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  • Iraqi army withdraws from eastern Baghdad suburb after deadly clashes

    Iraq’s Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi on Monday ordered that army troops be withdrawn from an eastern Baghdad suburb and be replaced with police following deadly clashes.

    The Iraqi military said at least eight people were killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and protesters in Sadr City on Sunday.

    A security source told dpa that scores of people were wounded in the clashes.

    The Iraqi military said in a statement that an `excessive force beyond the engagement rules’ was used in the clashes and measures to hold officers who committed such mistakes accountable have begun via investigating councils.

    Thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets of several provinces in the oil-rich country to protest corruption, lack of job opportunities and poor services – in particular access to electricity and clean water.

    More than 104 people, mainly demonstrators, have been killed and about 6,107 others injured in the protests.

    On Sunday, Abdel-Mahdi discussed the protests in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

    The prime minister reviewed the latest developments and the return to normal life after a curfew was lifted and affirmed that security forces have controlled the situation, and stability has been restored.

    He also asserted that his government has outlined a package of reforms and measures and would continue to provide more to respond to the protesters’ demands.

    Pompeo expressed his trust in the Iraqi security forces and affirmed Washington’s support for Iraq and its government’s efforts to boost security and stability.

  • Buhari nominates Adesina for re-election as AfDB President

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Akinwunmi, while speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday, appreciated Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank.

    According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in me.

    “When asked by former President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Minister of Agriculture, it was duty calling me to the land of my birth.

    “I served Nigeria to the very best of my ability. I thank God that Nigeria’s agriculture sector witnessed a much-needed transformation at the time.

    `With the strong support of President Jonathan and the then President elect, Buhari, we campaigned very hard for the position of the President of the African Development Bank.

    “It was a Nigeria effort, as all hands were on deck.

    “This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, and of course my dear indefatigable sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who ran a spirited campaign for me.

    “By God’s grace, I was elected President of the African Development Bank on May 28, 2015, exactly 24 hours after my term of office as Minister ended.

    “The nation jubilated as I became the first-ever Nigerian to be elected President of the bank since its establishment in 1964.

    “Once again, Nigeria gave me air in my lungs.

    “At the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard.

    “In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security.

    “We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation.

    “In all, 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments.

    “I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.

    “The African Development Bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally.

    “There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop.

    “Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.

    “I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election,’’ Adesina said.

  • Uganda’s Cheptegei wins 10,000m gold

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei triumphed after a close battle in the 10,000 meters on Sunday, winning his first world title and bringing his country their second medal of the championships.

    Cheptegei remained near the front of the pack for most of the race and surged in the final kilometer to pass leader Rhonex Kipruto.

    He held off the challenge of Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia to finish in a world leading time of 26 minutes 48.36 seconds.

    Kejelcha finished just under one second behind Cheptegei, clinching silver with a personal best time of 26:49.34.

    Kenya’s Kipruto had to settle for bronze after having led for most of the race, crossing the finish line in 26:50.32.

  • GITEX 2019: Minister tasks participants on technology domestication

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Dubai(United Arab Emirates),Oct. 6 (NAN) The Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami, has tasked Nigerians participating in the on-going Gulf Information Technology Exhibition GITEX to ensure they domesticate technology ideas and add value to Nigerias ICT sector to build the country’s economy.

    Pantami said this on Sunday while he led the Nigerian delegation to GITEX, a global technology exhibition that brings together over 200,000 trade visitors from over 145 countries of the world to share trends of ICT and ways of advancing technology innovations.

    Nigeria’s participation in GITEX which is spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a week long programme holding from Oct.6 to Oct. 10.

    The minister said that Nigeria’s participating was a platform for the country to showcase its local innovations, ICT potential, learn advancing technology from other exhibitors, network and domesticate ideas to boost the ICT sector.

    “Our mission is to showcase talent, potential, network with other innovators and learn from them.

    “We also hope to showcase our local content, solicit for investors to our innovations, look out for technology transfer because you cannot undermine the capacity of those you wish to learn from.

    “We must make sure there is value for money in our participation to add value to the ICT sector,” Pantami said.

    He further said that as stakeholders in the industry, the success of the sector should be a collaborative effort.

    The minister added that there was a need for exploration of technology advancement and not exploitation of the system.

    Pantami said that ICT’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country had surpassed that of oil which made it important to harness the benefits of ICT.

    The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, said the agency was making conscious effort toward diversifying the country’s economy through ICT, hence its participation in the 39th GITEX.

    Inuwa said the exhibition will create platforms for Nigeria to learn technology trends from other innovators and domesticate the ideas locally.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to UAE, Mr Mohammed Rimi, said Nigeria needed to make serious effort in promoting digital growth ,adding that the government of Dubai was ready to support the country.

    Rimi recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari visited UAE in April to discuss possible ways of digital growth, especially through deploying Artificial Intelligence.

    He urged the delegation to ensure that the outcome of the meeting was implemented to benefit the country’s ICT industry and improve the lives of citizens.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said the commission was committed to deploy critical infrastructure to the development of ICT.

    “Presently, Nigeria has been able to achieve 35 per cent broadband penetration and granting internet access and speed to close to 70 million citizens.

    “It is required of the commission to boost the penetration to 127 per cent soon on its new broadband plan and we are committed to it to grant the rest of Nigerians internet access,” he said.

    The Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Limited, Mr Yusuf Kazaure, reiterated that ICT projects development in the country could not be done in silos but required collaborative effort and global exposure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria Postal Service, Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited, Nigeria Petroleum Exchange Commission, Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board are some agencies representing the country at GITEX. (NAN)

  • Bilateral Relations: Onyeama To Meet Namibian Govt.

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama is on a two-day working visit to Namibia to discus strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation between Nigeria and Namibia.

    Mrs Sarah Sanda, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to Sanda, the Minister is expected to meet with his counterpart Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mrs Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Monday.

    She said that both ministers would discuss bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and concern to Nigeria and Namibia.

    Sanda said that Onyeama on arrival held a meeting with Nigerians living in Namibia and took the opportunity to explain some progranmmes and policies on foreign relations of the Federal Government.

    She said that the minister noted that it was heartwarming to note that there is no Nigerian in prison in Namibia.

    Sanda said that Onyeama was received at the Hosea Kutako International Airport by Mrs Lilian Onoh, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, and Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Executive Director, Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Namibia. (NAN)

  • FG restates committment to strengthen trade relations with Poland

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo has reiterated Federal Government’s committment to strengthen relationship between Nigeria and Poland in terms of trade, commerce and industrialisation.

    Adebayo said this in a statement signed by Mr Julius Jegede, the Special Assistant to the minister on Media in Abuja on Friday.

    The minister spoke when he received Mrs Jonna Tarnawska, Ambassador of Republic of Poland to Nigeria in his office.

    He said that government had put in place measures to ensure that all foreigners, including those from Poland engaged with credible local investors.

    He listed one of such measures to include the Executive Order 001, Ease of Doing Business aimed at removing all incumbrances of business regulation.

    “As a ministry, we are more than willing to assist Polish investors in any way possible with a view to guarantee the credibility of Nigeria businesses.

    “We know our people and we know the credible ones, so we are ready to give assistance in that regard. If there are areas where your firms need introduction to credible people here, we will assist.

    “We will give you the investment brochure of Nigeria through the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) to help further your knowledge of our local business environment,” he said.

    Adebayo further said that Nigeria would initiate economic and technical cooperation with Poland so that in the process, there would be a trade mission and proper economic activities to be carried out between the two countries.

    “I want to specifically allay your fears about Polish businesses coming to Nigeria, this ministry is playing a leading role in ease of doing business and it is backed by the Executive Order, tagged “Executive Order 001” .

    “It means that no incumbrance when it comes to the registration of your businesses. Even at the point of entering into the country, you will have automatic visa on arrival.

    “In fact, the agencies under this ministry were given awards for easing businesses for both foreign and local investors.

    “We have the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). We have the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) for the Oil and Gas sector, we have an array of them like that.

    “I’m saying this to allay your fears about the type of relationship that could exist between your country’s business and Nigeria,”he said.

    He said from the export angle, there were lots of things the two countries could synergise on, including items branded and certified, meeting all the necessary international standards through the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    “With all these, the credible platform for all foreigners, including Polish nationals coming to do business in Nigeria is already established,”he said.

    Earlier, the ambassador had expressed willingness to explore further business opportunities in Nigeria, but raised concerns by Polish investors.

    She said the essence of the visit was to reiterate that Poland would like to continue its cooperation with Nigeria.

    “Poland has a long standing relationship with Nigeria. And we will like to further develop on this for the benefits of both nations.

    “Our country is willing to ensure cooperation with Nigeria in many areas such as: maritime, defense, education and economy.

    “I believe we need this relationship now, especially that Poland is opening-up toward West Africa and of course West Africa can not be mentioned without Nigeria.

    “We are looking up to further cooperation too in terms of trade, because many Polish businesses are interested in coming to Nigeria,” she said.

  • German factory orders slump over U.S.-China trade spat

    German factory orders slumped more than forecast in August as the US-China trade war and Britain’s Brexit crisis hit the manufacturing sector in Europe’s biggest economy.

    Industrial orders fell by 0.6 per cent month to month in August after a hefty 2.1 per cent drop in July, the Ministry for Economics said on Monday.

    Analysts had expected a 0.3 per cent fall in August.

    Year on year, August orders contracted by 6.7 per cent from a 5 per cent fall in July, the ministry said.

    Leading the monthly fall in August was a sharp 2.6 per cent drop in domestic orders, which helped to cancel out a 0.9 per cent gain in foreign orders.

  • Edo 2020: PDP adopts no zone option for governorship election

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo has adopted a no-zoning policy in picking the party’s governorship candidate for the state gubernatorial election in 2020.
    The party also resolved that the position of the state chairman of the party would not be zoned as well.
    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Chris Nehikhare, the PDP Publicity Secretary in the state in Benin on Monday.
    According to Nehikhare, candidates for both positions can emerge from any part of the state irrespective of their senatorial zones of origin.
    He said that the resolution was reached at a stakeholders meeting hosted by former governor Lucky Igbinedion at the weekend.
    He explained that the party rather than limit itself to zoning formula has resolved the party must seek for the best materials for both positions irrespective of senatorial district.
    Nehikhare said that the resolution was part of the road map to 2020 by the party in the state.
    He said it was also agreed that it was the responsibility of the National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct congresses that would produce new officials at the end of the tenure of the present executive.
    He further said it was also resolved that the chairman at the earliest possible time would liaise with the NWC to know the time table for Edo congresses coming up in 2020.
    He further said that unity, peace and fairness was canvassed by all the leaders at the meeting, adding that with the problems in APC, that marketing and expanding the PDP frontiers had become imperative.
    Nehikhare said that the party leaders unanimously agreed that the stewardship of Chief Dan Orbih and that of his executive had been exemplary and worthy of praise.
    He said some of those who spoke include Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Sen. Victor Oyofo.
    He said the consensus on the overwhelming performance of the chairman led to all the leaders giving the party chairman a standing ovation.

  • Ethiopia to launch first-ever satellite in December, says president

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde on Monday disclosed that the country’s first-ever satellite would be launched into space in December with the support of the Chinese government.

    Zewde disclosed this while addressing the new parliamentary session of the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) and the House of Federation (HoF), which was opened at a joint meeting on Monday.

    “The first Ethiopian satellite will be launched in December this year from a centre in China,” Zewde said.

    Ethiopia is presently developing the country’s first-ever satellite, a 70kg Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing Satellite, known as ETRSS-1, through support from the Chinese government.

    According to Zewde, the Ethiopian government envisages that the country’s maiden satellite, once it commences its operations, would help the East African country’s efforts to modernise its agricultural sector.

    “The satellite will provide all the necessary data on changes in climate and weather-related phenomena that would be utilised for the country’s key targets in agriculture, forestry and natural resources protection initiatives,” Zewde told members of the two houses.

    The satellite, which is set to be launched from China, will have its command and control centre in Ethiopia at the Entoto space observatory facility.

    East Africa’s only space observatory facility located on the 3,200-metre hills of Entoto on the outskirt of the capital Addis Ababa, it was noted.

    In April this year, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had also visited the China Academy of Space Technology to inspect Ethiopia’s 70kg Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing Satellite ETRSS-1.

    Ahmed during his visit stay in China where he attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that was held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, capital of China.

    The Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute had been co-developing the East African country’s Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing Satellite ETRSS-1, according to the Ethiopian government.

    ETRSS-1, which already recognized as the East African country’s first-ever satellite, once launched into space, is expected to monitor weather patterns for better agricultural planning, drought early warning and forestry management, it was noted. (Xinhua/NAN)