₦airaland Forum

forpeace:
You are a fashola boy. .you can attack me here for saying the truth but one thing is clear. .ON THE DAY OF VOTING I MAY OR MAY NOT GO OUT. .T[b]hose that will go out to vote are not here on NL. [/b].and i can assure you without fear of trash talk that they will not be voting for you. .all the people need is a worthy substitute and God shall give it to them.

Oya,1 BRF propaganda id down. . .29 more to go

LETS GOOOOOO DEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRR

Could you expantiate on the bolded? I have been voting during all elections since June 1993 and I know there should be other Nairalanders who vote during elections.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/07/20/2011-nzeribe-canvasses-8-yr-tenure-for-jonathan/

ABUJA— SENATOR Francis Arthur Nzeribe said yesterday that as the nation prepares for the 2011 Presidential election, it has become imperative for the Niger Delta Region of the South South geo-political zone of the country to produce the president through the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan for a period of eight years.
The former Senator who represented Orlu Senatorial District of Imo State noted that what was good for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo/South West in 1999, should equally be good for Jonathan/South-South in 2011.
According to him, it is not just enough to grant the people of the region amnesty if the presidency is not in the bag, adding, “I call for 8-years compensation in return for 40-years of extortion. In short, after 40 years of marginalization and suffering, Nigerians must allow the Niger Delta region to produce the President for eight years through Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. This is the only way genuine peace, progress and stability will be achieved in our country.”
Addressing newsmen yesterday, Nzeribe who called on Nigerians to steer away from debating on zoning as a subject matter, warned that if it continued, it would not only be counter productive, but it will generate unnecessary political bad-blood, adding, “I observed that consciously or unconsciously all the groups in the zoning’ debate are conceding the Presidency to President Goodluck Jonathan.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/07/19/2011-ibb-to-flag-off-campaign-in-ibadan-july-29/comment-page-1/#comments

Ahead of 2011 presidential race which he has vowed to contest despite zoning controversy, former military president, Gen
Ibrahim Babangida has taken over the political machinery of late political godfather, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu to actualise his ambition.
Members of Adedibu political family are set to flag-off South West for IBB campaign July 29 in Ibadan at a ceremony which Babangida is expected to attend.

It was reliably gathered that Babangida had been funding the Adedibu political machinery since he declared his presidential ambition as part of his strategy to win South -West support in the Peoples Democrtic Party, PDP, presidential primary.
A prominent member of the group and one time Oyo State deputy governor, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi confirmed the development in a chart with Vanguard yesterday. Gbolarumi who was one of late Adedibu political disciples told Vanguard that since
Babangida was the first person to approach the group for support, they had no choice but to make the structure available to him.
According to him, the flag-off for the South West campaign comes up July 29 in Ibadan. IBB is a Nigerian and a member of the PDP and we cannot work for any party outside the PDP as we are all members of the same political family. IBB is the only one that has consulted us and asked for our support.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/8471-2

THE Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, has said her in-law and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, is after her because he refused to be placated following his failure in the February governorship election in Anambra State.

Professor Akunyili, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune at the weekend, in reaction to a publication that she had a quarrel with the youth during the burial ceremony of her elder sister, alleged that the former CBN boss was not happy with her because “he singled me out as the source of his failure to win the election.”

During the funeral ceremony of Mrs Gloria Ezenwanne, Soludo’s mother in-law, at the weekend, in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, some youths dismantled the tents mounted by Professor Akunyili to entertain her guests, while her security aides allegedly manhandled some of the youth and arrested them for the act.

Following the misunderstanding, senior police officers in the state and the traditional ruler of Isuofia, Igwe Okpara Unegbu, intervened and the minister took her guests and visitors to her father’s compound in Nanka community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

Professor Akunyili, while reacting to the incident, said Soludo “brought that anger, grudge and frustration to the burial of his mother in-law, who is also my elder sister.

“All arrangements made by me and other siblings were vandalised by Soludo’s thugs.”

According to her, “they followed this up with text messages of blackmail to my guests, friends and well-wishers. When the environment in Isuofia became too insecure, tense and hostile, I quietly relocated to my father’s compound at Nanka, which is a few kilometres away just to avoid trouble.”

Akunyili added that “all efforts to make him understand that I alone cannot make him governor have failed. So he brought that anger, grudge and frustration to the burial of his mother-in-law.”

Reacting, Professor Soludo, through his Media Assistant, Bonaventure Melah, denied the allegations, saying that “they are laughable,”

He added that all the funeral arrangements were taken care of by Soludo and his wife, in conjunction with the immediate family of the Ezenwanne without Professor Akunyili contributing anything to it.”

Melah, in a telephone interview with the Nigerian Tribune, said one of the attributes that marked Soludo out during the electioneering was his rejection and condemnation of all forms of thuggery and acts of violence.”

whiteroses:
where do they get this money from [b][b]there must be a logical way to earn any money anyone has[/b][/b], if you are a full time pastor and has no other business your money shouldn't be that much, but im not mad who am i to judge especially when my name aint G.O.D

Whatever your belief system or lack of it is, this (a logical way to earn ANY money) should be the basis, or the guide, for this thread. And I dare say, nobody should be immuned from giving this account.

How much does the training cost?

Shrink the existing states into 6 and apply true federalism. Perish the thought that creation of additional states will bring government closer to the people. There is no part of today's Nigeria that is not covered by the 36 states + Abuja and the 774 local governments.

Hope you already have a defence of the name in the event that your child (born or unborn) asks for the reason behind your choice.

I think generally speaking, men have more fragile egos than women. Yes, individual exceptions exist, across all cultures, but we are just trying to draw a general line here. Apart from their brittle egos, men are also less emotionally stable than women. I doubt if any one knows why this is so - men are from Mars and women are from Venus? Most men are ultra sensitive to any hint that they are being cuckolded. It is rare to find any man, no matter how wretched or poor, who wants to be cuckolded. Remember the case of Julius Caesar and the height he took marital sensitivity in 62BC? Caesar's wife hosted a feast which no man was permitted to attend, but a daring adventurer, disguised as a woman, gained entrance because he wanted to seduce Caesar's wife. The man was caught and prosecuted. Caesar also divorced his wife, because according to him, 'my wife ought not even to be under suspicion'. Although modern laws are here which no longer permit such decisions, but the nature of man has hardly changed.

Unlike a man, a scorned woman often articulates a better and saner revenge, though her revenge may not come immediately. But men are wont to react immediately and more impulsively. Although you may find what I am about to say next highly controversial and I will put it frankly: a woman rarely believed that she owned the man; but for the man one of the incentives for marriage was the desire to 'own' the woman. It is only the Western ways, assisted by one-man-one-wife practice and the ensuing laws, that have tried to mask this age-long psychological characteristics of the male specie. It is not until this day that women, only aided by laws especially in Westernised countries, now believe that they equally 'own' the men.

My bet is that this trend shall continue, because men are different from women. You may see this position as sexist or chauvinistic but that doesn't change the situation.

However, you may find the scenario playing out differently when it is the woman making passes or initiating the relationship. Again, whether we admit it or not, the orthodox religions (worldwide) and even the traditional ones do not perceive women the same way as men, at least spiritually. Theoretically speaking, this may also be a vestige of man-woman relationship of thousands of years ago although the spiritual connotations are different. There are restrictions on the dressing, public speaking in worship places, head covering , etc on a woman. A few hundred years of 'modernisation' is yet to change this thousands of years of scripting.

When is the timeline for the audit to be completed?

Apart from the sensation in this story, the Police should also direct their searchlight on all those eyeing the throne of the Emir, i.e. Emirs-in-waiting or others who they think may have a reason to kill him. Or what does the so-called marabout stand to gain from the death of the Emir? Could he be acting on someone's instruction as well?

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Paul-the-Oracle-Octopus-goes-eight-for-eight-is?urn=sow,255211

Eight picks, eight correct, eight tentacles. Paul the Oracle Octopus is clearly the biggest winner of the World Cup after recording a perfect prognostication record whether he knows it or not (he probably doesn't).
The big question was whether Paul's predictive superpowers would translate to the final - the first match he was asked to predict that did not involve his native Germany. But such piddly concerns did not bother Paul. Mostly because he's an octopus. Just as he predicted, the European champions Spain became world champions for the first time with an Andres Iniesta goal in extra time. And as the Spanish celebrated, Paul floated in his tank, sure of his genius and probably craving a fresh clam.

Since Paul is an international celebrity of the highest order now, everyone wants a piece of him - both literally and figuratively. Italy is trying to claim that he was caught in Italian waters, Spanish businessmen are trying to buy him for €30,000 ($38,000), and Dutch priests tried to dismiss him.
But in Spain, Paul is an icon. The Spanish prime minister has already spoken of his desire to protect "Pulpo Paul" and the mock up of a new version of Spain's flag could be dangerously close to becoming real.
So what becomes of Paul now? Well, he'll probably continue to live out the remainder of his days at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, no longer forced to pick his food out of flag-covered boxes while surrounded by an obscene number of media types. He will swim at his leisure and continue to be oblivious to the existence of sports. He will retire a winner and a global sensation - what every other octopus (and even a few pundits) wishes they could be.
All hail Paul.

naijaking1:
The last sentence of Sanusi's rebutal read:

The statement therefore appealed to the media to de-emphasize sensationalism in their reportage of such sensitive issues that might send wrong signals to the market with negative repercussions on the economy.

I shout Allyluiah again, again, and again.
Unfortunately, Sanusi has not rebuted any of his numerous briefings that show his hostility towards capitalism, and penchant for cheap populism. From shooting CEOs that have not been convicted, to calling them "criminals", to making anti-economic policies for our nation, to flouting his heritage over and above all others, to castigating other ethnic groups, this mallam has never rebutted any of his unguraded statments when Yar'dua was alive, and Sanusi had free reign on running our economy to the ground. Now at least somebody taps him on the shoulder and he returns to press the next day for a rebutal. I say praise God, Allyluiah

If you're still blindly supporting every action Sanusi has taken since coming into office, because of this rebutal, be rest assured that as a pathological self-promoting performer, Sanusi will return to make even more embarrasing statements about our economy.

The rebuttal of a major statement should not be as simple as this. All the several newspapers that reported the news should rise and defend the integrity of their report. Was the statement by Sanusi not recorded or all of them simply (mis)quoted him? We should know who to (dis)trust going forward: public officials (in this case Sanusi) who retract their statements on sensing public outrage or newspaper houses that just look away when their reports are questioned.

On another note, those who love Sanusi should advise him to seal his lips permanently. I know it's difficult for him to achieve because he loves to hear his own voice (even in places where he had worked before his nickname was 'talk first, think later') but it is possible. i don't know of any office, private or public, where the head of the organisation may choose to talk carelessly, recklessly, and thoughtlessly.

EYES around the world were on Germany’s octopus oracle Paul on Friday as he made his biggest prediction yet in the World Cup. He has predicted that Spain will beat the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.
Octopus Paul chose a mussel from a glass tank marked with a Spanish flag, while ignoring the tank marked with the German colors - indicating a Spanish victory in Wednesday's semifinal.
Paul’s prescient picks in the World Cup and is yet to predict a match wrong, thereby propelling him to international fame from obscurity in an aquarium in the western city of Oberhausen.
TV stations in Germany, Great Britain, Taiwan and elsewhere broadcast live pictures, complete with breathless commentary, of his final decision yesterday.
Millions watched as the eight-legged oracle descended upon on a tank marked with a Spanish flag, sitting for only a few minutes before grabbing a mussel and devouring it, while completely ignoring the Dutch tank, indicating a Spanish victory in tomorrow’s final.
It was the first time the 2 1/2-year-old floppy Octopus had been tasked to pick a game in which Germany wasn’t involved, as the Oberhausen Sea Life aquarium bowed to demand. He correctly called Germany’s wins over Argentina, England, Australia and Ghana and the country’s loss to Spain and Serbia.
He also predicted yesterday that Germany would win over Uruguay in today’s third and fourth place match. Paul first developed his abilities during the 2008 European Championship, in which he predicted five out of six games involving Germany correctly. But while he had only a community of local fans two years ago, his World Cup prognostications has brought him something like stardom. He has his own Facebook fan pages and a list of admirers that includes the Spanish leader.
His handlers say he is coping with fame well.
“Paul is such a professional oracle. He doesn’t even care that hundreds of journalists are watching and commenting on every move he makes,” said Stefan Porwoll, the Sea Life aquarium manager.


http://ww2.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16411:-octopus-oracle-picks-spain-to-win-world-
cup&catid=58:abroad&Itemid=623

also see: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-473222.0.html

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/business/5043.html

In ensuring proper service delivery to customers, the weight and measures department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, while on inspection check, discovered that most Mobil, Rano oil and gas filling stations in Nyanya, Jikwoyi areas of Abuja have been short-changing customers, especially in the sale of kerosene.

The Mobil Filling Station in Karu, Jukwoyi and Rano oil and gas filling stations in Abuja have been lagging behind in delivery of service to customers. During the check, customers were buying without knowing that they were being short-changed by the petrol attendants.

Director , Weight and Measures Department, Mr. David Adejuwon, who led the inspection team said there must be accuracy in the metre used in dispensing this products.

He said:"The department is doing all it can to sanitise the system. Any filling station found airing will be sealed.

"What we are doing is not a selective or political move. We are starting with filling stations because it touches the lives of common man. we want to ensure that customers get value for their money.

"As time goes on, we will recruit more hands to ensure constant surveillance of this sectors. The department will ensure total compliance in communication, PHCN, cement factories with labels of 50KG, water bill, etc.’’

Mr. Adejuwon assured that the level of compliance over the years was okay and that the agency has created awareness in customers and filling station owners that the some petrol attendants cheat customers.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201007090544951

There was confusion in Bayelsa State on Thursday on who the authentic deputy governor of the state was.


This followed the swearing in of a former Speaker Wirinipre Seibarugu as governor Timipre Sylva’s deputy and the ruling by a Court of Appeal that Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi should be reinstated as deputy governor, for now.


Announcements on the state-owned Radio Bayelsa had informed the public that Seibarugu’s inauguration would take place at 2pm.


A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Dofie Ola, said Sylva, would preside over the ceremony.


He added that five new commissioners, who were also to be inaugurated, were entitled to only one guest each.


Ola advised ”all guests to be seated by 1.30pm” in a hall in the Gloryland Castle, Government House, Yenagoa.


But as the news of the Appeal court ruling reached Yenagoa, the ceremony was hurriedly shifted to 12 noon with the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, administering the oath of office on the former speaker in the near empty hall.


Sylva, in a brief remark, said he had handed over the ministries of Agriculture, Local Government and Sports to Seibarugu.


He added that it was very clear what the roles of a deputy governor should be.


“In the last two years, this has not been so,” the governor said.


Counter radio announcements, which informed the public that the former speaker was sworn in at 9am, deepened the confusion among residents of the state.


Seibarugu and 17 other members of the state Assembly had on June 24 impeached Ebebi.


The impeachment brought to a climax, the political crisis that had plagued the state since the Assembly issued an impeachment notice to Ebebi on June 8.


At a sitting that lasted only 45 minutes, the lawmakers received and adopted the report of the seven-member investigative panel that probed the 10 allegations of gross misconduct against Ebebi.


The panel, headed by Mr. Donald Denwigwe (SAN), had submitted its report to the Assembly in the evening of June 23, after sitting and taking witnesses for two days.


But Ebebi went to the Yenagoa High Court to challenge the impeachment and the constitutionality of the panel.


Justice Doris Adokeme, however, dismissed the suit in which Ebebi had sought to stop the investigative panel.


Counsel to Ebebi, Mr. Kemeasuode Wodu, told newsmen after the court’s ruling that he would appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


While ruling on the appeal on Thursday, Justice Suleiman Galadima, ordered that Ebebi should remain the state’s deputy of governor pending the hearing of the substantive suit on October 13, 2010.


He, therefore, directed lawyers to the appellant and respondents to advise their clients to abide by the rules and respect the directives of the court.


The judge gave the appellant 14 days to file his briefs while the respondents were also granted leave to file any further documents they deemed fit.


He said, “Respondents are granted leave to file any further document they deem fit and the appellant is given 14 days to file his briefs. The case is now adjourned till October 13, 2010 for hearing of substantive appeal.


“All of you (lawyers) should advise your clients to abide by the rules and respect the directives of the court.”


Earlier, counsel to the appellant, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), had moved a motion for the impeachment of Ebebi to be set aside and all his rights as a deputy governor be returned to him.


Izinyon also applied for an accelerated hearing of the appeal and an interlocutory injunction restraining the state government from swearing in a new deputy governor pending the determination of the case.


However, lawyers to both parties differed on the directive that the status quo be maintained until judgement was delivered on the case.


Lawyer to the state Assembly, Mr. Sebastine Hon (SAN), had told journalists that information reaching him from Bayelsa was that a new deputy governor had already been sworn in.


But Izinyon maintained that Ebebi remained the deputy governor of Bayelsa State until the court ruled otherwise.


Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Nestor Binabo, has emerged as the new speaker of the Assembly.


His elevation followed the inauguration of Seibarugu as the state’s deputy governor.


The Assembly also elected Mr. Fini Angaye as the deputy speaker.


In his remarks, Binabo promised to consult other members of the Assembly on issues concerning them.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Money/Business/5590687-146/zain_gets_yet_another_name_.csp

By Ejiro Gegere
July 7, 2010 02:12AM

For the sixth time, Zain Nigeria has got a new name. The mobile phone company that started trading as Econet in 2001 and the first to be licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) became Bharti Airtel Nigeria on Tuesday, following the sale of Zain Africa to Bharti Airtel India.

At a press conference in Lagos, the management staff of Bharti Airtel Group reaffirmed that the new management and brand are committed to doing business in Nigeria, its turbulent history notwithstanding.

NEXT reported in our February 28 edition, that Broad Communications, a major shareholder of Zain Nigeria, had accused the majority shareholders, Zain Group, Kuwait, of mismanagement, fraud, and capital flight to the tune of N16.6 billion. Broad further accused Zain Kuwait of not paying its shareholders dividends since the Kuwait group started managing the firm.

In June, Broad again filed a suit against the directors of Zain Nigeria over the five-year lease of the company's head office at Ikoyi for $27 million.

Oba Otudeko, the company chairman said on Tuesday, "You do not require any education on the history of our company through all the twists and turns over the years. One thing I must say, however, is that our resilience and the grace of God have left us stronger and more resolved to serve you better.

"Indeed we have come a long way and achieved a number of remarkable milestones, as reflected in numbers of firsts that we have recorded in the Nigerian telecom industry. On behalf of the board and management, I want to assure Nigerians that our best is yet to come."

Also speaking, Rajan Swaroop, the new chief executive officer said, "Let me also reaffirm our commitment as a business to continue to go the extra mile to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers. With Bharti Aritel, we can only do better. Bharti Aritel would build on the momentum of activities to ensure we provide quality services to all Nigerians, irrespective of their economic power and social status."

A new name all the time

The company started as Econet Wireless Nigeria (2001); Vodacom Nigeria (2004); and the same year to V-Mobile Nigeria; Celtel Nigeria (2006); to Zain Nigeria (2008) and now Bharti Airtel Nigeria.

According to Manjo Kohli, the Africa group chief executive officer of Bharti Airtel, the new brand name would coincide with the 50th Independence anniversary of Nigeria on October 1.

"We will invest $600 million in Bharti Airtel Nigeria in the next three years. Fifty per cent of that amount would come up in the first year. We have looked that the Nigerian telecom industry and have discovered three issues: quality of service, freedom to make calls and affordability of service which we would work on to provide quality service to consumers," added Mr Kohli.

Subscribers are, however, concerned about the quality of service following another name change. Deolu Ogunbanjo, the president of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) said via phone, "Somehow, I do not expect that the new change in name would affect them because of their subscriber's volume but may affect them if their quality of service becomes bad.

"Once they zero their mind on the quality of service and cheaper tariffs, then they would be able to survive the change. Considering the volume of subscribers Bharti Airtel has around the world and its history, it would be able to bring down Nigerian tariff."

Frank Okafor, a subscriber said, "I am not concerned about their change of name but about the quality of their service which I hope improves soon or they will lose subscribers."

Following the acquisition of Zain Africa in 15 countries, Bharti Airtel becomes the fifth largest mobile company in the world with over 180 million customers across its business units.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news-update/4840.html

Police'll monitor 2011 elections via satellite -AIG

The Nigerian Police Command has disclosed that it would use satellite imaging gadgets to monitor the elections nationwide during the 2011 polls.

The idea, according to Mr. Azubuko Udah, Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone II, is to check malpractices and ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Udah said the police were preparing adequately for the elections and would employ the gadgets to cover all loopholes, according to a media report.

Udah also said: "With satellite imaging, we will be able to monitor all developments at all polling booths."

Udah, who said he was satisfied with the performance of his men in the February 6, 2010 Anambra state governorship election further assured Nigerians that the police would do its best in ensuring credible hitch-free elections in 2011.

"We will provide security for the citizens to vote and be voted for," he noted.

"We therefore advise politicians to eschew violence and fraud to make the general elections free, fair and credible in the interest of Nigeria's democracy. The police would not hesitate to deal with any politician who would want to cause violence during the elections.

"Politicians or their agents found stuffing ballot boxes with ballot papers, doctoring results or snatching ballot boxes will be dealt with according to the law. We have been consulting on where the issue of how to conduct credible elections in 2011," he cautioned.

Thanks and more grease to your elbow.

Spain deports 59 Nigerians over drugs, other crimes




A total of 59 Nigerians were deported from Spain to Nigeria aboard a chartered flight, Air Europa, at about 4:20pm on Friday.


The deportees were said to have been involved in drug related offences, crimes and immigration offences.


The charter flight marked AEA 911, which came through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos , also had on board some foreign security officials.


Security sources at the airport, who confirmed the report, said the 59 Nigerians were deported for various offences.


According to sources at MMIA, two of the 59 deportees were arrested for drugs-related offences; one person was for crimes; while the rest had violated some immigration offences.


Officials at the Hajj and Cargo Terminal in MMIA said some of the deportees were seen waving down cabs along the airport road.


Eyewitnesses also said that some of the female deportees, who claimed to reside outside Lagos and lacked money to lodge in a hotel, joined some cargo workers to their houses.


Immigration sources said, several Nigerians were being deported from overseas on a weekly basis.


In recent weeks, hundreds of Nigerians were deported from Libya, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ireland, Holland and Spain.


Immigration sources said the increasing dimension of human trafficking, had contributed to the bad trend.


Hundreds of Nigerians were recently deported from Libya.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201007053274715

Is President Goodluck Jonathan unwittingly indicating that he would win next year's election and be around to enforce this self-imposed ban?

The Guardian Newspaper Sunday July 3, 2010

THE Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe, has directed religious bodies in the state to remove all speakers mounted outside their main auditorium.
The directive was part of the government’s efforts to reduce noise pollution and its attendant health hazards in the metropolis.
Speaking during an interactive session with religious leaders and the press yesterday at the State Secretariat, Ikeja, Rev. Ogedengbe said it was imperative for government to revisit the need for religious houses to comply with the directives on noise pollution.
According to him, “We have received more than enough petitions from affected Lagosians over the issue of noise pollution, caused by religious houses, and there is no alternative than to make it compulsory for people to comply.”
The Special Adviser dismissed insinuations that the action was a deliberate plan to clamp down on churches and mosques, saying: “This is far from the truth. The government has always chosen to dialogue with the people of the state, but people willingly decided to flout the directives.
“The significance of the session was to enable various religious leaders contribute to the new measures we are planning to stem the volume of noise generated through their activities.”
Ogedengbe also cautioned those who claimed there is no law against noise pollution in the state to desist, saying: “Law against noise pollution is clearly stated. The problem is that such laws have not been implemented over the years”.
He suggested that religious bodies should make use of soundproof materials in their centres to reduce the impact of noise in the neighbourhood.
According to him, “Sometimes we receive up to 50 complaints in a day, across the state; in fact, there was an instance we got a complaint from a community where there were 17 churches and three mosques. This is one of the reasons we are looking into the matter to avert social unrests.”

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/

Globacom may leave Ghana
By Ezra Ijioma
Sunday, 4 Jul 2010


There are indications that Globacom may leave Ghana if the authorities fail to honour their promise to protect its investment there.


Reports indicate that Globacom, one of Nigeria‘s biggest telecommunications network is receiving hostile treatment in Ghana as the company has had its advertising structures damaged and telecommunications equipment vandalised.


There are also official restrictions on the erection of the firm’s communication masts.


Globacom‘s Media Relations Officer in Nigeria, Mr. Bode Opeseitan, confirmed this ugly development, but said the Ghanaian government had agreed to address the issue.


He said, ”In fact, it was a Ghanaian newspaper that broke the story that Glo is contemplating leaving Ghana before Ghanaian officials now approached Glo last month and said ‘wait, whatever problems there are, we will sort them out‘.


”We believe in the government‘s promise and hope that it fulfils it. When our mast was sabotaged in December last year, the Ghana Police arrested the culprit and the case is still on. Even the issue of official restriction in erection of masts in certain areas will be addressed as the government promised.


”We are a proudly African company and the Ghanaian government needs foreign investments and would not want to lose Glo and its investments,” he added.


Recently, there has been increasing hostility towards Nigerian businesses in Ghana despite Nigerians accounting for over 60 per cent of foreign investments there. Ghana government last month imposed a $30,000 fee on any new business by Nigerians and its film industry has ruled that Nigerian actors featuring in Ghanaian movies must pay a $1,000 fee.


Early this year, Director, Marketing and Public Relations, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Edward Ashong-Lartey, acknowledged that the country was currently experiencing some challenges in the areas of security, high interest rates, bank charges and inadequate power generation (1,850-mega watts) that may discourage investors, but noted that the government was working seriously on ways to address the issues.


Globacom which began operations in Ghana in December 2009, has faced many hostile acts which include encroachment on the frequency allocated to it, the sabotage of its billboards, light boxes, lamp post signs and other equipment geared towards the inauguration of its full operation.


It will be recalled that last February, more than 12 light boxes placed around Accra International Airport traffic light median were destroyed and in May, more than 14 light boxes were destroyed in Accra metropolis.


Also, the Ghanaian environmental protection agency banned the erection of communication masts in some major areas, and this has affected Globacom adversely since it is still a new telecoms company and needs to acquire as much coverage as possible.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201007044401840

Call him the eight-armed oracle of the deep, soccer's seer of the sea.

Or you can just call him Paul. Paul's an octopus with a special gift: He can predict winners of World Cup matches from his temple -- OK, maybe it's just a tank -- at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany.

Paul's handlers place two glass boxes in his tank -- one with a German flag, the other with the flag of an opponent. Then they place shells and other treats inside. The first box Paul picks is the winner -- and he's pretty good at it.

The octopus picked Germany to defeat Ghana in Wednesday's game, no doubt pleasing the home crowd. You might call it pandering, but he'd probably tell you he's no panda -- he's an octopus. Besides, Paul has an impressive history: He picked Serbia to beat Germany last week in one of the tournament's biggest upsets so far.

He also accurately predicted Germany would win its first match of the tournament, a 4-0 drubbing of Australia, so he's 2-0 so far. If Paul gets any better at this, he could have an incredible career as a telephone psychic -- able to handle eight lines at once.

But for now, he'll keep picking World Cup matches. The aquarium says that as long as Germany's still in the tournament, Paul will keep making picks.

While Germany is not the tournament's favorite, it's not a long shot, either. Most two-armed bookies rank it fifth -- behind only Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Holland -- with roughly 10 to 1 odds, depending on where you place your bets.

No word yet on whether Paul has filled out eight betting slips of his own. Then again, bet-making octo-bookies face their own challenges. If he doesn't make good on his picks, he risks having his arms broken , again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again.

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/octopus-picks-winners-of-world-cup-soccer-matches/19526581

NB: The octopus also predicted Germany's win over England and Argentina.

http://b4tea.com/sports/football/paul-the-octopus-predicts-the-germany-as-world-cup-winner

The goodwill of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has begun to yield good fortune for his children few months after his demise. Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has appointed late Yar’Adua’s first daughter, Hajiya Maryam, Special Adviser on Inter-Governmental Affairs.

The daughter of Alhaji Halilu Yahaya Bakori, former Chairman of Bakori Council Area, Katsina State, has also been appointed Special Adviser on Special Duties.

Shema, in a statement signed by Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Governor’s Office, Lawal Balarabe Tsauri, said the appointments were in recognition of the outstanding qualities of the women.

http://nationaldailyngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2191:yaraduas-daughter-appointed-special-adviser&catid=98:nationwide&Itemid=484

Nigerian politicians!!! So the federal allocations + IGR are no longer enough to run states, even the oil producing ones that also get derivation? These guys looted the past, have looted the present and are now looting the future. And this is why they are asking for more states - to go on more looting spree. What has this state governor achieved in 3 yrs, as small as Bayelsa is? Yet the Jonathan Goodluck approved this bond that is coming at the twilight of the regime. Don't even expect any development in the state because a major part of the proceeds of the 7-yr bond will go into servicing of existing debts.

Flying car hits market next year, 70 buyers show interest
Friday, 02 July 2010 00:00 Nigerian Compass
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EVERYDAY, people want to get home, or get to special joints as fast as they can in the face of heavy traffic on some major roads.

But that may not be any trouble from next year, for those who can afford a flying car that is about to be launched in the United States (U.S.).

The price is £130,000 only (about N28.9 million).

The Terrafugia Transition is about to become the world’s first production flying car.

In development since 2006, the flying car was always hindered by American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules.

It was developed as a “light sport” category aircraft, which means potential pilots need only register 20 hours flying time to legally take it to the skies. Full private flying licenses are very costly and time consuming to obtain.

But Terrafugia couldn’t keep the weight under the 1,320lb limit for a light sport plane once car safety features like airbags, crumple zones and a safety cage were added.

However, the FAA has bent its own rules and allowed the Transition light sport status - paving the way for those with around £130,000 and a spare 20 hours to buy one.

It is now due to go into production. Terrafugia claims that over 70 people have already put a £6,650 deposit on the vehicle, and will take delivery at the end of 2011.

The two-seater Transition has a 115mph cruising speed in the air and a 450-mile tank range - just about enough to get from London to Brussels and back. It can fit into a standard garage with the wings folded, and needs a runway of around one third of a mile to take off and land.

Nigerian Tribune July 2, 2010

Police, most corrupt –EFCC, EU reports

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Written by Tunde Oyesina, Abuja Friday, 02 July 2010

A business survey on crime and corruption has identified the Nigeria Police as the highest corrupt public official hindering the smooth business operations in the country.

The report, which identified crime and corruption as key obstacles to doing business in Nigeria, also rated the media high in the fight against corruption.

The survey was jointly conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the support of European Union (EU) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In the report, entitled: NBS/EFCC Business Survey on Crime and Corruption and Awareness of EFCC in Nigeria, 2007, presented on Thursday in Abuja, business executives who were interviewed said crime and corruption constituted obstacles to doing business in Nigeria.

According to the survey, which was based on performance and integrity of such organisations, lowest ratings were attributed to environment agency, political parties and Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL).

Other institutions that were rated low by the survey were the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN); water board’ revenue officials and customs.

On the other hand, the business world was favourably disposed to the capacity of courts, non-governmental organisations, the media and, especially, the EFCC.

The Executive Secretary, EFCC, Emmanuel Akomaye, said crime and corruption were impediments to security and economic development and lack of a proper stance made it difficult for government to adequately plan for the fight against the menace.

Nigerian Tribune July 1, 2010


Man butchers wife over infidelity

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Written by Sam Nwaoko, Awka Thursday, 01 July 2010

A man in his late 50s has allegedly butchered his wife with machete over suspected infidelity.


The man, Nwankwo Nnabuobu, was alleged to have slaughtered his wife, Adamma, 40, with a machete after which he allegedly ripped his own stomach open at Achalla in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.


Nnabuobu, who was paraded along with 11 other suspects for various offences by the police in Anambra State , told journalists when probed that it was “the devil that made him to do it.”


The police said the man ripped open his stomach with the same cutlass “in a bid to escape justice and to fulfil the tradition of the Achalla people.


While the suspect blamed the devil, the police said the man was infuriated, when he allegedly learnt that his wife attended a church service in company of her suspected lover.


The state police commissioner, Mr Philemon Leha, who briefed newsmen, also said the man alleged that his N130,000 he was saving to buy a motorcycle was stolen by his wife.


Leha said the police rescued the man to the hospital where he was treated, pointing out that when the suspect fully recovered, he would be charged to court accordingly.


He called for the continued cooperation of the people of the state as the police continued to battle criminals in the state.

If you are accosted by any of them who says he/she is in need of transport fare at a bus stop, and you can afford it, simply offer to pay his/her fare directly to the bus conductor only if he/she boards the vehicle.

from: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93804?fp=1


Yahoo Buzz, by Mike Krumboltz, June 29, 2010

Weird-looking cars are a dime a dozen. Far less common are weird-looking cars that can also fly AND have approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Indeed, as far as we know, there's only one of those babies: The Terrafugia Transition.

The private aircraft/funky-looking car has been in the news before. But the recent announcement that it's going into production sparked mega-searches on the Web. Almost immediately, online lookups for "terrafugia transition" and "terrafugia transition pictures" both, well, took off.

A popular article from the UK's Daily Telegraph explains that the FAA's special exemption allows the vehicle to function as both a "light aircraft" and a car. Normally, for a plane to meet the "light aircraft" designation, it can weigh no more than 1,200 pounds. The Terrafugia Transition weighs 1,320, due primarily to the number of car-related safety features, like airbags and crumple zones. The "light aircraft" designation is key, because licenses for planes with that label require only 20 hours of flying time. Fewer hoops to jump through means more potential sales.

So, how does the plane/car work? Check out the flying car's official video below. So far, 70 people have placed a deposit. The total retail cost: $194,000. Expensive, but really, can you put a price on skipping commercial flights?

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/7795222/20620979


, and more from http://www.terrafugia.com/aircraft.html

The Transition®

Every pilot faces uncertain weather, rising costs, and ground transportation hassles on each end of the flight. The Transition® combines the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform. Stowing the wings for road use and deploying them for flight at the airport is activated from inside the cockpit. This unique functionality addresses head-on the issues faced by today’s Private and Sport Pilots.

Terrafugia’s award-winning MIT-trained engineers have been advancing the state-of-the-art in personal aircraft since 2006. Now you can streamline your flying experience with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition® Roadable Aircraft.
Performance
Cruise: 100 kts (115 mph)
Rotate: 70 kts (80 mph)
Stall: 45 kts (51 mph)
Range: 400nm (460 mi)
Takeoff over 50' obstacle: 1700' Fuel burn: 5 gph
Fuel tank: 20 gallons
Useful Load: 430 lbs
On road: 30 mpg, highway speeds
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)

Convenience
Front wheel drive on the ground
Automotive-style entry and exit
Two place, side by side
Automated electromechanical folding wing
No trailer or hangar needed
Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs

Safety
Drive in case of inclement weather
Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
Full vehicle parachute available
Modern glass avionics
Automotive crash safety features
Dimensions
Folded:
6’ 9” tall
80” wide
18’ 9” long

Airplane:
6’ 3” tall
19’ 2” long
Wingspan:
27’ 6” Cockpit:
51” at the shoulder

Training
Become a Sport Pilot in as little as 20 hours of flight time in a Transition®-specific course. For existing pilots, get comfortable quickly with the familiarization training included with every Transition® delivery.

Order Today
Place your fully refundable $10,000 airframe reservation deposit here. Anticipated purchase price: $194,000.