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Nigeria border closure: Businesses complain of revenue loss
The government says it wants to stop smugglers and criminals who pose a threat to the country and its economy and will keep the borders closed for now.
Business owners in Nigeria are complaining they have lost hundreds of millions of dollars since the government closed a border crossing with neighboring Benin.
knowing that Nigeria has a big market for rice, it has cause loses to restaurants, hotels and so on.
however serious inflation of goods is happening in Nigeria. The price of rice has rise to its highest in some areas in Nigeria making it had for consumers to buy rice. Other food stuffs like beans, yam, oil etc. people are not given enough alternative before the borders were close and this has caused a lot of disadvantage to consumers and even those involve in rice selling.
Authorities say they are trying to stop illegal goods being smuggled in.
State House ties Barrow’s stiff-arm attitude towards media to way some journalists ask questions
Director of press and public relations at State House Amie Bojang Sissoho has suggested President Adama Barrow’s stiff-arm attitude towards the media is down to the way and manner some journalists ask questions.
President Barrow since August 2018 spoke to the independent media once – Paradise TV – after a news conference that will be remembered for his total meltdown.
Top political commentator Dr Ismaila Ceesay had last year branded the president as clueless but at a press conference, President Barrow fired back at Dr Ceesay in a riposte that went massively viral. Gambians online later mocked the president by using his own phrase against him – ‘where were you’. President Barrow has since not participated in any news conference and speaking to only one independent media, Paradise TV.
Amie Bojang Sissoho in an exclusive interview with Kerr Fatou said some journalists ask questions in a ‘disrespectful’ way, prompting the presidency to have a change of policy.
“We voted for the president but we should not disrespect him. If he agrees to sit and chat, that chat should be done respectfully. But if we realise that Fatou will disrespect me when we sit, I will not sit with you,” Bojang-Sissoho said.
US-based communication expert Alhassan Darboe reacted to Mrs Bojang-Sissoho’s mindset saying the State House press secretary is the ‘disease and cog’ in the wheel of presidential public relations.
“Amie Bojang has no vision and is out of touch with modern public relations practice and mass communication. She is barely educated, inexperienced (PR wise), professionally rusty, unrefined, arrogant and the biggest public relations imposter to come out of The Gambia.
“Amie Bojang as a leader in her capacity is reactive and not proactive. She does not build bridges with the media but burns them. Amie Bojang should be moved to one of the Gambian embassies abroad and be replaced with a seasoned Public Relations expert who can properly sell Barrow to Gambians and control the narrative than constantly trying to put out fires,” Darboe said.
“Rumours say Koro Ceesay was killed in Yankuba Touray’s residence”
Ensa Mendy, the second prosecution witness in the murder case involving Yankuba Touray, on Thursday told the High Court in Banjul before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh that it was rumoured that Koro Ceesay was killed in Yankuba Touray’s residence.
He was continuing his evidence-in-chief, being led by the state counsel, A.M. Yusuf. Defense Counsel Sissoho announced his representation for Yankuba Touray.
At the resumption of the case, A.M. Yusuf asked the witness to continue from where he stopped. He told the court that when they returned from the beach side, he went inside the compound of the accused, adding that the accused was coming from his living room and passed him, and later opened his bedroom door and closed it.
He informed the court that the bedroom door of the accused and his living room are opposite, noting that the house was wet with water. He revealed that he proceeded to the living room and all was muddy with water. He testified further that he went back to his residence and prepared himself, adding that he had his bath.
At this juncture, A.M. Yusuf asked him at what time he was asked to go back to the residence of the accused.
In response, he stated that it was between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. He adduced that whenever they were on duties at the residence of the accused, it was his duty to know the guard commander in case of any emergency.
He stated that he knows Lamin Bojang, adding that they attended the same school and they are residents of Brikama. He said that they joined the National Army at the same time, adducing further that he did not go with Jangom and Lamin Bojang to the beach.
He informed the court that Ousman Koro Ceesay was the Minister of Finance. A.M. Yusuf, at this juncture, asked him what Chairman Jammeh’s position was at the time he was travelling out of the country. He replied that he was the Chairman of AFPRC and the head of state.
“Was it part of your scheduled duty as a bodyguard of the accused to be deployed at the beach to patrol?” the state counsel asked him. He answered in the negative.
“Apart from that particular assignment, were you ever instructed by the accused during the period you served as his bodyguard?” A.M. Yusuf wanted to know. The witness answered in the negative.
Under cross-examination by the defense counsel, it was put to him that he was never appointed bodyguard to the accused. In reply, he told the court that he was appointed bodyguard to the accused.
“I was given arms to protect the accused and at the same time, I was his orderly. It was Basiru Barrow who told me that I am the personal bodyguard to the accused,” Mr. Mendy told the court.
The case was subsequently adjourned to the 4th November, 2019, for the defense counsel to continue the cross-examination of the witness.
Gambia hosts West Africa leaders forum on population, development
The National Youth Council in collaboration with its partners, Wednesday hosted a two-day West Africa youth leaders forum on population and development.
Held on theme: ‘ICPD25, the contributions of west African youth to accelerating the promise’, the forum is said to be the first West Africa youth leaders forum on population and development and seeks to engage youth on the implementation of their role to the Nairobi summit.
Deputising for the Director General of West African Health Organization (WAHO), Mr. Mongbo Medessi Yves Armand, public officer for maternal and child health at WAHO, said issues concerning young people should be given main concern in all development policies.
He said an estimated 60% of the population of the region is young people less than 35 years. This, he said, clearly suggests that young people are the future of the nation.
He indicated that much progress has been made since the 1994 international conference for population development (ICPD).
‘But the road to achieving universal access to sexual and quality reproductive health services for young people remains long.’
He noted that the West African Health Organization as part of its mandate advocates for governments and development partners to increase investment on youth education and health.
To also encourage partnership and networking amongst young people within the ECOWAS Region, it is important to strategically position young people in other to attain the agenda for the upcoming Nairobi summit” he added.
Hassan Jallow, the representative of the Minister of Youths and Sports said the government of The Gambia under the leadership of H.E President Adama Barrow has recognized young people as a significant factor in national development.
‘The Gambia has always been at the forefront in championing and promoting youth development at all levels.’
He noted that the National Youth Council is a public agency established in year 2000 by an Act of Parliament, saying council seeks to mobilize and enhance the participation of young people in national development efforts.
Russia-Africa Summit: President Barrow lays out Gambia investment potentials
President Adama Barrow on Thursday addressed the first plenary session of the Russia-Africa Summit and laid out a detailed presentation of the investment opportunities that exist in The Gambia.
“In The Gambia, we have investment opportunities that bode well for this forum. Our National Development Plan, has, among its strategic priorities, modernising our agriculture and fisheries sectors for sustained economic growth, food and nutritional security, and poverty reduction”. President Barrow said in a statement delivered at the summit underway in Sochi, Russia.
The Summit, convened for the first time, provides an opportunity for more than 60 African leaders in politics, business, and development and their Russian counterparts to engage each other with the hope of expanding the political and trade ties between the parties. Top managers of almost 2,000 Russian and foreign companies are taking part in this high-level meeting.
Among other development and investment priorities, the president invited Russian and foreign investors to take advantage of the country’s year-round sunlight to explore and invest in renewable energy. He also highlighted the opportunities that exist in the country’s maritime sector, stressing that the Banjul Seaport is a gateway to the West African market.
“…investment opportunities in river transport exist along our navigable river. The Banjul port is the hub of West Africa with access to over three hundred million people, and just six hours away from Europe, by flight,” he said outlining similar opportunities that exist in education, tourism, among others.
While thanking the Government and People of the Russian Federation for providing scholarships and training opportunities to generations of Gambians, President Barrow expressed commitment to deepen cooperation and pave new grounds for a more robust bilateral partnership.
Edward denies any involvement in Koro Ceesay’s murder
Edward Singhatey has debunked testimonies of earlier TRRC witnesses, who alleged that he had participated in the killing of one-time finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay on 29th June, 1995.
“The last time I saw Koro alive was when I went to see former President Yahya Jammeh at the airport during his departure,” Mr Singhatey, who was the then vice chairman of the military junta that toppled Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara in July 1994 told the truth-seeking Commission on Monday.
He said he was informed by Alhagie Mustapha Wada the following morning that the finance minister Koro Ceesay had died. He said he attended Koro’s burial but there were suspicions that he was killed by soldiers.”
According to him, after the burial, an investigation was conducted and handed over to Jammeh. He said Koro was involved in a money business from Libya that was sent through the Gambia government to be given to the rebels in Cassamance.
“I got to know about this when I was with Jammeh and Samba Bah the former NIA director. Jammeh was complaining about the border closure. He said we have some good news because Libya had sent money to the rebels in Casamance and Koro was always in support of Jammeh and he suggested means of transferring the money.”
He also said it was later that he came to learn that the NIA also conducted an independent investigation about the incident. “The money was given to Koro to give to the rebels because the former NIA head feels it necessary for Koro to go.”
The Commission’s lead Counsel Essa Faal read a statement of one of the witnesses who alleged that he –Singhatey- was in fact, part of those who assassinated Koro, but he denied the allegation.
In another statement read by lead counsel Faal, Singhatey was accused of being jealous of Koro because he was so close to Jammeh, which resulted to his assassination by him –Singhatey- something he strongly denied.
Koro Ceesay’s sister, Ya Bajan Cessay had earlier testified before the Commission and said that her mother told her that Koro had an argument with Singhatey and he threatened to kill him, but Singhatey denied that allegation as well.
Lead Counsel Faal said Lamin S Marong, Singhatey’s one-time orderly said that he – Singhatey- had asked them to pass by Yankuba Touray’s compound on the day of Koro’s assassination but later asked them to go home because he needed no orderly. Singhatey maintained that he was not dropped at Touray’s compound.
In another statement by witness Lamin Fatty, also one of his former orderlies, stated that on the day Koro was assassinated, they dropped Singateh at Touray’s house but he –Singateh- said Fatty made a mistake in his statement.
Counsel Faal said Yankuba Touray’s drivers, Jah Ndum Ceesay, Essa Mendy and Lamin Ndure had all said that they saw Singhatey at Touray’s house at night. He added that the evidence also indicated that Singhatey spoke to Jammeh at the foot of the aircraft before his departure.
Faal also said that evidence suggest that on the day of Koro’s assassination Yankuba Touray’s family was transferred to Singhatey’s house, while the guards were told to go for patrol because the country was under attack. Singhatey denied that he was not aware and denied all suggested evidences.
In the statement of Alhagie Kanji, which was televised for Singateh, Kanji said that Singateh briefed them that they were going to get rid of one fucking cont, adding that he did the assassination with Peter Singhatey, Pa Alieu Gomez, Tumbul Tamba, BK Jatta and Yankuba Touray.
Kanji narrated that after their debriefing at Singhatey’s house at Cap Point, they proceeded to Cpt. Yankuba Touray’s residence around Senegambia at around 8 pm.
“Upon arrival, Edward asked us to stay because they have an activity at the airport and what they briefed us was that they will be coming with one minister. That night, none of Yankuba Touray’s guards were around neither his family members. We were waiting there and after sometime, Peter came in and said they are coming. I saw Edward and Yankuba with a civilian who he said was a minister. Edward led and I followed and there was an attack from the back. Edward hit and asked me and Peter to hit and later called others to hit till the man died. The remains were taken by Edward Singhatey, Peter Singhatey and Yankuba Touray,” Kanji said.
Singhatey however denied the allegation by Kanji, calling it totally false. He said he never work with Kanji.
Counsel Faal put it on him that he had denied 50 allegations that he was adversely mentioned in.
BREAKING: Cross River gov fails to present 2020 budget, blames consultant
The anticipated radio broadcast of the presentation of the 2020 budget by the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade on Friday did not take place as the budget proposal was not ready.
The Director General of the state Budget Office, Abeng Onoh, confirmed to journalists on Friday in his office in Calabar that the budget would be ready by next week.
According to him, “When the governor asked us we told him we have not finished. I just finished speaking with the consultant.
“By Wednesday or Thursday (next week) the budget will be okay. The problem why the budget was not finished is not from us but the consultant. The network was always fluctuating. Sometimes he will come and sit down for the network to come up. It was not the governor’s fault.”
Onoh, who did not disclose the name of the consultant, further explained that, “What happened is that nearly all the states are operating 52 digits while we are still operating 35 digits mode of codification of projects in the budget. The whole world are using 52 digits. So we are converting from 35 digits to 52 digits. We have not really finished.
“If you look at the capital expenditure, the coding has geo-location. If you have a project in Obubra, any person who sees the code on the internet will know the location is Obubra. Likewise projects in other local governments. In the Federal Government budget, it is the states that are used as codes. It is also operating the 52-digit code.
“Every state has a code. In the states every local government has a code. Any project you do in that local government has a code and can easily be traced as projects are codified according to local government. Cross River State uses State Integrated Financial Management Information System rather than Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) the Federal Government and other states use.”
Uganda police detain 16 suspects over homosexuality, human trafficking
Barely weeks after authorities in Uganda dispelled rumours that the country was to impose the death penalty for gay sex, police have detained over a dozen men on suspicion of engaging in the illegal act.
Ugandan police have detained 16 men on suspicion of homosexuality and human trafficking, a rights group said Thursday, as activists fear an increase in targeted attacks against LGBT people.
The arrests took place in a neighborhood just outside the capital, Kampala, on Monday as the men were being hosted by another rights group, said Diane Bakuraira of Sexual Minorities Uganda, the country’s most prominent LGBT rights group.
A police officer confirmed the arrests, saying the men were detained following a “complaint from the public.” He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.
Activists say attacks against LGBT people are increasing amid efforts by Uganda’s ethics minister, Simon Lokodo, to introduce a bill that would punish gay sex with death. Uganda’s penal code currently punishes sex acts “against the order of nature” with up to life in prison.
Lokodo this month said lawmakers were being mobilized to show strong support for an anti-gay bill when it is introduced in the national assembly. The bill would punish activities including the “exhibition” of homosexuality, he said.
The government spokesman denies such a plan exists.
Lokodo has long called for the introduction of tough new legislation after a panel of judges nullified an anti-gay law enacted by President Yoweri Museveni in 2014 amid international condemnation.
That law, invalidated because it had been passed by lawmakers during a session that lacked a quorum, prescribed lengthy jail terms for those convicted of “attempted homosexuality” and “promotion of homosexuality.”
The original version of that bill, first introduced in 2009, included the death penalty for what it called aggravated acts of homosexuality.
Health experts say a new bill targeting homosexuals would harm efforts against the spread of HIV in the East African country.
“Criminalizing LGBT people and other key populations is utterly incompatible with the mandates of an effective HIV response,” the International AIDS Society said in a statement on Wednesday. “In 2018, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers and transgender people, together with their partners, accounted for a majority of new HIV infections, underscoring the need for governments to work with, not against, these communities who are most vulnerable to HIV.”
Homosexuals face discrimination in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where homosexuality is often seen as imported from the West.
Four members of Uganda’s LGBT community have been killed in attacks over the last three months, according to Sexual Minorities Uganda.
Four flight attendants were arrested in Miami’s airport after bringing in thousands in cash, police say
Four American Airlines flight attendants were arrested at the Miami International Airport and charged with money laundering after bringing large amounts of cash into the country, police said.
Dramatic deposition rocks Trump’s impeachment defense
Democrats may have just unearthed their smoking gun and the quid pro quo in one fell swoop after the most consequential and dramatic turn yet in their impeachment investigation into President Donald Trump.
D5 Creation