Sex Good For Blissful Marriage —Expert

With soaring rate of divorce globally, a United States-based relationship expert, Nathan Feiles, has reeled out various ways to keep relationships intact, listing sex as a very important factor in this regard.
According to Feiles, sex is as important to a relationship as it is to the partner who wants it most.
“It doesn’t mean that the less-sexual partner needs to perform every time the other is in the mood.
“However, unless the more sexual partner is willingly prepared to not have sex, he or she will likely either get it somewhere else, or your relationship will begin to be chiseled at by sexual frustration and it takes only one partner’s sexual frustration for this to happen,” he warned
He advised that there should therefore be a kind of compromise between two people in any relationship
“It doesn’t just mean that if the more-driven partner is in the mood ten times that the less-driven has to perform five times; it can involve compromises on the type of sex, or involving fantasies of different types as part of this compromise.
“The less-driven needs to be able to opt out at times, and the more-driven needs to have some satisfaction at times, too,” he added.
Feiles also said one of the best ways to understand that there is a problem in a relationship is when there is continued lack of interest in sex with one’s partner.
The relationship expert further urged couples to worry more about their relationships than concentrate more on other peoples.
He advised people to always remember that no one is perfect and that as a result, they should engage themselves with people whose flaws they could manage considerably.
Another way to maintain a relationship, according to him, is for the couples to always do things together. This includes eating, strolling and sometimes, night out.
He noted that sometimes, argument occur in a relationship but that “the only way out of an argument is to realise you’re in one, and then to stop.
“This doesn’t mean to stonewall your partner, which is a passive-aggressive behavior. Let them know that you want to take a break, and give your partner the last word so it’s more likely they’ll give you that break. You can always return to the conversation later when the emotions have cooled.
“Listen to your partner. People don’t like the things they say to fall on deaf ears. So when your partner speaks to you, listen.”

A gang of about eight Gunmen attack FUTO students

A gang of about six to eight men Thursday invaded  the postgraduate/ scholarship hostel of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, and robbed the students.
Among the items collected by the hoodlums were laptops, phones and money.
The matter was immediately reported to the school authorities and to the police Division, Nekede. However, as of the time of filing this report, the shool management is yet to respond.
Details later.

Brazil-England friendly scrapped over security

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – A Brazilian judge has canceled Sunday’s friendly game between Brazil and England in Rio’s iconic Maracana stadium, citing safety concerns at the recently renovated facility.
The O Estado de Sao Paulo daily on Thursday quoted court sources as saying a Rio judge acted following a request from state prosecutors, who said Maracana did not “meet the minimum necessary conditions to host games or events”.
Calls to the court for confirmation of the report were unanswered. Thursday is a public holiday in Brazil.
The Rio state government however said in a statement that “all safety requirements were met,” attributing the problem to a bureaucratic glitch.
The daily said the Brazilian Football Confederation was collecting all the documents demanded by the judges so that the suspension can be reversed.
An estimated 74,000 people had been expected to watch Sunday’s game, which was to have been the second test for the stadium inaugurated on April 27 after a multi-million-dollar 30-month renovation.
The friendly was to have served as preparation for the Brazilian national squad ahead of the Confederations Cup in the country from June 15 to 30.
The Maracana stadium will host four Confederations Cup matches as well as seven World Cup games next year, including the finals of both tournaments. In 2016, it will host the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics.
England are already in Brazil having flown on a private jet straight after Wednesday night’s friendly draw in Ireland.
Since 2007, the Rio state government has invested an estimated $430 million in the Maracana renovations, which ultimately will comprise a multi-purpose arena featuring bars, restaurants and shops.
However, the redevelopment has met with controversy in some quarters, with protesters taking aim at the plan to privatize the venue.
Two consortiums are competing for a 35-year lease to operate the Maracana and its surroundings.

Ogun Police arrest 8 robbery suspects

ABEOKUTA—The Ogun State Police Command, yesterday,   said it arrested eight armed robbery suspects that  specialised in car snatching  and other criminal acts in  Ifo communities of Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the  arrested suspects were members of the gang  that have  in recent time terrorized the Ifo community.
Adejobi said:  “ Biodun Olugbodi, is  the leader of a secret cult group that had threatened to carry out a reprisal attack on members of the unregistered Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, last May 9.
“Other suspects  are;  Seun Sunday, Dare Busari, Dayo Sotade Alaba Busari, Sola Akinfenwa, Seun Ewejobi and Tope Adebisi.”
“ Men of the Ifo Police Division arrested the duo of Seun Sunday and Dare Busari at Ilepa axis of Ifo township inside a Honda Accord (EOD) car with registration number (Lagos) AY 26 EPE which they have snatched at Quary area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
“ The confessional statement of Seun and Busari led to the arrest of the six others who were eventually picked up at different locations in Abeokuta and Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
“Several ammunition, which included two locally made pistols, the Honda Accord (EOD) car, as well as a Toyota Camry with registration number (Lagos) AU 255 KRD were recovered from the suspects who have confessed to many car snatching, shop breakings and other criminal activities in the state”.

Kenya embarked in a specialised training for Eagles

 Kenya coach Adel Amrouche has commenced specialised training for the Harambee Stars in Naivasha  Ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifying match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Nairobi,
Speaking to the Standard Newspaper, Amrouche, said the team will not be intimidated by the African champions, despite the absence of two key players.
Kenya will be without team captain Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who are both suspended for the match and Amrouche has challenged local players to step on the big stage.
“We have a young squad and I expect to field a good number of local players. I believe they are capable of giving us positive results against Nigeria.
“The training has been good, so far. We still have a few more days to tie up lose ends.
“We have settled on Naivasha because it is conducive and will give our players the concentration required to focus on the game. We don’t want them to be distracted by other family and domestic problems,” Amrouche said

Customs arrests foreigners over attempts to export elephant tusks

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has arrested two Chinese nationals and a Malian for attempting to smuggle out of the country more than 21 kilograms of processed ivory and elephant tusks.
The alleged smugglers had concealed the illegal items as hand bangles, hair attachment, building materials, beads and decorative samples, it was gathered. They were smuggling the items through the cargo wing of the Lagos International Airport.
According to Customs, the items were packaged as courier in 176 separate packages to be flown to Liberia, South Africa and China, before they were discovered and intercepted during a joint examination by Customs officers at the cargo sheds of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
All items and the suspects, according to the Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Thelma Williams, will be handed over to National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further actions.
According to her, but for the diligence of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, the prohibited items would have been smuggled out of the country against the worldwide practice of protecting endangered wildlife species from extinction.

We are committed to ensuring robust performance(Livestock boss)

Livestock Feeds Plc has said that it will maximize every available opportunity in its operation to ensure the achievement of a robust performance in the current financial year.
Chairman Board of Directors of the Company, Mr. Larry Ettah, who disclosed this while addressing shareholders of the company at the Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos, said that that they would strive to consolidate on 2012 performance work notwithstanding the challenges especially of high cost and shortage of some of the major input material currently facing the industry.
According to him, “Despite the various challenges that are facing the industry, which was compounded by the flooding of the growing belt of the nation, your board and management team is working hard to overcome these emergent challenges.”
“We will also optimise the synergy with our sister company in the UAC Group, Grand Cereals Limited, especially in  technical and raw material procurement to realise this objective,” Ettah said.
Additionally, he asserted that the poultry industry growth that was estimated at about 20 percent in 2012 over 2011 was largely propelled by the growing expansion of many medium to large scale farmers, who were beneficiaries of the Central Bank’s Commercial Agricultural Scheme.
In addition he said, “The continued expansion of the scheme considerably neutralised the effects of the disappearance of many small scale farms during the year, he explained.
Speaking on the company’s integration into UACN, he maintained that plans and investments in rebuilding, renovating and making improvements in infrastructure and other critical areas have already commenced, adding that it was necessary to stabilise and improve the company’s operation to guarantee a sustainable future that will ensure better returns to the company’s shareholders.
“We have just concluded plans for the installation of a brand new 12 metric tons per hour feed mill at our Ikeja factory later this year, he added”
“Other areas of quick wins and optimisation of synergies are being explored, especially in inventory acquisition, cost efficiencies, engineering and product quality stability, which are critical to the company’s operations that will lead to improvement of its competitiveness,” said Ettah.
The company recorded an improved turnover of N5.43 billion, a 50 percent growth compared to N3.62 billion in the previous year, while its profit before tax rose by about 42 percent over 2011 to N216.2 million.
Its profit after tax was N139.1 million, while earnings per share improved by 42 percent at 11.59 kobo, when compared with 8.16 kobo in 2011.
The increased insecurity in the northern part of the country in 2012, which is generally recognised as the major source of grains as well as key in poultry eggs consumption, and distribution, along with the weakening of consumer purchasing power in the face of increased poultry production invariably resulted in egg glut across the country.

We ‘ll swim or sink with Amaechi(Rivers lawmakers)

Gov. Amaechi and President Jonathan

PORT HARCOURT — 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday, vowed to swim or sink with Governor Rotimi Amaechi as they dismissed insinuations that some of them had succumbed to inducements to impeach the governor.
The assertion by the lawmakers came as the faction of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, opposed to Governor Amaechi’s leadership, opened a new secretariat in Abuja with a promise not to antagonize President Goodluck Jonathan.
The opening of the Governor Jonah Jang-led factional NGF secretariat, however, exposed a setback for the faction as Vice-President Namadi Sambo and three governors that earlier identified with the faction stayed away.
The 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly including the speaker, Daniel Amachaere, in a joint statement, rebuffed insinuations that some of them had caved in to entreaties to join a plot to impeach the governor.
While pledging to swim and sink with the governor, the lawmakers were, however, mute on whether approaches had been made towards enlisting them into such a plot.
Five of the 32 members of the House who have in the past been associated with the anti-Amaechi tendency did not sign the statement.
The five lawmakers who did not sign the release were Evans Bipi, Kelechi Nwogu, Michael Chinda, Martin Amaewhule and Victor Ihunwo.
In a statement made available to Vanguard, the lawmakers who also declared loyalty to President Jonathan said:
“We have observed with consternation rumours making the rounds, even appearing on the pages of National Dailies that we, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been financially induced to impeach Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State, and Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we make bold to categorically state as follows: that we have not and will not receive any pecuniary gratification or marginal oil fields.
“That we are united in our resolve to commit our unalloyed loyalty to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi  Governor and the people of Rivers State; that we the undersigned do not contemplate the impeachment of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi  as an option.
“We reiterate our loyalty to the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the leader of our Great Party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.”
Jang opens alternate NGF office in Abuja
In the absence of Vice President Sambo, the secretariat of the faction of the NGF was formally unveiled by Governor Jang himself at 5.45 pm.
Besides Sambo, three other governors who had last weekend aligned with Jang also failed to turn up or send representatives to the opening ceremony.
The three were Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Saidu Dankigari of Kebbi.
Present at the Commissioning of the Secretariat at Number 2, Nana Close, off Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja were governors of Taraba, Ondo, Kogi, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Cross River, Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Katsina and Plateau. The governors of Gombe and Benue sent their deputies.
The invitation letter sent to the governors for the commissioning, dated May 28, 2013, and signed by Governor Jang read in part, “It is my honour and pleasure to invite your most esteemed self to the above meeting which is scheduled as follows. Date: Thursday, May 30, 2013. Venue: 2 Nana Close, by Erie Crescent, off Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja.
“The meeting which shall be preceded by the official commissioning of our new Secretariat by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, shall among others, deliberate on ways and means of consolidating the Forum.”
The NGF before its breakup last weekend had maintained a secretariat at No. 1 DengXiaoping Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
14 of the 16 governors, who were at the event were from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while the other two, Olusegun Mimiko and Peter Obi were from Labour Party, LP, and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, respectively.
PDP governors who shunned the event were those of Kwara, Kebbi, Adamawa; Sokoto; Jigawa; Kano; Enugu; Rivers and Niger states.
Absense of some govs ‘ll not undermine Jang’s credibility — Dickson
Meanwhile, Governor Serikae Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday insisted that the absence of some governors would not undermine the credibility of Jang as chairman of the NGF.
“At the meeting in Kwara State where Governor Rotimi Amaechi was elected, only seven governors and six deputies, and that made it a total of 13 as we are going on more people will join.”
Affirming that the forum was not established to antagonize the presidency, he said: “This forum does not exist on personal aggrandizement; this forum does not exist for antagonizing the presidency and other people in authority.
“This forum is not a platform for opposition politics, the forum is not to be used to promote an agenda that will be like promoting an alternative government, what we have done is to insulate the forum from holding meetings in governors lodges and so on.
Also speaking at the occasion, the factional chairman, Governor Jang said the opening of a secretariat was to reduce the cult of personality in the NGF.
“It is not proper that governors should meet at private residences, and this informed the reason why we decided to get a suitable place, where we will feel comfortable. Hence this will further strengthen the forum and Nigerians will see unity among us”.
Jang’s secretariat to launch a website
In a related development, the secretariat has concluded plans to launch  a website that will among other things reflect “the new thinking, perception, goals and orientation of the NGF under a presidential system of government.”
According to a statement issued by the factional NGF, “The website is equally expected to project and propagate the vision and mission of the NGF under Dr. Jang as a non-confrontational, fence mending, bridge-building and above all supportive of Mr. President and all other leaders in their quest to build a new Nigeria of our collective dreams and aspirations.
“The NGF is out to strengthen the democracy we have all painstakingly nurtured over time, serve the collective interest of Nigerians devoid of selfish tendencies, which could threaten the unity, peace, stability and progress of the Nation.
“The NGF under the guidance of Governor Jang will in no circumstance run a parallel government to that of the President, but will rather work hard to sustain all existing democratic structures as will clearly be captured in the website.
“It is hoped that, when formally launched, it will afford Nigerians the opportunity  to regularly and objectively comment and make contributions on issues of common and national interest, so that we can collectively build our democracy to enviable heights.”
Rivers group wants NGF to release video of last election
Meanwhile, Pilot Group has called on the NGF to release the full video coverage of the last NGF election and “other electoral process observed in the course of the said election”.
A statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Port Harcourt and signed by the Chairman, Publicity committee of the group, Mr Egbe Festus, expressed hope that a release of the full video coverage of events during the NGF election would lay to rest the controversies that had dogged the outcome of the election.
While congratulating Governor Chibuike Amaechi for his victory at the NGF election, the body urged the National Working Committee of the PDP to exercise caution in the way it meddles into the internal affairs of the state chapter of the party, adding that the suspension of the elected officials of Obio Akpor local government should be thoroughly looked into to determine the legality of the action before applying sanction on any member of the party.
Continuing, the statement enjoined governors to conduct themselves in manner that would consolidate the nation’s democracy, stressing that they should accept defeat where necessary and be magnanimous in victory.

Siasia warns Eagles to avoid conceding first goal,

Siasia

Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia tells JOHN EGBOKHAN that the Super Eagles must strive to avoid conceding the first goal in next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi.
What should the Super Eagles avoid in their next FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on June 5 in Nairobi?
Honestly speaking, there are many things that they must try to avoid but the key thing that the team must avoid is being scored against first because if that should happen, it is going to change a whole lot of things and give the Kenyans extra confidence that they can beat us.
The match is a delicate one  and if the Eagles can avoid being scored against first, they will have an edge over their opponents.
And they also need to go for victory because they know that it is a match that they must win to improve their chances of qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
I just want to wish them the best of luck in this campaign. It is important for them to avoid being scored against first because that will help them to build their confidence and stamp their authority on the match.
Do you feel that we have the quality to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014?
I think we do. The players are good, we are the African champions and the coach is someone who understands what it takes to get to that height of the World Cup. He has seen it and done it before and I am positive of our chances to qualify again.
So you  are not nursing any fear as we approach this crucial period of the World Cup qualifying campaign?
I do not have any fear. As I said earlier, We have the players who can do rightly get Nigeria to the World Cup and all that we need to pray for is for the luck to be with them on that day. We can only feel be confident that these players can get the job done in their next matches.
You were at the one year remembrance and testimonial match organised  in honour of  former Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini in Ibadan and at that function, you said that the late Yekini was the greatest star of Nigerian football. Some of your teammates were not there to honour their late teammate. What do you make of this development and what are the implications for those currently playing for the Super Eagles and other national teams? Are you not sad that your former teammates were conspicuously absent.
I was disappointed that a lot of people were not there. I think I was the only person with Dimeji Lawal who were there. That’s not how we are supposed to honour a legend who died and did so much for this country.. That is not the way to send him back to mother earth. It is a very bad attitude and I am sad all over again just thinking about the matter. This type pf treatment does not encourage the present stars and the upcoming ones to give their all to the national cause. It is demoralising to play and not get recognition in death.
So what do we do as a people to right our wrongs?
I think we should make amends and learn to do things the proper way. We should always remember our legends in good time and in bad time. Our stars deserve our commendation and love, whether alive or dead.

Dikko calls for caution as regards to the Shooting of smugglers

THE Comptroller – General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi CFR has described as insensitive the circumstances that led to the unfortunate conflict between  soldiers and Customs officers in Katsina, Katsina State.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Comptroller General of Customs quoted the CGC as saying that in the face of current security challenges, firing while pursuing smugglers near a Military Barrack was tactically wrong and insensitive on the part of the Customs operatives.
According to him, the CGC recalled with satisfaction instances in the past where the Military assisted in the interception of un-wholesome drugs in Katsina /Kaduna Customs Area Command.
While reminding both parties that they were partners working for the common good of the nation, he called for caution and directed the Customs Area Controller to immediately liaise with the commanding officer and resolve the issue amicably in the spirit of espirit de corps. The CGC said his office relates well with Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief Of Army Staff and all other Service Chiefs.

Lilypond terminal loses N500 million over low container volume

THE management of Lilypond container depot in Ijora, Lagos, has said that it lost N500 million in the past year due to inactivity at the terminal occasioned by low container volume.
Apapa port has experienced a low volume of imports since last year, and container dwell time at the port has reduced substantially thus eliminating the need for transfer of containers to off-dock facilities. Capacity utilization at the main port of Apapa container terminal is about 60 percent at present due to low volume.
Logistics Manager of Lilypond container depot, Tristram Denyer, said apart from the concession fee paid to the Federal Government in 2006, the firm has invested N3 billion in the facility. The sum, according to Denyer, was spent on safety, people, equipment, information technology and better infrastructure.
Operations at Lilypond peaked in 2011 with a record cargo throughput of 47,000 TEUs; however, the company said it does not expect to see a return of this situation in the foreseeable future. When contacted on the lack of transfer of containers from Apapa to Lilypond, spokesman for APM Terminals Apapa, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said transfer of containers to Inland Container Depots (ICDs) is no longer feasible because it adds more cost to the logistics chain and to the importer; apart from the low volume being experienced at the port.

redemption needed at NFF Junior Team(Flying Eagles)

The Flying Eagles will be making their ninth appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. The only African team that has a better record than Nigeria at the world youth showpiece event are Ghana, who have four semi-final appearances and one victory to their name, while the Flying Eagles thrice have made it to the round of the last four.
In 1989 and 2005, they were beaten finalists, while in 1985 they finished third. Turkey 2013 will be the fifth consecutive appearance for the west Africans and each time the team has managed to escape the group phase, which is a record the class of 2013 are keen to emulate.
After twice losing in the final of the World Cup, the Flying Eagles are desperate to finally land the trophy. Their performance at the African U-20 championships in Algeria, where they secured their ticket for Turkey, however suggests that they will have their work cut out for them if they are secure their first global U-20 title.
A defeat against Mali in their opening match put them under pressure from the start, and although they managed the two victories against Gabon and DR Congo they needed to make the last four, they were convincingly beaten by champions Egypt in the semis. A 2-1 win against Mali in the play-off match saw them finish third, with top striker Aminu Umar grabbing both goals.
It seems likely that there will be some changes in the Nigerian side ahead of the World Cup finals – where they will face Cuba, South Korea and Portugal – later this year. As defending champions in Algeria, the Flying Eagles were expecting at least a place in the final, and even though the team finished third, it could not completely gloss over their performance.
Coach John Obuh was honest in his appraisal after the victory in the play-off. “This was not what we expected. But we had to do everything to take something back home. This is our gold after we failed to reach the final,” he said.

Re-burial Of Isaac Boro

MID-May, the remains of Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro were re-interred at the Heroes Park in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State. Most people below 50  may not know Boro, a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who died fighting in the civil war.
Convinced that peoples of the Niger Delta were not benefitting enough from the proceeds of crude oil, he left school to lead an armed protest. His Niger Delta Volunteer Force declared the Niger Delta Republic on 23 February  1966. Boro’s republic lasted 12 days. Federal forces contained the insurrection.
He was jailed for treason. General Yakubu Gowon granted him amnesty in May 1967, after which he was commissioned a major in the Nigerian Army. He fought in the 3rd Marine Commando when Colonel (later General) Benjamin Adekunle was boss. According to official accounts, a Biafran soldier who was hiding in an empty house by Okrika water side killed Boro on 18 May 1968 as federal troops advanced towards Port Harcourt which they captured six hours after Boro’s demise.
Boro, who initially took up arms against Nigeria, defended the same country against secession. His interment at the military section of Ikoyi Cemetery accorded him a national status and recognition for fighting against secession.
The event in Yenagoa, and the government’s investments in it – a DNA was conducted on his exhumed bones in London to ascertain the remains were his – raise some curiosity. Why would the remains of a soldier who fought gallantly to preserve the fidelity of the nation be re-buried in a state government cemetery? Why would the Nigerian Army permit the re-burial? Boro was more than an Ijaw nationalist; he was a Nigerian nationalist who paid the supreme price defending Nigeria. Would it be the rule hence to re-bury every nationalist, of Bayelsa origin, at the Heroes Park?
Late General Andrew Owoye Azazi was buried in the same park. Azazi was a four-star general of the Nigerian Army, not Bayelsa’s army. He was Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, not Security Adviser to Bayelsa State Government. In the United States, whose system of government we copied, people like Boro and Azazi, would have been interred at any of the US’ 146 national cemeteries. The one in Arlington, Virginia, seems to be the most prominent.
The re-burial of Boro, whatever it was meant to achieve, simply diminishes him, cascading him from the lofty status of a nationalist to a state irredentist. A statue at the Heroes Park would have been adequate recognition for Boro without de-nationalising him.
In future, when posterity and propriety drive governance, both men will secure final resting places in a befitting national cemetery – they deserve no less

Father of 3 commits suicide after being sacked

BENIN— A father of three, who was identified as Patrick Essien, was reported have committed suicide, yesterday, in Benin after he was allegedly sacked from the transport company where he worked.
His dangling body was found in the roof of the toilet at the residence at Imasabemwen Street, off Siluko Road.
Some co-tenants, who spoke to journalists, said the deceased had complained earlier that he had been sacked, although they could not volunteer the name of the company.
According to them, a co-tenant, who went to the toilet to ease himself, peeped in after knocking several times without getting any response. That was when he saw a body dangling from the roof.
They said the late driver had been living at the residence for the past 14 years without any wife or children but that he told them he had a wife and three kids somewhere.
According to them, “we saw him this morning. He said he was sacked and we later found him dead in the toilet.”
His corpse was later taken away by the police.
In a related development, a 74-year-old man, Clement Omorogbe, has been jailed by an Egor Magistrate Court for raping a minor in November 2010.
Presiding Magistrate, Eboh Braimoh in her judgment, said there were increasing cases of rape and sentenced the accused to serve as deterrent to others.

AUST partners Alofos Foundation on green, solar energy design

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja has partnered Alofos Science and Technology Foundation to organise a workshop titled AUST-ALOFOS Foundation Workshop in Lagos.
The workshop was aimed at enlightening students from the senior secondary and tertiary institutions about green energy with a focus on solar energy. In the course of the programme, the students were first introduced to the basic principles of electricity generation and consumption and then to more advanced principles.
Thereafter, they were lectured on the various means of green energy generation visa-a-vis wind, solar which are renewable energy sources. The lecturers also provided the students with insights into the various non-renewable energy sources that are in use today such as natural gas, coal, oil, and uranium that contribute to global emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that result in global warming among other environmental ills.
The four facilitators of the one week workshop who are doctoral students of AUST include: Joseph Asare, Benjamin Agyei- Tuffour, Egidius Rwenyagila and Chukwuemeka Ani Joseph, brought with them Instructional materials and instruments for use by the students.
With a predilection for solar energy, the facilitators helped the students to understand that the field of solar energy research is an ever evolving one as the energy from sun is an under-tapped resource that is being looked into globally. They explained that in order to help in solving the world’s energy needs, Nigeria by virtue of her geographical position, has this resource in abundance hence the need to be on the front lines in this research.

Kings College wins Bestman Games Monopoly Tournament

It was an awesome day for students and staff of Kings College(Lagos) when Habeeb Rabiu, an SS2 student of the school won N1,000,000 from Stanbic IBTC Bank for emerging overall winner of the 1st Annual City of Lagos Monopoly Tournament, organised by Bestman Games.
The tournament saw students of Kings College and Queens College, Lagos, lock horns to produce the finalists. While Rabiu went home with N1m, the 1st runner-up, Daniel Oyeduntan, SS2 student of Kings College and the 2nd runner-up, Akpanuwa Udeme, SS1 student of Queens College, went home with N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.
Present at the tournament were the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; former Petroleum Minister, Odein Ajumogobia; CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Sola David-Borha; Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Nike Bajomo; Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Victoria Onwubiko and CEO, Bestman Games, Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe.
Lauding the organisers and sponsors of the tournament for the initiative, the CBN Governor noted that it was a right step in the right direction.
“This tournament is a unique way of encouraging connection with financial managers. It’s laudable as is aimed at targeting young boys and girls, trying to get them at the very early age to understand the importance of financial management and personal finances. So, this is an initiative that is in the right step with the objectives of the Central Bank.”
Presenting Rabiu with the cheque, Sola David-Borha, an old girl of Queens College, said; “Monopoly encourages hard work and investment amongst players, and I encourage all of you to imbibe in your growing up, the financial skills acquired through this game.

Community worried over kidnap of 2 NYSC members in Rivers

PORT HARCOURT — Rumuewhor community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, has tasked the Rivers State Government and the Police to intensify efforts to secure the release of abducted two National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members by kidnappers in the state.
It will be recalled that two NYSC members were,  two days ago, abducted from Odegu Comprehensive High School, Rumuewhor by gunmen, who invaded the NYSC quarters in the community school.
Their whereabouts is still unknown, as no contact had been established with their abductors.
His Royal Highness, Oha Ikech Igbukwu, Yeweali Rumuewhor, who spoke on the development, said the community was calling on state government and the police to help free the corps members.

Robbers attack, snatch Pasuma’s SUV

Gunmen, Monday night, attacked fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma, along Abeokuta Expressway, snatching his Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV.
It was gathered that the gunmen, numbering nine, intercepted Wasiu, who was on his way to perform at a function, at 9pm.
Wasiu and his friend were said to have been driven in the car by four members of the gang for about three hours before they were pushed out somewhere in Ogun State.
The robbers, thereafter, zoomed off in SUV with number plate MUS 830 AP.
One of his back-up singers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The incident happened at Ahmadiya area of Abeokuta Expressway. They took all the money that was on him, his mobile phones and those of his friend.
“They were dumped in a bush at Itele area of Ogun at 12midnight. While that was on, Pasuma hid his face from them so as not to be recognised. Sympathisers later came to their aid and assisted them back home.”

Opposition parties have played credible roles in Nigeria’s democracy – Moghalu

 ABUJA — AS Nigeria celebrated Democracy Day yesterday, Secretary, ANPP National Rebuilding and Inter-party Contact Committee, Dr. George Moghalu, said opposition parties in the country have played a prominent role to sustain the nation’s democratic experiment since May 29, 1999.
Moghalu told Vanguard in an interview that opposition parties had done well in checkmating the party in government but added that a lot more needed to be done by the opposition parties in this regard.
He said:  In looking at the performance of the opposition parties, we must also look at the challenges. Like I have said time and time again, we are in a system where government has become the only business which has brought about the total collapse of the private sector.

I Don’t Take Men Seriously Again – Nigeria’s BBA Rep, Beverly Osu

“Once bitten twice shy”…..We’ve all heard this saying before and some of us still don’t get it. Big brother Africa housemate from Nigeria, Beverly Osu spoke her heart out on matters of the heart.
When questioned about falling in love in the Big Brother Africa house, the Rubies housemate said:
I was in a relationship with this guy and I was close to marrying, but I broke up with him after fighting with my parents over him, and with my friends too, only to find out that he had not a single feeling for me. So I had to break up with him. After all that this guy did to me, every guy I’ve met or any one that tells me he’s in love with me, I don’t take seriously.
All I know is that you guys will be chasing something and on getting it, you leave the morning after that.

Bayern takes over as most valuable football brand

London – Champions League winners Bayern Munich have taken over as the most valuable football brand in the world from Premier League club champions Manchester United.
The 2013 list compiled by British company Brand Finance values the Bundesliga club at 860 million dollars – 23 million dollars more than United.
Real Madrid, valued at 621 million dollars, are third, with their Spanish rivals, Barcelona fourth, valued at 572 million dollars.
Five Premier League clubs are in the top 10, with the other five places belonging to two German clubs, two Spanish clubs and AC Milan. (dpa/NAN)

2015: Lamido, Amaechi’s posters flood Abuja

ABUJA – AS impeachment threat dangles before the embattled Rivers State Governor Hon. Chibuike Amaechi , posters bearing his photograph and Governor Sule Lamido for the 2015 presidential election now litters some parts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
But the Governor has denied having any ambition to contest the 2015 election against President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that it might be the handiwork of his political detractors’ flooding some parts of FCT with his posters.
Governor Amaechi’s poster with the Peoples Democrtic Party, PDP, logo, pested along the highway and some bus stop especially, the Federal Housing Estate Kubwa, Dutse bus stop and some other bus stops were struggling spaces with Church Crusade posters and were posted early morning of the Democracy Day.
Commenting on the appearance of his posters in Abuja, Governor Amaechi who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said that he neither has no political ambition for the 2015 presidential election nor printed posters.
More details soon

Qatar appoints stadium consultants for 2022 FIFA World Cup

DOHA, QATAR  - The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has appointed Amsterdam Arena and IMG as the Stadium Operations Consultants for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar on Sunday.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, expressed his enthusiasm following the appointment of the two Stadium Operations Consultants:

“We are looking forward to working together closely with these two extremely professional partners, who between them have invaluable experience in stadium operation in some of the most significant sporting sites across the globe.”

“The appointment of Amsterdam Arena and IMG is crucial in delivering an outstanding 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are thereby placing a key focus on an amazing fan and player experience in all our stadiums,” he added.

Stadium Operations Consultants assist on the development of business cases for all of the competition venues of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ including, stadiums, stadium precincts and training sites, in alignment with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s goals and the Program Wide Strategy.

The consultants will also work on developing the Program Wide Business Plan relative to stadium operations.

Amsterdam Arena and IMG will perform technical reviews for all competition venues at each individual design stage, assessing operational aspects related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, including, catering and commercial strategies; venue operations pre-tournament, during the tournament and post-tournament; safety and security; pitch and building maintenance; access zones; precinct functionality and operations; technology integration; overlay elements analysis confirming tournament functionality and sustainability.

Henk Markerink, CEO of Amsterdam ArenA stated: “I am impressed by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s ambitious and professional approach to the organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and I feel a shared commitment to make the World Cup in Qatar an amazing event with a great legacy to Qatar and the world. We are very honoured and pleased to be part of the Q22 team. By involving us in this early stage and letting us develop the Program Wide Strategies on various subjects we can optimally contribute to the organization of the World Cup”.

Iain Barnett, Vice President, from IMG’s Stadium Group, said: “IMG is honoured to have been selected to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on its ambition for an amazing World Cup.  We are delighted that the perspective of stadium operators has been integrated at such an early stage of the development process which is vital not only for successful delivery of the tournament but also a sustainable legacy.”

IMG is a global leader in venue commercialisation, financing and development. IMG’s stadiumclients include some of the best-known sporting stadia in the world, including Wembley Stadium, the Maracana in Rio De Janeiro and Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Amsterdam Arena is a team of specialist consultants and stadium managers for conception, development and operation of multifunctional venues.

Amsterdam ArenA is the owner and operator of the multifunctional football stadium in Amsterdam, home of A.F.C. Ajax and recently host of the UEFA Europa League Final. It is also a world renowned specialist in the development and management of (multipurpose) venues around the world. Clients include Donbass Arena; Ukraine, Olympic Stadium Kiev; Ukraine, Spartak Moscow; Russia and Olympic Stadium Berlin; Germany. Besides this Amsterdam ArenA is involved in the day-to-day management of two 2014 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Salvador and Natal; Brazil and Arena Porto Alegrense, home of football club Grêmio in Porto Alegre; Brazil.
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with 3,500 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging:  IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in India, Brazil, China and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Golf and IMG Tennis; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing.

3 Urgent Vacancies at GIL Automations(Oil and Gas Company) – Nigerian Job Vacancy

1) Communications/Media Executive.

Job Description

- Steers and promotes company’s brand vision, brand position, brand architecture and achieves overall business goals for the brand.

- Provides direction for

key customer innovation summit presentations.

- Initiates and organizes customer interaction forums

- Preparation of newsletters, exhibition materials, adverts and jingles and all media interactions.

- Responsible for company Social media and press interaction.

- Keep current with emerging web technologies through relevant blogs, listservs, and events, etc.

- Assure web-based information is archived for future needs and reference.

- Track and report on all site metrics.

- Copyedit and proofread all web content.

- Provide analytical support for the creation of information sharing policies and procedures.

- Create, develop and manage content for organization’s web presence (requires working with content management software).

- Monitor industry statistics and follow trends.
Requirements:

- Relevant Degree in communications or Arts with strong IT background.

- Marketing experience in a B2B service company will be an advantage.

- Experience with Web interaction tools and technologies will be an advantage.

 

2) Workshop Supervisor/Technologist

o       Qualification: B.Eng Electrical / Electronics or B.Tech Electrical/Electronics or HND

o       Minimum of 3-6 years Experience in panel building works

o       Knowledge of control panels, LV/MV panels and panel fabrication

 

3)  Workshop Apprentice/Technician

o       Qualification: City & Guilds or NABTEB or OND

o       Minimum of 2-5 years Experience in electrical wiring works and mechanical workshop duties

Method of Application

Please send CVs to hr@gilautomation.com on or before 31^st May 2013. With subject of the vacancy as heading.

Democracy Day: Nigerians express mixed feelings

From Abuja -  Nigerians have expressed mixed feelings over governance as the country celebrates its 14th Democracy Day .
The Federal Government had declared May 29 Democracy Day in 2000 to commemorate the return of civil rule after many years of military governance of  the country.
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, handed over power to  President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999 and the year after, the latter declared the date a national holiday.
Commenting on the celebration, the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters’ Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, urged Nigerians to offer special prayers for peace, unity and national stability.
Khalid told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Abuja that prayer was the only way for the country to sustain its democracy.
“We are calling on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the strengthening of our evolving democracy in line with international best practices,’’ Khalid said.
He, however, advised Nigerian leaders to address issues of justice and equity to achieve meaningful development.
“The current wave of insecurity and social injustice in the country are great threats to people’s liberty and freedom, which is against the values of real democratic society,’’ Khalid said.
He advised government at all levels to be more proactive in addressing poverty by creating conducive atmosphere for industrialisation.
On their part, some Christina leaders called for an end to corruption to achieve the potential of democratic governance.
The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Ignatius Kiagama, told NAN in Jos that corruption in government had become so devastating and assumed a culture emulated by others.
Kaigama said corruption had created laziness among the people, who felt satisfied with immediate gains.
The archbishop, however, said that there was a remedy if individuals would come to terms that government had not been doing enough to empower them and resort to identifying and putting their potential to best use in creating wealth.
“There is a lot that can be done by individuals since government has not been doing enough to empower them.
“Look at the vast farmlands we have, the vast opportunities we have in our young people who should be contributing enormously to the growth of the nation.
“But because people are so self-centred, corruption has become so devastating that people don’t ever see goodness again. People are just satisfied with just what brings them immediate dividends,’’ the bishop said.
The President of Church of Christ In Nations,  Rev. Soja Bewarang, described corruption as a tragedy that had befallen Nigeria and a burden on the common man.
He said that the common man had been suffering under the burden of corruption, which kept growing everyday.
“The interesting aspect about it is that fresh cases keep coming to light almost on daily basis leading to shattered dreams, dashed hope, misery and despair,’’ he said.. (NAN)

We feel ashamed, says Adebolajo’s family (UK murder)

London -  The family of a man suspected of hacking a British soldier to death on a London street condemned the attack as senseless on Tuesday, distancing itself from the murder which has provoked an anti-Muslim backlash.
Lee Rigby, a 25-year-old soldier, was butchered in broad daylight by two men who said they killed him in the name of Islam.
Police shot and wounded the assailants, both Britons of Nigerian descent, at the scene.
In their first public remarks since the attack on Wednesday, relatives of one of the suspects, Michael Adebolajo, 28, a British-born convert from a Christian Nigerian immigrant family, said they felt ashamed and horrified.
Adebolajo went by the nickname Mujahid – warrior – after taking up Islam as a teenager in a suburb on the northeast outskirts of London.
“Nothing we say can undo the events of last week,” the family said in a statement.
“However, as a family, we wish to share with others our horror at the senseless killing of Lee Rigby and express our profound shame and distress that this has brought on our family.
“We wish to state openly that we believe that there is no place for violence in the name of religion or politics,” the family said.
“We believe all right thinking members of society share this view wherever they were born and whatever their religion and political beliefs.”
The murder has galvanised Britian’s small but noisy far-right movement, with more than 1,000 protesters shouting “Muslim killers, off our streets” marching through central London on Monday.
In the northeastern city of Grimsby at the weekend, unidentified attackers threw fire-bombs at a mosque.
Similar attacks happened in southern England last week.
Police have arrested 10 people in connection with the murder.
The second man shot and arrested at the scene of the crime, Michael Adebowale, 22, was discharged from hospital on Monday and moved into police custody where he was arrested on a separate charge of the attempted murder of a police officer.
Intelligence agencies have come in for scrutiny after uncorroborated allegations by a friend of Adebolajo that officers tried to recruit him six months ago.
Sources close to the investigation have told Reuters the attackers were known to Britain’s MI5 internal security service, raising questions about whether it could have been prevented.
Adebolajo had handed out radical Islamist pamphlets, but neither of the two men was considered a serious threat, sources said.
Kenyan police said at the weekend that Adebolajo was detained in Kenya in 2010 on suspicion of seeking to train with an al Qaeda-linked group in Somalia.
That will intensify calls for Britain’s spy agencies to explain what they knew about the suspect and whether they could have done more to prevent Rigby’s killing. (Reuters/NAN)

Help! I am being prosecuted innocently, cries man

Babatunde Akinremi

34-year -old  Babatunde Akinremi, a car wash operator around St Finbarr’s road Akoka, Lagos, has raised alarm over what he described as false allegation and alleged threat to his life by his landlady, over an issue he claimed he did not know anything about.
The car wash operator  who was docked before the magistrate court Yaba , over a case of theft , pleaded not guilty to the charge, insisting rather, that he was merely being  victimized.
He was accused  of stealing an iron rod at the car wash . Trying hard not to betray his emotion, Akinyemi told Crime Alart  shortly after the court session that  trouble  started in 2008, following a petition written against him by authorities of  CMS  Grammar School Authority.
According to him, “ the Lagos state government asked me to vacate the premises located at Number 109, St. Finbarr’s road,  Akoka; where I used for my car wash business. I called my Landlord, who let out the place to me to intervene  but when  he got to Alausa, he was asked to produce the Certificate of Ownership of the said premises, only for him to come  back and told me to go and sort whatever  problem I was having with Alausa people, there  was a demarcation on the piece of land, signifying where their’s ends.
A week after the incident, the Lagos state government came  to plant flowers  there. And  for  six months, I did not  work. They further advised me to go back and settle my case with the school, that it was the school that wrote a petition against me, since the piece of land belongs to them .

In 2009, I went to the school authority to plead with them. We held a meeting and I was told that as an old student of the school, I could make use of the premises on three conditions: firstly, that I keep the premises clean, secondly, that I clear the drainage at all times and the third condition was that at anytime they needed the premises, I would vacate it. I agreed to these terms and resumed my car wash business”.
But barely had i resumed work than one of my former landlord’s  sisters,  Olubunmi Fashida started troubling me, that I should go and pay the sum of N200,000 into an account as payment for two year rent. After much ado, I paid the sum of N130,000  at the insistence of her elder brother in June 2011. but to my surprise, four months after I had paid, (2012), she came and started making trouble with me. And anytime she starts,she will throw all my car-washing equipments into the gutter in front of the premises; I also have pictures as evidence to this effect”, he said.
Police harassment
However, this time , she went to Bariga police station and invited  the police to forcefully move me out of the premises that the water from the car-wash was weakening the foundation of their building. I was arrested, taken to the police station, with the police forcing me to write an undertaking not to be seen loitering or come any where round the  premises and  that I should also, not threaten Olubunmi, which I did.
But before packing out,my father volunteered to come and speak with Olubunmi on the issue.  But immediately she sets her eyes on him,  she stood up, grabbed his shirt, tore it and called in the police, alleging  that my father  brought charms to her shop.  After considering the whole trouble the car-wash issue has caused me, my father advised me to leave everything to God and get a new place . I finally left the premises on 20th April, 2012,only for her to set up a car wash of her own there.
Theft allegation
His movement however, did not provide the needed succor as Olubunmi who insisted on getting back the N130,000 rent he claimed to have paid to Olubunmi as two years rent., took the  case to the Bariga Mediation centre,where Olubunmi as gathered, said the amount for payment for Akinremi’s outstanding rent.
But the whole matter took a different dimension, following the invasion of Akinremi’s new shop by some  policemen .
“I was surprised when I returned home from work on Thursday, May 7th 2013, and was told the police came to look for me. I went to the station only to be informed that   my former landlady came to lay a complain against me, that since I left the premises, she has not had peace, that both the Lagos state government and school authority has been on her neck to vacate the premises. And that an iron and a covert she placed at the premises were missing  and I am the prime suspect. I was detained for a night. Again, I begged her to leave me alone and to forgive me if I had done her wrong.
Again, policemen came on may 15 to invite me to the station, only to take me straight to the court, over an offense I know nothing about. Since I left that place last year, I had neither gone there nor set my eyes on my former landlady”, he said betraying his emotion.
When Crime Alert  visited the car-wash premises to get the defendant’s side of the story, Olubunmi Fashida told our reporter to go see her lawyer, that she did not have anything more than what is in court to say concerning the case. Efforts to reach to her lawyer whom she said lives  some where around Sura area of Lagos Island, proved abortive as she refused to give out his contact.
The accused was however, granted bail in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum when the case was adjourned to a later date.

Seven docked over sale of fake orange drugs products

*Drug store

Seven traders were recently arrested at the Agege market in Lagos,  for allegedly selling fake Orange Drugs Products to unsuspecting members of the public, using the company’s seal.
Information made available to Crime Alert revealed that the suspects were arrested following a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubabar that a group of person were selling counterfeit products of the brand, consequent upon which some of the products were traced to Agege market.
However the suspects were reportedly released on bail, with a promise to show up whenever they were needed, only for them to allegedly jump bail.
Rather than turning a new leaf the suspects allegedly continued in the illicit business. “The next thing was that  the company  started receiving series of calls from some unidentified persons; some claiming to be journalists, said  that the traders were just being victimized.
Some of them even claimed that the police asked these traders  to bring an undisclosed  amount of money so that the case could be scrapped. This went on until  the case was charged to court. That was why the police went after them again a couple of days ago and was able to arrest the trio of  Sabinus Ikejube (48) Innocent Nwanedo (52)Mustapha Badamosi (35) out of the seven that were initially arrested”, a representative of the company told crime Alert at the Yaba magistrate court last Thursday.

Drugs manufactured in Germany and Benin Republic

However the traders told the court that  some individuals based in Germany and Cotonou in Benin Republic, manufacture the products and import them into the country, admitting that they only bought from them in whole sale prices and sell to members of the public. They however could not mention names of the purported manufacturers.
Legal counsel to Orange Drugs limited,Chinonso Akponu said after a drastic drop in sales of the products was brought to the notice of the company’s  management,  investigation was carried out to ascertain its cause, during which  it was discovered that some products were being packaged with the Orange Drugs seal and sold in the markets.
Some of the products included Delta soap, Tempovate cream and  Neutrotone. “Currently,  it has not been made  known how these manufactures manage to smuggle the Orange Drug products into the country. What  we noticed is that these products, are being packaged with the Orange Drug seal but   written on the pack that it is manufactured in Germany.
Also some of our marketers have been helpful in supplying us with these information, because they are on ground at the market places.  Aside this, we also  have our task force personnel who visit  market places based on information, to raid these traders. These task force personnel  make sure that arrested traders are handed over to the police for prosecution at the end of the day”.
Harmful components used in manufacturing some of these fake products:
Continuing,  Akpoku decried the effect of the fake product on unsuspecting users , stating for instance that fake  Tempovate products contain  component believed to be very harsh to the human skin.
Following this discovery,  the company has  embarked on moves to inform the public about the existence of these fake products through the use of bill board advertisements and distributing fliers at rallies. We also educate them on the dangers of using these counterfeit products.
“The company has been given the sole right to the ‘Orange Drugs seal’ in Africa, this registration was recently concluded. With this move, we will be able to monitor these infiltration, not just here in Nigeria but in other African countries. I believe that in no time, with the help of the police and full corporation from our loyal marketers, this challenge will be curtailed”, Chinonso stated.
Inspite of these moves, Crime Alert findings show that  some of these counterfeit products are still being sold in the markets.
Said a director in the company, Dr. Ugochukwu Ezenna: “For a product to be faked, it simply means that product is doing well in the market. Otherwise those  who engage in counterfeiting our brand will not  be doing so in the first place. Be it as it may, these activities is affecting  our reputation.
You cannot compare the substance used in manufacturing these fake  products to the quality we use in manufacturing the genuine products. On the other hand, it is affecting sales, because when the market is flooded with these fake products, which also comes cheaper; some of the whole sellers and retailers who are still oblivious of the activities of these impostors, will naturally shift base, and start patronising them simply because they want to make more profit.

Two use magical ring to gang rape 19-yr-old student

IBADAN —TWO young men have been remanded in Agodi Prison by an Ibadan Magistrate Court for allegedly using a magical ring to abduct and gang-rape a 19-year-old secondary school girl in Ibadan.
The two suspects, according to a police source, were charged with conspiracy, rape and stealing of a Blackberry phone belonging to the victim.
The rape victim said she closed from school at Wofun Iyana Church, and was accosted by the suspects who insisted she should follow them to their residence. But, when she refused, one of them allegedly used a magical ring to hit her on the chest and she was unconscious.
“There is a boy who was not my boy friend. He was a student in that school about two years ago. His name is Biola. He had wanted to date me several times which I politely turned down. Just last Wednesday, when I closed from school, Biola came to me in company of two unidentified boys and said his mum wanted to see me.
“‘I asked him what led to the invitation by his mum. I then told him I would not go. Then, one of the two other guys who had a ring on his hand hit me on the chest and I was unconscious. They took me to the residence of one of the two boys and raped me.
“Before raping me, they gave me alcoholic drink and after the crime had been committed, they gave me ‘covenant water’ threatening me that I would die if I told anybody of the act.”
A top policeman who claimed anonymity because he was not instructed to speak, confirmed the story, saying: “On May 15 at 0815 hours, one Adekola living on Akanbi Street, Molade area of Ibadan reported that his younger sister and a secondary school student went to school and did not return home. All efforts to trace her proved abortive.
“Then about 23:00hours, an unanimous caller called through the victim’s GSM number and identified himself as kidnapper and demanded N6,000. The DCO led other policemen and the victim was rescued.”
She was unconscious and was rushed to a nearby hospital. She later narrated how she was kidnapped and gang-raped by three persons. Two arrests have been made while the third suspect is still at large. The two suspects have been charged to court.”

Why 16,000 JAMB results were cancelled – Minister

ABUJA — Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa’i, has explained that 16,000 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results were cancelled by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, because of examination malpractices by the candidates.
Rufa’i spoke through Mr. Julius Ameh, yesterday, in Abuja, during the presentation of the Teachers’ Guide for the teaching of the National Values Curriculum, NVC,  in Basic Education, which was funded by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
She said: ”We shall be resolute in our decisions as there shall be no sacred cows. Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to get away with the breach of the law or perpetration of corruption and evil in our colleges and tertiary institutions.”
The minister said the inclusion of the guide into the numerous literature available in the education sector, especially on corruption and value orientation, was an indication of the premium which the administration placed on education and transparency in the conduct of government business.
She said: “It is also an eloquent testimony of the present administration’s determination to heal the wounds of the past quickly, put the ugly past behind and use the new NVC to stretch hands of fellowship to aggrieved Nigerians for complete reconciliation.
“The Nigerian child must be encouraged and taught that integrity pays.”
His self respect must be restored and his growth process rewarded through  mentoring and parental care.”
” she added.
Chairman of ICPC, Ekpo Nta, in his address, said that the NVC was applicable at all levels of education and was designed to expose the Nigerian child to a value-based curriculum that incorporates ethical values into academic studies from the early years to adulthood.
“The curriculum has been infused into subjects and courses at basic, post-basic and teacher-education levels. It has also been infused into the curriculum of mass literacy and non-formal education,” he said.
Nta further pointed out the need for teachers to be trained and properly oriented on the methodology and behavioural imperatives for imparting such values.
“We therefore, request commissioners for education and chairmen of SUBEB  to order for more copies of the teachers’ guide such that every school in the basic education system in each state is given enough copies for the use of teachers,” he added.
The Executive Secretary of National Educational Research Development Council, NERDC, Prof. Godwill Obioma, explained that the NVC as approved by the National Council on Education, NCE,  in 2004 was to educate young Nigerians on their duties, rights as well as obligations to themselves and the society.
He added that ICPC and NERDC developed the Teachers’ Guide to assist teachers as implementers of the NVC, to acquire the knowledge as well as serve as a source of materials for the teaching of the new ideas.
“The Teachers’ Guide is expected to make the implementation of the NVC easier for teachers. It is meant to serve as a resource material for the effective implementation of the NVC,” Obioma further said.

NAFDAC seizes $250,000 contaminated bread improver

PORT HARCOURT — AN ESTIMATED $250,000.00 worth of contaminated bread improver (Edlen Dough Conditioner) imported from the USA has been confiscated at the Onne Port in Rivers State by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
NAFDAC head of Ports Inspection Directorate in Port Harcourt, Dr. Musa Umar, said the product loaded in 10 containers was first suspected by NAFDAC officials at the port in January while thorough examination on April 16 and re-examined in the presence of the importer, clearing agent and manufacturer were done on  May 2.
He said findings in the series of investigations confirmed that the product imported by Dorcas-Jedi Investment Nigeria Ltd had already deteriorated and unfit for human consumption by the degree to which the product’s integrity had been compromised.
“Some cartons were soaked and there were evidence of bloated cans and products spilling on to the boxes. Full examination was attempted for all the 10 containers but no product with acceptable physical attributes was seen,” Umar said.
He said the economic loss for the end users (bread bakers) would have been enormous if the product was allowed to enter the market as its utility value had been lost.
A representative of the product’s importer, Dr. Ottih Ezuma attributed its spoilage to long delay from the shipping company that shipped it from Savannah Sea Port in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Customs Area II Command Controller, Magaji Mohammed, who handed the products over to NAFDAC said his command had likewise handed over to NAFDAC 426 bottles of naturelite children’s multivitamin discovered to have expired.
The spoilt products still in custody at government warehouse, Onne Port are to be destroyed by NAFDAC Enforcement Unit after necessary official documentation.

May 29 – Awaiting Dividends

NIGERIANS and their democracy are unique. If elsewhere people delight in the capacities of their government to deepen their liberties, broaden opportunities, our democracy is delivered as structures, visible and tangible. We call them dividends of democracy.
The lure of dividends, a throw back to the days when the economy supported companies making the returns to shareholders, has created an array of expectations. People expect democracy to translate to instant wellbeing. Politicians egg them on in the desires for a better life, which they paint in rosy strokes, but often do not deliver.
Where people expect employment, health services, rural development, education, governments point to peace and unity (currently eluding many parts) as dividends of democracy. Dividends of democracy manifest in renovated schools, repainted hospitals, more vehicles for the judiciary and security agencies. They are celebrated as if their impacts would in a wave wipe out the deep-seated issues distracting the country.
One of them is the tendency to deny the people their rights to choose, especially their leaders. Choice as a foundation of democracy is reflected in the importance and regularity of elections. The decisions about leaders must be made in fairer setting and in ways that produce leaders whose acceptability derives from the processes.
Equating physical developments with dividends of democracy could result in dissipating the more important aspects of democracy and by extension accepting any form of rule, as long as it builds better roads and bridges. Democracy is deeper. May 29 and the liberties it has brought since 1999 are reminders of the possibilities of democratic governance.
Democracy awards us vast liberties which our Constitution enunciates. We must expand our peoples’ rights to life, to ownership of property, to participation in the economy and most importantly, their participation in politics. The rights to security of lives and property are facing challenges; they should be tackled more decisively.
Rights have prospered or withered in various measures in the past 14 years. Nigerians like to be heard, they have been talking. Is anyone listening?  More people are agitating for more States or local governments. Others want re-structuring, to award the States more powers.  Would Nigerians be free to live wherever they wish? Democracy should induce more economic competition among Nigeria’s federating units and improve lives. Would the current review of the Constitution address these?
Democracy is about the people. The consistent exclusion of the people in decisions about them is undemocratic. It is at the centre of the agitations that question the relevance of democracy and minimises people’s stake in Nigeria.
May 29 can be saved from being a ritual when our governments are about the people and for the people.

Energy: FG announces preferred bidders for Kaduna, Afam

-  Abuja
The National Council on Privatization, (NCP), chaired by the Vice President Namadi Sambo, yesterday announced a list of successful bidders that crossed the evaluation stage for both Kaduna Distribution Company (DISCO) and Afam Generation Company (GENCO).
Briefing state House correspondents at the end of fourth meeting of the NCP, the Chairman of NCP’s Technical Committee, Atedo Peterside, said the successful companies would now move on to a commercial bidding process that would be televised nationwide.
For Kaduna, seven out of 11 bidders were successful and were invited to the financial bid opening stage. The pre-qualified bidders included Axis Power Distribution Ltd, Nahco Consortium, Incar Power Ltd, Aiteo Consortium, LEDA Consortium, Northwest Power Ltd and Copperbelt Consortium. For Afam, four bidders crossed the evaluation stage out of nine.
The successful bidders were listed as Primeniza Energy Ltd, Televas Group, Forby Energy Ltd and TES Power Ltd. Peterside also noted that for any bidder to qualify for the commercial bidding stage, it had to score 75 percent.
He, however, added that even after yesterday’s announcement, the committee would continue due diligence to further cross check the information provided by the successful bidders.
“We still have to do continuing due diligence to check the accuracy of information at our disposal. Even if we announce these preferred bidders today, if we find any of the information to be false or misleading, we can still disqualify them,” he emphasized.
The NCP also announced that three firms had been short listed to participate in a mini financial bid process for a guided liquidation of NITEL.

We’re still on a journey –Comments by Nigerians

14 years after Nigeria’s transition into a democratic dispensation, many citizens still believe that it is not yet uhuru, as the country is still grappling with insecurity, unemployment and lack of infrastructure. CHINELO OBOGO went to the streets to get the views of Nigerians on their assessment of the country’s democracy and the way forward.
Prince Mbah, Businessman
It’s been a journey but we cannot say it’s a destination yet. In the course of the journey, we have had our bumps and difficulties. The only thing we can say we have achieved is the smooth stability of the transition. We have transmitted from one successive democratic government to another. So far, our democracy can be said to be stable, going by the way we have gone from one successive government to another without military intervention and that is what we can say we have achieved so far.
But on the flip side, the country has been turned to an abattoir in the last three years with the carnage, going on in the North, kidnappings in the South and the East and armed robbery in the West. If this can be described as democracy, we have not had it yet. Before we used to sleep with one eye closed but now we are sleeping with both eyes open, no thanks to insecurity.
Aaron Ikegulu, Student
We have not had any gain in democracy yet because the country is ridden with bad governance, infrastructural decay, monumental and institutional corruption. It is a huge problem. Democracy should be more than just handing over from one government to another. So far, what we have had is leadership ineptitude. Our roads have continued to remain death traps; the standard of our education has lowered considerably and power supply has almost collapsed. The gap between the governed and the governors is widening every minute of the day. The difference between the military and democracy is just the uniform. The only plus we have now is the freedom of speech, which this democracy affords us. People can now give their opinions without being harassed. I believe that we will still get there because we are not there yet. After all, Rome was not built in a day.
Mike Ikeazu, Engineer
We have to thank God for the peace of the country. Events of the past years would have caused the breakup of this country but God in His infinite mercy has kept us. There have been a few positives despite the insecurity challenges; we have continued to forge on as a country. This is the first time that the country would go from one transition to another. In the past, we would find the military, ruling for many years but from what we have now, it is obvious that democracy has come to stay.
The government has a lot to do because today, the cost of living is so high that people now live under bridges. There is no policy on housing, the power sector still remains epileptic, the government has to look into it because if there is stability in the power sector, we will have many small scale industries and a lot of people would be self employed. If the government can stabilise the power sector, a lot of people would be employed and the economy would be better for it.
When I was a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we were usually fed by the school and before we even graduated, companies used to come to our school to source for the best students. But all that is gone now. Democracy should improve the lives of the people and not worsen it. Ironically, the military, which Nigerians fought were the responsible for some of the lasting infrastructure like roads that we still have. In those days, you could travel from lagos to the East and you would arrive in a few hours because the roads were good.
Then, night journey was the vogue. But now, when you want to travel from Lagos to the North by road, you are most likely to spend two days. However, the worst civilian rule is better than the military because we now have our freedom. But the government still has a lot to do if they are sincere. As far as I am concerned, since 1999, we have been going round in circles without serious infrastructural and economic development but I believe things can get better if our leaders are sincere enough.
Ngozi Nwoye, Nurse
How can you talk about democracy when people are not employed? Every day, we churn out graduates, yet there are no jobs for them to do. It is not all about celebrating Democracy Day but what have we achieved? I know of someone, who lost his wife and baby because he could not afford a medical bill of N3,000. The other day, we heard of a couple that lost their triplets because of N4,000 medical bill they could not afford. Many people today do not have access to free medical care and that is why the maternal mortality rate is very high.
We are all witnesses to how a lot of Nigerians now go to countries like India to receive treatment. So, why can’t we develop our own health care system? Why should India be better than we? Is there anything that they have that we do not have? It is very unfortunate that we are still having these problems. I do not know where these things started from but I know that our infrastructure was better during the military regime than it is now I know that there is money in this country but it is circulating among a few people. Today, there is a thin line between the government and the people. Democracy should be the government for the people but today we are having a government by the few and for a few.
Amara Chukwumezie,  Student
Our democracy is not perfect but I still prefer it to the military. It is true that most of our infrastructure like the roads, railway, airports, etc. were done during the military but we did not have the freedom that we have now and that is why I still prefer the democracy that we have now. However, we still have a long way to go because things seem not to get better. As a student, I have observed our lowering standards of education and it is very worrisome.
>>>sunnews

IG orders AIGs, CPs to beef up security as regards to Democracy Day

ABUJA—The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has directed Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, and Commissioners of Police, CPs, in the country to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free anniversary by carrying out effective and efficient deployment of police personnel.
He has further directed the AIG Border Patrol to ensure that the nation’s borders are effectively manned to prevent any cross-border crime. The AIG Air-Wing has also been directed to provide aerial patrol for the FCT and other States.
His words, “to ensure a secure, peaceful and hitch-free nation-wide anniversary, the IGP has directed AIGs and Commissioners of Police to ensure an effective and efficient deployment of operational manpower and tools at the disposal of their respective commands”.
A statement by CSP Frank Mba, Force Spokesman said, “the IG while saluting the courage and gallantry of officers and men of the Force in protecting the nation’s thriving democracy, charged police personnel to continue to subordinate themselves to civil authority and give maximum respect to the fundamental rights of the citizenry.
“He advises officers to remain politically neutral and steer clear of partisan politics in line with the professional ethics of the Force. He warns that officers found meddling in local politics within or outside their areas of jurisdiction will be appropriately sanctioned.
“The IG equally pledges the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigeria Police Force to the Government and people of Nigeria,” promising that the “Force will continue to do everything within its power and available resources, including partnering with relevant stakeholders, to effectively discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of securing lives and property of Nigerians, even in the face of current security challenges and the huge price involved.
“He restates the commitment of the current Police Administration to reposition the Force for greater efficiency, and calls for the cooperation of citizens”.
Meanwhile, Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) charged Nigerians to see the success of democracy in the last 14 years as proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel, especially as it concerns the security situation in the country.
Olubolade said “The nation has passed through a very dark tunnel in the past few years as a result of the activities of undesirable elements bent on destroying the laudable dreams of the nation’s founders, by unleashing terrorist and other violent activities on a-once-peaceful and united nation”.
He however implored Nigerians to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel as exemplified in the improved and continually improving security situation brought about by the joint efforts of the security services and the cooperation of well-meaning citizens.
He assured the nation of the preparedness of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to continue to discharge their duties to the nation in spite of recent drawbacks, especially recent loss of some officers while on active service which he describes as a price the Force has continued to pay over time in protecting lives and property.
He also commended President Jonathan on his courage and display of a high sense of responsibility and responsiveness with the recent declaration of State of Emergency in the volatile areas of the country which has proved decisive and successful as the affected areas have been mainly secured by the security forces.
Olubolade, sasid, “the least expected of Nigerians is to give unqualified support to the President in his determined effort to secure the nation and provide good leadership.
He also charged the citizens to assist the Police and other security agencies by providing information on the activities of people of doubtful character living amongst them.
Furthermore, he congratulated President Jonathan and Nigerians on the laudable achievements recorded in the past two years, especially in the Police Reform Program being driven by the Ministry and assures that with continued support by Nigerians, the expected dividends of good governance would surely be delivered.

My next script is a gay movie, there’s a big market for the type of fims I do – Nollywood Actress Afrocandy

In a bare-it-all interview with PUNCH Newspapers, controversial actress Judith Opara-Mazagwu, spoke about her newest work, Destructive Instinct, which had landed her in the media mainstream and what her future plans are.
Excerpts:
Any special reason you chose the name, AfroCandy?
I chose the name because guys call me ‘Eye Candy’. And I figured, if I’m an eye candy and I’m African, I should be an AfroCandy.
Did you do a boob job or are your breasts natural?
No, I did not do any boob job. My boobs are all mine, naturally made and given to me by my creator.
Why did you go into pornographic movies?
I’m not into pornography. I’ll say this over and over. The fact that I chose to make romance and sex scenes in my movies real should not make me a porn star. Now tell me, would you call the actors that play assassin and killer roles in movies murderers because they play such roles? Why are eyebrows being raised over this my movie? Or, is it because it has to do with sex, which is supposed to be a way of life? I find that to be sexist honestly. You can call me daring, brave, bold and beautiful. And I will like you to tell me what you call movies like ‘Basic Instinct, ‘I spit on your grave’ and the likes of them. And I’ll also like you to tell me what you may call actors like Sharon Stone, Hally Berry and co for taking similar roles in those movies before I can answer you directly.
Is there a market for pornographic movies in Nigeria?
Yes, there’s definitely a big market for my kind of movies in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, judging from the responses, requests and orders I have received so far. You already know your people, they will criticise in public but go behind to buy it and hide in their bedrooms to watch it. I’m not worried about the censors board, we got that locked down.
Have you settled issues with the guy who acted in your movie, ‘Destructive Instinct,’ and wanted to pull out?
Yes, we have settled the matter and are moving on.
What was the contract like?
I wouldn’t want to go into the details; but the bottom line is, the case has been closed and we are on to the next one.
Was the guy aware that he was going to feature in a porn movie?
Yes, he was. And again, not a porn movie, but he knew he was going to get naked in the movie and he willingly did it.
Why did he want to pull out?
It’s a long story and I think I already addressed that already in one of my interviews.
How do you deal with advances from men?
I don’t deal with that at all.
What is your impression about gays?
My impression about them is, they are mostly adults, they know what is right and what is wrong and choose to do what is best for them. I guess they know what they want and what they want to do with their lives. So it’s normal.
Would you act in a gay movie?
Yes, I will. Matter of fact, I have a script for that and I guess that doesn’t make me gay now, right?
Which part of your body turns guys on the most?
Ha ha ha…thats’a very funny question, but how would I even know that? I guess you should conduct a wide search for that and maybe ask the guys for that.
Uche Ogbodo has reportedly turned down your offer to feature in a porn movie. Who will you invite to replace her?
I never even spoke to her yet, only made an announcement for an up and coming production. But I have worked with bigger and better actors and will always do; so that’s not important now.
How many films have you acted in and produced so far?
As many as possible.
Where are you from? What is your educational background?
I am from Imo State in Nigeria. As per education, I am a graduate with two associate degrees in office administration and computer science; a Bachelor’s degree in business management and a graduate in medical billing and coding. I’m also getting ready to go back to school to study law.
Have Cossy Orjiakor and Anita Joseph accepted your offer?
I wouldn’t like to disclose that, but I’ll keep you posted.
How do your daughters feel about your roles in porn movies?
I may be their mother because I brought them into the world. I may have the privilege to raise them up to adult age. But you know, I cannot tell them what to do or follow at a certain age. Besides, they are Americans who have their own minds. If they graduate from college and decide to follow my footsteps, it’s their own calling. If I can predict, they wouldn’t want to do what I do because they have better opportunities and better futures than mine. All I do now is to secure a better future for them so they don’t have to go through what I went through in my life time. Mind you, I tell my daughters everything I do. I even told them about this project, the nature of it, but I could not show them because they are not up to 18 yet. I just had to prepare them in case they run into it on the Internet, they won’t be shocked. So don’t worry about my daughters, they are the best children any mother could ever ask for and I thank God for the gift.