₦airaland Forum

Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was sworn into office on Friday, cementing his status as the leading candidate to succeed his 90-year-old boss Robert Mugabe, the country’s sole ruler since independence from Britain in 1980.

Mnangagwa, nicknamed “The Crocodile”, benefited from the fall of Joice Mujuru, Mugabe’s deputy of 10 years, who was fired earlier this week following accusations of a plot to unseat the ageing leader.

At a ceremony held at Mugabe’s State House offices, Mnangagwa and another vice president, Phelekezela Mphoko, took their oaths of loyalty, alongside several new cabinet ministers.

Mnangagwa will retain his role as minister of justice, which enables him to push through government laws in parliament.

The 68-year-old is one of Mugabe’s most trusted lieutenants, having served at his side through five decades of prison, guerrilla war and then post-liberation government.

Along the way, he earned the monicker “Ngwena,” Shona for “Crocodile,” an animal famed in Zimbabwean lore for its stealth and ruthlessness.

Mugabe is Africa’s oldest head of state, but despite his advanced age, he has shown no sign of looking to stand aside. Earlier this month, he was re-elected unopposed once more as leader of his ZANU-PF party, putting him on track to contest the 2018 presidential elections, when he will be 94.

html14java:
Ok mr lecturer. . U suppose knw say na typo joor

html14java:
U added Nairaland so ur post would male front page... I laff from France.


Where is my name?

The list is...
.

https://brainnewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Olukolade-360x225.jpg


The Nigerian Army has discovered a plan by the Boko Haram insurgents to attack 25 communities and villages spread across five states in the troubled North-East zone.

A credible security source, who confided in our correspondent on Thursday, said that the Boko Haram hit list was recovered by Special Forces during an operation at the Balmo Forest.

According to the source, the targeted communities are spread across five states of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe.

The source said, “There are 25 towns and communities mentioned in the Balmo Forest hit list of the sect recovered by the troops.

“Seven of the villages are in Adamawa while the rest are in four other states, all in the North East. The states are Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno.

“There is the general feeling that the names in the list should not be released because it could cause panic, anxiety and fear.

“You know that people would begin to flee the areas once they hear anything. I can tell you that not even one person would be left in the places if you mention the names; and that is unnecessary now.

“What the authorities have done is to ensure that the security presence in the areas is strengthened and the people get the protection they deserve.”

Our correspondent could not get the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, to speak on the issue as the calls to his mobile telephone indicated that it was either switched off or in an area outside network coverage.

However, the Defence authorities said in some late night tweets on Wednesday that soldiers had been carrying out regular patrols in some of the communities in the general area such as Garkida, Vintim, Kumare-Uba, Mararaba and Mubi.

It was stated that the troops destroyed an armoured personnel carrier, some General Purpose Machine Guns, rocket propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices and riffles used by the insurgents.

It was further stated that military was intensifying both ground and air operations in the area.

The military authorities said that the recorded clashes with the insurgents resulted in large casualties on both sides though they were silent on the exact figure.

The tweets read, “An armoured personnel carrier used by the terrorists was destroyed, general purpose machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, IED, rifles.

“Communities and locations such as Garkida,Vintim, Kumare-Uba; Mararaba and Mubi are under regular patrol and surveillance.

“Meanwhile troops have continued their advance backed with highly coordinated air strikes against the terrorists.

“Ammunition as well as bow arrows, locally made pistols and guns captured from them have been taken into custody.

“The fierce encounter resulted in substantial casualties including loss of lives and equipment on both sides.

“Troops in pursuit of terrorists had an encounter with a group of them at Muva Junction yesterday.”

edozie04:
rozay wannabe, u ar welcome to d ministry, go spread the gospel
Nairaland

It’s now official. Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) is the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate for the February 2015 election.

He defeated four other APC aspirants –Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rochas Okorocha and Sam Nda-Isaiah – to clinch the party’s ticket at a national convention/primary that started on Wednesday in Lagos and ended about 7pm on Thursday.

His victory sets him yet again as the number one challenger to President Goodluck Jonathan, who on Wednesday was formally handed the Peoples Democratic Party flag for the 2015 election.

Buhari, who was born on December 17, 1942, was Jonathan’s main opponent in the 2011 presidential poll. He first had a shot at the Presidency in 2003 against Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2007, he ran against Umaru Yar’Adua(now late).

His emergence for the fourth time as a presidential candidate was welcomed by the APC national leadership, delegates and aspirants. One of the defeated aspirants, Okorocha, described him after the official announcement of the results, as “the man capable of chasing away Jonathan in 2015.”

Buhari was handed a return certificate by the Chairman, Third National Convention and Presidential Primary of the APC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, having scored 3, 430 votes to beat Kwankwaso,who is the Kano State governor, to a distant second with 974votes.

Surprisingly, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, came third. He scored 954 votes.

Okorocha polled 624 votes to come fourth while the Publisher, Leadership newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, came fifth with 10 votes.

There were 16 voided votes in all.

Buhari, in his acceptance speech, said the opposition was poised to sack Jonathan from Aso Rock next year.

He said Nigerians were tired of 16 years of broken promises, hardship, corruption, ineptitude, impunity and lack of vision by the PDP and its leaders.

Buhari said history beckoned on Nigerians to make the necessary change by voting out the PDP. He commended his rivals for fighting a gallant fight.

Explaining that he was not the best among the contestants, Buhari said providence had thrusted on the leadership of the APC, the task of giving Nigeria a new lease of life.

He said, “My common cause is the love I have for our nation. I want Christians, Muslims, the old and the young, the rich and the poor to come together and let us advance together the cause of this country.

“Preserving the nation’s future is a great obligation to all of us. This is what the government in power should saddle itself with, otherwise, they have no reason being in government.

“The PDP government is leading us to destruction. Nigeria should be the leader of Africa. Our people sleep in and pay for darkness. Over 200 of our girls were abducted and government has been unable to do anything about it.

“Several of our youths were trampled to death because they went in search of employment. Are we happy to continue to live like this? My answer is “No! No! No!”

The Daura, Katsina State- born ex-soldier said if elected in 2015, he would evolve a five–point agenda that would engender constitutional governance, improved security, poverty eradication through job creation and end ethnic , tribal and religious bigotry.

An indication that Buhari was likely to emerge the winner of the long-drawn contest showed at the venue of the rally when most of the governors of the party subtly rallied support for him before the start of the primary.

All the governors of South-West directed the delegates from their states to vote for Buhari.

Delegates from each state comprised serving and past senators, serving and past House of Representatives members, past and serving governors, past and serving deputy governors, state cabinet members and ministers.

Buhari, who turns 72 years this month, was warmly received at the stands of the South-West states .

The shouts of ‘Sai Baba!’ rent the air as he embarked on a walk to the stands.

When he made his speech, a thunderous ovation from the VIP stand greeted his welcome address and manifesto.

The party’s leaders who were at the VIP stand included the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; a former acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande; a former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bernabas Gemade; another former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh; a former National Chairman of the defunct, All Peoples Party, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; among others.

Odigie-Oyegun described the convention and primary as historic and unprecedented in the annals of the country.

While conceding defeat, Okorocha said Buhari’s emergence was an act of God, adding that all the aspirants were winners.

He said, “For every sunrise, there must be a sunset, this responsibility has fallen on a new shoulder. I say that it is God that has made this day possible and I believe this is for a purpose.

“While I congratulate Gen. Buhari, permit me to appreciate Alhaji Abubakar, a dogged fighter and a detribalised Nigerian and one that knows when to fight and when to stop fighting.Let me also comment the passion of my brother Governor Kwankwaso for his zeal in making this competition a reality.”

Abubakar also congratulated Buhari on his victory. He said he would honour the agreement by the aspirants to support the winner of the primary.

The former Vice-President promised to work with Buhari to ensure the victory of the APC in the general elections next year.

He said, “Last night when I stood here, I said history is going to be made at this venue. I said this convention would be political evolution; that this party would renew democracy in this country and since last night you have witnessed what I describe as the most credible election to be ever conducted by any political party in this country.

“On behalf of my humble self and my supporters that voted for me, I congratulate the winner of this very historic election .I therefore congratulate Muhammadu Buhari. We have pledged that whosoever wins this election, all of us will work as a family.

“Let us use this opportunity to thank the leadership of our party. Bola Tinubu has been my contemporary in the fight to restore democracy and sustain it and depeen democracy in this country. I want to pay tribute to his contribution.

“Buhari has been an embodiment of nation-building for decades and he has continued to offer himself to this country. He will march this party to victory in less than two months.”

Oshiomhole congratulated Buhari and commended the four other presidential aspirants for “a gallant fight.” He urged them to support the winner in order to emerge victorious in the presidential election.

The governor said, “First, let me congratulate the candidate of our party, a highly disciplined, tested and trusted leader, Maj. Gen. Buhari, for emerging through this refined, transparent and credible process of delegate election.

“I also wish to congratulate the delegates for their tolerance, patience, maturity and commitment towards ensuring a successful convention which has produced such a strong candidate for our party.”

The governor noted in a statement that the outcome of the primary showed that APC members were committed to being agents of change in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Oshiomhole said that with the emergence of Buhari, Nigeria would get true and selfless leadership needed to drive the much-desired change at the centre.

PDP welcomes Buhari to presidential race

The PDP welcomed the emergence of Buhari as the APC candidate.

The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh , said that on each of three previous occasions, Buhari failed to articulate a vision of the future that was acceptable to Nigerians.

It said, “On each occasion his brand of politics was rejected across Nigeria. Apart from changing to a dinner suit, Buhari, has not changed the tired ideas and provocative utterances that Nigerians rejected in previous elections.

“We hope that this time round, Buhari will conduct a campaign that is issue based and devoid of ethno-religious sentiments.”

The party added that it believed that Buhari was convinced that the PDP remained the only truly national political party in Nigeria .

He said that despite distractions, Jonathan had a genuine record of accomplishments on which to run and and defeat Buhari.

Seattle Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins, has defended Mario Balotelli over his behaviour on and off the pitch.

And he has explained that incidents involving the Liverpool star are often blown out of proportion.

The former Nigeria international is involved in a romantic relationship with Mario Balotelli’s biological sister, Abigail Barwuah, who gave birth to the couple’s first child together just over a year ago.

‘’Why he gets into trouble? Because even if he did nothing wrong, when you are famous like him, end up always being criticised,’’ Obafemi Martins told La Gazzetta dello Sport.


Martins defends Balotelli
Wisdytech | December 12, 2014 | Sports | No Comments

Seattle Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins, has defended Mario Balotelli over his behaviour on and off the pitch.

And he has explained that incidents involving the Liverpool star are often blown out of proportion.

The former Nigeria international is involved in a romantic relationship with Mario Balotelli’s biological sister, Abigail Barwuah, who gave birth to the couple’s first child together just over a year ago.

‘’Why he gets into trouble? Because even if he did nothing wrong, when you are famous like him, end up always being criticised,’’ Obafemi Martins told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

‘’He is great and should be left alone. When he does something, just everything is magnified . He is a good boy, certainly not a bad person.’’

Martins has revealed that he was delighted to commit his long – term future to Seattle Sounders in October by penning a fresh three-year deal.

‘’I just signed a renewal and I am happy here. Seattle is a great city. At every home game, over 40,000 people come to watch us.

‘’Here soccer is wildly popular, I am stopped on the street and in the clubs, and asked for photos and autographs, just as in other parts of the world where I played,’’ he concluded.

ROZZAYY:
Seconded.
Nairaland(sec)

Akwa Ibom Meet The Candidates: Full profile of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel:

Today, One Akwa Ibom Movement present to you the profile of Udom Emmanuel, the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the up coming Governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.

Udom Gabriel Emmanuel was born on July 11, 1966 in Awa Iman, a City in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He rose from being a Sunday school leader at Qua Iboe church to become a bank director and his greatness is propelled by humility, honesty, prudence and hard work. He means different things to different people. He is a man of goodwill with good works, a man who values others’ plight more than his. A leader who believes in team work, a financial manager who can translate a little income to collective fortunes. His work experience reveals that he is an excellent developer. Mr. Udom Emmanuel and his family are strong members of Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria. As devoted Christians, and as a Deacon, they are altogether very active in the faith. This commitment has helped Udom and his family stayed strong and united, while weathering through the storms of life. His father, (Retired) Mr. G. E. Nkanang was an educator, a Head Master and teacher.

Mr. Udom Emmanuel is a corporate strategist and an experienced private sector player. With over 23 years cognate experience in financial services garnered from PricewaterHouseCoopers, Diamond Bank and Zenith Bank, he is authorized by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry-out financial services in the United Kingdom. At Zenith Bank, he was always sent to develop new branches across the globe . His employers knew his capabilities of making a dead stream an ocean. He developed the Zenith Bank in United Kingdom; Zenith Bank – Gambia; Zenith Bank – Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees , Zenith Registrars and turned all these positions to the treasure base of the Zenith Bank group. It was his uncommon performance that earned him the position of a director in a Bank that he is never a shareholder.

NATIONALITY: Nigerian

STATE OF ORIGIN: Akwa Ibom

MARITAL STATUS: Married

LAST POST HELD: Secretary to the State Government, Governor’s Office, Uyo

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED:

University of Lagos, Nigeria (Bachelor’s degree in Accounting)

School of Arts and Science, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State [Advanced Certificate of Basic Studies (CBS) and Higher School Certificate (HSC)

Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Akpan Ishiet, Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State (SSCE)

He also attended the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD, France.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Audit Manager of Price Waterhouse Coopers

Pioneer Manager (Lagos and Central Branch) At Diamond Bank Plc

General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc

Chief Financial Officer of Zenith Bank Plc

Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank, United Kingdom; Zenith Bank- Gambia; Zenith Bank-Sierra Leone; Zenith Insurance; Zenith Pensions and Custodian; Zenith Securities; Zenith Trustees and Zenith Registrars.

Group Head of Income Optimization, Financial Control & Strategic Planning Department at Zenith Bank Plc

Executive Director and Group Head of Income Optimisation, Financial Control & Strategic Planning Department at Zenith Bank.

Director, Nigerian Inter-bank Settlement Systems (NIBBS)

Non-Executive Director, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)

Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Udom Emmanuel was part of the Agro-Allied Economists Group who was saddled with the responsibility of building internationally accepted Agro –Allied concerns across the globe through World Bank initiative of eradication of food shortages in the world

Udom Emmanuel is an alumnus of the following

– The London Business School

– Columbia Business School, USA

– INSEAD, France

– The Wharton Business School, USA

Udom is also officially;

A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria

A fellow of the Institute of Financial Management

An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

God bless Akwa ibom! God bless Nigeria!!

Follow us on Twitter: @BRAINNEWS_NG & On Facebook: @BRAINNEWSNIGERIA

Emmanuel Adebayor will miss Thursday’s Europa League tie against Besiktas after Tottenham allowed him to return home to Togo.

In a brief statement on their website, the club said: “We can confirm that Emmanuel Adebayor has been given permission to return home for personal reasons. This is a private matter and so we will not be providing any further comment.”

The Londoners are certain to qualify from Group C along with their Turkish opponents, and avoiding defeat would ensure they finish top.

Adebayor has not played for Tottenham since a 2-1 home defeat by Stoke on November 9, having suffered since with back and hamstring complaints as well as a virus.

The striker has struggled for form since Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at White Hart Lane, scoring just twice in 12 appearances.

While the 30-year-old Togo international misses the trip to Turkey, there could be a return to action for Kyle Walker.

Lagos – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday clamped down on four telecoms companies for engaging in illegal usage of spectrum frequency.

The four operators are Steam Communications, Netcom Africa, SwiftTalk and Multi-dimension Technologies, all located in Lagos.

Mr Salisu Abdu, Head of Enforcement Unit of NCC, told newsmen during the enforcement that they were also on the trail of three more operators who were violating regulations in the industry.

Abdu said that the operators were operating on the 5.4 gigahertz frequency band, which was not licensed to them by the commission.

He said the operation of the telecoms firms was an offence under Section 122 of the Nigerian Communication Act 2003, adding that it was a criminal act to operate without proper licensing by the NCC.

According to him, ‎in 2009, NCC came up with a guideline on the deployment of service on the 5.4Ghz band that no operator should operate on it without obtaining necessary licences from NCC.

”In the course of the guideline, we have monitored compliance and we have discovered that we still have some operators operating illegally on the 5.4GHz till 2012.
”We have done a lot of clean-up and we thought the frequency was free of interferences.

”So, after recent monitoring by the Spectrum Administration Department of NCC, about seven operators are now discovered to be operating on the 5.4Ghz band.
”On Tuesday, we visited Steam Communications Company and we found they were operating on the 5.4GHz ‎band, we confiscated their radio equipment and they are currently under investigation,” he said.

Abdu said at the end of the investigation, Steam Communications would be prosecuted and fined appropriately.
He said that Netcom Africa, Multi-dimension and SwiftTalk were collocating their equipment on a telecom mast belonging to a licensed inter- connect clearing operator.

”Currently, we have removed the power ‎units, which the three tenant companies are using to power their services.
”We have asked them to remove the actual radio equipment from the mast which they are going to hand over to the commission and investigation will be carried out accordingly,” Abdu said.

He, however, said that the mast owner, which houses the three telecoms firms on its network was not culpable.
Abdu said this was because each operator was licensed separately by the regulator with terms and conditions of their licences clearly stated.

”So, they ought to have complied with all the terms and conditions of their licences and the relationship between the mast owner and the three firms is a different thing entirely.

“This is because the mast owner only rented space to the illegal operators,” he said.
Abdu warned licensees in the telecoms sector to always comply with their ‎licensing conditions.
He said that indulging on illegal operations was capable of creating unnecessary interferences in telecoms service delivery, which ultimately affected consumers.

UnimkeAk:
Your Big head filled with AKAMU.

Whether its Berlin, London, New York, Melbourne, Shanghai, Tokyo etc

As long as there humans present,
Robbers will rob,
Frat boiz will frantanize,
Cultist will cult,
Serial killers will kill.

"You feel me"

Calabar is one of the safest place in the world.

UnimkeAk:
Dude: there is WATER (24hrs water supply) and Security.
I can't say for good governance and electricity

Randerl:
very funny but true post.