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You wouldn’t believe what happened yesterday, at a brief event to celebrate Virgin Atalntic’s inaugural flight into Ghana.
At the well-attended event by the pool side of the Golden Tulip hotel, billionaire businessman Richard Branson, who’s the boss of VA,
attempted to push comedian Basketmouth into the pool. We’re told
Branson is used to pulling surprising stunts on guests at his events;
and that he has pushed many of his friends into swimming pools at
different parties.
But, yesterday in Accra, Nigerian comedianBasketmouth saw Branson coming. And he pulled a fast one – landing
Branson in the pool.
Guests were shocked. And for a second, somethought the billionaire or his aides would take offence. But Mr Branson
only reached out to Basket, inviting him to join him in the pool. ‘Wait
a minute’, Basket seemed to say, as he took off his wrist watch, and
dropped his mobile phone. Then he jumped into the pool where he posed
for pictures with Branson.
‘It was so unbelievable; but ended upbeing very interesting, and one of the high points of the night’, an
amused guest told NET.
‘He cracked Richard Branson up after that, and he got the man laughing non-stop. I was proud to be a Nigerian’, said our source.
At the well-attended event by the pool side of the Golden Tulip hotel, billionaire businessman Richard Branson, who’s the boss of VA,
attempted to push comedian Basketmouth into the pool. We’re told
Branson is used to pulling surprising stunts on guests at his events;
and that he has pushed many of his friends into swimming pools at
different parties.
But, yesterday in Accra, Nigerian comedianBasketmouth saw Branson coming. And he pulled a fast one – landing
Branson in the pool.
Guests were shocked. And for a second, somethought the billionaire or his aides would take offence. But Mr Branson
only reached out to Basket, inviting him to join him in the pool. ‘Wait
a minute’, Basket seemed to say, as he took off his wrist watch, and
dropped his mobile phone. Then he jumped into the pool where he posed
for pictures with Branson.
‘It was so unbelievable; but ended upbeing very interesting, and one of the high points of the night’, an
amused guest told NET.
‘He cracked Richard Branson up after that, and he got the man laughing non-stop. I was proud to be a Nigerian’, said our source.
Actor Gary Coleman is in critical condition in a Provo, Utah, hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said Thursday.
Janet Frank, the spokeswoman for Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, confirmed thatColeman, 42, was being treated there after being admitted on Wednesday.
Frank would not release any other information.
Calls to Coleman's publicist were not immediately returned.
Coleman is best known as the wisecracking youngster Arnold Drummond on TV's"Diff'rent Strokes" from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.
The former child actor was hospitalized briefly three months ago after suffering a seizure while being interviewed on a TVshow in Los Angeles, California.
As we were informed, a couple of week ago, N10m belonging to a company in Abuja known as Baye-Ebi Nigeria Enterprise suddenly developed wings and flew from the account to another new account. According to information, the company, Baye-Ebi is one of the best customers of the Abuja branch of the bank. The bank staff, Oloyede Oluwaseyi allegedly said to have transferred the said money into another account in the branch, Easy Trade Concepts. Shortly after the transfer, we reliably gathered that, the money was immediately transferred again from the new account to unknown destination.
As you're reading this, the management of Finbank are said to be running here and there to save the good name of their bank now that the team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have waded into the matter with a letter from the chairman to fish out the culprits or face the wrath of the law, we gathered Miss Oloyede, a resourceful hand in the Credit and Marketing Department of the bank was managing the account of the Baye-Ebi before the cookies crumbled.
"Miss Oloyede is no longer with us. She tendered her resignation May 27, 2010 letter a few days after the discovery of the fraud and nobody seems to know her whereabouts. However, what we junior staff noticed is that, there is no smoke without fire, we are very sure some top shots in this bank played a pivotal role in executing that game of fraud for the money to have disappeared just like that without any traces. It's really a sad story indeed." One of the people we talk with said anonymously.
Responding to the said allegation, the Corporate Communication Head, Mr. Rafiu Mohammed forwarded a mail to counter the story and he explained in detail what transpired between their bank, Baye-Ebi and the Easy trade Concept. Below.
Dear Sir,
RE: ALLEGED FRAUD ON BAYE-EBI NIGERIA ENTERPRISES ACCOUNT WITH FINBANK PLC
We refer to the above matter and information reaching us of the intention to publish a news item in your newspaper in relation to the above matter.
We have outlined below the facts of this matter in order to set the records straight.
Background.
i. Baye-Ebi Nigeria Enterprises (Customer) commenced banking relationship with FinBank Plc (the Bank) on November 2, 2009 through the Bank’s Wuse Zone 4 Branch in Abuja. The Relationship Officer for the account was Miss Renike Oluwaseyi Oloyede.
ii. On February 10, 2010, the Bank received a letter from the Customer informing the Bank of its observation that expected interest for two (2) consecutive maturity dates on a fixed deposit of N10m with the Bank did not reflect on their account.
iii. In line with the Bank’s internal procedures, the issue was referred for investigation and a thorough investigation was carried out on the activities on the account.
Investigation on the account disclosed the following:
1. Review of the Customer’s records with the Bank.
a. The Customer had addressed a letter dated November 20, 2009 to the Branch Manager of the Wuse Zone 4 Branch of the Bank to place the sum of N10m in fixed deposit for ninety (90) days at prevailing market rate. The letter was for the attention of the account Relationship Officer (Renike Olwaseyi Oloyede) who also received it.
b. In furtherance of the said letter, the Customer issued its FinBank Plc crossed cheque dated November 19, 2009 in favour of the Bank with face value of N10m. The Customer signed twice on the reverse side of the cheque with the following instruction “pls raise a draft IFO Easy Trade Concepts Ltd”.
c. This letter was not handed over to the Branch Manager for necessary directives, in line with the practice in the Bank as the Bank only became aware of the existence of the letter from the photocopies attached to the Customer’s letter of complaint.
d. Entries on the Customer’s statement for November 24, 2009 rather confirmed that a draft was raised for the sum of N10m in favour of one Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd and no deposit for the similar amount was placed with the Bank.
2. Statement by Renike Oluwaseyi Oloyede: though Renike is no longer with the Bank, she was contacted and a written statement volunteered by her. The highlight of her statement is as follows:
a) The Customer was aware that the N10m was fixed with Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd. A photocopy of the FinBank Draft in favour of Eazy Trade is attached.
b) That the transaction had nothing to do with FinBank Plc but that the Bank’s documents were used by her to give the transaction credibility.
c) That she signed and procured the signatures on the letter dated November 23, 2009 addressed to the Customer on the Bank’s letter head acknowledging the Customer’s purported investment in the Bank as a means of providing comfort to the Customer. She also confirmed that the second named signatory on the letter was not aware of the said investment. A photocopy of the purported investment letter is attached.
d) That the investment in Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd was based on discussions between her and the Customer’s Managing Director, Rodney Ambaiowei and in furtherance of which she wrote the instruction “pls raise a draft IFO Easy Trade Concepts Ltd” on the reverse side of the Customer’s cheque. A photocopy of the Customer’s cheque is attached.
e) To support the position in (d) above she provided official receipt from Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd acknowledging the receipt of the draft of N10m. The receipt was issued in the name of the Customer’s Managing Director, Rodney Ambaiowei. A photocopy of the said receipt is attached.
f) Prior to the Customer’s complaint to the Bank, both of them (Renike and Customer’s Managing Director, Rodney Ambaiowei) paid several visits to the Offices of Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd to follow up on the repayment of the investment.
g) She also stated that they were assured that the principal amount and interest at 15% would be paid by February 25, 2010 but the amount is yet to be received.
Prevailing Issues.
1) The Bank is concerned about the real motive of Renike Oluwaseyi Oloyede and the Customer, which is targeted at passing-off an investment in the Bank in order to hedge against any repayment risk in their investment in a “Wonder Bank”.
2) Contrary to standard banking practice, the Customer did not endorse the instruction on the reverse side of the cheque purportedly signed in furtherance of the request to the Bank to place the N10m in a fixed deposit in the Bank.
3) There is no fixed deposit in the Bank’s record in favour of the Customer for N10m or any similar amount at all.
4) It is curious why it took the Customer seventy-eight (78) days from the inception of the purported investment to start making enquiries.
5) It is obvious that the Customer realised that its investment with Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd was in jeopardy that was why it resorted to the Bank with the view to place liability on the Bank.
6) The Customer failed to act prudently when he did not raise objection to the debit of N10m in his statement of account on November 24, 2009 with the description “draft IFO Eazy Trade Concepts Limited” as the transaction details did not represent the instruction it gave the Bank. The Customer received its Statement of Accounts on a regular basis.
7) The Customer issued a cheque with instructions to raise a Draft in favour of Eazy Trade Concept Limited as a result of which a payment receipt was issued in favour of the Customer’s Managing Director for same amount.
8) It is obvious that the lure of higher and lucrative interest rate led to the private arrangement between Renike Oulwaseyi Oloyede and the Customer to invest the N10m in Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd.
Current Developments.
From available information, Eazy Trade Concepts Limited, the beneficiary of the N10m draft issued from the Customer’s account is a company based in Abuja engaged in mobilising deposits from members of the public and offering high and attractive deposit rates of between 10% to 20% monthly. It appears the company is going through some liquidity challenges and have not been meeting up with obligations to their depositors.
Following the findings from the Bank’s investigation, the Bank reported the developments to the Nigeria Police Force and investigation is currently being handled by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID) of the Nigeria Police Force Head Quarters, Abuja.
The Police have received representations from the Bank, Renike Oluwaseyi Oloyede and representatives of Eazy Trade Concepts Ltd. However, the Customer is yet to honour invitations made to them by the Police.
Conclusion.
The above facts constitute the true events of the activities on the Customer’s account leading to the on-going investigation by the Police. As a law abiding financial institution committed to transparency and fairness, we took reasonable steps within the ambit of the law to unravel the events leading to the Customer’s complaint.
It is our expectation that the above facts will receive unbiased consideration and that any reporting contemplated on the matter will be devoid of any innuendo capable of conveying defamatory imputation.
Yours faithfully,
For: FINBANK PLC
A 20-year-old man from Niger Republic, who is also a son of an Imam residing in a village in Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State, was arrested recently along four others for allegedly plucking the two eyes of a 10-year-old Almajiri (street urchin) for rituals..
The culprit (name witheld) in an interview with Daily Sun at the Police headquarters in Kaduna said, one Mallam asked him to get the two eyes, which he promised to use in preparing charms that would make him invincible.
The suspect said he lured the boy to follow him to a nearby farm:
“When I took the boy to the bush, I tied him down and came back and told the chief priest. He gave me a concoction which I drank and another charm to tie on my waist.
“I went back to the boy in the bush, pinned him down to the floor after placing a charm given to me by the chief priest around his neck. I then plucked his two eyes with a sharp knife and took it to the chief priest.
“I was caught by the villagers when I went back to collect the hoe and knife I left at the scene.”
The culprit said he regretted committing the act because according to him he was not in his senses when the crime was committed:..
“I am a farmer and I do give people spiritual help before I was introduced into thisact.
“I worked with two male and female spirits which I named ‘Mallam’ an‘Bilki’.
“My father is from Niger Republic and an Imam in Birnin Gwari LGA has no knowledge of my involvement in these activities.
“He has once shown his disapproval of my movement with these people.”
He blamed the chief priest for continuously pestering him to be involved:
“I have never committed this act before. It is this chief priest, and one Soho Bello (not real name) who promised to pay me one million naira if I could bring the fresh human eyes to prepare charm for invisibility.
“Soho Bello said he will be taking it to a big man in Abuja.”
The 42-year-old Bello who was among those arrested, however denied his involvement in the act:
“I was at my farm in Jaji near Kaduna when the Nigerien and one other person accosted me that they will help me with weapon resistant and invincibility charm. “I did not set my eyes on them since January 2010 until last Sunday morning when I was arrested and taken to Birnin Gwari.”
The 63-year-old chief priest, who was caught by the police with the fresh eyes in his house, initially said that he had no choice than to admit all allegations against him, only for him to make a u-turn to say the Nigerien brought the fresh human eyes to him for safekeeping when the people who saw him as he went to recover his hoe were chasing him.
“I have no regret in this whole issue because I know I am innocent,” the chief priest insisted.
When our reporter contacted the victim (name witheld) at the National Eye Center, Kaduna, where he is receiving treatment, he said he is one of the over 70 almajirai (street urchins) of about his age who came from Bungudu in Zamfara State, to Kaduna. He said the suspect “asked one of his two wives to give me food when I came to his house begging.
“He took me to the bush to clear his farmland at the cost of N60.00)
“He asked me to lie with my back resting on my hands and close my eyes so that he can administer medicine for ‘knowledge’ on me. “He placed short rope-like charm around my neck which immediately sedated me.
“I could feel pains when he was plucking my eyes with a sharp object but I could not struggle. He dug a hole and buried me alive.
“I managed to push some sands on my face after he had left as I began to recover from the ‘sedative’ and shouted faintly upon hearing sounds of passersby who came immediately and rescued me.”
Nigeria went down a step to 21st place in the current FIFA Ranking for the month of May released yesterday. The Super Eagles were ranked at the 20th place last month.However, the Lars Lagerback led team who fumbled to a lacklustre barren game against Saudi Arabia in Austria on Tuesday maintained their third place in the Africa ranking. Egypt who moved up a ladder on the global ranking at 12th place retained the leadership of the continent. Cameroon stagnated in their 19th place globally to also retain their second slot in Africa ahead of Nigeria.
..
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the last to be published before the 2010 FIFA World Cup begins in South Africa also saw the head-to-head battle for top spot between leaders Brazil and European champions Spain continues, and both have a clear lead over the chasing pack of Portugal, Netherlands and Italy.
Trailing even farther behind, after Germany, Argentina, England and France, are two teams not participating South Africa 2010 – Croatia and Russia – who are likely to lose even more ground after the tournament.
Meanwhile, hosts South Africa have received a boost, winning not only two friendly matches, but also gaining seven places in the ranking (83rd, up 7), which is more than any other team. The only other teams to climb five or more places were Oman (91st, up 6) and Estonia (99th, up 5). In the top 100, Burkina Faso (48th, up 4) and Montenegro (64th, up 1) are currently in their highest-ever position since the World Ranking was introduced.
Of the top 20 teams, only Croatia, Russia and Egypt will be absent in South Africa. On the basis of this edition of the World Ranking, Group G, which includes Brazil, Portugal and Côte d’Ivoire, is still the strongest, but only if the best three teams are taken into account (average position 10th, points 1,239). However, if all four teams in each group are evaluated, Germany’s Group D (18th on average) comes out on top in terms of rank, while Spain’s Group H is strongest on points (1,013 on average), well ahead of the supposed “group of death” (34th, 1,000 points).The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 14 July 2010.
After a long wait for Michael Essien, the Ghana Football Authority (GFA) stated on Wednesday that the Ghanaian captain will not be fit in time for the World Cup which starts in a fortnight.
The statement on the GFA site read in part: "An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July. The Ghana Football Association wishes him full recovery and a quick return to football action."
Unending rehabilitation
The 27-year-old Chelsea midfielder has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury during the African Cup of Nations in January.
It had been thought that Essien would return before the end of the season alongside Ashley Cole for Chelsea. Cole fractured his left ankle on February 10 2010 against Everton. The 28-year-old England international though returned in time to help the Blues grab the double, scoring the last goal in the 8-0 rout of Wigan on the last day..
What next for the Black Stars
This will further heap a lot of pressure on recuperating Stephen Appiah, who has not played club football for a year and Sulley Muntari, as both are not as dynamic as Essien.
Essien played in 10 of Ghana's 11 qualification matches, clocking more than 800 minutes of game time, as Ghana finished at the top of their group, and automatically sealed a spot at the World Cup. The Ghana coach had said last week that Essien's presence was invaluable to the Black Stars.
"Essien is an important player, not only for Ghana but for the World Cup. He is one of the best players in the world and the World Cup is an assembly of the best," said Coach Milovan Rajevac.
The coach must now tinker with the favoured 4-4-2 formation to accommodate Udinese's Kwadwo Asamoah alongside Sulley Muntari and Appiah. Although Ghana won't lack for presence in the centre of the park, there will be something missing; and that will be Michael Essien, who would make the line-up for any of the nations at the 2010 World Cup a better team.
A source close to the band tells us Lagbaja will release four new videos in the coming weeks; all at the same time. ”The videos are ready. We‘re just waiting for the right time to release them,‘‘ said our source.
Apart from Bling Bling panda which we gather is one of the videos to expect, it‘s uncertain what the other tracks are..
The Koko master as he is fondly called doesnt deny being “endowed” and that explains the huge love he gets from the ladies. One of such ladies is Jasmine Murray Bruce, CEO of Monae spa located in silverbird galleria in Victoria Island, lagos. Jasmine is the daughter of Guy Murray Bruce of the silverbird family.
Jasmine, who also co-hosted the MBGN pageant with Ik Osakioduwa recently, was seen by eagle eyed gossip bird inside her spa today, 25th of May 2010, and according to them, she and Dbanj were touching each other, whispering sweet nothings into each others ears and she giggled and laughed her heart out like an over-excited, love lost lady..
Dbanj who came to the place with two heavily built bouncers was adorned in a black long sleeve shirt, blue rock and republic jeans and not without his trade mark sun glasses. Our shocked spy left the scene too shocked to even hang around at the sight of the scene.
So maybe we should wait and see if he would unveil her as his new woman, or was she just being “nice” to her client? And since when did Dbanj start doing spas?
Pardon my ignorance, just had to ask……
The actors, who joined the movie industry almost at the same time, are giving parents concern over the roles they play in movies.
Their argument is that the actors should play a consistent role in movies; they either take the role of kids or that of adults.
The parents said that since they [Akin & Pawpaw] started as kids in their first movie, a lot of kids at home see them as peers and as a result imitate most of the things they do in movies.
But now that the actors take romantic roles and other adult roles that children shouldn’t emulate, the parents want the authorities concerned to call them to order before the situation gets out of hand.
“This attitude of theirs is becoming a threat to us because children don’t want to believe that they are adults. The advertisement they also did with sweet meant for children has also made the children believe absolutely that the two actors are children like them and they are ready to do anything they see them do.
“ This has become a great concern that it is becoming a topic of discussion among parents, especially in the buses and market places,” one of the parents said.
According to Mrs. Okafor, she was stunned when one of her sons, after watching one of Aki & Pawpaw’s films, told her that “mummy I want to kiss you the way Aki and Pawpaw kissed that girl in that film.”
Another parent, Mrs. Kunle also said that her sons now do everything to imitate Aki & Pawpaw; her sons now dance like them, imitate the way they talk and walk.
She, however, said she now keeps a close watch on her children to ensure that they don’t watch movies in which the actors play romantic roles.
Children are what they view and have the tendency of practising whatever they watch on television.
Though another parent said that the actors are talented to play the roles of kids well, she maintained that for the fact that they came to the industry with the impression that they are children, they should maintain that role in order not to have negative influence on children.
Sometime last year, the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria Board of Trustees headed by Prince Ifeanyi Dike made a move to ban the actors from taking adult roles, but they were later pardoned when their fans from home and abroad pleaded with the board.
As a reminder, “The Unstoppable International Edition” is now in stores. It’s an instant classic.
Director: Clarence Peters.
For those in Nigeria, this is what the new “Unstoppable International Edition” looks like… and it costs 1,000 Naira. If you see any inferior paper-back copy, it is pirated, and you’re strongly advised not to purchase it.
Director: Clarence Peters.
For those in Nigeria, this is what the new “Unstoppable International Edition” looks like… and it costs 1,000 Naira. If you see any inferior paper-back copy, it is pirated, and you’re strongly advised not to purchase it.
For the sake of a “distinctive identity” and a desire to attract and retain a high calibre workforce, the Senate has approved a 100% increase in the salaries of the National Assembly workforce.
The new increase is coming at a time when the legislators are also considering increasing their pay by 68%, but will apply across the Legislative aides, the National Assembly staff and the management staff.
Discussions on the new salary structure was concluded in the Senate on Wednesday, following the adoption of a report of the Senate committee on establishments and public service, which reviewed the consolidated legislative salary structure for staff of the National Assembly.
The increase is a result of an agreement reached by the National Assembly service commission and the Parliamentary Staff Association on Nigeria.
The increment, according to the committee’s report, will take effect from January this year, but will be deployed in batches: 50% to be paid immediately, while the balance will be spread over the next eight years.
The 50% balance will be added up incrementally by 20%, 15%, and 15% after the second, sixth, and eight year respectively.
The cost
The implementation of the immediate 50% salary increment will cost the nation a whooping N11 billion annually, N4.65 billion above the N6.3 billion that it costs to service the National Assembly workforce currently.
The Senate, however, argued that it is a necessary step to strengthen the autonomy of the National Assembly.
“...there is the need to create an identity for the National Assembly service, in line with the constitution of Nigeria, which makes it an independent arm in tandem with the concept of separation of powers,” Mohamed Ahmed, chairman of the Senate committee, stated in the committee’s report.
He added that it was “imperative to establish a pay structure which will ensure good salaries and reasonable allowances that will attract and retain high calibre of staff, even from the academia and the private sector, as is the case in other parliaments of the world.”
With the initial 50% increase, grade level 17 officers with the National Assembly service commission will earn N5.25 million annually. A graduate at grade level 8 will earn N1.25 million annually, while the least - grade level 3 - will earn N404 thousand annually.
The National Assembly service commission has 317 staff and will cost a total of N4.57 billion annually.
The bulk of the money will, however, be spent on the legislative aides working directly under the lawmakers.
The legislative aides numbering 2 942, will cost the government N6.02 billion annually, till the next increment in 2012.
The third batch of employees, the National Assembly management staff, numbering 3 167, will cost the nation N4.576 billion annually.
“The committee is (also) of the strong opinion that an improved salary structure will encourage hard work, honesty, dedication, and commitment of staff; and will reduce corrupt tendencies and practices in the service,” Mr. Ahmed said..
The United States of America’s table tennis team turned out a poor match for Nigeria as it was roundly beaten 3-0 at the ongoing World Team Table Tennis Championship in the Russian capital of Moscow.
The game was the last group fixture for both teams; while Nigeria was coming from a 1-3 loss to Serbia; being the only defeat so far in the tournament, the United State team had lost their four previous games.
Nigeria’s Seun Ajetomobi led the team’s assault displacing his opponent; Li Peter in three straight set.11-6, 12-10 and 11-9. Team mate, Monday Merothoun, was also in top form when he whitewashed Oak Niraj in another three straight set victory 11-6, 11-8 and 12-10.
The Americans however saved their face from a complete defeat as Lander Michaels took a set off home based Aruna Quadri with the tie ending in 13-11, 5-11, 5-11 and 7-11.
The Nigerian male team thus finished second on the log with nine points, one behind group leaders Serbia who finished with ten points.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian female team have been unstoppable has they finished the group games undefeated and thereby top the table with ten points. In their last game played against Latvia, the Funke Oshinaike inspired team emerged 3-1 victors over the European country, which finished fourth on the six team group.
Results from the ongoing world championship, which is the first to be handled by the Kayode Abdulwahab-Omotose-led board, which assumed office last year points to a great start. The country hopes to use the tourney to shape up for the Commonwealth Games holding later in the year in New Delhi, India..
Rizal who lives in a fishing village Musi Banyuasin, Indonesia, smokes at least 40 cigarettes in a day. He got addicted to smoking after his father gave him a cigarette when he was just 18-months-old, reports thesun.co.uk.
He weighs more than 25 kilograms and finds it almost impossible to run with other kids.
"He's totally addicted. If he doesn't get cigarettes, he gets angry and screams and batters his head against the wall. He tells me he feels dizzy and sick," said his mother Daina.
Rizal smokes a particular brand and his habit costs his parents more than 5 USD a day.
The officials of the village have offered to buy the family a car if he quits.
However Rizal's father Mohammed, a fishmonger finds no problem with his habit and believes his son is quite healthy.
"He looks pretty healthy to me. I don't see the problem," said Mohammed.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/news/world/two-year-old-smokes-40-cigarettes-a-day-28115.php?u=1116?from=rightpanel&cp
throw tantrums for more Salary(14million per month) while the rest of the World's Leaders are slashing
theirs in this Economic recession.I am sure They will wonder whose Day it Really is in this our Naija !
Happy Children's Day ! A mighty shout out to the kids in webogas life : long list Ami,Seyi,Onos,Feks,Bobo,Kari & Yerimas new wife
http://9jakids.9jabook.com a 9jabook for 9ja kids !
To
all the other "kids" Obj,Yerima,Yerima,Ibori,Dimeji,Iwu, turai,aondoakaa,Ibb4president ? he must be
kidding ! etc etc may God open your eyes to the truth of your status and contribution to this great
country Amen ! You can make your special Request to the Children in your life at the comments section below
Happy Children's Day to Everybody on 9jabook For We Are all God's Kids ! 9ja4Life
Article:
In many state capitals, children will take part in parades and listen to top government officials on plans for their welfare. Some public-spirited organizations will host children to lavish parties and, thereafter, the children will go back to their homes to wait for another promise-filled children's Day, next year.
The pattern of celebration of Children's Day over the years has become predictable. The surfeit of effusive promises by government officials on the occasion has become an annual ritual.
For many years, the condition of the Nigerian child has been on a steady decline. All available child statistics point at a growing decline in child welfare. The number of out of school children in Nigeria is worrisome. Child labour, that has been the bane of child development, is not abating. Child trafficking has also continued to flourish.
Our child mortality statistics are frightening. Polio, which has been eliminated in most parts of the world, continues to ravage our children. Child education in Nigeria is in dire straits. Most public schools are dilapidated and lacking in basic educational facilities such as laboratories. Performance of students in public examinations has become scandalous. Poorly paid and ill-motivated teachers, inadequate teaching facilities and increasing disinterest of students in serious academic work, exacerbate the situation.
The grinding poverty in the country, soaring unemployment, poor access to good shelter, and high cost of food all have telling effects on the well- being of Nigerian children. Certainly, Nigeria is not one of the best places to be a child. The Child Rights Act, which Nigeria is a signatory to, continues to be held in disdain in many parts of the country where even some top government officials hold that children have no right to some of the provisions of the law. Many states, especially in Northern Nigeria, have refused to domesticate the law. Some elites in such states flout the law with impunity.
Children's Day celebration should, therefore, not just be a routine celebration. Children are an important segment of the population. They are the future of the country. Nigeria needs to do everything that is necessary to empower them to guarantee a better future for the country.
Our children need to be properly nourished, educated and oriented to ensure that they can face the challenges of today's dynamic and highly competitive world. They need to be taught the virtues of patient study and impeccable morals. Children in Nigeria today are under siege from many distractions. They are, every day, bombarded with get-rich-quick schemes via promotional messages in the media. Nobody is actively engaged in teaching them the virtues of patience and dignity in hard work.
Parents hardly devote the required quality time to their children. They are too busy trying to make a living in the nation's inclement economy. Children need more attention than they are currently receiving in Nigeria. Parents, as the first socializing units for children, should give then the required attention and impart sound moral values to them at an early age. All hands should be on deck to give children a sound education so that they can compete in today's knowledge-driven world.
We need to give them the right value orientation through good examples. All Nigerians have a responsibility to help in the production of well nourished, educated, properly adjusted and well-oriented children.
It is a responsibility that we all owe our nation, because it is to these young ones that we will bequeath our country. We need to ensure that we do our best for them to ensure that they have a bright future.
One way we can do is to first ensure passage of the Child Rights Act in all the states of the federation. It is the major legal instrument through which the lives of children can be improved.
We urge those states that have refused to domesticate the Child Rights Act to have a re-think. Adults should not infringe on the fundamental human rights of children, just because they are weak and vulnerable. Families, schools, religious bodies, non-governmental organizations and the government must join hands to produce physically strong, academically sound, emotionally balanced, and morally upright children.
We congratulate all children on their special day. We urge them to use the occasion to determine to be good children. They should guard against rebellion and eschew negative peer pressure. The challenge before them is to grow up to become responsible adults who will ensure a brighter future for our country.God Bless the future of 9ja !
http://9jakids.9jabook.com a 9jabook for 9ja kids !
Venomous Snakes were being ferried from Africa to Europe in a plane. Unfortunately, the person who packed the snakes forgot to lock the box where the snakes were put. Once the plane took off and started responding to plane movement, the snakes found their way out of the box...passengers could see various snakes on the isle. While they scream on top of their voice, some fainted, the brave ones sought refuge wherever they could inside the plane.
The air hostess ran to the pilot to inform him of this scaring incident. The pilot quickly alerted the air controllers on the ground.
"We are very sorry, says his boss. We forgot to lock the box where we put the snakes. They are indeed some of the poisonous snakes in the world."
"So where can I land? Please advise me before passengers are bitten," asked the shaking pilot.
"No, do not land, stay there for some time let me think and tell you what to do," the boss advised.
This advise sounded so stupid to the impatient pilot. But he has to follow the order of his boss.
The boss contacted him after some time. "At what altitude are you flying? He asked.
"300," The pilot replied. "Go higher" the boss advised.
"But the snakes will..." Before he could finish the boss shouted "l said GO HIGHER!!" He then complied.
Now what is your altitude? the boss asked
"500.66" the shaking pilot answered.
"GO HIGHER"
"But Sir....."
"I said GO HIGHER captain" He complied.
By then the snakes were already all over the plane, even one male member of the cabin crew collapsed. It is unbearable. A few Have been bitten And they died instantly. Yet, the majority kept on seeking for refuge.
"Now Captain, keep on going higher," said the boss.
The pilot complied and kept on going higher and higher.
"Now, what's your altitude?" The boss asked.
I am reaching "1200," pilot replies. "Now I am on "1200," he says quickly.
"Now stay there."
"Tell the cabin crews, that at this altitude, the snakes are harmless. They can just pick them up with their hands and return them to the box, and this time they should not forget to lock the box." The boss advised.
This is true! One cabin member shouted as he tried holding one snake. "It is numb and harmless.
It was a game in the plane within the passengers, some for the first time they are touching a snake. Holding it in their hands and returning them to the box.
"Look at this black Mamba, it was really after me. now, I can hold it, throw it and catch it like a ball."
One passenger said while throwing and catching the Mamba.
This was the end of the seemingly dangerous ordeal in the plane.
Even those who fainted were resuscitated and they gained consciousness.
Now, What is the lesson of the story?
In "2010," The Snakes or problems of "2009" will follow you.
However, There is need for you to increase your altitude in Prayers. And surely, there is a certain point in praying that you will reach, and this is the point when even the most seemingly unconquerable problems are defeated; They lose power.
Never faint at the face of any problem that seem impregnable. God still have more than enough Grace for you to scale throgh. IN JESUS' NAME....(Amen).
He dropped from 214 pounds to an astonishing 160 with a liquid diet and three-hour-a-day treadmill walks for nine weeks.
"I was starving." Now he's back on tour and says, "I've been eating. I'll be back in shape in no time!"
These shocking pictures look like a homeless man who has not eaten for weeks.
But they are actually photos of multi-millionaire rapper 50 cent, who lost a staggering 54lbs in just nine weeks for a film role.
The hip-hop star went on a liquid-only diet and worked out for three hours a day to achieve the staggering weight loss.
He is due to play a cancer-stricken American football player in a forthcoming film and wanted to look authentic for the part..
In the past 50 cent has made much of his muscular body, often appearing topless in videos and showing off his huge frame.
The 34-year-old is starring and co-producing 'Things Fall Apart', which will also feature Ray Liotta and is directed by Mario van Peebles.
Soon after the dramatic weight loss pictures were posted on his website, 50cent.com, rumours swept the internet they were a hoax.
But in a statement the star, real name Curtis Jackson, said they were true.
'I was starving,' he said, adding that now he is back on tour, 'I've been eating. I'll be back in shape in no time!'
'50 Cent lost a lot of weight for his upcoming movie Things Fall Apart,' said the text between the pictures of him.
'In the movie 50 Cent plays a football player diagnosed with cancer.
He dropped from 214 pounds to an astonishing 160 with a liquid diet and three-hour-a-day treadmill walks for nine weeks.'
The rapper's achievement still does not top that of Christian Bale, who lost 63lbs for his role in the dark mystery film 'The Machinist'.
Bale went from 185lbs to 122lbs to look like he 'had not slept for a year' and did it by cutting out most foods and relentlessly exercising.
The Code of Conduct Bureau confirmed this yesterday in Abuja when it told NEXT that both Mr Jonathan and Mr Sambo have submitted their asset forms to the bureau for internal verification. The head of press unit in the organisation, Idowu Jokpeyibo said both public officials are deemed to have declared their assets with the submission of all relevant forms to the bureau.
Officials however refused to comment on the contents of the forms submitted by the President and his deputy, insisting that the documents were secret papers. They also ignored questions about the process of verifying the information contained in the forms.
Mrs Jokpeyibo said, “Having cross-checked the official record before me following your enquiry, I can confirm to you that the Code of Conduct Bureau is in receipt of the assets forms of both the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I will get back in touch with you as soon as I get the particular day the forms were submitted by the public servants.”
What the law says
According to the 11th code of the bureau’s handbook for Public Officers, (1): “Every public officer shall within three months after taking office and thereafter: (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of the term of office: submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a declaration of all his properties, assets and liabilities and those of his spouse, or unmarried children under the age of 21 years.” The law also adds that: (2): “Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorised in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this code; (3): Any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any declaration under this constitution and which is not fairly attributable by sub-paragraph (1) (a) of a gift or loan approved by the code, shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this code unless the contrary is proved.”
It could not be verified at press time how many of the new ministers who collected asset declaration forms when they assumed office have filled and returned same.
The bureau’s travails
Recently, the conduct bureau has gained the reputation of a lame duck for its inability to enforce its own laws. Many problems have trailed its activities, including; exaggerated declarations; the duplication of its functions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission; low number of convictions, and the aiding of corrupt officers by hoarding information that should be within the public domain.
In order to correct this impression, the bureau recently threatened 25 ex-ministers who were yet to declare their assets, with prosecution.
2007 Assets for Jonathan Has he made a Profit since then ? Only time will Tell
In 2007, the then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan bowed to public opinion and released details of his assets totalling N295, 304, 420. The declaration took place before Muktar N. Dodo of the Abuja High Court on May 30. Mr Jonathan had no foreign accounts or assets.
>> The total worth of Mr Jonathan’s private residences was N67, 990,000 according to that declaration. The buildings include a four- bedroom duplex in Kpansia, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, valued at N15 million; a four-flat storey building extension of the family house in Yenagoa valued at N10 million and his seven bedroom village home at Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, which was bombed days before his inauguration as Vice President, valued at N18 million and a five-bedroom personal residence in Gwarinpa, Abuja valued at N24, 990,000.
>> Under vehicles and household items, Mr Jonathan declared assets worth N41.8 million. They include a BMW car in Abuja valued at N15 million, generators, electronics, air conditioners, furniture, kitchen utensils and others in Kpansia, Yenagoa and Gwarimpa, Abuja valued at N26 million. The car was declared as a gift while the other items were declared to have been procured from savings.
>> Jonathan also declared vacant and undeveloped plots worth N60.538 million. They include five undeveloped plots of land in Bayelsa State, two undeveloped plots of land in Cadastral Zone BO2 and AO6 in Abuja. He disclosed also a yearly income of N62, 072, 200. These comprise investments in stocks in 16 Nigerian blue chip companies managed by City-Code Trust & Investment Company Limited. His investments also cover four 16-seater passenger boats which he hires to companies and other agencies. The Vice President’s total cash in Nigerian banks (Bank PHB, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, UBA and others) is put at N58, 984, 123. He stated that the total income includes personal savings and income from his investments including performing stocks and hiring of the boats.
RESIDENTS of Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State could not control their tears at the scene of an accident that claimed nine lives on Tuesday..
The accident occurred when a jeep rammed into a makeshift restaurant, killing all the nine people who were at the time on their lunch break.
Apart from the nine persons that died on the spot, four injured others were rushed to the hospital by policemen on patrol.
The incident prompted some traders within the area to close their shops and moved towards the scene of the accident.
An eyewitness account revealed that the driver, who was driving a black Infinity jeep from Onne, suddenly swerved off the road and rammed into the canteen.
The driver, according to an eyewitness, took to his heels and abandoned his vehicle at the scene.
It was gathered that the driver, who was on a top speed before the accident, lost control of the vehicle.
"The accident was serious and those who were within the area where it happened initially scampered for safety and only came back when they were sure it was an accident.
"We did not see the driver and I learnt he ran away after seeing the level of damage caused by the accident. Nine persons died and I learnt some were also injured," an eyewitness told our correspondent.
Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Inoma-Abbey, told our correspondent that the vehicle involved in the fatal accident had no plate number.
Inoma-Abbey explained that the driver escaped from the scene while the deceased were moved to the mortuary and the injured persons were taken to Teme Clinic by the police.
"The jeep driven by the driver has no plate number in the front and at the back. The driver escaped after the incident and the police are currently on his trail," the police spokesperson said.
Inoma-Abbey noted that six of the deceased were females while three were males and added that investigation into the incident was in progress.
Also, the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Osas Osadebamwen, advised motorists to always drive defensively to avoid unnecessary accident.
Osadebamwen pointed out that the only way to avoid such fatal accident was through adherence to traffic laws and shunning over-speeding.
The House of Representatives leadership yesterday averted an outright confrontation with members amid allegations that it withheld approval for more funds that would raise members’ quarterly allowance to N42 million.
Anxiety rose at Tuesday’s sitting, which was the first to be held after allegations that lawmakers asked for a new allowance package were made public.
Up we go
Members, according to sources who were part of the House closed-door meeting two weeks ago, tried to convince their leadership on why the current N27.2 million allowance they receive every four months, needs to be reviewed upwards..
Short of funds apart from that appropriated for allowances, lawmakers understand the implication and have encouraged the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, to go ahead and draw funds from other sources to the tune of N15.1 billion.
Mr. Bankole, according to sources close to him, is uncomfortable with the suggestion and has withheld his assent even after he orally agreed with the members.
However, he and his deputy, Usman Nafada, face an impeachment threat if they fail, the sources say.
But the House spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, who heads the committee on Media, denied the reports, saying the Speaker has no such powers to unilaterally raise pay, and so cannot be expected to do same.
Yesterday’s plenary was the first after the reports became public.
The notion gained fillip when Mr. Bankole failed to show up at the sitting, and Mr. Nafada had to conduct proceedings.
After preliminary procedures, Independence Ogunewe, a member representing Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, claimed his privilege as a lawmaker had been breached, and said he could only disclose his worry if Mr. Nafada ordered a closed-door session.
“What I am talking about, affects me, affects you and affects other members, it is not for the public,” he told said.
Targeting the Speaker
Mr. Nafada however insisted that the matter be discussed openly. “Go ahead and say it, say it, or you meet me in my office,” he said repeatedly, rejecting the option of an executive session, and pushing the session into a row that lasted more than 15 minutes.
Both lawmakers were then approached by colleagues, who prevailed on them to resolve the issue peacefully.
Sources indicate that Mr. Nafada’s effort against the closed-door sitting was in furtherance of an alternative belief that the agitation for new allowances, when made open and available to the media, would be severely weakened.
However, Mr. Ogunlewe finally apologised to the Deputy Speaker, who subsequently ordered for an executive session that lasted for more than one and a half hour.
