Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
PIB stalemate hinders economic growth – NESG
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Legal Responsibilities Of Democracy
The teacher is like the candle that lights others in consuming itself. –Ruffini
Fellow country men and women, if you know your rights and obligations, you can position yourself positively and properly as a fit and proper person to be called a citizen of Nigeria. Your Right is your investment and the constitution is a guide towards the full realization of your rights within the government. Education is a right to be enjoyed by all Nigerians and not a privilege but sadly and unfortunately, it has become a rare privilege and subsumed under the dictates of Oil revenue and corruption in government circles.
Why corruption war is difficult to fight
| By Olamilekan Lartey | |
| Sunday, 22 May 2011 |
Eight days to the end of the present political dispensation, there are indications that many corrupt politicians, civil servants and bank chiefs may get away with their crimes.
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| EFCC Chairman, Farida Waziri |
President Goodluck Jonathan, his deputy, Namadi Sambo, as well as the newly elected governors and their returning counterparts will be sworn-in on Sunday, August 29.
Jonathan directs Dangote, others to crash cement prices within 30 days
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Alhaji Aliko Dangote
ABUJA — PIQUED by the soaring prices of cement in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan, Monday, summoned the Chairman of Dangote Group, and other cement manufacturers with a directive to crash the prices of the product within 30 days period or face the wrath of the government.
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Alhaji Aliko Dangote |
Presidential spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro, who announced Jonathan’s decision after a meeting in the President’s office, said the manufacturers had agreed to do all that was necessary to meet the one month time frame.
According to him, his boss, Jonathan was saddened by the complaints of Nigerians over the sharp rise in the cost of the product and decided to call a meeting of the top five manufacturers to find a way out.
At a post-meeting briefing the President of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, Chief Joseph Makoju; Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Dangote; Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and Country Manager of Lafarge Cement, Jean-Christophe Barbant assured Nigerians that the prices would come down before the deadline.
JTF and the unfinished battle in N’Delta
| By EMMANUEL ADDEH | |
| Sunday, 22 May 2011 |
Following the lingering violence in the Niger Delta, which disrupted crude oil production in the area, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua had on April 2, 2009 announced his intention to grant amnesty to all militants in the region.
Ex-NBA boss, Akeredolu, Lam Adesina caution elected lawmakers
New cabinet: Why Akala steered clear
Written by Idowu Samuel, Abuja Sunday, 22 May 2011
Contrary to expectations, the governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala refrained from enlisting his name and that of his deputy, Taofeek Arapaja, as ministerial nominees for the state, the list of which is in the custody of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Akala, according to a top aide, left his name out of the ministerial nominees list in demonstration of spirit of fairness as a leader, just as he is said to have earned respect in the presidency and the circles of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by his altruistic disposition to compilation of the nominees’ list.
Findings by Sunday Tribune had revealed that Akala deliberately steered clear of the mad rush for ministerial appointment on consideration that he deserved a good measure of rest and in respect of the resolve by the party in Oyo State to fight his cause by challenging the victory of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the last governorship election.
Akala’s action was also said to be in the interest of Oyo State and the PDP in which case he felt restrained from affecting the chances of other ministerial nominees having served as the governor of Oyo State with popular support.
The PDP in Oyo State had headed to the court last week in protest of the victory of the ACN and had laid grounds to controvert the victory.
Sunday Tribune can report that out of the 10 names listed as nominees for ministerial job from Oyo State, four of them are females, thereby making Oyo the state with the highest number of female nominees.
In the same vein, Sunday Tribune gathered that President Jonathan had resolved the controversies trailing attempts at shortlisting names of nominees in other south-west states and other zones of the federation having sought the interventions of neutral party members in states where the process of shortlisting were most controversial.
A presidency source disclosed that a dark horse may emerge in Osun State, for instance, in view of stiff agitation and rivalry among prominent party members listed as nominees in the state.
However, a top official of PDP told Sunday Tribune that the lists of nominees from each state had been pruned from 10 to 2 per state in a manner that would reduce the burden for the committee set up to draw the final list for the President ahead of his swearing in on May 29.
The president had earlier hinted that any nominee with cases of corruption pending against him would not be considered for appointment, just as he had reportedly indicated interest working with ministers and nominees who posess track record of high performance in different areas they had served.
tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/3960-new-cabinet-why-akala-steered-clear
Fear in Atobaje over ‘deadly’ canal
Written by Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos Sunday, 22 May 2011
Residents of Atobaje community in Agege, Lagos State, have been living in fear over a canal that has claimed the lives of many of them in the recent time.
No fewer than five people were drowned in the canal, which meanders through the popular Total petrol station, Agege Pen Cinema to Oke-Koto in Atobaje area of the community in the last six months.
Community News learnt that three residents of the community lost their lives between October and November, 2011, while another one was found floating in the canal recently.
Yakowa’s ride to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House
Northern Bureau Chief, Hassan Ibrahim, writes on the politicalintrigues and horse trading that characterized the 2011 race to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official seat of power in Kaduna State since the colonial era.
GOING down memory lane, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House which attained modern status during the administration of the former governor, now Vice President Namadi Sambo, had the privilege of hosting the likes of Lord Frederick Lugard, first Governor General of Northern Region during the colonial era, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, first indigenous Governor of Northern Nigeria down to the incumbent state governor, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.
The keen contest for the exalted seat in the state between Yakowa and others elicited so much interest and passion across the state and beyond, ever before the build up to the race culminated into the unfortunate crisis that left many dead or wounded.
The keen contest for the exalted seat in the state between Yakowa and others elicited so much interest and passion across the state and beyond, ever before the build up to the race culminated into the unfortunate crisis that left many dead or wounded.
The vice of laziness
Written by Tunde Jaiyebo Sunday, 22 May 2011
LIFE only works for those who work. Life does not smile on the lazy. A lazy man is not inclined to work – he does not want to apply the due diligence required to get things done. He prefers an easy life to a life of hard work and diligence. Laziness is disastrous. Laziness is a plague to be avoided by all means.
Initially it might seem that the lazy man is getting on well with life but at the end of the day a person who works hard will be better off.
LAUTECH hospital first among equals -Alao-Akala
Written by Tayo Ogunleye Sunday, 22 May 2011
THE Executive Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, has described LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, as first among equals, just as he said he was committed to giving sound education to the students of Ladoke Akintola University and its associated teaching institution.
The governor, who said this on Friday, during the official commissioning of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and College of Health Sciences, Ogbomoso, stated that since the time of Pa Obafemi Awolowo, education had been “the major industry of this part of the country,” adding that any administration that did not give education its pride of place would be regarded as a failure.
Otunba Akala, who declared that he was not indebted to any bank in the N24bn project — hospital construction work (N9bn); College of Medicine, over (N7bn), and the cost of equipment and furnishing of the hospital and college (N7bn) — stated that the commissioning of the project had made him a fulfilled man.
According to him, the foundation of the hospital and college of health sciences, which was laid in 2006, and which consists of various departments, has now reached a stage where it will become one of the best medical schools in the country in terms of physical, spatial provision and equipment, adding that, “we have raised the bar and set a new standard for the provision of teaching aids and medical facilities in colleges of medicine.”
In his address, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Kola Obisesan, while thanking the governor for his immense support in the building of the state-of-the-art hospital, confirmed that the hospital had been equipped with standard equipment such as MRI, CT scan, Dialysis machine, Doppler, Ecno-Cardiograph X-Ray, Ultra Sound, Special Theatre table and laboratory equipment, among others.
Professor Obisesan pleaded that the hospital be given a free hand in its operation to ensure effective health service delivery, adding that the intention of the management is to bring in expatriates to handle the modern equipment in order to ensure effective handling of the equipment.
tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/3959-lautech-hospital-first-among-equals-alao-akala
FG uncovers plot to derail Jonathan’s inauguration
Written by Taiwo Adisa Sunday, 15 May 2011
A plot to scuttle the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29 has been uncovered by some agencies of government said to be working on counter terrorism theories.
Sources in Abuja, the Federal Capita l Territory told the Sunday Tribune that a group(name withheld) close to a popular politician were said to have met in Kaduna on May 6, where they unfolded the plan to scuttle the President’s inauguration on May 29.
I’m tired of prison -Al-Mustapha
Written by Adelowo Oladipo, Lagos Sunday, 22 May 2011
The embattled military tactician believes that if the relevant authorities tempered justice with mercy and set him free unconditionally, he would be more useful to his family and Nigeria.
Cement shouldn't cost more than N700 -Manufacturer •exposes cabal behind price hike
Written by Jackson Udom and Stephen Gbadamosi Sunday, 22 May 2011
The price of cement that recently hit all-time high of between N2,700 and N3,000 was
the handiwork of a cabal that was interested in making undue profits from the locally-made variety of the commodity, Sunday Tribune has learnt. Although the Federal Government has already issued a deadline within which the price of cement must come down, failure of that directive to have potency might spell doom for the Federal Government Housing Policy.
A cement manufacturer who is also the chairman, Cement New Entrants Forum, Prince David Iweta, disclosed this to Sunday
Tribune at the weekend, while speaking about the growing concern among the masses over their inability to buy the commodity.
The price of cement that recently hit all-time high of between N2,700 and N3,000 was
the handiwork of a cabal that was interested in making undue profits from the locally-made variety of the commodity, Sunday Tribune has learnt. Although the Federal Government has already issued a deadline within which the price of cement must come down, failure of that directive to have potency might spell doom for the Federal Government Housing Policy.
A cement manufacturer who is also the chairman, Cement New Entrants Forum, Prince David Iweta, disclosed this to Sunday
Tribune at the weekend, while speaking about the growing concern among the masses over their inability to buy the commodity.
Ibori’s wife must refund N1.3bn in 1yr - Court Orders •To sell London House.
Written by Sunday, 22 May 2011
Former Delta State First Lady, Theresa Ibori on Saturday, appeared before the
Southwark Crown Court in London and confessed to spending millions of Pounds Sterling stolen from Delta State on choice properties in the Westover area of London. According to Saharareporters, an online medium, Mrs Ibori testified that the properties were purchased in her name with the funds.
The former first lady the report added was ordered to refund £5.175 million (about N1.3bn) in one year with a caveat that if the money was not returned, she must be ready to serve an extra 10 years in prison.
Madam Ibori was said to have accepted the court’s decision to sell her 7 Westover Hill Mansion and another one known as Great Ground Property after which, she was returned to prison where she is currently serving a 5 year jail term for money laundering.
...Again, the world refuses to end
Written by KEHINDE OYETIMI Sunday, 22 May 2011
If you are reading this, then the world has again refused to end following the prediction of Harold Camping. In this piece, KEHINDE OYETIMI chronicles similar periods of momentary hysteria created by foretelling of the end of the world.
THE
apprehension ran deep; the expectations travelled far. In some climes it trotted; in others, it sauntered. The angst was profound; it apparently cut across the subconscious of all strata of society—men, women, educated, the unschooled, within government circles, the religious, the free thinker; all, it seemed shared in the disquiet.
Some had shut themselves up as they prayed for mercy, waiting for the end to come. Others were said to have sat down and with tearful eyes, they ate what they assumed to be their last lunch as they expected the rapture to take place. They had expected to leave their pets and houses behind. 2011, according to the calculation, is expected to be the 7000th year after the flood. Some bade farewell to friends, families, as they waited. In front of one of their doors was the inscription ‘SORRY WE MISSED YOU.’
In New Zealand, reactions poured in following the failure of the prophecy when the time was past 6.00pm. From Melbourne, Australia to Florida, bashes were advertised. Skeptics planned rapture-themed parties to celebrate the failure of the prediction.
As far back as the 44 BC, there have been serious projections bothering on the probable date of the end of the world. While many would agree that this side of existence, presently inhabited by the human species would someday be ripped off and perhaps cease to be, many frown at the predictions and judge that such human calculations are not only wrong but misleading.
The list of such predictions, of which 89-year-old Harold Camping ranks as the latest, becomes inexhaustible. While some date back before the birth of Christ, others have been calculated after his death. Taking his cue from the dimensions of Noah’s ark, a Roman priest and theologian predicted that Christ would return to the earth A.D. 500. This, however, proved untrue. The list of similar predictions followed with eventual evidences and happenings offering otherwise. The scope of such prediction took a twist when some foretellers hinted of massive destruction, waste, earthquakes, and such like.
One of the most fascinating of such predictions of the end of the world came at the eve of A.D. 1000 considering the significance of the year in human history. It marked the close of a millennium as it conversely opened another. In A.D. 999, particularly in December, the height of hysteria was so intense so much the more that the entire human race expected the return of Christ. The signs that are recorded in the Bible to precede his coming were however missing. The frenzy created an unexpectedly positive change in human behaviour as Christ’s coming was seriously anticipated in December 999. Crime reduced; a deep religiosity pervaded the globe; jails were opened as criminals were released; crops went unattended to; buildings were not repaired; many sold their possessions and gave to the poor; there was a mass pilgrimage to Jerusalem as the return of Christ and the end of the human race was anticipated. But again, the world did not end.
Since the predictions are usually woven around perceived interpretation of Biblical extrapolations, with particular reference to the activities and person of Christ, there arose a similar prediction in A.D. 1033. An understanding can be deduced from here since that year in question marked a thousand years of the crucifixion of Christ. Expectedly, a mass pilgrimage to Jerusalem from around the globe was witnessed. Yet, the world did not end.
Taking a leap in human history, the year 1666 opened a foray of fit and frenzy. Nothing could be more disturbing compared to both the Biblical and mathematical perception of the number 1666. London was most devastated as over 100, 000 people were killed following the Bubonic plague and the Great Fire of London. It was a dual desolation. Playing on the number of the year (1666), it generated heated discussion both at religious and public gatherings. It was 1000+666. 1000 signified a millennium and the number 666, according to the Biblical book of Revelation is the mark of the beast, the antichrist that is expected to oppose Christ at his coming. Again, the globe sat unshaken.
1914 pointed to one of the most important calculations done by the Jehovah’s Witness of the start of Armageddon. In 1975, they had estimated that the year marked the 6000 year after Adam, the first man according to Biblical records, was created. Again in 1994, they added another 80 years to 1914 as the beginning of Armageddon. Again, the world has remained.
Two very similarly bizarre estimations were made in 1970 by late Moses David (formerly David Berg) and the True Life Church of Christ. David, the founder of the Christian religious group, known as the Children of God had envisaged that a comet would hit the earth and all lives in the United States of America would be destroyed. The second group was reportedly famous as it erroneously foretold the coming of Christ in 1970. Many of the church’s members quitted their means of livelihood in anticipation for the return of Christ. These expectations also failed.
Just as a local group in Australia calculated that Jesus would come back to earth through the Sydney Harbour at exactly 9.00am on the 31st of March, 1991, an Islamic leader, Louis Farrakhan had declared that the Gulf War, which he termed Armageddon, would signify the end of the world. The war has come and gone, yet, our world has refused to end.
Quite dramatic were the effects which the prediction of Lee Jang Rim made in 1992 when he was jailed for two years after embezzling about 4.4 million dollars of his cult members. He had predicted that by 28 October, 1992, the world would end. On that day, his members had waited anxiously; they sang songs; they prayed; they counted down. When the world would not end, some of them fainted; others committed suicide perhaps they could have given their assets to Lee Jang Rim.
Taking another leap in apocalyptic calculations, nothing could be comparable to the whirl of anxiety that swept across all human borders at the close of the year 1999 which automatically was to mark the end of the second millennium. The year 2000 when brought to the fore was divided by 3 and the number recorded a recurring 666.66666666 which of course is the Biblical mark of the beast.
Camping’s latest predictions have again gone sour since he erroneously estimated that the globe would end in 1994. He owns about 55 radio stations and was said to have advertised on 6000 billboards—all he did was warn that the world would have ended on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Again, he goofed as he did in 1994. He predicted that by now 200 million of the world’s population would be saved and “caught up (raptured) into heaven.” One wonders why these predictions have always failed.
Perhaps there is more to this side of existence than meets the eye.
tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/3953-again-the-world-refuses-to-end
Living Under Fear In Abuja Satellite Towns
There are many problems associated with living in satellite towns in Abuja. From poor transport system to inadequate security to bad road and lack of social amenities such as healthcare and power. However, when the government decides to initiate developmental projects such as road construction, it is expected to spark joyous celebration among the residents. But in most satellite towns in Abuja where the government has started developing, the residents are apprehensive that the bulldozers will soon start rolling. Michael Oche and Augustine Aminu write.
NASS, Sanusi and the Fiscal Discipline In Governance
The National Assembly is repositioning, so it seems. The NASS members have announced that they would lead a campaign to enthrone fiscal discipline in governance.
To start with, the Senate President David Mark told Nigerians that the National Assembly would cut its recurrent expenditure and would want other arms of government to make similar sacrifice. Was it a direct response to the Sanusi’s hurricane which blew open their outrageious spending? UCHENNA AWOM in this analysis x-rays the NASS offer and asks how real it is. Equally, would other arms of government do likewise?
To start with, the Senate President David Mark told Nigerians that the National Assembly would cut its recurrent expenditure and would want other arms of government to make similar sacrifice. Was it a direct response to the Sanusi’s hurricane which blew open their outrageious spending? UCHENNA AWOM in this analysis x-rays the NASS offer and asks how real it is. Equally, would other arms of government do likewise?
Case For Inclusive Education In Nigeria
Children with disability deserve equal access to quality education. Experts have suggested that an inclusive education should be encouraged by governments by way of providing infrastructure and other facilities that enhance learning, socialisation and the overall development of children with disability. Chika Mefor reports.
Chioma Aroh, became a pupil of one of the primary schools in Anambra State at the age of six. She was as smart and intelligent and as determined like her many classmates striving for the best, striving to earn praise from both her parents and her teachers. Only that she was crippled, attacked by the deadly polio disease when she was a baby.
‘We’re Not Involved In Shady Deals’
The Blueprint Newspapers Group whose corporate office was on Friday, raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on allegations of involvement in fraudulent activities, has said that they are not involved in any shady deals.
Benue Crisis: Police Summons Unongo, Akume, Ugbah
Govt is hunting opponents – Ugbah || ‘Unongo is ready for questioning’ || Count us out of invitation – Suswam’s aide || The simmering political crisis in Benue State took another dimension yesterday, as the Nigeria Police Force summoned the Action Congress of Nigeria governorship candidate in the April 26 poll in the state, Prof. Steve Ugbah, Senator George Akume and a former minister of steel, Paul Unongo.
The police invitation of Akume is coming on the heels of the arrest yesterday morning of two ACN chieftains, former chairman of Gboko local government area Chief Simon Abua Yaji and Mr. Adaa Maagbe by policemen.
PDP Zoning, Appointments: Another Round Of ‘Who gets What’
For now, attention has shifted from the recently concluded general election to the frenzied jostle for who occupies the plethora of political positions in the soon to be constituted cabinet. From key positions in the National Assembly, to ministerial appointments and sundry positions in President Goodluck Jonathan cabinet, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), specifically, in the South West is presently embroiled in a fierce tussle over who calls the shot in terms of submission of nominees. This report plays up the returning zoning arrangement, contenders, pretenders and other emerging issues. Edegbe Odemwingie writes with additional reports from LEADERSHIP SUNDAY’s South-West correspondents, Olaolu Oladipo, Sarkin Babalola, Sefiu Ayanbimpe and Abiola Alo.
IBB Varsity Removes Lecturer With Fake Certificate
A female lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, (names withheld) has been sacked from the university for alleged forgery of a master’s degree certificate.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that the female lecturer, who was in the department of Mass Communication of the university, claimed that she holds a master’s degree from a famous northern university and was employed based on the claim.
It was gathered that the university authority, based on allegations from some persons who were suspecting her, contacted the university and confirmed that she did her first degree in the school but never came back for her master’s.
Why We Denied Campbell Visa – Envoy
The Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC has denied allegations that it denied a former United States envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador John Campbell, a Visitor’s Visa as a result of his negative statements about the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Contrary to the feelings from some quarters, the Nigerian Embassy, through its ambassador, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, has declared that the embassy did not give the former U.S envoy any negative treatment, stressing that the visa section of the Chancery has stipulated conditions which must be met before any visa could be granted to anybody.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Intrusion of Sharia into American Justice, Part 2
I wrote the other night about the release of a ground-breaking report by the Center for Security Policy on the application of sharia law in American jurisprudence (see “Shariah Law and American State Courts” and the paper itself, Shariah Law and American State Courts: An Assessment of State Appellate Court Cases [pdf]).
The Intrusion of Sharia into American Justice
The Intrusion of Sharia into American Justice
I wrote the other night about the release of a ground-breaking report by the Center for Security Policy on the application of sharia law in American jurisprudence (see“Shariah Law and American State Courts” and the paper itself, Shariah Law and American State Courts: An Assessment of State Appellate Court Cases [pdf]).
Because the document itself is more than 600 pages long, I’ll undertake a series of posts to highlight some of the more important parts of the report for our readers. Tonight’s excerpts are from the “Background” section that introduces the paper.
Most Americans would probably be surprised to discover how widespread the application of Islamic law is in this country. Yet none of this is a secret. American Muslims are not hiding their efforts to impose sharia — they are quite open about what they are doing. The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) is up-front in its acknowledgement that the sharia it intends to implement is “another system of law outside the U.S. Constitutional framework.”
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Nigerians demand collaboration on the protection of intellectual property rights
Chika A. Ezeanya
By Chika A. Ezeanya
The year was 2002, three years before his appointment as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). University of Bradford trained; Professor Maurice Iwu secured US Patent application number #6,403, 576 for the extracts of five species of Nigerian plants, proven by the local population to be of medicinal value.
The US Patent application was published for Aframomum aulocacarpus, Aframomum danelli, Dracena arborea, Eupatorium odoratum, Glossocalyx brevipes and Napoleonaea imperialis. Iwu, together with five other co -researchers claim in the application that the plant species are indicated for the treatment of fungal infections and elimination of parasites in humans and animals. Iwu and his cohorts put up the patent for sale in the global pharmaceutical research and development market. It is not known how much money accrued to Professor Iwu from the deal; royalty payments on patents could sometimes run into several million dollars.
Southern Kaduna residents advocate national conference, military base
By 4 hours 10 minutes ago
Residents of southern Kaduna , Kaduna State , yesterday called for the convocation of a sovereign national conference to discuss fundamental issues concerning the coexistence of the various ethnic nationalities.
They asked for a military base in Kafanchan to protect the lives and property of the residents following last month’s post-election violence.
The southern Kaduna residents urged the creation of Gurara State to ensure peace, progress and stability of the area, noting that the source of mistrust between the residents and the Hausa/Fulani had been on political power.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
South-East leaders: We accept SGF
Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Achike Udenwa, Dr Samuel Egwu, Senator Ben Obi and Others during an Igbo Summit in Owerri last year. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu
Prominent Igbo leaders including governors; former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme; Ohanaeze and South-East PDP leaders, have been brainstorming on the issue.
Prices of beans rise in Zamfara
Gusau - Prices of beans have increased by about 15 per cent in Gusau, Zamfara, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A survey conducted in grain markets in Gusau on Tuesday showed that a bag of beans, which was N8, 000 four weeks ago, now sells for between N9,000 and N9,500, depending on the quality of the grains.
Also a measure of beans, which was N250 last month, now costs between N260 and N270.
Mallam Muhammadu Kabiru, a beans dealer, told NAN that they expected the high prices to come down any moment from now.
‘’This is the right time for those who bought in bulk and hoard the beans to bring them out to the market and make profit, it has reached its peak price now,’’ he said.
Kabiru said that those hoarding the grains would bring them out now because the 2011 cropping season was near.
According to him, supply will be higher than demand very soon and “whenever that happens, we expect the prices to come down”.
He said that this year’s prices were even better because a bag of beans sold for between N10, 000 and N11, 000 during the peak period in 2010 .
“This because the neighbouring Niger Republic, which imports beans from Nigeria, recorded bumper harvest in 2010.
“This is in spite of the report of flooding which destroyed hectares of farmlands in that country last year. So the prices will stabilise soon,” Kabiru said. (NAN)
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/prices-of-beans-rise-in-zamfara/
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mobil Nigeria Scholarship for Undergraduate Students 2011
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011
The Mobil Nigeria National Undergraduate Scholarship Awards 2011 is currently open for students in Nigerian Universities. The scholarship is available to qualified and suitable students from every state of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mobil Producing Nigeria, operator of NNPC/MPN Joint Venture awards scholarships annually to qualified undergraduate students in Nigerian Universities.Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Mobile-Esso National Scholarship Scheme;
• Candidates must hold SSCE or its equivalent with at least six subjects passed at a sitting with a minimum of 5 Distinctions.
• Applicants must be registered full-time undergraduates in their 1st or 2nd year of study in any Nigerian University.
Non-Eligibilty
Students who are currently on similar scholarship awards from other oil and gas companies need not apply.
• Undergraduate students above their Second year in the university are not eligible to apply for scholarship.
• Dependants of employees of Mobil Producing Nigeria, Mobil Oil Nigeria plc and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited are not eligible.
Fields of Study
Applications in the following list of approved disciplines will be considered:
1. Electrical/Electronics Engineering
2. Medicine (MBBS Only)
3. Mechanical Engineering
4. Petroleum Engineering
5. Agricultural Science (And related fields)
6. Geology/Geophysics
7. Chemical Engineering
8. Civil Engineering
How to apply/Application Deadline
To apply for this scholarship, complete and submit the online application form on the link below as instructed within Two Weeks of this annoncement.
Applications not received within two weeks from the time of the scholarship announcement will not be accepted.
Selection Procedure
Shortlisted candidates will have to take a qualification test. Students will be required to come with the original and photocopy of the following documents for screening prior to taking the Test:
Evidence of current year of study
Current University Identify Card.
Evidence of SSCE result or its equivalent.
Evidence of admission into a Nigerian University.
Evidence of State of Origin obtained from the appropriate Local government Area and duly signed by the Chairman or Secretary.
2 Current Passport Photographs.
Names of short-listed candidates for the qualifying Test will be published on the MPN website and in National Dailies.
Click here to the Online Application Form
http://www.afterschoolafrica.com/2011/05/mobil-nigeria-scholarship-for.html
One dies, another amputated as rainstorm ravages Ogun State community
MONDAY, 16 MAY 2011 00:00 BY DAVID IBEMERE
THESE are not happy times for people of Ifesowapo, Ifo Local Council of Ogun State.
Though they have over the years witnessed heavy rainfall, last week’s two-day downpour, accompanied by a ravaging windstorm, was the most devastating.
Worst hit in the disaster, among the Ifesowapo community of nine towns and villages, are Oyero, Oluke and Arugudu.
At the end, a man died in Arugudu, another lost an arm at Okugbolu, the only Primary School that has been serving the whole Ifesowapo community for about 95 years, the local Anglican Church, and the Community High School at Oluke, were wrecked.
Several houses in Oyero, including that of Senator Kunle Oyero, were destroyed in the rainstorm, while orange and mango orchards, plantain plantations and others for which the area is widely-known, were all damaged.
“The only way to make them fruitful again is to cut them down to allow for fresh growth, 85-year-old Chief David Adebesin, one of the affected farmers told The Guardian.
A devastated Adebesin, said: “We have not seen this before.”
Also, 80-year-old Mrs. Alice Odeyale, whose family house was among those destroyed, lamented the loss of the only property left for her by her husband who died over 25 years ago.
“Where do I go from here? Whom do I turn to for repair of this house? At my age, which work or farm produce can I sell now to get N50,000.00 to rehabilitate the house,” she said in tears.
The Vicar of the Anglican Church, which lost its roof, expressed his shock at the ill -wind that completely destroyed the church’s overflow attached to the main building.
“This is my fifth year in Oluke and I have never experienced this type of rainstorm.”
A community leader, James Adewale Ajibawo, said he could not believe what he saw, left by the storm of his family compound.
“As you can see, the roofs on the two buildings have not only been blown off, some of the blocks too have been destroyed. To affect any repair on roof would not work except a substantial repair of the building is also affected,” he said.
THESE are not happy times for people of Ifesowapo, Ifo Local Council of Ogun State.
Though they have over the years witnessed heavy rainfall, last week’s two-day downpour, accompanied by a ravaging windstorm, was the most devastating.
Worst hit in the disaster, among the Ifesowapo community of nine towns and villages, are Oyero, Oluke and Arugudu.
At the end, a man died in Arugudu, another lost an arm at Okugbolu, the only Primary School that has been serving the whole Ifesowapo community for about 95 years, the local Anglican Church, and the Community High School at Oluke, were wrecked.
Several houses in Oyero, including that of Senator Kunle Oyero, were destroyed in the rainstorm, while orange and mango orchards, plantain plantations and others for which the area is widely-known, were all damaged.
“The only way to make them fruitful again is to cut them down to allow for fresh growth, 85-year-old Chief David Adebesin, one of the affected farmers told The Guardian.
A devastated Adebesin, said: “We have not seen this before.”
Also, 80-year-old Mrs. Alice Odeyale, whose family house was among those destroyed, lamented the loss of the only property left for her by her husband who died over 25 years ago.
“Where do I go from here? Whom do I turn to for repair of this house? At my age, which work or farm produce can I sell now to get N50,000.00 to rehabilitate the house,” she said in tears.
The Vicar of the Anglican Church, which lost its roof, expressed his shock at the ill -wind that completely destroyed the church’s overflow attached to the main building.
“This is my fifth year in Oluke and I have never experienced this type of rainstorm.”
A community leader, James Adewale Ajibawo, said he could not believe what he saw, left by the storm of his family compound.
“As you can see, the roofs on the two buildings have not only been blown off, some of the blocks too have been destroyed. To affect any repair on roof would not work except a substantial repair of the building is also affected,” he said.
Friday, May 13, 2011
People Democratic Party over the struggle for ministerial
By Niyi Odebode, Abuja and Tunde Odesola, Osogbo
Saturday, 14 May 2011
People Democratic Party over the struggle for ministerial and other Federal Government appointments ahead of the May 29, 2011 inauguration of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.
Countrywide investigations by SATURDAY PUNCH showed that the latest crises were triggered by Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party leaders’ directive to the state chapters.
The President and the PDP leaders, it was learnt, had directed each state chapter to submit 10 names for federal appointments.
It was gathered that in the PDP states, governors, state chairmen and ministers were expected to compile the lists
Ministers and state chairmen of the party are doing the compilation in states where the PDP is not in control.
The lists were expected to be submitted to the President through the national chairman of the party, Dr. Haliru Muhammed.
But in spite of the compilation of the names, it was gathered that the President was keeping his plan on ministerial appointments close to his chest.
“Although the President has asked for names, he knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff. He is his own man. Nobody can dictate to him,” a party official told SATURDAY PUNCH on Friday in Abuja.
Uduaghan Swears In 11 Perm Secs
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta on Friday in Asaba swore-in 11 new permanent secretaries into the state civil service.
Those who took the oath of office were: Mr Cyril Agbele, Mrs Erihire Young, Mr Chukwududua Okobi, Dr Eberechukwu Omodon, Engr Onochie Okolie and Mr Erhieyovwe Ukey.
Others were Mr Chuks Nkenchor, Mr Oneoritsebawo Uklubeyinje, Mr Djesure Ishoka, Mr Kingdom Amukoyo and Mr Temi Ebijuwa.
Nigeria Renames Acquired Warship NNS Thunder
To further improve the regional security in the country, the Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of a United States donated warship (WHEC-718), renaming it NNS Thunder.
Speaking during the transfer ceremony of the warship to the Nigerian Navy at the Coast Guard Island, Alameda, California on Friday, Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye said that the transfer of the ship would strengthen and improve Nigerian defence capability.
He also said that the warship will give the ability to operate a free and uninterrupted production in the Gulf Coast.
Two Policemen Killed By Unknown Gunmen In Niger
Madalla, a town in Niger State was thrown into pandemonium on Thursday at about 9pm as two policemen were shot by unknown men in the area.
When leadership visited the Madalla Police Station to ascertain what happened, it was directed to the Police Public Relations Officer at Minna, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ugwuche Richard who in a phone interview confirmed the incident adding that efforts were being made to fish out the culprits and bring them to book.
Unknown Gunmen Kill Police Inspector, District Head
A police inspector attached to Borno Government House, Maina Kadai was on Friday morning shot dead in Maiduguri by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram, with two other persons, including another policeman and a district head were also shot in separate attacks.
Our correspondent learnt that the district head of Mairari in the metropolis was killed on Thursday night while the other police was lucky as he reportedly sustained serious injury from the gun shot.
Petition Against The On-Going Manipulation Corruption Trial Of Ex-Governor Chimaroke Nnamani Of Enugu State
By Barrister Sam I. Mbah & Barrister Olu Omotayo
Chinua Achebe To Receive One Of The Largest Awards In The Arts
Prof. chinua Achebe
Gish Prize Press Release
Gish Prize recipients are nominated by the worldwide arts community and selected for their unprecedented impact in their chosen fields.
Achebe will receive the prize and a silver medallion on October 27, 2010, at the Hudson Theatre, Millennium Broadway, New York City. Leaders of the arts including curator Lowery Sims, former NEA chair Jane Alexander, PEN president Kwame Anthony Appiah, author Ekwueme Michael Thelwell, poet Sonia Sanchez, and musician Baba Ola Jagun will be among the presenters and guests celebrating Achebe's work and his impact on the international diaspora of African fiction and voices.
New Charges: EFCC Declares Atuche, Akingbola’s Wife, Wanted Over N56b Fraud
Ugo Ayanwu
By SaharaReporters, New York
Attack On Jonathan: Ugandan Police Shot And Killed An Innocent Cyclist After Stoning Incident
Ugandan army attack protesters (WSJ Photo)
By SaharaReporters, New York
Benue ACN Chieftain Assassinated
Prof. Steve Ugbah Amd Gabriel Suswam
By Citizen Reports
Assailants opened fire on the team near Kadarko in Nasawara state, 25 minutes away from Makurdi the Benue state capital.
Eyewitness reports said Ayede and Mr Maagbe were riding ahead of Prof. Ugbah when the assassins accosted and killed Ayede. Mr Ayede died on the spot, while Maagbe got shot in the hand. Mr Maagbe ran into the bush when their car came to a stop and immediately told Prof Ugbah to make a detour back to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State. From the nature of the attack, it was clear the assailants were out to kill Prof. Ugbah.
U.S. Interrogated ‘Hostile’ Bin Laden Wives
By ROBERT MACKEY
Updated | 11:33 a.m. Three of Osama bin Laden’s wives, who survived the American raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and are now in Pakistan’s custody, were “hostile” when they spoke to United States intelligence officials this week, American and Pakistani officials told CNN.
An American official in Islamabad told The Guardian that a Bin Laden daughter was also among those interviewed by American interrogators on Tuesday or Wednesday in the presence of officials from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence directorate. The unnamed official confirmed that the women displayed a hostile attitude, which, he said, was “not overly surprising considering that we had killed their husband or father.”
American officials identified the three widows to CNN as Bin Laden’s second, third and fifth wives: Khairiah Sabar, who has been known as Umm Hamza since she gave birth to a son named Hamza; Siham Sabar, who is known as Umm Khaled; and Amal Ahmed Abdulfattah, who is also known as Amal Ahmed al-Sadah.
An American official in Islamabad told The Guardian that a Bin Laden daughter was also among those interviewed by American interrogators on Tuesday or Wednesday in the presence of officials from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence directorate. The unnamed official confirmed that the women displayed a hostile attitude, which, he said, was “not overly surprising considering that we had killed their husband or father.”
American officials identified the three widows to CNN as Bin Laden’s second, third and fifth wives: Khairiah Sabar, who has been known as Umm Hamza since she gave birth to a son named Hamza; Siham Sabar, who is known as Umm Khaled; and Amal Ahmed Abdulfattah, who is also known as Amal Ahmed al-Sadah.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Bin Laden's HIGH security compound: Marijuana plants grew near hideout as servants made trips for 'lots' of VERY western Coke and Pepsi
Last updated at 2:06 PM on 4th May 2011
High-strength marijuana plants have been found just yards from the luxury home of slain terror chief Osama Bin Laden.
Hundreds of the exotic green flower have flourished for a number of years on the border of the war lord's secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Despite being a short walk from a military training academy dubbed 'Pakistan's Sandhurst', the illegal crop had remained undiscovered.
But hundreds of officials have descended on the busy town this week after Bin Laden was blasted in the brain by U.S. Navy Seals.
An American reporter noticed the pungent line of plants growing in the dry fields surrounding the five-metre high concrete walls.
CNN's Nic Robertson showed to the camera the marijuana hidden alongside other crops including cabbages and potatoes.
High-strength marijuana plants have been found just yards from the luxury home of slain terror chief Osama Bin Laden.
Hundreds of the exotic green flower have flourished for a number of years on the border of the war lord's secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Despite being a short walk from a military training academy dubbed 'Pakistan's Sandhurst', the illegal crop had remained undiscovered.
Bin smoking? Reporters this week discovered marijuana plants growing just outside slain terror chief Osama Bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, northwestern Pakistan
Terrorist plot: CNN's Nic Robertson discovered that the marijuana plants were growing alongside other crops including cabbages and potatoes
An American reporter noticed the pungent line of plants growing in the dry fields surrounding the five-metre high concrete walls.
CNN's Nic Robertson showed to the camera the marijuana hidden alongside other crops including cabbages and potatoes.
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