News
Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s president for 2nd term
South Africa’s seventh democratically elected President Cyril Ramaphosa was officially sworn in Wednesday for a second term in office after his reelection by parliament last Friday.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administered the oath of office in a colorful ceremony attended by several heads of state and government in the capital Pretoria.
“I, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa,’’ the 71-year-old said in his oath of office.
Zondo congratulated Ramaphosa and introduced him to the audience after signing a certificate, saying the president-elect has now been duly sworn in. Members of the public watching proceedings from the union building’s lawns erupted into loud cheers after Ramaphosa was sworn in.
Interfaith prayers were held before the swearing-in ceremony with religious leaders praying for the incoming president and the government of national unity.
Members of the South African parliament re-elected Cyril Ramaphosa last Friday as president for a second term during the first sitting of the legislature.
Ramaphosa, the leader of the African National Congress party (ANC), received 283 votes, defeating Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighter party who garnered 44 votes.
The ANC, once led by civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, dominated South African politics for the past three decades, until losing its majority in the May 29 national elections.
The ANC has 159 lawmakers in the 400-member National Assembly, making it difficult for it to form a government on its own. It proposed the formation of a government of national unity.
The ANC reached a deal to form a national unity government with the Democratic Alliance, the Patriotic Alliance, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and Good party among others.
Source: The Nation
Former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmad Mohammed Makarfi, has lost his eldest son, Faisal Ahmad Makarfi.
Faisal, alongside two others, was reportedly involved in an auto crash along Zaria-Kaduna Expressway on their way from Makarfi town yesterday evening.
A source said Faisal died at a health facility on Zaria road while doctors were battling to save the lives of others.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the Senate, Comrade Shehu Sani has condoled with Makarfi’s family, following the tragic loss.
Sani, via his official X handle said “Just received the sad news of the death of Faisal the Son of HE Senator Ahmed Makarfi.May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi.Amin.”
MATAWALLE TO AMAECHI: Stop Inciting Violence And Unrest Among The Nigerians
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has warned former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, not to inciting violence and unrest among the Nigerians.
”He urged Amaechi to desist from making inflammatory remarks that threaten the peace and stability of the nation.
Matawalle issued the warning in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Henshaw Ogubike, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Minister expressed deep concern over the dangers posed by such rhetoric.
The statement said: “It is both reckless and irresponsible for a former public servant of Amaechi’s standing to incite Nigerians against their own government,
“At a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working tirelessly to address the challenges facing the nation through various reforms that are yielding results.
“It is absurd, preposterous, and shameful for anyone to exploit the genuine situation of our citizens for selfish political gain.”
The minister said President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring peace in every corner of the country.
OLU JAMES-RAPHEAL
We are giving back to society in a mega way to improve livelihood of the residents of the nation’s capital, by providing furnitures for schools, constructing state-of-the-art toilet facilities, digging borehole within the FCT, and other projects that will impact society positively.
This was revealed by the Publisher of MegaStar Magazine and Executive Director of the project, Adeniyi Ifetayo Moses in a statement he personally.
He said the leadership of the MegaStar Magazine as means of giving back to the society has resolved that after the Megastar Man of the Decade Award (MMOTDA) ceremony in Abuja, it will embark on the CSR in strategic locations in Abuja.
According to him the CSR he said will involve the construction of state-of-the-art toilet facilities in Abuja, borehole projects, provision of furniture for schools within the FCT and other projects that will impact the society.
The MMOTDA ceremony will be first-in-class as it will recognize prominent individuals for their contributions in nation-building.
The elaborate event will hold 1st December,2024 at the Prestigious Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments.
Highlighting the level of preparations being put in place to ensure that it comes out topnotch, he said, “We have secured the Marquee at Wells Carlton Hotel and apartments and Megastar Man of the Decade Award will be hosted by CNN Senior Editor for Africa, Stephanie Busari.
“Additionally, we will have Teni Makanaki to entertain the audience and of course comedy spice in between by the leading Abuja comedians, MC Shotcut and MC Bob.”
Speaking on the category of individuals to be honoured, Ifetayo a luxury and lifestyle journalist said awardees will include corporate bodies and governments agencies who have worked tirelessly to improve the country’s fortunes in the last 10years.
It will also recognize posthumously individuals who are late, whose contributions still make waves in serving humanity till date.
There would also be Friends of Nigeria award category, designed for foreign nationals whose businesses or services to the Nigerian nation have made life easier and few Diasporans who have been good ambassadors to the country.
The award theme is, “The Nigeria of my Dream is Possible” and a seasoned good governance advocate has be