SEED To Open Its First West African Center In Accra

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The Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies (SEED) will on July 18, launch its first regional innovation centre in West Africa in Accra to promote economic businesses in the sub-region.

The project aims at stimulating economic opportunities, including job creation, by scaling high-potential local and regional businesses as well as establishing a sustained physical presence with training and resource facilities.

Dr Tralance Addy, Executive Director of SEED made the announcement on Monday when he paid a courtesy call on management of the Ghana News Agency to brief the Agency on the project.

He said the project will involve 30 selected businesses in West Africa drawn from C?te d?Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Senegal among other countries, to begin a customized program designed to address local needs.

The programme will focus on emerging businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start businesses so as to build their capacities to enhance sustainable economic growth.

Dr Addy said the criteria for the selection of companies that would participate in the program would include those that have a focus on Agriculture, Education, Water and Sanitation, Health and Energy.

Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Dr Bernard Otabil, General Manger of GNA applauded the SEED initiative, and indicated that the Agency would continue to support national projects that would lead to socio-economic transformation.

He said the Agency would put its wide network of journalists at the project?s disposal, adding that media organisations that depended on the GNA for news needed to be fed with credible, objective and accurate information that would help transform the society in a positive way.

The General Manager announced that the Agency was introducing new products such as the GNA Mobile, an on-demand access to news and other relevant information. The Agency would also establish a media training centre where journalists who wished to upgrade their professional skills would enroll on various programmes, he added.

Source: GNA

Government?s health promises to be checked by CSOs

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President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama

The Universal Access to Health Care Campaign on Monday reminded Government of its manifesto promises on health, saying development takes time so it should take action now to fulfill them.

Acknowledging Government?s commitment to improving Ghana?s healthcare, the Campaign members admitted that six-month in office was too short a time to carry out proper evaluation of progress made so far, but also noted that steps being taken now showed the level of commitment to the promises.

The Campaign is driven by a network of local and international NGOs, including the ARHR, ISODEC, Essential Service Platform, SEND Ghana, the Coalition of NGOs in Health and Oxfam, for quality and accessible health services for all, free at the point of use.

Briefing the media in Accra, Dr Steve Manteaw, the Campaigns Coordinator, raised pertinent questions regarding specific promises made by the ruling National Democratic Congress Government under President John Mahama administration it its political party manifesto.

On training of medical practitioners to reduce patient-doctor ratio where government had promised increase resources, the Campaign asked how many doctors could be trained and whether beneficiaries were coming from the deprived areas with its allocation of GH?11.3 million in the 2013 budget.

It said no specific action had been taken so far by government on its promise of doubling the number of Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound from 1,600 to 3,200.

The Campaign commended government for securing GH?175 million to construct six new district hospitals at Sekondi, Abetifi, Kumawu, Dodowa, Fomena and Garu Tempani, but asked when these projects would commence.

On expanding existing midwifery and nurses training colleges and establishing new colleges in under-served areas, the Campaign lauded Government for taking appropriate measures to provide anti-retroviral drugs to persons living with HIV/ AIDS even when donor funds dwindled further.

?To give meaning to this; Government is supporting the new National Strategic Plan with GH?150 million?.

It said no action had been seen yet to implement policies on the integration of traditional medicine into the health care delivery system in compliance with the provisions of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act, 2000, Act 575.

The Campaign, however, commended government for extending the on-going free Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) distribution programme to attain the 2005 Abuja target of 60% of children sleeping under insecticide treated nets.

Government has allocated GH?15.0 million to support the Malaria Vector Control Programme (Labiofam).

Promises on nutrition (the good food for good life campaign) and non communicable diseases, it said no concrete action had been taken so far.

Government has also promised to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) truly national by phasing out the District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes. This the Campaign said had improved efficiency in the provider payment mechanisms and roll-out capitation nationwide.

?The list is long and six months has already passed. It is clear the Government has much ground to cover over the next four years if it is to adhere to its promises.

?For this reason, we do not expect government to achieve all the promises in just one or two years? time, but over the four year period. For us, the most important thing is that these promises are fulfilled by the end of 2016.?

Source: GNA

UNESCO Has Observed That Africa Is Growth At A Dynamic Rate

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizational (UNESCO), on Monday said Africa is growing at a dynamic rate with several challenges, but needs peace and stability for sustainable development.

Madam Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, said the organization, therefore, aims at promoting global peace and sustainable development for the benefit of mankind.

She made these remarks when he made a working visit to the Ministry of Education in Accra, to interact with Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, the sector minister.

Madam Bokova lauded Ghana for attaining ?goal one? of the Millennium Development Goal, which according to her, served as a model for other countries to emulate.

She said UNESCO?s gender mainstreaming covered the areas of competence in education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information.

She urged Ghana to remove all bottlenecks hindering the education of the girl-child and to promote technical and vocational education to facilitate the socio-economic development of the country.

Madam Bokova said Ghana had the right vision for her developmental agenda and UNESCO would continue to support the country.

He that many nations were facing challenges such as social inclusion in terms of economic growth, and Ghana?s free school union distribution was a laudable initiative.

Prof. Opoku-Agyeman said government?s policy on Capitation Grant, Free Exercise Books distribution, among others was to make education affordable to all Ghanaians.

She urged the media to partner with government in promoting vocational and technical education, saying that studying of Science and Mathematics would be given due attention to attract more students to pursue those subjects.

Prof. Opoku-Agyeman said ??our understanding of Science, respect for culture, communication and information technology are relevant for sustainable development.??

She hailed Madam Bokova for her impressive performance as the Director-General of UNESCO, adding that wherever disaster occurred on the globe, her Organization was always present to give a helping hand.

The Minister expressed her appreciation to UNESCO for the numerous benefits the nation has being receiving over the years.

Source: GNA

Marriage by abduction must be made punishable offrnce

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Nana Oye Lithur - Minister for Gender & Social Protection

Nana Oye Lithur ? Minister for Gender & Social Protection

ActionAid Ghana is advocating the abolishing of marriage by abduction calling for the practice to be made a punishable offence by the end of 2014.

The international NGO committed to fighting poverty and injustice in society, made the call to the leadership of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs and urged them to take steps to abolish the practice.

Mr. George Dery, ActionAid Upper West Programme Manager, spoke on behalf of the organisation during a presentation of educational materials valued at GH?6,000.00 to some abducted girls, who were rescued and sent back to school by the Community Based Anti-Violence Teams (COMBAT) in the region.

Mr. Dery believed the chiefs could help abolish the practice in the region, saying they did that for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

According to Mr. Dery, data gathered by COMBAT on abduction in 57 communities in the Sissala East, Jirapa and Lambussie-Karni districts indicated that in 2011 and 2012, 57 and 51 girls were abducted respectively.

Mr. Dery said marriage by abduction breached the rights and freedoms of the girl child as enshrined in the various international human rights instruments.

?The practice, apart from denying the girl-child her right to education, is also illegal in all forms. It breaches the African Charter on Children Rights, Children?s Act and the 1992 republican Constitution of Ghana?, he stated.

The ActionAid Programme Manager is therefore appealing to all stakeholders including chiefs, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, NGOs as well as groups and well-meaning individuals to collaborate effectively to eliminate such a negative socio-cultural practice against young girls in the region.

Mr. Israel Akrobortor, the Regional Director for the Department of Children, called on parents to take full responsibility of the proper upbringing of their children so they did not become victims of negative socio-cultural practices.

Mr. Akrobortor appealed to people of the region to support the Police to fully prosecute perpetrators of such crimes in order to serve as a deterrent to others in society.

Mrs. Mary Hammond, Programme Officer, Girls Education Unit, who lamented the plight of the girls, also called for proper sanctioning of perpetrators of such crime, but added that it could only be achieved if all agreed abduction was a crime.

She said the Unit was doing its best to ensure that all girls went to school including victims of negative socio-cultural practices such as abduction and elopement.

Mr. Richard Boadu, Plan Ghana Upper West Area Programme Manager, said his organisation would be willing to continue to support the girls at any level of their education if ActionAid decided to pull-out.

He reminded the girls that they also had a duty to continue to learn hard in school so they could benefit from such support to complete their education.

Source: GNA

First anniversary programme line-up for late Mills released

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Late Prof John Atta Mills

Late Prof John Atta Mills

The Planning Committee for the first Anniversary of the passing on of late President John Evans Atta-Mills has announced the programme of activities to mark the event.

The programme include a Choral Concert at the National Theatre on Sunday July 21, to mark the birthday of the late President Atta-Mills.

On Monday July 22, there would be the first in the series of Annual Atta-Mills Memorial Lectures at the Accra International Conference Centre.

A statement issued in Accra on Monday by Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Chairman of the Planning Committee said on Wednesday July 24, a remembrance ceremony would be held at the Asomdwee Park to observe the exact date and time of the passing away of the late President.

It said this would be followed by a an international hockey gala at the Accra hockey pitch.

It said on Friday July 26, there would be Moslem prayers and on Saturday, July 27, a foundation-stone laying ceremony would be held at Cape Coast towards the construction of the Atta-Mills Memorial Research Library, which would be affiliated to the University of Cape Coast.

The statement further said on Sunday July 28, a non-denominational Church service would be held at the Robert Mensah Stadium (Siwdu Park), Cape Coastm for the late President.

It also said Regional Ministers would, in conjunction with the Municipal and District Assemblies, organize activities to observe July 24, the day the President passed on.

?This will be in addition to other activities they may organise as they deem fit during the celebration period from July 21-July 28 this year,? it added.

Source: GNA

Policymakers asked to focus beyond food production

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Policy-makers must focus on more than just food production to ensure sustainable food supplies for the earth?s growing population, a new paper published by the Journal Science, has argued.

The paper urges a rethink of the increasingly popular policy goal of ?sustainable intensification?, which aims to produce more food per unit area in ways that exert less pressure on the environment, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

While this is important, the authors of the publication say is too simple a definition and it ignores other radical changes that are also required to tackle waste, improve governance and resilience and reduce the resource-intensity of consumption.

Dr Camilla Toulmin, Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and co-author said: ?Sustainable intensification ? as policymakers currently understand it ? does not guarantee food security.?

?We need a new and more sophisticated definition; one that is clearer about what sustainable intensification can and cannot achieve, about how and where it should be implemented, and about how it will interact with other important areas of food policy,? he added.

The authors identified five areas of policy making that national or international efforts to pursue sustainable intensification will affect ? biodiversity and land-use; animal welfare; human nutrition; rural economies; and sustainable development.

?To feed the world?s growing population, we must do more than simply produce more food per unit area in ways that exert less pressure on the environment,? says Dr Toulmin.

?We must also ensure that food is diverse and rich in micro-nutrients and that we make the right choices when allocating land for farm production or biodiversity.?

?We must ensure that sustainable intensification contributes to other important goals for rural development, such as climate-resilient livelihoods for poor farmers, and we must revitalise agricultural extension services and use modern communications tools to ensure that these farmers can participate,? he said.

Source: GNA

Superstition has no place in disaster management

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Flooding

Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai, Executive Director of Eanfoworld for Sustainable Development, a non-governmental organization (NGO), on Monday called on religious bodies and political leaders to stop ??using superstition and propaganda to interpret causes of disasters??.

He said the use of scientific approach to explore ways of dealing with disasters was indispensable: ?so let?s allow investigations into issues that require scientific approach?.

Alhaji Abdulai, who made the call in a statement, copied to the Ghana News Agency, expressed regret that although Ghanaians were largely religious; superstition and propaganda are mainly used to explain causes of disasters.

He observed that unfortunately, some religious leaders also attributed fire out break to God?s anger over Ghana for sins committed.

Alhaji Abdulai appealed to Ghanaians to carefully assess events in order to avoid accusing people wrongly.

He appealed for the resourcing of disaster management bodies with the relevant logistics and personnel to enable them to deliver their mandate.

Source: GNA

Ministers Code Of Ethics Launched

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President John Mahama President John Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama on Friday launched a book of code of ethics for ministers and other political appointees, with a call on them to strictly adhere to it, to avoid bribery, corruption and other malpractices, at Peduase.

The President also officially opened the on-going orientation course for deputy ministers from all the sectors of the economy.

He said although there various codes of ethics had been drawn up over the years to guide political appointees, the current one was to complement that efforts, and fully give the appointees the right atmosphere to perform their duties creditably in their areas of jurisdiction.

Apart from guiding the appointees to perform their responsibilities, the document would also guide all political appointees to eliminate ambiguities that had bedeviled activities of substantive ministers and deputies ministers at the various ministries and regions.

The booklet would also guide ministers and other political appointees: ?to do what is right and do things in the right way.?

President Mahama said the event served as the beginning of his periodic meetings, scheduled to review the performance of ministers and re-position themselves towards achieving the vision his administration had set up for the country.

He said government?s decision to sign performance contracts with Ministers was apt for them to achieve the government?s vision and development agenda for the next four years.

President Mahama said his administration abhorred unacceptable behaviour and expected all ministers to play their roles responsibly to avoid misconduct that could derail the development agenda of government.

He said the guidelines would demarcate ethical boundaries that would measure the performance of ministers, and urged them to eschew any activity that could plunge the image of government into disrepute.

President Mahama promised to periodically meet the ministers to appraise their performance.

Source: GNA

Ghana premiership trophy has been presented to Kotoko

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Kotoko

Asante Kotoko were on Sunday crowned champions for the 2012/2013 Glo-Premier League season after trouncing Ashgold 3-0 in a coronation match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

It was all joy as the Porcupine Warriors went into wild jubilation as captain Ohene Brenyah was presented with the trophy and players received their medals.

Kotoko amassed a total of 56 points in the just-ended league, bringing their title haul to 22.

Clad in their traditional red jerseys, the team paraded the trophy round the Stadium to the delight of their teeming supporters in appreciation for successful league defence.

The first half saw a determined Ashgold side bombarding the goal area of the homers with some swift inter-positional passes and defence-splitting moves, only to prove wasteful upfront.

Kotoko came into the second half a transformed side, and before Ashgold could settle midfielder, Issah Yakubu, fetched the first goal in 49 minutes.

Having broken the deadlock, the Porcupine Warriors developed the penchant for more goals which arrived when in-form striker Seidu Bancey scored the second goal three minutes on.

Ashgold came into the picture thereon, seizing the midfield and nearly reduced the goal tally in the 60th minute but Aaron Amoah?s volley from an Alhaji Sani in-swinger missed the target narrowly.

The visitors, came close to scoring three minutes later, however, Yusif Karim was an apology of himself as he ballooned the ball over the crossbar with only goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye to beat in a counter-attack.

Bancey sealed the doom of the visitors on the stroke of time, netting from Richard Mpong?s cross.

Source: GNA

Shop owner arrested By FDA for selling expired biscuits

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wpid-arrested.jpgFood and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Western Region has arrested a shop owner, Kwesi Jambo at Effiakuma, for selling expired biscuits and other confectionery.

The Western and Central Regional Zonal Manager of the FDA, Mr. Solomon Agampim, told the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi that Jambo was apprehended during a post-market surveillance exercise.

He said the suspect erased the dateline on the products and wrote new dates on them to deceive the public.

Mr. Agampim said Jambo would appear before court for selling unwholesome products, and if found guilty, would pay 7,000 penalty units or in default spend a minimum of four years in prison.

He advised Ghanaians to be vigilant when purchasing products from the market or supermarket.

Source: GNA

IMF Says Ghana’s Economy Is At A ?critical stage? in middle-income status

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has indicated that Ghana?s economy is at what it calls a critical stage of development.

In a 113-page report published late June 2013, the IMF noted that despite Ghana reaching a lower middle-income status, the economy still relies heavily on agriculture and natural resources and most jobs are in the informal sector.

According to the IMF staff report, Ghana?s concentration of exports on gold, cocoa and oil makes the economy ?vulnerable to terms-of-trade shocks?.

The Fund notes ?Ghana is at a critical stage in its economic development?.

The World Bank in July 2011 classified the economic status of Ghana as a low middle-income, moving from a lower income. This means the country has an average income of $1,006 to $3,975, according to the World Bank.

Although poverty and social indicators have improved significantly, the IMF report stated that about a quarter of the population still lives below the poverty line, and demographic trends will require the creation of six to seven million jobs in the next 20 years to absorb new entrants into the labour market.

The IMF urged the Ghanaian government to leverage the country?s strong governance and business environment and decisively tackle current growth constraints to diversify production toward manufacturing and higher-value agriculture.

It added that better infrastructure, improved access to credit, further investment in health and education, and sustained macroeconomic stability will be central to ensure Ghana?s continued robust and inclusive growth.

The IMF reports that Ghana?s risk of debt distress has risen, but remains moderate, provided the government successfully implements a sizeable fiscal adjustment.

By Ekow Quandzie/ghanabusinessnews.com

Property Owners at Tanokrom Kokompe Paid Compensation

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Businesses

Western Development Consortium Limited, a South African investment firm, has paid a total of GH?100,000 as compensation to property owners at Tanokrom Kokompe in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

The payment would pave way for the investors to start clearing the 21.5 acre land to start the construction of an ultra-modern shopping mall in the twin-city.

The Land Valuation Board conducted the valuation of the property and each property owner received an amount based on the value of his/her assets.

Mr. Peter Obosu, Director of Peekob Company Limited, who facilitated the payment, told journalists in Takoradi that it had conducted Environmental Impact Assessment and expected to start the project soon.

He said the investors had acquired a 58-acre land at the cost of GH?500,000 at Kansaweredo for relocation of artisans occupying the project site.

He indicated that the company would provide access road, electricity, toilet facility and other social amenities to facilitate the work of the artisans.

Mr. Obosu indicated that over 1,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs would be created with the construction of the shopping mall.

The Spokesperson for the property owners, Nana John Cudjoe, expressed satisfaction over the compensation and assured them of their preparedness to relocate to the new site.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has directed all artisans at Tanokrom Kokompe to relocate before July 15, to avoid forceful ejection.

Source: GNA

SA?s unsecured lending market faces rising asset-quality risks

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Moody's

Moody?s says South Africa?s unsecured consumer lenders are facing rising asset quality risks and higher loan loss provision expenses.

In a report titled, ?South Africa?s unsecured lending market faces rising asset-quality risks?, Moody?s says the lenders are facing the risks due to the challenging domestic operating environment, loan book seasoning; and the reduced flexibility of credit providers to take rapid remedial action to improve asset quality.

In a summary of the report emailed to ghanabusinessnews.com, Moody?s said it however, ?expects the sector to avoid a ?hard landing? scenario in light of the current moderate inflation and interest rate environment, as well as heightened regulatory scrutiny.?

Theofilou, a Moody?s AVP-Analyst and co-author of the report was cited as saying ?South Africa?s unsecured consumer lending market has experienced significant growth in recent years, following the introduction of the National Credit Act in 2007. This growth was also supported by the decline in interest rates to a near 40-year low, and strong nominal wage increases,? adding, ?However, the sector is now facing increasingly challenging operating conditions, which, combined with the seasoning of loan books, will lead to further asset-quality deterioration and higher loan loss provisioning expenses.?

Moody?s stated that against this background, recent data from South Africa?s National Credit Regulator show a continued deterioration in non-performing loans (NPLs) in the unsecured consumer lending market to 16.6% of total loans as of March 2013 (March 2012: 14.2%).

?Moody?s expects further asset-quality deterioration as a consequence of the challenging operating environment, including subdued economic growth and labour market unrest; the seasoning of loan books, following a 30% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) since 2007; and credit providers? reduced flexibility to take rapid remedial actions to improve asset quality, given substantially
increased loan sizes and tenors,? says Mr Theofilou.

The credit agency says it expects that the credit impact for large commercial banks will be limited as unsecured lending constitutes a small portion (around 5.5%) of their loan portfolios.

In contrast, however, Moody?s says it expects specialized unsecured lenders to be adversely affected by a deterioration in asset quality, but the agency differentiates between the larger rated unsecured lenders which will be cushioned by their sizeable capital buffers, high margins and strong underwriting capabilities; and smaller, less-sophisticated, non-bank unsecured lending providers (unrated), which remain the most exposed to a deterioration in asset quality, particularly because of their weaker underwriting capabilities and lower capital and profitability buffers.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi/ghanabusinessnews.com

UNICEF, Ghana collaborates to kick out old cultural practices

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Nana Oye Lithur - Minister for Gender & Social Protection

Nana Oye Lithur ? Minister for Gender & Social Protection

Ghana?s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, is working with the United Nations International Children?s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to develop a comprehensive national protection system towards the elimination of cultural practices that affects children and women in Ghana.

The sector Minister, Nana Oye Lithur, disclosed this during this year?s commemoration of the AU day of African Child celebration at Sherigu in the Kaseesna-Nankane East of the Upper East Region.

The function which had as its theme: ?Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices affecting Children; Our Collective Responsibilities?, attracted stakeholders, including chiefs and representatives from civil society organizations.

The Minister expressed regret that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), infanticide, child labour and forced child marriage among others affect the development of women and children.

Nana Oye Lithur said: ?FGM, which some people claim reduces pre-marital sex and extra marital sex among girls, rather result in infection, difficulty in giving birth, bleeding and subsequently death and force marriage also create a cycle of poverty?, she stressed.

She said the Ministry would intensify its sensitization towards the elimination of outmoded cultural practices.

Nana Oye Lithur asked traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and civil society organizations to work together to stop cultural practices that violated the rights of children and women.

She lauded Afrikids Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, for sensitising the Sherigu community to stop the killing of children perceived as ?spirit children?.

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme, said Government had put in place measures such as the enactment of the Human Trafficking Act 2005, the Child Regulations and Labour Act and the Domestic Violence Act to promote the welfare of children and women.

He called on MMDAs to lead the crusade of eliminating harmful cultural practices.

The Chief of Kandiga, Naba Henry Amenga?Etego, asked MDAs to pass by-laws to prohibit forced marriage, particularly in regard with girls who are withdrawn from schools for marriage.

Source: GNA

NORWACGG calls for more women in politics

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voter2

Political parties in the country have been asked to ensure that at least 30 per cent of all elected positions at the districts, regional and national levels are occupied by women.

The electorate have also been advised to vote for more women to occupy political positions instead of always giving preference to men.

Hajia Abiba Chambas, President of Northern Regional Assembly Women?s Caucus on Good Governance (NORWACGG), made the call at the launch of the groups? manifesto in Tamale on Monday.

The 34-page manifesto touched on women and education, economic empowerment, decision ?making, political participation and representation, healthcare, environment, rights and civil and chieftaincy conflicts.

The manifesto, titled: ?Pagaba kukoya?, literally meaning women?s voice, was developed by women from about 200 sub-groups in the region with support from the Northern Sector Acton on Awareness Centre (NORSAAC).

Hajia Chambas said women had the ability to help transform the district assemblies.

She asked Government to fulfill its constitutional mandate of providing Free and Universal Basic Education and to ensure free Senior High School education to help remove obstacles that impede women?s educational advancement.

On health, Hajia Chambas entreated Government to incorporate into the National Health Insurance Scheme a policy that would ensure the offering of anti-retroviral drugs to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) in the country.

She explained that this would help prevent HIV patients from developing full-blown AIDS and mother-to-child transmission during child birth.

Mr Mohammed Awal, Director of NORSAAC, said the region had no single woman occupying a political and administrative position apart from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Savelugu, Hajia Salifu Baforo.

He said ?It is on record that the North trails the other nine regions in terms of women?s representation in the country. Occasionally, people provide answers to unacceptable situations using cultural practices, religious affiliation and non-existence of educated and capable women in the region?.

Source: GNA

Former minister of Aviation to appear before court

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Court Orders Borishade,Two Others to Appear Tuesday

An Abuja High Court on Monday ordered Babalola Borishade, a former minister of Aviation to appear before it unfailingly on Tuesday.

The former aviation minister is standing trial alongside Rowland Iyayi,Tunde Dairo and George  Eider, an Australian, over the alleged mismanagement of the N5.2 billion Aviation Safe Tower contract.

Justice Abubakar Umar gave the order, after Borishade, Dairo and Iyayi, a former managing director of the Nigeria Airspace
Management Agency failed to attend their trial.

When the matter was called at the resumed hearing, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Counsel, Mr. Daniel Penda, told the court that the counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had served him with a letter seeking for an adjournment.

He said the adjournment was sought to allow Borishade attend the birthday ceremony of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

Penda told the court that only the fourth accused, Eider, the Managing Director, Avsatel Communications Limited, who is standing trial alongside Borisade, was in court.

Umar, who frowned at the absence of the accused persons and their counsel, said they were disrespectful to the court.

?The counsel should have come to court to explain the absence of the accused persons. But he chose not to.

?This is highly disrespectful. I am ordering that the three accused persons and their counsel appear in court unfailingly on Tuesday, July 9,? the judge said.

Electricity poles of Gomoa now homes to termites

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Danger looms on residents of Gomoa Nduem as twelve high tension electricity poles supplying power to the town have been virtually destroyed by termites and are on the verge of collapse.

Nana Kwame Arhin, Tufuhene of Nduem and his elders, conducted the Ghana News Agency round to inspect the destroyed poles on Saturday.

The Tufuhene said all the termites infested poles can fall at any time and the active power lines can unfurl untold disasters in the town adding that the untreated poles were erected in 1993 through a self-help project under the Rural Electrification Programme.

Nana Arhin said several petitions to the Winneba Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the ECG Regional Office in Cape Coast for replacement of the poles are yet to receive attention.

He said another petition to the Gomoa West District Assembly highlighting the imminent the danger and the precariousness of the situation has not also received any attention.

Nana Arhin said it would not be proper for these authorities to wait for disaster to occur before a solution is found to the problem.

He said ?the situation has become a headache to the people, we are sitting on time bomb that could explode and kill us any time?.

He, therefore, appealed to the Energy Minister to intervene in the matter to save them from their present predicament.

Mr Stephen Agyei, Winneba District Officer of ECG, in an interview with the GNA confirmed that the chiefs had sent a petition on the situation to the Company and this has been forwarded to Cape Coast Regional Office for action.

Source: GNA

Fani-Kayode Tossed Between Judges

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Keyamo Wants Fani-Kayode?s Case Transferred to Another Judge

Human right lawyer, Festus Keyamo has sought the transfer of the money laundering charges preferred against former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, to another judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos for trial.

The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia, therefore, on Monday, adjourned the matter sine die(indefinitely), pending the decision
of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta on the
transfer request.

Keyamo has been prosecuting the case on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission since the matter was first filed in 2008.

He had told Ofili-Ajumogobia on Monday that he wanted the case transferred from her because she had questioned his chamber?s authority to prosecute the case.

Keyamo said he had written a letter, a copy of which he said was sent to the court, to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, requesting him to take away the case from Ofili-Ajumogobia and re-assigned to another judge.

He said, ?The Supreme Court has said it again and again that it is bizarre when a lawyer appears before a court and the judge asks ?where is your letter??.

?The Supreme Court said it is bizarre for the court to ask that kind of question.?

Keyamo informed the court of the letter he had written to the CJ after he disclosed that he had received separate letters (fiat) from the Attorney-General of the Federation and the EFCC, affirming his authority to prosecute the case.

?As a consequence of that, we have written a letter to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer this matter from this court and to transfer it to another judge,? he said.

He urged the court to apply her discretion on whether to suspend proceedings in the case pending the ?advice of the CJ? or not.

Ofili-Ajumogobia, who refused an application by Fani-Kayode?s counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), to strike out the case, adjourned sine die (indefinitely), to await the CJ?s decision on the request for transfer.

Dr. Chris Ngige Makes Comeback To Politics

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Why I Want to Govern Anambra Again ? Ngige

Former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, has said he is contesting the state governorship election to uplift the people and give them a sense of belonging.

Ngige, who is gunning for the seat for second time, currently represents Anambra Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Addressing members of his federal constituency, Idemili North and South during a thank you meeting held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Nkpor at the weekend, Ngige said he is not vying just to be a governor.

Ngige said being governor or senator was no longer a big deal for him but the welfare of the people and development of the state.

?There is no big deal about being a governor any longer, I have been a governor before. My only desire in public offices is service; I seek to touch your lives in a positive way so that you would smile again.

?By the end of this month, we would formally launch the All Peoples Congress (APC) South-East zone in Awka, and we believe that it is the party that would make a difference here. APC will form the next government in Anambra State,? he stated.

E-ticketing To Replace Manual

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Managing Director, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola

Lagos State Government through the state’s Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, regulator of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, will from Tuesday commence the use of e-ticketing payment as part of ongoing re-structuring of BRT?s operations and management aimed at enhancing
effectiveness.
Managing Director, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen, said the measure was part of a  holistic plan at returning the BRT operations and experience to its once efficient and effective state when it was first launched in 2008.
Mobereola said the Lagos State Government was not unaware of
the challenges that commuters using the current BRT system were experiencing,
explaining that steps were currently being taken to ensure the restoration of
efficient and effective service delivery on the system and increase its capacity.
According to him, the e-ticketing payment was a solution through a payment card named ?Lagos Connect,? and would offer commuters several
options, saying, ?with the e-payment system, Lagos Connect, commuters in Lagos will pay as low as N20 per trip instead of N70. They would not need to struggle for change or lose their money, and the system is safe and convenient.”

ACN and PDP In War of Words

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ACN Denies Govs Shunned Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Reconstruction Flag-off

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as fallacious the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party?s governors in the South-west shunned last week?s flag-off of the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement, Monday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said only the Governors of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun were invited to the ceremony, therefore it is inaccurate to give the impression that all the ACN governors in the South-west were expected to be there.

It said while Gov. Ibikunle Amosun personally attended the flag-off, the Governors of Lagos and Oyo sent their deputies to represent them because both of them were out of the country at the time.

?How then could anyone who believes in the truth, and nothing but the truth, infer in a public statement that the governors shunned the ceremony because of politics?

“How difficult is it for a self-respecting party spokesman to check the veracity of the information at his disposal before feeding such to the public?

?Is it possible that a spokesman for a ruling party does not know that Deputy Governors can stand in for their principals even at statutory meetings like the National Council of State and the National Economic Council?

“Or does the PDP now believe that peddling outright lies is the way to go to give its flagging image a rebound?? ACN queried.

The party said the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Tony Okeke, has undoubtedly embarrassed his party and its leadership with the level of ignorance and amateurism he has so far exhibited on the job.

Illiterate Presiding Officer Gives Afari-Gyan Headache

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Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan

Star witness for the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan Monday struggled to state figures recorded on a particular collation sheet by an ?illiterate? presiding officer.

He was confronted with the pink by counsel for the petitioners Philip Addison who continued with his cross-examination of the witness in Day 40 of the hearing of the presidential election petition.

The contentious figure on the collation sheet comes from a polling station in Apenkrom in the Ashanti region

Addison had asked the witness to tell the court the number of votes written for John Mahama on an exhibit in the P-series. Dr. Afari-Gyan said on the pink sheet was written ?twenty-seven zero? in words but the figure appeared to be 270.

Addison then suggested to him that the zero there was an afterthought. He also suggested that other documents have been superimposed on the pink sheet.

Dr. Afari-Gyan responded he couldn?t say so. He nonetheless confessed that the presiding officer did a bad job.

Addison claimed there are several of similar pink sheets used in declaring the last election results.

It is possible, Dr. Afari-Gyan indicated.

Justice Gbadegbe urged the Electoral Commissioner never to recruit persons such as the one who filled the pink sheet in question because he/she may have been an illiterate.

In a post-court interview, spokesperson for the NDC Nana Ato Dadzie described the figures as ?completely outrageous and strange?.

Source-myjoyonline

Ex-convict Tagor Says Prisoner Transfer Is Normal

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Kwabena Amaning ‘Tagor’

An ex-convict, Kwabena Amaning aka Tagor who was jailed for his role in the MV Benjamin cocaine saga has asked friends and family of incarcerated Editor of the Searchlight Newspaper to remain calm.

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Ken Kuranchie

He also advised the jailed editor to face his prison sentence and frequent transfers ?as a man. He is a man; he should try and take it like a man.?

Ken Kuranchie has been transferred to a number of prisons since his incarceration by the Supreme Court for criminal contempt.

He has served in the Nsawam prisons, Ho Central Prisons and recently at the Kete-Krachi prisons.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Amaning who served his in majority of the country?s prisons said Mr. Kuranchie?s friends and family should stop worrying about his whereabouts.

According to him, the frequent transfer ?is a normal thing. In prison and people who have been victims know it?s a normal thing. It?s not just because of an individual or your position; it?s a normal thing that they do. So the family should calm down.?

Tagor as he is popularly known explained that the prison officers have Ken Kuranchie?s interest at heart because ?some people may want to hurt you so the prison officers might get a hint of it and then they will transfer you depending on situations but they have the right to transfer prisoners.?

Source-citifmonline

True Love Locates Bethany Hamilton

Kelly Menz
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Bethany HamiltonFeeling more confident about surfing among sharks than knowing she?d one day find true love was once reality for?surfing champ Bethany Hamilton, 23.? Fast forward 10 years after her shark attack accident ? in which she lost her left arm and 60 percent of the blood in her body ? and Bethany is now engaged to her prince charming, Adam Dirks, 25, a Christian youth minister.

 

Beaming at herself in an Anne Barge gown at?In Touch‘s?exclusive photo shoot on June 19, while trying on gowns at NYC?s Mark Ingram bridal shop, Bethany tells the mag, on newsstands now, ?I feel like a princess!?

 

An inspiration to millions by telling her story in her book,?Soul Surfer, Bethany reveals how she kept her faith and overcame her insecurities. ?I always felt it would be hard for me to meet someone because I?m different,? she confides in the new issue of?In Touch. ?To say I was completely comfortable looking at myself in the mirror and seeing one arm would be a lie. I just had to trust in God and know that he had someone special for me.?

?

When pals?set her up on a blind date with her now-fianc? Adam in May 2012, ?We jumped off a cliff,? the Kauai, Hawaii, native recalls of the unconventional?start of their romance. Eleven months later, Adam dropped to one knee on Bethany?s favorite beach. ?I cried tears of joy,? she says. ?Then I was in giggle mode the rest of the day!?

 

Bethany, who still competes professionally and is a spokeswoman for Zico coconut water, is happily planning her summer wedding ? and choosing to focus on creating new memories instead of dwelling on the trauma of the past. ?I?m living a fairy tale,? she gushes to?In Touch. ?I feel loved ? just as I am.?

 

Source-intouch

Alleged Ritual Murderer Nabbed

Kelly Menz
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wpid-IGP.jpg22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to sell his girlfriend for ritual purposes. The suspect, Samuel Dadson, had wanted to kill his 21-year girlfriend (name withheld) in Kumasi for him to easily transport the human parts needed for the rituals in Accra.

But the buyer, who was acting on police instruction, told Dadson to personally bring his girlfriend to Accra since it would take away the difficulty of having to transport the human parts of his girlfriend to Accra.

To protect the victim from being killed, the buyer also agreed to pay the GH?8,000 Dadson had demanded for the human parts of his girlfriend.

On July 3, this year, Dadson arrived with the girl at the VIP Lorry Station in Accra, where he was picked up by the police.

Briefing journalists in Accra yesterday, the Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Christian Tetteh Yohonu, said Dadson managed to convince her girlfriend, whom he met a month ago, to accompany him to Accra on a business trip.

On July 2, Dadson, who resides in Kumasi, is said to have picked a taxi in Accra and asked a taxi driver to help him to locate a Mallam who could assist him to make ?quick? money.

The taxi driver (name withheld) told him that he could lead him to a Mallam at Weija who could perform the rituals for him.

According to Mr Yohonu, Dadson, on July 3, this year, called the taxi driver with the information that he had two human heads and was offering them for GH?8,000 to any prospective buyer.

Shocked by the news, the taxi driver alerted the police, who then made him to contact Dadson that he has found a buyer.

The buyer asked Dadson to bring the items, including the victim, in the night on the said date to be killed in Accra.

The suspect agreed and said he was cash-strapped and needed GH?100 to be used as transportation to Accra.

Mr Yohonu said the money was sent to Dadson through MTN mobile money transfer at 2 p.m.

He said Dadson was arrested immediately after he alighted at the VIP lorry station in Accra, in the company of his girlfriend.

Upon interrogation, Dadson is said to have admitted and confessed to the crime.

The suspect and his girlfriend are currently at the regional police command, awaiting further investigations and possible prosecution of the suspect.

Is Business of Pastors Collection of Money?

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The Author Femi Aribisala

Have you noticed that the primary business of pastors is the collection of money? Every manipulative trick in the book is used to do this. The father of this disgraceful practice is Paul. Without a doubt, Paul is a past-master at manipulating churches for money. It is not for nothing he boasts to the Corinthians: ?Crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!? (2 Corinthians 12:16).

Mercenary Paul

Paul says Christians are ?indebted? to preachers: ?If the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.? (Romans 15:27). This self-serving principle provides the blueprint for the ?sowing and reaping? deception prevalent in the churches: ?Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.? (Galatians 6:6-7).

The deceiver here is Paul. For him, ?sowing? is not planting the word of God in our hearts according to Jesus? injunction.(Luke 8:11-15). It is not even giving to orphans or to widows. It is giving money to the so-called ?man of God;? in this case, Paul himself. You see the trick here? Paul fabricates a highfalutin religious principle primarily designed to get people to give him money. He says: ?Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ?You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.? (1 Timothy 5:17-18).

Since man is not an ox, this amounts to quoting Moses out of context. (Deuteronomy 25:4). Indeed, according to Jesus, we should not even expect a ?thank you? for our services: ?When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ?We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.? (Luke 17:10).

419 specialist

Paul barrages the Corinthians repeatedly. He says to them: ?If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.? (1 Corinthians 9:11-12).

The man is nothing but a 419 specialist. Paul says it is ?a right? to collect money from them, but he will not use this right. So why is he talking about it if not because he wants their money. Is he not, in effect, doing what he says he should not do- hindering the gospel- by asking them for money? Then he goes on: ?Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.? (1 Corinthians 9:14).

This is another one of Paul?s blatant lies. Surely, the Lord himself does not want the gospel to be hindered? All believers are required to preach the gospel. Does it mean, therefore, all believers should live by the gospel? Certainly not! Jesus? position is diametrically opposite. He says: ?Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.? (Matthew 10:8). This means we are not to insist on payment for spiritual services rendered.

Master manipulator

Paul?s tactic is to go around asking for money while protesting he is not: ?For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Okay Paul, why not leave it at that? But no! He goes on: ?I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.? (1 Corinthians 9:15-18).

Note the manipulation here. Paul says he would rather die than collect any money. But the reason why he is saying this is precisely because he wants them to give him money. We then discover he actually collects money without committing suicide, using another cunning rationalisation: ?Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.? (Philippians 4:17-19).

This is pure manipulative witchcraft from a very a smooth-operator. In a subtle but devious manner, Paul maintains when you give something to him, you are automatically giving it to God. This makes Paul God. The things sent to Paul were well-pleasing not to Paul, but to God. What witchcraft! He then says because they gave to him, his God will supply their need. The God in question here is apparently not ?our God? but Paul?s personal exclusive God. Does it mean God will not supply their need if they don?t give anything to Paul?

Paul?s robbery

Paul is unrelenting. He continues to harass the Corinthians in another letter: ?Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I ROBBED OTHER CHURCHES, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.? (2 Corinthians 11:7-10).

The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks! The same Paul who says he would rather die than collect money now reveals he ?robs? others of their money. So the problem with the Corinthians is that, in spite of his arm-twisting, they have not given Paul money. But Paul refuses to be denied. He says deceptively: ?For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! (2 Corinthians 12:13).

Haba! To what lengths will this man go to extort money from these poor people? How can they be inferior just because they refuse to give money to Paul? He then sends a gang of ?the brethren? to collect money from them willy-nilly, while insisting they must give it ?cheerfully.? (2 Corinthians 9: 1-6). Nevertheless, he continues to deny his actions: ?What I want is not your possessions but you.? (2 Corinthians 12:14).

Hold on to your wallets and purses boys and girls. Pastor Paul and his minions are after your money. They are full of trickery. Before you know it, you will be out of pocket.

Sir John Wanted For Contempt

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Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John

Justice William Atuguba, President of the panel of judges hearing the election petition has hinted the court will be considering the utterance of NPP General Secretary, ?Sir John? and others for contempt.

He dropped this hint Monday morning during an unusual but ominous opening statement on Day 40 of the Election Petition hearing.

Justice Atuguba made reference to a front-page publication by the Enquirer newspaper in which Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie also known as ?Sir John? is reported to have made contemptuous statements in respect of the justices.

He also referred to another comment made by an unnamed political commentator who is alleged to have said that, ?we shall cut the heads of NDC supporters if Supreme Court declares [president] Mahama winner?.

The judge condemned these statements. ?There is nothing to be gained by championing extremist liberty,? he noted.

Justice Atuguba is disturbed that last week?s sentencing of two persons in prison had not done much to discourage people from making contemptuous statements. ?More terrible things are coming?, he lamented.

Dragging people to court and punishing them is ?not a pleasant thing,? he said but added that there was ?a duty? on the justices to enforce the laws and deal with reckless comments scandalising the courts.

The presiding judge said the Court had requested the tape and promised the court will deal with the matter after listening to the comments attributed to the two.

The court has so far handed down three rulings for contempt. It banned Sammy Awuku of the opposition NPP, imprisoned Ken Kuranchie of the Daily Searchlight newspaper for 10 days and Stephen Atubiga of the ruling NDC for three days.

In this latest hint, it appears the list is set to grow.

Source-myjoyonline

Eyimba Beats Rangers

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Emeka Nwana’s late first half strike was all Enyimba needed to beat his ex-club Rangers in an ?Oriental Derby? at Aba on Sunday. 
Enyimba are now third on the table with 34 points from 21 matches. 

?Ayaya?, as Emeka Nwana is nicknamed, was playing his first game for Enyimba after he joined ?The People’s Elephant? for second round of the campaign and he headed home Saviour Fidelis cross for the match winner. 
In Ilorin, ABS FC played a barren draw with hosts Kwara United in the Ilorin Derby.

Gombe survives scare from 3SC with a 3-2 victory

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Gombe United survived a scare from 3SC with a 3-2 victory at home on Sunday in continuation of the Nigeria league. 
Gombe United now have 31 points, while 3SC have 26 points. 
Cyril Oriaku gave Gombe United the lead with a 10th minute penalty, before Chima Akas equalised in the 35th minute. 
Experienced Oliver Agbo put the home team in front again with a 42nd minute header to end the first half 2-1. 
3SC equalised through Francis Edem in the 70th minute. 
Ibrahim Chilli’s 85th minute free kick goal then sent Gombe United fans into wild jubilation with the winner

Heartland Suffers Defeat Again

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Heartland failed to avenge their defeat by Nembe City as they lost 2-0 to the Yenegoa club in a Nigeria league Week 21 game on Sunday. 
Nembe thus completed a double over the Federation Cup back-to-back winners as they also won the reverse fixture in Owerri 2-1. 
Nembe now have 29 points, while Heartland remain on 28 points. 
Jonathan Zikiye scored the opening goal in the 19th  minute, and while Heartland were searching for the equaliser, Frank Egharevba scored the back breaker to give them a valuable 2-0 home win. 
Heartland skipper Chinedu Efugh said that they were unlucky to have lost the game. 
“We did the playing and they scored the goals. We were not supposed to have lost the game, we were unlucky as we created a lot of chances but couldn’t convert any,” a disappointed Efugh said.
Efugh and Julius Obido could not play the game due to Malaria that hit them in Bayelsa.

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