Saturday, October 6, 2012

To Those Who Cast Stones: Comments On The Northern Elder’s Forum On Nigeria at 52 By Alh. Gambo Jimeta



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 “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe.  No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise.  Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time.”  ~Winston Churchill


I wish to congratulate all Nigerians as we place another candle on the proverbial national birthday cake to celebrate 52 years independence. Indeed, 52 years ago today, I was privileged enough to witness the brand new flag of our great nation Nigeria being raised as the Union Jack that had dominated our skylines for almost a century was lowered and folded away. The green white green waving in the cool breeze against the backdrop of fireworks, huge cheers and celebration marked a turning point for millions of young Nigerians like me who were looking towards the future with great hope and excitement for better things to come. Sadly, many of the friends and colleagues I celebrated with on that historic day died without witnessing the fulfilment of the dreams of our founding fathers.


As the years past, I witnessed the gradual emergence of new generations of Nigerians who despite many disappointments and truncated national aspirations, continued to celebrate every October 1st still carrying the same sense of optimism that the next independence day would be better than the last. Even after our troubling history and the recent upheavals that have put the nation through trying times,the Nigerian spirit of resilience has kept faith, love and pride alive in our determination to remain united. I want to urge all Nigerians to take courage and remain steadfast in their prayers to support President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to restore hope, justice and good governance to our nation.


It is heartening to note that Nigerians are beginning to find their voice in this young democracy in their demands for their rights and better governance. We all as Nigerians have the responsibility to build on this opportunity to forge our own destiny. We must all increase our collective effortsby actively participating in building a better nation where all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, tongue or creed will have a better quality of life.


As for the unfortunate comments credited to the Northern Elder’s Forum that, “Jonathan’s Government is worse than Obasanjo’s” (Leadership Newspaper, October 1, 2012, pg11), it is disappointing to note that other Nigerians who should have been steering the course of nation building decided to pull those pillars down by sowing the seeds of enmity, divisionism, and political hypocrisy in order to distract Nigerians from the truth. Rather than rolling up their sleeves to actively find solutions to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, they chose to pull us backward again and force us to play the blame game. The hydra headed monster of collective responsibility in the nation’s downfall also has thousands of fingers pointing straight back at those who sit in judgement in the Northern Elder’s Forum. For they have all, at one point or another contributed to the quagmire we find ourselves today. For as Robert Bloch (an American Author)once wrote “The man who can smile when things go wrong has thought of someone else he can blame it on.” Wasn’t it recently that Obasanjo himself was quoted as saying, “I just dey laugh…”?


How short is the memory of these Nigerians that they would choose to sweep away the cases of massive corruption that plagued the Obasanjo administration or the flagrant disregard of court judgements? What about the elections that brought violent ethnic and religious crisis? The Jos and Kaduna crisis all happened under his watch! Have they so easily forgotten the crisis in the aviation industry that saw a season of death through multiple air crashes? What ever happened to the power sector he bequeathed to Nigerians that both the Yar ‘Adua and Jonathan administrations were left with? Or did they suddenly forget that an investment of $16 billion after 8 years in office did nothing to end power failure? What about the privatisation drive that has been riddled by shady deals and political intrigues, the repercussions of which are still being felt today? What about the Niger Delta crisis that raged on in full force during Obasanjo’s reign? Or did they also forget to realise that the solution to the Niger Delta crisiswas brought about thanks to the establishment of the amnesty programme by President Yar’adua and which was continued by President Jonathan? And where were they when the “Third Term Agenda” was being rolled out of the propaganda machine? How many of them were courageous enough to stand up against the manipulation of the nation’s constitution to serve one man’s selfish ambition for power? This was part of the messy legacy that the Obasanjo administration left for his successors to clean up after him and for which Nigeriansare still suffering from today.


Besides that, the story doesn’t end there. Obasanjo has managed to design his resurrection in such a way that he continues to haunt the corridors of power to whisper into the left ears of his cronies. He continues to manipulate the system to put stumbling blocks in the path of progress in Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration all in a bid to perfect his own will and ambitions.


The analysis of the nation state by the Northern Elders Forum that President Jonathan’s Administration has been the worst since independence can best be described as naïve, highly subjective and mischievous. I am surprised that such conclusions could be drawn by so called eminent and scholarly elder statesmen whom ordinarily should have known better than to drag the national discourse into the gutter. Instead of standing up against tyranny and hypocrisy to find real solutions to the nation’s problems, they chose the cowardly path of using this blame game as a distraction to create confusion and mistrust…or are they also playing to a piper’s tune?


As Werner Finck once said, “Everybody wants to eat at the government's table, but nobody wants to do the dishes.” 52 years ago, independence was not given to us on a platter of gold. Most of our founding fathers not only washed dishes, they swept floors, washed toilets and shed their own blood. Let us not let their legacy die in vain. We must also roll up our sleeves and work towards building the nation we want to have.


It is time for all of us to shun treachery, intrigue, religious bigotry, tribalism, hypocrisy, corruption, all types of prejudice and violence and support President Jonathan in trying to correct the ills of the past and the present. For as Almighty God in His infinite Wisdom decided to place President Goodluck Jonathan on the mantle of leadership, he should also take courage in the fact that he has the authority to take bold action against any evil political manipulations that might pose a threat to the nation’s unity. President Jonathan should take this opportunity to break down all the ethnic and religious barriers and reunite Nigerians under one family with a commitment for peace and justice for all. We all have a collective responsibility to contribute to a better future for our children, our people and our Nation.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!


October 1st 2012


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VIDEO: KCee ft Flavour – Give It 2 Me



VIDEO: KCee ft Flavour – Give It 2 Me -

Friday, October 5, 2012

Dpzle ft. Sinzu, May D & Davido – Way You Whine (Remix) -

Friday, October 5, 2012

One Mic Naija Independence Day Special -

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Saeon performs for Nigerian Ambassador to France & UK At NEL Awards. -

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

T-KROSS “YE MO” Premiere “Free Download” -

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

MOELOGO DEBUTS BRAND NEW SINGLE “BO SI TA” -

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

World Premeire: PUCADO – NAIJA SOCA -

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

New MUSIC: Dokta Frabz – Kowole -

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Exclusive : Albino Flash ft Zoro – i’m Sorry -

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

CAP B – BADDA DAN DEM (NEW MUSIC) -

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

ICE PRINCE – ABOKI (OFFICIAL VIDEO) -

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

DJ FRIZZIE presents 2SHOTZ FT TIMAYA & RIHANNA IN “WE DESIRE TO FIND LOVE” -

Friday, September 28, 2012

ShoCash Ft Autonomous Queen and ChiiDo- Dance To The Streets -

Thursday, September 27, 2012

JJohnson Sunbebe -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sultan Marshall Feat Kwam 1 – Talazo -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

New Music: Brymo – Go Hard -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

iROKO Partners and Rancard join forces at Nigeria Com -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Unchained – “City on a Hill” NEW GOSPEL GROUP -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Adey: Back for the 1st time – The documentary -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

WED EXPO PLANS BIG FOR WED EXPO 2013 -

Wednesday, September 26, 2012


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This Green-white-green groove!



DSC_0490

There was no better way to have celebrated a nation at 52 years. Last Monday, in keeping with its annual tradition in the last five years, the Encomium magazine and Primetime Entertainment staged the Green and White Groove. The soiree that held at the Anchor Event Place, Ikeja was witnessed by eminent Nigerians.

The hosts

The publisher of Encomium magazine, Kunle Bakare, and the Primetime entertainment duo of Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye proved to be the most charitable hosts. In their green and white attire, they ensured guests had a good time.

Queen Ure gets groovy again

Following her marital troubles, banker turned pastor turned musician is gradually finding her feet in the social circuit again. The very light complexioned Queen Ure whose controversial marriage to her younger lover, Soul E dominated social discourse while it lasted was at the party looking refreshed.

Now trying out her hands at music, her new slim silhouette turned many heads.

Ishioma Onyebo’s bright looks

Since debuting on the modelling scene via Mnet Face of Africa, Ishioma Onyebo has maintained a pleasurable presence on the social milieu. One of the most celebrated in this part of the world, the nearly rake-thin model is lighter than never before. Those who sighted her at the groove marvelled at her skin that is now several shades lighter.

What is Rukky Sanda looking for?

Nollywood actress, Rukky Sanda would easily be voted as the most mobile guest at the party. Attired in a short dress that put on display her seemingly long legs, she made quite a show of herself by parading the length and breadth of the hall at close intervals.

Tunde Braimah grooves anew

Affable and stylish politician cum socialite, Tunde Braimah, was also at the party. The former council chairman of Kosofe Local Government during Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term in office, Braimah after his failed ambition to occupy a seat in the House of Representatives last year had gone underground. Although a friend of the Encomium family having identified with them in previous editions of the yearly groove, many were still surprised seeing him; owing to the no party stance he had adopted in recent times.

Uju Murphy rebrands

Pretty Uju Murphy is not a small fry in the social arena. She has been around for upwards of five years and apart from her ravishing beauty; her carriage amongst other things, instantly draws attention to her. The mother of three became embattled last year when news of her marriage squabbles made the rounds. The pretty woman, unfazed by the episode, was present and let her hair down. She grooved like never before.

Yemisi Alufa and Tokunbo Eko steal show

The two friends have made a habit of identifying with the organisers over the years and this time around, they did not fail to exhibit their affiliation. This year, they chose to be different by way of their dressing and actually stood out of the crowd.

While a large percentage of the guests settled for western attire, they preferred to remain indigenous in their well-sewn traditional attire.

Essence raises the bar

Musician, Essence, seems to be finding her feet already as regards her wardrobe. In the past, she had been subjected to several uncomplimentary remarks owing to her alleged poor dress sense. Having taken it in good faith, she seems to have overhauled her wardrobe.

She arrived at the party looking elegant in her long green form-fitting dress.

Huge turnout

The huge turnout of celebrities at the event did not come as a surprise to those who are conversant with parties hosted by the organisers. The guests were a mixture of musicians, comedians, actors, models, Deejays, on air personalities, captains of industries and designers to mention a few.

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Campaign for PIB intensifies amid fresh controversy



Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke
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Some provisions of the Petroleum Industry draft Bill are still being criticised, four years after the first bill was prepared. STANLEY OPARA writes on the fresh controversy

The reason for the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is beyond illusion. It is a fundamental necessity to ensure the survival of the industry for the benefit of the citizenry.

Experts say laws made some 50 years ago cannot adequately envision the reality of today.

In enacting a new legislation or effecting changes to what already exists, every nation’s parliament must place the sovereign interest of the state above any other interests.

According to stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, the Petroleum Industry Bill remains a vehicle for the realisation of this feat.

In 2008, under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Nigeria began the arduous process of changing the institutional framework governing the nation’s oil and gas industry. The main objective of that effort was to accelerate development of the oil and gas industry for the benefit of all Nigerians. The effort gave birth to what is now known as the Petroleum Industry Draft Bill.

Following  the criticism of the initial draft of the  bill sent by late President Umaru Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, on assumption of office ordered a withdrawal of the draft bill to enable the executive to address contentious areas and ensure all stakeholders are carried along.

On July 19, 2012, Jonathan sent to both chambers of the National Assembly a revised version of the PIB for consideration and passage into law.

On resumption of deliberation on the bill by the legislators, there have been criticisms of certain aspects of the draft bill. Chief among the criticism is that the draft legislation vested too much power in minister of petroleum resources; gave discretionary award authority to the President; and failed to adequately accommodate interest of non-oil producing states.

Just last week, Shell Nigeria said the tax terms in the PIB were uncompetitive as they risked rendering offshore oil and gas projects unviable.

The Managing Director, Shell Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, also warned that the bill might stifle investment if its terms were not improved.

However, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, said the PIB was an important bill expected to drive the reforms in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, by providing a solid foundation for the regulatory, structural, commercial and fiscal frameworks for the operations of the sector.

According to her, the move will help to halt mismanagement, inefficiency and lack of transparency in the sector, which NEITI has over the years identified as the bane of the industry.

She said, “As an agency set up to develop a framework for transparency and accountability in the Nigerian extractive industries and to ensure conformity with the principles of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI has legitimate stake in the PIB. The PIB is, therefore, an important milestone in the implementation of EITI in Nigeria.

“We in NEITI believe that the bill must emerge as a law that respects fair competition, efficiency, professionalism, openness and prudent resource management while promoting investors’ interests. NEITI also thinks that financial, physical and governance issues provisions in the PIB should be such that citizens of Nigeria will feel the impact of the natural resources in their country.”

On the minister of petroleum and the President wielding so much powers, oil and gas consultant and Chairman, International Energy Services, Dr. Oladiran Fawibe, said power had to reside with somebody, adding that, “I don’t know what people mean by too much power. There has to be checks and balances and we have to build mechanisms for these.

“For instance, we can’t say the power of the President is too much because there are checks and balances ensuring that the power is not absolute.”

According to the former Minister of Petroleum, King Edmund Dakoru, the major point of divergence between the industry and the government in the PIB is that while it is true that oil prices have risen over the years, costs in Nigeria have also risen dramatically; hence to increase the government take in that situation is to make the business more uneconomic for investors.

However, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Senator Magnus Abe, said that Nigerians needed to see better treatment of the environment and better operations by indigenous producers than what the international oil companies do.

His message to the IOCs was that the National Assembly in considering the PIB would want the IOCs to help them to understand how to ascertain the profit per barrel to IOCS as that will be a benchmark that the NASS would apply in assessing the robustness or otherwise of the fiscal provisions of the PIB.

An economist and public policy analyst, Mr. Sanusi Bala, said it was not correct to say that the PIB gave excessive powers to the minister of petroleum resources to make regulations on practically all issues.

He said, “This is not true. Although the draft bill vests powers of coordination and general supervision of all institutions in the industry in the minister of petroleum resources, it nonetheless requires that the minister holds public inquiry before any regulation is made.

“The draft bill further requests publication of notice of the public inquiry in at least two national dailies.”

This provision, he noted, served as a check on the minister because the opinion of stakeholders and the public must be taken into consideration before regulations were made.

He also said, “The conferment of power of discretional award on the President was cited as a factor, which may impede transparency in the industry. However, the draft bill states that the President can only make discretional award in special circumstances.

“This is a buffer against abuse and which will ensure that the exercise is in the interest of Nigerians. It should be noted that discretional award by the President is not peculiar to Nigeria. The Norwegian petroleum industry law, for instance, provides for discretional award by the King.”

Throwing more light on the subject, Bala said PIB critics were also miffed about the proposal in respect of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund.

“Their concern relates to the clause, which gives the minister of petroleum resources powers to scrap the PEF when it is assumed that its functions are over. Why would they want an agency to exist when there is no obvious need?

“Certain persons from some non-oil producing geopolitical zones of the country were recently quoted to have said that the 2012 PIB, in the long run, intends to replace the Petroleum Equalisation Management Fund as well as its functions with the proposed Petroleum Host Communities Fund, which seeks to compel oil and gas companies to pay 10 per cent of their profit to host communities.

“This is far from the truth as the provision for Host Communities Funds was introduced to promote a sense of stake holding in the communities as a panacea for assuring peace and uninterrupted production operations.

“The power recommended for the minister of petroleum resources to scrap the PEF when it is assumed that its functions are over is consistent with the regulatory and supervisory functions of the minister as enshrined in the 2012 PIB.”

According to him, the insinuation that the 2012 PIB was heavily tilted towards the interest of the Niger Delta region while other components of the country are schemed out is a weak attempt to whip up emotions.

He said the 2012 PIB provided for general development of the country through revenues from oil and gas, and the draft bill only made special derivation provision to accommodate the interest of oil bearing communities in order to tackle unrest and promote development.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, recently said the increase in government stake in the deep offshore blocks from the current level of 61 per cent to a new figure of 73 per cent, as enshrined in the draft PIB, was necessitated by prevailing realities in the global oil and gas industry.

Throwing more light on why the Federal Government was proposing a review of the fiscal terms in the Production Sharing Contracts for deep water fields in the draft PIB, she said, “I like to state once again that the proposed increase of government take to about 73 per cent is not only competitive but considerate when we look at the scale of other entities around the world like Norway, Indonesia and even Angola with even higher government take.

Alison-Madueke noted that based on prevailing realities in the global oil industry, it was only natural to review the terms of the PSC to reflect the current trend, adding that the novel 1993 PSC agreement was based on $20 per barrel price for crude oil real time but records indicated that since the start of production in the PSC fields crude prices had been on the upward swing, thus the consensus to have a review of the terms.

Alison-Madueke also stated that the new PIB provided for a refreshing fiscal regime, which has strong incentives for enhanced exploration of new frontiers especially in the Inland Sedimentary Basins as well as providing strong support base for the complete activation of the Gas Master Plan.

Under the new arrangement, the minister had said the fiscal regime was anchored on royalty and tax, which is now predicated on production as opposed to terrain and investment as was previously done.

The PIB is meant to overhaul everything from fiscal terms to the NNPC. Its comprehensive nature has sparked disputes among lawmakers, ministers and the oil majors that have held it back for more than five years. A previous draft never got through parliament.

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70 year-old man gets two years for molesting five-year old girl



70 year-old man gets two years for molesting five-year old girl

A 70 year-old man, tailor by profession, Mr. Pius Agu has been sentenced to two years in jail by Magistrate court sitting in Benin for molesting and defiling a five-year old girl (names withheld) on Wednesday in Edo state, Nigeria.

He was charged under Section 360 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates two year jails term for anyone who unlawfully and indecently assaults a woman or a girl.
Agu who pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of sexual assault allegedly assaulted the minor on August 15' 2012, when she went into his room to watch video/television. He was found guilty for dipping his finger into the private part of the little girl.

Mother of the victim, told the court that she returned from the market on the fateful day and heard her five year old daughter crying while coming towards her.
She further told the court that after a close examination of the girl, she discovered blood coming out from her private part, after which she raised alarm that attracted the neighbour’s attention to the scene.

Testifying before the court, a police pathologist attached to central hospital, Benin, said he examined the girl’s external genital and observed bruises on the wall of the virginal with a tear on the anal, an indication of forceful penetration into the virgina because there was no free flow of the penetration.


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Keshi unveils squad against Liberia



Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi on Saturday named Godfrey Oboabona and six others from the Nigerian Premier League for next weekend’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia.

Also invited are Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves and his teammate Azubuike Egwueke, Enyimba’s Henry Uche, Benjamin Francis of Heartland , hardworking Kano Pillars central defender Umar Zango and dare-devil Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi.

The list was announced to the players at lunch time after they were again held to a 1-1 draw in a second tune game against Pro League side FC Abuja, in a match played at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium, mtnfootball.com reports.

It leaves 15 home based players stranded and they have since left camp, but Keshi made them a firm promise even as he questioned their fitness as a result of the break of the Nigeria Premier League, “Keep yourself busy and fit football-wise because we have a friendly soon and we have other qualifiers that you will again be called upon to come and fight for a shirts.”

Before the announcement, the players showed some lethargy when they took on a more forceful FC Abuja Saturday morning in a game that spoils were evenly shared, which led the technical crew to order for training after the game to jerk up the players’ fitness level.

After near misses by Saviour Fidelis-header, Sanni Sanusi-over the bar and Philip Asuquo’s miskick, Tony Okpotu finally rose to the occasion when he nodded home a well taken angular from Asuquo in the 37th minute of the game.

FC Abuja responded through Awolo Shuaibu and midfield anchor, Peter Adah, but the half ended 1-0, in favour of the Eagles.

The Eagles continued their wastefulness in front of goal when centre referee Aniete Okoh, restarted the game with Ejike Uzoenyi, Brendon Ogbu and Sunday Mba, the fresh culprits. It was no surprise when rampaging Awolo of the Abuja side connected an Adah cross with his head to even scores in the 80th minute. The scoreline stood like that till the referee’s final whistle.

Keshi said he was not surprised at his side’s display, as most of them were called back from holidays but advised them as professional footballers they must never play with their level of fitness.

The team will depart for Calabar, venue of the match on Monday.

Dropped Players are: Akpeyi Daniel-Heartland,Stanley Okoronkwo-Sharks, Kalu Orji-Heartland, Ezekiel Bassey-Lobi Stars, Kingsley Udo-Heartland, Mba Sunday-Warri Wolves, Christian Ofili-ABS, Kwara, Jabason Solomon-Akwa United, Sanusi Sanni-Gombe United, Philip Asuquo-3SC, Brendan Ogbu-Heartland, Anthony Okpotu-Lobi Stars, Ubale Manir-Kano Pillars, Ohanduku Gomo-Sharks, Fidelis Saviour-Nasarawa United.

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Managing Director, Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems, Mr. Ade Shonubi

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Record-breaking mum has three sets of twins in 10 years



Record-breaking mum

Record-breaking mum
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Any mum or dad of twins will tell you it’s one of life’s most thrilling and exhausting ­experiences.

But Sara Jones, 33, knows just how true that is… a record THREE times over.

That’s how many sets of twins Sara has had in the space of 10 years. She’s the only woman in Britain to achieve that feat, beating odds of 500,000 to one.

She even had her last two pairs only 10 months apart.

Most parents would gasp at the thought, but Sara, who has four other children – says: “For most families having twins is something out of the ordinary.

“But it’s so ­normal for our family. It would almost be weird for me to fall pregnant and NOT have twins.

Sara’s road to the record books began in November 2001 when she gave birth to Liam and ­Niamh. She split from their dad Rhys but found love again with Craig Morgan, 31, who is now her ­fiance. In 2010 she discovered she was expecting another twin boy and girl. Shay and Aoife, now two, were born that June. To cap it all, along came identical twin girls Keeva and Ceira, born in April last year.

Add to that a few single births in the shape of Brogane, 16, Siobhan, 13, Calam, 12, and Sean, four, and it’s easy to see why Sara and unemployed furniture salesman Craig’s home life is a bit of a whirlwind.

“They keep me on my toes,” says Sara. “Some families can’t have children, so I see every single one as a blessing. The second time I had twins I was a bit daunted… but by the time the third pair came along I knew what I was doing.

Life is twin-credibly hectic at their three-bedroom semi in Southport, Merseyside, with all the boys sharing one bedroom.and the girls in another.

Each day the family get through eight pints of milk and two loaves of bread, plus two bulk packs of ­nappies a week.

“We have to budget very strictly,” says Sara. “I try to get everything for about £100 a week, but every day I go to the supermarket and spend ­another £15 to top up.”

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UPDATE:MOBBED UNI-PORT STUDENTS DID NOT STEAL PHONES or LAPTOPS [FULL STORY]



Yesterday, News Suurfaced Online about some students in university of port-harcourt being mobbed after stealing Phones and laptops . The story went viral online on blogs platforms and social networks with so many comments from people. TON Contacted a student who witnessed the whole act and he gave us Full details about what happened. According to him, The Students involved are Cultists, They went to Attack Someone, they were about 5 in number, , so on their way out, A girl saw them and screamed, these alerted people and they attacked them..

Trade between Nigeria, Brazil hits N1.5trn



By PROVIDENCE OBUH
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and Brazil recorded an overall balance of $9.6 billion (N1.5 trillion) in 2011.

Speaking at the Nigerian Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI) 3rd anniversary cocktail in Lagos, President of the chamber, Mr. Emmanuel Ibru said that the bilateral trade has all along been in favour of Nigeria, mainly because of the value of its crude oil export to the country.

Ibru said, “The total figure of bilateral trade between Nigeria and Brazil for 2011 stood at $9.6 billion. Nigerian import from Brazil was $1.2 billion while her export to Brazil was $8.4 billion.”

To correct the unfavorable trade balance against Brazil, he emphasized the need for increased trade between the two countries to achieve a reasonable balance of trade.

According to him, “There is a big potential for the flow of goods and services from Brazil and there is again, the question of making information available to the business community here in Nigeria of what is available in brazil that Nigerians require. Also, Brazilians have a lot of manufacturing and agricultural expertise, they can also export to Nigeria not just the finished product but they can also export the technical expertise to come and help Nigeria set up businesses over here.

“Another thing is joint venture between Nigerian and Brazilian companies. A situation where we are producing here and exporting to Brazil, and then creating employment in Nigeria and the Nigerian economy is getting an advantage not just from there but from the sale of the goods over there.

“They should give Nigerian manufacturers the enabling environment to produce our goods with a comparative advantage and you find that they require a lot of things, the oil is obvious. If there is a comparative advantage we can attract Brazilian companies to come over here and manufacture here, with that it becomes a two-way thing and not we pushing oil over there.”

He added that the Brazilians should consider setting up companies in Nigeria, a huge market that will not only serve the Nigerians but the West African sub-region in general.

On the challenges of the chamber, he lamented that the major challenge of the chamber is the incapability of a direct air link between Nigeria and Brazil, saying, “To get to Brazil from Nigeria is very difficult, so this is challenging in terms of cost, and in terms of travel.

The Brazilians come from a different culture, they are Portuguese speaking, so they don’t know much about the Nigerian market being an Anglophone market, so when you go to them to talk to them how important it is to come here and establish they are a little bit worried and disturbed because they don’t know the market.”

Nigeria is the second largest trade partner of Brazil in Sub-Saharan Africa and 11th in the world. Brazil is the third largest importer of Nigerian crude oil after USA and India. Brazil’s key industries include textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, agriculture, motor vehicles and parts, other are machineries and equipment.

“Major export products include aircraft, coffee, vehicles, soybean, sugar, rice, orange juice, iron ore, steel, textiles, footwear, electrical equipment and others. Brazil’s current account surpluses had continued to hit record levels, indicating that exports were growing strongly.”

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5 more photos:3 UNIPORT Students Burnt Alive For Allegedly Stealing Laptops And Mobile Phones







Woman killed, five children injured as fresh blast hits Jalingo



A woman has been killed and five children injured after a fresh bomb blast in a district of the Taraba State capital, Jalingo.

Witnesses said the blast occurred in Mallam Joda area of the state capital on Friday night near the Nigerian Television Authority station.

It came 24 hours after an earlier blast in a pub in Doruwa area of the city claimed one life and left 14 persons injured.

Spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Yushau Shuaibu, confirmed the incident, saying the injured children had been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo for treatment.

The spate of bomb attacks in Northern Nigeria believed to be the handiwork of extremists has risen in recent weeks, even as security agents continue with raids on suspected bomb factories.

More details later.

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Managing Director, Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Systems, Mr. Ade Shonubi

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