₦airaland Forum

The many investments of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State in the education sector are yielding fruits as a citizen of thestate, Miss Sandra Anazor, who went to school in the state came the overall best in NECO and WASC examinations.



While receiving her at the Government House yesterday, Obi announced scholarship for her and promptly redeemed it by handing over a cheque of N2, 220,000 to her, covering the six years she will be in school, having secured admission to read Medicine at the University of Ibadan.



Obi said he was proud of her accomplishments and that performances such as hers encouraged him to keep visiting secondary schools in the state to encourage students to take their studies seriously, saying he would soon extend it to primary schools.
Reeling out names of Anambra people whoare champions in their areas, Obi said the state would keep on searching for them wherever they are with the view of presenting them as role models to the younger ones.


Giving example with the Heart Centre his administration is building at St. Joseph Hospital Adazi-Nnukwu, named after the foremost Anambra Cardiologist, Dr. Joe Nwiloh, Obi said other foremost Anambrarians would be similarly recognised.


Obi took the opportunity to call on the people of the state to see education as themost potent instrument for competition. Quoting Aristotle, he said that the differences between the educated and the uneducated was as that between the livingand the dead.
During the ceremony, the ancient saying that “success has many fathers, but failureis an orphan,” which President John Kennedy repeated after the disastrous “Bay of Pigs invasion” played out as the principal of the school Sandra did her JSS1-JSS3 (Queen of the Rosary, College, Onitsha) Rev. Sr. Maria Nwankwo and the Principal of Federal Government College, Onitsha, where she did her SS1-SS3, Dr. Chinyere Nzerem, jokingly claimed her as their owns.


They both expressed happiness at her performance.
In her speech, Sandra Anagor expressed surprise at the state government gesture, saying that Peter Obi has proved beyond doubt that he loves education and the successes of his children.
Sandra’s proud father, Azubike Anagor, accompanied by her mother, Chinwe said the resurrected performance of Anambra people in examinations is attributable to Obi who has shown interest in all sectors. He recalled when Obi provided boreholes, generators, Internet and labolatory facilities as well as school buses to schools in Anambra State and said the gesture allowed Sandra and her colleagues at Queen of the Rosary College,Onitsha and students in other schools in the state to live in boarding schools in relative comfort.



In her own remarks, the state Commissioner for Education said all thanks would go to the governor for his absolute love for the state.
In her academic history, Sandra has won many academic competitions and awards.




http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/anambra-indigene-emerges-best-in-neco-ssce/135874/

What's up with his africa tallest building project in abuja? I think he called it Silverbird Stratosphere, not really sure!

Contrary to the recent claims by the DangoteGroup that the nation’s cement market has been flooded with imported products, resulting in a glut, the Ibeto Group, the owners of Ibeto Cement Company Limited, has stated that there is no way the volume ofcement which is imported by their company can induce any form of surplus as alleged.



In a statement issued by Ibeto Cement, the company clarified that a glut is an economic phenomenon that results when a market is excessively supplied with a particular productand the first evidence of such a situation is the drastic reduction in the price of the product and this has not been the case with cement which is still more expensive in Nigeria than in any other nation in the world.


The group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director of Strategy and Public Affairs, Dr. Ben Aghazu, noted that through aconsent judgment entered by the Federal High Court to settle the dispute between the Federal Government and Ibeto Cement Company in suits number FHC/ABJ/CS/400/2006 and FHC/ABJ/CS/496/2010, Ibeto Cement Company Limited is currently the only authorised importer of bulk cement in the country.



Explaining how the consent judgment came about, Aghazu said the Federal Government had issued a guarantee to Ibeto Cement Company Limited that the company’s proposed cement bagging plant in Bundu Ama, near Port Harcourt, shall operate for a minimum period of ten years from commissioning so as to meet the strict funding requirements of the lending institutions.
The Federal Government had also encouraged the company with appropriate incentives such as reduced duty on importedequipment and a waiver on value added tax (VAT).




“However, in September 2005, a mere three months after our gleaming new plant began operation, Dangote Cement used its reach in the Federal Government to unjustifiably and unexplainably close down the operations of the Ibeto bagging plant,” he alleged.
He said after various efforts to appeal to the Federal Government failed, the company went to court in 2006 to seek justice and thedispute was finally settled out of court after extensive negotiations involving all relevant federal ministries and departments and agencies of government.




“In the judgment order, the Federal Government acknowledged that the Ibeto Cement Company Bagging Plant was unjustifiably closed down. The government also acknowledged the enormous losses suffered by Ibeto Cement Company from the unjustified closure from 2005 to October 2007,” Aghazu said.
Referring to the judgment, he added that part of the order stated that Ibeto Cement Company Limited shall be allowed to import 1.5 million tonnes of bulk cement per annumfor the period October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2017 in line with the Federal Government’s guarantee conveyed in the Ministry of Industry’s letters, reference HMSI/EXT/CORR/VOL.X/350 of June 5, 2002 and HMSI/EXT.CORR/VOL.XII/127 of November 29, 2002.




With this judgment making Ibeto Cement thesole importer of cement into the country for the specified period, the company argued that 1.5 million tonnes, which is less than 5 percent of the annual cement supply to the Nigerian market, cannot create a glut.
Aghazu accused the Dangote Group of tryingto influence the Federal Government to, in effect, invalidate the essence of the court order that authorised Ibeto Cement to “import this small amount of cement until September 30, 2017, by raising the duty andother taxes on imported cement so as to make imported cement more expensive than Dangote Cement.




“We do not believe that the Federal Government should be misled into doing this,because doing so will go against the spirit of the out-of-court settlement agreement between the Federal Government and Ibeto Cement, especially since Ibeto Cement, as stated, is currently the sole importer of cement”
In order to position their proposed cement plant to be built in the South-south zone to operate monopolistically, Dangote Group, Aghazu said, is also trying to get the “FederalGovernment to ban the importation of clinkeror in the alternative, drastically increase the duties and taxes on clinker imports so as to rattle and destabilise a cement manufacturerin that area and thus complete its strategic monopolistic domination of the Nigerian cement market.”
Aghazu also flayed the announcement of the closure of Benue Cement Company (BCC) on account of the “phantom” glut, describing it as dishonest and false.



“Time and unfolding events will show that Dangote Group is being economical with the truth in this assertion. We have it on good authority that the Dangote plant in Gboko (BCC) was programmed to shut down for turnaround maintenance only and will resume production when the maintenance has been completed,” he said.
He noted that the bulk cement imported, bagged and sold by Ibeto Cement Company Limited is different and superior to the cement made by Dangote Cement Company Plc.



“Ours is rapid hardening ordinary Portland cement preferred by first class construction companies. On the other hand, Dangote makes Portland limestone cement, which is used primarily in residential buildings.
“These facts are well known to and acknowledged by Dangote Group. Thus, strictly speaking, Ibeto Cement and Dangote Cement, being different in quality and also made for different purposes, should not reallybe competing,” he said.
He urged Dangote Group to accept reduced profits by lowering the price of their cement, a move that will be applauded by the consumers.
He also urged them to explore the export option, which it has so eloquently campaigned to have the capacity to carry out.




“The Dangote Group has been crowing aboutits plan to export cement from Nigeria. We urge them to start their export business forthwith. If there is a problem with the competitiveness of their made-in-Nigeria cement in foreign markets, we urge them to please take a close look at their components of the costs of goods sold,” Aghazu said.
Aghazu stated that it was imperative to alert the nation on the strategic risk posed by the situation. “We venture to assert that based on Dangote Group’s actions as it pertains to Ibeto Cement Company Ltd, the primary strategy of the Dangote Group in business is to use all available forces in the environment to make sure that they do not have any competition.
“In other words, they must operate as monopolists. Consequently, their roads to success are littered with the remains of would-be or attempted competitors,” he alleged.
He added: “In order to reduce the adverse effect of monopolies, for safety reasons, and in the interest of the common good, some countries have and enforce antitrust laws that control how much of any strategic market an individual or corporation is allowedto control.



“Unfortunately, in our country, the antitrust laws probably don’t exist or aren’t enforced when it pertains to the Dangote Group whichholds a monopolistic stranglehold on several significant and strategic sectors of the economy,” he stated.
According to Aghazu, the assertion by Ibeto Cement regarding the dangerous effect of monopolies deserves serious study by the country’s economic planners and a healthy debate on the issue



http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ibeto-cement-claims-of-cement-glut-misleading/134729/

I nominate chinua achebe! He can lead from d wheelchair with his no nonsense chracter!! Maybe soludo can deputize for him...by thinking, Strategiesing and doing d field work!!
Believe me corruption will go down to d lowest and soludo strategies will take d state to singapore standard working with d oil money coming up.

Best collabo ever!!

You are on a long thing if u are expecting commendation comments from nairalanders on dis!!!

The woman said d simple logical truth! Una dey there dey insult una mother!

You want them to close down capital oil deport with his 35 percent distribution capabilities and still expect fuel to be free available

Na spirit go import and distribute d products since only NNPC can't do it.

manny4life: @Post,

Certain # do not add up, the 60km cost N16billion, meanwhile the entire project cost N2billion, which is it? Nonetheless, it's good that the gov is taking the initiative. Let us hope this follow through as planned, though in my opinion, it's a lil expensive

The atani-rivers state 6okm road dat is costing 16 billion naira is a different road from the one dat has d three bridges....d atani-ozubulu with d three bridges with a 12km road costing 2 billion naira actually is meant to connect u,just after passing d river niger bridge to onitsha~owerri expressway road without going tru onitsha madness! Kind of a bypass

So the road after completion will cut d distance from onitsha to owerri to some kilometers....and also opening up bush communities along dat terrain.

For sale!

A 4 room bungalow on One plot of land at ketu near ketu estate for sale!

Price is: 12 million naira

Call:08034057928

Nairaland and their stupidity!! These bounty baits is for fellow low ranking and confidential boko haram members to snitch on their ogas not for you dumb heads!

For those asking for pictures! You have seen abubakar shekau pics even videos for youtube! Go and catch him.

These bounties will drive those suspects more into hididng and also weaken their ability to cordinate and launch attack! Cause they will hid their locations even from their fellow members! Cause definately one good or greedy one will surely snitch on them.

Mod front page!

:
How on earth is this possible
And they even built a 30 story building in 15 days....this is revolution in d making.

A Chinese construction company yesterday revealed plans to build the world's tallest skyscraper - in just three months.

Sky City in Changsha, south-east China, will be a 220-storey structure standing at an incredible 2,749ft (838m).

It will house 17,400 people and also boast hotels, hospitals, schools and office space with occupants using 104 high-speed lifts to get around.

 
The half-mile high superstructure will be 32ft taller than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai - the current tallest building - and is expected to cost almost half as much.

It will dwarf the Shard in London, standing more than 530m above the western Europe's tallest building and, when completed, will mean nine of the 10 tallest skyscrapers in the world are in Asia.  But the most impressive thing about Sky City is that its designers, Chinese-based Broad Group, plan to start and finish it in just 90 days.

This astonishing pace, which will see five storeys go up a day, is down to the revolutionary method of prefabricated building where blocks are built off site and slotted together to save time.


Despite concerns about its structural rigidity, Broad Group says the half-mile high building will be able to withstand a magnitude 9.0 earthquake.
The idea isn't pie in the sky thinking either, with Broad making headlines last year when they built a 30-storey building in 15 days.
Ambitious: Sky City will house 17,400 people and also boast hotels, hospitals, schools and office space with occupants using 104 high-speed lifts to get around

 
WORLD'S TALLEST SKYSCRAPERS
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE - 163 floors / 2,717ft

Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, Mecca, Saudi Arabia - 120 floors 1,971ft

Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan - 101 floors / 1,670ft

Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai, China - 101 floors / 1,614ft

International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong - 118 floors / 1,588ft


China-based Broad, which started out making air-conditioning systems in the Eighties, will employ 3,000 workers for the project.

Spread over 1million square metres and be made up of 200,000 tonnes of steel, Sky City will be a mini town when completed.

It will have more than 5,000 residential properties playing home to 17,400 residents as well as a hotel for 1,000, a hospital, five schools and office space with overall capacity standing at 31,000.

Sky City is expected to cost around £400 million, significantly less than the £940 million Burj Khalifa which took more than five-years to build.

Broad is still awaiting final approval from the Chinese government, but it is hoping the project will get off the ground towards the end of December and be completed before April 2013.

Source:DailyMail

Some corrections and clarifications to die hard critics!

Nigeria needs airport in every state,some state even needs two like lagos! The population is there to make use of all those aiports...if nigeria hav large and low cost airlines dat charges at most 6000 naira for an hour flight like in other countries PH airport will be overwhelmed.
The economy activities which will drive this believe me is creeping up everyday... lots of investments and companies are being set up as I speak which you may not know....

buchibabe: Anoda fraud on d way....

Pls can someone tel me how I can watch youtube movies on my bb fone,each time I try,it keeps showing"buffering" and it does dis for a whole day

Dude if dat thing ever play kiss ur 400 naira credit good bye! Dats if u have up to dat in ur phone at dat time.

Una go cast MTN finish still dey use their services! MTN subscriber base is the total subscriber base of GLO etisalat and airtel combined! Who be those subscribers? Aliens from mars?

Who una dey decieve self?? Long MtceeeeeeeEeeeeeeeeeeW

.

chino11: Work at the LG-Anids Entertainment center in Awka has reached advanced stage and its still on-going, because its a massive project being done by LG giant of Korea. Maybe I will soon pass the site and get some snap shots for your consumption. Its a site to behold, it will change the entertainment and hospitality industry for good.

Pls do get d pictures,i Would love to see

Like I said I started 2days ago! And have requested for a payout since I have passed 30 dollars minimum payout level....all payout request are transfered to your selected mode payment at the end of every month!

So I should be paid on d 30th of this month.

I just started this 2 days ago and I already have 120 dollars in my account! I wld have attached a screenshot for you to see but d spambot is banning me for that.

It is very easy to do! No complicated stories.

I suggest you register before it gets saturated! And its absolutely free

Find the website on my signature/profile,can't post the links here.

highlandre: contact pls ( phone, email or address)

What address again Didn't u see d location I wrote?

If it is a number to call to knw if d vacancies are still available try dis num:08037827328

DRIVER, RECEPTIONIST,CLEANER SECURITY MAN Vacancies!
Pasted on the gate...

Location:TTC mobile(telecom Engineering training firm)
24 Oba ladejiobi str GRA ikeja lagos near ikeja high court.

chino11: Okey nwanne mu, Obi is fast developing a massive 5 star hotel and convention center in GRA-Onitsha..

This is where you go lodge when you storm 9ja next..

I know your house dey for GRA-Osha too but there here you go lodge..

The project is slated to be completed March next year..




Governor Peter Obi has officially laid the foundation stone of the multi-billion naira Anambra State Hotel and Convention Centre, Onitsha. The facility is one of the multiple development projects to be sited in the area. He announced that before the end of the year government will also lay the foundation stone for an international shopping mall in the area. According to the Governor, other similar shopping malls will also be built in Awka and Nnewi.

Performing the function, Governor Obi said the project was part of the initiatives to restore the glory of the commercial city and attract back businesses as well as generate employment. He said the projects would provide suitable facilities for investors and others visiting the State.

The Governor disclosed that measures have been initiated to boast power supply to the State to fast tract industrial development and enhance socio-economic activities.

The traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe observed that it was the first time such project is being sitted in the area as is happening in many parts of the State and commended the Governor for maintaining his tempo of development in all sectors under Governor Obi and urged the people to take steps to ensure sustainability.

On why the foundation was just laid even when the building has reached the 4th floor, the Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs Azuka Enemuo said that all attempts to lay the foundation earlier was not possible as the Governor maintained that such acts were mere ceremonies and that what mattered most was that work was going on.

Speaking later, the Transition Committee Chairman, Orumba North, Mr. Emeka Aforka said the Governor had created enabling environment for tourism to thrive and enjoined the organized private sector to take advantage of the opportunity.

Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman, Anocha Local Government Council, Mr. Emeka Chijioke said the hotel would further raise standard in the city and generate employment.


BELOW ARE THE PICTURES OF THE PROJECT..

It was designed by a South African firm..

@chino what is the level of progress of work at the LG-Anids Entertainment center at awka or has it been abandoned?

By d way, nice work going on at the GRA onitsha project...dats a massive project! Hope it will be completed on schedule

Users of Automated Teller Machines will no longerpay N100 on withdrawals whenever they use banks other than theirs, the Central Bank of Nigeria said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken at the end of a meeting inAbuja between the CBN and the Bankers Committee.

Managing directors of some banks also attended the meeting.

The Group Managing Director, First Bank Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, told newsmen that the charge as well as others associated with the use of ATMs would be scrapped soon.

He said it was meant to encourage the use of ATMs.

Onasanya said the decision would help to increase the patronage of ATMs, thus deepening the financial inclusion strategy of the apex bank.

He said the modalities for the stoppage is being worked out adding that within the shortest time possible, the adjustments would be reflected in all the ATMs.

“When you use the ATM of a bank other than your bank, there is a charge of N100 which is borne by the account holder.

“We have decided that we will work out the modality and ensure that with immediate effect we would pass on this cost to the respective banks which bear the cost of providing services.

“No matter where you are withdrawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM,” he explained.

According to him, the new policy does not cover withdrawals inside the banking hall when the ATMs are off.

“But for transaction on what we call ‘not on us,’ when you are an FBN customer and you use the ATM of a GTB bank, it is free and it will no longer bear any cost,” he added.



http://www.punchng.com/business/banks-to-stop-n100-atm-charge/