NEWS & REPORT

Obama: Ghana is "model" of African democracy 
By: Ekow Mensah-Shalders

United States President Barack Obama praised the West African nation Ghana as a model of democracy and growth in a continent that many associate with poverty and violence. "There's sometimes a tendency to focus on the challenges that exist in Africa - and rightfully so," said Obama, who sat beside Ghana's president, John Atta Mills, in the Oval Office.

COMMENTARY

“2015 will take care of itself“– Princewill

By Nwaorgu Faustinus

For some time now, the grapevine has been awash with reactions, comments, views and scepticism of what the former AC governorship candidate in 2007, Prince Tonye  Princewill wants in Rivers State politics, given his past and present actions which some school of thought feel to be a political Launchpad to market himself prior to the 2015 Governorship election . 

COMMENTARY

Amaechi, model schools & government policies

 By Odimegwu Onwumere

“We are tinkering with the idea of establishing a new teachers’ training college for the sole purpose of training teachers. We don’t have teachers and if we establish it, it becomes an easy avenue to feed the University. We want to also establish a Rivers State University of Education to train teachers because we completely lack teachers.”

COMMENTARY

South Africa must fight xenophobia

By Levi Obijiofor

The history of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa (post-apartheid) has never been easy. Last week, the wobbly relationship was dragged further to the edge when South Africa deported 125 Nigerian passengers who had arrived in the country but were denied entry by South Africa’s immigration officials on the quaint excuse that the passengers did not possess valid yellow fever vaccination cards. 

NEWS

EC proposes suspending euro 495m funds to Hungary

Brussels, 22 February 2012 - The European Commission has today proposed to suspend EUR 495 184 000 of Cohesion Fund commitments taking effect on 1 January 2013, representing 0.5 % of GDP and 29% of the country's cohesion fund allocations for 2013. 

ANALYSIS

 Will social media replace the press? 

Nairobi, Kenya — The growth of social media has brought with it challenges that have forced media organisations to change their operations. Local and international media houses have now rushed to come up with written guidelines to manage use of social media in their newsrooms.

OPINION

Sun Newspaper, Kalu  & Ojukwu

By Odimegwu Onwumere

 "The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already,"…….John Buchan.

NEWS

Killers of Briton, Italian will face the law – Jonathan

By John Bulus with agency reports

Birnin-Kebbi - Two hostages, a Briton and an Italian, who were kidnapped in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State and held hostage since last May by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, have been killed in an attempted rescue operation in Sokoto. 

NEWS FEATURE

Rivers’ forceful environmental removal

By Odimegwu Onwumere 

By this hour of filing this report (1:50PM), today, 8 March, 2012, some people accompanied by soldiers allegedly from the state government Rivers State stormed Oyigbo, Rivers State, destroying what they claim are illegal structures and setting them ablaze.

NEWS & TRAVEL

Turkish Airlines begins flights to Somalia

The first major commercial airline in more than 20 years has landed at Mogadishu airport in war-torn Somalia. Turkish Airlines says it is the start of a regular service to the Somali capital, the first by an international carrier from outside East Africa. Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bosdag was on board the flight, which was welcomed by the Somali president.

FOOTBALL

Blatter canvasses support for women football clubs

FIFA member-associations and confederations must utilise the federation’s support to assist women football clubs and leagues in their domain, the President of the sport’s world governing body, Sepp Blatter, has said.

NEWS (IMMIGRATION)

Reports show Hungarians mistrust immigrants

Most Hungarians believe that Hungary is a very attractive destination for immigrants, according to a poll conducted by Tárki last year.

COMMENTARY

South Africa must be warned

By Raheem Oluwafunminiyi

 

When two Elephants fight, it is widely believed the grass suffers. This aptly describes the ongoing diplomatic war between two African Elephants, Nigeria and South-Africa. 

NEWS

 Deportation: S/Africa apologizes to Nigeria
 

South Africa has tendered an ``unreserved apology''  to Nigeria  on the deportation of 125 Nigerians who were said to have entered the country with fake yellow fever vaccination card.

NEWS

EU moves to resolve political crisis in Guinea 

By Mamadou Dian Donghol Diallo 

The European Union has moved to resolve the raging political impasse in the West African nation of Guinea. The Head of Mission of the EU, Sean Doyle, said five million Euros are available for the assistance at all stages of legislative election preparation in that country.

COMMENTARY

South Africa after Julius Malema

By James N Kariuki

Julius Malema has finally been expelled from the ANC. In practical terms, this means that he has been pushed from the glamour of public visibility into the wilderness of political oblivion. In the absence of a miracle, he no longer has a platform to reach the public, an opportunity that he seemed to relish.

NEWS

Rwanda: Locals weave their way to success

Empowered with a needle and thread, Rwandan women, Emelienne Nyiramana and Therese Iribagiza have changed their lives.

TRIBUTE

Leading U.S. Africa advocate dies

By Bernadette B. Paolo

Washington, DC — The loss of Congressman Donald M. Payne is not only being felt in his native New Jersey, or in Washington, DC, or on the continent of Africa, it is being experienced by countless individuals throughout the world.

INTERVIEW

Our country more divided than before

Principled politics has made Prince Tonye Princewill a brand name in the Niger Delta struggle and earned him legions of awards--attesting to his emergence as an important leader. On 2nd March, 2012 while receiving members of the Rivers State Correspondents Chapel on a courtesy call at his modest country home, he made some clarifications on some national and state issues. His Media Team was at hand to capture his stand. Excerpt:

TRIBUTE TO OJUKWU

A tribute

The casket containing the remains of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during the military funeral parade at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday. Photo: NAN.

STYLE & FASHION

Ozwald Boateng for Arise Fashion Week 

By Olawale Olaleye

International fashion designer, Ozwald Boateng  will join his other colleagues in the fashion industry for the Arise Fashion Week holding in Lagos  from March 6-11.