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Mystery migrant ship carrying 700 refugees docks in Italian port

Posted on Wednesday 31 December 2014 No comments

Wednesday 31 December 2014






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A cargo ship said to be carrying 700 clandestine migrants which was taken under Italian control at sea has docked in the Italian port of Gallipoli.


The Blue Sky M had apparently been abandoned by its crew and at one point seemed to be heading directly towards the Italian coast on autopilot.


Reports suggest Syrians and Kurds are among those aboard the ship.


Photos posted by the local Italian Red Cross show the ship in port with people crowding a deck.


Ambulance crews stood waiting as the ship docked in the early hours of New Year’s Eve amid unconfirmed reports that people on the ship were suffering frostbite.


An eyewitness in Gallipoli, local man Gilberto Busti, told the BBC World Service he had seen hundreds of people – who he thought could be Syrian and Kurdish refugees – disembarking from the vessel.


Mr Busti said he had heard reports that some of those on board might be dead.


“I saw the ship arrive and the coaches that carried off the migrants,” he said.


“I saw the police and the Red Cross that set up the tents. I have a friend in civil protection who told me that there were about 800 to 900 people inside the ship. We can’t confirm that there are dead people inside but my friend told me that there were about four or five dead people.”


Italy has had to deal with a massive surge in migrants – many of them from the Middle East and the Horn of Africa – setting off on boats with hopes of reaching Europe.


The most common sea route for the clandestine voyages has been from Libya but this ship is said to have started in Turkey. It is also unusual to find a vessel of this size carrying migrants.


People traffickers who organise the crossings often abandon the vessels at sea to avoid arrest.


The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, has warned that his agency will face enormous shortages in 2015 as it struggles to deal with what he called a staggering escalation of humanitarian needs across the globe.


Mr Guterres said his organisation might not be able to deliver even the minimum level of assistance needed for many refugees to survive.


The Blue Sky is listed as a general cargo ship, flying under a Moldovan flag.


The safety manager of a company hired to provide safety certification for the ship told the BBC he had withdrawn its certificate several months ago after finding it unsafe.


Italian coast guard spokesman Filippo Marini was quoted by AP news agency as saying the Italians had averted a disaster by interrupting the programmed route that would have had the ship crash into the shore.


“It was a real race against the clock,” he said, adding: “Unlocking the engines was a difficult and delicate operation, but they managed to do it.”


Greek officials were first alerted to the ship when it was near Corfu.


A man aboard is reported to have asked for food, water and blankets. The distress call to Greek emergency services prompted the navy to send a helicopter and a warship.


The Greek authorities said no-one aboard the vessel was in danger.


The Blue Sky M was reportedly heading for the port of Rijeka in Croatia from Turkey.


According to tracking website MarineTraffic, the ship abruptly changed direction south of Othonoi on Tuesday morning, heading west towards Italy.


Weather conditions in the Ionian sea have been poor for several days, hampering the rescue of those on board the Norman Atlantic ferry which caught fire in the area, killing at least 10 people.


(BBC)


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Why We Have Not Reclaimed All Towns Captured By Boko Haram – Army

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Boko Haram insurgents


The Nigerian Army has been criticized in several quarters for allegedly being lackadaisical in its fight against insurgency in Nigeria’s north east. The army however said on Wednesday that the need to reduce collateral damage had delayed the recapture of some towns seized by Boko Haram.


Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye, the Director, Army Public Relations gave the explanation while responding to questions from journalists.


“We are not interested in collateral damage,” he said.


“The Nigeria Army is very careful about collateral damage, to that extent our operations are carefully planned to make sure that collateral damage is reduced to the barest minimum.


“If certain areas have not been recaptured it is because the Nigerian army is giving such areas very careful plans, the plans are ongoing.


“At the right time you will see the outcome; we will not tell you, of course, before hand, of what we intend to do; but you will see the outcome,” Laleye said.


He however said Nigerians will be pleased at the end of the operations going on to dislodge the terrorists, such that collateral damage is reduced to the barest minimum.


“The Nigerian Army wishes to restate its determination to bring this counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations to a speedy and decisive end.


“Equally, the Nigerian Army seizes this opportunity to reassure Nigerians of its preparedness to support relevant agencies in the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.


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Guber primaries: APC loses first round in court

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FROM OLUSEYE OJO, IBADAN


 


A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday dismissed a motion on notice filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State against a governorship aspirant of the party, Mr. Adebayo Shittu.


Shittu had sued the APC and INEC over the conducts of wards, local governments and state congresses held on 5th, 12th and 26th April, 2014 respectively.


He accused APC and INEC of non-compliance with the strict provisions and requirements of the APC constitutions 2013 (as amended).


But the dismissed APC motion had stated that Shittu did not have locus standi to sue the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state over the conducts of the party’s congresses.


In his ruling on Monday, Justice Ayo Emmanuel, affirmed that Shittu is a member of the APC and was a gubernatorial aspirant for the 2015 elections on the party’s platform. The court also held that Shittu had enough evidence before the court.


Justice Emmanuel also said the court must assume jurisdiction over the case based on the complaints of the plaintiff that the APC, which is the first defendant, failed to conduct the congresses according to provisions and requirements of the APC constitution 2013 (as amended).


He, however, adjourned the case to January 5, 2015 for hearing.


Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, who is the counsel to APC, said he had filed stay of execution against court’s ruling in the Court of Appeal.


In the substantive suit, Shittu prayed that the court should declare that his exclusion from the party’s wards, local governments and state congresses as a contravention of the APC Constitution 2013.


He also sought for an order that would nullify and set aside the results of the said APC congresses in the state, adding that the court should declare as unconstitutional the APC primary elections in which delegates from the purported congresses held to select the party’s candidate for the governorship, national and state House of Assembly elections.


Shittu also sought for an injunction to restrain the APC or any of its agents from relying on the results of the purported congresses to submit any name of any person or group of persons to the second defendant, INEC as elected wards, local governments, state officers or delegates for the presidential, governorship, national and state legislature based on the said congresses.


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Jonathan To Address Nigerians On New Year’s Day

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President Goodluck Jonathan will in Thursday broadcast his New Year day message to the nation at 7a.m.


According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, the broadcast would be transmitted on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).


Other media houses can broadcast the message live, by linking up with the NTA, the statement adds.


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Army restricts vehicular movement in Borno for New Year, Eid Moulud celebrations

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Nigerian-army

As the Federal Government declares January 1st and 2nd 2015 as public holidays to commemorate the New Year Celebration and Eid-el Moulud, the 7 Division of Nigerian Army has imposed a total ban on vehicular movement within its Area of Responsibility from 6.00am on Thursday, 1st January 2015 to 6.00pm on Friday 2nd January 2015.


In a Press Release signed by the Spokesperson of the Division, Colonel Sani Usman, the military said the directive implied that movement by animals (horses), bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles and motor vehicles are totally banned in the State during the specified period.


The restriction, it stated, was informed by the need to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of law abiding citizens of Borno State throughout the period.


Colonel Usman also urged the public to report any suspicious movement of persons or vehicles around their environments to the nearest security agencies.


(DAILY POST)


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2ND Hand Husband: Nkiru Sylvanus Set To Reunite With Former Lover Who Married Oge Okoye

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Just recently, reports were circulating that one popular Nollywood actress is about to marry another Nollywood actress’ ex-husband.


After enough digging into the matter, I discovered that this report might actually be true, and the two actresses are Oge Okoye and Nkiru Sylvanus.


Some years ago Oge Okoye reportedly snatched Amsterdam-based Stanley Duru from Nkiru Sylvanus and married him.



Mr Duru dumped Nkiru while they were planning their marriage and took off with Oge Okoye to Amsterdam where they lived until Oge Okoye conceived.


She delivered a baby boy and the marriage was hit by a scandal. The couple reconciled and Oge took in again and delivered a baby girl in 2010.


Allegedly, the marriage hit a dead end over 2 years ago when Oge reportedly had an affair with her husband’s best friend in Berlin, a move that forced her husband to call off the marriage.


Fast forward to this year, Stanley Duru and Nkiru Sylvanus are back in each other’s arms and are set to married.


The wedding is supposed to take place this month but it has been shifted to next year.


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Nigerian Army records gains from court martial of soldiers- Official

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The Nigerian Army has revealed the gains of the ongoing General Court Martial of some soldiers and officers over mutiny and other offences, saying it has instilled discipline and professionalism in the Armed Forces.


Army spokesman, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye said Wednesday at a press briefing that troops were better attuned to the reality of the nation’s security emergency.


Laleye said: “On this note, I wish to bring to your attention that the strict enforcement of service regulations and laws by the Army is paying off. Troops are now better attuned to the reality of our national security emergency.


“Cases of unprofessional conducts have been significantly reduced. The Army notes with satisfaction that troops’ fighting spirit, courage, determination and patriotism have been rekindled.”


He confirmed that a number of officers and men were still undergoing trial before General Court Martial in Abuja, Lagos and Jos, for various offences.


He dismissed reports that proceedings at the General Court Martial did not follow due process, saying the court martial was not a mushroom court.


He said, “The judicial process that led to the convictions and acquittals followed international best practices in military law and also confirms to relevant Nigerian laws.


“This is contrary to insinuations I. The media which suggest that due process has not been followed in the trial of officers and soldiers. Let me state categorically that a General Court Martial has the status of the high court and is backed by extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he stated.


General Laleye however added that the all military court is not a final authority, saying that the process and convictions were subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior military authority and also subject to appeal.


“Therefore, it is erroneous and mischievous to create the impression that pronouncements arising from the General Court Martial are an aberration or do not follow due process”.


Laleye said the Army had introduced new effective strategies to the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the Northeastern part of the country, saying this had led to the recovery of some territories captured by the Boko Haram insurgents.


He listed the towns recaptured by the military to include Gombi, Hong, Uba, Makera, Mubi, Holma and Vimtim; all in Adamawa State. However, some territories similarly captured by the insurgents in Borno and Yobe States are still under the control of the insurgents.


He vowed that every inch on Nigerian territory still under Boko Haram’s control would be recovered until the enemy is defeated.


The Army spokesman the military would work in collaboration with other security and relevant agencies to ensure credible and violence free elections in the country, particularly in the troubled Northeastern part.


He however stated that the military would be involved in the process of the 2015 election only on the directive from a “higher authority”.


“You never can tell, the 2015 general elections might turn out to be the best in the history of elections in the country,” he said.


(WORLDSTAGE NEWSONLINE )


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Buhari Support Group Chair Cautions Gov Lamido Against Criticizing Buhari

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The Chairman, fund raising committee for General Muhammadu Buhari Support Group, Farouk Aliyu has warned Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido against attacking the personality of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at political gatherings.


“Though we know Governor Lamido has problem, because some times he talk in support of General Buhari by asking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP supporters to vote for him (Buhari) secretly during the forth coming elections,” Aliyu told journalists after the fund raising campaign organised in Dutse.


He noted that Lamido openly criticised General Buhari while he showed support for President Goodluck Jonathan. This, he said, was partly because one of the House of Representative members representing Birninkudu/Buji federal constituency of Jigawa State, Sabo Nakudu to the APC.


“For this, I am assuring you that in Jigawa, Buhari will get over two million votes and Jonathan will get only but one vote, that of Lamido himself.


“General Buhari has never talked about Sule Lamido in anyway, under whatever circumstances. Buhari is not his mate, he is far ahead of Lamido. It is only Lamido that can double talk, criticise even Jonathan he always claimed to be supporting by asking his supporters not to vote for him.”


Aliyu also boasted that Nigerians trust Buhari and that explains why they have been donating towards the smooth running of his electioneering campaign.


“The money realised from Nigerians through the sale of scratch cards will be used in hiring vehicles for campaigns, payment of agents during election as well as other logistic in support of the party,” Aliyu said.


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New Year: APC candidate distributes rice for New Year in Ogun

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Assures of soft loan for traders


 


All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Prince Dapo Abiodun has distributed several bags of rice to the party executives in all electoral units, wards and local councils in all the nine local government areas in the district.


Addressing the party executives at a meeting at Ijebu North East local council Secretariat, Atan, Prince Abiodun stated that his visit to the area became necessary because of the huge support given to him by the people during the party primaries which he declared contributed tremendously to his emergence as the winner.


He appreciated the people for their support for him despite the fact that one of his co-contestants is from their council area.


The APC senatorial candidate assured the people of the district that on market days in each of the wards in the nine local governments, bags of rice would henceforth be distributed to market women and men in the district.


According him, the party executives from the unit to local government levels would inform party members and supporters about the days chosen for distribution in each ward for the people to come out en mass to collect their bags of rice.


He also noted that apart from four litre of kerosene that would be distributed at all the electoral units, party members would also get kegs of vegetable oil. He noted that the gesture is a foretaste of what the people will benefit from him when they eventually elect him during the February general election, adding that they should however guard their Permanent Voter’s Card(PVC) as that is their means of guaranteeing that such benefits continue.


By the middle of January, he said the first set of beneficiaries of the soft loans he had arranged with a commercial Bank for empowerment of women, particularly the market women would have access to the fund.


Prince Abiodun, however, explained that the motive behind the distribution of the commodities was cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country, particularly during the New Year celebration.


He dismissed the insinuation that the gifts are being shared in exchange for votes. The APC candidate noted that his counsel for the people to protect their PVC is a way of encouraging them to take their civic responsibilities.


Fielding questions from the attendees, Prince Abiodun disclosed that the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has concluded plans to grade some of their roads, assuring them he would shoulder the responsibility of grading those the state government would not be able to attend to now.


He noted he would only attend to some of the numerous problems presented before him by the people before the election, adding that he would tackle the rest thereafter.


Present at the event were the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, the Ijebu North East local government Chairman, Femi Odufowokan, his counterpart from Ikenne local council, Tajudeen Salako among several chieftains of the party.


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A New Year message to Nigeria’s youth from Muhammadu Buhari

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…and here’s Gen. Buhari’s New Year message to Nigerian youths…

As we welcome the year 2015, I have shared a message to Nigerians in general, but I find it crucial to send another message directly to Nigeria’s youth, who are the major stakeholders of this enterprise.

The year 2014 was a challenging one for most citizens of our dear country.


We remember our compatriots who were brutishly killed or maimed by evil terrorists in 2014. I remember with a still broken heart that 219 of our children from Chibok are yet missing, let down by a country that should protect them. I remember that, even as I speak, some of our towns and villages are yet under the occupation of Boko Haram.


Yes, it is enough for you to despair. It is enough for you to wonder if your country cares about you and can protect you. But do not despair.


2015 has arrived at a time of great discomfort; but the beauty of the New Year is that we can look forward with renewed hope and the knowledge that things can and will change.


In Nigeria’s case, we can truly look forward to the change that the elections can, and will, bring. Our country will be secure again. Our country will prosper again.


I have faith that 2015 is the year we shall begin to write a new story – a story of our youth creating jobs and expanding the frontiers of innovation and creativity everywhere from Mavin Records to the Co-Creation Hub; a story of genuine investment in our children and students be they in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka or in the Delta State University, Abraka; a country that finally makes a permanent shift from our debilitating dependence on the free-falling price of crude oil.


I have unshakeable faith that 2015 will be the year of change.


Now some of you have asked me: what exactly does ‘change’ mean?


I have taken time to explain this at different opportunities, but on this special day, let me remind you in five short statements.


Change means:


1.      A country that you can be proud of at anytime and anywhere: where corruption is tackled, where your leaders are disciplined and lead with vision and clarity; where the stories that emerge to the world from us are full of hope and progress.

2.     A Nigeria in which neither yourselves, nor your parents, families or friends will have to fear for your safety, or for theirs.

3.     A Nigeria where citizens get the basics that any country should provide: infrastructure that works, healthcare that is affordable, even free; respect for the environment and sustainable development, education that is competitive and outcome-oriented in a knowledge-economy.

4.     A country that provides jobs for its young people, reducing unemployment to the lowest of single digits and providing safety nets so that no one is left behind.

5.     A Nigeria where entrepreneurship thrives, enterprise flourishes and the government gets out of your way so that you can create value, build the economy and aggressively expand wealth.

Are these things truly possible? Of course. That is the essence and outcome of leadership, and that is what my party and I promise you as we get into 2015.

My dear friends, this New Year, more than ever before, I am hopeful about Nigeria.


Yes, you are disappointed and you are angry, as you are entitled to, but you must never give in to the temptation to feel so weighed down by those who have failed you that you lose your hope and your energy and your passion to see change. You must never give up on Nigeria. 

Together, we can build a nation that is secure, prosperous and gives everyone a fair chance.

This is the promise that 2015 holds. That is the promise that change will bring. That is the promise that I bring to you.

Once again, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

Thank you and God bless Nigeria.


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Sydney, Aukland, Hong Kong welcome New Year

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Revellers across the globe are gathering to welcome in the new year, with New Zealand and Australia leading the celebrations.


A giant clock in Auckland’s Sky Tower counted down the minutes until midnight (11:00 GMT), when fireworks erupted.


Up to 1.5m people lined the shores of Sydney harbour in preparation for the city’s famous firework display.


Celebration plans have been muted in Indonesia, however, in the wake of the AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crash.


In Brazil, more than one million people will join the crowds on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, while New Yorkers will watch the city lower its trademark crystal ball over Times Square.


Some of the easternmost corners of earth, including Samoa, Kiribati and the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, were the first places to herald the new year.


(BBC)


 


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The national coordinator of the Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams has blamed Former President Olusegun Obasanjo for laying the foundation of Nigeria’s current problems.


He said this while addressing newsmen on his fears about the 2015 presidential election. According to him, as things stand, it seems as if no matter who wins the presidential election between President Goodluck Jonathan and General Mohammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC), violence will erupt in the country.


Adams explained that if Buhari loses next year’s election, crisis may erupt in the north, while the Niger Delta region may also erupt in violence if President Jonathan loses.


The OPC leader however claimed Obasanjo was responsible for Nigeria’s problems, most of which he said had their roots from the ex-president’s administration.


“The very cabal that Jonathan complained about was created by Obasanjo. All the problems that are existing in Nigeria today, the foundation was laid by Obasanjo,” he said.


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JTF arrests suspected killers of soldiers, recovers arms

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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa


The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield is ending year 2014 on a high note with the arrest of five suspected sea-pirates believed to have masterminded the attack on a JTF fibre boat and killing of three soldiers.


Six soldiers had been killed in a space of 72 hours by suspected sea-pirates at Santa Barbara River and Azagbene community.


Daily Sun learnt that the Defence Headquarters, worried by the attack on the soldiers had directed the JTF Commander, Major General Emmanuel Atewe to fish out the killers of the soldiers.


The anti kidnapping and sea robbery squad of the JTF acting on intelligence reports had immediately swung into action by invading Ukubie community where it carried out a week long operation to fish out the killers of the soldiers.


At the end of the operation, five suspected sea-pirates believed to have carried out deadly attacks on military personnel and civilians were arrested after a shoot-out.


Investigations revealed that some of the suspected sea-pirates escaped but the JTF team arrested five of them and whisked them to its headquarters at Yenagoa.


The media coordinator of the JTF, Col. Mustapha Anka who paraded the suspects at the JTF headquarters said a cache of arms was recovered from the bandits.


Anka who stated that since the arrest of the suspected sea-pirates, normalcy has returned to the Bayelsa state waterways assured Bayelsans to go about their legitimate duty on the waterways as the JTF is on top of the situation.


“During the week long operation, three Browning Machine Gun (BMGs) with registration Nos 1981 with stand, B572 Banel No Z90323 with stand, HMG – 50MG ST Kinetics Serial No 2405PM with sitting, with its links ammunition (buried under ground), others are 1 AK 47 Rifles without registration No, a G3 Rifle with No G310D792 and She Rifle with Reg No T67439 and Wooden Dummy rifle.


Other items include 3 gunboat batteries, 1 Hp laptop computer, 1 Police fragmental jacket, 1 x 200 horse power engine, Empty cases of 12.7mm ammunition of HMG gun, 1 search light with batteries, 1 bag containing boat tools, 1 Nokia G6 mobile phone, 2 rifle butts and 1 plastic toy pistol were recovered in Ukubie Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.


The Manhunt was launched on the suspected sea robbers that attack JTF troops and waterways users in Sangana and Sacta-Babra waterways in Bayelsa and Rivers States.


Since the arrest of the criminals the normal peace that existing in the region has returned in the entire waterways. The JTF command wishes to reassure the good people of the Niger Delta and Nigerian in entirety not to fret, as JTF is on top of the situation.”


Anka further declared that the JTF under Atewe would ensure the safety of lives and property along the waterways.


He added that the recent delivery of gunboats to the JTF would strength its patrol operations to safeguard the Niger Delta region before and after the 2015 general elections.


 


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Record Set For World’s Largest Paper Ball

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A state agency in Minnesota is claiming the world record for largest ball of paper. See for yourself on AP


The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the ball measures 9 feet 7 inches tall and 32.2 feet in circumference. The 426-pound ball was displayed at the Minnesota State Fair to show how much recyclable paper state residents throw away every 30 seconds.


But anyone who missed seeing the ball at the fair is out of luck: The agency recycled it, turning it into cardboard for cereal boxes.


Spokeswoman Taylor Holland said Monday that the agency got confirmation last week from Guinness World Records. There wasn’t a previous record.


The ball was built around a cardboard frame and held together with paper netting. In keeping with Guinness guidelines, no adhesives or tape was used.


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Herrera, Januzaj Back in Man Utd Training

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Manchester United have been boosted by the return of midfielder Ander Herrera and forward Adnan Januzaj.


Louis van Gaal’s men prepare for their first match of 2015 away to Stokes on January 1. It was a welcomed improvement at the pre-game media briefing on Tuesday, with the 63-year-old revealing Herrera and Januzaj have resumed training after recovery from injury and illness respectively.


“Herrera has trained today for the first time with us and Januzaj has also trained two training sessions with us,” said van Gaa.

Ander Herrera is Back in Man Utd Training. Image: Man United via Getty.

Ander Herrera is Back in Man Utd Training. Image: Man United via Getty.


“They don’t have match rhythm [yet]. Januzaj was ill and you have to recover from your illness, not from your tiredness. Maybe it’s worse to recover from illness.”


Asked if he would have more players available for the Stoke game than he had for the game at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Van Gaal replied, “No”.


Luke Shaw made his first-team appearance since the victory at Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur. Rafael da Silva and Chris Smalling were also named in the squad for the goalless draw after injuries.


He added: “You have seen that Smalling, Shaw and Rafael Da Silva are coming back.


“These are the first signs that we already predicted two weeks ago, that the players shall come back but they are not back with 100 per cent match rhythm, and now we have to play.


“It’s a problem for me to come through this two weeks around Christmas and New Year, all these matches. That is difficult now.”


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Enugu FRSC begins campaign on use of bicycles to curb road accidents

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Road safety

From CHINEDU ASADU, Enugu      




As the year is gradually rolling to an end, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Enugu State Command, has advocated the use of bicycles as a means of transport to help reduce accidents on the roads.


The commission which made this appeal in its spread of the ‘gospel of ember months’ to the people of Enugu, also urged them to drive with utmost caution, ‘not just to be alive but to save life’.


Therefore, FRSC had during the National Bicycle Week held from December 15 to 20, took to the streets of the Coal City on an enlightenment campaign to stress the need for safe driving during the Christmas period.


The campaign was also targeted at creating awareness on the use of bicycles as a better alternative means of driving.


Addressing newsmen during the campaign, the Sector Commander, Enugu State Command, Taiwo Gabriel Eseyin, said that the campaign was aimed at sensitizing the people on the need to drive with care while travelling on the festive period.


He lamented on high rate of accidents that characterize the festive period, warning that the sector would not take it kindly with anyone seen going against traffic rules.


According to him, “there are a lot of things distracting people when driving during this period, making them to lose concentration. There are so many expectations they have not been able to make and this takes their mind away and you see the person over speeding and going against traffic rules.”


He, therefore, urged people to make ‘driving to save life’ their priority, stressing that the traffic rules must be strictly adhered to.


“We all need to be sensitive to traffic rules and regulations. We must learn to drive with caution, not just to stay alive, but to save live. When you save your live, you have also saved the life of others”, he said.


The sector commander noted that the campaign was also aimed at making the general public to understand the importance of bicycles as a means of transport.


He observed that besides reducing the rate of road accidents along the roads, riding bicycles are of numerous benefits, ranging from health to economic impact, adding that “when you ride the bicycle, you are doing exercise and it improves your health status”.


His words: “Research has shown that using the bicycle as a means of transportation has great benefit on our health; when you continuously ride the bicycle, your health status is increased by 10 year. Riding bicycles also causes decongestion of traffic. If most people ride bicycle, you will see that all the gridlocks we have in the city will not be there.


“Another benefit from the use of bicycles as means of transportation is that it will reduce the amount of fuel consumption thereby reducing the pressure on the economy. When you have a bicycle, you don’t need to spend money buying fuel, the only expenses you have made is the bicycle itself”, he said.


Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Hon Godwin Madueke, commended the corps for their efforts in ensuring safety of lives on Nigeria roads.


The commissioner, who was represented at the occasion by the ministry’s Deputy Director (Special Duties), Engr. Maurice Ngwu, also stated that the ministry has been working in tandem with the corps to ensure adequate safety on the roads.


“If you watch our roads, the number of potholes has tremendously reduced. Most of the state roads where people were not able to drive along before are relatively smooth and durable now”, he said, stressing that “it is not a guarantee for people to over-speed”.




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How 12-Year-Old Boy Stabbed 10-Year-Old Friend To Death For Abusing Him

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Photo credits: Samson Folarin

Photo credits: Samson Folarin


A 12-year-old boy, named Samson Egunje, has been accused of allegedly stabbing his 10-year-old friend, Samuel Igbekele, in the Ikotun area of Lagos State for teasing him, thereby causing his death.  Punch newspaper covers the whole story:


The incident happened on Saturday on Omoboriowo Street.


Residents said the suspect, a primary six pupil, had been looking for the victim all day, saying he abused him in the morning and threatening that he would stab him in revenge.


Egunje was said to have stabbed Samuel with a bottle in the neck that evening while he (Samuel), a primary three pupil, ran errand for a neighbour.


After the attack, the victim reportedly held his neck as he ran across the road in a frantic effort to get to his parents’ house which was a few kilometres away.


Samuel, after taking some feeble steps, was said to have collapsed.


A resident, Ibrahim Sulaiman, said he saw him on the floor in a pool of blood that night.


He said, “I was under a tent where some people had had a wedding ceremony. I saw some kids playing with bottles and I drove them away.


“After I finished drinking with my friends, I went to a woman selling noodles and asked her to prepare some for me and that I would come back for it.


“While returning for my noodles, I saw the woman beaming a torch on the boy, and when I asked her who he was, she said she did not know him.”


The victim’s father, Solomon, a bricklayer, said his landlord’s son alerted him to the incident and he took him for medical treatment.


He explained that Samuel was about to eat his dinner on the fateful night when the neighbour sent him on an errand.


 


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UN Security Council rejects Palestinian statehood resolution

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The UN Security Council rejected on Tuesday a Palestinian resolution calling for peace with Israel within a year and an end to the “Israeli occupation” of Palestinian territories by late 2017.


The resolution failed to achieve the 9-votes majority required to pass. Eight countries voted in favor of the motion – China, France, Russia, Argentina, Chad, Chile, Jordan, Luxembourg – two opposed – US and Australia – and five abstained – UK, Lithuania, Nigeria, Korea, Rwanda.


US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said in comments after the vote that: “Instead of giving voice to the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis, this text addresses only one side.”


Earlier on Tuesday, representatives of the Arab countries in the United Nations claimed that they have managed to secure a majority of nine votes at the UN Security Council needed to pass the resolution.


According to the Arab representatives, France and Luxemburg have been persuaded to vote in favor of the draft resolution re-submitted on Monday night, alongside seven other countries. There are 15 members in the UN Security Council – 5 permanent members and 10 changing ones.


Jordan on Tuesday circulated to the UN Security Council a draft resolution prepared by the Palestinians, who said they want it put to a vote before Thursday. Washington and London both said they could not support the draft because it was not constructive and failed to address Israel’s security needs.


British UN Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant was asked by reporters whether his delegation could support the Palestinian draft.


“Well no,” he said. “There’s some difficulties with the text, particularly language on time scales, new language on refugees. So I think we would have some difficulties.”


Lyall Grant did not explicitly threaten to use Britain’s veto power to help block the Palestinian text if it is put to a vote.


All 22 Arab delegations endorsed the Palestinian draft on Monday, though Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar, the sole Arab representative on the 15-nation council, said she would personally have liked more time to consult on the draft.


Israel has said a Security Council vote, following the collapse in April of US-brokered talks on Palestinian statehood, would deepen the conflict. It supports negotiations but rejects third-party time lines. In a meeting with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that “Israel will oppose conditions that endanger our future.”


“We expect the entire international community – at least the responsible members of that community – to oppose vigorously this UN diktat, this UN Security Council resolution. Because what we need always is direct negotiations and not imposed conditions,” he told Pence in a meeting in Jerusalem.


The Palestinians, frustrated by the lack of progress on peace talks, have sought to internationalize the issue by seeking UN membership and recognition of statehood via membership in international organizations.


The United States, Israel’s closest ally, said Monday it is opposed to the draft resolution. It has insisted on a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, not an imposed timetable.


Washington, council diplomats say, has also made clear it does not want a resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue voted on before Israel’s election in March. It will therefore not hesitate use its veto to strike down the Palestinian measure if necessary, council diplomats said.


“We don’t think this resolution is constructive,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke told a news briefing on Monday. “We think it sets arbitrary deadlines for reaching a peace agreement and for Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank, and those are more likely to curtail useful negotiations than to bring them to a successful conclusion.


“Further, we think that the resolution fails to account for Israel’s legitimate security needs, and the satisfaction of those needs, of course, integral to a sustainable settlement.”


Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, told reporters who asked why the Palestinians were pressing for a vote in the face of a US veto that it was time for the Security Council “to shoulder its responsibility and to adopt this resolution.”


“If one party decides for whatever reason that they do not want to go along with this massive support by the international community to find a just solution to this conflict, to try to save the two-state solution by asking for the end of the occupation that started in 1967 … then nobody should blame us as Arabs and Palestinians and Muslims … and so many others for not opening a door – a responsible door for peace through the Security Council,” Mansour said.


The draft resolution affirms the urgent need to achieve “a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution” to the decades-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict within 12 months and sets a Dec. 31, 2017 deadline for “Israel’s occupation” to end. It calls for an independent state of Palestine to be established within 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and demands “a just solution” to all other outstanding issues including Palestinian refugees, prisoners in Israeli jails, and water.


The Palestinians initially circulated a draft resolution on Oct. 1 asking the council to set a deadline of November 2016 for an Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territory captured since 1967.


France had been working for a UN resolution aimed at restarting Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, setting a two-year deadline for success. Diplomats said France was seeking negotiations on the latest draft resolution in the Security Council, but that idea was rejected by the Arab group.


(REUTERS, AP)


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Nasri- City Can Chase Down Chelsea in EPL Title Run-In

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Manchester City can outlast Chelsea in the race for the 2014-15 Premier League title, according to midfielder Samir Nasri.



The reigning champions trail leaders Chelsea by three points ahead of their clash with mid-table Sunderland on New Year’s Day.


City won the title last season despite having trailed both Arsenal and Liverpool for long periods during the campaign and Nasri believes that knowhow gives City an advantage in the current title race.

Nasri Celebrates Scoring against Man Utd during the 2013-14 Campaign. Image: Getty.

Nasri Celebrates Scoring against Man Utd during the 2013-14 Campaign. Image: Getty.


“Everyone is stronger,” said the Frenchman. “We get older, we get more mature and stronger mentally. You learn to deal with different situations. At this club we’ve been through all the different situations. We know how to deal with the pressure. We know we are good at being second and chasing someone. We’ve done it before. We know how to deal with every situation and we are ready for it.”


Manuel Pellegrini’s side spurned a good opportunity to cut Chelsea’s lead to a point on Sunday when they squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with struggling Burnley after Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton. The deadlock also had the Manchester club miss out on a club-record 10-match winning streak, but Nasri says the focus now is winning the next match.


“We’re frustrated,” he said. “We were aware of the Chelsea result and it was a great chance for us to be just one point behind. Nobody talks about that record of ten consecutive wins. That doesn’t matter. The most important thing was to finish the year at home with a win, with 45 points from the first half (of the season). That would have been a good thing, but we didn’t do it. All we want to do is win. We couldn’t do that, so let’s be focused for Sunderland.”


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Nigerian, Not Cameroon Airforce Bombed Boko Haram Terrorists in North-East – – DHQ

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Following reports Tuesday, that Cameroonian air force jets on Monday launched air strikes on scores of Boko Haram terrorists who occupied a military base in Northern Cameroon and bombed them on the Nigerian side, the Defence Headquarters said yesterday that no foreign air force aircraft launched any airstrike on Nigeria’s territory.


Rather, DHQ in a post on its twitter handle, disclosed that the air strikes that killed Boko Haram terrorists in the said confrontation at the Nigerian divide of the border town with Cameroon was carried out by Nigerian Airforce fighter aircraft.


It said it will investigate the source of the information claiming that the air strikes were carried out by a foreign air force.


Cameroon’s minister of information, Issa Tchiroma had in a statement, said the coordinated assaults on five towns and villages showed a change in tactics by Boko Haram fighters, adding that the group’s campaign to carve out an Islamic Caliphate has spread from North East Nigeria to neighbouring Cameroon.


He added that President Paul Biya ordered air strikes to flush out Boko Haram terrorists’ from Northern Cameroon.


However, Defence Spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade said, “Ongoing highly Coordinated Air operation is being conducted by the Nigeria Air force. No indication of any Foreign Force engaging in any part of Nigeria. We will investigate claims of Airstrikes by a Foreign Force on our Soil. This serves to satisfy peddlers of strange claims and stories”


Continuing, Olukolade asked, “What could be the motive of Foreign Media outfits peddling false/exaggerated claims of a neighboring Army’s exploits on Nigerian soil?”


(ALL AFRICA)


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General Manager at Isobar

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Isobar is a global full service digital marketing agency, driven by the purpose to deliver borderless ideas enabled through technology, to transform businesses and brands.


We have over 3,700 digital pioneers in its 69 offices across 42 Markets worldwide. In 2013 Isobar won over 170 awards, including 18 Agency of the Year titles and we have won two consecutive Asia-Pacific Agency Network of the Year Awards.


Isobar is part of the Dentsu Aegis Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dentsu Inc.


 


Job Description


We are searching for a talented General Manager to join our team in NIGERIA. The successful incumbent will be required to ensure the delivery of world class product that defines the agency. The candidate will lead and inspire the team to create and deliver an innovative and ambitious business strategy. The candidate would be an ambassador for Isobar, connecting across internal and external networks to help deliver the operating model and build the brand reputations of Isobar and Dentsu Ageis Network.


 


Key Performance Areas (KPA’s) & responsibilities



  • Identify and seize opportunities to maximise margin, managing costs in core to deliver strategic investment and growth in diversified

  • Connect Isobar and Dentsu Aegis capabilities to produce leading creative solutions that deliver business value to clients and isobar

  • Deliver outstanding client and consumer insight to strengthen new business and pitch process and optimise identification of business development opportunities

  • Identify and seize opportunities to deliver cost savings and operational efficiencies across Isobar.

  • Constantly innovate and evolve business strategy to ensure the agency model continues to build growth and deliver value

  • Translate business strategy into an organisational change strategy with clear executable plans

  • Empower and enable team to think about and sell creative work in new ways to deliver business value to clients

  • Demonstrate a strong insight and understanding of global macro-economic and customer trends, understanding impact and identifying opportunities to capitalise on this potential

  • Challenge and interrogate Isobar strategy collaborating with European and Global teams to influence strategic direction and build profitable relationships

  • Be the ‘figure head’ for Isobar. Connecting credibly with significant stakeholders and key industry figures to optimise Isobar brand and deliver profitable growth

  • Lead senior team in building Isobar and Aegis brand reputation and industry position through leveraging external network; taking part in speaker and conference opportunities to do this

  • With Regional MD and SSA Development Director, play a lead role in shaping/defining Isobar Brand vision across West Africa and Globally and ensure that Isobar consistently delivers this vision and adheres to relevant core processes

  • Work closely with FD to strategically manage financial KPI’s to build value and drive profitable growth

  • Attract, develop, retain and mobilise the best talent for Isobar and Dentsu Aegis

  • Lead, inspire and motivate Isobar teams to understand and ‘live’ Isobar values and to deliver commercial goals and ambition

  • Build a credible senior management team who:


-Drive and manage continuous high performance


-Challenge and interrogate business strategy to deliver outstanding client  solutions


-Ensure their people achieve their career goals


-Identify and progress high potentials to provide a ‘talent pool’ for Isobar and Aegis


-Influence, collaborate and manage across Isobar and Dentsu Aegis matrix to optimise growth


-Drive efficient day to day business operations to maximise margin


 


 Key personal Inherent Characteristics



  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent public speaking acumen

  • Personable style with a knack for proactive problem solving

  • A positive Attitude

  • Negotiation skills

  • Strong Management skills


 


 


Details:


Area: Lagos, Nigeria (Ikeja)


Salary Bracket: Market Related


Starting Date: ASAP


Send your resume to humanresources@mediafuse.com.ng


 


APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 31 January 2015


 


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Nasarawa government dispels death rumours about Governor Al-Makura

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Governor-Almakura

The Nasarawa State Government has dismissed death rumours on the State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.


Al-Makura had traveled abroad for medical check-up last week Wednesday.


Workers in government offices as well as residents in Lafia, the state capital, say the health status of Al-Makura is being protected as top officials in Nasawara have maintained sealed lips.


The state government has, however, sought to douse the tension that has gripped the state.


This is as the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Yakubu Lamai, in a statement yesterday said the Nasarawa helmsman was alive, hale and hearty.


The terse statement reads: “We wish to use this medium to assure the entire citizens of Nasarawa State and confirm with clarity that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is alive, hale and hearty and in excellent health.


“We recognise that this is election campaign period and publicity strategists are likely to use every available tool to gain public attention, including peddling unfounded rumours about the governor’s health.


“Governor Al-Makura is no stranger to political campaigns and appeals to all and sundry to concentrate on making the ongoing campaigns and the forthcoming elections issue-based”.


(DAILY POST)


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Drunk Driver Hits Someone, Car Somersaults As He Tries To Escape (Photos)

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Culled from Nairaland


The driver was so drunk, he hit down someone, when he started running to escape his car somersaulted… Just like that!


It happened at Ahiara junction at Mbaise in IMO state. See photos below.


image


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Source: Eyewitness Account.


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Election 2015: Ambode will do better than me, says Fashola

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Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State says Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections, will do better than himself if voted into power.


Fashola made the assertion when he met with tradesmen, artisans and farmers in Lagos on Tuesday, saying he was also certain that Ambode will not only start from where he will stop, but raise the bar far beyond his achievements of the last eight years.


“The time to make very important decision is now. I know Ambode, he worked with me for six years. I support your request for continuity and I am saying that Ambode will continue from where I will stop and do better,” said Fashola at the event attended by Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to Mohammadu Buhari, APC presidential candidate and Ambode himself.


Speaking on his part, Osinbajo said the poor state of the nation’s economy has plunged many Nigerians into poverty, reiterating that there must be a change of government at the federal level to liberate Nigerians from poverty.


“No one is ignorant of all that is happening to us in this country. No one likes hunger and poverty but people are hungry. In 2015, only those who love to continue to be hungry would prefer that the government in power at the center remains there.


“By God’s grace, we would remove them from the seat of power. The people there presently cannot do anything because they don’t know how to. They lack the capacity and capability to govern the country. I pray for the farmers and artisans that the Lord will bless us in the incoming year.”


Speaking also, Ambode said from the time of Bola Tinubu to Babatunde Fashola as governors, Lagos has witnessed improved economic, social and political climate. Ambode enjoined Lagosians to vote en masse for the party during the gubernatorial elections as well as for the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammed Buhari.


(BUSINESS DAY)


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REVEALED: Why Jonathan did not visit Chibok—Yakasai.

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Elder statesman and chieftain of the PDP Alhaji Tanko Yakasai over the weekend explained why he thinks President Jonathan didn’t visit Chibok. He said:

“Why I think the president’s decision not to visit the area is not bad is because we were all aware of the deteriorating level of insecurity in that part of the country. We all know it was too risky for the president to visit Chibok at that time. The president is not a soldier, soldiers are the people that should be sent there. If I was the president and such an incident occurred, the right thing for me to do was to send soldiers and to be frank, our soldiers are doing their best. We are hearing on radio and reading on newspapers how soldiers are being killed but yet they are doing their best.


I don’t know what is happening, the Minister of Defence, Ali Gussy, is a northerner, the National Security Adviser is a northerner, the Inspector General of Police is northerner, the Chief of Defence Staff is also a northerner. “All Nigerian soldiers are under his order, if all these people cannot address the problem how would it be easy for the president to do it? Don’t forget that suicide bombers are now experts, so what will happen if they ambushed the president and something bad happened to him? Do you think his people will accept that? Except if people want the country to return to the Niger Delta militants era.”


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Tunisia election: Beji Caid Essebsi to be sworn in as president

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Tunisian President-elect Beji Caid Essebsi is to take his oath of office after winning the country’s first free presidential poll.


He secured victory last week over incumbent Moncef Marzouki.


His triumph means Tunisia – where the Arab Spring began – remains the only Arab country to move from authoritarian rule to democracy in that period.


On Monday, electoral authorities confirmed that Mr Essebsi had won a run-off vote against Mr Marzouki.


The new president will be sworn in at a ceremony in the newly elected parliament – where his party Nidaa Tounes also holds the largest number of seats.


The swearing in takes place on the anniversary four years ago of protests that eventually toppled President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.


The BBC’s Naveena Kottoor in Tunis says that while this is the latest democratic milestone for Tunisia, many in the country are arguing that political transition will only succeed if newly-elected politicians usher in social and economic changes.


Mr Essebsi, 88, has urged all Tunisians to “work together” for stability but critics say his win marks the return of a discredited establishment, pointing out that he served under President Ben Ali.


This month’s vote was the first time Tunisians have been able to vote freely for their president since independence from France in 1956.


The new president will have restricted powers under a constitution passed earlier this year.


He will be commander-in-chief of the armed forces but can appoint or sack senior officers only in consultation with the prime minister.


(BBC)


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Minster of Police Affairs warns police will arrest anyone who makes inciting statements, calls out Obasanjo

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Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, has threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone, no matter how highly placed in the society, that makes inciting comments to heat the polity in Nigeria. He made the threat while speaking at the launch of a book by Mr. Yinka Odumakin in Lagos State titled “Watch the Watcher” yesterday December 29th. He accused former President Obasanjo of trying to introduce an interim government in Nigeria after loosing his bid to impose his own Vice Presidential Candidate on the APC.


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Christmas: Ebonyi First Lady celebrates with widows, children

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Mrs Elechi

From JEFF AMECHI   AGBODO, Abakaliki


 


The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Joseph Elechi has celebrated the Christmas with over 1, 000 widows and children in the state. The widows and children who were drawn from 13 local government areas, 64 development centres, military and paramilitaries units, agencies, parastatals and 25 destitute homes in the state were given cash, rice, wrappers soap, salts, buckets, educational materials for children and condiments, among other gifts for them to celebrate Christmas.


While presenting the gifts to them at a Christmas party organized by the office of the wife of the governor, Mrs Elechi expressed dismay that most widows instead of re-marrying preferred to raise children in their late husband’s house.


She urged the widows to take God as their husbands and not to let their situation as widows deter them in life.


She said the party for the widows caught across widows from downtrodden, security agents whom their husbands had died in active service in the state.


She directed the wives of the council chairmen and development centres coordinators to fish out the real widows (indigent) who could not eat three square meals per day.


Mrs Elechi urged the widows to know God and train their children in the way of God instead of running after other men, telling them to love one another and embrace peace and kindness.


She noted that her pet project, Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI), has been affecting the lives of women and children, stressing that though Federal Ministry of Health took over the VVF Centre, her office still cater for their feedings and other things after their discharge.


She, therefore, encouraged them not to be dejected by their conditions, but rather ensure the moral upbringing of their children.


She also charged the chairpersons of the council areas and development centres to use the period of Christmas to identify with the less privileged persons in their areas.


Mrs Elechi said the gesture have been an annual one, where widows and children were brought together to show sense of belonging during Christmas celebration, urging them to give priority to proper upbringing of their children and be of good behaviour in spite of their condition.


She said that the celebration was borne out of her concern for the less privileged and widows who are not being treated well in the society which made them feel dejected and neglected.


According to her, “it is better to give than to receive, God loves a cheerful giver. God says we should love our neighbour. It is in the spirit of Christmas, and in the spirit of give to the poor and children that I celebrate with them. I urge you not to see your condition as a permanent one but for the time being”.


She also advised the children to obey and respect their parents in order to live long and have God’s blessing as well as exhibit good moral behaviour that would guide them in all their endeavours.


She also urged the children to advise their mothers to always access healthcare during their antenatal and other maternal services, which she said would reduce mother and child death.


The wife of the governor warned children against indecent dressing as well as other immoral behaviour that are capable of ruining their lives, urging them to read their books and be dedicated in everything they do in order to excel in life.


In a word of admonition, Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Eselu of Saint Peters Catholic Parish Ezzangbo, said though deaths of husband place burden on their widows, there is, however, need for them to trust God, saying according to the Bible, one should give thanks to God in all conditions.


His words: “You have to give thanks in every condition, respect yourselves for people to respect you; don’t kill others because you have lost your husband. If you can stay in your late husband’s house or re-marry than to stay at your husband’s house to be committing fornication and adultery which will lead you to one problem or the other. You should go closer to God and take refuge as a widow”.


Fr. Eselu also stressed the need for the widows to engage in meaningful ventures before seeking for help and commended Mrs Elechi for her kind gesture and urged other good spirited individuals to emulate her in lifting the less privileged in the state.


However, some of the widows in the state called for a special welfare scheme to cater for their needs and other less privileged persons in the society.


A widow, Mrs Elizabeth Agwu, said providing capacity building and soft loans to the widows would enable them to establish their own businesses, as well as empower them financially to meet their needs and train their children.


She commended Mrs Elechi for her efforts towards alleviating the sufferings of the less privileged and children, especially the repair of Vesco Virginal Fistula (VVF) patients free of charge.


One of the children, Miss Ugochi Innocent commended Mrs Elechi for the gifts and prayed God to give her good health and long life in order to continue in affecting the lives of children and mothers in the state.



 

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Real Madrid End 2014 With Defeat Against AC MilanIn Dubai Friendly

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Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice as AC Milan became the first side to defeat Real Madrid since September in a 4-2 friendly win in Dubai.


With the trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez not included in Real’s starting XI; Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock for the La Liga leaders.


But El Shaarawy came up with goals on either side of the interval to pull the Italians ahead before Frenchman Jeremy Menez and Giampaolo Pazzini sealed victory.


BOY vs. MASTER: AC Milan Manager Filippo Inzaghi (L) and Real Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti (R) Trade Wits on the Touchline in Dubai. Image: Karim Sahib/ AFP.

BOY vs. MASTER: AC Milan Manager Filippo Inzaghi (L) and Real Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti (R) Trade Wits on the Touchline in Dubai. Image: Karim Sahib/ AFP.


Real came into the friendly match on a 22-game winning streak in all competitions following a 2-0 win over Argentine club San Lorenzo de Almagro at the Fifa Club World Cup final in Morocco.


Substitute Benzema converted from the penalty spot in the closing stages but it was too little to stop the European champions from ending 2014 with a defeat.


It was also the ‘Los Blancos’s’ first match in their crested world champions jersey.


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Bad road: Six Ebonyi communities cut off

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Bad portion of the road

…Natives say it has been neglected for 40 years




From JEFF AMECHI AGBODO, Abakaliki


For the people of Nkalagu, Nkalaha, Amazu, Umuhuali, Obegu, Egedegede communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, this is a period of temporary relief.


The rainy season makes their heart  beat fast because of the deplorable state of their roads.


During the rainy season they had cried out to the Federal Government  to rescue them from the pitiable, deplorable, and horrible federal road in  their communities.


Indeed, plying through Nkalagu Nigercem Cement factory road or going through Eha-Amufu Federal College of Education in Isi-uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State is a nightmare for all road users, especially when it rains.


Thus the road has brought untold hardship to the people of the host communities of the moribund Nigercem Company for so many years now even as the road keeps on deteriorating every year.


The road which goes from Nsukka through Obollo, Ikem and Eha-Amufu in Enugu State to Nkalagu in Ebonyi State has been there since the colonial years. The road links  three states namely Enugu, Ebonyi and Benue, a route used during the civil war.


But since after the civil war, the road has not been rehabilitated even when it has been included in the federal budget every year, yet along the road is where the Federal College of Education Eha-Amufu and the moribund Nigeria Premier Cement Industry, Nigercem, factory Nkalagu are located.


A native of Nkalagu community, Chief Chukwuma Ede, said a natural disaster may occur if the Ebonyi River overflows its banks as a result of uncontrolled flood flowing into it.


He noted that on many occasions commuters were kept on the road for days because of collapsed bridges.


“At the Umuhuali area, a rigorous diversion has been created through the village track road in order to beat collapsed culverts and bridges. This diversion does not take two vehicles coming from opposite directions,” he said.


Ede said that the Federal Government has forgotten their area, saying “what can we benefit from the government if not to rehabilitate this road, this place in the 80s was very viable, our cement factory was producing; so many people were coming to this place for one business or the other, trucks were either bringing coals to the Nigercem or carrying out cement.”


But today, he said: “I don’t know it is because of the road that made the cement company to collapse. We are farmers, we can’t even carry our farm produce to the market; in short, we are just living for nothing, there is no life here, government should come to our aid by rehabilitating this road, for years this road has been enshrined in the budget but to no avail, there is money, I mean enough money to even construct more roads. Is it when the people of this area who have been cut-off with their brothers and sisters are gone that the road would be rehabilitated?


Also narrating her experience on the road, Ngozi Ndukwe, a student of the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, said that both the students and lecturers have suffered on the road especially from Nkalagu to Eha-Afumu which is worse.


According to her, “no season is good for this road, is it rainy or dry season?, I could remember the day I was coming back to school to resume for a semester  last two months  and our vehicle was trapped in the mud  from morning till evening no help and I had loads which I had to leave and entered one Okada and the rider happened to be a robber. On reaching half way he stopped and collected everything I had including my school fees; it was a terrible experience on this road”.


She said that during the dry season dust would be the order of the day, saying “I used to take malaria drug every week due to the level of dust I swallow on this road, any time you pass this road your cloth will turn to brown, you don’t even dare to wear white cloth after wearing it that day, it will be condemned, the depth of potholes on this road is something else. Government should do something over this road or take the school out of this place. At times I begin to ask myself whether it’s not the same school other students are going in other states of the federation; we suffer so much along this road”.


Also a civil servant, Mr Chinyere Orinya from Obegu, noted that the road has cut-off the people of the area from their brothers in Umuhala and Nkalugu due the collapse of the bridge and deplorable situation of the road especially during the rainy season.


According to her, “some of us who have cars have parked them due to the bad road; we cannot cross over again because of the collapse of the bridge. It is when you get to the bridge with bike some boys who collect money will guard you through the river over the other side of the road where you now pick another bike to your house. In short, we are suffering along this road; the Federal Government should help us to rehabilitate the road”.


The governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi in several occasions had lamented over the collapse of the bridge along the road that has caused serious hardship to the people of the area.


He said that the state government would have reconstructed another bridge if not for the meager allocation accruing to the state.


The Chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area then, Hon. Obinna Nwachukwu wondered why the road had been abandoned over the years despite the award of the road contract to an unknown contractor.


He called on the Federal Government to expedite action on awarding the road contract to a reputable company, saying that the road has been a death trap to the people of the area over the years.


His words: “I don’t know why that road has defiled every effort, because from time to time they keep on telling us that the road has been awarded and to prove them right in most cases, you see people bringing in equipment to the road. The company won’t last more than two, three, four months they will disappear from the road and when you make inquiries you will discover that they have mobilized to site to do the road and it has continued, it not a new development.


“But the most recent one is when it was established that the road had been awarded and actually noticed contractors on site but then they started from Obollo Afor in Enugu State  and we believed they were coming down to our side but along the line, they disappeared like every other person. The worst part of it before they disappeared they destroyed the road the more because their heavy equipment which were passing to go and carry chippings and stones helped to destroy the road.


“They broke down the bridges; for example, they broke down bridge at Egedegede and Amazu and efforts to get them repair the bridge proved abortive, and it became a problem. At a time I led a delegation from Ishielu to the governor about the road and governor was feeling as bad as we are feeling. He promised to put the road in good condition not minding the meager resources at least to ensure that the road is passable.


“And he was working for it until we discovered that there was a letter from the Federal Government which said that no governor should intervene in Federal Government contract without express approval from the Federal Ministry of Works and that actually handicapped him, we know that there are number of some federal roads he had done and up till now the state has not been refunded.


“The road is becoming a death trap for road users, ordinarily the road is supposed to be the shortest road from Ebonyi to Abuja. The distance from Nkalagu junction to Obollo Afor is shorter than the distance from Nkalagu to 19th Mile in Enugu before you begin to do a cross country from 9th Mile to Obollo Afor before going to Abuja. At a time I asked myself, is the road a punishment for the state because a journey that will ordinarily take you five hours to Abuja will take you over six hours, when you are supposed be hitting Kogi State, you are still battling with Enugu State, so it is really a problem to us.


“We tried as much as our power can carry to ensure that the road is rehabilitated but it is not possible.  I want to plead with the Federal Government to look into that road because it is really a problem. This is a road that houses Ebonyi, Enugu and partially Kogi and Benue states and if it is attended to I believe it will help us and relieve us of suffering and pains. I also plead with the Federal Government that if for any reason the contractor is not ready to do the job, they should consider revoking the contract and giving it to a reputable company that has a name, because the problem is that all the time they said the contract had been awarded the company doesn’t have a name, we don’t really know which company is doing the job.


“If they said that Federal Government awarded contract we should know the name of the company. For instance, the federal road from Enugu to Abakaliki that was awarded to a reputable company, Setraco, everybody knows the company and the company was working to maintain its name, not when people go from the backyard to collect contract paper and collect the money, the name of the company is not known to anybody, who is handling the job is not known to anybody.


“They will touch the side and even make the road worst. I’m pleading with the Federal Government that, that road is very important to Ebonyi and Enugu and to other road users and most importantly to Ishielu and Isi-uzo local government areas. I’m pleading with the Federal Government that they should listen to the cry of the state governor and cries of road users in Ishielu and Isi-uzo to see what they can do to bring the contractor back to the site or if he is not willing to deliver the contract, it should be revoked and be given to a reputable company.


“We have jointly between Ishielu and Isi-uzo made complaints to the Federal Ministry of Works; we plead with the National Assembly members to come to our aid. The Chairman House Committee on Works and Chairman Senate Committee on Works incidentally are from Enugu State, they should look inwards to see how they can ameliorate the suffering of the people.


“The President believes in equity, fairness and justice, this road has been like this for years. We are concerned because our brothers and sisters are living there; we have a big cement factory along the road, the state is interested on how to revitalize the cement company to be viable again.”


Also, the member representing Ishielu North in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Ikechukwu Ogbu while reacting on the state of the road said that the road is a death trap and condemned the neglect of the road by the Federal Ministry of Works.


“The road is a death trap from time immemorial, but the situation now is highly pitiable because the road is not worth what one can describe except you can go there and see. It is full of gullies, people of Nkalagu and Isi-uzo can’t even pass through that road.  I want to call on the Federal Government especially the Federal Ministry of Works to look into the road and try to help the people by constructing the road. It is not something a lawmaker can do by constructing the road, if it is what a lawmaker can do, on my own I would have constructed the road for the people but it is beyond me and that is why I’m calling on the Federal Government to come to our aid.


“My advice to the Federal Government is not a matter of awarding a contract to individuals, organizations, companies, it is a matter of following it up, making sure they do it, inspecting the job because most times when you give people contracts and you don’t follow it up they intend to abandon them. So much as they know you don’t have much interest on that particular job they will start it as if they are going to do the job but along the line they will stop the job. They should follow the contract up not only awarding the contract. The House Committee Chairman on Works and Senate Committee Chairman on Works are from Enugu State, a neighbouring state with similar problem, they should make sure that the award of the road contract is done,” he said.


The Mife Construction Limited that was awarded the project in 2010 and had completed work on the part of Ikem to Obollo road but did not touch the road from the other part of Ikem, Ehamufu in Isi-uzo LGA in Enugu to Nkalagu in Ebonyi.


The Project Manager of the company told Oriental News that the company had since completed work as awarded to it which started from Ikem in Isi-uzo LGA to Nsukka in Enugu State, saying that the other part of the road was not awarded to the company.


 


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Real Madrid End 2014 With Defeat in Dubai Friendly

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Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice as AC Milan became the first side to defeat Real Madrid since September in a 4-2 friendly win in Dubai.


With the trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez rested; Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock for the La Liga leaders.


But El Shaarawy came up with goals either side of the interval to pull the Italians ahead before Frenchman Jeremy Menez and Giampaolo Pazzini sealed victory.

BOY vs. MASTER: AC Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi (L) and Real Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti (R) Trade Wits on the Touchline in Dubai. Image: Karim Sahib/ AFP.

BOY vs. MASTER: AC Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi (L) and Real Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti (R) Trade Wits on the Touchline in Dubai. Image: Karim Sahib/ AFP.


Real came into the friendly match on a 22-game winning streak in all competitions following a 2-0 win over Argentine club San Lorenzo de Almagro in Morocco, substitute Benzema converted from the penalty spot in the closing stages but it was too little to stop the European champions from ending 2014 with a defeat.


It was also the ‘Los Blancos’s’ first match in their crested world champions jersey.


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Senate in dilemma over video evidence of NASS police invasion

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Tambuwal

By ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI


On November 20, police threw a security cordon around the National Assembly (NASS) and in the process prevented some lawmakers from accessing their offices. Incensed lawmakers thereafter demanded a thorough investigation of the unfortunate incident because one, it had never happened in the history of the Fourth Republic that security men would blatantly take over the premises of the National Assembly and secondly, bar legislators from gaining entry into the complex. Thirdly, presiding officers and their colleagues were even tear-gassed in the process.


Six days after that invasion, Senate commenced a formal probe but rather than mandate its standing committee on Police Affairs, the chamber, under the guidance of Senate President David Mark, set up a seven-man Ad-Hoc Committee with Senator Ahmed Makarfi, as chairman.


Other members of the committee are Senators Atiku Bagudu; Victor Lar, Gbenga Kaka, Paulinus Nwagu, Jubrilla Bindowo and Ehigie Uzamere.


Although Mark did not specify a time limit to the investigation, earlier, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), in the motion, which kick-started the probe had requested that “the ad-hoc committee investigates the unfortunate incident and report back in seven days.”


Ndoma-Egba had also prayed in his motion that the chamber condemned the police invasion and tear-gassing of lawmakers and others.


That was the scenario until December 15 when the Makarfi committee commenced the investigation with an invitation to the National Assembly Divisional Police Officer (DPO), James Idachaba to give his testimony on the unfortunate incident.


On the first day of appearing before the Senators, Idachaba told the committee that the instruction to close the gates that day was based on a directive received from the Federal Capital Territory Command.


In fact, that testimony almost went unheard because Makarfi initially refused to allow newsmen into the venue but was prevailed upon by the members who argued that such weighty matter should not be conducted behind closed doors.


The committee subsequently invited the FCT Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, to appear before the committee and also, explain whether he gave the directive or not.


Not done yet, Idachaba’s new testimony the following day threw everybody off balance. Nothing prepared even the committee members for what the NASS DPO told them about the dramatis personae in the tear-gassing episode.


He absolved officers from the FCT command as the culprits and pointed in the direction of security details attached to the Senate President.


Idachaba based his submission on a video recording of the incident where he identified policemen attached to the office of the Senate President as those who committed the act.


Curiously, heads of other security, paramilitary agencies attached to the National Assembly and even Makarfi sharply disagreed with Idachaba’s submissions before the committee.


The security agencies were emphatic that they were not aware of any of Mark’s security detail, throwing teargas at Tambuwal.


But Idachaba stood his ground, arguing that he actually saw Mark’s security detail, whose name he did not mention, through that video, perpetrate the act.


During the incident, Tambuwal and some federal lawmakers were locked out of the complex on that day after a futile attempt to stop the Speaker, by firing tear gas canisters at him and his colleagues.


Then police said it acted on security reports that the National Assembly would be invaded by thugs on the day when lawmakers were set to either ratify or reject President Goodluck Jonathan’s extension of emergency rule in the North east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.


Expectedly, Mark’s Media Adviser, Kola Ologbondiyan, distanced his boss from the incident. In a statement by him, the Senate President was emphatic that security details attached to his office could not have done what was ascribed to them.


“We wish to state without equivocation that the security details attached to the Senate President did not and could not have attacked the person of Speaker Tambuwal with teargas.


“We find the reports credited to Idachaba that security details of Senator Mark attacked Speaker Tambuwal with teargas as absolute falsehood, dubious, vexatious, horrible and embarrassing.


“It is also imperative to state that any attempt to create a needless feud between the two chambers of the National Assembly is mischievous and wicked


“For the avoidance of doubts, we declare that the security aides of the President of the Senate did not attack Speaker Tambuwal with teargas.”


Perhaps, the solution to Idachaba’s testimony is simple: The Makarfi committee should ask to view the same video Idachaba claimed he saw the security details, throwing tear-gas at Tambuwal for themselves. Thereafter, the committee can, then, make up its mind on whether the cop’s testimony is credible or not.


Curiously, Senator Mark was also tear-gassed at the NASS lobby on his way to the House of Representatives’ chamber when he heard about the treatment meted to Tambuwal


Is Idachaba also saying that Mark’s security details couldn’t recognise their boss and also tear-gassed him too?


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