Castro’s health was always a state secret

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Health
Havana, Nov. 26, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The health of Cuban President Fidel Castro who died on Friday at the age of 90 years, was always a state secret in the small Caribbean island country, until

Reports say hee had for years suffered an unspecified intestinal illness which already forced him to hand over power to his brother in July 2006.

The exact nature of the illness was never confirmed by either Castro or the Cuban government, although media reports mentioned diverticulosis.

“I was dead,” Castro said of the 2006 bout of the illness in an interview four years later. “I no longer aspired to living.”

In the years that followed, he appeared to have recovered and was seen in public several times, visibly frail but in good spirits. However, in the months before his death he had gone more and more silent and he was last seen in public in late March, after more than a year away from public life.

The secrecy surrounding Castro’s health forever prompted speculation.

Castro was only known to have suffered two previous incidents of physical problems, and both happened in public. In June 2001 he had a

fainting spell as he addressed a mass audience in Havana.

On October 2004 he slipped at the end of a rally in the Cuban town of Santa Clara, injuring his arm and leg. He subsequently was seen in

public in a wheelchair for the first time ever.

The news of Castro’s 2006 health trouble was divulged in late July that year through a document that was handwritten and allegedly

signed by Fidel Castro himself.

The Cuban leader claimed that his health problems had arisen from stress from his visit to Argentina barely two weeks earlier, where he

delivered a three-hour speech to a crowd of 50,000, and subsequent commitments in his own country.

“This caused me an acute intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding which forced me to undergo complicated surgery,” the Cuban president

allegedly wrote. He added that after the operation he would need “several weeks of rest.”

However, weeks gave way to months and years. Castro’s temporary exit from the Cuban Presidency became permanent in February 2008,

while he formally stepped down from the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party in April 2011.

Over the years, the fit, ever-active revolutionary gave way to an elderly man in good spirits but frail health, as one might expect for a late octogenarian, but Cuban authorities never kept the public up to date with his physical troubles. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

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Card readers
Akure, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) Mr Segun Agbaje, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, says the commission has more than 250 spare smart card readers to replace those malfunctioning.

He said this on Saturday while speaking with newsmen at Unit 9, Ward 2, Gbogi/Isinkan in Akure South Local Government Area of the state on the sidelines of the accreditation and voting process for the governorship election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been complaints of malfunctioning card readers in some polling units in the state.

“I have called the Head of Department of ICT to get smart cards for areas with smart card challenges and very soon they will get  them.

“ Card reader is not a major challenge because it can be addressed within 10 to 20 minutes; we have over 250 smart card readers for exchange in case of malfunction.

“I believe more people are still coming and the election is going on smoothly across the state,’’ he said.

He further said that the challenge faced by those whose names were not on the list but have PVCs would be addressed by the ICT Department soon.

Describing the electoral process as very impressive, he said the report emerging from the Election Monitoring System  Operating Room at the commission’s Abuja headquarters was positive.

No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards would decide who the governor would be out of the 28 contestants in Saturday’s governorship election.

Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, 378,606 did not collect  collect their PVCs.

Among the major contestants are Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC, Dr Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy.

Others include the candidate of the Accord Party, Mr Oladare Amuda, Mr Yinka Orokoto of the Action Alliance, the candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria and Chief Adetuwo Ogunjumelo.(NAN)
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Fidel Castro is to be cremated, brother confirms

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Fidel Castro
Havana, Nov. 26, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Former Cuban President Fidel Castro who died on Friday at the age of 90 years is to be cremated in accordance with the deceased’s wishes, President Raul Castro, who is Fidel’s brother, said.

Fidel Castro ruled Cuba for 47 years and saw off 10 U.S. presidents in the process.

He remained a force behind the scenes after bowing out of day-to-day politics for health reasons in 2006.

According to his official biography, Castro was born in Biran in eastern Cuba on 26 July 1926.

He was said to have found the gap between rich and poor in his country to be unacceptable even in his youth.

As a young lawyer he took up the fight against the regime of Dictator, Fulgencio Batista.

Following several years in exile, head landed in Cuba with 80 revolutionaries in late 1956. His troops entered the capital Havana victorious in January 1959.

An agricultural reform and the nationalisation of formerly owned concerns put him on a collision course with Washington which imposed a trade embargo that would last decades.

In those years, Havana became more and dependent on the former Soviet Union.

Cuba faced a severe economic crisis when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990.

But the communist system and Castro both survived against all odds.

Castro bowed out of frontline politics in July 2006 for health reasons, handing the reins of power over to his brother Raul, initially only provisionally and then on a permanent basis.

He is said to have been very skeptical of the normalisation of ties which saw U.S. President Barack Obama visit Cuba in March this year. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Key dates in the life of Fidel Castro

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Castro
Havana, Nov.26, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Fidel Castro was one of the key figures in 20th century Latin America, the object of praise and criticism during his near half-century, iron-handed transformation of and rule over Cuba.

Castro, who passed late Nov.26, 2016 at the age of 90 years, remained a world figure in many controversial issues that borders on relating to the west.

To his people and friends all over the world, Castro was an enigma, who will be hard to forget.

He was born in 1926 in the eastern Cuban town of Biran on August 13. Matriculates at the University of Havana; earns a law degree in 1950.

In 1947, he participated in failed revolutionary mission in the Dominican
Republic. In 1948, he attended the Anti-Imperialist Student Council in Bogota;
and also participated in the popular revolt known as the “Bogotazo.”

Castro in 1953, led a failed assault on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de
Cuba, the first effort to topple Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship and later got 15 years in prison.

He led the 1956-59 guerrilla fight to oust Batista.In 959, entered Havana in triumph on January 8; travels to receptions in Venezuela, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Castro proclaimed himself in 1961, a Marxist-Leninist and rebuffed the Bay of Pigs
invasion by the United States.

He accepted in 1962, the withdrawal, after the Cuban Missile Crisis, of
mid-range Soviet missiles stationed on the island.

Surprisingly in 1986, Castro quits smoking his characteristic Cuban cigars.

In 1990, with the Cold War ended, and with it, Soviet economic support,
Castro decrees an emergency economic programme; changes country’s motto from “homeland or death” to “socialism or death.”

For the first time in 1992, he made the first official visit to a West European country, to Spain, while in 1993, he allowed some economic reforms, and limited U.S. dollar holdings;
Cuba turns to tourism to palliate economic crisis.

In 1996, he visited Pope John Paul II in the Vatican and hosted Pope John Paul II in Havana; John Paul in 1998, he asked Castro to open Cuba to the world.

Castro in 2003, ordered detention of more than 70 dissidents, and the execution of three
people who hijacked boat to escape.

In 2006 he temporarily delegated power to his brother, Raul, on July 31,
in order to undergo surgery for intestinal bleeding.

He formally in 2008 gave up presidency in February;
his successor Raul Castro lifts “absurd prohibitions” regarding luxury
hotels, mobile phones and home appliances, and puts an end to wage
caps.

Fidel Castro formally stepped down as leader of the Cuban
Communist Party in 2011, succeeded by Raul Castro, who increases
opportunities for limited forms of private initiative but vows “to
preserve and to keep perfecting socialism.”

In 2015, Castro was last seen in public, on March 30, when he talked to a Venezuelan delegation at a Havana school; Raul Castro meets with U.S. President Barack Obama on April 11.

November 25, 2016: Castro dies aged 90 on Friday (03:29 GMT Saturday). (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

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Voting
Akure, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) The simultaneous accreditation and voting innovation adopted by INEC commenced on Saturday as voters gathered at polling units across Ondo State to choose their next governor

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was calm in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state as some voters were sighted queuing up to vote.

As at 7:30 am, some residents were seen Boloerunduro, Owena, Oboto, Elemosho, Wasinmi and Ondo heading to polling units while there was heavy presence of security men at various check points.

At Ward 7, Unit 20 in Ondo, voters were already at the polling unit although INEC staff were not yet at their duty post.

Speaking with NAN at Ward 9 Unit 6,Ondo, a resident, Mr Sola Ajakaiye, commended government and INEC for putting in place adequate security measures to ensure peaceful election.

In Igboroko Ward 2, Polling Unit 2, Owo, the Presiding Officer, Miss Busayo Olawale, said all logistics had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free poll.

Similarly, at Igboroko Ward 2,Polling Unit 8,the Assistant Presiding Officer ,Mr Amos Ogunbodede, noted that the unit was only waiting for the starting time to commence the electoral process.

In the same vein, Mr Fumen Nuhu, the Presiding Officer of Igboroko Ward 2,Polling Unit1, said that all logistic arrangement had been made.

NAN also reports that voters were sighted casting their votes at Igboroko Ward 2,Unit1.

However, at Ijebu Ward 4,Unit 9,the voters were disappointed because the card reader was not functioning as at 8:51 a.m.

Speaking with NAN, the unit’s presiding officer, Miss Osidi Safia, said that the device would be repaired within five minutes.

NAN reports that there was also a heavy presence of security personnel in all the polling units visited.

In Akure, accreditation and voting also commenced simultaneously at Ward 4 Unit 12 and Obanla Bada’s House Unit 006 Ward 04.

Some security agents as well independent observers were also sighted while voters were on the queue to ensure a smooth electoral process.

NAN also reports that voting commenced at 8:11 a.m. at Unit 9 Ward 2, Sacred Heart Primary school 1 in Akure South Local Government Area.

Speaking with NAN, Mr Bello Ameen, the Presiding Officer, said all the materials were set and working perfectly.

He urged the voters not to panic if the card reader did not recognise any of the fingers as they would still be allowed to vote.

No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards would decide who the governor would be out of the 28 contestants in Saturday’s governorship election.

Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, 378,606 did not turn up to collect their PVCs.

Among the major contestants are Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC, Dr Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy.

Others include the candidate of the Accord Party, Mr Oladare Amuda, Mr Yinka Orokoto of the Action Alliance, the candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria and Chief Adetuwo Ogunjumelo.

Also in the race are the candidate of the Citizens Popular Party, Mr Peter Fasua, the candidate of the Labour Party, Adeuti Stephen and the candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, Mrs Temidola Olagbegi.(NAN)
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Tension
Akure, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) There was palpable tension on Saturday as the voting and accreditation process commenced in the Ondo governorship election on Saturday.

This followed the violent clash in Owo on Thursday in which a chieftain of the APC, Afolabi Olaposi, was killed.

As at 8.a.m. when the   accreditation and voting process commenced in some parts of the state, there were only few voters at some polling units, fuelling fears of insecurity and voters’ apathy.

Olaposi was killed by unknown gunmen on Thursday night in Owo.

The party said in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, on Friday in Akure that Olaposi was shot dead on his way home after attending a meeting of the party in preparation for the governorship election.

“The assailant also went to the house of Chief Jamiu Ekungba, an APC aspirant in the Sept. 3 Primary, and vandalised seven vehicles in his compound.

“Ekungba was not to at home during the attack,’’ the party had said in the statement.

No fewer than 1,280,580 voters with Permanent Voter Cards would decide who the governor would be out of the 28 contestants in Saturday’s governorship election.

Although 1,659,186 voters were registered for the election, 378,606 did not turn up to collect their PVCs.

Among the major contestants are Mr Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC, Dr Olu Agunloye of the Social Democratic Party and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy.

Others include the candidate of the Accord Party, Mr Oladare Amuda, Mr Yinka Orokoto of the Action Alliance, the candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria and Chief Adetuwo Ogunjumelo.

Also in the race are the candidate of the Citizens Popular Party, Mr Peter Fasua, the candidate of the Labour Party, Adeuti Stephen and the candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, Mrs Temidola Olagbegi.

The police, however,  said 26,000 personnel, three helicopters, 12 Armoured Personnel Carriers and 20 gunboats had been  deployed.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, also said five officers would be at each polling unit during the election while three helicopters would  be patrolling each of the senatorial district.

Idris added that three commissioners of police would be in the state for special operations during the election.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also said 15, 000 personnel and 25 sniffer dogs would be deployed for the poll.(NAN)
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Agriculture
By Precious Akutamadu
Port Harcourt, Nov. 26, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria`s Consul General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, said on Friday that Anambra and Cross River officials would visit South Africa in January 2017 to seal a partnership deal on agriculture.
Ajulu-Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the visit was part of the Federal Government`s intervention programme on agriculture.
She said that the North-West Province of South Africa had already accepted to train the officials and share experience on how to boost  food production.

“ The Premier of the North-West Province has indicated willingness and desire to form a tripartite partnership between the province, the organised farming conglomerate and the governments of Anambra and Cross River States.

“ The Premier has invited the states to come in January 2017 for a technical session with the commercial farmers.

“The session will determine the modalities for the implementation of the engagement,” she said.

She said that the partnership would assist in driving the Federal Government`s agricultural intervention fund programme.
“ We are very happy with this engagement because the province is willing to work with Nigeria.

“ They will partner with the states to ensure the success of the Federal Government`s agricultural intervention fund.

“The partnership will benefit Nigeria because it will assist us boost  food production, create jobs and boost our economy,’’ Ajulu-Okeke said.

Ajulu-Okeke added  that she had visited a special school in the province that provides training for tourists  and chefs as well as those interested in hotel management.(NAN)
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(Edited by Mike Mbonye/Mufutau Ojo)

NNPC to build 1,000 kilometre pipeline from Niger to Kaduna refinery-says Baru
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Visit
By Muhammad Tijjani
Kaduna.Nov 25, 2016(NAN) The Group Managing Director, (GMD)Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, (NNPC), on Friday said the Federal Government will build 1,000 kilometres of pipeline from Agadam Niger Republic, to supply crude oil to Kaduna refinery.

The GMD made the disclosure to newsmen during a visit to the Kaduna Refinery Petrochemical Company Limited (KRPC) in Kaduna.

Baru said high level contacts have been made with Niger Republic on the possibility of importing crude from the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has made several contacts with the President of Niger Republic .

” We are talking with Niger Ministry of petroleum. We are also talking with the Chinese Company operating in Agadam .

Baru said some investors have shown interest to build another refinery of 50,000 barrels pay day capacity.

” We are convincing them to come and build side by side with the Kaduna refinery.

“The intention is to build around Kano but we think there is greater synergy to what I have seen here. I am more convinced they will benefit from some of the utilities of Kaduna refinery.”Baru said.

(NAN)
TJ
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Assailants strangle woman in farm
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Strangulation
By Usman Aliyu
Chikanda (Kwara), Nov 25, 2016 (NAN) Unknown person(s) strangled a widow and mother of four, Florence Ede in her farm in Chikanda, a border town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara on Thursday
The assailants were also said to have stolen 12 bags of rice and the money she had intended to pay labourers.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, added that investigation into the death was ongoing.

Okasanmi said her guard and the hired labourers had been arrested to assist in the investigation. (NAN)
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Edited by Idahosa Asowata

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Donation
By Sunday John
Lafia, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) on Friday in Lafia donated sports equipment worth millions of Naira to 35 selected public primary schools in Nasarawa state.

Habu Gumel, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, handed out the donated sports equipment to representatives of the selected schools.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the schools were among the 2,000 public primary schools selected nationwide by the fund to benefit from the Federal Government sport intervention initiative.

While handing out the equipment, Gumel reaffirmed Federal Government’s objective of promoting grassroots sports development through the application of lottery proceeds.

He assured that the programme would be sustained to raise future sports champions for the country and help in improving the economic situation of the country.

“We will continue to channel resources to key government projects and programmes which will bring succour to Nigerians,’’ Gumel said.

In his welcome address at the occasion, Kanor Bankole, NLTF’s North-Central Zone Coordinator, said he was hopeful that new talents would be discovered within the state and across the country.

“This will happen with constant distribution of new and world-class sports equipment to schools,’’ he said.

Bankole explained that each of the schools got equipment in nine sports events, namely athletics, taekwondo, badminton, handball, table tennis, volleyball, football, lawn tennis and basketball.

“The fact that Nasarawa state was chosen is a testimony of the fact that Nasarawa state is held in high esteem by the federal government,’’ he said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Nasarawa State Government and the schools, the state Deputy Governor, Silas Agara, warned the beneficiaries to put the equipment to proper use.

While he also urged them to ensure they adhered to a good maintenance culture, Agara however said the initiative was appropriate and should be continued with.

“Our primary schools are the right places to begin with, in intervening in sports development. These equipment must be made available at all times for the use of our pupils,’’ the deputy governor said.(NAN)
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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Olawale Alabi)