The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning stating that the deadly Ebola virus might return to Africa.
This was revealed by Dr Alex Gasasira, the WHO Representative in Liberia.
Gasasira also gave an assurance that the organisation will continue to support Africa, in its effort to combat the disease.
Leadership Newspapers, reports that Dr Margaret Chan, the WHO Director-General, in a statement said “But our work is not done and vigilance is necessary to prevent new outbreaks.”
Adding that “To date, 10 such flare-ups have been identified that were not part of the original outbreak, and are likely the result of the virus persisting in survivors even after recovery. Evidence shows that the virus disappears relatively quickly from survivors, but can remain in the semen of a small number of male survivors for as long as 1 year, and in rare instances, be transmitted to intimate partners.”
“We are now at a critical period in the Ebola epidemic as we move from managing cases and patients to managing the residual risk of new infections. The risk of re-introduction of infection is diminishing as the virus gradually clears from the survivor population, but we still anticipate more flare-ups and must be prepared for them. A massive effort is underway to ensure robust prevention, surveillance and response capacity across all three countries by the end of March,” the statement said.
The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health.
It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
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.
Recently married on-air-personality Tosyn Bucknor narrated how she was nearly robbed of valuables in her office.
The incident happened yesterday (January 14), and Tosyn Bucknor narrated it on her Instagram.
“So, random.. Today i went to my own office (TTBH) and saw that someone had tried to break in through the window. I think it was a petty criminal because they didn’t have the tools to be able to break in so they probably wanted to do that old trick of stealing valuables via the window” she wrote.
Tosyn Bucknor also give her followers on Instagram safety tips. “A safe tip for us all- please don’t leave valuables where they can be easily accessed and pulled through windows and don’t leave phones charging on window sills etc. Even your bags should be kept away from the window because a friend had hers dragged while she was sleeping and things taken out from it. Grateful!!! Praying for a safe(er) Lagos.”
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.
ABUJA—Elder statesman and Presidential Liaison Officer in the Second Republic, Dr Tanko Yakassai, has described the anti-corruption efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration as a mere propaganda war, lamenting it has unfortunately won over right thinking men like Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Dr. Yakassai, who also chairs the Northern Elders’ Council, speaking with Vanguard in Abuja said any fight against corruption must be holistic rather than being centred on just an individual.
He chided the Buhari administration for its open disdain for valid court orders urging him to obey all court orders relating to the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
According to him, Buhari can only be taken serious if he extends his dragnet across the inter-party divide as well as to other tiers of government.
He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is only fighting Sambo Dasuki. Should the fight against corruption begin and end with Dasuki? Is he the only “corrupt” person? Till today, they have not even started his case in the court. He was granted bail twice and they refused to let him go. This is not a fight against corruption. It is a propaganda fight.
“They even convinced people like Prof. Wole Soyinka who now believes that there is a fight against corruption, but there is no such thing. Otherwise, how many people have they arrested?
“All the people that are arrested today are connected with Dasuki. No other person has been picked. What of the governors, ministers, top civil servants and local government officials? Can you fight one person and say you are fighting corruption?” he queried.
Yakassai also traced the menace of corruption to the military saying their incursion into politics in 1966 and 1983 only helped to teach politicians how to steal.
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.
Immediate-past President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, debunked allegations that his administration awarded contract for arms procurement to the tune of $2 billion.
Jonathan, who spoke in Washington DC, on “Presidential elections and democratic consolidation in Africa: Case studies on Nigeria and Tanzania,” a conversational forum, co-hosted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stated categorically that “I did not award any $2 billion contract for procurement of weapons.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan
Jonathan queried, “Where did the money come from? “I did not award a contract of $2billion for procurement of weapons,” reports Premium Times.
At the forum moderated by USIP Senior Advisor to the US President and member, NDI Board of Directors, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Jonathan also shared his views on those elections and their significance in the consolidation of democratic progress in Tanzania.
He also discussed the recent political transition in Nigeria, as well as the prospects for improved governance in the country.
Recall that on Tuesday, a presidential investigations committee into arms procurement under the administration of ex-President Jonathan revealed in its interim report that it found extra-budgetary spending by the Jonathan administration to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component, all managed and supervised by ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
But in a swift reaction, Dasuki had said in a statement Wednesday, said that all contracts and accruing payments were made based on the approval of ex-President Jonathan, adding that due process and military procurement regulations were followed in all the transactions.
Dasuki said: “Nigerians should note that all the services generated the types of equipment needed, sourced suppliers most times and after consideration by the Office of the NSA, the President will approve application for payment.”
But Mr. Jonathan said he never awarded any $2billion arms contract, suggesting that the claims by the Buhari administration were false and unsubstantiated. Mr. Dasuki had also argued along that line.
Mr. Jonathan touched on the contract issue after he stated that he was aware of allegations of huge sums of money that were said to be missing from the Nigerian treasury, but he claimed that some of the figures mentioned are not believable. “Sometimes, I feel sad when people mention these figures,” he added.
Speaking pointedly about his successor, President Jonathan said, “When the President (Buhari) paid official visit to the US, there were some figures that were mentioned that I don’t believe.”
He drew attention to figures like the $150billion alleged to have been stolen in previous Nigerian administrations, but Mr. Jonathan scoffed at the probability of “$150 billion American money” being missing and “Americans will not know where it is,” adding that at any rate President Buhari did not accuse his administration.
“He didn’t say my government, he said previous administrations… “$150 billion is not 150 billion Naira,” he stated, suggesting that “People play politics with very serious issues.”
The former president was equally dismissive of people who alleged that the sum of $59.8 million was misappropriated within a 12-month period while he was in office.
“In Nigeria, if you lose $59.8 million in a year, federal and state governments will not pay salaries,” he said, adding that there is no way Nigerian budget can accommodate such a loss without the country coming to a standstill.
“Of course we brought international audit teams, forensic auditors and they didn’t see that,” he said.
The former President said he does not want to join issues with the new government, “I wanted to keep away from the public for at least twelve months.”
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.
Five asylum-seekers tried to cross the Øresund bridge tunnel link on foot on Sunday evening.
Just before 10 pm, motorists reported they had seen five people on the E20 motorway heading towards Sweden.
“Officers apprehended five pedestrians walking with backpacks on the Øresund motorway,” Steen Harpsøe from the Copenhagen Police told DR Nyheder. “They turned out to be five asylum-seekers – an adult and four minors, all registered asylum-seekers in Denmark.”
The police would not confirm that the five people were headed to Sweden.
“Our main concern is safety,” said Harpsøe. “It could be deadly to walk on the motorway.”
A dangerous route The Swedish authorities were not happy about the incident.
“It may be the beginning of a new trend,” Ewa-Gun Westford, a spokesperson for Scania Police, told Swedish state television SVT.
“We know that asylum-seekers try to go through the tunnel under the English Channel.”
Refugees and migrants by the thousands have attempted to cross the English Channel via the tunnel from Calais in France to southern England.
The French authorities have stepped up security at the tunnel to try and prevent people from making the highly dangerous crossing.
More security Sunday’s incident is the first attempt of its kind reported by Danish police. Harpsøe said that beefing up the security on the Øresund link is now being looked at.
“We are aware of the situation, and I would prefer not to go into specifics, but it is clearly something we are considering,” he said.
READ MORE: Swedish coastguard stops two men crossing the Øresund from Denmark in a stolen inflatable boat
The five asylum-seekers were transported to Sandholm refugee centre
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.
The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, can confirm that the prediction by its Governorship Candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside that PDP will become history in Rivers State by the end of January, 2015 has started manifesting following the massive defection of PDP members into the APC across Rivers State.
As a political party that canvasses equal opportunity, Dr. Dakuku Peterside had also on 31st December, 2015 while welcoming former PDP members across the State, said that both old and new members would enjoy equal status as long as they register with the party before the forthcoming rerun elections.
Following the avalanche of defections of mainly PDP members to join the APC, our party feels that it is important to re-assure our new members and all those delaying their movements into the APC, for some reasons, that the party and its leaders in Rivers State are committed to treating all members equally irrespective of when they joined the party. Indeed, the APC believes that, unlike the PDP in Rivers State which operates like George Orwell’s Animal Farm where a small clique is more equal than others, we are greater together because we are equal and like they say, the sky is so large that there is space for every star.
Indeed, the APC holds no blame for all those who have now seen the light and the truth that the PDP is led by wickedly selfish individuals who care only about themselves and sometimes their immediate families. Governor Nyesom Wike has proven us right in such a short period as governor. His first consideration for appointments is his brothers, relations or in-laws while even his close associates are left to their fate. Governor Nyesom Wike’s recent appointment of Commissioners and Special Assistants was obviously made grudgingly because his misfortunes at the election tribunals, Appeal and Supreme Courts made it compelling on him.
The APC will soon make public a comprehensive dossier of the deceits Nyesom Wike is inflicting on our people under the guise of cosmetic projects with the costs only known to the outgoing governor alone.
In the light of the discovery of the nepotistic style of Governor Nyesom Wike and the obviously sinking ship of the PDP in Rivers State, we believe that only fools commit suicide because only the living praise God and have the opportunity to turn a new leaf and make a fresh start that is likely to end in good fortune and praise to God Almighty.
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.
Notable personalities in Delta State, including leaders of ethnic andyouth groupings, political parties, former council chairmen and pastpolitical appointees on Saturday commended the Delta State House ofAssembly Speaker, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya for bringing to the job a rareverve and conviction.
“Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya will never violate the norms of goodgovernance, progressive leadership, integrity and credibility” theleaders said.
At a meeting in Asaba, the leaders condemned those insulting theintelligence of the people through misrepresentation.
“Mister Speaker should not be a subject of undue attack but should besupported and applauded in his quest to bring about economic andsocial development in Delta State” they said.
In a statement issued after the meeting by the Director ofCommunication, Delta Leaders Forum, Chief Michael Tuoyo, the leaderspraised the speaker and his colleagues for subjecting themselves tothe principles of morality and justice in the discharge of theirduties.
“The Delta State House of Assembly is quite on course. It is doingwell and giving the necessary support and enabling environment to thegovernment of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa” the statement said.
The leaders, who also took a deep look at the relationship between theexecutive and legislature in the state, commended the maturity of thelegislators.
“The Legislature and the executive are partners in progress. There isno uneasiness in the relationship. There is nothing like legislativearrogance, self-misperception and megalomania. Mister Speaker is nothindering the principles of separation of powers. He is charting acourse that is people and service oriented” the leaders said.
On the speaker’s integrity, the leaders said “Politics to Rt. HonIgbuya is not an avenue to make money or wield any undeservinginfluence but a platform where lives can be changed drastically”.
They urged Deltans at home and abroad to reject all anti-democratic agents.
“Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya is an achiever. He remains unshaken in thenoble objective to develop Delta State” the leaders added.
Similarly, the Managing Director of the Delta State Oil ProducingAreas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr. Williams Makinde weekendcondemned the peddling of falsehood against the person and office ofthe Speaker, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya by Trend FM, Sahara Reporters andothers.
“The story demonstrates crass ignorance of the writers to the lawestablishing the commission and the robust working relationship withthe Hon. Monday Igbuya led Delta State House of Assembly” he said.
Equally, the commissioner representing Sapele, Okpe and Uvwie on theboard of DESOPADEC, Mr. Jonathan Amitaye urged journalists andpoliticians to depart from the politics of hatred, mudslinging andcharacter assassination for selfish reasons.
He also urged those who will never see anything good in the Speakerin spite of his rare qualities and uncommon zeal in the issues ofdevelopment to channel their energies towards meaningful activities.
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.
Branch out to South-South to encourage regional development
LAGOS, Nigeria, January 11, 2016/ — MainOne (www.MainOne.net), a leading telecoms and network services provider in West Africa, has announced that the high capacity Nigerian-Cameroun Submarine Cable System (NCSCS) connecting Lagos, Nigeria and Kribi, Cameroun has been completed and went live last month. The new submarine cable system will address increasing demand for reliable broadband connectivity in Cameroun, and is a key component of the country’s strategic plan to provide internet access to its citizens via a National Broadband Network.
The submarine cable installation, which commenced in June 2015 following a tripartite partnership between MainOne, The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Cameroun and Huawei Marine Networks, had investment provided by the Cameroun Government. The six-pair, 1,100 kilometer repeater submarine cable system will deliver capacity of up to 12.8Tbps to broadband users in Cameroun and is being lit with 40GB capacity from Day 1. This extension is expected to boost Cameroun’s extremely low fixed broadband penetration, currently estimated to be circa five percent (5%).
Built with branching units for strategic extension of its connectivity into Nigeria’s Escravos in Delta State, Qua Iboe in Akwa Ibom State, and Bonny Island in Rivers State, MainOne has concluded plans for a distribution hub in Port Harcourt, designed to bridge the technology gap between the South-South and the rest of Nigeria.
In his comments, MainOne’s Regional Executive for West Africa, Kazeem Oladepo reiterated the company’s vision for a better connected West Africa: “This is an excellent addition to our network and is added proof of our commitment to expand broadband, improve quality and drive down cost of internet services in West Africa. As part of our strategy to boost West Africa’s economic and commercial development, we will continue to make deliberate and significant investments in connectivity projects that will facilitate increased access to broadband. The proposed extension of our submarine system to the Niger Delta region is particularly important for further development of the oil producing region of Nigeria, and will aid the region’s rapid transition from an oil-dependent economy to a knowledge-focused one.”
“We have seen phenomenal changes across other areas with internet infrastructure such as Lagos, Nigeria where Yaba’s Silicon Hub continues to provide opportunities for jobs, increased investor funding, and enhanced social entrepreneurship which is pushing the frontiers of eCommerce in Nigeria. Nigeria’s South-South region and Cameroun now have the platform to leverage the same quality of access to the Internet to catalyze social, economic and technological development”, Oladepo said.
Speaking on the milestone, David Nkoto Emane, General Manager, Cameroon Telecommunications Corporation (CAMTEL), said, “The NCSCS system enables us to provide users with faster bandwidth connectivity at a significantly lower cost. By providing direct connection to Nigeria, the cable system will also serve to enhance Cameroon’s position as the major bandwidth hub in the region and internationally to Europe and beyond.”
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.
Less than a week ago, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, broadcasted via his Twitter account that he had requested from the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, to look broadly into reviewing the restrictions in the Forex policy that has placed, according to Saraki, a huge discomfort on millions of Nigerians, particularly the SME owners. “After series of engagements with SME owners who are affected by the current CBN policy on Forex, the Senate has advised CBN to review” Saraki said.
Coincidentally, this mind-rubbing between the Senate President and the CBN governor happened on the eve of the visit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Team, led by its Managing Director, Madame Lagarde Christine to the National Assembly in Abuja.
In the meeting, according to reports, Saraki emphasised on the Forex issue while discussing other burning economic matters Nigeria is encountering at present with Lagarde of the IMF. The two heads met at same horizon as the IMF Director reasoned along with the Senate while she canvassed that the restriction on foreign exchange should only be a temporary economic step.
It is pertinent to recall that Nigerians, particularly those whose business is adversely affected by the Forex policy, launched profuse Twitter engagements with the Senate President on the issue. The vast majority of the citizens, conversing directly with their Senate President, appealed to Saraki to ensure that the policy is reviewed.
Earlier today, Jan 11 2016, the Central Bank eventually announced that it had lifted the restrictions on Forex deposit. Following this euphoric moment; Nigerians online came again at Saraki with bunch of accolades for the latest development on the Forex issue. Looking at how the tweets were coming, one would see that it was a great victory.
In a tweet response however, the President of the Senate had refused to arrogate the encomium to himself when he quickly directed it to the Nigerian masses in SME realm. Replying to a tweet by Tolu Ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi), Saraki maintained that: “the credit I believe should go to the business men and women out there who urgently need Forex to stay afloat.”
Saraki further tweeted that “ Review of forex restriction by CBN, good step in right direction. Let’s all work to see that the policy works and not abused.”
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.
Orange today announced it has entered into a firm agreement with Cellcom Telecommunications Limited
PARIS, France, January 12, 2016/ — Orange (www.Orange.com) today announced it has entered into a firm agreement with Cellcom Telecommunications Limited to acquire, through its subsidiary Orange Côte d’Ivoire, 100% of Cellcom’s Liberia subsidiary, the leading mobile operator* in Liberia, with the strongest market commercial momentum.
Orange will provide its marketing expertise and world-class technical capability to further strengthen the network operator, enhance services to consumers and contribute to the economic growth of Liberia. Cellcom’s founders and employees will remain involved in the business to ensure a smooth integration, support performance and continue long-standing relations with the Government of Liberia.
This acquisition is part of the international development strategy of Orange, which aims to accelerate its growth by entering new emerging markets with high potential. This will enable Orange to strengthen its positions in Africa, which is a strategic priority for the Group.
Liberia is a country of over 4.3 million inhabitants, with a mobile penetration rate of 66%, lower than in many neighbouring countries. With a national mobile license and its significant market share in the country in number of subscribers, Cellcom has excellent potential for growth over the coming years.
The completion of the transaction remains subject to approval by the competent authorities.
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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