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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