Mexicans Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage Proposal

Thousands of people in Mexico City have protested against a government proposal to legalize same-sex marriages, which they say would undermine traditional families.

Organisers said while they were not opposed to gay or lesbian rights, they want to defend family values and the institution of marriage.

The demonstrators have called for a meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto to debate the issue.

Mexico is a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, where public opinion has been divided since May, when Mr Pena Nieto announced plans to change the constitution.

Same-sex marriages are legal in some Mexican states, but Mr Pena Nieto wants it to be allowed across the country.

Last year the supreme court declared that a ban on such unions imposed in many of Mexico’s states was unconstitutional however, many state legislatures have not changed their statutes to comply.

A leading union of oil workers has threatened to shut down the country if the federal government carries out the plan to sell national assets as a way out of the current economic recession.

The oil workers under the aegis of The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), described the plan to sell the national assets as a self-destructive move.

In a statement, PENGASSAN said that the plan, which is to solve short term financial obligations, is really aimed at handing over Nigeria’s collective common wealth to a few individuals.

The union is asking the federal government to instead look for other ways of increasing the revenue base of the country, while plugging loopholes and leakages in government’s finances.

Be Strong And Of Good Courage, Osinbajo Urges Nigerians

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, has called on Nigerians to persevere as the country wriggles out of its current economic crisis.

“Be strong and of good courage. Do not be dismayed, God is faithful. He has promised and he will fulfill his promise.” These were the words he shared at an interdenominational service to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Day celebrations.

The Vice President urged Nigerians to persevere because every Nigerian will benefit from the new Nigeria which God has promised.

The Vice President also took a prophetic stance to pray for the country and assured Nigerians that better days were ahead.

“The promise of God to our nation is that he is building a new Nigeria; a Nigeria where there will be peace from the northeast to the Niger Delta. A Nigeria where our economy will experience abundance and prosperity,” he said.

In his sermon, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Reverend Samson Ayokunle, also urged Nigerians to be patient, for with God and optimism, the country will surmount all its challenges.

Typical of any Christian gathering there was praise and worship, while prayers were offered for the peace of the country, the leadership and Nigerians at large.

The interdenominational service is held every year to remember and celebrate Nigeria’s independence from the British rule on October 1, 1960.

Ekiti Civil Servants Get Laptop Computers To Boost Service Delivery

Four hundred accounting officers in Ekiti State Civil Service have been allocated a laptop computer each by the State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, in order to improve the quality of service delivery in the state.

During the presentation at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, the state’s capital, the civil servants commended the Governor for the kind gesture.

Governor Fayose urged the officers to make effective use of the laptop computers to better the lot of the state.

He also explained that the distribution of the laptop computers was borne out of his commitment to resolving all challenges confronting workers in the state.

The civil servants commended Governor Fayose for the laptop computers, promising that it would be put to a good use.

China Not Included In Samsung Note 7 Global Recall

Samsung says the galaxy note 7 smartphones sold in China, are not included in the global recall resulting from a slew of battery explosions.

The global recall which was announced by Samsung electronics on September 2, started as a result of batteries purportedly over-heating and bursting to flames.

This has caused Samsung’s stock prices to have a free fall, and the handset has been banned on all flights.

A staff member from Samsung, however, said that so far, there have been no reports on faulty batteries in China, as their battery suppliers are different from those that produce the explosion-prone ones.

More than 16,000 units have so far been sold on two leading e-commerce platforms in china, the staff added.

Due to the recall in several countries however, reports says that Samsung Electronics Co Ltd’s shares, have fallen to their lowest level in nearly two months.

Analysts predict that the recall could torpedo Galaxy Note 7 sales, and have a lasting impact on the $211 billion company’s brand image, which could derail a recovery in its smartphone market share against rivals like Apple Inc.

Edo Election: Government Amends Public Holiday Announcement

The Edo State government has exempted banks and corporate organisations from the public holiday declared for Tuesday, September 27.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had on Saturday declared Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28 work-free-days.

The public holiday was declared to enable voters in the state travel to their various locations and exercise their voting rights on Wednesday, September 28.

However, banks and corporate community are now exempted from the public holiday on Tuesday, September 27, in order not to slow down the economy of the state.

In a statement, the state government stressed that the public holiday on Wednesday, September 28, would affects everyone in the state.

It said movement would be restricted on the election day in accordance with the Electoral Act.

Political parties in the state are finalising campaigns ahead of the election to choose a successor for Governor Oshiomhole who is a member of the All Progressives Congress.

Nineteen candidates of different political parties are contesting in the election that will hold on Wednesday.

Oando Signs $115.8mn Agreement With Helios

Oando Plc has signed a mid-stream agreement with Helios Investment Partners, a premier Africa-focused private investment firm, to acquire 49% of the voting rights in Oando’s mid-stream business subsidiary, Oando Gas and Power Limited.

Oando will still retain 49 percent of voting rights in Oando Gas and Power Limited while the remaining two percent will be held by a local entity.

In a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the group explained that the agreed transaction consideration of 115.8 million dollars is conditional upon receipt of regulatory approvals and subject to customary purchase price adjustments.

According to the oil group’s Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu, this strategic alliance will firmly leverage the group’s local knowledge and expertise alongside Helios’ strong financial capabilities to revolutionize the sector and position gas as a key driver for Nigeria’s economic empowerment.