In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the unemployment rate is extremely high, and one of the safest career paths, is to become a priest or pastor. …read more      

Zambian guide shows how to take on a charging elephant …read more      

As Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas, Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has called on the entire Christian community in the State to use the season in praying for peaceful conduct of next year’s general elections which is critical to sustaining peace and harmony not only in the state but Nigeria at large.

In a goodwill message signed by his spokesman, Mr Ahmed Maiyaki, to mark the Yuletide, the Governor called on the entire citizens, especially Christians to use the period for sober reflection on the message of peace, love and salvation to mankind through the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Governor said: “As a holy period when Christians all over the World mark the birth of Jesus Christ, it is imperative to reflect on the basic tenets of Christianity anchored on peace, love and unity of the whole mankind”.

The Governor also called for prayers for immediate end to the current insurgency going on in some parts of Nigeria while urging adherents of the two main religions to continue to live in harmony.

He called on youths to desist from acts detrimental to peace during the Christmas celebrations and after and assured the residents of Kaduna State of adequate security arrangements to ensure a hitch free Yuletide.

Also, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, congratulated Christians all over Nigeria on the occasion of Christmas.

El-Rufai noted that Christmas was not only a time for celebration, but a period for sober reflection and stock-taking of God’s blessings as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

He, therefore, called on all Christians and the entire people of Kaduna State to be committed to religious harmony, peaceful living and understanding of one another as it had been.

While soliciting for continued prayers, …read more      

The simmering dissent in the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have taken a new turn, as 23 members of the 30-member state executive have affirmed their support for the emergence of Senator Simeon Ajibola as the party’s governorship candidate.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the State Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr Attahiru Manko, berated the party’s Chairman, Iyiola Oyedepo, for his statement over the result of the governorship primaries.

Mr Oyebode had said that he would wait for the affirmation of the candidature from the national headquarter of the party, a statement Mr Manko said was not correct.

He questioned why the the chairman should foot-drag in presenting the winner to the members, since the primary election had been adjudged free, fair and credible by the electoral committee and other aspirants.

The Kwara State PDP had witnessed series of controversies over the choice a governorship candidate.

The first election conducted in the state was canceled with a new election conducted. After the second election, Senator Simeon Ajibola was declared winner but some members of the party also refused to accept the result of the election. They said Senator Ajibola was being imposed on them.

The post Kwara PDP Affirms Support For Simeon Ajibola As Governorship Candidate appeared first on Channels Television.

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There is no place for Sulley Muntari or Kevin-Prince Boateng in Ghana’s provisional squad for January’s Nations Cup. …read more      

Despite several threats from hackers Sony (SNE) Pictures is making the controversial Seth Rogen comedy available at a limited number of theaters starting on Christmas.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive, Michael Lynton, said the studio was looking for more options to screen the film, which major US theater chains pulled because of threats from hackers who warned of a September 11, 2001 style of attack.

Lynton said in Tuesday’s statement: “We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day.” He said Sony was trying to secure other platforms and more theaters “so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.”

US President Barack Obama has welcomed the decision by Sony to screen the comedy about North Korea in a limited number of US cinemas on Christmas Day.

He had earlier criticised Sony for pulling the film following a cyber-attack and threats against cinemas.

Mr Obama had called Sony’s earlier decision to cancel the film’s release a “mistake”.

The US has accused North Korea of being behind the cyber-attack.

North Korea has denied that it was behind the cyber-attack on Sony. But it praised the attack and had long condemned The Interview, which depicts a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The Interview was originally due to be released on up to 3,000 screens on Christmas Day.

The film is expected to show in 200 mostly independent and art-house cinemas on Thursday. Hackers have threatened fresh attacks.

A national security official said US authorities did not rate the threats by hackers against theatergoers as credible and that he was unaware of any plans by U.S. agencies to issue warnings of possible attacks on exhibitors screening the film.

North Korea experienced Internet problems at the weekend and a complete outage of nearly nine hours before …read more      

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday announced a nationwide deployment of police strike units to ensure security during the festive period.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, ordered the deployment of the strike units.

A statement issued by the force spokesman, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the deployed strike units were police mobile force, special protection unit, counter-terrorism unit, explosive ordnance department, dog section and mounted troops.

The police boss also ordered the police air wing to carry out air surveillance patrols, while the marine police are to ensure a sustained patrol of all the waterways.

He also directed all zonal assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of state commands to put in place extended “police visibility and patrols.

The decision to deploy the units is to forestall any planned attack by members of a terrorist group, Boko Haram, that had carried out attacks in the past on festive periods.

On December 25, 2011 the sect members detonated a bomb in a church in Madalla near Suleja, Niger State, killing at least 20 persons. Ever since then, the police ensure they beef-up security during festive period.

The post Nigeria Police Deploy Strike Units For Festive Period appeared first on Channels Television.

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), North West zone, in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Wednesday launched a programme tagged: “Operation Eagle Eye” aimed at reducing accidents on the road during the Christmas and new year celebrations.

Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, North West, Mr Musa Ilalah told reporters in Kaduna that the exercise was to make the yuletide accident free for Nigerians.

He said the programme was a disaster-reduction management measure put in place by NEMA to carry out surveillance on major highways to reduce incidences of road crashes.

Mr Ilalah said that his men and road safety officials had been deployed on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, Kaduna-Kano road, and other major highways in the zone.

On his part, the FRSC Unit Commander, Ibrahim Abubakar, advised motorists to drive with caution and avoid driving recklessly on the road or over loading their vehicles.

He warned that any driver who contravenes all road rules would be sanctioned accordingly.

Part of the operation is the stopping of vehicles to examine the state of the vehicles and the amount of load the drivers are carrying as well as enlightening the drivers on basic road safety rules and regulations.

Some motorists commended the exercise by the FRSC and NEMA officials, describing its as timely which will reduce road mishaps during the yuletide.

The post NEMA, FRSC Launch ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ To Reduce Accidents During Christmas appeared first on Channels Television.

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Cameroon announce their provisional squad for January’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, with no place for West Ham’s Alex Song. …read more      

The Residents of Oke-Odo community in Danjuma area, Ondo Road in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State have cried out for governments’ intervention in providing basic social amenities, especially good roads that are lacking in the community.

The community, having about 20 thousand inhabitants has been in existence for over 30 years, and yet, there has not been any form of development, despite being part of the State Capital.

Motorable roads, health facilities, electricity and water supply are not available. The residents said they had tried their best and have resorted to calling for assistance from government.

These elderly men and women are the Landlords and Landladies in the community. Despite the slight showers, they are not deterred from coming out to air their plight.

According to them, the four roads that connect the community to the centre of the city are in very deplorable state. This, they said had cut them off from the rest of the city, especially whenever there was heavy rainfall.

Severe erosion has damaged many of the roads and houses located in the area, making transportation very difficult for the residents.

Electricity supply to the area is also very poor, as they often experience several weeks of total power outage.

Other basic social amenities such as potable water and health facilities are also lacking.

Many of the tenants in the community who could not bear the inconvenience any longer have sought for accommodation elsewhere, while the few ones remaining are contemplating to leave as well.

The Chairman of the Landlords Association in the community, Mr Bade Adaralegbe, itemised the amenities desperately needed by the residents and lamented the agonies faced by the residents as a result of lack of these amenities.

Reacting to the situation, the Caretaker Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, David Alarapon, said he had visited Oke-Odo community two …read more