Posted by 9jabook.com on December 6, 2009 at 9:37pm
Policeman kills okada rider - AC killed - Houses Burnt - Civilian casualties uncertain
Tragedy struck in Bariga, Lagos, at the weekend as a policeman killed a commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada for not wearing crash helmet.
The motorcyclist, Mr. Kehinde Olayiwola, was shot to death by one Mr. Nlephen Sunday, a police officer with service number 324788 attached to Pedro Police Station on Thursday because Olayiwola’s passenger failed to wear crash helmet.
Sunday Tribune gathered that the policemen, who included Constable Olajide Samuel, 430490, Constable Lawrence Egbe, 378079, and Sergeant Egbemebor Sunday with service number 193603 of Pedro Police Station often waylay commercial motorcyclists along Bariga Road for not wearing helmet.
It was learnt that the policemen had charged Mr. Olayiwola to pay some money for carrying a passenger who had refused to wear the helmet but the okada man could not pay the money.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as Dotun, told Sunday Tribune that the policeman, Mr. Nlephen, shot Olayiwola at the belly because he refused to compromise.
Dotun said, “Immediately they saw that the okada man fell down, the policemen wanted to run away but the crowd apprehended them and took their names and numbers.”
However, Olayiwola died while receiving treatment at Gbagada General Hospital while his body had since been deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital’s mortuary.
Speaking to Sunday Tribune, a Pastor of the Four Square Gospel Church, Magboro, Gauun Road, a suburb in Ogun State where Olayiwola attended, Reverend Sunday Igbalajobi, said that police has been using various tricks to bury the case.
He told Sunday Tribune that the police did not let the family know when they carried away Olayiwola’s body from Gbagada General Hospital.
“The police hid their vehicle, a white Ford with registration number NPF 9532 B with the inscription of Area H Bariga at the back of the hospital. They blocked sympathizers from entering the hospital and quickly tok the body away. I had to follow them when I realized that they had carried the dead body. I trailed their vehicle to Ikorodu where they deposited the body,” the pastor said.
...Another foils his kidnap attempt
Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr Jonathan Johnson has recommended for promotion an ASP for foiling a kidnap attempt and robbery at Enugu/Port-Harcourt expressway, by overpowering the gang and killing them in a shoot out.
The commissioner said, the officer, who was heading back to Aba after a usual security briefing at the headquarters in Umuahia, ran into the gang that dragged him out of his car into a land cruiser jeep, and left him in the company of one of them while they went to chase their main target.
It was at this point that he was able to dispossess the robber of his gun, took cover in the bush and alerted the joint army patrol force that reinforced and helped him kill the rest of the armed robbers.
Mr. Johnson who disclosed this when speaking with newsmen at the Abia state Police Command, Umuahia, said it was unknown to the armed robbers/kidnappers that the man they had caught was a police officer.
Items recovered from the hoodlums include three AK47 rifles, ten magazines, a laptop, a motorcycle and a land cruiser jeep while two of the robbers died on the spot as a result of gunshot wounds.
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Four fours from forty-fourOn the track, "44 4s", Jay-Z showed off his lyrical prowess when he used variables of four, for, fore and forever forty-four times in a song.In four years, the man born Shawn Corey Carter in Brooklyn, New York will be 44 years old but today, he is 40 and below are 40 reasons to love - or loathe - him.STYLE1. TrendsettingRising from humble beginnings to the top of the charts, Jay-Z sets trends with virtually every move he makes. Rocking hood sweats or tuxedos, he blends in and stands out wherever he goes. He killed the throwback jersey movement and had thugs wearing button up shirts and tailored suits. He once famously rapped "we don't drive X5's, we give those to baby mamas', thus costing BMW some male support.RELATIONSHIPS2. Memphis BleekSince Jay's debut in 1996, Bleek has been riding shotgun, enjoying the benefits of loyalty and friendship. Though his career has not taken off like Jay-Z predicted, his lieutenant remains his right-hand man on stages across the world. On the "Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix)", Jay rapped, "Bleek can be a hit away his whole career/but as long as I'm alive, he's a millionaire/and even if I die, he's in my will somewhere."3. Damon DashBefore the acrimonious split and jabs in interviews, Harlem's Dash and Brooklyn's Carter were an unstoppable force in Hip-Hop. A Jay-Z video seemed incomplete without Damon's champagne popping and crazy dancing. They "Lost One".4. The Notorious B.I.G.Jay and the fallen rap legend were actual friends who collaborated on the hood classic "Brooklyn's Finest" and "I Love the Dough" before Biggie's demise. Ever since his murder in 1997, Jay-Z has kept Biggie's name alive in his music, helping immortalise the "livest one from Bedford-Stuyvesant".5. Kanye WestSince his work on The Dynasty: Roc La Familia album, Mr. West has been a regular Jay-Z collaborator and protégé, helping craft the soundscape for the classic Blueprint album, alongside Just Blaze. West has openly documented his quest to do it like "Big Brother" does.6. Michael JacksonBefore the King of Pop died, he was a bit of a recluse but at Hot 97's annual Summer Jam concert in 2001, Jay-Z brought Michael Jackson onstage and in that moment, two of the best that ever did it held the crowd spellbound. Jay also popped up on a remix of the King's comeback single "You Rock My World" and this year revealed to NME that "(Jackson) was on my song ‘Girls, Girls, Girls', singing these background vocals and I didn't even put his name on it."7. NasTheir 2001 battle remains one of the biggest in Hip-Hop as two of New York's best MCs went at each other. When the dust finally settled, with both parties still standing, Jay signed Nas to Def Jam in 2006. They have since collaborated on Nas' "Black Republican", Jay-Z's "Success" and Ludacris' "I Do it for Hip-Hop".8. The RootsHip-Hop's foremost rap band got more mainstream exposure when they backed Hov up during his MTV Unplugged set and the Fade to Black concert, amongst other performances. They rose from the underground to international acclaim off of that Jay-Z co-sign.9. BeyoncéThe first couple in music has been able to keep fans interested by keeping their affairs public as much as they can. According to Gotham Magazine, the most important thing on the horizon seems to be a plan to have children with Knowles, whom he wedded on the roof of their Tribeca building last year.10. Barack ObamaThe Jigga Man came out strong in support of the first black president during his campaign. He played free concerts in a bid to urge young people to vote for Obama. He popped up Young Jeezy's "My President" remix and more recently alluded to being "a small part of the reason the president is black/I told him I got him, when he hit me on the jack" on "What We Talkin' Bout" off of The Blueprint 3.11. Oprah WinfreyThe talk show queen had publicly spoken out on her aversion to rappers who use the "N" word, amongst other things, but in his own words, "had Oprah chilling in the projects/had her out in Bedstuy, chilling on the steps/drinking quarter waters, gotta be the best." The biggest star in TV couldn't resist the biggest star in Hip-Hop, it seems.12. CollabosThere are too many to mention but chances are, put Jay on a track, and it's a hit. The list includes names as diverse as The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Coldplay, OutKast, Linkin Park, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, BlackStreet, Changing Faces, Amy Winehouse, Dead Prez, Faith Evans, DMX, Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Mya, Lenny Kravitz, Juvenile, Punjabi MC, Mavado, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Paul McCartney usual suspects Kanye West and, of course, Beyoncé.13. GhostwritingTouted as one of the best female rappers ever, Foxy Brown's first (and most successful) album, Ill Na Na, was almost exclusively written by Jay-Z. Dr. Dre's comeback single, "Still D.R.E." is another writing credit for Young Hova, as is former protégé, Amil's "I Got That". He is also believed to have written for Diddy, Queen Pen and bizarrely enough, Nas, whose "Braveheart Party" features an S. Carter writer credit.BUSINESS14. Roc-A-FellaWhen no one would sign him, Jay-Z, along with Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke joined to form Roc-A-Fella Records. Distributing Reasonable Doubt through Priority Records, the trio "switched factories" for Def Jam and went on to become a Hip-Hop powerhouse before they went their separate ways in 2004.15. RocawearThe clothing label he co-founded with Damon dash in 1999 has grown into a multimillion dollar empire. In 2007, Jay-Z sold the brand to Iconix Brand Group Inc. for $204 million (approx. N30.3 billion) but retained his stake in the company as well as his status as chief executive officer.16. 40/40 ClubHe co-owns The 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar that By Chinedu iroCheLEGEND In Hip-Hop circles, no name sparks conversation - good or bad - like Jay-Z's. Today, Brooklyn's favourite son is 40Four fours from forty-four started in New York City and has since expanded to Atlantic City and Chicago. In 2008, the 40/40club in Las Vegas was closed down and bought back by the hotel after attendance steadily declined. Future plans will see 40/40 Clubs in Tokyo and Singapore.17. Reebok S. CarterIn 2003, Reebok announced collaboration with Jay-Z to create the S. Carter tennis shoe, making him the first non-athlete with his own signature shoe. The shoes went on to become the fastest selling Reebok shoes of all time. Maybe that's why he bought a stake in the NBA's New Jersey Nets.18. Def JamJay-Z was appointed president of Def Jam in 2004 and held the position until he stepped down at the end of 2007. As president, his major moves include bringing Nas and Fabolous to the label and the signings ofR & B p o w e r houses, Ne-Yo and Rihanna.19. Roc NationEarlier this year, he signed a multi-million dollar deal with Live Nation to start his Roc Nation imprint, which would serve as a record label, talent/management agency, and music publishing company and also partnered up with production team, Stargate to start a record label called StarRoc.20. Fela!Along with Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, Jay-Z helped produce the play Fela!, a musical celebrating the work of the late Nigerian legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Jay-Z said he was inspired by the power of Kuti's work and his life story, which resulted in his interest to help produce the musical.THE LIVE EXPERIENCE21. Backstage: Hard Knock Life TourIn 1998, Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records partnered with Ruff Ryders and Def Jam for Hip- Hop's most successful nationwide tour at the time. Sharing the stage with fellow powerhouses DMX, Method Man and Redman, alongside up and coming stars, Ja Rule, Eve, Memphis Bleek and Beanie Sigel, it re - opened the door for rap concerts which had been marred by violence in the past.22. Jay-Z... MTV UnpluggedMTV's intimate jam session regularly reserved for rock stars opened its door to the Hip-Hop sensibilities of Jay-Z one night in 2001. With The Roots backing him up, and several celeb friends dropping by, S Dot vibed (and almost cried) with the crowd at one of the more popular unplugged sessions.23. I Declare WarIn September 2005, Jay announced that the theme for his October show at radio station Power 105.1's annual concert was "I Declare War" and he would take shots at all artists that opposed him. Instead, he brought out several feuding acts including The LOX and Diddy, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel and officially ended his longstanding beef with Nas when he brought him out on stage for a merged performance of "Dead Presidents" and "The World is Yours".24. GlastonburyControversy ensued in 2008 when Jay-Z was announced as the headliner for the annual British rock festival. Noel Gallagher of Oasis was the most vocal opposition to Jay- Z's selection and he in turn, comically began his set with a mockery of the Oasis hit "Wonderwall". Jay went on to have a very successful performance.25. YankeesOn hit record, "Empire State of Mind", Jay declared he "made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can" then went on to deliver unprecedented performances at the World Series and the New York Yankees' victory parade last month. What more can I say?26. South Africa 2010 World CupAlongside his wife, Beyoncé and other international music stars, Jay-Z is set for a pre-World Cup concert to launch the greatest show on earth.CHARITY27. Fade to BlackIn 2003, Jay-Z announced that The Black Album would be his last and the "retirement" concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, would serve as the premise for his movie, Fade to Black. With The Roots backing him up once more, Hov produced an electrifying night of lights and love as the biggest names in entertainment and thousands of fans came out to share in his swan song. Proceeds from the concert went to charity.28. Water for LifeNearly 2 million children die each year due to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation. In a partnership with MTV and the UN, Jay-Z toured several developing countries in 2006, meeting with young people who do not have access to safe water. Nigeria was one of his stops, where he commissioned a bore hole in Kwara State. MTV released the Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life, where the rapper declared, "we say we're from the hood but we're not by a long shot."29. Answer the CallTo celebrate the coinciding 8th anniversaries of the World Trade Centre disaster and his first Blueprint, Jay held a charity concert at Madison Square Garden for theNew York Police and Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund, letting them know that their tough times had not been forgotten.MUSIC30. Summer AnthemsOften releasing albums at the end of the year, Jay-Z has still managed to create hits summer after summer. There is a long list to pick from including "Ain't No N!gg@" featuring Foxy Brown, "The City is Mine" featuring BlackStreet, "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)", "Can I Get A..." featuring Amil & Ja Rule, "Big Pimpin'" featuring UGK, "I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me)", "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)", "Takeover", "Excuse Me Miss", "La La La (Excuse Me Again)", "Dirt off your Shoulders", "Numb/Encore", "Show Me What You Got", "Roc Boys (And the Winner is...)", "Run this Town" and a whole lot more.31. Reasonable DoubtThe debut classic that formally introduced the world to Jay-Z is a timeless collection of songs. Thirteen years later, it still comes off as relevant, supporting the notion that it was way ahead of its time.32. "Can't Knock the Hustle"Repeatedly, Jay-Z has referred to himself as a hustler and no one song better typifies that fact than this. Both the original version and the Meli'sa Morgan Fool's Paradise remix preach tales of an understanding of both the rap game and crack game, that it could be said to be the blueprint to The Blueprint.33. The BlueprintWidely touted to be his second classic, some will argue that there have been others before. Either way, this soulful gem ushered in two of Hip-Hop's most respected producers in Kanye West and Just Blaze. From the intro to the hidden bonus tracks, it is the perfect marriage of lyrics and beats like only jay-Z could have carried out.34. The Best of Both WorldsWhen the top Hip-Hop performer and the top R&B performer, R. Kelly, announced that they were releasing this collaborative effort, the world rejoiced. However, Kelly's child pornography allegations marred the promotion of this monumental occasion but the ill-fated disc still enjoyed platinum success.35. The Black AlbumThe "retirement" album also garnered classic status. Arguably, his most personal set to date, Jay chronicled his life so far and what music had meant to him, even bringing his mother on board to tell his story. With hits like "PSA", "Dirt off your Shoulder", "Change Clothes " and "Encore" coming off of that album, not much more needs to be said.36. American GangsterAfter criticism for his return disc, Kingdom Come, claiming that he'd sold out, Jay channeled inspiration from the Frank Lucas biopic, American Gangster to release an album of the same name, chronicling his relationship with drugs and the streets. He reunited with Diddy for the project, to create the old school vibe that silenced the critics.37. "Mr. Carter"With Lil Wayne, regarded as the new figure head in Hip-Hop, the man born Dwayne Carter featured Shawn Carter on this song, with the latter rapping, "I share/mic time, with my heir/ Young Carter, go farther/go further/go hard!" It was the perfect way to pass the baton to the future... but not just yet because...38. ..."D.O.A (Death of Autotune)"...signaled a warning shot to young artists that have overused the pitch correcting device made prominent by T-Pain. Without naming names, he launched a scathing attack against the entire landscape advising artists to get their creativity up and stop relying on technology for hits.39. "Empire State of Mind"Surprisingly, this is his first Billboard Hot 100 number one single. The Alicia Keys featured song seems to have reinvigorated the patriotic spirit of New Yorkers, especially with its release around 9/11. He recently said, "I guess I was just really centered with my birthplace while I was making the record because it wasn't a conscious thing at all. New York is alive, real people, it never shuts down, the honesty of it, the variety of it. It makes you look forward to every single season. When it gets too hot, you look forward to fall. When it's fall, you look forward to seeing the snow. It's just the most beautiful place in the world to me."40. Mr. BillboardWith the release of The Blueprint 3, Jay-Z scored his 11th number one album on Billboard, giving him the record for most number ones by a solo artist, with only the Beetles having more at 19. The albums are:Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life (1998) Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000) The Blueprint (2001) The Blueprint2: The Gift & the Curse (2002) The Black Album (2003) Unfinished Business (2004) - with R. Kelly Collision Course (2004) - with Linkin Park, Kingdom Come (2006) American Gangster (2007) The Blueprint 3 (2009)
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A new study suggests that lonely people attract fellow "lonelies" and influence others to feel lonely, too.
"Loneliness can spread from person to person to person -- up to three degrees of separation," said James H. Fowler, co-author of the study published in the December issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego.
The study says that not only is loneliness contagious, but lonely people tend to isolate themselves in small groups that somehow compound or increase those feelings of solitude.
According to Fowler, the data suggests that the average person feels lonely about 48 days a year, but for the lonely, that feeling can be ever-present. In addition, the study indicated that people who felt lonely were more likely to be friendless, or constantly shedding friends, a few years later: Compared with those who are never lonely, lonely people can lose about 8 % of their friends over a four-year period, for instance.
The researchers worked with more than 5,100 participants.
The team constructed graphs tracking the participants' ongoing friendship patterns over two to four years. They found that, among neighbors, an increase of loneliness of just one day per week triggered a rise in loneliness among neighbor-friends, as well. And that loneliness actually spread throughout the community as affected neighbors saw each other less, the researchers said.
Women appeared more vulnerable than men to "catching" loneliness, the researchers found.
Mark R. Leary, professor and director of the social psychology program at Duke University, whose work zeroes in on the need for social acceptance, called the study impressive in its sample, analysis and conclusion. He added that the contagion of loneliness could be, to some degree, a situation of people mimicking the styles of those around them.
So what can be done to help the lonely, to integrate them better with others? Leary suggested that those who interact with lonely people recognize that their tendency to pull inward emotionally and be less outgoing is a trait of loneliness, not of something else. "It reflects loneliness and a need for connection, rather than indifference, dislike or rejection. People can reach out to their lonely loved one rather than withdraw themselves," he said.
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Yevgeny Moskalev, a resident of Saint Petersburg, invented a technique that allows turning alcohol into powder. The good news is that the new technique allows doing it to any kind of alcohol, including whisky, cognac, wine and beer.
Yevgeny Moskalev, professor of Saint Petersburg Technological University, had his own reasons for the invention. In Soviet times, the scientist used to work for the defense industry and during perestroika he had to start freelancing.
“We made powder glues, worked with resins, and once we were asked to invent a device for capsulation. We assembled the device but the client never paid. We would have given up, but an accident helped us. One company had to capsulate water- and spirit- based extract of an animal medication. Animals do not like the smell of spirit and in a capsule form it could be added to their food. As a result, we developed a technology that allowed us to turn any solution into powder,” the scientist said.
The technology was tested on 96% spirit, and the know-how was patented. Moskalev learned to “can” ethanol drops into capsules. He does it by adding alcohol into melted wax in the process of mixing. Then the solution is dissipated, drops of wax harden and retain spirit molecules inside. This is how the idea of the experiment with Russian favorite drink was born. The powder version of vodka became popular since it was easier to carry and harder to break. “Dry” vodka can be wrapped in paper and carried around in a pocket or a bag. Vodka in a form of a pill would come handy at partiers when “consumers” would be able to calculate their exact required dosage. Yet, no vodka pills should be expected in near future.
“Unfortunately, spirit can be only retained in capsules made of stearic acid, so powdered vodka tastes like a candle. Generally, an unpleasant taste could be easily removed with flavoring agents. To be honest, I did not like vodka in pills. It is much better to eat it with a dessert spoon, although you can’t eat more than three or four spoons and the effect is weak. So, vodka is best consumed the old way,” the scientist explained.
Moskalev himself prefers the classic scheme – a shot glass and a pickle to chase it with. Yet, he understands that powdered alcohol could be interesting for bakers who have to use it for baked goods and ice cream all the time. The method can be also favored by pharmacists because it allows getting the exact dosage.
By the way
We already wrote that the British invented “carbonated vodka.” The process took them 18 months. This vodka is sold in Europe, so Russian tourists will be able to toast with sparkling vodka instead of champagne. However, they should be careful as the effect can surpass all expectations.
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If someone told me years ago, when I was a devoted member of the Pioneer organization, that one day I would start reading articles describing the various ways to love my own body and then discuss them with my girlfriends, I would kick their butts.
Good girls have no clue what a man and a woman do when left alone or where kids come from, let alone more complicated issues.
If you are still in the dark and pretend to have no idea where to put a condom, do not read any further. Otherwise, you’ll blush and your moral values will be shattered. Although you probably read in the Biblical Book of Genesis a story of Onan who had sex with the wife of his diseased brother but performed coitus interruptus each time, spilling his "seed" on the ground. The story says that this displeased God, who killed him.
For some reason, this story is often mentioned by priests as an example of God’s punishment for those who masturbate. However, the story only describes coitus interruptus used by many couples, and not masturbation that we will be talking about.
Majority of doctors believe that a lion share of all our issues is caused by the fact that we do not know our own bodies well. Marriages collapse because spouses are not satisfied with their sexual lives. Men cheat on their wives because the wives enjoy TV more than sex.
Michael Perry, a London sexologist, thinks that people first of all have to know their own bodies, sensations and desires.
Contemporary sex education specialists believe that masturbation is healthy, normal, and useful experience. Bernie Zilbergeld, the author of The New Male Sexuality, said that masturbation was a form of relaxation. It is not physically harmful, no matter how frequently it is practiced.
Some women have extremely negative reaction towards masturbation. Avodah Offit, a writer and psychiatrist, the author of Virtual Love, described the following situation in her book. Once she received a late night call. A woman was calling to complain that her husband was having a fit of raving madness. As it turned out, she woke up in the middle of the night to see that her husband was masturbating. The lady was so naïve that she thought her husband was doing it in his sleep. Many women cannot understand that sex can take other forms other than regular sex with a partner. Masturbation, however, is not a replacement for that. Some couples think that mutual masturbation or looking at the masturbating partner can be a pleasant experience.
the difference between coitus and masturbation is physiological. Glands that release pre-ejaculatory secretion during foreplay are not used during masturbation. Different sets of nerve endings are involved during these two acts, which affects the nature and quality of an orgasm. Michael Perelman, a sexologist, believes that women who claim masturbation to be a “mental adultery” underrate the importance of this exercise in keeping their marriages monogamous. Masturbation helps men to have versatility, relax, and be faithful in real life. Women who do not mind “mental adultery” are most likely happier in their marriages. Sexologists also recommend masturbation to those men who suffer from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Some specialists suggest that masturbation that does not result in an orgasm an hour before coitus causes a stronger and longer erection. Masturbation is also believed to improve reproductive function.
For women, masturbation is a chance of a stronger orgasm. Masturbation is most frequently practiced at the age of 25-50 years old. Married people masturbate less frequently, and it is especially true for married men. Frequency of masturbation varies from once or twice a year to once or twice a day.
Arguments “pro” masturbation
- You will not hear “I’m too tired.”
- You can masturbate whenever and wherever you want.
- STDs are not an issue.
- No one knows you better than you know yourself.
- No side effects!
- Women can use the following tools: cucumbers, bananas, carrots (a condom should be used to prevent infection), used mascara applicators, plastic toys, shower heads, electric toothbrushes, deodorant containers, and, naturally, hands.
17.8% of women who participated in a poll think that there is nothing wrong in studying their own bodies and satisfying themselves. Men think that masturbation is natural, especially when it helps release stress.
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Firework blaze in Russian nightclub kills at least 109
At least 109 people were killed and 134 injured when a blaze ignited by fireworks ripped through a packed Russian nightclub, starting a stampede as revellers rushed to escape clouds of toxic black smoke.
The pyrotechnics show went wrong at the Lame Horse nightclub in the Russian city of Perm on Friday night when sparks set fire to wicker coverings on the walls and ceiling during a party celebrating the club's eighth anniversary.
As partygoers rushed for the only door, scores were choked or crushed to death. Medics said many of those hospitalised were being kept alive with respirators and that some had burns of more than 60 percent.
Some of the severely injured have been sent to specialist burn units in Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities.
A clubber who survived, identifying herself as Svetlana, told Reuters: "Everything was catching fire so quickly as if it was made of hay, it happened in seconds. We could not all get through, everyone was pushing, from all sides."
President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a national day of mourning for Monday and demanded tough punishment for the owners of the nightclub, who he said had repeatedly ignored warnings from fire inspectors that the premises were unsafe.
"They have neither brains nor conscience," Medvedev told ministers in a televised meeting, criticising the club's owners for failing to come forward immediately after the disaster.
A Reuters photographer in Perm, 1,150 km (720 miles) northeast of Moscow, saw groups of distraught people visit a morgue to identify victims. Others, some weeping or smoking, stared blankly at the lists of the dead.
According to the Emergencies Ministry, the oldest fatality was 44-years-old and the youngest just 21.
Hundreds of red carnations and candles have been placed outside the club.
Friday's fire was Russia's most deadly in decades, emergency officials said, and the worst nightclub fire worldwide since nearly 200 people died at a party in Buenos Aires in 2004.
"This is not a premeditated murder, but this does not lessen the gravity of the crime," Medvedev said.
Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev told Medvedev there was no evidence of a bomb. Russian prosecutors said five employees, including the club's owner and founders, had been detained in on suspicion of breaching fire regulations and manslaughter.
A Perm resident watching firemen pull burnt people out of the club said corruption was to blame.
"As always in Russia, there is irresponsibility and bribery," said the local, who only gave his first name, Oleg.
"We need to find the fire inspector who gave permission to this club and why he allowed it," he said.
FIREWORK SHOW
Video footage of the disaster showed a merry crowd celebrating when a presenter suddenly announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, we are on fire. Leave the hall. Line up in a queue."
Then the camera shows fire roaring along the wicker-covered ceiling of the 500 square metre (5400 square ft) club. Many revellers slowly moved to a narrow exit -- some still sipping cocktails and smoking.
A few moments later, a stampede broke out as heavy black smoke quickly filled the hall and the crowd of more than 200 guests rushed headlong trying to escape.
Immediately after the fire, dozens of charred bodies were piled on the pavement outside the club as medics moved the injured into ambulances.
Blood-covered women in evening clothes and knee-high black boots lay on stretchers.
Russian officials have in the past blamed poor fire safety standards for high death tolls in fires at orphanages, hospitals and other institutions. More than 15,000 Russians died last years in fires, according to government figures.
The Kremlin said the December 7 day of mourning in Russia will have flags at half-mast across the nation. Three days of mourning will be observed in Perm, which is Russia's sixth largest city with a population of 1.2 million.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on December 5, 2009 at 5:14am
Now, there is no hiding place for the Eagles.
This evening in Cape Town, South Africa, Nigeria's group opponents in the forthcoming World Cup taking place in that country, were unveiled.
If Nigerians expected a soft draw, they did not get it as they have found themselves in a group from whose passage into the second round may not be easy. The Super Eagles, who squeaked their way to the World Cup, will play alongside two-time champions, Argentina, 2002 World Cup semi-finalists, Korea Republic and former European champions, Greece in Group B.The Argentinean bogey
The biggest surprise for most Nigerians and perhaps their biggest fear is the presence of Argentina in the group. Parading young and exciting players with newly crowned European Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi as arrowhead, the South Americans are tough customers any day - the fact that like Nigeria they barely managed to qualify for the World Cup notwithstanding.
In South Africa, Nigeria will be meeting Argentina for the third time at the World Cup. In their two previous meetings, in 1994 and 2002, the South Americans ran away with a 2-1 and 1-0 victory respectively.
The two countries open proceeding in the group on June 12, 2010 at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. The outcome of that encounter will determine the trajectory of the tournament for the Super Eagles. Their coach, Amodu Shuaibu, speaking on the match after the draws said he was happy his team will be starting out with the game against the Argentineans.
After the encounter with Argentina, the Eagles face Korea on June 17. Both sides have not meet at the World cup at senior level. The last meeting between both countries was at the U-17 level when Nigeria's Golden Eaglets beat Korea's U-17 3-1 in the quarter-final of the U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria between October and November.
The Eagles will round off their group games on June 22 in an encounter with Greece. It will be Nigeria's second meeting with the former European champions. Their first encounter at the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria courtesy of goals from Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi.
Ivorian hard luck
Nigeria is not the only African side to be handed a tough assignment by the draws. Its West African brothers, Cote d'Ivoire led by Chelsea FC of England striker, Didier Drogba, have been lumped in Group G with five-time winners, Brazil, Euro 2004 finalists, Portugal and Korea Democratic Republic.
To get out of this group, Drogba and his colleagues have to be at their best, particularly against the Brazilians, who have been playing exciting football powered by young and delectable stars like Kaka, Maicon and Robinho to name a few of the Jewels in the Carlos Dunga coached side.
In Group C, Ghana have their job clearly cut out. They will play against Australia, Serbia and three-time champions, Germany. To the uninitiated, Ghana's only obstacle may be the Germans but for those who followed the qualifying campaigns for the 2010, they know that Serbia's impressive performance forced the former champions into a play off with Ireland. The central Europeans not only topped the group but rounded off its qualifying campaign with a 5-0 rout of Romania on October 11 this year.
For Algeria, making a return to the World Cup after 26 years, a difficult job awaits them in Group C where they have been grouped with England, U.S.A. and Slovenia. The last African country and hosts of the tournament, South Africa, will play in Group A alongside Mexico, France and Uruguay.
The groups
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile.
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A detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gidado Musa, has related how he got an Indian suspect facing trial for alleged fraud arrested through his Nigerian girlfriend.
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The detective, during his examination-in-chief before the court, said that the Indian, Amit Angirish, accused of defrauding a Nigerian firm, was arrested through a lady identified as Faith Bakare, last year.
Gidado was led in evidence by the counsel for the anti-graft commission, Mr Anselem Ozioko, at the resumed hearing of the matter.
Angirish was accused of a nine-count charge of forgery, stealing and fraudulent conversion of about N63,000 worth of goods belonging to Daudeen Freight, where he worked as a marketer.
It was reported that unknown to the lady that the EFFC were on the trail of the Indian, she had wanted to cash some money from a company on behalf of Angirish.
She, however, led them to the hideout of the Indian in an hotel in Lagos, while some belongings of the suspect were later retrieved in her shop and house.
The EFCC had sought the cooperation of some companies the Indian was dealing with to apprehend him.
According to the detective, the Indian had, through e-mails, claimed to the companies, mostly multinationals, and his employer that he had travelled out of Nigeria.
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Did you think your marriage would last forever on the day of your wedding? Or were you full of dread and trepidation? According to a rather interesting study by USA Today , each year, loads of couples walk down the aisle even when they sense their relationship is doomed !
The paper consulted several sources (marriage counselors, sociologists, academics who study relationships) and found that a surprising number of brides- and grooms-to be are none too thrilled when the wedding bells ring. Author Carl Weisman, whose in-depth interviews with divorced Americans are compiled in a new book, "Serious Doubts: Why People Marry When They Know It Won't Last," surveyed 1,036 people while researching his work and found a common thread: "They all ignored their inner voice," he told USA Today. "They knew it wasn't going to last."
The print edition of the article (not online) included Weisman's top 11 reasons why folks who wound up in failed relationships went through with the nuptials (even when they had serious doubts). We've compiled them below. Let them stand as a fascinating cautionary tale, the worst reasons to get married to anyone, ever.
1. Did not want to be single anymore
2. Thought my partner was the best I could do
3. Thought I could change some aspect of my partner
4. Felt family pressure
5. For financial reasons
6. There was an unplanned pregnancy
7. To escape my family
8. Figured I could make it work
9. Partner pressured me
10. Wanted to have children
11. It seemed like the next logical step
With this nagging doubt, I thee wed
DOes This apply to us as Nigerians ? Please comment as the number of divorces and separations in Naija is increasing !
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Dear Readers,
Many things happen to us in life that is beyond us, or should we call it fate? Our writer today has disappointed her parents and she needs your advice in order to make things right. Read and advise her. Thanks.
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Dear Readers,
Please, help me. I don’t know how to clear this mess I got myself into. I hate to cause my parents pains, but what I have done, or should I say what I did, is causing them more than pains. It has become a serious heartache.
I love my parents dearly, and they love me too, they have done too much for me. I have no option but to be a good child. Please, help me. If I say I am like the proverbial child born and raised with a silver spoon, I would not be wrong.
My parents have just two of us, my senior sister and I, after they had waited on the Lord for the fruit of the womb for 10 years. My sister came at a time my father's family had given up on mummy and they had encouraged him to take another wife.
Instead of taking another wife, daddy stood by his wife and directed all his energy into making his business work; that was why he had enough to give us the best when we came.
My sister and I had the best any child could ask for. When I was born, I learnt, dad was away from the country on a business trip and his best friend, Uncle Macaus, who we all call Unce Mac, came to the hospital to take mummy and I home. In fact, mum told us that during my christening, he stood by her and did not allow her to miss daddy too much.
Uncle Mac and dad are childhood friends, people who really did not know where they were coming from thought they were related and, most of the time, neither of them bordered to correct the impression. Uncle Mac and his wife, Aunty Tina, did not wait on the Lord like our parents did, their kids came faster than we did and they are blessed with two kids too, a boy and a girl. Their children were like our big brother and sister.
Unfortunately, Aunty Tina, who had also become mummy’s good friend, died about seven years ago and Uncle Mac refused to take another wife. Because of the relationship Uncle Mac and dad had, he was always in our house and sometimes, he would take my sister and I out when we were growing up. By then his own children were away in the boarding school and later, they went to high school.
When I finished my secondary school, just like my sister, I went to the US for my university education, where I read Economics. My sister finished before me and came back to Nigeria for her youth service and started working. It wasn’t a strange thing for my uncle to stop over and check on me whenever he came to the US and he happened to be close to me.
Aunty Taiwo, I don’t know, how or when or what brought it up, but I discovered that Uncle Mac and I became attracted to each other. Initially, I felt it was a childhood fantasy, of course, I was no longer a child, I was in my late teens, but how else can I describe what I felt for the man who could more or less be called my father?
I tried all I could to fight this feeling, but all the while I was trying, I never knew Uncle Mac felt the same way. As I stated earlier, I really cannot remember who made the first move or how we started, but I started to date my father’s best friend or should I say my father’s brother.
In fact, he deflowered me, and because of this singular action, he loved me very much. Having an affair with him when I was in the US was very easy, because my parents were not there and everyone who saw us together never gave it much thought, as no one would think being with my uncle all the time was a big deal.
Just like mummy asked me a few weeks ago, “why did you do this to us, what can Mac give you that we can’t give you, even more?” I did not go into the relationship with Uncle Mac for financial gains or whatever he would give me. My parents are comfortable enough to give me the best of every thing, but something, call it fate, call it anything, brings us to do things for which others or rather people will look us you and think we have actually gone crazy.
When our affair started, Uncle Mac became a frequent visitor to the US. The first person who guessed that there was more to our relationship was my sister, when she came over for holiday. We stayed together in dad’s house. She asked me some questions but I lied to her.
I really did not know why I lied to her, because we were so close and we did tell each other everything; but I kept this to myself. Maybe, if I had told her, she would have opened up to me, she would have told me Uncle Mac had made a pass at her too, but she refused to fall for him.
That is another angle to my tale of woe. I finished my course and came back to the country for my youth service. Initially, I didn’t want to come home but daddy insisted. I wanted to stay back and start my Masters Degree immediately, but dad refused to bend the rules. When I came home, I was not lucky in Port Harcourt, and I am not so sure that my parents did not have a hand in that.
Well, after orientation, I started my NYSC and seeing Uncle Mac became a little difficult. Guess you know what it is like when you love someone with your whole heart, but you have to keep your feelings to yourself as your little secret. Uncle Mac and I started travelling out of town to see each other. Sometimes, I would leave work to meet him out of town.
I could remember a particular day that I almost missed my flight back to Port Harcourt when I came to Lagos with Uncle Mac. I did not tell my parents I was travelling, I wondered what would have happened if I had missed my flight that day.
Do not let me bore you with these little details, but I loved Uncle Mac. I really do not know how my parents got to know, but on a day after I returned from the office, mum called me and spoke with me about this issue. I denied, of course, I couldn’t have admitted or confided in her.
She told me in strong language that she and dad would be very disappointed in me if they discovered it was true. Mum went further to tell me that Uncle Mac was a womanizser and that young girls were his speciality, but to my ears, she sounded funny because I had never met any other lady with Uncle Mac, I felt she said this to paint him black before me.
I honestly do not know who fed my parents with stories of my movement with Uncle Mac; the second time they spoke with me about him, dad even told me the name of the hotel where I went to with him, but, of course, I denied that, too.
My parents were to travel to Lagos for a cousin’s wedding. Infact, we were supposed to travel together, but I told them I would stay back. Uncle Mac had travelled to Abuja on a business trip and I knew he would come to town that week-end.
As soon as my parents left, Uncle Mac and I spoke on phone and he told me he had made arrangement for hotel accommodation for us for the two days my parents would be away. I checked into the hotel without delay.
He came straight to meet me. The unthinkable happened that night when a knock at the door ushered my parents into the hotel room. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Uncle Mac was as shocked as I was. How did my parents know I was there with Uncle Mac? Were they not supposed to be in Lagos? What happened? Daddy has not said a word to me since three weeks ago. The only thing he said to Uncle Mac was:
Why, Mac? Why did you do this to me? You know I loved you like a brother and I would not have done this to you? His words to Uncle Mac almost broke my heart. Dad was almost sheding tears.
I would have made a case for myself, before him and everybody if I had not later learnt that Uncle Mac had asked my sister out once and that he had actually slept with and even impregnated our house maid, Aunt, Julie.
I was not too young when it happened. Auntie Julie had an abortion which almost claimed her life. I thought he loved me. He had even asked me several times to be his wife. When I raised the issue of age difference, he would always tell me it didn’t matter as love is no respecter of age.
Uncle Mac has disillusioned me, I am really hurt about his deceit. I would have been dwelling on that now, if I did not have to contend with my daddy. Although mum is equally angry with me, she let out her anger by giving me a piece of her mind.
But dad’s silence is killing me. I really think he is dissappointed in me, I have always been his favourite. Please, advise me on what to do.
Maryan.
originally written by Monica Taiwo and culled from the The TribuneRead more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on December 2, 2009 at 7:41pm
Yar’Adua’s family divided over resignation bid - He must resign - Mum - No, he’s fit to continue - Turai - Resign now, el-Rufai, Nnamani, Masari, Falae, 50 others tell Yar’Adua - Security tightened at Aso Rock - Ogbulafor meets Jonathan - Senate rejects motion on president’s health - VP summons Bayelsa gov, deputy
From Taiwo Adisa, Adewale Ajayi, Donald Ojogo, Okey Muogbo and Ayodele Adesanmi
THE family of President Umaru Yar’Adua is said to be divided over the bid by some forces to have the President resign his position on the basis of his ill health.
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Sources on Tuesday said there was a sharp division between the president’s wife, Hajia Turai and his mother, Hajia Dada Habib, over the next step to take by the president.
While the mother was said to be advocating that the president should resign so that he could take care of his health, Hajia Turai was said to be insisting that he would soon get over his health challenges.
A source said the matriarch of the Yar’Adua family was insisting that her son should be brought back to the country alive, while he should resign from the office to face his health situation.
It was gathered that the matriarch also insisted in her calls to Hajia Turai that she did not want to lose Umaru like she lost his elder brother, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
It was gathered that Turai had to attend this year’s hajj and she was sighted at Mina, Saudi Arabia. This, a source said, she had to do, though it was not originally on the travel agenda.
It was gathered that the first lady had insisted that her prayers and those of millions of Nigerians would surely work and her husband would soon recover.
Calls for the president to resign had started gaining grounds on Tuesday, following indications that his condition relapsed at the weekend.
Though there were plans to receive the president early this week, this did not materialise, as his condition was said to have relapsed late on Saturday.
Reports from the governors and other government functionaries who visited Saudi Arabia also indicated that none of them was able to see the president as he had been kept in intensive care from Sunday.
It was gathered that the presidency had beefed up security at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while the Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was said to have cancelled all late night appointments.
Sources said the vice-president had taken the precaution since Thursday, so as not to give the wrong impression that he was holding nocturnal meetings.
A source said most of those who had late night appointments on Friday were reached to either come earlier in the day, or reschedule such appointments for another day.
Also in Abuja, on Tuesday, sources informed that some Northern political power brokers had started thinking of options left in the wake of the president’s ailing health.
It was gathered that some groups were already thinking of supporting the bid to ask the president to resign from office so as to pave the way for a strong personality to emerge as vice-president to Jonathan.
It was, however, gathered that underneath such plans was the plot that would ensure that the vice presidential candidate would engineer the removal of Jonathan through impeachment after a short stay in office, such that power could effectively return to the North.
But some concerned Nigerians were already alerting the international community to the unfolding situation in the country. Former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, visited the British Embassy in Abuja, where he discussed the issues of Nigeria’s electoral reform and the president’s health with the high commissioner.
Tinubu had earlier visited the German and the United States embassies before the Tuesday call at the British embassy. He specifically raised the issue of electoral reform during his earlier visits to the embassies.
Sources said Tinubu spoke the minds of opposition figures during the visit to the British embassy, where he was said to have told the high commissioner that Nigeria would abide by constitutional order, no matter what happenned to the president.
Sources close to some groups in the North, however, said the only option open to the region now was to quickly pick a strong candidate as vice-president, while allowing Jonathan to take over as president.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Mr. Ken Nnamami; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Masari; General Alani Akinrinade, Chief Olu Falae and 50 other eminent Nigerians have demanded for the resignation of President Yar’Adua, arguing that his deteriorating health had made it difficult for him to perform his functions as the president of the country.
The concerned Nigerians, which included members of the civil society groups, Dr. Joe Okei–Odumakin and Mrs Ayo Obe, said it was known to every discerning observer that President Yar’Adua’s physical condition had had a negative impact on his ability to discharge the functions of the highest office in the nation.
According to them, “within the last few months, he has been unable to attend to crucial affairs of the state at home and abroad and whenever he has found time to do so, his judgment appears impaired by his ill-health.“
They noted that his health condition had necessitated several medical trips abroad but he had not transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he was proceeding on vacation or that he was, otherwise, unable to discharge the functions of his office as required by Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
They observed that President Yar’Adua, though was invited to attend the United Nations General Assembly for which a private meeting had been arranged between him and President Barack Obama for high level discussions of issues mutually beneficial to Nigeria and the United States, he went to Saudi Arabia to “open a university” which was a dummy sold to cover up his treatment.
The concerned Nigerians said it was also common knowledge that the incapacity of the president had affected the implementation of the nation’s budget because he had been unable to coordinate the management of the national economy and to preside over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in a diligent manner.
They noted that in the circumstance, ministers had routinely flouted the orders of the president and engaged in in-fighting as a direct result in the vacuum of leadership.
“As responsible and concerned individuals from every part of Nigeria, we call on President Yar’Adua to immediately choose the honourable option of either resigning his office immediately, or, if he is confident of his true physical condition, request the FEC to pass a resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the Constitution to the effect that the president appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office. This honourable step will enable the Senate President to appoint a medical panel to confirm the fitness or otherwise of the president to continue in office,” they said.
The group of Nigerians said they sympathised with the president over his health, but the country needed effective governance.
“We sympathise with him and believe that his health should be given priority attention. At the same time, the need to provide effective governance for this nation of over 150 million people cannot be compromised,” they said.
Those that signed the document included Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Chief John Oyegun, Dr. Tunji Braith-waite, Colonel Abubakar Umar (rtd).
Others were Professor Itse Sagay, Alhaji Buba Galadima, Honourable Olawale Oshun, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Mr. Femi Falana, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Alhaji Sadiq Yar’Adua, Honourable Adamu Farouk Aliyu, Chief Jos Ayomike.
Also included were Hajia Naja’atu Muha-mmeed, Ms. Annkio Briggs, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Chief Supo Shonibare, Mr. Odia Ofeimun, Honourable Lawal Garuba, Mr. Biodun Sowunmi and Dr. Ishaq Kurufi, among others.
Meanwhile, suspense and uncertainty still remain the words, as the nation prays for the quick recovery of President Yar’Adua who is currently undergoing medical attention in Saudi Arabia.
The suspense heightened as security around the President Villa, Abuja, has been tighetened.
Vice-President Jonathan, who, the Nigerian Tribune learnt, gave the directive, had also barred visitors who did not have any official responsiblity.
This development is coming amid political power permutations and debates over a perceived succession battle between the South and North.
The nation has contended with media reports that the number two man, from the South-South, has been under intense pressure from Northern power players to resign in anticipation of a vacuum arising from the inability of President Yar’Adua to continue in office.
Both the office of the vice-president and the ruling PDP had denied that there were such pressures on Jonathan.
But, according to the source, the vice-president, on Monday evening, subtly restricted all visitors to the villa.
“From Monday evening, oga has directed that all visitors who do not have any official thing to do should be stopped by the security agents. This will remain in force until the arrival of the president anytime from now.
“For now, there are no more courtesy calls because such calls are usually unpatriotic and mischievous in their motives and intentions. The man has told those who wanted to pay a courtesy visit to him to wait until after this period of prayers for the president. Most importantly, those who want to offer prayers for the president or support the vice-president in prayer should remain in their homes. Most of such moves are indirect lobbying for a non-existing position because by the grace of God, the president will join us soon,” the source said.
However, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, was sighted at the office of the vice-president on Tuesday afternoon.
The purpose of the visit was not known as State House reporters could not have an interview with him before he left.
He came at the time the vice-president was meeting with a team of businessmen from South Korea and went upstairs.
Ogbulafor was quoted in one national daily on Tuesday to have declared that the office of the president of Nigeria was not vacant, an apparent reference to those calling for constitutional action over the long period the president had been away for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the office of President Yar’Adua remained quiet on Tuesday as government activities shifted to the office of vice- president.
But Vice-President Jonathan, it was learnt, has summoned the Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva and his deputy, Peremobowei Ebebi, to Abuja, over the current political turmoil pervading the state in the wake of the local government primary of the party.
Violence was reported to have marred the exercise, even as protests rocked the state in the last four days, with each trading accusations.
The invitation to Abuja, it was learnt, was not unconnected to the reported explosion which occurred beside a filling station reportedly owned by the deputy governor, who had raised the alarm that his life was being threatened by agents alleged to be the governor’s loyalists.
The Senate, at the plenary session on Tuesday, refused to have a special debate on the state of the health of President Yar’Adua, who was currently undergoing medical treatment in a Saudi Arabian hospital.
It, however, urged all Nigerians, no matter their religious beliefs, to fervently pray for quick recovery of the president.
The Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, after Order 42 and 52 of Senate Standing Rule, asked the Senate to allow him to present a motion on the state of health of the president.
According to him, “Mr. President, the subject matter of my motion which I discussed with you yesterday and this morning is the state of health of our dear president, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“Under Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rule, the matter for discussion shall, if possible, be referred to the President of the Senate before commencement of the day’s sitting and the President of the Senate shall refuse to allow the claim unless he is satisfied that the matter is definite and urgent.
“Notice shall not be dispensed with in the case of a motion or in respect of any other proceeding for which notice is required except with the consent of the president of the Senate and general assent of the senators present.”
Consequently, in a reply to Ndoma-Egba, the Senate President, David Mark, said “distinguished colleagues, Senator Ndoma-Egba discussed a motion which he intends to raise this morning with me. I have no problem with the motion. Basically, it is just to ask us and the nation to continue to pray for the improvement and for the quick recovery of the president.
“That is the summary of the motion. I have no problem with it, but as is required by Order 42, I have to seek the consent of the Senate and if we are up to one-fifth in support of his moving the motion, then we allow him to raise the motion. It is a very short motion.”
However, when the Senate President put it to the whole house, the response was negative.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity, Senator Ayogu Eze, told newsmen that the Senate President had earlier called for prayer for the president and it would be a mere waste of time to start debating it.
Eze, who briefed National Assembly correspondents, said, “the reason we did not take that motion is that as a serious chamber, we don’t indulge in surplusage. The Senate President is the chief spokesman for the Senate and chief spokesman for the National Assembly and he has just issued a statement on the same matter, asking Nigerians to pray for our president.
THE CHARM OF WHITEThe colour white is synonymous with a whole lot of meanings and fashion sense especially to fashionistas. However whether white or black, it all depends on who is wearing what, when, and where.
Sporting white can make a big statement. Wearing white is no longer seen as boring. Rather, it is sexy, modest, or sophisticated depending on the where and how. You can personalize an outfit of white to give it a personality that will stick out in anyone’s memory.
If you decide to wear something with volume, try to pair it with a slimmer item to avoid the totally sloppy look. After all, once you get the attention that you are craving, you want to be able to maintain it.
In choosing a handbag, a slightly oversized bag makes more sense than a large satchel that’s big enough to hold half a dinner set of dishes. If it’s easy to clean, so much the better. White accessories, while blending in, can add a sparkle and shimmer that can liven up an outfit. Embellishments from beads and tassels to ribbons and lace can add an exciting dimension to the already perfect outfit.
We all know the task of maintaining a white colour, instead of worrying about white becoming dirty quickly, purchase something that’s easy to clean such as cotton or stretch cotton. Or simply be bold and wear your whites with zest and the confidence that at the moment, the outfit looks fabulous. After all, we love to add to our wardrobe constantly, and chances are, you will only have to replace part of an ensemble if the worst does happen.
Wearing white promotes a look that captivates the sightseer of fashion. It almost mesmerizes to the point of distraction. The fact, that many celebrities now choose to wear white all year long, adds to the glamour of the colour. Here in Nigeria, there are also exclusive white parties for celebrities where every invited guest is mandated to be totally dressed in white. Occasions like weddings, burial ceremony, graduation and even chorography performances are all avenues were people wear white.
For your lingerie steer away from the typical hot colours of red and black for your lingerie. The colour white can inspire your mate and give you an almost untouchable look that will send him burning with desire straight into your arms.
The crisp and clean look of white can give an appearance of newness, of innocence, of simplicity. Soft, sheer, and frilly can add a touch of romance. Puffy sleeves, bits of ribbon, and trimmings of lace can lend themselves to the feminine side of your nature.
Also, fitted jackets and blouses add a sense of professionalism. Whatever you wear, make it white, and make it yours with every boldness and confidence you can garner.
By: Yetunde Omosa
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ISIOMA Irene Keyamo, wife of popular Lagos based human rights lawyer, Festus Adeniyi Keyamo, has asked for a court order mandating her husband to pay the sum of N20 million as alimony at the Probate and Family division, of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday.
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The money is expected to be a compensation for the psychological trauma, financial losses, sense of disappointment and her failure at the Nigerian Law School, as a result of the breach of contract of marriage between them.
She had earlier asked the court for an extension of time, to file her answer to the petition, filed by her husband for the dissolution of their marriage.
She is also seeking an order deeming the already filed and served, answer and cross petition marked as Exhibit A as properly filed and served.
Isioma made the request through her counsel, Mr. Jonathan Ogunsanya, from the office of the public defender, who told the court that he had a motion on notice dated November 11, 2009, which he wanted to move and the court allowed him since there was no objection on the part of the applicant.
Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu granted the order, but asked counsel for both parties if there were no outstanding issues, between the couple before a trial date was fixed as demanded by Gloria Oahajaguan, counsel for Festus Keyamo.
Justice Williams-Dawodu, however, informed the parties that before a trial date for dissolution of marriage would be fixed, all outstanding issues between the couple must be resolved.
She consequently ordered for a compulsory conference between the parties to settle the issue of cost of maintenance, among other such issues, before commencement of trial.
She subsequently adjourned the case till January 27, 2010
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Time to go, prominent Nigerians tell Yar'Adua
While the nation continues to be in the dark on the true status of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health conditions, pressure is mounting on him to resign and hand over power to the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan.
A group of 56 prominent Nigerians from diverse backgrounds, but mostly politicians and civil society activists, said in a strongly worded statement released to the media in Lagos and Abuja yesterday that Mr. Yar’Adua’s failing health has created a dangerous situation whereby no one is in charge of the affairs of the state.
Northern voices weigh in
Nineteen notable voices, representing each of the northern states, also weighed in through an advertised statement yesterday, saying “in the event that the president is unable to continue in office, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan should immediately be sworn in as president as provided by Section 144 of the constitution.”
The statement that has a past national chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Audu Ogbe, as a signatory said the leaders were reacting to claims that subtle pressures are being mounted around the vice president that he should also resign.
“Conventions and devices as rotation are strictly non-constitutional and any attempt to becloud issues by mixing political party administrative devices would be unhelpful in the situation we find ourselves,” the nineteen northern leaders said.
The situation in Jeddah
From Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the president remains in intensive care, authoritative sources told NEXT that no one has been allowed to see Mr. Yar’Adua, except his wife, since Saturday. He is also believed to be unconscious, though the source could not say whether it is classified as a coma. Curiously, no administration official is willing to speak on the situation but NEXT gathered that under the best scenario, Mr. Yar’Adua will still require about a month of recuperation before traveling.
The prolonged absence of the president, without a constitutional hand-over to his vice president, has been the subject of debate among concerned political leaders across the parties, who believe this has left a dangerous vacuum in the leadership of the country.
Group of 56
Listing a series of important national and international assignments he has failed to attend, the Group of 56 said this has caused what they called “several loopholes in his presidential service delivery”. Among the assignments are: “the United Nations General Assembly for which a private audience had been arranged between him and President Obama for high level discussions of issues mutually beneficial to Nigeria and the United States because he was in Saudi Arabia to ‘open a university’ which was a dummy sold to cover up his treatments.”
NEXT sources claimed that members of the president’s family and some of his aides have suggested that he should be brought back to Nigeria, along with the medical staff treating him. But doctors are said to have counselled against it.
Contrary views
However, speaking strongly against the move for the president to resign, Itse Sagay, a professor of law, who is also cited as a signatory to the statement of the Group of 56, told NEXT that the basis for securing his support had nothing to do with the president’s health but on the alleged threat and pressure on the vice-president to resign.
According to him, “any other thing here is fraudulently including my name and I am strongly against the view that he be forced to resign because the constitution has a clear view to tackle that part of the agreement.
“I am certainly not of the view that he should resign. He is the best judge of his own health and that is insensitive at this point.” Mr. Sagay said.
Two civil society activists, Sam Amadi and Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, who were listed on the Group of 56, also reacted sharply in a statement, saying “as a matter of our personal ethics” they are not privy to the call for Yar’Adua’s resignation.
“We are seeing this statement for the first time here. No one has previously or at all consulted (with) either or both of us on any of the aspects of this statement including but not limited to its context, content, tone, positions, or timing. While we are not afraid to take positions, we are also unable to sign up to positions – such as this – that purport to or actively take our views for granted.”
The case against the president
The Group of 56, which parades a list of heavyweight politicians, including the former Senate president, Ken Nnamani; former speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari; and former presidential candidate, Olu Falae; insists that the president has breached constitutional procedures in the way “his health condition has necessitated several medical trips abroad (and for which) he has not transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he was proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office as required by Section 145 of the Constitution.”
Incapacity to continue in office
The group also asked President Yar’Adua, “to immediately choose the honourable option of either: resigning his office immediately, or if he is confident of his true physical condition, request the Federal Executive Council to pass a resolution pursuant to Section 144 (1) of the Constitution to the effect that the President appears incapable of discharging the functions of his office.”
It, however, faulted how the president’s incapacity has affected the full implementation of the 2009 budget because he has been unable to coordinate the management of the national economy and to preside over the Federal Executive Council in a diligent manner.
“In the circumstance, Ministers have routinely flouted the orders of the President and engaged in infighting as a direct result of the vacuum in leadership. This was recently embarrassingly exposed to the world with the series of conflicting public statements credited to the Attorney General and the Chairperson of the EFCC. This was also exposed further when the president disavowed knowledge of a memo to all foreign missions purportedly on his instructions. Furthermore, till date, ministers continue to flout the public instruction of the president that ministers who presented memos at the FEC should stay behind to brief the media,” the group states.
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China sentences 6 to death - For shipping fake drugs to Nigeria
For shipping fake anti-malaria drugs to Nigeria, the Peoples Republic of China, has sentenced six of its nationals to death, the Director-General of the National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has said.
The NAFDAC boss, therefore, canvassed for a life sentence for all drug peddlers in Nigeria, as was the case in China and other countries in Asia, adding that the agency was tightening the noose round drug traffickers as part of efforts to reposition the agency for more efficiency.
Dr. Orhii spoke at a five-day strategic planning retreat for NAFDAC staff in Kaduna, saying that while other countries like India and China were in the vanguard of waging war against drug traffickers, Nigeria, which had assumed the toga of a “dumping ground” for manufacturers of fake drugs was fighting the war with levity, due to weak legislation.
According to him, it is so paradoxical that Nigeria which is at the receiving end of fake drugs is so lenient in terms of law, adding that NAFDAC was planning to review the existing law in its quest to fight the war against drug trafficking in the country.
Already, he added, NAFDAC was in contact with some legal luminaries and human rights activists in order to review the law establishing the agency.
He said the law which had the blessing of the National Assembly once passed, would make drug trafficking a non-bailable offence, just as an offender risked going to jail for life.
“We are going to implement severe punishment like in India and China,” he said, adding that apart from the jail term, offenders, when caught would have their assets confiscated and proceeds from the sale of the assets would go to victims.”
“Those people in China are facing death penalty. The India parliament also passed a law for manufacturing of counterfeit drugs. It will be difficult for Nigerian drug traffickers to go to India. In China, it is even worst the counterfeiter will be facing death penalty,” he said.
“For the first time, we have achieved tremendous progress in our campaign against fake and counterfeit drugs and today, most of the culprits are being brought to justice.
Today, six people are facing cases on death penalty, while those people traced to India will also risk life jail sentence”.
Orhii further argued that it was time the government strengthened its own laws against the importation of counterfeit drugs, stressing that “it is paradoxical that Nigeria which is at the receiving end is lenient in terms of laws against fake and counterfeit drugs.”
He said NAFDAC would collaborate with India and China in the fight against drug trafficking in such a way that going into these countries to manufacture fake drugs or to import it into Nigeria would be very difficult.
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A divorced father of three stabbed his mother 21 times after becoming convinced that she was a witch and had put a curse on him, a court in Britain heard on Friday.
Kayode Kuye reportedly tortured and killed Christina Kuye, 69, because he believed she had ruined his life with a black magic spell, the Old Bailey was told. Unemployed Kuye, 50, of Edmonton, north London, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
The judge, Christopher Moss, ordered him locked up indefinitely under mental health laws and described it as a “brutal” killing.
Kuye reportedly attacked his mother after letting himself into her home in Finchley, north London, with a key in May last year, the court heard.
After a lengthy argument, he stabbed her 21 times to the upper body, also slashing her arms and hands as she tried to defend herself.
He was later arrested covered in blood at Finchley Central station, laughing as he said: “I have had an argument with my mother.”
Policemen forced their way into her home where they found her body in her bedroom.
Kuye later told psychiatrists that his purpose was “to torture his mother to try to prevent her from continuing what he perceived to be black magic upon him,” said Alan Kent, prosecuting officer.
Mr. Kent said: “The motivation behind his attack was his paranoid and deluded belief that his mother had cursed him through witchcraft and had ruined his life.”
Mrs. Kuye came to Britain from Nigeria in 1961 with her husband, who died in 1984. She had eight children, including the defendant, and 20 grandchildren.
She herself believed in witchcraft and her son became increasingly interested in the subject during the four years before he killed her.
His mother helped him get in touch with a witch doctor she knew in Nigeria and he would send him money “for advice and medicine,” the court heard.
Two years before the killing, he began to blame her for all his problems, saying she had “sacrificed him as a child and had put a curse on him.”
He believed that “he was a king and should be rich, but the curse prevented this from happening.”
For about a year before his mother’s death, he had been saying he was going to kill her, as well as other family members.
On the day of the stabbing, he had been “ranting and raving” at his former wife and told her that “he had to go and do what he had to do,” the court heard.
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Nigeria records 46.7 per cent drop in new HIV cases !
By Chukwuma Muanya and Collins Olayinka
AS the country joins the rest of the world to mark the 2009 World AIDS Day today, the country has recorded a 46.7 per cent drop in Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) infection in seven years.
Also, a new data in the 2009 AIDS epidemic update released at the weekend by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), showed that globally, new HIV infections have been reduced by 17 per cent in the past eight years.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) have also called for proactive steps to stem discrimination against workers living with HIV.
The report indicated that since 2001, when the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was signed, the number of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 15 per cent lower, which is about 400,000 fewer infections in 2008.
Director-General, National Agency on the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof. John Idoko, told The Guardian: "Going by the sero-prevalence and the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBSS), the HIV epidemic is dropping. For example, the prevalence among young people aged between 15 and 24, which reflects new infections has dropped from six per cent in 2001 to 3.2 per cent in 2008."
According to UNAIDS, Nigeria has the third largest number of HIV infections in the world, with roughly four million men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS.
The World AIDS Day, celebrated on December 1, draws together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The day is one of the most visible opportunities for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in high-prevalence countries and around the world.
According to 2008 figures released by WHO, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV. An estimated 2.7 million were newly infected with the virus and two million died of AIDS the same year. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV. In 2008, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 67 per cent of HIV infections worldwide, 68 per cent of new HIV infections among adults and 91 per cent of new HIV infections among children. The region also accounted for 72 per cent of the world's AIDS-related deaths in 2008.
According to the new UNAIDS report, HIV incidence has declined by nearly 25 per cent in East Asia and in South and South East Asia by 10 per cent in the same time period. In Eastern Europe, after a dramatic increase in new infections among injecting drug users, the epidemic has levelled off considerably. However, in some countries, there are signs that HIV incidence is rising again.
Meanwhile, the ILO and the ITUC have called for proactive steps to stem discrimination against workers that are HIV-positive.
In his message yesterday to mark the occasion, the Director- General of ILO, Mr. Juan Somavia, said the slogan: "I am living my rights. Stop AIDS, keep the promise" is a collective responsibility to respond to this call of World AIDS Day 2009.
He noted that out of over 33 million people that are living with HIV/AIDS, more than 90 per cent are adults in their productive and reproductive prime.
According to him: "Keeping the promise means enabling HIV-positive workers to remain on the job. Eliminating HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in the world of work upholds the dignity of work and of workers. Policies and strategies for prevention and treatment sustain the workforce: They must reach all workers, wherever they work, including in the informal and rural economy. And in sustaining the workforce, we sustain families, communities, societies and economies."
He cautioned that the world must not be carried away by the availability of drugs, saying: "Yet, let us not forget that for every two persons who obtain treatment, there are five new infections and one of every two new infections is among 15 to 24-year old. Too many of these young people are unlikely to realise their potential."
Somavia stressed that the world cannot relent on prevention and that prevention must be multi-dimensional and approached with long-term commitment, creativity and diversity.
He revealed that in June 2010, the International Labour Conference (ILC) will consider adopting a new labour standard in the form of a recommendation on HIV/AIDS and the world of work to reinforce its work.
On its part, the ITUC blamed the massive human suffering caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the failure to date to check and reverse its growth on lack of political will of governments.
It stated that the ITUC remains committed to action to combat HIV/AIDS discrimination in the workplace, to ensure a rights-oriented approach to the interventions, to advocate for strong privacy and confidentiality safeguards and to ensure equitable access to HIV/AIDS treatment.
It also expressed its concerns at the impact of the financial crisis on development and thus on combating HIV-AIDS.
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