No power blackouts in South Africa until April 2016 – Eskom CEO

South African power utility, Eskom, does not expect to implement electricity blackouts until April 2016, its chief executive told parliament on Wednesday.

Embarking on a massive maintenance programme to keep its ageing coal-fired power plants running, Eskom was earlier this year forced to implement power cuts known locally as “load shedding”.

However, the utility has only cut power to certain areas for only two hours and 20 minutes in the past 87 days.

“We will continue to supply the country’s electricity and maintain our plant with minimal or no load shedding,” Brian Molefe said. (Reuters/NAN)

6 of 10 children will suffer violence before 18 years- UNICEF

Rachael Harvey, the Chief, Child Protection, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has said that six out of 10 children would suffer one form of violence before they reached the age of 18. Harvey made this known on Wednesday at a two-day workshop organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in collaboration with UNICEF in Lagos.

“The Violence Against Children (VAC) survey shows a huge prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria – emotional, physical and sexual. “Six of 10 children will suffer one form of violence before they reach the age of 18, while one in two suffers physical violence- intentional burning, kicking, whipping and punching.

“Also, one in four girls and one in 10 boys suffer sexual violence, and one in five boys and one in six girls suffer emotional violence,” she said. Harvey said that the major challenge in VAC was that children were suffering in silence. According to her, very few children ever speak out about what is happening to them.

“Even when they speak out, they do not try to access services. Less than five per cent of children ever receive support. “Adults are much more likely to perpetuate violence when they are adults,” Harvey said. She said that it would require everyone including the government, Non-government Organisations (NGOs), communities, parents and the media to take a stand to prevent and respond to VAC.

“We have to have communities that do not tolerate violence and if violence happens, we need to speak out. “We need services that are available and responsive, and when children come to them, they will get the services they need to help them,” she said.

Also speaking, the Director, Child Development, WAPA, Mrs Alaba Fadawo, said that the ministry had put in place many strategies to curb VAC. Fadawo said, “There is an ongoing aggressive campaign. “The other thing is intervention and rescue where children are abused and persecution of perpetrators of abuses.

“Apart from that, there is a team in place, a Sexual Violence Response Team, which is a network of stakeholders working with children to ensure that violence is minimised,” she said.

She said that the ministry had issued Yellow Cards, which, according to her, were warning cards. “In the yellow cards, there are help lines where we can be reached. “Within the communities, the cards are distributed to people so that as soon as a child is being violated, people can call the help line. “Such child will be rescued and the perpetrators will be handled legally,” Fadawo said.

I am not scaring away investors, they know the truth – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reacted to claims by his critics led by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that his recent pronouncements in India are capable of scaring away foreign investors, by insisting that he will always tell investors the truth about the nation’s economy.

This was as he explained that any serious investor meaning to invest in the Nigerian economy would have found out all he needs to know about the economy as such would not be deter by his sincere comments.

Buhari, who reiterated this position while receiving a report on the confirmation of ministerial nominees from the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, appraised the economy he had been faced with since assuming office in May and concluded that “we are so much battered.”

According to him, “the economy as I have seen it now since my sitting here for the last four months, that we are so much battered. Although some people are saying I am giving bad publicity and scaring away investors.

“Any investor who is interested in investing in Nigeria will seem to know more about the economy more than ourselves. So when I come and tell the truth about the position of the economy of the country, I am going out looking for investors.

“But I am confirming to them that we are truthful, that we need them to come and help us help ourselves by getting in industries, manufacturing and services.

“They know our needs. The economy of human resources, I believe, will make them come eventually and help us,” he assured.

First Photo Of New Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi In His Royal Attire

The new Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, is pictured above being dressed in a traditional attire following his recent status.

40-year-old Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of the Giesi ruling house replaces Oba Okunade Sijuwade, 85, who died in London in July after more than three decades on the throne.

He emerged the 51st Ooni of Ile-Ife on Monday.

The Ooni of Ife is considered the most influential monarch by Yorubas.

Abacha’s Loot Is Too Much For Us To Handle – World Bank

Following efforts to uncover looted funds from some leaders in Nigeria, World Bankhas said it needs additional time to provide comprehensive information on the funds looted by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

World Bank made this known in an interogative session with a human civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) seeking information on the loot.

According to World Bank, additional time is needed to give a full details about the looted funds because the money involved is huge it is compiling information on the spending.

No Coordinating Minister Of Economy In Buhari’s Government – Osinbajo

There will be no coordinating minister for the economy under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.

The vice president declared this at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonathan Richardson.

Osinbajo emphasised that unlike the immediate past administration, the Buhari Presidency would not name a Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

“We are not going to have a system like where there was a coordinating minister. No, there would not be anything like that”, the vice president stated.

He noted his role as vice president was to ensure that Buhari was fully informed of what everyone involved in economic activities was doing “such that we are all on same page and to make it easier for the president to make decisions”

Osinbajo’s spokesman Laolu Akande, in a statement on Wednesday, recalled that at the National Economic Summit held in Abuja four weeks ago, the vice president had noted that his role was to supervise the economy.

The vice president also told the Australian envoy that Nigeria was willing to deepen her bilateral relations with Australia in the areas of mining, agriculture, shipping, transport and infrastructure development.

According to him, “the Federal Government will be interested in exploring deeper relationship with Australia on economic cooperation as it is a major area in diversifying our economy”.

The vice president commended the Australian government for the various capacity building initiatives as well as its investments in some key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

MICROSOFT APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR MICROSOFT FOR AFRIKA

Microsoft has announced Amrote Abdella as the new regional director for Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, effective October 2015. she takes over from Fernando de Sousa and affirms Microsoft Corp.’s commitment to Africa across the 54 countries.

Before her new appointment, Abdella was the director of Startup Engagement and Partnerships at 4Afrika.

In her new role, Abdella will oversee Microsoft’s investments in Africa, deepen Microsoft’s engagements on the continent and scale 4Afrika’s work across different markets.

“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organisation on the planet to do more,” Abdella said. “The 4Afrika Initiative is perfectly aligned to accelerate this for the African continent through locally relevant innovation, affordable access and skills development.”

Launched in February 2013, the 4Afrika Initiative has grown to empower over 273,000 small to medium-size enterprises, 76,000 youth, 20,000 government employees, and nine innovation hubs with access to technology, resources and world-class skills development.

“Creativity is what I love most about working in Africa and is what I hope to continue to help unlock and ignite across the continent — to see Africans not just being empowered by technology but also building innovative solutions relevant for our markets,” Abdella said.

“We are honored to have Amrote serving as the new regional director for the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative,” saidAli Faramawy, corporate vice president for Microsoft Middle East & Africa. “Having worked with the initiative since its launch in 2013, Amrote has a deep understanding of both the continent and 4Afrika’s mission. Her wealth of firsthand, on-the-ground experience with startups, investors, government bodies and nonprofit organisations has given her insight into the exact challenges and opportunities we’re focusing on through 4Afrika. We are confident in her ability to move the initiative forward and refocus our efforts.”

Before joining Microsoft, Abdella worked for, among others, the World Economic Forum, the World Bank Group, the Hunger Project and the Grameen Foundation. In her experience she has focused on financial services, policy guidance and economic development for Africa.

Abdella holds a B.A. in political science from Davidson College in North Carolina, and an M.A. in international economics development from Brandeis University in Massachusetts.

Amosun nominates Dayo Adeneye as Commissioner

Primetime Entertainment boss, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, has been nominated as a Commissioner in Ogun State.

His name was on Thursday forwarded to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as a Commissioner by the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

It is suspected that the TV and Radio personality may head either the Information or Culture and Tourism Ministry after his confirmation.

Recall that D1, as he is fondly called, dabbled into politics recently, contesting  for a House of Assembly seat to represent the people of Odogbolu Constituency during the April 2015 elections, but lost out.

NCC slams $5billion fine on MTN Nigeria

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has slammed a fine of $5 billion MTN Nigeria, for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered Sim cards bought before January 2012.

The fine is the largest in the history of telecom infringements in Nigeria and may redefine the relationships between telecommunications operators and the regulator.

Nigerians continue to complain about poor services from mobile network operators and blame the regulators for not doing enough to solve the problem.

MTN is yet to comment on the fine.

NEW OONI OF IFE EMERGES! HE IS ADEYEYE ENITAN OGUNWUSI

A new Ooni of Ife has been chosen. He is Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, a 40-year old real estate magnate and prince from the Giesi Ruling House in the town.

He was selected from 21 candidates presented by the Giesi ruling house, 89 days after the death of former Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at a London clinic.

Mr. Ogunwusi defeated 20 other contenders, including his 48-year old real estate- magnate brother, Adetunji, the Group Chairman of Primewaterview Holdings (comprising of Primewaterview Limited and PWV Management Services).

The Secretary to the Osun State Government said the selection of the new Ooni followed the completion of all processes for the filling of the exalted stool.

A statement issued by the Osun State Government on Monday reads: “The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has approved the appointment of a new Ooni of Ife.

“He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife, State of Osun.

“This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to Government.”

The new Ooni, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was born 40 years ago into the family of John Oluropo Ogunwusi from the famous Ojaja Lineage of the Giesi ruling house of the Agbedegbede Quarters in Ile-Ife, Prince Ogunwusi’s mother, Margaret Wuraola Sidikatu Abegbe Ogunwusi, was born into the family of Soji-Opa, a prominent Cocoa merchant in Ile-Ife.

Mr. Ogunwusi attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy.

According to the website of Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited (a subsidiary of GTBank) on which board he sits as non executive director, “Mr. Ogunwusi is a graduate of Accountancy and a certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and of the Institute of Management.

“He has been involved in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts locally and abroad for over 11 years.

“He was involved in the development of the Northern Foreshore Estate, Cityscape International Limited’s Buena Vista project in Lekki, Primewaterview Limited’s projects, Westcom Limited’s projects, and the Ajaokuta Steel’s and Delta Steel’s resuscitation projects

“Adeyeye (Ogunwusi) is currently the Managing Director of Howard Roark Gardens Limited which is undertaking multi-million naira Jacob Mews Estate project in Yaba and the Lakeview real estate development in Lekki.”

World Bank seeks global action on youth unemployment

Global economy needs 600 million jobs

The alarming rate of joblessness and poor capacity enhancement for youths desires urgent global attention, going by the latest report from the World Bank.

Indeed, the apex bank is worried that in the coming decades, global growth would depend on today’s young people, who are apparently not getting the opportunity to be developed through gainful employment.

It was however revealed that about one-third of the world’s 1.8 billion young people are currently in neither employment, education or training.

Of the one billion, more youth will enter the labour market in the next decade, while only 40 percent are expected to be able to get jobs that currently exist.

Besides, the global economy is estimated to need about 600 million jobs over the next 10 years and five million jobs each month.

According to the report, reversing the youth employment crisis is a pressing global priority and the socio-economic cost of inaction is high.

The inaugural report, entitled Toward Solutions for Youth Employment: A 2015 Baseline Report, was released by Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) – a multi-stakeholder global coalition established to improve youth access to work opportunities.

The coalition is a partnership started by the World Bank Group, Plan International, the International Youth Foundation (IYF), Youth Business International (YBI), RAND, Accenture, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

S4YE Coalition Manager, Matt Hobson, said: “Young people account for 40 per cent of the world’s population (the largest youth generation in human history) but they are disproportionately affected by unemployment. This is a persistent problem. Approximately 30 per cent of young people are not in employment, training or education, and around the world, young women are worse off. We need to act now, and we need to act together if we are going to realize the significant opportunities presented by this many young people today,”

While circumstances differ in various regions, the report added that, the issues remain the same – the world’s youth are unable to find sustainable productive work and this contributes to inequality, spurs social tension, and poses a risk to present and future national and global prosperity and security.

The report also highlighted specific population – young women, youth in conflict-affected and fragile states, as well as rural and urban youth – that requires dedicated attention.

Hobson added: “The report showed that young people are by inclination more entrepreneurial than adults -and we now know that of all the interventions governments, private sector and civil society implement to address youth employment, providing support to early entrepreneurs is the most effective.

“The good news is that experience and evidence increasingly indicate that we already have some of the policy and programme responses in our arsenal to tackle youth employment now,” he said.

Nigeria’s crude oil production increases by 34,000 barrels per day

Nigeria’s crude oil production has increased by 34,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the 1.865 million bpd in the month of August to 1.9 mbpd in September, according to the latest report of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

According to OPEC in the report released on Monday, total crude oil production from member countries increased by 0.11 mbpd to average 31.57 mbd in September.

Besides, the International Energy Administration (IEA), on Tuesday, expects global oil demand growth to slow from its five-year high of 1.8 mbpd in 2015 to 1.2 mbpd in 2016.

OPEC stated that oil output increased mostly in Nigeria, Irag and United Arab Emirates, while production in Saudi Arabia showed the largest drop of 48 thousand barrels per day.

It noted that according to secondary sources, September OPEC crude oil production, not including Iraq, stood at 27.43 mbpd, an increase by 29 tbpd over the previous month.

OPEC forecast that demand for its oil in 2016 would be much higher than previously thought as its strategy of letting prices fall hits U.S. shale oil and other rival supplies, reducing a global surplus.

It predicted that the world would need 30.82 million barrels per day (bpd) from the group next year, up 510,000 bpd from the previous prediction.

Supply outside OPEC is expected to decline by 130,000 bpd in 2016, the report said, as output falls in the United States, the former Soviet Union, Africa, the Middle East and much of Europe.

“This should reduce the excess supply in the market and lead to higher demand for OPEC crude,” OPEC said in the report, “resulting in more balanced oil market fundamentals”.

With the higher demand it expects for OPEC crude in 2016, the report points to a 750,000 bpd supply surplus in the market next year if the group kept pumping at September’s rate, down from 1.23 million bpd indicated in last month’s report.

In the third quarter of 2016, demand for OPEC crude will rise to an average of 31.50 million bpd, OPEC predicted – similar to current output and leaving almost no surplus.

Meanwhile, IEA said that world oil supply held steady near 96.6 mbpd in September, as lower non-OPEC production was offset by a slight increase in OPEC crude.

According to IEA, non-OPEC accounted for just under 40 per cent of the 1.8 mbpd annual increase in total oil output.

It said that lower oil prices and steep spending curbs are expected to cut non-OPEC output by nearly 0.5 mbpd in 2016.

It stated: “OPEC crude supply rose by 90 0000 barrels per day (90 kbpd) in September to 31.72 mbpd as record Iraqi output more than offset a dip in Saudi supply. A slowdown in forecast demand growth and slightly higher non-OPEC supply lowers the 2016 “call” on OPEC by 0.2 mbpd from last month’s Oil Market Report to 31.1 mbpd.

Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, structurally flawed — EU

The European Union’s Election observation team in Nigeria has said that there are still systemic flaws that could impede the functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The EU’s chief observer, Santiago Fisas, noted this as part of the team’s final report on the March and April 2015 general elections.

He spoke to journalists in Abuja to mark the end of its 10 months observance period of the 2015 elections.

Mr. Fisas said that while INEC appeared to have performed impartially despite challenges, its lack of full institutional independence could make it vulnerable to partisan operations.

“The law overly restricts INEC’s powers, rendering it insufficiently effective in challenging inappropriate actions,” he said.

Mr. Fisas said the EU was calling for the establishment of a more inclusive cross-party system for the appointment of INEC’s leaders.

He also urged Nigeria to develop a plan for maintaining the voter’s register after a thorough review of the 2010-2014 registration process.

The plan should include improving biometric functionality, removal of the deceased, as well as extending enrolment of new registrants, he said.

Other recommendations require INEC to merge accreditation and voting process on Election Day, while maintaining other safeguards.

It urged the amendment of the Constitution to allow independent candidacy at all levels, while the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) regulatory authority is strengthened to avoid abuse of incumbency, through the media.

Mr. Fisas said the EU also called on political parties to provide regular and adequate information on the promotion of women’s political participation, while ensuring reasonable time frame for the filing hearing and determination of pre-election suits.

He said the detailed recommendations were 30 in number, with 19 of them requiring a change in legislation, while others involve administrative actions by different bodies.