Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Super Eagles Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama named among Best keepers in 2014 World Cup

 


Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama may be out of the 2014 World Cup tournament, but he clearly still rocks. The Guardian Sports listed the top 10 goalkeepers in Brazil for the 2014 fifa World Cup.
Enyeama carried on the form that made him nigh-on unbeatable for Lille, pulling off a series of extraordinary saves, starting in the first match against Iran,Bosnia and Herzegovina, Argentina and last against France
Full List
1. Manuel Neuer, Germany
2. Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico
3. Keylor Navas, Costa Rica
4. Vincent Enyeama, Nigeria
5. Tim Howard, USA
6. Rais M’Bolhi, Algeria
7. Júlio César, Brazil
8. Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
9. David Ospina, Colombia
10. Tim Krul, Holland

Monday, July 7, 2014

Dubai To Build The Biggest Mall In The World, Complete With Theme Park

 

 
Dubai is already home to the tallest tower in the world, so it was just a matter of time until the glitzy emirate planned another record-breaking construction.
Its next project involves building the largest shopping mall om the planet, complete with climate-controlled streets, the world's largest indoor theme park and 100 hotels and apartments.
In fact, the ambitious emirate has dubbed the project a 'temperature-controlled pedestrian city'.

Occupying 48 million square feet, the Mall of the World will also contain health resorts, theatres, a Celebration Steet modelled on the Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona and 'retail streets network' that will stretch over four-and-a-half miles.
The grand project is part of Dubai's bid to become a year-round tourism destination, despite soaring temperatures in summer that can reach nearly 50C.
The new mall, which will be a city-within-a-city, will be the emirate's chance to attract visitors even in the height of the summer, by providing a completely climate-controlled experience.

The shopping mall itself will occupy eight million square feet, housed below a glass dome, with other attractions extending beyond the central shopping area.
In the cooler winter months, the dome will open, allowing people to shop in the fresh air, closing as the summer heats up.

It is thought the huge construction will attract 180 million visitors a year and developers hope it will secure Dubai's futures as a tourism hub.
 The emirate's ruler and vice president of the UAE Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: 'This project complements our plans to transform Dubai into a cultural, tourist and economic hub for the two billion people living in the region around us; and we are determined to achieve our vision.
 
'The growth in family and retail tourism underpins the need to enhance Dubai’s tourism infrastructure as soon as possible.
'We are confident of our economy’s strength, optimistic about our country’s future and we continue to broaden our vision.'

The supersized mall will be built near the existing Mall of the Emirates, already one of the largest shopping centres in the world, with its own indoor ski slope.
It will also be a short drive to the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, which stands at 2,717ft.


The idea is to create a cultural area, with theatres hosting shows at West End and Broadway levels, as well as a network of streets that will be entirely climate controlled.
Sheikh Mohammad stated: 'Our ambitions are higher than having seasonal tourism - tourism is key driver of our economy and we aim to make the UAE an attractive destination all-year long.
'This is why we will start working on providing pleasant temperature-controlled environments during the summer months.






Monday, March 24, 2014

APC settles for Buhari as presidential candidate



Photo: APC settles for Buhari as presidential candidate

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
•Atiku, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso strategise

All Progressive Congress (APC) may have decided to settle for former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, as its presidential candidate in next year’s election.
Some of the notable leaders who spoke with Sunday Independent were of the opinion that a Buhari candidature would guarantee a lot of things, which include massive support from the Northwest and Northeast, because, according to them, most people in the North still see him as the messiah and would go out en masse to vote for him any day.

They also said Buhari is perhaps the only person that has qualities that are antithetical to anyone the PDP would bring forth.
This, according to them, would give the voters an alternative that would be favourable to the opposition party.
It was also gathered that the leaders are mindful of the effects a rancorous primary would have on the party and are doing everything to avoid it.
One of the leaders from the Middle Belt even said that Buhari is not only one of the leaders in the country who is not corrupt and have lived above board, he is also a unifying figure within the party.
The major headache of the party today, however, is how to conduct a credible and transparent primary in which Buhari will emerge the clear winner.

Sources said the party leadership is being very conscious that Nigerians are watching its nomination process, as a litmus test of whether or not the party will respect its own constitution and shame it’s traducers, is committed to a credible and transparent nomination process.

To this end, it was gathered that the leadership has urged all Buhari’s sympathisers within the party to redouble their efforts to ensure that he wins the Presidential ticket in a democratic manner.
“You can only envisage what would happen if the party failed to field Buhari. Remember that there are many people who joined the APC because of Buhari and they are ready to do everything for him.
“So, it’s something we have to manage very well. In fact, I can tell you emphatically that the unity of the party would be greatly affected if Buhari is not picked as our presidential candidate,” said the source, who craved anonymity because the party did not authorise him to speak on the matter.
Another party leader in a phone call from Abuja went out of his way to explain why the party would be better placed to field Buhari.

He said the leaders were well aware of the tag of a serial presidential loser placed on Buhari due to his inability to win previous elections, adding however that 2015 would be different, because of the increasing dynamics of the presidential race and the determination of APC leaders to forgo their personal interests to that of the party.
He said even though there are other presidential hopefuls in the party that are being speculated to have an ambition, like the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and the Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, he however said that the party cannot afford to take a gamble in presenting an electable candidate that can defeat the PDP.

His words: “With Buhari, we are already sure of 16 million votes; and if you look at the current spread of our party’s configuration in the country, we are going to do well in the Northwest, Northeast, North-central and very well in the Southwest.
“The only problem we are likely to have is the Southeast. The Southsouth is going to be keenly contested because of the twin-factors of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who are top contenders for the Vice-Presidency.

“Apart from this, don’t forget that Buhari has cult followership in the North and that he lost many of states in 2011 because he did not manage the nomination process of the candidates well.
“This time around, the APC is ready to exploit these advantages in our bid to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan.”
However, this implicit endorsement of the 71-year-old former Head of State by the APC leaders has not stopped former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, Speaker Tambuwal and Governor Kwankwaso from strategising for the plum job and animating their structures.

It was gathered that even though they might not openly challenge Buhari if he decided to contest, they are not however unmindful of eventualities that could prop up their candidature before the primaries.
Sources within the party said the three contenders have formed committees and have been holding series of meeting across the country for an eventual entrance into the presidential race.
Meanwhile, substantive National Leaders of the APC are to emerge at the National Convention of the party slated for May 24.

The convention will be preceded by Ward Congresses on April 5, Local Government Congresses on April 12 and State Congresses on April 23.

All Progressive Congress (APC) may have decided to settle for former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, as its presidential candidate in next year’s election.



Some of the notable leaders who spoke with Sunday Independent were of the opinion that a Buhari candidature would guarantee a lot of things, which include massive support from the Northwest and Northeast, because, according to them, most people in the North still see him as the messiah and would go out en masse to vote for him any day.

They also said Buhari is perhaps the only person that has qualities that are antithetical to anyone the PDP would bring forth.
This, according to them, would give the voters an alternative that would be favourable to the opposition party.
It was also gathered that the leaders are mindful of the effects a rancorous primary would have on the party and are doing everything to avoid it.
One of the leaders from the Middle Belt even said that Buhari is not only one of the leaders in the country who is not corrupt and have lived above board, he is also a unifying figure within the party.
The major headache of the party today, however, is how to conduct a credible and transparent primary in which Buhari will emerge the clear winner.

Sources said the party leadership is being very conscious that Nigerians are watching its nomination process, as a litmus test of whether or not the party will respect its own constitution and shame it’s traducers, is committed to a credible and transparent nomination process.

To this end, it was gathered that the leadership has urged all Buhari’s sympathisers within the party to redouble their efforts to ensure that he wins the Presidential ticket in a democratic manner.
“You can only envisage what would happen if the party failed to field Buhari. Remember that there are many people who joined the APC because of Buhari and they are ready to do everything for him.
“So, it’s something we have to manage very well. In fact, I can tell you emphatically that the unity of the party would be greatly affected if Buhari is not picked as our presidential candidate,” said the source, who craved anonymity because the party did not authorise him to speak on the matter.
Another party leader in a phone call from Abuja went out of his way to explain why the party would be better placed to field Buhari.

He said the leaders were well aware of the tag of a serial presidential loser placed on Buhari due to his inability to win previous elections, adding however that 2015 would be different, because of the increasing dynamics of the presidential race and the determination of APC leaders to forgo their personal interests to that of the party.
He said even though there are other presidential hopefuls in the party that are being speculated to have an ambition, like the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and the Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, he however said that the party cannot afford to take a gamble in presenting an electable candidate that can defeat the PDP.

His words: “With Buhari, we are already sure of 16 million votes; and if you look at the current spread of our party’s configuration in the country, we are going to do well in the Northwest, Northeast, North-central and very well in the Southwest.
“The only problem we are likely to have is the Southeast. The Southsouth is going to be keenly contested because of the twin-factors of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who are top contenders for the Vice-Presidency.

“Apart from this, don’t forget that Buhari has cult followership in the North and that he lost many of states in 2011 because he did not manage the nomination process of the candidates well.
“This time around, the APC is ready to exploit these advantages in our bid to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan.”
However, this implicit endorsement of the 71-year-old former Head of State by the APC leaders has not stopped former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, Speaker Tambuwal and Governor Kwankwaso from strategising for the plum job and animating their structures.

It was gathered that even though they might not openly challenge Buhari if he decided to contest, they are not however unmindful of eventualities that could prop up their candidature before the primaries.
Sources within the party said the three contenders have formed committees and have been holding series of meeting across the country for an eventual entrance into the presidential race.
Meanwhile, substantive National Leaders of the APC are to emerge at the National Convention of the party slated for May 24.

The convention will be preceded by Ward Congresses on April 5, Local Government Congresses on April 12 and State Congresses on April 23.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Tomas Rosicky secures 1-0 win for Arsenal away to Tottenham


Tomas Rosicky's rocket after 72 seconds fired Arsenal back into the thick of the Premier League title race after a 1-0 victory away to Tottenham.
Some of the White Hart Lane faithful were still taking their seats when Arsenal took the lead, with Rosicky leaving Hugo Lloris grasping at thin air with a venomous right-foot strike from the corner of the area which flew across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Best of the match

  • Man of the match: Laurent Koscielny. A rock at the heart of the Arsenal defence who repelled Tottenham's attacks and marshalled those around him.
  • Moment of the match: Tomas Rosicky's stunning goal came with just 72 seconds on the clock and proved to be the pivotal moment of the contest.
  • Miss of the match: Nacer Chadli could not take advantage when Wojciech Szczesny spilled a routine cross with Koscielny producing a superb last-ditch block.
  • Save of the match: Hugo Lloris kept his side in it late in the second half, plunging low to his right to keep out a close-range effort from Per Mertesacker.
  • Talking points: Can Tottenham still challenge for a place in the top four? Can Arsenal end their trophy drought with the Premier League title?
Rosicky had picked up possession in his own half before advancing into the space vacated by Danny Rose's forward foray before playing a slightly fortuitous one-two with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and then finding the top corner.
The Gunners were forced onto the back foot for long periods of the north London derby, but the closest Spurs came to levelling was in the second period when Wojciech Szczesny inexplicably failed to gather a routine cross from the right and had Laurent Koscielny to thank for denying Nacer Chadli a certain leveller.
Arsenal are now third, only behind Liverpool on goal difference and just four points adrift of Chelsea and with a game in hand on the leaders, while they now boast a nine-point cushion over their derby rivals in fifth.
Arsenal were ahead inside two minutes of Arsene Wenger's 999th match in charge with a goal of the highest order.
Sherwood's side - whose collective character had been questioned by the manager - soon regrouped and caused Arsenal a few problems with probing balls into the penalty area.
Arsenal, though, retained possession well and it should have been 2-0 on 15 minutes when Oxlade-Chamberlain robbed Nabil Bentaleb on the halfway line and sprinted clear.
The England man darted to the edge of the penalty area, but as Lloris came off his line the Arsenal man screwed his attempted chip horribly wide - with Lukas Podolski screaming for a square pass for what would have been a tap-in.
That let-off gave a huge lift to the home side, who immediately went on the offensive with a low cross from Andros Townsend on the right flying through the six-yard box.
Arsene Wenger says his players' workrate and spirit got them three points at White Hart Lane.
On 21 minutes, Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna slid into a challenge with Danny Rose which - although he probably touched the ball first - totally upended the Spurs defender. Sherwood was off the bench demanding a red card but, after a stern talking-to, referee Mike Dean produced only a yellow.
Spurs continued to play a very high defensive line, which was breached again when Podolski raced clear down the left. His cut-back was just behind Rosicky but Oxlade-Chamberlain connected with a strike that was deflected out for a corner.
The home side should have been level at the start of the second half following two terrible handling errors from Szczesny.
Tim Sherwood says Tottenham were the better side in the north London derby and only lacked goals.
First the Pole flapped at a cross on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, which Sagna hacked away as Chadli chased the loose ball. Then, inexplicably, Szczesny failed to collect a high cross into the box, which this time did fall for Chadli, but somehow Koscielny blocked his goalbound shot at point-blank range.
With 20 minutes left, there was a double change for the home side when Paulinho and Gylfi Sigurdsson replaced Chadli and Sandro.
For Arsenal, Rosicky was taken off as defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini came on.
Tomas Rosicky admitted his winning goal against Spurs was one of the best he has ever scored.
Wenger was off his seat protesting for what he felt was a penalty after Koscielny was sent tumbling by Jan Vertonghen, but the referee was not interested.
Lloris then made a smart reaction save after Per Mertesacker lashed the ball goalwards from a deep free-kick.
Tempers boiled over in the closing minutes as Sherwood twice hurled the ball at Sagna when Arsenal had been awarded a throw-in.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta was less than impressed and eventually it needed Wenger to move in and act as peacemaker in a crowded technical area as his side played out the four minutes of stoppage time without further incident.
source: www.goal.com

Tottenham - Arsenal Preview: Title-chasing Gunners travel to struggling rivals

Spurs have suffered back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Benfica and host the north London derby with Arsene Wenger's side needing three points to keep the pace with Chelsea

Tomas Rosicky battles Nabil Bentaleb

Neither Tottenham nor Arsenal will feel they can afford to lose the north London derby at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Arsenal make the short trip to their closest rivals needing three points to ensure they do not lose further ground to Chelsea in the Premier League title race.


Arsene Wenger's side currently trail the leaders by seven points, albeit with a game in a hand, and know a loss this weekend could well represent a fatal blow to their challenge for top spot.

ARSENAL LATEST
16/1 Tottenham are 16/1 with Bet365 to beat Arsenal 2-0Wenger will be seeking a response after Arsenal exited the Champions League in midweek courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate defeat to holders Bayern Munich.

Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood, meanwhile, has come under increasing pressure in recent days.

A heavy 4-0 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League was followed by a 3-1 reverse at home to Benfica in the Europa League last 16, a result that has severely hindered their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

Sherwood appears to have shown signs of feeling the strain, openly criticising his players in the wake of the Chelsea game and then saying Benfica counterpart Jorge Jesus "lacked class" after Thursday's match.

Securing qualification for next season's Champions League now appears a stiff ask for Tottenham, who still have work to do to ensure they reach the Europa League once again with Manchester United and Everton close behind in the league table.

Encouragingly for Sherwood, Arsenal have failed to win on their previous five league visits to White Hart Lane.

However, Arsenal have triumphed in each of the two meetings between the teams this season, winning the reverse league game 1-0 on September 1 prior to a 2-0 success in the third round of the FA Cup.

After Arsenal were defeated 1-0 by Stoke City in their last top-flight fixture, Wenger has warned his team they can have no more "weak moments" this season.

Referring to his side's poor recent form at Tottenham, he said: "We have played two draws and three losses there [in the last five meetings]. It is a difficult ground to go to for everybody.

"After Stoke it was very important that we had a good result against Everton [winning 4-1 in the FA Cup], we had a good result even at Bayern [when drawing the second leg 1-1 in Germany], but [it remains important] that we continue and have no weak moments until the end of the season."

If history is anything to go by then Arsenal and Tottenham fans can expect plenty of action when the duo meet on Sunday.

The fixture has provided 125 goals in 43 Premier League encounters; only Liverpool versus Newcastle United has a higher tally with 126.

Arsenal will be without Germany international Mesut Ozil, who sustained a hamstring injury in the Bayern draw, while Aaron Ramsey misses out after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh problem.

Jack Wilshere [foot] also remains sidelined and Kieran Gibbs [calf] is doubtful, but Nacho Monreal [foot] returns and January loan signing Kim Kallstrom could make his long-awaited debut after returning to training following a back injury.

For Tottenham, full-back Kyle Walker and midfielder Sandro are both doubtful after coming off injured against Benfica, while Mousa Dembele [hamstring] could once more miss out.

Etienne Capoue [ankle], Vlad Chiriches [back] and Michael Dawson [hamstring] are also sidelined.


BREAKING NEWS!!! IMMIGRATIONS RECRUITMENT: Several Feared Dead, Many Injured In Stampede

Today a large number of applicants across the country stormed different centres to write the aptitude test for the Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS).

photo
Applicants had together gathered in the Abuja stadium to write the aptitude test to apply for jobs with the immigration Service.
There are reports that the stampede in the Abuja centre left at least seven people killed and dozens injured during the test in Abuja. Among the dead were some pregnant women.
 
However according to an eyewitness who was present at the scene, the casualties stated were more than that saying "It was up to fifty that were injured and 25 were dead".
 
Although there's has been no official list of casualties yet. The bodies of the dead applicants have been deposited at the National Hospital Abuja morgue.
 
Also an applicant who decided to turn back home upon seeing the massive crowd said “I can tell you that more than 100,000 people came for this test”, he said. “I have never seen this kind of crowd before in my life. Even if this was a FIFA World Cup football match, you will never get spectators this many”.
photo
Apparently according to an eyewitness the stampede broke out as applicants rushed towards a central stage, since it was only just one entrance to the 60,000-capacity stadium that was open.
The hospital spokesman, Tayo Haastrup who confirmed the incident said “The immigration service was having a recruitment exercise at the stadium … there was a stampede and they brought the victims to the national hospital. Those with stable injuries “will be sent to other hospitals so that we can deal with the numerous injured that continue to arrive”. 
The hospital could not admit many of those injured due to lack of capacity. It has also been reported that a similar incident occurred in the Port-Harcourt centre with one person feared dead and many rushed to the hospital as a result of  exhaustion.
photophotophotophotophotophotophotophotophotophoto

Sunday, March 9, 2014

I am set to Represent Oro Nation in House of Reps By 2015 - Engr. Kininyi Edubio

Kininyi Edubio Set to Represent Oro Nation in House of Reps By 2015

By 2015, our current democratic culture will enter its 16th year and our political awareness is on the increase. The good people of Oro nation faces a set of related but peculiar challenges that needs ingenuity to address and the very critical ones must be addressed hence the need for a  FRESH MANDATE for Oron Federal House of Representatives come 2015.

My name is Engr Kininyi Edubio (Boyce). I am from Udung Uko L.G.A., I am 42 years old and a seasoned Maritime Engineer Consultant. I hold a Class 1 Chief Engineer’s Certificate of Competency from the prestigious Singapore Maritime Authority.
I am married to one wife- Henrietta- with three beautiful angels (ages 12-8-6) to show for it.
Oro nation
I am a simple, transparent, honest and charismatic man of God that is offering himself to represent the very good people of Oro Nation. My exposure and experience of having travelled round many countries of the world, I believe will give me so much advantage to be able to effectively represent us.
Kininyi Edubio with Family
Kininyi Edubio with Family
I am very confident that if given the opportunity, I will be able to add value to the law-making process of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially as it affects Oro as a nation.
Our leaders can change, and they have a responsibility to change for its own people, in order to foster good government and deliver democracy divided to our people and for this to happen, we need credible and capable hands to be able to pull this through.
Kininyi Edubio
Donating Gift Items to Widows in Oron/Udung Uko LGAs
I represent a new generation of Oronians who want Oro to be a force for good, to lead by example and to deliver. I also believe that taking the right action in Oro can help us deal with the major challenges Oro nation faces. We need a man that will robustly promote our collective interest in government and turn around our fortune.
My thoughts and plans aside from my core legislative functions is to get involved in how Government from the Federal, State and 5 local government areas of Oro nation develop roads and rural infrastructures, promote primary health care for our people, empowering the youth and women and most especially, initiative and sustain an education plan for the young and aspiring indigenes of Oro.
Kininyi Edubio
Commission of Church Building by Rev. Ajah
I want to also draw our attention to the fact that nobody from Udung Uko LGA has ever represented Oro in the Federal House of Representatives.
Just like I have always said concerning this subject matter, I believe it will be a fair competition if the contestants for the Federal House of Representative are from Oron LGA, Udung Uko LGA and Mbo LGA from the analysis above, UrueOffong/Oruko and Okobo LGA have had fair shots at it. Let the best candidate from the above 3 mentioned LGAs fill the post.
Also, we should be vigilant because a lot of characters will present themselves for scrutiny. A mistake made now will be a mistake for the next 4 years or 8 years perhaps.
For every candidate that presents his/herself for nomination, we must ask questions, questions such as; how have each candidate impacted on the lives of fellow Oronians?
Personally, I’ve execute some live-touching projects in the past 3 years. I started with the putting up of an ultra-modern church project in memory of my late father Elder Pastor Edet Okon Edubio. Then, I went on to sponsor a free medical Service, where people from all works of life with different medical issues were treated free-of-charge. I also donated blood pressure monitoring devices to some dignitaries in the community. Then I identified the need for portable water in the community and a borehole was dug and commissioned by the then Chairman Caretaker Committee of Udung Uko Chief Robin Ebek.
Kininyi Edubio
In the few years that I have worked as Marine Engineer Consultant for ExxonMobil, I have been very instrumental in the employment of two great sons of Oro as Marine Engineer Surveyors at Management level – Engr. Ini Asuquo Inyang (Mbo LGA) and Engr. Eteyen Edet Oboho (UrueOffong/Oruko LGA). I have also influenced the placement of onboard ships for Sea Training many cadets (of Oro decent) within this period under review.
I have also visited some widows in Udung Uko and Oron LGA where gift items were donated for the upkeep.
I need to be encouraged to do more for our people.
Oro, HERE AM I, SEND ME!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Jonathan sacks Sports Minister, swears in 11 new ministers

President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to wield his axe on his cabinet by sacking Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. The President also on Wednesday swore in the 11 ministers who were recently confirmed by the Senate.

 Although the reason behind the sacking of the Sports Minister is still sketchy it might not be unconnected to the fact that he was the nominee of former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, who along with 10 other senators defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abdullahi has been replaced by Tamuno Danagogo.
However, the new ministers sworn in and their portfolios are:
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos) – Minister of State, Defence
Aminu Wali (Kano) -Minister of Foreign affairs
Mrs. Lawrencia Laraba Mallam (Kaduna) – Minister of Environment
Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom) – Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development
Hon. Mohammed Wakil (Borno) – Minister of State, Power
Oyewale Adesiyan (Osun) – Police Affairs
Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (Sokoto) – Minister of State, Health
Tamuno Danagogo (Rivers) – Minister of Sports
Mrs. Asabe Asmau Ahmed (Niger) – Minister of State, Agric
General Aliyu Gusau (rtd) (Zamfara) – Minister of Defence
Mr. Boni Haruna (Adamawa) – Youth Development

Jilted 400-level OAU Law student commits suicide

OSOGBO — A 400-level Law student of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Ige Dipo, has committed suicide at his residence outside the campus of the university few days after his lover broke up with him.

It was authoritatively gathered that Dipo, said to be above average academically by his colleagues, was found dead in his apartment at Asherifa area, a stone’s throw from the campus, on Monday.
Dipo’s suicide note left for his father reads in part: “Father, while reading this message, I would have been gone” before he allegedly ingested some substance later discovered to be poison.
The deceased, a member of the Christ Apostolic Church Fellowship on campus before his death was said to have met the lady last year.
It was gathered that Dipo’s lover had been financing his education for over eight months of their relationship before calling it quits with him.
The lady, also a member of the same fellowship, was said to have broken up with Dipo because of his poor background and she could no longer cope with him.
This development, according to a source, was said to have subjected Dipo to emotional trauma.
He was said to have threatened that he would commit suicide should his lover remain adamant on her decision before he finally took his life.
Meanwhile, Dipo’s untimely death has been described as mystery by his fellow students, who urged the police to conduct thorough investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding his mysterious death.
While the news of his death filtered into the campus, some students who knew Dipo expressed shock over the sudden death.
Describing the late student as a person who lived a lonely life, some students, who spoke with our correspondent on OAU campus, said his studious life should be emulated by fellow students.
Our correspondent further gathered that his lifeless body had been taken to Ibadan, his home town by his family members.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/jilted-400-level-oau-law-student-commits-suicide/#sthash.bwGbZlK7.dpuf

2015: Jonathan may declare on Saturday

  • 18 Governors storm Minna


President Goodluck Jonathan will on Saturday continue with his campaign shuttle as he storms Minna, the Niger State capital, with 18 governors and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a zonal rally.
Impeccable sources told New Telegraph that Jonathan may formally declare his re-election bid on Saturday ahead of the February 14 presidential election during the North Central rally.
A competent source told our correspondent that all the 18 PDP governors will meet on Friday evening in Minna where they are expected to discuss development in the polity, the future of the party in 2015 elections, and Jonathan’s candidacy. The PDP governors met last in Katsina.
The source added that the governors would on Saturday morning join the president and PDP leadership at the rally where Jonathan is expected to make his decision known on the 2015 election. The Saturday rally is going to be the first major rally since 2011 election where all PDP governors will be in attendance. Already, arrangements are in top gear in Minna for the event.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that shortly after Governor Babangida Aliyu announced that 18 PDP governors will accompany the President to Niger State on Saturday, the State Security Committee immediately went into closed-door meeting ostensibly to perfect arrangements for the visit. The source, who pleaded anonymity, also said the country’s first citizen choose to declare for 2015 presidential election in Minna because the governor is the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF).
It was also gathered that the presence of former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Prof. Jerry Gana in the state also informed the choice. “We are in high spirit to receive Mr. President in Niger State.
We will be honoured to have him declare his intention for 2015 Presidency. In Niger, we are 100 per cent PDP with the feeble opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) whose some of its members are going to defect to the PDP when President Jonathan visits, on Saturday,” he added.
The source however refused to disclose the names of likely defectors, adding that “Niger State is 100 per cent PDP and the APC is dead on arrival”. Aliyu had earlier made the announcement after receiving the North Korean Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Jong Yong Chol and the Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority Board, Hajia Ina Ciroma, who paid him courtesy visits in the Government House, Minna.
The governor stated that all the 18 governors elected on the platform of PDP will also accompany the President to the state. The governor, however, did not give details of the visit but said “all of you are cordially invited.” The Trade Fair complex in the state capital is also being given a facelift ahead of the visit for the rally.
The governor was in Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday for a campaign rally, where he welcomed some defectors to the PDP. Kwara is part of the North-Central zone. A source said the President is keen on securing majority of his votes from the North from the North- Central states of Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa to neutralise that of the North-West where the APC holds sway.

TB Joshua’s 2015 bombshell: Elections may not hold in some states , if…– T B Joshua

General Overseer of Synagogue for All Nations, Prophet T B Joshua, warns politicians not to derail the nation’s democracy. He spoke with TAI ANYANWU. Excerpts
There are so much troubles in Nigeria today, problem of insecurity, treat to national unity, political manoeuvres by rival political parties. What are your comments concerning these troubled times in the country?
It is a normal thing for a country that has a bright future, God’s promise. Bright future always attracts persecution, condemnation and enemies when it’s realised that the future is bright, and you see a lot of pressure and treats. The country is on the part to greatness, it will compete with any Western nation in future and the western nations know that Nigeria is going to be a giant. That is why their support in these trying times is needed. There is no country that has not passed through this.
All the countries that have become great today, they all passed through turbulence that nearly consumed them. How we manage the situation matters. If we don’t manage it well, we will not witness the greatness. It is not that the greatness would not come, but that would not be for our generation. The greatness will still come but for the coming generation.
With the turbulence being experienced in some states of the federation; and the election just around the corner, how do you think this will play out?
Elections will not happen in some states because of the frequent attacks. T h i s could affect between three to four states. The states would be a no-goarea due to violence and elections would not take place in those states unless we move closer to God. We must intensify our prayers. This is what God has showed me and you can imagine what would happen if elections don’t hold in those states. It would have great implication for our democracy.
How should we manage it?
We should not allow the politicians to politicise all the areas of our lives. For example if you want to enjoy anything, you have to be part of their party. Job, friendship etc, unless you are part of their party, you cannot benefit from things that should be available to you as a citizen. Look at electricity, health etc, they have politicised everything. Religion has been politicised, Christianity has been politicised. They go to church etc; the pulpit is where they campaign now. Now they go to churches, and mosques and bomb them.
These are people in church who had gone to pray for themselves. Must everybody become a politician? How we handle the situation at hand now matters. If the situation is not well managed, we will find ourselves postponing the great Nigeria; which we will not witness but that would be witnessed by our children.
Don’t let us politicise every area of our lives. Let us carefully play our politics with keen decency because 2015 matters in the history of Nigeria. It is either we cross the bridge successfully or it collapses. A good Nigerian that wants this greatness should be able to pay whatever proper price that is needed to be paid to make this dream of a great Nigeria possible. If your being in politics will make this greatness come, then join. From now to 2015 is a very important period in the history of Niger i a and if we don’t manage the situation well, our democracy would be rubbished.
How do you mean … that our democracy would be rubbished?
A situation where there would be lawlessness, lawlessness in the sense that the law would not be capable of guiding us because of the pro (for) and cons (against) as contained in the law and that would now take so much time which would now lead Nigeria to a discussion table. Where would you and I be at that time?
What can you say about APC and PDP?
In body we can call it APC and PDP; but in spirit, they are one and the same thing. I am yet to see the difference. I am looking forward to seeing the difference.
The president has just suspended Sanusi Lamido and people are saying he is being witchhunted because of his revelation on $20bn missing oil money. What is your take on this?
There are some agencies that are technical. CBN is one of the agencies that we should not play politics with or politicise. One, the head of the agency should do away with politics; the president should also not play politics with the agency.
With the situation in the country today and the agitation on 2015, what advice do you have for politicians not to create more tension in the polity and what is the way out?
The advice; many of us need to leave politics while many others need to join, in order to inject fresh blood. The people that need to leave politics are not the common people. This is in order to avert the disaster that could rubbish our democracy
The Synagogue is now like a tourist centre; what’s happening here that is different from what is happening in other churches?
There is nothing happening here that is different from other living churches. If there is any difference, it is the availability of abundance of anointing to meet needs. Where there is demand, there is supply, says the Lord

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

President Jonathan Sacks FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, NCAT Bosse

Nnamdi Udoh, NAMA MD: Sacked
Simon Ateba/Aviation correspondent 
The Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday sacked virtually all aviation chiefs in the troubled industry, just weeks after sacking Stella Oduah as the minister of aviation.
Nnamdi Udoh, NAMA MD: Sacked
Nnamdi Udoh, NAMA MD: Sacked
The president sacked the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, George Uriesi, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Namdi Udoh and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, NCAA, Fola Akinkuotu and the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Chinyere Kalu.
A statement by Sam Nwaobasi, Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said under the new arrangement, Engr. Saleh Dumona (Director Projects, FAAN) is to replace Mr. George Uriesi as Managing-Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) while Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam (General Manager, Procurements, NAMA) is replacing  Engr. Nnamdi Udoh as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Also Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick (Government Safety Inspector & ICAO Focal Point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems, OASIS) is to replace Capt. (Mrs.) Chinyere Kalu as Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
(iv)Capt. Muhktar Usman (Commissioner, Accident Investigation & Prevention Bureau, AIPB) to replace Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu as Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) subject to confirmation by the Senate. Engr. Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA pending the confirmation by the Senate.
George Uriesi, FAAN MD
George Uriesi, FAAN MD
Dr. Engr. Felix A. Abali (Director Licencing, NCAA) is replacing Capt. Muhktar Usman as Commissioner,  Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB).
Only Dr. Tony Anuforo retained his position as Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMMET).

Nigeria's 'Boko Haram attack' Borno state's Mafa town

People gather on 2 March 2014 near a car which had exploded in the city of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria

Bombs exploded in Maiduguri within minutes of each other
Suspected militant Islamists have killed at least 29 people in an attack on a town in north-eastern Nigeria's Borno state, a lawmaker has said.
Government troops fled when the militants raided Mafa town on Sunday night, Ahmad Zannah added.
The attack brings to about 150 the number of people killed in Borno since Friday in attacks by the militants and the military, reports say.
The Islamist group Boko Haram is waging an insurgency in Nigeria.
President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno and two other states in May, giving the military extra powers to curb the four-year insurgency.

Start Quote

When the attack took place, all of them ran away, along with the villagers”
Ahmad ZannahNigerian senator
However, Boko Haram has stepped up its violent campaign, with hardly a day going by without reports of a deadly attack by militants, says BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross.
Thousand of people have been killed in the conflict and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes.
'Air raid'
Mr Zannah, a senator from Borno state, told BBC Focus on Africa that Boko Haram had warned about a week earlier that it planned to attack Mafa.
Schools were shut and most residents fled to Maiduguri city, about 45km (28 miles) away, he said.
Military reinforcements were sent to Mafa, but soldiers still lacked the firepower or numerical strength to confront the militants, Mr Zannah added.
"When the attack took place, all of them ran away, along with the villagers. There was no resistance," he said.
People gathered on the spot after two explosions rocked in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, a region plagued by Islamist insurgency of Boko Haram.Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, has been badly affected by the conflict
Two policemen were killed by a bomb on Monday morning and fourteen soldiers were missing, Mr Zannah said.
On Saturday night, suspected Boko Haram fighters reportedly destroyed the entire village of Mainok, about 50km west of Maiduguri.
Gunmen attacked the village with assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and explosives, killing 47 people, residents said.
Earlier on Saturday, two bombs killed about 50 people in a densely populated area of Maiduguri - a city which Boko Haram has often targeted.
Map showing Nigeria
Borno state senator Ali Ndume told BBC Hausa that about 20 people, many of them elderly, were killed when the army launched an air raid on Daglun village on Friday night.
However, the defence ministry denied the allegation.
"The reports are believed to be part of the design by those bent on discrediting the counter-terrorist mission," its spokesman Chris Olukoladehe is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
He said government forces had killed a number of Boko Haram fighters in an operation on Sunday evening, including those believed to have killed at least 29 people in an attack on a rural boarding school in Yobe state more than a week ago.
Boko Haram members suspected to have been involved in the bombings in Maiduguri have also been arrested, Mr Olukoladehe said, AFP reports.
Both the Nigerian army and Boko Haram have repeatedly been accused by rights groups of committing atrocities during the conflict in the region.