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Saturday, 16 July 2016

Mass arrest after coup failed in Turkey

Some 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, have been arrested over an attempted coup that is now over, says Turkey’s PM Binali Yildirim.
In a night he called a “black stain on Turkish democracy”, he said 161 people had been killed and 1,440 wounded.
Explosions and gunfire were heard in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere overnight and thousands of Turks heeded President Erdogan’s call to rise up against the coup-plotters.
It is not clear who is behind the coup.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed a “parallel structure”, in a clear reference to Fethullah Gulen, a powerful but reclusive US-based Muslim cleric he accuses of fomenting unrest.
However, in a statement, Mr Gulen rejected any suggestion he had links to the events, saying he condemned “in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey”.
Soldiers with their hands up on Istanbul’s Bosporus Bridge
Image caption
The surrender of soldiers in Istanbul was captured live on television
Read the latest live updates
International reaction
In pictures: Turkey coup attempt
Why did Turkish coup plot fail?
Reasons behind coup: By BBC’s Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen
The attempted coup happened because Turkey is deeply divided over President Erdogan’s project to transform the country and because of the contagion of violence from the war in Syria.
President Erdogan and his AK Party have become experts at winning elections, but there have always been doubts about his long-term commitment to democracy. He is a political Islamist who has rejected modern Turkey’s secular heritage. Mr Erdogan has become increasingly authoritarian and is trying to turn himself into a strong executive president.
From the beginning Mr Erdogan’s government has been deeply involved in the war in Syria, backing Islamist opposition to President Assad. But violence has spread across the border, helping to reignite the fight with the Kurdish PKK, and making Turkey a target for the jihadists who call themselves Islamic State.
That has caused a lot of disquiet. Turkey has faced increasing turmoil and the attempt to overthrow President Erdogan will not be the last of it.
Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Media caption”Here in Turkey there is confusion”, reports the BBC’s Katy Watson
Events began on Friday evening when tanks took up positions on two bridges over the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, blocking it to traffic. Troops were seen on the streets and low-flying military jets were filmed over Ankara.
Shortly after, a faction of the army released a statement saying that a “peace council” was running the country, and it had launched the coup “to ensure and restore constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms”.
President Erdogan was in the south-west holiday resort of Marmaris at the time. He made a televised address, via his mobile phone, urging people to take to the streets to oppose the uprising.
He then flew on to Istanbul, saying Marmaris had been bombed after he left.
In a speech at Istanbul airport, Mr Erdogan said: “What is being perpetrated is a treason and a rebellion. They will pay a heavy price.”
(c) Sun

FG clarifies ban on Post-UTME, admission procedure

The Federal Government on Saturday clarified its ban on Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and the general admission procedures, saying it “does not in any way affect the statutory role of the Senate of any University or the academic boards of any tertiary institution conducting its admissions.”
The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, stated this in a statement by the Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations) in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben. Bem-Goong.
He said the clarification became necessary “following conflicting reports in the media over the roles of universities and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in admission under the new dispensation.”
According to him, the role of JAMB is to conduct the UTME, compile the list of candidates whose scores meet the cut-off marks (180 and above) and send same to the Universities.
The Universities, he emphasised, will shortlist the candidates using the agreed guidelines and thereafter return the shortlisted candidates to JAMB for verification of compliance to guidelines and subsequent issuance of JAMB admission letters.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any screening charges shall apply only to successful candidates who have been issued admission by the universities of their choice. All Universities and JAMB should adhere to this directive”, Adamu stated.
(c)Punch

US suspends strikes against IS group from Turkey base

Peter Cook

The US military has suspended air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq from a base in southern Turkey, a US official said.
Operations from the Incirlik air base were suspended because of the closure of the airspace used by the missions, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement.
US forces “were adjusting flight operations in the counter-ISIL campaign to minimize any effects on the campaign,” he said, apparently suggesting missions against IS — also known as ISIL — could launch from other locations.
The Turkish authorities imposed a security lockdown at Incirlik on Saturday following an attempted coup d’etat by military officers overnight.
US forces use Incirlik to launch bombing missions against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq. They have notably deployed drones, Prowler electronic warplanes and A-10 ground attack aircraft from the base.
(c)Today

Police get 18 new AIGs, appoint 37 CPs

The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 18 Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and the appointment of 37 Commissioners of Police including nine Deputy Commissioners of Police.
The commission redeployed four AIGs and deployed 12 others to man Police Zonal Commands while the remaining 10 will head special formations such as Operations, Training, Police Academy, Info-Tech, Investment, Maritime, and so on.
A statement by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani on Saturday in Abuja, said the CP, Kaduna State, Ibrahim Adamu, is now AIG, Zone 1; Abdulmajid Ali, CP, Ogun State, AIG, Zone 2 and Usman Tilli, AIG Border is now AIG zone 3.
It further said that AIG Dorathy Gimba retained her Command of the Investment Formation, AIG Mohammed Mohammed, Special Protection Unit while Mohammed Katsina was moved from Maritime to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos.
AIG Katsina will be replaced at the Maritime Desk by Paul Okafor, CP Benue State, the statement noted, adding that 16 CPS were retained their commands.

They include, CP Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, Ebonyi;Emmanuel Ojukwu, Enugu; Frederick Lakanu, Imo; Adeleye Oyebade, Oyo; Basen Gwana, Abia;Yunana Babas, Taraba; Austin Iwar, Gombe; Murtala Mani, Akwa Ibom and Fatai Owoseni, Lagos.
CP Henry Fadairo was also moved from Research and Planning department to Jigawa State.
The statement said the PSC Chairman, Mike Okiro, a retired Inspector General of Police, stated that the promotions and postings were in line with the commission’s resolve to reposition the Nigeria Police Force for better performance.
“Okiro congratulated the officers and demanded from them hard work and dedication to duty; He said the commission will hold any of them personally responsible for any failure in the discharge of their duties,” it stated, adding that they should rededicate themselves to the service of their nation and abide by the rules and regulations guiding police work.
(c)Punch

Friday, 15 July 2016

Fani-Kayode released after two months in detention

A former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, has been released from detention after meeting his bail conditions.
Fani-Kayode was released in Lagos, two months after his arrest, detention and arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The former minister, who was the spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, was arrested on May 9, 2016 for allegedly receiving N840m during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.
He was arraigned along with the ex-Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, and Danjuma Yusuf, on June 28, 2016 before Justice Hassan on 17 counts of conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money laundering.
He was, however, granted bail in the sum of N250m on July 4. As part of his bail, he was ordered to deposit his passport in the custody of the court pending the outcome of the case.
Fani-Kayode was also asked to present two sureties who own of landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction and had evidence of tax clearance in the state.
It was gathered the the ex-minister did not immediately meet his bail condition, hence his continued detention for days after the ruling.
(c)Punch

Breaking: Military takeover government in Turkey!

• Martial law imposed and curfew declared across country
• Action taken to ‘reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms’, say armed forces
• Military aircraft seen flying over Ankara and gunfire reported

More details from the statement read out on the state broadcaster TRT at the behest of the military faction that seems to be behind the coup: It says that the freedom of Turkish citizens is guaranteed by what is referred to as a “peace council”, regardless of religion, race or language.
It says the Peace Council will not allow public order to be damaged.
It is worth remembering at this point that the Turkish government still claims to be in charge.
An EU source monitoring events has told Reuters that military forces have control of airports and strategic points in Istanbul.

The White House says President Obama is aware of the developments in Turkey and will receive regular updates.

Turkish military broadcasts on state TV amid coup reports

An announcement on the Turkish state broadcaster TRT says that a curfew has been declared across Turkey and that airports are closed. The announcer says they are being made to read a statement by the military.
The statement promises a new constitution for the country and says that democracy and the secular rule of law had been undermined. Martial law has also been imposed, it adds.

The head of the Istanbul branch of Turkey’s ruling AK party says soldiers entered the party building and asked them to leave, CNN Turk reports.

18m ago 22:13

France’s foreign ministry has also advised its citizens in Turkey to stay indoors.

Updated at 10.14pm BST

27m ago 22:04

The US secretary of state John Kerry says he hopes there will be peace, stability and unity within Turkey amid reports that a military coup is underway.

28m ago 22:02

Soldiers are inside the buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster TRT in the country’s capital Ankara, a correspondent for that outlet tells the Reuters news agency.

30m ago 22:01

We understand that the Turkish president is due to make a statement shortly.

31m ago 22:00

Alan Yuhas

The full Turkish military statement reads: “Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged.

A Turkish military stands guard in the Taksim Square in Istanbul. Photograph: Murad Sezer/Reuters

“All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”
The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on holiday and outside the country. Reuters has quoted a source within his office as saying that he is safe.

Updated at 10.08pm BST

37m ago 21:53

There are numerous reports that hostages have been taken in the Turkish capital, Ankara. CNN Turk say they’re being held at a military HQ there.
The state-run Anadolu press agency says the chief of military staff is among those being held.

Thursday, 14 July 2016

It’s official… naira now Africa’s worst performing currency of 2016

The Nigerian naira took a dive on Thursday at both parallel and official markets, becoming the worst performing currency in Africa in 2016.
The naira, which began trading at around 283 to the dollar at the interbank market on Thursday, depreciated to 284/$1 to become the third worst performing currency in the world for 2016.
Nigerian naira, according to Bloomberg data, came ahead of only two currencies in the world – Venezulan bolivar and Suriname dollar.
At the Nigerian parallel market, the naira fell to its lowest level since the start of the new foreign exchange regime, trading at 363/$1 and 485 to the pound in Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The Euro traded above N390 in Lagos and under 380 in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
In 2016, the naira has lost 29.61 percent of its value on the official market, following the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to allow for a floating foreign exchange regime.

The top three performing currencies of 2016 are all universal currencies; Silver, Gold and Platinum, which have gained 45.93 percent, 25.11 percent and 22.79 percent respectively.
These currencies are followed by the Brazilian real, the Russian rubble and the Japanese Yen.
The best performers in Africa are South African rand, Zambian kwacha, Somali shilling and Botswana Pula, which have gained 8.88 percent, 8.69 percent, 5.54 percent and 4.95 percent respectively.
At the base of the African currencies are the naira, Mozambique new metical, Sierra Leone leone, and the Angolan kwanza.
The CBN remains “reasonably optimistic” that the naira would eventually settle at 250 to the dollar at the interbank market.
The local currency has been on the downward swing following a plunge in crude oil prices and a consequent decline in Nigeria’s foreign reserves.
(c) @thecableng

Tinubu cannot determine my political career – Melaye

The All Progressives Congress member representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, on Thursday explained that he insulted Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during an executive session at the Senate after she referred to him as a thug.
Melaye, however, said he was willing to apologise if he had wronged any individual in the matter.
“If there are instances that I am not a super human being, if there are instances where as a human being I have reacted negatively I am also ready to be apologetic about it. But in this particular instance, I have never mentioned anybody’s name, I never even used insolent languages.
Reacting to the statement purportedly made by Remi Tinubu’s husband and leader of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bola Tinubu on his political career, Melaye said the APC leader is no god and cannot determine his political career.
“I will continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, I will continue to be a voice to the voiceless and in reaction I heard that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu said my political career has come to an end.
“I want to say that Tinubu is no god. I fear only the God almighty, I fear no soul I only respect souls. So far my political journey to the House of Representatives and the Senate has no political, financial or moral contribution of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The God who has brought me this far is mighty, strong and enough to take me further, what God has given me no man can give and what God has given to me no man can take. I want to assure you that this is the true story of what transpired.”

(c)Today

I’ll receive FIFA president not Pinnick, says Giwa

Chris Giwa, the factional President of the Nigeria Football Federation, said on Thursday that he would receive the FIFA President Gianni Infantino when he arrives in Nigeria on July 23.

Giwa spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of board members of the various Nigerian leagues.

He said that his decision was predicated on the rule of law which FIFA had sworn to adhere to.

“The issue of who invites or who did not invite the FIFA president does not arise.

“All we are waiting for is to receive him if he is coming into our country; we are people that abide by the rule of law and constitution.

“I am sure that the FIFA president also believes in the constitution of his own country and the constitution of FIFA too.

“So, once he comes in, the man known by the laws of the land should be the one to receive him,” Giwa said.

The factional NFF president noted that his adherence to the rule of law necessitated the inauguration of the Nigerian leagues’ board members.

He noted that the visit of the FIFA boss to the country would boost the image of Nigerian football.

25 people were inaugurated for the country’s four major leagues.

The league is the Nigeria Football League Limited (NFLL), to be chaired by Sam-Sam Jaja, a former chairman of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), with Kasali Obanoyen as Acting Executive Secretary of NFLL.

Others are the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), to be chaired by Debo Adeoye, while the Nigeria National League (NNL), would be chaired by Abdulazeez Mohammed.

The Nationwide League One (NLO) will be chaired by Alhaji Isa Umar.

(c)Punch

The PDP engine is dead on arrival, says Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, says the engine of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead. For Oshiomhole, also dead “on arrival” is the bid of the party to reclaim Edo in the September 10 governorship election.

Oshiomhole said the absence of PDP governors at the flag-off of the campaign of Osagie Ize-Iyamu is an indication that they had already rejected the party’s flagbearer.
He was speaking on Thursday, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benin, the state capital.
“The campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party for the forthcoming governorship election in the state is dead on arrival. Whether you like it or not, the PDP engine is dead on arrival,” he said.
“The early morning signals are clear. For the first time since 1999, a candidate was being presented to the people of Edo State for the most important single job and the key pillars were there fastened to their chairs and their tables, none of them could stand on their feet to say one word.”
The governor said unlike the PDP, which did not enjoy leadership support, the chairman of the APC and some governors will attend the launch of the campaign of Godwin Obaseki, the ruling party’s candidate for the election.
“While the PDP couldn’t get any national person of note to present a tattered flag, our own national chairman will be around, as a former governor, former federal permanent secretary and national chairman of the governing party to present the flag to our candidate,” he said.
“My brother governors will be coming from Friday; all the progressives governors will be here to show solidarity. We are not going to be represented by one governor. The governors will come.”‎
He taunted Tom Ikimi, former minister of foreign affairs, saying: “The APC will have a big outing, unlike what happened with the PDP, with the ‘papas’ seated, speechless and ‘pickin’ wobbling and an old man crying over a pot of soup on live television.”
The governor also showered encomiums on Pius Odubu, his deputy, for agreeing to put aside the differences they had in the past, and accepting to work towards the victory of the APC in the election.
“Let me again publicly appreciate my brother. In this hall, I have made some statements in the past. I cannot but again reiterate what I said to the deputy governor yesterday that I particularly value the fact that he had no difficulty in recognising that for him, it is not an option,” he said.
“I think the deputy governor’s position reminds us that truly anyone who labours to build a house will find no comfort in undermining the foundation of that house, no matter the level of provocation. I submit and I decree that the fact that he readily accepted in the manner that he did shows that he knew that he has a stake in this house because his sweat together with your sweat was used to mould the blocks with which this house was built.
“The reason the deputy governor’s position is extremely important is that there is nobody that has any reason to be more aggrieved in status, in rank than him. He was the next after Godwin in terms of number of votes. He is number two citizen in the state. And so, if in spite of this he has done what he did, Pius, I want to tell you, your space in my heart has been deepened, renforced".
(c)@thecableng