Yesterday Sunday 10th November 2013, IK and Ehiz were present at the awards show. The two media stars were kind to share some photos of themselves at the event.
Check it out!
Tuesday
IK Osakioduwa & Ehiz at the 2013 MTV EMAs in Amsterdam! Red Carpet Photos of Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Swizz Beatz & More
Yesterday Sunday 10th November 2013, IK and Ehiz were present at the awards show. The two media stars were kind to share some photos of themselves at the event.
Check it out!
Saturday
Saka And Wife Olaide Share Their Love Story
It’s been difficult to track down Hafiz Oyetoro. The lecturer-actor-comedian at the centre of the MTN-Etisalat portability drama understands the importance of silence while trying not to escalate an already sensitive and precarious brand war between two giants.
But it was time to break the silence when he clocked 50 recently. And he spoke with OPINION VOICES about his life, family, and more…
How do you feel being celebrated at 50?
I feel so cool. I feel grateful to Almighty God for giving me the grace to reach 50. I know that many people have gone even without reaching the age of 20. 50 years marks a new beginning and I thank God that today I can be alive to see 50.
How did acting begin for you?
As an aspiring actor, when I finished secondary school, I started with a local theatre group in my town, Iseyin. From there, I went to University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University to study Dramatic Artsfor my first degree. I later went to University of Ibadan for my Masters degree in African Studies. I am presently pursuing a PHD programme in Performance Studies at the University of Ibadan. I’m sure you already know that I also lecture in the Theatre Arts Department of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education. During all that process, I got myself involved in different productions on TV, film and radio. It’s been very interesting so far and I thank God for giving me the grace to increase in my chosen field.
How has the journey been so far?
I must say it’s been quite a ride with so many years of sacrifices. I thank God that he has given me the grace to go through all of the challenges and to achieve the little that I have through these years. I know there is still a lot to achieve but it’s been great journey so far.
How was growing up for you?
I come from a very humble background. I grew up in a village in Iseyin, that’s Oyo State. My parents were farmers. They taught me to be contented with what I have. I am who I am because of the values that they have impacted in me. I just thank God that I’m a different story today.
What would you say is responsible for your recent success?
It is God. God has been very wonderful to me. God has been there for me and my family. He has given me the grace to be associated with great people. More so, I have had the opportunity to be surrounded by people that have added positive value to me life. My family, friends, colleagues, employers and clients, they have actually contributed in one way or the other to who and what I am today.
What are some of the challenges that you have had to go through to get to where you are today?
When you say challenges, to me, they are necessary ingredients to live a better life. Challenges actually make room for people to move further in life, to seek for more value and to grow. Challenges are just mere distractions. That is why I say I am thanking God for giving me the grace to surmount all the challenges, to resist all the temptations and to solve all the crisis of life.
What motivated your porting from Etisalat to MTN?
All I can say is that both brands, Etisalat and MTN are fantastic brands and they are my friends.
Why do you think these telecoms companies have chosen you?
I really don’t know. I was just busy doing my thing and then they came. I believe everybody aspires for good things. We all desire for an elevation in status, but how it may come, we sometimes don’t know. The only explanation I can give is to say that it has been the grace of God.
How much did you get for the MTN deal?
I would not talk about that. I would only talk about that much later at the appropriate time.
Do you think people now celebrate and recognize more for your MTN endorsement than for your acting?
I think it more of what I have been doing and God’s grace. I think it is more of everything. And I’m lucky to have worked with MTN and Etisalat.
How much of an influence has your wife been to your success?
I have a very beautiful woman for a wife. A woman who has made the house my home. Every time I go out, I want to go back home. I always feel happy to go home. She’s always been there for me. She’s more of my friend, my mother, my sister, everything. I thank God who has given me the grace to have a woman who shares my vision. The greatest mistake anybody can make in this world is to marry a woman who does not share in his vision. God has given me that grace to marry a woman who shares my vision. The things I do, I do them without any problem. My home is stable and my job is going on well.
You have featured in many stage and screen productions, which of them do you enjoy working on the most?
Each has its own peculiarities, but if I was to choose, it definitely has to be the stage. On stage, you come alive as you would need to interact with your audience by your acts and convince them with every word you speak and action you take. For the screen, you are just performing for the camera. There’s a lot of work being put into either of them, but personally speaking, stage is my thing.
As a lecturer, do you ever find yourself in a position where your students do not take you seriously because of your comic roles on TV?
My students understand the difference between acting and real life. They are Theater Arts students of course and so they should know better. They know the difference between Saka and Mr. Oyetoro. Saka is the actor, while Mr. Oyetoro is the lecturer. They have learnt to always draw a line between the two.
Now that you are 50, what should your fans be expecting from you?
They should expect more productive and positive contribution to the industry from me. I really want to go into television production. I know there are challenges in making films in Nigeria, but basically I am more comfortable with television production. Already we have started with a television production and we hope to put it on air before the end of this year.
How would you describe the present state of the entertainment industry?
It’s been encouraging. In those days when our senior colleagues started, they were not well regarded. They were seen as never-do-wells but today, things have changed. People are living off theatre. People are living off entertainment. Considering our productions here and there, for about two years now, Nigeria has ranked second in the world in terms of production. That means we are productive. Of course we cannot be compared to Hollywood because of the lack of facilities and the challenges of the environment that we have found ourselves, but I believe that in the next few years, we are going to be there.
Although in the past, commitment in terms of what we produce was far better. These days, commercial values are more of paramount interest, but I believe that as time goes on, we will go back and start to think about content. Our stories are good. We have stories to tell but the way to tell it is our problem. I’m very sure we are going to find the right way to tell it one day.
OPINION VOIVES also chatted with Saka’a wife, Olaide:
How does it feel to see so many people coming out today to celebrate your husband?
I feel excited. I feel great and to God be the glory.
How has the years you have spent together been?
It has been wonderful and God has been with us.
What was the main attraction for your husband?
It is simply love. That was the main attraction and I thank God for everything.
Friday
Mary J Blige & Tiwa Savage Reunite @ Sister's With Soul Concert
Tiwa Savage received high praise from the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J Blige, during her recent performance at the Sisters with Soul concert at the Eko Hotel Expo Centre in Lagos recently .
The recognition from the superstar is a testimony to how far Tiwa, a one-time backup singer for Blige, has come on her musical journey.
Mary J Blige stopped mid-way through her performance to acknowledge Tiwa Savage's presence in the audience then recounted the tale of how they met and worked together, before inviting the “Eminado” singer onstage to join her.
The singing sensation proceeded to belt out a few notes to rousing applause from the audience and a heartfelt hug of appreciation from the Queen.
The reunion of the talented songbirds was a highlight of the successful concert, which featured a coming together of ladies of music; further championing the female movement for world domination.
The recognition from the superstar is a testimony to how far Tiwa, a one-time backup singer for Blige, has come on her musical journey.
Mary J Blige stopped mid-way through her performance to acknowledge Tiwa Savage's presence in the audience then recounted the tale of how they met and worked together, before inviting the “Eminado” singer onstage to join her.
The singing sensation proceeded to belt out a few notes to rousing applause from the audience and a heartfelt hug of appreciation from the Queen.
The reunion of the talented songbirds was a highlight of the successful concert, which featured a coming together of ladies of music; further championing the female movement for world domination.
Burna Boy Performs With His Underwears
Pop Sensation Burna Boy must have had seen Fela! in his dreams or had one blunt too many as he stripped to his underwear while performing at the Afrikan Shrine for the close of Felabration 2013.
Burna Boy took to the stage in a pair of tighty-whities (white pant) as a tribute to 'Abami Eda' as he performed some of his hit singles as well as those of the late great Afrobeat legend
On Monday, 21st October, 2013 saw the ending of the annual celebration of the late great Fela Kuti, Felabration 2013 at the New Afrika Shrine and thanks to Burna Boy, it ended in a blast, no pun intended.
Burna Boy took to the stage in a pair of tighty-whities (white pant) as a tribute to 'Abami Eda' as he performed some of his hit singles as well as those of the late great Afrobeat legend
On Monday, 21st October, 2013 saw the ending of the annual celebration of the late great Fela Kuti, Felabration 2013 at the New Afrika Shrine and thanks to Burna Boy, it ended in a blast, no pun intended.
The annual Ojude Oba festival
The annual Ojude Oba festival held in Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Ode local government area of Ogun State. The GLOBACOM-sponsored festival is an annual occasion where the ancestral lineage of the first converted Muslims of the Ijebu people pay homage to their King, the Awujale, for allowing their ancestors practise Islam.It takes place on the third day of Eid-el-Kabir, displaying the rich cultural heritage of the Ijebu people, and attracting tourists from across the globe and Ijebu indigenes in the diaspora.
The festival witnessed Ijebu sons and daughters including the Baloguns, age-groups (Regberegbes), societies and various groups paying homage to the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, at his newly constructed edifice directly opposite his palace.
Highlights of the event include the parade of the Regberegbes, sounds of gunshots, traditional songs, poems and horses display
© 2013
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
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.
Saturday
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 25th 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.
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 25th 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.
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.
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.
Speaking at the launch held in Lagos on October 11, 2013, the Group
Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank Limited
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.
Friday
PDP commiserates with families of plane crash victims
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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