Minister lauds FG for training youths in seafaring

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Stephen Oru, on Wednesday commended the Federal Government’s efforts in engaging the youth in seafaring.

Oru made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

He said that some of the youth of the Niger Delta had been engaged in several skill acquisitions as well as agriculture, welding and mostly oil and gas-related courses.

``These ones are in a different area which has to do with seafaring and we see it as something quite attractive.

``Is an area where we don’t have a lot of Nigerians and we saw it as an opportunity to train our youths in this sector so that they will be of good to themselves and society and fit in into a new area of employment and then they will be, of course, of good to themselves and society.

Dr Stephen Oru

``I think is the essence of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to keep our youth gainfully employed in the area that are specialised; not loading and offloading trucks.

``That is not form of employment. We have indicated interest in this area because in the long run, this will be the fore-runners of other youths from the Niger Delta region, who would now leave by example and be of good to those their communities where they come from and by extension the rest of Nigeria.`` 

According to the minister, it is high time Nigerian youths developed more interest in seafaring training to enhance human capital development.

He said the training would be of good assistance to Nigerian youths, adding that presently, Nigeria was lacking human capacity in seafaring.

 

``A lot of people have not keyed into it in the past.

``Rather than build up our own youths to go into this profession, we’ve always preferred to hire foreign hands in this area.

``When we have Nigerians being trained, it will be the beginning of a new area of promoting youths to be responsible leaders of tomorrow.

``Because tomorrow starts today. It is when they are not gainfully employed and their minds and heart are not built with discipline that they will receive on board that will see incidences of oil pipeline busting; promotion of crises; intra-ethnic rivalry over who owns which oil-producing area.

``If they are gainfully employed, that is what we call the real sense of human capital development. This is what we mean by extension.

``Whatever they are getting from their employment, it will fitter down within the family and improve their lives.`` 

He, however, advised the youth who had been opportuned to engage in seafaring training to be disciplined and committed so as to motivate other youths to key into the programme. 

Governor Kwankwaso presents over N210 billion budget for the year 2015 before Kano Assembly.

Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso has presented the sum of over N 210 billion budget estimate for  2015 fiscal year. Governor Kwankwaso  made the presentation today,  at the State House Of Assembly chamber, While observing  ‎the annual budget presentation ceremony . The budget with the theme 'Celebration of Success'  consist of 64 %‎ capital and 36% recurrent expenditure . 

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso Governor of Kano State

The governor noted that his administration will continue to prioritize education as the sector  was allocated over N18billion, N3  billion for Agriculture ,and  Health about N5 billion. 

He further emphasized his administration will focus on the ongoing capital project accross the state before leaving office in May 2015 . 

Governor Kwankwaso was accompanied by his Commissioners, Special advisers and other  political office holders.  

Oby Ezekwesili urges political leaders to learn from past mistakes.

 Oby Ezekwesili

Ahead of the 2015 General Elections, former Vice-President of the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili, has urged political leaders to learn from past mistakes.

Mrs Ezekwesili, who said this in Lagos, expressed worry that political leaders have constantly repeated mistakes without any effort to correct them.

She told journalists that Nigerians are looking forward to see political leaders who are big enough to admit their mistakes, smart enough to profit from them and strong to correct them. 

SECURITY ON RED ALART ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The Federal Capital Territory and its environs have continued to witness heavy security presence, as measures put in place to ensure hitch free yuletide persist. 

Major-General Chris Olukolade 

A drive round town shows that Military check points where mounted at strategic areas of the FCT as well as entry and exit points into the city.

The Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade and the spokesman of the Force Headquarters, Emmanuel Ojuku in separate interviews had earlier assured residents of the FCT and Nigerians of a hitch free yuletide as regular security presence will be witnessed across the country. 

It would be recalled that the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba had directed all Zonal Commands to deploy adequate man power during and after the Christmas and New Year celebration, to ensure the safety of life and property.    

CHRISTMAS FUNNIES....

Funny pictures from christmas day celebration . 

Nigerians to pay more for inconsistent power, as new electricity tariff structure kicks off today

Beginning from today, electricity consumers in Nigeria will have to pay more, as the Federal Government approves a new tariff structure.

The new tariff will not, however, affect electricity consumers in residential houses, up till after six months, when power supply is expected to have improved nationwide.

Mr Sam Amadi, chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), disclosed this in Abuja, when he signed a N213 billion memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the chief executives of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) .

The NERC boss said “while we ensure that the tariff is cost reflective, it will not constitute a burden on consumers immediately.

Mr Sam Amadi

“For the avoidance of doubt, there will be no increase for residential consumers for, at least, six months until we begin to see improvement.

“We expect that with more gas coming to the power plant because of these facilities and other interventions, in the next two, three months, there will be increase in capacity.

“There will be more reliability and the metering plan that is ongoing, we will be able to ensure that consumers will be much more comfortable.

“We will approve the tariff by tomorrow (today) which is already well known to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the transaction advisers, as well as the participants from the deposit money banks. That tariff is guaranteed. It is going to come into effect by tomorrow (today),” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, recalled that in a meeting in Lagos, the issue of tariff was critically considered and it was decided that it would not weigh down the pockets of Nigerians.

“So, what we are doing here today is to say that yes, we are now at the point where the Nigerian Deposit Money Banks, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are now ready to work together to clear the legacy debts.

“As we clear these debts, the entire chain becomes clear, the business becomes commercially viable for existing investors to continue to do their business and for new investors, who are interested to come into this business and then boost our power and gas sectors in Nigeria,” he noted.

Kwara United gain promotion to NPFL ; Ranchers Bees fined =N=1.2 million after pitch encroachment, beating referee

Charles Ozigbo

Kwara United Football Club yesterday gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier League, courtesy of the decision of the Nigeria National League on its abandoned rescheduled match against Ranchers Bees of Kaduna.

The NNL in a letter to the two clubs signed by its scribe Mr. Lawrence Katken, awarded three points and three goals to the Afonja Warriors in line with article 4.3(1) for Ranchers’ encroachment on the field of play which caused the discontinuation of the match.While Kwara United got the ticket to the premier league, Ranchers Bees was fined N1.2 million and three of its players and two officials were banned for one year each.

The NNL said Ranchers is fined N1, 000,000 in line with article 4.3(1) and 4.3(5) as well as pay the sum of N200, 000 for assault on the match officials. A Referee from Anambra State, Charles Ozigbo received the beating of his life over the weekend at the Fifa Goal Project Technical Centre in Abuja during the National League Week 30 tie between Ranchers Bees and Kwara United after he was pounced on by fans allegedly loyal to Kaduna based Bees.

The initial game between the two teams was abandoned in the 62nd minute at 2-2 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna some weeks ago after Afonja Warriors’ players had to run for safety over threat on their lives from home fans who wanted Ranchers Bees’ return to the top flight at all costs.

Hell was let loose when the referee awarded a penalty against Ranchers Bees and their fans invaded the pitch to pounch on Ozigbo who was beaten to a state of coma before he was eventually rescued.

Ranchers Bees needed a draw to qualify for the premier league after many years in the lower league while a win would see Kwara United gain an instant return to the top flight after a season in the lower cadre.

NERC, DMBs, CBN SIGN MOU ON STABILIZATION FUND AS NEW TARRIFF SET TO BE EFFECTED TOMORROW

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, says the new electricity tariff will come into effect tomorrow. Announcing this to Newsmen in Abuja, at the signing of the MOU on the electricity stabilization fund, with the deposit money banks in the country and facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, however said the facility will erode the payment of the new tariffs by Nigerians for the next 6month, after which it will be reviewed.

He said the MOU with DMBs, is to ensure the sector is viable and reliable, while there will be an aggressive improvement in electricity generation and distribution across the country.

Meanwhile, commending the commitments of the DMBs in the revival of the power sector, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said clearing the debt will encourage an efficient and effective gas supply system. He added that the facilitation is worth over N213 billion. 

It would be recalled that the CBN had last month, offset N36.9 billon legacy debt owed to gas suppliers by the power sector under the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) over the last few years, which was part of the N213 billion intervention fund.

PROTESTING EX NIGER DELTA AGITATORS TO BE PAID BY WEDNESDAY--KUKU

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has assured protesting former Niger agitators that their November salary will be paid before Wednesday, next week.

Hon. Kingsley Kuku stated this in Abuja today, while reacting to the street protests by the aggrieved former agitators.

He urged them to seek ways of saving, so as to have enough capital to fend for themselves when the amnesty programme terminates.

Honourable Kuku said with proper planning, they can save part of their 65thousand naira monthly stipend.  

He however promised to hold further meet with the agitators, to explain things to them.

The former Niger Delta agitators had blocked the East-West road over unpaid stipend, as well as in Ondo State but were prevented from holding similar protest in Abuja today.

FIRE SERVICE AVERT FIRE IN ABUJA

Men of the Federal Fire Service today averted what would have been a major disaster as fire gutted the Nigerian Agricutural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) at the Central Area Abuja.

 

Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service Obisesan Olatunde said the men of the service turned out immediately they got a call that NAIC was on fire.

While noting that investigation was still ongoing Mr Olatunde said the extent of damage was minimal.

An eyewitness who has offices at NAIC Ibrahim Sani said men of the fire service saved the day.

No life was lost in the incident.

PENGASSAN, NUPENG SUSPENDS NATION-WIDE STRIKE

The Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers have suspended their nationwide strike, embarked on Monday.

NUPENG Chairman Lagos Tokunbo Korodo said the strike was suspended following fruitful discussions with the federal government yesterday in Abuja.

Mr. Korubo however said some of their demands, which includes constant maintenance of the refineries, and the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill is yet to be met.

He assured Nigerians that the unions will work to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products at the fuel stations, to enable people enjoy the yuletide season.

FAAN SUSPENDS CARGO FLIGHTS AT MURTALA MUHAMMED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has suspended all cargo flights to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. 
A statement from the Corporate Communications manager of the FAAN, Yakubu Dati, said the suspension was due to the security risk created after the Nigerian Customs Service closed the terminal for two weeks, leading to congestion and a backlog of cargo.

According to the statement, FAAN says it has advised the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) due to the suspension.
The authority also advised operators of all cargo flights to find alternative entry points for their cargo for the time being. 
FAAN says it has initiated measures to accelerate the clearance of goods and return the
situation to normalcy.
No date has been given for a possible termination of the suspension.

FINANCE MINISTER TO PRESENT =N=4.3 TRILLION BUDGET TO NASS TOMORROW

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Nigeria Minister of Finance

Nigeria's Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will tomorrow present a N4.3 trillion budget estimate to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The budget estimate of N4.3 trillion for 2015 in comparison to this year's figure of N4.7 trillion, indicates a downward review by N400 billion.


President Goodluck Jonathan in a letter addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, and read on the floor during plenary today explained that the delay in presentation of the estimates before the passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework by the National Assembly was due to the extra-ordinary global circumstances that confronted the country in the latter quarter of the 2014 fiscal year.

According to President Jonathan, shortly after the first submission of the MTEF (Medium Term Expenditure Framework) document with a budget benchmark of $78 to the National Assembly, oil prices witnessed a fall which led to a revision of the oil benchmark twice by the federal government, with its eventual figure pegged at $65 per barrel.

SENATE ASKS INEC TO PROVIDE POLLING STATIONS FOR IDPs

The Nigeria Senate has called on INEC to use all administrative means to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons exercise their franchise in the 2015 elections. 
The resolution came after deliberation on a bill-turned motion by Senator Ali Ndume.

In his presentation, Senator Ndume who represents Borno South in the Upper Chamber said the plea will enable IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) who are victims of natural disasters to vote and be voted for.


Opposing the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi said the decision to have polling units in camps solely depends on INEC, adding that amending  the electoral act of 2010 will take a longer time thereby defeating the purpose. 

Plenary was adjourned till Wednesday, December 17.

Champions League Round of 16 draw

• 

  Champions League Round of 16  draw 

   FC Basel v Porto
• 
  

  Arsenal v Monaco
• 
  

  
  

  Shakhtar Donetsk v Bayern Munich
• 
  

  Schalke v Real Madrid
• Juventus v Borussia Dortmund
• Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid
• Manchester City v Barcelona

  A repeat of a 2013/14 tie, the Spanish club won by 2-0 in Manchester and 2-1 at home in last season's round of 16.
• 
  

  Paris St-Germain v Chelsea

  That's a repeat of last season's quarter-final, where Chelsea overturned a 3-1 first-leg defeat with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge to progress on away goals.

SENATOR DAVID MARK urges Armed Forces to fight to keep Nigeria together

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, for the umpteenth time took stock of the unabating insecurity and terrorism tearing the nation apart and tasked the Nigerian Armed Forces to fight harder in order to keep Nigeria united and secured.

Senator Mark said the insecurity situation has become so worrisome that Nigerians seems to be worried about their future.

He however noted that the Armed Forces "remains the last  man standing' in this difficult situation.

Senator Mark was speaking after the National Coordinator of 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Brigadier General Rogers Nicholas decorated him with the emblem.

Senator David Mark (photo credit: Daily Times)

 He assured that the government is conscious of the challenges faced by the officers and men of the Armed  Forces especially in the North east region where militants believed to be  Islamic sect, Boko Haram is holding the region captive .


Senator Mark promised that the Government is prepared to improve on their welfare including modern equipment to fight the war.

In addition the senate President tasked the military Training and Doctrine Unit to propose a legislation to the National Assembly on how to provide for the upkeep of members of the families of the fallen heroes who died in the course of fighting to keep Nigeria one .

The National Coordinator of the 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Brigadier General Rogers Nicholas explained that the annual event is to remember the supreme sacrifices of our fallen  heroes who fought to keep Nigeria together saying "whatever proceeds realized  from the sale of the emblem would be channeled for the upkeep of the dependents of the fallen heroes.

60 YEAR OLD MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD IN BENIN CITY.

Tragedy struck in Ugbowo community  in Benin City, the Edo State capital,  when a 60-year-old community head was brutally murdered in cold-blood at his residence by gunmen.

The deceased, Mr John Asemota, was the Odionwere, the leader of Powerline community at Ugbowo.

The gunmen, seven in number, were said to have stormed the residence of the community head at about 9:30pm and opened fire on him in the presence of his family members.

The deceased’s son, Mr Osemudiamen Asemota, who narrated the incident to the newsmen, said three of his father’s tenants also sustained bullet wounds.

He said while his father died at the spot, his tenants were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where they are presently receiving treatment.

Osemudiamen said the incident was reported at the Ugbowo Divisional Police headquarters which responded promptly by coming to the scene shortly after the incident occurred.

According to him, “It was the police that took my father’s body to the mortuary while they also rushed those shot to hospital for medical attention.”

He, however, ruled out possibility of robbery, alleging that his father was killed over communal issue.

A police source at the Ugbowo Divisional Police station confirmed the incident but refused to make further comment.

Though he pleaded anonymity, one of the officer who was drafted to the scene of the incident, said the matter would be handled appropriately.

DAVIDO AND PATORANKING STEAL THE SHOW AT THE HEADIES 2014.

Davido, Olamide and Patoranking emerged the biggest winners at the 2014 edition of the Headies Awards held over the weekend.

Davido won in the Song of the Year and Artiste of the Year category, while Patoranking was announced as Next Rated, for which he received a brand new car.

Mavins picked up two awards, while artistes like Yemi Alade, Runtown and a few others missed out.  TuFace Idibia won the Best R&B Single for “Let Somebody Love You”.

The Best Recording of The Year went to Cobhams Asuquo, while Dr Victor Uwaifo got the awards for Hall Of Fame. Best Vocal Performance for Male went to Timi Dakolo for Iyawo Mi.

The 9th Edition of the Awards was hosted by Basket Mouth and Toke Makinwa.

Terror strikes the heart of Australia

Two young female employees have fled a central Sydney cafe more than seven hours after a terrorist armed with a gun took more than a dozen people hostage and forced crying women to hold a black Islamic flag up to the window.

A total of five hostages, including barista Elly Chen, have now escaped the Lindt cafe in Martin Place an hour after a male employee and two male customers scrambled from a fire exit and sheltered behind heavily armed police officers shortly before 3.45pm on Monday.

It is understood the hostages escaped from the cafe, rather than being released by their captor. A male former hostage has been taken to nearby St Vincent's Hospital, in Sydney's inner suburbs, and is being treated for shock.

This evening, police negotiators revealed they had learned the name of the hostage-taker and have made contact with the man.  

Chris Reason, a journalist from the Seven Network - whose offices are opposite the cafe - tonight said he could see the gunman rotating the hostages through positions in the store's window. 

'From inside Martin Place we can see the faces of hostages - pained, strained, eyes red and raw,' he recounted. Food and water was being delivered to the prisoners from the cafe's back kitchens.  

Seven Network staff have counted around 15 hostages in the cafe, he said, rather than the 50 reported by Lindt Australia CEO Steve Loane earlier today. Daily Mail Australia understands a 25-year-old female fashion industry worker and two female baristas aged in their 30s are among that number. 

As scores of heavily armed police, clad in black, remained on guard in Martin Place, Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Catherine Burn told reporters police were planning to 'work into the night' - and even tomorrow - should the crisis continue.

Witnesses earlier described how a man wearing a headband covered in Arabic walked into the cafe around 9:30am and produced a shotgun from a blue bag.

Shortly afterwards, as police surged into the city, hostages were seen with their hands pressed against the windows holding up the Islamic Shahada flag. It is an emblem of extremist group Jabhat al-Nusra, which is fighting the Assad government in Syria.

BACK AND BETTER

Took a while for me to dust my butt and get back on the saddle after marriage. Let's just say I  was on an extended honey moon, but thanks to good rest, good food and the good loving of my partner, I'm back and ready to feed you with what you've been missing.
Thanks for staying on this page and keeping faith with us. Your reward is here on this page.