Wednesday 31 October 2012

peter Tosh didn’t fight against Jamaican govt – Son

he youngest son of Jamaican reggae legend, Winston Hubert McIntosh, AKA Peter Tosh, Jawara McIntosh, chatted with Vanguard Newspapers on his musical career and an insight of theTosh’s family including the mysteries surrounding his father’s death.
What is your position in Peter Tosh’s family?
My father had 10 children, five boys and five girls, I am the 9th and my younger sister is his last.
Your father is known for militant and revolutionary songs, are you taking after him?
Yes. How many singles or albums have you released since you startedmusic?
I have only officially released “get up stand up” which is a single…as we have been working on building up the capital and putting a team together so that the music can be properly promoted and marketed. Otherwise the music falls on deft ears.
Are your songs accepted in Jamaica?
Yeah, Jamaica loves that I incorporate hip-hop in my songs as well keeping the tradition of my father alive by also performing his songs. I have been told many times, that when they see me they see my father!
Are all your siblings into music?
Yes, but only myself and my elder brother Andrew do it professionally.
I will also be collaborating with Andrew on the Album “Death to the Shistem”
Recently, your father was given a posthumous award of the Order of Merit from the Jamaican government he fought againstwhy he was alive, is that not a betrayal from the family to receive such award on his behalf?
Peter did not fight against the Jamaican Government, he fought against injustice all over the world. For him to be honoured with the Order of Merit by the Jamaican Government is simply testament to his Great Works. So is this betrayal, absolutely not!
What was the relationship between Bob Marley and Peter Tosh before Marley’s death?
Don’t know. I was too young, Marley died when I was a year old.
Lastly, tell us the where about of Dennis Lepo Lobban, the killer of your father and other circumstances surrounding his death?
Dennis Leppo Lobban is in prison in Jamaica, sentenced to life. To this day, he denies killing my Father, although there are witnesses that survived the atrocity. My father was a true Soldierfor Jah Rastafari and he gave his life for what he believed and I am here to see his words fulfilled. The Blood of the saints cry outunto JAH for vengeance and the Lord will soon have his Fill. Just a little while and the wicked shall be no more!

Lagos to prosecute vandals of govt properties,BRT buses

The Lagos State Government says it will prosecute all persons who were allegedly involved in the vandalism of some ofits properties during the Oct. 24 protest by commercial motorcycle operators.
Mr Ade Ipaye, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, made this known on Wednesday in an interview in Lagos.
Ipaye said some BRT buses and other government assets were vandalised by some of the commercial motorcycle operators, whowere protesting their being restricted from plying 475 roads in the state.
“I cannot tell you the number, I was just getting the reports that arrests were made, some have already been taken to court.
“But I can assure you that we are determined to ensure that those people face proper legal procedure that should follow such a very, very criminal vandalism of public assets”.
He said it was wrong for the protesters to take the law into their hands to express their grievances against a government policy.
The attorney general debunked the allegations that the police and other law enforcement agencies were arbitrarily arresting commercial motorcyclists who were plying side streets.
Ipaye said a list of the prohibited areas was compiled by the government before the law came into effect, stressing that the agencies were working with that directive.
“The issue whether you are where you should be or not, must bedetermined by reference to the list.
“And when you are in doubt, you should consult that list. It has been variously publicised, printed by the ministry of information.
“When you are in doubt and you are an operator, in fact, I expect all the unions in that industry to have that list and to circulate it among their members,” the attorney general said.
Ipaye also faulted those criticising the policy on the basis that thegovernment had failed to provide an alternative means of livelihood for the commercial motorcycle operators before implementing the restriction.
He said their operations were only being restricted on 475 roads out of over 9,000 roads, adding also that there were other available employment opportunities in Lagos State.
“If we all don’t respect the laws and we do whatever we can in the name of trying to feed our families, if we take it that for survival you can do anything, then we will not have a civilised society.
“There are various job opportunities out there already existing orbeing created. Government is spending billions on infrastructure development, people are engaged there.
“So, to say that you must keep what is not desirable or has beendetermined to be not desirable for us, just to keep some people in employment, I think it’s a logic I cannot understand”.
The attorney general advised the various commercial motorcycle operator unions to caution their members, and desist from further vandalism of government’s property.
He noted that the commercial motorcyclists’ suit against the government over the restriction was already being heard by a court of competent jurisdiction, which would soon deliver its judgement. (NAN)

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Osita (Paw Paw) lands N11.2 m endorsement deal

n the days to come, almost every picture of popular Nollywood actor Osita Iheme aka Paw Paw should capture him beaming the broadest of smiles following his new endorsement deal with a South African TV company worth N11.2 million.
Osita became the new face of South Africa entertainment TV station VUZU TV after signing the $70, 000 (N11.2 million ) contract.
We are told Paw Paw as he is fondly called sailed through the selection process quite easily as he is a big name in South Africa.
Osita is yet to make this deal officially public but we have learnt the actor was in South Africa recently to finalise the contract and shoot campaign commercials. The deal will run initially for six months.

May D dares PSquare? performs Chop my money at Felabration

May D may or may not know what he has done; but the tides are already heating up and soon, theremay be just another messy war between him and Square records barely two months after he was dropped by the label.
At Felabration 2012 held recently atthe New Afrika Shrine, Akinmayokun May D Awodumila was one of the selected artistes to perform and indeed he performed.
P Square and May D in good times
May D threw caution to the wind and stormed the stage with P Square’s Do as I do which featuredTiwa Savage and himself.
He didn’t stop there as he went quickly into his award winning single Soundtrack before diving headlong into Chop my Money. MayD wrapped up his act with his hit single Ile Ijo.
In all of P Square’s songs performed on this night, May D didn’t stick to his lines, rather, he took the entire songs from start from finish.
The crowd, however, didn’t seem to notice or perhaps were not bothered as they hollered and danced away the entire time.
Square Records boss Jude Engees Okoye had in a statement issued inAugust this year, announced that the label was severing ties with May D due to irreconcilable differences. A month later, May D launched own label Confam Entertainment.
His single Soundtrack fetched him the ‘Best R&B Single’ award at The Headies this year.

Monday 22 October 2012

Oshiomhole faults Rights Commission on death warrants

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has faulted the claim by National Human Rights Commission that he had signed the death warrants of two convicts, Callistus Eke and Olu Fatogun, saying the commission got its facts wrong before making statements to the international community.
The governor, who was reacting to a petition by the Executive Secretary of the Commission and other human rights bodies, said: “Incidentally, the state government has actually not just granted Calistus Eke pardon but has released him from prison. We have done much more than the people are asking us to do. So, they got their facts wrong. Secondly, the human rights commission was wrong to assume that Fatogun was to be executed.
“Olu Fatogun’s case was reviewed by the Advisory Council on thePrerogative of Mercy and they recommended that his death sentence be affirmed and carried out, but I refused the prayers. I ordered that the death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment. Again, the Human Rights Commission is wrong to say that I have authorised his execution.”

SSS quizzes Zannah over alleged Boko Haram links

Senator Khlaifa Ahmad Zannah was, Monday, quizzed for over six hours by operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, over his alleged links with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Zannah, who represents Borno Central in the upper legislative chambers, was summoned by the SSS Director General, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, to appear before it, yesterday, to answer questions on what he knows about his nephew, Shuaibu Bama.
Men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, had reportedly arrested the said Bama, whom they said had been on their wanted list for some time in a house believed to be that of the embattled lawmaker and decided to go after him as well.
A source at the SSS headquarters confirmed to Vanguard that theSenator turned in himself as directed by the leadership of the security agency.
The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said he was not sure whetherZannah would be released.
As at 8 p.m. when our correspondent spoke with the source, Zannah was still being held.
The source said: “The man (Zannah has been with us since 2 p.m. and I do not think he will be allowed to go. We need a lot ofinformation from him given his close relationship with the wantedman, Bama, who happens to be his nephew.”
It was not possible to get information from the SSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, as she neither picked her calls nor responded to text messages sent to her phones.
But before turning in himself to the SSS, Zannah had told journalists that he knew that his nephew, Shuaibu Bama, arrested by the Joint Task Force for allegedly being one of the commanders of the Boko Haram Islamic sect was of a “bad character” and a “drug addict.”
The lawmaker, who blamed the “mixing of politics with security” for the escalating menace of Boko Haram insurgency in the area,also accused the former governor of the state Ali Modu Sheriff ofcolluding with the JTF to tarnish his image for political gain.
Zannah said: “I was never told or contacted by anybody that they were looking for Bama. I saw him about six months ago. “He lives around that area although for the past four months, I have not gone home.
I went for an operation outside the country. “I never knew him (Bama) to be a member of Boko Haram. But I know him to be ofa bad character and a drug addict.”

Navy arrests ship laden with arms, ammunition

The Nigerian Navy, NN, has arrested a ship flying a Dutch flag, loaded with arms and ammunition. Also arrested were the 15 foreign crew members.
The merchant vessel, Myre Seadiver Aviatu, marked E5U2529, was arrested, weekend, during a patrol of the waterways by personnel of the Western Naval Command.
The merchant vessel which is currently anchored at the Nigerian Navy Beecroft Habour, Apapa, as gathered, left Cook Island in the South Pacific and arrived the nation’s water at about 10.30 a.m.
The destination of the ship could, however, not be ascertained asthe Navy said investigation was still on.
Confirming the arrest, yesterday, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, said there were assorted AK 47 riffles and Benelli MRI 20 barrel riffles. 14 AK 47 riffles, 20 barrel riffles and 8,598 ammunition, according to him, were recovered inside the ship, adding that majority of the crew members were Russians.
Ikioda said: “The vessel was arrested by NN patrol boats at the Lagos Roadstead on suspicion of carrying arms and ammunition on board.
“In pursuant of part of our activities in Lagos which is to ensure we create a conducive maritime environment, anytime we see anything trying to infringe that part of our effort, we arrest it. That is what led to the arrest of this ship.”
Preliminary investigation, according to him, showed that the shipcame in without due certification, noting: ”Secondly, the ship also had weapons which is an infringement on the country’s law.”
Information gathered from the ship’s website revealed that it was built in 1965 and that its operation had been suspended following the arrest.

Okorocha, Uduaghan, Fashola others win NEPAD award

Ten state Governors including Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Adams Oshiomhole, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Rochas Okorocha were given awards for their commitment to poverty reduction, infrastructural and educational development at the just concluded NEPAD Business Group of Nigeria, NBGN 2nd annual general meeting in Lagos.
Other Governors who were honoured for their public services on environmental projects and public/private sector initiatives were those of Osun, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Anambra and Kwara states.
The 2nd annual general meeting also witnessed other activities including business lecture and entertainment. Thetheme of the event was-”Nigeria, Current Economic Outlook: Implications for Business Development.”
In his remark, Mr Goodie Ibru, the convener and out-going Chairman of NBGN said: “As I reflect on the past eight years, I am proud of the modest achievement of NBGN as an organisation set up to mobilise the private sector for the purpose of wealthcreation. Within this period, the NBGN has been able to create awareness about its programmes and activities.”

FG worried on use of dollar as second currency in Nigeria’s market

CBN to stop cash dollar sales to BDCs
The federal Government is worried by the use of dollar as meansof payment or legal tender in the local market in Nigeria. The practice is seriously affecting the value of naira as most Nigeriansare fast losing confidence in the local currency as a store of value.
The naira is the only legal tender in the country but in most partsof Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja in particular, lands are sold in dollars,prices of some products are denominated in dollars, school fees are quoted in dollars and hotels charge and collect dollars for rooms and other services.
In Japan and other developed countries, payments for any local transactions are done in the local currency unit; their nationals insist on payment for goods and services in local currency.
Reacting to reporters question on the use of dollar in Nigeria local market, CBN Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said that the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy is of serious concern to the President, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Economic management team and every body and that the CBN iscoming up with a policy to stop the practice.
He said that as a first step, the CBN will soon stop the cash sale of dollars to Bureaux De Change, where members of the Nigerianpublic usually make their purchases of dollars in cash to make transactions within the country.
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the joint briefing to mark the end of the 2012 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings with Dr Okonjo-Iweala in Tokyo Japan said that the idea of introducing the N5, 000 note was to check mate the practice of the movement of huge funds around the country in dollars.
Sanusi whose proposal to introduce the N5, 000 currency note into the Nigerian market was halted by the federal government following heavy criticism against the move, said the introduction of the N5, 000 note was to check the dollarisation of the Nigerianeconomy by providing Nigerians with heavy cash transaction and a higher denomination.
His words, “The dollarisation of the economy is a big problem for all of us and it is something that we are going to walk towards taking stopping. One major plank of solving the problem of dollarisation was the N 5, 000 note, because that is one of the reason people go for dollars, and that is the reality; if you have inflation over a long time; if you have had devaluation over sometime; your currency, because the naira is not just a mediumof exchange but also a store of value, if your currency loses its position as a store of value, you have a problem.
“People carry $10, 000, that is N1.5 million in their pockets. Seventy per cent of the dollars people buy from the BDCs is not for transactions outside Nigeria. They move dollars from one partof the country to another. In fact, from one part of Abuja to another.
“In a brief case, you can carry a $100, 000. That is about N15 million. Now part of the logic for introducing higher denomination is to provide genuine high-value cash users with a note that is a store of value as a first step towards our attempt to eliminate the use of dollar to move cash around because the dollar has became the second national currency”.
The CBN boss who revealed that even President Goodluck Jonathan was worried over the development said that under the new policy to be announced shortly, transactions between the apex bank and BDCs, on the one hand, and between BDCs and their customers would be done online.
He explained further that those who honestly need to make payments outside the country would have the recipients paid directly from the bank accounts of the BDCs or take the option ofbuying travellers’ cheques.
According to him, “we are worried about it. The president is worried about it. We are all worried about it and we are coming with a fresh policy to stop selling cash dollars to BDCs.
“We will credit their accounts. If you want to pay for medical billsabroad, you give the hospital account. If you want to pay school fees, you do transfer like everybody else. If you want to travel, you buy travellers’ Cheque or get money on your cards, instead of people moving around with dollars.
“But what is happening now is that if you want a N2 million transaction, you have to carry bags of naira cash. And this was part of the logic of bringing in a higher denomination for people who do high-volume cash transaction to reduce the amount of paper money they carry along.
“I am glad that you asked that question because you are now beginning to think about some of the concerns that we have as managers of the economy because you have to print so much paper money and it is because people don’t want to carry so much papers in cash that they are carrying dollars and we cannotlet it continue to happen. In America you cannot transact business with Pounds Sterling. You cannot and we will deal with it. It will stop”.

Airtel overhauls coverage, expands 3.75G footprints

In recognition of the important role Oyo State plays in the development of the Nigerian economy, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel has announced it hascompleted a comprehensive network overhaul in the State, empowering more telecoms consumers to connect to its upgraded 3.75G network coverage.
This was disclosed Thursday at an elaborate ceremony to re-launch the Airtel Brand in the State Capital, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Operating Officer andExecutive Director, Deepak Srivastava said the company is committed to providing excellent communications experience for the people of Oyo State, saying Airtel has deployed the widest 3.75G coverage in the State.
Srivastava who was represented by the Chief Sales Officer, InusaBello, said re-launching the Airtel brand in Oyo is significant and special to the company because it recognizes the role Oyo State has played in the growth of Airtel and its strategic input in the development of the Nigerian economy.
“Oyo State is central to the operations of Airtel, and in our quest to re-create a uniquely wholesome telecoms experience in line with our vision of becoming the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians, we are renewing our contract with the Oyo people by empowering them to succeed through our 3.75G Network footprints, innovative offerings, pocket-friendly value propositions and customer-focused initiatives”
He particularly listed network coverage, quality of service, capacity building and exceptional customer experience as key areas the company has focused on and will continue to pay attention to.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Olaniyan, re-assured the company of the state government’s support at all times.
Hon. Olaniyan stated that the vision of the incumbent Government to place the state among the best in the country comparable to what obtains in developed economies would only be possible through quality partnerships.
He said: “We will continue to support serious-minded partners like Airtel through creation of an enabling environment to encourage investments that will support quality lifestyles that will help our people attain success in life. We are particularly pleased with the quality and quantum of investments that Airtel has madeand is making in Nigeria”.
He described the people of Oyo state as gregarious, industrious, receptive to positive ideas and innovations and always willing to collaborate with people and organizations.
He added, “because you are interested in our welfare, we shall equally, extend our hand of friendship and fellowship to Airtel”.
Also speaking, the Ikoloba of Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, said Airtel Nigeria has proved a worthy partner within the short periodit has operated in the country as attested to by the quality of service it offers.
The High Chief particularly commended Airtel’s pocket-friendly tariffs and range of innovative telecoms solutions, describing the feat as unprecedented.
Several dignitaries that cut across government officials, the Oyo state business community and Airtel management led by the Chief Sales Officer, Inusa Bello, were present at occasion.

3 poly unions begin strike

Three unions at the Ogun State government-ownedD. S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, have commenced another industrial action to protest alleged lack of teaching aids and failure to pay salaries of the workers.
The Unions — the Academic Staff of Polytechnic, ASUP; Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic, SSANIP, and the Non-Academic Staff union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, said the strike would not be suspended like the previous ones until their demands were met by the management.
The unions said the resumption of the strike became imperative “because facilities that will ordinarily aid teaching and learning, particularly in an ICT-based institution like ours are non-existent.”

Liverpool legend salutes Okocha

He may have since stopped playingfootball for money and for his country, but former Nigeria captain,Austin Jay Jay Okocha last weekend received plaudits from a former Liverpool Football Club of England star, Dieter Hamann.
Hamann, popularly called Didi in hisactive days as a player, spoke in Lagos at a children’s football clinic organised by Standard Chartered Bank. He said he had always been a keen follower of Nigerian footballand was full of praise for players ofthe golden era of Nigerian football.
“I know this country has a rich history of having produced some ofthe best talents to have come out of the continent of Africa,” he said, and recalled the likes of Finidi George, Jay Jay Okocha, , Sunday Oliseh, late Rashidi Yekini amongst others.
“Jay Jay is a fantastic player whosedexterity and extraordinary skills made him one of the best players of his time. We’ve crossed each other’s path in the last 15 years,” the former Liverpool man said, adding that African players were a delight to work with.
Didi who was in Lagos in company of four youth coaches from Liverpool. The clinic also involved women footballers and special footballers from school of the blind.
According to Standard Chartered Bank Africa Head of Corporate Affairs, Dan Mobley, the visit was the first of many such visits to come, adding that the bank would leverage on its special relationship with Liverpool FC to bring to Nigeria the best coaches and technical personnel to take on the children on various aspects of the game.

Sunday 21 October 2012

Breaking News: Mimiko declared winner of Ondo election

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has Sunday, declared Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the Labour Party candidate as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election held yesterday.
INEC declared Mimiko winner with260,199 votes; the ACN , 143,512 votes and PDP, 155,961 votes.
The Returning officer Prof Adebiyi Daramola declared Mimiko winner at 1.25pm at INEC’s Collation Centre in Akure.

Friday 19 October 2012

Explosions rock Bauchi church as 4 die in bus attack

twin bomb explosions rocked Gudun Hausawa and Zango areas in Bauchi Metropolis, Wednesday night, even as four persons were set ablaze in a bus attack in Gwatukuru near Dass.
Vanguard learnt that one of the explosions destroyed the pulpit of the COCIN Church in Zango and a building near the church while the second explosion destroyed a fence in Gudum Sayawa. There were nocasualties in both explosions.
Vanguard learnt that the bomb planted in the pulpit of the COCIN church in Zango exploded at about 9pm Tuesday, almost at the same time with the one that exploded in Gudum Hausawa.
The man whose house was adjacent to the church in Zango was affected said he saw two men on motorcycle who came to the church that night but thought they were members of the church on patrol.
“The explosion occurred few minutes after they left, taking the two security men in the church by surprise,” the man who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard.
No life was lost in the two explosions but the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Lawi Pokti said the development had sent fear and panic among residents particularly Christians in the state.
Pokti called on Christians to remain calm and watch what they say andnot imitate “this increasing evil and wickedness” just as he appealed to the security operatives to be proactive in handling the current insecurity in the state.
4 die in bus attack
Meanwhile, some people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have attacked a bus killing four people, yesterday, in Gwatukuru village near Dass Local Government Area in Bauchi State.
Nine people were seriously injured after the bus with number plate AA82 TFB belonging to the Seyawa Council of Elders and Traditional Rulers was set ablaze.
Mr Bukata Zyadi, Secretary of the Sayawa Council of Elders, said the victims were burnt to ashes while the injured had been taken to hospitals in Plateau State and some in Dass.
He said four of the injured were rushed to Jos, five are undergoing surgery in Dass General Hospital, seven in emergency unit in Dass general hospital emergency unit while two are safe.
Zyadi said the attack was carried out by the “Hausa-Fulani people, one of their normal attacks that have been happening almost on a daily basis in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Area.”
He said peace would continue to elude the area because the state government has shown bias and that “security has completely broken down as the presence of the JTF in the area has not stopped the killings.”
But Honourable Amin Tukur, a spokesman of the Fulani in the area condemned the recent killing saying that as a responsible citizen, whosoever is believed to have carried out the killings stands to be condemned.

Two Nigerians arrested with drugs worth$33,300 in Bangkok

Two Nigerian men, suspected of being part of a drug smuggling ring, were arrested, yesterday, with 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice,’ valued at an estimated Bt1 million (about $33,300) in eastern Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng area, according to narcotics suppression police.
Identified as Ahamefule Cosmos and Iriegbe Chinonso, the two Nigerian nationals were detained at a convenience store near Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24.
Police took them to their apartment for further investigation and found 28 packages of crystal meth, weighing in total 500 grams valued at $33,300.
The arrest followed the arrest of Thai national Polsingha Putthasri, who held 100 grams of ‘ice,’ saying he bought the illegal drug from a Nigerian drug syndicate.
According to the initial investigation, the detainees claimed that their friend smuggled the drug for them to sell it to party-goers and tourists in Bangkok’s Ratchada and Nana areas.
Initially, the two Nigerians were charged with possessing illicit drugs for sale.

Wednesday 17 October 2012

chelsea to punish Ashley Cole over tweet

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo revealed Ashley Cole faces being disciplined by the club over a tweet criticising the Football Association.
Cole, 31, tweeted after an independent FA commission queried his evidence in the hearing which found team-mate John Terry guilty of racial abuse.
"We've got a social media policy at the club," said Di Matteo.
"There's going to be a disciplinary process - action - against the tweet and that's how I'll leave it."
Left-back Cole's tweet, on his official Twitter account, read: "Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFT***S".
He later deleted it, although Chelsea are still set to take action and he could face a charge from the FA.
Cole is set to meet up with the England squad on Monday for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.
However former England striker Alan Shearer has called for Cole to be banned as punishment for his outburst.
Shearer told the BBC's Match of the Day programme: "I think the FA can put a big statement out here by actually not fining him but actually banning him on Friday against San Marino."
Terry was found guilty of racially insulting QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a match between the sides last season by the FA independent commission.
In the written report detailing the ruling, Cole's evidence supporting his team-mate was said to have 'evolved'.
Despite the controversy, Cole played in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Norwich on Saturday and later tweeted: "Another great result, and some great football played, and once again I want to thank the #cfc fans, amazing."
Terry also played in the victory and Di Matteo insisted he had no hesitation in picking the duo.
"I judge them on what I see on the training ground - pitch - and in the games," he said.
"When they're there, they are fully focused and professional and that's how I pick my team."
Di Matteo did not condemn the use of social media by players but did warn there would be repercussions if it was not used correctly.
"I'm in favour of social media entities," he said. "They just have to be used sensibly.
"But I'm not against it. It's in the world we live in and, as long as it's used with responsibility, I think it's a good way to communicate."
He added: "If they breach a rule that we have, there are going to be some consequences.
"We have rules, and if they break them then there is a consequence."

Humans are born greedy by nature, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday expressed concern over the outright looting of public funds by some Nigerians.
Jonathan expressed the concern while swearing in the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Okon NTA, and five new permanent secretaries at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Those sworn-in as permanent secretaries include Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Alhaji Sani Bala, Dr James Obiegbu, Mr Femi Jegede and Mr John Gana.
The president, therefore, called for more partnership among the three arms of government – executive, judiciary and legislature –to collaborate and fight corruption in the country.
He particularly tasked the anti-graft agencies in the country to devise means of checking outright stealing of public funds by unpatriotic citizens.
President Goodluck Jonathan
“I know as somebody who read widely about animals that humanbeings are born greedy by nature. But we must stop people fromstealing and taking what does not belong to them.
“In any society that you allow people lose, you see people doing the wrong thing. So, we must stop people from doing the wrong thing.
“I also use this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians, for us really to confront corruption the way we want to, everybody must be involved.
“All arms of government, the judiciary, the parliament must be involved; all individuals and all corporate bodies including NGOs, civil societies, community-based organisations and even faith-based organisations.
“If people donate money to you that you are not too sure of the source of money, please, return it.
“If we must fight corruption, all of us must frown at it. You don’t give a chieftaincy title to somebody you don’t know the source ofincome.
“That is my thinking; that is my belief. If you do that, you are encouraging that person to be corrupt.”
Jonathan, who pledged never to interfere in the activities of the anti corruption agencies, expressed confidence that the ICPC andthe EFCC were in the position to reduce corruption in the country.
“Every day, you hear Nigerians talk about corruption, corruption, corruption because that is why during Obasanjo’s administration, ICPC and EFCC were created or established by Acts of Parliament.
“We believe that these two agencies are in the position to reducecorruption.
“As a president, I promise you that I will give you the free hand to do your work. I will not interfere with your function.”
Jonathan also called on the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries to use their wealth of experience to bring meaningful changes in the civil service in order to boost productivity among civil servants across the country.
“Let me use this opportunity to plead with the permanent secretaries and indeed the entire civil servants of the federation to work with us to make sure that we change this country.
“This country belongs to all Nigerians and we must make sure that we get to where our other contemporaries are.”(NAN)

Tuesday 16 October 2012

FG pledges to widen broadband penetration

– Vice President Namadi Sambo said on Tuesday that the Federal Government was committed to harnessing the potentials of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to widen broadband penetration across the country. A statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the vice president, Alhaji Umar Sani, said that Sambo made this disclosure at the ongoing International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World Forum 2012 holding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Sambo said that in line with the national policy on ICT, Nigeria was set to harness the potentials of the ICT industry and had made broadband a priority policy area. “The Government of Nigeria is committed to achieving this because, like many other governments, it is convinced by the evidence that shows that access to broadband extends into many areas like health, education, finance, trade, governance and security.’’ He said that Nigeria, at the inception of GSM operations had only about 867,000 subscribers in 2001, “but today it has more than 105 million active mobile GSM subscribers, with more than 45 per cent Nigerians connected to the Internet.’’ He said that the Federal Government was keen on capitalising on the achievement to build “a robust, secure, high-speed, nation- wide communications network that allows accessing the Internet to become a way of life for most Nigerians.’’ The statement quoted Sambo, who represented the president at the event as saying that for the real sector to function efficiently and prosper, ICT infrastructure must be available. The vice president expressed the Nigeria’s government appreciation to the United Arab Emirates for hosting the annual event. Earlier, the ITU Secretary-General, Mr Hamadoun Toure, lauded Nigeria’s giant strides in the Information and Communication industry, where Nigeria had for five years in a row ranked first in mobile penetration growth. He described Nigeria as “one of the giants in Africa and that has woken up and is ready for business.’’

19 women allegedly raped in Benue IDPs’ camps

No fewer than 19 young girls have been reportedly raped at four of the designated resettlement camps established for flood victims in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Vanguard Newspaper investigations revealed that rape cases have become a daily occurrence in the four official camps spread across the state capital for flood victims. It was also gathered that perpetrators of the unholy act were young men who reside in the camps with their victims and some who come from within the communities where the camps are situated. From Wurukum to Saint Catherine and Wadata camps, it was the same sad story. One of the victims, a girl of 19 who craved anonymity disclosed that she was raped two days ago at about 10pm by a young man she couldn’t identify. She said: “I just walked back into the camp after I had visited a former neighbour in town. I got into the camp that evening, while walking towards the classrooms where we sleep, somebody called my name from a dark spot. “I tried to find out who it was, but before I knew what was happening, somebody grabbed me from behind and threatened that he would stab me to death if I shouted. He grabbed me down and raped me. “I am not the only one they have done this to, there are so many other girls; there are over 19 of us that have been raped in the last few days, but we are all hiding it because of the shame, but if we don’t cry out we will not get help because we are helpless.” “And if we don’t cry out because of the shame, the people behind this evil acts will continue to torment girls and women in the camps.” When contacted, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for Benue State, Assistant Suprintendent of Police Ejike Alaribe said the rape cases have not been brought to the notice of the Police. Alaribe, however, assured that the Police would intensify its surveillance around the camps in the town to stem the unhealthy development.

Man throws wife into pit latrine in Ogun

The Ogun Police Command on Tuesday in Abeokuta paraded a suspect for allegedly killing his wife by throwing her into a pit latrine over a misunderstanding. Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, the state’s Commissioner of Police, told newsmen that the 46-year-old unemployed man committed the act on Oct. 7 at Agbado area of the state. “The Agbado Division had a distress call that a man had pushed his wife into a deep pit; we quickly rushed to the scene where the victim was met dead in the pit. “The suspect was immediately apprehended and we are still interrogating him; he will be charged to court as soon as we are done with our investigations,” Okoye said. The command also paraded an 80-year-old man and his 64- year wife over an allegation of illegal possession of firearms. Okoye said the couple were arrested on Oct. 13 after the police conducted a search on their house at No 21 Obarinwa street, Aiyegbami, Ago-Iwoye. “The DPO of Ago-Iwoye, Stephen Iriavbijeh, got information that the couple’s son is a notorious robber and he led a team to conduct the search. “On getting there, the suspect was not seen but while executing the search warrant, one cut-to-size gun, two locally made pistols and 16 live cartridges were recovered in his mother’s wardrobe. “Thus, we arrested the two of them in whose possession we found the firearms for thorough interrogation,” he said. Okoye appealed to members of the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals in the state. The commissioner assured them that their identity would be treated with utmost confidentiality. According to him, the police are working round the clock to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Monday 15 October 2012

I have lost two motorcycles to govt already – Cyclist

Stakeholders in the commercial motorcycle operation in Lagos have continued to lament the decision of the government to crush 30, 000 impounded motorcycles that violated the new road traffic law, saying “the action is a threat to the high level of security Lagos enjoyed over the years”. The decision which came barely 24 hours after the hundreds of commercial motorcycles operators popularly called Okada riders under the aegis of the United Okada Riders Stakeholders’ Forum, stormed Alausa to protest over schedule two of the new law which banned them from plying 475 roads and bridges. Crushed motorbikes They spoke to Vanguard with a lot of venom saying the law was draconian and crushing of the Okada would further impoverish families in the state. Mr. Nwana Boni, a commercial motor cyclist said “Since the state government commenced enforcement of the new Lagos road traffic law, I have lost two motorcycles to the state government.” Boni added “This is the third motorcycle. “Due to the economic situation of the country, I had no option than to beg a friend who bought Keke NAPEP to sell his used Okada to me at a giveaway price.” He explained that after the “second motorcycle was impounded, I had no option than to lobby my friend to sell his motorcycle to me because I had accrued bills to pay; ranging from school fees, house rent and family members to feed.” According to him, “Arresting and crushing our motorcycles will further increase the rate of crime in the state. The low crime rate being enjoyed in Lagos over the years was as a result of the high number of unemployed in the state who have embraced the Okada business.” Another operator whose two motorcycles were impounded and crushed, Mr. Micheal Egwu said that after he lost the second okada, he had to get another motorcycle at hired purchase term. “This was the cause of insecurity in the nation’s capital. If Okada riders were not banned from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the level of security would not have deteriorated as much,” he said.

Gunmen kidnap five aid workers, driver in Niger

Gunmen have abducted five aid workers and a driver in Niger, a country which borders troubled Mali and Nigeria and where Al-Qaeda’s regional branch has carried out kidnappings in the past, an official said Monday. The six were nabbed late Sunday in Dakoro, a village in southeastern Niger, halfway between the borders with Mali and Nigeria. “Five aid workers, including a Chadian, and a driver were kidnapped at their home around 10:00 pm (2100 GMT) by armed men driving two 4×4 vehicles” in the village of Dakoro, local official Abou Mahamane said. The abduction of the Chadian and the five of Niger nationality was confirmed by an aid group and a security source. Mahamane, who is secretary general of the Dakoro region, said the abductors “spoke Arabic, Tamasheq (the language of the Tuareg tribes) and Hausa,” a regional language. The aid workers were “kidnapped by men with pale skin and one with black skin, speaking Arabic. The Chadian probably tried to resist and was injured but he was still taken away,” said a humanitarian source. Four of the six hostages, including a doctor and a nurse, are employed by the local aid group Befen, which fights against malnutrition, and the Chadian health group Alerte-sante. In a joint statement, the two aid groups demanded “their release, with a priority for those who might have been wounded during the incident.” They also stressed that they “are only medical NGOs with no other goal than to alleviate the most precarious humanitarian situations and completely politically independent.” The kidnappers headed straight for the desert region of Agadez, further north, he said. “Security forces lost track of them in the Abala zone, about 300 kilometres (185 miles) south of Agadez, in the Tahoua region,” he added. “Reinforcements arrived at Dakoro, African humanitarian workers are still there and the site has been secured by reinforcements from Maradi and Tahoua,” he said. Dakoro is situated in the region around Maradi, the economic capital of Niger and the main town in an area close to the border with Nigeria, where the Islamist group Boko Haram operates. In connection with aid work, “Westerners often stay in Dakoro, and it is highly likely that the kidnappers were looking for them,” a diplomatic source in Niamey said. In September 2010, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the north African branch of Al-Qaeda, kidnapped seven people in the Agadez region, the birthplace of revolts by Tuaregs, and four French hostages are still held. Boko Haram and AQIM are believed to have established links in recent months. The UN Security Council on Friday urged west African countries to speed up preparations for a military intervention in northern Mali, which was seized by groups with links to AQIM in March. Niger is expected to contribute troops to the regional force. The crisis in Mali, which is effectively split in two, stems in part from the war in Libya last year which saw former Tuareg rebels who had served as Moamer Kadhafi’s mercenaries return to their home countries flush with weapons. They were mainly from Mali and Niger.