South Korea impeached ex-president leaves Blue House

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South Korea's impeached ex-president Park Geun-Hye (C) arrives at her private residence in Seoul on March 12, 2017. South Korea's impeached ex-president Park Geun-Hye left the presidential Blue House on March 12, two days after the Constitutional Court's verdict removing her from office over a massive corruption scandal. PHOTO: STR / YONHAP / AFP

South Korea’s impeached ex-president Park Geun-Hye left the Blue House Sunday, two days after the Constitutional Court’s verdict removing her from office over a massive corruption scandal.

The court upheld a parliamentary vote to impeach Park, effectively removing her from office over a corruption scandal involving her close friend.

But she had remained at the presidential Blue House since the verdict, citing the need to repair her private residence in southern Seoul before moving in.

“President Park Geun-Hye has just left the Blue House and headed for her private home. No statement was released on her departure,” said presidential spokesman Kim Dong-Jo Sunday.

Kim added her departure was delayed as she had to say farewell to her aides.

Live television footage followed her motorcade as it drove from the Blue House to Park’s private residence in southern Seoul.

A smiling Park was seen waving to her supporters from inside her black vehicle as it pulled up to her home in the glitzy Gangnam district.

Hundreds of Park’s flag-waving supporters had gathered outside her home, with some 2,000 police officers deployed to prevent disturbances, according to reports.

Park, wearing a dark jacket and her hair neatly pulled back, waved to her supporters after arriving at her home and greeted former aides and lawmakers who were waiting to greet her, before entering her property.

Park was found to have broken the law by allowing her friend Choi Soon-Sil to meddle in state affairs, and breached rules on public servants’ activities.

A presidential election is to be held within 60 days of the ruling, with local media suggesting May 9 as the most likely date.

The likely winner — by a distance — is the liberal former Democratic Party leader Moon Jae-In who enjoys 36 percent popular support.

“If the power of candlelight has brought us this far, we now have to work together for a complete victory,” Moon told a news conference on Sunday, referring to weekly candlelit vigils that called for Park’s ouster.

“South Korea will make new history through a regime change.”

The court ruling removed her presidential immunity to criminal indictment.

She has already been named a criminal suspect, accused of bribery for offering policy favours to firms that benefited Choi.

For months she has refused to make herself available for questioning by prosecutors probing the scandal.

But she could now face formal arrest if she refuses a summons, with local reports saying prosecutors were mulling a travel ban on Park.

Tens of thousands of anti-Park protesters took to the streets to celebrate the court’s ruling on Saturday while some 20,000 angry pro-Park flag-waving protesters rallied nearby, demanding a review of the one-off decision.

Police arrested several protesters for violent behaviour, with a third person confirmed dead Saturday in hospital after losing consciousness the day before in a clash between pro-Park supporters and riot police.

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PDP leaders ready to pay sympathy visit to Buhari in London

4 villagers die of strange disease in Zamfara, many hospitalised

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Gusau – Alhaji Salisu Isa-Dangulbi, Chairman of Maru Local Government Council in Zamfara, said on Tuesday that four persons had died of a strange disease in Bindin village of the area.

The chairman told newsmen in Gusau that the council had mobilized a team of medical experts headed by its Director of Health to control the situation.

“We have also reported this situation to state government through the ministries of health and local government for further action.

“We are waiting for the medical team to finish its work so as to know the cause of the outbreak.

“Even though there are many speculations about the outbreak, some people are relating it to unprotected and illegal mining activities, but we cannot conclude now until the medical experts finish their work”, he said.

The residents of the area had said that many people were affected by the disease which manifested in high fever, red eyes and swollen heads, culminating in death within three hours.

A resident, Kabir Mikailu had told NAN that over 10 people died in the village and many others were rushed to General Hospital Dangulbi and the Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau for medical attention.

According to him, the disease affected mostly women and children and called for speedy response to curtail its spread.

The post 4 villagers die of strange disease in Zamfara, many hospitalised appeared first on Vanguard News.

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I am guilty as charged, says 27-year-old rapist

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Lagos – “I am guilty as charged,” a rapist, 27-year-old Samuel Adedeji told a Lagos court on Tuesday.

Adedeji, a factory worker, had entered a guilty plea when he was hauled up before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on a charge of rape.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, remanded Adedeji, who resides at Nkem Igborosun, Mowo via Badagry at Kirikiri Prison pending sentence at the next date of adjournment.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Feb. 8 at his apartment.

According to him, the accused lured the 20-year-old woman into his apartment with a promise to assist in securing a job for her.

“Immediately the girl entered the room, Adedeji shut the door and raped her.”

The offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Sexual assault by penetration carries life imprisonment.

The case has been fixed for March 20.

The post I am guilty as charged, says 27-year-old rapist appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Omo-Agege dumps LP for APC

The Biography Of Henry Seriake Dickson [Age, Life Profile, History & Net Worth]

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Henry Seriake Dickson (born January 28, 1966) is a Nigerian politician. He assumed his role as the Governor of Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria on 14 February 2012. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 until 2012.

Henry Dickson was born 28 January 1966 in Toru-Orua Town of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Dickson would enroll in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, to study Law in 1988; he would earn his LL.B in 1992. In 1993, he went on to earn his Bachelors in Law from the Nigerian Law School, and was also called to the Nigerian Bar shortly thereafter.

Henry Dickson was elected to the National Assembly’s House of Representatives in 2007. In April 2011, he was elected for a second term; this election was the first time that someone in his constituency has done this.

Dickson assumed his role as Governor of Bayelsa State on 14 February 2012. The Independent National Electoral Commission reported that Henry Dickson won over 90% of the votes. They went on to say that this helped in “further strengthening the PDP’s stranglehold on power there since Jonathan became president.”

Shortly after taking over gubernatorial duties, Dickson said that he was “painfully transiting to the executive arm of government.” He went on to say that he might, in fact, return to the National Assembly someday.

Henry Seriake Dickson net worth is estimated $280 million (net worth estimated in 2017).

* An Uzomedia Biography

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Arik Air releases schedule for Kaduna flights (Read full details)

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PHOTO: Arik Air

Arik Air has released a new schedule for its Kaduna operations following the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the diversion of traffic to Kaduna Airport.

The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos on Saturday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had approved the temporary closure of the Abuja airport from the midnight of March 7.

This is to enable the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) carry out a major rehabilitation of the runway at the airport for a period of six weeks.

Ilegbodu said Arik Air would be operating three daily flights between Kaduna and Lagos and one daily flight between Kaduna and Accra, Ghana during this period.

“Other destinations to be serviced by the airline from Kaduna are Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Sokoto, Gombe, Yola and Enugu, which will have one daily flight each. “The new schedule will be operated for six weeks when the Abuja Airport is closed to traffic,” he said .

Meanwhile, Arik Air has announced a special promotional fare that will enable passengers buy a-one-way ticket to any destination in Nigeria from N16, 000.

Ilegbodu said the promotion, which runs from March 6 to 20 was to acknowledge and appreciate the loyalty of the its highly esteemed customers who had stood with the airline for over a decade of operation.

He said, “to enjoy this offer, however, customers are advised to buy their ticket on or before March 20, while the last date for travel is March 31.

“This is an exciting time for both staff and loyal customers of Arik Air. “The new management has ensured stability of operations over the last three weeks with improved on-time-performance.”

Ilegbodu said Arik passengers would be greeted with many more amazing customer centric engagements in the months ahead adding that management was working hard to expand its coverage.

He said: “Arrangements have been concluded to return five of the grounded aircraft back to service shortly and this will enable us add more flights to our network. “We therefore welcome back our loyal customers and promise them a great flying experience.”

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George W. Bush exhibits his portraits of US war veterans…Read full details

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Former US President George W. Bush speaks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as he promotes his upcoming book "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors" in Simi Valley, California on March 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON

After putting down his executive pen former US President George W. Bush picked up a paint brush — and the hobby has become something of a career.

An exhibition of his oil paintings depicting US military veterans will open Thursday at the former president’s library in Dallas.

The collection, on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Texas until October 1, features 66 portraits and a four-panel mural.

Bush’s paintings pay tribute to the nearly 100 wounded or traumatized personnel who he has known personally since leaving the White House in 2009.

As the 43rd US president Bush had commanded the US military members, who all served in the wars he launched in Iraq and Afghanistan following the attacks on September 11, 2001.

The former commander-in-chief released on Tuesday a book titled “Portraits in Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors,” which includes images of the portraits and the veterans’ personal stories.

Bush said he wanted to use the paintings and book to highlight the veterans’ struggles with post-traumatic stress and the transition to civilian life.

“They’re stories of courage, injury, recovery, willingness to help others,” Bush said during a Wednesday forum at the Reagan presidential library near Los Angeles, as part of his book promotion tour.

“And I also wanted to highlight the invisible wounds. That’s my biggest concern.”

– ‘Incredibly meaningful’ –
Bush’s book has already shot to the top of Amazon’s best-seller list, and the former president plans to donate profits from its sale to his presidential center’s work aiding veterans.

He said the paintings would not be sold in his lifetime, but would be endowed to his foundation.

Matt Amidon, deputy director of the Military Service Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, said the veterans have found it “incredibly meaningful… to have a former commander-in-chief to take the personal time to paint each one of them.”

All-but-retired from public life, the 70-year-old Bush spends most of his time at his Texas ranch, where he first started painting in 2012.

He was inspired to explore his artistic side by famed former British prime minister Winston Churchill, who also painted in retirement.

“I basically said, what the hell, this guy can paint, I can paint,” Bush told a laughing audience at the forum, adding that it helped him stay active in retirement.

He kept his hobby a secret at first, but in 2014 unveiled 30 stylized portraits of heads of state he knew as president — all painted from photographs.

The distorted and sometimes only vaguely recognizable faces of people such as former British prime minister Tony Blair, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, attracted some withering criticism, panned as “naive” or “clumsy.”

Others praised what they saw as the “high amateur” work of someone who, although not formally trained, had clearly studied some art history and painting techniques.

– ‘Changed my life’ –
Bush admitted during the forum that those earlier efforts lacked confidence.

“There’s not much expression in it,” he said, adding that he believes he has since evolved as a painter.

His new portraits — clearly more accomplished works — show greater mastery over the art.

The former president, who referenced impressionism in describing his work, said he was originally not very interested in art.

But since taking up painting he said he has come to see the world in a new light.

“I see colors and shadows that I never did before. I see the sky differently,” Bush said.

“It has changed my life to the better.”

Bush’s idea to paint a portrait series of veterans came after his art teacher saw his collection of world leaders and suggested the former president next paint people outside the spotlight.

As with the world leaders portraits, Bush worked with photographs and spent a year on the artworks.

While other US presidents have taken up painting in retirement, Bush is thought to be the first to paint portraits.

He said his current project is a six-foot tall self-portrait.

“It’s a fascinating experience,” he said.

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Philippine police will return to drug war, says Duterte…Read full details

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This handout photo taken on February 27, 2017 and released by the Presidential Photographers Dividion (PPD) on February 28 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) speaking to reporters during the launch of the first Japanese car manufacturer assembled in the country at Malacanang Palace in Manila. Duterte said on February 28 he would recall police to fight his drug war, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as "corrupt to the core". / AFP PHOTO / PPD / ACE MORANDANTE /

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would recall police to fight his drug war, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as “corrupt to the core”.

“I need more men and I have to call back the police again,” Duterte told reporters, adding he had instructed his police chief to find young officers who were not corrupt to join anti-drug groups.

“At yesterday’s command conference I ordered (him) to recruit young men in the Philippine National Police who are imbued with the fervour of patriotism,” he said.

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

Since then, police have reported killing more than 2,550 people, while more than 4,000 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures.

Duterte had been unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the drug war, including accusations the police were murdering people for their own gain and organising anonymous vigilante death squads.

Duterte repeatedly promised to shield police from prosecution if they were charged with murder for killing in the drug war.

But he was forced to change tack after an official investigation found anti-drug officers kidnapped a South Korean businessman late last year, then murdered him at the national police headquarters as part of an extortion racket.

“You policemen are the most corrupt. You are corrupt to the core. It’s in your system,” Duterte said on January 30, before announcing all police had been pulled off the drug war until their ranks had been “cleansed”.

Duterte said then nearly 40 percent of the police force engaged in illegal activities.

Duterte handed the campaign over to the much smaller Drug Enforcement Agency, with support from the military.

The national police chief, Ronald Dela Rosa, said on Monday that gains in the drug war had been lost because his force had been withdrawn.

“The longer we are not in the war on drugs, the situation gets worse,” Dela Rosa said.

Global rights monitor Amnesty International released a report on February 1 warning that the killings in the drug war may amount to a crime against humanity.

It accused police of fatally shooting defenceless people, fabricating evidence, paying assassins to murder drug addicts and stealing from those they killed or the victims’ kin.

Duterte on Tuesday warned police who were sacked for corruption they would be killed if they resorted to drug dealing.

“If you make a mistake you will die. That’s for sure. Your wife will be widowed,” he said, referring to those who would be dismissed.

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Ayew and Aubameyang make mark in Europe

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Dortmund's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts during the German First division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs VfL Wolfsburg in Dortmund on February 18, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ /

Stars Andre Ayew of Ghana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon were among the African scorers in Europe at the weekend.

Ayew, a son of Ghana legend Abedi “Pele” Ayew, scored only his second goal for West Ham to salvage a 1-1 draw at Watford in the English Premier League.

Former African Footballer of the Year Aubameyang bagged a brace for Borussia Dortmund as they triumphed 3-0 at Freiburg in the German Bundesliga.

ENGLAND

ANDRE AYEW (West Ham)

The Ghana striker came to West Ham’s rescue as he rose off the bench to score the second-half equaliser in his side’s 1-1 draw against Watford. With his side trailing to Troy Deeney’s early penalty at Vicarage Road, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic sent on Ayew in the 65th minute and the move paid dividends just eight minutes later. Michail Antonio’s burst into the penalty area ended with a shot that hit both posts before rebounding to Ayew, who slotted home from close-range to claim just his second West Ham goal since signing from Swansea last August.

IDRISSA GUEYE(Everton)

The Senegal midfielder scored his first goal for Everton to set up his team’s 2-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Sunderland at Goodison Park. Gueye has been a solid addition to Everton’s central midfield since arriving from Aston Villa in August, but his holding role meant there had been few chances for him to get on the scoresheet. The 27-year-old made up for lost time in the 40th minute when he burst forward to meet Seamus Coleman’s low cross with a powerful strike that flashed beyond Jordan Pickford.

VICTOR WANYAMA (Tottenham)

The Kenya midfielder played the full 90 minutes as Tottenham thrashed Stoke 4-0 to climb to second in the Premier League. After the frustration of a midweek Europa League exit against unfancied Belgians Gent, Wanyama gave a typically powerful display as he overwhelmed Stoke’s midfielders with his muscular style, helping lay the foundation for Harry Kane’s hat-trick.

SPAIN

CEDRIC BAKAMBU (Villarreal)

The Democratic Republic of Congo striker looked to have Villarreal on course for a famous win over Real Madrid when he slotted home from the edge of the area to give the Yellow Submarines a 2-0 lead just before the hour mark with his fourth goal of the season. However, Madrid staged a heroic comeback to eventually run out 3-2 winners.

MEHDI CARCELA-GONZALEZ (Granada)

Moroccan winger Carcela-Gonzalez scored for the second straight week as he blasted into the top corner to briefly bring Granada level at 1-1 away to Athletic Bilbao. The Andalusians, though, remain mired in the relegation zone as Athletic went on to win 3-1.

ITALY

MOHAMED SALAH (Roma)

Salah looks to have fully digested Egypt’s defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final to Cameroon — he was back to his sizzling best in a 3-1 win at Inter Milan that saw Belgian Radja Nainggolan hit a spectacular brace to keep Roma in the title race, seven points behind leaders Juventus. Salah was in the thick of an end-to-end San Siro thriller from the off, but in the opening minutes wasted a great chance for the opener when he fired straight at goalkeeper Samir Handanovic after jumping on to Edin Dzeko’s smart chip.

FRANCK KESSIE (Atalanta)

Ivorian powerhouse Kessie picked the wrong day for a sending-off, but Atalanta still forged on with 10 men to stun Napoli 2-0 at a shocked San Paolo to maintain their push for a place in Europe next season. If reports were correct, scouts from Manchester United had travelled to Naples to watch the 20-year-old Ivorian striker — although they probably left more impressed by two-goal hero Mattia Caldara — although he is set for a 2018 move to Juventus. Kessie’s first act of note was to go through Amadou Diawara to earn a caution. Only three minutes later, he saw red for stopping Lorenzo Insigne launching a counter.

GERMANY

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Borussia Dortmund)

Dortmund’s Gabon striker proved he’s back to his best with two clinically-taken goals in a 3-0 win at Freiburg to leave him as the league’s joint top scorer alongside Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski. Both hot-shots have 19 goals this season and Aubameyang drilled home second-half passes from Marco Reus and Erik Durm to seal the win which left Dortmund third.

NABY KEITA (RB Leipzig)

The Guinea midfielder turned in another impressive display and had a hand in two goals in RB Leipzig’s 3-1 home win against Cologne which left them five points behind Bayern Munich. Leipzig went 2-0 up after Keita’s cross was turned into his net by Cologne defender Dominic Maroh on 34 minutes. Keita then provided the final pass to allow Timo Werner to hit his second goal of the game and seal the win on 65 minutes.

LAMINE SANE (Werder Bremen)

The Senegal defender provided the final pass for ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry to score Bremen’s second in a 2-1 win at Wolfsburg. The valuable win lifted struggling Bremen out of the bottom three and led to Wolfsburg dismissing Valerien Ismael as coach.

FRANCE

ADAM OUNAS (Bordeaux)

Bordeaux were in trouble against Lille, trailing 2-1, until Algerian attacking midfielder Ounas contributed two goals within four minutes deep in the second half to salvage a win that left his club fifth.

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Operators blame multiple taxation for poor performance of domestic airlines (Read full details)

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Chairman of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has blamed the poor performance of domestic airlines on multiple taxation by various agencies in the aviation sector.

Capt. Nogie Meggisson, Chairman, AON, made the claim on Sunday in Lagos while reacting to the takeover of Arik Air and Aero Contractors by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the aviation agencies include the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

Others are the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT),Zaria.

Meggisson said it was unfortunate that the system had failed to recognise the pivotal role airlines could play in bringing the Nigerian economy out of recession.

“Rather, the system is continuously manipulating, feasting and pushing the financial envelope of airlines by inflicting multiple taxes and levies to the extent that airlines are now groaning under the pressure and some are going bankrupt.

“AON has been screaming and complaining about the same issue over the years that have culminated in sending over 27 airlines under in the past 25 years.

“A case in point is the recent takeover of Arik Air and Aero Contractors by AMCON in the face of huge financial burdens that have shown themselves as fallout of the multiple and sometimes unfair charges and taxes airlines are forced to grapple with on a daily basis.

“This is without recourse to the fact that aside from all the multiple charges, levies and fees, airlines still have to pay mandatory statutory corporate taxes to relevant agencies,” he said in the statement obtained by NAN.

According to him, airlines meet so many costly foreign exchange components on daily basis that accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of their direct operational cost such as jet fuel, spare parts, insurance and simulator training among several others.

He said inspite of all these challenges , the agencies continue to overburden the airlines with multiple taxes and levies which further puts strain on their operations and finances.

“The Civil Aviation Act of 2006 (Part 18.12.3) requires that the NCAA regulates civil aviation and the charges imposed by civil aviation authorities and/or agencies.

“These charges, in consultation with stakeholders,are to be approved and reviewed periodically by both parties.

“On the contrary however, airlines are saddled with charges without any form of consultation whatsoever.

“Domestic airlines, on the average, pay about 35 per cent to 40 per cent of a ticket cost as taxes and charges that come under the guise of statutory levies in addition to other charges.

“These include 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge, 5 per cent Cargo Sales Charge, 5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), Passenger Service Charge, Charter Sales Charge, Aircraft Inspection Fees, Simulator Inspection Fees, Landing Charges and Parking Charges

Others are Terminal Navigational Charge, Enroute Charge, Fuel Surcharge, Airport Space Rent, Electricity Charges, and Apron Pass, Ramp Access Charges, ODC and a newly imposed Registration Fee all of which are paid to government agencies.

“Many of these taxes and charges amount to double taxation such that any incentive seemingly provided by government to airlines is taken back by the agencies,” Meggisson said.

He added that even with all these charges, many of the airports in the country do not have runway lights and navigational landing aids which meant such airports are only open between 7am and 6pm daily.

The AON chairman said :” To this end, airlines can’t fully utilise their airplanes for 24-hours operations. No airplane or factory machine can be profitable only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daylight operations.

“Airplanes and factory machines are supposed to operate for 24-hours.

“Airlines also sometimes have to pay arbitrary extension fees or cancel a flight entirely with the attendant burden and inconvenience due to no fault of theirs.”

Meggisson, therefore called for a total harmonisation of all agencies’charges into a one-stop shop payment system which was recently proposed by a committee set up by government and supported by the airlines.

According to him, this will help in streamlining of all fees and charges by the various government agencies into a single window and remove any confusion and double billing.

He called for the provision of airfield lighting and navigational landing aids at all airports in Nigeria to reduce delays and cancellations and allow for 24-hours operation and better utilisation of airplanes.

The AON chairman also appealed to the government to extend tax holidays for the first 10 years for qualifying airlines in order to cushion the impact of start-up to ensure the survival and growth of domestic airlines.

“Airlines provide a critical socio-economic services and should not be treated as a cash cow and strangled out of existence by multiple taxes, levies and charges that are sometimes forced on the airlines without due consultations.

“We believe that government needs to reappraise the way it sees air transportation and accord it the support it truly deserves as done in other climes,” Meggison said.

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Erdogan says Turkish troops inside Syria’s Al-Bab…Read full details

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Turkey-backed-opposition fighters advance in an armoured personnel carrier on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of al-Bab in a bid to enter the city and retake control of it from the Islamic State (IS) group on February 9, 2017.<br />Saleh ABO GHALOUN / AFP

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies have entered the centre of the Islamic State-held bastion Al-Bab, saying its capture was just a “matter of time”.

“Al-Bab is now besieged from all fronts … Our forces entered the centre” with Syrian rebels, Erdogan told journalists in Istanbul before leaving for a tour of Gulf countries.

Erdogan said it was “only a matter of time” before the allied forces took full control of the flashpoint town.

“Daesh forces have begun leaving Al-Bab completely,” he said, using Arabic acronym for IS group.

Turkish forces and allied rebels on Saturday entered Al-Bab to drive IS jihadists from the flashpoint northern town, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Turkish army launched an ambitious campaign inside Syria on August 24 codenamed Euphrates Shield to clean its border from IS jihadists and stop the advance of Kurdish militia.

But the clashes in Al-Bab have proved the toughest in the campaign, with Turkish military fatalities surging.

One Turkish soldier was killed and three others wounded in clashes with jihadists on Sunday, the private Dogan news agency reported, citing military sources.

The latest casualty raised the number of Turkish troops killed in the Syria offensive to 67.

The three injured troops were evacuated from Al-Bab and taken to hospitals in Turkey’s Kilis and Gaziantep provinces near the Syrian border, Dogan reported.

Al-Bab is the jihadist group’s last stronghold in the northern province of Aleppo and is also being targeted by regime forces.

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7-year-old completes 10km at 2nd Access Bank Lagos City marathon

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2nd Access bank Marathon<br />Photo: Twitter/Access bank lagos city marathon

A seven-year-old, Damilola Oluwaseun, became the spotlight of the 2nd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon when she finished completed 10km of the 42km race.

Oluwaseun, who joined the race at 32km which is at the end of Lekki Bridge, said she was elated to have ran 10km.

“I feel happy that I was able to run the 10km, it was not easy but it was worth trying. It feels good,’’ she said.

The race started at the National Stadium, Lagos and finished at the Eko Atlantic City.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 64 foreign and 102 local elite athletes participated in the race that registered 55,000 runners from 27 countries, including Nigeria.

The top place winner will cart away 50,000 dollars, second place 40,000 dollars and third place 30,000 dollars respectively.

Abraham Kiptom and Rhoda Jepokorir of Kenya won the international male and female categories.

Philip Sharabutu also defended the first Nigerian male title and Emmanuel Gyang came second in the Nigerian male category.

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NPA partners FRSC on road worthiness of vehicles entering ports

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Nigerian Ports Authority

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has given March 1 deadline to the Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC) for enforcement of Minimum Standard of Safety and Road Worthiness (MSSRW) for all trucks entering Nigerian ports.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the FRSC in Lagos, Usman said NPA had the responsibility of protecting lives and properties of all stakeholders accessing her services.

According to her, this is by ensuring that all articulated vehicles and trucks which on daily basis freight containers and assorted bulk cargoes to different parts of the country from the ports meet the required minimum safety standards.

Usman said NPA was collaborating with the FRSC as part of efforts to put lasting solutions to the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway gridlock.

“To ensure full compliance, NPA is collaborating with the FRSC and other safety enforcement agencies toward achieving safety standard for trucks accessing the ports by adopting the Road Traffic Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS).

“This include regular inspection and certification of the NPA’s fleet.

“Apapa for example, is home to Nigeria’s two foremost ports which are being managed by nine terminal operators,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Usman as saying.

She said, “Between the two ports, more than 65 per cent of dry cargoes and about 90 per cent of the nation’s liquid (petroleum products) are handled.’’

The managing director said this was because “Apapa hosts about 35 tank farms in addition to the numerous other businesses located in the port city’’.

“Going by the operational activities highlighted above, there is always heavy vehicular traffic around all port locations and most of these vehicles are not in good state.

“This debilitating vehicular traffic has assumed a frightening dimension in so many port areas.

“It has led to serious accidents that have claimed innocent lives and several man hours lost in traffic jam.

“Miscreants, armed robbery and other social vices have been on increase because of the perennial traffic situation in those areas,’’ NAN quotes Usman as saying.

She said that past efforts put in place by the authority, some state governments and terminal operators to ameliorate the situation were to no avail.

According to her, this is because most of the vehicles plying the road are not road worthy.

Usman urged the FRSC to ensure that no rickety vehicle enters the port.

In his address, Oyeyemi said his agency was happy over the NPA’s initiative.

He reminded owners of heavy duty trucks operating within and around the ports on the need to strictly adhere to the minimum safety standards.

Oyeyemi said this would ensure safety of haulage operations, adding that FRSC would enforce all aspects of the MoU.

He said adequate and appropriate driver education and speed limiter were vital and would therefore, be enforced by his men.

Oyeyemi said from March 1, officers of the agency would be fully mobilised for the enforcement of the law.

While commending the NPA for signing the MoU, he urged fleet owners and truck owners associations to obey the new rules by the NPA.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2ktz232

Spanish PM warns Le Pen victory would be ‘a disaster’ (Read full details)

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French National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen / AFP PHOTO / Roberto Pfeil

Spain’s conservative prime minister warned Thursday that an election win by French far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen or Germany’s anti-immigration party AfD would be “a disaster” that would “destroy Europe”.

“I don’t even want to think about it, that would be a disaster, it would simply mean the destruction of Europe,” Mariano Rajoy said during an interview with radio Onda Cero when asked about the possibility of Le Pen or the AfD winning power.

“Mrs Le Pen has announced plans for a referendum. She wants (France) to leave Europe, as if Europe were the source of all misfortunes. I would like it if she visited the rest of the world,” he added.

The National Front presidential candidate has promised if elected in May to dump the euro and organise a Brexit-style referendum on France’s membership in the European Union.

“This is not going to happen. I am convinced that things will turn out alright in Germany and I am absolutely convinced there won’t be a problem in France,” said Rajoy, before adding he hopes conservative nominee Francois Fillon will win the French election.

“It is essential for the future of Europe that the elections in Germany and France go well,” he said.

France’s presidential election will be held on April 23 and May 7. While most opinion polls predict Le Pen will make it to the election’s second round in May, they see her losing that run-off.

In Germany the AfD’s anti-immigrant, eurosceptic rhetoric has won support among voters worried about the influx of more than a million migrants in the past two years.

With polls putting it on 12-15 percent, the party is tipped to win seats in the federal parliament for the first time in September’s national election.

Spanish PM warns Le Pen victory would be ‘a disaster’

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2k4dj3Z