Mimiko commends Jonathan on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has described the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by President Goodluck Jonathan as an indication that the government is sensitive and has good intentions.

Jonathan had on Friday inaugurated the reconstruction of the road, which will gulp N167bn with the declaration that it would be ready by 2017.

Mimiko in a statement in Akure on Saturday by his Commissioner for information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, commended the Federal Government for taking the initiative to reconstruct the road described as the busiest in Africa.

He said, “The generation unborn will remain grateful to the Jonathan administration for the total overhauling of the road which has overtime become a death trap.

“This step is indeed noble and the name of this administration has no doubt been written in gold for taking the bull by the horn and ensuring a lasting solution is found to the death trap called Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“Quite a number of lives have been wasted on this road because of its bad state and at last, President Jonathan has provided the solution that hitherto seemed elusive to make the road safe for use.”

Mimiko said the advantage of a good Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the health and economy of the nation could not be over emphasised.

He added that the road must be serving a pivotal role in the nation’s economy to have been adjudged the busiest on African continent.

Mimiko said, “A road that is used by an estimated 250,000 vehicles daily is too important to be left in bad shape especially if the over 600 lives said to have been lost on the road in 2012 alone should be taken into consideration.”

The governor noted that the reconstruction of the road would be a major achievement to be recorded by any government in the country, adding that the credit for the project should be given to the President.

He therefore appealed to the President to ensure that the project was professionally handled and delivered on time.

Mimiko said the Federal Government’s decision to reconstruct the road was a blessing to Nigerians and the South-West in particular.

He also pleaded with road users to take cognisance of the repair and drive more carefully on the road.

Plane crash-lands at US airport

A Boeing 777 aircraft on Saturday crash-landed at San Francisco International Airport, United States, British Broadcasting Corporation reports.

There is no word so far on casualties. Pictures posted on Twitter showed passengers jumping down the inflatable emergency slides and leaving the area, as plumes of smoke rise from the plane.

Firefighters and rescue teams were at the scene of the downed Asiana Airlines Flight 214. The cause of the emergency is not known.

The aircraft had taken off from South Korea’s capital, Seoul.

There were 292 passengers and 16 crew on board, South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap reported. The plane can carry as many as 300 passengers.

While the sequence of events remains unclear, it appeared the plane landed and then crashed on San the airport’s Runway 28L, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman, Laura Brown.

Footage of the scene showed debris strewn on the runway and smoke pouring from the jet, as fire crews sprayed a white fire retardant into gaping holes in the craft’s roof.

One engine and the tail fin appeared to have broken away from the main wreckage.

Passenger David Eun tweeted a picture of people jumping out of the plane’s emergency inflatable slides and wrote, “I just crash-landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I’m ok. Surreal…”

Another passenger, Mr. Eun, who describes himself as a “digital media guy” and “frequent flier”, added, “Fire and rescue people all over the place. They’re evacuating the injured. Haven’t felt this way since 9/11.”

A witness, Ki Siadatan, said the plane “looked out of control” as it descended over San Francisco Bay to land just before 11:30 (18:30 GMT).

“We heard a ‘boom’ and saw the plane disappear into a cloud of dust and smoke,” he told the BBC, adding, “There was then a second explosion.”

He saw events unfold from the balcony of his home in the Millbrae area of San Francisco, which overlooks the airport.

Weather conditions were fine and there was little wind, he added. Arrivals and departures at the airport have been suspended since the incident.

The twin-engine Boeing 777 has a good safety record as a long-haul aircraft and is used by many major carriers.

Asiana is South Korea’s second-largest airline.

Keshi wins on empty stomach

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has not been paid since he led the Super Eagles to a third Africa Cup of Nations title five months ago. However, the ex-Super Eagles captain has not made an official complaint. And the Nigerian Football Federation has told BBC Sport that the situation is “under control”.
“Between the federation and the coaching crew, we don’t have a problem,” said NFF general secretary general Musa Amadu.  “We’ve been working together with Stephen Keshi since November 2011 and he knows the peculiar situation of how things are with the federation.
“We try as much as possible to pay our obligations, likewise the coach, and we’ve had a very good working relationship. I know the coach will not bring to the fore any such matters,” he added. The NFF, which is in serious financial difficulty, also owes money to assistant coach Daniel Amokachi and goalkeeper trainer Ike Shorunmu.
The football authority, which receives it’s funding from the sports ministry, has acknowledged the debts owed to the coaches but says they will have to be patient.  “Perhaps there are people out there that want to capitalise on such matters to create problems between the federation and the coach,” Amadu said.
“But I know that obligations to the coaching crew are always settled, and we do have the understanding of the coaching crew in this regard.
“We appreciate that understanding and right now the focus is not about what is being written in the media but it is on the CHAN qualifiers.”

Nigerians will hail my international TV achievements–Adora Oleh

Many will remember Adora Oleh as the co-presenter of MTN Project Fame. Having recently relocated to the United Kingdom where she was born and bred, the screen diva is set to stage a comeback through her Adora Oleh Show kicking off tomorrow, Monday July 8 on Africa Independent Television (AIT).
In this interview conducted online, Adora talks about her new show and what makes it unique and a must watch for Nigerians. She also opens up on her lifestyle. Excerpts:
It’s been a while we heard from you, what have you been up to in the UK?
I’ve been busy, finishing the recording and editing of my talk show, which I am extremely excited about!
Tell us about your show that is kicking off on AIT on Monday July 8? 
I’m very excited about it. A lot of hard work has gone into it. It’s a 30-minute entertainment show created to focus on positive role models and entrepreneurs moving forward in the entertainment, fashion and business arena. It’s an African international show, as it was shot in Lagos and London and each episode is packed with an in-depth celebrity interview with top acts like Basket Mouth, Ice Prince, Bez, Timi Dakolo, Byrmo and many more. The show also features music and fashion reviews and advice and predictions by well-known experts in the industry. The show is informative and fabulous and I really want the viewers to have fun watching it.
Okay, you’ve been abroad working on different projects, what are they about?
Yes, when I’m not in Nigeria I’m in London or New York working as an entertainment correspondent for FOX News, which has been amazing. I reported on the feel-good-mood of the nation during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and also discussed the legal ramifications of the two Australian Radio DJs that gave a prank call to the nurse at the hospital during The Duchess of Cambridge’s stay for morning sickness. I’ve also covered other entertainment news stories for FOX and Friends. This experience has really been amazing for me. Reporting live on one of the biggest news channels in the world is something that I’m very proud of. The environment is fast, furious and intense. I learnt that covering the latest breaking entertainment news or hard hitting investigations, is not for the faint hearted. It’s a real adrenaline rush that helps sharpen my skills as a TV presenter. There are more exciting projects in the pipeline but I’m not allowed to talk about them for now. I’ll definitely keep you posted.
What will be special about this new season of Adora Oleh Show? 
I think the flow and my style of presenting and extracting information from my celebrity guests definitely makes this show different. My interviews are like a journey through the celeb’s life; and I’m not afraid to ask anything; therefore it feels like a very frank, out-spoken, honest conversation between my celebrity guest and I.
You have one or two projects that keep you in Nigeria from time to time, like MTN Project Fame, is there a reason for not staying in Nigeria permanently? 
The entertainment industry is international. America has been very receptive to me so far and I’m very excited about the future and pursuing more television work there. Right now, I’m living and working in three different cities, it can get extremely hectic at times but as my mum told me to ‘do what you can while you can” and that ‘hard work pays’ so I’m giving it my best. I also want to make Nigeria proud of me for my international television achievements as well, just like a lot of our Nigerian musical superstars have done and continue to do. We in the entertainment industry must do our part in inspiring the next generation, its very important.

You are one of the celebrities that many look up to in terms of style. Tell us how you came to build this exceptional taste in style.
I have always enjoyed fashion. For me, it’s where your essence meets your expression. The way in which only you can do or express something; and I think, in relation to fashion it’s the making of a particular style, shape, appearance, pattern, print or even structure appear to be in vogue; and as a follower of fashion, I know my body shape and I like to show off my best assets and own it.

We notice you wear mostly dresses, is it a fashion item you have special love for?
(Smiles) I’d have to say that I love dresses, and dressing up. Although, it can be a bit of an occupational hazards at times, as I need so many when I record The Adora Oleh Show and when co-hosting Project Fame; but when I’m abroad and because of the change in climate, I definitely explore the different sides of my personal style.

Your face looks like that of a goddess, how does that make you feel?
Wow! Really? That is such a compliment. I’m always extremely flattered to hear such compliments, but for me, its important to work on ones inner beauty as well; being humble, modest, kind and considerate are just some of the attributes that enhance ones beauty. Having a beautiful face with a smelly attitude is a waste of God’s work.

Army has won war against Boko Haram –Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the role played by personnel of the Nigerian Army in restoring peace to the three states under emergency rule. He said security reports reaching him from those states indicate that the people in those states were regaining their lives, while government services and business activities were gradually picking up and returning to normal.
The president said the operational engagement of the Nigerian army and other security agencies in the troubled states has brought relative peace and restored the peoples confidence in the ability of the army to protect the territorial integrity of the nation from external enemies and secure the lives of law abiding citizens.
He, however, charged them to abide by the rules of engagement, respect human rights and make the welfare and well being of the people they are protecting their priority.
He equally urged them to continue in their good works of protecting the lives of Nigerians and foreigners living in the country and promised his administration’s continuous support to meet the demands of the military.
The president, who was dressed in full military combat fatigue, spoke at the grande finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Abuja, also thanked Nigerians for their cooperation and support over the emergency rule in some North East states in the country and reiterated his administration’s determination to stamp out terrorism and other related crimes while providing security for all law abiding citizens.
At the parade held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, personnel of the army displayed their combat skills in defending the territorial integrity of the country.
Jonathan called on those who he said are in the habit of causing disunity among Nigerians to give up their illicit trade and join hands in building a formidable Nigeria, saying, “to build Nigeria is a task that must be done.”
He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, for transforming the army into a force  able to meet contemporary challenges and for carrying out the renovation as well as servicing of equipments that are now aiding the army to effectively carry out their internal security operations duties across the country.
He also commended the creativity of personnel who have constructed various equipment for the Army, urging the army to retain some of these best brains even after retirement to tap from their wealth of knowledge.
Earlier in his address, General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, had vowed that the army would continue to remain apolitical and protect democracy.
He also said the army would do everything in its powers to secure and protect the territorial integrity of the nation from external invasion and harassment of its citizenry.
The army chief while commending president Jonathan for his continuous assistance to the army, said the current security challenges in the country has forced the army to establish new departments, directorates and battalions to curb the menace as well as draw the army closer to the civil populace.
He said under his leadership, the army has carried out the construction and renovation of various projects and training of personnel and members of other security agencies to curb the security challenges in the country.
Highlights of the celebration include physical training excercise displaying physical fitness of troops, paratrooping, featuring High Altitude Landing Operations(HALO), jumps, display of Military Police dogs on their bomb detection and search and rescue skills, display of various equipment and armoured fightng vehicles of the army, combat match past by all the corps in the Nigerian army, among others.
A total of 13 officers and four soldiers received the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, which was presented to them by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Unemployment giving me sleepless nights — Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said the spate of unemployment in the country is giving her sleepless nights.

Okonjo-Iweala said this while inspecting an ultramodern Information and Communications Technology factory of Omatek Nigeria Plc in Lagos on Friday.

She said, “According to the National Bureau of Statistics, each year, about 1.8m young Nigerians enter into our labour market and we need to ensure that our economy provides jobs for them.

“In fact, some people ask, ‘What keeps you awake at night, with regard to this economy?’ I say it is the issue of job creation. And I know this is what keeps Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan) awake at night as well.

“That is why we have responded to the challenge of creating jobs by trying to transform several sectors of the economy; from agriculture, where we’re expecting to create 3.5m jobs and where the progress of reaching our goal of feeding this country is already well advanced.”

The minister said Nigeria lacked institutions on which to build its developmental programmes.

“When you look at Nigeria, for over 50 to 60 years, we’ve been working without the key institutions that some other people have. We keep making stopgap solutions. For 50 years, we didn’t have a Bureau for Public Procurement; for 50 years, we didn’t have a Debt Management Office.

“So many of the institutions that we have now are new and if you stand back, you’ll see there are still many gaps. It is now our job to try to fill those gaps.”

Okonjo-Iweala said the Federal Government was putting in place more initiatives to encourage small and medium scale enterprises.

She noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria had put in place a N200bn guaranty fund for SME’s to access bank loans.

Okonjo-Iweala said, “Let me mention that the Minister of Information and Communications technology has started a Venture Capital Fund with about $15m, which is being financed by the government and other donors.

“The idea behind it is to help support innovative enterprises in the field of ICT. This is designed to lift up some of the young people in Computer Village doing all sorts of innovations.”

She asked investors to encourage public investment in their businesses and to list their companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The minister said the capital market had been revamped to allow the listing of SMEs through the Alternative Securities Market.

According to her, the platform has made it easier for SMEs to list their companies and to raise additional resources from the capital market.

She added that there were advisers to help small scale investors meet their listing requirements and to help them on how to get listed.

The minister, who described the stock market as a challenging one due to “infrastructural bottlenecks,” said in spite of the challenges, companies had kept growing and maintained high quality standards.

She noted that ICT remained one of the main platforms for the creation of jobs, adding that e-commerce was striving in Nigeria, while more companies were carrying out transactions online.