sarafadeen salihu blog

Royal Dutch Shell said yesterday that it lost $146 million, about N23.36 billion from insecurity in Nigeria, and from the impact of its divestment across the globe, among others, in the third quarter of 2014. The company, in its third quarter 2014 financial statement released to the investing community, also stated that it is expecting $15 billion, about N2.4 trillion from its assets in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Shell recorded oil and gas production of 2.79 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in the third quarter of 2014, representing a 4.81 per cent decline from 2.93 million barrels per day recorded in third of 2013 and a decline of 9.33 per cent from 3.077 million barrels per day recorded in the second quarter of 2014. According to the financial statement, Shell’s liquids production decreased by four per cent, while natural gas production decreased by six per cent, compared with the third quarter 2013. “Excluding the impact of divestments, Abu Dhabi license expiry, ...

Apple CEO Tim Cook’s decision to tell the world he is gay feels a lot like his company’s much-anticipated product launches: The public already knows the news before the event, but the event is momentous nonetheless. As Cook noted in an essay for Bloomberg Businessweek, he has been quite open about his sexuality with many people. But there’s a difference between friends and colleagues knowing you’re gay and telling the planet. Just a few years ago, states were writing into constitutions that marriage was strictly between a man and a woman. Now the CEO of the world’s most valuable company can proclaim that he considers “being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.” “The world has advanced to the point that (sexuality) is a total nonissue,” said Gerald Storch, a former CEO of Toys R Us. “Ten years ago, CEOs might have kept it closer to the vest because of consumer backlash.” Storch makes an interesting point. While Cook’s decision is certainly brave, it perhaps speaks more ab...

Accused cop killer Eric Frein, one of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, was captured after a 48-day manhunt, police said tonight. "Eric Frein was dedicated to killing law enforcement members," Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said in a news conference with Gov. Tom Corbett. "I can't think of a more dangerous occupation than going out into those woods and looking for him." Noonan said several thousand members of various departments in at least five states spent countless hours looking for Frein. Frein, 31, was captured by U.S. Marshals outside an abandoned airplane hanger at Birchwood-Pocono Airport near Tannersville about 6 p.m. Thursday, police said. Frein had a sniper rifle and knives but no shots were fired during his capture, said Noonan. He was taken to the State Police barracks in Blooming Grove, the same place where he allegedly ambushed two state troopers. Noonan said Frein was shackled with the handcuffs of Cpl. Bryon Dick...

Accused cop killer Eric Frein, one of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, was captured after a 48-day manhunt, police said tonight. "Eric Frein was dedicated to killing law enforcement members," Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said in a news conference with Gov. Tom Corbett. "I can't think of a more dangerous occupation than going out into those woods and looking for him." Noonan said several thousand members of various departments in at least five states spent countless hours looking for Frein. Frein, 31, was captured by U.S. Marshals outside an abandoned airplane hanger at Birchwood-Pocono Airport near Tannersville about 6 p.m. Thursday, police said. Frein had a sniper rifle and knives but no shots were fired during his capture, said Noonan. He was taken to the State Police barracks in Blooming Grove, the same place where he allegedly ambushed two state troopers. Noonan said Frein was shackled with the handcuffs of Cpl. Bryon Dick...

Burkina Faso's president has refused to step down, insisting he will stay in power and lead a transitional government that was announced following violent protests. At least three protesters were killed and dozens more injured Thursday after hundreds of people stormed parliament and other government buildings in the capital, Ouagadougou. The protesters were upset over a proposed constitutional amendment to allow for another presidential term for President Blaise Compaore, who has been in office since 1987. In a concession to protesters, the government scrapped the proposal. It also lifted a state of emergency that had been declared just hours earlier. The moves have so far failed to satisfy the protesters. On Thursday, Army chief General Honore Traore dissolved parliament and announced plans for a transitional government that will result in elections within 12 months. He also ordered a curfew to run from dusk until dawn. Hours later, President Campaore appeared on television t...

Q I am a guy of 18, Doc, and last week I was given oral sex for the very first time. To my astonishment, I did not like it very much! The girl was quite upset by the fact that I asked her to stop. But it was paining me a little. Am I abnormal? A:People tend to talk about fellatio (which means oral sex performed on a man) as a truly wonderful experience. But in actual fact, it is not everybody's cup of tea! You may be surprised to learn that a lot of girls do not like doing it. Some of them find that it makes them feel rather sick. And as for guys ... well, many of them find that the sensations caused from the female's mouth are nowhere near as intense as those which are created by the vagina. Also, there is the question of the young lady's teeth. If they are sharp, then fellatio can be very painful for the male. So you are not abnormal. And you have no need to fret. It may be that at some time in the future you will find a lady who is really skilled in fellatio, and who ...

The NFF Electoral Appeals Committee, constituted at the Extra-Ordinary General Assembly of 20th September, 2014 in Warri, Delta State, will on November 11 and 12 sit on pending appeals from the NFF Executive Committee elections of 30th September in the same city. Alhaji Muazu Suleyman, a former Member of the NFF Executive Committee, who contested for the post of Vice President alongside Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (eventual winner), High Chief Emeka Inyama and Hon. Shehu Adamu, has appealed against the result. Barr. Iyke Igbokwe, Vice Chairman of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, is also contesting his defeat in the election of the South –East representative. The contest was among eventual winner Felix Anyansi –Agwu, Barr. Jude Obikwelu and Igbokwe. The NFF Electoral Appeals Committee is headed by Barr. Okechukwu Ajunwa, with Mr. Dotun Coker and Mallam Sani Mohammed as members. Mr. Victor Nwangwu and Mr. Bala Garba are substitute members. The Secretary is Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

LAGOS—Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Imo State, Mbaise People’s Congress, MPC, the apex professional organisation of Mbaise people in Lagos, has rolled out plans to x-ray the position of Mbaise people in the unfolding political equation in Imo State during its awards dinner holding Saturday, November 22, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Being the 5th edition, the National President, MPC, Ano Anyanwu, stated that the event will also celebrate deserving sons and daughters of Mbaise, who have distinguished themselves through their substantial achievements and impact at home.

LAGOS—Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Imo State, Mbaise People’s Congress, MPC, the apex professional organisation of Mbaise people in Lagos, has rolled out plans to x-ray the position of Mbaise people in the unfolding political equation in Imo State during its awards dinner holding Saturday, November 22, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Being the 5th edition, the National President, MPC, Ano Anyanwu, stated that the event will also celebrate deserving sons and daughters of Mbaise, who have distinguished themselves through their substantial achievements and impact at home.

LAGOS—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, Women Advocacy Research Documentation Centre, WARDC, Voices for Change, and UKaid, have advocated for more involvement of women in politics and leadership positions. Speaking at a one-day consensus building workshop on “Advancing Women in Political participation” the Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, urged political party leaders in the country to give women more leverage in leadership positions. She said: “Women have contributed tremendously to the growth of party politics and governance of Nigeria, yet, their representation in decision making organs of political parties and public offices fall far below the universally accepted 30 per cent threshold of affirmative action. “We need more women leaders because when women lead side by side with men; it is good for equality and democracy, peace and stability. When men and women in leadership both took decision, such decision better reflects and respond to the diverse nee...

We kick off with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers who earns just above the average for a top flight manager. During the Northern Irishman ‘s two years and four month reign at the club he has transformed the Redmen from eighth place to title contenders. Manuel Pellegrini Man City £3.47m-a-year When he arrived in Manchester last summer, Manuel Pellegrini did so with great pressure on his shoulders. That didn’t seem to worry the Chilean though, as he delivered City their second league title in three seasons and took them to their most advanced stage in the Champions League. His salary is modest in comparison to the remaining managers on this list, and seems well worth the outlay. Arsene Wenger Arsenal £6.89m-a-year The Premier League’s most experienced boss, Arsene Wenger changed the culture of football in England when he arrived at Arsenal in 1996 and has since become woven into the fabric of the club. That longevity has also resulted in bumper salary, although given his delivery of ...

Congo Coach Claude Le Roy has told Nigeria to forget about qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Congo and Nigeria seem to be locked in a titanic battle to claim the second qualifying ticket to the 2015 AFCON as South Africa appear to have daylight between them and their rivals in the race to be among the 16 teams who will grace the biennial event. Claude Le Roy Congo are three points clear of the Super Eagles, who they host in a crunch cracker on November 15, with the likelihood of either of the two feuding teams bidding farewell to next year’s AFCON. A Congolese win or draw will hand the advantage to the Brazzaville boys while a n Eagles win will take the contest to the final round of matches on November 19. And speaking in a brief interview with Radio France International, the French-born tactician said that his boys were primed to make history by ending Eagles dream on November 15. Recalling how his team shocked the Nigerians 3-2 in Calabar in September, Le Roy sai...

African champions Super Eagles will face Ghana in an international friendly on Friday 7 November 2014 to officially open the ultra-modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium. Pele But both countries will however be unable to field their high-profile stars and home-based players will dominate the exhibition match in Uyo. Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to be in attendance and top football icons, including the legendary Brazilian Pele, have also been invited to grace the opening of the stadium. The newly built 30,000 capacity will host the Super Eagles 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on 19 November. The edifice was built to bear similarities with Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, the Bird Nest Stadium in Beijing China, and the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ThePresident of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Mr Sam Ohuabunwa, says Nigeria has yet to enjoy the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). Ohuabunwa made the statement at the 54th Annual General Meeting of NACC in Lagos. The U.S. Government established AGOA in 2000 to provide duty and quota free markets for goods from sub-Saharan African countries imported into the U.S. He said that the incentives provided on the AGOA platform were not substantial enough to balance trade volume deficit between Nigeria and the U.S. “The United States of America remains Nigeria’s biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade between both countries has risen to 36 billion dollars just as President Goodluck Jonathan has called for more U.S. investments in Nigeria. We have exported more crude oil to the U.S. than manufactured goods. “There is a need for capacity building in customs regulations and operations and policy reforms that will develop the private sector to pr...

THE Federal Government is intensifying the implementation of expansion projects for cocoa processing and manufacturing in order to claim a greater share of the annual $200 billion global market for finished goods made from cocoa. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this in Abuja during the summit on Cocoa Value Addition in Nigeria. Aganga said, “The total global value of exporting raw cocoa is approximately $10 billion a year; the total value from chocolates alone, all made from cocoa, is over $100 billion a year, while the total value of all finished goods made from cocoa is estimated to be as high as $200 billion a year, all drawing from the same $10 billion raw cocoa beans produced. “With the situation today, about 76 per cent of total cocoa produced is from Africa, but less than five per cent of the wealth in the value chain is retained here. After many decades of dominating cocoa production, it is worrying that we still remain price ta...

ABUJA-THE speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal Thursday told the acting Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abba that he breached the law by ordering that his security details be withdrawn from his residence. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, In a statement issued and signed by his media aide, Malam Imam Imam Tambuwal said he received with shock and amazement the statement issued by the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters justifying the withdrawal of Police Security Personnel attached to the Hon Speaker, by the Acting Inspector General of Police. In the said statement, the Force has stated to the effect that by his defection from the PDP to the APC, the Hon Speaker is in breach of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution and is consequently no longer entitled to police security. Nothing can be further from the truth. The implication of the Inspector General of Police’s statement is that as sanction for this alleged constitutional breach, he has removed Rt Hon Aminu Wa...

It’s no longer news that residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory will as from Nov. 1 have their favorite artistes on tour of the capital city in an event tagged Tripple Threat Tour. However, the news is that a new improved online store, www.yuzos.com will host the artistes at its head office located in Abuja. According to YUZOS’ management, the takeoff of the e-supermarket cannot be complete without celebrities’ endorsement. Announcing the development, Akin Alayoku, Managing partner of YUZOS said: “We value Nigerian artistes as much as we respect them. Nigerian artists are part of the consumers we target, hence the need to show them love at every point we come across them. Though, our unique selling proposition is the fact that our strong partnerships across the consumer goods spectrum enable customers to grab their favourite stores through a web portal, our direct interaction and appreciation of these stars will be of benefit to both the artists, our organization and cons...

Withinstant messaging being the new trend in the social media space, Nigerian youths seem to be having fun with a new platform Palmchat instant mobile messaging app. Palmchat is an instant messenger which is targeted at the youths, with its unique interface, trendy and hilarious smileys and emoticons, engaging chatrooms, Palmchat offers new innovation that foster lasting chatting experience. Explaining the impact of the new app further, Mounir Boukali, Head of Public Relations, Transsion Holdings, said, “users’ experience holds a very high point in whatever the brand offers, and such a good experience brings great testimonies that can translate to endorsements that will encourage new users to sign up with the platform. We have over time studied the trend and understand what appeal to the growing population of users”. Boukali, highlighting the features of the app said, “one of the most exciting things about Palmchat is the “shake shake” feature which enables you to find new friends a...

As the battle for market share in the smart phone ecosystem heightens, Samsung electronics last week heightened competition in the Nigerian smart phone market with the release of its new Galaxy offering, the Note 4. The smart phone boasts of advanced S Pen and superior viewing experience. Speaking during the launch, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said that Galaxy Note 4 has introduced the most refined Note experience to-date by combining the latest technology that users expect from Samsung’s Galaxy series. “In 2011, we introduced the original Galaxy Note and launched a whole new smart device category. Its larger screen size and iconic S Pen technology initiated a new standard in smartphone culture. “The undeniable success of the category strengthened our conviction that consumers want higher quality features on their devices and they want those new features to positively impact their quality of life” he said. Also speaking, the Director of Info...

As the battle for market share in the smart phone ecosystem heightens, Samsung electronics last week heightened competition in the Nigerian smart phone market with the release of its new Galaxy offering, the Note 4. The smart phone boasts of advanced S Pen and superior viewing experience. Speaking during the launch, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said that Galaxy Note 4 has introduced the most refined Note experience to-date by combining the latest technology that users expect from Samsung’s Galaxy series. “In 2011, we introduced the original Galaxy Note and launched a whole new smart device category. Its larger screen size and iconic S Pen technology initiated a new standard in smartphone culture. “The undeniable success of the category strengthened our conviction that consumers want higher quality features on their devices and they want those new features to positively impact their quality of life” he said. Also speaking, the Director of Info...

Abuja – Shuaibu Amodu, the interim Super Eagles Head Coach, has asked the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to allow Stephen Keshi to continue handling the national senior male football team. Amodu’s plea is contained in a letter dated Oct. 27 and addressed to NFA Chairman Amaju Pinnick, through the Chairman of the Technical Committee. He said Keshi should handle the team’s remaining matches in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, against Congo on Nov. 15 and South Africa on Nov. 19. Amodu who is the NFA’s National Technical Director was named as new Head Coach penultimate week. He said he wanted Keshi reconsidered for the two matches as the time-frame was “too short to tinker with the fabric of the squad or start to build a new one altogether’’. The coach said his decision was after wide consultations he had carefully made within the past two weeks since the appointment, and for the sake of professionalism. “I want to specially appeal to you to reconsider the matt...

Former Vice- President and leading presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has explained his decision to stay away from Wednesday’s Special Convention of the party. Atiku made the disclosure via his official facebook account (Atiku Abubakar), which boast of 390,408 likes, saying that he was unable to return from a business trip abroad as earlier scheduled to make it to the convention. “I was scheduled to return to Nigeria yesterday from a quick business trip abroad, but could not, due to last minute logistics changes. This is why I couldn’t attend the APC Special Convention. Apologies to leaders & supporters of our great party, who were expecting me -AA,” he posted on his facebook’s wall. The Special convention was convened to approve the party’s amended constitution and adopt its revised six point manifesto. It was also an avenue for all the other presidential aspirants to address party’s delegates. Former military dictator, General Moha...

Former Vice- President and leading presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has explained his decision to stay away from Wednesday’s Special Convention of the party. Atiku made the disclosure via his official facebook account (Atiku Abubakar), which boast of 390,408 likes, saying that he was unable to return from a business trip abroad as earlier scheduled to make it to the convention. “I was scheduled to return to Nigeria yesterday from a quick business trip abroad, but could not, due to last minute logistics changes. This is why I couldn’t attend the APC Special Convention. Apologies to leaders & supporters of our great party, who were expecting me -AA,” he posted on his facebook’s wall. The Special convention was convened to approve the party’s amended constitution and adopt its revised six point manifesto. It was also an avenue for all the other presidential aspirants to address party’s delegates. Former military dictator, General Moha...

STUDENTS in senior secondary schools across the country have been invited to submit entries in the 2014 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition. UBA Foundation is the corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and uses this annual competition to challenge the reading, research, writing and critical thinking skills of Nigerian students. The UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, which is in its fourth consecutive year, has witnessed increased participation from students since it was first launched in 2011. Going by the success recorded in Nigeria, UBA is taking the competition to other parts of Africa. Similar essay competitions according to the MD/CEO UBA Foundation Ms. Ijeoma Aso are going on simultaneously in Senegal and Ghana as part of UBA’s continued efforts to intellectually challenge African youths to improve their capacity to compete in an increasingly global world. “The Essay competition is a follow up to o...

RECTORFederal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara state, Dr. Mufutau Olatunde Olatinwo, said that 14 students from the institution are among the beneficiaries of a scholarship award by Federal Government. Dr. Olatinwo said that among the institutions in kwara State, Federal Poly, Offa has the highest number of awardees. Dr. Olatinwo said this at the 21st matriculation ceremony for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 sets, who were admitted into the institution for their National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND). The ceremony which was done at the 1000 seaters capacity of the main campus, had in attendance the school registrar, deputy rector, academic, deputy rector, admin, the school lawyer and other principal officers of the school. The rector said that the school’s management has, in compliance to Federal Government’s directives, instituted Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) to make sure that students are well trained in all kinds of small scale production, which is one of the aims to...

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja received the trophy of the just concluded African Women Championship (AWC) from the winners, Nigeria’s Super Falcons. Falcons defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the final of the ninth edition of the tournament in Windhoek, Namibia while the team presented the trophy at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. Speaking shortly after receiving the trophy, Jonathan commended the players and officials of the team for their “rare commitment, discipline, and patriotism’’. VICE-PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO; CAPTAIN OF SUPER FALCONS, EVELYN NWABUOKU; MINISTER OF SPORTS, DR TAMUNO DANAGOGO; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND THE COACH OF THE TEAM, EDWIN OKON, AT THE PRESENTATION OF AFRICAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP CUP WON BY THE FALCONS IN NAMIBIA ON WEDNESDAY (29/10/14) IN ABUJA. “Today we are quite pleased to receive the cup from you and it is good to do so because you just came in and it is...

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja received the trophy of the just concluded African Women Championship (AWC) from the winners, Nigeria’s Super Falcons. Falcons defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the final of the ninth edition of the tournament in Windhoek, Namibia while the team presented the trophy at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, before the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. Speaking shortly after receiving the trophy, Jonathan commended the players and officials of the team for their “rare commitment, discipline, and patriotism’’. VICE-PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO; CAPTAIN OF SUPER FALCONS, EVELYN NWABUOKU; MINISTER OF SPORTS, DR TAMUNO DANAGOGO; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND THE COACH OF THE TEAM, EDWIN OKON, AT THE PRESENTATION OF AFRICAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP CUP WON BY THE FALCONS IN NAMIBIA ON WEDNESDAY (29/10/14) IN ABUJA. “Today we are quite pleased to receive the cup from you and it is good to do so because you just came in and it is...

Lagos – A coroner on Wednesday threatened popular Nigerian preacher TB Joshua with arrest if he failed to testify at an inquest into the deaths of 116 people at his church. Oyetade Komolafe rejected arguments from Joshua’s lawyers that the televangelist should not be summoned because he did not directly witness the September 12 tragedy. A total of 84 South Africans were among the dead when a guesthouse for foreign followers at Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) collapsed in Lagos. Joshua, known to members of his church as “The Prophet” or “The Man of God”, has indicated that sabotage was to blame and linked the collapse to a low-flying aircraft seen in the area at the time. “The court has the power to summon whoever it deems necessary to assist it,” Komlafe told the hearing in the city. “The counsel should advise The Prophet to come. The church is not on trial. It’s not a matter of ego. Nobody is above the law. The court will be fair to all. “If he is an institution...

Lusaka – Rowland Msiska, Secretary to the Zambian Cabinet, has confirmed the death of Zambian President Michael Sata, in London. He said Sata passed away at a London hospital Tuesday evening, where he arrived for medical treatment last week. Msiska called for calm and said information about the funeral would be communicated in due course. An official who preferred anonymity said there had been concern over the 77-year-old Sata’s health since he stopped making public appearances in June. “Sata is in ill health for some time, and his public appearances had grown increasingly rare,’’ he said. Sata who had ruled the Southern African country since 2011, was discharged two days ago from a London clinic to receive medical care in a hotel room. The official said a covert battle for his succession has been raging in the ruling Patriotic Front. He said Sata fired justice minister Wynter Kabimba, one of the frontrunners to succeed him in August. An election is not due until 2016. He said...

An Italian priest who admitted to sexually abusing a young teenage girl hanged himself in the sacristy — the cleric’s changing room in his church — the diocese of Santa Croce in northern Italy said Wednesday. The priest, 48, who belonged to the Slovenian community in Trieste, had been accused of committing “grave acts” years earlier with a then 13-year-old girl. He confessed to his bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi that the reports were true and asked for two days to prepare a letter asking for the forgiveness of God, the Church and the victim. But when Crepaldi arrived Tuesday afternoon to officially strip him of his priestly duties and inform him an enquiry would be launched into his actions, he found the priest hanging in the sacristy.

A high powered special team put together to unravel the mystery behind alleged involvement of President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ayo Oritsejafor and Alhaji Mujahideen Asari Dokubo in the botched $9.3 million arms deal in South Africa has cleared both men of any complicity in the matter. Oritsejafor A private aircraft belonging to Oritsejafor last month conveyed some unnamed persons and the cash to South Africa ostensibly to purchase arms from the black market to help bolster Nigeria’s fight against terrorists in parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. This led to widespread speculations in the media and sentiments being expressed by politicians on the issue in Nigeria. Three individuals on board were subsequently briefly detained in South-Africa while the cash was confiscated by that country’s financial authorities. Weeks later, there were also insinuations that Niger Delta activist, Dokubo was one of those who flew in the plane. However, authoritative sources h...

Before now, I would have staked my soul to vouch for Prof Attahiru Jega’s professional impeccability when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission in 2010. I wondered if the President was not committing political hara-kiri. I therefore decided to “siddon look”. And it was not too long before the professor swallowed the bait, hook, line and sinker. I know how enormously difficult it is to resist the weight of northern pressure groups on Jega to thwart the presidential ambition of any southern candidate with extra 6,000,000 votes through the creation of 12,000 extra polling units in 11 northern states plus Abuja. The new stormy petrel of northern politics, Mr. Nasir el Rufai, and a former CBN governor have teamed up to wreck whatever Jonathan stands for. It is therefore not a miracle to witness the exit of Jega’s saintly scaffold which is a twin engine device of northern Nigeria to perpetually hold Nigeria’s presidency host...

Enugu—A man, identified as Onyekachukwu Edeh, has allegedly killed his friend with a machete, following a heated argument. The cause of the misunderstanding between the two friends could not be immediately ascertained, but the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed that the incident took place on Monday. He said: “On that fateful day, October 27, at Eziobodo Amechi Idodo in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, one Onyekachukwu Edeh allegedly inflicted a machete cut on the forehead of the deceased over an alleged misunderstanding that arose between the suspect and Nnaji Onukwube which caused him harm. “He was later rushed to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead, just as the body of the deceased was deposited at the hospital mortuary of Annunciation Hospital, Emene, Enugu, awaiting autopsy. “Meanwhile, a full scale investigation has commenced into the incident as the suspect, Onyekachukwu Edeh, is now helping the police in thei...

Therewere indications yesterday that officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority alleged to be responsible for the death of a bus conductor, Ikechukwu Abasirim, on Monday at Cele Bus Stop, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, have been arrested. Although the exact number of officials arrested could not be ascertained at press time,Vanguardgathered that the suspects included three policemen attached to LASTMA. The policemen, a Sergeant, a Corporal and a Constable, were alleged to have led the LASTMA officials in the ill-fated operation. Vanguardgathered that when news of Monday’s incident reached LASTMA’s management, the erring officials were ordered to be arrested. They were said to be in the custody of police at Itire Division. However, when the spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Kenneth Nwosu, was contacted on phone to ascertain the number of suspects and their identities, a man who identified himself as Nwosu’s orderly, toldVanguardthat his boss was on a tour with the ...

Washington, – A Texas nurse who was the second US healthcare worker infected with Ebola while caring for a Liberian patient left the hospital on Tuesday after being declared cured of the virus. “I’m so grateful to be well and first and foremost I want to thank God,” Amber Vinson, 29, said at a press conference at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Wearing a gray suit and pink blouse, Vinson appeared healthy and smiled often, occasionally wiping away tears as the medical team at Emory University Healthcare surrounded her and her doctor spoke about her care. She also thanked her family and the medical teams in Texas and Georgia, and asked for people to continue to work to eradicate the Ebola outbreak abroad. “While this is a day for celebration and gratitude, I ask that we not lose focus on the thousands of families that continue to labor under the burden of this disease in West Africa.” Her colleague Nina Pham, 26, who also worked in the intensive care unit of Texas Hea...

THE Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr Suleiman Abba, said yesterday that “about 30” policemen were still missing, more than two months after Boko Haram terrorists attacked their training facility in Gwoza, Borno state. The police boss who contradicted his earlier statement that about 20 policemen remained accounted for while speaking with state house correspondents said that one of the policemen that went missing had returned to his base. He said; “Last week we were able to identify that one of the missing officers in Gwoza had gone back to his base this time around. So, there can still be some that are in their homes, perhaps refusing to even report to anyone that they are around because of the trauma they went through. “Or they could still be among the families in some of the villages around there. It is still our hope that they are alive and that they will come out alive” he said. Thirty five police officers were declared missing following the deadly attack by suspecte...

MAIDUGURI— Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram terrorists on Monday invaded Kukawa town, the headquarters of Kukawa local government area of Borno State, setting ablaze the Kukawa police station, government lodge and other public buildings in the town and over 250 vehicles. A resident of the town, Mallam Abor Kanembu said the insurgents stormed the town in several Hilux vehicles and motorcycles and moved straight to the police station and started shooting sporadically targeting residents, using Rocket Propelled Launchers and AK47 rifles. He said “the insurgents burnt down the Kukawa Divisional Police station and some public buildings in the town. I cannot tell the casualty figure because we had to flee the town in fear of our lives.” Another resident of the town Mohammed Mafindi said they had to flee the town due to the attack as the insurgents killed three civilians and burnt down Kukawa police station, government lodge many houses and other public buildings including clin...

MAIDUGURI— Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram terrorists on Monday invaded Kukawa town, the headquarters of Kukawa local government area of Borno State, setting ablaze the Kukawa police station, government lodge and other public buildings in the town and over 250 vehicles. A resident of the town, Mallam Abor Kanembu said the insurgents stormed the town in several Hilux vehicles and motorcycles and moved straight to the police station and started shooting sporadically targeting residents, using Rocket Propelled Launchers and AK47 rifles. He said “the insurgents burnt down the Kukawa Divisional Police station and some public buildings in the town. I cannot tell the casualty figure because we had to flee the town in fear of our lives.” Another resident of the town Mohammed Mafindi said they had to flee the town due to the attack as the insurgents killed three civilians and burnt down Kukawa police station, government lodge many houses and other public buildings including clin...

Propertyworth millions of Naira were, yesterday evening destroyed as fire gutted Federal Ministry of Works building at Tafawa Balewa Square, on Lagos Island. Vanguardgathered that the fire started from the R&A section on the ground floor of the two-storey building at about 6:30p.m. Sources said the staff had closed for the day before the fire started. Eyewitness said that no fewer than three offices were gutted by the fire, which lasted for over an hour, before it was put out by a combined team of the Federal Fire Service and their state counterpart. Confirming the fire incident toVanguard, the Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, blamed the cause of the fire on power surge in an air conditioner in the office. Fadipe said: “Immediately we received the call, fire trucks were deployed to the scene.” He explained that the building was divided into two wings, adding that the fire affected the right wing on the ground floor. He said: “The fire started from the ...

LAFIA—The governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nasarawa State, Mr. Chris Mamman, allegedly kidnapped by unknown persons at theArenEggon (the chief traditional ruler of the Eggon) palace on Sunday, has been released by his abductors. Mamman, who told journalists that he was rescued by some security operatives who kept him in their custody till Monday, said: “If not for the security men who whisked me away, I would have been killed by those hired political thugs who also burnt down my car at the traditional ruler’s palace.” The governorship aspirant, who addressed his teaming supporters that came to sympathize and welcome him at his campaign office in Lafia shortly after his release by his abductors, thanked the security operatives for their quick intervention. He said: “I was invited by the Eggon traditional council for a meeting with my other brothers who are equally in the race, with view to reach a compromise. “But I never knew danger was ahe...

LAGOS—A Consultant Pathologist, Professor John Obafunwa, yesterday, said that 116 persons died on September 12 when a guest house owned by the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, collapsed in Lagos. TB Joshua-Synagogue Church Obafunwa, who is the Chief Medical Examiner of Lagos State, made this known while presenting a preliminary report to a Coroner’s Inquest set up to investigate the cause of the building collapse. Led in evidence by Mr Akingbolahan Adeniran, Counsel to the Lagos State Government, he ruled out claims of an explosion as the cause of the building collapse at the church, saying none of the victims had blast injuries. Mutilated bodies “Bodies were mutilated, severe crush, head injuries, fractured bones, fractured ribs,” Lagos State chief medical examiner, Professor Obafunwa told the Coroner’s Inquest. “We had some badly dismembered bodies. But I would not say it was because of explosion. Prophet TB Joshua has claimed that sabotage, possibly from a low-flying ...

*Friday new deadline Nigeria yesterday received a reprieve from world soccer-governing body, FIFA, which has moved the deadline for the nation’s ban to Friday, October 31, 2014 at midday Nigerian time. The grace according to FIFA’s Secretary-General Jerome Valcke in a letter addressed to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick was in order to give Nigerian football a last opportunity to avoid a lengthy suspension. On Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia, CAF President Issa Hayatou told Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo in clear terms that the world was fed up with Nigeria’s incorrigibility in the area of football administration. ‘’It is all very disappointing because we have over 50 National Associations in Africa, but a big country like Nigeria is the one always giving us the biggest headache’’. Hayatou lashed out in a meeting with Sports Minister in Namibia. Blatter and Amaju But in the letter to Pinnick, FIFA said that if they do not receive proof that...

Some State Football Association Chairmen have vowed to sue those behind the current football crisis for impersonation and forgery. Their story started this way: On August 26, 2014, a congress of the Nigeria Football Federation was called in Chidah Hotel, Abuja. The extra ordinary congress was expected to draw a road-map and fix the date for elective congress. When delegates arrived, they found out that Aminu Maigari, the then President of NFF was detained by security men. The delegates stormed out of the congress in solidarity with Maigari. The sports minister Tammy Danagogo addressed the congress and moved that election into a new board of the Nigeria Football be held. The delegates were not there to conduct any election. Somehow, a result was announced and Chris Giwa was said to have been elected. Those behind the charade were challenged to produce names of the delegates that voted. They could not immediately do so. But some days after, they produced a list on NFF paper purport...

ASABA—A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Fidelis Tilije, has assured the people of Delta State of accountability and transparency, if given the opportunity to be the next governor of the state. Chief Tilije, who gave this assurance at the state party secretariat, Asaba, during his expression of interest to the state party executive to contest the forth coming governorship election in the state, called on the three senatorial districts to give him their mandate as the next governor of Delta State. Tilije explained that from 2009 that he contested election as a running mate to Chief Great Ogboru, he had never betrayed or sold out for peanuts, saying he would transform and bring the state to place of envy.

Strive to be the kind of woman who, when your man hits rock bottom, when his business fails or he is retrenched from his job, can carry the family through. You must be able to provide what he otherwise would. This thing of women who sit doing nothing, and when a man goes through a difficult period, cannot come through for him, or at least even help him make a plan, is not on. Let us start hustling with our men. We must stop being liabilities when we have what it takes to be assets. Ladies, what's your take on this?

The governor of north Nigeria’s most populous state on Tuesday announced his bid to run for president on the main opposition ticket, as the speaker of the country’s lower house of parliament defected to the same party. Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s declaration, made at a rally in the capital Abuja, sets up a three-way battle for the presidential nomination within the All Progressives Congress (APC). Nigeria’s former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and the country’s ex-vice-president Atiku Abubakar have already said they want to contest for the February 14, 2015 poll. *Kwankwaso Kwankwaso, who defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of President Goodluck Jonathan last year, is a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and defence minister. He also served as Nigeria’s envoy to the restive Darfur region of Sudan and war-torn Somalia under president Olusegun Obasanjo. At the rally, he put tackling insecurity, endemic corruption, boosting economic...