Headlines
South Africa Deploys Troops to Help with Flood Relief Efforts
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By Derrick Bangura
South Africa’s armed forces have been deployed to help with relief efforts in the KwaZulu-Natal province, where more than 440 people died following torrential rains that triggered floods and mudslides last week.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said it had been instructed to activate 10,000 troops for tasks including mop-up work and transporting aid.
The SANDF would also provide medical support and helicopters for rescue and reconnaissance missions.
The death toll stands at 443, but with each passing day, hopes diminish of finding more survivors.
The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa’s busiest ports, Durban.
‘Extensive damage’
Swathes of eThekwini, the municipality that includes Durban, remain without power or water, and the province said it could take time before services are restored.
“There are areas that have suffered extensive damage which will take longer to repair,” it said in a statement.
Many streets remain slathered with mud, although the main roads have been cleared enough to allow water tankers to the hardest-hit areas.
The death toll stands at 443, but with each passing day, hopes diminish of finding more survivors.
The floods have left thousands homeless, knocked out power and water services and disrupted operations at one of Africa’s busiest ports, Durban.
‘Extensive damage’
Swathes of eThekwini, the municipality that includes Durban, remain without power or water, and the province said it could take time before services are restored.
“There are areas that have suffered extensive damage which will take longer to repair,” it said in a statement.
Many streets remain slathered with mud, although the main roads have been cleared enough to allow water tankers to the hardest-hit areas.
But eThekwini deputy mayor Philani Mavundla said in a television interview that 80 percent of the city’s waterworks were down, making it difficult to even fill the tankers.
Outside the town of Umbumbulu about 45km (28 miles) southwest of Durban, herdsman Mbukeni Khwela accompanied police officers and sniffer dogs to scour a river for a missing neighbour who had been swept away.
“We have found her son, but we haven’t found her,” the 59-year-old said.
Police said they were mourning two officers and a sniffer dog killed in the floods, among the worst to affect the east coast province in recorded history.
Many children are due to return to school on Tuesday after the long Easter holiday weekend in South Africa, but authorities warned that 271,000 students may not be able to attend due to damaged schools.
The government has announced an immediate one billion rand ($68m) in emergency relief.
Nearly three dozen search teams were deployed across the region Monday, said coordinator Dave Steyn.
The country is still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and deadly riots last year that killed more than 350 people, mostly in the now flood-struck southeastern region.
Headlines
Tinubu’s economic reforms making positive impacts – Ganduje
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The National Chairman of All the Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has extolled the ongoing economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu, saying that they were already yielding positive results.
Ganduje made this statement during an empowerment programme’ organised by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, where 1,200 vehicles and motorcycles were distributed to party leaders on Sunday in Kano.
He lauded the administration’s commitment to restructuring Nigeria’s economy, saying that the reforms have brought about greater stability.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have witnessed substantial progress in revitalizing the economy.
“These efforts are already yielding results, including improved infrastructure, job creation, and growth across various sectors.
“The recent reduction in food prices, the drop in petrol costs, and the appreciation of the naira are all direct outcomes of these reforms,” he explained.
According to him, the president holds Kano in high regard, which was why he appointed them to key positions.
They included the National Chairman of the ruling party, Deputy Senate President, two Ministers, Director-General of the National Productivity Centre and the Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank, among others.
Ganduje commended Barau for his efforts in establishing the North-West Development Commission and expressed gratitude to the president as well.
The national chairman called on the people of the state to support the administration of Tinubu.
He also said that the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles was aimed at enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of the people, particularly party members.
The gesture, he said, was also expected to promote the party’s noble ideas.
Earlier, Jibrin said that the initiative was aimed at empowering the members of the APC to achieve the party’s set objectives.
He stated that the motorcycles would be distributed to all APC ward and local government Chairmen in the 44 LGAs in the state.
The deputy senate president also said that a special package for youths, women, teachers, students and other stakeholders would soon commence.
He said that it was aimed at ensuring the public benefits from the dividends of democracy.
“We are also planning to empower university graduates who have not secured white-collar jobs.
“Three graduates will be selected from each local government and will receive a loan of five million Naira to start small businesses,” he added
Barau stated that Ganduje’s leadership style had significantly strengthened the party, positing that under his guidance, the party had achieved a remarkable progress.
He also commended the president for his reforms aimed at advancing the country.
Jibrin begged the party members to unite in support of the president’s efforts to move the nation forward.
Headlines
Man allegedly stabs uber driver, steals car
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The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a suspect accused of stabbing an uber driver and dispossessing him of his car.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.
Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Saturday at 7:34p.m., at Ile-Zik in the Agege area of the state.
“An uber driver reported at Isokoko Division that the suspect boarded his Toyota Camry at Nitel by Old Abeokuta Motor Road, Agege, to Marriott Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.
“On getting to Ile-Zik along the way, the suspect brought out a sharp knife, stabbed him all over his body and stole his vehicle,” he said.
Hundeyin said that based on the report, A team of policemen later trailed the vehicle to Oshodi where the suspect was intercepted.
“He was immediately apprehended and the vehicle was recovered from him to the station,” he said.
The police spokesman said that the victim had been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Hundeyin said that investigation into the case was ongoing.
Headlines
Fed University Katsina closed over students’ protest
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The Management of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State has announced a one-week Mid-Semester break starting from Feb. 24.
The closure of the school followed a protest embarked on by the students on Sunday after they alleged that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) had shot to death one of their colleagues.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students’ protest continued Monday morning.
Reports indicated that the JTF members on Sunday shot the student, alleging that he was an informant.
The FUDMA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate to close the school in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.
Bichi further advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 p.m. on Feb. 24.
“The Management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” he said.
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