This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Messages - smartoo
301
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:36:28 pm »
 A 28 year old Nigerian student, Prince Bartholowmew Obitube, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by an high court in Malaysia for trafficking drugs. The Shah Alam High Court yesterday Feb 26th gave the death penalty to Obitube after he was found guilty of trafficking cannabis, also known as marijuana. The accused, a student with a private college in Kuala Lumpur, was arrested with 9,189kg of cannabis at Desa Satu Apartment, Gombak on Aug 20, 2011. According to the facts of the case, Obitube was caught by police from the Gombak Narcotic Crime Investigation Department, following a tip off, within the apartment area after he tried to run away with a backpack containing the drugs. The offense, under the Dangerous Drugs Act in the country, provides a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
302
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:34:05 pm »
Nigeria’s National Judicial Council Forces 2
Judges Into Compulsory Retirement,
Reprimands 3 Others
The National Judicial Council of Nigeria today
rose from its quarterly meeting in Abuja
sanctioning five Nigerian judges for
different acts of corruption, gross
misconduct and low productivity.
First to be axed was a federal high court
judge Gladys Olotu, while Mrs. olotu was
forced into retirement for delivering a
judgement that had lasted for 7 years,
Saharareporters learnt that Mrs. loot’s real
crime was due to investigative reports by
the Economic and financial crimes
Commission (EFCC) accusing her of owning
several accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank,
Access Bank, First Bank (United Kingdom), as
well as significant stock in various
companies. She is also reported to own
several properties in Abuja, Lagos and
Benin. A source said Ms. Olotu is believed to
be worth more than N2 billion in cash,
going by findings by EFCC and other
investigators.
A statement issued by the the National
Judicial Council meeting held under the
chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria,
Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, at its
meeting which held on 26th February, 2014
has recommended the compulsory
retirement from office of Justice G.K. Olotu of
the Federal High Court and Hon. Justice U. A.
Inyang of High Court of Justice of the Federal
Capital Territory, Abuja, respectively for
gross misconduct.
See the full text of the NJC statement below:
Justice G. K. Olotu was recommended for
compulsory retirement from office to
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
pursuant to the ‘Findings” by the Council on
the following allegations inter-alia,
contained in the petitions written against
His Lordship:-
· That the Judge failed to deliver Judgment
only to deliver same in Suit No. FHC/
UY/250/2003, eighteen months after the
final Address by all the Counsel in the suit,
contrary to the Constitutional provisions that
Judgments should be delivered within a
period of 90 days;
· The Hon. Judge admitted before the Fact
Finding Committee of the Council that
investigated the allegations that she forgot
she had a pending Ruling to deliver in an
application for Joinder; and
· That the Judge entertained a post
Judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/
CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after
delivering Judgment, which made her
functus officio.
· That in another case: Suit No. FHC/ABJ/
CS/505/2012, Hon. Justice Olotu failed to
deliver judgment twice.
Hon. Justice U. A. Inyang of High Court of
Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
was also recommended for compulsory
retirement from office to President
Jonathan, sequel to the “Findings” of the
Council on the following allegations leveled
against His Lordship:-
· That the Judge included in his Judgment,
references to the Garnishee Proceedings,
which came after the Judgment had been
delivered on 20th December, 2011.
· That His Lordship also included the name
of the Counsel to Federal Road Maintenance
Agency (FERMA), Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru,
SAN, who came into the matter after the
judgment of 20th December, 2011 was
delivered;
· That the Judge recklessly signed a Writ of
Execution, a day after delivering his
judgment of 20th December, 2011, the same
day a Notice of Appeal and Motion on Notice
for Stay of Execution were filed.
· That the Judge continued with the
Garnishee Proceedings despite application
for Stay of Execution; and
· That before delivering his Judgment of
20th December, 2011, Hon. Justice Inyang
ignored a properly filed Motion on Notice for
leave to file additional witness Statement on
Oath.
In the meantime, the National Judicial
Council has in the exercise of its disciplinary
powers under the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,
suspended the two Judges from office with
immediate effect.
The Council also issued warning letters to
Hon. Justice Dalhatu Adamu, CFR, the
Presiding Justice of Court of Appeal Kaduna
Division, Hon. Justice A. A. Adeleye of High
Court of Justice, Ekiti State and Hon. Justice D.
O. Amaechina of High Court of Justice,
Anambra State, respectively.
Hon. Justice Dalhatu Adamu, CFR was
warned by Council at its Meeting which was
held on 26th February, 2014 for deliberately
absenting himself from duty, which is an act
of gross misconduct contrary to the
provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and
the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Council at its last
Meeting which was held on 4th and 5th
December, 2013 considered and deliberated
on the Report of its Five-Man Committee
who were mandated to invite Judicial
Officers with Very Low performance or Non-
performance to appear before it. At the end
of deliberation on the Report of the
Committee, Council found Hon. Justice A. A.
Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State
and Hon. Justice D. O. Amaechina of High
Court of Justice, Anambra State, respectively
culpable of very low performance.
Consequently, Council decided to issue
warning letters to them for decline in their
productivity.
303
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:32:29 pm »
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), has given the
Governor Amaechi-led government 72 hours
to ensure that three members of the party
who were kidnapped yesterday are released
unhurt.
The abducted men include the Port Harcourt
Local Government PDP Chairman, Ikechi
Chinda; a former member of the House of
Representatives representing Port Harcourt
Federal Constituency I, Hon Chinyere Igwe;
and Alwell Ihunda.
The Rivers State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah
gave the ultimatum to the government
during a news briefing today in Port
Harcourt.
Also reacting, the state secretary of the PDP,
Hon. Ibibia Walter, attributed the kidnapping
to the failure of the Amaechi-led
government to provide security of life and
property, accusing the government of
encouraging an atmosphere of fear and
terror in order to hold on to power.
Expressing the same view, Mr. Obuah said
that less than two weeks after the
deployment of the former Police
Commissioner in the State, Mbu Joseph Mbu,
the main motive behind the clamour for his
removal by Amaechi and his cohorts was
manifest, as Rivers State never recorded any
high-calibre kidnap throughout Mbu’s
tenure.
He warned that if the abducted party
members were not released, the PDP would
mobilize the entire people of Rivers to
embark on “the mother of all protests,”
describing the situation as “unfortunate and
unacceptable.”
Mr. Obuah recalled that last week, a staunch
member of the PDP was murdered in cold
blood in Ibaa in Emohua Local Government
Area of the State.
As of the time of this report, no contact had
been made by the kidnappers.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the
Commissioner of Police about the matter
have also been unproductive.
304
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:29:21 pm »
The suspects also used a church to
defraud the victims
The police in Delta on Thursday said it
arrested two suspects in connection with an
NGO which allegedlydefrauded 327 widows
and poor women of N1.6 million in the state.
Briefing journalists at the “A” Division in
Asaba, the Police Public Relations Officer,
Celestina Kalu, said that the victims were
from Asaba and environs.
Ms. Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police,
said the NGO known as “Women Relief and
Restoration Initiative”, was claimed to have
been established by the wife of the
President, Patience Jonathan, to empower
women in Anambra and Delta.
According to the spokesperson, Olubunmi
Monu, a resident of Asaba reported the
matter to the police that in September 2013,
one Amechi Ndah, also of Asaba, introduced
her to Adaeze Nwokoye of Awka, Anambra.
“Mrs. Nwokoye, the purported coordinator
of the NGO, and Mr. Ndah claimed that the
said NGO was established by the President’s
wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, to empower
women.
“Consequently, she (Monu) and other
women numbering 327 from Oshimili South
Local Government Area of the state were
defrauded of the total sum of N1.6 million.
“Meanwhile, the said Ndah has been
arrested and also arrested is 71-year-old Mr.
Anene Nwokoye, of security department of
the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK),
Awka, Anambra, husband of the principal
suspect,” she explained.
The spokesperson said that Mrs. Nwokoye
avoided every contact and disappeared
following the development, but she was
tactfully invited to bring more forms as
many women were waiting with their
money to register.
Ms. Kalu also said that Mr. Nwokoye was
arrested on February 26 when he
approached the complainant (Ms. Monu) to
collect additional N250, 000 on behalf of his
wife.
She said that upon Mr. Nwokoye’s arrest,
items recovered from him were 78 copies of
the NGO’s membership forms.
The police spokesperson also disclosed that
the NGO had extended its operations to
other parts of the state, duping
unsuspecting victims of their hard earned
money.
The command advised members of the
public to be wary of dubious NGOs whose
major objective was to impoverish rather
than to empower people.
In an interview with some of the victims,
including some churches, the victims said
they were jolted by the offer to become
members of the NGO established by the
president’s wife.
According to them, one of the specific
conditions spelt out was that one must be a
Christian to become a member.
Besides, they were made to pay the sum of
N3, 000 each to register as members to be
empowered by the NGO, and an additional
N2, 000 to enable them obtain loan from a
micro-finance bank in Onitsha.
A Pastor, Samuel Atawe, with the Redeem
Christian Church, in Oko near Asaba, said
that the coming of the NGO raised their
hope. He said he regretted that the Oko
community became worse off.
“The NGO was introduced to us by one our
respected women members and the
community trusted them, and no fewer than
250 women obtained the forms from seven
different churches in the community.
“The instruction given is that if you are not a
Christian,you must not fill the form, so it
was the churches they used and different
men of God encouraged the women to key
into the programme since the First Lady is
involved.
“In our axis in Oko, all the seven different
churches were involved and the people paid
N3, 000 as registration fee and another N2,
000 to open an account with a micro-
finance bank in Onitsha,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to God that arrest
had been made concerning the NGO as the
operators had disappeared with people’s
money, failing to empower the people in
December 2013 as promised.
According to the pastor, the people of the
community were already becoming
suspicious of the churches involvement in
defrauding them, especially because of the
woman who introduced the NGO to them.
“I thank God for this development, this is a
prayer answered and with this arrest of the
woman’s husband, my job is restored and
the community will know that of a truth we
were interested in their welfare,” he said.
He advised that the people should be more
careful, especially with issues or proposals
coming from the church.
(NAN)
Comment
Print this article
ShareThis
GTBank SME
305
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:26:36 pm »
Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High
Court in Abuja yesterday refused an ex-parte
application to the suspended Governor of
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who had asked it to
reinstate him as the CBN governor.
Sanusi had through one of his lead lawyers,
Mr Kola Awodein (SAN), approached the
court, asking it to restrain the defendants
and their agents from stopping him from
performing his functions as the CBN
governor and enjoying the statutory powers
and privileges attached to the office.
The plaintiff further wants the court to
expeditiously grant his interlocutory
application, claiming that any delay might
cause irreparable and serious damage in the
exercise of his statutory duties as the CBN
governor.
But Justice Kolawole, in his ruling over the
matter, held that he felt hesitant and
constrained to grant the plaintiff’s ex-parte
application on the grounds that “it is unsafe
– judicially speaking, to embark on far
reaching interim orders which have all the
attributes of a mandatory injunction
without according the defendant a
hearing”.
The judge further said: “One other issue
that the court would like to raise when
defendants have been duly served with the
originating summons and motion on notice
is that whether in the light of the Third
Alteration Act Number 20 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended), whether the
Federal High Court notwithstanding the
questions plaintiff has set down for
determination in its originating summons,
still has the jurisdiction to entertain the
plaintiff suit.”
He said in light of the views expressed and
the analysis, the court would rather review
the plaintiff’s motion ex parte and direct
that the court processes should be served
on the defendants in good time.
The judge also held that the court not only
had the judicial powers to declare the
suspension unlawful but to order that the
plaintiff be returned to perform his duties as
CBN governor.
According to the judge, the court can also
make a pronouncement even where the
tenure of the plaintiff had lapsed, order the
defendants to pay him such remunerations
and allowances on the grounds that the
plaintiff’s suspension also carries with it the
plaintiff’s stoppage of remuneration and
allowances.
The case has been adjourned till March 12,
2014.
306
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:24:55 pm »
It’s easy to become comfortable in your current job or workplace and think that networking efforts aren’t really necessary. Because that’s what it is – an effort, right? But not staying professionally current and connected can have serious negative implications on your overall career development. The reality is, change is inevitable and it often happens when we are least expect it. Not being equipped with the right tools for your next search can cost both precious time and possibly even a position you were hoping for. On average, according to www.careerealism.co m job hunters without viable networks spend the first two to three months of a job hunt building a new set of contacts. This is why networking regularly sets your career up for long-term success. Networking can be tasking, no doubt about it. It has been acknowledged that not everyone is comfortable with the process, and some even find it to be somewhat dreadful. The key is to make the way you network fit your personality and style. Like any big task in front of us, thinking about networking in small chunks makes it more manageable, and even enjoyable. Here are three ways to network with intent and avoid burnout: 1. Focus on helping others Networking can feel very “me”-centric. It’s a common mistake among professionals to only reach out to their network when they need something, which can come across as intrusive and needy. When meeting new connections, use it as an opportunity to ask what you can do to assist them first. Reach out and offer advice, make an introduction, recommend their work, etc. These simple gestures can help to create more lasting connections. 2. Networking is best one-on-one Meeting over coffee is a more natural way to carry on a conversation versus large group gatherings. You don’t need to start out cold either. Meet first with people you have known over your career and people with whom you have another connection (kid’s sports, school, church, family, etc.). From that meeting, ask them to make 2-3 introductions via email to people they know who may be aligned with your professional goals. That “warm” introduction allows both parties to feel comfortable about meeting. 3. Build time into your schedule Networking can’t be something that happens “if I have time.” By not making it a priority, it’s constantly weighing on you as something you aren’t getting done – and that can be more exhausting than actually networking. Set aside time for 3-4 lunch meetings per month with those you need to catch up with, or contacts met through a peer that you want to get to know better. Integrating networking into everyday activities is what will yield the most successful and mutually beneficial relationships. Keep in mind there isn’t one roadmap for how to network. By making the process your own, you will feel most at ease and be able to capitalize on this important career development tool. A change in attitude and approach will lead to more professional opportunities than you will know what to do with. What have been your favourite networking techniques and tips?
307
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:22:42 pm »
As the struggle for women emancipation in
all sectors continue not just in Nigeria but
across Africa, women farmers in Nigeria are
singing a new song as they not only smile to
the banks with their earnings but are set to
build banks. Ruth Tene Natsa was in Plateau
state and reports on the success of women
in agriculture in the state.
When the success of Hajiya Talle Adaha, a
woman farmer from Jigawa state broke,
many celebrated the agriculture
transformation agenda (ATA) as being
women friendly. But the success of women
in agriculture has spread to many other
parts of the country, giving women reasons
to continue celebrating the success of the
scheme. According to her testimony, Adaha
was able to produce 400 bags of paddy rice
“until other women began to admire me
and asked to join. we then formed a
cooperative and through the support of the
Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES)
programme, we were able to harvest 1,500
bags of paddy rice in the last dry season.
Based on this same support, we are looking
forward to harvesting 4,000 bags in the
coming season.”
The testimonies of women success in
farming was brought to bear when women
in Plateau state showcased fresh produce
from their farms to celebrate the visit of the
minister of agriculture and rural
development, Akinwumi Adesina, to their
state.
The minister was pleasantly greeted with
the news that women farmers were now
not only enjoying access to inputs through
the GES programme that allowed farmers to
access inputs through their phones, but
were about to set up a farmers’ micro
finance bank.
The success stories of these women farmers
are not limited to Plateau state. But what
makes the story of the plateau women
unique is the fact that they had become so
rich and the only way to sustain their new
found wealth, while ensuring its growth,
was to form the Farmers Micro Finance
Bank, starting with a sum of over N60
million.
Farmers under the FADAMA III project in
Plateau state asserted that the success of
the Plateau women farmers was as a result
of the success of the GES as well as the
federal government ATA which allowed
farmers access to agricultural inputs,
fertilisers and seeds through the FADAMA III
project
Speaking with LEADERSHIP on behalf of the
FADAMA III women farmers, the facilitator,
Mrs Mary Afan, who had earlier unveiled
plans to establish the Farmers Micro Finance
Bank said the success of the GES to women
farmers in the state was unprecedented as
all the 35,000 women in her group had
accessed their inputs of three bags of
fertilisers duly.
“The GES has been beneficial to all the
women of Plateau state as we all received
our fertilisers and seeds through the phone
and it has improved our farming facilities,”
she stated.
commending the efforts of the federal
government to uplift the Nigerian women
through agriculture, she said, “The Nigerian
government is doing wonderfully but there
is the need for them to improve on their
services to women because we produce 95
per cent of the food consumed by Nigerians
even though our efforts are not recognised.
we are saying they should extend more
benefits to women,” she stated.
The minister in his bid to encourage women
farmers advocated for at least 30 per cent
agriculture lending to them across the
country, saying, “If you look at the majority
of our farmers, they are women and they
are better farmers, but they do not get as
much support as the men do. However, one
of the things that encourages me is that the
women are all getting their fertilisers
through the GES which creates
empowerment for them.
308
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:20:00 pm »
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian
Communications Commission, NCC, Dr.
Eugene Juwah has said the latest sanctions
on three service providers is the necessary
step to arrest the continued failure by
operators to meet with the regulations on
Key Performance Indicators, KPI, for
acceptable quality of services in the country.
Dr. Juwah who spoke to a cross section of
the press at the ongoing Mobile World
Congress at Gran Fira in Barcelona, Spain,
said the Commission has endured a period
of 18 months during which it reduced the
KPI’s for the operators but regretted there
was no significant improvement from the
three operators as they promised.
“We have to take a more drastic action to
improve user experience in the network.
There are issues with capacity of the
networks, and it would appear that the
service providers load up the network as
soon as there is some expansions. The issue
with capacity must be resolved for user
experience to improve.”, he said while
visiting exhibition stands at the biggest
mobile forum and exhibition.
He said after the fist round of sanctions in
2012, the Commission had reached
understanding with all the service providers
that the KPI’s upon which they were
sanctioned should be reduced over a period
of 18 months during which the service
providers would make significant
improvement through provision of more
infrastructure and achieve a progressive
improvement in quality of service.
“We are a listening regulator. For 18
months, we waited and we said, no fine. We
lowered the KPIs. We listened to them, and
we took notes on all the issues. Gave advice
where needed. But we did not see the
results in user experience and even the
readings upon which they were sanctioned
were obtained from their switches. It means
that we have to hold them to their promise
and we have to get back to the original KPI’s
as prescribed by the regulations,” he said.
Dr. Juwah said the sanction was not about
understanding the issues causing the poor
quality of service but implementing the
regulations addressing quality of service.
He said it would appear that any
improvement that operators make in
expanding the network is followed with
loading up the systems, which results in
continued negative indication on quality of
service without recourse to the provisions
of the regulation on QOS.
The NCC boss said going forward, the
Commission would establish secondary
switches that would capture user
experience after which it would compare
the results with those of drive tests such
that engineers from the service providers
would also see the user experience as it
concerns quality of service.
“We have been on this for too long. User
experience must improve. We will not
sacrifice the enormous successes recorded
in the industry to continued poor quality of
service. As a regulator, we must take action
and that is the reason for the sanction
which is a prescription of a regulation,” he
added.
He said after the sanctions which included
stoppage of promotions on the networks, in
addition to barring them from admitting
more customers in the month of March,
2014, the Commission would continue to
take the necessary steps towards
addressing issue of QoS until it was resolved
in the interest of the consumers.
309
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:16:15 pm »
 Over the past few months, the multiple award-winning duo of Peter and Paul Okoye, famously known as P-Square, have relentlessly been working on a ground- breaking and unprecedented family- oriented animated series entitled “The Alingos.” The project is an innovation from the stables of P-Classic Entertainment. alinggggoo P-Classic entertainment is an entertainment company founded and controlled by the P- Square brothers and headed by Peter Okoye. The outfit is aimed at producing television contents, animation, discovering and grooming young musicians, and providing an array of entertainment to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. In their usual style of raising the bar in the entertainment scene, the duo is taking it a notch higher. The Alingos was inspired by the need to create a unique content for children and fill the vacuum in the media sphere for this demographic. Adults would also find the animated series appealing. The Alingos will be the first high quality animated series from Nigeria to fit local television while intelligently crafted to serve international audience as well. It will initially run as a weekly web series and then on TV. This family animated series is just one of many surprises the duo have stocked in their goody bags to revolutionise the entertainment industry. It’s no news that P- Square has become synonymous with top class standards, reflective in the quality of their song-writing, dance and music videos. To herald the launch of The Alingos, the brothers are releasing a teaser – an animated music video for their hit single ‘Unlimited’. It is the first high quality animated video in Nigeria and by extension the whole of Africa. This animated music video is 100% Nigerian; no foreign inputs and is created in High Definition with superior picture and sound quality, as expected from the duo. The production quality compares to anywhere in the world. The public and fans of P-Square will get to watch the ‘Unlimited’ animated video as well as The Alingos (when it hits the screens) by first downloading the P-Square app (P2) due for release next week. aallllling.jpg-new The P-Square app is another novel and exceptional concept from the creative minds of the twin brothers, to connect and interact with their numerous fans and followers all around the world. Definitely, this app will transform the fan community and pioneer a new trend in the entertainment scene. The app will contain an archive of exclusive pictures of P-Square, gallery of latest musical videos including all the videos from past albums, compilation of all P-Square’s songs, behind-the-scene videos, awards and concerts videos, concert tickets, events and tour dates as well as their flagship project The Alingos series. The app also integrates popular social media networks – facebook, twitter, youtube etc. into one space and serves as a platform to bring P-Square closer to their fans. Bbbbn
310
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:04:32 pm »
 Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan and people of Nigeria on the occasion of Nigeria’s centenary celebrations. In a message delivered to President Jonathan late yesterday by Britain’s Minister for Africa, Mr. Mark Simmonds, Queen Elizabeth II conveyed her best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Nigeria. “On the occasion of the Republic of Nigeria celebrating 100 years since the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, I send the people of Nigeria my warmest congratulations. Queen Elizabeth ll: sends Message for Nigeria's centenary Queen Elizabeth ll: sends Message for Nigeria’s centenary “I have fond memories of my first visit to Nigeria in 1956 and again in 2003 as Head of the Commonwealth. “The links between our two countries have deepened over the past 100 years and I hope they will continue to do so. “I would like to convey my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Nigeria,” the British monarch wrote.
311
« on: February 27, 2014, 10:01:34 pm »
Anglican priests in Enugu State on Thursday
blocked the entry gates of eight primary and
secondary schools in the state, preventing
academic activities.
They were protesting an alleged directive to
the school authorities by the state Ministry
of Education, last Monday, that the schools
should cease dealing with the Anglican
Church on the ground that the government
had repossessed the mission schools.
The affected schools are located within an
environment formerly known as Women
Training Centre.
The secondary schools are Urban Anglican
Girls Secondary School, Metropolitan
Anglican Secondary School and City Anglican
Secondary School as well as five primary
schools.
The priests alleged that the state
government had started allocating land in
the premises of the schools to private
developers, an action they considered as
“punitive and unfair.”
They were dressed in black and white
aprons and led by their Chairman, Venerable
Moses Ifeanyieze.
The priests arrived the WTC road location of
the schools as early as 6.30am and blocked
the entrances to the compound.
They bore placards that read, ‘Who can
battle with the Lord, we say nobody’, ‘Leave
us alone and give peace a chance’, ‘Govt
should not be partisan’, ‘Take your schools
away and leave our land premises’, and
‘Keep off from the church’, among others.
Students and teachers who had reported to
school joined the clergymen in the protest.
For several hours, vehicular movement on
the busy WTC road was brought to a halt as
the clerics marched round the areas in
protest over what they regarded as “Enugu
government’s selective injustice and unfair
treatment to the Anglican church.”
312
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:59:44 pm »
Nigeria has the support of France.
French President François Hollande was
invited by President Jonathan for the
centenary celebration taking place today
Thursday 27th February at the National
Stadium in the capital city Abuja.
At the security conference in Abuja, Hollande
revealed that “Your struggle is also our
struggle” when speaking on the battle
against Islamic group Boko Haram.
“We will always stand ready not only to
provide our political support but our help
every time you need it because the struggle
against terrorism is also the struggle for
democracy.” he further said.
Update: #Nigeria‘s president says an act
of terror against one nation is an act of
terror against all nations.#Bokoharam
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 27,
2014
France has committed to train 20,000
African soldiers every year – president
Hollande says in#Nigeria #BokoHaram
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 27,
2014
Update: ‘Your struggle is our struggle,’
Hollande tells#Nigeria on #BokoHaram
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 27,
2014
“We’ll always stand ready to help…
because the struggle against terrorism
is also the struggle for democracy”,
Hollande says#Nigeria
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 27,
2014
Be Sociable, Share!
313
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:57:08 pm »
 Did this really happen? Oh dear!
314
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:52:59 pm »
 Today we heard that Chris Brown has been reaching out to his ex Rihanna since leaving rehab and now there are reports that Chris and his ride-or-die chick Karrueche Tran have unfollowed each other on Twitter. Someone noticed it and posted on Twitter. Check on it after the cut..
315
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:48:47 pm »
 Actor Jide Kosoko cheated death yesterday (Wednesday) when he survived a ghastly accident around Ikeja Shopping Mall. He was driving himself when his car lost control due to brake failure. The car was a write-off, but the leader of the Yoruba movie sector escaped death narrowly. He was immediately given some medical attention by the Emergency unit of 7-Up with the kind support of LASTMA officials. Efforts to reach the thespian proved abortive but the story has been confirmed to Dailypost by one of the Executives of the sector, Yomi Fabiyi.
316
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:46:00 pm »
317
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:41:43 pm »
318
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:37:31 pm »
 Joe Okei-Odumakin embraces one of Juliania three kids  Juliana family A non-governmental organization, “Women Arise” led by its executive, Joe Okei- Odumakin today visited the graveyard of the murdered victim in the Ejigbo pepper torture and sodomy case which occurred in February 2013 The graveyard site is located in Ajase area near Porto-Novo in Benin Republic. Juliana Agonman died after vigilantes from the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) abducted her tortured, sodomized and **** her for allegedly stealing pepper worth 50 cents from a local market, her father, Mr. Freeman Agonman, a palmwine tapper was also reunited with his family in the village. Mr. Agonman said his return to the village would enable him look after Juliana's three kids in the village as well as take care of mother of the deceased. At the graveyard, Odumakin pledged commitment to ensure that Juliana’s killers, some of whom are already in police custody would face the full wrath of the law.
319
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:33:09 pm »
  Heavily armed security operatives this morning took over the Unity Fountain venue of the "Enough is Enough Of This Senseless Killings” protest planned for Abuja. The security, which includes; Anti riot policemen, State Security Services (SSS), Civil Defence Corps and Nigerian army personnel. took over the venue with anti riot water canon tanker, Armored Personnel Carrier and sniffer dogs stationed at strategic location around the venue of the protest. A group of concerned youths and women organizations led by a youth leader Ibrahim Garba Wala had planned to stage a peaceful protest against what the groups described as the wanton and unnecessary killings going on in Nigeria's northeatern parts, especially in Borno and Yobe States. They said the protest became necessary following Tuesday morning slaughter of 59 students at a government boarding school in Yobe state. The students were woken from their sleep and slaughtered by Islamist militants believed to be Boko Haram.
320
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:26:10 pm »
   The Nigerian football federation today unveiled a brand new jersey for the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil. The jersey, which will be officially launched on March 5th when the Nigerian national team meets Mexico in a pre-world cup friendly taking place in Atlanta, Georgia Head of the marketing department, Mr. Adama Idris has described the jersey as a 'climacool' designed to fit into all weather as the Brazilian weather changes over time depending on location. The colour of the jersey is lemon green, a totally different one from the green color typically associated with the Nigerian national flag. WHATS YOUR TAKE ON THE JERSEY? LIKE OR NOT?
321
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:08:39 pm »
The Central Bank of Nigeria will devalue the
naira within the next 18 months, a new
report by the Nigeria-based Financial
Derivatives Company Limited has indicated.
The Managing Director, FDC, Mr. Bismarck
Rewane, in the latest edition of its bi-
monthly Business and Economic Update,
noted that the nation’s external reserves
had “fallen below the psychological
resistance level of $41bn because of the
increased frequency and magnitude of the
CBN intervention in support of the naira.”
The turmoil, according to the report, has
been exacerbated by the “unprecedented
and unusual removal of the CBN governor”,
adding that the naira has been under
speculative attack in the past four months.
READ MORE AFTER THE CUT................ ..............
The report read in part, “With this level of
external reserves, Bank of America has
downgraded the Nigerian currency-linked
instruments on fears of further value
haemorrhage in the market. A naira
adjustment is only a question of time.
Historically, exchange rate adjustments in
Nigeria have always been a result of
involuntary policy actions. Whilst a strong
naira is a ‘good to have,’ a realistically
valued naira is a ‘need to have’.
“Although we are convinced that a naira
adjustment will take place during the next
18 months, predicting the timing of it is
trickier.”
According to the FDC report, the CBN may
either devalue the naira shortly after the
nominated CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin
Emefiele, resumes office in June or he may
postpone the decision after the elections in
February 2015.
The report stated, “The new CBN governor,
who will formally take office from June at
the expiry of Sanusi’s term, allows a one-off
depreciation. He or she (but expected to be
Godwin Emefiele, who was nominated by
Jonathan within hours of Sanusi’s
suspension) is likely to be concerned by the
erosion of reserves and could blame the
need for a readjustment on events before
their time in office. There would not be a
need for a very large depreciation, perhaps
to N165 or N170: US1, but such a move
would head off market speculation and
give the new governor time to settle in.
“A depreciation before the 2015 elections
could be considered politically unpalatable,
given that it would be unpopular with the
electorate, both by raising import prices
and as a sign of weakness in the
administration’s economic management.
The new CBN governor, put forward by the
President (albeit subject to parliamentary
approval), may decide that it would be
prudent to delay a devaluation until after
the conclusion of the elections due next
February. Such devaluation might need to
be larger in magnitude, given that reserves
would have fallen further in the meantime.
A fractious election period and our
expectation of outbreaks of unrest would
also further under-mine market confidence
in the currency. On balance, we believe that
the first scenario is slightly more likely, but
would not be surprised to see the second
come to fruition.”
The report stated that under either
situation, the nation’s position as a key
frontier market was set to wane over the
next 18 months.
322
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:03:49 pm »
 A popular Ghanaian comedian, Musah Iddrisu, and a Congolese, Inana Cedrick, have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for ingesting drug. photo * Iddrisu Iddrisu and Cedrick were arrested during the inward and outward screening of Ethiopian airline passengers respectively at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. ndlea Commander at the airport, Mr. Udoh Nsikak-Abasi, said, “Iddrisu was found to have ingested 450 grammes of ****. He was on his way to Thailand. Cedrick was caught with 1.500 kilogrammes of heroin which he tried importing into the country. “A third suspect, a Nigerian, John Nwadilichukwu, was also arrested. He was to receive Cedrick at the airport, collect the drug and pay him for smuggling the drug.” The heroin was said to have been hidden inside a luggage. Twenty-year-old Cedrick, who claimed to be a secondary school student in Tanzania, said, “I was given the drug in Nairobi by a Nigerian woman who told me to give the drug to her husband, Nwadilichukwu, in Enugu. “I wanted to use the money they promised to pay me in buying beads for sale in Tanzania. I am a secondary school student from a poor home.” Iddrisu, aka Charles Udunehi, who bought the **** for $19,000, said he had wanted to sell them in Thailand. He said, “I got involved in drug trafficking because of my financial predicament. I bought the drugs in Ghana, ingested it and came to Enugu airport. As it is a new airport, I felt the security will not be like other airports, but I was wrong.” Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said adequate efforts had been made to apprehend drug traffickers at the Enugu airport. He said, “We have already deployed our officials to the Enugu airport before it commenced international flights. Adequate security measures have been put in place to apprehend drug traffickers at the airport.” in
323
« on: February 27, 2014, 09:00:39 pm »
Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating
Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-
Iweala said yesterday that the $500
million recovered Abacha loot was used to
develop the nation’s rural areas.
photo
ADVERTISEMENT
The minister was reacting to an article by
Mr. Sonala Olumhense who claimed that $2.5
billion was recovered from the funds looted
by the then maximum ruler, Gen. Sani
Abacha but that themoney disappeared
under the minister’s watch.
According to the minister, $ 500 million, not
$2.5 billion was recovered and had been
spent development projects in rural areas as
agreed with the Swiss government.
A statement by Mr. Paul Nwabikwu, Special
Adviser to the minister said that the claims
by Mr. Olumhense were unverified and
largely false.
“The problem I have with Mr Sonala
Olumhense’s articles on the Coordinating
Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi
Okonjo Iweala is the general absence of
verified facts and the basing of opinions on
gross inaccuracies.
“For instance, Mr Olumhense writes that $2.5
billion of Abachamoney was recovered
during Dr Okonjo Iweala’s time as Finance
Minister under President Obasanjo and that
themoney disappeared implying some
involvement in the disappearance by the
Minister. This is absolutely false. First, the
amount recovered was $500 million, not $
2.5 billion.
“The recovered amount was channeled into
rural projects and programmes as per the
agreement with the Swiss government
which repatriated the funds. A combined
team of Nigerian and Swiss NGOs with the
World Bank later verified the use of this
money on the ground in the projects cited
and they certified the money had been
accurately utilized.
“The World Bank had written about this in a
2007 2008 Handbook on stolen Asset
Recovery where the case was cited as a best
practice example of how to deploy returned
proceeds of looted assets. Readers of Mr
Olumhense would benefit more if his
passionate writings on Dr Okono Iweala are
supported by a bit more research as
opposed to sweeping, unverified
statements”, the statement read in part.
On the NNPC oil accounts issue, Mr.
Nwabuikwu said that the minister has been
at the forefront of the anti corruption
crusade and had called for an independent
forensic audit to establish the facts of any
unaccounted formoney and ensure that all
every Naira owed the treasury was returned
to the Federation Account.
“This is the best way to proceed given the
conflicting claims by Mr Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi and the NNPC. After all the speeches
and comments like that of Mr Olumhense,
the fundamental problem of determining
the facts as a basis for action must still be
tackled. Is there room for more action on
corruption? Of course the answer can only
be yes. But action is needed to achieve
change. Talk is cheap, action is crucial.
“The clean up of the fraud in the subsidy
payments regime to oil marketers for which
she paid a heavy personal price in the form
of the abduction of her mother by paid
kidnappers in November 2012 is one clear
example”.
“Another example is the clean up of the
pension fraud with the establishment now
of a new institution under the Federal
Ministry of Finance – the Pension Transition
Administration Department to ensure that
pensioners under the old defined benefits
scheme are not defrauded anymore”, he
said.
in
324
« on: February 27, 2014, 08:57:44 pm »
 2014 Comments The late Chief gani fawehinmi family has flatly turned down President Goodluck Jonathan’s centenary award. The rejection arrived in a letter signed by the eldest son of the late fiery lawyer and activist, Mohammed Fawehinmi and dated Febraury 27, 2014. The letter was addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim. It is reproduced below: Dear Sir, RE: CENTENARY AWARD TO OUR LATE FATHER, CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI (SAN) We acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated February 24, 2014, which was routed through Mr Tony Akiotu, Group Managing Director, DAAR Communications, Abuja, wherein our late father, Chief Gani Fawehinmi(SAN) was chosen as one of the awardees of the Centenary celebrations of Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan.We want thank the Federal Government for considering our latefather for this HONOUR. However, for reasons stated here under, our family has decided it would be inexpedient to accept the award: 1. In the list of the awardees published by the Federal Government, was the name of former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, who as military president, severally detained and tortured our late father . In the course of one of such illegal and inhuman detentions, our late father’s cell was sprayed with toxic substances while in Gashua prison in 1987. The cumulative effect of that dastardly action led to our father, a non- smoker, contracting lung cancer which eventually led to his death on September 5, 2009. We therefore, find it morally incongruous and psychologically debilitating for ourfamily to stand on the same podium with General Babangida to receive awards. 2. Our late father was empathetic to the sufferings of our people, particularly students. In the last 72 hours, 59 innocent students were mowed down by the blood- thirsty Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe state, while 20 other girls were similarly abducted by these same band of terrorists. These girls are still in captivity while their fate is unknown. If our latefather were to be alive, would he be wining and dining with all the glitterati at a Centenary celebration under these circumstances? Certainly no. 3. In the past few weeks, the polity has been assaulted with putrid odour of corruption with the alleged $20 billion missing in NNPC, a development that became the Archilles heel of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended Governor of Central Bank. As an anti-corruption activist, if he were to be alive, our latefather would have confronted the issue head-long and possibly gone to court. With the issue still raging, would our latefather have accepted this award at this critical moment? Certainly no. 4. Our late father was unrepentantly for the UNITY of Nigeria. However, with the level of profligacy in some of the events celebrating NIGERIA’S Centenary, our latefather would have preferred these multi- million Naira expenditures channeled to our decrepit Teaching hospitals, than unproductive razzmatazz that do not improve the socio- Economic well being of our people. Sir, for these reasons, our family respectfully declines to receive the award about to be conferred on our latefather by the government. Please, accept the assurances of our highest consideration. Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria.
325
« on: February 27, 2014, 08:54:21 pm »
President Goodluck Jonathan today,
Thursday promised that no resource will be
spared in bringing to justice all murderers in
the country engaging in violent activities in
the northern part of Nigeria.
Speaking at the Centenary Conference in
Abuja, themed ‘Human Security, Peace and
Development: Agenda for the 21st Century’,
Jonathan said that Africa must address
some fundamental challenges to the
continent’s human security, peace and
development.Over 20 Heads of State have
converged on the International Conference
Center Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital
Territory, to commemorate Nigeria’s 100
years of existence, beginning with an
international conference on human security,
peace and development.
President Goodluck Jonathan presented the
lead paper at the security conference which
focuses on how to secure the continent
against terrorists.
Some of the leaders present were President
Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, Paul
Kagame of Rwanda, Yahya Jammeh of the
Gambia and Prosper Bazombaza of Burundi.
Liberian President, Helen Sirleaf and the
former Secretary-General of OAU, Dr Salim
Ahmed Salim who led the Tanzanian
delegation were also in for the celebration.
Also in Abuja was the President of
Mauritania, Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz,
Ethiopian President, Mr Hailemarian
Desalegh, and the European Union
President, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso.
Presenting the lead paper, President
Goodluck Jonathan, while highlighting the
economic growth in the continent, told the
world leaders present, that there was a
need for collaboration in the fight against
terrorism which is a global threat to
development.
The President told his guests that world
leaders must strengthen existing
mechanism for national and international
conflict management.
Citing the recent attack on students in Yobe
State, President Jonathan said that the
Federal Government would spare no funds
in its resolve to bring the perpetuators to
justice.
The theme of Nigeria’s centenary
celebrations is designed around the key
concepts of unity, indivisibility, virility,
progress, and promise of the Nigerian
Federation.
in
| |
Home
Forum
Search
Calendar
Gallery
Arcade
Members
Login
Register
Post-UTME
NOTICE: You are currently viewing this website as a Guest and are restricted from viewing some vital information. For more permissions on 
Show Posts
