More than 7,000 Nigerian students studying in different American universities - U.S Consul-General

Consul-General of the U.S. in Nigeria, Mr Jefferey Hawkins, said no fewer than 7,000 Nigerians were studying in various American universities as foreign students.

The Consul-General confirmed this when he visited Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of the state of Osun in Osogbo, the capital, also commended him for making education a priority.

he said, “we are in Osun to see and feel the culture and tourism of the state, as well as to understand the heritage, belief system and culture of the people of the South-West".

“We appreciate the beautiful scenery and ambience of the Osun Grove, and we hope to repeat this (visit) yearly,” Hawkins said.

The Consul-General, who particularly lauded Aregbesola for his reforms in education, observed that with what was on ground in the state, the governor was a lover of education.

He said the governor had proved that education was a major sector in national and human development by re-structuring the sector in line with best practices in the world.

Hawkins, who said more than 7,000 Nigerian students were in different American universities, said the figure was one of the highest from the African continent.

“This figure is higher than that of any country on the African continent. This shows how governments in this country take education very serious,” he added.

Responding, Aregbesola said his administration would continue to give education the priority it deserves, adding that he had learnt so much from the U.S. example.

Hawkins was in company of some U.S. Consulate officials during the visit to the state for its art and cultural attractions.

Amaechi to Rename Rivers Assembly complex after late Tonye Harry

Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi on Saturday said the state House of Assembly complex would be named after the late Tonye Harry, a former speaker of the house.

Speaking at the late Speaker’s funeral service at Obuama in the Degema Local Government Area of the state, Amaechi said the aim was to immortalise the late Harry.

He said the late Harry, who served as Deputy Speaker for eight years and Speaker for four years, was a fine gentleman and good person until his death.

“The late Tonye deserves to be remembered because he served Degema local government for four terms and the state very well also.

“The assembly complex will be named after him to immortalise his name,’’ the governor said.

Amaechi also said government would assist the late Tonye’s community in completing a new section of the St. Alban’s Anglican Church at Obuama.

In his sermon at the service, Rt. Rev. Ralph Ebirien, Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese, Anglican Communion, urged the people to repent and have the fear of God.

“Repentance brings forgiveness and peace. It gives inner peace and joy. Repentance brings success and takes one to a higher level,’’ he said.

Ebirien extolled the virtues and contributions of the late Harry to his community and the state in general.

Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, the President of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), said the sports federation was yet to come to terms with the fact that Harry had passed on.

“The late Tonye Harry was a good man. As the First Vice-Chairman of our federation, he contributed so much to the growth of tennis in this country. We will surely miss him,’’ he said.

Sen. Magnus Abe, a member of the National Assembly, said the late Harry showed kindness to all.

“He was always at home with all,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Harry died on Oct. 4, 2013.

Yoruba actress Bose Arowosegbe confirms the existence of lesbianism in NOLLYWOOD

Many people have been talking about the existence of lesbianism in the world's third largest movie producing industry called NOLLYWOOD. Although no one has come up to deny it but in a recent interview with Vanguard, actress Bose Arowosegbe of the Yoruba genre of NOLLYWOOD expressly confirmed that some actress in the industry are lesbians. She specifically talked about an incidence that happened right under her nose. 

she said...

I have heard about it and I have seen one with my own very eyes. It happened when two friends came to visit, then three of us had to share a bed. As we were on the bed with my back turned to the other two, I felt some movements and I turned, alas, the two other girls were at it, doing it. I was simply aghast and dumbfounded. I watched them transfixed for about two minutes and then gave one of them a slap. She looked at me and asked if she had touched me or what. I was so mad that I started shouting at them.

The other one was just laying down while the one I slapped was working on her. she said she didn’t know and thought I was also part of it but I shouted ‘God forbid’. She then started crying and I told her to desist from associating with the other girl again.

Ghanian Minister sacked from cabinet for harbouring corrupt Intention

Ghanian Deputy Communications Minister Victoria Hammah has been sacked over her intention of making $1 Billion before quitting politics. 

A letter from the Ghanian Information Ministry, signed by the minister, Mahama Ayariga, said, "His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has relieved Ms. Victoria Hammah, Deputy Minister Communications of her post as Deputy Minister."

Sources at the Information Ministry say her dismissal is in connection with a leaked taped on which she is believed to have made various allegations and comments which embarrass government.

The tape went viral on the internet and social networking sites with newspapers quoting verbatim the comments contained thereoff.

The voice on the tape, attributed to Victoria Hammah, is heard harshly criticising Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Rachel Appoh, for attempting to fight the Minister, Nana Oye Lithur.

According to the voice, it was unreasonable for Mrs Appoh, a neophyte in politics to take on Nana Oye Lithur, who has a huge reputation and whose husband, Tony Lithur, is a friend of President John Dramani Mahama.

“…I told Rachel that I really understand politics...I will not quit politics until I make one million dollars. If you have money then you can control people,” a part of the tape said.

Don't ask me if such a thing can happen in Nigeria o. Of course you should know that our ministers are not so careless to reveal their intentions. *Wink*

UBTH records second stem cell transplant for sickle cell patient

•  University of Benin, Benin City

Culled from PM News

Nigeria’s University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Friday said it had conducted the second successful stem cell transplant for a 15- year-old sickle cell patient in Benin.

Dr Nosakhare Bazuaye, consultant Haematologist and Coordinator of UBTH stem cell transplant centre, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

UBTH is the only hospital in Nigeria and West Africa performing such transplant.

Bazuaye, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadin, said that the operation was successful and that the patient’s genotype had changed from SS to AA.

“In 2011, we announced our first transplant for a patient that had sickle cell disease.

“We have done a second successful transplant for a 15-year-old boy whose transplant took place 102 days ago. The first patient that was transplanted is two years post transplant now, his haemoglobin is AA and he is perfectly okay.

“By WHO regulations, patients are certified fit after 100 days of transplant, so the current patient is over a hundred days and his genotype is AA and has not had any crises since then. So with this, we are now discharging him to go home”, the consultant said.

Bazuaye said that the second transplant had to be conducted after two years due to inadequate facilities and financial constraints of the patients.

“We have about three per cent of Nigerians who have this sickle cell disease.

“We are hoping that the Federal Government and NGOs would put some money into establishing an international centre in UBTH to provide this mode of therapy for most Nigerians.

“We are happy that we have successfully done a second transplant. We are hopeful that with assistance from the Federal Government and NGOs, we will do more transplants and make transplant free and within the reach of most Nigerians.’’

The haematologist said that the therapy could also be used to cure other diseases like blood cancers, bone marrow failure, cancers of the bones and combined immune deficiency syndrome in children.

“For sickle cell transplant, it is better we do the transplant when the children are below 15 years old because at that age, there are usually less complications. But for diseases like cancers of the blood, people below 50 years can benefit from stem cell transplant,” he said.

He said that the first patient was paid for by the hospital, adding that ”we are expecting that subsequent patients should pay for their transplants.

“The second patient has been able to pay some part of the medical bills, and we are hoping that the remaining part of the bill would be paid and then he can go home,” he said.

Jonathan congratulates Eaglets

President Goodluck Jonathan was among the first Nigerian leaders to congratulate the Golden Eaglets on their historic win over the Mexican under 17 team in the just concluded FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The president posted his congratulatory message on his Facebook page. see comments below.

Today, I commend Nigeria's Golden Eaglets for their well deserved victory at the FIFA Under-17 World Soccer tournament in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, UAE. The players played with great skill and projected the Nigerian can do spirit and the end result is that Nigeria is now a four time champion. This could not have come at a better time seeing as Nigeria is on the cusp of celebrating our centenary as a nation. In February this year, the Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations and now our youths are today the world’s champions. This is no fluke. It is no coincidence. It is a reaffirmation of what I have always known; that excellence is a Nigerian habit. I believe Nigerians are poised to extend this habit to every facet of our national life. May God bless us all and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. GEJ

Nigeria Stands Tall in Abu Dhabi

Nigeria put on one more show for their adoring fans in UAE, beating holders Mexico 3-0 in the final of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup to become champions for a record fourth time.

The following FIFA awards were also given to deserving players and teams

Fair play Award:                                   Nigeria

Golden Boot Award                              Sweeden

Silver Boot Award:                               Iheanacho, Nigeria

Goalkeeper of the tournament:             Dele Alampasu, Nigeria

Bronze Ball Award:                              Mexico

Silver ball Winner:                               Brazil

Golden Ball:                                         Iheanacho

Referee collapses, dies during Cooper test in Abuja

Culled from Sun news online

The Nigeria Football Referees Association (NRA) family was thrown into a mourning mood yesterday as tragedy struck the men of whistle after one of Nigeria’s aspiring top referee, Osita Nwadashi slumped and died, while undergoing the 2013 National fitness test in Abuja.

Nwadashi alongside his colleagues from South-west zone were about completing the mandatory running exercise, when he stepped aside and signalled the medical personnel for attention, but the efforts made to revive him however, proved abortive.

He was taken by Ambulance with registration no FG 148 A 27, belonging to the National Sports Commission (NSC) to the near-by National Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

Reacting to the situation, the President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Ahmed Maude and Chairman of Lagos State Referee Council, Tade Azeez confirmed the death of the referee to the media.

According to an obviously traumatised Maude: “It was quite unfortunate. He has been certified dead by the medical personnel.”

Absorbing the NRA of any complicity, Azeez insisted that his death was not lapses on the part of the association, stressing: “We had the best of everything. The medical personnel are from NSC. All of them pass medical test before we allow them to participate in the exercise. If the family are interested in doing autopsy on him we cannot stop them. It was a very sad day for me in particular and an unfortunate situation.”

One of the referee, who would not want his name in print told said that the weather was not favourable as the scorching Abuja sun might have contributed to his death.

“It’s really sad that Nwadashi is no more. He left his homes fit and healthy and now his dead  Everyone knows that the Fitness test is very strenuous, but all the same no one expected these to happen,” he lamented.

The remains of the deceased has since been deposited at the mortuary of the Jabi Medical  Hospital in Abuja while the NRA are making effort to contact his relatives.

In 2010, two referees Oyetola Olatunde from Oyo State and Faloye Mathew from Ogun State slumped and died during the same exercise at the same venue.

Boy 13, turns bag with $1,300 cash over to police

This is an encouraging news. I also believe that Nigerians kids can also do this abi? lol. parents please teach a child the right thing to do because you never can tell. I know some parents will be waiting for this boy at home with koboko for returning the ladder out of poverty which "God sent".

A Massachusetts 13-year-old was rewarded by a store's owner for turning in a bag he discovered containing nearly $1,300.

Jack Sheehan, 13, of Sandwich, said he found the bag on the street while he was walking his dog on Halloween and he wasn't sure if the money was even real or part of a costume when he turned it over to police, The Boston Globe reported Thursday.

"I felt like it was the right thing to do," Sheehan said. "I'm happy they got the money they lost. A lot of people I know would have been on the fence of what to do."

Police said there were deposit slips in the bag stamped MCS, leading them to the Mashpee Country Store.

Mohammad Rafiq, who owns the store with his brother, Mohammad Ahmad, said Ahmad left the bag on top of his car when he drove off to deposit the cash.

"It fell on the way somewhere," Rafiq said. "We were looking for it here and there."
Rafiq praised Sheehan for returning the cash.

"The kid was really good," Rafiq said. "It is not usual that this kind of thing happens."
Rafiq said he and Ahmad rewarded Sheehan with $100 and some bags of candy.

Ayo Oke takes over from Ezekiel Olaniyi Oladeji as DG Of National Intelligence Agency

President Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Ambassador Ayo Oke as the new Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Ambassador Oke, from Oyo State, takes over from the outgoing Director-General of the Agency, Ambassador Ezekiel Olaniyi Oladeji whose tenure has elapsed.

Ambassador Oke is a career diplomat who was formerly at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Until his appointment as Director-General, he was the Director (Regions) at the Headquarters of the NIA.

President Jonathan has similarly approved the appointments of Mr. E.O. Okafor (Anambra State) as Deputy Director-General (Operations) and Mr. Arap A. Yadam (Plateau State) as Deputy Director-General (Administration) of the NIA.

All the three appointments are with immediate effect.

Delta state buys N20bn shares in power companies

• Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State

culled from PM News

The Commissioner for Energy in the southern Nigerian state of Delta, Mr Charles Emetulu, on Thursday said the state government invested N4.5 billion in some newly privatised electricity generating and distribution companies in the country.

He also said that the N15.7 billion earlier contributed by the state government toward the development of the power supply infrastructure in the country had become equity contribution for Delta.

Emetulu spoke at the Mid-term Ministerial press briefing in Asaba, the capital and listed Benin Power Distribution Company, Sapale Power Generating Company and Ughelli Generating Company, as the companies where the state bought some equities.

The commissioner said the state spent N48.4 billion on 391 power supply projects from 2007 to date, adding that N29.7 billion was spent on 95 power projects between 2011 and 2013.

According to him, government is not a good manager of investments, but the state government ventured into acquiring equities in power companies to protect the interest of the rural communities.

“With the private sector taking over the generation and distribution of electricity in the country, we should all look forward for an upward review of tariffs.

“This is why the state government has invested the sum of N4.5 billion as equity in the power generating and distribution companies in Benin, Sapale and Ughelli.

“Government will plough back its profits on investment to ensure safety nets for those in the rural communities who may not be able to pay for this product.”

Emetulu said that from May 2011 to date, the state government acquired and distributed over 2000 transformers and other accessories to various communities to improve power supply in the state.

He also said the state government planned to discuss with the new owners of the power infrastructure how the state would benefit from the facilities located in the state.

The commissioner assured that the state Independent Power Project (IPP) at Oghareki, Eithiope West Local Government Area, would be completed before 2015.

He added that the state would partner with the private sector to run the plant.

Emetulu said the state was also partnering with the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and the Phillips Company to build renewable energy sources in Delta.

The commissioner said the plan was to ensure power supply to the rural areas of the state, especially the riverine communities.

How Governor Yero Intends To Rig 2015 Elections

This country will never move forward when people in power continue to device devilish means of staying in office. This is a report concerning the petition written by a group of retired military officers in Kaduna State to President Goodluck Jonathan alleging that they have uncovered an evil plot by the current governor of the state to rig the 2015 election by orchestrating violence, ensuring that the voters register is inflated with fictitious names and other things. Why? Power! Yes. He has gotten the power and wants to do everything by all means to stay there. Well, hope the president will investigate this. Read the story below as culled from sahara Reporters.

A group of retired senior military officers from the Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Defence Staff over an alleged strategic plan, contained in leaked documents, to rig 2015 elections through rigging and violence under the instruction of Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero.

One of the petitioners who made copies of the classified documents available to SaharaReporters in Abuja shortly after the group submitted the petition, demanding a thorough investigation, said they are not leaving anything to chance, and will follow up the matter to a logical end and ascertain its authenticity.

“We are not comfortable with what we saw, more so, that there are trends in the state occurring that were well captured in the proposal. There is inconsistency in the dates and referencing, but we are all military intelligence officers and knew decoys and other deliberate tactics. And so we want thorough investigations, if anything happens we know those behind [it], the governor and his team of course. I will not give you contents of our petition but the classified documents.”

The documents feature a letter dated 17th April, 2013 emanating from the Governor’s Office, signed by his Principal Private Secretary, one Samaila Aliyu to Mallam Zubairu Sani, MD/CEO of Albarka Consult Abuja.  In it, the scribe, referring previous discussions and communications, said, “I am directed to inform you of the approval of His Excellency the Executive Governor for your firm to draw up a political plan of action for consideration and possible adoption and implementation on the way forward and consolidation of government structures towards 2015 elections.
“Henceforth, you are to liaise and work with the Director General, Media and Publicity Government House, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki. Kindly treat this and all other correspondences as highly confidential, please.”

The political consultant, in his proposal to Yero as the documents reveal, proposes as follows:

• Immediate change of the leadership of the State House of Assembly. For the Speakership position, another member from Giwa constituency should replace the present speaker. This is to counter the threat and influence of the Yakawada camp.
• Reshuffle the cabinet in disguise as a ploy to make the commissioners relax, then fire them within 1to 3 months in their new positions when they would have had a false sense of satisfaction they would not be dissolved and make them open up on the activities of their ministries. This is to get rid of the Yakowa loyalists especially from zone 3.
• For political exigency, the PPS Aliyu Samaila should be re-assigned as was done to Timothy Gandu.
• Not quite long after your swear in the new commissioners, sack all remaining Yakowa appointees i.e. SAs, they are almost all loyal to late Yakowa especially Arc Natsa, Rev Hayab, Edward Pati amongst others.

On how to appoint new commissioners, the documents, further contain the following suggestions, one of which confirmed a recent SaharaReporters story, stating:

• Commissioner’s appointment should be handled with tact to avoid suspicious that the dissolution was targeted at Yakowa loyalists still in government. Those to make the list should be; from zone 1 at least one state party executive official, from central zone 2 former commissioners /local govt council chairmen and from zone 3 a woman should be appointed (will make a recommendation of names and forward same, soonest).
• Political adviser is not smart enough and proactive, he should be removed and that will be your basis to sack advisers. He should however be given a soft landing not to send a signal of disarray within the camp.
• Get some Southern Kaduna Elders to endorse your government as an extension of Yakowa government and rubbish the opposition ACN and CPC, together with Buhari, Atiku and others. Senator Haruna Zego Aziz or Engr. Bawa Magaji should be considered for this task.

With specific reference to how the Kaduna State Governor will guarantee winning the 2015 election in view of the tough politics being projected, the classified documents further suggest:

• Ensure that there is an over-registration of voter’s card lists across all wards in the state especially in Zone 3 (Southern Kaduna) doubtful and unfriendly areas.
• There should be provision of a secured exclusive place where ballot thumb printing will be done.
• There should be a backup plan to ensure that where necessary election violence is triggered.
• Fake election materials should be secured as a backup.
• Where necessary, election conduct should run into the night.
• There should be sudden radio and television announcement of “our own” election result when it’s deemed necessary.

 

Released from Kidnappers den, Ozekhome begs Government to Declare National Emergency on Youth Unemployment

From The Nation

Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN ),
who regained his freedom on Thursday after three weeks of his
abduction, has appealed to the Federal Government to grant amnesty to kidnappers in the
country.
Ozekhome made the call on Thursday while recounting his ordeal to newsmen at his residence in Lagos , after he was released by his abductors on Thursday morning.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that Ozekhome was abducted on Aug. 23 at Ehor near Benin City in Edo.
Ozekhome said his son, Ilugbeka, and a lawyer in his chambers, Mr Dominic Ezerioha, were also abducted by the same kidnappers on Sept. 6, while negotiating for his release.
According to him , the kidnappers
eventually released him and 12 others about 7 a.m. on Thursday.
The lawyer, however, said he was not aware if any ransom was paid to secure their freedom .
He said the security situation in the
country was a national calamity which demanded urgent attention .
Ozekhome described his abductors as ”angry and desperate well- read
graduates” who had a network of cells across the country .
He said during his interactions with
them , they told him that they were
pushed into kidnapping due to
unemployment and poverty.
The human rights lawyer said he fell
sick twice during his three - week ordeal,
adding that his abductors brought a doctor who treated him for malaria and typhoid .
“As a matter of extreme urgency, I want the Federal Government to immediately grant amnesty to all kidnappers and institute an amnesty programme for all kidnappers .
“They told me that if they are given
assurance that they will not be
killed, they are ready to agree to the deal.”
He urged the government to declare a national state of emergency on youth
unemployment and infrastructure decay.
Ozekhome appealed to the government not to neglect the families of the four policemen who were killed while trying to rescue him from his abductors.
“ It was this morning that I was briefed that those gallant officers died while trying to rescue us from our abductors.
”Let me hereby call upon the Federal Government to set up a special foundation to cater for the welfare of the wives and children of these officers.”
He also urged the National Assembly to allow for state police in the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
Ozekhome also called for the
convocation of a national conference to address some of the problems bedevilling the country.
“As Nigerians , we need to sit down and renegotiate our existence as a country.
“We need to practice true federalism .
We need to retool Nigeria. ”
Ozekhome said the government should also tackle the problem of corruption in the country .
The human rights activist, while
thanking Nigerians for their concern
during his ordeal, debunked
insinuations that his abduction was
politically motivated.
“We were never profiled or targeted. It could have happened to anybody,” he said

Stowaway Boy offered Scholarship by Edo State Government

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday, Wednesday Sept 11th announced that the government will support the education of the stowaway boy, Daniel Oikhena by sending him to one of the top schools in the state.
The governor noted that:

“Without meaning to encourage anyone else, we decided to support him by sending him to one of the top secondary schools in Edo State that is owned by the Government. The reason for opting for a boarding school is that we think that there is need to closely watch him which his parents could not do. He is an intelligent young man with
uncommon challenges, but one that has a vision. We had him examined by people who should know and the result confirmed that he is normal".

We hope that by this, Daniel Oikhena will be able to stay away from watching more action movies. Lol. Thanks Oshio Baba