Welcome to Obafemayor's blog: 2013-07-14

Saturday, 20 July 2013

Timaya Blasts OAP on Air

Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa

The Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa may like his music fast-paced and energetic, but when he talks, he wants you to listen, and listen carefully.

Timaya, while trying to explain the points of his argument during a live programme at Blaze FM, Nnewi, was rushed off a question one time too many. The artiste didn’t find that amusing and he made his feelings known on air.

An act of arrogance and pride most people call it, but it seems as if the artiste knows where he is heading when he cut his host off saying, “Why do you journalists (OAPs) always cut people off? You ask one question and won’t allow people to ‘land’ before asking another.”

The host of the show, JJ, graciously allowed the artiste to have the microphone and voice out his mind.

Well, it was during the interview that Limpopo King, KCee who was also being interviewed, announced that he would soon be dropping a new single with his ‘partner on the streets’, Timaya. He also used the opportunity to tell his fans that Limpopo means ‘Let’s have fun’.

“It’s a ‘feel good song’ and I really appreciate how my fans have so quickly taken to it,” he said.

PUNCH

Oboabona dismisses Ivorian threat

Super Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona has dismissed fears Ivory Coast could pull out a big finish to deny Nigeria the single ticket to the Africa Nations Championship in South Africa next year.

The Eagles, who beat the Elephants 4-1 in the first leg CHAN qualifier in Kaduna on July 6, will face the Ivorians in the second leg in Abidjan on July 27.

Nigeria need to avoid defeat by more than three goals to qualify for the tournament and Oboabona, who played a key role in the Kaduna victory, says the Eagles are not worried that the Elephants could stop Nigeria from playing at the tournament for the first time.

“With God on our side we are going there for victory,” the versatile Sunshine Stars player told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.

The 22-year-old, who has been picked for next month’s match against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, praised his teammates for the emphatic win in Kaduna, calling for focus ahead of the Abidjan encounter .

FG in cash trouble

Coordinating Minister for the economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

There are concerns in government circles that the country’s revenue projection for the 2013 fiscal year may not be realised.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the gross oil revenue accruing to the Federation Account had dwindled seriously in recent times.

The drop in revenue has raised fears that the Federal Government may not be able to implement the 2013 budget. Sources in government attributed the drop to massive oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

Figures obtained by this newspaper, showing the monthly allocations to the three tiers of government by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, revealed that the country only realised N3.893tn as gross federally collected revenue in the first six months of 2013.

President, commander in chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has said that the new headquarters for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), named after the former chairman of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) would be the catalyst that will catapult Nigerian football to a greater height.
He hailed the prudence of the Governor Amaechi/Patrick Ekeji led PTF in the vision to build a befitting football headquarters for the nation. The building was named after Dankaro, a former NFA chairman between 1974 and 1980.
As NFA chairman, he had the fortune of seeing the then Green Eagles capture its first African Nation’s cup trophy which earned the footballers cars, houses and awards.
The president, represented by the vice president, Architect Muhammed Namadi Sambo, stated this yesterday while commissioning the 27 office room building with a penthouse for the NFF president, 110 car parking spaces, 4 conference halls and 2 sub-committee rooms, central reception and waiting lounge for visitors built at the cost of N336.321, 111.00 by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Super Eagles qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Commending the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi led task force for their financial prudence and foresight in conceiving the idea of building a befitting corporate headquarters for the administration of football in the country, he said: “The PTF in submitting their report on Nigeria’s participation at the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, sought the President’s approval to utilize the balance of the funds generated from private sectors to build a befitting headquarters for Nigeria football. I commend them not only for their foresight in conceiving this idea but also their commitment and sincerity. I strongly believe that this project will serve as catalysts for our sports development,” he said.
Source: Leadership

More Troubles For FG, Students As Varsity Workers Threaten Strike Over 2009 Agreement

Just as their co-workers in the university, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have vowed to continue their strike action until their demands are met, university workers under the auspices of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff of Nigeria Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) may resume their own industrial action following the non-implementation of the agreement they signed with the Federal Government in 2009.
The unions noted that unless the federal government invites them for a negotiation, they may join ASUU in completely crippling every form of activities in the nation’s universities.

Frederick Fasehun

Against the backdrop of the recent Appeal Court verdict which gave Al-Mustapha his freedom after 14 years in detention, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, President, O’dua People’s Congress, explained the rationale behind his support for the contentious development in this interview with Saturday Vanguard. Excerpt
After 14 years , how would you describe the release of Al-Mustapha?
Democracy is the true manifestation of justice and truth. Al-Mustapha was accused of conspiracy and murder; whereas, conspiracy is an element of at least two people and nobody has come out to say Al-Mustapha conspired with him because nobody can conspire with himself.

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has said that it has started a full -scale investigations into the activities of the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu and all the policemen said to have involved themselves in the political crises in the state.
Chairman of the PSC, Chief Mike Okiro made this known in Lagos yesterday.
Okiro spoke at a ceremony marking the commissioning of an estate built for policemen by President Goodluck Jonathan as the Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie, expressed disgust over the dishonourable happenings in Rivers State urging the political gladiators to tread softly to avoid truncating the current democratic dispensation.

Mbu and Amaechi
In a statement, the Prelate took a swipe at the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for turning the hallowed chambers into a battlefield, saying such act was unexpected of their personalities.
However, 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, have warned a member of the House, Evans Bapakaye to stop impersonating the Speaker of the House, Hon Otelemaba Amachree saying that, ‘’at no time was the Speaker impeached.’’

MOVED by the lingering crisis between the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the Professor Jerry Gana led Special National Convention Planning Committee, President Goodluck Jonathan has pleaded with them to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the interest of the party.
The President has also urged Tukur, members of the National Working Committee, NWC and members of the Convention Planning Committee to go and perfect arrangements on the forthcoming national convention of the party slated for August 31st.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that these were part of the resolutions reached at a meeting President Jonathan and Bamanga Tukur had on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa.

A ghastly motor accident has claimed the lives of a pastor who was burnt to death and four others along Ibusa-Ogwashi-Uku, while the wife of the pastor is presently hospitalized.
Our reporter gathered that the accident occurred on Thursday afternoon along Asaba-Ogwashi road before Ibusa roundabout made sympathizers to weep freely as a result of the gory site.
One of the witnesses told Saturday Vanguard that “it was terrible. We watched the Pastor being roasted alive. Efforts to rescue him were frustrated by the raging fire”.
The witness stated that the pastor while trying to avoid a speeding tanker by the roundabout veered into the bush but the same tanker also lost control and rammed into his car which caught fire instantly.
An offficial of the Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC, Mr. Bassey who confirmed the accident attributed the accident to dangerous driving, saying that “the accident involved a blue Mecedez Benz tanker with registration number XE 892RSH and ash colour Toyota Jeep with registration number EE 292 PHC. Seven people were involved which include six males and one female.”
Saturday Vanguard gathered that the wife of the pastor who was rushed to Ibusa General Hospital was badly wounded. She was the one who disclosed that one of the four dead persons was her husband.

Marketers Want To Sleep With Me

Top Yoruba movie actress and producer, Bisi Ibidapo- Obe spoke with KAYODE APONMADE on motherhood, her relationship with former lawmaker, Dino Melaye and how she braved the challenges of her career
When did your romance with acting start?
Right from my primary school, I always participate in anything entertainment. I fell in love with acting right from school. So, after school I decided to take it professionally and since then I have no regrets. I was brought into acting by the late Bimpe Adekola (Ireti). She was the one that motivated me into acting. Whenever I watched her movies, I always like her performance, so I said to myself that I would love to be like that. So I went to see Gbenga Adewusi, who introduced me to Araosan, who later took me to Odunfa where I met Taiwo Hassan, Yinka Quadri and Abbey Lanre. I was so happy; it was like meeting Michael Jackson. So they accepted me and I received my training under them.
You are now a mother. How do you feel?
In fact, this is the greatest thing to have happened to me. I am exceedingly happy to be a mother. I am so grateful to God that He has counted me among mothers. This is what I have wished for all my life. Motherhood is sweet!

In what appears as a contradiction of a ceasefire deal announced last week by Special Duties Minister, Kabiru Turaki, President Goodluck Jonathan has denied any peace deal between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram islamist sect.
Jonathan, who disclosed this in an interview broadcast by Cable Network News, CNN on Friday said his administration was already winning the war against terrorist groups in the country. This, however, contradicted an earlier claim by Turaki who had said the Federal Government has a ceasefire understanding with the mainstream Boko Haram led by the late Mohammed Yusuf. He had said the government was working on broader terms for the ceasefire and will unfold it soon.
“We have reached an understanding with them (Boko Haram) for ceasefire, which they have already directed and which we have accepted. We are working on the formal agreement which will follow in due course.”

OMOTOLA touched down last night for the most talked about pageant in Nigeria, MGBN 2013 (Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria) which holds tonight in Bayelsa. The Actress is rumoured to be on the panel of judges.

Source: Nigeriafilms

I wasn’t used and dumped – Yvonne Nelson

Yvonne Nelson

For sexy Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson, heartbreak is a painful experience best avoided. Not exactly in the mood to relive her sensational breakup with popular Afro-hip hop act, Iyanya, she ended up doing so just to set the records straight. The actress was in the country to premiere her latest movie, “House of Gold” at the Silverbird Cinema, Lagos, yesterday, and opened up on sundry issues. Now bears Nigerian name, Damilola: Excerpt:
How are you enjoying your stay in Nigeria?
Did I tell you I’m half-Nigerian and half-Ghanaian? I was given a Nigerian name recently which makes me half-Nigerian. My Nigerian name is Damilola. It has been wonderful, I always say Nigeria is like a home for me. When I’m here, I do not feel like going back home again. But it’s just that everything seems to be faster here.
You are in the country to premiere your latest movie. What’s the movie all about?
The movie is titled, ‘House of Gold.’ It is a family-oriented comedy, and I want people to come and see two of Africa’s music stars Ice Prince and Omawumi make their debut in a movie. I produced the movie in partnership with Media Ghana.
“House of Gold” tells the story of Dan Ansah Williams, a high-flying entrepreneur, business mogul, polygamist and socialite who is battling with cancer and has six weeks to live. With the help of his long-time associate and legal representative, he embarks on a mission to recall all his children, most of whom were born out of wedlock, back home.

Following an official statement released a few hours ago by Funke Akindele’s camp confirming the end of her one year marriage, the star actress has removed her estranged husband’s name, Oloyede, from all her social media accounts.
She’s also spoken for the first time about the end of her marriage. She told Stella Dimoko Korkus:

First of all let me clarify that I have not replied any SMS or spoken to anyone on this development before now and neither have I threatened to sue anyone. I do not know who sent out that SMS denying that my marriage is over. That was what necessitated me sending out a press release so as not to confuse the public, especially my fans whom I’m so passionate about.

Yes my marriage has crashed. Let the people who are laughing at me continue laughing. My job afterall is to make people laugh. Let those who are without sins or mistake cast the first stone. Let them continue judging me. God is the overall judge. He is the one I look up to.

Photo: Olamide Acquires New 2013 Range Rover

Badoo Lee, Olamide chilling with his new 2013 Range Rover.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Nelson Mandela

Most of us know Nelson Mandela as the South African revolutionary and politician whose long imprisonment became a rallying cry for dismantling apartheid. We know that he went on to be elected the first black president of the Republic of South Africa in the first open election in the country’s history and that he has remained one of the most inspiring and admired men in modern history.

But there’s so much more to know. Consider the following:
1. His parents didn’t name him Nelson
Upon his birth on July 18, 1918, he was named Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela. He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the tradition of giving “Christian” names to students.
2. He was a poor student
Mandela was expelled from the University College of Fort Hare for his participation in a student protest. He completed his BA through the University of South Africa before attending the University of the Witwatersrand for his law degree. By his own admission, he was not a very good student and left in 1948 without graduating; he also was unable to complete a law degree that he started at the University of London . It wasn’t until his last months in prison that he obtained his undergraduate law degree. He now has more than 50 honorary degrees from international universities.

The Federal Government has said it is under pressure from the international community to sign the Gay Rights Bill into law in Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, stated this in Abuja on Friday at an interactive session with the diplomatic corps, even as he accused the international community of hypocrisy.
He insisted that Nigeria would not sign the Gay Rights bill or abolish the death penalty without reviewing the constitution.
The minister said that Nigeria does not impose its culture on other countries and as such it was wrong for anyone to attempt to impose a foreign culture on the nation. He said, “This thing must be understood because we have been under pressure about this issue of Gay Rights. It is not part of our own culture, you need to understand that. It needs to evolve. Let us get to that stage of understanding that two men can marry, then we will get to the bridge and cross it. But please let foreign diplomats educate their various governments that you cannot come overnight and impose values that are not part of our tradition on us. Don’t impose it on us that we must allow it in our constitution. If we are talking about democracy, democracy is about free choice, free association you don’t force values on others.
“For those who have Gay Rights, even when I look at the population of those countries, those opposing are high in number. In some countries, the churches are against it, why put pressure on Nigeria and other African countries that we must put it (in our laws). Respect for human rights of a minute minority cannot be at the expense of the larger societal values, well-being and orientation of the people. Even laws are rooted in culture which must be upheld for the good of the society. I therefore appeal to the international community to show a greater understanding of the culture and traditions of our people.

Amaechi replies Dame Jonathan; I didn’t impose curfew on Okrika

Patience-Jonathan-and-Rotimi-Amaechi-360x225

Rivers State government has dismissed as untrue allegations by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan that Governor Chibuike Amaechi imposed a nine months curfew on Okrika.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, speaking in Port Harcourt said the government of Governor Amaechi had no time imposed a nine- month curfew on Okrika.
“For us in Rivers state the wife of the President is a Rivers woman. It’s a thing of pride that a Rivers woman is the wife of the President. I have read the statement credited to her. It is important to know she is calling for peace. This shows clearly that some persons were acting without her consent. That is what her statement connotes.”

Source: Vanguard

Oloyede used ‘Jenifa’ and dumped her – Funke Akindele’s friends

Trust brought this bond but the man betrayed our friends

Thoughts of Cloud 7 built on Funke’s simple nature leaves the marriage in dreamland

By Adejoke Bamidele, Lagos
For Funke ‘Jenifa’ Akindele, this relationship was one too brief to be true. She is not happy she is losing her marriage so early after it was contracted. She told friends, “I tried my best to make it work and when it was going to make me mad, I saved my life.”
She added in an earlier thought to a friend, “I had a man I enjoyed but marriage does not seem to be for me.”
The insider said Funke was actually deceived into the marriage by Mr Oloyede, who didn’t reveal all about his (past and present) life to the actress, thus taking advantage of her simple nature. Funke easily believed him, fell in love and got married to him before realising so many things about the man she married.
Anyway, while Funke Akindele was trying to take it cool. She got to a point she could just no more bear it. She measured all the options open to her and felt it is better to go out of the marriage and go about their divorce quietly so as to avoid any negative reactions.

Nigerian Soldiers to Return Home from Mali - Jonathan Infroms ECOWAS

The Federal Government, Presidency have indicated their intentions to withdraw Nigerian troops from Mali.
The chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Alassane Ouattara, stated this on Thursday.
Mr. Ouattara, who is also the Ivorian President, quoted a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan stating Nigeria’s position.
Nigeria and other African countries sent troops to Mali earlier in the year to join French forces in chasing out Islamists who had taken over several parts of the country.

NAN

Govs want Jonathan to end Rivers crisis

SOLIDARITY—From left: Imo State Deputy Governor; Prince Eze Madumere; Nasarawa State Deputy Governor; Dameshi Mama Luka; Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); the host,Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers);Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Muktar Anka and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, during a solidarity visit to the Rivers State Governor, yesterday, at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.
Fayemi speaks for govs

Governors of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Imo and Zamfara states, yesterday, condemned the current crisis in Rivers State and called for President Goodluck Jonathan’s intervention. They also urged all actors in the crisis to sheathe their swords.
The governors’ call came as former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who handed over to a democratically elected government in May 1999, yesterday, expressed sadness over the current crises in Rivers State, and warned the political gladiators to tread softly so as not to truncate the nation’s democracy.
Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) condemned the crisis in Rivers when they paid a solidarity visit to their Rivers State counterpart and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in Government House, Port Harcourt. The Governors of Imo, Nasarawa and Zamfara states were represented by their deputies.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi, who first spoke for the governors said: “We are here in solidarity with the governor, the government and people of Rivers State in this very challenging time. We are concerned as fellow governors representing our governments and people of our states. You may not know the deputies who are here.
Nasarawa, Imo and Zamfara governors are represented by their deputies here. I take it that you know the rest of us governors who are here in the delegation. You are also aware that some of our colleagues were here a couple of days ago.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, met behind closed doors in Abuja on Thursday to deliberate on the polarisation of the Peoples Democratic Party governors.
It was gathered that at the meeting, Akpabio also solicited Obasanjo’s support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid in 2015.
Akpabio, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, was said to have used the opportunity of the meeting which was attended by a PDP chieftain, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, to solicit for the intervention of the former President in ending the differences among the governors.
He was said to have told Obasanjo that the ongoing acrimony among the governors was not good for the image of the PDP and its determination to win the 2015 presidential election.
Since the conduct of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum election, which was won by Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the PDP governors have continued to exchange hot words on the pages of newspapers.
While those who supported Amaechi’s opponent , Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, have continued to accuse those in the other camp of betrayal, supporters of the winner said it was victory for democracy.
The outcome of the election had resorted in the NGF having two secretariats.

We now know how senators voted on the constitution amendment bill which caused an uproar in the senate on Tuesday.
The section up for amendment had to do with persons qualified to renounce Nigerian citizenship. The constitution in Section 29 says anyone of age can do so. Section 29(4) (b) says that ” any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.” It means that even a child if married can be seen to be of full age and as such can renounce citizenship. The committee proposed that that provision be deleted.
When it was put to vote, 2/3 of members present voted for it which meant it was deleted. But, not so fast.

Panic as hoodlums invade Journalists’ Estate, damage gate

The-newly-constructed-gate-at-Journalists-Estate-Arepo-360x226

There was pandemonium on Wednesday as some hoodlums allegedly invaded Journalists’ Estate, Phase One, Arepo, Ogun State.
The men, who were on a mission to destroy a newly constructed gate at the estate’s entrance, caused panic as residents were forced to flee the area while the men were operating.
The invaders, according to a resident of the estate, were sent by Oba of Arepo, Oyebi Atanda.
A guard at the estate gate, who pleaded anonymity, said, “About seven hoodlums came to the estate around 12pm and started tearing it down. They were violent and threatened to deal with us. They told me and other guards on duty that they were sent by Oba Atanda. I advised other guards not to fight them, while I called the Community Development Association Chairman, Mr. Gbayode Somuyiwa, on the telephone to alert him.”
The guard said some policemen later came from Ibafo Division and arrested the hoodlums “after they had done some damage to the gate.”
Somuyiwa told our correspondent that residents of the estate decided to construct gates at the entrance and exit of the estate because of insecurity.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has said that Fernabahce of Turkey defender, Joseph Yobo, remains the national team captain, even though the player has been left out of the national team since Nigeria won the African cup in February.

Keshi who spoke at the team’s camp in Abuja on Wednesday, said he had a lot of respect for Yobo because of what he has done for the nation. But despite Keshi assurance that Yobo remains the captain, the defender was left out of the 20-man list of players called up for the Mandela Challenge next month.

On Wednesday Keshi said, “It will not be fair to invite Yobo to the national team and ask him to be on the bench, it will be a huge disgrace and I won’t be part of that. When the team needs him he will be recalled and will definitely start as captain even if along the line, we substitute him.”

He then underlined the condition for Yobo to make a return to the team.

“For the captain of the team, he has to work extra hard to remain so because he is leader of the team and that has been the philosophy of the team since we took over because that was the way we were brought up to captain the national team.”

Opposition parties, Presidency trade words on govs stoning

L-R: Governors Rabi’u Kwankwaso (Kano State); Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), during the governors visit to Amaechi in Port Harcourt... on Tuesday.

Opposition political parties and the Presidency on Wednesday engaged in a fresh war of words over the political crisis in Rivers State.

The latest twist to the tale was the stoning of the convoy of four northern state governors, who paid a visit to their Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday.

The Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for Progressive Change both hold President Goodluck Jonathan liable for the incident.

Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, however, dismissed such claims arguing that the governors in question knew the volatile situation in the state but yet chose to visit.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the ACN asked Nigerians to hold Jonathan responsible if the country slides into anarchy as a result of the worsening crisis in Rivers state.

The party said the attack, which was unprecedented in Nigeria, took place under President Jonathan’s watch.

Looks like the actress is building herself a house in Lekki. She shared the pic above on her instagram page a few hours ago and captioned it - 'hard work pays'. Good for her and congrats!

Keshi drops Enyeama for Bafana clash

Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was a surprise omission from the 20-man list Coach Stephen Keshi released for the Nelson Mandela Challenge match against Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.
Keshi left out the team’s stand-in captain, who has manned the goal for the team since the Nations Cup. No clear reasons could be adduced for this development as Enyeama has always been spectacular for the team.
No replacement was named for the Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel safe hands as only his assistants Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim made the list.
Meanwhile, Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has made his return to the team for the match slated for Durban on August 14.
The coach had earlier hinted at Emenikean’s return in a chat with MTNfootball.com when he revealed that he would be fielding largely his 2013 AFCON winning team. With Emenike’s injury already healed, there was no reason to doubt his inclusion.

Senate, ASUU, FG Meeting on Strike Issues Deadlocked

The negotiations among the Senate, the Federal government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over the ongoing industrial action embarked by universities lecturers ended without parties reaching any compromise.
The meeting which was at the instance of the chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, PDP Abia North, was called to pacify the striking lecturers with a bid to finding a common ground. However, a source at the meeting revealed that all efforts to push for a call off of the strike proved abortive as members of ASUU stood their grounds.
The source also said that for well over seven hours, Chukwumerije was literarily on his kneels pleading with the lecturers to consider the plights of the students and call off the strike, but ASUU members refused to shift ground.
The meeting had in attendance, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Education, Professor Ruquayyatu Rufai; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie and members of the Senate Committee on Education, among others.

Nigerian jet for Malawian President

WHEN Nigeria dispatched a jet from its Presidential Air Fleet late last month to fetch Malawi’s President, Joyce Banda, to Abuja, it unwittingly drew attention to our government’s fiscal recklessness. It was lost on President Goodluck Jonathan that while Banda had sold her cash-strapped country’s only presidential jet to save costs, he has, in three years in office, expanded Nigeria’s executive fleet to 10 aircraft.
Neither the reality of over 60 per cent of the population living in poverty, nor the recent alarming revelation by the Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that government’s revenue inflow had dwindled to a dangerous level, has persuaded Jonathan to pare down the size of the Presidential Air Fleet. Instead, it is projected to rise as provision has reportedly been made to purchase two additional helicopters to ensure the President, Vice-President, their families, and other top functionaries travel in luxury at public expense.
Banda was in Nigeria to deliver the keynote address at the Global Power Women Network Africa summit in Abuja at the invitation of Nigeria’s First Lady. To ease her trip to Nigeria’s capital, our generous government dispatched a jet to pick her from Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, and return her home after the event. That is to be expected since Malawi lacks a presidential aircraft.

The question of whether Nigeria should arrest and hand over President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, who arrived Nigeria on Sunday for an African Union, AU, Summit on HIV/AIDS, has sharply divided Nigerians, with Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), disagreeing on what the Nigerian government should do.
Irked by the presence of Al-Bashir in Nigeria, rights groups, including Coalition on the International Criminal Court, NCICC and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, have insisted on his being arrested and handed over to International Criminal Court, ICC in The Hague, over his indictment for alleged crimes in Darfur.
Al-Bashir is accused of masterminding genocide and other atrocities during the Darfur conflict, a charge he had repeatedly denied.
Similarly, United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa, Mr. Mark Simmonds, expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s decision “to host the Sudanese President, despite ICC arrest warrant on him,” noting that Nigeria’s action undermined the work of ICC.

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Monday faulted the contributions of some unnamed persons she referred to as “otherwise respected elders” who, by their views, had been contributing to the crisis in Rivers State.
While describing their utterances as unfortunate, she called on all feuding parties in the state to sheathe their swords in the interest of innocent women and children, who, she said, would naturally be victims of the mayhem.
The president’s wife’s position was contained in a statement by her spokesman, Mr. Ayo Osinlu.
The statement read, “We therefore call on elders of the state to position themselves appropriately in the circumstances, and continue to seek the highest good of Rivers State and its people, by stone-walling the activities of the few, who would rather fan little embers into a consuming inferno.
“Recent experience whereby certain otherwise respected elders of the country, both from within and outside Rivers State, were canvassing views that seemed to intensify the heat in Rivers State, is certainly unfortunate.”

The federal government on Monday issued a statement giving reasons why it will not enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) order to arrest Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir. It says the event for which President Al-Bashir has come is an AU summit and that Nigeria is just hosting it.
The government’s position was made known by spokesman to President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati.
The ICC had issued two warrants against al-Bashir over the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, where government forces and local Arab militias have been pitted against rebels drawn mainly from non-Arab populations.
Reuben Abati added that, “It’s not Nigeria that invited him. He’s not here on a bilateral visit. He’s here to participate in an AU summit, and Nigeria is not in a position to determine who attends an AU event and who does not attend … Nigeria is just providing the platform for the meeting.”
Source: The Scoop

I SEE WIDESPREAD REVOLUTION – T.B JOSHUA …Calls For Youth Inclusion

Nigeria-based tele-evangelist Pastor T.B. Joshua of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations on Sunday carried on with his message for job creation with a call to include the youth in decision-making positions or risk mass unrest.
The pastor, speaking during a live service broadcast on his Emmanuel TV, said:
“I am seeing a revolution. I am seeing people take to the street. At the beginning of that protest, it might be stopped. Eventually, it will become so big that it cannot be stopped.”
In the message entitled ‘Carry Your Youth Along’the prophet, however, said there was a way out and cited job creation for the youth and the creation of a new social value system.
This, he said, was because 90 percent of the youth have come to believe that it was by becoming political thugs that they could be successful, especially because those in the political offices do not want to retire and become statesmen.

Nigerians must speak out now to stop this embarrassment called Mrs. Patience Jonathan. Those who knew this woman before President Goodluck Jonathan became the President told us that what is unfolding today at the presidency had been a reoccurring decimal when Jonathan was a deputy governor, a governor and vice-president. We were told then that Mrs. Patience Jonathan must always have her way no matter what is at stake. We heard stories of bizarre things that happened in her days at Bayelsa State House. All these were ignored because she was confined to a small state called Bayelsa but now she is the Nigerian First Lady, events are unfolding and they are so unhealthy to the presidency and governance of the country.
Shortly after President GEJ was sworn in, her deficiency began to manifest. Comportment, carriage, finesse, decency, prestige, honour and glory that go with the exalted position began to suffer. Any public outing became a big embarrassment to President Jonathan and Nigerians. Her public engagements became unbecoming of anybody that is privileged to be called the wife of the President of Nigeria.

Sunderland, Fulham join Osaze race

Osaze Odemwingie

Four Premier League clubs Sunderland, West Ham, Hull and Fulham were on Sunday credited with an interest in West Brom frontman Osaze Odemwingie.

According to Skysports, the 31-year-old has been looking to leave the Hawthorns since his proposed January move to QPR fell through.

With little chance of him being offered a clean slate with the Baggies, it is expected that the Nigeria international will be on the move this summer.

As a proven goalscorer at the highest level, it comes as no surprise to find that numerous clubs are readying an approach for his services.

Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, on Sunday wept while recounting his 15 years ordeal in jail.

Also, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also described the former CSO as a hero.

Al-Mustapha broke down at the Kano State Government House while recalling his ordeal at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos.

The former CSO was detained for about 15 years over the alleged murder of the late Mrs Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Alhaji Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Kwankwaso said, “Hamza Al-Mustapha was taken away in 1999 in tattered clothes and in chains under a pitiable situation; but today, he has returned a hero. We have always insisted that he was unjustly held. We felt concerned and decided to be part of justice.”

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

The total power failure experienced nationwide last Thursday was caused by high voltage, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has said.

The blackout, which occurred around 1.55pm on the fateful day, resulted in a complete system collapse.

TCN said the development made many transmission equipment to explode at Ayede in Ibadan, Oyo State; Osogbo, Osun State; Ganmo in Ilorin, Kwara State as well as Shiroro in Niger State.

Although the firm said it had restored power to most parts of the country, it explained that the damaged equipment tripped a major electricity transmission line, which warranted a total collapse of the grid.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Mr. Dave Ifabiyi, said engineers worked throughout the night and into the early hours of Friday to replace the damaged equipment.

Pro and anti-Amaechi supporters in Port Harcourt... on Wednesday

PUNCH - Organised labour and civil society groups are planning a showdown with the Federal Government should the crisis in Rivers State remain intractable.

The groups told our correspondents on Saturday that the mass action had become necessary because of the breakdown of law and order in the state which was threatening the nation’s democracy.

Even though the Presidency has washed its hands off the crisis in the state, there have been reports that President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience, and their loyalists are behind the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.

A civil rights group, Anti-Corruption Network, on Saturday threatened that the Presidency should prepare for the “Egyptian treatment.”

The organisation also gave the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, one week ultimatum to remove the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, over his alleged role in the face-off between the Presidency and Governor Rotimi Amaechi, failing which it would mobilise the masses and occupy the Force Headquarters.

The Executive Secretary of the organisation and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, said this in a statement titled; “Touch Amaechi, touch Nigeria” obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.

Saturday, 20 July 2013

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Thursday, 18 July 2013

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Monday, 15 July 2013