Welcome to Geophilworld's blog: 02/10/16

Wednesday 10 February 2016

4 Cases Of Zika Virus confirmed in UK

A public health doctor in England, Dilys Morgan, said four “travel-associated” cases of the virus had been found in the last six weeks.

The main concern surrounding the virus is a possible link between the virus and a rise in cases of microcephaly, a birth defect characterised by an abnormally small head that can result in developmental problems.

The virus is spreading rapidly through Latin America and most people who contract it have either mild or no symptoms.

The World Health Organisation declared Zika a global emergency last month, with some countries discouraging nationals from travelling to Latin American counties.

When will this scourge be over?

Delta Governmnet approves N372m for WASSCE, NABTEB

Gov. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa

Delta State government has approved N372.9 million for the payment of fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and National Business and Technical Board (NABTEB).

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah made the disclosure while briefing the press on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held in Asaba.

Flanked by the Commissioners for Works, Chief James Augoye, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Arch. Joseph Ogeh, Basic and Secondary Education and Housing respectively, he said payment of the examination fees wAS in line with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s free education policy for primary and secondary school students.

“EXCO agreed to pay the enrollment fees and incidental cost for SSS 3 and Vocational Students in Delta State Public, Senior Secondary School and Technical Colleges,” Commissioner Ukah said, adding, “The total number of students to be enrolled for the 2016 SSCE and NABTEB (National Board for Technical Examination) Certificate Examination for Vocational students in the state is 28, 898.”

While stating that Exco the approved the construction of a new central Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex in Asaba to house all Ministries, Department and Agencies ( MDA) operating from rented structures for administrative convenience.

Ukah said the Exco approved the revocation of the contracts for the construction of Palace road Igbodo in Ika North East local government area of the state, construction of Afiesere/Ofuoma-Ughelli road, the construction of section A and B of the Warri/Effurun Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

In his contribution, Commissioner Ebie lauded the large turn-out of Deltans and stakeholders for the recently held education summit in the state, noting that far-reaching decisions on way forward for the education sector was reached.

According to Mr Ebie, a post-summit implementation committee would be set up to ensure that resolutions reached at the summit impacts positively on the people, assuring that Governor Okowa was very passionate about the future of Deltans through quality education curriculum.

189 Shiites remanded in Kaduna prison, 4 granted bail

Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky

The December 12, 2015 Zaria massacre left hundreds of Shiite Muslims dead, many of whom had their dead bodies abandoned along Kaduna streets or dumped into mass graves. Based on this, the Nigerian Army rampaged for another three days on their Shiite targets eventually destroying religious sites and personal property belonging to Sheikh Zakzaky.

A prison personnel reported that the court session took place in the Kaduna amid tight security within the prison yard, of which the Shiites are being remanded for inciting public disturbances, the unlawful and illegal blockage of State and federal roads, and also the illegal possession of dangerous weapons.

The presiding judge, Auwal Aliyu, adjourned the case to March 29, 2016. Four Shiites who were minors were granted bail.

Boko Haram: Nigerian Troops Request President Buhari To Investigate Non-Payment Of Their Allowances

Some Nigerian soldiers said that numerous of servicemen have not received their allowances for the past three months. They are subjected to this treatment despite their efforts fighting Boko Haram at the frontlines.

The non-payment of their allowances has made life very difficult for many servicemen and servicewomen, interviews with soldiers revealed. One soldier complained that he needed to borrow a friend’s cell phone to call his family because non-payment of his allowance meant that he was unable to purchase or recharge it in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole.

These servicemen told SaharaReporters that they did not want to report their superior officers but they had little choice now. They appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to address their plight.

One source speaking to SaharaReporters said, ''our families have been complaining seriously about this hardship. Providing food for our family has become difficult.”

The soldier added, “I beg Defense Headquarters and Chief of Army Staff to urgently address our pending allowances so that we can give our best [in military service]. Morale has been low.”

A Staff Sargent from a different unit said that the salaries of his servicemen were paid “but the allowances of more than 22,000 personnel has not been paid for three months.”

''Three months allowances has not been paid despite all our sacrifice for this country. I think we don't deserve this at all. In Maiduguri alone we at least 22,700 personnel on payroll,” he said.

The Staff Sargent continued by saying, “even when they pay soldiers N45,000 they would deduct N15,000 for meals that were never given to us [by the military]. In fact, it is the State government that are providing meals so I don’t know why they are deducting our allowances.”

He concluded by saying, “President Buhari should help us investigate this matter because the [military officers above us] will not say the truth.”

When contacted, Media Coordinator for Operation Lafiya Dole, Dele Alonge, told SaharaReporters that it was not possible that soldiers were owed their salaries or allowances. He repeated that, “it is not true that any soldier anywhere are owed their salaries or allowances.”

Boko Haram: Bomb blast kills 60 In Borno IDP Camp

According to reports, a military and emergency official said that no fewer than 60 people were killed by a twin suicide bomb attack at an IDP camp in Borno yesterday Tuesday, February 9. A break down in the telephone system had prevented the information being made public earlier until now.

North Korea executes its army chief of staff

North Korea has executed its army chief of staff, Ri Yong Gil, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday, which, if true, would be the latest in a series of executions, purges, and disappearances under the country's young leader.

The news comes amid heightened tension surrounding the isolated North Korea after its Sunday launch of a long-range rocket, which came about a month after it drew international condemnation for conducting its fourth nuclear test.

A source familiar with North Korean affairs also told Reuters that Ri had been executed. The source declined to be identified, given the sensitivity of the matter.

Ri, who was chief of the Korean People's Army General Staff, was executed this month for corruption and factional conspiracy, Yonhap and other South Korean media reported.

Yonhap did not identify its sources. The source who told Reuters the news declined to comment on how the information about the execution had been obtained.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service declined to comment, and it was not possible to independently verify the report.

The North rarely issues public announcement related to purges or executions of high-level officials.

A rare official confirmation of a high-profile execution came after Jang Song Thaek, leader Kim Jong Un's uncle and the man who was once considered the second-most-powerful figure in the country, was executed for corruption in 2013.

In May last year, the North executed its defense chief by antiaircraft gun at a firing range, the South's spy agency said in a report to members of parliament.

The North's military leadership has been in a state of perpetual reshuffle since Kim took power after the death of his father in 2011. He has changed his armed forces chief several times since then.

Some other high-ranking officials in the North have been absent from public view for extended periods, fueling speculation they may have been purged or removed, only to resurface.

FG Admits 2016 Budget Is Disgraceful, Blames Civil Servants

FG Finally Admits 2016 Budget Is Disgraceful, Blames Civil Servants

The Ministry of Budget and National Planning on Tuesday admitted that there were errors in the 2016 Budget, blaming the development on the adoption of the Zero-Based Budgeting System.

The ministry stated this in a statement by the Director of Information in the ministry, Mr. Charles Dafe.
It explained that while the budget, which was presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari was well structured and targeted at reviving the economy, those responsible for budgeting at the various ministries, departments and agencies of government were still grappling with some of the technicalities used in the fiscal document.

It said the new Zero-Based Budgeting approach was still new to most of the agencies of the government as it was a far departure from the envelope system of budget.
The Zero-Based Budgeting approach is a system of budgeting that reverses the working process of traditional budgeting by ensuring that all expenses must be justified in the new period.

The approach is different from the now common envelope system in the civil service, which was introduced by the Federal Government in 2003 and works by providing each MDA with a maximum amount for its capital and recurrent needs for the fiscal year.

As the country moves away from the envelope system, Dafe, in the statement, said the ministry would improve on the competency of the ZBB.

The statement read in part, “The proposals have received general commendation. However,   the   details   were   developed   using   the   Zero-Based Budget and is a new concept to our Budget Officers away from our traditional envelop process.

“The members of staff in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as well as   those   handling   budget   issues   in   all   ministries   and   extra-ministerial   agencies   are   grappling   to   master   the technicalities in the ZBB template.

“As such therefore, some errors are not unexpected in the changeover to the   new   ZBB   approach.
“This   was   the   reason   the   ministry arranged for the proposals to be placed on the website of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to expose them to public scrutiny.”

While assuring Nigerians that the ministry would liaise with the National Assembly to address issues raised in the budget, the statement said the government would thoroughly investigate and sanction any one found to have been involved in any fraudulent activity as regards the budget.

It said, “The ministry assures the general public that it will   continue   to   liaise   with   the   relevant   committees   of   the National Assembly to address any issues that have arisen, or may arise.
“Training   and   retraining   to   build   capacity   of   the   Budget Officers on the ZBB concept will be intensified in 2016.

“As we move forward, lessons are being learnt; the ministry’s experience   and   competency   on   ZBB   will   be   improved   and perfected upon.

“However, the ministry has zero tolerance for malfeasance and whenever   any   wrongdoing   is   alleged,   it   will   be   thoroughly investigated and sanctions will be applied.”

PUNCH