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German Social Democrats’ lead narrows days before election

Oluwasola Akintonde
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Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) saw their lead over Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives narrow in a poll published on Tuesday, pointing to a tightening race just five days before a federal election.

The SPD, whose candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz is currently vice chancellor and finance minister in Merkel’s grand coalition, remained stable at 25%, reports said.

Support for the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, whose chancellor candidate is Armin Laschet, edged up one percentage point to 22%.

The other parties were all unchanged with the Greens on 17%, the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) at 11%, the far-right AfD at 11% and the anti-capitalist Left party at 6%.

Forsa projected that the SPD would win 206 seats in the next Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, the CDU/CSU bloc 185, the Greens 140, the FDP and the AfD both 91 each and the Left 49.

This raises the possibility of four coalition options after Sunday’s election:

– the SPD with the Greens and FDP, also known as a traffic light coalition due to their party colours of red, green and yellow;

– the CDU/CSU bloc with the Greens and the FDP, described as a Jamaica coalition in reference to the country’s flag and the party colours of black, green and yellow;

– SPD with the Greens and the Left, dubbed R2G or red-green-red coalition;

– or an SPD-led grand coalition with the conservatives as junior partner.

All parties have ruled out working with the populist, far-right AfD.

Scholz and the Greens have also poured cold water on the idea of forming a coalition with the conservatives, saying that the CDU/CSU alliance needed to rebuild itself in opposition following 16 years of Merkel’s consensus-driven, centrist rule.

 

Reuters

Seven states access N30bn Mortgage to provide affordable housing

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The Managing Director, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMCR), Kehinde Ogundimu, says over N30billion has been spent on housing schemes in Ogun and seven states.

Ogundimu said this after inspecting the Prince Court Estate, Kobape, financed by the company through Gateway Mortgage Bank Limited.

Ogundimu said the states, including Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had accessed the fund in the last four years.

He said the NMCR recently provided N1billion to over 200 Ogun civil servants to participate in the state housing scheme.

He said the NMCR was ready to provide more fund for the second and other phases of the project.

He said: “For us, we have done about N30billion nationwide, but we have done N1billion here in Ogun. We have done it in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun Rivers; we have done around the country. About eight states have benefited from N30billion in the last four years. We decided to partner Ogun State because of the foreclosure law that it has passed. It becomes more comfortable, but I think the most important thing is that it reduces the cost of houses. Once a state has foreclosure law, those risks are reduced, he added.”

The Managing Director of Gateway Mortgage Bank, Olawale Osinsanya, said the N1billon had been disbursed to over 200 beneficiaries who have been screened and found qualified for the housing scheme.

Osinsanya said the beneficiaries had 15 years to pay the debt which had 11 percent interest.

The Commissioner for Housing, Jagujmolu Omoniyi, said the state the government had completed the first phase and was almost completed the second phase.

 

 

 

Nation/Hauwa Abu

 

 

INEC concludes first phase of Voter Registration in Niger State

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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The Independent National Electronic Commissioner (INEC) in Niger State, North Central Nigeria, has concluded the first phase of Voter Registration exercise.

The second phase will begin on the 4th of October, 2021 and is expected to be extended to all registration areas across the state.

This was contained in a statement by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Niger State, Professor Samuel Egwu.

He said; “The first quarter of the registration exercise which commenced on the 28th June,  2021 was temporarily suspended from 21st September, 2021 till 3rd October, 2021.’’

Professor Samuel Egwu further said the commission would display the register for those who have registered in the first quarter to have the opportunity to check omissions and mistakes in their bio data and other claims and objections.

He said; “The display will take place at the Niger State INEC headquarters in Minna the state capital, and in the 25 Local government area Offices.”

Professor Egwu  enjoined the people across Niger State to take part of the opportunity in order to participate in the forthcoming General elections in the country.

 

 

Dominica Nwabufo

Assets confiscation will weaken drug cartels- NDLEA boss

Dominica Ijeoma Nwabufo
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The Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has charged other heads of the agency in Africa to consider targeting the assets of drug cartels as a veritable tool to weaken criminal networks.

He gave the charge at the virtual extraordinary session for heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies to share experiences and best practices in efforts to address and counter the world drug problem in Abuja.

According to him, the disruption of the traditional criminal trafficking routes means that law enforcement personnel must be familiar with new technologies, techniques and strategies employed by organized criminal groups and traffickers.

“In order to proactively deal with these new challenges, there is, therefore, for an urgent need to strengthen international cooperation in identifying and managing evolving challenges in drug trafficking. We must continue to weaken criminal drug networks through effective asset tracking and confiscation,” Marwa advised.

The NDLEA boss said, “we should, therefore, deepen international cooperation to address the increasing links between transnational organized crime, corruption, illicit financial flows, trafficking in drugs and related crimes. Let us not spare any effort in eliminating barriers to effective collaboration as we demonstrate commitment to our shared responsibilities.”

While stating that Nigeria has remained dynamic in her counter narcotic operations in line with the global challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the desire by drug trafficking cartels to explore new markets and routes in furtherance of their criminal activities, Gen. Marwa told the global audience, “We are taking steps to tackle the online distribution of narcotic drugs, which has become prevalent among organised drug trafficking criminal groups, particularly since the global shut down last year.

In the last eight months, Nigeria has made over 8,634 arrests with 1,630 convictions. Over two million kilograms of drugs seized with over N100billion in cash and drugs seized.”

He listed other proactive steps taken by Nigeria to address and counter the various aspects of the drug problem. “We have developed the 4th edition of our National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021-2025, with four strategic pillars namely: Supply reduction, Demand reduction, Access to Controlled Medicines for medical purposes, Governance and Coordination.”

“As part of our control programs, the country recently launched the War against drug abuse (WADA) to further amplify the national drive on both drug supply and drug demand reduction. As a result, we are collaborating with all levels of government, civil-society groups, Non-governmental Organizations, schools and relevant institutions,”

Marwa assured his counterparts that Nigeria is committed to strong regional alliances which in the short term could be fostered through Memoranda of Understanding between our different agencies in the African Continent and beyond. A good example was the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia (DLEA).

 

 

Dominica Nwabufo

 

 

 

Osimhen scores as Napoli goes top in Serie A

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scored his first Serie A goal of the season for Napoli, who remained unbeaten following their 4-0 win over Udinese at the Dacia Arena on Monday.

The forward, who was making his third league appearance for the Partenopei, tapped in Lorenzo Insigne’s looping ball for his side’s opener in the 24th minute.

The strike took his tally to 11 goals in 27 Serie A appearances for the club since he joined last summer from Lille.

Osimhen’s brace against Leicester City last Thursday earned Napoli a 2-2 draw against Leicester City in a Europa League tie at the King Power Stadium.

Amir Rrahmani doubled Napoli’s lead 10 minutes later. In the second half, goals from Kalidou Koulibaly in the 52nd minute and a sublime curler from Hirving Lozano six minutes from time secured a comfortable win for Napoli.

Osimhen, 22, was substituted nine minutes from time for Andrea Petagna.

The win sees Napoli leapfrog Inter, Milan and Roma on top of the Serie A table after four games.

Luciano Spalletti’s side have 12 points from their opening four games, two ahead of the Milan teams and three ahead of Roma. They face Sampdoria on Thursday.

 

 

PUNCH/Mercy Chukwudiebere

 

 

Egypt’s ex-military chief Hussein Tantawi, dies at 85

Olajumoke Adeleke
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Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the former head of the military council that ruled Egypt temporarily after its 2011 uprising, has died at the age of 85, Egypt’s presidency said on Tuesday, declaring three days of national mourning.

Tantawi – a decorated veteran of wars against Israel in 1956, 1967 and 1973 – was defence minister for 21 years, covering most of the long presidency of Hosni Mubarak.

He led the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) that ruled Egypt for a year-and-a-half after Mubarak was pushed from power in February 2011, the second leader to fall in the Arab Spring protest movement sweeping the region.

Tantawi was too close to Mubarak to be personally popular with protesters who led the uprising in Tahrir Square, though the army’s move to appease the demonstrators by deposing Mubarak won some support for the military as an institution.

But while Tantawi sought to give a more down-to-earth image after assuming power, being pictured chatting with passers-by near Tahrir Square, many saw him as a continuity figure seeking to preserve the privileges of the military.

Tantawi was sacked as defence minister in August 2012, a few weeks after the Islamist Mohamed Mursi became president in what was described as the first free and fair elections in Egypt’s modern history.

Tantawi then disappeared from view until military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power after leading the army to overthrow Mursi in 2013 amid mass protests. Sisi became president a year later.

Tantawi was honoured by Sisi, appearing beside him at various public events. On Tuesday, Sisi mourned Tantawi in a statement and offered condolences to his family.

Tantawi was “a leader and a statesman who took the responsibility of running the country during a very difficult period, during which he wisely and competently confronted the looming dangers that surrounded Egypt”, the statement said.

Sisi also defended Tantawi’s time in power, which witnessed a series of bloody incidents amid the political turmoil that followed the uprising.

“This man is innocent of any bloodshed… any of the things that took place during this period of conspiracy to bring down the state, I swear to God he is innocent of it,” Sisi said

A major military base in east Cairo would be named after Tantawi, Sisi added. A military funeral ceremony was expected later on Tuesday at a major mosque that also carries his name in Cairo.

 

Reuters

Russian city mourns victims of university shooting

Oluwasola Akintonde
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The Russian city of Perm on Tuesday mourned the six people killed by a teenage gunman at a university in an incident that sent shockwaves through the community.

The gunman, identified by local media as an 18-year-old student, opened fire on campus at Perm State University on Monday, prompting students to barricade themselves inside classrooms and to jump from first-floor windows to flee.

Natalia Sokolova, whose son Alexander attends the university in Perm, a city of 1 million located 1,300 km (800 miles) east of Moscow, was among the dozens of people who gathered outside the campus to pay their respects. Some lay red and white flowers at the entrance.

Sokolova said she nearly fainted when she heard of the shooting, forgetting that her son had not been in class that day.

“People like that shouldn’t be allowed to get in and study at universities,” Sokolova said, referring to the shooter.

The gunman was wounded after resisting arrest and detained. He had obtained a hunting rifle in May according to investigators.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the attack. The gunman had posted a picture of himself with a rifle, helmet and ammunition and written on social media that he dreamed of carrying out a shooting.

The post, which could not be independently verified, suggested that his actions had nothing to do with politics or religion but were motivated by hatred.

The emergencies ministry flew some of the people severely injured in the shooting to Moscow on Tuesday for treatment.

Russia has strict restrictions on civilian firearm ownership, but some categories of guns are available for purchase for hunting, self-defence or sport to those who meet the requirements.

 

Reuters

Kwara State: EFCC arrests 30 suspected Internet fraudsters

Lateefat Ibrahim
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The Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 30 suspected Internet fraudsters in a sting operation at the Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete.

The suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraudulent activities.

Part of the intelligence indicated that the suspected internet fraudsters were operating in campuses around Ilorin metropolis to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned income.

Based on the intelligence, and weeks of surveillance, operatives of the Commission on September 19, 2021, executed a search warrant in hostels within the KWASU campus, where a number of them were arrested.

During interrogation, those found not culpable were released to the Student Union Government, SUG, of the School, while the targets of the sting operation were brought to the Ilorin Zonal Command for further questioning.

Some of the items recovered from them include; Six exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and other incriminating documents.

The suspects would be charged as soon as the investigation is concluded.

 

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

EU backs France in submarine dispute.

Oluwasola Akintonde
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European Union foreign ministers expressed support and solidarity with France during a meeting in New York to discuss Australia’s scrapping of a $40 billion submarine order with Paris in favor of a U.S. and British deal.

Speaking after the closed-door meeting on the sidelines annual U.N. gathering of world leaders, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “more cooperation, more coordination, less fragmentation” was needed to achieve a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region where China is the major rising power.

Australia said last week it would cancel an order for conventional submarines from France and instead build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology after striking a security partnership with those countries under the name AUKUS.

“Certainly, we were caught by surprise by this announcement,” Borrell said.

The decision enraged France and earlier on Monday in New York French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accused U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration of continuing his predecessor Donald Trump’s trends of “unilateralism, unpredictability, brutality and not respecting your partner.”

The United States has sought to assuage the anger in France, a NATO ally. French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden are due to speak on the phone in the next few days.

“We are allies, we talk and don’t hide elaborate different strategies. That’s why there is a crisis in confidence,” Le Drian said. “So all that needs clarifications and explanations. It may take time.”

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday that she expected Biden to “reaffirm our commitment to working with one of our oldest and closest partners on a range of challenges that the global community is facing” when he speaks with Macron.

It is not clear if the dispute will have implications for the next round of EU-Australia trade talks, scheduled for Oct. 12. Borrell met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in New York on Monday.

European Council President Charles Michel said that he found it difficult to understand the move by Australia, Britain and the United States.

“Why? Because with the new Joe Biden administration, America is back. This was the historic message sent by this new administration and now we have questions. What does it mean – America is back? Is America back in America or somewhere else? We don’t know,” he said in New York.

If China was a main focus for Washington then it was “very strange” for the United States to team up with Australia and Britain, he said, calling it a decision that weakened the transatlantic alliance.

Top officials from the United States and European Union are due to meet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, later this month for the inaugural meeting of the newly established U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, but Michel said some EU members were pushing for this to be postponed.

\

Olusola Akintonde/Reuters

Court resumes ex-President Zuma’s protracted arms deal trial

Shakirat Sadiq
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A South African court has resumed a trial that has dragged out for years over a $2b arms deal involving ex-President Jacob Zuma, whose legal team was expected to make a plea to remove the prosecutor.

The trial over the 1990s deal was meant to start in May, after being repeatedly stalled by legal arguments, but was delayed again by Zuma’s request to replace lead prosecutor Billy Downer, whom he accuses of bias.

On July 7, Zuma was jailed for failing to cooperate with a separate corruption probe, precipitating some of the worst riots and looting the country has witnessed since the end of white minority rule in 1994. More than 300 people were killed and thousands of businesses pillaged and razed.

Enforcement
His jailing was nonetheless seen as a victory for South Africa’s ability to enforce the rule of law, even against powerful politicians. The top court on Friday dismissed a bid by Zuma to overturn that 15-month jail sentence.

Zuma, 79, has been convalescing from an undisclosed illness, and has been allowed to see out the rest of his sentence at home on health grounds. He regards the criminal trial against him as a politically motivated witch hunt.

He said: “I wear the badge of being a political prisoner … (of) the struggle for the freedom of the African,” Zuma said in a statement late on Monday. “Injustice will be defeated.”

Zuma, who was absent on Tuesday at the trial proceedings at the Pietermartizburg High Court, has pleaded not guilty to corruption, money laundering and racketeering related to the acquisition of military hardware that has been mired in accusations of graft. French arms group Thales (TCFP.PA) has also denied wrongdoing.

Zuma is accused of accepting a 500,000 rand ($33,900) annual bribe from Thales from 1999 in exchange for protecting the company from investigation.

 

Reuters/Shakirat Sadiq

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