POLICE DISRUPTS ASUU PROTEST IN KANO

Just like other peaceful protest by  ASUU  has been disrupted in Port Harcourt, Abuja by the Nigeria police, it was no different today in Kano as the Nigeria Police appeared in their numbers to stop a peaceful protest by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Bayero University, Kano (BUK). 

The protest was thwarted by armed policemen, who joined those stationed at the University gate as they barricaded the entrance, forcing the lecturers back into the university campus.
Although an argument ensued when a police officer made threats, the lecturers marched back to the university premises where the protest held peacefully.
The leader of the ASUU in BUK, Dr. Mahmud Lawan, said although they had been denied the opportunity to express their grievances, denied their right of a peaceful protest and that they had written to the police concerning the peaceful march. Dr Lawan, said the strike will continue because the federal government is not ready to listen to them.
Although the protest was peaceful carried out despite the presence of armed police officers, the protesters said there will be no going back on the struggle for a better university system.

SUCIDE ATTACKS IN TUNISIA

A man has blown himself up in front of a hotel in a Mediterranean resort town in Tunisia.
The Tunisia news agency on Wednesday said the man, wearing a belt of explosives, was killed. It was not clear if other people were hurt or killed in the explosion in the town of Sousse.
Sousse is a frequent destination for tourists.
Also on Tuesday, Tunisian police said they captured a man who tried to blow himself up at the tomb of Habib Bourguiba, a former president, in the town of Monastir.
The latest attack comes a day after Tunisia's army launched a "huge" operation to track down armed men in the central Sidi Bouzid region, the defence ministry said.
The armed men had killed six policemen in the area last week.
Tunisia has been battling unrest since the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime in 2011, and has seen the rise of self-declared jihadist movements.
In October alone, nine members of the security forces have been killed in clashes with what the government calls "terrorist" groups.
The unrest is particularly worrying because Tunisia, whose revolution inspired many others in the region, is often seen as a model for its neighbours.

ANOTHER BABY FACTORY IN IMO STATE

The Imo state police command has arrested a 35 year old native of Umuoda Isingwu, Umuahia south in Abia state, Mrs. Rose Nwadinaobi, for allegedly running an illegal baby factory where pregnant teenagers are kept till day of delivery and their babies sold to interested buyers.
While parading the suspect and her accomplices at the police headquarters in Owerri, the state capital, the police commissioner, Mohammed Katsina, said the group was arrested during an ambush when a suspected buyer, Mrs Amaka Abuchukwu was on transit from Port Harcourt to Owerri, where she bought a day old baby.
Preliminary investigations by the Police revealed that the clinic she described as a herbal clinic was only an illegal baby factory and as at the time of arrest, 6 pregnant teenagers waiting to deliver were rescued.
A sum of N1.03 million, which was deposited by buyers, was also recovered from the woman.
Mrs Nwadinobi, the operator of the factory, initially claimed to be a certified herbal nurse who had over time treated women who are unable to conceive but while on interrogation confessed that her herbal treatment did not produce desired results in Mrs Abuchukwu and due to her desperation, a pregnant teenager was brought in to deliver and hand over a baby boy in exchange for N250,000.
The pregnant teenagers who were rescued from the herbal home disclosed that they all conceived outside the home but individually approached the operator after they were directed by friends and were promised the sum of N50,000 if they willingly surrender their babies after delivery.
Investigations also revealed that the operator of the factory, who resides in Port Harcourt, has a chain of clients all over the country. The Police Commissioner disclosed that further investigations will be carried out on the matter.


Source: Channels

JONATHAN WRITES THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON 2014 BUDGET

President Goodluck Jonathan has chosen Tuesday, November 12, 2013 to present the proposed 2014 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly.

The date for the presentation of the Budget followed a letter dated October 23rd which was addressed to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The letters were read in both chambers of the National Assembly at plenary today.
Following the development, the Senate stood down some of the items listed on its Order Paper, which it had scheduled for deliberation at plenary. This gave an opportunity for members of the Senate and House Committees on Finance to meet revenue generating agencies to consider the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had on September 17, submitted to the Senate, the 2014-2016 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
Both documents set the parameters for the medium-term expenditure plan of government before the 2014 budget presentation.

CBN REPLACEMENT: SIX LINED UP TO REPLACE CBN GOVERNOR.

 

Contenders for the top seat of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have started emerging, reports have said.
CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will step down in June 2014, and the foremost contenders in consideration for his position can be put into two groups comprising three outsiders, according to Thisday.
The first group of contenders are the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN), Mr. Bisi Onasanya.
The second group are insiders who share similar views with Sanusi on monetary policies and are expected to ensure continuity. They are the three Deputy Governors of the CBN: Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, Mr. Tunde Lemo and Dr. Sarah Alade.
As specified in the CBN Act 2007, the central bank governor is in charge of the official bank of the Federal Government of Nigeria and provides economic advice to the federal government.

Apart from appending his signature to every denomination of Nigeria’s currency, the governor among other duties, oversees the country’s banking sector.
Alongside the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN, the governor also determines the monetary policies of the country, which have an impact on the financial system and the macroeconomy.
In a country aspiring to attract investments, create jobs and plug the infrastructure deficit, a major consideration when appointing a central bank governor is understanding his economic philosophical underpinnings.
With the North holding the CBN governorship for four times, it is expected that the post will go to the South.
Who will emerge as the governor remains to be seen, but analysts believe an insider may be favoured in order to continue the good works the incumbent governor has done in Nigeria’s banking sector.

AKHIGE DIES OF CANCER @ 68

 
One-time Chief of General Staff and Vice President of Nigeria, Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe, has died of cancer at the age of 68.
Akhigbe who was 68, battled cancer till Monday when he died in the United States.
Vice Admiral Akhigbe served as the Vice President of Nigeria during the General Abdusalam Abubakar-led military government from 1998 till the termination of military government in Nigeria, in 1999.

He had also previously served as military governor of Nigeria’s Ondo state from 1985 to 1986, and military governor of Lagos state from 1986 to 1988, after which he was appointed Chief of Naval Staff, the highest-ranking officer of the Nigerian Navy, and subsequently the Chief of General Staff, the highest ranking military officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Armed Forces.

NDLEA DISCOVERS FIVE CANNABIS FARMS IN KADUNA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Monday it had uncovered five cannabis farms in Kaduna State.

The Commandant of the Agency, Malam Mohammed Jibrin, said the farms were located in Zange village, Gwantu of Sanga LGA; Gidan Bello, Kagarko LGA; Fori village, Kagoma in Jema'a LGA  and Gadan Malam and Amaru, both in Zaria.

Mallam Jibrin further said`` We discovered these cannabis farms through information from members of the communities.If you find anybody cultivating certain crops near you for which you cannot identify or you can identify it as illicit plants please feel free to inform us.
 And it is through that way that we have got information on five different cannabis farms we have located in different parts of the state today."
The Commandant assured the public of confidentiality and safety to any persons that provided it with information that could enable the agency curb drug abuse and trafficking.

 According to him, the agency had arrested 300 suspects with over two tons of cannabis sativa, 235 grammes of cocaine and 182 kg of other narcotic substances between January and October.

NIGERIA TO EXPERIENCE PARTIAL ECLIPSE- NASDRA

Nigeria will experience a partial solar eclipse on Thursday the 3rd of November; an astronomical event that will have the earth thrown into temporal or partial darkness as the moon blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the earth.
Briefing journalists on what Nigerians should expect, the Director General of the Nigeria Space Research And Development Agency (NASDRA), Dr Sa’idu Mohammed said the eclipse will come in three phases; a partial eclipse at about 1.00 pm when the moon will touch the edge of the sun, the maximum eclipse shortly before 3.00pm when the moon is expected to be closest to the center and shortly after 4.00pm when the moon will leave the sun’s edge.

He however stated that there is no cause for alarm and Nigerians should not panic.
 As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun.
This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth in an alignment referred to as syzygy.
In a total eclipse, the disk of the Sun is fully obscured by the Moon. In partial and annular eclipses only part of the Sun is obscured.
If the Moon were in a perfectly circular orbit, a little closer to the Earth, and in the same orbital plane, there would be total solar eclipses every single month.
However, the Moon’s orbit is inclined at more than 5 degrees to Earth’s orbit around the Sun so its shadow at new moon usually misses Earth.
Earth’s orbit is called the ecliptic plane as the Moon’s orbit must cross this plane in order for an eclipse to occur.
In addition, the Moon’s actual orbit is elliptical, often taking it far enough away from Earth that its apparent size is not large enough to block the Sun totally.
The orbital planes cross each year at a line of nodes resulting in at least two, and up to five, solar eclipses occurring each year; no more than two of which can be total eclipses.

However, total solar eclipses are rare at any particular location because totality exists only along a narrow path on Earth’s surface traced by the Moon’s shadow or umbra.
An eclipse is a natural phenomenon. Nevertheless, in some ancient and modern cultures, solar eclipses have been attributed to supernatural causes or regarded as bad omen. A total solar eclipse can be frightening to people who are unaware of its astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear during the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes.
Since looking directly at the Sun can lead to permanent eye damage or blindness, special eye protection or indirect viewing techniques are used when viewing a solar eclipse.

It is technically safe to view only the total phase of a total solar eclipse with the unaided eye and without protection, however this is a dangerous practice as most people are not trained to recognize the phases of an eclipse which can span over two hours while the total phase can only last up to 7.5 minutes for any one location.

Source: Channels

UPDATE: SAUDI WOMEN ACTIVIST CANCELS DRIVE IN

 
The Saudi Women activist has cancelled the drive in planned for October 26 to challenge the male-only driving rule. The  protest was cancelled due to threatening phone calls received by the women activist, also threats by the interior minister that they will face legal actions if they continue with their proposed plan.

Hmmm, Saudi women won't be driving.  please what century is this?


For more information, use this link:http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/10/saudi-activists-cancel-women-drive-plan-2013102517635525438.html

U17 WORLD CUP: NIGERIA THRASH IRAQ 5-0

 



The Nigeria Eaglets beat the Iraq's 5-0 in their last group game played at the Iraq Al Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
Manu Garba's team put up an impressive showing after surviving the Scandinavian scare in their last game to shoot into the lead as early as the third minute courtesy of Musa Muhammed’s well placed penalty kick after Musa Yahaya was fouled in the penalty area of the sians.

PRINCE GEORGE CHRISTENED AT ROYAL CHAPEL

Official portrait of prince George's christening

 This is the official pictures of the christening of Prince George at the Chapel Royal in St. James palace in London. He was christened in a private ceremony with just the immediate family, four members of the middleton family, seven godparents and their spouses, senior royals and 22 other guests. 

Prince George, son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was born in London on 22 July. The Prince, is third in line to the Throne and was baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Scroll down for more pictures...

Prince George was carried into the Chapel Royal by his father, the Duke of Cambridge

 
The Duchess of Cambridge carried her son out of the Chapel after the Christening

The Prince was baptized in a replica of a gown worn by Queen Victoria's eldest Daughter

The Queen and Prince Philip attended the ceremony

SAUDIS WARN ACTIVIST BACKING WOMEN DRIVERS

The Saudi women are the only women in the world who are not allowed to drive cars. Saudi Arabia bans women from driving cars in the country. There has been a recent uprising by some women activist in the country on the matter challenging the male only driving rules in the kingdom. The women who plan to make their voice heard have planned a protest on the 26th of November being Saturday, this has generated a lot of concern for the kingdom authorities

Saudi officials have warned online activists from backing protests planned by the women in the kingdom.
Friday's edition of the pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat quoted Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Turki al-Faisal as saying cyber-laws banning political dissent could apply to anyone supporting the women driving campaign. Conviction can bring up to five-year prison sentences.
The warning widens the possible fallout from the expected campaign by Saudi women with foreign driving licenses to get behind the wheel on Saturday in defiance of Saudi traditions.
The Internet has been a key tool in organising the protest and reaching out to media.
The women organising the campaign have been posting online footage of themselves driving in Saudi, the world's only country that bans women from driving. 
Though no explicit law in Saudi Arabia bans women from driving, the rules are enforced by the country's powerful Islamic establishment.
On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry issued a statement saying it would crack down against anyone who attempts to "disturb public peace" by congregating or marching "under the pretext of an alleged day of female driving”.
The Interior Ministry spokesman has insisted that "all gatherings are prohibited" in Saudi Arabia, but activists have repeatedly insisted throughout their campaign that no demonstrations will be held.
"October 26 is a day on which women in Saudi Arabia will say they are serious about driving and that this matter must be resolved," Activist Manal al-Sharif, one of the organisers of this Saturday's campaign, told the AFP news agency. 
Rights watchdog Amnesty International has urged the Saudi authorities to respect the right of women to drive.
"It is astonishing that in the 21st century the Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny women the right to legally drive a car," Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme, said.

Sources:Agencies and Aljazeera

Lets support Saudi women as they drive into the streets tomorrow......

FAKE BOKO HARAM MEMBER ARRESTED IN ENUGU CHURCH

 

 All that is done in the name of religion. I know most of us listened to the taped version of his confession since we could not go to Enugu to see for ourselves  ... Read on to see how he played it out.

A 35-year-old man, Mr. Daniel Danboyi, who claimed to be a repentant member of Boko Haram sect, was yesterday paraded by the department of State Services, DSS, Enugu State Command, for allegedly extorting money from some churches under false pretence.
The suspect, who is also known as Shuaibu Shehu Rabiu, was said to have visited several churches in the country, telling fictitious story of how he was actively involved in the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents before he repented and became a Christian.
Parading the suspect in Enugu, State Director of DSS, Mr. Victor Duru, said that Danboyi, a native of Garshi District, Kura Falls, Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, “has been going about duping innocent Nigerians, using religion as his tool.”

According to him, the suspect was arrested at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church, Zik Avenue, Enugu, in connection with Boko Haram activities.
“He has been going about with a false testimony, deceiving people, duping and exploiting people in the name of religion.
“He claims that he was a Boko Haram member, who has converted to Christianity,” Duru said, adding that Danboyi began the deceit in 2001 at an Abuja church.

 Source: Infonigeria

ARMY IMPOSES 24HOUR CURFEW IN YOBE

The military on Friday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Yobe following attacks on Damaturu by suspected insurgents on Thursday night.

This is contained in a statement signed by Capt. Eli Lazarus, spokesman of the 3 Division, Special Operations Battalion, Damaturu.

“The 3 Division, Special Operation Battalion, Damaturu, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across Yobe state, with immediate effect.

“Law-abiding citizens are enjoined to remain calm as the battalion steps up its operation to rid the state of insurgents,” he said. (NAN)

HOUSE PROBE: ODUAH APPROVED OVER N403M ABOVE BUDGET FOR CARSS

•We followed due process, NCAA insists  

•BPP: We have no record of transaction

Onwuka Nzeshi 

The vehicle purchase scandal rocking the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) got messier yesterday, as it emerged that the two BMW armoured cars and other operational vehicles bought by the agency gulped a total of N643 million, being N403 million above the N240 million stipulated in the 2013 Appropriation Act.

In the initial budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly, the NCAA had requested the sum of N140 million for the purchase of two bulletproof cars at the cost of N70 million per unit.

When this request was turned down, the parliament approved the sum of N240 million only for the purchase of operational vehicles.

However, evidence brought before the House Committee on Aviation probing the controversial armoured car deal yesterday showed that though the budget provided for a total of 25 operational vehicles, the NCAA turned around to procure a total of 54 vehicles, including the BMW armoured cars at triple the cost of what was provided in the budget for the vehicles.

Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, expressed anger that the NCAA committed public funds to such a deal in contravention of the budgetary approvals made by the National Assembly.

Onyejeocha and other members of the committee raised a number of questions as to the legality of the transaction and whether it followed due process.

However, at the opening of the investigation, there was some buck passing as the Director General, NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said most of the decisions leading to the controversial purchases were made prior to his assumption of duty as the agency's boss.

The lot fell on the Director of Airspace   in NCAA, Mr. Joyce Nkemakonam, to explain the role of the agency since he was in the saddle when the decisions were made.

Nkemakonam's testimony raised a lot of dust when he insisted that the transaction followed due process as it received the approval of the Ministry of Aviation. He however had difficulties providing evidence for his claims.

He also had difficulties wriggling out of the questions pertaining to the flouting of the Appropriation Act and Section 80 of the Constitution.

In its testimony, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) told the committee that it had no information on the said purchase of the two bulletproof cars.
Mr. Ayo Adegbile, who represented the Director-General of BPP, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said it had no documents to present because the purchases did not pass through the due process office as prescribed in the Public Procurement Act.

According to him, a procurement of that magnitude ought to have been passed and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He explained that going by the extant rules and a circular from the Secretary to the Head of Service of the Federation, procurement from N100 million upwards should be approved by FEC, while only those below that threshold could pass through ministerial tenders boards.

The committee had some initial problems deciding on whether or not to conduct the investigation in the absence of the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, who was away in Israel on official assignment.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. George Ossi, had explained that Oduah would not be available till after next Monday because she was away signing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) deal with her counterpart in Israel.

Other stakeholders such as the Nigeria Customs Service and First Bank Nigeria Limited were also absent, while Coscharis Motors was partially represented but had no presentations because the firm got the invitation late and its top level managers were outside the country.

Given the absence of key invitees and the short notice, the Aviation Committee resolved that Oduah and these other stakeholders should appear before it to give oral and documentary evidence next Tuesday.

SOURCE: Thisdaylive

SEVERAL DIE IN STAMPEDE AS KWARA PDP MEMBERS SCRAMBLE FOR FORMER GOV. SARAKI'S SALLAH GIFTS -PREMIUM TIMES

By Monday Ateboh

A yet unknown  number of members of the Kwara state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, died on Wednesday night as they scrambled for handouts distributed by former Governor of the state, Bukola Saraki.
A source said no fewer than a dozen people were feared dead.
Several others were injured in the incident which occurred at  a venue popularly called PDP Charity House, which is near Mr. Saraki’s Ilorin residence.
Tragedy struck as indigent party members tried to outsmart one another as Mr. Saraki and other philanthropists distributed the yearly sallah gifts.
The dead and the injured were packed into ambulances and rushed to nearby hospitals.
In a statement emailed to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday night, the Publicity Secretary of Kwara PDP, Mas’ud Adebimpe, confirmed the incident and commiserated with the families of the victims.
He, however, confirmed the death of only four PDP members , with many others injured.
Mr. Adebimpe said, “The Peoples Democratic Party Kwara State chapter held its annual Sallah celebration at PDP Charity House where many party faithful were in attendance.
“The event which is an annual activity of the party went on smoothly until the unfortunate incident of a stampede, which led to some people fainting. They were immediately rushed to a hospital few blocks away from the venue.
“While some are currently responding positively to treatment, we however regret to announce that we lost  four of our party members to the unfortunate development.
“Our prayers  go out to the families of the deceased and we pray for the quick recovery of those that are responding fast to treatment.”
The yearly sallah gifts distribution by the Sarakis and the party have of late led to multiple deaths.
On May 27, 2011, several people died at the Mandate House, Ilorin, as they scrambled for rice and other items.
At least 11 others died in a similar fashion in November 2010, but only four deaths were also confirmed by the Kwara government at the time.

NIGERIA SECURES UN NON-PERMANENT SEAT

Nigeria has been elected unopposed into a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Also elected unopposed are Saudi Arabia, Chad, Chile, and Lithuania, however The Gambia recently pulled out of the race.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has welcomed Nigeria’s election today to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council with a total of 186 out of a possible 193 votes.
A statement released today by the Presidency says it is resounding victory for the country, and it also shows that Nigeria’s effort to ensure peaceful coexistence in the African region has not gone unrecognised by a majority of member-countries in the body.
“On behalf of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan wishes to convey his sincere appreciation of the support of all member-countries of the United Nations who voted for Nigeria’s election to the Security Council.
The President believes that today’s endorsement of Nigeria’s candidature for the Security Council seat by the vast majority of member-countries is a glowing expression of support and encouragement for Nigeria’s active participation in the promotion of  peace, security and political stability in Africa and other parts of the world.
This is the fourth time since it became independent in 1960 that Nigeria is being elected to the UN Security Council. It is also the second time (2010-2011 and 2014-2015) that Nigeria will be elected to the Council under the Jonathan Presidency.
The President is particularly delighted by this historic victory and assures the global community that Nigeria, under his leadership, will continue to make very significant contributions towards the achievement and sustenance of global peace and security.

Source: channels

JONATHAN WOULD VE BEEN BETTER OFF AS A NOLLYWOOD ACTOR NOT PRESIDENT-TINUBU

I came across this story and i thought you all should read it, this is a total political face off over the much awaited national conference. Enjoy it but dont laugh*lol* but really what is your take on the National Conference coming at this time????

Former Lagos State governor and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has told the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe to address the issues he raised concerning the planned National Conference rather than resort to abuses.
Tinubu had on arrival from abroad where he underwent knee surgery about a fortnight ago dismissed the proposed National Conference as a “Greek gift, diversionary and an act of public deception” by Mr. Jonathan but the presidency reacted yesterday saying his conclusion was unjustifiable and went further to lampoon the APC chieftain.

According to Okupe, “Our dear Senator Tinubu wants the Yoruba Nation and indeed the people of Lagos State to believe that he is sincere in rendering public service to the state and the people, whereas he has heavily garrisoned the state political apparatus with a sizeable number of his immediate family members. Nigerians should ignore the vituperations of so-called leaders, who don’t see anything good in anyone or any programme except they are either in control of it or that it is tailored to satisfy their inordinate desires and greed”.
However, in a statement last night by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Sunday Dare, Tinubu said: “The reaction of Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential cry babies to Tinubu’s extensive comments on the proposed national conference was predictable. As usual, rather than deal with the salient and substantial issues surrounding the proposed National Conference raised by former Governor Tinubu, the reaction from the Presidency skirted around them.
“In typical fashion, it resorted to abusive language and name calling. Okupe, like a punch drunk pugilist threw several empty jabs and went on a flight of fancy, praising his boss and flaunting fictional achievements of the administration in the face of Nigerians.

“We leave it to Nigerians to judge. They are the ones, who feel the pains and millions will not be able to relate to all the fictional transformational achievements reeled out by the Presidency. Nigerians are saddled with a President who believes fiction is more important than fact and imagination is more genuine than reality. While we would not mind such a person to be a leading figure in our Nollywood film industry, I am frightened that he is the Chief Resident of Aso Villa and surrounded by a cast of like minds.

“Tinubu’s searching questions about the Jonathan Conference remain fundamental. We urge Jonathan and his cry babies to take time to read through the statement and address the cloud of doubts surrounding the proposed conference. This is a flip-flopping Presidency and on this issue it must provide answers. Tinubu is satisfied that that he has raised the provocative questions that need be asked and no amount of shadow boxing and presidential foul language can change that.”

-The Nation

N255 ARMOURED CARS: MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER SAYS AVIATION MINISTER

After an initial denial by the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Datti that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, purchased two armoured BMW cars worth N255 million for the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, her spokesman has come out to explain that indeed, the cars were purchased for the minister.

According to her Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Joel Obi, threats to Ms Oduah’s life over reforms in the aviation sector and the general insecurity in the country, led the Ministry to purchase the automobiles which cost tax payers a whopping N127. 575 million each.
Mr. Obi affirmed that when the minister came on board with her reforms, which included reversing some concessions and agreements that were not in the interest of the people and government of Nigeria, “a lot of entrenched interests felt that they had been dislocated from the sector. The minister began to receive series of threats to her life, but because of the general lack of security in the land, she did not want to raise an alarm but kept it quiet and then decided to protect herself. So those vehicles were purchased in response to the general state of security in the land and the personal threats to her life because of the giant steps she has taken to reposition the sector.”

He further added that several times, the minister had been trailed and that there were clear and present dangers to her life but they were averted or neutralised.
On the huge sums expended on the vehicles, Mr. Obi argued that they were special purpose vehicles, even as he noted that they were bought in the name of the Minister of Aviation and not in the name of Stella Oduah.
“Normally, you don’t buy one utility vehicle but you buy two at a time because you must have a back-up for public officials. The level of exposure which came with her job warranted the purchase of the vehicles. As a private citizen, she never had these vehicles,” he added.

It would be recalled that an online news portal, Saharareporters, had first broke the news to the world when it claimed that it had obtained documents which showed the paper trail of the transaction involving Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), First Bank and Coscharis Motors.

But Mr. Datti, in his denial of the report said it was all “rumours” suggesting that it was even politically motivated.

“I don’t respond to rumours… [and] as we approach 2015, people are bound to make up all sorts of stories,” he was quoted as saying just as he argued further that “This is a woman (Mrs. Oduah), who is successful and established. A woman that made her mark in oil and gas, who owned trucks, barges, and so on. What is two cars?”



-LEADERSHIP

NIGERIA TOPS LIST OF PEOPLE LIVING IN MODERN SLAVERY

 
  In a time where slavery is supposed to be either abolished or extinct, nearly 30 million people are still living in slavery across the globe,many of them men, women and children trafficked by gangs for sex work and unskilled labour, according to a global slavery index.
The index, released by anti-slavery charity Walk Free Foundation, ranked 162 countries on the number living in slavery, the risk of enslavement, and the strength of government responses to combating the illegal activity.
It found that 10 countries accounted for 76 percent of the 29.8 million people living in slavery - India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Modern slavery was defined as human trafficking, forced labour, and practices such as debt bondage, forced marriage, and the sale or exploitation of children.

Blame corruption
He dismissed the view that poverty was the key factor behind slavery and instead blamed corruption, calling for laws to stop organised gangs.
"Consistently when we analysed the statistics we found that corruption came out as more powerful than poverty in driving slavery," said Bales, a professor of contemporary slavery at the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation at the University of Hull in northern England.
"Fundamentally this is a violent crime issue."
The report found Mauritania in West Africa had the highest number of slaves proportionately, with up to 160,000 enslaved in a population of 3.8 million, due to culturally-sanctioned forms of chattel slavery and high levels of child marriage.
The highest absolute numbers were almost 14 million in slavery in India and 3 million in China.
"By far the largest proportion of this problem (in India) is the exploitation of Indian citizens within India itself, particularly through debt bondage and bonded labour," said the report.
In China there was forced labour of men, women and children, including domestic servitude and forced begging, sexual exploitation of women and children and forced marriage.
Coming last in the index were Iceland, Ireland and Britain although Bales stressed they were not slavery-free.
Up to 4,400 people are estimated to be enslaved in Britain, the victims mainly from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
They are forced into sex work, domestic servitude, or low-paid jobs in agriculture, construction, restaurants and nail salons.
"Hopefully this report will be a wake-up call for rich countries as well," Bales told Reuters.

Source: Aljazeera

NLC MOBILISESTO FIGHT CHILD LABOUR, S*XUAL HARASSMENT

 
The Women’s Wing of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said that it was mobilising to fight s*xual harassment against women, child labour and under-age marriage.
Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Ms Olubunmi Abikoye, the Chairperson of Lagos wing of the NLC, told newsmen: “We are working on a programme to move against women’s s*xual harassment and child labour, including under-age marriage, before the year runs out.
“We are mobilising support to show that we are not in support of all the s*xual harassment that is going on at an alarming rate, both in the public and private sectors. We also frown at child marriage and say no to it.”
According to Abikoye, the union was partnering with some non-governmental organisations and women’s groups in various organisations, market women and the grassroots, to carry women from all cadres along.
She also called on the Federal and state governments to revert maternity leave for women to 84 working days, instead of the current 84 days that included weekends.

She said: “The 84 days with weekends are not enough for a woman, who has carried a pregnancy for nine months, to take care of herself and her baby after birth.
“Government should, therefore, revert to the 84 working days maternity leave.”
Abikoye also advised women in the private sector to watch out for clauses that peg maternity leave at one month and reject them, while signing employment contracts.
She said that the wing was working with various women’s groups to identify other areas where women’s rights were being violated and to tackle them.
She expressed concern about the violation of women’s rights in the banking and insurance sectors, adding that the union had identified some local and international firms that employed children, and would picket them.

Source:infonigeria

500 CRIMINALS TO BE REPATRIATED FROM THE UK

Information from the U.K Daily Mail Newspapers has indicated that hundreds of Nigerian criminals will be sent home to serve out prison sentences under a deal set to be struck by ministers within weeks.
Talks are said to be continuing into reaching a compulsory prisoner transfer agreement, which could see more than half of the 500 criminals from Nigeria currently in UK jails repatriated. Statistics show that there are 534Nigerian Nationals in British jails, 485 are men and 49 are women
Britain has even made clear it will pay to build new prisons in countries like Nigeria to speed up the process of sending foreign criminals home.
Up to £1 Million has been promised to upgrade Nigerian jails including a new wing at the Kirikiri prison in Lagos.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO BOKO HARAM SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY

Amnesty International has urged the FG to look into the deaths of hundreds of people in detention facilities run by Nigeria’s military Joint Task Force (JTF)which must be investigated as a matter of urgency. The non-governmental organization said it has allegedly received credible information from a senior officer in the Nigerian Army that over 950 people died in military custody in the first six months of 2013 alone.
Most of the reported deaths occurred in facilities used by the military to detain people suspected of being members of or associated with the armed Islamist group Boko Haram.
“The evidence we have gathered suggests that hundreds of people died in military custody in 2013 alone. This is a staggeringly high figure that requires urgent action by the Nigerian government,” said Lucy Freeman, Amnesty International’s deputy Africa director.
“The details of what happens behind locked doors in these shadowy detention facilities must be exposed, and those responsible for any human rights violations brought to book.”
A large proportion of these deaths are reported to have happened in Giwa military barracks, Maiduguri in Borno State and Sector Alpha, commonly referred to as ‘Guantanamo’ and Presidential Lodge (known as ‘Guardroom’) in Damaturu, Yobe State.
According to former detainees interviewed by Amnesty International, people died on an almost daily basis in both Giwa and Sector Alpha from suffocation or other injuries due to overcrowding, and starvation.
Some suffered serious injuries due to severe beating and eventually died in detention due to lack of medical attention and treatment.
These interviews also revealed that in some cases detainees in these facilities may have been extra judicially executed. Some described soldiers taking detainees from their cells threatening to shoot and kill them. In many cases the detainees never returned. Others were reportedly shot in the leg during interrogation, provided no medical care and left to bleed to death.
Another senior officer in the Nigerian Army who spoke on condition of anonymity told Amnesty International:
“Hundreds have been killed in detention either by shooting or suffocation…There are times when people are brought out on a daily basis and killed. About five people, on average, are killed nearly on a daily basis.”
In April 2013 Amnesty International delegates counted 20 emaciated corpses lying on the ground in the compound of the State Specialist Hospital mortuary in Maiduguri. Eye witnesses said that the bodies had been deposited by the JTF. Several other sources told Amnesty International that the same mortuary received a daily delivery of bodies by the JTF. They reportedly remain there until the mortuary is full and are then taken away for burial by Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA). Information received by Amnesty International indicates that post-mortem examinations are not carried out at the mortuary or elsewhere.
“International standards, as well as Nigerian laws, require that deaths in custody must be investigated thoroughly and impartially,” said Lucy Freeman. “Detainees have human rights and these must be respected in all instances.”
In many parts of northern Nigeria hundreds of people accused of having links to Boko Haram have been arbitrarily detained by the JTF. Many have been detained incommunicado for lengthy periods without charge or trial, without being brought before any judicial authority, and without access to lawyers and families

FIRST ABIA CARNIVAL TO HOLD IN DECEMBER

Abia State Government has fixed December 13 and 14 2013 as date for the first ever Abia Carnival, with the theme 'Showcasing Our Cultural Heritage' Mr. Cosmos Ndukwe, Chief of Staff to Governor Theodore Orji, made this known in Umuahia, Abia State on Monday while briefing newsmen on the development.
Ndukwe who also doubles as Chairman of the Carnival commitee said the carnival is aimed at showing people the rich culture of the abia people and also boost their tourism potential.
Ndukwe, who lamented that the tourism potential of the state was often not appreciated, noted that the present administration had done well in that sector.

It will also feature rich cultural displays. There will be financial rewards to Abia citizens that have distinguished themselves, especially in the social world.
The carnival will feature cultural display and also rewards to Abia citizens that have distinguished themselves in their endeavours both at home and in the diaspora.

39 YEAR OLD MAN CONCEALS COCAINE IN FOOD FLASK

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 39-year-old man who imported 7.45kg of cocaine valued at N82 million at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on the 12th of October during an inward screening of passengers on-board an Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil.
“The drug, which was industrially concealed inside food flasks and kitchen utensils, tested positive to cocaine and weighed 7.45kg. It is the single largest seizure recorded at the Abuja Airport since January.

The NDLEA said, they have launched 'Operation End of Year Screening' to counter the tricks of drug traffickers.

MARKET WOMEN PROSTEST AGAINST THE ASUU STRIKE

Traders under the aegis of National Market Women Association, Monday, stormed the National Assembly in protest, demanding that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, call off its strike of over 100 days.
The protesters, who had been at the Ministry of Education and Office of the Head of Service, arrived the Assembly complex at 11.30a.m.
President-General of the group, Mrs Felicia Sani, who led the more than 200 protesting women, said: “We are tired of seeing our children at home. We want our children back in school. Enough of this cheap blackmail.
“We all know what they do with our year-one daughters in the university. We equally know that they sell handouts and handbooks.
“Is this not worse than corruption of the highest order?”
When asked why she did not criticise the Federal Government for failing to reach an agreement with ASUU, Mrs Sani said: “Which agreement? How do you expect lecturers in state universities to earn same salaries as Federal ones? That is impossible.
“We are not educated, but you do not expect a hotel in my village to cost same price as a hotel in Abuja.
“They are located in different places. So how can a state university lecturer earn same salary with his federal counterpart?
“We are begging them for the last time. If we come out again we may have to chase them out of this country and replace them with so many jobless Nigerians.”
 The women gave ASUU till end of the month to call off the strike unless they will take strict measures.

Source: infonigeria

Hmmm, the women are indeed angry, Asuu call call off strike or face the wrath. 

73 DEAD IN PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE

At least 73 people have been killed and more than 100 others injured by falling buildings islands popular with tourists in the central Philippines after an earthquake measuring 7.2 hit the region, according to radio reports.
Tuesday's earthquake was centred 56km deep below Carmen town on Bohol Island, about 400km southeast of the capital, Manila, and was felt across the region. The Philippine seismology agency reported at least 110 aftershocks.
Local radio stations also reported fatalities in nearby Cebu province, across a strait from Bohol.
Tuesday is a national holiday and that may have reduced casualties because schools and offices are closed.
Report from Siquijor Island, said school buildings had collapsed in Bohol and that the government was assessing the damage and sending out rescue teams from other outlying islands.
Bohol has 1.2 million people and is popular among foreigners because of its beach and island resorts.
Philippine radio reports quoted an official from the national disaster agency as saying four people died on Bohol when buildings collapsed during the quake.
A 17th century stone church in Loboc, a town southwest of Carmen, crumbled to pieces, with nearly half of it reduced to rubble.
Robert Poole, an arts journalist from Tokyo who was holidaying in Bohol, told Al Jazeera there were no casualties at the site possibly because of the national holiday.
Earthquakes are said to be common in Philippine which lies in the Pacific Ring of fire

Source:Aljazeera

FG TO COMPLETE LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY WITHIN TWO WEEKS

The Federal Government has promised to complete the ongoing rehabilitation of failed sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that cause heavy traffic on the ever busy dual carriageway within two weeks. Motorists plying the expressway complain of spending long hours while driving through some sections of the road in recent times.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Olutoyin Obikoya who made the promise, yesterday, stated that the Federal Ministry of Works had mobilised Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, to carry out urgent rehabilitation works on the bad sections within two weeks.
Obikoya, who is the engineers’ representative on the reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan (section I), explained that the work would be done to ensure the road remained in good condition for a long time.

Movement on the road, he said, was also being slowed down by the construction of an additional lane on the Ibadan-bound stretch and the mounting of concrete median at some points.
According to him: “These activities require traffic diversion when necessary and work is carried out on five kilometres at a time.
“The ministry has been carrying out palliative works on the road and it is this construction work that is causing the traffic problem. They are working on the road and once it is done, movement will be better.”
The construction company, he said, would not work during the public holiday, that is today and tomorrow, but that after the holiday work would be intensified to ensure the job is completed within two weeks. [Vanguard]

HAPPY EID FROM R101

From the stable of R101, we are wishing you a Happy Eid -el-Kabir celebration. Especially to our ardent Muslim readers as you celebrate may Allah bless us all , and Bless Nigeria. Have a Blessed Eid.

Please do not forget to invite us to partake in eating the Ram*winks*.

WOMAN STABS MAN OVER 100 NAIRA

A 20-year old woman was Monday charged with stabbing her neighbour in the chest with a pair of scissors over N100 at an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, Toyin Somorin, whose address is unknown, is being tried for assault.
The prosecutor, ASP Paul Etusi told the court that the accused committed the offence at 18, Oke-Ijeun St., Abeokuta.
He said the woman allegedly stabbed a man, Sikiru Adeniji, in the chest with a pair of scissors during a disagreement over money.
“Adeniji lent the accused N100 and when he asked for the money it led to a fight and in the process, the accused stabbed him in the chest with a pair of scissors.”
Etusi noted that the offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused pleaded innocence of the offence.
 The Chief Magistrate, Anthony Araba, granted the woman bail in the sum of N30,000 with one surety in like sum, before fixing further hearing for December 10.
Hmmm, interesting.....

JONATHAN CONGRATULATES EAGLES ON THEIR VICTORY IN ADDIS ABABA

President Goodluck Jonathan has described the victory of the Super Eagles in Ethiopia as very remarkable and an indication that the country is moving on despite the numerous challenges facing the country.

The president who was speaking at the 2013 edition of Sacrifice of Praise holding in the Presidential Villa said that by winning the game they have proved they are the African Champions and that this has put Nigeria in full position to be in Brazil.
Furthermore, the president said  that there is no nation that is not facing challenges and that Nigeria will get out of the woods the same way developed countries overcame their own challenges. He said , we must be in Brazil so that the world we know that with our challenges we are moving forward.

Also, the second leg of the game is scheduled to hold in Calabar on the 16th of November and an International friendly with Italy on the 18th of November.

CULT CLASH IN AKWA-IBOM STATE

At least seven persons were feared dead following the clash between three cult groups, the Vikings, Red Skin, and KKK, otherwise known as Klans men in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State.
Trouble was said to have started somewhere around Akpan Essien Street, where some young men who were drinking engaged in an argument which degenerated into a scuffle.
One of the victims, a 27-year-old man, Anieyie Okon Essien of No. 10 Asukwo Akpan Street, Ewet Offot, in Uyo Local Government, and a driver in Government House, was buried in the father’s compound on Saturday.
According to an eyewitness Anieyie was shot twice by some unidentified cultists, while another cultist who was a little far from him shouted, “finish it, confirm,” before the people that shot him brought out their knives and slaughtered him to death. Two others were killed at Akpa Ubeh and Iboko street.

Residents of Udo Ikpe, Urua Udofia, Udoinwang, Anderson, Akpa Edor, Asukwo Akpan streets, in Uyo metropolis complained that they have been living in fear as cultists have been harrassing and terrorising them in the last one month.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Etim Dickson, confirmed that the police have arrested about seven cultists who were in the State Police headquarters, and that they would be prosecuted soon.
“We are aware that for sometime now the cultists have been killing themselves. We have made some arrests through the combined efforts of the Quick Response Squad, and the policemen of the ‘A’ Division. We will make sure we prosecute them no matter who is involved,” Dickson said.[infonigeria].

hmmm, we hope the perpetrators are brought to book.

IRS MAKES AN EMERGENCY LANDING

Another air disaster was averted on Sunday as a plane belonging to IRS Airline made an emergency landing in Kaduna, north-west Nigeria.
It was reported that the aircraft’s hydraulic system developed a problem warning, thereby forcing the pilot to take a precautionary measure by asking ground control to confirm that all gears were down and locked.
“The front tyres didn’t come out on time and the pilot had to land the plane without its tyres out,” an airport source said.
We have also reliably learnt that the plane, 3390 was carrying passengers from Lagos to Kaduna.

“There was no casualty” the source confirmed to us.The aircraft had 89 passengers on board.
Some days ago, a chartered Associated Airlines plane crashed in Lagos seconds after take-off, killing 15 people.
Meanwhile, the last incident in Kaduna airport was on 20 August 2010, when a Chanchangi Airlines Flight 334, operated by Boeing 737-200 5N-BIF struck the localizer antenna and landed short of the runway. Several passengers were slightly injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. Chanchangi Airlines later suspended operations following the accident.
We are made to understand that AIB are investigating the incident.

IGP ORDERS ROUND- THE-CLOCK POLICING FOR SALLAH CELEBRATION

As the Muslim faithful in Nigeria mark the 2013 Eid-el Kabir, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar,  has ordered all heads of Operational Units at Commands and Formations of the Force nationwide to put in place high visibility policing strategies targeted at achieving a secure, peaceful and incident-free Sallah celebration. 

This directive is contained in a Police signal issued by the IGP addressed to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in-charge of Zones and State Command Commissioners of Police.

The IGP further directed Commanders in-charge of the Police Special Forces – the Air Wing, the Maritime Command, the Counter Terrorism Unit and the Border Patrol Units to ensure purposeful and strategic deployment of their personnel and logistics to ensure all criminal threats are effectively checkmated.

 Command Commissioners of Police are to adequately protect all essential infrastructure and vulnerable points including highways, motor parks, places of worship, shopping malls and recreation centres.  In addition, Commanders of Police Mobile Force Squadrons are to ensure that their respective Quick Reactionary Units remain on high alert throughout the holiday period.

The IGP reminded Operational Commanders that though the nation is on holiday, Policemen are not on holiday and all Commanders are expected to remain at their beats and posts throughout the Sallah period.

Commanders of Police Mobile Force Squadrons are to ensure that their respective Quick Reactionary Units remain on high alert throughout the holiday period.

The IGP reminded Operational Commanders that though the nation is on holiday, Policemen are not on holiday and all Commanders are expected to remain at their beats and posts throughout the Sallah period.

MILITANTS EXCHANGE GUN FIRES WITH SECURITY OPERATIVES IN KADUNA STATE.

A gun fight between unknown gunmen and security operatives had occurred throughout last night till early this morning in Makarfi area of Kaduna State. 

The resident said they have no exact idea as to cause of the shootings, but a police   source in Zaria said it is an attack on some banks in the area by islamist militants.

Makarfi shares boundaries with Kano state and is the home town of former Kaduna state governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

UPDATE: The gunmen are armed robbers who attacked commercial banks in the makarfi area of Kaduna state. The gunmen are numbered about twenty, eye witness said they were with explosives. There were also sounds of explosions which heightened tension in the area.

OVER 80 PEOPLE KILLED IN INDIA STAMPEDE

With the event of cyclone Phailin still in the air in india, another tragedy has befallen the asian country with the recent stampede at the hindu temple in the Madhya pradesh state.

A stampede on a bridge outside a Hindu temple has killed over 80 people in India and dozens more may have died after they leapt into the water below, police said.

"Sixty people are confirmed killed and the figure could reach 100 and More than 100 others have been injured" in the disaster in the Datia district of central Madhya Pradesh state.

The stampede was triggered by rumours that it might collapse after being hit by a heavy vehicle.

"Many people are feared to have fallen into the river and are unaccounted for."

UPDATE: MORE PEOPLE FEARED DEAD AS  DEATH TOLL RISES TO 111

SUPER EAGLES BEAT THE ANTELOPES 2-1

Nigeria beat the Ethopian Antelopes 2-1,  in the first leg of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers in a rather controversial match in Addis Ababa, today. Emmanuel Emenike who led the Eagles to victory by scoring the two deserving goals, making him the man of the match.
 We do hope at the second leg it wouldn't be this difficult to win. UP SUPER EAGLES!

C/RIVER STATE: THE 2013 CARNIVAL THEME UNVEILED

 The Cross River State government has unveiled the theme for the 2013 Calabar Festival at the main bowl of the cultural centre  complex in Calabar. The state governor, Liyel Imoke unveiled the theme titled "Ain't No Stopping Us".
To this end, the government said “plans are underway to making this year’s event the best ever experienced since its twelve years of existence in the state”.

The annual carnival is regarded as the second biggest brand in Africa after Nollywood with over 50 million spectators globally.
The Calabar Carnival has grown to be a brand identified internationally, copied locally and even exported to other states and countries following its rich content.
The theme is expected to be interpreted by five participating bands including, The Seagull, Master Blasta, Freedom Band, Passion4 and Bayside. The governor, Liyel Imoke spurred the bands members to reflect on the states culture, history , creativity and above all measures geared towards promoting the tourism industry in their quest for the interpretation of the theme.
The Carnival which is slated for 26^th and 27^th of December Annually, is expected that this year’s live audience will outgrow last years audience.

ALLOW KENYAN LEADERS DISCHARGE THEIR ELECTORAL MANDATE, JONATHAN TELLS ICC

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed Nigeria’s disappointment with the bias shown by the International Criminal Court (ICC) which ignored the request for deferral of prosecution in a number of cases by the African Union.
Jonathan, who spoke at the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of States and Government of African Union to discuss Africa’s relationship with the ICC, especially issues concerning the trial of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, said if at all the ICC was concerned about the implied allegation of bias, it would have adopted enough proactive steps to redress the allegation and allay the fears of concerned stakeholders, adding that “we think it should”.
President Jonathan, while urging AU member states to demonstrate solidarity with one another on matters arising from their obligations said, “In this regard, it is important that we maintain our unity and speak with one voice on Kenya”.
He also stated that certain Articles of the Rome Statute are of grave concern to Africa, particularly Article 27 which denies immunity to all persons without regard to customary international laws, conventions and established norms, stressing that it must be amended.

In the same vein, Mr. Jonathan said Articles 63 and 98 of the same statute have to be reviewed with a view to bringing them in conformity with the tenets of customary international law, conventions and norms.

Part of his speech read, “In expressing my support for Kenya on its difficulties with the ICC, I will like to acknowledge that five years after the post-election violence of 2007, the people of Kenya have proven to the world that they are capable of expressing their sovereign wishes in a free, fair and credible manner in accordance with democratic norms and values.

“This is a clear demonstration to the world that the people of Kenya are in the best position to determine their own future and deal with their past.

“To further consolidate this, I would like to urge the Kenyan Parliament to hasten its consideration of the Report of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to facilitate the implementation of its recommendations in order to accelerate the process of national healing. [infonigeria]

“What remains is for the international community, in particular, the ICC, to give the elected leaders of Kenya the space to discharge their mandate in meeting the needs and aspirations of their people”.

CYCLONE PHAILINE HITS EAST INDIA

The indian government issued a red alert two days ago on the approach of the cyclone  Phailin.
Presently, Cyclone Phailin has made landfall on the east coast of India, an official said, with winds of up to 200km an hour forcing almost 450,000 people to flee and threatening to devastate farmland and fishing hamlets.
Phailin, which gathered speed on Saturday, has the potential to be the strongest storm to hit the area in 14 years.
The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii forecast maximum sustained winds of 269kph with gusts up to 315kph.
Satellite images showed the cyclone filling nearly the entire Bay of Bengal, an area larger than France.
The government is presently evacuating thousands of people from the lowly areas.


UPDATE: INDIA ASSESS CYCLONE PHAILINE DAMAGE; Few deaths reported so far but wide destruction of crops and infrastructure in two eastern states.


Stay with us for more Updates.....

JONATHAN GETS ULTIMATUM TO RESOLVE PDP CRISIS

President Goodluck Jonathan has been given up to October 30, 2013, by the Peoples Democratic Party Core Supporters Network (PCSN) to resolve the internal crisis rocking the party or lose the group’s support.
The Network’s National Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Al-jameel Hashidu, who made this known while speaking with newsmen in Bauchi yesterday, said that in resolving the party crisis, the president should adhere strictly to the dictates of the PDP Constitution as well as rule of law.
“We resolved to withdraw our support for President Goodluck Jonathan if by 30th October the lingering internal crisis in the PDP is not resolved, he should consider losing our support for him”, the Network said.
Hashidu also advised President Jonathan to consider the entire country as his constituency and stop listening to his aides whose penchant for playing politics of reprisal, intimidation, rascality, rancour and molestation, he said, is dangerous to the survival of the country.

The network demanded for the “Immediate recall of Governor (Rotimi) Amaechi from suspension and his recognition as chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and the immediate removal of Bamanga Tukur, the embattled Chairman of the PDP to give peace a chance.”
The group also kicked against the proposal by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih that the president and returning governors under the platform of the party should be handed automatic tickets, stressing that it was imperative that free, fair, credible and transparent primary elections hold at all levels.

BOKO HARAM ADOPTS NEW BOMBING STYLE

IEDs BAGS

The Boko Haram sect  have now devised a new means of hiding their explosive devices to unleash terror on hapless citizens during the sallah cerebration, investigations have revealed.


The insurgents, in order to avoid suspicion especially with the public now wary of abandoned polythene bags or sacks, now package their Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in school bags for suicide bombers. This was the observation of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano State after a joint operation with operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) led to the discovery and subsequent raid of a bomb making factory in Guduwawa village in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state last Tuesday.

The new approach, the JTF said, was copied from Boston in the United States where two brothers, reportedly dropped their back packs containing explosives in the midst of a crowd at a marathon race, killing three and injuring many last April.

An operative of the JTF told newsmen that the IEDs can be packaged in any type of school bag, adding that the IEDs control switch is stitched to the handle of the bag and only needs to be switched on for the explosive to be triggered.

“They will just carry it on their back and walk into any place or their target without people knowing or suspecting as they will be mistaken for students. This is a dangerous trend,” he said.

In a joint press conference, the Commander of the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Kano, Brigadier General Iliaysu I. Abbah and the state’s Director of DSS, Mr. Bassey Eteng said the packaging of IEDs in school bags was the latest trend to avoid quick detection by the terrorist group.

Explaining further, Mr. Eteng said the plan of the terrorist group was to be using young persons of school-age as suicide bombers during the forthcoming Sallah and that the IEDs recovered from the factory in Guduwawa was capable of killing 1,000 persons.

“People should beware of the latest IEDs the terrorists are producing; it is packaged in a school bag for suicide bomber. They can carry it into the mosque, church and even schools. This is what happened in Boston; this trend is kind of copy-cat thing. People should be on look out,” he explained.

He also disclosed that the security operatives recovered materials the terrorists are using for the manufacturing of the school bag IEDs.
He listed the materials as three primed cylinders of IEDS; one primed explosive suicide back pack, 18 empty IED cylinders, 24 detonators, small bags of fertilizer, IED timers, cortex wires and three remote controls.
 The next time somebody is sitting near you with a bag pack.....just be on alert its not written on the face.

2014 WORLD CUP: FIFA APPROVES THE GOALCONTROL SYSTEM, THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED

 

Yesterday, FIFA confirmed it will be using the GoalControl-4D system technology for the 2014 World Cup which will be solely handled by the German-based GoalControl manufacturer as theofficial provider of goal-line technology.

The GoalControl- 4D system, which confirms whether a goal has been scored using 14 high-speed cameras around the pitch, won a tender in April to provide the technology for the World Cup in Brazil providing it passed evaluation at the Confederations Cup.

The world football governing body, on Wednesday, confirmed it will be used subject to final installation test in each stadium. Prior to each game, match officials will carry out additional tests.

The system works by notifying the referee within one second by a vibration and visual signal on a watch.FIFA revealed that the GoalControl-4D system indicated all 68 goals at the Confederations Cup.

\\\

Also it has been confirmed that the Eagles have landed on the Ethiopian soil this morning at 8:50am in Addis-Ababa for the first leg of the world cup qualifier on Sunday. The super Eagles were also accompanied by  government officials, members of the Nigerian Football  Federation,Nigeria supporters club and the press. The team were welcomed by the local officials at the airport and also photographers who scrambled to get pictures of the super stars. Hmm mm, aren't they cute. Well we hope they play as fine as their cute faces so we can visit Brazil.

It is also amazing to note that the Germans have clinched a ticket to the 2014 world cup by beating Ireland 3-0 on Friday. Other Qualifiers include Switzerland, England, Russia and also the Dutch where Robin Van Persie performed a Hat Trick that earned  the striker the status as the Netherlands' all-time leading scorer

NO MORE POLYMER NOTE: WE ARE BACK TO THE PAPER NOTES

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday said that the new smaller denomination notes that will come in paper form would be in circulation before December.

Mr Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor, Operations, said this while briefing newsmen on the sideline of the ongoing Annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.The smaller notes are N5, N10, N20 and N50 notes.
“The smaller denomination notes are being supplied by the printers and before December, you will no longer see tattered notes all over. “As I said, I have apologised to Nigerians that the reason we had old notes that are still in circulation was because of the issues around Project Cure. “We had earlier thought last year that we will transmit to a better note family which we code-named Project Cure.

“But because of the issues around N5,000 notes and the  resentments of changing the N5, N10 and N20 to coins, we had to go back to the drawing board and that was what has  caused the delay.
“According to him, the new smaller denominations will be in paper form with their features.
“They will be on paper since we didn’t succeed in convincing Nigerians that those smaller denominations should be in coins.
“But there will be a time in the future when we will all understand why they have to be coined.
“But now, we are back to status quo ante; that is they will reappear in the old form that they were except that they are going to be in paper not polymer.”

Lemo said that since 2009 the spending on printing of currency had been on the decline.
He attributed that to the efficiency in distribution of the currency and printing of more of the higher denomination notes.
“We used to spend N13 printing N1000 notes, if we had succeeded in printing N5,000 notes, we would
 have spent only N18; that meant that would have also reduced the cost of printing.
“That was the message we were trying to transmit to Nigerians,” he added
On the difference in the cost of printing in polymer and paper, he said that it was cheaper printing in polymer.
“We would have spent less printing polymer because polymer substrate lasts four times longer than paper and it costs only 150 per cent more.
“Unfortunately, whereas the substrate lasts four times longer, the ink fades pretty faster and so what’s the use of the substrate whose ink has faded and that was partly why we disengaged from polymer.”
On the cashless policy, he said that there had been improvement in the use of electronic channels for money transactions in the country.
 

17 DIE IN AUTO CRASH IN ILORIN

At least 17 people have been confirmed dead following an auto crash that occurred along Peke village, new Jebba road in Ilorin, Kwara state.
The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) Mrs. Mary Wakawa, confirmed the accident in Ilorin on Friday, while speaking with journalists.
According to Wakawa, the accident occurred around 3.30 a.m on Friday between three vehicles along 16km New Jebba road, Ilorin.
Eyewitnesses said the cause of the crash was impatience and overspeeding.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY GOES SPIRITUAL

Following incessant terror attacks and plane crashes in the country, the National Assembly has said a prayer session will hold later this month, to seek God’s intervention. Disclosing this at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, Chairman, Publicity Committee of the National Prayer Breakfast of the National Assembly, Senator Ita Enang, noted that against the backdrop of a myriad of problems confronting the country as an entity, the national assembly is set to seek the face of God for spiritual solutions to the problems.

Enang, who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rules, said the prayer session would focus especially on the unending security challenges ravaging the Northeastern part of the country over the last three years and other problems facing the country.
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event organised by the National Assembly to bring together Nigerians of all faiths, tribe and creed to seek the face of Almighty God for divine solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the nation.

He noted that the National Prayer Breakfast, with the theme: “God in the lives of national leaders for development,” would feature Pastor John Enelamoh, who would give the key note address to “help in pulling down all walls and vices blocking the growth of the nation in the right direction.”

He said: “The 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, seeks to build bridges of unity, national harmony and progress.
“Through the instrument of our faith, we prayerfully pull down all walls and vices that divide us as a nation and provoke the spirit of patriotism and love among Nigerians necessary to propel Nigeria to her rightful place in the comity of nations.”
He added that the prayer conference, which would have in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership, management and members of the National Assembly with their counterpart in the judiciary as well as members of the diplomatic corps, would be spiritual avenue for God to guide the leaders of the nation right.
He said: “We hope that as every well-meaning Nigerian join us at the prayer conference, the prayer to God of all creation, to direct our noble cause, guide our leaders aright, help our youths to know the truth and build a nation where peace and justice reign, shall definitely be answered.”
Lets join the national assembly oooo, we hope they are delivered too during the prayers.

LAGOS PLANE CRASH HAD A FAULTY ENGINE

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) probing the October third 2013 air crash involving an Associated Airlines plane has revealed that the aircraft took off with a faulty right engine.

The AIB made this known through a preliminary report on the accident which led to the loss of 15 lives.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, Commissioner in charge of accident investigation, Captain Mukhtar Usman stated that the investigation conducted on the cockpit voice and flight data recorders of the aircraft showed that the faulty engine was noticed shortly before take-off.
He also said that the insistence of the Pilot to fly the aircraft despite an automated warning from the on-board computer voice machine indicating that the take-off flaps were not in a correct position may have contributed to the crash.(channelstv)