Nigeria has not renewed several drilling licences that expired as far back as 2008 with foreign oil companies

U.S. energy giant Exxon Mobil signed 20-year oil licence renewals on Nigerian assets producing around 550,000 barrels per day on Wednesday, the company's country manager said, ending months of negotiations.

As wide-ranging energy reforms have been delayed by political wrangling, Nigeria has not renewed several drilling licences that expired as far back as 2008 with foreign oil companies, including Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron .

Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/exxon-mobil-signs-20-year-license-renewals

The construction giant failed to appear before a Senate

Julius Berger Nigeria Limited on Wednesday snubbed the call by the senate committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to appear before it alongside 24 other contractors handling projects in the FCT to answer questions concerning their contracts.

While addressing reporters in Abuja, the chairman of the committee, Smart Adeyemi, who was visibly angry over the non-appearance of Julius Berger and other leading contractors, said the he believed the company intentionally refused to show up for the probe.

Due to the absence of Julius Berger and other major contractors at the hearing, the meeting has been postponed to next week Monday as the chairman said the committee will not fail to sanction any contractor that fails to appear before it.

Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/julius-berger-snubs-senate

The Federal Executive Council yesteray gave approval for the issuance of provisional licenses for the establishment of five universities bringing the number of universities in Nigeria to a total of 122.

The universities include: Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, with the University of Techonology Akure as its mentor, Evangel University Akaeze, Ebonyi state with the University of Nigeria Nsukka as its mentor, Gregory University Uturu, Abia state with the University of Nigeria Nsukka as its mentor, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun state, with the University of Ibadan as its mentor and Southwestern University, Okun Owa, Ogun state with the University of Lagos as its mentor.

Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/fec-approves-new-universities

Suspended commissioner of police, Zakari Biu has been dismissed over the escape of Kabiru Sokoto

The Nigeria Police has dismissed Zakari Biu, the police officer that allegedly facilitated the escape of Kabiru Sokoto who was suspected to have coordinated the Christmas day bombing at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madala, Niger State which claimed 44 lives and left several others injured.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Police Service Commission, the PSC after its investigation found Biu culpable in the events that led to the escape of Kabiru Sokoto and therefore dismissed him from the police service.

This will be the second time that Mr. Biu would be officially dismissed from service. He was dismissed after being indicted for human rights violations during the era of the late General Sani Abacha.

Read More http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/police-dismiss-zakari-biu

The head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, on Monday said corruption within NNPC was overblown, casting doubt on whether the firm intends to tackle what several reports have highlighted as a major problem.

Numerous reports and audits have said graft is rife within NNPC. Transparency International and Revenue Watch last year ranked it as the least transparent oil company in the world.

"I think NNPC corruption is blown out of proportion. Corruption in NNPC is in the imagination of some people," Austin Oniwon, NNPC managing director, said at the opening of an oil and gas conference in the capital Abuja.

Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/corruption-claims-nnpc-imaginary-oniwon

Tuesday’s tricky tie with Napoli could make or mar Andre Villas Boas

The UEFA Champions League round of 16 continues on Tuesday with Chelsea facing a tricky trip to Italy to play Napoli, who are in good form in the Serie A.

If they fail to get a decent result against Napoli, Chelsea may have to sack their coach, Andre Villas-Boas. Billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich, is not known for his patience with managers; and pundits are already speculating that Villas-Boas’ fate is hanging on the balance.

The book explains the policies formulated and implemented by the former President

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) will today launch a book titled 'The President Explains', which explains the policies enunciated, formulated and implemented by the former President Olusegun Obansanjo between 1999 and 2007.

Yusuf Nuhu, Director General of FRCN, is an attempt to enable citizens appreciate one of the outstanding achievements of the former president; adding that the Ota-based statesman laid the foundation for an accountable and transparent presidency in Nigeria.

Read more: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/frcn-launch-book-obasanjo

The Central Bank of Nigeria, on Monday, donated N25 million to victims of the Christmas Day bomb attack at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State.

Lamido Sanusi, the CBN governor, while handing over the cheque, said the donation was in line with CBN’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. He said the CSR initiative, which has been in existence since 2006, had enabled the bank to support people in times of need.

For instance, he recalled how the apex bank vacated one of its branches to provide accommodation to the victims of the bomb blast that rocked the United Nations building in July 2011.

Read more: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/cbn-donates-n25m-madalla-bomb-victims

Governors in the country have embarked on an aggressive campaign to woo billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, and get him to invest in their states following the launch of the Dangote Cement’s six million metric tons capacity Ibese Plant, in Ogun State.

The governors started the campaign at the formal opening of the plant, where 15 of them were among the dignitaries that graced the event.

The governors said the feat attained by Alhaji Dangote is worthy of emulation by other wealthy Nigerians noting that the decision of the business mogul to have his investment in Nigeria was an indication of his firm belief in the Nigerian economy.

They commended Dangote for ensuring that his investment in cement is scattered across the geo-political zones and urged other well to do Nigerians to see establishment of industries as the only way out of the nation’s economic woes.

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State described the new cement factory as a win-win project for every stakeholder, and urged Dangote to come to the South East and establish his presence, saying that Anambra was a peaceful state and investor friendly.

Read more: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/governors-woo-dangote

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It is no longer news that Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Sani Kaita have been recalled to the Super Eagles. While some analysts agree that Aiyegbeni merits his recall, others have criticised Kaita’s recall especially as he is seen to be on the fringes of his club in Ukraine.

Akinbode Oguntuyi, a football analyst, belongs to this group. “I think for Aiyegbeni, while the coach is within rights, because The ‘Yak’ is scoring goals now; but it is crucial to clarify where exactly he is going with the player,” he said. “While it is okay to invite the inform players to help steer a team through qualifications, it may be retrogressive and counter-productive to include such aging players in long term plans, especially as younger players are already in the frame, and rebuilding is in progress."

Read more: [url]http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/controversy-trails-sani-kaita%E2%80%99s-recall[/url]

We sure hate to use the word ‘rebrand’ because that is not we have done – we simply took on a new look and feel. Yes! We are still branding. So here’s what we’ve come up with for phase 1.

An awesome landing page that will give you the latest in different areas ranging from Technology (mother of them all), to the subsets such as Startups, Resource, Gadget, Developers and Products. We have also made the Blog very interesting, and orderly, so you can keep up with the tech world via different posts and share with friends on almost on the social networks that you are on.

http://otekbits.com/otekbits-our-new-look-and-feel/

The Lagos State government has commenced the clearance and maintenance of drainage channels in the state, to prevent the flooding that usually plagues the city during the raining season.

According to the state government, they have engaged drainage engineers and officers to liaise with Community Development Association (CDAs) in various local governments.
The government has also awarded several dredging projects in the networks of canals and drainages channels in places strategic and prone to flooding generation.

The Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, speaking during the assessment of the ongoing dredging and clearing of canals project in some parts of the state at the weekend, said the state is unwavering in its efforts to rid the state of hazards resulting from drainage channels blockage.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/lagos-commences-drainage-maintenance

Says they must not hoard PMS or sell above N97 per litre

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday threatened to sanction any petroleum products marketer who flouts the Federal Government approved pump price of N97per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Oshiomhole, who made this knownat a meeting with major independent marketers in the state at the Government House in Benin, also threatened to revoke the certificate of occupancy of any marketer found hoarding petrol.

Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/oshiomhole-warns-petroleum-marketers

Majority of the people questioned believe that the government is corrupt

A Gallup poll conducted among Nigerians has revealed that 94% of those questioned believe that the government is corrupt.

Perhaps this figure explains why Nigerians came out en masse to protest and show their displeasure when the federal government announced the removal of the fuel subsidy, around the time the contents of the 2012 budget revealed excessive amounts budgeted for frivolities.

According to the experts, Nigerians do not trust the government and so, disbelief the promises that the savings from the fuel subsidy would be used to create jobs and provide infrastructure.

The aftermath of the eight day strike that brought the country's economy to a halt is still being felt.

There are still long queues at filling stations and the soldiers deployed across the country by the government are still on the streets and the FG has said that they will not be returning to the barracks immediately.

Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/94-nigerians-distrust-government-poll

The committee is made up of former members of the National Assembly, a legal adviser and a union member

The Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke has set up a committee to speed up the passing of the Petroleum Industry Bill.

The bill, which if passed, will overhaul the oil industry, has been under negotiation for about four years.


Read More: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/pib-diezani-sets-committee-speed-passage

An Irish passport forged in Lagos has been used to scam American investors

The FBI and Interpol are investigating a scam involving an Irish passport believed to have been forged by a Nigerian gang from data obtained in Dublin, which is at the centre of a €100m gold scam in West Africa.

The passport - in the name of a John Recketts - was used in an elaborate ruse to dupe American investors of millions of dollars in a scheme which ran for almost 12 months.

The number on the passport was the same as that of a valid travel document of an elderly woman resident in Dublin, but all other details were professionally forged.

The scam revolved around US investors being able to purchase unprocessed gold directly from a mine in West Africa, without any fees, charges or taxes being applied to it.

The sum involved was more than €10m, but the investors stood to make up to €100m if the gold was successfully transported to Europe or the Middle East and processed.

The US investors, all industrialists, had invested €3m in setting up the export and security operation. But the scam was discovered when an Irish security team was hired to escort the gold out of Africa on their behalf.

The security team became suspicious when it was unable to make direct contact with the shipment organiser - John Recketts - despite spending more than three months in West Africa.

Read More: [url]http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigerian-gang-behind-%E2%82%AC100m-gold-scam-fbi[/url]

South East Muslims say - Say Boko Haram isn’t in line with Islamic tenets

Following security threats in the country by Islamist Sect, Boko Haram, the South East Muslim Organisation (SEMO) on Monday said we have come a long way, so the unity of Nigeria a nation is not negotiable.

The group also stated clearly that the Holy Quran, Hadiths and Sunnah, to which every Muslim is obliged to adhere, stress that any act that involves destruction of human life is antithetical to Islamic teachings and must be condemned in its entirety.

Read More: [url]http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria%E2%80%99s-unity-not-negotiable-south-east-muslims[/url]

He says - "One day all will be exposed"

Music producer Don Jazzy, declared his regrets over voting for Goodluck Jonathan. During the on-going strike against the removal of fuel subsidy he said, "I hardly regret decisions I make. That my one vote added to put the current government in power is one decision I regret with all my heart."

He went further, "What I do not know is if the man we all voted for deceived us knowing that he would turn out like this or he is not the one leading us. May God help us."

He cleared the allegations made by rapper Eedris Abdulkareem who fingered Mo'Hits star-D’banj, amongst other artistes as collecting money from the Goodluck Jonathan campaigned just before the 2011 April Polls.

"God knows that government has not given Mohits any penny like I have always told you. I am boldly putting it out here for anybody to contest.

We all voted for President Jonathan because at the time,

Read more > http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/don-jazzy-confesses-some-nigerians-are-not-ready-change

The Cisco Expose is a definitive and comprehensive learning bootcamp conceptualized by SYSPERA to provide the right knowledge and improve technical skillsets in the oft ‘cavernous’ field of Computer Networking.

At The Cisco Expose, flatulence is abhorred and IT Professionals come for advice, solutions and bests practices to their real world networking challenges and prepare them for tomorrow’s innovations through our rigorous and pedagogical (IMPROVISE>ADAPT>OVERCOME) methodology to learning.

The style of instruction at The Cisco Expose is extreme with a military-like semblance hence the word ‘bootcamp’ but with a touch of class and quality. The subject matter experts at The Cisco Expose are the best ranking from industry experts to top-notch faculty.

The Expose kicks off Nov 14th-18th with the CCNA Routing & Switching. See more on http://theciscoexpose.com for more


[img]http://nuubee.files./2011/11/theciscoexpose.jpg?w=580&h=596[/img]

[img]http://nuubee.files./2011/10/challengefuture_autumn_challenges_20112.jpg?w=580&h=805[/img]

Challenge:Future is inviting students and young people aged 18-30 year old to participate in three new challenges, each one bringing many opportunities such as scholarships worth 2,500 Euros per person to attend the Challenge:Future Academy and Summit 2012. Other prizes include financial support for project realization, internships, speaking opportunities at global events and many more.

Feel Free to contact - Challenge:Future Nigeria at challengefuture.nigeria@gmail.com or The Future Project for more information or inquires.

The Baba Suwe saga rumbles on as the comedian's lawyer has now made it clear that he intends to sue the NDLEA for a record breaking N1billion. As things stand right now, the drug agency has held Suwe for eight days on allegations that he ingested substances suspected to be hard drugs. However, up until now, and after three defecations under close observation, nothing has been found on the Yoruba movie actor.

In other, national news, the Senate has rejected a proposal to merge the EFCC and ICPC. The lawmakers forced the sponsor of the bill, Ita Enang to withdraw it, and in the process told him that he had not thought it through. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives have questioned the workability of President Jonathan's fiscal proposals for the next four years. However, from a populist point of view, the biggest news to come out of the House of Representatives yesterday was the passage of a law by the House prescribing life behind bars for anyone found guilty of kidnapping in Nigeria. The new law is separate from the broader Anti-Terrorism Bill signed into law by President Jonathan earlier, and targets offences considered to be strictly related to hostage taking, seizing of persons and abduction for cash. Remember that some states, mostly in the South have already passed and signed laws prescribing either life terms or capital punishment for the crime.

Read More >> http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Expensive-shit.html?soid=1108128840425&aid=86tRYBX2kWc

The Baba Suwe saga rumbles on as the comedian's lawyer has now made it clear that he intends to sue the NDLEA for a record breaking N1billion. As things stand right now, the drug agency has held Suwe for eight days on allegations that he ingested substances suspected to be hard drugs. However, up until now, and after three defecations under close observation, nothing has been found on the Yoruba movie actor.

In other, national news, the Senate has rejected a proposal to merge the EFCC and ICPC. The lawmakers forced the sponsor of the bill, Ita Enang to withdraw it, and in the process told him that he had not thought it through. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives have questioned the workability of President Jonathan's fiscal proposals for the next four years. However, from a populist point of view, the biggest news to come out of the House of Representatives yesterday was the passage of a law by the House prescribing life behind bars for anyone found guilty of kidnapping in Nigeria. The new law is separate from the broader Anti-Terrorism Bill signed into law by President Jonathan earlier, and targets offences considered to be strictly related to hostage taking, seizing of persons and abduction for cash. Remember that some states, mostly in the South have already passed and signed laws prescribing either life terms or capital punishment for the crime.

Read More >> http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Expensive-shit.html?soid=1108128840425&aid=86tRYBX2kWc

THE #LOCALOCA SERIES: LOCATION


[img]http://nuubee.files./2011/09/purewater.jpg?w=207&h=155[/img]

“It’s all about location when it comes to making sales”. Those were the words of Donald Trump in one of the episodes of the famous TV reality show of all times – The Apprentice.

Well I don’t know how much more to stress this truth, because I see some people trying to sell their goods or offer their services at the wrongest place; and I go “C’mmon! You never going to make a buck from this spot“

Others have blown me away on where they chose to stand, and often make me go – “Now, that’s just pure genius“.

Without further delay I’d share 2 (simple) experiences of both classes. I’m not going too far to let’s consider a city like Lagos and a common product - Sachet Water a.k.a. “Pure Water”.

Kid 1: Decides to take his own bag of pure water (60 sachet) at around 12 noon and look for places with Traffic. He does find one and sells only 30 and couldn’t go no further. Not because there was no demand, but it was no longer cold. He walked under the sun at noon and could only make half sales.

Kid 2: Aware of the importance of location, decides to depart at 1pm to go straight to a filling station, to sell to commercial buses that came in. He did sell only 30 too, and when he saw temperature was on the rise,

Read More: http://nuubee./2011/09/09/location-location-location-part-1/

A Constitutional amendment remains one of the top priorities of the seventh Nigerian Senate. This declaration was made by Senate President, David Mark today.

He made the statement while receiving his colleagues back to the Senate after a two month vacation.

Mark said the Senate will build on the success of the last Constitutional amendment to make further amendments that will touch major constitutional props of Nigeria.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/senate-further-amend-1999-constitution

[img]http://dailytimes.com.ng/sites/default/files/imagecache/400xY/David+Mark.jpg[/img]

Trust me I was shocked when a colleague decided to join the corporate slave train after being a free bird for while. For the sake of this blog, I’d call her Miss D.

Miss D after being a freelance online editor & writer for quite a chunk of her life in the industry (she’s still young though), decided to submit herself to the corporate slave market.

Funny how I actually turned down the firm where she’s now headed, for where she’d be leaving from. #Irony. It sure seems like 2 trains heading towards different directions but passing through the same terminal.


Read More >> http://nuubee./2011/09/02/mr-corporate-slave-miss-free-bird/

Workers report attacks as they shelter in camps

Nigerian Festus Prince said he took his family and ran after he saw a Libyan gang shoot his brother in the head for refusing to hand over money.

His tale is just one of several told by Africans at a camp near Tripoli describing intimidation or outright violence as forces fighting Muammar Gaddafi entered Tripoli.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/african-workers-live-fear-after-gaddafi-overthrow

Sesame seed promotion is part of government’s action to boost non-oil export in the country.

Nigeria earned $612.7 million from the exportation of sesame seeds as the leading global producer of the commodity in 2010.
Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom revealed this at the flag off of promotion on ‘’increasing sesame seed production for export,’’ by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.

He said the sesame seed promotion was part of government’s action to boost non-oil export in the country.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-makes-612m-sale-sesame-seeds

Sesame seed promotion is part of government’s action to boost non-oil export in the country.

Nigeria earned $612.7 million from the exportation of sesame seeds as the leading global producer of the commodity in 2010.
Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom revealed this at the flag off of promotion on ‘’increasing sesame seed production for export,’’ by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.

He said the sesame seed promotion was part of government’s action to boost non-oil export in the country.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-makes-612m-sale-sesame-seeds

The state aim is to enhance peace and political stability in the state

The governor of Sokoto state, Aliyu Wamakko, has announced that his administration has concluded plans to distribute 60 patrol vehicles to security outfits in the state.

The governor made the announcement, on Tuesday, when he paid Sallah homage to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III.

He said the vehicles would be equipped with with modern communication gadgets and added that they would enable security agencies to coordinate and implement various security measures to enhance peace, progress and political stability in the state.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/sokoto-provide-security-agencies-60-vehicles