Zika epidemic declared in Ho Chi Minh City
NAN-F-8
Zika
Hanoi, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) A Zika epidemic has been declared in parts of Ho Chi Minh City, report said on Thursday.

The city government announced five cases of infections in the An Phu and Hiep Thanh communes of Ho Chi Minh City.

Experts say that Zika is mainly spread by mosquitoes, those infected suffer flu-like symptoms.

While most Zika patients recover quickly, the virus can cause brain malformations in unborn children, as well as other neurological disorders.

it said that the total number of diagnosed Zika cases in Vietnam is now nine.

Nguyen Tan-Binh, Director of the Municipal Health Department, blamed the uptick on a booming mosquito population due to heavy rains.

Dengue fever, which is carried by the same mosquito species as Zika, has risen 19 per cent compared to a year ago.

“The news of the epidemic comes days after Vietnam reported its first case of microcephaly, a head deformity that leaves the brain abnormally small, likely linked to a pregnant woman’s Zika infection.

“A 4-month old girl from Dak Lak in the Central Highlands was born after her 23-year-old mother experienced Zika symptoms in her second and third trimesters,’’ the report said. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Danilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)

Ex-Congolese VP convicted of witness tampering at war crimes
NAN-F-11
Conviction
The Hague, Oct. 20, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Congolese former Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba bribed witnesses to lie in his favour at a war crimes trial that ended in the highest ranking conviction by the International Criminal Court, a report said on Thursday.

The court said 14 key witnesses had been coached about what to say, and found Bemba and four other defendants guilty of conspiring to present false evidence to the court.

Supporters of Bemba, who appealed his conviction and 18-year sentence for overseeing a campaign of rape and murder in Central African Republic more than a decade ago, had no immediate comment.

The court found him guilty in March.

He was convicted him for failing to discipline or restrain his Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) soldiers as they rampaged through the neighbouring country in 2002 and 2003.

As part of a systematic effort to interfere with the trial, Bemba and his team used secret phones and code language to instruct witnesses in exchange for cash.

“He promised to relocate them, to give the witnesses computers and other bribes, the court found.

“No legal system in the world can accept the bribing of witnesses, the inducement of witnesses to lie, or the illicit coaching of witnesses, nor can the ICC.

“Today’s judgment sends the clear message that the court is not willing to allow its proceedings to be hampered or destroyed,” Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt said.

The court said that those who had been convicted faced jail term of up to five years, or a fine, or both.

According to the report, the judge allowed suspects other than Bemba to remain free pending their sentencing hearings, for which he did not set a date.

“They had cooperated with the court and were not considered a flight risk,’’ the court said.

The four others convicted include Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, a member of Bemba’s legal team; and Fidele Babala Wandu, a politician and close associate of Bemba. (Reuters/NAN)

(OYE)

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-3
Lufthansa
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct.20, 2016 (NAN) An international carrier, Lufthansa Airline, on Thursday said it had no plan to reduce its flight operations in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline’s Media Consultant, Mr Hakeem Jimoh, made the disclosure to aviation correspondents in Lagos.

NAN reports that two foreign airlines, Emirates and Kenya, recently announced suspension of their flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

While Emirates Airlines said it would stop flights to Abuja from Oct. 22, Kenya Airways said its flights to the nation’s capital would be suspended from Nov.15.

Both airlines attributed the decision to economic downturn in the country, foreign exchange challenges, and the shrinking passenger traffic.

Jimoh said Lufthansa Airline, which operates flights to Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airports, would not be following a similar path for now.

“Yes, there has been challenges, particularly with the issue of forex, but I can tell you that Lufthansa has no plan for now to reduce flight operations in Nigeria,”he said.

Jimoh said that Lufthansa had been operating in Nigeria for over 50 years, adding that the country was important to the airline’s operation, especially in West Africa. (NAN)
ASO/JI/TA
(Editing by Joseph Idika/Tajudeen Atitebi)

China’s Xi hopes Duterte visit can ‘fully improve’ Philippine ties

NAN-F-7
Ties
Beijing, Oct. 20, 2016 (Xinhua/ NAN) Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that he hoped Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s “milestone” visit to China could help “fully improve” ties, which have suffered from to a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Duterte arrived in Beijing on Tuesday with at least 200 top business people to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance, as relations with long time ally the United States deteriorates.

On Wednesday, to the cheers of hundreds of Filipinos in Beijing, Duterte said Philippine foreign policy was veering towards China.

“I will not go to America anymore. We will just be insulted there,” Duterte said. “So, it’s time to say goodbye my friend.”

The same day, about 1,000 anti-U.S. protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Manila calling for the removal of U.S. troops from the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Duterte’s efforts to engage China, months after a ruling in The Hague over South China Sea disputes in favour of the Philippines, marks a reversal in Philippine foreign policy since the 71-year-old former mayor took office on June 30.

Xi told Duterte at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People that China and the Philippines were brothers and that the two sides could “appropriately handle disputes”, though Xi did not specifically mention the South China Sea row in comments in front of reporters.

“I hope we can follow the wishes of the people and use this visit as an opportunity to push China-Philippines relations back on a friendly footing and fully improve things,” he said.

The two countries would return to the track of dialogue and consultation in seeking a proper settlement of the South China Sea issue, Chinese vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said.

“The two sides briefly mentioned the South China Sea. Both sides agreed that this issue is not the sum total of bilateral relations,” Liu told reporters after the Xi-Duterte meeting.

China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

In 2012, China seized Scarborough Shoal – claimed by Beijing as Huangyan Island and by Manila as Panatag – and denied Philippine fishermen access to its rich fishing grounds.

Liu said the issue of Scarborough Shoal was not mentioned and did not answer a question about whether Philippine fishermen would be allowed to fish there.

He did say both countries agreed on coast guard and fisheries cooperation. He did not give details.

Beijing has welcomed the Philippines’ efforts to embrace China, even as Duterte has vowed not to surrender any sovereignty to Beijing, which views the South China Sea maritime ruling as null and void.

Duterte on Wednesday said the South China Sea arbitration case would “take the back seat” during talks, and that he would wait for the Chinese to bring up the dispute rather than doing so himself.

Duterte’s congenial tone in Beijing is in contrast to the language he has used with Washington, having called U.S. President Barack Obama a “son of a bitch” and railed against U.S. criticism of his war on drugs which has led to the deaths of 2,300 people.

His hard-line drug war tactics have raised concerns in Western capitals about extrajudicial killings, but China has expressed support.

Beijing will also restore Philippine agricultural exports to China and provide financing for Philippine infrastructure, Liu said.

On Wednesday, Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said Bank of China (601988.SS) had agreed to provide a $3 billion credit facility for infrastructure investment in the Philippines.

“The Chinese people are passionate about peace,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement, citing Xi.

Xi said that issues which can’t immediately be resolved should be temporarily set aside, according to the statement. (Xinhua/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Challenging pillar of U.S. democracy, Trump says he may not accept election result

NAN-F-5
Trump
U.S., Oct. 20, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Republican candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday would not commit to accepting the outcome of the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential election if he loses, challenging a cornerstone of American democracy and sending shock waves across the political spectrum.

Trump’s refusal, which his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton called “horrifying,” was the standout remark of the their third and final debate and ratcheted up claims he has made for weeks that the election was rigged against him.

Asked by moderator Chris Wallace whether Trump would not commit to a peaceful transition of power, the businessman-turned-politician replied: “What I’m saying is that I will tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense. Ok?”

Trump’s statement may appeal to his anti-establishment followers, but it was unlikely to reverse opinion polls that show him losing, including in key states that will decide the election.

“That is not the way our democracy works,” Clinton said during the debate. “We’ve been around for 240 years. We’ve had free and fair elections. We’ve accepted the outcomes when we may not have liked them. And that is what must be expected of anyone standing on a debate stage during a general election.”

Later she told reporters: “What he said tonight is part of his whole effort to blame somebody else for where he is in his campaign.”

A CNN/ORC snap poll said 52 per cent thought Clinton, the former U.S. secretary of state, won the debate while 39 per cent said Trump, making his first run at public office, was the victor.

Mexico’s peso currency, seen as a measure of Trump’s prospects, rose to its highest level in six weeks at the end of the debate, suggesting growing investor confidence of a Clinton victory. Trump has vowed to build a wall on the border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants and has said he would make Mexico pay for it.

Mainstream Republicans were quick to denounce the comment. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a former Republican presidential candidate who has never warmed to Trump, said: “If he loses, it will not be because the system is ‘rigged’ but because he failed as a candidate.”

Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who also ran for the Republican presidential nomination and now supports Trump, defended him.

He said Trump’s message was that “if there’s some kind of obvious fraud going on, he’s going to say something about it.”

“He didn’t say he wouldn’t accept it,” Carson told Journalists. “He said he would evaluate it at the time.”

Trump’s running mate, vice presidential nominee Mike Pence, said Trump “will accept the outcome” because he is going to win.

But Republican strategist Ryan Williams found Trump’s statement “deeply concerning.”

“You have to accept the results of the election unless there are grounds for a recount and at this point it does not appear that we’re heading for a close election,” he said.

In a debate that for the first time focused more on policy than character, the two candidates nonetheless lashed out at each other.

Trump, 70, called Clinton “such a nasty woman,” accused her campaign of orchestrating a series of accusations by women who said the businessman made unwanted sexual advances and said that both she and President Barack Obama were behind disturbances at his rallies.

He said the Clinton Foundation was a criminal enterprise and as a result she should not have been allowed to seek the presidency ticket.

Clinton, 68, said Trump himself had incited violence, belittled women and posed a danger to the U.S.. She said Trump, a former reality TV star, had in the past also complained that his show was unjustly denied a U.S. television Emmy award.

“I should have gotten it,” Trump retorted.

Trump said all of the stories of sexual misdeeds were “totally false” and suggested Clinton was behind the charges. He called her campaign “sleazy” and said, “Nobody has more respect for women than I do, nobody.”

Clinton said the women came forward after Trump said in the last debate he had never made unwanted advances on women. In a 2005 video, Trump was recorded bragging about groping women against their will.

“Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger. He goes after their dignity, their self-worth and I don’t think there is a woman anywhere who doesn’t know what that feels like,” said Clinton, the first woman to win the nomination of a major U.S. political party.

The two candidates also had a spirited exchange on abortion, gun rights and immigration during the showdown.

Clinton said she would raise taxes on the wealthy to help fund the U.S. government’s Social Security retirement program. She said Trump, who Forbes says is worth $3.7 billion, would be paying higher taxes too unless he can get out of it.

“Such a nasty woman,” Trump said.

Trump and Clinton battled sharply over the influence of Vladimir Putin, with Clinton calling Trump the Russian president’s puppet and Trump charging Putin had repeatedly outsmarted Clinton.

Clinton and Trump walked straight to their podiums when they were introduced at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, once again forgoing the traditional handshake as they did at the second debate last week in St. Louis, Missouri. This time they did not shake hands at the end of the debate either. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

France says ready to keep troops in West Africa for as long as needed

NAN-F-4
Troops
Paris, Oct. 20, 2016 (Reuters/ NAN) France appeared to have accepted that it would need to keep thousands of troops in Africa’s Sahel region for an indefinite period given the ongoing instability and preponderance of Islamist militants.

The region, a politically fragile area whose remote desert spaces spanning from Mauritania in the west to Sudan in the east host a medley of jihadist groups, is seen as vulnerable to further attacks after strikes on soft targets in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast earlier this year.

That has been brought further to light after a spike in violence in northern Mali, where France intervened three years ago to drive out al Qaeda-linked militants who hijacked a rebellion in 2012 by ethnic Tuaregs and attempted to take control of the central government in Bamako.

Speaking to lawmakers, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault sought to reassure regional allies that Paris would not abandon them despite pressure on its military that has seen it increase operations in the Middle East, but also on home soil after a series of Islamist attacks.

“France remains committed as long as the jihadist threat continues to weigh on the future of these countries,” Ayrault said at a parliamentary debate on his country’s overseas operations.

“What message would we be sending if we envisaged a reduction of our effort? We do not have the right to abandon our African brothers at the exact moment when they need us the most to consolidate the fragile balances,” he said.

After sending troops to Mali, the former colonial power has since spread some 4,000 soldiers across the region to hunt down Islamists, while United Nations’ peacekeepers have been deployed to ensure Mali’s stability.

However, the UN’s forces have lacked equipment and resources making a political settlement between Tuaregs and the government in Mali increasingly fragile and paving the way for Islamists and traffickers to exploit a void in the north of the country.

“We know it will be long and difficult (because) the national reconciliation process is taking time to come into effect, securing the north is slow and terrorist groups continue to destabilize the region by carrying out attacks on Mali’s borders at the entrances to other countries like Niger and Ivory Coast,” Ayrault said.

France will next week seek to discuss Mali when it hosts a ministerial meeting on UN peacekeeping operations in French-speaking countries to see how to beef up and improve their efficiency. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Oyo, Osun pledge irrevocable commitment to LAUTECH ownership

NAN-H-1
LAUTECH
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Oyo and Osun Governments have pledged their irrevocable commitment to the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

The state governments made the resolution at the end of a four-hour meeting at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, appealed to the institution’s academic staff to resume academic activities while governments address their grievances.

Ajimobi said that a visitation panel, headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had been inaugurated and empowered to review the current terms of engagement with a view of consolidating the joint ownership.

The Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs A. O. Makanjuola, is the Secretary of the panel.

The other members of the panel were: Rasheed Afolabi, Osun; Prof. Sola Fajana, Osun;  Dr Tunji Olaopa, Oyo;  Prof. Ayo Salami, Oyo; and Mr S. A Raji, Oyo.

According to the governor, the panel is expected to conduct an audit into the institution’s sources and application of funds, propose  strategies for overall improvement of its quality of education and service delivery.

Ajimobi expressed regrets over the current challenges of funding and management confronting the institution and restated government’s commitment to moving the institution forward.

“We have both agreed on the necessity for a comprehensive restructuring of the institution to ensure fair and effective development.

“We also agreed on the distribution of academic resources, physical structures and other assets of the university across the two states to achieve national, regional and global reckoning,” he said.

Ajimobi said that they had both resolved to rededicate their efforts toward the development of mutually beneficial goals that would further cement their bond of friendship and brotherhood.

He said both governments enjoined residents, stakeholders, students, teachers and workers in the respective states to go about their lawful duties.

The owner governments urged them to resist any temptation to take laws into their hands, saying anyone that did otherwise would face the full wrath of the law.

LAUTECH became a joint property of Oyo and Osun following the splitting of the old Oyo state into two in 1991 by former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s  administration.

The institution had in recent times faced  the challenges of funding from its owner states, which they hinged on the economic challenges bedevilling the nation. (NAN)
TAA/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-109
Labour.
By Muhammad Baba Busu

Lafia, Oct 19, 2016 (NAN) Nasarawa State Government has blamed leadership of the organized labour in the state for allegedly peddling false information to mislead the public over workers’ September salary.

According to a statement by Mr. Joseph Anchom, Head of Service, in Lafia on Wednesday, government is concerned that in spite of its open door approaches, some labour leaders have misrepresented what transpired at its last meeting.

It added that both political appointees and those in the employment of the government within consolidated salary scale received 66 per cent salary, which was the amount left after deduction of first line charge.

The statement explained that government paid workers their September salaries, after a meeting between Gov Al-makura and labour leaders.

“Government gave details of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) accruals to the state and explained to them the amount available for salaries was fully discussed.”

Mr. Daniel Iya, spokesman of the state’s Joint Negotiating Council who also addressed newsmen, said the council rejected payment of workers’ salaries in percentage by the governmet.

Iya rejected non-payment of July and August salaries.

He urged government to respect the decision by the Human Rights Commission on the issue. (NAN)

BAB/ IA 
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Osinbajo urges agitators to eschew violence

NAN-H-109
Agitation
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016(NAN) The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinjbajo, on Wednesday advised those agitating for anything in the country to eschew violence.

The Vice President gave the advice at a Presidential dinner in honour  of some outstanding granduands of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) at the State House, Abuja.

He also urged the youth to seek for ways to engage robustly with the administration and to avoid things capable of destroying their future.

According to the Vice President the federal government is committed to the PAP in order to give the young people the opportunity to succeed.

He said the administration was building six technology hubs in the country as well as vocation centres to create more opportunities for the youth to be productive to themselves and the country.

Osinbajo, who described the saying that the youth are the future as erroneous, noted that the future of the youth is now.

“The future of the youth has already arrived and your time has come. You are going to define this country.

“The future is bright and good but a lot depends on how you apply yourselves to it,’’ Osinbajo added.

The Vice President extolled the intellectual achievements of the graduands, 45 of whom obtained First Class in various universities in the country and abroad, describing them as one of the brightest minds in the country.

“What we are seeing today has proved the point that men and women are as great as the opportunity they get. Everyone needs opportunity and someone has to give you a helping hand to be able to excel.

“The federal government is committed to give opportunity to all but we have a lot to do opening doors for others.

“Your stories are those of success and the fact that you did well in academics and other training is a testimony of your determination for hard work,’’ he added.

The Special Adviser to the President/Cordinator of the PAP, retired Brig.- Gen. Paul Boroh, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the amnesty programme introduced by late President Umaru Yar’adua in 2009.

He urged the graduands to apply themselves responsibly in all their endeavours and urged other trainees to take the programme seriously to add value to the development of the Niger Delta region.

Boroh described the PAP as a conflict resolution mechanism and one of the best in the world as the trainees were trained in 16 countries as well as 15 universities in the country.

He requested the Niger Delta people to remain committed to promotion of peace and asked those fomenting trouble in the region to disarm and embrace peace as violence was not the best way to achieve development.

The Chief Executive of Innosson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, who trained about 200 of the agitators in automobile manufacturing, hailed the performance of the graduands and said the sky was their limit.

Chukwuma thanked the federal government for creating the opportunity for the Niger Delta youth to be usefully engaged and urged the people not to misuse the chance for a better country.

The Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa and first Military Governor of Old Rivers, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, said he was very elated about the PAP which was in line with the programmes of the state when he was in office.

He said the youth had blazed the trail and expressed the hope that the programme would reach out to other parts of the country.

He advised the federal government to get  corporate organisations to support the programme. (NAN)

DCU/YAZ
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Edited by Yusuf Zango

NAN-S-18

Inspiration

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria’s international striker Alex Iwobi says fellow club mate, Mesut Ozil, has been extremely important to his professional football development.

The German international last week offered lavish words of praise on his Arsenal teammate.

Iwobi revealed via the club’s official website that Ozil has been one of the main reasons for his recent impressive displays with consistent words of encouragement.

“Mesut just tells me that I’m young and need to express myself on the pitch.

“Obviously I need to listen to other people’s advice as well, but he tells me to always play with a smile on my face and enjoy the game,” Iwobi was quoted as saying on www.arsenal.com.

Ozil recently compared the 20-year-old Super Eagles man to Austin Okocha, encouraging him to “play with a smile,” just as his uncle did.

Iwobi admitted he was blown away by the comments, saying: “When I saw [his comments] I was like, ‘wow is he serious?’ because he never really says that much to me.

“He just gives me advice and help, but it’s such a confidence boost for such a great player to say that about me.

“I’m the same kid I used to be. The same kid who used to work hard. There’s a bit of luck as well.

“For me to get that chance and take it like I did, I’m just fortunate and happy to have taken them.

“I guess it’s luck at the end of the day.

The midfielder has yet to score for Arsenal this season but has provided three assists in eight appearances for the Gunners this term. (NAN)

VO/YAZ
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