Army Graduates 316 Personnel for Counter Terrorism

 

The army has so far trained more than 7,000 personnel comprising army, police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and equipped them with counter terrorism skills within the last six months.

Reports say that the last two batches totaling 755 personnel were trained as Quick Response Group (QRG) with the objective of meeting the demands and realities of current security challenges.

The army personnel were drawn from different formations of the Nigerian Army and posted to form the Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to different crises prone areas, such as Plateau, Borno, Yobe and Kano states as well as the Niger Delta region.

Addressing the graduating students, the Commandant of the Centre, Brig.-Gen. Tijjani Golau, said they were trained on identification of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and cordon and search techniques.

Other areas of the training were search and arrest procedures, information and intelligence gathering techniques, rescue operations, patrol, and raids and fighting in built-up areas.

``On the whole, the graduating participants are eminently qualified and could be deployed to carry out counter terrorism and counter insurgency tasks in any part of the country,’’ he said.

Represented by the Chief Instructor, Lt-Col. Joseph Villo, the commandant said the participants had acquired requisite skills to enhance their performance in assigned tasks.

``Their training was very compact and intensive for two weeks and graduands have met the mandatory requirements as members of the Quick Response Group in the Nigerian Army.

``They are, therefore, qualified to carry out quick reaction tasks as may be required by their respective units and formations,’’ Golau said.

 He said the participants were the 9th batch in the series of the training by the centre, with more than 3,000 policemen and personnel of NSCDC.

The commandant urged the graduands to practise what they acquired during the training in tackling the nation's security challenges.

In his remarks, the guest speaker, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Osuji, commended the directors of the programme for delivering a comprehensive programme for the training.

Osuji, who is the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, urged the participants to exhibit high professional conduct.

He said the army had provided the participants with adequate skills and tools for IED detection and goggles for night viewing, among others. 

 

 

Agric Experts, Farmers Fault E-wallet Scheme, Minister’s Aide Reacts

 

They told newsmen in Lagos that due to poor implementation of the scheme, the country had lost 47 per cent of agriculture output, this year.

Mr Shedrack Madlion, the Executive Director of the Admiral Environmental Care Limited, an NGO, stressed the need to put in place checks and balances to ensure success of the initiative.

Madlion observed that the e-wallet scheme had only succeeded in arousing the farmers’ interest, but its implementation had fallen short of expectation.

``Radio and television jingles in different Nigerian languages should be used to sensitise farmers.

``Our roads are bad, the farmers, who are the target beneficiaries, are in the rural areas without any form of education.’’

In a separate interview, Mr Bolaji Alonge, a farm developer in Lagos, said that the scheme could only work effectively with good road network and efficient communication system.

According to him, the idea of farmers carrying little of no cash for the purchase of fertilisers and other farm input has not been achieved.

``The scheme is not favourable to the rural farmer, if you say farmers should not carry cash about and then there should be banks with good internet services in the villages where they dwell.

``There was no thorough research done before implementation; farmers were not properly educated on the new payment system for the farm inputs,” he said, adding that the initiative can only work in big cities and developed countries.

For Mr Akin Balogun, a maize farmer, he said that the scheme had made the purchase of fertilisers more difficult and urged the government to review its implementation.

You will recall that early this month, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Riliwanu Adamu, had advised the Federal Government to review the scheme to enable farmers to benefit from it.

Adamu said he had received ``numerous'' complaints from farmers over the difficulty in accessing fertiliser and other inputs, especially people in the rural areas.

Reacting to the complaints in a telephone interview, Dr Kayode Oyeleye, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, acknowledged inadequate awareness about the scheme.

``We did not do enough on enlightenment campaign and that is one area we are presently working on,'' he said.

He said that the scheme was part of the Federal Government's Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) introduced in July 2011.

Expressing confidence that the scheme would eventually yield fruits, Oyeleye advised farmers have their names registered in their respective local government areas.

 

 

 

Robbers Kill 13 Policemen in Rivers

 

Mr Mohammed Indabawa, the state Commissioner of Police, who made this known at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Indabawa said the command killed 36 armed robbery and kidnap suspects in shoot outs and arrested 365 others during the period under review.

The commissioner said that the police rescued 17 kidnapped victims during the raids on criminal hideouts.

He said that a breakdown of those arrested revealed 199 were armed robbery suspects, 82 kidnap suspects, 78 suspected cultists and six vandals.

The commissioner said 52 assorted firearms and 600 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Indabawa added that 42 stolen vehicles and motorbikes were recovered during the period following raids of 22 criminal hideouts.

He said the achievement came because of the cooperation of the police, the State Government, the GSM providers and members of the public.

The commissioner called for the production of the national identification card for the citizens, saying the residential addresses given by arrested suspects had turned out to be false.

He said the command was committed to the protection of lives and property of the people.

 

Berbatov Joins Fulham from Manchester United

 

Despite a last-ditch attempt from former club Tottenham to hijack the deal earlier on deadline day, the 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal at Craven Cottage that will run until 2014.

Speaking to his new club's official website, Berbatov said: “I’m delighted to have signed for Fulham and I look forward to playing under Martin Jol once again.

"As soon as I was aware of Fulham’s interest my decision to join was an easy one to make. I’m impressed with the set up here and the people have made me feel welcome. 

"There is a close and personal feel around the club and I can’t wait to get started.” 

Jol was delighted at his capture of the Bulgarian, speaking of his admiration for the player's talents.

“Dimitar is a player I’ve always admired. He did well for me at Spurs and I’m sure that he will do well here at Fulham," he said.

"He is a player of great quality and technical ability who will give me the attacking option I’ve been looking for. When he’s not scoring goals, his ingenuity often leads chances being created for his team-mates.

"I’m delighted that we’ve been able to convince him to come to us, as there was a lot of attention from other clubs.”

 

Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

 

The red variety has drier and harder flesh while the white or the yellow type has more juicy flesh. The red variety has a characteristic aroma which becomes more prominent on boiling. The more reddish or orange the colour of the flesh of the sweet potatoes, the stronger is this aroma. Perhaps this is due presence of beta carotene whose concentration also increases with the colour.

Below are some benefits of sweet potatoes.

Immunity: 

Being very rich in beta carotene, which is a major anti oxidant, apart from vitamin-C and B-complex, iron and phosphorus present in them, sweet potatoes are excellent immunity boosters.

Inflammation: 

Like the common potato, sweet potato also has anti inflammatory properties, although it does not belong to the family of common potato. This is primarily due to presence of beta-carotene, vitamin-C and magnesium. It is equally effective in curing internal and external inflammations.

Asthma:

The sweet potato is effective in curing congestion of nose, bronchi and lungs, thereby giving relief in asthma. Its typical aroma helps in this.

Bronchitis: 

The concentration of vitamin-C, iron and other nutrients help curing bronchitis. The sweet potatoes are believed to be capable of warming up the body (may be due to the sweetness and other nutrients). This property also is beneficial in bronchitis, apart from its property to ease congestion.

Arthritis:

Beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc and vitamin-B complex, among others, make sweet potato a helping hand to cure arthritis. The water in which the sweet potatoes are boiled can be applied externally on joints too to ease pain in arthritis.

Digestion: 

The fiber content of sweet potatoes is higher than that of common potatoes and it tastes good too. When these two factors are combined with other minerals like magnesium present in sweet potatoes, it makes an excellent facilitator for digestion. Sweet potatoes are easy to digest too, since they mainly contain starch. They are soothing for the stomach and intestines too.

Cancer:

Beta-carotene, the champion anti oxidant and anti carcinogen, the pigments responsible for the colour of the peel of the sweet potatoes and vitamin-C, are very beneficial for curing many types of cancer, mainly those of colon, intestines, prostrate, kidneys and other internal organs.

Water Balance: 

The fiber or roughage present in sweet potatoes helps retain water. This maintains water balance in the body.

Stomach Ulcers: 

Sweet potato has a soothing effect on the stomach and intestines. The vitamins (B-complex and C), beta carotene, potassium and calcium are very effective in curing stomach ulcers. Moreover, the roughage in sweet potatoes prevents constipation and resultant acid formation, thereby reducing the chance of ulcers. The anti inflammatory and soothing properties of sweet potatoes also reduce the pain and inflammation of the ulcers.

Diabetes: 

Contrary to the popular belief, the sweet potatoes are beneficial for diabetics. Amazingly, they are very effective in regulating blood sugar lever by helping proper secretion and function of insulin. Of course, that does not mean that diabetics should eat them indiscriminately. The idea is that they can replace their rice or carbohydrate intake with sweet potatoes.

Weight Gain: 

This is easily understood. The sweet potatoes are sweet as well as contain very good amount of complex starch, apart from healthy vitamins, minerals and some proteins too. Moreover, they are very easy to digest. Thus they provide a lot of energy and are excellent bulk builders. Those suffering from inferiority complex due to their bones visibly sticking out of their skin, will welcome this news, without having any risk any side effect, which most of the synthetic bulk building dietary supplements run.

Other Benefits: They are effective in quitting addictions like smoking, drinking and taking certain narcotics. They are good for the health of arteries and veins, as they protect their walls against hardening. 

Also, the high concentration of beta carotene (an alternative of vitamin-A) and phosphorus are excellent for ocular and cardiac health.

 

Tokyo Court Gives Win to Samsung After US Loss

 

The patent was related to transferring media content between devices.

It comes after Samsung lost a key patent case in the US last week and was ordered to pay more than $1bn (£664m) in damages.

This is one of many cases brought to courts around the world by the two smartphone market leaders.

"We welcome the court's decision, which confirmed our long-held position that our products do not infringe Apple's intellectual property," said Samsung in a statement to the BBC.

Tokyo District Judge Tamotsu Shoji dismissed the case filed by Apple in August, finding that Samsung was not in violation of Apple patents related to synchronising music and video data between devices and servers.

You will recall that on 24 August, a US court ruled Samsung had infringed Apple patents for mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPad.

The company has vowed to continue to fight against Apple saying it will appeal against the US ruling.

Apple is now seeking a ban on sales of eight Samsung phones in the US market.

On 6 December, US District Judge Lucy Koh, who presided over the initial trial, will hear Apple's plea for an injunction against the Samsung phones, although it does not include the most recent Samsung phone to hit the market, the Galaxy S3.

 

50 Cent’s Manager Found Dead in Apparent Suicide

 

The 44-year-old had been going through a divorce and had been having financial and other personal problems.

Stars including Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Diddy have been paying tribute to the hip hop businessman on Twitter.

50 Cent issued a statement through his publicist saying that he was saddened by the loss.

"Chris has been an important part of my business and personal growth for a decade," he said.

Chris Lighty was behind 50 Cent as well as Diddy and Mariah Carey

"He was a good friend and adviser who helped me develop as an artist and businessman.

"My prayers are with his family. He will be greatly missed."

Police say no suicide note was found at Chris Lighty's home in the Bronx but a 9mm handgun had been recovered.

His body was found on Thursday morning.

Chris Lighty, who had two children, had been a part of the hip hop scene for decades.

During his career he worked with stars like LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott and Fat Joe and initially worked for Rush Management, Russell Simmons' first company before he founded rap record label Def Jam.

He set up his own management company, Violator, in the late 1990s.

 

Sage Stalleone Killed by Heart Attack, Says Coroner

 

Sage Stallone was found dead at his Hollywood home by an employee and a relative on 13 July.

Bottles of prescription pills were found but it was not clear if they were connected with his death.

Officials said on Thursday that the 36-year-old died due to a condition that causes blockage of the arteries.

Toxicology results showed Stallone had only a small amount of the sedative hydrocodone in his body.

No other drugs were detected and the death has been classified a natural death.

The actor and film director's sudden death stunned his family and friends.

Sylvester Stallone's publicist described him as "devastated and grief-stricken" and the actor skipped several promotional events for his film The Expendables 2.

Sage Moonblood Stallone was the oldest of Sylvester Stallone's children and co-starred with his father in two films, Rocky V and Daylight.

He also became involved in movie-making, directing a 2006 short, Vic, that was screened at the Palm Springs Film Festival.

In 1996 the young Stallone co-founded Grindhouse Releasing, a company dedicated to preserving and promoting the B-movies and exploitation films of the 1970s and '80s.

Sylvester Stallone's spokeswoman said the actor had no comment about the coroner's findings.

 

President Jonathan commissions Ojukwu's Gateway, designates Anambra oil producing state

Speaking on the occasion, Jonathan said the gateway stood as a symbol of unity in the South East and prayed that the cause for which the late warlord was known for would not die.
 
He said the strategic site of the statue would always bring to mind the memories of the warlord and urged the people not to allow his dream to die.
 
Speaking earlier, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra said the gateway was the first point of contact with the South East, hence its choice for the immortalisation of Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and prayed that the statue would always touch the minds of the Igbo to think and act as one.
 
Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late warlord, said she was delighted with the decision of the state government to honour her late husband in a special way.
 
Also speaking, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo said the gateway would surely bind the Igbo together on sighting the statue.
 
Present at the commissioning were Senators Chris Ngige and Andy Uba, Representatives Uche Ekwunife, and Victor Ogene as well as former Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, among others. 

FG designates Anambra oil producing state

The Federal Government has designated Anambra as an oil-bearing state in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan made the pronouncement on Thursday while inaugurating Orient Petroleum Resources Plc at Aguleri-Otu in the  Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

Jonathan said the Federal Government was committed to oil exploration in all the country’s sedimentary basins, commending Orient Petroleum for pioneering inland crude oil production in the country.

``The good news is not Orient Oil and Anambra Basin alone, the good news is for all the  sedimentary basins all over the country,” the president said.

He said that the pioneering efforts of Orient Petroleum in Anambra would give confidence to other investors to invest in other inland sedimentary basins in the country.

Jonathan charged workers in the oil industry, especially those at the upstream sector, to add value to the crude oil they produce and export refined products.

``We have a lot of gas resources in Anambra Basin from meteorological records. Orient Petroleum has helped us not just in producing the crude oil, but adding value to it.

``As a nation, we should not be exporting crude oil alone. The vision of Orient to diversify into refining and power generation, among others, is the way to go.

``People who refine crude oil make more money than those who export the crude commodity,” he said.

The president commended the management of the company and other private investors for the innovation they had brought into the oil sector.

He said that the transformation agenda of his administration would not to be pioneered by government alone, adding that the private sector also had a role to play to transform t he nation.

Jonathan pledged  that the Federal Government would continue to work with the private sector to maximise the nation’s resources.

Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra, who thanked the president for inaugurating Orient Petroleum, promised that his administration would partner with the company to develop the oil sector in the state.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman of Orient Petroleum Resources, said the company would commence refining crude next year.

Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, said that when the company’s refining facility is completed, about 20,000 litres of crude would be refined daily.

He disclosed that three State Governments, Anambra, Kogi and Rivers were shareholders in the company, adding that the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra were also shareholders in the company.

Anyaoku said the company was making efforts to utilise its gas to avoid flaring, expressing hope that utilisation of the company’s gas resources would impact positively on electricity supply in the country.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Nnaemeka Nwawka, appealed to the Federal Government and Nigerian banks to provide incentives and intervention funds for private refineries.

Population Growing Faster than Food Production in Africa - FAO

 

This is contained in a report by FAO entitled : ''Greener cities crucial to African food security, '' and made available in Abuja on Thursday.

The report stressed the need for policymakers to ensure that African cities would be 'green' enough to meet their nutrition and income needs in a sustainable way in the foreseeable future.

It said that many cities in Africa were not keeping pace with the increasing demand for food that would match their population growth.

The report further noted that many African countries have recorded strong sustained economic growth over the past decade, leading to more urbanisation and raising hopes of a new era of shared prosperity.

``Increasingly, urban areas also draw people in search of a way out of rural poverty, only to find little if there is any improvement in their lives.

``More than half of all urban Africans live in slums, up to 200 million survive on less than $2 a day and poor urban children are as likely to be chronically malnourished as poor rural children.

``The challenge of achieving a zero hunger world in which everyone is adequately nourished and all food systems are resilient is as urgent in African cities as it is in rural areas, ’’ the report submitted.

Perusing into the future, the report which cited 24 of the world's 30 fastest growing cities will be African, asserted that the urban population of sub-saharan African would have population of between 300 and 600 million between 2010 and 2030.

It therefore advised African policy makers to act fast to steer urbanisation from its current unsustainable path toward healthy `greener’ cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income and a clean environment for citizenry.

It also urged national governments as well as city administrators to work together with growers, processors, suppliers, vendors and others to give market gardens and urban agriculture, the political, logistical and educational support necessary for sustainable development.

The report voiced particular concern about the future of market gardening, the irrigated, commercial production of fruit and vegetables in designated or other urban areas.

It said the FAO would continue to support action that would help ''low-income households to 'grow their own, ' as a way of improving the quality of their diet, thereby saving cash that have been spent on other needs, and earning income from the sale of surpluses.

As part of its recommendations, the report urged policymakers to zone and protect land and water for markets, and encourage growers to adopt FAO's 'Save and Grow' farming model.

It explained that the model include applying the right amount of appropriate, external inputs such as pesticides, fertiliser and seeds at the right time.

It stated that the document was released ahead of the sixth session of the World Urban Forum scheduled to hold in Naples, Italy from Sept. 1 to Sept. 7, adding that the forum was established by the United Nations to examine one of the most pressing problems facing the world in recent time.

It said such problems include but not limited to rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.

 

U.S. Supports Nigeria with $500m to Fight HIV/AIDS

 

McCulley said this at the inauguration of the Defence Reference Laboratory by Mrs Olusola Obada, the Minister of State for Defence, at the Mogadishu Cantonment.

He said the laboratory, which is the first of its kind in the sub-region, was funded from the grant.

``The Reference Laboratory Programme is part of our $500m assistance to Nigeria since 2005 when the partnership began between U.S. Department of Defence and your Ministry of Defence.

``The partnership between U.S. Department of Defence  (DOD)  and Nigeria's Ministry of Defence (NMOD) through the Walter Reed Programme (WRP-N)  and the Emergency Plan Implementation Committee (EPIC) has grown strong,'' he said.

MCculley said the partnership was evidenced by the commissioning of a world-class Defence Reference Laboratory (DRL).

According to him, the DRL was a critical piece for health care, enabling world-class diagnostic and laboratory monitoring services for military personnel and civilian population living in the surrounding communities.

He said the DRL would continue to grow, improve health care for the community it served and become a centre for excellence in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region.

In her remarks, Obada said the commencement of full activities at the DRL would lead to great improvement in the handling of HIV programmes and ultimately translate to better care for those living with the virus.

Obada, who was represented by Dr. Evelyn Ngige, said the establishment of the DRL was in line with Mr President’s Transformation Agenda in the health sector through strengthening of indigenous capabilities and a drastic reduction on dependence of facilities abroad for similar services.

``Expectedly, this facility will promote the health of our troops, thereby ensuring their combat fitness for International Peace Support Operations and internal security challenges, ‘’ she said .

The minister commended the U.S. government for the support and urged the professionals that would be making use of the laboratory to justify the confidence reposed in them.

``But the beauty of the programme is that in all the 24 sites where we have in Nigeria where we treat our troops, civilians are also taken  care of and the communities near the barracks also benefit from the programme, ‘’ she added.

Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Tahir Umar, the Chairman of Emergency Plan Implementation Committee, said the success of the sites operated by EPIC across the country had led to the need to provide a laboratory that would be able to assure quality control of all programme sites.

Umar said the establishment of the laboratory was made possible through the funding by the U.S. Defense Department and the Ministry of Defence.

Reports say that the event was attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, and former the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Rowland Oritsejafor. 

 

Jonathan Inaugurates N4.6bln Onitsha Inland Water Port

 

Jonathan said at the event that the port would further boost economic activities in the country.

According to him, there is the need to open up the country’s waterways to make trade and commerce easier as well as reduce the workload on the road ntework.

He reiterated his administration’s plan to give some fillip to rail and water transport, and urged the private sector to collaborate with the government to create jobs.

Jonathan lauded the government and people of Anambra for completing the port.

The president pledged that his administration would not relent in its effort to deliver on its campaign promises.

He praised the prevailing peace in the South East, describing it as second to none in the country.

The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, said that the port, which cost N4.6 billion, was one of the numerous ports the Federal Government was building.

Umar said that three inland water ports in Baro, Niger; Oguta, Imo, and Yamata, Kogi, would soon be completed and inaugurated.

He thanked the President and the Anambra governor, Peter  Obi, for supporting his ministry in developing water transport.

The Senate President, David Mark, promised to work harmoniously with the executive arm of government to develop the nation’s economy.

Mark, who was represented by Sen. Zainab Kure, urged synergy among the ministries to ensure quality budgeting, adding that the government would soon set up a board on deep sea water.

Mark hoped that the Baro Port would be inaugurated in the next 12 months.

Obi, who described Onitsha as the biggest commercial city in Africa, said that the inauguration of the port would make the movement of goods more efficient.

 

UK-Based Firm to Mark Sunny Ade's 35 Years as King of Juju Music

 

In an interview in London, Alabi said the events would take place in London, Washington, Lagos and Ibadan.

He said the decision to organise the event was in recognition of Ade's contribution to the growth and development of music industry in Nigeria.

He said the King of Music, popularly called KSA, has been a 'consistent'  good ambassador of Nigerian culture and industry especially on the global music stage.

Alabi explained that activities to mark the event would include concerts, lectures and awards.

"KSA is Nigeria"s brand in the international entertainment scene, hence the imperativeness to celebrate his creativity, excellence, durability and global acceptability as a beacon to our young, rising stars in the entertainment industry," Alabi said.

He said the London event would be in collaboration with the Nigeria High Commission in the UK.

Ade was crowned King of Juju Music on April 23, 1977 after topping a poll conducted by the defunct Entertainer Magazine published. by the Sketch Publishing Company Limited. 

 

ASUU Members Boycott UNN 69th Inaugural Lecture

 

Okolie told newsmen at Nsukka that the boycott was in compliance with the directive of the national leadership of ASUU for members to stay at home on Thursday.

He said it was to show solidarity with their striking colleagues at Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) over subversion of laws at the university by Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

``After our congress on Tuesday, we resolved to carry out the one-day solidarity strike in support of ASUU-RSUST strike over misuse of power by that state governor in appointing the vice-chancellor.

``Any ASUU member who attends the 69th inaugural lecture or participates in any activity today in UNN has disobeyed the one-day strike order and will be sanctioned by the union.

``We have communicated our stay away directive on the 69th inaugural lecture to the university management.

``The union’s monitoring team is already at work to fish out erring members,” he said.

According to him, the union has nothing against the lecturer of the 69th inaugural, Prof. Patience Osadebe, but was obeying the national directive of ASUU.

He said ASUU would take further action if after the one-day strike the governing council and the governor failed to obey the laws in the appointment of the vice-chancellor of RSUST.

``National Assembly has a law signed by President Goodluck Jonathan that VCs should spend only single tenure of five years and RSUST will not be an exception.

``The Acting VC, Prof B. Fakae, has no business in RSUST hence he had exhausted his five-year tenure; appointing him for second term amounts to illegality.

``ASUU calls on the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria to prevail on the governor to restore the rule of law and decency in the governance of RSUST.

``We call on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident that happened at RSUST on Aug.15, in which some ASUU members were assaulted,” he said.

When contacted, Prof. Obi Njoku, Chairman, UNN Senate Ceremonial Committee, who is in-charge of inaugural lectures, said he was not aware that ASUU-UNN members were boycotting the 69th inaugural lecture.

``I do not have to comment much on this issue because I have not been officially informed.

``It will be unfair if they boycott lecture just because of ASUU’s one-day strike,” he said. 

 

Jonathan inaugurates N4.6bln Onitsha Inland Water Port

According to him, there is the need to open up the country’s waterways to make trade and commerce easier as well as reduce the workload on the road ntework..

He reiterated his administration’s plan to give some fillip to rail and water transport, and urged the private sector to collaborate with the government to create jobs.

Jonathan lauded the government and people of Anambra for completing  the port.

The president pledged that his administration would not relent in its effort to deliver on its campaign promises.

He praised the prevailing peace in the South East, describing it as second to none in the country.

The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, said that the port, which cost N4.6 billion, was one of the numerous ports  the Federal Government was building.

Umar said that three inland water ports in Baro, Niger; Oguta, Imo, and Yamata, Kogi, would soon be completed and inaugurated.

He thanked the President and the Anambra governor,Peter  Obi, for supporting his ministry in developing water transport.

The Senate President, David Mark, promised to work harmoniously with the executive arm of government to develop the nation’s economy.

Mark, who was represented by Sen. Zainab Kure, urged synergy among the ministries to ensure quality budgeting, adding that the government would soon set up a board on deep sea water.

Mark hoped that the Baro Port would be inaugurated in the next 12 months.

Obi, who described Onitsha as the biggest commercial city in Africa, said that the inauguration of the port would make the movement of goods more efficient

Abuja Zoological Garden to Introduce Exotic Animals to Enhance Patronage

 

The garden had already acquired monkeys, gorillas, ostrich, geese, tortoise, peacocks and crocodiles.

Yinusa said that the contractor handling the project was on ground to evaluate the site that could be suitable to house the animals.

He added that due to the level of patronage and the increasing demand of the people the management of the garden deemed it fit to increase the number of animal.

Yinusa said the garden was determined to satisfy its numerous customers; hence it would do everything possible to expand its operations.

Reports say that since the garden went into Public Private Partnership (PPP) it had witnessed a face lift.

Also before now, the zoological garden was like a grave yard as people hardly patronised it because there were little or no animals.

Yinusa, however, said ``people were not really aware of the existence of a zoological garden here, because they never knew of its existence ``.

He said with the PPP initiative the garden now received visitors, stressing that there had been request by customer to increase the animals as they were becoming bored with the existing ones.

``They have been requesting for a lion, species of monkeys, snakes and other animals,`` he said.

Yinusa said that animals like anaconda, other species of monkeys and gorilla among other others would soon be added. 

 

Duke Wants Cultural Festival Organisers to Boost Rural Economy

 

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Dr Taiwo Oladokun, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister.

The statement said the 2012 edition of the Afia-Olu festival in Oraifite,  Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra, reflected such elements.

It advised festival organisers across the country to improve on their costumes by using more of traditional fabrics in the adornment of their masquerades.

``This approach would bring direct benefits to dealers in local fabrics, fashion designers and create opportunities for others in the community.

``Such fabrics constitute one of the defining elements of cultural expressions,’’ the statement said.

It commended the organisers of the festival and the community for the orderliness, spectacle and beauty of the festival, adding that it attracted warmth, joy and unity to the people.

The statement also urged the various communities to love one another, ``as love is the building block for the promotion of culture, tourism and political stability in the entire country’’.

The Afia-Olu Festival is an annual cultural event to mark the end of farming season and the commencement of harvest period.

A highpoint of the festival which took place in August was a colourful parade of more than 30 masquerades from Oraifite community. 

                      

 

Oparanozie Lifts Nigeria to U-20 Women World Cup Semis

 

The thrilling encounter went into extra time after the regulation time ended 0-0 in Tokyo.

But Desire Oparanozie broke the deadlock in the 109th minute, taking Nigeria to a 1-0 win after the extra time.

Nigeria will now meet the winner of the second quarter-final match between Japan and Korea to be played later on Thursday.

To reach the quarter-finals, the Falconets defeated Korea 2-0 in their group opening game, drew 1-1 with Brazil and spanked Italy 4-0.

 

Akpabio Says 80 Percent of Bakassi Indigenes are From Akwa Ibom

 

Akpabio said this on Wednesday in Uyo, when the House of Representatives' Committee on Treaties and Agreements led by its Chairman, Mr Yakoob Alebiosu, paid him a visit.

He said that the state had been in a difficult situation due to the loss of the Bakassi Peninsular to Cameroon.

He recalled that before the creation of the Bakassi Local Government Area in 1995 by the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime, the area, as at the 1953 Population Census, was part of the defunct Eket Division now in Akwa Ibom.

Akpabio noted that the inhabitants of the peninsular used to pay taxes to Eket Division.

He expressed dissatisfaction that the people of the area were not consulted while the case between Cameroon and Nigeria was pending at the International Court of Justice at the Hague, The Netherlands.

Akpabio advised the lawmakers not to meddle into the recent Supreme Court judgment over the 76 oil wells, noting that  in 2005, the apex court had also decided the case in favour of Akwa Ibom. 

He, however, reiterated his administration’s readiness to negotiate with Cross River in the interest of brotherhood.

The governor also advocated for the domestication of existing treaties to encourage economic development and peaceful co-existence between Nigeria and its neighbours.

“Since 1914, Nigeria has entered into many treaties. How many of the treaties have been implemented?

“I think some treaties should be done away with and some brought in to encourage economic development and peaceful co-existence between nations.''

Earlier, Alebiosu described the committee as a chaild of necessity as it was created following petitions from different groups.

He said that the committee was on a fact-finding mission, as efforts were being made to re-visit the Bakassi Peninsular Green Tree Agreement.

He alleged that there were issues of breach of agreement which came up after the court had handed over the area to Cameroon.

Alebiosu noted that the committee would support the domestication of some treaties and agreements at the end of its tour. 

 

Details of SSS Operatives allegedly Leaked by Boko Haram

 

The leak of personal data of more than 60 past and current employees of Nigeria's State Security Service remained easily accessible on the Internet for days and had details about the agency's director-general, including his mobile phone number, bank account particulars and contact information for his son.
 
Many of the agents listed who could be reached by the AP said they received no official warning from the spy agency that their information had been posted online nor been otherwise alerted. The material has been deleted from the comment section of a website, but the security breach astonished spy service veterans and calls into question whether Nigeria's intelligence community, whose agents already have released suspected terrorists out of religious and ethnic sympathies, are too compromised from within to stop the violence now plaguing Africa's most populous nation.

A senior Nigerian intelligence official said authorities were aware that the leak had happened and that many were embarrassed by it. He spoke on condition of anonymity as information about the leak was not to have been made public.
 
Marilyn Ogar, a spokeswoman for the State Security Service, declined to answer questions Thursday about the posting of the information.
 

Many agents for the typically secretive agency are preoccupied with concealing their identities, as most try to blend unnoticed into society.
 
The information leak came in two postings earlier this month on a website that provides rewritten news on Nigeria. The first posting threatened to kill agents of the State Security Service on behalf of Boko Haram, a radical Islamist sect responsible for more than 660 killings this year alone in Nigeria. The second posting simply offered a block of text containing biographical and other details about the agents.
 
Though the comments have been removed, the AP is not identifying the website involved as cached versions of the comments remain online and intelligence service agents have been killed by Boko Haram members in the past.
 
The list includes former and current agents across the country, including Director-General Ekpeyong Ita. Those reached by the AP who were willing to talk expressed disbelief that sensitive information like that could make its way to the Internet.

 

 

100-Year-Old Driver Injures 11 in Los Angeles Crash

 

Four of the children were reported to be in critical condition after Wednesday's accident.

It occurred as children were leaving a primary school and buying snacks with their parents at a stall.

The driver, identified as Preston Carter, reportedly backed his sedan out of a supermarket parking lot and lost control, trapping four of the children under the car.

``I was backing out of the parking lot to go home and lost control. The brakes quit, failed, something. I'm sorry,’’ Carter said at the scene.

Carter was not arrested and was seen leaving the scene with his daughter, who called the accident a ``wakeup-call’’ and said Carter would not be driving anymore.

Carter's licence was set to expire on Sept. 5. 

 

CPC Calls for Creation of State Police

 

The National Publicity Secretary, Mr Rotimi Fashakin, who said this in an interview, added that that would help to curb the menace of insecurity that was confronting the country.

“Because of the security challenges that we are facing there is a tendency for the people to demand for state police.

“We see that in the cities in U.S. New York Police Department (NYPD), for the city of New York for instance, was very effective and the police were everywhere in the community.

He however said that for the state police to be effective, immunity clause must be removed.

“Once we agree that the idea is good, we must first of all work on the psyche of Nigerian public office holders.

“Before you create state police, remove the immunity, that clause that makes the governors to believe that they cannot be prosecuted,” he said. 

 

Concessionaire Invests N40bn on Port Infrastructure

 

Omotayo disclosed this in Lagos on Thursday in an interview.

He said that the company, owned by the Flour Mills of Nigeria, had even spent more on ports development before 2006.

``Before the port reform programme, Flour Mills had been operating Berths One to Four.  We developed the ports before the reform was introduced.

``In spite of our investments in cargo throughput and infrastructure in the ports, we still pay the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for use of the ports.

``Government, in its magnanimity, gave us right of first refusal when the issue of concession came up.

“In view of our heavy investment in the ports before the concession, we accepted to be concessionaires,’’ he said.

Omotayo said that when the port reform came, it was a blessing to the operators because they had a vision of what they wanted to do.

He said that all the infrastructure they met prior to port concession had been pulled down due to their level of decay and new structures put in place.

The company chief said that the new infrastructure erected after the concession included warehouses, sugar refinery, marine towers, wheat and cement discharge equipment as well as conveyors.

He said that the company had also built silos with storage capacity of 250,000 tonnes up from the 8,000 tonnes silos met in 2006.

Omotayo said that due to on-going improvements in the terminal, vessels with a draft of 12.5 metres could now berth at terminal instead of the 9.5 metres draft met in 2006.

He said that the terminal had the capacity to receive vessels with deeper draft, but inadequate depth of water in the channel had prevented this.

``One of our challenges is the lack of getting adequate water in the channels.

“A vessel capable of carrying 75,000 tonnes of cargo, but due to the water depth, brings in only 40,000 to 56,000 tonnes of cargo.

``We submitted an application to the NPA in 2010 to reconstruct part of the terminal, but this is yet to be approved,’’ Omotayo said.

According to him, another challenge is lack of adequate space because the terminal had been delineated and carved out.

``This puts a limit to what we can do in the terminal.

``Our predominant operation is cargo operation, warehousing and logistics provision, but if we want to go into other businesses we are limited.

``We have been intending to go into liquid bulk manufacturing like vegetable oil under our agro-allied industries, but we are constrained by lack of space.

The managing director said the terminal was predominantly for bulk cargo such as wheat, cement, fertiliser, sugar and wet bulk cargoes such as ethanol, palm oil and base oil.

Omotayo called on government to put in place a commercial regulator to regulate operators in the maritime sector.

``It is important to put in place a commercial regulator to ensure effective implementation of our agreement with government.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have people who are well informed in the maritime sector because of lack of training.

``Government should engage in capacity building and replacement of out-gone hands,” Omotayo said. 

 

‘Heartland FC Need Little Changes for CAF Continental Quest’ - Coach

 

Reports say that Heartland will represent the country in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup following their 2-1 Federation Cup victory over Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi.

Nduka told reporters that the club intends to keep the players together and recruit a few more to strengthen them for the 2012/2013 league and continental season.

He said that the team was in a good shape to compete for honours, adding that there is no point making a lot changes.

“This is a good team, there is no point trying to overhaul a side that has had a successful season simply because we are going continental.

“Virtually all of the players have been at one point or the other engaged in continental matches. So they have the experience we need. 

“However, we will still go into the transfer market, buy some players and blend them with the current squad in order to strengthen the team,” he said.

Nduka called on the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board to plan their programmes effectively for the country to be well represented continentally.

According to him, the club hopes to compete favourably for honours in every tournament without losing focus in any competition in the coming season.

“I want the NFA and the NPL board to plan their programmes for next season’s campaign effectively so that we would be able to represent the country well continentally.

``We hope to compete well in every tournament we play, and we want to participate in all of them without losing focus in any of them,” he said.

The coach then assured his club would put up a better performance for the 2012/2013 season and compete for the league title.

Heartland at present occupies the 11th position in the NPL with a game left to play before the current season ends. 

 

Amaechi attributes Nigeria's problem to poor policy implementation

Amaechi, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF),  said this in an interview on Thursday in Berlin.

The governor is leading five other governors from Enugu, Plateau, Borno, Katsina and Niger on a trip to understudy the workings of the federal system of the German government with a view to replicate best practices in their respective states.

They are expected to copy best practices from Germany`s federal system of government while studying its links and coordination mechanisms with respect to policy implementation, fiscal systems and administration.

``The problem is enforcement and I will continue to say that patriotism is one basic requirement that all Nigerians and those who govern Nigeria must face.`` Amaechi said.

The governor stressed that  advancements recorded by developed countries were not ``rocket science'', adding that with patriotism and zeal to work on the part of those in government these could be replicated in Nigeria.

He added that unless both the rulers and the ruled began to give priority to production and technology, the country’s desire to be  among the 20 most developed nations of the world by 2020 would remain a mirage.

He called on those in government to ensure that the interest of the country and the welfare of the people were critical to them.

While in Germany, the Nigerian governors would also examine Germany’s policies and instruments in the promotion and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

They would also examine German vocational education system and other opportunities for German investment in Nigeria.

The governors would  meet with parliamentarians and government officials with a view to exchanging business, economic development and diplomatic ideas.

The tour is expected to expose the governors to the long term strategic objectives of economic policies, promotion of investment and the development of SME during the era of structural adjustment in former East Germany

 

Nnaji’s resignation will give credibility to power sector reform – Maku

Maku stated this while fielding questions from State House Correspondents shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He explained that Nnaji’s resignation was to give credibility to the power sector reform programme of the government, saying that the action would not in any way hamper the process of the privatisation of the PHCN.

“And as to the efforts to stabilise power in the country, whether this resignation is going to affect it?

Well, yes, we definitely would have loved that prof Barth, who had put in a lot of energy in this process, was there to complete the process or see it to greater fruition.

“But, as you know governance or government is a continuum and you know there are institutions in place and there are processes in place, I do not see the present gains that we are beginning to see in the power sector being obstructed in any way by the decision of Prof Nnaji to resign his position.

“I see rather greater momentum coming on board and I believe that the Federal Government and the ministry of power particularly, will work even harder in the months and the years to come to give this country very stable power supply.

“Between now and the end of the year, as you know, the minister has already set targets to increase power in the nation.

“And from all that we have heard in recent weeks generally, in many parts of the country, we are beginning to see more stable power supply and the situation will continue to improve because there are power plants that are coming on board and we believe that by the end of the year, the power situation in the country should even improve further.”

He, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to see the resignation of the Minister as a patriotic act which would rather assure investors in the power sector and reinforce confidence in the system

Maku also reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to stabilise power through the implementation of its Power Road Map.

“And because of the policy reforms, particularly by the time we complete the privatisation of the power generating companies and the power distribution companies, we are going to see from next year more proficient management of the power sector.

“We are also going to see more consistency in terms of response to citizens’ need for power and we are going to also see a lot of influx of investments, that's the whole purpose.

“The purpose is to free the sector to the private sector to bring in capital, to bring in new technology and to new management methods.”

The Minister also announced that the ratification of Nigeria's membership of the United Nations' International Anti-Corruption Academy by the Federal Executive Council.

He said the ratification was part of government’s efforts to sustain the fight against corruption, crime and fraud in the country

 

 

 

FEC APPROVES N40.6BN FOR COMPLETION OF GURARA, ILESHA DAMS

 

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N40.6 billion contracts for the completion of Gurara and Ilesha dams.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed this after the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House.

Maku, who briefed the State House Correspondents alongside the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochepe, said that the approval was in line with the resolve of the administration to complete all on-going projects.

Speaking in same vein, Ochepe said both projects, which would be completed between 12 and  18 months, had been delayed because of inconsistent funding from government.

She said the contract for the completion of Gurara dam was awarded in the sum of N37 billion while that of Ilesha dam was awarded for N3.6 billion.

Ochepe said that the Gurara multi-purpose dam project was conceived to supply water to the Federal Capital Territory through the Lower Usuma Dam to generate 30 mega watts of electricity and provide irrigation facilities for farmers.

``FEC took a very major decision today, far reaching as regards the completion of one of the major projects that we have in the ministry, which is the Gurara multi-purpose dam project.

``Like he (Maku) said the dam was conceived to provide water to the FCT and also to provide facilities for irrigation as well as generate hydro-power.

``Already, 30 megawatts of hydro-power is being generated from the dam, but it is not being evacuated and part of the decision of Council today is for the transmission lines to be constructed from the Gurara dam project site, from the power house there to the industrial area in Kaduna State.

``Also, that the irrigation project should be completed as a major boost to food production in this country and also job creation.

``As the Minister has said, there are 20,000 direct jobs that will be created from the Lot B of the project which has 4,000 hectares of irrigable land and 38,00 indirect jobs.’’

``Added to this is the graduate agricultural scheme that we are introducing. For a start, we will be training about 500 graduates on modern farming techniques.

``Land will be allocated to them to encourage them to go into agriculture, because we have observed generally across the country that a lot of those who are involved in agriculture are already ageing and we must begin to create avenues for younger people to engage in agriculture.

``So, through this scheme about 500 graduates will be trained and we will be increasing the number gradually as we go.’’

The minister said that the Lot B of Gurara dam project had irrigation facilities for 2000 hectares, power transmission lines as well as access roads.

She said the project would also be used for fishery development and recreational activities for tourists.

``The Gurara dam site is a very beautiful area for tourism and we believe that as activities pick up there, recreational centres will also spring up that will attract most of the population within Abuja to go out there once in a while for recreation.’’

Ochepe said the Ilesha Dam and water supply project was initiated in 2006 but could not be completed because of inconsistent funding.

She said that the project, on completion, would ease the challenges of portable water supply to Ilesha town in Osun State and environ.

She said the solution to the flooding was a construction of a buffer dam at Nigeria side that would help in regulating the likely flooding from the release of water from the existing dam in Cameroon axis.

The Minister said pre-feasibility study had been undertaken and that approval was being awaited for full feasibility study and construction of the buffer dam.

 

She also underscored the need for the Adamawa Government to orientate the citizens to desist from building houses within the flood-prone areas

 

Speaking on the recent flooding in Adamawa State owing to the release of water from Lagdo dam in Cameroon, Ochepe said government had taken steps to address the recurrent problem.

 

 

She said the solution to the flooding was a construction of a buffer dam at Nigeria side that would help in regulating the likely flooding from the release of water from the existing dam in Cameroon axis.

 

The Minister said pre-feasibility study had been undertaken and that approval was being awaited for full feasibility study and construction of the buffer dam.

 

 

She also underscored the need for the Adamawa Government to orientate the citizens to desist from building houses within the flood-prone areas

 

 

 

 

NSE Moves N1.2bln Worth of Shares

 

This was against the 239.69 million shares worth N1.7 billion exchanged in 3,760 deals on Tuesday.

Reports say that the transactions ended on a positive note as some highly capitalised companies recorded price gains.

The All-share index appreciated by 138.49  points or 0.59 per cent to close at 23,670.11  against the 23,531.62 recorded on Tuesday.

The market capitalisation, which opened at N7.490 trillion, appreciated by N44 billion or 0.59 per cent to close at N7.534 trillion.

Nestle led the price gainers’ chart with a gain of N24.94 to close at N550 per share.

Flour Mill followed with N1.50 to close at N53.50 per share, while Presco grew by 49k to close at N15.49 per share.

First Bank gained 26k to close at N13.51 per share, while Unilever rose by 22k to close at N35.25 per share.

On the other hand, NewGold led the losers’ chart with a loss of N1 to close at N2,566 per unit.

GlaxoSmithKline came second with a loss of 26k to close at N30.54 while NAHCO dropped by 17k to close at N5.70 per share.

Redstarex  lost 13k to close at N2.57 per share, while Mayer&Baker dipped by 7k to close at N1.40 per share.

 

 

Nnaji Thanks President, Nigerians for Support

 

Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, Special Adviser on Media to the minister, expressed the appreciation in a statement made available on Wednesday.

“I feel particularly proud that my exit came when the administration has been able to give steady supply of power in the history of our nation,” the statement quoted Nnaji as saying.

He said that he had to voluntarily resign the appointment as a minister to retain his integrity which had come under attacks in recent days.

“This resignation is also to ensure that there is no spill over of these attacks to the President who is working very hard to transform the nation,” he said

Nnaji said that not many Nigerians had the privilege of serving the nation twice as minister.

“I am confident enough to allow history and the Nigerian people to judge my performance on the task that I accepted from the President,” he said.

Before his appointment as Minister of Power, Prof. Nnaji was the Special Adviser on Power to President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power.

He had in 1993 served as the Minister of Science and Technology.

 

 

External Reserves Climb from $38bn to $38.4bn - CBN

 

The bank said on its official website that the $374 million (N57.97 billion) jump, the highest in the month, represented a 3.7 per cent increase.

As you will recall, the CBN had reportedly said that the nation’s external reserves had continued to grow since the Aug. 1. The reserves dropped as low as N32.985 trillion on Jan. 3.

Consequently, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stressed the need for Nigeria to shore up its external reserves.

At a meeting with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in July, Okonjo-Iweala said that there was the need to build up the reserves to $50 billion before December.

She said that this would help the country to stand on its feet in the event of any global economic recession. 

 

IG Inaugurates 40 Light Armoured Highway Patrol Vehicles

 

Speaking at the inauguration, Abubakar gave the assurance that more of such vehicles would be acquired and deployed to fight against crimes on highways.

The police boss directed commissioners of police in charge of the states to supervise the usage of the vehicles to ensure that they were used for the purpose they were meant.

He urged highway patrol personnel to shun corruption and unethical conducts, and to ensure that they used firearms strictly in accordance with police rules of engagement.

``This administration will not tolerate any act of disrespect by police officers to any citizen of this country. Anybody found wanting in the act of bribery and corruption, no matter how little, will be sanctioned.

``You must accord maximum respect to the fundamental rights of citizens at all times,’’ he said.

Abubakar acknowledged the challenges faced by the police in the current security situation in the country and commended them for their commitment and professionalism.

He also commended state governments that had donated crime fighting equipment to the police and called for more public support to enable the police perform effectively.

A breakdown of the distribution of some of the vehicles to some of the highways are as follows; Lagos-Ibadan-Ilesha (Centre-Ibadan) three, Lagos-Ore-Benin ( Centre Ore) two,  Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria (Centre Kaduna) three, Gusau-Sokoto (Centre Gusau) three and Onitsha-Owerri (Centre Onitsha) 2.

Damaturu and Suleja towns has one each, while Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu (Centre Aba) has two. 

 

 

World Bank Budgets $300m for Youth Employment in Nigeria

 

Mariel-Nelly made the statement in Abuja on Tuesday at the 53rd Annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES).

``We are preparing a Youth Employment and Social Support operation (YESSO) aiming at supporting the provision of immediate work opportunities and skills development for unemployed youths and women from poor households,''  she said.

Mariel-Nelly said increasing youth employment was one of the bank’s global priorities as it had observed that one in five of all new job seekers in Africa were Nigerians.

``The 300 million dollars project will cover all parts of the country in up to 20 states,'' she said.

Mariel-Nelly also said that the World Bank with support from the EU would launch the State Employment and Expenditure for results project (SEEFOR) in the Niger Delta region.

She said the aim was to take youths off the streets as well as improve the country's infrastructure.

She said that through ACCESS Nigeria, the bank had demonstrated commitment to opening employment opportunities for graduates of Information Communication Technology  through target training in core competencies benchmarked to global industry standards.

``The bank provides matching grant as seed money to empower young farmers to adopt new technologies and acquire capital assets, which they use to undertake a wide range of value addition and small-scale income generating activities,'' she said.

She said youth unemployment was a threat to social and political stability as was evident in the youth restiveness in the Niger Delta.

Mariel-Nelly said the bank would continue to support government efforts to address the challenge of unemployment in the country. 

 

No Plan to Sell Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Says Minister

 

Rather, she said government believed in growing and repositioning the institution to rank among the best aviation training centres in the world.

Oduah gave the assurance in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Mr Joe Obi, her Special Adviser on Media.

The statement said she gave the assurance at the end of a meeting she held with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

It added that the institution must be made to grow through a deliberate policy of professionalisation, partnership and collaboration with other reputable aviation training institutions around the world.

``I am an apostle of non-privatisation or concessioning of government institutions but an apostle of professionalistion.

``Government is not doing concession or privatisation but partnerships and collaboration.

``The government means well for the sector and therefore needs to build, rebuild and continue to build the sector in order to achieve the goal of transforming it as the main catalyst for the socio-economic growth of the nation.

``Government has carried out a serious systems audit for the aviation sector and has realised its importance to the overall economy.

``That is why we must give it all the necessary push to play its pivotal role for the nation's economy,’’ she said.

The statement quoted the minister as denying claims that the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) funds were withdrawn without due approvals.

``She said the money was still in the custody of CBN. Nobody can gain access to it without presidential and legislative approvals.

``It is absolutely impossible for anybody to access that fund without all necessary approvals.

``The money is in the CBN, and as I speak with you, the money has not been spent, even though we are subsequently going to spend what has been approved.

``Above all, the CBN must certify that you have followed all the processes before they can allow any withdrawals.

``In summary, all envisaged processes have been followed and the necessary approvals secured. Nobody can therefore access that fund fraudulently or otherwise,’’ it added.

According to the statement, the National President of the NAAPE, Capt. Isaac Balama, pledged their support to the growth of the industry.

He added that the association was ready to encourage its members to work with the minister to enable her to achieve her vision for the industry.

``We are interested in making this industry work and support the government. We dissociate ourselves from the people who are not interested in the growth of this sector.

He also enjoined those committed to moving the sector forward to join hands to move it forward.

Present at the meeting was Dr Harold Demuren, the Director General of NCAA. 

 

Visa: U.S. Lists Nigeria, Brazil, China, as Priority Nations

 

Neary told newsmen in Abuja at the country’s Embassy weekly briefing that more than 40,000 visa applications had so far been processed in Nigeria this year.

She said that the figure represented 11 per cent increase over the 2011 fiscal year.

Neary said 75 per cent of the applications were for tourist visas, while 25 per cent accounted for student, business and official visas.

She said that a majority of the applicants were granted visas.

The consular officer warned applicants against patronising touts and expressed the Embassy’s commitment to continue to provide consular services to Nigerians, and reduce the wait time.

``You do not need to go through anybody to help you with visa application. By doing it personally, you will aid us to push away touts; you should make your own appointment and fill out the forms yourself.

``You are responsible for everything in your application,’’ she said.

According to her, aside the 160 dollars payment for tourist visa, no extra money is charged.

Neary advised applicants to plan ahead while preparing for a trip, in view of the six months wait time to process visa.

She also urged students to apply 120 days before the beginning of their studies.

``Our goal is that every qualified student visa applicant is able to begin his or her programme of study on time.’’

Reports have it that the Embassy offers consular services from its Abuja and Lagos offices, while plans to establish an office in Kano are still in the pipeline. 

 

 

Expert Says Tobacco Smoke Contains Deadly Chemicals

 

Igwe told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that many Nigerians have continued to smoke, in spite of the warnings on its negative effect on human health.

“It could be consumed in more than one ways. Some people chew it, others inhale it, but majority smoke it in the form of cigarettes.

“The fact remains that smoking, which is the commonest way of tobacco consumption, is terrible for human health because it has thousands of deadly chemicals.

“Smokers always want to justify their reasons for smoking. The young ones said they smoke to look mature and respected among their peers.

``Others said they smoke to be relieved of their problems and relax their tensed nerves; while some inherited it, especially in a family where you have smokers,” he said.

Igwe explained that over 55 per cent of the chemicals associated with cigarettes could cause different types of cancer.

“Smoking primarily causes cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorder, and harm to reproduction as it lowers fertility in women.

“Smoking has been linked to cancers of the lungs, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus, pancreas, kidney and bladder.

“Smoking can also lead to cancer of the stomach and cancer of the blood”.

According to Igwe, many cases of strokes originated from smoking because it can harden and narrow the arteries which may lead to strokes.

``It also causes asthma, cataracts, pneumonia, airway infections and gum infection that can cause pain and tooth loss in adults,” he said.

The physician said that non-smokers were also affected innocently through secondary or passive smoking as some quantity of nicotine in the smoke they inhale could damage some organs or cause sickness to them.

``When you smoke near people who do not smoke, you are also putting their health at risk, especially the children whose organs and immune systems are still developing,” the expert said.

Igwe noted that the continued campaign against smoking was the only way of telling smokers that the habit “hurts, causes illness, disability and death”. 

 

Ceni Upstages Pele as Brazil's Greatest in Copa Libertadores

 

Ceni was selected by 77 per cent of respondents to the Pasion Libertadores internet poll, a site sanctioned by South American football’s governing body Conmebol.

Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player in history, was second with 18.2 per cent of the vote and Zico third with 4.2 per cent.

Ceni, who at 39 is still playing for Brazilian Serie A club Sao Paulo, has played in two-winning Copa Libertadores teams - in 1993 and 2005.

During the 2005 tournament he scored five goals as the team's designated free-kick specialist and penalty-taker.

The Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, is the continent's most prestigious club tournament.

``I am delighted. This is an award for everyone associated with Sao Paulo, not just me.

``It is a reflection of the great success Sao Paulo has had as a club in the Copa Libertadores, the efforts of my teammates and the support of the fans,” Ceni said upon hearing news of his accolade.

Ceni, who is contracted to Sao Paulo until the end of the year, has not decided yet whether to continue in 2013.

His 22-year professional career includes 1016 matches and 103 goals for Sao Paulo, as well as 17 international appearances for Brazil.

 

 

 

Excessive Intake of Alcohol can Trigger Liver Cirrhosis - Physician

 

Cirrhosis is a complication of many liver diseases that is characterised by abnormal structure and function of the liver.

Kumeh in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, said hepatitis B, hepatitis C and some drugs could also trigger the disease. While acknowledging that prevention is better than cure, the physician advised that people should endeavour to take hepatitis B vaccine. Quoting a health journal, Kumeh said: 

`` liver is an important organ in the body that performs many critical functions, two of which are producing substances required by the body.

``For example, clotting proteins that are necessary in order for blood to clot, and removing toxic substances that can be harmful to the body. 

``Alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C are common causes of cirrhosis, although there are many other causes.’’

According to Kumeh, the important thing is to adhere to doctors’ advice regarding the known and possible factors that had been identified to trigger the disease. 

``Liver cirrhosis have no early symptoms, it is a chronic disease that the signs come when it is already severe.’’ 

The physician said that diagnosis of cirrhosis could be suggested by the history, physical examination and blood tests, and could be confirmed by liver biopsy.

Biopsy is the removal of a sample of tissue from a living person for laboratory examination. It is a complication of liver disease which involves loss of liver cells and irreversible scarring of the liver. 

According to a recent health journal, cirrhosis can cause weakness, loss of appetite, easy bruising, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), itching, and fatigue. 

The journal states that treatment of cirrhosis is designed to prevent further damage to the liver treat complications of cirrhosis, and preventing or detecting liver cancer early. 

Kumeh said that transplantation of the liver was becoming an important option for treating patients with advanced cirrhosis. He said that a research was ongoing to determine the mechanism of scar formation in the liver and how the process of scarring could be interrupted or even reversed. 

``The research is being directed at identifying new proteins in the blood that can detect liver cancer early or predict which patients will develop liver cancer.’’

 

Sylvester Stallone Loses Another Family Member

 

Toni Ann Filiti, the 48-year-old half-sister of “The Expendables 2” star, succumbed to lung cancer on Sunday. She died at their mother Jackie Stallone’s Santa Monica home after choosing to leave UCLA hospital.

“I was holding her in my arms,” Jackie, 90, told reporters. “I had just washed [her] face and told her how pretty she looked, and she just fell asleep … She’s too young to go, but she wasn’t feeling any pain.”

Jackie, an astrologer and psychic, personally broke the news of Toni’s death to her famous son. “He said he can’t take any more pain,” she told newsmen. “He said he’ll always be there for her son. ... What a terrible month – first Sage and now Toni. It’s hard. At least they’re together now in heaven.”

On July 13, the actor’s son Sage Moonblood Stallone was found dead in his Studio City, California, apartment. Authorities said there were no signs of foul play, but there were reportedly numerous pill bottles nearby. Sasha Czack, Sage’s mother and Sly’s first wife, said Sage was in pain after dental surgery.  A toxicology report is pending.

 

Apple-Samsung Case: Date Set for Hearing Over Phone Ban

 

The judge had originally suggested that Apple's request would be heard next month, but now says that a hearing will take place on 6 December.

Shares in Samsung rose 3% on Tuesday on news of the delay of the hearing.

The South Korean firm had $12bn wiped off its market value on Monday as its shares suffered their biggest drop since October 2008.

Apple wants eight Samsung smartphones banned.

They are the Galaxy S 4G, Galaxy S2 AT&T model, Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, Galaxy S2 T-Mobile model, Galaxy S2 Epic 4G, Galaxy S Showcase, Droid Charge and Galaxy Prevail.

The list does not include Samsung's current flagship handset, the Galaxy S3, which was not involved in the case.

The hearing in September will still consider Samsung's motion to dissolve a preliminary injunction already allowed against its Galaxy Tab 10.1.

That tablet - a rival to Apple's iPad - was taken off US shelves in June.

But this is further complicated by the fact the US jury last week found that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 did infringe some of Apple's patents.

 

Pirated Tanker Found off Nigeria Coast, 24-Member Crew Reported Safe

The vessel's Greek-based operator, Golden Energy Management, said Wednesday that pirates still have control of the tanker.

The hijackers seized the Greek-owned Energy Centurion off the coast of Togo on Tuesday. It was anchored about 27 kilometers from the capital, Lome, when the pirates attacked.

A Togo naval ship responded to a distress call and exchanged fire with the pirates, but the attackers managed to gain control of the tanker and set sail.

The operator said it is in contact with what it called “relevant authorities” and believes the pirates' goal is to steal the oil cargo.

Piracy has become a growing problem in the Gulf of Guinea, though not of the same proportions as it was for several years off the coast of Somalia.

The International Maritime Bureau says pirates in the Gulf of Guinea usually release hostages after seizing cargo. By contrast, Somali pirates typically hold hostages for ransom

 

FG names board for Sovereign Wealth Fund

Okonjo-Iweala told reporters that with the selection of the Board, the SWF, which started with an initial capital of one billion dollars, had commenced in earnest.

The minister named Alhaji Mahey Rasheed, a member of the board of First Bank as the chairman, while Mr Uche Orji, a former Managing Director of U.S.-based JP Morgan, was appointed the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the fund.

Orji, who is the global coordinator and head of the U.S. semiconductor researcher and co-head of U.S. Tech Sector Research at the global investment bank, would assume duty on Oct. 2, she said.

Other members of the board are Mr Arnold Ekpe, Mr Jide Zeitlin, Mrs Bili Awosika, Bisi Soyebo (SAN), Alhaji Hassan Usman and Mrs Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, who will also serve as Chief Risk Officer.

Okonjo-Iweala told reporters that upon the completion of due diligence, the candidate for Chief Investment Officer was dropped and the position would be re-advertised.

She said KPMG was engaged for the selection of the team and 730 applications were received for the three executive positions, the Chief Investment Officer, Executive Director (Investments) and Executive Director (Risk).

``Forty of these were listed by KPMG which assisted in sourcing for suitable candidates, 16 candidates were shortlisted before the final three were selected.''

``With this development, the country is firmly on the path to reaping the benefits of this tried and tested strategy for achieving fiscal prudence and economic transformation.


``The establishment of an institutional foundation for the SWF is a victory for all Nigerians and a credit to

the President who assented to the bill in May last year,'' she said.

The minister acknowledged the efforts of former ministers of finance who worked hard for the establishment

of the SWF.

 ``I must also recognise the Nigeria Governors Forum whose cooperation as well as robust views and exchanges

have also helped to move us to where we are today.


``Particularly, the role of Mr Vice President, who is the chair of the National Economic Council, in also helping to make this a reality.

``The battle was long but I think the country stands to gain and I do believe that it’s worth it.''

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority will be split into the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund, the Future Generations Fund and the Stabilisation Fund, according to Act signed by President Goodluck Jonathan on May 27, 2012.

The minister explained that each component would be allocated at least 20 per cent of the total fund, while the remaining 40 per cent would be decided by the economic management team.

According to her,  the fund is designed to ensure that some of Nigeria’s oil wealth is saved to be used to stabilise the economy and invest in infrastructure.

``The fund will build a savings base for the future generation of Nigerians, enhance the development of infrastructure and promote fiscal stability for the country in times of economic stress.''

The finance minister explained that Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) balance was 7.35 billion dollars and added that for now the ECA and the SWF would continue to exist side-by-side.

 ``The ECA will eventually fold into the SWF but that's down the line; as of now the ECA will continue to exist and the SWF will also be existing side by side.''