FG to distribute energy efficient bulbs

The Federal Government says it has concluded plans to commence the distribution of energy efficient bulbs and phase out high energy consuming ones currently in circulation in the country.

The distribution of the energy efficient bulbs, according to the Minister of Energy, Prof. Bart Nnaji, will commence by first week of June.

Pics:googleimage

Nnaji, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Enugu  at the Power Summit, also gave an assurance that the planned electricity tariff increase that would be implemented on June 1 would not be across the board.

He said the Federal Government would provide subsidy for some categories of electricity consumers because it recognised that some people would not be able to pay the new tariff.

According to the minister, energy efficient bulbs are better though a bit more expensive than the current bulbs that Nigerians are using because they consume less.

Pics:Googleimage

Nnaji said energy efficient bulbs would help Nigerians save more than 80 per cent of their current electricity bills.

He said, “We are going to inaugurate the Energy Efficiency Programme in this country in the next three weeks. The EEP means that we are going to get bulbs; energy efficient bulbs; and then take the energy inefficient bulbs from users and destroy them.
“The energy efficient bulbs are more expensive than your current bulbs, but you will be saving more than 80 per cent of your electricity.”

The minister added, “If you have a 60-watts bulb, you will get the same lightening with a 12-watts bulb. This is something that is coming by the first week of June this year and what it does is that it releases more power to everybody. You will pay even less.

Pics:Googleimage

“So, for those of you who are going to get the energy efficient bulbs, you will pay much less for electricity in addition to the subsidy being provided by the government.”

Nnaji also disclosed that in a few years time when the government would no longer provide subsidy, a tariff structure that would make customers who could pay to subsidise those that could not pay would be put in place.

He said that government had directed that all the electricity generation recovery projects must be completed within six months.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Sexy photograph of Madonna posing naked on a bed while smoking a cigarette sells for £15,000

An ‘absolutely stunning’ photograph of Madonna posing naked on a bed while smoking a cigarette has sold for nearly £15,000.


Pic:Googleimage

The sum is three times the estimate placed on the image that was taken in 1990 during the period when the singer had bleach-blonde hair and dark eye make-up.

It is a black and white photo and Madonna has her breasts exposed and just a white sheet covering her pudenda while she lies on a bed.

She is holding a cigarette to her pouting lips and has adopted a sexy, sultry pose. During the year it was taken the star went on her ‘Blond Ambition Tour.’


Pic:Googleimage

The performer said at the time, when she was aged about 31: ‘I know that I’m not the best singer and I know that I’m not the best dancer.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

New drug for HIV prevention discovered!

A new drug which may one day pre-vent the dreaded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been discovered.

Already approved for the treatment of HIV and rec-ommended by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration advi-sory committee, the drug, Truvuda, is to be approved for pre-exposure prophy-laxis.



 
Pic:Googleimage

It is an experimental strategy which forestalls the contraction of HIV.

Manufactured by a US based firm; Gilead Scienc-es, Incorporation, the once-a-day pill used in combina-tion with other HIV drugs does not rid the body of HIV, rather, prevents the vi-rus from replicating in the body.

Though discovered to be effective, the drug’s side ef-fects include nausea, vom-iting, dizziness, loss of ap-petite and diarrhoea, liver and kidney toxicity and loss of bone density.

According to the FDA panel, the call for its ap-proval came after consider-ing safety and efficacy data from three clinical trials.
The first clinical trial- a study of men who have sex with fellow men, indicated 43.8% fewer infections in men who used the drug as against those who did not.

In the second trial, a Truvuda study carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Botswana, infection rates were reduced by 63% over-all in healthy men and women considered to be at high risk of infection; while a study of serodis-cordant couples (a couple in which one partner has tested positive to HIV and the other has not) in Kenya saw 62% fewer infections in those taking Truvada and a 73% reduction in those who took a combination of Truvada and the HIV drug tenofovir.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

IGP bans illegal use of tinted glasses, sirens, others

Following intelligence reports that terrorist groups and gunmen, who have been killing innocent people and destroying property across the country use tinted glasses, Police spy number plates and sirens to deceive both security personnel and unsuspecting members of the public, Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar has ordered a ban on indiscriminate use of these security items.

In a statement signed by Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, the IGP said the ban on the indiscriminate use of siren, revolving lights, tinted glasses and Police Supernumerary (SPY) number plates by unauthorized person or persons on public highways across the country takes immediate effect.

According to the statement,the order has become imperative in view of recent security reports that indicate that suspected criminals now hide under the cover of official privileges and courtesies associated with the use of sirens, revolving lights and Supernumerary (SPY Police) plate numbers to commit crimes and beat Police and other security checks, thereby evading arrest and prosecution.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Police nab man for assaulting widow

A middle age man, Monday Ekpo, is in police custody for allegedly assaulting his neighbour and removing her front teeth.

The suspect was arrested at the weekend following complaint by one Ebere Ogbonna that Ekpo beat her following her refusal to date him




Ogbonna, a widow and a mother of nine, told police officers that Ekpo had threatened to kill her following her refusal to date him. "I lost my husband some years back and I have been struggling to fend for my nine boys," she said.

"I had twins three times, and since their father died I have catered for them. Sometime last year, Monday asked me to date him but I refused. For more than three occasions, he attempted to rape me in my one room apartment. We are neighbours. He was bent on sleeping with me but I told him I was not interested; this angered him and he told me he will make my life a living hell."

The victim said her initial efforts to involve officers of the Iponri Police Station proved abortive as Ekpo is said to be a leader of a youth gang in the area.

"On April 5th, I attended a friend’s child naming ceremony, Monday was there and he attacked me saying that he was the chairman and I should leave," she said. "He pushed and shoved me out of the room, and as I resisted him, he slapped me on the face. I went to report him to the elders in the community and as they called him to warn him from assaulting me, Monday descended on me and beat me to a stupor. Sympathisers took me to the hospital where I later woke up and found out that Monday had removed my three teeth."

Agbodimu Musbau, the Community Development Association Chairman of the area, said residents of the community were appalled by the incident.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Rainstorms kill 4, injure 20 in Cross River State

Four persons have been reported dead, while over 20 others sustained various degrees of injuries in windstorms that destroyed communities in Yala and Ogoja local government areas of Cross River State in Nigeria.


Pics:Google image
 Report says, one of the vicitms was killed by lightening while the three others died when tree trunks and walls of residential buildings fell on them.

The injured are being treated in both orthodox and traditional hospitals but one with a fractured skull was referred to a specialist hospital in Enugu for surgery.

Pics:Google image

According to Mr. Samuel Edom, a brother to one of the deceased, Mr. Ekam Ekpishoko, from Egoja-Ndim in Ogoja Local Government Area “The rain came down…in an unprecedented manner amidst windstorm that appeared ready to bring down the entire community. My brother was in his room with his family while I was in mine in the same building when suddenly I heard a loud sound of a tree falling and our home came crumbling.”

The storms which displaced about 20, 000 persons also affected many houses, churches, recreational centres, schools, hospitals and markets.

While assessing the disaster, the Chairman of Yala LGA, Mr. Gabe Ugor, appealed to the state and federal governments to assist the affected persons while the Director-General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Vincent Aquah, described the destruction as monumental.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Lagos State sacks all striking doctors....Over 1,000 doctors have been let go

The crisis rocking the Lagos State health sector took a dangerous twist on today, when the state government sacked over 1,000 doctors in its employ.

Doctors in state-owned hospitals, under the aegis of the Medical Guild, began an indefinite strike on April 24, 2012, to press for the downward review of taxes and the full implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS), and other demands.



Confirming the development, the secretary of the Medical Guild, Idris Durojaiye, said the information was passed across to the doctors through the medical directors of the various state hospitals.

"The medical directors signed the letters," he said.

However, the doctors will be holding a press conference to decide their next line of action.

Last month, the state government announced that it had started recruiting new doctors to help alleviate the plight of residents seeking medical care in state-owned hospitals.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

New number plate, catalyst to combat terrorism – SSS DG

 Director-General of the State Security Services, Mr. Ekpeyong Itah, has described the new number plate project as a catalyst in the collective push to combat terrorism and other national security challenges facing the country.



Speaking during an advocacy visit by Wolrd Bank road safety consultants, Itah expressed his delight with the World Bank initiative of integrating safety components on road rehabilitation and construction in Nigeria as it would add value to traffic enforcement and proper identification of vehicle owners, across the country.

The Director-General said these innovations had made Nigeria an investment destination which would no doubt provide the potentials for socio-economic development.

Earlier in his presentation, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka said the World Bank consultants were in Nigeria for a review of the FRSC enforcement capacity, in line with the World Bank Safe corridor project which seeks to infuse road safety components into road construction and rehabilitation in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the World Bank Consultant, Minze Beuving, expressed his delight at the level of data collation and management by the FRSC and road infrastructure in the FCT but urged the Federal Government to re-double efforts in the area of traffic enforcement bordering on speed limit and use of safety helmet.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Truckers withdraw from Lagos ports

As the face-off between the Lagos government and truck owners and drivers deepens,truck owners and drivers operating in Lagos seaports have withdrawn their services claiming that the environment in the ports is too harsh for operations.

 This follows a raid by the Lagos state government on trucks parked in around Apapa, and on the roads leading to the seaports.

Update: Arrests have been made at the ports, those arrested report says are yet to be confirmed.

Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Riots in Potiskum

Youths are reportedly rioting in Potiskum, Yobe state's second city. The youths are angered by last week's cattle market attack in which 60 people died.


Pics:Googleimage

According to an eye witness, the rioting started when a group of cattle traders gathered at the scene of the attack to pray to “God to expose those behind the killings”.

Shortly after the cattle rearers started the prayers, soldiers from the Joint Task Force (JTF) arrived and the situation got out of hand.

The arrival of the soldiers at the market is said to have increased tension in the town, and some youths started burning tyres and blocking the roads in defiance of the soldiers.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Fight life as world’s fattest man starts dieting

The world’s fattest man has started dieting after doctors told him he wouldn’t live to turn 50 unless he did something to lose weight from his massive 368kg.



Keith Martin, 42, hasn’t left his house for 10 years and his girth, at 1.8m, is more than his height, 1.75m.

Mr Martin told Britain’s Doctor that finding out he was the fattest man on Earth was the catalyst for him attempting to lose weight.

But he has a long way to go to change his diet and his size.

When Mr Martin was at his worst he was eating up to 20,000 calories a day, comprising an array of fat and sugar-laden foods and treats.



The food included a packet of bacon, six sausages, six eggs and toast and beans for breakfast.

Lunch was all that and more and then there was the pizzas, kebabs and curries for dinner.

And the eating didn’t stop there. It included chocolate, biscuits, fizzy drinks and coffee with lots of sugar.

Now, Mr Martin is trying to restrict himself to 1500 calories a day – and says he’s lost 10cm.

Mr Martin last left his house on September 11, 2001.

He said his life changed after his mother died and he started eating big amounts every time he was upset. Before he knew it his eating and his weight were out of control.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Medical Tests Every Man Needs

Medical screening tests are a great way to keep on top of your health.  Sometimes you think you feel really healthy that you do not need to be checked,think of check ups as basic maintenance, just like checking the oil and tire pressure to keep your car safe on the highway.

Pics:Googleimage


Below is a list of the most important medical tests every man should have -- along with what age to start and how often to repeat. Here's to routine maintenance for your health.

1. Cholesterol screening/lipoprotein profile

Cholesterol is a type of fatty protein in your blood that can build up in your arteries, so knowing how much cholesterol is present is a good predictor of your risk for heart disease. There are two kinds of cholesterol: HDL, or high-density lipoproteins, and LDL, or low-density lipoproteins. Confusingly enough, HDL is "good" and protects against heart disease, while LDL is "bad" and poses a risk to your heart.
Your total cholesterol reading combines the measures of both and is used as an overall reading; 220 is the magic number that you want to stay beneath. In addition, the profile measures triglycerides, which are fats in the blood that can also block arteries; you want them below 150 milligrams per deciliter.
What it is: A blood test for cholesterol, measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl); usually measures triglycerides at the same time
When to start: Age 20
How often: Every five years. If testing reveals your levels are high, your doctor will recommend retesting every six months to one year. If you have risk factors for heart disease in your family, the regular cholesterol test may not be specific enough; ask your doctor for an additional test called the lipoprotein subfraction test. It's more sensitive and checks the size of the cholesterol particles as well as the amount.

2. Blood pressure check

It seems simple, but checking your blood pressure regularly is one of the most important things you can do to protect your present and future health.


Pics:Gooleimage
 One in every five adults, totaling 50 million people, has elevated blood pressure, also known as hypertension. When your blood pressure readings are higher than the cutoff of 140/90, it puts stress on your heart, leaving you at risk for heart attack and stroke. Many experts believe 120/80 is a healthier target to shoot for.
What it is: A physical reading using an arm cuff
When to start: Any age; best to begin during childhood
How often: Once a year if readings are normal; your doctor will recommend every six months if readings are high or if you're taking medication to control hypertension.

3. Diabetes screening

To check your risk for diabetes, doctors check your tolerance for glucose absorption, which means how readily your body digests sugar.



Pics:Gooleimage
What it is: A blood draw performed after drinking a sugary drink; a fasting glucose tolerance test requires you not to eat for nine hours prior to the test.
When to start: At age 45 if you have no risk factors or symptoms. If you're significantly overweight, have high blood pressure, or have other risk factors for diabetes, such as family history of the disease, it's a good idea to get tested younger. If your insurance doesn't cover it, free testing is available at most major chain drugstores.
Culled:Yahoohealth

Arsenal to play pre-season game in Nigeria

Arsenal Football Club has announced that the first-team squad will travel to Nigeria this summer for a pre-season match in Abuja on Sunday, August 5.

In what will be the Gunners’ first match on Nigerian soil, Arsène Wenger’s side will play at the 60,000 capacity Abuja National Stadium. Arsenal’s opposition will be confirmed soon and is likely to be a leading African national team.



The Club last visited Africa during a tour to South Africa in July 1993, and is returning as a result of the fantastic support which exists for the team, not only in Nigeria, but across the entire continent.

The visit to Nigeria will conclude an exciting pre-season tour schedule for Arsenal, who return to both China and Malaysia in July, following the success of last term’s Asia Tour.


The Asia leg of the tour starts in Kuala Lumpur, when the team plays against a Malaysia XI on Tuesday, July 24. The Gunners then travel to China, to play against Manchester City in Beijing on Friday, July 27, followed by a trip to Hong Kong for a match against Kitchee FC on Sunday, July 29.

Further details regarding the match in Nigeria will feature on Arsenal.com as soon as they are confirmed.
Culled:Arsenal.com

kano seeks husbands for 1000 widows,divorcees

Kano State government has approved the implementation of the first phase of a pilot scheme involving 100 of the 1,000 widows and divorcees seeking husbands.
 
Pics:Googleimage

The scheme tagged “Zawarawa marriage scheme”.

The government has earmarked N15 million to the Hisbah Board to facilitate the project.

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Yusuf Bello Dambatta made the declaration while speaking with reporters at the end of the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, presided over by Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso at the Government House.

Rooney’s overhead kick named best Premier League goal

The Premier League says Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick for Manchester United against Manchester City in February last season has been voted by fans as the best goal of the 20 years.



Rooney’s acrobatic effort, which gave United a 2-1 home victory and helped them to win last term’s title, was the only goal from the last 10 years among the nominees.

Dennis Bergkamp’s swivel and finish for Arsenal against Newcastle United in 2002 and team mate Thierry Henry’s dipping flick and volley against Manchester United in 2000 were second and third respectively.



The Premier League said in a statement that hundreds of thousands of fans had voted and that the top three received more than half the public vote, with Rooney garnering 26 percent, Bergkamp 19 percent and Henry 15 percent.

“I grew up watching the Premier League so to be voted the best goal in the history of the Premier League is a great feeling,” Rooney said.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all the fans that voted for me.”

Ex-United player David Beckham won the 10-year award in 2002 for his goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996.

A series of awards including best match, save and best goal celebration have been launched to mark the 20 years of the Premier League with results from the other online fan polls due in the coming weeks.
Rooney failed to reproduce his stunning goal in Monday’s derby when City won 1-0 to leave the title in their grasp with two games left.
Culled:Channeltv

AP Plaza "Car Bomb" In Abuja Plaza A Hoax

Reports just reaching me says The Nigerian Police authorities have dismissed as a hoax a car bomb threat reported at the AP Plaza in Wuse 2 area of Abuja, Nigeria's troubled capital.
 
 Pic:Google image

The police anti-bomb unit said nothing was found in a car allegedly parked in the premises of the AP Plaza which was reportedly rigged with bomb explosives.

A bank security alarm went off in the area after a suspicious car was parked overnight in the area, police sources said.
Culled:Saharareporters

Rainfall of ice in Abeokuta

Pics:Google image


Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, south-west of Nigeria, on Thursday recorded an unusual rainfall laden with ice falling, also known as hailstorm.

Hail is a form of solid precipitation. It consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is referred to as a hail stone.

Residents witnessed ice blocks, the size of gravels falling from the sky leaving the very apprehensive when solid blocks started falling on rooftops, road and vehicles, making very loud unusual sound.

According to reports, the ice storm started during the heavy rainfall which started around 5.42pm, lasting about 27 minutes with strong winds.



Wind shields of three vehicles were reportedly broken by the ice at Ake, the heart of the ancient town.



Similar ice storm were experienced other parts of the city such as Panseke, Kuto and at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

A witness who wrote his experience on a social media platform stated that “I’m presently driving somewhere around Kuto, in Abeokuta and there’s massive hail storm here. It’s so strong; it’s got people leaving their cars for shelter. To give you an idea, it’s like having gravel poured on the roof of your vehicle from a four storey building.”

Another witness, Mr. Denola Badejo of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, said he was afraid when the rain caught him driving. “I thought it would break my glass.”
Culled:Channelstv

FG, Lagos begin cleanup of Apapa

The Presidency has declared that all trucks and other vehicles illegally parked along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos be moved away from today.

A team from the Presidency, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Performance and Evaluation and Chairman of the Ports Reform Committee, Professor Sylvester Monye, on Thursday, stressed federal government's commitment to clean up the road.
                 

 This is coming barely a week after the State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, issued a quit notice to the tanker drivers.

Monye said that the cleanup of the Apapa Wharf area will be similar to what the State Government did at Oshodi, where it brought some order to the once rowdy place.

He also said that notices have already been given to truckers, who were also made to sign undertakings to vacate the area.

Early this year, the state government started removing tankers that were indiscriminately parked on the busy road. However, the support of President Goodluck Jonathan means that the federal road may experience a final clean-up.

The recent indiscriminate parking of trucks along the road and around Apapa Wharf axis, has contributed to the traffic congestion experienced on the route.

Monye explained that the team was in Lagos to apprise the governor on the work and plans of the Ports Reforms Committee for the state.

He added that the Committee had the President's mandate to clear the mess in and around the Ports, including the access roads.

In his reaction, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the existing collaboration between the state government and the presidency on the issue.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

9 new federal varsities get Reps' approval

The House of Representatives has given its approval to the establishment of nine new federal universities across the country.


Pic:googleimage

The members of the House of Representatives said the universities were necessary as almost 80 percent of candidates seeking university education on annual basis annually do not get admitted in the existing universities.

Farouk Lawan, chairman, House Committee on Education, explained that the new universities would go a long way to address a lot of challenges facing the country as they would provide an opportunity for more Nigerians to be admitted when operational.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke in favour of the bill include Farouk Lawan and Samson Osagie, Minority Whip.

Mulikat Akande-Adeola, House Leader, who led the debate noted that the sum of N1.5 billion has been earmarked by the Federal Government as well as the introduction of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) as a take-off grant for each of the institutions.

In his remarks though, Samson Osagie warned the Federal Government not to neglect the existing federal universities across the country.

The Bill were consequently referred to the House Committee on Education for further legislative action.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

MTN expresses surprise at NCC's threats

Following the Press statement  issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Thursday, warning  MTN Nigeria, that it might look to impose sanctions for alleged poor service to subscribers MTN Nigeria has, however, said it was surprised by threats from the telecom authority to impose sanctions on the group for poor service to subscribers.

“NCC’s statement to the press yesterday came as a surprise to us. The incident under reference is a service disruption that some of our customers experienced on the 1 May 2012,” MTN Nigeria said in a statement on issued today.

“There was a power related incident at our Ikoyi Switch late on 1 May. It was quickly rectified but we realised that all the affected customers would not feel the full impact of the restoration for a few hours.

Some customers continued to experience difficulty with calling and texting. These issues were largely localised to parts of Lagos.

“A letter was dispatched to the NCC on the 2nd of May informing the NCC and explaining what we had done to normalise. Affected customers were also informed by sms/Twitter/Facebook and radio announcements. We offered our apologies."

The company said that by the afternoon of May 2, service had been fully restored with additional SMSes being sent to customers to confirm the group’s position.

“Quality of service in Nigeria is an industry-wide challenge. It is caused by a combination of factors related to demand still outstripping supply in terms of infrastructure and local environmental challenges.

 No network in Nigeria has invested more in infrastructure than MTN. This year alone, MTN is investing $1.3 Billion in the network with a view to upgrading and increasing its capacity,” MTN Nigeria said.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Garlic compound 'fights food poisoning bacteria'............More effective than antibiotics

                                               The very first time I had to chew garlic just because my mum says its curative importance can not be over emphasised,I almost threw up my intestines,but now its my very best  friend.



New research says  a compound found in garlic could be used in the fight against food poisoning.

US researchers also are of the opinion that a garlic-derived compound called diallyl sulphide is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting Campylobacter bacteria, the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.

The bacterium is estimated to cause up to 400,000 cases of food poisoning a year in England and Wales.


Most cases of food poisoning arise from eating raw or undercooked poultry or food that has been cross-contaminated by coming into contact with surfaces or utensils used to prepare poultry which of course is very common in Nigeria.

Campylobacter bacteria live in colonies in a slimy biofilm which can stick to food, utensils and kitchen surfaces. The biofilm also partially protects the bacteria from antibiotics.

The good news is that researchers from Washington State University found that the garlic compound easily penetrates protective biofilm and  also effective in killing bacteria.

In laboratory tests, diallyl sulphide was 100 times more effective than the antibiotics erythromycin and ciprofloxacin, and often worked in "a fraction of the time."


Garlic supplements have been shown to lower cholesterol level and lessen hypertension in those with untreated high blood pressure.

While eating garlic is generally regarded as a healthy thing to do, the researchers said it "is unlikely to prevent Campylobacter-related food poisoning."

Also, the discovery may lead to new treatments for raw and processed meats and food preparation surfaces.

In the future, "diallyl sulphide may be useful in reducing the levels of the Campylobacter in the environment and to clean industrial food processing equipment, as the bacterium is found in a biofilm in both settings," they said.

So,it isnt so bad to try to introduce garlic into your meals,you can start with seasoning your meat and chicken,chopping this wonderful root plant into your rice meals amongst other food will put you on the track of living a bacteria free life.........




.

All pictures courtesy google image


The study is published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

NCC gives MTN 24 hours to improve signal in Lagos

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has given mobile telecommunication company, MTN 24 hours to provide detailed report on, and improve the quality of service in Lagos and its environs or face serious sanctions.

The spokesperson of the commission, Reuben Mouka said in a statement that the network operator failed to inform its subscribers and the commission about its faulty switch in Lagos which is currently down and causing subscribers in unbearable quality of service.

According to the statement the network operator must furnish the commission with details of efforts being made to deal with the situation immediately as failure to do so will incur sanctions.

It said the directive is in line with the commission’s determination to enforce all actions as prescribed by a new regulation on quality of service in the networks.

MTN had last month said that it lost network availability in over 1000 base stations across the country due to damage to its fibre infrastructure.

The telecom company, in a statement had said the development disrupted services and created customer dissatisfaction in the South East, particularly Onitsha, Port Harcourt; Kano; Abuja; Kaduna and Ibadan.
According to the statement, MTN has witnessed an unprecedented rise in criminal damage to its fibre optic network across the country.

Placing the rate of willful damage to its fibre optic network by criminal elements at 25 per cent, MTN said: “On average, MTN suffers more than seventy fibre cuts in different locations across Nigeria on a monthly basis. Typically, 42% are inadvertently caused by poor road construction practices, 25% from wilful damage by criminal elements, and 33% by other causes, suspected to be sabotage.”
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Updated: 60 feared dead in attack on cattle market in Yobe

The Yobe State government on Thursday said that the death toll from an attack on a cattle market by gunmen in Potiskum town has risen to 60 people.




The medical director of Potiskum General Hospital, Donatua Muna, who disclosed this, said that dead bodies were brought to the hospital with bullet wounds as well as machete cuts and burns.

A nurse at Potiskum hospital who received bodies of the slayed cattle traders told Reuters news agency that the number of those killed in the attack could be well over 56.

“I have counted 56 bodies at the morgue and I am sure that the death toll could rise in view of the serious nature of injuries sustained,” the nurse, who gave his name as Babangida, said.
“The Potiskum mortuary is made up of a room and a parlour and I counted the 56 in the parlour only. I didn’t go into the inner room.”

Witness Mama Yusuf, a retired civil servant, said there were dead bodies on the ground, though he could not say how many.

“I saw dead bodies all around the place and the emergency services taking people to hospitals,” he said.

The Yobe State police spokesman, Toyin Gbadegesin said that the attack which took place on Wednesday night appeared to be in reprisal for an incident earlier in the day, when a gang of robbers who sought to rob the market were fought off by traders who caught and killed one of the attackers.

“A group of gunmen armed with around 20 explosives and assault rifles attacked the cattle market,” an eyewitness said.

He said that the attackers threw explosives and shot indiscriminately, setting fire to the market, killing lots of livestock and wounding many people, mostly cattle dealers.

Residents described a terrifying scene at the market usually crowded with traders, with scores of cattle burnt, the market razed and dozens of people killed.

One resident said that fire-fighters were at the scene on Thursday morning searching water wells for fears that residents had fallen in and drowned while trying to flee.
Culled:Channelstv

NFF prays for trapped Sunshine Stars

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday, expressed deep concern for the players, officials and accompanying journalists of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure who are still trapped in Bamako, the capital of Mali, following renewed fighting in that country.

This came on the heels of reports that some soldiers stormed Sunshine's hotel and ransacked a player's room.




Of the entire delegation, 10 players, four officials and two journalists were trapped in the Malian capital after rebel forces caused unrest in the capital.

NFF President, Aminu Maigari, who has been in regular phone contact with the leader of the delegation and Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency, Chief Segun Adagunodo, said that the situation called for prayers from all Nigerians.

“We are deeply concerned. Sunshine Stars went to Mali to represent Nigeria, and this situation makes us unhappy. We pray fervently that the situation improves quickly, so that the people involved can get out of Mali," Maigari said.

“I have been speaking with Chief Adagunodo for the past few days and although he says they are comfortable and have nothing much to worry about, it is important that they are able to get out of the place.

“We are watching the situation closely and may decide on an alternative plan to get the team out of Mali if the situation persists for a few more days.”

Sunshine Stars FC played a courageous game and were only forced to a 1-1 draw by Djoliba of Mali in the first leg of their CAF Champions League third round fixture in Bamako on Saturday.
 Culled:Dailytimes

Goldie gets the star slot for Nigeria in BigBrother StarGame

The pop-princess of Nigeria’s music industry, Goldie has been unveiled as one the seven celebrity housemates that would be part of the seventh season of Africa’s biggest reality TV show, Big Brother StarGame.

With less than 3 days to go before the start of the annual reality TV that grasp the attention of the entire continent, Goldie was unveiled with the remaining six celebrities, ahead of releasing identities of the remaining 29 housemates of two pairs.

With a prize of $300 000 for the winner, and the new format that sees contestants doubling, the 91 day series is shaping up to be exciting entertainment but this latest twist of having super stars as housemates.






The Starmates revealed as described by BigBrother are:

•Boldly dramatic pop music sensation Goldie from Nigeria (28)
•Stylish entertainer, stand-up comedian and television pro DKB from Ghana (26)
•Tough, talented rap icon Prezzo from Kenya (32)
•Award-winning songstress Lady May from Namibia (25)
•Famed socialite, model and businesswoman Barbz from South Africa (34)
•Unforgettable, highly successful R&B diva Mampi from Zambia (25)
•Unique and hugely popular, soulful musician Roki from Zimbabwe (27)

Goldie famed for her renaissance dress-sense and music videos is currently signed to Kennis Music label where she released her album in 2011 which had hit tracks such as ‘You Know It’, ‘Jawo Jawo’ and ‘Don’t touch my body’.

This year’s edition of BigBrother is with the theme StarGame and it will see these stars struggle it out the housemates in the doubles theme.

According to the managing director of M-Net Africa, Biola Alabi, “it’s super to see the high level of interaction StarGame is getting from fans, media and viewers. The guessing around who the housemates will be; people trying to work out what Biggie is planning; the rumors and the speculation; it all adds to the excitement.

It’s great for the show to get this type of support from the Big Brother community who really do engage with it, even before it starts on air. I want to thank them and promise that we’re working hard to deliver a great series” she said.

Big Brother StarGame is produced M-Net and will be broadcasted for 91 days on AfricaMagic Entertainment and DStv channel 198.
Culled:Channelstv

67m Nigerian Youths Jobless — FG

The minister of youth development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has  lamented the unemployment rate in the country, declaring that about 67million young people are jobless and that, of the figure, 80 per cent of them don’t possess a university degree.

 Bolaji, who addressed hundreds of youths at TY Danjuma Foundation’s ‘Career Day 2012’ in Benin City, Edo State capital, however, attributed the high unemployment rate to years of failure at different levels, explaining that “lack of job is a consequence of lack of skills”.



Pic:Googleimage

The minister, who delivered the keynote address, ‘Overcoming Challenges’, harped on skill acquisition irrespective of educational qualification.

“Employers are more interested in what you can do, and not the kind of certificate you have acquired.”
He also took a swipe at a section of the youth who clamour for free tertiary education, noting that “tertiary education cannot be free. Education is an investment. Unless we begin to realise that it cannot be free, quality will be diffused.”

Besides, he announced that the sum of N1.2bn has been captured in the 2012 budget which is aimed at training and grant for youth empowerment programme in agriculture, ICT and the creative industry, pointing out that “certificate will serve as collateral for access to the loans”.

 Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Arinze resigns as AGN president

Following the botched election of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) on April 28, the President of the Guild, Segun Arinze, has resigned his position.

Arinze, whose tenure ended since December 9, had earlier been prevailed upon by the Board of Trustees of the guild to conduct the aborted election.

In a statement signed by him, Arinze lamented the recent events in the guild and the failure of the election held at the Annual General Meeting of the association in Benin, Edo State.

"The events in Benin on the 28th of April 2012 is now common knowledge. I know I constituted an independent Agnec that was to supposed to be devoid of any electoral rancour or external influences," the statement read.

"For my integrity and honour, I hereby resign as president of Actors Guild of Nigeria and it comes into effect immediately."

Arinze thanked the BOT for all the support given during his tenure, "the state chapter chairmen, his fellow presidents from other guilds in Nollywood, all AGN members and especially the media for their tremendous support".

"I want to thank profoundly my wife, Julie, for holding on during the challenging period of service to the guild," he added.

It is not yet clear what the guild's position is on the election of a new president.
Culled:dailytimesnigeria

4-year-old girl crushed to death under dad’s car

A Yemeni man accidentally killed his four-year-old daughter when he crushed her body with his four-wheel car as he tried to park the vehicle near his house in Saudi Arabia.

The man was moving the car back without noticing his daughter who was standing between the car and the house’s gate.

“She was rushed to hospital but died later…police are investigating the case,” Sabq daily said in a report from the so8thern province of Jazan.

Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Revered Helen Ukpabio’s 3 Brothers allegedly Murdered by Police

There was shock and consternation when the news filtered out about how Nigeria’s most successful female preacher,Lady Apostle(Mrs.) Helen Ukpabio loses four of her siblings –same father and same mother on Sunday,March 25,2012 in Mbente,Ini local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

As the story goes,the three brothers(Charles,Emmanuel and Joseph Akpabio) were allegedly shot by Nigerian police before their aged mother (Mrs. Etim Akpabio) and their younger sister,Elizabeth,upon hearing the sad news,slipped into coma and also died.

Report says the three brothers were accused of armed robbery and kidnapping.

The three brothers were allegedly first crippled with gun shots.And as they wailed and queried what they had done to deserve what they were doing to them,they were taken back to the village.

Now in their father’s compound,their mother immediately took to crying upon seeing her son’s condition-in their broken state and with broken legs.

They allegedly dragged them down and beside a nearby plaintain tree finished all of them,with their mother and some family members weeping,wailing and watching.

Findings revealed that the Police team was allegedly led by one Noel Nduka.

And since then,the family of the three brothers has been crying themselves hoarse,wanting to know what exactly their sons did as well as why they were not charged to any court to defend themselves before judgement was pronounced and they were immediately executed.

In a recent chat with newsmen,Helen Ukpabio said “I have never seen anything like that in my life before.Four corpses,from one family.Ah ! Even if they had something against them,they should have taken them to court and not waste them like that. I still can’t believe my brothers and sister are no more.In Fact,I hardly sleep since the incident”
On the family’s next line of action,she said We will not follow them illegally.We will follow them legally.And that is why we are crying out,begging all conscionable people all over the world to hear us and ensure that justice is done on this issue.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate

Reps approve Bill to reduce Sanusi's powers

The House of Representatives has backed moves by the Senate to reduce the powers of the governor and board of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

A Bill that proposes to disqualify the CBN governor as the chairman of the bank’s board, and that will also bar the bank’s deputy governors and directors from being appointed members of the CBN board, passed the second reading on Wednesday.


Pics:Googleimage

It came a week after the Senate overwhelmingly pushed the amendment through a second reading.

When given a third reading and a Presidential approval, the Bill will also compel the bank to submit its annual budgets for National Assembly, a touchy procedure that has pitched the bank against federal lawmakers in the past.

While the bank counts on the CBN Act, signed into law in May 2007, in defending its policy of spending without the National Assembly appropriation, the lawmakers cite the July 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act, mandating all corporations and government run institutions to table their budgets before the legislature.

The bank’s expenditures are approved by its board, constituted by the directors and the deputy governors, with the governor as the chairman.

 Lawmakers say withholding the budget has fuelled reckless spending by the bank, and want the law overturned.

The new Bill, when passed, will seek the appointment of a person other than the governor of the central bank, as the chairman of the board of the bank, exclude deputy governors and directors as members of the board, and strip the bank the powers to appropriate its budgets.
Culled:dailytimesnigeria

Akwa Ibom fishermen lament fuel scarcity

Fishermen in Akwa Ibom State have lamented the current fuel scarcity in the state, saying it has negative impacts on their fishing activities.

A strike embarked upon by tanker drivers in the state led to the scarcity of petroleum products in Akwa Ibom, pushing the prices of petrol and kerosene to N200 per litre.


Pics:Googleimage

Speaking on Tuesday in Eket, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of Artisanal Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), Samuel Ayadi, said that petrol was crucial to fishing.

He appealed to the Federal Government to direct NNPC to establish a floating mega station in Ibeno to meet the needs of fishermen in the area.

According to him, Ibeno had a high concentration of fishermen, who require large quantities of petrol to power their outboard engines for fishing operations.

Ayadi explained that the establishment of a mega-filling station in the area would ensure that fishermen get refined products at the official price of N97, instead of patronising sellers of adulterated petrol.

He added that the high demand for petrol would make the establishment of the mega-station feasible.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Sale of bomb detectors boom in Kaduna

Traders in metal and bomb detectors at the ongoing 33th Kaduna International Trade Fair are daily smiling to the banks as sales have witnessed a boom.

Report says representatives of hotels, security organisations and various companies were seen at the trade fair purchasing metal scanners and bomb detector machines.

Pic:Google image

Over 23 people have so far visited the metal and bomb detectors' pavilions, while some were ordering for various gadgets that were not readily available at the fair.

Prices of the materials vary from N4,000 to N120,000 depending on model and specifications.
A cross section of visitors to the fair said that the high demand for the materials resulted from the security situation in the state.

Felix Agwo, one of the visitors, said at one of the pavilions that the detectors were necessary to assist security operatives; adding that it also forms part of the social responsibility packages of corporate organisation to protect staff and visitors.

Dabot Kamal, of the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC), said that it was vital for even companies represented at the fair to take protective measures to ensure patronage.
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The fair, which started on April 27, however, has been witnessing low turnout, as compared to previous editions, due to the recent terrorist attacks in the state.

Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

 

Zamfara boosts business through transportation

The government of Zamfara state has purcahsed 250 buses for distribution to transport workers’ unions and the state transport company.

The aim is to boost interstate transportation.




Pic:Googleimage

Commissioner for Transport, Alhaji Nasiru Zarumai said that the vehicles cost a total N1.9 billion.
According to Zarumai, the vehicles, each of which cost N7.6 million, would be distributed to beneficiaries at a subsidised rate on a loan, payable within two years.

Seventy of the buses  he said would be released to the state transport company to augment the aging fleet of the company.

The measure is to ensure the easy movement of passengers at affordable rates.

Zarumai also said that 150 buses would be distributed to commercial drivers, through the National Union of Road Transport Workers, while the National Association of Transport Owners would get 30 vehicles.

The state government has also placed orders for articulated vehicles to assist businessmen to convey goods from other parts of the country to the state easily.

He also said that the government had approved the purchase of 8,600 canoes for distribution to local governments to facilitate the transportation of agriculture produce and input to flood-prone areas of the state.

Zarumai also said that the state government was soliciting the assistance of the Federal Government for the resuscitation of Kaura Namoda-Zaria rail line to facilitate the movement of heavy goods into and out of the state.

 He added that government had made budgetary provision for the purchase of a modern train for the take-off of the railway transport service.
Culled:Dailytimesng

Malta deports 44 Nigerians

A group of 44 Nigerians have been deported from Malta.

The 33 men and 11 women were deported on an Air Malta charter flight to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.



Pic: Google image


The operation was carried out after Nigerian authorities sent the necessary travel documents while most of the expenses involved were covered by the European Union.

According to the Maltese Home Affairs Minister, Carm Mifsud Bonnici, the migrants who had all arrived Malta last year, were mainly housed in detention centres.

Bonnici said that their request for asylum was considered invalid and their appeal was not accepted since Nigeria is considered a safe country by Malta.

The flight was co-ordinated between the Home Affairs Ministry and the police as each deportee was escorted by two police officers and a medical team.

According to Bonnici, Malta offers protection to people who deserve it and works to relocate migrants to other countries where they could have a better future.

 However, those who do not qualify for protection have to be repatriated to their countries of origin.
Culled:Dailytimesnigeria

Labour vows to protest the non-implementation of fuel subsidy report

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to mobilise Nigerians on another round of street protest if the Federal Government fails to implement the report of the Farouk Lawan-led committee on the probe of the fuel subsidy.

The President of the NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, stated this while speaking at a pubic function in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.








The labour leader, who was represented  by the state leader, Comrade Bashiru Olanrewaju, called on all Nigerians to support the labour group in the planned confrontation with the government.

Meanwhile, the national labour leader also declared that another nationwide strike is inevitable due to the alleged poor implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage, as Comrade Omar accused some state governments of failing to implement the minimum wage.

The labour groups  accused some governors of exploring the constitutional amendment route to negate the implementation of the Wage Act.

Comrade Omar stated that the state governments are acting under the guise of federalism to replace industrial relations, minimum wage, labour in the concurrent list instead of the exclusive list.

Culled:Channelstv

CBN orders foreign airlines to submit information on ticket sales for 12 years

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has requested all foreign airlines authorised dealers to submit information on tickets sold in the country in the last 12 years.

The Director, Trade and Exchange Department of CBN, Mr Batari Musa said this in a memo to the agents entitled: “Request for information on foreign airlines remittances for the period 1999 to 2011.”

According to him, the required information should cover between January 1999 and December 2011 and should be submitted to the department of the apex bank both in hard and soft copies on or before Thursday.



He urged all the foreign airlines agents to comply with the directive, warning that failure to do so would attract sanctions from the government.
Culled: 247nigerianewsupdate

Hoodlums Attack Amosun’s Convoy

The official visit of governor Ibikunle Amosun to local governments in Ogun State turned bloody yesterday when some hoodlums attacked his convoy at Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

The governor’s convoy, which was on its way back to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, after a successful tour, was allegedly waylaid and stoned by men from the popular Station Road garage who were reportedly not happy with the governor.



But for the quick intervention of the security operatives, which included men of the State Security Service (SSS), the situation would have got out of hand.

Report says account fingered political thugs from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as responsible, while others said the Senator representing the area, Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka, who was part of the convoy was the real target of the attack.

The incident report added occurred when the garage boys demanded money from the Senator representing the area, Senator Adegbega Kaka, who decided to give them N800 which the men considered to be too small.
Culled:247nigerianewsupdate