Obiano Floors Ngige in First Anambra Guber Debate

Chief Willie Obiano, APGA candidate for the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra State proved cynics wrong Friday when he put up a sterling performance that the audience unanimously agreed eclipsed the performance of a far more experienced Senator Chris Ngige of the APC in a debate organised by Silverbird Television for the candidates in Awka.

The APGA candidate who was widely reported to have been recently beaten in a “debate” in the US by the Labour Party candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah, strugged off his underdog status to outshine his rivals in a debate where Ubah, the debate wonder kid, was strangely absent.

The debate which was expected to begin at 4pm was seriously delayed as only Obiano arrived the venue 15 minutes to kick-off time while the APC candidate arrived 45 minutes later when the debate had far progressed beyond the introductory stage to the question and answer session.

The APC candidate's arrival was pointedly noisy as the chants of his entourage disrupted the debate and drew snide remarks and mild protests from the audience who felt that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria owed the members of his constituency a more decorous conduct.

The conduct of the Labour Party candidate was even worse as Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah who is widely rumoured to have gone broke before the Polling Day with a heavy debt burden and constant harassment by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), deliberately shied away from the debate. 

Obiano's high performance came from his brilliant demonstration of a deep understanding of the current revenue position of the state and his idea of what to do to move the state forward. Reeling out cold facts and statistics, the retired banker held the audience spellbound with his profound understanding of what the state currently generates in internal revenue, how much trickles in from the federal government in monthly revenue and how these monies are distributed to solve the state's development problems.

“I have years of experience in banking. I understand international finance. My running mate, Dr. Nkem Okonkwo has a PhD in monetary economist. When we take a trip to the United Nations and the donor agencies, we know what to say to make them support development efforts in Anambra State. But this is not the same with my good friend, Chris Ngige. If he arrives the UN with his crowd singing his praises as usual, they will chase them out of the hall,” Obiano argued to a thunderous applause.

Chief Obiano's comment was in response to Senator Ngige's untidy claims on the state of revenue generation in Anambra State. Obiano had promptly dismissed Ngige's claims as far from the truth, reminding the audience that they could actually carry out a quick google search on the subject matter right from their seats. The audience saw in Obiano's response the readiness of 21st Century leader who knew that the electorate can no longer be lied to in the manner of the politicians of old.

The APGA candidate also drew a loud ovation with the way he handled the question of his widely reported secret agreement with the National Chairman of APGA to hand the treasury of Anambra State over to him in exchange for electoral victory. Dismissing the document as an effort by his rivals who had been hard-pressed to find a chink in his armour, Obiano argued that after spending 30 years in the Nigerian private sector his signature could be verified in so many public documents and that the signature on the purported agreement had no resemblance with his real signature.

Although Senator Ngige made comical attempts to explain his lateness to the event by blaming it on the bad condition of roads in the state, his performance failed to elicit the applause he had hoped for because people felt offended by his lateness which could not be placed on the poor state of roads in the state.

The APC candidate also drew derisive laughter and chants of “Lie! Lie!” from the audience when in a response to the question of his largely poor performance in the Senate, he announced that he tabled 10 Bills before the upper legislative house.

The debate which was moderated by Uzonna Ononye who hosts Politicalscope on Silverbird television attracted only 4 out of the 6 candidates originally invited to take part with Ifeanyi Ubah as the most prominent absentee.

Other candidates that took part in the debate are Professor Ben Akanegbu of UPP and Godson Okoye United Democratic Party

Nigerian militants raid northern city of Damaturu

Suspected Boko Haram militants have engaged security forces in a lengthy gun battle and raided a hospital in the northern Nigerian city of Damaturu.

Residents told the opinion voices that it was a "big, audacious attack" and that assailants stole drugs from the hospital and drove off in ambulances.

Meanwhile, the military said it had killed 74 suspected Boko Haram militants in a raid in Borno state.

Authorities have recently stepped up their campaign against the militants.

North-eastern Nigeria is the focus of an insurgency by the group that began in 2009 and aims to create an Islamic state.

President Goodluck Jonathan urged the military to up its campaign against Boko Haram five months ago.

Damaturu is the main city in Yobe state, which lies to the west of Borno. It has been calm for more than a year, and there is a large military presence in there.

'Slow response'

Nonetheless, gunfire rocked the city for some seven hours after a group of about 20 gunmen - some in military uniform - targeted the hospital late on Thursday.

Clashes between militants and the security forces spread to other parts of the city. A health worker described seeing a police vehicle ferrying corpses to the mortuary.

The resident who described the attack as "audacious" said the gunfire was heavy, continuous, and loud.

He also said that people in Damaturu were surprised that it had taken the military at least an hour to respond.

Authorities later imposed a 24-hour curfew, and streets were deserted on Friday.

The military raid in Borno state involved "ground and aerial assault" and "led to the destruction of the identified terrorist camps," said army spokesman Lt Mohammed Dole.

Lt Dole said the latest raid had been carried out on Thursday and that two soldiers had been wounded.

Opinion voices reports from Nigeria that it seems surprising that Boko Haram camps are still being found, given all the resources available to the army.

The army's claims about military operations against the group are hard to verify - there has been no mobile phone network in Borno state since the latest offensive was launched.

Nigeria's campaign has been criticised by human rights groups.

Amnesty International said earlier this month that hundreds had died in detention in north-eastern Nigeria, some from starvation or extra-judicial killings.

Nigerians unite for Eagles’ victory against Ethiopia

As the Super Eagles file out against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia today for a Brazil 2014 World Cup play-off billed for Addis Ababa, Nigerians are united in their desire for the team to emerge victorious.
Virtually every Nigerian (including the players) spoken to on today’s game is optimistic of a victory for the Super Eagles, even as a handful of pessimists, who have called for caution on the part of the Eagles, claim that the worst result will be a draw.
Dwelling on the crucial encounter during the week, three of the Eagles players, Victor Moses, Brown Idedye and John Ogu, affirmed that they would not disappoint Nigerians, noting that the Ethiopians will not be taken for granted being an away game.
For Dynamo Kiev star, Ideye, victory for Eagles would be dedicated to his 25^th birthday which was on Thursday, while Moses of Liverpool stated that Nigeria remained African champions as, according to him, the team would consolidate on that feat. Ogu underlined the need for understanding and team work to overcome their host.
During the week, President Goodluck Jonathan demonstrated this show of love and unity for Nigeria by chartering an aircraft to airlift about 200 members of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club, who have promised to give the best support to enable the Eagles achieve the desired result.

In the same vein, some former Super Eagles players in the likes of Clement Temile, Baldwin Bazuaye, Sunday Oliseh, Patrick Pascal and Monday Eguavoen have also given their word of support for the team. They urged the players to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way to score goals.
Coaches who have also paid their dues in the Nigerian scene such as Christian Chukwu, Ufere Nwankwo, Godwin Izilein and Kadiri Ikhana also spoke to Sports Week during the week, affirming the need for the Super Eagles to do Nigeria proud. They noted that sports, and football in particular, is a major unifying factor for Nigerians.
All said, the expectations from Nigerians are huge, which implies that Coach Stephen Keshi must toady ensure that the right game plan that his wards can interpret is employed to overcome the Ethiopians, who have boasted that only a win against Nigeria is good enough for them.

Nigeria: From Nigeria's Fuel Subsidy to Sure-P - Replacing One Failed System With Another

opinion

Nigeria's Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme looks to have become yet another source of mismanagement and inefficiency.
At the start of 2012, mass protests - tagged 'Occupy Nigeria' - broke out across the country as thousands took the streets to demonstrate against the government's sudden removal of fuel subsidies. Overnight, the cost of petrol had more than doubled and in the following days Nigeria began witnessing its biggest act of civil disobedience since the return to multiparty elections in 1999.
The government claimed that the subsidy removal was necessary to end the vast corruption that taking place under the subsidy regime, and promised to reinvest the saved money into infrastructure, health and education.
But with the cost of living abruptly surging and many Nigerians seeing cheap fuel as the only benefit that trickled down to them from their country's enormous oil wealth, protests continued and the government had to soften its stance.
The government reintroduced a partial subsidy and set up a fund into which the saved money from the partial subsidy removal would be funnelled.
This fund was called the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and it was charged with using the subsidy savings to invest in infrastructural projects and social empowerment initiatives that, in theory, would benefit all Nigerians.
But over a year and a half on from its establishment and with $2.5 billion having flowed into its coffers - and a further $1.6 billion coming its way in 2014 - what has SURE-P actually achieved?
A sure thing?
SURE-P's funds are split between the Federal Government and States and Local Government, and are meant to be used in two ways: to help fund infrastructural development; and to support social security programmes related to issues such as women and youth empowerment, unemployment, and community service.
But how exactly SURE-P's money is being spent remains unclear.
For example, when the National Assembly asked SURE in November 2012 to produce its 2012 budget expenditure analysis, lawmakers were dismayed to hear that lots of the things SURE committee members pointed to were projects already being carried out by the Federal Government.
For instance, the SURE board claimed to have spent N16 billion ($100 million) on the Benin Ore Shagamu road - a project for which the Federal Government had already awarded a N65.2 billion ($400 million) contract in September 2012 - and said it had contributed N9.3 billion ($57 million) to the Lagos-to-Ibadan railway - a development for which a $1.4 billion contract was signed between the Federal Government and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in August 2012.
"In all of these you will see that they are not in any way financing any new projects", lamented Senator Danjuma Goje, a member of the Senate Committee on Petroleum. "They are not initiating any new projects, they only put money into existing projects."
Meanwhile SURE-P has also come under suspicion of succumbing to corruption. In June this year, for example, the Kaduna State House Assembly ordered the suspension of SURE-P in the state and constituted a nine-man committee to investigate the implementation of SURE-P's state projects and activities.
Allegations of dubious transactions and high-level misappropriation were levelled against the programme coordinators with a reported N560 million ($3.1 million) missing from the Kaduna State SURE coffers.
Indeed, while hopes were high when SURE was implemented that it would funnel resources into much-needed projects to help Nigeria's economic and social development, many now fear it has fallen victim to Nigeria's culture of corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency.
"The SURE-P programme appeared well thought through", Olumide Abimbola, Nigerian anthropologist and editor of Nigerians Talk, told Think Africa Press. "The list of projects they are supposed to tackle looked impressive, but the problem in Nigeria is often not the lack of good ideas and policies, but their execution".
Political analyst Raymond Eyo agrees with this final assessment but believes the seeds of SURE's disappointment were sown from the start. "SURE-P was a hastily-packaged initiative, designed to assuage the masses' hard feelings against the fuel subsidy removal", he said. "It wasn't well thought out and its implementation has been unsurprisingly inefficient".
Asked if SURE-P can succeed in Nigeria's current socio-political climate Eyo responded: "Absolutely not. If pension funds or aid money for basic education or healthcare cannot survive in Nigeria's web of corruption, what more can be expected of funds freely, and ambiguously, disbursed to the various governments from programmes such as SURE?"
An unsure future
While attempts have been made by government officials to trumpet the achievements made by SURE-P since its inception, the truth of its lacklustre performance is becoming ever more apparent.
A senate ad-hoc committee on September 22 once again summoned the Chairman of SURE, Christopher Kolade, and expressed its concern at the implementation of SURE programmes.
"All of you in the committee were appointed because there was the need to commit the huge funds towards projects", Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Abdul Ningi, said to representatives of SURE. "However, as it is now, Nigerians can only see your efforts, they cannot see results."
It has thus become increasingly clear to politicians and the public that despite the large amounts of funds being ploughed into it by the government, SURE is lacking in direction, oversight and accountability.
As Dele Olawole, founder of social media site Nigerians Against Corruption, told Think Africa Press: "We have a government that talks big and Nigerians have heard it all before yet we continue to suffer. There are no records of money being spent on projects and you hardly see the implementation or physical structure. All we ask for is honesty and transparency."
Indeed, with the government seemingly unable to plug financial leakages in the various sectors of the economy, it seems that SURE-P simply provides yet another crack to tape over.

Uranta : I never Contacted MEND to Support National Conference

The Secretary General of the Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG) and Member, Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference/Dialogue, Mr. Tony Uranta has dismissed claims by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that he contacted them to support the National Conference.

He also described as myopic and self-destructive, claims of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) questioning his integrity and alleging that he had been in touch with the ethnic militia group soliciting for their support for the national conference amid other allegations.

In a statement made available, Uranta said that he had never been in touch with them or sought their support in his vocal pursuit of a Nigerian National Conference but has consistently aligned only with progressive-minded individuals and bodies that share the wish for a conference that would strengthen the nation's unity. MEND had passed a vote of no-confidence on the National Dialogue idea, identifying Mr. Uranta as the committee’s contact man, who it said, described rejection from a South-South body like MEND as an embarrassment to the presidency.

According to the statement, their grouse was that Uranta has been campaigning repeatedly that MEND ceased to exist after the Niger Delta Amnesty programme and that he and Timi Alaibe do not represent the interests of the Niger Delta people.

It also noted that “millions of hard working Nigerians remain unemployed, the country’s education system is going down the drain with strikes, and the country is getting increasingly full of educated derelicts while the government shares out billions of Naira monthly to miscreants, criminals and con men who claim to have been freedom fighters”.

Uranta added: “One's attention has been repeatedly drawn to the outlandish mendacities put out on Thursday under the pseudonym 'MEND', and with regard to my person. MEND' has lied outrageously in nearly every line of its putative statement! But, then, which 'MEND' is this: the anti-Jonathan 'MEND', the Boko Haram-sourced 'MEND', or the phantom 'MEND' that the founders/commanders of MEND (who have since embraced President Yaradua's Amnesty offer, and 'suspended' any activities by the real MEND...the enigmatic Tompolos, Boyloafs, Farahs et al) have long denied knowledge of?

Uranta pointed out that he has never been in touch with any of the above 'ersatz-MEND' as alleged, one of which, he said, must have lied against him.

“I have consistently aligned only with progressive-minded individuals and bodies that share the wish for a National Conference that will strengthen this nation's unity, enthrone justice and equity, and fashion out a truly People's Constitution. Nigeria shall survive! No demons can hold back the hands of time. This is Nigeria's time for Re-birth" the statement added.

FCMB Inaugurates 30th Anniversary Promo

As part of activities to mark its 30th anniversary as a leading financial service provider in Nigeria, First City Monument Bank Limited has inaugurated  a consumer banking promo tagged, ‘’FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo’’. The promo will run from October 2013 to February 2014.

Speaking at the launch held in Lagos on October 11, 2013, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank Limited

Mr. Ladi Balogun said “the promotion is aimed at thanking our current and potential customers and encouraging savings and financial inclusion as we celebrate our 30 years of existence as a financial services provider.

The FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo is a simple and risk-free savings and reward initiative that provides opportunity for our customers (current and potential) to own brand new cars, and other exciting but useful prizes through credible electronic random selection that would be held every month in various locations nationwide.

As our retail customer acquisition begins to gather momentum at over half a million new customers annually, we want to provide exciting and rewarding ways to stimulate good banking habits, such as regular savings. ”

It was disclosed that the promo is targeted at all segments of the society across all age groups.

These include professionals, market men and women, artisans, students, workers among others who have adopted and are enjoying the benefits of FCMB’s banking products and services inherent in Nairawise, Classic Current and Savings Account, Premium Current and Savings Account as well as the Kids Account and FlashWallet accounts.

On how to participate in the promo and draws, it was explained that all an FCMB customer or account holder needs to do is to Save N10,000 in any of the eligible accounts for 30 days to qualify for the monthly electronic random selection of winners.

PDP commiserates with families of plane crash victims

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the crash of the Associated Airline carrying the remains of former Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State to Akure for burial was unfortunate.

Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of the party, told the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the party received the news with shock.

"We are deeply saddened by the death of other promising Nigerians who were on board the ill-fated aircraft.’’

He condoled with the families of the dead and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

NAN reports that the chartered plane crashed at about 9.00am shortly after take-off from the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The plane was en route Akure, the Ondo State capital where the remains of the former governor was to lie in state.

Agagu died on September 13, and was scheduled to be buried this weekend.

Also, the splitter group of the PDP, led by Abubakar Baraje, has urged Nigerians to remember the victims of the crash and their families in prayer.

The group also called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the nation in these difficult times.

This is contained in a statement issued by Chukwuemeka Eze, National Publicity Secretary of the splitter group.

"We are shattered by the news of this unspeakable tragedy, especially as the flight also had some prominent personalities on board.

"Our hearts go out to the Agagu family, the families of victims of the crash, as well as the people and Government of Ondo State’’, the statement said.

It also condoled with President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians and the management of the Associated Airlines on the tragedy.

Aviation Minister Says Agagu's Plane Crash Investigation Begins

People take photographs of flight data recorders recovered from the wreckage of a passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. A chartered airplane nosedived into the ground and burst into flames meters (yards) from tanks of aviation fuel Thursday, killing 11 people, Nigerian officials said. Rescue workers remove a casket with the remains of former Ondo state governor Olusegun Agagu at the site of an Associated airline plane crash In Lagos, Nigeria , Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, Officials say a chartered airplane carrying 20 passengers crashed into the bush and burst into flames after taking off from Lagos domestic airport.

Rescue workers inspect the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.

 Rescue workers gather around the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.

 A rescue worker douses a part of the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.

 A rescue worker inspects the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.



Rescue workers peer into the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.
 Rescue workers gather around the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.



 Rescue workers gather around the wreckage of a charter passenger jet which crashed soon after take off from Lagos airport, Nigeria, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Officials said there were casualties but refused to confirm reports of several deaths.

Aviation Minister Stella Oduah on Thursday said the ministry has commenced investigations into the plane crash at the Domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Oduah, who made this known in Abuja at a news conference, said the 'Black Box' of the aircraft had been found.
The Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BIT operated by Associated Airlines which was on a private charter flight from Lagos to Akure, crashed shortly after take-off.
The aircraft was said to have been carrying 20 persons, including the crew as well as the remains of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu.
Oduah said the Black Box had been handed over to the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau to determine the cause of the accident.
According to her, efforts are on to contact the families of the victims before releasing the manifest containing their names.
"The authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident and upon completion will make information about the identities of the victims’ public.
"The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time," Oduah said.
She urged members of the public to be patient while the investigation progresses, and assured them that it would be thorough.
The minister assured Nigerians that the country’s airspace "remains safe and secure".
Meanwhile, Rescue Coordination and Trauma Centres had been set up at the Annex of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to provide necessary information and support.
- See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/news/aviation-minister-says-agagus-plane-crash-investigation-begins#sthash.bPo1DHBF.dpuf

Aviation Minister Stella Oduah on Thursday said the ministry has commenced investigations into the plane crash at the Domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Oduah, who made this known in Abuja at a news conference, said the 'Black Box' of the aircraft had been found.
The Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BIT operated by Associated Airlines which was on a private charter flight from Lagos to Akure, crashed shortly after take-off.
The aircraft was said to have been carrying 20 persons, including the crew as well as the remains of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu.
Oduah said the Black Box had been handed over to the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau to determine the cause of the accident.
According to her, efforts are on to contact the families of the victims before releasing the manifest containing their names.
"The authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident and upon completion will make information about the identities of the victims’ public.
"The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time," Oduah said.
She urged members of the public to be patient while the investigation progresses, and assured them that it would be thorough.
The minister assured Nigerians that the country’s airspace "remains safe and secure".
Meanwhile, Rescue Coordination and Trauma Centres had been set up at the Annex of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to provide necessary information and support.
- See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/news/aviation-minister-says-agagus-plane-crash-investigation-begins#sthash.bPo1DHBF.dpuf

Aviation Minister Stella Oduah on Thursday said the ministry has commenced investigations into the plane crash at the Domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Oduah, who made this known in Abuja at a news conference, said the 'Black Box' of the aircraft had been found.
The Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BIT operated by Associated Airlines which was on a private charter flight from Lagos to Akure, crashed shortly after take-off.
The aircraft was said to have been carrying 20 persons, including the crew as well as the remains of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu.
Oduah said the Black Box had been handed over to the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau to determine the cause of the accident.
According to her, efforts are on to contact the families of the victims before releasing the manifest containing their names.
"The authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident and upon completion will make information about the identities of the victims’ public.
"The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time," Oduah said.
She urged members of the public to be patient while the investigation progresses, and assured them that it would be thorough.
The minister assured Nigerians that the country’s airspace "remains safe and secure".
Meanwhile, Rescue Coordination and Trauma Centres had been set up at the Annex of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to provide necessary information and support.
- See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/news/aviation-minister-says-agagus-plane-crash-investigation-begins#sthash.bPo1DHBF.dpuf

Aviation Minister Stella Oduah on Thursday said the ministry has commenced investigations into the plane crash at the Domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Oduah, who made this known in Abuja at a news conference, said the 'Black Box' of the aircraft had been found.
The Embraer 120 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BIT operated by Associated Airlines which was on a private charter flight from Lagos to Akure, crashed shortly after take-off.
The aircraft was said to have been carrying 20 persons, including the crew as well as the remains of the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu.
Oduah said the Black Box had been handed over to the Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau to determine the cause of the accident.
According to her, efforts are on to contact the families of the victims before releasing the manifest containing their names.
"The authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident and upon completion will make information about the identities of the victims’ public.
"The Federal Ministry of Aviation deeply commiserates with the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time," Oduah said.
She urged members of the public to be patient while the investigation progresses, and assured them that it would be thorough.
The minister assured Nigerians that the country’s airspace "remains safe and secure".
Meanwhile, Rescue Coordination and Trauma Centres had been set up at the Annex of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to provide necessary information and support.
- See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/news/aviation-minister-says-agagus-plane-crash-investigation-begins#sthash.bPo1DHBF.dpuf

53 reasons why Nigeria is not there yet

Things will eventually look up in Nigeria, maybe tomorrow or the day after that. But know that it will come someday. Our better day will come eventually.

Taking a peek into history, the name Nigeria was coined by Miss Flora Shaw from the Niger River. Nigeria was colonised by Britain in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Nigeria became a sovereign state on the 1st of October 1960 and became a republic three years later. However 53 years of our own self rule has been characterised with both military and civilian rule.

After all these years, we can all agree on one point, namely; that our dear country is still struggling. Many a cartoonist has captured this scenario in apt imagery of a giant with the lower limbs of a toddler. We have been asking why, and for the days to come, I foresee a lot more “whys” popping up. After all, our philosophy brothers say, the question is more important than the answers!

I have added my own voice to the whys, but I just did not stop there. I have found fifty-three reasons why we have not arrived at the “model-state” level in our democracy. The list is not exhaustive, but I find these contents very disturbing. I shall only throw more lights on a few, the rest is food for thought.

Now to the 53 reasons why Nigeria is not there yet: 

1. Corruption

2. Religious crisis

3. Terrorism

4. Neo-patrimonialism

5. Prebendalism Patron - clientelism.

6. Devaluation of our currency

7. Years of Martial Rule

8. Failed democracy

9. Examination malpractice

10. Ignorance of our fundamental rights

11. Party politics

12. Educational problem

13. Misappropriation of public fund

14. Dishonesty

15. Security problem

16. Poor road network

17. High rate of unemployment

18. Power failure

20. Poor Health policy

21. Money oriented ministers of God

22. Kidnapping

23. Inadequate disposition of information

24. Failure to get and respect public opinion

25. High cost of running the government

26. Poor transport service

27. Inadequate adaptation of Science and Technology

28. Election malpractice

29. Over-dependence on government

30. Infrastructural decay

 31. Lack of innovation over reliance on foreign products.

32. Misplaced priorities

33. Lack of management skills at the top

34. Ethnic differences

35. Over-dependence on crude oil

36. Division of the state

37. Administrative incompetence

38. Unequal allocation of revenue to states

39. Food scarcity

40. Women trafficking

41. Inappropriate taxation

42. Fraud

43. High rate of illiteracy

44. Witchcraft and black powers

45. Emigration of Nigeria's best brains to other countries

46. Cultism

47. Child labour

48. Incessant industrial action strikes.

49. Punctuality problem

50. Judicial independence

51. Inflation

52. Patriotism problem

53. Less prayers

To elucidate briefly on these reasons, it is pertinent to note that some of the setbacks inter-relate. You may jolly well forgive me for that for some of the problems needed to be specifically mentioned.

The foundation of the Nation's problem is corruption; it is an abuse of position of trust in order to gain an undue advantage or willing to act dishonestly in return for money. Corruption has ravaged the whole system, it’s a global issue but its rate in Nigeria is unexplainable, is one thing for a state to be filled with corruption but willing to work towards perfection but it’s another thing altogether for a state to have corruption as a tradition. Some of the fore listed setbacks flow directly from corruption.

The government has in no small measure failed to meet its primary responsibility which entails provision of basic amenities such as electricity, good roads, education, health facilities, security, food, shelter to mention but a few. More policies are needed in this direction.

Religious problems has also weakened our development strength, religious groups that ought to be role models to the society seems to have lost focus. It is disheartening that our religious groups are responsible for the unrest that has taken thousands of lives in the country, instead of them to be preachers of peace. Our churches are now money-oriented places and pastors are now owners of private jets, expensive schools that are beyond the reach of the common man.

The rate of unemployment in the country is about 23.9%, the high level of unemployment has led to so many anti social activities including terrorism, kidnapping, fraud, cultism. It is written that an idle mind is the devils workshop. Nigeria has failed in practising true democracy, according to Abraham Lincoln democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. The sovereignty of every nation resides on the people but in Nigeria it is on the ruling class, with recurrent election malpractice, party politics, prebendalism (godfatherism). Thus jeopardising the doctrine of sallus populus est suprema lex (the welfare of the people is the supreme law).

Other pertinent issues include independence of the judiciary, where the third arm of government is not independently free to make court decisions because they are appointed by the executive arm and ratified by the legislative arm.

Furthermore, high cost of running the government, Nigerian law makers are the highest earners in the world with about 240 million naira per annum in the upper champers and 204 million naira in the lower chambers. The president with large cabinet and even the first lady who has no constitutional recognition gets paid heavily.

Now to the problem arising from the citizens, Firstly ignorance of our fundamental rights embodied in the constitution (chapter 4 sections 33-46). A vast majority of the people are not conversant with their constitutional rights and the few that are aware of these rights still shy away from taking legal action when they are infringed upon.

Secondly over dependence on the government for everything, even those within our capabilities because of the mentality that everything should be handled by the government.

Thirdly, lack of innovative ideas which leads to over reliance on foreign products has been the bane of the Nigerian government. It’s my favourite cliché that ''there is nothing wrong in Nigeria that cannot be corrected with something right in Nigeria.''

Nigeria is 53 today. Take a pause and ask yourself this question, is Nigeria a failed nation at 53 or is it that we the leadership that has failed? This question should be answered in the negative. As a growing nation, it will be reasonable to observe that the country is not yet at the stage of comatose on the grounds that government compositions are still at least functioning. Furthermore, the leadership of the nation is not completely a failure, they are doing their best but just maybe their best is not good enough for the day.

To have a better Nigeria we all dream about, corruption should be eradicated or reduced to its lowest, running cost of the government should be slashed down by 50%, equal attention should be given to other sectors of the economy, most importantly enhancement of human resources, Nigerians should also possess the right mindset towards its growth, that of good and not of evil and finally prayers for the nation should be offered continually.

CBN bans forex in Nigeria

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned the importation of the United States Dollar, among other foreign currencies, into the country as part of its monetary policy reforms.

The bank disclosed this in a statement issued on the country's new monetary guideline.

Dr Sarah Alade, the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy at CBN, said the move was aimed at saving the local currency and the economy from “external threats and dominance.”

“In its determination to save the Naira and the Nigerian economy from external threats and dominance, the CBN has banned the importation of all foreign currencies, except with the approval of the CBN,” she stated.

The latest move is sequel to the bank’s withdrawal of the operating licences of 20 Bureaux de Change (BDC) found to have purchased and sold huge sums of United States Dollars with no documentation to show details of the transactions.

Alade said the bank was worried about the existence of strong foreign exchange demand pressures from domestic sources, which were not necessarily linked to increase in the import of goods and services.

She said the management of the CBN also observed the surge in dollar cash importation by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and the huge cash sale of the dollar to the BDCs by the DMBs.

Alade said if the trend was not contained, it could pose “grave threats” to the value of the Naira as well as the Nigerian economy, which she said had gradually become “dollarised.”

CBN earlier this week directed all banks in the country to pay all foreign exchange transfers such a MoneyGram, AfriCash and Western Union in the local currency. 

250 000 jobs to be created in Katsina

Katsina - The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is to create 250 000 direct and indirect new jobs in Katsina State from 2013 to 2015.

The SMEDAN Director-General, Bature Masari, said this on Wednesday in Katsina when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Shema.

He said that the jobs would be created under the National Enterprises Development Programme (NEDEP).

Masari said that SMEDAN would conduct a 'Needs Assessment' in all the 34 Local Government Areas of the state to identify products of comparative advantage that could be developed and processed for sale.

He said that SMEDAN would also partner the state government to establish mini-industrial parks that could accommodate a minimum of 50 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Masari said that another micro-credit system would be established to ease access to finance through collaboration with the Bank of Industry.

He said this would assist to create rural industrialisation, reduce poverty, create jobs and enhance the living conditions of the populace.

According to him, a survey conducted by SMEDAN and Bureau for Statistics in 2010 revealed that only 17.2 million micro, small and medium enterprises existed in the country and provided jobs for 32 million Nigerians.

The governor said that the objectives of SMEDAN were in line with the policy of the current administration in the state.

Shema assured that the state government would provide all the funds for the programmes for the benefit of people of the state.

He said that government would continue to expand its skills acquisition programmes to make unemployed people to be self-reliant. 

Five Careers That Aren't Going Away

LIFE TIME CAREERS

Unless you've got a rich uncle or plan on winning the Lottery, you need your career to last a while. Decades would be nice. And for that to happen you have to find a career that will actually be needed decades from now. But what types of careers are those?

For staying power, think careers that are ingrained in our society's infrastructure, says Deb Hornell, a business and management consultant with 25 years of experience.

"These are jobs that are needed for society to function and thrive," she says. Jobs like nurse, police officer, and even software developer make the list.

Wondering what other careers will likely be around for your lifetime, and your kids'? Keep reading to learn about five jobs that aren't going away.

Everlasting Career #1: Registered Nurse

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 26 percent, with 711,900 new job opportunities.*

Let's face it, we humans aren't exactly perfect. Unlike the Man of Steel, we get sick, injured, old - and that's with routine check-ups. So the occupation of registered nurse is not only a noble calling, but one that will be needed for the foreseeable future, says Hornell.

And it's not all drawing blood and patching up wounds. Nurses also consult with doctors on patient care and management, help perform diagnostic tests, educate families and patients on health, and even provide emotional support in times of need, says the U.S. Department of Labor.

Why It's Everlasting: "There will always be a need for personal care in medicine, no matter how sophisticated medicine gets," says Hornell. And nursing is a very hands-on profession, she says, one that no amount of technology will be able to replace in full.

No wonder the Department of Labor says that not only will registered nurses' job prospects be "excellent," but they are number one on the list of the Department's list of occupations with the largest numeric growth projected from 2010-2020. That's a healthy prognosis.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.

Education Options: The Department of Labor says there are three educational paths prospective nurses follow: a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), an associate's in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. They must also be licensed.

Everlasting Career #2: Police Officer

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 8 percent, with 54,600 new job opportunities.*

Unfortunately, we do not live in Shangri-La; crime happens. So until human nature changes a whole lot and we all turn into Good Samaritans, Hornell says we'll need law enforcement and police officers.

But despite what you may see on TV, police work is not all high-speed chases and shootouts. Yes, they give tickets, patrol areas, and arrest bad guys, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They also write detailed reports (the infamous paperwork TV cops always complain about), prepare cases, testify in court, and even give first aid to accident victims.

Why It's Everlasting: "Being a police officer is a very tough job, so these are people for whom it's a calling. It's part of their moral fiber, and that's good, because we will always need them," says Hornell.

She says public safety is always high on the [government's] list of priorities, so this job will never be cut out of society.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.

Education Options: Police officers must have a high school diploma and graduate from their department's training academy, the Department of Labor says. In addition, many agencies may require some college or a college degree. The Department also says that many colleges have programs in criminal justice.

Everlasting Career #3: Elementary School Teacher

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 17 percent, with 248,800 new job opportunities.*

As much as some of our dilapidated public schools might suggest it, as a society, we really don't want dumb kids. In fact, education will always be a primary - if underfunded - part of the American infrastructure, says Hornell. So we will always need teachers.

Elementary school teachers do everything from making lesson plans to preparing students for standardized tests to helping individual pupils challenge themselves to gain new skills, says the U.S. Department of Labor. There's also a bit of disciplinary action, as the Department says they enforce classroom rules to teach kids proper behavior. We all remember that.

Why It's Everlasting: "There is a correlation between success in reading in the early grade levels and high school graduation rates and college graduation rates," says Hornell. "So elementary teachers are vital to give kids a strong foundation in learning and success in the early grades. So teachers will always be needed."

And the U.S. Department of Labor says because of the significant number of older teachers reaching retirement age, between 2010 to 2020, the coming years will see new openings for the next generation of teachers.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Elementary Education Program.

Education Options: Elementary (and kindergarten) teachers must have a bachelor's degree in elementary education and be licensed if they want to teach in public schools, says the Department of Labor. Other requirements vary by state, some of which might require a bachelor's degree in the subject taught, such as math or science.

Everlasting Career #4: Accountant

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 16 percent, with 190,700 new job opportunities.*

As long as there's a monetary system, there will be a need to keep track of income and expenses. And you know what they say about death and taxes. So count on accountants being around for the duration, says Hornell.

Accountants do a variety of things to help individuals and organizations, such as examine financial records, prepare taxes, and recommend cost-reducing strategies, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Why It's Everlasting: "Accountant may not be the sexiest of jobs, but it's absolutely essential to business. And my sense is that, after some of the scandals that have happened over the last 10 or 15 years, and people being attuned to our businesses being ethical, the need for ethical accounting is very important to businesses," says Hornell.

She adds that the occupation of accountant is part of an essential "economic infrastructure," and therefore will always be needed in our society.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.

Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, most accountant jobs require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.

Everlasting Career #5: Software Developer

Projected Job Growth 2010 to 2020: 30 percent, with 270,900 new job opportunities.*

When was the last time you got through an entire day without interfacing with something that used computer software? In fact, how about a single hour? The fact is, computers are now key to just about every segment of society, from the register that rang up your morning Starbuck's to the smartphone you used to Tweet how good it was.

Software developers are the creative minds behind those programs and apps, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They analyze people's needs, then design and test computer software to meet them, says the Department of Labor. I guess that means we actually needed talking phones and the ability to know what Paris Hilton was up to every four minutes.

Why It's Everlasting: "This is another infrastructure job, from the standpoint of technology. It's part of the foundation of our society and so it will always be in demand." says Hornell.

The Department says that mobile technology, the health care industry, and concerns over cyber security will all result in the need for more programs to be developed. It all spells an increasing demand for software developers.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.

Education Options: The Department of Labor says that software developers usually have a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. Mathematics is also acceptable, they say.

ASUU strike: An appeal to politicians to help!

Is the Honourable Minister of Finance, the Federal Executive Council, The House of Assembly and The Presidency aware of what trouble they are creating by keeping Nigerian University students out of classes for months?

I don't really think so... It hurts me that the Minister of Finance, who has a Ph.d in Economics, would not drop politics and be factual, knowing the effects of government's spending in the lives of Nigerian University students by giving them quality university education! She makes me ashamed to call myself a student of economics. 



I seriously hope she'll have the confidence to tell the Presidency the truth because thousands of idle minded youths who are university students and have an educated creative minds could wake up one morning and offer their creative minds to crime and evil.

In a time where insecurity is a major issue in the country it's highly unwise of the Jonathan-led government to allow Nigerian University students toroam around idle in frustration... I hope this message gets to those I've mentioned, I hope it does!