In Search of Excellence as World Teachers’ Day Beckons

October 2, 2014, 7:40 pm

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As The World Teachers’ Day comes up on Sunday, Nigerian teachers face accusations of lack of professionalism.

In Search of Excellence as World Teachers’ Day Beckons

Minister of Education - Ibrahim Shekarau

Sunday, October 5 is the World Teachers’ Day. It is a day set aside by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation to highlight the endeavours and achievements of teachers on a global scale. As expected, teachers in Nigeria will join their counterparts from more than 100 countries to celebrate the day.

The title of this year’s World Teachers Day is “Invest in the future, invest in teachers”. The theme will focus on, among others, the role of teachers in the development of the young generation, how to increase the number of teachers and the importance of teachers to the society.

But in Nigeria, analysts have argued, and persistently too, that many teachers, especially in public schools are no longer committed to the profession. Some teachers, they say, aid pupils in examination malpractice, play truancy, engage in petty trading at the expense of their jobs as well as exploit parents and their children.

They also argue that the government and parents have abandoned their responsibilities, a development that has impacted negatively on the sector.

So, as the celebration goes on, the discussion is not only going to focus on teachers. Other issues, such as funding, state of facilities in schools, as well as enrolment in schools, particularly the girl-child education, will form part of the discourse during the celebration.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers Lagos State Chairman, Mr. Segun Raheem, who agrees that it is not yet Uhurufor the profession and its practitioners, however, notes that the celebration in the country will not be elaborate.

According to him, the national executive of the NUT, after its last meeting, had concluded that the usual pomp and ceremony accompanying the event in the country would not take place this year.

He says, “This year’s World Teachers Day will not be celebrated in the usual way. Instead, we are to gather to sensitise and enlighten our members on Ebola and other challenges facing teachers and teaching in Nigeria.

“It will also be an occasion to remind the Federal Government to implement the outcome of 2014 National Economic Summit in Abuja: Invest in Teachers.”

Beyond this, Raheem, who says he is worried about the rating of teachers, adds that there is the need to fish out the unqualified persons rubbishing the name of the profession. In his thinking, all stakeholders, including the Federal Government and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, should contribute positively towards rebranding the profession.

That the NUT boss holds this view is not surprising. Some parents have posited that while some teachers, especially in public schools, engage in unholy practices like selling recharge cards and in petty trading, their counterparts in private schools aid their pupils in examination malpractice.

Analysts have also said that many teachers are no longer committed to the profession. Some teachers, they say, play truancy during normal school hours but engage in serious private teaching practice at their convenient time. Parents, they allege, pay huge extra lesson fees to such teachers to cater to the educational needs of their children.

Reacting to some of these allegations, Raheem says, “All stakeholders must come together to review the country’s curricula with a view to capturing the reality of the moment. The review is long overdue. The activity of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria to regulate teachers and teaching should be taken seriously to remove unqualified teachers, who parade themselves as professionals, either in private or public schools.

“Beyond criticising teachers, the government should introduce Teachers Salary Scale, a special salary structure for teachers that will be commensurate with the calling.

“Again, teachers should be professional in their activities. We should shun any act that could tarnish the image of the profession. We should be more committed, by participating actively in Subject-Related Teachers Associations to improve our syllabus and the quality of teaching. We must continue to ‘publish’, so as not to ‘perish’ within academic community.”

Even as Raheem put ups this stout defence, some head teachers in Lagos on the condition of anonymity because of civil service rules, also look beyond these accusations. They lament, for instance, the inadequate number of teachers to teach key subjects, such as Mathematics and Fine Art.

Supporting them, the NUT President, Michael Alaogba, remarks, “I cannot remember the last time teachers were recruited in some states of the federation.”

Alogba, who identified a number of challenges facing the education sector, says the inadequate number of teachers across the states has a profound effect on the quality of education.

“I cannot recollect when last teachers were recruited in some states in the federation. You find teachers teaching 200 students, the minimum in a classroom is 80. There is no way the quality of education will not drop in that situation.

“It is not correct that teachers engage in commercial activities during school hours. I am hearing that as news. But if it is true, for every 12 disciples, there will be a Judas. Customs officers sell; other professionals also sell. But we have a task force that goes round and we have not found any,” he declares.

Source: Punch

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I’m Alive, Says Shekau in New Video

October 2, 2014, 7:43 pm

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The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has described as “propaganda,” the claim by the Defence Headquarters that he was killed early September in Kodunga, Borno State.

Shekau, in a new video obtained by AFP on Thursday, boasted that “nothing could kill him” until the day Allah stopped his breathing.

He also claimed in the 36-minute video that Boko Haram fighters shot down the Nigerian Air Force fighter jet which was reported missing three weeks ago by the Defence Headquarters.

Last week, the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, told a news conference in Abuja that troops killed Shekau and that his corpse was identified by the people of Kodunga.

Olukolade illustrated his claim with pictures of the bullet-ridden corpse with Shekau’s semblance and a video of the battle in which he was killed.

He had also said that Shekau whose real name he gave as Mohammed Bashir had other names like Abacha Abdullahi Geidam and Damasack.

A day before the DHQ claim, a newspaper, quoting a military source, reported that Shekau was killed by Cameroonian soldiers during aerial bombardment of his hideout in Nigeria.

The Cameroonian newspaper also printed pictures of a bullet-ridden corpse of a man it said was the Boko Haram leader.

A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, however questioned the credibility of the Nigerian military’s claim.

Campbell said, “Who knows whether Shekau is alive or dead? The question may not matter much. As Boko Haram’s resurrection after the killing of its genuinely charismatic leader, Mohammed Yusuf, shows, the movement is remarkably resilient, and not dependent on a single leader.

“If Shekau is alive, as I suspect he is, evidence is scant as to what his actual role in the movement’s leadership is. Boko Haram is more than Abubakar Shekau, alive or dead.”

In the new video, Shekau is seen standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed and masked fighters.

He wore combat fatigues and black rubber boots and firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air, Shekau spoke for about 16 minutes in Arabic and Hausa languages widely spoken in most parts of northern Nigeria.

But there was no indication of where or when the video was shot.

Denouncing his killing by the military, the heavily bearded Boko Haram leader, who appeared to be the same as those in previous clips, said “I hereby put to lie the claim that I was killed.”

“Here I am alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath,” Shekau said amidst thunderous shout of Allahu Akbar “Allah is great” from his well-armed lieutenants.

He consequently taunted the military, saying it had nothing to prove its claim.

He said, “I challenge you(military), I challenge you. You even said I was killed. If you kill me, does that mean you kill (the) religion? You are not honest. You have no proof, you have nothing to say.”

The Boko Haram leader boasted that the wish of President Goodluck Jonathan; President Barack Obama of the United States; Prime Minister Francois Hollande of France; Queen Elizabeth and the United Nations Secretary General, Ban-ki Moon, for his death would not materialise.

He said, “The wish of Obama (United States President) will not kill me, the wish of Francois Hollande (of France) will not kill me, the wish of Benjamin Nattanyahu (of Israel) will not kill me, the wish of Ban-ki Moon(of the United Nations) will not kill me, the wish of Queen Elizabeth will not kill me, the wish of the infidels of the world will not kill me, much less of President (Goodluck Jonathan) , much less of Kashim (Shettima of Borno State ) , much less of Bra-Bra (Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Geidam).

“Nothing will kill me until my days are over. Do whatever you want to do. If you think what I’m doing is not the truth, even if you don’t fight me I will crumble.

“Nothing will kill me until my days are over… I’m still alive. Some people asked if Shekau has two souls. No, I have one soul, by Allah. It is propaganda that is prevalent. I have one soul.”

Shekau described himself as an Islamic student whose seminary was burnt in 2009.

He was apparently referring to the destruction of the group’s mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State that year.

Shekau also claimed that Boko Haram fighters shot down the NAF fighter jet which was on routine operational mission but did not return on September 12, 2014.

A man the sect leader claimed was one of the two pilots aboard the plane was shown in the latest video stating that the jet was brought down by “fighters of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah.”

The ruin of an aircraft with the insignia of the NAF was also shown.

The pilot, who said he did not know the whereabouts of his colleague, was thereafter decapitated with an axe by an executioner who dressed in (military) fatigues.

In the video, Shekau said he had gone far in ensuring that Sharia was strictly observed in Boko Haram’s “Islamic Caliphate” and showed footages in which a man “convicted of adultery” was stoned to death.

The right hand of another man accused of “stealing” was chopped off while an unmarried young man and a young lady “convicted of fornication” were given 100 lashes each.

But the DHQ however said it was studying the claims made in the new video.

It said, “From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date.

“The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

“It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decided to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

It further stated in a short statement on its official blog that as far as the military was concerned, the individual who appeared in the latest video was killed in the Konduga battle in September.

The DHQ argued that the resemblance of the corpse and that of the “eccentric character was incontrovertible.”

It said, “While waiting to see the new video before any further statement, our message to them (insurgents) is that justice will be served to whoever bears that name(Shekau) or designation(leader of Boko Haram).”

There had been two previous claims by Nigeria’s security forces that Shekau was dead. The first was in 2009 during unrest in Maiduguri and again in 2013.

Boko Haram had issued denials in video messages.

A united Arab Emirates-based Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, has said that it was “witless” for the military authorities “to ascribe cosmetic science to Boko Haram that cannot even develop arms and ammunition instead depend mainly on looting the Nigerian Army armouries.

“Most of you are educated and as a country, we can’t manufacture even toothpicks but some ‘Almajiris’ have suddenly become scientists before our watch.”

Tweeting on Thursday, Salkida, who is believed to have links with the insurgents, said, “If Boko Haram can perfect the art of cloning either through medical research or by way of photography then the entire world must be concerned. That means, they can perfectly mimic some leaders and have undue access? They can as well develop nuclear bombs and drones.”

Source: Punch

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Mimiko Rejoins PDP, Says It’s in National Interest

October 2, 2014, 11:41 pm

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Mimiko rejoins PDP, says it’s in national interest

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State on Thursday formally dumped the Labour Party and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, saying his decision was taken in the interest of the nation.

He made the formal declaration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at an event presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo and witnessed by the President of the Senate, David Mark, as well as the PDP leaders from the South West.

“I, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, following extensive consultations across the land, today finally announce the decision of members of the National Assembly from the LP in Ondo State, members of the LP in Ondo State, members of the LP in the Ondo State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, and indeed, all those who share our aspirations to join the PDP,” Mimiko told the gathering that included Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State.

He said he took the decision to return to the PDP in the overall interest of his people and the nation, as well as its democracy which is now mortally endangered by a constellation of forces, which must be confronted.

Mimiko, in his declaration speech tagged, “The Imperative of a New, Broader Platforms,” said his immediate target was to help the process of getting President Goodluck Jonathan re-elected in 2015.

He said, “I must confess that it surely was tempting and perhaps more fulfilling to continue as a national leader in our smaller, calmer and quite promising ocean represented by the Labour Party.

“But this decision to return to the PDP we have taken in the overall interest of our people and our nation, and its democracy which for those who are perceptive enough to notice, is now mortally endangered by a constellation of forces which must be confronted.

“May I then add that we take this epochal decision conscious of the fact that no political party in Nigeria today is anywhere near the point of perfection. But we are persuaded that joining hands with other Nigerians, committed as they are at repositioning the PDP on a continual basis, is the appropriate thing to do today.

“And considering that it was under this same PDP that I was privileged to serve, first as Secretary to the Government of Ondo State and later as Minister of Housing and Urban Development from July 2005 – December 2006, this is for us a homecoming of sort.”

Mimiko said he would remain committed to Jonathan’s re-election because the President had been faithful to his promise to ensure free and fair electoral process.

He said the current administration’s successes in the areas of agriculture, power, health, education, housing and economy, among others, had further endeared the President to him.

Mimiko said he had always supported the Jonathan Presidency, adding that even from the LP platform, he and his loyalists endorsed, worked for the and voted massively for the President in 2011.

This, he said, did not prevent them from working for the LP candidates where it fielded candidates and in subsequent polls.

“With the 2015 INEC time-table which put Presidential and National Assembly elections on the same day, it has become obvious that the type of support we need to give President Jonathan without creating conflict of interest is better canalised through the President’s political party, the PDP.

“Our support for the President will, in the light of the above, not jeopardise the legitimate electoral aspirations of our teeming supporters and associates,” he declared.

Mimiko observed that Nigeria’s political history had demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that the nation had always moved in the direction of a two-party system.

While saying that the current dispensation had thrown up the PDP and what he called “the fledgling APC,” the governor added that smaller parties were thus constrained at operating only at the fringe of the political process with all the restrictions thereto for greater political involvement and action.

Historically, Mimiko said every attempt to build a third force in the bipolar environment had not only been quite expensive but had met with muted success.

He said the tendency at democratic governance was one reason that made the PDP attractive and accounted for his reason to take its membership in 2003.

Sambo, who represented the President, said Mimiko had returned to the PDP to raise the party to higher level in the state and South-West.

He directed the party’s National Deputy Chairman, Uche Secondus, and the National Secretary, Wale Oladipo, to immediately organised a rally during which the governor would be formally received in Akure.

“Iroko, Kaabo. Eku ise (Iroko, welcome and well done,” he said as he presented the PDP flag to Mimiko.

Source: Punch

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Mutiny: Trial of Four Lt. Cols, 93 Other Soldiers Begins

October 3, 2014, 3:50 am

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Mutiny: Trial of four Lt. Cols, 93 other soldiers begins

Some soldiers facing trial at the newly inaugurated General Court Martial, at the Abacha
Barracks, in Abuja on Thursday

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 97 officers and men for alleged offences in the ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the North-East.

Among the officers are four Lieutenant Colonels, a major, four captains, five Lieutenants and one 2nd Lieutenant.

The Lieutenant Colonels are S.S. Tilawan, D.B. Dazang, I.C. Ogunmanya, and S.U. Abubakar.

The Major is I.I. Sakaba while the captains are Z. Alhaji, M . Hamadikko, M. B. Abdullahi, and S. Y. Musa.

The Lieutenants are T. Garba, F. Ogunleke, A . Abdullahi, I. M. Okoro, and D. Wunuji. The 2nd Lieutenant is J. M. Uweh.

The other 82 who are rank and file are to face the GCM alongside the 15 officers at the Nigeria Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja.

The GCM comprises Brig. Gen. Musa Yusuf (President), and Colonels Rabe Abubakar, Mohammed Ibrahim, Umar Mohammed, Godwin Ugwueze, Jonathan Gontor, B.R. Abimiku and Col. M.M. Bunza.

Yusuf, who announced the members of the court, also named Col. A.T. Ibrahim, Lt. Col. Victor Olatunji as waiting members. Lt. Col. Ukpe Ukpe, an Assistant Director Legal Services at the Army Headquarters Garrison was named the Judge Advocate.

The Prosecuting Officers are Capt. J. A. Orumor, Capt. Roseline Agwai, Capt. JE Nwosu, Capt. WF David, Capt V.L. William, Lt. A.M. Sani, Lt. N. Okorie and LCPl Chukwu Prince-Augustine.

The President of the Court said during the inauguration that the officers and men would face offences such as mutiny, assault, absence without leave, housebreaking, conduct prejudicial to good orders and service discipline as well as offences relating to service property.

He assured the accused who appeared in two batches at the Army Headquarters Garrison Conference Room that the court would ensure a strict adherence to the principle of fair hearing and justice in its treatment of the cases before it.

Yusuf said that the court would ensure a holistic examination of evidence brought before it to ensure that no innocent person was convicted.

He said, “Let me further assure you that the GCM will base its decisions and findings only on facts presented before it. In order words, this court will not give room for or be influenced by any extraneous matter which is not presented before the court.

“In consonance with the desire of this GCM to do justice in this case, we shall take cognisance of the postulation of Chukwudifu Oputa, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, that justice is a three-way traffic. That is: Justice for the accused persons, justice for the victim, justice for the state.

“We intend to patiently and painstakingly listen to all evidence that will be brought before this court to ensure that no innocent person is convicted as it is better for nine guilty persons to go free than for one innocent person to suffer.”

He appealed to the 15 defence counsel and their prosecution counterparts to aid the plan of the GCM to conclude the cases without delay.

He also urged the media to ensure a balanced and patriotic reporting of the proceedings of the court in the interest of national security and the accused.

Prior to the inauguration of the court, Shuaibu Isah, from Credence Attorneys, had faulted the decision to appoint Ukpe as the Judge Advocate .

The lawyer said it was wrong to ask a man who advises the authorities that established the court martial to be a Judge Advocate.

He argued that Ukpe had taken a stance on the case and given a piece of advice that obviously aided the drafting of the charges against the accused.

It was the prevalent view among the lawyers that the choice of Ukpe as the Judge advocate was a negation to the principle of fairness.

Although Ukpe and the Lead Prosecutor, Capt. Roseline Agwai, argued that the Military Police did the investigation and framing of the charges, the lawyers were of the view that the matter must be addressed when the court starts sitting on October 15, 2014, the next adjourned date for the case.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, whose law firm is defending 68 of the accused soldiers told journalists shortly after the inauguration that lawyers would consult with their clients to take a decision on the issue of the appointment of Ukpe as Judge Advocate.

Falana agreed with an observation by another Defence Lawyer, Maj. Mike Kebonkwu (Retd.), that the accused were taken to the trial court without being given the requisite document.

Falana said, “We don’t have the charge sheet; we don’t have the convening order; we don’t have the summary of evidence of those who are coming to give evidence and the law says that all accused persons are entitled to full materials for their own defence and the court appreciated that.

“Hence, an order has been made that all the necessary documents be made available to all the accused persons so that the trial can commence earnest on October 15.

“I have no cause to doubt the integrity of the members of the court; I have taken part in a number of courts of this nature. Even where we lost, we have had to go on appeal, and we succeeded. So there is no cause for alarm. I think the President of the court has assured the accused persons that justice will be done.’’

Source: Punch

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I Asked For Divorce – Ini Edo

October 3, 2014, 6:29 am

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Philip and Ini during the wedding

A few days ago, the gossip mill was awash with the news that popular Nollywood actress, Ini Edo’s marriage to US-based businessman, Phillip Ehiagwina, had broken up.

The news was initially received with mixed feelings. But some people, mostly fans of the actress, could not believe it.

Sources, believed to be very close to the couple, said the breakup was due to allegations of cheating and distrust between Ini and Phillip. Also, they accused the groom’s family of aiding the dissolution of the marriage because the actress did not give birth to a child.

Peddling the sad news across the social media, the sources added that the bride’s family had returned the bride price that was paid to them during the couple’s wedding ceremony.

But many people did not believe what they heard until Ini herself decided to open up on the matter. In a message posted on her Twitter page on Thursday, the actress did not only confirm the story that her marriage had crashed, she also went on to refute a rumour that she cheated on her former husband.

She tweeted, “There is a conscious and malicious attempt to tarnish my image. I asked for a divorce from my ex-husband because of lots of irreconcilable differences. I never cheated on him.”

Although it is not known if Ini’s response has silenced some of her critics who have blamed her for the breakup, it is obvious that the erstwhile love birds would have celebrated their sixth anniversary of their marriage next month. The couple got married in November 2008 in an elaborate ceremony that was held in Houston, Texas in the United States.

Unfortunately, a recent twist to the current development appears to rule out the possibility of reconciliation soon. E-Punch gathered that, following the breakup, the actress decided to remove traces of her married status from her social media accounts.

Ini’s bio-data on Instagram now bears the word ‘actress’ without ‘wife’. Sources note that while she has reverted to her maiden name and dropped her ex husband’s surname, she was spotted in a few public appearances without her wedding ring.

The breakup, which has been trending on social media since about two days ago, is still being received with shock and disbelief for obvious reasons.

With more than 50 appearances in movies to her credit and a large fan base, Ini comes across easily as one of the most popular actresses in Nollywood. Naturally, her fans and well wishers would be interested in whatever happens to her or become touched by any change in her fortune.

At the outset of her marriage, Ini enjoyed a lot of goodwill, especially from those who had been anxious to see her get married. Not one of this people expected that their icon’s marriage would end up this way crashing in less than eight years.

However, if the crash of Ini’s marriage shook the social media, actress Uche Ogbodo’s brief union with Ato Ubby did not fare better. In just one month, Uche’s marriage broke up to the disappointment of her numerous fans. In an interview she granted an online publication, she claimed that the crash was due to “irreconcilable” differences.

Uche was quoted as saying, “The foundation of the union was based on lies and deceit. Shocking lies. I just want to be left alone to take care of my child. I wasn’t married; I was engaged to be married but as things stand now, the engagement is officially broken due to irreconcilable differences.”

Also, the nation woke up one morning to reports in the media that Pastor Anita Oyakhilome, the wife of celebrity pastor and President of the Believers Love World Inc, Chris Oyakhilome, had decided to divorce him. The reports claimed that Anita was seeking divorce based allegations of ‘adultery’ and ‘unreasonable behaviour’.

Later, investigation showed she actually applied for divorce on the ground that the marriage had “broken down irretrievably.”

Before then, Oyakhilome’s neighbour and leader of the Household of God Church, Pastor Chris Okotie, on June 24, 2012, announced that his second marriage to two-time divorcee, Stephanie Henshaw, had collapsed.

“Stephanie and I are no longer married. We have separated. You can see she’s not in church today. It’s due to irreconcilable differences and you should please respect our wishes at this time because there is no going back,” Okotie was quoted as saying.

Of course, the likes of Funke Akindele and Doris Simeon also, not long ago, had their own shares of marriage breakup.

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Microsoft Unveils Windows 10 OS With Start Menu

October 4, 2014, 3:50 pm

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Microsoft has disclosed the first details of Windows 10 - its next operating system (OS).

The Start Menu now features both a list of apps and live tiles

The name is a surprise, bearing in mind it represents a jump from the last version - Windows 8.

The software will run on a wide range of devices, from phones and tablets to PCs and Xbox games consoles, with applications sold from a single store.

It also marks the return of the Start Menu, which had been removed from Windows 8.

In addition to offering a list of the user's favourite applications, the menu also brings up resizable tiles - similar to those featured in Windows 8's touch-centric interface on PCs and tablets.

These provide a quick view of notifications from relevant applications, such as details of new emails, Facebook messages and weather forecast updates.

The company said the facility was intended to make the software seem familiar to both users of Windows 8 and Windows 7.

The behaviour of the OS will depend on the type of device with which it is being used. Unlike its predecessor, users will not need to switch between Desktop Mode and the touch-focused alternative.

However, they can still spread a number of "live tiles" across the screens of two-in-one laptop-tablet hybrids to make them easier to use with both a mouse and finger presses.

Preview download

Other features include:

Microsoft Unveils Windows 10 OS With Start Menu

The task-view button offers one-click access
to all running apps and files

Snap enhancements - a new "quadrant layout" will allow four apps to be easily arranged on the same screen.

Task view - a new button on the task bar will let the user see all open apps and files, helping them switch from one to another.

Multiple desktops - users can switch between distinct desktop screens, allowing them to group related work together rather than having to deal with a single screen overloaded with documents and apps. This is similar to a feature already available on Apple's Mac OS.

Microsoft will offer a "technical preview" of Windows 10 to early adopters later this week, which will run on laptops and desktops. A release that will work on computer servers will follow.

Source: Computer Science Programming Tutorials

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400 Boko Haram Insurgents Killed in Battle to Retake Bazza, Michika, Madagali

October 7, 2014, 3:49 pm

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400 Boko Haram Insurgents Killed in Battle to Retake Bazza, Michika, Madagali

Heavy fighting between Nigerian troops and Boko Haram terrorists ensued yesterday in Adamawa State as soldiers backed from the air by Nigerian Airforce attack helicopters launched an attack to retake territories in the possession of Boko Haram.

In the ensuing battle that continued into the night, Vanguard gathered that about 400 Boko Haram terrorist had been killed while there were casualties on the part of the Nigerian soldiers.

Military sources in Adamawa state said that the onslaught to retake the towns of Bazza, Michika and Madagali was launched from the town of Vimtim, the hometown of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and that the General Officer Commanding 3 division of the Army, Major General Mohammed Zaruwa was coordinating the onslaught

Said the source, “I can assure you that we are advancing successfully. We have dealt a heavy blow on the terrorists. They didn’t expect what they are seeing. Our armoured tanks are blasting and they are running for their lives. The airforce is providing air cover and hitting them also.

“I cannot give you a categorical answer regarding casualties but so far about 400 of the terrorists have been killed. We have casualties among our soldiers also but the propaganda circulating that 70 of our men were killed is wishful thinking”.

“From reports on the ongoing battle, we may have lost a few soldiers but it cannot be confirmed because usually, they may have been injured and are holed up somewhere for first aid treatment” the source said.

Contacted on the development, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade confirmed the fighting but stated he cannot give casualty figures or full details as operatives on ground were yet to furnish him with the situation report. He said he would give details when the operation is concluded.

Online media reports had indicated that during the fight at least 70 soldiers were killed in a fierce battle between insurgents and Nigerian troops and pointed out that the fighting was for control of the towns of Bazza and Vimtim in Adamawa State, a claim denied by the military source.

The source further debunked claims that Boko Haram used helicopters to fight back noting that the Nigerian airforce helicopters may have been mistaken for that.

An eye witness told newsmen that the insurgents at a point on Sunday might re-grouped at the Federal Government College, (Technical) in Michika before they were dislodged and chased away.

According to him, “the army came in on Sallah day and since then fierce fighting has been on. But, as you can see the insurgents are moving away and the military are following them”.

“The insurgents who were in their thousands came through Uba and attacked the Nigeria troops. “The gallant Nigerians soldiers were attacked from the rear by the militants but the military men engaged them in fierce battle over five hours “.

It will be recalled that on the 7th of September, 2014 the Boko Haram insurgents overran Michika, Bazza, Madagali and other border towns between Adamawa and Borno State during which the son of the former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a Lieutenant Colonel, Olugbenga Obasanjo an Engineer in the Nigeria Army was shot and wounded.

During the takeover of Madagali and Michika, the insurgents also attempted to overran Vimtim, the hometown of the Chief of Defence staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh.

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Nigerian flag designer, Pa. Akinkunmi Placed on ‘Life Salary’

October 7, 2014, 4:43 pm

≫ Next: South Africa Seizes Another $5.7m from Nigeria

≪ Previous: 400 Boko Haram Insurgents Killed in Battle to Retake Bazza, Michika, Madagali

Nigerian flag designer, Pa. Akinkunmi Place on ‘Life Salary’

President Goodluck Jonathan has placed Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian Flag, on the salary of a Special Assistant forever, according to a tweet by the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Reno Omokri (@renoomokri).

Taiwo Akinkunmi is a Retired Nigerian civil servant(born 10 May 1936) and famous for designing the Flag of Nigeria, popular called Mr Flag Man.

The national flag is an adaptation of the winning entry from Taiwo Akinkunmi in a competition held in 1959. The original had a red sun with streaming rays placed at the top of the white stripe. This was removed by the judges and the flag has not been altered since.

The designer of the national flag was Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, a twenty three-year-old student. He was studying at Norwich Technical College in England when he saw an advertisement in a newspaper that entries were being accepted for the design of a new National flag.

In 1959 Akinkunmi’s design was chosen as the winner and was first officially used on October 1, 1960, Nigeria’s Independence day.

Source: Vanguard

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South Africa Seizes Another $5.7m from Nigeria

October 7, 2014, 4:46 pm

≫ Next: Military Arrests 50 Vandals, Recovers 100 Canoes, 3,000 Jerrycans in Lagos

≪ Previous: Nigerian flag designer, Pa. Akinkunmi Placed on ‘Life Salary’

Fresh Arms Deal: South Africa Seizes Another $5.7m

Jonathan and Zuma

Three weeks after South Africa confiscated $9.3m belonging to the Federal Government over an alleged illegal arms deal, the South African authorities have seized another $5.7m arms money from Nigeria.

Last month, two Nigerians and an Israeli were arrested at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, after they attempted to smuggle $9.3m to South Africa which the Federal Government described as a legitimate business deal to purchase arms for the Nigerian intelligence services.

This is just as a statement by PR Nigeria on behalf of the Nigerian government said the report by the South African newspaper, City Press on the latest transaction has vindicated the Federal Government’s official position that the deal was legitimate.

Despite explanations by Nigeria, the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa obtained a court order to freeze the money for allegedly being the proceeds of illegal transactions.

The latest transaction, according to a South African newspaper, City Press was between Cerberus Risk Solutions, an arms broker in Cape Town, and Societe D’Equipments Internationaux, a Nigerian company in Abuja.

The paper reported that the deal fell apart after Cerberus which had earlier received R60 million (N1.02 billion) from Nigeria in its account at Standard Bank, attempted to pay back the money because it could not resolve its registration formalities with the South African authorities.

According to the paper, Cerberus was previously registered as a broker with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), but the registration expired in May this year. The marketing and contracting permits also expired at the same time. The company was said to have since applied for re-registration, but the application was yet to be granted and had been in the NCACC’s mailbox for more than two months.

Following attempts by Cerberus to pay the money back to the Nigerian company, the bank became suspicious. The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit subsequently obtained a court order in the South Gauteng High Court to seize the money. Cerberus’ attorney, Martin Hood, was said to have declined to comment on the matter.

In the first arms deal, the two Nigerians and the Israeli national, Eyal Mesika were arrested after they failed to declare two black plastic suitcases, filled with 90 blocks each containing US$100,000 in notes, with combination locks, as well as two pieces of hand luggage also containing US currency, according to City Press. The Israeli, Eyal Mesika, had the combination to open the locks. The men landed at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, on September 5 in a private jet from Abuja.

At the time, the South Africa Revenue Service, SARS, said Customs officers became suspicious when the passengers’ luggage were unloaded and put through the scanners.

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, in South Africa said there was an invoice for helicopters and armaments intended to be used in Nigeria.

Under South African laws, a person entering or leaving the country is expected to carry cash not exceeding US$2,300, or the equivalent in foreign currency notes. The Nigerian government later admitted it was behind the deal meant to purchase arms with which to fight Boko Haram.

The South African paper said documents in its possession show that the first consignment was personally signed off by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who issued the end-user certificate for the transaction.

An entire “shopping list” was supplied with the certificate, which included everything from helicopters to unmanned aircraft, rockets and ammunition, it said.

NPA spokesperson Nathi Ncube said there were no indications that the two transactions were related, adding that, “both are now the subject of a criminal investigation and all possible information and connections are being investigated”.

South Africa frustrating Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Federal Government as well as top officers of security agencies in the country were worried about the increasing trend by South African authorities to frustrate efforts by Nigeria to acquire weaponry and equipment needed to contain the deadly Boko Haram terrorism in North Eastern Nigeria.

This concern came as South African media have published documents confirming the legitimacy of the $9. 3million botched arms deals between Nigeria and the former apartheid enclave.

According to sources, government is particularly concerned that South Africa has remained recalcitrant even after authoritative sources confirmed that there were official communications at the top level of the two governments and the South African media have published documents confirming the legitimacy of the botched arms deals.

According to a statement by PR Nigeria, “Reports by Rapport and City Press appeared to finally vindicate Federal Government’s official position that the transactions were legitimate as they confirmed that contrary to insinuations, end user certificates and a ‘shopping’ list accompanied the transactions as well as a note from Nigerian government authenticating the deals”.

The reports cited documents showing that the earlier consignment was approved by the Nigerian government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) which is officially mandated to issue the end-user certificate for such transactions that involved security agencies in Nigeria.

An entire “shopping list” was also said to have been supplied with the certificate, which included everything from helicopters to unmanned aircraft, rockets and ammunition.

A top security source in the intelligence service disclosed that “in issuing end-user certificate, the ONSA ensures that it carries all relevant agencies and stakeholders along. Therefore, such a responsibility is not a unilateral development.

The source said: “For security reasons, the chains leading to the issuance of end-user certificate cannot be put in the public domain. The recent interest in arms purchase was informed by the challenges of insurgency which our nation had been grappling with in the last few years. This is why the understanding of all Nigerians is necessary.

“Nigeria is desperate to counter activities of terrorists no matter what it takes even when some of our friends are not being fair to us.

Reactions have trailed the latest arms deal gone sour between Nigeria and South Africa.

This is the most corrupt government in Nigeria— APC

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while reacting to the latest arms deal saga said: “This is a government of scandals. While they are trying to battle with one scandal another one has just come up. It shows lack of transparency in government. It is a government of corruption. Where is the money from? Who appropriated the money? If arms and ammunition are to be bought, why must they not follow the legal procedure? We don’t even know how many of this kind of transactions have been carried out unnoticed. It is sad. Yet they talk about transparency and fight against corruption.”

“This government has turned out to be the most corrupt government in the history of this country. There was also another disclosure by Italian prosecutors about Malabo deal. It said that about $533million was shared in bribes. And the money was paid to the Federal Government. We are yet to comment on that. Before then we had the subsidy scan and no one has been convicted. The government is truly swimming inside corruption.”

It’s an embarrassment to Nigeria— Afenifere

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, described the latest seizure as an embarrassment to Nigeria.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “We need to know who is behind it. It is an embarrassment for the country that another money is being seized by the South African authorities. We need a proper verification to ascertain those who are behind it. Also, those who are behind it should be brought to book to serve as a ground rule.”

I’m not surprised— Fasehun

Also speaking, founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun said he was not surprised at the latest development.

Fasehun told Vanguard that “I am not surprised that Nigeria is becoming a country that is unable to control its treasury. Looters are looting everyday with impunity. Any country that has impunity as one of its principles will not be able to keep its treasury intact. So, I am not surprised that various people are looting the treasury and stealing our common wealth”.

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Military Arrests 50 Vandals, Recovers 100 Canoes, 3,000 Jerrycans in Lagos

October 8, 2014, 4:45 am

≫ Next: Aluu 4: Group Laments Delay in Trial of Suspects

≪ Previous: South Africa Seizes Another $5.7m from Nigeria

Military Arrests 50 Vandals, Recovers 100 Canoes, 3,000 Jerrycans in Lagos

The Military has arrested 50 persons suspected of vandalising pipelines at Majidun area of Ikorodu in Lagos.

About 100 canoes and ferries used by the vandals were reportedly recovered as at 7.30p.m. on Saturday.

It was gathered that over 1,000 jerricans filled with siphoned petroleum product and over 2,000 empty ones were also recovered.

The raid, which was jointly carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy and Army, reportedly started last Saturday.

Military sources disclosed that the action followed intelligence report on activities of pipeline vandals in the area. It was gathered that the operatives stormed the creeks while the vandals were operating.

Sources hinted that the vandals attempted to shoot, but on realising that they were military men, jumped into the river and swam away.

The presence of the military men on water and land sent fear down the spines of residents of the area.

A resident told Vanguard on phone: “The raid even caused a hitch in the flow of traffic as the military men positioned themselves in strategic points around the area.

“This paid off as some vandals, who managed to escape from the creeks, were arrested while attempting to board motorbikes. We just hope this will continue, so as to bring sanity to this area.”

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Aluu 4: Group Laments Delay in Trial of Suspects

October 8, 2014, 6:13 am

≫ Next: SCOAN: Nigeria, South Africa Bicker Over State of Mortuary Facilities

≪ Previous: Military Arrests 50 Vandals, Recovers 100 Canoes, 3,000 Jerrycans in Lagos

Aluu 4: Group laments delay in trial of suspects

Arrested suspects paraded by the Police in Port Harcourt.

Society for the Promotion of Better Nigeria, PBN, yesterday, decried the continued closure of the state owned courts, saying it has slowed down the wheel of justice on the brutal murder of four students of the University of Port Harcourt at Aluu, two years ago.

Executive Director of the body, Mr. Livingston Wechie, in a statement, said it was sad that two years after the murder of the students, justice was still not in sight for families of the deceased.

“It is disturbing that the Aluu 4 incident which is now two years old is still generating losses to the affected families and the society in general particularly since justice is still not in sight two years after four promising youths, Chiadika Biringa, Lloyde Toku Mike, Tekena Elkanah and Ugonna Obuzor, all first sons of their parents and students of University of Port Harcourt, were gruesomely murdered on October 5, 2012, by their fellow countrymen in what can best be described as ritual killing without any justification. One question for us all today is: Can there ever be justice for the Aluu 4 when our courts are perpetually shut in Rivers State?

“Thus, the Aluu 4 which is one of the several high profile criminal and public interest cases pending in Port Harcourt High courts, has denied justice to the victims, accused persons and the society in general following the insensitivity of the Judiciary workers in alliance with the Rivers State government in shutting down our courts thus bringing the judiciary to a state of comatose and thereby supporting jungle justice in the land, as Aluu 4 is a pure case of jungle justice,” he said.

Source: Vanguard

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SCOAN: Nigeria, South Africa Bicker Over State of Mortuary Facilities

October 8, 2014, 9:17 am

≫ Next: PDP, APC War Over Seized $5.7m

≪ Previous: Aluu 4: Group Laments Delay in Trial of Suspects

Jonathan and Zuma

Three weeks after 116 people, of whom 84 South Africans lost their lives when a six-storey guest house attached to the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos, collapsed, fresh indications have emerged that the South-African government and the Nigerian authorities in Lagos are bickering over alleged inadequate mortuary and facilities which may have led to the decomposition of the victims corpses beyond recognition.

South Africa Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, quoting the South African government last weekend, said that families of deceased who died in the building collapse have had an endless wait for the return of the bodies, which continue to decompose, stating that in some mortuaries, bodies were being kept cool with fans and no refrigeration.

Lagos debunks claims

Debunking this claim, spokesperson to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Hakeem Bello, said the state felt insulted by the criticism that there were inadequate mortuaries and facilities to take care of the corpses of the South Africans.

Bello said: “We recorded a more complex disaster during the Dana air crash in Lagos in 2012 in which 153 persons were burnt beyond recognition. Did we not identify the bodies of the victims?

“In the case of the Synagogue building collapse, the State Health Commissioner even called on relations of victims to come forward and provide tissues and sample evidence for DNA tests. Does that not suggest a more sophisticated environment?”

We have enough mortuary space — Lagos Government

A source at the Lagos State Ministry of Health also insisted the state had enough mortuary space.
“We have 24 general hospitals. The mortuary in (the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital) is of world-standard.

“We have mortuaries in Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland General Hospitals and, in fact, in all the 25 hospitals in the state, and there are also private mortuaries which are all of world-standard.”

He added that whoever had said Lagos did not have enough mortuaries to take care of bodies of the South Africans must be saying this so that the South African government would hasten the evacuation of the bodies.

Willaim speaks

However, spokesperson of the inter-ministerial task team on the Nigerian tragedy, Phumla Williams said in a statement that the government was already finalising the process of bringing the remains of the 84 South Africans home, but expressed doubt on the timeline.

“We wish we had a timeline. We are entirely at the mercy of the Nigerians.”

She said the South African government had decided to have a frank discussion with the families about the state the bodies would be in when they were returned, saying, “We are appealing to you that you expect the worst. I don’t think you want to see your relative in the state that they are in. The majority of them, I don’t think, are looking good.”
Williams said that they believed three or four of the bodies from South Africans killed were in a better state because they were embalmed quickly.

The South African government had hoped that the process of repatriation would move quickly after the post-mortems.
However, this process had been frustrated by the fact that Nigerian officials had insisted on doing DNA testing themselves, even though the technology is unavailable.

Assistance

Williams who claimed that South Africans had hoped to at least assist in the process, said: “Nevertheless, the government was still waiting to hear if the bodies had been transported to a service provider for the testing. We don’t know when they are going to finish. We also learned that because of the state in which the bodies are in, the DNA testing is not going to be a quick process. So, this left the government reluctant to estimate a date for the return of the bodies as it did not want to create unnecessary expectations. However, at any stage; we the South African government are ready to go and fetch the bodies,” she said.

Source: Vanguard

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PDP, APC War Over Seized $5.7m

October 8, 2014, 12:20 pm

≫ Next: I have insured a couple of things, but not my breasts — Cossy Orjiakor

≪ Previous: SCOAN: Nigeria, South Africa Bicker Over State of Mortuary Facilities

South Africa’s seizure of another $5.7m for the purchase of arms by Nigeria has sparked off war of words between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. While the APC accused President Jonathan of embarrassing the country in global community, the PDP has declared that it is solidly behind the president.

The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address Nigerians on what it called “the serial embarrassments to which his administration is subjecting the country in the comity of nations, after another seizure of $5.7 million of Nigerian arms money by South African authorities.

The party said the issues surrounding the first seizure of $9.3 million were yet to be resolved before the latest scandal, thus devaluing the currency of every Nigerian.

Jonathan must address Nigerians — APC

The party in the statement said: “Again, Mr. President, Nigerians are urging you to please come clean over these cash-for-arms scandals. They want you to answer critical questions on the legality of your administration’s repeated conduct. They want to know the identities of the two Nigerians who were arrested with an Israeli in South Africa over the first illegal deal, especially since the Israeli has been named.

“Nigerians want to know why the purported arms procurement for the government is done illegally between private companies that are neither known nor registered for dealing in arms? And why are the movement of monies not transparently documented for what they really are, if they are truly for legitimate purposes?

“They want to know whether indeed the weapons which the government is seeking so furiously to procure are for the battle against Boko Haram or for a sinister motive, considering the desperation of your Administration to continue to rule at all cost and by any means possible. They want to know whether every Nigerian should begin to fear what will happen in the days and weeks leading to the forthcoming general elections, against the backdrop of your Administration and party’s do-or-die politics.

“Mr. President, if the funds involved in the latest seizure were sent through bank transfer, can the government explain why Oritsejafor’s plane was stuffed with cash and transported to South Africa? Can your Administration’s embarrassing explanation that it is customary for other country’s security agencies, including MOSSAD, KGB and CIA, to cart plane loads of cash across the world to purchase black market weapons hold any more water now? These are some of the questions Nigerians are asking, not an untenable spin by untruthful government officials,” it said.

The party also wondered whether the funds being ferried up and down by the Administration were appropriated by the National Assembly, or whether they are part of the allegedly missing $20 billion oil money.

APC also slammed the Federal Government for issuing ‘childish and immature’ threats against South Africa threatening its investments in the country, instead of addressing the pertinent questions surrounding the illegal arms procurement deals.

“Mr. President, you cannot threaten another country when your Administration is wilfully breaking the laws of that country. In this case, your Administration stands on a weak moral ground, as its hands have been caught in the cookie jar. Therefore, issuing infantile threats is laughable, unacceptable and wrong,” the party said.

APC partnering foreign nations to rubbish Nigeria — PDP

The President’s party, the PDP in its response to the opposition party’s statement accused APC of “working hand in glove with foreign interests aimed at tarnishing the image of the country as well as that of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, also alleged that the APC was out to ridicule the government and frustrate genuine efforts towards ending the insecurity challenges we face as a nation.

The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the APC wherein it again embarrassed itself on issues regarding genuine efforts by the Federal Government to tackle the security challenges facing our nation.

“Our response to the APC is that we are solidly behind President Jonathan in the steps he is taking to ensure the safety of Nigerians and defend our sovereignty as a nation, especially in the light of their connivance with foreign interests to embarrass the government and people of Nigeria.

“We state categorically that the actions preferred by some foreign nations against our dear country as we seek solution to our security challenges are unacceptable and totally uncalled for, especially given our cordial relationship with them and the roles Nigeria and Nigerian citizens played in assisting them in their internal struggles.

“Given the rush with which the APC attacked the Presidency, it is clear that they are working hand-in-glove with foreign interests in a concerted effort to tarnish the image of our dear nation, ridicule our government and frustrate genuine efforts towards ending the insecurity challenges we face as a nation.

“Any responsible opposition which has the interest and welfare of the people at heart as the APC claims would concentrate on proffering solutions to the problems of the nation instead of seeking political capital at all times. Instead, we have an opposition that has been conniving with foreign interests to destroy the image and unity of their own country as a means to achieve political control.

“The APC is aptly likened to a quarrelsome wife, who daily goes to the market place to discuss her marital problems. We ask, does such a woman seek the unity or disintegration of her home? In the same vein Nigerians wonder if the APC is really interested in the unity and corporate existence of our nation. Are they trying to destroy our country as a means to achieve political control through the back door?

“The APC must come to terms with the fact that Nigeria as an indivisible nation has come to stay. They must know that Nigerians are resolute in their determination to live together as one people.

“Our final response is that the PDP and indeed Nigerians of good faith are solidly behind President Jonathan and no amount of blackmail or connivance with foreign interests will deter or detract the PDP-led administration from the resolve to find a permanent solution to the security challenges in our country.”

Saboteurs at work

Also reacting to the seizure of $5.7m by South Africa, an Abuja-based Human Rights Activist, Chief Nkereuwem Akpan, alleged sabotage from some persons in the Nigerian government.

According to him: “How come that the Nigerian government did not involve the South African government in the botched arms deals? It was highly irresponsible, careless, and shows that someone is taking us for a ride.

“If the first one was an error, this one is certainly not! This seems like sabotage. The law in South Africa is clear; if you bring in that kind of money through the back door, it is confiscated. South Africa is a sovereign nation and we must respect that. Even if the arms dealers demanded cash, or if it involves the black market, the South African government must be in the know of the deal.

“In international law there are rules that must be complied with, who broke those rules and who did not conform to the international best practices as far as such transaction is concerned?

“The Nigerian government owes us a duty to explain. The Nigerian people deserve better explanations on this one. The government must come out and tell us what happened as a matter of urgency”.

In his reaction, a constitutional lawyer, Mr. Oghenovo Otemu said: “It is highly regrettable for a country like Nigeria that after the initial scandal that involved a whopping USD9.3m, the same thing is happening again within a spate of weeks. One question that keeps bothering me is, if Nigeria must purchase arms from South Africa, must we breach their financial regulations and laws?

“It is known that you cannot carry such amount into the country without following the sure procedure.”

Source: Vanguard

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I have insured a couple of things, but not my breasts — Cossy Orjiakor

October 8, 2014, 11:15 pm

≫ Next: Samson Siasia Appointed as Nigeria U-23 Coach

≪ Previous: PDP, APC War Over Seized $5.7m

Cossy Orjiakor

Cossy Orjiakor has been in the public glare for some time now and even though she is tagged an actress, many of us only know her mostly for her massive boobs that seem to keep getting bigger and bigger.

Cossy is candid about most things but she has never admitted going for plastic surgery to make her boobs bigger, even denying earlier reports that she insured her boobs for ₦256 million.

In her words; “I have insured a couple of things, but not my breasts. Even if the breasts sag after having children, I’ll rather go abroad to have surgery or insure my breasts. Insurance is a good thing but the fact remains that you cannot get the money until something goes wrong with the breasts”. Cossy Orjiakor recently starred in Omogoriola Hassan’s raunchy movie 1 million boys.

Image Source: Nairaland
Source: Vanguard

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Samson Siasia Appointed as Nigeria U-23 Coach

October 16, 2014, 10:14 pm

≫ Next: Buhari Picks APC ₦27.5m Nomination Form

≪ Previous: I have insured a couple of things, but not my breasts — Cossy Orjiakor

Samson Siasia Appointed as Nigeria U-23 Coach

Former Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has been appointed to lead the country’s U-23 team. The Nigeria Football Federation announced his appointment on Thursday alongside other appointments just as they relieved Eagles coach Stephen Keshi of his position.

A communiqué signed by executive committee member of the NFF Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, “The Committee also appointed Mr. Samson Siasia as the new Head Coach of the U-23 men’s team. He will be assisted by Fatai Amoo, while the Technical and Development will recommend the other members of the crew.”

He will be assisted by Fatai Amoo, who was originally listed to head the team by the previous board of the NFF.

Apart from coaching the senior team, Siasia in the past led the U-20 and the U-23 teams. He was in charge of the Nigerian team to 2008 Beijing Olympics in which the country played the final match of the football event. Argentina powered by Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria beat Nigeria to the gold medal.

He was sacked as Eagles coach in October 2012 after he failed to qualify the country to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations paving the way for Keshi to become the Nigeria coach.

Source: Punch

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Buhari Picks APC ₦27.5m Nomination Form

October 16, 2014, 10:28 pm

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≪ Previous: Samson Siasia Appointed as Nigeria U-23 Coach

Former Head of State, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari

A former military Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday became the second presidential aspirant, to pick the expression of interest and nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Buhari, who paid the required ₦27.5m in Abuja, was handed the form by the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

This was done after a former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, had handed over a Union Bank cheque of ₦27.5m on behalf of Buhari to the National Organising Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso.

Speaking after collecting the form, Buhari said but for the fact that he was a member of the party at its highest level, he would have complained about the high cost of the form.

Buhari said, “It’s a pity I couldn’t influence this amount to be reviewed downward as was done in the case of the ladies. I looked left and right, I couldn’t read sympathy on anybody’s face.

“So, I kept to myself but I felt heavily sorry for myself, because I don’t want to go and ask somebody to pay for my nomination.

“If you recall-even the last ones (elections) I have (contested), -I always try to pay for myself, at least for the nomination form.

“I was about to go to Kaduna for a reason, so I talked to the chairman and he said you better picked your forms and he kept a straight face meaning you have no choice.

“We thank God, we have reached this stage, speculations will now cease.”

Responding, Odigie-Oyegun, who described the retired general as a leader in the party said, “The ₦27.5m is to separate the men from the boys. It is quite clear, we know you. I don’t expect that you have ₦27.5m under your belt, but I expected that there are Nigerians who will vouch for you any day and who are ready to stand for you any day.”

He also congratulated the aspirant for selling himself and the party with the way he handled his formal declaration.

The party chairman said, “I want to assure you that if there is consensus among the aspirants, we as a party will welcome it completely. But if there is no consensus, we are going to give you the cleanest, the most transparent primary we are going to let this country see.”

Source: Punch

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Man Rapes, Infects Lover’s Kids With HIV

October 16, 2014, 10:38 pm

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Man rapes, infects lover’s kids with HIV

A 32-year-old man, Mr. Terkura Iorpuu, was on Thursday arraigned before a chief magistrate’s court in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, for raping and infecting two young girls with HIV.

Punch Metro learnt that the two victims, aged eight and six, were the daughters of his lover, Mrs. Mson Tor. The rapist and the mother of the two minors had been HIV positive for over a year and had been using anti-retroviral drugs.

It was learnt that the bubble burst after the kids started walking in an unusual manner and were subsequently taken to Hemko Hospital, Makurdi for medical examination.

After the test, it was discovered that the girls had been defiled through “forceful penetration”.

Medical examination also showed that the two sisters were HIV positive.

The victims, when interviewed, revealed that it was their mother’s boyfriend that raped them.

The magistrate, Lilian Tsumba, adjourned till December 4 for further mentioning and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison.

Image Credit: credits: www.google.com.ng

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Giwa Shocked by Stephen Keshi’s Removal

October 16, 2014, 10:54 pm

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Stephen Keshi

The owner and Chairman of the Glo Premier League team, Giwa Football Club, Chris Giwa, has expressed disappointment over the sacking of Stephen Keshi as the coach of the Super Eagles. Keshi who was working as an interim coach without a fresh contract was asked to go by the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday.

Giwa who is also staking claims as the truly elected president of the NFF made the remarks following had an emergency committee meeting he held with his members at the Bolingo Hotel Abuja also on Thursday. The Jos-based businessman has gone to a civil court to seek redress even though the world football ruling body, FIFA, CAF and the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved and recognised the Amaju Pinnick led NFF.

On Thursday, Giwa and his team condemned the sacking while insisting that, “Stephen Keshi remains the head coach of the senior national team and the technical crew remains intact.

They noted that there were two more games to be played against Congo Republic and South Africa ahead of Nigeria’s qualification for the African Nations Cup finals in 2015 in Morocco and therefore emphasis should be placed on the games rather than removing the coaching crew.

They asked Nigerians to also disregard all other appointments made by the Amaju-led board.

Source: Punch

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Your Criticisms Are Baseless, Jonathan Tells Buhari

October 17, 2014, 3:26 am

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President Goodluck Jonathan

The Presidency on Thursday took a swipe at a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), over his scathing criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration while declaring his interest in the 2015 Presidential election on Wednesday.

Buhari had while declaring his bid for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on Wednesday claimed, among others, that the level of corruption in Nigeria today was worse than at any other time in history.

He said he empathised with Nigerians, who he claimed, were suffering deprivation daily.

But the President, in a statement by his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the charges made by the former military leader as reckless, baseless and unsupportable.

It further described Buhari’s claims as an irresponsible denigration of Jonathan’s sincere efforts over the past four years to positively transform Nigeria.

It said it reflected on the character of opposition politicians that a person of Buhari’s stature would make false claims for political gain.

The statement read, “We have noted with disappointment and regret, the reckless, baseless and unsupportable charges made against the Jonathan administration yesterday (Wednesday) by a supposed elder statesman, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

“We wholly reject the allegations made by Gen. Buhari against the Jonathan administration at yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) declaration of his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election as an irresponsible denigration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s sincere efforts, over the past four years, to positively transform Nigeria.

“It reflects very badly on the character of the political opposition we now have in Nigeria, that a political leader of General Buhari’s stature will deliberately make such false and uncharitable comments about the elected leadership of his country, merely for personal and sectional political gain.

“The falsity of General Buhari’s anti-Jonathan and anti-PDP claims will be obvious to knowledgeable Nigerians and friends of the country, but for the benefit of others, we will like to affirm that there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in his charge that “the last 16 years of the PDP government has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria” or that “the economy continues to deteriorate.”

“Statistics and rankings from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international economic agencies give the lie to General Buhari’s claims on the state of the Nigerian economy.

“As is well known, available figures, statistics and ratings show that the Nigerian economy has consistently maintained an unprecedented growth rate of 6-7per cent under the Jonathan administration. They also show that the Nigerian economy is now the leading economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world with a gross domestic product of over $500bn per annum.

“Also, contrary to General Buhari’s assertion yesterday (Wednesday), Nigeria’s agricultural sector is thriving under the reforms being implemented by the Jonathan administration as current production figures show and neither manufacturing nor commerce is “down” as the APC presidential aspirant alleged.”

Abati said Buhari’s most uncharitable and inexcusable accusation against the present administration was that election rigging continues to thrive in Nigeria.

“We also urge him to eschew unbecoming false accusations against others like a true elder statesman and to focus his campaign on more original ideas for the promotion of peace, stability, unity and progress in our beloved nation.”

Source: Punch

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Ekiti: Fayose Sworn in, Workers Call Off Strike

October 17, 2014, 4:49 am

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L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Feyisetan Fayose; her husband, Ayo; and the Chief Judge,
Justice Ayodeji Daramola, during the swearing-in of Fayose

The old, young men and women trooped out in large numbers on Thursday to witness the inauguration of Ayodele Peter Fayose as the new governor of Ekiti State.

Majority of them, dressed in different colours of the inauguration uniform, started arriving at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium venue of the ceremony in Ado-Ekiti as early as 7am.

At the ceremony, six All Progressives Congress members of the state House of Assembly that defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, were received by the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.

The defectors are Olowo Ajiboye, Adeloye Adeyinka, Abeni Olayinka, Fatunbi Olajide, Olugbemi Joseph and Adeojo Ayodele.

The people roared with songs as Fayose, decked in a white dansiki and sokoto,arrived at the venue at 12.40pm in a light green 1965 model Mercedez Benz W110 in company with his wife, Feyisetan. Feyisetan wore a green attire.

Apart from musicians, including Yinka Ayefele, who thrilled the crowd, there were performances by masqueraders at the sideline.

People coming into the stadium were asked to raise their hands for security checks. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd.

Three police helicopters hovered the sky of Ado Ekiti while four Armour Personnel Carriers were stationed at strategic locations.

The Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, personally led the police team that provided security for the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, who administered the oath of office on Fayose and his deputy, Olusola Eleka.

Lakanu had on Wednesday night met various interest groups, including the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, the NURTW, okada riders and political parties.

Before delivering his inaugural speech, Fayose ordered the observance of a minute silence in honour of a former state Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye, who was murdered by some gunmen.

Inauguration of Ayodele Peter Fayose as the new governor of Ekiti State.

Fayose in a crowd (r) in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday

Aderiye, a staunch supporter of Fayose, was killed on September 25 in the wake of violence that erupted in the state.

The new governor also asked for a minute silence to announce the ‘burial’ of the APC in the state.

One of the highlights of the speech was when Fayose decreed “stomach infrastructure” at the ceremony which was not attended by his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

He said, “My emergence is divine. That is why the more they fight me, the more they make me popular.

“When they write about me in the papers, they want me to be the governor of their imagination. But I am governor of your imagination. I am the governor that eats boli with you; the governor that drinks agbo jedi with you.

“You have successfully supported me to serve you and send them back with their agenda to their master in Lagos.”

Fayose also went spiritual in his speech when he said God spoke to him to forgive the state for his unjust removal as governor in 2006 and to also decree peace to the people.

“Today I declare peace, prosperity, progress, employment, food and stomach infrastructure,” he said.

He announced that he would appoint a special adviser for stomach infrastructure and provide rice as well as chickens for them to celebrate Christmas.

The governor said, “I will dedicate myself to your service; I will banish hunger in your midst; I will work hard to put food on your table. Whether they call it food infrastructure is their business because I’m going to appoint a Special Adviser for Stomach Infrastructure.”

“If I put car on the road and I’m hungry and my children can’t go to school, that car is meaningless. But putting food inside the stomach is very important. I’m breeding your chicken for Christmas; I’m getting your rice ready to do stomach infrastructure….”

As the jubilant crowd shouted ‘yes oh’ in appreciation, he then lashed out at the Fayemi administration for what he described as recklessness in managing the state’s finances.

He said the Fayemi administration which had 157 accounts in different banks committed the state to financial liability of ₦84bn.

According to him, it will take the state six years to get out of the financial burden.

He argued that despite the huge sums expended by the outgone administration there was no corresponding impact on the lives of the people of the state.

Fayose urged the people to be patient with his administration, saying the next few months would be slightly rough because of huge financial deficit to offset.

The governor said, “They have committed this state to the tune of ₦84bn and we are committed up until year 2020. The records are there. New discoveries will be made public very soon. They left without paying wages. Since the former governor lost election, he appointed eight permanent secretaries when there was no vacancy.

“To my amazement, he employed over 3,000 people. To my amazement, an outgoing government created 19 extra local government areas. It’s unfortunate; it is sad. And I want to appeal to you to give me all the necessary cooperation and understanding because the next few months might be slightly rough. They have every month, a deficit of ₦552m. I don’t know how a government can be this reckless.”

The governor, who said he left over ₦10.4bn in cash and sureties in the state in October 2006, expressed regret that the money was depleted by successive governments which began with the interim “quasi-military” which took over when he was removed.

Fayose accused the previous governments of serving interests other than that of the ordinary man.

He said, “My heart bleeds today that our state has been plunged into heavy debt of well over ₦49bn by our own brothers and sisters who claimed to be our leaders. They took a bond of ₦21bn and then took another ₦10bn. Other bank loans ₦15.5bn. Outstanding salaries, instead of two months, it’s now three months running to about ₦5bn.

“Since after election they refused to pay salary monthly salaries of about ₦2.4bn. When they deny this, I’ll publish it in the papers with the names of such banks and everything that went through them. I know they are good at propaganda, but the world would know that these people do not love their people.”

He added that unpaid subventions to parastatals and tertiary institutions, 2014 leave bonuses, unpaid pension and gratuities amounted to about ₦57.45bn, whereas monthly accruable income of the state stood at about ₦3.3bn.

Fayose also said he was surprised to discover that the state had 157 bank accounts and none of them has up to ₦1m in it.

He said he did not want to join issues with the Fayemi administration, which “was responsible for the huge debt profile,” but wanted to let the people know the state of the state’s finances.

Fayose noted that he had made history by being the first Ekiti man to take the oath of office as governor twice and also the first to have defeated two incumbents.

“When I defeated them, they said it was as a result of stomach infrastructure. How can an incumbent say that? You have the money; you have the power; you have the might; you disconnect yourself from the people. They are gone; I say they are gone,” he added.

Fayose also pleaded with the media to give him a chance as the representative of ordinary people of Ekiti State.

On the programme of his government, Fayose said the focus would be on economic empowerment; development of agriculture; infrastructural development; affordable housing schemes; education; provision of free health care for children, women and people living with disability; as well as security.

Promising that a military formation would be established in the state, he warned that civil servants who allowed politics to get in the way of their jobs would be sacked.

Fayose directed the Head of Service to return all officers redeployed on June 21 to their substantive positions.

He voided all appointments and promotions that were effected after the June governorship election and promised that a panel would be constituted to reorganise the civil service.

The governor blamed the recent events that led to the attacks on court premises and judges on the leadership of the APC. He alleged that it desperately wanted to steal the mandate that was given to him by Ekiti people.

Fayose pleaded with the judiciary and the state legislature to put those events behind them and work amicably with him for the development of the state.

He also promised to make the judiciary in the state the best in the country.

Prominent people that witnessed the ceremony were the PDP National Secretary, Prof. Olusola Oladipo; governor Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Theodore Orji (Abia); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Usman Dakingari (Kebbi); and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta).

Former governors Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo); Peter Obi (Anambra); and Christopher Alao-Akala (Oyo); the former PDP governorship candidates in Osun and Ondo states. Iyiola Omisore and Olusola Oke, were also in attendance.

The Chairman, South-West PDP Mobilisation Committee, Chief Buruji Kasamu; former Acting Governor of the state, Tunji Odeyemi, senatorial aspirant, Mrs. Fatima Raji-Rasaki; Minister of State for Works, Chief Dayo Adeyeye; outgoing Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; a former Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, as well as royal fathers in the state led by their chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola.

Fayose appoints SSG, CPS, SAs

Fayose later announced the appointments of Dr. Modupe Alade as Secretary to the State Government and Mr. Idowu Adelusi as his Chief Press Secretary.

Owoseni Ajayi was named his Special Assistant on Legal Matters.

Adelusi, in a statement, said Kayode Oso, would serve as Fayose’s Special Assistant on Works and Infrastructure; Sola Owoeye, Special Assistant on Protocol; and Sola Olowookere, Personal Assistant ( Abuja).

Toyin Ojo was appointed special assistant on Finance; Sunday Anifowose, Personal Assistant on Special Duties and Stomach Infrastructure; Sunday Omosilade, personal assistant on Domestic Matters and Lere Olayinka, special assistant on Information and Social Media.

Workers suspend strike

Meanwhile, Ekiti State workers have suspended the two- week- old strike they declared over the the non- payment of their two-month salaries and allowances.

The State Joint Negotiating Council Chairman, Oladipupo Johnson, broke the news to our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the workers agreed to suspend the strike in order to honour Fayose after a meeting with the Head of Service, Mr. Bunnies Famosaya.

Johnson said, “We met at the Labour House and agreed to suspend the strike in order to allow the new government settle down. This is to allow him to settle down in office to find solutions to pending issues with workers.

“That is the position as of now. We have directed all the striking unions under the JNC to ask their members to resume on Friday. We want to allow him to put an end to all the bad policies where salaries of workers will not be paid and the government will be withholding deductions, and other related issues.

“We expect all workers in the public service to resume tomorrow (Friday).”

He said the council had earlier met with government officials on Wednesday where it refused to suspend the strike pending the inauguration of Fayose.

While declaring the strike on October 2, Johnson had said, “It is unfortunate to note that in spite of the pronouncement and promises from top government functionaries, there seem to be no light at the end of the tunnel . Sequel to the following, the workers of the public service had met and directed that no worker should come to work today, October 2, 2014 and this subsists until all conditions are met.

“And any worker who refuses to obey this simple directive dos so at his or her own risk since the leaders would not take responsibility for anything that happens.”

Johnson, who said the council had been in dialogue with Fayemi in the last three months over the issues, expressed surprise that the workers were not paid even after government received two allocations.

“We don’t want to stay back and allow our people to be dying on the streets because we are gradually becoming beggars. The Government has not paid salaries in the last two months, that is why we ask them to be at home and look for alternative ways of existence

“They are owing full salaries for August and September and 60 percent deductions in the June and July salaries. And going by evidence we had, the former governor had collected two allocations without remembering that these salaries should be paid.

“We have met with the Head of Service, the Accountant General and other relevant people and what they agreed was that the salaries will be paid by October 1, 2014.’’

Source: Punch

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