₦airaland Forum

Have you researched about the educational qualifications of former CNAs, before making this statement?

Max24:
To the best of My knowledge this is the first time a southerner is made the Clerk of the NA. Kudos to Tinubu for allowing other regions to feel the Impact of Governance.

In 1996, a pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, administered a drug known as Trovan to children in Kano State, leading to deaths and permanent disability. Twenty-eight years after the incident, survivors lament how their lives have been negatively altered.

In 1996, Nigeria experienced the worst outbreak of meningitis which swept through the northern part of the country. An estimate given by the World Health Organisation in March 1996 revealed that there were 8,423 cases with 1,181 deaths. The cases were reported in Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba states. Kano was the worst hit by the epidemic.

Meningitis, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is an inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
Many different things can cause meningitis. It could be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. Other causes include certain injuries and drugs. Most cases of bacterial meningitis are regarded as a medical emergency and sufferers are often advised to be treated as soon as possible.
This made the Federal Government at the time, to approve the application of the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, which sought to enter the country and treat meningitis patients and provide preventive medication.

Unbeknownst to the recipients, the patients were part of a trial for Pfizer’s experimental antibiotic, trovafloxacin (Trovan), a drug that had not yet received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Tragically, the consequences were devastating. The experimental drug led to the death of 11 children and left many others with lasting deformities.

What many parents had hoped would cure a deadly disease instead unleashed a wave of death, disability, and emotional anguish. The aftermath of this tragedy sparked a prolonged legal battle involving the affected families, the Kano State Government, and Pfizer, a dispute that stretched over many years. Now, 28 years after Trovan was administered to children in Kano, and despite numerous court proceedings, the victims continue to grapple with the lasting impacts of this ill-fated medical experiment.

Stunted dreams, dashed hopes
One of the children on whom Trovan was administered, Rukaya Salisu, fought back tears as she narrated how her life has been negatively altered beyond what anyone could imagine since she was given the experimental drug. Salisu suffers from a rare case of osteoporosis, malocclusion, and other physical deformities which are associated with stunted growth and abnormal formation of her upper and lower limbs. When she was 15, she asked her mother what happened to her, after she observed that all her siblings looked normal but she didn’t.
“It was then she told me that the government announced on the radio that all children that were nine months should be taken to the hospital for vaccination and I was given the Pfizer drug.
“After the vaccination, I began to have fever and she gave me paracetamol. When I was taken to the hospital, I was told that the vaccine damaged my hormones that should help my body and teeth to be strong. I was normal before the vaccination.
“Every day, my leg would break and I couldn’t walk again. My bone was no longer strong like those of normal people. That is why I’m not growing and even my teeth is not strong. My parents could not put me in school because if I’m playing with my mates, any small mistake and I fall down, I would sustain injuries,” she told News Central TV.
Today, Salisu’s parents, who once supported her education, are no longer alive. Her siblings have stepped in to shoulder the burden of her school fees, feeding, clothing, and transportation. However, the emotional toll of being heavily dependent on others weighs deeply on her.

“I wish I could work and make money, but I can’t because I’m not strong. I can’t even walk far and even when I want to bathe, I can’t carry the bucket by myself; I can’t do it. “My sisters and neighbours have been the ones helping me. In school, my roommates are the ones who hold my hands so I can walk to the lecture room,” she added, wiping away her tears. Salisu is just one of many who endured the devastating effects of Pfizer’s experimental drug.

Another victim, Bilkisu Abbas, was told by her parents that the Pfizer drug was given to her when she was about three years old. Afterwards, she could not move her leg. “It started by shrinking one of my legs and completely drying it up. Then two days after being taken to the hospital, the other leg also shrunk and dried up. There is a muscle around my knee that cannot straighten because it’s permanently bent.
“Sometimes, I would want to put on certain clothes, for instance, if I see fellow ladies wearing certain clothes that I love; I can’t wear those dresses. I end up getting embarrassed because the clothes would fall off my body. I have totally been deprived of my life,” Abbas said amid tears. Opening the lid on how her condition affected her marital life, Abbas revealed that her marriage lasted for a few months because her former husband left, stating that he could not cope with a deformed wife.
“What hurts me the most is when prospective male suitors come around me. They will end up leaving, saying they can’t marry a cripple or disabled person. My husband left me because his family said I was too much of a burden on him, so he left me,” she said.

Another victim, Hafsat Musa, recounted that she and her late brother, Abdullahi Musa, were hospitalised and treated with Pfizer’s experimental drug while battling meningitis. Abdullahi was discharged and allowed to go home, but unfortunately, he did not survive as he died the next day. “I also took the medication and then it affected me in my legs. From then, I couldn’t use my legs again,” Hafsat said.

‘Our condition robbed us of education’
Also suffering a similar fate, 29-year-old Sa’adatu Tijani, said before she was given the drug at the hospital when she had meningitis, she walked around without any problem. But after the Pfizer medication, she described how her legs began to get bad to the point that she could no longer hold on to things firmly or do things that required energy.
“It was as if my legs were cut off,” she told News Central TV. “After I was discharged from the hospital that was trying to treat me afterwards to no avail, I started learning how to move, stand, sit, and do other things that require the use of my limbs again.
“My aunt carried me on her back and took me back to the hospital gate and told them how my condition has been worsened, but they refused to let us in saying it is not their business. Each time I remember it, my heart breaks.” The 29-year-old lamented that her condition forced her to quit going to school and also prevented her from getting married. “Anyone who has interest in marrying me or comes close, finds out that I’m disabled and then they will change their minds,” Tijani added.
Also speaking in the documentary, Tijani’s father, Mr Mukhtar Danjuma, said his encounter with Pfizer had been a nightmare following the permanent disability to his daughter. “It’s been more than 22 or 25 years. Since then, we haven’t got any solution. We had to bring her back home to start treating her with Hausa alternative medicine when the orthodox medicine didn’t seem to be working.”

Sharing a similarly grim reality, another victim, Mamman Abdullahi, revealed, “Unlike my siblings, I couldn’t attend school or hold a job. I’ve also become permanently dependent on medication. Every day, I visit the orthopedic hospital for my treatment.”

A fraction of compensation
Many parents endured the heartbreak of losing their children. Among them is Ismaila Danbuzu, whose daughter, Hadija Ishmael, passed away in 1996 after being administered Trovan in Kano. Although Pfizer had argued that the meningitis, and not its antibiotic, had led to the death of 11 children and harm to dozens of others, in 2009, it reached a tentative out-of-court settlement with the Kano State Government worth $75m. It was also reported that in 2011 Pfizer compensated each of the victims and the families affected with $175,000. Danbuzu said he only received $7,000 (an equivalent of N2.4m) instead of the $175,000 promised.
“We need help. We need all the support to collect the remaining balance,” he said. “I was paid N2m and a few fractions not up to N40,000. They even called all the victims including myself in and they conducted a DNA test on us,” Tijani disclosed.
“They said they would pay us $10,000, but they paid us only $7,000,” Asabe Bala, the mother of a victim alleged.

A social justice advocate, Linus Usman, said Pfizer should have reached out to the victims during the compensation one after the other through their relatives, the hospital and the government. “It was gathered that some were not even aware of any compensation at any time,” Usman added.

Former AGF speaks

Commenting on how the Federal Government sought to get justice for the victims, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), explained that the issue started before his appointment in 2007. He noted that his predecessor was quite aware of the matter which happened in Kano, and that the state government had sought the support of the Federal Government to bring the directors of Pfizer and other officials who were directly involved to stand trial in Kano State.
Aondoakaa said, “The president directed the request to my office and we gave them the support they needed. The Kano State government engaged a very competent and accomplished lawyer, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who later became the Vice President.
“The matter was a federal offence so we requested to apprehend the officials and send them back to Nigeria for trials. We also obtained a warrant of arrest from the Federal High Court and the warrant was given to the office of the AG which I also sent to the Interpol to apprehend the officials.”

Explaining what happened to the full compensation promised by Pfizer, the former AGF further stated, “When I came as AGF, Pfizer officials came to me and the compensation they were trying to offer Kano State government was N100,000 per person. They based it on the fact that if a Nigerian policeman died while on duty, his compensation is N100,000.

“That made me a little pissed off. I told the officials that the children that died, some of them could have been the president of Nigeria, some could have been the richest man in Africa or the world or they could have been Secretary-General of the UN. So, cutting the lives of children short with an unauthorised medical trial cannot be compared to the Nigerian Police Force.

“They said they would build a children hospital but I told them to go build a children hospital in Kano and whatever was paid was also paid to the Kano State Government.” When News Central asked the state Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, if he had information on what was paid to Kano State, he replied, “I don’t know if Kano State was given money in cash, but I knew that a hospital was built of about millions of dollars, I can’t remember the figure.”

The state Director of Public Health, Imam Wada, described the incident as the “most unfortunate phase in the history of Kano, Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Health which we don’t want to be repeated ever.”

https://punchng.com/survivors-of-pfizer-vaccination-tragedy-decry-injustice-28-years-after/?utm_source=rss.punchng.com&utm_medium=web

[quote author=Protein0 post=93707226][/quote]PLS. I NEED REDMI 9 4/64GB IN KUTIGI. NIGER STATE. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO SUPPLY ME.

bigtt76:
How can appointment of Service Chiefs be a political appointment biko? A political appointment (IMO) is one made with respect to the appointee being a member of a political party or affiliations.

A Service Chief on the other hand are career based appointments and should be at the prerogative of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to make.

I know people would compare this to the appointment of Judges of the High Courts, Courts of Appeal and Supreme Courts where judges are appointed based on their seniority and sent for approval at either the state or federal legislative levels ...but no Service chief appointments are different.

What would happen senate rejects the appointment of the service chiefs and there are no suitable replacement that fits the president's bill?

Service Chief is not a rank that you must reach
You've not work in government establishment nor understand bureaucratic setting. There are appointments that are so called because anybody within certain level in an organisation or institution may so be appointed as suites the appointer. That why you something see juniors been appointed to head institution while any of his senior are mostly retired eg AIG to IG while the DIGs are retired

THANKS FOR THE GREAT Work

Most of the comments have given you some adequate response. For your information the president of FOMWAN is an Edo woman.

I is good. The one I bought since 2003 did not have any issue till today. So I can easily recommend it.

keni: Please can somebody explain the steps to deactivate (NOT DELETE) some apps that run underground on the A+ so that they dont continue to run down my data and battery, such I that I can activate them when ever I need to use them.

Go to settings, click data usage. All d apps in your phone will show up, click on the app you want to stop the background data, you will see 'restrict background data' check the box.

Kellymann: May I have the number so we can check the type of blackberry plan you have active to be able to advise you appropriately on how to deactivate it or help you deactivate it from our end if you don't mind.

Regards.

The number is 08184715244

My problem is that my you keep auto subscribing me to blackberry despite trying all your codes to unsubscribe. I keep getting my request will be processed without any result for weeks. What can I do?

The banks said they are honouring a CBN directive

Nigerian banks have said they would no longer cash third party cheques above N150, 000.
A third party cheque is that issued by an account holder to a recipient for money to be released from his/ her account and given to the recipient.
The banks made this known in various messages sent to their customers over the weekend.
“We write to inform you that the Central Bank of Nigeria has recently directed that, with effect from June 1, 2013, all 3rd party cheques above N150,000 shall NOT be eligible for encashment over the counter in all banks nationwide. Value for such cheques shall only be received through lodgements into your bank account,” GTBank said in a message to customers.
“Dear valued Customer, with effect from 1st June 2013, all third-party cheques above N150, 000 will no longer be eligible for encashment over the counter for both individual and corporate customers nationwide. All such cheques will only be honoured through clearing. This policy is part of the CBN cash-less Nigeria Initiative,” First Bank said in its message.
The banks encouraged customers to maximise its other banking alternatives for their transactions.
“We encourage you to use our alternative channels such as PoS terminals, online banking, ATMs and Firstmonie,” First Bank said.

GTBank also said it has made efforts to enable an easier transition into the cash-less economy through its other alternatives.
“In an effort to help our customers’ transit into a cash-less society, GTBank has made several e-banking solutions available for purchases and banking transactions including: POS Terminals, Internet Banking, Electronic Branches, GT Pay, GAPs, GTConnect, GTBank Mobile Money.
“With your GTBank Naira MasterCard, you can pay for goods & services online and at POS terminals in Nigeria and abroad. Additionally, our various e-Banking Channels also allow you transfer money electronically, pay bills, make payments and do so much more without having to visit the bank” the bank said.

Other banks, such as FCMB, also sent messages, alerting customers to the development.
The policy is to discourage the use of cash and to encourage the use of other banking and payment alternatives, such as the PoS, in furtherance of the Central Bank’s cash-less policy.
As part of efforts to ensure the success of the cash-less policy, the Central Bank also achieved the national activation of cheque truncation, which would aid the reduction in the settlement cycle of a cheque to one day from three.
In a circular issued in May, the Central Bank announced the extension of the cash-less policy to five states and Abuja, having birthed the policy in Lagos.
“In line with the decision of the Bankers Committee at its meeting of 12th February 2013, the cash-less policy would be extended to the following five states: Abia, Anambra, Kano, Ogun Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory, with effect from July 1, 2013.

“In view of the above, branches of Deposit Money Banks in the affected states are to commence: The enlightenment of their customers on the Cash-less policy, including the existing limits on cash withdrawals and deposits for individuals and corporate bodies, as well as the available e-payment options, training of staff on the cash-less policy in order to provide answers and handle issues/customers complaints, as well as provide answers to enquiries and handle issues/customers complaints as well as provide advice on the policy; median communication by the banks to complement existing CBN’s and Bankers’ committee media’s campaign; engagement of banks’ and key customers and other stakeholders,” the Central Bank said.
The regulatory body said that the implementation team will perform spot checks on bank branches in the phase II locations to ensure readiness and compliance.

http://premiumtimesng.com/business/137272-no-more-third-party-cheques-worth-n150000-or-more-banks-tell-nigerians.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=no-more-third-party-cheques-worth-n150000-or-more-banks-tell-nigerians

Nashoji: Can dis two teams lose at once?

Yes. When u win

chyke_o: IMO, we as Nigerians are very impatient #TakeItOrLeaveIt
The wise say: rome wasnt built in one day...and likewise our best team ('94 team) ever wasn't built in a day. WHy? because we had a coach that had ample time to select, groom, re-train and also understand his team's strength and weakness. However since '94 there has been NO OTHER coach that has been given time to do the same. What we have seen over time, is a hire and fire mentality which hasnt yielded any meaningful results.

Back to the topic, what I see is a CONTINUTY OF PLANS/POLICY from one coach to another. Even though the current coach is KESHI, it is clearly obvious that he adopted the POLICIES/STYLE of leadership from SIASIA.
Kudos to both. They played their roles well, (permitting the excesses of the Nigerian football managers). Please share the Glory!

I don't understand how Siasia's plan/policy is being used by Keshi, becuase Siasia refused to use home based players during his reign

nerodenero: Almost doesnt count.Na person wey pass na im sabi book.Apologies to Siasia but he failed,couldnt accomplish the mission given to him at that time and here we have Keshi doing a nice job.I respect Siasia for his contributions but in this case,he doesnt deserve to share any glory whatsoever.

I agreed with you. As for me Siasia didn't lay any foundation for Keshi. It is normal world over that if you takeover managerial position, your ability to modify what you met with your own idea to achieve set targets by your employer is what matters. Siasia have tried very well at youth level, which makes him to be employed as Super eagles' coach by popular demand. But he failed woefully, so he can't share in any glory whatsoever

Ever wanted to quit biting your nails? This gives you the advice you need to give up this unattractive habit once and for all.

Step 1: You will need
foul-tasting bite deterrent
nail strengthener
and various other nail products

Step 2: Treat the cause
Try to find out why you are biting your nails, and then address that issue. Many people bite their nails when they are nervous, or as an outlet for stress and anxiety. Consider taking up activities that help you unwind and relax. Many people also swear by hypnosis as a way of giving up nail-biting. No longer considered a 'dark art', modern hypnotherapy can be a powerful method of training the mind to quit bad habits.

Step 3: Distractions
If you are biting your nails because of boredom, you may need to start a new habit to distract yourself. Try to learn some tricks and activities that will keep your hands busy. Also try keeping your mouth occupied by chewing gum. But make sure you don't take up an even worse habit than nail-biting!

Step 4: Reminders
If your nail-biting is a subconscious urge, and you're doing it without even being aware of it, you may need some kind of reminder every time you start to nibble. Foul-tasting, but harmless, biting deterrents can be bought for this exact purpose. These 'nibble inhibitors' are applied by either submerging the fingertip in liquid or painting it on with a brush. Their disgusting taste is likely to put off even the most avid nail-biter, but remember to reapply regularly, especially after washing your hands.

Step 5: Maintenance
There are various nail-strengthening products available, which can be painted onto nails, and will prevent them from becoming brittle. A diet rich in calcium, which is found in dairy products, and magnesium, found in nuts and beans, will also help keep your nails strong and healthy. As your nails grow back, keep them clean and well-presented. Treat yourself to a manicure. Remember that if your nails are things of beauty, you'll be less likely to bite them.

Good luck giving up the nail-biting habit, and enjoy your healthy new nails!


http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-stop-biting-your-nails-2

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe has labeled opposition of the ruling government led by Goodluck Jonathan as noisemakers.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, he commented on the Presidency’s accusation against the opposition of carrying out a campaign of calumny against President Goodluck Jonathan by presenting him as incompetent and clueless.

“Achievements and competence are always not judged by noise making, propaganda and deception which are the hallmarks of the activities of the Nigerian opposition.” He said.

Mr Okupe also rejected the statement that the present administration has left the country worse than it met it stating that the opposition is responsible for such false claims.

“The repeated false claims by the opposition that the president is incompetent, is not only untrue and obviously cannot be supported by facts but it is also part of the oppositions’ grand strategy to present Government as not being ineffective so as to advance their own selfish cause.”

He also called on Nigerians to ignore such “wild and baseless comments” and support President Goodluck who he described as a “silent and effective achiever”.

He added that what remains are part of works in progress which, hopefully, will be resolved before the end of 2014.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIFyIaGODgo


http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/02/05/okupe-calls-opposition-parties-noisemakers/

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe has labeled opposition of the ruling government led by Goodluck Jonathan as noisemakers.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, he commented on the Presidency’s accusation against the opposition of carrying out a campaign of calumny against President Goodluck Jonathan by presenting him as incompetent and clueless.

“Achievements and competence are always not judged by noise making, propaganda and deception which are the hallmarks of the activities of the Nigerian opposition.” He said.

Mr Okupe also rejected the statement that the present administration has left the country worse than it met it stating that the opposition is responsible for such false claims.

“The repeated false claims by the opposition that the president is incompetent, is not only untrue and obviously cannot be supported by facts but it is also part of the oppositions’ grand strategy to present Government as not being ineffective so as to advance their own selfish cause.”

He also called on Nigerians to ignore such “wild and baseless comments” and support President Goodluck who he described as a “silent and effective achiever”.

He added that what remains are part of works in progress which, hopefully, will be resolved before the end of 2014.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIFyIaGODgo
http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/02/05/okupe-calls-opposition-parties-noisemakers/

The Presidency has refused to join the former World Bank Vice President for Africa, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili in a national debate over the spending of the funds in the nation’s excess crude account.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, insisted that Dr. Ezekwesili “lied shamelessly” and that there is no basis for entering into any debate with her.

Dr. Okupe advi sed the former Minister of Education to disclose to Nigerians the source of the money she claimed was left in the excess crude account by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According the President’s aide, the figure stated in the account of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), grossly differ from Dr Ezekwesili stated.

He explained that as at May 2007, when former President Obasanjo handed over power to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the excess crude account had $43 billion and that as at the 22nd of January 2013, the excess crude account stood at $45.3 billion.

He therefore enjoined the former Minister to explain the source of her figures.

Dr Okupe further affirmed that the presidency will not engage in a debate with Dr Ezekwesili because the facts as stated in the books of the CBN are very clear. “I will not engage in a debate over facts that are clear. I will engage in debates over government policies but not facts” he affirmed.

“It is preposterous for her to be demanding a debate over an outlandish and incorrect figure she is giving to incite Nigerians against the government” Dr Okupe added.

Dr. Ezekwesili had on Monday, via her Twitter account, asked the Federal Government to accept her challenge to a public debate, as, according to her, “it would demonstrate a healthy democratic culture of responding to citizens.”

She also insisted that the $67 billion which the Obasanjo administration left in the foreign reserve and the excess crude account was brazenly misappropriated by the respective governments that succeeded him.

The former World Bank executive had earlier alleged in her keynote address at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka convocation that $67billion was mismanaged by the succeeding governments of late Yar’Adua and Jonathan.

Describing the allegation of misappropriations against her by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, on Sunday, as “careless” the ex-minister stated that the N458.1 billion in reference was the entire budget of the education sector, including statutory bodies to which sitting ministers had no access.

Mr. Maku had accused the former minister of misappropriating the said sum allocated to the country’s educational sector when she served as minister between 2006 and 2007.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txjqqRehTqU

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/01/29/ezekwesili-lied-shamelessly-doyin-okupe/

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has said it will seek a final constitutional interpretation of all matters relating to the Excess Crude Account controversy between the federal and state governments.
The forum’s Chairman and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the body would seek “a final resolution from the Supreme Court” on all matters relating to the controversy.

Mr. Amaechi said this was because the NGF had been dissatisfied with the “present attitude of the Federal Government on the Excess Crude Account’’.
The governor, who read to newsmen the communiqué at the end of the governors’ first meeting in the New Year, said the forum had taken a firm stand on the issue.
“The NGF therefore resolved to take no further adjournments in the subsisting case in court over the issue,’’ he said.
The forum at its meeting of September 20, 2012, had resolved to challenge federal government’s deductions from the excess crude account.
The deductions had been used to offset the cost of the fuel subsidy by the President Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government.
The two parties had since then been in court over the matter, even though the litigation had been plagued with frequent adjournments since it was first listed for mention.

Mr. Amaechi said the 36 state governors, who form the forum`s membership, remained resolute in ensuring the development of their states for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.
He added that the forum had also agreed to hold a two-day retreat on a date yet to be fixed to deliberate on the current state of the country`s security.
The Rivers governor also said the forum had resolved to institute a monthly polio campaign to be headed by state governors.
“This is to promote routine immunisation and healthy environment across the states of the federation,’’ he said.

Mr. Amaechi added that the forum resolved that governors from states not affected by the polio scourge would support their counterparts in the affected states.
“They will do this by joining in the national campaign against the scourge,’’ he said.
The governors, according to Mr. Amaechi, would also meet with the presidential task force on polio eradication to identify funding gaps and challenges against the scourge’s eradication in the country.

We are not an opposition to FG
The Rivers Governor also pointed out that the forum was not forming itself into an opposition against the federal government.
“The forum is only concerned about the unity and progress of the nation and its citizens,’’ the NGF chairman said.
The meeting, which was held at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, was attended by, among others, the governors of Rivers, Ekiti, Ogun and Imo States.
Others at the meeting include Governors of Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Anambra, Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Delta, Ondo, Abia, Kogi and Oyo states.
The forum is an umbrella body of the 36 elected governors of the federation.


http://premiumtimesng.com/news/117710-governors-declare-final-readiness-to-tackle-jonathan-over-excess-crude-account.html

The Nigeria Police in Edo State has discovered an illegal arms plant in the State.

A press statement today by CSP Frank E. Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, said that the discovering was made on January 24 when the State Police Command, “acting on intelligence, raided a local arms manufacturing factory believed to be responsible for the supply of lethal weapons to armed robbers, kidnappers and other violent criminal gangs in the South-West, South-South and South-East axis.”

The statement did not disclose the location of the plant, but it said that two men, Abiodun Odiri (aka ‘was born’) and Ohikhuemen Alex, were arrested.

According to the statement, the following items were recovered during the raid:

a) two (2) double barrel gun pipes,
b) two (2) double barrel gun butts,
c) three (3) single gun butts,
d) nine (9) single barrel gun pipes
e) one (1) locally made double barrel cut-to-size gun pipe,
f) ten (10) single barrel gun engines, seven (7) expended cartridges
g) one (1) drilling machine and
h) a bag of weed suspected to be Indian hemp and other incriminating items.

“While commending the diligence and professionalism of the officers that participated in the operations, the IGP reassures Nigerians of the determination of the Force under his leadership to continue to evolve new ways of improving on the security of life and property within the country,” the statement said.

The IGP further appealed to Nigerians continue to assist the Force with necessary information, as this is one of the most effective ways of supporting and complementing the efforts of the Police in the areas of crime fighting and maintenance of public safety.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/edo-police-command-uncovers-illegal-arms-plant

The Edo State Election Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Charles Arhiavbere, challenging the results of the 2012 governorship election in the state.

The judge said that the petitioner failed woefully to prove his allegation and thereafter dismissed the petition on that basis.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria and incumbent Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as winner of the election.

The Judge further said there was no infraction proved to prevent the return of Oshiomhole in anyway and that if there was a petition completely starved of evidence, this is completely one.

The petition is bereft and devoid of any substance, said the Judge.

Gen. Charles Arhiavbere had filed a petition at the Election Petitions Tribunal challenging the victory of Governor Adams Oshiomole in the July 14 Edo Governorship election.

The petition stated that the ‘purported election’ was invalid due to corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

Other grounds for the petition included alleged intimidation and harassment of voters, depriving them from exercising their franchise and constitutional rights in 11 local government areas of the state.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/01/23/edo-election-tribunal-dismisses-petition-against-oshiomole/

SGF says 15,000 jobs will be created when Nigeria celebrates its centenary anniversary.
The 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation anniversary will provide 15,000 jobs for Nigerians, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Pius Anyim, said on Tuesday.

Mr. Anyim said this before the House of Representatives Committee on the proposed centenary celebration in Abuja.
On January 16, President Goodluck Jonathan had in a letter, requested for a convenient date to brief the House on the programme for the centenary celebration. The briefing was done on Tuesday by Mr. Anyim.
“With the support of and active participation of the private sector, the centenary celebration will provide 5,000 jobs directly and more than 10,000 jobs indirectly.
“It will also provide an economic boost, especially to the informal sector, the petty traders and the hospitality sector service providers.
“We must celebrate because our unity is the common symbol of our collective existence that has put the nation on the path of development and potential global ascendancy,” Mr. Anyim said.

Senators express doubt
Mr. Anyim could not convince lawmakers as doubtful Senators on Tuesday his declaration that Nigeria’s planned centenary celebration will be wholesomely funded by the private sector, and will receive no government “kobo”.
Mr. Anyim told the Senate and the House of Representatives at separate meetings that the federal government was not considering a budget for the celebrations, which has already drawn criticisms.
Lined up projects, including a commemorating event, the building of a centenary city in Abuja, a new Abuja city gate, recreational facilities, ICT centers in all universities amongst others, will be funded by private companies, Mr. Anyim said.
“It will be completely private sector-driven,” Mr. Anyim said. “The idea is that every company that has succeeded in Nigeria has to contribute to the success story of Nigeria.”

A national lottery will also be conducted while private sponsors will buy adverts.
“If we have a good drive, we can get sponsors who can advertise for years,” he said.
But the idea immediately triggered concerns from the senators who queried the prospect of success without government funding.
Announcements of budgets for such celebrations in the past, like Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary, have sparked intense condemnations for past governments.
Lawmakers subtly registered their fears the executive was hijacking the planned celebration and sidelining the lawmakers.

Mark expresses worry
Senate president, David Mark, said if there were no plans for funding, then there was no need for the meeting. “I am just worried if this is truly private sector driven,” Mr. Mark said. He raised issue with how funding will be drawn for the planned movements of youth for the celebration in Abuja.
“If the youth will be transported, I’m just wondering who will fund that. Who will pay for the ultramodern national conference centre that is planned?” he said.
A senator asked how many lawmakers will be on the committee planning the celebrations.

Mr. Anyim explained that the celebration would be multi-faceted and multi-location event that would boost corporate commercials.
He said that the celebration would hold in all the state capitals, Abuja and some historic towns, cities, including other foreign cities.
He explained that the project would be largely self-funding as it is a private sector initiative.

The centenary celebration is aimed at marking the 100 years of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 to form Nigeria.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/116444-nigerias-centenary-celebration-will-provide-15000-jobs-cost-no-kobo-anyim.html

In a surprise move earlier today, a political group from the Middle Belt accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being a deceitful leader who fails to reward loyalty but instead snubs his support base in matters of political appointments. The scathing criticism came from unexpected quarters: the Middle Belt that is regarded as the president’s strongest support base in Northern Nigeria.

In a memo, a group called the Middle Belt Dialogue accused the president of retreating from his earlier nomination of General Bitrus Ushe (rtd) as a ministerial nominee from Kebbi State. The group alleged that Mr. Jonathan abandoned the retired general because of the erstwhile nominee’s Christian faith. The statement added that the president was desperate to please certain interest groups in the north. SaharaReporters obtained a copy of the memo, which was sent to Mr. Jonathan and his top aides.

Titled “Under President Goodluck Jonathan Loyalty Does Not Pay,” the memo was signed by one Emma Endazo Alamu on behalf of the pressure group. The memo flayed the president for shoving aside Mr. Ushe after initially tapping the retired general for a ministerial slot.

The full statement is reproduced below:

“We received with shock and dismay the nomination of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as a ministerial nominee representing Kebbi State by President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. It is interesting to note that President Goodluck Jonathan has gone out of his way to placate those who vigorously, albeit violently, opposed his election as President of the Federal Republic, and promised to make the country ungovernable, should he win the 2011 elections.

This time, the President has gone ahead to nominate the 2011 Governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kebbi as the ministerial nominee in place of the initial Zuru-Christian nominee, Brigadier General Bitrus Ushe (rtd) whose only crime is his tribe and religion. This President has acted against the Zuru Senatorial District which voted for him. Indeed the bulk of the 369,198 votes the President got in the 2011 elections were from Zuru area. After his swearing in ceremony President Goodluck Jonathan had nominated the then National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello and the people of Zuru did not bat an eyelid, and upon Dr. Haliru's resignation, Brig. Gen. Bitrus Usher was considered as a possible replacement. When this became public knowledge, the Chairman of the PDP in Kebbi State, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, objected to the possible nomination saying that General Ushe was not acceptable to the party because they (in the PDP) did not know him as bona fide PDP member, in spite of the fact that it is public knowledge that the General is a card carrying member of the PDP and actively worked to ensure that President Jonathan got the 36% of the votes he got during the April 2011 elections.

“It is now clear that President Jonathan denied General Ushe, his supporter, the ministerial nomination because he is a Middle Belter, a Dakarkar by tribe and to wit, a Christian!

The only sin of the Zuru people, we believe, is that they are a minority like their brothers and sisters in Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Borno, Kogi etc, whose support and vote for President Goodluck Jonathan has been rewarded by the denial of political appointments, which he prefers to give to the areas and peoples who voted against him, and organized violent attacks on his supporters, killing and maiming several thousands and destroying their properties to wit.

“We are not really surprised by these unfriendly actions of the President, who has refused to give assistance to the communities traumatized by the post-election violence, and did not even bother to send relief materials to the communities or even visit them. Even when the President set up a committee to investigate the post-election violence (the Lemu Committee) he ensured that we, the minorities, the victims of the violence, were not represented.

“It is interesting to note that out of the 22 Ministers of President Goodluck Jonathan from the North, only five are from local government areas which voted for the PDP in the 2011 elections. We in the Middle Belt Dialogue do know of several ministers and other Federal appointees who did actively campaign against him, voted against him and have refused to be supportive of him, and are in fact gearing to do the same come 2015, should he decide to contest. We, the people of the Middle Belt, feel betrayed by our fellow brother, who has refused to give us justice, and as a matter of fact, treats our people with contempt.

“It might interest President Jonathan and his advisers to note the following:

I. The people and interests he is promoting will not change their opposition to him;

II. He is strengthening and arming those who do not wish him and his people well;

III. Statistically, and as can be seen from the 2011 election results, it is politically suicidal to treat the Middle Belt people (the aborigines of Northern Nigeria) with contempt: where we stand will again determine the winners and losers of subsequent Nigerian elections.

IV. We supported the President to further our interests and not to weaken our people as the President has been doing.

V. All over the world, people give support to benefit from appointments, projects, policies and programs. For President Jonathan, favor and appointments go to those who oppose him. Is President Jonathan telling us the people of the Middle Belt to go to the opposition, as it pays high dividend opposing the President?

“Finally we wish to use this medium to advise our Niger Delta brothers that they should talk to their son to stop treating our people with such disdain and contempt. We are not asking for what belongs to other people. We are seeking for fairness and equity which President Jonathan is denying our people, his loyal supporters.”

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-accused-deceit-religious-bias-over-nomination-minister-defence

In a surprise move earlier today, a political group from the Middle Belt accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being a deceitful leader who fails to reward loyalty but instead snubs his support base in matters of political appointments. The scathing criticism came from unexpected quarters: the Middle Belt that is regarded as the president’s strongest support base in Northern Nigeria.

In a memo, a group called the Middle Belt Dialogue accused the president of retreating from his earlier nomination of General Bitrus Ushe (rtd) as a ministerial nominee from Kebbi State. The group alleged that Mr. Jonathan abandoned the retired general because of the erstwhile nominee’s Christian faith. The statement added that the president was desperate to please certain interest groups in the north. SaharaReporters obtained a copy of the memo, which was sent to Mr. Jonathan and his top aides.

Titled “Under President Goodluck Jonathan Loyalty Does Not Pay,” the memo was signed by one Emma Endazo Alamu on behalf of the pressure group. The memo flayed the president for shoving aside Mr. Ushe after initially tapping the retired general for a ministerial slot.

The full statement is reproduced below:

“We received with shock and dismay the nomination of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as a ministerial nominee representing Kebbi State by President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. It is interesting to note that President Goodluck Jonathan has gone out of his way to placate those who vigorously, albeit violently, opposed his election as President of the Federal Republic, and promised to make the country ungovernable, should he win the 2011 elections.

This time, the President has gone ahead to nominate the 2011 Governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kebbi as the ministerial nominee in place of the initial Zuru-Christian nominee, Brigadier General Bitrus Ushe (rtd) whose only crime is his tribe and religion. This President has acted against the Zuru Senatorial District which voted for him. Indeed the bulk of the 369,198 votes the President got in the 2011 elections were from Zuru area. After his swearing in ceremony President Goodluck Jonathan had nominated the then National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello and the people of Zuru did not bat an eyelid, and upon Dr. Haliru's resignation, Brig. Gen. Bitrus Usher was considered as a possible replacement. When this became public knowledge, the Chairman of the PDP in Kebbi State, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, objected to the possible nomination saying that General Ushe was not acceptable to the party because they (in the PDP) did not know him as bona fide PDP member, in spite of the fact that it is public knowledge that the General is a card carrying member of the PDP and actively worked to ensure that President Jonathan got the 36% of the votes he got during the April 2011 elections.

“It is now clear that President Jonathan denied General Ushe, his supporter, the ministerial nomination because he is a Middle Belter, a Dakarkar by tribe and to wit, a Christian!

The only sin of the Zuru people, we believe, is that they are a minority like their brothers and sisters in Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Borno, Kogi etc, whose support and vote for President Goodluck Jonathan has been rewarded by the denial of political appointments, which he prefers to give to the areas and peoples who voted against him, and organized violent attacks on his supporters, killing and maiming several thousands and destroying their properties to wit.

“We are not really surprised by these unfriendly actions of the President, who has refused to give assistance to the communities traumatized by the post-election violence, and did not even bother to send relief materials to the communities or even visit them. Even when the President set up a committee to investigate the post-election violence (the Lemu Committee) he ensured that we, the minorities, the victims of the violence, were not represented.

“It is interesting to note that out of the 22 Ministers of President Goodluck Jonathan from the North, only five are from local government areas which voted for the PDP in the 2011 elections. We in the Middle Belt Dialogue do know of several ministers and other Federal appointees who did actively campaign against him, voted against him and have refused to be supportive of him, and are in fact gearing to do the same come 2015, should he decide to contest. We, the people of the Middle Belt, feel betrayed by our fellow brother, who has refused to give us justice, and as a matter of fact, treats our people with contempt.

“It might interest President Jonathan and his advisers to note the following:

I. The people and interests he is promoting will not change their opposition to him;

II. He is strengthening and arming those who do not wish him and his people well;

III. Statistically, and as can be seen from the 2011 election results, it is politically suicidal to treat the Middle Belt people (the aborigines of Northern Nigeria) with contempt: where we stand will again determine the winners and losers of subsequent Nigerian elections.

IV. We supported the President to further our interests and not to weaken our people as the President has been doing.

V. All over the world, people give support to benefit from appointments, projects, policies and programs. For President Jonathan, favor and appointments go to those who oppose him. Is President Jonathan telling us the people of the Middle Belt to go to the opposition, as it pays high dividend opposing the President?

“Finally we wish to use this medium to advise our Niger Delta brothers that they should talk to their son to stop treating our people with such disdain and contempt. We are not asking for what belongs to other people. We are seeking for fairness and equity which President Jonathan is denying our people, his loyal supporters.”

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-accused-deceit-religious-bias-over-nomination-minister-defence

Brainrex: Zambia Vs Ethiopia streaming live

Pls give link

Tolexander: guy! The list no complete jor.
What about juju like okigbe(cutlass proof), aluwo(hit and fall), ayeta(bullet proof), tude, afeeri(disappearing charm), agbefuye(carry anything with ease), amudo(Bleep without the gurl saying no), olonde(cease death), ofe(disappear), ewon sanpana(small pox handcuff). And those weapons are just numerous and uncountable.

lol! that's funny. In real war all these count for nothing, because other people have theirs too.

Whether you call them huevos, gonads or simply balls, you’re probably pretty attached to your testicles. While the prostate is the true seat of male virility, few things are more identified with masculinity than the testes. You want to take care of them so they give you many years of reliable service, and to do that you’re going to have to pay them a bit more attention than you already are. Here’s how.

Touch Your Balls
Much as it’s important for women to check their breasts once a month, it’s important for you to do the same with your boys. Do it while taking a hot shower so they’re hanging nice and low and easy to get a hold on. We swear, we’re not making this up. Feel around the whole of each testicle for any lumps that weren’t there before. Even the smallest lump could be cause for concern, but don’t panic. According to the American Cancer Society, the survival rate for testicular cancer is 95 percent, which jumps to 99 if you catch it before it spreads. Even men whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes have a survival rate of 96 percent. If it has spread further, your survival rate is still 71 percent. Lesson: spend one shower per month playing with your balls. Do it the day of the month your birthday is on, because it’s the easiest to remember.

Get Regular Checkups
In case this is the only Movember article you’re reading here: go to the doctor, at least once a year, and especially if you do encounter a lump. Quit being such a baby—do you have any idea what they do to women when they go to the doctor? We get that seeing a physician can be scary, but you have to remember something important: they’re going to find a problem, not cause one. The best way to avoid getting really sick is to see a doctor and catch something early on. This will prevent a potentially small problem from becoming a big, unmanageable one. Wouldn’t you much rather have survival odds of 99 percent than 71?

Eat to Win
Science has yet to ID any foods that specifically prevent testicular cancer. You can, however, eat foods that will lower your general cancer risk. There are hundreds of studies on this topic, so we’ll keep it simple: eat fresh fruits and veggies every day. Beta-carotene is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants in the fight against developing cancer in the first place, and lots of fruits and veggies have them. Foods rich in beta-carotene include sweet potatoes, green peppers, winter squash, potatoes (leave the skin on!), oranges, strawberries and broccoli. Eat up, buttercup.

You Only Get One Pair
You want to stay in good health, but some parts of the body are nearer and dearer to your heart than others. Checking your testicles regularly, getting out to the doctor once a year for a checkup and eating the rights foods will make sure you get lots of mileage out of the lads. Keeping them trim and tidy for a ladies is just a bonus.

http://www.mademan.com/power-balls-how-to-keep-your-testes-healthy/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday January 17, 2013 arraigned Eugene Okpala, a retired Colonel, before the Federal High Court, Enugu on a seven count charge of forgery, and obtaining money under false pretences.

Okpala and others (still at large) in August 2008 allegedly conspired and sold a parcel of land at Independence Layout, Enugu belonging to Chief Philip Asiodu to Dominion City Church for N34million (thirty four million naira).

The Church which petitioned the Commission claimed it bought the land after inquiries at the Ministry of Lands indicated that the proprietary rights to the land originally leased to Asiodu by the government in 1977 had been transferred to Col. Okpala (rtd). Based on this information, the Church negotiated and bought the property from Col. Okpala for N34m plus a five percent agency fee. The transaction was allegedly funded on behalf of the church by Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank Limited).

The money was to be paid in three installments but Col. Okpala claimed he was owing a certain ‘Chief’ who had the original document to the land the sum of N14m and that the ‘chief’ will only release the document if he is paid, An agreement was reached to pay the money and Col. Okpala invited the “Chief” to Bank PHB where N14m was paid to him. Col. Okpala asked for an additional N1m which was given to him. Thereafter, Col. Okpala disappeared.

In 2010 the church tried to develop the property but was stopped by Asiodu’s attorney who informed them that the property was never sold to anyone. Investigations later revealed that the documents which Col. Okpala claimed were given to him by Chief Asiodu were forged.

One of the charges against the accused reads: “that you, Eugene Okpala and Christ Onu, Emeka, Dr Maduabuchi and others (all still at large), sometime in August 2008 at Enugu conspired to commit offence by obtaining money under false pretense and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act””.

Okpala pleaded not guilty to all seven count charge.

The prosecuting counsel, M. H. Ibekwute then asked the court to remand the accused in prison and fix a date for the commencement of trial. An oral bail application by the defense counsel, J. E. Orji was rejected by the trial judge, Justice M. Shuaibu who ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned proceedings to January 22, 2013 for commencement of trial.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/efcc-press-release-retired-army-colonel-docked-over-n34m-scam

Baaaaaaaaaaaaa
that's the difference

Gospell: if ba go nations cup now,na still torres,so torres u still got a chance 2 redeem urslf

Sorry, Ba is not going to AFCON, Senegal didn't qualify

Mobinga: So, what's the point of adding this? ^^.

@Okija juju, I agree with your signature, that guy is phcked arsehole.

It seems you don't no the difference between sexkillz and me, because my name is not in Okija juju's signature