₦airaland Forum

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=782074.msg9342007#msg9342007 date=1318637514]When will our girls start ra ping men?

We need to start fighting back somehow. [/quote]Haba, I know Nigerian boys will gladly accept to be raped.
You know who conji dey hold?

I read this stuff. It seems most of what is written here doesnt add up
Anybody on ground to confirm.

The allegations came from a group known as APGA Stakeholders in Anambra State after its recent meeting where they analysed critically, issues of the party’s affairs.
The communiqué of the meeting was signed by the 21 local government chairmen of the party.
Therefore, they want the party’s leadership to arrange for its immediate restructuring by conducting ward, local government and state congresses to restore unity, cohesion and confidence in APGA.
But Umeh has dismissed all the allegations against him describing them as the handiwork of idle ones. He told The Nation that there is nothing like stakeholders in APGA, accusing Chief Nwobu Alor, an uncle to Obi, of being the brain behind the crisis in the party.
Umeh insisted that there is no form of crisis in the party, describing it as a figment of the imagination of some confused persons.
He said: “It is obvious that some satanic agents are attacking the party. When the agents of the devil are on the prowl, those of us who are Christians will rely on God for prayers. So, our party is intact from the national leadership to the state leadership across the country to the zonal leadership.
“If you go and cross check, you will notice that there is no crack in our party, there can only be a division in the party if the National Working Committee of the party is divided and the State Chairmen are no longer loyal to the national leadership. But I can tell you that as at today, all the officers of APGA are in tact and loyal to the leadership of the party.”


Read more.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/22796-obi-umeh-battle-for-soul-of-apga.html

Oh, the first one, I shed tears. These were ordinary people. Most of the victims were passersby; people who were selling kolanuts, sugarcane, and so on. They had nothing to do with the elite competition that was happening. The person that was standing near you, suddenly you saw his legs flying off to about three metres from you. Indeed, it really touched me.
And to imagine that such a terrible thing happened three times, yet some people don’t seem to care. Remember what I told you; either by commission or omission, everything that happens, the leader has some responsibility.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/22884-i-shed-tears-the-day-bombs-exploded-in-suleja-%E2%80%94niger-governor-aliyu.html

Alleged N20 Bribe: Police Kill Two Brothers

THERE was pandemonium in Okitipupa, Ondo State, following the alleged killing of two brothers by a policeman.

A witness said the policeman who was on foot patrol around Kajola street junction in the town allegedly demanded a N20 bribe from one of the victims who was an okada rider.

It was learnt that the okada rider, who was accosted at about 9.15 p.m, on Thursday, explained to the policeman that he did not work on the fateful day.

The refusal of the okada rider, simply identified by Osare, to oblige, it was gathered, provoked the policeman and he allegedly shot him in the chest.

Following the development, the allegedly drunk policeman also shot sporadically and indiscriminately to scare away those around the vicinity, while the victim was left fighting for his life.

The sound of the gunshots however attracted some youths in the town to the scene of the incident, while the said policeman took to his heels.

The youths later took the victim to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.

When the news of Osare’s death was broken to his family members on Friday morning, his younger brother, identified as Robinson, rushed to the police station in anger to ascertain the cause of his brother’s death.

On his arrival at the station, Robinson was said to have engaged the policemen on duty in a hot argument and threatened to report the matter to his cousin who is a  colonel in the Nigeria Army.

Meanwhile, the youths had stormed the police station with dangerous weapons demanding the head of the killer policeman.

One of the policemen in the station also shot sporadically to scare away the irate mob but in the process Robinson was hit by a stray bullet and he died on the spot, while three other people were injured.

The irate mob, it was gathered, made several attempts to set the station ablaze but were prevented by the timely intervention of the Divisional Police Officer in the area and the traditional ruler in Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Obatuga who assured them that justice would be done on the matter.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Aremu Adeniran (DSP), confirmed the incident, saying the command had brought the situation under control.

http://tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/5575-alleged-n20-bribe-police-kill-two-brothers.html

Egypt said on Thursday it would launch a review of disputed permits for churches in a bid to head off sectarian violence, days after 25 people were killed at a demonstration by Christians over one such dispute.


Sunday’s violence, the worst since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February, has given rise to fears of widening sectarian unrest. Christian activists say the deaths were caused by security forces who reacted with disproportionate force, driving into the crowd after “thugs” attacked protesters.


Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s 80 million people, say Islamists have been using disputes over the legal status of some church buildings to provoke hostility.


Reuters reports that the Justice Ministry was charged with “forming a committee to review all the incidents that occurred in the past few months concerning disputes over churches to identify those responsible and take appropriate action,” Information Minister Osama Heikal said in a statement on state television.


He referred to cases where churches had been attacked or damaged, including one in Helwan near Cairo in March and another in the capital.


The government would “settle the situation of unlicensed churches”, he said. He did not give details but the comment suggested that the aim was to legalise churches in dispute, which Christians have demanded.


Christians have long complained of discrimination in Egypt, citing rules that they say make it more difficult to build a church than a mosque. They say they fear a worsening of sectarian violence because of the emergence of Islamist groups that were suppressed under Mubarak.


In Sunday’s protest, Christians who took to the streets accused Muslims of partially demolishing a church in Aswan province at the end of September.
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20111014622746

The Gambia has sentenced eight foreigners to 50 years each imprisonment for trying to smuggle two tonnes of cocaine from Latin America to Europe,the British Broadcasting Corporation reports.


The eight – four Venezuelans, two Dutch, a Nigerian and a Mexican - were held last year in a fishing village following the seizure of the cocaine.


Another suspect, a Venezuelan died in jail on Sunday, days before a court passed the sentence.


The West African state is a notorious transit point for drug traffickers.


In his judgement, Magistrate Lamin Tabally said The Gambia was determined to curb trafficking.


“The Gambian government has made its position known on issues relating to drug trafficking and, as a result, I am going to send a signal to other drug traffickers that The Gambia is a no-go area for them,” he said.


One of the accused men, Dose Fermin, died at a prison in the capital, Banjul, on Sunday of natural causes, said the prison’s chief medical officer, Babucar Jatta.


They were arrested in June 2010 in a fishing village near Banjul after 2.1 tonnes of cocaine was found hidden in a warehouse belonging to a fishing company.


Last year, Attorney General Edward Anthony Gomez said the government would introduce harsher laws to curb the illegal drug trade, including the death penalty for anyone convicted of possessing more than 250g of cocaine or heroin.


The West African coast has emerged as a busy route for drugs from Latin America to Europe, with cartels taking advantage of the region’s poverty and weak judicial systems.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201110145583287

The United States of America is offering prospective Nigerian students wishing to study in American institutions of higher learning scholarships and grants worth $3m (approximately N474m).


This is part of incentives on offer at the ongoing 12th edition of the annual College and Career Fair organised by the US Embassy Education Advising Centre, Abuja.


The US Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, James Mc Anulty, stated this at the fair which ended on Thursday.


According to him, the Embassy’s College and Career Fair gives participants a great opportunity to obtain valuable and current information on studying in the US and on career choices.


He said, “During the 2011 to 2012 academic year; we anticipate that Nigerian students participating in our Educational Advising Center will receive nearly $3m in financial aid and scholarships – quite an impressive feat.”


The envoy was delighted that institutions of higher learning in US had remained popular among Nigerian students.


According to him, this is why the Institute of International Education said Nigeria sends more students to the US than any other country in sub-Saharan Africa.


He added that the beneficiaries not only contributed to the diversity of America’s academic institutions, but also made lasting contributions to the Nigerian society when they returned home after their studies.


He said Nigeria had over 6,500 students studying at over 733 institutions in all 50 states of the US and the District of Columbia.


He also said Texas was the most popular state in America for Nigerians.


The envoy said, “Our annual college and career fairs have directly contributed to the increase in the number of excellent Nigerian applicants to US institutions, as well as increased financial aid and scholarships for Nigerians students.”


Representatives from 20 US universities took part in the fair.


Abel Philip, an indigent student from Kogi State, who took part in a previous edition of the fair, won a scholarship worth over $57,118 to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in the US.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20111014135495

The Federal Government on Thursday denied reports that Nigeria had plans to build three refineries in Indonesia at the cost of $2.68bn (428.8bn).


On Wednesday, a respected Indonesian newspaper, Jakarta Post, had quoted the director of the Indonesian Ministry of Industry, Panggah Susanto, as saying that both countries had reached an agreement for the state oil firm, PT Pertamina, to buy crude oil from Nigeria and process it at the planned refineries.


The paper quoted Susanto as saying, “They (Nigeria) wanted the refineries to be built in Nigeria. However, as Indonesia is currently improving its downstream industry, Indonesia wanted the refineries to be built here instead.” Susanto had told the Indonesian newspaper that Nigeria eventually agreed to build the refineries in the Asian country.


However, government denied the plan via a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Livi Ajunoma, in the name of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Diezani Alison-Madueke.


“The Federal Government does not have any hand in this fictitious project. We want to totally and unequivocally disassociate the Government from this and we don’t know where this report emanated from. The Federal Government is focused on its transformation agenda and committed to delivering on the three Greenfield Refineries on schedule,” Ajuonuma said.


Before the denial, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and other Nigerians had denounced the alleged plan and urged the National Assembly to investigate the investments.


Experts say a plan by the government to build refineries in other countries will face heavy opposition at home because of the country’s high unemployment rate and the poor state of her four refineries. The state of the refineries created a situation where government and independent marketers have had to import refined fuel to meet local demands.


The President General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Peter Esele, described the alleged deal as a ‘disgrace.’


Esele stated, “This is unacceptable and a big disgrace to this county. That money is enough to build a refinery in Nigeria. We are now also exporting jobs and creating jobs for Indonesian people, while a lot of Nigerian youths are unemployed.”


The Vice-President of the NLC, Mr. Isa Aremu, who also criticised the alleged investment, urged the National Assembly to investigate the matter, which he described as “a scandalous foreign investment amidst the collapse of refineries at home.”


He said, “It is simply unacceptable that we take investment to Indonesia, while we are begging for investment. Nigeria cannot be part of 20 industrialised countries when we do not develop ourselves, but develop others.”


An economist, Basil Enwegbera, said the country was better positioned to refine its own crude. He said, “These refineries, if built here, will make petroleum products cheaper as a result of closeness to crude source as well as to market. It would have created jobs here; technology transfer and source of attraction to other industrial and contract businesses such as petrochemicals.


“This is besides being a source of electricity and its byproducts being important, too, to our construction industry.”


On the Internet, Nigerians in the country and in the Diaspora also took umbrage with the plan.


Commenting on the article on the Jakarta Post website, a reader who wrote as Elixir Socnet, said, “This is just a typical lack of will and understanding of our government, so foolish as to chase shadow even in Indonesia. What a pity! Our refineries are not functioning and yet he went to another country to agree on building refineries there. Anyway, I am not disappointed. I knew this government was opportunistic.”


Another reader, Valentine, who gave his location as Lagos, wrote, “I don’t understand Goodluck Jonathan’s government. Why can’t nothing work in this government? Can’t the refineries be built here in Nigeria? Should our money got to a foreign country when the masses are suffering?”


On Facebook, public intellectual, Sabide Abidde, wrote, “You haven’t invested in your own country, but you are investing billions in another economy. How foolish?”


Recently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation inked an oil and gas deal with China’s State Construction Engineering Corporation. The deal is for the construction of three Greenfield refineries and a petrochemical plant in Nigeria.


Under the terms of the agreement, 80 per cent of the project cost is to be funded with a term loan provided by China Export Credit Insurance Corporation and a consortium of Chinese banks, led by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.


Alison-Madueke had revealed that the comprehensive feasibility study on the installations would be ready very soon.



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20111014045775

Four months after shutting down three lanes of the busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos, a cross-section of people have expressed divergent views on the pace of rehabilitation by the Federal Government’s contractor, Julius Berger Plc.


While some commuters said the pace of work was slow, others felt it was necessary for the contractor to be given enough time to do lasting repairs.


The Federal Government was compelled in June 2011 to mobilise the contractor when the level of dilapidation of the highway had become terrible resulting in loss of man-hours; stress; and loss of revenues as a result of intractable traffic logjam.


The rehabilitation is to cover some kilometres from the Tin Can Island area of the state to First Rainbow area, thus resulting in three lanes of the express road being shut down.


However, some commuters, because of the nightmarish experience they encounter on the expressway, have devised strategies to beat the traffic gridlock while those who are clueless on what to do, have resigned to fate.


A motorist, Mr. Mike Egbayelo, told PUNCH METRO that the pace of work on the expressway was rather too slow.


“The pace of work is rather too slow and alternative routes have not been properly considered,” Egbayelo said.


He suggested that while the repairs lasted, the government should make the marine transport from Mile 2 jetty to Apapa en route to CMS an attractive alternative.


He said apart from the slow pace of work, another factor that compounded the problem on the highway was the recklessness of truck and tanker drivers.


But a resident, Mr. Lucky Uduikhue, disagreed with Egbayelo, saying the contractor ought to be commended.


He said, “So far, the contractor has been doing a wonderful job because the road has been in a dilapidated state over the years. It is good we take it easy with them to enable them to do a thorough job.


“Agreed that people are not finding it easy; it is better we endure now and get the best later. Also, the attitude of motorists is something else. The motorists need to take caution on how they use the road and not to cause more problems for the contractor.”


He urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to ensure adequate supervision of the project, adding that the contractor should not gloss over potholes and craters in the course of the rehabilitation.


“The contractors should also open up an alternative road for easy movement of traffic to make the work move faster,” he said.


A commercial bus driver, Mr. Samuel Nwachukwu, urged commuters to bear with the contractor so that it could do a good work.


Nwachukwu said, “As for me, let them fix the road well; work on the drainage channels and all aspects of the road. All those people dumping refuse into the drains should desist from such act.


“The government should not only wait until the roads are bad before they do something. Before this new phase of repairs, the road has been a source of frustration to commuters. We hope after the rehabilitation, things will improve.


“Regular maintenance is the only way out of problem like this. Besides, there is the need to build ring roads because of the busy nature of the expressway.”


But a commuter, who identified herself simply as Cecelia, faulted the contractor’s pace of work.


She said, “Imagine, since more than four months, the situation has still not improved. How long are we going to suffer on the road? If you ply this road either in the morning or evening time, you will appreciate what I am saying. Many people have even abandoned their business in Apapa because of frustration and stress.


“It is just as if nothing is being done. They need to double their efforts. One funny thing is that sometimes they work, sometimes you do not see them on site.”


But an official of the Federal Ministry of Works, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, stated that the rehabilitation had been moving steadily and there was no cause for alarm.


He said those complaining of slow pace of work did not know the magnitude of work to be done to put the road back in good condition. He said it required patience to make the road durable.


“I cannot tell you when the work will finish because some issues may crop up along the line. But I can tell you that work is moving on progressively. Our sub-contractors are working round the clock to ensure that the damaged portions of the road are fixed in good time,” he said.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201110146552539

An ex-policeman, Charles Egbusoma, was on Thursday paraded at the Lagos State Police command for alleged impersonation.


According to the police, Egbusoma has in the last two years been impersonating some of the past Inspector Generals of Police, including Tafa Balogun, Musiliu Smith and Ogbona Onovo.


He was also accused of having swindled some prominent Nigerians as well as high ranking police officers using the names of the former IGPs.


The suspect, who was sacked in 2003 for absconding for 25 days without permission, was arrested by the police in his Mararaba, Abuja residence when he attempted to swindle a commandant, MOPOL 22, Abubakar Yakubu.


According to a source, he will send the bank account number of his ex-girlfriend, Josephine Ofekere, whom he normally called his secretary to his victims. Afterwards, he would use the lady‘s ATM card to withdraw the money.


Charles confessed he had also duped some of his victims to the tune of N700,000.


A police officer said, “He has been doing for so long. He has the phone numbers of the President, the Vice-President, about 35 senators and many high-ranking police officers, many of the past IGs and AIGs including commissioners of police.


“He sends text messages to them as though he is a retired Inspector-General of Police. He was using Smiths, Balogun, Onovo. He would say he was sick and was receiving treatment and that life had not been easy after retirement and that he needed financial assistance for treatment abroad.


“From some of the messages we retrieved from him, he has sent text messages to many governors and deputy governors but God exposed him when he sent the same message to Commandant, Mopol 22.


“Abubakar, being an intelligent man, played along as though he was falling for his tricks but he was strategising underground. When he eventually sent Abubakar an account number, we went to court and got court order to investigate the account.


“Eventually we picked up the owner of the account who happened to be his ex-girlfriend. She gave us details of his nefarious activities and address in Abuja. We later arrested him at his residence in Mararaba area of Abuja.”


The Delta State born-suspect told our correspondent that he took to crime as a means of survival having lost his job as police constable two years ago.
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20111014124737

Invites herbal practitioner to verify claims on HIV/AIDS cure

MINISTER of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has said that about one million Nigerians are blind and some three million others visually impaired.

He stressed that studies show that women are the most vulnerable and advocated promotion of eye healthcare in order to attain the Millennium Development Goals targets.

Chukwu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Fatima Bamidele, disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja on the World Sight Day with the theme, ‘Eye health and development: A good vision for all to attain the MDGs.’

According to him, over 50 per cent of children who become blind before the age of five may not live to celebrate their sixth birthday.

“Also, improving female gender access to eye care services will ensure access to opportunities for self reliance and contribution to national development,” he said.

Chukwu has also invited a Lagos-based herbal medicine practitioner, Dr. Harts Ugochukwu to verify his claims that he has cure for the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease, and to assist the government in curbing the menace.

In a letter of invitation from the Department of Public Health National AIDS/STDs Control Programme (NASCP) dated September 30, 2011 signed by the National Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Division, Dr. Emeka Asadu, he stated that the attention of the minister has been drawn to his recent interview with a national newspaper claiming that he has cured over 40,000 patients infected with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

He cited the national blindness and low vision survey carried out between 2005 and 2007, which revealed that three million Nigerians are being visually impaired.

“Over 80 per cent of the causes of blindness in Nigeria were avoidable. Fifty per cent of avoidable blindness was attributable to cataract, followed by glaucoma (16 per cent), corneal opacity (12 per cent), trachoma (four per cent), optic Atrophy (three per cent) and refractive error being the major cause of visual impairment,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria has subscribed fully to the initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to combat avoidable blindness known as ‘Vision 2020: The right sight.’

“Blindness affects more women than men; this is related to inequality of opportunity of access to specialized care, and also the disproportionate exposure of women to certain binding diseases compared to men,” he added.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64283:-one-million-nigerians-blind-says-minister&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

“THERE is no truth in the statement that the United Nations has suspended all official travels to Nigeria,” the world body clarified yesterday in reaction to The Guardian editorial also published yesterday.

Among other things, the editorial had made reference to a news report indicating UN imposes ban on official travel to Nigeria, following the August 2011 terrorist bombing of the UN building in Abuja.

Spokesman for the UN, Nosa Osazuwa, said in a statement that the aspect of the editorial on travel ban was incorrect, pointing out that the UN had earlier clarified its position when the newspaper first reported the story on the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s meeting.

“The Guardian and other publications published our position on the matter. We are, therefore, shocked to find that today’s editorial has regurgitated all the cleared and buried issues on ‘travel ban’, said Osazuwa.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64278:no-travel-ban-on-nigeria-says-un&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

A REPORT by South Africa-based Standard Bank Group has predicted that mobile subscription in Africa will reach 800 million subscribers by 2015.

According to Mr. Simon Freemantle, an economist and author of the report, said Africa had about 500 million mobile subscriptions in 2010, up from 15 million in 2000 and will hit 800 million by 2015.

He posited that, over the next five years East and Central Africa will enjoy the highest mobile subscription growth rates in the world, with three quarters of the increase expected to come from Uganda, Nigeria, Egypt, Tanzania, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Kenya and Ghana.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64269:group-predicts-higher-phone-subscribers-base-in-africa&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

A BILL that will check kidnapping, armed robbery and other social crimes is now before the Enugu State House of Assembly.

It is aimed at mandating the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications operators to release prompt and vital information to the security agencies within a stipulated time to help them track criminals who use GSM to commit crimes.

The bill stated that failure to provide such information within a stipulated time could attract penalties ranging from N1 million to N3 million.

Deliberating on the bill titled “The Release of Core Information by Wireless Telecoms Carriers to Law Enforcement Agencies” on the floor of the House yesterday, members of the House were unanimous on the importance of the bill, which if passed into law could curb crimes being perpetrated through GSM phones.

Leader of the House and member representing Awgu North State constituency, Sunday Udeokoye, who presented the bill before the House said that, “criminals use telecommunication to commit crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery. It is a known fact that armed robbers use cell phone to communicate who they want to rob.”

In her contribution, member representing Nsukka West Constituency, Dame Nkechi, regretted that the introduction of GSM was meant to be a blessing, but criminals had turned it into a curse and recounted how in 2007 she received a threat on phone, which she reported to the appropriate authorities to no avail. She therefore urged her colleagues to make haste and pass the bill into law.

The members who deliberated extensively on the importance of the GSM operators releasing prompt information to security agencies to track down criminals who use GSM for their nefarious activities pointed out various crimes people perpetrate by using the GSM such as kidnapping, armed robbery and even assassination and stated that the bill when passed into law would go a long way in checking the crimes if not rooting them out entirely.

The bill proposed a penalty of N1 million for any GSM operator who fails to supply the needed information within one hour and N250,000 if such negligence continues to occur.

Most House members who contributed to the debate said the fine of N1 million was small for such a grievous crime and suggested that it should be increased to either N3 or N4 million.

On the importance of the bill, Speaker of the House, Mr. Eugene Odo, pointed out that although the bill would help curb crime, it had to be handled in a way that it would not run contrary to laws establishing GSM operation in the country but to help security agencies in trying to curb GSM crimes.

He suggested that the bill should be handled by committees of the House such as Information and Judiciary and called for memoranda to be submitted to the relevant committees to enable the House enact the law.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64263:enugu-house-considers-bill-to-check-kidnapping-others&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

OGUN State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun is receiving his first baptism of fire as the seven-day warning strike embarked upon by the workers to protest the ‘outrageous’ tax imposed on them by his government entered its second day.

The seven-day ultimatum given by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state expired on Tuesday.

His earlier meeting with the workers ended in a deadlock. Also on Tuesday, another meeting of the state House of Assembly with the union was stalemated.

Government activities in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday were grounded.

At the state secretariat, Oke-Mosan, offices were shut down. The gate of the Isabo Magistrate’s Court, where the embattled former governor, Gbenga Daniel waas expected to appear today was also locked.

At public primary and secondary schools in the capital and beyond, pupils were forced to return home because teachers stayed away.

State Head of Service, Princess Iyabo Odulate, described the strike as illegal, adding that the workers were forced by the union to embark on the action against their wish.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64265:from-charles-coffie-gyamfi-and-gbenga-akinfenwa-abeokuta&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Tasks executive on science, technology

THE Upper Chambers of the National Assembly yesterday passed a motion mandating its committee to investigate all universities conducting Post-University Matriculation Examinations (UME) tests in the country.

Following a motion titled, “Illegal Subjection of Candidates to Examinations by Universities after the Test by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB)”, moved by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa West Senatorial District), the Senate took time to examine the pros and cons of the exercise.

And, ahead the 2012 budget preparation, the National Assembly has tasked the Federal Government to increase its budgetary allocation to the nation’s science and technology sector.

Speaking when he visited the site of a solar plant production site in Abuja, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice, stressed that a virile science and technology sector was key to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.

The solar power plant being established by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is almost set for commissioning and would, according to the agency, locally produce the cells used to produce solar-power panels.

Boroffice stressed that the plant would save money for the country.

His words: “One of the major problems Nigeria has today is energy. Unless we harness all the sources of energy that we have, the transformation agenda of Mr. President will just be a mirage.

“Efforts by NASENI to produce solar panels and popularise the technology are commendable. Producing solar panels that will boost power generation in the country and create employment on the other hand.”

Boroffice therefore, urged government to take local capacities in technology advancement more seriously by ensuring better funding and greater policy support.

Director General, NASENI, Prof. Olusegun Adewoye, stressed that the plant would soon be commissioned, as the agency was putting finishing touches to the production line.

Adewoye said NASENI would set up, manage and supervise the production of the solar cells for the next four years after which the plant would be commercialised and handed over to the private sector.

In his submission, Lokpobiri noted that the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) was the authorised body conducting matriculation examination for entry into all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.

He added that JAMB also appoints examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of the subject panel and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matters “incidental thereto or connected therewith.”

“The Board also places suitably qualified candidates in tertiary institutions after having taken into account vacancies available in each institution,” he added.

Lokpobiri observed that the universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and the other stakeholders were sufficiently represented in the membership of the Board, adding that the laws establishing the various universities “empower them to hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas, certificates and distinctions to persons who have pursued courses of study approved by the university and have satisfied such other requirements as the university may lay down.”

However, the senator observed that in conducting the post-UME examination, virtually all universities charge fees and subject candidates to series of tests and interviews which most often take several days to conclude.

He stressed that “this is at grave costs to parents and guardians, and a clear violation of the JAMB Act.”

Lokpobiri added that even the Registrar of JAMB has said that the post-UME test was unnecessary.

He stated: Since JAMB is alive to its responsibility as provided by law, there would be no reason whatsoever to subject candidates to another round of illegal test at grave cost and its other attendant consequences.”

Lokpobiri prayed the chamber to mandate its committee on education to undertake a comprehensive probe of all universities and other higher institutions conducting post-UME examinations in the country.

Senators Datti Baba Ahmed, Ayogu Eze, Nkechi Nwogu, Abdul Ningi, James Manager, Nenadi Usman, Ahmed Lawal and Emmanuel Paulk supported the motion for several reasons while senators Olufemi Lanlehi, Aisha Al-Hassan, Boroffice and Gobir Ibrahim opposed it on diverse grounds.

Boroffice, who was the founding Director general of the National Space Research and Development Agency added: “It is rather unfortunate that the Federal Government is not committing enough funds to science and technology in the country .If we look at the level of funding in science and technology in any nation you will see a correlation between it and their income per capital when the funding of science and technology is high, per capital income also increases.


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64285:-senatenprobes-post-ume-tests-seeks-abolition&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

You see yourself. na who suppose spread wealth?
Na your governor u dey wait for to come spread wealth.
I talk before say ur head no correct.

GEJ, i support the removal as long the money is used for overall development of the country.

Despite the public outcry against the planned removal of fuel subsidy, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday insisted on its withdrawal.
Funds saved from the removal will stimulate private sector investments to bridge infrastructure gap and create incentives for investment in refineries and the petroleum industry, the President said.
He spoke at the opening of a Presidential Retreat with the Private Sector on Economic Development and Job Creation at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
Explaining that the plan to remove petroleum subsidy was still at the proposal stage, the President said if it scaled through, the resources hitherto used as subsidy on the importation of petroleum products, would be invested in tangible infrastructure and provision of social safety nets to cushion the impact of the reforms.
According to him, discontinuing with the subsidy remained the only responsible way of harnessing revenue for capital stock formation, among others.
Jonathan said: “ There are proposals to phase out petroleum subsidies in a deliberate and responsible way that will harness revenues for capital stock formation and leverage on private sector investments in public-private partnerships (PPPs).”
His administration, he said, was also working with the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, adding that the government was intensifying its engagement with the lawmakers and other key stakeholders to agree on critical reforms to the fiscal regime for the oil and gas sector.
The latest move to withdraw the subsidy has attracted widespread condemnation from several quarters, especially the organised labour.
Those opposed to the proposal argued that the policy would push up the prices of goods and make life unbearable for Nigerians.
Specifically, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) cautioned government against the withdrawal, threatening to call its members out to resist the policy.
On Wednesday, Senators mandated its committees to unmask the beneficiaries of the N1.2 trillion subsidy.
Senate President David Mark lamented that the subsidy was not reaching its targeted beneficiaries – the ordinary Nigerians.
Unveiling plans to overhaul the external trade and tariff policies, Jonathan said it was important to promote domestic industries by protecting them from unfair trade practices.
[b]The country, he said, must also adopt a more responsive tariff policy which recognises the limitations of an over-extensive prohibition list.
To ensure responsible fiscal policies, Jonathan said the Federal Government would strive to keep fiscal deficit below three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
There will be a deliberate and systemic reduction of domestic borrowing by government.
Jonathan said the government was accelerating the implementation of key trade, tariff and customs reforms mostly to improve the domestic investment environment to achieve this, eh said.
He said: “Accordingly, in line with the government’s commitment to ensure good and responsible fiscal policies, we are committed to maintaining the fiscal deficit at below three per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the life of this administration.
“In this regard, we need to arrive at more effective trade and tariff policies that facilitate the creation of local businesses and jobs.
“We are determined to accelerate the implementation of the 48-hour ports clearance reforms, improve the efficiency of the Nigeria Customs Service and other related agencies, and reduce the incentives for smuggling.”
Speaking of the formidable challenges for achieving these developmental objectives, the President added for achieving some of the fiscal, monetary and other risks that the country must mitigate were becoming more apparent.
Jonathan said: “As evidenced by our strong economic growth in recent times, our nation has been resilient to the global economic downturn. However, we face formidable challenges ahead in charting a course towards the achievement of our developmental objectives outlined in this administration’s economic transformation blueprint.[/b]
Explaining the importance of the retreat, Jonathan said: “Our historical over-reliance on oil revenue has hampered the growth of the non-oil sectors of our economy.
“I am happy to inform you that this administration is committed to reversing this trend by implementing targeted interventions to boost non-oil and real sector productivity.
“For instance, under the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan, efforts are underway to improve the productivity, yield and competiveness of key agricultural commodities with significant export potential.
“By harnessing the value chains in the production of cocoa, groundnut, oil palm and rice, as well as for cotton, cassava and sorghum, we will conserve billions of dollars in foreign exchange that would otherwise have been spent on imports.
‘We will equally reverse the unsustainable food importation process, which has fuelled domestic inflation.
“And in effect, improve our national food security position; and unleash the sector’s potentials for employment generation and wealth creation.”


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/22870-why-petroleum-subsidy-must-go-by-jonathan.html

Kobojunkie:
rofl!!!

Hi kobojunkie, abeg tell me why you dey show tongue.
You no happy abi you dey vex?

Now, I want people to realize one thing about the people from the east especially their women.
They have continuously in the last 40years raised money to build and fix infrastructure in their respective communities.
There are more than a hundred thousand development groups from the east scattered all over the world.
No other ethnic group in Nigeria comes close for self funding and putting up social amenities than the people of the east.
I repeat no group comes close to it.


The hospital, the community road, school and classroom blocks in my moms village were all built by the women in the community.
Other ethnic group should emulate and stop expecting manner all the time.


A round of applause to these women.
Ndi nne mama. Esokwa.

Ohhh please people. Dnt start this nonsense.

From the arguement shown, who has exhibited the trait of a confused poverty stricken f00l?

You just an eeddioott. The answer is simple fool.
It's called spread wealth.
Letme say it loud again to your poverty infested ear that is attached to your coconut contaminated head.
SPREAD WEALTH. You dont spread wealth by cooking rice and Amala to the less privilege every day.

Henceforth, I want you to have it on the front and the back of your demented mind to[b] spread wealth[/b] and dnt be happy when you dash people rice and pepper stew filled with ponmo and sharki.

It makes no sense.

Bye oponu.


RIP Prince.

We dont need all this first and second nonsense.

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=782047.msg9341799#msg9341799 date=1318633660]But not intelligent enough to win the Nobel Laureate ? ROFLMAO[/quote]Life is just too cruel for your likes. lol
You wey no get brain at all. I am sure say your two front teeth no dey allow your mouth occlude well.

The sooner He drops Tinubu, the better.

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=781984.msg9341785#msg9341785 date=1318633321]You are just being stuupid with your foolish comments.There are million of wealthy people in Nigeria who do not even care about the poor but this guy out of generosity fed people and you are hear spewing rubbish.Is he better or worse than the  other rich men that are stingy to the poor ?. . .if you really want to impress the ''house'' as you supposed,answer the bolded question.ode[/quote]You be real eeddioota
He's feeding them right?
Let them continue to eat now that He's dead.
Na wa o, you just confirm say you dey emotional about silly stuff like this.
I will say it again, keep your god damned money to yourself if you dont f0rking knw what to do with it than cook stooppoooiiddd rice and amala everyday because you want people to praise you.
Let them continue to eat now.
Wo oloshi, I no get your time at all.
Rubbish!!!


RIP Prince.

rip.

haha, see redistribution of wealth. who will benefit from the land grab now?

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=781984.msg9341716#msg9341716 date=1318632296]Look at this mor.on yarning rubbish ? How do you dictate to a private citizen like you to empower people with his personal money ? Is he the government who ought to do so ? How many nigerians have you or your family empowered ? You no just get sense at all.mumu[/quote]Naso dem dey do for your side abi, Abajo?

As I said, your coconut head is too big for you to reason like a normal sane human-being.
Abeg explain to the house wetin go happen to the people im been dey feed?
You be real ode.