Gabon President Ali Bongo Says Will Run For 3rd Term

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July 9, 2023

Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba said on Sunday that he would seek a third term as the oil-rich African nation’s head of state.

“I officially announce today that I am a candidate,” he told a crowd of supporters in a speech broadcast live on his Facebook page.

64-year-Bongo took over from his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, the country’s ruler for 41 years, in 2009.

The president was narrowly re-elected in 2016, with just 5,500 more votes than rival Jean Ping who claimed the election had been fixed.

Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 and spent months on the sidelines recovering, leaving the opposition to question his fitness to run the nation.

The Bongo family has ruled the country for 55 years already and is branded a “dynastic power” by the opposition.

But the opposition has failed to agree on a single candidate for the presidential election, leaving some 15 candidates to announce their intentions to stand.

In April, the Gabonese parliament voted to amend the constitution and reduce the president’s term from seven to five years.

Sections of the opposition criticised the changes, in particular the end of two rounds of voting, as a means of “facilitating the re-election” of Bongo.

Plateau Governor Imposes 24-Hour Curfew On Mangu LGA

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 9, 2023

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Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) following incessant attacks that led to loss of lives and properties in the area.

In a statement signed by the governor’s Director Of Press And Public Affairs, Gyang Bere the decision to impose the curfew was taken after consultation with the state security council which is to restore law and order in the affected communities.

As a result of the stay-at-home order, movements within the local government area have been banned until further notice except security personnel and persons on essential duties while security agencies have been directed to enforce total compliance of the order.

The governor assured citizens of the security of lives and properties and restoration of peace and security in the state.

Forest Begin Negotiations To Sign Kelechi Iheanacho

By

Emenike Agu

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July 9, 2023

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Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho ahead of a potential summer move.

Iheanacho is one of several Foxes players set to leave the club following their relegation from the Premier League and he won’t be short of offers from the top division.

Forest are yet to make a signing this transfer window, enduing a quiet start to the summer after signing a staggering 29 players in their first season back in the division.

But moves are set to be made and it’s understood manager Steve Cooper is looking to add to his attacking ranks after his side managed just 38 goals in the league last season.

According to Foot Mercato, negotiations have started over a deal for Iheanacho with both sides open to a deal.

Iheanacho has scored 55 goals for Leicester since joining from Manchester City for £25million in 2017, but has been frustrated by a lack of game time under both Brendan Rodgers and Dean Smith.

Iheanacho’s contract runs out in 2024 and it’s unlikely he’ll want to stay in the Championship for too long if he’s not sold this summer, so he’s incredibly unlikely to sign a new contract.

While it’s unclear how much he would cost Forest, but Leicester would almost certainly make a heavy loss on what they paid for the Nigeria international.

It would also be a blow for Leicester to lose the forward to a rival who are now in the league above, so they may prefer to sell to other suitors.

James Maddison and Youri Tielemans have already left Leicester this summer with the heavy clear out underway.

The likes of Harvey Barnes are also set to depart, with Newcastle still interested in the forward.

Zone 3 U-21 Volleyball Championship: Nigeria Gets Second Consecutive Win

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Emenike Agu

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July 9, 2023

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Nigeria will continue to seek supremacy in the Zone 3 tournament in Niamey on Saturday

Team Nigeria maintained its outstanding performance at the ongoing 2023 African U-21 Nations Volleyball Championship (Zone 3) in Niamey, Niger Republic. Nigeria’s women’s team defeated the Niger Republic 3-0 (25-4, 25-11, 25-4) to earn her second straight victory on Friday night.

Rakiya Muhammad, the head coach of the Nigerian squad, stated after the victory that her side will continue to fight when they face the Benin Rep on Saturday. In their first encounter, Nigeria defeated Ghana 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-8).

The coach said the bench and the starting lineup helped alter the court’s plot.

“I feel happy that we are able to beat the Niger Republic. You can see that they brought their supporters to cheer them up.

“The girls were not intimidated by the crowd, and it did not move them a bit. When you see the scoreline, we beat them in all three sets and had very good results. With this, we are through to the final.

“The substitute I brought in played very well, even the starting six, because, in a competition, you concentrate only on your starting six. The bench came in to do its best.

“We are facing our neighbours with a game to play, now that we know we are through to the final, but we are going to fight for supremacy, and we will beat them,” she said.

World Cup: Super Falcons In Good Shape, Spirit, Says Captain Ebi

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Emenike Agu

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July 9, 2023

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The captain reveals the Falcons had no thoughts of boycotting any game, as reported by some media platforms

As the FIFA Women’s World Cup draws near, the Nigerian national women’s football team, the Super Falcons have faced reports of infighting, dissatisfaction, and even threats to boycott their opening game.

However, the team’s captain, Onome Ebi, has dismissed these claims and reassured fans that there is no cause for alarm.

Addressing the rumours of a potential boycott over bonus issues, the 40-year-old Ebi categorically denied such plans.

She reiterated the team’s commitment to proudly representing their country in Australia/New Zealand.

Reports in some media platforms had suggested the Falcons were considering boycotting their opening game at the World Cup after the Nigeria Football Federation’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, allegedly informed them that their match bonuses for the competition had been cancelled.

However, Ebi dispelled these rumours, stating, “Honestly, I have no idea where it came from. We’ve never had such a conversation among ourselves, so I don’t know where that came from. We are only preparing for the World Cup.” She shared her thoughts on the Super Falcons’ Twitter handle in a video interview.

Regarding the team’s training sessions since arriving at the camp, Ebi described them as intense and motivating.

She highlighted the players’ excellent physical condition and positive mindset, emphasising their readiness to compete at the highest level.

Ebi expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, stating that the training speaks volumes about their commitment and determination.

“Saturday’s morning training was intense, motivating the players to be in good shape and spirit, so we are ready to go. The training can speak for itself because we know this is what we bargained for, very intensive training.”

The Super Falcons aim to put aside distractions and fully concentrate on their World Cup campaign

Court Orders Past Govts To Account for $5bn Abacha Loot

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 9, 2023

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a landmark judgment, has ordered the disclosure of the spending details of about USD$5 billion Abacha loot by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

The court ordered the government of President Bola Tinubu to “disclose the exact amount of money stolen by General Sani Abacha from Nigeria, and the total amount of Abacha loot recovered and all agreements signed on same by the governments of former presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari.”

The judgment was delivered last week by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/407/2020, brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that, “In the final analysis, the application by SERAP is meritorious and the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance is hereby ordered to furnish SERAP with the full spending details of about $5bn Abacha loot within 7 days of this judgment.”

Justice Omotosho ordered the government to “disclose details of the projects executed with the Abacha loot, locations of any such projects and the names of companies and contractors that carried or carrying out the projects since the return of democracy in 1999 till date.”

Justice Omotosho also ordered the government to “disclose details of specific roles played by the World Bank and other partners in the execution of any projects funded with Abacha loot under the governments of former presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan and Buhari.”

Justice Omotosho also stated that, “The excuse by the Minister of Finance is that the Ministry has searched its records and the details of the exact public funds stolen by Abacha and how the funds have been spent are not held by the Ministry. The excuse has no leg to stand in view of section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act.”

Justice Omotosho dismissed all the objections raised by the Federal Government and upheld SERAP’s arguments. Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of SERAP against the Federal Government.

Justice Omotosho’s judgment, dated 3 July, 2023, read in part: “The failure of the Minister of Finance to write to SERAP informing it of where the said information exists or to transfer the request to public office who has custody of such information is fatal to their case under section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act.”

“The Ministry cannot use a blanket statement that it was not in possession of the said records of about $5bn Abacha loot sought by SERAP. The government failed to provide details of the projects executed with the money. It also failed to provide locations of the projects and the names of the companies and contractors that carried out or are carrying out the projects funded with the money.”

“I hold that by the clear wordings of section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, access to information about spending details of $5bn Abacha loot was denied SERAP by the Federal Government.”

“The Federal Government had filed a 14 paragraph Counter Affidavit deposed to by Abah Sunday, Litigation Officer in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation argued that SERAP’s suit is frivolous, as it has not shown that the government denied it the information it seeks.”

“The Federal Government has also stated that SERAP has not established sufficient interest in its application. The government urged the Court to dismiss the suit.”

“For the sake of emphasis, possession of locus standi has been the bane of the citizens’ advocates, in the public interest litigation, to query transparency and accountability in governance in Nigeria.”

“In a democratic dispensation, such as in Nigeria, the citizens have been proclaimed the owners of sovereignty and mandates that place leaders in the saddle.”

“The requirement is a serious fracture of the citizens’ inalienable right to ventilate their grievances against poor governance vis-à-vis expenditure of public funds generated from their taxes.”

“The sacrosanct provision of Section 1(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, which has ostracised this disturbing requirement, has, admirably, remedied the harmful mischief appurtenant to it.”

“Clearly, section 1 gives a person the right to access any information from any public institution in Nigeria. SERAP is an organization registered in Nigeria and thus a juristic person. As a juristic person, SERAP need not show any specific interest in the spending details of about $5bn Abacha loot to be entitled to the same.”

“I therefore hold that SERAP is entitled to the information on the spending details of about $5bn Abacha loot, and need not show any special interest in the information sought.”

“The provision of Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act is quite clear and mandates that public institution or public officer such as the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice must make available the information requested within 7 days of the request.”

In the letter dated 8 July 2023 sent to President Tinubu on the judgment, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court.”

SERAP’s letter, read in part: “We urge you to direct the Ministry of Finance and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately compile and release the spending details of recovered Abacha loot as ordered by the court.”

“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment by your government will be a victory for the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the governance processes and management of public resources including the $5bn Abacha loot.”

“By immediately complying with the judgment, your government will be demonstrating to Nigerians that it is different from the Buhari government, which persistently and brazenly defied the country’s judiciary, and sending a powerful message to politicians and others that there will be no impunity for grand corruption.”

“Immediately implementing the judgment will restore trust and confidence in the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary. SERAP urges you to make a clean break with the past and take clear and decisive steps that demonstrate your commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the governance processes.”

“SERAP trusts that you will see compliance with this judgment as a central aspect of the rule of law; an essential stepping stone to constructing a basic institutional framework for legality and constitutionality. We therefore look forward to your positive response and action on the judgment.”

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Finance and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Justice Omotosho granted the following orders of mandamus against the Nigerian government:

AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to provide and disclose the following information to SERAP:

[a] Exact amount of money stolen by General Sani Abacha from Nigeria, and the total amount of Abacha loot recovered and all agreements signed on same since the return of democracy in 1999 till date

[b] Details of the projects executed with the recovered funds, locations of any such projects and the names of companies and contractors that carried or carrying out the projects

[c] Details of specific roles played by the World Bank and other partners in the execution of any projects funded with Abacha loot since 1999

AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the Federal Government to:

[a] Refer any allegations of corruption involving the execution of projects with Abacha loot to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation

[b] Ensure that anyone involved in alleged corruption in projects executed with Abacha loot is brought to justice if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence

National Holiday: France Bans July14 Fireworks Sales

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 9, 2023

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France has banned the sale, possession and transport of fireworks during the July 14 national holiday weekend, following riots sparked by the police killing a teenager, the government said Sunday.

Fireworks were among the weapons of choice during the unrest that exploded in France after a police officer shot dead a 17-year-old during a traffic stop on June 27 near Paris, rekindling long pent-up frustrations and accusations of systemic racism among France’s security forces.

“In order to prevent the risk of serious disturbances to public order during the July 14 festivities, the sale, possession, transport and use of pyrotechnical articles and fireworks is banned until July 15 inclusively,” said a government decree published in the official Journal on Sunday.

The ban does not extend to professionals or municipalities that are organising traditional fireworks for the Bastille Day celebrations, it added.

Worried about a possible resurgence of rioting, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne told the daily Le Parisien on Saturday that the government would deploy “massive means to protect the French” during the national holiday.

Fireworks displays are an annual feature of Bastille Day celebrations. They are also often used during protests in the country.

The police killing in the Paris suburb of Nanterre of Nahel M., who had Algerian roots, sparked France’s worst urban violence since 2005.

More than 3,700 people were taken into police custody in connection with the protests since Nahel’s death, including at least 1,160 minors, according to official figures.

Once Upon A Time – July 9 – 2002 – The African Union Is Established In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Angel Gimalo

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July 9, 2023

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1401 Turko-Mongol ruler Tamerlane (Timur) destroys Baghdad, killing 20,000

1790 Russo-Swedish War: Second Battle of Svensksund – in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian fleet

1868 Louisiana and South Carolina are the last states to ratify the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing civil rights

1893 Daniel Hale Williams repairs the torn pericardium of a knife wound patient, James Cornish, without penicillin or blood transfusion

1917 British battleship HMS Vanguard explodes at Scapa Flow (the result of an internal explosion of faulty cordite), killing 804

1971 Henry Kissinger visits the People’s Republic of China to negotiate a detente between the US and China

2002 The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa.

2017 Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi proclaims victory over Islamic State forces in Mosul

More Historical Events
Jul 9 in Film & TV
2001 “The Office” mockumentary created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, starring Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman premieres on BBC Two in the UK

Jul 9 in Music
1955 Bill Haley & His Comets “Rock Around the Clock” tops the billboards chart, one of the best-selling singles ever

Jul 9 in Sport
1877 First ever Wimbledon tennis championship begins – first official lawn tennis tournament – men’s singles only

1981 Nintendo release arcade game “Donkey Kong” created by Shigeru Miyamoto in Japan (July 31 in the US)

1982 Michael Fagan breaks into Buckingham Palace and enters the Queen’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace, London

Famous Weddings
1735 Author, poet, critic and lexicographer and writer of the first English dictionary Dr. Samuel Johnson (25) marries the widow Elizabeth “Tetty” Porter, 21 years his senior

1842 American “The Scarlett Letter” writer Nathaniel Hawthorne (38) marries American painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody (33) in the Peabody’s home, Boston, until his death in 1864

1952 American country singer June Carter (23) weds American singer Carl “Mr. Country” Smith (25); divorce 1956

Pres. Tinubu Arrives Guinea Bissau

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 8, 2023

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President Bola Tinubu on Saturday night arrived in Bissau, the capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Tinubu also used the opportunity of the summit to visit the Nigerian contingent stationed in the country under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.

The 63rd Ordinary Session summit, which will open on Sunday, July 9, 2023, will be the first international engagement of the President within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The 16 regional leaders are expected to address memoranda on pressing regional issues including the Report of the 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) covering security challenges faced by the member countries, the Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Other matters slated for consideration by the leaders are the Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, the Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan- Lagos corridor.

Upon his arrival, President Tinubu visited the Nigerian Troops under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force in Guinea-Bissau.

He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the soldiers and their Commander, General Al-Hassan Grema, for their dedication and service to Nigeria and their host country, adding that Nigeria would continue to support democracy in West Africa and around the world.

“I am here to show solidarity with you. I want to assure you we are committed to supporting peace and democracy not only in West Africa but around the world.

“Nigeria is a giant that has made its mark in Sierra Leone and Liberia and other places. We count on your support for the defence of constitutional order. I heard your allowances have been paid up to date. Nothing else should make you angry. We will continue to build a virile force.

“We are proud of you. Proud of your loyalty. Nigeria depends on you. There will be peace and progress in our country,” President said.

Brigadier General Grema expressed the appreciation of the troops to President Tinubu for being the first Commander-in-Chief in Nigeria’s history to visit his soldiers outside the shore of the country.

While in Guinea-Bissau, the Nigerian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and have other engagements on the sidelines of the summit.

On the entourage of the President on the trip are National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Folashodun Shonubi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa; Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Aliyu Ahmed, and ECOWAS Permanent Representative, Ambassador Musa Nuhu.

Others on the entourage include former Governors, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Senator Abu Ibrahim from Katsina State.

JAMB Warns Candidates Against Fraudulent App

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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July 8, 2023

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Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has warned intending Candidates, to stay away from fraudulent Applications that promise to enhance their scores.

The board said the end result would always be anguish and misery.

Jamb also stated that it is ever determined to continue to forge ahead despite unwarranted attacks on it capacity.

The board in a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dr Fabian Benjamin, Jamb says the report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government, an independent body, as demanded by some Nigerians to look into the Mmesoma Ejikeme’s saga, JAMB says the report has vindicated the Board.

The board also said that the report has further reinforced the position of the Board that its system was not and cannot be compromised.

Jamb called on Nigerians to learn to appreciate the genuine efforts of their critical national institutions to chart the course of national rebirth.

“Hence, this attitude of attacking everything that makes the nation proud even by people who should know better, is disheartening

The flip side of this is to infer that some ethnic jingoists had perhaps been elevated to public office and recognition beyond their mental and emotional capacity”.

The Board reaffirmed that it has built a reputation in terms of the conduct of credible examinations over the years and will not fail the nation at this critical juncture of its development.

“Therefore, we will not despair in spite of the painful realisation that some Nigerians would do anything to cast aspersions on the good name of the Board”

For the benefit of those who still doubt the capacity of Ms. Mmesoma to commit this egregious crime and those who are pushing the narrative that the girl is just 16 years old even against all available data that indicate her age as an adult of 19 years old.

Mmesoma has owned up to committing the heinous infraction, which was carefully crafted to destroy the very foundation of one of the nation’s agencies charged with the critical role of apportioning the limited educational resource of the nation based on fairness equity and integrity.

It’s therefore, highly regrettable that some Nigerians, who do not believe in the strength and resourcefulness of their nation’s institutions, would latch on to any opportunity to pull the Board down to their level of perfidy.

Candidates, on their part, are warned to stay away from fraudulent Apps that promise to enhance their scores as the end result would always be anguish and misery.

The Mmesoma case should serve as an eye-opener, especially to those who hold the view that anything goes in Nigeria.

“The Board, on its part, will continue to appreciate the unalloyed support of those who even risked being attacked by the social media mob to stand on the side of truth. Your trust in us would never be taken for granted as we also appeal to our detractors to sheathe their swords and be part of the movement to build a greater Nigeria”

However, in spite of all the posturing of its detractors, the Board remains resolute and uncompromising in its commitment to give Nigeria the best as far as credible and fair assessment is concerned.

The Board has however congratulated Miss Kamyosikwu Chinyere Uche as the best scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.