The Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo has demanded for extra powers for the force to contain violence at the venues of future elections in the country.
Speaking at the public hearing on "A bill for an Act to further amend the Police Act 1967," Mr. Onovo specifically asked that the police should be empowered to shoot any persons who perpetrate violence through the use of gun at polling stations.
The hearing was organised by a subcommittee of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution. The subcommittee is headed by the Chief Whip, Emeka Ihedioha.
Mr. Onovo also asked for the amendment of the Section 4 (a) of the Police Act by inserting the word "lawfully" in it.
The section states that "Police shall while on duty safeguard the security of the lives and property of citizens during the campaign and voting so that citizens will not feel unsafe on account of holding, associating with or expressing a political opinion." Others demand Mr. Onovo made are that
1. the police should be empowered to arrest, search and detain any person upon reasonable suspicion of concealment of offensive weapons or electoral materials at the venue of any election or any other place, whatsoever;
2. the police should be empowered to use reasonable force to carry out such duties under the Act;
3. the Police should be empowered to arrest and prosecute any offender before, during and after elections;
4. a reasonable time limit should be spelt out to enable the police to return to their routine duties after the election;
5. the Police should be present at the counting centres and given certified copies of all the elections for record purposes; and
6.the police should be empowered to arrest any other person(s) who commit any other electoral offence under this Act.
Mr. Onovo explained that the force is demanding powers to shoot at the venues of election because some members of the public could confront police officers or electoral officers with guns.
He added that the original act does not give members of the force the powers to do anything unless directed by electoral officers being harassed.
He said that, if amended, the nature of confrontation against the police or electoral officers would determine the kind of weapons the police would use. Among the weapons are teargas, water cannon and lethal weapons.
"We all know that when they are coming they don't come in a friendly manner but they come heavily armed. They even fire to scare people away. So, we will need reasonable force to be able to prevent them from stealing, hijacking or altering results. In this case, we have to stop them when they come with, for example, AK 47. So, we want to use firearms when the lives of others are in danger," Mr. Onovo said.
When probed further by the lawmakers on what "reasonable force" means, the Inspector General said it could also include persuasion and dialogue.
Also speaking at the hearing, the former Inspector General, Sunday Ehindero, argued that it is not the Police Act that needed amendment but the Electoral Act 2006.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa, told the lawmakers that the bill did not remove any power which the police have but assured that he would reconcile the differences between the bill and the proposals made by Mr. Onovo.
However, member of the subcommittee were suspicious that if given the powers, the police could abuse some of them. They also complained that the powers could be used against members of the opposition parties.
A member, Abdul Ningi, who is also the chairperson of the Police Affairs Committee of the House, said if given the power to arrest, search and detain anybody on reasonable suspicion, the police officers could do so for flimsy reasons.
Another member of the House, George Daika, also complained that if the police were allowed a time limit to stay at election venues, trouble could ensue when they have left.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on August 11, 2009 at 8:30pm
Sultan ofSokoto & US Secretary of State
ABUJA—Barring a last minute change of mind, several interest groups scheduled to hold talks with visiting United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton would not honour the American Embassy invitation based on what is seen in diplomatic circles as a breach of protocol.
It was learnt, yesterday that the American Embassy in Abuja, had largely kept the Federal Government in the dark on preparations for the Secretary of State’s visit.
Mrs. Clinton was scheduled to hold talks with top government officials, led by President Umaru Yar’Adua at the Aso Villa, today, after which she would meet with several stakeholders in 9geria, including senators, members of the House of Representatives, traditional rulers, members of the National Inter-religious Council.
However, a top government functionary expressed dismay at the strategy employed by the American Embassy, which was said to have taken it upon itself to make arrangements without adequate consultations with the 9gerian government.
For instance, it was learnt that the Embassy had sent letters to the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, his counterpart at the House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole, requesting a list of their colleagues to hold talks with Mrs. Clinton.
A similar letter was said to have been sent to the Sultan of Sokoto, requesting a list of traditional rulers to be invited to meet the visiting Secretary of State. The source said each of them turned down the request.
Top officials of government, it was learnt, were alarmed that with a nation battling religious extremists, the Embassy could ask for nominations of people to meet with the US Secretary of State without considering the security implications.
“We don’t pray that anything bad happens but can you imagine the implications of negatively minded persons being invited to such a meeting if they choose to take advantage of such a meeting. It would be a monumental tragedy for 9geria as a nation,” the source said.
The source said that even the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs had no clear picture of the itinerary of Mrs. Clinton until yesterday, wondering “if the ministry which primary responsibility was to make the woman’s visit memorable was kept in the dark until the last minute before arrival, how could it brief the presidency?
“We are uncomfortable with the way officials of the embassy have been secretive about this visit. It does not show adequate regard for our government and we are certainly not pleased with such an arrangement. This is a sovereign nation and should be taken as such,” the official insisted.
The official noted that the way the embassy had gone with the preparations for the visit showed a strong disrespect for the Federal Government, which normal protocol demands should fully host Mrs. Clinton and take charge of her entire security.
It was learnt that there were no security meetings between operatives in the embassy and the 9gerian Police High Command in collaboration with other security outfits on the visit. The Americans were said to have been making independent arrangements, a development considered as a respect for the Federal Government.
Mrs. Clinton had, at the weekend, criticised 9gerian leaders for the continuous importation of refined petroleum products while occupying the position of world’s number six crude oil producer. She said it was a sign of bad leadership in the country.
“9geria is the 6th largest producer of crude oil but the country still imports fuel,” Clinton said at the weekend during her seven-nation tour of Africa, adding that this was a sign that the nation has poor leadership,” she was quoted as saying.
On the other hand, she praised the Southern African nation of Botswana which she described as a good example for Africa because her leaders judiciously utilized that country’s resources.
The US Secretary of State had warned, “Investors will not be attracted to states with failed or weak leadership, crime and civil unrest or corruption that taint every transaction and decision.”
Clinton shuns red carpet, state banquet
Facts emerged also yesterday night that Hillary Clinton who arrived the city of Abuja at 8:30 pm yesterday did not step a foot on the red carpet prepared for her by the 9gerian Government, let alone honouring an invitation to a banquet at the State House.
Her security detail, Vanguard gathered, would also ensure that vehicular and human traffic is temporarily cut off around the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, where she is expected to parley with President Yar’Adua and the Civil Society.
The Centre, it was also gathered would be stripped of any ceremony that may “endanger the security” of Clinton and her team.
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Since he release d his latest album, UNSTOPPABLE, popular singer, 2face idibia has found himself faced with one controversy or the other. The latest centers around the duet he claimed to have done with American RnB star, R. Kelly. The song in question is titled 'FLEX'. According to him, in a recent interview, the deal was brokered by Toyin Subair, boss of HiTV cable network and he (2face), actually met R. Kelly in the US before recording the song. One of the reasons people seemed to be debating the authenticity of his claim of a collabo with R.Kelly is because the beat of the said song has been used by R.Kelly before in one of his songs.While the entire nation seemed to have forgotten the issue, the whole collabo brouhaha came up again when R.Kelly visited Nigeria a few weeks ago. Expectedly, many people were expecting to see Tuface perform with R. Kelly but that didn't happen. Rumours started flying that Tuface may have lied to Nigerians about having done a duet with R.Kelly.Surprisingly, 2face, who'd featured in past music festival organized by ThisDay didn't make the list of the performing artists billed for R.Kelly's show. An insider disclosed that when R.Kelly was asked if he knows Tuface, he denied him, saying he had never heard the name before. He was said to have listened to the song they were meant to have done together and he laughed over it, insisting that he made the beat a long time ago, and that it must have been tapped on the internet.This City People learnt got the organizers upset and it is for this reason, sources revealed that 2face may have been dropped from the show.Last week Thursday, City People put a call across to 2face to comment on the allegation but his line was not available, so they called up his manager, Efe Omoreige who spoke exclusively on the issue “Well, I have not heard anything from the organizers of the show that R.Kelly disclaimed Tuface, so I might not be able to respond to it. About the allegations that Tuface didn't record with R.Kelly, I will explain to you. Yes the duet was real. Tuface recorded with R.Kelly but not in the same studio. The met but couldn't achieve being in the studio at the same time because of their tight schedule. R.Kelly did his own part and sent it to Tuface and that is all about it. Tuface didn't perform at the show because he was already engaged elsewhere. We were contacted for the show, but we were already booked to be in Benin . You don't expect Tuface to neglect a show he has been paid for to convince people that he knows R.Kelly”
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If you did not know already there is a really great fraudster community in London (Thamesmead) affectionately among friends known as 'Little Lagos'. It's really rich with people who do not care about how Nigerria or Nigerians are perceived abroad. You can read up all about it at BBC News Online: I am really happy to tell you more information about it if you call my mobile number +44 419 and I'll give you all you need to get started for a small advance fee.
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Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage. During a courtship couples date to get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement and marriage. Usually courtship is a public affair, done in public and with family approval.
Stephanie Oforka:advertisementadvertisement
It includes activities such as dating where couple go out together for dinner, movie, dance parties, picnic, shopping or general “hanging out”, along other activities.
With all these activities in place, the question today is whether lengthy period of courtship guarantees a successful marriage? As usual Bridget Amaraegbu has all the answers. Read on:
Successful marriage has no formula — Stephanie Oforka, MBGN Universe 08
Whether the period of courtship is long or short doesn’t really matter. What matters is that both parties are able to know themselves very well within the period of courtship.
I think it is wrong for people to court for a short period as it may imply that the people involved are in a rush. This may lead to certain arguments in the future because they didn’t take time to study themselves.
But courting for a long period does not also mean that the marriage will eventually be successful because we have actually seen people who courted for several years get divorced. Long period of courtship also has its advantages and disadvantages. One of those disadvantages include not having much respect for each other (in pidgin English, you can say it is see finish) because it gives the people involved the opportunity of knowing each other in and out. That is when you’ll find out that there is nothing any of them can tell each other anymore that will sound new.
Sometimes too, long period of courtship has been responsible for a lot of break ups in relationships. What can you say about a situation where people court for seven years only for one party to discover that they’re no longer compatible and that becomes the end of the relationship. You know, I call that madness. Why did it have to take them so long to realise they’re not compatible. For Christ sake, it doesn’t have to take a decade before you can know that he or she is not good enough for you. Even three months is enough for you to start seeing symptoms of a bad relationship if you’re very observant. At that point you should have defined what you really want and if it’s not there, back out at that point instead of wasting several years in a relationship that won’t work out in the name of courtship.
Some people have made several mistakes of marrying the wrong persons because even while they were courting, they saw some of those symptoms that indicates the marriage won’t work but they just thought it will get better. But I tell you that there are certain characters people have that can’t change. That is why you still see people who court for so long break up after sometime.
Both those who courted for short and long period experience break ups so the solution is not with how long. Instead invite God to open your eyes to the right person he created for you because if you refuse to invite him, you’ll have problems.
The only advantage with long courtship is that it helps you know your partner better than you would in a shorter period.
Also remember that people pretend so you may only find out those qualities the person wants you to know in some cases no matter how long. I know that some people will want to refer us back to our forefathers who didn’t know what it meant to court a woman and yet they didn’t experience divorce. My sister such actions lead to a lot of polygamy, disunity and things like that and I don’t blame them at all. What else do you expect of a marriage where the parties involved never got to be friends not to talk of courting each other. Days have gone when such actions were applicable. Today it’s most appropriate for a man and woman who intends leaving together till death do them part to really get to know themselves well.
That is not to say that there’s any particular formula to a successful marriage. What worked smoothly in the house of Mr A may not work for Mr B so don’t compare any two relationships together.
Can guarantee success — Sapphire Obi, Actress
I think I still prefer the long period of courtship despite the fact that it’s very possible for people to hide their bad character for a long time. I know very well that if you have to court someone for a short period, there are certain things you may not find out about that person. But with time, you’ll get to discover those things that he or she has been hiding. It’s even possible for the person to portray such character unconsciously not even taking cognisance of your presence when both of you are very close. By this time you should be able to capture certain about that person that you’re likely to cope with and those you can’t so I think that long courtship will go along way to guarantee success in marriage.
Only God can guarantee success — Moses Efret, Actor
I don’t think it’s wise for any courtship to last for too long or too short. The most important thing here is that you take time to know whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. If you think it must have a specific period, then two years may not even be enough. The major thing most people fail to realise is that it’s only God that can direct you to the right man or woman. Therefore it’s important that you invite him into that courtship because he has the final say.
If you ask me how long people can court, I’ll say six months to one year is alright after which the relationship becomes suspicious so I don’t think the length of courtship can determine a successful marriage.
Lengthy period not the solution — Sound Sultan, Musician
The length of courtship is not where the issue lies because many times we have seen people who courted for several years still divorce after all. And amazingly some others who courted for short term live successfully. I think the most important thing is just for you to let God direct you and nothing more because if you to rely on your personal analysis , you may get it all wrong and at the end you still have to suffer break up.
No guarantee to successful marriage — Djinee, Musician
My dear, whether the period of courtship is long or short doesn’t matter. The fact remains that there is no guarantee to a successful marriage, unless God gives it to you. It’s possible for you to have known someone for several years without really knowing that person, people live in so much pretense. Over the years, research has shown that people can hide some ugly characters in them which they don’t want you to know about. So no matter how long you court such person, you’ll only get to see those ugly things after both of you are married. The fact that you’ve courted for a long time doesn’t mean you’ve known him or her in and out.
If am allowed to choose from long and short term courtship, I’ll still prefer it a bit long because it gives you the opportunity to know your partner very well. Atleast it’ll give both of us the benefit of doubt that you’ve known each others families. Within this period, if any of us finds anything about ourselves that we may not be able to cope with, it’ll be better for us to forgo the relationship than get married and begin to have problems because of an issue that could have been avoided long time ago. Marriage is not a sympathetic institution so make sure you go into one that you must enjoy.
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No fewer than 24 corpses were recovered on the hitherto abandoned Sango/Ota Flyover when the construction company, Julius Berger Plc, returned to site for completion of the project in June.
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Deputy Director Highways South-West in the Federal Ministry of Works, Robert Agwusiobu, disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday at Sango/Ota.
Agwusiobu was on inspection team of the House of Representatives Committee on Works led by the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, when he made the disclosure.
His words: "Where we are standing was use as graveyard. Over 24 corpses were removed from this place. In fact, on daily basis, should somebody drop dead in the market, they come and dump it here, so we are not talking of only refuse.
"Today is Saturday, any other day, any other weekend, you cannot pass here.
"That was why I was even talking about working at night or whatever, regardless the cost implication. So we are just soliciting the Honourable Speaker, to see whether fund would be voted so that we tackle this thing," Agwusiobu said.
He assured that with the pace of work, if government releases funds promptly and tackle the issue of cost variations, the bridge would be completed by January.
"We will get through before the rains. Work will speed up now after the rain stops, certainly by January (2010), we will be through with it," he said.
On the dumping of refuse and corpses on the ramp, Agwusiobu said that since the contractor has fully moved to site and cleared the hips of refuse, people have stopped dumping refuse there.
"Now they don't dump (corpses) any more, we've started working; activities are going on here, so they cannot do that.
"But let's assume now we leave for a period, then it would revert into a burial ground again," the deputy director added.
Inspecting the progress of work on the bridge, Bankole expressed satisfaction at the quality of work carried out within two months, when the construction giant remobilised back to site.
"It is okay so far, but we hope to see better improvement. I'm happy, they are happy, the people of this area should be happy that they can do their business now.
Also speaking, the Division Manager of Julius Berger Lubash Det, said that the company had improved upon the hitherto poor condition of the bridge.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on August 10, 2009 at 1:59am
•Uduaghan steps in over repairs of Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline there is a lot of talk but the bottom line is that nothing works at all .
Nigerians will pay more for electricity with effect from this month following a 10 per cent increase in tariffs, according to Federal Government’s plan to encourage private sector participation in the power sector.
But according to the Administrator of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Alhaji Imumudeen Talba, consumers will not pay the new tariff which he said would be borne by the Federal Government through subsidy.
However, this claim is not consistent with findings by THISDAY which revealed that consumers will indeed pay 10 per cent of the new tariff while the Federal Government will pay 90 per cent of it.
Meanwhile, hopes of improved power supply have been rekindled by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State who has succeeded in resolving the impasse over the repair of the major pipeline that supplies gas to the nation’s power plants.
The contractor handling the damaged Escravos-Lagos pipeline is expected to return to site today, fuelling optimism that the Egbin power plant in Lagos, which has the capacity to generate close to 2000 megawatts but has been generating a little above 200 megawatts because of gas shortage, would soon bounce back.
Under the new pricing structure, the tariff for the least paying urban-dwelling consumer is now N4.40, up from the previous N4.00 per kilowatt per hour.
The next category who usually paid N6.00 per kilowatt per hour are expected to go up to N6.60 while the tariff for the highest paying category went up from N8.50 to N9.35 per kilowatt per hour.
Talba told journalists that it was part of the agreed periodic adjustments embedded in the Multi-year Tariff Order (MYTO), which government has already subsided and the support would subsist till 2011.
By then, consumers will bear all the tariffs as Federal Government is expected to gradually disengage from paying subsidy, by which time power supply is expected to have become steady.
Talba explained that the rise was as a result of the inflation and changes in the exchange rate of the national currency against the dollar.
“What we are saying is that there is MYTO. We reviewed that in view of the inflation. You see, there is inflation…Then in view of the inflation, in view of the exchange rate - you know, last year when we did it, the exchange rate of the naira to a dollar was N170 and this year it is N147, and then there is inflation,” Talba said.
According to him, “It is just a minor review, which is part of the multi-year order. It has already been provided, but it does not affect what customers are paying. It does not affect them.”
Rather, he said it was an issue that would be settled among the generation companies, the gas companies and the distribution companies.
“It is not something that will affect the consumers, especially the poor Nigerians, because government has already provided subsidy for that,” Talba stated. “So whatever review we do, it’s been taken care of by the subsidy given by the government. So it will not affect the consumers.”
The NERC boss spoke after a dinner his organisation hosted in honour of the visiting delegation from the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Michigan Public Service Commission and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The third in the series, it was part of the two-year old Energy Regulatory Partnership programme with NERC for which an MoU was signed in 2007.
Talba disclosed that the release of the subsidy to the power distribution companies was for the months of January, February and March.
“What we know is that for the months of January, February, March, we made a recommendation to the government and the Minister has given approval for the release of the subsidy to the beneficiaries. What I mean by the beneficiaries are the distribution companies. I know that has been done and release has been made to the market operator,” he said.
The market operator is Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which operates through its 11 distribution companies, six generation companies and one transmission company.
“And we’re now looking at the April subsidy because we ought to be satisfied that the money given to them has been utilised for the purpose for which they were given before we recommend again,” the Head of the Nigerian regulatory agency said. “So we are waiting to hear from the market operator and be sure that the money released earlier has been properly utilised.”
On why NERC had not made its findings known months after it said it would announce them after it had completed a visit to all the IPPs (independent power producers) granted licences to see if they had lived up to expectation in terms of meeting the milestones, Talba said: “I promised you and we are still on it.”
According to him, “What happened was this. At out last meeting with the IPPs, they made us understand that we have not released the market rules and we promised them that we would release the market rules by the end of May. We have done that.
“The president has approved the market rules and it has been released to them; we have done the standard PPA. It has been sent to the ministry; we have given them. All these are now on our website.
“They wanted to have these first before they proceed with other things, but we should give them the room and watch them. So having given them these, let’s wait and see what they can do. If they cannot perform, if they cannot do anything we take the further step.”
Talba said during the week-long meeting with the visitors from the U.S., they exchanged ideas about regulatory issues, frameworks, legal issues and pricing, as well as how to run and monitor issues about electricity companies.
Michigan, agencies which he said had been regulating for more than 100 years, are consumer complaints, case procedures and enforcement of guidelines.
“We learnt a lot of things we’d not been doing before,” he said. “We’re going to improve on what we are doing, particularly on consumer issues, and enforcement of guidelines, monitoring the activities of the electricity companies, especially the distribution companies. Safety issues are of much concern to us, taking into cognisance the recent frequent electrocution cases… So we’ve learnt from them.”
The partnership programme was financed by USAID and NARUC.
Uduaghan, at the weekend, successfully resolved the impasse over the repair of the major pipeline that supplies gas to the nation’s power plant.
Uduaghan said the repairs of the pipeline, which conveys gas to Lagos, would help in meeting the target of 6000 megawatts by December 2009.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Warri, Delta State, with Gbaramatu elders, chiefs, officers of the Joint Task Force (JTF), the chairman of Warri South West LGA, Mr. George Ekpemuokpolo and staff of oil companies, the governor harped on the need for a conducive environment to enable repairs to be effected by the contractor, De Wayle’s International limited.
Uduaghan, who stated that oil giants, Shell and Chevron, had already embarked on the repair of their damaged pipelines, assured the contractor that adequate security would be provided by the JTF.
He said that government was aware that power was a critical issue and the worsening situation was leading to a shortfall in gas production, occasioned by vandalism of pipelines in the aftermath of the May 13, 2009 military bombardment of Gbaramatu.
The representative of the NNPC, Mr. Voke Mukoro, disclosed that the nation was losing 180 million cubic feet of gas daily as a result of the damage to the Escravos-Lagos pipeline.
Efforts aimed at generating 6000 megawatts of electricity that will translate into nationwide steady power supply has received a boost with a gas processing plant soon to be established at Utorogun, Delta State.
Already, the Delta State government has given land to the contractors, South Field Gas and Power Limited, which is expected to complete the project in 15 months.
The Managing Director of South Filed Gas and Power Limited, Dr. Patrick Ndiomu, who briefed Uduaghan when the chairman, Senator Musa Adede, led a team of the company’s management to the Governor’s Office Annex, Warri, said the completion of the gas processing plant would provide gas to power stations across the country.
Ndiomu further said with the abundant gas reserve in Nigeria, the Utorogu Gas Processing Plant alongside the Oben Gas Processing Plant that was ongoing in Edo State, would account for 80 per cent of gas supply to power stations in the country.
He also stated that the gas processing plant was part of the national gas master plan and was intended to improve electricity generation.
In his remarks, Uduaghan thanked President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for approving the establishment of the gas processing plant in Delta.
“The Utorogu Community is excited and waiting for the commencement of the project,” he said.
The governor noted that the gas processing plant would eliminate condensate which some “unpatriotic persons used in adulterating kerosene as well as reduce the incidence of pipeline vandalisation”.
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A fresh legal battle might be brewing in the Jackson family as British child star Mark Lester says he's the father of Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris.Lester who acted the role of Oliver Twist in his childhood days said he donated his sperm to the late music legend."I gave Michael my sperm so that he could have kids - and I believe Paris is my daughter," said Lester, who played in the 1967 flick "Oliver."The 51-year-old told Britain News of the World he gave Jackson his semen 13 years ago. He claims he is the godfather to all three of Jackson's children.Lester also said Paris is his daughter because of an "uncanny likeness" between the girl and his own daughter, Harriet, 15. He wants to take a paternity test.Lester said he donated his sperm at a London clinic while Jackson was married to Debbie Rowe."She's the birth mother of the children so I naturally assumed the sperm donation would obviously have gone into Debbie and Debbie would have borne the children," he said in a video posted on the paper's Web site.He said he's coming forward now because he has "concerns about the welfare and upbringing of the children.""I dearly want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now this is the only way I can ensure that," he said.Jackson and Lester were friends for more than 25 years and he reportedly spent the day with the Jackson kids after their father's memorial service last month."The kids seemed to be coping quite well and they are surrounded by their family right now," he said at the time. "They are very polite and quite quiet kids, and despite all the publicity surrounding them and their family, they are trying to keep things as normal as possible at home."
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The Bible says,
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17).
Yet he was mightily used of God. This reference is talking about the time Elijah became so despondent that he asked God to kill him (1 Kin. 19:4).
Elijah wasn’t perfect; yet he called fire down from heaven three times; he was the first person to raise someone from the dead; he caused the greatest revival in history up to that point; his word started and ended a three-year drought; he multiplied food miraculously; and he is one of only two men who never died—he was caught up alive into heaven. There is a lot we can learn from a man like this, both positive and negative.
The Bible gives little background on Elijah. It wasn’t his pedigree or education that brought him into a position of influence and power. Elijah was nobody until he received a word from God. It was the revelation God gave him that put him into a position of leadership.
Likewise, anyone who is born again, or baptized in the Holy Spirit, or has a good relationship with the Lord, has a revelation from God too. Just as Elijah’s revelation from God put him into a position of influence, anyone who has a revelation of God has the potential to influence others also. The only difference is that Elijah knew what he had and was bold enough to speak.
Many of us have been intimidated by the ungodly. We aren’t boldly speaking the truth we have from the Lord. What if Elijah hadn’t spoken that prophecy to King Ahab? The drought may have occurred anyway, but Elijah wouldn’t have been able to use it to affect the nation. The people would have dismissed the drought as a natural occurrence.
Elijah was bold enough to speak before there was any proof that what he was saying would come to pass. That took faith and great courage.
When the drought came as promised, Elijah became the most sought after man in the nation:
“As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not” (1 Kin. 18:10).
If we would speak forth the truths God has shown us, just like Elijah, the truths we speak would ultimately prevail.
Elijah didn’t have all the answers or know what would happen next when he spoke the prophecy to King Ahab (1 Kin. 17:1). Ahab had forbidden worship of the true God, instituting Baal worship. He killed the prophets of the Lord, and Elijah was putting himself in harm’s way by obeying the Lord.
It wasn’t until after Elijah delivered the word of the Lord, that God spoke to him about how He would protect and sustain him.
First Kings 17:2-4 says,
“And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.”
One of the great lessons we can learn here is that God doesn’t reveal His complete plan immediately. He reveals His will to us one step at a time. After we obey the first step, He shows us the next. Why should the Lord show us step two or ten if we haven’t obeyed step one? That would just make us more accountable. So, don’t try to figure out the next step until you have acted on what you know to do now. That’s a powerful truth.
The Lord told Elijah to go to the Brook Cherith. He had already commanded the ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat “THERE” every morning and evening. This was miraculous! What a provision during a terrible time!
But notice this: The Lord didn’t send Elijah’s provision to where he was. A quarterback doesn’t throw the football to where the receiver is, but where the receiver is going. Elijah’s miracle wasn’t where he was but where the Lord was sending him. That’s awesome!
Each of us has a place called “THERE,” where the blessings of the Lord are waiting. The Lord never fails to provide, but people often fail to receive because they aren’t all “THERE.” If Elijah had not gone to his place called “THERE,” his disobedience would not have stopped God’s faithfulness; however, he would not have received the provision; it was over “THERE,” by the Brook Cherith.
This is exactly what is happening to many of us. The Lord has placed something on our hearts to say or do. But, if we haven’t obeyed, we aren’t in our place of “THERE.” We aren’t seeing God’s provision, because we aren’t in that place of obedience.
I’ve heard many people say the Lord told them to attend Charis Bible College. But they just can’t see how it could happen. They want to see the Lord’s provision before they go “THERE.” That’s not how it works.
Some of you are not seeing God’s provision because you aren’t doing what He has told you to do. This doesn’t mean the Lord is punishing you. If Elijah hadn’t gone “THERE,” he would have lost his provision. The Lord has provision for you too, but it’s “THERE.”
This place called “THERE” changes. God changed the place and method of Elijah’s provision:
“And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee” (1 Kin. 17:8-9).
You can’t just seek the Lord once, hear His voice, step out in faith, and then stop listening. The Lord brings us into His perfect will step by step. Elijah moved when the Lord told him to move.
This led Elijah to the city of Zarephath where he asked a widow to give him the last of her food. It looked like he was taking from this woman, but he was actually giving to her. Instead of this being her last meal before dying, the Lord multiplied this woman’s supplies, which kept her, her son, and Elijah alive for about three years (1 Kin. 17:15-16). What a great miracle!
That wasn’t all the widow received. Her faithfulness in giving caused her son to be raised from the dead (1 Kin. 17:17-23). She had been operating in faith every day. She would use the last bit of oil and meal for Elijah and then find that there was always enough to make a cake for herself and her son. This was a great faith builder, which I’m sure figured into the miracle of her son.
Elijah went on to call fire down from heaven and consume a sacrifice in the sight of all of the people of Israel (1 Kin. 18:36-38). The people who saw it cried out, “The Lord, He is the God. The Lord, He is the God.” They killed all the prophets of Baal, and the whole nation turned to the Lord.
That same day, Elijah prayed and ended the drought by a great rain storm (1 Kin. 18:41-45). He was so pumped, he outran Ahab’s chariot in a twenty-mile race after Ahab had a head start. Elijah was excited!
Here is a very important lesson: After great victories come great temptations. This is primarily because we lose our sense of humility and dependence upon God (1 Kin. 19:4). Elijah had successfully defied the king, his armies, his prophets, and all the people in the nation. But the next day, a note from a woman caused him to run in terror (1 Kin. 19:2-3).
The Lord appeared to Elijah and asked, “What are you doing HERE, Elijah?” (1 Kin. 19:9). Elijah wasn’t “THERE” anymore. His place called “THERE” was back in Samaria. People were now worshiping the true God, but Elijah had run away in fear, leaving the people without a leader.
This resulted in the Lord replacing Elijah with Elisha. Elijah’s ministry fell short of what it could have been. The Lord actually spoke to Elijah in an audible voice. He told him to do three things, one of which was to anoint Elisha to replace him (1 Kin. 19:15-16). Elijah anointed Elisha (1 Kin. 19:19), but didn’t do the other two things. That means Elijah failed in two-thirds of the things the Lord told him to do. That’s amazing.
You might think this meant Elijah was washed up and was never used of God again. That’s not the case. Elijah went on to prophesy (1 Kin. 21:17-24), and he called the fire of God down two more times (2 Kin. 1:9-12). And most impressive of all, Elijah never died; he was caught up into heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kin. 2:11).
This man, who failed miserably, still walked so closely with God that he never died. This speaks volumes to us. The Lord has never had anyone working for Him yet who was qualified. He uses us in spite of what we do, and not because of what we do. If we will hold on to our faith, we can still experience wonderful things from the Lord even after failing BIG TIME. What powerful truths.Read more…
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The rising complaints of abuse and sexual harassment in the banking industry, traceable to the emergence of Nigeria's new generation banks, has continued to cause concern about questionable labour practices allowed to thrive in the sector due to the glut in the labour market.
The burden of banks' seemingly insatiable desire for deposits experts said is carried largely by female bank officials -who are subjected to various forms of threats, intimidations, queries and demotions, if they are unable to meet the monthly targets.
Meeting the target
According to a female bank staff, "some banks, attach the payment of the salaries of marketers to performance on their given targets. If the target is not met, a percentage of their salary may be deducted and their promotion and other bonuses delayed. I have a friend who has just lost his job because he didn't meet his target. The management called him and advised him to resign or get sacked."
According to her, some female bankers are recruited with clear instructions to generate between N150 million and N300 million within 3-6 months, while those in the operations department have specified targets, like N1 million per month, two savings accounts in one week or three in a month, depending on the branch head and stability of the branch.
No bank has publicly acknowledged the truth of these allegations though.
According to the CBN governor, Lamido Sanusi, in his maiden meeting with the House of Representatives committee on banking and currency in Abuja, last month, "Yes this thing is here, although in my over 20 years in the banking industry, I have not experienced where a lady was asked to go and sleep with a man to get deposit. I am sure no bank will say that."
Mind games
According to a female marketer at a top bank, the ultimate decision lies with the marketers as individuals. "It has not been easy, but I am getting used to it. Sometimes, in the process of persuading customers to open accounts, I realise that I am already crying, and then, they are moved and just open the account with much more money than I was even asking for. Sometimes, with just two or three people opening accounts, you can cover your targets for that period.
"Of course, you may not always be lucky, because things don't always turn out that way, but once in a while, we meet decent men, who understand our plight and help us," she explained.
Taking action
The acting secretary general of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), O.P. Orere, explained that the association has never been in support of unrealistic targeting. According to him, "This institution has never supported this. We have frowned at, condemned and castigated it through our various publications and press releases.
"There is nothing we can do. At a time, some of our members complained that condoms were being distributed to them at their offices. It is a fight that has been in existence for a long time. In my 25 years of working in the bank, we didn't have targets."
He puts the blame on the new generation banks. "These banks have 25 billion with the CBN which they do not have free access to, but they need money to carry out their day to day transactions. We have advised them that they can get this by introducing good products to the public and not exposing these ladies to various vices. It is against the International Labour Organisation's decent work agenda, which Nigeria is a member of."
Investigations however reveal that an arm of the ASSBIFI is sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly to check these ‘outrageous' practices.
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Aug 6, 2009By Samuel OyadonghaYenagoa — Fresh crisis looms in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Central Zone has given the Hausa community in the state 72 hours to produce the man that killed a mother and daughter last month in the capital city.Chairman and Secretary of the zone, Jonathan Lokpobiri and Douye Amusu, respectively, yesterday in Yenagoa issued the ultimatum after consulting with stakeholders.The IYC described as most disheartening the gruesome murder of an innocent woman and her mother last month in Yenagoa.In a four-point resolution made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the Ijaw Youth Council stated that, “the Hausa community is hereby given 72 hours ultimatum to immediately produce the perpetrator of this dastardly act in the interest of peace.”The youth body also demanded a written undertaking from the Hausa community to assure the Ijaws of their resolve to “curtail the repetition of this unwarranted killing without further delay.”It further warned that “the repetition of this kind of inhuman act will no longer be tolerated by the Ijaw Youth Council.”The youth body threatened that at the expiration of the ultimatum, failure to produce the suspect(s) will certainly warrant their resolve to demand the immediate evacuation of all the Hausa community in Bayelsa.“We shall remain steadfast to our avowed commitment as a people,” the IYC warned.Contacted, the Bayelsa Police Commissioner, Elder Onuoha Udeka, said he was not aware of the ultimatum and advised all those concerned to join the police in the search for the culprit.“They should follow the laws of the land because it will not be proper to create anything that would cause reprisal effect,” he said.It would be recalled that Mrs. Korikegha Agene, a nursing mother of four and her aged mother, Pamela Naingba, were murdered by a-yet-to-be identified man said to be of northern stock on July 21,2009, at their Etegwe suburb home in Yenagoa.The deceased, 33-year-old Korikegha is married to a serving Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in Kwara State.As at press time, the remains of the deceased are still at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.
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Fleeing members of Boko Haram, yesterday challenged some top aides of the state Governor, Ali Sheriff, to swear publicly that they have no link with them.The fundamentalists also said they are ready to come out with the true picture of everything, insisting that the movement is still very much around and that the deaths of some of their leaders and members cannot stop them.An anonymous text message written in Hausa, sent to our correspondent, read : “Al Gaskiya zata tabbata ko bayan mutuwar malan da sahabansa. Ina sohuwar minister takasar middle belt? Ina senata mai cit a sakiyar ta jihar ku? Ina sohar kwamashona ayanzu chiama a kudancin jihar ku? Ina yankasuwa magoyin bayan harancecen gwannan? Meya raba su da ustaz Buji fai? Ai dukkansu sunayin taimako. Sufito fili su rantse idan basu da hannu. Munnnan daku. Idan ana nemar gaskiya zamuzo meduguri mufadeta koda mu ba yankasan ba.”This literally means, "The truth shall prevail after the death of Mallam and his followers. What is the fate of the former minister from the middle belt? What is the fate of the current senator from your state (Borno), where are the former commissioners now? Let them come out and swear that they don’t have a hand. We are still together. If people are seeking the truth, we shall come to Maiduguri to tell them, even if we are not indigenes of Borno State."Meanwhile, Sheriff has told leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria that it was unfair to associate him with the sectarian crisis in the state, adding, “I will not condone the killings of people. The electorate voted me to lead them.”At a meeting with CAN, he said, “I do not associate based on religion. As a governor, you will not join hands with such a sect. No responsible leader or man would ignite any religious crisis; some of the pastors are my friends.”He sympathised with CAN on the burning of 20 churches and killing of three pastors, noting that since 2003, his administration had been battling with Boko Haram, which had been in Maiduguri for 14 years.
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From Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) and Bodunrin Beckley, (Keffi)Like a blockbuster action movie from hollywood ! Assault on Banks 13 !
IT was a black day in Ogbomoso yesterday as gunmen invaded three commercial banks in the city and unleashed mayhem on officials, customers and passers-by.
At the end of the operation, which took place simultaneously in the affected financial institutions, seven persons, including three of the robbers were killed, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Also, five persons were yesterday feared killed in a ghastly accident at Gidan Waje village on Keffi-Akwanga road in Nasarawa State.
The robbers, according to sources had arrived at the Apake area of Ogbomoso where the banks are located in five vehicles, including three 18-seater passenger buses, a Toyota Camry and another KIA car, armed with sophisticated weapons. They were said to number about 60.
On their arrival, the gun-wielding robbers took position in the three banks after overpowering the security men stationed within the banks' premises.
While the shoot-out lasted, a cleaner and a top official of one of the banks were shot dead. Three of the robbers also died in the process.
Two persons were hit by stray bullets, while the robbers were trying to escape as they shot sporadically into the air, causing pandemonium in the city.
A police patrol van, which was cited by the robbers while trying to find an escape route was also not spared as it was riddled with bullets, though it could not be ascertained whether anyone was injured in the process.
The development forced other banks in the city to hurriedly close for business while traders and markets also hurriedly locked their stalls.
Commissioner of Police, Baba Bolanta, led a special rescue team to Ogbomoso while mobile policemen and an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were immediately deployed to the town.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bisi Okuwobi, who expressed sadness over the incident, appealed to well meaning Nigerians to support the police in the area of equipment, saying if an APC was stationed in Ogbomoso, the robbers would not have had a field day.
Those feared killed in the auto crash involving three vehicles, include the chairman of the Senior Staff Association (SSANU) at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Bala Angbashim, his wife and son.
Another occupant of the third vehicle was badly wounded and had to be rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Commander of the Road Safety Unit in Keffi, Solomon Agure, told The Guardian that the mishap occurred when one of the vehicles tried to overtake and in the process hit an incoming vehicle.
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· 'If you survive, tell my brothers I died well and living with Christ'
· PDP cautions over comments
From Saxone Akhaine (Kaduna), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) and John-Abba Ogbodo (Abuja)
TEARS flowed freely from their eyes. Others sobbed and wept uncontrollably. As survivors of the recent sectarian crisis in some northern states narrated their ordeal and escape from the Boko Haram's den, even the most stoic among them broke down.
The scene was the cemetery of the Goodnews Church of Christ, Maiduguri, where its Pastor, George Orji, killed during the crisis by the fundamentalists, was buried yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. Three pastors and 15 other Christians were allegedly killed by the sect members during the violence.
But Northern Elders under the auspices of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday attributed such crisis in the country to the prevailing poverty and deprivation which they said the Federal Government has failed to address.
The Arewa Leaders said that Nigerians should see the Boko Haram mayhem in Bauchi, Yobe, Borno and Kano states, with the prolonged agitation by Niger Delta militants as protests by "those who feel aggrieved by the prevailing conditions in the country", noting that "this attitude is agitated by the widening gap between our affluent and ostentatious leaders and the broad masses of the poverty stricken and deprived people".
Also present at the meeting of its Board of Trustees (BOT) under the leadership of retired Lt.-General Jeremiah Useni in Kaduna to deliberate on emerging national issues were the ACF Chairman, General Ibrahim Haruna (rtd); Secretary General, Colonel Musa Shehu (rtd) and several other Arewa leaders.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Thomas Ali, a survivor along with other Christians, claimed that apart from being forced to adopt Islam, they were not freed after their conversion.
Ali alleged that some Christians were killed by the Islamic group, who also burnt 20 churches and killed the three pastors on Monday, July 27, 2009.
He told The Guardian that he was forced by the sect members to undergo some Islamic rites of initiation but could not recall how he escaped from the group's den.
Mr. Emmanuel Ndah, who was abducted along with Orji said: "When we told them our names, they knew that we were not Moslems and asked whether we would denounce our faith and accept Islam. However, Pastor Orji encouraged us not to accept Islam but to hold unto what we believe in. He was singing and praying all through and encouraging the believers not to give up even unto death.
"It was his encouragement that kept us till the time we were released. But the men outside killed so many of us Christians who were even forced into Islam. I could not say how I survived it, but I did by the Grace of God."
He continued: "While we were lying there tied down, Pastor Orji turned to me and said if you survive, tell my brothers that I died well and living with Christ. And if we all die, we know that we died for the Lord."
Okechukwu E. Nwankwo, who said he witnessed the murder of Orji, said that he was abducted with all his family and forced to undergo the initiation. He said: "I was lucky. They asked me to leave, it was when I was looking for my wife and children that I saw Pastor George Orji being dragged on the ground by the armed sect members.
"They dragged him far from the camp and forced him to bend his head as he passed before Mohammed Yusuf. I was watching, he was singing and praising God and praying. Suddenly, I saw them cut the back of his neck and he fell down. His body was rolling on the ground for a long time before he finally gave up the ghost."
And a few weeks ago, growing long beards was an identity or dress code among Islamic faithful in some northern states. But now, it is a taboo in Borno and Yobe states.
Faced with an intense military/police crackdown on members of the extremist, Boko Haram Islamic sect, who last week led a religious uprising in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Yobe states, hundreds of bearded Moslems in Maiduguri and Damaturu, the capitals of Borno and Yobe states, have overnight shaved their "long beards." Adherents of Boko Haram faith keep long beards to distinguish themselves from other Moslems.
Worried by inflammatory comments in some quarters on the Boko Haram saga, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to exercise restrains on the issue.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the party said having put the situation under control, Nigerians should be vigilant to ensure that such ugly incident does not recur in any part of the country.
"We call on politicians across the political divide to moderate their comments on sensitive national security matters in order not to further inflame passions and divide the citizenry. Moments of challenge such as this require a show of statesmanship and patriotism from all citizens and not grandstanding and an opportunistic show of brinkmanship aimed at scoring cheep political goals."
Since the nation's armed forces quelled the sectarian violence led by Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed alongside the sect's suspended financier, Alhaji Buji Foi, men and officers of the Operation Flush 11 have embarked on a house-to-house search for the remnants of the group.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the four-day military-Boko Haram crossfire, which ended in Maiduguri last Friday, has risen to 825.
Col. Ben Ahanotu, the commander of the Operation Flush II, said some of the victims were innocent citizens but were caught in the gun duel.
The mass shaving of beards by the Moslems in Maiduguri and Damaturu started last Thursday after it became clear that bearded men, irrespective of their religious affiliations, were targets of security forces.
It was learnt that a majority of the Moslems, who have shaved their beards for the last three days are members of the Islamic groups of Ahalil-Sunnah Waljama'a and Izala.
Members of the two sects are also known for wearing knee-size trousers but now they put on full-length trousers to avoid arrest and summary execution by security men.
Mr. Isa Adamu Azare, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the house-to-house search in a telephone interview with The Guardian. He admitted that "bearded men were being questioned because some members of the sect were returning to the cities from their enclaves. There were desperate attempts by security men to curtail them."
Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir, National Chairman, Council of Ulamas of the Jama'atul Izalatil Bidah Wa'ikamatis Sunnah, said those Moslems, who shaved their beards to escape arrest did nothing wrong against Islam.
"What they did was right and I acknowledge their indulgence", he said, cautioning security agents against killing innocent people because they grew beards.
He said that Prophet Muhammad had enjoined good Moslems to allow their beards to grow and reduce the sizes of their moustaches, which, according to him, attracts "enormous reward from Allah."
In Potiskum, 100 kilometres west of Damaturu, where the armed sect members burnt a police station and killed a police officer, a large number of Moslems have shaved their beards.
Malam Nuhu, an Imam at the Potiskum Motor Park Mosque, said that he was forced to cut his beard for the fear of being killed.
"I also directed those close to me to do the same, because you can only practise religion when you are alive," said the cleric, in his reaction to the development.
The Chief Imam of Damaturu Central Mosque, Uztaz Hudu, was unhappy with the manhunt for the sect members by security agents.
Zarami Dungus, a permanent sectary in the Borno Civil service, was one of the Moslems that shaved his beard.
Yesterday, former Military Governor of Kaduna State and Chairman of the Movement For Unity And Peace (MUP), Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), asked the Federal Government to explain why the police killed Yusuf without trial in the court of law.
Umar, who also faulted the government's handling of the uprising, said it showed that the authorities lacked the capacity to protect the citizens.
In a statement made available to reporters in Kaduna, Umar argued that it was unexpected that a government, which claimed strict observance of the rule of law, would allow the police to execute a Nigerian citizen who had not been tried before any law court.
"As it is customary, efforts will surely be made in the days and weeks to come, to enquire into or determine what went wrong. Nigerians cannot wait to learn why the security agencies proved powerless to prevent the Boko Haram religious group from conducting itself and constituting a threat to the peace and security of their neighbours as well as to the wider public.
"There are allegations that leaders of this religious sect had used unlawful methods to recruit followers, including abductions, kidnapping or other tactics that violated the rights of other people. They were also alleged to induce or even perhaps hypnotise some women and their children to abandon their families to join them. How these followers were treated and what tasks they were made to do can only be known through an early and comprehensive enquiry," he said.
At the burial of Pastor George Orji of the Goodnews Church of Christ (GCC), Maiduguri a victim of the religious mayhem, it was disclosed that 250 Christians were abducted and forced to accept Islam by the Boko Haram leader.Read more…
NOTE:Make sure you use 08060408097,as your reference no: to get the benefits.Glo Redux VPN planThe GLO REDUX VPN plan allows you call any GSM networks for about half the normal price. But that is not all. The GLO REDUX VPN has an extra Closed User Group (CUG) feature activated on it. This feature allows you make FREE calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to friends, family and co-workers that have also joined the GLO REDUX VPN plan from anywhere in the country.This means that the GLO REDUX VPN combines the cheap call rates of a contract line with the unlimited FREE calls of the CUG to help you crash your call cost dramatically.Suitable forIndividuals that want to Reduce the distance between them and their relatives, spouses, friends and co-workers ensuring that they talk for FREE as much as they want despite the distance. Organizations with multiple branches scattered across the countryOrganizations that need to communicate with their field workers, marketers and operations personnel’s e.g. ISPs, Event Managers, Logistic Companies, Oil and Gas Workers, Courier Companies, Insurance, Banks, Churches, NGOs, Transport Workers and other small businessesBusiness owners that wants to keep in touch with their office or shop FREE 24hrs a day from anywhere in the countryOrganizations that wants Free communication between multiple branches located anywhere in the countryProject Managers that want their project team members to collaborate on projects that span multiple locations e.g. keeping track of progress on multiple projects.Prepaid GSM subscribers who want to reduce by half the amount they spend on phone calls.Benefits [back to top]Other Networks currently offering a similar service restricts your FREE CALLS to just the network of people in your office alone. However when you join the GLO REDUX VPN you can also introduce your family, friends and loved ones wherever they are in the country and CALL them FREE 24hrs a day.Unlimited FREE CALLS and FREE SMS between Glo Redux VPN subscribers Nationwide 24hrs a day, 7 days a weekCall other GSM networks for as low as half the normal price (Enjoy per second billing)Activate the service on your existing mobile number if you have a Glo line or get a new line if you want. You don’t need to change your number or carry a new phone, the choice is totally yours.No need to go to bank, just make your payments with recharge cardsCredit Limit of N500International Direct Dialing i.e. ability to make international callsHow much does it cost? [back to top]It cost N5500 to activate GLO REDUX VPN on your Globacom line broken down as follows:A onetime setup fee 0f N4000N1,500 monthly Closed User Group Rental FeesNo minimum number of people required for joining the GLO REDUX VPN. You can join as an individual or as a group.Special Introductory offer – Join GloRedux VPN for just N5000 (N3,800 onetime setup and N1,200 monthly charge)How it works [back to top]Get a new Globacom number or migrate your existing Globacom number.Register on this website and pay for the plan either to our bank or use your ATM card.After payment you supply the number you want the GLO REDUX LINE activated on.CALLREDUX then send your number to Globacom to be provisioned.A welcome text is sent to you once you have been provisioned on the platform and you can start talking using CALLREDUX call rates.now start: log on to www.callredux.com, don't forget to use 08060487097 as your reference no:
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Thou shalt not commit adultery ! Whether this ia hoax or not there are varying views to the veracity of this gist so for now we are not publishng these photosPlease View With Extreme Caution NUDITY !another version of the story
Yeah,
What you are seeing is disgusting. Both are Zain Uganda staff and are married to different people.The man's name is Basilio Sadindi and he is currently the Operations Director of Zain Uganda. Basilio Sadindi is a native of Zimbabwe and has spent six years with Zain in DRC and Congo Brazzaville, more than 2yrs as Operations Director of Zain in Sierra Leone before his appointment as Operations director in Uganda. Basilio is a Telecommunications Engineer with an MBA in Business Management and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
He is currently a student of the University of Wales (Robert Kennedy College) specializing in Organizational Behaviour and Strategic Management. His past 16 years experience includes many years of service in Broadcasting technology and GSM engineering with LM Ericsson. The two lovebirds work for Zain Uganda,.Basillio went on leave outside Uganda with another man’s wife that is a subordinate staff(name:Rossette) and during their intimate moments they took pictures of themselves for the fun of it and somehow misplaced the memory card and a source got a hold of it and release it to journalists. see
Any woman, clever or not”
This intolerable and brazen inpudence is off mark, totally off mark, and remains condemned both on earth and in heaven. Both are married, and that is the point. I am afraid those of us who are married will be gripped with fear, which will surely translate to us treating our wives
for what they are.
What you are about to see will shock you. Both are Zain staff and are married to different people. The story is that both went on leave outside Nigeria and during their escapades they took pictures of themselves and somehow misplaced the memory card and someone somehow got a hold of it and published them. The two lovers were later advised to resign by their company.
What a sad story.
This is why bosses do not go on trips with juniors… check this Zain chap.
Please View With Extreme Caution NUDITY ! no under 18s !Please View With Extreme Caution NUDITY ! scroll downPlease View With Extreme Caution NUDITY ! no under 18sPlease View With Extreme Caution NUDITY ! scroll downSAY NO PORN TODAY ! GO BACK TO WORK !
use your imagination as this is one story someone obviously fabricated and is going round the internet if you want to see the pictures
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note:
In every endeavour there comes a time of doubts and casting down a time of unbelief a time to marshall the troops and point them in A direction by giving a rallying Cry given by the top protagonists .In the battle field it is often the Decisive factor in who wins the war.A great Shout brought the Walls of Jericho Down !
leadership is by inspiration and a leader without that singular factor to inspire hope even when it is clear it is hopeless is just a follower amongst many cloaking as a leader. That leadership is the one that steers to destruction and anhilation of a people.
...
America Troubled in the Sixties,The height of the Cold War,Racism riots fresh and rife.The time of Dr King and Malcolm X.Audacious goals of Landing on the Moon .A new President Young ambitious and Charismatic.
Imagine if we had a president that could instill this kind of inspiration .For everywhere you see America in this speech replace it with Nigeria and ask yourself IS IT NOT CLEAR THAT our Motherland needs our help as time and time again we realise it is what WE can do for our country .As our country has refused to do anything for us
SPEECH TRANSCRIPT
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy,
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan,Senate President MArk,Past presidents Obasanjo,Gowon,Shagari,General Overseer Redeemed Church Enoch Adeboye,Rev Kumuyi,Pastors Oyakhilome your Royal hignesses and royal fathers fellow citizens, we observe today and everyday not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.The world is very different now true talk ! . For man and our leaders holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought to keep this nation one and together as three regions but one nation are still at issue around the globe - the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge - and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do - for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom - and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required - not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge - to convert our good words into good deeds - in a new alliance for progress - to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbours know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support - to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective - to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak - and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course - both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.
So let us begin anew - remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms - and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah - to "undo the heavy burdens -. and to let the oppressed go free."
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans (Nigerians) has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans (Nigerians): ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
So help US God !
note:
In every endeavour there comes a time of doubts and casting down a time of unbelief a time to marshall the troops and point them in A direction by giving a rallying Cry given by the top protagonists .In the battle field it is often the Decisive factor in who wins the war.A great Shout brought the Walls of Jericho Down !
leadership is by inspiration and a leader without that singular factor to inspire hope even when it is clear it is hopeless is just a follower amongst many cloaking as a leader. That leadership is the one that steers to destruction and anhilation of a people.
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Umaru Yar`dua
The extra judicial killing of Mohammed Yusuf, leader of “Boko Haram” the Islamic extremist sect in Maiduguri, continues to attract criticism, particularly , Navi Pillay, the top United Nations human rights official, who expressed deep concern over the clashes in Nigeria and called on the Nigerian government to investigate and bring offenders to justice. In a media advisory issued in Geneva, Pillay said she hopes the government "makes every effort to achieve security with full adherence to legality and respect for human rights,"
As soon as Pillay`s statement was available, President Yar`dua who left the shores of Nigeria, while the mayhem escalated ordered an investigation into his killing, while under police custody.
Huhuonline checks reveal that President Umaru Yar'Adua has also ordered the national security adviser to arrange a post-mortem on Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Recall that the national security adviser was the arrow head in the arrest of publishers of Huhuonline.com and Elendu reports last year in Nigeria.
Sources who elected anonymity told Huhuonline that Mohammed Yussuf was just a front, continuing, the source said the Gov. Sherrif was the actual sponsor of the “boko haram” and the killing of Mohammed Yussuf, his deputy and a former commissioner were attempt by Gov. Sherrif to clean house and destroy all evidence that will link the him to “Boko Harram”
As previously reported, Mohammed Yusuf was killed on July 30 after he was found hiding in a relative's goat pen. Nigerian Police said Yusuf was killed in a gunfight; however this claim has been disputed by the arresting officer who said “I personally arrested Yusuf and turned him over alive to authorities”.
President Umaru Yar'Adua said that Yusuf's death was a serious issue and he hopes to get the post-mortem report by the end of the week.
Hear him:
"This is an incident that will be investigated, together with the overall events that have happened," Yar'Adua said. "I directed the national security adviser to carry out a post-mortem with the security agencies as a first step so that we can have a full report of what has happened during the crisis including how the leader of the Boko Haram was killed, and the circumstances under which he was killed,"
it was gathered that prior to the mayhem, moderate Muslim clerics and scholars had warned government officials about the sect's violent tendencies — and those alarms went unheeded before Boko Haram militants attacked a police station in Bauchi state on July 26. Violence quickly spread to three other states before Nigerian forces retaliated, storming the group's Maiduguri compound.
Earlier, Nigerian police high command who invited journalists to view Mohammed Yusuf's tattered corpse on July 30, averred he was fatally wounded in combat. Nevertheless Army Col. Ben Ahanotu said he personally arrested Yusuf and handed him over alive to police.
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todays Quote "Education like Money can be hoarded ,corrupted and worshipped but unlike money you can never lose it "
A lot of us might think we do not need to know about the performance of the dollar against the naira since we do not get paid in hard currency but as Naija is a cash/foreign goods commodity market it is the Lifeblood of our economy ! With a Bank and a church on every road in lagos It is time for a school to be added into this equation or what do you think ?
The Naira yesterday depreciated heavily against the British pounds and euro, losing an average of 700 kobo against the two currencies in the parallel market.
Investigation revealed that the exchange rate of the pounds shot up by 600 kobo to N260 from N264 on Monday. Similarly, the exchange rate of the Euro rose by 800 kobo to N228 from N220.
Parallel market operators attributed the sharp depreciation of the naira against the two currencies to the recent depreciation of the dollar.
This, they said, diverted foreign exchange demand for the dollar to the two currencies.The exchange rate of the two currencies had remained stable in the market for some time due to weak demand.
But yesterday, the situation changed as more and more foreign exchange end-users demanded the two currencies.
It would be noted that the naira has persistently depreciated against the dollar since the reintroduction of Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) last July 13.
Yesterday, the naira depreciated further by 50 kobo at the official market where the exchange rate rose to N150.25 per dollar from N149.75 per dollar.
Prior to WDAS, the exchange rate was N146. Hence, with the increase to N150.25 yesterday, the naira has depreciated by 425 kobo under WDAS.
At the inter-bank market, the naira depreciated by 866 kobo as N156.84 exchanged for one dollar last week as against N148.17 at the beginning of the month. Last week the naira lost 400 kobo to the dollar at the parallel market as the exchange rate rose to N158 per dollar from N154 per dollar.
The persistence depreciation of the naira is however attributed to foreign exchange speculation resulting to increased demand for foreign exchange at the official market.
Analysis of the foreign exchange demand and sales in the six auctions conducted by CBN before and after the introduction of WDAS shows demand for foreign exchange shot up by 351 per cent to $3.16 billion from $861.8 million.
Total amount sold also rose by 56 per cent to $1.19 billion from $$764. Average demand per auction session went up by 313 per cent to $526.7 million from $127.4 million, while average sales rose by 38 per cent to $198.4million from $143.6 million.
Foreign exchange operators attributed the speculative activities to belief that given the continued decline in the nation’s external reserve, the Central Bank of Nigeria would not be able to sustain the current exchange rate of the naira hence further depreciation of the naira is inevitable.
But the apex bank on Tuesday moved to forestall speculation with foreign exchange purchased from the official market. It barred interbank trading of foreign exchange purchased from the official market.
In a circular to banks titled, “Non Transferability of Funds from Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) Among Authorised Dealers”, with reference TED/FEN/FPC/GEN/01125, the apex bank said that banks can no longer use foreign exchange sourced from the official market for interbank trading. Such funds, it said should only be used to meet customers demand for foreign exchange. It also directed that banks should keep separate books for their interbank foreign exchange transactions and WDAS foreign exchange transactions, and make the books available to it examiners.
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