Day: June 11, 2023

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says he is ready to kneel down to beg the incoming senators to give Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa-Ibom) and Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), opportunity to lead the 10th Senate.

Shettima said this at an interaction with senators across party lines held in Abuja.

“I’m ready to kneel down and beg my colleagues for the sake of the nation. This is for the survival of this nation.

“Here we are with a muslim president and a muslim vice-president in a multi ethnic, multi religious polity like ours.

“Number 1, 2. All of the same faith for God sake!!!.

“Under the current dispensation, the worst, the most incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate,” he said.

Shettima added:”Equity, justice and fairness demands that the number three citizen of this country should be christian.

“What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. But most importantly, we should make deliberate efforts to take inclusivity in governance.

“This is a young nation where every community will like to have fair representation on the dinner table of their kinsmen.

“Politics is about perception, politics is about optics. I want to appeal to you, I want to appeal to your conscience.”

“The stability and inclusivity and togetherness of this nation supersedes the depth of our pockets, stability of our pockets.

“We are talking about the sustainability of the nation; the nation is in a crossroad”.

Also speaking, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) said that the stability group had 73 persons who had signed for the Akpabio/Barau ticket.

“We are working very hard to support you in your course for the stability of this country.

“We have committed ourselves to your administration alongside President Bola Tinubu to ensure the stability of the Nigeria.

“The last time we had a meeting with the lawmakers-elect across party lines, the president shook hands with each one of us and called us by our native names.

“This is one administration that will not only be people-oriented but close to the grassroot,” he said.

He added: “So far, the decisions that are coming out are those that will strengthen Nigeria.

“We’ll see Nigeria change before our very eyes and we’re committed to being a part of that change. We assure you not just of our loyalty but the stability of the parliament.”

Similarly, Jibrin said “I must begin by thanking His Excellency, the vice- president for his uncommon commitment.

“To the actualisation of all those that have been endorsed by the party to preside over the two chambers of the National Assembly.

“Your commitment is not to us as persons, it’s to the stability and peaceful coexistence of the people and indeed the progress of this nation.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The International Fund for Agricultural Development -Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), has commenced wet season farming in Enugu and distributed inputs worth millions of Naira to 5,000 rural farmers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to address poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.

Some of the agric inputs distributed to farmers are NPK and Urea fertilizers, certified seed rice, cassava stem, sprayers, planters and selective and non-selective herbicides.

The beneficiaries of the programme are rural farmers from the five Council Areas of Aninri, Enugu East, Nkanu East, Isi Uzo and Udenu in Enugu State.

At the event, the National Programme Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Fatima Aliyu, said she was impressed with the performance being recorded by VCDP farmers in Enugu State.

Aliyu, represented by the Programme’s National Human Resources Advisory, Mr Gidado Bello, said Enugu VCDP was one of the best performing states of the nine states benefitting from the IFAD-VCDP.

He lauded the Enugu State IFAD-VCDP Programme Coordinator, Dr Edward Isiwu, and his team for their effective, committed and purposeful leadership as well as for delivering the inputs on time and ahead of other states.

“We are in Abuja and we know how states perform and I am impressed with the presence of government officials, traditional rulers and farmers in this event.

“We have to support farmers in the state to ensure food sufficiency and security,” Aliyu said.

In his remark, Chairman of the event, Dr Godwin Aboyi, said the event was a unique day for farmers in Enugu and lauded IFAD, the Federal Government and Dr Isiwu for living up to expectations by supplying farmers with inputs.

Earlier in a welcome address, Isiwu noted that IFAD, since inception in the state in 2020, had always kicked off wet season farming by given farmers agro inputs.

He explained that the benefitting farmers represent farmers’ organisations that runs as cooperatives, adding that their new groups would be supported in next two years.

“By 2025, we will wean them and by God’s grace, we will extend the programme to accommodate others farmers.

“As we are flagging the wet season planting today, we are going to give beneficiaries business plan we prepared as well as inputs,” Isiwu said.

He added that by December, the farmers would produce enough rice and garri for Enugu residents.

Speaking also, the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said 10,000 farmers had been empowered with agro inputs since 2020.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal made by Menzies Aviation against the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) last year, over the termination of a written agreement to provide ground services.

The appeal comes after Menzies disputed the lawfulness of the notice and in a letter dated 22 April 2022, which the NAC later withdrew and informed Menzies that they stood by the termination date of 30 June 2022 as provided for in the extension of the original agreement.

In a statement issued by NAC Chief Executive Officer Bisey Uirab on Friday, the agreement to provide ground services at the Hosea Kutako International Airport was for an initial five-year period that commenced on 01 January 2014, lapsed on 31 December 2021 and was subject to the right of renewal for three years.

According to NAC, new bids were then invited prior to the termination date of the said agreement and a six months extension was agreed to between the NAC and Menzies from January 2022 to 30 June 2022, subject to a month’s written notice of termination, should the procurement process that was pending at the time be finalised prior to the termination date.

“The NAC then asked for an undertaking by Menzies that it would vacate the NAC premises when the agreement between NAC and Menzies expires on the said date, however that was not the case. On 27 May 2022, NAC launched an urgent application seeking a declaratory order that the agreement would terminate on 30 June 2022 and that Menzies would be obliged to, on that day, cease to provide services and give vacant occupation of the premises to the successful bidder, which was Paragon,” Uirab noted.

Menzies then launched another appeal against this, which was however dismissed, with costs, during a hearing which took place in the Supreme Court on 19 April 2023, where the court demanded that Menzies’ unlawful hold over the premises and forcing NAC to make use of its services should be put to an end.

The judgment also emphasised that as Paragon was awarded the bid and that award had not been set aside, Paragon should be allowed to act in accordance with the bid as it is willing to do.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The self-proclaimed prophet Andrew Mberema Hausiku, 45, accused of the deaths of two women after allegedly giving them a concoction at Kandjara village in the Kavango East Region, made his first court appearance on Friday.

The concoction was allegedly meant to “rid the women of evil spirits and remove bad luck”.

Two other women who also consumed the drink are currently admitted at the Nyangana District Hospital receiving medical attention.

Hausiku appeared at the Rundu Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sonia Sampofu, who denied him bail due to the seriousness of the case and public interest.

His charges were changed from culpable homicide by other means to two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Hausiku is also facing one count of contravention of the Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation.

The case was postponed to 25 August 2023 for further investigation.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Police in the Erongo Region have expressed concern over the increasing number of suicides committed in the region particularly by men, saying it has become worrisome.

According to Erongo Community Policing Commander Inspector Ileni Shapumba in a statement on a police-media platform, the numbers of mostly male victims taking their own lives in reported incidents, call for concerted action from everyone within the community.

“While we are responsible for crime prevention and maintenance of law and order, as officers responding first and investigating these incidents of suicides, it has really become alarming. As we call upon people to seek alternative solutions to problems that are affecting them, it’s probably also worth mentioning that, we that are surrounding victims look into our actions and give support to help others giving up in life,” Shapumba noted.

He added that suicide is a social issue and in most cases investigations reveal social circumstances could be among the driving factors.

The inspector made this statement after another case of suicide was reported in Walvis Bay on Friday.

According to Shapumba, the 26-year-old Lukas Nghediimwe who was employed by the National Youth Service, reportedly hung himself in an empty house where he was posted as a guard from 15h00 that day.

It is alleged that around 23h00 when two colleagues came to relieve him at the end of his shift, his body was discovered hanging from the ceiling.

The colleagues reported the incident to their supervisor who then notified the Namibian Police.

No suicide note was left and no foul play is suspected.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Walvis Bay-based Namibia Rugby Premier League outfit Kudus maintained their position at the top of the log after collecting maximum points away from home with a 24-08 win against UNAM on Saturday.

The coastal-based outfit travelled to Windhoek as log leaders and maintained their status at the UNAM Stadium which has been known as the slaughterhouse in previous seasons.

UNAM put points first on the board in a match that was physical for both teams, as they showed character and determination to win the game.

Peace Shimwino scored the only try for the home team just five minutes into the game, but Aljarreau Zaahl missed their conversion.

The University of Namibia team dominated possession in the first half, but the Kudus defence showed discipline and character on the day and kept them at bay.

Kudus managed to score their first try of the match through their captain Joshua Jacobs but the conversion was missed. With the first half coming to an end Kudus player Paolo Andrew was sent to the sin bin. UNAM failed to capitalise on that advantage scoring only a penalty through Zaahl.

The first half ended 8-5 in UNAM’s favour.

In the second half, Kudus took control of the game as they outplayed UNAM who found the going tough.

Kudus missed a penalty just minutes into that half, but they later won a scrum which they opted to kick out. After winning the throw-in, Kudus had a maul which saw Chad Plato scoring their second try of the match, but Geraldo Beukes missed the conversion.

The score was 10-8 for Kudus.

UNAM won a penalty which Zaahl missed, and Kudus once again had brilliant play as Lloyd Jacobs manoeuvred himself through the UNAM players to score their third try, and Beukes made no mistake with the conversion.

The score was 17-8 for Kudus. Kudus once again took advantage of the UNAM team with their final try of the match through Jayden Bussel, which Beukes converted for a 24-8 final score for Kudus.

With that win, Kudus are top of the Premier League table with 29 points, while Wanderers beat their arch-rival Trustco United 33-30 to move in second with 25 points. United are now relegated to third with 24 points. Rehoboth is fourth on 17 points after losing to Grootfontein 23-17. Grootfontein moved up the log to sixth place with 10 points.

Western Suburbs are fifth on the log with 15 points, UNAM is seventh with nine points, and Reho Falcon are bottom of the log, level with nine points with UNAM.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba on Sunday said he was disturbed by the many graves of Namibian heroes that remain unmarked to this day.

Speaking at Okahandja during the commemoration of the 127th anniversary of the battle of Otjunda and the subsequent execution of Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva, Mbumba said he is disheartened that their graves remained unmarked.

During the battle of Otjunda, many of Kahimemua’s soldiers also died. However, their graves are not marked.

Mbumba called on the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture to ensure that a befitting shrine is laid at Otjunda and other historical places such as Okatumba, Vaalgras and Ozombuzovindimba, among others, where communities fought forces of occupation and apartheid colonial forces.

“It is only in this manner that we will truly honour the sacrifices of our forefathers who stood firm against colonial occupation,” Mbumba said.

As Namibians commemorate the history of Chief Kahimemua, Mbumba took time to call on current and future generations to remember that freedom and independence was not attained on a silver platter.

“It came because of the sacrifices of the heroes and heroines, whose blood waters our freedom,” he explained.

He urged the youth to be united under the banner of One Namibia, One Nation to defend the freedom and independence.

“Chief Kahimemua on 06 May 1896 at Otjunda in the Omaheke Region, declared ‘enough was enough’ to the aggressive and expansionist policy of land robbery by the German colonial authorities. He therefore became the first Namibian chief to pay the highest sacrifice by the German colonial forces,” Mbumba said.

Cabinet ministers, traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the public attended the event at Commando in Okahandja.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency