Second leg match Al Ahly Vs Kano Pillars Today 17:00 Gmt.
1st leg match ended draw with each side scoring one goal each.
What do you guys think about today's match? What should we be expecting from Kano Pillars?
Are they gonna make it to the round of 1/4?

CAF Champions League Result

Kano Pillars (1) - Al Ahly(1)

Heartland FC (2) -- Cotonsport (1)

Wow, this is great, Two Nigerian clubs qualified for the next round of CAF champions league.

Al Ahly (3) - Kano Pillars (3)

Cotonsport(2) - Heartland FC(3)

That's the Aggregate of both Matches.

i don get headache ooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!! I no fit laugh

Jus travel down to niger delta and Visit Mend, U'll surely get A+ on your project

Kampala — A SMALL fraction of Ugandans have been able to naturally knock off HIV from their body, a development that could lead to an HIV vaccine, scientists have said.

Dr. Pontiano Kaleebu, an immunologist heading the Basic Sciences Programme of the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), told Saturday Vision that an ongoing study and a previous one at the institute had unearthed signs that some Ugandans may be resistant to HIV.



They have special white blood cells that can only be produced when the virus attacks the body. However, even with the most sophisticated tests, HIV could not be found in these individuals, implying that the virus had tried to infect them but the immune system kicked it out.

"We are seeing some immune responses but it is still too early to see if there is a lot of meaning to these responses," said Kaleebu.

"Such people are of interest to many researchers worldwide."

At the AIDS Information Centre in Kampala, the UVRI scientists are studying 70 discordant couples to see if some of them are indeed resistant to HIV. These are couples that have had unprotected sex for more than a year, one partner has had HIV for long while the other has not become infected. "We have set up a clinic in Kampala where doctors and counsellors do a lot of counselling and give them condoms to reduce risky sexual behaviour," Kaleebu said.

Despite early signs of resistance to HIV, Kaleebu said meaningful results can only be released at the end of the study. The five-year research, expected to be completed in 2010, is sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health through the British Medical Research Council (MRC). It is part of a multi-country study coordinated by the US-based Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI) and involving Oxford University of UK.

Prof. Heiner Grosskurth, the Director of the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, said: "A lack of ability to becoming HIV infected is extremely rare, but there is evidence meanwhile that people who have this characteristic exist worldwide, although in very small numbers."

Although they are so few, he said, studying them could generate new knowledge that would enable scientists to develop a vaccine. "Such work is going on with a lot of speed and effort in many countries, but there is no breakthrough yet! I think it will still take years until we have good vaccine candidates."

Earlier in 2002, Prof. Andrew Mc Michael of the University of Oxford and the late Dr. Anthony Kebba of UVRI announced that they had identified some eight Ugandans in Kampala and Entebbe, who were exposed to HIV but remained uninfected. One fifth of the discordant couples they studied showed some signs of resistance to HIV, but this required further confirmation. Mc Michael is involved with Kaleebu in the new study. Similar studies are going on in Kenya and the Gambia.

Kaleebu cautioned that nearly all people are vulnerable to HIV and Ugandans should not relax simply because a few individuals seem to be resistant to the virus. "It has to be clear that this apparent resistance is not a common thing. If you are HIV negative and your partner is HIV positive we cannot say you are resistant and you cannot become infected. If you continue to have unprotected sex you might become infected in the long run," said Kaleebu.

Indeed, in the late 1990s some people in Rakai were reported to have become infected with HIV after being discordant for many years. On discovering that they were discordant, scientists had advised them to begin using condoms. Later, some of those who declined to use condoms became infected

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904040009.html

Lagos — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it is still investigating the allegation of corrupt practices against former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This is contrary to the claim by the ex-president that he remains the only former leader that has been investigated by both the EFCC and Indep-endent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Com-mission (ICPC) and given a clean bill of health.

Obasanjo spoke as a guest on a British Broadcasting Corpo-ration (BBC) programme, Hardtalk, anchored by Stephen Sackur.

He said he could hold his head high even after leaving office, as no one had come up with corruption charges against him.

But answering questions yesterday on an Africa Indepe-ndent Television (AIT) programme, Focus Nigeria, Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Femi Babafemi, said EFCC's team of investigators were still working on the petition against Obasanjo.

A caller had asked Babafemi to confirm the claim by the former president that he had been cleared by the anti-graft agency.

Responding, he said: "The former president made the statement and not EFCC and I cannot confirm the statement he made."

But Babafemi stated that there was an issue when the present EFCC Chairman Farida Waziri came on board that there was a petition submitted by the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) to the commission and nothing had been done about it.

"The EFCC chairman then asked the coalition to come forward with the petition. I came to Lagos to personally receive the petition. The chairman then assigned the petition to a team of investigators and they are still working on it," he said.

On the state of the investigation, Babafemi said it was still ongoing.

Responding to another question on the Halliburton scandal where some top government officials were alleged to have received bribes from the company to secure Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts in the country, Babafemi confirmed that the EFCC had quizzed some Nigerian suspects.

He also said the commission had written a letter requesting the Attorney-General and Justice Minister Michael Aondoakaa to write to the US Department of Justice for details of the court judgment which indicted some Nigerian public officers and officials of the Halliburton Group.

Obasanjo was alleged to have engaged in corruption, mismanagement and high-handedness during his eight-year rule between 1999 and 2007.

In its petition to EFCC, CACOL accused Obasanjo of corruption and asked the commission to probe some of the known assets of the former President believed to have been acquired with the proceeds of corrupt practices while in office as the Nigerian President. Specifically, it asked the EFCC to investigate sources of the funds the ex-president used to establish his various business concerns as well as the propriety or otherwise of:

"The establishment of the N6.5 million presidential library by Chief Obasanjo in his home town, Abeokuta Ogun State with monies collected from members of the public as the president of Nigeria, and currently the library is being run as his private business;

"His establishment of The Bells University of Technology estimated to worth a conservative estimate of N40 billion in Badagry, Lagos State; "The 200 million units of shares he bought in Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, TRANSCORP; and "the resuscitation and expansion of Obasanjo farms in Ota, Ogun State and in various parts of Nigeria into multi-billion naira establishment."

But while dismissing all allegations of corruption levelled against him, Obasanjo had said on the BBC programme that he was ready to subject himself to scrutiny so as to defend himself.

When the BBC interviewer reminded him that he had allegedly been indicted by various committees of the National Assembly, the former president took umbrage at the remarks, warning Sackur that he was accusing him of corruption.


According to him, "What you are doing now is that you are accusing me of corruption. And no one has accused me of corruption and I'm not going to take that from you. Why are you accusing me of corruption? Do you have evidence to back your claims up? Let anybody with corruption allegations against my name come out to present it."

He said his regime created two anti-corruption bodies to tackle the hydra-headed problem of corruption in Nigeria and that the efforts of the anti-graft agencies were even applauded by the Scotland Yard

http://allafrica.com/stories/200904070014.html

Why una still dey reply dis Post, I guess she posted this since 2007, Na waoooooooo

Am Oct 21st

This is too false to be true,

this topic should be moved to Religion, why do you have to post it in Politics.

Actually its not the whole Lagos state. I guess its just within Lagos Island.

Ilorin — Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said in view of the current world economic meltdown, the state government would continue to execute lofty programmes to the people of the state in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Saraki stated this in Ilorin, while performing the launch of the multi-million naira newly purchased five waste disposal vehicles for evacuation of waste products across the state.

He said the "importance of clean environment cannot be over emphasised in the socio economic growth of any nation and the Kwara State Government would leave no stone unturned at making the environment clean so as to enhance the well being of the populace".

He said this was the reason the government since assumption of office in year 2003 has been working round the clock in order to make the environment safe for living so as to assist the residents contribute their quota towards the development of the state.

Saraki, who was represented at the programme by his deputy, Chief Joel Ogundeji said the purchase of the new five waste disposal vehicles was aimed at ensuring constant movement of all the waste products that abound across the length and breadth of the state as this would put a stop to the spread of deadly diseases.

The governor added that the purchase of the vehicles was in fulfillment of the administration promise to address the epileptic waste disposal and this would enable the situation to be brought under control for better, efficient and effective performances. He added that, with this development, the ugly faces of unmoved roll-on-off bins and heaps of refuse surrounding would be adequately tackled.

Saraki however, called on the people of the state to be up and doing at making their environment worth living by cleaning up their areas as at when due so as to have a new lease of life.


Earlier, the state commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Ahmed Makama said the state government is committed to the clean environment and would continue to work hard in order to achieve the state objective.

He said as of now, the state government has purchased 10 waste disposal vehicles son as to make environment safe for the people of the state.

Makama therefore advised the workers of the waste management board and the consultant charge with the clean of refuse in the state, Ola Kleen Nigeria Limited to support the government in its bids of addressing the refuse situation in the state

It would appear that the Lagos State government is fighting a losing battle in its efforts to curb the menace of trucks on the highways.

This impression is being reinforced by frequent accidents being recorded in the state recently, all pointing to the recklessness of some truck drivers.


Two weeks ago, a truck carrying iron sheets and rods was involved in an accident when it tried to overtake a car at Cement Bus/stop in Dopemu. The accident left a woman and her baby unconscious before they were revived at a near by hospital. This caused a gridlock on the road as a result of which commuters and motorists were stranded for hours.

Last Thursday, traffic was also brought to a standstill for about eight hours at the Jakande Bus-stop in the Ejigbo Local Government Council Development Area of Lagos State. Commuters and motorists were unable to link the road to their respective destinations.

Those mostly affected were residents of Jakande Estate, Iyana-Ejigbo and Ikotun. Many of them were stranded and had to resort to trekking. As at 11am, commuters were seen trekking to Oke-Afa and Pako bus-stops before they could get vehicles to their various destinations.

The traffic jam was said to have started around 5am and as at 11am, traffic officials were seen battling to find solution to the situation. However, it was business as usual for motorcyclists as they immediately hiked their fares from the usual N200 to between N300 and N500.

The gridlock was caused by collision between a truck with the inscription Tadlock Trans Company Limited, which carried some fairly used items popularly called Tokunbo and a pick-up with a foreign registration number W199 FBD which was trying to make a U-turn in front of the Texaco filling station located in the area.

The collision resulted in a serious damage to the drainage in front of the filling station while some of the items being carried by one of the vehicles were scattered on the high way. Vanguard Metro, however, learnt the driver who was the only one in the truck took to his heels as soon as he had a chance to do so, apparently afraid of the fate that will befall him should he be apprehended for causing the accident.

Eye witnesses said the incident happened around midnight on Wednesday while residents were greeted with the gridlock on Thursday morning on their way to their various places of work and business.

As at the time Vanguard Metro visited the area, rescue operators, LASTMA officials as well as men of the Nigeria Police Force were seen diverting the traffic as well as maintaining orderliness in the area. A towing vehicle was also being used to tow the truck from the scene of the accident

Save for the timely intervention of the Police, Okada riders could have engaged LASTMA officials and the rescue team in a serious face-off as they refused to yield to instruction from these authorities.

LASTMA Zonal Head in Ejigbo/Isolo who spoke with Vanguard Metro said his team received a signal around 12 midnight the previous day and immediately rushed to the scene. "When we got there, we found the truck inside the gutter and we had to pull it out to prevent further damages. Our job started since that midnight but could not be completed because the truck was so heavy. You can see that the slab in the gutter has broken into pieces," he said.

Area Commander of Area D, Mr. Adeolu Joan, who also poke with Vanguard Metro said: "I received the call in the early hours of today and had to rush to the scene to divert the traffic, if not, the situation could have been worse. It was chaotic, but thank God today is the market sanitation day, so a lot of people did not come out very early today, I imagine what it would have looked like if it's an ordinary day".

Continuing he said: "There was nothing wrong with the truck, but the accident occurred as a result of the driver's carelessness. He made an illegal U-turn at a sloppy area not minding the weight of the load he was carrying. Our men did not meet him here as he took to his heels immediately the accident happened making it difficult for anybody to know if he was injured or not. Thank God it happened in the night, imagine what could have happened if such a thing occurred at day time".

On the stubbornness of the Okada riders, Joan said: "Ejigbo is one of the local governments with the highest population of motorcyclists, so we have to apply a lot of wisdom to control them".

A commuter who gave her name as Mrs Bilesanmi said she never knew the cause of the gridlock until she got to the scene. "We thought it was the traffic light that was giving a wrong signal and we waited for hours until many of us resorted to trekking. I trekked from Iyana-Isheri to this place and the conductor did not refund my money. I stopped a bike and he asked me to pay N350 to Cele-Express, where would I have got such money to pay him," she asked helplessly.

It was a bad morning for Nike Ajomale as she lost her handset as she was trying to find her way to Pako Bus/stop. "I can't explain how it happened, all I know is I was late for work and my employer will surcharge me. I started trekking from NNPC; you can see that I'm already tired. The government should help us to find solution to the excesses of these trucks and tankers drivers because they're the cause of a lot of problems on the high ways," she said.

Lagos — The total value of Internet fraud cases reported last year to the Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3) rose 10.5 per cent year over year to $264.6 million.

Also in the Centre's 2008 Internet Crime Report, the volume of cases reported to the agency's web site rose 33.1 per cent to 275,284.

The agency's newly released report notes that the United States (US) is the largest source of crime perpetrators for complaints with a reported location, with 66.1 per cent, followed by the United Kingdom (UK), 10.5 per cent; Nigeria, 7.5 per cent; Canada, 3.1 per cent and China, 1.6 per cent.

The most common source of fraud complaints was non-delivery of merchandise or non-delivery of payment, at 32.9 per cent of complaints, followed by auction fraud, 25.5 per cent; credit/debit card fraud, 9 per cent; confidence fraud such as Ponzi schemes, 7.9 per cent; computer fraud, 6.2 per cent; check fraud, 5.4 per cent; Nigerian letter fraud, 2.8 per cent; identify theft, 2.5 per cent; financial institution fraud, 2.2 per cent, and criminal threats, 1.9 per cent.

Ponzi schemes are usually based on investment scams that reward some investors with funds collected from new investors.

The Internet Crime Complaint Centre, commonly called IC3, notes that some of its data may be skewed by the tendency of some complainants to report fraud in overly broad terms. "In reviewing statistics contained in this report, it is recognised that consumers may characterise crime problems with an easier broad character, which may be misleading," the report says.

For example, consumers who had been lured by an e-mail phishing scam to a fake eBay site may incorrectly report the subsequent theft of their credit card account information as an act of auction fraud, the report says.

"In such scenarios, many complainants have depicted schemes such as auction fraud even though that label may be incomplete or misleading,' the report says.

To help counteract misleading complaints, the IC3 has launched a public web site, LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com, where consumers can get advice about how to recognise the different forms of online fraud.

The IC3 also notes that the some of the increase in complaints last year may also be related to increased efforts on the part e-commerce sites to make it easier for visitors to report suspected fraud.

"As part of these efforts, eBay and other companies have provided guidance and/or links for their customers to the IC3 web site,' the report says. ìThis activity has no doubt also contributed to an increase in referrals regarding schemes depicted as auction fraud."


Within the U.S. 75 perpetrators of perpetrators are male and come from either California, Florida, New York, Texas, the District of Columbia or the state of Washington. The top 10 locations by share of perpetrators are California, 15.8 per cent; New York, 9.5 per cent; Florida, 9.4 per cent; Texas, 6.4 per cent; Washington, D.C., 5.2 per cent; Washington state, 3.9 per cent; Illinois, 3.3 per cent; Georgia, 3.1 per cent; New Jersey, 2.8 per cent; and Arizona, 2.6 per cent.

The IC3, which refers complaints to law enforcement agencies, was organised in 2000 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Centre.

Lagos — Virgin Nigeria Airways has announced an exciting tour package for customers wishing to travel to Accra, Ghana to enjoy a fun and fulfilling vacation at Easter.


For low fares starting from $655, the tour package offers one return ticket, three night's accommodation in a choice hotel inclusive of breakfast as well as a daily tour of Accra's sights and sounds and airport transfers.

In addition to the special tour offer tagged, 3 nights of bliss in Ghana this Easter', Virgin Nigeria is also offering passengers flexible fares to Accra starting at $126 exclusive of taxes.

Although the Easter tour package is only valid between Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13 2009, the flexible fare offering of $126 will help to stimulate the market and encourage appreciable savings on trips to Accra by passengers.

While announcing the exciting tour offers, Deputy Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria, Captain Dapo Olumide said that through the promotional offer, Virgin Nigeria is ensuring that customers get value for money.

"This tour package offering is our incentive at encouraging people to treat themselves to a well-deserved break over the Easter holidays by taking a trip to a serene environment as well as exploring other choice offerings on the rest of our regional route network," Dapo said.

Dapo said passengers taking advantage of these flexible fares offering on the Accra route have the added advantage of making reservations and paying at short notice for preferred travel dates.


The airline said in addition to its good services, its tours offer access to a variety of holiday packages that includes all the benchmarks for the experience of a lifetime.

"From the serene ambience of Calabar to Sokoto, the abode of the Caliphate; Abuja Nigeria's Centre of Unity and many more historic and fun locations across our current domestic route network, Virgin Nigeria tours has developed holiday packages that will certainly touch the right spots."

Lagos — Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has described the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system launched a little over a year ago by his administration as a huge success.

Fashola, who spoke while making a presentation on the "Transformational lmpact of Transport Projects in Lagos" at a three-day World Bank Transport Forum with the theme "Transport: Invisible Force-Visible Impact" in Washington DC, USA, described transportation as the cornerstone of modern civilization adding that the quality of life of the people is dependent on the quality and efficiency of transportation available.
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The governor, who described the BRT as the first segregated Bus Route in sub-Saharan Africa , said the scheme which, according to him, has highlighted the advantages of Public Private Partnership in Mass Transit Public Transportation, has impacted positively on the live of the average Lagosian.

Such impacts, he said include creation of 12000 direct and indirect jobs , and the fact that it has brought about significant lifestyle changes such as park and ride and the orderly movement of 52 million passengers in one year.

Others include time management for commuters and better family life as well as environmental benefits through reduced noise and air pollution and health benefit through reduced respiratory diseases.

Accompanying his illustration with visual clips of the changes brought by the introduction of the BRT, Fashola declared: "Our efforts thus far have been well received by Lagosians who have responded by expressing satisfaction when polled."and regularly offer unsolicited words of satisfaction and encouragement to government".

Buttressing his assertion, the Governor quoted a response from a respondent on the BRT initiative thus: "I have to make special mention of the BRT project - I am always pleased to tell anyone that would listen that in my 39 years, this is the first policy project that I have experienced from any government in any era of country's history to give the poor man advantage which the rich do not enjoy. Today Lagosians who used to take four buses in perilous condition over three and half hours to get from Ikorodu to CMS between 4.30am and 8.00am now leave Ikorodu at 6.30am and arrive at work before 8.00am A reading culture is being enhanced by the BRT phenomenon alone. The orderly queues have also proven that when any people (Nigerians also) are given value for money they will maintain requisite order and decorum".

Fashola also quoted some text messages to him from numerous Lagos residents who expressed joy and satisfaction at not only the BRT initiative but the various people oriented projects, especially as it concern transportation.

Fashola said government has concluded plans to expand the BRT route to extend to Yaba-Oyingbo which covers eight kilometers and from Eric Moore in Surulere to Badagry Expressway which covers 60 kilometres.

Reviewing the changes in Lagos since the seventies, Fashola asserted that the state, which between this period moved from being the capital to the commercial powerhouse of Nigeria is contributing 32 percent of the country's GDP, 60 percent of her value added manufacturing and 50 per cent of her port revenue.

He said within the same period, the state's population increased by 300 percent to 18 million with the population expected to reach 25 million by 2015 when the city becomes the world's largest mega city after Tokyo, Japan and Mumbai in India.

The governor, noted that that his administration was not resting on its oars as it had made significant progress in its Water Transportation and lntra City Rail Initiatives which represent the other phases of the Lagos Multi-Modal Transportation Vision of which the BRT is an integral part.

Fashola said the jetties at Ipakodo in Badore and Osborne which Terminal buildings are currently being constructed would have the capacity to cater for up to 10,000 passengers per hour with berthing facilities for four 250 passenger capacity vessels.

According to him, rehabilitation work is progressing, on existing jetties at Mile 2, Oworonsoki, Ajegunle, Marina, Ebute-Ero etc, while dredging of Inland Waterways is also on-going to facilitate navigation.

Other far reaching steps taken include the establishment of Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority as a regulatory authority and issuance of concession to Ferry Operators, adding that this mode of transportation would impact on the people in the area of job creation through dredging companies, Boat operators, Life Guards, Vendors as well as merchants at Terminals while also lifestyles are expected to change.

Fashola said plans are at an advanced stage for the implementation of two urban rail metro lines System-Blue and Red Metro lines - with the expected capacity of 13 stations each and 1.6 million passengers per day, adding that scheduled work is to start in the next few months while operations are planned to commence in 2011.

The governor also spoke on the impact of his administration's intervention in Oshodi which for many years had constituted a dent on the state and nation's image because the Agege Motor Road , a major access route from the Murtala Mohammed Airport was converted into an illegal market.

According to him, the intervention through removal of the illegal market and securing the environment saved the State Government nearly N17billion ($120m) which would otherwise have been expended on alternative road bypass infrastructure, adding that it has also resulted in 300 percent increase in traffic flow along the corridor as well as reduced congestion along parallel corridors because of the choice it now gives to commuters.

Other benefits according to the governor include reduction in waste generation, 40 percent reduction in carbon emitted by vehicles, manifest evidence of crime reduction as well as large public buy-in and call for similar action in other parts of the State. On road construction, the Governor said massive upgrade and expansion of existing road networks are going on to improve vehicular and pedestrian carriage capacity as well as construction of link bridges to facilitate inter-connectivity, change of road design across the state to improve quality and deliver lifestyle changes and maximizing capacity of existing road infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve vehicular flow.

Citing opening of street gates and removal and resettlement of street traders as well as engagement of the private sector in road development as some of the strategies employed by his administration to manage traffic in the state, Fashola declared: "We operate Transportation in a most challenging terrain that has suffered from decades of infrastructure deficit while we are racing to abridge deficit of public transportation infrastructure, through the development of a contemporary multi-modal transportation network and the development of technology, we are keeping road traffic flowing through mainly manual method" .


"Our success underscores the fact that we have some lessons and enormous experiences to share about our traffic management strategies and capacities" the Governor said expressing gratitude to the World Bank for its technical and financial support to the Lagos State Government especially through LAMATA.

Fashola made the presentation alongside the Secretary of Transport of Mexico City, Navarro Benitez and former Secretary of State of Curitiba in Brazil, Eduardo Gulma Maraes all of whom ,according to the Sector Manager, Urban Development at the World Bank, Abha Joshi-Ghani were invited as a result of the vision with which they had positively transformed their societies

THERE are indications that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and major marketers collected a whopping N38.88 billion from the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) for pipeline maintenance between March 2007 and June 2008 when products were distributed nationwide by trucks, 100 per cent of the time.


The Presidential Steering Committee on the Deregulation of Downstream Sector of the Petroleum Industry headed by the Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State with Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State as member which discovered the irregularity has ordered that the money be returned to the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF).

Vanguard investigations revealed that while the NNPC collected N29.1 billion, major marketers collected N9.7 billion for the purpose.

Further investigations revealed that at one of the meetings of the committee in mid-March, a four-man sub-committee was set up to verify claims of N2 per litre of petrol charge on pipeline maintenance as the pipelines were reportedly not being used.

In the course of further investigations, it was gathered that the sub-committee visited and interrogated officials of the NNPC and PPPRA and turned in its report on Tuesday, March 31.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said: "The findings of the sub-committee discovered that the N2 per litre pipeline charge was introduced into the PPPRA template in March 2007. Based on the information made available by the PPPRA through its pricing template and NNPC, all marketers and NNPC collected the N2 per litre pipeline margin between March 2007 and June 2008 because it was included in the ex-depot price.

From the calculation of the committee, this amounted to a whopping N38.88 billion for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, alone."

The finding also revealed that further reviews of the application of N2 per lite charge for pipeline maintenance led to dividing it into a fixed charge of N0.50 per litre and N1.50 per litre variable components. Following the report of a committee on review of Downstream Petroleum Industry Operation in February 2008, it was decided that the application of the N2 per litre as a maintenance charge would require evidence with regard to the use of the pipelines.

But the eligibility for the N0.50 fixed charge element does not require such proof. This led the PPPRA to remove pipeline margin from the pricing template in July 2008 because of a new policy of marketer segmentation of margins.

So, since July 2008, no payments have been made to either NNPC or Marketers as pipeline charge because both NNPC and marketers have not been able to show proof of pipeline usage."

Vanguard's investigation revealed that the NNPC, notwithstanding, put up spirited defense that it had been using its pipelines for products distribution and that there was evidence to that effect and insisted that various segments of its network of pipelines had always been and would always be used.

Furthermore, the official disclosed that the finding of the sub-committee shows that "as at the time that the pipeline margin was introduced in March 2007, there was no clear guideline as to the pre-conditions for eligibility for claiming the charge. The amount (N2 per litre) pipeline charge was consequently universally applied.

When the charge for pipeline maintenance was being applied, there was well an additional charge of N2 per litre for Bridging Fund (Petroleum Equalisation Fund). The bridging is the average cost of transporting petroleum products beyond 450 kilometres from one depot to another. The logic of the payment for two logistic facilities that are mutually exclusive is not entirely clear."


Efforts to reach Mrs. Funke Kasali, Executive Secretary of the PEF for her reaction to the development proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

The official told Vanguard that the Yuguda committee was shocked by the findings and had told the NNPC and the marketers that they have to refund the money.

Vanguard investigations revealed that this finding may have been part of many irregularities committed during the administration of the former Executive Secretary of PPPRA.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200904060009.html

Lagos — In line with efforts to attract foreign investment into Lagos State, the government has allocated N40.5 billion for the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone into a world-class trade centre.


To that effect, a land use and infrastructure master plan for the 16,500 hectares has been approved by the government, which is expected to be equipped with modern facilities, including seaport, light rail, goad road network and telecommunications.

Speaking to journalists on Friday during a ministerial briefing in commemoration of the second year in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Adeniyi Oyemade, said development of the Phase 1 of the zone had already commenced in collaboration with a Chinese Consortium, disclosing that foundation has been laid for construction of two standard workshops and factories for lease.

"With this gesture from the state government, it is expected that our Chinese partners would make their own contribution available within the next couple of weeks to expidite development at the site.

"With the receipt of funds, it is expected that the bush clearing and reclamation of land, construction of drainage channels and other activities for the provision of infrastructure would be aggressively pursue," he said.

Revealing that the Lekki Free Trade Zone project has provided job opportunities for 450 Nigerians, Oyemade said a Community Relations Committee has also been constituted to foster harmonious relationship between the state government and host communities, adding that provision is also being made for communities that may be relocated as a result of development in the zone.

The commissioner also disclosed plans by the state government to relocate auto dealers to the proposed Ultra Modern Market at Mowo Badagry in accordance with the government's effort to sanitise Lagos metropolis of the indiscriminate display and sale of automobiles, particularly on road setbacks that often contribute to environmental degradation and affect the free flow of traffic in the state.

He also revealed that the governor has approved the allocation of 10 hectares of land each at Ijanikin, Paravan Estate, Ikorodu and Lekki\Epe axis for the creation of three enterprise zones in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904061035.html

Lagos —along Makurdi - Aliade road. Eighteen of the victims were said to be members of a catholic organization, SS Peter and Paul, Makurdi.


The members of the catholic organisation, according to THISDAY Checks, were going to Otukpo in Benue South Senatorial District to attend a thanks-giving service.

A reliable source who pleaded anonymity, said "I saw the bus in which the victims were travelling, coming out of a filling station when suddenly a trailer carrying petroleum product, just rammed into them very close to the office of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Makurdi.

"The sight was so bad to look at as mangled bodies of the victims could be seen scattered all over even as officials of the FRSC could be seen attending to them, infact, none of the occupants of the bus survived because they all died including the driver', he said.

The occupants of the vehicle who are all members of the said catholic organisation were of Idoma extraction.

The husband of one of the victims simply called Mr. Abah, whose wife was a caterer and yam merchant with tears rolling down his cheeks said, "Oh! God, I'm now totally in ruin with my family, my wife is dead and what am I going to do now particularly with the children without their mother by my side to assist?"

Abah's compound was filled with sympathisers because his late wife, Rose, was a strong member of the SS Peter and Paul.


As at the time of filing this report, various districts of the Idoma community residing in Makurdi, could be seen making arrangements to convey their late members' remains home.

The remains of the victims were deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi even as efforts to get the comment of the police spokesman in the state to comment on the accident proved abortive as his telephone lines and that of the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed could not be reached.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904060187.html

Akure — Today is judgment day for the 28 soldiers that protested on July 5, 2008, over non-payment of their foreign mission allowances and were charged with mutiny by the Nigerian Army.

The soldiers are being tried by the Brigadier Ishaya Bauka-led Military Court Martial sitting at the Officers' Mess of the 323 Artillery Regiment, Owena Barrack, Akure, Ondo State.

The tribunal had on January 20, this year, sanctioned four officers including a former Commanding Officer for their roles which led to the protest.

Prosecution Counsel, Colonel T.S. Nurseman, said the soldiers committed the offence of mutiny, while the accused counsel, Femi Falana, said the soldiers had the right to peaceful protest, more importantly when their rights were being trampled upon.

The trial of the soldiers had generated reactions from within and outside the country, especially since their alleged offence were as a result of foreign mission coordinated by the United Nations.

The soldiers, including four ladies, were part of the 850 NIBAT 14 and 15 of the Nigerian Army that served in the peace-keeping force in Liberia between August 2007 and April 2008.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904060190.html

Nigeria's Flying Eagles yesterday bagged an easy draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Egypt between September 24 and October 16 this year in the five host cities of Alexandria, Ismailia, Cairo, Port Said, and Suez.

Yesterday's official draw in Luxor, Egypt, which threw up six intriguing groups with many mouth-watering clashes, saw the Eagles streamed in Group B along with former world youth champions Spain; South American qualifier Venezuela and liliputians Tahiti, who will represent Oceania having shocked onlookers to qualify and be the first Pacific island nation to appear at the tournament.


The draw ceremony at the Temple of Luxor was attended by a large number of VIP guests. FIFA Director of Competitions Jim Brown conducted the draw, assisted by Shawki Gharieb, assistant coach of Egypt's national team, Aya Medany, the female modern pentathlon world champion, and a trio of distinguished former Egypt internationals: Hazem Emam, Hady Khashaba and Taher Abou Zeid.

The team making the draw conjured up a string of fascinating encounters at the group stage. Host Egypt will face Italy, Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago in Group A.

European champions Germany must contend with USA, Korea Republic and African qualifiers Cameroon in Group C, while South American top dogs Brazil face the challenge posed by Czech Republic, Australia and Costa Rica in Group E.

In Group D African champions Ghana will take on England, Uruguay and Uzbekistan, whereas South Africa are streamed along with Honduras, Hungary and the United Arab Emirates in Group F.

Egypt will meet Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match on Thursday 24 September at the Egyptian Army Stadium in Alexandria.

Nigeria will start its campaign against Venezuela on Friday, September 25 in Cairo.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup has long been a breeding ground for future FIFA World Cup stars to make a first impression on the international stage. Such luminaries as Diego Maradona in the competition's fledgling era, through to modern giants of the game such as Lionel Messi, Kaka, Thierry Henry and 2007 golden-boy Sergio Aguero are all graduates of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

A new name could well be etched onto the trophy at the 16 October final with a number of teams stating their credentials in qualifying combined with the fact that reigning and six-time champions Argentina failed to qualify making the tournament as wide open as ever.

Having appeared at every tournament bar one, Brazil will inevitably be strong contenders that many will wish to avoid in the draw, having won on four occasions, mostly recently in 2003.

Heartland and Kano Pillars advanced to the next round of the CAF Champions League but Ocean Boys were eliminated on penalties by Red Arrows.

Heartland held FAR Rabat 1-1 in the second leg of their second round tie to advance 4-1 on aggregate, while Pillars had their 1-1 first leg draw to be grateful to after finishing 0-0 in the second leg played in Kaduna.

Pillars squandered several scoring chances with Kingsley Elechi hitting the upright in the 38th minutes.
The Nigerian champions were denied on numerous occasions by string of daring saves from Ndiaye Issa in goal for the Senegalese Custom outfit.

In Rabat, Mohamed Madihi gave former African champions FAR OF Morocco hope with a goal in the 37th minute but Heartland's Signs Chibambo put the tie beyond doubt as he found the net in the 67th minute to give the Nigerian side a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Pillars next round opponents, Al-Ahly of Egypt beat Tanzania's Young Africans 1-0 in Dar es Salaam.

Angola striker Flavio scored the only goal of the game after just four minutes to complete a 4-0 aggregate win for the defending champions.

But former African champion JS Kabylie of Algeria crashed out as they lost in Libya 1-0 to Al Ahly Tripoli.

Omar Dawood's 39th-minute goal completed a 3-1 victory aggregate win for the Libyan side.

However, there was better news for two-time winners Tout Puissant Mazembe of DR Congo as they won 2-1 in Angola over Petro Atletico.

Two of the stars of the DR Congo's win at the recent African Nations Championship in the Ivory Coast, Mputu Mabi and Dioko Kaluyituka, scored the goals for Mazembe.

David Magalhaes scored the consolation goal for Petro as the Congolese side won 5-1 on aggregate.

Sudan's Al Merreikh eased past visitors Al Ittihad of Libya 3-0 to complete a 4-1 aggregate win.

All the goals came in the first half, with two from Nigerian striker Endurance Idahor and one from Ragei Abdalla.

Zambia's Zesco United beat visiting Africa Sports from the Ivory Coast 2-0 and that was the same score on aggregate.

Maybin Mwaba scored the opening goal in the 59th minute and Enock Sakala completed the win 10 minutes later.

Meanwhile, Ajax Cape Town yesterday became the second South African side to crash out of the African Champions League after losing to Monomotapa of Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean champions won the second leg of the second round tie 2-1 on Sunday in Harare to make it 4-4 on aggregate.

Monomotapa advance on the away goals rule after losing 3-2 in South Africa three weeks ago.

The result means there is no South African club in the third round of the Champions League, after SuperSport United lost 3-2 on aggregate to Uganda's KCC on Saturday.

Also yesterday two-time African Champions Asante Kotoko of Ghana were knocked out by Morocco's Al Ittihad Khemisset on the away goals rule.

The Moroccans won the second leg 2-0 at home to make the score 3-3 on aggregate.

Has anyone applied for US transit Visa anywhere maybe in Nigeria or Abroad?
How is the interview and what is the probability that someone will be issued the Visa?
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Any response will be appreciated.

The one-year old marriage between Oceanic Bank and former English football star John Fashanu, which gave birth to the Oceanic/Fash Football Challenge, a television reality show, has hit the rocks over a N25 million Dangote contribution that Fashanu allegedly did not turn in.

The programme will, however, continue, with former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha becoming the new face of the programme when it is back on air. A new consultant, Larry Izamoje, the owner of Brila FM sports radio, is currently working with other consultants to ensure continuity and quality.

Sources within Oceanic Bank told Saharareporters that the decision to drop Fashanu was based on allegations that he collected the sum of N25 million from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, who is renowned for his manipulation of cement and sugar importation in Nigeria. Dangote, who graced the grand finale of Football Challenge recently, was reportedly disappointed when the Managing Director of Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, failed to acknowledge his support of the programme.
Dangote is said to have asked Mrs. Ibru why she failed to acknowledge the receipt of N25 million he had given to the show through Fashanu. With that knowledge, a furious Ibru was said to have called for the immediate termination of the agreement between the bank and Fashanu.

In several interviews with Sahara Reporters Fashanu emphatically denied collecting any amount of money from any organization or any individual on behalf of Football Challenge. However, he admitted that one of his "top marketers" picked up money from a "company" which he said wasn't "Dangote or Oando".

Said Fashanu, once known as “Fash The Cash” for his profitable professional contracts, or “Fash The Bash” for his robust playing style, said, “Yes, I have parted ways with them but I can tell you it is not because of any scandal. I have a one-year agreement with them and that ended in January and I have moved on with my life. These people should not be badmouthing me; I did not collect money from anybody. I wish them well with their project. Oceanic was very nice to me and I fully support the continuation of the show under my franchise "Blacksea" I have moved on, I have a contract with ALGON, it is a five years deal; I have a deal with Rivers and Kano States, and they should leave me alone. I repeat, I have never collected any money from anybody, I repeat, I am not a marketeer”.

Fashanu, a former star of the English Premier League, is not new to financial scandals, although he has usually emerged unscathed. Shortly after he relocated to Nigeria, he became involved with some business partners who alleged that he had deceived them into parting with a lot of cash over a “Tyre Protector” business deal, which was reported on Saharareporters.

At that time, Fashanu told the press that those partners, Titi Onyekweli and Kayode Thomas, were out to tarnish his image. “Both of them have been threatening my life. Four months ago in Central Lagos, Titi roughed me up, but I told my security men not to touch her, that I am a man and could take her beating. I raised my hand for her to beat me and when she was tired she let my shirt go. I don’t have any problem whatsoever with Titi. She says she wants her $27,500 back but that is not correct because I never did any business with her. Apparently, she gave the money to Kayode when they were going out and now that he has left her to marry someone else, she’s transferring her aggression to me.”


During Fashanu’s active soccer career in England, he also suffered match-fixing allegations. In 1994, The Sun newspaper in London ran an exposé on match-fixing on Bruce Grobbelaar, then of Liverpool Football Club, Hans Segers of Wimbledon FC, Malaysian businessman Heng Suan Lim and Fashanu. The four were arrested March and charged with conspiring to fix matches between Feb. 1, 1991, and March 15, 1995. While those charges carried a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and/or an unspecified fine, the defendants were all cleared of any wrongdoing. Fashanu’s wife, Melissa Kassa-Mapsi, was originally arrested and charged along with the four men, but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges against her.
In another incident, shortly before he moved to Nigeria, the News of the World said its undercover journalists had given Fashanu a £5,000 “deposit” towards rigging a match. It alleged that in secretly filmed meetings, Fashanu charged £70,000 each for a goalkeeper, striker and defender to fix a result and that he demanded £40,000 “to keep me running around and an advance of £40,000”.

But Fashanu denied the allegations. He said he had agreed to the meetings because he wanted to find out if the people who had approached him were journalists or from “the Mafia”. He admitted he had accepted the £5,000 but that he took the cash straight to the police. The Metropolitan Police confirmed Fashanu had indeed reported the incident to them.

Oceanic Bank has not made an official statement on the split with Fashanu.

Source: http://www.saharareporters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2062:n25-million-allegation-fashanu-oceanic-bank-part-ways-in-football-challenge-okocha-to-be-new-face-of-programme&catid=58:football&Itemid=182

Abuja — Nigeria's total debt portfolio is currently put at $3.75 billion, out which the nation is indebted to the World Bank to the tune of $3.2 billion and $500 million is owed the African Development Bank (ADB).

This was disclosed as the Federal Government also secured additional financing of $50 million from the World Bank to combat polio in the country. This brings to a total of $81.44 million that had been secured from the Bretton Woods institution.
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The facility is an International Development Association (IDA) credit, a concessionary window of the World Bank. An IDA credit is highly concessional loan which is interest-free and repayable over 35 to 40 years, with a 10 year grace period but with a commitment and service charges of 0.50 percent and 0.75 percent respectively.

Finance Minister, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, during a brief agreement signing ceremony for the $50 million financing for polio eradication projects, yesterday in Abuja, argued that, with the nature of the nation's current debt portfolio, Nigeria was not getting into any trap as the loans were highly concessionary and interest-free.

"This kind of loan can be justified. There is investment in human capital and with the effort I personally put on as the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO) to exit the Paris Club debt, I would not do anything now that could get us into debt trap.

"The IDA credit, as you are aware, is a highly concessional facility with a repayable period of 40 years, including a 10 year moratorium. It attracts a commitment charge of 0.50 percent per annum payable on the undisbursed amount and a service charge of 0.75 percent per annum payable on the amount withdrawn," he said.

Muhtar said polio eradication was an on-going project with national and cross border health challenges, which required sustained funding by the Government to ensure that some states of the federation meet their commitments regarding the procurement of the Oral Polio Vaccine.

The Finance Minister who stated that, "the Project falls within the World Bank's social development category and does not attract counterpart funds as an effective condition" said, "it was based on these considerations that the additional financing assistance was sought, and we are all witnessing today its actualisation in the signing of the Agreement."

Muhtar signed for the Federal Government and Country Director of World Bank, Mr. Onno Ruhl signed on behalf of the bank.

Remarking, Ruhl lamented that " Nigeria is one of only four countries where polio is still endemic along with Pakistan , Afghanistan and India .

Given this scenario, he added, the project supports a last push to eradicate polio globally. "Thus it not only benefits Nigeria, but is also a global public good."

Ruhl recalled that, Nigeria had made significant progress in 2007 with a 90 percent reduction in Wild Polio Virus (WPV) prevalence in that year, but"the national effort suffered a setback in 2008 with increased numbers of new polio cases."

"The increase was primarily due to the large number of areas (particularly in certain Northern States) where Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) coverage has been suboptimal and eligible children were being missed in the vaccination campaigns," he explained

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904030159.html

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, are expecting a baby. White House sources who pleaded for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the subject confirmed the news today.



The Obamas got the news from their personal doctor a week ago but kept sealed lips. The White House communication department is currently conducting a poll to see how the country will take the such a news before making it public.

The baby will be the first born in the White House since the Kennedys had Patrick in 1962, who sadly lived for just a few days. The last time a surviving baby was born in the White House was in 1895 to President Grover Cleveland. He had his daughter, Esther, and a son, Marion, in 1893 and 1895 respectively.

It has been just two months since the Obamas entered the White House. “They probably found the Lincoln bed too comfy,” Ellen James of Washington DC said, “and one thing led to another. Who will blame them? They are young people with young blood.”

Another DC resident, Tim O’Conner said, “It may send the wrong signal to the nation.” According to Mr. O’Conner who works at a DC Post Office, “Those of us who like to think that the president is busy dealing with the economic crisis will now confront the stark reality that he spends his time involved in monkey business with Michelle.”

Political observers are very ecstatic about the news. “We will now have more interesting things to talk about besides Michelle’s arms,” said a columnist for People in Politics magazine. “Will it be a boy or a girl? Will he be named Barack Jr.?”

The Obamas are already an adored family. With the addition of a baby, the nation is bound to admire them the more. “A White House baby is like a white Christmas,” said Bob Whitman of the Houston Institute, a Washington based think thank. “The opposition will have a harder time attacking the President and a pregnant First Lady,” he said. “You don’t want to be seen as beat up a young couple expecting a baby.”

Sources at the White House said that Sasha and Maila are excited by the news. “They hope the baby will be a boy,” our source said. “The girls have always wanted a brother. As Sasha said in an interview with Entertainment Today, ‘Daddy needs someone to play basketball with’.”

There are intense speculations that the Obamas will make the announcement in London when they meet with Queen Elizabeth as part of the activities planned after the G-20 meeting. “Letting the Queen make the announcement will be an extraordinary gift,” said Jack Cook of the London Goat Society. “It will be a great April Fools joke.”


Source: http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/rudolf-ogoo-okonkwo/the-obamas-are-expecting-a-white-house.html

brein:

Paste source

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THE Lagos State Government is to begin the arrest of school age children, who roam the streets of the metropolis during school hours.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in his office, weekend.Bamidele said the exercise was in keeping with the commitment of the state government to implement the Child Rights Act and reduce the incidence of child abuse in the state.

He said Governor Babatunde Fashola, in order to make the exercise successful, had approved the procurement of four new buses and the recruitment of 50 ad-hoc staff to assist in the sensitisation of Lagosians before the commencement of arrest of violators.

He added that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the agency handling the project, was to commence the distribution of yellow card, which contains relevant information on Child Abuse before the commencement of the arrest. The first phase of the exercise would span 60 days," he said.

The commissioner stated that with government policy on free education, there is no excuse for any school age child to loiter or hawk on the streets of the metropolis, when his or her mates are in school studying.


Bamidele said the nature of Lagos as the nation's melting pot, where everybody wants to work, is throwing up myriad of social challenges, adding that the state government was concerned about the issue of Child Rights Act and child abuse.

He stressed that government through its Social Welfare Department was inundated with issue of child abuse and could not, therefore, as responsible government fold its arms. He pointed out that the state's social welfare institutions had lot of abuse children cases, and most of them are receiving our attention.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200903301521.html

GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, weekend, saved the lives of three persons involved in an auto crash at Owena, in Idanre council area of the state.Mimiko, a medical doctor, despite the rains personally supervised the rescue of the accident victims who were trapped in the wreckage of two Toyota Hiace buses involved in a head-on-collision.

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The vehicles included a light blue Toyota Hiace bus with number plate AR737AKR and a white Toyota Hiace with number plate XF425NND.

The two vehicles collided at a sharp bend near the Owena Dam, leaving several people trapped inside the wreckage.

Vanguard learnt that the two buses were coming from opposite directions. Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Kola Olabisi, attributed the crash to over-speeding.

Olabisi said when the Governor's convoy heading for Ondo from Akure got to the scene, the governor went into work to rescue the victims.

"On sighting the accident, the governor ordered his convoy to stop while he came down and moved to the scene of the accident. On hearing the cries of the victims who were trapped inside the two buses which had been flung into the bush by the impact of the crash, swung into action and was supported by his aides.

"After he successfully removed the trapped victims, five of them, including a female, an old man and a little boy all who had fractured legs as well as the driver of one of the ill-fated buses, Dr Mimiko ordered that they be taken in one of cars in his convoy to the General Hospital, Ondo town which is closer to the scene of the accident than Akure."