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ECOWAS to deploy 50 election observers for Mali run-off legislative polls
ABUJA – ECOWAS is deploying 50 election observers to Mali for the country’s second-round Parliamentary polls on 15th December 2013 following an inconclusive first-round balloting on 24 November 2013.
The regional Observation Mission will be headed by Prof. Amos Sawyer, former President of Liberia’s Interim Government of National Unity, who also led the 100-strong ECOWAS observers to the first round voting. He will be supported this time by Ambassador Leopold Ouedraogo, a Member of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise.
Provisional results from the first-round elections which featured more than 1,140 candidates fielded by the ruling and opposition coalitions and independents, showed that the country’s three main political parties secured less than 20 seats out of the 147 available in the National Assembly. Turnout was put officially at 38.4 percent.
Mali’s electoral law provides for a run-off to be decided by a simple majority vote in a situation where no independent candidate or list of coalition candidates secured the mandatory 50 percent plus one vote in the first round.
In its Preliminary Declaration, the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission which observed the first round balloting across Mali’s eight regions and the Municipalities of the capital, Bamako, adjudged the conduct as credible and transparent.
The Mission also noted the low turnout, saying the shortcomings it observed, including the inadequate sensitization of voters and late display of Voters Lists at several polling stations “did not in any significant way, affect the conduct of the election in line with globally acceptable standards.”
Following the July/August successful presidential elections, the deployment of the ECOWAS Observation Mission for the legislative polls, is in furtherance of efforts aimed at helping Mali conclude the ECOWAS-facilitated transitional road map for the restoration of full constitutional order and the country’s territorial integrity in the aftermath of last year’s military coup and separatist insurrection in the north.
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Presidents Invite Me To Dinner Wherever I Go – Davido Boasts
Renowned Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, known by his stage name Davido, has stated that he receives special treatment globally due to his celebrity status.
The Afrobeats sensation mentioned that he is frequently invited to presidential dinners in nearly every country he visits, with the exception of the United States and the United Kingdom.
In a recent interview with Kiss Fresh London, Davido confidently shared that his fanbase includes influential figures such as the World Bank president, presidents of powerful nations, and other notable personalities.
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“Every country we go to, the President invites us for dinner except London [United Kingdom] and the United States of America.
“It’s beautiful to see. I mean, leaving my country, Nigeria, and people welcoming me like the president in other countries, shows how well Nigeria is doing around the world in terms of music and cultural impacts,” he said.
Davido has expressed that he feels most respected in Africa, which is why he cherishes his African tours more than those in Europe and America, even though the latter bring him greater financial rewards.
He shared that his Jamaican collaborator, YG Marley, was astonished by the immense admiration from fans when he visited Nigeria for the video shoot of their joint hit, ‘Awuke.’
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Edo Teen In Custody For Poisoning Ex-Boyfriend, Four Others
The Edo State Police Command has taken a 16-year-old girl, Aisha Suleiman, into custody for allegedly poisoning her ex-boyfriend, Emmanuel, and four other young men in the Afashio community, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.
The tragic incident came to light on October 26, 2024, when Emmanuel’s father, Mr. Elogie Ezekiel, visited his son’s apartment around 6:30 a.m. and discovered several lifeless bodies.
Ezekiel first found the body of a young man named Nurudeen in the corridor. Inside the apartment, he discovered 19-year-old Emmanuel and his girlfriend, Ada Samuel, also 16, lying unresponsive on the bed. In the sitting room, the bodies of Samuel and Jeffrey Ayegwalo, who were siblings, were also found unconscious.
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All five victims were rushed to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Local sources revealed that the victims had consumed a pot of pepper soup prepared by Suleiman before their deaths.
Three days later, the investigation took a dramatic turn when the police received reports that Suleiman was about to be attacked by a group of young men in the community who accused her of poisoning the victims. Officers from the Jattu Division quickly intervened and safely transported Suleiman to the station, according to SP Moses Yamu, the state Police Public Relations Officer.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation,” Yamu added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, has directed a comprehensive investigation, instructing officers to explore all possible leads to uncover the true cause of death in the case.
He also issued a stern warning against any form of mob action, urging the community to allow the police to carry out their duties without interference. CP Ozigi assured the public that justice would be pursued with full diligence.
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Sanwo-Olu, Dignitaries Set To Attend Lagos Social Media Hangout
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, along with celebrities and other dignitaries, will be attending the fifth annual Bodex Social Media Hangout.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the event’s convener, Bodex Hungbo, the gathering is set to take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Landmark Event Centre in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
With the theme “Social Media: The Influence, Power and Impact,” Hungbo stated that the event promises fans, leaders, trendsetters, fashionistas, and celebrities a vibrant day of fun, learning, and excitement.
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The statement read, “Prepare for an unforgettable experience at the fifth annual Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH), which promises fans, leaders, trendsetters, fashionistas, and celebrities a vibrant day of fun, learning, and excitement! Taking place on Saturday, 7 December 2024, at the Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, this festival is free to attend and requires no registration, welcoming everyone to join in the celebrations and immerse themselves in an extraordinary day of unforgettable experiences.
“This year’s edition celebrates the growth and resilience of our community. After six years of dedicated effort – excluding our COVID hiatus – we are thrilled to offer this milestone experience to everyone who has been a part of our journey.
“With high-profile appearances from influencers, celebrities, stakeholders, political figures, and artists, this event is set to be a star-studded spectacle.
“Expected to join the festivities are the Executive Governor of Lagos, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, along with other esteemed political figures, technocrats, and information managers.”