Pages

Sunday, 26 April 2015

Nepal earthquake: Traumatized nation copes with a panorama of devastation By Manesh Shrestha, Ralph Ellis and Mark Morgenstein, CNN

Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN)
[Breaking news update, posted at 11 p.m. ET]
The death toll in Nepal from the devastating earthquake that struck two days ago has risen to 3,218, Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman Laxmi Dhakal said Monday. The spokesman said there were reports that the number of people injured now stands at 6,535.
[Previous story, posted at 10:29 p.m. ET]
The video captures a rare bright moment amid the death and dark devastation in Nepal.
It shows uniformed officers digging though rubble, desperately trying to free a man who is hurt but alive. Rescuers lift him up, and cheers of joy erupt from the crowd. The clip on Nepal State Television shows him being put on a stretcher and carried to safety.
As day broke on Monday, Nepal was still in survival mode after suffering a series of powerful earthquakes and aftershocks over the weekend. At least 2,430 people died in Nepal alone, and that number is sure to climb. Including fatalities in India and China, more than 2,500 were killed.
Survivors look for others to save in what's left but usually only find bodies.
The damage was everywhere. Stunned residents wandered the streets of Kathmandu, the capital city of 3 million people that's now the focus of world disaster relief efforts. They dug through piles of debris where their homes once stood, seeking pieces of their former lives and, possibly, family members. Many injured were treated outside overflowing hospitals, where crowds of people gathered looking for relatives.
One of the world's most scenic spots became a panorama of devastation in minutes.
"The journey towards my family home in Sitapaila was a map of quake destruction, with many houses -- old and new -- torn apart," wrote freelance journalist Sunir Pandey. "A high wall surrounding a monastery had collapsed and the nuns had run to a nearby field. A mud-and-brick cottage had fallen on a blue motorbike but no trace could be found of its rider. Everywhere, survivors gathered wherever they could find open space -- fields, private compounds, empty roadside lots."
At night, many Nepalis slept in the open, shivering in the frigid air of the Himalayan Mountains but at least safe from falling debris. One visitor decided not to.
"The entire city was under darkness," Christina Berry of England wrote for CNN affiliate IBN. "There was not a single light anywhere. The power supply had been cut off. Our caring hotel manager gave us some food and some candles, too. Me and Alexandra were so scared. We slept in the open verandah of the hotel fearing more quakes in the night."
CNN producer Ingrid Formanek, who arrived Sunday night, said Kathmandu "looks like a city where buildings have been abandoned. People are hanging out in public squares and at intersections to avoid rubble from buildings."
"We were able to drive the main road to the hotel we're staying at, but they're not allowing anyone inside because of the aftershocks. The guests are in a big tent used for functions on the lawn. People are squeezed in. There are probably about 100 people in there," Formanek said. "The tents are covered, but water is seeping in from streets puddled with water, especially around the edges of the tent. " See More:http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/26/asia/nepal-earthquake/index.html

Arsenal Game is the End- Mourinho






Jose Mourinho has been speaking about Eden Hazard’s quality and character ahead of today’s game against Arsenal at the Emirates, where a Chelsea win would see the Blues move 13 points clear of the Gunners.
Hazard, who has been nominated for both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, with the results announced tonight, has been an integral part of the side over the course of the season, and in recent weeks has made a huge contribution.
Last Saturday it was Hazard’s goal which proved decisive against Manchester United, while the previous week he laid on the winner for Cesc Fabregas at QPR. The Belgian has scored in three of our last four games and netted on 18 occasions this season already, surpassing his total for the whole of the 2013/14 campaign.

Koscielny - Gabriel is ready for Chelsea

Laurent Koscielny says Gabriel is ready for Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Chelsea.
The Brazilian defender has played seven times since joining in January but could start after Per Mertesacker limped off during Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Reading.
Koscielny has played the majority of those games alongside Gabriel, and says he has no concerns about being paired with the Brazilian.
He’s strong, he’s quick, his mentality means he is ready to fight against Chelsea, so I don’t have any problems with starting alongside him
Laurent Koscielny
“I play very well with Per but I also play very well with Gabriel as well,” the France defender said. “They’re different players who approach the game differently but with the same quality.
“The most important thing is to establish a centre-back pairing, so we need to talk a lot. I know that Gabriel is trying to learn English so that’s good for us. We have good defenders who can play for the team and who want to win for the team.
Gabriel only arrived in January but he has done well in the games he has played. He’s strong, he’s quick, his mentality means he is ready to fight against Chelsea, so I don’t have any problems with starting alongside him.
“We are well equipped to play Chelsea now,” added Koscielny. “We are stronger than we were at the start of the season and we want to keep our quality to extend our winning run.”

Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny

Watford seal promotion to Premier League after victory at Brighton



Watford players celebrate victory at Brighton, with their promotion confirmed a few hours later
Watford are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2006-07 after they won 2-0 at Brighton and other results went their way.
The Hornets, playing in the first Championship game of the day, went in front on the south coast through Troy Deeney and sealed the points when Matej Vydra struck on the break in stoppage time.
Middlesbrough's dramatic 4-3 defeat at Fulham and a 1-1 draw for Norwich at Rotherham later in the day meant the Hertfordshire side could not be caught in the race for automatic promotion.
Bournemouth will join them in all but name if they win at home to Bolton on Monday, with their goal difference significantly better than Middlesbrough's -- the only side that would then be able to equal their points tally.
Boro's hopes of automatic promotion were hit by Ross McCormack, who scored a hat trick including a stoppage-time winner at Craven Cottage.
They thought they had clawed back a precious point after trailing 3-1 when substitute Kike made it 3-3 with a minute to go, with Fulham's other goal coming from Michael Turner and Boro's from Adam Reach and Daniel Ayala.
But Aitor Karanka's side were punished for pressing for a winner when goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos went up for a corner that was cleared, allowing McCormack to find the net.
Norwich's hopes of automatic promotion were damaged as Rotherham scored a late equaliser in a rousing 1-1 draw with implications at both ends of the table.
The Canaries, who had to play for over an hour with 10 men after Lewis Grabban was sent off for violent conduct, looked to be heading back into the top two after Gary Hooper's moment of brilliance put them ahead, but Jordan Bowery's 86th-minute header earned the relegation-threatened Millers a vital point.
Freddie Sears scored a priceless 83rd-minute winner as Ipswich remained in the playoff zone with an edgy 2-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.
The striker grabbed his ninth goal in Ipswich colours with a shot that deflected off Michael Mancienne. Daryl Murphy grabbed his 25th goal of the season in the 22nd minute, but an own goal from Christophe Berra in the 54th set up a nervous finale.
Lee Gregory's hat trick was in vain as Derby fought back at the Den to draw 3-3 and leave Millwall's hopes of a sixth season in the Championship hanging by a thread.
Gregory's first-half double, the second from the penalty spot, had the home fans dreaming, though Tom Ince's fine free kick gave Derby a crumb of comfort. Another Gregory penalty moments after the break made it 3-1, but a Chris Martin spot-kick and a fine Jeff Hendrick volley earned the Lions a point.
Brentford kept alive their slim Championship play-off hopes with a 2-0 win at Reading -- their first victory in five matches.
Alan Judge volleyed home to give the Bees a half-time lead and central defender James Tarkowski nodded in a free kick midway through the second half to seal matters.
Benik Afobe grabbed the only goal to win a scrappy game at the DW Stadium 1-0, keeping Wolves in the playoff hunt and all but confirming Wigan's relegation.
The Latics, though, live to fight another day after their 1-0 defeat, with relegation rivals Rotherham and Millwall only drawing.
Leeds United ran out 2-1 winners against Sheffield Wednesday in a fiercely-contested Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough.
The visitors had to come from behind to win after Chris Maguire's controversial first-half penalty, with second-half goals from Charlie Taylor and Steve Morison ensuring their first win in six matches.
Lloyd Dyer was the Birmingham match-winner in a hard-fought 1-0 home success against Charlton.
Dyer, a second-half substitute, thumped a 20-yard angled shot in the 82nd minute to send Charlton to only a second defeat in six away games.
Two penalties from Eoin Doyle helped Cardiff condemn relegated Blackpool to a season without an away victory thanks to a 3-2 victory at the City Stadium.
Joe Mason's early strike put the hosts into the lead, with Doyle doubling their advantage after Henry Cameron had fouled Aron Gunnarsson. Andrea Orlandi's goal gave the visitors hope, but Doyle struck again before Peter Clarke's late consolation.
Substitute Joe Lolley scored a cracking late equaliser as Huddersfield came from two down to draw 2-2 at home to Blackburn.
Lolley belted a low effort into the bottom corner from 25 yards on 84 minutes, a minute after Town had the second of two goals controversially ruled out for offside. Goals from Rudy Gestede and Jordan Rhodes had put Blackburn two up before Jacob Butterfield pulled one back

Saturday, 25 April 2015

The National Newspaper Headlines for today, April 26th, 2015.

..
VANGUARD
Biometric registration: Bank customers rush as deadline nears
Assassination Plot: How Buhari saved Obasanjo’s in-law
Don’t merge NDDC with ministry, N/Delta youths warn Buhari
Acting IGP Solomon Arase: An officer and a gentleman
Buhari’s government: ICT stakeholders set digital agenda
The fallacies of delusional negative triumphalism (3)
Hiccups, low voter turnout mar polls in Abia, Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Taraba
Probe of NNPC from 1999 inevitable
How Keshi can succeed – Ugbe, Erico
My warnings to the nation have come to pass — Primate Ayodele
Confession of A Prince: We love robbing Okada riders!

THISDAY
Okorocha, Ikpeazu, Ishaku Win in Imo, Abia, Taraba
Sambisa: Military Deploys More Equipment, Continues Assault
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria Recalls Envoy to South Africa
World Bank Approves $500m to Improve Maternal, Child Health in Nigeria
Political Parties to Storm Election Tribunal in Cross River
‘Akpabio Wasn’t PDP Candidate for Senatorial Race’
Buhari: No Government Can Do without the Media
Jonathan Inaugurates N600m CAN Centre
Group Laments Influx of Ex-Governors to Senate
Only 55 Students from Borno Bid for Unity Schools
Funmi Tejuoso Joins Lagos Speakership Race
PDP Wins Ekiti Assembly Election, as Low Turnout, Heavy Security Deployment Mar Poll
Peaceful Supplementary Election in Delta Central
Jonathan: Constant Prayers’ll Help in Rebuilding Nigeria
Al-Mustapha Denies Allegations of Arrest, $10 Billion Bribe
APC Lawmakers: Fayose Fabricating Lies to Escape Impeachment
Niger Delta Youths Threaten to Resist Merger of NDDC, Ministry
Suspended NigComSat Boss Sues Minister, Others for N2bn

PUNCH
Tinubu has begged me for forgiveness — Bode George
Police arrest Senator, sister, 25 others in Imo
APC godfathers can’t dictate to Buhari — David-West
Aso Rock exit: Jonathan to live in luxury island villa
Impeachment: APC lawmakers ask court to charge Fayose with contempt
I will serve Nigeria in different capacity — Jonathan
Two soldiers die in Jos barracks blast
Boko Haram attacks Borno towns
Election results stall one million-metre distribution
Xenophobia: FG summons envoys from South Africa
Two die as thugs destroy cars, houses in Ilorin

GUARDIAN
Okorocha wins Imo governorship election
APC Diaspora Congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo
Islamic Group Protests Against Saudi’s Military Action in Yemen
Nnamani’s Petition May Rub-off On PDP Rep’s Victory
Cleric Urges Buhari To Fix Nigeria
Internal Politics May Undermine Sierra Leone’s Ebola, Peace Effort
Tension, Anxiety Mark Abia Rescheduled Election
OPC Passes Vote-Of Confidence On Fasehun
Death Toll In Nepal Earthquake Hits 1000
Groups Worried Over State Of Edo Nursing School
Unity Schools Record 86,365 Common Entrance Enrolment
Police Confirms Two Deaths After Mayhem In Ilorin
Jonathan Urges Prayer, Sacrifice For Nation’s Growth

THE NATION
Okorocha wins re-election as PDP’s Ikpeazu leads in Abia
PDP crisis: S/South Gov to replace Muazu
Ekiti lawmakers to Fayose: Impunity can’t save you
Xenophobic attacks: Nigeria recalls ambassador
I’m ready to step into Gowon’s, Shonekan’s shoes, says Jonathan
Voter apathy dents Abia guber rerun
Two soldiers die as explosion rocks Jos army barrack
Tension in Abia was artificial, says Ikpeazu
Strange killer disease: Ondo bans production, consumption of ogogoro
Abia supplementary polls record appreciable voter turnout
APC, LP allege multiple thumb printing in Delta Central
Boko Haram kills four in Plateau
Why Christian leaders prefer Buhari to Jonathan -Abiara
Jonathan inaugurates N600 million CAN centre in Abuja

Akinwunmi Ambode Thanks Lagos Civil Servants

Ambode on Thank You Visit to Civil Servants2
The Governor-Elect in Lagos state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, today expressed his appreciation to members of the state’s civil service, for joining hands together with him to achieve a historic victory, that is, electing a fellow civil servant as the 14th Governor of the state.
“I’ve come to say ‘THANK YOU’ to all of you. Together, we have achieved this great and historic victory. It shows we are truly great people ourselves”.
Akinwunmi Ambode Thanks Lagos Civil Servants
A Cross Section of Civil Servants at the Event
“Now is the time to work more. My major duty is to ensure that we use our collective understanding of sacrifice and selflessness as public servants, to make Lagos state civil service the best in Africa”, stated a grateful Ambode.

It’s About Nigeria, Not Buhari

It’s About Nigeria, Not Buhari
The registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which was a merger of the main political parties in the country, has generated a great deal of excitement and rekindled the prospect of strengthening democracy and hope in our country, in place of national despair. By this act alone, the leaderships of the merging opposition parties have demonstrated that Nigeria, its future, progress and prosperity of its citizens are greater than individual ambitions. The APC is therefore a platform for Nigerians to have an alternative to fulfill their aspirations and realise their potential with a party that is strong and nationally based. What is more? It will help to arrest the drift towards oppression and anarchy.

Democracy is not just about free and fair elections, the consequence of which parties alternate to form governments. It also provides opportunities for fresh policies to move the country forward. That is why presidential systems have term limits, such as we have but the failed third term attempt is a clear indication that given the opportunity, some politicians will try and subvert the system. In parliamentary systems where there are no term limits, members of the governing parties remove the head of government, however successful she or he is in government and popular with the voters. That was the fate of two British Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, in recent times. Alternatively, provided there are free and fair elections, the electorate will vote out unpopular governments such as what happened with Mrs. Indira Ghandi in India.

The dangers of one party or an individual remaining in power for too long are two-fold: first is corruption of power. Power, it has been said, corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The second element is the temptation to absolutism, the rule of one party has the tendency to become the rule of a faction of the party and ultimately the rule of one person, a forbidding path to a Stalinist state.

Regrettably, after the euphoria of its registration, public discussion has been more about personalities and less on the benefits of the emergence of a strong alternative to the governing party and the prospect it offers to widening democracy and stemming the drift to impunity, where an elected president can say he doesn’t give a damn about public opinion.


The issue is not just about Buhari, but something greater than Buhari or any individual or parts of its whole, it is about Nigeria-its future, progress and prosperity of its citizens, living in peace, harmony, its evolution and integration.

By joining the army, I had signed up to lay my life for my country. This was what my colleagues and I faced during our tragic civil war to keep our country united. Nigeria has been good to me. I was an orphan but it educated me and trained me and offered me the ultimate prize any citizen can hope for-its leadership.

My involvement in the political process is another call to duty and my desire to give back to Nigeria a little of what it gave me, by joining hands with others to provide viable options to our fellow citizens and evolve social and economic policies that are sustainable and all inclusive, by a caring leadership that is dedicated to the efficient management of the economy, social justice and individual liberty.

Such leadership is not restricted to government alone, we all have roles to play -- the National Assembly, the judiciary, the security services, the press and civil society groups -- to ensure checks and balances, protection of all under the law, and accountability.

If some politicians find it more convenient to drag public discussion towards the weaknesses of Nigeria, in order to hide their incompetence and divert attention from their theft of public funds, it is the responsibility of the press to steer the debate to policies and programmes, notwithstanding the diversionary self-destruct antics of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Buhari With President of Ghana John Mahama, Tinubu, Amosun, Kwara Delegates (pictures)

President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari and President of Ghana John Mahama when the President-elect met with the Ghanaian leader,  Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Bisi Akande, Dele Alake, President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari, National leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senator Abdul Abubakar, Prince Abubakar Audu, Senator-elect Dino Melaye, Emir of Ilorin Sulu Gambari, Governor Abdul Fatai Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 April 2015.
 


President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari and President of Ghana John Mahama when the President-elect met with the Ghanaian leader in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 April 2015.

President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abuja on 21 April 2015.

Chief Bisi Akande, Dele Alake, President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari, National leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Ibikunle Amosun during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 April 2015.

Senator Abdul Abubakar, Prince Abubakar Audu, President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari and Senator-elect Dino Melaye at a congratulatory visit of  Kogi State delegation in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 April 2015.

Emir of Ilorin Sulu Gambari, President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abdul Fatai Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki after a congratulatory visit of  Kwara State delegation in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Give Back to Society, Oyintiloye Urges Osun Indigenes, Constituents

The House of Assembly member-elect for Obokun State constituency of Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on well-meaning indigenes of his constituency and Osun in general to plough back to the society through intervention in the area of health among others to assist the government.
He made the call during his visit to the operation centre of the free medical treatment and surgical operations for over 200 beneficiaries, organised by Cedio Rural Medical Outreach Ministry, Lagos at Ibokun Comprehensive Health Centre, Ibokun.
According to him, the intervention has helped to ameliorate the health challenges faced by the people as well as lift the burden on him as the representative of the people and government in general. He said such intervention would assist government to actualise its dream by attending to do some other areas.
Oyintiloye said: “There is no way government can do everything, but intervention like this from well-meaning Nigerians would go a long way to assist the people.
See more:http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/give-back-to-society-oyintiloye-urges-osun-indigenes-constituents/207798/

Okorocha, Ikpeazu, Ishaku Win in Imo, Abia, Taraba

221214F-Rochas-Okorocha.jpg - 221214F-Rochas-Okorocha.jpg
Imo State governor and candidate of All Progressives Congress, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was early this morning declared winner of the governorship election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission. In the other two states where supplementary governorship elections also held yesterday, the governorship candidates of Peoples Democratic Party in Abia and Taraba states, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and Mr. Darius Ishaku, respectively, also won, going by results collated and declared by INEC at the time of going to press. This followed the addition of their scores from yesterday’s supplementary elections to the figures they had garnered after the main election on April 11, which INEC had declared inconclusive.
Okorocha scored 416,996 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who polled 320,705 votes. Okorocha was declared winner by the State Returning Officer, Professor Ibidapo Obe, who is Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State.
In the senatorial election in Delta Central, Ighoyota Amori of PDP won the election, polling 115, 000 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ovie Omo-Agege, of Labour Party, who scored 53, 000 votes. Amore was declared the senator-elect. Amori polled 2, 981 votes in Ughelli South, while Omo-Agege polled 681 votes. In Sapele, Amori got 8, 864 votes, Omo-Agege got 1, 541. In Udu, the PDP candidate got 9, 194 votes, while his LP challenger got 3, 956 votes. In Uvwie, Amori got 4, 819 votes, while Omo-Agege got 2, 366 votes. In Okpe, the PDP candidate scored 8, 613, while the LP candidate got 2, 022 votes. In Ethiope West, Amori got 172, while Omo-Agege had 12 votes. Also in Ethiope East, Amori scored 14, 142 votes, while Omo-Agege scored 7, 168 votes.
See More at:http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/okorocha-ikpeazu-ishaku-win-in-imo-abia-taraba/207796/

Still on the Xenophobic Violence in South Africa

 xenophobic-protest-0423.jpg - xenophobic-protest-0423.jpg
Harshly criticised for its slow response to days of murderous attacks on innocent foreigners, South Africa says it has now contained the crisis. But if the government was more painstaking in curbing arrogances among its citizens that encourage xenophobia, the damage to lives and relations would have been avoided. Vincent Obia writes.
It was with a heavy heart that the world received the news about the recent bloody attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. Yet, it is with a feeling of great relief that Africa and the world have viewed the absence of reprisals in countries whose citizens have fallen victim to the xenophobic violence in South Africa. This, no doubt, is humanity’s way of trying to deescalate the crisis and make the best out of the bad situation inside South Africa. Ironically, this is a country that ought to be Africa’s bulwark against extremism and racist discrimination after suffering about a century of racial segregation, first, in colonial times under Dutch East India rule, and then, under the apartheid policy of the Afrikaner-dominated National Party.
See more:http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/still-on-the-xenophobic-violence-in-south-africa/207772/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
ADDRESS OF THE CHANCELLOR, LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGBOMOSO, ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU, DELIVERED AT THE 12TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY, HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015
Protocol
I am delighted to address this assembly for the first time since my investiture as the 4th chancellor of our university. When we assembled here for that memorable event exactly one year ago, many national and international personalities were among our guests.
APC leader, Bola Tinubu
APC leader, Bola Tinubu
We had the privilege of the eminent presence of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), now the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the time, we could only hope and pray that all would be well with our dear country, Nigeria. Today, we are grateful to God because he has heard our cry and has answered our prayer for a better nation. It is, therefore, my privilege to welcome you all to this important occasion of the 12th Convocation Ceremony of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
Sweep of Change
As I congratulate the Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students of this university for carrying on the work of the university in the face of daunting challenges which the entire nation had to face in the recent past, I would also like to express my joy at seeing the broom of positive change sweeping across the entire nation. I particularly rejoice with the youth of our nation whose hope and prospects for a better future are now bright.  Their welfare and development are sure to receive much needed attention through the enhanced and progressive policies of the new federal government.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/pdp-managed-poverty-we-will-end-it-tinubu/#sthash.StZ7W8Ux.dpuf
AMID hiccups and voter apathy, the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC), yesterday, held supplementary governorship poll in Abia, Imo and Taraba states; re-run election in Delta  Central Senatorial District as well as  supplementary House of Assembly election  in Ilejemeje Constituency of Ekiti State.
Cases of malfunctioning Smart Card Readers (SCR) as well as late arrival of election officers and materials characterised the polls in many locations across the five states.
Ishaku  wins polling unit in Taraba
However, Taraba  recorded a huge turn out of voters in some of the 218 voting points across 10 local councils as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Arch. Darius Ishaku, won his polling booth and led in early results.
At Kofan Serki I in Tarakum Local Council, he  scored 219 votes while Senator  Aisha Jumai Arhasan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got three votes.
At Kofan Serki II,  the PDP candidate polled 369 votes while  Arhasan got four.
Commissioners’ presence raises  dust in Jalingo
However, there was  near-commotion at Mohammed Primary School polling unit in Jalingo, the state capital, when two commissioners  were sighted at a polling unit.
Trouble started when a chieftain of the APC asked  the commissioners to leave because they were not registered voters at the polling unit.
This led to verbal exchange between PDP and APC supporters. The intervention of security personnel on ground prevented the matter from escalating.
The APC supporters alleged that the commissioners were trying to induce voters with money.
But  one of the commissioners  challenged those accusing him of going to the polling unit with money to induce voters to come clean with evidence to back their claim.
He explained that as a commissioner from Jalingo I constituency where the run-off was taking place, he only went there to ensure that everything went on well.
In Yelwa II Polling Unit in Chanchanji Ward of Takum local government, a party chieftain, suspected to be a member of the APC, accompanied by some thugs, invaded the polling unit  insisting that his supporters from other polling units must cast their votes.
This development forced INEC officials to postpone accreditation until police restored normalcy.
…Poor turnout in Ekiti
In Ekiti, the Ilejemeje Constituency supplementary election to elect a  House of Assembly member witnessed a low turn of voters and heavy presence of security personnel.
Otti and Ikpeazu
Otti and Ikpeazu
The election was generally peaceful contrary to the scenario that played out on April 11, when the poll was  cancelled in 22 units due to violence.
The leading contender in the election  is PDP’s Mrs. Cecelia Dada, who is challenging the incumbent, Hon Segun Erinle, of the APC.
To ensure adequate security, Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Mr Joshua Ibine, deployed a  large number of policemen to the 22 units in Eda Oniyo, Iludun and Iye Ekiti, headquarters of the council, where the election took place.
The police mounted checkpoints at Ewu Ekiti, Ijesa Modu, Iludun and Ipere Ekiti, to prevent commuters and road users from entering the local council from Oye, Ido/Osi and Moba local governments as well as those travelling to Kwara State  from entering the constituency.
There were also large contingents of soldiers and men and officers of the Department of State Service  (DSS), who patrolled the council to forestall breakdown of law and order.
The result of the election was being expected at press time.
Voter apathy in Delta
…Travellers trapped on East/West Road
There was also  voter apathy in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State. Those travelling on the ever busy East/West Road were trapped in traffic gridlock for several hours on account of the no-movement order enforced by men of the Military Joint Task Force.
The election was generally peaceful  at polling units in Ughelli North, Sapele, Udu, Okpe, Ethiope East and parts of Ughelli South Local Government.
Accreditation began at the polling units at about 9 am. However, the movement restriction order was not fully enforced in some communities.
At the Ughelli main market, traders were seen displaying their wares.
Though voting was peaceful in many areas visited, some voters at Abraka Unit 7 Ward 2 could not cast their votes after they were told that voting had closed with result collation in progress at about 1:15pm.
At Units 1 and 2 of Oviore Ward 5, the Labour Party agent, Mr Philip Ogodo, alleged that voters were induced by a political party with money.
There were also reported cases of multiple thumb printing at  some units in the ward.
Speaking with newsmen  after he was accredited at his Eku Ward 9, Unit 16, House of Assembly candidate of the PDP in the Ethiope East Constituency, Chief Authur Akpowowo, noted that the turnout was not as high as he expected, saying “there is  voter apathy.’’
Chief Fred Majemite, Political Adviser (Delta Central) to Delta State Governor, applauded the peaceful conduct of the election and expressed optimism that the PDP will win.
Former Transition Committee Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Chief Sunday Onoriode, blamed the low turnout on the cancellation of the last senatorial election result which he said did not go down well with voters.
Speaking in the same vein, a PDP chieftain in the area, Chief Anthony Onoharigho, said the exercise was peaceful, adding that the PDP would win the election.
The President General of Ugono-Orogun Community, Mr Emoemu Oriogbe, described the exercise as peaceful and expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters.
Low turn out in Abia
Reports from Abia claimed  voter apathy in the 75 polling units in Aba North and Aba South local councils.
The announcement made by the Transition Committee Chairman, Chief Chimaobi Ebesike, that markets in the city would open for business while residents who had nothing to do with the election were free to go about their normal businesses, obviously, affected voter turnout.
At 11:30a.m., turnout at most of the polling units visited at Constitution Crescent Primary School, Aba South local government was poor. At Ward 12, Unit 9, only 73 voters were accredited out of the 702 registered at the unit. Voters were later seen waiting for voting to commence.
VOTERSThe situation was the same at Industrial Ward 2, Onyeador Close Polling Unit where 107 voters had been accredited as at 1pm.
At Industrial Ward 2, Unit 20, located at Bata Junction, the Presiding Officer, Victoria Umoh, said 46 voters were accredited while 40 voted. She declared the result as follows; PDP 6, APGA 34.
Umoh said her unit didn’t encounter any problem with the SCR  and commended parties agents for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner.
At Igwebuike Ward 7, the Presiding Officer for Unit 11 announced that PDP scored 54 votes to APGA’s 46. It was the same situation in Unit 10 where PDP defeated APGA by 73 to 72 votes.
A PDP agent, Joshua Mbagwu, commended the INEC for the early distribution of electoral materials to the two polling units located at Ohabiam Health Centre along Port Harcourt Road. The tranquility in the area was almost breached when PDP agents protested the action of a suspected party agent who allegedly stormed the polling unit with recharge cards to woo voters but he was quickly whisked away by policemen.
INEC ad-hoc staff, man arrested in Imo
In spite of early morning rain in parts of Imo State, especially in Owerri municipality, the supplementary poll was held as scheduled.
At Umuduru, Isiala Mbano, voters came out in large numbers. There was also adequate security while SCRs functioned properly and voting started on schedule.
One INEC ad-hoc staff was reportedly arrested at Oru East by the REC for alleged electoral irregularity. It was also gathered that a man, who posed as an INEC ad-hoc staff but could not properly explain himself to security personnel, was whisked away for questioning.
At Umucheke Hall, Amaifeke, Orlu local government area, the country home of former Governor Achike Udenwa, experienced hiccups. The SCRs malfunctioned, forcing the exercise to be put on hold, while voters waited for  INEC to replace the malfunctioning machines. The story was the same at Power Line Primary School, Omuma, Oru East local council area. At the time Sunday Vanguard left the area, accreditation was yet to begin, especially as INEC said there would be no manual accreditation.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/hiccups-low-voter-turnout-mar-polls-in-abia-delta-ekiti-imo-taraba/#sthash.GNLBWFP6.dpuf
AMID hiccups and voter apathy, the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC), yesterday, held supplementary governorship poll in Abia, Imo and Taraba states; re-run election in Delta  Central Senatorial District as well as  supplementary House of Assembly election  in Ilejemeje Constituency of Ekiti State.
Cases of malfunctioning Smart Card Readers (SCR) as well as late arrival of election officers and materials characterised the polls in many locations across the five states.
Ishaku  wins polling unit in Taraba
However, Taraba  recorded a huge turn out of voters in some of the 218 voting points across 10 local councils as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Arch. Darius Ishaku, won his polling booth and led in early results.
At Kofan Serki I in Tarakum Local Council, he  scored 219 votes while Senator  Aisha Jumai Arhasan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got three votes.
At Kofan Serki II,  the PDP candidate polled 369 votes while  Arhasan got four.
Commissioners’ presence raises  dust in Jalingo
However, there was  near-commotion at Mohammed Primary School polling unit in Jalingo, the state capital, when two commissioners  were sighted at a polling unit.
Trouble started when a chieftain of the APC asked  the commissioners to leave because they were not registered voters at the polling unit.
This led to verbal exchange between PDP and APC supporters. The intervention of security personnel on ground prevented the matter from escalating.
The APC supporters alleged that the commissioners were trying to induce voters with money.
But  one of the commissioners  challenged those accusing him of going to the polling unit with money to induce voters to come clean with evidence to back their claim.
He explained that as a commissioner from Jalingo I constituency where the run-off was taking place, he only went there to ensure that everything went on well.
In Yelwa II Polling Unit in Chanchanji Ward of Takum local government, a party chieftain, suspected to be a member of the APC, accompanied by some thugs, invaded the polling unit  insisting that his supporters from other polling units must cast their votes.
This development forced INEC officials to postpone accreditation until police restored normalcy.
…Poor turnout in Ekiti
In Ekiti, the Ilejemeje Constituency supplementary election to elect a  House of Assembly member witnessed a low turn of voters and heavy presence of security personnel.
Otti and Ikpeazu
Otti and Ikpeazu
The election was generally peaceful contrary to the scenario that played out on April 11, when the poll was  cancelled in 22 units due to violence.
The leading contender in the election  is PDP’s Mrs. Cecelia Dada, who is challenging the incumbent, Hon Segun Erinle, of the APC.
To ensure adequate security, Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Mr Joshua Ibine, deployed a  large number of policemen to the 22 units in Eda Oniyo, Iludun and Iye Ekiti, headquarters of the council, where the election took place.
The police mounted checkpoints at Ewu Ekiti, Ijesa Modu, Iludun and Ipere Ekiti, to prevent commuters and road users from entering the local council from Oye, Ido/Osi and Moba local governments as well as those travelling to Kwara State  from entering the constituency.
There were also large contingents of soldiers and men and officers of the Department of State Service  (DSS), who patrolled the council to forestall breakdown of law and order.
The result of the election was being expected at press time.
Voter apathy in Delta
…Travellers trapped on East/West Road
There was also  voter apathy in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State. Those travelling on the ever busy East/West Road were trapped in traffic gridlock for several hours on account of the no-movement order enforced by men of the Military Joint Task Force.
The election was generally peaceful  at polling units in Ughelli North, Sapele, Udu, Okpe, Ethiope East and parts of Ughelli South Local Government.
Accreditation began at the polling units at about 9 am. However, the movement restriction order was not fully enforced in some communities.
At the Ughelli main market, traders were seen displaying their wares.
Though voting was peaceful in many areas visited, some voters at Abraka Unit 7 Ward 2 could not cast their votes after they were told that voting had closed with result collation in progress at about 1:15pm.
At Units 1 and 2 of Oviore Ward 5, the Labour Party agent, Mr Philip Ogodo, alleged that voters were induced by a political party with money.
There were also reported cases of multiple thumb printing at  some units in the ward.
Speaking with newsmen  after he was accredited at his Eku Ward 9, Unit 16, House of Assembly candidate of the PDP in the Ethiope East Constituency, Chief Authur Akpowowo, noted that the turnout was not as high as he expected, saying “there is  voter apathy.’’
Chief Fred Majemite, Political Adviser (Delta Central) to Delta State Governor, applauded the peaceful conduct of the election and expressed optimism that the PDP will win.
Former Transition Committee Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Chief Sunday Onoriode, blamed the low turnout on the cancellation of the last senatorial election result which he said did not go down well with voters.
Speaking in the same vein, a PDP chieftain in the area, Chief Anthony Onoharigho, said the exercise was peaceful, adding that the PDP would win the election.
The President General of Ugono-Orogun Community, Mr Emoemu Oriogbe, described the exercise as peaceful and expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters.
Low turn out in Abia
Reports from Abia claimed  voter apathy in the 75 polling units in Aba North and Aba South local councils.
The announcement made by the Transition Committee Chairman, Chief Chimaobi Ebesike, that markets in the city would open for business while residents who had nothing to do with the election were free to go about their normal businesses, obviously, affected voter turnout.
At 11:30a.m., turnout at most of the polling units visited at Constitution Crescent Primary School, Aba South local government was poor. At Ward 12, Unit 9, only 73 voters were accredited out of the 702 registered at the unit. Voters were later seen waiting for voting to commence.
VOTERSThe situation was the same at Industrial Ward 2, Onyeador Close Polling Unit where 107 voters had been accredited as at 1pm.
At Industrial Ward 2, Unit 20, located at Bata Junction, the Presiding Officer, Victoria Umoh, said 46 voters were accredited while 40 voted. She declared the result as follows; PDP 6, APGA 34.
Umoh said her unit didn’t encounter any problem with the SCR  and commended parties agents for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner.
At Igwebuike Ward 7, the Presiding Officer for Unit 11 announced that PDP scored 54 votes to APGA’s 46. It was the same situation in Unit 10 where PDP defeated APGA by 73 to 72 votes.
A PDP agent, Joshua Mbagwu, commended the INEC for the early distribution of electoral materials to the two polling units located at Ohabiam Health Centre along Port Harcourt Road. The tranquility in the area was almost breached when PDP agents protested the action of a suspected party agent who allegedly stormed the polling unit with recharge cards to woo voters but he was quickly whisked away by policemen.
INEC ad-hoc staff, man arrested in Imo
In spite of early morning rain in parts of Imo State, especially in Owerri municipality, the supplementary poll was held as scheduled.
At Umuduru, Isiala Mbano, voters came out in large numbers. There was also adequate security while SCRs functioned properly and voting started on schedule.
One INEC ad-hoc staff was reportedly arrested at Oru East by the REC for alleged electoral irregularity. It was also gathered that a man, who posed as an INEC ad-hoc staff but could not properly explain himself to security personnel, was whisked away for questioning.
At Umucheke Hall, Amaifeke, Orlu local government area, the country home of former Governor Achike Udenwa, experienced hiccups. The SCRs malfunctioned, forcing the exercise to be put on hold, while voters waited for  INEC to replace the malfunctioning machines. The story was the same at Power Line Primary School, Omuma, Oru East local council area. At the time Sunday Vanguard left the area, accreditation was yet to begin, especially as INEC said there would be no manual accreditation.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/hiccups-low-voter-turnout-mar-polls-in-abia-delta-ekiti-imo-taraba/#sthash.GNLBWFP6.dpuf

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Bavarians Put Six Pass Porto












Brilliant Bayern defied the odds and overturned a 3-1 first leg deficit against Porto in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final return in scintillating fashion, booking a place among the four best teams in Europe for the fourth time in a row with a fulminating 6-1 win on the night and a 7-4 success on aggregate.
The raucous 70,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena turned the stadium into a cauldron of noise and colour, and Pep Guardiola’s men responded with a blistering start as Thiago, Jerome Boateng and Robert Lewandowski netted superb headed goals to put FCB in the driving seat before the half-hour was up. Thomas Müller made it four and Lewandowski completed his brace in a stupendous first half, after which the German champions shifted down a gear or two for a long spell. Jackson Martinez pulled one back on 73 minutes with Porto’s first real chance, but the visitors' resistance was short lived as Marcano was sent off for a second bookable offence three minutes from time and Xabi Alonso brought up the half-dozen with a glorious free-kick.
All eyes at the club now turn to UEFA headquarters in Nyon at midday on Friday and the draw for the semi-finals in the continent’s elite club competition. The packed schedule continues on Saturday afternoon when Hertha Berlin visit the Allianz Arena, where Bayern can wrap up the Bundesliga title if results elsewhere fall their way, before the crunch DFB Cup semi-final clash with Borussia Dortmund on the same ground the following Tuesday.

Woman In My Dream


Deep in the hearth of night,
Awakened by ululations of ghosts.
Curtains swaying,
Dancing the dance of the spirits.
Window panes clattering softly in the night breeze,
Gossiping of the evils men do at night.
Making small talks of the nightly pestillence.
Terrified and shaken, arose I.
Now, sitting up on the stairs,
Unseeing eyes gazing at the ceiling boards,
Right chin stationed on right palm,
Nibbling on a piece of my mind.
Then, came my surreal visitor,as always.
My eyes were shut tight for fear
But I could see her,
Clad in white,
Head to feet
In a motherly stance.
Telling tales of man’s fallibility,
Insincerity, infidelity.
Of how man, seed of another man,
Assails fellow man.
Tales of promises broken,
Trusts betrayed,
And of hopes not yet dashed.
My eyes flutter open,
But I see no one,
Only a shadow, trotting away,
Umbra to penumbra,
Then, nothing.
Departure as gentle as silence,
Woman in my dreams,
Gone with the wind

from Ebo Flora ( a student of Imo state University)

Digital Literacy is Important-IIHT



The seminar “Importance of Digital Literacy and Career in IT-IMS” which was co-organised by the Department of Mass Communication and Centre of Excellence for Multimedia and Cinematography, University of Lagos and the Idian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT) and held at Afe Babalola Auditorium on 2nd of April, 2015 was a great success. A well packaged seminar that is structured towards equipping students and participants of the event with the skills of Information Technology (IT) and lecture it relevancy in their various field of study.IIHT Technologies
The welcome address was rendered by Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye which is the Chairman of the Board of Trustee of UNILAG radio 103.1 FM and also a Professor of Mass Communication. He appreciated everyone present at the event and urge them to take full advantage of the seminar. He also ushered in the presence of Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr Abigail Ogweezzy Ndisika, to officially declare the event open. The event was broadcast live on UNILAG Radio.
The anchor of the programme was Dr Ifeoma Amobi; the Head Lecturer for Online Journalism and the brain behind the initiative. The guest speaker, Mr Ashok Joshi which is the Country Head of IIHT, drilled the participants on the significance of IT to every aspect of human’s life. Mr Joshi added that digital fluency and soft skill are pre-requisite to extensive knowledge of InfoTech. He emphasize on the ability of employees to cope with the challenges of the 21st century which can only be achieved by being technology conscious.
Taking the baton from Mr Joshi is the Chief Executive Officer of Commit Technology and Consult, Mr Niran Oyekale, who stated that lack of  exposure and inadequate training in IT as one of the reasons Nigerian graduates are not sought after in the labour market. He cited an example of a research in which out of 10 universities used as study and almost over 100 respondents only three can say the full meaning of ICT (information Communication Technology) without doubting if they are right or wrong.
After Mr Niran’s speech, the question-answer session was announced and questions where fielded by each speakers as directed. The programme high point came when Mr Joshi donated some software and equipment to the Centre of Excellence of Multimedia and Cinematography owned by the Department of Mass Communication for the use of both students and lecturers.
Other prominent personalities at the event are: Dr Ayomide Daramola ( Immediate past HOD of Mass Communication), Shuabu Oseni, Dr Charles Onwunali, Mr Rotimi Oladapo and so on.