The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kenya

  • Zimbabwe Tour spurred our resurgence in Namibia, says Okpe

    The two wins recorded by Nigeria over Namibia and Kenya at the ongoing ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers have been attributed to the 10-day playing tour of Zimbabwe put together by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF).

    Speaking after being awarded the player of the match in the opening win against Namibia at the weekend, Sylvester Okpe said the trip to Zimbabwe aided the team’s good run so far in the competition.

    “When we came we were all fired up to do well and I had to contribute my quota to the success of the team against the Namibians.

    “We must also thank God for making it possible for us in the match and I must also say a big thank you to Zimbabwe cricket for the 10-day tour because we really learnt a lot from them. I must also acknowledged NCF for taking us to Zimbabwe for the tour and I must it really helped us a lot against the Namibians and we hope we can maintain the momentum as the tournament progresses,” an excited Okpe said.

    Today, the best two teams of the competition will go up against each other as Nigeria takes on Uganda in what could be described as battle of two giants to determine to top team in the competition so far.

    Uganda will face a humdinger of a clash against unbeaten Nigeria, who are regarded as the surprise package of the tournament after outmuscling Namibia and Kenya.

    Nigeria caused the main ripple on the opening day, ground out another 58-run victory over Kenya. Batting first, Nigeria notched 201 for four. Olayinke Olaleye struck a well-paced 73, while Captain Sylvester Okpe also passed the 50-mark, in another team performance. Kenya battled gamely, but were restricted to 143 for nine. The wickets were shared around, as Nigeria again emphasised the sincerity of their ambitions this week.

  • Buhari sympathises with Ethiopia, others over tragic air accident

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed profound shock at the plane crash involving an Ethiopian Airliner bound for Nairobi, Kenya, in which all the 149 passengers and eight crew members died.

    On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, the President extended his sincere condolences to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, the people of Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, China and all other nations who lost citizens in the air disaster.

    The President also commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed God Almighty to grant the gentle souls of the departed eternal rest.

    Reacting to the accident in Daura, Katsina State on Sunday, Buhari said: “Such large scale loss of human lives in a single incident is shocking beyond words.

    Read Also: Buhari’s second term will be better – Adiukwu

    “I am profoundly touched by this devastating report of air accident involving one of the world’s most successful and efficient Airlines.

    “Given its remarkable safety record, this couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ethiopian Airlines.”

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also said “Like every other African leader, I am proud of the fact that Ethiopian Airlines represents one of Africa’s success stories.”

    The President hoped that the tragic accident will not have a negative effect on Ethiopian Airlines’ passion for excellence.

     

     

     

  • Survey: Nigeria, Kenya to lead Africa’s economies

    Nigeria and Kenya have been projected to lead African economies in the next 20 years, according to CNN viewers.

    CNN yesterday asked its viewers to vote the countries they think would lead Africa in the said period.

    According to the tallied vote, 43 per cent said Nigeria would while Kenya garnered 41 per cent of the vote.

    South Africa was at position three with nine per cent followed by Ethiopia at seven per cent.

    The question was posed by CNN’s business reporter Richard Quest while he was interviewing Kenya Airways Board Chairman Micheal Joseph.

    The report followed in the wake of the World Bank projecting positive prospects for Kenya’s economic growth.

    The Bretton Woods institution said the country is on an upward trend despite the hitches staged by the disputed 2017 election.

  • Kenya warns against unlicensed online forex trading

    Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) warned Kenyans on Monday against online foreign exchange trading through unlicensed entities, saying they risked losing their investments.

    Paul Muthaura, CMA’s Chief Executive, said he observed several individuals and entities carrying on the business of an online foreign exchange broker or a money manager without the relevant licence by the Authority.

    “The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has issued only one license to EGM Securities Limited (formerly Execution Point Limited) to operate as a Non – Dealing Online Foreign Exchange Broker,” Muthaura said.

    Read Also: Alleged N30.8bn fraud: Fayose pleads not guilty

    CMA said it planned to take appropriate action against any person conducting online foreign exchange trade illegally and had therefore asked anyone affected by the activity to report to it.

    It directed all online foreign exchange brokers or money managers not licensed by the Authority should cease trading immediately.

  • Visa on arrival: 38,000 passenger processed at Lagos Airport

    No fewer than 38,000 passengers including potential investors have been processes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos  under the Visa On Arrival scheme and Ease of Doing Business policy rolled out by government in the last one year sources close the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) has revealed

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the bulk of the passengers are investors and tourists seeking business opportunities in the country.

    An immigration source told The Nation that many investors are latching on the The immigration source  said investment is booming in the country as more and more investors are finding their way to the West African country to trade and do other forms of businesses investing both funds, technology.

    According to her,  the over 38,000 came in from all over the world but there were frequent influx from countries including  the United States, China, Britain, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and a host of others.

    She said, “The visa on arrival is seriously helping and It is a good omen for this country. The Nigeria Immigration Services has done something great and this has helped access of investment as people will make their application and come in and pay for it, instead of going to the embassy.”

    Read Also: Row over missed flight at Lagos airport

    On the duration of the Visa, she explained that the VOA, has always been a duration of one month, stating that once approval was granted by the Comptroller General, the approval has a two-week validity.

    “You only need approval from the Comptroller General to get the VOA. in fact, once the approval is given, it has a validity of two weeks, if not used within that time, you start the process of re applying for approval. However, when you have approval and everything is done the duration of the visa is one month. It is also renewable,” she told our reporter.

    She also said that enlightenment is still ongoing for those that seek greener pastures by hook or crook, stating that the trend is reducing but that the service at all borders are trying to dissuade young ones from taking that route.

    “Human trafficking has reduced, not only at the airport but at other border posts. We cannot say it is completely eradicated but we are doing all we can to make sure we reduce it.”

  • NDIC Boss elected as new Chairperson of IADI

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim, has been elected the new Chairperson of the Africa Regional Committee (ARC) of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI).

    The NDIC made this known through a statement by its Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Mohammed Kudu Ibrahim.

    According to the statement, “Ibrahim was elected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IADI-ARC which was a prelude to the IADI Technical Assistance Workshop being hosted by the Corporation in Lagos.

    “The election was a unanimous decision of the body following the expiration of tenure of the current Chairperson and former Chief Executive Officer of the Deposit Protection Corporation of Zimbabwe, Mr John Chikura.

    “Also elected as the ARC Vice-Chairman during the AGM was Mohamud A. Mohamud, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC).”

    Read Also: NDIC to host IADI workshop in Lagos

    The election of Ibrahim marks the second time that Nigeria will lead the IADI-ARC. The immediate past MD/CE of the Corporation, Alhaji Ganiyu Ogunleye was earlier elected as Chairperson of the body.

    It further added that, “According to members, the unanimous decision to elect the NDIC Boss was in recognition of his achievements, requisite knowledge and experience in the Deposit Insurance System (DIS) which they belief will impact positively on the other members from Africa. They expressed optimism in his qualities and wealth of experience to effectively provide the desired leadership for the ARC. With the election of Ibrahim, the secretariat of the body effectively relocates to Nigeria until the end of his tenure.

    “The AGM also discussed other important issues relating to the growth of the DIS in the African Region and financial system stability.

    “Updates from African countries that recently established DIS and as well as those currently in the process of setting up the scheme were also presented at the forum.

    “Apart from Nigeria, the host country, other nations in attendance at the AGM include Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Swaziland, Rwanda and the West Africa Monetary Union Deposit Protection Board (WAMUDPB) based in Senegal.”

    It would be recalled that Umaru Ibrahim was elected twice into the Executive Management Committee of the IADI. His second term is yet to expire.

  • Africa stands still as AMVCA crowns deserving film persons

    In what has become a Mecca for African movies, celebrities from across the continent trooped to the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday. The occasion was the sixth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA).

    Anchored by IK Osakioduwa and Minnie Dlamini, the event which saw 29 awards given out, started with a performance by Niger-Delta dance troupe, Seki. It was witnessed by movie stars, filmmakers and celebrities from across Africa. Glitz and glamour was the word as they turned out in colourful and daring fashion to the event which was beamed live by Africa Magic channels.

    And for the first time, Kenya movie, ‘18 Hours’, which won Best Movie East Africa carted off the Best Overall Film award, making history as the first East African film to achieve that. It was a national celebration as the producer Phoebe Ruguru, writer and director Njue Kevin, flanked by other Kenyans, came out to receive the award.

    The Kenyans won four other awards including Best documentary award – The Flesh Business by Dennis Wanjohi, Best actress in a comedy award – Nyce Wanjeri ‘Auntie Boss’, Best picture editor – Mark Maina ’18 Hours’ and Best indigenous film (Swahili) – Sarika Femi Lakhani ‘Supa Modo’.

    Nigeria’s Jade Osiberu was awarded Best Director for her role in Isoken, and honoured this year with the Industry Merit award was veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani while former Big Brother Naija housemate won the Trailblazer award which came with a brand new car. This was just as lawyer turned hip hop sensation, Falz, won his second AMVCA by snatching the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in ‘New Money.’

    Tatu got four awards –  Kolade Morakinyo (Best Sound Editor), Evelle (Best Soundtrack Movies/TV Series), Thelma Ozy Smith & Hakeem Effect (Best Make Up Artist) and Akpe Ododoru, Tunde Akinniyi (Best Lighting Designer Movie/TV Series) – the most of any film for the night.

    The winners’ list also included Omotola Jalade Ekeinde – Alter Ego (Best Actress in a Drama/TV Series), Adjetey Anang – Keteke , (Best Actor in a Drama/TV Series), Odunlade Adekola – A Million Baby (Best Actor in a comedy Movie/TV series), Okafor’s Law – Yinka Edward (Best Cinematography Movies/TV series), Lydia Forson – Isoken (Best Supporting Actress), and Isoken – Jade Osiberu, (Best Movie West Africa).

    Others are The Road to Sunrise – Shemu Joyah (Best Movie Southern Africa), This Is It – Dolapo Adeleke (Best TV series (DRAMA/COMEDY)), Lotanna – Tunji Afolayan (Best Art Director), Penance – Micheal Ama Psalmist’ Akinrogunde (Best Short Film/Online Video), and Mansoor –AliNuhu (Best Indigenous Language Movie / Tv series (Hausa)), Etiko Onigedu – Femi Adebayo (Best Indigenous Language Movie / Tv series (Yoruba)), BOUND – Lilian Afegbai (Best Indigenous Language Movie / Tv series (Igbo)) and Alter Ego – Patrick Nnamani & Moses Ingwang (Best Writer Movie / Tv Series).

    Powered by MultiChoice, the 2018 AMVCA was sponsored by Konga, Heritage Bank, H20h and Airtel among others.

  • Roadside blast kills five soldiers, injures 10 others

    Five soldiers were killed and 10 others seriously injured in eastern Kenya early Wednesday.

    The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and government officials have confirmed the incident which took place at around 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) along the Kiunga and Sankuri road in coastal county of Lamu.

    No group has claimed responsilibty for the attack.

    NAN reports that on Aug. 8, five soldiers were killed in an attack claimed by the Somali group al Shaabab in Lamu County on Kenya’s north coast.

    The local government official in the county, who asked not to be named, said the attack occurred between the areas of Majengo and Bodhei.

    He said five soldiers were killed after their truck ran over an improvised explosive device.

    “We heard a blast. Shortly after, KDF choppers were patrolling in the air,” the official told Reuters.

    Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Lt.-Col. Paul Njuguna told Reuters that six soldiers were injured, two critically, in the explosion but none were killed.

    It was not immediately clear why the accounts of the KDF and the county official differed.

    Abdiasis Musab, al Shabaab’s spokesman for military operations, said the group was behind the attack on the KDF convoy, and put the number of those killed at nine.

    Kenyan officials say the group often exaggerates casualty figures.

    The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab aims to topple Somalia’s U.N.-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam.

    They have intensified attacks in Kenya since it sent troops into Somalia in 2011.

    The group has launched several attacks, including ones in which they have beheaded people, in the past year in the coastal county.

    Kenyan security officials say the militants have used the Boni forest straddling the Kenya-Somalia border as a hideout and base for attacks.

  • Kenya’s deputy chief justice arrested on corruption allegations-police

    Kenya’s deputy chief justice Philomena Mwilu was arrested on Tuesday for corruption allegations, failure to pay tax, and improper dealings with a local bank now in receivership, the police and the country’s top prosecutor said.

    Noordin Haji told a news conference that Mwilu had abused her office for personal gain, undermining public integrity in the judiciary.

    Read Also: Kenya’s fiscal deficit to drop to 5.7 % of GDP

    Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti told Reuters in a text message: “I can confirm the arrest of the deputy chief justice.”

    Reuters was unable to immediately contact representatives of Mwilu.

  • 19 Nigerians arrested in Kenya for fraud

    THE Kenya Police yesterday arrested 19 Nigerians residing in Nairobi for alleged involvement in electronic fraud, Standard newspaper of Kenya reported.

    The suspects were arrested in Umoja, Kasarani and Roysambu Estates within Nairobi for engaging in electronic fraud targeting Kenyans.

    Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said the suspects targeted their victims through the social media before they embarked on lying to them.

    “The fraudsters start by befriending you on social media (Facebook) and once you accept the friend request they initiate a friendly chat that promises the victim goodies to be sent through DHL at the airport,” he said.

    “The following day a call will be made and someone will pretend to be an attendant at the DHL office.

    “They will tell the victim to pay clearance fees for the same parcel they claim to have sent to a person.

    “Immediately you send the money through Mpesa another call is made requesting for some more money for other documentation and taxes.

    ”After paying the dues demanded, your calls demanding for your parcel will not be picked. That is the time you realise that you have been conned. This is therefore to warn members of the general public against such fraudsters.”

    The swoop followed a barrage of complaints filed with police over the incidents. One victim told police he had been promised an Iphone.

    He paid Sh70,000 for the gadget.

    During the swoop, several electronic gadgets were recovered from the suspects’ houses.

    Some of the suspects had come to Nairobi as students and as businessmen.