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I don’t shake hands with women- RSUST Best graduating student says

Posted on Tuesday 31 March 2015 No comments

Tuesday 31 March 2015






Capture


Falola Ajumobi, who was adjudged the Best Graduating student at the recently held 27th convocation ceremony of the Rivers state University of Science and Technology, RSUST, says one of the things he had to do to achieve his academic feat was to distance himself from women. He said he doesn’t even shake hands with women. Huh?. Falola, who graduated as a Petroleum Engineer with a CGPA of 4.82 says he was also very religious while on campus


“There is no way students of the opposite s*x would not have passed glances at me. But I am a very religious person; I don’t shake hands with ladies and right from time, they know me for that. So, the only thing is that we greet from a distance. That does not mean that we do not crack jokes because that has made them to know me” he told Punch


Source: Punch


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JUST IN: Buhari Releases Important Message

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Muhammadu Buhari, the likely President-Elect of Nigeria, has thanked the Nigerians who supported him and the All Progressives Congress.


Muhammadu-Buhari1


While the Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to officially announce the results, after providing the figures on Borno state, congratulatory messages are already being sent to the APC candidate.


Buhari took to his Facebook page to thank the supporters and urge people to be respectful to the opponents.


“Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!


“Victory is for all Nigerians. Please be magnanimous in victory and shake the hand of those we contested against.


“We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for being a gracious contestant and accepting the decision of the Nigerian people.


“The work starts today.”


Buhari also urged Nigerians to refrain from getting involved in the molestation of opponents by saying:


“He or she is not with me, whoever does that.”


President Goodluck Jonathan earlier today called Gen. Buhari to congratulate him on the victory. Happy with the outcome, thousands of APC backers have already started celebrations in the streets of Nigeria.


READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/413409-buhari-thanks-supporters-warns-against-violence.html


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Breaking News! Jonathan concedes to Buhari

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President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the Saturday election.


According to APC chieftains in the know, they said in a telephone call at exactly 5:15pm to Buhari in Abuja, Jonathan assured him of maximum cooperation and smooth transition.


Jonathan has also called National leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu to congratulate him on his party’s victory at the poll.


 


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Pics of Buhari watching final results of the 2015 presidential election

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His party is leading…so far! More photos below…








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President Jonathan Calls to Congratulate soon-to-be Announced President-elect Buhari

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PRESIDENT-ELECT MUHAMMADU BUHARI RECEOVONG THE CONGRATULATORY CALL FROM PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

PRESIDENT-ELECT MUHAMMADU BUHARI RECEOVONG THE CONGRATULATORY CALL FROM PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN


President Goodluck Jonathan has called his arch-rival, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to admit defeat and congratulate him on his soon-to-be announced victory at the just concluded presidential elections.


Buhari, the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, contested the elections against incumbent President Jonathan, who was seeking re-election on the platform of Peoples Democratic.


So far, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced results of the elections in 35 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with Borno State, the only one yet to be announced.


Meanwhile, celebrations are ongoing at the APC national secretariat in Abuja with Buhari also expected to address Nigerians.


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Smart Adeyemi rejects results, seeks cancellation

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Smart-Adeyemi

BY EMMANUEL ADEYEMI


 


The campaign Organisation of Senator Smart Adeyemi has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to. nullify the Saturday senatorial election won by the APC candidate, Dino Melaiye saying it was full of irregularities.


The campaign organisation said that the results released in the area was not the true position of what actually took place adding that the PDP candidate, Senator Smart Adeyemi was shortchanged in the election.


The leader of the organisation Mr Fehinti Dada who addressed newsmen in Lokoja State capital yesterday said that the feedback from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents from some units in the council area showed that the election was far from being free and fair “as it was marred with intimidation, irregularities and multiple voting”.


Specifically he explained that in the Kotonkarfi local council “42,473 voters were registered, 21,451 were accredited,17,989 votes were valid, 789 votes were rejected, 18,787, are the total number of votes cast for Senate election alone”


With that he added that over 2664 PDP voters were denied voting rights after accreditation alleging that over 5000 supporters were equally denied accreditation


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Fifa Approves Hawk-Eye Goal-Line Technology for Canada 2015

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Fifa has announced that the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada will feature the Hawk-Eye goal-line technology for the first time.


Football’s foremost women’s showpiece will use the goal-line technology in this year’s edition following its successful implementation at previous Fifa tournaments- 2012 Club World Cup, the 2013 Confederation Cup and last year’s Men’s World Cup.


In December, “interested” Fifa goal-line technology partners were invited as part of “an inspection visit to each of the venues in Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Winnipeg.”

A Hawk-Eye Camera Installed at the Toyota stadium, Japan for the 2012 Fifa Club World Cup. Image: Toru Hanai/Reuters.

A Hawk-Eye Camera Installed at the Toyota stadium, Japan for the 2012 Fifa Club World Cup. Image: Toru Hanai/Reuters.


Fifa said in its statement: “The use of Hawk-Eye in Canada will be subject to a final installation test at each stadium, which is a standard procedure as part of the official certification process defined in the GLT Testing Manual.


“These tests will be conducted by an independent test institute. Prior to the start of every game, the match officials will also carry out their own tests, in line with the operational procedures approved by The International Football Association Board (The IFAB).”


The Hawk-Eye is a camera-based computer system developed in the United Kingdom, with seven cameras positioned as high as possible- up to the underside of the stadium room- used to visually track the path of the ball at all times even when only two of the seven cameras could locate its trajectory. It could also display a record of its statistically most likely path as a moving image.


“The system is millimetre-accurate and indicates whether or not a goal has been scored within one second by a vibration and visual signal on each match official’s watch,” the statement added.


The Hawk-Eye was approved by the IFAB over three years ago and was first at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in 2012.


Canada face China in the opening game of the 2015 tournament in Edmonton on Saturday, 6 June. The final is slated for Sunday, 5 July in Vancouver.


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Tunisia Apologises to Caf, Escape Afcon 2017 Ban

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Tunisia will not be banned from participating in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) having tendered an apology to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for accusing the governing body of bias.


The Tunisian football federation (FTF) had held Caf and its match officials responsible for their elimination from the 2015 Cup of Nations, owing to “questionable and biased” officiating by the referee in charge of their quarter-final defeat by hosts Equatorial Guinea on 31 January.


The FTF will, however, carry on with payment of a US$50, 000 (£33,000) fine for violent conduct of its players.

Tunisian Players Confronted Refree Seechurn Rajindrapasard Following their 2-1 Elimination fromAfcon 2015 at the Hands of Equatorial Guinea. Image: AFP.

Tunisian Players Confronted Refree Seechurn Rajindrapasard Following their 2-1 Elimination fromAfcon 2015 at the Hands of Equatorial Guinea. Image: AFP.


Angry Tunisian players invaded the pitch, insulted and tried to engage the referee after the game over a controversial stoppage-time penalty awarded to the Equatoguineans.


The penalty awarded by Mauritian referee, Rajindraparsad Seechurn, allowed Equatorial Guinea force extra-time and then secure a 2-1 victory.


Seechurn was handed a six-month ban by Caf for his “poor performance.”


And Caf threatened Tunisia with expulsion from the preliminary round of the 2017 Afcon tournament if it did not receive an apology by 31 March.


Tunisia initially refused to obey the order and, even lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), which they say they will now withdraw.


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REVEALED!!! 8 Habits Of Influential Women That Will Guide You To Your Own Success

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Women have come a long way to become the modern powerhouses we see today, and the journey isn’t over yet.


Five of the University of Florida’s most influential female alumni recently returned to where their journeys started and shared the secrets to their success with rising stars from UF’s College of Journalism and Communications.


This empowering panel could hardly be duplicated, but these eight habits are sure to bring young women closer to their goals.

1. Have confidence or fake it.


Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Nationwide Gale King said,


“If you’re going to succeed in the workplace, you have to be self-confident.”


Achieving self-confidence, though, can be easier for some women than others. For those who have a tough time remembering just how fabulous they are, King suggests faking the confidence needed to command respect.


“Faking it” doesn’t mean hiding your true feelings or being afraid to admit you don’t have everything under control. But, if you need a good cry after a difficult day, let your emotions out in private and come back to your workplace looking as strong as ever.


The alone time could even be therapeutic while you reflect on what has made you feel so overwhelmed.

2. Stop saying, “I’m sorry.”


“Women have a habit of externalizing failure and internalizing success,” said Katherine Green, former senior vice president of news for Tribune Broadcasting.


We’re all guilty of saying “I’m sorry” when we don’t have to, but women have to realize this bad habit devalues us all.


Executive Editor and Vice President for news at the Miami Herald Mindy Marques said verbalizing our perceived weakness gives ammunition to those against us.


Rather than saying “I’m sorry,” use constructive feedback to either encourage others to do better next time or to ensure you do the same for your employer.

3. Know you deserve everything you have.


“We’ve come a long way, baby!” King said. But, today’s professional women have to acknowledge the hard work it takes to keep moving forward.


The pay gap, for example, must be knocked down. That obstacle can only be conquered, though, when women recognize they deserve what they have and ask for what they want.


“When you don’t ask, you don’t get,” said Leigh Radford, vice president at Procter & Gamble.


If you believe you deserve a raise, ask for it. If you want a promotion, ask for it. If you want the corner office, ask for it. Never settle for second-best.

4. Learn man-speak, but don’t let it change you.


“Man-speak” may not be an intentional part of the relationships your male coworkers have with each other, but it’s real and it can hinder women trying to find where they fit in.


The women of UF’s “Becoming a Woman of Influence” workshop agreed women have to study man-speak and use it to their advantage. That doesn’t mean we have to change how we do business, though.


“Understand what it takes to be successful in a man’s world, but be true to yourself,” said Samantha Avivi, global marketing director for Kimberly-Clark.


It’s important to know what makes men successful, but women also have to identify what they bring to the table that men typically do not.


Personality traits like compassion, nurturing instincts and elegance can give women the advantage over their male colleagues.

5. Be positive.


At the end of the day, employers want someone who is positive and dedicated to making their whole team look good. That doesn’t mean you have to be all sugar and rainbows 24/7, but having a can-do attitude and facing challenges without losing your cool makes you indispensable.


Part of that positivity comes from treating your coworkers with respect and being mindful of what you say.


“Stay out of the mud,” Green warned. What seems reasonable to say at the time could get you fired if repeated out of context.

6. Cultivate relationships to build a strong network.


“Your network absolutely contributes to your net worth,” King said.


By finding a mentor or acting as mentor for someone else, especially other women, you build a powerful wall of support around yourself that will be there to help when you need it.


A reliable network may not only get your career where you want to it be, but also provide personal support when you need it most. Having people who understand you as a human outside of the great work you do allows you to feel comfortable at work.


And, when you feel appreciated, you’re likely to want to work even harder than you already do.

7. Know when it’s time to move on.


Knowing when it’s time to leave a position or company gives women the power to own their successes and build more.


“Think about what fits for you, and know that if it doesn’t fit, you don’t have to stay there,” Green said.


Sometimes, the time to move on comes when you’ve done all you can do for a company, or when you are no longer being challenged.


Other times, the time to leave comes when those around or above you take advantage of your dedication to good work and keep the credit for themselves.


Know when you’re being taken advantage of, and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.


“You’re the only one who can decide what you will and will not accept,” said King.


8. Pay it forward.


Influential women get to enjoy some pretty fantastic perks. But, perhaps, one of the best parts of becoming a woman with power is the chance to give back to those who made a difference in your life and those who still need help.


Despite coming from a background that did not guarantee her an education or professional success, UF alumna Gale King recently pledged $1 million to the university.


The money’s primary purpose is to provide scholarships to first-generation, academically exceptional students from modest backgrounds.


She has asked that preference be given to students pursuing degrees in journalism and communications.


With dedication, hard work and personal strength, women everywhere can make a difference like this, too.


But, as King said, “We still have work to do.”


elitedaily.com


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Suswam loses to Gemade

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gabriel-suswam1

 


 


From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi.


 


Finally, Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost Benue North East senatorial election to incumbent Senator Barnabas Gemade of the All Progressives Congress (APC).


Prof. Ignatius Ada who announced announced the result at the INEC office in Makurdi at about 12 midnight stated that Gemade polled the highest votes of 140, 715 to defeat Suswam who polled a total of 118, 603 votes with a wide margin of 22, 112.


Daily Sun gathered that five candidates contested the election on various political platforms, but Gemade, a former chairman of the ruling PDP who defected to the APC shortly after he lost the PDP primaries defeated them all.


 


 


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Actress, Dakore Akande Looking Cool In Colour-block Dress [PHOTO]

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The actress on the set of Moments with Mo looking fab in this bibi for biba color-block dress.


 


 


lindaikeji.blogspot.com


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APC wins Adamawa, Zamfara and Kebbi

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Zamfara


As announced by Prof. A. Abdulzuru, VC of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, RO for Zamfara


AA – 125


ACPN – 238


AD – 290


ADC – 294


APA – 1310


APC – 612,202 (APC wins)


CPP – 655


HOPE – 14


KOWA – 122


NCP – 404


PDP – 144,833


PPN – 374


UDP – 93


UPP – 68


Total valid votes – 761,022


Rejected votes – 19157


Total votes cast – 780,179


 


 


Adamawa


Presidential election results for Adamawa state – APC wins


As announced by the collating officer for Adamawa state


AA – 495


ACPN – 1166


AD – 595


ADC – 1012


APA – 1549


APC – 374,701 (APC wins)


CPP – 819


HOPE – 267


KOWA – 752


NCP – 1212


PDP – 251,664


PPN – 1163


UDP – 289


UPP – 334


Total valid votes – 636,018


Rejected votes – 25,192


Total votes cast – 661,210


Kebbi



As announced by Prof Mohammed, Dep VC (Academics) Usman Danfodio University, RO for Kebbi

AA -214

ACPN – 361

AD – 450

ADC – 472

APA – 2685

APC – 567,883

CPP – 1794

HOPE – 213

KOWA – 448

NCP – 519

PDP – 100,972

PPN – 547

UDP – 207

UPP – 238

Total valid votes – 677,003

Rejected votes – 38,119

Total votes cast – 715,122

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Election Results: Buhari Group Calls for Fani-Kayode’s Arrest

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Femi Fani-KayodeThe Buhari Support Organisations has called for the arrest of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, for announcing unofficial results for the recently concluded presidential election.


The Director, Media and Information of the BSO, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, made the call on Monday in Abuja at a press conference.


According to Maduekwe, the time for security agencies to show their neutrality is now by arresting Fani-Kayode because the only authority to announce election results is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).


The organisation claimed that Fani-Kayode had breached relevant sections of the Electoral Act by announcing on Sunday that the PDP was leading in the presidential election in 23 states of the federation.


“We ask the security agencies to immediately arrest Fani-Kayode for breaching relevant sections of the Electoral Act which forbids any organ outside INEC from officially declaring election results.


“His arrest for further questioning will be a clear indication that the security agencies are truly unbiased participants in this electoral process.


“His declaration is also a breach of both the first and second Abuja Peace Accord signed by the presidential candidates”, Maduekwe said.


While calling on the international community and observers to note the steps being taken by the ruling party to cause severe breach of peace and call them to order, the BSO urged All Progressives Congress supporters to maintain the peace as they await the official announcement of authentic INEC results for the Saturday elections.


“We ask Nigerians to join us in saying `No’ to this recent manifestation of habitual impunity.


“We appeal to all our numerous supporters to sustain their calmness in the face of current provocation and abuse of our electoral processes”, he said.


Maduekwe said that APC would reject “in its entirety, the use of security to compromise an election process that has been commended as having high quotient of integrity”.


He also urged the INEC to adhere strictly to guidelines for elections which protected candidates through active participation of party agents.


“We request INEC to adhere to the guideline which makes it mandatory for polling unit party agents to sign result sheet forming the basis for collation of result at collation centres”.


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Jega lied, we took our petition to INEC secretariat—Orubebe

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orubebe

The representative of the Peoples Democratic Party at the Presidential Collation Centre, Mr. Godday Orubebe has faulted the claim by the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attaihiru Jega that the People Democratic Party, PDP, did not submit its petition through the right channel of communication.


He said that the party took the petition to the secretariat of the commission but it was not accepted, hence, they approached Jega at the collation centre, who directed them to give it to his Chief of Staff or Personal Assistant, Abdullahi.


“We took the letter to the INEC secretariat but they did not accept it from us so we approached Jega who told us to give it to his Chief of Staff, which we did but we were shocked that he returned it in the evening of yesterday (Monday) that we didn’t follow the right channel,” Orubebe said when interview by Channels TV.


He also said that APC submitted their petition via e-mail through the Chief of Staff of Jega, the same man they gave theirs to.


It will be recalled that at the start of collation on Tuesday, Elder Orubebe accused Jega of bias for failing to acknowledge the petition of the PDP.


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HP Delights Consumers With Easter Treats

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Global leader in Computing & Printing products and technology, Hewlett-Packard would be rewarding all its customers with Easter treats from 20th March to 30th April 2015. Various Instant gifts would be given on every purchase of eligible HP Computing or Printing products from participating retailers.


Further to that, customers who make purchase of mid-range to high end products also stand a chance to have their Easter wish granted. Lucky winners will be contacted and prizes delivered right at their doorsteps.


Hewlett Packard’s PPS Marketing Manager, West Africa, Tolulope Lawani explained the objective of the Easter treats that work for you campaign. “We have decided to give back to our existing and potential customers by ensuring there’s something for everyone who buys from HP this festive season and seven lucky customers selected through a raffle from our participating retailers would have their Easter wish granted in grand style.


Moreover, to give customers an opportunity to experience HP’s technology firsthand, our branded Truck with HP’s latest Notebooks, Desktops, Tablets, Voicetablet & Printers would ride through strategic stops in Lagos. Service personnel would be available to provide expert advice to consumers.” He further implored teeming consumers to visit Park n Shop Spar, Westgate, Slot, Office R Us, Office Land, PC Corner, Office Everything & Slot retail shops to enjoy this fantastic offer.” He concluded.


About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.


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LIVING IN HARMONY!

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Pupils

• Enugu primary school where pupils and lizards study together


FROM ALOYSIUS ATTAH, ONITSHA


The community is Nkerefi in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, but their middle name is ‘suffering and underdevelopment’ owing to government neglect and the poverty ravaging the people. While it is acknowledged in the famous quote of Francis Bacon that “knowledge is power,” that power is yet to be tasted, muchless enjoyed, by the people of this area, as far as education is concerned.


A recent visit by the Education Review to Nkerefi only served to remind you of that famous song from the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti: ‘Suffering and Smiling.’ To visit Nkerefi is to be ready to weep for what the people of the area are passing through to acquire basic education. While they have been accustomed to their inaccessible roads that have reduced them to motorcycle riders since cars and vehicles do not ply their roads during the rainy season, a visit to two schools that serve the vast population of the four communities that make up the town is tear-provocative.


Some of the common denominators that bind the two schools together include dilapidated structures, shortage of teachers, non-availability of school desks and other teaching aids. At Igwebuike Primary School, Ohuani Nkerefi, schoolchildren study in a structure that can best be described as “a tragedy waiting to happen.”


The building, the reporter was told, used to be the staff quarters to some menial labourers during the colonial era but was later converted to classroom blocks. In the school, cracked walls, leaking roofs and broken floors serve as prominent and permanent features.


Lizards have a field day


Lizards and other rodents have a field day running around the classrooms and premises. In fact, from the crevices on the cracked walls they, sometimes, struggle for attention with the school pupils. They nod their heads in agreement as teachers pass some information and knowledge to their pupils. At other times, they distract the pupils’ attention by engaging themselves in hide-and-seek during school hours.


As part of its efforts to remedy the ugly situation, the community commenced the construction of a classroom block but along the line, shortage of funds crippled the project and the structure collapsed after some years.When the reporter visited the school, he discovered that goats from the community have also converted the structures into a place of rest after grazing. In the process, they litter the place with their droppings.


Painting a graphic picture of their predicament, the Head Teacher of the school, Ogbuefi Felicia, voiced out their frustrations this way:  “When I was posted to this school as Head Teacher in 2012, I met the buildings in terrible condition. Since then, I have written several letters to the state education authorities through the local government and also met with the traditional ruler of this community and some stakeholders in Nkerefi about the condition of the school.


“There is no classroom block. What we are using here is the former staff quarters built before Nigeria’s independence. We are suffering from lack of classroom blocks, teachers and desks but I thank the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school. When I came, the children were sitting on bare floor but it was the PTA that made the few desks here available. There are no tables and desks for the teachers but our major problem is provision of adequate classroom blocks.


“We also lack adequate manpower here. I used to have six teachers working with me but through transfers, five of them were moved out while three were moved in. Out of the three transferred in, one is seriously ill, leaving me to boast of only three teachers at present handling nine classes from ECC (Early Child Care) 1 to 3 to Primary 1 to 6 with more than 200 children.


“For now, one teacher combines Early Child Care 1, 2, 3 and Primary 1, the other one handles Primary 2 and 3 classes while the third teacher handles Primaries 4 and 5. I also hold the chalk not minding the fact that I’m the Head Teacher; so I teach Primary 6.”


Urgent appeal for government help


At this juncture, the head teacher handed out words of appeal to the government: “Let the government come and assist us because we need their help in many areas, especially in the area of provision of infrastructures. The roof of the classroom is very low to the extent that as the sun shines, it now falls directly on our heads. Under such condition, we cannot have effective teaching and learning.  When it rains, we also run for cover. In addition, we have the problem of insufficient staff. If government could assist us in these areas, I would be happy.”


But in the midst of the glaring deficiencies, the pupils still find time to enjoy themselves as they run out of the classrooms to engage themselves in different plays and games the moment the bell for break time/ recreation is sounded. A Primary 5 pupil, who identified himself as Kelechi told the reporter that he has never seen a computer in his lifetime though he hopes to leave the village someday to further his education in the city so as to become an engineer, his dream profession.


At Enuovuvu Comprehensive Secondary School, Nkerefi, it was the same sad story when the reporter visited. Only two out of a six-classroom block constructed for the students are in use at present because four other classes have broken down while there are fears that the entire building may collapse completely during the next rainy season. The school has no functional science laboratory or library while students loiter about at the mercy of few teachers whose morale is also dampened. Though the Principal of the school, Mr. Chukwu C. O, was not around, on the day that Education Review called, an English language teacher, Igwe Arinze, gave a glimpse of the situation.


“As you can see, the block was built but due to one or two reasons, the part that we are not using now collapsed about five years ago,” he remarked. “It’s been like this since then and we fear it is almost coming down completely. The building is dilapidated while there is no government presence in our school.  The materials and textbooks are not here too but we still try to cope with the situation though it has not been easy. We also lack teachers because I’m the only English teacher here while there is a corps member assisting, at present.”


 


Community leaders 


lament their plight


A stakeholder in Nkerefi, Hon. Joel Nwegbo, National Assistant Secretary, Ohuana Amofu Development Union, one of the autonomous communities in Nkerefi added his voice to the common lamentation when he said:  “Seven years ago, the school was built, but look at the situation we are facing. The building and everything in the structure show that it was constructed with substandard materials. The students now have no other option than to run for their safety by abandoning the classrooms and even the parents have withdrawn most of their children here. The signs have been there for a long time but no help is coming from anywhere.”


Christopher Njoku, former Public Relations Officer, Nkerefi General Assembly, and member of Imoha Autonomous community also said: “We are neglected in Imeoha autonomous community, Nkerefi. Whatever developmental project you see here, if any, came about as a result of communal efforts. We have never seen any assistance from government except in 2000 when they brought electricity but today it is not functional. The building that was supposed to be the classroom block was initiated by us but all our efforts for the government to assist us complete the project has not yielded any fruit.”


Psychologist, on the effects of learning under non-conducive environment


A clinical psychologist, Dr. Franklin Onyejekwe, in a chat with Education Review warned that such situation has both medical and psychological consequences on the lives of the schoolchildren. “Performance is affected by the environment. Home background also has effect on academic performance,” he warned. “For example, Graetz and Goliber (2003) summarized a research in which it was discovered that overheated spaces breed hostility while high student density is linked with low student performance/achievement. Most of our schools have no light, no sufficient facilities, no sick bay and no ventilation. Under these conditions, the health of the students including the teachers may be adversely affected which will in turn reflect on the students’ performance. Let the Government of Enugu State and other states still toying with educational infrastructure declare a state of emergency in that sector.”


 


Help is coming soon, says Enugu Education Commissioner


When Education Review contacted the Commissioner for Education in Enugu State, Prof. Amaechi Okolo, he offered hope that the government’s critical intervention in the education sector in the state will go round the 472 communities in the state. He added that those who have not received attention like Nkerefi should not only be patient but also write a formal letter presenting their requests to the government.


“We are aware of the problems in  some schools and we have made a vow that no school will be neglected,” he said. “I came on board in 2013 and first discovered that some projects that were supposed to have been executed since 2009 were abandoned.  It was a big setback but we had to face the task squarely. In 2014, we commenced the renovation and building of modern classrooms with desks and furniture in 493 schools in the state. The project is ongoing and very soon, we are working hard to access our UBEC money tied down in Abuja to the tune of N3 billion and I want to assure you that every community will be reached.


“I will like the schools in Nkerefi to do its own work by reporting to me and we shall send our monitors to evaluate their claims. In 2014, Governor Chime approved that all secondary schools in the state be upgraded but my appeal is for the people to have patience with us.  We have not reached all the communities yet, but our target is that all will receive the touch of government. The summary is that we are addressing all the issues systematically and must get positive results. Have patience, we are coming.”



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Contracts Administrator at Air Energi

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A leading Oil & Gas Engineering company are looking for a Contracts Administrator to join their project based in Lagos, Nigeria on an initial long term, contract basis. The role will be working on a 75/21 rotation, with travel and accommodation provided.


The Contracts Administrator will ensure that, during project execution, contractual requirements are fully addressed up to final acceptance of works and completion of all project close-out activities.


Contracts Administrator Tasks



  • Verify the completeness of contract documents (consistency check) and distribute them to project team members

  • Track client, subcontractors, vendors obligations

  • Administer the contract ensuring that project is performed in line with contractual obligations

  • Liaise with project team, coordinate Project Contract Review, participate to meetings, manage and file all correspondence having a contractual relevance exchanged during project execution with clients, partners, subcontractors, vendors and authorities

  • Monitor contract risks of critical work packages (subcontractors, vendors) and propose remedial actions

  • Manage the change process on the project, including change orders, claims, back charges, penalties, new prices, dispute handling and resolution (except for litigation and arbitration) towards clients, main subcontractors and key vendors, ensuring that notices and notifications are issued as per contractual requirements, and participate in the generation of additional revenue as entitled by the contracts

  • Check consistency between records, reports and correspondence, verify supporting documentation for invoicing and monitor that payments received are in line with the contractual terms

  • Prepare reporting for project, company and corporate

  • Ensure that Golden Rules and Silver Guidelines are implemented

  • Maintain necessary liaison with other competent functions, in particular with Financial Administration, Insurance, Procurement and Risk referents

  • Ensure all Project Certificates are duly issued by clients (e.g. Milestone Completion Certificates, Mechanical Completion, Handover Certificate, Provisional Acceptance Certificate)

  • Provide collection and sharing of lessons learned, feedbacks and returns of experience on issues/criticalities encountered during project execution


Contracts Administrator Job Specification


Click here to apply


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Behold the latest Indian ‘film’

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Idian 1

• In which Bihar parents show the world how to cheat for our children in public exam


BY CHIKA ABANOBI


Do Nigerians still watch Indian films with such passion like they did in the 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s, in cinema houses scattered across the Nigerian entertainment landscape?


If so, then they must be have been appalled by the latest Indian ‘film’ in which parents from the Indian city of Bihar showed the world how to cheat in public exam for  their children, by scaling four-storey building, with some of them precariously perched on the windows, to pass notes to their wards sitting for an Indian public exam conducted by Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), an exam much like our Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams. 1.4 million candidates were said to have sat for this year’s exam, across 1, 200 schools.


Although authorities were said to have posted policemen to all the schools where the examination was being held, it was characterized by mass copying and cheating as parents/guardians were reported to have compromised the security men by bribing them either to help or to look the other way while the cheating lasted, during the exam. In fact, remarkable photo footages by an Indian national TV station showed not only scores of friends/families scaling the four-storey building, unmindful of the danger of falling off the walls, to pass to their children/wards study aides/ papers having on them the answers to the questions, but also policemen, their officers and school staff simply standing by, looking on and doing nothing while the show of shame lasted.


In some of the cases, the cheating was so brazen that five to six people were found trying to help a candidate pass the exam that was said to be characteristically tough that many students in India drop out of school if they failed it. Hence they see it as a make-or-mar exercise or do-or-die affair.


In one of the photo footages, a candidate was seen checking some notes on her lap, apparently passed to her by a benevolent parent. While the exam lasted, she referred to them, from time to time. Videos also showed school inspectors slapping young girls as they pulled out such notes from under their tables.


BSEB, like JAMB in Nigeria, is a big deal in India as it determines not only who gets into the country’s best universities, but also which students get a place in popular courses like medicine and engineering. Top universities are known to ask for a score of 95 percent or more. This is why middle-class Indians see these exams as crucial to their chances of a successful career. Hence they put some enormous pressure on candidates to do well.


This, in turn, puts some pressures on them to cut corners, to cheat. More than that, knowing that everyone else is involved in the mass cheating makes friends and families to look for other more ingenious ways of out-cheating one another. If there’s a chance another student could beat you by smuggling in notes, candidates always make sure they come up with other means of out-foxing others in the cheating game.


All these have contributed to making mass cheating a sub-culture in India. “The exam season could well be called cheating season,” writes Mridula Chari, a reporter with the country’s popular newspaper, Scroll. “Everybody, including school principals, teachers, parents, policemen and students, is suspected to be part of the cheating enterprise. Notes are routinely consulted during tests; at the more high-tech end, students get the answers relayed to their desks through earpieces. The parents climbing the walls in Bihar are just a particularly visible example of this practice. Cheating sometimes happens with the tacit or even active approval of teachers; there are regular reports of them writing the answers on the blackboard, leaking tests in advance, and taking bribes to let cheating take place. Last year, a high school student set himself on fire because his teacher demanded payment for the right to cheat but his mother couldn’t afford it.”


In a bid to curb this evil practice, authorities have enacted an anti-cheating law that, in the past, saw dozens of candidates expelled and their parents detained. Secondly, CCTV cameras have been installed in some examination halls, but such measures sometimes provoke violent protest response from students who want to be allowed to carry on cheating and who knew photo footages got from the cameras could be used to prosecute them in law courts. In fact, last year, there were reports of students using rocks to pelt and disable the cameras.


In this year’s exam, more than 600 students who were caught cheating especially in subjects like Mathematics and English have been expelled and may later be prosecuted. “The students were expelled on charges of adopting unfair means,” Lalkeshwar Prasad, chairman of BSEB, which is conducting the examination said. Sriniwas Tiwari, secretary of the board said students caught cheating could be barred from taking the exam for up to three years, ordered to pay a fine or even sent to jail. Bihar’s education minister P. K. Shahi, refused to accept any blame for the mass cheating.


“You tell us what can the government do to stop cheating if parents and relatives are not ready to cooperate?,” he asked. “Should the government give orders to shoot them? The government cannot stop cheating in exams. It is also the responsibility of the society to ensure a cheating-free exam. State authorities posted police at all schools where examinations were being held, “but we can’t use force to drive away the parents.


“Three to four people helping a single student would mean that there is a total of six to seven million people helping students cheat. Is it the responsibility of the government alone to manage such a huge number of people and to conduct a 100% free and fair examination?”




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Chartered Accountants at Deloitte

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Deloitte offers top-notch opportunities for outstanding individuals to take their careers to high levels of excellence and

thus distinguish themselves. Ideal candidates will gain hands-on experience while delivering value-added services to some of the world’s most sought after clients.


We are looking for top flight CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS who are set to start enviable careers as ‘ASSOCIATES’ in the following functions:



  • Corporate Finance

  • Tax and Regulatory Services

  • Accounting and Financial Advisory


Deloitte offers a world of opportunities for individuals with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, passion for success and impeccable integrity. We are looking for top flight candidates who are set to start enviable careers as ‘ASSOCIATES’ in the Audit function.

Ideal candidates will gain hands-on experience while delivering value-added services in Audit to some of the world’s most sought after clients.


Locations: Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt (Nigeria)


Applicants must meet the following Educational/Professional Qualifications & Person Specifications:



  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of second class upper division

  • HND degree with a minimum of upper credit

  • Not more than 26 years old by 31 December, 2015

  • Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills

  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite

  • Conscientious, confident and of proven integrity

  • Membership of ICAN, ACCA, and CPA would be an added advantage.


Click here to apply


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OJo OLAMIDE

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Elections: INEC Ad-hoc Staff Were Compromised, Insincere – Anglican Church

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INECOne of the accredited observers for the 2015 general elections, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, said on Monday that some presiding officers and ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were compromised during the conduct of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly election.


The church also described as “unimpressive”, voters’ turnout and expressed concern that the number of permanent voter cards issued to voters was not commensurate with the number of votes cast.


Speaking with journalists at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Lagos State, the Director of Civil and Political Affairs, Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Ven. Folarin Shobo, said many voters are still yet to trust the electoral system due to fears that their votes would not count.


The clergyman, who also observed the conduct of the elections, said the poor turnout was unexpected of Lagos residents.


He said, “Many people have not been able to collect their PVCs and people are lacklustre to respond.


“There is apathy on the part of Nigerians to voting. One of the factors is that they still do not trust the system. Many voters still believe that their votes will not count. ‘Why do I need to waste my time?’ they say.


“Though people may say the turnout was large, it was not commensurate with the permanent voter cards on the streets”.


Shobo added, “As the Director of the Civil and Political Affairs, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, I visited 52 churches to conduct voter education.


“The response was not commensurate with what we expected. What the voters have done is to express their sentiments – emotional, poverty, religious and tribal. So, voting was not done based on the conviction and assessment of contestants.


“Some of the ad hoc staff are not faithful and sincere. They were compromising, forgetting that they are also Nigerians and that once these general elections are over, their citizenship reverts and the immunity they enjoy expires.


“So, they are supposed to assist INEC as citizens that have been so privileged to be among those who would use their God-given intellects to put the system right”.


The Anglican Communion further noted that INEC had spent a lot of money to train ad-hoc staff and therefore questioned the reluctance of the staff to attend the training.


“How did INEC come about the 700,000 ad hoc staff? When they were called for training, how many of them responded?” Shobo asked


He, however, urged the electoral body to begin preparations for the 2019 general elections on April 13, 2015, so as to make things better.


The Church praised INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for introducing innovations aimed at putting the nation’s electoral system on a progressive path and called on stakeholders to support the initiatives.


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Gemade Defeats Gov. Suswam In Benue Senatorial Contest

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Gemade-SuswamGovernor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, has lost his bid to represent Benue Zone ‘A’ in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly as he was floored by incumbent Senator, Chief Barnabas Gemade.


Gemade, an All Progressives Congress member, scored 140,715 votes to beat Suswam.


Suswam, who was the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, scored 118,608 votes to lose in his ambition to occupy the senate seat.


Interestingly, Gemade defected to APC some few weeks before the commencement of the general elections after he failed in his bid to retain his PDP ticket, which was handed to Gov. Suswam.


The announcement of Gemade as validly elected Monday morning by the Returning Officer for the zone, Prof. Mohammed Adah, put to rest the conflicting accounts since Saturday over which of the two politicians won the election.


Gemade rejoins Senate President, David Mark, and another former governor of the state and Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, as the winners for Benue Zone ‘B’ and Benue Zone ‘C’ respectively.


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APGA accuses PDP of conspiring with INEC, Army to rewrite election results

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2015-election


The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), yesterday, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of conspiring with the Army, Police and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rewrite last Saturday’s National Assembly elections results in favour of the PDP.


A member of Board of Trustees, BoT of APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka made the accusation in a telephone chat with newsmen. He said the results announced yesterday by INEC which gave PDP victory in all the three senatorial zones and 11 House of Representatives seats, was exactly the opposite of what APGA scored during the exercise.


“These results credited to PDP was what APGA scored in the election but the PDP bought over the Army, the Police and INEC to rewrite the result in favour of PDP and thereafter announced this falsified result,” he claimed.


However, he expressed optimism that APGA would go to the tribunal and other courts of competent jurisdiction to recover its stolen mandate.


Reacting to the allegation, the Director-General of Princess Stella Oduah Campaign Organisation, Chief Edwin Pandola Okwuosa, told Vanguard on phone that the landslide victory recorded by the former aviation minister and PDP candidate for Anambra North senatorial zone, was a reflection of her general acceptability by the electorate in the zone.


According to Okwuosa, the total of 143,478 votes scored by Oduah against APGA’s Dubem Obaze’s 70,906 votes was a great margin to show that Oduah had the people’s confidence.


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#NigeriaDecides: Buhari Wins Lagos By Over 100,000 Votes In Keenly Contested Race Against President Jonathan

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GEJ-BuhariThe presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday was announced as winner of the presidential election in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.


To emerge winner, Buhari defeated the incumbent and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in a keenly contested race, where he polled 793,460 as against the president’s 632,338.


Out of the 20 local government areas in Lagos State, the APC won 15 while PDP won five.


Announcing the winner, Akin Orebiyi, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, urged any aggrieved party to approach the Election Petitions Tribunal, which he said would be constituted soon.


 


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Buhari’s camp jubilates as INEC releases provisional results

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Buhari jonathan

• Jonathan leads in Cross River



FROM DAVID MOLOMO, YOLA and JUDEX OKORO, Calabar


The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) declared yesterday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari polled 374,701 votes out of the 661,210 votes cast in last Saturday’s presidential election. There was jubilation in Buhari’s camp.


President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 251,661. Declaring the result at the Collation Centre at General Murtala Mohammed College (GMMC), Yola, Adamawa State, the Returning Officer, Prof. Geofrey Okogbaa of the Federal University of Technology, Wukari, disclosed that 709,993 voters were accredited while 636019 were valid votes cast.


Okogbaa also said INEC registered 1,518,123 voters while 14  political parties featured in the election. Buhari defeated 13 others including Jonathan.


As at Press time, INEC was yet to announce the entire National Assembly elections, as Nigerians wanted the results announced alongside the presidential.


Meanwhile, the results released so far in Cross River State showed that President Jonathan was leading Buhari.


The verdicts from 17 out of 18 local governments released yesterday at state Collation Centre for the presidential election at the INEC headquarters in Calabar, showed that Jonathan pulled 390, 011 votes while Buhari got 24, 737 votes.


The results of others are AA. 263; ACPN. 471;  AD. 676;  ADC. 711;  APA. 499; CPP.  356; Hope. 225; KOWA  293 and NCP. 89


As at Press time, result from Yakurr Local Government Area was being expected.


The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, who is the Collating Officer had not formally announced the results because they were not complete it.



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Presidential Election Results: Buhari Leads In The North As Jonathan Goes South

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2015-election


Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken an early in Nigeria’s North, claiming victory in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Kwara and Kogi, while President Goodluck Jonathan takes the driving seat in Nigeria’s South east.


Jonathan won in Abia and Anambra to add to his victory in Ekiti.


A 10-minute recess has been taken after which the collation of results would continue.


According to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not all the results are in. However, he promised that as many results as are gotten before the collation ends today, would be taken.




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INEC declares Ekwunife winner of Anambra Central senatorial poll

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ekwunife-uche

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mrs Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial poll conducted on Saturday.

Declaring the result yesterday  in Awka, the Returning Officer, Dr Pius Okoye, said that Ekwunife polled 101,548 votes to defeat 14 other candidates.

Okoye, a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said that Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) garnered 77, 129 votes to come second while Sen. Chris Ngige of All Progressives Congress (APC) placed third with 20, 850 votes.

Chief Anayo Nweke of African Democratic Congress (ADC) came fourth with 227 votes.

The lecturer commended the candidates for their peaceful disposition during the collation of results.

Reacting to the results, Ekwunife, who currently represents Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, described the outcome as “victory for the masses.”

In a statement signed by her media assistant, Mr Emmanuel Uzor, Ekwunife urged her opponents to sheathe their swords and accept her victory in good faith.

She commended the people of Anambra Central Senatorial zone for electing her and assured them that she would justify the confidence reposed in her.

Earlier, the APC candidate, Sen. Chris Ngige, had expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections and called for its cancellation in the state.

Ngige, who refused to cast his vote on Saturday, noted that “the entire electoral process in the state was given an open ended system that allowed for rigging.”

On his part, the APGA candidate, Chief Victor Umeh, said that the party would react in due course, adding that it was still studying the result announced by INEC.

“We have no reaction yet because we are still studying the result,” Umeh said through his media aide, Mr Stanley Okeke.


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Wiz Khalifa And Amber Rose Getting Back Together?!?

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amber


Are we about to witness the end of the family feud between Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa??


Seems the estranged couple are trying to give peace a chance for the sake of their son.


After their battles on social media, it seems like they have reconciled.


According to TMZ, Wiz even sang a new song for her “See You Again,” which appears on the “Furious 7″..


The lyrics goes thus..


”How could we not talk about family when family’s all that we got?Everything I went through you were standing there by my side..And now you gonna be with me for the last ride “


Wiz asked Amber to listen to the song, and after she heard it she tearfully called him back and they agreed to work as parents to care for Sebastian.


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Has BBA’s Dillish Matthews Really Finished Spending Her $300,000?!?

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dilius


The report last week was that Dillish Matthews, winner of BBA The Chase has gone flat broke.


Just like rumors naturally spread, people claimed that she had spent all of the $300,000 she won at the reality show barely two years after.


However, Dillish Matthews addressed the rumor with a video she posted on her Instagram page saying she has spent the whole $300,000 she won as the winner of the Show.


“Read about what I did with my money that I got from Big Brother? It’s finished. A couple of Rolexes, kept going to Milan, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai…it’s finished. Kaput!” 


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Kwankwaso beats Lado, wins Kano Central senatorial seat

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Kwankwaso musa

Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State, has won the Kano Central Senatorial District in last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.


Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the incumbent Senator Bashir Lado, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


The returning officer for the zone, Prof. Aminu Sulaiman, announced the election results in Kano.


He said Kwankwaso scored 758, 383 votes to defeat Lado, who got 205, 809 votes in the contest.


The returning officer, who described the election as peaceful and transparent, stated that the level of sophistication involved in the conduct of the exercise had greatly boosted the morale of the electorate.


Meanwhile, APC supporters have started jubilating on some major streets in Kano over the success recorded by the party in the state.



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See Fun Photos From Simi Esiri’s Baby Shower In London

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sdi


Mavins record will be celebrating 2 very big births in a couple of months.


Dr Sid’s wife and Tiwa Savage areexpecting


Simi Esiri who is wedded to Dr Sid had a baby shower yesterday, March 29th at The Dorchester Hotel in London.


Friends and family came out to attend and Tiwa Savage was also present.


Simi announced on twitter that she’s expecting a girl.


See photos below: –






 


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Lee Kuan Yew: A true giant of history

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Lee-Kuan-Yew

BY ADAMU MUHD USMAN


Lee Kuan Yew was born into a wealthy Chinese family that had resided in Singapore since the 19th century on September 16, 1923. After World War II, Lee studied law at Fitzwilliam College, in Cambridge, UK. In 1950, he was admitted to the English Bar, but instead of practising law there, Lee returned to Singapore to do so.


Lee Kuan Yew became the longest-serving prime minister in world history. Lee rose through the ranks of his country’s political system before becoming the first prime minister of Singapore on June 5, 1959. In 1962, Lee led Singapore into a merger with Malaysia, but three years later, Singapore left the union for good.


At the time, Singapore was a British colony and held Britain’s main naval base in the Far East. The country was ruled by a governor and a legislative council, mostly comprising wealthy Chinese businessmen who were appointed rather than elected by the people. In the early 1950s, Singapore buzzed with talk of constitutional reform and independence, and Lee banded with other like minds to challenge the governing structure of the country. After  breaking from this group and taking a more radical stance, in 1954 Lee became secretary-general of his own party, the People’s Action Party.


In 1955, a new Singapore constitution was introduced. It increased the number of elected seats on the council to 25 out of a total of 32, thereby allowing only 7 seats to be filled by appointment. In the elections that followed, the party founded by Lee’s former colleagues, the Labour Front won 13 seats, while Lee’s PAP won merely 3.


But with his party represented on the council, in 1956 Lee headed to London as part of the delegation seeking self-rule for Singapore. After the negotiations failed, Singapore experienced a year of civil unrest, but in 1957, Lee returned to London  as talks resumed.


The next year, Lee helped negotiate what Singapore’s status would be as a self-governing state, and a new constitution was formed.  Under the new constitution, national elections were held in June 1959. Lee campaigned on an anti-colonialist, anti-communist platform and called for sweeping social reforms and an eventual federation with neighboring countries.


Lee’s party won a decisive victory, taking 43 of the 51 seats in the assembly, and Singapore gained self-governing status (except in matters of defence and foreign affairs). Lee was sworn in as prime minister on June 5, 1959, becoming the first prime minister of an independent Singapore.


Once in office, Lee Kuan Yew introduced a five-year plan calling for urban renewal and construction of new public housing, greater rights for women, educational reform and industrialization.


His plan also called for a merger of Singapore with Malaysia, and after Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed the formation of a federation that would include Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak, Lee began to campaign in favor of the effort and to end British colonial rule for good.


To show that the people of Singapore were supportive, Lee used the results of a referendum held in September 1962, in which 70 percent of the votes were cast in favor of the proposal. So in 1963, Singapore joined the newly created Federation of Malaysia. In elections held shortly after, the PAP retained its control of Singapore’s Parliament, and Lee held onto his post as prime minister.


Growing tension between Chinese and Malays in the Federation, however, resulted in rioting in Singapore, notably marked by the Prophet Muhammad Birthday Riots, or Sino-Malay riots, of the summer of 1964. A year later, with racial strife continuing, Lee was told by his Malaysian colleagues that Singapore must leave the federation.


Lee was passionate about working out a compromise, but his efforts proved fruitless, and he signed a separation agreement on August 7, 1965. The failure of the merger was a serious blow to Lee, who believed that unity was crucial for Singapore’s survival. In a televised press conference, he was emotionally drained as he announced the formal separation and Singapore’s full independence:


“For me, it is a moment of anguish,” he said. “All my life … I believed in Malaysian merger and unity of the two territories. You know that we, as a people, are connected by geography, economics, by ties of kinship … It literally broke everything that we stood for … now Singapore shall be forever a sovereign democratic and independent nation, founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of the people in a most and just equal society.”


With the broken union came problems beyond Lee’s personal grief: Singapore’s lack of natural resources and a limited defensive capability were major challenges.


Singapore needed a strong economy to survive as an independent country, and Lee quickly spearheaded a programme to transform it into a major exporter of finished goods. He also encouraged foreign investment and made moves to ensure a rising standard of living for workers.


When the opposition party decided to boycott Parliament from 1966 onward, the PAP won every seat in Parliament in the elections of 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980.


Lee resigned as prime minister in November 1990 but remained the leader of the PAP until 1992. After 14 years away, Lee’s family took its place at the head of the Singapore government once again in the summer of 2004, when Lee’s son Lee Hsien Loong took power.


In early 2015, Lee Kuan Yew was hospitalized with pneumonia. By early March, he was on a ventilator, in critical condition, and he died soon after, on March 23.


Lee has left behind a legacy of an efficiently run country and as a leader who brought prosperity unheard of before his tenure, at the cost of a mildly authoritarian style of government. By the 1980s, Singapore, under Lee’s guidance, had a per capita income second only to Japan’s in East Asia, and the country had become a chief financial center of Southeast Asia.


May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Let our leaders that  learn from this great man who transformed his country.


ν Ajiboye  writes  from Lagos


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Photos: President Obama Almost Falls Off Presidential Jet

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President Obama nearly took a tumble as he was strolling down the stairs of the presidential jet, Air Force One, over the weekend. He was returning to Washington DC from a golfing trip in Florida when the incident happened. Thankfully, he quickly steadied himself and continued on his journey down the stairs. See more photos gelow….
















lindaikeji.blogspot.com

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Threat of bird flu in Nigeria

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FGN2

By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye


Sometime in January 2015,  Nigeria ’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina,  confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in eleven states of the federation. The states affected were Kano,  Lagos , Ogun, Rivers, Delta,  Edo , Plateau, Gombe, Imo, Oyo and Jigawa.


One must, however, commend the promptness with which the Federal Government responded to the outbreak. Not many Nigerians even heard of the outbreak which could have been really disastrous if not properly managed.


The Federal Government not only immediately identified and depopulated the 39 farms affected by the flu in the eleven states; it also approved N145 million for the owners of the farms as compensation for the loss they suffered as a result of the depopulation exercise. As we know, depopulation is one of the most effective measures usually taken to control the spread of the avian flu. Each of the affected farms got N1.4 million which was disbursed within 72 hours of the killing of the infected and exposed birds.  We must also commend the owners of those farms for cooperating with the government to arrest the epidemic.


When it was reported that Nigeria had recorded “the first” human casualty from bird flu in  2007, a  World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesperson, Gregory Hartl, said cases of humans contracting the H5N1 virus in Nigeria should come to no one as a surprise, considering the experience in a country like Indonesia, which, like Nigeria, has huge concentrations of poultry where human beings live.


“It does not change anything from a public health point of view. It had to happen sooner or later,” Hartl said.


The New Zealand Herald of February 1, 2007, quotes unnamed “experts” as identifying  Nigeria  as one of the countries that constitute the “weakest links in the global attempt to stem infections of birds.”


That a 2007 report singled out Nigeria and Indonesia as a great threat to the world at that time because of the reckless poultry management that subsisted in those two countries, which could easily lay the world bare to the dreaded avian influenza pandemic that wreaked untold havoc to humanity in 1918, should promptly urge us to ask ourselves: what has changed about us since then to reduce the threat we posed to the world in 2007? We might say that we now have a more edifying government response unlike what obtained in 2007; but are there realistic efforts at the grassroots to extend enlightenment and education to the people by the states and local councils?


Bird flu is essentially an animal disease, but when it leaves its natural host and infects humans, it could mutate into a form that could trigger the dreaded human-to-human infections which could spell disaster for humanity. When contracted by humans, the H5N1 virus is said to easily “forget” what it was originally. “A different strain”, says a report, “might mutate to cause a pandemic and it would take many months to produce a vaccine after a pandemic had started.”


And before that vaccine is ready, the virus might mutate further and assume forms that would resist the vaccine produced. That is why every attempt is always made around the world to frustrate the possibility of human-to-human infections. Asked a number of years ago why the United Kingdom was not stockpiling vaccines like the United States, Italy and France, a spokeswoman for the UK Department of Health said the country could not be  sure what mutation of the virus would be involved in a pandemic.


The problem with  Nigeria  is that the informal sectors of its economy which far outnumber the formal are too difficult to monitor. So, how can anyone in such a near-chaos ensure that human beings have less contact with chickens?  In the villages, for instance, most families share the same houses with their fowls. These fowls are let out each day to go and find food for themselves, and by evening, they are able to return to their owners because of their successful domestication. In the course of their daily wanderings, they could also have contacts with wild birds which are known to be the most vulnerable hosts of this dreaded virus.


Now, who would be able to medically examine these birds assuming they take ill or die in the houses of their owners in one remote village in the country? What is the guarantee that ailing (or even dead) chickens are still not being slaughtered for dinner in our various communities?


Now, we are talking about the villages, what of the so-called cities? By the way, who has accurate records of the number of people that run small poultry farms beside their houses, even in their apartments, especially, in densely populated areas of our cities? The chickens that die regularly which the poultry owners either throw away or cook for lunch, who would in those small corners where they operate determine what killed them?


There is even a worse situation. In our markets, chickens displayed for sale enjoy almost infinite proximity and “interactions” with humans among buyers and sellers.  Are there no better ways of organizing the sales of chickens in all our markets by the relevant authorities to reduce this risk to humans?


When birds are infected in a particular farm, they can be quarantined and slaughtered. When humans are infected, it is a different matter entirely. Such a person could either survive or die. Some experts say he has fifty percent chances of either surviving or dying. Early detection could help, but in  Nigeria  where majority of the people keep patronizing the nearby “chemist” until they are almost gasping for breath, before they think of going to the hospital, one can imagine what to expect. And nobody can dictate to the virus how long it should stay in a human being before its mutations commence. Moreover, in the event of the dreaded human-to-human infections, vaccines may be unhelpful because, the virus may take on a form that is resistant to all existing vaccines.


The 1917-1918 avian influenza pandemic is reported to have killed about 40 million people worldwide.  By 1918, when the world witnessed the pandemic, human mobility was highly limited due to non-availability of effective transportation. But today, airplanes have reduced the distance between countries. If any part of the world is hit by the pandemic today, virtually no nation would be spared.  Millions of lives could be lost. That is why all eyes are always on  Nigeria  each time there is an outbreak. But like it surprised the rest of humanity when the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) arrived on its soil recently,  Nigeria  should be ready to give the world another pleasant surprise.


•Ejinkeonye writes from  Lagos


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Photos: President Obama Almost Fall Off Presidential Jet

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President Obama nearly took a tumble as he was strolling down the stairs of the presidential jet, Air Force One, over the weekend. He was returning to Washington DC from a golfing trip in Florida when the incident happened. Thankfully, he quickly steadied himself and continued on his journey down the stairs. See more photos gelow….
















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