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Buhari, Gbajabiamila Condole With Media Industry, Mourn death of Waheed Bakare
President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, have commiserated with the media industry, particularly Nigeria Union of Journalists and Nigeria Guild of Editors, on the sudden demise of Mr Waheed Bakare the Saturday Editor of New Telegraph.
In dissimilar statements on Monday, the President and the Speaker sympathize with the late journalist’s family.
‘President Buhari according to a brief communique signed by his special aide, Mr Femi Adesina, sent his condolences to the family of the deceased, and management of New Telegraph Newspapers, describing the editor’s death as a collective loss to the media and the nation that he served passionately with his talent.’
The President commune with and prayed that God will receive the soul of the departed, and make it easy on all that mourn him.
In a similar vein, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila described the death of the Editor as a sad loss.
‘Gbajabiamila also commiserated with the late Journalist’s family, the entire management and staff of the New Telegraph Newspaper over the loss, he also condoled with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), stressing that Nigerian journalism has lost one of its dedicated members, whom he described as a diligent and hardworking individual.’
Source___Channels TV
CSO’s ask Barrow not to change the new draft constitution
The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in The Gambia threw their recommendations behind the country’s new draft constitution, saying it expresses the will of the Gambian people.
In a joint declaration, they called on President Adama Barrow to bring forward the draft constitution to lawmakers “unchanged”
“It is incumbent on the current government to take all urgent steps necessary to ensure that the draft Constitution is submitted unaltered to the National Assembly to respect the aspirations of the people,” said the activists in a statement read by John Charles Njie, the chairman of Tango, on behalf of civil society organisations in the country.
‘The Draft Constitution, which was submitted to President Adama Barrow on March 30 and made public a day later, is due to be published in the Gazette on May 30 and put before lawmakers in August before it is subject to a referendum.’
Its popular vote requires the support of 75% turnout of 50% of Gambian voters.
“Whilst not all opinions expressed in the consultative process have been incorporated in the final draft, the civil society believes that the CRC has managed to produce a draft constitution based on the views expressed by the majority of Gambians,” said Njie, chairman of Tango.
“The CRC also accommodated minority views in the interest of serving all citizens. The final draft constitution has appropriately taken on board very progressive provisions from different African Constitutions and has now obtained both local and international acclaim.”
Since the draft constitution was put forward, rumours were widespread that the Gambian leader, Adama Barrow does not support it.
Among the things Barrow is said to be against is that the draft counts his current term as part of the two terms he is permitted to serve as president.
His cabinet is also against the “too much powers” the draft has given the National Assembly and that they are also asking for it not to be mandatory for the president to be in parliament.
Source___The Point
Political Parties Declines Eu’s Call For Gay Rights in The Gambia
A current declaration by the European Union proposing its dedication to protect gay rights in The Gambia has instigated controversy and even critism from Gambians, among them are the political leaders.
The EU has been worried about the prohibition of same-sex marriage in The Gambia.
But last year, the Gambia government affirmedly stated in its submission to the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group that it has no plans to allow same-sex marriage.
Reacting to the recent EU comments, the Gambia Moral Congress leader, Mai Ahmad Fatty said: “I am aware that respect for fundamental rights constitutes an essential element for EU-Gambia relations. However, our relationship with the EU is first and foremost a partnership. I believe this is an enduring equal partnership founded on respect for each other’s values, not the contrary. It means a mutual relationship in which The Gambia respects European values and Europe also respects Gambian values”. He added
The United Democratic Party spokesperson, Almamy Fanding Taal, said the mindset that cultural values and rights of the people are something that they need to import from the West is a total ignorance.
“I think the EU is just trying to spread values that are completely alien to Gambian ways of doing things. If you look at our criminal code, it was enacted by a colonial parliament in 1933 and it is in that Act that they made homosexuality or what they call ‘sex against the order of nature’, an offense. Of course, our criminal justice system is based on jurisprudence of the United Kingdom who were a colonial master to many countries in Asia and Africa. He explained.
Other parties also refuses to accept Gay marriage in the Gambia, as it is against their culture and insult to their way of life.
Source___Standard Newspaper
‘Super Eagles Forward Victor Osimhen Loses Father’
Nigerian footballer and Lille forward, Victor Osimhen father passed away, Patrick Osimhen.
Osimhen, 21, took to his official Twitter handle to make the news known of his father’s demise.
“RIP Dad. No words to describe this feeling,” he tweeted.
His French Ligue 1 team also offered sympathy with the 2015 U-17 World Cup winner over the occurrence, warranting him of the club’s support in this “difficult time.”
“Today we learned with great sadness of the passing of @victorosimhen9 ‘s father,” the French side tweeted.
“The entire LOSC family is joined in grief with Victor and his family. He has our full support during this difficult time.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also tweeted on its official handle, sympathying with the striker over his father’s death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time,” the football body said. “Take heart and stay strong.”
The former Wolfsburg player has had an impressive start season with The Mastiffs after earning 18 goals in 38 matches since joining them last summer from the Belgian side, Sporting Charleroi.
‘He has scored 13 goals in the French Ligue one as Christophe Galtier’s team ended fourth on the log. In September 2019, he won the French Ligue 1 Player of the Month gong for his sterling showings.’
Source___Channels TV
PDP in Nigeria Refuses to accept Kogi Election, Heads To Appeal Court
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria has refused that its candidate Musa Wada, won the November 2019 Kogi state governorship election.
The party in a statement signed on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, make it known their will to take back its victory at the Appeal Court.
This was in response to the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting which on Saturday make known the election of present Governor, Yahaya Bello.
The PDP described the judgment as an alerting stillbirth of justice, declaring that their candidate, Wada, put forward their undeniable proofs of electoral ‘manipulations’ as affirmed by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele in his unconventional judgment.
“Our party was able to lay incontestable evidence of over-voting, massive thumb printing, voter intimidation, thuggery, violence and other malpractices used by the APC and compromised Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to rob our candidate and the people of Kogi state of their mandate.
“The PDP expressed shock that despite the overwhelming evidence before the tribunal, proving that Governor Yahaya Bello did not win the election, justice was thwarted to the disappointment of the people of Kogi state and generality of Nigerians.
“The fact remains that the evidences are clear that our candidate is the genuine choice of the people and our party is confident that the Court of Appeal will uphold justice in this matter,” PDP’s statement read in part.
The party also praised Justice Ohimai for his bravery and showing that there is hope in the institution of the judiciary.
Source___Channels TV
UK PM Boris Johnson endorse top aide after lockdown diaclosure
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has backed his chief adviser Dominic Cummings, amid a backlash of calls for Cummings to step after it was made known that he travelled to Durham from London while the country was on lockdown and everyone had been told to stay in their houses.
Johnson told a news conference on Sunday that he believed Cummings had acted “responsibly and legally”.
“I think that what they did was totally understandable,” he added. “I think any father, any parent would frankly understand what he did and I certainly do.”
Cummings travelled 250 miles (400 kilometres) from London to his parents’ home in Durham, in northeast England, with his wife and son as he was coming down with COVID-19 symptoms at the end of March.
Britain’s lockdown, which began on March 23, specified that people should stay at their primary residence, leaving only for relevant local errands and exercise. Anyone with coronavirus symptoms was told to completely isolate themselves.
The Sun newspaper reported late on Sunday that Johnson was going through a cabinet upset over his support for Cummings, a divisive figure most known for his role in the campaign to take the UK out of the European Union.
“He (Cummings) cannot stay,” the paper quoted an unnamed minister as saying. “There has to be some contrition from Boris too or he will spend the next ten weeks having to answer questions about it all. This is not a bubble story. Real people are furious because they have been doing the right thing and isolating.”
The Sun report came after some Conventional MPs joined opposition calls for Cummings to step down.
“Dominic Cummings has a track record of believing that the rules don’t apply to him and treating the scrutiny that should come to anyone in a position of authority with contempt,” tweeted Conservative politician Damian Collins. “The government would be better without him.” He added
Source___Aljazeera
US Limits Travel from Brazil Amid escalates of coronavirus outbreak
The White House has make known a ban on travel to the United States from Brazil amid the escalation of coronavirus in Latin America’s hardest-hit country.
Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a briefing on Sunday evening that the ban pertain to all foreign nationals who have been in Brazil in the 14 days before coming back to the US.
McEnany flip it as a move by US President Donald Trump “to protect our country”. Trump notified last week that he was taking into consideration to cut back Brazil.
The President Trump has already banned travel from the United Kingdom, Europe and China, all of which have been hit hard by the virus. The US has the world’s highest number of cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and has confirmed not much less than100,000 deaths.
‘The travel ban was a blow to right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has shadowed Trump in his approach to the pandemic, fighting calls for social distancing and touting unproven drugs. The Brazilian president’s office did not respond to a request for comment.’
“The US maintains a strong partnership with Brazil and we work closely to mitigate the socioeconomic and health impacts of COVID-19 in Brazil,” the US Embassy in Brasilia said in a statement.
The new restraint come into play on May 28, the embassy said.
Brazil’s foreign ministry called it a technical decision in the context of “important bilateral collaboration” to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting US helping of $6.5m and a new White House promise of 1,000 respirators.
McEnany further enlightened that the new limitations would help ensure foreign nationals do not bring more Covid-19 infections to the US, but would not affect the commercial activities between the two countries.
Source___Aljazeera
Afghan president warrants to free up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has started the process of freeing up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners as a “goodwill gesture”, his spokesperson said, in a step that came after the government welcomed the armed group’s ‘surprise announcement of a three-day ceasefire’ during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
The decision to free the prisoners was taken “to ensure success of the peace process”, Ghani’s spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Twitter on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the ‘ceasefire’ seemed to hold as there were no briefing of clashes between the Taliban and Afghan forces by the end of the first day on Sunday.
Ghani said a government delegacy was “ready to immediately start the peace talks” with the Taliban.
Government mediators would be lead by Ghani’s former rival Abdullah Abdullah after the two signed a power-sharing document last week that ended a months-long political crisis.
“This process should be completed in order to remove hurdles in the way of commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations,” Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, said on Twitter.
Source___Aljazeera
Hong Kong Safety law ‘needed to tackle terrorism’
Hong Kong needs a debatable new security law to deal with “growing terrorism”, the territory’s safety chief has said.
John Lee said the city had become “shrouded in the shadow of violence”.
After months of silence, this weekend saw a fresh start of protest after the government in Beijing put forward a security law which would severely change Hong Kong’s rarely status.
The opposition say it is a direct strive to curtail freedoms and silence critics.
The bill was put forward on Thursday as China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), come together for its obstructed annual gathering.
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, said the legislation – which would ban “treason, secession, sedition and subversion” – should be brought in “without the slightest delay”.
‘On Sunday, thousands of people defied government warnings and marched through the city centre to protest against the bill.’
‘Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at demonstrators, who were wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus. There were at least 180 arrests.’
In a statement on Monday, Secretary for Security John Lee said that in the past year, “the violence in Hong Kong has been escalating, with many cases involving explosives and genuine firearms”.
“Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as ‘Hong Kong independence’, become more rampant.”
He said the fight on Sunday showed “the need and urgency of the decision to be deliberated by the NPC” and that the law would ensure Hong Kong’s “long-term prosperity and stability”.
The Commissioner of Police Chris Tang also embraced the bill, saying weapons and explosives take from protesters showed Hong Kong was “at the risk point of national security and there is a need to take effective measures to prevent the situation from deteriorating”.
Source___BBC News
Rice farmers impulse gov’t to rescue Jahally-Pacharr
Rice growers at the Jahally-Pacharr rice fields, the famous cultivating centre for rice in The Gambia have make known their sadness over the new government’s absence of interest in addressing the difficulty of Gambian farmers.
‘Jahally-Pacharr is an agricultural rice cultivation project designed for communities in the Central River Region south famous for its tons of output in rice production during the days of the PPP government. Its production sharply dropped under former President Yahya Jammeh who took ownership of the rice fields and brought it to its knees.
But the farmers who said they thought the new government would take the farm seriously felt disappointed becoming unrealistic.’
Ansumana Fatty, aone of the farmers who walked into The Standard offices on Tuesday urges the government to, as a matter of urgency, ‘help them with running water and tractors.’
“We are calling on the government to help us as Gambia cannot continue to live in dreams forever. Enough is enough,” he added.
Fatty said farmers at the Jahal pacharr rice field will execute an enormous campaign against Barrow in the 2021 presidential election if his government fails to address their urgent needs.
“As I speak to you, we don’t even have water to cultivate our rice. We also badly need tractors because we spend D1000 to plough each hectare which is very expensive,” he added.
He said since ex_president Jammeh left office their problems have even triple.
“We are confident that Jahally-Pacharr alone can feed the entire country if the needed capacity is there, but unfortunately this government has done nothing towards addressing the constraints of farmers. We don’t even have water to cultivate our crops talk less of farming materials.”
He said had the government concentrated on one of the country’s largest rice field, “Gambia will soon stop importing rice”.
“We have also written to the Office of the President last February for the Gambian leader to swiftly come to our aid but to avail,” he said.
Source___Standard Newspaper
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