ZIMBABWEANS VOTE TO ELECT POSSIBLE SUCCESSOR TO PRESIDENT MUGABE

Thousands of people today, stromed polling stations across Zimbabwe in the country’s President election.

ROBERT MUGABE

The contest is between incumbent, Robert Mugabe of the Zanu PF Party and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC.

At a public forum ahead of the election, eighty-nine year old President Mugabe said if he loses today’s election, he will voluntarily surrender power, after 33 years in office. 

His remarks came as sixty-one year old Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party, accused Zanu-PF of manipulating the voters' register.   Zanu-PF denied the accusation, saying it was the responsibility of the electoral commission, which released the roll only on the eve of the election. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has not commented on the allegations.

Morgan Tsvangirai

Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, have been sharing power since 2009, under a deal brokered by the regional bloc to end conflict that marred elections in 2008

NUJ ISSUES 7 DAY ULTIMATUM TO FAKE JOURNALISTS IN THE FCT

FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists’, NUJ has issued a 7-day ultimatum to quacks and fake journalists in the territory to either desist from parading themselves as practitioners or risk arrest.
Chairman of the Council, Chuks Ehirim, issued the warning in Abuja, while reconstituting the Anti-Fake Journalist and Press Monitoring Committee of the Council.

Comrade Ehirim observed that the activities of fakes and quacks have brought disrepute to the profession, adding that the council was determined to end practice.  While assuring the committee of the council's support, he urged the police, civil defence, SSS and the Nigeria Press Council to assist in the task of tackling the menace. The Committee is headed by Sam Akpan.
In another development, the Council has suspended Mr. Tony Icheku, for alleged professional misconduct pending the outcome of investigation by the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the FCT Council of the NUJ. Mrs Yemi Daniel was directed to act during Icheku's suspension.

NIGERIA BEGINS TROOPS WITHDRAWAL FROM MALI TODAY

The Defence Headquarters will today, formally begin the withdrawal of some Nigerian troops from the Peace Support Operations in Mali.

The troops are mainly those not accommodated in the structures of the newly formed United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali, (MINUSMA).

They are to join the ongoing internal security operations in Nigeria. This followed the takeover of the mission from African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) by the UN.  Some of the soldiers will be redeployed immediately.

The Defence Headquarters said Nigeria’s commitment and contribution to the Mali operations will however be sustained in other forms.  This will involve input of sizable men and materials to continue in the UN Mission.

Accordingly, Nigeria will be providing a full-fledged Level 2 Military Hospital with full staff compliment; a Signal Squadron as well as Staff Officers in the Force Headquarters.  A troop of the Mobile Police Force is also remaining in the mission.

NIGERIAN GOVT. LAUNCHES BASELINE SURVEY REPORT FOR THE WELLBEING OF DISABLED PEOPLE

The Nigerian Government has inaugurated what it called a National Baseline Survey Report on improving the lives of Persons with Disability. Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina, announced this in Abuja at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting for persons with disability.

Maina, whose speech was read by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Habiba Lawal, said Nigeria was expected to present its report on its activities relating to the rehabilitation of persons with disability at the upcoming UN General Assembly on disability and development.

According to him, the report is a harmonised country report and a compendium of issues and challenges facing persons with disability and how to address them.

In addition, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development finalising arrangements with the Universal Service Provision Fund towards making persons with disabilities throughout the federation ICT compliant. Maina called on all stakeholders to help to improve the lives of persons with disability as government alone would not be able to shoulder the responsibility.

UN General Assembly on disability and development has the theme: ``The Way Forward: A Disability Inclusive Development Agenda towards 2015 and beyond.’'

ARMY ARRESTS CONFESSED BOKO HARAM MEMBERS IN LAGOS, SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

The Nigerian Army has paraded 42 suspected terrorists arrested in different parts of Lagos and Ogun States. They were said to have fled the ongoing military intervention in some parts of the north and were arrested between July 12 and 23 this year.

Parading the suspected Boko Haram members on Monday, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Obi Umahi said the raid was done in conjunction with intelligence operatives. 

Major General Umahi added that the suspects were plotting to unleash terror in parts of the South West, including 81 Division’s area of operations.