Fake Cameroonian doctors in Ebonyi

NANA Patrice, Penda George and Andee Capoel used to ply their trade in Ebonyi State and to be sure, their trade had earned them some sort of comfortable livelihood such that may not be possible for them in their country, Cameroon.

 These Cameroonians had, until recently operated illegal clinics at St Mary's Catholic Church, Ekengbo and Honourable Samuel Nwali Hotel, Agubia, in Ikwo Local Government of Ebonyi State.


IT was arguably easy for them. All they needed was a little bit of grey matter deployed negatively. There were unwary citizens oblivious of their rights. There is a lax security system that could be compromised if the right price was paid so officials would look the other way. So the triumvirate moved in to exploit the lax security to make money for themselves. Incidentally, along the line, Penda George even got a modicum of prestige as bonus. He is popularly called 'doctor', and was probably accorded the respect which the label attracts in contemporary society.


HOWEVER, their run of luck was terminated recently when officials from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) arrested them. Before then, it would have been interesting to know the data of the victims and the extent of the damage which their illegal operations had wreaked on the population. But for the vigilance of NAFDAC, the police and the Nigeria Immigration Service would have allowed the illegal clinics to continue to run.


ACCORDING to Dr Paul Orhii, the Director-General of NAFDAC, these 'doctors' were arrested with six bags of assorted fake drugs labelled in Chinese language. He said "the three suspects claimed to work for Christian Ginipi, a Cameroonian based in China who sends them the fake drugs to sell. Although Dr Orhii's advice to Nigerians was that they should be wary of any product that does not have literature written in English, we think that the Nigerian state owes its citizens a duty of protection such that any product that is fake or dangerous for public consumption should not have a place in the market, and its peddlers should be apprehended and duly prosecuted.


THE nefarious activities, such as these Cameroonians practised in Ebonyi State, can only flourish in a state that is doomed that Nigeria aptly represents. We are bothered that things have deteriorated so much that even foreigners who should ordinarily be living in utmost circumspection have the effrontory and confidence to dupe Nigerians and even kill them! It will be interesting to know the various ill-fated consequences that may have befallen the victims of these Cameroonians.


WE are also interested in knowing how these Cameroonians have escaped apprehension by both the police and the Nigerian Immigration Service, the agencies that are primarily responsible for nabbing such foreigners who double as criminals in their operations. It is probably because their practice touched on health that NAFDAC was able to arrest them. We shudder to imagine how many of these foreigners are involved in various forms of criminality which the lax security system of the state have permitted. It is an indictment on the Nigerian state and the agencies whose statutory duty it is to apprehend and prosecute such criminals in the first place.

Pfizer Pays Out To Nigerian Drug Trial Victims

US-based pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has made the first compensation payment to Nigerian families affected by a controversial drug trial 15 years ago.

It paid $175,000 (£108,000) each to four families in the first of a series of payments it is expected to make.

The payouts are part of an out-of-court settlement reached in 2009.

In 1996, 11 children died and dozens were left disabled after Pfizer gave them the experimental anti-meningitis drug, Trovan.

The payouts were made to the parents of four of the children who died.

Their parents told the BBC they welcomed the payment, but it would not replace the loss of their loved ones.

The children were part of a group of 200 given the drug during a meningitis epidemic in the northern city of Kano as part of a medical trial comparing Trovan's effectiveness with the established treatment.

For years Pfizer maintained that meningitis - not the drug - caused the deaths and disabilities.

But after a lengthy and expensive litigation process, it reached a settlement with the Kano government in northern Nigeria.
DNA tests

The trials were carried out in Kano and the state government fought Pfizer on behalf of victims and their families.
Hajara Hajara, photographed in 2007, survived the trials but became deaf afterwards and is unable to speak

It has taken two years and DNA tests to establish who is entitled to payments, the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Lagos says.

It could take another year for payments to be concluded, he says.

Pfizer also agreed to sponsor health projects in Kano as well as creating a fund of $35m to compensate those affected.

Pfizer said it was pleased the four had been compensated.

"This is the first step in a multi-phase review process by which the independent board of trustees that manages the fund will deliver payment to all other qualified claimants," the company said in a statement.

"We thank them for their commitment and dedication to seeing this process through in the most timely and transparent way possible."

Why Investors Shun Nigeria, By World Bank

Unstable power supply, lack of access to finance, high cost of financing businesses, high taxation, poor infrastructure, corruption and macroeconomic environment have been identified as some of the reasons for poor investment in Nigeria.
The Country Director, World Bank in Nigeria, Onno Ruhl said the above reasons were largely responsible for the poor performances of Nigerian firms compare to their counterparts in Kenya, Russia and South Africa.
Ruhl spoke at the presentation of Nigeria 2011 Investment Climate Assessment Key Findings in 26 states of the federation, held in Benin City, Edo State capital on Thursday.
The World Bank representative explained that the assessment was a diagnostic instrument to assess the policy infrastructure at the federal and states level, adding that the survey was carried out in over 3,157 businesses in 26 states including Edo State.
According to him, electricity remains a major constraint to businesses in Nigeria, affecting all categories of firms.
He said about 83 percent of the firms identified electricity as a serious obstacle to their growth.
“Corruption and transportation were also serious concerns for many firms in Nigeria. Over 1/3rd of the managers said that these were serious problems. Bribes and product lost while in transit are also high in Nigeria. Manufacturing firms reportedly paid an average of 3.2 percent of sales in bribes and losses during transit are equal to 2.4 percent of sales.
“Inefficiencies in the business environment impose a huge indirect cost on manufacturing in Nigeria.The cost of doing business is twice as high for firms in Nigeria as they are for firms in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Indonesia”, he said

James Ibori Likely To Face 10-year Jail Term

10-year jail term likely for Ibori

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, currently standing trial in a London court for money laundering, stealing and sundry offences, may get nothing less than 10-year jail term, going by his previous criminal record and the enormity of the charges against him, National Mirror has reliably learnt.

An informed source, who is a Queens Counsel, a senior member of the English Bar, exclusively told National Mirror last night that no amount of protests would change the tide in favour of Ibori, whose criminal records have been established both in England and in Nigeria. “There is nothing absolute in life, especially in law, but going by the enormity of the charges against him, there is no point telling you now that he won’t go to jail. I can place my 37 years of practice at the bar on the line that he will go to jail for a long time.

You see, his tricks of claiming illness and political persecution will not work in the law courts in Britain’’ The revelation came just as it was learnt that the Presidency is favourably disposed to keeping Ibori behind bars throughout Jonathan’s tenure. The next hearing comes up next month for Ibori, who is being kept at the Wandsworth Prison, in South-West London.

The UK source explained that current trend in the international politics which is against leaders who divert funds and confine their people to penury will actually work against Ibori especially when the law frowns at the practice and the fact that Ibori’s associates have already been convicted for being accomplices. ‘’The evidence to nail him is clear. His wife is there; his solicitor and girl friend and another family member cannot go to jail in isolation. Their convictions mean he has to go too. It is simple.” Ibori is at the moment in confinement for charges of corruption, money laundering and stealing of public funds.

He is also battling about 70 criminal charges in a British court noted for its uprightness and firmness in enforcing the criminal penal code. His wife, Theresa is presently serving a five-year jail term in a British prison while his lawyer Bhadresh Gohil, was also handed a seven-year jail term by the Southwalk Crown Court on March this year. He was first charged on April 16, 2011 at the City of Westminster’s magistrate court where he was slammed with 25 counts of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. He is to appear before the court again on September 5.

Sources said Ibori, fondly called Ogidigborigbo, by his friends and supporters, is said to have lost the protection of the Federal Government, which has insisted that the law should take its full course, in a move by President Goodluck Jonathan to project himself and his government to the international community as believers in due process. The former governor regarded as an ex-convict even in Nigeria in certain quarters is at the moment not enjoying any respite from government unlike the influence he enjoyed during the tenure of President Umar Yar ‘Ádua. Ibori reportedly has a long list of convictions and criminal activities dating back to his early days in Britain where he along with his wife, then his girlfriend, known as Theresa Nakanda, allegedly operated a modern day ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ criminal team.

The duo allegedly went on fraud and criminal activities that eventually resulted in various convictions in 1991 and 1992. His wife, now Theresa Nkoyo-Ibori, was first convicted in London in 1990, according to UK court’s documents. Ibori was twice convicted for stealing and dishonest acts by UK courts in 1991 and 1992. In his first trial, the then girlfriend (now wife), Theresa Nakanda, was convicted along with Ibori on January 25, 1991 at the Isleworth Crown Court in London. In that trial, Nakanda, who gave her date of birth as January 5, 1968, was convicted on two counts and was fined 300 and 450 pounds. James Ibori, who, according to court documents, gave his 28, 2005 by a certain, Mallam Awwal Yusuf, who testified against Ibori in court.

As the governor, Ibori was said to have diverted over 300m pounds into his personal accounts. Because of the immunity that he enjoyed as a governor and his perceived closeness to the late President Yar’Adua, he was seen to be untouchable until the early morning of Wednesday, December 12, 2007, when the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC trailed him to the Kwara State Governor‘s Lodge in Abuja where he was reportedly taking refuge and was arrested. Ibori, before then had been on the run from the London Metropolitan Police where he was declared wanted for corruption and money laundering activities. Efforts by the London Met to prosecute him had been stalled by perceived non-cooperation of the Federal Government, leading to insinuations that he was enjoying government‘ s protection.

The case however suffered a setback when the Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna transferred it to Asaba, Delta State, where it said the alleged offences were committed. This irked some elders from the state led by a former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark. They alleged that there were fears that the Federal Government was not serious in prosecuting Ibori. Clark, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja on the matter, deplored the way the government was going about the Ibori case, which was then pending at the Federal High Court, Asaba. He had said, “Every attempt is being made by various organisations or members of the Federal Government to thwart the trial of Ibori from taking its normal cause The petition, which was dated March 8, was addressed to the commission‘ s chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri.

They demanded the commission to find out whether it was right to use the state government‘s shares to obtain N44bn private loan from a bank. According to them, there was evidence that shares worth N528.010m in Oceanic Bank belonging to Delta State Government was used to guarantee over N44bn granted Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited by Intercontinental Bank plc. It was this fresh petition that made the antigraft agency to declare Ibori wanted. Chief Kayode Ajulo, lawyer to Clark said that what was necessary for Ibori to provide answers to salient questions on whether he actually used Oceanic Bank shares belonging to the state government as collateral to Intercontinental Bank for the benefit of Ascot Offshore Nig. Limited, his private company and if he also authorised the sale of the shares to liquidate the loan to Intercontinental Bank.

A reliable source, who spoke from Abuja yesterday, disclosed that the Presidency was monitoring the Ibori case closely and “judging by his involvement in the activities of recent years, and the unbecoming roles he played, we will not be eager to have him released to Nigeria.”

100,000 Nigerians apply for US visa weekly – Embassy

 Over 100,000 Nigerians apply weekly to visit the United States for various reasons resulting in a backlog of visa applications, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria Terrence McCulley has said.

McCulley said this yesterday in Abuja when he visited Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru in Abuja.

He said the US mission was open to discussions with the Nigerian government on whether or not to extend the validity of the visa. He also said that the embassy was working assiduously to finish up the accumulated backlog of applications which it already has.

Speaking on the Bi-national Commission between the two countries, McCulley said Nigeria has to work to wipe out corruption with sincerity so that foreign investors can be more confident to invest in various sectors of the country.

Speaking earlier, Ashiru said the two countries would keep working on enhancing their bilateral relations in various sectors, especially in energy, power and security.

“The US ambassador has also assured me that Nigerians who apply for visas would be treated with dignity and respect and there would be no unnecessary delays. And when in some cases, the visas are denied, it would be done in a dignified manner so that there would be no hard feelings on both sides,” he said.

Ashiru also said that they discussed the concern of the Nigerian government about the situation in Libya.

In another development, the minister has called on the Africa Development Bank (ADB) to assist Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development and agriculture for Nigeria’s food sustenance.

He said this when the Resident Representative of the bank, Mr. Ousmane Dore, presented his letter of credence.

Dore, in his response, said Nigeria’s portfolio with the bank is N1.5bn adding that the

Botched Int'l Friendly: We Would Have Buried Eagles – Ghana

Ghanaians who came to London for the botched August 9 international friendlyagainst Nigeria left London writhing in pains as they were confident the Super Eagles would have fallen for the umpteenth time had both countries taken to the pitch at the Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford.

Few hours after it was confirmed that the game had been called off by the policefor security reasons, no thanks to the riots that engulfed England, some members of the Ghana National Supporters Union (GNSU) stormed the Watford Hilton hotel abode of the Eagles, where they exchanged pleasantries with their Nigerian counterparts led by Dr Rauf Ladipo.

One of the GNSU members, who simply gave his name as Koffi told Daily Sunsports that Nigeria was the biggest beneficiary of the events that led to the cancellation of the big game.
In Koffi's words: “We came to bury the Super Eagles in Watford. We “killed” your team way back in Brendford in 2007 when we beat you 4-1. We would have buried the Eagles today (Tuesday) in Watford.”
Koffi pointed out that the Black Stars were battle ready for Nigeria and would not have allowed the Eagles to win the game.

“We know Nigeria came here on a revenge mission, I tell you it would not have been possible today. We take every game against Nigeria very serious and we want to continue the dominance.” It would be noted that organisers of the friendly have fixed October 11 as new date for the botched friendly.

London Riots: Nigerian Remanded For Looting .

A Nigerian, Samson Adesina, was one of the looters remanded in prison custody yesterday over their roles in the riots, which have seized British major cities for days. The 23-year-old Adesina, an electrical engineering student, was caught by one of the 8,000 surveillance cameras strategically placed in London streets, stealing a flatscreen television at the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre during the riots.

Detectives used the cameras to trace him to his house and he was arrested.

The Tower Bridge Magistrate’s Court ordered that he be remanded in prison for a week for his action. With the development, he will miss his final examinations.

Adesina was not the only one traced through the cameras, arrested and arraigned.

British police, trying to catch instigators of the London riots, fought back with technology. They posted alleged rioters’ photos on their Flickr Photostream.

It was not hard to get the pictures with the 8,000 surveillance cameras watching the streets.

People in the United Kingdom are believed to be the most watched in the world.

By one estimate, there is one Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera for every 14 citizens. “Picture by picture, these criminals are being identified and arrested, and we will not let any phony concerns about human rights get in the way of the publication of these pictures and arrest of these individuals,” Prime Minister David Cameron said of the alleged perpetrators.

Police invited the public to call if they recognised suspected rioters whose images were posted on commercial and government websites. Captions on them were cryptic: “A female wearing a vest top who has just carried items from Richer Sounds,” or, “A male with grey hooded top and black body warmer about to enter Cash Plus in Thornton Heath.”

Asking for public help was just one extra step. Face-recognition technology is now inexpensive and widespread, and police could easily use it to match alleged looters’ pictures with party photos they might have posted on Facebook or Tumblr.com.
“A lot of these youths are wearing scarves to hide their faces but we’re not just reliant on that,” Martin Lazell, chairman of the Public CCTV Managers Association in London, said to the Christian Science Monitor. “We can identify people on how they walk, their height, their clothes, shoes, all manner of things.”

The possibility of mass unmasking has divided Britons and Americans alike. Many people, angered at the violence, are anxious to see the perpetrators caught. Others say the technology is only as good as the people who use it, and innocent people could be caught in legal nightmares.

On the website Hacker News, people were invited: “Help work out how to do facial recognition on the police photos.”
A user replied: “Please, do not do this. It compromises people’s right to privacy and will artificially incriminate people who may not be participating but are bystanding or trying to get home.”

Such arguments will rage as London police pursue one of the largest investigations in recent years.

“If there was ever a need for an evidence-based approach to a social problem, this is it,” said Simon Davies, head of a London group called Privacy International. “When Parliament meets to discuss the riots, it should demand evidence to back up any claim of blame, and it should institute a rigorous process to ensure that any response is justified, lawful, viable and fair.”

Meanwhile, Australian authorities have appointed a taskforce to investigate allegations that Nigerian scammers have sold a family’s Ballajura home without their knowledge, over a year after criminals sold a man’s house without his knowledge.

The couple had been working in Nigeria but when they recently returned to Perth, they discovered their home had been sold.
According to a statement released yesterday, the real estate agent involved told investigators that he received a phone call in February from a man claiming to be the owner, inquiring about the property.

Shortly after, the agent received an urgent request to sell the property as funds were needed for a business investment, later revealed to be a supposed petro-chemical project.

A joint taskforce, involving investigators from Consumer Protection, WA Police Major Fraud Squad and representatives of Landgate, has been set up to investigate the alleged real estate scam.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Davies of the Major Fraud Squad said it appears the scam originated in Nigeria and there are some similarities to the fraudulent sale of a Karrinyup property in June last year.

Wembley Downs retiree Roger Mildenhall was living in South Africa when he discovered scammers had sold his duplex for $485,000 and that his home on Hale Road was close to settlement.

“We are in the early stages of a full criminal investigation and examining computer, phone records and bank accounts,” Det Sen Sgt Davies said.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Anne Driscoll, has urged real estate and settlement agents to apply stringent measures to confirm the identity of absentee owners who wish to sell their properties remotely and ensure the person they are dealing with is the legitimate owner.

“It is essential that agents have rigorous procedures and a clear protocol in place to certify that the appropriate person has been identified as the real owner before providing the service,” Ms Driscoll said.

“It is critical that when an owner changes their contact details, that real estate agents send a confirmation to both the owner’s original and new addresses, using all forms of communication.

“This will confirm that the new details are correct and may alert the owner to any improper activity that is occurring.

“The general principles of ‘know your customer’ should apply at all times and the standard 100-point identity check used by banks and other institutions should be used as a minimum when dealing with remote clients.

“While identity fraud is always a risk, these are important prevention measures.”

Ms Driscoll said signatures should also be carefully checked against original signatures on file and any major differences should prompt further investigation.

“If agents have any doubts about the authenticity of a document, they should seek to have it independently verified by the issuing authority,” she said.

Landgate’s Registrar of Titles Bruce Roberts said he fully supported the increased measures to refine and improve identity verification by all organisations involved in the selling and transfer of property.

Consumer Protection is advising agents to make further inquiries regarding identity and seek additional evidence whenever there has been a recent change in address or other contact details. Signatures and initials should also be carefully checked as they may not closely match originals on file. Agents are advised to make further inquiries if the transaction originates from overseas, especially from countries known for scams, such as Nigeria or if there is a request for funds to be sent to a different bank account normally used by the client, or to offshore accounts including China.

It also advises agents to make additional inquiries if the sale is urgent as a result of funds being required for investment in a business venture, new email addresses being used are generic such as hotmail, yahoo or gmail.

“Ultimately, these steps are no guarantee against fraudulent conduct, but they will minimise the chances of these types of scams being successfully carried out,” Ms Driscoll said.

“Agents and lenders are reminded they are obliged to provide their services to existing clients with due care and skill under the Australian Consumer Law, for which a range of remedies are available.

“The Real Estate and Business Agents’ Code of Conduct also makes disciplinary action available to agents who fail to provide services with due care and skill.”

Ms Driscoll said there was no current finding the agents involved in this latest transaction had failed to act with due care and skill, but it serves as a timely reminder of agents’ obligations.

“Since the last successful scam was reported, an extensive Government and industry education campaign was conducted with the real estate and settlement agents, giving advice on how scams can be avoided,” she said.

“There is a need for us to continue this campaign and to implement identification verification procedures as part of standard industry practice. Consumer Protection, Landgate, REIWA and AIC will be working intensely and cooperatively in coming weeks to define additional practices in the industry that need to be put into action to minimise the likelihood of property fraud in the future.

“Consumer Protection will be communicating with all agents immediately, providing as much information and advice as possible to enable them to more readily detect these attempts at fraud.”

Shadow Planning Minister, John Hyde, said the allegations “were a mirror image” of the Karrinyup scam and the Government had clearly failed to close loopholes to prevent it.

“The Barnett Government has increased many Landgate fees for documents by over 35 per cent and yet, they haven’t ensured that our document systems are fraud-proofed,” he said.

Ghana Has The Fastest Growing Economy In The World!

Ghana’s economic growth has been projected to be the fastest-growing in the world for the first half of 2011 by EconomyWatch.com.


According to a release by EconomyWatch.com, other countries which were selected among the 12 fastest-growing economies in the world were India, Angola, Iraq, Ethiopia, Mozambique, East Timor and Laos.

Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which at the time was estimated to be 20.146 per cent, was far ahead of the 14.337 per cent recorded by Qatar as the next fastest-growing country. Qatar was followed by Turkmenistan, which recorded 12.18 per cent; China, 9.901 per cent; and Liberia with 9.0 per cent.

EconomyWatch.com has a database of information from reputable sources, which it uses for analysis on economies and markets.

The organisation, which has a database of economic statistics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which tracks the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of countries across the world, puts Ghana’s nominal growth of 23 per cent in the first half ahead of many bigwigs in emerging economies, including China, Qatar, India, Angola and many others.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, reported on July 14, 2011, when he presented the Supplementary Budget Estimates to Parliament, that the year-on-year GDP growth for the first quarter of 2011 showed a 23 per cent growth over that of the same period in 2010.

The provisional quarter-on-quarter estimates of the real GDP showed a growth of 21.4 per cent.

EconomyWatch.com used the nominal GDP growth figures (constant prices based on national currencies).

This impact of the growing economy includes the successful issuance of the GH¢300 million last Friday to fund major road projects, which was over-subscribed by GH¢184 million.

The government eventually accepted GH¢305 million of the bond subscription. This comes in the wake of the international investment community ranking Ghana the fourth best investment destination in Africa, riding on sound and stable economy and political climate.

Reacting to the assessment of Ghana’s economy by EconomyWatch.com, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning told the Daily Graphic that this year’s economic programme would consolidate the gains made last year and restore fiscal sustainability, as the deficits would be slashed from 6.8 per cent of the GDP in 2010 to 5.1 per cent of GDP in 2011.

Provisional figures for the first half of the year indicate that total revenues and grants were 9.3 per cent higher than the budget target for the period, with corresponding expenditures being 4.2 per cent higher than projected.

“This resulted in the achievement of a cash fiscal deficit equivalent to 1.2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product,” the Finance Minister said, adding that the outturn meant a narrowing of the deficit during the first half of the year, compared to a deficit equivalent to 3.4 per cent of GDP for the first half of 2010.

Dr Duffuor said the performance of tax revenue for the first half, which amounted to GH¢4.2 billion or 7.4 per cent of GDP – an outturn which is 20.6 per cent above the targeted – indicated a strong growth in revenues, especially from customs.

He said although expenditures for the first half were also higher than targeted, the performance of revenues led to a lower than budgeted fiscal deficit, which would be monitored to ensure that the economy did not overly expand its fiscal position.

One million students fail 2011 WAEC exam

For the fourth year running candidates who wrote the May/June 2011 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West Africa Examinations (WAEC) recorded mass failure as only 31 per cent made five credits including English Language and Mathematics.



The Head of National Office (HNO), Dr. Iyi Uwadiae disclosed the figure in Abeokuta, Ogun State while announcing the release of the school examination taken by 1, 540, 250 candidates nationwide. According to him, out of the 1, 5 million candidates who sat for the May/June, 2011 WASCE only 472, 906 candidates obtained five credits above including English Language and Mathematics.

15 People Are Kidnapped In Nnewi Every Day

Kidnapping: Nnewi natives petition Jonathan, Army Chief, IGP

Businesses were grounded yesterday, in Nnewi, as stakeholders in the commercial city petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, the Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General of Police to come to their aide over current cases of kidnapping in the town.

As early as 7am yesterday morning, lawyers, medical doctors, bank staff operating in the city, and traders including some elders of Nnewi community, gathered to close down the Nkwo Nnewi market to protest the kidnappings of their members.

Addressing the large crowd at the gate of the closed Nnewi Main Market, Chairman of Nnewi Market Traders Association, Chief Gozie Akudolu, disclosed that since the wave of kidnapping began, about 68 major importers and manufacturers in the area had been kidnapped.

Nigerian Bar Association, represented by its Secretary General, Mr. Joseph Okeke, noted that about 15 persons were being kidnapped in Nnewi on daily basis, adding that all the hoodlums chased out of Aba, Abia State had relocated to Nnewi, pointing out that until the same intervention that happened in Aba was extended to Nnewi, things would not be the same again.

In his words: “Nnewi is closing down entirely; we are proposing that Anti Terrorist Squad, a separate entity aside from the police and military be set up by the president to tackle this situation.”

GTBank Customers Can Now Make Deposit Through ATM

GTBank customers are now a class apart from their counterparts in other banks as Interswitch Nigeria, a leading electronic payment transaction and switching firm, has empowered them to make cash deposits through some designated ATMs.
The project, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, will enable cash deposits through GTBank ATMs without inserting or using a debit card. The cardless ATM cash deposit solution from Interswitch can be accessed on certain GTBank cardless ATMs by clicking the enter button on the machine, which prompts the customer to key in the details of the account to be credited.
The ATM then requests for a confirmation of the account number and account name of the beneficiary. Once confirmed, the customer inserts the amount to be deposited, the ATM counts the cash and credits the beneficiary’s account immediately. The cardless ATM cash deposit solution allows a GTBank customer to deposit a bundle of different naira denominations and the ATM will sort through the different denominations.
Once sorted, the ATM displays the amount according to the different denominations and also the total amount deposited. The ATM cash deposit solution has the ability to validate the account of the beneficiary, allowing the depositor to confirm or correct any error.
The deposited amount reflects in the beneficiary account, and can be withdrawn immediately. With the cardless solution, the bank’s customers who wish to make cash deposits no longer need to visit the banking hall. They can simply deposit their cash via the ATM into a beneficiary’s accounts at any time of the day, including weekends. This provides customers the flexibility of depositing cash anytime; hence, they do not need to worry about carrying huge sums of money home.
According to the director, Payment Processing and Infrastructure at Interswitch, Akeem Lawal, the GTBank Cardless ATM cash deposit solution represents a big step towards full branch automation where entire banking operations are automated and customers are guaranteed an improved and consistent standard of service delivery at all automated bank branches.
“Banks are leveraging the use of ATMs to provide improved consumer banking experience by taking self service to a whole new level,” he added.
On the benefits to the bank, he noted that the “Cardless ATM cash deposit solution has reduced the number of customers who visit the GTBank branches,” where the ATM solution for cash deposit transactions was first deployed.
In similar vein, Lola Odedina, head, Communication and External Affairs, GTBank, explained that the solution from Interswitch was bound to improve the Nigerian banking sector by providing a ‘’secure, quicker and more effective channel for making deposits without visiting a banking hall’ or using an ATM card.
She further stated that the solution had undergone a successful and extensive test-run at certain GTBank branches and the bank was set to roll out the service in more branches within Nigeria.

British Govt Creates 1,000 Visas Opening For Talented Migrants

London: Nearly 1,000 visa applicants who are `exceptionally talented’ are to benefit from the British governments new visa regime under its Tier 1 category.

The new Exceptional Talent migration route which will take-off Aug. 9, would enable applicants in the fields of science, humanities, engineering and the arts to work in the UK.

Mr Damian Green, UK Immigration Minister who gave the new details in London said that those who have a lot to contribute positively to the economy, would  continue to be welcomed.

“Our new exceptional talent route, available for up to 1000 applicants, will ensure that we continue to attract the brightest into the UK and keep the UK a global leader,’’ Green said.

He explained that the UK was a global leader in science, humanities, engineering and a centre for arts.

“This comes at a time of major reform of the immigration system to bring net migration back down to the tens of thousands, tackle abuses and make sure that the immigration system meets the needs of the country,’’ Green said.

He explained further that migrants admitted to the UK under the Tier1 Exceptional Talent category would initially be granted permission to stay for three years and four months.

NAN reports that the new route will be overseen by competent bodies that will play an advisory role to the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

The bodies include the Royal Society for Arts Council, Royal Academy of Engineering and the British Academy. (NAN)

Traffic Congestion; Fashola Lunches New Vehicle Checking Device

Governor Babatunde Fashola on Wednesday launched an electronic device to check whether vehicles have valid documents without engaging in manual stop and check of vehicles’ papers.

The device, Auto Inspector, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and will help to reduce traffic gridlock on Lagos’ highways occasioned by police stop and check of vehicles’ documents. With the device, stolen vehicles can also be easily identified as the device could tell the name of the owners of such vehicles as well as the history of such vehicles.

Launching the device at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria, Fashola said Lagos had joined the league of selected cities in the developing world where traffic management and compliance with vehicle documentation regulations had been revolutionised with the introduction of high-tech device .“Traffic congestion experience on Lagos roads is some of the time compounded when traffic control and law enforcement officers stop motorists to check their vehicle particulars and determine their documentation status which hitherto was done manually. “This is avoidable stress and the same purpose of checking particulars and documentation of vehicles can be achieved through automation utilising technology without disturbing the flow of traffic,” he said.

According to him, the auto inspector service would enable traffic control and law

enforcement officers to simply punch the registration number of a vehicle into a hand-held electronic device and instantly determine thevehicle and vehicle owner’s documentation status. “The hand-held auto inspector device will be issued to and used by officers and men of the Nigeria police, LASTMA, VIOs and ultimately, the FRSC. Vehicles that will be screened by auto inspector are those registered in Lagos State which have their updated documentation data including vehicle license, driver’s license, hackney permit and road worthiness/MOT captured on the AUTOREG platform which is operated by the Motor Vehicle Administration’s technical partner, Courteville Investment Plc,” he said. Fashola added that the device would enhance compliance since motorists in contravention were easily identified as the device verifies the validity or otherwise of the vehicle documents instantly.

He stated that the device would lead to relative reduction in man-hours wasted

in traffic during checks by law officers as well as help to eliminate corrupt practices by law enforcement agents as the status of any vehicle screened was simultaneously captured both by the hand-held device and operators manning the servers at the Automated Registration, AUTOREG control rooms. “It is also a huge boost to our crime prevention and control efforts due to instant data-capturing capabilities. It will also boost e-governance,” he said while advising motorists to update their vehicle documentations

‘we Target 800,000 Students Entering Universities By 2016’

Over one million candidates scored 180 and above in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and are qualified to gain admission, but Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), said only about 400,000 candidates will be admitted into the university system. He said the facilities on ground cannot accommodate all. He said his new administration will focus on improving access to education and is aiming at increasing the number of students that will be admitted into universities to 800,000 within the next five years. Excerpts:

Stabilising the university system

For us at the National Universities Commission, we have made progress through the reforms we have had. We have more divisions and departments that address issues we are having in the universities. For the first time, we are addressing the issues of entrepreneurship, leadership and counselling and presently, we have talked about improvement in programmes. We are talking about gerontology, mechatronics; new programmes we think that will really push the system forward to address the issues that are our national needs.

To a large extent, we have improved the quality of programming because there are more programmes now with full accreditation.

More than ever before, we have effective monitoring of the university system. Through our prompting, government now has adopted a platform for appointment of principal officers in universities. We have a better deal in terms of the remuneration of teachers today than ever before and because of the in-depth analysis of what the problems were, we have a backlog of history and documents that we can always fall back to address the issues that are germane in the system. More importantly, we have a very strong hold on the university system, whether it is under-graduate or post-graduate. Benchmark minimum academic standard has been provided. Even for post-graduate, we didn’t have benchmark before; we now have started accreditation for MBA.

Now we have expanded access through the recommendation for the approval of private universities. During this period under review, we have almost 30 or 40 new universities. I must say that we now have relative level of stability because we are now addressing the issue of remuneration. The rapport between the commission and the universities out there is not interaction in terms of monitoring. What you see is not all that is going on because we have a lot to do within the system here than just inviting universities and getting their issues resolved.

Increase in funding

There is also more funding through the Education Trust Fund (ETF). Recently, the ETF launched the guidelines for accessing the N3 billion research grant. There is the STEP-B 180 million dollars. So all these are coming within the system. There is also more money in terms of staff development and capacity building. So we have become more effective than ever before. I think that in respect to quality of teachers, we have greater teacher quality today because ETF has in the past three provided a lot of fund for teacher development and retention.

Recently, we created new department to address the issues that are very crucial in the system.

Improving access to education

Now, our target is to ensure that the university system have more programmes that are relevant to national need and that are relevant to addressing global issues. Our target is to ensure that we tag on to the ministry’s objective and the turnaround strategies of making education a priority. Of course we should be talking about more students entering the system. Within the next five years, we should be talking about hitting, 800,000 students in the university system through the normal and natural means. If we improve the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and the National Open University, we can achieve this. For us to improve access, open and distance learning have become a very critical aspect of our responsibility. Very soon we are going to have interaction with the British Council on ODL. If you look at the ODL in India, it is able to address the issue of access for over 1.8 million. Here we have 1.5 million applicants, but we are not able to take 400,000 students. That is an issue. We are not talking about failure in JAMB. The policy meeting says whoever scores 180 and above can enter the university system. About one million scored 180 and above, but there is no space for them. There are people who are 27 years old still struggling to enter the university; they can go do the ODL, work and go to school. We have provided the guideline for ensuring these things are in place.

Creating minimum academic standards

In the next 100 days, we plan that the curriculum that have been under review will be completed and all programmes that do not have benchmark minimum academic standard will have, because we have to drive that system effectively. Then we must be able to digitalise all the physical masterplan of the university system, so that we can sit down here and monitor what they do.

Then some of the nine new universities are likely to take off in the next 100 days and my belief is that a quarter or more of them would have taken off effectively. We also think that we would have gone through the process of routine responsibility of honouring our distinguished professors. We have a programme we call distinguished professors award. It will take place.

We are going to key into the full programmes of the ministry of education. But more important is that we would set a platform on which we are going to launch the success of education story in the next five years. In the next 100 days we would know what direction we are going and what it takes to achieve it. We will identify the turnaround strategy because from the education roadmap, we are going to pull out what is responsible for the progress we are going to make.

We will have something on the menu. The next 100 days will determine what the next five years will look like.

Staff and student audit

We are also sending out signals that any university that is 15 years and above if it has not made arrangements to move to the permanent site will stand the risk of closing shop because enabling environment for learning and physical facilities are very important. You cannot lock yourself in a two hectare shop and think you will make progress. This is what we are going to do to ensure effective monitoring. We do not keep adequate data. In the next 100 days we want to start staff and students audit. We do not know how many students that are genuinely in the system. Lecturers teach in two or three places and we now have information that some people keep two permanent jobs which is scandalous in the system. We should be able to have some good enough data to take off. If we do that, we will know who is teaching where and where there is deficiency. We cannot be sure we are meeting the demands. Government has to be ready and give it the wings we require by ensuring enough funds for staff development. China and India did it. You cannot pay lip service to staff development.

Instituitional accreditation

We have advertised for accreditors and are harvesting all their CVs. There is a budget for it, which has gone through a process. In the next one or two months, we would have completed the exercise. That is going to happen and there is no doubt about that. The board has approved that we go ahead.

Constitution: Fg Set To Remove State Of Origin

 The Presidency is planning the inclusion of six-month residency clause in the proposed constitution amendment, investigations have shown.


Our correspondents learnt on Sunday that the clause was one of the amendments President Goodluck Jonathan would submit to the National Assembly on its resumption on September 13.


It was also learnt that the Presidency was also planning an amendment, which would make local governments to be more independent of states.


Investigations revealed the six –month residency clause was conceived to neutralise the issue of state of origin in appointments.


According to the proposal, any Nigerian will be qualified for an appointment in his or her area of residency. He or she will also be qualified to vote or be voted for in the area.


The issue of indigene, it will be recalled, cropped up during the appointment of the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. OlusegunAgagu.


The Association of the Lagos State Indigene, had faulted the nomination of the minister to represent the state on the grounds that it violated Section 147 (3) of the constitution.


It was gathered that the section and other related aspects of the constitution would be amended to give opportunities to those who were not residing in their states of origin.


A Presidency source said, “Many brilliant Nigerians are being denied opportunities because this problematic issue of the state of origin.


“If we want the country to be united, Nigerians should not be denied opportunities because of parochial reasons such as ethnicity, state of origin and religion. By the proposed amendment, if you have been residing in an area for six months, you can get appointments there.”


According to the source, the President is worried that the issue of area of origin is cropping up in Abuja, where some people are claiming that they should be appointed as ministers to represent the Federal Capital Territory.


Besides the issue of state of origin, investigations showed that the proposed amendments would address the structure of local governments.


According to the proposed amendments, local governments will be recognized as the third tier of government and would be directly funded from the federation account.


The Presidency source condemned the state governments’ joint accounts with the local governments.


Attempts to get Abati’s reactions to the nationwide consultations as his mobile phone was not going though. He had also not responded to an SMS at the time of sending this report.


But the presidential aide had last week told one of our correspondents that “Nigerians should wait for the executive bill, which the President will send to the National Assembly.”

Efcc Busts $3.5b Power Project Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has foiled an attempt to swindle a US-based company, Sunergy Worldwide Incorporated of about $3.5billion over a non-existing power project in the country.

Also, the commission has launched a manhunt for the Managing Director of the Nigerian firm, Arvokad Resources Plc, Mr. Jonathan Dike, who was allegedly central to the scam.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that the MD and directors of Arvokad had sought partnership with the American firm to build a $7billion solar energy plant.

Based on bid documents with purported official endorsement of the project by the Ministry of Power and Energy, the American company accepted to fund the project.

But at the point of remitting its 50 per cent of the cost of the project, the bubble burst following discovery by the American firm that Arvokad was not involved in any IPP plant in Nigeria .

A top source in the anti-graft commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “The controversial Nigerian firm, Arvokad, is purportedly located at 138, Aba – Owerri Road in Abia State.

“According to preliminary findings by the EFCC, Arvokad sought a deal with the American company by claiming that it was acting on behalf of the Ministry of Power and Energy.  Arvokad sought for partnership with Sunergy and asked the American firm to submit a quotation of $7bilion for a solar energy power project for the Federal Government.

The US company did as directed and thereafter, it was informed that it has been short-listed as the favoured bidder by the Contract Award Committee of the Ministry of Power and Energy.”

The source added, “As part of our discovery, officials of Arvokad impersonated a former Minister of Power, Nuhu Wya , by presenting documents claiming that the ex-Minister presided over the contract award committee,” and asked the American firm to remit 50 per cent of the counterpart funding valued at $3.5 billion.

“But shortly before the remittance, the CEO of Sunergy Worldwide Incorporated, Yua Xu contacted the recently established EFCC’s Transaction Clearing Platform (TCP) to verify the authenticity of the contract details. The TCP cautioned the American firm to withhold the remittance of the counterpart funds pending verification. And at the end of the day, it turned out to be a big scam and the affected foreign firm was communicated, and advised not to remit any money.”

The source said the EFCC is already on the trail of the Managing Director of Arvokad, Jonathan Dike and any of its directors.  “We have launched a manhunt for all those with stakes in the company; we will certainly arrest them for necessary grilling, “the source said.

Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi said: “We have bust the scam but investigation is in progress.”

Nigerian Senate has Approved $50 Million To Mark Obama's 50th Birthday

Federal Governments sets aside $50 million to mark Obama's 50th Birthday

Abuja - The Nigerian senate has approved a budget of $50,000,000 to be spent on activities to mark US President Obama’s 50th birthday.

Speaking to reporters, press secretary to the president, Mr Reuben Abati, explained that as the giant of Africa, it is only appropriate for Nigeria to adequately recognize such a milestone birthday of one of Africa’s kids done well.

He however assured Nigerians that even in embarking upon this diplomatically significant project, the government has taken measure to save the country some money.

According to him, the original proposed budget was $75,000,000, but Mr President, ever the prudent leader, trimmed it down to $50,000,000, thereby saving the country a whopping $25,000,000.

He declined to answer questions on exactly what the planned activities are, who will be in charge of organising them, and if Mr Obama or any representatives of the US Government were aware of the plans, but he stressed that the project was not the president’s idea.

Related Slideshow View Full Size Main Image Main Image More Reuters Results for: "" Follow Reuters * Facebook * Twitter * RSS * YouTube Read 1. NATO investigates deadly Afghan helicopter crash | Video 11:27am EDT 1 2. UPDATE 4-Tel Aviv stocks fall 7 pct on US debt downgrade 2:26pm EDT 2 3. WRAPUP 9-World leaders confer on debt crises this weekend 06 Aug 2011 3 4. Dollar to drop on S&P, flows seen to safe assets 1:15pm EDT 4 5. Power companies prepare as solar storms set to hit Earth 06 Aug 2011 5 Discussed * 262 Putin says U.S. is a ”parasite” on global economy * 165 Analysis: Obama and Bernanke out of ammo to boost jobs, growth * 161 U.S. loses AAA credit rating from S&P Watched * Scientists warn of Scientists warn of "Planet of the Apes" scenario Sat, Jul 30 2011 * Obama calls for common cause on U.S. finance Obama calls for common cause on U.S. finance Sat, Aug 6 2011 * First erasable electronic paper First erasable electronic paper Fri, Aug 5 2011 United States loses prized AAA credit rating from S&P

(Reuters) - The United States lost its top-tier AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's on Friday in an unprecedented blow to the world's largest economy in the wake of a political battle that took the country to the brink of default.
S&P cut the long-term U.S. credit rating by one notch to AA-plus on concerns about the government's budget deficit and rising debt burden. The action is likely to eventually raise borrowing costs for the American government, companies and consumers.
"The downgrade reflects our opinion that the fiscal consolidation plan that Congress and the Administration recently agreed to falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government's medium-term debt dynamics," S&P said in a statement.
The outlook on the new U.S. credit rating is "negative," S&P said in a statement, indicating another downgrade was possible in the next 12 to 18 months.
The move reflects the deterioration in the global economic standing of the United States, which has had a AAA credit rating from S&P since 1941, and it could have implications for the U.S. dollar's reserve currency status.
"The global system must now adjust to the many implications and uncertainties of the once-unthinkable loss of America's AAA," said Mohamed El-Erian, co-chief investment officer at Pacific Investment Management Co which oversees $1.2 trillion in assets.
The decision follows a fierce political battle in Congress over cutting spending and raising taxes to reduce the government's debt burden and allow its statutory borrowing limit to be raised.
On August 2, President Barack Obama signed legislation designed to reduce the fiscal deficit by $2.1 trillion over 10 years. But that was well short of the $4 trillion in savings S&P had called for as a good "down payment" on fixing America's finances.
The political gridlock in Washington over addressing the long-term fiscal problems facing the United States came against the backdrop of slowing U.S. economic growth and led to the worst week in the U.S. stock market in two years.
The S&P 500 stock index fell 10.8 percent in the past 10 trading days on concerns that the U.S. economy may be heading into another recession and because the European debt crisis has worsened.
Treasury bonds, once indisputably seen as the safest security in the world, are now rated lower than bonds issued by countries such as Britain, Germany, France or Canada.
U.S. TREASURY QUESTIONS CALCULATION
Obama was briefed earlier in the day regarding S&P's intentions, but discussions only took place with Treasury officials and did not include the White House, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
Late on Friday, the Treasury said the rating agency's debt calculations were wrong by some $2 trillion.
S&P confirmed it changed its economic assumptions after discussion with the Treasury Department but said it did not affect its decision to downgrade.
"We take our responsibilities very seriously, and if at the end of our analysis the committee concludes that a rating isn't where we believe it should be, it's our duty to make that call," David Beers, head of sovereign ratings at S&P, told Reuters.
The theme running throughout S&P's analysis is the breakdown in the ability of the Democratic and Republican parties to govern effectively.
The agency said that policymaking and political institutions had weakened in the past few months "to a degree more than we envisioned." This has major implications for the nation's budget and debt problems.
For example, S&P now assumes that tax cuts brought in under President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 would not, as planned, expire by 2012 because of staunch Republican opposition to any measure that would raise revenues.
The compromise reached by Republicans and Democrats this week calls for creation of a bipartisan congressional committee to find $1.5 trillion of deficit cuts by late November, beyond the $917 billion already identified.
'DAUNTING' IMPLICATIONS
While the downgrade is a blow to U.S. prestige, it was largely expected and may not have a big impact on trading of U.S. Treasuries and other assets when markets reopen in Asia on Monday.
In fact, Treasuries have rallied this week, driving the yield on the benchmark 10-year note to 2.34 percent, its lowest level in about 10 months. This reflects a belief among investors that U.S. government debt is still a safe bet at a time when prices of stocks and commodities are falling on concern about slowing global economic growth.
"To some extent, I would expect when Tokyo opens on Sunday, that we will see an initial knee-jerk sell-off (in Treasuries) followed by a rally," said Ian Lyngen, senior government bond strategist at CRT Capital Group in Stamford, Connecticut.
But the downgrade has implications for the country's financial sector, ranging from insurance companies to government-related firms such as housing financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
"At least initially, the impact on the market will be negative because there will some forced liquidation of U.S. assets," said Boris Schlossberg, GFT director of currency research.
The downgrade could add up to 0.7 of a percentage point to Treasuries' yields over time, increasing funding costs for public debt by some $100 billion, according to SIFMA, a U.S. securities industry trade group.
The Federal Reserve and other bank regulators moved on Friday to reassure global markets that the downgrade would not mean that additional capital would be needed by banks and other institutions holding Treasury securities.
The Fed also said the cut would not impact the operation of its emergency lending window for banks, nor its buying and selling of Treasury securities to conduct monetary policy.
The impact of S&P's move was tempered by Moody's Investors Service's decision earlier this week confirming, for now, the U.S. Aaa rating. Fitch Ratings said it was still reviewing its AAA rating and would issue its opinion by the end of the month.
S&P's move is also likely to concern foreign creditors especially China, which holds more than $1 trillion of U.S. debt. Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to protect its U.S. dollar investments by addressing its budget problems.
"China will be forced to consider other investments for its reserves. U.S. Treasuries aren't as safe anymore," said Li Jie, a director at the reserves research institute at the Central University of Finance and Economics.
One currency strategist, however, did not think there would be wholesale selling by foreigners.
"One of the reasons we don't really think foreign investors will start selling U.S. Treasuries aggressively is because there are still few alternatives to the Treasury market in terms of depth and liquidity," said Vassili Serebriakov, currency strategist at Wells Fargo in New York.
He said there was likely to be weakness in the U.S. dollar but a sharp sell-off was unlikely.
S&P had already placed the U.S. credit rating on review for a possible downgrade on July 14 on concerns that Congress was not adequately addressing the fiscal deficit of about $1.4 trillion this year, about 9.0 percent of gross domestic product, one of the highest since World War II.
But Obama administration officials grew increasingly frustrated with the rating agency during the debt limit debate and accused S&P of moving the goal posts in its downgrade warnings, sources familiar with talks between the administration and the agency have said.
The downgrade was immediately pounced on by candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination. Mitt Romney said the move was "a deeply troubling indicator of our country's decline under President Obama," while Jon Huntsman said it was due to spreading of a "cancerous debt afflicting our nation."
The downgrade, 15 months before the next presidential election, and debt will be top campaign issues..

Breaking News: Veteran actor Sam Loco Efe dies

Veteran Nollywood actor and comedian, Sam Loco Efe is dead. The 66 year-old actor died today in his hotel room at Rapour Hotel, Amakaohai, along Orlu road, Owerri, Imo State shortly after returning from location. So sad! May his soul rest in peace...amen.

More details coming soon...

Law To Ban Overseas Education For Wards Of Public Officers Underway

A Bill to prohibit the overseas basic and undergraduate education of children and wards of public officers and other matters has been introduced in the House of Representatives.
The Bill, obtained by Leadership Sunday, was introduced by former Rep. Emmanuel Bello (PDP/Hong/Adamawa) last year and is still lying with the Bills office at the National Assembly.
The bill, if passed into law, will prescribe penalties for public office holders who send their wards abroad to obtain basic education without a “waiver” from the education minister.
But a member of the House, Hon. Friday Itulah(PDP/Edo) said the piece of legislation was totally unnecessary and uncalled for.
“That is rubbish talk. You can send your children anywhere you like. This is democracy, so if you have money you can send your children to go school in space. Issues like that are better taken as motions instead of bills”, he said
The summary of the Bill stated: “Subject to a written waiver granted under the hand of the Minister for Education, every child and/or ward(s) of public servant shall henceforth undergo basic and undergraduate education in the country.
“The Minister for education shall, in consideration of an application for waiver, pursuant to section 1 be guided by the nature of the proposed course of study for an undergraduate applicant, medical condition and the general national interest.
“Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of this Act, any public officer whose children and /or wards are undergoing basic and undergraduate education overseas immediately before the date when this Act comes into force shall be deemed to be doing so pursuant to a waiver granted by the Minister or for education”, the Bill stated.
The short bill added that, “Otherwise prescribed, any public officer who seeks, applies and procures overseas education and or scholarship for his children or wards for basic or undergraduate education shall be guilty of an offence”.

Nigeria Ranks 19th On Terrorism Risk Index

Nigeria occupies nineteenth position on the list of “extreme risk” countries and territories, according to the latest Terrorism Risk Index (TRI) released by Maplecroft.
Maplecroft, a United Kingdom-based risk analysis and mapping firm, has an international team of 75 multidisciplinary experts-including over 50 research analysts.

It provides services used extensively by leading global corporations across all sectors, governments, United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organisations.
It developed TRI to enable business to identify and monitor the risks posed by terrorism to employees and assets in 197 countries.
In the latest TRI released by the firm, 20 countries and territories were rated as “extreme risk,” with Somalia, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan topping the list in that order. These top four countries also sustain over 75 per cent of world’s fatalities from terrorism.
Other countries rated as extreme risk include the newly independent South Sudan (5), Yemen (6), Palestinian Occupied Territories (7), DR Congo (, Central African Republic (9), Colombia (10), Algeria (11), Thailand (12), Philippines (13), Russia (14), Sudan (15), Iran (16), Burundi (17), India (18), Nigeria (19) and Israel (20).

It cited the activities of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which it said had launched attacks beyond the Delta, in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

It is, however, important to note that the ranking of Nigeria was based on the data available on terrorist incidents over the 12 month period prior to April 1, this year.
Lately, there had been series of bomb attacks in the northeastern states of Borno and Bauchi, and North-central state of Niger by Boko Haram. Mid-June, the group struck in the heart of the nation’s capital detonating a bomb at the car park of the Nigeria Police headquarters.

UN - Nigerian Oil Pollution May Need World's Biggest Clean-up

 Nigerian oil pollution may need world's biggest clean-up: UN

ABUJA — Decades of oil pollution in Nigeria's Ogoniland region may require the world's biggest ever clean-up, the UN environmental agency said Thursday as it released a landmark report on the issue.

The United Nations Environment Programme also called for the oil industry and the Nigerian government to contribute $1 billion to a clean-up fund for the region that activists say has been devastated by pollution.

Full restoration of the region could take up to 30 years, UNEP said.

Activists reacted to the report by issuing harsh criticism of oil giant Shell, historically Nigeria's largest producer, which operated in Ogoniland until it was forced to withdraw amid unrest there in 1993.

Shell maintained its stance that oil theft, sabotage and illegal refining were the main causes of pollution.

"The environmental restoration of Ogoniland could prove to be the world's most wide-ranging and long term oil clean-up exercise ever undertaken if contaminated drinking water, land, creeks and important ecosystems such as mangroves are to be brought back to full, productive health," UNEP said in a statement.

The study of the effects of pollution in Ogoniland, part of the Niger Delta, the country's main oil-producing region, follows a two-year assessment by the UNEP.

Its report marks the first major attempt to scientifically document the effects of oil pollution in the region of mainly farmers and fishermen. UNEP called the wide-ranging assessment "unprecedented".

The report points out major health risks in the region of Africa's largest oil producer.

"In at least 10 Ogoni communities where drinking water is contaminated with high levels of hydrocarbons, public health is seriously threatened," the UNEP statement said.

"In one community, at Nisisioken Ogale, in western Ogoniland, families are drinking water from wells that is contaminated with benzene -- a known carcinogen -- at levels over 900 times above World Health Organization guidelines.

"The site is close to a Nigerian National Petroleum Company pipeline."

After being presented with the report, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the first head of state from the Niger Delta, said the government would consider how to move forward.

"The Nigerian government is going to discuss with Shell and other oil companies that have operated in the area and other relevant agencies of government to see how we can handle this report," he said.

Anglo-Dutch Shell, Nigeria's oldest operator, was forced to leave Ogoniland in 1993 following community unrest sparked by poverty and allegations of environmental neglect, however pipelines still cross the area.

"Although we haven?t produced oil in Ogoniland since 1993, we clean up all spills from our facilities, whatever the cause, and restore the land to its original state," Shell said in a statement after the report was released.

"The majority of oil spills in Nigeria are caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining."

Amnesty International took aim at Shell in its reaction, alleging it has failed to deal with years of spills.

"Shell must put its hands up, and face the fact that it has to deal with the damage it has caused," said Audrey Gaughran of Amnesty.

Amnesty has estimated that, if all types of oil pollution in the vast Niger Delta are added up over the past half-century, it would be "on par with the Exxon Valdez every year over the last 50 years."

Ledum Mitee, the head of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, an regional activist group, called for the government to withdraw Shell's licence to operate in reaction to the report.

Ogoniland was the native region of Ken Saro-Wiwa, the renowned environmental activist who was executed by a Nigerian military government in 1995 after what was widely considered a show trial, drawing global condemnation.

His activism and execution drew the world's attention to Ogoniland.

Just this week, Shell accepted responsibility for two oil spills in Ogoniland. The Bodo community took legal action in Britain against Shell over the spills in 2008 and 2009, which affected rivers and waterways over a large area.

A spokesman for Shell's Nigerian operations said it would pay compensation but said the process could take several months.

The company said the amount of oil spilled amounted to some 4,000 barrels and maintained that illegal refining and oil theft were the major causes of environmental damage.

It’s Bad To Put Mubarak In Cage – Obasanjo (fear Dey Catch Dem Small Small)

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday called for dignified treatment of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, saying as a former head of state, Mubarak was entitled to personal dignity befitting his status.

Speaking in Mombasa, Kenya, where he is attending the African Leadership Conference, which is to round off on Friday, Obasanjo said the treatment meted to the former Egyptian leader was bad for the image of Africa as a continent.

“Put him in a cage? It is not proper. He deserves a better treatment. This is not good for the image of Africa,” Obasanjo told a gathering of African leaders, including former South African President Thabo Mbeki, and other governance experts gathered for the conference.

Egypt has put its former President on trial for the killing of protesters calling for his resignation in late January to early February this year.

Obasanjo, who had earlier addressed the African governance conference on the need for African governments to continue improving their governance ratings, also called on the African media to maintain high ethical standards to gain credibility.

He said the media in Africa could not claim a high moral ground and attempt to police good governance while still being held back by corruption within its ranks.

The African leaders at the conference, including ministers, top civil society voices across the continent and African scholars, called for massive infrastructure improvements to put the continent on a faster lane for the achievement of its economic development goals.

Speaking on the role of the media in advancing continental development, Obasanjo said from his knowledge of the Nigerian press, the media could not be trusted to champion governance.

He drew parallels with the likes of the British media, which he said engaged in gate-keeping of the news to ensure that news that would portray Britain in negative light was not publicised.

“I used to know that the BBC used to have a foreign relations officer whose duty it was to ensure that only news that does not hurt the image of Britain or its foreign relations are cleared for publication.

“I do not know if the system is still in place today,” he said.

"Thank God We're Not Nigerians" New Hit Song From Ghanian Singers

Lyrics

Kofi is a common name, that's what even I say
But a Ghana man will never call a child Friday
Thank God we're not Nigerians

Always shouting very loud, don't know how to whisper
And why say Mistor, instead of Mister
Thank God we're not a Nigerians

You like school more than any African I’ve seen
Simple thirteen, you still say tharteen
Thank God we're not a Nigerians

They ban the whole team, you can’t even play
Can’t you just say Hi, what is Ki lon sele
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

You barely qualify, then  get stuck
President Goodluck but you still suck
Thank God we’re not Nigerians

Instead of Hamburger or Pizza with ham
You eat Egusi with pounded yam
Thank God we’re not Nigerians

Always trying to show off, even when you eat
One soup, no vegetable but twelve different meat
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

Fela was a great Musician, yes of course
(Inaudible) something drugs
Thank God we’re not Nigerians

You created Nollywood,yes more of it
But too many witches and wizards in your film
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

Always in traditional wear everywhere
Haven’t you hear of Armani wear
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

For example shining five piece agbada
You can look very good in Dolce and Gabbana
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

Not going anywhere fast, let’s just stroll
Traffic everywhere, many bad bad roads
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

No street light from Oregun to Ikeja
Four four, join join two two on okada
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

Extra page in your passport to pass and go
You have learn very well from Obasanjo
Thank God we’re not Nigerians

Email fraud, Pyramid, 419
Oh that’s not fine
Thank God we’re not a Nigerians

But at least you are better than Liberians
So thank God you’re not a Liberians

No Nigerian University Among Africa's Top 40. . .ui-41, Ilorin-42,abu-43

No Nigerian varsity in Africa's top 10  Education      Thursday, August 4, 2011 By Lawani Mikairu The falling standard of education in Nigeria was  again brought to the fore weekend when in a  survey published by Webometrics , the ranking  Web of World Universities, ranking 2,500   universities surveyed in Africa, no Nigerian  University made the Top 10  Africa Universities. South African-based institutions topped the  continental ranking with University of Cape  Town taking the lead. This is closely followed by  the University of Pretoria, South Africa in second position, next comes Stellenbosch University also in South. Africa in third position. The University of  Witwatersrand, South Africa comes fourth,while  University of Kwazulu Natal,South Africa is fifth.  The sixth position is occupied by Rhodes  University,South Africa. In seventh position is  University of the Western Cape, South Africa. South-Africa dominance is challenged by the  Cairo University in Egypt which is eight in  ranking. This is closely followed by University of  South Africa ,South Africa in nineth position, and  Makerere University, Uganda in tenth position. Of interest is Makerere University which has  maintained its 10 th position among Africa's best  ranked 100  universities, according to the  Webometrics survey. It is the only Ugandan  university listed in the survey. In the survey,  published on Friday, the university improved in  world ranking by 146  positions from 1,402 th in  February to 1,256 th. Other universities in the region are University of Khartoum-Sudan (18 th), University of Nairobi- Kenya (26 th), University of Dar er Salam - Tanzania (38 th), Kenyatta University (58 th) and  National University of Rwanda at 78 th.The  rankings, are based on web publications, the  visibility of a university on the Internet, the  volume of its publications, and the general  impact of the information published on its web  pages. Also a ranking by Turkey-based Informatics  Institute of the Middle East Technical University,  put the 89 -year-old Makerere University on the  8th position out of 2,500  universities surveyed in Africa in 2010 .

Picture Of Delta State Cheques To Pay Obasanjo Farms

R-e-v-e-a-l-e-d: How Uduaghan Paid Obasanjo And Tribunal Judges Over N3 billion To Buy Election [Photocopies Of Cheques Available]

Two cheques, issued in June 2010 and June 2011, provide incontrovertible evidence about how the embattled governor of Delta state, Emmanuel Uduaghan, buys favours and pays off supporters with state funds.

The cheques, which were issued from the Oceanic Bank accounts operated by the Delta State government, show that the state government made illegal payments to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whom it had retained to influence tribunal judgments during difficult political times.

The first cheque was initially issued to Obasanjo Farms on June 15, 2010, from a Delta State account with number 0051-301-000008 for Seven Hundred and Seventy eight million, six hundred thousand Naira (N778, 600,000).

However, in a high noon manoeuvre three days later, on June 18, 2010, the money was transferred to a Manager at Wema Bank Plc, to the Obasanjo Farms account number 1261153353017 with Sort Code 035171263.

As SaharaReporters revealed in a previous report, that account was one of the various secret bank accounts maintained by Obasanjo in Wema Bank.

The last cheque, which had been identified as the monies used to bribe election petition tribunal judges that recently proclaimed Dr. Uduaghan the winner of the highly rigged January 6, 2011 re-run election, also emanated from Oceanic Bank where Uduaghan’s current Commissioner of Finance, Bernard Okumagba,once served as a “financial planner” in the mid 1990ss.

 The cheque, for N2.5 billion, was addressed to “Manager Oceanic Bank Call Account” and was reportedly cashed and moved away in bullion vans to a location from which judges, consultants and lawyers were paid in cold, hard cash.

That mind-boggling amount of N2.5 billion was taken out of the “Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)” account of the Delta State government in Oceanic Bank with Account Number “0051-301-000059”.

After the monies were cashed, they were reportedly given to actors in the election tribunal that included three judges. Other beneficiaries were Chief Obasanjo, Mr. “Fix-It” Anthony Anenih, and Jonathan’s Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe.

It would be recalled that the final judgment of the re-run election tribunal was read by Tribunal Chairperson Justice Uzoamaka Ogwurike on July 25 2011.  The judge had given the impression that the tribunal was doing a thorough job and planned to annul the election when, in fact, she was negotiating a higher pay-off amount, put at N350 million, for herself separate from other members who had accepted their bribe early in the work of the tribunal.

SaharaReporters contacted the Delta State Commissioner of Finance to ask about the transactions by calling his mobile phone number, but he sent us a text message saying he was busy at a meeting.  After we disclosed we were calling from New York, he never called back as promised.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/r-e-v-e-l-e-d-how-uduaghan-paid-obasanjo-and-tribunal-judges-over-n3-billion-buy-election-

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