9 Authors Make It To 2016 Etisalat Literature Prize

January 4, 2017

Nine authors, mostly first-time writers whose books were published in the past 24 months, have been nominated for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature.

Helon Habila, chair of the judging panel of the panel, has announced the 2016 longlist of nine books. They are Mr. and Mrs. Doctor by Julie Iromuanya (Coffee House Press, USA), The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo (PanMacmillan, South Africa), Piggy Boy’s Blues by Nakhane Toure (Blackbird Books imprint of Jacana Media, SA), The Peculiars by Jen Thorpe (Penguin Random House, USA), Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John (Cassava Republic, Nigeria), And After Many Days by Jowhor Ile (Farafina an imprint of Kachifo Limited, Nigeria), Dub Steps by Andrew Miller (Jacana Media, South Africa), The Seed Thief by Jacqui L’Ange (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa) and Nwezelenga: The Star Child by Unathi Magubeni (Black Bird Books Imprint of Jacana Media, South Africa).

The Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who endorsed the judges’ carefully moderated selection process, said:“The novels in this year’s longlist represent a good number of African publishing companies. Each novel reflects a very interesting and dynamic perspective that will provoke intense conversations about different personal and societal issues.”

The judging panel, comprising Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila (Chair), South African writer/activist, Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer and Africa39 laureate, Edwige Rene Dro, now has the task of selecting three authors for the shortlist, which will be unveiled in December.

The winner of the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be announced in March 2017 and will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia to be mentored by renowned Professor, Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.

Etisalat Prize for Literature is a pan-African prize that celebrates debut African writers of published book-length fiction. Previous winners include Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo in 2013 for her novel We Need New Names, South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlangu in 2014 for Penumbra and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila, whose book Tram 83 won the Etisalat Prize in 2015.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature also incorporates an award for Flash Fiction; an online-based competition for non-published African writers of short stories. [myad]

Mysterious Object Approaching Earth, Space Agency Announces

Greenbarge Reporters

January 4, 2017

The American space agency has announced that two mysterious objects, which are yet to be identified, are approaching Earth. It said that the agency recently spotted the said massive space objects hurtling towards Earth.

While the American space agency has pinpointed one as a comet, the other has left it slightly more baffled. The comet is set to fly close to Earth this week, but the mystery object isn’t expected to make an appearance until February this year.

The object, dubbed “2016 WF9,” was detected by NASA’s asteroid- and comet-hunting NEOWISE project on 27 November 2016. It is roughly 0.3 to 0.6 miles (0.5 to 1 kilometres) across and is in an orbit that takes it on a scenic tour of our solar system.

Reports said that while the mysterious 2016 WF9 is dark like a comet, it appears to lack the characteristic dust and gas cloud that defines a comet and that on 25 February, 2017, WF9 will approach Earth’s orbit at a distance of nearly 32 million miles (51 million kilometres) from our home planet.

NASA said however, that the object is “not a threat to Earth for the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, the other object, which has been firmly classified as a comet could be visible this week.

Reports further said that at the object’s farthest distance from the sun, it approaches Jupiter’s orbit, adding that over the course of 4.9 Earth-years, it travels inward, passing under the main asteroid belt and the orbit of Mars until it swings just inside Earth’s own orbit.

After that, it heads back toward the outer solar system.

However, NASA scientists are not sure whether it is a comet or an asteroid but Deputy Principal Investigator, James “Gerbs” Bauer at NASA’s JPL said that “2016 WF9 could have cometary origins.”

He added: “this object illustrates that the boundary between asteroids and comets is a blurry one; perhaps over time, this object has lost the majority of the volatiles that linger on or just under its surface.”

The comet, C/2016 U1 NEOWISE, “has a good chance of becoming visible through a good pair of binoculars, although we can’t be sure because a comet’s brightness is notoriously unpredictable,” said Paul Chodas, manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object (NEO) Studies at JPL.

Those in the northern hemisphere may be able to spot the comet in the southeastern sky shortly before dawn this week. It is moving farther south each day and it will reach its closest point to the sun, inside the orbit of Mercury, on 14 January, before heading back out to the outer reaches of the solar system for an orbit lasting thousands of years. [myad]

Man, 27, Allegedly Steals Church Money

Greenbarge Reporters

January 4, 2017

A 27-year-old unemployed man, Williams Eromosele, is alleged to have stolen the sum of N9,200 from a Catholic church offertory box in Lagos.

Eromosele, who has been charged before Magistrate A. A. Adetunji of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge of stealing and breach of peace, was however, granted bail in the sum of N150,000 and two sureties in like sum.

Prosecuting police officer, Corporal Friday Mameh, had told the court that Eromosele committed the offences at about 11:00 a.m. on January 3, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Musa Yar’dua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mameh said that the defendant committed sacrilege by dipping his hands in the offertory box and stealing the money, saying that by unlawfully entering the church to steal, the defendant had conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

The offences, Mameh added, contravened Sections 166(d) and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

But Eromosele pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate Adetunji adjourned the case to January 25 for mention. [myad]

Senator Ekweremadu Warns ECOWAS Not To Apply Military Action Against Jammeh

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2017

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has warned the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) against military action in the Gambia following that country’s presidential election.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu on Tuesday in Abuja, the Senate deputy president said that such action could plunge the country into bloodletting and threaten the peace of the sub-region.

Nigeria’s deputy president of the Senate advised the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, as well as the international community to explore dialogue and to allow the Gambian laws to prevail as a sovereign nation.

Ekweremadu, who is a former Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament), also called for sanctions, in line with the traditions and relevant Protocols of ECOWAS.

According to him, sanctions should be considered in the event that dialogue and judicial options fail, adding: “from Liberia to Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, among others, West Africa has seen so much bloodletting and political instability.

“Heavy destruction of lives and property has been visited on the sub-region by insurgency and terrorism, which remain present danger to the peace and security of West Africa.

“Instructively, what normally started like child’s play often resulted in protracted, but avoidable political upheavals and fratricidal wars.”

The deputy president of the senate advised major stakeholders, particularly the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, to tread with caution, even as he called for respect of the laws of the country, which allowed for judicial intervention in electoral disputes.

“We must all acknowledge the fact that Gambia is a sovereign state. If her Constitution and electoral laws allow for judicial role in resolving electoral disputes, then the Gambian constitutional courts must be allowed to count in resolving the political impasse.

“If the Gambian laws are preempted and her sovereignty breached, it could set a bad and crisis-triggering precedence.

“The sub-region must uphold the rule of law for the sake of the peace, stability and prosperity of Gambia.

“We must take all necessary steps as a sub-region to steer the West African nation and indeed the entire community away from any looming bloodshed and monumental destruction.”

Ekweremadu commended ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for the concern and commitment toward resolving the political situation in Gambia. He also commended the efforts made by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the political situation in that country.

He called on the Gambian authorities to ensure the protection of the fundamental and political rights of all Gambians and the opposition, to avoid escalation of the crisis. [myad]

They Sacked Me Because I Refused To Share Money – Impeached Abia Speaker

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2017

The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Martins Azubuike, has alleged that his colleagues impeached him last week because he refused to share money meant to execute some projects in the state to them.

Azubuike, who spoke at a reception by his community, Umunneato-Ngwa, a socio-cultural body said: “I chose to deploy available funds to projects and not sharing it among members.”

The group comprises three sister-local government areas of Osisioma Ngwa, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South of the state.

Martins Azubuike argued that he did not commit any impeachable offence but was removed because he did not agree to the demands to share allocations to the house among the members.

Azubuike, then a third-term legislator, listed the projects executed during his more than one year tenure as Speaker to include the completion of an office complex for the 24 legislators which was started in 2007, the computerization of the operations and a website for the Assembly to enable members to track its activities from within and outside the complex. Procurement of vehicles for the members and two buses for committee assignments by members. [myad]

Nigeria To Commit N270 Billion In Rehabilitation Of 50 Bridges

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2017

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said that Nigeria is planning to commit the sum of N270 Billion towards the rehabilitation of about 50 bridges across the country over three years period.

The minister, who spoke to news men in Lagos today after inspecting some roads and bridges under maintenance, said that many of the bridges in Lagos and across the country have suffered neglect as they have not been undergoing routine maintenance.

Fashola said that the current administration is determined to correct the trend and that it had begun the process of maintaining about 50 bridges across the country “if it receives the support of the legislature.

“Many of the bridges we built in the country over the last four, five decades have not been under any form of maintenance.”We now have a three-year plan affecting over 50 bridges across the country for maintenance, repairs and restoration. And it is going to cost about N270 billion over three years.

“Our plan is to start with about N70 to N100 billion in year one; starting with the very critical ones so that they do not collapse and then we move to the less critical ones.”

Fashola, who inspected Lagos Ring Road Bridge Abutment and Approach to the Third Mainland Bridge project today, said that some columns and beams of the Third Mainland Bridge were threatened because of human activities, sand filling and ecological factors which resulted in erosion.

“The work we have come to inspect was awarded some years back when there was an indication of some mis-alignments here on the Lagos Outer Ring Road which is the beginning of what leads on to the Third Mainland Bridge itself which is just about here.

“And it is being caused by erosion, sand filling and other activities. This road has moved as a result of some sub-soil displacement,’’ Fashola said.

He said that the project which was slowed down by lack of funds would be completed in November. [myad]

Ex Gov Oshiomhole Pays Thank-You Visit To President Buhari At Aso Villa

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2017

Immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole has paid a thank-you visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential Villa, Abuja today, Tuesday.

Oshiomole, who spoke to news men shortly after a closed door meeting with the President, said that he was at the Aso Villa to formally appreciate the president for coming three days to his departure to commission some signature projects executive by his administration.

The ex-governor said that another reason for his visit to the Villa was to wish the President happy birthday.

Speculation however had it that Oshiomhole’s visit to the President might not be unconnected with the possibility of being absorbed in the Buhari’s Federal Government, taking a cue from Buhari’s statement when he visited Benin to commission projects executed by the ex governor.

The President had said: “It will be a pity to waste his energy by him retiring. I hope there will be a higher assignment for him to do more for the nation. I congratulate the governor for his hard work; Oshiomhole is a hard working governor. We will need his services in Abuja.”

President Buhari also said at the occasion: “You deserve a place in history. I hope the APC will look for a place for you because your service for the country is far from over.” [myad]

Political Logjam In Gambia: Electoral Boss Flees The Country As Tension Builds

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2017

Gambia Electoral Commission Chairman, Alieu Momar Njai, has fled the country as he was said to have received threats after declaring President Yahya Jammeh the loser of a December 1 election. It is not known where the electoral chief ran to.

Reports have it that tension is building up in Gambia and that the streets of the country’s capital, Banjul, have been deserted due to a boycott, out of fear of outgoing Jammeh’s decision to challenge the presidential election result.

Many shops remained closed, while residents stayed indoors and children did not attend school due to a heavy military presence in the city and its outskirts.

Gambians fearfully awaited Jammeh’s next move, after the ruling party filed a petition to challenge the result of the December 1 vote.

The ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) said the election should be annulled in a document handed to the registrar of the Supreme Court.

The petition was filed after an African Union (AU) delegation met with Jammeh, hoping to persuade him to hand over power to president-elect Adama Barrow.

However, Gambia’s Supreme Court is currently not operational with only one sitting judge, after Jammeh fired two others earlier this year.

In addition, all court houses have been closed throughout the poverty-stricken West African nation, as the Gambia Bar Association went on strike in protest against Jammeh’s refusal to bow out.

A wide range of professional bodies and Civil Society Organizations and various human rights groups have added their voice to the calls for Jammeh to respect the election result.

The Chairman of the African Union (AU), Mr. Idriss Deby, had expressed full support for the decisions adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of State on the political situation in The Gambia.

In a statement issued in Addis Ababa and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, Deby commended the Heads for their “principled stand with regards to the situation in The Gambia.

He said the AU is in full support of the decisions reached at the meeting held in Abuja on Dec 16, including “the consideration to use all necessary means to ensure the respect of the will of the people of The Gambia.” [myad]

Jigawa Assembly Sacks Speaker

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2017

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has sacked its Speaker, Hon. Idris Garba. He was quickly replaced with Alhaji Isa Idris who represents Gwaram Constituency.

The Clerk of the House, Alhaji Hussaini Ali had earlier announced that he received an impeachment notice signed by 25 of the 30 members. He read the notice on the floor of the House.

Ali said that the speaker was impeached as a result of what members called his high handedness and abuse of power.

The Deputy Speaker Garba confirmed that 25 of the 30-member assembly endorsed the impeachment notice and that it met the constitutional requirement of two third to impeach any of its principal officers.

“With this development, I hereby declare the seat of the Speaker vacant and a fresh election should be conducted to elect the new speaker.”

Immediately after the announcement of the speaker’s impeachment, two members– Alhaji Isa Dutse of Dutse Municipal constituency and Isa Idris of Gwaram constituency– were nominated for the election to replace him and Isa Idris defeated Isa Dutse with 12 to six votes.

The new Speaker promised to run an open door policy and solicited members support and cooperation. [myad]

60 Die As Rival Drug Gangs Fight In Brazilian Prison

Greenbarge Reporters

January 2, 2017

No fewer than 60 people have been killed in a bloody prison riot in Brazil, sparked by a war between two rival drug gangs in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus.

The riot began late Sunday and was brought under control by around 7am on Monday as Authorities are said to be counting the prisoners to determine how many had escaped.

The massacre was the latest clash between inmates aligned with the Sao Paulo-based First Capital Command (PCC) drug gang, Brazil’s most powerful, and a local Manaus criminal group known as the North Family.

The Manaus-based gang is widely believed to be attacking PCC inmates at the behest of the Rio de Janeiro-based Red Command (CV) drug gang, Brazil’s second largest.

Security analysts have said that a truce that held for years between the PCC and CV was broken last year, resulting in months of deadly prison battles between the gangs and sparking fears that chaos will spread to other prisons.

In the latest riot, a group of inmates exchanged gunfire with police and held 12 prison guards hostage late on Sunday in the largest prison in Manaus, an industrial city on the banks of the Amazon River, Globo TV reported.

Fontes said that 74 prisoners were taken hostage during the riot, with some executed and some released.

A video posted on the website of the Manaus-based newspaper, Em Tempo showed dozens of bloodied and mutilated bodies piled atop each other on the prison floor as other inmates milled about.

The riot is said to be one of the worst violence in years in Brazil’s overcrowded prison system.

The head of security for Amazonas state, Sergio Fontes, told a news conference that the death toll could rise as authorities get a clearer idea of the scale of the rebellion sparked by a fight between rival drug gangs.

Manaus’ Em Tempo newspaper reported that several of the dead had their decapitated bodies thrown over the prison wall.

International watchdog groups sharply criticize Brazil for its prison system, where overcrowding is the norm and deadly riots routinely break out.

Brazil’s prison system is precariously overcrowded and conditions in many institutions are horrific. That has sparked a rash of deadly riots in recent years.

Sunday’s riot was the deadliest in more than two decades. A 1992 rebellion at the Carandiru prison in Sao Paulo state saw 111 inmates killed, nearly all of them by police as they retook the jail.

(NAN). [myad]

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