The Punch learnt on Sunday that President Goodluck Jonathan had given security agencies, including the State Security Service, seven days to apprehend those behind Friday’s twin bombings in Abuja. “He (Jonathan) has given them seven days to fish out those behind the dastardly act,” said a top Presidency official in Abuja. The official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, added that the President had got intelligence reports of plans to violently disrupt Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations at the Eagle Square almost a week to the event. According to him, the information provided to the President was based on intelligence sourced by intelligence agencies in the United States, United Kingdom and Nigeria. It was gathered that as soon as Jonathan was briefed about the impending attack, he directed relevant security agencies to be on the alert. The official said, “Yes, the President got wind of the attack and directed security agencies to do something about it. “You can see how pained he was; and that is why he believes there were security lapses.” A statement from the SSS on Saturday had also confirmed that the Service was tipped off about the attacks. The Service claimed in a statement by its spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, that “proactive measures reduced the degree of the damage caused by the explosions.” Another highly placed source in the Presidency, who spoke to one of our correspondents after insisting on anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, confirmed that the President had ordered that the security agencies must get to the root of the blasts within the week. He said, “He wants this thing to be cleared within the week and the security agencies have been so directed. “They were directed to make minute-by-minute updates on the investigations available to the President and they have been complying.” The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts, said it had given a-five day warning to the Federal Government before its men struck. The SSS is expected to speak today on the three suspects that were been arrested in connection with the blasts. The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, who said this in a telephone interview on Sunday, described the arrests as a positive step in the bid to unearth the perpetrators of the bombings. When asked why security agencies did not heed the warning about the incident given by foreign intelligence agencies, Ojukwu said the police “were not aware” of such information. MEND leader, Mr. Henry Okah, was arrested in Johannesburg, South Africa, shortly after the bombings that left 14 people dead and 66 others injured. Okah, who is billed to appear in a Johanesburg court on Monday (today) for “contravening the protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act,” has since denied involvement in the bombings that have continued to attract condemnations from within the country and abroad. Jonathan had after visiting the victims of the blasts at the National Hospital Abuja on Saturday, declared that his administration would once more, overhaul the country’s security network. Jonathan had said, “Security issues are not disclosed openly, but we have to re-examine our security system, no doubt about that, to face the modern challenges we have, even with or without this incident.” However, while MEND claimed responsibility, the President was reported as saying that the name of the group was only being used by those behind the plot. He hinted that his administration knew them; and that they would soon be fished out to face the law. His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, quoted him as saying in statement. “We are on their trail and I promise Nigerians that the matter will be investigated to the last, and until everybody that is connected is brought to book, we will not rest. Government will no longer condone this culture of impunity. ”There was a statement purported to have been written by MEND, but investigations show that members of MEND have said they don’t know about it. ”Anybody who thinks that he can come under the cover of Niger Delta struggle to perpetrate violence and criminality, your time is over. We will no longer tolerate it, we will not accept it, the security agents are on their trail, and Nigerians will soon know the actors behind this evil.” But the President’s Campaign Organisation denied that Jonathan absolved any group of complicity in the bombings. “The President has not exonerated anyone or group. Whoever was behind the bomb blast will be fished out no matter who or where they are. Trying to make political mileage from this sad event can only be the provenance of people whose staple is the violation of the lives and property of Nigerians,” the organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Sully Abu, said in a statement on Sunday. Abu added that the organisation was “shocked that the IBB campaign organisation would use the blood of the victims of the bomb blast to advertise the credentials of the former military dictator.” Also on Sunday morning, security operatives, comprising mostly mobile police and State Security Service personnel, cordoned off the road leading to the National Christian Centre, where the President worshipped. Vehicles passing through the area were diverted, and worshippers who intended to drive into the centre to attend the service, directed to park about two kilometres away from the venue. Also, the worshipers were subjected to thorough screening at three different points before they could were allowed into the centre. The screening included a pat down and an examination by body scanners installed at the door of the centre. Male security operatives searched the men, while women were handled by female officers. Besides the body scanners, vehicles of the police Anti-Bomb Squad were also parked around the venue. Many security dogs were also sighted around the venue. | |||
All Posts (7175)
Sort by
Richard Branson: People Power -- the Engine of Any Business
The Virgin Group's founder shares how he created a winning company culture.Like in the movie Catch me if you can with Leonardo di Caprio
A Nigerian drug smuggler who duped authorities to get a job in New Zealand as a hospital psychiatrist came across as friendly and plausible, but secretive, acquaintances say.
Chidozie Emmanuel Onovo, 40, lived in Christchurch - next door to a
senior policeman - and worked for the Canterbury District Health Board
from January 2009 until August this year, after failing to disclose he
had been jailed in Britain in 1999 for importing 4.5kg of cannabis.
He has been a member of the Christchurch Skeptics in the Pub group,
which among its core activities studies "mechanisms of deception". Onovo
said the group offered "excellent opportunity to meet like-minded
people".
He had spoken of his desire to bring his wife and children over from
Ireland to live with him, but on Wednesday was jailed for 16 months for
failing to disclose his criminal past.
He obtained a visa to enter New Zealand in January 2009, then a work permit to get the job as a psychiatrist. It was not until August this year, after Onovo applied
for residency, that immigration checks found him out.
He had supplied forged reference letters saying he was working in the medical field in Nigeria over a period in which he was in jail in Britain.
Dawn Catherwood, whose daughter rents a townhouse to Onovo, had him over
for meals and found him to be plausible and a "really nice guy". He
paid his rent on time, but had recently terminated his lease and was
planning to go overseas..
Earlier this year he visited his wife and children in Ireland.
"He had lost a lot of weight since he had been in New Zealand - we
noticed that. And he was hoping to bring his family out here."
Often he was not at home when arranged meetings were meant to take
place, she said. "He's very secretive. He doesn't let anybody into his
flat."
Inspector Kieren Kortegast was a neighbour of Onovo, but said he only spoke to him a couple of times and rarely saw him.
He was surprised to hear of Onovo's deception.
Immigration New Zealand said it was their inquiries that revealed
Onovo's criminal past, while the health board said it went through the
required processes and routine checks before employing him and there
were no concerns about his competence.
The Medical Council said Onovo met all the registration requirements to
work in New Zealand and had references showing he was a good doctor.
The people who run Facebook, the social-networking company, are furious about a new movie that takes lots of liberties in its depiction of how Facebook came into existence. They’re upset because much of The Social Network, which opens Oct. 1, is just completely made up. That’s fair enough. But to me, the really interesting thing about this movie is that while much of the tale is invented, the story tells a larger truth about Silicon Valley’s get-rich-quick culture and the kind of people—like Facebook’s 26-year-old founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg—who thrive in this environment..
The Valley used to be a place run by scientists and engineers, people like Robert Noyce, the Ph.D. physicist who helped invent the integrated circuit and cofounded Intel. The Valley, in those days, was focused on hard science and making things. At first there were semiconductors, which is how Silicon Valley got its name; then came computers and software. But now the Valley has become a casino, a place where smart kids arrive hoping to make an easy fortune building companies that seem, if not pointless, at least not as serious as, say, old-guard companies like HP, Intel, Cisco, and Apple.
Facebook lets you keep in touch with your friends; for this profound service to mankind it will generate about $1.5 billion in revenue this year by bombarding its 500 million members with ads. Twitter is a noisy circus of spats and celebrity watching, and its hapless founders still can’t figure out how to make money. That hasn’t stopped venture capitalists from funding dozens of companies that make little apps that work with Twitter, just as they’re also funding countless companies that make apps for Apple’s iPhone, and just as, a few years ago, they were all funding companies that made applications to run on Facebook. Zynga, the biggest of those Facebook app-makers, reportedly will rake in $500 million this year by getting people addicted to cheesy games like Farmville and Mafia Wars, then selling “virtual goods” to use inside the games.
Meanwhile, among some longtime techies, there’s a sense that something important has been lost.
“The old Silicon Valley was about solving really hard problems, making technical bets. But there’s no real technical bet being made with Facebook or Zynga,” says Nathan Myhrvold, the former chief technology officer at Microsoft who now runs an invention lab in Seattle. “Today almost everyone in the Valley will tell you there is too much ‘me-tooism,’ too much looking for a gold rush and not enough people who are looking to solve really hard problems.”
Sure, there are still entrepreneurs and investors chasing serious technology challenges in the Valley. And Myhrvold says he means no disrespect to Facebook and Zynga, which have had clever ideas and are making loads of money.
“What bothers me is the zillions of wannabes who will follow along, and the expectation that every company ought to be focused on doing really short-term, easy things to achieve giant paydays. I think that’s unrealistic, and it’s not healthy,” Myhrvold says.
His company, Intellectual Ventures, intentionally runs counter to the prevailing trend in Silicon Valley. The only problems it tries to solve are ones that seem overwhelmingly difficult. These include creating a new kind of nuclear reactor and developing technologies that could address climate change and eradicate malaria.
Face-to-Facebook Friend Feed: We talk to Facebook users (and self-proclaimed addicts) about how the social networking site fits into their lives
Myhrvold doesn’t have problems raising money. He made a fortune at Microsoft and is a close friend of Bill Gates. But he worries about “the unknown engineers and professors who have good ideas. Are those people going to get funded or will they be talked out of it and told they should do something like Zynga, because virtual goods is where it’s at these days?”
The risk is that by focusing an entire generation of bright young entrepreneurs on such silly things, we’ll fall behind in creating the fundamental building blocks of our economy. The transistor and the integrated circuit gave rise to the last half century of prosperity. But what comes next? “If we distract people with the lure of easy money, with making companies that don’t solve anything hard, we’re going to wind up derailing the thing that has been driving our economy,” Myhrvold says.
We’ve already fallen behind in areas like alternative energy, better batteries, and nanotechnology. Instead of racing to catch up, we’re buying seeds and garden gnomes on Facebook. This won’t end well.
Daniel Lyons is also the author of Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs and Dog Days: A Novel.
Although economic issues seem to be the highest priority for most people as we lead up to the midterm elections, the debate over gay marriage is nonetheless hitting a turning point. Two recent polls were the first to find majority support for same-sex couples having marriage rights.
Gay marriage is legal in five states (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire) and in Washington, D.C. But each of those states allowed the practice only after courts or legislatures stepped in. A popular vote on gay marriage has never resulted in legalizing the unions.
The battle for what pro-gay marriage activists call "marriage equality" has also made significant strides in court recently. In July, a judge in Massachusetts declared the Defense of Marriage Act, which Congress passed in 1996, unconstitutional. The act denies federal benefits to gay and lesbian couples that get married. Then in August, a federal judge in California ruled that a voter initiative called Proposition 8, which barred gay marriage in the state, also violated the Constitution..photolaff:George & Tony Bush now divorced
Both judges put a "stay" on their rulings, which is like putting them on hold. This means that gay married couples in Massachusetts don't receive legal benefits, and gay couples in California can't get married.
But marriage isn't the only area of gay rights where the courts have ruled in favor of gay activists lately. The debate over ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which forbids gays and lesbians from serving openly, has come to the fore in a few venues and even gotten the attention of pop star Lady Gaga.
Last month, a federal judge in California declared the military's policy unconstitutional and may order the military to stop enforcing it any day now. A few weeks later, a judge in Washington ruled that a lesbian who had been discharged from the Air Force Reserve must be reinstated because her dismissal violated her constitutional rights.
Any one of those court cases could wind up at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sandwiched between the two "don't ask, don't tell" rulings was a Senate vote on repealing the policy. It was voted down, but not before singer Lady Gaga appeared at a rally in Maine, home to two moderate GOP senators whose votes Democrats were courting. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he plans to bring the repeal vote again after the Nov. 2 elections. and a report on the effects of ending the policy is due to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Dec. 1.
Amid all this activity, Ask America has been collecting people's thoughts on the issue. As of Sunday morning, more than 17,000 responses had come in, and the vote was split 50-50.
The question generated more than 1,200 comments. Yahoo! user lamme, who voted in favor of gay marriage, said, "If you don't believe gay marriage is right, then don't have one. Leave the gays who wish to marry alone. Can someone explain how gay marriage hurts the straight community?"
User Jen, who voted "No," commented: "I will tell you why I care; because it is ruining the family unit and the downfall of our civilization. Men and women have separate, distinct roles in life...they should be upheld."
People on both sides of the issue expressed one other opinion that comes up fairly often in the debate: that the government should just stay out of the marriage business altogether.
"The Constitution does not define marriage. All unions should be civil unions. Marriage is a religious ceremony," Chet Askew, who voted "Yes," said.
Terry voted "No" but said, "Marriage is defined as between a man and a woman. Plus, government should not be involved in this process period."
What do you think?
What Does October Effect Mean?
The theory that stocks tend to decline during the month of October. TheOctober effect is considered mainly to be a psychological expectationrather than an actual phenomenon. Most statistics go against the theory.
The theory that stocks tend to decline during the month of October. TheOctober effect is considered mainly to be a psychological expectationrather than an actual phenomenon. Most statistics go against the theory.
Investopedia explains October Effect
Some investors may be nervous during October because the dates of some largehistorical market crashes occurred during this month. Black Monday,Tuesday and Thursday all occurred in October 1929, after which came theGreat Depression. In addition, the great crash of 1987 occurred onOctober 19, and saw the Dow plummet 22.6% in a single day. .
Some investors may be nervous during October because the dates of some largehistorical market crashes occurred during this month. Black Monday,Tuesday and Thursday all occurred in October 1929, after which came theGreat Depression. In addition, the great crash of 1987 occurred onOctober 19, and saw the Dow plummet 22.6% in a single day. .
"Toni and I are separated and a divorce is already in the pipeline. We can never come together again. If people are being fed by wrong sources about the possibility of reconciling, they are hearing from me now that it is not possible. We can't come back." 9ice said in a recent interview.
He went further to reveal that he will never get married again, though he plans to have two or three more children. He already has one son, Zion, with his ex, Toni Payne.
A 42-year old man beat his wife to death following a disagreement. TOYOSI OGUNSEYE spoke with the suspect who says he cannot justify his action
The marriage of 10 years ended in just 10 minutes. Olushola Ojaelatan and his wife, Basirat Oluwatoyin, had been married for 10 years. They had three children out of which two are surviving.
The marriage was not Ojaelatan‘s first. The 42-year-old man was married for 10 years to another woman who left him after the union did not produce any child. Then he met Basirat who married him just after the first woman had left. Basirat‘s first child died a few months after birth, but she had two other children ages four and one respectively.
Neighbours at their No. 18/20, Laidi Street, Ofin, Ikorodu, Lagos, testified that the Ojaelatans‘ marriage had not been blissful. The landlord who pleaded anonymity said that he always had cause to settle the couple‘s differences. He said, ”I was always in their room settling one fight or the other. If the wife was not screaming, the husband would be shouting. I always told Basirat‘s husband that it was not everything his wife did that he should react to; but he never listened to me. Hardly did any week pass by that I did not have to placate either of them. Their trouble was just too much.”
One of the Ojaelatans‘ troubles that the landlord referred to occurred last Saturday. It was the last scuffle the husband would ever have with his wife. Ojaelatan, a carpenter, said that he returned from a night vigil in his church when his wife picked a quarrel with him. According to him, the woman was angry with him because he did not wait for her or the children when he was leaving the church. He said, ”She started shouting on top of her voice that I left her to bring our children home alone. Her grouse was that while she put one of the children on her back and held one, I did not bother to assist or wait for her after the service.”
Ojaelatan however said that Basirat, 32, had been nagging him for two days before then because he did not give her sufficient money, ”She started her trouble two days before that Saturday. I gave her the little money I had, but she kept complaining that it was not enough. I knew that she was preparing for another fight, so I decided to avoid her.”
The native of Ondo State however did not keep to his resolve to avoid his wife that Saturday. He said, ”I got home before her and our children and was lying down on the bed. She said that I would not sleep for leaving our children with her. Initially, I pleaded with her to let me sleep because we had another church service in the evening; but she did not listen. The next thing my wife did was to jump on the bed. She pulled my cloth and tore it into shreds. I can‘t lie against her.”
The father of two said that he couldn‘t bear it any longer at this stage, so he decided to beat her with his brown leather belt. As if dealing with an unruly child, he turned her face down and started to beat her on her bare back.
Ojaelatan said, ”Before she tore my shirt, she locked the door. I was very angry after she tore my shirt. So, I picked up my belt and started to beat her.”
Basirat‘s screams woke up the neighbours in the compound, including the landlord who ran to the couple‘s apartment. According to the landlord, he begged the couple to open the door and he met Basirat crying on top of her voice. He said, ”Basirat said that she was not going to leave her husband until he killed her. I managed to separate them and told my other tenants to take her out of the room while I admonished the husband.”
The landlord was still reprimanding Ojaelatan for beating his wife when someone shouted that Basirat, an auxiliary nurse, had fainted. Both the landlord and the lady‘s husband hurriedly went to the spot. When all efforts to resuscitate her failed, they rushed her to a nearby hospital but she died on the way.
Immediately, the neighbours reported the matter to the police. Then the reality of Ojaelatan‘s action dawned on him. He said, ”I still cannot believe that my wife is dead. I‘m shocked that she died over nothing. If you ask me what the cause of our quarrel was, I can‘t even say what exactly happened.”
That was not, however, the first time he would be beating her, “Even though we were always exchanging words, the last time I beat her was six years ago and I told myself that it will never happen again. I don‘t know what came over me.”
The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident and said, ”Basirat‘s cry for help was said to have alerted other tenants who reportedly discovered that the door was locked from inside, thereby preventing them from quickly saving her. Moments later, she became unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital where, unfortunately, she was confirmed dead. We have started our investigations and an autopsy will be carried out for us to know the cause of her death.”
Mba, a Superintendent of Police, added that the deceased had a caesarian operation less than a year ago. ”She gave birth via a caesarian section barely a year ago, and it is possible that she was yet to recover, health wise. But the autopsy will tell us what went wrong.”
The PPRO advised couples to shun domestic violence.
Ex-beauty queen and popular Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, who made headline last year after she was sentenced to five years imprisonment for manslaughter, following the death of a medical doctor, Mr. Suraj Giwa, is a changed woman.
Ibinabo Fiberesima
She has completely turned her life around, bidding farewell to alcohol, cigarettes and partying. The single mother of three is now a born again Christian and spreads the word of God at every opportunity.
Confirming her new faith to HVP on telephone, the actress-turned-preacher said she gave her life to Christ while she was serving her jail term at Kirikiri Maximum Prison.
Ibinabo, who was a former night club owner, said she took the bold step after she realised that the promises of man is fake and also given the need to build eternal peace within herself.
“I got born again when I was in prison. I discovered that the promises of man is fake. Yes, I’m spreading the word of God at every given opportunity. I visit schools in Port-Harcourt to talk to children about Christ. Each time I’m praying, I always ask God that whenever people see me, let them see the glory of God in me,” she muted.
The embattled actress allayed the fear that she would abandon her acting career for the work of God. “I will still be acting. Doing the work of God will not stop me from acting,” she said.
She advised other celebrities to learn to embrace Christ as the only way to find permanent peace in life.
Ibinabo Fiberesima was convicted of murder manslaughter and sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Igbosere division of the Lagos Magistrate Court last year..
She was alleged to have killed a male medical doctor identified as Suraju Giwa while driving carelessly and under the influence of alcohol along Lekki/Epe Expressway in Lagos.
Ibinabo was said to have been seriously drunk while driving the vehicle ( a jeep) belonging to her erstwhile lover, Daniel Wilson, in which she was with some other girls.
Though the actress pleaded not guilty, the prosecution called five witnesses during the trial to prove its case, and all the five who, included two eye witnesses, gave detailed account of how the offence was committed, to the court.
The presiding magistrate, Mr. A.O. Isaac, thus held he was totally convinced that the actress committed the offence, having looked at the circumstances surrounding the matter as well as the account of the prosecution witnesses. He found her guilty as charged and convicted her accordingly.
uote
Baggies scoop historic Barclays awards double
West Bromwich Albion's Roberto Di Matteo and Peter Odemwingie are Barclays Manager and Player of the Month.
The pair have been rewarded for their efforts during the month of September as the Baggies claimed two wins and a draw.
This is the first ever time that a West Brom player and manager have won the individual accolades, while Odemwingie becomes the first Nigerian to scoop the prize since Jay-Jay Okocha won the accolade for Bolton Wanderers in November 2003.
The Baggies enjoyed a terrific September, picking up seven points from a possible nine to finish the month in sixth place in the Barclays Premier League.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Kicking off the month with a fine 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur, the team followed this up with an impressive 3-1 victory over Midlands rivals Birmingham City at The Hawthorns, with Odemwingie netting the second goal..
The highlight of Di Matteo's month was still to come, however, as West Brom shocked title hopefuls Arsenal with a 3-2 win at the Emirates Stadium. Odemwingie was on target yet again as he inspired the visitors to one of the biggest surprises in the Barclays Premier League this season.
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.
Abuja Bomb Blast: Ben Jessy (wanted)
Huhuonline.com can disclose that barely 72
hours after Abuja bomb explosions, the NigeriaPolice has confirmed the arrest of a suspect.But the identity of the arrested suspect was not disclosed for security reasons.
.
“The ugly incident resulted in the death of 10 (ten) persons, while 36 (thirty-six) others, including 11 policemen were seriously injured. The blasts completely destroyed 6 (six) cars, damaged 18 (eighteen) others, and shattered the glasses of a hotel nearby. “The Nigeria Police deeply regrets the loss of innocent lives and the harm and damage done to the well being and property of fellow citizens. It is clear that the intention of the perpetrators of the evil act was to truncate Nigeria ’s celebration of half a century of her political freedom.“Their motive was to cut short the joy of men and women of goodwill and to pour shame and contempt on our President and indeed the entire nation, in the very presence of dignitaries and eminent persons from around the world. “Certainly, these operators of an evil enterprise had targeted to commit mass murder of innocent children, young and old men and women, and members of the international community who had gathered to partake in our nation’s glorious moment.
Abuja Bomb Blast: Chima Orlu (Wanted)
“To the glory of God, their act of wickedness was frustrated by the tight security put in place at the Eagle Square .
Police investigation has commenced in earnest. Forensic experts are already checking about a hundred vehicles trapped in the vicinity of the blasts to ascertain the make, composition and origin of the explosives. As soon as the forensic examination is over, the vehicles will be released to their owners and the roads re-opened to normal traffic. “The Nigeria Police regrets the inconveniences caused owners of those trapped vehicles and the users of those roads. “Also, an arrest has been made by the Police in connection with the incident. Police detectives are currently hunting for another two Nigerian citizens suspected to be the masterminds of the evil plot. Their names are: 1. CHIMA ORLU, (MALE) and 2. BEN JESSY (MALE) And I have attached their photographs for easier identification. By this release, they are declared wanted by the Nigeria Police, and are hereby requested to come forward and clear their names. Any person who sees them or knows their whereabouts is requested to kindly report to the nearest Police Station anywhere in the Federation of Nigeria, or abroad, or call or send SMS to the following telephone numbers:1. 08033225-349; 2. 0806-2700-000 ; and 3. 0803-8305-707 “Finally, I wish to call on all citizens that the thought and act of bombing any part of this country amounts to a declaration of war against Nigeria . It is our collective duty to stop criminals from destroying our fatherland. “All citizens are reminded that they are obliged by the constitution to assist law enforcement agencies in the maintenance of law and order. And it is indeed a punishable offence to conceal or hide the identity or whereabouts of a wanted person.”President Goodluck Jonathan has said those behind the twin bomb attacks in Abuja which claimed about 16 lives during the 50th anniversary celebrations were terrorists sponsored from outside the country. He vowed that government would name and shame those involved.
The president said at a dinner held to commemorate the country's golden jubilee at Marina State House annex Lagos, over the weekend that the government was already on the trail of the perpetrators, and they will not go free.
Mr. Jonathan said, "a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria was sponsored to carry out the evil act. We are on their trail and will ensure that until they are arrested and brought to book, we will not rest. Government will no longer condone impunity and any culprit no matter how highly placed or connected will not go scot free."
It's a terrorist plot
The President who called for a minute's silence for those who lost their lives, again absolved the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) of any connection with the blast. He said the act was perpetrated by a terrorist group hiding under the umbrella of the movement.
According to him, "We have contacted other members of MEND and they say they know nothing about it. Anybody that hides under the umbrella of MEND to carry out those acts will soon be exposed."
However, MEND had in an earlier statement claimed responsibility and blamed security agents for the loss of lives. In the statement, it said, "The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives. They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday in South Africa." Mr. Okah's house in South Africa was first ransacked by INTERPOL on Thursday and South African security officials arrested him after the bombing, on Saturday.
At another event on Sunday at the National Christian Centre Abuja, Mr. Jonathan regretted that those who carried out the bombings did so at a time many were offering prayers for the nation. "It is the work of the devil, but the people will not die in vain. They have paid the supreme sacrifice to reveal the demons with beautiful names amongst us. We will unearth them," he promised.
He also thanked Nigerians for their orderliness and calm despite the explosions adding that it shows a new Nigeria.
"Nigerians have unanimously declared liberty on our land to move our nation forward. In this year, with the help of God we shall be liberated".
Transformation is coming
He restated his determination to drive the process of transformation by working at all levels and arms of government to reposition the economy.
The Senate President, David Mark, assured the federal government of the support of the National Assembly to ensure the prompt arrest of the perpetrators and ensure they get maximum punishment.
"Whatever may be the reason behind this, it is not acceptable. This is not time to forgive anybody behind this evil, we urge the federal government and we will assist them that the evil doers must get maximum sanction", he said..
Speaking on behalf of the 36 state governors, the Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio,
said they were prepared to support the leadership of Mr. Jonathan. He urged the president not to despair or get distracted by the "blackmail".
The representative of the business community and Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Kola Jamodu, also noted that there has been a significant improvement in the economy because of the positive steps taken by the government. He appealed for more transparency and consistency in economic policies to move the nation forward.
He further asked for tax incentives for private investors who are setting up businesses in the villages and remote parts of the country to stem rural urban migration as well as develop the areas and create more employment.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili said the dinner was the final stage of the Nigeria@50 anniversary celebration and government decided to go ahead and hold it in honour of those killed in the blast rather than be cowed by the attacks.
The Aso villa chaplain Obioma Onwuzurumba condemned the attacks saying, "The enemy meant evil, but I know that God will turn what the enemy intended to be evil for the good of Nigeria. We are not daunted, we are not intimidated, we simply give thanks to God that the damages were curtailed."
GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has commended the pace at which the Federal Government non-violence transformation training for ex-militants in Obubra is progressing.
Imoke, who gave the commendation at the passing out ceremony of the fifth batch of ex-militants at the Obubra camp, described the programme as "wonderful and worthwhile".
The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on State Security, Mr Bassey Okim, said the government would always support the amnesty programme.
The governor said that the programme was beneficial to the state because, as host of amnesty camp, it shared the collective interest in the enduring peace and security in Nigeria.
He said: "You will also realise that since the commencement of this programme peace is reigning in the country and in the Niger Delta Region specifically.
"So if we are hosting some of the elements that were responsible for the hostility, it shows that we are ready to sacrifice for the collective benefit of the country.
"If we did not provide this camp and no other state was willing to provide this, it means that the amnesty programme would not have come to full cycle.
"The peace that we are enjoying in the state and in other parts of the South-South and the Niger Delta is one of the direct and perhaps the best benefit from this programme.’’
According to Imoke, the ex-militants, who embraced the programme, are contributing their quota to the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.
"The boys have already contributed their quota by surrendering to the sovereignty of this country. I think they have done enough already.
"What we will always demand of them is that they should live in accordance with the terms of the amnesty programme. And I am sure that if you look at the faces you are seeing here, they are more anxious than some of us to be reintegrated into the Nigerian nation,’’ the governor said.
Imoke also commended the introduction of cultural displays by representatives from different states in the Niger Delta at the Obubra camp.
"A programme of this nature should not just be regimented or militarised. Cultural displays should go with it. Remember that these are ex-militants and we are trying to rehabilitate them into a larger society, into normal lives.
"Two years ago, no one could imagine that those boys will be dancing to their traditional tunes. It is an indication that they have finally been reintegrated into society. This shows that they have finally embraced peace, amnesty and have returned to normal lives,’’ Imoke said.
With the passing out of the 1,053 trainees in batch five, more than 6,000 out of the 20,192 ex-militants slated for the exercise have so far graduated from the Obubra camp.
Awards were given to the best graduating trainees; best leaders; best behaved; trainees who demonstrated high degree of honesty and integrity; parade commander and the group that won the tug-of war competition.
According to the Camp Administrator, Mr Ekpein Appah, the sixth batch is expected within the week.
By Nicholas Kalu, Calabar
Suffering for the right reasons
1Peter 2:19-20; 19 For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. 2:20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we have read 1Peter 2:19-20, we see that to suffer or to be treated wrongly for the cause of the LORD is a rewarding thing, and is favorable in the sight of the LORD. God is pleased, when we do not compromise our beliefs or convictions, even if it means harsh treatment or persecution that will come from others. Our Father is honored when we are willing to suffer wrong for His name! In Acts the 5th Chapter we see that Peter and the Apostles rejoiced greatly because they were counted worthy to be reproached and to suffer wrongfully for preaching in the Name of Jesus!
But some would say, "why would God allow is children to suffer, aren't we the head and not the tail"? Well, brothers and sisters, I am afraid that many have misrepresented the ways and purposes of God in the life of the believer; and have misquoted scriptures to the point that their doctrines have become flawed! You see, the problem is, is that no one wants to, or is willing to suffer any amount of persecution for the LORD Jesus! Not many or willing to endure anything at all, because personal comfort and luxurious living are too important. Yes, the LORD can and does bless His children, and many have been fortunate to live a very lavish lifestyle; but when the LORD blesses you with much, He expects you to be a blessing to others and not to horde it all upon yourself (read Luke 12:13-21).
God does not save us so that our sole purpose in life is to live high on the hog!! He did not save us so that we could live in ease, comfort and pleasure either. We were saved so that we would become witnesses for Him, so that others could partake of the true riches that is found only in Jesus Christ! But what we are mainly talking about here is when we suffer or when we are rebuked for doing something that was wrong, and we feel as though we have been treated unfairly and we want to rebuke the devil, bind evil spirits and start calling things forth….how foolish can we be? How religious can we be?
When we have done that which is worthy of chastisement, we ought to be willing to suffer the reward. If you run a red light, stop sign or assault someone without cause….you should not expect the officer or the judge to be so understanding; and you get off scott- free!
Listen to what verse 20 says; For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.
Some would say, "yea I ran that light, and I have a big fine to pay, but the devil is a lie…God is going to get me out of this"! What?? You did something wrong!! Don't bring God or the devil into it, that was completely your doing! So just suck it up and take your punishment. Or some would step out in faith as we say, and purchase a home, car, boat or what have you and knowing full well that they cannot afford it. And before the repo man comes to take it….we will get some oil and sling it all over the thing and start marching around it and making proclamations….Hey... wait a minute! You know that you didn't have the extra funds for this thing, so why involve the Father in your foolishness? What did Jesus say in Luke 14:28-32; For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 14:29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him. 14:30 They will say, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ 14:31 Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 14:32 If he cannot succeed, he will send a representative while the other is still a long way off and ask for terms of peace.
So what is the bottom line here…well simply this. Take full responsibility for your actions and decisions. Don't obligate God to rescue you from something that was completely your own doing; although He is plenteous in mercy. Just understand that when we do wrong and are punished for the wrong, remember to praise the LORD, ask for forgiveness and try earnestly not to repeat the same error. And when you are punished for the cause of Christ and for preaching the Gospel…rejoice and be exceedingly glad! Endure it patiently because there is a reward that soon will follow!
B-blessed my brothers and sisters in Christ;
Michael
Reaching Up!
Foundational Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14; Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, 14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
King James:
To understand the idea being conveyed here, we have to understand that in the Hebrew, or Greek, the words carry a much deeper meaning than does the English language. For instance, the word in this verse: “apprehended”; to us it brings to mind the idea of someone being caught, arrested or taken into custody. Or the idea of an animal being caught in a trap, and we see it as being used to express an outward action, somewhat disconnected from us; the action being applied to something else outside of us. But in the Greek, the understanding means:kä-tä-läm-bä'-nō
to lay hold of a) to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain, attain to, to make one's own, to take into one's self, appropriate b) to seize upon, take possession of. |
It expresses the idea of an inward seizing....bringing it into ones self! Making it your own personal responsibility. Apprehending or seizing ones self! You see, it is very common among human-kind to place blame onto someone else. To say that someone else is responsible for me getting into this mess!
Such as the case of Adam after he fell along with Eve his wife; He answered to God when questioned and said; “The woman that you gave me....”. And the woman of course responded by saying; “the serpent tricked me...and I...”. So it is easier to pass the buck, rather then taking full responsibility for our own actions.
The Psalms are filled with scriptural descriptions of reaching up; ex; Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.
Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.
All these gives us the visual of reaching up! When we think of “reaching up”, we seem to relate it to being in trouble or distress and needing the LORD to save us and to deliver us. Although that my be true and is a good thing, but here, I believe that the Apostle is speaking to us of something more personal.
In the 13th verse of the 3rd chapter of Philippians, we read; (from the KJ's) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Reaching forth; Reaching up....! In the Greek, the phrase is: ep-ek-tā'-no-mī which means; to stretch out to or towards/ to stretch (one's self) forward to.
You see, the LORD doesn't just want us reaching up to him in our times of troubles! But He wants and expects us to be Reaching up, Reaching forth, growing up in our personal walk with Him! Stretching ourselves forward towards Him; becoming more Christ like!
Hear what Paul is saying....”reaching forth unto those things which are before...”. The LORD Jesus expects more from us! He exhorts us all to become perfect as He is perfect!
Not that we would become sinless..no, not at all; but that we would become more mature, that we would grow up into the Head...which is Christ Jesus as says Eph. 4:15.
If we are to “Reach Up” for anything; it should be, to become more like Christ and to leave all of the junk and baggage that keeps us from reaching forth unto those things which are before; that keeps us from stretching out to, or towards Him in holiness and righteous living. In speaking to the Galatians, Paul said; Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Who, are what will you allow to hinder you? To stump your growth, to keep you from “reaching up”!
All of this implies work on our part. We have to get involved with the LORD in working out our own salvation. Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
(Reach Up!)
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Reach Up!)
No we are not saved by good works, nor of our own righteousness, the blood of Jesus was the only pleasing sacrifice that the Father has accepted; but we are commanded to kill our flesh, to mortify the deeds of our bodies. So let's summarize what Paul is saying in verses 13 and 14 of Philippians 3. He says; “I count not myself”. Meaning, I put no trust nor confidence in me, nor my flesh; for I know in me (my flesh) dwells nothing good. I am not so arrogant as to think that I have come to the point in this walk that I have nothing further to improve upon!
“But this one thing I do”. I realize that there is more that I can do. I am not the super saint that others see me to be! I admit that there are problem areas that need immediate attention.
“I press”. The only alternative I have is to press, to “reach up”. Because there is more that the LORD wants to do in me and through me. And he can't use me as I am now! So how do I press...by “reaching up” for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, through getting the sin out, by not continuing to do those things that will grieve the Holy Spirit of God!
So I admonish you Saints, to reach up, reach up...not in the sense of “God help me”, “remove this trouble”. But in the sense of coming into maturity, and growing in the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Reading: James 3:1-13, 17
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
“How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by Hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you… without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy?”
Sermon
You can always count on a good scandal. When I decided several months ago that I was going to preach on the subject of hypocrisy, I couldn’t help but wonder which scandal would surface for my use as a contemporary sermon illustration. They are many lets mention a few .1.Pastor Eddie long 2.Ted haggard ......
At this list and invisible is going to be me and you readers !
I think hypocrisy may be defined as such: hypocrisy is a kind of insincerity, a claiming to believe things that you do not really believe. Hypocrisy is a kind of dissonance between our public words and private actions, between what you say should be done and what you actually do. And more to the point, hypocrisy involves a kind of tangible benefit – in which one derives honor or prestige or gain by claiming to have principles that one does not actually have.
If there is a lesson that I want for you to take away from Church this morning, it is that you should be a bigger hypocrite, because hypocrisy is hip again. Actually, that is not the lesson I want you to take away. I’ll explain this later on.
Of course, there is no commandment against hypocrisy, exactly. Hypocrisy is not a sin; it is more of an accessory, an enhancement, a bonus. The poet Matthew Arnold famously quipped, "Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue." What Arnold is saying is that while vice can exist anywhere, hypocrisy can only exist when vice exists amidst claims of virtue.
Claims of virtue invite hypocrisy. My favorite example of this is the author William Bennett. Bennett, as many of you know, wrote the "Book of Virtue." It was actually called the "Book of Virtues" and, checking in at an enormous 831 pages, it clearly had a lot to say about virtues. So, it was only fitting that the man who wrote the “book of virtues” would accumulate a reported eight million dollars in gambling losses. Now, Bennett is a wealthy man. After all, it was his many books instructing people in the practice of virtue, and condemning others for their moral shortcomings, that made Bill Bennett the type of guy who can easily afford to blow eight million dollars without having to worry about how he will feed his family. He was not gambling the milk money. And lots of people lose a million or two in the casinos: Pete Rose, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, nameless business men in Armani suits... but Dennis Rodman’s autobiography is called “Bad as I want to be”, not "The Book of Virtues." Hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.
So hypocrisy thrives amidst claims of virtue. So, it is only fitting that it would be found most pronounced among those who claim to be the most virtuous. It thrives amidst adulterous preachers like Jimmy Swaggart, and fraudulent and adulterous preachers like Jim Bakker, and preachers like Jerry Johnston, who had the nerve to preach to his flock about not cheating on their taxes while he himself was apparently over a year behind and ten thousand dollars in arrears on taxes he owed on his half-million dollar Johnson County home. He promptly paid up though; in fact he paid up on the very same day a reporter asked him about his unpaid taxes. (Now, if Jim Bakker or Jerry Johnston had been a little bit creative, they would have found a way to skip out on taxes legally, like Rick Warren did. From 1993-1995, Rev. Rick Warren paid not one single cent in income tax on his $80,000/year salary. He found a small loop hole for clergy and made it a big loop hole. And he got away with it. Of course, he had to win a Supreme Court case in the process, but that’s what you have to do when you’re doing God’s work.)
Now, if my aim today were to instruct you not to be hypocrites, I could recommend two different courses of action. One course of action would be to tell you to be morally pure and ethically perfect. “Be ye perfect…” And, of course, you're not going to succeed, because who do think you are, Jesus? The other course of action, to perfectly safeguard you from ever being accused of hypocrisy, is to tell you to never make any sort of moral claim whatsoever, which doesn't of course mean that you need to live life full of vice. You might just as well live a life of model virtue, just don't say that's what you're doing and don't tell anybody else what to do either.
But, that's not why I'm here this morning. I'm not here to prescribe an antidote to hypocrisy, but to invite you to become hypocrites. Because hypocrisy is hip again, it's always been. Of course, that's not really what I'm going to do.
So, when I say the word "hypocrisy" to you, what do you think of? I would imagine that what you think of is something like the Jim Bakker's and Jimmy Swaggart's of the world. Or of the religious authorities we imagine Jesus rebuking for demonstrating showy piety but living lives of ethical shortcoming. I would imagine that you think of someone self-aggrandizing, arrogant, and holier-than-thou.
But I want to see if I can't suggest a different way of thinking about hypocrisy. What if we saw hypocrisy not as the emperor without any clothes, but something different. Unitarian Universalist Doug Muder, who is a political commentator and writer on culture, faith, and politics, writes, “[The Religious Right has] a fundamentally negative view of where the world is going. The Anti-Christ is coming. Armageddon is coming. Things are going to get really bad. And so, if Tom DeLay or Rush Limbaugh or Jimmy Swaggart get into trouble -- and they have -- that just shows how strong the winds of temptations are in this fallen society. It just shows how strong Satan is in these last days,it is that scandals, paradoxically, often have the effect of strengthening and confirming people’s allegiances to their own biases. If it is your enemy that who goes down in shame, it just goes to prove how right you were to have that enemy. And if it is your own hero is the one who succumbs, then imagine how much worse your enemy would succumb to that same temptation!
To paraphrase, “pointing out another’s vice has no ability to change them. Displaying your own virtue is the only thing that will change them.”
Thus, my invitation to you all to become hypocrites. Well, not actually. Thus, my invitation to you all to risk being hypocrites: My invitation to you to display virtue. To display liberal religious virtue. Because pointing out another’s vice has no ability to change them, but displaying your own virtue does.
A story from our tradition: the great Universalist minister Hosea Ballou was traveling along the road and got to talking salvation with a person traveling along the road with him. When Ballou admitted that he believed in Universal salvation and that there was no such thing as Hell, the traveler asked, “But if you do not believe in Hell, why do you not kill me and steal my horse.” Ballou’s response, “Because I am a Universalist the thought would never cross my mind.”
When I talk about this church, this faith in public, people will sometimes ask me, concerned, “Well, if you don’t all believe the same thing, then how do you get along?” “If there is no Hell, then what is the incentive to do good?” I say, we get along because we respect each other even though we do not all believe the same thing. We do good not for some future reward but because doing good is its own reward.
Because we do help people to live ethical, principled lives. In this congregation we have amazing families. We have astounding kindness, understanding, compassion. We have passionate commitment to causes that make the world a better place. Our teenagers grow into these fantastic human beings with ethics and vision. Our children are the ones at school who speak out when a racist epithet or homophobic insult is spoken; they are the ones sticking up for the kid getting picked on, befriending the kid who is left out. These are our values.
Doug Muder writes, “the personal is political again.” By this he means that the everyday ways we live our lives are an expression of our deepest values and that we should choose to be out-spoken about the role those values play in our lives. This means that the conduct of our everyday lives, the virtues we embrace, and demonstrate, and live-by, if articulated, are a source of influence and moral force. How we take care of each other is a source of influence and moral force. How we spend time together as a family is political again is a source of influence and moral force. How we volunteer and give and serve the community is a source of influence and moral force. How we face the tough stuff life throws at us, and get back up again, is a source of influence and moral force.
So, I invite you to risk being a hypocrite: as you live out our values in community, as you walk the walk of justice and mercy, inclusiveness and love, don’t be afraid to speak up and say, “These are my values. These are my morals. These are my virtues.”
It’s definitely not easy to predict how your girlfriend’s going to interpret your behavior. Most misunderstandings and arguments arise because one of you has grabbed the wrong end of the stick. If you’ve reacted melodramatically or done something that she has misunderstood, it’s not up to you to change. You can’t always help what she sees, after all. But you can prevent the onslaught of drama by taking note of some typical misconceptions so that you’re ahead of the game.
Here are some examples of what you do versus what she sees.
You forget to give her a key to your place
What you did: You’ve been working long hours and have had so much going on that getting her a key to your apartment just slipped your mind -- again.
What she sees: A hesitation to commit. In her mind it’s such a simple thing for you to give her a key that she fears your hesitation could be symptomatic of something more serious. For instance, maybe you just don’t have the balls to tell her you really don’t want her to move her toothbrush into your bathroom just yet.
What you should do: It’s time to figure out your emotions. Are there any real reasons, other than a memory slip, that explain you not getting her a key? Ask yourself if you really do want her gaining free access to your private space. If you do, then make getting the key a priority. If you are second-guessing yourself, clearly communicate with her why you’d rather not take that leap of commitment yet.
Cut off phone or text conversations
What you did: You’ve spoken for a while, but when you’re keen to end the conversation you warble off a “goodnight” and don’t think anything of pulling the plug on your talk. In fact, you might regularly end conversations first.
What she sees: She’s either boring you or you just don’t wish to take the time to nurture the relationship with communication.
What you should do: Explain to her that you’re not a big phone person and would prefer getting to speak to her face-to-face. That way, she won’t feel dissed. Ensure that you have really great conversations when you do see each other so she knows you’re interested in getting to know her.
Read on to find out how more of your innocent actions get misinterpreted..
Interact with an ex
What you did: You and your ex have been exchanging a few texts and organizing coffee catch-ups.
What she sees: A threat, possibly involving future infidelity. You have a history with the woman in question so your girlfriend can’t help but worry a romantic sequel is in the cards.
What you should do: Decide what your relationship with your ex is about and what you hope to gain from it. Often, misunderstandings occur because of lack of information, so define that interaction for yourself and then communicate it to your girlfriend. This will prevent her mind from incorrectly filling in blanks.
Talk about a female friend
What you did: It’s nothing major. In conversation, you casually mentioned something about Michelle from the office, or you talk about Lauren, one of your closest friends..
What she sees: You’re lusting over a friend that keeps coming up in conversation. Didn’t Oprah Winfrey call this “mentionitis?”
What you should do: Bite your tongue in the future. However, if you want to share something with your girlfriend, bear in mind it’s easy for misunderstandings to crop up unless you’re crystal clear concerning details. If you saw Lauren in a group setting, ensure you mention that crucial fact so your girlfriend’s mind doesn’t run circles around her.
Take a call in the other room
What you did: You couldn’t hear the person on the other side of the phone or you just thought it was less rude to take the call outside the restaurant.
What she sees: She thinks you could be hiding something and keeping secrets from her.
What you should do: Take calls in the room with her. Not only will she see that she has nothing to fear, but she will probably start wishing you would take them outside when you become too noisy.
I wonder who they are infecting with AIDS now !
The sordid "past" of Americans . even Nazi Mad doctor Josef Mengele would be amazed by the following Testament.
From 1946 to 1948, American public health doctors deliberately infected nearly 700 Guatemalans — prison inmates, mental patients and soldiers — with venereal diseases in what was meant as an effort to test the effectiveness of penicillin.
Bryce Vickmark for The New York Times
Photo:Susan M. Reverby, a Wellesley College professor, at home in Cambridge, Mass. Her work uncovered the Guatemala study.Dr Josef Mengele
American tax dollars, through the National Institutes of Health, even paid for syphilis-infected prostitutes to sleep with prisoners, since Guatemalan prisons allowed such visits. When the prostitutes did not succeed in infecting the men, some prisoners had the bacteria poured onto scrapes made on their penises, faces or arms, and in some cases it was injected by spinal puncture..
If the subjects contracted the disease, they were given antibiotics.
“However, whether everyone was then cured is not clear,” said Susan M. Reverby, the professor at Wellesley College who brought the experiments to light in a research paper that prompted American health officials to investigate.
The revelations were made public on Friday, when Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius apologized to the government of Guatemala and the survivors and descendants of those infected. They called the experiments “clearly unethical.”
“Although these events occurred more than 64 years ago, we are outraged that such reprehensible research could have occurred under the guise of public health,” the secretaries said in a statement. “We deeply regret that it happened, and we apologize to all the individuals who were affected by such abhorrent research practices.”
In a twist to the revelation, the public health doctor who led the experiment, John C. Cutler, would later have an important role in the Tuskegee study in which black American men with syphilis were deliberately left untreated for decades. Late in his own life, Dr. Cutler continued to defend the Tuskegee work.
His unpublished Guatemala work was unearthed recently in the archives of the University of Pittsburgh by Professor Reverby, a medical historian who has written two books about Tuskegee.
President Álvaro Colom of Guatemala, who first learned of the experiments on Thursday in a phone call from Mrs. Clinton, called them “hair-raising” and “crimes against humanity.” His government said it would cooperate with the American investigation and do its own.
The experiments are “a dark chapter in the history of medicine,” said Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. Modern rules for federally financed research “absolutely prohibit” infecting people without their informed consent, Dr. Collins said.
Professor Reverby presented her findings about the Guatemalan experiments at a conference in January, but nobody took notice, she said in a telephone interview Friday. In June, she sent a draft of an article she was preparing for the January 2011 issue of the Journal of Policy History to Dr. David J. Sencer, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control. He prodded the government to investigate.
In the 1940s, Professor Reverby said, the United States Public Health Service “was deeply interested in whether penicillin could be used to prevent, not just cure, early syphilis infection, whether better blood tests for the disease could be established, what dosages of penicillin actually cured infection, and to understand the process of re-infection after cures.”
It had difficulties growing syphilis in the laboratory, and its tests on rabbits and chimpanzees told it little about how penicillin worked in humans.
In 1944, it injected prison “volunteers” at the Terre Haute Federal Penitentiary in Indiana with lab-grown gonorrhea, but found it hard to infect people that way.
In 1946, Dr. Cutler was asked to lead the Guatemala mission, which ended two years later, partly because of medical “gossip” about the work, Professor Reverby said, and partly because he was using so much penicillin, which was costly and in short supply.
Dr. Cutler would later join the study in Tuskegee, Ala., which had begun relatively innocuously in 1932 as an observation of how syphilis progressed in black male sharecroppers. In 1972, it was revealed that, even when early antibiotics were invented, doctors hid that fact from the men in order to keep studying them. Dr. Cutler, who died in 2003, defended the Tuskegee experiment in a 1993 documentary.
Deception was also used in Guatemala, Professor Reverby said. Dr. Thomas Parran, the former surgeon general who oversaw the start of Tuskegee, acknowledged that the Guatemala work could not be done domestically, and details were hidden from Guatemalan officials.
Professor Reverby said she found some of Dr. Cutler’s papers at the University of Pittsburgh, where he taught until 1985, while she was researching Dr. Parran.
“I’m sifting through them, and I find ‘Guatemala ... inoculation ...’ and I think ‘What the heck is this?’ And then it was ‘Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.’ My partner was with me, and I told him, ‘You aren’t going to believe this.’ ”
Fernando de la Cerda, minister counselor at the Guatemalan Embassy in Washington, said that Mrs. Clinton apologized to President Colom in her Thursday phone call. “We thank the United States for its transparency in telling us the facts,” he said.
Asked about the possibility of reparations for survivors or descendants, Mr. de la Cerda said that was still unclear.
The public response on the Web sites of Guatemalan news outlets was furious. One commenter, Cesar Duran, on the site of Prensa Libre wrote: “APOLOGIES ... please ... this is what has come to light, but what is still hidden? They should pay an indemnity to the state of Guatemala, not just apologize.”
Dr. Mark Siegler, director of the Maclean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago’s medical school, said he was stunned. “This is shocking,” Dr. Siegler said. “This is much worse than Tuskegee — at least those men were infected by natural means.”
He added: “It’s ironic — no, it’s worse than that, it’s appalling — that, at the same time as the United States was prosecuting Nazi doctors for crimes against humanity, the U.S. government was supporting research that placed human subjects at enormous risk.”
The Nuremberg trials of Nazi doctors who experimented on concentration camp inmates and prisoners led to a code of ethics, though it had no force of law. In the 1964 Helsinki Declaration, the medical associations of many countries adopted a code.
The Tuskegee scandal and the hearings into it conducted by Senator Edward M. Kennedy became the basis for the 1981 American laws governing research on human subjects, Dr. Siegler said.
It was preceded by other domestic scandals. From 1963 to 1966, researchers at the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island infected retarded children with hepatitis to test gamma globulin against it. And in 1963, elderly patients at the Brooklyn Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital were injected with live cancer cells to see if they caused tumors.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has apologised for causing the death of many people in the explosions which rocked the Federal capital yesterday.
In an email sent to journalists a moment ago, Jomo Gbomo, the spokesperson of the group, said the group "deeply regrets the avoidable loss of lives during our bomb attack in Abuja on Friday October 1, 2010. Our hearts go to the families of those killed who we know were sympathetic to our cause"..
The group said the failure of security forces to heed a warning it had given five days before the attack is responsible for the deaths
"The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives. They were given 5 days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday, September 30 in South Africa."
It also claimed that an hour before the attack, security forces were reminded of the impending violence but failed to act. It said the email received by journalists a few minutes before the explosions was sent only after the one to security agents.
"The security forces were also warned one full hour to the first bomb blast ahead of the general alert sent to the media and told to steer the public from all parked cars which was not done."
The group's claim of responsibility for the attacks is coming hours after President Goodluck Jonathan said they were not responsible and blamed the explosions on terrorists.
Mr. Jonathan told an ECOWAS gathering in Abuja today that ``What happened yesterday was a terrorist act and MEND was just used as a straw; MEND is not a terrorist group".
"The Niger Delta people are aware of the government's noble efforts to assuage the suffering and deprivation in that region," the President said.
"I am from the Niger Delta, my father's house is few metres from an oil-well, so nobody can claim to be a Niger Deltan than myself.
"It is erroneous to think that my people who have been agitating for good living will deliberately blow up the opportunity they have now".
In a related development, Henry Okah, an alleged leader of the militant group, was arrested by South African police today and is being questioned.
On Thursday, Interpol forces raided Mr Okah's home in South Africa but no action was taken against him. It is not clear yet if he will be charged following his latest arrest.
However, the group has exonerated him of involvement in Friday's bombings that killed at least 12 people and injured tens of others. "Okah has never been involved in any MEND operations but has always been blamed for every attack which is strange to us," the group said..
