Nigeria - Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River State, Mr. Mike Igini, has warned that Nigeria stands the risk of witnessing the kind of revolt sweeping across the world if the will of the people is subverted in the April 2011 elections. This came on a day the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State, in a statement signed by the party's state chairman, Chief Jide Awe, charged the Federal Government on the need to establish an Electoral Offences Tribunal that would be empowered to prosecute those found culpable of coming to office on the crest of rigged polls. Addressing the opening session of the training organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for senior civil servants from federal agencies who will function as electoral officers in Calabar yesterday, Igini also warned those who would serve as electoral officers against allowing themselves to be used to subvert the elections in the state.

South Africa - Acohol and drug abuse as well as drug trafficking will receive renewed and more energetic attention from government, President Jacob Zuma announced this week. Speaking at the 2nd Biennial Summit on Substance Abuse in Durban Zuma said the message from the Summit should be zero tolerance to drug abuse, trafficking and alcohol abuse. Zuma said over the past decade there has been a rapid increase in the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs by citizens of all ages, men and women, boys and girls. Alcohol is found to be the most abused substance in South Africa followed by cannabis commonly known as dagga.

Nigeria - To be a billionaire in most of the world's currencies, except those that are valueless, is a feat. When the figures are reckoned in dollars, they set the individuals apart and present for them challenges that are no longer ordinary. Annually, Forbes magazine publishes a list of the world's billionaires. Forbes claims the list is for those whose wealth is verifiable. Some billionaires could fail the magazine's criteria, meaning it is not an exhaustive list of the super rich. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was listed in 2008 with $2 billion, is now worth $13.8 billion and ranked 51st in this year's record-breaking list of 1,210. Another Nigerian on the list is Michael Adenuga, rated 597th. He is worth $2 billion. Egypt led other African countries with eight billionaires. South Africa has four and Nigeria two.

Nigeria - Expert in telecommunications have pointed out the need for Nigeria to forge what they called uniformed policy on right of way in order to grow penetration on Fixed Lines in the country. The Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), Globacom, Mr. Muhammed Jameel in an exclusive interview with Champion Infotech at the weekend, said that uniformity in right of way would accelerate fixed line deployment to Nigerians. Essentially defined as an easement; right of way is a limited right to make use of a property owned by another, which in most telecommunication cases is owned by the government at all levels, depending on the system of government in place. Champion Infotech recalls that this had in the past culminated in the Association of Licensed Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) dragging the Lagos State government to court, which adjudication was in favour of ALTON although the implementation has not been encouraging.

Nigeria - The Commonwealth Writers' Prize, internationally recognised for promoting works of fiction from across the globe, at the weekend announced that Aminatta Forna, from Sierra Leone, and South African writer Cynthia Jele are heading to the final stages of the competition. Now in its 25th year and supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize is unique in offering both established and emerging writers the opportunity to showcase their work. After months of anticipation, Aminatta Forna has won the Africa region Best Book category with her novel; The Memory of Love, and Cynthia Jele is the winner in the Best First Book category with her book; Happiness is a four-letter word.

Nigeria - The Naira dropped in value to its weakest level against the dollar for 18 and a half months, yesterday, as political uncertainty ahead of April elections contributes to panic buying, bankers who deal in foreign exchange disclosed. The Naira ended at the close of business at N156.30 to a dollar, around the same level it traded on August 20, 2009, compared to N155.10 it traded on Monday. The drop in value confirms International Monetary Funds, IMF, projection that the Naira will exchange for N155.1 to a dollar on the average this year. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, supplied $400 million at its bi-weekly auction on Monday against demand of $435 million and requested banks to submit lists of customers buying dollars in order to verify the sources and stem the potential risk of capital flight.

Nigeria - As part of its contribution towards the growth of the economy, Diamond Bank Plc has disclosed that entrepreneurs can access loan from the bank without providing collaterals. The Bank disclosed this at the12th Diamond Bank enterprise seminar held at the weekend in Owerri, to encourage Micro Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) grow their businesses. Speaking at the seminar, the Coordinator, for MSME, Chima Nnadozie explained that Bank's customers seeking loan to grow their businesses must also meet the Bank's criteria by a way of providing satisfactory history of their businesses. He said the Bank is targeting the Small Scale Enterprises(SMEs) because they are the engine room of the nation's economy.

Africa - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has announced that former President of Botswana Festus Mogae and former American Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt will lead an independent and thorough review of the fund's financial safeguards. "The appointment of this panel is part of the Global Fund commitment to ensuring our financial controls are the most robust possible, and that donor investments go directly to fighting AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis," said Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. "Sound financial controls and anti-corruption protections are essential elements in our continued ability to save millions of lives, and to facilitating social and economic development in the more than 140 countries we support."

Tanzania - SWISSPORT Tanzania Limited has recorded an increase in total revenues by 10 per cent despite decrease in business. The total revenue jumped up to 20.7bn/- from 18.8bn/- in the previous year. According to the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, profit before tax increased by 12 per cent to 6.32bn/- from 5.67bn/- in 2009. The company, despite production plummet has been reporting improved results due to new airlines entering the market, increase in frequencies and use of bigger aircraft. The positive trend has also been contributed by good performances of the Swissport Executive Aviation Unit, enhanced operational efficiency and favourable economic factors.

Nigeria - A fortnight ago, Cloud Computing experts predicted that the technology innovation has potentials to create new businesses, which means new jobs and avenues of engagement with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) communities, especially in developing countries. Defined by intellectuals at the open source-driven online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Cloud Computing is made up of computation, software, data access and storage services that ordinarily do not require end-user knowledge of the physical location and configuration of the system that delivers his or her services. This could be likened to the usage of public electricity power services without bothering where the electricity is actually coming from; whether powered by a Dam far away or extended to your community with simple transformer.

Nigeria - It was a dream come true for the people of Ondo State, when the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) Okitiputa matriculated its first set of students recently. OSUSTECH which inaugurated its Board of Governing Council members on September 27, 2010 matriculated 98 pioneer students in a colurfull ceremony that attracted numerous traditional rulers, the Commissioner for Education Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi as well as the State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his wife. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Mimiko thanked God for making the day a reality given the challenges from those who never wanted the dream to come to a past, saying that if God is on the side of the people nothing would be difficult for the people to achieve. He also congratulated the pioneer students and the Vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Tolu Odugbemi who used the ceremony to deliver the institution's first inaugural lecture which he entitled Medical Plants In Nigeria: Research and Reminiscences.

Nigeria - As it rounds up its electoral campaign tour of the 17 local government areas of Yobe State, the Governor Ibrahim Gaidam campaign team has stimulated a new conversation across the state regarding governance praxis and the nexus between government and the people, Uche F. Uche writes. An ongoing conversation in street corners, tea-seller spots, Majalisa gatherings and campus sidewalks appears heavily influenced by the very conduct of the Governor Ibrahim Gaidam Campaign and the personal conduct of the man himself. For since it started in the ancient town of Nguru three weeks ago, the Gaidam Campaign appears to own and display a certain authenticity and electricity of bearing that always excite the crowds and that make people see the words cascading down from the campaign pulpit not just as mere words from 'politicians' but as statements grounded in facts and that resonate on the ground.

Nigeria - With his recent victory at the court as the legitimate gubernatorial candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mohammed Abacha finally launched his campaign last week in Kano State. The event, which was attended by party supporters and members from all the 44 local government areas of Kano State at the Race Course, was described as one of the biggest political gatherings in recent memory. The sheer size of the crowd that attended the event was incredible and it reflects the enormous goodwill Mohammed Abacha commands among the people of Kano State

Nigeria - In the recent, there have been rumours that President Jonathan has agreed to a deal with Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State, where the state would be sacrificed to the ANPP while the governor would work for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the presidential election. In this interview with Lawal Sabo in Abuja, the PDP deputy governorship candidate in the state, Ambassador Sa'idu Pindar says the rumour is just one of the antics of the ANPP to perpetuate itself in the state. You were among the earliest entrants into the Borno State governorship race, but it turned out that you are now a deputy governorship candidate. What happened?

Nigeria - As the race to next month's general elections inches closer, Catherine Agbo writes on the factors that may work in favour of Hon. Philip Aduda, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the FCT senatorial seat. The contest for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senatorial seat is presently over heated, with over 10 political parties jostling for one single seat. In the primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Philip Tanimu Aduda, incumbent member of the House of Representatives representing AMAC/Bwari federal constituency emerged winner ahead of other aspirants, prominent among which were Hajiya Ireti Kingibe and Senator Isa Maina. While Hajiya Kingibe had a shot at the Senate seat in 2007, Maina represented the FCT in the Senate between 2003 and 2007.

Tanzania has challenged Turkish businesspeople to take up the available opportunities to invest in the country. This was said by the Executive Director of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Mr Emmanuel Ole Naiko during the Tanzania/Turkey Investment Forum that took place in Dar es Salaam recently. He said that the country's vision that creates for political, economic and social framework for investors' participation on investment and trade in the country is a clear testimony that Tanzania was a destination of choice. "Tanzania is striving in the transition from largely public sector led economy to one in which the private sector is invited and facilitated to take a leading role," he said. Mr Naiko said that there was a wide space in the private sector for the Turkish investors to grow. "This can be in the form of joint venture between the local and foreign investors", Mr Naiko said.

Nigeria - Nigeria's Kano Pillars are scheduled to fly out of the country today for a CAF Champions League second round, first leg match against Wydad Casablanca of Morocco but without several key players due to injury. Club sources reveal that skipper Bala Mohammed, Isa Sherif, Shagari Mohammed and Manir Ubale are on the treatment table, while first choice goalkeeper Sani Haliru is ill. Leading scorer in the Nigeria Premier League Gambo Mohammed is also nursing an injury but will still travel with the team to Morocco. Cameroonian defender Isaac Hele, who recently made his Nigeria Premier League (NPL) debut, will also not be on this trip because he has yet to get his playing license for the annual club competition.

Nigeria - Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filed a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja with a motion on notice for stay of execution in a judgement bordering on tenure elongation of five state governors before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. In this report, Ahuraka Yusuf Isah examines the legal odds against the electoral body in its bid to regularise irregularities with more irregularities. The appeal instituted by the Independent National Electoral Commission penultimate Moday came before the Court of Appeal, Abuja against the backdrop of a judgement delivered on February 23, 2011 by justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court restraining it from conducting governorship elections in Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Cross River States where re-run elections were previously held following the nullification of their 2007 elections that brought the respective governors of these states to power.

Nigeria - Sports Minister, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Tuesday admitted that the strategy adopted by Nigeria to drum up support for the candidacy of Ibrahim Galadima for the FIFA executive seat at the recent CAF Congress in Sudan was faulty. Former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) Galadima failed to garner enough support in Khartoum and ended up polling just six votes, which was not sufficient to help him secure one of the two FIFA seats at the congress. But speaking for the first time since the congress, Adedoja, who led the Nigerian delegation to Khartoum, said that Galadima lost because the CAF delegates perceived him as a stranger in the African football fraternity.

Namibia - The Namibia Institute of Valuers held its first annual general meeting on Monday following the institution's establishment on February 28. Among the items on the agenda was the draft constitution for the Institution. Nadia van der Smit, vice-chairperson of the NIV, provided an overview of the current valuation practice in Namibia. Van der Smit said the absence of a self-regulating authority in the valuation profession has meant that there has been no governing body in Namibia which can regulate who may and may not conduct valuations, what rates to charge and what methods to be used for specific properties.