Nigeria elections: Multiple explosions rock Maiduguri

There was pandemonium in the early hours of Saturday as series of explosions rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Residents of Maiduguri were seen scampering for dear lives.

This was disclosed in a series of tweets by Ahmad Salkida on Tuesday, a journalist known to have access to Boko Haram leadership.

According to Salkida, over ten explosions by suicide bombers and other Boko Haram insurgents began at around 5:50 am.

The Nigerian army, however, fought back as they were prevented from penetrating the main city.

Salkida wrote: “Over 10 heavy bomb blasts so far in Maiduguri.

“Several suicide Bombers and mostly RPG fire targeted towards the metropolis from the outskirts, the response by Nigerian troops has made Boko Haram not to march on into the city centre.”

This is coming few hours before the commencement of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, elections are expected to begin at 8 am.

- DAILY POST

60 to be out of job as Huggies makers close Lagos factory

Kimberly-Clark, manufacturers of Huggies diapers, says it will shut down operations at its Lagos factory in the second quarter of the year.

In a statement released by the company, it said it would build a new factory with enhanced technology in the country.

As a result of this decision, a total of 60 permanent staff will be affected.

“As a respected company with established relationships in Nigeria, we are aware of the impact this closure may have and of our responsibilities towards our workforce,” the statement signed by Amel Yimer, its communications business partner, read.

“Regrettably, the decision means that for now, some 60 permanent employees have been made redundant.

“It is a responsibility we take very seriously and we are working to ensure our employees are supported as much as possible during this difficult time.”

“This decision was made following a strategic review of its business model with the objective of increasing presence and further investments in Nigeria in the near future.

“The company remains fully committed to the Nigerian market, where it will expand its commercial team and open an additional office in Lagos during 2019.”

In July 2018, Procter and Gamble, manufacturers of Pampers diapers and Always, shut down its manufacturing plant in Agbara after divesting from its plant in Oluyole Estate, Ibadan.

- THECABLE

FIRS generates N23bn by ‘freezing’ accounts of 3,000 tax defaulters

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it generated over N23 billion in unpaid taxes from the recently suspended restriction on the corporate bank accounts of tax defaulters.

Babatunde Fowler, FIRS chairman, was speaking in Lagos on Thursday at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) interactive forum on tax matters.

According to him, the focus of the suspension exercise was on 3,000 companies who had deducted Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax (WHT) on behalf of the federal government but had not remitted them in due course.

The companies, he said, had no tax identification and therefore could not remit the deducted taxes to government, making them treat such deductions as part of their cash flow.

Fowler said the agency subsequently suspended the restriction exercise for 30 days as it was  “stretched administratively” because a “deluge of corporate taxpayers” had visited FIRS offices to regularise their tax affairs and make payments.

On February 15, the agency had written to banks, directing them to lift the lien on alleged tax defaulters’ bank accounts for 30 days.

“Our position was that if you charge VAT, which is not your money; or deduct Withholding Tax from vendors and you have no tax identification, you cannot even pay tax to the FIRS because you can’t pay without tax identification,” he said.

“So these operators were defrauding the society and the nation by charging consumers VAT, by deducting Withholding Tax and not remitting on behalf of other taxpayers.

“We had over 3,000 of such and we said if they do not come forward, we’d follow the law and do what they call substitution.

“Now, what the Act actually says is that the banks should deduct the amount of taxes from accounts.

We, however, told the banks not to deduct the amounts, but put a lien on those accounts and let the taxpayers come forward.

“And till date, over N23 billion has been paid on those accounts.”

The FIRS chairman said the agency had received information that about 59,000 operators with banking turnover of between N100 million and N1 billion were equally guilty of not having tax identification and were therefore not remitting payments to the federation account.

Fowler disclosed that in the last 18 months, the FIRS has added over 1.2 million business accounts and one million individual accounts to the tax net through the Joint Tax Board.

He however admitted that as a result of wrong information from the banks, the service made some administrative errors, thereby placing restrictions on accounts of a few companies with tax identification.

He said such restrictions were lifted within 24 hours in addition to the tendering of formal apology to those impacted.

- THECABLE

Underage voters, sponsors will be prosecuted – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) on Friday said underage voters caught during the general elections would be arrested and prosecuted.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at a news conference, in Abuja.

Yakubu urged that underage voters spotted anywhere across the country should be reported immediately, adding that INEC was working with the Police to apprehend underage voters and their sponsors.

“Any underage person caught trying to be accredited or voting on day of election will be arrested.

“Voting is only open to Nigerian citizens who are above the statutory age of 18.

“Let me seize this opportunity to warn those who may wish to sponsor underage persons to vote on day of election that they will be arrested,” he said.

The chairman, however, advised Nigerians to watch out for perpetuators of electoral violence and do a video and still picture and send to INEC’s website.

- PM NEWS

Federal Govt approves first-class treatment for ‘Baba Suwe’ at LUTH

Babatunde Omidina popularly known as ‘Baba Suwe’ has been admitted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi Araba, Lagos.

Mr Bolaji Amusan, the National President, Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), disclosed this on Friday in Lagos.

Amusan popularly known as ‘Mr Latin’ as his stage name said that the development was as a result of the approval of the association’s appeal to the Federal Government to foot the medical bill of Baba Suwe.

He said the ailing veteran comedian who was alleged to be suffering from an unknown sickness had been promised a first class treatment by the Federal Government at LUTH.

Amusan said that the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, had made arrangements for the comedian to be treated while the Federal Government will foot the medical bills.

Amusan said, “Myself and other association members have just taken Baba Suwe to LUTH from his residence.

”I want to appreciate the minister for this gesture, we are happy that our colleague will be back on his feet after a comprehensive treatment.

”He is receiving first class treatment and we feel so honoured.

”I also thank the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his generosity, having donated N1m toward Baba Suwe’s treatment.

“I also thank everyone who had made donations toward our appeal for him, we can’t appreciate them enough.

”As the new president of the association, the welfare of my members is paramount on my mind which I have determined to improve within my four years’ tenure,” he said.

Efforts to confirm the admission of Baba Suwe as a patient from the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of LUTH, Mr Kelechi Otuneme, was not successful as he did not pick calls made to his mobile phone.

The ailing comedian had been soliciting financial support to enable him seek urgent medical attention.

Some of his colleagues in the industry had made generous donations coupled with the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Oshibajo who donated N1m.

The comedian began his acting career in 1972 but came into limelight after he featured in a movie titled ”Iru Esin“, a film produced by Olaiya Igwe in 1977 and had produced several Nigerian movies.

His career, however, nosedived in 2011 when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested him for allegedly trafficking in substances suspected to be hard drug.

The allegation that was described as false and defamatory by the ruling of a Lagos High Court.

- PM NEWS 

AC Milan close gap on Inter

AC Milan continued their impressive run of form as second half goals gave them a 3-0 win over Empoli in Serie A on Friday.

Gennaro Gattuso’s fourth-placed side are now unbeaten in their last eight league matches and the latest victory moved them within a point of third-placed Inter Milan.

Polish striker Krysztof Piatek, who has made an explosive start to his time at the club, put AC Milan in front at the San Siro.

It was his seventh goal in five games since joining the former champions from Genoa in January.

Piatek, who had been too isolated in the first half, reacted well four minutes after the interval to slide the ball home after a neat passing move from the Rossoneri.

Two minutes later Franck Kessie doubled the lead for AC Milan with a deft chip after a fine run and through ball from Spanish winger Samu Castillejo.

The lively Castillejo added the third, meeting a low cross from Andrea Conti with an angled side-foot finish.

It could have been four for Milan when Fabio Borini had the ball in the net, but the effort was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

Serie A leaders Juventus visit Bologna on Sunday, while second-placed Napoli travel to Parma.

Inter Milan will hope to regain their four-point advantage over AC Milan when they play at Fiorentina on Sunday.

- PM NEWS

In Nigeria, Boko Haram violence disenfranchises many voters

Mariam Musa gestured with her hand toward her mouth, twisting her face as she told of her main problem: not enough to eat or drink.

In the makeshift camp for Nigerians who have fled Boko Haram violence, the 32-year-old widow says that the upcoming presidential vote isn't a topic of conversation. That's because nearly all are more worried about putting food on the table.

Lacking voter cards or afraid to trek back to their home villages where armed extremists may lurk, most of the 1,200 people in Malkohi camp are unlikely to vote in Saturday's presidential election.

"God help us," said Musa, one of many widows living in this makeshift settlement in Yola, capital of Nigeria's northern Adamawa state. "We have no salt, no palm oil, nothing."

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Asked if she planned to vote, she smiled ruefully and said: "I hear there is an election, but I lost my voter's card."

Over 84 million Nigerians are registered voters in this West African country of more than 190 million. But in some parts of the north, where an insurgency by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram has killed more than 27,000 people and displaced millions, thousands likely won't be able to participate in the election. There are concerns about whether voting can take place at all in some areas facing arson attacks by alleged militants.

The northern extremist insurgency is one issue voters will consider as they choose between President Muhammadu Buhari, who was elected in 2015 on a promise to tackle insecurity, and Atiku Abubakar, a fellow northern Muslim and former vice president who similarly vows to restore security.

For northerners displaced by Boko Haram violence, there is little enthusiasm for the polls even as they hope the outcome will somehow lead to peace in areas plagued by armed violence.

At Malkohi camp in Yola, hometown of opposition candidate Abubakar, more than 100 residents are widows whose husbands were killed in the violence. Four who spoke to The Associated Press ahead of the election said they won't be able to vote. They are still terrified of going back home amid radio reports of continued Boko Haram attacks. Their stories are often horrific.

Musa, whose husband bled to death after his hands were amputated by Boko Haram in 2014, pointed to the back of her foot where she was shot trying to retrieve her husband's body from the custody of Boko Haram fighters in the town of Gwoza, in the restive state of Borno.

Fati Umar, of Gwoza, said she was unable to bury her husband after fleeing a 2014 Boko Haram attack that came while she was cultivating her garden. For days she hid in the bush with her children.

Fafa Malam, also of Gwoza, fled her home with her children in 2014 after her husband was killed by gunmen.

A third woman, from the town of Madagali in Adamawa, has a child by a Boko Haram fighter who assaulted and then enslaved her for months following a 2014 attack that killed her husband. Two of her children were taken by the militants.

Boko Haram, which opposes a secular Nigeria, gained international notoriety in April 2014 when it kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in the northern town of Chibok.

Although Nigeria's government insists Boko Haram has been defeated, an offshoot of the group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province still carries out regular attacks in northern towns. Those attacks have piled pressure on Buhari, with many voters questioning his ability to control the insurgency.

Some 59,000 people have fled attacks by extremists since November, according to the U.N. migration agency. The U.N. refugee agency cites as many as 39 attacks in the states of Borno and Yobe last month, underscoring the threat posed by extremists even as the government claims success.

Nigeria's parliament approved a record $147 million for election security, but some polling workers in remote areas have rejected their posts in fear of being attacked.

Musa and others in Malkohi pointed out that there is no polling station inside the camp. Even if their voter cards were in order, they said, it still would be too dangerous to try to return home in hopes of voting.

"I hear on the radio there is still no peace in Gwoza," said Umar, a mother of four.

Like the others, she complained about persistent food shortages amid delays in the arrival of rations provided by the government.

The women trek long distances under a scorching sun searching for firewood, and sometimes they offer labor in the gardens of host communities in exchange for food, they said.

"Our only problem here is what to eat and what to drink," said Musa, who looks after five children. "If there is peace and there is no problem, I hope to go back home one day."

- AP

Airlines pilot is caught SLEEPING in the cockpit while flying a Boeing 747

A China Airlines pilot has been filmed taking a nap in the cockpit of his passenger jet mid-flight. 

The 30-second clip, filmed by the co-pilot, shows the Boeing 747 pilot slumping his head forward with his eyes closed while the aircraft was mid-flight. 

The pilot was identified as Weng Jiaqi, a senior officer for China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan, with almost 20 years' experience, according to media reports. 

The video surfaced just days after China Airlines pilots ended an unprecedented seven-day strike over issues such as pilot fatigue and long working hours. 

While it is not known when the incident took place, the airline responded saying that the clip was filmed before the recent strikes.  

Weng is said to be the airline's most senior Boeing 747 pilot, with near 20 years of experience flying mainly Tokyo, Okinawa, Seoul and Hong Kong. 

The chief pilot is also an instructor in charge of simulations at the China Airlines Flight Training Center.

Facing accusations including ignoring flight safety procedures, the pilot is said to have 'received adequate punishment', a statement by China Airlines said.

'Fatigue is inevitable. But as a senior officer, the pilot should have set a good example for his subordinates, an unnamed China Airlines pilot told EBC News. 

'If the pilot was really too tired, he could have alerted crew members and have them observe your condition,' he added.  

The co-pilot has also been disciplined for not waking the pilot up. 

Guidelines state that pilots can sleep in the cockpit on longer flights in what is known as 'controlled rest', but typically the procedure would be done with the seat pulled back and the pilot nowhere near the controls. 

Taiwan's Civil Aviation Bureau states that if pilots have flown for more than 12 hours, they should be given at least 24 hours off. 

The unprecedented seven-day strike officially ended last Thursday after the airline and the Taoyuan Union of Pilots signed an agreement addressing complaints about overwork and pilot fatigue following four rounds of negotiations. 

They also reached consensus on transparent co-pilot training and promotion, as well as replacement of the airline manager in charge of labor relations. 

About 70 per cent of the carrier's 1,300 pilots belong to the union. The strike affected bout 200 flights and 25,000 passengers.  

- DAILY MAIL

US adoption system discriminates against darker-skinned children

When it comes to adoption, Americans might assume that each child is treated equally. But research shows that darker-skinned children are repeatedly discriminated against, both by potential adoptive parents and the social workers who are charged with protecting their well-being.

Social workers are often called upon to assess a newborn’s skin color, because skin color influences potential for placement. As a 2013 NPR investigation found, dark-skinned black children cost less to adopt than light-skinned white children, as they are often ranked by social workers and the public as less preferred.
According to Washington University law school professor Kimberly Jade Norwood, “In the adoption market, race and color combine to create another preference hierarchy: white children are preferred over nonwhite. When African-American children are considered, the data suggest there is a preference for light skin and biracial children over dark-skinned children.”
As a social worker with an interest in the social effects of skin color, I believe that the social work profession must be held accountable for its discriminatory practices.


Light skin versus dark

Regardless of race, adopting parents prefer to adopt a light-skinned child. A 1999 study at the Institute of Black Parenting, a Los Angeles adoption agency, showed that as many as 40 percent of the African-American couples expressed a preference for a light-skinned or mixed-race child, regardless of their own complexion.
Children who are white are slightly more likely to be adopted out of foster care. Of the more than 400,000 children in foster care awaiting adoption in 2017, about 44 percent were white, while the majority were children of color. However, of those who were adopted with public agency involvement, 49 percent were white.
According to the US Commission on Civil Rights, 2004 data shows that children with lighter skin were adopted more quickly out of foster care. While white children waited 23.5 months on average, black children waited 39.4.

In preparing a paper on this subject in 2017, I found a 1999 report from the American Civil Liberties Union which conducted a court-authorized review of 50 adoption case files in New York City. They concluded that the practices of social workers favored children with more Caucasian features. When social workers were asked about this, they contended that it was to insulate dark-skinned children from rejection.
Research suggests that the skin color issue continues to be a problem across the US. A study similar to that of the ACLU’s was conducted in 2010 in the state of Michigan. This study looked at 1,183 adoptive Michigan families who adopted children from 2007 to 2009, through both public and private adoption agencies. According to the findings, 42 percent of adoptive parents’ most recently adopted children were “very fair or somewhat fair” in skin color, while 31 percent were “somewhat dark or very dark.”

Finally, research shows that it costs more to adopt a white child in the US than it does to adopt a black child. According to the NPR investigation, it costs about US$35,000 to adopt a white child, absent legal fees. Meanwhile, a black child cost $18,000.

These prices, which are set internally at adoption agencies based on a number of factors, suggest that white children have a higher market value in the adoption marketplace and are more highly sought after by adoptive parents.

The dark side of adoptions

The evidence suggests that social workers do discriminate based on skin color. What’s more, private agencies that do not employ social workers no less enable skin color discrimination by referring to adoptees’ skin color.
Adopting parents may ask for a child who looks similar to them or who has lighter skin. Currently, even when skin color is not an official record, social workers are inclined to share such information casually in response to parents’ questions.
When social workers accommodate a preference regarding skin color — by evaluating a child’s skin color or by responding to parents’ questions about a potential adoptee — they are breaching their code of ethics. The official Code of Ethics for the National Association of Social Workers clearly states that social workers “should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination” on the basis of race, ethnicity or color, along with other factors.

Assessing children by skin color allows for a ranked ordering, where dark-skinned children may be singled out as less valued. While it is not always a matter of formal record, children assessed as dark-skinned clearly have a different experience than white children in the adoption process.

No doubt, the significance of skin color requires it be noted in files — but, in my view, it should not be monetized. I feel that skin color should be maintained as a confidential record, unless social workers can establish a clear reason why sharing it would lead to the best adoptive outcome for the potential adoptee.

I believe that it’s important to expose the dark side of adoptions that children regardless of skin color be valued and safe from discrimination.
-PRI