Posted by 9jabook.com on January 22, 2010 at 8:30pm
The Board of the United Bank for Africa Plc has announced the appointment of Phillips Oduoza as the Group Chief Executive Designate. Mr. Oduoza has over 22 years experience in banking and financial services, spanning banking operations, relationship management, credit/marketing, technology implementation, risk management, lean banking methods and brand management.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Oduoza was the bank's Deputy Managing Director South, which is the largest strategic business in the group.
He will resume in his new position on August 1, 2010. In the interim, Mr. Oduoza will be working with Tony Elumelu, the current Group Chief Executive of UBA to ensure that the transition is seamless.
This is coming in the wake of Central Bank of Nigeria's announcement that, "Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of banks shall serve a maximum tenure of 10 years... all CEOs who would have served for 10 years by July 31, 2010 shall cease to function in that capacity and shall hand over to their successors."
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Posted by 9jabook.com on January 21, 2010 at 9:11pm
Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday at the 7th Annual Trust Lecture in Abuja told President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to do the honourable thing by resigning as President of Nigeria because of his failing health.
Obasanjo made the speech in a reply to a question from one of the attendees at the event who had faulted him for the current Constitutional crisis by forcing President Yar’Adua on Nigerians.
The former President’s answer to the question was very blunt and hard on the President who was evacuated from Abuja on November 23, 2009.
"If you take up an assignment, a job-elected, appointed or whatever it is, and then your health starts to fail and you will not be able to deliver to satisfy yourself and to satisfy the people you are supposed to serve, then there is a path of honour and the path of morality, and if you don’t do that, then you don’t know anything.”
The former president has come under severe criticisms for anointing President Yar’Adua knowing fully well he had a kidney condition.
The former President’s answer to the question in full:
"When in year 2006, the idea came up as to succession; I was convinced in my mind that a southerner succeeding me will not augur well for Nigeria. You may agree with that, you may not agree but I was convinced in my mind.
"Now, what I was looking for in those who will succeed me were three important qualities; one, he has enough intellectual capacity to run the affairs of Nigeria. Two, he has sufficient personal integrity to run the affairs of Nigeria. Three, he is sufficiently broad-minded enough-politically, religiously, socially or whatever to manage the affairs of Nigeria. These three were the important things.
"Then Umaru Yar’Adua who is now the President, I know he has kidney problem and was under dialysis. Sometime earlier, he had gone abroad when he was still the Governor of Katsina State.
When the idea was for him to contest, I asked him and he gave me a medical report.
"The medical report showed that he had come off dialysis. I asked experts who then told me that if you were under dialysis or you were on dialysis and you are no longer under dialysis, it means you have had a successful kidney transplant and that you can live for as long as God may give you favour. Now, who am I and who are you not to accept that? That was the situation.
"Now, Mallam Musa Yar’Adua went campaigning and we campaigned together. I remember at one day of the campaign, he was run down. Chairman of our party then, Ahmadu Ali was also run down. Ahmadu Ali didn’t go abroad to check up, but he went abroad to check up and the rumour was that he was dead. And I called him and I put the telephone on speaker and I said, are you dead? And we continued with the campaign.
"To the best of my knowledge, he wasn’t on dialysis after that. When the issue of dialysis came, he was well into his first term (as president), which must meant maybe the kidney transplant is failing, if it hasn’t failed. That you cannot blame on me. You cannot even blame it on him.
"So, to say that I, Olusegun Obasanjo deliberately see somebody who is an invalid and is highly, highly ungrateful and make him President… how can I put so much into this country both in peace and in war and I will begin to run it down. If you have fear of God, you will not make that statement.
"On the way out of the constitutional crisis, what I needed to say on that, I have said as the Chairman of my Board of Trustees last week. I won’t say anything more. What I need to say is that nobody picked Yar’Adua so that he will not perform. If I did that, God will punish me. There is no reason why I should do that.
"Again, if you take up an assignment, a job-elected, appointed or whatever it is, and then your heath starts to fail and you will not be able to deliver to satisfy yourself and to satisfy the people you are supposed to serve, then there is a path of honour and the path of morality. There is path of honour and the path of morality and if you don’t do that, then you don’t know anything."
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A high-ranking Nigerian lawmaker, Tuggar Yusuf Maitama, this week became the first major casualty of Nigeria’s new inclusion by the United States among 14 nations allegedly with terrorist links. Hon. Maitama, who represents Gamawa federal constituency of Bauchi State, is the Chairman of the Committee on Public Procurement in the House of Representatives. Mr. Maitama was traveling to New York on a KLM flight on Monday when the US Immigrations and Customs agents in Amsterdam pulled him aside and told him that he could not fly to the United States, having been found to have “terrorist tendencies”. His visa was immediately revoked and the lawmaker was deported to Nigeria. But Saharareporters quick search through US no-fly list and terrorism-related databases did not yield Maitama’s name.
It is not yet known if Maitama was coming to New York as part of an official delegation sent by the crumbling Yar’Adua regime to meet with UK and US officials over the inclusion of Nigeria in the terror watch list. The group, which includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe; the Senate Chairman on Foreign Relations, Jubril Aminu; his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Umar Bature, as well as the chairperson of the EFCC, Farida Waziri, made a stop-over in London yesterday, and is expected to arrive in New York later today. They are to be lodged at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel New York.
That means it will be an interesting visit, as they will be welcomed tomorrow morning by Nigerian protesters who are getting ready for a Save Nigeria Group "Enough Is Enough" rally at Nigeria House on the other side of the same block.
The cumbersome delegation is unlikely to meet with much success in the US. The US state department has already dispatched to Nigeria a delegation, led by US Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Africa, Johnnie Carson. It is expected to leave for a crucial three-day trip to meet with Goodluck Jonathan.
Mrs. Waziri's inclusion in the delegation is a surprise. Owing to the poor work of the EFCC, she is highly unpopular with the US government, and the EFCC was singled out for criticism last year when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Nigeria. In addition, Mrs. Waziri's first visit to the US a few months ago ended with her being heckled and chased out of an official function in New York by Nigerian demonstrators. That encounter could be repeated tomorrow.
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The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday commended the executive government and unanimously adopted a motion ratifying the $1 million donation by the state government to Haiti, after last week's devastating earthquake.
The state governor, Babatunde Fashola, wrote a letter to the House, following the decision of the state executive council during its weekly meeting on Monday, to adopt a "resolution recognising this humanitarian service".
Although the motion was passed with relative ease, a few lawmakers raised concerns about the source of the donation, wondering if it would be taken from the 2009 budget or the yet-to-be-passed 2010 budget. However, the magnitude and urgency of the Haitian need, coupled with the fact that Nigeria, as a nation, has been absent on the list of donating nations, helped douse the concerns.
"The governor has the right to spend up to 25 per cent of (money voted for) donation in the 2009 budget," said the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, as a reminder to the lawmakers, and consequently, the motion was moved by the majority leader, Kolawole Taiwo.
An example
The Lagos Assembly also called on other Nigerian states to help the needy Haitians. "The federal government should have done this but there is a vacuum at the top and there is no response from Nigeria," said Ahmed Omisiore, chairman of the House committee on information.
Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, representing Mushin I, was also worried that the federal government, which was unable to respond to the case of the suspected bomber, Farouk Mutallab, is "still not available to respond to the need of the Haiti people.
"The donation should be stressed as coming from the Lagos State government and not from Nigeria because we cannot continue to shoulder the responsibility of the entire country," she said.
While it was not part of the adopted motion, the majority leader, Lola Akande, representing Ikeja II, suggested that a minimum amount of N50,000 should be made compulsory for each lawmaker as their contribution, which was supported by Babatunde Ogala, who also suggested that the contribution should be deducted "immediately from source".
In response, the speaker said anybody who wants to contribute to the state's donation can walk into any branch of Skye Bank where an account has already been opened.
Bringing the discussion home, Sanai Agunbiade said "while we are thinking of Haiti there are some communities in Lagos suffering from serious environmental degradation. The rains will soon be here and something must be done."
NEMA responds
Also in its response to the disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said it plans to send cash donation.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja yesterday on the role of the agency regarding the incident in Haiti, the Director General of the organisation, Mohammed Audu Bida, explained that the enormity of the incident is so great that instead of moving relief materials through the seas, which are already congested as a result of massive goods coming from other countries, sending cash right away makes more sense.
Mr. Bida who declined to disclose the exact amount earmarked for the people of Haiti, said Vice President Goodluck Jonathan who is the chairman of agency's board has already said that the government will come to the aid of the country.
He criticised those condemning the perceived slow response of the Nigerian governme
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Former U.S. presidential candidate John Edwards has backtracked on earlier denials and confirmed that he fathered a daughter in an extramarital relationship.
"It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me," John Edwards, the former senator from North Carolina, said Thursday.
Edwards was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004. He ultimately was Senator John Kerry's selection to be his vice-presidential running mate.
Edwards entered the race for presidential nominee again in December 2006, but quit the primaries in January 2008, and eventually backed now U.S. President Barack Obama.
Frances Quinn Hunter, who is almost two years old, was born to former Edwards campaign aide Rielle Hunter. Edwards hired Hunter as a videographer before his second run for the White House.
Edwards admitted in August 2008 that he had had an affair with Hunter. The baby girl was born on Feb. 27, 2008.
Last year, Edwards denied fathering the girl, and said he welcomed a paternity test. He also claimed that his affair with Hunter ended in 2006.
Issues apology
"I have been providing financial support for Quinn and have reached an agreement with her mother to continue providing support in the future," Edwards said in a statement to The Associated Press. "To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry."
Another former Edwards aide, Andrew Young, initially said he was the father of the girl shortly before the 2008 presidential primaries started. Young has a book coming out on Feb. 2 that will detail the paternity scandal.
Edwards's wife, Elizabeth, who is battling incurable cancer, has stood by her husband throughout his revelations. They have three children together. Their first child, a son, died in a car accident in 1996.
Edwards's wife has stated it would not matter if he fathered a child with Hunter, saying "that would be a part of John's life, but not a part of mine."
John Edwards has been living a mainly secluded life since he admitted the affair in 2008.
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Zenith CEO Jim Ovia & UBA MD Elumelu to be sacked
Special Editorial:Banks Still sacking workers http://bit.ly/7B4iKYRead more…
Posted by SULE BELLO on January 20, 2010 at 10:13pm
Lagos Begins N170bn Rail ProjectBy Gboyega Akinsanmi, 01.21.2010Add To FavoritesPrint This ArticlePost CommentLagos state government said the design of the long-awaited mass transit rail project has been completed, thus paving way for the construction of the project with immediate effect.It added that both the design and construction of the rail project would gulp the sum of $1.12 billion (equivalent of N170 billion), stating that it would take 36 months to complete the construction.While inspecting facilities to kick-start the rail project yesterday in the premise of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) in Ebute-Meta, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) said Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) has set the stage to commence the construction phase of the project.Speaking with journalists at the site, the governor said the first phase “will include the construction of the Blue Line which is expected to run a total distance of 27,552 kilometres from Okokomaiko to Marina and would be served by the stations.”He said: “The project is expected to be delivered on August 2012 and provide jobs for about 4,000 Nigerians during the construction phase alone.” He expressed optimism that the contractors would deliver within the stipulated period.“The project when completed would go a long way to make transportation faster, convenient and more efficient. It is a winner for Nigeria and Lagos State. It will improve the quality of life in our nation and help transport good and services.Nigerians working in London in the under ground rail system have spoke to me that want to come back home and run an efficient rail system,” the governor explained.Speaking on the Red Line rail construction, the governor explained that that the state government “is waiting the approval of the Federal Government to use its corridor to link Iddo through Agbado and Ijoko in Ogun State.“We are waiting for the federal government to give us the go ahead to use their corridor; we have a Memorandum of Understanding with them and we just need them to fast track a few things for us so that we can use that corridor,” he stated.The Iddo/Oyingbo way under construction is nearing completion. On completion, it will enable an extension of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from Mile 12 straight to Iddo. We would continue to expand and when the Lagos Badagry is completed, there would also be a BRT service in that route”, he added.Project Manager, CCECC, Mr. Shi Stone who conducted the governor round the facilities assured that they were ready to begin construction, adding that they have acquired all necessary equipments to kick start the construction process.The project is part of the World Bank assisted projects in the state expected to run at 100km/h, has a main length of 28km, a viaduct length of 7.75km, and a 3.047 kilometre long coastal elevated track and a 610 metre-long sea crossing bridge
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Posted by 9jabook.com on January 20, 2010 at 10:04pm
The governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on Monday made good his threat to wrest banks from proprietors as the board of the banking regulator has pegged the maximum tenure of commercial banks’ managing directors/chief executives at 10 years.
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Those who have already spent 10 years or more are to quit by July 2010 – meaning the Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and his counterpart at Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa, will have to relinquish their positions soon. They have spent between 11 and 19 years as chief executives of their respective banks.
Addressing newsmen on the latest development, CBN’s Director of Bank Supervision, Mr. Sam Oni, explained that the policy was designed to enthrone good corporate governance in the banking sector and institutionalise the arrangement of appointment of CEOs in banks.
He pointed out that the policy guideline was geared towards ensuring that banks put in place a good succession plan and avoiding the personalisation of institutions.
He said that even after the bank chief executive that has served a 10-year tenure must have left, he could only take up an appointment with the bank or any of its subsidiaries only after three years of his exit.
“Chief executive officers of banks shall henceforth serve a maximum of 10 years; All CEOs that would have served for 10 years by July 2010 shall cease to function in that capacity and shall hand over to their successors; Where a bank is a product of a merger, acquisition or takeover or any other form of combination, the 10 years shall include the pre and post combination service years of a CEO, provided the bank, which he served as a CEO was part of the new banks that emerged after the combination; Any person that has served as CEO for the maximum tenure in a bank shall not qualify for an appointment in that bank or its subsidiary until after a period of three years of his exit as CEOs,” he said.
Oni said given the new policy, affected bank chief executives are to draw up their succession plan towards their exit and institute a credible succession programme that would be approved by the board. Such, he added, would also be supervised and monitored by the CBN.
He said: “By July 31, 2010, the affected chief executives are to prepare a succession as approved by their board and to have a credible succession programme that will be monitored by the board and therefore subjected to some kind of supervision and monitoring by the CBN.”
Furthermore, he said: “All banks shall reflect the provisions of this guideline in the terms of engagement of their CEOs.
“In terms of the appointment of the CEOs of banks, the condition and terms under which they are appointed and approved by the board must also be ratified and approved at the Annual General Meeting. Such terms of appointment in the first instance shall not exceed five years and of course it’s renewable for another term provided that the period of service cumulative does not exceed 10 years.”
It has also emerged from the new policy of the banking watchdog that the CBN governor, his deputies as well as managing director/chief executives of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) could be appointed into a bank or any of its subsidiaries, only five years after his exit from respective positions in CBN and NDIC.
Oni said: “The governor, deputy governors of the CBN and the managing director/CEO and the executive director of NDIC, shall not be eligible for appointment in any capacity in banks and their subsidiaries under the supervision of the CBN and NDIC until after the expiration of five years from the date of their exit from the CBN or NDIC as the case may be.”
Similarly, he said: “The departmental directors of the CBN and that of the NDIC shall not be eligible for appointment in any capacity in banks and their subsidiaries under the supervision of the CBN and NDIC until after the expiration of three years from the date of their exit from either the CBN or NDIC.”
Earlier, during the briefing on the outcome of the Bankers’ Committee, Oni disclosed that the CBN had last Monday rolled out the minimum information disclosure for banks for the preparation of their account beginning with 2009 financial year.
This, he said, was with the view to ensuring that the banking system is effectively supervised.
According to him, the CBN had left the negotiation and sales/recapitalisation of the eight rescued banks to the banks’ management and boards.
He said following the meeting held with the management and key shareholders of the rescued banks last week, it was unanimously agreed that the apex bank should allow the boards and management of the affected banks to negotiate the sales/recapitalisation of their institutions.
Stressing that the CBN would only be a facilitator in the whole process, Oni recalled that the apex bank had appointed financial advisors for the rescued banks to commence the process of their recapitalisation.
The Bankers’ Committee comprising banks’ and other financial institutions managing directors and key CBN officials he also said, resolved that starting this financial year, the commercial banks would commence a longer tenure lending as part of efforts to assist the Federal and state governments in the resuscitation of infrastructure, which continues to pose a major challenge to Nigeria’s quest for development.
The Committee, he said, had therefore identified areas where banks would intervene to include small and medium enterprises (SMEs), power and agriculture.
Managing Director/Chief Executive of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede, who spoke alongside his counterparts at FinBank, Mrs. Susan Iroche; Standard-IBTCBank; Chris Newson; and Kakawa Discount House Limited, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, disclosed that arrangements on the financing model had been finalised .
He said the committee would meet and consult with agencies of the Federal Government and State Governments on ways to remove bottlenecks associated with projects and make them bankable.
Aig-Imokhuede said banks would this year embark on the development of bond instrument from where financial resources for longer credit facility for the infrastructure and real sector resuscitation would be realised.
This, he said, would enablethe banks to make longer tenure lending from seven to 20 years.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on January 20, 2010 at 9:25pm
The Super Eagles have been praised by football fans across the country for their five star performance against Mozambique yesterday.
Our boys trashed the Mambas 3-0 to book a place behind Egypt in the quarter-final. The Pharoahs top the group with nine points.
For former Eagles coach Christian Chukwu, the Eagles won yesterday because they reverted to wing play and fast paced attacking football.
"The team is now gradually improving, and are finally playing together as a unit, the attackers did well, and they were faster than before and with in-form Osaze and Obasi coming from the wings," he said.
The ex-Eagles coach however said "there is room for improvement". Though he refused to comment on the technical crew of the Eagles, Chukwu said all the calls for the technical crew to be sacked is a distraction that should be left till after the Nations Cup.
Arsenal 4 Bolton 2
Arsenal's return to the top of the Premier League was overshadowed last night by a William Gallas tackle on Mark Davies that was described by Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle as “akin to an assault”.
Coyle said that he had seen lesser challenges punished with a red card and was further angered when Gallas played on while Davies was on the floor. From the same passage of play, Cesc Fabregas scored an equalising goal that proved to be the turning point in the match. As Arsenal celebrated, Davies required around five minutes of treatment before being taken off on a stretcher amid fears that he has broken his ankle.
The Eagles match in summary
In yesterday's game, Chinedu Obasi hit the first shot on target for the Super Eagles in the 9th minute but Rafael Kapango did well to parry the ball to safety.
In 21st minute, Obasi was again well positioned to place the Super Eagles ahead after Danny Shittu nodded a free kick across the face of the Mambas' goal, but he failed to nod the ball past Kapango from two yards out.
Ten minutes later, the Hoffenheim striker broke free for the Super Eagles but Kapango was quick off his line to curtail the danger.
The Super Eagles finally shot into the lead in the 45th minute through a thunderous shot from Osaze Odemwingie that left Kapango sprawling on the turf.
Second half
Barely two minutes after the break, the Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia forward was on hand to fire the Super Eagles further ahead. A counter attack initiated by Sani Kaita deep in the Nigerian half finds Aiyegbeni Yakubu, who beats the Mozambican offside trap before feeding a precise pass to the unmarked Odemwingie, who calmly slotted the ball home.
In the 68th minute, Obafemi Martins took the place of Yakubu in the attack for his first piece of action in Angola 2010. Eighteen minutes later, the Wolfsburg of Germany striker made it three-nil for Nigeria after the Mozambican goalkeeper parried a Mikel shot his way.It could have been worse for the Mambas in the 90th minute had Obinna Nsofor, who came in for Odemwingie, not shot straight at Kapango after being put through on goal by Martins.
The Super Eagles will now remain in Lubango ahead of a quarter final clash next Monday against the winners of Group D which will be decided later today as Cameroon takes on Tunisia and Gabon tackles Zambia.
Eagles back on track
For Garba Lawal the Super Eagles have woken from their slumber.
"This is the best performance from the boys in a long while and I hope they can take it on from there," he said.
Lawal said the threat to disband the team was not responsible for the Eagles performance against the Mambas.
"I would not say the threat made them play the way they played, it was the determination and the choices of players made by the coach. You can see what Martins brought into the game, the wonderful job Sani Kieta did in the midfield and the heroic saves by Enyeama," he said.
With the quarter finals ticket now secured, Lawal warned that the Eagles should not allow today's victory get into their heads.
Fortunate
Former Green Eagles player, Okey Isima, described the trouncing of Mozambique as a last minute effort by embattled coach, Amodu to save his job.
"The(Super Eagles) played very well today for the first time since the beginning of this tournament. They entered this match with a game plan. Anytime Amodu is on the line to get fired, he does something that will stop him from being sacked.
"He must have gotten some coaching from somewhere; maybe he read some text books last night or maybe it's due to all the pressure from the press but then they should remember that tomorrow is another day so that they don't get carried away by the victory," he said.
Man of the match
The ex-international also believes that Super Eagles forward, Osaze Odemwingie is the driving force of the team, and he called on the other players to also use their initiative in ensuring that they score goals:
"Osaze is God sent; he made the thing happen even though every other person played well. Scoring is very important in any game; we were very lucky that the Mozambicans missed all their chances or else the game would have been a different story. We cannot always wait for Osaze to bell the cat; for me he is the man of the match".
Though Isima feels that the team can do with some improvement, he says that if the Super Eagles can beat likely opponents, Tunisia or Gabon if they play the way they did against Mozambique:
"If we can just keep up the way we played today, it will be better for us if we meet Tunisia or any other team."
Nigeria's quarter-final opponent will emerge today after the last round of group matches between Camreoun and Tunisia, and the second game between Gabon and Zambia.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on January 19, 2010 at 7:19am
Introduction by Abi John Balogun (weboga) & Paul Adams
How many Bankers OR very well paid Bank Workers you know that have been sacked ?
A banker is the guy that knows about banking ,The fellows that actually know what Profit & loss and Risk and Depositors funds as
relating to interest means .A banker is not the guy that drives the MD to work or the guy that makes certain the MD hasa nice time on weekends and trips abroad ? Just because you wear a tie to work does not make
you a banker .A banker is not the Guy that seats in the Tellers seat and takes a cheque from you and gives you back cash.O
yes he may look real important but He aint no Banker ! or even the Nice lady that makes everyone queue up and still manages to get us to smile on cue whilst
we wait for the sweet voice to say "Cashier numer X" ,That is a customer Service Representative that works in a Bank !
So why are the Bank Workers getting sacked instead of the Bankers !
Or does'nt the CBN have the right to put a stop to these Layoffs ? The Sacked bank MDs/CEOs can live on their stolen funds
that the EFCC will never ever know about for their next Ten Lifetimes !
Cecilia Ibru is one of the Ibrus for crying out loud ! That Family is loaded ! Oceanic Bank is just a drop in the ocean of
their Investments .
Sanusi I believe has done some good but he has also done some HARM ! great harm in the final de terracing of the common man
working in the Bank !
How many of the layabout CEOs,Regional Managers and other Managers that are looked upon as Demi Gods in the Banking industry
have been sacked ? Who recommends the sack ? what is the criteria ?
Is Bad Belly involved or Sexual harassment and all the Targets every banker is made to cough out monthly used ? Or are they
sacking the lowly paid staff in large numbers so that they can keep earning their arm robber salaries !
Why not Publish the names and positions of these people sacked so we can see the cadre and functionality they have been
rendering to their respective banks .
The ground always suffers when Elephants are fighting ! The Bankers that engaged in unethical practices that put the Nation
in this quagmire should be fished out and Sold into depositors funds slavery and made to work back their lossess ! What is a
risk management Consultant and you earn a minimum of 2.5million Naira a month as salary .Yet you keep risking and losing
money ! IT is like they have all these degrees,appelations and certifications for NOTHING !
Sanusi let it be on your head the families that will bear the brunt of these layoffs because solving one problem and creating
another will not absolve you .
The monies and properties recovered from these hoodlums in Corporate Suits should be used to subsidise bank workers that
have been sacked .There must be some amelioration of some sort or else what are they to do until they "find" Jobs in the
already saturated market ! ! !
Sanusi, We await your solutions,Looks like although Soludo had no solutions he at least did not put "San san" inside bank
workers garri. Impress us once more as we no longer hear your voice anymore abi you are holding baba go slows hand in
saudi or wherever you people are keeping him .
Main Article by Next media
While our nation’s circus show of shame went on in Abuja and Jeddah last week, another issue of relevance was playing out in
the banking industry. And this was the aftermath of Central Bank governor Lamido Sanusi’s reforms of the banking sector.
Sanusi’s hurricane might have swept through the banking sector, mowing down banks’ chief executives and directors, however,
the real casualties are beginning to show, and they are the over 8,000 men and women bearing the brunt of the reforms through
job loss. Oceanic Bank, Bank PHB Plc, UBA Plc, First Bank, GTB are laying off workers in response to the fall out from the
reforms.
It is, on the surface, easy ascribe the retrenchments in the banks on the Sanusi tsunami that took off in the middle of 2009,
but the sacking of chief executives and directors was not the immediate cause. Long before the Sanusi putsch many senior
bankers made quick money from brisk business in the confines of their offices and lived flamboyant lives comparable to those
of celebrities of the entertainment world. Soon, it became clear that despite being a private-sector driven industry the
principal actors in the banking business had abandoned all pretence at corporate governance and fiscal accountability, toying
with depositors’ money by giving out questionable loans, managing a bloated workforce, doctoring their books to impress the
public, and opening unserviceable branches. The result was an over-staffed industry, incurring huge salary bills every month,
operational liabilities and losses in excess of N100 billion.
In the light of all this, it is not inappropriate to view rationalisation of staff as an expected consequence, if banks are
to rightly address this anomaly.
The sacked workers are not employees of CBN in the first place and to disabuse the minds of critics that it did not order the
retrenchments, the CBN issued a release stating, “... the Central Bank of Nigeria has never directed commercial banks to sack
staff or rationalise branches as reported. Banks are private enterprises and the decision to engage or disengage staff is
best left to the managements and boards of the institutions. These decisions are taken on the basis of business imperatives”.
Nonetheless, our sympathy goes to the affected workers, many of whom are young people either just beginning to live life on
their own or raising a family.
Given the state of the nation’s economy, losing a well paying job in the bank is a predicament that many people will not take
lightly. It is frustrating and depressing.
What is being experienced in the industry now should serve as a lesson for future operations, and a pointer to the need for
vigilance in monitoring and regulating the banking sector, to guard against the ugly practices that have become the norm in
the industry. Chief amongst these are the questionable employment conditions of service for staff, characterised by the
practice of ‘casualisation’ of workers and the abuse of female bank staff. Reports are rife to the effect that many banks,
rather than properly recruit workers, resort to a cost-saving ad hoc arrangement of periodic hiring and dismissal. This is a
practice that devalues the profession and contributes to the lowering of ethical standards of practice. In the same vein,
female bank workers are faced with employment conditions that compromise their future plans.
Oftentimes, their brief includes unrealistic targets that open them to unethical and immoral practices that compromise their
dignity. We view these developments as part of the general corruption that compromised the banking sector where the rot
started from the top.
We urge the managements of our banks to exhaustively explore all avenues to ensure that the rationalisation is reduced to a
barest minimum. One way to do this would be for the banks to reduce staff salaries, especially at senior levels. Some
unjustifiable allowances of management staff would very easily pay the wages of significant numbers of persons further down
the corporate ladder.
Advertising, branding and sponsorship budgets, which ballooned irresponsibly during the consolidation era, as banks struggled
to rebrand and reposition themselves within and beyond the country, should be curtailed, and the savings therefrom used to
save jobs.
We cannot afford to send such a huge number of educated and experienced persons into the job market. Before now, the virtual
collapse of entire industries, like textiles and tyre manufacturing, rendered thousands of people jobless. We have to take
every step possible to ensure that the banking industry does not complicate an already serious unemployment crisis. The cost
of doing this will be nothing compared to the price we will have to pay for the alternative: flooding our streets with
jobless professionals who are as desperate as they are savvy.
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on January 19, 2010 at 7:00am
Introduction by Abi John Balogun (weboga) & Paul Adams
How many Bankers OR very well paid Bank Workers you know that have been sacked ?
A banker is the guy that knows about banking ,The fellows that actually know what Profit & loss and Risk and Depositors funds as
relating to interest means .A banker is not the guy that drives the MD to work or the guy that makes certain the MD hasa nice time on weekends and trips abroad ? Just because you wear a tie to work does not make
you a banker .A banker is not the Guy that seats in the Tellers seat and takes a cheque from you and gives you back cash.O
yes he may look real important but He aint no Banker ! or even the Nice lady that makes everyone queue up and still manages to get us to smile on cue whilst
we wait for the sweet voice to say "Cashier numer X" ,That is a customer Service Representative that works in a Bank !
So why are the Bank Workers getting sacked instead of the Bankers !
Or does'nt the CBN have the right to put a stop to these Layoffs ? The Sacked bank MDs/CEOs can live on their stolen funds
that the EFCC will never ever know about for their next Ten Lifetimes !
Cecilia Ibru is one of the Ibrus for crying out loud ! That Family is loaded ! Oceanic Bank is just a drop in the ocean of
their Investments .
Sanusi I believe has done some good but he has also done some HARM ! great harm in the final de terracing of the common man
working in the Bank !
How many of the layabout CEOs,Regional Managers and other Managers that are looked upon as Demi Gods in the Banking industry
have been sacked ? Who recommends the sack ? what is the criteria ?
Is Bad Belly involved or Sexual harassment and all the Targets every banker is made to cough out monthly used ? Or are they
sacking the lowly paid staff in large numbers so that they can keep earning their arm robber salaries !
Why not Publish the names and positions of these people sacked so we can see the cadre and functionality they have been
rendering to their respective banks .
The ground always suffers when Elephants are fighting ! The Bankers that engaged in unethical practices that put the Nation
in this quagmire should be fished out and Sold into depositors funds slavery and made to work back their lossess ! What is a
risk management Consultant and you earn a minimum of 2.5million Naira a month as salary .Yet you keep risking and losing
money ! IT is like they have all these degrees,appelations and certifications for NOTHING !
Sanusi let it be on your head the families that will bear the brunt of these layoffs because solving one problem and creating
another will not absolve you .
The monies and properties recovered from these hoodlums in Corporate Suits should be used to subsidise bank workers that
have been sacked .There must be some amelioration of some sort or else what are they to do until they "find" Jobs in the
already saturated market ! ! !
Sanusi, We await your solutions,Looks like although Soludo had no solutions he at least did not put "San san" inside bank
workers garri. Impress us once more as we no longer hear your voice anymore abi you are holding baba go slows hand in
saudi or wherever you people are keeping him .
Main Article by Next media
While our nation’s circus show of shame went on in Abuja and Jeddah last week, another issue of relevance was playing out in
the banking industry. And this was the aftermath of Central Bank governor Lamido Sanusi’s reforms of the banking sector.
Sanusi’s hurricane might have swept through the banking sector, mowing down banks’ chief executives and directors, however,
the real casualties are beginning to show, and they are the over 8,000 men and women bearing the brunt of the reforms through
job loss. Oceanic Bank, Bank PHB Plc, UBA Plc, First Bank, GTB are laying off workers in response to the fall out from the
reforms.
It is, on the surface, easy ascribe the retrenchments in the banks on the Sanusi tsunami that took off in the middle of 2009,
but the sacking of chief executives and directors was not the immediate cause. Long before the Sanusi putsch many senior
bankers made quick money from brisk business in the confines of their offices and lived flamboyant lives comparable to those
of celebrities of the entertainment world. Soon, it became clear that despite being a private-sector driven industry the
principal actors in the banking business had abandoned all pretence at corporate governance and fiscal accountability, toying
with depositors’ money by giving out questionable loans, managing a bloated workforce, doctoring their books to impress the
public, and opening unserviceable branches. The result was an over-staffed industry, incurring huge salary bills every month,
operational liabilities and losses in excess of N100 billion.
In the light of all this, it is not inappropriate to view rationalisation of staff as an expected consequence, if banks are
to rightly address this anomaly.
The sacked workers are not employees of CBN in the first place and to disabuse the minds of critics that it did not order the
retrenchments, the CBN issued a release stating, “... the Central Bank of Nigeria has never directed commercial banks to sack
staff or rationalise branches as reported. Banks are private enterprises and the decision to engage or disengage staff is
best left to the managements and boards of the institutions. These decisions are taken on the basis of business imperatives”.
Nonetheless, our sympathy goes to the affected workers, many of whom are young people either just beginning to live life on
their own or raising a family.
Given the state of the nation’s economy, losing a well paying job in the bank is a predicament that many people will not take
lightly. It is frustrating and depressing.
What is being experienced in the industry now should serve as a lesson for future operations, and a pointer to the need for
vigilance in monitoring and regulating the banking sector, to guard against the ugly practices that have become the norm in
the industry. Chief amongst these are the questionable employment conditions of service for staff, characterised by the
practice of ‘casualisation’ of workers and the abuse of female bank staff. Reports are rife to the effect that many banks,
rather than properly recruit workers, resort to a cost-saving ad hoc arrangement of periodic hiring and dismissal. This is a
practice that devalues the profession and contributes to the lowering of ethical standards of practice. In the same vein,
female bank workers are faced with employment conditions that compromise their future plans.
Oftentimes, their brief includes unrealistic targets that open them to unethical and immoral practices that compromise their
dignity. We view these developments as part of the general corruption that compromised the banking sector where the rot
started from the top.
We urge the managements of our banks to exhaustively explore all avenues to ensure that the rationalisation is reduced to a
barest minimum. One way to do this would be for the banks to reduce staff salaries, especially at senior levels. Some
unjustifiable allowances of management staff would very easily pay the wages of significant numbers of persons further down
the corporate ladder.
Advertising, branding and sponsorship budgets, which ballooned irresponsibly during the consolidation era, as banks struggled
to rebrand and reposition themselves within and beyond the country, should be curtailed, and the savings therefrom used to
save jobs.
We cannot afford to send such a huge number of educated and experienced persons into the job market. Before now, the virtual
collapse of entire industries, like textiles and tyre manufacturing, rendered thousands of people jobless. We have to take
every step possible to ensure that the banking industry does not complicate an already serious unemployment crisis. The cost
of doing this will be nothing compared to the price we will have to pay for the alternative: flooding our streets with
jobless professionals who are as desperate as they are savvy.
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on January 18, 2010 at 7:02am
By Modey Peters
The desire of the Cross River State government to upgrade the operations of taxis in Calabar, the state capital, got a boost recently as one of the newly registered operators of the Calabar Urban Taxi Scheme, Pronto Cabs Limited, brought in 270 cars for the take-off of the programme.
Managing Director of the company, Kenneth Asim-Ittah said the company has spent N607m on the cars. He also said more cars and buses will be added to the fleet to ease commuters' suffering in the city.
The state government had, shortly after placing a ban on commercial motorcyclists in the city last year, provided 50 cabs to the Calabar Urban Taxi Drivers Union, to be given to former commercial motorcyclists who pay the initial deposit of N50,000.
Sad people
Most residents of Calabar are still unhappy with the ban, especially as the cars are not enough and the routes are still unevenly marked. Edem Inah, a student, said he and his mates have to walk miles to find taxi routes in order to get to their respective destinations.
"The replacement of Akalukes (motorcycles) with new air-conditioned cabs have failed to excite commuters because the taxi-cabs are not adequate and people have to trek long distances to get to work," said a civil servant, Atim Ujong.
Mr. Asim-Ittah, who spoke at the weekend in his office, said the ban on commercial motorcyclists has created a vacuum in the transport network of the metropolis.
"Following the appointment of Pronto Cabs Limited as one of the managers of the scheme", he said, "we entered into agreement with the state government and fund managers and the Calabar Bikemen Association (CBA) in ensuring the smooth and speedy implementation of the scheme."
Not the governor's business
He said arrangement has been made to ensure that the vehicles operate on designated routes in the state capital and for the purpose they are meant.
So far, 39 routes have been created with additional 52 taxi locations in the state capital. More routes will soon be announced by the relevant agencies.
The company does not however operate the buses directly. The vehicles, mostly Suzuki cars, are given out on procurement basis to four persons who operate a cooperative venture, upon an initial deposit and a daily payment of between N2000 to N3000 until a total of N2.5 million is finally paid, depending on the brand of the car.
"All vehicles in the fleet have been designated to specific routes with fleet numbers and are running shift to ensure effective 24 hours service," he said.
Asked about the allegations that the company belonged to the state governor,
Liyel Imoke, Mr Asim-Ittah said that was not true.
"This is a privately-owned company by indigenes of the state aimed at complementing government's efforts on public transportation in line with its tourism drive," he said.
Read more…
Crisis looms in Edo, Oshiomhole warns
* Decries withdrawal of soldiers from security teams
* Asks govt to call Abbe, Anenih, Ogiadomhe to order
From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin
GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole warned yesterday that law and order may break down in Edo State after it emerged that the ministry of defence has withdrawn members of the armed forces attached to the state's joint security outfit, Operation Thunderstrom.
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The move has been interpreted in government quarters to mean that they were being withdrawn ahead of the forth-coming re-run election in Etsako Central Local Council into the state house of assembly.
Oshiomhole alleged that the withdrawal of the soldiers from the team was to allow influx of arms and suspected thugs into the area for the Saturday January 23, 2010 election.
The governor who was furious when he spoke to journalists yesterday alleged that the decision was masterminded by the Principal Secretary to the Vice President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe and Chief Tony Anenih in connivance with Defence Minister, General Godwin Abbe (rtd).
All efforts to confirm the order from the 4th Mechanised Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City yesterday failed as no official was ready to talk on the issue when The Guardian visited.
"I have just been informed by the army that General Godwin Abbe, the Minister of Defence, has ordered that the army should be withdrawn from the Joint Task Force contrary to the directive of President Umaru Yar'Adua who approved the soldiers in the wake of the kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes in the state then.
"We are aware that it has been difficult for the PDP to move in arms to Etsako Central due to the presence of the soldiers after they boasted to bring in militants to come and unleash mayhem during the election. Curiously, today, the army has informed me of their withdrawal. It is very clear that General Abbe in collaboration with Chief Tony Anenih and Oghiadomhe, have decided to reverse the order of President Yar'Adua.
" I have decided to raise this alarm and I call on the Vice President to call Abbe and Anenih to order. I want to affirm that any attempt to cause crisis in Edo State will be resisted by the people. I am very worried that with the withdrawal of the soldiers there will be influx of arms into Etsako Central and that will endanger the lives of our people there during the election.
"I have alerted the Vice-President before about the activities of Oghiadohme who has been boasting that they will use Federal might to rig the election. There is grave danger and I appeal to the Vice President to call these people to order now. I have confidence that the Vice President has no hand in this conspiracy by the Minister of Defence and his godfather to use their control over security agencies to undermine the peace and stability of Edo State."
But a PDP chief who did not want to be mentioned dismissed Oshiomhole's allegations, saying Oghiadomhe "is a gentleman who believes in the rule of law and will not be party to thuggery and election rigging."
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American varsity expels Musa Yar’Adua, 9 others
Ten students of the Atiku Abubakar-owned American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola have been expelled for their involvement in clandestine and anti social acts.
AUN is rated as the first University in sub Saharan Africa to introduce American style of education.
Among those rusticated by the university is a family member of President Umaru Yar’Adua named Akilu Musa Yar’Adua.
David Kosoko, the Director of Students’ Affairs of the American University of Nigeria, while briefing journalists on the school campus at the weekend the decision was informed by the university’s hard stance and none tolerance of unscrupulous behaviours by students.
Kosoko confirmed that Akilu Musa Yar’Adua and nine others were expelled for indulging in drugs and other related offences.
The Director of Student Affairs said: “It is the responsibility of the school to ensure safety of students on campus because if anything happens to them, we are accountable to their parents.
“Therefore, we have put in place rules and regulations that will be an excuse in terms of what the institution is required to do.
“If any students is involved in theft, drug related cases and fighting, the offence attracts outright dismissal and this forms the core of our zero tolerance for anti-social vices.”
He further stated that in accordance with AUN’s policy, the affected students had been ordered to leave the school campus.
The expulsion was the main highlight of activities marking the university’s orientation for its freshmen for the 2010 spring and the student affairs director added that 300 new students were to be enrolled for studies in the 2010 spring semester.
He other serious misdemeanors such as unwarranted visitation, dormitory visitations, late night crawling in and outside the campus were punishable, warning the students to desist from any acts that could cause them to be punished.
Similarly, the Academic Vice President of the institution, Bayo Lawal who also confirmed the expulsions decried the rising fears over rampant cases of laptop theft in the school.
Lawal announced that 10 percent of the entire students’ enrolment into the institution every semester was on scholarship in line with the philosophy of the founder and former vice president Atiku Abubakar..
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Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean has dismissed accusations of corruption in his Yele Haiti Foundation, calling them "baseless attacks". The former Fugee refuted allegations that he and his partners have profited from the organisation's previous development work. After the Haiti earthquake, Yele Haiti has become one of the most important aid groups, collecting around $2m (£1.23m) through SMS fundraising."I have been committed to helping the people of Haiti throughout my life, and that commitment will continue until the day I die," Jean wrote on his website, with an accompanying video. "I denounce any allegation that I have ever profited personally through my work with Yele Haiti. These baseless attacks are simply not true."Concerns over the Yele Haiti Foundation began with a report by the Smoking Gun on Thursday, claming that over the last four years Jean and his partner have collected at least $410,000 ($252,000) from the organisation, paid out for rent, production services and a performance at a 2006 benefit concert. Until two months ago, Yele Haiti was allegedly known as the Wyclef Jean Foundation.WYCLEF Defends Himself :"It seems clear that a significant amount of the monies that this charity raises go for costs other than providing benefits to Haitians in need," Dean Zerbe, a former tax counsel to the US senate finance committee, which oversees charities, told the Washington Post. In 2006, most of Yele Haiti's reported $1m revenue came from Angelina Jolie, who donated proceeds from a People magazine photoshoot. More than a third of this money went to parties linked to Jean and other board-members, according to the Post."I never, or would ever, take money for my personal pocket when it comes to Yele," Jean insisted, claiming to have donated at least $1m of his own money to the charity. To date, the group has provided scholarships, funded a Haitian football team, and employed women to cook at schools. After a 2008 storm, it helped community networks distribute food to 6,000 families, according to foundation president Hugh Locke, using local expertise instead of aid workers. Next week, they plan to use a FedEx aeroplane to airlift medical supplies, water and Clif Bars from Miami to Port-au-Prince.While Yele Haiti has benefited from several gala fundraisers, including a forthcoming telethon co-hosted by Jean and George Clooney, most of their money was collected in an SMS campaign. Americans donated $5 to the foundation by texting the word "Yele" to a designated number. "I think people should be comfortable that any money given to Yele Haiti is going 100% to emergency relief," Locke said.But critics point to incidents like the 2006 payment of $250,000 (£154,000) to Telemax, a for-profit TV station and production company in which Jean and Jerry Duplessis, both Yele directors, had a controlling interest. The charity also paid $31,000 (£19,000) in rent to Platinum Sound, a Manhattan recording studio owned by Jean and Duplessis, and $100,000 (£61,500) for Jean's performance at a Yele benefit in Monaco.A Yele public relations spokesman said that the Telemax money was used for "everything from public-service announcements to educational programming", and as at Platinum Sound, it offered the organisation "a significant discount". As for the Monaco concert, Locke said the $100,000 included all production expenses, including back-up musicians.Another Smoking Gun report has found that the Yele Haiti Foundation had its corporate status dissolved on four occasions over the last five years. The charity was repeatedly sanctioned by the Florida Division of Corporations for failing to provide reports of its corporate structure. "The fact that these attacks come as we are mobilised to meet the greatest human tragedy in the history of Haiti only serves to perplex me," Jean complained. "I live in [Haiti], I'm Haitian. This is where I come from."
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The much talked about birthday gig of Empress Njamah, Timaya’s ex-girl friend has come and gone.The party which took place at the prestigious Auto Lounge in Victoria Island was an opportunity for the actress to unveil her new lover to the public.The latest lover boy has been lurking in the corner for an opportunity to have Empress all to himself while she was still Timaya’s girl friend. So when she broke up with Timaya, the sharp guy just rushed in and continued from where Timaya stopped.The lover boy is from the Eastern part of Nigeria and is rich, simply known as Daniel Uchendu but popularly referred to as Ganduko, the lover boy was said to have bankrolled the party and has been spoiling Empress silly with cash
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The Hollywood Foreign Press was happy to open Pandora's box.Avatar, James Cameron's years-in-the-making vision of the possibility of performance-capture technology, was named Best Motion Picture, Drama, at the 67th Annual Golden Globes, triumphing over the seemingly unstoppable Hurt Locker."We have the best job in the world, we really do," the filmmaker said in accepting Sunday's top prize. "I just want you to give it up for yourself. What we do is, we make entertainment for a global audience, and that's what the Golden Globes mean. Give it up for yourselves," he encouraged his fellow Hollywood players.Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock, winners for Best Actor and Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama, were prepared to do just that."Please don't let Ricky Gervais be right. Do I need to thank whoever bought this for me?" began Bullock, long America's sweetheart but never a critics' darling before starring in The Blind Side, referencing one of the host's opening jokes. "Thank you, Hollywood Foreign Press, after all these years."Bridges, too, joked about his sudden ascendance to the upper echelons since playing a washed-up country singer in Crazy Heart."You're really throwing my underappreciated status here," he mock-complained, before thanking his late dad, Lloyd Bridges, and mom for encouraging their kids to go into show business.And while the critical favorite, Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow (aka the third Mrs. James Cameron), could still get the Oscar in the divorce, Cameron got the Globe."I'm absolutely not well-prepared," the filmmaker said after claiming his award from next-door neighbor Mel Gibson. "Frankly, I thought Kathryn was going to get this. She richly deserves it."The on-again king of the world also thanked his performance-capture troop and visual production facility. "We're family, guys, whether you like it or not," he said.Meanwhile, in another surprise, The Hangover was named Best Musical/Comedy, beating a field that included Nine, which came in with a whopping five nominations but was completely shut out.Robert Downey Jr., winner for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, gave a shout-out to the mysterious team of journalists who comprise the Globe-giving Hollywood Foreign Press Association."Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms, said the Sherlock Holmes star, quoting Arthur Conan Doyle. "That is why I would like to thank also, or not thank, the HFP, because they are a strange bunch, and now I'm one of them."But we're mainly glad he won because of this: "Thank who? [Producer] Joel Silver, the guy who's only restarted my career 12 times since I began 25 years ago? I mean, I really don't want to thank my wife, because I could be busing tables at the Daily Grill right now if not for her. Jeez, what a gig that'd be."Meryl Streep didn't have to share with Bullock tonight, standing solo on the podium to accept Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy, for channeling Julia Child in Julie & Julia.And Streep, no matter how many times she gets to go up there, always thinks of something apropos to say."I come to Golden Globes weekend and I am really honestly conflicted how to have my happy movie self in the face of everything that I'm aware of in the real world," she said after humorously informing everyone that she wants to change her name to T-Bone, as in Best Original Song winner Burnett, winner for Crazy Heart's theme song "The Weary Kind.""And I want to say," Streep continued, "that's when I hear my mother's voice, saying, 'Give some cash to Partners in Health, put the dress on, put on a smile, and be damn grateful that you have the dollars to help and the next day, and the next day...' "Mo'Nique, a comedian who's left audiences floored by her portrayal of an abusive mom in Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire, heads into the Oscar homestretch with a Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, which tends to be the category most hospitable to breakout performances overall."First, let me say, thank you, God, for this amazing ride that you're allowing me to go on," she said, ultimately concluding with the pointed message, "I celebrate this award with all the Preciouses and the Marys, with all the people who've ever been touched...It's now time to tell, and it's OK."Also continuing his goosestep waltz toward Oscar was Austrian Christoph Waltz, who's been the subject of Oscar buzz since Cannes and tonight was a Best Supporting Actor winner for playing Nazi nut Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds.Quentin Tarantino, who lost Best Screenplay to Up in the Air scribes Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, finally had a reason to smile.Matthew Morrison, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Ian Brennan, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Jane Lynch, Dante Di Loreto, Dianna Agron,Ryan Murphy, Lea Michele Steve Granitz/Getty ImagesOn the tube side, the Hollywood Foreign Press didn't waver from their stance that Mad Men is the best TV show ever, awarding the series its second straight Golden Globe for Best TV Series, Drama.But instead of sticking with 30 Rock, too, the HFP was instead charmed by Fox's new musical show, Glee, which was named Best TV Series, Comedy."'This show is about a lot of things," gleeful cocreator Ryan Murphy said. "It's about the importance of arts education, and this is for anybody and everybody who got a wedgie in high school."Very appreciative of Mo'Nique's message was screen veteran and acceptance-speech newcomer Drew Barrymore, who snagged the Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie for Grey Gardens."I've been meeting with the Hollywood Foreign Press for, like, 97 years and I've been in this room since I was 7 years old," the charmingly befuddled and self-deprecating thesp said in appreciation. "I could be Jeff Spicoli's girlfriend with the lisp and the paralysis, so thank you for taking a chance on me...I have grown up here and I would like to say that this is for all the people nice enough to love me and wish the best for me along the way."Other first-time winners despite their incredibly familiar faces include Chloë Sevigny, a Best Supporting Actress winner for Big Love, and Kevin Bacon, Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie for Taking Chance.Michael C. Hall Steve Granitz/Getty ImagesAnother subtle yet poignant Moment was Michael C. Hall's win for Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama, which comes amid the news that he was simultaneously shooting Dexter's fourth season and receiving cancer treatment."It's really a hell of a thing to go to work at a place where everyone gives a damn," a smooth-faced Hall, wearing a black head wrap over his bald pate, said upon accepting his first Globe in four nominations. "This is a dream job, and I am so grateful."It was an emotional moment for the whole Dexter clan, including a teary John Lithgow, earlier a winner for Best Supporting Actor in any TV genre whatsoever (there's only one supporting win per sex at the Globes). He said he had a great time "creeping out America for six months" as the gruesome Trinity Killer.Showtime reached its own personal best with three statues tonight, including United States of Tara star Toni Collette's win for Best Actress in a TV Comedy. Though, of course, HBO was the top network with four wins, as tends to be the case.Julianna Margulies, star of CBS hit The Good Wife, beat out Emmy winner Glenn Close and defending champ Anna Paquin for Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama.Ricky Gervais Paul Drinkwater/NBC Universal, Inc via Getty ImagesFirst-time Globe host Ricky Gervais came out firing, with even his introduction being an exercise in comedic timing as the camera swung between him and a stone-faced Steve Carell, who pretended (we assume) to seethe as Gervais reminded everyone that he created The Office. (And urged everyone to pick up the two-season series on DVD. "Quality, not quantity, that's what counts," he boasted.)"All right, I better get on with it before they replace me with Jay Leno," Gervais quipped.Whether it was Gervais' golden touch or not, the Globes' entire writing staff seemed to have kicked it up a notch this year.Paul McCartney got two gems in ("Hello, I'm Paul McCartney, or as I'm now known, 'that guy from Rock Band,' " and "Animation is not just for children. It's also for adults who take drugs") before presenting the Best Animated Feature Film award to Up, which despite the late buzz surrounding Fantastic Mr. Fox still looks to be the front-runner for Oscar gold in the animated category, if it's not an overall Best Picture nominee."By any measure, a substantial move up," Tom Hanks described Meryl Streep's chance to bed Stanley Tucci in Julie & Julia as opposed to Alec Baldwin in It's Complicated.In comparing himself and Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient Martin Scorsese to an old married couple," Robert De Niro explained, "We built a life together. We have great memories. We just don't sleep together anymore.""I've collaborated with a lot of people," Scorsese said during his signaturely rapid-fire acceptance. "Many of them are here tonight, and I want to thank them all—but not individually. That would make this show longer than the Globes and the Oscars put together."(Originally published Jan. 17, 2009, at 8:08 p.m. PT)
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Posted by 9jabook.com on January 17, 2010 at 5:47pm
20 Feared Killed in Another Jos Riot
From Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja, 01.18.2010
The fragile peace in Jos, Plateau State, collapsed last Sunday when another riot broke out in Dutse-Uku quarters in Nasarawa-Gwong area of Jos North local government, leading to the death of at least 20 people and leaving many injured.
THISDAY gathered that the state Governor Jonah Jang has imposed a dusk-to-down curfew to contain the situation. A statement released by the government house read: “after reviewing the security situation along with the state security council, we have directed the observance of 6pm to 6am curfew within Jos metropolis.
“The measure is aimed at nipping in the bud the prevailing security situation in Jos town so that hoodlums will not take advantage of the security breach to molest innocent citizens.”
The latest bout of violence occurred following a misunderstanding between two neighbours, one Mr. Garba, a Muslim and the other a Christian who both had their houses burnt during the November 2008 crisis.
THISDAY learnt that they decided to re-build their homes when Garba allegedly encroached on the plot of his Christian neighbour, a development that resulted into a hot argument and then a fight.
The entire quarters re-grouped along religious lines and began a riot that spread to other parts of the city.
Security agencies; heavily armed military personnel and riot policemen were drafted from the Maxwell Kobi Cantonment and Police Headquarters in Jos. The crisis was effectively contained thereby preventing the rioters from taking over the entire city.
As at press time, commercial vehicles had deserted major roads in Jos. Stranded commuters, most of whom were Christians coming back from the church were seen trekking long distances to their homes. Scores of armoured tankers and heavy security road-blocks were mounted in the city coupled with thorough search of the few private vehicles plying the roads.
The state government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Greg Yelong, said: “the police and other security agents are putting the situation under control.”
“Government appeals to people to remain calm and report any suspicious movement to the police,” the statement added.
Two burnt bodies and a motor-bike were seen around the Jos Central Mosque. Staff of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) also confirmed that at least eight bodies were brought to the mortuary. The same picture was painted at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital where over 30 wounded patients were on the floor.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Moha-mmed Lerama, said: “the situation is being contained. Other residents of the town are advised to remain calm and report any suspicious movement. Anyone who takes the law into his or her hand would be dealt with in accordance with the law. Residents should equally disregard any rumour of crisis in the city.”
Meanwhile, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Greg Ayating, revealed that 35 arrests had been made, five of them in military uniform.
He explained that the extent of houses and churches burnt could not be ascertained as yet and that the police would want to work with definite statistics. But he said the information available to him is that “a hand-full of some Muslim youths without any form of provocation began to attack the Christians worshippers in their places of worship”.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to bring peace to the boiling city of Jos, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ogbonna Onovo, has ordered the immediate redeployment of four mobile units to quell the crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the IG yesterday evening in Abuja, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Yemi Ajayi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said normalcy had since returned to the city.
Ajayi said the cause of the riot was yet to be ascertained, as well as the number of the causalities.
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Hi Guys,I ran into an online video last year of a Network Marketer/Personal development expert who was teaching on the process of personal development. According to this guy every book we read or audio program we listen to affects us on a subconscious level whether or not we are aware of it. He said the initial effect, though rarely noticeable, should not deter us from continued exposure as it will produce a cumulative effect resulting in an undeniable change in thought pattern and consequently our productivity. And so he suggested that we all be engaged in a continual process of reading and listening to books and audios regardless of whether or not we sense any significant change because we know that eventually it will produce the desired impact.That theory made lot of sense. Not sure I believed it completely but it made me feel like I wasn't wasting time feeding on all those books and audios. So I kept on reading and listening, buying and downloading anything that caught my attention. With each new material I gathered I got a better understanding but nothing significant happened for a period of three months. Then suddenly on the first day of 2010, I felt a degree of power I'd never felt before. Things I'd struggled to believe for months finally seemed possible. Fears I'd harbored in my heart for years, though not shrunken in size, seemed so surmountable. I saw myself bigger and better than I'd ever imagined I could be. I felt a desire for discipline stronger than my compulsive habits and the eagerness to exercise my will power. I'm even managing my time better and witnessing an increase in my productivity.I used to wake up in the morning listening to the audios just before any negative thoughts usually penetrate my mind. Unknown to me each of these materials; Think & Grow Rich, The Secret-The Law Of Attraction, Thought Vibrations by William Atkinson, The Message Bible, Science of Getting rich by Bob Proctor ,and the free podcasts from Roy Masters and others, were deprogramming my mind of negative thoughts and replacing them with empowering ones. What a blessing this exercise has been.I encourage you all to try it and reap the rewards of an empowered mind through personal development in 2010!
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When my brother fell and in sin continued to lingerwas it not I who pointed the finger ?when my sister erred and hope deferredwas it not I who mocked ?but now I lay in the light of God's presencewith nothing but a bitter conscienceI who thought never made a mistakenow acknowledge my fallen state.- Me
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One of Nigeria’s premier universities, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka was on Saturday shut down by the school’s authorities following the destruction of properties by rampaging students who were protesting the new hike in their tuition.
The institution’s Registrar, Mr. I. Okonta in a statement directed all students to vacate their hostels till further notice.
Investigation revealed that tuition was increased form N25, 000 to N70, 000, convocation fees was increased from N6, 000 to N35, 000 while acceptance fees was hiked from N6000 to N25000.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Bath Okolo whose official residence was destroyed during the riot was reported to have triggered the conflict when he told the Students’ Union executives that had waited for hours to meet with him to dialogue on the issue that he had no time for meetings with them.
The executives who left in anger promised to take their destinies in their hands and started mobilizing fellow students from the popular Ziks flat hostel accommodation before they marched to the Vice Chancellors residence on Saturday morning.
At the Vice Chancellors residence the students reportedly went in ransacking the entire residence before destroying the building and vehicles in the compound.
Their action prompted the authorities to invite the police from the Nsukka Division who managed to chase the students out of the school to the streets. Eyewitnesses said the students went on rampage again on the streets destroying vehicles and burning tires. They barricaded the Adani and Obollo-Affor road and marched to Opi Junction near the 9th mile-Oturkpo Highway where they disrupted vehicular traffic for a while before they were dislodged by mobile policemen and soldiers.
Several students were allegedly shot during the riot by police and they are receiving treatment at the Bishop Shanahan hospital near the school. A female student, Onyiye Ngwu of the department of nursing who was shot in the leg is being treated at the schools medical centre.
Enugu Police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed that the police arrested many students in relation to the riot but was not sure of the exact number.
The University of Nigeria has two campuses; one is located in Nsukka and the other is in Enugu
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