Tosin Oluwalowo's Blog

From the Red Carpet: Oyinkansola marks Birthday in Grand Style

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:02:00 +0000

Friday the 18th of January would remain a memorable one in the minds of the guests who attended the party marking the birthday anniversary of Dairo Oyinkansola as they were ushered into class, style and sophistication.

The uncommon event had a major highlight of a red carpet session powered by the award winning TeamCSI and hosted by the duo of Sinzu and Kemi of Corporate Swagggz inc.

Guests showered so much encomiums on the celebrant about her cute, nice and charming personalty.

In his remark. the celebrant's dad, Hon Olatunji Dairo who is the Chief Whip of the Ondo State House of Hssembly had so much to say on the red carpet. He also didnt finish without giving his advise to the youths and friends of the celebrant.

The birthday celebration was indeed all about style and class.

More pictures after the cut.

CSI duo bags Prodigie Awards.

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Corporate Swags Inc once again represented in class as two of its major shots bagged two major awards at the Prodiige Image Recognition Awards, PIRA in Akure.

PIRA the much talked about intercollegial awards was held January 26, 2013 live at Jojein Hotels, Oba-Ile, Akure shaking Akure to its roots.

The event featured major quest artists such as Hakeem the dreamer, Yemi Alade, Tillerman with special appearance by Seyi Law.

The PIRA Mr Personality awards 2013 went to Toyosi Ayeleso (Toyosi CSI) amidst cheers from the audience while Tomiwa Adaran (Tomiwa stan CSI) carted home the coveted PIRA Most Handsome award.

PIRA 2013 was keenly contested among students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Achievers University, Owo, Ekiti State University and Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Click HERE for a full view of all the winners.

NAFDAC introduces toll free number for feedback

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:40:00 +0000

National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control said in Abuja on Thursday that it had established toll-free platform for feedback on adverse drug reactions.

Coordinator, National Pharmacovigilance Centre of NAFDAC, Mrs. Adeline Osakwe, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

She urged MTN, Etisalat and Glo subscribers to text messages to 20543.

Osakwe advised the public to regard such reports as important, stressing that the information would facilitate the agency’s work in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

She said, “If we get 1,000 reports and only one is genuine, we won’t mind.

“We want people to report as much as possible so that we will begin to document what is happening to Nigerians when they use certain medicines.

“For instance, if you take a drug for stomach ache and you react to it, you could just text `I took this medicine and my stomach is on fire.

“When the information gets to us, we will call and interview you to get additional information that will enable us to determine whether it is actually an adverse drug reaction.

“If it is serious, we can refer the person to a hospital because we do not do clinical management of problem, we do documentation.

“This information will help us to assist the person and the general public because with the information we get, we get to know the people that should not take certain medicines.”

- (NAN)

VIDEO: Chelsea's Eden Hazard kicks ball boy, WATCH IT HERE

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:05:00 +0000

Eden Hazard kicked a ball boy in Chelsea's Capital One Cup defeat to Swansea last night. The Chelsea player was subsequently shown the red card.

Watch the video here:

VIDEO: Watch President Goodluck Jonathan's interview on CNN

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:50:00 +0000

Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan was interviewed yesterday by CNN's Christine Amanpour on her show Amanpour live on CNN International.

Among the things they discussed were, Boko Haram, Electricity and Corruption.

Watch the interview here:

Edo tribunal affirms Oshiomhole's poll victory

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:18:00 +0000

The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin on Wednesday affirmed the victory of Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14, 2012 governorship election.

The tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Mauzu Pindinga, dismissed retired Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere’s petition for lack of merit.

The tribunal said that the petition was devoid of any substance and ought to be dismissed.

Pindinga held that the petitioner failed to establish any evidence as the witnesses called were unable to substantiate the allegation of electoral fraud in the July 14, 2012 election.

He said that what was not contestable was that the first respondent, Oshiomhole had two-third majority of the votes cast.

The three-man tribunal, therefore, upheld the victory of Oshiomhole and dismissed Airhiavbere’s petition for lack of merit.

The tribunal awarded a cost of N150,000 against the petitioner.

Oshiomhole in his reaction, described the judgment as victory for the people and promised that it was a further reaffirmation of its desire and determination to provide the people of the state with the dividend of his victory.

The PDP governorship candidate, Airhiavbere, had earlier filed the petition alleging that the July 14, 2012 election was fraught with electoral irregularities.

The petitioner joined ACN, INEC, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and INEC returning officer as co-respondent defendants in his petition.

Before the commencement of the trial the PDP filed an application for its name to be struck out as co-respondent /petitioner.

The Supreme Court had on Jan. 11 dismissed the ruling of an Appeal Court, and upheld the decision of the lower tribunal, which earlier struck out Airhiavbere’s allegation on the non qualification in his petition.

The tribunal had earlier disqualified itself from hearing the aspect of the non-qualification of a candidate in the petition, arguing that the issue was a pre-election matter, which only the regular court could entertain.

But, Airhiavbere filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, which upturned the tribunal’s ruling and whose verdict Gov. Oshiomhole challenged at the Supreme Court.

UNILAG announces Convocation date

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:43:00 +0000

By Kelechi Amakoh

The University of Lagos has finally announced the days for the Golden Jubillee Convocation.

It was meant to have held earlier this month but was postponed 'due to unforseen circumstances.'

Announcing this through her website, the convocation starts on Thursday, February 7 and will culminate on Saturday, February 9 2013.

The excerpt from the announcement is below: ''Authorities of the University of Lagos wish to inform all graduating students, parents/ guardians and other stakeholders that the Golden Jubilee Convocation Ceremonies earlier scheduled to hold at the normal Convocation period of January 17, 18 and 19 2013 will now hold on Thursday, February 7; Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9, 2013 . Further information on the Convocation Ceremonies will be announced soonest.''

6 states to experiece total blackout in Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:24:00 +0000

Six states of the federation will experience power outage on Saturday and Sunday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has said.

A statement issued by the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Mr. Dave Ifabiyi, in Abuja on Tuesday, named the states as Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and parts of Benue.

According to Ifabiyi, the light out will enable the company’s contractors enhance the capacity of the transmission system that serves the affected areas.

He said, “In the bid to complete the final connection works on the new double circuit 330kV transmission line from Benin, in Edo State, to Onitsha, in Anambra State, and the associated substation at Onitsha, there will be power interruption to Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states in the eastern part of the federation, as well as parts of Benue State on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27, 2013.

“The crucial final connection works to be carried out by our contractors, having completed the stringing of 330kV double circuit transmission line across River Niger, aim at enhancing the transmission capacity in the area and improving grid power delivery and reliability nationwide.”

Ifabiyi added that TCN regretted any inconveniences the two-day power interruption would cause the governments and people of the affected states.

Nigerian troops will not leave Mali until peace is restored - Jonathan

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 06:50:00 +0000

Nigeria's 1200 soldiers on peace mission to Mali would not leave until they restore democracy to the crisis-torn neighbouring country, Reuters quoted President Goodluck Jonathan as saying on Tuesday.

As part of ECOWAS peacekeeping and millitary intervention, Nigerian troops arrived in Mali on Sunday.

“We cannot pull out until we have solved the problem. I cannot tell you when we will solve the problem, but Nigeria is totally committed and we remain committed until the crisis is resolved".

“Until democratically elected people take over the government of Mali, we will not pull back,” Jonathan said in an interview with Reuters in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We believe that if we stabilise Northern Mali, not just Nigeria but other countries that are facing threats will be stabilised,” he said.

When asked if there was a possibility that the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was fighting in Mali, Jonathan said it was possible. “They have no boundaries. They don’t respect international boundaries,” he said.

PHCN bills can now be paid with mobile phones

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:08:00 +0000

The Management of the Abuja Distribution Company (DISCO) of PHCN on Monday says it has introduced mobile recharge of the Prepayment Metres.

Mr Yahaya Komo, the Principal Manager, Procurement, Abuja DISCO, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

“There are some problems faced by customers of PHCN using credit cards to recharge their prepayment metres.

“Administrative problems arise due to non-availability of the cards,’’ he said.

Komo listed Otis Carpets, Wuse 2, British village, Wuse 2, and Airport/Lugbe Office of PHCN as points in Abuja city for customers to recharge their metres.

He said that customers in Mararaba and Nyanya should buy credits at Nyanaya Area `A’ Extension, Karu PHCN Service Centre, Jikwoyi/Orozo PHCN Office, Aso Fada and Nyanaya Power Plaza.

He stressed that the vending and use of cell phone to recharge prepayment metres had no limitation on the amount of money a customer could recharge as against the use of credit cards.

“With this mobile phone system, customers can recharge from any part of the country as done in the U. S. Britain or Canada.’’

Komo assured customers that the challenge of reloading credits would be eliminated by this new measure. (NAN)

Jonathan letter to spur Eagles to success - Yobo

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:02:00 +0000

Captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo, has promised they will do the country proud despite the 1-1 draw they had in their first game against Burkina Faso, stating the the team are in high spirit upon receiving President Goodluck Jonathan's letter.

The letter which was personally signed by President Jonathan, and delivered to the team Monday evening by Sports Minister, Hon Bolaji Abdulahi read in part: “The Africa Cup of Nations has always been an exciting and important sports event for us in Nigeria and other African countries. However, this edition of 2013 even holds a greater significance for us as a nation. Next year 2014, our dear country will be one hundred years old. As we look back and celebrate our achievements as a strong, united nation, we cannot understate the role that sports, especially football played in our national life. Football remains one enduring unifying factor in our country which transcends our diversity. A successful outing at the Africa Cup of Nations will offer a great opportunity to further inspire pride, faith and hope in a re-energised new Nigeria in the course of our centennial celebrations”.

Yobo statedd that himself and all other members of the squad and technical crew were moved that the President still found time to watch the Eagles and motivate the team, despite his busy schedule. While promising that the team was now more than inspired to do the nation proud at the championship.

“I will like to, on behalf of my mates assure Mr President, that we will not let him down all we need is for him to continue to say his fatherly prayers for us all and we shall surely deliver”, he said.

I am alive and will be back soon - Chime

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:52:00 +0000

Enugu state governor, Sullivan Chime yesterday finally opened up on his health condition declaring he is now in good health and should soon be expected back in the country.

Akpabio, Suswam and Amaechi with Chime in UK

Chime made this disclosure to Vanguard when he received governors of Rivers, Benue and Akwa-Ibom who paid him a visit in London, United Kingdom where he is recovering after an illness.

The three governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Gabriel Suswam of Benue State also separately attested to Chime’s state of health.

While speaking, Amaechi said “We saw him in an atmosphere of recovery. We were able to go out with him, he is in good shape and is getting ready to come back home very soon. We thank God for what He has done, how He has helped him to recover.”

“Chime has been discharged from the hospital. He has recovered fully and is physically okay. I was impressed with what I saw. We walked around together, ate together and he is going about on his own.” Suswan also stated.

While also adding, Akpabio said “He has recovered tremendously, I am very happy and I give glory to God. This our visit to him and the fact that he was able to speak with Vanguard has put paid to all the rumours. Nigerians should learn how to pray for their leaders instead of ganging up through NGOs and groups and wishing them evil. We are all human beings. As humans, we can break down anytime which means we should be sympathetic with our leaders when they face challenges whether health wise or security wise. We should pray for them instead of wishing them bad.”

Kidnapped Bayelsa Speaker's mother released

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:33:00 +0000

The kidnapped mother of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Komobowei Benson, has been released.

Madam Betinah, 78, was kidnapped by a gang of gunmen on January 13 at her home in Korokorosei, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was released after spending 8 days in the kidnapper's den.

Her captors had demanded a N40 million ransom for her release although it was not clear if any money was paid.

But she was released on Monday night in Patani, Delta State.

Presidency berates Buhari for "reckless" comments

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:29:00 +0000

The Presidency on Tuesday, described as “reckless” the comments credited to the Chairman Board of Trustees of the Congress for Progressive Change, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Saturday’s attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

The Presidency warned politicians, to make cheap political statements out of the Emir's attackk.

Buhari's statement signed by the CPC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, had condemned the attack, saying, “The country was not just under an ominous cloud of insecurity but that its citizens were also victims”.

In his reaction to the comments, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said, “The statement by Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, his party, the CPC, is unfortunate, reckless and opportunistic”.

Further adding, Okupe said, “Any attempt to politicise this unfortunate attack on the revered Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and members of his family is irresponsible".

“Though, the attack itself is regrettable, it is difficult at present to blame it on the Boko Haram or terrorism or in fact, on some criminal elements within the society that hid under the spate of insecurity in the state to perpetuate this heinous crime”.

We recognise Oyinlola as PDP secretary - INEC

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:17:00 +0000

THE Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday said it only recognizes Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party despite a court order sacking him.

According to the Commission, it had neither been served with the court order nor written by the PDP that Oyinlola had ceased to be its national secretary.

“There has not been any specific order with regard to the removal,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Kayode Idowu, spokesman for INEC chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega, as saying in an interview.

Idowu said that INEC as a political umpire would comply and “if there is an order directing the commission to remove his (Oyinlola’s) name as national secretary.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja on January 11 ordered the removal of Oyinlola as PDP’s National Secretary, while the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, had directed on January 14 that the Deputy National Secretary, Solomon Onwe, immediately take over the office of the national secretary in acting capacity.

Ikechukwu Uche apologises to Nigerians for Burkina Faso draw

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:55:00 +0000

Super Eagles striker Ikechukwu Uche has come out to apologise to Nigerians for the team's 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in their opening game in the on-going African Cup of Nations.

Uche ruing one of his missed chances against Burkina Faso

Taking to the social network - twitter, the Spain-based player promised that the Eagles will present a better showing in their next match against Zambia.

“I sincerely apologise for how the game ended last night and I strongly believe that our next game will be better… Thanks.”, Uche tweeted.

The Super Eagles had surrendered their 1-0 lead with the last kick of the game in their opening match against Burkina Faso Monday night.

Nigeria's next match is against the defending Champions, Zambia on Friday.

Super Eagles blame Musa, Uche for Burkina Faso draw

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:43:00 +0000

Super Eagles players blamed Ahmed Musa and Ikechukwu Uche after Nigeria's 1-1 draw against Burkna Faso on Monday for failing to preserve the team's lead.

“The players gave both Musa and Uche their piece of mind immediately after the match,” a top official informed MTNFootball.com.

“They blamed them for the draw because they said they should have tried to play for time rather than go for goal with seconds only left on the clock.

“The best thing for the players to have done in stoppage time with Burkina Faso enjoying the momentum was to try to run down the clock.”

Full text of Barack Obama's inaugural address

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:08:00 +0000

President Barack Obama was yesterday inaugurated for another four years in office as the President of the United State of America.

Below is the full text of his inaugural address:

“Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.

For more than two hundred years, we have.

Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.

Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to train our workers.

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.

Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.

Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and enterprise; our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, are constants in our character.

But we have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.

For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.
This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention.

My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.

For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. We must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, and reach higher. But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.

We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future. For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other – through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security – these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.

We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe; and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice.

We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.

That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – real for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness. Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time – but it does require us to act in our time.

For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay. We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and forty years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.

My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction – and we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service. But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.

They are the words of citizens, and they represent our greatest hope.

You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course.

You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.

Let each of us now embrace, with solemn duty and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history, and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.

Thank you, God Bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.”

Aftermath of Eagles draw: Keshi focuses on Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:43:00 +0000

Nigeria's Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi now has his sights set on the team's next match against The Chipolopolo on Zambia in the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

Speaking with newsmen after Monday’s 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso, the Keshi noted that the game is now behind them, praising his players for playing to instructions.

Burkina Faso Substitute, Alain Traore broke the heart of Nigerians by scoring an equalizer for his side with the last kick of the game Emmanuel Emenike had put Nigeria 1 nil up with a well taken goal 22 minutes into the game.

"I am not going to let anything bring us down. I'm very proud of the boys, who did everything I wanted of them,” said Keshi after the game.

"This game is gone and the next game against Zambia is very, very important. I'll pick up the players and motivate them."

All the teams in Group C have one point apiece.

Australian Open: Ferrer, Li Na makes semi-final

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:28:00 +0000

Spain’s fourth seed David Ferrer fought back from two sets down to beat compatriot Nicolas Almagro in five sets and reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Ferrer won 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in 3hr 44min on Rod Laver Arena and will face the winner of the quarter-final between defending champion Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych.

China’s Li Na has also reached her first Grand Slam semi-final since she won the French Open Tuesday when she halted the red-hot streak of Agnieszka Radwanska at the Australian Open.

The 2011 French Open winner became the first player this year to take a set off off the Polish world number four when she edged a tight opening set containing seven breaks of serve.

Radwanska came storming back by winning eight points in a row to take the first two games of the second set to love. But Li then rattled off five straight games before serving it out for a 7-5, 6-3 win.

Li’s victory halted the hottest streak on the women’s tour after Radwanska had totted up 13 straight wins, including 26 unbeaten sets, and picked up titles in Auckland and Sydney.

“She’s a tough player. I felt like I was against a wall today. She can hit everywhere, but without any mistakes,” said Li.

“I felt it was just very tough. You have to focus on every shot. Not every point, every shot. If you hit like slow or like short one, she’ll attack.”

Li will face the winner of Tuesday’s all-Russian quarter-final between world number two Maria Sharapova and Ekaterina Makarova in the last four, which is her third Australian Open semi-final.

The 30-year-old has not contested a major semi-final since two years ago at the French Open, when she made history as Asia’s first Grand Slam winner and created a wave of interest in tennis in her home country.

She said her experience would stand her in good stead in the last four — along with a newfound calm she has discovered since teaming with coach Carlos Rodriguez last year.

“If you want to win a Grand Slam, you have to win seven matches. Doesn’t matter you lucky or unlucky, you still have to win seven matches. This is very tough,” she said.

“Right now I think I’ve changed a little bit in my mind, because before I used to think, ‘OK, if I win, who will I play, who will I be against in the fourth round or fifth round?’

“But this time I really didn’t look at the draw. I really didn’t think that far, I just prepared myself match by match.”

Radwanska had beaten Li only last week, in the Sydney semi-finals, but she said the Chinese star had raised her game when it counted on the big stage.

“I think she played better than last week in Sydney. Definitely she was very solid from the beginning of the match. She was really playing good tennis,” said the Pole.

“Some of the games she didn’t let me do anything. Very deep balls all the time. Good serve. She was really playing good tennis today.”

PM News

Maku concerned about delay in execution of NDDC projects in Imo

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:19:00 +0000

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, on Monday expressed concern about the delay in executing various Niger Delta Development Commission projects in Imo State.

Maku said this when he led journalists and other members of the Good Governance tour of some Federal Government’s projects in Owerri, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The minister said that the situation was worrisome, adding that government had made efforts to fund the projects in spite of challenges of finance.

Maku visited the 200-room capacity hostel constructed by the NDDC at the Federal University of Technology and another uncompleted 168 rooms at the state university.

“The delay in the execution of projects is not a good story at all, because NDDC has a fairly regular way of funding. What is needed is the management of its priorities, great initiatives and good projects,” the minister said.

He also expressed displeasure at the inability of officials of the commission in the state to give detailed account of funds disbursed to contractors handling the projects.

According to him, figures on how public funds are spent should be made available to the public on demand.
The projects, which were awarded at N400 million each, had been reviewed upward over the years to about N1 billion.

“We need to be able to round-up some of the NDDC projects, it is very important. Government tied down money since 2004/2005, and students are not using it.

“This is not a good story at all, it gives us the impression that these projects will be there forever and we will continue to review the cost. This is the essence of the Good Governance Tour.

“Before the town hall meeting on Tuesday, we want to know the cost of these projects and how much government has spent on this project, these are some of the things that people are worried about,” he said.

Maku urged the state NDDC office to provide a comprehensive list of the projects completed as well as how much was spent on them.

He said that many projects had so far been approved by the Federal Executive Council for the NDDC, adding that they should be accounted for.

“We need those statistics, it is very important. We want to see a number of those projects completed or on-going,” he added.

Maku also advised the commission to prioritise its projects, to alleviate the sufferings of students.
- (NAN)

NCC to lift ban on promos and lotteries by telecommunications operators

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Regulatory agency for telecommunication operators in Nigeria, The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated its desire to lift the ban placed on promotions and lotteries by telecommunications operators in the country.

It will be recalled that ban was placed on all promotions by telecommunications operators and lotteries being carried out on the networks by NCC on November 12, 2012.

NCC's Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Eugene Juwah who made this disclosure however said the regulatory body would through the Key Performance Indicators, KPI in December 2012 find out which operators met certain measure and results will be released.

“We are carrying out measurements and when we finish, we will see the service providers that are meeting our thresholds. The operators who meet our thresholds well, we will lift the ban on them, for the ones that do not meet the thresholds, the ban will still stay”, the NCC boss said.

According to Juwah, with the agreement NCC reached with the operators, the commission had given them enough time to repair and make the necessary investments on their networks.

He further said the regulatory body and the service providers agreed that the KPI measurements should be based on serviced in December 2012.

Ban of green buses temporarily suspended by FCT

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:56:00 +0000

The ban on the use of green mini-buses within Abuja has been suspended for three weeks by the FCT Administration.

The announcement was made by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed after meeting with the stakeholders in the transport sector within the FCT on Wednesday.

Those at the meeting were officials of the Mini-Buses Union, FCT chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), FCT Police Commissioner and the Director, Department of State Security.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister set up a committee to fine-tune the implementation of the ban on the mini-buses.

The implementation committee is to be chaired by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. Anthony Ozodinobi, while members are to be drawn from the FCT Chapters of the NLC/TUC respectively, the Police, VIO, FRSC, and Civil Society Organizations.

According to the Minister, the ban is for the good of all the residents of the FCT, hence there is no going back on the policy.

Other transportation related bans Senator Muhammed noted still remain so, while also declaring that adequate enforcement will be ensured.

Apart from the mini-buses, the FCT administration had banned Car mart, Car Wash and illegal Motor Parks scattered in and around the Federal Capital City.

Jonathan nominates Turaki, Nebo as Ministers

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:32:00 +0000

President Goodluck Jonathan has sent to the Senate names of two Ministerial nominees.

The letter containing the nominees was read by Senate President, David Mark on the floor of the Senate at the commencement of plenary for the year 2013 on Wednesday.

The nominees are: Alhaji Kabiru Turaki from Kebbi state and Professor Chinedu Nebo from Enugu state.

They are to replace former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Haliru Muhammed and former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji who were both removed last year by President Jonathan from Kebbi and Enugu states respectively.

EFCC declares Babalakin Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (NIJ Student l) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:05:00 +0000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Lagos lawyer turned businessman, Chief Wale Babalakin wanted.

Babalakin who is the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited according to EFCC failed to appear before them for his prepared arraignment on Thursday, January 17 2013.

In a statement signed by EFCC's acting Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Babalakin is wanted in connection with a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering.

It will be recalled that Babalakin had been accused by the EFCC of assisting jailed Delta State governor, James Ibori to launder N4.7billion.

The commission has therefore asked anybody that has useful information on Babalakin's whereabout to contact them or the nearest police station.

In a swift reaction however, the Head of Communications, Bi-Courtney Ltd, Mr Dipo Kehinde, denied the claim by EFCC stating that “Babalakin was in touch with EFCC by 5pm today. They asked him to report at their office tomorrow before he goes to court. Tonight, he was declared wanted.”

“We don’t understand the game that EFCC is playing” he stated adding that “this is nothing but a deep political game.”

“Since Babalakin came out of the hospital, he had reported at the EFCC office in Lagos for more than 5 times. He was also there on Tuesday. He is on EFCC’s administrative bail. He’s not a man on the run. We have a date in court tomorrow, but EFCC wants to give jungle justice.”

Below is the full text of EFCC's statement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has declared the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited, Wale Babalakin wanted in connection with a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering to the tune of N4.7billion.
The businessman who was supposed to report to the Commission today preparatory to his arraignment on a 27 count criminal charge before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court tomorrow, January 17, 2013 failed to do so, and has gone underground.
Babalakin is dark-complexioned and speaks English and Yoruba fluently.
Anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers: 09-4604620, 070-26350721,070-26350722,070-26350723,070-6350724, 070-26350725 ; or e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org or the nearest Police Station.

Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
16th January, 2013