Ghana pulls down Jonathan, Buhari billboards

Jonathan and Buhari

The campaign billboards of two Nigerian presidential candidates erected in Ghana’s capital, Accra have been pulled down following an order by the country’s (Ghana) national security agency.

The billboards of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party featuring President Goodluck Jonathan, as well as those of the main opposition All Progressives Congress of Muhammadu Buhari, located on Accra roads, were pulled down over the weekend by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

The decision to pull down the billboards was said to have come amid fears by some Ghanaians that their country could be drawn indirectly into the politics of Nigeria, with security implications, especially with the Boko Haram terrorists wreaking havoc in Nigeria.

Following the order by the National Security, according to GhanaWeb, a security expert at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Dr. Kwesi Annin, had indicated that Ghana had been saved from a possible attack by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, by pulling down the billboards put up in some parts of Accra.

He was quoted to have said that political elite in the country could have been targeted by Boko Haram if the political campaign in Ghana was not stopped.

He said, “I think it is critical that the National Security and Accra Metropolitan Assembly have listened to the concerns and voices raised by ordinary citizens that these billboards and some level of active political engagement might pose potential threat in the future.”

He said the removal of the billboards should not only be about Boko Haram, but also about whether or not laws governing the country permit foreign political entities to campaign in Ghana.

Meanwhile, an international relations expert, Dr. Vladmir Antwi Danso, said Ghana had been saved from severing future relations with Nigeria.

He was reported to have explained that if there was the perception that Ghana was supporting one candidate over the other, then the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria after the elections would be marred.

“What if after the elections the scales change, then the relationship between our country and Nigeria will also have some hiccups,” Danso said

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Youths can promote peaceful election

As the countdown to the February 14, and 28, 2015 elections in Nigeria begins, it is time to call on the Nigerian youth to make them violence-free. This is a golden opportunity for them to participate freely and support a free and credible election. Their involvement to be vigilant and promote peace-building activities before, during and after the elections is crucial to having violent-free elections.

So much fear has been expressed regarding the elections’ impending violence and the possible disintegration of Nigeria. Some early warnings have already been recorded in Port Harcourt and Jos and these incidents call for the Nigerian youth to maintain law and order during the election period.

The youth must not allow history to repeat itself. The 2007 and 2011 elections witnessed loss of lives and destruction of property. Statistics show that more 800 Nigerians including 11 youth corps members were killed in 2011. As Nigeria’s greatest asset, the youth are well-placed to mainstream peace in the electoral process because of their energy and enthusiasm. All the political campaigns are being targeted at them because of their ability to mobilise and deliver. Ages between 15 and 35 constitute 38 per cent of the total population of Nigeria. They form the fulcrum of the society and thereby often vulnerable to unemployment, lack of education, crime, terrorism and other social vices. Hence, they should break the habit of complaining about how events go around them. The way the elections are conducted will shape their future. Therefore, their role in these elections is necessary for a peaceful, democratic, united and progressive Nigeria.

There are countless ways they can accomplish this feat. One of such is to be at peace with one another. This is because they cannot help to build peace in the community without being at peace with themselves. By now, they should have collected their Permanent Voter Cards; if they haven’t, they should go and collect them now as there’s still time. It empowers one to exercise one’s civic responsibility by voting.

The second is to start to talk and connect with like-minded and inspiring peers to foster peace and renounce violence. They should engage one another in conversations and discussions in such ways that can promote peace.           Make commitment that you will not involve in illegitimate actions such as bribery, intimidation, thuggery, obstruction of political process, rigging, incitement, rumour propaganda and reprisals.

Thirdly, mobile telephones, the Internet and social media provide veritable platforms for preaching peace and to create awareness of the need to conduct and mobilise yourselves for positive actions during the elections. You can communicate messages of peace effectively and efficiently on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Short Message Services, radio, television, etc. These media have strong youth following and telephone hotlines. Use the media to educate, inform and mobilise young people about why, when and how they can be involved in the elections. The artistic among you can write messages of peace on free walls, sides of buses and stadiums. These are efforts to discourage violence.

Fourthly, as the elections are approaching, the youth can organise themselves into groups at the community level. Come together as vanguards of peace and embark on some peace-building initiatives such as talking about your willingness to have crisis-free elections in rallies, town-hall meetings, viewing centres, sport arenas, motor parks and other places, by specifically emphasising PEACE. Young adherents of religious organisations can also join in this effort in their activities including prayer sessions. This step does not necessarily need money to accomplish. Creativity and willingness to speak out is what that matters.

During the elections, you should use your numbers and form yourselves into vigilance and monitoring groups. Your lawful conduct at this time is very important as any sign of violence or rascality would negate your goal. By this, you should monitor your community of potential areas and colleagues where violence could occur. Your mobile phones can also be used here to communicate with one another and security agents. You can also use it to monitor the voting process in real time. Remember you would cast your individual vote during this time.

After the elections, the most crucial time to be very active in your watch, the youth must make sure violence does not erupt. As you keep watch from the time votes are counted to the time results are announced, you can interact with police and civil society organisations that are working in your communities. You must respect the electoral and security authorities. Do not take laws into your hand but report any sign or act of violence to the security agents who are not far away from you.

In all, you must demonstrate you are committed to the ideals of democracy by shunning violence and other acts capable of derailing the political process or tarnish Nigeria’s image. Do not be violent no matter the level of provocation. Elections can only be deemed free, fair and credible if conducted in a peaceful environment, free of violent conflict and fear of intimidation. It is your future and so vote and support your future peacefully. Peacefully, election is the collective responsibility of all. Your duty is not only the peace in this election, but to build lasting peace in Nigeria.

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Power your ideas into productivity

Even as most Nigerians complain about the challenges facing the country, more people are praying for more problems. This is because within those problems lies the power to transform the country. You only need to be calm and persevere to see the possibilities.

The difference in perception is the reason why many people are running away from Nigeria. Foreigners who see the possibilities are rushing in, facing and tackling the challenges. And they are making in-roads in several industries in the country.

While many people have creative and innovative ideas, the question of funding has always been the number one limitation facing many entrepreneurs and innovators.

However, the concept of crowd funding is an innovative way to raise funds for ideas. Many people are embracing it as a concept since sourcing for funds from venture capitalists and banks is highly competitive and currently poses a huge challenge to many businesses.

Maybe, the story of tomato juice will inspire you a little. It is no news that Nigerians love fresh tomatoes and tomato paste. Yet, in a country with plenty of arable land, over 60 per cent of tomatoes produced never get to the market. They get rotten before reaching the market because of the shortage of storage and processing facilities in the country.

Since we lack the resources to process and store tomatoes locally, Nigeria remains one of the largest importers of tomato paste in the world. It reportedly wastes almost $500m annually on imported tomato paste.

While this is sometimes considered to be a viable business idea to ‘agropreneurs’, getting banks and investors to invest in the risky and unpredictable agriculture industry can be a daunting task.

Enter the story of Mira Mehta and Shane Kiernan. Last year, the two Harvard- educated Americans successfully raised $54,000 for their start up of tomato juice after their crowd funding campaign on Kickstarter that lasted about 30 days.

While the funding raised from the public on Kickstarter will hardly solve the many challenges within the country’s tomato paste production sector, they have taken a bold step and other people needing the right kind of funding , investment and support can learn a lot from them.

What is crowd funding?

It is the practice of funding a business idea, project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people via the Internet. Traditional financing used to be about asking people and banks for money. Crowd funding is an innovative way to fund ideas, businesses and projects, especially when you need to escape the problems of documentations and collaterals. It essentially allows you to reach the public or consumers directly, making it look like you are sourcing for funds by sharing envelops but this time digitally.

Some of the most common crowd funding platforms include Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Fundable, GoFundMe, FundedbyMe, Razoo, Pozible, Crowdtivate, MedStartr and 234Give.

Some can be industry-specific and involve ideas in medical, agriculture, application development, service sector and not-for-profit organisations.

Kickstarter is the most popular of all crowd funding platforms and can boast of 9,000 active campaigns at any moment. Till date, there are claims that it has raised over $1.26 billion dollars in funding.

Crowd funding platforms also have a peculiar way of functioning and it is not only donations without partnership and responsibility.

There is the reward-based crowd funding where contributors get no financial returns for their donations. Instead, they are offered thank-you perks or even an early version of the product/service being funded.

This is the most common and offers a project owner requires to get a business idea beyond its present level. And project owners do not need to repay the donations.

However, equity-based crowd funding requires that the donations made are actually investments. This essentially means that crowd funding platform will operate like you are selling shareholding in your company.

How can you succeed with crowd funding campaign?

Kickstarter admits that only 44 per cent of its crowd funding campaigns are successful. However, it is not always the fault of the platforms but challenges are traceable to the business idea, value proposition and positioning. How can you ace a crowdfunding campaign?

Be clear about the problem your business is solving

Most businesses succeed with their crowd funding campaign because they are solving a problem. It is important to identify the challenge you are trying to solve because people will connect with your dreams and aspirations easily. People who understand what you are trying to do are also more likely to invest in your ideas.

Clearly identifying the problem you are solving also helps you immediately identify the solutions you need.

Communicate propositions clearly

You need to communicate the propositions clearly and articulately. Using clearly-established digital tools and platforms such as social and digital media communications, infographics and videos is important. Building a story into your value propositions helps you communicate depth, connect deeply and emotionally with your target audience and build an established brand.

It is a pitch, build it

Crowd funding is an option to begin to consider if you want to choose the largely un-charted road of disrupting the market, beat the existing loopholes

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Is the military still searching for Chibok girls?

On the night of April 14, 2014, Boko Haram insurgents stormed Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, seized close to 300 schoolgirls and disappeared into the night. It’s been 10 months since the abduction, the girls have not been found. The abduction, which provoked global outrage, gave rise to a global advocacy movement, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. In the wake of the abduction, the world seemed to stand still as the global community, world leaders and celebrities joined the campaign for the release of the girls.

Amidst the global outcry and outpouring of support, the once obscure village of Chibok, in Nigerian northeast was suddenly thrust into global consciousness. A lot has happened in the last 10 months. As the international community and local campaigners continue to demand action from the Nigerian government and its security forces, one question that I had long pondered on is if the Nigerian military is still searching for the girls.

In the months since the abduction, I have seen how the world and the #BringbackOurGirls campaigners led by the irrepressible Oby Ezekwesili had continued to mount pressure on the Jonathan administration to do everything it can to ensure that the girls are returned to their loved ones. But one question that has not been addressed is if the Nigerian government through its military is still searching for the girls. As I reflect over the question, I have come to the hard but painful conclusion that the Jonathan administration may have long given up on the search for the girls. Indeed, the search may have stopped as soon as it started. Any contrary statement by this government is just to save face.

I believe the search for the girls has been abandoned a long time ago. My conclusion is informed by the events that had played out after the abduction. Any Nigerian who believes our military is still searching for the girls is either ignorant of the prevailing facts or living in denial. While it may be painful to realise that those innocent girls are now forcefully married to terrorists or being used as sex slaves, we have to accept the hard truth that their rescue is not dependent on the military. The Jonathan government and its military have long given up on the search for the girls. In fact, this government and its military have moved on. To them, those advocating the girls’ return are just irritants. Why do I think the government has long given up on the search?

Soon after the abduction, the Jonathan administration never believed the girls were abducted. The President’s handlers had promoted the conspiracy theory that the abduction was a scam to embarrass President Goodluck Jonathan by some elements in the North out to sabotage the Presidency. It is these same elements who have long promoted a widely held view that Boko Haram is a Northern creation even when it was evident that the insurgency had long existed before the President came on board. Now, let’s look at this way; if the President who is the commander-in-chief did not believe there was an abduction, why do we still think the military will be motivated to search for the girls? Long before Jonathan asked the international community and the United States for military assistance, the military had addressed the media that it knew where the girls were located. While Nigerians had wondered why the military would be so naïve as to divulge such classified information publicly, it later turned out that they were only playing to the gallery because of pressure. But it wasn’t long before the truth came out – that they had no idea where the girls are. Even the President said he had no information about where the girls are kept.

It will be recalled that the US had responded to the request for assistance by providing security and intelligence experts who were to work with the Nigerian military in advisory capacity. The now moribund assistance was the closest our military ever got to searching for the girls. For a while, American drones provided surveillance over Sambissa Forest and vast areas of the North-East in search for the girls. The Americans were said to have provided intelligence which was reportedly ignored by the Nigerian military. The assistance later stalled and the Americans returned home. The drones no longer flew over the Sambissa Forest.

One question that had become imperative since the botched foreign assistance is: How has the military been searching for the girls? With poor communication, lack of surveillance capabilities, access and absence of collaboration with neighbouring countries, how is the military conducting its search? In the closing months of 2014, the government announced it had entered into negotiations with some Boko Haram negotiators who they believed were in contact with the insurgents. That again turned out to be a scam. It later turned out that the government and its military had been conned. Indeed, what the failed negotiations had revealed to Nigerians was that the Jonathan administration in its desperation, had been dealing with impostors. This shows that it had become desperate and had no idea about how to proceed with the search.

The government, through its military, had become hostage to its own incompetence. Since the abduction, it had become clear that the military lacked the capacity to address the entire terror war or use advanced intelligence to end the frequent abduction in the North-East. While the abduction of the Chibok girls may have gained international attention, there had been several abductions before and after the Chibok abduction. In fact, in 2014 alone, statistics put the number of those abducted at 528 people. Many of them are young boys, girls and women who are being married off to the terrorists as sex slaves or used as suicide bombers. In October 2014, 60 women were abducted in Adamawa State. In January 2015, 40 boys were reportedly kidnapped in Borno. Many more have been seized as Boko Haram continues to raid villages and towns in the troubled areas.

Apart from the girls, how many of those abducted have been rescued by the military? Why then do we think the girls will be rescued? What is the difference between the girls and hundreds of children and women that are daily being seized by Boko Haram? The truth must be told. The military has neither the capacity nor the wherewithal to stem the tide of abductions in the North-East. Does it not surprise Nigerians that the President has been avoiding any mention of the girls in his campaign? Only in Maiduguri did he mention the girls as part of his campaign rhetoric. What does this tell us? The search for the girls has long been forgotten. If the military has not rescued anyone abducted by Boko Haram in the last six years, why then do we still believe it will rescue the Chibok girls? Like I have written on this column before, let’s just hope those abducted so far find the courage to escape or that Boko Haram will have a change of heart.

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Psychology: A simple trick to improve your memory

(Getty Images)

Want to enhance your memory for facts? Tom Stafford explains a counterintuitive method for retaining information.

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If I asked you to sit down and remember a list of phone numbers or a series of facts, how would you go about it? There’s a fair chance that you’d be doing it wrong.
One of the interesting things about the mind is that even though we all have one, we don't have perfect insight into how to get the best from it. This is in part because of flaws in our ability to think about our own thinking, which is called metacognition. Studying this self-reflective thought process reveals that the human species has mental blind spots.
One area where these blind spots are particularly large is learning. We're actually surprisingly bad at having insight into how we learn best.

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Researchers Jeffrey Karpicke and Henry Roediger III set out to look at one aspect: how testing can consolidate our memory of facts. In their experiment they asked college students to learn pairs of Swahili and English words. So, for example, they had to learn that if they were given the Swahili word 'mashua' the correct response was 'boat'. They could have used the sort of facts you might get on a high-school quiz (e.g. "Who wrote the first computer programs?"/"Ada Lovelace"), but the use of Swahili meant that there was little chance their participants could use any background knowledge to help them learn. After the pairs had all been learnt, there would be a final test a week later.
Now if many of us were revising this list we might study the list, test ourselves and then repeat this cycle, dropping items we got right. This makes studying (and testing) quicker and allows us to focus our effort on the things we haven't yet learnt. It’s a plan that seems to make perfect sense, but it’s a plan that is disastrous if we really want to learn properly.

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Karpicke and Roediger asked students to prepare for a test in various ways, and compared their success – for example, one group kept testing themselves on all items without dropping what they were getting right, while another group stopped testing themselves on their correct answers.
On the final exam differences between the groups were dramatic. While dropping items from study didn’t have much of an effect, the people who dropped items from testing performed relatively poorly: they could only remember about 35% of the word pairs, compared to 80% for people who kept testing items after they had learnt them.
It seems the effective way to learn is to practice retrieving items from memory, not trying to cement them in there by further study. Moreover, dropping items entirely from your revision, which is the advice given by many study guides, is wrong. You can stop studying them if you've learnt them, but you should keep testing what you've learnt if you want to remember them at the time of the final exam.

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Finally, the researchers had the neat idea of asking their participants how well they would remember what they had learnt. All groups guessed at about 50%. This was a large overestimate for those who dropped items from test (and an underestimate from those who kept testing learnt items).
So it seems that we have a metacognitive blind spot for which revision strategies will work best. Making this a situation where we need to be guided by the evidence, and not our instinct. But the evidence has a moral for teachers as well: there's more to testing than finding out what students know – tests can also help us remember.

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Oshiomhole to Jonathan: Don’t expect Edo people’s votes

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has advised the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan, against banking on the votes of people of the state. He stressed that Edo people will not re-elect the President in next month’s presidential election owing to his abandonment of the state.
According to Oshiomhole, President Jonathan did not fulfill his promise to contribute to the development of the South-South state, despite enjoying 95 per cent of votes of Edo people for his election in 2011.
Speaking separately at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rallies in Ehor and Igueben towns in Uhunmwode Igueben Local Government Area on Saturday, the governor explained that in spite of several letters to the Federal Government to assist the state on erosion challenges, the Jonathan administration neglected Edo after persuading them to vote for him as their brother in 2011.
Stressing that the people of the state are wiser now and would “vote the President out on February 14 for abandoning them,” he recalled that “The last time we voted for President Jonathan, He got 95 per cent of the total votes in Edo State. Yet, I cannot think of any meaningful thing he has done in the state.
“Last year, President Jonathan gave N2bn each to some PDP states even where he lost election to deal with erosion. Those that don’t have flood erosion were given money for desertification but we in Edo State that voted for him got nothing. I am not lamenting this. We have learnt from it and are determined not to repeat our mistakes,” he said.
Oshiomhole accused the federal government of insensitivity by failing to prosecute “those indicted” in the ill-fated immigration recruitment exercise in 2014, adding that it “is a clear indication that President Goodluck Jonathan did not care about the welfare of the Nigerian youths.
“People lost their lives. Last week, the relatives of those who died in Benin were protesting to us that the Federal Government has not given them even the jobs they promised.”
Expressing confidence that Nigerians will vote for change at all levels in next month’s elections, the Governor assured that “I believe that with Maj. Gen. Buhari, Nigeria will be in a safer hand beginning with security.

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More equipment for military this week, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that the Nigerian military would take delivery of some additional platforms this week as part of his administration’s efforts to end insurgency in the North eastern parts of the country.
He made the disclosure at Ilorin when he paid the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari, a courtesy call in his palace, before heading for the presidential campaign.
Jonathan said he was hopeful that with the delivery of the platforms, the military would move faster within the next two weeks to curtail the security challenge.
He said: “You have observed us for the past four years. Yes, we have security challenges relating to the Boko Haram saga mainly in the North East.
“Although their excesses extend to some parts of the North like Abuja, Sokoto, Gombe and Kano, it is mainly in the North East. We are working hard and we shall surely bring it to a halt.
“As far as the military is concerned, even as we are talking, we are expecting more platforms this week and next week.
“I believe that in the next two weeks or so, we will be able to move faster than we are moving.”
The President said his administration had also moved fast in many areas like the road network.
He said no government could fix all the country’s problems in four years.
“We have intervened in so many areas; agriculture that touches the life of an ordinary Nigerian is one of the areas that we have been working very hard.
“We are trying to move agriculture to the next level; a level that young graduates will be able to embrace,” he said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to pushing the country forward and providing jobs for young people as well as to diverse the economy.
He said he was in the Emir’s  palace to personally inform him that he was interested in seeking re-election.
Jonathan also introduced the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Senator Simeon Ajibola, to the monarch.
He said under the PDP, people of the state would  continue to enjoy freedom and quality of life.

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Boko Haram: Presidential convoy trapped in Maiduguri

President Goodluck Jonathan’s advanced team to the Borno State capital Maiduguri‎, for the presidential campaign that held on Saturday is trapped and currently taking refuge at the Department of State Security (DSS) command, following the attack on the city by Boko Haram.
Those trapped are the media, security and medical teams.‎
One of the trapped persons when contacted said that both the military and civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were able to repelled the insurgents that had attempted to take over control of Maiduguri and several other parts of the state.‎
The President’s convoy had arrived the town on Friday after being escorted for about 10 hours by about 10 heavily armed soldiers from Bauchi
They were billed to return to Abuja on Saturday after the PDP campaign rally which took place at Ramat square but stayed on the advise of Joint Task Force.
The source when contacted at about 11.40 a.m said, “we are hiding at the DSS state command with serious fighting going on between the insurgents and security personnel. Security men are battling to repel the insurgents.”
When contacted again at about 2:14p.m, he said that Maiduguri has come under full control of Security personnel but the security personnel were still working on the roads and villages.
“They say they have to comb the bushes to get rid of the insurgents and they said they might not finish today. Meaning that we cannot leave today (yesterday)”.
According to the source, the entire convoy of the President remains a major target of the insurgent who are bent on attacking the team in order to embarrass the presidency.
“Those trapped are in the president’s team are members of the media crew, medical and security personnel. The Protocol team took a risk and left on their own, that was before the terrorists started advancing. We wanted to join them but we were warned by the security guys. The Protocol vehicle believe it’s riskier to join convoy because it will attract the attention of the Boko Haram.‎ We are now regretting why we didn’t follow them. ” He said.
The source when contacted again at 14:54 p.m said, “Maiduguri just came under some calm now, so we were able to get food in a nearby bus park. We are Still in the neighbourhood of the DSS office anyway.
“The security people said they have chased the insurgents out of town. They also attacked Konduga which has now been reclaimed with heavy casualties on the part of Boko Haram”.
The airport at Maiduguri is not yet open to commercial flights. The presidential convoy had to travel of 10 hours to Maduguri from Bauchi.

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FG still pays subsidy on petrol –PPPRA boss

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has explained that even with the pump price of N87 per litre re­cently announced by the Federal Government, it is still subsidising the pump price of petrol in favour of consumers.
The Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, who made the clarification in a press state­ment in Abuja at the week­end, stated that the price of crude oil dropped to a point where the open mar­ket price of petrol also fell to a level the government considered appropriate to relieve some of the burden imposed on Nigerians by the knock-on effect of the dwindling price of crude oil on the economy.
According to him, the price of crude oil averaged $62 in December 2014 and dropped to an average of $50 per barrel for the first half of January 2015. It was after a consistent and diligent monitoring of the trend, since the begin­ning of the current drop in crude oil price that govern­ment was able to confirm its ability to reduce the pump price of gasoline commen­surate with the amount an­nounced. He explained that even at the lowest crude oil price of $47.23 recorded on January 16, 2015, the open market price of petrol was about the same as the erst­while price of N97/litre.
“What this means is that at the new price of N87 per litre, government is still subsidising the pump price of petrol,” Ahmed ex­plained.
On the argument that the price of crude oil has reduced by about 50 per cent and so the pump price of petrol must reduce in the same ratio, Ahmed ex­plained that crude oil price is only one of the several components in deriving the pump price of petrol. There­fore, there is no linear rela­tionship between the price of crude oil and the pump price of petrol, adding that when the price of crude oil reached its peak of $114.26 per barrel on June 18, 2014, the open market price of petrol was N157, but gov­ernment still maintained the regulated price of N97 per litre and subsidised the dif­ference of N59.51 per litre.
Ahmed noted that in de­termining the amount of re­duction on the pump price of petrol, government was mindful of the impact that an upward swing in the price of crude oil would mean on the amount of sub­sidy exposure.

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Ebola crisis: WHO promises reforms

The World Health O r g a n i z a t i o n (WHO) has set out plans for reform, admitting that it was too slow to respond to the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
At an emergency session in Geneva, director-general Margaret Chan said Ebola had taught the world and the WHO how they must act in the future. She said the corner had been turned on infections but warned over complacency.
More than 8,500 people have died in the outbreak, the vast majority in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Dr Chan said: “This was West Africa’s first experi­ence with the virus and it delivered some horrific shocks and surprises.
“The world, including WHO, was too slow to see what was unfolding before us. Ebola is a tragedy that has taught the world, in­cluding WHO, many les­sons about how to prevent similar events in the fu­ture.”
Dr Chan said that al­though disease outbreaks would continue to de­liver shocks, “never again should the world be caught by surprise, unprepared”. The reforms announced in­cluded a “dedicated contin­gency fund to support rapid responses to outbreaks and emergencies”.
There would also be improvements in interna­tional co-ordination and greater support for coun­tries that needed to respond quickly to emergencies. This would also require vaccines and drugs to be brought to the market more speedily.
Liberia announced on Friday that it was down to just five confirmed cases – there were 500 a week in September. Guinea and Si­erra Leone have both also experienced falls in infec­tion rates.
Dr Chan said the worst-case scenario had been avoided, but warned: “We must maintain the mo­mentum and guard against complacency and donor fa­tigue.” WHO figures show 21,724 reported cases of Ebola in the outbreak , with 8,641 deaths

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Bird flu spread to 7 states

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Develop­ment, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, last week disclosed that the Avian Influenza (bird flu) recently reported in Kano and Lagos states, has now spread to five other states.
He listed the states to include Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Riv­ers, Edo and Plateau, stating that 21 commercial farms, nine live bird markets and one private zoo have been affected in the seven states.
“As at today, January 21, 2015, a total of 140,390 birds have been associated with bird flu exposures, with 22,573 (16 per cent) mortality recorded. The most affected state has been Kano State where the initial case of the bird flu was found.
“A total of 103,445 birds have reportedly been exposed to the infection in Kano State, with 15,963 (15 per cent) mortal­ity reported. These cases were found in Gwale, Kumbotso, Tofa, Gaya and Ungogo Local Governments,” he stated.
Adesina said the total number of birds under close watch in La­gos State is 31,195 and 3,347 (11 per cent). The three confirmed cases were from Somolu and Eti Osa Local Governments.
He added: “All the farms have been quarantined and de­contaminated. Other locations in Ikorodu, Ojo and Lagos Main­land have already been quaran­tined, while awaiting confirma­tion.”
The Minister also said Sag­amu in Ogun State has reported two locations with one positive case (Ifo) and another negative case (Sabo).
Said he: “Of the 1,030 birds currently under watch in the two locations, 163 (15 per cent) have experienced mortality. Other states with positive cases reported are Rivers, Delta, Edo and Plateau with figures ranging between 200 and 1,550 mortali­ties.”
Akinwunmi said in all these states, different levels of inter­ventions, including depopula­tion, decontamination and quar­antine have been introduced, adding that his ministry was spearheading a rapid response system in close collaboration with the state governments’ min­istries of agriculture

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Rejected, oversized dress fetched me beauty pageant crown-Cassandra Iwule, Miss Imo-USA

She is the reigning Ada Imo-USA (Miss Imo USA) and currently contesting for Miss Nigeria-USA. At 19, still studying Health Science at Queenborough Collage in the United States of America, she already runs a pet project – Dera Unity and Cultural Foundation (DUC Foundation), with offices in America and Nigeria. She is Cassandra Chidera Adaeze Iwule, an indigene of Oboh in Isiala Mbano LGA in Imo State. Born in Lagos to Chief and Chief Mrs. Ben Iwule, she emerged victorious at the beauty pageant which held at Radisson Hotel JFK, Queens, New York in August, 2014.
In this interview, she tells Sunday Sun, among other issues, that she had returned to Nigeria to present her crown to the first Lady of Imo State, also to touch the lives of widows and less privileged. According to her, she encountered all sorts of calculated attempts to rob her of victory, adding that, “God still showed that he who He has blessed, no one can curse.”
How does it feel to emerge the Ada Imo-USA and why are you in Nigeria?
It feels great and the crown means every- thing to me. It testifies that my people love me. But it also means greater responsibilities because as a commissioned ambassador of my people, all eyes will henceforth be on me. So, I’m back home, however, to present the crown to the First Lady of Imo State and also touch the lives of widows and the less privileged because it is not just about wearing the crown, but more about what you have to offer. Every crown comes with its responsibilities and challenges. That is why it is said that there is no crown without a cross. As a queen, you have to be more careful about what you do, what you say or wear and your general comportment – everything about you.
Will the crown change your dress code or any other thing about you?
You know that with the crown, some people will start looking up to you as their role model and molder. So, heavens will be displeased if you lead such people astray in any way. For instance, a queen is not sup- posed to be arrogant, no matter the level of provocation. She should always wear a smile even in the midst of agony. She is expected to be polite, honest and responsible and always available to attend to people’s needs to the best of her ability. I have never been associated with wearing crazy dresses. Now having the crown makes me even more conscious of what I wear and about my general lifestyle.
As an Imo queen, how much are you at home with your culture – your language, local delicacies and the likes?
I love my culture a lot. In fact, in the US, I’m known as a cultural person. I regularly wear our local fabrics over there and even prepare our local delicacies for my family and friends. I grew up at home and I deeply appreciate my mother who taught me how to prepare our local delicacies.
What hurdles did you cross be- fore clinching the crown?
I went through several hurdles. First, many of the contestants, their parents and
sponsors saw the contest as a do-or-die affair, but I was reluctant to participate in the competition. But my mother encouraged me to give it a try. I did and the result is this crown you are seeing now. I encountered a lot of hurdles – in-house and external. But the one that threw me off balance was when my designer failed to deliver the dress I planned to use for the competition. I had decided to back out but my mother prevailed on me to push on. So, I had to use an old dress – over- sized ones for that matter, just to fulfill all righteousness. We took them to a dressmaker to shape them to my size. Incidentally, they were dresses that I had received as presents and never valued. But amazingly, it pleased God to honour me with victory. And I think that God had good reasons to compensate me with the crown because I even lost my job along the line. So, my mother sat me down and counseled me, telling me that in life, one must pay a price one way or the other in pursuit of every good cause.
What will you not do to become famous?
Never get too desperate for fame. Just put in your best and believe in God. You do not have to trade with your body or sleep with any man in order to achieve anything. Some people get too desperate for fame and would do anything to get to the top. But the fact about life is that if God wants you to be something, He will always help you to get there whether your family has a name in the society or not. That is what is called divine connection. No matter the number of people that try to pull you down or stand on your path of progress, once you have divine connection, all their ef- forts will be in vain. Your enemies will even work for you unknowingly.
Do you have acting or singing in your immediate plans?
Yes. I love entertainment generally and without blowing my trumpet, I’m pleased to state that I’m a good dancer. I love dancing, acting, singing and modelling – everything related to entertainment. And I am hoping to join Nollywood as soon as possible. It has been my childhood dream. My mother used to tell me that as a little child, I used to beat other children at birthday parties and walk home with the prize.
Is it true that you are also currently running for Miss Nigeria USA Beauty Pageant?
Oh yes. And I hope you will vote for me because voting is already on. Just check me out on Facebook and vote Cassandra Adaeze
‘Never get too desperate for fame’
Iwule. (Laughter).
Do you think you look good for the Miss Nigeria crown?
Victory belongs to God. I can only do my best and leave the rest to Him, while urging my people to vote for me on the pageant web- site. I’m not just contesting for the fun of it but for me to have a platform to reach out to the needy.
Considering that 12 months is such a short time for your present reign, how much do you hope to affect the lives of your people during your tenure?
Little by little, God will give us the grace to make appreciable impact. Like everything in life, it is not how far but how well.
Are you planning to float an NGO?
I already have one. That is why I’m in Nigeria to offer gifts to widows and orphans and present my crown to my role model, the First Lady of Imo State, Mrs. Nneoma Okorocha. I really admire her and appreciate her high level of concern for the needy and the less- privileged. I visited her foundation with a delegation few days ago to present the crown to her and also deliver my little donation to her NGO.
What is the name of your foundation?
It’s called Dera Unity and Cultural Foundation (DUC Foundation), with offices in America and Nigeria. Over here, we reach out to the poor, the less privileged and widows. For me, the crown is an opportunity to fulfill my dream of reaching out to the poor and the less privileged. I floated the NGO to actualize that dream. I have never been deprived; my parents have always provided for my needs. However, I don’t need to be hungry to under- stand what it means to be hungry; I don’t need to be homeless to know what it means to be
without shelter; I don’t need to be in rags to know how it feels. That is why I have decided to maximize this platform to make my little contribution and put smiles on the faces of many suffering people. In America though, we try to motivate and empower children and the youth. We teach them the Nigerian culture, especially Igbo language, local delicacies, our norms and values, among others. For many Igbo children born in the US, it is the only way for them to learn how to pre- pare our local meals, speak our language and dress like Nigerians. Initially, I was not good at cooking our local dishes.
But with continuous practice, I can now proudly compete with the best cook around here. That is what I am replicating. Back there in America, I always prepare ugba (oil-bean salad), egusi soup, oha soup and what have you.
Does your NGO have any sponsor yet?
No, we are still praying for one and pleading with philanthropic Nigerians and corporate organisations to support us. For now, I run the NGO from my personal savings and support from my parents. This Christmas holiday period, we distributed a total of 60 bags of rice, 100 packets of pampers, over
Iwule with family members.
100 pairs of shoes, baby wear and other items to widows and the needy. And there is still a lot to cover. So, with more contributions and sponsorship, we will achieve more and even provide shelter to the homeless. And I have to state here that the foundation is permanent and not meant to cover only my tenure as Ada Imo.
Which is your favourite native food?
I like oha soup with akpu (fufu).
How did you receive news of the abduction of the Chibok girls?
It was terrible. I can’t imagine my sisters or myself being among those girls. It is very frightening even as we discuss about it now. I pray for them and their parents every day. And I have strong belief that one day God will answer our prayers and help them to re-unite with their parents.
Fame usually attracts challenges just as it has its positive sides; how are you prepared to cope with the challenges?
I’ve experienced a lot of challenges in life, even as a secondary school girl. But my guiding principle is always the biblical passage that says: “He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world.” Regardless of all the challenges, obstacles and the hurdles of life, what makes a woman strong are those elements she uses to build herself up and her ability to utilize them fearlessly at all times. No matter how good you are, people must find fault and pick holes in your life. Even some of your friends and mates will envy you. That’s just the truth about life and I’m used to it.
Are you also used to romantic overtures from men?
Normal, guys always want to talk to any girl they find beautiful. That is part of the distrac- tions and hurdles you have to experience as a girl. But as for me, I’m not interested in any relationship now. My focus right now is in my education and pet project. As for men, when the time comes, God will surely take charge. So, when the right man comes, I will know. I don’t have to stress it here. I’m currently too busy with my education, job and foundation.
How supportive was your dad during the competition?
He was very supportive. My parents were my backbone during the contest. And I’m grateful to them for believing in me.
If you had to model for a multinational firm, even if you were paid a staggering amount what would you not do?
Like I mentioned earlier, I would not trade with my body for any reason. I would never step down my integrity for such a thing.
What about being half nude or baring it all?
Baring all is out of it. But revealing some parts of the body is part of modelling. It’s al- ways nice to be professional in whatever you do. Just like swimmers putting on their swim- suit to swim, being professional at your job doesn’t mean you are a prostitute, it’s just part of the job.

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Abandoned ships threaten maritime safety

The Nigerian maritime domain is facing the worrisome challenge of increasing number of shipwrecks and abandoned vessels that litter its navigable channels.
The development, experts say, constitutes grave security and safety challenge as criminal elements now using the wrecks as a base to at­tack serviceable ships at berth.
The shipwrecks are now also contributing to boat mishaps in recent times as reports of some investigated boat accidents indicated that poorly lit passenger boats run into abandoned vessels at night, which, at times have no signs to indicate their location or the danger they pose.
The management of ENL Consortium, oper­ators of terminals ‘C’ and ‘D’ at the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) last week raised the alarm over the issue of abandoned vessels on Lagos waters, saying that criminals now use the wrecks as a base to access the terminal to vandalise carsaying that criminals now use goes. ­
The Head, Security Safety and Environment Manager of the terminal, Mr. Oyinloye Ra­phael, while briefing the Port Police on the development in­sisted that series of attacks on cargoes at the terminal have been traced to the bandits who often hibernate in the aban­doned ships before launching the attacks.
He disclosed that the mis­creants use smaller crafts like canoes to ferry themselves back to the wreck on Lagos waters after unleashing terror on the terminals.
“At night, the abandoned vessels are illuminated by torchlights, which further au­thenticate the presence of crim­inals on board the wrecked vessels.”
He urged NIMASA as the Designated Authority (DA)  for the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code to assist the Western Port Police authority in the area of equipment in ensuring that the terminals enjoy police protec­tion.
“It is the duty of the Nige­rian Maritime Administra­tion and Safety Agency (NI­MASA) as the Designated Authority (DA) to remove all wrecks that serve as a threat to our economy and waters and if they do, it will solve some of our problems,” he said.
Daily Sun’s investigations reveal that the Federal Gov­ernment has already awarded contracts for the wrecks’ re­moval but the evacuation has been stalled by litigations by owners of the abandoned vessels who still use them as evidence of collateral for loans they collected from banks.
The Director General/Chief Executive of NIMASA, Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpoboloke­mi, at a recent meeting with journalists revealed that the first phase of the contract for wrecks’ removal covers Lagos and the South South areas of the country.
He added that plans are afoot to rid the entire Nigerian waters of wrecks in line with government’s port modernisa­tion programme.
He, however, said remov­ing the wrecks was being hampered by litigation as ship owners use their abandoned vessels as a trap to arm-twist the agency into paying com­pensation for removing such wrecks.
“They’ll tell you the ship you removed was still service­able and as such we should pay N10 billion as compensation for a ship that was bought for about N100 million and has worked for over 20 years. Be­fore you know it, they drag the management to court. These are some of the issues we face, though we’re not deterred. We have to fulfill the mandate giv­en to us by the Federal Gov­ernment,” he said

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The CNN report on Nigerian army

I watched the recent CNN segment on the Boko Haram terror vis-a-vis the state of the Nigerian armed forces; and I was ap­palled at CNN, appalled at the misguided ‘soldiers’ that granted them the interview; and thus concluded that CNN has, in relation to Nigeria of this era, changed its name to ‘Celebrating Negative News’. I wager that my outrage repre­sents the inert feelings of vast majority of Nigerians that are still possessed of any sense of pride in the fine exploits of our armed forces.
Pray, how can anybody believe that Nigerian soldiers now sow or buy their own uniforms or buy their army-issue boots and other essen­tial military gears? Since when? Lies, lies, but when told so many times, especially about Africa, they begin to ring true. Every army, everywhere in the world, includ­ing CNN’s own America, runs a military-gear shop where any sol­dier can optionally buy any extra non-essential gear he desires. It is a fashion thing that caters to the personal taste of any soldier who desires some extra stuff. This is what CNN that should know bet­ter so much mischaracterized and twisted, just to ridicule our army, our nation, our pride.
Are we even sure that the inter­viewees are bonafide Nigerian sol­diers, and not some bitter mutineer, saboteur; or even a Boko Haram member or sympathizer in fake rag-tag military uniform? Yes, it’s Boko Haram that wears fake rag-tag army uniforms, not my authen­tic Nigerian soldiers I see on the streets resplendent and proud in their quality uniforms. Coming to the so-called disgruntled widows, how can anybody be so sure that Nic Robertson, the interviewer, was not suckered in by his local guide, who might have been moti­vated by some vile objectives?
The highly objectionable airing played into the deep-rooted, age-old stereotype that nothing works in Africa, even when something is working. I dare say that if Nigeria’s military expedition against Boko Haram is that lousy, the terror­ists would have overrun the entire country by now. Who stopped the Boko Haram where they are now? Who paid with their blood to keep them at bay? Why these callous at­tacks on Nigerian military, espe­cially its leadership? Do we want them to go on suicide missions? Or just get plain frustrated?
The setbacks in the Nigerian military’s gallant strides against Boko Haram are overhyped; and I dare say, for some sinister pur­poses. Traducers and non-patriots alike have ignored the main prob­lem, and that is: the complex in­ternal religious, tribal and political contradictions that have plagued the federal security apparatus and our polity in recent times and thus affected the morale of loyal forces and made this very insurgency the greatest military dilemma for any President, any army, anywhere. Everybody knows that’s the main problem, yet anybody that dares raise it, is drowned out, is ridiculed, like the President was when he ventured that Boko Haram has in­filtrated state structures.To be sure, this sort of biased, highly inflam­matory foreign broadcast sits well with the closet civil Boko Haram sympathizers. Shame on all those that give aid and comfort to the enemy, to terrorists, either in the name of ratcheting-up their TV rat­ings; or worse, seeking to overawe the government and people of Nige­ria. It will never work; it has never worked anywhere, even if, for the time being, it seems to be embold­ening Boko Haram and making our national defense more onerous.
Is it possible for any of our Nige­rian TV stations or even the same CNN to be sneaking around Syria and Iraq, suborning subversive stories from disgruntled American troops? You won’t dare because it’s simply not allowed, and if you succeed and you proceed to air it, it shall be considered severe breach of national security laws and there­fore prosecutable. Ask Snowden and Assange; now hunted by sev­eral western governments for air­ing what’s not supposed to be aired, and no combat environment was even involved.
Even as it is evident that the mili­tary is not resting on its oars, some rank partisans, with a political axe to grind, have seized the opportu­nity of this CNN ‘scoop’ to escalate their torment of the good people of Nigeria, believing that they are tor­menting the Nigerian armed forces as presently commanded. And in some extreme cases of mean-spir­itedness and undue levity, these people have even gone as far as taunting the armed forces and un­wittingly celebrating every setback in the war effort, if not every kill made by Boko Haram.
They forget that no nation suc­ceeds in subduing terrorism by exhibiting this shameful level of disunity and near-subversion of the security forces, notwithstand­ing that it is the only institution that is so far standing between us and the worst terror any African country has witnessed since time. You defeat terror by supporting and complimenting our men and women in uniform. Criticisms are welcome but they better be reason­able and driven by a high sense of patriotism; not this orchestrated taunts that a certain of set people are playing-up as if it’s funny.
Just imagine how many Presi­dents, lost lives and ordinance it took America, with quantum help of world powers, to get Osama. It took three Presidents, from Bush Senior to Clinton, then from Bush Junior to Obama, all spanning over twenty years; and thousands of fallen American soldiers. And now they have ISIS and other garden-varieties to still conquer.
You don’t fight organized terror by falsely accusing Nigerian troops and their most gallant and can-do commanders of genocide, and then demanding that those that fought terrorists hard be tried and jailed whilst the terrorists are busy bomb­ing away, beheading and killing your fellow Nigerians. American Presidents could not have made progress against terror if famous Americans are daily haranguing the government and security forces instead of giving them some mor­al support and compatriot spirit, which can sometimes bring much more mileage than any weapon can ever muster. The American expedi­tion in Vietnam failed, not for lack of weapons or uniforms but for lack of compatriot support.
You don’t fight terror by justify­ing the despicable actions of Boko Haram on the premise that they are bombing and beheading out of some feeling of economic hard­ship, unemployment or margin­alization. That is not what Boko Haram claims that propels them; it is abolition of western education and establishment of a caliphate in secular Nigeria that propel them. So, it is troubling that those with influence should turn apologists for Boko Haram by continuing to grab at straws while terror reigns.
.Ejimakor writes via alloylaw@ yahoo.com

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Boko Haram kills 15 in Borno village

Boko Haram gun­men yesterday killed 15 people, including a vil­lage leader, near Mai­duguri, security sources and residents said. It was learnt that the insur­gents attacked Kambari vil­lage and killed 15 people and burnt the village.
The attack on the village occurred after the terrorists had failed to enter Maiduguri. The AFP in a report quoted a woman from the village, whose name was given as Kyallu as saying that four of her children were among the victims of the attack.
“They killed four of my grown-up children when they attacked our village about the time for the morning prayers,” Kyallu, who es­caped to Maiduguri said.
“They shot my children dead without any provoca­tion. I had to leave the vil­lage with my grandchildren  because we have lost our houses,” she said.
“The insurgents also killed our village head. In fact, I counted 15 dead bodies,” she said. Boko Haram attacks have intensified in recent months as the February elec­tions draw closer. The terror­ists have killed tens of thou­sands since their campaign of violence started in 2009.

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I’ll create 1m jobs in S-East, exploiting coal for power generation, export—Buhari

 


 Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), weekend, promised to create no fewer than one million jobs for youths in the South-East by revamping huge coal deposits in Enugu for genera- tion of electricity and export.

Buhari made the promise at Enugu West APC zonal rally, in Orie, Awgu Market, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.

The presidential hopeful, who was represented by the state Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Council,  Mr. Osita Okechukwu, explained that the coal would be revamped with the objective of generating electricity to serve the entire South-East, to boost the economy of the zone.

Buhari assured that he would award the contract immediately he was sworn-in, saying: “We are banking on huge coal deposits located at Amasiodo, Inyi and Leje axis of Enugu Coal belt.

“We are going to award contract for mining and construction of coal-fired-power-plant unlike Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that since 1999 promised to revamp the coal fields and 16 years after, nothing has been done.

“We believe that coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Enugu State and Enugu Coal is one of the most qualitative brands in the world, which means that while some are used to generate electricity, some will be exported.”

The former Head of State said his objective was to create one million jobs directly and indirectly, from the coal project, as ancillary projects would follow.

“My idea is to emulate the Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan, the largest coal power station in the world. Coal supplies 46 per cent electricity in the United States and over 60 per cent electricity in China. It is callous to abandon such golden treasure,” he said.

He lamented that, “for 16 years, every election Igbo voted for PDP and yet, the coal belt remains untapped, hence there is no commensurate reward. In 2014 budget for instance, over N600 billion capital projects were executed in South South, while less than N200 billion was executed in the South East, is that equity and justice?”

I’ll create 1m jobs in S-East, exploiting coal for power generation, export—Buhari

on January 26, 2015   /   in News 9:02 am   /   Comments

By Francis Igata

ENUGU — Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), weekend, promised to create no fewer than one million jobs for youths in the South-East by revamping huge coal deposits in Enugu for genera- tion of electricity and export.

Buhari made the promise at Enugu West APC zonal rally, in Orie, Awgu Market, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.

The presidential hopeful, who was represented by the state Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Council,  Mr. Osita Okechukwu, explained that the coal would be revamped with the objective of generating electricity to serve the entire South-East, to boost the economy of the zone.

Buhari assured that he would award the contract immediately he was sworn-in, saying: “We are banking on huge coal deposits located at Amasiodo, Inyi and Leje axis of Enugu Coal belt.

“We are going to award contract for mining and construction of coal-fired-power-plant unlike Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that since 1999 promised to revamp the coal fields and 16 years after, nothing has been done.

“We believe that coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Enugu State and Enugu Coal is one of the most qualitative brands in the world, which means that while some are used to generate electricity, some will be exported.”

The former Head of State said his objective was to create one million jobs directly and indirectly, from the coal project, as ancillary projects would follow.

“My idea is to emulate the Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan, the largest coal power station in the world. Coal supplies 46 per cent electricity in the United States and over 60 per cent electricity in China. It is callous to abandon such golden treasure,” he said.

He lamented that, “for 16 years, every election Igbo voted for PDP and yet, the coal belt remains untapped, hence there is no commensurate reward. In 2014 budget for instance, over N600 billion capital projects were executed in South South, while less than N200 billion was executed in the South East, is that equity and justice?”
I’ll create 1m jobs in S-East, exploiting coal for power generation, export—Buhari

on January 26, 2015   /   in News 9:02 am   /   Comments

By Francis Igata
ENUGU — Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), weekend, promised to create no fewer than one million jobs for youths in the South-East by revamping huge coal deposits in Enugu for genera- tion of electricity and export.

Buhari made the promise at Enugu West APC zonal rally, in Orie, Awgu Market, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
The presidential hopeful, who was represented by the state Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Council,  Mr. Osita Okechukwu, explained that the coal would be revamped with the objective of generating electricity to serve the entire South-East, to boost the economy of the zone.
Buhari assured that he would award the contract immediately he was sworn-in, saying: “We are banking on huge coal deposits located at Amasiodo, Inyi and Leje axis of Enugu Coal belt.
“We are going to award contract for mining and construction of coal-fired-power-plant unlike Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that since 1999 promised to revamp the coal fields and 16 years after, nothing has been done.
“We believe that coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Enugu State and Enugu Coal is one of the most qualitative brands in the world, which means that while some are used to generate electricity, some will be exported.”
The former Head of State said his objective was to create one million jobs directly and indirectly, from the coal project, as ancillary projects would follow.
“My idea is to emulate the Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan, the largest coal power station in the world. Coal supplies 46 per cent electricity in the United States and over 60 per cent electricity in China. It is callous to abandon such golden treasure,” he said.
He lamented that, “for 16 years, every election Igbo voted for PDP and yet, the coal belt remains untapped, hence there is no commensurate reward. In 2014 budget for instance, over N600 billion capital projects were executed in South South, while less than N200 billion was executed in the South East, is that equity and justice?”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/ill-create-1m-jobs-s-east-exploiting-coal-power-generation-export-buhari/#sthash.Z9yiPJ7p.dpuf

I’ll create 1m jobs in S-East, exploiting coal for power generation, export—Buhari

on January 26, 2015   /   in News 9:02 am   /   Comments

By Francis Igata
ENUGU — Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), weekend, promised to create no fewer than one million jobs for youths in the South-East by revamping huge coal deposits in Enugu for genera- tion of electricity and export.

Buhari made the promise at Enugu West APC zonal rally, in Orie, Awgu Market, Awgu Local Government Area of the state.
The presidential hopeful, who was represented by the state Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Council,  Mr. Osita Okechukwu, explained that the coal would be revamped with the objective of generating electricity to serve the entire South-East, to boost the economy of the zone.
Buhari assured that he would award the contract immediately he was sworn-in, saying: “We are banking on huge coal deposits located at Amasiodo, Inyi and Leje axis of Enugu Coal belt.
“We are going to award contract for mining and construction of coal-fired-power-plant unlike Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that since 1999 promised to revamp the coal fields and 16 years after, nothing has been done.
“We believe that coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Enugu State and Enugu Coal is one of the most qualitative brands in the world, which means that while some are used to generate electricity, some will be exported.”
The former Head of State said his objective was to create one million jobs directly and indirectly, from the coal project, as ancillary projects would follow.
“My idea is to emulate the Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan, the largest coal power station in the world. Coal supplies 46 per cent electricity in the United States and over 60 per cent electricity in China. It is callous to abandon such golden treasure,” he said.
He lamented that, “for 16 years, every election Igbo voted for PDP and yet, the coal belt remains untapped, hence there is no commensurate reward. In 2014 budget for instance, over N600 billion capital projects were executed in South South, while less than N200 billion was executed in the South East, is that equity and justice?”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/ill-create-1m-jobs-s-east-exploiting-coal-power-generation-export-buhari/#sthash.Z9yiPJ7p.dpuf

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…Yar’Adua, Justice Abdullahi wrote WASC with me –APC candidate

The presidential can­didate of the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed that he wrote the University of Cambridge/ West African School Certif­icate examinations in 1961 with the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Justice Umar Abdullahi, retired president of the Court of Appeal, among others.
Speaking at a press confer­ence in Kano yesterday, while defending himself over the controversy surrounding his alleged missing certificates, he revealed that he had request­ed a copy of his certificate from the secondary school he attended.
The General was accom­panied to the briefing by his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Kano State Gov­ernor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the National Party Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, among others.
He explained that he con­sented to addressing press on the raging controversy, given the general concern ex­pressed by his supporters and some well-meaning Nigerians that the issue be addressed, maintaining that otherwise, he would have dismissed the allegation as sheer mischief, which was not worth wasting the time of Nigerians.
General Buhari further stated: “I assumed all along that all my records were in the custody of the Military Sec­retary of the Nigeria Army, a position I have the privilege to occupy myself. Well to my surprise, we are now told that although a record of the result is available, there are no cop­ies of the certificate in my per­sonal file.
“This is why I have for­mally requested my old school, Provisional Secondary School, Katsina, which is now known as Government Col­lege, Katsina, to make avail­able the school’s copy of the result of the Cambridge West African Schools Certificate.”
General Buhari gave as­surance that his school’s copy of his result would be made available to the press the mo­ment it is available.
The General, however, not­ed: “Before we obtain that, let me say for the record that I at­tended Provisional Secondary School, Katsina. I graduated in 1961 with many prominent Nigerians, including General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, the former Chief of Staff, Su­preme headquarters, Justice Umar Abdullahi, a former president of the Court of Ap­peal.
“We sat for the University of Cambridge/WASE exami­nation together in 1961, the year we graduated. My exami­nation number was 8200002 and I passed the examination in the Second Division.
“Although the ruling party would want to wish this away, the issue in this campaign is not my certificate which I obtained 53 years ago. The is­sues are the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of our young people, the state of the insecurity, the pervad­ing official corruption, which has impoverished our people and the lack of concern of the government for anything other than the retention of power.”

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Jonathan will retire Buhari from politics – PDP chieftain

 

 

Amid growing c o n c e r n in certain quarters that the emergence of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as the flag bearer of All Progressives Congress, APC in next year general elections may pose a serious challenge to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, a governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos State , Dr Akintoye Branco – Rhodes has declared that President Goodluck Jonathan will once again defeat the APC presidential candidate, General Buhari.
Branco – Rhodes who expressed confidence about Jonathan‘s victory added that there was no cause for alarm.
‘‘Jonathan has done it before, he defeated Buhari in 2011, and come 2015, it is going to be the same story of defeat for the retired army general .My humble advice to Buhari is that he should withdraw from this race. At 72 what is he looking for again?. In 2011, President Jonathan defeated him, come 2015, Jonathan will not only defeat Buhari,he will retire him from politics’’,he declared
While describing critics of Jonathan’s , adminstration as hypocrites and unpatriotic elements, Branco-Rhodes said the Federal Government led administration under Jonathan has recorded tremendous success in the aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, rail and power sectors.
Appealing to people in the South-West to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP in 2015, Branco- Rhodes said;
‘’It is not in our interest in the South-West to be in opposition. We need to be in the main stream by being part of the government at the centre. What has APC done for the South-West? Nothing ‘’, .
Describing APC led governments in the South- West as failures, he said;
‘’They have been antagonistic of the central government thereby denying the people the opportunity of benefitting immensely from being part of dividends of democracy being enjoyed in PDP controlled states. We thank God that wind of change has started blowing with Ekiti State now in PDP fold, and that wind of change will blow away APC from South-West in 2015’’.

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Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool at the end of 2014-15 season

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will leave the club at the end of the season but will not play for a rival.
The 34-year-old midfielder made the announcement on Friday midway through a season when he has no longer been a guaranteed starter.
Gerrard said he’s “making the announcement now so the manager and team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future.”
“This has been the toughest decision of my life, one both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time,” he said.
“From now until the last kick of the last game of the season, I’ll be as fully committed to the team as I ever have been. It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve #LFC again, in whatever capacity best helps the club,” he added.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Gerrard has been free to talk to foreign clubs since New Year’s Day.
The former England captain also said his next club “will be somewhere that means I won’t be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool – that is something I could never contemplate.”
The club’s manager Brendan Rodgers said: “As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with.”
“This is an era where ‘legend’ is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn’t do him justice.”

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Father Christmas arrested …For defiling 5-yr-old schoolgirl

Santa Claus or Father Christmas, as he is often called in this clime, is known for rewarding good conducts. Now, what happens when this rewarder of virtues becomes the wrongdoer?
That is exactly what played out recently at a Christmas party or­ganized by a nursery and primary school in the Ojodu-Abiodun area of Ogun State. During such parties, children are usually taken to the Father Christmas one after the other to receive gifts from him.
The joyful event turned awry after a five-year-old pupil from the school complained that the Father Christmas dipped a finger in her vagina and blood came out when she went in for her gift.
The matter was reportedly incidented at a police station in the area following which the said Father Christmas was arrested penultimate Friday and later released on bail. He was thereafter mandated to report to the station last Monday.
When Sunday Sun visited the police station where the matter was reportedly handled, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) denied knowledge of the case, saying that no such matter was brought before him.
However, investigations showed that the matter was actually reported at that station. A petty trader around the police station told Sunday Sun that the matter did not involve a Father Christmas, but a Barney brought to the party by the party organizers hired by the school for the event.
She explained that it was even the owner of the business that was arrested and not the culprit as he could not be traced after the incident. She said that she knew about the matter when she saw a pregnant woman by her shop (who she claimed was the wife of the man arrested) crying while the man was detained at the police station.
Although the woman argued that the man on the run was innocent of the charge, she could not explain why the said offender disappeared following the report.
It was her view that the par­ents of the girl were not telling the whole truth, as they were alleged to have taken the child to a hospital as far as Ogba, in Lagos, for test that would ascer­tain the truth of the matter.
According to her, they claimed that it was their family hospi­tal. She believed that the police were in the best position to decide where the test should have been done.
“I know the man that was ar­rested. He runs a party organizing outfit, which the school hired. When people rent the Barney costume, anybody can then wear it. When someone rented it in my compound, it was even my son that wore it. Anybody can wear it. The person who wore the costume during the party allegedly dipped his finger in the girl’s vagina, and then ran away. They have not seen him till now,” she explained.
Meanwhile, another respon­dent, a woman who lives next door to the school confirmed the story to Sunday Sun, saying it was actually a man in Father Christmas costume that com­mitted the offence. The school, a two-storey building, is adjacent to her house.
She, however, explained that the parties had settled matter. “They were having the party up­stairs when the thing happened; they have a hall where they hold parties upstairs. But they have settled it.”
She even assured the reporter who she believed was an intend­ing patron, that the school was a very good one. “It is just that one (referring to the incident). I am a teacher myself, and I can tell you that the school is very good.”

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