Friday, December 4, 2015
China pledges $60billion to develop Africa
President of China Xi Jinping has pledged a $60bn zero-interest loan to Africa that will help in the development of the continent. He said this at the opening of the China-Africa Corporation Forum in Johannesburg this morning. He announced that China will train 200,000 technicians for Africa and also offer 40,000 training opportunities for Africans.
Sagay Says Dokpesi Could Be Charged Conspiracy
Professor Itse Sagay who is the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption has said that Chief Raymond Dokpesi could be charged with conspiracy to steal after he confessed to collecting N2.1bn from Sambo Dasuki.
The chairman of DAAR communication was questioned by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 1 concerning the money he received from embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Dasuki. Dokpesi in a statement said the money was “payment for publicity and media political campaigns during the 2015 general elections” for former president Goodluck Jonathan.
The Punch reports that Sagay said on Thursday, December 3 that based on the outcome of the investigation, Dokpesi could be formally charged with conspiracy to steal and to misappropriate fund as the office of the NSA was to advise the president on security issues and not to disburse money to a political party.
He said: “I think conspiracy to steal and to misappropriate public funds will depend on the answer to the question: Does the office of the NSA provide funds for advertising or defence purposes?
“Secondly, all the funds from that office belong to the public. Was the beneficiary or recipient of the funds (Dokpesi) aware that the advertisement was not for Nigeria but for a political party?
“If yes, the question then arises: If you accept the funds that belong to Nigeria in order to advertise for a political party, does that not constitute deliberate wrongdoing and deliberate misappropriation of Nigeria’s funds? Those are the questions that are going to be asked.
“So, the very fact that you were given money for advertising and you indeed used it for advertising is no defence. Was that money meant for that purpose and were you aware of the source of that money? Did you think it should have been used for the private purpose of a political party? If not, then you should not have accepted the money.”
Gov Dickson Makes Shocking Revelation About Sylva
In less than 24 hours to the long awaited governorship poll in Bayelsa state, the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, has made a shocking revelation about the All Progressives Congress flag bearer, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Governor Dickson who spoke on Thursday, December 3, in a live interview programme in Yenagoa, alleged that Sylva received the sum of N847 billion over the period of five years of his administration in the state.
Dickson who is contesting on the platform of the PDP said the APC flag bearer had no moral excuse not to have developed the state during his tenure.
According to the governor, Sylva got a total allocation of N847 billion from the federation’s account between 2007 to 2012, as against the N599 billion his administration received in four years.
He said the mind boggling figure was in addition to the bond and bank loans secured by Sylva’s administration, “but were not utilized for the purpose they were collected.”
Dickson further stated that the repayment of the loan, bond and other financial commitments made by the immediate past government is currently affecting the finances of the state.
He promised Bayelsans that his government will improve on its first term achievements as measures have already been put in place to leave good legacies in terms of infrastructure.
The PDP flag bearer bragged that the last three and half years under his leadership, the state had transform as his administration had built roads, especially the three senatorial roads, bridges, comprising the first flyover as well as the construction of schools with boarding facilities across the senatorial districts.
“With the various achievements put in place, we have raised the bar on providing good governance, accountability and financial prudence,” the governor said, adding that Bayelsa as among the few states still living up to their responsibility,” he said.
The fate of governor Dickson and the PDP in the coming poll is a beat shaky as it was reported by the Nation that some loyal and serving members of the ruling party in the state were seen showing solidarity for the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) during its final campaign at the Samson Siasia stadium in Yenagoa, the state capital on Tuesday, December 1.
Biafra Protest Can Stop If Ekweremadu Win Presidential Ticket
There are strong indications that the one-month-long pro-Biafra protests may cease if the deputy Senate president Ike Ekeremadu can become a PDP presidential candidate come 2019.
This was revealed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the national president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth wing in an interview with Vanguard.
Speaking to the media organization, Isiguzoro also noted that if Nigeria can have Rochas Okorocha as the APC presidential candidate in 2019, the cries of marginalization, including protests by Biafra agitators will end.
Isiguzo made the remark while lauding former military Heads of States, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Yakubu Gowon for their support for Igbo presidency.
Can Ike Ekweremadu win the PDP 2019 presidential ticket while Gov Rochas Okorocha win the APC presidential ticket in 2019?
Babangida had said in a recent interview that he will back an Igbo for the presidential seat in 2019 if he finds a credible personality.
This comes after Gowon had openly canvassed for an Igbo president to pilot the affairs of Nigeria in the nearest future.
According to Isiguzoro, the two former leaders are true elder statesmen.
He said: “Ohanaeze youths commended the two former military heads of state for their love for the unity of Nigeria through their support for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
“A Nigerian President of Igbo extraction is desirable in 2019 after President Muhammadu Buhari. An Igbo presidency will boost the unity of Nigeria. Former President Ibrahim Babangida said he will back an Igbo if he finds one; but we assured him and other Nigerians that Ndigbo have credible personalities who have the capacity to govern Nigeria.
“If we can get Senator Ike Ekeremadu as a PDP presidential candidate and Rochas Okorcocha as the APC presidential candidate in 2019, it will end the cries of marginalization, including protests by Biafra agitators.”
The one-month-long pro-Biafra protests turned bloody on December 2, as nine of the agitators were killed and 18 injured in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra state.
In an interview with Sahara Reporters, Alphonsus Okechuukwu, the police public relations officer, confirmed that the responsibility for burning the Onitsha mosque and at least six Dangote trucks lay with the IPOB and MASSOB protesting members.
“MASSOB and IPOB are responsible for deaths and violence. They are holding people’s emotions hostage and setting fires,” Okechuukwu said.
Boko Haram: Army Raids Sambisa Tunnel (PHOTOS)
The Nigerian arm has gained another victory over the dreaded Boko Haram sect, as troops raided Sambisa tunnel in their advancement towards the sect’s main camp.
According to Daily Post, the troops in their encounter freed many hostages and dislodged some Boko Haram insurgents.
Sources from the army said the Boko Haram fighters cannot escape into towns as there are many check points at all Sambisa exits and entry routes.
The sources disclose that the Sambisa tunnel which was discovered is a hideout for the jihadists during military air strikes.
Boko Haram flags, motorcycles, among other properties were destroyed in the raid and some hostages were allegedly freed.
Below are images from the raid as obtained on Thursday, December 3.
The troops discover a tunnel which the sect use as a hideout from military air raids.
With the December deadline stipulated by President Muhammadu Buhari almost passed, calls have been made to the Nigerian army, urging the troops to make good their promise and totally destroy the insurgents.
San Bernardino shooting: Syed Farook 'used social media to contact extremists watched by the FBI'
Syed Farook contacted people known to the FBI as potential extremists - raising questions as to why he was not on the FBI's radar. Latest here
What we know so far
California gunman Syed Rizwan Farook had been in contact with known Islamic extremists on social media, a U.S. intelligence official said on Thursday.
Police added that police said he and his wife had enough bullets and bombs to slaughter hundreds when they launched their deadly attack on a holiday party.
The details emerged as investigators tried to determine whether the rampage that left 14 people dead was terrorism, a workplace grudge or some combination.
Wearing black tactical gear and wielding assault rifles, Farook, a 28-year-old county restaurant inspector, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 27, sprayed as many as 75 rounds into a room at a social service center for the disabled, where about 75 of Farook's co-workers had gathered.
On Thursday, Jarrod Burguan, the San Bernardino police chief, outlined the arsenal his officers had discovered.
At the social service center, the couple left three rigged-together pipe bombs with a remote-control detonating device that apparently malfunctioned, and they had more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition remaining when police killed them in their rented SUV.
At a family home in the nearby town of Redlands, they had 12 pipe bombs, tools for making more, and over 3,000 additional rounds of ammunition.
"We don't know if this was workplace rage or something larger or a combination of both," said Loretta Lynch, the US Attorney General.
Investigators are trying to determine whether Farook, who was Muslim, became radicalized - and, if so, how - as well as whether he was in contact with any foreign terrorist organization.
Officials said Farook had been in touch on social media with extremists who were under FBI scrutiny and that the attack was being treated as a “potential act of terror”.
But the contact was with "people who weren't significant players on our radar," dated back some time, and there was no immediate indication of a surge in communication before the shooting.
Wednesday's rampage was the nation's deadliest mass shooting since 2012, when 26 children and adults were slain in Newtown, Connecticut.
In San Bernardino, a Southern California city of 214,000, the victims ranged in age from 26 to 60.
A further 21 people were injured, including two police officers with two reported to be in a critical condition.
Nearly all the dead and wounded were county employees.
Authorities said the attack was carefully planned.
"There was obviously a mission here. We know that. We do not know why. We don't know if this was the intended target or if there was something that triggered him to do this immediately," David Bowdich, assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles office, said.
Farook has no known criminal record, Burguan said. He was born in Chicago to a Pakistani family, raised in Southern California and worked at San Bernardino County's Department of Public Health for two stints totaling four years since 2010, according to authorities and acquaintances. The Saudi Embassy said he traveled to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2014 for nine days.
As for Malik, she came to the U.S. in July 2014 on a Pakistani passport and a fiancée visa, authorities said. To get the visa, immigrants submit to an interview and biometric and background checks - screening intended to identify anyone who might pose a threat.
They were married on Aug. 16, 2014, in nearby Riverside County, according to their marriage license. Both listed their religion as Muslim.
The couple had a 6-month-old daughter who they dropped with relatives Wednesday morning before the shooting.
Farook was a devout Muslim who prayed every day and recently memorized the Quran, according to brothers Nizaam and Rahemaan Ali, who attended Dar Al Uloom Al Islamiyah mosque in San Bernardino with Farook.
Rahemaan Ali said he last saw Farook three weeks ago, when he abruptly stopped going to the mosque. Ali said Farook seemed happy and his usual self, and the brothers never saw a violent side.
"He never ever talked about killing people or discussed politics, or said that he had problems at work," Rahemaan Ali said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Chef spared jail after being caught faking slip on wet floor to claim compensation
Court hears Anita Quansah-Okoe, 52, dropped her £8,000 personal injury claim after insurers were sent CCTV footage clearly showing she had faked a fall
A chef who falsely claimed she had slipped at work after CCTV footage showed she had slowly lowered herself onto the wet floor was spared jail today.
Chef Anita Quansah-Okoe, 52, was working for Caterlink Ltd at Lambeth College, in south London, when she claimed she had hurt herself in a fall.
She went to A&E on the morning of July 3, 2013, where the doctor found some tenderness over her shoulder and right ankle.
But Quansah-Okoe, who has cooked in the Houses of Parliament, dropped her £8,000 personal injury claim after insurers were sent CCTV footage clearly showing she had faked the incident.
"Faking an accident is all too easy to do and often hard to disprove. That's why the courts have to take a serious view of such cases when it is evident, as it is here."
Judge Gerald Gordon QC
At the Old Bailey today, she was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay £500 towards prosecution costs after being found guilty of fraud.
Before playing three video clips to the jury during the trial, prosecutor Danny Robinson said: "Ms Quansah-Okoe appears to walk towards an area which is being mopped, pauses, then lowers herself to the floor.
"She didn't slip. That claim she made that day that she had accidentally slipped on a wet floor was dishonest, it was untrue, because she didn't accidentally fall on a wet floor she lowered herself onto the ground."
After viewing the footage, Zurich insurance contacted Quansah-Okoe's solicitors and invited them to withdraw the claim.
The matter was passed onto police and Quansah-Okoe was arrested on 24 September 2014.
"She was shown the CCTV, but she maintained she had slipped and injured herself," the prosecutor added.
Giving evidence in court, Quansah-Okoe insisted she had fallen down because it was slippery and she had injuries as a result, causing her to miss three weeks of work.
"I'm not claiming for the accident, I'm claiming because they have not paid me," said Quansah-Okoe.
The prosecutor suggested: "You didn't slip at all, you just claimed to have fallen over so you could claim."
"Ms Quansah-Okoe appears to walk towards an area which is being mopped, pauses, then lowers herself to the floor."
Prosecutor Danny Robinson
The defendant replied: "My mind isn't like that. I just fought to claim my earnings."
But the jury, who were handed a DVD to watch during their deliberations, found Quansah-Okoe, unanimously guilty of fraud.
Judge Gerald Gordon QC said: "The reality is that the jury convicted you after a very short period of time, and having watched with them the CCTV of you at the time when you claim to have fallen I am not surprised.
"Faking an accident is all too easy to do and often hard to disprove. That's why the courts have to take a serious view of such cases when it is evident, as it is here.
"You were in the circumstances where you were familiar, arrived at work at the time you knew the floor was being mopped and there were indications that you looked to check this was happening before attempting to perform your fall."
He cited her previous good character and her family responsibilities, before sentencing her to 80 hours unpaid work in the community along with a £500 fine towards prosecution costs.
Quansah-Okoe, of Brixton, denied fraud.
Rep Rallies Support For Dickson To Avoid GEJ’s Disgrace
Hon Tajudeen Obasa, a lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has urged Bayelsans to come out en masse to vote Governor Dickson Seriake, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate ahead of tomorrow’s governorship poll.
In a statement released on Thursday, December 3, the PDP lawmaker urged the people of Bayelsa to vote massively for Dickson so as the incumbent governor can continue his good works as well as further compliment the achievements of the immediate past president Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from the state, Daily Post reports.
He said: “The good citizens of the Land of Glory, Bayelsa state must sustain the current tempo of development by voting massively for the candidate of the PDP, Hon. Seriake Dickson”.
“Campaign period is always about the message of promises, the effect of those promises can only be judged by the records of achievements when a candidate is seeking for a second term.
“The amiable and indefatigable governor has touched all sectors of governance including the primary aim of any government which is to protect lives and property by investing in the Operation Doo Akpor which has drastically reduced crime in the state.
“Education is the cure to ignorance, understanding the topographical nature of the state. This is the first time within the space of four years a governor constructed eight model secondary schools and twenty-five constituency schools from scratch and equipped them with science laboratories and modern facilities.”
Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan rallies support for Governor Seriake Dickson ahead of the December 5 Bayelsa governorship election.
The political atmosphere in Bayelsa state is buzzing as the December 5 governorship election draws closer
The election will see key political figures in the state slog it out to make a triumphant entry into the state government House, popular called the Creek Haven.
Many have suggested the battle will be a two horse race between a solidly backed PDP in Governor Seriake Dickson against the self-acclaimed experienced former governor Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, some others believe that the ruling PDP would always have their way, being the state of former president Goodluck Jonathan (a PDP leader at the state and the national level).
Ayade To Commission Calabar Monorail December 20
Governor Ayade who made this known after inspection of the facility enjoined the contractors to step up the tempo of work to ensure that the monorail project was delivered before the 28th of this month when the Carnival would be held.
He explained that the essence of the introduction of the monorail was to bring life to both the Tinapa Business Resort and the Calabar International Convention Center (CICC) and make them viable with the provision of access from one venue to another, stressing the need for the contractors to expedite action to ensure the delivery of the project on scheduled.
The monorail which is officially billed for commissioning on the 20th of December is deliberately put in place firstly to bring into full realization the full potentials of the two venues, Tinapa and CICC.
The planned completion and commissioning of the monorail project by December 20, 2015 is meant to add more glamour and variety to the Carnival and the entire Christmas celebration which is Africa’s largest street party.
Governor Ayade also spoke on the importance of the Calas Vegas city within that axis and a floating restaurant on the river which will add to the impetus and life in Tinapa and Calabar International Convention Center.
Ohaneze Warns Biafra Agitators
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the Biafra protest that took place in Onitsha which led to the death of two police officer and nine protesters.
The protest championed by the Indigenous People Of Biafra and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State Of Biafra which resulted in violence and destruction of properties took place on Wednesday, December 2 when the agitators stormed the Niger Bridge. It resulted in a face-off between the protesters and security operatives and degenerated into violence.
The Punch reports that Dr. Chris Eluomunoh, the chairman of Forum of Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Anambra state president of Ohanaeze said they had appealed to the protesters to no avail and that their action would lead to catastrophe.
“The action of these boys will lead them to death, self-destruction and black alley.
“We have appealed to these boys to calm down and allow Igbo elders and governors to handle this issue but they don’t seem to listen.
“I have a feeling that these boys have a mission other than what they project to the public; otherwise, what do they think they can achieve on their own that the governors and Igbo elders cannot handle better? Why is it that they don’t want to listen to any voice of reason, if their mission is not self-serving?
“We condemn what happened in Onitsha in its totality. And I don’t think law enforcement officers will just fold their arms and allow this situation to continue.”
Comrade Emmanuel Omenka however who spoke on behalf of MASSOB blamed the violent protest on the Uchenna Madu-led faction of the group.
”Uchenna was expelled from MASSOB in 2014 because of anti-MASSOB activities.
“When you don’t follow the organogram of MASSOB we expel you so they were expelled for not following the organogram.
“Uchenna and his cohorts are being sponsored by politicians to blackmail Uwazurike and MASSOB but we don’t blackmail, we remain non-violent in actions and words. These politicians who said that Biafra died in 1970 are cowards because Biafra still exists.
“The God we serve will still help us to actualise a Biafra State without shedding blood. Those who said MASSOB is now divided is false because we are one indivisible entity.”
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez given vote of confidence by president days after Barcelona thrashing
Florentino Perez says Rafael Benitez has Real Madrid's 'support and confidence' following 4-0 thrashing to Barcelona
Dilapidated state of Federal Government College, Port Harcourt
Ben Bruce Tackles Governors Over Minimum Wage
Senator Ben Bruce representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District has faulted the calls by some state governors to reduce the minimum wage of N18,000 downward.
He advised state governors against contemplating with the move which according to him is unjustifiable.
The senator in a series of tweets noted that reducing the amount which can barely take care of any family in the country is an invitation of crime and corruption among workers, Vanguard reports.
Bruce said: “A worker with a family earns less than a member of the NYSC who earns ₦19,800. Reducing his pay is unconscionable! A man earning ₦18k struggles to pay rent, feed family & pay school fees. To reduce his pay is to punish his family. If FG & state govts dont pay workers well they invite workers to steal. To end corruption we must pay workers well.”
State governors under the auspice of Nigeria Governors’ Forum at their meeting reportedly complained about the minimum wage of N18, 000 stating that they cannot longer paid due to dwindling economy fortune of the country following the free fall oil in the global market.
In a related development, Governor Adams Oshiohmole of Edo state had stated that the N18, 000 minimum wages must be paid against all the odds, thereby disagreeing with other governors, who were skeptical about it taking to consideration the present economic situation in Nigeria.
He added that the minimum was in force since the tenure of the previous administration wondering why his colleagues were calling for its reduction.
Hazard Has Disclosed Talks With Mourinho
The main Chelsea’s disappointment of this season, Eden Hazard, has disclosed the conversation with Blues manager, Jose Mourinho.
Last season the 24-year-old scored 19 goals in 52 appearances ah was named Player of the Year (PFA).
This season he has only one goal in 12 matches.
The Belgian said: “We spoke together before the Stoke game. I said to him: “Maybe we have to try something, to change something. Maybe I have to play a No.10 because we have to try.” We did and I played a very good game in the League Cup in Stoke. And, [against Norwich], it was the same.I tried to play my own game. I didn’t start the season well. I know that. I gave everything in training and on the pitch when I played. Now I hope I can get a lot more form and try to help the team win games.”
According to the rumours, Hazard could move to Real Madrid due to a poor relationship with Jose Mourinho.
However, the player stresses: “I don’t have a problem with Mourinho. I’ve heard a lot of things about this, but no. Everything is good with him. He is the best manager.”
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