Dear VOWB reader.........Planning the best for you!!!

Victor Omoshenni Williams' Blog is coming up soonest with latest advert from various companies, organizations and institutions........this is to promote their businesses and also for you my dear readers to get 1st hand information for goods and services that you need..................keep your fingers crossed!

PRESIDENT JONATHAN WILL BE THE BEST LOVED PRESIDENT IN NIGERIA EVER

can this be true?................or?

N5000 Banknote Coming in CBN Currency Review

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Thursday unveiled plans to restructure the naira, the nation’s currency, and introduce a new N5,000 banknote denomination into the economy.

Under the proposed new currency structure expected to be officially launched early next year, the existing denominations of N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 are to be redesigned with added security features.

The N1,000 that is the current highest denomination, was introduced into the economy on October12, 2005.
Similarly, the lower banknote denominations of N5, N10 and N20 will now be coined.

CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who unfolded the plan at a press briefing in Abuja, added that 12-new-currency structure would emerge at the end of the exercise, code-named "PROJECT CURE".
These would include 50K, N1, N2, N5, N10 and N20 in the coin category, while N50, N100, N200, N500, N1000 and N5000 will be bank notes.

Sanusi said the introduction of a higher bill would aid the apex bank's cashless policy drive as well as lead to the modernisation of the economy as it would lead to reduction in the volume of currency-in-circulation in the long term.

He described the move as a "befitting currency structure" which would effectively facilitate economic activities in the country.

However, amid concerns that a higher denomination bank note could further worsen inflation, the CBN governor said economies with higher bank note values have had lower inflation rate as at 2010.

He said: "It has been argued that the introduction of a higher denomination bank note could exert inflationary pressure on the economy...inflation in Nigeria is a monetary phenomenon. Secondly, in some countries such as Singapore, Germany and Japan, the highest denominations are 10,000 SGD, €500 and Yen 10,000 respectively.

These denominations have relatively high dollar equivalent. The levels of inflation are, however, low at 2.8, 1.1 and -0.7 as at 2010."

Sanusi, who said the new currency had been approved and designed, also gave out some features expected in the coming N5,000 note that will celebrate the achievements of women by capturing images of Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Hajia Gambo Sawaba in the front of the currency.

According to him, the image of the National Assembly is captured on the back of the note.

He said, however, that the introduction of the new currency series would be gradual as the bank notes would circulate simultaneously along with the old series until they were completely withdrawn from circulation. 

He said: "There would be no urgent need for exchange of the old for the new bank notes by the general public for as long as the old banknotes are in circulation; they will remain legal tender."

Sanusi further explained that the impending review was targeted among other things to incorporate a more effective feature for the visually-challenged; introducing new security features on the redesigned banknotes, and to introduce a new set of coins that would be generally acceptable for transactions.

Number plate: Transport unions seek policy reversal

Osita Chidoka

Transport unions in the country have resolved to write to the National Assembly for the cancellation of the new driving licence and number plate policy.

They also crave for a return to the old order and want the Federal Road Safety Corps to hand over the processing of the two items to states’ Vehicle Inspection Offices to enable the corps concentrate fully on the task of highway patrol and accident prevention.

Our correspondent reliably learnt on Tuesday that the resolutions were taken after a joint meeting of the unions in Abuja on the contentious issue last week.

The President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Ajewole, who confirmed this to our correspondent on Tuesday, said the unions were also mandated to send their positions on the issue as memos to the National Assembly on Thursday (tomorrow).

The FRSC introduced the new driving licence in 2011 with new features and a price tag of N6,000. The new number plate also came on board almost at the same time, which the corps said would facilitate the establishment of a national data bank.

Haley Barbour on Obama: ‘He’s a one percenter’

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was holding court at a private party before the Republican National Committee Sunday, where he called President Barack Obama "a one percenter," and urged a group of conservative bloggers to rally behind Mitt Romney even though he's "not perfect."
"We've got two guys running for president, by the way, who are both very rich. Each one of them is in the top one percent in the United States." Barbour said during an event for the National Bloggers Club in Tampa. "Both of them are one percenters. And in fairness, both of them made their own money. Romney made his by winning the confidence of people who invested their money. …Obama made his money writing two books about himself. He's a one percenter!...Which one do you figure is going to do a better job of getting our economy going in the right direction?"
Indeed, both men are in the "top one percent" of income earners, although Romney's net worth is about 20 times greater than Obama's. Romney and Obama are worth around $200 million and $12 million, respectively.
During his talk, Barbour also argued that conservatives need to look passed Romney's moderate record as governor of Massachusetts.
"Mitt Romney's not as conservative as I am. It's a fact," Barbour said. "But the difference between him and Obama in terms of their vision, their plan, their policies, their belief in the history and the fundamental principles of America are the greatest difference of any two presidential candidates in my lifetime. …It behooves us to make sure Romney wins."

NITEL: FG to pay N350bn debt from liquidation proceeds

The Federal Government is counting on using the proceeds from the guided liquidation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited to repay the moribund national carrier’s N350bn liabilities, a source at the Bureau of Public Enterprises told our correspondent on Monday.

The BPE had last year said the Federal Government  was considering a new liquidation strategy to dispose of NITEL, should the reserve bidder, Omen International, fail to pay the $105m bid security by Friday, June 17, 2011.

Following the failure of Omen to pay the bid security fee, however, the Federal Government was left with no other option but to begin another process of solving the NITEL privatisation debacle by recently approving the guided liquidation strategy.

In view of this, the BPE source said the objective of the guided liquidation as recently approved by the Federal Government was to pay the company’s liabilities.

The source said, “The objective of the guided liquidation strategy is to use the proceeds to pay all debts owed by NITEL.

“The company’s exposure currently stands at about N350bn. The company will eventually be wound down after the liabilities are settled.”

Recalling the protracted issue surrounding NITEL’s privatisation, the source said, “That is why government should not run any business because it fail and will incur huge debts as it did with NITEL.”

The source stated that the government might sell the company in bits if it failed to attract a lump buyer, reiterating that the essence was to use the proceeds of the sale to settle the company’s outstanding liabilities.

The company’s total liabilities amounted to N73.8bn in 2003, but rose in October 2005 to about N130bn. It has since increased to about N350bn, according to the BPE source.

The President, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, advised the government to unbundle NITEL and make it more attractive to players in the industry.

“It may be difficult to find one buyer for NITEL as a single entity. No one wants to inherit NITEL, it is too big. We believe that if NITEL is unbundled, it will make it more attractive to players,” he said.

According to Adebayo, government should allow different buyers to acquire the mobile arm and other units such as the backbone, fixed line and international gateway, among others.

The President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, also advised the Federal Government to protect the First National Operator licence that NITEL holds in the process of the guided liquidation.

NITEL’s privatisation journey has been very long and tortuous. In 2001, Investors International London Limited attempted to acquire the company but defaulted in paying the bid price of $1.317bn and thereafter forfeited the opportunity.

This was followed by Pentascope of Netherlands, which was appointed to revamp NITEL but failed to do so.

Orascom also attempted to acquire NITEL with $256.5m, but lost the bid to Transcorp, which paid $500m for the troubled telecoms firm.

Transcorp’s acquisition of NITEL in 2006 appeared very successful in the beginning but later went awry.

The New Generation Consortium, which emerged the preferred bidder for the company, also failed to pay the $750m (30 per cent) security fee on its $2.5bn bid. It was eventually disqualified, paving the way for the reserve bidder, Omen International, to acquire the firm.

But Omen too failed to meet the financial obligation despite an extension of the payment schedule.

PDP Denies Anointing Candidates For 2015

Media reports on the endorsement of certain candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are false, chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur said.
He stated that PDP’s current concentration is on delivering the gains of democracy to the people and not “premature” endorsements of candidates for elections that are still three years away.

“My attention has been drawn to media speculations that our party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has anointed aspirants ahead of general elections in 2015,” Tukur said in a press statement he personally signed.

“This information is speculative and completely false. I, therefore, use this medium to call on party members, supporters and all Nigerians to disregard sensationalism, as we move quickly to carry out reforms that will justify our existence as a ruling party. This allegation is false and our party has not anointed any persons for any position.

“For the time being, the party’s attention has been devoted to critical reforms that will guarantee quality life to our people, reconciliation in all aspects of our political life and instilling internal democracy in our political process.

While we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the Nigerian people, we acknowledge the fact that reforms in any country come with pains, anxiety and apprehensions. This is a necessary sacrifice confronting us as a nation today. This apprehension may have been responsible for the preemptive speculation of pre-mature endorsement of aspirants ahead of the 2015 elections.”

Enjoining all Nigerians to make meaningful contributions towards the political, economic and social development of the country, Tukur said the PDP is “presently preoccupied and committed to fulfilling its electoral mandate, and, as such, has no time for the politics of 2015.

“The need for rapid infrastructural development and the welfare of our people is, and will be our major concern in the years ahead,” he added, promising that the ruling party would not misplace the confidence of the electorate it enjoys.

Ten Die In Ogun Car Accident

An auto crash involving a commercial bus and an articulated vehicle at Obada-Oko in Ogun State has resulted in the instant death of 10 people, and serious injury to a lone survivor who is still in critical condition.

According to Mr. Fatai Bakare, the Itori Unit commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the accident occurred along the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway at about 12 midnight, after the two vehicles collided head-on.

He gave the registration number of the bus as LAGOS CZ 269 MUS, and that of the articulated vehicle as LAGOS 208 XB.

“The corpses of all the deceased have been deposited at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta and Ifo General Hospital. The only survivor is critically injured and receiving treatment at FMC,” he said, further warning motorists on the importance of keeping to their lane while on the highway, as this would help to prevent future reoccurrences of the fatal crash.

Nigerians, Media Are Fools, My Wife and I Deceived Them--K-Solo

It was a rude shock to some Nigerians when they got to know that the alleged wife battery saga between K-Solo and his wife, Kikelomo only turned out to be a scripted drama.

Last year, after Nigeriafilms.com published City People's interview with Kikelomo where she alleged an assault on her by K-Solo. The story became an item, which made headlines.

In an interview with Galaxy TV, which was aired over the weekend, K-Solo opened up on the allegation where he confessed that the whole drama was a script to create publicity for his new album.

He said showbiz is about publicity and that was what he did in collaboration with his wife about the saga. When the presenter insisted he calls Kike to confirm this in her (presenter) presence, K-Solo put a call through and his wife simply said there was no fight between her and K-Solo. He said Kike was costumed in the pictures to make the assault story look real.

Will Nigerians ever believe Kike if in future, she cries out of any physical assault on her by K-Solo? What are the implications of this to K-Solo's career especially with this revelation? Was this the best publicity stunt to pull? These are few of the questions begging for answers......

 Now the question is 'Who is the bigger fool?'

African Union Troops Capture Marka

MOGADISHU, Somalia, August 28, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Somalia troops with the assistance of the African Union Mission Troops, have this morning pushed Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists out of Marka, the third-largest port in Southern Somalia.

The dawn operation met little resistance as the AMISOM and Somali National Army troops steadily advanced to Shalamboot and established a defensive position there.

Located 90 kilometres south of Mogadishu, Marka has been under the brutal rule of the extremists since November 2008. In recent months, many of the al Shabaab's top commanders have been fleeing towards the town following a string of defeats by the allied forces. The capture of Marka is also critical for AMISOM future operations to liberate the city of Kismayo, the extremists' largest source of illicit revenue.

This important achievement comes at a critical time for Somalia as the country's newly inaugurated Parliament prepares to elect a Speaker and President for the country, and bring to a close 12 years of transitional governments.

AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti, said the capture of Marka would enhance security across Somalia by denying the terrorists a base from which to launch attacks.

“AMISOM is committed to supporting the peace process in Somalia and this operation will not only bring relief to the population in Marka, but will also help in the liberation of Kismayo,” he said. “Our aim is to ensure that all the people of Somalia can freely participate in the process of national reconciliation,” he added.

He also urged the population to remain calm and asked for their cooperation as AMISOM continues to consolidate security within the town.

This leaves Jowhar, 90 kilometres to the north of Mogadishu, as the last remaining stronghold of the extremists in the regions of Banadir, Lower and Middle Shabelle which comprise Sector 1 of AMISOM area of responsibility.

Since the UN Security Council boosted AMISOM troop numbers to over 17,000, the force has been expanding outside Mogadishu and has helped the Somali government by providing a secure environment and recovering more territory, as well as ensuring law, order and justice.

FG confirms dialogue with Boko Haram via “back channel”

The federal government has confirmed that it is in dialogue with the fundamentalist sect Boko Haram, which has been raging insurgency across states in Northern Nigeria, claiming hundreds of lives.
The dialogue with the sect is said to be holding through what is described as “back room channels”. This was made known by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
Dr. Abati, told state house correspondents in Abuja that the federal government is discussing with the insurgents with a view to finding a permanent solution to the siege on the north.
He explained that such engagements with the sect or its affiliates would not be the conventional roundtable talks that are the norm across the world; instead, it would be a meeting by proxy.
The federal government has decided on the use of backdoor channels so as not to endanger government negotiators or expose the sect members.
Dr Abati adds that the federal government would follow the process “through multi-level, constructive interventions aimed at addressing a difficult issue that is multifarious.”
According to him “the form of the dialogue is that backroom channels are being used to reach across with the sole objective of understanding what exactly the grievances of these persons are.  What exactly can be done to resolve the crisis, in the overall best interest of ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria and the security of lives and property?”
The presidential spokesman adds that president Goodluck Jonathan is only asking for the support of Nigerians in this onerous national duty.

Oh, so he needs our support now................lets give it to him, after all we voted him in!

Something Old, Something New: Balancing Your Marketing Mix [INFOGRAPHIC]

With new marketing channels popping up daily and more and more studies singing the praises of “new media” marketing, it’s easy to let your traditional marketing efforts fall by the wayside. But just as relying solely on the tried and true is a dangerous strategy, so is putting all your eggs in the new media basket.
The infographic below sheds some light on how marketers and business owners are trying to find the balance in today’s market based on a recent study by Pointroll and Kenton Research.
According to the study, 79% of marketers will increase their social media spending in the coming year – how about you?

Families Search for Three Friends, One Year After Disappearance

One year after their mysterious disappearance, the families of three friends, who used to live in Badagry, Lagos State, are still in dilemma about whether or not to declare them dead.
The men, Seun Omotuwase (26), Elijah Akinbowale (24), and Femi (25) went out on September 10, 2011 and since then have not returned, throwing their respective families into confusion and agony.

SN learnt that the friends used to attend the Four Square Gospel Church, Ilogbo Eremi, in Badagry.

 A member of the church, Oriyomi Adebayo, had invited church members to her mother’s burial ceremony in Aisunle, a neighbouring village, which, however, falls within Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

 It was learnt that the trio, who left together for the party on the fateful day, set out on an unregistered motorcycle but never returned.

Seun’s father, Japheth, said he had looked everywhere for his missing son but without success.

 He said, “My son is not the wayward type that keeps late nights. I have spent money, time and all I have in searching for him but he is nowhere to be found.

“In my 65 years sojourn on earth, I have experienced sorrows. I gave birth to nine children, five died and my wife also died eight years ago. Now Seun is missing.

“Out of the three families, my family is the only one making efforts in the search for these missing boys.”

Japheth also berated the police for abandoning the search despite having some leads which could help in tracking their whereabouts.

He said he reported the matter at the Area K Police Command, Morogbo Police Division and the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos but was disappointed that nothing concrete had been done on the case.

Japheth said, “When the three of them got missing, Elijah’s phone number was still ringing anytime we called it. We contacted MTN and traced the signal to Kogi State.

“After making this discovery, the police promised heaven and earth that they were going to mobilise and get to the root of the matter and unearth the mystery surrounding their disappearance.

“But as I speak to you, they are yet to do anything about it. I know if I had enough money to throw around they would have gone searching for them with the leads they have.”

Seun’s elder brother, Moses, said the families of Femi and Elijah had not shown enough enthusiasm about the case.

 “At a time, rumours were rife in the community that Elijah’s mother (Olayinka) used to communicate with him on the phone. Though we don’t know how true that is, but the way they took the issue gave the allegation some weight,” he said.

When contacted, Olayinka said she had also been passionately searching for her lost son and dismissed the allegations that she knew his whereabouts.

She said, “It is true that his (Elijah’s) line had been going through until recently. When I tried his phone in July, someone who spoke like a tout picked the phone and claimed he was speaking from Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

 “He spoke to me in Yoruba language and he said his name was Kazeem. I explained the situation to him and begged him to help me out with my son’s whereabouts.

 “He said I should call him back and when I did he told me I was calling a wrong number. Since then the number no longer rings. It’s not true that I have been seeing Elijah secretly. I have not set my eyes on him since September 10. I have travelled far and wide looking for him.”

She lamented that her health had been failing because of the problem but optimistic she would be reunited with her son one day.

Femi’s guardian, Fatimoh Okon, said his family had been living in sadness since the incident happened.

 She said, “My husband who is a policeman has worked tirelessly to locate Femi and the two other missing persons.

 “In fact, we are still on it and each time I think about the circumstances behind their disappearance, it saddens my heart.

 “Femi is not that kind of person than can run away from home. He is such a cool-headed and gentle man and we would stop at nothing to find him.”

 When our correspondent visited the host of the burial ceremony that the friends went, Oriyomi Adebayo, she said they never reached the venue of the party.

 “I never set my eyes on any of them. My daughter even complained that they were absent before we heard about their disappearance,” she said.

 Her son, Joshua, while corroborating her claims said, “We did not hold a night party. I left the venue around 9pm and till I left, I didn’t see them.”

Assistant Pastor of the church, Lanre Ayoola, said he saw the three missing persons on the bike going towards the direction of Aisunle Village while he was returning.

He said, “I didn’t see them at the party though. However, while I was returning from the party on my bike in the afternoon, I saw them on the bike at Eruiku Village which is just about 10km away from Aisunle Village.”

Ayoola said the news of their disappearance came to him and the church as a shock.

 He said, “They were important members of the church, Elijah and Seun were choristers while Femi was an usher.

 “We sent different search parties out and we also organised different prayer sessions and vigils and notified all our churches including the headquarters in Yaba about the incident.”

 When our correspondent visited Morogbo Police Division, the Divisional Police Officer, Makinde Kayode, was said to be away on official assignment.

When contacted on the telephone, he said, “I was not the DPO at that time, but try and reach the police Public Relations Officer.”

However, the phone of the Police PRO, Ngozi Braide, rang out on Sunday. Also, a text message sent to her phone was also not responded to.

Nawaooooo!! wonders shall never end...........May God help their families. Amen!

Do you remember the lovely Nokia 8310? :D

Quote of the day!

listen! there is no more important thing we  come to do in life than to "make money" and "make babies"

i'll tell you the profile of this great educationist later for you to understand this statement!...........but is this really true?

Kanye West wears ridiculous trousers while Kim Kardashian does her best Peter Pan impression

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are usually one of fashion's first celeb couples.

Bolt in talks with Ferguson... but about what?

The Jamaican sprint superstar was introduced to the fans at United's ground before the 3-2 win against Fulham, and cheekily asked the Red Devils supporters to try and persuade Alex Ferguson to sign him.

He then got a chance to tap up the man himself: the pair enjoyed a cosy chat after the game with Bolt posting a picture of himself and Fergie on an Old Trafford couch - a meeting that appeared to involve glasses of red wine and a plate of traditional football pies. Bolt himself captioned the picture with a tantalisingly ambiguous message: "A wonder what we discussing? Hmmm mmm."
What indeed? Last year Bolt said that he "would love to play football for United after I retire", and after defending his Olympic titles at both 100m and 200m this summer he recently reiterated that he wants to try new things - though for the moment that is likely to mean forays into the long jum or 400m.

Usain Bolt has never made any secret of his desire to play football for Manchester United, and his far-fetched dream seemingly moved a step closer as he spent Saturday at Old Trafford.

Cutie of the day!

IB's favourite presenter and MC.........'Don T'

Jessica Alba Goes Blonde - for the First Time in Three Years

The actress debuts an ombré look as she prepares to reprise her role in the Sin City sequel

2012 MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week announces Finalists for Young Designer of the Year & Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

The MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) will take place in October 2012. In addition to showcasing the best of the Spring/Summer 2013 collections from Nigeria’s premier designers, the week will once again present The MTN LFDW Awards where cash awards will be given to the Young Designer of the Year, Young Creative Entrepreneur of The Year and the Young Model of The Year.

With the success of last year’s events still fresh in everyone’s minds, the MTN LFDW team couldn’t wait to start the journey to this year’s LFDW! Travelling to different parts of Nigeria to screen candidates for each category played a huge role in setting LFDW apart from other fashion events. This year, judges travelled the country again looking for the future stars of the fashion industry. Port Harcourt, the Treasure Base City, was host to the first screenings.

Held at the Le Meridien, Ogeyi Place on the 8th of August, the city welcomed the team with open arms. The LFDW Port Harcourt judges included Akpos Okudu, a MTN Lagos Fashion & Design Week 2011 finalist; Ijeoma Arugba from British Council; Kester Osahenye from MTN and Wadami Amolegbe of HauTeFashionAfrica.com.

Presidency denies N7.2 trillion missing oil revenue •Says budget benchmark is $75 per barrel

FOLLOWING recent reports of a missing N7.8 trillion from national annual oil revenue, the presidency has denied the allegation, declaring it as false and a calculated attempt to malign the Federal Government.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, said reports circulating through text messages and social media that a sum of N7.2 trillion is unaccounted for from the nation’s annual oil revenue is “untrue, very inciting and a deliberate twisting of facts.
“Those peddling this falsehood had noted that crude oil sell for $113 per barrel and that since Nigeria’s output is 2.5 million barrel per day, the nation is making N11.7 trillion per annum. The rumour proceeded to note that since annual budget is N4.5 trillion, a sum of N7.2 trillion is missing on annual basis. This is infantile and very far from the truth.
“The first clarification is that Nigeria’s total oil revenue does not belong to the Federal Government alone. Nigeria as a nation shares the revenue with the oil companies at a sharing formula of 60:40 per cent. The 60 per cent is then deposited into the federation revenue account, which is then shared further among the three levels of government.
“The Federal Government’s share is 52.6 per cent; states governments, 26.7 per cent and local governments, 20.5 per cent.
“It is also important to state that the nation has a benchmark price for crude sales for budget purposes. The benchmark for Nigeria crude sale is $75 and even if we sell for $113, the excess goes into the Excess Crude Account, from which the Sovereign Wealth Fund is financed, while the rest is shared again among the three levels of governments.
“So it is simply the height of falsehood to say N7.2 trillion or what is missing from the annual crude sales,”

Falconets for quarterfinal !

FALCONETS'striker Francisca Ordega scored a hat-trick as Nigeria edged past Italy 4-0 to qualify for the quarterfinal of the U-20 World Cup in Japan.
The Falconets thus finished top of Group B with 7 points, while Korea Republic grabbed the second quarterfinal ticket from the group by eliminating Brazil 2-0.
The Edwin Okon tutored side will now battle  Mexico  in Thursday’s quarterfinal to be played in Tokyo.
This will be Nigeria’s fifth World Cup quarterfinal qualification after they also reached the last eight in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

"who run the world?.........girls!

Cynthia’s Killers Not Fit to Live – S’East Govs

South-East Governors’ Forum on Sunday condemned the killing of Cynthia Osokogu.

Cynthia, daughter of Maj-Gen. Frank  Osokogu (retd), was murdered by friends she met  on a socio network   on July 22 at a Lagos hotel.

Speaking with reporters in Nnewi on behalf of the South-East Governor’s Forum on Sunday, Anambra State  Governor Peter Obi, described Cynthia’s killers as “wicked and barbaric people”, adding that they are “not worthy to live among men”.

Obi, who is the Chairman of the forum, lamenting  the killing.

He consoled the parents and relations of the deceased, regretting that some people, rather than tap the enormous advantages that go with the Internet and other social media, seek to put it into bad use thus bringing it into disrepute.

He said the bad use to which people had put the social media was symptomatic of the erosion of values in our society and declared that what Nigeria needed most is value-reorientation and ethical rebirth.

Obi said, “We have got to a stage where we have completely lost our  sense of values and this is at the root of our problem as a country. What we need at this time is ethical re-birth that will reshape our psyche to embrace things that are ennobling and will return our society to the path of virtue.”

He  insisted that those that had confessed to the crime should be made to face the law.

The governor  advised youths  to concentrate their energies on how to become responsible adults and contribute to the growth and development of the country and advancement of civilisation rather than ingloriously enslaving themselves in the world of crime.

Meanwhile, Obi inaugurated the N250m Nibo-Nise small water scheme in Nibo, near Awka on Sunday to improve water supply.

He  said the  water scheme, valued at N250m, was the first of the 20 small water schemes embarked upon by his administration.

He commended the community for the support given to his administration and promised to award road contracts to connect the area with neighbouring communities.

The governor also inaugurated a maternity centre and a block of classrooms at Ezeike High School in the area.

Mikel opted out of Liberia's clash

CHELSEA midfielder Mikel Obi delibrately opted out of next month’s 2013 AFCON clash in Liberia due to the astro turf pitch in Monrovia Tribunesports has learnt.
However, with the Liberians now shifting the game from an artificial pitch stadium to one with natural grass, officials are mulling of a return for Mikel.
Top officials insisted that Mikel was on coach Stephen Keshi’s list of call-ups for the September 8 clash in Monrovia, but the midfielder was later dropped after he told the coach he would struggle on the astro turf in Liberia.
“There is no question about it – Mikel is very much part of Keshi’s plans, but the coach had no option but to leave him out of the match in Liberia after he told him he does not like to play on artificial pitch,” a top official revealed
“However, both Keshi and the player may now have a rethink after Liberia informed us that the match would now be played on natural grass.
“It’s up to the coach to make the final call now.”
Keshi has already raised concerns over how his Europe-based pros will adapt to the astro turf after they struggled on the surface against Rwanda earlier this year in another Nations Cup qualifier.
He has also been very particular in this regard about Mikel, who has not hidden his disapproval to playing on an artificial pitch as a player is more vulnerable to injury on it than on a grass pitch.

MTN LoadedNG

Briton sets afire French man dressed as Mummy

London, Aug 27 (IANS) A French tourist who had wrapped himself in toilet paper to appear like an Egyptian mummy for a fancy-dress party in Sydney was allegedly set afire by a British backpacker.
According to police, the French man,31, had turned up at a hostel in the guise of an Egyptian mummy. But the 30-year-old Briton, who has not been named, set the toilet paper alight resulting in the other man receiving serious burns, Daily Mail reported.
The burnt man was rushed to a hospital where he was said to be in a stable condition Monday. The incident occurred in the popular backpacker Sydney resort of Manly.
The man would have to undergo skin grafts to his upper back, neck and right arm, said a hospital spokesperson.
The British tourist, who is from Wales, later went to Manly police station and gave a statement before being charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.
The Welsh man has been granted bail to appear at Manly Local Court next month.

him think say him fit full them............human shaaaa!

US allows NGOs to send money to quake-hit Iran

The United States has said it will temporarily lift sanctions for US-based non-governmental organizations that want to send financial aid to help Iran's earthquake relief effort.

Until now US sanctions allowed food and medicines to be sent to Iran for humanitarian reasons, but not money.
Iran initially declined outside aid after two strong quakes hit its northwest, killing at least 300 people.
Tehran has been criticized for responding slowly to the disaster.

"Thank God we have not gotten to this disaster level in Nigeria"

Flood claims 1, destroys 73 houses in Nasarawa •3 confirmed dead in Adamawa flood

RAGEDY stuck in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Friday, when a 17-year-old student, Innocent Tukyo, reportedly drowned during a downpour that ravaged the area.
The downpour, which resulted into flood, also destroyed over 73 houses in the community.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that the flood submerged parts of the Akwanga-Keffi highway, forcing motorists to wait for over three hours.
Several farmlands were reportedly destroyed and many families forced to abandon their homes as a result of the development.
The information officer of the council, Mr Christopher John, who confirmed the development to the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday, added that the authorities of the council had constituted a committee to ascertain the level of damage.
He, however, lamented that the council was not in a position to assist the victims, adding that “we don’t have money. Except if the state government or National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) come to our help, there is no money in the council to assist the victims.”
The flood, occasioned by the rain that started at about 5.00 a.m on Friday, affected parts of Garaku, especially Angwan Loko, GRA, Angwan Matasa, Hayin Gada and Angwan Al-makura.
Meanwhile, Three persons have been reported dead and many still missing in a flood caused by the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon Republic.
“The incident occurred, following the release of water form Lagdo Dam in the Cameroon Republic on Saturday,” Mr Shadrack Barub, the secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said.
He added that, “during an assessment tour by the agency to some of the affected areas, the agency received three death cases, with many still missing and thousands of people have been rendered homeless.”
Barub said that the most-hit areas included Fufore, Girei ,Yola South, Yola North, Demsa, Numan,Lamurde, Sheleng, Michika, Guyuk and Ganye local government areas.
He also said that farm products, domestic animals, houses and other valuables worth billions of naira were destroyed.
Barub, who said about 3,000 internally-displaced persons had been camped across the state, urged the affected communities to remain calm, as the agency and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were making efforts to reach them.
Eyewitnesses from the affected communities, who preferred anonymity, had earlier told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 10 persons were reported dead and that some of their families were still missing.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa government has set up a quick response committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kobis Aris, to take further measures on the incident.

Salami: ACN’s call for NASS intervention, rape of constitution —Ex-PDP scribe

THE call by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) seeking for the intervention of the National Assembly (NASS) in the issue involving the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, has been described as tantamount to contempt of court and a rape of the Nigerian Constitution.
A former secretary of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Honourable Gboyega Akinola, who made this known, said the judiciary must be given a free hand to handle all criminal and civil cases within its jurisdiction without bias.
In a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune, the PDP chieftain urged the ACN to stay away from what he said were shady and nefarious activities aimed at making the legislative arm of the government to disobey and disrespect the constitution of the country.
He said “it is high time the party and its leadership realised that no amount of flag carrying, demonstration, flag displacement or threat can change the cause of justice. Pragmatically, the call log syndrome and the queried unethical behaviour are fundamental judicial issues which are paradoxically unrelated to political and administrative procedure.”
 He, therefore, advised NASS to disregard what he said was “an unholy, undemocratic and highly uncivilised call” by the main opposition party in the country to a criminal and conscienceless duty.
 “Similar cases of this nature which were pursued uninterruptedly had, in the past, contributed immensely to judicial and democratic growth, which in turn enhances political development in advanced countries like France, Great Britain and the United States of America (USA),” he stated.

Where are the likes of Kelly Handsome, Isolate, Blackface, …….and many more

Are they still in the ‘akorinta’ business? Or them get another job!

Trial date set for Gaddafi’s son

Saif al-islam Gaddafi, the son of former leader Col Muammer Gaddafi, will go on trial in September, a Libyan prosecution spokesman said.

Saif al-islam Gaddafi, 40, will face trial in the town of Zintan, where he was been held since last year.