The Nation Newspaper

Tag: johannesburg

  • Nigeria’s finest Ocheme slated  for  second  PFL showdown  in Johannesburg

    Nigeria’s finest Ocheme slated  for  second  PFL showdown  in Johannesburg

    With all set for the inaugural event in Cape Town on July 19, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has unveiled the date and venue for the second event on the continent.

    While  Nigeria’s  Policewoman and multi-dexterous combat athlete, Juliet Ukah, will headline the inaugural PFL Africa event at the Gand Arena, another Nigerian MMA star , Patrick Ocheme , will also be in the SmartCage during the organisation’s second event in Africa scheduled to hold on Saturday, 9th August at the Big Top Arena, Carnival City in Johannesburg.

     Ocheme (6-1) would  headline the evening’s schedule in a Featherweight First Round bout against Guinea’s Mohamed Camara (5-2-1) in a high-stakes matchup between two of the best West Africans in the world.

    Read Also: NFF mourns as 1980 AFCON winner  Bassey dies in Eket

    In the co-main event, Angola’s Shido Boris Esperanca (9-1), who was victorious in his PFL debut, returns to action against Gambia’s Ibrahima Mané (14-5) in a Welterweight First Round bout.

    Meanwhile, tickets for PFL Africa Johannesburg will expectedly go on sale  tomorrow, June 12, via TicketPro.

    Organisers further said additional matchups will soon be announced as 32 fighters representing 15 African nations will compete across the four PFL Africa divisions in 2025 on a continent wide-journey to crown the first-ever PFL Africa Champions.

    In a related development, Policewoman  Juliet Ukah is scheduled to face her opponent in next month’s Women’s Strawweight Showcase Boutbout, South Africa’s Ceileigh Niedermayr in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, for an open workout on Wednesday, June 25.

  • Over 70 die in Johannesburg fire incident

    Over 70 die in Johannesburg fire incident

    No fewer than 70 people have died and more than 50 injured in a fire incident in South Africa’s city of Johannesburg.

    The five-storey building in the city centre has been described as “hijacked”, meaning it is used by squatters
    The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

    Emergency services told the BBC that the fire gutted the building at about 01:30 (00:30 BST) on Thursday.
    Authorities say firefighters evacuated the building’s occupants on arrival, and the search and recovery of bodies is continuing
    Reports suggest the occupants were mostly African migrants

    Among those killed were seven children, including a one-year-old baby, South Africa’s Times Live news site quotes Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi as saying.

    He added 52 people were being treated for injuries.

    “Firefighter crews are damping down. EMS will conduct preliminary investigations to determine what caused the fire after firefighting operations are done,” Mulaudzi said.

    Read Also: Comedian AY recounts fire incident at Lekki residence

    Meanwhile, the survivors of the fire who are now rendered homeless will be housed in another building that is also owned by the city of Johannesburg, a government official has said.

    “About 300 people (141 households) are displaced, including the 49 in hospital and will be housed in another building owned by the City of Johannesburg,” Lebogang Maile said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

    Maile also said an intergovernmental team would provide survivors and victims’ families with psychological and social services, support in arranging funerals for victims, and help with other necessities.

    It has been described as one of the worst fire incidents in Johannesburg in recent history – and there are fears the number of fatalities will continue to rise as rescue workers make their way into the remaining floors of the five-storey building.

    It’s an old building that was declared unsafe for use – but had been taken over by property gangs operating in the city centre who rent out rooms to scores of people per room.

    Such buildings are often without running water and pose a fire hazard because of the numerous illegal electricity connections needed to provide power to tenants.

    Describing the incident, Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi told local media: “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 22 years or service in this city.”

    Officials said each floor resembled an informal settlement… rescue workers are combing through partitions resembling shacks, searching for survivors – and more fatalities.

    Some of those who escaped have camped outside the building waiting for news of their relatives, others are waiting to see what of their belongings can be salvaged.

  • Nigeria to protest killing of citizens in South Africa

    Nigeria will protest the killings and high-handedness of South African police against its citizens, the Consul General, Nigeria Consulate, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr Godwin Adama has said.

    Adams stated this on Saturday while reacting to the alleged killing of a Nigerian, Maxwell Ikechukwu Okoye by the South African police on Friday.

    The envoy said the situation was unacceptable and very worrisome, which deserved the intervention of host authorities.

    ”I have confirmed the death of late Maxwell Ikechukwu Okoye in the hands of South African police officers at about 01.00 hrs on Friday, June 14 when a group of policemen invaded his house in Ladysmith in Kwazulu Natal Province.

    ”He reportedly alerted a leader of Nigerian Community in the area of the presence of policemen in his house and called for their intervention.

    ”As no help was immediately available due probably to the time of the night and the fact that all attempts to get him on line was futile.

    ”He eventually was reported dead by the police who claimed they met him foaming when they broke into his house in that odd hour of the night, a claim that appeared suspicious and compromising,” he said.

    He said that by the time members of Nigerian community in the area got to his house, his house was turned upside down and he was reported dead by the police who took his body to the mortuary on their own.

    Read Also: 14 lions on the loose in South Africa

    The case, according to him, was reported by the resident Nigerians to the police who promised to commence investigation of the matter by the independent police investigative directorate (IPID) in the Province.

    He said the mission had reported the matter to the National Headquarters of the IPID In Pretoria to ensure a thorough investigation was initiated on the matter.

    ”We intend to protest the matter officially through the usual diplomatic channel by the High Commission in Pretoria once all details are collated.

    ”This is about the 3rd case involving the alleged torture and murder of resident Nigerians by South African police in a spate of one month.

    ”It happened in Capetown, Durban and now in Ladysmith. As Nigerian Missions in South Africa, we shall not fold our hands and allow these infractions to continue.

    ”We shall not stand by and allow this development to continue. We shall be visiting the area to see things for ourselves while engaging relevant authorities on the matter. It is unacceptable,” he said.

    He said that in October, 2017, a similar development of alleged murder of a Nigerian, Badmus Ibrahim Olalekan from Lagos State by men of the South African police service led to the arrest and arraignment of eight policemen in Vanderbijpark park, near Johannesburg, at the intervention of the consulate general.

    . The case is currently at the High Court in Johannesburg and will be concluded in October, 2019 going by the conclusions of the last court sitting.

    ”We are closely following up this along with the others to ensure justice is served. We shall not leave any stone unturned concerning these matters.

    ”The high handedness of the South African police against Nigerians over flimsy excuses has become very worrisome and deserves the intervention of the host authorities.

    ”This is in order to protect the excellent relations that has existed between the two countries as well as preserve coexistence of Nigerians and their South African hosts,” he said

    He added that the two Missions were however working hard to discuss the matter and resolve these challenges with the relevant host authorities.

  • AIO Confab to hold in Johannesburg

    The African Insurance Organisation (AIO) is to hold its 46th conference and annual general assembly at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa, from  June 8 to 13.

    Each year, the event attracts senior delegates from across Africa and the rest of the world to discuss the most pressing issues facing the insurance industry on the continent at the time.

    AIO Vice President, Delphine Traore Maidou in a statement in Nigeria said this year’s theme is: Insurance penetration in Africa: Insuring the uninsured, noting that the conference will focus on insurance distribution and inclusivity across the continent.

    According to her, other topical issues under discussion will include micro-insurance and the effects of climatic events, such as floods, droughts and wildfires on the industry and the economy in general.

    She said they have managed to secure some highly regarded speakers, panelists and facilitators from all over Africa and beyond for this year’s conference.

    ‘’We have also got some quality bookings and are very happy at the rate that seats are filling up. As always, I am sure my colleagues from across the continent will network, do business and drive further cross-border collaboration,’’ she added.

  • Gates Foundation to host 200 SDGs leaders in Johannesburg

    •Femi Kuti, Beyonce, Jay-Z to perform at Mandela concert

    TWO hundred emerging leaders from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries will gather in Johannesburg, South Africa this weekend to discuss progress being made on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Goalkeepers Conference.

    The Goalkeepers are people working towards the implementation of the SDGs in their various communities.

    The conference, holding Saturday for the first time in Africa courtesy of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will feature speakers such as Graça Machel, United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed; President of Global Policy and Advocacy at the Gates Foundation Mark Suzman and actor, director and philanthropist Tyler Perry alongside young leaders, including Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, Botswana Bogolo Kenewendo  and Chief Innovation Officer, Govt of Sierra Leone David Moinina Sengeh.

    A statement by the organisers also noted that Johannesburg will also host the Global Citizens Concert on Sunday to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s post-humous 100th year birthday at the FNB Stadium.

    Music stars like Beyonce, Jay-Z and Femi Kuti are expected to perform

    at the concert.

    Goalkeepers was launched by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2017 in partnership with Project Everyone to accelerate progress towards the global goals, using powerful stories, data and partnerships to highlight progress achieved.

    It was also design to hold governments accountable and bring together a new generation of leaders to address world major challenges.

    The U.S. event is hosted by Bill and Melinda Gates and takes place annually alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

     

  • AFCON 2019: Supporters Club in South Africa to support Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Supporters Club in  South Africa says it will be in Cameroon to cheer the Super Eagles during the AFCON tournament.

    Nigeria booked a place after playing a one-all draw with South Africa in a Group E match played in Johannesburg on Saturday.

    Nigeria is leading the group with 10 points while South Africa is second with nine points.

    Libya is third with seven points while Seychelles is the last in the group with one point.

    Osita Okeke, the Chairman of Super Eagles Supporters Club in that country, told the Agency on the telephone from Johannesburg that members of the club were happy with Nigeria’s qualification.

    “Members of the supporters club join other Nigerians to celebrate Nigeria’s qualification for the AFCON tournament.

    “Though two goals scored by Nigeria were disallowed; we are still happy with the qualification,” he said.

    Read Also: Premier League launches easports competition for gamers

    Okeke said that the South African chapter of the club would begin early preparation to ensure that Super Eagles get total support in Cameroon.

    “We will meet soon to start preparing for the AFCON tournament. But, we will liaise with our national body before going to Cameroon.

    “We appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence early preparations for the tournament in Cameroon,” he said.

    Okeke said the club was delighted that the  Super Eagles team was made up of young players, adding that the team had performed well under the tutelage of manager, Gernot Rohr.

    The chairman commended the NFF for ensuring that the Eagles qualified for the AFCON tournament after missing the last two editions.

    NAN

  • MTN shares up 2% on possibility of reduced repatriation

    South Africa’s MTN Group shares rose as much as 2.55 per cent after the Nigerian central bank said it might reduce the $8.1 billion it had ordered the telecoms firm to repatriate to Nigeria.

    At the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Monday, MTN shares were up 2.03 per cent to 85.50 rand as early as 0837 GMT, due to the possibility of reducing the repatriation demand by MTN.

    Read Also:$8.1b: CBN raises MTN’s hope

    MTN and the central bank are in a dispute over the transfer of $8.1 billion of funds which the bank said the company had sent abroad in breach of foreign-exchange regulations.

    Godwin Emefiele said on Sunday the CBN may reduce the amount it had ordered MTN Nigeria to repatriate.

    Emefiele said, while addressing reporters in London that new documents provided by the telecom company would help to reduce the size of the claim.

    “I don’t think it will be staying at $8.1bn.

    “I want to believe that the figure will reduce. Whether it will be dropped completely, I honestly cannot say at this time,” he added.

    Emefiele said the central bank had received documents about two weeks ago from MTN and four lenders involved in the case.

    The lenders are Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Citibank and Diamond Bank, adding that the apex bank was in communication with all parties involved.

    “The central bank will be examining these; then it will be escalated up to my level,” he said, adding that he expected to get the results in a couple of weeks,” he said.

  • Plane crash in South Africa injures 20 – emergency services

    An aircraft crashed outside South Africa’s capital Pretoria on Tuesday, injuring 20 people.

    At least one of them is in a critical condition, emergency medical services ER24 said on Tuesday.

    Read Also:Court summons Zuma’s son over fatal car crash

    ER24 posted a picture on its Twitter feed of passengers being helped out of a plane downed in a field.

    It is thought to have happened in the residential neighbourhood of Derdepoort in Pretoria, close to Wonderboom Airport.

    NAN

     

     

  • Xenophobia: South African mob burns another Nigerian alive

    The Nigerian Community in South Africa has announced the killing of Clement Nwaogu, who was burnt alive by a mob in the latest xenophobia attack in that country.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Mr Habib Miller, confirmed the killing from Pretoria in a telephone interview with our reporter in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    He said the victim, a native of Njikoka in Anambra and an upholsterer in South Africa, was attacked and killed by a mob in Rustenburg, North West Province.

    Miller said that the victim was murdered in cold blood over his accent and habit, which the mobsters supposedly found offensive.

    “The mob descended on him like a common criminal with all sorts of dangerous weapons in the presence of South African police officers.

    “Eyewitnesses say the victim beckoned for help from the police to intervene and help him, but they turned a blind eye.

    “When Nwaogu could no longer persevere, he ran for safety; the mob chased and caught him, poured petrol on him and set him ablaze,” he said.

    Miller said that the mob then left Nwaogu when they thought he had died.

    The spokesman said that shortly after the mob left Nwaogu that some passersby called emergency personnel, who later took the victim’s charred body to the hospital.

    “The eyewitnesses feeling that the victim was still alive called for help; unfortunately, Nwaogu could not survive the ordeal and died at Job Shimankane Hospital in Rustenburg,” he said.

    In another development, Miller said that 14 Nigerians, who protested the killing of a fellow citizen in that country’s North West Province in February, are still in detention.

    He said the police officers murdered the Nigerian in cold blood on Dec. 17 after failing to extort money from the victim.

    Miller said that the police officers had since been released on bail while those who protested the killing were still languishing in detention.

    “Our legal team is doing everything possible to facilitate the release of the protesters.

    “We are worried that nothing has been done by the Nigerian government to stop the killings.

    “We once again call on the Nigerian mission in South Africa to do the needful urgently because things are getting out of hand.

    “The union with its legal desk will follow up the matter with the appropriate institutions until justice prevails,” he added.

    Nwaogu was married to a South African and was blessed with two children; aged three and five years.

    Our reporter recalls that the killing of Nwaogu follows extra-judicial killing of another Nigerian, ThankGod Okoro, 30, by the South African Police Flying Squad.

    Okoro, a native of Ogbaku in Awgwu Local Government Area of Enugu, was shot dead at Hamburg, Florida West Rand, Johannesburg on April 9.

    Records show that no fewer than 118 Nigerians have been killed in South Africa since February, 2016.

    NAN

     

  • WHO appoints Toyin Saraki as special adviser

    Wife of the President of the Senate, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, has been named as special adviser to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO).

    The Media Office of Toyin Saraki, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said the appointment was made earlier this month by WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.

    “This move is intended to bring Mrs Saraki’s considerable frontline experience to bear on WHO’s strategy and policy.”

    Read Also: APC moves to reconcile Buhari, Saraki, others

    Toyin Ojora-Saraki had since accepted the appointment based on the Advisory Group’s focus on women and children’s health and in view of her role as a global champion for Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).

    “I welcome the Advisory Group meeting’s focus on the health of women, children and adolescents as flagship indicators for Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) progress.

    “As a global champion for UHC, I advocate for a fuller understanding of its benefits, which go beyond health outcomes and include improved gender equality, higher levels of preparedness for epidemic outbreaks and transformative economic effects.

    “As Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives, I particularly welcome the introduction of WHO AFRO’s focused curriculum for the professional qualification education of Midwives and Nurses in Africa,” she said.

    “I am looking forward to hitting the ground running in my new role as special adviser at the Independent Advisory Group meeting this week in Johannesburg.

    “The experience I have gained as Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, working closely with our midwives on the frontline, as part of the global Every Woman, Every Child Strategy to end all preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, including stillbirths, by 2030, will inform my advice to the WHO,” she added.

    NAN