Info Net Nigeria

Leaked Photo of Kanye West and Dbanj

2011-03-18T00:27:00.001-07:00

Just couple weeks ago @kanyewest tweeted at @iamdbanj and @donjazzymohits saying they needed to get together to do some work. With this photo I can smell a collabo coming soon. Let’s see!

New Video:KC Presh ft. Jaywon – National Cake

2011-03-18T00:22:00.000-07:00

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Brand new video from duo, KC Presh featuring Jaywon called National Cake. Anyone familiar with the word “National Cake” already knows what this is about, but for those that don’t know it’s pretty much about politicians chopping money… The National Cake.
Pretty Good Video, Enjoy
Watch

New Music: Chelle – Make You My Lover ft. Jodi

2011-03-18T00:17:00.000-07:00

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Check out brand new track from Pop Singer, Chelle titled Make You My Lover. The tune is a must-listen and throws in some highlife into your system. Enjoy.

Chelle - Make Me My Lover -

Presidency: I’m Still in the Race, Says Ribadu

2011-03-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

Nuhu Ribadu, ACN Presidential Candidate

Contrary to rumour making the rounds that he has stepped down from the presidential race, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said that he is still much in the race.

The Ribadu Adeola Campaign Organisation, in a statement Thursday, said it has recieved calls and queries from the media, friends, associates and teeming party supporters, seeking clarifications on a peddled rumour that Ribadu had stepped down from the presidential race in the April elections.

According to Ribadu, "this is absolute falsehood and a propagandist campaign from our detractors and political foes afraid of the monumental rise in political stature and profile of our principal and the visible gains to our support base, from our campaign activities across the nation, since our flag off.”

He said he and his running mate, Fola Adeola, remain the most generally acceptable presidential ticket that represents the general interest of the masses.

Ribadu noted that their joint ticket has proven that they have the will to make positive things happen and create the change Nigerians currently desire.

The ACN presidential candidate said the party is most representative of the best interest of an overwhelming majority of Nigerians, as well as the nation's champion of real and meaningful change

Ribadu pointed out succintly that he has not stepped down and has never considered nor is he considering stepping down from the Presidential race.

He said his party is much committed to its resolve at emancipating Nigerians from the strangle hold of bad government of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), via our nine policy objectives of health, education, Niger Delta, infrastructure, power, job creation and industrialisation, corruption, government spending and security.

Don’t Intimidate Jonathan, Ex-militants Warn Northern Leaders

2011-03-18T00:01:00.001-07:00

Atiku Abubakar, Former Vice President

Ex- Niger Delta militants Thursday warned against any form of intimidation of President Goodluck Jonathan by northern leaders.

The former MEND commanders warning is coming against the background of the fresh bombing campaigns of oil infrastructure (Agip oil) in the Niger Delta and threats of further bombings of Lagos and Abuja by 'MEND’. which they believe is being masterminded by anti-Jonathan group in the north.

The spokesman of the group Sobomabo Jackrick, aka General Egberipapa, said Babangida, Atiku and members of the NPFL were engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing the present administration. It alleged that some northern politicians were behind the bombing campaigns rocking the country allegedly carried out by ‘MEND’.

The group comprising Government Okpehu aka Tompolo, Boyloaf, General Egberipapa among others, said MEND had ceased to exist the moment they embraced the amnesty programme of the Federal Government under late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, stating that any other ‘MEND’ was a decoy by alleged Northern politicians designed to divert attention from the real culprits.

They warned that any attempt to destabilise the government of President Jonathan would be strongly resisted as Northern politicians who still think that sabotaging Jonathan’s government would give them access to Niger Delta oil would be in for a surprise as that would not be allowed to happen.

“Northern leaders like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida are using this so called MEND to destabilise President Jonathan’s administration and we are watching them. If they think they can destabilise Jonathan’s government, they should be in for a shocker as we are prepared to ensure that oil from the Niger Delta will not be accessible to them anymore.

“The reason we went to the creeks is to fight a cause, the criminal marginalistion of the Niger Delta region and these issues are being addressed especially with the appointment of Mr Kingsley Kuku as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

Another Gov’s Convoy Accident Claims 2 Lives

2011-03-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State

Barely 48 hours after five persons died in a road accident in the convoy of Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, two persons died Thursday while six others were wounded when their vehicle had an accident while travelling in the convoy of Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu to Lapai area of the state for a campaign rally.

THISDAY gathered that the bus carrying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters lost control while travelling along Emirikokpa, Lapai Local Government area killing the two and wounding the remaining six.
The victims were among the advance team to the area where the governor was scheduled to inaugurate a clinic as part of his state-wide campaign for second term in office.
Speaking on the incident, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the PDP in Niger State, Alhaji Shaba Shaba, said the party would compensate the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the Director-General, Media, Publicity and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office, Alhaji Bala Abdulkadir, who broke the news of the accident to journalists, said the deaths were unnecessary and unfortunate.
“The governor has decided to cut short his campaign tour to condole with families of the deceased. He is to come back to Minna Friday (today) to visit those recuperating in the hospital and families of the two killed in the accident,” he said.
In the Katsina accident, the Aide De Camp (ADC) to governor Ibrahim Sheu Shema and four others lost their lives.

Source:Thisday

The Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Retrospect

2011-03-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

Arise Magazine Cover

The event the whole world had been waiting for had finally come and gone but it is still alive in the hearts and minds of many that either attended, watched on media stations or read in tabloids.

The event which is attaining massive airplay from top international media bodies such as CNN brought into one platform top African designers and two time Brit Awards Winner, Tinie Tempah and Award Winning International act, Estelle.

Arise Magazine, Africa’s first Global Style and Culture Magazine hosted, for the first time in Lagos, another successful season of it fashion week in the just concluded Arise Magazine Fashion Week which took place from the 10^th of March till the 13^th.

Arise Magazine Fashion week runway models

Its aim is to portray the hidden talents in the African fashion industry and select five African designers that would showcase their collections at the New York Fashion Week in the fall. The very best of these designers would be invited to participate in the inaugural and annual ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION GALA in New York.

Arise Magazine’s Africa Fashion Week was to come as a fitting end to the traditional fashion season after the Paris fashion week and is designed to compete with and complete the world’s global fashion week.

To kick off the week, auditions for both models and designers were held in Lagos handheld by the Bacchus team in which 50 top designers were selected and confirmed as well as models that would participate on the runway.

The list included top African Designers such as Deola Sagoe, Tiffany Amber, Jewel by Lisa, Lanre Da Silva, Kluk CGTD as well as emerging designers such as Bridget Awosika, Maki Oh, Re Bahia, and Laquan Smith.

Finally the schedule was released containing these designers’ names and where they would showcase their collections. The fashion show was scheduled to take place at The Federal Palace, Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria and would be rotated between two showcase tents- The Arise Magazine tent and The THISDAY Style tent.

The moment everyone had been waiting arrived and first day of the four-day show saw the arrival of designers and journalists as well as guests from all over the world sauntering in to the event venue on the 10^th of March 2011 all waiting for the fashion extravaganza.

By sundown of the same day, participating designers, performing acts and guests had arrived and were ready for the opening launch/dinner which took place at The Boat Club, Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria with musical performance by Dr. Sid of the Mo’hits crew.

Ituen Basi, Maki Oh, Korto Momolu and Jewel by Lisa were amongst the first designers to showcase on the 12^th of March, the second day of the fashion week. The first day of exhibition depicted sheer genius and creativity.

The rest of the exhibitors for that day were House of Nwocha, Kiki Kamanu, House of Farrah, Viv la Resistance, Nikki Khiran, Toju Foyeh, Madam Wokie’s Couture, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Christine Brown, Eki Orleans, Buki Akib, Bridget Awosika, Amine Bendriouich Couture & BS, Okunoren Twins, Mustafa Hassanali and Tiffany Amber.

It was all ‘For the Love of Japan’ on the second day of exhibition as Deola Sagoe dedicated her entire collection to the natural disaster plaguing Japan today. The models looked amazing as they trotted out on the runway with the Asian inspired outfits.

Alexander Amosu, the multi-millionaire had the throng’s mouth watering as they gazed at what defines his stuff. Not to forget, his reason for being in the World Guinness book of Records, The most expensive Suit designed by him.

Bunmi koko vividly proved reasons why she was approached by the UK media as to how she would dress the future Queen of England, Kate Middleton. Described as one of the most exciting emerging designers, Bunmi has worked alongside Alexander Macqueen.

Her latest collection, Kaleidoscope was showcased at the Arise Magazine Fashion Week. But the maestro for the night was South African Designer, KLUÌ‚K CGTD whose wedding pieces dazzled at the show.

Other designers that showcased for that day were Vonne, Jil, Jo Black, Tsemaye Binitie, Mataano, Chichia, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi, Laquan Smith, Eredappa, Bestow Elan, Kemkem Studio and Autumn Adeigbo.

No one likes an ending but alas, all good things must come to an end. And so it was for the fashion week as it rolled to a finish on Sunday the 13^th of March 2011. But what everyone looked forward to was still yet to come.

The day kicked off though with the remaining exhibitors showcasing their stuff. For Odio Mimonet, Nature deserved all her accolade as she displayed her African Tropical Autumn Garden inspired outfits which were bright with flowery and butterfly patterns.

Grey urban fineness and chick while Re Bahia had her signature prints on display. Samantha Cole had a Gothic side to her collections and Wale Adeyemi of B-side redefined the art of Men’s wear. Other designers on display- Kastle Designs & Treasure Chest, Zedeye, Angelo Von Mol, Pierre-Antione Vetterello, Nkwo, Lola Faturoti, Gavin Rajah and Xuly.Bet.

The moment everyone had been waiting for had finally come and the show was brought to a close with the Arise Magazine Fashion week Awards. Every designer/ Model did something spectacular theses few days so much that they were all winners.

But the best out of the best must be brought out, hence the awards. The audience sat and watched as each of these best was called out to receive their awards. Amongst them were emerging designer Maki Oh, New face Chika and KluÌ‚k CGTD who bagged the coveted prize.

Tinie Tempah’s magnificent talent, that bagged him two Brit awards, was written in the stars as he kept the crowd on their feet and into the wee hours of the morning bringing a perfect finish to a rigorous week.

The Electrifying Tinie Tempah

Thankfully though, no one passed out.

Source:ThisDay

Cote d’Ivoire: Shelling Kills 10 in Abidjan

2011-03-17T23:52:00.001-07:00

Burning tyres litter the main road leading to the Abobo district of Abidjan

AFP

Shells have been fired at a district of Abidjan opposed to disputed Cote d’Ivoire President, Laurent Gbagbo, with reports of at least 10 dead.

Two shells landed in a busy market in the Abobo area, residents said.

Some 370,000 people have fled recent clashes in Abidjan - many from Abobo, which backs the man widely recognised as the winner of last year's elections.

Gbagbo's forces have been accused of atrocities against supporters of his presidential rival Alassane Ouattara, reports AFP.

It is not clear who fired the shells at Abobo but one resident told BBC Afrique they had come from a nearby barracks.

"We heard artillery fire - we ran to where the shells had landed, at Abobo roundabout - there's a small market opposite the town hall," he said.

"We saw four piled-up bodies - there were nine in total. Then, a second shell hit the market stalls and warehouses, injuring people."

There are also reports that pro-Ouattara militiamen have attacked a police station elsewhere in Abidjan.

They have set up roadblocks in Abobo and other pro-Ouattara districts of Abidjan, saying they are needed to protect residents from attack by Gbagbo loyalists.

The UN says that 410 people have been killed since the November election.

The African Union has given Gbagbo until March 24 to organise a handover of power but he shows no signs of stepping down.

International sanctions have been imposed on Gbagbo's allies in a bid to force him from power.

The election was supposed to reunify the country which has been divided since a 2002-3 conflict.

Pro-Ouattara forces control the north of the country and many fear that a civil war could resume.

The New Forces rebels have mainly stayed on their side of the ceasefire line but they have seized some ground in the west.

Fighting here has led some 75,000 to flee into neighbouring Liberia.

Cote d’Ivoireused to enjoy the highest living standards in West Africa and the world's biggest cocoa producer was seen as a haven of stability in the troubled region.

Source; ThisDay

Concern Mounts over N4.972tr Fiscal Spending

2011-03-17T23:51:00.001-07:00

Sanusi Lamido, CBN Governor

There are doubts over the possibility of the 2011 fiscal appropriation meeting its objectives, especially with the huge fiscal spending of N4.972 trillion, as passed by the National Assembly last Wednesday.

The Regional Head of Research for Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, said in Lagos Thursday that the concern stems from the misstep in allocations to capital and recurrent expenditures as well as in fixing of the benchmark oil price of $75 per barrel.

Khan, who made a presentation on “Nigeria and the Supercycle” decried the fact that Nigeria is spending a lot of money, when it should be saving for the rainy day, stressing that the situation is even more problematic when the spending is not on what can guarantee enhanced revenue in the future.

“When you continue raising recurrent expenditure, it becomes a culture and difficult to cut down. Nigeria is in a more difficult situation when the spending does not guarantee future growth,” she said. Raising the benchmark oil price to $75 per barrel has implications on excess crude savings for instance the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) as proposed,” Khan said.

The Nigerian National Assembly last Wednesday approved an aggregate expenditure of N4.972 trillion for the 2011 fiscal year, which represented an increase of about N433 billion over the amount presented to the lawmakers by the Presidency last December.

The budget provided the sum of N2.5 trillion for recurrent spending, while capital expenditure that allocated N1.6 trillion. The budget was predicated on a benchmark oil price of $75 per barrel, as against the $65 proposed by the Executive, while crude oil production was put at 2.3 million barrels per day. The budget benchmark exchange rate was predicated on N150/$1.

Khan noted that the threat of inflation remains high in Nigeria as well as in Africa but counseled that the authorities should be careful in the way the situation is handled to ensure that measures taken do not affect investment and production.

On the value of the naira, she said while exchange rate flexibility might be necessary for Nigeria it is not advisable to devalue the local currency.

“The CBN funding of the market has been stable so it can’t be rightly said that its intervention is running down reserves. The CBN has just been providing about a third of the forex utilised at the market,” she said, adding that in keeping with flexibility in foreign exchange management, the monetary authority might need to reduce its target benchmark from N150/$1 to N151/$1 and still maintain the plus or minus 3 percent band, but that devaluation is out of it considering the country’s economic realities.

Bomb: FG, Israel Seal Security Deal

2011-03-17T23:50:00.000-07:00

Hafiz Ringim, Police IG

Determined to address the recurring issue of bomb threat in the country, Federal Government Thursday signed a new agreement with Israel to tackle the menace and other related matters in Nigeria.

Police Affairs Minister, Humphrey Enemakwu, represented Nigeria while the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Moshe Ram and the Minister for Public Safety of Israel, Yizhak Ahamororitz, represented Israel in the deal.

The Minister said the cooperation between Nigeria and Israel has existed since 2009 with an agreement in areas of Security, Trade and Commerce, Petrol-chemical among others.

“National security is no longer one nation’s concern because the world has become one global country, so all the inhabitants are cooperating in order to ensure that the whole world is secured for the benefit of humanity. We will contribute our part and they will do theirs too,” he said.

The visiting Israeli Minister of Public Safety said Israel sees Nigeria as critical and central to Africa economic development and therefore would do everything humanly possible to assist the country to achieve its quest in human development, security and national peace.

Explaining the deal, Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, who was present at the occasion said the security pact will help the country to achieve some level of security.

Meanwhile, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and the State of Israel yesterday agreed to collaborate to stem the tide of terrorism financing as a way to achieve lasting impact in the fight against the scourge.

EFCC Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri, expressed this desire during a courtesy visit on the Commission by the Israeli Minister of Public Security, Mr. Itshak Aharonovick, and the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria , Mr Moshe Ram, and other top Israeli government officials.

Aharonovick explained the workability of Isreali’s criminal and anti-terrorism units and the rising challenge of ridding the country of crime-pruned elements. He stressed the significant roles of whistle-blowers in the Isreali anti-corruption initiatives and disclosed that there are strong security covers for witnesses standing for the state against any culprit. More importantly, Aharonovick pointed out that “In Israel, we hurt the pockets of criminals and terrorists so as to prevent them from frustrating their trials”.

He expressed delight in the passage of the Anti-terrorism Bill by the Nigerian government, saying “I was very pleased that the anti-terrorism bill has been passed in Nigeria . In Israel , we have had it for some time now,” The minister further said that the fight against economic and financial crime was very crucial in the sustainability of any democratic process. “We know the important role the anti-corruption unit is playing today in Israel, ” he said.

While responding , Waziri expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to fight terrorism as demonstrated by the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. “Government is very serious in checking the menace of terrorism and everything is being done to achieve this”, she said. She called for increased collaboration between the EFCC and the Israeli government to ensure the success of the anti-graft and anti-terrorism war.

“In this regard, regular capacity building programmes for the EFCC operatives will be very much appreciated. It might also be useful to work towards concluding an MOU with the National Unit for Financial Crimes, NUFC of Israel ”, she said.

Source:Thisday

Libya: UN Security Council Imposes ‘No Fly’ Zone

2011-03-17T23:47:00.001-07:00

Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General

The UN Security Council has backed a resolution on Libya that supports a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, the BBC website reported Thursday night.

At its meeting in New York, the 15-member body agreed "to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack".

It also supported a no-fly zone to help halt the advance of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Reports suggest air strikes may begin within hours of the resolution passing.

The US, UK and France proposed the council resolution, backing action short of an invasion. It passed 10-0 with five abstentions.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, introducing the resolution, said: "In Libya, for a number of weeks the people's will has been shot down... by Colonel Gaddafi who is attacking his own people.

"We cannot let these warmongers do this, we cannot abandon civilians."

He added: "We should not arrive too late."

Russia and China - which often oppose the use of force against a sovereign country as they believe it sets a dangerous precedent - abstained rather than using their power of veto.

Earlier reports suggested that if the resolution was passed, air attacks on Col Gaddafi's forces by the British and French air forces could begin within hours.

Daniel: Students Paid N2,000 to Boo Me Last Saturday

2011-03-17T23:45:00.001-07:00

Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State

Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Thursday alleged that some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid some students of tertiary institutions in Lagos N2,000 each to boo him during last weekend’s presidential rally in Abeokuta.

Daniel, who spoke in his home town, Sagamu, during a carnival of solidarity organised by the state Teaching Service Commission in collaboration with Gateway Teachers Forum, said: “On Saturday, they hired some people. We have found out, they hired people to the stadium in Abeokuta.”

According to him, “the people that they hired have now come to us to confess. Some of them from the Lagos State College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos and some from the polytechnic (sic) confessed. They said each and every one of them was paid N2,000 to come to the rally to boo at OGD.”

Speaking further, he said the state had been the epitome of anything that is good, adding that “let me assure you that no amount of intimidation, your governor OGD is standing firm and let me assure you that I will stand firm till the last day. By the special grace of God, we will hand over the mantle of leadership to people that you are going to be proud of.”

He continued: “There are a lot of people who want to go in through the back door; they are the people who have gone to get kangaroo judgment. As I think about what I am telling you, let me go back to the reasons why we are here today. We are here today because of what is called a congress of thanksgiving. This is the very first time in history that I am hearing about this and I want to congratulate all of you.”

He asked his supporters to be up and doing, as according to him, “The undertakers have come; by the special grace of God, their coffin will have no body. When they speak in public, they speak from the perspective of what they have done and the way they are doing things.”

He said: “Some people parade themselves and say they are the conscience of the country. How can they be the conscience of the country when they don’t have the capacity to do what is right without minding whose ox is gored? A bad man cannot be a conscience of the country and let me assure you, nigbati asiko oro bade, a so (when the time comes, there will be more revelations).

“In the last eight years, I stood by you through thick and thin, through difficulties. But let me also say that we made history because in the last eight years, we didn’t go through anyone to rule.”

Daniel asked: “Great teachers, how much did the governor give you before you came here today?

“You must therefore understand that I started my life as a teacher. I want to remind you that the exact job that I did was an appointment as an assistant lecturer at the then Lagos State College of Science and Technology now Lagos State Polytechnic.”

He therefore reminded them that, “the last eight years that I have been serving you as governor of Ogun State, something tells me that I am still going back to teaching. I want to say today that if there is no teacher, there is no nation.

“Whatever has happened to me in life is a reflection of what my teachers have taught me.”

Source:Thisday

Nigerians in Japan Accuse Embassy of Indifference

2011-03-17T23:44:00.000-07:00

Odein Ajumogobia, Foreign Affairs Minister

Nigerians living in Japan have accused officials of the country’s embassy in Tokyo of indifference to the hardship being experienced by their compatriots in the city of Fukushima, following the radiation in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in the wake of last week’s earthquake and tsunami.

Speaking with THISDAY on phone from Okaido, Japan, a Nigerian, who gave his name as Niyi (surname withheld), said there were several Nigerian students studying at a university in Fukushima that needed the assistance of the embassy to get out of their present predicament.

He said a couple of students and himself had called the embassy in Tokyo to alert them of the plight of the students and the need to evacuate them.

According to him, Nigerians in the town were cut-off from the rest of the world by washed-off roads and collapsed bridges, adding that they were currently housed in a relief camp in Fukushima.

“A female receptionist told me she would call me back after consulting with higher officials at the embassy. That was on Monday. Since then, I have not heard a word from them,” he told THISDAY.

Another Nigerian doctoral student in a Tokyo university said the embassy officials told him they had no fuel in their vehicles to get them to Fukushima.

“I wonder why we are calling ourselves the giant of Africa when countries like the Philippines, Kenya and Mozambique are already evacuating their citizens from the crisis zone,” he said.

He expressed disappointment with the general attitude of the officials, even when he tried to register with them two years ago on his arrival in Tokyo.

“I changed my mind about registering with them two years ago when I saw the picture of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on their website as the president of Nigeria,” he added.

A number of countries, including the United States of America, has already started evacuating their citizens to protect them from the dangers posed by the leaking nuclear reactors and the subsequent radiation.

The confirmed death toll from Friday's 9.0 magnitude quake, which triggered the tsunami, has risen above 5,400.

INEC Staff Demand Life Insurance for Polls

2011-03-17T23:41:00.001-07:00

Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

Members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Thursday listed conditions that should be met by the commission to enable them to conduct next month’s polls.

Speaking at a workshop jointly organised by INEC and a Germany-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Fredrich Ebert Stiftung, for resident electoral commissioners (REC), administrative secretaries and electoral officers, the workers asked for life insurance and police protection as antidotes to their fears about ethnic and religious violence during elections in the country.

A report by a news agency, Canadian Press (CP), quoted the staff as wondering: “How does one bribe police officers enough to pull guard duty on election day?

“If we inform the police, most of the time ... they come to the area and ask you for money and for other assistance to do their job,” said Michael Osayande, an election official in Niger State.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, according to the CP, promised the workers they would get money to give police officers to pay for their meals as they guard election sites. He also said the commission would offer life insurance which drew applause from the workers.

“These problems will be brought down to the barest, manageable levels,” Jega said.

Guest speaker at the workshop and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule, tasked the workers’ responsibilities.

He said: “In whatever you do, as you conduct this election, remember that the world is watching you and above all, God is watching you.”

The elder statesman further said: “The eyes of the world are upon us, Nigeria has the greatest political clout and much is expected of us through this election.”

He reminded them that two Nigeria’s neighbours - Ghana and Niger – had successfully conducted free, fair and peaceful elections and all the actors accepted result of the elections and the world had been commending them.

“These countries are less endowed and less sophisticated as Nigeria,” he added.

He blamed Nigerian politicians for not imbibing the principles of patience and good quality leadership to serve, referring them to the old breed politicians whom, he said, went into politics for service rather than for profit “as the case is now”.

He said it baffled him how politicians doing what he called bad things often go to Christian and Islamic leaders seeking their blessing and wondered how: “asking God to grant your wish while doing what God does not wish.”

Sule told the electoral officers that everything had its peak and he believed that corruption, irresponsible conducts and dishonesty of leaders had reached their peak and now ready to come down through next month’s election.

“If we must change, we must have good leaders and they can only come by your conducting good election,” he said.

According to him, love was missing in the polity and advised Nigerians to do everything possible to bring it back because all religions preach it.

“Love is missing in Nigeria. That is why we are fighting; that is why we breed bad leaders,” he said.

Making a passionate plea to INEC, the elder statesman said: “Help us in this country to produce good leaders through election so that we can lead Africa and grow our economy. Nigeria is a great country, but you have tremendous task. You must be guided by justice and fair play. God is my witness that I told you this,” he added.

Earlier in his keynote address, Jega listed integrity, honesty, transparency and incorruptibility as four key principles he said should be imbibed by the staff as they conduct the elections.

He said it was absolutely necessary that, “we remind ourselves and imbibe these principles”, pointing out that ethics was the key that underlines the philosophy of every credible election.

He also said the order of election remained as it was as the time was short for any adjustment.

The Resident Representative of the NGO, Thomas Meeting, and the National Commissioner and Chairman of Board of the Electoral Institute, Prof. Lai Olurode, also addressed the workshop.

The election begins on April 2 with voting for members of the National Assembly. It will be followed by the presidential election on April 9, while that of the governors and states assembly elections come up on April16.

Source:ThisDay

Jonathan Meets Buhari, TV Debate to Hold March 29

2011-03-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan and Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) – both of whom are presidential candidates in next month’s polls – held a secret meeting in Abuja last Sunday, THISDAY can report.

This is even as THISDAY has learnt that the TV presidential debate to be organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has been tentatively fixed for Tuesday, March 29.

The presidential election will hold on April 9, one and a half weeks after the debate.

BON is an organisation of government-owned as well as private television stations, including AIT and Channels, and has traditionally organised presidential debates since 1999, although flag bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have always failed to participate.

Jonathan, who has been criticised for turning down invitations to debates especially the one organised by NN24 TV, recently expressed readiness to participate in the “traditional” BON-organised debate.

Meanwhile, the meeting between Jonathan and Buhari was held in absolute privacy, at the Defence House in the nation’s capital.

THISDAY could not ascertain the reason for the meeting, but it is understood that it might have to do with the polls scheduled for next month.

THISDAY learnt that Jonathan was planning for a post-election scenario to heal “the fracture” in the polity.

Sources close to both camps said the meeting was at the instance of the president who is “uncomfortable” with the growing tension between his party, the PDP, and Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

It was widely reported that CPC supporters were hostile to Jonathan’s supporters, leading to skirmishes and attacks on the campaign offices of the president in some Northern states.

It is understood that the two men might have discussed ways to avert a bigger problem during the elections as well as seek assurances that genuine efforts would be made to achieve credible polls.

Both men were also said to have discussed the best ways of achieving credible polls devoid of violence, rigging and underhand tactics.

Speaking in Sokoto yesterday, Buhari denied advocating lynching of election riggers during the flag-off of his presidential campaign in Kaduna last month.

He had been quoted as telling his supporters in Hausa language: “You should never leave polling centres until votes are counted and the winner declared and you should lynch anybody that tries to tinker with the votes.”

But during a courtesy call on Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko in Sokoto yesterday, Buhari said he was misquoted by the press.

Rather, he said, he was committed to free and fair elections and had always appealed to his supporters to make sure that their votes count.

He maintained that he was completely misquoted by the media and denied ever calling on his supporters for mass revolt against those who rig elections.

According to him, at no time in his life had he called on his supporters for any form of violence.

“It seems the press was happy to misinterpret me. If there is one thing I fear and hate in my life, it is violence. I have seen enough of violence in my life. I have seen many military coups; counter coups and the Nigerian civil war. I lost many of my valuable friends and colleagues in the military to violence,” he said.

“In fact, having been a presidential candidate in 2003 and 2007, I cannot be advocating violence. I always tell my supporters to protect their votes and ensure that their votes count in the forthcoming elections and this is being misinterpreted by the press,” he added.

He pointed out that the CPC had embarked on massive awareness campaign in the country on the need for people to defend their votes and expressed optimism that in the forthcoming elections, the votes of Nigerians would count.

The CPC presidential candidate called on Nigerians to join hands together to ensure credible polls.

Responding, Wamakko said President Jonathan was committed to ensuring a free and fair election.

He maintained that the state government was totally against any form of violence and warned its supporters against carrying weapons during electioneering.

“In my campaigns, I preach non-violence and none of my followers carries weapons. I will never support violence or condone it because it is not in our political culture,” Wamakko said.

Later yesterday, Buhari addressed a mammoth crowd at a campaign rally at the trade fair complex Sokoto where he called on youths in the country to protect their votes, saying it is only by doing so that their votes would count in the elections.

Buhari said Nigerian youths could determine their fate by defending their votes during the polls.

According to him, it is only the youths that have the energy and strength to do so and that their efforts would amount to nothing if they fail to guard their votes, which is the only way they can choose credible leaders.

“You should protect your votes and watch over it at the collation centres. I believe only you can do this, otherwise your efforts would end up in vain. So, it is when you do this that the people you vote will be those that will emerge as your leaders, who will meet your aspirations.

“CPC as a party will ensure that all those who win elections on its platform from councillors to president will use the resources at its disposal for the betterment of the lives of the people,” he stressed.

Buhari handed over the CPC flag to the governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Yabo, and other candidates contesting for National Assembly positions.

Source:Thisday

Medical doctor kidnapped in Ekpoma

2011-03-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

A medical doctor, Festus Aisabokhale, has been reported kidnapped in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government council of Edo State. Aisabokhale, the Medical Director of Ofure Medical Centre, was reportedly kidnapped from his home on Wednesday night by unknown gunmen.
The latest kidnap incident has once again drawn the ire of doctors practising in the state and who were threatening to down tools in protest against the abduction of a colleague.

No contact has been reportedly made with the family of the kidnapped doctor or with the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in the state. However, the police in Ekpoma said that they were aware of the kidnap and were monitoring development in that regard.
The state chairman of the NMA, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, said an emergency state executive council meeting of the association had been fixed for today to discuss the issue.
“We call on the abductors of Aisabokhale to release him unconditionally because we are not prepared to pay ransom for acts of criminality and they should know that this action has also denied many people of access to health care services from his hospitals and other doctors who are now tired of attending to unknown persons who may need medical attention for fear of being kidnapped,” Dr Ugbodaga added.

Nigerian girls offer sex for food

2011-03-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

Despite reports in certain sections of the media that all Nigerians stranded in Libya have been evacuated, there are still thousands of men, women and children trapped at the Tripoli Airport, waiting patiently to be airlifted back to the country.

So far, according to an eye-witness, still unconfirmed from independent sources, only 2079 Nigerians were evacuated by two aircraft that arrived last weekend to continue the operations which had since stopped.
At the moment, said the eye-witness, Raphael Ayinla Ajibari, President of the O’dua International Community in Libya, the population of marooned Nigerians at the airport keeps swelling by the day, as more people continue to arrive, to join the swelling population already camped there since the beginning of the uprising. He estimates that there are still well over 3,000 people scattered in squatter-camp settings all around the Tripoli Airport.
“If they (Nigerian officials) really want to evacuate the entire Nigerians still in Libya, desperate to come home, they must be thinking of something like between 11,000, and 12,000 people,” said Ajibari.
However, National LIFE findings indicate that the impression in government circles is that the entire population of Nigerians in Libya have been evacuated. Further enquiries by the reporter point to the fact that indeed, all the Nigerian refugees at the Libyan airport are anxious to get out of that country. But this is contrary to the impression also given to government that those already evacuated were only those “willing” to return home, as also reported by the media.
In a distraught voice, Raphael Ajibari, speaking to National LIFE on telephone, from the Tripoli Airport, pleaded that the Federal Government should please have mercy on its nationals and urgently send planes to evacuate the remaining Nigerians still stranded in Tripoli. He said the many Nigerians abandoned at that airport are so desperate to get out that those who can afford it are even ready to pay money to save their own lives.
“I beg you in the name of God to please do something for us by informing the government that many Nigerians are stranded here. Many are even prepared to pay, if they can see any aircraft at all, to take them home.”
He went on: “Countries like Ghana send two aircraft daily, to take their people home, but I can’t understand why a whole Nigeria only sent two planes, twice and stopped.”
National LIFE made desperate efforts to speak with officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) the body charged with evacuating stranded Nigerians in Libya, but could not get comments from the agency before press time.
However, according to a source, which would rather not be quoted, government had earmarked a large sum of money (which he did not specify) for this operation. According to the source, the government arrangement also included monies to be given to the returnees, to enable them transport themselves to their respective destinations. This, according to the source, appears to be at the bottom of the dilemma of the Nigerians still stranded in Libya.
“You know our people,” opined the source, “somebody is short-changing somebody somewhere and it is not impossible that the money budgeted for the operation has been embezzled by some officials, while his own people are left to perish in Libya. It is a big shame and may God have mercy on this nation.”
At the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA) Lagos, National LIFE sought to know from a number of returnees from Libya, whether there was any arrangement by the government to assist them financially, on their return.
According to some of the returnees spoken to, they had escaped into Tunisia from Libya, from where they boarded a chartered Air Malta aircraft which brought them back home and landed at the MMIA at about 8.20 pm local time, last Thursday and taxied to the NAHCO cargo wing of the airport. They said they were promised by NEMA officials even before they left Libya, that they would be given a token N10,000 on their return, to assist them with transportation to their respective destinations.
When approached, a visibly disappointed Isa Abubakar said, “I don’t want to say anything, I am very angry. The money they are supposed to give to us, they did not. They gave us N5,000 each, instead of N10,000,” he lamented, storming out of the premises.
Stanley Tawaris, another returnee, confirmed that they were all promised money before they left Libya: “We were told that we would be given the sum of 10,000 each but on getting here, they gave us only N5,000. Everybody was aware. Some of our friends are not living in Lagos State. Some would be going to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin and other places. How would that money take them home?”
Indeed, prior to the arrival of the refugees, a statement from an official, Sani Sidi, had indicated that the Director of Search and Rescue in NEMA, Air Commodore Alexander Bankole, would personally supervise the return of the Nigerians, to ensure their safety and transportation to their various states of origin.
To that effect, two LagBus-modeled Ashok Leyland buses, with registration numbers Lagos 44 KSF and Lagos 46 KSF belonging to Mutual Model Transport, were said to have been engaged by NEMA, to convey the returnees from the NAHCO cargo terminal of the MMIA, to their various destinations. But as at 10.30pm local time, the buses were yet to arrive.
From Abuja, Nigerian boxer, Bashiru Ali, who himself was among the earlier evacuees from Libya, corroborated the stories told by returnees at the MMIA. Although he said he did not know the exact amount budgeted for the exercise, he also heard, on return from Libya, that each returnee was supposed to be given some money but, according to him, nobody in his batch got a single kobo.
“You can quote me on this, not a single kobo was given to anybody in Abuja and it was even because of my intervention that a certain Inyang assisted the people by making arrangements for buses to convey the returnees from the airport,” said Bash Ali.
Meanwhile, when Ajibari spoke with National LIFE from Libya, last night, he said seven more Nigerians, including five women and two men, had died from suspected exposure to cold, at the Tripoli Airport.

Source:Thenation

TolumiDE: My Love + Video

2011-03-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Bio

Urban contemporary gospel/soul/rnb songstress TolumiDE (pronounced toe-LU-me-day) has been on a roll since dropping her first full-length project – ‘My Love’, last spring in the U.S.,
Simply put, TolumiDE (toe-LU-me-day) is an incredibly talented recording artist. With her African flair and inspirational musical stylings, she exudes a finesse and an energy rarely seen in contemporary gospel music including sprinklings of Urban Pop, Classic RnB Soul, Afro-Jazz, Funk & Reggae. A unique heritage that includes Nigeria and Canada, TolumiDE, her stage name a collaboration of her first name Tolulope and her last Olumide, which means “Thank you God” in her native language of Yoruba. The Nigerian and Canadian entertainer has been catching the attention of award shows and so far has received the Covenant Awards nomination from the Gospel Music Association Canada for My Love in the Urban/R&B/Soul Album Of The Year category. And also Channel O Music Video Awards nomination in the Most Gifted R&B category for the video of the single “My Love”. Last summer, she walked away from Baltimore’s Artscape 2010 SOUND-OFF! Competition as the winner, beating out dozens of other talented artists. The recipient of the coveted Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Female R&B Artist, she’s already been recognized in the Motherland as one of the brightest music stars of the day. With dynamic and audience grabbing performances, TolumiDE has gained new fans and rave reviews for her debut EP Specialty in 2008. The project set the stage for her current release, My Love, a further extension of the amazingly gifted artist.

“Is she talented?? Yes sure she is …I can testify to that listened, to the song and i think you should too ,you sure wont regret that..”

D'Banj interviews president Goodluck Jonathan

2011-03-17T15:20:00.001-07:00

D'Banj interviewed President Goodluck Jonathan today. The interview will air on Silverbird TV at 8:30pm tomorrow 18th March, 2011. Watch out for it.

How is it that the President of the Federal Republic doesn't want to be interviewed by journalists but doesn't mind sitting down for an entertainer? What exactly is D'banj going to ask him? He will probably kiss-ass throughout the interview (D'banj is one of the many Naija entertainers campaigning for the president). Now a Chude Jideonwo or a Tolu Ogunlesi, or the guys from 'What About Us' would have done a better job.
I don't know what to make of PDP anymore. Please Vote, but think well before you do!

Source: lindaikeji

Y!NAIJA THE BEAUTIFUL ASA COVER

2011-03-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

In case you’ve been wondering where to get the latest issue of Y! Magazine that everyone is talking about, we have the lo’ down.
Y! Magazine’s exciting third issue – the New Decade Issue – has a beautiful Asa cover styled by Dimeji Alara, with an exclusive interview and revelations about her past, her music, her life, and what she is up to these days. The magazine also has exclusive interviews with Tuface, Ruggedman, an expose on the musical, Olurombi, a look at sleeping in airports, tough talk on why you shouldn’t quit your job yet, and reviews of EVERYTHING, everyone’s raving about it! And it’s just 500 naira…
Get a copy of the magazine at:

The Hub at The Palms Mall, Lekki.
Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Silverbird Lifestyle Stores, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Glendora, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi
UNILAG Gate, Yaba
Ouch Stories – Maryland, Silverbird Galleria, Surulere, Ikota
MAI Atelier, Falomo Shopping Complex, Ikoyi
MM II Airport, Ikeja
MM International Airport, Ikeja
Lagos Country Club gate, Ikeja
Newsstands: Masha, Surulere; Ojuelegba, Maryland, Festac, Egbeda, Lagos Island, and with vendors and newsstands across Lagos!
The magazine is available in other states: Benin, Ibadan, Abeokuta Abuja, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Ilorin, amongst others!
To get in these other states, send a mail to info@ynaija.com and we will contact you immediately.
If you want a copy delivered right to your doorsteps in Lagos, send a mail titled SUBSCRIPTION to info@ynaija.com and we’ll have it delivered for N700 only. More information is on www.ynaija.com.

-GISTMASTER.COM

Only foolish women let their husband stray–Linda Ikeji

2010-12-19T00:34:00.000-08:00

At 29, model, and businesswoman, Linda Ikeji has packaged enough into her life to make her one of the most desirable ladies . Linda is not satisfied. She still wants more. In this interview with Samuel Olatunji , she parts the curtain to let us have a peek into her life. Excerpt...
What has been your staying power in the industry?
(Chuckles) How come I have refused to go? It’s because I’m not meant to go. I’m meant to be here. I have other things that I want to accomplish in my life. My modelling days are over , so I am moving on from there to something else. Basically, I still have other things I want to accomplish in life. That is why I am still around.
What do you mean by the modelling days are over? You don’t modelling anymore?
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