The Nation Newspaper

Tag: South Africa

  • Xenophobia: Two Nigerians stabbed to death in South Africa

    The death toll of Nigerians killed in South Africa has continued to rise with another two being the latest victims in ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreigners in that country.

    It was learnt that the latest victims – Bonny Iwuoha and Goziem Akpenyi – were stabbed to death during xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town on April 5 and April 6.

    The Assistant Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Union in South Africa (NUSA), Odefa Ikele, confirmed the killings in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Johannesburg on Monday.

    Ikele said: “The Nigerian community lost two citizens to gruesome murders over the weekend. Mr Bonny Iwuoha, 48, from Ihitte/Uboma in Imo State, was stabbed to death at about 11:45pm on April 6, in Johannesburg South.

    “We gathered that his assailants followed him from 152 Hay Street Turffontein, and thereafter, stabbed and killed him in front of his gate at Turf Road, Turffontein.

    “The killing was witnessed by Mr Izochukwu Nwokocha, also known as, Nwa Father,” he said.

    Ikele said the killing had been reported and a case of murder opened at Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg South.

    He said that another Nigerian, Goziem Akpenyi, also lost his life in similar circumstance on April 5.

    Read Also: Xenophobia at South African Embassy

    The NUSA spokesman said: “Akpenyi was allegedly stabbed to death by three unknown coloured South African men after an argument with the deceased.

    “The incident took place at Bellville Stadium parking lot in Cape Town at about 1 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

    “These latest killings add to four other Nigerians who were shot dead in March. Three of the victims were murdered in Sunnyside, Pretoria and one in Balfour Park, Johannesburg.”

    Ikele said that NUSA was concerned over the incessant killings of Nigerians and worried that the perpetrators had not been brought to book.

    According to him, the arrest and prosecution of the culprits by the South African Police would put to a stop the daily killings of Nigerians.

    “We call on the Nigerian Government to impress on their South African counterpart that the killings have to be investigated and the culprits prosecuted,” he appealed.

  • Two Nigerians stabbed to death in South Africa

    The death toll of Nigerians killed in South Africa has continued to rise with another two being the latest victims in ongoing xenophobic attacks on foreigners in that country.

    The latest victims were stabbed to death during xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town on April 5 and April 6, 2019, respectively.

    The Assistant Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Union in South Africa (NUSA), Mr Odefa Ikele, confirmed the killings in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Johannesburg on Monday.

    ”The Nigerian community lost two citizens to gruesome murders over the weekend.

    ”Mr Bonny Iwuoha, 48, from Ihitte/Uboma in Imo state, was stabbed to death at about 11:45 p.m. on April 6, 2019 in Johannesburg South.

    ”We gathered that his assailants followed him from 152 Hay Street Turffontein, and thereafter, stabbed and killed him in front of his gate at Turf Road, Turffontein.

    ”The killing was witnessed by Mr Izochukwu Nwokocha, also known as, Nwa Father,” he said.

    Ikele said the killing had been reported and a case of murder opened at Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg South.

    READ ALSO: Community decries killing of Nigerian in South Africa

    He said that another Nigerian, Goziem Akpenyi, also lost his life in similar circumstance on April 5, 2019.

    ”Akpenyi was allegedly stabbed to death by three unknown coloured South African men after an argument with the deceased.

    ”The incident took place at in Cape Town at about 1 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019.

    ”These latest killings add to four other Nigerians who were shot dead in March. Three of the victims were murdered in Sunnyside, Pretoria and one in Balfour Park, Johannesburg,” he said.

    Ikele said that NUSA was concerned over the incessant killings of Nigerians and worried that the perpetrators had not been brought to book.

    According to him, the arrest and prosecution of the culprits by the South African Police would put to a stop the daily killings of Nigerians.

    ”We call on the Nigerian Government to impress on their South African counterpart that the killings have to be investigated and the culprits prosecuted,” he appealed.

  • Union confirms release of 8 Nigerians abducted in S/Africa

    The Nigerian Community in South Africa has said that eight of its members abducted by South Africans in Evander, North-West of Secunda in Mpumalanga Province of that country were released early on Wednesday.

    Mr Adetola Olubajo, the President of Nigerian Union in South Africa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria that the abducted Nigerians were released following pressure by the union on the South African authorities.

    Olubajo said that Nigerians at Evander in Mpumalanga Province had informed the union about attacks on Nigerians in that province.

    “According to witnesses and one of the survivors, Evander locals went on rampage in the early hours of April 2 and attacked businesses and property owned by Nigerians.

    “The mob arrested eight Nigerians and took them to an unknown destination,’’ he told NAN.

    Olubajo said that the union had informed the Nigerian mission in South Africa about the incident, urging them to intervene and put an end to the attacks on Nigerians.

    He also urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain calm, law abiding and avoid acts capable of putting them in trouble or tarnishing the image of the country.

    Read Also: Community decries killing of Nigerian in South Africa

    Earlier, Mr Christopher Ogugofor, the leader of the Nigerian community in Evander, said on telephone from Mpumalanga on Wednesday that the Nigerians were abducted from their shops on Tuesday.

    “They (South Africans) started attacking and looting our shops on March 29. But on Tuesday, April 2, they took away eight of our members to unknown destination.

    “They were taken to an unknown destination and no ransom was demanded.

    “We reported the incident to the Nigerian Union. For now, we have taken protective measures and some of our members are in safe places out of the town,’’ he said.

  • Community decries killing of Nigerian in South Africa

    The President of the Nigerian Community in South Africa, Mr Benjamin Okoli, has decried the killing of a Nigerian, Mr Ire Chinello by  an unidentified assailant on March 31 in South Africa.

    Okoli, who gave this information in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja, described the killing, which he said was cult related as senseless.

    He said that the killing was not a xenophobic attack but a cult related crisis among Nigerians living in South Africa.

    Okoli explained that the deceased, popularly called Ire, was shot and killed at Sunnyside Pretoria, South Africa in what appeared like a cult related killing.

    “There has been a spate of cult killing among Nigerians that had claimed so many lives, as many as no fewer than 25 Nigerians lost their lives over a period of less than two years.

    READ ALSO: Presidency worried over killing of another Nigerian in South Africa

    “This senseless killing has reduced us to near nothing in the eyes of the South Africans and the police, who see us as killers, cultists, fraudsters and drug dealers.

    “It makes the police not to take our cases serious, having considered it a good riddance to bad rubbish.

    ”Our appeal, however, to the South African authorities is that the police must consider every case and investigate same on its merit with the aim of bringing the culprits to justice,” he said.

    The Consul General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr Godwin Adama, who decried the killings said the situation had assumed an alarming rate.

    “The killing of Mr Ire Chinello, a case of cult related killing at Sunnysidde Pretoria; eyewitness account indicated that he was killed by unidentified gunmen, who fled the scene.

    “Cult related killing among Nigerians has assumed an alarming proportion in South Africa,” he added.

  • 2020 ICC Cricket World Cup: Nigeria won’t add to number in South Africa – NCF

    Expected to line up against top cricket playing nations at the 2020 ICC World Cup holding in South Africa, the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) believes despite being a debutant, the Nigeria team would not be adding up to numbers at the global showpiece.

    According to International Cricket Council (ICC) qualification guidelines, the top eleven full members of ICC at the 2018 World Cup qualified automatically for the tournament; Ireland were the only full member to fail to qualify automatically. The qualified teams will be joined by the winners of the five regional qualification tournaments and Nigeria became the first team to win their regional qualification group, and qualified for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup for the first time in their history.

    Being the 13th edition of the U-19 Cricket World Cup holding in January and February 2020 and it is the second to be hosted by South Africa, Nigeria as debutant will be third African teams aside South Africa and Zimbabwe and the Secretary-General of NCF, Taiwo Oriss believes with adequate preparation, the team would make an impression at the tournament.

    Read also: Victorious U-19 cricket team returns to Nigeria

    “It has been an outstanding moment for the team as we did not get the victory cheaply. We cannot afford to miss through the last game against Sierra Leone and we thank God we could make it at the end of the day. We are so excited and we are sure the government would support cricket, and ensure that the team is well prepared for the World Cup. We will not be going to the World Cup to mark attendance but to put up a good show like this again,” Oriss said.

    However, captain of the victorious team, Sylvester Okpe admitted that the final match against Sierra Leone nearly scuttled their chance of making it to the World Cup.

    “I was surprised with the Sierra Leoneans because they shut the game after we had an early wicket. There was kind of pressure among the players and I think getting their lines and guys that were initially not bowling started picking up. Even with this, I had faith in the team that we can make it at the end. Also the wind did not help us at all and that was like made me scared. But I must admit that a lot still need to be put into our preparation for the World Cup,” Okpe said.

    Team Manager, Joseph Onoja believes the feat achieved by the team was divine, while also commencing the team for putting up a good fight. “Nigeria should be patient with this team and I am sure the senior team will also rediscover their form at global stage,” Onoja said.

  • It’s a new dawn for cricket in Nigeria, says NCF boss

    The feat achieved by the Nigeria’s U-19 cricket tea at the just concluded ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Namibia has been described as a new dawn for the sport in the country as the Sylvester Okpe-captained side became the first Nigeria team to qualify for a cricket World Cup.

    After emerging the overall winner at the six-nation qualifiers held in Namibia following their unbeaten run in the competition, Nigeria became the first team from the continental championship to join top playing cricket nations like Pakistan, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe and host – South Africa as teams that had already booked their places at the global championship holding in 2020.

    An excited President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Professor Yahaha Ukwenya described the feat as a new dawn for the sport. “As a President, it is great and incredible and I cannot believe the boys have done this. We trained them to be true Nigerians, tough in character and spirit and not giving to anybody and to tell everybody that we are Africa’s largest nation and some of the toughest human beings from the continent are from Nigeria and they played that way. But we had no idea that they will get this far and by match by match, they fought and came out victorious,” Ukwenya said.

    For the coach of the team, Uthe Ogbimi, the feat did not come on a platter of gold. “It has been a long trek coming all the way from last year to qualify from the division two to division one and to come to division one and clear everybody is indeed so massive in our heart. We want to thank the federation for allowing us to go to Zimbabwe for a playing tour against strong opposition and it indeed lifted the game of the players. I think Nigeria should celebrate and corporate bodies should rally round the team to support us for the World Cup.”

    An elated Okpe said: “We had a little up and down in the game and we must thank God for the success here in Namibia. This qualification means a lot to me and it is the best moment in my life since I started playing cricket particularly to be part of the first Nigeria team to qualify for any cricket World Cup. We will go back to drawing to check our mistakes and correct it before the World Cup.”

  • Bafana qualifies for 2019 AFCON

    Bafana Bafana of South Africa are through to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Libya in their final qualification match at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri stadium in Sfax, Tunisia yesterday.

    Needing only to draw in order to progress to the finals, Stuart Baxter’s side took a 50th minute lead through Percy Tau.

    However, Ahmad Benali converted a penalty in the 66th minute to give South African fans an anxious closing 24 minutes of play.

    Tau eased their fears, however, with his second of the match in the 69th minute as Bafana held on to secure a famous 2-1 victory.

    Bafana qualified second behind Nigeria in Group E and will take their place in the 24-team finals to be played in Egypt between June 21 and July 19.

  • 2023 W/World Cup: South Africa battles for hosting right

     

    After successfully hosting the 2010 World cup, South Africa have again indicated interest in hosting the 2023 edition of the Women’s world cup.

    World soccer ruling body FIFA confirmed the Rainbow Nation’s bid on Tuesday the thus bringing to nine the number of countries interested in hosting the event.

    Other countries in the running for the hosting right include Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, South & North Korea and New Zealand.

    Although all documents relating to the bid are expected to be in the custody of the world soccer ruling body by October 4th 2019, decision on which country eventually gets the nod will not be made until March 2020.

    South Africa will be banking on her wealth of experience garnered in the course of hosting the world in 2010, the first time the African continent will be hosting the prestigious tournament regarded as the highest celebration of soccer excellence.

    The women’s world cup made its debut in 1991 with China hosting the very first edition which the United States won beating Norway in the finals.

    Other countries that have hosted the championship in include Sweden 1995, USA 1999 and 2003,China 2007, Germany 2011, Canada 2015 while this year edition has will hold in France.

    Although Africa is yet to host the Championship Nigeria has participated in all the editions of the women’s world cup posting an impressive outing in 1999 in the USA where the Falcons made it to the quarterfinals losing 4-3 to Brazil after extra time.

    Interestingly Bayana Bayana of South Africa who will be participating in this year’s edition in France, are qualifying for the event for the first time in 25 years after finishing as runners up in the African Women Nation cup in Ghana.

  • Stanbic IBTC, Eland Oil & Gas in N18b deal

    Stanbic IBTC Holdings and its parent company, Standard Bank Group of South Africa, have partnered with Eland Oil & Gas, on a new accordion facility and increased borrowing base of $50 million, about N18 billion.

    The facility is being underwritten by Stanbic IBTC Bank and Standard Bank while Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited will act as a joint bookrunner. An accordion facility is essentially an incremental facility, which allows a borrower to take an additional facility over and above what was originally agreed with the financier on the same terms as the original facility for expansion purposes.

    In November 2018, Eland Oil & Gas, an oil and gas production and development company operating in West Africa with an initial focus on Nigeria, had announced that it had successfully refinanced its existing reserve-based lending facility with a new five-year syndicated RBL facility in an amount of $75 million, with the option to increase it to up to $200 million via an accordion, subject to incremental production and reserves.

    Stanbic IBTC stated that the deal was an opportunity to support Eland Oil & Gas’ business expansion drive in the oil and gas industry.

    Stanbic IBTC stated that it would continue to leverage its excellent investment banking pedigree as well as the strength of its franchise in the Standard Bank Group, the largest financial institution in Africa, to consummate such big ticket deals that will not only help businesses grow but also help deepen key industries.

    Stanbic IBTC reiterated its commitment, in line with the Stanbic IBTC Group’s value proposition and investment banking pedigree, to continue to assist businesses with high quality advisory and arranging services that will enhance their growth and expansion prospects by providing access to a diverse range of financing options.

    The oil and gas company announced that following a redetermination, the borrowing base amount increased from $103 million to $134 million and an initial accordion increase of $50 million is being underwritten by Standard Bank of South Africa and Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, resulting in the commitments under the facility increasing from $75 million to $125 million. Of the commitments, $50 million is currently drawn.

    Chief Financial Officer, Eland Oil & Gas, Ron Bain, who spoke on the deal, said the large increase in borrowing base on the company’s RBL facility, demonstrates the hugely accretive quality of the new wells drilled on the OML 40 asset and the growth in value they bring to shareholders.

    “Since refinancing the RBL in 2018 into a longer-term facility, we have the flexibility to diversify the capital structure of the company leveraging our position comfortably within our debt parameters and lowering the overall cost of capital,” Bain said.

    Standard Advisory London Limited and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, as bookrunners, have been mandated to manage the primary syndication of the initial accordion increase. Principal repayments are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2019. This is consistent with the statement in the November RNS that there is a one-year grace period on principal repayments from execution of the facility, which occurred in November 2018.

     

     

  • 2019 South African Women’s Open: Unfazed Oboh continues quest for glory in SA

    Georgia Oboh returned to South Africa where she started her first professional season after competing in two Ladies European Tour (LET) tournaments in Australia to continue her quest for glory at the Investec 2019 South African Women’s Open at the Westlake Golf Club in Cape Town.

    The tournament tees off today.

    At her last outing in Australia, the 18-year-old finished tied 113 out of 137 players on the New South Wales Ladies Open, which was a big improvement from her previous tournament but missing the cut nevertheless.

    However, Oboh is pleased with her improved performance and playing 78/78 over the two days and this was not enough to make the cut of +3, she played +14 over the two days.

    Having witnessed some improvement in her shot making where she had two difficult holes on each day that attributed to +10 in total and that would have put her within striking distance of the cut but she is positive that lessons have been learned on her part.

    According to the Edo State-born golfer, one of such lessons would be to arrive earlier and get acquainted with the golf courses as well as the environment well in advance of the tournaments, admitting that this was not easy for her this year due to funding deficit.

    She alluded that she and her team would aim to seek the required funds from other sources as the promises they had this year were not fulfilled in enough time to get the necessary preparatory work done
    For now, Oboh is still the only Nigerian member of the Ladies European Tour in its 41 year history to date and is hoping that this will attract interested parties to support her funding requirements.

    For the South African Women’s Open, Oboh was invited by the organizers based on her exploits in the last two years. Being the biggest ladies golf professional event on the African continent and co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour, Oboh said she is excited to be invited for the top class tournament. “I am very happy to have been invited to the three Ladies European Tour events so early in my career and this is awesome. This has given me the opportunity to learn from the more experienced seasoned professionals,” Oboh said.

    Defending champion – South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai will be gunning for a fourth trophy as she returns to Westlake Golf Club in Cape Town to defend the title in the co-sanctioned event between the LET and Sunshine Ladies Tour.