Fuel Scarcity Begins; Oil Workers Insist On Strike Today

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENSASSAN,  yesterday insisted on going on strike today to protest the proposed sale of the nation’s four refineries by the Federal Government next year.

In Abuja and some part of Lagos, most petrol stations remained shut to customers in anticipation of the strike. The two unions had on December 17, 2013, threatened to go on nationwide strike from this week if the Federal Government did not withdraw its plan to privatise the refineries.
Most of the filling stations that were locked had fuel in stock, apparently hoping to cash in on the anticipated scarcity.

The black marketers were ready to reap from the intended scarcity as they were seen displaying fuel in gallons in some streets in the FCT, particularly near the filling stations that shut down.  

See The Face of The Lebanese Boss Who Brutalized Pregnant Nigerian Woman

The face of the Lebanese Keveh Noine (Pictured) who takes pleasure in brutalizing Nigerians who work under him at Toppan Printing Company Lagos where he is manager.

He was arrested after Alexandra Ossai (Pictured) accused him of kicking her in the stomach two weeks ago. The kick eventually led to her loosing her 7-month pregnancy.

It took the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan before he was arrested.

Arsenal Draws Tottenham; See The FACup Draw In Full

FACup Third Round Draw has just been concluded, the ties will be played over the weekend of 4 and 5 January 2014.

Barnsley v Hartlepool U or CoventryC; Yeovil Town v Leyton Orient;

Liverpool v Oldham A or Mansfield T Nottingham Forest v West Ham;

Bristol C v Watford; Southend U v Millwall Middlesbrough v Hull City;

West Brom v Crystal Palace; Kidderminster H v Peterborough U

Doncaster R v Stevenage; Stoke City v Leicester City; Southampton v Burnley

Newcastle Utd v Cardiff City; Rochdale v Leeds Utd; Wigan Ath v MK Dons 

Charlton Ath v Wrexham or Oxford Utd; Manchester Utd v Swansea City;

Port Vale v Plymouth Arg Norwich City v Fulham; Aston Villa v Sheffield Utd;

Macclesfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday Sunderland v Carlisle Utd; Bolton

Wanderers v Blackpool; Blackburn Rovers v Manchester City Everton v QPR;

Brighton & Hove Alb v Reading; Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Birmingham City v Bristol Rovers or Crawley Town; Grimsby Town v Huddersfield

Town Ipswich Town v Preston North End; Derby County v Chelsea;

AFC Bournemouth v Fleetwood or Burton Albion

Mandela Lives On: See His 15 Top Inspirational Quotes

Nelson Mandela could be dead, yet he lives on through some inspirational speeches he gave while alive. We bring you 15 of the best.

1. “If I had my time over I would do the same again, so would any man who dares call himself a man.” (After being convicted to five years hard labor, November 1962)

 2. "I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.” (Statement during trial, 1962)

3. It always seems impossible until it’s done.”(1994)

4. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness.”  (A letter written on August 1, 1970)

5.  “Difficulties break some men but make others.” (From a letter to wife, Winnie Mandela, from Robben Island, February 1975)

6.  “I came to accept that I have no right whatsoever to judge others in terms of my own customs.” (From his unpublished autobiographical manuscript, 1975)

7. "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

8. “We are fighting for a society where people will cease thinking in terms of colour.” (March 8, 1993)

9. “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.”  (Interview for Mandela, 1994)

 10. "I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended." (From Long Walk to Freedom, 1995)

11.  "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." (From Long Walk to Freedom, 1995)


12. “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” (After his release from prison)

13.  "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."(From Long Walk to Freedom, 1995)

14. “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” (Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, April 25, 1998)

15. The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Just In: Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele Dumps APC for LP

Reports coming in from Ekiti state has it that the Honourable representing Ado-Ekiti/ Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal constituency of Ekiti State Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele have dumped his party the All Progressive
Congress for the Labour Party to pursue his governorship ambition. Full details later...

PHOTO STORY: TINUBU, BUHARI LEAD OTHER APC PROTESTERS AGAINST ELECTORAL FRAUD

The All Progressive Congress protest against the inconclusive Anambra governorship election. 

Breaking News: New PDP Finally Merge With APC

The Kawu Bareje led New PDP finally announced its fusion into the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Merger was announced after a marathon meeting between the New PDP and leardership of the APC that includes Gen.Buhari, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande etc.

Kano state governors lodge was the venue of the meeting. More details later

Anambra Polls: Ngige, Ubah, Nwoye Unite To Fight INEC, Obiano

Another twist was added to the controversy sorrounding the conduct of the Anambra gubernatorial election debacle as three major candidates in the election have brushed aside party rivalry to jointly condemn the conduct of the election.

They are the governorship candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Tony Nwoye, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Chris Ngige, and Labour Party, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah. They held a joint press conference in Anambra on Sunday to voice their frustration over what they say is a flawed election.

“Tow the path of honour”, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah told INEC, he further said that an election in which “INEC officials would be watching some party members distributing money in the open should be highly condemned” Dr. Chris Ngige of the APC on his part said “our stand is that this election that started yesterday has been beset by a lot of irregularities and fraudulent practices and therefore we reject the aforesaid election.” Their PDP counterpart, Tony Nwoye said “there was massive rigging, there was massive disenfranchising, there was massive intimidation and harassment of voters, and above it all, my heart bleeds for the country called Nigeria if it is this type of election that is coming in 2015, I wonder whether Professor Jega is still fit and proper to man that post at INEC.”

They unanimously called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to cancel the November 16 election and organize a fresh election that would be free and fair.

Anambra Governorship: APC's Position Letter To INEC Chairman

16th November, 2013
Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Plot 436
Zambezi Crescent Maitama District Abuja

Sir,

COMPLAINT ON THE CONDUCT OF THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

Senator Chris Ngige is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Anambra State Governorship Election of 16th November, 2013. We wish to bring to your notice serious breaches of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in relation to the conduct of the election as reported to us by our accredited agents in areas where the party has overwhelming support.

1. IDEMILI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA:
As at 2 p.m. when most of the voters ought to have cast their votes, election materials were yet to arrive the local council. Idemili North Local Government has the highest number of registered voters in the State at 173, 832.

2. IDEMILI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: Several qualified voters were disenfranchised, as their names were not on the voters’ register. Indeed, the voters’ registers used in the local council were different from the voters’ registers given to the participating political parties. Idemili South Local Government Area, my home local council, has 85, 731 registered voters.

3. AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA:
The names of a lot of eligible voters were expunged or missing from the Voters’ Register. The voters’ registers used in the local councils were different from the voters’ registers given to the participating political parties, for instance, Awka South Local Government Area which is my strong hold and has 118,312 registered voters.

4. IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA: Massive fraudulent practices at Umuchima Polling Unit 14, Uli Ward I. Aside from Ihiala Local Government Area, the three local councils above comprise 377,875 of the total 1,784,536 registered voters. Instructively, these are areas where I have very high voter support base. We note that these developments are very worrisome, and will seriously impact the outcome of the election.

Even more instructive is that contrary to assurances by the INEC Chairman at the stakeholders’ forum held in Awka during the week, the numerous cases of disenfranchised voters clearly indicate that voters’ register is far from “clean.” 

We recall that these irregularities were recorded massively during the 2010 Governorship Election and to an extent the 2011 National Assembly Elections in the state and for which repeat elections were held in certain areas. We further note that following discovery of a systematic plot to disenfranchise areas where we have strong support base, we called for the removal of the current Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State for his apparent partisanship and lack of grip on the electoral process. Albeit our call was neglected, the Tribunals upturned several of the elections supervised by that same Commissioner.

We again repeated this call more recently in the run-up to this election. Regrettably, and for inexplicable reasons, this call has not been heeded. It is therefore not surprising that these irregularities have manifested again.

OUR PRAYER

a. We strongly reject the decision by the Commission, as announced by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, to conduct re-run elections tomorrow (Sunday, 17th November 2013) in 65 Polling Units at Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area as all the electoral wards affected in Idemili North Local Government Area are affected and also in some other Local Government Areas e.g. Okopoko Ward IV in Ogbaru Local Government Area and Wards 8 and 9 of Awka South LGA.

b. The Supervising Polling Officers (SPOs) of nine (9) Wards of Obosi, Abatete, Nkpor I, Nkpor II, Ogidi I, Ogidi II, Uke, Eziowelle and Umuoji that have already affirmed to your National Commissioner (Operations) that no election took place in their wards as we write.

c. We demand that elections be conducted not only in Obosi but also in the entire Idemili North Local Government Area electoral wards, as no election held in all parts of the Local Government Area. We request that this repeat election be held on a date that will be conducive to the voters who are in the main Christians as a Sunday date (tomorrow) is completely unsuitable and will conflict with their religious obligations.

d. We demand that the results for Uli Ward I Poling Unit and Uli Umuchima Polling Unit 14 be cancelled due to obvious gross irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral codes. Further, we strongly request that your Commission does not declare any results relating to the Governorship Election until repeat elections are held in these areas where these irregularities occurred and in consonance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and laid down guidelines of INEC’s Electoral Manual, more so as most of our supporters have been disenfranchised in these areas.
We further implore you to improve on the conduct of the repeat elections so that the true wishes of the people of Anambra State are expressed through the ballot box as doing anything to the contrary will further damage the image of your commission. It is imperative to also let you know that most of the abandoned elections were caused by poor logistics deployment and the fraudulent removal of results sheets by your staff, a situation we regard as criminal and shameful and in total contravention of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)

We urge your urgent attention on this matter.
Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Senator Chris Ngige (OON) Governorship Candidate

Alh. Tijjani M. Tumsah National Secretary

Cc: Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anambra State National Commissioner (Operations)

What Your Urine Color Says About Your Health

1. Colors of the Rainbow

Urine is made up of water and waste materials from your body. There are many reasons your urine can change color, such as food, drugs, poison and general health. Pale yellow is considered the normal color of urine, so anything different may be a health problem or an indication that you ate somehting not so great for you. Check out this gallery and see what your urine color tells you about your health.

2.   Clear
Clear urine is normal when you drink large amounts of water or other diuretics. It probably just means you are well hydrated!

3. Vibrant Yellow

Urine that is a rich yellow color may indicate that you haven't been drinking enough liquids. This deep yellow can also occur after excessive sweating. No need for alarm, just drink more fluids!  4. Dark Yellow

Dark yellow urine that is not vibrant is an indicator of a few things. Most commonly not drinking enough water. It may also indicate jaundice or liver problems.  The whites of the eyes turn yellow, too. 

5. Orange

Carrots and carrot juice (or certain medications) could be to blame for orange urine. However, this color may indicate that there is an excess of Vitamin C in your system. Simply lighten your intake of vitamin C heavy foods. 

6. Brown

Brown urine can be caused by certain foods, like fava beans or even laxatives, but it can also be a sign of a serious condition. Liver disease, melanoma cancer and hepatitis can all cause urine to have a brown tinge. So if your diet has gone unchanged recently, you may want to talk to a doctor about the color of your urine and the cause. 

7. Green

A urinary tract infection (UTI) or certain drugs can cause your urine to look a bit green. If your slightly green urine is also accompanied by discomfort or burning while you urinate, you should see a doctor who can diagnose you with a UTI or other condition.

8. Blue

Urine with a slight blue tint is an indicator of high calcium levels. You can talk to your doctor about your diet or any supplements you are taking to fix this problem. Blue-ish urine can also be caused by certain bacterial infections, however, so let your doctor know as soon as you notice the color change.

9. Red

Red urine can be caused by many things. Large amounts of red food dye or naturally red foods can change the color in the toilet. Red beats are notorious for this very thing. However, red urine can also indicate the presence of blood. Bloody urine can be a sign of bladder infections or serious internal injuries. If you haven't eaten red foods lately and suspect that your urine contains blood, you should see your doctor immediately.

Your urine smell? Then it is alcohol!  The main reason that alcohol makes your pee smell weird is because it dehydrates you. When you are dehydrated, all of the chemicals that your urine usually gets rid of build up and become more concentrated, causing a stronger smell. Some people say that hoppy beer makes the smell even worse.

-HealthTips

BBC African Footballer Of The Year Award: Mikel And Victor Moses Nominated

Five players have been nominated for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

Two Nigerians made it into the shortlist, Chelsea Midfielder John Obi Mikel and Liverpool winger Victor Moses.

Others are Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure who has made the shortlist for the fifth consecutive year and also on the list is Burkina Faso's Jonathan Pitroipa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon.

The Shortlist:-John Obi Mikel,Victor Moses,Yayah Toure,Johnathan Pitroipia,Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Golden Boobs; Cossy Insures Her Boobs For $1.6 Million

Popular actress Cossy Orjiakor has hit a gold mine as an American company, Enhanced Silicon Inc., has allegedly agreed to insure the extra-large mammary glands of Nigeria’s known Boobs Queen, to the tune of $1.6 million.

This is bad news tho for those of you dreaming to touch Cossy’s massive boobs, as the proviso is that before you touch the ‘chesty balloons’ on the self-styled video vixen, you must pay for them. Enhanced Silicon Inc., the famous company that insured the bosoms of American actress and model, Pamela Anderson and singer, Dolly Parton, is said to have agreed to the deal just before Cossy’s recent birthday bash, where she displayed her endowments for the world to see.

We hear that she will travel to Los Angeles in two weeks’ time to seal the deal. As part of the deal, it is alleged that there will be limits to the number of people who touch her boobs each month.

-Source

Is Something Cooking Between Tonto Dike And D’banj?

Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh’s name is synonymous with controversy. The latest buzz that she’s gotten quite close to the hit maker, D’banj in recent times may not make any difference to her. 

As usuall the internet went viral during the week, dropping the bombshell that the controversial actress-turned-singer has been spotted hanging around the Koko master’s Lekki residence at odd hours.

Souurces close to the dou has it that Tonto is currently recording her new songs at the studio in D’banj’s house. The hit maker is said to be planning to sign her to his Records label as he once stated that if he signs her, she will definitely blow. The new song she’s recording at D’banj’s studio is described as a banger. But guess what! Mouths are  wagging  that there are more to Tonto’s closeness to D’banj than meets the eyes.

-Source

Minute By Minute Account Of APC''s Visit to Ameachi's Rivers

The leaders of the opposition All Progressives Congress, led by former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, party Chairman Bisi Akande and former Governor Bola Tinubu have arrived the Rivers Government House, Port Harcourt. An elaborate reception ceremony is being held for them.

UPDATE 1: Some of the APC leaders in attendance are Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, former Speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Masari, former Governor John Oyegun, National Vice Chairman of the APC for the South South, Tom Ikimi

… UPDATE 2: Deputy Chairman of the New PDP, Sam Jaja, is now speaking. The crowd is massive here. It is a massive political carnival. There is a lot of dancing and rejoicing.

 UPDATE 3: Mr. Jaja welcomed the visitors and promised that the leadership of Rivers state is ready to lay down their lives to defend the state and its people.

UPDATE 4: APC Chairman, Bisi Akande, described Governor Amaechi as bundle of courage, a brilliant man being persecuted. “He is a leader of the leaders. And we think we will not go home without asking you, through him to join the APC. APC is the party of the progressives and that is where Rivers state belongs.”

 UPDATE 5: Tinubu said amidst cheers: “We were ready to come yesterday but the airspace was blocked. We did not want to offend anybody so we put our visit for today. “Amaechi is a progressive. He is a visionary. He is focused. We know the basis of his persecution. It is because he fought for the oil and revenue of Rivers state. He is doing well. He is giving our children the greatest weapon against poverty – education. “I urge you to ask Governor Amaechi to lead you to the APC. The progressives are offering the rescue boat. This is a mission to rescue Nigeria.”

UPDATE 6: Ikimi speaks: “We have seen for ourself that Rotimi Amaechi is indeed in charge of Rivers state. This young man is prepared to pursue his believe to the last, based on courage and conviction. It is on these principles that APC was formed. With APC, there is an alternative platform and there is a balance of power. “APC means Aspirin, Panadol, Codeine. When you have strong headache, you take these drugs. “APC also means Armoured Personnel Carrier. You use it to move forward when yeye police stop you.”

UPDATE 7: Buhari: “We are here to seek understanding and support from you through your leader, Governor Amaechi. I worked with one of your greatest assets, Prof Tam David West. “Nigeria is at a crossroad and that is why we decided to come together to rescue this country from destruction. We must get together and get this country moving again. I congratulate Gov. Amaechi for providing education for the people of the state.”

UPDATE 8: It is now time for goodwill messages from leaders and politicians from the state. The chairmen of the 23 local govts have mounted the stage and are dancing. They are all expected to speak on behalf of their local governments.

UPDATE 9: A local government chairman and chairman of ALGON in the state, is speaking. He says, “We need to move away from the current cluelessness, visionlessness and purposefullessness. We need to embrace patriotism. Wherever our leader (Amaechi) leads us, we will follow because we have no reason to doubt his ability to lead us well.”

UPDATE 10: Speaker of Rivers House assures the visitor that wherever Amaechi goes, they will go. “We are aware he has been holding nocturnal meetings with the APC. The House wants him to hurry up. Let the marriage happens. We are tired of the dating before someone will have children outside wedlock.”

UPDATE 11: Everyone here is waiting on Governor Amaechi to respond to the invitation by the APC to join them.

 UPDATE 12: Members of the National Assembly from Rivers are now billed to speak. They are being led by Senator Magnus Abe, who is dressed in all white.

UPDATE 13: Member of the House of Representatives, Andrew Uchendu: “We have heard all the APC said. You have made very strong case inviting us. We have given our mandate to Rivers governor to discuss with you. Of 3 senators, he has 2 backing him. Of 13 members of House of Reps, he has 10. Of 32 members of the state House of Assembly, 27 are backing him.”

UPDATE 14: Magnus Abe: “Rivers people have elected a leader. We have elected a governor. His name is Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. You have our support. Any party that is serious about discipline must respect its own rules. It must allow its members to hold dissenting views. We are standing by our sons and will continue to stop him. Some of those talking today supported Babangida and Atiku. We did not stone them because Rivers is home for all.”

 UPDATE 15: Master of Ceremony says: “This person (Amaechi), each time they give him ginger ginger, they give him swagger swagger.”

UPDATE 16: Amaechi turns musician, singing and dancing. He appears extremely happy.

 UPDATE 17: Amaechi: “A lot of people are wondering why I have been dancing since the burial (of Patience Jonathan’s mum). When you have God behind you, there is no one else. We have been hearing ‘we will remove him, we will remove him’. Have I been removed? They said they will remove us on the 11. Eleven is Monday. I will dance. The second reason I danced at Okrika is that they said they will stone me at Okrika. I went and it didn’t happen.” “Most of the people on the other side are corrupt. They are thieves. They get contracts from the NNDC and the Niger Delta ministry and then go ahead to use the money to build hotels. One of they got 17 billion contract to build a road from Eleme to Imo Rivers. Is there a road there? They have served and are now hungry. “They are so desperate that they have gone to hire Commissioner Mbu as the military wing of the PDP. One thing you should know is that the police will come after you. The only way to stop them is the people’s power. When you hear of impunity, It’s because you allow it. When you hear that Amaechi is courageous, it’s because I take risk. You must come out when we ask you to do so. There is no revolution without blood. The only revolution without blood is reform. “Anyday they are ready for a debate, I’m ready. I call them thieves, let them reply me. “To our APC guests, I like to say we are a group of seven governors. In that group, I’m perculiar because the president is from our zone. So regarding your invitation, I will consult our leaders, I will consult my party, I will consult even the president. He is from our zone. I will consult all the consultables! “But the day we will take a decision, it will be at that our new stadium. It has the capacity to take 40,000 people. Tinubu, and the president will address 40,000 people. So we need to go out and continue to grow our number. “They have money, they have the police, they have the army. The only thing we have is our people.

UPDATE 18: Immediately after his speech, the governor led his APC guests out of the venue, drawing the event to a close. Thank you for following our updates.


Source

See How And When The Solar Eclipse Will Occur In Your Location Today, 3rd November

The National Biotechnical Development Agency Director General, Dr Said Mohammed, has said the solar eclipse, which will occur on November 3, will come with mild darkness across the 36 states of the federation. The Director-General, who made this known during a press briefing, last Thursday in Abuja, also advised Nigerians to remain calm, as the eclipse would not affect satellite communications or air services.

The eclipse, however, will be characterised by a flush of sunlight and mild darkness during its peak. The agency has, therefore, made available at its headquarters, sunglasses, which will serve as filters for the effect of the sun. Dr Mohammed added that: "It will be like any other day, but its effect will be felt at its peak. It is recommended you wear sunglasses. There is no need to panic," he concluded.

Earlier in his presentation, the Director of Centre for Astronomy, University of Nsukka, Professor Felix Okpara, who outlined the various times of the eclipse across the nation said, in Abuja, the eclipse will begin by 1:03p.m. It will be at its maximum by 2.40 p.m and it will end by 4.03 p m in the evening. In Lagos, it will begin by 12.50 p.m, its maximum level will take place by 2.40 p.m and end by 4.01p.m.

In Ibadan, the eclipse will start by 12.52 p.m, the maximum level will be witnessed by 2.32 p.m and it will end 4.01 p.m. In Port Harcourt, the eclipse will begin by 1.03 p.m, its maximum will be experienced by 2.43 p.m and by 4.09 p.m, it will end.

In Uyo, the eclipse will begin by 1.06p.m, its maximum will be experienced by 2.45p.m and by 4.10 p.m, it will end. In Enugu, the eclipse will begin by 1.04 p.m, its maximum will be experienced by 2.43 p.m and by 4.07 p.m, it will end and in Kano, the eclipse will begin by 1.07 p.m, its maximum will be experienced by 2.40 p.m and by 4.01 p.m, it will end.


-source

See The N255 Million Bullet Proof BMW Cars Bought By Aviation Minister

This is the interior and engine of the BMW bullet proof cars bought by Stella Oduah, the aviation minister.

Nigeria Four Others Nations Elected To UN Security Council

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and three other nations have won seats into the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members on Thursday.

A statement by the UN Department of Public Information from New York stated that Nigeria scored 186 votes out of a possible 194. Saudi Arabia polled 176; Chile, 186; Chad, 184; while Lithuania got the highest vote of 187. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action. Its powers are exercised through United Nations Security Council resolutions.

There are 15 members of the Security Council consisting five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The five permanent members are veto-wielding nations of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Five of the 10 non-permanent members are elected each year to serve two-year terms. Established in 1946, the UN basic structure is set out in Chapter V of the UN Charter. Representatives of the members of the Security Council must always be present at UN headquarters in New York so that the Security Council can meet at any time. Although Nigeria reportedly contested the election as the sole contestant from the West Africa region, it garnered more than the required two-third support of the 194 member nations. The new members will occupy the seat for a period of two years, beginning from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. Nigeria and Chad will be replacing Togo and Morocco from the African group. 

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan in a statement by his spokesman, Reuben Abati, thanked  all member-countries of the UN that voted for Nigeria. The statement read in part, “The President believes that today’s (Thursday’s) endorsement of Nigeria’s candidature for the Security Council seat by the vast majority of member-countries is a glowing expression of support and encouragement for Nigeria’s active participation in the promotion of  peace, security and political stability in Africa and other parts of the world. “This is the fourth time since it became independent in 1960 that Nigeria is being elected to the UN Security Council.

It is also the second time (2010-2011 and 2014-2015) that Nigeria will be elected to the Council under the Jonathan Presidency. “The President is particularly delighted by this historic victory and assures the global community that Nigeria, under his leadership, will continue to make very significant contributions towards the achievement and sustenance of global peace and security.” Also, the Peoples Democratic Party has described Nigeria’s election as an unprecedented feat and a testament to the achievements of President Jonathan-led PDP administration. 

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Thursday, said the development had clearly shown that the world recognised the efforts of the present administration in repositioning our country through the President’s Transformation agenda. He said, “The securing of the UN seat is a clear evidence that the world acknowledges President Jonathan’s efforts towards security, economic wellbeing and political stability of our dear country. “President Jonathan has indeed distinguished himself as a statesman and a world leader, who has given his country a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security. “Nigerians world over can now hold their heads up high.

We are indeed very proud of our dear President who has remained focused on delivering on his mandate; a commitment that has today resulted in the restoration  of the dignity of our country and her pride of place in world affair.”


Culled From:PUNCH

See The New FIFA Ranking, Super Eagles Move Up To 33rd

The latest ranking released by FIFA has African champions ranked 33rd. See the list:

1 Spain
2 Germany
3 Argentina
4 Colombia
5 Belgium
6 Uruguay
7 Switzerland
8 Netherlands
8 Italy
10 England
11 Brazil
12 Chile
13 USA
14 Portugal
15 Greece
16 Bosnia-Herzegovina
17 Côte d'Ivoire
18 Croatia
19 Russia
20 Ukraine
21 France
22 Ecuador
23 Ghana
24 Mexico
25 Sweden
26 Denmark
27 Czech Republic
28 Serbia
29 Romania
30 Slovenia
31 Costa Rica
32 Algeria
33 Nigeria
34 Honduras
 35 Scotland

APC To Begin Nationwide Membership Regristration In November

The All Progressives’ Congress (APC) has said that it will “tentatively” begin the registration of its members nationwide in November. The Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in Abuja.”We have to plan the logistics, if you do not plan well you are not going to achieve anything. “So what we are doing now, we are at the level of planning because the exercise will take place all over Nigeria,” he said. According to him, the nationwide membership registration will strengthen the party and enable it to contest all future elections in the country.

Mohammed said that the party had harmonised and finalised the process as well as created a format of its activities that would enable it to participate in future elections. He said that harmonisation of membership registration into the party would also be carried out from ward level to ensure that all its members are registered.He said APC had successfully conducted its primaries in Anambra, noting that, “it is on record that we are the only political party that has a transparent and direct primary. “This simply means that our party loyalists voted from the ward to the state levels.” he said.

Muhammed expressed optimism that the party would excel in the forthcoming November 16th governorship election in Anambra. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to discharge their responsibility credibly. “We just hope that INEC would create a level playing ground, the security agencies will do the same, and violence will be curbed,” he said.

Ladies, Here Are Issues That Could Prevent You From Getting Married

In this part of the world many ladies might end up singles for life for numerous reasons. Major among these are:
1. Media exposure. - It is so disheartening how a lady will glue her eyes on a mobile phone from morning till night, only to raise it up to focus on TV to watch another celebrity entertainment channel. Tell, what else will dominate this lady’s mindset aside how to live a fake celebrity life being promoted on television channels?

2. Dislike For Cooking And Home Chores. - These days, many African ladies dislike cooking and home chores just because they have been totally brainwashed by movies showcasing men playing the role of women in a family, and due to excessive exposure to modern media that promotes gender-equality in a destructive manner,  aimed at destroying the unique African family setting that made our previous African marriages everlasting and envious to the western world. Now, with this attitude, how do you expect a African man to desire to marry when he knows he is only 'buying' more headache and trouble than helper for himself?

3. Excessive makeup. - This often turn most decent and serious-minded men off.  Most men see ladies who wear excessive makeup as prostitutes or wayward. A slight makeup is okay; try always to look simple and natural, it will attract better men, decent and serious-minded, except you are still living in your high school life and not thinking towards marriage.

4. Stop Giving Your Number Out To Every Joystick & Harry - No man would want to propose marriage to a lady whose phone is always talking and laughing with unserious calls. You may not be a playgirl, but he would judge you as one, and will likely flee at the slightest chance or disagreement.

5. You Don’t Bring Any Value Into The Life Of The Men You Date - because your best friend married without contributing anything to the man that finally married her, doesn’t mean it will work for you that way. Think, work towards equipping yourself so that you can be of value and also add value to his life to convince him that you are worth committing to. Adding value to his life isn’t by giving him money, or material gifts, nope….good counsels, being his best friend, helping him attain his goals in life, lending him moral, mental and spiritual support, and by not just being a liability that only bring requests and problems to be solved.

6. Your Friends Run Your Life. How do you expect to find a husband when you still allow your clique of friends to be dictating which man you meet, is worthy of your love and which is not? When will you wake up and face the fact that those your best friends even though they cherish you, wouldn’t want you to marry before them or to marry the best man?

7. You Package Yourself Wrongly- in your attempt to look sexy, adorable and maybe appealing to guys, you have derailed from appealing to appalling. In fact you look more whorish than modest; more distractive than attractive, and more disgusting than adorable. Your dressing style determines who gets attracted to you most times. If you dress high school, only high school-thinking guys will be attracted to you, and if you dress excessively sexy and provocative, only randy men will come to you for urgent satisfaction of their immediate s*x urge, so don’t be fooled by media hyping of certain kinds of dressing, they are meant for certain set of ladies you wouldn’t like to be associated with, be careful. Remember, not all clothes that look sexy are good for a seriously searching for a soul mate single lady.

8. You Lack Manner, Character, Wisdom and Good Home Upbringing- definitely, your ‘hot girl’, ‘pretty girl’, ‘sexy girl’ looks will win you so many men; both the good, and the bad, but your inner beauty, your character and manner are the things that will determine whether any of those men would stay or run after accomplishing their evil missions. In order words, do away with nagging, being possessive, challenging with men in negative ways, the mentality of ‘what a man can do a woman can do better’, a lie devil has used to deceive and destroy so many ladies today, please do away with it.



Source: Before And After Marriage

9 Reasons Why Men Cheat

1. Unsatisfactory Sexual Experience

A man will likely cheat on his woman when he is not satisfied with her sexually. This kind of situation becomes more inevitable when the man has previous satisfying sexual experiences.

2. Friends
When a man is in a cycle of friends who all cheat, it will take divine intervention for him not to do so.

3. Fights at Home

When a man fights regularly with his wife and these quarrels are left unsolved, the man becomes unhappy and disturbed. He can either fight back or simply flee. The latter scenario may be the reason why men cheat on their wives. Because when they look for an affair, they search for someone that brings them calmness and understanding, therefore a parallel life and support.

4. Boredom

This is another reason why guys cheat on their girlfriends and wives. Some men may find couple routine a little dull and instead of changing their situation, they find another relationship that will offer them the spark their current relationship lacks. They want to experiment something new and fresh and they are willing to take the risk.

5. Sexual Experimentation

Sex represents an important aspect of a relationship. Some men are easily bored so they are willing to experiment more sexually. They like to have a lot of sexual partners and if the occasion arrives, they will not back off. Perhaps this makes them feel powerful and experts at bed talk!

6. Family History

Some men may have witnessed cheating in their parent’s marriage and this might have transmitted them a message that it is okay to cheat. Our parents are in fact our first teachers because we learn from them each and every day, so seeing one of your parents cheat makes you think that this is the normal thing to do, when in fact it may bring a lot of suffering.

7. Temptation Is Too Big

Some men like to live in chaos and they want to enjoy every temptation that might come along. The adrenaline rush that they get from cheating with another women is definitely a thrill and they love it, therefore they yield to temptation every time it comes along.

8. Insecurity

There are some men that don’t feel good about themselves and they need the validation of women (others than their wives or girlfriends) to still feel desirable to the opposite sex.

9. Compulsory Cheating

This is in fact a real medical condition that should be treated. A compulsive cheater needs medical help and our recommendation would be to leave the relationship before it’s too late.

Arsenal And England Midfielder Caught Smoking Joint (See Picture)

Can you believe it? This exclusive picture shows it all, Arsenal and England midfielder (Jack Wilshere) smoking joint at a nght out!

Can't wait to know Wenger's take on this, but before that, let's hear what gunners fans have to say.

Single Ladies, Here Are 6 Golden Rules For You

1. Don’t push him away because he has no money today. Hold him close if he is a man of vision, to another woman, he’s Honey and he got brighter days ahead, with a prospective blossoming future.

2. Don’t take off your panties, because he called you beautiful, take them off because he married you.

3. Don’t take him home because he gave you a ride or buy you ice cream and fried rice, take him home because he treated you like a queen and is committed to be the love of your life.

4. Don’t open your legs because he said you will make a good mother. Open them because he’s ready to be a father after your wedding.


5. Don’t go punishing him because another man hurt you! All men are not the same! A man who fears God doesn’t hurt! If he loves you, give him a chance and he may be the best thing that ever happened to you.

6. Don’t stay up all night wondering where to find a good man. Work on your character! Be an asset! Serve God.

53 Years Annivessary Gift, Resident Doctors Go On Nation Wide Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors, Tuesday, commenced an indefinite strike across Nigeria. The President of the association, Jubril Abdullahi, said his members were forced to take the decision as a result of the federal government’s refusal to meet their demands.

The medical group had two weeks ago issued a two weeks ultimatum and threatened to embark on the indefinite industrial action should the Federal Government fail to pay the accumulated salaries of its members within two weeks. The doctors also complained of the refusal of the government to implement an agreement with the union on the Integrated Payroll Payment System, IPPS. Consequently, it had warned that it would not rescind the decision on the strike.

Some teaching hospitals such as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, owes its resident doctors more than four months salaries. The LUTH chapter of the group had only suspended an industrial action about two weeks ago. Besides the IPPS, the doctors also complained of poor funding of residency training of its members by the FG. This is not the first time the group is embarking on strike this year. On June 26, the doctors had done same and suspended it on the 28th when top government officials intervened. The doctors said nothing has been done by the government to meet their demands since then. “It’s two months away for the year to end, it’s quite unfair. There can’t be good medical specialization without residency training.

The government should live up to her responsibilities” immediate past president of the association, Ismail Lawal told Premium Times  “The Federal Government is playing game with the issue of budgetary allocation for the training of specialists. Though we had some deliberations, but up till now nothing has been done. To make the matter worse, the government refused to issue a White Paper on the agreement reached” Mr. Abdullahi had said two weeks ago.

Culled From:Premium Times

Tragedy:150 People Feared Dead In River Niger Boat Mishap

About one hundred and fifty persons were feared dead on Friday following a boat mishap in River Niger, close to Malilli village in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State Nigeria.

The accident happened at about 2 pm. While 42 bodies were recovered and confirmed dead, over 100 others are reportedly missing. As at 10:30pm, no  there was no survivor. Divers were still at the river looking for more victims. The Public Relation Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Hussaini, told our correspondent via the telephone that the incident occurred as the traders were returning from Malili village to their village, Tunga Illo, which is across the River Niger. He said, “The boat was believed to have carried over 150 passengers, mostly traders when it capsized mid way into its journey, resulting in the drowning of 42 passengers, while 100 others are missing.

Swimmers from Malili village swung into action immediately after they heard about the mishap, retrieving 42 corpses from the river, while efforts are being made to rescue possible survivors along the bank of the river or the corpses of those that  drown. “At the moment, search and rescue is ongoing on the river, I will make the detail of the incident known soon.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, has commiserated with the families of the victims of the boat mishap. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo,  the governor said it was disheartening for such a tragedy to befall the state at a time when government was grappling with challenges to better the lot of the people. The statement urged those involved with water transportation to be more careful, especially during raining season when water level was usually high. It said the state’s emergency management agency had since deployed its officials to the scene of the mishap to ascertain the extent of loss incurred with a view to compensating families of the victims. 

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Saidu Ndako, also confirmed the boat mishap.  He said, “I received the information late in the night that a boat had capsized and 42 persons have drowned in the incident, while rescue operation is ongoing. “We believe that the boat was overloaded because the boat’s capacity was put at 60 passengers, but over 150 passengers were said to be on board during the incident.

The debris in the swollen river may also have been responsible for the incident.” Last month, nine people drowned in similar circumstance in Taraba while in March, 27 out of 133 persons died after their boat capsized in Calabar. Also, in March, seven persons drowned in a similar accident in Delta State.


-PUNCH

D’banj Absent At Hennessy Artistry Club Tour

Nija's music star Dbanj was conspicuously missing from his debut Lagos club appearance, which held on Saturday, September 21st at Rhapsody’s Lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos. Dbanj, who was in London at the time, was scheduled to perform alongside soul diva, Seyi Shay and rap duo, Show Dem Camp. He could not immediately return from his trip due to delays with his flight.

However rave of the moment Olamide who was the supporting act, delivered an outstanding performance to the delight of guests present. Supporting acts, Show Dem Camp and Seyi Shay who made her debut appearance that night also got guests in high spirits with energetic performances.

Dbanj returned to the country on Sunday, September 22nd and performed at the Miss Earth Beauty pageant.  Meanwhile, it appears the video for this year’s Hennessy Artistry 2013 theme song titled “Raise Your Glasses” will be released any moment from now. The video which was directed by fast rising producer, Matt Maxx promises to get everyone raising their glasses and bumping their feet.

The Hennessy Artistry club tour continues this weekend at Crescendo’s Nightclub in Ikeja GRA and will feature exciting performances from Chidinma, Phyno, Vector and Sean Tizzle.

Passengers Block Abuja Airport Runway In Anger

Yesterday (Thursdy) evening, angry passengers blocked the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, preventing planes from taking-off or landing.

Investigation revealed that the blockade was caused by passengers who disembarked from an Arik Air flight that was meant to take them to the Margaret Ekpo Airport, Calabar from Abuja.

The flight that had the Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, on board, was allegedly denied landing at the Calabar airport at about 5.30pm by the station manager due to safety concerns. It was learnt that despite pleas by the aides to the governor to allow the landing of the aircraft, the station manager refused, citing the fact that the runway lightening was poor thus, the pilot was left with no other choice than to return the passengers to the Abuja airport.

A passenger in one of the stranded airplanes said he and other travellers had to disembark and sat on the tarmac for more than one hour after the pilot announced that the plane could not take off because the runway had been blocked. The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Yakubu Dati, who confirmed that the Arik passengers blocked the runway, blamed the airline for the incident. He added that the passengers had insisted that Arik must compensate them for breach of contract, especially since the flight was delayed.

The spokesperson of Arik Air, Mr. Adebanji Ola, said that it was not the fault of the airline that the Calabar airport was closed by the time the flight from Abuja got there. He said, “The flight was delayed because there was Very Important Personality movement and there was also some weather issues, it is not the fault of the airline that the plane could not land there. “We are amazed that despite the security at the Abuja airport, passengers were still able to hijack the aircraft and hold other planes to ransom, that should not be the case.”


-PUNCH

"I swear by Allah that there will be no democracy in Nigeria" - Shekau, Boko Haram Leader

Bearly three months after he was reportedly killed in a gun battle, leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakur Shekau, resurfaced and spoke on tape on Wednesday boasting of invincibility and threatening to ground democracy in Nigeria. He equally boasted that he can not die.

The Boko Haram leader who was surrounded by dozens of his Lieutenants, all dressed in military fatigue, spoke amidst laughter and sarcasm as he took responsibility for recent attacks in Borno State.

The Boko Haram leader speaking while sitting in a bush environment with birds chirping at the background said his ultimate aim was to ensure democracy ceased to exist in Nigeria. He also mocked the Nigerian army, stating that his group had succeeded in taking possession of three of their armoured tankers, large cache of arms and fleets of the military vehicles and troops. His words: “The world should know that I cannot die except by the will of Allah.

I have told you that all that I do is prescribed by the Quran. “The essence of it is to carry out the injunctions. Don’t bother yourselves stopping me because I cannot be stopped. The war is more grievous than you think, and it will consume you. “I swear by Allah that there will be no democracy in Nigeria. We are going to rise against it and we shall soon defeat. “The concept of government of the people by the people, for the people cannot continue to exist. It shall soon, very soon, be replaced by ‘Government of Allah, by Allah for Allah’.

“It was said that I was killed, but here I am; I deliberately refused to respond on time; but here I am talking and laughing at Nigerian authority who misled the world that I am dead. “I believe by now Lt Col Sagir Musa, who issued the statement of my death should bury his head in shame; President Jonathan should bury his head in shame; President Barrack Obama should bury his head in shame, President François Hollande should bury his head in shame. “How shameful is it for Nigerian military for a man they called inconsequential to defeat them and seize their tankers and arms. We have celebrated our victory in Monguno, Benisheik and surrounding villages, and we shall not relent until total victory comes our way, by Allah’s will”.

The now disbanded JTF in Borno State had on the 19th of August 2013 issued a statement through its spokesman, Lt Col Musa, who is now spokesman of the Army 7th Division that Shekau may have been killed in a military shootout on 30th of June this year.

Names Of The 23 Governoship Candidates In Anambra And Their Parties.

INEC have released the names of candidates for the November Anambra Governoship election.
They are:

Okeke Chika Jerry (AA)
Chukwuemeka Nwankwo (ACCORD)
Dr Ifeatu Ekelem (ACD)
Engr Anthony Anene (ACPN)
Comrade Aaron Igweze (AD)
Chief Anayo Arinze (ADC)
Patrick Chukwuka Ibeziako (APA)
Senator Chris Ngige (APC)
Chief Willie Obiano (APGA)
Chief Austin Nwangwu (CPP)
Chijioke Geofrey Ndubuisi (DPP)
Christian Ikechukwu Otti (ID)
Chief Dennis Nwaforka Oguge (KOWA)
Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (LP)
Pastor Simon Okafor (MPPP)
Okoknkwo Webster (NCP)
Prince Leonard Uchendu (NNPP)
Nicholas Ukachukwu (PDP)
Godwin Ezeemo (PPA)
Hon Basil Ijedinma (PPN)
Onuarah Onyeachonam (SDP)
Barr Okoye Godson (UDP)
Prince Akaneebu Ogochukwu (UPP).

The Commission hereby advises political parties and their members that only those on the list published by it are allowed to conduct electioneering campaigns. Any violation of this rule amounts to an electoral offence and security agencies are urged to intervene as such.”

Calls for national sovereign conference unconstitutional – NLC

The Vice-President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr. Issa Aremu, has said that the NLC is opposed to the agitation for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference because the call is diversionary and unconstitutional. Speaking to journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, he said SNG was no longer a global trend. He argued that since Nigeria had elected representatives, it would be unlawful to convoke the SNC.

He said the position of  labour was that Nigerians were not a debating society. Aremu noted that Nigeria should be   functional while the citizens should stop agonising. “We spend all the time agonising and questioning the viability of the country when we should rather organise our thoughts to make the country work. Labour is opposed to Sovereign National Conference. It is moving against the trend of the world and I think it is even wrong to say Nigeria is too big. “The proposed conference is unconstitutional because with all the imperfections of the existing dispensation, whether we like it or not, we have elected a President who has specific mandate and he got elected based on certain promises to the nation. “We have constituted the National Assembly. We have 36 governors, they are elected and they must deliver on their mandate. Nobody should short change the system mid-way,” Aremu said.

He argued that if the proponents of SNG were serious about their call, they should  embark on a massive campaign so that the people could vote them into power. Aremu, who called on politicians to move with the global trend, alleged that Nigerian leaders were parochial. He said all ethnic sentiments should be divorced from Nigeria’s national life. The labour leader said it was retrogressive that at a time the world was getting global, Nigerian leaders were not flowing with the tide. He  said globally the use of ethnic nationalities was no longer fashionable, adding that Nigeria was lagging behind in global socio-political and economic trend. “The day an African-American became the president of the most powerful nation in the world, the United States, colour had ceased to be an issue. How can language and ethnic identity remain an issue?

The day Mandela walked out of the prison and became the first democratically elected President of South Africa on a non-racial basis, apartheid was gone. “It is sad that in 2013 Nigerian leaders are talking of conference of ethnic nationalities. The expectation of the founding-fathers was that by now we should be having a United States of Africa.

That is what led to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity. We started before the Europeans even started the European Union. “The world is towards bigger size not dismemberment of the nation-state. If a bigger Nigeria couldn’t compete with one big China, is it a smaller and divided Nigeria that will compete? What am saying in essence is that our leaders should think global,” Aremu said.

Source:Punch

FG plans to regulate use of facebook, twitter and other social media

The FG plans to regulate social media usage in Nigeria. This revelation was made by the Bureau of Public Enterprises Director General Mr. Benjamen Dikki.

The DG says it plans to roll out policies and the legal framework for the regulation of the social media in Nigeria. This was at a retreat for non-management staff of the organisation, according to a statement made available in Abuja on Tuesday by BPE spokesman, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe.

At the retreat, held at Kuchikau, Nasarawa State, Dikki frowned on the unregulated posting of what he called offensive materials on the various social networking sites. Dikki said this plan was in line with BPE’s reform mandate to initiate necessary policies and the legal framework for the regulation of the social media in the country.

He said, “As it now obtains, all manner of things are uploaded on the various platforms of the social media without recourse to age and sensibilities of the users. This is not good enough.”

Heavy Rainfall Kill Seven In Ibadan

Seven persons have been reportedly killed during a heavy rainfall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The rain started on Sunday evening and was still on, though drizzling, at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

Even though the deaths could not be independently confirm, residents of the affected communities in Oluyole Local Government Area of the State said the victims were swept away by the flood while trying to cross a bridge, which, unknown to them, had already collapsed under the water.

Areas that were mostly afected include: Arapaja, Akala new extension, and Lao hospital area where some people reportedly fell into the flood waters when they tried to cross the flood-covered collapsed bridge. Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, who were not aware that the bridge had caved in, fell into the flowing erosion and were swept away.

A fire service department official who did not want his name disclosed as he was not authorised to speak, said only two persons were affected. He said when the state fire service was informed, its officials moved in to rescue the victims.

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor, said she got the information that an old man, an okada man and his passenger were swept away by the flood; while some other victims of the collapsed bridge were rescued. She said she was yet to confirm the report. Efforts to speak with the interim chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Ayodeji Abass, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

Blackberry Stops Planned BBM App Roll Out

BlackBerry has stopped the widely publicise rollout of their BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app for iPhone and Android, and pulled it from those regional App Stores that already launched it, like New Zealand.

They blamed the situation on server-side problems that resulted from a version of the Android app being leaked online. That reportedly generated 1.1 million downloads, which does show interest, but also highlights how real-world scale is different than anything you see in the labs.

Read the official statement from BlackBerry:

"Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. The interest and enthusiasm we have seen already – more than 1.1 million active users in the first 8 hours without even launching the official Android app – is incredible. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day. 

Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it’s ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM.

The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability. As soon as we are able, we will begin a staggered country roll-out of BBM for Android and continue the roll-out of BBM for iPhone. Please follow @BBM on Twitter for the latest updates and go to www.BBM.com to sign-up for updates about BBM for Android and iPhone.

The gooodnews is, these issues have not impacted BBM service for BlackBerry.

Nollywood Gives Tonto Dikeh To Mikel as "Special Gift" For Breaking Goal Jinx (Photo)

Mikel was awarded with a suprise "Nollywood gift" for breaking his premier laegue scoring jinx of eight years. In a typical Nollywood style, Tonto Dikeh is given to Mikel as bride for the effort. (See picture below)

HOW TO REPLACE YOUR LOST OR DAMAGED VOTERS CARDS - INEC

A valid voters register with each voter having a voters card is a must to ensure that elections are free and fair. A person must possess a voters card in order to be accredited and allowed to vote during an election.

The card identifies the voter. Thus the voters name can be checked easily by the Presiding Officer or his Assistant. It is therefore important that a person keeps his voters card safely, to prevent loss or damage. However, if a person losses his card or if it is damaged, the Independent National Electoral Commission can replace them.

The procedure for replacement of lost or damaged voters cards is as follows:- -       

1.The voter shall apply in person to the Electoral Officer or any other officer duly authorized for that purpose by the Resident Electoral Commissioner.      

2.The application shall be at least 30 days before an election          

3.The applicant shall state the circumstances of the loss or damage          

4.The, he shall be issued with another copy of his original voters card.          

5.The word “DUPLICATE” will be marked or printed on it clearly.          

The date of issue will also be printed on the new  voters card.


-INEC

Ekiti 2014: Thugs, Police Disrupt Opeyemi Bamidele's Campaign

Commercial and vehicular activities were paralysed in some parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Thursday as some hoodlums suspected to be members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and National Union of Road Transport Workers, took to the street apparently to foil a  campaign rally organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele. Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1 at the National Assembly, was to formally declare his governorship ambition in the state on Thursday.

The hoodlums, who took to the streets as early as 7am, barricaded the Ajebandele Road, Ajilosun area up to Okeyinmi junction in Ado-Ekiti. The group, led by RTEAN state Chairman, Mr. Rotimi  Olabiwonu, brandished dangerous weapons such as guns, cutlasses and clubs. They drove dangerously around the town in a convoy in a manner that traumatized the people and intimidated other road users.

A detachment of the Police from the Ekiti State Police Command later dispersed Bamidele’s supporters from the venue of the rally. The heavily armed and stern looking policemen used tear gas on Bamidele supporters and also arrested some of them. Majority of those who were arrested wore vests with inscriptions such as ‘Ekiti Bibire Coalition’ and ‘MOB’ which are the political acronyms of Bamidele’s campaign slogan.

The anti-riot policemen reportedly fired live bullets into the air, thereby causing confusion with many people scampering to safety and leaving many people injured. Some of those who sustained injuries were reportedly rushed to a private hospital at Basiri area of Ado Ekiti. Investigation showed that Bamidele arrived at Ado-Ekiti enroute Akure at about 12:37pm in a long convoy  and was received by a large crowd of supporters at Mobil area, Ajilosun. The procession was initially peaceful with Bamidele moving  in a long convoy  and responding to cheers from his supporters.  Heavily armed policemen in patrol vans later dispersed the crowd. Bamidele’s governorship declaration was scheduled to take off at Ajilosun and terminate at his Bibire campaign headquarters. Operatives of the State Security Service, the anti-riot policemen and  soldiers were drafted to some flashpoints within the state capital.

In his reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said the drivers had earlier struck in the morning. He said, “The police must be proactive to prevent breakdown of law and order.” On the rally, he said, “Bamidele sought a permit from the police to hold a meeting with his supporters and party members and we wrote a letter to him that in-as-much as we were giving him support and the security he needed to hold the meeting, we referred him to Section 99 of the Electoral Act 2011 as amended. “That particular section of the law says that no political party should start campaign 90 days before an election. “Therefore, we told him to do whatever he wanted to do within the confines of his secretariat. But to our surprise it was not actually a meeting but a campaign and the crowd spilled over to the road.

They carried placards and campaign posters in the form of a procession. “He started campaigning for the governorship office that had not been declared vacant by the Independent National Electoral Commission. “We are duty-bound as law enforcement agents to disperse that crowd. That assembly was a clear violation of the Constitution.” Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State has described the incident as unfortunate and disappointing. The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, said, “The violence that erupted today is unwarranted, condemnable and unfortunate. This is a sign of what we would likely experience in 2014. The PDP has been crying and calling the attention of the public to the fact that the politics in Ekiti has become violent under the present government.”

Culled From:Punchng

Here Comes The New Blackberry Z30

Talk aout class, then you are going to be talking about the new Blacberry Z30.The new jumbo Z30 was introduced to the market on Wednesday, it comes with a 5 inch dispaly, stereo speakers, bigger battery and the latest version of the Blacberry 10 operating system and lots of other feautures.

NCC Ban Wizkid's "The Matter"

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has placed a banned on Wizkid's    Song "The matter" featuring Maleek Barry. Also banned is Phynno's "Man Of The Year"
The songs were banned due to its "raw content"

Nigerian Girl Win "Muslim Miss World" Contest

 A Nigerian, Obabiyi Aisha Ajibola, tearfully prayed and recited Koranic verses as she won a world beauty pageant exclusively for Muslim women in the Indonesian capital Wednesday, a riposte to the Miss World contest that has sparked hardline anger.

The 20 finalists, who were all required to wear headscarves, put on a glittering show for the final of Muslimah World, strolling up and down a catwalk in elaborately embroidered dresses and stilettos. But the contestants from six countries were covered from head to foot, and as well as beauty they were judged on how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world.

After a show in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims, a panel of judges picked Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola from Nigeria as the winner While the event in a Jakarta shopping mall paled in comparison to Miss World on the resort island of Bali, in which scores of contestants are competing, Ajibola was nevertheless overwhelmed. Upon hearing her name, the 21-year-old, a student of the University of Lagos, knelt down and prayed, then wept as she recited a Koranic verse. She said it was “thanks to almighty Allah” that she had won the contest.

She received 25 million rupiah ($2,200) and trips to Mecca and India as prizes. Ajibola told AFP before the final that the event “was not really about competition”. “We’re just trying to show the world that Islam is beautiful,” she said. Organisers said the pageant challenged the idea of beauty put forward by the British-run Miss World pageant, and also showed that opposition to the event could be expressed non-violently.

Eka Shanti, who founded the pageant three years ago after losing her job as a TV news anchor for refusing to remove her headscarf, bills the contest as “Islam’s answer to Miss World”. “This year we deliberately held our event just before the Miss World final to show that there are alternative role models for Muslim women,” she told AFP. “But it’s about more than Miss World.

Muslim women are increasingly working in the entertainment industry in a sexually explicit way, and they become role models, which is a concern.” Hosted by Dewi Sandra, an Indonesian actress and pop star who recently hung up her racy dresses for a headscarf, the pageant featured both Muslim and pop music performances, including one about modesty, a trait the judges sought in the winner.

The pageant, which also featured bright Indonesian Islamic designer wear, is a starkly different way of protesting Miss World than the approach taken by Islamic radicals. Snowballing protest movement Thousands have taken to the streets in Indonesia in recent weeks to protest Miss World, denouncing the contest as “pornography” and burning effigies of the organisers. Despite a pledge by Miss World organisers to drop the famous bikini round, radical anger was not appeased and the protest movement snowballed. The government eventually bowed to pressure and ordered the whole pageant be moved to the Hindu-majority island of Bali, where it opened on September 8.

Later rounds and the September 28 final were to be held in and around Jakarta, where there is considerable hardline influence. But there are still fears that extremists may target the event — the US, British and Australian embassies in Jakarta have warned their nationals in recent days of the potential for radical attacks.

More than 500 contestants competed in online rounds to get to the Muslimah World final in Indonesia, one of which involved the contenders comparing stories of how they came to wear the headscarf. The contest was first held in 2011 under a different name and was only open to Indonesians, Shanti said, but after the media began comparing it to Miss World, it was rebranded as a Muslim alternative to the world-famous pageant.

Because of its popularity, organisers accepted foreign contestants this year for the first time, with Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Nigeria and Indonesia represented.

 Culled From:PM NEWS

See UEFA Champions League Results And Fixtures

This year's UEFA Champions League resumed last night, as expected it wasnt short of its glamour as most of the best teams in Europe were able to hold thier ground. Hostilities continues later today. (See Fixture list below)

 Manchester United 4 - 2 Bayer Leverkusen

Real Sociedad 0 - 2 Shakhtar Donetsk

FC Copenhagen 1  - 1 Juventus

Galatasaray 1 - 6 Real Madrid

 Benfica 2 - 0 Anderlecht

 Olympiakos 1 - 4 Paris Saint-Germain

 Bayern Munich 3 - 0 CSKA Moscow

 Viktoria Plzen 0 - 3 Manchester City

Matches to be played today at 7:45pm are:

Chelsea vs FC Basel.
Schalke 04 vs Steaua Bucuresti
Marseille vs Arsenal
Napoli vs Borussia Dortmund
AC Milan vs Celtic
Barcelona vs Ajax Amsterdam
Atletico Madrid vs Zenit St Petersburg
Austria Vienna vs FC Porto