Jonathan, Sambo ticket best for Nigeria –Mark President Goodluck Jonathan President of the Senate, David Mark, has said that the combination of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his dep

Posted by SaintOkocha on September 20, 2010 at 7:30am


Jonathan, Sambo ticket best for Nigeria –Mark

President Goodluck Jonathan

President of the Senate, David Mark, has said that the combination of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, is the best option for Nigeria in the coming presidential election.

A statement from his office on Sunday said Mark made the assertion when he led members of the Alumni Association of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 3 on a visit to the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

According to Mark, Jonathan and Sambo possessed the integrity, character and intelligence to lead Nigeria “out of the woods.”

He urged Nigerians to invest their votes on the Jonathan/Sambo ticket in order to be able to actualise the vision and programmes that would lift Nigeria from the economic doldrums.

He said that the National Assembly had put necessary measures in place, through the Electoral Act 2010, to guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2011.

He also clarified that that under the new Electoral Act, a level playing field was provided for all candidates with a view to ensuring that the outcome of the poll would meet the yearnings and aspirations of all stakeholders as well as the international community.

Mark, who was also conferred with a chieftaincy title in Lokoja, assured that the President would alleviate the problems of the suffering masses if given the opportunity through the ballot box.

Idris in his comments said he was proud to be associated with the NDA Alumna Association as it had produced eminent Nigerians, including the President of the Senate.

Kidnappers free female corps member

Posted by SaintOkocha on September 20, 2010 at 6:00am

A gang of kidnappers has released a female corps member, Monsurat Odumosu, who was seized along with four other colleagues on Friday in Rivers State.

However, the whereabouts of the remaining four is yet to be ascertained.

Odumosu was released on Friday by the suspected kidnappers, who invaded the corpers’ lodge in Umuogba Community Secondary School in Omuma Local Government Area of the state.

The five gunmen, who stormed the female corpers’ lodge at 11.30pm in a Toyota Jeep, were said to have shot sporadically into the air before gaining entrance into the corps members’ residence.

The hoodlums forced the five female corps members into their vehicle and sped off to an unknown destination.

Speaking on the matter on Sunday, the spokesperson of the state police command, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed the release of one of the five corps members.

Inoma-Abbey explained that though the whereabouts of the remaining corps members was still unknown, the police were working hard to ensure their quick release.

Punch Newspaper Prohibits News Critical Of Jonathan

Posted by SaintOkocha on September 20, 2010 at 6:00am

As the race towards the 2011 presidential election gathers momentum, Saharareporters can reveal authoritatively that the management of PUNCH newspapers, one of Nigeria’s biggest dailies, has sternly warned its reporters against filing any reports critical of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Several sources in the company told SaharaReporters that the paper’s editor, Joseph Adeyeye, had issued instructions to reporters directing them to seek his permission before publishing any negative story on Jonathan and his campaign. Our sources said they believed Adeyeye was acting on orders from Chairman Ajibola Ogunshola.

Adeyeye followed his verbal directive to reporters with text messages two days ago. “All critical articles on President Jonathan must be cleared by the editor before use,” the editor wrote to the reporters via his mobile phone number 0807.760.0103.

The message continued: “However, this doesn't mean that reporters should censor themselves or refrain from filing Jonathan-related stories. They should file stories, leave the decision on usage to their superiors and the final decision to the ETP (Editor, The PUNCH).”

Saharareporters has learned that Adeyeye had earlier informed reporters based in Abuja through Bureau Chief Chiawo Nwankwo that the newspaper’s management had taken a decision to support Jonathan in his reelection bid and that reports should be skewed in his favor. The bulk of the paper’s political stories are filed from the nation’s capital.

Under the arrangement now in place at the newspaper, the editor of SUNDAY PUNCH, Casmir Igbokwe, as well as his SATURDAY PUNCH counterpart, Ebenezer Obadare, are to routinely seek clarification from Adeyeye when in doubt regarding the kind of story to publish about Jonathan.

One of our sources lamented that the paper’s editors had in the last few days killed numerous stories critical of Mr. Jonathan. In addition, the editors have made moves to cage fiercely independent or radically minded reporters.

Gunmen pursue NAFDAC DG’s convoy

Posted by SaintOkocha on September 20, 2010 at 6:00am

Dr Paul Orhii

Unknown gunmen pursued the convoy of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, at Garaku, along the Akwanga-Abuja Road in Nasarawa State, on Saturday.

Orhii, who was said to be the target of the failed attack, escaped being hit as his security details were said to have repelled the gun attack.

The incident occurred when Orhii was returning to Abuja after inaugurating the renovated Lessel Local Government Authority Primary School, in Lessel, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The NAFDAC Deputy Director, Public Relations Unit, Alhaji Abubakar Jimoh, who broke the news in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, said that the school was the DG’s Alma Mater.

The inauguration coincided with the burial of the DG’s elder brother, who died on Friday. The DG was said to have rallied his friends, who contributed to the renovation of the dilapidated primary school after many years of dilapidation.

Jimoh said the NAFDAC boss had invited the donors and well wishers to his village for the inauguration.

He said, “The DG was heading back to Abuja on Saturday when his security details observed that a Mercedes C class was closing up on our convoy around Akwanga village in Nasarawa State.

“The security detail discovered that the driver of the car was driving menacingly in a desperate bid to overtake us, which alarmed the security men and others close to the scene.

“Then, when we got to Garaku, a village after Akwanga, the driver of the Mercedes leveled up with the Sport Utility Vehicle conveying the DG and the gunmen brought out their rifles.

“But, a trailer suddenly emerged from the opposite direction and faced the assailants. That was our saving grace. Seeing death staring them in the face, they veered into the bush.”

Six MTN Staff Murdered in Abia State

Posted by 9jabook.com on September 20, 2010 at 3:31am

Death of telecom engineers worsens security challenges

The BTS sites in Aba, Abia State where six personnel staff were killed. Photo courtesy: MTN

jpeg&STREAMOID=ie_8_AvgkyI1Xr6LuDj$5S6SYeqqxXXqBcOgKOfTXxQsbd_uvcvOyfsvlY$dP8jrnW_PgxgftuECOcfJwS6Jtlp$r8Fy$6AAZ9zyPuHJ25T7a9GKDSxsGxtpmxP0VAUyHL6IDcZHtmM2t7xO$FHdJG95dFi6y2Uma3vSsvPpVyo-

Professionals in the telecommunication sector have frowned at the killing of six staff of MTN Nigeria at the firm’s Base Transceiver Station (BTS) site in Aba, Abia State.

A project manager of MTN in Aba, one Valentine, explained that the incident took place last week while the staff went to work at the site.

“This is to inform you that our team of engineers went out to work at Gabby Oil, Aba Road, Aba, Abia State, and while working on the generator, four gunmen walked into the BTS site while the team of engineers were waiting for the RBS to load after bringing up the generator and held them at gunpoint,” Mr. Valentine said in a report to the company’s head office.

“One Petrolseal engineer, two Mopol men, the rigger, and the security man were killed outright while the second Petrolseal engineer died on arrival at the hospital,” he said..

Titi Omo-Ettu, the president of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said in an email message that the murders are shocking.

“Nobody living in Nigeria can pretend that this is a new development, but this certainly is one murder too callous to be regarded as one of the usual stories. We commiserate with MTN and with the families of the murdered persons,” he said.

Government must act now

Mr. Omo-Ettu, however, said the increase in criminal activities in the country shows that the government is helpless and must act now before it loses its relevance.

“We invite attention of the Federal Government to these murders and kidnappings, which is now blatantly portraying government as helpless. The essence of governance is now appearing to be meaningless while living and investing in our country may be becoming anathema to all peoples of the world,” he said.

“Our association pledges to do all things possible to assist the police in investigating this incident and we invite the attention of the new Inspector General of Police to the need to see this as one case which requires speedy investigation and prosecution of those found culpable, as this will determine where we go from here. Criminal acts of this nature have been encouraged because perpetrators are hardly ever caught and prosecuted,” Mr. Omo-Ettu said.

Enough is Enough

Telecom operators have reported that security is a major challenge to them, as their BTS sites are constantly vandalised by hoodlums.

In a press conference last week, Gbenga Adebayo, the president of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said apart from the recent shutdown of some BTS sites around the country, some equipment at the sites are constantly vandalised and stolen. He said this affects national security as well.

“Peace, investment, life, and living, have now been threatened to a level that makes it necessary to invite the president, Goodluck Jonathan, to please intervene urgently,” Mr. Omo -Ettu said.

“Enough is enough, and a country that seeks the loftiest theme of vision 20-2020 cannot continue to go on like this,” he said.

Only two personnel survived the armed attack at the BTS; one Ericssion engineer and his driver hid behind the RBS units in the site, so the fired bullets missed them.

Nuhu Ribadu Declares for President

Posted by 9jabook.com webmadam on September 20, 2010 at 3:27am

Ribadu to run for presidency on ACN's platform

Nuhu Ribadu, the former Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, has declared that he will contest for president on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria..

Mr Ribadu stated this today at his campaign office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He also announced that he will register with the ACN in his ward at Yola, the Adamawa State capital, "once the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins official party registrations." NEXT had exclusively reported, in July, that Mr Ribadu was likely to emerge the candidate of the ACN.

The party's national convention, to select its candidates for the various political offices ahead of the 2011 elections, is expected to commence next month. Mr Ribadu recently returned to the country from a self-imposed exile following his dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force, and arraignment before the Code of Tribunal for not declaring his assets while he was the chairman of the anti-corruption agency. The case has since being discontinued by the federal government; and the Police Force has also reversed his dismissal to retirement.

Man, 19, hangs self in church

Posted by SaintOkocha on September 19, 2010 at 11:30pm

Residents of Basiri area of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, woke up in the morning of Saturday to behold the gory sight of a young man, who allegedly hung himself on the ceiling fan of a church in the area.The dangling body of the man, simply identified as Aderemi Ademosu, was said to have been discovered by some women who came to the church, called Alajahorah, to clean the premises in readiness for Sunday service.They were said to have raised the alarm, calling the attention of those in the neighbourhood to the tragic scene, while they immediately abandoned the premises.Some residents of the area, who suspected foul play, maintained that there was more than meets the eye in the death of Ademosu who was said to be between 19 and 21 in age.But it was learnt from an impeccable source that Ade-mosu, who had two elder brothers in Ado-Ekiti, had been in Ado-Ekiti from his Akure, Ondo State, base since about two weeks but decided to stay with a friend whose identity has not been ascertained.He was said to have visited one of his brothers, who resides around the area where Alajahorah church was located last Friday.Though, the Ekiti State police command is still investigating the circumstances that led to the youngster’s death, Nigerian Tribune gathered that the young man, who came to Ado Ekiti ostensibly to negotiate the possibility of taking a shot at another O’ level examination, had an altercation with his brother whom he visited on Friday night, and that, according to neighbours, the arguments related to the past of the younger Ademosu, which his brother threatened to disclose.Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Ekiti State, Mr. Mohammed Jimoh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the suicide case, told the Nigerian Tribune that no foul play was suspected in the matter, though he maintained that men of the police command were still working on ways to unravel the matter completely.

Is Steve Jobs a Ninja Prick ? Please leave us alone. Tears Student apart via email over apple enquiries

Posted by technology on September 19, 2010 at 11:02pm

Just when you thought Apple CEO Steve Jobs couldn’t get more badass? According to SPA!, Bloomberg and about 10,000 nerds on Twitter, Jobs was stopped at the KansaiInternational Airport near Osaka in July for carrying, yes, ninja stars.

It just makes so much sense! I mean let’s say you’re Steve Jobs, you have your own private plane, you’re in Japan and you’re also a ninja …

According to SPA!, Jobs’ logic in bringing the shuriken (ninja stars) onboard his private plane was that it would be really silly to hijack his own plane. Fair enough.

Because of the weaponry fail, Jobs made it clear to airport officials that he wouldn’t be revisiting Japan any time soon, says SPA!.

Please leave us alone.

A Long Island University student, going by the name of Chelsea Kate Isaacs, allegedly received several argumentative e-mails from Steve Jobsafter she criticized the company’s Media Relations Department,according to correspondence posted on Gawker. The student claims to haverepeatedly called the PR department asking for a quote regarding iPaduse in academic settings, but the company representatives allegedly didnot bother to respond.

“Mr. Jobs, I humbly ask why Apple is so wonderfully attentive to the needs of students, whether it be with the latest, greatest invention orthe company’s helpful customer service line, and yet, ironically, theMedia Relations Department fails to answer any of my questions whichare, as I have repeatedly told them, essential to my academicperformance,” Isaacs wrote in her first e-mail to the CEO..

“Our goals do not include helping you get a good grade,” Jobs allegedly responded. “Sorry.”

Isaac claims to have countered the blunt response with another message denying that she asked for help getting a good grade. She thenasked if the company considers it a duty to return calls from a clientor customer. “But I guess that’s not one of your goals,” she wrote.

“Nope,” Jobs allegedly responded. “We have over 300 million users and we can’t respond to their requests unless they involve a problem ofsome kind. Sorry.”

The student continued the confrontation by claiming to be one of Apple’s 300 million users, and with a problem that can only be addressedby the Media Relations team. She again asked for a response for herschool project and reminded the CEO that she is “on deadline.”

The purported correspondence ends with a final plea from Jobs, as he asks her to “please leave us alone.”

The entire thread between Chelsea Kate Isaacs and Steve Jobs
(Read from the bottom up)

From: Steve Jobs
To: XXXX@my.liu.edu
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:27:36 -0700
Subject: Re: Mr. Jobs – Student Journalist Concerned about Apple’sMediaRelations Dept.

Please leave us alone.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 16, 2010, at 5:32 PM, XXXX@my.liu.edu wrote:

> You’re absolutely right, and I do meet your criteria for being a customer who deserves a response:
>
> 1. I AM one of your 300 million users.
> 2. I DO have a problem; I need answers that only Apple Media Relations can answer.
>
> Now, can they kindly respond to my request (my polite and friendlyvoice can be heard in the first 5 or 10 messages in their inbox).Please, I am on deadline.
>
> I appreciate your help.
>
>
> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>
> ——-Original Message——-
> From: Steve Jobs
> Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:10:12
> To: XXXX@my.liu.edu
> Subject: Re: Mr. Jobs – Student Journalist Concerned about Apple’s
> MediaRelations Dept.
>
> Nope. We have over 300 million users and we can’t respond to theirrequests unless they involve a problem of some kind. Sorry.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 16, 2010, at 4:37 PM, XXXX@my.liu.edu wrote:
>
>> Thank you for your reply. I never said that your goal should beto “help me get a good grade.” Rather, I politely asked why your mediarelations team does not respond to emails, which consequently,decreases my chances of getting a good grade. But, forget about myindividual situation; what about common courtesy, in general —- if youget a message from a client or customer, as an employee, isn’t it yourjob to return the call? That’s what I always thought. But I guessthat’s not one of your goals. Yes, you do have a creative approach,indeed.
>> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>>
>> ——-Original Message——-
>> From: Steve Jobs
>> Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:19:13
>> To: XXXX@my.liu.edu
>> Subject: Re: Mr. Jobs – Student Journalist Concerned about Apple’s Media
>> Relations Dept.
>>
>> Our goals do not include helping you get a good grade. Sorry.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Sep 16, 2010, at 3:22 PM, XXXX@my.liu.edu wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Mr. Jobs,
>>>
>>> As a college student, I can honestly say that Apple hastreated me very well; my iPod is basically the lifeline that gets methrough the day, and thanks to Apple’s Final Cut Pro, I aced lastsemester’s video editing project. I was planning to buy a new Applecomputer to add to my list of Apple favorites.
>>>
>>> Because I have had such good experiences as a collegestudent using Apple products, I was incredibly surprised to find Apple’sMedia Relations Department to be absolutely unresponsive to myquestions, which (as I had repeatedly told them in voicemail aftervoicemail) are vital to my academic grade as a student journalist.
>>>
>>> For my journalism course, I am writing an article about theimplementation of an iPad program at my school, the CW Post Campus ofLong Island University.
>>>
>>> The completion of this article
>>> is crucial to my grade in the class, and it may potentiallyget published in our university’s newspaper. I had 3 quick questionsregarding iPads, and wanted to obtain answers from the most crediblesource: Apple’s Media Relations Department.
>>>
>>> I have called countless times throughout the week, leavingshort, but detailed, messages which included my contact information andthe date of my deadline. Today, I left my 6th message, which stressedthe increasingly more urgent nature of the situation. It is now the endof the business day, and I have not received a call back. My deadlineis tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Mr. Jobs, I humbly ask why Apple is so wonderfullyattentive to the needs of students, whether it be with the latest,greatest invention or the company’s helpful customer service line, andyet, ironically, the Media Relations Department fails to answer any ofmy questions which are, as I have repeatedly told them, essential to myacademic performance.
>>>
>>> For colleges nationwide, Apple is at the forefront ofimproving the way we function in the academic environment, increasingthe efficiency of conducting academic research, as well as sharing andcommunicating with our college communities.
>>>
>>> With such an emphasis on advancing our education system,why, then, has Apple’s Media Relations team ignored my needs as astudent journalist who is just trying to get a good grade?
>>>
>>> In addition to the hypocrisy of ignoring student needs whenthey represent a company that does so much for our schools, the MediaRelations reps are apparently, also failing to responsibly handle theinquiries of professional journalists on deadlines. Unfortunately, for ajournalist in the professional world, lacking the answers they need ondeadline day won’t just cost them a grade; it could cost them theirjob.
>>>
>>> Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Chelsea Kate Isaacs
>>> Senior
>>> CW Post – Long Island University
>>>
>>> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

via: Gawker. Thanks Aris and Izuchukwu for letting me know!

Colin "Yahooze" Powell criticises Obama .

Posted by jackie webLondonGirl on September 19, 2010 at 10:01pm

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell & Great Fan of the Nigerian Olu Maintain Dance Hit Track Yahoozee ! , who endorsed Democrat

Barack Obama for president in 2008 despite serving three Republican presidents, said Sunday that Obama needs to change his approach in the White House because voters are feeling overwhelmed by sweeping new laws that expand the scope of government.

Photos: Two "Black" Men with questionable characters ?

“The president also has to ... shift the way in which he has been doing things,” Powell said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “The American people feel that too many programs have come down. There are so many rocks in our knapsack now that we’re having trouble carrying it.”

POLITICO 44

Powell, a retired Army general, who was national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush and who ran the State Department for President George W. Bush, said Obama must focus “like a razor blade” on employment, giving the same level of attention to creating jobs — and bringing down the 9.6 percent unemployment rate — as he did to passing bills overhauling health care and reforming education.

“I understand the importance of all of that,” Powell said, referring to Obama’s signature legislative accomplishments. “But as far as the American people are concerned, the main attack is employment.”

Powell’s critique is noteworthy, given his decision in the 2008 election to spurn Republican John McCain — a fellow Vietnam veteran and personal friend — to back Obama, whom he described as offering “generational change.” The president has continued to consult with Powell in the White House.

“He has lost some of the ability to connect that he had during the campaign,” Powell said. “And it is not just me picking on the president. It’s reflected in the polling. Some of the anxiety and anger that you see out there, I think, comes from a belief on the part of the American people — whether it’s correct or incorrect, and the White House would say it’s incorrect — that ... his singular focus should be on employment.”

Powell declined to say whether he would endorse Obama and the Democratic ticket in 2012, adding that he will evaluate him and a Republican candidate as Election Day nears.

But Powell did praise the president, saying he still considers Obama a “transformational figure.”

Some people don’t like what he has done in transformation,” Powell said. “And it’s caused him some difficulty. But the fact of the matter is, he did put together a health care reform. It’s not perfect. And I think it’ll have to be fixed over time. And a lot of people are not happy with that health care reform. But he did it.”

Nevertheless, Powell said, he still considers himself a Republican.

“Yes, why shouldn’t I?” Powell said Sunday, adding that he hasn’t thought about leaving the party.

“I still think that there is a need for a two-party system,” Powell said. “And that the Republican Party still has strength in it. It has strength with respect to its feelings about foreign policy and defense policy and our place in the world. And I’m not happy with the rightward switch, [the] shift that the party has taken. And I’ve said this on many occasions.

“And so, I’m not about to give up,” he said.

Powell also leveled some criticism at the GOP for embracing positions that are hostile to immigrants.

“They’ve got to take a hard look at some of the positions they’ve been taking,” Powell said. “We can’t be anti-immigration, for example. Because immigrants are fueling this country. Without immigrants [the U.S.] would be like Europe or Japan, with an aging population and no young people coming in to take care of it. We have to educate our immigrants.”

Powell, the son of immigrants who rose through the ranks of the Army, said that Congress should approve the DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who attend college for two years or join the military.

“America is going to be a minority nation in one more generation,” Powell said. “Our minorities are not getting educated well enough now. Fifty percent of our minority kids are not finishing high school. We’ve got to invest in education. We should use the DREAM Act as one way to do it. Whether it should be part of the defense bill or not is something the Congress will decide.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will offer the DREAM Act this week as an amendment to the defense authorization bill. The chances of passage are uncertain, as Republicans who have supported the initiative in the past say it should not be tacked onto a spending bill..

INEC to "Postpone" Elections :Jega seeks more time for 2011

Posted by 9jabook.com on September 19, 2010 at 9:00pm

The Independent National Electoral Commission said yesterday that it will need more time to conduct next year’s elections. The Commission has for a while bemoaned the fact that the new electoral act does not give it adequate time to arrange for credible polls.Photo:Inec Boss

After a two-day retreat in Calabar, Cross River State, the commission said it shall explore legal ways to get the additional time it required. A statement by Paul Kaigama, the Commission’s secretary said, “Having examined the Commission’s detailed Action Plan for the voter registration and elections, the Retreat noted that the timeline for the implementation of this Plan is very tight.”

A plea for more time

He said, “Consequently, the commission shall endeavour to engage all the relevant stakeholders with a view to exploring all legal avenues for extension of time to enable the commission to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians for a credible voters’ register and free, fair and credible elections.” Attahiru Jega, the commission’s chairman has repeatedly harped on the ardous task of conducting a vital voters’ registration exercise and general elections within six months of his taking office.

The task was made harder by the late release of approved funds by the federal government. President Goodluck Jonathan also took many weeks to assent to the new Electoral Act which the commission needs to conduct the election.

The commission appealed to all political parties to adhere to the Electoral Act and conduct their congresses and primaries within the law.

Barely six weeks to the commencement of the voters’ registration, as stipulated in the timetable released, the commission is yet to officially name the IT firms that are to provide the 120,000 units of Direct Data Capture Machines, needed for the exercise.

Mr. Jega’s aide, Kayode Idowu, told NEXT yesterday that the companies will be announced by the chairman “when the time is ripe,” further fuelling concerns about the ability of the body to conduct successful polls in the face of obvious time constraint.

At several fora, Mr. Jega himself has said the commission would prefer an extension of the election timetable, which is time-bound by the electoral law. The more time available to the commission, the better its chances of doing a good job, he had argued.

However, the commission said if it succeeds in getting more time, although it will affect key dates in the elections timetable, the inauguration date of May 29, 2011, will remain “sacrosanct”, the commission said.

In the other decisions arrived at the retreat, the commission urged the National Assembly to enact a law for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, in the hope that “there is the need to severely punish electoral offenders to serve as deterrent to others.” The Commission also said it has developed a software which will be field-tested before the commencement of the voters’ registration, and vowed to ensure strict compliance to legal provisions governing the conduct of congresses, conventions and primaries by political parties.

US removes Nigeria from drug list

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on September 19, 2010 at 9:00pm

The United States government yesterday removed Nigeria from the major drug list.

President obama said that Nigeria was a onetime drug trafficking focal point but that the country had taken a lot of drastic steps to make counternarcotics a top national security for the country. Photo: REUTERS

According to a statement released by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the US President, Barack Obama, said that this was the first time that Nigeria would be delisted from the drug majors list since 1991. The anti-narcotics agency stated that Mr Obama said that Nigeria was a onetime drug trafficking focal point but that the country had taken a lot of drastic steps to make counter narcotics a top national security for the country. He said that international data showed that there was a strengthening of illegal drug trafficking between Latin America and West Africa, especially via Brazil and Venezuela, with a considerable portion of illegal product destined for Europe.

According to the report, Nigeria, Brazil, and Paraguay were recently removed this year from the list because they no longer meet the criteria for the list according to US law. Reacting, Ahmadu Giade, the Chief Executive of the NDLEA, said that Nigeria had gotten a well deserved honour. He noted that the removal of Nigeria from the majors drug list was an endorsement of the collective efforts of the agency to combat drug traffickers with the aim of having a drug free society. According to him, the honour given to Nigeria by removing her from the drug list was as a product of dedication, transparency, hard work, and cordial working relationship between Nigeria and United States in controlling drug trafficking in the country.

The NDLEA is happy

“I appreciate President Barack Obama and Americans for this candid and credible assessment,” he said. “The removal speaks volumes concerning our impressive scorecard and determination to address the drug problem. Illicit trade in narcotics transcends national boundaries. Our foreign collaborators also have a way of monitoring most assiduous efforts. All exit entry points will remain invincible to drug criminals through effective drug interdiction.” The NDLEA boss also thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his anti-drug policies, and other stakeholders for their unrelenting efforts. He promised that no drug baron or major drug trafficker would go unpunished in the country, adding that NDLEA was one of the best anti-drugs agencies in Africa and that the agency is prepared to make sacrifices to sustain and improve on its drug control performance “Our level of professionalism shall be further consolidated on the tripod of transparency, anti-corruption and respect for the rule of law,” he said. “It is a call to duty that demands higher commitment on our part. We shall continue to partner with the United States and other stakeholders. No stone will be left unturned in our quest for a drug free society.”

According to the agency, the 20 countries on the list this year are Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. A major drug-transit country is defined as a significant direct source of illicit narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances significantly affecting the United States; or a country through which such drugs or substances are transported.

Facebook Is Secretly Building A Phone

Posted by technology on September 19, 2010 at 11:11am

Facebook is building a mobile phone, says a source who has knowledge of the project. Or rather, they’re building the software for the phone and working with a third party to actually build the hardware. Which is exactly what Apple and everyone else does, too.

It was a little less than a year ago that we broke the news that Google was working on a phone of its own – which was eventually revealed as the Nexus One. It was about that time, says out source, that Facebook first became concerned about the increasing power of the iPhone and Android platforms. And that awesome Facebook apps for those phones may not be enough to counter a long term competitive threat.

Specifically, Facebook wants to integrate deeply into the contacts list and other core functions of the phone. It can only do that if it controls the operating system..

Two high level Facebook employees – Joe Hewitt and Matthew Papakipos – are said to be secretly working on the project, which is unknown even to most Facebook staff.

Both have deep operating system experience..

Hewitt helped create the Firefox browser and was working on Parakey before it was acquired by Facebook in 2007. Parakey, which never launched, was described as a “Web-based operating system.” Hewitt also created all of Facebook’s iPhone web apps and then native apps, but finally quit building for the iPhone in disgust late last year. But he knows operating systems and he knows mobile.

Papakipos also has a perfect background for this project. He was leading the Google Chrome OS project until June. He then quit and went to Facebook. Papakipos is considered a rockstar developer, and there are any number of jobs he’d be able to do at Facebook.

But that doesn’t answer the question of why he’d leave the Chrome OS project before it was finished. It would have taken something really interesting to lure him away. Something like a Facebook Phone, for example.

So what might this phone look and feel like? We don’t know yet. When will it be announced? Don’t know. But I’d speculate that it would be a lower end phone, something very affordable, that lets people fully integrate into their Facebook world. You call your friend’s name, not some ancient seven digit code, for example. I’d imagine Facebook wanting these things to get into as many hands as possible, so I’d expect a model at a less than $50 price. Pay your bill with Facebook Credits. Etc.

As for timing, the holiday season is always a good time to launch new products. But that may be too soon.

Or who knows, the whole project might get killed before it sees light. All we know for sure is that Hewitt and Papakipos are working on something very stealthy together. And we have a source that tells us that stealthy thing is a Facebook phone.

We’re also not discounting possible partnerships around this. Spotify was said to be working on a phone with INQ last year based on a shared investor, Li Ka-Shing. It turns out Li Ka-Shing is also a sizeable investor in Facebook. So an INQ/Facebook partnership on a phone certainly wouldn’t be a surprise.

African Leaders are Old men !

Posted by 9jabook.com on September 19, 2010 at 3:22am

IBB,GEJ,BUHARI,RIBADU,SARAKI,

ATIKU,UTOMI,OKOTIE, who else?: Interesting analysis..lol..enjoy
WHY AFRICA IS 25 YEARS BEHIND THE DEVELOPED WORLD.....

AFRICAN LEADERS

Abdulai Wade 83year

Hosni Mubarak ( Egypt ) age 82
Robert Mugabe ( Zimbabwe ) age 86
Hifikepunye Pohamba ( Namibia ) age 74
Rupiah Banda ( Zambia age 73
Mwai Kibaki ( Kenya age 71
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ( Liberia ) age 75
Colonel Gaddafi (Libya age 68
Jacob Zuma (South A age 68
Bingu Wa Mtalika age 76
____________
__________________
Average Age: 75.6 ~
Approximately 76 years
____________
__________________

THE FIRST WORLD
Barrack Obama (USA) age 48
David Cameron (UK) age 43
Dimitri Medvedev (Russia) age 45
Stephen Harper (Canada) age 51
Julia Gillard (Australia) age 49
Nicolas Sarkozy (France) age 55
Luis Zapatero (Spain) age 49
Jose Socrates (Portugal) age 53
Angela Merkel ( Germany ) age 56
Herman Van Rompuy ( Belgium ) age 62
____________
__________________.
Average Age: 51.1 ~
Approximately 51 years
____________
__________________

___________
__________________
DIFFERENCE: 25 years
____________
__________________

GUYS, HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS OLD SQUAD...?

Angry wife aborts rival's six-month old pregnancy

Posted by 9jabook.com webmadam on September 19, 2010 at 3:01am

The Police in Lagos have arrested a 28-year-old housewife, Bola Oyekoya, for aborting her rival's pregnancy without her consent.

Bola was said to have taken 18-year-old Serifat Yinusa to an auxiliary nurse, Bukky Oduntan, who drugged the Cocacola drink given to Yinusa and while she was soundly asleep, the nurse injected the girl to kill the baby inside her and forced her to go into premature labour.

PUNCH METRO gathered that Bola and her husband, Isiaka, had been married for two years without any child of their own. It was gathered that after much pressure from the wife, Isiaka owned up to Serifat's pregnancy. The wife subsequently insisted that there must be a medical test to determine whether the girl got pregnant for her husband.

According to police investigation report, it was while the trio went for the medical test that the pregnancy was aborted by the nurse..

But Bola insisted that Yinusa and her husband were the ones that begged her to help abort the pregnancy. "She said she was not ready. My husband was also scared of what her parent would do. I reluctantly helped her and took her to my area sister (Oduntan), who gave her injection to remove the pregnancy. After the abortion, she now told us that it was another person that she got pregnant for," she said.

Isiaka however said that her wife and the nurse made him understand that what they were giving to Yinusa was a mere malaria injection to protect her and the baby.

"When my wife heard about the girl's pregnacy, she said she did not believe that I was the owner of the pregnancy and after much argument, I agreed to bring her so that they can test her and see if the pregnancy belonged to me. I never knew that they wanted to remove it. But later in the day she (Yinusa) said she had the pregnancy for another man, and that she planned to marry that man," he narrated.

Odutan who claimed ignorance of the whole drama, said she was under the impression that the girl was Bola's younger sister. "She told me that her husband got her younger sister pregnant and something must be done fast. I gave her Gentamycin injection with B-complex. The injection will kill the baby and also forced her to deliver the dead baby prematurely.

However, Yinusa said that she claimed the pregnancy was for another man because she feared that the trio might kill her. He said his wife was saying he was not the owner of the pregnancy. They then took me to that woman to be sure that Isiaka was the one that owned the pregnancy. Since I knew I was telling the truth, I followed them.

"It was while we were there that the wife was saying I was her sister and they wanted to remove the pregnancy. I told the nurse that I was not her sister and I don't want to abort my pregnancy. The nurse told me to calm down and gave me a bottle of Coke to drink; that was the last thing I remembered. When I woke up I knew that they had done something to me because I was feeling the pain of the injection.

"When it was time to go Isiaka took me to his house and refused my request that he shoult take me to my house. That was when I lied that the pregnancy belonged to another man. They became happy and took me back to the woman who gave me injection. From there we went to my house.

"In the night, I went into a painful labour and delivered a dead baby, but the placenta did not come out. That was why my parents went to the police," she said.

Lagos State police command spokesman, Mr. FrankMba, who described the act as an illicit abortion masterminded by a jealous wife and crudely executed by a quack nurse, said that the police would prosecute all parties involved.

"In Nigeria, abortion is an offence and those who did this one with the circumstance involved will be made to face the full wrath of the law," he said.

How long can you wait for a ’run away’ spouse?

Posted by 9jabook.com webmadam on September 19, 2010 at 2:58am

Friday, September 17, 2010

Pretty Jennifer has been married to Stanley Jumbo since 1999. Few months after their wedding, Stanley returned to the United States where he has been staying for more than 10 years now. Stanley who claims to be a medical doctor in the US has not returned to his wife till date, neither has he communicated with childless Jennifer, who, despite pressures from friends and family members to remarry, has remained committed to her marital vows.

She is at the verge of giving up as her husband’s absence seems to be unending. Stanley, she has confirmed, is healthy but has no proof if he is in another relationship. Even her family members have given up on her. Do you think she’ll be making a mistake if she decides to give another relationship a shot? Should she keep waiting for him? What if he returns with another wife and children someday? All these and more are some of the questions bothering Jennifer, and as usual, we have been able to do justice on the subject.

Read on:

Move on and forget him …. Etcetera, Musician

In trying to wait for this spouse, there are certain things that should be ascertained. We need to know if he is alive or dead. We need to know if he’s in jail, healthy or if he is suffering from amnesia (a health condition that makes one forget everything about his past). I wouldn’t mind arranging a trip for my sister to go and make all these enquiries to know his true state. If it is confirmed that he’s alive and sound, then my sister will have to move on with her life.

I want you to understand that ten years is not the same as ten days. We’re talking about ten seasons here. It is very obvious that by this time, the man may have built another relationship and my sister cannot continue to wait for him. What if she continues to wait and in the process gets to the age of menopause? My sister becomes the fool because this guy may have fathered children somewhere.

The best thing to do is for her to move on in life. Don’t forget that every human being once in a while feels horny and I wouldn’t want my sister to flirt around while waiting for one guy who’s having a field day somewhere.

Remarry after 5yrs … Portia Yamahan,

Actress

Why on earth will I be waiting for a man who left me 10 years ago? What becomes of me if this man decides to remain abroad for the rest of his life? Any woman waiting for a man (husband) who’s been in-communicado for 10 years truly needs some kind of deliverance. Five to 10 years is too much a wait. I mean, even if she has no head, her family members should talk some sense into her, or maybe, she needs to go for medical check up to certify she’s okay. After three to five years of waiting, I should be able to decide what I want to do with my life. I can’t wait forever. I’ll surely start a new relationship and remarry in due time because it is obvious that he doesn’t remember I still exist. Even if we communicate and he still doesn’t come back in about 10 years, I won’t continue waiting for him, especially where there’s no child from the relationship. At least, the child would have served as my consolation prize. What on earth should we be discussing on phone? No, my dear phone calls will not do.

Wait if you love him … Yinka Davies, Entertainer

The first question any woman in this condition must answer is whether she’s still in love with the man or not. And if she’s able to tell herself the truth, she’ll know whether to continue or not. If he’s not been communicating with her but she’s still in love with him, she can keep waiting.

I’ve seen a woman who waited for 18 years and another one who waited for 25 years and later got their husbands back. In marriage, no other person has a right to come between the parties involved. If she’s been able to survive all these years, then I can’t advise her to quit now. She’s the only one that can make up her mind on what she really wants because she has to follow her instinct. We can only pray for her to be able to take the right decision because some of these things happen in a way that we cannot explain.

Seek the face of God … Tiwa, Artiste

If I were in her shoes, I would just keep praying and fasting for it. When things like this happens, the only thing that is appropriate for us to do is to keep seeking the face of God.

I know that most of our men can’t wait for their women in matters like this but we should not judge with that because we are different from them. We are more emotional and soft and there are certain things men can take emotionally that we can’t absorb.

Nsugbe community under siege Indian Hemp Youths take over

Posted by 9jabook.com on September 19, 2010 at 2:49am

Many years ago, I found myself in Nsugbe as a student of the community’s famous College of Education. By the way, Nsugbe is a quiet town in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State. As an agrarian community, the people love farming.

They also do a little of fishing because of their proximity to the River Niger. I still feel the warmth of those good days anytime I remember the Otite Yam Festival which holds around this time every year. Usually, people would come from far and near with their friends to mark the festival.

Earlier in the year, I returned to Nsugbe after several years to pay my last respect to a father- figure who assisted me in those days, only to discover to my chagrin, an unusual development in the community. Nsugbe has lost those virtues and accolades that once made it the envy of its neighbours. My host, a great brother and friend with whom I had navigated the town in those good old days was more explicit. “My town has lost its innocence and the glory has departed.”

What struck me first was the brazen use of cannabis, otherwise known as Indian hemp by the youths of the town. My shock later turned to sympathy as I watched the young smoke brazenly on the streets. I also observed that hemp smoking had become a fad among the town’s growing army of unemployed youths. This, naturally became a source of worry for the people of Nsugbe, particularly the aged who are witnesses to the drama that plays out almost every minute in the place..

Apart from alleged pilfering and burglary, there have been incessant incidents of rape and harassment of innocent visitors by the youths. Usually, the youths target burial and wedding ceremonies because such occasions attract a a large number of people from within and outside the community.

Literally Nsugbe is under siege. The people have been held hostage by a small group of irresponsible young men who live under the strong influence of hard drugs and alcohol. They wake up in the morning looking for what to steal or who to devour. Domestic animals that roam the streets freely are not spared from the onslaught. Farms and private plantations are routinely ransacked and crops and livestock carted away. Unfortunately, the police in Nsugbe appear to be helpless.

Unfortunately, the police have not done much to restore public confidence and I understand that they have no apologies. As I watched with a heavy heart during that burial ceremony, the tragedy that had befallen Nsugbe, certain thoughts crept into my mind. I am afraid the situation might deteriorate. Already, many of the prominent natives of the town have gone on self-imposed exile. The situation is really bad and I doubt if a quick solution is in sight.

An elderly woman once told me on the eve of my departure from Nsugbe how a team of policemen raided the town a few months ago and arrested some of the youths. After spending some days in police detention, they were reportedly handed over to operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for prosecution. To the shock of many of the indigenes, the boys soon returned to Nsugbe after it was alleged that money had changed hands. In fact, they came back celebrating and boasting that they were untouchable. According to them, they could always buy their freedom from security operatives, whatever was the cost.

This incident, I gathered, had an instant devastating impact on the entire community and its people. Fear returned to the town. Apart from the fact that the criminals became more emboldened, it also served as a tacit endorsement of criminality in the community.

This piece was actually inspired by these disturbing developments. I love Nsugbe, no doubt and I am sad at the gradual loss of almost everything that the people once held dear. Nsugbe is like other communities in the South-east crying for help. Meanwhile, I have already told some of my friends in the town to convoke a conference that would address the issue of insecurity because it is an enemy of progress.

As bad and hopeless as the case appears, it is not irredeemable and there could not have been a better time than now as tomorrow may be too late. I wish them all good luck.

Echezonam, an educationist writes from Umuahia

Sunday Sermon: Journeying Together Into Destiny

Posted by frank adeche Mr Netchurch on September 19, 2010 at 2:30am

1. God has a destiny for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:29, Ezra 1:1

A. Each of us must decide what it is that we are going to allow to shape our lives and our church..
Will it be…

Circumstances?

Personal ambitions?

The will and purposes of God?

B. The submission of our lives to the destiny of God involves effort, time, finances and focus. Ezra 1:2-4
C. In the end, the fulfillment of God’s destiny for us doesn’t depend as much on what is happening around us as it does on what is happening within us.. Ezra 1:5-11

2. God’s destiny for us has at least three aspects to it. It includes:

A. What we are supposed to do right now: our mission.
QUESTION: What is the mission of your life? What is the mission of our church? To what is the central energy of our efforts directed?

B. How we are supposed to be: our values.
QUESTON: What are the ideals that are truly important to us? What kind of people do we really want to be?

C. Who we are becoming: our vision.
QUESTION: In you most hopeful imagination, where do you see your life going? What do you see for us as a church? What does God hope for?

5 Corpers Kidnapped 4 Ladies one Male

Posted by 9jabook.com webmadam on September 19, 2010 at 2:30am

Five members of the National Youth Service Corps, four female and one male, were last night, at about

11.30 pm, abducted by unknown gunmen at Corpers’ Lodge at Unuogha Community Secondary school in Omuma Local Government area of Rivers State.

According eyewitness account, the gunmen who arrived in a Sports Utility Vehicle, stormed the Corpers’ Lodge, shot sporadically into the air to scare people and abducted the corps members.
They also made away with valuable belongings of the Corps members..
Immediately after the Corps members were abducted, the kidnappers put the Corps members on phone to announce to their colleagues and relations that they are holding them.
At the time the operation was on, the Police were contacted and immediately mobilised to the scene but only succeeded in pursuing them into the boundary between Abia and Rivers states.
The Rivers State Police image-maker, Mrs. Rita Innoma-Abbey confirmed the kidnap when contacted and said that the Rivers Police command is working round the clock in conjunction with the Abia Police Command to ensure the release of the victims unharmed..
In his reaction, Blessing Wikina, the Acting Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, told PMNEWS that “it is very sad an unfortunate that at the time corps members are serving their fatherland they could be kidnapped. The state Government calls on the kidnappers to release them forthwith as they are of no pecuniary value.”
He also called on the police to ensure their release unharmed.”
On 10 August,this year, during a Town Hall Meeting with the people of Omuma Local Government, the governor pledged to pay N1 million on each kidnapper arrested by the villagers to stem the tide of kidnapping in the local government.
As a precautionary measure, P.M.NEWS learnt that the rest Corps members are being evacuated from their lodge by the government..

Globacom Staff Resignation STINKER Email Glo Rule your World !

Posted by Akin Osunlaja WebLagosian on September 18, 2010 at 12:58am

The mail below was sent to HR by an aggrieved GLOBACOM staff upon resignation on September 14, 2010. The same staff copied the ED HR, several Executive Directors including Bella Adenuga, Paddy Adenuga and over 50 other staff. Please enjoy this piece below:

Subject: I quit.

I resumed at Globacom on the 25th day of May, 2009.

I came having heard more negative stories than positive stories about working at Globacom believing that the stories maybe exaggerations but I found that the stories were 99% true.

I tried to fit in even when my well cultured corporate mind could not believe nor tolerate the level of lack of professionalism at work in virtually every aspect of operations and business in Globacom.

I am tired, I am tired and I am very tired..

What am I tired of ?

1. I am tired of being harassed by Mr. Anil Kumar, Head of Risk Management whom constantly attacks me verbally about coming to trash out customer's issues with Globacom Credit Control Department, Globacom Relationship Department, Globacom Activation Department and the Archive room as no sensible salesman will carry vital approval documents about constantly. Calling and shouting down Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare, Head of Post Paid and claiming to report me for not working on the field but camping out in his Department. Needless to say, Mr. Anil Kumar does not have any respect for his Host Country and its citizens as he shouts at every Nigerian he believes he can get away with shouting at.

2. I am tired of the standing order that I should get out of the office from 10:30am to 4:30pm even when I need to get back to the office to pull up some vital data in order to service my Clients.

3. I am tired of being told to stay away from the Island because somebody is afraid that I will see something wrong and tell the people with the most to lose if Globacom is hurt of impending dangers.

4. I am tired of having to beg Globacom Finance to act on my Client's email instruction for new lines even as Globacom expects my Clients to respect my emails and to act on them.

5. I am tired of having to beg Globacom Finance, Globacom Credit Control and Globacom Activation Departments to activate lines of Clients whom are owing arrears even as Glomobile Post Paid has credit over shoot issues that no blanket approval for arrears allowance has been made neither has a Team of Staff being allocated to tackle this phenomenon through an immediate alert approach.

6. I am tired of Memos going to the GCOO for one off exemptions on Post Paid Account issues that are common to all Post Paid accounts of the same type such as three different exemptions for three BSCS Post Paid Accounts for Arrears.

7. I am tired of remembering How I was recruited without being told of the 50-50 Principle thereby causing me to earn less than what I was earning in Fidelity Bank that I came from.

8. I am tired of remembering how when training people in the past and when I inquire of their Pay and Job Function in order to be sure that they are in the right place i find that they are scheduled to do the same Job as myself for twice the Salary and in the following months I do not see any magic reason.

9. I am tired of having to explain why I cannot promise my Client of timely Service or any service at all as I do not know at that very point in time I speak in my Client's Office of the Client's Account's report card with Risk Management.

10. I am tired of remembering how I almost died in the first few months in Globacom at a slaughter slab that was recommended to me as a Hospital for me to attend at near Chevron, Springtime Medical Center it took the intervention of a friend to save me.

11. I am tired of trying to work harder, think faster and more innovatively for a company that does not appreciate my existence.

I believe it is time for me to clear my desk and seek out a new dream.

I have seen enough working in Globacom is like playing football where all the remaining 21 players are all refrees.

I believe that an Honest Man placed as a Compliance or Best Practices Officer answerable to only the person of the Chairman. An Honest man whom is a firm believer in improvement, filled with great zeal for success whom is not married and is ready to marry Globacom for three years straight without any distraction. Below 34 years of age with at least 7 years of work experience in other fields and at least 9 Months of Post Paid Corporate Sales Experience is adequate.

There is still adequate room for great improvement in the Fortunes of Globacom but we need to be ready to let Market Forces beat us into the right Shape.

I will be winding down my involvements with Globacom though when a man has tied his aspirations to the aspirations of another man or group of men it is hard to totally break away from others.

I wish Globacom well and to all the staff in Globacom i pray you find your own dream that will allow you build your own "Globacoms".

Stay Safe and live Strong.

Goodluck Jonathan declaration LIVE !

Posted by Paul "EFCC" Hawk Adams on September 17, 2010 at 11:43pm

1128: President Jonathan begins walking towards the podium alongside his wife and the vice-president. The Kwara state governor, Bukola Saraki, appears to be conspicuously absent amongst the governors who just came in.
1125: Jonathan Zwingina leads the Islamic prayers and asks God to ensure a PDP win and also to bless Nigeria with leaders who do not steal.

1122: Opening prayers start..

1120: President Goodluck Jonathan arrives in Eagles Square in a bus with state governors.

1115: Some soundbites:

Bala Muhammed: Goodluck is a genuine inspiration to Nigerians irrespective of their bckground and we are very proud of him

Yayale Ahmed: "We thank God for everything"

Barnabas Gemade: " I'm highly delighted to see this mammoth crowd. he and Sambo are producing a good team. This will be a government of transformation."

Joseph Wayas: "What you can see in Eagle square represents what Nigerians are feeling. The candidature of Goodluck Jonathan is a popular one"

Don Etiebet: "Nigerians are ready for a new Nigeria. We have been walloing in the past and this is a new dawn. For the little period he has been here there has been a lot of transformation in power and finance."

Namadi Sambo: " We have come to make a statement to Nigerians that we have arrived. Let the opposition know today that come 2011 we will remain in Aso Rock."

Defence minister; I am happy that Nigerians have bought into the vision and I hope it gets better. Jonathan is for Transformation and stability.

Petroleum minister: I don't think Nigeria has seen this kind of crowd in a long time. I shows how much the people want him. Nigeria needs a leader that will give them their desire.

Information minister: Nigeria needs a young leader like the Obamas of this world. It will be tragic for Nigerians to allow those responsible for our past failures to come back and lead us.

Ima Niboro : The turn out is excellent: this is the man Nigeria has been waiting for and it is obviou

1105: As we wait for the President to arrive, a quick word on the traffic situation around town. In one word: gridlock. All the hotels in the city are also fully booked. There is no single room available. Yesterday evening it took about three hours just to drive in to the Transcorp Hilton hotel.

1100: The female compere appears to be reading out recharge card numbers to the crowd. Get your phones ready...

1056: The Vice-president, Namadi Sambo has arrived in a motorcade. Most of the senators and National Assembly members are also taking their seats.

1055: All of the big wigs are trying to force their way into the VIP section which is causing a lot of unsightly scenes, lots of pushing and struggling. So far the security are managing to keep it under control. Many of the affronted agbada wearing guests are having to make other seating arrangements.

1040: Ojo Madueke, former foreign minister, arrives wearing a bizarre jumps suit which really needs to be seen to be believed. He is closely followed by the wives of the PDP governors and their deputies. The First lady has also arrived and taken her seat on the podium.

1030: Remember the PDP spokesman who said that the National Executive Council are "supposed to be neutral?" Well someone must have missed the memo. All the party leaders are arriving here. Okweselize Nwodo, et al are here to show their support. Significantly, none of them attended the Babangida declaration on Wednesday.

1004: Two more interesting faces in the crowd: Jerry Gana is here lending support to the Jonathan campaign. Mr. Gana was of course appointed chairman of Mass Mobilisation for Social and Economic Recovery under the Babangida regime and was subsequently a minister. His presence here means that it is unlikely that he will be supporting his old boss.

Femi Otedola is also here making his first public appearance in two months after the attempt on his life in July. The oil magnate had been on a self-imposed exile in America since the incident.

NEXT had previously revealed that Mr. Otedola is one of the chief bank-rollers of the President Jonathan campaign.

0959: Also spotted in the crowd are Matthew Tawo Mbu (former foreign minister) Pius Anyim (former senate president), Jonathan Zwingina (former Senator from Adamawa) Ibrahim Mantu (former Deputy Senate President) and Mohammed Abba Aji.

0945: As expected, most of the members of the Federal Executive Council are already showing up and taking their seats.

0933: An interesting banner by one of the President's supporters reads: "Goodluck darling, I will never let you go until you take me to the promised land. N.B. Sorry Dame Patience for sharing him with you. Signed The Goodluckers"

0915: President Jonathan's aide-de-camp arrives ahead of him to perform security checks on the area the president will sit.

0911: All 36 states of the federation are represented by delegations dressed in traditional attire. The ceremony is already laden with colour. There are lots of paramedics on view, each wearing pink reflector jackets to ensure that all medical emergencies are attended to.

0900: the Eagle square already close to capacity two hours before President Jonathan's official declaration ceremony kicks off. Security is heavy with armed guards everywhere.

Death of telecom engineers worsens security challenges

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