Huhuonline.com can disclose that thousands of residents of the Federal Capital Territory were wounded in Abuja as they scrambled for free bags of rice imported by the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan to boost her husband’s campaign.

A highly-placed source said: “The Outreach Programme is designed to mobilize Nigerians, especially women, nationwide but it has backfired on the first day.“This is a challenge to us to go back to the drawing board to fine-tune the scheme.”

The Pictures below tells the story better.

Sixty-eight firms comprising foreign and local investors with interest in diverse sectors of the economy, as at last week, were said to have so far shown strong intention to do business at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ). They cover textile, oil and gas, tourism, real estate, cottage industries, construction, car assembling among others.

Although some listed above will come on stream later as the project develops and expands, however, how soon others will roll into action will depend on the magic that the Lagos State government and its development partners — a consortium of Chinese investors can perform between now and November 2010 when the first phase, according to the management will be opened for business operations.

The first phase of the multi-billion dollars project sits on over 3000 hectares with a huge infrastructural challenge. It is being developed by a group of Chinese firms in partnership with Lagos State. And so far, work on the development of critical infrastructure such as power plant, sewage systems, water treatment plants though ongoing is still a challenge.

Although the Chinese are the first partners in the development of the trade zone, the state government is still keeping its doors open for more investors especially in view of the huge financial outlay. It is estimated that the overall project will cost over five billion US dollars.

“The Chinese are the first set of developers we have in the zone to jump-start things. And we are currently developing the launch area (phase 1),” Olusola Oworu, special adviser to Lagos State government on commerce and industry, whose office supervises the developments told BusinessDay.

As a way of attracting investors, the government is offering a number of incentives including tax exemption. Also, companies to operate within the zone could be 100 percent foreign owned and would be allowed the option of repatriating their capital and profits overseas if they so chose. In terms of meeting up the requirements for setting up a business in the zone, the state government plans to put in place a one-stop-shop where all necessary procedures and processes leading to business registration as well as issues bordering on immigration, customs, safety and security of investments and personnel will be addressed in one fell swoop so as to facilitate smooth operations.

In the view of Oworu, the LFTZ has been conceptualized not just a trade zone but a model city. So apart from its industrial component, the trade zone is designed to embrace urban developments, which include residential accommodation, business centre, a financial hub and tourism activities. The zone therefore is incorporating light industries such as textiles, electronics, household equipment as well as foods and beverages.

Upon full development, the zone will have three modern ports which will accommodate heavy industries like petro-chemicals and oil refineries. It is also going to have five kilometers of coastline a deep seaport that will be able to accommodate huge vessels expected from around the world.

The idea is to make the ports the shipping hub of West Africa. Also being planned to further boost LFTZ’s operations is an international airport that will be sited not too far. The airport will not ferry people but also service the logistical needs of corporate bodies in and around the Lekki corridor.

The Lekki trade zone’s key advantages are its accessibility, location and the market. Lagos State remains the commercial hub of Nigeria and plays host to about 65 percent of the country’s commercial activities. The state has the largest population in the country estimated at about 18 million people which is a good market for products and services.

Oworu says the effort at ongoing infrastructural development at the trade zone is show of government’s determination to create the enable environment and prepare investors to start off with ease. 68 prospective investors have so far shown interest. But the biggest of the challenge I think are logistics problems. But we have investors who have shown strong interests in oil and gas, manufacturing, hotels and entertainment, car assembling plant, construction materials and real estate development.

“Currently our emphasis is on development of infrastructure to encourage investors to come in. And when I say infrastructure, I am talking about road network and power. To start with, we have installed 1000 KVA generating set to power the area in the interim. A permanent power installation will come later and we are working towards this.

“In terms of road, we have constructed about several kilometres of roads and a standard factory so that investors can start making use of it without having to necessarily build theirs before starting operations,” says the special adviser.

Adeyomo Thompson, deputy managing director of the LFTZ is optimistic that business operations will commence by October or before the end of this year. His optimism is hinged on the completion of some road networks creating access to various parts of the zone, provision of 1000 KVA standby electric generating set as well as the completion of a standard factory from where some manufacturing activities can begin. According to the deputy managing director, the long delay in take-off has been due to problems of logistics. Specifically, he says the absence of infrastructure at the site, a major challenge, is being addressed with over 70 companies now waiting to commence operations.

The companies are those with interest in agro-processing, clothing and textiles, food and beverages, forestry, mining, pharmaceuticals, housing and tourism. He said that the establishment of the free trade zone was in line with the desire of the Lagos State Government to harness investment and business potentials in the state. “Although the project is currently not ready for use as a result of inadequate infrastructure, there are indications that some industries from China may begin operation here soon,’’ he said.

Thompson said that the first phase of the project would cost about 1.5 billion dollars while the entire project would gulp over five billion dollars. He said that the zone would have its own independent power plant, adding that the first phase, made up of 350 hectares, would be powered by 10,000 KVA generators. But it is not only foreign companies that are in the forefront at the zone, as Oando Nig. Plc, according to Thompson, is planning to build a refinery with capacity to refine 360,000 barrels of crude per day. The company has since 2009 carried out feasibility studies on the project.

“We believe that a refinery that targets approximately half of the deficit for 2017 will be viable against local production and against substitute input. Such a refinery will benefit from the closest sources of crude oil. We are going to put in place a complex refinery which will take advantage of the light crude we see in the area and maximise PMS production,” Thompson said, adding that the company upon commencement of operations would be targeting about 360,000 barrels per day as the first phase will do 340,000 barrels which will give an approximate of 15,000 tons per day of PMS.

However, Femi Deru, President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has applauded the adoption of Public- Private Partnership to attract investments, describing as a popular and viable option. He believes the zone will attract investments when infrastructure such as good network of roads, power, sewage and water treatment plants are completed and put to use.

Although government has paid compensation to some of the communities whose lands were taken over for the project, indigenes of the area are still of e view that all those entitled to compensation must be adequately compensated so to avoid a crisis situation and frosty relationship between the operators and their host communities.

A resident of the area, Rueben Ateteh advised the state to pay all outstanding compensations to families that were displaced. “If this issue of compensation is conclusively resolved, the state government and the investors may be shooting themselves on the foot because frequent agitations could lead to disruption of operations. “We all have seen what happened in the Niger Delta area. This should be avoided in Lagos.

But the infrastructural challenges and logistics problems notwithstanding, Oworu and Thompson are optimistic that business operations will commence at the free trade zone this year and Lagos economy will witness some boom on full operations.

Medical doctor members of the National Association of Seadogs on humanitarian duty.

As a way of lending credence to Mr. Soyinka’s claim, some members of the Lagos State chapter of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), a.k.a Pyrates Confraternity, recently came out to demonstrate their noble intentions by offering free medical aid to some Lagos residents, while using the forum to carry out a voter-education campaign, in preparation for the 2011 general elections.

Under the canopies erected at the Ojuelegba Bus Stop at Surulere, members of the confraternity who are medical practitioners checked the blood pressure (BP) and the sugar levels of passers-by, dispensed drugs and gave advice to people with serious health conditions; while other members of different professions shared fliers educating the public on the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.

A passer-by, Ekaette Daniel, said the occasion allowed her to check her health and confirm some of the health problems she had suspected she was suffering from.

“I saw them giving free medical treatment so I decided to check myself. The doctors told me that my BP is OK but that I am too big for my height. I had suspected this but was not sure because it has been long I did a check-up. They confirmed it and advised me on what to do,” said Ms Daniel.

One man, one vote

While speaking at the occasion, which also served as a forum to educate the public on the forthcoming general elections, the secretary of the group, Uche Nwachukwu, condemned any power shift or zoning formula in the formation of Nigeria’s polity..

Mr Nwachukwu said any concept which supports allotting where a person must come from before aspiring to an elected office, is contrary to the principles of democracy.

“Zoning is an anathema. It runs in opposites to democracy. It is a means of disenfranchising people from certain positions. What Nigeria needs is credible elections. There must be a review of the voters register and necessary structures must be put in place now to ensure our votes count by 2011,” said Mr Nwachukwu, who is a paediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Seizing the opportunity for a free check-up, a teacher, Olaniyi Ogunmuyiwa, said, for eight months, he has been suffering from relapsing chest and throat pains. He said he was “pleased to get free medical attention” because he had been procrastinating going to a hospital.

The association’s Lagos chapter spokesperson, Sylvester Nsor, said over 130 people were given free medical attention during the exercise. He said the association, which is a male-only confraternity, chose the Ojuelegba Bus Stop as its sensitisation point owing to the location being a melting-pot for several inhabitants who engage in diverse clandestine activities.

“Amongst NAS values is the promotion of humanitarian ideals aimed at touching lives and giving hope to the less-privileged in the society. And Ojuelegba is a place with so many characters who need to be informed on the dangers of drugs,” said Mr Nsor, a member of the confraternity since 1991.

Formed as a tertiary campus pressure group, the Pyrates Confraternity was founded in 1952 by seven students of the University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan), including Mr Soyinka, to protest against oppression and tribal alienation. It was formally registered as the National Association of Seadogs in 1980. The Association, since 1984, has continually dissociated itself from university cult fraternities known for anti-social tendencies.

Disses Home Team :Cavaliers

Disses good Friend:Jay Z part owner of Nets

Disses money:Chicago Bulls was reputed to have made him a Don Corleone offer he couldnt refuse but he did !

The former king and chosen one GOES FOR FAME & GLORY with Dwyane Wade (The flash) & Chris Bosh (CB4 )

Perhaps the most hysterically-hyped free agent in sports history, James announced Thursday night on national TV that he plans to leave Cleveland to join the Miami Heat for a chance to play with Olympic teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Photos: lebron,bosh & wade

It's a power trio that could rock the league for years to come.

"I can't say it was always in my plans, because I never thought it was possible," said James, who wrestled with his decision for weeks. "But the things that the Miami Heat franchise have done, to free up cap space and be able to put themselves in a position this summer to have all three of us, it was hard to turn down.

"Those are two great players, two of the greatest players that we have in this game today."

Add in James, and Miami has a three-headed monster.

Ending weeks of round-the-clock speculation, the two-time MVP said he was uncertain until the eleventh hour before deciding that the only way he could fulfill his dreams of winning multiple championships was to leave his home state and a city that hasn't sprayed championship champagne in 46 years.

See ya, Cleveland.

Sorry, New York, Chicago, New Jersey, Los Angeles and all you other NBA cities who came calling.

Hello, South Beach.

"It's going to give me the best opportunity to win," James said. "We're going to be a real good team."

That's not what Cleveland wanted to hear.

Fans poured out of the same downtown bars and restaurants that have thrived with James around in frustration moments after the announcement. A few set fire to his No. 23 jersey while others threw rocks at the 10-story-tall billboard featuring James with his head tossed back and arms pointing skyward.

"We Are All Witnesses," the mural says.

This was something Cleveland never thought it would see.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert posted an open letter to fans on the team's website ripping James and told The Associated Press he believes James did not play up to his abilities in Cleveland's second-round loss to Boston.

"He quit," Gilbert said. "Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar. ... People have covered up for him for way too long."

Not Gilbert, not anymore.

"As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier," Gilbert wrote. "This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his 'decision' unlike anything ever 'witnessed' in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment. Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

"The self-declared former 'King' will be taking the 'curse' with him down south. And until he does 'right' by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

"Just watch."

Olympic teammates four years ago in Beijing, James, Bosh and Wade all helped deliver gold medals while playing for the U.S.

This time, the superstars will pursue another gold prize — an NBA trophy — the one Wade got in 2006, the one that James and Bosh have yet to touch.

"Winning is a huge thing for me," said James, who left more than $30 million on the table by not signing with Cleveland.

It's a huge victory for the Heat, which got Wade and Bosh, a five-time All-Star with the Toronto Raptors, to agree to take less money on Wednesday so James could join them. Heat president Pat Riley was able to corral the top three stars in an unprecedented free-agent class.

So while Miami is building a dynasty, Cleveland is devastated.

In a city scorned for generations by some of sports' biggest letdowns, James' long-awaited words that he is leaving represented a defeat perhaps unlike any other.

"The Decision," the name of the prime-time, hour-long special James and his team of advisers brokered with ESPN, now joins "The Drive," ''The Shot," ''The Fumble," and "The Move" in Cleveland's sports hall of shame.

Cleveland fans, so accustomed to disappointment, have been let down again — this time, by one of their owns sons.

Not long after James' decision was announced, one of his jerseys was shown being burned in the city's streets.

"I can't get involved in that," James said. "I wanted to do what was best for LeBron James ... At the end of the day, I feel awful. I feel even worse that I wasn't able to bring an NBA championship to that city. I never wanted to leave Cleveland. My heart will always be around that area. But I also felt like this is the greatest challenge for me, is to move on."

James' decision ends nearly two years of posturing and positioning by teams hoping to add the 6-foot-8, 260-pound physical force of nature to their roster. He famously announced at New York's Madison Square Garden in November of 2008 that "July 1, 2010, is going to be a big day."

He wasn't kidding. When the clock struck 12:01 a.m. last Thursday, a free-agent frenzy unlike any before it — in any professional sport — got under way with the enough speculation, rumor and second-by-second intrigue to last a lifetime.

March may be madness, but this was a year's drama crammed into eight days.

James, Wade and Bosh were wined and dined by suitors who spared no expense to make them feel special. It was billionaires chasing millionaires, and depending on your view, it was either a shining moment for the NBA or a travesty.

Commissioner David Stern probably didn't mind any of it. The league stayed front and center in newspapers, on the Internet and in the blogosphere, leaving the World Cup, Wimbledon, Major League Baseball and other goings on fighting for scraps.

Last week, the Heat, Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls converged on Cleveland to make their sales pitch to the league's most wanted man. The Cavs only had to drive across town to meet with in the business offices of the local superstar, who grew up in a single-parent home in the Akron projects and has known no other pro basketball home.

The Cavs appealed to James' loyalty, his Buckeye roots and the fact that this is where he is raising his two young sons, to keep him. They hired Byron Scott as their new coach last week.

None of it worked.

"We believe in this team, this organization, this community, and what we will do to compete at the highest level," Cavs general manager Chris Grant said in a statement that did not mention James. "We believe in the new coach and leader we have in Byron Scott, and the world class basketball organization and positive and strong culture we've established."

New York devoted two years to trying to snare James.

"We are disappointed that LeBron James did not pick the New York Knicks, but we respect his decision," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said.

New Jersey couldn't land him despite having rapper Jay-Z, a good friend of James, as a part owner.

"We have a vision of a championship team and need to invest wisely and for the long term," Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov said. "Fortunately, we have more than one plan to reach success, and, as I have found in all areas of my business, that is key to achieving it."

And Bulls general manager Gar Forman said he was convinced his organization "made the strongest of bids to acquire LeBron James during this free agency period."

Wade has shared the spotlight in the Heat locker room before, doing so when O'Neal was there for the 2006 title run. James said that if not for Wade being willing to make this megadeal happen, the trio wouldn't be together.

"D-Wade, he's the unselfish guy here," James said. "To be able to have Chris Bosh and LeBron James, to welcome us to his team, it's not about an individual here.

"It's about a team."

sorry lebron money & fame is not everything what about family ? Remember the fab 5