[UPDATED] Obasanjo, an embarrassment to military -DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as an embarrassment to the military.

The DHQ made the comment in a statement posted on its Facebook page while reacting to a statement credited to the former President that the general elections were postponed to enable the President use the service chiefs for tenure extension in an electronic mail on Monday.
The DHQ accused the former President of politicizing serious national security and military issues.
It was said that, while Obasanjo’s intentions remained unclear, his motives for making such utterances were less than noble.
The statement stressed that Obasanjo’s claims were false.
It was also said that it was rather surprising that Obasanjo opted to ignore the assurances by the Defence authorities in a statement that the military would continue to be apolitical.
The military said while it had the desire to accord some respect to Obasanjo and his views, the statement credited to him did not reflect the standard of discipline expected from a former General of his status.
The Defence authorities said the world had moved beyond the mentality of Obasanjo insisting that the military personnel of today were better equipped in the area of training, education, exposure to have a better appreciation of democracy and its importance to national prosperity.
The statement read in part, “The Defence Headquarters has noted the remarks of a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as reported in the media stating his views on perceived state of the armed forces and the roles being allegedly played by the military in the nation’s political process in recent times.
“It is however noteworthy that most of his utterances lately indicate an attitude of playing to the gallery or indulging in politicisation of serious national security or military affairs. For instance, the comments credited to Chief Obasanjo alleging that the postponement of the General Elections was to enable President Jonathan use the Service Chiefs to plot a tenure extension, is to say the least, very surprising.
“It is surprising indeed, considering the fact that the retired General chose to ignore the clarification and emphatic assurances of non-partisanship of the military as declared in a DHQ statement on the position of the Armed Forces in the ongoing political activities. His motive as usual remains unknown but it is certainly less than noble or well intentioned. We dare say again that Chief Obasanjo’s assertions are false.
“Much as the military desires to respect the old General and his views, it has become necessary to point out that his conduct and unguarded utterances of late has fallen short of the standard of discipline expected of an individual who has had the privilege of service in the military and risen to the status of a General.
“The behavior of retired General Obasanjo has been so unbecoming and continues to constitute a serious embarrassment to the military before all who have reasonably and rightly adjudged the essence of military background in terms of the high value and standard it tends to contribute to statesmanship.
“We feel constrained to remind the old General that the world has moved beyond that parochial and self-adulating reasoning and mindset which he seems stuck to. Indeed, he needs to be told that by virtue of their better training, exposure, education, assessment and environment, the military personnel of today are already far beyond his level in their appreciation of democracy and it’s indispensability for the stable and prosperous society which Nigerians cherish.”
It was further said that the military institution bequeathed to the country had developed beyond where he left it and was more committed to the maintenance of the ethos of service of the military, valour, subordination to civil authorities and adherence to nonpartisan discharge of their responsibilities.
The DHQ stressed that the military was not inept and could not have been misused in the manner presented by the former President.
The statement added that the military had such a strong belief in democracy and its structures and institutions that it would not do anything to undermine it.
It challenged Obasanjo to indicate genuine interest in the growth and sustenance of the nation’s democracy.
The statement urged Obasanjo to improve his understanding of complex issues involving the military and to encourage the services rather than imputing ulterior motives to security efforts.

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onathan lashes out at Obasanjo's vote rigging claim

Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday dismissed
allegations by ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo that he was plotting to
rig rescheduled presidential elections next month.
A presidency statement said Obasanjo had accused Jonathan in the
southwestern city of Abeokuta of plotting to win the March 28 vote by
"hook and crook" and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he
lost.
"For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will
continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC)... to ensure that the
rescheduled elections are successfully conducted," it said.
Turning the tables on Obasanjo, the statement went on to also
accuse him of being the one who was plotting.
"Chief Obasanjo's plot with others within and outside the country to
thwart the general elections and foist an unconstitutional interim
national government, which he hopes to head, on the nation is well
known to us," it said.
The statement added: "But by the Grace of God Almighty, his odious
plan to return to power through the back door will fail woefully."
Obasanjo has consistently criticised Jonathan whom he backed for
the top job after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in
2010.
The ex-president has drummed up support for Muhammadu Buhari,
who is seeking to challenge Jonathan at the polls.

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Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: Military takes over power in Thailand

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: Military takes over power in Thailand

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Govt alone can’t fund varsities — Jonathan

MAKURDI— President Goodluck Jonathan has begin that the federal government alone would not be able to fully fund all the universities in the country.

He, therefore, urged university authorities to seek enhanced funding through partnership with relevant agencies, foreign donors and organizations to augment the funding by government.

President Jonathan spoke weekend in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, at the 20th convocation ceremony and silver jubilee anniversary of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, FUAM.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Macjohn Monye, he said, “government alone cannot fully fund all the universities in the country. I urge the various universities to partner foreign donors and also embark on activities that would enhance their funding.”

 

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Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: Julius Agwu releases family Christmas card

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: Julius Agwu releases family Christmas card

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https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gau.go.launcherex.theme.Windows

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9ja boi

Sham Pain - 9JA BOI (@grockrecords) tweeted at 8:34 PM on Mon, Jul 01, 2013: Much appreciated @SteelzTv (https://twitter.com/grockrecords/status/351785817921949696) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

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Senate mourns Ewherido

ABUJA- THE Senate has described the death of Senator Pius Ewherido, DPP, Delta Central as devastating and shocking.

In a  statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity,  Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe noted that  Ewherido  took ill at the weekend and was not able to make it, saying the Senate is heart broken and the incident,  unfortunate.

Abaribe  said, “Senator Ewherido was one of the most articulate, erudite, urbane and easy-going senators who brought his wealth of experience as a Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly to bear on the floor.”He was always concerned about his constituents and Nigeria as a whole”.

Abaribe said the Senate awaits further information but will sorely miss the Senator.

Ewherido died on Sunday evening at the National Hospital, Abuja  where he was rushed to after an heart attack on Thursday.

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Photos from Emma Nyra's Kereshere video shoot

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Serving Senator Pius Ewherido dies

A serving senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly under the platform of PDP, Pius Ewherido, has passed on. Senator Ewherido died today at the National Hospital in Abuja after suffering a stroke.

The late senator was the Vice chairman Senate committee on Marine Transport, and was a member of the committee on Trade and Investment. He was 50. May his soul rest in peace...amen.

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‘Consumer goods companies’shares over priced, to fall further’

Despite the fall in the share prices of listed companies in the last two weeks, shares of many of the consumer goods companies remain slightly over-priced and will likely experience more corrections, said the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, Mr. Bismark Rewane.

Rewane said that unlike the consumer goods sector, banking stocks are under-valued and have the potential to withstand the present downturn in the market.

Making the postulation in his bi-monthly review of the economy for June, 2013, ‘Bi-Monthly Economic and Business Update, he said, “At current level, the market remains slightly overpriced with a trailing price to earnings (P/E) of 13.9x and many of the consumer goods stocks still trading at a P/E of greater than 30x. We expect the correction to continue in this sector, although we do not expect an Armageddon as most stocks in the sector are defensive and are likely to weather the storm.”

He, however, stated that the market looks cheap on the banking sector perspective, saying, “All listed banks except Stanbic IBTC Holdco Plc, Union Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc, are trading in single digit P/Es, with the most attractive being UBA and Access Bank with a P/E of 4.9x and 5.8x respectively.

“Given that stocks in the banking sector are held by portfolio investors with a long-term outlook and the strong earning power of the sector, we expect banking stocks to remain resilient even in turbulent times. Data also shows that there has been more buying than selling of tier one banks shares in the last three months, giving the sector a stamp of approval by investors.”

He added, “The major risk to the market, as we stated in our LBS publication in May, remains the price of crude oil and the exchange rate direction. Despite our bullish stance on the long-term growth of the index, we believe a structural depreciation of the naira could result in a major sell-off in the market. For now, we consider this unlikely, but the risk still exists.”

He further noted that the reversal witnessed so far has been sharper than the growth where the All Share Index reached 40,000 basis points in May.

His word, “The Nigerian Stock Exchange’s (NSE) All Shares Index (ASI) is experiencing a torrid June. After a strong performance in May and an impressive start to the month of June, crossing the 40,000 points along the way, the market reversal was sharper than the rise.

“The ASI suffered its first consecutive five-day fall, its longest losing streak in a year, with a compounded loss of 7.5 percent (2,987.94 points) in the five-day period between the 12th June and 18th of June. The loss was due to investors taking profit on stocks that had depreciated in the recent bull-run.

The month-to-date returns of -2.04 percent is the lowest monthly return figure since June 2012. Given the currency depreciation over the period, the loss in dollar terms amounted to 3.2 percent. The disruption that has gripped the bond market for over a month has now descended on the equity market as well.

Bond yields have been rising as prices decline as a result of reduced demand for FGN bonds by foreign portfolio investors. The situation has not been helped by the depreciation of the naira, which has exposed portfolio investors to forex losses.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/consumer-goods-companiesshares-over-priced-to-fall-further/#sthash.75xAy195.dpuf

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We want to eradicate culture of impunity in aviation – NCAA -

The acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr Joyce Nkemakolam, says, the Authority will no longer tolerate the flouting of aviation laws by some airline owners and operators. And that the grounding of aircraft and suspension of operating licence of airlines can be avoided if aviation rules are obeyed.

Speaking to reporters in his office at the Aviation House in Ikeja, Dr Nkemakolam said that grounding of airline can be avoided if operators adhered strictly to the regulatory requirements and rules guiding the airline operations without violations.

“If there is no violation or flouting of these regulations of course, there will be no sanction. We want to eradicate the culture of impunity which some operators have penchant of taking liberty of. This has got to stop” He said the agency was planning to invite all operators and re sensitize them to adhere to regulations guiding their operations adding that once they follow all the regulatory requirements that grounding can be avoided.

On private jets owners, Dr Nkemakolam explained that there were limitations and restrictions to the use of private jets for leisure adding that anybody flying with friends should be captured in their insurance policy. “If you have a Third party insurance policy you can fly with them. However, if you don’t, you are working outside the realm of your license. You must make sure that those you intend to carry are covered”

On compliance by airlines to the Aviation Revenue Automation Programme, the acting DG said there was a high level of compliance adding that a meeting has been held between the NCAA and International Air Transport Association IATA on the process to collect the cargo taxes under the automation regime adding that the agency was tightening up loose ends.

On airline recertification, he said NCAA will soon embark on recertification of all AOCs issued pre 2009 adding that those that were issued post 2009 don need to recertification.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/we-want-to-eradicate-culture-of-impunity-in-aviation-ncaa/#sthash.mdAG3kJA.dpuf

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2 Pakistani girls shot dead for making a video of themselves dancing in the rain

Two teenage sisters, 16 year old Noor Basra and 15 year old Noor Sheza (both pictured above) were shot dead at their home in the town of Chilas, in Pakistan after a video showing the two girls laughing and dancing in the rain was circulated via mobile phones.

Apparently dancing with your sibling in the rain and filming it is a crime punishable by death in the Northern region of Gilgit. The video caused an outrage in the town and a few days later, five men invaded the girls home and shot them dead - for - wait for it - 'tarnishing their family's name'. Their mother was also shot dead.

The girls' step-brother, a man named Khutore, is being accused of arranging their murder because he allegedly wanted to 'restore the family's honour'. The sisters' other brother filed a case against him and the four other alleged accomplices who are now on the run. The police are investigating the case.

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Insurers underwrite N240bn business in 2012

Chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, Mr. Remi Olowude, has said that the volume of business underwritten by the insurance industry in 2012 was estimated at N240 billion.

Olowude gave the figure at the Association’s 2012 Annual General Meeting in Lagos last week.

Olowude, who was represented by Mr. Godwin Wiggle, the NIA Vice Chairman said the figure represents 10.24 per cent increase against N217.7 billion recorded by the industry in 2011.

He, however, said that the industry had continued to grapple with inadequate infrastructure and unstable weather which exposed insured assets to natural disasters such as floods.

He said “The current performance of the industry has not been sufficient for it to reach the critical mass necessary to make the desired impact on the economy. The industry’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, remains at less than one per cent in 2012.”

Olowude said that the Association was reviving the Nigerian Oil and Energy Insurance Pool to improve the industry’s oil and energy underwriting capacity.

He noted that the Association organised 14 training programmes for its members in 2012 which included collaboration with the GIZ of Germany to build capacity on microinsurance.

The Chairman said that the Association had completed and started deploying the first phase of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) Motor Insurance Module. Olowude said that delay in claims payment had reduced as its members continued to live up to their obligation of prompt claims payment to policy holders.

Director-General of the NIA, Mr. Olorundare Thomas, said that the Association was working with the National Insurance Commission on the money laundering and terrorist financing programme.

He said that the NIA had advised its members to take additional steps to preserve the integrity of the industry.

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15 lecturers demoted for having faked Ph.D degrees certificate in Ebonyi

ABAKALIKI — NO fewer than 15 lecturers of Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo were weekend, demoted over alleged involvement in certificate forgery and for claiming to have acquired Ph.D degrees from reputable institutions outside the country.

Management of the college, on receipt of the report and recommendations of the committee set up to look into the alleged claims by the lecturers, said the exercise was not meant to witch-hunt anybody in particular but to ensure sanity and discipline within the education sector in the state.

At a press briefing in Abakaliki, Special Adviser to Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State on Higher Education, Professor Mike Ituma, revealed that the discovery came as a shock, stressing that the action of the affected lecturers was a reflection of the level of decay ravaging the sector.

According to him, the action of the management of the college is a step in the right direction and government is completely in support of the action against the lecturers.

In a statement, Public Relations Officer of the college, Mr. Nkwuda Bethrand Otukobelu, noted that the 15 affected lecturers would not be allowed to run any promotion course packaged by the college till after three years.

He said: “A lot of processes were followed in verification and evaluation of the certificates of the lecturers involved. Six of the affected lecturers who had their Ph.Ds from the institutions should stop parading themselves as Ph.D holders and stop adding the title ‘Dr.’ to their names.

“That as regards to their present positions, nine of them have been demoted to Lecturer III; two to Assistant Lecturers and the remaining two to non-academic staff for not possessing relevant qualifications to be in the academic cadre.”

“That six of them who enjoyed financial benefits with the controversial certificates are to refund such benefit which accrued to them in excess of their present new position.”

“Findings by the committee and letters from the National Universities Commission, NUC, and the Federal Ministry of Education show that the institutions were neither approved nor recognized by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/15-lecturers-demoted-for-having-faked-ph-d-degrees-certificate-in-ebonyi/#sthash.1kBFeEAI.dpuf

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Latest Photographer drags TuFace, wife to court over wedding pictures

By Abdulwahab Abdulah Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State. Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy filed suit against the defendants. *Tuface and Annie Idibia during their traditional marriage *Tuface and Annie Idibia during their traditional marriage He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute. Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so. The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case. “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge. Also, the plaintiff’s counsel, Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court or be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon. In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013. The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant. Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/photographer-drags-tuface-wife-to-court-over-wedding-pictures/#sthash.a1vKymEk.dpuf

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Our problems are beyond Keshi – Adokiye

Adokiye Amiesimaka would not blame the Confederations Cup failure on the technical crew of the Super Eagles. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/our-problems-are-beyond-keshi-adokiye/#sthash.JhhgEI6Z.dpuf

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Anambra 2014: Ifeanyi Uba joins Labour Party

a governorship aspirant and philanthropist, Dr ifeanyi Ubah yesterday finally pitched his political tent with the Labour Party for the yaer 2014 governorship polls in Anambra state

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Shoprite don open for Ibadan o... Lol

A LIB reader who was at Shoprite Ibadan today wrote: Attendance at Shoprite today - 11,083.
Buyers - 83. Tourist - 11,000. Lol. #Jokes. 

Shoprite opened it's Ibadan outlet yesterday June 27th at Heritage Cocoa Mall, on Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State.

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