Yoruba Youths To Endorse Jonathan On Novemebr 30, 2014 - Politics - Wabsodlink

LAGOS—YORUBA Youth Initiative, YYI, has concluded plans to endorse the presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos. A statement by its President, Comrade Adejumo Ishola said the descion was taken as a recognition of the success of the President’s transformation agenda. His words: ‘’The leadership and members of Yoruba Youth Initiative, one of the leading youth organization in southwest has pledge their loyalty and support for Mr. President, Dr, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The organization which is a social and cultural interest group is solidly behind Mr. President and his transformation agenda. “Not in the history of this country has a president encountered the kind of troubles that Mr. President was able to deal with in his administration he further explained that Mr. President is a gentle and noble man. Who has worked tirelessly to achieve his transformation agenda despite the state of security in the Country.’’ ‘’The group has fixed 30th of November, 2014 for an endorsement programme for Mr. President which is to hold at Administrative College of Nigeria, Topo Badagry.’’ http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/yoruba-youths-endorse-jonathan/

INNOSON Donates 21 Buses To Support Gej's Re-election - Politics - Wabsodlink

Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company Limited on Thursday in Abuja donated 20 buses and a jeep to the Goodluck Support Group (GSG). The Chairman of the company, Chief Innocent Chukwuma who made the donation, said it was a token to help the GSG carry out its campaign effectively for President Goodluck Jonathan. "These 21 vehicles are presented to GSG to support the re-election campaign of our dear president and to the glory of God,’’ Chukwuma said. Receiving the keys of the vehicles, the National Coordinator, GSG, Prof. Rufai Alkali, promised that they would be used to canvas for people's vote for Jonathan toward 2015 general elections. "We are very happy for the donation of these 21 vehicles which will help the GSG to effectively campaign for Dr Goodluck Jonathan before the February 2015 elections. "I want to say that the GSG will do everything possible in every nook and cranny of Nigeria to make sure that Nigerians vote for Jonathan,’’ Alkali said. Alkali assured the company that the Jonathan administration would continue to encourage the use of locally manufactured vehicles in Nigeria. http://aitonline.tv/post-motor_company_donates_21_vehicles_to_goodluck_support_group

A Look at Leadership from an Islamic Perspective - Islam for Muslims - Wabsodlink

INTRODUCTION: Leadership is a position one can attain at one point or the other in life. During such period he/she becomes the leader who must lead his/her people aright in their economic, social and spiritual with calmness and in a secured environment. There are positions and there are positions! Some positions of leadership are more demanding than others depending on the magnitude of the subjects under control, type of services required, the orientation and principle of the people. Such task at any level is demanding. It is such an onerous work that needs both the consent of Allah and man for true success, that which will bring the sincere praise and prayer of man and the acceptance and blessing of Allah. Leadership therefore by its foundation may be clear or cloudy, straight or warp, easy or demanding respectable or disgraceful, depending on the ideology of such a leader. By all means, one must avoid the kind of leadership that incurs people’s curse and Allah’s wrath. PRECEPT FOR THE MUSLIMS: Islam is a way of life in the sense that it set the best precept and principle for whatever thing one wants to do or what one wants to become. This is either a clear-cut injunction from Allah or a relayed sample from the life of Prophet Muhammad(SAW) or his immediate companions. And leadership is not exemption. The Prophet instructed his followers:“Do not exaggerate my position in praise of me as the Christians did with the son of Mary, for I am only the slave of Allah, so call me slave of Allah and His messenger” (Bukhari). He didn’t want vain glory and prevented his followers from becoming sycophants. He also said:“One who deceives is not one of us”(Trimidhi). “…treat well those who treat you badly, and speak the truth even against yourself” (Ibn Najjar). He cherished justice, truth and encouraged forgiveness. “Be in this world as if you are a stranger or a way farer” (Bukhari). He restricted accumulation of material wealth. These are some of what he said and what became his principles by which, he acted and for the very reason he was nick-named Al- Amin (The Trustworthy), even by the Pagans before he became a Prophet! Among Abu Bakr first statement on mounting the pulpit as the first caliphate after the Prophet was:“O People! I have been given office although I am not the best among you. If I did well, support me and if I deviated rectify me. Truthfulness is a deposit and lying is treason. The weak person among you is strong with me till I restore his right and the strong person among you is weak with me till I take what he has usurped…obey me as long as I obey Allah…” Showing that, he saw leadership as a privilege not a birth-right or as the only person fit or who merit the post and he stood for justice and truthfulness. Abu Musa and two of his brothers went to the Prophet, and the brothers requested the Prophet to make them the heads of certain communities. The Prophet said unto them: ‘he who covets for a post shall not be granted the post” (Muslim). Meaning that public post should not be coveted or be ‘a do or die’ affair. Even a sensible ‘born leader’ or ‘natural leader’ must not think no other exists. It is at best if attained by right and credible way. These are enough guidance and excellent models for Muslims at every level of leadership - Q33: 21. ITS SCOPE: A Muslim must let both the spiritual teachings and moral principles of Islam on leadership interest and influence him/her tremendously, because that is where one’s eminence lies! By the fact of this Prophetic statement:“Take care! Each of you is a shepherd and each of you shall be asked concerning his flock: a leader is a shepherd over his people and he shall be asked concerning his flock, and a women is a shepherd over the house of her husband and over his children and she shall be asked concerning them; and the slave of a man is a shepherd over the substance of his master and he shall be asked concerning it. Take care then each of you is a shepherd and each of you shall be asked concerning his flock” (Muslim). It means leadership role is an inevitable position for everybody irrespective of age or gender, educated or illiterate, rich or poor, influential or unknown person. At any period of ones’ life, one assumes a status of leadership! Imam, governor, parliamentarian, union leader, community head, team leader, senior at work, elder, school prefect, father, mother, brother, sister, manager, master, chairman of society, are all leaders with specific roles. It could occur that the led at a place is a leader at another place at the same period. You can be a member of a society and be the president or holding key post of another one. An employee of a company or government establishment can be director of his own private business. Everybody is a leader at his own level! The Prophet has said: “Take care! Each of you is a shepherd and each of you shall be asked concerning his flock…” ITS IMPLICATION AND FOUNDATION: If the above is so, a child must be trained towards this inevitable life challenges of being a leader and a matured man must brace up and prepare himself for the challenges of every situation he/she finds himself/ herself as a leader at any level and period of life. Parents cannot make their children good and true leaders by bequeathing wealth to them. Neither can you as a child attained true leadership through abundant inheritance. No! It lies not in the status of ones parents but individual build-up, more importantly as a Muslim, on piety. This is so in that we’ve seen Prophets whose parents, wives, children or relatives failed to benefit from the perfect and true leadership status of their man! But remember the first person pronounced by Allah as leader- Ibrahim(AS), was on piety: “And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain commands which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said, I will make you a leader of man. Ibrahim asked, ‘and what about from my offspring?’ He (Allah) said, ‘my covenant does not embrace the transgressor” Q2:124. Meaning that non-pious man cannot make a true leader! Piety is the true driving force for good leadership due to the necessity of obeisance to one’s Lord and perception of grand accountability.

Tambuwals Name And Picture Removed From Nass Website - Politics - Wabsodlink

BARELY 48 hours after the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the acting Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abba, yesterday, withdrew all his security aides. The Federal Government also deleted Tambuwal’s picture and name from the official website of the National Assembly:http://www.nassng.org/nass, leaving his space blank for now. With the deletion of his details from the web page, only the data and photographs of nine principal officers of the House of Representatives are running, with Emeka Ihedioha, the deputy speaker, being the highest-ranking officer on the page. Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/presidency-moves-tambuwal-picture-deleted-web-site/

Breaking News: Another Bomb Blast In Gombe, More Than 30 Killed (Photos) - Politics - Wabsodlink

http://www.zoomnaija.com/2014/10/breaking-news-another-bomb-blast-gombe-30-killed/ A bomb blast at the Central Park in Cross, Gombe, Gombe state, has resulted in the death of “many people”, a senior State Security Service (SSS) official has confirmed to The Cable. He said the blast happened at about 9:30am. “They left the bomb inside one of the vehicles at the park”, he said. “The blast went off at about 9:30am. Up till now, we don’t know the number of people. But it is a very busy park, so many people will die in such a bomb blast.” He also said officials of the Nigerian army, the police (led by its commissioner) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had arrived the scene to cordon it off and begin rescue operations. A NEMA official who spoke with TheCable from the scene of the blast said more than 30 people had died, as at the first count. “I have counted more than 30 dead bodies, but the death toll is likely to rise,” the official said, before asking for permission to continue with rescue operations. http://www.zoomnaija.com/2014/10/breaking-news-another-bomb-blast-gombe-30-killed/

Genuine Toyota spare parts.

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FG Withdraws Tambuwal's Security Details - Politics - Wabsodlink

Reports reaching Daily Trust indicate that all the security details attached to Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal have been withdrawn by the Federal Government. Tambuwal formally announced his defection from the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) last Tuesday. A source told daily Trust: "Early this morning, few minutes after midnight to be precise, top level security report informed the Speaker that orders have been given for the withdrawal of his security details.” The withdrawal of his security details may not be unconnected with his defection from the PDP which didn't go down well with the party and the presidency. The PDP had on Tuesday called on Mr. Tambuwal to resign his position as Speaker having left the party that brought him to the House of Representatives in 2011. Tambuwal received a warm welcome on Wednesday, a day after his formal defection at the extraordinary national convention of the APC in Abuja when he showed up at the convention ground accompanied by 160 of his APC colleagues. He later addressed the convention expressing his delight in joining the APC and said he has embraced the APC platform as an instrument for genuine change and enduring national development. As the number four citizen of the country in the hierarchy of protocol, the Speaker is entitled to a round the clock security made up of men from the Police, Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Security (DSS). Our source said Tambuwal was told that “a verdict will be entered against him by a Court in Abuja on Thursday. The thing here is that why not wait for the verdict before any action is taken? " Efforts to reach the Speaker have so far proved unsuccessful. Calls and SMS sent to his spokesman Malam Imam Imam, have so far remained unanswered. Details coming… http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/top-stories/38229-

Jonathan Receives N100.5m Donations To Buy PDP Form - Politics - Wabsodlink

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said he had received a total of N100.5m donations and pledges from persons, groups and communities who offered to assist him to pay for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential nomination fee. The PDP’s Presidential Nomination Fee is N20m and its Expression of Interest Form is N2m, making a total of N22m. Jonathan said he would pick the nomination form on Thursday (today). In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President thanked all Nigerians who he said had been urging him to seek re-election based on his administration’s achievement in the last four years. The statement read in part, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will tomorrow, Thursday, October 30 pick up the PDP nomination form for the 2015 Presidential elections. “President Jonathan thanks all Nigerians, members of the PDP, friends, associates, and all groups who in sincere appreciation of the achievements of the administration in the last four years, have been urging him to seek a second term in office. “President Jonathan is greatly encouraged by the overwhelming outpouring of goodwill and support, as well as the confidence of the generality of Nigerians in his ability to continue to transform the country for the good of its entire people. “The President is also grateful to all the persons, groups and communities who have sent donations, and made pledges to assist him to pay the required N22m for the PDP Presidential Nomination Fee and Expression of Interest Form.” Abati said 36 groups and communities donated to the buy-form-for-Jonathan fund. According to the breakdown of the donations and pledges received by the President, the highest donors are the PDP Governors’ Forum and the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria that donated N22m each. Jonathan assured the donors that he would continue to do his best to justify the confidence they reposed in his leadership. http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-receives-n100-5m-donations-to-buy-pdp-form/

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Inec Voters Registration November 13th To 17th. - Politics - Wabsodlink

The PVC distribution will take place in Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Plateau and Rivers. Four days after the conclusion of the PVCs distribution in the 13 states, INEC will also start the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the third phase. It will begin on November 13 and end on 17. The Commission had earlier conducted the distribution of the PVCs and the Continuous Voter Registration exercise in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Phases I and II. INEC has, however, urged all eligible voters to collect register and collect their PVC as Only those with Permanent Voters Card would be allowed to vote during the 2015 General Elections. Voters are expected to cross-check their names in the displayed Voters’ Register. Those who registered before but could not see their names in the displayed register were asked to re-register during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. www.channelstv.com/2014/10/17/inec-to-begin-pvcs-distribution-in-lagos-and-12-other-states/

Man Beaten For Molesting OAU-Ife Student - Education - Wabsodlink

Reuters UK Predict GEJ Victory In 2015 - Politics - Wabsodlink

ABUJA (Reuters) - Not many presidents could survive three multi-billion dollar government oil corruption scandals and a wave of cold-blooded killings and kidnappings of civilians by Islamist militants still holding hundreds of schoolgirls after six months. Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan has not only survived, he will seek reelection in February stronger than ever, after five years in a job no one expected him to get. Jonathan's support base within the ruling party is now unchallenged, a rare feat for the often fractious People's Democratic Party (PDP), while the main opposition APC coalition is split between two contestants for the presidency. The government announced a ceasefire with the Islamist Boko Haram rebels 10 days ago, ahead of talks in neighboring Chad to secure the release of more than 200 girls seized from Chibok village in April in an abduction that shocked the world. If the talks are successful it would help the president's image. But nothing has come of it yet and violence has since surged, with dozens more children kidnapped. Jonathan has defended his overstretched military's efforts against a Boko Haram insurgency that has killed thousands. In the case of the failure to free the schoolgirls, he has said any rescue attempt would endanger their lives. Meanwhile, apart from the security challenges, his government also has been beset by corruption allegations. A parliamentary report detailed a $6.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud. A government investigation revealed corrupt cut price crude sales to oil majors that cost the treasury billions. And a former central banker has reported that between $10 and billion $20 billion had been diverted by the state oil firm over 18 months between 2012 and last year. The government pledged to investigate the first two cases and denied the third. Last month, South Africa froze two payments from the Jonathan administration totaling $15 million that it suspected were for illegal arms deals. Nigeria said the deals were legal. Yet it is a testament to Nigeria's complex mix of ethnic rivalry, patronage and intense competition for centralized oil wealth in Africa's top producer that Jonathan can brush off these various scandals and attract a high level of support. WEAKER OPPOSITION Jonathan, a Christian southerner, was an accidental president, taking over in 2009 after President Umaru Yar'adua, a Muslim from the north, died from illness. When Jonathan was elected to his own term in 2011, many in the north resented his decision to run, believing he had torn up an unwritten rule that power should rotate between mainly Muslim north and mainly Christian south every two terms. Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, who lost to Jonathan in 2011, and defected PDP ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar are vying for the opposition APC ticket. Both launched bids in the past month, focusing on security and graft. Roddy Barclay, senior Africa analyst at Control Risks, a political risk consultancy, sees two "principle factors for Jonathan's robust position in spite of the scandals and failings which have rocked his government". "Firstly, the primacy of money and patronage in determining electoral outcomes in Nigeria," means an incumbent gets a huge advantage, and second, "the opposition lacks steadfast unity". That marks a big change from less than a year ago. In December it was the PDP that was in crisis. Thirty seven lawmakers defected to the APC that month, demolishing the PDP's lower house majority. Rotimi Amaechi, powerful governor of the oil hub state of Rivers, also defected. The same month, Jonathan's mentor and PDP Godfather, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, wrote a scathing letter saying it would be "fatally morally flawed" for Jonathan to seek re-election in 2015 because of corruption under his rule. Jonathan called the intervention "unjustifiable and indecorous". Ten months on and the APC has failed to capitalize. It has not agreed on a presidential candidate and several disillusioned APC figures have flipped to the PDP, underscoring the fluid nature of Nigerian party politics. They include popular two-term ex-governor of Kano state Ibrahim Shakarau, a Buhari rival, and former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu, denying the APC a strong anti-graft platform, although Buhari still has strong anti-corruption credentials. "MODEST EXPECTATIONS" In June, the APC then lost a governorship election in southwestern Ekiti state to the ruling party. "The opposition is cannibalizing itself. Its top elites are vying against one another. That's a glide path for President Jonathan," said Eurasia Group's Philippe de Pontet. "Had the APC sustained its momentum from 5-6 months ago ... we'd be in a different world." On Dec 2, the dynamic could shift when the party picks its candidate. Buhari earned a reputation for cracking down on corruption during his time in power in 1983-85, and most Nigerians agree he did not use the post to enrich himself, but it is not clear whether he would win votes from APC supporters in the south. The emotional conflict felt by Barrister Isaac Matthew illustrates Jonathan's staying power. Driven by the plight of the schoolgirls to leave a court case he was defending to join protesters demanding more action to rescue them, he says Jonathan bears ultimate responsibility since "leaders are supposed to protect their people". "I'm still probably going to vote for him," he said, citing Jonathan's concentration on power reform and some works Matthew said had greatly improved the road network. "The opposition has no credible candidate to stand against him. Not Atiku (Abubakar) and not Buhari." The power sector is under improvement, but that may not draw votes since the supply in one of the world's most electricity-starved countries has fallen in the short term. Many voters are likely to see the Boko Haram insurgency, which only affects the remote northeast apart from occasional bomb attacks in the capital or other cities, as just one problem in their large, diverse country. "Expectations in the electorate are fairly modest and they are hugely disenfranchised, despite ... years of civilian rule," said Antony Goldman, head of Nigeria-focused PM Consulting. "You don't need to be popular or successful in conventional terms to win an election in Nigeria," he said, although he added that no president had managed to stay popular after four years in office, and the APC had yet to present a clear alternative. EBOLA NOT A FACTOR SO FAR One issue that has not yet played an important role is Ebola, rampant in some other West African states. A mixture of luck and impressively decisive action has meant Africa's most populous country was able to avoid a potentially devastating epidemic after a Liberian brought it to the megacity of Lagos, but the virus could still come back to plague Nigeria, with unpredictable political consequences. Jonathan's assumed decision to run has widened a divide between elites in Nigeria's south and north because of a feeling in the north that it is still their "turn" to rule. That makes violence likely, especially if the poll is close. In 2011, more than 800 were killed and 65,000 displaced in three days of violence after Jonathan beat Buhari in the poll. If Buhari, now 71, gets the ticket but loses the election again, his supporters may have less reason to end the mayhem so quickly if they sense he has missed his last chance. (This story has been refiled to add missing letter to 'beset', paragraph eight) (Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Peter Graff) http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0IG1E220141027?irpc=932

We Are Not Planning To Field A Muslim-muslim Ticket – APC - Politics - Wabsodlink

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, has dismissed insinuations that the party was planning to field a Muslim-Muslin ticket in the February 2015 presidential election. He described as “very unfortunate,” but unnecessary the controversy which trailed the interview granted an online newspaper, The cable, by a leading presidential aspirant of the party, Muhammadu Buhari, in which he said he would keep an open mind on the issue of his party’s presidential candidate and running mate. Mr. Buhari, a Muslim, had in the interview, said he had demonstrated to Nigerians in the past that he was not a religious fundamentalist by picking Christians as his running mates in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections in which he ran. “Nigerians will always uncover impossible room for manoeuvre for politicians. I had to face one of the governors during one of our party’s meetings [over the issue of religion],” Mr.Buhari, Nigeria’s former head of state between 1983 and 1985, said. “In 2003, I chose Okadigbo as my running mate. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. In 2007, I picked Ume-Ezeoke. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. And in 2010, I chose even a pastor. Pastor Tunde Bakare. “Honestly, what do Nigerians want me to do? If they don’t believe I’m not a fundamentalist, what else can I do?” He recounted that the late Moshood Abiola, a southern Muslim, picked Babagana Kingibe, a northern Muslim, as his running mate in the 1993 presidential election. The Muslim-Muslim ticket won the election generally considered the fairest and freest election in Nigeria’s history. There had been speculations that Mr. Buhari might be looking in the direction of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who is also a muslim, or his predecessor, Bola Tinubu, also a Muslim as his as his running mate, if he picks the APC ticket in the December presidential primary of the party. However, a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday warned parties against fielding candidates of the same religion, saying it was dangerous for the country. “Sensitivity is a necessary ingredient for enhancement of peace, security and stability at this point in the political discourse and arrangement for Nigeria and for encouraging confidence and trust,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “It will be insensitive to the point of absurdity for any leader or any political party to be toying with Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket at this juncture,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “Nigeria cannot at this stage raise the spectre and fear of Islamisation or Christianisation. The idea of proselytisation in any form is a grave danger that must not be contemplated by any serious-minded politician at this delicate situation in Nigeria, as this time is different from any other time. “Therefore, disregarding the fact that there are fears that need to be allayed at this point will amount not only to insensitivity of the highest order but will also amount to very bad politics indeed.” But Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said the APC had never contemplated fielding a presidential and vice presidential candidates who belong to the same faith and that the current debate over the matter was just a distraction to the party. He explained that the party was pre-occupied with the process of choosing its presidential candidate and that it had not toyed with the issue of who becomes the running mate yet. “You know what triggered these things. It is very unfortunate. We are trying to get a presidential candidate now. Once that is sorted out, the issue of running mate becomes a simple matter,” the APC national chairman revealed in a telephone interview on Monday night. He said Mr. Buhari might have been misunderstood on the matter, stating, “It is his usual way of speaking. You know he is a straightforward man. It (running mate) is not an issue. But that is his own way of putting it and should not be misunderstood.” Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said the APC has a mission of rescuing the country from alleged mis-governance and therefore would neglect any segment of the country by being insensitive in the choice of candidates for the elections. According to him, “We want to rescue this country; we want to save this nation. And so we will not do anything to make us loose votes, especially from a very large segment of the society. That is the simple truth. We don’t have to. “We are looking at somebody who will contribute to winning the election. These things are commonsensical things that will be taken care of when we get to that bridge.” On the reaction of Mr. Obasanjo to the issue, the APC national chairman said the former president’s comment on the matter was a non-issue for his party but generally okay. He stressed, “We, as a party, haven’t gotten to that bridge. People shouldn’t forget that we are a new party. We do not want these distractions. We are taking all those issues gradually.” Asked if the party was planning to pick a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, as the running mate to Mr. Buhari, Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said, “I’m the national chairman. Whoever we will choose as our presidential candidate, whether it is Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, Rochas Okorocha or any other person, the party will then sit down with him and say this is the type of running mate that will contribute maximally to the success of the party in the election.” He denied claims that the party was reluctant to address the issue and that an official of the party was mandated to clear the air on the issue, but refused. Culled from Premium Times http://www.nigerianeye.com/2014/10/we-are-not-planning-to-field-muslim.html

We Spent Over N800million To Set Up The NYSC Online Registration System-nysc DG - NYSC - Wabsodlink

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, has appeared before a House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions investigative public hearing to answer questions on the four thousand Naira online registration fee being paid by prospective corps members. The NYSC was dragged to the House of Representatives by the Uzor Azubuike-led Say No Campaign civil society coalition which protested against the fee. While responding to the petition, Olawumi, who alluded to the poor welfare of the corp members, disclosed that the federal government has approved N500 as feeding allowance for each corp member per day. He also disclosed that over N800 million was required to setup the computer registration system the NYSC is presently using for its online registration. He explained that the fees will service a private sector-driven build, operate and transfer agreement. He said the registration equipment will be installed at NYSC offices nationwide. He said the process was approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement with a certificate of no objection. While noting that the N4,000 for the online registration is voluntary, he said rather than request for money to install the infrastructure, he would prefer to canvass for increment of the current N19,800 allowance being paid to prospective Corp members. In his presentation, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu of ‘Say No Campaign’ called for the “reversal of the proposed N4,000 fee payment and where payment has been made, a refund to the prospective Corp members.” Nwagwu stressed the need to “re-examine the laws establishing the NYSC that seems to have made the Director General of the Corp an exclusive preserve of serving military officers.” On September 30, federal lawmakers launched an inquest into the controversial N4,000 online registration fee and consequently urged NYSC to suspend the policy. Hon. Hassan Saleh (Benue/PDP) in lead debates on a motion moved on the matter described the NYSC policy as “insensitive and exploitative”. Read: www.leadership.ng/news/387950/fg-allocates-n500-daily-feeding-allowance-corp-members-nysc-dg

David Mark: I Can Die For Stability Of Nigeria's Democracy - Politics - Wabsodlink

The Senate President, David Mark, has reiterated his preparedness to lay down his life to ensure the growth, sustenance and and stability of democracy in Nigeria. Mark also restated his commitment to ensuring the creation of Apa state for the people of Benue south senatorial district. He spoke when he hosted Idoma stakeholders in Otukpo, after receiving the nomination and declaration of interest form bought for him by the nine local government council chairmen in the Benue south senatorial zone. Mark said that the creation of a separate state for the Idoma people of Benue state was of utmost priority to the children, youths and the elderly of the zone who had over the years craved for a separate stated of their own. Mark said, “I am overwhelmed by the show of love, encouragement and support you have shown me by this singular act of purchasing these forms and in unison asking me to go back to the senate. “The enormity of the responsibility you have entrust in me entails that I must be fair, just and unwavering in my leadership and and also attain the wishes and aspirations of our people. “I humbly accept to run in the forthcoming senatorial election in line with your wishes and aspirations, I will strife at all times to ensure that the dividends of democracy did not elude our people. “As we continue to strive to attain set objectives, I would want to affirm that if you my people ask me to lay down my life for the growth, sustenance and and stability of democracy and for the creation of Apa state, I will willingly do that, because without you, there is no me.” In his speech, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, who led PDP Stakeholders and council chairmen to purchase the forms in Makurdi urged anyone with senatorial ambition from area to shelve it, noting; “because such an ambition would be contrary to the wishes of the people of Idoma land." http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/can-die-stability-nigerias-democracy-mark/

Fg’s New Automotive Policy To Open Up More Opportunities In Import Business - Politics - Wabsodlink

The Federal Government’s new automotive policy is expected to cause a paradigm shift from the trend of importing fully built new vehicles to the importation of newly built automobile components (spare parts) for the utilisation of the assembly plants that are springing up in the country, analysts have said. This development, they said, is likely going to shape the growth and content of Nigeria’s containerised imports in 2015 as the automobile spare parts are expected to come into the nation’s seaport packed in container boxes. Investigation reveals that since the increase in the duty and levy paid on imported new vehicles from 20 percent to 70 percent by the Federal Government, Nigeria’s automotive market has started witnessing a systematic drop in the volume of imported new vehicles. However, this development is also opening up new market opportunities and frontiers for importers, auto dealers, shipping companies and the entire business community. BusinessDay further discovered that several auto makers like PAN-Nigeria Limited, VON Automobile (Stallion Group); Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing and Transit Support Services are already making in-roads into the business of assembling new vehicles in Nigeria. Also, Cosharis Motors, Globe Motors and Peace Mass Transit are among the category of auto makers that are currently at preliminary stage to kick-starting their individual assembly plants. “Nigeria’s containerised import market is expected to enjoy positive growth of about eight percent on the back of the importation of new auto spare parts for the upcoming assembly plants in Nigeria,” a recent Maersk Nigeria trade report noted. The projected growth, the report stated, is seen as the new opportunities inherent in the shipment of finished auto parts to service the demand of the assembly plants that are expected to take-off and to drive the local production of made-in-Nigeria vehicles as projected by the Federal Government. “The implementation of the new automotive import policy will see an increase in containerisation of vehicles in knocked down condition shipped to new assembly plants in the country. All of these indications suggest positive volume growth in containerised imports in 2015,” says Jan Thorhauge, managing director of Maersk Nigeria Limited In his own view, Tony Anakebe, a renowned maritime analyst, who confirmed to BusinessDay in a telephone chat that there would be an increase in the volume of imported completely knocked down (CKD) spare parts in 2015, also questioned the place of this increase in volume on the market price of new vehicles that are assembled in Nigeria especially as it concerns the purchasing power of an average Nigeria. Anakebe, who also affirmed that the assembly plants and vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria will create huge employment in the country, also expressed skepticism about the quality of vehicles that would be produced in-country compared to the quality of imported ones. Explaining further, he stated that currently with a minimum of N1.8 million that an average Nigerian can buy a very good ‘tokunbo’ vehicle that would serve him for a minimum of five years but the least price for a new car assembled in Nigeria would go for about N3 million. http://businessdayonline.com/2014/10/fgs-new-automotive-policy-to-open-up-more-opportunities-in-import-business

Court Dismisses FOI Request On Stella Oduah’s BMW Cars - Politics - Wabsodlink

A Federal High Court sitting Lagos has struck out the Freedom of Information suit filed by the incorporated trustees of the Media Right Agenda (MRA), demanding information about the controversial armoured BMW cars purchased for former minister, Stella Oduah, when she was in office. MRA had filed the action seeking to compel the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation to disclose information on the procurement of the controversial BMW cars bought for former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah. MRA had sought a relief to the effect that the failure and or refusal of NCAA to disclose or make available to the applicants the information requested in their letter dated October 21, 2013 amounts to violation of applicants’ right to access to information established and guaranteed by section 1(1) and section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. The letter had requested for NCAA’s annual budget, the public procurement plans, procurement record for the purchase of two BMW 760 LI vehicles, evidence of advertisements to that effect, a list of bids tendered, copies of bid evaluation meetings, pro forma invoice of those documents as well as documents showing delivery of procured vehicles among other things. They insisted that the information requested for, apart from not being exempted from disclosure under the FOI Act, bothers on an issue of national interest, public concern, social justice, good governance, transparency and accountability. The NCAA, in its objections, said that the applicants did not meet up with certain condition precedent before instituting an action against the respondents. He also argued that the FOI applications failed to issue the 30 days notice required by section 24(2) of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 among other objections. He then urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction. Justice Ibrahim Buba, in his decision, ruled that the information requested went outside the contemplation of the Freedom of Information Act. He also held that the requested information is a published material that falls under the exception stated in section 26(a) of the Freedom of Information Act and that the budgetary allocation for the referred procurement process was contained in the 2013 budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria. http://www.channelstv.com/2014/10/27/court-dismisses-foi-request-on-stella-oduahs-bmw-cars/

Army, Police, Others May Pay Electricity Bills - Senate - Politics - Wabsodlink

The National Assembly may make law to compel electricity consumers, especially highly indebted customers, such as the army and the police to pay their bills. Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, disclosed this when the committee visited the Kano Electricity Distribution Company according to a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday by Head of Public Communication at the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe. Responding to an appeal for the National Assembly to intervene in order to get military formations and the Police to pay their huge debts to electricity distribution companies; Obadara said the National Assembly would come up with a legislation to compel consumers to pay for energy consumed. He also advised the management of KEDCO to come up with incentives that would motivate consumers of electricity to willingly pay their bills. Receiving the senators, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Sahelian Power SPV Limited, owners of KEDCO, Dr. Jamil Gwamna, said the company had signed an agreement with Ajaokuta Steel Company for the supply of 90MW of electricity to KEDCO to augment the inadequate allocation it currently receives. Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/army-police-others-may-pay-electricity-bills-senate/

I've Stopped Abusive Songs - Saheed Osupa - Celebrities - Wabsodlink

Fuji artiste, Alhaji Saidi Akorede, better known as Osupa, might have remained silent for some time now, but he has not stopped entertaining his teeming fans, who can go lay down their precious lives for him. Fuji artiste, Alhaji Saidi Akorede, better known as Osupa, might have remained silent for some time now, but he has not stopped entertaining his teeming fans, who can go lay down their precious lives for him.

Tambuwal:What The 1999 Nigerian Constitution Says About The Office Of Thespeaker - Politics - Wabsodlink

I read an article somewhere, where Oliseh Metuh of PDP, called for the resignation of Hon. Tambuwal for ditching a party on whose majority he rose to the office of the speaker house of Representative. In his exact words: “After a thorough consideration of the matter, the NWC came to a conclusion that the Hon. Speaker, as a responsible elected officer, knows full well what is needful and honourable of him since his new party is in the minority [in the House]” he said. I have also read some comments offline and online, when some ignorant/paid commentators have started insinuating that Hon Tambuwal May lose his office for simply not fulfilling the requirements of the law as regards the position of speaker. It is very unfortunate that some Nigerians including public office holders are too lazy, to read the elementary sections of our Constitution, some of which are self explanatory. Now, let us examine what Chapter V, Part 1 (Composition Of National Assembly) sections 47 -50 of the Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria holds: There shall be a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. 48. The Senate shall consist of three Senators from each State and one from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 49. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the House of Representatives shall consist of three hundred and sixty members representing constituencies of nearly equal population as far as possible, provided that no constituency shall fall within more than one State. 50. (1) There shall be:- (a) a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves; and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves. (2) The President or Deputy President of the Senate or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall vacate his office - (a) if he ceases to be a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, otherwise than by reason of a dissolution of the Senate or the House of Representatives; or (b) when the House of which he was a member first sits after any dissolution of that House; or (c) if he is removed from office by a resolution of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of that House. So where did PDP find the supposedly "loophole" or authority in law, in asking Hon. Tambuwal to resign? The only option left for them, is to rally their members and see if they can muster the required number when plenary resumes in decemeber, in order to satisfy Section 50, subsection 2 C as highlighted above. Anything else is calling for anarchy! CC; Barcanista, Omenka, Berem, Obiagelli, Neenar, Donphilopus, ibsultan, Gbawe,pataki, edcure, pendy97, and the progressives!

NLC Boss Slams Buhari, Obasanjo Over Muslim-muslim Ticket Row - Politics - Wabsodlink

OCTOBER 29, 2014 BY SUCCESS NWOGU Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu, has said it was wrong for a former Head of State and a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to have said that he would not mind a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. He also said that it was inappropriate for a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a to have warned against a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Aremu spoke in an interview with journalists during the 26th Annual National Education Conference of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria and the Nigeria Textile, Garment and Tailoring Employers’ Association in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday. He said that religion should not be a consideration or a factor in choosing candidates in the 2015 elections. According to him, using religion as a basis for choosing candidates could lead to further problem as there are different groups or sects in Islam and Christianity. Aremu said only the constitutional provision should be adopted in choosing candidates. He said, “It is wrong for both former President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Muhammadu Buhari to have mentioned Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket for the 2015 presidential elections. It is a wrong mindset, just like Obasanjo was wrong to say we need Muslim-Christian balance. The balance Nigeria is looking for is good governance balance. We are looking for a president as defined in Nigeria’s Constitution regardless of religious background, who is willing to guarantee the welfare and security of Nigerians. “The problem of their age as well as the bankruptcy of the age of their ideas; modern Nigerians are ordinary people who settle everywhere to work anywhere. For example the way Obasanjo became head of state in the unfortunate coup of 1976 nobody looked at religious issue, we just moved on as he was the next in command to the late General Murtala Mohammed.” “If it were today’s Nigeria people would be reading double meaning into it and they would put the country in jeopardy. In this country, the late Moshood Abiola never saw his presidential ticket with that of Baba Gana Kingibe as Muslim-Muslim stuff and the whole country voted for them. In fact, Abiola had votes almost 90 percent in largely Christian dominated area of Akwa Ibom State. People followed Abiola because of his avid commitment to good governance and ability to say farewell to poverty. For me that is the issue and I want to say let’s change the debate from that unhelpful narrow religious divide to serious issue of constitution. “The two Generals’ comments clearly show lack of civility. Whoever will drive our democracy must be strong civilians who have civil outlook. We are tired of these Generals who will heat up the polity. Their language is not civil. No serious civilian will be talking of North-South candidates or Muslim-Christian candidates. Civilians fought for our independence for us, not soldiers. So if civilians fought for independence for us they should run it for us.” http://www.punchng.com/news/nlc-boss-slams-buhari-obasanjo-over-muslim-muslim-ticket-row/

Women; Becoming Assets Rather Than Liabilities - Romance - Wabsodlink

Strive to be the kind of woman who, when your man hits rock bottom, when his business fails or he is retrenched from his job, can carry the family through. You must be able to provide what he otherwise would. This thing of women who sit doing nothing, and when a man goes through a difficult period, cannot come through for him, or at least even help him make a plan, is not on. Let us start hustling with our men. We must stop being liabilities when we have what it takes to be assets. Ladies, what's your take on this?

PDP Rejects Two Presidential Aspirants... Balewa And Abiola - Politics - Wabsodlink

The Peoples Democratic Party had turned back two presidential aspirants who were at its national headquarters in Abuja to pick their presidential nomination forms on Tuesday. The aspirants are Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa and Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola. First to arrive was Tafawa-Balewa, who hails from Bauchi State, and the son of Nigeria’s First Republic Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa. All the caucuses of the party, including the National Executive Council, had endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate, foreclosing the possibility of any aspirants angling for the party’s ticket. www.punchng.com/news/pdp-rejects-two-presidential-aspirants/

Nigerians And Paracetamol Consumption - Health - Wabsodlink

In Nigeria, when certain drugs are advertised for usage, especially common drugs like antimalarials, at the end of the advert, they often say, “If symptoms persist after three days, consult a doctor.” In some other cases, they tell you to consult a doctor “if symptoms persist after five days.” But, we also see adverts on brands of paracetamol (acetaminophen) which tell you they are for treating “fever, chills and aches,” ending with “if symptoms persist after three days, consult a doctor.” That is as dangerous as a statement can be! In studies on self-medication in Nigeria, analgesics, where paracetamol belongs, ranks among the most abused. Among the common paracetamols we have in Nigeria include Avipol, Boska, Calpol, Daga, Kaka, Lotemp, Painax, Panda, Pancemol, Panadol, Pentax, Remidol, Saridon P, Uncle Joe, and Piccan for teething, which has diphenhydramine added to the paracetamol. Some of them have “Extra” after their names to mean they also have caffeine. Chronic usage of paracetamol especially in high doses can damage the liver. Little wonder there has been an increase in liver disease in the country in recent time. If there is an obvious cause of body ache, or you were involved in exercise, some strenuous work or you have minor sprain or some similar things, or a child has fever after immunisation, the analgesic and antipyretic effects of paracetamol may be enough. But certainly not when there is a fever which cannot be explained, occurring alone, or in association with other symptoms. The wait for three or five days for the usage of paracetamol when there is fever is usually based on what obtains in some Western countries where the most common cause of fever is a virus, which is often self-limiting. But in Nigeria, it is not a virus. It is malaria or some infection. I laugh when I see a dubious commercial where the individual is sweating, feverish, with chills and rigour, and pops two tablets of paracetamol and “everything” is “gone,” the person is back to “work”, back to “normal life.” What a fraud! I recall with sadness one day while I was at work and a young woman rushed into the consulting room with a pleasant chubby boy infant. But when I examined the baby, he was already stone dead! It was difficult to accept that that baby was dead, even to me. When I broke the sad news to the mother, she wailed uncontrollably, claiming that the baby had been having fever and she had been using a common brand of paracetamol that ends with “babe”. She said she had been using it as she was “advised.” You have heard of the child whose mother has been giving him or her “teething medicine” which of course has paracetamol and dyphenhydramine , but ends up being admitted in the hospital. Or, the fellow who has been on paracetamol for his fever for days because it is “stress oh,” but ends up in the hospital ward, with exhaustion. Many have been using paracetamol for a headache that won’t go, only to die of stroke because they had been suffering from hypertension that was not detected, all because they wouldn’t seek medical help early. Another person had been using paracetamol for “a long time”, for a so-called nagging headache. It was after a lot of persuasion that they sought proper medical help, and it turned out the person needed eye glasses. And since they have been using the glasses the headache has not come back. But imagine all the load of paracetamol to the liver! From a Nigerian perspective perhaps it is even more ominous for the individual if the paracetamol controls the fever! Then, the individual tends to relax, and not taking further action. It is perhaps better for the individual if the paracetamol does not control the fever. Paradoxically, this is where fake drugs may save lives! Because in this situation, anyone who loves their health will seek medical care if their fever persists. But you could say that for other people, not Nigerians. Nigerians don’t come early to the hospital. Even with the three or five days, in Nigeria, the wait is usually longer! It could be weeks. And all other sorts of roadside herbal concoction may have been used. A child will only be brought when the child stops feeding, and all other problems have set in, including severe anaemia and even kidney failure. To those who are marketing paracetamol, please, every advert on any brand of paracetamol must end with “after you have taken the drug go immediately to see a doctor!” This is particularly so with those with fever, and especially in children. For you who use paracetamol, be wary of commercials on brands of paracetamol! I cannot overemphasise by saying paracetamol only suppresses fever, while a definitive action is to be taken. Paracetamol does not cure what is causing the fever! By continually using paracetamol to “suppress” your fever, on yourselves and your loved ones, without seeing a doctor thereafter, you – and your loved ones may be dying silently and slowly. A word is enough for the foolish, let alone the wise! Dr. Odoemena, medical practitioner, is based in Lagos The Punch

Defection: PDP Demands Tambuwal's Resignation - Politics - Wabsodlink

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party is pushing for the resignation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal over his defection to the APC. Already, the members of the National Working Committee of the party had met with PDP leaders in the House concerning the defection. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abuja. He said, “After a thorough consideration of the matter, the NWC came to a conclusion that the Hon. Speaker, as a responsible elected officer, knows full well what is needful and honourable of him since his new party is in the minority. “We are not unmindful of the fact that Hon. Tambuwal became Speaker on the platform of the PDP as the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and that this incontrovertible fact has not changed.” It was gathered that the party might be pushing for his impeachment if he refused to resign. www.punchng.com/news/pdp-seeks-tambuwals-resignation/

Photos: Meet Beautiful Francisca Ordega Who Plays For The Falcons - Sports - Wabsodlink

21 year old Francisca Ordega is a Super Falcons player and was part of the team that won the 2014 African Women's Championship this past Saturday. She is from Benue state and plays for Pitea club in Sweden where she currently resides. More pics on www.kingsleyamaechi.blogspot.com

“i’m Not Bothered That People Think I Am Arrogant” – Wizkid - Celebrities - Wabsodlink

In a new interview with Encomium mag, Wizkid said he doesn’t care if people think he is arrogant, that he doesn’t love everybody and so doesn’t expect everybody to love him. Asked if it bothers him that people think he’s arrogant, Wizkid said; “Bother me? Never! I am not bothered. Honestly I don’t hear people saying it because anytime I go out, I show my fans great love. I do my thing. I don’t have problem with that because I don’t love everybody as well. So I don’t expect everybody to love me too. That’s life” Continue… Asked if he is terrible person, Wizkid said; “Terrible? Everyone has opinion about people. But when they say Wizkid is terrible, you need to ask them, “Why is Wizkid a terrible person? What did he do? For four years, I was making music with Samklef, everyone knew his house. I was going up and down, shouting, Samklef Nor Ni. That’s me, I am just trying to be a good person. Whereas everyone cannot like you and everyone cannot hate you” he said. Asked if fame has in anyway changed him, Wizkid said “No, fame has not changed Wizkid. The only thing fame has changed in Wizkid is that I added some accessories. I have got nice chains, watches, and nice clothes. Asides that, I am still Wizkid. I no tall, still same height” He also reacted to his recent controversy with singer Saeon, “Oh really? She’s bitter about it. I didn’t see the allegation but I gave her hit song. I no try? I did my part. I was in the studio with her, gave her hit song. I no try. That’s not even how much I charge for collaboration, I charge N10 million. I collected N1.5 million from her because of love. I was busy, I didn’t want to do it” he said. Asked about the comment that he doesn’t charge those he loves, Wizkid said; “Yeah I don’t charge people I love. I said so but when someone is on your neck everyday for a collaboration and she offers you money, won’t you collect it? If you fail to collect it, they start calling you terrible person. I am just trying to be a good guy” On his fashion sense, Wizkid said; “Fresh! Am I not looking fresh? I have always loved chains a lot. For me, I also see chains as investment because they ar gold and diamond. You can always sell anything gold and diamond. It is like an investment for me”. On why he loves to flaunt his accessories on social media, Wizkid said; “You know now. I didn’t have accessories when I started my career. Did you see me wearing bling-bling when I did Hola at your boi? No! I hustled to get money to buy them and there is no crime if I show it or flaunt it to my fans because they gave me money to buy them” he said On where he invests his money, Wizkid said; “I will say property but most importantly Jewelry. You can read more here http://hiphopnaija.com/2014/10/im-bothered-people-think-arrogant-wizkid/

Breaking News: TAMBUWAL Defects From PDP To APC..officially - Politics - Wabsodlink

Listening to Inspiration 92.3FM, a breaking news was just read to the public stating that the Speaker of the House of Assembly,Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal has officially defected to the APC but he still retains his seat as the Speaker. He made his declaration officially known to the house today at the floor of the plenary holding today. It is not clear how many other member of the house joined him in his defection. ----Source,Inspiration 92.3FM

Cocoa To Generate $1.3b As Revenue In 2014- Nigerian Minister For Agric - Agriculture - Politics - Wabsodlink

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said on Monday that Nigeria’s export of cocoa is estimated to generate $1.3 billion (about N202.5 billion) as revenue for the country this year. Adesina who stated this in Abuja at the Nigerian Cocoa Summit 2014, said cocoa generated $1.2 billion in 2013 while the same commodity generated $900million in 2012. Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina He noted that the production output of cocoa has grown from 250,000 metric tonnes to 370,000 metric tonnes in the last three years of the implementation of Cocoa Value Chain. He assured that the production of cocoa would be scaled up to 600,000 metric tonnes by 2016. As part of new initiatives to boost the production of cocoa in the country, he said the Nigerian Cocoa Research Institute had released eight new hybrids of cocoa, adding that the Federal Government has distributed 1.4 million cocoa pods to farmers in cocoa producing states across the country. Given the enormous potentials of cocoa sub-sector, the Minister has also proposed the setting aside of N100 billion as Cocoa Development Fund, aimed at making Nigeria a global powerhouse in cocoa production. He explained that the Cocoa Development Fund would be raised through public-private partnership, adding that it would bring about massive turn-around of the sector. Adesina further disclosed that Cocoa Corporation of Nigeria would soon be established to regulate the activities of the cocoa sub-sector as well as shore up global competitiveness of Nigerian cocoa. He pointed out that currently, the activities in the cocoa sub-sector are uncoordinated as Nigerian cocoa loses value in the global market because it is not branded. The Corporation, Adesina explained would be driven by the private sector, as the government is expected to provide enabling environment. According to him, “The absence of marketing institutions around cocoa sector has led to uncertainties in the Nigerian cocoa market which for decades has crippled the system. “We are going to fix this problem once and for all. To fill the institutional void that the dissolution of Cocoa Marketing Board created and to allow us to compete with our neighbouring countries, the government supported institution called: ‘Cocoa Corporation of Nigeria’ will be established. “This Corporation will not be run by government. It is going to be private-sector driven. But it is going to be public sector- enabled”. http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/10/cocoa-generate-1-3b-revenue-2014/

FG Needs $5b To Stabilise Economy – Okonjo-iweala - Politics - Wabsodlink

Co-ordinating Minister of Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday said Nigeria needs about $5 billion to stabilise the economy. She made the assertion at a closed door meeting with Senate Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning. The Minister who was in company of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefele; the Director of Budget, Dr. Bright Okongwu; GMD NNPC, Dr. Joseph Thiama Dawha, to brief Senate committee on perimeters guiding the operation of the 2015 budget in line with the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, said Nigeria is not broke. “We have calculated that in order to help us regain this stability, we need a minimum of about $5 billion and anything about that is good. The IMF actually calculated $6.3 billion to be maintained in that account. “It helps to cushion our exchange rate, so if we go and withdraw it abruptly beyond that amount it causes a problem and you know we went down to $2 billion last year and then we built it up to $9 billion and there was insistence we must share, it came down to $2 and then we had at least built it back to $5. Right now we are at $4.1 billion,” she noted The Minister further added: “If we had built it to a stable cushion then anything above that we could now use to augment and that is the reason why we have not seen that, we have to balance out everything and I think Nigerians care so much about exchange rate. If you have abrupt changes, that will also affect the psychology of Nigerians, inflation and all that.” She said every country faces a certain amount of risks and uncertainty at different times, so it is how one manages it that is a problem. “Are we prepared with a list of measures that can help us manage any of these outcomes, have we thought through the various scenarios to say if anything happens, here are the things to recommend? If we have those scenarios and manage those things, then we will be able to manage the economy,” stated. She, however, admitted that though the economic situation is hard, Nigeria can still manage the situation. “Yes, at the present time, we are reasonably stable compared with other countries but if those risks materialise, we need to have action in order to keep the economy stable,” she reiterated. On the insinuations in some quarters that Nigeria is broke, the Coordinating Minister described them as false, saying they were absolutely not correct since the country has sufficient assets to cushion the effect of the harsh economic realities. “However, that does not mean that we cannot have some cash flow fluctuations, we just have to manage it because we have an economy that is reasonably self-sufficient. We are able to manage ourselves well and if everybody is willing to do a few things, we should be able to get there,” she noted. On the adoption of $78 pb benchmark for 2015 budget, she simply asked, “Is the present budget likely going to be tenable or a workable budget? “My belief is, no matter what is settled on at this point in time, what is pleasing and brings us all together is the realisation that what we were trying to say a few years ago has happened and it is happening in front of us and all of us need to come together to find a solution. “Whatever the decision will be, even if we agree on another benchmark, we still need measures to be in place because we have no idea whether it is going to go. “So I think we need to prepare ourselves in two or three scenarios and we can share some of the scenarios that we have been thinking about that will guide our development of those contingency measures. “I think that the excess crude account was built to be able to cushion us at times like this, when we have some kind of difficulties and I think it played that role to perfection during the crises of 2008, when oil fell to 38 to 40 dollars per barrel, even worse than what we have now. At that time, we still had saved up quite a lot of money as such we were able to draw at least for a quite a few months to carry the economy, “she stated. She appealed to the Senate committee to assist the Executive Arm overcome some of the challenges it was going through in the course of balancing the hard economic situation the country finds itself. “So we need the help of the National Assembly, we cannot do it without you. If we get together we can take care of some of these issues so that it might result in immediate upfront cost .” Daily Independent source revealed that the Senate joint committee at the end of the closed door meeting accepted the proposed $78pb benchmark for the 2015 budget. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Ahmed Markafi, who declined to comment on the outcome of the meeting in a telephone interview simply said Senate would be briefed on the outcome of the meeting at plenary at an appropriate time. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has declared that the Nigerian economy is under financial siege following the inability of the Executive Arm of Government to implement the National Budget as passed by the parliament. The lower parliament has also indicated that the Service-Wide-Vote being unilaterally managed by the Executive will soon be scrapped through the instrumentality of law. Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Adeola, who made the disclosure in an interview with House of Representatives Correspondents said further that the parliament had resolved to summon the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Director General of the Budget Office, Bright Okogwu, to find solutions to the problems bedeviling the economy.

The Proposed Ban On Okada: How Feasible Is It? - Politics - Wabsodlink

It is not a hidden fact now that the FG wants to place a ban on motorcycles, popularly known as Okada in the country. Now my question is, considering the fact that many people will be jobless, crime rate will escalate, etc. Is the ban really necessary?

Niger Bridge Is Falling! - Politics - Wabsodlink

There is danger on the Niger Bridge, which links Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State and Asaba, the Delta State capital. Owing to wears and tears, the bridge is on the verge of collapse. Indeed, if Niger Bridge were human, her uncontrollable cries, wailing and weeping could have reached the high heaven. This is because, at 48, the bridge has been constantly over-used and stretched beyond its limit and capacity without properly taken care of. Each time a vehicle, especially heavy duty truck, passes the bridge, figuratively, cringes and makes a cranky noise to demonstrate its anguish, pains and sorrow. The evidence of the bad state of the Niger Bridge manifested during the last Christmas, as South easterners and South southerners travelled home. Commuters, from both ends of the bridge, spent more time crossing over than before. Most of them spent about six hours on the queue, waiting to cross the bridge. To cross the bridge, only one-way traffic, instead of two ways, was allowed. Saturday Sun checks revealed that road safety personnel decided to allow only one-way traffic at a time to avoid the collapse of the bridge, as they said the Niger bridge would not survive if vehicles queue on it, in the event of traffic jam. Although, there’s a two-way traffic at present, when a trailer or any other heavy duty truck is accessing the bridge, a heavy cranky noise and vibration are experienced. As a result, there’s a warning to motorists, on the bridge, not to stop but move at the speed of 80 kilometres per hour. A Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official, Roseline Anogo, told Saturday Sun that operatives of the corps now ensure that there is free flow of traffic on the bridge. She revealed that they do not allow vehicles to stop on the bridge, which informed the one-way traffic policy being implemented during the festive period. She said: “All manner of vehicles, including trailers carrying cements, trucks, heavy-duty vehicles, trucks and other haulage vehicles with heavy loads use the bridge. Such vehicles should not stop on the bridge, for whatever purpose. “The one-way traffic on the bridge during the Christmas journey did make motorists spend hours at Asaba or Onistha before crossing over. Those times were very tedious for us trying to control the surging traffic. When you are on top of the bridge, when a heavy duty trucks passes, it seems as if you are bouncing; there is no doubt that the bridge is no more strong.” Saturday Sun’s recent visit to the Niger Bridge revealed its true state. Checks on the bridge revealed that it is actually dilapidating, as the bolts, nuts and some of the steel bars are at different stages of rusting or corrosion. Also, the concrete base or pillar at the Onitsha end of the bridge shows signs of cracks. See more info here: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/niger-bridge-is-falling/

FG Grants Energy Firms N20bn Waivers - Business - Wabsodlink

The Federal Government granted about N19.662 billion in waivers and exemption to energy firms in the country in five months, between January and May 2014.The amount is 51.23 per cent of the N38.381 billion allocated to water resources in the 2014 budget; 31.48 per cent of the N62.45 billion allocated to Power; 31.75 per cent of N61.928 billion allocated to Petroleum Resources; and 29.5 per cent of the N66.645 billion allocated to agriculture.Data from the Budget Office of the Federation, in the Ministry of Finance, indicated that oil and gas firms enjoyed about N18.881 billion in waiver and exemption, while power companies enjoyed N780 million.The Government also reiterated its commitment to tackling the epileptic power situation in the country, and addressing the issue of estimated billing. To this end, it granted N326.174 million in exemptions to two prepaid electricity meter companies, Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited, and Mojec International Limited, for the importation of metering facilities.Specifically, Momas got two exemptions: the first worth N32.272 million for the importation of semi-knock down meters, one and three phase normal credit meters, one and three phase standard prepayment meters and all other related equipment.The second exemption was N163.69 million for the importation of meter plastic machines and accessories, compression mould machine and all other meter related equipment.On the other hand, Mojec International got N130.213 million in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and components for single and three phase pre-paid meters.Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited accounted for 53.4 per cent of the total waivers and exemption granted to energy firms in the period under review, with a total of N10.5 billion.Specifically, Indorama enjoyed a N6.96 billion waiver for the importation of the machinery, equipment and spare parts for the utilisation of Nigeria natural gas to bring about an increase in power generation.The company was also granted a N3.54 billion waiver for the importation of fertiliser equipment, catalysts and chemicals, pile and spare parts among others.Chevron Nigeria Limited followed, enjoying a waiver of N4.88 billion for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts for Escravos Gas to Liquids (EGTL) and a host of other pipelines.United Cement Company of Nigeria got N1.969 billion in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts aimed at boosting natural gas utilisation and power supply. NIPCO Plc got N1.087 billion in exemption for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts.Other energy firms that got waivers and exemptions in the period are: Green Fuels Limited — N14.37 million for the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts for compressed natural gas to Independent Power Plants (IPPs), and Edo Cement Company Limited — N240 million for the importation of gas generators, plants, machinery, equipment and spare parts.Accugas Limited got N30.87 million in exemption for machinery, equipment and spare parts for pipeline; Exterran Nigeria Limited got N66.09 million in exemption for the acquisition of natural gas powered compressors and spare parts, while Procter and Gamble got N29.754 million in exemption for machinery, equipment and spare parts. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/fg-grants-energy-firms-n20bn-waivers/

Tambuwal decamps to APC today - Read! - Cramjones - Politics - Wabsodlink

Tambuwal decamps to APC today, to contest Sokoto governorship - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/tambuwal-decamps-apc-today-contest-sokoto-governorship/#sthash.mO6GlVGJ.Xve0OVNK.dpuf Citing the division of the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal is expected this morning to decamp to the All Progressives Congress, APC. It would be the first time since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 that any of the two presiding officers of the National Assembly would belong to another party apart from the PDP. Today’s decamping will provide him the necessary party qualification to vie for the governorship ticket on the platform of the APC, which itself, is to amend its constitution tomorrow to allow Tambuwal and other last minute decampees from the PDP to vie for elective offices on the party’s platform. Besides adopting a manifesto, the APC convention would scrap the provision in its constitution stipulating a 30-day membership duration for anyone seeking to use the party’s platform to campaign for public office. Tambuwal, who is expected to make his first public appearance at an APC gathering at tomorrow’s national convention, would remain in office till next June. Associates of the speaker, who disclosed the plan ahead of today’s sitting of the House of Representatives affirmed that the speaker’s announcement would not in any way affect his continued stay as speaker or a member of the House. “He is going to announce it in plenary and he will not resign as speaker and he will not resign as member,” a close associate of the speaker privy to the development confided in Vanguard last night. Justifying the decision of the speaker to decamp, a reliable source in the know of the plans said on the basis of confidentiality: “Every politics is local and the direction of Sokoto is towards the APC and because he is representing some people in Abuja, he has to move along with the dictates of the people and it cannot be said that the people in his constituency are in a particular party and he is in another party.” Giving the constitutional justification, he said: “The justification is that there is a faction in Sokoto PDP and if there is no faction, Anenih would not have led a reconciliation meeting to Sokoto last week and secondly, Wamakko would not have decamped if it was a party that is in peace,” he added. Tambuwal’s decampment to the APC is to pave way for his bid for the Sokoto State governorship. The speaker had earlier been speculated to be in the race for the 2015 presidential race but was prevailed upon to change direction towards the governorship in Sokoto, given the circumstances that were made to favour him. Tambuwal had last week been reported to have attended a meeting of the APC in Sokoto State. That meeting, which was convened by Governor Aliyu Wamakko, was among others, held to set a direction on the succession to the outgoing governor. The meeting, it was learnt, resolved to zone the governorship to Sokoto South, which is Tambuwal’s constituency. “Apart from zoning it to Tambuwal’s senatorial constituency, they also agreed that the right person to succeed Wamakko should be someone known locally, nationally and internationally and that the person must have a pedigree in terms of performance, all of which were meant to favour Tambuwal,” a source privy to the development said. Contacted on the development yesterday, Tambuwal’s spokesman, Mallam Imam Imam said Tambuwal would soon make known the outcome of his consultations on his political future. “I wish to say that on every issue, Nigerians know where Tambuwal stands. On every issue, politics, policy Nigerians know Tambuwal, he is not a man who hides his feelings on anything,” Imam said. “The issue of defection or no defection or his political future is not something that is different. He has said it severally that he is consulting, however, what I have to concede to you is the fact that the outcome of the consultations will be made public sooner rather than later,” Imam said last night. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/tambuwal-decamps-apc-today-contest-sokoto-governorship/#sthash.mO6GlVGJ.Xve0OVNK.dpuf

Amaechi Replies Presidency, You Cannot Threaten Me - Politics - Wabsodlink

You Cannot Threaten Me, Amaechi Replies Presidency In the latest spate of accusation and counter-accusation, [b]Amaechi reminded the Presidency that President Goodluck Jonathan is not his ‘Prefect’, noting that, he cannot threaten him of sanctions for criticizing the president for not attracting developmental projects to the sta[/b]te. BY OKAFOR OFIEBOR/PORT HARCOURT OCT 27, 2014 The drama between Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi and the presidency seems to have taken a new twist. In the latest spate of accusation and counter-accusation, Amaechi reminded the Presidency that President Goodluck Jonathan is not his ‘Prefect’, noting that, he cannot threaten him of sanctions for criticizing the president for not attracting developmental projects to the state. Rotimi Amaechi The Presidency had angrily reacted to a claim made by Amaechi that the the cause of the frosty relationship between him and the Presidency was because President Goodluck Jonathan hates Rivers people and that the president ceded Soku oil wells in Kalabari to Bayelsa and 40 Etche oil wells also in Rivers to Abia state. Amaechi also accused the wife of the president, Patience Jonathan of corruption. He said Patience wanted him to bring the money meant for Rivers people to Abuja. In addition to that, Amaechi at a mega rally held in Port Harcourt on Saturday rubbished claims by President Jonathan that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was a party only on billboards. And today, in his reply to the statement from the office of President Jonathan, which accused him of “Political rascality,” the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Ibim Semenitari said Governor Amaechi is an elected official and not a mere ‘prefect’. Semenitari also faulted Reuben Abati, the President’s spokesman for failing to get his facts right before publishing the statement despite his wealth of experience. She added that Amaechi never mentioned the name of the President nor his wife during his speech at the rally. Semenitari said, “I would want to say that the Presidential Spokesman should be careful for the kind of threats he issues to an elected Governor. “He should remember that the President is not a prefect of the governor. He was elected as President just as the Governor was elected as a governor, and Nigeria is a federation. “And please, Abati should know his limits and need not attempt to cross his boundaries. “It is a bit strange to hear the kind of comments coming out of the Presidency and this shows that the statement was already prepared before governor Amaechi spoke. “At no point in his speech did Governor Amaechi make any references. His wife was not even discussed because she is not an official of government. “I do not understand where or how Mr. Abati got his story, so we just take it that this is one of those clear indications of rascality within the Presidency trying to call a dog a bad name and hang it”.

Pictures: Nike Oshinowo's Step Daughter Weds - Celebrities - Wabsodlink

One of Nike Oshinow's daughters, Temi got married recently. Temi is the daughter of Dr Soleye, Nike's last husband. It was a reunion of some sorts for the doctor and his wife whom he left to be with Nike. Check out some pictures below http://www.yeoal.com/2014/10/pics-nike-oshinowos-step-daughter-ties.html

buwal decamps to APC today - Read! - Cramjones - Politics - Wabsodlink

Tambuwal decamps to APC today, to contest Sokoto governorship - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/tambuwal-decamps-apc-today-contest-sokoto-governorship/#sthash.mO6GlVGJ.Xve0OVNK.dpuf Citing the division of the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal is expected this morning to decamp to the All Progressives Congress, APC. It would be the first time since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 that any of the two presiding officers of the National Assembly would belong to another party apart from the PDP. Today’s decamping will provide him the necessary party qualification to vie for the governorship ticket on the platform of the APC, which itself, is to amend its constitution tomorrow to allow Tambuwal and other last minute decampees from the PDP to vie for elective offices on the party’s platform. Besides adopting a manifesto, the APC convention would scrap the provision in its constitution stipulating a 30-day membership duration for anyone seeking to use the party’s platform to campaign for public office. Tambuwal, who is expected to make his first public appearance at an APC gathering at tomorrow’s national convention, would remain in office till next June. Associates of the speaker, who disclosed the plan ahead of today’s sitting of the House of Representatives affirmed that the speaker’s announcement would not in any way affect his continued stay as speaker or a member of the House. “He is going to announce it in plenary and he will not resign as speaker and he will not resign as member,” a close associate of the speaker privy to the development confided in Vanguard last night. Justifying the decision of the speaker to decamp, a reliable source in the know of the plans said on the basis of confidentiality: “Every politics is local and the direction of Sokoto is towards the APC and because he is representing some people in Abuja, he has to move along with the dictates of the people and it cannot be said that the people in his constituency are in a particular party and he is in another party.” Giving the constitutional justification, he said: “The justification is that there is a faction in Sokoto PDP and if there is no faction, Anenih would not have led a reconciliation meeting to Sokoto last week and secondly, Wamakko would not have decamped if it was a party that is in peace,” he added. Tambuwal’s decampment to the APC is to pave way for his bid for the Sokoto State governorship. The speaker had earlier been speculated to be in the race for the 2015 presidential race but was prevailed upon to change direction towards the governorship in Sokoto, given the circumstances that were made to favour him. Tambuwal had last week been reported to have attended a meeting of the APC in Sokoto State. That meeting, which was convened by Governor Aliyu Wamakko, was among others, held to set a direction on the succession to the outgoing governor. The meeting, it was learnt, resolved to zone the governorship to Sokoto South, which is Tambuwal’s constituency. “Apart from zoning it to Tambuwal’s senatorial constituency, they also agreed that the right person to succeed Wamakko should be someone known locally, nationally and internationally and that the person must have a pedigree in terms of performance, all of which were meant to favour Tambuwal,” a source privy to the development said. Contacted on the development yesterday, Tambuwal’s spokesman, Mallam Imam Imam said Tambuwal would soon make known the outcome of his consultations on his political future. “I wish to say that on every issue, Nigerians know where Tambuwal stands. On every issue, politics, policy Nigerians know Tambuwal, he is not a man who hides his feelings on anything,” Imam said. “The issue of defection or no defection or his political future is not something that is different. He has said it severally that he is consulting, however, what I have to concede to you is the fact that the outcome of the consultations will be made public sooner rather than later,” Imam said last night. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/tambuwal-decamps-apc-today-contest-sokoto-governorship/#sthash.mO6GlVGJ.Xve0OVNK.dpuf