The Federal Government on Monday met with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics behind closed doors and agreed to meet the demands of the union.

The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, and the Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu co-chaired the meeting while ASUP President, Chibuzo Asomugha, led the union team.

None of the parties, however, spoke with journalists after the brief meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

However, a source at the meeting, who confided in our correspondent, said the union obtained a strong commitment from the government.

He said, “The union tabled three key issues at the meeting. One is the need to constitute the governing councils of the remaining seven polytechnics. Wike was said to have informed the union that the Federal Government had agreed to constitute the remaining governing councils. He promised that the list would be out by this week and the union was happy about it.

“He also promised that the white paper on the visitation panel to the polytechnics was almost ready and would be released soon.

“On the CONTISS 15, Wike promised to work with the Minister of Labour to get the circular ready from the Head of Service having got commitment from the Presidency to work out the modality on the migration to CONTISS 15 for the polytechnic teachers.


http://www.punchng.com/news/fg-agrees-to-meet-poly-lecturers-demands/

Facts have emerged that the erstwhile Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may have been involved in a white heroin trafficking network which operated in Chicago and some parts of Indiana and led by one Adegboyega Mueez Akande between 1988 and 1993. The source of the white heroine was identified as one Mr. Lee Andrew Edwards who was incarcerated for attempting to murder a federal agent while the agent was executing a search warrant on him.

According to the Verified Complaint for forfeiture in case No. 93 C 4483 Obtained by SaharaReporters, which was filed on July 26, 1993 before the Hon. Judge Nordberg of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the United States Government urged the Court to order the forfeiture of funds in accounts Nos. 263226700 held by First Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu, funds in accounts 39483134, 39483396, 4650279566, 00400220, 39936404 and 39936383 held by Citibank N.A in the name of Bola Tinubu and funds in accounts 52050-89451952,52050-89451952, 52050-89451953 held by Citibank in the name of Bola Tinubu because there was probable cause to believe that the funds in Tinubu's bank accounts represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were monies involved in financial transactions in violations of 18 U.S.C, sections 1956 and 1957 and therefore, was forfeitable to the U.S Government.




However, in a tacit defense of the ownership of the funds, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu averred in Court that the funds belonged to himself, his wife, K.O Tinubu and his surrogate mother, Alhaja Mogaji and warranted that they had exclusive right, title and interest to the funds.

In an affidavit sworn to by Kevin Moss, a Special Agent with the United States Internal Revenue Service, criminal investigation division in support of the verified complaint for forfeiture of Bola Tinubu's moneys held in various Bank accounts, the agent gave a vivid account of how he came to the conclusion that the funds were proceeds of narcotics transaction in violation of the U.S law.

Mr. Moss averred that prior to and during 1988; the government became involved in the investigation of a white heroin trafficking network operating in Chicago, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana. The investigation disclosed that an individual known as Lee Andrew Edwards was a source of white heroin. The government sources provided information about Lee Andrew Edwards including the identity of a telephone number which activated in electronic pager. This pager according to him was to be called to place an order for white heroin. According to Mr. Moss, this pager was subscribed to by one Adegboyega Mueez Akande who at that time was a resident of Chicago.

Mr. Moss further averred that during February 1988, an individual named Abiodun Agbele arrived in the U.S from Nigeria and during investigation by the government, Agbele disclosed that Akande was his uncle who provided him an apartment in Hammond, Indiana.

According to Agbele, Mr. Akande returned to Nigeria in1990; however, before he left, he instructed Agbale to serve as a source of white heroin for Mr. Lee Andrew Edwards as a result of which Agbele sold white heroin for Lee Andrew Edwards on numerous occasions. Following a tip off, Agbele sold one ounce of white heroin to a law enforcement agent undercover on November 28, 1990 for $7,000 and was subsequently arrested. After his arrest, Agbele agreed to cooperate with the law enforcement agents regarding the white heroin distribution and network of Akande.

According to Agbele, Akande controlled the operation of white heroin from Nigeria in conjunction with other individuals in Nigeria and the U.S. One other individual who worked with Akande according to the affidavit was identified as Bola Tinubu who later became the governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007.

The investigation also revealed that in December 1989, Akande took Bola Tinubu to First Heritage bank where Bola Tinubu opened an individual money market. In the account opening application, Tinubu, gave his address as 7504 South Stewart, Chicago, the same address used previously by Akande and his company, Globe-Link. This is the same address used as the drop-off point for packages from Nigeria that contained the white heroin. According to bank records, Bola Tinubu also opened a joint checking account in his name and the name of his wife, Oluremi Tinubu. Mrs. Tinubu had previously opened a joint Bank account also in the same bank with Abdrey Akande, the wife of the heroin kingpin, Adegboyega Mueez Akande.

Upon opening the account, Tinubu deposited the sum of $1,000 in traveler's check. However, five days after opening the account, specifically, on January 4, 1990, Tinubu deposited the sum of $80,000 into the account.

According to the federal agent, in a credit application dated January 6, 1990, Bola Tinubu disclosed that he resided at 7504 South Stewart and that Mueez A. Akande was his cousin. Tinubu further stated that he was an employee of Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited, Fairfax, Virginia and his take home pay was $2,400 per month. Additionally, Tinubu stated on the application that he had no other sources of income and listed his wife, Oluremi Tinubu as co-applicant for the application for automobile loan. The loan was secured with the certificate of deposit in the amount of $10,000 which Tinubu had purchased with a withdrawal from the $80,000 deposit in his checking account.

According to the federal agent, Bank records from First heritage Bank disclosed that in 1990 alone, Bola Tinubu deposited $661,000 into his individual money market account and in 1993; he deposited the sum of $1,216,500 into the same money market account. The agent further avers that in 1991, Tinubu began opening accounts at Citibank in the section known as the world-wide personal banking unit where he transferred the sum of $560,000 from his money market account at the First Heritage Bank.

This development prompted the Federal agents to interview representatives from Mobil Oil regarding Tinubu's employment status and his take-home pay. The Mobil Oil representatives confirmed to the investigators that Tinubu was employed by the Mobil Oil as a treasurer. Mobil Oil further told the federal agents that this position did not involve the transfer of large amounts of money between banking institutions. Mobil oil representatives also stated that under no circumstance would Tinubu be permitted to retain money belonging to Mobil Oil in accounts bearing Tinubu's name. Finally, Mobil Oil confirmed that the corporation never had any accounts in banks in the southern suburbs of Chicago.

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On January 10, 1992, the federal agents obtained a court Order freezing Tinubu's accounts at First Heritage Bank and Citibank respectively. Thereafter, Tinubu contacted the First Heritage Bank to transfer money from his accounts and was advised that the accounts had been seized by the U.S Treasury.

On January 13, 1992, Mr. Moss, the Federal agent contacted Bola Tinubu in Nigeria by phone using a number provided to the First Heritage Bank by Tinubu himself. Mr. Moss averred that during the course of the interview, Bola Tinubu confirmed that he knew Mueez Adegboyega Akande. Tinubu further admitted during the interview with the federal agent that he had wire transferred $100,000 to Akande's bank account in Houston and that the $80,000.00 of the funds used to open the account at First Heritage Bank had come from Akande. Tinubu further admitted that he had other accounts in Fairfax, Virginia and London.

Concluding his affidavit evidence, Mr. Moss stated that with all these evidence, there was probable cause to believe that the funds in the accounts held by First Heritage Bank and Citibank, N.A in the name of Bola Tinubu represented property that was involved in narcotics transaction in violation of the U.S law. He therefore, urged the Court to issue an order of forfeiture of the funds.

After a protracted litigation in which Bola Tinubu claimed that the monies legitimately belonged to him, his wife, Oluremi Tinubu and his surrogate mother, one Alhaja Mogaji, Bola Tinubu finally opted for a stipulated settlement with the U.S government. According to the settlement Order dated September 15, 1993; Hon. Judge John A Nordberg ordered that the sum of $460,000 held by Bola Tinubu in The First Heritage Bank account be forfeited to the United States Government. The Court also ordered the release of the funds held in the Citibank account and any money held in excess of $460,000 at the First Heritage account to Bola Tinubu in line with the agreement and stipulation reached by Tinubu with the federal agents.

Ironically, this case came up at the peak of the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by the Gen. Babagida-led military junta during which time Tinubu as a member and one of the leading financiers of the National democratic Coalition (NADECO) made several "pro-democracy" trips to the U.S ostensibly to press for U.S sanctions against the Nigerian junta. It is therefore doubtful whether most of those trips were actually connected with the June 12, struggle after all.


http://pointblanknews.com/os1147.html

water will wash them fish to the shore...if dem like make dem ban am..

Jalingo – The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, has lauded the people of the state for turning out peacefully to welcome Gov. Danbaba Suntai back to the state. Also the youths in the state have asked that Governor Suntai speak to the people so as to assataine his ability to return to work as the governor.

Umar made the commendation in a short address on Monday in Jalingo.

He also thanked the people of the state for the show of love and affection to the ailing governor.

Suntai has been away for medical treatment for 10 months, following his involvement in a plane crash in Yola in 2012.

He returned to the state on Sunday and was received by thousands of supporters.

Meanwhile, a group known as Coalition of Taraba Youth Movement, has called on the State’s House of Assembly to summon Suntai to speak to the people of the state.

The President of the coalition, Malam Abubakar Waziri, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Jalingo.

Waziri noted that people of the state had been praying for the ailing governor for the past 10 months and now that he had returned, the uncertainty surrounding his health should be put to rest.

“We want Gov. Suntai to speak to the people of the state, either through the media or at the House of Assembly.

“The state is in a state of confusion now because the people do not know what to believe,” he said.

Suntai has not uttered a word neither has he made any public appearance as his family and personal aides said that his doctors had advised that he should rest for at least 72 hours after his return. (NAN)


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/we-want-suntai-to-speak-to-the-people-taraba-youths/

Raymondenyi: See the officers face, it is obvious he's enlightened and educated, pls NPF, allow only d enlightened and educated ones into ur corridors n d NPF will b a better place, I tell ya

Then there is still hope for Naija police

The Police officer in this picture recovered huge sums from robbers on Friday in Abuja after a spontaneous chase on his power bike in a rare display of exemplary policing.

The robbers, riding on a lower engine motor-bike snatched a money bag containing N150,000 from the victim, in orange, as he walked out of a bank in heart of the Area 3 part of town.

The victim’s call for help drew the attention of the police officer, Abu Tanko, a Police motorcycle rider attached to the Force Headquarters Abuja.

Mr Tanko swiftly chased the robbers as they fled off with the cash. After few kilometers, at a point around the neighbouring Area 8, he caught with the robbers. The the robbers flung the money bag and ran away as he slowed down to pick up the bag.

Heroic Mr. Tanko returned to the scene about 15 minutes later with the whole sum of money intact and handed it in the bewildered owner before a cheering crowd.

Nigerian police officers are notorious for corruption and instability around money, forcing most Nigerians to rely on self-help or alternative security.

“It is an indication that there are still a few ones out there,” the force said in a Facebook post it made about the heroic officer. “All hope is not yet lost!”

The police advised distressed citizens to always call its officers because they institutionally required to respond to all distress calls.



https://www.facebook.com/Premiumtimes?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Na as goat take stand for market,na im dem dey price am.

The Federal Government will increase its foreign borrowing using part of the loans to offset its domestic debt, the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, has said.
Mr. Ngama who briefed journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting said the Council approved a medium term debt management strategy. The strategy is expected to free more cash for domestic lending for the private sector in the country.
He said part of the new policy is to reduce the domestic borrowing as well as access concessionary windows and raise foreign loans which will be used to actually pay the more expensive domestic debts.
The minister said the policy was put together by the Debt Management Office, Central Bank, Ministry of National Planning, the World Bank, and the National Bureau of Statistics.
The new government strategy is expected to follow the restructuring of the high domestic debt profile, which makes it less expensive to service . The strategy will also through a comprehensive plan exit the corridors of high domestic debts.
Low foreign debt, High domestic debt
The finance minister explained that Nigeria’s current foreign debt was insignificant and could not create problems for the country as it is just 12 per cent, with the remaining 88 per cent as domestic debt.
“We had four options. One option is to continue as we are doing. Option (two) is to say ok, we are not going to do much but let us borrow more of the twenty year bonds where we raise them and use them to pay down the one year, two years and five year debts so that space will be left for the private sector to operate, which means we are reliving ourselves, giving ourselves time in order to retire the bonds that will actually free some resources for us.
“The third option is to see how we can access concessionary windows or raise cheaper foreign loans and use them to actually pay down the more expensive domestic debts.
“Once we tilt the structure, from 84% to 16% , 84 is concessional while the 16% is non concessional, then the domestic and foreign will also tilt to that. So we can have maybe 40 percent foreign debt and 60 percent domestic debt.
“If we do that after we play it out we are going to reduce out total debt burden to .5% by the year 2015 and we think that is better than the level we are today which is just 2.2%,” he said.
The minister explained that contrary to fears being expressed about increased foreign borrowing, it would help the country. He said the foreign borrowings would be gradual.
“When we do that we can bring a lot of benefits to the country and we will manage the finances free and also reduce the cost of borrowing and that mixed option is the one that the federal government approved and we are happy for that approval.
“One thing is that we are not just going to do it overnight we won’t just start taking loans from abroad or selling bonds we will do it very gradually. We are going to have a smooth transmission so that everything is well managed and that there is no shock to the system,” he said.
N6 trillion debts not high
The Finance Minister said at N6 trillion, Nigeria’s debt was not too high, but for the cost of servicing the debts.
“Nigeria has one of the highest interest rates in the developing world and if you have high level of debt, then the debt servicing will become very expensive”.
He also announced that the government was working to reduce the cost of domestic debt servicing to bring it to as low as 0. 5 % of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP from the current level of 2.5% of the GDP.
He listed the major factor that increased domestic debt as wage increase to civil servants in 2010 which increased wages by as high as 54 % forcing government to borrow N 3.6 trillion to pay salary; adding that since then, federal government budget had incurred deficit of N1 trillion annually.
He gave other reasons for the high domestic debt to include non-payment of local contractors who have executed contract not captured in the budget, and the payment of the pension and gratuity to former staff of the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited, NITEL.
N699 n to service debts in 2012
Mr. Ngama further disclosed that in 2012 alone, the federal government had spent the sum of N699 billion to service debts.
“Government had no choice but to borrow to sustain the level of funding. The new objective is now to reduce growth of such funds and ensure that the rate at which the debt is increasing is decreasing”.
“So, we think that the position as its at the moment is not good for us. We have high interest rate, high debt servicing, last year alone, we paid about N699 billion to service the debt and that compared to the other budgetary provision for our capital expenditure which just over a Trillion, then you realized that we are having a disproportionate cost of debt financing,” he said.
He explained that when government borrows that much, the private sector’s main source of fund will have part of its portfolio in government securities, which means that there is little money left for the private sector to borrow from because government has borrowed most of the money and this will affect the rate at which the economy is growing.
“Intact the entire sector had a liquidity ratio of over 50 per cent which means that there is little money left to the private sector to borrow because government has borrowed most of the money and this is affecting the rate at which our economy is growing,” he said.
Foreign Reserve increases
Mr. Ngama also disclosed that Nigeria’s reserve is now above $53 billion. This, he said, is made up of foreign reserve of $45 billion; excess crude of $7 billion and Sovereign Wealth Fund of $1 billion.


http://premiumtimesng.com/news/134470-nigeria-to-increase-foreign-borrowing-as-debt-hits-n6-trillion-finance-minister.html

[size=14pt]I dont believe in an independent north of its own as advocated by some... I believe in an independent mentality in resource management...they have wht it takes to take their eyes off oil money but nada...and that is where the issue is... The oil na Naija get am but does Lagos have oil? Dis they not survive without FG allocation at a time? common...[/size]

I just cant wait for the return match of this episode....***draws a chair to sit and watch***

High time already! [size=14pt]kai!!![/size]

All na still government money dem use buy am. Datz all.

The Rivers State government said it has not been formally notified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on the grounding of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s Bombardier jet indefinitely but denied operating the aircraft illegally.
The NCAA had announced the grounding of the jet at the Port Harcourt airport for operating illegally in a press briefing by Mrs Joyce Nkemakolam,its Acting Director General.
However, in her reaction on behalf of the State Government,the Rivers state Commissioner for information and communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Sunday government was awaiting formal communication from the regulatory agency.
‘’ As we speak, all I have is information that I have gleaned from the media. All we have as a government is that information. No formal communication has reached us in Rivers state government. We believe that it will be best that we await formal communication from the regulatory agency.

•Amaechi:
‘’ Just to say that all our documentation is in place. And to also say that as a responsible government, we have complied with the norms that regulate aviation business in Nigeria.n We have applied formally to the honourable minister of aviation for the import license. That application was received in her office in Sept. 2012.
‘’ So, we believe that all of the procedure, we have complied as best as we know. However, we do understand that the regulatory agencies are best equipped to tell us if they think there is any lapse and we will expect that the communication will come to us formally and not through the mass media. We believe that we are obligated to comply with all the regulations that govern the aviation business in Nigeria. We are a responsible government and we will not defy the regulatory agencies,’’the Information Commissioner said.
Mrs. Joyce Nkemakolam ,Acting Director General of NCAA,had announced the grounding of the aircraft indefinitely on Saturday alleging that the plane had been operating illegally.
According to Acting DG,NCAA,“The controversial aircraft on the service of Governor Rotimi Amaechi is operating illegally in the country” . The aircraft, a Bombardier BD-700, global express with registration N565 RS has its clearance approval expired since Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.”
She claimed that “By our records, the last flight clearance for this aircraft was approved for operation on Thursday, March 28, 2013 on Accra-PH –Accra and to terminate on April 2, 2013. With this development, the aircraft has exceeded the extra two days or 48 hours leeway for it to leave the country.”
“While still operating illegally, the aircraft has been sighted in several places including Owerri and Akure.”
She further said “The owner of this aircraft according to the certificate of registration is Bank of Utah, trustee of Salt Lake City, Utah USA. The clearance for the aircraft was sought by Cavernton Helicopters on March 27, 2013.”
“Consequently, this aircraft in reference is hereby grounded at any airport that is located right now in the country” she noted.
However, observers are of the opinion that the grounding of the aircraft cannot be far from politics as Governor Amaechi has been at daggers-drawn with President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan’s supporters have accused Amaechi of not supporting Jonathan’s ambition to run for second tenure in 2015.
Recently, the Peoples Democratic Party,State Executive loyal to Amaechi was sacked and replaced by an another group loyal to the Jonathan pointsmen.


http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/04/28/amaechi-denies-operating-jet-without-permit/

PHCN na scam....

uchlukez: If u cannot write in English, use pidgin. It is allowed

U bad o!

I honestly think the DSS are the only agency we can run to now walahi talahi!

By Evelyn Usman & Ifeanyi Okolie
LAGOS — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the Department of State Security, DSS, to investigate Wednesday’s clash between the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Ikorodu area of Lagos, which resulted in the death of two NSCDC personnel.
Jonathan also summoned authorities of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, over the clash. It was gathered that Jonathan asked an independent body to investigate the cause of the of clash between the Federal Government’s agencies, following accusation and counter accusation on which party actually pulled the trigger that killed the NSCDC staff.
It was learnt also that the president met behind closed doors for about an hour with a police delegation led by the DIG ‘A’ Division, Suleiman Fakai at the Presidential Villa.
Other members of the police delegation were the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Umar Manko; ACP in-charge of Anti-Vandalism, Friday Ibadin and the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Muhammed Abubakar, is said to be currently out of the country.
The president had met, Wednesday evening, with the leadership of the NSCDC, led by the Commandant-General, Dr Ade Abolurin.
Mba told State House correspondents shortly after the meeting that the clash formed part of the issues discussed with the president, adding that the police used the opportunity of the meeting to give the president “the police perspective of the report.”
However, while the NSCDC maintained that the police killed their men, an action that resulted ina reprisal attack by its personnel, the police debunked the claim, saying the former was responsible for the shooing.
Vanguard learnt that during the interrogation of Inspector Sunday Gabriel and three other policemen, including the NSCDC personnel picked from the scene of the incident, by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, the NSCDC officer, identified as Gbedogun Olarewaju debunked the claim that they were ambushed.
Rather, he was said to have explained to Manko that “we went to the area to raid at midnight in two Hilux cars. We arrested eight vandals and exhibits and put them in our vehicles. We did notshoot or attempt to shoot. As we were going, wesaw a Toyota Camry car coming and our men stopped to know who were inside because it was not a patrol vehicle. A man (Inspector Sunday) came out first with a pistol.
“He was not wearing uniform. Then, the Sergeant came with a loaded double barrel. The man in mufti asked my boss, DSC Olufemi, who he was and my boss said he had no right to ask him that question since he saw him in his uniform.”
During the argument, Olarewaju reportedly said Inspector Sunday pushed his boss.
“My boss then ordered us to arrest the man, that he would like to know him better since he was not wearing uniform. In the process, we tried to handcuff and move him into the car. But before we knew what was happening, we saw some Mobile policemen who started shooting,” Olarewaju was quoted to have said.
Asked at what point his colleagues bodies were found on the ground, Olarewaju reportedly said, “I was in the car with the Inspector then. I was only informed on the telephone by my boss that two of our men were dead.”
On his part, Inspector Gabriel who was clad in a blue Jean’s jacket and brown trousers, reportedly told the investigative team that he identified himself as an Inspector attached to the Inspector-General of Police Special Squad on Anti-Pipeline vandalism.
He was quoted thus: “ the next thing I saw was that they started beating me and handcuffed me.”
Meanwhile, the NSCDC has allayed fears that their man in police custody could be forced to make statements




http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/policenscdc-clash-jonathan-directs-dss-to-take-over-investigation/

Tolexander: Mtchew. First thought reptiles are smoking weed in the stadium!




who are the federal governments?

The federal government has no excuse. Because during the preparation of the budget, there is always an allocation earmarked for sport sector. What are they using the money for?

***Game of Chess***

The Police are on top of the situation

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday vacated the arrest warrant issued by the senate against the sacked chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.


The sacked Chairman of the Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina

Delivering judgment on the suit filed by Mr Maina, Justice Adamu Bello held that the arrest warrant issued by the senate did not comply with section 88 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The court further held that it was regrettable that the defendants failed to make available the National Assembly Journal or the official government gazette, containing the process leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Justice Bello also held that “the lack of these documents means there is no evidence to show that the arrest warrant actually emanated through due process in accordance with the law”.

He added that the senate does not have unlimited powers as their powers are limited by section 82 of the 1999 constitution.

The court therefore issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the senate and its committees, including the Nigerian Police from attempting to arrest or harass Mr Maina in relation to his failure to appear before it on the pending investigation into the rot in pension administration.


http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/03/27/court-restrains-senate-police-from-arresting-maina/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

DAR ES SALAAM (AFP) – China’s new President Xi Jinping hailed Monday the strength of ties with African nations, in a keynote speech on his first trip as head of state to the continent.

Hailing resource-rich Africa as a “continent of hope and promise”, Xi addressed leaders in Tanzania’s economic capital as “my dear friends” and spoke of Beijing’s “sincere friendship” with Africa.

“Africa belongs to the African people,” Xi said, speaking in a new conference hall built by China.

“In developing relations with Africa, all countries should respect Africa’s dignity and independence.”

Trade between China and Africa reached some $200 billion last year, he said, adding that China would “intensify not weaken” its relationship and noting a committment to provide a $20 billion credit-line to African nations over the next two years.

“Whenever I come to Africa two things always strike me the most, one is the continuous progress… I am deeply impressed at the new developments,” Xi said, on his sixth visit to the continent.

“The other is your overwhelming warmth, the sincere friendship of the African people towards the Chinese people is as warm and unforgettable as the sunshine in Africa.”

Xi and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete signed 16 trade, cultural and development accords after his arrival in Tanzania on Sunday, including improvements to hospitals and ports, and the building of a Chinese cultural centre.

China is the second-largest foreign investor in Tanzania, with stakes in agriculture, coal, iron ore and infrastructure.

“We have no doubt that the people of China will continue to work with the people of Africa,” Kikwete said, dismissing those who still feared Beijing’s role “despite the end of the Cold War.”

“So far, China has been a dependable supporter and an ally of African countries and other Third World countries…in their appeal for a just and equitable world economic order,” Kikwete added.

Tanzania, where Xi arrived from after a visit to Moscow, is the first stop of a three-nation Africa tour that underscores Beijing’s growing presence on the continent.

China’s first contacts with Africa came with the sea voyages of Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim admiral who led expeditions to the east African coast in the 1400s, but little followed for centuries.

Xi, on his first foreign trip since being anointed president 11 days ago, later flies on to Durban in South Africa to join an emerging economies summit.

He wraps up the African tour with a visit to Congo-Brazzaville.

China, which has risen to become the world’s second-largest economy, sources many of its raw materials from Africa. A new Chinese diaspora has seen huge numbers of traders and small business operators establish themselves across the continent, which has higher growth rates than Europe or the United States.

Chinese imports from Africa soared 20-fold in a decade to reach $113 billion last year, according to Chinese government statistics, and China became the continent’s largest trading partner in 2009.

But China’s presence in Africa has also been accompanied by periodic tensions, and Xi sought to smooth over those who criticise Beijing’s role on the continent, noting that there “is no ‘one size fits all’ development model” in the world.

“We each view the other’s development as our own opportunity, and we each seek to promote the other’s development and prosperity,” Xi added.

“China insists on equality among all countries irrespective of their size, strength and wealth. China upholds justice, and opposes the practice of the big bullying the small, the strong lording over the weak, and rich oppressing the poor.”

In South Africa, where two-way trade totalled $59.9 billion last year — nearly one-third of total China-Africa trade — Xi will hold talks with President Jacob Zuma and join the leaders of Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa at the BRICS summit of emerging economies.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/chinas-president-xi-vows-to-intensify-ties-with-africa/

The onslaught from the public came almost as soon as the news broke on social networks and blogs; a metalic orange Ferari sports car pictured at the venue of Tuface and Annie’s wedding in Dubai with words Wedding gift from Senator David Mark to Tuface, Annie scribbled on cardboard paper and stuck to the car, almost ruined the news of Tuface, Annie’s wedding.

Vanguard had not reported this as we awaited confirmation from the Senate president who has now through a statement issued by his Senior Special adviser on Media& Publicity Mr Kola Ologbondiyan denied buying this car gift for Tuface and Annie Idibia.

The statement reads

Senator Mark did not visit Dubai for Tiface wedding rather he attended the 128th Inter parliamentary Union (IPU) conference currently holding in Quito, Ecuador. He was also not represented at Mr. Idibia’s wedding. It is also instructive to state that the President of the Senate, Senator Mark, did not make a car donation of any kind to Tuface before departing Nigeria for Ecuador neither did he purchase nor send any car to Dubai as a wedding gift for the musician or his wife. Who made the donation on behalf of the President of the Senate? It is therefore a puerile lie for anybody to state that Senator Mark bought a Ferrari car worth N47m for Tuface. The allegation is wicked, ridiculous and irresponsible.

Signed: Kola Ologbondiyan

Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the President of the Senate David Mark.

We await reactions from Tuface’s camp.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/david-mark-denies-buying-tuface-annie-n47m-ferari-car/

Shuttling between ASO rock and everywhere...

This space is for 'egunje'