JAPANESE weekly news magazine Shukan Asahi will print its final edition in May.
Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc., the publisher of the magazine, made the announcement on Thursday, January 19, ending its over 100 year publication history.
The publisher highlighted that the decision was made because the market for weekly magazines was declining and advertisements revenues have lessened.
The firm added that it will focus its resources on digital media content and book publishing.
Shukan Asahi which was launched in 1922, is known for its focal point on social issues including Politics, Economics and Education. It is said to be Japan’s oldest weekly.
The magazine’s circulation exceeded one million copies in the 1950s. It sold only 74,125 copies in December last year.
THE Lagos State Police Command has said no fewer than 405 robbery suspects were arrested and 51 others killed in its operations between 2021 and 2022.
The Command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the figures while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Hundeyin said 245 suspects were arrested, and 25 killed in 17 robbery incidents in 2021, while 160 were arrested and 26 killed in 20 incidents in 2022.
According to him, 350 robbery operations were foiled within the period under review, including 169 in 2021 and 181 in 2022.
Hundeyin noted that 206 arms and 775 ammunition were recovered during the period. One hundred and eight arms and 348 ammunition were recovered in 2021, while 98 arms and 427 ammunition were recovered in 2022.
He further disclosed that 262 suspected cultists were arrested during the period from 32 cultism cases recorded. One hundred and twenty-eight cultists were arrested from 18 cases in 2021 while 134 others were apprehended from 14 cases in 2022.
Three Police personnel lost their lives from 20 attacks on the Command’s operatives during the period, with each year recording 10 attacks.
Hundeyin further disclosed that kidnapping cases reduced from five in 2021 to two in 2022.
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that commercial banks are refusing to collect the new naira notes.
The apex bank had directed the commercial banks to approach its branches across the country to pick up the new naira notes to ensure access to all bank customers.
The ICIR had reported that the newly redesigned notes are poorly circulating in the face of the January 31 deadline.
The apex bank has insisted that there is no plan to extend the deadline for the discontinuation of the use of the old notes as legal tender.
The Director, Legal Services Department, CBN, Salam Alada, revealed that commercial banks are refusing to collect the new notes while speaking during a sensitization tour at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, January 18.
He said the new naira notes were in the apex bank’s vaults awaiting pick up by the commercial banks.
“I am reliably told that we are actually begging commercial banks to come and take money (the new notes) from the CBN. We have these new naira notes in our vaults and we are waiting for banks to come and collect it,” he said.
Alada disclosed that the apex bank was currently going around commercial banks and their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to ensure the stoppage of across-the-counter withdrawals so as to allow for even distribution.
“We don’t want a situation where one chief who is known to the manager or everyone will cart away all the new naira notes from a particular branch.
“And that is why we said if you want the new naira notes, walk to the ATM where there is no distinction between myself and the hawker over there,” he stated.
Erring banks to face penalty
He also said penalties await banks that fail in coming to pick up the new notes, as well as those who fail to disburse them through their ATMs.
“What you have been experiencing will actually ease off very soon because the banks now know there will be a penalty for failure to come and pick the new naira notes from the CBN and the failure to load the notes into their branches.”
REPORT for the World, an international service program that matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe, is accepting applications from newsrooms.
Interested newsrooms must make a case for what critical issues are going under-covered or uncovered in their communities, and also how they will provide support and mentorship to their prospective Report for the World corps member.
Local newsrooms around the world can participate in a partnership program.
The program pays for half the full-time salary of a corps member for the first year, while coaching and supporting local partner newsrooms to raise the other half of the salary through philanthropy, earned revenue, and crowdfunding.
The organiser says the application process is highly competitive with two rounds of interviews with shortlisted applicants to determine a mutually beneficial fit.
The selected newsrooms will then hire corps members through a competitive process and welcome them as full-time employees of the newsrooms for up to three years. Corps members take on critical issues from gender inequality to climate change, corruption, labor rights, health, and education as their assigned beats.
The deadline for submission of applications is February 20. Interested applicants can apply here.
VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Kashim Shettima has described attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as acts of terror.
Shettima made this statement in Birnin Kebbi during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Iliyasu-Bashar.
He urged all Nigerians to condemn the vandalisation of government properties in order to foster economic growth and political development.
“The incessant attacks on INEC offices and facilities is an act of terrorism, every meaningful Nigerian must condemn it in totality.
“Nobody in this country can force himself into power through threats, intimidation, and blackmail,” he said.
Shettima also condemned the instability caused by activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East of the country.
“Also, locking down towns and cities in the South-East is also a pathway to anarchy and insanity. It should be condemned. The activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra are not in tandem with modern democratic practice.
“Nobody in this country can force himself into power through threats, intimidation, and blackmail. Politics and democracy is a game of numbers, your ability to reach out and build bridges and win the hearts and minds of people is much more important than issuing threats and intimidation,” he said.
THE Bauchi State Police Command says it has arrested nine suspects for robbery and other offences in the Bauchi metropolis.
The state Police spokesperson SP Ahmed Wakil made this known in a statement released on Thursday, January 19.
He disclosed that the Command also recovered a locally made revolver with three 7.62mm live ammunition, three knives and mobile phones from the suspects.
The suspects who are alleged to be involved in robbery and attacks on residents were apprehended on January 15.
Wakil listed the arrested robbery suspects as Sani Mohammed, 27; Suleiman Mohammed, 19; Imrana Abbas, 19; Ibrahim Muhammed, 18; Hassan Alhassan, 18; and Babangida Salisu, 20.
He said: “The Command acting on credible intelligence that some restive youths locally called ‘Yan Sara-Suka’ came out enmass in parts of Bauchi metropolis.
“The affected areas include Unguwar Kur; Bakaro, Karofi, Yakubu Wanka, Kwanar Kwaila and Unguwar Doya.
“The suspects armed with weapons unleashed terror on innocent citizens and looted shops at Kobi Street.”
The Police spokesperson also disclosed that the Command arrested one Umar Abubakar, 21, at Nabardo village in Toro Local Government Area of the state.
The operatives, according to him, recovered a locally made revolver with three 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspect.
Wakil added that preliminary investigation showed that Abubakar obtained the gun about two years ago and claimed to have fired one bullet while chasing cattle rustlers in the Mangu area of Plateau State.
He also noted that the Command, on January 13, arrested one Abdul Mohammed for possession of a stolen vehicle.
“The suspect alias (PA) was in possession of a stolen Toyota Corolla LE car with registration number NSR 510 TY, ash in color.
“On interrogation, the suspect claimed to have received the vehicle from one Haruna of Biu, in Biu LGA of Borno, who is now at large.
“The suspect received the vehicle for onward delivery to one Ibrahim Babaji, 30, of Misau town in Misau LGA of the state.
“Babaji said that he purchased the car from one Barau Alim Tela, who is also at large,” he said.
The authorship – and therefore origins – of jollof rice (called ceebu jën in Senegal according to the Wolof spelling) is the subject of a spicy debate between West African nations. In particular, Senegalese, Nigerians and Ghanaians claim ownership. And each believes their recipe surpasses all others.
In a bid to settle the issue we explored the subject in our book. In it we point out the “Senegality” of this dish. The word jollof refers to an ancient kingdom that was a part of Senegal between the 12th and the 13th centuries.
More broadly, we found that the origin of the dish is linked to a particular period in history – the entrenchment of colonial rule in West Africa. Between 1860 and 1940 the French colonisers replaced existing food crops with broken rice imported from Indochina.
In time, broken rice came to be much more prized by the Senegalese than whole rice grain.
This was followed by what we call le ceebu jën, un patrimoine bien sénégalais – the genius of the natives, especially the Saint-Louisians who set about creating something completely new. Ceebu jën consists of rice and fish, accompanied by vegetables and sometimes tomatoes.
As it happens in history, when an art reaches a certain fame or notoriety, its paternity becomes an object of controversy. This is what has indeed happened with jollof rice.
Colonial legacy
The first act of the settlers was to make all those disconnected from agricultural activities dependent on rice. This included the men and women who had come to try to make their fortune in the markets of Saint-Louis, one of the gateways to the West and, for a good period, the capital of French West Africa.
If we add teachers, various agents of the administration and the military, we can better understand the pernicious process of rice promotion.
Overflowing in urban centres, rice was consumed in practically all of the colony of Senegal.
At the same time, the exploitation of the market garden areas of Niayes and Gandiol contributed to meeting the population’s need for vegetables.
Another intriguing part of the history of the dish is the myth that’s developed over centuries around the role of a Senegalese cook called Penda Mbaye who is regularly attached to the name of rice with fish.
Although no one disputes the connection between the dish and Penda Mbaye, serious information on her identity, on the place and time she lived and on the conditions in which the dish was created is cruelly lacking. This is why we have stated in our book that she left history very quickly to take her place in legend.
Why the passion?
To understand the importance of ceebu jën in the diet and imagination of the Senegalese, it would be wise to point out that its attractiveness can’t be reduced to its nutritional value or its intrinsic delicacy.
This culinary art is closely linked to a know-how and a way of life. Thus, the consumption of the dish is strongly linked to the ceremonial – the aesthetics of the presentation and the service.
A woman serving ceebu jën. Cellou/AFP via Getty Images.
The women of Saint Louis, a port city in the northern part of Senegal, are singularly credited with remarkable know-how in this area. Their finesse and elegance is expressed in the way they dress, their speech and their gestures. All are put to good use so that the meal is a moment when they give pleasure by being pleased themselves.
Stamp of approval
At the end of 2021 Unesco included the Senegalese version of jollof rice – ceebu jën – on the intangible heritage of humanity list. This certification was recognition of the know-how of the Senegalese of an integral part of an intangible heritage.
The labelling should also have a positive impact on the economy, particularly tourism, agriculture, fishing and catering. Or, as some would describe it, gastro-diplomacy.
But to make the most of all these advantages, Senegal must pay more attention to its fishery resources and, above all, settle the recurrent question of self-sufficiency in rice production for good, in order to put an end to the scandalous perversion of feeding on what is not produced.
Senegal, whose reputation is based more on its cultural influence and diplomacy, has every interest in capitalising on this trend. Thus, in addition to rice with fish, it will have to promote its broader gastronomic heritage to make it an additional asset for the role it intends to play in the concert of nations.
In this spirit, Senegal’s Food Technology Institute would be given a new lease of life. This public establishment, created in 1963, was assigned the mission of research and development in food and nutrition.
In its efforts to enhance the rich Senegalese heritage, the institute could set itself the objective of promoting all the remarkable Senegalese consumables based on millet, cowpea, bissap, ditax and (monkey bread) bouye. And to take up this challenge Senegal would be well advised to make use of all the proven expertise of researchers as well as economic players.
This article was written with the contribution of Alpha Amadou Sy, co-author of the book Ceebu jën, un patrimoine bien Sénégalais.
THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has told party members that they must deliver their polling units in order to get appointments in his administration, if he is elected as President.
Atiku gave the condition on Wednesday, January 18, during a town hall meeting with the stakeholders in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former vice president insisted that if party members and leaders deliver at their polling units, it would be easy for the PDP to win the elections.
Responding to a question, Atiku said, “You are all members of the PDP and supporters of the PDP, you want the PDP to return to power, please I beg of you, make sure you win your polling booths.
“The fact that you are following the governorship candidate or the Senatorial candidate or the House of Representatives candidate or the presidential candidate to campaign is not a qualification that you will get an appointment. It is not a qualification that you will get a contract whether at the local government level, state or Federal level.
“The only way as far as I am concerned if I am President, if you come and say you want a job or you want a contract, I will ask you to let me have the result of your polling booth and that is what I am going to direct to everybody because unless we do that, we will not win the elections.
“You cannot be following the governor all the place or the senator all the place and then you don’t win your polling booth and you come and say you want to be a minister or you want to get this contract.
“So, please as members of our party, let us make sure that we go back to our constituencies and make sure that we deliver our polling units.”
The former Vice President pledged to revamp the education sector in such a way that the incessant strikes by university lecturers will be put to an end.
He also promised to expand the nation’s economy to improve the living standards of Nigerians and workers.
Addressing PDP supporters at the mega rally, Atiku further tasked the residents to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The APC government has failed us and therefore, it is our responsibility to make sure that they do not return to power.”
THE Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, on Wednesday, January 18, announced that seven persons, including two traditional chiefs, have been arrested over the attack on the Igueben Train Station in the state.
He also stated that a combined team of security operatives had rescued all the remaining 14 persons kidnapped in the attack.
The operation was carried out by a Special Force comprised of soldiers, policemen, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), local vigilance members, and hunters, among others.
Nehikhare spoke while addressing journalists after the first State Executive Council meeting of the year.
“We are pleased to announce that the last two victims have been rescued, and seven suspects are in custody, including two village chiefs. We thank the press for the support they have given in the last few weeks.
“The success story in the kidnapping is that seven persons and two village chiefs have been arrested in connection with the incident,” he said.
The commissioner added that security agencies had rescued two persons remaining in the captivity of the kidnappers.
Nehikhare spoke in the company of the Special Adviser to the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie.
The ICIRreported that travellers who were waiting to board a train from Igueben in Igueben Local Government Area of the state to Warri in Delta State were penultimate week kidnapped by suspected herdsmen.
The suspected gunmen, armed with AK 47 rifles, had invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before herding an unspecified number of intending travellers into the bush.
In the process, some of the passengers, the state police command had revealed, sustained bullet wounds.
The initial reports were that 31 were persons kidnapped, but the state government later said 20 people were abducted, contrary to earlier reports.
THE Lagos State Government has declared a four-day holiday for public servants to enable them to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state.
This was confirmed in a circular released on Wednesday, January 18, by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
According to the circular, the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, approved the work-free day for the public servants.
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The work-free days would commence on Tuesday, January 24, and end on Friday, January 27, 2023, for different grade levels of workers in the public service.
Part of the circular read, “Consequent upon the extension of the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards from designated INEC Centers are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, 2023, as it is a civic responsibility to vote.
“To this end, Mr Governor has graciously approved a work-free day to enable public servants to collect their PVCs from their respective local government/local council development areas as presented in the table below.”
The specified dates for different grade levels are: Tuesday, January 24, 2023, for grade levels 01, 03, 07 and 15; Wednesday, January 25, 2023, for grade levels 02, 04, 08 and 13; Thursday, January 26, 2023, for grade levels 05, 09, 12, and 17; and Friday, January 27, 2023, for grade levels 06, 10, 14 and 16.
The circular directed accounting officers to excuse their officers in respective grade levels on the designated days.
“Consequently, accounting officers and all public servants are to ensure compliance whilst giving this circular the service-wide publicity it deserves,” the circular added.
