₦airaland Forum

Yvonne Nelson, the Ghanaian actress and producer might be insuring her sexy legs soon.

In an interview with Glitz Africa, the actress said ‘I have the hottest legs in the industry right now. I don’t know, maybe I have to get my legs insured...Read more and view her exclusive pic @ http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/i-have-the-hottest-legs-in-the-industryphotos-says-yvonne-nelson.html

A southern Philippine town plans to hold funeral rites for the world’s largest saltwater crocodile and then preserve its remains in a museum to keep tourists coming and prevent their community from slipping back into obscurity, the town’s mayor said Monday.
The 1-ton crocodile was...read more @ http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/photothe-world-biggest-crocodile-dies-and-ready-for-burial.html

https://www.newsinnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Genius.jpg

A three-year-old girl is amazing Nigeria after memorizing the whole Qur’an, becoming one of the youngest Muslims in the world to learn the Noble Book by heart.

“Honestly, I can’t say much but I am very grateful to Allah for this,” Sayyada Maimunatu Sheikh Dahiru, the girl’s mother, told our source on February 10.“This is indeed a blessing from Allah.”

Her daughter, Rukkayatu Fatahu Umar, has completed the memorization of the Noble Qur’an at the age of three year and eight months. The young Muslim girl began memorizing the Noble Book at an Islamic school founded by prominent Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. “We were using a big parlor, which was divided into classes for the learning of the Qur’an,” Maimunatu, who teaches at the school, said.

“At that time, I always carried her on my back while teaching. From there, she started reciting along with the students and before long, she had memorized some verses.

“That was how she started attending memorization class. Right now, she has completed memorizing the whole Qur’an,” the proud mother said. The Noble Qur’an is consisted of 114 Surah (chapters) of varying lengths. Going to the school between 7a.m. and 6p.m. daily, the young girl found little time to play with her peers.

“It is not as if she does not play with her mates. She does, especially with those who are memorizing the Qur’an like her,” Maimunatu said. “This makes it easier for them, as their focus and attention are directed towards achieving the same goal, which is memorizing the Qur’an.”

The young Muslim girl is now preparing to go to school soon, breaking a family tradition of sending girls to study at the age of ten. “My husband has, however, said that the world is changing now, and that there is civilization all over the place,” the mother, who herself memorized the whole Qur’an at the age of 12, said.

“As such, our daughter will have the opportunity of going to a proper school whenever she reaches the age of six.” The Muslim mother has paid tribute to her father for offering her child the chance to memorize the Qur’an at this young age. “I’m also grateful that I have a father like Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who planted my feet, like other people, on the path of Islam,” she said.

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/a-3-year-old-girl-amazes-nigeria-after-memorizing-the-whole-quran.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, over alleged money laundering.

Fani-Kayode appeared before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on a 47-count charge. He, however, pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Chief Ladi Williams, prayed the court to allow him to....read more @ http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/efcc-re-arraigns-femi-fani-kayode-over-alleged-money-laundering.html

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar thought that former President Olusegun Obasanjo would not complete his tenure, paving the way for him (Atiku) to become the President.

This revelation was contained in a book written by a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

The book, titled The Accidental Public Servant, has yet to be presented to the public.

The former minister said he had met Atiku and told him about his intention to resign as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises following the demand for N54m bribe by some senators before he would be cleared as a ministerial nominee.

He said he had reported the bribe demand to Obasanjo, but that the former President asked him to sort himself out.

“No, I am not handling this senators’ thing. I have done my part and nominated you. You should go and tell the vice-president about whatever has transpired. He will handle it,” El-Rufai claimed the former President said when he met with him on the demand.

El-Rufai wrote, “When I walked into Atiku’s office, he said, ‘Where are you going? You can’t leave. We are about to have the whole thing’.

“I was taken aback as I was not sure what he meant. What do you mean sir?”

He said the former vice-president informed him about a marabout in Cameroon who, he said had been in touch with him since the first very time he contested the governorship in the old Gongola State.

Atiku, according to him, told him that the marabout asked him not to waste his money because he would not win.

The same marabout, he said told him more than two more times that he would lose governorship elections, which he said he lost.

The former vice-president was also claimed to have said the marabout told him he would win the 1999 governorship election in Adamawa State but would not become the governor.

El-Rufai wrote, “And soon, it came to pass. Atiku won the election, but before he could take the oath of office, Obasanjo chose him to be his running mate.

“On the strength of this fable, Atiku appeared to have placed his faith in the predictions of this marabout.”

He said the former vice president added, “Nasir, this mallam has been consistently right in hid predictions.”

“Wow, that is very interesting sir, but what does this have to do with my resignation?” the former minister asked Atiku.

“Because the same mallam said that Obasanjo would not complete his term”, he quoted Atiku as saying.

But Atiku’s spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, said, “The book is a tissue of lies. Marabout is a family phenomenon of the el-rufais of this world.

“He, as a minister, has supported one of his brother to an errand to see marabout in Morocco, Mali, Senegal and Somalia.

“With this book, he is inadvertently opening his character and that of his family for the whole world to see.”

In the book, Atiku went on to ask el-Rufai why he would want to resign when he (Atiku) would soon be in charge.

“So, why do you want to go? When I am President, we are going to take charge of this place and fix it and I will need you. You are one of my best people,” Atiku assured him.

He also recalled how Atiku in 2002, called a meeting of what he called a meeting of those he considered his “three closest advisers” that he would run against his boss in 2003.

At the meeting, according to the book, were his political adviser, Dr. Usman Bugaje; the Publisher ofTHISDAY, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, and el-Rufai.

The meeting, he said, was held in Atiku’ guest house in Abuja.

El-Rufai said, “At the meeting, he (Atiku) told us that he had been having meetings for the past several months with two groups of politicians.

“One group (called G4) consisted of President Ibrahim Babangiga, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, both of whom were former military heads of state, as well as Gen. Aliyu Gusau.

“The four of them had been meeting to review Obasanjo’s performance and they had concluded that Obasanjo’s first term up to that point had been a disaster. The National Assembly had twice tried to impeach him, and the four of them had just thought that Obasanjo should not have a second term.

“In their meetings, according to Atiku, they decided that since Atiku was the incumbent vice-president, he should have the first shot at the presidency.”

He said the meetings were allegedly leaked to Obasanjo by Babangida, who was also eyeing the presidency.

SOURCE: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/atiku-thought-obasanjo-wouldnt-complete-his-tenure-el-rufai.html

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/no-bis-on-blackberry-10.html

IS THIS A JOKE OR WHAT

VIEW AND READ THE SCANNED DOCUMENT FROM THE SOURCE BELOW


http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/02/fg-files-corruption-charges-against-farouk-lawan-over-otedola-bribe.html

D’Banj let his head lose on twitter when he threw decorum into the waste bin as he used an ‘f’ word on a fan on the social media network.

With what was meant to create fun and relax with, D’Banj got what he may not have thought to get when a fan turned an acronym into what would annoy the ‘Kokomaster’.

D’Banj posted a picture with the inscription DKM, meaning D Kings Men but a fan turned the acronym into D’Banj Killed Mohits (DKM).

Apparently not happy with that ‘joke’, D’Banj responded “Na wa for u ohh, is this suppose to be funny? Fool.”

Fans have already been lambasting D’Banj for losing his head publicly. It is being argued that the singer would have just ignored the fan rather than use an ‘f’ word on him.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, DID D’BANJ ACTUALLY KILL MOHITS?

SOURCE: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/you-killed-mohits-fan-tells-dbanj.html

Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has said Nigerian politicians cannot lay claim to be true Christians, because, according to him, politicians are liars.

Dr. Uduaghan, a medical doctor, said this Sunday during a special thanksgiving programme for the former Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Abel Obi Umahi, who also double as a Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church in Benin.

According to Governor Uduaghan, a politician would still continue to lie, even when the people knew the truth.

“As a politician, so many obstacles will be on your way. We politicians will come in front of you and be lying. We know that you know we are lying but we will continue until we get what we want.

“It is not easy to run a Christian race as a politician and as a military personnel. In the military, there are so many things to draw you down,” he said.

He however described Major-General Umahi as a brave soldier who moved through the Niger Delta creeks to ensure law and order in the region, adding that the former Brigade Commander had helped to reduced incidences of kidnappings in Delta State by being present in planning operations.

Responding, Umahi who was recently promoted to the rank of Major-General, said the thanksgiving was to appreciate God for protecting him through difficult times.

He recalled how the juju prepared for him by his father failed when he went to Liberia as part of ECOMOG mission, following a bullet injury he sustained on his left hand side where the juju was placed.

“In 1991, I went back to Liberia but by then I had burnt those juju. The battle was fierce this time but I was delivered by God. I am a living witnesses of God’s blessing,” Umahi said.

Dignitaries included Governor Adams Oshiomhole represented by his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, former Chief of Staff to Governor Oshiomhole, Osarodion Ogie, Hon Razaq Bello-Osagie, members of Delta State Executive Council amongst others.



Using simple logic, if all ”Nigerian Politicians Are Liars” then Delta State Gov, Uduaghan is a …..

SOURCE: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/nigerian-politicians-are-liars-says-delta-state-gov-uduaghan.html

Two Nigerian affiliates of the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb — Boko Haram and the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis- Sudan — are planning major reprisals to protest Nigeria’s participation in the Mali war, SUNDAY PUNCH authoritatively reports.

Nigeria has deployed forces in northern Mali to flush out the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist groups who have taken control of the vast desert territory.

Barely 48 hours after the Mali mission, terror operations increased in the northern part of the country with not less four attacks in three days leading to the death of about 30 people.

While claiming responsibility for the attack on Mali-bound soldiers in Kogi State and the kidnap of a French citizen, Francis Colump, in Katsina State, the sect said its actions were based on France and Nigeria’s major role in the attack on Islamists in northern Mali.

Security agents told SUNDAY PUNCH that the sects, particularly JAMBS, planned to protest Nigeria’s participation in the Mali war, in the form of bomb attacks and kidnap of expatriates. It was learnt that whileJAMBS would concentrate on foreign targets, Boko Haram would focus on local targets.

A top intelligence officer, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “The survival of JAMBS and Boko Haram depends on the survival of the Islamists in Mali. If the terrorists in Mali are wiped out, that is the end of the ones in Nigeria and that is why Nigeria is at the fore-front of the Mali war.

“We have reports that the violent sects here have been instructed to increase their terror acts and it is not surprising. That is why they have become very restive in the North. We are at the border to intercept whatever arms they are planning to bring in. We also have plain-clothes security men in the North monitoring activities. We are ready for them.”

The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the police, Frank Mba, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the police were aware of the “plans” of the sects, but he declined to provide details. Mba stated that the war in Mali was necessary to put an end to terrorism in that country.

“All the terror groups in Nigeria receive major financing and training from Mali and it is expected that they will not be pleased with the war. They get support from Mali and we know they are not happy we are with the war, but Nigerians cannot to be held hostage. We are ready for them. We owe Nigerians a duty to be in Mali to totally eradicate terrorism from Nigeria,” he said.

Similarly, the President of the Northern Civil Society Coalition, Mr. Shehu Sani, stated that the war in Mali posed a security challenge because JAMBS and other sects that are sympathetic to Malian Islamists would target countries that contributed troops to the multinational force battling Islamists in the country.

“Nigeria has to cover its tracks at home. We are vulnerable to reprisals. There is no doubt that terrorists in Mali will inflict damage on countries participating in the war,” he said.

Meanwhile, JAMBS, has launched a massive recruitment drive in the North. Reliable sources in the security services told one of our correspondents that the sect aimed to be “bigger and deadlier” than the better known Boko Haram sect.

In recent times, JAMBS, which has been described as an international terror group, has claimed responsibility for some headline-grabbing terrorist acts. It was learnt that the ongoing recruitment by the sect, targets young persons, mainly men, indoctrinated to fight for the cause of the sect.

Even though the recruitment is restricted to the North for now, SUNDAYPUNCH gathered that the sect had plans to stretch its search for recruits to other parts of the country.

Sani said JAMBS was more dangerous than Boko Haram and that “foreign interests have much to fear from the new group.”

“JAMBS is in competition with Boko Haram and it won’t be difficult for them to get recruits in a society of millions of disenfranchised youths. It will be easy for them to get volunteers from the lower rung of the society. Its agenda is different from Boko Haram’s. The group is strictly toeing the instructions of the al-Qaeda which is to target foreign groups and persons.

“What makes this group very dangerous is their mobility. You cannot say this is where they are located. They operate a mobile command and no part of Nigeria is immune to their acts. If they can attack troops in Kogi, that tells you the nature of the group.

“It is difficult to estimate their actual number because they are not in a particular position, but I can tell you that they have high capacity to inflict lethal damage and to also carry our operations without being caught.” he said

Sani said the sect was not interested in “local matters” like Boko Haram.

“The Federal Government needs to know that this new group is interested in issues of global significance like events happening in Mali, the Middle East and in the Maghreb. The kidnapping of expatriates is an indication of what this group is about. They have a clear intention to pursue the agenda of the al-Qaeda. They are charting a new course beyond the shores of Nigeria,” he added.

Mba however said it would be difficult for the sect to have a base in the North.

“We can’t tell you what we know about JAMBS. But it is important that we point out that it will be difficult for them to have a base in the North due to the heavy presence of the police and the military,” he said.

The Federal Government had said the deployment of Nigerian troops in Mali was necessary to protect Africa from terrorism

Source: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/mali-al-qaeda-allies-plot-revenge-attacks-in-nigeria.html

From a hopeful citizen,

By way of pen and paper.

To those born after June 12,

Wherever they are,

As long as they are Nigerians.

Dear Sir/Ma

TO THOSE BORN AFTER JUNE 12

Every year, on the 12th of June, the victory of Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) in the 1993 polls is celebrated. Let me remind you that this election has been said to be the most free and fair election that has been conducted on the soils of Nigeria.

The intent of this write-up, is not to add to the multiplicity of voices that have heralded at different times the MKO gospel and mandate. As against that, I want to talk about what this election holds for Nigerians, not everyone in Nigeria though, but for those that were born from the 13th of June, 1993, till now and then forward.

I was having a chat with a much respected senior friend, and that chat has birthed this write up. During the course of the chat, he was jesting at me for having missed the popular June 12 saga. By the way, I was only two months and a week old when the whole saga happened.

I remember very vividly what he and another participant in the chat said…”So, all you know about MKO is all you saw in books”.

Was it my fault that I missed it? NO…I have no say in whatever day I arrive planet earth, or what country I would be born to. If I had that choice, you can be sure of one thing, Nigeria will be a …

Having missed the whole saga, I still have something to boast in though, I was alive when it happened…that I think is why the title of this article is what it is…that I may “in my mind” have an edge on those who were born after the saga. Albeit, this article is about those of us who were not able to participate in the saga, whether living or unborn at the time it happened.

So, to my friends “feeling fly” about being born two years to the saga…as regards this, we are in the same group.

I, and I’m sure you, have heard at different times and in varying quarters the hopes that MKO held for this country. As a matter of fact, in some quarters, it is believed that the future of Nigeria died with MKO. If that is true, then we Nigerians, of all nations are the most miserable.

Little wonder therefore it holds, why Nigerians came out en-masse to defend what they considered as the hope of Nigeria being swept into the drain by a government many consider as callous.

From the different stories I heard about the saga, one thing was constant “Eje Sun”, that means there was the splash of blood. So many people died all in a bid to defend what they felt was Nigeria’s last hope.

As regards whether MKO truly held any hope for Nigeria, I have my opinion, but permit me not to bore you with my stance and why I have taken such.

What is more important to me is the way people defended “their hope”. Not minding the consequences of such, they defended it.

And I know you are, somewhere in your head, asking how this is of any concern to you. Of course it is. If those people think that Nigeria’s hope needed to be defended as such a time which many consider as being better that now, what then should we do as such a time as this when the situation of the country is at an all time low.

We already have missed what I call “the hope saga”, let’s create ours. I’m not asking us to take out to the streets, neither am I asking us not to. I’m only asking that we create our history, not for the sake of satisfying our ego or getting back at those who have laughed at us for missing the saga (they were just having fun), but I’m asking us to create a saga that posterity will remember us for.

We couldn’t do anything about the protests then, but we can create a Nigeria that will be worth defending.

I bet that somewhere in your head, as much as you want to believe that Nigeria is hopeless, you still believe that you have what it takes to succeed. So, what I’m asking is simple, why don’t you join that hope you have in yourself with that of others in themselves.

Let me tell you what this will lead to; if we all can come together as young people and also bring together our individual hopes and aspirations and out of it form a collective mission statement for the country, then in years to come, by striving together with resilience, we would have created the Nigeria of our dreams.

The Nigeria where the generation after us are eager to have dreams because they have a surety that in the collective goal of the country, their personal hopes and aspirations cannot but go unfulfilled.

I am counting on you and myself, generations unborn are counting on us. Let’s forget the struggles of time immemorial and let’s take the first steps, like that of a baby learning to walk, into making the Nigeria we desire

That it might be said concerning us “they missed the MKO saga, but they have created the bliss”.

I think that’s a story far better than participating in the MKO saga. I think that’s the story our kids yet unborn deserve to hear. The story of the new Nigeria created by the generation that missed the MKO saga.

What do you think?

Source: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/a-letter-to-those-born-after-june-12.html

President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent interview with the Cable News Network’sChristiane Amanpour, Wednesday night, has continued to generate reactions from all and sundry particularly, his comment that Boko Haram was not caused by poverty or years of misrule.

Jonathan was quoted as saying, “The sect was not born out of misrule, definitely not; sometimes people feel it is a result of poverty, but no. Boko Haram is a local terror group and that is why we call on the rest of the World to help us.”

In his reaction, the Executive Director of Civil Rights Congress, Mallam Shehu Sani, faulted Jonathan’s assertion that the Boko Haram insurgency was not a product of misrule and poverty.

Sani said the President’s assertion demonstrated his lack of understanding of the issue.

Sani in a telephone interview said, “What we should understand clearly is that the President is completely lacking in knowledge and grasp of the situation on the ground.

“And one comment after another, he has completely exposed his ignorance about the root causes and solution to the Boko Haram violence.

“The emergence and sustenance of the Boko Haram violence is remotely connected to the years of destruction, injustice and iniquity in the northern part of Nigeria.

“The major foot soldiers of the group are clearly people who are from the lower ladder of the society.

“It is not possible to find people who are economically comfortable engaging in violence.”

When asked about the privileged background of the underwear bomber, Abdulmutallab, Sani said, “That is Mutallab as an individual but this is a group. Mutallab acted as an individual; he acted alone.

“He enjoyed privileges and got connected to a foreign terrorist group, what we are talking about is a homegrown terrorist group.

“I am sure those who are being arrested are foot soldiers only; you don’t see people from the middle class or the upper class.”


SOURCE: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/cnn-interview-jonathan-lacks-understanding-sanni.html


ITS REALLY NOT EASY TO BE PRESIDENT OF A NATION ESPECIALLY NIGERIA....

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today arraigned the trio of Oyebode Atoyebi, Personal Assistant to Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; Olayinka Sanni, a former manager with Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank), and a company, Sidaw Ventures before Justice D.O Oluwayemi of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and forgery amounting to about N1.5billion.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to give a date for trial and that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.
Defence counsel, O.S Showemimo, told the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client, Olayinka Sanni. The offence for which Sanni is being held is bailable, he said, and he should be presumed innocent until he is found guilty.

Oyedepo, however, objected to the application. He placed a 16- paragraph counter-affidavit before the court stressing that Sanni is a serial offender who had three other cases in courts. He, therefore, urged the court to deny him bail.

Abiodun Onidare, who appeared for Atoyebi, also urged the court to grant Atoyebi bail on liberal terms. He told the court that he had reliable sureties who are willing and ready to stand for the defendant.

Oyedepo also objected to the prayers of Onidare saying that the proof of evidence he had on Atoyebi showed that it would be hazardous for the court to trust him with a bail offer.

Justice Oluwayemi, after listening to all the submissions adjourned the matter till February 7, 2013 for ruling on bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Ikoyi Prison.

Sanni, a chartered accountant and operator of Sidaw Ventures, a bureau de change, is alleged to have fraudulently transferred various sums of money from more than seven customers of the former Intercontinental Bank into the account of Sidaw Ventures owned and operated by him without the customers’ consent.

Atoyebi was arrested for allowing his passport-sized photograph and name to be used by Sidaw Ventures Limited in opening an account in the name of Akanmu Babatunde. With this fictitious name, Sanni brokered many shady deals and duped many innocent people.

SOURCE: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/n1-5bn-scam-efcc-arraigns-ikuforijis-aide-two-others-over.html

Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) Joint Venture in pursuance of its Community Development Programme invites suitably qualified candidates for its 2012/2013 Tertiary Institutions Scholarship Awards Scheme.

NIGERIAN AGIP OIL COMPANY LIMITED – Operator of the NNPC/NAOC/Phillips Joint Venture

1. CATEGORIES OF AWARDS

Host Communities Merit Award: For applicants strictly from NAOC host communities
National Merit Award: For applicants from non-host communities.


2. ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for consideration applicants MUST be:
Registered FULL TIME undergraduates in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
Certified 100 level students at the time of application.
NOTE: The following categories of students should NOT apply:

200 level students and above
Current beneficiaries of similar awards from other companies and agencies
Dependants of employees of NAOC, AENR and NAE
Only indigenes of NAOC host communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states SHOULD apply for the Host Communities Merit Award.

Only candidates studying Engineering, Geology and Geosciences are eligible for the National Merit Award.

3. METHOD OF APPLICATION
To qualify for consideration applicants must complete their online application and verify their application details on or before 17th February 2013.

All applicants for Host Communities Merit Award MUST attach current (2013–2014) Letters of Identification duly signed by:
• the current (2013) Chairman and Secretary of his/her CDC
• bona-fide traditional/paramount ruler of the community; and,
• the current (2013) Local Government Chairman or the Secretary

4. APTITUDE TEST
An Aptitude Test for the applicants in both Categories of Award will be conducted at the following centers:

GET FULL DETAILS AND APPLY BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/20132014-nigerian-agip-oil-company-undergraduate-scholarship.html

SPREAD THE WORD....

Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) Joint Venture in pursuance of its Community Development Programme invites suitably qualified candidates for its 2012/2013 Tertiary Institutions Scholarship Awards Scheme.

NIGERIAN AGIP OIL COMPANY LIMITED – Operator of the NNPC/NAOC/Phillips Joint Venture

1. CATEGORIES OF AWARDS

Host Communities Merit Award: For applicants strictly from NAOC host communities
National Merit Award: For applicants from non-host communities.


2. ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for consideration applicants MUST be:
Registered FULL TIME undergraduates in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
Certified 100 level students at the time of application.
NOTE: The following categories of students should NOT apply:

200 level students and above
Current beneficiaries of similar awards from other companies and agencies
Dependants of employees of NAOC, AENR and NAE
Only indigenes of NAOC host communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states SHOULD apply for the Host Communities Merit Award.

Only candidates studying Engineering, Geology and Geosciences are eligible for the National Merit Award.

3. METHOD OF APPLICATION
To qualify for consideration applicants must complete their online application and verify their application details on or before 17th February 2013.

All applicants for Host Communities Merit Award MUST attach current (2013–2014) Letters of Identification duly signed by:
• the current (2013) Chairman and Secretary of his/her CDC
• bona-fide traditional/paramount ruler of the community; and,
• the current (2013) Local Government Chairman or the Secretary

4. APTITUDE TEST
An Aptitude Test for the applicants in both Categories of Award will be conducted at the following centers:

GET FULL DETAILS AND APPLY BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/20132014-nigerian-agip-oil-company-undergraduate-scholarship.html

SPREAD THE WORD....

Riliwanu Balogan was found hanged at Glen Parva Young Offender’s Institute in Leicester in 2011, a day after his 21st birthday.

The inquest heard he had told staff he had nothing to live for. The hearing coincided with the release of a report which said the centre had improved but there were still problems.

The jury inquest, which finished Thursday, January 24, 2013, heard Mr Balogan moved to the UK when he was seven-years-old and spent much of his childhood in institutions. He was transferred to Glen Parva, which holds men aged 18 to 21, in April 2011 to await deportation.

The morning he was found hanged on 8 May 2011 he was assessed by staff after cutting himself.

Paul Mayfield, a senior prison officer, said at the hearing: “He told me he had nothing to live for. He said ‘I’ll be deported back to Nigeria. I’ve got no-one back there. I’ll be living in the slums.”

He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary after staff tried to revive him but died a week later.

The hearing also heard he had a string of previous convictions and that at the end of April he struggled to speak to a nurse because he was sobbing so hard.

An interim report by the Inspectorate of Prisons showed the institute was “making sufficient progress” since its last inspection in 2009.

Inspectors, who visited after Mr Balogan’s death, said they were pleased to see improvements in the management of vulnerable prisoners and that suicide and self-harm was “generally well-managed”. But concerns were raised over dirty accommodation and the limited amount of time detainees spent outside their cells.

On Thursday, the jury recorded a verdict of misadventure.

SOURCE:http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/nigerian-hang-himself-in-u-k-for-fear-of-deportation.html

WHY SHOULD THIS MAN BEHAVE THIS WAY AS IF LIVING IN NIGERIA IS THAT BAD?

FormerVice President (Africa) at the World Bank and Minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday said that both the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his successor, Goodluck Jonathan’s regimes ‘’squandered’’ $67 billion (about N11 trillion) oil money left in two separate accounts by Obasanjo.

Ezekwesili said that the two administrations squandered $45 billion (N7.065 trillion) left in the Foreign Reserve and another $22 billion (about N3.454 trillion) left in the Excess Crude Account, bringing the total amount of money squandered to about $67 billion or N10.619 trillion.

President Goodluck Jonathan and late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

Ezekwesili spoke while delivering the Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. She noted that Nigerians had lost dignity because of ravaging poverty arising from poor choices of the elite, corruption and lack of investment in education.

Recalling that Nigeria had enjoyed five cycles of oil boom since independence, Ezekwesili decried the failure by the leadership to convert oil income to renewable assets through the development of human capital and other sectors through investment in foreign assets as other resource-rich countries did with their oil income.

Her words: “The present cycle of boom of the 2010s is, however, much more vexing than the other four that happened in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. This is because we are still caught up in...

Read full story @ http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/yaradua-jonathan-squandered-n10-6trn.html

Governors of the Niger Delta region, during the week, started mobilizing forces to quell the rising agitation by oil-producing communities for the Federal Government to stop paying 13 per cent derivation fund through state governments.

Leaders of the oil communities in Niger Delta, under the aegis of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Nigeria, have, in the past few months, led powerful delegations to the Presidency, National Assembly, Revenue Mobilization, Fiscal and Allocation Commission, RMFAC, and other government agencies, campaigning for direct payment of 13 per cent derivation fund to host communities.

Vanguard gathered that the governors were not at ease with the campaign that payment of 13 per cent derivation to state governments was unconstitutional, as well as the allegation that they (governors) misappropriated N7.282 trillion in the last 13 years.

Some of the protesting communities warned that they would shut down oil flow stations in their areas if the Federal Government did not redress the anomaly.

The communities argued that the 13 per cent derivation fund did not belong to the state, as it was not part of the money that should have been credited to the state’s consolidated revenue fund account.

An informed source hinted, yesterday, that the recent outburst by South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, during a visit to him by leaders of the group that payment of 13 per cent derivation to state governments was illegal, was a source of concern to the governors, knowing the weight of the opinion of the elder statesman on matters affecting the region.

Jonathan orders audit of oil revenues

Already, the Presidency in response to the agitation, had directed a probe into the increasing complaints and agitation by the communities over alleged misuse of the fund by governors.

Our source said: “President Goodluck Jonathan had directed an audit of all oil revenues, including the 13 per cent derivation fund disbursed through the Federation Account to ascertain the utilisation of the fund.”

In one of the several letters to the RMFAC, the communities said: “Thirteen per cent derivation fund is not part of any consolidated revenue of state governments; it is not part of any state allocation. The fund is a benchmark for revenue allocation for host communities in Nigeria. It is, therefore, illegal to allocate 13 per cent derivation fund through a third party to the host communities.”

NEITI to conduct probe

On the probe by the Federal Government, it was gathered that the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, had been named to conduct the audit.

The purpose of the audit, which is expected to be completed in nine months, is to determine how oil revenues are applied to entities such as Niger Delta Development Commission, Petroleum Trust Fund, and the 13 per cent derivation revenue allocated to some oil producing states.

In addition, the planned audit will determine how other monetary and fiscal transactions in the sectors have been utilised during the period under review.

The development was confirmed by a member of the NEITI Stakeholders Working Group, Mrs. Faith Nwadishi, who disclosed that the planned audit was to ensure that the nine-month timeline set by the Federal Government for the completion of the audit was met and assured of NEITI’s full support for the proposed exercise.

Loud agitation in Delta

The agitation is more vociferous in DeltaState, where Senator Francis Okpozo and former chair of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Wellington Okirika are leading the offensive.

A dependable source told this reporter: “Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is meeting with some of these leaders on Saturday (tomorrow) in Warri to see how they can iron out their differences, as things will not work out well the way matters are going at the moment.

“Uduaghan is among the first governors in the region to set up an oil commission, which is DESOPADEC to manage the 13 per cent derivation fund. But the truth is that what is remitted to the commission is only 50 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation fund, not the entire 13 per cent that comes from the Federal Government and we are saying that it is unconstitutional.

“Even as we cry in DeltaState that sometimes, the whole 50 per cent does not come to DESOPADEC, in some states of the region, there is no commission at all to manage the 13 per cent derivation fund. Except in Edo, Ondo, Imo and Abia states, where the governors also set up commissions, all the governors just use the money the way they like without challenge from the lawmakers.”

Host communities regain lost voice in Rivers

Investigation by Vanguard showed that in RiversState, the host communities could barely meet, not to talk of confronting the governor, Hon Rotimi Amaechi, on the use of 13 per cent derivation fund.

However, with support from the leadership of the Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Niger Delta, oil communities in the state had found their lost voice. They have joined the campaign for direct payment of 13 per cent derivation to host communities.

In a petition addressed to the RMFAC chair, signed by Chief Henry Okpaks (Rivers), Mr. Wole Abel (Ondo), Mr. Monday Aghaghe (Edo), Mr. Ufot Nkang (Akwa Ibom), Mr. Macpherson Kurobo (Bayelsa) and Chief Willam Igere (Delta), the leaders said: “The 13 per cent derivation fund belongs exclusively to the oil and gas producing communities, which are the sources of derivation.”

Derivation Board

They proposed that a Derivation Board, comprising an executive chairman, secretary and members, including a member from RMAFC, be set up to administer the 13 per cent derivation fund. They added that the chair should rotate among oil and gas producing states every four years.

They stated that the 13 per cent Derivation Fund currently being managed by the state governors in the oil and gas producing states was an aberration, adding that the fund had been managed without regard to the oil and gas producing communities, who are owners.

Understated moves in Edo, Ondo

In EdoState, the commissioner representing the state in the NDDC, believed to be voicing the position of the state government, was quoted recently to have stated that 13 per cent derivation fund could not be managed by host communities because of lack of administrative structure.

He opined that state governments should continue to manage the fund, while in OndoState, there was a subtle move to dissuade the oil communities from pressing ahead with the campaign.

Bayelsa keeps oil communities guessing

However, in BayelsaState, where the oil-producing communities had a rough time with the previous administration, they were yet to read clearly the body language of Governor Seriake Dickson, who has not inaugurated any commission to manage the fund.

Oil communities welcome probe

On the planned audit by NEITI, the leaders called on the organisation to visit the host communities and ascertain the facts on ground.

In a statement signed by William Igere (Delta); Pastor Macpherson Kurobo (Bayelsa); Harry Opaks (Rivers); Saviour James Okon (Akwa Ibom); Princess Nomwen Uhunmwunagho (Edo) and Samuel Ebiwanno (Ondo), they said: “We wish to affirm in very strong terms that any report or audit investigation without physical visit to the communities hosting oil facilities is unacceptable to the communities.

“The state governments, which received this money illegally, used the fund to develop their state capitals and non-oil and gas producing communities, leaving the actual oil and gas producing communities in hunger and penury.”

They stated that the illegal and unconstitutional payment of 13 per cent derivation fund through the state governments had left the actual oil and gas producing communities in abject poverty.

State govts ‘ve no business with 13% derivation — Clark

Chief Clark, whose support for the oil communities caused a stir among the governors, said during the visit to him in Abuja: “The provision in the 1999 constitution is clear, 13 per cent derivation fund stands on its own.

SOURCE: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/13-oil-derivation-war.html

Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba says winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title will unite the West African country.

Drogba and company got their Afcon campaign off to a winning but nervy as they beat Togo 2-1 on Tuesday in Rustenburg and as much as he is under no illusions of the difficult task that lie ahead in the tournament, the centre forward says it is vital that the Elephants win the title.

“It would mean a lot for Ivory Coast to win the competition this year because the team has been together for nearly 10 years through difficult moments. We’ve improved and matured as players and as people,” Drogba says. “I think it would be the best moment to win for our nation. For us to look forward, forget the past struggles and to unite the country.”

While snow fails to cool down the game in the European leagues, the South African heat is firing up Africa’s teams as they compete in the biggest continental tournament.

Drogba’s Afcon journey started on a high note with Ivory coast’s 2-1 win over Togo. He has won all major titles at club level and he is hoping to finally bring the cup home for football fans in Ivory Coast.

“For a striker, speed is essential. How fast you run, how fast you are with the ball, how quick you are making decisions – everything has to be quick,” Drogba says. “It all comes down to speed. I’ve been wearing the Mercurial for years and you can see and feel the evolution. With the new Mercurial Vapor IX you get better grip on the grass and can change direction very quickly.
Source:http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/drogba-its-my-time-to-rule-africa.html

National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control said in Abuja on Thursday that it had established toll-free platform for feedback on adverse drug reactions.

Coordinator, National Pharmacovigilance Centre of NAFDAC, Mrs. Adeline Osakwe, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

She urged MTN, Etisalat and Glo subscribers to text messages to 20543.

Osakwe advised the public to regard such reports as important, stressing that the information would facilitate the agency’s work in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

She said, “If we get 1,000 reports and only one is genuine, we won’t mind.

“We want people to report as much as possible so that we will begin to document what is happening to Nigerians when they use certain medicines.

“For instance, if you take a drug for stomach ache and you react to it, you could just text `I took this medicine and my stomach is on fire.

“When the information gets to us, we will call and interview you to get additional information that will enable us to determine whether it is actually an adverse drug reaction.

“If it is serious, we can refer the person to a hospital because we do not do clinical management of problem, we do documentation.

“This information will help us to assist the person and the general public because with the information we get, we get to know the people that should not take certain medicines.
source: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/nafdac-creates-toll-free-lines-for-feedback-on-drugs.html

Mohammed Bello Abubakar’s mansion in Sokoto






The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested Mohammed Bello Abukakar a Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education in Sokoto State.

Mr. Abaubakar is currently undergoing interrogation regarding allegations of criminal enrichment and abuse of office at the agency.

Mr. Abubakar was picked up on Tuesday January 22 2013 by operatives of the commission following intelligence reports suggesting that he was living above his means.

Abubakar who was appointed permanent secretary at the ministry of education in June 2012 had served in the same role for five years in the ministry of local government in the state.

EFCC agents said their initial investigations led them to a range properties including the grand mansion (where Mr. Abubakar currently resides) and a shopping complex.



Abubakar was also found to have purchased brand new 2012 models of a Mercedes Benz E-200, an Audi A-7 Sportback and GMC Sport Utility Vehicle all in 2012.



The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently named Sokoto state as the poorest state in Nigeria and some students granted overseas scholarship claimed the state government had not released their entitlements despite several claims to the contrary by the governor.
Source: http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/efcc-arrests-sokoto-permanent-secretary.html

The Authorities of the University of Lagos,akoka, Lagos has announced the new dates fixed for the Golden Jubilee Convocation Ceremonies earlier scheduled to hold at the normal Convocation period of January 17, 18 and 19, 2013 will now hold on Thursday, February 7; Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9, 2013.

SOURCE:http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/university-of-lagos-golden-jubilee-convocation-date-finally-released.html

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/youre-a-failure-obasanjo-tells-okorocha.html


OOOOOPS! DATS REALLY HARSH...

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/man-marries-mother-in-law-after-wife.html

OMO MEN...WONDERS SHALL NEVER END IN THIS WORLD WEY WE DEY SO!

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/aides-of-nigerian-billonaire-folorunsho.html

THE LOVE FOR MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL INDEED....

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/dubai-ranked-worlds-strongest-housing.html


I HOPE NIGERIA GETS THERE SOMEDAY...

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/majek-fashek-hospitalised.html

MAY GOD HELP MAJEK....HIS BEEN THROUGH A LOT!

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/22-oil-bunkerers-arrested-by-army-in.html#more

THIS SERVES THEM RIGHT.....

http://www.newsinnigeria.org/2013/01/fire-outbreak-in-rivers-state-kill-230.html#more

THIS IS SOO SAD!!!