This is to inform the general public that the university of Uyo has started accepting application for 2012/2013 admission into the school through supplementary
Monday 20 August 2012
Unilag 2012/2013 fresh students registration dates and venues
This is to inform the general public that the University of Lagos Unilag has released the time table of dates and venue for the registration exercise of new students which will start from 22nd to 31st of August. 2012
Salah celebration in Kano and Plateau disrupted by gunmen
Eid-el-Fitr celebrations were disrupted in Kano and Plateau states on Sunday after gunshots were heard in Kano metropolis and in Farin Gada, North Jos Local Government, where 12 cars were also destroyed.
Two bayelsa communities in war over alleged killings
Beseni community had accused its Okordia neighbours of the killing of Josline and Ebiyeyinama Okiogu.
Trouble was said to have started on July 19 following rumours that the two brothers had been killed in a forest where they went to fetch firewood along the border between both towns.
Thursday 9 August 2012
El-Rufai detained
Past fct minister malam NASIRU EL-RUFAI was detained for about an hour at the murtala muhammed international airport on wednessday while he was trying to travel to Dubai
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Tuesday 31 July 2012
PDP Lagos call for speaker resignation
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday called for the resignation of the speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji over alleged N500 million scam.
The PDP noted that it was disheartening and unfortunate that in spite of the progressive posture of the party, no chieftain of the ACN has been prosecuted in its controlled states despite what the PDP described as ‘’the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states.”
Reacting to call by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur must step down now, the PDP said, “The ACN has also turned the other way in the case of a N500 million fraud allegation against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. There has been no call for the Speaker to resign. Till date, there is no record of any ACN official or chieftain standing trial in any ACN controlled State despite the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states”.
In a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party however threw its weight behind its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressing that the party was not prepared to sacrifice his son, Mahmud Tukur over his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on the subsidy payment scandal.
Metuh who also accused the ACN of interfering in judicial processes for its members, stressed that PDP was the only party in Nigeria that does not do that, adding, “the same cannot be said of the ACN. For instance, when the educational qualifications of Senator Bola Tinubu, the ACN’s National Leader were questioned, the entire Party machinery, operating under its earlier metamorphosis as Alliance for Democracy(AD) rose up and vilified anyone that called for a mere investigation. Every effort was deployed to frustrate the investigation.
According to PDP, it was not surprised as a party at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria, adding that it finds this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country.
It will be recalled that son of the PDP National Chairman, Mahmud Tukur; Mamman Nasir, son of the former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and Abdullai Alao, son of Chief Arisekola Alao are presently standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for alleged offences in the oil subsidy payment scam.
Metuh who noted that there was the need for the PDP to put the record straight, said, “However, in order to set the records straight especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN’s warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Dr Bamanga Tukur, is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials.
‘’We have stated severally that the son of the Chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered Chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about.
“Secondly, it is interesting that the ACN, which has been on record as casting doubts over the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in fuel subsidy matters is suddenly enmeshed in a juvenile frenzy, dishing out judgments even before trials are concluded. What is expected from a responsible opposition like it is done all over the world is to give credit where it is due, and criticize where necessary.
“The decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to bring to trial those who have allegations standing against them is a clear signal that the government has nothing to hide and there are no sacred cows. We thought that the ACN will for once rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge this fact. Unfortunately, they have once more missed another opportunity to earn the status of a decent organization.
The PDP spokesperson who warned that the party will not succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition, said, “the call by ACN for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to resign is therefore not only an assault on his fundamental rights but also a wild misadventure by a clueless group that is ignorant on the workings of due process. We wish to remind them that the PDP is not operated on the basis of the opinions of the ACN.
‘’As the Party holding the mandate and trust of the people of Nigeria, we shall continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance. We shall however not allow the integrity of our leaders to be wantonly violated, neither shall we succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition.”
The PDP noted that it was disheartening and unfortunate that in spite of the progressive posture of the party, no chieftain of the ACN has been prosecuted in its controlled states despite what the PDP described as ‘’the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states.”
Reacting to call by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur must step down now, the PDP said, “The ACN has also turned the other way in the case of a N500 million fraud allegation against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. There has been no call for the Speaker to resign. Till date, there is no record of any ACN official or chieftain standing trial in any ACN controlled State despite the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states”.
In a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party however threw its weight behind its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressing that the party was not prepared to sacrifice his son, Mahmud Tukur over his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on the subsidy payment scandal.
Metuh who also accused the ACN of interfering in judicial processes for its members, stressed that PDP was the only party in Nigeria that does not do that, adding, “the same cannot be said of the ACN. For instance, when the educational qualifications of Senator Bola Tinubu, the ACN’s National Leader were questioned, the entire Party machinery, operating under its earlier metamorphosis as Alliance for Democracy(AD) rose up and vilified anyone that called for a mere investigation. Every effort was deployed to frustrate the investigation.
According to PDP, it was not surprised as a party at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria, adding that it finds this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country.
It will be recalled that son of the PDP National Chairman, Mahmud Tukur; Mamman Nasir, son of the former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and Abdullai Alao, son of Chief Arisekola Alao are presently standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for alleged offences in the oil subsidy payment scam.
Metuh who noted that there was the need for the PDP to put the record straight, said, “However, in order to set the records straight especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN’s warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Dr Bamanga Tukur, is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials.
‘’We have stated severally that the son of the Chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered Chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about.
“Secondly, it is interesting that the ACN, which has been on record as casting doubts over the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in fuel subsidy matters is suddenly enmeshed in a juvenile frenzy, dishing out judgments even before trials are concluded. What is expected from a responsible opposition like it is done all over the world is to give credit where it is due, and criticize where necessary.
“The decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to bring to trial those who have allegations standing against them is a clear signal that the government has nothing to hide and there are no sacred cows. We thought that the ACN will for once rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge this fact. Unfortunately, they have once more missed another opportunity to earn the status of a decent organization.
The PDP spokesperson who warned that the party will not succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition, said, “the call by ACN for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to resign is therefore not only an assault on his fundamental rights but also a wild misadventure by a clueless group that is ignorant on the workings of due process. We wish to remind them that the PDP is not operated on the basis of the opinions of the ACN.
‘’As the Party holding the mandate and trust of the people of Nigeria, we shall continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance. We shall however not allow the integrity of our leaders to be wantonly violated, neither shall we succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition.”
Saturday 28 July 2012
Ini Edo says "im truely pregnant"
Nollywood superstar Iniobong Ini Edo has confirmed that she is definitely pregnant. Some of you will recall that rumours of the actress being pregnant went viral about a week ago.
In a recent interview she had with E24-7 the actress finally confirms it, said, “Yes, I am pregnant. I have become a real woman.”
Sick man vomits lizard in a hospital
It was really breathtaking as a strange thing occured in a community near the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Friday 20 July 2012
House of Reps blasts> sack Oteh and Sanusi
The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Federal Government to remove from office the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh.
The lawmakers said this in their adoption of report of the House ad hoc committee which probed the near-collapse of the capital market.
The report was debated and adopted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Federal Government recalled Oteh from the suspension slammed on her on June 12 by the Board of the SEC which indicted her for mishandling the Project 50 of the commission.
The report, which aslo faulted Oteh’s appointment as DG on grounds of qualification, said that she lacked the competence to manage human and material resources.
Oteh was also found to have lied on oath before the panel on the ownership of nationalised banks as well as “regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by SEC.”
The report in fact recommended her removal and prosecution.
But the government in a letter recalling her said Oteh was not indicted of fraud.
Some of the legislators had on Wednesday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “shielding corruption” with the recall of Oteh while she was being investigated. They alleged that the action of the government was to pre-empt the House decision.
Spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had also said that the lawmakers would take a decision on the SEC DG, notwithstanding the government’s action.
Workers of SEC had also on Wednesday protested the recall of Oteh, arguing that her recall would erode confidence in the capital market.
But the Presidency said on Thursday that the government’s decision to bring back Oteh was independent of the House decision and that due process was followed in her recall.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the accusation that his boss was shielding corruption with the recall of Oteh lacked merit.
Abati said, “If you look at the content of that letter issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, government indicated that under her (Oteh’s) watch, there were a number of lapses in terms of how procedures were managed. The letter strongly advises her to pay more attention to the management of procedures.
“Due process has therefore been followed; fair hearing has been allowed. And on the basis of the recommendation and findings of independent auditors, government has taken this decision. The allegation of shielding corruption cannot stand in this matter.”
He added, “What government has done has nothing to do with the report of the House of Representatives. They are two separate things.
“When the House was carrying out its probe, there was no communication with the Executive.
“If the House concluded its work on the probe and forwarded its recommendation to the Executive, it would be treated on its merit.”
The report of the House ad hoc committee, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, specifically stated that the embattled DG’s appointment violated “Section 3(2) a and 4ection 38 (1)(b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian Capital Market as required…”
“That the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as DG, SEC,” the report said.
The report added, “She has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in SEC, lack of transparency in the management of Project 50…and general inability to carry along her staff, board and management in decision-making in SEC and questionable staff recruitment.”
In another recommendation, the panel directed the prosecution of Oteh for lying on oath over the “ownership structure of the nationalised banks.”
Also to be prosecuted with Oteh for the same offence are a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Moughalu; and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Umar Ibrahim.
The House directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute the officials for breach of Section 10 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act “for giving false evidence under oath to the committee.”
While the officials had told the panel that the nationalised banks were owned by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, it was later discovered that private individuals were the directors of the banks.
On another ground, Oteh and the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, were recommended for prosecution for contempt.
The panel explained that they refused to produce documents that would have assisted the investigation in breach of “Sections 4&11(b) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act and Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Also to be prosecuted for the same offence is the MD of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.
For their roles in the banking sector crisis, which led to the CBN intervening in eight banks in 2009, the panel recommended a former Governor of the apex bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “further investigation.”
Others to be investigated for the same reason are the Deputy Governor (Banking Supervision), Mr. Tunde Lemo; and a former deputy governor, Mr. Ignatius Imala.
Similarly, the House endorsed the recommendation of the panel asking President Goodluck Jonathan to strip the former MDs of the eight banks of their national honours.
In addition, it called on anti-graft agencies to “hasten their prosecution to serve as deterrence and to help restore investors’ a deterrent in the market.”
Although the panel had recommended the prosecution of Sanusi over nationalisation of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the EFCC, the House stepped down the recommendation pending the outcome of consultation between the panel and the Committee on Banking/Currency.
This came after an explanation by the Chairman of the banking committee, Mr. Chukwudi Onyereri, who told the House that the committee was adequately briefed on status of the affected banks.
Members had obliged the committee a request to brief the House after the two committees had consulted on the matter.
But, one member, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, warned that the consultations should be done transparently to avoid a repeat of scandal witnessed during the consideration of the fuel subsidy probe report last month.
To strengthen the capital market, the committee recommended that both SEC and the CBN should improve on their regulatory duties by “detecting infractions and malpractices in their supervisory capacity.”
The lawmakers said this in their adoption of report of the House ad hoc committee which probed the near-collapse of the capital market.
The report was debated and adopted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Federal Government recalled Oteh from the suspension slammed on her on June 12 by the Board of the SEC which indicted her for mishandling the Project 50 of the commission.
The report, which aslo faulted Oteh’s appointment as DG on grounds of qualification, said that she lacked the competence to manage human and material resources.
Oteh was also found to have lied on oath before the panel on the ownership of nationalised banks as well as “regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by SEC.”
The report in fact recommended her removal and prosecution.
But the government in a letter recalling her said Oteh was not indicted of fraud.
Some of the legislators had on Wednesday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “shielding corruption” with the recall of Oteh while she was being investigated. They alleged that the action of the government was to pre-empt the House decision.
Spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had also said that the lawmakers would take a decision on the SEC DG, notwithstanding the government’s action.
Workers of SEC had also on Wednesday protested the recall of Oteh, arguing that her recall would erode confidence in the capital market.
But the Presidency said on Thursday that the government’s decision to bring back Oteh was independent of the House decision and that due process was followed in her recall.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the accusation that his boss was shielding corruption with the recall of Oteh lacked merit.
Abati said, “If you look at the content of that letter issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, government indicated that under her (Oteh’s) watch, there were a number of lapses in terms of how procedures were managed. The letter strongly advises her to pay more attention to the management of procedures.
“Due process has therefore been followed; fair hearing has been allowed. And on the basis of the recommendation and findings of independent auditors, government has taken this decision. The allegation of shielding corruption cannot stand in this matter.”
He added, “What government has done has nothing to do with the report of the House of Representatives. They are two separate things.
“When the House was carrying out its probe, there was no communication with the Executive.
“If the House concluded its work on the probe and forwarded its recommendation to the Executive, it would be treated on its merit.”
The report of the House ad hoc committee, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, specifically stated that the embattled DG’s appointment violated “Section 3(2) a and 4ection 38 (1)(b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian Capital Market as required…”
“That the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as DG, SEC,” the report said.
The report added, “She has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in SEC, lack of transparency in the management of Project 50…and general inability to carry along her staff, board and management in decision-making in SEC and questionable staff recruitment.”
In another recommendation, the panel directed the prosecution of Oteh for lying on oath over the “ownership structure of the nationalised banks.”
Also to be prosecuted with Oteh for the same offence are a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Moughalu; and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Umar Ibrahim.
The House directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute the officials for breach of Section 10 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act “for giving false evidence under oath to the committee.”
While the officials had told the panel that the nationalised banks were owned by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, it was later discovered that private individuals were the directors of the banks.
On another ground, Oteh and the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, were recommended for prosecution for contempt.
The panel explained that they refused to produce documents that would have assisted the investigation in breach of “Sections 4&11(b) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act and Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Also to be prosecuted for the same offence is the MD of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.
For their roles in the banking sector crisis, which led to the CBN intervening in eight banks in 2009, the panel recommended a former Governor of the apex bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “further investigation.”
Others to be investigated for the same reason are the Deputy Governor (Banking Supervision), Mr. Tunde Lemo; and a former deputy governor, Mr. Ignatius Imala.
Similarly, the House endorsed the recommendation of the panel asking President Goodluck Jonathan to strip the former MDs of the eight banks of their national honours.
In addition, it called on anti-graft agencies to “hasten their prosecution to serve as deterrence and to help restore investors’ a deterrent in the market.”
Although the panel had recommended the prosecution of Sanusi over nationalisation of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the EFCC, the House stepped down the recommendation pending the outcome of consultation between the panel and the Committee on Banking/Currency.
This came after an explanation by the Chairman of the banking committee, Mr. Chukwudi Onyereri, who told the House that the committee was adequately briefed on status of the affected banks.
Members had obliged the committee a request to brief the House after the two committees had consulted on the matter.
But, one member, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, warned that the consultations should be done transparently to avoid a repeat of scandal witnessed during the consideration of the fuel subsidy probe report last month.
To strengthen the capital market, the committee recommended that both SEC and the CBN should improve on their regulatory duties by “detecting infractions and malpractices in their supervisory capacity.”
Thursday 19 July 2012
Aki wife a graduate of fashion school
Nneoma, was very proud to show off her certificate from the Needlecraft Couture Fashion School on Sunday, July 15, 2012 right at the graduation ceremony held in Ikeja, Lagos. We are unsure if Aki was present at the ceremony.
The ‘pint sized’ actor and beau Nneoma tied the knot on Friday, December 9, 2011.
Monday 7 May 2012
Stanbic IBTC in need Tax Officer & Credit Research Analyst in Nigeria Today
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc is part of the Standard Bank Group. Stanbic Bank Nigeria was merged IBTC Chartered Bank PLC to form Stanbic IBTC Bank.
The merger, by way of the first ever tender offer in Nigeria and a $525 million FDI.
The merger, by way of the first ever tender offer in Nigeria and a $525 million FDI.
Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC through its wholly owned stock broking and asset management subsidiary, IBTC Asset Management Limited has several excellent mutual funds including the IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund, which is Nigeria’s largest mutual fund with a net asset value in excess of N25 billion (as at December 2007). It is the only bank that has a direct subsidiary that is a pension fund administrator; through the market leading IBTC Pension Managers Limited (IPML).
The following job vacancies are available:
- Tax Officer
- Credit Research Analyst
2Face Idibia, Away & Beyond Album Review
When you think the quality and standard of Mr. Idibia’s music will experience decline in his fifth release, the father of six proves you wrong. The ‘Grass 2 Grace’ maestro recruited a handful of ace producers and artistes to create the soul food known as ‘Away and Beyond’.
The cuisine opens with the Huma Lara assisted ‘Higher (Spiritual Healing)’, on the number 2Face shows he has grown artistically and musically incorporating a spine-tingling Indian sample. ‘Higher’ possesses the ability of calming a troubled mind and sets the tone for the what lies ahead. On ‘Bother You’, the afro-pop titan team ups with Terry Tha Rapman to craft a soulful tune addressing the subject of rumours and third parties attempting to scatter the ‘party’ of his relationship. After being ‘Spell Bound, the singer chants ‘Steady, Steady’; a mid-tempo number urging Nigerians to live life by taking one step at a time.
The 15-track LP also boasts of a number of club friendly numbers like the groovy ‘Dancefloor’ where the vocalist pays tribute to the late King of Pop ‘Michael Jackson’ in his little way; using the phrase “Blood on the Dancefloor”. The show-stopping ‘Ihe Neme’ is another potential smash and there is the so-so ‘Bad Man, Bad Girl’ which features Ghanian belter ‘Becca’ not forgetting the up-tempo ‘O.N.D (Omo No Dulling)’, with guest appearances from Hypertek’s recording artistes ‘Dammy Krane’ and ‘Rocksteady’. Cerious Music and Hypertek collides and results in a disappointing ‘Chemical Reaction’, the Naeto-C assisted track might just be the weakest the link. ‘Omo Tosan’ which is the second track is another cut which should not be undermined.
At his ‘Buckwild & Breathless’ concert which was held at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites the ‘African Queen’ conferrer declared ‘Away and Beyond’ an album for matured mind and that sums it all up. Undoubtedly 2Face Idibia sets the trend and does not follow it, this he validates in this rich, matured, soothing, spicy, adventurous and solidly produced album.
Thursday 3 May 2012
Bishop blasts; FG too weak to stop terrorists!
The Government of President Goodluck Jonathan came under attack from Nigeria’s senior bishops yesterday over the spate of bomb attacks in the country as they said the government was too weak to deal with growing threat from terrorists waging a campaign of terror against Christians.
This came as Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, declared that the serial bombings in some parts of the country was all about radical religious ideology.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja both denounced government’s response to the growing threat from Islamist groups, saying Christians were increasingly at risk of attack.
Both spoke after at least 21 people were killed and more than 20 others injured last Sunday in coordinated attacks targeting Sunday services at the Bayero University in Kano, and a chapel in Maiduguri, belonging to the Church of Christ in Nigeria.
Speaking in interviews with Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic charity based in the United Kingdom, which helps suffering and persecuted faithful worldwide, both bishops said they had lost patience with government’s efforts to stem the crisis caused by an Islamic sect and other militant groups.
Archbishop Onaiyekan said: “At first we were ready to be patient with the government when it was saying that this kind of Islamic terrorism is new. They have had adequate time to learn how to deal with this situation, gathering intelligence about those directly involved and bring them to book.
“It has become clear that we have a weak government that has put together a whole lot of compromises; that means that the action that should be taking place is not taking place.”
The Archbishop said the government was too divided “to muster the political will” to deal with the crisis.
Archbishop Kaigama, in his reaction said: “The rampant attacks show that government security is not working. The government is not able to cope with the security situation and we feel quite apprehensive as a result.
“Why the government cannot identify the people involved baffles the imagination. We pay tax and we have a right to know what is being done about the problem.”
Archbishop Kaigama, whose northern diocese of Jos has been among those worst affected by Islamist violence, said: “Those young people killed at the university (BUK) represented the hope of our country. It defies all logic. They were people trying to build a better country.”
It is not about poverty, but religion —CAN
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria yesterday, said it was now convinced that the principal reason behind serial bombings in some parts of the country was not about poverty and youth unemployment, but about radical religious ideology.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor at a press conference in Abuja said focusing on individual businesses, churches and masses is “to instill fear with the subsequent aim of eradicating religious freedom, democratic liberties with the church and Christianity as its primary target”.
The cleric who appealed to Christians to stay calm, however stressed the need for the government to use all the resources at its disposal to neutralize the activities of the Islamic sect, in the country.
Oritsejafor who said international community was made to understand that the problem of the sect is about poverty in the land noted that poverty and almajiri syndrome were babies of past northern leaders who amassed the country’s resources for themselves.
He said: “The question we should ask is that in the 51 years of governing this nation, who are those that have governed this country? They are from the north; what did they do with the opportunities and the resources they have? We need to ask the question, the Almajiris, can they read and write? We need to ask questions to understand what is happening, it is a pure religious ideology.
“Let me interject here that it is not to say we don’t know the beginning or the origin of this sect and all we are witnessing; it is basically a radical religious ideology, help us tell the world that western world is being deceived that the young people became terrorists because they were poor but they became terrorist because of religious ideology. The young Nigerian man who was about to bomb a plane did not do it because he was poor, his father is known in this country, very rich family. So it has nothing to do with poverty, that is not to say that people are not poor.
“We have been witnesses to the step-by-step escalation of violence on citizens with the Christian and the church suffering the greatest loss. We have persistently pleaded with government to take courage and act to stop the surge of terror.
“My first call to all peace loving Nigerians is to remain calm in the face of all the insecurity challenges as I am aware that the greater part of the overall design is to instill fear in the populace. I will now make final call to the Nigerian government to use all resources available to it to clearly define and neutralize the problem as other nations have done.
“The church leadership has hitherto put great restraint on the restive and aggrieved millions of Nigerians but can no longer guarantee such cooperation if this trend of terror is not halted immediately.” SOURCE:VANGUARD
This came as Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, declared that the serial bombings in some parts of the country was all about radical religious ideology.
From left: Gen. Tony Hananiya; Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; The Apostolic Church FCT Area Superintendent, Pastor Fakunle and CAN Acting General Secretary, Elder Albert Uko during a World press conference by the leadership of CAN on Terrorism in Nigeria, yesterday, in Abuja Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.
Both spoke after at least 21 people were killed and more than 20 others injured last Sunday in coordinated attacks targeting Sunday services at the Bayero University in Kano, and a chapel in Maiduguri, belonging to the Church of Christ in Nigeria.
Speaking in interviews with Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic charity based in the United Kingdom, which helps suffering and persecuted faithful worldwide, both bishops said they had lost patience with government’s efforts to stem the crisis caused by an Islamic sect and other militant groups.
Archbishop Onaiyekan said: “At first we were ready to be patient with the government when it was saying that this kind of Islamic terrorism is new. They have had adequate time to learn how to deal with this situation, gathering intelligence about those directly involved and bring them to book.
“It has become clear that we have a weak government that has put together a whole lot of compromises; that means that the action that should be taking place is not taking place.”
The Archbishop said the government was too divided “to muster the political will” to deal with the crisis.
Archbishop Kaigama, in his reaction said: “The rampant attacks show that government security is not working. The government is not able to cope with the security situation and we feel quite apprehensive as a result.
“Why the government cannot identify the people involved baffles the imagination. We pay tax and we have a right to know what is being done about the problem.”
Archbishop Kaigama, whose northern diocese of Jos has been among those worst affected by Islamist violence, said: “Those young people killed at the university (BUK) represented the hope of our country. It defies all logic. They were people trying to build a better country.”
It is not about poverty, but religion —CAN
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria yesterday, said it was now convinced that the principal reason behind serial bombings in some parts of the country was not about poverty and youth unemployment, but about radical religious ideology.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor at a press conference in Abuja said focusing on individual businesses, churches and masses is “to instill fear with the subsequent aim of eradicating religious freedom, democratic liberties with the church and Christianity as its primary target”.
The cleric who appealed to Christians to stay calm, however stressed the need for the government to use all the resources at its disposal to neutralize the activities of the Islamic sect, in the country.
Oritsejafor who said international community was made to understand that the problem of the sect is about poverty in the land noted that poverty and almajiri syndrome were babies of past northern leaders who amassed the country’s resources for themselves.
He said: “The question we should ask is that in the 51 years of governing this nation, who are those that have governed this country? They are from the north; what did they do with the opportunities and the resources they have? We need to ask the question, the Almajiris, can they read and write? We need to ask questions to understand what is happening, it is a pure religious ideology.
“Let me interject here that it is not to say we don’t know the beginning or the origin of this sect and all we are witnessing; it is basically a radical religious ideology, help us tell the world that western world is being deceived that the young people became terrorists because they were poor but they became terrorist because of religious ideology. The young Nigerian man who was about to bomb a plane did not do it because he was poor, his father is known in this country, very rich family. So it has nothing to do with poverty, that is not to say that people are not poor.
“We have been witnesses to the step-by-step escalation of violence on citizens with the Christian and the church suffering the greatest loss. We have persistently pleaded with government to take courage and act to stop the surge of terror.
“My first call to all peace loving Nigerians is to remain calm in the face of all the insecurity challenges as I am aware that the greater part of the overall design is to instill fear in the populace. I will now make final call to the Nigerian government to use all resources available to it to clearly define and neutralize the problem as other nations have done.
“The church leadership has hitherto put great restraint on the restive and aggrieved millions of Nigerians but can no longer guarantee such cooperation if this trend of terror is not halted immediately.” SOURCE:VANGUARD
University of Abuja goes on Strike Again!
Information reaching us is that The Engineering student of the University of Abuja are on Strike again and they were on the Umaru Musa Yar'adua express way.
Jonathan’s agents behind two bombings – Okah insists
Detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mr. Henry Okah, has insisted that President Goodluck Jonathan’s agents sponsored the March 15, 2010 and October 1, 2010 bombings in Warri and Abuja respectively for political considerations.
Okah made the allegation in a 194-paragraph affidavit deposed to in the South Gauteng High court in Johannesburg, South Africa in Case No: A570/10.
The allegations first came to light in an interview Okah granted Arabic satellite television, Aljazeera, in October 2010, weeks after the blast. In the interview, he blamed the attacks on Jonathan’s aides and claimed he was arrested for refusing to influence MEND, to retract its claim of responsibility.
Since then, Okah has been denied bail at least twice, with one at the South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, where he is filing a new application for bail based on “new facts.”
The sworn affidavit was expected to be filed at the court between Tuesday and Wednesday as part of his renewed bid to secure bail, after spending more than one year in a South African jail.
His trial is set to start on October 1, 2012, exactly two years after a devastating blast that occurred less than a kilometre from the Eagle Square in Abuja, where Jonathan was attending Nigeria’s 50th anniversary.
He said the March 2010 car bomb blast (which he said occurred on March 14, 2010) at the Government House Annex, Warri, where South-South governors were attending an amnesty meeting, was intended to pave the way for the removal of Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and his replacement by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe.
“It is my belief that President Goodluck Jonathan’s government working with a faction of MEND planned and executed the bombings of 14 March 2010 and 1 October 2010.
“The purpose of the 14 March 2010 bombing in my opinion was to create an atmosphere of insecurity in Niger Delta where President Goodluck Jonathan at that time, was fighting to oust the governor Mr. Emmanuel Uduaghan whom President Goodluck Jonathan intended to replace with his Minister for Niger Delta, Mr Godsday Orubebe,” Okah said in the affidavit.
On the Independence Day bombing, which claimed 10 lives, Okah said it was meant to sway public opinion against the North and some of its leaders who were planning to run against Jonathan in the April 2011 presidential election.
Okah has been held at the Johannesburg Prison since October 2, 2010, and is currently standing trial for alleged involvement in the October 1 bomb attack.
He alleged that Jonathan was upset when MEND claimed responsibility for the October 1 attack, against a plan to blame it on Northern elements.
He stated, “The bombings of 1 October 2010 were also intended by President Goodluck Jonathan government to create anti-North sentiments nationwide in order to galvanize support from other sections of Nigeria against other Northern candidates in the Presidential election.
“Under the arrangement, MEND, I believe, was not to claim responsibility for the bombings which the Nigerian government hoped to pin on General Babangida and other Northern elements. The claim of responsibility by the central group for a bombing, possibly carried out by a faction of MEND, punctured the plans of President Goodluck Jonathan to round up his opposition and hold them in custody until after the elections.”
He claimed to have come under pressure from some of Jonathan’s aides to get MEND to retract its claim of responsibility for the bombing, recalling that his “refusal to cooperate in this scheme resulted in President Goodluck Jonathan placing a call to President Jacob Zuma during the evening of 1 October 2010, requesting President Zuma’s personal assistance in securing my arrest. My noncooperation was interpreted by President Goodluck Jonathan as support for the Northern politicians.
“The South African Government’s direct interference was responsible for securing search and arrest warrants against me.”
Okah also claimed to have influenced Jonathan’s appointment of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as minister of petroleum resources, at the prompting of a Jonathan aide. He alleged that between April 4 and 5, 2010, he received approximately 20 calls from Alison-Madueke, asking him to “put in a good word for her” with Jonathan to consider her for the position.
He also countered evidence and public statements by the SSS detailing his alleged involvement in the October 1 blast. Okah provided telephone numbers used by Jonathan’s aides and Alison-Madueke in reaching him.
The Presidency has, however, described Okah’s allegations as “false.”
In a statement by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the Presidency said the allegations were without any factual foundation and promised that government would full representation in court once the trial commenced fully.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to reports in the media of allegations made against President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in an affidavit said to have been sworn to by Mr. Henry Okah, who is facing trial in South Africa for his involvement in terrorist acts against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Presidency categorically affirms that these allegations are false in their entirety and without any factual foundation.
“As the case of Mr. Okah’s involvement in the plotting and execution of terrorist attacks in Nigeria is already before a court of competent jurisdiction in South Africa, the Presidency does not intend to say anymore on the matter for now and will, in accordance with due process and international law, make a full representation on the matter to the court when the trial opens.
“The Presidency also advises the Nigerian media to respect the sanctity of the legal and judicial processes in this matter and avoid becoming willing tools in the hands of Mr. Okah and his agents in an entirely diversionary trial by the media aimed only at falsely impugning the character and integrity of the President and officials of his administration.”
Madonna University 2012/ 2013 Post- Utme/ Admission Process begins
Before Proceeding for Madonna University, A minimum Jamb Cut-off of 180
Jonathan’s 2015 ambition cause of insecurity – Speaker
Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, has blamed the rising security in the country on President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged plan to seek a second term in 2015.
Omirin said this in an interview with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
The speaker, who lamented the violence in some parts of the country, particularly the wave of bombings in the North, alleged that tensions had grown increasingly since Jonathan said his first term would end in 2015.
Omiri said, “African leaders are not honest. If somebody who begged for a term is now seeking a second term, there is no honesty in that. It is not that the Peoples Democratic Party is popular.
“Nigerians are tired of the PDP, they are still in power because they are the one who organised elections in the country but I hope by next election we are going to have a more credible election that would automatically reduce the number of PDP governors in the states. The PDP cannot win more than 10 states if a credible election is conducted.”
On the claim by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi (retd), that the zoning formula of the PDP was the cause of the crisis in the country, the lawmaker said the NSA being an insider could not be wrong.
The speaker feared Nigeria might disintegrate if a solution was not found to the problem of terrorism ravaging the country.
He said the security challenges facing the country had reached an alarming rate, urging Jonathan to find a permanent solution.
According to him, Nigerians have yet to see any improvement in the security situation in the country, despite the assurances given by the President in his numerous condolence messages.
Omirin said, “Security should be the first in any society. The security situation in the country is cause for concern because bombs are being thrown everyday and lives and property are being destroyed.
“Whatever the problem of those throwing the bombs is, dialogue is the solution. They should consider dialogue, the Federal Government should also be ready to dialogue with them. If they continue this way, it may be the end of Nigeria.”
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Bowen University 2012/2013 Post-UTME Screening details
This is to inform all candidates who chose Bowen University as any choice and scored the minimum required cut-off (180) in the 2012 UTME for their Post-UTME screening test which comes up on 12th May, 2012.
According to the memo passed across to us, the general O'level requirement to enter the school is as follows;
5 Credit passes in either SSCE, GCE, NECO, NABTEB or approved equivalent in not more than 2 sittings for English Language and 4 other relevant subjects for the course of study.
If you intend to study Medicine and Surgery(MBBS) programme, the above O'level requirement should be in 1 sitting.
Candidates awaiting results may apply.
All applicants for direct entry must satisfy any one of the following:
1. NCE, ND and approved equivalents with at least Upper Credit in relevant fields.
2. The Bowen Foundation Year Programme (BFP) at acceptable pass level.
3. At least two Advanced Level passes
4. The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) International Baccalaureate or Cambridge moderated School of Basic Studies at acceptable grade levels.
5. In addition to the NCE/ND/IJMB or two Advanced Level papers to be specified by the Faculty or programme, candidates must also satisfy Ordinary Level requirements.
All direct entry candidates are required to apply through JAMB.
According to the memo passed across to us, the general O'level requirement to enter the school is as follows;
5 Credit passes in either SSCE, GCE, NECO, NABTEB or approved equivalent in not more than 2 sittings for English Language and 4 other relevant subjects for the course of study.
If you intend to study Medicine and Surgery(MBBS) programme, the above O'level requirement should be in 1 sitting.
Candidates awaiting results may apply.
Requirements for DE Candidates
All applicants for direct entry must satisfy any one of the following:
1. NCE, ND and approved equivalents with at least Upper Credit in relevant fields.
2. The Bowen Foundation Year Programme (BFP) at acceptable pass level.
3. At least two Advanced Level passes
4. The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) International Baccalaureate or Cambridge moderated School of Basic Studies at acceptable grade levels.
5. In addition to the NCE/ND/IJMB or two Advanced Level papers to be specified by the Faculty or programme, candidates must also satisfy Ordinary Level requirements.
All direct entry candidates are required to apply through JAMB.
Jonathan tells PDP i,m not a kid
President Goodluck Jonathan says he does not want to be admonished like a schoolchild.
Speaking at a dinner in honour of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Monday, Jonathan however told the PDP executives despite being president he was not above the party.
He said he and other members of the Executive arm of government as well as the legislature were ready to respect party supremacy.
Jonathan said, “The President cannot be a king or maximum ruler, the President is elected by the party and must serve the party not the party serving the President. So, if he is deviating, the President must be cautioned so that all will know that the party is supreme and all must all follow the dictates of the party.
“I am not saying the President should be admonished like a primary schoolchild. Nobody in the party from the President to the least person at the ward will be superior to the party. So, you have a lot of challenges in this direction to make sure that you instil that kind of discipline. We will give you maximum cooperation.”
“The PDP is a political party and as a party, we must have guidelines and no matter the office you are holding, the party must be in a position to discipline or admonish Mr. President if he deviates.
“In South Africa, the African National Congress can admonish the President because the party is superior. And that is why in the gathering of the party, the party chairman takes precedence in order of protocol. It shows that the President himself is under the chairman.
Jonathan said he would not take issue with those criticising his administration, saying, “when you are in the ruling party, you must show more maturity”.
The President said, “We must all work to create an avenue where the party will source funding so that if you are the chairman of the party, members of the working committee, you can manage the party without excessive influence of people.
“Even though we expect all moneybags to be in PDP, but we don’t want the moneybags to influence the activities of the party and to stop that of course, we must come up with programmes that will make the party self-sustaining in terms of financing.”
The PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamagar Tukur, said the party could not be repositioned without internal democracy and discipline.
He urged all party faithful to ensure that they do not work in cross purpose with the government.
Subsidy report: ACN blasts Jonathan; asks him to apologise to Nigerians
Action Congress of Nigeria has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to apologise to Nigerians for the increase in fuel pump price after the report of the House of Representatives Committee’s probe of fuel subsidy alleged large scale fraud.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the report of the House of Represenatatives Committee on the management of fuel subsidy had shown that the increase was ill-advised.
The ACN said, “Against all informed pieces of advice, even from well-informed industry insiders and analysts, President Jonathan approved the removal of fuel subsidy and went ahead to defend it.
“The President is human and therefore can also be wrong. But when he is, as it has now been proved, he should be humble enough to admit it and apologise.”
It said after the apology, the President should revert the fuel price to the pre-January price of N65 per litre.
The party added that Jonathan should implement the recommendations of the fuel subsidy committee and prosecute all indicted persons and companies.
The party added, “In more-civilised climes, those who bandied spurious figures to Nigerians and hinted that the economy would collapse if the subsidy was not removed – would by now have tendered their resignations – with apologies – over the discovery that what the government has been subsidising over the years are corruption and inefficiency, not fuel.
“The sectional groups which threw their weight behind the fuel subsidy removal, for no other reason than that the President is their “son”, should also have repeated the adverts they placed in the newspapers, but this time repudiating their earlier adverts and apologising to Nigerians.”
It said since those indicted would not resign, the President should sack those he had the power to sack.
It noted that many Nigerians had expressed anger at the report of the House Committee, especially the huge payments made to unknown and unqualified fuel importers and the recommendation that the NNPC, PPPRA and some oil marketers should refund over N1tn.
University of Port-Harcourt convocation holds on 28 April 2012
The University of Port-harcourt, UNIPORT convocation ceremony has been slated on 28th April, 2012.
UNIPORT has slated her convocation lecture on 26th April 2012. The Convocation Lecture is titled, “Universities and the Private Sector: Promoting Research and Entrepreneurial Network for Economic Transformation”.
This lecture will be taken by Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Ita Okon Ewa.
Ve
UNIPORT has slated her convocation lecture on 26th April 2012. The Convocation Lecture is titled, “Universities and the Private Sector: Promoting Research and Entrepreneurial Network for Economic Transformation”.
This lecture will be taken by Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Ita Okon Ewa.
Ve
Monday 23 April 2012
Five Nigerians arrested for drug trafficking
Five Nigerians have been arrested for allegedly trafficking in drugs in India and Malaysia.
A
35-year-old Nigerian, Uche Sylvester, who used to traffic drugs between
Mumbai and Delhi, was arrested in the capital and 100 grams of cocaine
was recovered from him, the Times of India reported on Sunday.
Sylvester was arrested near the Delhi airport on Thursday while returning from Mumbai, police said on Friday.
Indian
Narcotics Control Bureau had earlier arrested three Nigerians for
allegedly trying to smuggle out heroin worth Rs 2.50 crore from the
Asian country.
Ude Chidi and Obumuneme Nwachukwu were arrested in New Delhi in separate alleged drug smuggling attempts.
Also, Ikechukuri Otuata, (32) was arrested after he was found in possession of 64g of cannabis.
He was arrested on Friday at the Saligao junction during routine late-night patrol by police sub-inspector Akshay Amonkar.
Since
he was behaving suspiciously, the police team detained him for
questioning and a search resulted in the discovery of 64g of cannabis
from him.
Otuata was later detained in police custody for further investigation.
Meanwhile,
a 27-year-old Nigerian registered as a student of a private college in
Kuala Lumpur since June last year, was found with 0.85kg of
methamphetamine concealed in a special compartment in his laptop bag, New Straits Times reported on Sunday.
Malaysian
custom chief Siti Baya said the man was detained by Customs when his
laptop bag showed a suspicious image when it was scanned on his arrival
from Lagos.
Stephine Okereke gets married
Subsidy N1.1trn scam NNPC dares CBN, REPS
Ahead of tomorrow’s commencement of debate on the report of the House
of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the utilization of petroleum
subsidies, industry and political stakeholders were weekend separately
upbeat and muted over alleged errors in the recommendations.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC , yesterday, asked the committee to prove allegations of misdeed levelled against it, even as it emerged that at least 17 of those companies indicted have resorted to go to court today to halt possible implementation of the recommendations. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who is lead lawyer to the companies told Vanguard yesterday that the companies would be filing court processes today to demand N100 billion for punitive damages.
Enthusiasm for the consideration of the report swelled at the weekend in the House of Representatives with members pledging to enforce the recommendations to be approved by the House. A member of the House ad-hoc committee Dr Ahmad Ali, cried out over what he claimed was a plan by those affected by the House report to destabilise the House leadership by instigating the impeachment of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Reacting to the finding of the committee that the NNPC made double deductions in its subsidy claims, the corporation denied ever receiving any money in that regard since the inception of the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF.
Rather, the corporation said its subsidy claims were offset with accruable crude costs.
“Such a claim is totally unfounded and absurd. We challenge both the CBN and Ad Hoc Committee to provide evidence that such payments as alleged were made to NNPC. They must show authorisation for the payments as well as breakdown of the amount, purpose for the payments, beneficiary accounts in which such payments were made and the utilisation of such payments, he said.
The NNPC Spokesman explained that rather than collecting such payments from CBN as alleged, the NNPC applied such subsidy approvals as credit due to the Corporation towards the cost of its domestic crude allocation.
“For the purposes of clarity, subsidy payment to NNPC is not based on Cash remittance. The mechanics of subsidy recovery by NNPC is not fund based but by way of deduction from crude cost due. As a matter of fact, from the commencement of the subsidy regime there was never a time when CBN paid any money to NNPC in respect of subsidy claim”.
Ajuonuma lamented that despite the fact that all the necessary documents and information were given to the Probe Committee, they could still make this kind of unfounded allegation against the Corporation.
“For instance, NNPC presented to PPPRA approvals for 2011 totaling N981 billion out of which only N844.9billion has been credited to NNPC. But surprisingly, the Committee claimed that PPPRA approved only N504billion and that the balance was excess payment to NNPC .What logic”, he said.
In its general review of the report, the NNPC accused the Committee of causing more confusion, saying that it seemed not to be sure of its action as its intention was really not to clarify the subsidy payments but more interested in maligning and damaging the reputation of the Corporation as well as other key players of the industry.
He also picked holes in the Committee’s query of the NNPC’s deduction of subsidy payment as a first line charge.
“The basis for the deduction of both cash calls for Joint Venture operations and NNPC’S subsidy payments as a first line charge on the income of the Federal Government is statutory and founded on the Appropriation Act which was passed by the National Assembly. Under the said Appropriation Act, certain budgetary items including subsidy payments to the NNPC are listed as first line charges on the income of the Federation,” he noted.
Continuing he stated thus: “The Committee accepted the Cash call as first line charge yet alleged that the subsidy aspect was illegal.
“It is clear that the tone of the Committee’s report is not only damaging to the Corporation but to the entire nation. At this stage, it is pertinent to ask the question, whose interest is this committee serving,” he quizzed.
In a similar twist, 17 companies indicted by the Lawan committee of abusing N41 billion in subsidy claims have protested their innocence. Some of the companies Vanguard learnt yesterday had secured the services of Chief Ozekhome to file their defence before the courts today.
Admitting his legal representation of some of the companies indicted by the House panel, Ozekhome told Vanguard yesterday that his taking the brief was not in any way contrary to his avowed opposition to corruption.
The House report had indicted the companies mainly on the fact that they “refused to appear” before the committee and directed them to refund a total sum of N41 billion.
Sources close to the firms disclosed that the companies saw the report as a grave act of injustice on the fact that they were not invited to appear before they were found culpable.
But sources close to the lawyers of the affected companies confirmed that the oil companies have rejected the report, describing it as lacking fair hearing.
The Companies insisted that besides the fact that they were not invited to appear before the Committee, they were shocked to discover that the Committee went ahead to indict them without hearing from the affected companies.
Lead counsel to the firms, Chief Ozekhome told Vanguard that though he agreed with the House on the need to combat corruption and ensure that those who stole money through subsidy were made to refund same and prosecuted, he would not subscribe to innocent oil marketers being punished without fair hearing.
According to him, the House of Representatives does not have the power to indict, prosecute and punish any oil marketer without being heard.
“Some marketers briefed me that they were roped in without being heard. They were not invited to testify, they were tried in absentia and convicted.
On the outcome of the probe generally, Ozekhome, who disclosed that he would litigate for at least two oil marketers said: “I have always said that there is something wrong with the handling of the fuel subsidy. I believe that those who stole our money should be made to refund the money. There is no reason to subsidise fuel to the tune of N2.5 trillion. It is obvious that the figures are cooked up. Let’s fight corruption. We cannot continue to subsidise corruption and criminality. I am agreeable with the House of Representatives to clean the Augean stable, get those who stole oil money to refund them and be prosecuted.”
The Manager, Public & Government Affairs of Mobil Oil Nigeria, Mr.Akin Fatunke, said that at no time was the company invited by the committee to appear before it.
“Mobil Oil Nigeria’s name was neither listed in the invitation published in national dailies by the committee on January 13, 2012 nor did it receive any letter of invitation to appear before the committee. The media reports suggesting that Mobil Oil Nigeria refused to appear before the committee because it ‘has something to hide’ are incorrect”.
Also yesterday, Conoil Plc said that the report presented by the Lawan-led committee exonerated it from any misdeeds in the controversial subsidy payments regime.
Its name was erroneously listed amongst companies said to have illegally collected fuel subsidy, it emerged yesterday.
The authentic report submitted to the House by the Ad-hoc Committee on Wednesday, April 18 does not have the name of Conoil on the list.
“We have it on good authority that some of them have started mobilising against Tambuwal to impeach him because they have seen he didn’t disturb us throughout the probe.
“Remove Tambuwal or not, the House and Nigeria remain the same. Even Tambuwal is irremovable. You know he was not elected from outside. He is from inside”, Ahmad PDP, Ilorin East and Ilorin South federal constituency, Kwara State said at a press conference yesterday.
Ahmad also indicated that some top officials of the Federal Government were among those who benefited from the subsidy payments as he pledged that the committee would reveal them after the report is adopted.
“The oil business is like a secret society thing. If you don’t belong, you don’t belong. Oil industry is so small, but so powerful. I’m even surprised I haven’t started seeing advertorials here and there. They have lots of money and have nothing to do with it”.
Ahmad, who said the implementation of the report by the executive in the next three months would help to address the problem of pricing of petroleum products in the country, added that Nigerians should have a rest of mind on the issue.SOURCE:VANGUARD
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC , yesterday, asked the committee to prove allegations of misdeed levelled against it, even as it emerged that at least 17 of those companies indicted have resorted to go to court today to halt possible implementation of the recommendations. Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who is lead lawyer to the companies told Vanguard yesterday that the companies would be filing court processes today to demand N100 billion for punitive damages.
Enthusiasm for the consideration of the report swelled at the weekend in the House of Representatives with members pledging to enforce the recommendations to be approved by the House. A member of the House ad-hoc committee Dr Ahmad Ali, cried out over what he claimed was a plan by those affected by the House report to destabilise the House leadership by instigating the impeachment of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Reacting to the finding of the committee that the NNPC made double deductions in its subsidy claims, the corporation denied ever receiving any money in that regard since the inception of the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF.
Rather, the corporation said its subsidy claims were offset with accruable crude costs.
We made no such withdrawals — NNPC
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the
Corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, in a statement yesterday, said that
contrary to the allegation contained in the report which accused NNPC of
withdrawing from two different sources simultaneously to recover its
subsidy claims, the Corporation at no time made such double withdrawals.“Such a claim is totally unfounded and absurd. We challenge both the CBN and Ad Hoc Committee to provide evidence that such payments as alleged were made to NNPC. They must show authorisation for the payments as well as breakdown of the amount, purpose for the payments, beneficiary accounts in which such payments were made and the utilisation of such payments, he said.
The NNPC Spokesman explained that rather than collecting such payments from CBN as alleged, the NNPC applied such subsidy approvals as credit due to the Corporation towards the cost of its domestic crude allocation.
“For the purposes of clarity, subsidy payment to NNPC is not based on Cash remittance. The mechanics of subsidy recovery by NNPC is not fund based but by way of deduction from crude cost due. As a matter of fact, from the commencement of the subsidy regime there was never a time when CBN paid any money to NNPC in respect of subsidy claim”.
Ajuonuma lamented that despite the fact that all the necessary documents and information were given to the Probe Committee, they could still make this kind of unfounded allegation against the Corporation.
“For instance, NNPC presented to PPPRA approvals for 2011 totaling N981 billion out of which only N844.9billion has been credited to NNPC. But surprisingly, the Committee claimed that PPPRA approved only N504billion and that the balance was excess payment to NNPC .What logic”, he said.
In its general review of the report, the NNPC accused the Committee of causing more confusion, saying that it seemed not to be sure of its action as its intention was really not to clarify the subsidy payments but more interested in maligning and damaging the reputation of the Corporation as well as other key players of the industry.
He also picked holes in the Committee’s query of the NNPC’s deduction of subsidy payment as a first line charge.
“The basis for the deduction of both cash calls for Joint Venture operations and NNPC’S subsidy payments as a first line charge on the income of the Federal Government is statutory and founded on the Appropriation Act which was passed by the National Assembly. Under the said Appropriation Act, certain budgetary items including subsidy payments to the NNPC are listed as first line charges on the income of the Federation,” he noted.
Continuing he stated thus: “The Committee accepted the Cash call as first line charge yet alleged that the subsidy aspect was illegal.
“It is clear that the tone of the Committee’s report is not only damaging to the Corporation but to the entire nation. At this stage, it is pertinent to ask the question, whose interest is this committee serving,” he quizzed.
In a similar twist, 17 companies indicted by the Lawan committee of abusing N41 billion in subsidy claims have protested their innocence. Some of the companies Vanguard learnt yesterday had secured the services of Chief Ozekhome to file their defence before the courts today.
Admitting his legal representation of some of the companies indicted by the House panel, Ozekhome told Vanguard yesterday that his taking the brief was not in any way contrary to his avowed opposition to corruption.
Indicted firms go to court
The companies that have gone to court based on the House report
asking them to refund various amounts of subsidy payments include Mobil
Oil Nigeria (N14.934b); Somerset Energy Services (N3.015b); AX Energy
Limited (N1.471b); CAH Resources Association Limited(N1.052b); Crust
Energy Limited(N1.192b); Fresh Synergy Oil Limited(N1.417b); Ibafon Oil
Limited(N4.687b); Techno Oil(N1.036 b);Oil Bath(N1.019bn);Mut-Hass
Petroleum Limited (N1.2bn); Stonebridge Oil Limited(N1.784b);
Petrotrade(N1.471b); Lucky Energy(N1.7); Rocky Energy(N1.620b); Lottoj
Oil(N1.427b); Oakfield Synergy Network Limited(N988m); Prudent Energy
and Services Limited(N1.360b); Nepal Oil and Gas Service(N2.353b)The House report had indicted the companies mainly on the fact that they “refused to appear” before the committee and directed them to refund a total sum of N41 billion.
Sources close to the firms disclosed that the companies saw the report as a grave act of injustice on the fact that they were not invited to appear before they were found culpable.
But sources close to the lawyers of the affected companies confirmed that the oil companies have rejected the report, describing it as lacking fair hearing.
The Companies insisted that besides the fact that they were not invited to appear before the Committee, they were shocked to discover that the Committee went ahead to indict them without hearing from the affected companies.
Lead counsel to the firms, Chief Ozekhome told Vanguard that though he agreed with the House on the need to combat corruption and ensure that those who stole money through subsidy were made to refund same and prosecuted, he would not subscribe to innocent oil marketers being punished without fair hearing.
According to him, the House of Representatives does not have the power to indict, prosecute and punish any oil marketer without being heard.
“Some marketers briefed me that they were roped in without being heard. They were not invited to testify, they were tried in absentia and convicted.
On the outcome of the probe generally, Ozekhome, who disclosed that he would litigate for at least two oil marketers said: “I have always said that there is something wrong with the handling of the fuel subsidy. I believe that those who stole our money should be made to refund the money. There is no reason to subsidise fuel to the tune of N2.5 trillion. It is obvious that the figures are cooked up. Let’s fight corruption. We cannot continue to subsidise corruption and criminality. I am agreeable with the House of Representatives to clean the Augean stable, get those who stole oil money to refund them and be prosecuted.”
The Manager, Public & Government Affairs of Mobil Oil Nigeria, Mr.Akin Fatunke, said that at no time was the company invited by the committee to appear before it.
“Mobil Oil Nigeria’s name was neither listed in the invitation published in national dailies by the committee on January 13, 2012 nor did it receive any letter of invitation to appear before the committee. The media reports suggesting that Mobil Oil Nigeria refused to appear before the committee because it ‘has something to hide’ are incorrect”.
We ‘re exonerated — Conoil
Also yesterday, Conoil Plc said that the report presented by the Lawan-led committee exonerated it from any misdeeds in the controversial subsidy payments regime.
Its name was erroneously listed amongst companies said to have illegally collected fuel subsidy, it emerged yesterday.
The authentic report submitted to the House by the Ad-hoc Committee on Wednesday, April 18 does not have the name of Conoil on the list.
Cabal moves against Speaker
Meanwhile, a member of the Lawan committee, Dr Ahmad Ali, yesterday
alleged a gang-up by the firms and agencies indicted by the committee to
instigate rebellion against the Tambuwal leadership of the House. Ahmad
while assuring the citizenry of the determination of the House to forge
ahead with an unimpeded consideration of the report vowed that the
House would resist any such move.“We have it on good authority that some of them have started mobilising against Tambuwal to impeach him because they have seen he didn’t disturb us throughout the probe.
“Remove Tambuwal or not, the House and Nigeria remain the same. Even Tambuwal is irremovable. You know he was not elected from outside. He is from inside”, Ahmad PDP, Ilorin East and Ilorin South federal constituency, Kwara State said at a press conference yesterday.
Ahmad also indicated that some top officials of the Federal Government were among those who benefited from the subsidy payments as he pledged that the committee would reveal them after the report is adopted.
“The oil business is like a secret society thing. If you don’t belong, you don’t belong. Oil industry is so small, but so powerful. I’m even surprised I haven’t started seeing advertorials here and there. They have lots of money and have nothing to do with it”.
Ahmad, who said the implementation of the report by the executive in the next three months would help to address the problem of pricing of petroleum products in the country, added that Nigerians should have a rest of mind on the issue.SOURCE:VANGUARD
Confussion in UI as students protest
University of Ibadan,was thrown into confussion as students took to the streets within the
university to register their grievances and dissatisfaction over the
epileptic power supply both from the PHCN and the university maintenance
section.
Jamb releases yet more results
This is good news for JAMB Candidates who are yet to see their results, or which result is still not released. If you fall into this category where your jamb result has been held or you are seeing this when trying to check your result "No Results Yet", the good news is that more jamb results has been released as of 23rd April 2012.
If you are in this category, you can proceed to check your jamb result now... Check Your Jamb Result Here, click on the link above to check your jamb result.
After checking your jamb result, you might want to check out the 2012/2013 Post-Utme Cut-off Mark for University and Polytechnic. Check Post Utme 2012/13 for University/Polytechnic
Get prepared for the upcoming screening exercise...
Share this Good News with our friends on facebook, you might just put some smile on someone face...
If you are in this category, you can proceed to check your jamb result now... Check Your Jamb Result Here, click on the link above to check your jamb result.
After checking your jamb result, you might want to check out the 2012/2013 Post-Utme Cut-off Mark for University and Polytechnic. Check Post Utme 2012/13 for University/Polytechnic
Get prepared for the upcoming screening exercise...
Share this Good News with our friends on facebook, you might just put some smile on someone face...
Friday 20 April 2012
N16 billion fraud; SFU arrests Akingbola for questioning
As investigation into the alleged N16 billion fraud in the defunct Intercontinental Bank continued, the police at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), have invited the former managing director of the bank, Mr Erastus Akingbola. Also invited was a top director with one of the leading banks in the country (name withheld).
A former managing director of Intercontinental Bank, Mahmud Lai Alabi who took over from Akingbola was on Wednesday arrested by the police for questioning over alleged N16 billion fraud. He was still in custody as at press time.
A senior police investigator at SFU, who spoke to Daily Sun yesterday said Akingbola had been invited to assist in the investigation of the alleged fraud.
According to him, Akingbola had received the police invitation and promised to honour the invitation. “Any moment from now, he will be here.”
The police officer hinted that another top executive of a new generation bank had also been invited in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged fraud.
The source said: “It is part of our investigation. It is a routine exercise to invite and interrogate those believed to be in the know of whatever that transpired in any allegation relating to fraud.”
He explained that, with the preliminary investigation so far, there was hope that the mystery behind the missing fund would soon be uncovered.
According to him, Mr. Akingbola was invited to assist in the investigation of Alabi. “We are bent on getting to the root of the matter and that is why we are still holding Mr. Alabi to continue to assist us.” When Daily Sun spoke with the Commissioner of Police in charge of SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, he confirmed that Mr. Alabi was still in their custody but declined to comment on the invitation of Akingbola and another bank executive.
He said: “The case is under investigation. Our duty is to conduct discreet investigation to discover the truth in the matter. We can invite anybody fingered in the fraud or that can assist in the investigation.” According to him, that the police invited anyone to assist in investigation did not mean that the person would be detained.
Lai Alabi was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly writing off a loan of N9 billion and for also granting another N7 billion loan without collateral.
A former managing director of Intercontinental Bank, Mahmud Lai Alabi who took over from Akingbola was on Wednesday arrested by the police for questioning over alleged N16 billion fraud. He was still in custody as at press time.
A senior police investigator at SFU, who spoke to Daily Sun yesterday said Akingbola had been invited to assist in the investigation of the alleged fraud.
According to him, Akingbola had received the police invitation and promised to honour the invitation. “Any moment from now, he will be here.”
The police officer hinted that another top executive of a new generation bank had also been invited in connection with the ongoing probe into the alleged fraud.
The source said: “It is part of our investigation. It is a routine exercise to invite and interrogate those believed to be in the know of whatever that transpired in any allegation relating to fraud.”
He explained that, with the preliminary investigation so far, there was hope that the mystery behind the missing fund would soon be uncovered.
According to him, Mr. Akingbola was invited to assist in the investigation of Alabi. “We are bent on getting to the root of the matter and that is why we are still holding Mr. Alabi to continue to assist us.” When Daily Sun spoke with the Commissioner of Police in charge of SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, he confirmed that Mr. Alabi was still in their custody but declined to comment on the invitation of Akingbola and another bank executive.
He said: “The case is under investigation. Our duty is to conduct discreet investigation to discover the truth in the matter. We can invite anybody fingered in the fraud or that can assist in the investigation.” According to him, that the police invited anyone to assist in investigation did not mean that the person would be detained.
Lai Alabi was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly writing off a loan of N9 billion and for also granting another N7 billion loan without collateral.
Gtmobile;how activate and check your account balance with your phone
Gtmobile is mobile application that can enable you to monitor your guarantee trust bank (gtbank) account balance.you can even use it to buy airtime of most Nigerian network operator like GLO, MTN, ETISALAT, AIRTEL etc, pay subscription bills like DSTV,HITV,HITV, and also utility bills like PHCN on your phone without necessarily going to the bank.cool hun.some people were asking me how to activate gtmobile after downloading it.the activation process is not difficult.anyway, today i am going to share with you on how to activate gtmobile.
after activating gtmobile, you can be able to check account balance and also pay subscription fees using your mobile phone on the spot.
no need to walk to the banking hall to pay subscription fees like dstv, phch, hitv etc.
with gtmobile app, information on tracking your account statement will be at your finger tips.
how to activate gtmobile
you may like to read what is gtmobile lite
==>you will need at least an s40 java mobile phone that can accept application like .jar or .jad, send sms and also wap enabled to receive gprs internet browsing.
==>you must have an account with gtbank e.g savings or current is ok.
==>if you already have the said items,then head over to their official website to download the gtmobile app to your phone http://www.gtbank.com/smart/index.php#downloads.then click download gtmobile option.
you will be ask to insert your phone number, vendor e,g blackberry or others:choose others if you are not using bb,then choose lite as the model.
==>click send wap push if you are using wap enabled phone or choose to download the gtmobile lite to your computer which you can then send to the phone.
==>when you have downloaded it,lunch it and choose your network operator e,g MTN, GLO, AIRTEL etc.,in the second box, insert your number,then confirm it again in the third box and click confirm.
NOTE that you must use the simcard you have with them when you opened gtbank account.
now you will see some thing like the image above.in other for you to start using the application to check account statement and make payment,you must add your naira master card (ATM) or any other card.to do this
===>scroll down to wallet=>card management=>add card.
in the first box==>type your ATMCARD NAME e.g naira master card or any other.in this case i used Nairamastercard,
in the second box=insert the 16 digit card number in front of the ATM CARD,
in the third box==> choose either savings or current as default depending on your account type,
in 4th box==> leave it as YES,
in the 5th box ==>choose the expiring month of the ATM(check your card),
after activating gtmobile, you can be able to check account balance and also pay subscription fees using your mobile phone on the spot.
no need to walk to the banking hall to pay subscription fees like dstv, phch, hitv etc.
with gtmobile app, information on tracking your account statement will be at your finger tips.
how to activate gtmobile
you may like to read what is gtmobile lite
==>you will need at least an s40 java mobile phone that can accept application like .jar or .jad, send sms and also wap enabled to receive gprs internet browsing.
==>you must have an account with gtbank e.g savings or current is ok.
==>if you already have the said items,then head over to their official website to download the gtmobile app to your phone http://www.gtbank.com/smart/index.php#downloads.then click download gtmobile option.
you will be ask to insert your phone number, vendor e,g blackberry or others:choose others if you are not using bb,then choose lite as the model.
==>click send wap push if you are using wap enabled phone or choose to download the gtmobile lite to your computer which you can then send to the phone.
==>when you have downloaded it,lunch it and choose your network operator e,g MTN, GLO, AIRTEL etc.,in the second box, insert your number,then confirm it again in the third box and click confirm.
NOTE that you must use the simcard you have with them when you opened gtbank account.
now you will see some thing like the image above.in other for you to start using the application to check account statement and make payment,you must add your naira master card (ATM) or any other card.to do this
===>scroll down to wallet=>card management=>add card.
in the first box==>type your ATMCARD NAME e.g naira master card or any other.in this case i used Nairamastercard,
in the second box=insert the 16 digit card number in front of the ATM CARD,
in the third box==> choose either savings or current as default depending on your account type,
in 4th box==> leave it as YES,
in the 5th box ==>choose the expiring month of the ATM(check your card),
Thursday 19 April 2012
Imo state university 2011/2012 matriculation ceremony dates
This is to inform the general public that The Imo State University, IMSU has announced that they will be hold their matriculation ceremony for the 2011/2012 successful freshers of the Institution.
The Imo state University matriculation ceremony is slated on 20th April 2012.
The Imo state University matriculation ceremony is slated on 20th April 2012.
Afenifere> North can survive outside Nigeria
Afenifere Leader, Dr. Reuben Fasoranti, has cautioned the Northern leaders against their threat that the North is not afraid of the breaking of Nigeria.
A leader of the Arewa Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdulahi, on Wednesday said the North was prepared to go alone if the nation breaks up, adding that the North would not, however, champion the disintegration of the country.
Fasoranti told our correspondent in an interview in Akure that the news came to him as a shock.
He said, “I strongly appeal to the Northern leaders against such move because it would never be in their interest.
“They obviously don’t know the implication of such action and they should better don’t take a hasty decision they would forever live to regret.
“They would definitely benefit better if they remain in the same federation with the south because their own resources are limited.
“Their natural resources cannot possibly sustain them so they should not take any hasty decison because of the prevailing circumstance.”
The Arewa Consultant Forum, the umbralla body for the North, however, remained evasive regarding the position of Abdullahi, preferring to tacitly endorsing a united Nigeria.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, said on Thursday. “Professor Ango Abdullahi merely echoed what has been said several times that the North is committed to a united Nigeria in diversity not out of fear that the region cannot exist without oil but because of our deep and wide interdependence among constituent parts that make divorce impossible.
“Moreover, the size of the country is a huge advantage not just now but in future when the economy picks up. As result, the North would not be the cause of any contemplated break up.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo dismissed Abdullahi’s threat, describing his submission as pointless.
The Deputy President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Gary Igariwey, said, “We cannot react to such threats. Anybody could come from anywhere to make threats of breakup or secession, so it’s pointless reacting to such.”
He added, “There are so many groups now seeking attention, but there are those we recognise, like the Arewa Consultative Forum.
“Even if it comes from the Arewa Consultative Forum, it must come from the right people in the group, not just anybody.”
Coordinator of the Federation of Middle Belt Peoples, Mr. Manasseh Watyil, distanced the zone from the position of the Northern leaders.
Watyil said, “Who are the Northerness? We better distinguish between the owners of the North. If they want Nigeria to break that mean they are going back to where they came from. That will not affect the Middle Belt; they are free to go.
He added, “It is because of these challenges that the Middle Belt is calling for true federalism or Sovereign National Conference if we will stay together.”
A member of the Ulam council in Plateau State, Mallam Sani Muazu, however lamented the penchant for people or group to claim that they were speaking for the North.
He said there was nothing called one monolithic North, adding that there were no issues that could warrant any breakup of the country. Muazu said what united the country was more than what could divide it.
He said, “Who is the voice of the North? What is the criteria used in determining that voice? Is there one monolithic north? What are the issues at stake that warrants a breakup? Who is agitating for that? To achieve what?
My Divorce With Sophia Is Affecting my Career – Nollywood Director Tchidi Chikere
How did you feel when you first saw the controversial interview?
I felt like dying. I felt like I live in an unfair and mean world where people rub salt on already bleeding injuries. I felt like maybe God was too slow in meting out judgment on evil people like that and so they thrive and do more havoc. But then my manager came and spoke to me. He quoted the Bible in several places and I felt better. I was reassured that God sees all our hearts and that at the right time he would fight for me while I hold my peace. He will not give me up to the will of my enemies and scoffers.
Once and for all, tell us how important your kids are to you.
I hold them sacred, second only to God.
A lot of people believe you are too arrogant. How will you describe yourself?
I’ m not arrogant. I just protect myself, because too many friends bring entanglements, distractions, trouble and betrayals. I don’t smile with everybody. I don’t believe in having friends upon friends because that wasn’t how I was brought up. I grew up basically in my room, reading novels and building worlds of fantasies around myself in my imagination. I love my own company. I’m very close to my father though. I love my daddy to bits.
I would describe myself as a very deep person. What works for other folks don’t work for me. I guess that accounts for why a lot of people misunderstand me. And when you don’t understand something, there arises the need to make up stories to fill in the blank spaces, even if they are lies. What people don’t understand is how deeply they hurt other people with these made up stories and how somehow somewhere in this life, they’d pay for every careless word, every careless lie. I have an unshakeable faith in God. I was brought up in a strict catholic home. I was an altar boy at mass and later thought I’d become a priest, but I guess the world of make believe stole me and kept me.
Is your divorce affecting your career in anyway?
I’m human and it has affected me. I haven’t written a script in three months. No one knows what I do when I’m alone in my room and take off the celebrity mask I wear in public. Nobody knows how I hurt. We are talking about ten years of my life here. But I’m not going to wear my sadness on my face and die so that haters will laugh. I find consolation in the fact that I still love and respect my family and whatever I do next will be as my happiness dictates. We are all solitary birds in this world, nobody will die with me, whatever will make me happy tomorrow, I will do it, but in all, to respect my family, even as I move on. That is why this will be my last and final interview
Food security: Lagos acquires Osun land for agriculture
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola says his administration ha
14-year-old boy and gang rape 17-year-old girl
Eight suspects, including a 14-year-old boy, will appear in a South African court on Thursday for the rape of a 17-year-old girl whose attack was filmed and has gone viral.
“Eight suspects, aged between 14 and 37, will appear at the Roodepoort magistrate’s court today,” said police spokesman Tshiskhawe Ndou.
Seven of the suspects, aged between 14 and 20, were arrested after they were traced to the video which horrified the nation that is battling shocking levels of violence against women and sexual assaults.
“The arrests emanated from the circulation of the video by the suspects – that’s how the police picked it up,” Ndou told AFP. “It resulted in the arrest of seven suspects.”
The eighth suspect, a 37-year-old man, was arrested on Wednesday after the victim, whom local media reported has the mental capacity of a four-year-old, was found in his house.
She had gone missing on March 21 but her disappearance was not reported by her mother, said Ndou.
“We found him with the girl in his house and he was charged for abduction and rape.”
Watching the video is a crime under South Africa’s child pornography law.
The Cape Times on Thursday said the low-quality cellphone video showed the girl screaming and begging for her attackers to stop as they took turns to rape her.
It ends with one offering her two rands (26 US cents) for her silence and she is heard crying, the newspaper said.
The video’s spread has forced South Africa to confront its staggering incidence of rape. More than 56,000 cases were reported to police last year.
But the crime is often under-reported, like the case of the 17-year-old. A 2009 study by the government’s Medical Research Council revealed that only one in 25 rapes were reported to the police.
The same survey found more than one quarter of South African men admitted to raping a woman or girl.
“Eight suspects, aged between 14 and 37, will appear at the Roodepoort magistrate’s court today,” said police spokesman Tshiskhawe Ndou.
Seven of the suspects, aged between 14 and 20, were arrested after they were traced to the video which horrified the nation that is battling shocking levels of violence against women and sexual assaults.
“The arrests emanated from the circulation of the video by the suspects – that’s how the police picked it up,” Ndou told AFP. “It resulted in the arrest of seven suspects.”
The eighth suspect, a 37-year-old man, was arrested on Wednesday after the victim, whom local media reported has the mental capacity of a four-year-old, was found in his house.
She had gone missing on March 21 but her disappearance was not reported by her mother, said Ndou.
“We found him with the girl in his house and he was charged for abduction and rape.”
Watching the video is a crime under South Africa’s child pornography law.
The Cape Times on Thursday said the low-quality cellphone video showed the girl screaming and begging for her attackers to stop as they took turns to rape her.
It ends with one offering her two rands (26 US cents) for her silence and she is heard crying, the newspaper said.
The video’s spread has forced South Africa to confront its staggering incidence of rape. More than 56,000 cases were reported to police last year.
But the crime is often under-reported, like the case of the 17-year-old. A 2009 study by the government’s Medical Research Council revealed that only one in 25 rapes were reported to the police.
The same survey found more than one quarter of South African men admitted to raping a woman or girl.
BOKO HARAM bomb production site discovered
Yet another Boko Haram‘s bomb production factory has been discovered duri
UNICAL 2011/2012 100level school fees
This is to inform all the new studentsof Unical that The University of Calabar has finally released the institution school fees structure for the 100Level Students.
Outline Below is University of Calabar, Unical 2011/2012 session school fees for New students. (Students in 100 level)
FACULTY OF SCIENCE:
Full payment: N41,300
1st installment: N28,580
2nd installment: N13,220FACULT
Outline Below is University of Calabar, Unical 2011/2012 session school fees for New students. (Students in 100 level)
FACULTY OF SCIENCE:
Full payment: N41,300
1st installment: N28,580
2nd installment: N13,220FACULT
A 56 year old grandpa detained for fingering 3 year old girl
A 56-year-old grandpa is currently being remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison for allegedly fingering a three-year-old girl. The suspect, who resides at Block 1, Masha, Surulere, Lagos, claimed to be a staff of Mushin Local Government.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Baby with six legs born in Pakistan
Sukkur, Sindh: A technician’s wife gave birth to a baby boy with six legs in Sukkur, a city of Sindh Province, local media reported.
Both mother and the baby are in healthy condition though hospital administration is paying extra attention to the baby.
Six-legged baby brings hope to parents
Imran Sheikh, a technician hardly manages to earn to cater needs of his family, looked cheerful on having a healthy baby. However, he was a bit worry about the treatment of his child.
Local doctors advised Sheikh to take his child to any modern hospital in Karachi, the economic hub of the country.
“”I can’t afford to visit Karachi and get treated my baby.”
“I appeal philanthropists and the government to come forward for treatment of the baby,” appealed, Imran, a X-ray technician.
Local medical experts claim that Pakistan has medical facilities to operate such special medical cases requiring a handsome amount of money.
Doctors claim baby does not have six legs, but is a conjoined twin
KARACHI: On Friday, Imran Sheikh and his wife became the proud parents of a baby boy with six legs.
As the news of this baby and his legs spread like wildfire, a large crowd lined outside the hospital in Sukkur to catch a glimpse.
As the frenzy increased, the anxious parents decided to take their son home.
With a little help from the family and the Baitul Mal, Sheikh brought his son to Karachi on Monday for a check-up at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH). After an initial physical assessment, the doctors felt that the baby was a conjoined twin with a case of parasitic conjunction, also known as unequal conjoined twins when a twin embryo begins developing in utero but the pair does not fully separate and one embryo maintains dominant development at the expense of the other. Unlike conjoined twins, one ceases development during gestation and is vestigial to a mostly fully formed, otherwise healthy individual twin.
According to NICH Director Dr Jamal Raza, the baby was stable when he arrived in Karachi and was being kept in the Surgical-Intensive Care Unit as newborns were at a high risk of developing infections.
While talking to the media, Dr Raza clarified that the baby did not have six legs – he had two legs and the other four belonged to the other twin. “Operating on such a baby is not an easy task as proper assessments need to be done first,” he said. “We need to figure out whether the baby has his twin’s limbs or his own. We also need to consider how much the internal organs have developed as the latter could complicate matters and decrease the baby’s chances of surviving.” He added that a team of five surgeons was assigned to the case and was carrying out initial assessments which included MRIs, ultrasounds and blood tests.
The tests and assessments are expected to take two days, however if they come across any complications, the doctors will have to do specialised tests which may take longer. Dr Raza explained that if they found internal organ tissues of the second twin in the baby it would make surgery much more difficult as it was not possible to separate internal organs. He added that there was no need to rush into surgery as the baby was breathing and his condition was steady.
“Conjoined twins are not genetic, they are rare cases. There is one in every 100,000 patients and the survival rate is low,” he said. “There are variations too – the twins joined at the head are craniopagus where a parasitic head is attached to the head of a fully developed baby, twins who are joined near the occipital region are occipitalis and the twins joined in the parietal region are called parietalis.”
While talking to The Express Tribune, Sheikh said that he was accompanied by his aunt and cousin as his wife was unable to travel because of the caesarean delivery. He said that he was married to his cousin and they were blessed with their first child after four years of marriage.
He added that he hoped his son, whom he planned to name Umar Farooq, would make it through the surgery.
The Baitul Mal has been instrumental in giving Sheikh and his family both emotional and financial support. When his child was born, he did not have money or resources to come to Karachi for a medical check-up. The Baitul Mal arranged for Sheikh and the baby’s transport and living arrangements. According to Dr Adnan Majeed, the director of Baitul Mal Sindh, they had given Sheikh Rs50,000 for his personal expenses in Karachi and will give a cheque for Rs0.6 million to NICH.
Via, Express Tribune
Redeemer University 2012/ 2013 Post Utme Screening Registration Dates Announced Read more: Redeemer University 2012/ 2013 Post Utme Screening Registration Dates Announced
This is to Inform all the Candidates who Chose Redeemer's University as their choice and also scored the minimum required cut-off mark of 180 in the 2012 UTME for their Post-UTME screening exercise which be held on 2nd June, 2012.
The O'level requirement to enter the school is listed as follows;
5(five) Credit passes in either WAEC or NECO in 1 (one) sitting or 6 (six) Credit passes in not more than 2(two) sittings for English Language, Mathematics and other relevant subjects for the course of study.
For all the requirements for each departments, please visit the institution website at Redeemer Univ
The O'level requirement to enter the school is listed as follows;
5(five) Credit passes in either WAEC or NECO in 1 (one) sitting or 6 (six) Credit passes in not more than 2(two) sittings for English Language, Mathematics and other relevant subjects for the course of study.
For all the requirements for each departments, please visit the institution website at Redeemer Univ
FUTA suspends strike, begins exams immidietly
We are using this platform to Inform the general public that the internal 1 week strike conducted by Management of The Federal University of Technology, Akure has been suspended.
The suspension info Tuesday after Federal Government said that cash backing mapped out for the nation's universities had not yet been given to the universities for payment of the Non Salary Allowances workers.
The staf
The suspension info Tuesday after Federal Government said that cash backing mapped out for the nation's universities had not yet been given to the universities for payment of the Non Salary Allowances workers.
The staf
Ibori bags 4 years 6 months jail term in UK prison
It took Justice Nicholas Pitts, just one hour to end the five-year legal ordeal of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, whom he sentenced to spend 13 years in a United Kingdom prison. The sentence ended the legal battle between the strongman of Delta State politics and the combined powers of the EFCC and the UK legal system.
Effectively, Chief Ibori who did not betray any emotion, will spend about four and half years in prison considering the deductions the judge made to the conviction.
In passing the sentence, the judge said that he considered the fact that Chief Ibori pleaded guilty to the V-mobile case and to money laundering on the eve of the commencement of the trial which he said could have lasted six months. He also praised Chief Ibori’s courage to plead guilty considering the fact that one of his co-accused had been freed on a similar charge.
Effectively, Chief Ibori who did not betray any emotion, will spend about four and half years in prison considering the deductions the judge made to the conviction.
In passing the sentence, the judge said that he considered the fact that Chief Ibori pleaded guilty to the V-mobile case and to money laundering on the eve of the commencement of the trial which he said could have lasted six months. He also praised Chief Ibori’s courage to plead guilty considering the fact that one of his co-accused had been freed on a similar charge.
PDP ACN in war of words over Oshiomhole mansion
The build-up to the July 14 governorship election in Edo State heightened on Tuesday following allegations of diversion of public funds by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
The Peoples Democratic Party at a press conference in Benin accused the governor of using tax payer’s money to construct a country home, which it estimated at N10bn, in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area.
PDP state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, expressed shock at what he described as the fraudulent and fake posture of Oshiomhole.
In a swift reaction, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Tony Iyare, described the allegations as an attempt by the PDP in the state to cause disaffection and “throw mud at the hard earned reputation” of the governor.
Iyare, in a statement, claimed the PDP’s goal was to cause mischief, “particular at a time Edo people are clamouring for his return for a second term.”
Orbih, during a preview of video slides of supposed aerial view of a massive residential project under construction purportedly belonging to Oshiomhole, said, “I know most of you have paid visit to Governor Oshiomhole’s home in Iyamho. I am sure you have seen his private residence before he assumed office and I am shocked at the pictures displayed.
“Why this is shocking to many is because of the fake posture of the governor. We are also aware that after coming to office his statures changed, even his private residence has change.
“You will agree with me that the slogan the governor adopted when he came to the office was ‘Let the People Lead,’ but we have since discovered that it is a one man show government.
“Oshiomhole has said a lot about our governorship candidate, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, making spurious allegations which found space at the back page of some newspapers but we didn’t bother to join issues with him because we knew his stock in trade is to deceive people.”
Iyare, who noted that Oshiomhole built his only home more than 20 years ago, described PDP’s N10bn mansion allegation as fairy tale, existing in the imagination of the sponsors.
“We are aware that the promoters of this laughable falsehood had gone round many media houses in Lagos with sack-loads of blood money to induce its publication, but were turned down outright on the basis of the amateurish job done, until the cheap bait finally caught these unconscionable hacks in the periphery of yellow journalism,” he said.
Monday 16 April 2012
Goodluck; I have not declared interest for 2015
AGAINST the backdrop of speculations on his political ambition, President Goodluck Jonathan has declared before an Abuja High Court that he was yet to indicate or announce anywhere that he would contest for presidency in 2015. The president was responding to a suit asking the court to disqualify him from contesting the 2015 presidential election.
Jonathan who approached the court through his consortium of lawyers led by Chief Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, described the suit which was filed against him by a chieftain of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku, as frivolous and highly vexatious. He insisted that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, permits him to contest for not more than two terms of four years each. The president, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the suit against him.
Jonathan who approached the court through his consortium of lawyers led by Chief Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, described the suit which was filed against him by a chieftain of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku, as frivolous and highly vexatious. He insisted that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, permits him to contest for not more than two terms of four years each. The president, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the suit against him.
Kim beats Okonjo Iwuala to world bank job
The World Bank chose Korean-American physician Jim Yong Kim as its next chief Monday in a decision that surprised few despite the first-ever challenge to the US lock on the Bank’s presidency.
The Bank’s directors chose Kim, a 52 year old US health expert and educator, over Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had argued that the huge lender needs reorientation under someone from the developing world.
Kim, 52 and currently president of the Ivy League University Dartmouth, will replace outgoing President Robert Zoellick, the former US diplomat who is departing in June at the end of his five-year term.
The Bank’s directors expressed “deep appreciation” to Kim, Okonjo-Iweala and a third candidate, Colombian economist Jose Antonio Ocampo, who pulled out of the race Friday.
“Their candidacies enriched the discussion of the role of the president and of the World Bank Group’s future direction,” the Bank said in a statement.
“The final nominees received support from different member countries, which reflected the high caliber of the candidates.”
Nevertheless, there had been little doubt about the choice of Kim, even as he breaks the pattern of American bankers and diplomats being named to lead the huge development bank.
By a longstanding pact Washington has chosen the head of the World Bank while Europe has held control of who leads its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.
The Bank’s directors chose Kim, a 52 year old US health expert and educator, over Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had argued that the huge lender needs reorientation under someone from the developing world.
Kim, 52 and currently president of the Ivy League University Dartmouth, will replace outgoing President Robert Zoellick, the former US diplomat who is departing in June at the end of his five-year term.
The Bank’s directors expressed “deep appreciation” to Kim, Okonjo-Iweala and a third candidate, Colombian economist Jose Antonio Ocampo, who pulled out of the race Friday.
“Their candidacies enriched the discussion of the role of the president and of the World Bank Group’s future direction,” the Bank said in a statement.
“The final nominees received support from different member countries, which reflected the high caliber of the candidates.”
Nevertheless, there had been little doubt about the choice of Kim, even as he breaks the pattern of American bankers and diplomats being named to lead the huge development bank.
By a longstanding pact Washington has chosen the head of the World Bank while Europe has held control of who leads its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.
F.C.E Obudu holds first matriculation
We want to use this online media to announce to the general public that The federal college of education, F.C.E Obudu in affiliation with University of Calabar, UNICAL held her first matriculation celebration on the 14th of April 2012 at senator Greg Ngaji Lecture theatre in FCE Obudu.
The purpose of the matriculation ceremony was to usher in of the Degree (B.ED) and Professional Diploma (PGDE) students.
The VIPS in attendance are; the V.C University of Calabar, Director of Academic Programme UNICAL, and many more... And the provost federal college of education obudu (F.C.E Obudu), Dean of the various schools, HODs and staff of the college. It was a joyous celebration! F.C.E Obudu- Begins B.ED/ PGDE in Affiliation with University of Calabar
In a short speech by the provost he said, and i quote "indeed it is a great day in the history of the college since the establishment of the school in 1982. He advised the matriculants to be well behaved and put away all act of cultism, fraternities, joining of unacceptable groups and immoral behaviours so as to achieve their aim of been in the college".
After the traditional oat taking, the matriculants were fully recognized as Bona-fide members of the university of Calabar.
The Matriculation ceremony ended by a word of prayers by pastor Ezekiel: a staff of the Federal College of Education Obudu
Read more:
The purpose of the matriculation ceremony was to usher in of the Degree (B.ED) and Professional Diploma (PGDE) students.
The VIPS in attendance are; the V.C University of Calabar, Director of Academic Programme UNICAL, and many more... And the provost federal college of education obudu (F.C.E Obudu), Dean of the various schools, HODs and staff of the college. It was a joyous celebration! F.C.E Obudu- Begins B.ED/ PGDE in Affiliation with University of Calabar
In a short speech by the provost he said, and i quote "indeed it is a great day in the history of the college since the establishment of the school in 1982. He advised the matriculants to be well behaved and put away all act of cultism, fraternities, joining of unacceptable groups and immoral behaviours so as to achieve their aim of been in the college".
After the traditional oat taking, the matriculants were fully recognized as Bona-fide members of the university of Calabar.
The Matriculation ceremony ended by a word of prayers by pastor Ezekiel: a staff of the Federal College of Education Obudu
Read more:
Ibori may get 10 yerars imprisonment today
Former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges at Southwark Crown Court 12 in London, may be sentenced today (Monday).
Ibori had pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud, money laundering and corruption put at about $250m before Justice Anthony Pitts.
He faces up to 10 years in a UK prison and is coming barely a few days after his accomplice and financial advisor, Ghanaian-born Elias Preko, had been acquitted.
In a short submission, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, Sasha Wass, QC, had said the prosecution did not seek to go ahead with Ibori’s trial anymore because “Mr. Ibori has accepted the entirety of the prosecution’s case as it has always been set out.”
But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which had expressed happiness with the confession of Ibori before the London court, had also indicated that the former governor would also be tried in Nigeria after serving his jail terms in UK.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, had said the commission had been vindicated that the ex-govenor had a case to answer.
He said, “The interesting aspect of the development in London is the fact that Ibori chickened out of a full blown fraud and money laundering trial by changing his plea.
“This was purely a gambit to run away with a lighter sentence, rather than the product of a plea bargain as erroneously reported earlier in sections of the media. For the avoidance doubt, plea bargain is not recognised in UK criminal justice system.
“Sadly, it has taken five years of legal rigmarole and high drama for the former governor to own up to having committed some of the crimes for which Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba, sensationally acquitted him in December 2009. The commission challenged the ruling. That appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal, Benin City, Edo State.”
The EFCC is however not happy with the country’s judiciary since a Nigerian court acquitted him in Asaba, Delta State.
The spokesman said, “While the EFCC looks forward to the sentencing of Ibori on April 16, it is however, a matter of concern that it took the intervention of the UK criminal justice system for justice to be served in the Ibori case.
“While all who worry over the effect of corruption on our nation may celebrate the Ibori guilty plea, we must all spare a thought for our judiciary, which needs urgent reform to ensure that those who loot our treasury do not get away with their loot.
“Indeed, Nigerians must rally in support of the dogged efforts of the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, to reform the judiciary for greater efficiency.
“Now that Ibori has owned up to his crime, the commission is mindful of the concern in some quarters as to what becomes of his case with the EFCC. Will he be arrested and tried again on the completion of his jail term in London?
“Or, will the EFCC close the Ibori case? For the benefit of stakeholders and lovers of justice, it is interesting to note that the offences for which Ibori faces imminent jail term in London is only a minute aspect of the bouquet of offences committed by the former governor during his eight-year rule in Delta State.”
There were also indications that the ex-governor could still face trial after his ordeal abroad.
Uwujaren added, “The bulk of the criminal charges against the former governor are still before courts in Nigeria and there are no plans to vacate those charges. Moreover, the former governor didn’t steal alone.
“There were accomplices and as recent as two weeks ago, some persons who allegedly assisted him to launder stolen funds were questioned by the Commission. EFCC is determined to bring all Ibori accomplices to book, no matter how long it takes.
“For now, the commission awaits the sentencing of Ibori and, more importantly, the repatriation of the funds stolen from the treasury of Delta State government.
“That will be some just reward to Nigerians for the efforts and resources that have been committed to the corruption and money laundering investigation and trial of Chief James Ibori.”
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