PROTESTERS DSRUPT ODUAH'S AWARD RECEPTION IN LONDON

An award event in London was on Thursday night disrupted by some protesting Nigerian women who kicked against the inclusion of the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah as one of the recipients of the awards as “shameful and embarrassing”

Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero was also one of the honourees ; while the Aviation Minister was given an award for “Aviation transformation and best performing minister in Nigeria”,

The event, which held at the Radison Hotel, Central London, was organized by the Global Peace Movement to present “Peace, Development and Security” award to Governor Yero; while the Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) Nnamdi Udo, was recognized for “excellence” in airspace management.

The chaos started when the citation of Ms. Oduah, who was represented, was being read as prelude to the presentation of the award. Suddenly, a woman who gave her name as Taiwo Akpabio started speaking and shouting, condemning the conferment of the award on Ms. Oduah.

Speaking at the top of her voice, Ms. Akpabio said it was shameful and insulting for the organizers to give an award to the minister after series of air mishaps in the country under her watch, which resulted in loss of many lives, as well as the alleged scandal in the purchase of the bullet-proof BMW cars involving the minister.

Chaos and confusion descended on the venue for sometime as all efforts to calm down the protester failed. Insisting that she had the right to speak out and criticize the insensitivity of the organizers, Ms. Akpabio had to be dragged out of the venue by security officials of the hotel.

As Ms. Akpabio was being bundled out, another protester who gave her name as Maryam Awolowo took the floor and rained invectives against the organizers for giving an award to Ms Oduah. She too was dragged out of the venue of the awards event. Both women asked rhetorical questions, including how much the organizers were paid to give the awards to the recipients.

It took a while before normalcy was restored and the event continued with the presentation of the peace and security award to Governor Yero.

GOVT OPENS BID ROUND FOR 31 MARGINAL OIL FIELDS

The Federal Government has announced the opening  of  the second  marginal oil field licensing round, promising transparency and accountability in the process.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who declared the bid round open at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday,  said it was aimed at deepening the participation of indigenous oil companies in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

This, she said, was also aimed at generally increasing exploration and production activities in the oil and gas sector.

Giving details of the licensing round, Alison-Madueke stated that a total of 31 fields were on offer with 16 of them located onshore, while the remaining 15 were in the continental shelf.

She said the Federal Government was committed to transparency in the bid process and would  encourage companies interested in the assets to form a consortia that would enable them to leverage upon each other’s strengths.

She said, “Over the next two weeks, the Department of Petroleum Resources will undertake a road show in different parts of the country about the programme. This will be followed by a three-and-a-half months of competitive bidding process in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to openness and transparency in the conduct of business activities in the country.”

Giving an update on the last marginal fields bid round, which held in 2001, the minister stated that of the 24 fields that were allocated to 31 indigenous oil companies in that exercise, eight were already producing while the others were  at various stages of development.

Alison-Madueke noted that the marginal field operators, currently accounting for about one per cent of the nation’s production, had also recorded huge discoveries in excess of 100 million barrels to the nation’s reserve base.

She added that of the eight assets that had so far been divested by the international oil companies, at least four were held by active marginal field operators, who had continued to demonstrate a remarkable technical ability in operating significantly larger assets.

Alison-Madueke said, “In their operations, the companies have addressed corporate social responsibility as a critical element, by providing for stakeholder participation as part of their success factors. In addition, their development strategy is in line with the nation’s gas flare policy and global environmental guidelines on green house emissions, by ensuring full utilisation of their associated gas. Indeed, one of them has established a modular refinery for diesel production, which is the first of its kind in the country.”

According to the minister, the Federal Government is encouraged by the modest achievements of the marginal field operators in line with the objectives of the local content policy to kick off the marginal field licensing round.

On the proposed sale of the refineries, Alison-Madueke reiterated the government’s stance to move away from managing major infrastructure, adding that the government was going ahead with the original plan to rehabilitate the refineries to be able to get a premium price from their sale.

The minister maintained that adequate room had been made in the privatisation time-table for engagement with all stakeholders to resolve all labour issues to ensure a win-win situation for all.

Source: www.punchng.com

EKO ONI BAJE: CONSTRUCTION OF 4TH MAINLAND BRIGDE TO BE FINANCED BY PRIVATE SECTOR

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Mr. Ben Akabueze, has said the private sector in the country is to finance the construction of the 4th mainland bridge with N220 billion.
Speaking at the 2013 Seminar/Luncheon of the Financial Services Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Akabueze stated that the federal or states government would not be financing the 4th Mainland Bridge as private sector investors have made plans to invest N220 billion in the construction of the bridge.
Akabueze also noted that the state requires a much larger budget than it currently operates, adding that inadequate revenues constitute the principal impediment to achieving a larger budget.
“Lagos State has consistently recorded good budgetary performance, more than any other state government in Nigeria. We have tried to make the people to own the budget, and make it work for them because effective budgetary systems and implementation have contributed significantly to socio-economic development in Lagos.”
According to him, investment in infrastructure simultaneously tackles a number of challenges such as job creation, poverty reduction, lower cost of operations for manufacturing and commercial enterprises.
“Empirically-proven correlation between investment in infrastructure and economic growth (a World bank study of 39 African countries covering 1990-2005 shows that if our infrastructure was developed to standard of Mauritius (best infrastructure in Africa) GDP growth would rise by about 2.5 percent per annum.
“Percentage allocated to sectors reflects government’s priorities and sustenance of past trend highest priority goes to Economic Affairs Sector. In line with the policy thrust of government, infrastructure, health and education sectors are being gradually notched up to meet global benchmarks,” he said

Source: infonigeria

IGP ASSURES ADEQUATE SECURITY IN UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, ANAMBRA SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTIONS

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered immediate provision of adequate security in and around university campuses nationwide.

This is contained in a statement issued by CSP Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement said the measure was designed to secure life and property in the institutions and provide enabling environment for lecturers, students and other members of staff to go about their lawful businesses without hindrance.
“The directive is a proactive and confidence-boosting measure designed to ensure that nothing untoward happens in our academic communities,” it said.
The statement directed all Command Commissioners of Police to personally oversee the intensification of surveillance in universities in their states.
It ordered them to “take all necessary security measures needed to provide for the safety and security of members of staff and students as well as property within the various Campuses”.It urged lecturers, students and Nigerians within the institutions to remain law-abiding and go about their legitimate businesses without fear of molestation or intimidation from any quarters.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government on Thursday gave universities lecturers, who had been on strike since July, one week ultimatum to resume academic activities.

        Meanwhile, the IGP has urged officers and men of the force, who would be involved in the supplementary election in Anambra supplementary election on Saturday to remain steadfast.
He said they should be focused and neutral, as well as exhibit the highest level of professionalism.
He reassured the people of adequate security in the state during the election, promising that the force would continue to maintain optimal presence in Anambra till the end of the election.
The police boss called on the people to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in ensuring an atmosphere of peace and order throughout the election.
Abubakar also urged politicians, traditional rulers, and opinion leaders in the state to play by the rules and help in educating their followers on the need to allow INEC and other government agencies to conclude the election. (NAN)

JONATHAN DENIES SENDING PRIVATE JET TO PICK ASARI DOKUBO

 

The presidency has described as mischievous and blackmail, reports that a presidential jet was used to convey Asari Dokubo to Abuja following his release in Benin Republic.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said that there is no truth in the reports describing it as an attempt by people to package lies as truth. He told State House Correspondents that it is sad that some people play politics with anything believing that gullible people will believe them.
According to him, an aircraft is not a ghost in the air, the movement of an aircraft is well documented and people will see the aircraft if it lands anywhere, particularly the presidential aircraft.
He added that Asari Dokubo has not told anyone that he was brought to Abuja with a presidential jet insisting that President Goodluck Jonathan did not send any presidential jet to Benin Republic.

ASARI DOKUBO RELEASED AND FLOWN TO NIGERIA

 
The leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested yesterday in Cotonou, Benin Republic has been released.
Mr. Dokubo was released after President Goodluck Jonathan personally intervened on his behalf with the Beninoise President Yayi Boni.
Festus Keyamo, a civil rights activist and personal attorney to Mr. Dokubo confirmed his release to Saharareporters.
Dokubo, who once bragged openly that his arrest will lead to the demise of Nigeria spent 36 hours with the Beninoise gendarmes before his release around 1 AM Nigerian time today.

President Jonathan reportedly deployed a jet to ferry Mr. Asari to Abuja a few hours after his release.

DO YOU NEED HEALING? HEALING WATER IN NIGERIA

Healing water discovered last week in Nachi, Oji in Enugu State
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I came across this story on Nairaland, so i decided to share. HMMMMM!!! Healing water in Oji River

The healing river was discovered in Nachi Oji River in Enugu state. A mystery to the people of Nachi for decade,. nick named the “Pool of Bethsaida” and appears every 20 years, as confirmed by the indigenes, this year the pool was discovered by fulani herdsmen who were on their way to feed their cattle, according to them, they passed the spot where the water usually came from and there wasn’t any water, but on their way back they discovered the whole place has been covered with water.

According to the oldest man in the community, the water appears every 20 or 30 years, they first saw it in 1971.
He also confirmed that various diseases and ailmenst have been cured at the pool.
Most people who visited the area gave testimonies on how they received healing from the water.
The water stays for 1 to 2 weeks then dries up, as at today(yesterday) the water is 2 week s old, but is said to be visibly decreasing.
Do you believe in miracles? do you need healing? this may just be what you are looking for

ABOMINATION: 45 YEAR OLD MAN RAPES 75 YEAR OLD WOMAN

Police in Ekiti have arrested a 45-yr-old man identified as Lawrence Adedapo, for allegedly forcibly having carnal knowledge of a 75-year-old woman, Grace Asaolu, at Ogbese Camp, Ise-Ekiti in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Adedapo, a farmer, was said to have invited the old woman to his house on November 7 this year under the pretext that he brought some plantain from his farm for sale.
The accused was said to have taken advantage of the septuagenarian’s fragile nature, overpowering her before having carnal knowledge of her.
Narrating her ordeal, Mrs Asaolu said; “Lawrence Adedapo is my neighbour. He invited me to come and collect plantain but instead he pushed me on his children’s bed and forcefully had carnal knowledge of me. I later rushed to the police station to report the matter.”
When he was interrogated by the police, the suspect confirmed that he had carnal knowledge of the woman but however denied forcing her, claiming that she was his mistress.
“I knew her long time ago. I knew her as a widow from Moba Local Government Area of the state. We have known each other for the past 35 years and I have been dating her for long.
“The last time I had s*x with her was in April during Easter before meeting her again on November 7. That was the second time we met this year. I did not force her into it and I had her consent before doing it”.
Asked why she reported the matter to the police, Adedapo said: “I promised to give her N2,000 which she asked for before we did it. But after the s*x I was able to give her N1,000 only. That could be the reason why she alleged that I r*ped her. I later found out that she was bleeding as a result of the s*x.
“I did not even release because I used my children’s room, so I had to rush.”
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Victor Babayemi, ASP, insisted that the investigation carried out by the police revealed that the old woman was actually r*ped by the suspect.
“In the course of investigation, facts emerged that the suspect knew the victim to be of old age, 75, and in menopause.
“She could not have been bleeding without tampering with her organ. Medical report shows that there was a violent s*xual assault on her; she was also said to be distressed with her private part smeared with fresh blood.
“It shows that he invited the woman with criminal intent to have intercourse with her,” Babayemi said.

ASARI DOKUBO ARRESTED IN BENIN REPUBLIC

News making round is that the Ex-leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, was on Tuesday arrested in Cotonou, capital of Benin Republic. It was learnt that the former militant leader, who claims to be a citizen of the tiny West African country, was arrested at about 1.00pm by the country’s gendarmes (police). Festus Keyamo, his lawyer and friend, who confirmed the arrest, said Asari-Dokubo was picked up for no particular reason around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to “an unknown destination.”
Keyamo, in the statement on Tuesday, noted that Asari-Dokubo, a vocal supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid in 2015, had been residing partly in Benin Republic for many years, adding that the ex-militant even owns houses, schools and an academy in Cotonou.
In a  statement  Festus Keyamo  said, “Today, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, my friend and client, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1pm and 2pm by the country’s gendarmes (police).

“He was picked up around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to an unknown destination. We want to emphasise that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari carries on legitimate business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now. In fact, he owns houses, schools and an academy in that country. All these places have been searched as at this evening and nothing incriminating was found.

Keyamo expressed the conviction that “Dokubo’s arrest and detention are a ploy by certain forces in Nigeria in unholy alliance with the Beninoise government to keep him away as 2015 approaches”.

Keyamo stated that while he would be reaching out to his colleagues in Benin Republic to help in the enforcement of Asari-Dokubo’s fundamental rights, he called on the Nigerian government to immediately intervene and ensure that no harm befalls his client and “to use all diplomatic means to secure his immediate release and safe return to Nigeria”.

ISLAMIC RELIGION BANNED IN ANGOLA AS MOSQUES ARE DESTROYED

By popular demand, Angolan authorities have taken pre-emptive action and decided to ban the Muslim religion.They see what Muslims are doing to non-Muslims, especially in Africa, and are taking steps to prevent the same from happening in Angola.
In early October 2013, the Muslims living in Luanda in the municipality of Viana Zango were shocked to see the minaret of their mosque dismantled into pieces on the ground without permission. On Thursday 03 October in the morning, the Angolan authorities decided to destroy the mosque Zango located in the urban district of Viana 17 km. The governor of Luanda Bento announced in a radio spot that radical Muslims are not welcome in Angola and the Angolan government is not ready for the legalization of mosques in Angola.

Jjose Eduardo Dos Santos
Angola President

And on Tuesday, November 19, the Minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva said. “Regarding Islam, the legalization process has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Therefore all mosques would be closed until further notice. “ It should be noted that the Angolan government has made closing of all mosques a priority. The only two mosques located in Luanda have already received a warning document signed by the mayor of the municipality of Viana José Moreno.
The provincial governor of Luanda, Bento Bento, said on the airwaves of local radio that “radical Muslims are not welcome in Angola and the Angolan government is not ready for the legalization of mosques.” Minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva explained that the law on freedom of religion will be reviewed given the current national context , noting that the Government will redouble its efforts to fight relentlessly against religious cults like Islam which are contrary to the customs of Angolan culture.
This decisive action taken by the Angolan head of state is based on a desire to guard against the rise of the Wahhabi ideology that has created havoc, death and destruction in Africa and elsewhere. And as rightly explained Tunisian philosopher Mezri Haddad: “Islamism and Islamophobia feed each other. Worse, long-term Islamism as an ideology destroy Islam as religion. “
According to the International Religious Freedom Report 2008, Islam in Angola is a minority religion with 80,000 – 90,000 adherents, composed largely of migrants from West Africa and families of Lebanese origin. The Muslims comprise between 2.5 to 3 percent of Angola’s overall population of 17 million people, most of them Christians.
In the last decade, but especially during the last few years the Muslim community in Angola has grown appreciably and Islamic activities have become more common in major cities. Mosques have sprung up in a number of places and Qur’anic schools have been built to provide Islamic instructions and teach Arabic language to adherents.
Public attitudes toward Islam have been generally negative. Cultural differences between Angolan and Muslim immigrants have been the basis for negative views toward Islam, as was the perceived link between Islam and illegal immigration. Since the September 11 attacks, there has been a deliberate attempt to link Muslims with terrorism. It has become a matter of routine at Luanda airport for security officers to detain Muslims arriving from Sahelian countries.
On September 1, 2008, a Muslim mob attacked non-Muslims in the community of Andulo. The school-age daughter of a deacon at one of the churches was decapitated. Forty Christians were assaulted or tortured. The mob burned three church buildings. They also went to non-Muslim houses to intimidate them or destroyed items of property. Stones were thrown at the headquarters of a local Christian project, causing some damage. An Angolan Christian leader said that the local police were unable to stop the attack and fled the scene.


Source:Integrity Reporters

NEWS FLASH: NIGERIANS BANNED FROM TRADING IN ZIMBABWE

 

According to news reports, starting from January next year, Nigerians trading in Zimbabwe will no longer be allowed to. Zimbabwean authorities said they have given foreign shop-owners, mostly Chinese and Nigerian nationals, an ultimatum to shut down their businesses by January. 1, 2014.

From Integrity Reporters 

A top official of the black empowerment ministry said only Zimbabweans had the right to run shops that have sprung up across the country and are termed foreign businesses targeted under the nation’s black empowerment laws, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reportedFriday.

Those laws, passed in 2007, demand foreign businesses to cede 51 percent control to local blacks. The foreign shop owners have been criticized for taking retail trade opportunities from Zimbabwean traders by selling cheap imports.

Poor townships and city flea markets have in recent years been inundated by shops run by foreigners. According to state media, shop owners who fail to comply will be arrested.

"I AM STILL A MEMBER OF PDP" SAYS GOV ALIYU

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Tuesday denied media reports that he had defected from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I remain a member of the PDP,’’ Aliyu said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, in Minna.
The governor said that he was shocked by the announcement of the merger between the PDP splinter group and APC even before a final decision was taken on the matter.
Aliyu said that he was not present at the meeting where the merger deal was sealed between the Baraje-led PDP faction and APC leaders.
He, however, said that there were ongoing talks with President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that he would await the outcome of the negotiation before taking a final decision. (NAN)

G7 GOVERNORS JOINS APC

The long awaited merger was finally concluded today between the seven aggrieved People’s Democratic Party governors also known as the G7 who today,  joined the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Acting National Chairman of the now defunct new PDP, Mr Kawu Baraje told journalists that the merger is expected to rescue the nation’s fledgling democracy.
Governors of Kano, Rivers, Kwara and Niger states attended today’s press conference at the Kano Governors’ Lodge in Abuja where the announcement of the merger was made.
The G7 members are made up of Kwara State Governor, Ahmed Abdulfatah, Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, that of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, the Governor of Kano State Rabiu Kwankwanso, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.
The split with the PDP is an aftermath of the crisis which began when the governors walked out of the Special Delegates Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in August.
The governors followed Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who also walked out, to the Yar’adua Center in Abuja where they announced the formation of the new PDP.
Also in the protest walk-out was a former Chairman of the PDP, Abubakar Baraje, and some senators.

AMNESTY ACCUSES SHELL OF INACCURATE DOCUMENTATION OF THE OIL SPILLAGE

 

With the oil spills recorded in the Niger-delta from shell pipeline, alot of investigation has been going on, and Shell has been accused of incorrect documentation of the oil spills by Amnesty International. Read on to find out more.

Amnesty International has accused Nigeria's biggest petroleum producer, Shell, of inaccurately documenting oil spills in an effort to avoid paying compensation and damaging its reputation.
"Shell is being disingenuous about the devastation caused by its Niger Delta operations. This new evidence shows that Shell's claims about the oil spills cannot be trusted," said Audrey Gaughran, Amnesty's director of global issues, on Thursday.
Shell Nigeria said it "firmly rejects unsubstantiated assertions" by Amnesty, adding the group "exaggerated the impact of crude oil theft and sabotage to distract attention from operational performance".
Hundreds of leaks are reported every year in the creeks and swamplands of the Niger Delta. These spills damage the environment and cut profits for oil companies, including Shell and Italy's Eni.
Sabotage and theft
Shell says most of its oil spills are caused by sabotage and theft and that it cleans up, whatever the cause.
Amnesty, however, said it saw reports about spills that stated the reason as sabotage, but lacked further explanation. Other examples showed that Shell had calculated the size of a spill behind closed doors.
Amnesty also worked with US pipeline specialist Accufacts, which found some pictures on Shell's website showing that spills categorised as being caused by sabotage were more likely due to corrosion of ageing pipelines.
Accufacts also questioned Shell's methodology in calculating the cause and size of spills.
Shell said that since 2011 it has published spill investigations with photographs on its website, and is the only oil major operating in Nigeria to do so.
"We seek to bring greater transparency and independent oversight to the issue of oil spills, and will continue to find ways to enhance this," the company statement said.
Amnesty acknowledged that Shell had improved its transparency over oil spills since 2011.

TEN AMAZING THINGS YOU DONT KNOW ABOUT COCA-COLA

Coca-Cola has been around for over 100 years, since 1886. It was first used as medicine and was claimed to cure many ailments, including impotence. Through the years, Coca-Cola has become the most popular soft drink in the world, but, did you know it has other uses besides refreshing us on a hot day? You can try these to be sure *eyesrolling*

1) Defrosting A Windshield

Tired of scraping off that pesky ice from your windshield during winter? Simply pour a can of Regular Coke over it and wait. You’ll be amazed!

2) Jellyfish Sting

Have you ever heard that the only way to soothe a jellyfish sting is to pee on it? This is not only gross, but untrue. Instead, pour some Coca-Cola over the sting. The relief will be almost instantaneous.

3) Window Cleaner

Coca-Cola contains citric acid, which makes it the perfect glass and window cleaner. No more harsh chemicals, just pour Coke over your windows and wipe them down with a moistened cloth.

4) Car Battery Terminals

The crud that accumulates around the terminals of your car battery can be removed by pouring Coke over them, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then hosing off the residue. For extra hard spots, simply use a sponge to rub off the gunk.

5) Pesticide

If you find your garden overrun by slugs and other bugs during the Spring and Summer months, pour some Coke into small containers and set them out in your yard. The sugar will attract the bugs and the acid in the Coke will kill them. This works on roaches too.

6) Skunk Smell

Once in a while you may find that you, or your pet, came too close to a skunk and got sprayed. Using tomato juice might be effective but it’s messy and hard to clean. Instead, pour Coke all over yourself or your pet while in the shower, make sure to use a lot, so all areas are covered. Wait for a few minutes and then rinse off. You will smell fresh and clean once you’re done, and so will your pet.

7) Cleaning Toilets

To remove those ugly stains, simply pour Regular Coke into your toilet bowl over the dirty areas and wait for 10 minutes. The acid in the Coke will break up even the most difficult stains.

8) Fish Smell

The boys went fishing and now their clothing smells so bad you want to throw it out? Salvage stinky clothing by pouring some Coke on your laundry during the wash cycle.

9) Hair Curling

For perfect curls, even if your hair is straight, leave an open can of Coke out overnight. Then pour it over your long hair and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

10) Soothe Your Dog’s Paws

When your pet’s paw pads become worn, they can cause your dog a lot of pain. When you notice them getting worn and shiny, soak your pet’s paws in glass bottle Coca-Cola for about 20 minutes. This will help soothe and heal your pet’s tired feet.

INDIA GOES TO PLANET MARS

India has launched its first inter-planetary mission in an attempt to become the only Asian country to reach the planet of Mars.

A rocket carrying a 1.35-tonne unmanned probe vehicle lifted off from the country's southern island of Sriharikota on Tuesday, where it began a 300-day, 780-million-km journey to study the Martian atmosphere.

"The biggest challenge will be precisely navigating the spacecraft to Mars," K Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO), said before the launch.

The Mars Orbiter Mission, known as Mangalyaan [Mars Craft] in Hindi, was to first ride a rocket into an elliptical orbit around Earth. It was programmed to perform a series of technical manoeuvres and short burns to raise its orbit before propelling towards Mars.
The mission is India's first inter-planetary journey that requires developing technology to allow a probe to run autonomously.

Indian scientists sent a probe called Chandrayaan to the moon five years ago. The mission faced several challenges, including losing contact with controllers in 2009 and when a new, larger launch vehicle blew up after take-off in 2010.

Manmohan Singh, Indian prime minister, announced the Mars mission 15 months ago shortly after a Chinese attempt to reach the faraway planet failed to leave earth's atmosphere.
The timing of the announcement led to speculation that India was trying to compete with its neighbour, a charge that Indian officials have denied.

"We are in competition with ourselves in the areas that we have charted for ourselves," Radhakrishnan told AFP news agency last week. "Each country has its own priorities."

More than half of all attempted missions to Mars have failed, including a Chinese attempt in 2011 and Japan's in 2003.
Only the US, Russia and the European Union have successfully reached Mars to date.

The Indian project will cost Rs4.5bn ($73m), only a fraction of the cost of previous foreign missions.

One of the main goals of the Indian mission is to find evidence of methane gas on Mars, which would support the idea that the Red Planet can host primitive life forms.

A 2012 US exploration mission to Mars, known as Curiosity, disproved this theory when it discovered only trace elements of methane in the Martian atmosphere.

The US was the first country to successfully send a robotic explorer vehicle to Mars.
NASA will launch another Martian study probe on November 18.

POLICE DENY STOPPING EX-GOV, GOJE FROM ENTERING GOMBE

SEN. DANJUMA GOJE

A mild drama played out yesterday at the Tunfure police road block in Gombe when men of the Nigeria Police stopped a long convoy of supporters, who were with the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje from entering town, which is a few kilometers away from Tunfure.

Thousands of supporters of the former governor had converged on the Gombe International Airport to welcome Senator Goje but on their return, they were stopped by the police, who insisted that he (Goje) cannot enter the town with the long convoy of vehicles and supporters who went to welcome him.

The former governor it was learnt insisted on entering the town with his crowd of supporters or he would go back.
After both parties stood their grounds for about ten minutes, the police permitted Goje and the large crowd of his supporters into Gombe.

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, denied that the former governor was stopped from entering the town, saying the incidence was just a regular security check due to the large crowd of people he was coming in with.

He said, “How can the police stop him from entering Gombe when he has a court case in Gombe?”

Sen. Goje, who is a member of the new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, during a parley with reporters shortly after his arrival at the Gombe International Airport, declared that he is the authentic leader of PDP in the state.

When asked about the strength of new PDP in Gombe State, Goje said “You see we have a court case so I don’t want to say anything but you know I was a leader of PDP in Gombe State. Gombe used to be an ANPP state, it was my struggle with the support of my followers that led to the dislodgement of ANPP government in the state in 2003. I am the natural leader of PDP in Gombe State; whoever is PDP in Gombe state is either my boy or my assistant. We laid the struggle and we pushed out ANPP in the state otherwise Gombe State would have just been like Yobe or Borno States.”

-Daily

HONEST NIGERIANS WILL JOIN BOKOHARAM IF THERE IS INJUSTICE IN THE 2015 ELECTION- DIGA

If the 2015 general elections is marred by ‘political injustice’, honest Nigerians may become members of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue-South senatorial district, Ameh Diga, has said.
Diga, who spoke at Otukpo in Benue State, also warned that as long as injustice continues to thrive, the Boko Haram insurgency will not end soon.

“Let me say this which could be a mark of prophecy, if there is political injustice in 2015, honest men and women who have no call to terrorism will find Boko Haram an acceptable platform of letting the government know that it cannot rule in a certain way,” he said.

Although Diga noted that the insurgents are fighting injustice, he said their approach was wrong.

-Daily Trust

Will Nigerians really join the gang if 2015 election is rigged? HowTrue?

NIGERIA POLICE AN ARMED WING OF THE PDP- PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS

DPO ASOKORO POLICE UNIT, ABUJA, CSP NNANNA AMAH IN ORANGE-COLOURED T-SHIRT INFORMS GOVERNOR RABI’U MUSA KWANKWASO OF KANO STATE TO STOP THE NPDP MEETING AT THE KANO STATE GOVERNOR’S LODGE ON SUNDAY

The opposition governors under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) yesterday expressed dismay with the Nigeria Police for having the effrontery to barge into a meeting of the G-7 governors which held on Sunday night at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
The progressive governors were even more disappointed that the invasion of a meeting that had in attendance elected representatives of the Nigerian people such as governors, senators, House of Representatives’ members among others, was led by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Nnanna Ama of the Asokoro police division.

In a statement by the Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, the governors described the police action as illegal as it infringe on the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the governors to freedom of association.

The governors said: “The police action is not only alarming but also demonstrates clearly that the force, instead of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities of maintaining peace and order in the society has become no more than the armed wing of the ruling PDP.

“Coming barely a week after storming the Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to disrupt a lawful meeting of like-minded individuals, and despite public outcry at the tactics of the police, the Force, in clear violation of all rules of civility still went ahead to disrupt a G-7 caucus meeting at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge on the November 3, 2013, in Asokoro, Abuja.

“If the Nigeria Police Force has not become the armed wing of the PDP, why should the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Asokoro Police Unit, CSP Nnanna Ama, burst into the venue and ordered the meeting stopped, threatening to mobilize troops to abort it if his order was not obeyed?

“For a DPO to have the impudence to force his way into the meeting of perceived opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan to disrupt a meeting of governors and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives that were duly elected by Nigerians, and also threatened them with arrest can only indicate that the orders must have come from the Presidency.”

The PGF said Sunday’s action was an all time low in the history of the Nigerian police and condemned in totality its antics of breaking up peaceful meetings and harassing Nigerians, just as it called for a probe into the PDP – Nigeria Police relations.
“Is the police established and paid to serve all Nigerians or merely to serve the interests of the PDP? If the police have become the armed wing of the PDP, then what differentiates it from the terror tactics of those who seek to violently impose their political beliefs on others?” the PGF asked rhetorically.

While saluting the G-7governors for their resilience, tenacity and patriotic commitment to their democratic ideals, the PGF asked them to continue with the fight to rescue Nigeria from the grip of a tiny clique that had cornered the political space in the country and now regards the rights and commonwealth of Nigerians as disposable in their desperation to continue in office despite growing unrest in the polity occasioned by PDP’s politics of poverty and exclusion.
“We wish to emphatically restate our resolve to join hands and work with our colleagues in G7 and nPDP to ensure that the current regressive trend towards authoritarianism, increasing poverty, unemployment and incompetent leadership is arrested,” they said.

The PGF also used the opportunity to reaffirm its position that another four years of the PDP and the Jonathan administration will spell doom for Nigeria and its over 170 million people, which necessitated their determination to rescue Nigeria and provide security and prosperity for Nigerians.


Source: infonigeria

SUPRME COURT UPHOLDS TONY NWOYE AS PDP CANDIDATE

TONY NWOYE

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Mr Tony Nwoye as Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election in Anambra.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi held that the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt was right in holding that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
“After a careful perusal of the record of the court’s proceedings, we so hold that the appellant (Ukachukwu) was given sufficient fair hearing at the Court of Appeal.
“We are equally convinced that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case in the first place.

“It is evident from the appeal that the appellant did not challenge the process leading to the election of Tony Nwoye as PDP’s candidate for the Nov. 16 Anambra governorship election.
“The appellant has devoted this appeal to challenging the purportedly non-adherence of the third respondent (Nwoye) to the prompt payment of taxes.

“It has, however, discovered that Ukachukwu failed to prove that Nwoye actually did not pay his taxes as at when due.

“Consequent upon the above, the appeal fails in part and Mr Tony Nwoye is hereby upheld as the valid candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.
“The full reasons for this judgment shall be delivered on Jan. 31’’, she said.
Ukachukwu had through his counsel, Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), sought the reversal of the decision of the Court of Appeal which upheld the judgment of the trial court.
Daudu had argued that his client was not given fair hearing in the matter, adding that “the Court of Appeal’s decision was one-sided.

“The Court of Appeal did not use our brief of argument to arrive at its decision; we were shut out and that is why we have approached the apex court’’, he said.

For how long will they battle on , this election commences in less than twelve days, is PDP still part of the Gubernatorial race in Anambra?