President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua became the first civilian leader in Nigeria to take over from another after winning controversial polls in 2007.
The former chemistry teacher was also the first Nigerian leader for 40 years to be university educated. But his academic background appears to have done little to help him on the political stage and mid-way through his first term in office, he was saddled with the nickname "Baba-go-slow".
A reclusive Muslim ex-governor from the northern state of Katsina, he promised a long list of reforms at his inauguration - tackling corruption, reforming the inadequate power sector and the flawed electoral system.
The only point on the to-do list on which he made some progress was tackling the unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta. He met militant leaders and convinced them and thousands of their fighters to give up their weapons during a three-month amnesty in 2009, giving hope of peace at last for the poverty-stricken region. 'In the hands of God'Yet the issue that occupied more column inches than anything else during his time in office was his health. The 58-year-old had suffered from a chronic kidney condition for at least 10 years. In the past three years he was twice flown to Germany for emergency treatment and visited hospitals in Saudi Arabia. In November 2009 he went to a clinic in Jeddah for three months, leaving a power vacuum and intense speculation about the state of his health.
His spokesman said he had pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart. In his absence, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan became acting leader in February 2010. Later that month, Mr Yar'Adua was thought to have returned home from Saudi Arabia to Abuja, although there was still no word on his medical condition.
In previous interviews, the president refused to say what he suffered from and repeatedly said that his life was "in the hands of God". Although he did not prove himself a political mover and shaker, he boasted a political pedigree that dates back to the 1960s when his father was appointed as a minister in the post-independence administration. His late elder brother - an army general - served as deputy leader when Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria's military ruler during the 1970s.
The pair were later imprisoned together after they were accused of plotting a coup against late military strongman Gen Sani Abacha.Self-confessed Marxist
Mr Yar'Adua's emergence as the ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) candidate in the presidential election in April 2007 rested almost exclusively on the support of Mr Obasanjo - then the elected civilian president.
Nigerian presidency sources at the time said Mr Obasanjo used a mixture of inducements and threats of investigation by the anti-graft agency to persuade 10 influential state governors to withdraw from the race and back Mr Yar'Adua. Analysts said that by backing Mr Yar'Adua to succeed him, Mr Obasanjo had hoped to continue pulling the strings after leaving office.
But it did not turn out this way and Mr Yar'Adua proved to be his own man.Within months of taking over, he reversed some dubious privatisations of state companies approved by Mr Obasanjo when president - and he also got rid of some key Obasanjo allies in the PDP. As an undergraduate student in Nigeria's Ahmadu Bello University, Mr Yar'Adua was a self-confessed Marxist and criticised his elder brother's "capitalist" leanings.
During his seven years as Katsina State governor, critics said contracts had gone to companies with links to his family's vast businesses. Yet he was one of only a few Nigerian politicians to publicly declare their assets - twice before being sworn in as governor and then again when he became president.
He was a father of nine children - five daughters and two sons with his first wife Turai, the first lady, whom he married in 1975 - and two sons with Hajiya Hauwa, whom he married in the 1990s. He divorced Ms Hauwa in 1997 before first running for governor. As a governor he was known to have ignored the advice of aides and bodyguards and walked alone to tobacco kiosks to buy a single cigarette. Described by his critics as taciturn and not known for his tolerance of opposition, Mr Yar'Adua was sometimes underestimated.As one commentator put it at the time of his election "because he's quiet, people mistake him for a weakling. But he's someone who knows his own mind".
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Gabon oil workers strike over foreign workers
Some say oil made Gabon's former President Omar Bongo a very rich man
Gabon's main oil workers' union has begun a strike which is seen as a big test for new President Ali Ben Bongo.
The strike has brought public transport in the capital Libreville to a standstill and could lead to significant cuts in oil production.
The unions are unhappy at labour regulations and want restrictions on the use of foreign workers.
Gabon is one of Africa's main oil producers but is trying to diversify away from oil as revenues from it fall.
There have been reports of shortages at petrol stations and people stockpiling fuel.
"The strike will be tough and could be long," said Onep union Secretary General Guy Roger Aurat Reteno, reports the AFP news agency.
"The consequences will be hard and disagreeable, but we are pushed into situations that are deplorable for everybody."
An Onep spokesperson told AFP the strike would effect all sectors using fuel, including the national energy and water company, but not hospitals and the security services.
Onep's main grievance is that too many oil jobs are going to Africans from other countries and Westerners.
The government had offered to establish temporary restrictions on foreigners working in the oil industry if talks were resumed, but Onep rejected the offer.
Gabon's previous President Omar Bongo amassed a vast fortune during his 41 years in office and was accused of embezzling oil revenues.
His son succeeded him in September 2009 after polls which opponents say were fixed.
The election was followed by violent street protests by opposition activists.
Gabon's main oil workers' union has begun a strike which is seen as a big test for new President Ali Ben Bongo.
The strike has brought public transport in the capital Libreville to a standstill and could lead to significant cuts in oil production.
The unions are unhappy at labour regulations and want restrictions on the use of foreign workers.
Gabon is one of Africa's main oil producers but is trying to diversify away from oil as revenues from it fall.
There have been reports of shortages at petrol stations and people stockpiling fuel.
"The strike will be tough and could be long," said Onep union Secretary General Guy Roger Aurat Reteno, reports the AFP news agency.
"The consequences will be hard and disagreeable, but we are pushed into situations that are deplorable for everybody."
An Onep spokesperson told AFP the strike would effect all sectors using fuel, including the national energy and water company, but not hospitals and the security services.
Onep's main grievance is that too many oil jobs are going to Africans from other countries and Westerners.
The government had offered to establish temporary restrictions on foreigners working in the oil industry if talks were resumed, but Onep rejected the offer.
Gabon's previous President Omar Bongo amassed a vast fortune during his 41 years in office and was accused of embezzling oil revenues.
His son succeeded him in September 2009 after polls which opponents say were fixed.
The election was followed by violent street protests by opposition activists.
Is Ethiopia becoming global investors’ hub?
Investors from 30 different countries obtain licenses in just 30 day. These are some of the latest investment data obtained from the Ethiopian Investment Agency, which reveals that the number of foreign investors coming to Ethiopia is increasing.
In just one month, September 2007, a total of 173 investment projects were registered, with more than half of these being foreign ventures from 30 countries. Chinese investors lead by investing in 18 projects out of the 90 registered.
They are followed by 17 Americans and 10 Britons, most of whom are of Ethiopian descent, according to the record found from the Agency. The remaining projects are joint ventures between foreigners and Ethiopians.
The origins of the remainder of investors registered in September are: India, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, Trinidad, Kenya and Djibouti.
In addition to the 173 companies registered by foreigners, almost half of the 52 share companies licensed in the same period have at least one or two foreign shareholders along with Ethiopian partners.
Real-estate, manufacturing, Hotel and construction sectors are among the major areas that attract most of the investors.
Many observers attribute the provision of incentives to investors by the government as one of the reasons behind the huge interest from abroad to invest in Ethiopia. On the other hand, some also opine that foreign investors are interested in Ethiopia because of the cheap labor and less fierce competition in larger markets which also include neighboring countries.
The incentives for investors include one hundred per cent exemption from the payment of import customs duties and other taxes levied on imports of all investment capital goods such as plant machinery, equipment and construction materials.
In addition, Ethiopian products and services destined for export are exempted from the payment of any export tax and other taxes levied on exports.
Duty Draw-Back Scheme, Voucher Scheme and Bonded Manufacturing Warehouse Scheme are also among the incentives for exporters.
Besides, any income derived from an approved new manufacturing and agro-industry investment or investment made in agriculture shall be exempted from the payment of income tax for the periods depicted in the following table, depending upon the area of investment, the volume of export, and the location in which the investment is undertaken.
According to Council of Ministers Regulation No.84/2003 issued on the basis of the Investment Proclamation No. 280/2002, the following Profit tax holidays are provided for investors.
In just one month, September 2007, a total of 173 investment projects were registered, with more than half of these being foreign ventures from 30 countries. Chinese investors lead by investing in 18 projects out of the 90 registered.
They are followed by 17 Americans and 10 Britons, most of whom are of Ethiopian descent, according to the record found from the Agency. The remaining projects are joint ventures between foreigners and Ethiopians.
The origins of the remainder of investors registered in September are: India, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, Trinidad, Kenya and Djibouti.
In addition to the 173 companies registered by foreigners, almost half of the 52 share companies licensed in the same period have at least one or two foreign shareholders along with Ethiopian partners.
Real-estate, manufacturing, Hotel and construction sectors are among the major areas that attract most of the investors.
Many observers attribute the provision of incentives to investors by the government as one of the reasons behind the huge interest from abroad to invest in Ethiopia. On the other hand, some also opine that foreign investors are interested in Ethiopia because of the cheap labor and less fierce competition in larger markets which also include neighboring countries.
The incentives for investors include one hundred per cent exemption from the payment of import customs duties and other taxes levied on imports of all investment capital goods such as plant machinery, equipment and construction materials.
In addition, Ethiopian products and services destined for export are exempted from the payment of any export tax and other taxes levied on exports.
Duty Draw-Back Scheme, Voucher Scheme and Bonded Manufacturing Warehouse Scheme are also among the incentives for exporters.
Besides, any income derived from an approved new manufacturing and agro-industry investment or investment made in agriculture shall be exempted from the payment of income tax for the periods depicted in the following table, depending upon the area of investment, the volume of export, and the location in which the investment is undertaken.
According to Council of Ministers Regulation No.84/2003 issued on the basis of the Investment Proclamation No. 280/2002, the following Profit tax holidays are provided for investors.
Malawi, UNDP sign $4.2m climate change deal
Malawi and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed a formulation phase project document for managing climate change in the country to be implemented to a tune of $4.2 million.
The project will be co-financed by Norway, Spain and the Department for International Development (DFID).
The formulation phase project is aimed at enhancing coordination between government and its developing partners in developing a national framework for responding to challenges climate change poses to Malawi’s economic development and food security.
Speaking during a signing ceremony in Lilongwe, Malawi’s Minister of Development Planning and Cooperation Abbie Shawa said government is aware of developmental challenges that climate change poses to Malawi, hence the project.
He cited persistent droughts, flooding and erratic rain patterns as most effects of climate change which are phenomenal and widespread in the country.
“This project aims at developing a national framework for managing climate change in this country. The government appreciated that sustainable natural resources and environment management provides an important foundation for supporting economic growth and development hence the inclusion of climate change as one of the key priority areas of the development agenda,” said Shawa
UNDP resident representative to Malawi Richard Dictus said the formulation phase of the project will put in place an appropriate framework for Malawi to deal with the future climate change risks.
“The national economic development need to be climate change proofed for Malawi to continue to grow and prosper. There is need to climate change proof land utilization, hybrid seed that is drought resistant and upscale to levels that can be managed,” he said
He said after the Copenhagen Summit in November last year, there have been considerable amounts of funding promised and Malawi would benefit if a robust framework is in place.
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The project will be co-financed by Norway, Spain and the Department for International Development (DFID).
The formulation phase project is aimed at enhancing coordination between government and its developing partners in developing a national framework for responding to challenges climate change poses to Malawi’s economic development and food security.
Speaking during a signing ceremony in Lilongwe, Malawi’s Minister of Development Planning and Cooperation Abbie Shawa said government is aware of developmental challenges that climate change poses to Malawi, hence the project.
He cited persistent droughts, flooding and erratic rain patterns as most effects of climate change which are phenomenal and widespread in the country.
“This project aims at developing a national framework for managing climate change in this country. The government appreciated that sustainable natural resources and environment management provides an important foundation for supporting economic growth and development hence the inclusion of climate change as one of the key priority areas of the development agenda,” said Shawa
UNDP resident representative to Malawi Richard Dictus said the formulation phase of the project will put in place an appropriate framework for Malawi to deal with the future climate change risks.
“The national economic development need to be climate change proofed for Malawi to continue to grow and prosper. There is need to climate change proof land utilization, hybrid seed that is drought resistant and upscale to levels that can be managed,” he said
He said after the Copenhagen Summit in November last year, there have been considerable amounts of funding promised and Malawi would benefit if a robust framework is in place.
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Ghana: 'Rainbow' appears in the sky
Ghanaians were held spellbound when the halo phenomenon emerged in the skies late Wednesday morning. Hundreds of people stepped out of their offices to take pictures of the celestial wonders. Onlookers believed it was signs of the last days. "Jesus is coming today," fascinated Victoria Mintah told AfricaNews.
However, meteorologists said the phenomenon known as halo phenomenon is natural around the world.
It is already a subject of interest on social networks. Ghanaian Facebookers are asking reasons behind it in the midst of their excitement.
“God is wonderful have u seen de sky people. Round rainbow surroundin de sun. Beautiful,” @ Lorraine Ama N. Atopley
“Solar halo is wats happenin in de sky,” she asked.
“Really i doubt if its a rainbow ,just one of the antics of God, definately we will get the scientific definition for it,” @Princess Anna-Marian Ayeley Ardayfio commented on someone’s status.
@Peace Naa Adei stated on her profile: “The sun is so beautiful!”
A halo also known as a nimbus, icebow or Gloriole is an optical phenomenon produced by ice crystals creating colored or white arcs and spots in the sky.
However, meteorologists said the phenomenon known as halo phenomenon is natural around the world.
It is already a subject of interest on social networks. Ghanaian Facebookers are asking reasons behind it in the midst of their excitement.
“God is wonderful have u seen de sky people. Round rainbow surroundin de sun. Beautiful,” @ Lorraine Ama N. Atopley
“Solar halo is wats happenin in de sky,” she asked.
“Really i doubt if its a rainbow ,just one of the antics of God, definately we will get the scientific definition for it,” @Princess Anna-Marian Ayeley Ardayfio commented on someone’s status.
@Peace Naa Adei stated on her profile: “The sun is so beautiful!”
A halo also known as a nimbus, icebow or Gloriole is an optical phenomenon produced by ice crystals creating colored or white arcs and spots in the sky.
Mobile number portability for Kenya from July
The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has said it will implement mobile number portability from July. The Commission said this would improve consumer choice and lower prices in the country. According to CCK's director, Charles Njoroge, the infrastructure needed for number portability would be ready by mid year.
The regulator first announced its plans to speed up mobile portability three years ago, according to Kenya’s Daily Nation.
Mobile phone users will then be able to migrate from one network to another without changing their numbers. They would have to inform their operator of choice which network they want to switch to when they need to.
“Therefore from July networks will cease to be identified by their prefixes (numbers) and business will depend on which firm offers the best service”, said Njoroge at a workshop in Nairobi last week.
However, he added that mobile phone users would pay a small administrative fee for the switching service, but he would ensure “that consumers are not overcharged”.
Also, CCK announced the enforcement of a cost study into prices of wholesale and retail mobile voice call terminations, to allow later for issuing new interconnection rates that are aligned with market trends.
The $700,000 study, conducted by global telecoms technology and media consultant Analysys Mason, required all mobile service providers in the country to submit the requested data by 7 May 2010. The final report will be presented on 18 June 2010.
Kenya currently has four mobile service providers: Zain, Orange, Safaricom and Yu.
The regulator first announced its plans to speed up mobile portability three years ago, according to Kenya’s Daily Nation.
Mobile phone users will then be able to migrate from one network to another without changing their numbers. They would have to inform their operator of choice which network they want to switch to when they need to.
“Therefore from July networks will cease to be identified by their prefixes (numbers) and business will depend on which firm offers the best service”, said Njoroge at a workshop in Nairobi last week.
However, he added that mobile phone users would pay a small administrative fee for the switching service, but he would ensure “that consumers are not overcharged”.
Also, CCK announced the enforcement of a cost study into prices of wholesale and retail mobile voice call terminations, to allow later for issuing new interconnection rates that are aligned with market trends.
The $700,000 study, conducted by global telecoms technology and media consultant Analysys Mason, required all mobile service providers in the country to submit the requested data by 7 May 2010. The final report will be presented on 18 June 2010.
Kenya currently has four mobile service providers: Zain, Orange, Safaricom and Yu.
SA: One dies in WC 2010 ticket scramble
A pensioner died while thousands of people remained in long queues all night long across South Africa as the World Cup 2010 tickets go on sale across the counter. About 500, 000 soccer tickets are available for grabs with cash for the first time to entice citizens to fill up the stadiums.
According to Reuters report, local police said the 64-year-old man suffered an apparent seizure as he waited in a queue in central Cape Town. He was number 565 in the line. The Cape Town queue, like others around the country, began on Wednesday afternoon as South Africans rushed to get World Cup tickets, some of them for the final on July 11.
Soccer loving people dressed in the South African national team colours where seen patiently in the snake-like queues armed with their vuvuzelas - the noisy trumpets which are a fixture of South African matches.
Around 120,000 of the tickets are available to South Africans for $20, the lowest price at a World Cup for many years, Reuters noted.
"The last time I waited in a line like this was when I voted for Mandela," said one man who did not want to give his name because he was skipping work to stand in line, according to a BBC report.
Many South Africans had complained the original process, by which tickets were sold through Fifa's website or in a complicated ballot at a local bank branch, excluded people without web access, credit cards or the disposable income to pay for their tickets months in advance.
"We are excited about these new initiatives, which make the process much easier for everyone," commented World Cup 2010 boss Danny Jordaan.
"We have always said that it is important that we make this World Cup more accessible to the people and with over the counter sales, we believe this measure is consistent with the needs of the fans."
The global football fiesta kicks off from June 11 to July 11.
According to Reuters report, local police said the 64-year-old man suffered an apparent seizure as he waited in a queue in central Cape Town. He was number 565 in the line. The Cape Town queue, like others around the country, began on Wednesday afternoon as South Africans rushed to get World Cup tickets, some of them for the final on July 11.
Soccer loving people dressed in the South African national team colours where seen patiently in the snake-like queues armed with their vuvuzelas - the noisy trumpets which are a fixture of South African matches.
Around 120,000 of the tickets are available to South Africans for $20, the lowest price at a World Cup for many years, Reuters noted.
"The last time I waited in a line like this was when I voted for Mandela," said one man who did not want to give his name because he was skipping work to stand in line, according to a BBC report.
Many South Africans had complained the original process, by which tickets were sold through Fifa's website or in a complicated ballot at a local bank branch, excluded people without web access, credit cards or the disposable income to pay for their tickets months in advance.
"We are excited about these new initiatives, which make the process much easier for everyone," commented World Cup 2010 boss Danny Jordaan.
"We have always said that it is important that we make this World Cup more accessible to the people and with over the counter sales, we believe this measure is consistent with the needs of the fans."
The global football fiesta kicks off from June 11 to July 11.
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