₦airaland Forum

Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has challenged Nigerians to make money by exploiting the opportunity provided by his ministry’s offer of N25, 000 per one case of guinea worm reported.

Chukwu described the policy as a deliberate effort by the Federal Government to wipe out guinea worm in the country, saying that the N25, 000 per report had no limit as one could report as many cases as possible.

The minister, who spoke during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Gombe, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Centre in healthcare delivery.

He said a lot had been achieved by the FMC for which its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Saidu Abubakar, received commendation.

Chukwu said the Gombe FMC was among the first medical centres to establish sickle cell centre as well as many other specialised units.

The feat, according to him, would go a long way to enhance healthcare delivery in Gombe State.

The minister added that the policy of saving one million lives was to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)’s health target.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan believed and laid emphasis on good leadership because a lot of success could be achieved through it for the betterment of the lives and well being of the citizenry.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/minister-to-nigerians-report-one-guinea-worm-case-earn-n25-000/

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has told the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Olabode George that the Babatunde Fashola administration and the ACN have nothing to learn from the PDP and President Jonathan on the ban on commercial operators from some roads in Lagos or in any aspect of governance.

In a press statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Joe Igbokwe, the ACN said the PDP and the “Jonathan administration have nothing but decay, atrophy, corruption, incompetence and such other symptoms of bad governance to teach a working, well-governed state like Lagos,” adding that it was absurd that someone, “even in the acute state of rustiness that Chief George is operating at present, should advise the Lagos State government to emulate the Federal Government that has become a symbol of failure in the last 13 years.”

The ACN was reacting to the reported statement credited to Chief George that Fashola should learn from President Jonathan and the PDP on the issue of restricting commercial motorcycle operators from some major roads in Lagos.

He wondered what message George wants to send to Lagosians because there is “nothing a Federal Government and a party that has crumbled the country in nearly 14 years of irresponsible, corrupt and mediocre leadership can teach a state like Lagos.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/fashola-has-nothing-to-learn-from-pdp-jonathan-lagos-acn/

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today arrested a 23 year old student, Chippie Godson Chieftain., with drugs suspected to be cocaine at the Mortal Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The anti-narcotic agency said that the suspect, studying Management Accounting at Walt ham College, London, was arrested with the drugs worth 1.535kg during a check at the airport.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/ndlea-arrests-student-with-1-535kg-cocaine-at-lagos-airport/

I haven't heard anything from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu since the re-election of Gov. Mimiko. Is he in the country or has he gone to America to monitor the election?. Remember he was invited to the Democratic Party Convention before the election.

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Barak Obama on his re-election as President of the United States of America.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said, “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan heartily congratulates President Barrack Obama on his success in winning re-election in the presidential elections in the United States”

According to the statement, Jonathan welcomed President Obama’s victory in an intensely fought presidential race as an endorsement by the good people of United States of his leadership in the past four years towards ending global economic depression and fostering global peace and security.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/jonathan-congratulates-obama-on-his-re-election/

Gov. Babatunde Fashola kissing his wife at a public event

Ogun State Government at the weekend came under attacks for handing over some border communities in the state to Lagos State. Locals claimed the handover was carried out without due consultation with them.

The action, it was observed, had sent jitters into some landlords with plots of land without approved plans, as they expressed concerns that once the Lagos State Government takes over, their buildings would be demolished.

To that extent, an Ogunbased human rights group, The Masses Rights Movement of Nigeria (MRMN) has taken up the locals’ case, asking the Ogun State Government to rescind the action, as “the land of the people cannot be sold or leased without the owners and residents of those areas, who are the primary stakeholders, being carried along”.

In a recent agreement between Lagos Governor, Babatunde Fashola, and his Ogun counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, 500 hectares of land in Egua community of Yewa Local Government area of Ogun State were leased to Lagos State.

It was also gathered that the leasing extended to Okearo, a densely populated area in the locality.

Both states have justified the land transfer with explanation that Lagos needed the land for agricultural pursuits.

In the same vein, the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Iju Water Works area of Ogun had been handed over to Lagos, according to a communiqué issued by both Fashola and Amosun, a copy of which was obtained by Sunday Mirror.

The communiqué, however, stated that regarding 15 other communities under dispute between the two states, joint boundary resolutions have been found, and that the deputy governors of the respective states will flag off the joint signposting of the boundaries that had been agreed on.

The areas include Iragbo, Agbara, River Ilo, Iroko Village, Isheri, Emuren, Ojodu, Akute and Ajuwon. Others are Mojoda, Ogijo, Agbado, Alagbole, Iju and Ilogbo Eremi. The communiqué added that reconnaissance (a mode of survey) of Adiyan Water Works land area, also an Ogun community on the Lagos border, would soon be determined.

Both Ogun and Lagos states are being governed by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) whose cardinal objectives include a “regional integration of the Southwest”.

But MRMN in a statement yesterday by its Coordinating Secretary- General, Comrade Mark Adebayo, accused the governments of both states of trivialising the rights, welfare, and destiny of residents in the traded areas, in the name of party camaraderie.

“Our own concern is about the welfare and the right of ownership of the mass of the people to be permanently affected by this action. First, all the places earmarked for sale or lease to Lagos are residential areas, heavily populated by people who have built houses on these lands. Secondly, there are communities who have owned these areas for centuries. No matter how laudable this deal may be, if it does not take into cognisance the welfare and the right of ownership of the people affected by this deal, then that deal is anti-people, inconsiderate and wicked.”

The group added, “As at now, there is no evidence that the Ogun State Government engaged those directly affected by this deal in meaningful dialogue before the two governments perfected the deal.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/disquiet-as-lagos-takes-over-ogun-border-communities/

With the funding trend of campaigns of the Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, the 2012 U.S. presidential election’s estimated expenditure is in excess of $6 billion

This is considered to be the most expensive in the history of U.S. election.

A report released yesterday by the Center for Responsive Politics, CRP, said the figure was arrived at from the new analysis of Federal Election Commission data.

CRP is US’s premier research group tracking money in the nation’s politics and its effect on elections and public policy.

The most significant difference compared with earlier cycles is the unprecedented money being raised and spent by outside – and ostensibly independent – organisations, which we are expected to spend more than $970 million.

“In the new campaign finance landscape post- Citizens United, we’re seeing historic spending levels spurred by outside groups dominated by a small number of individuals and organisations making exceptional contributions,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics.

Krumholz said that not only is the total cost of the election record breaking, but the rate at which spending has increased — and continues to increase — in the closing weeks of the election is as well.

“In particular, outside groups are spending furiously. Spending by these groups, for and against the two main presidential candidates, has grown from $19 million per week in early September to $33 million per week in early October to $70 million during the week beginning October 21.”

The CRP’s report noted that the presidential election alone accounts for $2.6 billion, which is actually a decrease from 2008 when, all told, nearly $2.8 billion was directed at the presidential race.

The report added that: “In 2012, presidential candidates along with major party committees are expected to spend about $2 billion. Outside organisations that report spending to the Federal Election Commission are predicted to spend more than $528 million to influence the presidential race. Spending by the party convention host committees and public funding for the conventions totalled $142 million.

“Spending in congressional races is projected to increase slightly in 2012. House and Senate candidates combined will spend about $1.82 billion, up from $1.81 in 2010. House campaign spending alone will total nearly $1.1 billion, a slight increase of 3 percent more over 2010. In the Senate, spending by candidates will approach $743 million, which is down about 7 percent compared to 2010.”

President Obama’s campaign kept much of its fundraising in-house, churning to collect millions of small donations at least $214.3 million. The campaign also heavily tapped networks of wealthy and powerful supporters, known as bundlers, who combined to raise at least $180.1 million.

The Romney campaign never reached historic levels of fundraising but was aligned with powerful outside spending groups. While the campaign raised just $389 million (only a relatively small fraction, $70.8 million, raised from small donors), Romney’s campaign was undoubtedly buoyed by the support of Restore Our Future, which raised $131.6 million. It has spent one out of every five super PAC dollars this cycle.

“In reaction, candidates feel pressure to raise more funds,” said Bob Biersack, senior fellow at the Center for Responsive Politics. “Everybody reacts to this new environment by getting as much money as they can.”

According to the CRP’s report, one important difference in fundraising for the two presidential campaigns has been the emphasis on small donors by the Obama campaign. Every presidential campaign focuses on maximum contributions from individuals, now commonly raised through jointfundraising organisations receiving up to $75,800 from each individual, often delivered by bundlers seeking to demonstrate the extent of their support for a particular candidate.

Less common is the ability of the Obama campaign to raise about 30% of his contributions in amounts less than $200 per person – more than $214 million through October 17 and three times the amount raised by Romney in similar amounts.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/world-news/us-election-to-cost-6bn-most-expensive-in-history/

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has directed all telecoms operators to provide instant SMS service to all phone users at the end of every call.

Such SMS service is expected to provide full details of the cost of each call, and available balance to the subscriber.

The directive followed complaints from telecoms subscribers over irregular billings.

A statement issued by the Head, Media and Public Relations, NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, said the service must be free to all subscribers with the commencement date for all the operators fixed for today.

The statement also specified heavy penalty for any operator that failed to comply with the new directive, aimed at checking dubious charges on phone calls made by subscribers. “Any operator which fails to commence the service to its subscribers will be liable to fine in the sum of N5 million as sanction and a further sum of N500,000 per day as long as the contravention persists,” the statement reads in part.

It noted that the commission had, in a directive issued in August, mandated “that from 1st of November, 2012, all mobile operators shall send, free of charge, a message or an alert to both post-paid and prepaid subscribers after every call, SMS, or system generated charge or tariff, with a proviso that a subscriber can opt out if he or she so wishes.”

The directive, the statement said, mandated the subscribers to send messages containing six critical information including: exact duration of the call minutes and seconds, total cost for each call or SMS; customer’s account balance after the last call for prepaid and SMS, etc.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/give-subscribers-instant-call-bills-ncc-orders-telecoms-firms/

Some members of the Presidential Task Force on Petroleum Revenue are preparing for a showdown with the Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, over the leakage of the draft report, contents of which the government has disowned.

The draft report, leaked last week, underlined the huge rot in the operations and management of the nation’s oil and gas sector in the 10-year period between 2001 and 2011.

The leakage and reports of an attempt to cover up wrong doings by top officials in the oil and gas sector, prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to order the task force to submit the report by Friday, a situation that has created a rift among members, who are pointing accusing fingers at Ribadu over the leakage.

A committee member said last night that Ribadu had failed to carry all members along in the assignment and his methods had pitched him against some members who are senior legal practitioners “We had to caution him at a point when he caused EFCC operatives to arrest some people who were still under investigations,” the source said.

However, a member of the task force, Chief Anthony George Ikoli, SAN, responding to the leakage said yesterday that the report was yet to be finalised and disowned the version currently in circulation.

He said: “The committee’s work is factually yet to be definitively concluded; consequently a final report which would be the culmination of the processes and procedures agreed and adopted by the committee cannot exist, especially not in the format being circulated by the media both social and print.”

George-Ikoli, the immediate past Attorney- General of Bayelsa State, said that the last time the committee met was in June and that the subcommittee in charge of writing the final report was yet to submit it.

“The report writing subcommittee has not received, reviewed, revised and submitted a preliminary report for the committee of the whole for further consideration.

“The necessary levels and procedures to identify figures, facts and information as well as mandatory authentication and cross checking to ensure information data integrity and credibility cannot be said to have been done or carried out,” he said.

Ikoli said that at the last meeting of the committee, a written proposal presented to the committee members was advised to be “subjected to the established integral norms and procedures of civilized conduct in a setting such as ours.

“Many members of the committee are just as shocked and annoyed as I am that such painstaking work being conducted by the committee could be so ridiculed by the unsubstantiated reporting of such a respected global news agency. People of unimpeachable character populate this committee; the manner in which this news story was procured only serves to question the integrity of these people, which is rather unfortunate

“I personally believe the distraction generated by this story is unnecessary as it would neither aid the attainment of the anti-corruption agenda of government or the terms reference of the committee,” he added.

Apart from George-Ikoli, there are at least three other prominent lawyers in the task force. They are Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN; and Mr. Olasupo Sasore; SAN, who is also the former Attorney-General of Lagos State, who serves as the secretary of the task force.

Efforts to contact Ribadu last night were unsuccessful as calls to his number did not go through.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/leaked-report-panel-members-threaten-showdown-with-ribadu-committee-last-met-in-june/

The wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi has described the story of her purported arrest by the Metropolitan Police in London, United Kingdom as the handiwork of some mischief makers.

Mrs. Ajimobi who insisted that the rumour was intended to tarnish her image, explained that she only took her daughter back to school in London last Sunday.

She offered to give her international passport for verification and equally denied that she had travelled out of the country 52 times since her husband was elected Oyo State governor.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/oyo-governors-wife-arrives-nigeria-denies-arrest-in-uk/

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto as a member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Vatican City.

The 13-member council is the highest decision and policy-making body for the Holy Father.

Kukah’s appointment came in the wake of the appointment of His Grace Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja as a cardinal.

In May, the president of the Conference of Bishops of English and French-speaking West Africa, announced Kukah’s appointment as the chairman of the Commission on Culture, Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism.

In February, he was elected chairman of the Commission on Inter-religious Dialogue for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

Bishop Kukah had earlier served the council in a five-year tenure when His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze served as the president of the Council.

He was a delegate at the just-concluded Synod of Bishops for the New Evangelisation in the Vatican.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/kukah-appointed-member-of-papal-council/

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IT has also affected flight schedule to the U.S. U.S bound passengers are stranded in MMIA as airlines have cancelled flights to U.S

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/passengers-stranded-as-airlines-cancel-flights-over-hurricane-sandy/

Over 100 US bound passengers were today stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.

National Mirror’s correspondent at MMIA gathered that the passengers were informed of the cancellation of their flights due to the weather storm, “Hurricane Sandy” that was predicted to hit most of the cities of the East coast of the US .

As at the time of filing this report, our correspondent gathered that United Airline has cancelled its Lagos-Houston Texas flight while Delta Air Lines was yet to do so.

Also, Arik Air has equally cancelled all its flights from Lagos to New York due to the Hurricane Sandy.

Our correspondent further gathered that airlines operating stopover flights from Lagos to the East Coast of US like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Etihad Airways have cancelled their flights to the US.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/passengers-stranded-as-airlines-cancel-flights-over-hurricane-sandy/

If you are a fan of Nollywood star actress, Rita Dominic then you will do well to start preparing your dancing shoes and steps and get ready to click your glass in honour of the screen diva.

Though the hugely talented actress just celebrated the premiere of her latest movie, ‘The Meeting’, if new information made available to Cocktail Whispers is to be believed, then Rita Dominic may be preparing to walk the aisle soon.

Just recently when asked when she will be getting married, the very stunning Miss Dominic revealed that she will be getting married “very soon”.

Though the star actress did not disclose an exact date, a source close to her stated that it is very likely that Rita Dominic is actually going to come up with a surprise wedding plan soon.

But perhaps, if the popular role interpreter is truly getting married ‘very soon’, one question that may be on many lips is who the lucky guy is. Trust pretty Rita, she is keeping that under the wraps for now

This piece will come as feel good news for friends and fans of celebrated actress, Toyin Aimaku. Cocktail Whispers can reveal that several months after separating from her ex-lover, Kunle Soyombo, the very talented screen diva has found love again.

According to a source, the very beautiful Toyin Aimaku is currently dating her colleague in the make-believe world, Adeniyi Johnson. He is part of the cast of popular television series, ‘Tinsel’.

Those close to Toyin Aimaku say she is very excited about her romance with Adeniyi such that she wants everyone to know it. Toyin and Adeniyi are said to have met at a movie location early this year. They are also said to be so much in love with each other. In fact, there are speculations that they plan tying the knot before the end of this year.

Just so you know, Toyin Aimaku was romantically involved with Kunle Soyombo, but they parted ways in March this year. Soyombo has since married another lady.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/features/toyin-aimaku-fi-nds-love-again/

If standard of facilities, conducive environment and learning resources available in schools are determinants of quality education, then, students and teachers at the Igbo Owu Junior Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos, have every reason to worry. Established since 1967 during the regime of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former governor of Lagos State, at Olu Aina Street, in Mushin Local Government Area of the state, the school is in a parlous state. Lack of facilities, filthy learning environment, falling roofs, dust-ridden floors, dilapidated structures due apparently to long years of neglect are some of the visible attributes of the school.

Dearth of instructional materials, classrooms without walls, blown off roofs, lack of laboratory and library, absence of befitting staff room and office accommodation, low morale of students and teachers due to agelong abandonment are some of the challenges confronting the school in the delivery of qualitative education. With about 1000 students, the story of Igbo Owu Junior Secondary School is that of neglect, worries and distress.

During rainy periods, the school reminds one of the sad tales painted by John Pepper Clark in one of his famous poems – ‘Night Rain’. The school, which ironically shares boundary with the Education District VI Zone II Inspectorate Division; the Local Government Education Authority in charge of primary school; and other schools including the Community Secondary Schools, Works yard and Euba Secondary School, all located in the same complex, is an eyesore.

In spite of this, the school, as gathered, boasts of 40 teaching and non-teaching members of staff. Faced with these myriad of challenges, the school authority, Saturday Mirror gathered, had to secure an apartment in the neighbourhood to accommodate the Principal’s office, while a small room, which hitherto had served as the school library, has been converted to the Vice- Principal’s (Academic) office.

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Piqued by the plight and hardship the teachers and students go through due to lack of facilities, a resident of the area was said to have donated a small space where first aid materials are kept for use of the students and teachers.

Also, owing to the neglect of the school, the 20 computers distributed to the school by the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, to enhance computer education as one of the cardinal policies of the state government, have been out of use the non-conducive classroom environment. While expressing his feelings about the state of the school, one of the teachers, who craved anonymity, noted that whenever it rains, the students are cramped together in few classrooms since almost all the classrooms are leaking.

“Can you imagine how the teachers and students are coping under this condition? How on earth do you expect students to listen and pay attention to lessons, or read and be able to prepare well enough for examinations in open classrooms? You can as well come to terms with the challenges we face on daily basis, especially when it rains and the students are already in school. How do you think we cope with the resulting cold due to the rain?

Mind you, these are children numbering about 1,000. The situation here is really pathetic.” Another teacher lamented: “Teaching is a noble profession and should be treated as such. Why must we be subjected to this ridiculous condition? Is it a crime to be a teacher?

One wonders if ideally any government should expect effective learning in this type of academic environment, which in any case, does not look like one. Our students are going through a tough situation to acquire education. Other people may have talked about our experience during rainy season, but what about the experience during hot weather? Here are classrooms without ceilings. The situation is terrible and precarious. It is worrisome that this is happening in Lagos, the nation’s commercial hub.”

Some of the students, who spoke with Saturday Mirror describe the condition as deplorable, unbearable and appalling. A student in JSS II could not understand why the school was neglected for so long. On whether the school authority has made any attempt to get the attention of the government, a source said the management has made several presentations to the government. Several government officials have also visited the school to make on-the-spot assessment, but that nothing concrete has come out of the several visits.

A source in the state’s Ministry of Education, however, said that the school had already been earmarked for rehabilitation. The source pointed out that the rehabilitation work on the school had to be suspended by the government due to the rain, since no tangible construction work of any kind could be carried out during rainy season. “Frankly, government has penciled down the school for rehabilitation and this will begin as soon as the rain subsided,” the source assured.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/saturday-mirror/living/learning-in-tears-the-igbo-owu-junior-secondary-school-experience/

Covenant University @ 10: A prophecy fulfilled
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/education/covenant-university-10-a-prophesy-fulfilled/

Like a thunderbolt, the news of the death of Mrs. Sheila Solarin, an educationist par excellence, hit the nation last Saturday, October 20. Aside that she was a wife to the late Dr. Tai Solarin, a social critic and educationist, Sheila taught English Language and marked students’ essays until recently before her demise. As a tribute, for her immense contributions to the development of education system in Nigeria and as a co-founder/proprietress of Mayflower School, Ikenne, Ogun State, we reproduce the interview YEMISI ADENIRAN had with her recently and published in Saturday Mirror of August 25, 2012.

Excerpts:



Would it be right to say that you fell in love with Nigeria immediately you met Tai?

It is very right and I guess it is proper. A woman is supposed to love everything about her husband. Love is not supposed to have any barrier. Tai was one man I cherished; we were not just couples, but good companions. We shared a lot and so, it was very easy for us to live together.

He was a Nigerian and a proud one. When we met in England, he never gave the impression that he was not in love with his country. He was passionate about Nigeria and humanity generally; it is therefore difficult to dissociate him from this lovable country. I love everything about him and so, coming and living in Nigeria with him was, to me, no big deal, but part of the deal. He loved my country and people too, so, no party is cheated.

Where did you meet your husband and why were you attracted to a black man?

We met at the University of Manchester; we were both students and colour or no colour, I was attracted to him for his hard work, simplicity and straightforwardness. He was down-to-earth, not a deceiver, good tempered, very honest and a good listener. Above all, he was fun to be with; he had this sense of humour that got you glued to him all the time.

What were your parents’ views on your choice, knowing well that you could have picked from one of the many white guys around?

At the initial stage, my mother was reserved, but when she met him, she liked him. We kept a family that was not bias about anyone, whatever your skin colour or wherever you come from; it was easy for them to accept him. Besides, he was a lovable person himself. What about his own family? They accepted me as their wife, they were good to me.

How did you handle the strange climate of Nigeria, especially when you first came – the electricity problem, harsh weather and others?

None of these issues was any problem to me. I came from a poor family. We lived in the countryside not in the city. So, we also had similar experiences. In our case, we did not have electricity until I was in my teens. There was also no pipe-borne water which is not far from what is obtainable in Nigeria. In short, my background helped me to cope well in Nigeria. My husband was a good man, very supportive.

This, again, helped me to acclimatise well.

How then would you describe his absence?

Life without Tai has been full of vacuum that nobody can fill. I miss him so much and all of the time. But as we all know, even twins that are born the same day won’t die the same day, talkless of people who were born on different days and at different times. He has been gone for 18 years now and here I am still breathing and alive.

You said earlier that both of you share a lot in common. Can you tell us some of those things?

Both of us are realists. We do things because we believe they are just right, not because people say so. We are both humanists and not church goers.

Are you saying you don’t go to church?

We both don’t. I see no need to; likewise him. Many in one religion or the other do so because they are afraid of death. They are afraid of getting killed by people and some forces whereas death is an inevitable thing, it will come when it will. We will all die one day whether we run to church, mosque or any other place.

Tai did not attach anything to death or the general belief of ceremonies after death, which is why he instructed before his death that he should be buried in his newly ploughed farm so that his body would be useful to the speedy growth of the plant, the vegetables. Many people were shocked and I did not know why. Human beings are to live to benefit others which is what the country is suffering from.

How do you mean?

There is a lot of greed in this nation. The leaders we have are very selfish, they think of themselves alone. They have no plans for the people; everyone is surviving on his or her own which is not giving any room for national growth. There is corruption, cheating, fraud everywhere.

These are alarming and painful. No one cares for the other which is bad. In Britain and United Kingdom, the rich people donate half of what they have to charity, but here, beggars increase by the day as no one cares.

The universities churn out graduates every year with no provision of where to accommodate them. So, the streets are full and all kinds of crime and fraudulence are the targets. There is a lot to be done by Nigerian leaders; they need to imbibe a selfless life, plan ahead for the youth, leave a worthwhile legacy.

Nigerians in general should live a life that impacts positively on others, make one person happy at least. That’s the way to serve humanity. The gap between the rich and the poor is too wide; there is need to bridge it.

What’s your view about the Nigerian education system?

No adequate attention is given Nigerian education system. From the primary to secondary, the public schools have given total space to private owners which is making it more decayed. Most teachers in these schools end up as teachers because it was the available option they had in the universities, and not by choice. There are no good buildings in the schools, students learn not under a conducive environment. All these have affected the system negatively. Teachers are corrupt; parents are corrupt; students, also, are corrupt. There is corruption everywhere.

You clocked 88 recently. How would you describe old age? It’s fun and wonderful. I did not know I would live this long; I have lived a very busy and active life. Here I am, still living.

How did you cope in those years when your husband was in and out of the prisons?
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/education/i-never-knew-i-could-live-this-long-sheila-solarin/

The reports about obasanjo's impounded vehicle and his subsequent seizure of 10 BRT buses are not true. Both parties have denied that such never happened.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/politics/we-didnt-impound-obasanjos-vehicle-lastma/

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday debunked media reports that its officers impounded a vehicle belonging to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

An online agency and a national daily had report ed yesterday that about 10 LAGBUS vehicles belonging to the Lagos State government were impounded in Ota, Ogun State and packed in Obasanjo Farms in retaliation for the confiscation of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) belonging to the farms by officials of LASTMA for contravening the state’s traffic law, last Friday.

Speaking with National Mirror yesterday, LASTMA General Manager, Babatunde Edu, said there was no record of seizure of any vehicle belonging to the former president or his farm. He therefore described the report as unfounded and warned the public against disseminating falsehood.

He said: “We don’t have record of impoundment of Obasanjo’s vehicle at all. None of the vehicles arrested is branded Obasanjo Farms. Most of the arrested vehicles have registration numbers and we don’t have anyone belonging to the former president.”

Also disclaiming the report, the Chief of Staff to Obasanjo, Deacon Victor Durodola, told National Mirror in a telephone interview last night that there was no truth in the reports.

His words: “The news is a blatant lie. It was the figment of the imagination of the writers and definitely it is something intended to malign and embarrass President Obasanjo because none of our vehicles, not even a bicycle had any problem with LASTMA.

“They said we impounded LAGBUS vehicles in Ota Farm, I don’t know where the story emanated from. People can go to Ota Farm and see things for themselves; there is no Lagos State bus in the premises.

“Is it possible for Lagos State not to know that 10 buses were impounded somewhere? I read the story in a national daily and I was told that some other newspapers carried it. I called the newspaper’s office and challenged them to provide whatever evidence they have. I challenged them on what they published about Obasanjo which has no foundation and they were apologetic.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/politics/we-didnt-impound-obasanjos-vehicle-lastma/

Read another version of the story:
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/islamic-preacher-causes-scare-on-arik-air-flight-as-pilot-diverts-plane-to-abuja/

Independent election observers that monitored the governorship election in Ondo State last weekend has urged candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the result reflects votes cast by the electorate.

The election observers operating under the auspices of the Project Swift Count (PSC) said in a post-election briefing in Abuja yesterday that the order and magnitude of the INEC results for each of the political parties is the same as the Project Swift Count estimates. Barrister Olusola Oke of the PDP and Chief Akeredolu of the ACN have vowed not to recognise the results as announced by INEC.

But, First Co-chair of PSC, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN), said the group, that had monitored several other elections in the past was able to independently collect and collate official results from polling units and arrive at the same results as INEC and therefore urged the political contestants and the public alike to accord a high degree of confidence that the official results as announced by INEC reflect the votes cast in the Ondo State governorship election.

“Project Swift Count finds generally that the process provided most of the people of Ondo State with a meaningful opportunity to exercise their right to vote and that the official results as announced by INEC accurately reflect the ballots cast at polling units.”

PSC congratulated the citizens of Ondo State for their peaceful and substantial participation in the election and observed that the adequate security presence was of tremendous help in maintaining the peaceful atmosphere.

PSC also declared that though INEC has improved, but meeting the 7.30am target for arrival of voting materials at polling units still remains a challenge. “As at 7.30am, polling officials and election materials had arrived at 47 percent of polling units across Ondo State.

This is comparable to Kebbi (53 percent) and Sokoto (43 percent), and is better than Edo (26 percent), Cross River (19 percent) and Bayelsa (32 percent). “Accreditation of voters had started by 9.00am in 70 percent of the polling units. This is worse than Sokoto (73 percent) but better than Kebbi (65 percent), Edo (44 percent), Cross River (35 percent) and Bayelsa (32 percent). However, by noon accreditation had commenced at 98 percent of the polling units.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/election-observers-urge-oke-akeredolu-to-accept-poll-result/

Are you a native of Osun State residing in Lagos and you plan to travel this weekend to your state? This news may interest you.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration has announced a free train ride for Osun State citizens to ease their movement during the Eid-el- Kabir celebration.

The Director of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, noted that the free train ride had become a tradition in the state.

According to him, the schedule as released by the Ministry of Commerce and Cooperatives showed that the free train service would commence on Thursday and end on Sunday.

Quoting a statement signed by the Commissioner, Mr. Ismail Jayeola Alagbada, the director disclosed that the free train would start conveying people from Lagos to Osogbo, the state capital, by 9 am daily, adding that the return journey would also commence from Osogbo to Lagos on Saturday and Sunday by 10am prompt. According to the statement, the gesture is to ensure stress-free homecoming during Eid-el-Kabir. Similar gestures were offered during Ramadan, Christmas and Easter periods.

He said: “This gesture is from the government of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to the people, who intend to come home during the festive period, but always encounter transportation problem. “The free train ride commenced last year and has been a regular gesture from the government to the people during Christian and Muslim festival periods.

This government wants transportation comfort for its citizens, who hitherto normally encountered hardship and fare hike during the rush period.” He, therefore, enjoined Osun State citizens in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states to embrace the free train ride offered by the government to come home and celebrate Sallah with their relatives

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/news/eid-el-kabir-osun-offers-citizens-free-train-ride/

This was a letter written by Robert S. Goldstein, the Public Relations Representative of Biafra in the United States during the war.. It was first published in the Morning Post, Lagos on August 17, 1968.
As your Public Relation’s Representative in the United States, it is my distasteful duty to tender my resignation based on the following points:

POINT 1 –

In November of 1967 when we met in Umuahia, you and your Cabinet were very impressive. You told me of the woes of your little Republic, that thousands of people had died, were dying and more were prepared to die for freedom’s sake. You and your Cabinet told me you believed world opinion would help your cause if you could get your story across.

You expressed the opinion that very few if any people in the United States knew of the plight of the Biafrans. You asked me to tell the world that Britain had teamed up with Russia in a conspiracy with the Federal Government of Nigeria to murder every Ibo in Biafra.

You suggested I use my talents to induce the Press to write about the Biafran side of the war, as at that time all news came out of Lagos. You will recall I did not take the asssignment that day but stayed on several days before deciding to take that job. To help win the peace At that time I stated to you and your cabinet that I was taking the assignment making it crystal clear I would try my best to help win the peace not the war.

POINT TWO -
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sunday-mirror/httpnationalmirroronline-netnewcategorysunday-mirror/dateline/how-ojukwu-rejected-offer-of-food-corridor/

During the 1983 elections, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was hosted to a town hall interview in Abeokuta, where in addition to other pertinent topics of the day, he spoke on his role in the civil war, the 20 pounds policy, starvation as a weapon, change of currency, abandoned property among others. Excerpts

People who as members of the Federal Military Government at that time, were party to that decision and are today, in some cases, inheritors of power in one Nigeria which that decision of yours helped to save. How do you feel being cast in this role, and what steps are you taking to endear yourself once again to that large chunk of Nigerians who feel embittered?

As far as I know, the Igbo masses are friendly to me. In fact, whenever I visit Igboland, either Anambra or Imo, and there’s no campaigning for elections on, the people receive me warmly and affectionately. But there are some elements in Igboland who believe that they can maintain their popularity only by denigrating me, and so they keep on telling lies against me. Ojukwu is one of them. I don’t want to mention the names of the others because they are still redeemable, but Ojukwu is irredeemable so I mention his name, and my attitude to these lies is one of indifference, I must confess to you.

I’ve learnt to rely completely on the providence and vindication of Almighty God in some of these things. I’ve tried to explain myself in the past, but these liars persist. Ojukwu had only recently told the same lie against me. What’s the point in correcting lies when people are determined to persist in telling lies against you, what’s the point? I know that someday, the Igbo, the masses of the Igbo people will realize who their friends are, and who their real enemies are. And the day that happens, woe betide those enemies.

The Igbo will deal with them very roughly. That has happened in my life. I have a nickname now, if you see my letterhead, you’ll find something on top, you’ll find a fish done on the letterhead. Some people put lion on theirs, some people put tiger, but mine is fish. And fish represents my zodiac sign; those of you who read the stars and so on in the newspapers; you’ll find out that there’s a zodiac sign known as pieces. In Latin pieces mean Fish

So, I put pieces on top, that’s my zodiac sign, being born on the 6th of March. And then on top of it I write Eebudola. All of you know the meaning of that. You know I don’t want to tell a long story but Awolowo school, omo Awolowo, this started in Urhobo Land in Mid-west in those days. They were ridiculing my schools, I was building schools –brick and cement, to dpc level, block to dpc level and mud thereafter. And so the big shots in the place..”ah what kind of school is this? Is this Awolowo school? Useless school” and when they saw the children..”ah these Awolowo children, they can’t read and write, Awolowo children” that t’s how it started, with ridicule, and it became blessing, and now they say “Awolowo children, they are good people” no more ridicule about it, that’s how it started, so the Eebu becomes honor, the abuse became honor. And so, when I look back to all my life, treasonable felony, jail, all the abuses that were heaped on me, to Coker Inquiry, all sorts, and I see what has happened to the people who led all these denigration campaigns, where are they today? Those that are alive are what I call Homo Mortuus- dead living, that’s what they are.

So when I look back, I come to the conclusion that all these abuses which have been heaped on me all my life for doing nothing, doing good, they have become honour, and so Eebudola is one of my nicknames. So I’ve cultivated an attitude of indifference, I’ve done no evil to the Ibos.

During the war, I saw to it that the revenue which was due to the Iboland- South Eastern states they call it, at that time, East-central state, I kept it, I saved the money for them.And when they were liberated I handed over the money to them- millions.If I’d decided to do so, I could have kept the money away from them and then when they took over I saw to it that subvention was given to them at the rate of 990,000 pounds every month.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sunday-mirror/httpnationalmirroronline-netnewcategorysunday-mirror/dateline/ive-done-no-evil-to-the-igbo-awo/

General Overseer of The Latter Rain Assembly and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential running mate in the 2011 general election, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has called on men of God to come out of church politics and step into national politics.

According to him, “rather than bring politics to church, let believers take church to politics”.

He, however, warned that the church that must take church to politics must not be the Sinai church that is bound by religion or the compromised church that is bound by greed and corruption, “because these will be blown away with the shaking that is coming”. He said it calls for the Zion church that leans on grace, a new breed without greed and a radical opposition to corruption.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/religion/bakare-to-fell…-play-politics/ ‎

Signs that the ACN may not concede defeat to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko easily have started emerging. The party's National Publicity Secretary noted that there were acts of thuggery, irregularities and delay in the conduct of the governorship election in Ondo State.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/breaking-news/acn-complains-of-insecurity-irregularities/