrika and the podium and other equipment meant for the campaign.

When THISDAY visited the stadium in the afternoon, there were about 11 fierce-looking, heavily armed soldiers stationed at the main entrance of the stadium, while more soldiers were spotted alighting from a Hilux patrol van.  At the second gate, there were also about 20 soldiers while others were inside.

Later in the afternoon, PDP Governorship candidate, Wike, was escorted into the stadium by a combined team of armed security operatives, including Army, Navy, riot and regular policemen and operatives from the department of state security about 12:55pm.

Although Wike and his team did not speak to journalists, a member of the team told THISDAY on condition of anonymity disclosed that Wike was in the stadium to inspect facilities with the intention of keeping the stadium ready for Jonathan’s campaign rally.

The PDP and the Rivers state Government have been at daggers-drawn over the refusal of Governor Chibuike Amaechi to allow the party use the stadium for its presidential campaigns.

Amaechi, who is also the director general of the campaign organisation of the APC Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, had said he would not grant approval to the PDP for the use of the stadium because the stadium was not yet completed and that work was on-going at the facility.

Speaking at an APC governorship rally at Etche recently, Amaechi said, “The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is still under construction and the contractors are currently on site to make sure that they complete it, so that we can handover the stadium to Rivers people before we leave office on May 29.

“The PDP is complaining that they applied and we didn’t give them approval to use the stadium. We have offered them the Liberation Stadium in Elekahia. They can hold as many rallies as they want in that stadium. Their (PDP’s) refusal to use that stadium means they have ulterior motive.

“I hear that they (PDP) is insisting they will use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, but we (State Government) will not allow them to use that stadium, and they will not use it.”

But the PDP countered that it would be unfair for it to be denied use of the stadium that the APC had used twice for its activities, including the flag-off of Buhari’s presidential campaigns.

The PDP insisted that should Amaechi fail to grant it permission to use the stadium, it would forcibly enter the facility since it was built with tax payers’ money.

Speaking on the issue, Governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Nyesom Wike, at a meeting with the Goodluck to Goodluck Political pressure group in Port Harcourt, recently insisted that the PDP would host Jonathan there.

Wike said, “The PDP Presidential Rally will hold at the Amasieamaka Stadium on Wednesday, January 28. The APC held its own presidential campaign rally on January 6, 2015 and an earlier rally on October 25, 2014 in the same stadium. Our presidential rally will hold at that stadium because it belongs to the people. It was built by tax payers’ money. We are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the right thing is done to move the nation forward. We are committed to the peaceful use of the stadium for our Presidential campaigns.”

The APC Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and his campaign train was scheduled to hold their campaign rally at National Field, Okrika and the groundsmen were working to get the area ready when the hoodlums struck in the early hours of the day.

Giving an account of the incident, the APC Chairman in Okrika Local Government Area, Christian Afisamaka, said the suspected thugs came in a white Hiace bus, from Igbiri, a community that shares borders with Oba-Ama community, where the rally was billed to take place.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dan Bature, confirmed the attack, adding that the yet-to-be-identified assailants used explosive device suspected to be dynamite.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt over the incident, Bature said, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 24/01/2015 at about 0430hrs, at National Field, Okrika, the supposed APC rally arena was attacked with an explosive device suspected to be dynamite by unidentified assailants. Podium and public address system were damaged. No loss of life. Area is now under police control while Police Bomb Disposal unit has commenced discreet investigation.”

He noted that the incident had raised tension in the area and advised the APC to reschedule its rally to another day.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Jonathan: We’ll Conquer Boko Haram, Rebuild Destroyed Communities

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Read Time:8 Minute, 47 Second

 President Goodluck Jonathan promised on Saturday in Maiduguri that the federal government would rebuild communities destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency. Jonathan made the pledge at a campaign rally in the Borno State capital ahead of next month’s presidential election, where he is seeking a second term. It was on a day Boko Haram razed Kambari, a village few kilometres from Maiduguri, and killed 15 persons, including the village head.

The rebellion by the Islamic sect has taken a heavy toll on communities in the North-east states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, where the group has concentrated its activities since the outbreak of the terror campaign in 2009, which is estimated to have killed more than 10,000 persons.

But the president told a crowd of about 10,000 supporters at the Ramat Square that everything would be done to end the Boko Haram crisis and rebuild the destroyed towns. He also assured that rehabilitation of victims of the insurgency would begin soon.

However, in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, Jonathan’s main rival in the election, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari, accused the president and his party, PDP, is angling to postpone the general election for fear of defeat. Buhari insisted that the elections must hold as scheduled. He promised political and economic rebirth for the country if elected next month, saying Nigerians risk more severe conditions if Jonathan is allowed to return.

Also, Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has alleged that the federal government had sent emissaries to high-ranking emirs in the North to support the postponement of the February election. Wamakko said this yesterday in Sokoto during a courtesy visit by the representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in West Africa, Muhammad Ibn Chambas.

This was as the Inspector-general of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, expressed concern over growing political thuggery ahead of the general election and warned politicians against sponsoring violence. The IGP gave the warning in a release by the Force Spokesperson, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu. The Nigeria Police vowed to “apply the full weight of the law” against politicians who indulge in the use of derogatory language and violence to advance their political interest.

The police statement came against the backdrop of last week’s stoning of Jonathan’s convoy in Katsina and Bauchi during his campaign rallies in the states. And it coincided with a meeting in Yenagoa by ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta, who saw the attacks on Jonathan in the North as an attempt to “intimidate” him out of office. They threatened to take up arms, if need be, to defend the president.

But APC alleged yesterday that the attacks on the president were arranged by PDP to stoke crisis in order to have an excuse to justify the ruling party’s efforts to reschedule the general election. APC said in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the coordinated hysterical reactions to the attacks by the presidency, Senate President David Mark, and the leadership of the Ijaw nation exposed the president’s party as sponsors of the attacks. The statement alleged that PDP had hired miscreants who were given brooms, the APC symbol, to pose as APC supporters and attack the president on purpose to instigate “retaliatory attacks” in the South. The ultimate aim, according to the opposition party, is to precipitate chaos that can be used as an excuse to shift the polls.

PDP has not officially called for the postponement of the general election scheduled to hold on February 14 and 28, but that desire can be gleaned from the body language of the party’s leaders. This is in spite of the nationwide campaign tour by the president in readiness for the election, which continued at the weekend.

Campaigning in Maiduguri yesterday, Jonathan regretted that Nigeria was losing the abundant economic potentialities of Borno State due to the Boko Haram insurgency. He promised to do all within his power to end the Boko Haram insurgency and rescue the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the group in Chibok, Borno State, last April.

The president said with its vast land and population, Borno State “can feed the whole of this country…Borno State can support the federal government in so many ways, but many people do not want to come to Borno State because of the common enemy of the whole of the people.

“I am promising you that we shall surely end this insurgency. We will surely stop Boko Haram and we shall return Borno to the path of peace. Whatever it takes to do this and to ensure the return of the Chibok girls, we will do. We will surely conquer Boko Haram. We will surely return this state to the peaceful state we know.”

Dignitaries at the rally, which  featured a heavy security build-up, included former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Director-General of the Jonathan campaign organisation, Ahmadu Ali, Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Minister of Defence, Shettima Mustapha, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, and Hon. Mohammed Wakil.

At the APC presidential rally in Ado-Ekiti, Buhari said Nigerians had passed through hell during the past 16 years of PDP’s leadership, saying the people should resist what he called an attempt to perpetuate Jonathan in power through poll postponement.

The former Head of State said regarding PDP, “The party has been given opportunity to rule Nigeria in the last 16 years and all we had were corruption, insecurity and unemployment. Rather than submit to the will of the people, they are looking for loophole to short-change the people.

“The February 14 election offers opportunity to vote against incompetent and corrupt government and attempt to ensure that this does not happen, should be resisted by the electorate.”

Among notables at the APC rally held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, which was filled to capacity by the party’s supporters, were the party’s vice presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, his wife, Bisi, Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Segun Oni, former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu, deputy director general of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Senator Olorunibe Mamora, and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

A highpoint of the event was the presence of House of Representatives member and for Labour Party governorship candidate, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, which signalled his imminent return to the party. Former Speaker of the state House of Assembly and a chieftain of PDP, Hon. Sola Ajigbolamu, also led other PDP members to defect to APC.

As the parties campaigned for votes, the police warned them against reckless language and actions that could cause violence. “We have also received disturbing reports of the pulling down and defacing of campaign posters. These conduct definitely do not speak well of the maturity of aspiring leaders,” the police said in a statement, stressing that such acts also contravene the law. It said, “The Nigeria Police will apply the full weight of the law on any political actor, sponsor, associate or foot-soldier who resorts to hate speech or the use of violence to advance his or her political agenda.”

Abba directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to investigate all acts by politicians and their agents that contravened the law.

But APC said the recent attacks on the president and PDP presidential candidate were sponsored by the ruling party to give itself an excuse to shift the elections.
APC said about PDP, in a statement, “Apparently, they did not envisage that the information about their complicity over the attacks will leak to the public. It is common knowledge that the security around the president is such that no hoodlum can come close enough to pelt him with stones.”

The party said the presidency distorted facts when it accused APC of breaching the Abuja peace accord signed by the presidential candidates of the various political parties, saying the PDP and its thugs did not allow the ink with which the agreement was signed to dry before they started breaching it.

“The second attack on our offices in Rivers took place after the pact was signed, just like the serial attacks on our supporters in Sokoto, organised by a PDP stalwart in the city and aided and abetted by the police. The death-wish-for-Buhari advert by the incautious Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in the name of President Jonathan, which could have triggered unimaginable violence if not properly managed by the APC, also breached the agreement,” the statement by the APC national publicity secretary said. “Where was the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, when all these breaches were taking place? Not once did he issue a statement to say 'this nonsense must stop'.

“Where was the senate president, David Mark, when these breaches were taking place? He was never on record as condemning the attacks on the APC offices and its supporters or the irresponsible and downright repugnant advert by Governor Fayose. Are those in the opposition not Nigerians who also deserve the care and attention of the nation's number three citizen?”

APC condemned the bombing of its office in Okrika, Rivers State, by suspected PDP thugs in an area where First Lady Patience Jonathan had campaigned without any incident earlier in the week. The attack that occurred in the early hours of yesterday forced a postponement of the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside’s campaign rally in Okrika billed for Saturday.

“Now that the antics of the PDP have been exposed for the world to see, we are once again calling on Nigerians and the international community to prevail on President Jonathan and his party to desist from its plot, using the excuse of violence and PVCs, to shift next month's polls. If President Jonathan is sure he has utilised the mandate given to him by Nigerians in 2011 to their satisfaction, he should be eager to know the verdict of the citizens come February 14, 2015,” APC said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Fire Razes Buildings at Army Barracks in Ibadan

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Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second

Properties worth millions of naira were lost in a fire incident at the Supply and Transport Corps Barracks of the Nigerian Army at Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 23 apartments were burnt in the incident. An eye witness, who said the fire outbreak occurred at about 1.p.m., added that the cause remained unknown.

But one of the victims, Mrs Priscilla Kilyobasi, said the incident could be due to the carelessness of a resident in the barrack who was cooking on a kerosene stove.
“We started seeing smoke coming out from a room on the back row and some people raised an alarm. On entering the room from the back door, we saw a pot on the stove that was completely burnt and had affected the wood walls.

“Sympathisers helped to pour water to contain it, but the fire had started spreading to the other rooms. Some passers-by helped to call the Fire Service officials at the Government Secretariat and they responded with a truck to contain the spread,” she said.

A fire officer at the scene, who pleaded for anonymity, told NAN that his team had to seek for reinforcement from the Eleyele station which deployed two fire trucks.
He, however, said the buildings could not be saved as the structures were made of wood. “We were only able to curtail the fire by soaking nearby rooms with plenty of water,” he said.

Another victim, Samuel Ufot, ruled out the possibility of power surge, claiming there was power outage at the time. “The room where the fire started had a burnt kerosene stove,” he said.

NAN reports that no life was lost in the fire incident while attempts to reach officials of the Army Post Service Housing Scheme, where the structures were located, proved abortive.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Boko Haram releases 200 kidnapped women in Yobe

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Read Time:2 Minute, 4 Second

Boko Haram has reportedly released nearly 200 women who were kidnapped earlier this month in Katarko Gujba, Yobe State.

City officials told the BBC Hausa Service about the release of the nearly 200 women.

According to residents of Katarko in Yobe state, Boko Haram militants released about 200 women on Saturday out of 250 they kidnapped early this month.

They said there are still some women and almost 30 children in the hands of Boko Haram .

President Jonathan was in Maiduguri, Borno State today for his campaign where he promised the people of rebuilding the destroyed communities by the insurgents.

Speaking at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri, Jonathan said: “We feel very pained because of the number of people that have lost their lives in Borno state especially & in Northeast.

“Immediately we rebuild our territories, these communities will come back to life, we will rebuild worship centres.

“If anybody imagines that I will bring insecurity in this state, that is totally nonsense”.

The president said with the vast land and the population of Borno State, “it can feed the whole of this country.”

“Borno State can support the Federal Government in so many ways, but many people do not want to come to Borno State, because to do this, one may suffer because of the common enemy of the whole of the people of Nigeria.

“I am promising the whole of you that we shall surely end this insurgency. We will surely stop Boko Haram and we shall return Borno to the path of peace.

“Whatever it takes to do this and to ensure the return of the Chibok girls, we will do. We will surely conquer Boko Haram. We will surely return this state to the peaceful state we knew.”

He concluded his speech by saying: ”I want to thank you, in spite of the pains you are going through, you came out to receive us, may Allah bless you all”

Also speaking at the campaign rally, former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff said: “If there is free and fair election in Borno State, Mr. President, I can assure you that Shettima cannot score 30 per cent of the votes cast. I must also assure you that the whole of Borno is for you if we are going to conduct free and fair election.

“Our enemies are not from outside but the enemies within.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Will U.S. advisers move to Iraqi front lines?

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Read Time:3 Minute, 35 Second

 (CNN)The upcoming Iraqi assault to retake Mosul from ISIS control could include U.S. military advisers near the front lines.

U.S. military leadership has held open the possibility it would recommend moving advisers closer to combat lines. As the key Mosul battle looms, that remains a potential consideration "if and when they believe it's necessary," a senior U.S. military official tells CNN.

The possible recommendation would need to be approved by President Barack Obama, who has said that U.S. troops will not be sent on a combat mission. But putting advisers with front-line Iraqi troops puts American troops in close range of what is likely to be an intense battle with the terror group.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Lloyd Austin, head of U.S. Central Command, would make that recommendation to Obama if they determine Iraqis need U.S. help and there is no other option for providing it.

The official declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation but has direct knowledge of both generals' thinking.

The generals want to wait as long as possible to decide whether moving American ground troops closer to the front lines is necessary. Their hope is that Iraq will be able to field more experienced units perhaps as soon as this spring that can begin the Mosul assault, the official told CNN.

Right now, the most experienced and loyal Iraqi units are protecting Baghdad. The Iraqis may need to be convinced to move them into the Mosul operation, and backfill with other units. Retaking Mosul from ISIS is considered one of the most important objectives of Iraq forces.

This month, coalition airstrikes have stepped up around Mosul, in an effort to cut key ISIS supply lines into the city, as an opening move to a future assault. The U.S. military assessment is the soonest the assault could begin is spring.

Obama has been adamant that no U.S. troops will be put into direct ground combat in Iraq.

In a speech to troops in September, Obama said, "The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission. They will support Iraqi forces on the ground as they fight for their own country against these terrorists."

What Dempsey and Austin are holding open is the possibility of a small number of U.S. military troops working as advisers alongside Iraqi units involved in the upcoming Mosul assault in a front-line combat situation. Those troops could potentially also work on the ground to help Iraq units pick out targets to strike, if a recommendation is made and the mission approved.

In September, Dempsey said he believed U.S. advisers on the front lines would not be needed. "But if it fails to be true, and if there are threats to the United States, then I of course would go back to the President and make a recommendation that may include the use of U.S. military ground forces." In recent weeks, advisers have gone out in the field.

Dempsey, for now, is strongly focusing on the pace of the Iraqi government meetings its goals first, according to the official. He still wants to see more progress on Iraq forming a unity government, proceeding with reconstruction goals and countering ISIS propaganda, the official said. "If we offer too much before Iraqis are ready, we are just painting over the rust," the official said. Recent comments by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi that the coalition wasn't doing enough to support Iraq only reinforced Dempsey's view, the official said.

And even working as advisers is risky for troops. Canadian forces in the field recently had to return fire when they came under attack during an advisory mission.

As for ISIS's current strength, the U.S. military assessment continues to be their momentum has been somewhat stalled in Iraq and territory gains in Syria are stagnant, the official said. The United States also believes ISIS is stepping up its terror tactics in both areas, including forcing people to fight, because they are having trouble recruiting and paying new fighters, the official said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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California measles outbreak grows to 68 cases

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Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second

 (CNN)The measles outbreak in California is growing.

The number of cases has increased to 68, with 48 of those cases linked to an outbreak at Disneyland, state health officials reported Friday.

Two days ago, the health department reported 59 cases, 42 with a Disney connection.

In addition, nine cases have been reported in Arizona, Utah, Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Mexico. A new case was reported in Nevada, but the Southern Nevada Health District said it's unknown whether that case is Disney-related.

The disease outbreak apparently surfaced when visitors reported coming down with measles after visiting the park December 15-20. At least five Disney employees have been diagnosed with measles, Disney said.

Measles is a highly communicable respiratory disease caused by a virus and spread through the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, the CDC said.

Dr. Gil Chavez, deputy director of the state's Center for Infectious Diseases, recommended that children under 12 months and people who've never had a measles vaccination stay away from the park while the disease event continues.

He made the same recommendation for other places where large numbers of people congregate, such as airports and shopping malls.

However, Chavez said Disneyland would be "perfectly safe" if you've been immunized.

Opinion: Heed the lesson from Disneyland measles outbreak

When asked for a comment, Suzi Brown of Disney media relations said, "We agree with Dr. Chavez's comments that it is safe to visit Disneyland if you have been vaccinated."

For the most part, measles spreads among those who have not been vaccinated against the virus.

The California Department of Public Health said Orange County had the most measles cases with 21, followed by San Diego County with 13.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Eleven rescued as vessel carrying 75,000 gallons of fuel sinks off Hawaii

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 (CNN)Eleven people were rescued on Thursday after their towing vessel — carrying 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel — sank off the coast of Oahu, according to Honolulu Coast Guard.

"Mayday, mayday, mayday." A radio recording released by the Coast Guard established the moment an officer sent a distress call to the base. "Approximately two and half miles west of Barbers Point Harbor," the officer said, "vessel appears to have started to sink."

The mayday call came after the pilot of the towing vessel Nalani called the Coast Guard at 3:13 p.m. HST to report their ship was flooding and could sink.

Two ships where in the vicinity and heard the distress call: the towing vessel Tiger 7 and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration patrol boat. Both helped rescue the stranded crew members and as a result no injuries were reported, according to the Coast Guard.

The Nalani, a 95-foot towing vessel, carried 75,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The vessel sank in about 2,200 feet of water.

"A flight went up prior to sunset and observed a very light oil sheen approximately three miles long by 100 yards wide," said Coast Guard spokesman Darin McCracken.

"There is a very small trace amount of rainbow sheet. Most of it concentrated around the position of the vessel," he said.

The next assessment flight is scheduled for Friday morning.

The cause of the sinking remains under investigation and it is probable the vessel will not be recovered, said McCracken.

He said the fuel "most likely will naturally dissipate" but the full environmental impact has yet to be determined.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Walmart, family of Tracy Morgan’s friend reach settlement in wreck

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 (CNN)The family of James McNair, the late comedian known as "Jimmy Mack," has settled a lawsuit with Walmart over the auto accident that killed him and injured fellow comedian Tracy Morgan, McNair's family says.

McNair's sister, Pamela McNair, said the amount agreed upon is confidential, but was satisfactory to all parties.

"There is no value, no dollar amount, on my brother's life at all," she said. "But in terms of finances, it will assist the family a great deal to continue living life."

McNair was the father to 26-year-old Jamel and 19-year-old Danita and was the oldest of seven siblings he "cared for greatly," Pamela said.

"There's nothing we can do to change what happened," Walmart said. "Walmart and the McNair family have worked closely together to reach an agreement. Walmart continues to work with others involved in the accident and we will continue to do what's right."

Last June, a limo bus carrying Morgan, McNair and their companions was rear-ended by a Walmart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash killed McNair and left Morgan with a severe brain injury and their colleagues with other injuries.

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board said the Walmart truck was traveling 20 mph over the speed limit, and that its driver was almost at his drive-time limit.

In July, four parties filed suit against Walmart, stating in a complaint that "the defendants' negligence was a substantial contributing factor in causing plaintiffs' injuries."

Pamela McNair said the family will continue carrying on James' legacy as a humanitarian, and the finances from the settlement will help.

"My brother has done a lot for the community. He mentored the youth for the community, he worked at the homeless shelter. Little things that he's done are truly missed," McNair said.

"He was a great comedian, but he was a good family person first and foremost. He loved life and wanted others to love life as well. He was a humanitarian."

The mayor of McNair's hometown, Peekskill, New York, has named June 12 in his honor, she said.

Tracy Morgan's lawyer told CNN in November that he was still recovering from the car accident that left him with a "severe brain injury" and is fighting to return to the person he once was.

McNair said her family has not been in contact with the Morgan family.

"It's kind of heartbreaking," McNair said. "I understand he has his own medical situation, I want the best for him, I'm praying for his recovery, but I felt that someone could have reached out to the family. … My brother and Tracy had a very long relationship as friends and it is heartbreaking we haven't heard from anyone."

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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