Beijing smog ‘red alert’: Schools and businesses to completely shut down as Chinese capital issues first ever extreme warning

Beijing has issued its first ever “red alert” over the city’s smog, with the Chinese capital going into shutdown in an attempt to protect people from the deadly air.

It is the first time ever that the highest possible state of caution has been declared in the city, which has more than 21 million residents.

The warning means schools will have to close down and construction and other industry in the capital will be limited.

The order will last from Tuesday morning local time until midday on Thursday, when the weather is expected to change and blow away the smog.Smog levels are actually lowe than they have been in recent weeks. But authorities expect an extreme amount of pollution over the coming days, and have imposed the order to ensure safety during that time.

The city had already been in a state of orange alert, which meant some construction and industry was being curbed. The city had also issued a ruling that said cars with odd and even number plates would be stopped from driving on alternate days.

In some parts of Beijing, people can only see around 200m. The air is also packed with poisonous particles that mean that people could become ill simply from being outside.

Air pollution monitors showed areas of Beijing had more than 256 micrograms per cubic metre of the poisonous particles. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says anything over 25 micrograms is considered unsafe.

The poisonous smog in Beijing is caused by the burning of coal for industry and heating, and huge amounts of dust from the city’s many construction sites. The problem is being made yet worse by high humidity and low wind.

Last week, Greenpeace called on Beijing to issue a red alert, after four days of what it called “Airpocalypse”.

“The city is blanketed in a thick, choking smog that has covered an area of North China the size of Spain and Beijing’s most famous landmarks have been completely obscured by the yellow haze,” wrote Zhang Kai on the group’s blog.

Greenpeace praised the Orange Alert that had been declared for putting restrictions on construction and industry, but said that it was “clearly not enough”.

“At this level of response, schools and kindergartens can remain open, meaning that children are risking their health in order to attend class and car emissions haven’t been restricted at all,” the group wrote.

SOURCE: independent.co.uk

Yushau A. Shuaib On Boko Haram December Deadline

It was neither a vacation trip nor a tour for seasonal ceremony. It was a journey to attend a crisis communication seminar for humanitarian workers and journalists covering disasters which was held in Maiduguri in the first week of December 2015.

My family members could not dissuade me from the trip that hopefully would provide me another opportunity to assess one of the Boko Haram worst-hit cities in Nigeria.

The flight was smooth from Abuja to Maiduguri but I was glued to the window to see if I would sight soldiers and terrorists engaging in shoot-out… At the same time, the dreadful feeling that Boko Haram members could shoot down our aircraft with their home manufactured rockets lurked in a corner of the mind.

Driving into the town, it was easy to observe that the city wasn’t bubbling as most roads were deserted, exotic mansions abandoned and fine hotels had low patronage even with their generous discounts on accommodation.

I used the opportunity of the seminar to interact with some of the highly patriotic and exceptional Nigerian journalists who have been covering the war on terror with great responsibility. For the national interest, they have observed self-censorship against sensational reporting.

On a visit to the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, the sights of orphans and widows were quite disturbing even though NEMA and other stakeholders are taking good care of them.

Passing through security check-points, the sacrifice of Nigerian troops, especially young soldiers in their zeal and determination to defeat Boko Haram terrorists was obvious from their faces. While some of them are bachelors with parents, others are married with children they left at home to defend Nigeria.

Incidentally, almost everyone was concerned about the presidential directive for the military to end Boko Haram this December. During the inauguration of his service chiefs on July 13, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari directed the military to end the Boko Haram terrorism in three months.

Immediately after the directive, the national security adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno led service and security chiefs to the frontline to seek the cooperation of community leaders, traditional rulers and pressure groups to support the new drive against war on terror. He also visited and commiserated with IDPs and reassured them that the war would soon be over.

The chief of army staff, General Tukur Buratai has not led from the back, he was in the warfront by actively participating in some of the operations where terrorists were either captured or killed. He has so far spent most of his time on the battlefield. The chief of air staff, Air Mashall Sadique Abubakar, has personally commanded fighter jets in the war on terror to motivate fighter-pilots into putting in their best.

The chief of defence staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin has ensured effective coordination and cohesion in the operation so far through mechanism of inter-agency collaboration, as the chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has also confirmed that special forces from the Navy are actively involved in the operation.

The military has so far destroyed dozens of Boko Haram camps and freed more than 1,000 kidnap victims since inauguration of President Buhari. Nevertheless, there is the fear that the military may not be able to end Boko Haram by the deadline. The executive xecretary of Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Air Commodore Anas recently disclosed that there is nothing wrong in imposing targets on the military, but due to the asymmetric warfare which Boko Haram is prosecuting against civilian “soft targets” the December deadline is unrealistic.

There are also worrisome reports of fresh kidnap of dozens of girls and burning of buildings in Bam village of Yobe state, reports of missing and fleeing soldiers in Galtumari town in Borno state, destruction of military base in Gulak, Adamawa, and media allegations that terrorists snatched military trucks, artillery guns that were bought by the previous administration.

During private conversations with stakeholders, many expressed beliefs that concerted efforts are required through credible intelligence to address the insecurity in the North-East.

Beyond the “body language” theory and political grandstanding, others were of the opinion that some tougher actions taken by the past administration could be deployed in curtailing the excesses of terrorists. For instance, a journalist observed that even though many doubted the sincerity of the former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, when he sought and obtained approval for postponement of 2015 general election to enable the military to degrade Boko Haram and ensure maximum security of voters, all known terrorists’ camps were destroyed before the emergence of new government on May 29. The Sambisa forest was stormed by “Special ‘M’ forces” and about 300 kidnapped women and children were freed, 22 terrorist occupied towns in three states were recovered, and Boko Haram could not disrupt the elections.

It is public knowledge that some of the towns recovered from terrorists during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan include Abadam, Askira, Baga, Bama, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Hong, Konduga, Kukawa, Marte, Madagali, Michika, Monguno, Mubi. In fact, an official statement by the Defence Headquarters on March 16, 2015, with reference number DHQ/ABJ/901/32/DDI announced the routing of terrorists from Bama after massive casualty was inflicted on the terrorists before the remnant fled. The statement further stated that the Chadian partners in the MNJTF were mandated to pursue the terrorists who were heading for the borders after being dislodged from Bama. Gujba, Gulani, Goniri, Buni Yadi were all retaken by Nigerian troops within the month, the statement concluded. It seems Nigerians have forgotten all these.

If the military fails to meet the December deadline, we shouldn’t blame the previous administration of Jonathan or the current government of Buhari, but encourage the military to improve the tempo. After all, the Nigerian troops have succeeded in the past and are succeeding now. We should therefore avoid taking actions that would rubbish the integrity of critical institutions including security and the media.

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Yushau Abdulhameed Shuaib is a Nigerian author, public relations practitioner and freelance commentator on national and international issues. He tweets @YAShuaib.

Nigeria: Nurses, Midwives Set for Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Wages

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANSM, Federal Health institutions' sector has alerted its members to be at alert and await further directives as the Association is set to embark on a nationwide strike action over unpaid allowances.

The Association which is determined to ground services in the nation's health sector accused some Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, whom they say deliberately refuse to pay uniform allowances to nurses and midwives "against the provision of the Civil Service Rule No. 130127."

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 30th Annual Scientific Conference, signed by its National Chairman, Mr. Nana Takai and National Secretary, Mr. Gambo Danfulani and made available to journalists in Jos, the duo also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare an emergency in the health sector, especially in areas of staffing, training, retraining and equipping health institutions with modern facilities.

They further accused Chief Executives and Heads of Federal Health institutions of "conspiring with IPPIS Office to unlawfully withhold the payment of teaching allowances of some category of nurses against extant circulars to that effect."

SOURCE: allafrica.com

Senate will go ahead with anti-social media bill – Spokesman

The Senate has declared that no amount of propaganda will deter it from treating the anti-social media bill, also known as the anti-frivolous petition bill.

It said this was necessary to allow citizens “shape its final outcome as there is an elaborate process which the bill must undergo before it becomes a law”.

Last Wednesday, the bill seeking to curb frivolous petitions, false allegations and statements in the social media passed second reading.

Presenting the bill entitled ‘A bill for an act to prohibit frivolous petitions, and other matters connected therewith, 2015 (SB. 143)’, Bala Na’ Allah, deputy senate leader, explained that the aim of the bill was to bring sanity into the system, and make way for “credible and verifiable” petitions.

“Where any person in order to circumvent this law makes any allegation and or publishes any statement, petition in any paper, radio, or any medium of whatever description, with malicious intent to discredit or set the public against any person or group of persons, institutions of government, he shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment term of two years or a fine of N4m,” the bill states.

“Where any person, through text message, tweets, Whatsapp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2m or both fine and imprisonment.”

The bill further stated that a petitioner must have a sworn affidavit to back up his claim in a petition.

“Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, it shall be an unlawful to submit any petition, statement intended to report the conduct of any person for the purpose of an investigation, inquiry and or inquest without a duly sworn affidavit in the high court of a state or the federal High court confirming the content to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” it says.

Reacting on Sunday, Senate spokesman, Aliyu Sabi, said that some of the attacks on the bill “emanated from misconception and misunderstanding of the objective which is meant to protect all individuals and institutions, including journalists and social media users.”

“The senate is committed to freedom of speech and a fully inclusive and participatory democracy. The process of passing a bill is comprehensive and provide for inputs to be taken from all and sundry.

“The first stage is merely to read the short title of the bill. The second stage is purely to debate the general principles.

“The next stage is committal of the bill to appropriate committee or committees for further detailed legislative action where the details, intendment and clause by clause implications of the bill are dissected by the committee.

“This stage also involves public hearing in which members of the public, civil society, non-governmental organizations and all interested parties for or against the bill have the opportunity to shape and influence its content.

“The outcome from this committee stage is what will be finalised and then represented to the chamber for clause by clause consideration and approval or disapproval by the senate.

“Thereafter, if the bill is approved, then the clean version of the bill is forwarded to the house of representatives for concurrence or otherwise.

“Accordingly, the senate wants to re-assure the public about this. So, all those who are either for or against this bill or its part and any other one have ample opportunities to reshape it,” he said.

He assured that the eighth senate was conscious of its responsibility to the people and would not do anything that would stifle participation and inclusion.

“We will always ensure we pass laws, which meet best practices across the world and indeed democratic scrutiny. Suggesting that the senate wants to pass a law not even practiced in China etc is being mischievous,” he added.

“This senate is people-centred, pro-poor and participatory. We will always act in the best interest of the citizenry. In this regard, we are totally committed to performing our duties and discharging our responsibilities without let or hindrance.

“All those spreading hate campaigns as a result of the anti-frivolity bill, hauling insults at and making derogatory comments on senators of the federal republic of Nigeria and the institution of the Senate are advised to key into the elaborate legislative process that a bill must pass through before becoming law if they are interested in shaping the outcome of the bill.

“This is the right way to go and part of the change we all aspire for our democracy.

“The eighth senate is totally committed to protecting the liberty of all Nigerians and the independence of the Senate and the legislative arm of government as we deepen our democratic journey.”

Lagos Ranked Among Top Three African Cities

Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria has been ranked among the top three large African cities with the highest potential for inclusive growth, according to the 2015 MasterCard African Cities Growth Index (ACGI). Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and Casablanca (Morocco) emerged first and second respectively.

Now in its third year, the ACGI maps African cities' economic outlook according to their potential for inclusive urbanisation. The 74 cities were analysed and grouped into three categories by population size: large (over one million), medium (between 500,000 and one million) and small (under 500,000).

Twenty five economic and social inclusion indicators rank cities' level of inclusive urbanisation, forecasting potential for inclusive growth. Once ranked, the cities fall into one of four bands describing their inclusive growth potential - high, medium-high, medium-low or low.

Professor George Angelopulo of the University of South Africa, author of the 2015 ACGI said: "The ACGI assesses the potential of Africa's cities to increase the well-being of their urban populations," adding "As inclusive urbanisation is a prerequisite for inclusive growth, the study presents a measure of each city's potential as a place to live, work and do business in the coming years."

In Lagos, the third-ranked large city which also has medium-high growth potential, the increase in percentage of middle class households is significant due to the number of citizens that increase represents and the effect they will have on future consumption in the city.

SOURCE:allafrica.com

Nigeria

Ooni's Coronation - Security Beefed Up in Ile-Ife

Adequate security has been deployed in Ile-Ife, a major town in Osun state, as preparations for the coronation of Ooni … see more »

Oshiomhole dares Okonjo-Iweala to proceed to court over recent remarks

There seems to be no end in sight to the war of words between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the comrade governor has now asked the former Minister to proceed to court as she threatened few days ago.

Following Oshiomhole’s attempt to link Okonjo-Iweala to the ongoing $2 billion arms deal probe which she had denied, the ex-minister in a statement by her Media Aide, Paul Nwabuikwu, stressed that she has absolutely nothing to do with the issue.

She then stated that it was an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for the Edo State Governor whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors.

Reacting to the former Minister’s statement, Special Adviser to Governor Oshiomhole on Media, Prince Kassim Afegbua stated that he awaits the letter from her lawyers as she threatened days ago.

He regretted that rather than respond to issues, Okonjo-Iweala made self-indicting statements on how she denied Edo people the funds needed to develop critical infrastructure.

While reminding the former minister of accountability to people by public office holders, Afegbua urged her to be ready to answer questions on her role while in office.

“She should be ashamed to even state that she denied Edo people infrastructure loan when she could not redeem what was due to the state. Would there have been need for loan request if she was truly in firm control of the economy under her watch?,” he asked.

SOURCE:http:dailypostng

Nigeria slashes MTN N1.4Trillion fine

The MTN Group has released the statement below announcing the resignation of its Nigerian CEO just as the N1.4 trillion fine imposed on the company was slashed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

“MTN Nigeria’s CEO Michael Ikpoki and the head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Akinwale Goodluck have tendered their resignations with immediate effect,” the company said in a statement Thursday morning.

“They are replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO and Amina Oyagbola as its head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. Mr Moolman was previously COO at MTN Irancell and most recently CFO at MTN Nigeria. A Nigerian national, Ms Oyagbola also retains the position of MTN Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources. She formerly headed regulatory affairs at the Nigerian operating company.”

The company also said it has received a formal letter dated December 2 from the NCC informing it that, “after considering the Company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 (One Trillion, Forty Billion Naira) to N674 Billion Naira which has to be paid by 31 December 2015.”

The fine relates to the late disconnecting of 5.1 million MTN Nigeria subscribers in August and September 2015.

The company also announced major restructuring.

Details of these two developments will come later in our subsequent updates.

However, read full statements below.

New operating structure and senior management changes

South Africa | 3/12/2015

Johannesburg – MTN Group has reviewed its operating structure with a view to strengthening operational oversight, leadership, governance and regulatory compliance across its 22 country operations in Africa and the Middle East.

To this end, the Group has resolved to re-implement its previous reporting structure. This will see MTN Group restructured into three regions – namely West and Central Africa (“WECA”), South and East Africa (“SEA”), and Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”). MTN has also made a number of senior appointments to support this structure.

Effective 1 December 2015 Jyoti Desai assumed the new position of Group Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). Based in Johannesburg, she reports to the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko. Ms Desai has 14 years’ experience at MTN. She has previously held the positions of Chief Information Officer at MTN Nigeria, was COO of MTN Irancell and was recently seconded to support the Nigerian country operations. Her replacement as Group Chief Technology and Information Officer will be announced soon.

Two regional Vice Presidents (“VP”) have been appointed, also reporting to the Executive Chairman. The VP for WECA is Karl Toriola, with Ismail Jaroudi the VP for MENA. The VP for SEA will be announced soon.

Based in Nigeria, Mr Toriola has been at MTN for 10 years, having held senior operational roles at MTN Group and MTN Iran. He was formerly also the Chief Technology Officer at MTN Nigeria and CEO at MTN Cameroon.

Mr Jaroudi has been CEO of MTN Syria since 2006. Prior to this he held senior operational roles for Investcom’s subsidiaries across the Middle East and North Africa.

Also reporting to the Executive Chairman is the new Group Executive for M&A, Matthew Odgers. The former head of TMT for Africa & the Middle East and head of investment banking for MENA at UBS, Mr Odgers led UBS’s overall relationship with MTN.

MTN Nigeria’s CEO Michael Ikpoki and the head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Akinwale Goodluck have tendered their resignations with immediate effect. They are replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO and Amina Oyagbola as its head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. Mr Moolman was previously COO at MTN Irancell and most recently CFO at MTN Nigeria. A Nigerian national, Ms Oyagbola also retains the position of MTN Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources. She formerly headed regulatory affairs at the Nigerian operating company.

The search for the MTN Group CEO is underway and remains a priority.

Commenting on the announcements, MTN Group Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko said: “This revised structure and strengthened leadership will improve operational oversight and increase management capacity. This will enable MTN to continue to realise its strategy and vision, while also ensuring we achieve high governance standards and robust risk mitigation.”

With the financial year closing on 31 December 2015, the MTN Group will report its FY2015 results in line with the former structure – namely for MTN Nigeria, MTN South Africa, Large Operating Companies and Small Operating Companies.

– Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reduces imposed fine to US$3.4 billion equivalent and further cautionary announcement

South Africa | 3/12/2015

Shareholders are advised that, after further engagements with the Nigerian Authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine.

MTN has received a formal letter dated 2 December 2015 from the NCC informing the Company that, after considering the Company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 (One Trillion, Forty Billion Naira) to N674 Billion Naira which has to be paid by 31 December 2015. The fine relates to the late disconnecting of 5.1 million MTN Nigeria subscribers in August and September 2015.

The Company is carefully considering the NCC’s reply, however the Executive Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko will immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian Authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for the Company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the Company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian Authorities and accordingly all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the Company arrives at a final decision.

Shareholders are therefore advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the Company’s securities until a further announcement is made.

– Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

SOURCE: Premiumtimesng