₦airaland Forum

.

Even a fish and a monkey got it right.

brabus: Material Prices (Lambe, Akute, Ajuwon - Ogun State)

Cement (Dangote) - N1800
Sharp sand (small tipper) - N12k
Laterite (small tipper) - N5.5k
Washed Gravel (small tipper) - N20k
12mm iron rod (1 ton) - N125k
10mm iron rod (1 ton) - N100k
Binding Wire (1 bundle) - N2.5k
1 x 12 White wood - N750
2 x 3 - N250
2 x 2 - N200
Nails (1 bag) - N5k
6in block - N135
9in block - N150

Hi Brabus,

Could you kindly provide a contact to supply these materials? I would be very grateful.

tmemos@yahoo.com

Thanks so much.

shollymata: Hi Samla i am interested in your current prices for the two types of stone coated roofing materials. Also want to know which you would advise your client to use between the long span aluminium and the stone coated material and why? My email is opeomotoso@gmail.com

Hi Samla, kindly email the same information to me on tmemos@yahoo.com in addition to the price of long span aluminium roof.

Secondly, does this include the Classic Stone Coated roof you wrote about?

Thank you.

Call today or send an email to tmemos@yahoo.com

Honda CRV 2012 - It is sleek.

.

My vote is for Gbawe.

A prominent traditional ruler in Yorubaland, Oba Arazim Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi 111, the Ataoja of Osogbo has joined his ancestors.

Oba Matanmi was said to have joined his ancestors on Wednesday evening at his palace in Osogbo, during a brief illness.

Following his demise, Osogbo, the state capital, was thrown into mournng as markets were closed while residents of the town wore mournful look.

The state governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello, were among the early callers at the palace while a prayer session, led by Alhaji Mustapha Ajisafe, the Chief Imam of Osogbo and the president, League of Imams and Alfas in the South West, was held at the palace.

The Ataoja, who was coronated on July 27, 1976, hailed from the Matanmi Ruling House of Osogbo and was born to Pa Shittu Amoo and Madam Sabitiyu Ajile Oyewale.

Oba Oyewale, who was a chartered accountant, brought a lot of development to Osogbo, which transformed from a provincial headquarters to a state capital during his reign.

He was aged 75. Governor Oyinlola, was at the palace on Thursday afternoon to sign the condolence register. He was received by the oba’s second-in-command, Chief Gabriel Oparanti, and other high chiefs of the town, including the Iyalode, Chief (Mrs) Alake Kolade.

In the condolence register, Governor Oyinlola wrote, “Kabiyesi, to God be the glory for a life of service to humanity. May the good Lord grant you eternal rest. We will surely miss your royal and fatherly love for the people of Osun State. Good night.”

Also on the governor’s entourage, were the speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Bello, the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Kazeem Adio and other top government functionaries.

National Publicity Secretary of Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Alhaji Yinusa Adeigbe said the burial programme for the late monarch would be released at the end of a meeting of high chiefs of Osogbo.

His last public outing was on May 31,2010 when he attended the thanksgiving service of the state governor at the Osogbo City Stadium, on his victory at the election petition tribunal and before then he was awarded honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration by the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on April 30,2010.

The chairmen of Osogbo and Olorunda local governments, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye and Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, were seen in the palace on Thursday, fine-tuning preparations for the burial of the late monarch.

It was gathered that Oba Matanmi would be buried tomorrow after the Jumat service.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ademola Razaq has condoled with the family of the Ataoja, the entire Osogbo community and Osun State government on the demise of the Ataoja.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Prince Adeolu Adeyemo, Alhaji Ademola Razaq described the 34-year reign of the late Oba Matanmi, as rewarding and full of landmark achievements.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/9329-ataoja-of-osogbo-oba-oyewale-matanmi-joins-ancestors-

rex23:
Whenever she reads the news, she gives the impression of not having prepared enough for the assignment.

Take today for example, when she read the 12 noon news, the story is always the same. She stumbles over words so often, she usually has to be saved by the music.

My advice to her is to prepare well; read the news to herself before time, familiarizing herself with both the story and the names of people, places and things. When a newscaster knows the story well, she can always herself notice when things are wrong and if necessary improvise on the spot,

Adeola Osinuga should also try not to get carried away with her attempt to force a foreign accent. When this does not distract her from the news content, it at least prevents us from even hearing and understanding what she is trying to say.

She should learn from the other two male colleagues with her.

Your observation is very correct. She even has difficulties in pronouncing her own surname! She hardly communicates when she reads the news.

chelseabmw:
Am scared right now

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/08/05/apparition-of-christ-allegedly-appears-in-edo/

What are you scared of?

EzeUche22:
Well that was all part of our culture at the time. Even the Judaic religions has some "barbaric" practices like stoning adulterers and cutting the limbs off of thieves.

We could have "modernized" our religion and traditional practices. The Indians did not forget their gods. Their religion just evolved. That is something I admire about the Indians. Even though they were colonized, they did not forget their old ways. Maybe that is why Africa is not progressing. We have forsaken our culture and our gods.

[quote author=paddy_lo link=topic=488753.msg6493471#msg6493471 date=1280714472]Thank u. . .that is why things fell apart in igboland. . and other parts of Nigeria quite frankly
How many chinese,Indian or Japanese do u see worshiping a foreign GOD?. [b]. and we wonder why they are doing well. . . [/b][/quote]With an open mind, this is indeed food for thought.

tpiah:
i think many of these cases of amala poisoning must be from the "white" amala made from cassava. [s]i dont eat that stuff and i wish people would stop calling it amala.[/s]


cassava is naturally poisonous while yam is not.

when processing cassava as garri or fufu, the poison is leached out of the flour- i'm not too sure this would be the case with the so-called "white" amala.

of course it could also be the people were intentionally poisoned.

lord have mercy.

Correct.

Big B1:
Believe it or not, at this point IBB is the only person that has the capability to [b]save[/b] this country, and I'm certain that he will accomplish this goal.

It's very sad and disheartening to read that it's only one man, who was disgraced out of power 17 years ago, that some people are still saying has the capacity to SAVE Nigeria!

Opposition parties and civil society groups in Bayelsa State have demanded a probe into the alleged disappearance of over N400 million at the country home of the Chairman of the Environment Sanitation Authority, Mr. Reginald Dede.

The robbery, which reportedly took place penultimate week at Kongo community, Akassa, Brass Local Government Area of the state was carried out by boys who were armed to the teeth. Eyewitness account said when the boys got to Dede’s house, they headed straight to the septic tank where they discovered both hard and local currencies.

After the robbery, some people were said to have been arrested by the police. An impeccable police source confided in Daily Sun that those arrested by the police in connection with the robbery were still undergoing interrogation.

However, opposition parties and civil society groups are calling on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Presidency to investigate the matter to determine where Dede got such huge money.
In separate statements, National Union of Political Parties (NUPP), Political Alliance for Good Governance (PAGG) and the Action Congress (AC) said the Federal Government should demonstrate its sincerity to fight corruption by probing the incident.

NUPP, in its statement signed by Mr. Edwin Tare and Ekiye Maxwell, chairman and secretary respectively carpeted Dede saying since he assumed office as chairman of the agency, “wages of sanitation workers have been stunted,” adding that “workers sometimes would not be paid for three or four months.”
It said the state government had never been serious with the welfare of the workers who were mostly women.
Bobo Atari-Adou, publicity secretary of PAGG, in its statement, said the group noted with disbelief that such huge money could be hidden in a septic tank when workers of the sanitation authority were being owed six months salaries.

It called on President Goodluck Jonathan to listen to the voice of reason and direct a probe into alleged financial recklessness in the state. The AC, in its statement, endorsed by its Chairman, Miriki Ebikibina challenged Governor Timipre Sylva and the state House of Assembly to investigate the matter and sanction Dede if found guilty to serve as a deterrent to other government officials who believed cases of corruption could be treated with levity.

The state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Nathan Egba, however denied knowledge of the incident, stressing that it was a personal matter which only Dede could comment on.
When approached for his comments at the Governor’s Lodge in Yenagoa, Dede declined, declaring that he did not want to talk about the incident. Meanwhile, political leaders in Sagbama have risen in defence of the council Chairman, Mr. Perez Peretus over allegation of corruption and high-handedness levelled against him.

Peretus who has been in the eye of the storm following his disagreement with a top government functionary has been accused of massive fraud and securing a loan facility for the council without authorisation. In a statement by the Secretary of the council on behalf of the leaders, Mr. Mirin Johnson, the leaders noted that the council took the loan of N45 million for the payment of April salaries due to the shortfall in the allocation that accrued to the council from the federation account.

According to the leaders, the loan which was with the full knowledge of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was used for a purpose which the people could attest to. The leaders commended Peretus for engaging in the settlement of debts incurred by past administrations, the provision of internet facility, the launch of a functional website for the council, the overhauling of electrical systems in Sagbama town, the purchase of five plots of land in Yenagoa to construct a befitting ultramodern liaison office complex with a view to generating revenue and the ongoing construction of a new office building.

While noting that the “claim of fraud against the council chairman is a deliberate crusade by some politicians against the rising profile of the council chairman” they stressed that “investigation conducted on the charges of fraud, high-handedness and fanning ember of division among clans against the council chairman showed that they were false and only exist in the imagination of the opposition.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/aug/02/national-02-08-2010-003.htm

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010080112271723

At least seven people have been feared killed in drive-by shootings that have jolted Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, SUNDAY PUNCH has gathered.


Earlier report indicated that several people had sustained gunshot wounds in an orgy of killings that started last Tuesday before the Friday mayhem that led to the death of some people in different parts of the state capital.


To forestall the development, the military Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta joined the police to beef up security in the state as the spate of gangster-related killings escalated.


By early Saturday morning, the JTF had deployed men in full battle fatigue in strategic locations of the state capital to mount road blocks in ”a stop and search operation.”


JTF armoured personnel carriers with armed soldiers searched all vehicles on the major streets of the state capital, apart from the regular police checkpoints in different parts of the metropolis.


The Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said the JTF was assisting the police to ensure safety of lives and properties in the state.


The headquarters of the JTF is located in Yenagoa.


Last week, there had been records of seven deaths that followed a similar pattern of gang-related killings and Mafia style hits.


Last Tuesday evening, gunmen opened fire on the home of an aide to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Mike Wenibowei.


Although Wenibowei escaped death by the whiskers, his bodyguard was killed by gunmen who emerged from a parked car in front of his home.


Three people were killed the following day on the popular Samphino Road in the state capital, while another person was shot on the popular INEC Road the following night.


The semi-high brow Imgbi Road was the centre of a vicious armed attack that left one person dead and another injured on Friday night.


The sporadic shooting, which occurred around 7pm, sent the Imgbi Road area into confusion.


Already, there were fears in the state, but the JTF said there was no cause for alarm over the deployment of troops in the streets.


Antigha assured members of the public that they were safe.


”What we are doing is to augment what other security agencies are doing in the state. There have been shootings in the state in the past few days, that is why you see these men checking and searching cars,” he said.


The police were yet to make a statement on the spate of killings in the state in the last one week.

MORE facts have emerged on why the presidential campaign of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, last Thursday, flopped. Its failure was attributed to the inability of the sponsors of the group campaigning for him in the South West to raise credible and popular politicians in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to spearhead the campaign.

Amid media blitz about the coming of IBB to Ibadan to launch the campaign, many of his supporters went home disappointed as the man eventually failed to turn up for the event.

Sunday Tribune reliably gathered that, weeks after the inaugural meeting of the group at the KS Motel Ibadan, it was unable to raise a credible team that can sway the people of the zone to support the former military president, while those earlier considered as “big catch” backed out unceremoniously.

It was further learnt that the search for membership of the group suffered a major setback following the declaration of the state governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, that President Goodluck Jonathan would surely contest the presidential election in 2011.

While the president’s ambition remains at the realms of speculation, Governor Alao-Akala had, at a media chat in his office last week, emphatically declared that Jonathan would contest and that he (Alao-Akala) was in total support of a Jonathan presidency in 2011.

The declaration by the governor, a source told Sunday Tribune, seriously jolted the IBB camp.

With the turn of event, two aides of Governor Alao-Akala and few notable PDP members who had initially made known their intention to be part of the IBB group were said to have made a u-turn by withdrawing their membership of the group.

Sunday Tribune learnt that Alhaji Sina Alabi, Chairman of the Oyo State-owned Trans City Transport Company (TCTC) led Alhaji Laide Busari, another political appointee in the state, to the office of Goodluck Support Group (GSG), at the Akinjide Plaza, Ibadan, last Tuesday, to denounce the IBB group and pledged their unflinching support for Jonathan’s campaign.

In fact, the duo was present at the secretariat of the Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Onireke, Ibadan, where the governor commissioned some projects executed by the council chairman.

The failure of the rally was also attributed to the stance of Brigadier-General Raji Rasaki (rtd.), a known supporter of the former military president who served as the Military Governor of Lagos and Ogun States during the Babangida regime.

Two days to the rally, Rasaki stormed the Jonathan campaign office in Ibadan with hundreds of party leaders and supporters, where he pledged his total support and commitment to the continued stay in office of President Jonathan beyond 2011.

With the turn of events, IBB, who is always boastful of his high networks around the country, was said to have been peeved that while the GSG was gaining visibility, and acceptance on daily basis in Ibadan, regarded as the political capital of the Yoruba nation, his arrowhead in the West could only get together a few followers of the late strongman of Ibadan politics to support his cause.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/1756-how-ibadan-politicians-deserted-ibb

You didn't state the reason.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/1664-gunmen-bomb-impeached-dep-govs-home.html

Explosives suspected to be dynamite on Friday rocked the residence of the impeached deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Peremobowei Ebebi in Aleibiri, Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state, while his night guard, Doramugha Seibulu, was reportedly shot on the legs by suspected armed youths.

The incident, which happened at the early hour of the day, threw the entire riverine community into confusion, as people reportedly stayed glued to their beds.Suspected armed youths reportedly invaded the community in four double-engine speed boats, shooting sporadically into the air, and headed to the residence of the former deputy governor, where an attack was reportedly launched.Saturday Tribune gathered that substance suspected to be dynamite was thrown at his residence, destroying its frontage, while the night guards on duty jumped the fence to take cover inside the building.

The assailants trailed one of them to where he was hiding inside one of the rooms and shot him on his two legs.One of his relations, who preferred anonymity, said that at the initial stage they wanted to kill him before they later decided to cripple him for life.

The injured night guard is said to be receiving medical attention at Our Saviour Hospital, Bomadi, Delta State.Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Eguavoen Emokpai, said a detachment of police had been deployed to the community, as he called on the people to go about their businesses.

He said there was damage to the residence but could not confirm whether there was any casualty, as they were still awaiting reports from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area.“We have dispatched our men to the scene to take charge of the situation. From reports available to me, there was extensive damage to the residence,” Emokpae said.

Tensions have been high for months in Bayelsa due to a power tussle between Governor Timipre Sylva and Ebebi, who was impeached by the state legislature last month over allegations of corruption. Ebebi could not be reached as his mobile telephone line was not going through.

http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64067:go-to-hell-ive-won-2011-polls-alao-akala-tells-opposition&catid=672:top-stories&Itemid=794


“I have already won the 2011 election and none of the opposition groups can come near me. We have unseated some people who sat here and we are now on seat. So, who is going to unseat us? The (People’s Democratic Party) PDP has won already”

Those were the words of the Oyo State governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, during the week while declaring himself winner even before the conduct of the polls.

Alao-Akala, who declared that his second-term ambition is already a fait accompli also tactically pronounced the death of rival groups within the PDP as well as opposition parties in the state.

He made the bold declaration during the monthly chat with correspondents in the state held at the Agodi Government Secretariat, Ibadan, last Wednesday.

Discountenancing the series of allegations bordering on financial misappropriation, high-handedness against workers in the state, as well as allegations of masterminding the assassinations from high and low, Alao-Akala told those opposing his second term ambition to perish the thought.

Exuding confidence, the Oyo governor said, “I have already won the 2011 election. None of them can come near me. Where will they come from? Where will they start? There is no where I cannot walk tall in this state. I have touched the lives of everybody in many areas of this state. Who among all the past governors can claim to have achieved more than I have done? They are only carrying out character assassination against me. They can do nothing. At 28, I had slept in a very popular hotel overseas. I bought and rode a Mercedes Benz with registration number OY 55 at 29. I bought it for N16, 000 from Leventis cash down. So, what is their problem? I have been in this government since 1999 and I have made great impacts. A ti ti oje bo olosa lowo, o ku baba eni to maa bo ( I have been given the power already and there is no one that can take it away from me).

Alao-Akala did not hide his feelings regarding his support for President Goodluck Jonathan to run for president in 2011, as he said the President is qualified and certainly the best of all. “And I am one of the governors strongly in his support,” he said.

Asked however why some of his aides openly supported the campaign for former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) for president in the awareness programme organised recently in Ibadan, Alao-Akala said those that were seen were insignificant in his government.

According to him, “those you saw at the campaign venue are not even part of my first 11. They are not part of my think- tank at all. Would I have asked any of them to represent me at such an occasion? No! They are by the grace of God those I just want to have a bit of the action. They are adults and not minors, though. So, they are responsible for their action. President Jonathan is my choice and by the grace of God, he is going to contest in 2011,” he affirmed.

At the “IBB for President 2011” held at the KS Motel, Total Garden, Ibadan, coordinated by Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, his erstwhile deputy during the illegal 11- month reign, were Akala’s chairman of the Trans City Transport Corporation (TCTC) Alhaji Sina Alabi, a Special Adviser Alhaji Laide Busari, Vice Chairman, Muslim Welfare Board , Alhaji Abass Oloko, widow of Alao-Akala’s late godfather, Chief Bose Adedibu, all being members of the ruling PDP in the state.

Other notable members who did not hide their separation from Alao-Akala’s group ahead of the next general elections were the following: former Chairman, Akinyele Local Government, Chief Yemi Aderibigbe, former Chairman, Ibadan South East Local Government, Hon. Akeem Ige, Major Salawu, Chief Alimi Yusuff, Alhaji Dauda Oladapo, Alhaji Kabir Adesokan, representative of Gani Adams’ faction of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Alhaji Tajudeen Babalola, Alhaja Latifat Latifu, among others.

davidif:
Trust me man, you gotta read it, its worth it. Its very very engaging, enlightening and very easy to read. Once you read the first post, you won't stop.

It's worth reading and is indeed an eye-opener.  Donald Duke did not postulate arcane theories about the problem with our electoral system and by extension, the leadership problem that has been besetting Nigeria for ages, he gave a useful account of the real problems from the vantage position of a practitioner. Since solving the leadership problem of Nigeria seems to be the key to cracking other problems, it is imperative that we get the electoral system right in order to change the fortune of this aching country which is grossly below its potentials. Considering the fact that other countries, even those we thought were Nigeria's peers/contemporaries, have left us behind, all stakeholders should proffer solutions to the rot exposed by Duke before the next elections.

Why not re-consider e-voting which was mooted sometime ago or go back to option A4? E-voting takes care of multiple voting or rigging by using biometrics (finger print) information of voters which would have been captured during voters' registration exercise while under option A4 (open/secret ballot system), the election results at each polling booth are loudly and publicly announced in the presence of all the voters while still on the queue; the results are then collated across wards, LGs and states.  Option A4 was used for the June 12 election.  I believe that INEC should still have the data capture machines which were acquired for the last voters' registration exercise which they can use for the proposed (and upcoming?) registration of voters with a view to launching e-voting system for the first time in Nigeria for the forthcoming elections.

http://www.mail.com/intl/Article.aspx/world/0/APNews/General-World-News/20100723/U_AS-India-Supercheap-Computer?pageid=1

It looks like an iPad, only it's 1/14th the cost: India has unveiled the prototype of a $35 basic touchscreen tablet aimed at students, which it hopes to bring into production by 2011.

If the government can find a manufacturer, the Linux operating system-based computer would be the latest in a string of "world's cheapest" innovations to hit the market out of India, which is home to the 100,000 rupee ($2,127) compact Nano car, the 749 rupees ($16) water purifier and the $2,000 open-heart surgery.

The tablet can be used for functions like word processing, web browsing and video-conferencing. It has a solar power option too -- important for India's energy-starved hinterlands -- though that add-on costs extra.

"This is our answer to MIT's $100 computer," human resource development minister Kapil Sibal told the Economic Times when he unveiled the device Thursday.

In 2005, Nicholas Negroponte -- cofounder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab -- unveiled a prototype of a $100 laptop for children in the developing world. India rejected that as too expensive and embarked on a multiyear effort to develop a cheaper option of its own.

Negroponte's laptop ended up costing about $200, but in May his nonprofit association, One Laptop Per Child, said it plans to launch a basic tablet computer for $99.

Sibal turned to students and professors at India's elite technical universities to develop the $35 tablet after receiving a "lukewarm" response from private sector players. He hopes to get the cost down to $10 eventually.

Mamta Varma, a ministry spokeswoman, said falling hardware costs and intelligent design make the price tag plausible. The tablet doesn't have a hard disk, but instead uses a memory card, much like a mobile phone. The tablet design cuts hardware costs, and the use of open-source software also adds to savings, she said.

Varma said several global manufacturers, including at least one from Taiwan, have shown interest in making the low-cost device, but no manufacturing or distribution deals have been finalized. She declined to name any of the companies.

India plans to subsidize the cost of the tablet for its students, bringing the purchase price down to around $20.

The project is part of an ambitious education technology initiative, which also aims to bring broadband connectivity to India's 25,000 colleges and 504 universities and make study materials available online.

So far nearly 8,500 colleges have been connected and nearly 500 web and video-based courses have been uploaded on YouTube and other portals, the Ministry said.

http://renaissanceprofessionals.com/2010/07/19/sanusi-versus-the-nigerian-economy-how-to-destroy-a-banking-system/

Nigerian Banking System still highly risky – Rating Agency, The Punch, lead story, Tuesday, June 29, 2010

“Nigerian banks are extremely risky, despite the N620bn bailout of the sector in 2009, a global rating agency, Standard & Poor, has said. The ratings we have for the banks are in the single ‘B’ category, it’s a very low level compared to most banks in the world… In regulatory reform, there is still a long way to go.”

But what do you hear from our know-it-all CBN Governor?

In interviews with national papers, Sanusi claims to have restored macroeconomic stability, crashed the interbank rate, brought down inflation rate, stabilized the naira, and killed the black market.

But fellow compatriots ponder over these posers.

Macroeconomic stability: Can we really say the CBN has achieved macroeconomic stability in the one year of Sanusi? How many investors are confident about the long term direction of the Nigerian economy under Sanusi? Why has the demand and supply of credit collapsed? If companies are so confident about the future why has the little employment in the system collapsed? Why is there massive capital flight as represented by the high demand for forex on a weekly basis? Why is there massive preference for low-yielding government securities at the expense of private sector lending? Why is there a massive build up of Cash Mountains at the CBN at heavy cost to the Nigerian banking industry? The truth: the CBN is far from achieving macroeconomic stability. Sanusi has created macroeconomic instability by his reforms and he has no idea how to stabilize the economy.

Interbank rates: Agreed, Sanusi has crashed interbank rates but that is because he has guaranteed interbank lending. Banks are lending to each other not because confidence has been restored into the system but because the CBN has guaranteed that it will make good any loss incurred in the process. So, interbank rates have fallen from an extreme high averaging 22 percent to an extreme low averaging 1.25%. At the extreme high, banks were making profits with high risk; at the extreme low, banks are making losses with no risk. Either extreme will kill a bank. At the high extreme end you have instant death when the risk crystallizes, at the low end, its death by slow poison. The question that should be asked is: why is confidence eluding the banking system even after the CBN claims to have isolated the banks heating up the system, pumped in N620 billion into these banks, installed its own managers and yet banks would not lend to each other without the CBN guarantee?

The pursuit of an agenda

A few months before Sanusi emerged governor, Meryll Lynch conducted an independent report on the Nigerian banking industry and estimated that the amount of non performing facilities or toxic assets in the Nigerian banking system stood at N9 trillion.

The taken over banks in the financial system had total non performing facilities of N1.5 trillion. Where is the balance of N7.5 trillion toxic assets hidden in the financial system? Is it any wonder that the CBN has had to retain its guarantees for interbank lending to enable banks lend to each even after claiming to have restored confidence in the banking system? Is it any wonder that all the banks that were cleared are now in several courts to recover loans that the CBN once declared as performing? Is it any wonder that these same banks are desperately seeking fresh capital in excess of N5 trillion from shareholders?

Anyone familiar with the stress testing that Sanusi carried out on the banking industry before he hijacked eight of them would find out that it was anything but transparent. The criteria for auditing the banks were only known to Sanusi. The basis for classifying a facility as bad was not made known. His definition of what corporate governance is and is not was laughable (Unity Bank, which did not have an audited account for three years passed on Corporate Governance). Sanusi knew the banks he wanted out of the system and that was the only criterion that mattered.

Biased auditing of banks

Since July last year (2009), the Nigerian banking system has been subjected to two different standards of auditing. One standard of auditing has been reserved for the banks taken over by the CBN whose books have been subjected to all forms of continuous investigative auditing for a year running while the non-taken over banks have been subjected to the normal auditing standards of the industry pre Sanusi. The obvious aim of these two different standards of auditing are;

1. Justify Sanusi’s action against the eight banks which the CBN currently manages

2. Paint the former management of these banks in the worst possible light

3. Create a platform for the cronies which the CBN has installed in these banks to look like great managers when all the unnecessary provisions that have been forced on these banks are reversed in 2010 financial year.

4. Justify his continuous and erroneous assertion that shareholders have lost their stakes in these banks

Sanusi’s future apocalypse for Nigerian banks

Sanusi in his first anniversary interviews claim he is going to make it easier for the CBN to take over banks in future without the approval of shareholders, sell or merge banks without the approval of shareholders. Add to these, the fact that already the CBN is set to ensure that directors of banks can be removed every two years at its discretion and that MD/CEOs cannot stay more than five years without its approval, no matter what shareholders think and you get the picture of a banking industry that will be hard pressed to raise equity capital in future. These decisions have been taken by Sanusi without any consideration that Nigeria is in a global village and that introducing policies that undermine Nigerian banks’ ability to raise future capital will undermine their ability to compete globally. In one year, Sanusi’s policies have done just that. He has not only destroyed the financial standing of Nigerian entrepreneurs globally but by his statements and actions damaged their integrity and standing in the international community.

Sanusi’s courage in one year has been geared towards the destruction of businesses, corporate and personal reputations and undermining the Nigerian economy.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/july/23/national-07-23-2010-004.htm

A traditionalist and Ibadan Ifa Chief Priest, Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola, has said that destiny plays a most prominent part a man’s life, saying “destiny can hardly be changed.” He said this during the lecture delivered at Assembly of Traditional Religious Temple, Omi-Adio, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said the concept of destiny in Yoruba tradition is so important because “there is little anybody can do to alter it. Parents need to monitor their children in order not to derail from Ifa’s voice. They need to know and guard on some dos and don’ts to forbid misfortune.”

He advised people not to handle the issue of Ifa divination of their offspring with levity, as “this will serve as a road map for them in their life journey to this mystery world.”

He also called on individuals to possess good character so as to get destiny fulfilled: “Anyone that lacks good character will not achieve much on earth. Most of the problems people attach to destiny are inflictions on oneself. It is for this reason people are punished for wrongdoing because they are believed to be responsible for their actions.”

The traditionalist, who spoke on “Yoruba Myth and Tradition” explained the significance of head saying “it goes beyond its biological importance as the seat of the brain that controls the body.” He said head is more or less the guardian angel that guides one’s destiny on earth “thus when you narrowly escape an accident the Yoruba would say your head has helped you out.

“Most problems confronting our society today are as a result of the people insensitivity to culture and tradition.” He implored the people to embrace the traditional methods of child naming, where the child’s journey to earth will be clearly divined to the parents through the messenger of Olodumare, Ifa the witness of destiny.

Shikena:
,  the stool of Oba in Yorubaland is already debased by people who know very little about history. Who is 'Elewi Ekiti'? What is the origin of 'Ooni of Ife'? [b]Alaafin of Oyo is a direct descendant of Oduduwa - that title belong to Oranmiyan - the first Alaafin of Oyo. A caretaker is not the landlord of the house - Ooni (Owoni or Omo Oluwo Ni) is not related to the Oduduwa and the institution of Ooni of Ife only gained relevance in the past 50 years [/b]when the AG party of Awolowo needed to settle scores with the then Alaafin of Oyo! Read your history if you want to make categorical statements about history. Traditional rulers are 'TRADITIONAL' - read more if you want to know more about Obaship in Yoruba history and tradition.

This is very good Shikena. It's refreshing to know that that part of Yoruba history has not been swept under the carpet.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5595712-146/ighodalo_launches_ministry___.csp

Ighodalo launches ministry
Adeola Adeyemo
July 19, 2010 02:53AM
print email


Former Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ Church Parish, Gbagada, Ituah Ighodalo yesterday inaugurated his new assembly at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The launch of the new assembly, Trinity House, was witness by a large turnout of members and well wishers.

In his welcome message, Mr. Ighodalo thanked ministers, friends and family, who stood by him during his period of difficulty. “I want to thank all the ministers of God who gave us encouragement in those dark times. May God continue to bless you all.” Mr. Ighodalo last year left his position as Pastor of Christ Church Parish due to controversies over his second marriage to Jumoke Ajayi in 2007. The controversies arose because his first wife was still alive.

He introduced the new church, Trinity House, as a church with a mission to transform the society and the future of generations yet unborn. He said “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you,

in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Trinity House, a place where children of God of all denominations can gather in fellowship for the propagation and advancement of God’s kingdom here on earth.” Speaking at the inauguration, Pastor Fagboyegun who represented the Ekiti State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, urged Mr Ighodalo to continue in his calling. He said, “We believe in the anointing of God upon your ministry. We believe God that great shall be your destiny. Through God, you will do great things. The government of my state believes in you.”

Other dignitaries at the event included former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, former first lady of Cross River state, Onari Duke, former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Christopher Kolade, amongst others.

Mr. Ighodalo said he had received tremendous support from Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God saying “I want to thank my General Overseer and his wife, Pastor E.A Adeboye and his wife who said to me, Ituah, in spite of everything, I still believe in you and I want to assure you that I have his full support for that which is happening here tonight.”

MILITANTS in the Niger Delta have warned that they will unleash violence if some northern leaders succeed in stopping President Goodluck Jonathan from running in the 2011 election.



The Joint Revolution Council (JRC), the umbrella body of militant groups in the oil-rich region, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, said its elements across the region were ready to unleash mayhem on those driving the plot against the president.

The group said in a statement: “On behalf of the Joint Revolutionary Council, the highest decision-making body of all armed agitating interests in the Niger Delta, we hereby declare that any attempt to undermine the aspirations of President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the presidency of the Nigerian state based on the flimsy matter of zoning shall be met with violent rejection on our part.

“We will take our war to the doorsteps of the errant northern cabal, including all their interests in the Niger Delta.

“Our call is based on the recent violent demonstrations by politically-manipulated northern groups funded by the Bauchi and Katsina state governments to foment trouble, undermine President Goodluck Jonathan and insult the people of the Niger Delta.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/8680-2011-its-jonathan-or-war-niger-delta-militants-threaten-the-north-northern-govs-to-decide-on-zoning-tuesday

The IG comes across as one who does not choose his words carefully.  Remember the Nuhu Ribadu case, his statements on the kidnapped journalists, etc? So it's right to have crime here because there is crime in other parts of the world? He should simply compare the crime rate when he came in with the current rate and see if he deserves the award or not.

wales:
The journalist should go and ask other awardees if they deserve the award. Onovo is not the cause of crime in the country.The political class is resposible for the poverty and unemployment in the country and should be blamed for the recent rise in crimes.

I think what we need is a solution to the problem.  In any case, every problem must have a source.  It's the solution that Onovo should strive to proffer and quit honourably if he's unable to fix the problem.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5597241-146/naval_officer_rapes_infant_daughter_say.csp


Etim Canice Okon, a naval officer, is trying to convince the Nigerian police in Calabar that he had not been raping his daughter, but cleaning her up when her cry attracted people to his house, leading to his arrest.

The 48-year-old officer, who said it was not unusual for babies to cry at that age, allegedly started sleeping with the toddler when she was just one year old and had previously threatened to send his wife packing should she report his action to family members or members of the public.

But news of the alleged assault eventually got out and a representative of the federation of women lawyers in Cross River State, Rosemary Onah, petitioned the state commissioner of Police and commissioner of Women Affairs on behalf of Mrs Etim, the victims’ mother over the rape.

Confirming the arrest of the victim, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Baba Ahmed said the suspect had raped his daughter about four times before the act became public, stressing that the incident started when the victim was only one year old.

“Raping of minors, especially one year old girls, is becoming rampant here. Maybe it is done for ritual purposes; if not, how come a man of almost 50 years of age will defile his daughter.

This is unbelievable and abominable”, Mr Ahmed said.

Prepared for court

He said the suspect will not be released until investigation is completed, adding that he will be taken to court as soon as possible to obtain a court order to remanded him in police custody pending further investigations.

“We are not going to release him on bail because the offence is criminal,” he said, “We will take him to court for court order which will enable us remand him in our custody for further investigations.” The Police Commissioner said the family has conducted medical examination on the baby, which confirmed that she had been raped several times.

“Our findings revealed that before now, the father of the victim was living together with the wife and six other children made up of five boys and a girl who is the victim of rape.

The poor girl happens to be his last born. This girl is likely to grow up with this trauma. How will she get over it?” he said.

Meanwhile, the mother and other children have relocated to an undisclosed apartment in Calabar where they are fending for themselves.

This is encouraging and heart-warming. May the good Lord bless the kids and all those that have made this possible.