President-Elect Buhari firmly stated that “all those
that were governors, ministers, permanent secretaries, head of foreign
staff and all those with political appointments will have to declare
their assets on the assumption of their appointment and definitely with
the courts. And once they leave they have to re-declare their assets.”
He said this would ensure greater accountability among public servants.
Monday, 13 April 2015
Buhari’s party makes gains in Nigeria regional polls 2015-04-13 08:49
Lagos - Nigeria's All Progressives Congress on Sunday made key gains
in regional elections and kept power in the economic capital Lagos,
strengthening its position nationwide after a historic win in the
presidential vote last month.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had controlled the presidency and a majority of Nigeria's 36 state governments since the end of military rule in 1999.
But the APC will take charge nationally when president-elect Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in on 29 May, in the first-ever democratic change of power in Africa's most populous country and its top economy.
Official results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the APC had claimed the governor's seat in Kaduna and Katsina, two northern states held by the PDP since democracy was restored.
The APC, formed just two years ago, was also poised to make gains elsewhere.
Experts say Nigeria's gripping 2015 election cycle has highlighted democracy's growing hold in a nation plagued by military coups and tainted elections since independence from Britain in 1960
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had controlled the presidency and a majority of Nigeria's 36 state governments since the end of military rule in 1999.
But the APC will take charge nationally when president-elect Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in on 29 May, in the first-ever democratic change of power in Africa's most populous country and its top economy.
Official results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the APC had claimed the governor's seat in Kaduna and Katsina, two northern states held by the PDP since democracy was restored.
The APC, formed just two years ago, was also poised to make gains elsewhere.
Experts say Nigeria's gripping 2015 election cycle has highlighted democracy's growing hold in a nation plagued by military coups and tainted elections since independence from Britain in 1960
Friday, 10 April 2015
APC Alleges Plot to Disrupt Tomorrow’s Polls in South-west
APC Alleges Plot to Disrupt Tomorrow’s Polls in South-west
Alhaji Lai Mohammed
PDP: APC jittery over imminent defeat
Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted the security agencies to the alleged moves to disrupt tomorrow’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the entire South-west region by instigating widespread violence.
In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, had already met with the thugs, who had been trained specifically for the purpose of disrupting the elections, at Oshodi-Isolo in Lagos and Iro in Akure South Local Government Area giving the group of thugs at each location N350 million for their “devilish” assignments.
‘’The strategy is to deploy these thugs to various parts of the
South-west with the express instruction to violently disrupt elections through sporadic shootings and stealing of ballot boxes. This is the governor’s answer to the massive shellacking he received from the electorate in the region in general and in Ondo State in particular during the March 28 presidential election.
‘’The fear of the thugs have already sent many APC leaders, who have been targeted for attack, scampering for safety. While some have gone underground, others have relocated either from Ondo State or from the region entirely. There is also the report circulating in Ondo State in particular that the governor has deployed thugs to every polling unit to cut off the hands of anyone who is suspected to have voted for the APC during the elections.
‘’These developments do not augur well for a free, fair and peaceful elections, hence the need for security agents to face the challenge posed by the hired thugs squarely,’’ it said. APC said the thugs have already started unleashing violence, killing one person at a rally in Igbara-Oke in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday ‘’Since his embarrassing loss at the March 28 elections, Mimiko has almost become maniacal, hence his resort to the training and arming of thugs, many of whom will don fake police and army uniforms to disrupt Saturday’s elections throughout the South-west and especially in Ondo State.
‘’It is important to alert the sponsors of terror and electoral malfeasance that whether or not they have immunity from prosecution, ultimately they will be made to face the full wrath of the law to account for their unbridled penchant for violence,’’ the party warned.
It called on all APC members and supporters to be vigilant and to make sure they document all cases of brigandage and rigging across the region, while also alerting local and international observers to pay a close attention to the conduct of the elections in the region, as well as in other flash points like Rivers State on Saturday.
In its reaction, the PDP dismissed as frivolous, APC’s allegation of plots to disrupt the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the South-west, saying the APC was merely crying wolf for fear of imminent defeat at the polls.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a response yesterday said the ‘false’ alert by the APC was part of its plot to heighten tension in the zone and scare away voters from exercising their franchise having realised that the wind of change blowing in the region will sweep them away on Saturday.
“It is clear to all that the APC has become hysteric over the soaring
popularity of the PDP in the South-west states, especially Lagos where
the people are determined to vote for the PDP candidate, Mr. Jimi
Agbaje, who has proven to be better than his APC counterpart.
‘’This latest false alert is in continuation of APC’s desperation which made it to drag the revered traditional institution to rain death threats on people ostensibly to sway the voters,” the statement said.
‘’This latest false alert is in continuation of APC’s desperation which made it to drag the revered traditional institution to rain death threats on people ostensibly to sway the voters,” the statement said.
The party however, said such antics would not save the APC in the zone as voters in Lagos and other South-west states have already made up their minds in support of the PDP
It therefore charged its members and supporters in the region, especially in Lagos not to be deterred but completely disregard APC’s gimmicks and come out in large numbers to vote for PDP candidates in the elections.
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Australia's 'voice of cricket' Benaud dies at 84
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former Australia
captain Richie Benaud, the celebrated 'voice of cricket', has died at
the age of 84 after battling skin cancer, prompting a flood of tributes
from around the world.
A giant figure in the game both on and off the field,
Benaud died in his sleep in a Sydney hospice late on Thursday, his
employer Channel Nine reported, citing family."Our country has lost a national treasure," Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said in a statement.
"After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud."
Benaud said last November he was fighting a skin cancer on his head and his public appearances became rare in recent years.
"Eighty-four-year-olds don't seem to mend as well as they used to," he said at the time in his typically wry style.
After 35 years calling Australian cricket for Channel Nine, Benaud was unable to take his spot behind the microphone in the summer of 2013/14 after crashing his vintage car near his home in Sydney's beachside suburb of Coogee.
Flags flew at half-mast at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Benaud's home as a first-class cricketer for New South Wales, and flowers were laid at his statue at the venue.
His family were offered a state funeral by the country's Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Widely seen as the most influential figure in post-war cricket, and revered as a voice of conscience in a sport often riven by politics and self-interest, Benaud's loss was a "sad day for Australia", Abbott said.
"There would hardly be an Australian over the last 40 years who hasn't listened to Richie Benaud," Abbott told state radio broadcaster ABC.
Though England suffered three successive series losses in the Ashes against Benaud-led Australia in the 1950s and 1960s, British fans will also mourn his passing.
Britain was Benaud's second home for much of his 40-year career in television, his distinctive voice a feature for the BBC, where he was a trainee journalist when still an active player in the 1950s.
Along with his dry wit, economy of words and insightful analysis, Benaud's silvery hair and unmistakeable cream jackets would propel him into a cult figure, inspiring parodies from comedians and downloadable apps that parroted his words.
"Put your brain into gear and if you can add to what's on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up," he said of his no-nonsense approach to commentary.
A former police reporter, his media career would ultimately overshadow his playing tenure, though he had 63 tests for his country and was considered pivotal in reviving waning interest in the game with his aggressive captaincy.
A leg-spinning all-rounder, Benaud made his first-class debut for New South Wales at the age of 18 before making his national debut at 21.
The first player to score 2,000 test runs and take 200 wickets, Benaud was never defeated in a series in 28 matches as captain, setting a benchmark for attacking cricket that his successors have strived to emulate.
Unflinching on the field, off it Benaud called the game without fear or favour.
His withering assessment of the notorious under-arm bowling incident in 1981 -- when Australia captain Greg Chappell had his brother Trevor bowl an unplayable delivery to New Zealand's Brian McKechnie with the final ball of a one-day match -- remains a prominent moment in cricket broadcasting.
"Let me tell you what I think about it, I think it was a disgraceful decision," Benaud said in his customary wrap-up of the day's play.
Recruited by
Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer in the 1970s, Benaud would become a
driving force behind World Series Cricket, his voice lending
respectability to the breakaway professional circuit that would
ultimately change the game.
"It is only a shame he did not get the send-off he
deserved -- the game of cricket has not had a chance to say goodbye,"
BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew told the broadcaster."There will never be another Richie Benaud. He was a one-off."
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
10 European Internationals Who Turned Down Their African National Teams
10 European Internationals Who Turned Down Their African National Teams
— Apr 10, 2015 | 0 CommentsAngelo Ogbonna – Italy vs Nigeria
The defender was born in Cassino, Italy, to Nigerian parents and could therefore choose whether to play international football for either the Azzurri or the Super Eagles. He chose to defend goal for the country of his birth, and Nigeria lost out on a very talented 26-year-old with a bright future ahead of him.
Jerome Boateng – Germany vs Ghana
The half-brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng chose to represent the German national team rather than the Black Stars of Ghana, as his sibling did. Born in Berlin, both Jerome and Kevin played for Germany at youth level, and excelled, but the younger of the two remained loyal to his German birth while his former AC Milan midfielder brother represented Ghana at the 2010 World Cup. A talented defender with the ability to play on the wing, Jerome Boateng was an important element in the 2014 World Cup winning German national team.
Blaise Matuidi – France vs Angola
France international Matuidi had the choice of representing Angola if he preferred, due to the fact that his father was born in Angola before meeting his French mother. The strong midfielder has been breaking up opposing attacks for Les Bleus, deciding that the country of his birth deserved his service above that of his father’s routes.
Chibok Girls can Be Rescued Before May 29
We won’t think possibility of death, says Ezekwesili
Adebiyi Adedapo in Abuja 

Leader of the BringBackOurGirls group (#BBOG), Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, has said the over 200 Chibok girls in the captivity of the Boko Haram insurgents can be rescued during the life of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
This is just as the Chairman of the Chibok community in Abuja, Hosea Abana, said Chibok parents were still not satisfied with the level of search being carried out to rescue the girls.
Ezekwesili led the group in a walkout tour, as part of activities to commemorate the one year remembrance of the kidnapped girls.
The former Minister of Education explained that a nation with military, intelligence agencies and international collaboration should have rescued its citizens from captivity, noting that the girls can still be rescued before May 29 when the new government will takeover power.
“We believe that the girls can be rescued, we believe that even before May 29, they can be rescued. We have military, we have intelligence, we have collaboration and cooperation with other nations of the world we must find our Chibok girls,” Ezekwesili said.
Reacting to speculations that the girls might have been killed by the sect members, Ezekwesili said the group was not ready to consider the possibility of death, as she said the Chibok parents were expecting their children with a figment of hope.
“We are tying red ribbons this in commemoration of the one year remembrance of the kidnapped girls, on the 14th of April, sadly, it will be exactly one year since the girls were taken. We refused to speculate as to whether they are alive or dead we don’t even want to think about the possibility of death, we know that they must bring back the girls, their parents are still waiting for them, they are holding on to a slim hope that the girls will be rescued.”
She insisted that the country could not move on with about 219 girls in captivity.
“How can our country move on without 219 citizens that can still be rescued, it just doesn’t make sense, no society grows by abandoning its citizens,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Abana, while responding to THISDAY enquiries, expressed doubt that the Nigerian troops and the allied forces operating in North-east Nigeria did not carryout thorough search for the girls.
“I believe the girls are still alive, I am not sure that they have combed Sambisa as they may want us to believe, Sambisa is very large, maybe they dropped explosives in some parts of the forest and claimed to have combed the place. I don’t know where the girls are but I refuse to share the view that they have been killed,” Abana said.
“The girls that we called for their return 360 days ago are still not back with their parents.
“People want to move on, but we can’t afford to move on, we must find our girls and bring them back.
“Our girls are somewhere, for as long as we are a country, we are a nation.”
The Super Eagles have been handed a tough draw against the Pharaohs as well as Tanzania and Chad in the qualifying Group G in a draw held on Wednesday
Nigeria have been drawn with Egypt, Tanzania and Chad in Group G of
the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series after a draw held in
Cairo on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles, three-time winners, will challenge the Pharaohs, record seven-time winners, for a ticket to play at Gabon 2017.
The winners of each of the 13 groups will pick automatic qualifying tickets while the two best second-placed teams would join the train to Gabon.
Notwithstanding their illustrious credentials, both Nigeria and Egypt failed to qualify for the 2015 tournament held in Equatorial Guinea, with Egypt's last showing being at Angola 2010 where they won their record-extending seventh title.
Both countries have had mixed fortunes internationally over the years. Nigeria have played at five World Cups and reached the round of 16 in Brazil last year.
On the contrary, Egypt have not qualified for the World Cup since playing at Italia '90 even though they have enjoyed more success than any other team in the continental showpiece, winning three titles successively between 2006 and 2010.
The other teams in the group, Tanzania and Chad, will be expected to make up the numbers.
In other pairings, Tunisia, Togo, Liberia and Djibouti are in Group A while DR Congo, Angola, Central African Republic and Madagascar make up Group B.
In Group C are Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Benin and South Sudan while Group D comprises of Burkina Faso, Uganda, Botswana and Comoros Islands.
2012 champions Zambia, Congo, Kenya and Guinea Bissau make up Group E while Cape Verde, Morocco, Libya and Sao Tome make up Group F.
2015 finalists Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda and Mauritius are in Group H as defending champions Cote d'Ivoire, Sudan, Sierra Leone and hosts Gabon will slug it out in Group I.
Points in Gabon's matches will not count towards the final tally.
Group J has Algeria, Ethiopia, Lesotho and Seychelles while Group K will see Senegal, Niger, Namibia and Burundi compete for a place in the tournament.
Guinea, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Swaziland are in Group I while giants Cameroon, South Africa, Gambia and Mauritania make up Group J.
The qualifying rounds will commence in June 2015.
DAT
The Super Eagles, three-time winners, will challenge the Pharaohs, record seven-time winners, for a ticket to play at Gabon 2017.
The winners of each of the 13 groups will pick automatic qualifying tickets while the two best second-placed teams would join the train to Gabon.
Notwithstanding their illustrious credentials, both Nigeria and Egypt failed to qualify for the 2015 tournament held in Equatorial Guinea, with Egypt's last showing being at Angola 2010 where they won their record-extending seventh title.
Both countries have had mixed fortunes internationally over the years. Nigeria have played at five World Cups and reached the round of 16 in Brazil last year.
On the contrary, Egypt have not qualified for the World Cup since playing at Italia '90 even though they have enjoyed more success than any other team in the continental showpiece, winning three titles successively between 2006 and 2010.
The other teams in the group, Tanzania and Chad, will be expected to make up the numbers.
In other pairings, Tunisia, Togo, Liberia and Djibouti are in Group A while DR Congo, Angola, Central African Republic and Madagascar make up Group B.
In Group C are Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Benin and South Sudan while Group D comprises of Burkina Faso, Uganda, Botswana and Comoros Islands.
2012 champions Zambia, Congo, Kenya and Guinea Bissau make up Group E while Cape Verde, Morocco, Libya and Sao Tome make up Group F.
2015 finalists Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda and Mauritius are in Group H as defending champions Cote d'Ivoire, Sudan, Sierra Leone and hosts Gabon will slug it out in Group I.
Points in Gabon's matches will not count towards the final tally.
Group J has Algeria, Ethiopia, Lesotho and Seychelles while Group K will see Senegal, Niger, Namibia and Burundi compete for a place in the tournament.
Guinea, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Swaziland are in Group I while giants Cameroon, South Africa, Gambia and Mauritania make up Group J.
The qualifying rounds will commence in June 2015.
DAT
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Military commended for retaking Gwoza from terrorists 09 April 2015, 16:06
Abuja - Residents of Gwoza in Borno have commended the military and
the Federal Government for retaking the town from the Boko Haram
insurgents.
The Nigerian military on March 27 captured the town from Boko Haram insurgents, which the group had declared its caliphate.
Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the area, who returned home, said that the military should be commended for ousting the insurgents.
Hajia Fatima Gwonbo said she was driven away by the Boko Haram insurgents after they had packed their goats, money and killed her child.
Gwonbo said that since the Nigerian soldiers took control of the area, the residents were happy and safe.
"We are happy that soldiers have come; and we returned immediately we heard that they had taken over the place.
"Since the soldiers came here, there has not been any problem and we are moving about peacefully.
The Nigerian military on March 27 captured the town from Boko Haram insurgents, which the group had declared its caliphate.
Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the area, who returned home, said that the military should be commended for ousting the insurgents.
Hajia Fatima Gwonbo said she was driven away by the Boko Haram insurgents after they had packed their goats, money and killed her child.
Gwonbo said that since the Nigerian soldiers took control of the area, the residents were happy and safe.
"We are happy that soldiers have come; and we returned immediately we heard that they had taken over the place.
"Since the soldiers came here, there has not been any problem and we are moving about peacefully.
APC planning to impose one party system - PDP
2015-04-08 19:42
Supporters ride in a campaign bus of
leading opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate
Mohammadu Buhari and his running mate Yemi Osinbajo as they drive past a
campaign poster of Nigerian President and candidate to his re-elect ~ PIUS UTOMI EKPEI
Also read: Court clears Ambode to contest
In an address to journalists, the PDP claimed that the nation is facing a serious threat in what would be a glorified dictatorship.
Chief Olisa Metuh, the national publicity secretary of the PDP claimed that the freedom enjoyed by all was soon to be eradicated if the APC were granted its wish.
He added that rather than addressing the many issues facing Nigerians, the APC was plotting a way to minimise any opposition parties it sees as a threat.
He further said that the APC were attempting to destabilise its ranks which would leave it free to run the country unopposed.
All Progressives Congress
Formed in February 2013, the party is the result of an alliance by
Nigeria's three biggest opposition parties – the Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) - and a faction of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) – merged to take on the People's Democratic Party.
The resolution was signed by Tom Ikimi, the current spokesman for the party, who represented the ACN; Senator Annie Okonkwo on behalf of the APGA; former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Chairman of ANPP's Merger Committee; and Garba Sadi, the Chairman of CPC's Merger Committee.
The resolution was signed by Tom Ikimi, the current spokesman for the party, who represented the ACN; Senator Annie Okonkwo on behalf of the APGA; former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the Chairman of ANPP's Merger Committee; and Garba Sadi, the Chairman of CPC's Merger Committee.
People's Democratic Party
The People’s Democratic Party was founded in 1998 following the
government’s announcement that democratic elections would be held the
following year, ending 16 years of military rule.
Since 1978 political parties in Nigeria have been required to represent national rather than regional or ethnic constituencies. For the 1999 elections, the PDP, the All People’s Party, and the Alliance for Democracy met this legal requirement by having active offices in 24 out of 36 states.
The PDP was founded by Alex Ekwueme, a former vice president of the country (1979–83)
(Source: Britannica)
In the legislative election held on 12 April 2003, the party won 54.5% of the popular vote and 223 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives, and 76 out of 109 seats in the Senate. Its candidate in the presidential election of 19 April 2003, Olusegun Obasanjo, was re-elected with 61.9% of the vote.
In December 2006 Umaru Yar'Adua was chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling PDP for the April 2007 general election, receiving 3,024 votes from party delegates; his closest rival, Rochas Okorocha, received only 372 votes. Yar'Adua was eventually declared the winner of the 2007 general elections, held on April 21, and was sworn in on May 29, 2007, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. In the Nigerian National Assembly election, the party won 260 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives and 85 out of 109 seats in the Senate.
At the PDP's 2008 National Convention, it chose Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as its National Chairman on March 8, 2008. Ogbulafor, who was the PDP's National Secretary from 2001 to 2005, was the party's consensus choice for the position of National Chairman, selected as an alternative to the rival leading candidates Sam Egwu (who was backed by Obasanjo) and Anyim Pius Anyim. All 26 other candidates, including Egwu and Anyim, withdrew in favor of Ogbulafor. Meanwhile, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje was elected as National Secretary.
However, waves of mass defectionhit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across Nigeria, with many aggrieved members decamping mostly to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
In 2011, after the People's Democratic Party saw members defect for the Action Congress of Nigeria, some political commentators suspected that the PDP would lose the Presidency. Following PDP nomination Goodluck Jonathan's victory in the 2011 elections, it was reported that there were violent protests from northern youth.
Since 1978 political parties in Nigeria have been required to represent national rather than regional or ethnic constituencies. For the 1999 elections, the PDP, the All People’s Party, and the Alliance for Democracy met this legal requirement by having active offices in 24 out of 36 states.
The PDP was founded by Alex Ekwueme, a former vice president of the country (1979–83)
(Source: Britannica)
In the legislative election held on 12 April 2003, the party won 54.5% of the popular vote and 223 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives, and 76 out of 109 seats in the Senate. Its candidate in the presidential election of 19 April 2003, Olusegun Obasanjo, was re-elected with 61.9% of the vote.
In December 2006 Umaru Yar'Adua was chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling PDP for the April 2007 general election, receiving 3,024 votes from party delegates; his closest rival, Rochas Okorocha, received only 372 votes. Yar'Adua was eventually declared the winner of the 2007 general elections, held on April 21, and was sworn in on May 29, 2007, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. In the Nigerian National Assembly election, the party won 260 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives and 85 out of 109 seats in the Senate.
At the PDP's 2008 National Convention, it chose Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as its National Chairman on March 8, 2008. Ogbulafor, who was the PDP's National Secretary from 2001 to 2005, was the party's consensus choice for the position of National Chairman, selected as an alternative to the rival leading candidates Sam Egwu (who was backed by Obasanjo) and Anyim Pius Anyim. All 26 other candidates, including Egwu and Anyim, withdrew in favor of Ogbulafor. Meanwhile, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje was elected as National Secretary.
However, waves of mass defectionhit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across Nigeria, with many aggrieved members decamping mostly to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
In 2011, after the People's Democratic Party saw members defect for the Action Congress of Nigeria, some political commentators suspected that the PDP would lose the Presidency. Following PDP nomination Goodluck Jonathan's victory in the 2011 elections, it was reported that there were violent protests from northern youth.
PDP blasts defectors for crossing the floor Augustine Osayande
PDP blasts defectors for crossing the floor
2015-04-09 10:05
Party supporters raise flags in support of
Nigerian President and Presidential candidate of the ruling People's
Democratic Party Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo
during a rally in Lagos on January 8, 2015. Nigeria's President Goodluc ~ PIUS UTOMI EKPEI
The party denounced the defectors as saboteurs.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the defectors were "political Trojans" who from within had ceaselessly worked against the interest of the party.
They now feared they would face sanctions for their actions, he said.
Metuh added that the party would not miss such "fair weather" members.
Also Read: APC plan to postpone Rivers election
He said the party commended the courage and steadfastness of all its supporters and members who had remained committed to the course and urged them to go a step further by emulating Senate President, David Mark, and Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
The pair has spoken publicity in favour of the PDP, its ideals and visions of the founding fathers.
Metuh said adequate machinery is already in motion to reorganize and to reposition itself to regain power in the next four years since it is obvious that the APC lacked what it takes to effectively lead the nation.
The party called on Nigerians to use the Saturday’s election to demonstrate their commitment to democracy by voting enmasse for the PDP.
"A vote for the party is a vote for the unity and stability of the country," claimed Metuh.
The weekend elections come in the wake of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan losing the Presidential election to APC's Muhammadu Buhari
Napoli meet Roma in battle for Champions League spot 02 April 2015, 20:27
Milan - The battle for a Champions League place should add extra
spice to Saturday's meeting of old rivals AS Roma and Napoli, yet the
build up to the game suggests it could be played in a lukewarm
atmosphere.
Both teams have suffered a recent slip in form and this, combined with a Saturday lunchtime kickoff and the fears of fan violence surrounding the fixture, is expected to leave the Stadio Olimpico half empty.
Also read: CAS gives Morocco green light to play at AFCON 2017
Roma's grip on second place has been slowly loosened since the start of the year, and their nine-point cushion over third place has been slashed to one point, while they have dropped 14 points behind runaway leaders Juventus.
Meanwhile, Napoli have dropped from third to fifth after failing to win any of their last four Serie A games.
Only the top two in Serie A qualify directly for the Champions League group stage while third place earns a place in the final qualifying round.
Roma have drawn eight of their last 11 league games and even the international break added to the troubles as forward Gervinho suffered a thigh injury in Ivory Coast's friendly against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
The hosts may also be without talismanic forward Francesco Totti who is still recovering from a thigh injury.
Although much is at stake, Roma's disappointing recent form and the early kickoff could result in the match being played in a half-empty Stadio Olimpico.
Local media said that only 5,000 tickets have been sold so far and predicted a crowd of around 40,000, around half the stadium's capacity.
There is still tension around the fixture after Napoli's visit to Rome for last season's Coppa Italia final.
Although Napoli were facing Fiorentina, there were violent clashes between Napoli and Roma fans, during which Napoli fan Ciro Esposito was shot and died in hospital one month later.
Tickets will not be sold to residents of Naples, although Napoli fans who live elsewhere in Italy can buy them.
Seven points separate Roma (53) in second from Fiorentina (46) in sixth in the race for Champions League places, with Lazio (52), Sampdoria (48) and Napoli (47) sandwiched between.
In another key match on Saturday, Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to his former club as his side visit Fiorentina (1630).
Fiorentina have found a new lease of life since signing Egypt forward Mohamed Salah from Chelsea in part exchange for Juan Cuadrado.
Lazio, who have leapt into third place with a run of six straight wins, visit relegation candidates Cagliari in a match they would expect to win (1300).
"Having Roma in front of us certainly gives us extra motivation," said captain Stefano Mauri. "For us, finishing second would be like winning the scudetto."
Juventus, meanwhile, should chalk up another win, and move closer to a fourth successive title, when they host Empoli (Saturday, 190
Both teams have suffered a recent slip in form and this, combined with a Saturday lunchtime kickoff and the fears of fan violence surrounding the fixture, is expected to leave the Stadio Olimpico half empty.
Also read: CAS gives Morocco green light to play at AFCON 2017
Roma's grip on second place has been slowly loosened since the start of the year, and their nine-point cushion over third place has been slashed to one point, while they have dropped 14 points behind runaway leaders Juventus.
Meanwhile, Napoli have dropped from third to fifth after failing to win any of their last four Serie A games.
Only the top two in Serie A qualify directly for the Champions League group stage while third place earns a place in the final qualifying round.
Roma have drawn eight of their last 11 league games and even the international break added to the troubles as forward Gervinho suffered a thigh injury in Ivory Coast's friendly against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
The hosts may also be without talismanic forward Francesco Totti who is still recovering from a thigh injury.
Although much is at stake, Roma's disappointing recent form and the early kickoff could result in the match being played in a half-empty Stadio Olimpico.
Local media said that only 5,000 tickets have been sold so far and predicted a crowd of around 40,000, around half the stadium's capacity.
There is still tension around the fixture after Napoli's visit to Rome for last season's Coppa Italia final.
Although Napoli were facing Fiorentina, there were violent clashes between Napoli and Roma fans, during which Napoli fan Ciro Esposito was shot and died in hospital one month later.
Tickets will not be sold to residents of Naples, although Napoli fans who live elsewhere in Italy can buy them.
Seven points separate Roma (53) in second from Fiorentina (46) in sixth in the race for Champions League places, with Lazio (52), Sampdoria (48) and Napoli (47) sandwiched between.
In another key match on Saturday, Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to his former club as his side visit Fiorentina (1630).
Fiorentina have found a new lease of life since signing Egypt forward Mohamed Salah from Chelsea in part exchange for Juan Cuadrado.
Lazio, who have leapt into third place with a run of six straight wins, visit relegation candidates Cagliari in a match they would expect to win (1300).
"Having Roma in front of us certainly gives us extra motivation," said captain Stefano Mauri. "For us, finishing second would be like winning the scudetto."
Juventus, meanwhile, should chalk up another win, and move closer to a fourth successive title, when they host Empoli (Saturday, 190
Kano Pillars toppled in another early exit 05 April 2015, 15:02
Johannesburg - Nigerians Kano Pillars bowed out of the 2015
CAF Champions League qualifiers on Saturday despite a 2-1 home victory over
Moroccans Moghreb Tetouan.
A four-goal first-leg deficit proved too heavy a burden for the northern team and they were eliminated from the premier African club competition 5-2 on aggregate.
Claims by Kano stars that they would stage a miracle recovery at the Sani Abacha Stadium were nullified after 33 minutes when Mouhsine Iajour put Tetouan ahead with his fourth goal of the tie.
It left the Nigerian champions needing six goals in 57 minutes -- an average of one every nine minutes -- to win the last-32 tie.
But the best they could manage was two goals courtesy of Tony Edjomareigwe just past the hour and a Rabiu Ali match-winner one minute from time.
This was the third consecutive early Champions League exit by Kano after a 2013 first-round defeat against AC Leopards of Congo and a preliminary-round loss to V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo last year.
Their best showing in the competition came six years ago when they lost to fellow Nigerians Heartland in the semi-finals.
Concerned about Boko Haram-triggered violence in north-east Nigeria, the Moroccan club flew to the most populous African country in a jet provided by King Mohammed VI.
Tetouan, who scraped past Malians CO Bamako in the preliminary round, meet record Egypt's eight-time African champions Al-Ahly in the final qualifying round for the group stage.
Momen Zakaria scored in each half to give Ahly a 2-0 victory over Rwandan military outfit APR in a spectator-less Cairo stadium.
Authorities have barred spectators after at least 20 football fans were killed last month during a stampede following clashes with security forces in the Egyptian capital.
Ahly took a two-goal lead into the return match and any hope of an APR comeback was dashed on the half hour when recent signing Zakaria put the Red Devils in front via a header.
He struck again just after half-time, tapping in a rebound after a Saad Samir header had been blocked.
Former CAF club title winners Stade Malien of Mali and El-Merrikh of Sudan also progressed.
Stade came from behind to win 2-1 against Gabonese visitors Mangasport in Bamako and complete a surprisingly comfortable 5-2 overall success.
Merrikh fell 2-1 away to Angolans Kabuscorp, but the 76th-minute goal from Bakri Al-Madina in Luanda proved decisive as it gave his club a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Defending champions Entente Setif and fellow Algerians USM Alger qualified Friday and 10 more second-leg fixtures are scheduled for Sunday.
A four-goal first-leg deficit proved too heavy a burden for the northern team and they were eliminated from the premier African club competition 5-2 on aggregate.
Claims by Kano stars that they would stage a miracle recovery at the Sani Abacha Stadium were nullified after 33 minutes when Mouhsine Iajour put Tetouan ahead with his fourth goal of the tie.
It left the Nigerian champions needing six goals in 57 minutes -- an average of one every nine minutes -- to win the last-32 tie.
But the best they could manage was two goals courtesy of Tony Edjomareigwe just past the hour and a Rabiu Ali match-winner one minute from time.
This was the third consecutive early Champions League exit by Kano after a 2013 first-round defeat against AC Leopards of Congo and a preliminary-round loss to V Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo last year.
Their best showing in the competition came six years ago when they lost to fellow Nigerians Heartland in the semi-finals.
Concerned about Boko Haram-triggered violence in north-east Nigeria, the Moroccan club flew to the most populous African country in a jet provided by King Mohammed VI.
Tetouan, who scraped past Malians CO Bamako in the preliminary round, meet record Egypt's eight-time African champions Al-Ahly in the final qualifying round for the group stage.
Momen Zakaria scored in each half to give Ahly a 2-0 victory over Rwandan military outfit APR in a spectator-less Cairo stadium.
Authorities have barred spectators after at least 20 football fans were killed last month during a stampede following clashes with security forces in the Egyptian capital.
Ahly took a two-goal lead into the return match and any hope of an APR comeback was dashed on the half hour when recent signing Zakaria put the Red Devils in front via a header.
He struck again just after half-time, tapping in a rebound after a Saad Samir header had been blocked.
Former CAF club title winners Stade Malien of Mali and El-Merrikh of Sudan also progressed.
Stade came from behind to win 2-1 against Gabonese visitors Mangasport in Bamako and complete a surprisingly comfortable 5-2 overall success.
Merrikh fell 2-1 away to Angolans Kabuscorp, but the 76th-minute goal from Bakri Al-Madina in Luanda proved decisive as it gave his club a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Defending champions Entente Setif and fellow Algerians USM Alger qualified Friday and 10 more second-leg fixtures are scheduled for Sunday.
UEFA orders game to be restarted after ref error 09 April 2015, 14:06
Nyon — For the first time in its history, UEFA has ordered a soccer match to be restarted because of a referee's error.
UEFA says the final seconds of an Under-19 European Championship qualifier between England and Norway will be replayed Thursday, starting with a stoppage-time penalty and a new referee.
The governing body of European soccer says its disciplinary committee has never before issued such a ruling.
Also read: UEFA punishes Dynamo Kiev over fan racism
With Norway leading 2-1 on Saturday in Belfast, England scored from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of injury time but it was disallowed when an England player encroached. However, German referee Marija Kurtes then wrongly awarded a free kick to Norway instead of retaking the penalty.
The English Football Association protested.
UEFA says play will resume at 2045 GMT in Belfast, after Norway and England play other group matches earlier Thursday
UEFA says the final seconds of an Under-19 European Championship qualifier between England and Norway will be replayed Thursday, starting with a stoppage-time penalty and a new referee.
The governing body of European soccer says its disciplinary committee has never before issued such a ruling.
Also read: UEFA punishes Dynamo Kiev over fan racism
With Norway leading 2-1 on Saturday in Belfast, England scored from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of injury time but it was disallowed when an England player encroached. However, German referee Marija Kurtes then wrongly awarded a free kick to Norway instead of retaking the penalty.
The English Football Association protested.
UEFA says play will resume at 2045 GMT in Belfast, after Norway and England play other group matches earlier Thursday
Algerian press cry foul after losing Nations Cup to Gabon 09 April 2015, 15:08
Algiers - Algerian press on Thursday slammed their football
federation and Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa
Hayatou after Gabon was chosen to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 2012 co-hosts won Wednesday's CAF vote held in Cairo against opposition from Algeria and 2008 hosts Ghana.
Also read: Napoli president threatens to send players to training camp
"To obtain the organisation of a competition as prestigious as the CAN is a State affair and the Algerian presentation was not sufficiently supported at political levels," daily El Watan wrote.
Other papers accused Hayatou, who has been in power since 1988, of "betraying" and "stabbing" Algeria.
El Watan implied that Hayatou had "preferred to reward neighbours Gabon after assuring the 2019 tournament will be held in his native Cameroon".
Algeria Soir were also critical saying it "was a sporting and political defeat for Algeria" while others cried "scandal" and a "historic slap in the face" for the
The 2012 co-hosts won Wednesday's CAF vote held in Cairo against opposition from Algeria and 2008 hosts Ghana.
Also read: Napoli president threatens to send players to training camp
"To obtain the organisation of a competition as prestigious as the CAN is a State affair and the Algerian presentation was not sufficiently supported at political levels," daily El Watan wrote.
Other papers accused Hayatou, who has been in power since 1988, of "betraying" and "stabbing" Algeria.
El Watan implied that Hayatou had "preferred to reward neighbours Gabon after assuring the 2019 tournament will be held in his native Cameroon".
Algeria Soir were also critical saying it "was a sporting and political defeat for Algeria" while others cried "scandal" and a "historic slap in the face" for the
US based Pastor – Olusola Fabunmi doesnt’t think it was right to invite Korede
Mavin artiste, Korede Bello, was invited to sing his hit song,
Godwin, at Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC) in Lekki
Lagos as the church marked the Easter celebration on Sunday April 5th.
Korede performed in all three services and had the church choir members
as his backup singers.
However a US based Pastor – Olusola Fabunmi doesnt’t think it was right to invite Korede. He said the church was wrong to invite Korede, who is not a gospel singer, to perform on their altar. Here’s what Pastor Fabunmi wrote on the issue:
However a US based Pastor – Olusola Fabunmi doesnt’t think it was right to invite Korede. He said the church was wrong to invite Korede, who is not a gospel singer, to perform on their altar. Here’s what Pastor Fabunmi wrote on the issue:
Korede Bello is a young man I love personally, and have nothing against him. But it’s written here, that when we chose the way of the world, we have clearly chosen our paths; becoming an enemy of God.Please, there must be a clearly defined boundaries of who sings, and /or ministers in churches.
Some of the questions that come to mind are; is he born again? Sanctified with the spirit of God and baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Also, let’s ask ourselves, what’s even the purpose of people singing in churches and Christian concerts? Where purpose is lacking, abuse is inevitable writes Francis Wale Oke in his book; The Power of the Holy Spirit.So I believe very strongly that one major purpose of choristers or Psalmists singing is to prepare the minds and hearts of the people for the word of God that is to come shortly; since we see in parable of the sower that the hearts of men is like a soil, and when the seed (which is the word of God) is sown, one of the factors that will determine the level of harvest yielded is the condition of the soil (hearts).”
I wish to submit by saying that the only difference that makes the difference between church gatherings/ programs and others like clubs, parties is the Presence of Almighty God. If he is not there, we might spend hours and do all manners of spiritual gymnastics, it’s sheer of wasting of time, energy and resources.
And the ministers who know their onions do all it takes to secure his presence. But I think today in the word of a very senior man of God, one of the older generation, Dr. Ayodele who said in Houston recently, that churches in this generation has been reduced to ABC… Meaning; Attendance, Building and Cash.
TOLU ONIRU (TOOLZ) Tolu Onirupopularly known as “Toolz” is a Nigerian media personality and OAP who in fact is described as one of the most voluptuous hips which has been the centre of arguments amongst her several fans. The OAP once revealed she’s never been intimate with a man before while answering questions via her Twitter page. She also confessed that one of her hips is artificial. 3. ADOKIYE
TOLU ONIRU (TOOLZ)
Tolu Onirupopularly known as “Toolz” is a Nigerian media personality and OAP who in fact is described as one of the most voluptuous hips which has been the centre of arguments amongst her several fans.
The OAP once revealed she’s never been intimate with a man before while answering questions via her Twitter page. She also confessed that one of her hips is artificial.
Tolu Onirupopularly known as “Toolz” is a Nigerian media personality and OAP who in fact is described as one of the most voluptuous hips which has been the centre of arguments amongst her several fans.
The OAP once revealed she’s never been intimate with a man before while answering questions via her Twitter page. She also confessed that one of her hips is artificial.
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Cross River Assembly slashes 2015 budget by 14.8%
The Cross River State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the 2015 budget of N127.85bn into law.
The figure represents a slash of 14.8 per cent of the original estimates of N149.44bn presented to the House by Governor Liyel Imoke in October 2014.
Presenting the budget, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr. Jacob Otu-Enyia, said after a careful study of the estimates by the committee, it was resolved that the sum of N127.85bn be adopted for passage as the state’s budget for this year.
The lawmaker gave reasons for the reduction of the budget to include the fall in oil prices to $53 per barrel and the current economic downturn in the country.
He said, “Governor Liyel Imoke presented a budget size of N149.44bn for the 2015 appropriation year. Having studied this budget with my committee members and following the radical drop of crude oil in the market, we had to cut down the budget size from N149.44bn to N127.85bn.
“This shows a variance of N21.59bn, representing 14.8 per cent. When
this budget was presented, it was predicated upon oil price of $65 per
barrel. But all of us are living witnesses that there was a radical drop
in the price of crude oil in the international market, which affected
our own budgetary provision.”
According to him, since the National Assembly adopted $53 per barrel as the crude oil benchmark, it is necessary to restructure the state’s budget and give priority to critical sectors.
The Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Larry Odey, said the 2015 budget would give priority to the economic sector of the state.
“The Cross River State appropriation bill for 2015 is hereby read for the third time and passed into law,” he said.
The passage of the budget was unanimously agreed by all members of the assembly.
Odey then asked the Clerk of the House, Mr. Bassey Ekpenyong, to prepare a clean copy of the bill to be presented to the governor for his assent.
The figure represents a slash of 14.8 per cent of the original estimates of N149.44bn presented to the House by Governor Liyel Imoke in October 2014.
Presenting the budget, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr. Jacob Otu-Enyia, said after a careful study of the estimates by the committee, it was resolved that the sum of N127.85bn be adopted for passage as the state’s budget for this year.
The lawmaker gave reasons for the reduction of the budget to include the fall in oil prices to $53 per barrel and the current economic downturn in the country.
He said, “Governor Liyel Imoke presented a budget size of N149.44bn for the 2015 appropriation year. Having studied this budget with my committee members and following the radical drop of crude oil in the market, we had to cut down the budget size from N149.44bn to N127.85bn.
According to him, since the National Assembly adopted $53 per barrel as the crude oil benchmark, it is necessary to restructure the state’s budget and give priority to critical sectors.
The Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Larry Odey, said the 2015 budget would give priority to the economic sector of the state.
“The Cross River State appropriation bill for 2015 is hereby read for the third time and passed into law,” he said.
The passage of the budget was unanimously agreed by all members of the assembly.
Odey then asked the Clerk of the House, Mr. Bassey Ekpenyong, to prepare a clean copy of the bill to be presented to the governor for his assent.
April 1, 2015 As the economy in Brazil stagnates, anger from the Brazilian middle class anger at soaring inflation and burdensome taxation continues to rise. On March 15, a coalition called the Free Brazil Movement led a protest with more than 200,000 people in attendance, the largest São Paulo has seen since the pro-democracy protests of the 1980s. At the head of the movement is Kim Kataguiri, a rising libertarian star working with Atlas Network partner Estudantes Pela Liberdade (Students for Liberty). Protesters targeted Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, who is in hot water after recent allegations that she was involved in, or was at least aware of, a kickback scheme at state-owned oil company Petrobras when she was a member of its board of directors. Kataguiri’s work with the Free Brazil Movement was recently profiled in an Associated Press article that appeared in the Washington Post and the New York Times. Many members within the Free Brazil Movement have passed through Atlas Network’s premier training program, the Atlas Leadership Academy, and are now applying what they have learned on the ground where they live and work. “The Atlas Leadership Academy provides diverse trainings with a focus on mission development, knowing how to reach your audience and the importance of achieving impact,” said Cindy Cerquitella, director of Atlas Leadership Academy. “It has been thrilling to work with advocates for liberty in Brazil, and in 90 countries worldwide, and even more
As Nigeria becomes increasingly impacted by religiously-motivated militancy, crime, and socio-economic unrest, Max Security’s Intelligence Division
is offering a free trial subscription to our AFRICA intelligence
package. Subscribers to the AFRICA package will receive ongoing updates
regarding business continuity in Nigeria, including:
- Tactical alerts covering incidents of crime, militancy, and infrastructure failures in Lagos and Abuja.
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- Strategic reporting on counter insurgency efforts against the Boko Haram network in the Northern States and Middle Belt, in addition to other insurgencies taking place in the Niger Delta.
- Strategic reporting on fuel shortages and other politically contentious issues and their impact on stability.
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