BABILOWN~Mawolè

Ghana : UDS honours Rawlings with Doctorate Degree

The University for Development Studies (UDS) on Saturday conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters on former President Jerry John Rawlings in recognition of his contribution towards the founding and establishment of the university in 1992. A citation in support of the honour said, while others said it was unnecessary and waste of resources at the time to set up another public university, you were not discouraged but pushed us to ensure that UDS came into being. Dr Rawlings made a donation of 50,000 dollars, which was used to establish the UDS in 1992. Dr A.B Salifu, Chairman of the UDS Council, who led the university to confer the honours on Dr Rawlings at a special congregation of the university in Tamale, said: “For us at UDS community, Rawlings is our hero.” He said the establishment of UDS marked a turning point in the socio-economic and education life of northern Ghana. The event was graced by Ministers of State, members of the academia, chiefs from northern Ghana and the Ashanti Region amongst others. In his acceptance speech, Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings entreated all to be men of character and speak up against corruption in all spheres of life to ensure the development of the country. He urged the UDS to maintain its trimester academic programme, which allowed students to spend part of their academic course in community service and to become part of the communities, saying this is fostering unity among the people.

He called for more resources for the university and urged its alumni to take the lead role in this regard. President John Mahama spoke against political interference in the administration of public universities, saying such a practice must not be entertained. He described the former President’s award as “Eight years too late.” He said there is the need to redouble efforts to enable the north to catch up with the rest of the country in terms of development. President Mahama said government would continue to support the UDS to expand in faculty and infrastructure to enable it admit more students to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. President Mahama announced a GH¢200,000.00 fund for the UDS to engage in special research purposes. continued

Le Vietnam dit adieu au général Giap, héros de l’indépendance

Ghana: Government to Invest $20 Billion in New Oil Discoveries

The government will invest about $20 billion in the development of new oil discoveries over the next five years, the Minister for Energy and Petroleum, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has indicated. The huge investment is expected to boost the production of oil and gas in Ghana and, consequently, the national economy in significant measure. Currently, Ghana is producing 110,000 barrels of oil daily, and according to Tullow Oil's projection, an additional 80,000 barrels per day is expected to be produced in the next five years. The construction of a gas processing plant at Atuabo in the Western Region is scheduled to be completed in 2014, barring any challenges and it is expected to make enormous contribution to the country's energy capacity. Mr Buah pledged the government's commitment to the development of the petroleum sector and solicited the support of all Ghanaians in that respect. "It is, therefore, imperative that in their appraisals, development and production, Ghanaians must play key roles in all these activities," he said in a speech read on his behalf by one of his deputies, Mr Benjamin Dagadu, in Accra last Wednesday, at the launch of The Oil and Gas Year (TOGY) Ghana 2013.

TOGY Ghana TOGY Ghana is an exclusive, comprehensive and analytical publication on Ghana's oil and gas industry, addressing a wide range of issues, such as investment, policy direction and regulatory framework. The first edition of the publication was produced in 2012, and TOGY Ghana 2013 builds on the maiden edition with a deep reflection on the rapid development in the petroleum sector and developments in the Western Region. TOGY's publications are acclaimed as reliable sources of information on the petroleum industry in more than 30 oil-rich countries across the world. continued

Jonathan Inaugurates National Conference Commitee

Remarks by His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR On the Occasion of the Inauguration of the National Advisory Committee On our Country’s Conversation towards a Greater Nigeria State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja Monday October 7th 2013

Nigeria: Pro-Jonathan Rally Turns Violent in Kaduna, Several Injured

A pro-Jonathan political rally, disguised as a Unity and Peace rally, has ended abruptly on a tragic note in Kaduna, with an unspecified number of participants reportedly injured, with some dripping with blood. At least two people were stabbed and rushed to hospital while several others suffered minor injuries after participants began to use dangerous weapons on one another, witnesses said. The rally, reportedly bankrolled by a governor from the South-south geopolitical zone, was organized under the auspices of the Northern Youth Forum, which has members in the 19 northern states. The governor is believed to have shelled out N500million for the rally meant to buoy President Jonathan's acceptance in the north ahead of the 2015 presidential election. The participants, those familiar with the organisation of the rally said, were bused to Kaduna from all the 19 northern states and paid N3000 each. In the invitations to participants, organizer Jubril Tafida, a former vice-chairman of a local government in Kaduna and current youth leader of the Northern Youth Forum, had claimed the rally was called to promote unity in the north.

But shortly after the event began at the Murtala Muhammed Square in central Kaduna, it dawned on participants that the rally was organised to drum up support for the reelection bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, witnesses said. Muhammed Bello, who attended the event, said the rally turned violent after Mr. Tafilda and other speakers began to heap praises on President Jonathan in their speeches. "As they praised Jonathan, some elements in the crowd began exhibiting campaign posters of the President," Mr. Bello said. "A lot of participants became angry and they started throwing stones and bottles at the organizers. People started running in different directions. Some people were saying they don't want to hear Jonathan's name at the rally." Another witness said the police was later called in to restore order.   read more

Nigerian rights group to ICC: Investigate extremist school attacks

Nigerian rights group to ICC: Investigate extremist school attacks as crimes against humanity

LAGOS, Nigeria - A Nigerian human rights group said Sunday it is asking the International Criminal Court to urgently investigate the killings of schoolchildren and teachers by suspected Islamic militants in northeast Nigeria as crimes against humanity. The petition from the Socio-Economic and Rights Accountability Project comes a week after attackers gunned down at least 43 students at an agricultural college. They also torched several classrooms. "Most children no longer go to school ... due to the fear of teachers and students being killed" in northeast Nigeria, said the petition signed by the organization's executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni. The Boko Haram terrorist network — its name means "Western education is forbidden" — is accused of killing hundreds of civilians including schoolchildren sitting for examinations in stepped-up attacks that defy a massive military crackdown on their strongholds. The group has claimed many school attacks but has made no statement claiming recent assaults. President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency May 14 in three states covering one-sixth of the country where he said extremists had taken control of towns and villages. He deployed an emergency task force that includes soldiers, police, military intelligence, immigration and customs officials. The military

campaign including punishing air bombardments quickly pushed the militants out of most towns, but into rocky and inaccessible hilly areas. The military said it destroyed one camp in bombing raids last week and killed scores of suspected militants that it believed were responsible for the attack on the agricultural college. It said 15 suspects arrested after the air attacks are being interrogating and are providing information that could lead security forces to other camps. Attacks have surged recently and Jonathan said last week he has asked the military to consider new strategies to defeat the Islamic uprising that began in 2009. Read more:

Larry Otoo: The Black Stars of Ghana – Art District

Ghana marks special day at Abuja Int. Fair

International Media Must Stop Disgracing Africa – Mahama

The President of Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has hit out at the international media asking them to stop disgracing Africa by focusing on negative stories on the continent. According to President Mahama, focusing on the negative images and stories on the African continent creates a perception in the Western world that there is nothing good coming out Africa. Many international media houses are notorious for projecting negative stories and images of Africa leaving the positives to a few media houses. This situation has created a negative perception about Africa which has been a concern by several African states. However, In an interview with CNN’s Fionnuala Sweeney on issues affecting Africa, President Mahama said it is about time the international media projects some of the good things coming out of Africa and stop disgracing Africa by showing only the negatives. “Over the years Africa has been looked at as a continent that nothing good can come out of and this perception has been re-emphasized by the kind of images that are shown on the international networks” President Mahama said.

He added that “Showing children starving, showing a continent plagued by HIV/AIDS, showing economies that are stagnating but I believe that there is something good happening in Africa and the international media needs to showcase that. “I don’t think that the kind of images shown are representative of what is happening in Africa, the continent is moving on, Africa is need of opportunities, Africa is standing on its feet, there are a lot of continued

Benin Kingdom Gallery, US

By Tajudeen Sowole INCONSISTENCY in policies, which keeps limiting the continent, seems to have aided the legitimacy claim of Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, US over the controversial Benin cultural objects. Last year, the museum had received donation of 28 pieces of art in bronzes and six ivories from an American, Mr. Robert Owen Lehman. The donor, significantly, is the heir to the vast collection of a famous banker, Phillip Lehman (1891-1969), who was one of the early collectors of Benin art. The collection has been traced to the looting that took place when the British invaded old Benin Kingdom in 1897, which eventually led to the sending of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (1888 -1914) to exile in Calabar. An estimated 4, 000 cultural objects from the Benin palace were looted by the British military. For MFA, which is one of many museums in the US and Europe holding some of the Benin artefacts, it’s a priority to legitimise the invaluable collection. In getting legitimacy, the endorsement of Benin natives was essential, particularly in managing public sentiment and perception, so suggests the museum’s attitude after receiving the donations last year. A newspaper review on the controversial donations, published by The Guardian last year with heading Ahead of 2013 show of looted Benin artefacts, museum plots legitimacy, had exposed MFA’s tactics to blur the restitution question hanging over the acquisition of the artefacts. Two weeks ago, MFA’s plan was finally carried out as some natives of Benin joined the museum in what was tagged, Celebration of Benin Kingdom Arts and Culture. It was the opening of Benin Kingdom Gallery, a dedication to the cultural objects of the people. The event, MFA said, was in collaboration with a Boston-based group, Coalition of Committed Benin Community Organisations. Photographs from the event, which showed a high level representative, also indicate an apparent contrast to the demand of the Benin monarch for the restitution of the controversial artefacts. The delegates included Ambassador Walter Carrington, Chief Nicholas O. Obaseki of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness Professor Gregory I, Akenzua of Benin Kingdom, Chief Esosa Eghobamien, The Obobaifo of Benin Kingdom, Dr. Arese Carrington, and Director of MFA, Boston Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund. continued

Nigeria: Plane nosedives in Lagos, up to 16 dead

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A chartered airplane nosedived into the ground and burst into flames near tanks of aviation fuel on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday, killing up to 16 people, officials said. Six survivors were rushed to the hospital, two in critical condition, Joe Obi, spokesman for Nigeria's Aviation Ministry, told The Associated Press. Obi said 14 people were killed on the aircraft that was carrying 20 people — 13 passengers and seven crew members. However Lagos state Deputy Gov. Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire told reporters that 13 people died and there were seven survivors. Later, Capt. Usman Muktar, commissioner of the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau investigating the accident, said there were only four survivors. There was no way to immediately account for the discrepancy, though some survivors may have died in the hospitals and some bodies apparently are burned beyond recognition. The deputy governor appealed to family members to come forward for DNA tests to help identify the victims' remains. She spoke to reporters outside Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where some of the wounded are being treated.

Federal Aviation Agency spokesman Yakubu Dati said the Brazilian-made turboprop Embraer-120 crashed at 9:20 a.m. (0820 GMT) shortly after taking off from Murtala Muhammed Airport's domestic terminal. Police Commissioner Waheed Sanau said the plane was chartered from Associated Airline to fly from Lagos to Akure in Ondo state and crashed into open land near a tollgate shortly after taking off. The front of the aircraft was completely destroyed, indicating it was the first part to hit the ground. The wrecked remains, surrounded by security officers and rescue workers, lay about 30 meters (yards) from massive tanks storing aviation fuel. Local news reports said the plane was carrying mourners and the body of former Ondo state Gov. Olusegun Agagu, who died on Sept. 13. Dati said Agagu's casket and the black box that records data from the aircraft had been recovered.   continued

Nigeria Ruling Party : Things Fall Apart

The ruling party and the country’s president face their greatest-ever challenge

Afrique : L’Histoire et les Gardiens de notre Dignité

Dans le Monde, on pouvait lire : «  Le Gouvernement de Gambie a annoncé mercredi 2 Octobre au soir le retrait de ce pays du Commonwealth (…)sans fournir d’explication » Mais plus loin, à propos de l’événement, le journal dit : « Le gouvernement se retire du Commonwealth en tant que membre et décide que la Gambie ne sera jamais membre d'une institution néo-coloniale, et ne fera jamais partie d'une institution qui représente un prolongement du colonialisme" Quand on y réfléchit bien, on sent qu’il y a quelque chose de douteux dans cette façon de présenter l’affaire, et on a l'esprit taraudé par une sourde contradition qui n'ose pas s'apparaître comme telle. Mais dans les commentaires libres des Internautes, comme il arrive souvent de trouver des réactions pertinentes qui vous soulagent de vos interrogation muettes, il y a un commentateur qui dit : « " sans fournir d'explications" ?? et c'est quoi alors : "Le gouvernement se retire du Commonwealth en tant que membre et décide que la Gambie ne sera jamais membre d'une institution néocoloniale, et ne fera jamais partie d'une institution qui représente un prolongement du colonialisme" » ! Eh oui, en toute logique comment pourrait-on être plus clair en l’occurrence dans les raisons qui ont motivé le retrait de ce pays de

l’organisation  dite Commonwealth ? Ou bien le journaliste pensait-il à une explication plus sérieuse ? plus hypocrite ? Plus diplomatique ? Pense-t-il que le néocolonialisme est une seconde nature que les Africains doivent accepter sans la questionner, et que pour justifier leur choix politique ou diplomatique, il ne saurait constituer une raison valable ? Tout cela a un relent du mépris… Yahya Jammeh à l’instar des Robert Mugabe, des Mouammar Kadhafi,  et autres Laurent Gbagbo n’est pas un saint, mais quelle absurdité pour nous que ce soit ces quelques rares dirigeants africains que les Blancs n’aiment pas, plutôt qu’eux ceux nombreux qu’ils encensent ou dont ils encouragent l’existence ruineuse pour notre race, que l’histoire désignera comme les héros et les gardiens de notre dignité… Afouda Barthélémy

Nigeria Deserves Better @ 53 – CAN

Nigeria attacks news websites for their news coverage

The Nigerian government on September 27, 2013, accused two leading independent online news websites--the Abuja-based Premium Times and the New York-based Sahara Reporters--of publishing frequent reports that "incite mutiny" within the military and undermine ongoing military operations against terrorist activities in northern Nigeria, according to news reports. In a speech delivered on live television during the 44th National Council on Information meeting in the Southwestern city of Osogbo, Information Minister Labaran Maku said it was "unacceptable"

that the reports by both news websites were "deliberately contrived to undermine military strategy, demoralize our troops, or even cause incitement to mutiny." Maku did not specify any particular articles. Musikilu Mojeed, managing editor of the Premium Times, said the government's failure to substantiate its claims with any evidence smacked of a ploy to "blackmail and intimidate independent media voices" from holding the government and its officials accountable, the news site reported. He denied the allegations, the reports   … continued

Yahouédéhou met en Pièces les Arguties de Yayi et dit Non à la Révision

GHANA BORROWS $500M MONTHLY

The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament has warned that Ghana could potentially be on its way back to the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPCI) if the current average borrowing of GH¢1.1BN ($500) a month by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration from both domestic and foreign sources is not halted. According to them, the trend is certainly 'unsustainable and unreasonable', especially when about 63% of the current debt stock comes from domestic sources. They noted that Ghana's public debt rose from GH¢9.5 billion in January 2009 to a staggering GH¢43.9 billion at the end of August 27, 2013, adding that between January and August this year (2013), the government borrowed GH¢8.8 billion. Addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday, the Minority Spokesperson on Finance in Parliament, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei said "it also needs to be pointed out that this 49.5% debt ratio means the country is on the verge of crossing the 50% threshold." Dr. Akoto Osei warned that should Ghana cross the 50% threshold of borrowing, its credit rating would be downgraded and the B+ rating bequeathed on the current administration by the Kufuor

regime, would be lost. This could also result in Ghana borrowing at very high interest rates. Efforts made by the editorial team to get the Finance Minister, Mr. Seth Terkper, to comment on the allegation proved futile. The Minister of State in charge of Financial and Allied Institutions at the presidency, Mr. Fifi Kwetey has, however, argued persistently that all the loans the government had contracted has been used for infrastructural projects and that the money has not been misused as the opposition party was trying to tell the international community. Statutory accounts in arrears The Minority, however, thinks it is "unprecedented", the inability of continued

A look at the victims of the Kenya mall attack

A Comedy of Error in Ghana’s Presidency

Jonathan, meets Obama, calls for stronger consensus on terrorism

AHEAD today’s opening of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Goodluck Jonathan has held a meeting with United States president, Barack Obama, in New York, where he called for a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism as quickly as possible. During the meeting which took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on Monday, President Jonathan said unless the international community united and deployed its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it would continue to be embarrassed by terrorist outrages such as the attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend. Jonathan spoke against the ongoing battle against Boko Haram insurgents in the country and the recent terrorist attack at a shopping mall in Kenya, which led to the death of, at least, 60 persons. The president expressed his appreciation for the support and assistance Nigeria had been receiving from the United States for its fight against domestic terrorism, adding, however, that Nigeria would welcome even more bilateral collaboration in the regard. He reassured the US government of his commitment to the continuous strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral processes and democratic

institutions. President Jonathan also lauded President Obama’s Power Africa and Youth Leadership initiatives, saying that both initiatives would complement aspects of the national transformation agenda of his administration Obama had described Nigeria as a critical partner, while he assured the United States would continue to cooperate with Nigeria in all possible areas, including the war against domestic and global terrorism. President Jonathan was accompanied to the talks by the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Professor Viola Onwuliri; Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adebowale Adefuye; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke and the governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo…. continued

Le poète ghanéen Kofi Awoonor tué dans l'attaque de Nairobi

L'homme de 78 ans faisait du shopping avec son fils dans le centre commercial lorsque le commando armé a donné l'assaut samedi après-midi. Le poète et homme d’Etat ghanéen Kofi Awoonor a été tué dans l’attaque samedi du centre commercial de Nairobi au Kenya par un commando islamiste, a annoncé dimanche le président ghanéen. «Je suis choqué d’apprendre la mort de Kofi Awoonor dans l’attaque terroriste du centre commercial de Nairobi. Quel triste coup du destin», a déclaré le président John Dramani Mahama dans un communiqué. L’attaque a fait au moins 59 morts et 175 blessés, selon un dernier bilan provisoire, alors que la confrontation se poursuivait dimanche matin avec le commando islamiste toujours retranché dans le centre commercial de Westgate. Kofi Awoonor, âgé de 78 ans, a été tué alors qu’il faisait du shopping avec son fils dans le centre, a précisé le secrétaire d’Etat à l’Information ghanéen Felix Kwakye Ofosu. Le fils a été blessé mais n’est plus à l’hôpital.

Kofi Awoonor était renommé pour sa poésie inspirée par la tradition orale du peuple Ewe, auquel il appartenait. Ses meilleurs ouvrages ont été publiés au Ghana dans les années qui ont suivi l’indépendance, notamment «Redécouverte et autres poèmes», sorti en 1964. Proche du premier président ghanéen Kwame Nkrumah, il avait dû partir en exil après le coup d’Etat qui l’avait renversé. Kofi Awoonor avait pris des responsabilités politiques à partir des années 1990, devenant ambassadeur du Ghana aux Nations Unies, de 1990 à 1994, sous la présidence de Jerry Rawlings. Puis il avait été président du Conseil d’Etat sous le président John Atta Mills. AFP source

Kofi Awoonor: Remembering a Ghanaian poet

Budget du Nigéria 2014 : Payo or not Payo

Si je vous dis que le budget du Nigéria pour l'année 2014 s'élève à 14206 milliards de FCFA vous me direz : « qu'est-ce que nana à foutre », le Nigéria c'est le Nigéria et le Bénin c'est le Bénin… Mais seulement voilà il y a un truc qui fait fureur au Bénin et qui s'appelle payo, vous connaissez ? L'essence frelatée qui se distribue par monts et par vaux et sans lequel le Bénin tournerait au ralenti sinon au fiasco socialement surtout, économiquement aussi. Eh bien si je vous disais que ce fameux payo est subventionné par le budget du Nigéria, raison pour laquelle nous parvenons à l'avoir au Bénin à un prix qui défie toute concurrence, alors enfin vous daignerez réviser votre indifférence rigide vis-à-vis de notre géant voisin de l'Est à qui, soit dit en passant, nous devons le nom de notre pays et qui par ailleurs abrite nos frères les Yoruba, et nos cousins les Ibos. Vous m'accorderez alors un peu plus votre attention pour vous dire une ou deux choses à propos de ce budget 2014 du Nigéria qui nous concerne aussi. L'information sur le budget est contenue dans deux documents intitulés "cadrage des dépenses à moyen terme" et "document de stratégie fiscale" présentés au Sénat par le président Goodluck Jonathan. Selon ces documents, la production brute journalière de pétrole--oh oui de ce pétrole dont nous tirons notre payo de chaque jour--au cours de l'année 2014 est fixé à 2 388 300 barils ; inférieure à celle de 2013 qui est de 2 526 000 barils par jour. Dans le document, il est écrit noir sur blanc que le gouvernement reconduira la subvention sur les produits pétroliers en 2014 dont le montant total est de 647 milliards de FCFA. Dans le budget, 4318 milliards de FCFA sont consacrés aux dépenses d'investissement soit 30 % du budget tandis que le reste ira aux dépenses de fonctionnement et aux frais généraux.

Selon le document, comme en mars 2013, la dette extérieure du Nigéria s'élève à 6,67 milliards de dollars dont la part du gouvernement fédéral est de 63,5 % tandis que celle des états est de 36,5 %. La  dette intérieure pour la même période s'établit à 19328 milliards de FCFA portant le total des dettes à 22426 milliards de FCFA soient 17,75 % du PIB. Le Nigeria a beau être un géant pétrolier d'Afrique, le fond de sa bourse résonne  creux et comme un pays sans produit de rente, il est obligé d'emprunter pour combler le trou de son budget ; en 2014 l’emprunt s’élèvera à 1525 milliards de FCFA--soit au moins deux fois le coût de la subvention du pétrole Le lien entre le budget du Nigéria et la vie socio-économique du Bénin saute aux yeux. Notre payo national est l'un des éléments incontestables de ce lien. Or comme la rumeur se fait déjà persistante, à l'instar du budget 2013 dont le Gouvernement Fédéral avait dit qu'il était inexécutable, ce budget 2014 sera-t-il un budget payo ? Binason Avèkes

Nigeria: FG Budgets N4.77 Trillion for 2014

The Federal Government is proposing a budget of N4.77 trillion for the 2014 fiscal year. This is contained in the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) document submitted to the Senate by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday. According to the document, the daily crude oil production by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for 2014 is pegged at 2.3883 million barrels per day (mbpd) which is lower than the 2013 figure of 2.526 mbpd. In the same vein, the crude oil bench mark is put at $74 per barrel while the exchange rate between the United States' dollar and the Naira remain steady at N160 to $1. Government is also retaining subsidy on petroleum products in 2014 and is budgeting the sum of N273.14 billion for Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P) which is part of the N4.77 trillion estimates. In the budget, N1.45 trillion is for capital expenditure, representing 30 percent, while the remaining will go for recurrent and overhead expenses. According to the document, as at March 2013, Nigeria's external debt stood at $6.67 billion, in which the Federal Government's share is 63.5 per cent while the 36 states and the FCT accounted for the balance of 36.5 per cent.

Domestic debt for the same period stood at N6.49 trillion bringing the total to N7.53 trillion representing 17.75 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2014, the government intends to borrow N572 billion to finance the budget deficit. Meanwhile, the Senate will today debate a motion seeking to institute an investigation into reports that the Federal Government said the 2013 budget was not implementable. Coming under Order 42 of the Senate standing rules, Deputy Senate Leader Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) said his curiosity arose from the fact that the crude oil price is still $107 USD as at Tuesday, meaning that there was no shortfall of revenue beyond the $79 per barrel. continued

Doe Adjaho Becomes President Of Ghana On Thursday

The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho will be sworn in as acting President of the Republic of Ghana on Thursday by the Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Woode following plans by the President, John Dramani Mahama to travel to Mali tomorrow for the country’s Presidential Inauguration. The planned swearing of the Speaker as acting President has become necessary . Vice President Kwesi Amissah Arthur, who should have stepped in as the interim President, has also traveled to the UK, thus necessitating the planned swearing of Doe Adjaho as acting President, who is the third in the line of succession to the Ghanaian Presidency. Find below the full statement from the presidency ABSENCE FROM GHANA

In accordance with article 59 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana, I write to inform you that I shall visit the Republic of Mali on Thursday, 19 September 2013 to witness the swearing in of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. During my absence from Ghana the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament shall in accordance with article 60, clause 11 of the constitution act in my step because His Excellency the Vice President will also be away from Ghana on an official assignment. continued

Au Réveil, il Trouve un Crocodile de 150 kg sous son lit

Yayi Boni ou Comment s’en Débarrasser

Par Vobogo Nestor

Cela a toutes les apparences d’un cauchemar - mais l’homme était bien éveillé lorsqu’après une longue nuit de sommeil tout ce qu’il y a de plus normal il a découvert un crocodile de huit pieds qui se prélassait sous son lit au réveil. Ancien capitaine de l’équipe Zimbabwéenne de cricket, Guy James Whittall a découvert qu'il avait passé toute une nuit dans un lodge , couché à quelques centimètres au-dessus de l'énorme reptile. Étonnamment, le crocodile géant a réussi à rester caché pendant plus de huit heures, même lorsque Whittall s’est assis sur le bord de son lit pendant une bonne partie de la matinée à planifier sa journée, sans se douter qu’il avait un énorme hôte reptilien de 150 kg à quelques centimètres de ses pieds. Pendant qu’il prenait son petit déjeuner dans la cuisine, l’homme  a été alerté par les cris pétrifiés d'une femme de chambre. Guy James Whittall, qui est administrateur à Humani Lodge, courut vers sa chambre pour découvrir l'énorme crocodile niché sous son lit. «Le plus déconcertant dans cette affaire, dit-il, est le fait que j'étais assis sur le bord du lit ce matin, pieds nus et juste à quelques centimètres des crocs de l’énorme bête. »

Les crocodiles sont des experts en camouflage, c'est pourquoi ils ont survécu sur terre pendant si longtemps et sont les plus gros tueurs des eaux…. Bien que cette histoire se déroule au Zimbabwe, avec un peu d’imagination, un écrivain pourrait l’assimiler dans une fiction à la situation politique du Bénin. Cela donnerait quelque chose comme : “ Après une longue nuit politique paisible, la population de ce pays sans peuple se leva au matin pour découvrir sous sa couche un caïman ; un caïman  nommé Yayi…” Et la question cruciale serait : “comment s’en débarrasser ?” Le titre de ce conte absurde, passablement cauchemardesque  pourrait être : Yayi Boni ou comment s’en débarrasser… Vobogo Nestor

Jonathan, Obama Meet in New York Next Week

President Goodluck Jonathan will arrive New York on Sunday, September 21, to contend with what looks like one of his busiest UN schedules with five bilateral meetings and a strident campaign for Nigeria’s admission to the Security Council as a non-permanent member. Earlier in the week, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye, had hinted that the president would be hosting a select audience of distinguished Nigerians at an interactive session for USA-based Nigerian professionals and other investors at the Grand Ball Room of the prestigious Plaza Hotel located at 770 Fifth Avenue, New York. Briefing the press, Mr. Bosa, a senior minister in-charge of the Fourth Committee for UNGA68, who represented Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Professor Joy Ogwu, said the five bilateral meetings would be with the European Union, Slovania, Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Trinidad and Tobago, whose heads of government and Jonathan would be meeting across different schedules from agriculture, to infrastructure, power and solid minerals. The president, who is also billed to meet US’ President Barack Obama on a yet-to-be-specified date and time between Monday and Tuesday, will address the General Assembly of the United Nations at 12 noon Monday, September 23. In his entourage will be the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who has also lined up a number of activities for herself, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, and other ministers; but Bosa did not indicate the number of governors who may be on the entourage.

Bosa said Nigeria was hopeful that the campaign for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council was going to yield fruit with the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) giving their nod. But he made an exception, Gambia, which he said is trying to split Nigeria’s votes, while the Central African Republic on whose ticket Chad Republic is campaigning is no issue. According to Bosa, Nigeria’s peace-keeping operations’ track record with UN troops stands tall in the list of its accomplishments as a highly proactive UN member, using Mali, Guinea Bissau, Liberia as case studies. According to Bosa, this notwithstanding, the opposition of those who are not giving the country their votes on account of its withdrawal of Nigeria’s troops from Mali, saying Nigeria’s domestic and foreign policies as well as its democracy, eminently qualify her for the fight to gain a non-permanent seat at the Security Council. continued

Syrie : Lettre de Vladimir Poutine à la presse Américaine.

Regard sur le Monde : Syrie, Lettre de Vladimir Poutine à la Presse Américaine

 

 

Les récents événements autour de la Syrie m’ont incité à parler directement au peuple américain et à ses dirigeants politiques. Il est important d’agir ainsi à une époque où la communication entre nos sociétés est déficiente. Nos relations sont passées par plusieurs étapes. Nous nous confrontions pendant la guerre froide. Mais nous avion été alliés pour nous défendre ensemble contre les nazis. L’organisation universelle des Nations Unies a alors été fondée pour éviter qu’une telle dévastation surgisse à nouveau. Les fondateurs de l’ONU  comprirent que les décisions sur la guerre et la paix devaient être prises par consensus uniquement et le veto des membres permanents du Conseil de Sécurité fut introduit avec l’accord des Américains dans la Charte des Nations Unies. Cette grande sagesse a permis de stabiliser les relations internationales pendant des dizaines d’années. Personne ne souhaite que les Nations Unies subissent le destin de la SDN qui s’effondra faute d’un réel soutien. C’est possible si des pays influents court-circuitent les Nations Unie et entreprennent des actions militaires sans l’autorisation du Conseil de Sécurité. La frappe éventuelle des Etats-Unis contre la Syrie, malgré la forte opposition de nombreux pays et de personnalités politiques et religieuses de premier plan, y compris le Pape, aura pour résultat d’accroitre le nombre de victimes innocentes et une escalade qui peut étendre le conflit bien au-delà des frontières syriennes. Une telle frappe augmenterait la violence et déchainerait une nouvelle vague de terrorisme. Cela peut détruire les efforts multilatéraux pour résoudre le problème nucléaire iranien et le conflit israëlo-palestinien et déstabiliser un peu plus le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique du Nord. Cela pourrait déséquilibrer le système entier du droit et de l’ordre international. On n’assiste pas en Syrie à une bataille pour ou contre la démocratie mais à une guerre civile entre le gouvernement et l’opposition dans un pays multi-religieux. Il y a peu de militants de la démocratie en Syrie. Mais il y a pléthore de combattants d’Al Qaida et d’extrémistes de tout poil combattant le gouvernement. Le département d’Etat américain lui-même a désigné le Front Al Nusra et l’Etat islamique en Irak et au Levant comme des organisations terroristes. La guerre civile, alimentée par les armes étrangères livrées à l’opposition, est une des plus sanglantes au monde. suite

Nigeria Ruling Party ‘Resolving’ Internal Rift

A spokesman for Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says senior officials of the group are trying to resolve internal wrangling that threatens to break the party apart in the run-up to the 2015 general election. “Since this happened, the president became restless because he is a peaceful person. He will make sure that there would be no crack in PDP during his lifetime,” said PDP spokesman Mohammed Jalo. “So there is a reconciliation going on from a committee of elders headed by former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and former military heads of state, [Ibrahim] Babangida trying to resolve this little problem within the PDP.” Jalo says President Goodluck Jonathan is displeased with recent developments within the ruling PDP after former vice president Atiku Abubakar and some governors formed a splinter group. The new group, named the New PDP, is opposed to Mr. Jonathan’s possible re-election bid. The splinter group also demands the resignation of PDP chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur after blaming him for the fissures within the party. Jalo disagrees with the accusations. “The people are myopic and naïve. Whether Bamanga Tukur is there or not, this party is for Nigerians. The party is not a one man’s affair. It is a conglomeration of so many people so it is not Bamanga Tukur working for the party. So whether Bamanga Tukur is there or not this party will exist,” said Jalo.

The militant group, Boko Haram, based in Nigeria’s north, has been accused of carrying out violent attacks in an attempt to force the country to adopt strict Islamic law. Human Rights Watch says Boko Haram-related violence has killed an estimated 3,000 people since 2009, a toll that includes killings by security forces. Some Nigerian says Mr. Jonathan and the ruling PDP are responsible for the violence because they have not been able to deal with the security challenges facing the country. But Jalo rejected criticisms that President Jonathan and his PDP have failed to deal with the security issues…. continued

Ghana Is In A “Make-believe Democratic State” – Kofi Jumah

Former Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Mayor, Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, says he disagrees with calls for the immediate resignation of the Chairman for the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan. He rather prefers His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief Justice, Madam Theodora Wood to fire him (Dr. Afari Gyan). The former NPP MP for Asokwa Constituency wants the president to instruct the Chief Justice to set up a tribunal of opinion leaders to decide on the fate of the EC boss. Speaking on Hot FM, the one-time Minister for Local Government said that the position of a EC Chairman is too vital to the country’s burgeoning democracy to be toyed with; stressing that Afari Gyan should not only be neutral in his role but must be seen as being neutral.

He bemoaned that though Afari Gyan has been the EC Chair for more than two decades, yet every election he supervised has resulted in either the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC) complaining bitterly. “…there is nothing like perfection anywhere in the world, but frankly the conduct of Dr. Afari Gyan is one of gross incompetence in every elections, including the elections won by the NPP…If anybody should be praised for the peaceful atmosphere in the country, then it should be Ghanaians who have restrained themselves from the provocations derived from the poor conduct of elections,” he said. continued

Ghana to export water to Togo

Ghana and Togo have signed a contract to treat excess water from the Akosombo Dam and supply it to some towns in the Volta Region and Togo. Under the agreement, the two countries would seek financial assistance from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the development of a treatment plant at Sokagope in the Volta Region. The treatment plant is to be designed to prevent excess water from the Akosombo Dam from flowing into the sea. The water will then be treated and supplied through pipes to beneficiary areas in Ghana and Togo. The contract for the project was signed following a meeting held between President John Dramani Mahama and his Togolese counterpart President Faure Gnassingbé in Togo last Monday. President Mahama made a stop-over in Togo en route to Benin for a two-day state visit there. Briefing journalists on the contract at the Flagstaff House, Kanda in Accra today (Wednesday), the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, said the documents for the project had since been forwarded to the government's legal team for a review. He said the legal team was expected to complete the review this month and submit it to the AfDB.

President Mahama and President Gnassingbé also touched on energy generation, and the need for Ghana to increase supply to Togo. The Minister said President Mahama gave the assurance that Ghana would increase its energy generation and raise energy supply to Togo. For instance, he said, the Ghana government would develop a mini hydro plant at Juale in the Northern Region to increase the country's energy capacity and supply the excess to Togo. The two leaders also spoke about regional integration, especially the need to promote the free movement of people, goods and services across borders, Mr Ayariga said. He said President Mahama and his Togolese counterpart also gave their commitment for the Lagos Highway Road Project, which seeks to facilitate transportation between Ghana and her neighbouring countries. continued

Stakeholders on job creation soon'

President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday hinted that government would soon hold a stakeholders summit on curricula building and job creation opportunities to ensure employment after school. The stakeholders, he said, are made up of authorities of all universities, Polytechnics, the curriculum development Division of the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Employers Association and Entrepreneurs. President Mahama gave this hint when he addressed the youth of Benin on job creation, as part of his two-day state visit to Benin. The meeting, which attracted numerous students, was to encourage them to take courses that would offer them job opportunities after school. President Mahama said apart from restructuring the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), government would also empower the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, since they served as the major drivers of the national economy. He said government would also strengthen the Technical and Vocational Training Institutes, as they had the potential of turning out middle level Technicians to handle some of the economic influential sectors. President Mahama encouraged the people of Benin to adopt interventions such as labour intensive public works policy, where job could be created for people who had no formal education to ensure equity in the distribution of the national cake. "In Ghana, jobs such as sanitation and sweeping of roads are given to elderly women, jobs that could have been given to organisations with vehicles to carry out." He said although unemployment is not peculiar to only African countries, leaders needed to work extra hard to create more jobs to commensurate for the population explosion in the continent.

President Mahama, who attributed the social destabilization in Northing Africa, which became known as the "Arab Spring”, was a result of those countries inability to create jobs in consonance with growing population in that region and appealed to other African countries to develop multiple job creation opportunities. "Youth unemployment is a national challenge, in view of the fact that it has caused what is now known as the Arab Spring in North African countries recently," the President added. On integration and regional cooperation, President Mahama promised to uphold all the commitments that Ghana's first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah made with Benin since independence by offering the necessary support for mutual benefit. He said it was regrettable that while the free movement of people in the West African sub region was effectively working, the movement of goods and services continued to be abysmal. continued

Révision de la Constitution : Houngbédji Clarifie sa Position

Gabby damns consequences of being hauled before the Supreme Court

Contrary to suggestions for Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko to retract his comments which described the Supreme Court judgement on the recently dismissed election petition as “farcical” and “corrupt”, the NPP stalwart has instead dared the Court. Mr. Otchere-Darko’s comments which followed the Court’s judgement that dismissed the 2012 presidential election petition has been described widely as contemptuous – as it scandalises the judiciary. Some legal analysts, including Kofi Abotsi, a law lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has indicated although the panel of Judges that heard the petition challenging the legitimacy of President John Mahama has been dissolved, the Court as an institution could still charge individuals who scandalise it with contempt. But speaking on Newsfile on Joy FM on Saturday September 7, the Executive Director of Danquah Institute, a pro-NPP policy think tank, sounded unperturbed. Rather than apologise, Mr Otchere-Darko reaffirmed his position, noting that, ‘Yes, I said the decision was corrupt and I still think that the majority decision is a corrupt one.’

According to him, any critique of the Supreme Court verdict was not to challenge the validity of President Mahama’s election but for academic purposes. ‘Whatever we are doing here, as far as I’m concerned is academic but it may also be useful for future decisions,’ he said. Mr Otchere-Darko further explained that his description of the ruling as corrupt was because the Supreme Court justices had downplayed the constitutional provision which mandated them to protect the constitution and make sure that the public adhered to its provision. He declared: ‘I’ll go there [Supreme Court] and defend myself if they think that [his description of the judgement] is such a major issue for them’. Mr Otchere-Darko Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko maintained that his comments were precisely about the judgement and not the Judges. ‘Let them come and take me if that’s how they feel’, he said.

Tsatsu's comments undermine Supreme Court verdict

The post-election petition commentaries since last weekend have tended to focus mainly on the unfortunate comments made by Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for Nation Democratic Congress (NDC) in the just ended election petition hearing. Mr Tsatsu made the comments to the effect that Justice Anin-Yeboah, one of the nine Supreme Court Judges that heard the election petition, allowed his political affiliation to cloud his judgment. According to Mr Tsikata, he was not really surprised by Justice Anin-Yeboah's persistent and consistent opposition to the stance of the NDC because he was appointed to the Supreme Court by former President John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The comments have been roundly condemned by many, including former President Kufuor, the Greater Accra Regional Branch of the Ghana Bar Association and renowned lawyer, Sam Okudjeto. Public Agenda adds its voice to the numbers who have already condemned this unfortunate and reckless statement coming from Mr Tsikata, a lawyer of high repute.

In the view of the paper, Mr Tsikata's comments have not only maligned and scandalised Justice Anin-Yeboah, but also perhaps, more importantly, undermined the credibility of the very victory he contributed to win for the NDC. The Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) 2010/2011 categorised Ghana's judiciary as “extremely corrupt. While the judiciary was ranked as the fifth most corrupt institution in Ghana,” according to Ghana Integrity Initiatives' Voice of the People 2011. This year the judiciary was rated as the third most corrupt institution in the country, according to the (GCB). Thus if after eight months of an election petition hearing, a seasoned lawyer suggests that a member of the panel voted according to his political allegiance, then he is invariably telling Ghanaians that the verdict is tainted with political corruption and hence casts doubts on the outcome of the proceedings. … continued

Ghana : Save our whales from dying

Castration Médiatique de l’Opposition : L’UN marche sur l’ORTB

Les membres de l’Union fait la Nation (Un) étaient hier jeudi 05 août 2013 dans les rues de Cotonou. Ils ont en effet marché sur l’Office de radiodiffusion et télévision du Bénin (Ortb). Les manifestants qui avaient à leur tête le président de l’Union, Bruno Amoussou, ont réclamé l’accès équitable des forces politiques et sociales aux médias publics. Reçus dans les locaux de la Radio nationale, ils ont tenu durant deux heures d’horloge une séance de travail avec les responsables de l’Ortb, en l’occurrence le directeur général. Celui-ci s’est engagé à revoir la gestion de l’office dans l’intérêt des uns et des autres. A l’occasion, l’Un a fait une déclaration devant la presse. Lire l’intégralité de la déclaration.

Nigeria : Twins joined at the spine successfully separated

Twins who were joined at the spine are successfully separated after a pioneering - and incredibly risky - 18-hour operation

Ghana's dead whales: Oil linked denied

Saying I’m so beautiful is flattery —Moji Afolayan

Nigeria : Le Rédacteur en chef d’un Journal Arrêté et Détenu

Tukur Mamu, Desert Herald Publisher, To Be Arraigned Today

The detained publisher of Desert Herald, a Kaduna-based newspaper, Tukur Mamu, will be arraigned today before a magistrate court in Abuja. Tukur was arrested on Monday at his office in Kaduna over a purported order by an Abuja magistrate court in a case filed by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, and one Ibrahim Bamoi. Speaking exclusively with LEADERSHIP, Tukur’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, said Tukur is being detained at Zone 7 police station in Abuja. He said, “I spoke to him this morning (yesterday) and he said he’s fine but he is kept in the same cell with hardened criminals and

terrorists. The police said he is under investigation and will appear in court tomorrow [today]. They said the cell in Force CID Area 10 is still under renovation so they can’t put him there.” of the book at the High Court, FCT Jurisdiction, Court 27. If Tukur is not arraigned today, Abdul Mohammed said, he would then seek an enforcement of his fundamental human rights, given that Tukur had stayed more than 48 hours in detention (Tuesday 2pm - Thursday 2pm). Mamu is having a running battle with Senator Mohammed over his (Mamu) insistence on publishing a book, “FCT Administration: The Rot Within”, which is about the administration of Mohammed as the FCT minister. He had earlier filed a case against the publication  …more

Après son bilan décevant :Ce qui reste à faire à Yayi Boni

 

Révision de la Constitution:Les Magistrats Sabrent le projet

Révision de la Constitution : Bani contre Boni

Nigeria's ruling party tested by dissent

"In Nigerian politics, one hour is a lot," he said. "In Nigerian politics, one hour can change everything."

 

Lagos - The party that has controlled Nigeria's presidency since a return to civilian rule in 1999 has found itself in unfamiliar territory, rocked by dissent and facing a stronger opposition. The combination of internal dissent against President Goodluck Jonathan as well as serious efforts by the country's main opposition groups to unite have come amid early strategising for 2015 polls. Whether the ruling People’s Democratic Party can iron out its differences and fend off the opposition will have huge implications for Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer. The crucial 2015 vote will come after years of deadly Islamist attacks in the north and with oil theft in the south estimated to cost the country around $6bn per year in revenue. "The party may lose the next election unless genuine efforts to reconcile the aggrieved members are made," said Laja Odukoya, a political science lecturer at the University of Lagos. Division

Others, however remain more optimistic, believing the PDP remains a behemoth more than capable of righting the ship, flush with cash and with the power of the presidency. Still, the challenges facing the party cannot be underestimated. The latest development came on Saturday, when a PDP convention in Abuja exposed the party's divisions. Seven of the party's 23 state governors (Nigeria has 36 states) along with others, including former vice president Atiku Abubakar, walked out of the event and met nearby for a parallel meeting of what they now call the real PDP. The rift had been in the making for months, with factions within the party opposed to Jonathan's re-election and several members believed to be plotting their own run. Regional politics have combined with personal ambitions and other factors to create shifting alliances. continued

Nana Konadu commends Akufo-Addo for accepting SC verdict

Projet de loi de Révision de la Constitution : Vices et Tournevis

Obasanjo Met Yayi en Garde contre le Rêve d’un 3ème Mandat…

En visite au Nigeria Dimanche 1er septembre Monsieur Yayi Boni a rencontré l’ancien Président Obasanjo et l’actuel M Jonathan ainsi que Patience Jonathan son épouse, avec lesquels entre autres shoses, ils ont assisté à un service religieux à la chapelle du quartier présidentiel Aso Rock. Les trois dirigeants ont également visité l'église des enfants au sein de la villa présidentielle. Pendant ce temps, un communiqué publié par le conseiller spécial en communication du président nigérian a déclaré que MM Goodluck Jonathan et Yayi Boni ont eu des entretiens bilatéraux. Les pourparlers, selon le conseiller, seraient centrés sur le renforcement de la coopération entre le Nigeria et la République du Bénin. Par ailleurs selon la même source, les deux dirigeants ont discuté des relations commerciales et économiques entre les deux pays.

Mais des sources secrètes affirment que M Yayi aurait été convoqué par l’infatigable Obasanjo pour le décourager de se lancer dans la recherche d’un troisième mandat ; tentative que lui-même avait faite et dont il garde un triste souvenir en raison de l’échec cinglant qui en découla. L’histoire ne dit pas si Yayi Boni a bien reçu la leçon : vu l’activisme médiatique de ses ministres sur les plateaux de télé au Bénin et leur campagne de chloroformisation du peuple, rien n’est moins sûr…  Source

Nigerians Spend over N120bn Annually on Medical Tourism

The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has disclosed that Nigerians spend over N120 billion annually on medical tourism while about 5,000 patients travel to India monthly for treatment, describing the trend as ugly and unacceptable. Speaking at a press conference in Sokoto yesterday, Enabulele expressed concern at the increasing number of Nigerians seeking medical treatment abroad, which according to him, drains the nation of huge foreign exchange. He noted that most of the ailments could be handled by competent medical personnel in the country rather than spend huge amount of money for treatment abroad. According to him, the NMA had been encouraging political and public office holders to patronise public hospitals in Abuja and other parts of the country rather than going overseas for minor ailments that could be handled locally. "We have been encouraging our public and political office holders to patronise Nigerian hospitals. We want our president, governors, local government chairmen to patronise our hospitals and primary health centres rather than going abroad for minor ailments. "In fact, things have gone so bad in the country that some Nigerians travel abroad in order to conduct medical check-up on simple things

like blood pressure," he said. He commended Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, for patronising local hospitals instead of going abroad for treatment when he had accident last year. The NMA president stressed that Nigeria has the resources and manpower to tackle most ailments ravaging Nigerians and called on the government to improve the health sector. Enabulele said to this end, the NMA had been canvassing for laws to address issues of medical tourism in the country. continued