₦airaland Forum

EASY 39: u like her?u have to see me dn

South Africa football fans yesterday heaved a deep sigh of relief after avoiding the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations draw held in Durban.

As the draw was nearing its conclusion, it appeared like the Super Eagles would be pitted alongside Bafana Bafana in Group A and as the name of the country was about to be unveiled by former Zambian football great, Kalusha Bwalya, a deep breath and sighs were echoed in the arena as the South Africans desperately hoped to avoid Nigeria.

And luck shone on them as Angola, the 2010 hosts, were named as the final team for the group.

Earlier on, the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma had spoke of the honour that the Rainbow nation felt on being given the hosting right for the continent's premier soccer tournament.

"It is an honour for me on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa to join this special moment of the final draw for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

"With great excitement we are counting down the last 86 days before South Africa hosts the tournament for the second time."

"Each match will be a demonstration that sport, particularly football, can be a catalyst for social change, peace and unity in the African continent

"This will be another successful event after South Africa hosted the 2010 Fifa world Cup. In 2013 the world's eyes will once again be on us as 16 of the finest African football nations compete for the greatest honour of being the champions of Africa."added Zuma.

Eagles' can't wait for SA 2013, Says Keshi

After being paired in a relatively easy group at the Nations Cup 2013 draws last night, Super Eagles coach , Stephen Keshi disclosed that his wards are just itching to play in the tournament.

Against all expectations the Eagles fell in the group C with defending Champions, Zambia, two timers Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. An excited Keshi disclosed in Durban that there was so much enthusiasm among his boys to participate and win.

"The team just want to be here and do well. Anything that comes our way, we will take it.

"We still have another two months wait, enough for us to put our acts together to win the tournament," said Keshi.

Meanwhile Zambia coach Harve Renard will have to come to terms with the fact that the Chipolopolo are in the same group with the Eagles.

"There is no pressure, the only pressure was to become part of this tournament. Now we are here and we have to just enjoy it now. However, I would have been happy to avoid Nigeria,"

No fewer than 53 corps members will repeat their service, even as they have been denied NYSC discharge certificates at the passing out ceremony in Ipaja, Lagos for absconding during service year and other offences committed.

While addressing the 8,165 Batch 'C' corps members deployed to Lagos State, the NYSC state coordinator, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi said; "Disciplinary measures of repetition of service shall be meted on 21 corps members who absconded and 32 given extension of service ranging from two weeks to two months."

According to Adeyemi, the punitive measure was to discourage serving corps members from playing truancy while on national assignment adding; "The NYSC teaches and exemplifies discipline, patriotism and committed service."

However, on a sad note, Adeyemi disclosed that out of the 8,165 that served in the state, eight persons whom she referred to as patriots, lost their lives during the period.

The state coordinator who charged the discharged corps members to live by tenets of hard work, urged them to practise the various skills acquisition programmes they were exposed to in the past 12 months. "An entrepreneur is a founder, an organiser, producer and promoter of his own business, thinking along this direction will save you the disappointment of waiting for non-existent white collar jobs," she said.

However, in line with the NYSC policy of rewarding excellence and hardwork, four exceptional corps members were giventhe State Honours Award to factor out the Nigeria of your dream."

Fashola who was represented by Mr Joseph Abolude, Director, General Services Department, Ministry of Special Duties noted that the problem of youth unemployment in the country has become worrisome and a source of concern to all. He said: "The government is doing so much to curb unemployment, but a lot still needs to be done by private entrepreneurs and yourselves."

His words: "Do not hesitate to put onto practice the experience you have gained by setting up your own enterprise, no matter how small and grow there from. You need to look inwards because the days of white collar jobs are over.

sheyie2007: All I can say is, most of the igbos that were born and raised in lagos are the best amongst them all... even majority of my friends are igbos.. So I don't know where all the sudden hatred came from..still beats me

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that his administration would take steps to avert flooding in the country in the coming 30 to 50 years by ensuring the completion of the Kashin-bila dam in Taraba State; the construction of a dam on River Benue and dykes across the country.

The President gave this assurance in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, when he visited the state to assess the damage caused by flood in parts of state and also to commiserate with the victims.

While lamenting the condition of the victims, the President also decried economic losses suffered by the victims, assuring that the Federal Government would do everything to mitigate the effect of the flood on their lives.

He noted that the Federal Government had already released N500 million to the state government stressing that this would be disbursed to the victims to assist them to pick up their lives again.

Jonathan also promised the release of funds to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to purchase improved seedlings that would be distributed to farmers across the country, adding that money will also be given to the Ministry of Health to ensure control of water borne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea in parts of the country in the aftermath of the flooding.

He said: "Government is committed to turning your calamity into a blessing. Those of you who lost farmlands would be given high yielding seedlings to make you improve your farm produce. We will help you start new economic lives and pray that you do not suffer from such calamity again."

He expressed appreciation to developmental partners, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, security agencies and other well-meaning Nigerians for their support to the flood victims across the nation.

Flood affected five LGAs

Earlier in his speech, Governor Gabriel Suswam disclosed that flood affected five local governments of Makurdi, Guma, Gwer West, Logo and Agatu, noting that over 4,378 males, 6,378 female, 9,300 children, 348 infants, 341 pregnant women and eight physically challenged persons were displaced by the flood while 18 births had been recorded in the designated camps.

The governor who commended the President for the release of N500 million, assured that the money and several relief materials received from different organizsations and individuals would be applied strictly to displaced persons.

He expressed fears of imminent food crisis in the affected states across the country and appealed to the Federal Government to intervene quickly to avert famine in the country.

Suswam urged the Federal Government to construct an 18 kilometre dam on River Benue and dykes across the Benue to check future flooding.

Standing5: Lagos and Ogun need to be merged into one single state. Lagos is practically begging for space to continue its expansion, while ogun state has space that can be easily utilized by Lagos for its organisation and effectiveness as an economic entity.

miqos02: you can say that again, but the regional integration should not be based only along party lines

...The two governors re-affirmed their commitment towards regional integration of the South-West.

shymexx: That's my home state - proud to be from Lagos!

#ProudlyLagosian - soon come home!!

dammytosh: The case here is not a mile 2 case but case of bribery and corruption done with money allegedly given by sss. Charging Otedola in this case is d most stupid thing i have heard in recent times. If we have problem with Otedola, dt should be settled in another case entirely.

Jarus: I thought Afenifere is meant to be non-partisan or at least in Alliance for Democracy (AD). Oh, Ebenezer Babalola, PDP

Tlake: I so luv ACN bt neva wanted dem 2 win dat ondo election cos it will only bring forth failure 2 deir party wen dey start feelin lik dey own SW,good governance his just starting on SW,u ll soon start seein competition of good governance cos all SW gov nw knws u do it gud u a anoda, u 4k up halele
m proud 2 be a yoruba all tanks to awolowo 4 his our education

Aphrygian: These pdp scally wag will never learn. mimiko won not cos people hates ACN but mimiko is doing fine

hollandis: Even if all south -west people disown and fails to vote ACN in the next election Mone state will stubbornly refuse to yield- Lagos ,they are used to bad roads,no security and traffic jam .there is a staggering gap between the rich and the poor in Lagos .Yet the same people will go and vote in ACN .the worst yorubas are the ones in Lagos

velo10: I'm so glad that ACN lost in Ondo. If they won, there would have been an ACN political monopoly of the South-West. Thanks to Mimiko.

Nigeria and the United Nations today in Abuja marked the 67th anniversary of the world body.  The theme of this year’s celebration in Nigeria is “Peace: A Prerequisite for National Development”.

Welcoming the audience at the occasion which drew a crop of top government officials, the diplomatic and development community, as well as civil society and UN staff in Nigeria, UN Resident Representative and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, said, “We gather to reflect on our collective achievements and the challenges to better adhere to the fundamental principles of the UN: promote Peace, Justice, Human Rights and development for all.

He said  “more than ever before, the UN is needed most  for maintaining peace and security, providing humanitarian assistance including capacity for disaster preparedness and mitigation where required, deepening democracy and promoting sustainable development. In spite of all the constraints we know, the unique role of the UN is not in doubt!” 

“Without peace and stability, the strenuous efforts of developing Nigeria will come to naught. Conflict in every community is inevitable, but it needs to be managed through means including good governance principles of transparency and accountability, equity that take away desperation and give hope to all particularly the youths and women.” 

Noting that Nigeria ranks among the fastest growing economies of the world in the past one decade as evident in an average annual GDP growth rate of 7%, he said, “the challenge is to turn this performance into positive impact on the lives of all citizens, with better social services, more equity in revenue distribution and employment particularly for the younger generation and women.  It simply means much work still need to be done.”

Seun: I think such a feature will be used to bully people and oppress newbies. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg has also refused to implement this feature.

tunnytox: Seun, you can't compare Facebook with Nairaland which is a faceless forum, a lot of racist, tribalistic and ridiculous posts which usually have plenty of likes need to get some unlikes as well.

The rapid transformation of Lagos state in the last five years got the world’s attention over the weekend as Citigroup and Urban Land Institute, ranked her as one of two most innovative cities in Africa. 

The two bodies which assess cities worldwide in terms of sustainability and livability, ranked Lagos and Cape Town the most innovative cities in Africa in the list of the world’s 25 most innovative cities.

They also predicted that the Nigerian commercial capital may soon overtake Johannesburg as the continent’s business hub.

According to the ranking, Lagos got the nod of the international bodies for its population, rapid progress and potential as well as positive economic climate and potential for investors while Cape Town was ranked for its green space and massive investment in public transportation, technological research and the environment.

In terms of Economic potential, Apapa Port was ranked for accounting for 80 per cent of Nigeria’s seaport activity while the city itself accounts for about one quarter of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with $33 billion and the population in excess of 18 million making it the most populous city on the list of 25.

Lagos was also included in recognition of the innovative and transformational leadership of the the city’s leadership led by Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who, according to the international ranking bodies,“spearheaded the introduction of the Innovative Advisory Council which deals primarily with Science and Technology”

A statement from Urban Land Institute which said the shortlisted cities “provide new avenues which reflect remarkable, forward-thinking decisions on the part of municipal leadership”, also described Lagos as one of the “biggest” cities in Africa.

LAGOS RANKED MOST INNOVATIVE CITY IN AFRICA BY INTERNATIONAL BODY
The rapid transformation of the City of Lagos in the last five years got world attention at the weekend as two renowned international bodies, Citigroup and Urban Land Institute, ranked her as one of two most innovative cities in Africa. The other city is Cape Town in South Africa.

Citigroup and Urban Land Institute which assess cities worldwide in terms of sustainability and livability, ranked Lagos and Cape Town the most innovative cities in Africa in the list of the world’s 25 most innovative cities.

According to the ranking, Lagos got the nod of the international bodies for its population, rapid progress and potential as well as positive economic climate and potential for investors while Cape Town was ranked for its green space and massive investment in public transportation, technological research and the environment.

In terms of Economic potential, Lagos Port was ranked for accounting for 80percent of Nigeria’s seaport activity while the City itself accounts for about one quarter of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with USD 33 billion and the population in excess of 18 million making it the most populous city on the list of 25.

Lagos, according to the ranking, was also included in recognition of the innovative and transformational leadership of the head of Government of the City of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN)who, according to the international ranking bodies, “spearheaded the introduction of the Innovative Advisory Council which deals primarily with Science and Technology”

“Upon the establishment of the Council, Governor Fashola reportedly stated: ‘Cities that fail to harness the power of innovation will eventually become the customers of those that do’”, Citigroup and the Urban Land Institute said.

A statement from Urban Land Institute which said the shortlisted cities “provide new avenues which reflect remarkable, forward-thinking decisions on the part of municipal leadership”, also described Lagos as one of the “Big S” cities in Africa and predicted that it may soon overtake Johannesburg as the Continent’s business hub Coming barely five years after the commencement of massive infrastructural renewal programme of the Babatunde Fashola administration, the recent rating has
confirmed the established fact that the City of Lagos is gradually realizing its dream of becoming Africa’s model mega-city.

Taking a cursory look at the meticulous implementation of the various developmental programmes of the present administration, from the infrastructure renewal programme through the integrated transport system to the beautification and greening of the city, it is little surprise that the City of Lagos should catch the attention of the world rating body.

Cape Town was rated due to their green space ration of 290 square metre per person as against the world index average of 74 sqm per person as well as its massive investment in public transport infrastructure (in the shape of the Integrated Rapid Transport System), a project which is estimated to cost nearly USD 6billion by the time it is completed.

The City is also favoured by the rating international bodies as a result of the use of technology and research in operations in its Harbour as well as concern for the environment and in the way they use land.

The mother of a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ogun waterside Federal Constituency, Abiodun Abudu Balogun, has been kidnapped.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the victim, Obedatu Abudu-Balogun, was abducted by six gunmen from her residence at Ita – Otu in Ijebu, Ijebu Waterside Local Government area of Ogun State, around 9:30p.m. on Monday.

The abductors were yet to contact her family as at the time of this report,
The victim’s son is the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security.
Mr. Balogun, 49, has described the incident as too painful to bear. He said he and his family were praying for the safe return of his mother.

When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command was yet to be informed about the kidnap. Mr. Adejobi said the police would commence its investigations as soon as the kidnap is reported.