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As the final countdown to the announcement of a consensus candidate by the North begins, the four Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirants (former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former National Security Adviser, NSA, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau and Kwara State governor, Abubakar Bukola Saraki) on the bill of the Northern Political Leaders Forum, NPLF, are already holding talks on their individual and collective post announcement activities...

More confounding, Sunday Vanguard has been informed, is the exploration of the possibility of producing a consensus running mate for whoever emerges as the consensus candidate....

The consensus candidate was also said to be ready but the committee was withholding the announcement for reasons best known to the Forum.

Also, the Directors-General of the campaign organizations of the four aspirants are also engaged in their own levels of exploratory talks.

In addition, the campaign structure to be mobilized by whoever emerges as the consensus candidate, it was learnt, is likely to enjoy some form of contribution from the three other aspirants.

These are part of the talks presently going on between the candidates on the one hand and the candidates and the Mallam Adamu Ciroma Consensus Committee on the other hand.

A source close to the Consensus Committee revealed, at the weekend that “the candidate is ready but the committee knows why it has not announced the choice.”

“The source went on: One of the things happening now is that the presidential aspirants are in constant touch with one another, contrary to the story of bad blood being peddled in some quarters.

“It would also interest you to know that some of the details being worked out now is the exploration of an imminent possibility of collapsing the campaign structures of all the aspirants in a manner that they would all work for the consensus candidate once he is announced.

“I can tell you that even the Directors-General of the campaign organizations are also in talks.

“And in order not to make it a winner takes all situation, talks are also on for the possibility of adopting a consensus running mate for whoever emerges as the candidate.

“It is those who think the committee can not come up with an acceptable consensus candidate that are flying that kite.

“As far as the committee members are concerned, they are moving on since the candidate of choice is ready.

“Mind you, the committee members are also carrying along some political leaders in the three geo_political zones of the south so the members know what they are doing.”

Count us out — CAN

In the meantime, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has re_affirmed its determination to join forces with other groups and Nigerians in general from across the country for the emergence of a president in 2011, who will be acceptable to everyone.

A press statement, yesterday, by the Secretary of the Kaduna branch of CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said, “CAN has never and will not in any case be partisan in issues related to politics but will continue to maintain its neutrality being apolitical, but a religious organization conscious of national development, cohesion, integration and peaceful coexistence of our dear country.”

The statement explained that CAN decided to make the clarification following a report linking it with a certain committee working for the election of a northerner as President in 2011.

The statement said, “our attention has been drawn to a certain interview by a Christian clergy, Pastor Aminci, purportedly on behalf of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“The said interview emanated from a meeting with prominent northern Nigerian politicians in respect of the direction of Nigeria’s presidency in the 2011 elections.

“The interviewee was said to have stated that Christian community in the northern region has resolved to stand on the side of pro_zoning, by ensuring that Christians in the region vote on the side of a northern aspirant whether in the PDP’s presidential primaries and the general election as well.

“It is on this premise that CAN has found it imperative and of urgent need to put the record straight.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria, has no business with such partisanship politics, and has not in any way taken such a stand.

“Rather it is its persistent stand that Nigeria as a country has suffered a monumental underdevelopment, owing to nothing but corrupt and bad leadership and as such Nigerians must, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, political inclinations, rise and vote into power men and women of virtue, moral and upright tendencies which CAN feel is the solution to the mess the country is in.
“We wish to reiterate that Nigerians irrespective of their faith, ethnicity have suffered due to corrupt and bad leadership which has no religious backing of any kind.

“Conscious of that and the need to build a new Nigeria, CAN wishes to add that it has in collaboration with other religious organizations been in the forefront of ensuring that Nigerians be left alone to choose those they want to entrust in positions of trust.

“Again, another concern for CAN is that the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, National Assembly, Federal Government, political parties, civil society groups and other critical stakeholders act accordingly for the conduct of a successful electoral process.

“CAN is working together with other religious bodies in the country to ensure that a leader who will be loved by all Nigerians, irrespective of regional affiliation, emerges in 2011.”

Starting from Sunday 21 November, Idols, the highly publicised and anticipated music show, which has turned many into stars and captivated the entire world, will begin airing for the first time on Nigerian television as first season of Nigerian Idol debuts.

•Idol Judges.

For five consecutive months, television audience across Nigeria will have the pleasure of watching the biggest music talent competition and the opportunity to root and vote for their favourite Idol wannabe.

The Nigerian Idol auditions just wrapped up after a month of searching for talents in Enugu, Calabar, Abuja and Lagos, with Lagos audition producing an astonishing number of 5,000 young talents all hoping to become the next international music superstar from Nigeria.

Broadcaster Yemisi Fajimolu, fondly called Misi, by her radio fans, will be the host of the talent hunt show. She will be joined by Anis Holloway, a former reality show contestant.

For the first time ever, Audu Maikori, Chocolate City boss, American superstar Jeffrey Daniel and singer Yinka Davies, have taken up positions as judges of Nigerian Idol and they will play their role in commenting on the performances of this year’s contestants while helping the wannabes be the best they can.

Originally referred to as Pop Idol, Idols debuted on British TV in October 2001. Nigerian Idol is sponsored by Etisalat, Pepsi and Royal Exchange Assurance. The winner will go home with a cash prize of N7.5 million, a BlackBerry phone, Ipad, Ipod and an easy net data card along with a recording contract with Sony BMG

The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a BlackBerry phone, Ipad, easy net data card and an Ipod, courtesy of Etisalat, while the second runner up receives N1 million, a BlackBerry phone, Ipad, Ipod and easy net data card, also courtesy of Etisalat...

Isantim Kenneth Okon

Some names of alleged cultists masquerading as politicians in Akwa Ibom State who have been linked in politically motivated murders and kidnappings that has kept the state under siege within Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration can now be revealed by THEWILL. It is no longer news that residents of Akwa Ibom State have been under siege with kidnappings for ransom and politically motivated murders at its very peak, but what we have gathered lately from multiple sources in Akwa Ibom State government circles and conversations with some senior police officers in the state has revealed that solving the crimes is akin to bursting the brutal cabal in Governor Godswill Akpabio’s regime. Governor Akpabio, a University of Calabar, Faculty of Law graduate, who knowledgeable sources have linked to being a non active member of the Buccaneer confraternity, is accused of allowing secret cultists openly serve in his administration thereby opening up a supremacy rivalry amongst cult members/groups over the control of the state’s political machinery. The complicity of some senior ranking officers of the Nigerian Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command in some of the crimes, notably in the murder of the Ekpenyong brothers; Mathias Okon Ekpenyong (Mbota), and his eldest brother, Engineer Emmanuel Okon Ekpenyong alias Submarine, is however very disturbing. In THEWILL’s extensive month-long investigation and planned serialized publication of all we have learned so far, we reveal the identities of some of the alleged cultists in Apkabio’s administration. They are as follows;
Bassey Albert Akpan, Commissioner for Finance	Goodswill Akpabio, Non Active Buccaneer.	Don Etim, comm. for Works and Transport.
Professor Etok Ekanem, Commissioner for Agriculture	Hon. Ignatius Edet, former Speaker
BUCCANEER	Chairman Etinan LGA
Nse Essien	KKK	Board Member
Michael James	KKK	Chairman Itu LGA
Nse Ntuen	KKK	Chairman Essien Udim
Emmanuel Ukoette	KKK	SA & Chair AKS Taxi Scheme
Enobong Uwah	VIKINGS	Gov’s SA Protocol
Prince Akpabio	KKK	Gov’s PA Gen Duties
Emmanuel Ekpenyong (Iraq)	VIKINGS	Gov’s PA Youth Matters/chair
Eseh Umoh	KKK	Youth
Onofiok Luke	KKK	Youth Council Chairman
Umoh Ekpo	BUCCANEER	Gov’s PA
Emman Mbong	BUCCANEER
Nkanang Nkanang	VIKINGS	Youth Leader
Monday Eyo	KKK
Charlse N	VIKINGS	Vice Chairman Uyo LGA
Joe Emah	VIKINGS	Board Member
Ibiok Esuh	VIKINGS
Imeh King	KKK
Nse Brownson	BLACK AXE
Rowland Inwang	BLACK AXE	AKPF Youth Chairman
Mfon Micah	BLACK AXE	AKPF Youth Wing Leader
Inem Inyangette	KKK	AKPF Youth Secretary
Eteyen Archibong	BUCANEER	Board Member
Attah Albert	BUCANEER
Ekerete Ekpenyong	KKK
James Asuquo	BUCANEER	Gov’s SA Political
Duncan Uweh	KKK
Tony Eboh	PIRATES
Tony Akan	PIRATES	Coordinator CAG
Abraham Lincoln	KKK	Chairman CAG
Ifiok Udo (Bengon)	KKK
Anietie Ufot	KKK	Board Member
Etetim Anwatim	KKK	Former Gov’s PA
Akan Ibok	KKK	Gov’s SA Project Monitoring
Victor Umondak	KKK	Board Member
Usoro Ukpanah =========================== THE NAMES ABOVE REPORTEDLY TOLD OLD POLITICIANS IN THE STATE TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS. ========================== OTHER CULTISTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION INCLUDE;	PIRATES ======== =========	Board Member ========================== ============================
Mr. Bassey Albert Akpan	VIKINGS	Commissioner for Finance.
Professor Etok Ekanem	KKK...	Commissioner for Agriculture. (He was thrice rejected on account of this from becoming commissioner under Attah after SSS screening).
Mr. Don Etim	KKK	Commissioner for Works.
Ignatius Edet Prince Ikim	KKK KKK	Former Speaker AKHA. Gov’s Unofficial Security Goon/Hit Man

Governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Babatunde Gbadamasi, has accused the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola of implementing policies aimed more at impoverishing the people of the State than better

their lives. The aspirant, who is a real estate professional, accused the Governor of embarking on cheap publicity adding that he had not done much for the State apart milking the people to death. Gbadamasi, in an interview with Huhuonline.com correspondent, said with N18 billion generated monthly as revenue from the State and another N4 billion from the Federal Government, the Governor had no excuse for failing the people. “Now, my position is: with N18 billion IGR per month, with N4 billion per month federal allocation, there is a responsibility on the government to provide services. ..

“There is one argument put up by him and members of his executive and that is that there is so much pressure on the infrastructure of the State because of the huge population, but do you know that in other places this population would be regarded as an added advantage, because it means more people that are able to pay taxes once you can sort out the infrastructure and social services problem? These people are all milking us to death,” he said. Continuing with the accusation, he said: “If you want apply for physical planning permission today, apart from the physical planning fee you pay, there is a whole number of other fees you are forced to pay.

“In some cases, by the time you are through, you would have paid about three times the actual amount you paid for your plot of land. There is the infrastructure development charge, which is an undefined charge added arbitrarily in an ad hoc manner without a formula for its calculation. “Somebody just decides depending on how his mood takes him for that day and he says go and pay such amount to the State. It is clear that these people do not know their left from their right. They do not know what they are doing.

“We were in this State when Jakande was the governor, we were in this state when Mudashiru was governor, we were in this state when Mobolaji Johnson was governor and we saw how government ought to be run. It is not been run like that and this is supposed to be democracy.

“Tejuosho Market was deliberately burnt down by some people, in my opinion, who are keen to profit from other people’s calamity and we now see that they have built a massive edifice in its place and they are quoting unbelievable amount of money for the rent or sale of the shop, which they know the former residents could not afford.”

The PDP aspirant accused the State governor of hiding something from the people by not disclosing how it has spent money over the years. The government of Fashola is actually known for its secrecy on government spending. Gbadamasi explained that in the last 12 years, Lagosians have been in bondage and held hostage by a group of people and now need to be liberated by an opposition.

“Our roads in Lagos are in a parlous state. They are in a pathetic state and the reason is that the current governor has become so comfortable as the incumbent that he has decided that he has no responsibility to the people any more.

“He thinks he does not have to fix the roads and the drains or provide education and health care services to the people. All he needs to do is force people to paint their buildings and everybody would clap and say ‘hosanna, the governor has come. “Today in Lagos State , we are spending over 50 per cent of our lives in traffic daily. How can this augur well for trade? Despite all the noise in the media, I make bold to say the few roads that are motorable in the State today are federal roads.

You might want to criticize the fact that the Federal Government would not come all the way from Abuja to repair roads, but don’t forget that the federal government has given all authority to the State Governments to go ahead and repair federal roads in their domain and then go ahead to seek compensation which would be promptly paid. He tasked the people of the State to ensure the governor’s re-election bid is frustrated.

Chelsea have promoted Michael Emenalo from his position as chief scout to assistant first team coach.

Emenalo, who has been with the Blues since October 2007, succeeds Ray Wilkins in the role and Chelsea say the move is "recognition of his efforts".

The 45-year-old represented Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup and won 14 caps.

Emenalo, who briefly played for Notts County in the mid-1990s, will continue to scout for the first team while he updates his coaching qualifications.

The Nigerian's playing career also took him to the United States, Spain, Germany and Israel.

Assistant first-team coach Paul Clement, who was alongside boss Carlo Ancelotti in the dug-out at Stamford Bridge for the defeat against Sunderland on Sunday, was expected to step up to fill the role...

Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini, had also been linked with the job, as had Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta who worked under Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti at Milan.

Ex-Chelsea first-team coach Steve Clarke and former West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, who was a fans' favourite during his time as a player at Stamford Bridge, were also thought to be in the running.

Hello 9ija,

Have you ever hung out with a bunch of five year olds?

They are bursting with creativity and ideas, alive with what's possible.

And somehow between then and now, most of us feel we've lost the capacity to have new ideas.

I think it's a combination of things.

==> We're often so busy that we don't have time to have new ideas - the first thought that comes along will do just fine (because hey, it'san idea, right? Any any idea is better than none!)

==> We live in a society that loves the fast and the first over the slow and the second... so there's not a lot of encouragement there

==> And finally, we just get out of practice. Let's face it, many of us are 90lb wimps in the Creativity Gym.

So why is it important to re-remember how to have new ideas and create new possibilities?

Because if the essence of 'stuck' is only having one option (and not liking what it is)...

then the essence of 'unstuck' is having the choice of powerful possibilities.

In other words, the capacity to have ideas and imagine what's possible IS the capacity to get unstuck.

So what can you do about it?

Here's a 6 step fandango for creating possibilities and new ideas. Test it out by taking on a real challenge your faced with right now.

#1. Give yourself some time. You don't need much. 5 minutes is great. 10 minutes, luxurious!

#2. Get away from your usual place of work. That doesn't mean leaving the building - it can just be turning your chair around. Butshift out of that 'be efficient and focused place' we all have.

#3. Set yourself a target of new ideas. Five is the minimum... after that, you can go crazy.

#4. Press the 'pause' button on that little voice inside your head that just went 'I can't have five ideas ... I'm not that creative ...I'm no good at this.' (Did you know the biggest influence on yourability to be creative is your belief that YOU CAN be creative? So justfor the next five minutes, pretend that you're creative and that you'reup for this.Go on - it'll be fine)

#5. Ask yourself some powerful creative questions to open things up. Here are some of my favorites:

• If you could not fail, what would you do?
• What's the easiest thing to do?
• What's the boldest thing to do?
• What would be the most fun thing to do?
• What's the counter-intuitive thing to do?
• What's the safest thing to do?

#6. Start shaping a solution - take the best idea or ideas and start planning on how you're going to do what you want to do.

So... What's possible?

9ija here's to your life of fun, inspiration & action.

Warm wishes,
Angela.

THE world is indeed in dangerous times, or what else would one say about an househelp/appren-tice who tried to poison her mistress because the woman’s sister offended her? That was the drama that played out at Alubarika House, Sango area of Saki in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State when a 12-year-old Beninoise girl, Dama Lamisi, who was renamed Fatimah in Nigeria, laced the tea her mistress intended to drink with rat poison. And if not for the quick perception of a strange odour emitting from the tea after she took a gulp, the woman, Mrs. Simbiat Yusuf would have been dead. She was however saved by the hospital she was rushed to through quick medical intervention.



[The victim, Mrs Simbiat Yusuf]

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/crime-features/2514-deadly-househelp-steals-mistress-money-laces-her-tea-with-rat-poison