Asari-Dokubo Did Not Fly In Presidential Jet – Presidency

The Presidency has denied reports that it had dispatched a presidential jet to fly former militant and leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari, to Abuja, following his release by authorities in the Republic of Benin who had arrested him.
Special adviser to the President, Dr Reuben Abati, told State House correspondents in Abuja that there was no truth in the claim which, he described as another attempt by mischief makers to play politics with facts.
“I can tell you that President Jonathan did not send any presidential jet to Benin Republic. Or has Asari-Dokubo told anybody that he was brought to Nigeria in a presidential jet? So what is this all about? Blackmail and mischief obviously.
He added that, “an aircraft is not a ghost in the air. The movement of any aircraft is properly documented and people will see the aircraft if it lands anywhere, particularly the presidential aircraft.
"Nobody can come up with any evidence that any presidential jet was sent to Benin Republic. I can tell you that President Jonathan did not send any presidential jet to Benin Republic. "There is no truth in the report that a presidential jet was used to convey Asari-Dokubo. Again, what we see here is the attempt by people to just tell lies and try to package lies as the truth for gullible Nigerians to believe.
“I have read some reports in which they said ‘unconfirmed reports indicate...’ Nobody has been able to say anything categorically and I think it is very sad that people, in an attempt to just play politics with anything at all, will start packaging lies hoping that gullible persons will believe them.  Nobody can come up with any evidence that any presidential jet was sent to Benin Republic,” he said.
Dokubo was arrested on Tuesday in Benin Republic for unconfirmed reasons but was unexpectedly released yesterday.
However, Dokubo’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo, refused to comment on how his client was released and how he got back to Nigeria.
Dokubo is reported to own a university in Benin Republic and had promised to make the Francophone country his home.

FIFA Rankings: How Keshi, Eagles' Fans React

Coach Stephen Keshi has said he is shocked Nigeria have slipped in the latest FIFA rankings despite some impressive results lately. 

“I am shocked (by the latest rankings). We won the Africa Cup of Nations this year, qualified for the World Cup and four-time world champions Italy held us to a draw, so I am surprised,” said Keshi.

However, Keshi said he will continue to lead the Super Eagles to victory.

“We should continue to win and make Nigerians proud because that is what is most important to me and Nigerians,” he said.

“If we remain in where ever we are in the ranking and keep winning and Nigerians are happy, then I am happy.”

Nigerian football fans expressed mixed reactions to the monthly FIFA rankings, published on November 28, 2013, Thursday.

The Super Eagles’ fans took twitter and other social media to express their emotions, surprise and sarcasm over the credibility of the ratings.

Nigerians can not accept that given Super Eagles’ performance in recent times, and their qualification for the 2014 World Cup Nigeria would have moved up the ladder:

@Das_Spiel_: Even if Nigeria wins the World Cup, as long as we're talking about the FiFa rankings, we'll drop places.

@Valrosssy: if Nigeria's points remained same but we were leapfrogged by other nations who gained more points it would've been und'ble!

@Samuel_Mbah: Impossible! FIFA ain't serious at all

@Dswag994: dey are really mad

‏@Pr8nz: Lmao. What did we do? RT @chiq_magnet Stupid rankings ...even after wat we dd to Italy.

@ridwanadeniyi: Forget FIFA ranking... Team Nigeria.

However, rankings still matter, as they are expected to be considered in next week’s draw for the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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Nigerian Women Angry over Assassination Attempt on Oduah

Nigerian women have condemned assassination attempt on the embattled Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, describing the act as ‘callous and a total violation of her right to live’.

Mrs. Nkechi Mba, the President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), stated this while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.

She also added that the threat on the minister’s life shows that some desperate persons want to tarnish her image for giving the aviation sector a facelift.

Mrs. Mba restated women’s plea to the Federal Government to consider the good works Stella Oduah has done in the sector by tampering justice with mercy, pointing out that Nigerian women will not take it likely if anything happens to the Minister.

“Women are not happy with all that is happening and we will not take it likely if anything happens to the minister. We have been pleading that justice be tampered with mercy yet they are threatening and attempting to kill her.

“She has done well in the aviation sector by achieving what has not been achieved in aviation before she assumed office yet some Nigerians are not happy. This clearly shows that those threatening her life are only after her downfall and drastic measures should be taken to stop this evil act, and perpetrators be brought to book,” she stressed.

The NCWS President further described reports going round on social media and in some blogs that the mentioned said assassination attempt was a calculated plan to divert attention from the controversy surrounding the purchase of the two N255m BMW bullet-proof cars, so as to draw sympathy from Nigerians, as ‘totally false’.

“I think we should all verify the truth before jumping into insubstantial conclusions. It is somebody’s life that is involved here yet some selfish persons are playing pranks with it. How can anybody want to deceive others of an attempt on her life? I urge security agencies to do all it can to fish out the perpetrators of this ungodly act,” Mrs. Mba said. 
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/53243.html

Movement Will Be Restricted During Supplementary Poll In Anambra

Human and vehicular movements in two local government areas in Anambra during Saturday’s supplementary governorship election will be restricted, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Friday.
Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state's capital, Awka, said the two local governments are Idemili North and Onitsha South.
The restriction would begin at midnight on Friday and end at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
He warned travelers passing through the state to find alternative routes during the period.
The measure is meant to ensure a successful and peaceful conduct of the supplementary election, Onukaogu said.
The statement also advised politicians and other individuals not to move about with security officials and appealed for total compliance with the directive. It warned that "anybody who flouts this order will be arrested and prosecuted."
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ASUU: Police Deploys More Officers To Universities Across The Country 29 November, 2013

Following an ultimatum the Federal Government gave to striking lecturers, the police announced it was deploying more officers to university campuses across the country.
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, said this Thursday evening in a statement issued by the police spokesperson, Frank Mba. multilifa.blogspot.com

"This is designed to help secure life and property in the Ivory Towers and provide enabling environment for lecturers, students, academic and non-academic staff to go about their lawful businesses without let or hindrance," Abubakar's statement said.

10 hours before that, the Acting Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had told the ASUU hey had one week to resume.
The police boss also directed all Command Commissioners of Police to personally oversee the intensification of surveillance activities around universities within their State Commands.
In the statement, the police advised lecturers and students within the Institutions to abide by the law and go about their legitimate businesses without fear of molestation or intimidation from any quarters.
It might be that the Wike's ultimatum and Abubakar's announcement signify that the Federal Government is ready to literarily force the lecturers resume work.
ASUU has been on a nationwide strike since July 1, demanding the FG to implement a 2009 agreement it had with the Union. The industrial action will be entering its sixth month over the weekend shoul it not end until Sunday.
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Jonathan Will Rule Till 2019 Then Handover To The Youths' - Tukur

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will rule the country till 2019, after which he will handover to a younger member of the party.

Tukur made this known yesterday, when members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Anambra State branch paid him a visit at his Wuse residence.

According to him, Jonathan has already laid the foundation for the youths to take over the nation's politics as the future belongs to them. He therefore urged them to start early preparing to take over leadership in all facets of national life and to take advantage of the great opportunity being given to them by the President.

Tukur added that the PDP’s support for the youths was the reason it resolved to stand by its governorship candidate in Anambra, Tony Nwoye, for the November 16 election. 

The chairman said: “Nwoye has defined himself as a candidate who is not hankering after the governorship seat of Anambra in desperation. Rather, it is the governorship seat that needs him because of his potentials and the wealth of experience he had garnered in the management of youths affairs.
“I urge you students from Anambra State not to relent in supporting the party’s agenda in all areas, most especially its desire to position the youths for the challenges of taking part in rebuilding Nigeria.
“The PDP remains focused with its 12-point agenda which include reconciliation, reformation and rebuilding of not only the PDP, but the entire country. You must key into the deal by playing prominent roles in the process henceforth”.

Also speaking, the spokesman for the Anambra students, Mr Danielson Tony expressed misgivings on the crises within the PDP as he commended the Chairman for the wisdom, understanding and the maturity he had so far exercised in managing the crises.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/50722.html

SHOCKING: Teenage Nigerian Dies Mysteriously In Ghana 28 October, 2013

The mystery surrounding the death of a 15year old Nigerian boy in Ghanaian city of Tema is yet to be unraveled.
According to report from the boy’s school, he drowned, but physical examination of body reveals wounds on the chin, head, leg, rib region.
It was gathered that Austine was one of dozens of students taken out on a jogging expedition on October 15, 2013. Along the way, 47 students, who were under the care of a solitary housemaster, ended at the beach, in Tema. At the end of their wash, it was discovered that Austine was missing. Hours later, his body was found, allegedly following a tip-off by some unnamed fisherman.
The father of the deceased, Mr. Ogukwe who rushed to Ghana immediately he got the call about the tragedy said, he gathered that when his son and others got to the beach, the deceased told the housemaster and other students that he did not know how to swim. He revealed that he gathered that his son was told to go sit on the beach, which he did.
From an autopsy carried out on October 17, the authorities say the deceased died from drowning but the deceased father is not satisfied.
In his view, many incongruities abound, hinting at foul-play. He observed that, from pictures of Austine’s body that were taken at the beach, his boy couldn’t have died from drowning.  According to him, the late boy’s stomach was flat.
The grieving dad further wondered how the deceased came about what the pathologist’s report described as “contusion on the face, contusion on the head and contusion all over the body.” Moreover, the post-mortem, he added, failed to explain signs that blood flowed out of the boy’s ear.
The report, he further pointed out, was also silent on blood stains on the face of the boy’s body. “The pictures the police showed me revealed that my son was foaming in the mouth, as he died,” the grieving man lamented.
It was however gathered that on the day Austine and other students of Ideal College were taken to the beach, indigenes of the community do not go swimming. Mr. Laud Nunoo, an ethnic Ga, revealed that it was taboo to venture into the sea on Tuesdays. This is the reason local fishermen do not work on Tuesdays.
According to Nunoo, who works as an investigator with Corporate Protection Securities (CPS), whereas entering the sea is not banned outright in Ga culture, anyone that ventured into a large body of water on that day, did so at his own risk.
Though the police have launched an investigation into the tragedy, no arrest had been recorded, eight days after the lad’s transition. The remains of the deceased is currently at the Police Morgue, in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.
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I’m Ready For Ethiopia – Ideye

Dynamo Kiev’s Brown Ideye insists he is ready for next month’s World Cup playoff clash against Ethiopia in Calabar.

Reports last week said the player was down with injury and might miss the game against the Walya Antelopes.
“I am only serving my three-match suspension, I am not in any way ruled out. I am shocked at these reports back home,” Ideye told MTNFootball on Sunday.
“I have not been in the team because I was also asked to rest after the muscle strain I suffered.
“I have resumed training and will join the full squad by next week and hopefully be available for selection in next weekend’s game.
“I am fit and ready to go for the Eagles. There is no truth in the report that I am injured and ruled out.”
The Eagles go into the November 16  return leg match in Calabar with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Ethiopia.
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Nigerian Female Billionaire, Folorunsho Alakija, Defeats Oprah Winfrey To Become Richest Black Woman In The World

Move over Oprah, Nigerian oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija is now the richest black woman in the world with an estimated fortune of $7.3 billion.
Africa boasts 55 billionaires - far more than previously thought - and they're worth a staggering $143.88 billion in total, according to pan-African magazine Ventures Africa.

Starting her career as a secretary in a bank in the mid 1970s, Alakija, 62, then studied fashion in London and returned to Nigeria to start a label, Supreme Stitches. But her biggest break came in oil.
In 1993, her company, Famfa Oil, was awarded an oil prospecting license, which later became OML 127, one of the country's most prolific oil blocks, by then-president Ibrahim Babangida.
The company owned a 60 per cent stake in the block until 2000 when the Nigerian government unconstitutionally acquired a 50 per cent interest without duly compensating Alakija or Famda Oil.

In May 2012, Alakija, a married mother-of-four, challenged the acquisition and the Nigerian Supreme Court reinstated the 50 per cent stake to her company.
She also has a charity called the Rose of Sharon foundation that helps widows and orphans by empowering them through scholarships and business grants.
Forbes magazine had estimated Alakija's fortune at $600 million, as of November 2012, but the magazine's editor-in-chief Uzodinma Iweala said his researchers were 'closer to the ground.'

They noted that Brazilian oil company, Petrobas, was looking to sell its 8 per cent stake in OML 127 for $1.5- $2.5 billion, and extrapolated that if they managed to sell it for $1 billion, Alakija's 60 per cent stake would be worth at least $7.3 billion.
Iweala claims this and other estimates included in the report are actually 'on the conservative side' and said the magazine expect to unearth more African billionaires shortly.
The overall richest African is Nigerian manufacturer Aliko Dangote who is worth $20.2 billion. Twenty Nigerians are listed in total.
According to Forbes, Oprah Winfrey is worth $2.9 billion.
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28 August, 2013 Local Lawyer Sues Dame Jonathan Nigeria's First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as well as the National Council of Women Societies, the State Security Services (SSS), and the Inspector General of Police were sued by one James Abah, an Abuja-based lawyer, for restricting and blocking traffic at the time of the Abuja Women Rally event. In his suit, Mr. Abah, calling the Women Peace Rally a political campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, states it breached his and other Nigerians' right of movement (as guaranteed by Section 41 of the Constitution). On August 15, 2013, thousands of women gathered to celebrate peace and empowerment of Nigerian women. The event, which started from old parade ground and ended at the Eagle Square in Abuja, was organized by the National Council of Women Societies. Mr. Abah says he was forced to trek from Wuse Market to his office at Zone 2, and also from Central Business District to Maitama as a result of the restrictions on major routes. More RELATED ARTICLE: 'Anti-Entertainment' At Dame Jonathan's Rally RELATED ARTICLE: PHOTONEWS: Gifts, Cash Shared Between Women Coordinators After Patience Jonathan's Rally in Abuja RELATED ARTICLE: PHOTONEWS: Patience Jonathan's Rent-A-Crowd Rally For 2015 Elections RELATED ARTICLE: Women Converge In Abuja To Celebrate President Goodluck (PHOTO) Become a fan on Facebook and us on twitter Source: Premium Times If you see an error please highlight it and press Ctrl+Enter Print version In the article Topics: Court, Law, Patience Jonathan, Traffic, Litigation LGA: Tafa Cities: Wuse States: Abuja, Niger We recommend

A blind man, Shaibu Ibrahim, 26, on Tuesday dragged Shehu Sarki, another blind man to a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ibrahim accused Sarki, 32, his friend and the chairman of the blind peoples’ association of the area of allegedly enticing his wife, Lami Ibrahim, 23.
He said, “Sometime in June, our chairman, Sarki, helped me to get a woman, Lami, for marriage.
“After our marriage in July, Sarki later enticed my wife and took her away from my house. I later discovered that my wife is staying in one of his rooms and he has been sleeping with her.”
The offence was said to have contravened Section 389 of the Penal Code, and if convicted, the accused could spend two years in prison.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N20, 000 and a surety in like sum. He adjourned the case till September 9 for hearing.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45306.html

18 Month-old Indian Child Recovering After A 'Head-reduction' Surgery (PHOTO)

The pictures may be difficult to look at, but 18-month-old Roona Begum's story of survival is remarkable.

Soon after she was born in a remote village in northeastern India, Roona was diagnosed with an extreme form of hydrocephalus - a disorder causing cerebral fluid to build up in the brain.
Doctors had given Roona just a few months to live.
"Day-by-day, her head started growing bigger, she stopped wanting to eat, she would just lie in bed, it became very difficult for us to carry her and take her anywhere," says Roona's father Abdul Rehman says.
Roona's head grew to a circumference of 94 centimeters, almost triple the size of a normal baby.
There were ten liters of excess fluid inside her brain. Her head was so heavy she could barely move.
Hydrocephalus is more common among infants and older adults. The condition is caused by overproduction, obstruction or lack of absorption of the cerebral fluid in the brain.
The skin of her head has stretched so far, it pulled her eyelids over her eyes, making it impossible for Roona to see.
Her mother, Fatima Begum, would draw eyebrows on Roona with black kohl everyday just to try and make her look more normal.

Her head started growing bigger, she stopped wanting to eat, she would just lie in bed, it became very difficult for us to carry her and take her anywhere.

"She had such a big head, it was scary for people to see her," Fatima explains.
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UNBELIEVABLE: Blind Man Sues Blind Man For Enticing His Wife

A blind man, Shaibu Ibrahim, 26, on Tuesday dragged Shehu Sarki, another blind man to a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ibrahim accused Sarki, 32, his friend and the chairman of the blind peoples’ association of the area of allegedly enticing his wife, Lami Ibrahim, 23.
He said, “Sometime in June, our chairman, Sarki, helped me to get a woman, Lami, for marriage.
“After our marriage in July, Sarki later enticed my wife and took her away from my house. I later discovered that my wife is staying in one of his rooms and he has been sleeping with her.”
The offence was said to have contravened Section 389 of the Penal Code, and if convicted, the accused could spend two years in prison.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted the accused person bail in the sum of N20, 000 and a surety in like sum. He adjourned the case till September 9 for hearing.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45306.html

He Is The Juan For Me - Wenger Wants Mata

Arsene Wenger has admitted he wants to bring Juan Mata to the Emirates after the Gunners sealed their place in the Champions League group stage.
Following the Spain playmaker’s omission from the Chelsea starting line-up at Manchester United on Monday night, rumours circulated he was available for transfer.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed in July that Arsenal were monitoring Mata’s position at Chelsea and the fact his father was a guest at the Emirates has only heightened talk of a shock switch for the Spain international.

Sportsmail exclusively revealed Arsenal's interest in Juan Mata back in July. ‘I watched the [Chelsea] game last night that Juan Mata could be on the market. I don’t know, there is a reluctance in England to sell to each other,’ said Wenger.
‘Does that frustrate me? Yes, I like him. ‘Everybody knows we are in the market. The whole world knows that now. I cannot be more creative than that, because all has been said and nothing has been concluded.’
Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham are also believed to be lining up a approach for Mata. Spurs will pocket £86milllion from the imminent transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid and have earmarked the Spaniard as a replacement for the Wales international.
Despite enjoying two fruitful seasons with the Stamford Bridge club, Mata faces playing a bit-part role this season following the £30m arrival of Willian.
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STRIKE: ASUU Gives Up

The negotiations between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government collapsed again yesterday as the lecturers have pulled out of the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities.
In a letter detailing its reasons for withdrawing  from the committee, ASUU said that the committee had not made progress on the issues for which it was set up, adding it was not satisfied with the way the N100 billion raised by government to  rehabilitate structures in the universities was being managed.
Worse still, ASUU in the letter dated August 26 and signed by its National President, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, accused the Suswam committee of not being, clear on its plans for managing the funds. It cited the inclusion of a “Project Administration Fund,” even as it queried the manner which funds were allocated to universities slated to benefit from government’s intervention.
The letter stated that, “we have also noted albeit quizzically, that some N1.975 billion was allocated to the 62nd university called Project Admin Cost.
“We see no justification for allocating an amount more than what is allocated to four universities put together to a bogus Project Admin Cost”.  The striking lecturers who had earlier announced their withdrawal from negotiations with the government, said that until the activities of the Suswam committee are carried out transparently and its misgivings on the modus operandi of the committee are addressed, ASUU will not return to the committee.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU will be unable to continue in the membership of the committee until the issues raised are properly addressed”, Fagge stated.
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ANAMBRA 2013: Nwoye Reveals His Plans For The State

Comrade Tony Nwoye, the former student activist emerged as the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections at the primaries conducted last weekend.

Following his nomination, he spoke to Vanguard in a brief interview. Excerpts:
Can we know the significance of your victory at the polls?
My victory confirms that power belongs to God. We campaigned across the wards in the 21 local government areas and left the rest to God. And that confirms to us that President Jonathan and the national leadership led by Bamanga Tukur are committed to internal democracy in the party. It confirms that the president did not interfere with the PDP primaries in Anambra. PDP members in Anambra State felt that this man who is a former state chairman should be given a chance. My people at the grassroots helped me to convince and mobilise people for my victory.
Given that two parallel primaries where held and another factional candidate Senator Andy Uba emerged, on the strength of this don’t you think it has implications for your candidacy?
There were no parallel primaries. The Supreme Court in one of its judgments said something in that direction. You talk of parallel when two things are equal. You can’t describe a fraudulent exercise as primaries. The Supreme Court has said that if a state conducted its primaries, it amounts to a fraud. It affirmed that only the national working committee  has the power to conduct primaries.
We had notable party chieftains who attended the primaries that produced me. We had Governor Shema, Senator Ndoma Egba among others, who were in attendance. All these men of proven integrity gathered together at the police headquarters and x-rayed the whole situation before going to the field. How can someone now claim to have emerged as candidate through a fraudulent process? Who were the delegates that elected him?
The PDP national working committee is equal to the task. We are also equal to the task here in Anambra. How did they elect their delegates? They bought forms from the national secretariat, appeared before the screening panel and when the panel now went to work at the Ekwueme Square they preferred to go to a different place where nobody will oppose them and claimed to have had primaries.
What do you make of claims in some quarters that your emergence was programmed to pave way for Senator Uba given that you emerged ahead of other leading contenders?
How could that be possible? Under what basis? How can someone with my background be programmed to win? The people saying that are APC and APGA because their conclusion was that Uba or Ukachkwu would hijack the PDP ticket. They know that once someone of our caliber and from our background becomes the candidate, it would not be an easy ride for them.
Their fear is because of the voting pattern especially in Anambra North. We have seven local governments in Anambra North in addition to Awka north. All we need to do is to stop APC from rigging in Idemili and stop the governor from rigging in Anaocha. That ends the election. The same forces who are causing confusion were the ones that conspired to stop me from going to the House of Representatives after my victory.
If INEC decides to stand its grounds on the recognition of the Uba faction, what will you do?
They can not do that. They can not. They wrote a letter that they recognized Oguebego  but that is different from having primaries. Let us assume that they recognised Oguebego.. But Oguebego is not the one to conduct primaries. The National Headquarters recgnised Ken Emeakayi as the state chairman.  INEC can not try it. Prof Jega dares not to try it.
What do we expect from you in the days ahead?
We expect total reconciliation. We are already reaching out to our brothers who contested but failed. Only one person can be governor. So we shall all witness the healing process.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/45334.html

Jonathan, Obama Listed Among First speakers at 68th United Nations General Assembly

President Goodluck Jonathan was listed among the first four speakers at the forth-coming UN General Assembly 68th session general debate scheduled for Sept. 24 to 28 in New York.
The UN Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan would speak along Presidents Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Barack Obama of U.S. and Abdullah Gul of Turkey.

Brazil had always been the traditional first speaker during UN General Assembly debate sessions. This is the very first time in the history of the UN General Assembly session that Nigeria would be the fourth country to address the assembly.
In the past, Nigeria had addressed the UN session either in the afternoon or evening. In 2012, during the 67th session when the president addressed the assembly in the evening as the 29th speaker, the hall was virtually empty.
The president is also expected to have a lunch meeting with Nigerian professionals with `solid achievements’ in U.S. on Sept. 22 in New York. According to the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora in America (NIDOA), Mr Ganiyu Dada, the lunch meeting is aimed at discussing the solutions to the national development of Nigeria.
Dada added that the professionals should be willing to participate in the national development of Nigeria. He noted that NIDOA had been asked to submit about 500 names of `super Nigerian professionals’ with solid achievements in U.S. from where about 250 Nigerian Professionals would be chosen.
“They are expected to have Lunch Meeting with President Jonathan on Sunday Sept. 22 in New York from 1p.m. to 4p.m. This list will be submitted next week to the Nigerian Embassy which has the final say on who is invited to have lunch with the president.
“NIDOA is only to compile the list from the 50 States of USA including the Nigerian Professionals that are not yet members of NIDOA.
“You can attend lunch with the President without being a member of NIDOA, but there are a lot of benefits to join NIDOA,’’ Dada said.
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Patience Jonathan Is Getting Away With Murder" -Angry Soyinka Attacks First Lady

Nigeria's foremost human rights activists Professor Wole Soyinka and Femi Falana, SAN, today came down heavily on President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience describing the first lady in particular as a " mere domestic appending of power.

 

Professor Soyinka and Falana came down hard on the President for engineering the chaos besetting the Rivers State House of Assembly. The professor condemned the role of Mr. Jonathan and his wife saying the wife has been using the security apparatus of state to intimidate the governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi.

 

The duo also called on the police hierarchy to remove and prosecute the commissioner of police in Rivers state, Joseph Mbu.

An infuriated Soyinka also asked the media to stop paying attention to the so-called newly elected speaker of Rivers state, Evans Bipi describing him as a clown.

Don't Call Me For A Show If You Do Not Have N5 Million - Wizkid

Nigerian singer Ayo “Wizkid” Balogun was recently in a controversy concerning the fact that some UNILAG students accused him of fraud.

He clarifies the incident below:
What really happened between you and the UNILAG students. You were accused of duping them? 

By now, I think all is clear that there are some people parading themselves as either Wizkid or his managers. The unfortunate incident regarding the UNILAG students is a case of mistaken identity where people fell victim to some unscrupulous elements who impersonated me or my representatives. The same people, as we have come to know, went as far as creating fake accounts in my name to dupe people.
How did you find out about the issue?
Basically, the police just called us to inform us of the development. We can’t really give full details because we were invited to come to the police station and we went as law abiding citizens. When we got there, we gave our own statement as well as the students. But we really can’t say anything now until the police have done their proper investigations. But with the details on ground, what we want you to know is that the so-called Wizkid the students have been contacting is fake and an impostor. It’s really not from me or from anybody around me.
What was your first reaction when you heard the news?
I felt so bad. I just went to my Twitter account and tweeted the normal people to contact if you want to book a show with Wizkid. Let’s be realistic. Everybody saw my hustle and watched me grow. When I dropped “Holla Your Boy”, I was much younger and wasn’t charging up to N5 million for shows. This is just playing out and it is simple.
So, how much do you charge now?
N5 million is okay for my show. But let’s just put things right. It is so bad to my company’s name and my name as well. That is why I decided to open up on the issue.

Why Ngige Wants To Govern Anambra Again

FORMER Anambra State Governor Chris Ngige

Former Governor of Anambra State and Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Dr. Chris Ngige, has said his remaining in politics and vying for the governorship of the state in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, is to enable him uplift the people and give them a sense of belonging.
Ngige, who is a frontline governorship aspirant, leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the new All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, said being governor or Senator was no longer a big deal for him but that he was interested in the welfare of the people and development of the state.
Addressing members of his federal constituency, Idemili North and South, during a thank you meeting at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Nkpor, Ngige said: “There is no big deal about being a governor any longer; I have been one before.
My only urge in public offices is service. “I seek to touch your lives in a positive way, so that you will smile again. By the end of this month, we will formally launch the All Peoples Congress (APC) South-East zone in Awka and we believe that it is the party that will make a difference here. APC will form the next government in Anambra State.”
Ngige, who enjoys the support of the masses because of his achievements during the three years he was in office as governor of the state, thanked the people for their support during his senatorial election and gave them gifts, including wrappers, blenders, food flasks and cash.
He promised to pay similar visit to the other five local government areas that make up the senatorial district in future. Presenting a brief report of his scorecard, which was published in a booklet, Ngige said over 70 persons were given jobs in the senior cadre through him while about 30 were put in Power Institute.
He disclosed that soon, there would be distribution of transformers that he successfully included in the 2013 budget, which would go round at about three for each town. Earlier, speaker after speaker at the event urged Dr Ngige to throw his hat in the ring to liberate the poor masses in the state who have suffered tremendously.
In his speech, the member representing the Federal constituency, Charles Odedo, urged the those not be deceived by people who tell them that they have no place in APC, stressing that Ngige is one of the members of Board of Trustees.

Mikel Won't Marry White Lady - Ebele Obi

Mikel Obi's older brother, Ebele in a recent interview speaks about brother's social and love life:
Sex and romance
"As a footballer and as a popular figure, one must learn to cope with every situation that comes his way. Concerning my social life, I’m currently into a relationship and I don’t want to be distracted. I want to be focused and keep on praying that everything works out fine so that I can settle down with the same person I’m into a relation with.
"I’m not carried away with my brother’s wealth. No doubt girls come around me but I remain focused on my career. Mikel too is into a relationship at the moment right there in the United Kingdom. When you stick to one person at a time, I think it saves you a lot of trouble. But when you jump from one today to another tomorrow, you create room for every other girl to come in. We are not on that track at all."
Mikel won’t marry a white lady
"No, no, no! We cannot advise Mikel to marry a foreigner knowing full well what it involves. We’ll make him realize that if he gets married to a foreigner, whatever comes out of the marriage, he should be prepared to take it. I wouldn’t want my brother to be a victim of a failed marriage.
"Even when I visited him in London, I warned him about white ladies. I told him that even if he’s having a relationship with a white lady, it should stop at that; he should not allow such relationship to end up in marriage. I told him whenever he wants to settle down in marriage, he should come down to Nigeria and pick a wife. If he’s thinking towards the direction of getting married to a white lady, we are not in support of that. My parents are not in support of him getting married to a white. If he’s in a relationship, that’s just a relationship."

 

Didier Drogba with Family Relax on His Luxury Yacht

Didier Drogba might be a footballer but it seems that he also a fan of box.
The 35-year-old footballer was seen sporting a T-shirt with pictures of Mike Tyson across the front as he enjoyed a day out in St Tropez with his family.
Didier added a pair of black shorts and a dark hat to finish off his look for lunch.
After eating at the restaurant Didier, his wife Diakité Lalla along with their three sons Isaac, Iman and Kieran got a tender back to their luxury yacht.
The family enjoyed lunch at the famous Le Club 55 on Pampelonne beach a popular spot for famous faces.

African Religious Leaders Reject Obama's Call For Gay Rights

Religious leaders in Africa strongly rebuked President Obama’s call to decriminalise homosexuality, suggesting it’s the reason why he received a less-than-warm welcome during a recent trip to the continent.

In a news conference in Senegal during his three-nation tour, just as the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on same-sex marriage, Obama said African nations must grant equal protection to all people regardless of their sexual orientation.
“My basic view is that regardless of race, regardless of religion, regardless of gender, regardless of sexual orientation, when it comes to how the law treats you, how the state treats you … people should be treated equally,” Obama said. “And that’s a principle that I think applies universally.”
But Obama’s words rubbed religious and political leaders the wrong way. In Senegal, the West African nation where Islam is the predominant religion, homosexuality is a crime.
Christianity and Islam are growing fast on the continent, and religious leaders in both faith communities responded with vehement denunciations.
Indeed, some clerics said Obama’s statements on gays spoiled the welcome religious leaders and their followers could have accorded the first African-American president.
“For religious leaders, in my point of view, this issue of homosexuality which he mentioned had soiled the hospitality which the religious leaders desired to reserve for him,” said the Rev. Pierre Adama Faye, a Senegalese Lutheran leader.

ASUP Agrees To Call Off Strike

At the meeting organized on Tuesday by the Joint Committee on Education of the National Assembly, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has agreed to call off the strike as soon as possible - once their demands are met.
The meeting sought to resolve the confrontation between the Federal Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and ASUP. Rukayat Rufai, the Minister of Education, and Chukwuemeka Nwogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity were present at the meeting.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije called the unions to end this impasse which has grounded tertiary institutions across the country.
The President of ASUP, Chibuzor Asomugha stated that the polytechnic lecturers would do all within their powers to end the strike in the nearest time.

“Our meeting with the Senate Committee on Education was successful. There was an agreement to meet our demands in the next two weeks as the request will be presented to President Goodluck Jonathan for his approval,” he said.

Mr Asomugha noted that the Senate, asked the union to call off their strike and give the Senate some time to convey their demands to the President. However, Mr Asumogba stated he cannot unilaterally end the strike based on government’s promise. He added ASUP will decide when to finish the industrial action “after our NEC meeting slated in two weeks.”

MULTILIFA 2012/2013: IMSU POST UME IS OUT

Follow this order:
POINT OF SALE (OWERRI ONLY)
(1) Obtain a registration card containing your application PIN Code from any branch of  any of the following banks in Owerri, Imo State: IMSU Library,  Imsu Microfinance Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Access Bank, UBA Plc, Diamond Bank, First Bank, Union Bank  for the payment of N2100.00 Application Fee to the cashier.


(2) On obtaining the scratch card go to www.imsupostumeportal.org and follow registration instruction.

 (3) Click on 'Register' above to fill the registration form. Ensure you type the PIN Code from the scratch card obtained from the bank correctly.

(4) Read carefully the instructions on the registration page.

(6) On successful registration, you will receive a successful registration email containing your username and password.

(7) Click on 'Login' to log in, then you can start filling the form.

(8) Add your profile (This will require a passport photo, signature, biodata  and  your examination particulars.)

(9) Add your qualifications SSCE, GCE, NECO and JAMB  and other certificates.

(10) Confirm your entries before clicking on submit. Ensure that your recent passport photograph and signature are scanned before submitting. After clicking submit application to IMSU, print the slip as an evidence of your registration and bring it to the screening venue.

CLICK TO VIEW TIME TABLE
If you have registered sucessfully, IMSU ICT Center would send your examination date, hall by sms/e- mail.

Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas with Their Families On Yacht

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Premier League footballers, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fàbregas were concentrating on their roles as doting dads on Monday as they looked after their little ones while on holiday in Ibiza.
The friends spent the day on board a luxury yacht with their families, making the most of their time off after the season came to a close.

Clearly more concerned about spending time with their nearest and dearest than making the most of the island’s party scene, the 26-year-olds sunned themselves on deck.

 

Messi arrived at the marina carrying his seven-month-old son Thiago, keeping him close as they jumped on to the boat.

They were joined by Messi’s Barcelona FC pal Fàbregas who carried his two-month-old daughter Lia in her carrier, proving just what hands-on dads they are.

The footballing stars were joined on deck by their other halves and a group of friends who all took the opportunity to relax in the Spanish sunshine.

As well as looking after his little one, Messi seemed to have a spot of suntanning on his mind, stripping down to his red swimming trunks as soon as he got on deck.


And so as not to get any unsightly tan lines, the Argentine sportman rolled up the legs of his swimwear so he could tan as much of his body as possible.

2013/2014 POST-UTME Screening Exercise

2013/2014 POST-UTME Screening Exercise


Candidates who chose Federal University of Technology, Owerri as their 1^st and/or 2^nd choice in the 2013 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), with a score of 180 and above, are invited to a Screening Exercise as indicated below.

Day/Date of Exercise	Time	Group
Tuesday, July 30, 2013	8.00 am	Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE) Materials & Metallurgical Engineering (MME) Agricultural Engineering (AGE) Civil Engineering (CIE) Chemical Engineering (CHE)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013	8.00 am	Petroleum Engineering (PET) Mechanical Engineering (MEE) Polymer & Textile Engineering (PTE) School of Health Technology (SOHT) School of Environmental Technology (SOET)
Thursday, August 01, 2013	8.00 am	All Departments in the following Schools (i)        School of Science (SOSC) (ii)       School of Agriculture & Agricultural Technology (SAAT) (iii)      School of Management Technology (SMAT) & Department of Food Science and Technology (FST)
Saturday, August 10, 2013	8.00 am	Direct Entry Candidates

Method of Application

A.         Eligible candidates should pay the sum of two thousand naira (N2,000.00) only excluding switch fee using e-Tranzact platform at any branch of any of the following banks in the country:

• First Bank Nigeria
• FUTO Microfinance Bank
• Diamond Bank
• Keystone Bank
• Mainstreet Bank

B.         Candidates should collect an e-Tranzact slip from the bank and proceed to complete the registration form with the e-Tranzact receipt number and pin at: utme.futo.edu.ng

• Click on the Post-UTME on-line form and follow the instructions.
• Complete the application form carefully.
• Upload your passport photograph (photo size should not be more than 64kb in jpeg or gif format).
• Preview the completed form and submit when you are sure of your entry.
• Print the completed on-line registration form.

C. Candidates for screening should come with the following:

• HB pencil, eraser and sharpener.
• Two clear copies of the printout of the completed on-line registration form.
• UTME result slip and photocopy.
• e-Tranzact payment slip used for registration.
• Post-UTME on-line Registration form

Note: GSM phones, calculators and other electronic devices are not allowed into the venue.

Important Dates:

July 04, 2013 – July 26, 2013 Registration

Portal will close on midnight July 26, 2013 and open for Direct Entry students on August 02, 2013, closes finally on midnight August 08, 2013.

Note:    The Detailed guidelines for completing the application form and the various Departmental codes can be downloaded from www.futo.edu.ng

Helpdesk: For enquiries, e-mail: info@futo.edu.ng; phone: 083430999

No candidate is allowed to register more than once, as doing so will disqualify you.

Singed

ORJE ISHEGH-NOR

avoid scammers 

John Paul II 'set for sainthood' with second miracle

John Paul II could be declared a saint this year after a Vatican committee approved a second miracle attributed to the Polish pope's intercession.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints ruled an "inexplicable recovery" on 1 May 2011 was due to the late Pope's intercession, Ansa reported.
Earlier that same day he had been beatified after a first miracle was attributed to his intervention.
Pope Francis must now give his approval before a canonisation date is set.
Canonisation is the final step in the official process that declares a deceased person to be a saint.
Speedy process At a plenary meeting of the Congregation on Tuesday, cardinals and bishops mooted a canonisation ceremony taking place in December, sources told Ansa.

 

The Polish pope reformed the sainthood process in 1983

One possible date would be 8 December, on which Catholics celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which this year falls on a Sunday.
John Paul II could be canonised at the same time as John XXIII, Vatican sources suggested. Venerated by Catholics as "the good pope", John XXIII was elected in 1958 and convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, but died the following year before it was finished.
Canonisation requires the attribution of one further miracle to the intercession of the candidate after they have been beatified.
The Vatican has not revealed details about the second miracle in John Paul II's case.
It was reportedly deemed an "inexplicable recovery" by a panel of doctors before being approved last month by a board of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints' theologians.
John Paul II died in 2005 aged 84 and was beatified by his successor Benedict XVI in May 2011.
Among a crowd hundreds of thousands strong on St Peter's Square was French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, who says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease after praying for the intervention of the late pope little more than a month after he died.
Some questioned the Church's speed in beatifying John Paul II just six years after his death.
Although widely regarded as one of the great popes of modern times, his 26-year pontificate was tarnished by his handling of the clerical sex abuse scandal that has rocked the global Church.
Critics say other of the Church's deep-seated problems - such as its dysfunctional management and financial scandals at the Vatican bank - stem from shortcomings of his pontificate.
John Paul II reformed the sainthood process in 1983, making it faster, simpler, and cheaper. The office of "Devil's advocate" - an official whose job was to try to knock down the case for sainthood - was eliminated, and the required number of miracles was dropped.
The idea was to lift up contemporary role models of holiness in order to convince a jaded secular world that sanctity is alive in the here and now, says veteran Vatican analyst John Allen.
The result was that John Paul II beatified and canonised more people than all previous popes combined.

Neymar and Messi will be 'the bomb,' says Alves

The Blaugrana right back believes the duo playing in tandem makes for a mouth-watering prospect, and he is confident both can share the limelight at Camp Nou next season.

Barcelona defender Dani Alves has backed Lionel Messi and Neymar to combine to devastating effect next season by describing the duo as "the bomb."

The former Santos striker has silenced his critics in recent weeks by lighting up the Confederations Cup from which he emerged with the Golden Ball after scoring four goals en route to helping his side win the competition. Alves believes the 21-year-old can forge an explosive partnership with Messi, the four-time reigning Ballon d'Or winner, and says both have the requisite amount of humility to succeed.

"They will be the bomb next season," Alves told reporters. "That is why I insisted Neymar join us so much, because I'm sure he will be a very special player.

"They will have a very positive connection. Neymar is happy to play with Messi. There will no problems because there is humility with both of them."

Neymar, Alba set for tonsil surgery

multilifa

 Neymar, Alba set for tonsil surgery

The Blaugrana stars are to undergo a minor operation on Friday as it has emerged both have been suffering from tonsillitis, while David Luiz will also have his nose operated on.

Barcelona stars Neymar and Jordi Alba are set to undergo surgery to remove their tonsils on Friday, Barcelona confirmed on its official website.

The operation, which will be presided over by the club's medical staff, is expected to sideline the duo for an estimated 10 days while they recover. The Brazil international will go under the knife in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, while teammate Alba will be operated on in Catalunya on the same day.

Both of Tito Vilanova's men came face-to-face for the Confederations Cup final on Sunday, which the Selecao emerged as comprehensive 3-0 winners courtesy of a Neymar strike in between two goals from Fred.

The former Santos star, who arrived in Camp Nou for $75 million earlier this summer, is expected to make his competitive debut for the Blaugrana in the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid on Aug. 21.

The 21-year-old's international colleague, David Luiz, is also scheduled to undergo surgery in the coming days, with the Chelsea defender set to be operated on this Thursday, having suffered a broken nose in Brazil's 2-0 victory over Mexico two weeks ago.