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Floods Kills 300 In Somali

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Floods Kills 300 In Somali

An estimated 300 people have been killed by a cyclone that hit Somalia’s north-eastern Puntland region at the weekend.

Hundreds are still unaccounted for and thousands of livestock have perished in what the Puntland government describes as a disaster.

The cyclone, known as 03A, has caused torrential rains, high wind speeds and severe flooding, leading to a declaration of a state of emergency, with the government appealing for international aid.

Many fishermen “are missing and feared dead, the storm has destroyed entire villages, homes, buildings, and boats”, the government said in a statement.

Weather experts from the United Nations, UN, Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, confirmed flooding was severe.

“Given that Puntland is a semi-arid region, it rarely rains but when it does, to an extent we have seen, the impact is devastating,” Hussein Gadain, a senior FAO technical adviser, told the AFP news agency.

The UN World Food Programme said it was “working closely” with local authorities to assess the needs in the devastated Puntland region.

The main road between Puntland’s capital town of Garowe and the key port in Bossaso has been cut off by flood water, hampering delivering of relief supplies.

“The loaded and ready trucks cannot deliver supplies by road, as the heavy rains and flooding have rendered dirt roads to the coastal areas impassible,” the government said.

Somalia has been ravaged by civil war since the collapse of a central government in 1991.

Puntland, which forms the northeastern tip of the Horn of Africa, has its own government, although unlike neighbouring Somaliland, it has not declared independence from Somalia.

Senate Stalls, Postpones Oduah’s Appearance Indefinitely

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Senate Stalls, Postpones Oduah’s Appearance Indefinitely

The Senate on Thursday rescinded its resolution to summon the minister of aviation, Stella Oduah, to appear before it over the state of the aviation sector and high number of air crashes.

Oduah, who was supposed to appear before the Senate at Plenary in Abuja on Thursday, will now face the Senate Committee on Aviation at a date yet to be announced.

In a curious turn of events with no precedence, the Senate suspended the minister’s earlier scheduled appearance due to the absence of Senate President, David Mark.

The Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, informed the legislators that the Senate President had desired to “personally” preside over the session with Oduah.

He then moved a motion for the Senate to rescind its earlier resolution summoning Oduah, saying it was pursuant to Order 53 (6) of the Senate Standing Rules.

The order states: “It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Senate has come to a conclusion during the current session except upon a substantive motion for rescission.”

Senate Minority Whip, Gain Solomon, seconded the motion, saying that at the executive session on November 7, senators were unanimous that the motion should be rescinded.

The senators agreed that the minister should rather appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation and relying on Order 53, Rule 6 of the Senate Standing Rules, unanimously voted for the earlier resolution to be rescinded.

The minister of aviation had been criticised over the alleged purchase of two bulletproof vehicles for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, at the cost of N255 million.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma, told newsmen that there was no “pressure” from the Presidency to cover up the allegation.

Uzodinma said: “I don’t know where you heard what you heard but what I had just said is the decision is in order. I think the rescinded summon is proper and it is in order and in accordance with the Senate rules,” he said.

However, Uzodinma was not forthcoming with a definite date when the minister is expected to appear before his committee.

“The timetable will be worked out as soon we meet at the committee level,” he said.

Boko Haram Kills 26 In Borno Multiple Attacks

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Boko Haram Kills 26 In Borno Multiple Attacks

No fewer than 26 persons have been killed in some villages in Borno State in attacks launched by men suspected to be members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect.

The attacks, it was gathered, began on Sunday night and continued through to Wednesday in Southern Borno, affecting about 40 houses.

The villages attacked include Bdagu, Izge, Hartsa and Yazza villages in Gwoza, Damboa and Askira -Uba local government areas of Borno state respectively.

The insurgents also suffered casualties as three  of them were killed when residents of some neighbouring villages of Dille and Lassa mobilized and pursued them into the bush.

A source from Bdagu said that the attackers between Monday and Wednesday, stormed the affected villages using two Hilux vehicles, three buses and over 30 motorcycles armed with AK47 rifles.

They went from house to house, killing, looting and setting houses and farmlands ablaze, the source said.

Another source from Yazza village appeled to the state government and the Army to immediately deploy military troops to the area, saying residents now live in fear of future attacks.

He said it was unfortunate that the attackers operated with impunity, without any hindrance from helpless unarmed villagers.

It was however difficult to get official confirmation of the attacks as at the time of filing this report, although a security official who was not authorized to speak to the press confirmed the attacks and killings in the villages.

Boko Haram: Senator Demands Compensation For Borno, Adamawa, Yobe

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Boko Haram: Senator Demands Compensation For Borno, Adamawa, Yobe

Musdapha Ilo, Damaturu

A senator, Ahmed Lawan, representing Yobe north, has demanded compensation for victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east states where an emergency rule was declared in May.

The states are Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Speaking with journalists in Damaturu, Lawan said President Goodluck Jonathan’s stance that victims of Boko Haram attacks will not be compensated but only assisted portends even more danger for the region, as the victims could become recruits of the terrorist group out of frustration.

Apart from that, the senator said that the affected states have spent so much monies which could have otherwise been used for development to cushion the effect of the devastation for victims and that is was only appropriate for the federal government to reimburse the states for the expended sums and also provide compensation for those affected.

For instance, Lawan who is the chairman, senate committee on public accounts, said Yobe State has committed over N7 billion in efforts at ending the insurgency and wondered how it can measure up in development with other states if this sum is not refunded.

“I wonder who could be advising Mr. president not to compensate the victims and the affected persons who suffered severe losses as a result of the Boko Haram attack. Let me state categorically that the three states under emergency rule need compensation because of the huge financial burden this insurgents have caused their various states,” he said.

“Yobe and Borno most especially deserve serious compensation because they are worst hit,” he stressed.

The lawmaker noted that “more lives were lost during the emergency rule and more schools were attacked during the period than when the emergency rule was not imposed”

He also faulted the operations of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution on Security Challenges in the North, arguing that it was operated as a parastatal under the presidency and lacks credibility in the sight of the insurgents.

Lawan urged the federal government to take a cue from countries like the US, Colombia, Philippines and Pakistan among others, which he noted were able to overcome their internal conflicts through dialogue.

Festus Iyayi To Be Buried In December

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Festus Iyayi To Be Buried In December

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The buriral ceremony of late Academic Staff  Union of Universities, ASUU, Festus Iyayi, has been tentatively fixed for first week of December.

A member of the Iyayi family, Robert Ebewele disclosed this Thursday in Benin when the Pro-chancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Senator Bob Effiong, paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family.

Ebewele who thanked the visitors for their concern and support for the family, stated that the family would liaise with authorities of the university for the burial programme, adding that it   will commence with a commendation service.

Earlier, Effiong who was lin the company of the Vice chancellor, Osayuki Oshodin, said he was deeply hurt by the sad incident.

“Though death must surely come, how and when it will come? We don’t know. But it’s unfortunate that Iyayi died in the cause of finding a university system where things are done properly,” he said.

“It’s my hope that his death will spur  ASUU leadership to honour him by finding a lasting solution to the strike even as I urge all those who are alive to do all they could with steadfastness and courage.”

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Effiong  assured that the university will assist the family to give the activist a befitting  funeral.

The late Iyayi, a professor of Business Administration and Management at UNIBEN, died in an auto crash involving the convoy of governor Idris Wada of Kogi state on Tuesday

He was on his way to Kano for the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of ASUU called to find lasting solution to the lingering face-off between the federal government and the association.

Iraq: Mayor Shot Dead As Multiple Explosions Kill 24

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Iraq: Mayor Shot Dead As Multiple Explosions Kill 24

The mayor of the Iraqi city of Falluja was shot dead while bombings in various locations across the country have killed 24 more people, the police reported Thursday.

Adnan al-Jalbawi, Falluja’s mayor for the past three years, died in a burst of gunfire while visiting a sewage pumping station, police officials in Anbar province confirmed.

One of the mayor’s bodyguards was critically wounded as well.

The attacks reportedly took place in  Baghdad and Baquba, to the north, each killed 10 people, some other persons were killed in explosions in Falluja.

Bombing in  Baquba targeted pilgrims gathering for the Shiite religious commemoration of Ashura, the most holy day in the Shiite calendar.

In Baghdad, Shiite pilgrims and security forces were among the targets of gunfire and more bombs, which left 10 dead and 17 wounded in six separate incidents, the police said.

Back in Falluja, bombs destroyed two houses belonging to police officers on the city’s east side — and when onlookers gathered around the homes, which were empty at the time, a second bomb exploded.

That blast left four people dead and 14 wounded, women and children included.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks but the government has blamed other recent killings on Sunni extremists loyal to al Qaeda in Iraq and the Anbar provincial council voted to fire police commander Hadi Azraiej on Wednesday due to the deteriorating security situation there.

FG Hails US Designation Of Boko Haram, Ansaru As Terrorists

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FG Hails US Designation Of Boko Haram, Ansaru As Terrorists

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has welcomed the designation of two Nigeria-based Islamic militant groups, Boko Haram and Ansaru, as foreign terrorist networks by the US state department.

The designation under US Federal Law means that business and financial transactions with the organizations are blocked and the US and other law enforcement agencies can investigate and prosecute suspects associated with the two militant groups.

Adoke told reporters in Abuja that the US stance is a welcome development and saluted Washington for partnering with Nigeria to stamp out terrorism.

“This step will assist this nation to deal with these renegades. It will also help in strengthening the proscription of Boko Haram by the federal government,” he said.

The minister urged other super powers to emulate the US government in order to check the spread of terrorism all over the world, because “a threat to any nation by the insurgents is a threat to global peace.

The United states department of state announced the designation Wednesday, citing section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224.

The statement added: “All of our assistance to Nigeria stresses the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that human rights are respected. That assistance and these designations demonstrate U.S. support for the Nigerian people’s fight against Boko Haram and Ansaru.”

NEMA, NAPTIP Partner To Aid Victims Of Human Trafficking

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NEMA, NAPTIP Partner To Aid Victims Of Human Trafficking

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, northeast zonal office says it is ready to partner with National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP, and other stakeholders in disaster management and mitigation to assist victims of human trafficking.

NEMA’s Northeast zonal coordinator, Mohammed Kanar would, said the agency will continue to give necessary support to victims of emergency situation and disaster within its area of jurisdiction.

Earlier, the Borno state coordinator of NAPTIP, Shehu Umar who led a team to the NEMA office, explained that his visit was to open ways of partnering with the agency to deal with challenges faced by rescued persons and victims of human trafficking.

Umar said that his organisation is responsible for the arrest of traffickers and the conduct of investigations, as well as counselling of victims as well as to undertake research and give orientation on the danger of human trafficking.

He said, so far, Borno State has recorded 76 cases of human trafficking in the last three years and recorded six convictions within the same period.

“For the past three years, we have received 76 cases of human trafficking and we’ve been able to secure six conviction and rescued 178 persons in three year. We empowered 68 who are mostly persons women and children,” he said.

Anambra Election: Jonathan Leads PDP Campaign

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Anambra Election: Jonathan Leads PDP Campaign

President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday led a rally organized by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Onitsha, Anambra State on behalf of Tony Nwoye, its governorship candidate.

Speaking at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha during the rally, Jonathan warned that anyone caught rigging the weekend election will be dealt with accordingly no matter how popular or highly placed, adding that security agencies have been positioned to carry out their duties without fear or favour.

He said Saturday’s election would afford the state the opportunity to regain its rightful position in the political main stream and called on the electorate vote for Nwoye whom he described as a young man with great leadership attributes.

He observed that the date picked for the election was significant in that it is also the birthday of one of Nigeria’s foremost nationals and urged the people of the state to shun election irregularities.

The national chairman of PDP, Bamanga Tukur, who was also at the event said Nwoye was poised to transform the state.

Also present were governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio; the state chairman of PDP, Ken Emeakayi; Arthur Eze, a PDP financier; Anayo Nnebe, former speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly among others.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said the November 16 gubernatorial election in Anambra would be an improvement on past elections.

The national chairman of the commission, Attahiru Jega, gave the assurance at a forum with the political party leaders, candidates and stakeholders in Awka, saying the past mistakes encountered in some polling units in the state had been addressed.

“We would continue to improve on this process in the country until a desirable standard is achieved. We have conducted fair and free elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra will not only be different, but better,” he said.

He said the 4,608 polling units and 326 wards in the state would be manned adequately by the security operatives and naval personnel in riverine areas.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state,  Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, said the distribution of election materials would be done on Thursday and Friday.

Also speaking at the event, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, urged politicians and other stakeholders in the gubernatorial election to play by the rules of the game.

Abubakar warned all police personnel involved in the election to be meticulous, firm and ensure that nothing untoward happens within their areas of jurisdiction.

He cautioned them against any conduct capable of tarnishing their names and that of the police.

APC Consults With Babangida, Abubakar

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APC Consults With Babangida, Abubakar

The All Progressive Congress, APC, in its determination to pull as many converts as possible to the party, has visited two former Nigeria leaders, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, Niger state.

The party chieftain on the mission to Links on Wednesday included the national chairman, Bisi Akande, former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, former works minister, Hassan Lawal and the national woman leader, Sharon Ikeaso.

Speaking to newsmen after the separate closed door meetings, Babangida while responding to questions about his fraternity with the opposition, said the country was bigger than Peolpes Democratic Party, PDP.

Carefully avoiding to say whether he was going to decamp to the APC, the former military ruler said he would continue to welcome suggestions from any quarter that is aimed at moving the nation forward, as the progress of the was his utmost desire.

“The APC leaders visited me to discuss the welfare of the country which should be the responsibility of every Nigerian whether you belong to a party or you do not have a party, you have an assignment assigned to you to protect the integrity of the country,” the said.

He told journalists that the closed-door meeting discussed issues that have to do with the welfare of Nigerians in sectors such as education, security and economy as a whole.

“Anything that would promote and move the country forward would be encouraged by me”, Babangida stated.

On his part, Abubakar said he cannot be wooed by the APC as he had never been a politician.

“I am not a politician, I am not a partisan politician and I don’t need to be wooed,” he said.

He said he was briefed by the APC leaders on the amalgamation of the new party, how they are doing, how far they have gone and how things are moving, adding that he has given them his advice.

“What I told them, they have already heard. I’ve advised them on how all of us need this country and to make sure that we maintain peace in the country,” he said.

Akande said they were in the state to consult with former leaders of the country so that they can be properly guided in the running of the activities of the party.

He added that the consultations would continue until they have visited and consulted with all the “wise men” in Nigeria.

On his part, Tinubu said the APC was committed to planning for a better tomorrow now, so that younger generations would have a better country to live.

“We are concerned with the well-being of Nigerians especially the young ones. We need to advocate for a future that belongs to all of us. A stable country that will promote peace, prosperity and diversity,” he said.

Justifying the reach out to past leaders, Tinubu said, “we have a lot of leaders that have been there before. They have seen Nigeria largely and governed the country, we have to look for them as we plan for the future.”

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