Day: September 3, 2024

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday gave assurances that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway project would be completed to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large.

Tinubu said this during a visit to the headquarters of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in Beijing, his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement.

The President acknowledged the role of the company as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme, and commended its ongoing railway projects in Nigeria.

‘It is equally very important that we give assurances to the Nigerian people across our local communities that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments will be completed and done to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large.

‘We will support your investment in solid minerals and other ventures in Nigeria. I am here to assure you that Nigeria is ready to do business with you,’ the President assured Mr Dai Hegen, the Chairman of CRCC.

Hegen informed the President that CRCC had been
involved in Nigeria for 43 years, implementing over 300 projects and training over 100,000 local workers.

‘The Abuja-Kaduna Railway and Lagos-Ibadan Railway have transported approximately 9 million passengers and 180 tonnes of cargo. The Lagos blue line has transported over 1.6 million passengers,’ Hegen said.

Similarly, President Tinubu visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities.

During the President’s meeting with Huawei’s leadership, led by Mr Liang Hua, Chairman of the Board of Directors, the company said the initiative would operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year.

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His acknowledged the ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to train three million technical talents (3MTT).

Hu
a said the 3MTT programme was targeted at equipping the country’s young population with the skills necessary for present and future economic opportunities.

Hua lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for identifying digital technology as a critical driver of economic growth.

He said Huawei was prepared to offer its ICT expertise and partner the Nigerian government to support the country in achieving its policy objectives and further its digital, intelligent, and low-carbon development.

Mr Chris Lu, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Nigeria, expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), an initiative that sorts to position Nigeria as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa.

‘We hope to continuously develop the NOC and expand its capacity so that it can meet the requirements of more African markets, thus facilitating more Nigerian technology talents in serving more overseas’ markets and helping to achieve the goal of NATEP,’ Lu said.

President Tinubu and his delegation were
introduced to Huawei’s latest innovations in e-government, smart education, smart grid, and solar power, demonstrating their potential to enhance public services, digital governance, and Nigeria’s inclusive development agenda.

The company also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Prosecutor General ‘ s ( PG ) decision is still pending in a case of two police officers who allegedly assaulted a man , leading to his death at Keetmanshoop last year . The Office of the PG on Monday indicated that investigations into the matter are not yet finalised . The accused persons , Bernard Mulisa and Willibardt Neshuku made their court appearance in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate ‘ s Court before Magistrate Unchen Konjore on Monday . She struck their case off the court roll , saying that the matter will be added again once the investigation is complete and the State is ready to continue with the case . ‘ The State will suffer no prejudice if the accused are re – summoned once investigations are finalised and a decision is ready , the matter is struck off the court roll for incomplete investigation ,’ said Konjore . The men paid bail of N . dollars 3 000 which was refunded to them on Monday . State prosecutor , Coleen Yisa indicated to the court that there are still pending aspects that need to be
dealt with before the PG can make a decision . ‘ Among others there is an additional statement of an eye witness requested , there is an identification regarding other police officers that also needs to be established by the investigators . The PG thus indicated that the police have failed to deal with these aspects in 2023 and these are still pending ,’ said Yisa during the court hearing . Mulisa and Neshuku , both members of the Special Reserve Force , allegedly assaulted 31 – year – old Elleste Plaatjie at Keetmanshoop in January last year . Plaatjie died a week later in the Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Windhoek . They are charged with one count of murder and one count of assault

Source:The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: A 41 – year – old woman was allegedly murdered by her husband in Windhoek ‘ s Goreangab informal settlement on Sunday . According to Namibian Police Force ( NamPol ) spokesperson , Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi , the deceased has been identified as Magdalena Nguhemo , whose body was discovered around midnight on Sunday in a pool of blood . ‘ The motive that led to the killing is unknown and police investigations continue ,’ Shikwambi said in a weekly crime report . In a separate incident , a 30 – year – old man died instantly after he was stabbed with a knife on Saturday , at Mondesa in Swakopmund . Allegations are that the deceased , identified as Shikalepo Tefelinu , was on his way home around 01h00 in the company of his two friends , when they were approached by a group of five men who attempted to rob them . ‘ One of them drew a knife and started chasing the victim . It is alleged that the friends ran in different directions and only discovered in the morning that the victim was stabbed to
death ,’ Shikwambi said . No arrests have been made yet and the deceased ‘ s next of kin are informed

Source:The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: Sixteen Namibian nationals are listed as fugitives on the Interpol Red Notice , the Head of Interpol Namibia , Commissioner Mathew Shipanga revealed on Monday . Among them are 10 people wanted in Namibia and six others wanted in Angola and South Africa . Shipanga in an interview with Nampa on Monday said an additional 10 foreign nationals are also wanted by Namibian authorities . The suspects are charged with cases ranging from murder and attempted murder , to armed robbery , fraud , and corruption . He said Namibia only managed to extradite six fugitives in the last five years , with the latest involving 52 – year – old Maria Coetzee , who was extradited last Friday . Coetzee , accused of fraud , faces 18 criminal charges after she allegedly defrauded the Windhoek International School of N . dollars 2 . 8 million while she headed the finance department in 2018 . Coetzee is accused of having fled to South Africa when she failed to appear in the Windhoek High Court for a pre – trial hearing . ‘ The m
ain mission of Interpol is to facilitate collaboration among police forces worldwide to combat and prevent international crime . This is achieved through the establishment of National Central Bureaus ( NCBs ) within the police force or service structure of each of the 196 Interpol member countries ,’ Shipanga said . The NCBs , he explained , serve as Interpol ‘ s liaison offices , playing a crucial role in coordinating cross – border investigations , operations , and the apprehension of fugitives . ‘ NCBs increasingly collaborate on a regional and international level , utilising Interpol ‘ s I24 / 7 communication system . It ‘ s important to recognise that the extradition process is costly , complex , cumbersome and lengthy ,’ Shipanga stressed . The Namibian police , he noted has successfully carried out the extradition of foreigners both into and out of Namibia to Belarus and the United States of America

Source:The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibian Police Force ( NamPol ) Inspector – General , Lieutenant – General Joseph Shikongo has said the force will introduce promotional examinations for certain positions , particularly regional commanders , as part of a policy overhaul . Shikongo said this on Monday while addressing a policy development training workshop to equip officers with essential skills and knowledge necessary for the formulation and implementation of effective policies , which commenced in Windhoek . According to the Inspector – General IG , the introduction of promotional exams is aimed at ensuring that officers possess the required competencies for positions of significant responsibility . ‘ The exams will serve as a benchmark to determine the suitability of candidates for promotions , reinforcing the need for a rigorous assessment process ,’ he explained . Additionally , Shikongo highlighted the ongoing efforts to update and amend NamPol ‘ s policies and police acts , saying this initiative is part of a broader strateg
y to align Namibia ‘ s policing standards with best practices observed in other African countries . He cited Botswana ‘ s status as the top – ranked police force in Africa according to the World International Security and Police Index for 2023 . ‘ Namibia , in contrast , does not even feature in the top 20 of the ranking ,’ he said . He added that the new measures are intended to address current gaps and enhance the operational effectiveness of NamPol . ‘ These efforts from NamPol reflect a commitment to strengthening the force ‘ s internal processes and improving its overall standing in regional and global policing assessments ,’ he said . The training , attended by senior officers , will cover various aspects of policy development , including strategic planning and procedural guidelines to ensure that officers are equipped to handle evolving challenges within the law enforcement field . It ends Friday

Source:The Namibia News Agency

OSHAKATI: A 33 – year – old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 13 – year – old girl at Oshinyadhila No . 2 in the Oshana Region . According to the Namibian Police Force ‘ s ( NamPol ) Oshana Crime Investigations Coordinator , Fredrick Ndjadila , the incidents occurred at unknown dates and times during May 2024 . ‘ It is alleged that the mother of the victim saw her daughter with a smartphone and asked her where she got it from . She told her that the smartphone was given to her by the suspect ,’ Ndjadila said . He added that the victim further indicated that the suspect would take her to his house at Oshinyadhila village where he would have sexual intercourse with her . Ndjadila indicated that the matter was only recently reported to the police by the victim ‘ s 35 – year – old mother . Police investigations continue .

Source:The Namibia News Agency