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SENEGAL: Paul Thiao, "Farmers have become gamblers"
THIES Tuesday, January 06, 2009 (IRIN) - Local farmers are feeling the impact of erratic weather patterns in Senegal. IRIN spoke with Paul Thiao, farmer and regional coordinator of the Senegalese Federation of NGOs (FONGS), which represents 32 farmer associations, about the weather-related challenges rural communities face.
Source : IRIN | 06-Jan-2009 12:50

Oil Spill Ravages Nembe Community
An oil spill has been reported in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State impacting on several communities in the area.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 12:12

Release N70 Billion Textile Revival Fund, Labour Urges FG
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently release the N70b Textile Revival Fund promised by the past administration for the resuscitation of the nation"s textile industry .
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 12:12

Stock Market Records N2.4 Trillion Stocks Value in 2008
Despite the financial meltdown that befell the Nigerian Stock Exchange, activities on the floor of the capital market recorded greater volume of shares traded in 2008 compared with the previous year.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 11:49

House Committee on Jos Crisis Begins Sitting in Jos
The Committee set up by the House of Representatives to investigate the causes of the recent crisis that followed Plateau State Local Government election in Jos began sitting yesterday in Jos.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 11:49

Country's Oil Reserve to Last 46 Years
NIGERIA's current oil reserve life index has been put at about 45.75 years, while current oil reserves depletion rate is also placed at 2.23 per cent based on an estimated annual production rate of 730.90 million barrels.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 11:41

AC Slams Obasanjo Over Comments on Global Financial Meltdown
The Action Congress (AC) has described as a gratuitous insult to all Nigerians the comments credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Nigerians should brace up for tough times in 2009 because of the global economic recession.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 11:18

Nigeria: We Were Hijacked By Crude Oil Thieves - Ghanaian Suspects
THE six Ghanaians and a Nigerian, arrested, 29 December, 2008, by the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta for crude oil robbery confessed, yesterday, that they were hijacked by armed oil thieves, who used their ship, SANDRA VALLETA, LAGOS to illegally lift 4,000 metric tonnes of crude oil (23,000 barrels) at gunpoint at the Chanomi Creek in Delta State.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 11:18

Nigeria: Akinsola Seals Etoile Deal
Under-17 national team, Golden Eaglets all-action striker at the 2007 U-17 World Cup in South Korea, Kabiru Akinsola has sealed a lucrative deal with Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 11:15

'14 Million National ID Cards Have Inaccurate Data'
The Director General of the National Identity Commission, Mr. Chris Onyemenam has said that about 14 million national identity cards have errors in them.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 10:19

Jos Riots - Committee to Invite Military, Police to Testify
The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the Jos crisis has said it would invite military and police to testify before it on their role in the crisis.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 10:11

Amaechi Backs Resumption of Oil Exploration in Ogoni
Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has advocated for oil companies to be allowed to resume exploration activities in Ogoni land after years of disagreement between oil majors and the people of Ogoni land.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 10:10

U.S.-Based Doctors Pioneer Laparoscopic Surgery in Rivers State
Undoubtedly, there has been several attempts to effectively address the knowledge and skills deficit in the healthcare workforce in the country.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:51

Remarkable Kufour
IN other climes, what Mr. John Agyekum Kufour did by leaving power after eight years would mean nothing. In Africa where leaders are in a race to overstay their welcome, Kufour has created distinctness - even hope.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:51

NSE - Bearish Trend Drags Down Share Value By N120 Billion
THE bearish trend in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued yesterday, as the total value of shares dipped by N119.68 billion. The bears had staged a comeback on the first day of trading in 2009, after nine days of uninterrupted bull runs.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:51

South-South Leaders Meet Inyenagoa
SOUTH South elders and Northern Union elders under the joint leadership of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark and the leader of Northern Union Elders and former senate Leader, Dr Olusola Saraki, will on Thursday meet in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, to discuss national issues.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:51

Federal Government Moves to Implement TSPG Project as Ghana Invests $775 Million on NG Plant
THE Federal Government has expressed Nigeria's commitment to the implementation of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:51

VAALCO Successfully Extends Ebouri Field With Development Drilling
VAALCO has provided an update on the new development well being drilled in the Ebouri field and the new appraisal well (North Ebouri) being drilled in the Etame block. VAALCO commenced drilling these wells in November with the jackup rigs Adriatic 6 and Pride Cabinda, respectively, as previously announced.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:51

Is Democracy Growing?
Nigeria's Fourth Republic, in its tenth year, is easily the nation's longest uninterrupted post-independence civilian dispensation.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:48

Gaza Death Toll Hits 500
As the number of people killed in Israeli military invasion of Gaza rose to 500 yesterday, Isreali Defence Minister Ehud Barak has insisted that the offensive in the contentious strip will continue.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:48

Jos - ACF Scribe Cautions Yar'Adua, Jang
Northern Nigerian social-cultural apex group,the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has charged both President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Governor Jonah Jang to be wary of tendencies that could mean ill for the Plateau and the nation at large towards resolving the sectarian crisis that engulfed the state, and the ongoing cold war emanating from the parallel commissions set up by both the Federal and Plateau state governments.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:44

Blame Obasanjo for Economic Down Turn - AC
The Action Congress (AC) has described as an insult to the country comments credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Nigerians should brace up for tough times in 2009 because of the global economic recession.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:44

Reps AD-Hoc Committee Begins Public Hearing in Jos
Eight-man House of Representatives adhoc committee on the Jos North crisis has commenced its public sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital yesterday with an appeal to all the major stakeholders in the Jos North conflict to give them their maximum co-operation within the 6 days of its public sitting in Jos.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:24

West Africa: Ecowas Plans to Suspend Guinea
In an emergency meeting of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) scheduled for Friday, the suspension of Guinea will be announced to emphasise to the new military junta the regional body's zero tolerance for military coups.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:24

Billions to Be Spent on Generators
Legislators have queried the Interior Ministry for proposing to spend N40 million for this year's National Day celebration which cost only N16 million in 2008.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:24

What Are the Roles of Nigerian Troops?
The East African state of Somalia is at present a devil's workshop, being a theatre of war so precipitated by fundamentalists of religious colouration. On 14 December, 2008, government was near collapse when Islamic insurgents, the al shabals, accused of having ties with al Qaeda swore never to negotiate or share power with the West-backed administration of President Abdullahi Yussuf.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:23

ASUU Sues FG Over Varsities' Governing Councils
The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) has sued the Federal Government over the failure of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua to reconstitute the Governing Councils of federal universities, which were dissolved on October 23, 2007.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 09:14

Nigerian Police Boost Darfur Peacekeepers
Two new contingents of Nigerian police officers trained in high-risk operations have joined the joint United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in the war-ravaged Darfur region of Sudan.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 08:03

40 Lawyers to Defend Ribadu
EMBATTLED former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, is ready to commence his legal battle challenging his demotion from the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police to Deputy Commissioner and his subsequent dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 07:07

West Africa: Yar'Adua Moves to Checkmate Gaddafi
The coup in Guinea has pitched African leaders against each other as President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is set to mobilise other West African leaders in a move to checkmate his colleagues from Libya and Senegal, Muammar Gaddafi and Abdoulaye Wade, who are believed to be supporting the new military regime.
Source : AllAfrica | 06-Jan-2009 07:03

POLITICS-GHANA: New President Must Tackle Economy
Accra, Jan 5 (IPS) - As Ghana?s president-elect, John Evans Atta Mills, prepares to take office, he has his work cut out for him translating several years of strong macro-economic performance into tangible benefits for the majority of Ghanaians.
Source : IspNews.net | 06-Jan-2009 06:45

Mount Cameroon Inspired Me - CNN Award Winner
She went in for the CNN Multi-choice African Journalist Awards 2008 like any other contestant. The outcome was uncertain but there was something to hang on - hope! After many years into the art of making radio documentaries, the moment of glory came for the Cameroonian-born radio entertainer, Evaline Ngono, on July 19, 2008, at the State Banquet Hall, Osu in Accra, Ghana. Ngono came into the international spotlight when it was announced that one of the two documentaries she forwarded, titled; "Mythe Et Realite Du Mont Cameroun" [The Myths and Realities of Mount Cameroon] had won an award in the many categories at the prestigious CNN Multi-choice African Journalist Awards 2008. While the dust around the awards are yet to settle, Ngono was in Buea at the close of 2008 to present the "booty" to a cross section of the people and why not to the ancestors of the region that inspired her to ultimate victory. In the course of the ceremony, she spoke exclusively to The Post.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 23:35

Anticipations And Expectations
As we say goodbye to 2008 and ushered in 2009, we anticipate that the New Year will bring Liberians many good fortunes, both in their individuals and collective lives.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 20:27

Ghana: New President Must Tackle Economy
As Ghana's president-elect, John Evans Atta Mills, prepares to take office, he has his work cut out for him translating several years of strong macro-economic performance into tangible benefits for the majority of Ghanaians.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 20:23

American Embassy's National Daily Press Review
This daily press review is compiled by the Information Section of the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 18:31

Ghana: Zoomlion Cleans Up Accra
As part of preparations for the handing over ceremony of the presidential baton, from President John Agyekum Kufuor to the new president-elect, Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, waste management experts, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has organised a special clean up exercise to rid the capital city off filth for the historic occasion.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 18:17

I Will Be President for All - Mills
The president-elect, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has renewed his commitment to be the father of all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 18:17

Ghana: Paul Victor Obeng Leads Transitional Team
The 12-member transitional team of the president-elect, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, began work yesterday at the Accra International Conference Centre. However, there is no intention of retaining any minister of the outgoing government.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 18:17

Why Ghanaians Need to Support the President-Elect
To the vast majority of Ghanaians, the country is split into literally two halves, with one side responding to the clarion cry for change, and the other half concurring with the need for change, but only in leadership, and not necessarily of parties. The figures given out by Dr Afari Djan give an accurate reflection of how fractured the nation is, but also underscores who the real winner is.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 18:17

Ghana: NDC Supporters Celebrate in Grand Style in Regions
It was unique celebration by the majority of residents in the Central Region immediately Prof. John Evans Atta Mills was declared president-elect of Ghana by Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), reports David Allan Paintsil.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 18:17

Nigeria: Lagos Rice Project to Stabilise Price, Create Jobs
The Lagos State rice for job programme is not all about creating job for the teeming unemployed youths in the state but to also stabilize the price of rice through increase production of the stable food in the state.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 16:40

Nigeria: Ogoni Students Ask for Ogoni State
The National Union of Ogoni Students' (USA) has demanded for the creation of Ogoni State out of the present Rivers State, arguing that creation of the new state would generate employment for over 95% unemployed youths as well as addressing lack of infrastructural development in the area.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 16:40

Nigeria: VP Visits Bauchi Tomorrow
THE Vice President Goodluck Johnatan is to lead an inspection team to Bauchi to assess the football facilities in the state preparatory to the under 17 world football championship tagged Nigeria 2009.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 16:40

Nigeria: Probe of Jos Riot Useless, Says Mudiaga - Odje
A constitutional lawyer, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje, says the setting up of an administrative panel of enquiry by the Federal Government to look into the crisis that recently engulfed Jos was unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 16:40

Africa: Johnson Sirleaf, Gaddafi Discuss Guinea
Libyan leader Colonel Muammer Gaddafi on Saturday stopover in transit at the Roberts International Airport in Harbel, Margibi County and met with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Source : AllAfrica | 05-Jan-2009 16:03

TOGO: Coming in from the storm
DAPAONG Thursday, January 01, 2009 (IRIN) - Residents in Togo?s northern Savanes region say when it is dry here, not a drop of water can be found for kilometres. But when the floods come, nothing holds back the storms? fury.
Source : IRIN | 05-Jan-2009 15:29