Thursday, 30 October 2014

Ebola Fears How US School Threatened To Arrest 7-Year-Old Nigerian Student 'Jola Sotubo

Samuel Opayemi sued Meadowville Elementary, Milford after they ordered his daughter, Ikeoluwa out of school and even threatened to use force if necessary.

A US school in Connecticut has come under fire for banning a 7-year-old student from attending class over Ebola fears due to the fact that she had attended a wedding in Nigeria.

Samuel Opayemi sued Meadowville Elementary in Milford after they ordered his daughter, Ikeoluwa out of school and even threatened to use force if necessary.

The family’s lawyer, Gary Phelan said in an interview:

"When you threaten to have the police remove a 7-year-old from school in front of all her classmates, that's when you do something like turn to an attorney, and that's what they did."

The Superintendent of the Milford Public Schools, Elizabeth Feser however defended the action saying that Ikeoluwa had to be kept out for the sake of public interest.

She said:

"In addressing this situation, at all times, my staff and I proceeded in good faith to respond to this public health issue,"

"We acted in the best interest of all of our students and staff."

Ikeoluwa’s parents are currently battling in court to get their daughter back in school after she was told not to return till November 3.

Nigeria recorded 20 cases of the disease and eight deaths before it was eventually declared Ebola-free on October 20

Zambia Africa Gets First White President In 20 Years

Zambian Vice-President Guy Scott has become the first white ruler of an African nation in 20 years after the death of President Michael Sata.

Sata died in a London hospital on Tuesday, October 28 and Scott was named interim leader on Wednesday, October 29.

The VP will fill the position until presidential elections can be held 90 days from now in accordance with the country’s constitution.

Defence Minister Edgar Lungu said:

"Dr. Scott will act as president of the Republic of Zambia until the country goes for a presidential by-election."

The interim ruler also confirmed his appointment and announced the beginning of the mourning period for the late president.

He said:

"Elections for the office of president will take place within 90 days. In the interim I am acting president."

"The period of national mourning will start today. We will miss our beloved president and comrade."

Scott, whose parents were from Scotland, will however not be able to occupy the position of president permanently as he is not eligible to contest for the office due to a provision in Zambia’s constitution which bars heads of state with foreign parents.

The last white ruler in Africa was South Africa's F.W. de Klerk who lost to Nelson Mandela in the 1994 election that ended apartheid in the country. ~ Jola Sotubo .

Study: Milk linked to earlier mortality, weaker bones

A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) contradicts everything we've been told about milk since childhood.

Milk has long been touted as an excellent bone-strengthening beverage that provides the body many calcium-related benefits. But according to the new BMJ study, rather than helping to protect against bone fractures, a high milk intake may instead lead to increased mortality.

“Researchers looked at questionnaires from more than 100,000 people in Sweden on their dairy consumption habits. The study, which followed up with many of the participants after 11 to 20 years, found that high milk intake was associated with higher mortality in both men and women, as well as higher bone fracture in women,” details Time.

The negative side effects which appear to come with milk may be linked to the high amounts of sugars in the beverage, the study's authors say -- more specifically, lactose and galactose.

However, the authors emphasize that the results should be weighed with caution, pointing out that the study is merely observational and “not meant to draw casual conclusions.” Much more research is needed before valid deductions can be made.

Nonetheless, the results challenge many previous claims about the benefits of milk intake, and the validity of recommendations to drink a high quantity of the beverage to help strengthen bones.

"An editorial published alongside the study noted that countries in Europe and North America have both the highest levels of milk consumption in the world as well as higher rates of hip fractures and heart disease," details.. The Los Angeles Times.

I will Beat You to Death Anywhere I Catch You –Tompolo warns Festus Keyamo

This is what you get in a country where the Presidency worships militants and gives them contracts:

Popular Lagos-based lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has petitioned the State Security Services and the Nigerian Police over an alleged threat to his life by an ex-militant leader popularly known as Tompolo.

In the letter dated October 29, and also copied to the President and the Delta State governor, Keyamo said that Tompolo threatened to “beat him to death” for wading into a perceived fraud in the just concluded Delta State local government election.

Keyamo said:

“At exactly 10:13p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, I received a telephone call from one Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo)…,

“We have been acquaintances in the past, so I know his numbers. After reaffirming that he is Tompolo when I picked his call, he went straight to the point by informing me that he wishes to inform me that he and his ‘boys’ will kill me by beating me to death or shooting me anywhere they can find me. And that the hunt for me is on.

“His exact words in pidgin English was ‘we dey look for you. Anywhere we see you, whether for Lagos or Abuja or Warri, we go beat you die or we go shoot you.’

“He said he would kill me because I have decided to take up the matter involving his blood brother, Mr. George Ekpemupolo, who was used to illegally substitute another candidate, Mr. Weyinmi Omadeli (48 hours to the election) in the Warri South-West L.G.A elections that were concluded last Saturday in Delta State.”

On Tuesday, Mr. Keyamo had petitioned Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Delta State governor, over the latter’s “illegal substitution” of Mr. Omadeli, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Warri South-West at the council poll with George Ekpemuopolo, Tompolo’s younger brother.

“On this issue concerning Warri South-West L.G.A, I have no choice but to cry out, because your decision is capable of igniting a crisis that will affect all of us. The decision was taken whimsically and it is unjust, unfair, illegal, and ungodly,” Mr. Keyamo had written to the governor.

“Consequently, it is unacceptable and will be challenged legally and politically.”

Mr. Keyamo said Tompolo told him that nobody had ever challenged his authority in Delta State.

“I asked Tompolo five times whether, he was, in fact, threatening my life over an open line and he said nobody in the country can do anything about it by the time I am dead,” said Mr. Keyamo.

“Co-incidentally, exactly three minutes after Tompolo dropped his line, His Excellency, Governor Uduaghan called me at exactly 10.16pm, and I reported to him what just transpired between Tompolo and myself.

“The Governor promised to speak with him, but that cannot be reassuring enough, and I know the remedy in law against an intended murderer is not to beg him but to ignite the criminal justice system against him, no matter how comatose that system is.”

Mr. Keyamo said that Tompolo had the “instrument to kill human beings”.

“I know the subject of this petition, Tompolo, is a favoured citizen of this government, and I am not. I know Tompolo is close to those in power at the moment, whereas I am an ordinary citizen. I know Tompolo has money and influence (which are factors that are widely acknowledged to aid a suspect walk away with murder in Nigeria), but I have none of these.

“In the circumstance, I am making this petition public so that when you refuse to attend to my complaint and outcry, the ordinary people of this country will, at least, know from where my death came and I will not join the long list of unresolved murders. My killer, should, at least be known.”  Posted by Oyegbenga Ojewunmi.

Girl Caught Stealing Clothes, Shop Owner Strips Her.

Ladies, if you can’t get it now, just leave it. Tomorrow you might able afford something even better. Here is a lady who was desperate to get what she couldn’t afford at the moment and she was caught in the process. The 28yrs old lady went into the shop in the pretence of buying clothes but she ended up stuffing some expensive clothes into her bag and tried to escape with them before she was caught.

The shop owner grabbed her and immediately took off her clothe. See more photos:

Red Carpet Queen, Rihanna Is Back Looking As Stunning As Ever! – Photos

Rihanna has being a little ‘quiet’ on the social scene and when she shows up, she does it with a bang!

The award winning Pop/Rnb Queen stepped out in this white number for the 2014 edition of the amfAR LA Inspiration Gala held last night at the Milk Studios in Hollywood.The amfAR (Foundation for Aids Research) ‘Making Aids History’ raises money for Aids research programs dedicated to fighting the deadly disease.

Photo Source: Rihanna’s Pinterest.

Nigerian Stock Exchange Joins World Federation Of Exchanges

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- The Nigerian Stock Exchange became a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges on Tuesday, just as it prepares to woo Asian fund managers.

It's taken three years for the West African exchange to win approval based on proper regulation by bodies including the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Central Securities Clearing System.

The federation sent an assessment team to Nigeria last month and the Nigerian Stock Exchange announced in a statement that it received a unanimous vote for admission as a full member at the general assembly of the federation Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea.

CEO Oscar Onyema said it is a step forward in the Nigerian exchange's integration with global financial markets.

The exchange's head of strategy, Yvonne Emordi, said "It sets the tone for the upcoming Asia tour the Nigerian Stock Exchange will kick off in early December this year, to introduce our market to Asian fund managers with frontier and emerging market investment strategies."

The federation is a global trade association for operators of regulated securities exchanges that Onyema called "an important reference for international investors."

The main board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange currently lists 190 equities with a market cap of more than $83 billion.

The membership comes the same year Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer and its most populous nation of about 160 million, rebased its economy to overtake South Africa as the largest on the continent.

The Nigerian exchange is only the fifth in Africa to join the federation. The others are based in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

Source: https://za.news.yahoo.com/nigerian-stock-exchange-joins-world-140412872.html

NEWS KATT WILLIAMS & SUGE KNIGHT ARRESTED FOR STEALING CAMERA From Female Pap

Suge Knight and Katt Williams got busted today for allegedly snatching a camera from a female photographer in Beverly Hills.

The alleged incident went down back on Sept. 5 outside a studio ... according to the L.A. County D.A.

Katt was arrested this morning when he showed up in court for an assault case -- and TMZ obtained Suge's mug shot ... taken after he was nabbed in Las Vegas. They were booked for robbery.

Both men have lengthy rap sheets ... and as a result the D.A.'s Office says Suge could face 30 years to life in state prison -- while Williams could be nailed for up to 7 years.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Khloe Kardashian and French Montana: Still BFFs

When Khloe Kardashian and French Montana broke up last month it surprised literally no one.

They were an odd couple from the start and it was widely rumored that French cheated on Khloe with just about every woman he came in contact with while they were dating.

But while the relationship has been over for weeks, the reality TV version of Khloe and French won't debut until next week when Kourtney and Khloe Take the Hamptons hits the E! network. 

So, as further evidence that it's really weird to live your life with a 10-week broadcast delay, Kourtney has been forced to talk about French while promoting her 117th E! reality series.

Instead of trash-talking the Q-list rapper like we had hoped, Khloe says she and French are totally still besties!

"I love memories," Khloe says when asked about Montana. "I still talk to him. There's no bad blood or anything."

Discussing her feelings about French appearing on her new show, Khloe offered this surprising comment:

"I think it's cool. I like that people get to see a part of our relationship. I don't think it's fair to judge people by appearance or what you think you know about them."

She then went on to fondly reminisce about their trip to South Africa and gush about how French pushes her to do things she "probably wouldn't do" on her own. Seriously

Reuters UK Predict GEJ Victory In 2015

4:53pm
ABUJA (Reuters) - Not many presidents could survive three multi-billion dollar government oil corruption scandals and a wave of cold-blooded killings and kidnappings of civilians by Islamist militants still holding hundreds of schoolgirls after six months.

Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan has not only survived, he will seek reelection in February stronger than ever, after five years in a job no one expected him to get.

Jonathan's support base within the ruling party is now unchallenged, a rare feat for the often fractious People's Democratic Party (PDP), while the main opposition APC coalition is split between two contestants for the presidency.

The government announced a ceasefire with the Islamist Boko Haram rebels 10 days ago, ahead of talks in neighboring Chad to secure the release of more than 200 girls seized from Chibok village in April in an abduction that shocked the world.

If the talks are successful it would help the president's image. But nothing has come of it yet and violence has since surged, with dozens more children kidnapped.

Jonathan has defended his overstretched military's efforts against a Boko Haram insurgency that has killed thousands. In the case of the failure to free the schoolgirls, he has said any rescue attempt would endanger their lives.

Meanwhile, apart from the security challenges, his government also has been beset by corruption allegations.

A parliamentary report detailed a $6.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud. A government investigation revealed corrupt cut price crude sales to oil majors that cost the treasury billions. And a former central banker has reported that between $10 and billion $20 billion had been diverted by the state oil firm over 18 months between 2012 and last year.

The government pledged to investigate the first two cases and denied the third.

Last month, South Africa froze two payments from the Jonathan administration totaling $15 million that it suspected were for illegal arms deals. Nigeria said the deals were legal.

Yet it is a testament to Nigeria's complex mix of ethnic rivalry, patronage and intense competition for centralized oil wealth in Africa's top producer that Jonathan can brush off these various scandals and attract a high level of support.

WEAKER OPPOSITION

Jonathan, a Christian southerner, was an accidental president, taking over in 2009 after President Umaru Yar'adua, a Muslim from the north, died from illness.

When Jonathan was elected to his own term in 2011, many in the north resented his decision to run, believing he had torn up an unwritten rule that power should rotate between mainly Muslim north and mainly Christian south every two terms.

Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, who lost to Jonathan in 2011, and defected PDP ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar are vying for the opposition APC ticket. Both launched bids in the past month, focusing on security and graft.

Roddy Barclay, senior Africa analyst at Control Risks, a political risk consultancy, sees two "principle factors for Jonathan's robust position in spite of the scandals and failings which have rocked his government".

"Firstly, the primacy of money and patronage in determining electoral outcomes in Nigeria," means an incumbent gets a huge advantage, and second, "the opposition lacks steadfast unity".

That marks a big change from less than a year ago. In December it was the PDP that was in crisis. Thirty seven lawmakers defected to the APC that month, demolishing the PDP's lower house majority. Rotimi Amaechi, powerful governor of the oil hub state of Rivers, also defected.

The same month, Jonathan's mentor and PDP Godfather, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, wrote a scathing letter saying it would be "fatally morally flawed" for Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015 because of corruption under his rule. Jonathan called the intervention "unjustifiable and indecorous".

Ten months on and the APC has failed to capitalize. It has not agreed on a presidential candidate and several disillusioned APC figures have flipped to the PDP, underscoring the fluid nature of Nigerian party politics.

They include popular two-term ex-governor of Kano state Ibrahim Shakarau, a Buhari rival, and former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu, denying the APC a strong anti-graft platform, although Buhari still has strong anti-corruption credentials.

"MODEST EXPECTATIONS"

In June, the APC then lost a governorship election in southwestern Ekiti state to the ruling party.

"The opposition is cannibalizing itself. Its top elites are vying against one another. That's a glide path for President Jonathan," said Eurasia Group's Philippe de Pontet.

"Had the APC sustained its momentum from 5-6 months ago ... we'd be in a different world."

On Dec 2, the dynamic could shift when the party picks its candidate. Buhari earned a reputation for cracking down on corruption during his time in power in 1983-85, and most Nigerians agree he did not use the post to enrich himself, but it is not clear whether he would win votes from APC supporters in the south.

The emotional conflict felt by Barrister Isaac Matthew illustrates Jonathan's staying power.

Driven by the plight of the schoolgirls to leave a court case he was defending to join protesters demanding more action to rescue them, he says Jonathan bears ultimate responsibility since "leaders are supposed to protect their people".

"I'm still probably going to vote for him," he said, citing Jonathan's concentration on power reform and some works Matthew said had greatly improved the road network.

"The opposition has no credible candidate to stand against him. Not Atiku (Abubakar) and not Buhari."

The power sector is under improvement, but that may not draw votes since the supply in one of the world's most electricity-starved countries has fallen in the short term.

Many voters are likely to see the Boko Haram insurgency, which only affects the remote northeast apart from occasional bomb attacks in the capital or other cities, as just one problem in their large, diverse country.

"Expectations in the electorate are fairly modest and they are hugely disenfranchised, despite ... years of civilian rule," said Antony Goldman, head of Nigeria-focused PM Consulting.

"You don't need to be popular or successful in conventional terms to win an election in Nigeria," he said, although he added that no president had managed to stay popular after four years in office, and the APC had yet to present a clear alternative.

EBOLA NOT A FACTOR SO FAR

One issue that has not yet played an important role is Ebola, rampant in some other West African states. A mixture of luck and impressively decisive action has meant Africa's most populous country was able to avoid a potentially devastating epidemic after a Liberian brought it to the megacity of Lagos, but the virus could still come back to plague Nigeria, with unpredictable political consequences.

Jonathan's assumed decision to run has widened a divide between elites in Nigeria's south and north because of a feeling in the north that it is still their "turn" to rule.

That makes violence likely, especially if the poll is close. In 2011, more than 800 were killed and 65,000 displaced in three days of violence after Jonathan beat Buhari in the poll.

If Buhari, now 71, gets the ticket but loses the election again, his supporters may have less reason to end the mayhem so quickly if they sense he has missed his last chance.

(This story has been refiled to add missing letter to 'beset', paragraph eight)

(Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Peter Graff)
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0IG1E220141027?irpc=932

PHOTO: Ini Edo's Newly acquired N70m Naira Mansion

The magnificent house is in an inner street inside Lekki which boasts of a foyer, solid gate, and a backyard. The allure of the house is its design and expansive space. And reports made it known that the ebony looking actress is already living in the house with her siblings.

Why I defected, by Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday said he joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in continuation of the great sacrifice for Nigeria and to ensure the development of constitutional democracy in the country.

“This is in continuation of the great sacrifice for Nigeria and also the need to ensure the development of constitutional democracy”Tambiwal said.

The Speaker, who presided for just the second time in the last few weeks since the House resumed in June, formally dumped the PDP Tuesday following the motion for the adjournment by the Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola (Oyo state) and seconded by the Deputy Majority leader, Leo Ogor.

“In pursuit of the 1999 constitution and in view of the political developments in my state (Sokoto), I wish to formally inform you of my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).,” he said and announced that the House has adjourned to December 3 even as the House broke into laud cheers.

Members in jubilation embraced each other, rub palms while the shout of “APC, APC, APC, we shall sweep them away rented the air” as the Speaker, who demounted from the seat to join the members on the floor, was mobbed by joyful members of his new party- the APC, while others of the PDP walked behind rather dejectedly.

APC caucus in the House, said they have welcomed and applauded the decision of the speaker to join the APC, saying the speaker’s position is consistent with the law and practice in a presidential system of government.

With this new development, the PDP still remains the majority party with 189 members while the opposition APC has 160 members.

In a swift reaction yesterday, the PDP urged Tambuwal to leave office following his official defection from the party to the APC.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP made this call, noting that the Speakers defection to APC was in recognition of his constitutional right of association.

The PDP requested the Speaker to do the needful in view of the fact that his new party is still in the minority of the House. This was contained in a statement issued by the Publicity secretary of the PDP, olisa Metuh.

The NWC said it has met with PDP leaders in the House of Representatives concerning the defection of the Speaker, and concluded in its deliberation that the Speaker should act honourably.

“After a thorough consideration of the matter, the NWC came to a conclusion that the Hon. Speaker, as a responsible elected officer, knows fully well what is needful and honourable of him since his new

party is in the minority”, he threatened.

“We are not unmindful of the fact that Hon. Tambuwal became Speaker on the platform of the PDP as the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and that this incontrovertible fact has not changed.” The statement said

Also reacting to the action of the Speaker. Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Goodswill Akpabio, said the Speaker must recognize the fact that his party is still a minority in the House of Representatives therefore it was for him to act accordingly and resign his office as speaker.

He said that he has always known the Speaker as an a PDP man in name but APC in action and he has proved it to the world charging him to be honourable and resign especially as the PDP was not in any sort of crises.Akpabio also wished the Speaker well in his new party.

However, the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos state), did not agree with the PDP,saying that the defection was long expected and a development that they (APC) welcome and hope would further boost and strengthen their support base across the federation.

“We welcome this development. We had hoped this day will come and it has eventually. Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal remains a member of the House and the Speaker. The constitution stipulates that members elect their Speaker from among themselves.

He dismissed insinuations that the lengthy adjournment was deliberate to ensure that the Speaker retains his position.

In the same vein, Samson Osagie, the Minority Whip stated that the decision to adjourn was in the interest of all parties because of the primaries.

Also, House deputy majority leader, Rep Leo Ogor (PDP Delta), said the speaker’s decision was a personal decision and has no major implication on political party.

Hon. Victor Ogene (APGA Anambra state) also said the Speaker’s defection to the APC would deepen democracy, unite members, and boosts their understanding and practice of constitutional democracy.  Culled from Peoples Daily.
By Patrick Andrew, Umar Muhammad Puma and Ahmed Abubakar.

Ebola nurse on defensive gets call from Obam

ATLANTA (AP) — A nurse who fueled Ebola fears by flying to Cleveland after being infected by her dying patient was released Tuesday from a hospital isolation unit, where doctors defended her as a courageous front-line caregiver.

Another nurse, held for days in a medical tent in New Jersey after volunteering in West Africa, was in an undisclosed location in Maine, objecting to quarantine rules as overly restrictive.

While world leaders appeal for more doctors and nurses on the front lines of the Ebola epidemic, health care workers in the United States are finding themselves on the defensive.

Lawyers now represent both Amber Vinson, who contracted the virus while caring for a Liberian visitor to Texas, and Kaci Hickox, who is challenging the mandatory quarantines some states are imposing on anyone who came into contact with Ebola victims.

The virus is still spreading faster than the response, killing nearly half of the more than 10,000 people it has infected in West Africa.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said Tuesday that at least 5,000 more health workers are urgently needed in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, traveling with him in Africa, said mandatory quarantines for health care workers, Ebola-related travel restrictions and border closings are not the answer.

The Pentagon announced Tuesday that the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that he require all U.S. troops returning from Ebola-fighting missions in West Africa to be kept in supervised isolation for 21 days. Balancing that and similar quarantines announced by several state governors, President Barack Obama said the Ebola response needs to be "based on science."

"We've got to make sure that those workers who are willing and able and dedicated to go over there in a really tough job, that they're applauded, thanked and supported. That should be our priority. And we can make sure that when they come back they are being monitored in a prudent fashion," Obama said after calling Vinson from the White House.

Vinson's trip home to join her bridesmaids for wedding preparations was one of several moves by doctors and nurses that could have exposed others in the United States. In Ohio alone, 163 people were still being monitored Tuesday because of contact or potential contact with Vinson in a bridal shop and on the airplanes she used. Vinson arrived in Dallas on Tuesday evening, after tests showed she is now free of the virus.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said voluntary stay-at-home measures were obviously insufficient, since even doctors and nurses had moved around in public before getting sick. He was among the first to announce mandatory 21-day quarantines for anyone who had contact with possibly infected people.

Vinson, 29, was infected while caring for Thomas Eric Duncan, who died at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas on Oct. 8. She inserted catheters, drew blood, and dealt with Duncan's body fluids, all while wearing protective gear.

Dr. Bruce Ribner, an infectious disease expert who oversaw Vinson's recovery at Emory University Hospital, said her doctors in Atlanta don't know how she got infected in Dallas. He released no details about her treatment and wouldn't say whether certain drugs are proving more effective. "The honest answer is we're not exactly sure," he said.

But Emory University Hospital spokeswoman Holly Korschun later confirmed that Vinson received blood plasma from Ebola survivor Kent Brantly, and said Ebola survivor Nancy Writebol also donated her plasma, but it wasn't ultimately needed.

Ebola is only contagious when people who carry the virus get sick, and Vinson didn't show symptoms before flying to Ohio on Oct. 10. She reported her temperature to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as required, on Oct. 13, and was cleared to fly back to Dallas. The next day, she developed a temperature, and on Oct. 15, she tested positive for Ebola.

Another nurse, Nina Pham, also was infected by Duncan, and was released Oct. 24 from the National Institutes of Health.

Vinson didn't take any questions at Emory. Instead she read a statement thanking God, her relatives and her doctors, appealed for privacy as she returns home to Texas, and asked "that we not lose focus on the thousands of families who labor under the burden of this disease in West Africa."

Hickox, the Doctors Without Borders volunteer, was staying meanwhile in an "undisclosed location," said Steve Hyman, one of her lawyers. Maine health officials announced she will be quarantined at home for 21 days after the last possible exposure to the disease, following the state's health protocols.

But Hyman said he expected her to remain in seclusion for the "next day or so" while he discusses her situation with Maine health officials. Hyman said the state should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which require only monitoring, not quarantine, for health care workers who show no symptoms after treating Ebola patients.

"She's a very good person who did very good work and deserves to be honored, not detained, for it," he said.

Culled from Associated Press. Contributors include Associated Press writers Elias Meseret in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Jeff Martin in Atlanta; Robert F. Bukaty in Fort Kent, Maine; and David Sharp in Portland, Maine.

Defection saga: Akpabio tells Tambuwal to resign

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday said he was not surprised over the sudden defection of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to the APC.

Akpabio said he was expecting that to happen before now because Tambuwal was only a PDP member by name.

Akpabio, however, said he expects Tambuwal to resign, adding that irrespective of his defection, the PDP remains the majority in the house.

He said, “We have always known the Speaker as a PDP man in name but APC in action and he has proved it to the world. I will only ask him to be honourable and resign especially as the PDP is not in crisis.

“I wish the Speaker well in his new party”.

APGA defends adoption of Jonathan as its presidential candidate

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Victor Umeh, said on Tuesday, defended the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan, as its presidential candidate in the 2015 presidential election.
He said since there was no Igbo contesting for the president, it would be a waste of time aligning with the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Mr. Umeh spoke while delivering a lecture titled “Towards a successful 2015 election: The role of the opposition,” to mark the inauguration of the executive committee of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, in Enugu.
APGA had in August said it would not field a presidential candidate in the coming presidential election, saying it would support the candidacy of Mr. Jonathan, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“We have been lampooned and condemned because we are supporting President Jonathan – let me tell you quite frankly, until we lead our people on the right track we are wasting our time,” he said.
“Today there are no Igbos contesting for president in the APC, so why align with APC?”
The APGA national chairman also explained that in supporting Jonathan, the party had to look at the dynamics of politics in Nigeria with total reflection on the journey of the Igbos.
He stated further, “Jonathan has shown respect for the Igbos even if he has challenges running the affairs of the country, most of which are man-made. APGA has no apologies for supporting President Jonathan – what we offer is constructive criticism.”
Mr. Umeh said APGA was not an appendage of the PDP, insisting that it “is a distinct political party which cannot be an appendage of another political party.”
He noted, however, that though it was not in power at the federal level, it does not mean that the party must oppose the government at the centre.
“The term opposition is misleading – in Nigeria we assume that once you are not in government you must be opposing government,” the chairman said.
“You must not oppose government all the time if you are not in government. In developed countries (opposition parties) means those who are not in government but are interested in government.”
Mr. Umeh accused the APC of engaging in “blind opposition.”
He added, “There are those who believe that not being in government but being objectively critical will help the government to serve the people better, and there are those who believe that in not being part of government, anything the government does is bad.” Culled from premium Times.

Diamond bank ex-MD promises ‘govt of stars’ in Abia

One of the leading  aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 Abia governorship election, Dr. Alex Otti, has said if voted into power, he will introduce “government of stars” in the state.

The ex- Diamond bank boss stated this on Wednesday while inaugurating his campaign office in Umuahia.

He said Abia would witness rapid infrastructural and economic transformation if he clinches the governorship position, promising to use his local and international contacts to woo investors into the state.

Otti,  who also formally declared his intention to run for the position at Aba Sports Club, said he would replicate his achievements in Diamond bank, which, he said he brought among the first six banks in Nigeria.

He noted that Abia was replete with enormous human and material resources, which needed an experienced technocrat to harness.

Otti, who hails from Abia Central Zone, added that the ceding of the governorship ticket to Abia South Senatorial district by the PDP caucus would  not stop him from emerging as the party’s flag bearer.

He said he remained “the best of all jostling for the position both in intellect and readiness.”

Present on the occasion were Nollywood  stars and Charles Oputa, aka Charley Boy, Jim Martins, ex-international Kanu Nwankwo and former Super Eagles captain, Austin  Okocha, among others.

Collapsed building: Synagogue Church gives list of lodgers to Inquest

Ikeja – Mr Oyetade Komolafe, the Coroner investigating the collapse of a guest house belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), said on Wednesday that the list of lodgers had been submitted to the court.
Komolafe announced this at the resumption of proceedings at the Inquest set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate the Sept.12 incident, which killed 116 persons.
The coroner said the church, in compliance with the court’s directive, forwarded a comprehensive list of all persons who were lodged at the building before it collapsed.
He said a copy of the list would be made available to Prof. John Obafunwa, the Consultant Pathologist and Chief Medical Examiner of Lagos State.
Obafunwa had on Oct.16 written a letter to the church, demanding for the list to help the pathologists to identify the victims.
Testifying on Wednesday, Obafunwa, who was being cross-examined by the church’s counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, confirmed that majority of the victims were South Africans.
Obafunwa, however, noted that the pathologists from South Africa did not participate in the autopsies conducted on the victims because they had no permit from the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council.
He said the South African pathologists only observed what was being done by their Nigerian counterparts, adding that they were very impressed with the physical structures on ground.
According to him, only finger printing experts from South Africa, who took the victims’ finger prints, participated in the exercise.
“The team was led by a brigadier in the South African Police. We met in company of members of the Nigerian Police and the later agreed that they were better trained and better equipped to do the finger printing.
“It was the reasonable thing to do because virtually everybody in South Africa already had their finger prints on the system,” Obafunwa added.
The pathologist maintained that the victims did not die from inhalation of smoke or exposure to corrosives, as suggested by Ojo.
He said although the bodies were embalmed immediately after they were brought to the morgues, it had no effect on the outcome of the analysis carried out on them.
Also testifying, Mr Oladimeji Ige, Resource Development and Training Officer, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, said his team participated in the search and rescue of the victims.
“When we got to the church, nobody prevented us from entering the collapse site.
“In total, the Nigerian Red Cross provided one ambulance, while the church provided at least 10 ambulances.
“We worked with other volunteers of the church in carrying the victims to the hospital ,” Ige said.
He, however, said there was need to have more ambulances to deal with such emergencies in future,
NAN reports that the matter was adjourned till Oct. 30, for further hearing.

We Are Not Planning To Field A Muslim-Muslim Ticket – APC

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, has dismissed insinuations that the party was planning to field a Muslim-Muslin ticket in the February 2015 presidential election.

He described as “very unfortunate,” but unnecessary the controversy which trailed the interview granted an online newspaper, The cable, by a leading presidential aspirant of the party, Muhammadu Buhari, in which he said he would keep an open mind on the issue of his party’s presidential candidate and running mate.

Mr. Buhari, a Muslim, had in the interview, said he had demonstrated to Nigerians in the past that he was not a religious fundamentalist by picking Christians as his running mates in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections in which he ran.

“Nigerians will always uncover impossible room for manoeuvre for politicians. I had to face one of the governors during one of our party’s meetings [over the issue of religion],” Mr.Buhari, Nigeria’s former head of state between 1983 and 1985, said.

“In 2003, I chose Okadigbo as my running mate. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. In 2007, I picked Ume-Ezeoke. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. And in 2010, I chose even a pastor. Pastor Tunde Bakare.

“Honestly, what do Nigerians want me to do? If they don’t believe I’m not a fundamentalist, what else can I do?”

He recounted that the late Moshood Abiola, a southern Muslim, picked Babagana Kingibe, a northern Muslim, as his running mate in the 1993 presidential election.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket won the election generally considered the fairest and freest election in Nigeria’s history.

There had been speculations that Mr. Buhari might be looking in the direction of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who is also a muslim, or his predecessor, Bola Tinubu, also a Muslim as his as his running mate, if he picks the APC ticket in the December presidential primary of the party.

However, a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday warned parties against fielding candidates of the same religion, saying it was dangerous for the country.

“Sensitivity is a necessary ingredient for enhancement of peace, security and stability at this point in the political discourse and arrangement for Nigeria and for encouraging confidence and trust,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

“It will be insensitive to the point of absurdity for any leader or any political party to be toying with Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket at this juncture,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

“Nigeria cannot at this stage raise the spectre and fear of Islamisation or Christianisation. The idea of proselytisation in any form is a grave danger that must not be contemplated by any serious-minded politician at this delicate situation in Nigeria, as this time is different from any other time.

“Therefore, disregarding the fact that there are fears that need to be allayed at this point will amount not only to insensitivity of the highest order but will also amount to very bad politics indeed.”

But Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said the APC had never contemplated fielding a presidential and vice presidential candidates who belong to the same faith and that the current debate over the matter was just a distraction to the party.

He explained that the party was pre-occupied with the process of choosing its presidential candidate and that it had not toyed with the issue of who becomes the running mate yet.

“You know what triggered these things. It is very unfortunate. We are trying to get a presidential candidate now. Once that is sorted out, the issue of running mate becomes a simple matter,” the APC national chairman revealed in a telephone interview on Monday night.

He said Mr. Buhari might have been misunderstood on the matter, stating, “It is his usual way of speaking. You know he is a straightforward man. It (running mate) is not an issue. But that is his own way of putting it and should not be misunderstood.”

Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said the APC has a mission of rescuing the country from alleged mis-governance and therefore would neglect any segment of the country by being insensitive in the choice of candidates for the elections.

According to him, “We want to rescue this country; we want to save this nation. And so we will not do anything to make us loose votes, especially from a very large segment of the society. That is the simple truth. We don’t have to.

“We are looking at somebody who will contribute to winning the election. These things are commonsensical things that will be taken care of when we get to that bridge.”

On the reaction of Mr. Obasanjo to the issue, the APC national chairman said the former president’s comment on the matter was a non-issue for his party but generally okay.

He stressed, “We, as a party, haven’t gotten to that bridge. People shouldn’t forget that we are a new party. We do not want these distractions. We are taking all those issues gradually.”

Asked if the party was planning to pick a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, as the running mate to Mr. Buhari, Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said, “I’m the national chairman. Whoever we will choose as our presidential candidate, whether it is Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, Rochas Okorocha or any other person, the party will then sit down with him and say this is the type of running mate that will contribute maximally to the success of the party in the election.”

He denied claims that the party was reluctant to address the issue and that an official of the party was mandated to clear the air on the issue, but refused. Culled from Premium Times.

Kayswitch Reacts To Claims That He Locked Out Baby Mama And Their 7 Months Old Baby

Yesterday, reports made it known that popular musician and D’banj’s p brother, Kayswitch locked out his baby mama, Meena outside his house carrying their 7 months old baby under hot sun.

The report which was published yesterday afternoon by popular blogger, Linda Ikeji was corroborated with photos of  Kayswitch’s model baby mama, Meena Subramani carrying their baby under the hot sun being denied entrance into a particular house which Linda reports that it was popular singer, D’banj.

Linda’s report goes thus:

So D’banj’s younger brother Kayswitch’s baby mama, Meena Subramani, stormed his home in Lekki Phase1 this afternoon demanding to see him, but for some reason, the security guards wouldn’t open the gates.

Meena, who got there by taxi and was carrying their 7 months old baby, started banging on the gate, shouting at security men and screaming that KaySwitch should come out and face her. She made a lot of allegations as she was screaming but I will leave that out for now.

Jose Canseco: MLB Player Accidentally Shoots Off His Finger

So sad. Legendary MLB slugger Jose Canseco accidentally shot himself in the hand in his Las Vegas home on Oct. 28. Jose was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he is now undergoing intense surgery to reattach his left middle finger.

Zambia President 'King Cobra' dies in UK

Zambian President Michael Sata, who was nicknamed “King Cobra” for his fiery tongue and larger-than-life personality, has died, the country’s national radio said Wednesday morning.

He was 77.

Officials did not disclose a cause of death. But Sata had traveled to London for unspecified medical treatment last week.

He died in a hospital there Tuesday evening, the government-owned Zambia Daily Mail said.

Sata took office in September 2011 after the incumbent President tearfully conceded in a televised speech, a rare moment in a continent known for volatile elections and leaders fighting their defeat tooth-and-nail.

Analysts hailed his election as an example of an African nation with a vibrant democracy. But not too long after he took office, speculation swirled over his lack of visibility — which especially stood out for a man who loves the spotlight.

Aides said his absence was a result of private international visits, and maintained those trips had nothing to do with medical treatment.

The nation’s bloggers have frequently criticized what they describe as “absence of leadership,” leading him to make a surprise appearance in parliament last month and declare that he was not dead.

Sata was born in the Zambian town of Mpika in 1936, and worked as police officer during the colonial administration. He later trained as a pilot in Russia before returning home and helping develop housing projects in the nation.

During Zambia’s struggle for independence from Britain, he jumped into politics, and later founded the Patriotic Front — then an opposition party. His campaign events electrified crowds drawn to his extroverted nature and fight for the average man.

Sata, who narrowly lost to his predecessor Rupiah Banda in 2008, was a major critic of Chinese investment in the nation’s copper industry. He especially targeted foreign companies that mistreat Zambian workers, making him popular among the nation’s miners who accused the Chinese of deplorable work conditions.

While in office, he warned foreign companies that while their investment is crucial to his nation, they must abide by the labor laws.

The veteran politician has served in other positions, including city council, member of parliament and cabinet minister for local government.

Before his election, the tiny, copper-rich nation in southern Africa had been ruled by the same party for decades.


Texas executes ex-gang member for death of 3

Associated press  By MICHAEL GRACZYK

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A former gang member was put to death Tuesday evening for the fatal shootings of three rivals 14 years ago in San Antonio.

Miguel Paredes, 32, was convicted along with two other men in the September 2000 slayings of three people with ties to the Mexican Mafia. The victims' bodies were rolled up in a carpet, driven about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest, dumped and set on fire. A farmer investigating a grass fire found the remains.

Paredes was pronounced dead at 6:54 p.m. CDT, 22 minutes after being injected with a lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital. The execution was delayed slightly to ensure the IV lines were functioning properly, said Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark. The procedure calls for two working lines.

Normally needles are placed in the crease of an inmate's arms near the elbows, but in Paredes' case, prison officials inserted IV lines into his hands.

As witnesses entered the death chamber in Huntsville, Paredes smiled and mouthed several kisses to four friends watching through a window and repeatedly told them he loved them. He told everyone gathered that he hoped his victims' family members would "let go of all of the hate because of all my actions."

"I came in as a lion and I come as peaceful as a lamb," Paredes said. "I'm at peace. I hope society sees who else they are hurting with this."

As the drugs began taking effect, he took several deep breaths while praying. He started to snore and eventually stopped.

The execution was carried out after the U.S. Supreme Court turned down a last-day appeal from attorneys who contended Paredes was mentally impaired and his previous lawyers were deficient for not investigating his mental history.

His was the 10th to be executed by lethal injection this year in Texas, the most active death-penalty state in the U.S. One other Texas inmate is set to die in December and at least nine are scheduled for execution in early 2015, including four in January.

Prosecutors said Paredes was the most aggressive shooter when Nelly Bravo and Shawn Michael Cain, both 23, and Adrian Torres, 27, showed up to collect drug money at the home of John Anthony Saenz, a leader in Paredes' gang.

Defense attorneys argued that Paredes, who turned 18 six weeks before the slayings, grew up in a neighborhood where the only way to survive was to join a gang.

No friends or relatives of the three victims attended Paredes' execution. Cain's family said in a statement afterward that Cain was "no longer with us for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Our family has waited 14 years for justice to finally be served," the statement said.

Paperwork carrying Saenz's name was found in the debris with the victims' bodies, which helped police solve the case. Saenz, 32, claimed self-defense at his trial and avoided the death penalty when jurors sentenced him to life. The third man convicted in the killings, Greg Alvarado, 35, pleaded guilty and also is serving life in prison.

We Spent Over N800million To Set Up The NYSC Online Registration System-nysc DG

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, has appeared before a House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions investigative public hearing to answer questions on the four thousand Naira online registration fee being paid by prospective corps members. The NYSC was dragged to the House of Representatives by the Uzor Azubuike-led Say No Campaign civil society coalition which protested against the fee. While responding to the petition, Olawumi, who alluded to the poor welfare of the corp members, disclosed that the federal government has approved N500 as feeding allowance for each corp member per day. He also disclosed that over N800 million was required to setup the computer registration system the NYSC is presently using for its online registration. He explained that the fees will service a private sector-driven build, operate and transfer agreement. He said the registration equipment will be installed at NYSC offices nationwide. He said the process was approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement with a certificate of no objection. While noting that the N4,000 for the online registration is voluntary, he said rather than request for money to install the infrastructure, he would prefer to canvass for increment of the current N19,800 allowance being paid to prospective Corp members. In his presentation, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu of ‘Say No Campaign’ called for the “reversal of the proposed N4,000 fee payment and where payment has been made, a refund to the prospective Corp members.” Nwagwu stressed the need to “re-examine the laws establishing the NYSC that seems to have made the Director General of the Corp an exclusive preserve of serving military officers.” On September 30, federal lawmakers launched an inquest into the controversial N4,000 online registration fee and consequently urged NYSC to suspend the policy. Hon. Hassan Saleh (Benue/PDP) in lead debates on a motion moved on the matter described the NYSC policy as “insensitive and exploitative”. Read: www.leadership.ng/news/387950/fg-allocates-n500-daily-feeding-allowance-corp-members-nysc-dg

Court Dismisses FOI Request On Stella Oduah’s BMW Cars

A Federal High Court sitting Lagos has struck out the Freedom of Information suit filed by the incorporated trustees of the Media Right Agenda (MRA), demanding information about the controversial armoured BMW cars purchased for former minister, Stella Oduah, when she was in office. MRA had filed the action seeking to compel the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation to disclose information on the procurement of the controversial BMW cars bought for former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah. MRA had sought a relief to the effect that the failure and or refusal of NCAA to disclose or make available to the applicants the information requested in their letter dated October 21, 2013 amounts to violation of applicants’ right to access to information established and guaranteed by section 1(1) and section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. The letter had requested for NCAA’s annual budget, the public procurement plans, procurement record for the purchase of two BMW 760 LI vehicles, evidence of advertisements to that effect, a list of bids tendered, copies of bid evaluation meetings, pro forma invoice of those documents as well as documents showing delivery of procured vehicles among other things. They insisted that the information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability. The NCAA, in its objections, said that the applicants did not meet up with certain condition precedent before instituting an action against the respondents. He also argued that the FOI applications failed to issue the 30 days notice required by section 24(2) of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 among other objections. He then urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction. Justice Ibrahim Buba, in his decision, ruled that the information requested went outside the contemplation of the Freedom of Information Act. He also held that the requested information is a published material that falls under the exception stated in section 26(a) of the Freedom of Information Act and that the budgetary allocation for the referred procurement process was contained in the 2013 budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria. http://www.channelstv.com/2014/10/27/court-dismisses-foi- request-on-stella-oduahs-bmw-cars/

Second US Ebola nurse is cured, leaves hospital

Washington, – A Texas nurse who was the second US healthcare worker infected with Ebola while caring for a Liberian patient left the hospital on Tuesday after being declared cured of the virus. “I’m so grateful to be well and first and foremost I want to thank God,” Amber Vinson, 29, said at a press conference at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Wearing a gray suit and pink blouse, Vinson appeared healthy and smiled often, occasionally wiping away tears as the medical team at Emory University Healthcare surrounded her and her doctor spoke about her care. She also thanked her family and the medical teams in Texas and Georgia, and asked for people to continue to work to eradicate the Ebola outbreak abroad. “While this is a day for celebration and gratitude, I ask that we not lose focus on the thousands of families that continue to labor under the burden of this disease in West Africa.” Her colleague Nina Pham, 26, who also worked in the intensive care unit of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, was treated for Ebola at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and was released on Friday. Both became infected while caring for a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, who was diagnosed with Ebola in Texas after flying to the United States from his native Liberia, the country hardest hit by West Africa’s Ebola epidemic. He died on October 8. Ebola has killed more than 4,900 people and infected more than 10,000 since the beginning of the year, according to the World Health Organization. – Domestic flight – Vinson’s story sparked alarm across the United States after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said she flew on a domestic airplane from Texas to Ohio and back, and reported a low-grade fever before boarding the flight home. The CDC cleared her for travel at the time — about a day before she was diagnosed with Ebola — but said later she should not have been traveling on a commercial airliner. Vinson’s family hired a high profile Washington lawyer, Billy Martin, after issuing a statement earlier this month saying they were “troubled by some of the negative public comments and media coverage that mischaracterize Amber and her actions.” “In no way was Amber careless prior to or after her exposure to Mr. Thomas Eric Duncan. She has not and would not knowingly expose herself or anyone else,” it said. The release of Vinson leaves just one patient in US hospital care for Ebola, doctor Craig Spencer, at Bellevue Hospital in New York. She is the fourth person to have been successfully treated for Ebola at Emory University Hospital, after missionaries Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol and another unnamed American doctor who was sickened in Sierra Leone. Bruce Ribner, medical director of the serious communicable diseases unit at Emory University Hospital, said the hospital was pleased with Vinson’s quick recovery — she was admitted there two weeks ago — but said it was unclear exactly why she healed so fast. Ribner said her young age might have helped, as well as the fact that she was wearing protective gear when she treated Duncan, though it remains unknown how she was infected. “It is quite likely that the amount of virus that she was exposed to was substantially less than what we see in patients who get infected in less developed countries,” he said. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

DP Rejects Two Presidential Aspirants..

The Peoples Democratic Party had turned back two presidential aspirants who were at its national headquarters in Abuja to pick their presidential nomination forms on Tuesday. The aspirants are Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa and Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola. First to arrive was Tafawa-Balewa, who hails from Bauchi State, and the son of Nigeria’s First Republic Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa. All the caucuses of the party, including the National Executive Council, had endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate, foreclosing the possibility of any aspirants angling for the party’s ticket. www.punchng.com/news/pdp-rejects-two-presidential- aspirants/

“I’m Not Bothered That People Think I Am Arrogant” – Wizkid

In a new interview with Encomium mag, Wizkid said he doesn’t care if people think he is arrogant, that he doesn’t love everybody and so doesn’t expect everybody to love him. Asked if it bothers him that people think he’s arrogant, Wizkid said; “Bother me? Never! I am not bothered. Honestly I don’t hear people saying it because anytime I go out, I show my fans great love. I do my thing. I don’t have problem with that because I don’t love everybody as well. So I don’t expect everybody to love me too. That’s life” Continue… Asked if he is terrible person, Wizkid said; “Terrible? Everyone has opinion about people. But when they say Wizkid is terrible, you need to ask them, “Why is Wizkid a terrible person? What did he do? For four years, I was making music with Samklef, everyone knew his house. I was going up and down, shouting, Samklef Nor Ni. That’s me, I am just trying to be a good person. Whereas everyone cannot like you and everyone cannot hate you” he said. Asked if fame has in anyway changed him, Wizkid said “No, fame has not changed Wizkid. The only thing fame has changed in Wizkid is that I added some accessories. I have got nice chains, watches, and nice clothes. Asides that, I am still Wizkid. I no tall, still same height” He also reacted to his recent controversy with singer Saeon, “Oh really? She’s bitter about it. I didn’t see the allegation but I gave her hit song. I no try? I did my part. I was in the studio with her, gave her hit song. I no try. That’s not even how much I charge for collaboration, I charge N10 million. I collected N1.5 million from her because of love. I was busy, I didn’t want to do it” he said. Asked about the comment that he doesn’t charge those he loves, Wizkid said; “Yeah I don’t charge people I love. I said so but when someone is on your neck everyday for a collaboration and she offers you money, won’t you collect it? If you fail to collect it, they start calling you terrible person. I am just trying to be a good guy” On his fashion sense, Wizkid said; “Fresh! Am I not looking fresh? I have always loved chains a lot. For me, I also see chains as investment because they ar gold and diamond. You can always sell anything gold and diamond. It is like an investment for me”. On why he loves to flaunt his accessories on social media, Wizkid said; “You know now. I didn’t have accessories when I started my career. Did you see me wearing bling-bling when I did Hola at your boi? No! I hustled to get money to buy them and there is no crime if I show it or flaunt it to my fans because they gave me money to buy them” he said On where he invests his money, Wizkid said; “I will say property but most importantly Jewelry. You can read more here http://hiphopnaija.com/2014/10/im- bothered-people-think-arrogant-wizkid/

FG Grants Energy Firms N20bn Waivers

The Federal Government granted about N19.662 billion in waivers and exemption to energy firms in the country in five months, between January and May 2014.The amount is 51.23 per cent of the N38.381 billion allocated to water resources in the 2014 budget; 31.48 per cent of the N62.45 billion allocated to Power; 31.75 per cent of N61.928 billion allocated to Petroleum Resources; and 29.5 per cent of the N66.645 billion allocated to agriculture.Data from the Budget Office of the Federation, in the Ministry of Finance, indicated that oil and gas firms enjoyed about N18.881 billion in waiver and exemption, while power companies enjoyed N780 million.The Government also reiterated its commitment to tackling the epileptic power situation in the country, and addressing the issue of estimated billing. To this end, it granted N326.174 million in exemptions to two prepaid electricity meter companies, Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited, and Mojec International Limited, for the importation of metering facilities.Specifically, Momas got two exemptions: the first worth N32.272 million for the importation of semi-knock down meters, one and three phase normal credit meters, one and three phase standard prepayment meters and all other related equipment.The second exemption was N163.69 million for the importation of meter plastic machines and accessories, compression mould machine and all other meter related equipment.On the other hand, Mojec International got N130.213 million in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and components for single and three phase pre-paid meters.Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited accounted for 53.4 per cent of the total waivers and exemption granted to energy firms in the period under review, with a total of N10.5 billion.Specifically, Indorama enjoyed a N6.96 billion waiver for the importation of the machinery, equipment and spare parts for the utilisation of Nigeria natural gas to bring about an increase in power generation.The company was also granted a N3.54 billion waiver for the importation of fertiliser equipment, catalysts and chemicals, pile and spare parts among others.Chevron Nigeria Limited followed, enjoying a waiver of N4.88 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts for Escravos Gas to Liquids (EGTL) and a host of other pipelines.United Cement Company of Nigeria got N1.969 billion in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts aimed at boosting natural gas utilisation and power supply. NIPCO Plc got N1.087 billion in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.Other energy firms that got waivers and exemptions in the period are: Green Fuels Limited — N14.37 million for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts for compressed natural gas to Independent Power Plants (IPPs), and Edo Cement Company Limited — N240 million for the importation of gas generators, plants, machinery, equipment and spare parts.Accugas Limited got N30.87 million in exemption for machinery, equipment and spare parts for pipeline; Exterran Nigeria Limited got N66.09 million in exemption for the acquisition of natural gas powered compressors and spare parts, while Procter and Gamble got N29.754 million in exemption for machinery, equipment and spare parts. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/fg-grants-energy-firms-n20bn-waivers/

ISRAEL AND HAMAS AT WAR