Woman Falls from 23 storey's and survive .

Argentina woman survives 23-storey hotel fall

The aftermath of the fall was captured by a passer-by with a mobile phone
A woman has survived after falling from the 23rd floor of a hotel in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.
Her fall was broken by a taxi, whose driver got out moments before the impact crushed the roof and shattered the windscreen.
Eyewitness said the woman had climbed over a safety barrier and leapt from a restaurant at the top of the Hotel Crowne Plaza Panamericano.
She was taken to intensive care for treatment for multiple injuries.
The woman, who has not been named, is reported to be an Argentine in her 30s.
The taxi driver, named by local media as Miguel, said he got out of his vehicle just before the impact after noticing a policeman looking up.
"I got out of the car a second before. If I had not got out, I would have been killed," he told Radio 10.
"I was only 10 metres from the impact. It made a terrible noise," he added...
The Hotel Crowne Plaza Panamericano overlooks the Obelisk, one of the best known landmarks in Buenos Aires...

 More:
Talk about finding a taxi at the exact moment you need one most.

An Argentine woman has reportedly survived a fall from the 23rd story of a hotel in Buenos Aires by landing atop a taxicab.

The woman plummeted an estimated 330 feet after hurling herself from the Hotel Crown Plaza Panamericano before she struck a cab on the street below, crushing the car's roof and shattering its windshield,

denisitabaires, Infobae.com / AP

A woman lies atop a taxi after falling from the 23rd floor of a hotel in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Monday. The seriously injured woman was taken to a hospital, while the taxi driver managed to get out of the car before the impact.

The woman -- whose age has been reported as either 30 or 33 -- suffered severe injuries, including internal bleeding and broken hips and ribs. Doctors have removed one of her lungs, one of her kidneys and her spleen,

Moments before the woman landed on the taxi, the cab driver, who gave his name as Miguel, stepped out of the car. He says he only got out of the driver's seat when he saw a policeman looking upward at the hotel.

"If I hadn't got out, I'd be dead," he told the press.

"I felt this explosion and I saw this woman's body sunken into the roof of my cab."

Some witnesses say the woman ordered coffee at a restaurant located near the top of the hotel, removed her shoes, climbed over a safety barricade and leaped.

In September, a New York City resident suffered a broken leg, collapsed lung and shattered ankle when he landed on a sports car after a 40-story leap from the roof of the West End Towers.

President Jonathan Appoints Bianca Ojukwu as Aide

In fulfillment of his pledge to tackle the spate of terrorism in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan today Wednesday approved the appointment of Zakari Ibrahim, former director general of the National Intelligence Agency as the new coordinator anti-terrorism in the country.

Also appointed is the wife of Ex-Biafran warlord, Dim Odiumegwu Ojukwu, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, as Senior Special Assistant, Daispora Affairs.

Jonathan also approved the appointment of Kingsley Kuku as special adviser, Niger Delta Affairs, and Oyewole Olugbenga Leke as senior special assistant, Maritime Services. He said the appointments take immediate effect. - Vanguard

The Gorilla who walks around on two legs

It's a known fact that gorillas share close to 95% of their DNA with humans. But it seems Ambam the Silverback may have found the other five - as he swaggers around his enclosure like a man. The 18-second clip, shot at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent, shows the hulking ape walking upright on his hind legs, and has become an internet sensation. - Daily Mail UK

Photo of the day...

Clowns!!!

Breaking news: Footballer Uche Okafor was murdered

FBI brought out a report this morning saying former super eagles player, Uche Okafor, who was found hanged in his US home Jan 6th this month, didn't commit suicide but was murdered!

Story developing...

 

1966 Coup Executed To Make Awo PM – Dr Emma Okocha

In an exclusive interview with Sunday Sun, he said the coup was actually planned, organised and executed to enthrone Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the prime minister.

Besides, it was staged to stop the killings of civilians in Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ibadan, Ikorodu as well as the Igbo in the northern region.
According to him, although Awolowo was in Calabar prisons for treason, he , along with some of his associates such as the late Tai Solarin, Lateef Jakande, Segun Osoba and the late Anthony Enahoro, had foreknowledge of the coup.

He also revealed that contrary to the widely held view that the coup was led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, it was led by Major Christian Anuforo, who according to him, had a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and was the most intelligent of the seven majors that executed the putsch. He lamented that January 15, 1966 has been consigned to history and warned that until the event was put in proper perspective, Nigeria would not be able to make much progress.

He condemned the excesses of state governors, who according to him, have gone beyond their constitutional brief of governing their states, to determining who becomes what in Nigeria. He recalled that it was such conduct by the governors that prepared grounds for the 1966 coup. He urged the governors to retrace their steps and save the country from a possible chaos.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/jan/23/national-23-01-2011-004.htm

awolowo.jpg (13.05 KB, 228x250 )

German Big Brother star dies after sixth breast enlargement operation.

A German porn star has died following complications during her sixth breast enlargement. Cora, real name Carolin Berger, had been in a coma for nine days following the operation when she died yesterday.

The 23-year-old had gone under the knife to boost her bust from a 34F to a 34G. The clinic in Germany where she had the enhancement is now being investigated. Her family were called to the hospital where they were told that Cora had been without oxygen during the op for 15 minutes and was in 'serious condition'.

The heavily tattooed adult actress had come to the nation's attention as a contestant in the German Big Brother house last year. - Daily Mail

Photo of the day...

A Biafran doctor hands out cups containing the daily ration of powdered milk to a line of children at a refugee camp in Anwa, Biafra, Aug. 5, 1968.

One of these children is a popular politician today. Guess where he is in the picture and who he is toda

Bald headed Mercy Johnson

It's for a movie role where she plays a widow.

still looking pretty!

Dubai Paradise Aisles Are Sinking - I Hope Lagos Is Watching

LUXURY islands in Dubai shaped like countries of the world are sinking, a tribunal heard yesterday.
Experts said the man-made project off the coast of the oil-rich emirate is "dead".

The World archipelago was intended to have top hotels and villas for millionaires - but work is believed to have stopped following the financial crisis.

Now the sands are eroding and the navigational channels between each "nation" are silting up, the property hearing was told.

Richard Wilmot-Smith QC, a British lawyer for a company that ferries people to the islands, told the tribunal: "They are gradually falling back into the sea."
Penguin Marine is seeking to withdraw from paying fees of £1million a year because there are so few passengers for the development a mile and a half from the mainland.

The firm claims work on the islands has "effectively stopped".

It was hoped the holiday paradise - one of the most ambitious building projects ever - could become a wonder of the modern world.

Developer Nakheel claims 70 per cent of The World's 300 islands have been sold.

But the only inhabited island is Greenland - which is a show home owned by Dubai's ruler.

And Nakheel admits work on the archipelago is "in a coma".

The firm was part of Dubai World, the state-owned conglomerate bailed out of £18billion debts at the end of 2009.

Investors who did buy islands also ran into problems after the Dubai property bubble burst.

John O'Dolan - whose company bought Ireland for £24million - committed suicide.

And Safi Qurashi, who bought Britain for £43million, is serving seven years in jail in Dubai for bouncing cheques.
Graham Lovett, for Nakheel, told the Dubai tribunal the scheme was not dead.

He said: "This is a ten-year project which has slowed down. This is a project which will be completed."

The tribunal found for Nakheel.

Last night a spokesman insisted the islands are not sinking.

How Sanusi Saved Depositors From Losing N2tr To Sick Banks - Sanusi

OVER N2 trillion depositors funds would have been lost in the banking sector if not for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s intervention through the set of reforms in the sector. This was disclosed by the CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the Nigerian Tribune Special Award Ceremony, held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday.

Mallam Sanusi, who won The Tribune Man of the Year Award, said the impacts would have been monumental if the Nigerian banking sector had collapsed.

“The banking reforms were met with anger, condemnation and allegation of ethnic agenda at the inception. Those who condemned the reforms, I knew, had no access to the information available to us. But I knew that when Nigerians begin to see the good side of the reforms, they will appreciate our efforts,” the CBN governor said.

The CBN governor said further, “we are not at the end of it all. By the first half of the year, we have to complete the recapitalisation of the banks. At least four of the big banks will sign MoU.


“Through the reforms, the foreign exchange has been stable and confidence has returned to the banks.”

He said a lot of progress had also been made on the power sector reforms while the CBN had released N200 billion to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Reacting to the rumour regarding massive retrenchment in the banking sector, the apex bank governor said there was no plan to retrench workers in the banking sector, but added that any retrenchment in an organisation could be as a result of excess load of staff carried by it, noting that banks were not exempted from such reforms.

“Every time an institution finds out that it is carrying excess capacity as far as staff are concerned, you do  some downsizing. It’s happening all over the world.

“If you look at America, Europe and some African countries, there has been financial crisis and many bankers have found themselves on the street.
“This is because these banks were making profits or claimed to be making profits and they are not, but discovered they needed to reduce costs. It’s a natural fallout of the financial crisis.

“However, as we recapitalise these banks, you find out that these banks are actually recruiting. As I speak to you, banks like Union Bank and Oceanic Bank are recruiting and the truth is there has been an increase in recruitment,” the CBN governor said.

Earlier in his address, the MD/EIC, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Reverend Sam Adesua, said the social, economic and political surveillance of the polity informed the decision of top editorial members of the Tribune titles to review the Nigerian environment in the outgoing year.

He said it was unanimously decided at the meeting that as a way of encouraging public officers to be on the side of probity and good governance, some outstanding public officers should be honoured.

Rev. Adesua urged all those appointed or elected into public positions throughout the country to bear in mind that the searchlight of those who appointed or elected them as well that of press was on them.

On the award winners, he said out of several eminent Nigerians who qualified for the award, the two award winners, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (The Tribune Man of The Year) and  Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief  Godswill Akpabio (The Tribune Governor of The Year) were found to be outstanding.

“May I seize this opportunity to congratulate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, on their sterling achievements and I urge them to sustain the performances for which we are honouring them today.

“We feel proud to recommend these illustrious and outstanding Nigerians to other public officers in the country for emulation of their patriotism and doggedness,” Rev. Adesua admonished.

The CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi,  started his banking career in 1985 with Icon Limited later with the United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

He has worked in various fields in the banking profession, including Issuing House activity, financial advisory services and credit marketing.
He distinguished himself as the Chief Risk Officer in the two largest banks in the country, UBA Plc and FBN Plc.

In January 2009, Sanusi rose to the position of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Plc and in June 2009, he was appointed the 10th governor of the CBN.

Sanusi became the CBN governor at a period the global financial crisis was biting hard on nations and at a period the banking sector in the country was at the verge of collapse due to its over- exposure to the stock market and excessive margin lending, leading to a bubble in the capital market.
In his resolve to put things right in the banking sector, Sanusi introduced and implemented a far-reaching reforms aimed at addressing poor corporate governance, poor risk management practices, management fraud, insider abuse and weak regulation supervision and enforcement, which were identified as the bane of the country’s banking sector.

A joint audit exercise carried out by CBN and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) revealed that eight out of the 24 deposit money banks in the country were unhealthy.

This led to the removal of the CEOs of the banks, including Intercontinental, Oceanic, Union, Afribank, FinBank, Bank PHB, Spring Bank, and Equatorial Trust Bank.

To put the banks on the path of profitability and ensure stability in the institution, the Sanusi-led CBN injected nearly N1trillion as bailout funds to the banking sector.

He also set up the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (Amcon) to mop up the toxic assets in the balance sheets of the rescued banks in preparation for their takeover by new investors.

Also, to ensure sanity in the sector, Sanusi ensured compulsory retirement of CEOs, who had spent more than 10 years in office.

He also set tenure-limit of 12 years for non-executive directors and change of external auditors after 10 years.

Other reforms introduced by the Sanusi-led CBN included abolition of universal banking licence. Banks in the country can now operate as national bank, regional bank or international bank depending on the licences they obtained.

The microfinance banks and other institutions were also not left out in the reforms of Mallam Sanusi-led CBN. Last year, licences of 224 microfinance banks were withdrawn by the CBN for their failure in the target examination carried out on them by the CBN and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was born in Kano, Kano State, on July 31, 1961. He obtained  degrees in Economics and Islamic Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the International University of Africa, Khartoum, respectively.

Corruption Not Nigeria’s Bane, Says World Bank

Don’t think it (corruption) is Nigeria ’s problem. I think corruption is important but I really don’t think it is the only thing or may be not the decisive thing,” he said.
Ruhl was responding to a question at the Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Thursday, in Abuja , on whether Nigeria was being hindered by corruption compared with developing countries such as Brazil, China, Korea and Malaysia .
“The question is: Are we going to keep talking about who gets which job? Or are we going to say how we are going to move this country forward?
“If we do the latter, the country is going to move forward because the potential of Nigeria is more in terms of resources, both human and natural,” he said.
Ruhl noted that Korea, rose to its present level by sheer determination even though nobody took them seriously after the war, adding: “They don’t blame partners; they just say we want to develop and there they go.”
According to him, some states are already showing signs that they can develop with determination.
“Some states in Nigeria show clear signs of being able to do that on their own. That is a clear proof that Nigeria does not need to be worse than Brazil or India ,” he said.
On role of the bank in Nigeria’s road map on water, Ruhl said the bank was currently assisting Kaduna, Enugu, Osun, Lagos and Cross River states as well as the Federal Capital Territory in managing their water supply.
He lauded Cross River which, he said, had successfully partnered the private sector to provide water for its people at affordable rates through communal taps.
However, he pointed out that people still found it difficult to pay for water,  preferring to buy sachet water which, he said, was more expensive.

George Denied Bail

Convicted former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has been denied bail by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos.

He had gone to court seeking to be freed from prison and get his conviction quashed.
The panel of three justices led by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi had in October adjourned for judgement after listening to arguments from counsel representing parties in the matter.

It ruled today that the conviction was in order.
Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of an Ikeja High Court had on July 26, 2009 convicted George and five others for abuse of office without an option of fine but the six convicted persons immediately filed an appeal before the appellate court.

Premier League - Villa keeper Friedel declared bankrupt

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has been declared bankrupt despite being paid over £40,000-a-week – according to a report in the Daily Mirror.

The ruling was made at Macclesfield county court after Friedel's US football academy ran up debts of close to £5 million.
Friedel set up the 28-acre not-for-profit 'Premier Soccer Academy' in his native Ohio back in 2007.
However, sponsors have since dropped out of the project and trainees have baulked at the £20,000-a-year fee for the Academy that aims to train players for European football.
Lender RBS Citizens then took action in the US and court documents showed that last August Friedel and his company owed nearly £5m.
The academy is in Lorain County, and their website lists more than £250,000 in unpaid property taxes relating to the academy.
Last month, repossession proceedings also began on a £260,000 house owned by the former American international in Ohio.
A spokesperson for the former is Friedel quoted in the Mirror as saying: "This is a technical bankruptcy and it is not anticipated that it will be in place for long as an application for an annulment will be submitted in the next few days.
"Arrangements are in place to deal with the issues which gave rise to the bankruptcy."
Friedel has been an ever present in the Villa team this season, but the 39-year-old is out of contract in the summer.
He signed for Liverpool in 1997 and was at Anfield for three seasons. He then enjoyed eight years at Blackburn before moving on to Villa in 2008.

CPC And ACN To Join Forces- Deal May Be Signed Today !

CPC, ACN may sign deal Friday .

General Muhammadu Buhari


The Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] and the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] have concluded arrangements to sign a memorandum of understating [MOU] in Abuja tomorrow which is meant to field a joint presidential candidate in the general election of April.


Daily Trust learnt from high level sources on both sides that almost all the tricky details in talks which started some few months back have been resolved and the final meeting for the alliance is going be held in Abuja tomorrow where both parties will officially sign a working agreement towards the election. At tomorrow’s meeting, both parties will present their final submissions after which the pact will be signed, the sources said.


Earlier reports indicated that the alliance has already agreed to support the presidential candidate of the CPC General Muhammadu Buhari on the joint presidential ticket while the ACN provides the running mate. A source confirmed that some areas of friction had earlier stalled the process but were mutually resolved during the last meeting. He said it was now unanimously agreed that Muhammadu Buhari will become the presidential flag bearer, though under his CPC but with a joint mandate.

Though former Lagos State governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu has initially been touted as the possible running mate, Daily Trust learnt that certain political intrigues and calculations came to the fore, and it is unclear whether he has backed out or not.

However, a source said the names of former governor of Anambra State Dr. Chris Ngige, former Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as well as that of Pastor Tunde Bakare were being pushed by some strong interest groups.

Daily Trust learnt that some religious groups met with General Buhari in Kaduna on Monday over the candidature of Pastor Bakare.

A source close to former Lagos State governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has been leading the ACN side in the talks said he [Tinubu] is in support of the pact with the CPC and, in fact, encouraging the consummation of the deal.

Daily Trust learnt that tomorrow’s meeting is the fallout of the last meeting of leaders of the two sides held in Lagos on January 11, 2011 where critical issues related to the agreement were sorted out.

He confirmed that the two had come to the realisation that they needed each other to win the presidential election, especially against the current state of the ruling party, which is sharply divided by the zoning arrangement of the party.

The source revealed that alliance talks were earlier put on hold due to the rush by all parties to conclude their primaries in order to meet with INEC deadlines and also resolve various crises that emanated in both parties during the primaries.

The ACN has already fielded former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] Malam Nuhu Ribadu after advising former governor of Sokoto State Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and another aspirant to step aside. Sources said the ACN leadership did that based on fears that Bafarawa may not agree to step down after the talks with CPC. But the leaders were said to be confident that Ribadu shares a similar ideological disposition with Buhari and could agree in the circumstance to withdraw. Political parties have up to the end of this month to submit their candidates to INEC.

Application For Big Brother Africa 6 Is Out!

http://bigbrotherafrica.dstv.com/News/3795/Big-Brother-Africa-is-back.html

http://go.dstv.com/BBA/BBA_Entry_Application_Form.pdf

For those of you interested in appearing in Big Brother 6, the forms are out and will close on 27th February 2011. Remember, you  have to be  21 years or older to apply.

The links above take you to the form.
Good luck!

CBN: Only 20 Banks May Remain By June

Sanusi Lamido

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the number of banks in the country may be reduced from 24 to 20 by mid this year, when the industry is expected to have consummated recapitalisation deals.
The CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Mr. Kingsley Moghalu, who made the disclosure at the Salters Hall, Fore Street, East Central London yesterday explained that the reduction in the number of banks was informed by the fact that about four would likely be taken over through mergers and acquisitions.
“By mid of 2011, the banks will be taken. Twenty or 21 banks will remain after the reforms. We are not legislating any number but the way it appears now, about three or four banks will be swallowed up in mergers and acquisitions,” he said.
The deputy governor, who was responding to questions from prospective investors and stakeholders in the Nigerian $500 million Eurobond billed to be issued tomorrow, pointed out that at the beginning of the banking reforms, about 87 to 90 international and local financial institutions had expressed interest to invest in the rescued banks but that the number of interested buyers had since reduced to about 17.
The rescued banks include the eight that were bailed out last year by the CBN with N620 billion tier two capital and another two banks found lacking in capital or liquidity after the joint examinations of the banks last year. They are all fraught with two challenges – how to regain liquidity after losing over N1 trillion in assets and also how to recapitalise to meet CBN’s capital adequacy level. 
Foregn and local investors including Standard Chartered Group, FirstRand, Capital Alliance Group, Habib Bank Pakistan, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and First Bank had indicated interest in one or two of the banks namely:  BankPHB, Union Bank, Afribank, Oceanic Bank, Spring Bank, Interconti-nental Bank and Finbank.
However, some industry stakeholders are pessimistic about the likely outcome of the negotiations which they said had dragged on for too long. There have also been concerns that with the exit of some of the prospective buyers, some of the banks may not get the core investors envisaged by the CBN.
But after AMCON bought about N2.2 trillion of the bad assets of 21 eligible banks last year, in exchange for about N1 trillion consideration bonds, thereby injecting fresh liquidity into the banks and cleaning up their books, there have been fresh optimism that many of the banks will be recapitalized before mid this year.
Moghalu assured the foreign investors that the recapitalisation would end soon and that the industry would be better off for it.
He explained that the reforms would result in the classification of Nigerian banks into commercial, merchant and specialised banks.
According to him, the commercial banks would be broken down into international banks, national banks and regional banks, adding that the specialized bank structure would see the banks operating as micro finance banks, Islamic banks or non-interest banks, among others.
The deputy governor pointed out that the change in banking model was aimed at removing the emphasis on banks from size and spread as was the case before the reforms.
“Banks that are big and want to remain big are free to be so as long as they meet the regulatory requirements,” he said.
He said at the end of the reforms, massive economic growth would be achieved in the nation.
The Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, who also addressed the investors, faced a difficult task  explaining  the reason behind the massive draw-down on the nation’s external reserves and its current account.
The foreign investors, one after the other, asked for clearer explanations from the government functionaries for the rapid depletion of the country’s reserves in the space of about one year.
Usman explained that the draw-down was not occasioned by frivolities but by sound economic and developmental needs.
He explained that the funds were shared among the local, state and Federal Government and that the mandate for the release was for all tiers of government to direct the funds to revamp poor infrastructure.
“The funds were shared by the Federal, states and local governments and there was a formal understanding reached that all the tiers of government must direct the use of the money to improve critical infrastructure which include power, roads and others,” Usman told the investors.
He also hinted that most of the fund was also used to ensure foreign exchange stability in the country’s economy.
He explained that to ensure best practices in the management of the fund in the future, the government is putting a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) together whose bill is before the National Assembly.
Describing the SWF, he said 60 per cent of the fund would be targeted at infrastructure development; 20 per cent would be for stabilisation of foreign exchange volatility, while 20 per cent would be saved for the future generation.
He however stressed that the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy are strong with increase in economic growth rates in the last five years, good crude oil prices and growing non-oil sector.

Atiku Abubakar to head Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Committee?

A unified Presidential Campaign Committee is taking shape, possibly chaired by Atiku Abubakar, to map out the strategy on how to garner votes from the length and breadth of the country for Goodluck Jonathan’s run for President.

Both Atiku and Ibrahim Babangida disclosed on Sunday that they will not go to court over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries on January 13, where Jonathan won the Presidential ticket.

Sources in the party headquarters in Abuja said a unified campaign team and other election matters have been discussed by a caucus and other organs.

In this wise, the Campaign Organisations of Jonathan and Atiku, hitherto at loggerheads, may be collapsed into the Presidential Campaign Committee.

The leaders of the party are anxious to reconcile and repair all breaches caused by the primaries. 

The move to draft Atiku to head the campaign was started by Jonathan himself, in conjunction with the PDP hierarchy and some Governors.

Jonathan has reached out to Atiku with a proposal to unify their forces, which will be headed by him, a major development as the party gears up  for the campaign proper.

Atiku played this role during the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency, and party leaders consider him the perfect pick for the big job. 

Not only can he unify  a party fractured by the bitter confrontation in the primaries, but can also bring into the campaign his strong personality and organisational skill.

A source in his Campaign Organisation confirmed that the PDP hierarchy has made suggestions to him, which he is discussing with his associates across the land. 

Atiku is taking time out to rest, and to “consider his future role in the party,” the source disclosed.

It had been feared that Atiku might consider moving to another party to actualise his Presidential ambition. 

But that option appears unattractive to him, as he has emphasised that he has returned to the PDP he considers his home. 

He played a big part in building the party from scratch in 1998.

PDP leaders are putting their heads together on how to use his considerable political talent, influence, and resources. 

But they are also at pains to design a formula that would allow Atiku and Obasanjo, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, to bury the hatchet and work together, given their past confrontations and mutual dislike for each other.

As it has been the tradition of the PDP to hit the ground running, the party is getting ready to begin a nationwide campaign to win the presidency in April.

PDP leaders anticipate a tough Presidential campaign – against the likes of Muhammadu Buhari and Nuhu Ribadu – and are therefore pulling in all their old war horses.

A source close to the party’s National Organising Secretary, Uche Secondus, said a campaign plan is going through the approval process.

But the plan may change substantially if Atiku accepts to head the team.

The source in his campaign organisation confirmed the move but insisted that “Atiku will not fall for the gambit. It is true. We have been informed by a high ranking PDP official that such an idea is in the offing but we will have nothing to do with it.”

However,  National Publicity Secretary, Ahmed Alkali, feigned ignorance of the plan.

“I am hearing it for the first time from you.  I am not aware that such a thing has been discussed.  Not to my knowledge,” he said.

Despite that denial, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, who supported Atiku in the primaries, told Daily Independent on Wednesday that  the move to unify the party at this time is the best option since the primaries are over. 

“I am not speaking for anybody,” Namani stressed. “But I think it is a good step. We  have made our point about what we felt about the primaries. 

“Since the party  has spoken and a candidate has emerged, there is nothing anybody can do at this  time than to ensure that the party wins election in April and the only way to  achieve this is to work together.”

Nnamani did not confirm or deny that he himself has been approached by Aso Rock. 

He simply put it this way: “They are talking to everybody and I think that is good.”

Presidential aide Oronto Douglas had told reporters a  day after the primaries that Jonathan was moving fast to enlist the bigwigs into the campaign because the task ahead requires unity of purpose to surmount.

Said he: “This is the time for inclusiveness. (Jonathan) has opened a new door. Atiku  has a lot to contribute. At his age, he has gathered enough experience that  would be very useful to the President, which he will tap for the benefit of all.  

“(Jonathan) has said there is enough space for the 150 million Nigerians and on  the table of  Jonathan, there are enough seats for everybody.” 

It was learnt that Jonathan paid a secret visit to  Atiku last Sunday to personally appeal to him to join the campaign. Atiku told him he needed time to consult with his constituency. 

It is not known whether another meeting has taken place.

But what is known is that other big shots in Atiku’s camp have also been  approached. 

“Jonathan is not the one meeting all  of them. Various people in his team are meeting with those they  know, while he is making his own efforts. 

“It is an all encompassing  thing. The aim is to bring everybody into the fold,” a source said.

Some supporters of Atiku already seem to be buying into the idea that it is fruitless  to continue the battle after the PDP has taken a decision.

South Sudan 'secures' vote to secede

Regional results will be added to those of southerners who voted in the north or in eight countries of the diaspora [AFP] South Sudan has won the majority of votes needed in order to become the world's newest state, with just 60 per cent of results declared from a landmark referendum. Preliminary figures collated by the AFP news agency on Thursday indicated that some areas of Sudan returned 99 per cent landslides for independence. According to AFP, at least 2,224,857 votes for a separation of the mainly Christian, African south from the mainly Muslim, Arab north had been counted from the previous night. A simple majority of 1.89 million votes was needed from a total of 3,932,588 registered voters. In Lakes state, which carried a rebel stronghold during a devastating 1983-2005 civil war with the north, 99.9 per cent of votes were cast in support of independence. In Central Equatoria, which includes the regional capital Juba and is the south's second most populous state, 98.2 per cent of the 457,452 votes cast were for secession. In Juba, which is now poised to become south Sudan's national capital, cheers and applause rang out as the head of the county's referendum sub-committee announced a 97.5-per cent majority for independence. The final result that will set south Sudan on the path to recognition as the world's newest state in July is not expected before next month. First, the state results must be collated at regional level and added to those of southerners who voted in the north or in eight countries of the diaspora. Aleu Garang Aleu, a spokesman for the Southern Sudanese Referendum Bureau, which is running the vote in the south, said: "We are being methodical to make sure all the rules are respected and that takes time, of course."

‘N’Assembly to spend N10m on cleaning services monthly’

The National Assembly will this year spend N240.3m on the cleaning of its Phase III building and another N450.7m on fuelling of generators installed in the premises of the same edifice.

The fuel cost will also cover generators in the Phase 11 of the same building and its Annex I & II complex.

The sums are contained in the details of the 2011 national budget, which is awaiting the approval of the 469-member National Assembly.

The new Phase 111 building and its extension serve as office accommodation for the federal lawmakers whose, “jumbo salaries” have elicited public outcry.

If the N240.3m to be spent on ‘cleaning services’ is spread over the 12 calendar months in this year, keeping the building neat will cost tax payers N10.25m monthly.

Similarly, if the N450.7m budgeted for the purchase of fuel is also spread over the same period, keeping Phases 11 and 111 of the new building as well as Annex I&II Complex lit will cost N37.56m every month.

“Fueling of plants for the New Building II and III and annex I and II complex is to cost N450.7m this year,” part of the details of the proposed expenditure reads.

The details of the budget which our correspondent obtained on Tuesday, also show that “engineering maintenance” for the Phase III building will gulp N601m.

The figure is broken down into N330.5m for the Senate and N270.4m for the House of Representatives.

According to the details, orientation courses for senators and members of the House of Representatives who will form the 7th session of the National Assembly will also cost an estimated N450.77m.

The current 6th session, which was inaugurated on June 5, 2007, will come to a close on June 4 this year.

There are 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives.

If the N450.77m is divided by 469, it means that the National Assembly will spend around N962,000 on each lawmaker participating in the orientation courses.

Findings indicate that the orientation programme is meant for new legislators coming to the National Assembly for the first time, but those re-elected (after the April poll) are also expected to participate.

A National Assembly source confided in The PUNCH in Abuja that the orientation courses involved “teaching legislators, especially the new comers, parliamentary etiquette.”

It was learnt that new comers would be taught the right language to use while “addressing the chair or how to observe the rules of the parliament.”

“In moving a motion for example, or walking in front of the mace, there are procedures to be adopted.

“It is essentially about basic things they need to know on how to approach their duties as lawmakers”, the source added.

However, the budget for the orientation courses is separate from the funds budgeted yearly for “training and re-retraining” of legislators for the four years in a tenure.

The Senate budgeted N1.7bn for “consulting and professional services” in 2010, besides a separate expenditure of N58m on “generator fuel.”

Another expenditure of N450m on “maintenance of White House and Annex I & II” was incurred in 2010.

The House of Representatives had a total budget of N2.44bn on “maintenance and general issues” in 2010, in addition to N460.6m it spent on fuelling.

“Fumigation” cost N100m, while another sub-head on “cleaning and gardening” had a provision of N200m in 2010.

Voter Registration Day 4: INEC DDC Machine Stolen-PM NEWS, Lagos

caption: ANPP candidate, Ibrahim Shekarau registers

By Eromosele Ebhomele & Jamiu Yisa

Barely  four days into the registration of eligible voters across the country,  there are reports that some of the Direct Data Capture Machines used by the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the exercise have been stolen and taken to unknown places .
P.M.NEWS gathered that the machines were distributed to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who work with the Commission as ad-hoc  registration officers.  But  yesterday, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hodewu Avoseh, raised an alarm on the floor of the House that the  machines were already being hijacked within the state.
Avoseh, who said he was with the State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Henry Ajomale, yesterday evening, said they received calls from  several Lagosians that some youths were going about forcefully taking away the machines to unknown destinations.
According to the lawmaker, six of the DDC machines had already been stolen as at when he was talking with his colleagues yesterday.
“Six machines have already been hijacked in various centres around Aguda, Surulere today (yesterday). So we need to ask Nigerians and the law enforcement  agents to be vigilant,” he said.
A Peoples Democratic Party senatorial aspirant for Lagos West, Mr. Moshood Adegoke Salvador, also confirmed that a DDC machine was snatched at a unit in the  state.
According to him, “One of our field men just called me now and told me that a DDC machine was stolen at Ozumba Compound in Alimosho Local Government Area.
“We also learnt that one was illegally kept at 74, Oroki Bus Stop, Isuti Road, Egan, under the pretext that its battery was flat when registration was  supposed  to be going on.”
Complaining further, he accused INEC of planning to mastermind  rigging in the forthcoming elections.  “In Ayobo-Ipaja where there are 17 registration units,  why would INEC send 26 machines to the place? What do they want to do with the remaining nine? We need to query that,” he said, adding that the problem  actually started with INEC not knowing that they were not supposed to use local government secretariats as offices for the exercise.
Mr. Salvador said if the government was serious about the ‘one man one vote’ mantra, the presidency must provide adequate security for the INEC staff and  corps members taking part in the exercise.
P.M.NEWS learnt that in Mushin area of the state, intimidation and sporadic shooting by thugs have marred the exercise.

University of Lagos Produces 119 First Class Graduates in 09/10 session.

The University of Lagos has recorded its highest number of students graduating with first class honours in one year.

A total of 119 students bagged first class degrees in the 2009/2010 convocation ceremony, which began at the institution's multi purpose hall yesterday. This year's total number of first class graduands is higher than that of last year by 32. - 234next

Thumbs up Unilag!
Hopefully there will be jobs out there for them after this.
The biggest problem is not going to school and graduating. The biggest problem is finding a job after graduating.
There are hundreds of thousands of graduates sitting at home doing nothing.
Provide jobs for our people abeg...I'm talking to you Goodluck Jonathan.

Voters use ice block for speedy finger capturing

Our correspondent reports that the potential voters now place their hands on ice blocks for a while before placing it on the scanner. Already, some of the voters say the method is producing satisfactory results, making more people to adopt the system. There has yet been no word from INEC officials on its efficacy, or whether the commission would encourage its spread across the country to speed up the exercise. In another development,  a man was arrested yesterday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, while attempting to snatch an INEC DDC machine, just as the commission registered over 172, 000 persons in the state.

 Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Ambassador Oloruntoyin Akeju, disclosed this in Osogbo while briefing newsmen on the registration exercise. He said nemesis caught up with the man when he snatched the machine in Ife Central. Akeju said the suspect who had been handed over to the police would be made to face the law, adding that over 172, 000 persons have been registered by the commission. The REC called on political parties that may want to monitor the exercise to send their agents to the commission for accreditation.

NCP Drags Federal Government To Court Over Closure Of Schools

caption: NCP Chairman, Femi Falana-Credit : Jacob Silberberg for The New York Times

The decision of the Federal Government to close down all private and public primary and secondary schools in Nigeria for the registration of voters has been challenged by the National Conscience Party at the Federal High Court through its lawyer, Femi Falana.
The Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2011 was filed at the Federal High Court on Monday, January 17, 2011 by the Chairman of the Lagos State Branch of the National Conscience Party, Mr. Tunde Agunbiade on behalf of two of his children – Akintunde and Oreoluwa who are students of Omole Grammar School, Ikeja.

The Plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the decision of the Federal Ministry of Education to close down all private and public schools from January 4-31, 2011 for the registration of voters is illegal, null and void as it violates Section 10 of the Electoral Act, 2011.

They are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the Defendant from closing down private and public schools for registration of voters forthwith.

In the affidavit in support of the Originating Summons Mr. Agunbiade disclosed that JAMB, WAEC and NECO have, for the past two years, recorded 80% failure and if the illegal closure of schools is not checked the standard of education will continue to nose drive to the detriment of the nation.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
SUIT NO:FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2011
BETWEEN:

Winners Of The 2011 Golden Globe Awards

Motion Picture, Drama: The Social Network
Actor, Motion Picture, Drama: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy: The Kids Are All Right
Actress, Motion Picture Drama: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Actor, Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy: Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version
Television Series, Musical or Comedy: Glee
Director, Motion Picture: David Fincher, The Social Network
Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Actor, Television Musical or Comedy: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Actress, Television Musical or Comedy: Laura Linney, The Big C
Foreign Language Film: In a Better World
Supporting Actress, Television Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jane Lynch, Glee
Screenplay, Motion Picture: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Actress, Television Miniseries or Movie: Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Actor, Television Miniseries or Movie: Al Pacino, You Don't Know Jack
Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Animated Film: Toy Story 3
Original Score, Motion Picture: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Original Song, Motion Picture: "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" (written by Diane Warren), Burlesque
Television Series, Drama: Boardwalk Empire
Actor in a Television Series, Drama: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Supporting Actor, Television Series, Miniseries or Movie: Chris Colfer, Glee
Actress, Television Drama: Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Television Miniseries or Movie: Carlos (Sundance Channel)
Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert De Niro

Iran Bans Production of Valentine's Day Gifts

Iranian woman looks for Valentine's day gifts in Tehran

 

Iran has banned the production of Valentine's Day gifts and any promotion of the day celebrating romantic love to combat what it sees as a spread of Western culture, Iranian media reported.

According to REUTERS, the February 14 celebration named after a Christian saint is not officially banned but hardliners have repeatedly warned about the corruptive spread of Western values. Under Iran's Islamic law, unmarried couples are not allowed to mingle.

The printing works owners' union issued an instruction on the ban, imposed by Iranian authorities, covering gifts such as cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts and red roses.

"Honouring foreign celebrations is the spread of Western culture," said the union's head, Ali Nikou Sokhan, ILNA news agency reported. "Our country has an ancient civilisation and various days to honour kindness, love and affection."

Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular among the Iranian youth and is a money-maker for businesses in a country where 70 percent of people are under 30 and have no memory of the 1979 Islamic revolution which toppled the U.S.-backed Shah.

"Printing and producing any products related to Valentine's Day, including posters, brochures, advertising cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned," read the instruction. "Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban."

Some nationalists have suggested replacing Valentine's Day with "Mehregan," an Iranian festival celebrated since the pre-Islamic era. Mehr means friendship, affection or love.

Electoral Materials to be Printed Locally

Prof. Attahiru Jega

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday that all security printing works including bank cheques, election materials and official documents will be printed locally in no distant time so as to help the local content programme of the Federal Government and  create job opportunities for Nigerians.

CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said at the commissioning of Superflux International Limited Ultra-Modern Factory Lagos that, the apex bank wanted to encourage other local printers particularly those currently upgrading their facilities and processes to fast-track their action, so that security works could be printed locally in no-distant future.

The Superflux  International Factory, he emphasised, was a direct  beneficiary of the CBN/Bank of Industry (BOI) intervention and also “a gallant response to capacity building in this highly technical security printing venture.”

Sanusi  recalled that the apex bank had  after the 2006 accreditation exercise directed  foreign- based accredited printers to establish their presence in the country within two years,

He added that the deadline was “deliberately extended” to give foreign-based  printers ample time to establish their presence in the country as well as afford  local based printers the opportunity to expand their existing production.

He therefore advised the foreign-based accredited printers to use the last opportunity of accreditation to establish their verifiable facilities in order to scale through future accreditation.

Sanusi who enthused that “the first response to this call is from an institution wholly owned by Nigerians” said, “this bold step should  encourage other actors in the sector to take up  the challenges and establish  their local presence.”

“The time has come for our entrepreneurs to fill the huge gap in the local production of secure and sensitive instruments. For example, Nigeria has a huge market for plastic cards which our enterprises should venture into,” he noted.

The governor confirmed that Superflux has over 250 full-time employees, which “typifies a medium scale manufacturing concern  and a model for institutions that government policies should target to ensure their sustenance  and transformation into big institutions.”

Sanusi said the CBN was embarking on a shared services programme amongst the banks, which will, go a long way in reducing the cost  of doing  banking business and contribute positively to the downward review of the lending rates for  the real sector of the economy.

“In a way, the Supeflux Group is leading the initiative for shred services through the provision of various centralised services  such as production and distribution of monthly statement of accounts for bank customers, total outsourcing of cheque production and cheques personalisation services to banks, amongst others,” he noted.

Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Ms Evelyn Oputu advised the nation’s commercial banks to finance more of companies like Superflux  than  traders and importers that will not contribute to the real gross domestic product (GDP).

MEND Promises “Ferocious Attack” On Nigerian Oil Industry .

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has issued fresh threats to attack the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil industry. In a press statement signed by "Jomo Gbomo", MEND said it would soon commence a "ferocious attack” on the sector.
MEND called for “immediate evacuation” of residents who live close to depots storing petroleum products in order to avert loss of life and property.
The threat is coming on the heels of the physical collapse of Charles Okah in an Abuja court today. Mr. Okah crashed to the ground after the court session began hearing into his alleged involvement in the Independence Day bombing in Abuja that killed several people.
MEND claimed responsibility for those attacks.
 See full statement below:
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) will soon commence a ferocious attack on the downstream oil sector of the Nigerian oil industry.

To avert avoidable loss of lives and properties, advance warning for immediate evacuation is hereby issued to residents in close proximity to depots storing petroleum products such as aviation fuel, diesel, kerosene, petrol, propane gas and engine oil.

 We cannot guarantee the safety of staff that happens to be in the facility during an attack. We will also be targeting transport vehicles that convey petroleum products.
Anyone who chooses to ignore this warning does so at their own peril.
 The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) has being following closely the activities of the Nigerian government in the handling of the arrest and detention of our respected brothers and will not sit back and fold our hands to see a government bent on eliminating them for no just course.
Jomo Gbomo

FBI wants 26-year old Naija Genius Yahoo Yahoo Catch Me if You Can .

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has demanded the extradition of a 26-year old Nigerian, Olaniyi Makinde, in connection with e-mail scams currently valued at about USD800,000.

A source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the FBI is particularly interested in Mr. Makinde, who is currently standing trial in Ondo State, because of the peculiarity of the scam method which involved remotely breaking into the accounts system of an online payroll company in California, Intuit Inc.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Femi Babafemi, declined to speak in details about the case but our source also said that the EFCC and the FBI have been working together on this case since last year adding that while the FBI would like to try Mr. Makinde in the US, the EFCC want him tried in Nigeria...

Amongs other charges in the 23-count charge brought against the 26-year old, the EFCC said that Mr. Makinde managed to manipulate the American online payroll system to deposit cash in his Intercontinental and Ecobank accounts in Nigeria.

“He installed malicious codes in several victims’ personal computers with which he fraudulently stole their bank information to steal $600, 000,” an official document obtained by NEXT said.

“Because of that boy, three FBI agents came to Nigeria in October. They wanted to see the person that could carry out this deal offshore,” our source at the EFCC said.

The accused, Mr. Makinde, who also goes by the aliases Olaniyi James and Andrea Bradley, recently graduated from the University of Ado Ekiti with a degree in Economics and is scheduled to take part in the compulsory National Youth Service scheme.

He however remains in the custody of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency which said that if convicted of the over 20 count charges brought against him, Mr. Makinde could serve as much as 60 years in jail.