IYANDA'SBLOG

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Joaquin Phoenix dropped by a screening of his new film in Los Angeles.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The general manager of the Houston Rockets had expressed support for Hong Kong protesters.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
A diplomat's wife involved in a crash which killed 19-year-old Harry Dunn is named as Anne Sacoolas.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
White House says Turkey to begin Syria operation soon, with US forces no longer in the immediate area

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
About 50 police officers have been taken hostage in various areas around the country.

File Photo

 

Youths from Okere-Urhobo and Itsekiri areas of Delta State have clashed over traditional rites surrounding the burial of an Urhobo monarch, leaving over five persons injured.

The crisis was said to have begun on Saturday and continued on Sunday following an order by the leadership of Okere-Urhobo kingdom for business owners to lock up their shops as a mark of respect for their deceased monarch, Oghenero Okumagba (Idama II).

SaharaReporters gathered that this did not go down well with Itsekiri communities, leading to a brawl.

A source disclosed that the Itsekiri youths vowed not to obey the order since the late monarch was of Urhobo extraction and had nothing to do with them.

He said, “The Itsekiri youths said during the burial ceremony of their late monarch, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, no such order was given and based on that, the Okere-Urhobo's order will not be observed in Itsekiri domain.”

Commissioner of Police in the state, Adeyinka Adeleke, confirmed the crisis, adding that one person was shot and that the fight was connected to the burial of the king.

Tradition News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2MmhDID

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

 

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for building a fence around the Unity Fountain.

The popular and iconic fountain in the heart of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has served as a rallying point for many important events and demonstrations over the years without any restriction in access.

Reacting to the development in a post on Twitter, Ezekwesili said the move by the government will end in tears.

She said, “Let me offer free counsel to our @NGRPresident @MBuhari. Ask your contractors to pull down the fence and roll back their construction equipment @Our Unity Fountain now.

“This act of stifling citizens’ voice will end in tears. But it won’t be citizens crying, sir!

“This is childish. Why is the government afraid of civic right to assemble?”

ACTIVISM Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/31Y8m04

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili

 

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for building a fence around the Unity Fountain.

The popular and iconic fountain in the heart of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has served as a rallying point for many important events and demonstrations over the years without any restriction in access.

Reacting to the development in a post on Twitter, Ezekwesili said the move by the government will end in tears.

She said, “Let me offer free counsel to our @NGRPresident @MBuhari. Ask your contractors to pull down the fence and roll back their construction equipment @Our Unity Fountain now.

“This act of stifling citizens’ voice will end in tears. But it won’t be citizens crying, sir!

“This is childish. Why is the government afraid of civic right to assemble?”

ACTIVISM Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/31Y8m04

Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday afternoon burnt a section of the Emir of Jajare’s Palace in Babangida headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, according to a report by The Nation.   

Eyewitness said the insurgents headed straight for the emir’s palace upon entering the town but the Emir had left the palace before that time.

Apart from setting the palace on fire, the hoodlums also went away with a Hilux van belonging to the Emir.

A resident of the community claimed that the insurgents were on a mission to eliminate the District Head in a revenge mission for earlier giving intelligence report to security agencies that led to the elimination of some Boko Haram members.

Boko Haram Insurgency Terrorism News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2RCKh9z

Punchng

 

Five people were on Sunday afternoon burnt beyond recognition in a motor accident that occurred along the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State, according to a report by PUNCH.

The accident, which happened in a bush about 56 kilometres away from Kaduna, involved two vehicles.

While one of the vehicles is a car with registration number JJJ 220 BB, the second vehicle was burnt beyond recognition.

It was gathered that three of the passengers were inside the burnt car, which was still smouldering at the time of this report.

Another charred body of a passenger was seen beside the burnt car.

Two passengers, who were not burnt, were seen lying dead with one of them having broken legs, while some of his teeth had fallen off.

Two military uniforms in a suitcase were seen among the personal effects scattered at the scene, making observers to believe that one of the victims might be a military personnel.

The uniforms were not torn, neither were they burnt.

A man who was seen controlling traffic at the scene of the incident, claimed that although he was not there when the accident happened, the driver of one of the cars, who sustained severe injuries was brought out alive and rushed to a hospital for medical attention.

He said, “I got to the scene when the accident had happened. It was a head-on collision caused by excessive speeding.

“As you can see, several people died in the accident and some were burnt beyond recognition.

“The driver of one of the vehicles was brought out alive and rushed to the hospital, but he was badly injured.

“A military officer is among the victims, but we are yet to know his identity.

“The two military uniforms, which he was carrying, have no name tags, so we are yet to know who he is.

“It is very sad and unfortunate.”

 

Travel News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2LTsevm

 

President of the Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye, has said that the organisation had commenced mobilisation of members ahead of a nationwide protest, adding that they would not embark on a warning strike.

The TUC’s position comes after the failure of the Nigerian Government to implement the new minimum wage of N30,000.

In a statement, the organised labour said that it would not guarantee industrial peace in Nigeria if the government failed to hold a meeting with it and accept its demand on the consequential salary adjustment arising from the new minimum wage.

Labour said it had demonstrated a great deal of restraint, consideration and patience with government in arriving at the demand of 29 per cent salary increase for officers on salary levels 07 to 14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers on salary grade levels 15 to 17.

The statement said the alleged nonchalant attitude of the government negotiating side had dragged negotiations for consequential wages adjustment unduly, adding that Nigerian workers had exercised tremendous patience and restraint already.

Olaleye said, “We had already begun mobilisation of our members for an industrial action long before we made the pronouncement.

“We have given instructions on mobilisation to our members in the states and all council areas.

“If by October 16 government fails to do what we expect, we will start our action with a rally. On the second day (October 17), the strike will begin.

“We are not going to give any warning strike this time round. We have threatened to go on strike on many occasions.”

LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Iu3yaN

 

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it would allow unmarried foreign couples to rent hotel rooms together.

This comes after the ultraconservative kingdom begins offering tourist visas for the first time, according to the AFP.

The tourism authority said in a statement published on Twitter that Saudi women travelling alone would also be able to check into a hotel by presenting valid identity cards.

In the past, couples wanting to stay in a hotel had to prove they were married.

“This is no longer required for tourists,” the statement said.

Saudi Arabia announced on September 27 that it was opening its doors to holidaymakers with the goal of diversifying its oil-dependent economy.

The kingdom had previously only issued visas to Muslim pilgrims, foreign workers, and recently to spectators at sporting or cultural events.

Citizens from 49 countries are now eligible for online e-visas or visas on arrival, including the United States, Australia and several European nations.

Travel News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Iu3xDL

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Extinction Rebellion is planning to start a two-week protest from Monday.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Entrepreneur Jim Estill spent CA$1.5m of his own money to bring Syrian refugees to Canada.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
It might not be big, beautiful or even a wall but the US president has made progress.

The presidency has given highlights of the three-day visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to South Africa, from October 2 to 4. 

President Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the 9th Bi-National Commission at the seat of government, Union Building, Pretoria, on Thursday.

Shehu Garba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, gave hights of the meeting.

Here is the full statement

There were several crucial outcomes from the three-day state visit of, and here are some highlights from the historic journey.

The President, who was accompanied by Governors of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Plateau State, Simon Lalong, seven cabinet ministers, head of the National Intelligence Agency and that of the Diaspora Commission was on a dual mission to undertake a State Visit and Co-Chair, with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inaugural meeting of the elevated Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Nigeria and South Africa.

In 2016, the two countries had agreed to lead the BNC at the level of heads of state, which was the first ever by Nigeria.

In focus during President Buhari’s visit was a wide range of bilateral, regional, continental and global issues of common interest.

For the first time, in the very historic relations that binds the two countries, this visit sought to, and successfully, established an equation between the two and their leaders. The result seems positive with both leaders acknowledging how the meetings reinforced the historic and strategic relations that exist between them, and the need to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation. They both proclaimed a perfect meeting of minds.

The meetings took place against the overarching backdrop of the sporadic xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals including Nigerians, which had threatened to rupture the cordial and brotherly relationship between the two countries.

When some countries in the sub-region recalled their ambassadors and threatened to cut ties with South Africa following the xenophobic attacks, Nigeria under President Buhari, chose to act wisely by not taking rash actions. There were doubts in many quarters on the continent, if the South African state understood early enough, the magnitude of the consequences of attacks on their own nation, and Africa as a whole. So for President Buhari, the approach was one of engagement, to assist the government and people of that country to overcome their problem, which by now had become our own, and Africa’s challenge.

President Buhari set the right tone by sending a Special Envoy, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to obtain first hand facts concerning the condition of Nigerians and to sensitize the South African leadership on the concerns of Nigeria and of the continent as well the implications of the attacks.

After receiving a brief from the envoy, the President decided to proceed with an earlier planned visit, rather than abort it as some had suggested. With the visit, he saw an opportunity to put Nigeria/South Africa relations on a fast track; that if the two largest economies can come closer and work together, they can help one another, and the continent at large to overcome the many problems confronting them. Where there is development, prosperity and jobs among Africans, the backward habits as embarrassingly witnessed in South Africa and reprisal attacks, including Nigeria, would have been avoided. President Buhari did not, therefore, see “an eye for an eye” or a tit-for-tat as a solution. In appreciation of this approach, many in African leadership, including the African Union have sent messages to the President, thanking him for his enlightened leadership and wisdom in dealing with the matter, and in particular for speaking for Africa.

Arising from their discussions, both leaders condemned xenophobic violence and the reprisals. A solution to the typical violence, in their various pronouncements, lies in poverty eradication, jobs creation, crime prevention, observance of rule of law and lawful migration. The two Presidents directed their Foreign Affairs Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism for prevention and monitoring platform.

Closely linked to this is the issue of the large number of Nigerians incarcerated in South African prisons, their number still undetermined, and lack of communication from the authorities regarding the process and the status of these arrests. The President requested relevant authorities to alert the Nigerian High Commission and the Consulate-General whenever a Nigerian is arrested, in line with Geneva Convention on Consular matters.

Nigeria and South Africa agreed to exchange a list of frequent travellers, notable business people and academics to facilitate the issuance of long term multiple entry visas for 10 years. There was also an agreement to re-establish the Nigeria/South Africa Consular Forum, with departments equivalent to our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Co-Chair), Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian High Commission, the Consulate, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking of Persons, Immigration Service and the Police. The forum will meet two times each year.

The two countries agreed to cooperate in geopolitical matters affecting the continent, on such matters of human rights, reform of the United Nations, migration and security issues, the fight against corruption and terrorism, nuclear disarmament and Western Sahara.

To take full advantage of the Nigerian Presidency of the UN General Assembly, currently led by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Bande, and the South African Chairmanship of the Security Council for October, 2019, they agreed to push for the implementation of Resolution 2439 of the Security Council passed 2017, that called for a High Level Visit to the Lake Chad Basin.

The leaders of the two countries agreed to come closer on defence matters and counter terrorism; to intensify military training cooperation and share intelligence, and to work closely in areas of space technology and cyber security. It is also important to note that that the leaders of the first and second economies on the continent agreed to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment. The inaugural meeting of this council will hold in April in Abuja next year. The meeting reviewed and agreed on the terms of reference as well as the operating rules for the council.

President Buhari and President Ramaphosa also tackled the knotty issue of market access. While South Africa is expected to re-submit the items they wish to have removed from Nigerian import prohibition list and want identified legal and regulatory difficulties facing businesses from their country in Nigeria removed, this country equally wants to have similar obstacles faced by Nigerian companies in changed or taken out altogether. Nigeria expressed commitment to open a trade office in South Africa.

Both countries noted the non-participation of Nigerian banks in South Africa and requested such banks to define their interests for determination by the relevant regulatory authorities in South Africa.

The same thing would apply to the aviation sector where the South African Airways has free air space in Nigeria but airlines here say they have difficulties accessing the South African air space. South Africa indicated they will look into all the issues.

The two leaders also took note of the significant footprints of South African businesses in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications, mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and fast foods. They welcomed business activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises as well as the investment of the Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa.

In dealing with the unwanted tide of informal artisanal mining activities, a team from South Africa will undertake a study tour of Nigeria in January next year. Also in the coming year, there will be joint minerals investment road show as well as an in-depth research and study of coal in this country, with Nigeria gleaning from South Africa’s rich experience in the sector.

Nigeria’s proposal for knowledge sharing in the areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks in mining and metallurgy sector was also welcomed.

In another significant pronouncement to be welcomed by many, President Ramophosa expressed regrets again and again on the xenophobic incidents and contended that South Africa is an integral part of the African continent: “We should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to the development of our economy and that of the region, and that South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.”

In a speech that should calm many Nigerians, who daily accuse our African brothers of ingratitude, President Ramaphosa said at the State Banquet in honour of President Buhari that: “We owe our freedom to Nigeria and Africa.” He cited sacrifices made by the country and its citizens “in spearheading the call for sanctions against the apartheid regime in the 70s and 80s following the Sharpeville massacre in 1960,” adding that “without Nigeria, freedom for South Africa would have come at a greater cost and a later date.” He repeatedly gave strong assurances that xenophobic attacks will not be allowed to happen again.

On his part, President Buhari read one of his best speeches in the current times at the banquet, a speech that in no small measure, delighted Nigerians and South Africans.

When he met the Nigerians in Diaspora, the President spoke as a father and a true African leader: “Recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa. It was an embarrassment to the continent. Let me again use this medium to condole the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace. I also commiserate with all those who were injured. May God heal their wounds. My sympathies are also with those who have lost properties.

“During my visit here, we have discussed these attacks on foreigners and Nigerians. The authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship.

“We have just inaugurated the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission at the level of Heads of State with a firm determination to further bring our two countries together in a mutually beneficial partnership. Let us therefore give peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence”

President Buhari’s visit to South Africa has, without doubt, ushered in the process of healing of wounds that had festered overtime, and upgrading of good bilateral relations to special and strategic levels.

 

Politics South Africa News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/35b3oPy

The presidency has given highlights of the three-day visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to South Africa, from October 2 to 4. 

President Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the 9th Bi-National Commission at the seat of government, Union Building, Pretoria, on Thursday.

Shehu Garba, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, gave hights of the meeting.

Here is the full statement

There were several crucial outcomes from the three-day state visit of, and here are some highlights from the historic journey.

The President, who was accompanied by Governors of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Plateau State, Simon Lalong, seven cabinet ministers, head of the National Intelligence Agency and that of the Diaspora Commission was on a dual mission to undertake a State Visit and Co-Chair, with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inaugural meeting of the elevated Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Nigeria and South Africa.

In 2016, the two countries had agreed to lead the BNC at the level of heads of state, which was the first ever by Nigeria.

In focus during President Buhari’s visit was a wide range of bilateral, regional, continental and global issues of common interest.

For the first time, in the very historic relations that binds the two countries, this visit sought to, and successfully, established an equation between the two and their leaders. The result seems positive with both leaders acknowledging how the meetings reinforced the historic and strategic relations that exist between them, and the need to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation. They both proclaimed a perfect meeting of minds.

The meetings took place against the overarching backdrop of the sporadic xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals including Nigerians, which had threatened to rupture the cordial and brotherly relationship between the two countries.

When some countries in the sub-region recalled their ambassadors and threatened to cut ties with South Africa following the xenophobic attacks, Nigeria under President Buhari, chose to act wisely by not taking rash actions. There were doubts in many quarters on the continent, if the South African state understood early enough, the magnitude of the consequences of attacks on their own nation, and Africa as a whole. So for President Buhari, the approach was one of engagement, to assist the government and people of that country to overcome their problem, which by now had become our own, and Africa’s challenge.

President Buhari set the right tone by sending a Special Envoy, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to obtain first hand facts concerning the condition of Nigerians and to sensitize the South African leadership on the concerns of Nigeria and of the continent as well the implications of the attacks.

After receiving a brief from the envoy, the President decided to proceed with an earlier planned visit, rather than abort it as some had suggested. With the visit, he saw an opportunity to put Nigeria/South Africa relations on a fast track; that if the two largest economies can come closer and work together, they can help one another, and the continent at large to overcome the many problems confronting them. Where there is development, prosperity and jobs among Africans, the backward habits as embarrassingly witnessed in South Africa and reprisal attacks, including Nigeria, would have been avoided. President Buhari did not, therefore, see “an eye for an eye” or a tit-for-tat as a solution. In appreciation of this approach, many in African leadership, including the African Union have sent messages to the President, thanking him for his enlightened leadership and wisdom in dealing with the matter, and in particular for speaking for Africa.

Arising from their discussions, both leaders condemned xenophobic violence and the reprisals. A solution to the typical violence, in their various pronouncements, lies in poverty eradication, jobs creation, crime prevention, observance of rule of law and lawful migration. The two Presidents directed their Foreign Affairs Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism for prevention and monitoring platform.

Closely linked to this is the issue of the large number of Nigerians incarcerated in South African prisons, their number still undetermined, and lack of communication from the authorities regarding the process and the status of these arrests. The President requested relevant authorities to alert the Nigerian High Commission and the Consulate-General whenever a Nigerian is arrested, in line with Geneva Convention on Consular matters.

Nigeria and South Africa agreed to exchange a list of frequent travellers, notable business people and academics to facilitate the issuance of long term multiple entry visas for 10 years. There was also an agreement to re-establish the Nigeria/South Africa Consular Forum, with departments equivalent to our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Co-Chair), Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian High Commission, the Consulate, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking of Persons, Immigration Service and the Police. The forum will meet two times each year.

The two countries agreed to cooperate in geopolitical matters affecting the continent, on such matters of human rights, reform of the United Nations, migration and security issues, the fight against corruption and terrorism, nuclear disarmament and Western Sahara.

To take full advantage of the Nigerian Presidency of the UN General Assembly, currently led by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Bande, and the South African Chairmanship of the Security Council for October, 2019, they agreed to push for the implementation of Resolution 2439 of the Security Council passed 2017, that called for a High Level Visit to the Lake Chad Basin.

The leaders of the two countries agreed to come closer on defence matters and counter terrorism; to intensify military training cooperation and share intelligence, and to work closely in areas of space technology and cyber security. It is also important to note that that the leaders of the first and second economies on the continent agreed to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment. The inaugural meeting of this council will hold in April in Abuja next year. The meeting reviewed and agreed on the terms of reference as well as the operating rules for the council.

President Buhari and President Ramaphosa also tackled the knotty issue of market access. While South Africa is expected to re-submit the items they wish to have removed from Nigerian import prohibition list and want identified legal and regulatory difficulties facing businesses from their country in Nigeria removed, this country equally wants to have similar obstacles faced by Nigerian companies in changed or taken out altogether. Nigeria expressed commitment to open a trade office in South Africa.

Both countries noted the non-participation of Nigerian banks in South Africa and requested such banks to define their interests for determination by the relevant regulatory authorities in South Africa.

The same thing would apply to the aviation sector where the South African Airways has free air space in Nigeria but airlines here say they have difficulties accessing the South African air space. South Africa indicated they will look into all the issues.

The two leaders also took note of the significant footprints of South African businesses in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications, mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and fast foods. They welcomed business activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises as well as the investment of the Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa.

In dealing with the unwanted tide of informal artisanal mining activities, a team from South Africa will undertake a study tour of Nigeria in January next year. Also in the coming year, there will be joint minerals investment road show as well as an in-depth research and study of coal in this country, with Nigeria gleaning from South Africa’s rich experience in the sector.

Nigeria’s proposal for knowledge sharing in the areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks in mining and metallurgy sector was also welcomed.

In another significant pronouncement to be welcomed by many, President Ramophosa expressed regrets again and again on the xenophobic incidents and contended that South Africa is an integral part of the African continent: “We should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to the development of our economy and that of the region, and that South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.”

In a speech that should calm many Nigerians, who daily accuse our African brothers of ingratitude, President Ramaphosa said at the State Banquet in honour of President Buhari that: “We owe our freedom to Nigeria and Africa.” He cited sacrifices made by the country and its citizens “in spearheading the call for sanctions against the apartheid regime in the 70s and 80s following the Sharpeville massacre in 1960,” adding that “without Nigeria, freedom for South Africa would have come at a greater cost and a later date.” He repeatedly gave strong assurances that xenophobic attacks will not be allowed to happen again.

On his part, President Buhari read one of his best speeches in the current times at the banquet, a speech that in no small measure, delighted Nigerians and South Africans.

When he met the Nigerians in Diaspora, the President spoke as a father and a true African leader: “Recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa. It was an embarrassment to the continent. Let me again use this medium to condole the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace. I also commiserate with all those who were injured. May God heal their wounds. My sympathies are also with those who have lost properties.

“During my visit here, we have discussed these attacks on foreigners and Nigerians. The authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship.

“We have just inaugurated the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission at the level of Heads of State with a firm determination to further bring our two countries together in a mutually beneficial partnership. Let us therefore give peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence”

President Buhari’s visit to South Africa has, without doubt, ushered in the process of healing of wounds that had festered overtime, and upgrading of good bilateral relations to special and strategic levels.

 

Politics South Africa News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/35b3oPy

 

The Nigerian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Nurudeen Muhammad, has
urged Malaysians not to judge the whole community of Nigerians based
on a small number of “bad eggs”.

“If 1% of our population are criminals, that’s about 2 million people
already. I don’t think there are more than 2 million Nigerians who are
criminals across the world,” Nurudeen said during a celebration to
make Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary.

"Malaysians should not think that the 'bad eggs' are representatives
of Nigeria as a whole. “In every family, in every community, there is
the good and the bad,” he said.

He was confident that Nigerian professionals have a lot to offer to
the world and not just Malaysia, saying that his home country is a
strong trading market.

UCSI associate professor, Patrick Nwabueze Okechukwu, said his
experience after having been in Malaysia for more than a decade is
positive, though there were a few issues.

“Racism can be seen anywhere,” he said. “It depends on different
situations. There are times when you read and hear stories about
what’s happening on the streets, you have to admit that racism does
exist.”

However, he said Nigerians wanted to show that they had much to offer
the world in academia, trade, and information technology.

One of the attendees at the celebration, Temitope Oladeji, urged the
Malaysian government to be more stringent when vetting foreign
students into the country.

“Some of these ‘students’ don’t go to school and they want to do bad
things,” said Oladeji.

He recommended a better system, such as thorough background checks, to
prevent law-breaking foreigners from entering the country.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2IoC7Px

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The weekend has seen riots over the mask ban, a second person shot and tear gas fired at protesters.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Officials were alerted to the elephants crying after six fell to their deaths trying to save each other.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Police say a Hispanic man is on the run after the shooting, in which five people were also wounded.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The election comes at a time of rapid economic growth under the minority Socialist government.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Meet the "transhumanists" who are pushing the boundaries of technology to implant chips and more into their bodies.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Here are some of the stories you may have missed in the last week.