₦airaland Forum

nich:
Pharoh i hail o!  

seeme2:
Because of hie YOUITHFULNESS and PASSION, and for the sake of our INTERNATIONAL IMAGE! It is what the guy tells Americaa they hear these days, he is an heroe, the route to his glorious status nothwistanding. We need someone who has the heart to effect change and we need a KNOWN youngman!

mykali:
YOU? very funny

The offside rule should be similar to hockey, where it is null once the ball crosses an imaginary line, probably about 30 or 35 m out. That means no more goal mouth scrambles being called offside, you actually have to stop the other team, not hope that their striker was offside when he bagged the rebound! It would mean no cherry picking, as the ball must first make it to designated 'offside free zone'. Technology ain't gonna help on this one, lets make the change!

PLEASE FIFA I BEG OF YOU!!! I have yearned for this rule change for some 8 years! I understand people are attached to tradition, but what football needs is for players to play the man, or play the ball, not to play the offside trap. Once you know there is no offside call to bail you out, believe me, defenders will be a lot more careful with their man-marking.

The Federal Government’s efforts to tackle the lingering fuel crisis in the country, may be yielding results as 22 ships laden with 374,339.09 metric tons of premium motor spirit (petrol) will be discharging at Lagos ports in the next three weeks.
Out of the 22 ships, 13 are already waiting for berthing space to discharge their consignments; four are already off-loading their products at the oil facilities, while five are being expected at the country’s territorial waters within the period.

The increase in importation petrol operators say was in line with the directive from the Federal Government to address the long queues which have persisted at the filling stations across the country since November, last year. Three weeks ago, minister of petroleum, Rilwanu Lukman, had threatened to sack management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if they failed to end the acute fuel shortage in the country within a week. According to Lukman, if the NNPC could not perform, the ministry would bring in people that could do the job.

“It is important that the operatives within the NNPC who are responsible for ensuring the supply of fuel to the country sit up and do their job,” he emphasised.

Although, the filling stations across the country are selling the product at various prices, stakeholders say it was better to have petrol at higher price than not to see it at all. They regretted that the country had spent over N1.2 trillion in the last three years as subsidy, which had not reflected on the lives of Nigerians, stressing that government should fully deregulate the product as it was being done with diesel.

“A situation where government sends over N600 billion yearly to subsidise the prices of petroleum products is not acceptable because the masses are not enjoying the benefit of subsidy”, they explained. On his part, the managing director of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Emmanuel Iheanacho, said there was nothing again to fear about deregulation because the masses were dead and buried and could not suffer more than what they are passing through right now because of fuel scarcity.

“Nigerians are tired of queuing everyday at the filling stations without any solution to their problems. Since government started deregulating diesel, the prices of the product have not gone beyond N90 and N100. So, the same will happen when deregulation of petrol starts”, Iheanacho stated.

The battle to remove Umaru Yar’adua from office through the application of “Section 144” of the Nigerian constitution has entered into an advanced stage, but the clique around Turai Yar’adua is still mobilizing to put up some fight. Our sources revealed that Turai still counts on the loyalty of key members of her sick husband’s kitchen cabinet. These insiders are reportedly buoyed by indications that their campaign to label Jonathan as anti-North has found some sympathy across the northern part of Nigeria.


The Yar’adua team is banking on the emergence of a sharp rift within the Federal Executive Council, the body of federal ministers expected to declare Yar’adua incapacitated as early as Wednesday. “There are indications that some cabinet members have adopted positions along regional lines,” said a source within the cabinet. He added: “Some honorable ministers have bought the ‘anti-north campaigns’ mounted against Jonathan.”

Another source in Abuja told Saharareporters that the Turai group is working behind the scenes to take away as many votes as possible in order to rob the executive council of the needed votes to carry out its declaration of Yar’adua’s incapacitation. Turai Yar’adua has continued to reach out to influential northerners to rev up the campaign against Jonathan. “She hopes to be able to draw out the battle as long as possible,” said a person knowledgeable about her latest ploys.

Another source told Saharareporters that Turai and the remainder of Yar’adua’s kitchen cabinet members are bent on playing up ethnic and religious sentiments in a bid to prolong their losing struggle to hold on to power. “The Turai team has used the name of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Edwin Clarke to sow discord and spread fear in the north,” said one of our sources. “It’s ironic that Turai, whose husband came to power because of Chief Obasanjo’s imposition, is now using their benefactor’s name as a way to frighten northerners about a Jonathan presidency,” added the source.

Last night, Turai leaked Yar’adua’s “doctored” medical records to a select number of ministers. The records were dated February 19, 2010 and written as well as signed by Dr. Salisu Barau Banye, Yar’adua’s personal physician. The documents revealed that Yar’adua had chest infections that led to his isolation in a Saudi Hospital – as earlier reported by Saharareporters.

Even so, a source told us that Turai and her inner circle tailored the medical report to create the misleading impression that Yar’adua’s loss of voice is a temporary problem and that the bed-ridden “President” remains conscious and able to resume office. The same source disclosed that Yar’adua has virtually lost the ability to speak as earlier reported by Saharareporters.

Another potential roadblock for Jonathan is the uncertainty of the military’s loyalty to his command. Several sources told Saharareporters that, contrary to the impression that certain military officers have indicated their acceptance of Jonathan’s leadership, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, the army general who executed last week’s unauthorized movement of troops, continues to play games with Jonathan. Saharareporters learnt that all attempts to get Dambazau to redeploy Yar’adua’s ADC, Colonel Mustapha Onoyota, were futile. “As far as his relationship with Dr. Jonathan is concerned, you could say that General Dambazau is insubordinate,” said one source, adding that the general’s deployment of troops the night Yar’adua was flown into Nigeria under the cover of darkness “was a mini-coup.”

On Monday, Yar’adua’s ADC as well as the commander of the Brigade of Guards also refused to accept a new set of soldiers deployed to duty at Yar’adua’s residence where he lay in a ravaged shape, unable to speak.

Jonathan is also being hampered by his personal weakness, a diplomatic source suggested. This view was corroborated by some Presidency sources. They said the measure of success achieved by Turai was made possible by Jonathan’s lackluster style and his reluctance to seize the occasion. “So far, he appears unable to implement any of the changes recommended by his advisers and well-meaning Nigerians as a way to make a difference,” said a source who has advised him informally. His only remarkable act since the National Assembly made him “acting President” was the removal of controversial attorney general of the federation Michael Aondoakaa.

In a move calculated to dispel growing grumblings about his inaction, Jonathan today in Abuja created three committees, the largest being a “Presidential Advisory Committee” led by oil-boom billionaire, Theophilus Y. Danjuma. The committee, made up of some big-name former public officials, is seen as an attempt to cut down the wild campaigns against Jonathan especially in the northern parts. Among the committee’s prominent northerners is former IG of police, MD Yusuf, a close relative of Yar’adua.

But Jonathan’s coziness with Danjuma is already generating some heat within the acting president’s circles and beyond. Saharareporters learnt that Danjuma has proposed that Jonathan bring back the office of Chief of Staff to the Presidency and appoint MB Marwa, the controversial Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, to the position. Marwa served as a money-laundering partner to the late General Sani Abacha. Marwa’s associates are currently being tried in Jersey for their involvement in money-laundering deals.

Jonathan is expected to officially inaugurate the three committees on Thursday.

Our sources also revealed that Jonathan is expected to bare his teeth by firing several ministers on Wednesday and announcing their replacements.

This is to correct the false impression being created in some quarters that the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, allegedly diverted the sum of N19billion from the River Niger Dredging project, into shore protection and land reclamation projects in the Niger Delta. The other variant of the story is that Dr. Jonathan has out rightly cancelled the dredging of the River Niger, which was flagged off September last year by President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

Both stories are entirely false, and are being sponsored by desperate persons who are determined to tamper with the peace and unity of our dear country.

THE FACTS
There is no relationship whatsoever between the River Niger dredging project and the proposed shore protection and land reclamation projects proposed for the Niger Delta states. These projects are part of the post Amnesty projects planned for the region, and are to be funded from a “ring fenced” fund dedicated to the Niger Delta amnesty programme.

In the instant case, the sum of N5.5 billion, part of the dedicated amnesty fund under the 2009 supplementary appropriation, was set aside by the Ministry of Transportation for improvement of waterways and related issues in the Niger Delta. The ministry therefore proposed to dredge a channel through the River Nun, taking off from Onya in Delta through Odoni, Kalama, Tombia, Yenagoa, Okodogu, Okokiri, Nembe ( with a spur to Brass), Apiama, Ndukiri, Sand Village, Ekulama, Idama, Tombiabok(with a spur to Degema), Bobake, Ndorokiri, Obekiri, Yekiri, Okungba up to Port Harcourt.

The total cost of this project was estimated at N19 billion, and was set out as follows:

1. Onya (Delta) to Nembe (Bayelsa), with a spur to Brass.
2. Nembe to Port Harcourt(120 kilometres), with a spur to Degema (Rivers)

By this arrangement the entire funds would have been spent on Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, with the bulk going to Bayelsa, the home state of the Acting President. But in reviewing the decision, even more states of the Niger Delta, notably Ondo and Akwa Ibom, now stand to benefit.

Another factor that guided the decision to take a second look at the plan was the fact that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was yet to be carried out, and for a project of this magnitude that affects navigation and the ecology of aquatic organisms, an EIA is mandatory.

However, from conception through completion and approval, an EIA would take between one and a half to two years to complete. So, should funds earmarked for urgent post amnesty intervention projects be left unutilised for two years even as the Niger Delta Amnesty was threatening to unravel before our eyes?

There was a further consideration. Even with an EIA, the deepening of the channel would result in a faster flow, and worsen river bank erosion for communities on the route. This has always been a significant challenge for riverine development planning in the Niger Delta.

Therefore, in his usual consultative manner, Dr. Jonathan invited the governors of the Niger Delta states and asked them to consult with the people and find a way forward.

When the governors returned for the next meeting, their position was clear: some of the greatest challenges confronting the Niger Delta riverine communities were shore protection and land reclamation, since many of them are steadily being washed away by erosion. There was also complete agreement that the Federal Government moves quickly to consolidate the gains of the amnesty, and be seen to be delivering on its commitments to the people of the area.

Following the presentation of the governors, a unanimous decision was taken to embark on a vigorous effort to protect the shores of vulnerable communities, and reclaim lands that have been washed away.

The Acting President subsequently directed the Finance Minister to begin a virement process to move the N5.5 billion provided in the supplementary appropriation for this project, under the Amnesty initiative, to the Niger Delta ministry. This is a detailed administrative process that would naturally have to pass through the National Assembly before it is concluded.

We wish to restate that there was no time we announced that the dredging of the River Niger has been stopped. Indeed, that project remains on course, and site reports indicate that things are going on just fine.

This gigantic N36 billion project takes off from Forcados, through Warri and Onitsha, and terminates in Baro, Niger State. We are totally committed to completing and delivering it as one of the priority projects of this government.

Ima Niboro
SSA Media and Publicity to the Acting President
28th February, 2010.

lol.

generally in any relationship or marriage, the partner who makes the most money usually has the most power in the relationship.
most men are not comfortable with this power dynamic so they generally prefer a woman who makes less than them. like Amaka said righly, rich women intimidate most men.

maybe if some nigerian men can get the "man is the head of household" idea out of their system, it will be easier for them to marry a rich girl. because u can't expect to be living off your wife and still call urself "head of household." she will be making most of the financial decisions because it's her money.

but anyways, the women have the same problem. they complain that they can't find men to marry. most of them are single for that reason.  but i guess they value their financial independence over a marriage relationship. seeing that they didn't quit their job to go look for husband lol

the ideal marriage for me is if both husband and wife make about the same amount. then the relationship will be more equal. this is not usually the case though. so it depends on what the partner is comfortable with.

babapupa:
I don't believe any of these clowns, not even Jonathan himself. They are all crooks and liars.

Didn't Jonathan lied to Nigerians that he conversed with Yaradua over the phone?

riversman:
@Pharaoh, hmmmm, plizz am itching to tell u but i dont want ruff play with my haunty oh, u kno how naija soldiers no get conscience, she is still a 57yr young lady, 


wait till after Wednesday FEC meeting

Kunbee:
Buh bye

vigasimple:
That is not correct. A law has been passed by NASS unless YAR A'CLUELESS will come forward to say that he was not the one who gave interview to BBC Radio Hausa Service, which then means thta his kitchen cabinet/Turai have question to answer plus if he is not aware of all these things including making of Jponathan Ag President, then he is not mentally and physically fit to be the President. I am sure he will not open can of worm that will consume him (if he ever came back alive)

As cowardly as NASS is, if Yar A'die were to attempt to resume President without writing NASS, he will be impeached. He is unlikely to recover to continue as President so that is not an issue.

marvix:
Are we not supposed to know that before that until d senate resolves otherwise Jonathan remains Ag President. So y are we applauding d woman she has Done nothin special but just stated d obvious and can't be tagged pro-Jonathan.

marvix:
Major d issue here isn't abt d right or power of Jonathan but d right of d man Umaru Musa Yaradua to hav his privacy,and it is a fundamental human right that should not and can not be taken frm him

major man:
what is jonathan's take on the whole of this crisis? has he told you?

as an acting president does he not have the power the see the president. i dont mean right. i mean power. why is he not exercising it? it is because the man is simply a selfish mumu? and in case you dont know, he is part of the whole game.

so dont be fooled by his seemingly innocent smile. okay?

scantee:
@glatico
the one man squad, how market?

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain: Barcelona Are Currently The Best Team In The World

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2010/02/25/1807222/real-madrids-gonzalo-higuain-barcelona-are-currently-the

u deeeeeeee seeeeeeeeeeeeeee roaddddddddddddd