A mild drama played out at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, James Akpanudoedehe, was granted bail by the court yesterday.

Shortly after Mr. Akpanudoedehe met his bail conditions, the police rearrested him in the court premises. The officers, however, gave no reason for his rearrest.

Mr. Akpanudoedehe was initially arrested on the heels of the crisis that erupted in Akwa Ibom State during a clash between supporters of his party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on March 22. The clash led to the death of more than five people and loss of properties. The ACN candidate was taken to Abuja by the police and charged for treason.

In his ruling on the accused person’s bail application, Justice Adamu Bello, however, said prosecutors failed to show that they have any evidence to try the accused.

“The complainant wants to hold onto the accused person while they go around toa fish for evidence, which has no place in our law,” Justice Bello said.

“Having regard to the affidavit evidence, which was not controverted by the complainant and the fact that there is no nexus between the accused and the offence allegedly committed, I am satisfied with the affidavit evidence of the accused and grant him bail.”

Police assault

But shortly after Justice Bello granted Mr. Akpanudoedehe bail, scores of police officers laid siege to the court for over three hours and eventually dragged him from the courtroom after he perfected his bail conditions.

Mr. Akpanudoedehe, who was reluctant to follow the police, was slapped several times by the leader of the team, who was in mufti. One of his counsels, Niyi Akintola, asked the police why he was being arrested after the court had granted his bail application. The police refused to give any reasons.

Mr Akpanudoedehe described his arrest and subsequent trial in Abuja as an attempt by the PDP to stop him from campaigning for the governorship election in the state.

Justice Bello had granted the governorship candidate bail in the sum of N10 million and one surety in like sum among conditions.

Political vendetta

The defence had told the court that Mr. Akpanudoedehe’s arrest in Akwa Ibom State and his quick arraignment in Abuja was designed to keep him away from the campaign trail.

Mr. Akpanudoedehe, has been in police custody since last Thursday following an order of the court that he be remanded pending when his bail application was heard.

His counsels urged the court to grant bail, pending the hearing and determination of the charge against him by the police. They argued further that the accused person be admitted to bail by the court based on his antecedents as a two-time senator, former FCT minister, former Uyo local government area chairman, and at present, a governorship candidate.

His counsel, Kola Awodein, also told the court that there was an earlier phantom murder allegation against the accused person, in which the police searched his residences in Uyo and Abuja and found nothing incriminating.

“The applicant was compelled to approach a court of competent jurisdiction when he was being harassed to create an enabling political environment to carry out his campaign like every other candidate in the state and the court made an order restraining the police from interrupting his campaign,” he said.

He also told the court that Mr. Akpanudoedehe has an ailment that requires frequent medical attention, a position he said was not countered by the prosecution. He said the prosecution’s submission that they are still investigating the matter showed that they are yet to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

But the police counsel, R. E. Nkem, asked the court not to grant the accused person bail in view of the nature of the offence and the severity of the punishment, if found guilty.

“The accused person is charged with treason and other pending charges like that of murder, arson, and others. As such, he should not be granted bail,” Mr. Nkem said.

Mr. Bello, after hearing from all the parties, adjourned till yesterday for ruling.

The police accused Mr. Akpanudoedehe of levying war against the state with intent to intimidate the governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio.

The charge sheet read: “That you, John James Akpanudoedehe, ‘M’ and others now at large, as citizens of Nigeria, on the 22nd day of March, 2011, at Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit: treason by levying war against the state, with intent to cause such levying of war as would intimidate or overawe the governor of the state and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act Cap ‘C’ 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, John James Akpanudoedehe, ‘M’ and others now at large, as citizens of Nigeria on the 22nd day of March, 2011, at Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State in the Abuja division, did levy war against the state in order to intimidate or overawe the governor of the state by discharging several gun shots at him and his entourage while on his official assignment, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 37 (10 of the Criminal Code Act Cap ‘C’ 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).” Mr. Akpanudoedehe pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge.

If you order or sign up for cell-phone service online or through a phone, chances are you will need to register the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card that comes with it. The SIM card provides information to the phone that allows it to connect to the network you are using. Before you use your phone, you’ll have to set up the SIM card.


Instructions

1.
* 1

Determine your phone carrier’s method for registering the SIM card. The most typical way to register a SIM card is online via a website, but some service providers may have you call an 800 number to register the phone.
* 2

Get the IMEI number of the phone that the SIM card will be used by. You can find this by looking in the back of the phone where the battery is, or by dialing #06# on the phone.
* 3

Point your browser to the website listed in the starter kit, or call the number listed.
* 4

Provide the company with information that might include your name, activation code number, IMEI number, address, home phone number or e-mail address. Your SIM card should then be activated and ready for use

Sequel to NDLEA Recruitment and Screening Exercise last year 2010, Interview Test date for National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been announced
INTERVIEW FOR SUCCESSFUL NDLEA CANDIDATES
Candidates are expected to go for the Interview at any NDLEA State Office Closest to them.
Documents needed for the Interview:
2 Recent Passport Photographs
Originals of credentials
Photocopies of Credentials
Date of Interview:- 28th March 2011 to 30th March, 2011.
For Enquiries call HELPLINE:
MTN:- 08031113304
Click On Your State to See Successful Applicants
State Address
ABIA OLD PARTY SECRETARIATE, OGBOR HILLS, ABA
ADAMAWA OLD PARTY SECRETARIATE, 1, ABDULLAHI BASHIR STR. YOLA
AKWA IBOM 291, NWANA-IBA ROAD, UYO
ANAMBRA OLD PARTY SECRETARIATE, NSUGBE ROAD, RANS NKIS, ONITSHA
BAUCHI WHITE HOUSE, MECHANIC VILLAGE, JOS ROAD, BAUCHI
BAYELSA OKUTUKUTU, NDBIAMA,YENOGOA ROAD, BAYELSA
BENUE OLD PARTY SECRETARIATE, ANKPA ROAD, MAKURDI
BORNO OLD PARTY SECRETARIATE, GAMBORU NGALA ROAD, MAIDUGURI
CROSS RIVER 3, HARBOUR ROAD, CALABAR
DELTA OLD PARTY SECRETARIATE, ISAH ROAD, OGWASHI-UKU
EBONYI 10, ELIAS ODILI STREET, ABAKALIKI
EDO OLD SDP PARTY SECRETARIAT, UPPER SAKPONBA ROAD, BENIN CITY
EKITI AKINSOLA STREET, OFF IWOROKO ROAD, OPP. EKITI KETE TRANPORT CAMPANY, ADO EKITI
ENUGU OLD SDP PARTY SECRETARIAT, VOSAN DRIVE, INDEPENDENCE LAYOUT, ENUGU
FCT FCT COMMAND, PLOT 607, PHASE 1, GWAGWALADA, ABUJA
GOMBE OLD BASAC OFFICE, BCJ, GOMBE
IMO OLD NRC PARTY OFFICE, ABA ROAD, OWERI
JIGAWA NIFOR QUARTERS, DUTSE, JIGAWA
KADUNA OLUSEGUN OBASANJO SECRETARIAT, YAKUBU GOWON ROAD, KADUNA?
KANO KANO STATE COMMAND, AIRPORT ROAD, KANO
KATSINA PARTY SECRETARIAT, KOFAR KWAYA, KATSINA
KEBBI 25, EMIR HARUNA ROAD, P.M.B. 1104, BIRININ KEBBI
KOGI NEW LAYOUT LIBERTY HOTEL, LOKOJA
KWARA DEFUNCT NRC PARTY OFFICE, KM2, SOBI BARRACKS ROAD, ILORIN
LAGOS LAGOS STATE COMMAND, NAHCO SHED, IKEJA
NASARAWA MAKURDI ROAD, LAFIS
NIGER DEFUNCT NRC PARTY SECRETARIAT, WESTERN BY-PASS, OPP. POLICE SEC. SCH., MINNA
OGUN QUTER 7, OBA ADEMOLA ROAD, GRA ABEAKUTA
ONDO 257, ALAGBAKA GRA, AKURE
OSUN OSGBO TESTING GROUND, OLD IKIRUN ROAD, FORMER MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
OYO QUARTERS 585, LINKS RESERVATION ONIREKE, GRA IBADAN
PLATEAU NEW RIKKOS LAYOUT, JOS
RIVERS DEFUNCT SDP SECRETARIAT, ARTILLERY JUNCTION, ABA ROAD, PORT HARCOURT
SOKOTO FORMER PARTY HOUSE, ALONG KALAM BAINA ROAD, ARKILLA, SOKOTO
TARABA TUKURA ROAD, MAGAMI BEHIND YELWA ANNEX, JALINGO
YOBE KM 7, GUJUBA ROAD, OLD CUSTOMS OFFICE, MOPOL BASE, DAMATURU?
ZAMFARA SAMARU ZARIA ROAD, NEAR HOTEL GUSAU

Other Categories
OTHERS Nearest State
PROFESSIONALS Nearest State

http://nigerjobmaster..com/2011/03/ndlea-interview-test-2011-announced.html

An aide to Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was yesterday arrested by the police in the state over the illegal possession of election materials belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Kingsley Ezenwenyi was arrested in his hotel room in Awka shortly after he visited the commission's office to copy the deployment list of electoral officers released last Monday.

His activities drew the attention of State Security Services officers attached to the commission. He was trailed to his hotel in the outskirts of Awka where he was discovered to be in possession of materials including election result sheets and was promptly arrested.

A police source said only three people were in the hotel - two males and one female - and all were said to be members of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

The materials said to be in his possession, according to the publicity secretary of INEC, Frank Egbo include: Form EC8 A with serial number 01008997 (original and duplicate copies), sixty copies of original Form EC8(R) which are for publication of results of poll, 56 copies of Form EC8(B) which are summaries of results from polling stations and collation of Registration Area Level.

Illegal possession

The source said when the suspect was asked to explain how he came to possess the materials, he claimed he was working for INEC as a consultant to train members of the ACN for the election.

But Mr Egbo said Mr Ezenwenyi was not working for the commission.

"He already has result sheets for pasting results and it means his own results would have been ready for publication before the conclusion of voting on election day and if he does that, you know the kind of confusion that would cause," Mr Egbo said.

The spokesperson for the police, Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed Mr. Ezenwenyi's arrest.

"He was illegally in possession of election materials," Mr Chukwuemeka said, adding that an investigation has been launched into the matter.

The spokesperson for the ACN, Okelo Madukife, claimed ignorance of the development, saying he would investigate the matter before talking further on it.

"How can I talk about what I don't know? Let me ask a few questions. I don't know what to say," Mr Madukife said.

http://nigerjobmaster..com/

Sir Alex Ferguson has never defeated a Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge in the Roman Abramovich era, and though it may not be the usual play-off for the title, the stakes are as high as ever
FACTS
Manchester United has had only four away wins this season but have a better and more excellent home record than their Stamford bridge counterparts. Man Utd has lost only once this season with Chelsea losing several.

Chelsea go into the match with just one point from their last two Barclays Premier League outings.

They have lost three home league matches under Ancelotti which is more than they did in the five full seasons prior to the manager's arrival.

Blues forward Fernando Torres has a decent record against United, scoring three goals in his last four Premier League fixtures against them.
anchester United's top goalscorer Berbatov has 19 goals. Chelsea are yet to have somebody with two digits goals with Drogba and Malouda at 9 each and Torres also bringing the 9 he has scored at Liverpool.

Based on recent form though the Red devils have not been fantastic they have grinded good results. They've had the commitment. Same cannot be said of Chelsea,

http://soccerfiesta..com/2011/02/match-preview-chelsea-vs-manchester.html

:O Estado de S. Paulo, Ronaldo
Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo has confirmed his retirement from football.

The 34-year-old, who has enjoyed a glittering career in Spain, Holland, Italy and Brazil, made the announcement in his Brazilian homeland on Monday.

"As you can imagine and you heard during the whole weekend, I'm here to [confirm that] I'm closing my career as a professional player," Ronaldo told a press conference.

In an earlier interview with Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, Ronaldo revealed that his long career and succession of serious injuries had finally taken their toll on his body.

"I want to stay but I can't. I think of a move, but I can't perform it as I want to. It's time," he added.
                                                                     
                                                                                  Korea:Park Ji-Sung
The Manchester United player have announce his retirement from international football before flying to England to rejoin the Red Devils.

There is no certainty that the 29-year-old will be fit enough to play against Uzbekistan in the third-place match, as he under an injury cloud with knee problems.

Coach Cho Kwang-rae, though, denied his star midfielder is injured, but has been resting due to the amount of football he had played throughout the tournament.

"Park Ji-sung is one of the players and we will take a decision whether he will play," the coach said. "He does not have any injury but he is yet to recover to full fitness and we are trying to avoid any possible injuries due to lack of total fitness."

Park has played five matches, totalling 494 minutes including all but two minutes in his side's extra-time games against Iran and Japan. He also has been capped 100 time for his nation, reaching the milestone in the semi-finals against rivals the Blue Samurai.

                                                                                  ManUnited: Edwin van der Sar
The Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will retire from football at the end of the season.

'It is now time to pay attention to my family'

The 40-year-old former Holland international moved to Old Trafford from Fulham in 2005 and helped Sir Alex Ferguson's side to three Premier League titles and Champions League glory in 2008.

                                                                                       ManUnited: Gary neville
We all knew it was coming, but that doesn’t mean it comes as any less of a shock. Gary Neville has today announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.

chelsea are not going to beat manchester United for your info.

I think we should just stop blaming the govt and know we can be a contributor.

Ryan Giggs - back v Wigan
Michael Owen - back v Wigan
Rio Ferdinand - back v Liverpool
Jonny Evans - back v Liverpool
Ji-sung Park - back in two weeks
Antonio Valencia - possibly back in two weeks
Anderson - back in three weeks

Ferdinand and Evans are both likely to be fit for the trip to Anfield to take on Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool next weekend. But Sir Alex Ferguson will be encouraged by the recent performances of Chris Smalling, softening the blow of Ferdinand’s absence since the start of February.

For United’s visit to the DW Stadium on Saturday, the Reds could have Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen available for selecton.

Sir Alex told reporters on Friday: “Nothing much has changed on the injury front. We’re trying to get Ryan [Giggs] fit for the Wigan game, and Michael Owen is back training and could be available. Rio and Jonny Evans should both be back for Liverpool next weekend.”

On the more longer-term injuries, Ji-sung Park (hamstring), Anderson (knee) and Antonio Valencia (ankle) are all on course for March comebacks. “Ji-sung Park is still two weeks away,” added the boss. “Anderson will probably be back in three weeks, he’s back in Portugal now and we’ll have to see how he progresses.

“Antonio is doing well in training but it’s difficult to assess when he’ll be back. We have to make a decision on when to play him in terms of his own confidence after being out for so long. He could be back in two weeks hopefully.”

The return of Giggs and Owen could be beneficial for Saturday’s trip to Wigan, where Sir Alex is concerned about the newly relaid pitch at the DW.

“It’s obviously a concern that they’ve relaid the pitch, although I understand it’s OK," he said. "It’s be a difficult game, Wigan are a team who play fantastic football, but this time of season they’re all difficult. It’s important that we keep our momentum going because the team who is most consistent will win the league.”

There are indication that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has fled Libya and may be headed for Venezuela, William Hague said today.

The Foreign Secretary said he had seen information ‘that suggests he is on the way there [Venezuela] at the moment’ – as the North African country was up in flames with reports of around 400 dead.

Gaddafi was said to have fled as the country he has ruled for more than 40 years after anti-government demonstrators breaching the state television building and setting government property alight.

But officials in Venezuela, where president Hugo Chavez is an ally of the Libyan dictator, denied any suggestions that Gaddafi was seeking refuge there. Information minister Andres Izarra said the reports were ‘false’

Leaders from throughout the world are demanding a peaceful resolution of the turmoil in Libya.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa called Monday for an end to the violence in the north African nation, and said he sees the Libyan protesters’ demands as legitimate.

European Union officials are encouraging Libya to move toward democracy. They are fearful about the safety of their nationals now in Libya.

British Prime Minister David Cameron says the Libyan central government’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests is “completely appalling and unacceptable,” using the “most vicious forms of repression.” He was speaking from Cairo, where he began a visit to Egypt Monday.

The United States also has voiced objections to the lethal use of force on protesters, in meetings with Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa and other officials.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said Sunday he will raise with the Libyan leadership what he calls “very disturbing reports” emanating from the oil-rich nation, under tight control by Moammar Gadhafi for more than 40 years.

In Brussels, a Eurioopean Union official said Libya has threatened the EU it will stop curbing illegal immigration from North Africa to Europe if the bloc continues to support anti-government protests. Libyan authorities delivered that warning to the Hungarian ambassador in Tripoli; Hungary currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

Italy is particularly concerned about the prospect of an influx of migrants as it is already a popular entry point for North Africans seeking a better life in Europe. Thousands of North African migrants have sailed to the Italian island of Lampedusa since the ouster of Tunisia’s president in an uprising last month.

Italy also is the former colonial ruler of Libya and has strong political and economic ties with that nation. Libya is a major oil exporter that has attracted significant foreign investment from energy companies such as Italy’s ENI, Britain’s BP, and Exxon of the United States.

In Washington the U.S. authorities are keeping a close watch on Libya as event unfolds in part to see what possibilities might exist for meaningful reform, a senior Obama administration official said.

Among other things, Washington was taking a close look at a speech delivered Sunday by Saif al-Islam Gadhafi — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s son — which included warnings of a civil war if demonstrations in the North African country don’t stop.

In the same speech, Saif Gadhafi also acknowledged changing times regionally and proposed “radical” reforms — like bolstering local governments, relaxing restrictive laws, raising salaries, extending loans, and drafting a constitution, which doesn’t now exist.

Obama officials continued to discuss with their Libyan counterparts the need to avoid violence against peaceful protesters, the official added

MANCHESTER - Ryan Giggs will extend his playing career with Manchester United into 2012 after the 37-year-old Welsh midfielder signed a contract extension until the end of next season.

Giggs is the most decorated player in English football, having won 11 league titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League titles, and has played 862 senior games in United's colours, more than any other player who has represented the club.

"All I've ever wanted to do is play for United and I've been lucky enough to do that for 20 years," Giggs told the club website on Friday.

"It's great to know I'm still contributing to the team's success and I feel I've got a lot to offer on and off the pitch."

"This is an exciting time to be involved with so many good young players coming through."

Giggs, who made his United debut in 1991, has spent his entire senior career at Old Trafford.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he had "run out of words" to describe Giggs.

"He is a marvellous player and a wonderful man," he said.

"To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level in such a physically demanding position at his age requires a special person.

"He is still turning in man of the match performances and his experience is so vital for the younger players in the squad."

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday refused to step down and make way for a new government. In a televised address to the nation, he said “a government can make mistakes and the most important thing for a regime is to acknowledge mistakes”. Mubarak, who said he would not heed diktats from abroad, reiterated he wouldn’t contest the elections due in September and that his government would ensure free and fair polls.

He pointed out that his regime had started the process of amending the constitution, for which a four-member panel had been set up, supervising a peaceful transition of power.

Earlier, Egyptian television interrupted all programming to present footage of a panel of senior military officers, one of whom read out a statement described as “communique number one” of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. “In support of the legitimate demands of the people, the army will continue meeting, to examine measures to be taken to protect the nation and the ambitions of the people,” it said.

After being closeted in a meeting for hours, the council met for the first time without supreme commander Mubarak in the chair.

Essam Al-Erian, a senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood, told HT: “These are dangerous times as we are hearing different versions. The Ikhwan (Brotherhood) will wait before declaring its official position.”

LAFIA, Nigeria (Reuters) – To the sound of pounding reggae music in a small, dusty town in Nigeria’s “Middle Belt,” President Goodluck Jonathan began campaigning for an election in which he hopes to upset the natural order of politics in Africa’s most populous state.

Thousands of supporters turned out to greet Jonathan on Monday in the cassava- and yam-farming town of Lafia, whose location in north-central Nigeria was chosen in an attempt to wrong-foot opponents from within the ruling party.

Buoyed by his strong victory in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries last month, despite opposition from northerners, Jonathan is widely expected to win the April 9 presidential election.

“We’re on top,” he told cheering supporters, dressed in his trademark fedora and kaftan-like attire.

But he faces opposition from some parts of the country for interrupting a pact that power should rotate between the mostly Muslim north and largely Christian south every two terms.

Jonathan inherited the presidency last year when his northern predecessor Umaru Yar’Adua died in his first term. He is the first head of state from the southern Niger Delta oil region and the opposition, and some in the PDP, say a northerner must complete what would have been Yar’Adua’s second term.

In a bid to demonstrate he has support from around the country, Jonathan is due to hold rallies in its six main geographical zones over the next week, starting in Lafia, the capital of the north-central state of Nasarawa.

The PDP candidate has won every presidential election since the end of military rule in 1999 in this country of 150 million people. This year is unlikely to be an exception.

A band played reggae music with lyrics including “Goodluck Jonathan, he will bring fresh air.” Police used dogs to clear a path through supporters for party bigwigs, so they could take their places in the stands around Lafia’s sports stadium.

STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN

Jonathan has promised a “new kind of leadership uncontaminated by the prejudices of the past” and has listed ending chronic power shortages, improving health and education and ensuring food self-sufficiency among his priorities.

He also has pledged to better manage the OPEC member’s oil revenues with a planned sovereign wealth fund and promised a clampdown on kidnappers and criminals “that give us a bad name.”

“Before this time, people would set off bombs, people would be killed, houses would be destroyed and after one or two months it would be swept under the carpet,” Jonathan said in a speech which played to the crowd, largely focussing on local issues.

“This administration will not sweep any crime under the carpet,” he said, to rapturous applause.

Critics say he is a weak leader and concessions to ensure the support of parts of the north will undermine his ability to govern firmly. They point to rampant government spending as evidence that he does not have a tight enough grip on power.

They also question his record on national security.

Clashes between Christian and Muslim mobs have killed more than 200 people around the city of Jos, 140 km (90 miles) north of Lafia, since December. An Islamist sect has threatened an uprising in the remote northeast and those responsible for a New Year’s Eve car bomb in the capital Abuja have yet to be found.

Local officials said that while Lafia may be small — many of Nigeria’s other main cities have populations of several million or more — it is strategically important.

“North-central constitutes seven states,” said Jonah Ogbaji, a senior PDP official in the region.

“Jonathan has the support of the south. If we can get north-central support it will nullify the northern opposition. North-central will be key to his victory,” he said.

Jonathan’s opponent at the polls are all northerners, including Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler with a reputation as a disciplinarian who is popularly perceived as being cleaner than many in the political elite.

Ibrahim Shekarau, governor of the northern state of Kano, and Nuhu Ribadu, former head of the country’s anti-corruption commission, are his other main opposition challengers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that it does not plan to introduce higher electricity tariffs in the country.

Sam Amadi, the Commission's chairman, said in Abuja yesterday that the reported impending hike in electricity tariffs under the multi-year tariff order (MYTO) is untrue.

Mr. Amadi further assured consumers that no such action was being contemplated by the commission.

"No decision has been taken yet by the government on new electricity tariff in the country, contrary to speculative reports making the rounds in some media in recent times. If there is any such plans, NERC, which is the only agency mandated through the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005 to regulate the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and take decisions on tariffs, should know," Mr. Amadi said.

He added that the EPSR Act 2005 mandates the Commission to, among other responsibilities, set end-user electricity tariffs, utilising the methodology of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) to arrive at cost-reflective tariffs for different categories of consumers.

The MYTO scheme, which came into effect in 2008, was adopted to allow fixing of electricity prices for up to five years in place of single year tariff order previously in operation, which limited tariffs to be set only for the in-coming year.

Under the plan, provisions are made for limited tariff adjustments each year, according to prevailing inflationary trend and changes in fuel costs, with major reviews conducted at five year intervals to allow the evolution of appropriate tariff template within a projected time frame of 15-years.

At present, government-approved electricity pricing per kilowatt hour (KWH) averages between N4 and N6 for single-phase customers as well as N6 and N8 for industrial users, while maximum demand users pay between N8 and N12 per KWH.

Subsidy provisions

To reduce the impact of regular tariff adjustments envisaged under MYTO on consumers within the low income bracket, government resolved to make annual provisions for subsidy to take care of the difference in the tariff template.

In the 2009 budget, about N40.31billion was appropriated for the scheme, as against a provision of N65.78 billion last year, and an allocation of N67 billion in the 2011 budget.

Though the major review of tariffs under the MYTO scheme designed to help reduce some of the risks associated with high electricity price for consumers and investors in the industry was to have fallen due in 2013, NERC recently brought the deadline forward from 2013 to 2011 in order to incorporate other sources of electricity generation, considering recent major policy decision in the section.

The MYTO review involves a number of stages, including the ongoing data collection from relevant agencies, valuation of existing industry assets liabilities, and consultations.

"These critical regulatory processes are ongoing. NERC expects that these processes will culminate in the publication of a new MYTO by the beginning of second quarter of 2011. It is, therefore, presumptuous at this time to suggest what the tariff will be," Mr. Amadi said.

The dust raised over the announcement of US$200, 0 00,000 (grant for the entertainment industry may have finally settled, as government announced during the week, the release of the funds.

The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who confirmed the provision of Special Entertainment Fund which has since been released to the Bank of Industry (BoI).

The bank, according to our source has been appointed the custodian of the Fund, while the Lagos Business School will provide entrepreneurial capacity training for beneficiaries of the Fund.

Application to access the funds accordingly opens on January 17, 2011 and borrowing will attract a single digit interest rate.

And to make the funds accessible to interested applicants, the bank has a new site http://www.boinigeria.com in place and advise would be applicants to visit the website.

At the 30the anniversary of the Silverbird group, the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan shocked the audience especially members of the entertainment community with the announcement of US$200,000,000 funds for the entertainment industry.

The furore that greeted the announcement few days later was such that some stakeholders who feared they may be short changed cried wolves even government was yet to announce modalities for disbursing the funds.

Reacting to the news, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President, Segun Arinze said the news was a welcome development pointing that the decision of officials of the ministry of finance to hand pick a few individuals to a meeting on a matter concerning the entire entertainment industry was suspect.

“What the ministry ought to have done, was to invite all the rellevant arms of the industry to that round table, after all we all have vested interest in the business.

They can be forgiven now that the fund is a reality. The next thing to do is for the bank to set up a check system that will discourage people who borrow and don’t pay back,” Mr. Arinze stated.

Delta State Commissioner of Youth Development, an actor and a stake holder, Mr. Richard Mofe -Damijo in a telephone interview was conservative with his words.

“When the President made the announcement, I was excited but that’s as far as it goes. I need to understand the modalities, know the consultants advising on the project and the criteria that requires one to access the funds” were all he could volunteer.

Playwright and producer, Dr. Ola Balogun was ignorant of the development, saying “ I have not been following the event, but as soon as I have more information at my disposition, I will certainly get back to you”

Tottenham will be wondering what they will need to beat Manchester United today when their last victory against United came in 2001. The 2010/11 Manchester United side have continued to impress their critics and admirers with the way they have gone through the league season unbeaten. Though there have been close shaves over the last 20 matches, the Red Devils have always shown that they have the resolve to dig themselves out of a hole. That mentality will serve Alex Ferguson’s men well this afternoon as they take the trip to North London to confront Spurs, who now have an ex-United player, David Beckham in their ranks.

The first leg of the tie at Old Trafford was settled by one of the most bizarre goals ever scored in the Premiership. Nani scored the second goal that was hotly contested by Tottenham players.

“It was bizarre,” Ferguson had told ESPN on October 30, 2010. “No-one knew at the time what was wrong. One minute the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and next it’s in his net. Nani looked back and looked at the referee and the referee said play on, so what can he do but put the ball in the net?

“You can look at the referee and look at the linesmen and blame them, but the goalkeeper should know better. He’s an experienced goalkeeper. I thought he made a mess of it. I thought it was a penalty first of all and I think Nani felt he handled the ball. But the referee didn’t blow for it.

“The referee played on because the goalkeeper took possession of the ball. He then went to take a free-kick thinking it was a foul. He made an error.” There must be no errors on the part of Harry Redknapp and his men today as they face the league leaders. One of his leaders on the pitch, Luca Modric has asked the team to continue to play with confidence. Modric clocked his 100th appearance for Spurs against Charlton on Wednesday. The little Croatian said on Spurs website, “I’m happy with how I’m playing; I think I’m playing well, but the most important thing is that the team is playing well. If the team isn’t playing well, it’s hard for you to play well. This is a team game and the team is most important for every player.

“We have to be happy at the moment and we can still progress more, we can be better and that’s good about this squad.

“We are capable of producing results because we have a great team with great players and we’ve shown tremendous character in a lot of matches this season. We just need to keep going and to continue doing what we’re doing.” Their coach has also said that United are neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid and that the unbeaten leaders will eventually get beaten.

“As good as they are I do not think they are good enough to go through the whole season unbeaten,” said Harry Redknapp in his column in thesun.co.uk “Even if they win the Premier League title this season, Arsenal are the original Invincibles and their record is going to stay intact. Of course, I’d love it will be my Tottenham team that ends United’s unbeaten run on Sunday and we have a chance of doing it.

“It’s not as if United are Barcelona or Real Madrid who are on another planet to everyone else. We can bring them down to earth and for the sake of the title race. I bet everyone who doesn’t support Man Utd will be hoping we do. It will keep all the teams at the top a bit closer together.” But they will need to be very positive against a United side that can boast of seven victories and three draws against the London side in the last 10 meetings.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday won the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential primaries. His victory came after a spirited contest with former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and veteran aspirant, Sarah Jubril.

Tunde Adeniran, the Chief Returning Officer of the party who declared the result said out of the total valid vote of 3, 542, Mr Jonathan pulled 2, 736 while his closest rival Mr Atiku scored 805. Sarah Jubril got only one vote.

Defeat at home

The significant loss for Mr. Abubakar was in his home state of Adamawa where Mr. Jonathan scored a whopping 76 votes to Mr. Abubakar's paltry 31. Mr. Jonathan in his home state of Bayelsa got all the 67 votes of the delegates.

Last night at the Eagles Square where the event held, Mr. Abubakar, for the umpteenth time, furiously deplored alleged disrespect for the party's zoning policy by his "main opponent", Mr. Jonathan, a theme that has stood central to Mr. Abubakar's months of campaign, and laced his last speech to the delegates, and the nation, shortly before the voting began.

"In 2002, an expanded caucus of our great party met and reaffirmed that policy," he read from a prepared speech.

"My main opponent was at that meeting and voted in favour of that resolution. He signed as number 35 on the list. Today, he pretends that that meeting never took place and that the resolution never happened.

"Yet, he would not summon a meeting of our party to discuss that issue and if deemed appropriate jettison it. In fact, on October 27, 2010, he publicly declared that zoning does not exist in our party. Talk about throwing away the ladder that got you up there! That is not the kind of person you would entrust the fate of this country," Mr. Abubakar said.

In a bellicose speech, he warned that "If rules can be thrown away by just anyone who feels that he is powerful enough to do so, then it is an invitation to lawlessness and anarchy. Nobody wants that.

"Our word must be our bond. But my main opponent believes in doing things simply because it is convenient. He does not seem to care if the country is thrown into chaos and anarchy as long as he remains in power. This is dangerous," he stressed.

The long-awaited event earlier billed for 10am yesterday, set off later actually late afternoon amid strict security presence that frisked every entrant to the venue ranging from party locals from the states, governors, and federal lawmakers.

Officials of the State Security Service, police, Civil Defence Corps, mounted security with sniffing dogs and bomb detectors while two police helicopters hovered above the venue as the event held.

After a long wait, Mr. Abubakar and Mr. Jonathan arrived at 4.22pm and 5.30pm respectively, long after Ms. Jubril had arrived and taken a seat up front within the glassed compartment. The president, walking apart with his wife, Patience, sauntered in and shook hands with both contenders before the events began seven minutes later.

After months of intense campaign of harsh rhetoric between the two main aspirants, the convention provided the chance for a face-to-face meeting between the current president and the former vice president.

Both men spoke after Ms. Jubril, who rallied the women folk to set in a new era of equal balance in politics between both genders.

Full of energy and appeals to the women and underprivileged in society, she says with a female president, Nigeria will not be considered a corrupt country any more. She dubbed herself ‘Mama President' and ends her address with a rendition of ‘We shall overcome'.

That set the stage for Mr. Abubakar, who for a while after a confrontational beginning, directed his address to appealing to delegates and Nigerians to view him as the tool for a change, promising jobs, better security, power, education, and peace in the Niger Delta.

Mr. Jonathan paid tribute to the late Mr. Yar'Adua first as he began a speech that clearly cashed in the temperamental start of his chief challenger.

"I will not join issues with anybody because I believe Nigerians know all of us and our history and they will choose who they like," he said.

"Dear delegates, if you give me and Architect Namadi Sambo your mandate, we will give this country a strong leadership and we will never let you down," he added.

He said Mr. Abubakar's, whom he referred to as "some other contributors" questioning of insecurity in the Niger Delta, was misplaced since rising oil output in the region showed that security in the area had improved.

"I will give this country a strong, strong leadership to be a greater nation," he said.

BECAUSE of the way we do things at nairabrain, my Sweet And Sour reflections have to be submitted for publication on Wednesdays. Which means that even though this week’s column will appear the day after the PDP has conducted its presidential primary election, it is being written the day before this big event.

Since I do not, as at press time know the outcome of Atiku and Jonathan’s epic contest for their party’s ticket, I cannot comment on the result. But, like millions of Nigerians, I am not only on tenterhooks but constantly speculating with friends about which aspirant is likely to get the most delegate votes.

Opinions are evenly divided, within my social circle at least.

On the one hand, there are those who are convinced that Jonathan will sail through by a whisker or wide margin, either because of the formidable powers associated with incumbency or simply because Atiku has reputation issues.

On the other hand, there are those who are convinced that Jonathan will be disgraced by Governors who, allegedly, don’t need him because they have already secured their own tickets and/or by delegates who think that Atiku is more dynamic, more generous and better at spotting talent…

…and/or by pro-zoning elements who think that it is the North’s turn to occupy the top slot…and/or by disgruntled legislators who feel that they lost out in last week’s National Assembly primaries because Jonathan did not reciprocate the backing he received from the senators and House of Representatives members who threw their weight behind him when he was being oppressed by Turai and her gang during the dying days of Yar’Adua’s regime.

I have just returned from a visit to my home state, Rivers; and Jonathan enjoys widespread support there. Most of the men and women I spoke to – government officials, villagers, unemployed youths, housewives, taxi drivers, professionals, entrepreneurs, etc – are rooting for Jonathan because his spouse comes from our state and because he himself comes from a neighbouring state that used to be part of Rivers State and still has quite a lot in common with Rivers State.

In a nutshell, many Rivers indigenes hail The First Family for ethnic and sentimental reasons…and regard Dr Goodluck and Dame Patience as their Brother and Sister. And I must confess that though I try to be objective about Jonathan’s personality and performance, I sometimes feel the same way.

It is intellectually dishonest and morally suspect to join a politician’s Glory Hallelujah chorus purely because his village happen to be near your village; and I am very disappointed in Jonathan on some levels. But I guess we’re all human and I cannot always emotionally detach myself from his geographical origins.

OK, so I don’t have a clue who will emerge victorious at the end of the Eagle Square drama. But I can make one prediction with absolute certainty: Win or lose, Jonathan, as the first-ever Niger Deltan Head of State, will always have a unique and special status within the context of Nigerian history.

Sarah the Great!

I REALLY love Sarah Jibril and her amazing self-confidence, unrepentant feistiness and stubborn refusal to stop confronting the chauvinistic male dinosaurs who run this country!

Jibril, the only female PDP presidential aspirant, went to court to challenge Atiku’s emergence as the so-called consensus candidate of the North, on the grounds that she had been discriminated against by the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), which did not invite her to participate in the selection process and rebuffed her when she tried to throw her headtie in the ring.

She assured the world that she had an “intimidating” resume and better qualifications than all of the other Northern aspirants put together.

In her application for the court order, she listed as defendants Atiku, the PDP and its National Chairman Nwodo, INEC and its Chairman Jega, the NPLF and its Chairman Ciroma. She accused all of the above of gender discrimination and of violating her constitutional rights.

She claimed that Atiku’s nomination as the Northern consensus candidate would put her at a disadvantage at the primary.
Needless to say, her case was dismissed. But she will still show up at Eagle Square to strut her stuff and irritate the guys, even though she’s smart enough to know that she doesn’t stand a chance of making any significant impact.

I hope that she continues to make her point and fly the flag for women, partly because the political landscape would be so much more boring without her and partly because even though her determination to chip away at the negative forces of Patriarchy appears to be futile, her struggles will not be in vain.

Brave pioneers may never benefit from their efforts. But they lay foundations for others to build on. They shrug off insults and respond robustly to those who try to turn them into laughing stocks.

They invest their time, energy and money in kicking against the status quo and insisting that change is possible; and it is thanks to radicals, fighters and role models like Jibril that societies gradually become more progressive. We WILL have a female President one day. And I pray that Her Excellency will erect a statue in honour of Sarah The Great.

0256 Imo State: Atiku has 3 and Jonathan 125 votes the next state is Kano

02:42am Borno State 33 vote Jonathan and 26 for Atiku

02:31am Gome State: GEJ wins again 55 votes

02:20am Ondo State: Jonathan has 69 and Atiku 6 non yet for Sarah Jubril

02:11am Benue State : GEJ wins with 72 vote and 15

02:04am Osun State: Jonathan wins with 99 votes and Atiku 1

01:53am From Nasarawa State 53 of the vote went to GEJ and 8 to Atiku. For Jigawa State Jonathan carries the day again wining with 100 votes from the delegates and Atiku 17

01:31 am Lagos State: 52 votes for Jonathan and 3 vote for Atiku while in Federal Capital Territory 24 voted Jonathan and Atiku had 3

01:21 am Zamfara State: Atiku win Zamfara State’s votes 70 delegates vote Atiku and 2 for Jonathan

So far 10 states have been counted and from all indications Jonathan is winning.

Yobe State Jonathan 29 votes and Atiku 20

Rivers State : 128 votes goes to Jonathan 2 for Atiku and non for Jubril

Bayelsa State 67 votes for Jonathan and non for the other contestants

Bauch State : Jonathan got 46 votes while Atku got 44

1am Taraba State: Jonathan coast home 62 vote from the delegates from Taraba State while Atiku gets 16 votes and non for Sarah Jubril

Sorry for the break.

11.16pm Anambra State: Goodluck Jonathan got 47 votes, Atiku 8 while Sara Jubril got nothing

11.35pm The whole 141 delegates from Akwa-Ibom State voted for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan

11.20pm Counting commence on the Akwa-Ibom State delegates’ votes

Adamawa States delegates vote en-mass for Jonathan. 76 vote for Jonathan

It looks like Jonathan will win the votes from Adamawa State

Atiku g0t 31 votes from Adamawa State

126 votes is expected from Adamawa State delegates.

10.50pm The next ballot box which is that which the Adamawa State delegates voted in is now open for counting.

Dr Goodluck Jonathan got 80 votes from the Abia State delegates

10.32 The first ballot box is been counted and so far Jonathan, Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s name is prominent. The Ballot box is that which the Abia State delegates voted in.

Click here to see Photos of people at the PDP primaries

10.15 pm Counting of voting commence.

9.30 Senator Teslim Folarin who was just released from Agodi Prison, Ibadan cast his votes among the Oyo State delegates.

8.50 pm Obasanjo cast vote at the PDP primaries

8.15 President Jonathan leads the Bayelsa State delegates to vote

8 05 pm Adamwa teams moves to vote

Voting begins with Abia States delegates

Following the order of an Enugu High Court restraining him from parading himself as the National Chairman of PDP, the party chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo has stepped aside at the PDP convention