Eid-el Kabir tragedy: Saraki mourns death of PDP members

Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki

Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday commiserated with the Peoples Democratic Party in the state over the death of four of its members.

The four PDP members were said to have slumped and died during the Sallah celebration in the state on Tuesday as a result of excessive heat.

In a condolence message to the party leadership and the bereaved families, Saraki expressed shock over the sad event, noting that the deceased would be greatly missed by the party and their families.

He described the deaths as painful as well as a great loss to the state.


Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011183114726

Constitution amendment: NASS ’ll abide by court’s ruling -Bankole

 

 THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, has said that members of the National Assembly  would abide by the court judgment that constitutional amendment requires presidential assent to become operational.
However, the  former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, said presidential assent would give  too much power to  the president, and if not curtailed, could turn him to a monster.
Bankole made it clear that the National Assembly would resist any attempt to encroach on  its autonomy as an arm of government, and urged the executive and the judiciary to also adhere to the rule of law and the codes guiding inter-governmental relations.
“We will abide by the rule of law on court judgment. But we will also wish that the other arms of government abide by law and order,”
Bankole, who was speaking at a lecture organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy (OAIGPP) in Lagos, on electoral integrity  said, “we at the House of Representatives will ensure independence of the legislature. We will defend it at all cost, but we will also abide, at all time, by the rule of law.”
He remarked that the lecture series on electoral integrity was apt, but he added that the road map to credible ballots began with the electorate and all stakeholders changing their mindset or attitude and learning to play by the rule.
The guest speaker, Nnamani, who spoke on “Constitutional and Electoral Reform,” warned that those canvassing presidential assent for constitution amendment were unwittingly creating a stronger monster out of whoever occupied the presidential seat because their position subjected public wish to the whims of an individual.
Nnamani called the position of the lawyer canvassing presidential assent - and now the court verdict - a “strategic blunder” Nigeria could least contend with, given the country’s recent experiences in having an all-powerful president as exemplified in the constitutional logjam created by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua leaving the country for months without handing over to his deputy.
“The legal controversy regarding the need for the president to assent to a constitutional amendment is dangerous,” Nnamani warned.

Source:http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/13355-constitution-amendment-nass-ll-abide-by-courts-ruling-bankole

FG puts security on red alert •Jonathan’s effort to stop strike fails •Labour leaders meet today

AS the organised labour  begins a three-day nationwide strike today over agitations for a minimum wage, the Federal Government has put all security outfits on red alert.
This is just as labour leaders emerged from a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House on Tuesday night with a resolution to go back to consult with their internal organs before taking another position on the strike.
The labour leaders had been called for a meeting by the president as he attempted to avert the three-day warning strike.
No decision to immediately call off the strike was reached with the president which in essence means that the labour force would down tools as planned.
According to the acting President of the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, who briefed State House correspondents alongside the acting  President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Promise Adewusi, after the  meeting which lasted for less than 30 minutes, having heard from President  Jonathan, they had resolved to go back to brief their various organs.
An informed security source revealed to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday night that the action became necessary to prevent the situation from being hijacked by criminal-minded persons or group(s) which might want to capitalise on the situation to foment trouble or unleash mayhem in the country.
The source also said that government took the action to provide adequate security for life and property in all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“Government is not leaving anything to chance, especially the current volatile political situation in the country and as well the fragile security situation which is giving government concern each day,” Nigerian Tribune source disclosed.
The source further revealed that adequate security personnel had been deployed in the nation’s land, seaports and airports while public places such as NITEL, PHCN, oil installations, Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Federal Secretariat, FRCN, NTA stations, among others, are also to be guarded to prevent hoodlums from wreaking possible havoc.
Nigerian Tribune further learnt that extra security had also been deployed in the Niger Delta to maintain law and order even as the MEND has threatened to attack several oil installations in the region during the period.
In fact, heads of various security outfits had held several consultations with the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Azazi, on the need for adequate security in the country during and after the warning strike.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, was reported to have put all state commands on red alert with the strict warning to commissioners of police to maintain absolute peace and order in their areas of operations.
No decision to immediately call off the strike was reached with the president which in essence means that the labour force would down tools as planned.
According to the acting President of the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, who briefed State House correspondents alongside the acting  President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Promise Adewusi, after the  meeting which lasted for less than 30 minutes, having heard from President  Jonathan, they had resolved to go back to brief their various organs.
An informed security source revealed to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday night that the action became necessary to prevent the situation from being hijacked by criminal-minded persons or group(s) which might want to capitalise on the situation to foment trouble or unleash mayhem in the country.
The source also said that government took the action to provide adequate security for life and property in all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“Government is not leaving anything to chance, especially the current volatile political situation in the country and as well the fragile security situation which is giving government concern each day,” Nigerian Tribune source disclosed.
The source further revealed that adequate security personnel had been deployed in the nation’s land, seaports and airports while public places such as NITEL, PHCN, oil installations, Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Federal Secretariat, FRCN, NTA stations, among others, are also to be guarded to prevent hoodlums from wreaking possible havoc.
Nigerian Tribune further learnt that extra security had also been deployed in the Niger Delta to maintain law and order even as the MEND has threatened to attack several oil installations in the region during the period.
In fact, heads of various security outfits had held several consultations with the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Azazi, on the need for adequate security in the country during and after the warning strike.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, was reported to have put all state commands on red alert with the strict warning to commissioners of police to maintain absolute peace and order in their areas of operations.

Source:http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/13357-fg-puts-security-on-red-alert-jonathans-effort-to-stop-strike-fails-labour-leaders-meet-today

Court nullifies Uduaghan’s election

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan

ASABA—DR. EMMANUELUduaghan’s tenure as Governor of Delta State was brought to an abrupt end, yesterday, after the five-man Court of Appeal panel presided over by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensah, in Benin annulled the process that brought him to power. The panel in a unanimous decision ruled that the election was marred with irregularities.
The court decision was upon the electoral petition filed by the gubernatorial candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, Chief Great Ogboru that there was no election in the State. The court in its ruling ordered that a fresh election should be conducted within 90 days.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Prince Sam Obi from Ika North East Constituency was ordered to be sworn in as Acting Governor in the interim. Obi was elected as Speaker only last July following the exit of the immediate past Speaker, Mr. Martins Okonta.
Yesterday’s action followed the persistent efforts of Mr. Ogboru to overturn the return of Dr. Uduaghan as the validly elected Governor of Delta State in the April 14, 2007 gubernatorial elections. To his chagrin, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Uduaghan as the winner, issued him certificate of return and he was subsequently sworn-in on may 29, 2007 thus setting the stage for the attendant series of legal combats.
Ogboru, like his Action Congress, AC counterpart, Mr. Peter Okocha approached the Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, to nullify Uduaghan’s election. While Ogboru anchored his petition on manipulation of the polls, Okocha hinged his on exclusion from the exercise. The tribunal led by Justice Lokulo dismissed his petition and Ogboru headed for the appeal court and got a judgment for the petition to be retried.

Read More:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/court-nullifies-uduaghans-election/

Zimbabwe charges diamond firm ACR with fraud

Zimbabwe-focused African Consolidated Resources Plc has been charged with fraud and violating the country's precious stones laws and will soon appear in the high court, the company said on Monday.

ACR said it faced allegations of unlawfully acquiring diamond claims in Marange by using subsidiary companies that were unregistered at the time, a process the authorities considered fraudulent.
"ACR has been legally advised that this should make no difference to the validity of the Marange Claims and accordingly that the charges are groundless," the company said.
London-listed ACR is already involved in a court battle with the Zimbabwean government which cancelled the company's claims in the Marange fields in the east of the country in 2006.
Zimbabwe's high court confirmed ACR's titles in a September 2009 ruling. It rescinded that decision this year, citing irregularities in the acquisition and registration of claims.
Last week, Zimbabwe police arrested six directors linked to a joint venture firm mining diamonds in Marange, also on allegations of fraudulently acquiring the concession.
The arrested executives include five officials from the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) and a Zimbabwean representative of its South African partner, Core Mining and Minerals, in the 50-50 diamond mining joint venture, Canadile Miners.
A magistrate will rule on Tuesday on the executives' bail application.

Source:http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/World/5640383-147/zimbabwe_charges_diamond_firm_acr_with.csp

DV lottery tops Google search in Nigeria

DV lottery

The fastest rising search in Nigeria for the month of October was the Diversity Visa lottery 2012, Google said in a statement on Monday.

The DV lottery is the American Diversity Visa lottery that is popularly known as the green card lottery.

The programme designed by the American government allows natives of other countries who meet certain eligibility requirements to gain immigrant visas to the United States.

The online registration began on October 5, 2010 and ended on November 3, 2010.

According to Google, the search emerged tops as thousands of hopefuls flocked to the Internet to find the website, apply online and also get the results of the 2011 lottery.

Nimbuzz, which offers free calls, chat and messaging, followed closely as the fifth rising search after the visa lottery showing the continuing popularity of social networking in Nigeria.

”We are noticing a definite shift from paper applications to online, for a lot of applications and processes in Nigeria. The Internet is increasingly becoming integrated into our lives as more and more application are done online,” Google Nigeria Officer, Mrs. Lola Masha, said.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011091201328

Queen to launch Facebook page

The Queen of England

Britain - The Queen is set to have an official presence on Facebook when a British Monarchy page launches on the internet-based social networking site, the British Broadcasting Corporation reports.

Buckingham Palace says it is not a personal profile page, but users can ”like” the service and receive updates on their news feed.

The Queen has reportedly embraced the web and sends e-mails. A British Monarchy Twitter feed is also available

The Facebook page is due to go live from Monday morning.

The page will also feature the Court Circular, recording the previous day‘s official engagements.

Also featured will be information about royal events and ceremonies, searchable on a UK map.

Its creation is a collaboration between Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and the Royal Collection.

Although users of the social networking site will be unable to add The Queen as a ”friend” or attempt to virtually ”poke” her as they would with anyone with a personal profile, they will be able to find out what royal events are happening nearby.

The launch of the Facebook page follows the introduction of the Monarchy‘s Flickr account earlier this year.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010110813241060

‘Neglect of 2, 000 communities responsible for crimes’

Border Communities Development Agency

The Executive Secretary of Border Communities Development Agency, Mr. Numoipre Wills, has said that the neglect of over 2, 000 international border communities in Nigeria is responsible for the increase in border crimes.

Wills said this in a paper titled “The Role of Border Communities in improving border security in Nigeria”, which he delivered during the border communities’ sensitisation workshop organised by the BCDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A statement by the agency’s spokesman, Atarhe Akpohwaye, said the BCDA boss submitted that security consciousness and vigilance should be made a priority amongst the citizens of these communities who are the first casualties in the event of external aggression and cross border violence.

The workshop, which had the theme “Border Security: The challenges for Integration and development in Nigeria”, was held at Kemba in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Citing his experiences with international border dwellers, Wills said, “The Agency has just embarked on a familiarisation tour of some border communities in five states of the federation to have first hand information regarding the needs of the citizens of these communities. Everywhere we went the story of suffering and serious neglect of these people was evident.

“Various tiers of governments have obviously denied them various developmental programs obtainable in the centre.”

He bemoaned the perception amongst security operations that postings to remote areas was a form of punishment.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010110814153762

Jakande, Bakare for LTV anniversary lecture

Former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande

Former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; the incumbent, Mr. Raji Fashola; and the Convener, Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, are billed to attend the 30th Anniversary Lecture of the Lagos Television slated for Wednesday.

A statement by the Corporate Affairs Manager, LTV, Mrs. Adeola Salako, in Lagos on Sunday, stated that Bakare would deliver a lecture on the Role of Media in Sustaining Democracy to mark the three decades of the establishment of the television station.

Salako added that the event, where past governors of Lagos, top media practitioners, captains of industries and other stakeholders in the broadcasting world would be in attendance, would equally feature an award ceremony.

The LTV was established in 1980 by the first civilian administration of Lagos State under Jakande.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101108215270

NUJ commends Mimiko on insurance scheme

he Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Sunday commended the State Government for evolving an insurance scheme for all registered journalists in the state.

The union gave the commendation in a statement by the Chairman of the State Council, Mr. Dele Atunbi.

He described the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, as a good friend of the press who had showed enormous interest in the welfare of journalists.

According to the union, ”The Life Insurance Scheme evolved by the Mimiko’s Administration remains an imprint in the lives of practicing journalists in Ondo State.”

The union also commended the ongoing renovation of structures within the Press Centre Complex at the instance of the State Government.

It therefore assured the government of its support in the government’s resolve to develop the state to an enviable position.

It appealed to the national leadership of the NUJ to name Mimiko as the NUJ Man of the Year due to his unique contributions to the development of journalism in the country.

Source:  http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011081417843

E-registration: Court dismisses suit against JAMB, NECO

Abuja High Court

An Abuja High Court has dismissed a suit by a consortium of firms, the Converged Examinations Management Technology Platform Consortium, , seeking to compel the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to uphold an agreement for e-registration of candidates.

In his ruling Justice Sylvanus Oriji held that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

A copy of the ruling was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday.

The judge further held that the breaches complained about by the plaintiffs were administrative actions of the defendants which could only be challenged at the Federal High Court.

He said, “I do not, with due respect, agree with the submission of the learned senior counsel for the plaintiffs that the subject matter of this suit is a simple contract in respect of which this court has jurisdiction.”

CEMPT Consortium had filed the action and joined the Minister of Education, JAMB, the National Examinations Council, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-defendants to the suit.

The plantiffs also accused the defendants of breaching an agreement for the introduction of CEMPT e-registration.

The plantiffs claimed that their registration system was aimed at delivering best breed solutions of designated examinations in biometrics technology, registration and validation and data capture management.

The plaintiffs accused the Minister of Education of interfering with the CEMPT agreement in breach of the agreement duly entered into.

Accusing the minister of delaying the take-off of the e-registration on the CEMPT platform, the plaintiffs also accused JAMB of abandoning the e-registration on the CEMPT platform and commenced registration of its applicants on the old process by which it charged N3, 650 for its registration alone as against the N850 approved for all the examinations on the CEMPT platform.

The plaintiffs also accused JAMB, NECO and NBTEB of breaching the terms of agreement when they refused to implement the terms of the principal agreement on the grounds that the paper based biometrics e-registration was not acceptable to them.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke of a Federal High Court in Lagos had earlier restrained JAMB from retaining the services of Sidmach Technologies Limited and Electronic Test Company Limited for the registration of candidates for the 2011 examination.


 Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010110814205868

Abuja explosions: Dokpesi replies SSS

Raymond Dokpesi


The Chairman of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Campaign Organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that he had nothing to do with the Independence Day bomb blasts which claimed the lives of 12 people in Abuja.

Dokpesi’s claim was contained in a sworn affidavit which he filed on Friday in response to a preliminary objection by the State Security Service.

Dokpesi had filed the action to enforce his fundamental human rights against the SSS and to stop the agency from further harassing or intimidating him.

Dokpesi was also seeking N100m damages.

The SSS had in its objection by its lawyer, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), asked the court to dismiss Dokpesi’s suit on the grounds that it was frivolous and baseless.

The SSS had earlier invited Dokpesi for questioning over the October 1 explosions on the premise of some text messages which allegedly established a nexus between him and some persons suspected of complicity in the act.

But Dokpesi had in his response, said he was not aware of the person referred to in the text messages as there were several persons bearing the name, Dokpesi.

The parties will appear in court on November 11 for the hearing of Dokpesi’s application.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010110814224870

UN chief attacked over 'silence' on China dissidents

Ban Ki-moon (left) has defended his low-key style during the talks with President Hu Jintao in Beijing

 A human rights group has criticised UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for failing to raise human rights issues at talks with China's President Hu Jintao.

The New-York based Human Rights Watch had urged Mr Ban to publicly express concern about the imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo.
It said Mr Ban's silence was shocking and sent a chilling message to Chinese activists rights activists.
Mr Ban's spokesman confirmed the matter was not discussed at Monday's talks.
The spokesman said the question of human rights did not come up even in a private meeting with President Hu, because, he said, there were many other issues to discuss.
He said Mr Ban had asked Beijing to play a greater role in solving African conflicts such as those in Somalia and Sudan.

Read More:

Britain And France Share Troops To Save Cash

The countries will share use of Britain's new fully-operational aircraft carrier

Britain and France will commit to share troops, aircraft carriers and nuclear testing facilities later today, in order to save cash.

David Cameron and president Nicolas Sarkozy will sign treaties tying British and French forces together for decades to come.
At an Anglo-French summit in London they will agree:
:: Co-ordination of aircraft carriers to ensure there is always a British or French vessel available for joint operations.
:: The creation of a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force training British and French troops to deploy on operations together.
:: The development of a new nuclear testing facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston and its French counterpart at Valduc.
It comes as both countries try to cut the cost of their armed forces.

Read More: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Britain-And-France-Agree-To-Share-Troops-Aircraft-Carriers-And-Nuclear-Testing-Facilities/Article/201011115789606?f=rss

UK and France agree to joint nuclear weapons tests

The two leaders will announce plans for French planes to use British refuelling aircraft

The UK and France are to sign a treaty agreeing to the joint development and testing of nuclear warheads.

The plans will see one centre set up in the UK to develop technology and another in France to carry out testing.
Prime Minister David Cameron and President Nicolas Sarkozy will also outline plans, at a London summit, for a joint army expeditionary force.
Downing Street called the measures "practical", but Labour said they left "big questions" over the UK's defences.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11670247

John F Kennedy‘s speechwriter dies at 82

Theodore ”Ted” Sorensen

USA – One of late United States President John F Kennedy‘s closest aides, Theodore ”Ted” Sorensen, has died at the age of 82.

As a top speech-writer, Sorensen was credited with writing some of Kennedy‘s most famous words, the British Broadcasting Corporation reports.

He was a key associate throughout Kennedy‘s political career and won particularly praise for his work during the Cuban missile crisis.

President Barack Obama paid tribute, saying Sorensen‘s ”legacy will live on in the words he wrote.”

Sorensen has been credited by some with writing one of Kennedy‘s most famous phrases - “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” - although Sorensen insisted those were Kennedy‘s words.

The “man on the moon speech” was said to be a close collaboration.

Sorensen was deeply involved in Kennedy‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage.

Kennedy called him “my intellectual blood bank"

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011023291920

Jesse Jackson arrives Nigeria, challenges African leaders

Reverend Jesse Jackson

Former United States Special Envoy for Africa, Reverend Jesse Jackson, on Monday arrived the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Jackson, a two-time US presidential candidate, told journalists he was in Nigeria to talk about urban development at the Kuramo Conference being organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the private sector.

He said there was hope for the Africa continent because of the sustained democratic rule in Nigeria.

He said, “One major future that Africa has in particular is that Nigeria had developed a stable democracy in this time that we are in.”

“I am here to be part of this conference (Kuramo) to talk about urban development, and what we need to rebuild and develop our city. Lagos is like a technological city in the world and the challenges are great here so this conference is meant to proffer steps in developing Africa.”

Jackson said that great nations were built by democracy, provision of drinkable water, universal health care and education.

The American envoy, however, lamented that Africa was yet to begin the process of building her citizens.

Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101102452273

Brazil elects first female president

L–R: Brazilian former President, Jose Samey; President-elect, Dilma Rousseff; and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during the celebration of Rousseff, as first female president of Brazil, at Alvorada Palace, on Sunday.

As anticipated, Brazil’s ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff beat her rival, a former Sao Paulo state governor, in Sunday’s second round of the presidential election to become the first woman ever to lead Latin American’s most powerful economy, France24 reports.

Rousseff, who has promised to continue the economic policies of her predecessor, President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva, picked up almost 56 percent of the vote.

Sunday’s presidential contest pit Rousseff of the Workers‘ Party (PT) against Jose Serra of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB). Serra, a career politician, lost the 2002 presidential run-off against Lula.

Rousseff’s victory was largely owed to the endorsement of the popular outgoing president, who hand-picked Rousseff, 62, to succeed him, and is leaving the presidency in January with an approval rating above 80 percent.

Some 135 million people were eligible to vote, which is compulsory in Brazil. Among them, 15 million voters also cast ballots in run-off elections for governor in eight states and the federal district of Brasilia.

The election was the fifth democratic presidential poll since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985.

Read More: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011023272414

Haiti cholera 'resembles South Asian strain'

Nepalese peacekeepers have been blamed from the outbreak, allegations they deny

US health authorities have said that the cholera strain which has killed more than 330 people in Haiti most closely resembles a South Asian strain .

The US Centers for Disease Control found that Haitian cholera patients had all been infected with the same strain.
Haiti's health minister said the outbreak was unlikely to have originated in the country.
The UN is investigating allegations that excrement from Nepalese peacekeepers caused the epidemic.
But Health Minister Dr Alex Larsen said it was unlikely the outbreak's origin would ever be known.

"Although these results indicate that the strain is non-Haitian, cholera strains may move between different areas due to global travel and trade," he said, according to Agence France-Presse.

He added that the strain was probably transmitted by contaminated food or water, or an infected person.
Endemic The Nepalese camp had become the object of local suspicion partly because cholera is very rare in Haiti but endemic in Nepal.
The UN had said last week that tests taken from the peacekeepers' camp and adjacent waters were found to be negative but, following the announcement, a spokesman said the agency was looking into the matter.
The US federal health agency said that cholera does not normally spread widely within a country if drinking water and sewage treatment are adequate.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11669079

China conducts world’s biggest census

China kicked off a once-a-decade census on Monday

A whirlwind 10-day head count that sees 6 million census takers scrutinize apartment blocks, scour migrant areas and scan rural villages to document massive demographic changes in the world‘s most populous country, Associated Press reports.

And they aim to count every person.

The 2000 tally put China‘s official population at 1.295 billion people, but missed migrant workers living in cities for less than six months. In the 10 years since, there has been an extensive shift in the population base as tens of millions of migrant workers have poured into urban areas looking for work.

“Wherever you are living from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10, you will be counted,” said Zhang Xueyuan, director of the publicity for the Beijing census committee.

It is the sixth time China has carried out a national census, but the first time it will count people where they live and not where their resident certificate, or hukou, is legally registered. The change will better track the demographic changes and find the true size of China‘s giant cities, the populations of which up to now have been only estimates.

China has gone to great lengths to promote the census this year. In Beijing, giant, colorful banners flying across neighborhood gates have slogans such as: ”The census is for the nation and each citizen,” and ”Everyone participates in the census.”

Read more:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201011023232864