Rescue Charity To Take Italy To Court Over Migrants Trapped On Boat

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November 7, 2022

A charity is preparing to take the Italian government to court after officials refused to allow 35 migrants rescued at sea off its ship.

The migrants – deemed by officials as “healthy” – were told to stay on board the rescue vessel in Sicily, while another 144 were allowed to disembark.

The stand-off came as Rome repeated its vow to halt migrant boats crossing the Mediterranean and the ship’s captain has since refused authorities’ demands to leave the port.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni used her maiden speech to MPs in late October to highlight the issue, saying she wanted to “stop the people traffickers from having the choice of deciding who enters Italy”.

Far-right infrastructure minister Matteo Salvini told Italian radio on Monday it was not just people who were being trafficked in increasingly dangerous “organised trips”, but weapons and drugs too.

Italy is one of the main entry points into Europe and since the start of the year 85,000 migrants have arrived on boats, according to the UN.

Migrants set sail in small, overcrowded boats from North Africa, often get into distress and are rescued by charity vessels.

SOS Humanity – which sails under a German flag – was one of two rescue vessels allowed to dock in Catania, Sicily, over the weekend. It had already been at sea for 13 days, waiting for a “place of safety”. Two other ships remain at sea.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi argued that those who did not qualify as vulnerable would have to leave Italian waters and should be taken care of by the “flag state”, which in this case would be Germany.

But according to Till Rummenhohl, SOS Humanity’s head of operations, the decisions over who qualified as vulnerable had taken place under “arbitrary and inadequate conditions”.

The German charity says a decree by Italian minister that allowed the move breaks both Italian and international law.

SOS Humanity is now appealing to the Administrative Regional Tribunal in Rome against the decree, as well as beginning “fast track” proceedings in Catania itself, so that those remaining on board can have their asylum claims heard “on land”.

North Korea Says Launches Were Simulated Attack

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Zoe Maven

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November 7, 2022

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North Korea says its recent missile launches were simulated strikes on South Korea and the United States as the two countries held a dangerous war drill.

The North’s military said the “Vigilant Storm” exercises were an “open provocation aimed at intentionally escalating the tension” and a dangerous war drill of very high aggressive nature.

The North’s army said it had conducted activities simulating attacks on air bases and aircraft, as well as a major South Korean city, to “smash the enemies’ persistent war hysteria”

The flurry of missile launches included the most ever in a single day, and come amid a record year of missile testing by the nuclear-armed North Korea.

Last week, North Korea test-fired multiple missiles, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and hundreds of artillery shells into the sea, as South Korea and the United States carried out six-day air drills that ended on Saturday.

South Korean and U.S. officials have also said that Pyongyang has made technical preparations to test a nuclear device, the first time it will have done so since 2017.

Senior diplomats from the United States, Japan, and South Korea spoke by phone on Sunday and condemned the recent tests, including the “reckless” launch of a missile that landed off South Korea’s coast last week, according to a U.S. State Department statement.

An official at South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Monday that a South Korean ship had recovered debris believed to be part of that North Korean short-range ballistic missile (SRBM). was the first time a North Korean ballistic missile had landed near South Korean waters.

The South Korean Navy rescue vessel used an underwater probe to recover the parts, which are being analysed, the official said.

Ethiopian And Tigray Forces Launch Hotline As New Peace Talks Begin

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Zoe Maven

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November 7, 2022

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In Ethiopia, Government and Tigrayan forces have established a telephone hotline to help maintain a ceasefire struck last week, having met in Kenya on Monday for a new round of talks on implementing the truce.

The government as well as regional forces from Tigray agreed last Wednesday to cease hostilities after talks mediated by the African Union, a diplomatic breakthrough two years into a war that has killed thousands and displaced millions.

The truce has raised hopes humanitarian aid can start moving back into a region where hundreds of thousands face famine.

Representatives of Ethiopia’s military and government and forces from Tigray are in the Kenyan capital Nairobi to discuss how to begin implementing the ceasefire, with the talks set to last three or four days.

According to an official familiar with the talks, the hotline will address any flare-up in fighting and coordinate disengagements, with both sides recognising “the challenge of fully communicating with all their units to stop fighting”.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s national security adviser and lead negotiator, Redwan Hussien, said on Twitter that the Nairobi meetings would ensure “safety & expedites humanitarian flow to areas hitherto inaccessible”.

Getachew Reda, spokesman for the Tigray authorities, said earlier on Monday that they would honour their commitments.

He said later on Twitter: “Peace is what our people need more than anything. Whether we will deliver on our promise in a manner that satisfies our people, time will tell.

How to prevent Child Drowning -Paediatrician

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Cleopatra Okohai

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November 7, 2022

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A Consultant Paediatrician, Nephrology Division at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege, has said that children should be adequately protected against drowning anywhere be it at home or in public spaces.

According to him, a swimming pool in the house must have four-sided perimeter fencing with restricted access by children.

Dr. Alege disclosed this during an interview obtained by LN247.

The interview came in the wake of the sad news of the drowning of the son of a popular singer, David Adeleke (aka Davido) and his fiancée, Chioma Rowland at the singer’s Banana Island, Lagos, residence. The unfortunate news had several persons expressing concern about children having access to a swimming pool.

Speaking with our correspondent, the paediatrician said a child should not swim unsupervised by adults at any time.

He said, “Life jackets should be made available. However, this must not take the place of adult supervision. Older children are not enough to supervise young ones. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water. Also, it should be noted that pool alarms and pool covers do not replace four-sided fencing.”

The World Health Organisation says drowning has a tragic and profound impact on families and communities.

It states that drowning is among the 10 leading causes of death for people aged one to 24 years with children under-five at the greatest risk.

The global health body noted that in 2019, an estimated 236, 000 people died from drowning, making drowning a major public health problem worldwide.

To reduce the risk of children dying via drowning, Dr. Alege recommended that children should be taught how to swim by a trained specialist.

The childcare expert noted that medical conditions like epilepsy or heart disease require speedy attention during swimming.

The paediatrician also suggested that all adults should have Basic Life Support skills to be able to rescue another individual, especially children during an emergency.

The WHO pointed out that children who live near open water sources, such as ditches, ponds, irrigation channels, or pools are especially at risk.

“Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for seven percent of all injury-related deaths.

“More than 90 percent of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected,” WHO said.

Meanwhile, The Lagos State Police Command had over the weekend said the autopsy conducted on the corpse of Davido’s son, revealed that he died as a result of drowning.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development as well to a correspondent.

Hundeyin said, “Autopsy has been concluded. It confirms the boy (Ifeanyi) drowned.”

Botswana Wins Bid To Host Anti-Conflict Diamond Watchdog

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Zoe Maven

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November 7, 2022

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Botswana has won its bid to host the permanent secretariat of the Kimberley Process (KP), the grouping that certifies that diamonds are not used to fund rebel groups, but its members remain divided over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The KP, a coalition of governments, the diamond industry and civil society representatives, said in a statement on Monday it had unanimously elected Botswana to host the secretariat, which is expected to become operational by 2024.

The body defines conflict diamonds as gems used to fund rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

Five KP members initially expressed interest to host it before the list was whittled down to three, with Botswana, China and Austria in contention

Botswana Diamond Hub coordinator Jacob Thamage, who handed over the rotational chairmanship of the KP to Zimbabwe over the weekend, told Reuters before last week’s plenary that Austria had pulled out of the bidding process, leaving Botswana and China in the race

The 85-nation body was established in 2003 to eliminate trade in conflict diamonds. Although it says it has made progress in halting such trade, the civil society organisations linked to the industry have been demanding reforms.

After it invaded its neighbour in February, Russia drew sharp criticism from civil society, which is pushing to broaden the KP’s definition of conflict diamonds to include state actors using the stones to fund acts of aggression.

Abuja-Kaduna train services to resume November – FG

By

Henry Williams

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November 7, 2022

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The federal government on Monday announced that the Abuja-Kaduna train services will resume services in November 2022.

Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation, made this known at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture in Abuja.

The train services were suspended since March 28, 2022, by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) after terrorists bombed the moving train, killed some passengers and abducted at least 60 passengers. The incident attracted public outcry and condemnation in the country and across the globe.

The minister, while describing the incident as sad, said the federal government has learned its lessons and has now put in place security measures to ensure the safety of passengers travelling the route.

According to him, the government has put in place surveillance measures that will allow security agencies and the president to monitor activities going on in the train corridor.

Teachers Deserve Appreciation Says VP Osinbajo

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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November 6, 2022

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The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said showing appreciation to teachers will lead to greater achievements in the education sector.

Speaking at the 2022 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Osinbajo in a statement signed by the Nigerian Breweries Plc and made available on Thursday said “The teacher must be appreciated. Everyone needs affirmation and encouragement, as it can only lead to greater achievements. And this is why I think that the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award is an incredible boost for teachers and the teaching profession.”

Osinbajo also presented a special recognition award to a former MD/CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Elder Felix Ohiwerei.

In his welcome address, Chairman, NB Plc, Kolawole Jamodu, described the Vice President’s presence as an incredible motivation to all teachers, including those who aspire to make a difference in the field of learning.

Also, Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan, revealed that this year’s edition of the competition recorded a total of 1027 entries from all 36 states of the federation, out of which 833 were valid entries.

A Basic Science and Physics teacher from Federal Government College, Jos, Plateau State, Alaku Ayiwulu, emerged as the winner of the 2022 Maltina Teacher of the Year.

‘‘Ayiwulu will receive a total cash prize of N6.5 million (N1.5million immediately and a N1m annually for the next five years) from the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund. Besides the cash gift, he would also be rewarded with other incentives, including an all-expense paid capacity development training abroad, a fully equipped computer laboratory, or a six-classroom block worth N20 million to be built for his school in his honour by the Fund,’’ the statement read.

JAMB to Digitise Communications From January

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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November 6, 2022

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The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board has said it will digitise all its communications from January 1, 2023.

Speaking on Sunday to journalists in Lagos, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that this would ensure the full transition from a paper communication system to a paperless regime.

“This will reduce delays in the conduct of the Board’s critical operations, increase efficiency, track communication and archive records of communications.

“The Board’s Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System will be upgraded to also serve as a communication channel between the Board, Regulatory Agencies and Institutions.

Oloyede added that for the smooth operation of the paperless regime, the Board would meet with all tertiary institutions virtually on Monday, November 14, 2022.

“The meeting would be held in two batches on the same day for Northern and Southern tertiary institutions.

“Also in attendance would be the three regulatory bodies: the National Universities Commission; National Commission for Colleges of Education and the National Board for Technical Education,” he said.

Students In Anambra Receives Start-Up Support Tools

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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November 6, 2022

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Some youths in Anambra state, south east Nigeria, have received equipment that would help them to grow their start up businesses following the completion of their one year skills acquisition training.

The wife of the state governor, Nonye Soludo, presented the tool kits to more than 70 graduates of the 2021 batch of Skills Acquisition Centre, Awka.

The centre is domiciled in the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and trains students annually on different skills to help them become self-reliant and create jobs.

The 2021 batch had spent the mandatory one year training classes at the centre, and brings the total number of graduates produced so far since the school began in 2008 to 1,229.

The graduating students received equipments such as, sewing machines, hair drying machines, industrial baking ovens, among other tools.

The students who received start up tools also displayed their different products produced by the students during their training.

Addressing the students, the first lady explained that the state government was keen on investing in youths, and has kicked off series of schemes that targets them.

The governor’s wife said that the training and empowerment were to prepare them for the future, by giving them the necessary skills and platforms to be financially independent and become useful to their homes and Anambra State.

She urged them to be committed to their craft and pursue their careers and businesses with truth, dedication and hardwork.

In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo noted that the skills acquisition training has greatly benefitted Anambra and non-Anambra indigenes, and asked the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the centre.

The commissioner also urged them to use their skills to contribute to the economic growth of the state.

Wife of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Oluchi Ibezim was also present at the occasion.

Police Probe Killing of NECO Official, Vincent Odinko

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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November 6, 2022

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The Oyo State Police Command said on Friday it has begun investigation into the killing of an official of the National Examination Council, Vincent Odinko.

It was gathered that some armed robbers invaded the staff quarters of the University of Ibadan where Odinko was working on his laptop and shot him dead.

The deceased’s wife is said to be an employee of the institution and the husband was awake when the hoodlums stormed the apartment and shot him dead before carting away his laptop.

Contacted to react to the development, the state police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, told news correspondent that the police had begun an investigation into the murder.

Osifeso assured the public that the command would get to the root of the matter and apprehend masterminds of the act.

He said, “Investigation is in progress. Updates would be provided accordingly.”