Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Race for 2016 guber poll begins in Edo
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| Governor of Edo state |
The All Progressive Congress (APC) speaking through its State Chairman, Anselm Ojezua warned the aspirants not to build any structure that would create factions and urged them to rely on the structure already built by the party to further their ambitions.
On the part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party is yet to come out with modalities but its leadership led by Dan Orbih recently said it was already preparing to field a credible candidate that would defeat the APC.
Certain factors like zoning and ethnic consideration and influence of traditional institutions particularly the Benin monarch; the governor and some opinion leaders may however affect the choice of the candidate of the parties especially the APC.
Incumbent governor Oshiomhole who is from Edo North, the second most populated of the three senatorial zones and who got into office through massive support from Edo South (Binis) and their monarch is expected to lend his support for a Bini candidate even though some of his party’s aspirants like former governor Oserheimen Osunbor and Ken Imansuagbon are not from the area.
The aspirants from Bini in the APC include Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, former Chief of Staff and current Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogienmwonyi, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in 2012, Charles Airhiavbere a retired army officer.
For the PDP, it is not clear which senatorial zone it would cede its ticket but the race is also dominated by the Binis except former Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenen who is from Edo Central (Esan) just like Osunbor and Imansuagbon.
Other PDP aspirants are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Solomon Edebiri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere and Matthew Iduoriyekemwen. There is also a popular Benin musician, Ambassador Nowamangbe who aspires to contest under the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) even though the contest is perceived to be between the APC and the PDP.
The APC aspirants are following party directives not to distract the government but they are also reading the body language of the governor to decode who his preferred candidate would be which many believe would be influenced by two factors, the governor’s influential mother, Hajia Aishetu and the Benin Palace.
But for the victory of the APC in the presidential election, the intensity of jostling to succeed Oshiomhole from his party would have been less because the bandwagon effect of the PDP performance in the National Assembly elections where it won two of the three senatorial seats and shared the 10 House of Representatives seats equally with the APC.
The PDP had hoped to use the expected victory as a launch pad to take over the House of Assembly banking on expected band wagon effect and thereafter begin an impeachment process against Oshiomhole.
Professor Attahiru Jega finally leaves office
“I HAVE served as INEC chairman for five years and it is okay for me. I have given my contribution for success of the country. If I am given any appointment, I will completely reject it. At least, somebody (else) should be given a chance”.True to his statement shortly after the conduct of the elections, that he would decline re-appointment or extension of his tenure as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega finally leaves office today for the lecture room whence he came, as his five-year tenure expires exactly today, June 30.
Many Nigerians testify to his commendable performance as Nigeria’s elections umpire. But in a country like Nigeria, a greater testimony to Jega’s character is his principled stand to step aside.
He was not perfect as INEC Chairman but a few can dispute the fact that he ran a good race and did a good job.
The vacancy created by his exit today offers Nigerians an auspicious moment to evaluate the overall conduct of the elections and build upon the modest achievement of the commission.
Besides, it should also provide the Nigerian authorities with an opportunity to weigh the character and some other credentials of the next appointee to the exalted position.
At a valedictory dinner organised in his honour the other day, Jega appropriately described the elections he supervised as a laudable benchmark for future elections.
Jega, who came to the INEC position on his supposed independence of mind and his illustrious activism as chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) during the Abacha regime, also said improved supervision of elections would depend on full implementation of the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais Electoral Reform panel.
Although the Uwais Report recommends the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission and two other commissions that will take charge of some of the functions of INEC, there is need for review of this report before implementation.
Apart from this, the fact that the Constitution makes provision for the President to appoint certain people in certain offices should not undermine the truth that recommendations for the appointment of the INEC chairman should be visionary and long-term, and should consider character as a substantial component.
Also, while INEC should consider taking over local government elections, special attention should be given to the cost of those elections.
For the future, and to improve on the gains of the Jega era, INEC must be repositioned to be independent and non-partisan in the true sense of these terms.
One of the backlashes on the last elections was the discourteous, even dangerous act of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, who, at the collation centre in Abuja, vehemently and publicly accused the INEC chairman of partiality, ethnic prejudice and all sorts of misconduct.
But for the maturity of the outgoing INEC chairman and sure-footedness, that election would have been truncated and Nigeria would have been thrown into chaos.
One thing the new INEC must guard against, however, is any perception of bias and partisanship, which only a truly independent electoral commission can achieve.
Amongst the many organisations INEC could draw insight from in this regard is ‘Elections Canada’, a truly independent agency appointed by the House of Commons in Canada to manage the country’s elections.
Its independence is demonstrated by the powers of a non-partisan Chief Electoral Commissioner, who heads the agency and solely manages it in concert with his own appointees, and is only responsible to the parliament.
However, to get to this level of independence, there is need for the deployment of more advanced technologies. The need for continuous improvement in the use of technology lies in its benefits to furnish the nation with reliable statistical and demographic data appropriate for desired credible elections.
By the introduction of the biometric data capturing system, Jega’s INEC did well to elevate the service of computer technology to election management. He had even assured on the use of National Identity Card in the future; but this needs synchronization.
The task for the next chairman of INEC is to exploit these benefits to foster the prospects of future free, fair and credible elections. To this end, voters’ registration should be a continuous exercise year round like birth and death registration.
This would demand more manpower and resources because registration centres would have to be set up in special places. For example, this would require that continuous registration of persons, aged 18, be situated on the campuses of higher institutions.
Furthermore, between now and the next election, the post-Jega INEC should be able to perfect facilities that would ensure that eligible Nigerians resident outside the country are able to exercise their franchise. This should be one high point for INEC if the next chairman is to improve on Jega’s laudable stewardship.
Since the credibility of the election is tied to the electoral umpire, the nation must seek out persons with excellence of character and intelligence for consideration as the next INEC chairman. The importance of this position should not be lost to divisive politicking, for it should be emphasized Nigeria does not need people who lobby for the job, but rather those who the nation has to convince to take the job.
As Attahiru Jega takes a bow, he can hold his head high as a true servant of Nigeria. INEC in his watch was not perfect but it was an improvement on what was.
Ondo - Anyone who transmits HIV go to jail for 10 years
WITH commencement of implementation of Ondo State government’s HIV Anti-stigma Law, a 10-year jail term, fine of N500,000 or both awaits anyone, who transmits the virus to another person.Giving details of the law which was signed last year, the Secretary to the State Government, Aderotimi Adelola, stated that the stigmatization and discrimination discourages individuals infected with and affected by HIV from accessing health and social services, hence, the law stipulates further that anybody who discriminates against people living with disease commits an offence and is liable to fine of N100,000.00 or imprisonment of six months or both.
Adelola, who is also the chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS, spoke in Akure yesterday, while delivering a keynote address at a sensitization programme to facilitate and ensure the enforcement of a law for the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS, elimination of discrimination and stigmatization of people living with the virus and “other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.”
Adelola said most times the rights of people living with HIV are violated, causing them to suffer both the burden of the disease and the consequential loss of other rights.
Adelola stated that stigmatization and discrimination of people living with the virus may obstruct their access to treatment and may affect their employment, housing and other rights which he said adversely affect the vulnerability of others to be infected.
Also speaking on the law, the state Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade said Ondo is the first state in the federation to have a law, which addresses many aspect of HIV response to law and will help promote public awareness about causes, modes of transmission, consequences, means of prevention and control of HIV transmission, through a comprehensive education and information campaign.
He added that the law is also expected to extend to every person infected with HIV full protection of his human rights and civil liberties, positively address and seek to eradicate conditions that aggravate the spread of HIV infection, including but not limited to poverty, marginalization, prostitution, marginalization, drug abuse and ignorance; while it will promote utmost safety and universal precautions in practices and procedures that carry the risk of HIV transmission.
A call was thus made to health professionals, employers and other custodian of medical records to strictly observe the confidentiality in the handling of all medical information, particularly the identity and status of people living with HIV, even as infected persons have been urged to declare their status to their spouse or sexual partners, children and parents.
It was also registered that it has become an offense in the state to have any form of discrimination against a person infected with the virus in the case of employment, medical treatment, hiring, assignment, promotion, demotion, transfer, retirement, among others, maintaining that no educational institution in the state shall refuse admission, expel, discipline, segregate, deny any pupil or prospective student right to any of his rights following perceived HIV status.
Singapore billionaire acquires Ronaldo image rights
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| Ronaldo |
Mint Media, a Hong Kong-based firm owned by Lim, said in a statement the six-year contract with Ronaldo would help grow the Portuguese icon’s brand in Asia.
Under the deal, Mint Media “will own and administer all of Ronaldo’s image rights” except for those relating to his professional football club Real Madrid.
Ronaldo, who has parlayed his popularity into lucrative brand endorsement deals, is ranked by Forbes Magazine as the world’s third highest paid athlete in 2015 after boxers Floyd Mayweather of the United States and Filipino Manny Pacquiao.
“Ronaldo is not just a great soccer player, he is also a very popular personality. I am confident that the Cristiano Ronaldo brand will continue grow,” Lim said in the statement.
Ronaldo described Lim as “a good friend” and expressed admiration for his business acumen.
“I believe he will be a good partner and good value add for my brand,” added Ronaldo, a three-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Ronaldo is heavily into social media with over 36 million followers on Twitter and 103 million fans on Facebook.
Lim, a former stockbroker, last year bought a controlling stake in the financially stricken La Liga side Valencia. He is also a key investor in McLaren Automotive, a British manufacturer of high-performance cars.
Source: ngrguardian newspapper
Monday, June 29, 2015
University of Benin (UNIBEN) POST- UTME IS Finally OUT
Uniben Post Ume form is out!!!!Screening Exercise for 2015/2016 Academic Session will take place between 17th August, 2015 and 2nd September, 2015 in designated centres within Ugbowo Campus of the University. The Screening Exercise shall be conducted using the Computer Based Test (CBT)
mode. All candidates are expected to be seated, latest one hour before the stipulated time for the
screening exercise.
PLEASE NOTE: Only candidates who applied through JAMB for UTME Admission and chose University of Benin as First Choice and scored 200 and above are eligible for this Screening Exercise. METHOD OF APPLICATION:
All applications should be done between 7.00am 4th August, 2015 and 7.00am13th August, 2015. The procedure for the 2015/2016 PUTME Entry Screening application is as follows: Visit www.uniben.edu
Candidates are advised to have a valid e-mail account before starting the application process. Click on Student Portal Click on Register for application. at the top left of the display page to proceed.
Enter your Surname exactly as written on the JAMB Registration slip and your JAMB Registration Number immediately, your ID and Password will be displayed on the browser. On the https://uniben.waeup.org, click on ‘ Login’ (top right of front page).
Enter your Username and the password to login. To start the application process, please click on
‘ Application record’, provide all required information and upload your passport photograph.
Upload a RECENT and CLEAR “1x1” COLOUR PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH WITH RED BACKGROUND IN JPEG FORMAT ONLY. NOTE that the photograph uploaded will be the only valid ID for all admitted candidates throughout their stay in the University of Benin. FAILURE TO UPLOAD THE SPECIFIED PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH WILL LEAD TO DISQUALIFICATION and failure/forfeitures of admission.
To pay for the Application, click on “Add online payment ticket” at the bottom of the page, then
clickon “College Pay” on the top left corner of the page, follow the instruction to pay the application feeof N 2,000:00; (The fee excludes other charges),the PUTME past questions forN1,000:00 (optional); excludingInterswitch and Portal Services charges with an ATM- Enabled Verve or Master Card from any Commercial Bank.
A link is displayed “Download past questions to practice. Preview and confirm your information before submitting your application online. (No correction will be accepted after the closing date).
Print out an acknowledgement slip that containsthe screening schedule.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Two female suicide bombers hit Maidiguri hospital, 5 killed
Five people were killed and 16 injured when two female suicide bombers attacked a hospital in Maiguguri, Borno, on Saturday. The two suicide bombers were among the dead.
The two women tried to get into a hospital but were stopped by security guards at the gate and blew themselves up, witnesses said.
“We evacuated the charred bodies of the two security guards, another civilian and the two bombers,” said Auwal Mohammed, a member of the community in Molai, where the hospital is situated.
Muhammadu Buhari, the new president of Africa’s most populous nation and biggest economy, made Maiduguri the command centre for the military campaign against Islamist militant group Boko Haram after being inaugurated last month.
More than 100 people have been killed in northeast Nigeria in the past few weeks in a spate of bombings, mostly in Maiduguri.
A source at the mortuary of Borno State hospital in Maiduguri confirmed it had received three corpses after the blast. Another hospital source said 16 people injured in the attack had been brought in.
Buhari has held talks with counterparts in neighbouring countries to set up a joint force to tackle the insurgents and he is planning to visit Cameroon later this month to discuss deeper collaboration.
Buhari is also due to visit U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on July 20 and the fight against Boko Haram is likely to be high on the agenda.
Boko Haram controlled territory the size of Belgium in the northeast at the start of the year but has been pushed out of most of it by the Nigerian army, backed by troops from Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
More
Serena Williams wants to be a doctor
Serena Williams wants to be a doctor
Serena Williams has revealed that she has been studying for a pre-med degree as she plans to possibly go into medical school when she retires.The 33-year-old is bidding for the third leg of a calendar Grand Slam at Wimbledon and opens her campaign today against Russian Margarita Gasparyan.
But Williams will have surprised some with details of her new studies at the University of Massachusetts, which was prompted by her sister Venus’s struggles with auto-immune condition Sjogren’s syndrome.
Williams told the Telegraph: “After what my sister went through, I wanted to really focus on holistic medicine.
“And then I was really interested in learning things from the earth that can heal us. Long-term healing. There’s so much cancer that is going around now. So it’s really an interest in that.
“And also when I go to Africa, with the work I do with my schools there, it’s very useful to have something like that so that I know more about the health issues.”
Williams does not intend to go into the medical labs until she ends her playing career, however. She said: ‘I am leaving all the classes at the school for when I decide to retire.”
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Bishop Oyedepo Tasks Africa On Innovative Thinking, As Covenant Varsity Graduates 104 First Class
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| Oyedepo |
He said that quality education was fundamental to national transformation, as no country ever makes progress without a well-fortified educational system. Oyedepo said this in an address during the 10th convocation ceremony of Covenant University in Ota, Ogun state, at the weekend.
He stressed that being the cradle of civilization; it is regrettable that the African continent still wallows in ignorance, adding “Greek historians, artists and mathematicians went to Egypt for education around 600 B.C. We were the cradle of civilization and enlightenment, until something went wrong.
It is instructive to borrow from the example of Israel, which is now one of the most powerful countries in the world, because of quality education.”
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Charles Ayo, in his address, said that the school produced 1315 graduands including 104 first class, 610 second class upper, 510 second class lower and 91 third class degrees. Others in the post graduate category include 115 masters, eight post graduate diplomas and 20 Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
According to him, the best graduating student for the class of 2015 was Oti Ebubechukwu Emmanuel, who made a Cumulative Grade point Average (CGPA) of 4.96 from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He noted that the school was on course in meeting its mission of being among one of the top 10 universities in the world by virtue of its illustrious strides lately.
The keynote speaker, Director, UNIDEP, Senegal, Professor Adebayo Olukoshi, in his lecture titled National Re-orientation toward Transformational Leadership in Africa, challenged the class of 2015 to be a active citizens, who should question and critically analyse the government of the day on policies, speaking up when the right of fellow is trampled upon.
He said it was time for Africans to take and define its destiny and on what terms to interface with other parts of the world, as what presently obtains was that outsiders define the fate of the continent.
Police arrest suspected fake police man in Warri
The Police in Delta said it had arrested one Mathew Ochoche parading himself as police corporal, while escorting a vehicle loaded with industrial machineries in Warri.This is contained in a statement Police spokesperson in Delta, DSP Celestina Kalu, in Asaba on Saturday.
“Police patrol team attached to Quick Response Squad, Warri, intercepted a Ford Transit van with Reg. No. (Lagos) EPE 790 XH, on June 25.
“The vehicle was loaded with fairly used Mikano SP 20 generator and Denyo Daw-18083.0 KVA welding machine.
“The vehicle was being escorted by one Ochoche Matthew ‘m’ who was fully dressed in police uniform with F/No. 255038 and Cpl. rank.’’
The statement said Ochoche claimed to be a serving policeman attached to No. 20 Squadron, Police Mobile Force, Lagos.
“However, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who previously served with 20 PMF Lagos, have since been demobilised.
“Our investigation revealed that Ochoche was demobilised from the force on July 18, 2011. Mathew is no longer in the police service”, it stressed.
The statement added that the suspect was arrested for impersonation and is undergoing investigation and that the vehicle and the exhibits he was escorting had been impounded.
Friday, June 26, 2015
9 Killed When Plane Carrying Cruise Passengers Crashes in Alaska
The Holland America Line cruise ship Westerdam docked in Ketchikan, Alaska, on Thursday. Eight passengers on a sightseeing excursion from the ship and a pilot were killed in a floatplane crash earlier that day.Emergency workers recovered the remains of nine people killed when a small plane slammed into a cliff in rural Alaska the day before, defying wind, rain and low cloud cover on Friday to retrieve the bodies from a steep rock face, according to emergency officials and media reports.
The Alaska Dispatch News reported that the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad, working with the Alaska Department of Public Safety, secured the wreckage and moved the remains to a nearby Coast Guard ship.
€œWe a€™re beginning to break down now and get everyone home,€ Chris John, a member of the rescue team, told the Dispatch News.
A National Transportation Safety Board investigation of the crash was stymied for the second day in a row because of bad weather and the location of the accident site, high above a lake on the face of a steep cliff, a spokesman for the safety board said.
The floatplane, which was operating a sightseeing excursion for passengers of a Holland America Line cruise ship, crashed into a cliff roughly 800 feet above Ella Lake at about 2 p.m. Thursday, officials said. The crash site is about 20 miles northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska.
€œThe wreckage is in an area where the terrain is very steep, said Megan Peters, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety.
Investigators hope to gain access on Saturday, but Ms. Peters said that recovery would be a “a slow process.
€œWe are doing everything we can to collect the remains so we can give some closure to the family members,€ she said.
Holland America said the flight was carrying the pilot and eight guests from the Westerdam, a ship that had left Seattle on June 20 on a seven-day cruise. The plane was taking passengers on a sightseeing excursion to the Misty Fjords area. Holland America said the plane was owned and operated by Promech Air, a charter company in Ketchikan that describes itself on its website as “the largest air taxi in southern Southeast Alaska.
€œAll of us share the pain and anguish of this terrible event,†Marcus Sessoms, the president of Promech Air, said in a statement. €œOur thoughts and our prayers go out to everyone touched by this tragedy.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the plane, Havilland DHC-3 Otter, had crashed €œunder unknown circumstances.
The Coast Guard received a report around 2:15 p.m. Thursday that the plane was overdue at its base, said Petty Officer Third Class Lauren Steenson, a Coast Guard spokeswoman. She said the crash site was discovered by a civilian search party involving two planes from Promech Air and a helicopter from a local transportation company.
The Ketchikan region is a vast wilderness that draws thousands of tourists to Alaska each year. Promech Air advertises tours of “towering granite cliffs, 1,000-foot waterfalls, lush and remote valleys and serene crystalline lakes.€ Ketchikan is about 800 miles southeast of Anchorage.
In a statement, the cruise line said, €œAll of us at Holland America Line are incredibly saddened by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those lost in this tragic accident.
Ref: freenewsheadlines
Man Found Dead In A Drainage
BENIN - The gutter in ugbowo Lagos raod Benin city has become a death trap to the people. A young man who as of the moment has not be identify fell inside the uncover gutter during the heavy down pour yesterday and died.Residents and road users of Ugbowo-Lagos Road, Uselu axis by Textile Mill Road junction woke up to discover the body of a middle aged man lying lifeless in the drainage.
Report said some eyewitnesses as saying that the man missed his steps while attempting to cross the road and fell headlong into the gutter.
Image source: itvnigeria news
Obama says gay marriage ruling ‘victory for America’
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| President Barrack Obama |
“Today we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect,” Obama said in a White House address shortly after the court issued its decision.
“It’s a victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades working and praying for change to come. And this ruling is a victory for America.”
The Supreme Court ruling that the constitution protects the right of all Americans in all states to form same-sex marriages was a victory for gay rights campaigners.
But it will also be seen as a success for Obama, whose own position shifted between his first presidential campaign and his second, and who now supports marriage equality.
“This ruling is a victory for Jim Obergefell and the other plaintiffs in this case,” Obama said, referring to one of the people who brought the case all the way to the high court.
“It’s a victory for gay and lesbian couples who fought so long for their basic civil rights. It’s a victory for their children whose families will now be recognized as equal to any other,” he said.
“This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts, when all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free.”
But he also asked Americans to be “mindful” of those who do not approve of gay marriage.
“I know that Americans of goodwill continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue. Opposition in some cases has been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome today’s news should be mindful of that fact,” he said.
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UN At 70: Ki Moon Lists Achievements, Bemoans Extremism
Buhari appoints new AGF
Ford Unveils Smart Bike With Pothole Warnings
Oshiomhole tasks LGs on obligations to workers
Osinbajo moves to reconcile Christians
Mixed reactions trail leadership tussle in National Assembly
Senate begins review of legislators’ earnings
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| The Senate |
Inaugurating a committee to restructure the finances of the Upper Legislative Chamber at the National Assembly yesterday, Saraki noted that there was so much ambiguity in the earning of Senators adding that there was the urgent need to make it more open and transparent.
The committee’s terms of reference are:
•To determine if this deduction is adequate or not;
•To determine whether mode of disbursement of office running cost is appropriate;
•To determine whether National Assembly’s detailed budget should beaded public;
•To liaise with secretary, finance and accounts to determine the appropriate salary/allowances for members considering the standard running cost.
The subject of reduction in cost of governance has been a sensitive matter on the front burner of national issues in the polity especially with regards to the legislature.
While much of this could be due to an underlining ambiguity in the monthly salaries of legislators and their allowances, there still persists the need to project clarity, accountability and transparency in all legislative matters and legislators’ welfare.”
He said that the Senate would always ensure that all issues agitating the minds of Nigerians regarding the salaries and allowances of Senators were properly examined and taken care of.
Saraki said:”The 8th Senate under our watch recognizes the concerns raised by Nigerians about the cost of running office most especially with the economic challenges facing our nation.
The senate will be more transparent regarding all public funds spent for the purpose of paying salaries and allowances of legislators and ensure that distinction is sufficiently made between what a legislator actually earns and what is spent to run and implement legislative business and committee activities.”
Stating that “The watchword in our financial issues will be fiscal conservatism,” Saraki mandated the committee headed by Senator James Managers (Delta State) “to carry out thorough fiscal examination on the senate finances with the aim of coming up with the best cost-effective regime in the 8th Senate.”
Saraki said that the committee which would be led by the Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, would be “saddled with the responsibility of charting a renewed course for the 8th Senate, will be doing so in total recognition of the works of yesterday, the difficulties of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”
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15 Boko Haram fighters killed, 20 arrested in Niger
UN At 70: Ki Moon Lists Achievements, Bemoans Extremism
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| Ban Ki Moon |
Ki Moon, who himself was a beneficiary of UN gestures during the Korean War, said ever since then, the body had occupied a special place in his life.
“I was six years old when the Korean War broke out. I have memories of my village in flames as my family sought refuge in nearby mountains. But another sight is even more lasting: the UN flag.
We were saved from hunger by UN food relief operations; we received textbooks from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and when we wondered whether the outside world cared about our suffering, the troops of many nations sacrificed their lives to restore security and peace,” he said.
As the world marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Organisation’s founding Charter yesterday, Ki Moon expressed hope that the human race would come together with greater determination to work for a safer and more sustainable future.
According to him, the UN is proud to have worked with many partners to dismantle colonialism, triumph over apartheid, keep the peace in troubled places and articulate a body of treaties and law to safeguard human rights.
He added: “Every day, the United Nations feeds the hungry, shelters refugees and vaccinates children against polio and other deadly diseases. Our relief workers brave remote and dangerous environments to deliver humanitarian assistance, and our mediators strive to find common ground between warring parties and peaceful solutions to grievances and disputes.
The United Nations was founded to prevent another World War, and it has succeeded in that corer mission; despite grave setbacks, the past seven decades would surely have been even bloodier without the United Nations.
“Yet we are keenly aware that today’s landscape is scarred by conflict, exploitation and despair. At least 59.5 million people have fled their homes – more refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers than at any time since the end of the Second World War.
Violence against women blights all societies. At a time of pressing human needs, huge amounts of money continue to be squandered on nuclear weapons and other destabilizing military arsenals. The consequences of climate change are ever more apparent—and have only just begun. And although the world said “never again” after the Holocaust, and again after genocides in Rwanda and Srebrenica, we continue to witness atrocious crimes by violent extremists and others.”
Pointing the world to goals that must be achieved, the UN Secretary General said the goal of the body would be transformation.
“We are the first generation that can erase poverty from the earth – and the last that can act to avoid the worst impacts of a warming world.
“As the distinctions between the national and the international continue to fall away, challenges faced by one become challenges faced by all, sometimes gradually but often suddenly. With our fates ever more entwined, our future must be one of ever deeper cooperation – nations united by a spirit of global citizenship that lives up to the promise of the Organizations name,” he admonished.
Source: ngrguardiannews
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Thursday, June 25, 2015
Senate throws out APC’s nominations for Majority Leader, others
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| Bukola Saraki |
It ruled that the letter from the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, in which the party nominated four persons to occupy the remaining four top leadership positions ran foul of its rule and therefore could not be read by the President of the Senate, let alone being adopted. It equally adopted its 2015 Standing Rule and declared all amendments therein as valid.
The decisions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos), which sought to compel the Senate President Bukola Saraki to recognise and read Odigie-Oyegun’s letter.
The letter nominated Ahmed Lawal for the position of Senate Majority Leader; George Akume for Deputy Majority Leader; Olusola Adeyeye as Chief Whip and Abu Ibrahim as Deputy Whip. Citing rule 28(1) of the Senate Standing Order, Gbenga had argued that Odigie-Oyegun’s letter was proper because, according to him, principal officers should be nominated by the Majority.
Also yesterday, the Senate ratified the amendment made to its standing rule after initial disagreements among members. Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara) had drawn the attention of senators to what he called serious breach of the Senate Rule through illegal amendment of the Rule.
He said that the Eighth Senate had been operating an amended version of the 2011 rule called “Rule 2015” without a valid amendment process as dictated by the Rules.
According to Marafa, there was never a time the Seventh Senate amended the rule to include secret balloting as contained in the 2015 version.
Marafa said: “Mr. President, like I said, the events as we witnessed on the 9th of June, especially as it regards the election of the Deputy Senate President were null and void because they were not in consonance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of this Senate. And if you say we are going to use the Senate Standing Orders of 2015, then we need explanation as to who and who changed our Senate Rules without recourse to Order 110.”
In a swift response, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu explained how the 2015 rule came into being. He said: “I would like to offer explanation to my friend, Senator Marafa. He’s just four years old in this Senate. Some of us have been here for 12 years.
From 1999 till date, this Senate has come up with its own rules. There was Senate rule of 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and now 2015. The reason is quite simple. If you look at Section 64 of the 1999 Constitution it says that the Senate and House of Representatives shall each stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date of the first sitting of the house.
“So, the implication is that the rule he was referring to ended with the Senate on the 6th of June. That is why we had Senate Rule Book of 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and now 2015. If he’s seeking to amend any Senate rule, he can only amend the existing one which is the one for 2015. So, between now and 2019, this particular rule will govern us and can be amended in the manner he suggested.
In 2019, we are going to have another Senate Rule of 2019. That has been the process and procedure since 1999. And it is based on the provisions of the Constitution.” Saraki, ruling on the matter, said: “Distinguished Senator Marafa raised a Point of Order. And I think there are two issues he raised in his point. One, there’s only one rule book before us.
That is Senate Standing Order 2015 (as amended). The second issue you raised about 9th of June where by virtue of our actions, I will refer you again to Order 53 (6) which says that it shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question of which the Senate has come to a conclusion during the current session.
And bringing that matter again goes in contrary to Rule 53 (6). On this note, I will have to unfortunately rule you out of order on that matter.”
The 2015 rule on the election of the Senate president states: “Voting shall be conducted by the clerk at-the-table using division list of the Senate with the tellers in attendance. The Clerk of the Senate shall submit result of the division to the Clerk of the National Assembly.” However, the new Senate rule stated: “Voting by secret ballot which shall be concluded by the clerk-at-table using the list of the Senators-elect of the Senate, who shall each be given a ballot paper to cast his vote, with the proposers and seconder as tellers.”
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Dangote still wants to buy Arsenal
 |
| Aliko Dangote |
Nigeria’s Dangote, an Arsenal fan worth $15.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, discussed buying a stake in the club five years ago before talks with the owners fell through, he said. Since then his wealth has grown more than sevenfold.
“I still hope, one day at the right price, that I’ll buy the team,” Dangote, 58, said in an interview as he traveled on a plane owned by one of his companies between the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa and the Nigerian commercial hub of Lagos on May 1.
“I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.”
Arsenal is one of England’s most successful clubs, having won 13 top flight league titles in the country, the most after Manchester United and Liverpool.
Arsenal Holdings Plc., the owner, trades on the ICAP Securities & Derivatives Exchange, or ISDX, and is valued at £988 million ($1.49 billion).
A successful bid would make Dangote the first African owner of a club in a league where billionaires including Russia’s Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea, and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan, who controls Manchester City, have acquired teams.
Stan Kroenke, worth $5.6 billion and owner of the National Football League’s St. Louis Rams, holds 67 percent of Arsenal, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. About 30 percent is owned by Red & White Sec Ltd., controlled by billionaire Alisher Usmanov, a former Uzbekistan youth fencing champion who is now Russia’s third-richest man, and Farhad Moshiri.
Dan Tolhurst, a spokesman for the London-based club, declined to comment as did Rollo Head, a spokesman for Usmanov in London. Tomago Collins, a spokesman for Kroenke in Denver, did not immediately respond to e-mails requesting comment.
Dangote has interests in sugar and flour and controls Dangote Cement Plc, Nigeria’s biggest publicly traded company. He is investing $11 billion in a 650,000 barrel-a-day oil refinery near Lagos and as much as $2.5 billion in gas pipelines running to the city from Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger River delta region.
Source: ngrguardiannews
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Mixed reactions trail leadership tussle in National Assembly
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were dissatisfied with the crises rocking the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly.
While some urged them to respect the party’s decision and their legislative duties, the others opined that the party should allow the legislators to choose their leadership.
A legal practitioner, Mr Peter Bolaji, said the APC legislator’s caucus that faulted the decision of the party leadership, acted in ignorance.
Bolaji said that the party’s decision supersede any elected members or group within the party.
He said those legislators were elected under the platform of their party, and therefore, they should respect the will of the party leadership without any rancour.
“We elected them to represent the interest of the masses, to go and perform robust legislative functions, and not for their own personal or selfish interest.
“Their business in the legislature is to make laws that will improve the wellbeing of Nigerians, and the earlier they realised that the better for them.
“Time is fast running out and if they failed to deliver their mandate by performing to our expectations, we will vote them out,” Bolaji said.
Mr Ralph Alabi, an opinion leader, said the APC should as a matter of urgency put their house in order, saying that was not the change for which they were voted.
He said both the legislators and the party leadership should shun personal interest and come together with one another, noting that the expectation of Nigerians from the party was high.
“APC cannot afford to waste anymore time, Nigerians are eagerly waiting to see and experience the change they voted for, they should not disappoint the electorate,” Alabi said.
Another resident, Mr Shola Dada, a civil servant, said all hands must be on deck in tackling the various challenges currently facing the nation, especially the issue of workers’ unpaid salaries.
According to him, the three arms of government should synergise to save the country from its security and economic crises by working harmoniously and make laws that will enhance the expected change.
While urging the leadership of the APC to find a lasting solution to its internal crises, he appealed to the aggrieved APC legislators to abide by the decisions of the party.
However, Mr Michael Fashe, a former federal legislator, was of the view that the legislators should be allowed to choose their leaders.
According to him, the emergence of the leadership in the legislature should not be influenced by any external force, be it party or other stakeholders.
“I think the legislators agitating for freedom to select their own leaders are right, and their view should be respected by APC leadership,” Fashe said.
NAN reports that the APC leadership, after consultations with its legislators, sent a list of preferred candidates for the remaining positions in the National Assembly.
The lists sent by APC to Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara were for majority leader, deputy majority leader, chief whip, and deputy chief whip.
Source: ngrguardiannews.
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An official source said Wednesday that following the attack carried out on June 17 in Niger’s Gueskerou commune by the Islamist sect, killing 38 civilians, FDS launched ground and air operations in the area.
The spokesman for Niger’s Defense Ministry, Moustapha Ledru, said 15 terrorists had been killed, 20 others arrested, one armoured vehicle recovered and 20 motorcycles destroyed during the operation.
No injuries were reported on the part of the army, the statement by the defense ministry’s spokesman said.
The statement quoted Niger’s National Defense Minister, Karidjo Mahamadou, as hailing the FDS for the brilliant operation against the terrorists and encouraged them to continue with the fight to restore peace and security.
For over three months, Niger, just like other countries in the Lake Chad Basin, has come under deadly attacks from Boko Haram, leaving tens of civilians and soldiers dead.
Nigerien and Chadian forces are currently engaged in a large scale operation against Boko Haram sect to secure Lake Chad basin and stop further attacks in Nigerien regions of Diffa and Bosso.
Source: ngrguardiannews
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Arsenal bids £8.5m for Chelsea prodigy, Musonda
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| Chelsea’ youngster, Charly Musonda (left). |
The playmaker joined Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2012, and has gone on to become one of the brightest prospects in the Blues academy.
However, Musonda has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in order to get more first-team chances, and French media outlet Foot Mercato claims that Arsenal have submitted an £8.5m bid for his services.
Recently, Foot Mercato reported that Musonda was attracting the interest of a number of top European clubs, including Arsenal and now it seems that the Gunners have followed up on this interest with a bit.
It will be interesting to see whether or not Chelsea decide to accept this offer, given that Musonda is one of their most exciting young players.
The Belgian youth international joined in the summer of 2012 along with his two brothers and he has quickly established himself as a key player for the club’s academy.
He can play in the centre of midfield, at attacking midfield and on either wing and was an important player as the team won the UEFA Youth League.
He has been involved in the first team on their post-season tour and it is expected that he will be again in pre-season.
The player himself has said that he has no interest of moving and it seems that even if the bid is accepted Arsenal will have to work to persuade him to join.
Of course, the two clubs are currently discussing the transfer of goalkeeper Petr Cech, with that deal expected to be completed soon.
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Buhari appoints new AGF
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Buhari appoints new AGF
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Idris as the new Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), a statement said.The statement issued and signed by Mr Haruna Imrana, the Director Communications, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on behalf of the OHCSF, Mr Danladi Kifasi.
“The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Barrister Danladi Kifasi who announced the appointment said that the appointment is with effect from 25th of June 2015’’, the statement said.
It said that the new AGF who hails from Kano State, was born on Nov. 25, 1960, and was until his appointment, the Director of Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Developm
Ford Unveils Smart Bike With Pothole Warnings
Ford Motor Company announced Tuesday it is entering the implementation phase of its Ford Smart Mobility Plan, and the company is bringing its digital-savvy smartbike concept along with it.
The corporation unveiled the MoDe:Flex at the Further with Ford trends conference, an eBike with the versatility to provide hands-free, turn-by-turn navigation while also being able to track your heart rate.
Connecting to users’ smartphones by utilizing the MoDe:Link app, the MoDe:Flex provides up to the minute information pertaining to navigation, weather, time and traffic, among other features.
“The fact that it communicates so well with your phone, it really brings more options to the consumer,” Ford Motor Company Senior Creative Designer Bruce Williams told Mashable.
But, it doesn’t stop there. In addition to the compatibility with an iPhone, Ford announced a new extension to the MoDe:Link app for the smartwatch would bring all of the real-time data to a person’s wrist.
A user with a smartwatch can then activate a feature such as “no sweat” mode, which, based on the rider’s heart rate, can increase electric pedal assist to ensure a rider does not break a sweat. So, for those bike riders who have the issue of showing up to work with a dampened shirt, there’s an app for that.
Williams said because of the mass usage of applications that track health and fitness, it was a no-brainer for Ford to implement something similar.
“I think it really parallels societal trends,” he said. ” Five, 10 years ago, this isn’t something that would necessarily be on someone’s consciousness and now it is. Since it is, it becomes something you immediately start to prioritize.”
There’s more. Ford also announced that the wearable device comes with safety notifications.
A hazard such as a pothole can trigger the handlebars to vibrate and the smartwatch to beep as a warning signal.
The unveiling comes just three months after the company introduced both the Mode:Me and Mode:Pro eBikes, models intended for commuters and delivery services, respectively. With the MoDe:Flex, Ford is diving into a third consumer base: The “bike enthusiast.”
By presenting a model for the commuter, the courier and for the person who Williams said, “sees a bike as part of their lifestyle,” he believes Ford has supplied three distinct solutions for those using a bike for transportation.
In addition, the devices are all fitted with a motor and battery and can be stored in the back of any vehicle.
“We have learned a lot in the past six months, and now are ready to put insights into action,” Mark Field, Ford president and CEO said in a Ford Motor Company press release.
Those insights being acted upon, are a trio of eBikes that offer a connectivity with smartphones that Williams said no other bikes provide.
The MoDe:Flex also appears to further highlight the company’s continual push towards not just four-wheel transportation.
“We’re looking at everything,” Williams said, when referencing the eBike prototypes. “This is an open experiment and we’re looking at all different (consumer) options.”
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Oshiomhole tasks LGs on obligations to workers
AS the controversy over payments of salaries of local government workers continues with members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) embarking on rallies across the three senatorial districts in Edo state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said that Local Government Councils must meet their obligations as specified in the constitution adding that the state government would assist the Local Governments in re-engineering their finances in order to meet their obligations to their workers.NULGE in a protest few days ago, accused the state government of illegal deductions from councils allocations, a development they alleged has been responsible for some councils’ inability to pay salaries.
In defense of the governor, the council chairmen under the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) attributed the inability of some councils in the state to pay salaries of their workers to the alleged mismanagement of the economy by the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party led government and not the administration of Oshiomhole.
The ALGON chairman, Mrs Itoha Osahon-Ogbeide and Legal Adviser, Mrs Lucy Omagbon at a press conference, described the allegation by the PDP and NULGE that its allocations were being deducted as one “ignorance” adding that the problem of paucity of funds for Local Governments started since October 2014 when the Federal Government started complaining about oil theft and the corresponding dwindling allocations from the Federation account.
Also speaking, Omagbon asserted, “The problem is that we get half of what we use to get before. The issue started since October last year and everybody knows that. Orbih has been on the downward trend and we are not surprised at his present utterances. Infact the comrade Governor has been doing his best to even look for money to help councils and some body is talking rubbish.
Source: ngrguardiannews
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Osinbajo moves to reconcile Christians
THERE are indications that the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is making frantic moves to reconcile the Christian community in the country following the perceived polarization of Christians along ethnic and religious lines during the 2015 general elections.
This was revealed at a gathering of over 20 churches under the aegis of The Church in the City (TCITC) working towards a united church, which would also serve as a platform for praying for Nigeria’s growth and development.
According to the co-convener of the event and the Pastor in charge of the Guiding Light Assembly, Apostle Israel Abam who observed that Christians cannot afford to be divided, “Plans are already on; we are working together; pulling on together, we cannot afford to be divided.
The vice president is helping out in that direction. He is calling on the leaders, getting us together so that we can remain one; we are better together than divided,” He stated that the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) was well represented at the meeting with the Vice-President.
The Convener and Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Goodheart Obi Ewkueme said the Church expects President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on the campaign promises the All Progressives Congress (APC) made to Nigerians.
Ekweueme who stressed the need for the president to form his cabinet, said “We all had hoped that by now we will have some things clear like the cabinet, but we have not seen that yet.” He however said there are instances where such delays can ignite excellent performance in governance by the administration.
Also speaking, Pastor Kingsley Ike said the Church and the Christian community will continue to pray for the success of Buhari’s administration in the interest of the nation. Ike informed journalists that it is imperative that Christians from all walks of life continue lending their support through prayers and other means to the government.
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CBN - Naira’ll depreciate if we remove restrictions
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed fears that removal of restrictions imposed on the interbank foreign exchange market will lead to sharp depreciation of the naira.The restrictions were imposed to curb demand for dollars in a bid to halt the depreciation of the naira against the dollar. But the restrictions led to lack of supply of dollars (liquidity) for trading in the interbank foreign exchange market.
In a meeting held with bank treasurers under the auspices of the Financial market Dealers Association (FMDA) on Friday, Governor Godwin Emefiele and other officials said while they were in favor of boosting liquidity in the foreign exchange market, there was concern that would lead to a surge in demand for dollars, according to a banker that attended the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity. Local banks can’t access enough foreign-currency under the current rules”, the banker said.
The central bank asked treasurers and members of the Financial Markets Dealers Association to consider ways of stopping the naira from sliding if it did allow trading to increase, the banker said. Faced with a plunge in the price of oil, the source of 90 percent of Nigeria’s exports, Emefiele, 53, started imposing restrictions in the last three months of 2014 as he sought to protect the currency, which has weakened 18 percent against the dollar in the past year.
Bankers at the meeting told the regulator that the curbs were making foreign investors shun Nigerian bonds and stocks and preventing local companies from buying all the dollars they need to pay for imports, according to the person.
The central bank has been running down its foreign reserves, which have declined 27 percent to $29 billion since the end of September, as it defends the naira.
Ibrahim Mu’azu, a Central Bank spokesman, declined to comment and referred questions to the FMDA when contacted.
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