BERLIN, (AFP) – Nigeria has been ranked 144th most corrupt country as Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the world’s most corrupt countries while Denmark and New Zealand are nearly squeaky-clean, graft watchdog Transparency International said in a survey Tuesday.
Worldwide, almost 70 percent of nations are thought to have a “serious problem” with public servants on the take, and none of the 177 countries surveyed this year got a perfect score, said the Berlin-based non-profit group.
Transparency International’s annual list is the most widely used indicator of sleaze in political parties, police, justice systems and civil services, a scourge which undermines development and the fight against poverty.”Corruption hurts the poor most,” lead researcher Finn Heinrich told AFP.
“That’s what you see when you look at the countries at the bottom. Within those countries, it’s also poor people who get hurt the most. These countries will never get out of the poverty trap if they don’t tackle corruption.”
Among countries that have slipped the most on the group’s 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index are war-torn Syria as well as Libya and Mali, which have also faced major military conflict in recent years.
“Corruption is very much linked to countries that fall apart, as you see in Libya, Syria, two of the countries that deteriorated the most,” said Heinrich.
“If you look at the bottom of the list, we also have Somalia there. These are not countries where the government is functioning effectively, and people have to take all means in order to get by, to get services, to get food, to survive.”
Heinrich said Afghanistan, where most NATO-led Western forces are pulling out next year after a more than decade long deployment, is “a sobering story. We have not seen tangible improvements”.
“The West has not only invested in security but also in trying to establish the rule of law. But there have been surveys in the last couple of years showing the share of people paying bribes is still one of the highest in the world.”
Also at the bottom of the list is North Korea, “an absolutely closed totalitarian society”, said Heinrich, where defectors report that famine is worsening corruption “because you have to know someone in the party who is corrupt in order to even survive”.
Among the “most improved” countries, although from a low base, was Myanmar, where a former military junta has opened the door to the democratic process and, facing an investment boom, has formally committed to transparency and accountability rules.
“That’s the only way countries can avoid the ‘resource curse’, where the resources are only available to a very small elite,” said Heinrich. “Nigeria and other oil-rich countries are obviously very good examples.”
Huguette Labelle, chair of Transparency, said “all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations”.
The group says that because corruption is illegal and secretive, it cannot be meaningfully measured.
Instead Transparency collates expert views on the problem from bodies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, Economist Intelligence Unit, Bertelsmann Foundation, Freedom House and other groups.
It then ranks countries on a scale of 0-100, where 0 means a country’s public sector is considered highly corrupt and 100 means its is regarded as very clean.
The latest survey “paints a worrying picture”, said Transparency. “While a handful perform well, not one single country gets a perfect score. More than two-thirds score less than 50.”
The bottom-ranked countries, scoring 10 to 19, included Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan and South Sudan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
At the top, between 80 and 89, aside from Denmark and New Zealand, were Luxembourg, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
“The top performers clearly reveal how transparency supports accountability and can stop corruption,” said Labelle.
“Still, the better performers face issues like state capture, campaign finance and the oversight of big public contracts which remain major corruption risks.”
The following is a list of the top- and bottom-ranked 10 nations on graft watchdog Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, released on Tuesday.
The index score relates to perceptions of the degree of corruption as seen by country analysts and business people and ranges between zero, which is highly corrupt, and 100, which is very clean.
(The equals symbol means nations share the same rank)
TOP TEN
=1. Denmark 91
=1. New Zealand 91
=3. Finland 89
=3. Sweden 89
=5. Norway 86
=5. Singapore 86
7. Switzerland 85
8. Netherlands 83
=9. Australia 81
=9. Canada 81
BOTTOM TEN
=168. Syria 17
=168. Turkmenistan 17
=168. Uzbekistan 17
171. Iraq 16
172. Libya 15
173. South Sudan 14
174. Sudan 11
=175. Afghanistan 8
=175. North Korea 8
=175. Somalia 8
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/afghanistan-n-korea-somalia-top-world-graft-index/
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Dokubo-asari: Buhari Would Have Done More For N/D Than Jonathan Has Done So Far
Ex-militant leader Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has warned that with the current state of affairs in the country, president Goodluck Jonathan might not get a second term in office in 2015 if the elections are free and fair.
He also berated the President for surrounding himself with people, who he said do not have Mr. Jonathan’s interest at heart but are in power to feather their own nests.
Dokubo-Asari cited the open-confrontation between President Jonathan and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, saying the president was ill-advised. Although, he made it clear that he disliked the former president, the fact could not be ruled out that he was instrumental to Jonathan’s political success right from when he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested in Benin Republic last week but was later released following Mr. Jonathan’s intervention, recalled that Obasanjo manipulated the process that illegally removed Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of Bayelsa State, thereby paving the way for Jonathan to become governor.
He said that Obasanjo also made Jonathan Vice president, fought for him to become acting president and also fought for him to become president of Nigeria.
The former leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, also had harsh words for the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who he described as a sour point in the present political dispensation.
He said, “I want to start with an Ijaw proverb, which says: the eyes watched its seven children to death. Instead of advising them, it was just looking at them until they died, while the mouth talked its only child to life and success.
“We have continued as Ijaw people and the entire Niger Delta and South-South to support the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, but a time has come when silence cannot be golden.
“We mainly speak out on issues that are very critical to the survival of our people, the survival of the people of the South-South and the South-East, which happens to be the political base of Goodluck Jonathan.
“Jonathan is surrounded by very greedy people who are only in the Presidency to enrich themselves at the expense of Goodluck himself.
“This brings us to another Kalabari proverb, which says: where there are elders, a goat cannot be allowed to deliver tied to a stick.
“If we don’t talk and we continue to brush it aside, tomorrow we will be blamed and people will say: Mujahid Dokubo-Asari was around when Goodlcuk Jonathan was president and he didn’t talk.
“Then I will be an accomplice and accessory after the fact….
“It is alarming because the South-South must have its uninterrupted eight years tenure, which is constitutional.
“But with how things are going under Jonathan’s watch, we are afraid that we may not be able to have our eight years tenure because there will be no magic about it if it is going to be one man one vote”.
On why he is speaking out against the Jonathan-administration which he has immensely benefitted from, Dokubo-Asari admitted, “I have benefited immensely from Goodluck Jonathan with my stake, but benefit alone is not enough to make me to keep quiet when the period is very challenging for our people.
“So, some of us are tempted to ask this question: why are all these things happening?
“Why has the President allowed some Ministers like Godsday Orubebe to continue in government?
“Everyday people die on the East-West Road. If Orubebe is incompetent as he has shown himself to be, he should be removed.
“Nobody voted for Orubebe. And why is Orubebe so important to the President that he can’t remove him even in the face of his obvious incompetence and several allegations of corruption?
“We feel very ashamed and embarrassed. Orubebe was one of us” Dokubo-Asari fumed.
“He was attending meetings with us, sleeping in the ground with us, entering night bus with us and we nominated him to be appointed a Minister.
“We have gone to him and complained to him that we don’t like the way things are going in his Ministry and told him that if the President leaves in 2015 without the completion of the East-West Road, we are finished.
“And the man keeps telling us there is no money”.
He, therefore, wondered why there was claim of no money when a South-southerner, in reference to President Jonathan, is at the helm of affairs.
“When IBB (former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida) was there, there was money.
“When Abacha was there, there was money.
“When others were there, there was money.
“How come the money disappeared when Jonathan got there?” he asked rhetorically.
“Jonathan and orubebe will account for the lives lost so far on the East-West Road”, he added.
On the face-off between Jonathan and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Dokubo-Asari said there was no need for it.
His words: “First, there was no need for Goodluck Jonathan to disagree with Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I don’t like Obasanjo.I don’t like his face. I hate him.
“But he was instrumental in bringing Goodluck Jonathan to power.
“And the greedy people around Jonathan have not managed him enough to the extent that the President and the people around him will allow Jonathan to disagree with Obasanjo openly
“And if you check, all the people who supported Goodluck Jonathan and fought to bring him to power, have openly disagreed with him.
“What are the causes of these disagreements?
“These are the questions we want to put to the president”, he said.
“Some people say Obasanjo is manipulating Goodluck Jonathan, that is why Jonathan is disagreeing with him and we ask, what has Goodluck Jonathan’s government achieved to show that it is a departure from other governments that have existed since 1956?
“For us, nothing has changed. It is still business as usual.
“So what are the advice that Obasanjo gave to Jonathan that were so difficult for him to fulfil, that made him decide to fall out with Obasanjo?” the ex-militant leader asked.
He recalled that “Obasanjo was instrumental and manipulated the process that illegally removed Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of Bayelsa State and installed Jonathan as governor, made him vice president, fought for him to become acting president and also fought for him to become president of Nigeria.
“Apart from Obasanjo, there are so many people who supported Goodluck Jonathan; some have been pushed out by those who were not there to give him any support, while some others are trapped and they cannot talk.
“I have a feeling that Fulani man, Buhari would have done more for Niger Delta than Jonathan has done so far. Jonathan has done nothing for Niger Delta actually. It is getting more and more difficult to support him. The second niger bridge is another issue. Even his allies are denouncing him. What a shame!” Dokubo-Asari lamented.
http://www.informationng.com/2013/12/dokubo-asari-buhari-would-have-done-more-for-ndelta-than-jonathan-has-done-so-far.html
He also berated the President for surrounding himself with people, who he said do not have Mr. Jonathan’s interest at heart but are in power to feather their own nests.
Dokubo-Asari cited the open-confrontation between President Jonathan and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, saying the president was ill-advised. Although, he made it clear that he disliked the former president, the fact could not be ruled out that he was instrumental to Jonathan’s political success right from when he was deputy governor of Bayelsa State.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested in Benin Republic last week but was later released following Mr. Jonathan’s intervention, recalled that Obasanjo manipulated the process that illegally removed Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of Bayelsa State, thereby paving the way for Jonathan to become governor.
He said that Obasanjo also made Jonathan Vice president, fought for him to become acting president and also fought for him to become president of Nigeria.
The former leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, also had harsh words for the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who he described as a sour point in the present political dispensation.
He said, “I want to start with an Ijaw proverb, which says: the eyes watched its seven children to death. Instead of advising them, it was just looking at them until they died, while the mouth talked its only child to life and success.
“We have continued as Ijaw people and the entire Niger Delta and South-South to support the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, but a time has come when silence cannot be golden.
“We mainly speak out on issues that are very critical to the survival of our people, the survival of the people of the South-South and the South-East, which happens to be the political base of Goodluck Jonathan.
“Jonathan is surrounded by very greedy people who are only in the Presidency to enrich themselves at the expense of Goodluck himself.
“This brings us to another Kalabari proverb, which says: where there are elders, a goat cannot be allowed to deliver tied to a stick.
“If we don’t talk and we continue to brush it aside, tomorrow we will be blamed and people will say: Mujahid Dokubo-Asari was around when Goodlcuk Jonathan was president and he didn’t talk.
“Then I will be an accomplice and accessory after the fact….
“It is alarming because the South-South must have its uninterrupted eight years tenure, which is constitutional.
“But with how things are going under Jonathan’s watch, we are afraid that we may not be able to have our eight years tenure because there will be no magic about it if it is going to be one man one vote”.
On why he is speaking out against the Jonathan-administration which he has immensely benefitted from, Dokubo-Asari admitted, “I have benefited immensely from Goodluck Jonathan with my stake, but benefit alone is not enough to make me to keep quiet when the period is very challenging for our people.
“So, some of us are tempted to ask this question: why are all these things happening?
“Why has the President allowed some Ministers like Godsday Orubebe to continue in government?
“Everyday people die on the East-West Road. If Orubebe is incompetent as he has shown himself to be, he should be removed.
“Nobody voted for Orubebe. And why is Orubebe so important to the President that he can’t remove him even in the face of his obvious incompetence and several allegations of corruption?
“We feel very ashamed and embarrassed. Orubebe was one of us” Dokubo-Asari fumed.
“He was attending meetings with us, sleeping in the ground with us, entering night bus with us and we nominated him to be appointed a Minister.
“We have gone to him and complained to him that we don’t like the way things are going in his Ministry and told him that if the President leaves in 2015 without the completion of the East-West Road, we are finished.
“And the man keeps telling us there is no money”.
He, therefore, wondered why there was claim of no money when a South-southerner, in reference to President Jonathan, is at the helm of affairs.
“When IBB (former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida) was there, there was money.
“When Abacha was there, there was money.
“When others were there, there was money.
“How come the money disappeared when Jonathan got there?” he asked rhetorically.
“Jonathan and orubebe will account for the lives lost so far on the East-West Road”, he added.
On the face-off between Jonathan and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Dokubo-Asari said there was no need for it.
His words: “First, there was no need for Goodluck Jonathan to disagree with Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I don’t like Obasanjo.I don’t like his face. I hate him.
“But he was instrumental in bringing Goodluck Jonathan to power.
“And the greedy people around Jonathan have not managed him enough to the extent that the President and the people around him will allow Jonathan to disagree with Obasanjo openly
“And if you check, all the people who supported Goodluck Jonathan and fought to bring him to power, have openly disagreed with him.
“What are the causes of these disagreements?
“These are the questions we want to put to the president”, he said.
“Some people say Obasanjo is manipulating Goodluck Jonathan, that is why Jonathan is disagreeing with him and we ask, what has Goodluck Jonathan’s government achieved to show that it is a departure from other governments that have existed since 1956?
“For us, nothing has changed. It is still business as usual.
“So what are the advice that Obasanjo gave to Jonathan that were so difficult for him to fulfil, that made him decide to fall out with Obasanjo?” the ex-militant leader asked.
He recalled that “Obasanjo was instrumental and manipulated the process that illegally removed Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of Bayelsa State and installed Jonathan as governor, made him vice president, fought for him to become acting president and also fought for him to become president of Nigeria.
“Apart from Obasanjo, there are so many people who supported Goodluck Jonathan; some have been pushed out by those who were not there to give him any support, while some others are trapped and they cannot talk.
“I have a feeling that Fulani man, Buhari would have done more for Niger Delta than Jonathan has done so far. Jonathan has done nothing for Niger Delta actually. It is getting more and more difficult to support him. The second niger bridge is another issue. Even his allies are denouncing him. What a shame!” Dokubo-Asari lamented.
http://www.informationng.com/2013/12/dokubo-asari-buhari-would-have-done-more-for-ndelta-than-jonathan-has-done-so-far.html
FUTO Sacks All Academic Staff
Following the orders by the Federal Government, urging all universities to re-open, the Senate of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Tuesday sacked all academic staff with immediate effect.
The Federal Government had through the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike had vow to sack any lecturer who fails to return to class within seven days, and had directed vice-chancellors of federal universities that are currently on strike to immediately re-open for academic and allied activities.
The Public Relations Officers (PRO) of the institution, Mr Chike Ezenwa, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Owerri, said the senate of the university had declared all the positions of academic staff in the institution, adding that they would be advertised starting from Monday, December 2.
The senate said it had already compiled the list of vacant positions in the school. The school authority have urged those willing to resume would be adequately protected.
Education Minister, Wike had said,“All Vice-chancellors of Federal Universities that are on strike should immediately reopen for academic and allied activities as directed by their Pro-Chancellors. Vice-Chancellors should ensure that staff who resume for work are provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied activities.
Though the order said any academic staff who fails to resume on or before December 4, 2013, automatically ceases to be staff of the institution and vice-chancellors are also directed to advertise vacancies (internal and external) in their institutions. One wonders why the FUTO order comes a day to government’s deadline..
Meanwhile the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos has also said the institution resumes Wednesday in-line with government’s directives but the ASUU leadership is not backing down, vows to continue strike.
http://newswirengr.com/2013/12/03/ASUU-strike-federal-university-of-technology-sacks-academic-staff/?
http://dailytrust.info/index.php/top-stories/11444-ASUU-strike-futo-sacks-lecturers
The Federal Government had through the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike had vow to sack any lecturer who fails to return to class within seven days, and had directed vice-chancellors of federal universities that are currently on strike to immediately re-open for academic and allied activities.
The Public Relations Officers (PRO) of the institution, Mr Chike Ezenwa, speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Owerri, said the senate of the university had declared all the positions of academic staff in the institution, adding that they would be advertised starting from Monday, December 2.
The senate said it had already compiled the list of vacant positions in the school. The school authority have urged those willing to resume would be adequately protected.
Education Minister, Wike had said,“All Vice-chancellors of Federal Universities that are on strike should immediately reopen for academic and allied activities as directed by their Pro-Chancellors. Vice-Chancellors should ensure that staff who resume for work are provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied activities.
Though the order said any academic staff who fails to resume on or before December 4, 2013, automatically ceases to be staff of the institution and vice-chancellors are also directed to advertise vacancies (internal and external) in their institutions. One wonders why the FUTO order comes a day to government’s deadline..
Meanwhile the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos has also said the institution resumes Wednesday in-line with government’s directives but the ASUU leadership is not backing down, vows to continue strike.
http://newswirengr.com/2013/12/03/ASUU-strike-federal-university-of-technology-sacks-academic-staff/?
http://dailytrust.info/index.php/top-stories/11444-ASUU-strike-futo-sacks-lecturers
Bariga APC Secretary Drops Dead in Lagos
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bariga Lagos State was thrown into mourning on Monday when one of its own, Pastor Abiodun Adeboyejo, popularly known as JP, was found dead in his Akinramola Street office, Bariga, Lagos State, western Nigeria.
Until his demise, he was the party’s Financial Secretary in that area. Some residents who spoke to P.M.NEWS at the scene of his mysterious death said he was hail and hearty on Saturday evening when he exchanged pleasantries with friends in the vicinity.
LGA Chairman of the party, Otunba Dengel Anifowose, who is also the chairman of the Conference of LGA's chairnan APC Lagos State.
LGA Chairman of the party, Otunba Dengel Anifowose, who is also the chairman of the Conference of LGA’s chairnan APC Lagos State.
According to a son of Adeboyejo’s landlord, no one knew that the deceased was dead. His office was locked and nobody suspected anything until a foul smell filled the air around the part of the building he used as office. “We did not know he was dead inside his office until he started smelling. At first, we felt a rat had died there and we tried to call his line to inform him of the stench coming his office, all to no avail. It became clear that something was amiss when one of his wives came around to announce that their husband didn’t come home,” he explained.
“At that juncture, we called the police who eventually came to force the door open; and we found him dead on the floor,” he said.
Describing the deceased, the LGA chairman of the party who is also the Chairman of the conference of LGA Chairmen of APC, Lagos State, Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe, said the late financial secretary was pragmatic, disciplined and dedicated. He referred to his sudden death as a shock and a blow to the party and people of Bariga. Otunba Dengel later organised for the evacuation of the corpse by an ambulance.
The deceased politician was also a member of the Estate Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria, ERCAAN, Owututu, Ladi-Lak, Bariga branch.
Commenting on his death, the chairman of ERCAAN, Prince Taiwo Okeowo, described the late Pastor Adeboyejo as a man who was committed to the progress of the association, stressing that the news of his death was unbelievable and shocking.
The late Adeboyejo left two wives and children behind.
—Ayoride Dedeigbo & Irene Nwaro
Dos And Don’ts Of Relationships 3
We have come a really long way in considering what kind of relationships we should offer to our loved ones. Indeed it’s like a ‘world without end’ because you cannot possibly touch on all angles of need in one go.
Apart from the basic fact that people are different and yearn for specific attention; society, socialisation, education, globalisation and other factors have also come a long way to condition and influence the expectations of people over time.
Thus a man who grew up in a traditional home where the father is the head only and ignores domestic chores may exude a different character after much interaction with other men who feel the home belong to both man and woman and should be handled that way.
Men who participate fully in home affairs are not only respected by their wives but the children also admire their involvement in their daily lives. Providing money is good and as a matter of fact, everyone needs financial provision to sustain the family but the joy of being able to fix dinner or pick up after the children can be amazing. This might not fit every family setting but it’ll be nice to do your best for all.
Women who are obsessed with the glamour of modern education may on their own terms want to take things to the extreme by trying to define equality and responsibility. Yes there’s equality but there is no point singing it daily to your spouse. A reasonable man should know how to treat the one he loves. Slavery or negligence should not even be mentioned where two hearts are closely knitted. There might be occasions of slips in expectations and performance but love holds it out for careful regular examination to be conducted by each party.
External influences on relationships can spiral to unimaginable limits but a concerned partner will do much to make sure things work between them. Behaviours and habits you borrow from others should benefit your union instead of destroying what you should be protecting. A little here and there of what has worked for others should also be imported with care and close observation: just in case it turns out not to be fruitful for you.
On the other hand, there should be a place of open discuss: share your thoughts and values and reach a compromise what exactly is the picture you are painting. Your home is unique and should not necessarily be like your neighbours’ or the other down the road.
•Be creative: Creativity in relationship is what really makes the difference in so many areas. This could span from bedroom to kitchen, socials to spirituality, recreation to production, etc. Being creative basically suggest being either original or copying smartly. You may chose to play around with a certain food you’ve been used to in a particular way: turn it around with a different touch and see what comes out of it. Same goes for other areas and I need not say that the downside of creativity is surprises. Sometimes you get it right but at other times, you are so embarrassed and cannot tell the story to a third party. But whichever way it comes find it in your heart to have fun; bring laughter into it.
•Learn about failure and success: The earlier you learn about failure and success as mere events the better your life will be. If you think your spouse is failing today, deal with the circumstance but take your love seriously. You cannot label him/her to be a failure; things change in life and if the same person succeeds tomorrow and makes it ‘big time’, where would you hide your shame? This is why people despise their spouses, walk away from the relationship but later beg to return when the situation looks favourable- should the one you love be treated this way?
•Add value: I’m not ashamed to say that a relationship that has not added any value to your life is difficult to cope with. Joining your intelligence, finance, strength, exposure, etc with someone else is supposed to make you better. The more you contribute to your spouse’s success, the stronger your bond will be. Some people might be quick to react here but what I mean is be determined to support your partner and see them become the very best of what is possible.
•Avoid Competition: Why should there be competition when you are supposed to work together as one? Destinies are not the same and some people are bound to be more productive than others either by virtue of their personality or opportunities life has offered them. If you find yourself in a place where your partner is financially stronger, be wise enough to position yourself and be part of that success instead of rivalry.
•Complement each other: You are better appreciated in places where you fill in the gap and do what others could not do. The law of complementing states that you concentrate at what you know how to do best which the others might not be and they in turn cover your weaknesses where and when necessary- what a joy! If you cover your spouse’s back they would appreciate you deeply.
•Communicate clearly and sincerely: Talking cannot be replaced by any other thing except you are not capable of doing so. Say what you mean and mean what you say in simple clear terms without confusing or intending to mislead the other. Ambiguity can sometimes be annoying; don’t play on his/her emotions.
•Be guided by love: I’m convinced this is the strongest of them all. Let all your actions and reactions be determined by the love you have for each other. Where there is love, you’ll be motivated to protect the interest of the other but where there is no love; anything evil can happen and I know you mean well for him/her. Love will make you do things that you’ll ordinarily not do and issues of accommodating, faithfulness, kindness, patience, humility, etc can easily dissolve into the fabrics of what you feel for each other. Have fun…………
Landlord Plucks Out Tenant’s Eye
A landlord who damaged one of the eyes of his tenants will know his fate tomorrow at the Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, western Nigeria.
The court will tomorrow sentence the landlord, Rasaki Elegbede, who pleaded guilty to the offence of damaging his tenant’s eye during a fight.
The police in the charge sheet accused him of using an object to hit one of the eyes of his tenant, Alfa Fatai Adekola, during a fight over payment of electricity bill.
Adekola’s left eye was damaged and doctors confirmed that he cannot see with the eye again.
The victim told the police in his statement that his eye was damaged beyond treatment by the accused during a disagreement over electricity bill.
The incident happened at 15, Adelaja Ojo Street, Egbe in Ikotun, Lagos.
Elegbede was arrested and charged before the court where he pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of assault, wounding and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace under the Criminal Code. The presiding magistrate, Mr P. E Nwaka ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri Prisons, pending his sentencing tomorrow.
In his statement to the police, the accused admitted collecting money from the tenants to pay the electricity bill but did not pay before their light was disconnected by PHCN officials.
A protest by the aggrieved tenants led to a fight during which the accused used a heavy object to hit Adekola in the eye.
When Elegbede was arraigned in court on Monday, he pleaded guilty to the charge and asked for leniency.
He told the court that he had already given the victim N20,000 out of the N65,000 needed for his treatment.
The court found him guilty as charged and adjourned till 4 December, 2013 for sentencing.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe
The court will tomorrow sentence the landlord, Rasaki Elegbede, who pleaded guilty to the offence of damaging his tenant’s eye during a fight.
The police in the charge sheet accused him of using an object to hit one of the eyes of his tenant, Alfa Fatai Adekola, during a fight over payment of electricity bill.
Adekola’s left eye was damaged and doctors confirmed that he cannot see with the eye again.
The victim told the police in his statement that his eye was damaged beyond treatment by the accused during a disagreement over electricity bill.
The incident happened at 15, Adelaja Ojo Street, Egbe in Ikotun, Lagos.
Elegbede was arrested and charged before the court where he pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of assault, wounding and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace under the Criminal Code. The presiding magistrate, Mr P. E Nwaka ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri Prisons, pending his sentencing tomorrow.
In his statement to the police, the accused admitted collecting money from the tenants to pay the electricity bill but did not pay before their light was disconnected by PHCN officials.
A protest by the aggrieved tenants led to a fight during which the accused used a heavy object to hit Adekola in the eye.
When Elegbede was arraigned in court on Monday, he pleaded guilty to the charge and asked for leniency.
He told the court that he had already given the victim N20,000 out of the N65,000 needed for his treatment.
The court found him guilty as charged and adjourned till 4 December, 2013 for sentencing.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe
Nabbed on CCTV: Woman Intentionally pushes her own child to her death.
Found this heartbreaking news on UK Daily Mail. A 36 year old french mother named Fabienne Kabou, who felt her baby was 'incompatible' with her and boyfriend, strapped the little angel in a pram and calmly pushed her into a river. (pictured above right). Unbelievble!
A mother faces life imprisonment after confessing she drowned her 15-month-old daughter in the English Channel because the child was 'incompatible' with her love life.
CCTV footage has emerged of Fabienne Kabou, 36, from Senegal, pushing little Adelaide to the coast of Berck sur Mer on November 19. The next day, Adelaide was found dead, strapped in a pushchair submerged in the water, by a fisherman.
After ten days of searching nationwide, police used DNA from the pram to trace Ms Kabou to the home she shares with a 63-year-old man in Paris, where she was arrested.
Ms Kabou, a philosophy student, told police she took the drastic move after deciding motherhood was 'incompatible' with her love life with Adelaide's father.
The case has sparked outrage as hundreds took to the streets outside the court and on the coast in a White March - a French style of demonstrating against child cruelty.
Ms Kabou had told her boyfriend, a sculptor, that she had handed over the little girl to her grandmother who had agreed to look after her in Senegal, police claim.
On Saturday, Kabou was taken under Police guard to Boulogne sur Mer and questioned for four hours by an examining judge in a closed court session.
The judge placed her under investigation for murder. She was remanded in custody pending her trial.
Her lawyer Fabienne Roy-Nansion who was present during the interrogation said that her client had made a full confession.
In an interview with Le Parisien newspaper the father of Adelaïde said that Fabienne Kabou had been 'a magnificent' mother to her child.Neighbours of the couple said they were at a loss to understand how the mother of the Adelaïde could have wanted to be rid of her.
Hundreds have taken to the streets in the past couple of days paying homage to the little girl in a White March.
The first White March took place on 1996 in Belgium as people demonstrated against Marc Dutroux, a serial killer and child molester.
Gerard Lopez, the president of the Institute of Victimology and legal expert at the Paris Court of Appeal, told 20minutes.fr: 'First and foremost, she wanted to save her marriage by killing her child.
'This would probably not have changed anything. 'She is not crazy. Her actions were premeditated.
'The investigation will now determine whether the woman was a victim of domestic or psychological violence from her partner. 'Some develop narcissistic and immature behavior at the birth of a child. 'By getting rid of the child, she may have been trying to meet the needs of her boyfriend who wanted more attention.'
From UK Daily Mail
Read more: http://omoooduarere.blogspot.com/2013/12/nabbed-on-cctv-woman-intentionally.html#ixzz2mR4AEm7H
Varsities open registers for lecturers
By our reporters
ABUJA — As the deadline given by Federal Government to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off the six month-old strike or be sacked expires tomorrow, several universities have opened registers to be signed by the lecturers even as the leadership of ASUU insisted that the strike will continue.
ABUJA — As the deadline given by Federal Government to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off the six month-old strike or be sacked expires tomorrow, several universities have opened registers to be signed by the lecturers even as the leadership of ASUU insisted that the strike will continue.
Lectures resume at AAUA
At Ondo state-owned AdekunleAjasinUniversity, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) lectures resumed, yesterday, but few lecturers and students were seen in the lecture theaters. Lectures were held in the Department of History and the Faculty of Education as time table for the session has been released by the university authority. The university, in a reminder, by the Registrar, Mr. Bamidele Olotu confirmed the resumption of lectures. Olotu said in a statement that: “In line with an earlier circular to all students on resumption for the second semester 2012/2013 academic session, all students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in particular, their parents and the public in general are hereby informed that commencement of lectures on Monday, December 2, 2013, remains sacrosanct as announced. It added that “registration had indeed commenced in accordance with the university approved academic calendar.”
Cross section of stakeholders at a meeting to review the ongoing strike by ASUU held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan on Monday. Photo by Dare Fasube
Some of the academic staff who spoke with the Information Unit of the university but would not want their names in print confirmed that they had resumed for work and that they attended the faculty board meetings held on Monday and Tuesday last week. Some of the students who also spoke said they were happy about the development. They urged ASUU to cooperate with the Management and expressed optimism that lectures would begin in full swing as announced.
ESUT lecturers, students back to school
Students and lecturers of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) have also returned to school following a directive by the school authorities. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, correspondent who monitored the situation at the Enugu and Agbani campuses of the university reports that the students were in their various departments exchanging pleasantries and checking the notice boards.
At the faculties of engineering and management sciences in the Enugu campus, students in their numbers were copying the second semester examination timetables pasted on the notice boards.
The lecturers, on the other hand, held a meeting with the governing council of the university at the Agbani campus on the resumption of work.
Addressing the lecturers, chairman of the council, Chief Chilo Offiah, appealed to them to sheathe their swords and return to classes in the interest of the students. Offiah thanked the lecturers for attending the meeting and assured them that the council would do all it could to ensure the improvement of their welfare.
The executive members of the ESUT branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which called the strike, did not attend the meeting.
It was however a different story at the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as only a few students and lecturers were on campus. NAN reports that the few lecturers were in their various offices discussing or reading while the non-academic staff members were busy working. Some of the lecturers who spoke on conditions of anonymity said they were waiting for directives from both the school authorities and the ASUU branch.
“We heard on the radio that we should resume classes but we have not received any circular to that effect,” some of them said. Only the medical students who did not join the strike were fully on campus.
Lecturers shun registers at UI
At the University of Ibadan, ASUU members resolved not to sign any register as directed by the government. The lecturers took the decision during a congress held in the institution yesterday.
This came as all lecture rooms in various faculties were under lock and key. The campus was a ghost of itself as few people were seen moving around. Apart from the fact that students feel the government’s order would not help the face-off, the advice given by the academic union to parents that they should not expose their wards to danger may have been adhered to by most parents.
Speaking with newsmen, the chairman, UI chapter of ASUU, Dr Olusegun Ajiboye said the union remained on course at ensuring that government funds public universities.
Though, he stated that the union respects the office of Mr President, he alleged that Dr. Doyin Okupe and others in his government were trying to ridicule the office of the President through their unguarded utterances against the union.
Uniben students stay away to honour Iyayi
At the University of Benin, in spite of announcement by the university authorities that academic activities would resume today, there were no signs of resumption in the university yesterday, as both the Ekenwa and Ugbowo campuses were empty.
Students of the university said they would not resume until the remains of ProfessorFestus Iyayi who they held in high esteem is buried. Vanguard also learnt that ASUU members in both UNIBEN and the state owned AmbroseAlliUniversity, Ekpoma were not ready to resume duties today.
ASUU chairman, UNIBEN chapter, Dr. Tony Monye when contacted said they were busy preparing for the burial of Professor Festus Iyayi even as he added that ASUU members would not resume duties.
No lecturers at Ambrose Ali University
Meanwhile, at the AmbroseAlliUniversity, Ekpoma, there were no signs that the university would soon re-open as no student was at the two campuses of the university at Emuado and the main campus. A lecturer who spoke with Vanguard on condition of anonymity said there has been no directive from the state government for the re-opening of the institution. He said the lecturers would continue to stay at home until ASUU leaders give the directive to go back to work.
Lecturers shun directives at Unijos, Abu, FUT Minna, and others
At the University of Jos, the governing council directed heads of departments to open attendance registers for academic staff. Registrar of the university, Danjuma Jilly-Dandam in a statement yesterday, also requested departments to publish lecture time tables by today (Tuesday) to signal the resumption of academic activities and keep daily compliance registers for academic staff that report for work.
However, despite the directive, lecturers were not visible at both the Bauchi Road and Naraguta campuses of the institution as only the non-academic staff members were seen in their offices.
Students are also yet to return to school as hostels remained largely desolate when Vanguard visited, yesterday.
The situation was the same at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, AbiaState, the two campuses of the Bayero University Kano, Federal University of Agriculture, FUT, Minna, AhmaduBelloUniversity, Zaria, and GombeStateUniversity as the lecturers and students have shunned the directive to resume
ASUU vows to continue strike
Meanwhile, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge who briefed journalists in Abuja on the position of the union following the ultimatum, said the Federal Government was free to open all the federal universities in the country but all the members of ASUU would not go back to work unless government met all their demands.
According to Fagge, “we shall bow only to what we as academics are convinced will serve the interest of Nigeria and its people, no matter their ethnic, religious or class origins. This is where we stand. We shall never be cowed. Since the issuance of the union’s response to the said letter, the salvos that have been coming out, allegedly from the Minister of Education makes one to wonder whether the person that is charged with the responsibility of superintending over Nigeria’s education system has the wherewithal to handle such a vital national assignment.
“It is my intention therefore, to clear the air on the rumours, lies and mischief that are milling out of government circles (especially from Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission) all with the intent of misleading the Nigerian public.
“I will establish, to all discerning minds that ASUU did not bring any ‘new conditions’ as claimed by the Minister of Education Nyesom Wike and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Mr. Doyin Okupe. Rather, it is the government that is trying to avoid taking responsibility.”
Fagge stated that ASUU had no role in closing and opening of universities in Nigeria, rather it could withdraw its services which he said was the right of every worker.
He said: “The fact is very clear that our members are not going back to work and it is part of the sacrifice we are making that our universities meet up with other universities in the world.”
Our agreement with FG — ASUU
Dr. Fagge said in the agreement, the Federal Government promised to provide N1.1 trillion in the next six years starting from 2013 with N200 billion, 2014, N220billion, 2015 N220billion, 2016 N220 billion, 2017 N220billin and 2018 N220 billion, for the revitalization of the University system. It was further agreed that a dedicated revitalisation account should be opened at Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, by the Federal Government and fund would be paid into the account on quarterly basis from which the universities will draw.
The ASUU President said after the November 4, 2013 meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and after the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Kano, the union communicated to the Federal Government on the agreement. He said ASUU also asked the Federal Government to include non-victimization clause and that a new Memorandum of Understanding should be signed by a representative of government, preferably the Attorney General of the Federation and a representative of ASUU, with President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC as witness.
He denied speculation that 60 per cent of ASUU branches voted for the unconditional suspension of strike and 40 per cent voted against it.
Fagge said instead, out of the 52 branches of ASUU, 48 branches which was roughly 92 per cent supported suspending the strike only if certain conditions were met while four branches advised the suspension of the strike before pursuing the implementation of certain conditions.
Sack threat, a tragedy
He continued: “For a Minister of Education to issue threat of sack of academic staff is a tragedy of huge proportion for Nigeria and Africa. While ASUU has been struggling for conditions in which Nigerian students would benefit from, the Minister of Education is thinking of a thoughtless mass sack as a solution to the problems arising from Government’s non-implementation of an Agreement reached with ASUU as if Nigerian rulers have made no intellectual progress since Abacha.
“To be clear; Nigerian lecturers — from graduate assistants to professors, are not begging anybody for jobs. It is now well known that since 2003, successive governments have told Nigerian people, repeatedly, that the solution to Nigeria’s social and economic crisis is to kill public economic and educational institutions and institute the reign of private control of the economy and education, whereas the constitution of Nigeria states clearly that the commanding heights of Nigeria’s economy shall be publicly owned.
“From all indications, the Minister of Education, on behalf of the present Government, is set to carry out in the sphere of education what one of its predecessors did with universities, Transcorp and the Nigeria Airways.
“The way is being paved for privatization of education. Academic staff have a duty to defend the right of Nigerians to sound public education. To succumb to the present threat by Minister of Education on behalf of Government is to give-up on Nigeria. We in the academic profession have no such intention.
ASUU and Nigeria’s past leaders
“We resisted Abacha’s dictatorship. We refused to succumb to Obasanjo/IMF attempt to weaken public in favour of private universities. We convinced Yar’adua to keep faith with interests of Nigeria’s youth and desist from privatising education. We remember Obasanjo’s position that the solution to ASUU resistance is to flood Nigeria with private universities.
“In spite of all these, stretching from ASUU’s principled resistance since the military, we have noticed with disgust how easy it is for ministers and government to take refuge in political blackmail. We shall never succumb to this. Our country is our union’s constituency”.
The ASUU president said instead of the Minister to respond to their letter which expressed understanding of their resolution on the November 4, 2013, meeting with President Jonathan, he chose to go public accusing ASUU of making new demands.
On the allegation that ASUU was sponsored by the opposition political parties against the Federal Government, he said, “lot of people have asked me this question, am I a politician? ASUU is non partisan, non religious, non ethnic and tribal organisation, we are interested in addressing the problems of this country.
“Politicians are the people that are compounding the problems of this country so how can we be influenced by any political party? ASUU is a trade union of high intellectual people, so no political party can influence or sponsor us.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/varsities-open-registers-lecturers/#sthash.laaWWV4W.dpuf
Toure beats Mikel, Moses, others to BBC African Footballer of the Year Award
YAYA Toure has won the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, who had been nominated in each of the past four years, beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi and Jonathan Pitroipa to this year’s crown.
The 30-year-old told BBC Sport, “I think I’ve been nominated for five years in a row and finally winning the award is amazing.
“It’s a fantastic achievement because I don’t think there has ever been as many quality African players in top level international football as there are now: Aubameyang, Pitroipa, Mikel, Moses, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho... we have fantastic players.
“I’m very happy as it is the fans who have given it to me - so I’m very appreciative.”
“I also think African football is improving and that means a lot to us. And as an African, I’m very happy.”
The shortlist for the award was drawn up by 44 football experts from across Africa, who based their choices on players’ skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency and fair play.
A record number of fans then voted for their favourite either online or by text message. And those fans have considered Toure to be the standout African player over the past year, in recognition of the Ivorian’s displays of power, pace, creativity and goals.
Toure said, “thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me. It shows how much fans love you and appreciate your job as well.
“It’s something special because it’s not the vote of the manager or the club or the captain of the national team, it’s just the fans.
“When you have a lot of fans behind you, it’s always amazing. And I’m very happy as it is the fans who have given it to me - so I’m very appreciative.”
LMAO! Y'all need to see this pic!
Monday 2 December 2013
Anambra State PDP chairman kidnapped
Prince Emeakayi was said to be returning from his village in Okija when his car was intercepted at a junction in Nri and was taken away by the gunmen. He hasn't been heard from since and the kidnappers are yet to contact his family.
Obiano gets certificate of return
INEC officer granted bail
THE Anambra State governor-elect, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano took another step into the Government House when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handed over to him the Certificate of Return as the winner of the state governorship election.
Meanwhile, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court Monday admitted to bail an embattled official of the INEC, Chukwujekwu Okeke, who is standing trial for alleged official misconduct which tainted the governorship election in Anambra State held on November 16, 2013.
Presenting the certificate on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Enugu, Ebony and Anambra states, Lawrence Nwuruku, congratulated Obiano, thanking him and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for their conduct during the election.
Okeke (54 years) who served as the Electoral Officer for Idemili North Local Council during the election was arraigned on November 25 by the police on a one count charge of dereliction of duty contrary to Section 123 (1) (2) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2010.
Imoke suspends 20 exco members for not taking part in World Aids Day walk
THE Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke Monday wielded the big stick, suspending 20 Commissioners and Special Advisers even as some Christian women in the state have protested against the celebration of the Calabar Festival and Calabar Carnival on Sunday.
A press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Mike Ania said the 20 cabinet members were suspended for failing to participate in the four-kilometre walk to mark the World Aids Day on Sunday.
According to the statement, the suspended cabinet members were ordered to hand over to their Permanent Secretaries immediately and will remain suspended without pay.
Those suspended include the Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Attah Ochinke; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Etim Takis Kaifas; Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Edak Iwuchukwu; Commissioner for Women Affairs; Patricia Enderly; Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Sandy Onor, and Commissioner for Agriculture Mr. James Aniyom;
Others are Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Eja Dons Eseghe; Commissioner for Water Resources Elemi Etowa; Special Adviser on Tourism Wilfred Usani, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs; Eyo Okpo Ene; Special Adviser on Special Duties; Mr. Fabian Okpa.
The rest are Special Adviser Forestry and Biodiversity, Ntufam, Gabe Odu-Orji; Special Adviser on Investment, Dr. Gerald Adah; Special Adviser of Political and Legislative Matters, Mr. Fred Osim; Special Adviser Legal, Mr. Mark Obi; Special Adviser, NGO, Mrs. Margaret Johnson Ebokpo; Special Adviser on ICT, Mr. Odo Effiong; Special Adviser on Mineral Resources; Mr. Effiong Bassey; Special Adviser Strategy and Planning , Prof. Idem Temple; Special Adviser on Debt Management, Fransicea Nkoyo Effiong.
Meanwhile, the women, who were led by Pastor Gift Theodore Offiong from Prayer City Church, marched to the governor’s office carrying placards some of which read : ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy’; ‘No more dry run on Sunday’. ‘It is the Lord’s Day’; ‘Deliver this city from whoredom, junctions from drinking’; ‘Save our daughters from nude clubs’ among others.
Imoke, who was accompanied by his wife, Obioma , Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham and his wife Glory and members of the State House of Assembly and some Executive Council members had on Sunday embarked on the four- kilometer walk to mark the World Aids Day and to create awareness on HIV/AIDS.
Imoke, who distributed flyers on HIV/AIDS during the walk said it has become imperative to sensitise the people to understand the disease, adding that the high prevalence of the disease in the state makes it imperative that a lot more work has to be done in the area of creating awareness to fight stigmatisation.
He said, “AIDS disease is like malaria disease and those who are affected have to be treated or they will die. When you have malaria, you do not go to church or prayer house and same is with AIDS and if detected on time, do the test and if it is positive, take medicine and will be normal like any other human being”.
“Don’t see AIDS as strange and create fear because it can be managed and is not written on faces. It is more manageable than cancer today but those who have cancers will come out and say they have cancer but not people with HIV/AIDS.
“We need to do more and tell people how it can be contracted and how it can be treated and we should look forward to a time when there will be no AIDS walk and AIDS Day.
“For this to succeed, we should enact a law and ensure it is observed in the urban area where the prevalence is high. The cost of HIV on the economy is high and we should ensure it does not increase by creating awareness for the people to be responsive and responsible”.
One feared killed, others arrested, shrine torched in fresh Kokori clash
IN renewed violence, soldiers of the Sector One Command of the 3rd Battalion, Effurun, Delta State on Sunday engaged suspected militants in Kokori, the home town of the alleged kidnapper kingpin, Kelvin Ibruvwe, torching a shrine said to belong to Kelvin where guns and live rounds of ammunition were allegedly found.
Also, during the operations, a suspected militant was killed while others were arrested.
Following the operation, Kokori community is now completely deserted as residents of the once bustling town have ran away to neighbouring communities to seek refuge.
According to the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion Lt Col. Ifeanyi Otu, who toured the community yesterday to assess the situation there, said that on November 28, 2013, a criminal gang who claimed to be militants loyal to Kelvin, engaged troops deployed to Kokori to maintain law and order in a gun battle.
“They engaged the troops from buildings and their shrine after they had earlier attacked the troop’s location. In the course of their (criminal gang) withdrawal after a frustrated attempt to recapture the town from troops, the gangs destroyed and burnt down properties within their reach.
The gun battle which lasted for about two hours left the town deserted with over 90 per cent of its inhabitants fleeing, ” Otu said.
The 3rd battalion commander disclosed that one suspected militant was killed in action while nine suspects were arrested.
Those arrested include, Messrs Thompson Sedu, Emmanuel Ovieghara, Samuel Onomabono, Edegbe Moses, Diamond Edoh.
Others are Glory Onovughiho, Akporiwe Imoghe, Anthony Matthew and Patrick Orile.
Otu said the corpse of the suspected militant/kidnapper had been handed over to the Isiokolo police station while the arrested suspects have been handed over to DSS for further investigation.
Otu also denied reports that the troops destroyed and looted properties, saying “the troops deployed to Kokori are fed three times daily and their operation allowance paid at the end of every month and that the daily operation in Kokori is closely supervised by five officers; discipline is maintained as one is oblivious of the possible fallout in an operation of this nature.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)