Today's Headlines: Gabon President Under House Arrest-Coup Leaders, Tinubu mourns Akinkunmi, says he left ‘generational legacy’
JUST IN: Gabon president under house arrest, say coup leaders.
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Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba is being detained at home and one of his sons has been arrested for “treason,” military officers said Wednesday, hours after announcing they had overthrown the government.
“President Ali Bongo is under house arrest, surrounded by his family and doctors,” they said in a statement read out on state TV.
Bongo’s son and close adviser, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, his chief of staff, Ian Ghislain Ngoulou, as well as his deputy, two other presidential advisers and the two top officials in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party “have been arrested,” a military leader said.
They are accused of treason, embezzlement, corruption and falsifying the president’s signature, among other allegations, he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, military officers said they had toppled Bongo, who has been in power for 14 years, hours after he had been declared the victor in Saturday’s elections.
In a televised statement, they said the vote results had been cancelled and “all the institutions of the republic” dissolved.
Gabonese army officers under the aegis of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions had earlier on Wednesday morning announced on national television why they are taking over power from President Ali Bongo in the country.
Tinubu mourns Akinkunmi, says he left ‘generational legacy’
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President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing away of the designer of the Nigerian flag, Taiwo Akinkunmi, saying he left a generational legacy.
Tinubu in a statement, Wednesday by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale also condoled with the family of the late patriot
Akinkunmi passed away at the age of 87.
The President said the late Akinkunmi “dedicated his life to the service of the nation, sharing knowledge and experience with old and young, and inspiring many to think and act patriotically”.
“The President affirms that the Green and White flag is a legacy that has consistently reflected the fruitfulness, resilience, and harmony enjoyed by the nation, and the boldness and uniqueness with which Nigerians characteristically reach for and achieve success around the world.
“President Tinubu believes Pa Akinkunmi lived and worked for the greatness of the country, and rests eternally with a place of honour in Nigeria’s history,” the statement read.
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Benue: ASF Seeks Increase In Official Waste Dumps In Makurdi
Photo credit: Independent Nigeria
Angel Support Foundation, (ASF), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Benue state said it has established 80 Environmental, Health and Hygiene clubs in schools across the eight council wards of Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA) as part of efforts to strengthen solid waste management system in the state.
The NGO is also holding talks with the State Government and other relevant Ministries and MDAs with regards to having an increase in the number of official dump sites in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, where wastes can be collected and sorted out for recycling.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASF, Mary Sewuese Kuma who spoke with newsmen in Makurdi, the clubs were also charged with the responsibility of improving environmental sanitation in schools and communities in the state capital.She explained that the target of the clubs would be to improve environmental sanitation for 16,000 beneficiaries in the aforementioned council wards of Makurdi LGA in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The CEO further explained that in order to realise these set goals, ASF has ensured that club sessions hold weekly, where participants learn about the environment and how to properly dispose of solid waste in schools and in the communities.
Kuma further explained that the interventions were carried out under the Strengthening Waste Management Systems for Sustainable Environment Project (SWAMSEP) and implemented by ASF in the area of environment with the second phase already being implemented.
She said, the goals of the project include “to strengthen solid waste management systems and improve environmental sanitation for 16,000 beneficiaries (men, women, boys and girls) in the eight council wards of Makurdi LGA in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Water and Sanitation).
Kogi 2023: INEC, Police Promise Peaceful, Credible Election
Photo credit: Independent Nigeria
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday pledged peaceful and credible Governorship election in Kogi come Nov. 11.
Kogi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Gabriel Longpet, and Kogi Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, gave the assurance during a workshop organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) for 26 journalists in Abuja.
Longpet said that the Commission has made adequate preparations to consolidate on the last Feb. 25 and March 18 polls, to ensure that Nov. 11 Governorship election is peaceful, hitch free, fair and credible.
We hope to ensure that all results of the governorship election in the 3,508 polling units in 239 wards across the state are transmit electronically to do away with any attempt at tampering with manual results on transfer to collation centres.
“We are in synergy with all stakeholders, including the security operatives, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media to ensure we get it right come Nov. 11,” he said.
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