I monitored a news briefing of the Customs Area Comptroller, Michael Adedeji Adewole, who disclosed that men of the Lagos, Command of Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) at the Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), generated a total of N16 billion into the Federal Government account in six months.
He explained that the monthly revenue target translates into about N3.5 billion when cargo and other related operators at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC) operate at maximum capacity.
The customs boss gave the breakdown of monthly revenue collection to include N2,035,721,956.51 for January; that of February stood at N2,949,371,196.07 and March was N2,518,289,989.86.
Adewole added that the command generated N2,959,822,99 in April 2011; revenue in May was N3,267,477,290.28 and that of June stood at N2,736,320,620.38.
He said that with the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT), MMAC, which comprises the cargo wing of MMIA, the free zone Airline Service Limited (ASL), as well as the bonded Terminal (Cressida), NCS, has improved on its services
The customs area comptroller said the command has achieved a lot through promotion of inter-departmental relationships among the various security and aviation agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Air Force, the police and other members of the airport security committee.
The custom comptroller further explained that efforts were being made to improve revenue generation by the command.
Adewole also disclosed that between January and June, the command made a total of six seizures with duty paid value estimated at N6, 701,658.2, adding that 53 security items were also seized.
Here are some Export Prohibition List from the custom website,
1. Maize
2. Timber (rough or sawn)
3. Raw hides and skin (including Wet Blue and all unfinished leather) H.S. Codes 4101.2000.00 - 4108.9200.00
4. Scrap Metals
5. Unprocessed rubber latex and rubber lumps
6. Artifacts and Antiquities
7. Wildlife animals classified as endangered species and their products
e.g. Crocodile; Elephant, Lizard, Eagle, Monkey, Zebra, Lion etc.
8. All goods imported
Import Prohibition List
# Live or Dead Birds including Frozen Poultry – H.S. Codes 0105.1100 – 0105.9900, 0106.3100 – 0106.3900, 0207.1100 – 0207.3600 and 0210.9900
# Pork, Beef – H.S. Codes 0201.1000 – 0204.5000, 0206.1000 – 0206.9000, 0210.1000 – 0210.2000.
# Birds Eggs – H.S. Code 0407.0000.
# Refined Vegetable Oils and Fats – H.S. Code 1507.1000 – 1516.2000.29 [but excluding Linseed, Castor and Olive oils. Crude vegetable oil are however NOT banned from importation].
# Cocoa Butter, Powder and Cakes – H.S. Codes 1802. – 1803.2000, 1805.0000, 1806.1000 – 1806.2000 and 1804.0000.
# Spaghetti/Noodles – H.S. Codes 1902.1100 – 1902.3000.
# Fruit Juice in Retail Packs – H.S. Codes 2009.110012 - 2009.110013 – 2009.9000.99
# Waters, including Mineral Waters and Aerated Waters containing added Sugar or Sweetening Matter or Flavoured, ice snow – H.S. Codes 2202.1000 – 2202.9000, other non-alcoholic beverages H.S. Code 2202.1000 - 2202.9000.99 [ but excluding energy or Health Drinks {Liquid Dietary Supplements} e.g. Power Horse, Red Ginseng etc] H.S. Code 2202.9000.91 and Beer and Stout (Bottled, Canned or Otherwise packed) H.S. Code 2203.0010.00 - 2203.0090.00
# Bagged Cement – H.S. Code 2523.2900.22.
# Medicaments falling under Headings 3003 and 3004 as indicated below:
1. Paracetamol Tablets and Syrups
2. Cotrimoxazole Tablets Syrups
3. Metronidazole Tablets and Syrups
4. Chloroquine Tablets and Syrups
5. Haematinic Formulations; Ferrous Sulphate and Ferrous Gluconate Tablets, Folic Acid Tablets, Vitamine B Complex Tablet [except modified released formulations].
6. Multivitamin Tablets, capsules and Syrups [except special formulations].
7. Aspirin Tablets [except modified released formulation and soluble aspirin].
8. Magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions.
9. Piperazine tablets and Syrups
10. Levamisole Tablets and Syrups
11. Clotrimazole Cream
12. Ointments – Penecilin/Gentamycin
13. Pyrantel Pamoate tablets and Syrups
14. Intravenous Fluids [Dextrose, Normal Saline, etc.]
# Waste Pharmaceuticals - H.S. Code 3006.9200
# Soaps and Detergents – H.S. Code 3401.1100 – 3402.9000 in retail packs
# Mosquito Repellant Coils – H.S. Code 3808.9110.91.
# Sanitary Wares of Plastics – H.S. Code 3922.1000 – 3922.9000 and Domestic Articles and Wares of Plastics H.S. Code 3924.1000 – 3924.9000.00 [but excluding Baby Feeding bottles 3924.9020.00] and flushing ceinstern and waterless toos toilets.
# Rethreaded and used Pneumatic tyres but excluding used trucks tyres for rethreading of sized 11.00 x 20 and above 4012.2010.00.
# Corrugated Paper and Paper Boards – H.S. Code 4808.1000, and cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper and paper boards H.S. Code 4819.1000, Toilet paper, Cleaning or facial tissue - H.S. Code 4818.1000 - 4818.9000 excluding baby diapers and incotinent pads for adult use 4818.4000.41 and Exercise Books - H.S. Code 4820.2000.
# Telephone Re-charge Cards and Vouchers – H.S. Code 4911.9900.91
# Textile Fabrics of all types and articles thereof and Yarn falling under the following H.S. Codes remain under import prohibition;
1. African print [Printed Fabrics] e.g. Nigeria wax, Hollandaise, English Wax, Ankara and similar Fabrics under the following H.S. Codes – 5208.5110 – 5208.5900, 5209.5100 – 5209.5900, 5212.5100, 5212.5100, 5212.2500, 5407.4400, 5407.5400, 5407.7400, 5407.8400, 5407.9400, 5408.2400, 5408.3400, 5513.4100 – 5513.4900, 5514.4100 – 5514.4900, 5516.1400, 5516.2400, 5516.3400, and 5514.4900.00
2. Carpets and Rugs of all types falling under H.S. Codes 5701.1000 – 5705.0000.
But excluding the Following:
1. Lace Fabrics, Georges and other embroided Fabrics falling under H.S. Codes 5801.2100 – 5801.9000, 5802.1100 - 5802.3000 and 5805.0000.00
2. Made-up Garments and other Textile articles falling under H.S. Codes 6101.2000 – 6310.9000.99
# All types of Foot Wears and Bags including Suitcases of leather and plastics H.S. Codes 6401.1000.11 – 6405.9000.99 and 4202.1100.10 – 4202.9900.99 [but excluding Safety Shoes used in oil industries, Hospitals, Fire fighting and Factories, Sports Shoes, canvass shoes all Completely Knocked Down (CKD) blanks and parts]
# Hollow Glass Bottles of a capacity exceeding 150mls (0.15 litres) of a kind used for packaging of beverages by breweries and other beverage and drink companies – H.S. Code 7010.9021.29 and 7010.9031.00.
# Used Compressors – H.S. Code 8414.3000, Used Air Conditioners – H.S. Codes 8415.1000.11 – 8415.9000.99 and Used Fridges/Freezers – H.S. Codes 8418.1000.11 – 8418.6900.
# Used Motor Vehicles above fifteen (15) years from the year of manufacture – H.S. Codes 8703.1000 – 8703.9000
# Furniture – H.S. Codes 9401.1000.00 – 9401.9000.99 and 9403.1000 – 9404.9000, but excluding Baby walkers, laboratory cabinets such as microscope table, fume cupboards, laboratory benches (9403), Stadium Chairs, height adjustments device, base sledge, seat frames and control mechanism, arm guide and headguides. Also excluded are; skeletal parts of furniture such as blanks, unholstered or unfinished part of metal, plastics, veneer, chair shell etc. Also excluded are Motor Vehicle seats (9401.2000.00) and Seats other than garden seats or camping equipment, convertible into beds (9401.4000.00)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Nigeria thrashes Guatemala 5-0 in under 20-World Cup
On account of its 5-0 drubbing of Guatemela on Sunday, Nigeria is definitely the team to beat and can count itself among the favorites after the third day of the FIFA Under-20 World in Colombia.
Edafe Egbedi scored twice for the Flying Eagles in the Group D match as the goalkeeper from Guatemala produced two fantastic saves in the opening minutes before conceding the opening goal.
Egbedi scored in the 8th and 39th minute of the first half. The third and fourth goal came from the boot of Ajagun and Kayode before enterprising winger Ahmed Musa completed the rout in the 76th minute.
Egbedi was substituted in the 94th minute for Sanni Emmanuel.
The Flying Eagles will have abundance of confidence to take into its next match on Wdnesday, August 3 against Croatia, while Guatemala will have to regroup ahead of its match with Saudi Arabia the same day.
Nigerian Line up
Dami Paul, Terna Suswan,Kenneth Omeruo, Ganiyu Ogungbe, Ahmed Musa, Olanrewaju Kayode, Abdul Ajagun, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Philemon Daniel, Edafe Egbedi, Ramon Azeez
Coach- James Obuh
Edafe Egbedi scored twice for the Flying Eagles in the Group D match as the goalkeeper from Guatemala produced two fantastic saves in the opening minutes before conceding the opening goal.
Egbedi scored in the 8th and 39th minute of the first half. The third and fourth goal came from the boot of Ajagun and Kayode before enterprising winger Ahmed Musa completed the rout in the 76th minute.
Egbedi was substituted in the 94th minute for Sanni Emmanuel.
The Flying Eagles will have abundance of confidence to take into its next match on Wdnesday, August 3 against Croatia, while Guatemala will have to regroup ahead of its match with Saudi Arabia the same day.
Nigerian Line up
Dami Paul, Terna Suswan,Kenneth Omeruo, Ganiyu Ogungbe, Ahmed Musa, Olanrewaju Kayode, Abdul Ajagun, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Philemon Daniel, Edafe Egbedi, Ramon Azeez
Coach- James Obuh
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Zhang Jilong reacts on Bin Hammam's ban
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) acting president Zhang Jilong described Mohamed bin Hammam's lifetime ban for bribery as a "sad day" for the sport on Saturday.
He continued,
AFC respects world football governing body FIFA’s decision and we also acknowledge former AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam’s inalienable right to lodge an appeal against the decision. AFC has nothing more to say on this particular issue.
I would like to assure our fans, Member Associations, teams, players, marketing partners, in short all our stakeholders and well-wishers, that the AFC Executive Committee is united in its resolve to maintain the great momentum Asian football has achieved in the recent past. Asian football is going from strength to strength and AFC will ensure that we continue to steer steadily on this progressive path.
This is a difficult period for us because Asian football is currently facing multiple challenges, the biggest of which is match-fixing. I, in my capacity as the acting AFC President, am aware of the urgent need to provide a strong leadership that will work closely with the Member Associations towards creating a climate of trust and confidence. During my provisional presidency, I promise that AFC will govern the continent’s football affairs in complete transparency, fairness and harmony.
The best of Asian football is yet to come and AFC will work tirelessly towards ensuring that the collective interests of the great sport we love will prevail in our continent. The Future is indeed Asia but this can be realised only if we keep the faith in our football.
He continued,
AFC respects world football governing body FIFA’s decision and we also acknowledge former AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam’s inalienable right to lodge an appeal against the decision. AFC has nothing more to say on this particular issue.
I would like to assure our fans, Member Associations, teams, players, marketing partners, in short all our stakeholders and well-wishers, that the AFC Executive Committee is united in its resolve to maintain the great momentum Asian football has achieved in the recent past. Asian football is going from strength to strength and AFC will ensure that we continue to steer steadily on this progressive path.
This is a difficult period for us because Asian football is currently facing multiple challenges, the biggest of which is match-fixing. I, in my capacity as the acting AFC President, am aware of the urgent need to provide a strong leadership that will work closely with the Member Associations towards creating a climate of trust and confidence. During my provisional presidency, I promise that AFC will govern the continent’s football affairs in complete transparency, fairness and harmony.
The best of Asian football is yet to come and AFC will work tirelessly towards ensuring that the collective interests of the great sport we love will prevail in our continent. The Future is indeed Asia but this can be realised only if we keep the faith in our football.
OPEC confirms Nigeria as second largest oil producer; Iran objects
Conflicting reports by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)pitched Iran and Nigeria as who should be the second-largest producer of petroleum despite the group’s report that Nigeria has now obtained the rank.
However, the news agency ISNA quoted the country’s OPEC governor Mohammad Ali Khatibi as saying Iran remains the second-largest on Saturday.
The Annual Statistical Bulletin has put Nigeria ahead of Iran, adding that Iranian experts were examining the report.
“OPEC rationing is based on production, not export, and Iran still holds the second-largest OPEC producer status and no change has happened in this regard,” said Khatibi.
Khatibi said Iranian experts had found ambiguities in some of the figures in the OPEC report and thus the experts “did not confirm Nigeria’s export increase.”
“In the report Iran’s oil income exceeds that of Nigeria in 2010. Then how would it be possible for Nigeria’s oil income to be less than that of Iran despite having boosted its exports?”
Khatibi said it was predictable that Venezuela would overtake Saudi Arabia since in the past two years it had taken measures to boost its reserves.
OPEC’s growth in oil reserves was mainly due to Venezuela, whose holdings rose to 296.5 billion barrels from 211.2 billion in 2009, as the report said. Top OPEC exporter Saudi Arabia’s reserves were steady at 264.5 billion barrels.
Iran and Iraq also boosted their reserves last year. In October, Iran increased its reserves to 150 billion barrels within a week of an upward revision by Iraq, ensuring that Tehran continued to rank above Baghdad.
Reserves are one of the criteria OPEC has used in setting output targets. Iran and Iraq were rivals in the past over OPEC quotas and OPEC in the next few years is expected to tackle the issue of bringing Iraq back into the quota system. Iraq is exempt at present.
However, the news agency ISNA quoted the country’s OPEC governor Mohammad Ali Khatibi as saying Iran remains the second-largest on Saturday.
The Annual Statistical Bulletin has put Nigeria ahead of Iran, adding that Iranian experts were examining the report.
“OPEC rationing is based on production, not export, and Iran still holds the second-largest OPEC producer status and no change has happened in this regard,” said Khatibi.
Khatibi said Iranian experts had found ambiguities in some of the figures in the OPEC report and thus the experts “did not confirm Nigeria’s export increase.”
“In the report Iran’s oil income exceeds that of Nigeria in 2010. Then how would it be possible for Nigeria’s oil income to be less than that of Iran despite having boosted its exports?”
Khatibi said it was predictable that Venezuela would overtake Saudi Arabia since in the past two years it had taken measures to boost its reserves.
OPEC’s growth in oil reserves was mainly due to Venezuela, whose holdings rose to 296.5 billion barrels from 211.2 billion in 2009, as the report said. Top OPEC exporter Saudi Arabia’s reserves were steady at 264.5 billion barrels.
Iran and Iraq also boosted their reserves last year. In October, Iran increased its reserves to 150 billion barrels within a week of an upward revision by Iraq, ensuring that Tehran continued to rank above Baghdad.
Reserves are one of the criteria OPEC has used in setting output targets. Iran and Iraq were rivals in the past over OPEC quotas and OPEC in the next few years is expected to tackle the issue of bringing Iraq back into the quota system. Iraq is exempt at present.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Suicide of Lagos politician, ex-Unilag student why?
I usually do not hesitate before writing a blog post, but this time I did. In the past seven days, I have heard about two suicides. These are from people I know who were impacted by this - thankfully I personally did not know them, but this was not just blatant news. Before this, I think I knew of one suicide in my life time. Thankfully, I have never had a direct friend or family member who went that way.
Firstly was the alleged suicide committed by 56-year-old former Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate and ministerial nominee, Al-Mustaim Abaniwonda. Hitherto, there were conflicting reports about how the politician died, though initial report said he committed suicide, his family has since disputed the story.
While we wait for the police report to ascertain the real cause of death, one wonders how a successful businessman will take his life?
Another bizarre story was pretty 26yr old Motunrayo Agbara's corpse discovered hanging from the ceiling of her sister’s residence on Allen Avenue, in Lagos on Monday July 18.
The story was she committed suicide because her boyfriend jilted her, but her family have dismissed it.
Late Motunrayo had an operation last year that affected her uterus (Cyst), her womb was removed, so that contributed to her depression, which she complained a lot about and even attempted to kill herself last year but was rescued. Guess she succeeded this time around. So sad!
She finished from Queens College in 2001, was a graduate of Economics, University of Lagos and an ex-employee of Access Bank. She was buried yesterday Tuesday 19th of July at Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi. May her soul rest in peace...amen
Suicide is something I simply cannot understand. I just can't comprehend it. No matter how bad life is for you - I just can't understand why someone would do it. Don't get me wrong, I am not judging anyone - I am just saying, I don't understand the rational.
No matter how bad things are, committing suicide hurts so many more people. I hate to say this publicly, but to me, it seems like a selfish act. Of course, I cannot comprehend how bad life is for people who think about doing such acts - so me saying that, is easy for me to say and does unjust to those who suffer with these conditions (if it is a condition).
I just wonder, do sane people commit suicide?
May their souls rest in peace.
Firstly was the alleged suicide committed by 56-year-old former Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate and ministerial nominee, Al-Mustaim Abaniwonda. Hitherto, there were conflicting reports about how the politician died, though initial report said he committed suicide, his family has since disputed the story.
While we wait for the police report to ascertain the real cause of death, one wonders how a successful businessman will take his life?
Another bizarre story was pretty 26yr old Motunrayo Agbara's corpse discovered hanging from the ceiling of her sister’s residence on Allen Avenue, in Lagos on Monday July 18.
The story was she committed suicide because her boyfriend jilted her, but her family have dismissed it.
Late Motunrayo had an operation last year that affected her uterus (Cyst), her womb was removed, so that contributed to her depression, which she complained a lot about and even attempted to kill herself last year but was rescued. Guess she succeeded this time around. So sad!
She finished from Queens College in 2001, was a graduate of Economics, University of Lagos and an ex-employee of Access Bank. She was buried yesterday Tuesday 19th of July at Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi. May her soul rest in peace...amen
Suicide is something I simply cannot understand. I just can't comprehend it. No matter how bad life is for you - I just can't understand why someone would do it. Don't get me wrong, I am not judging anyone - I am just saying, I don't understand the rational.
No matter how bad things are, committing suicide hurts so many more people. I hate to say this publicly, but to me, it seems like a selfish act. Of course, I cannot comprehend how bad life is for people who think about doing such acts - so me saying that, is easy for me to say and does unjust to those who suffer with these conditions (if it is a condition).
I just wonder, do sane people commit suicide?
May their souls rest in peace.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Visa policies and western hypocrisy
In the past two months, three different embassies have refused me visas. Not because I broke any rules or had no "means of livelihood" but because I refused to submit my passport for two weeks at their embassies. The first and third were the embassies of Belgium and Austria in DC; and third was the embassy of Portugal in Abuja. The three trips were all expense paid. Tickets were already bought and hotels reserved by well-established and respected sponsoring institutions. On my own side, I have a fairly impressive travelling record, clearly visible in my three passport booklets. But that matters little as far as those passports are green; the embassies called it a bluff and denied me visas.
The most painful of all is the trip I wanted to make to Portugal. I was invited for the African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meetings and had pre-purchased my ticket before the visa application and also indicated the importance of my visit in the invitation. The visa officer at the embassy of Portugal in Abuja would not hear any explanation. She simply said that she could not attend to any application even when I had more than a week to the event and dropped the phone on me. The AfDB country office in Nigeria intervened and issued me a note verbal. The visa officer was not moved and prevented me from attending the meeting.
Another interesting one happened in Washington DC. It was a trip to Austria. Initially, the officer was cheerful and receptive but as soon as she spotted my green passport, her countenance changed. She later hoodwinked me into paying my non-refundable visa fees only to tell me five days later that I should reschedule my trip. In all the three cases I lost at least $300 each on visa fees, health insurance and transport logistics. From what happened to me, I began to imagine what my compatriots in Nigeria go through to get visas.
I suspect that some of the toughest visa policies in the world exist in Nigeria and for Nigerians. If you visit some embassies in Lagos and Abuja, you will weep at the experience of applicants. They put out a telephone number that is either not working or perpetually busy. When you manage to get through to them, they will be extremely impolite to you. If you have to wait to go in, you will endure the scorching sun or showers of rain as if your life depends on it. Whether you are a governor, senator or minister, you are subjected to the same dehumanizing conditions. After several complaints, some embassies started using vendors to handle the administrative side of the applications. That was only a partial solution. A friend of mine confided in me that he was asked to pay N50,000 for a visa appointment only last week.
Concerned embassy officials should not sit in mute indifference amidst this mindless extortion. These days we hear that as soon the quota is exhausted for the day, no visa officer will screen your application. They will simply pocket your money with the phrase "sorry, we cannot give you a visa at this time". Visa denial costs an applicant sometimes up to $500. Many applicants pay transport, accommodation, visa fees and purchase appointments, only to receive that rehearsed apology. And the story ends there.
I agree that many visa applicants break the rules in Nigeria, in desperation or ignorance. But there are many others who are qualified but whose applications are refused. Many top government functionaries queue in person whenever they need to apply for a visa, even with a note verbal. This is unacceptable and can only happen in Nigeria. Countries like Chad, Gabon and Niger even receive better treatment than Nigerians when it comes to visa issuance. In contrast, many of these foreign embassies in Nigeria raise millions of dollars every year from non-refundable visa fees. Some of the revenue is used to subsidize their embassies.
I am interested in the debate that will put the flow of the so called development aid inflow into Nigeria side by side the amount of money that is raised from visa fees. The visa policies in Nigeria and on Nigerians need further review. We are a country of more than 150 million people with a growing middle class. All those who stand as friends and partners of Nigeria cannot stare helplessly at discriminatory visa policies. Those Nigerians who have genuine travel intentions must be allowed to have a visa without much ado. Some advice that it is time for Nigerian missions abroad to begin to retaliate.
The hassle of international travel now means that many people undertake it only when they have to. Stress free visa application process and less discriminatory visa regime should be permissible in a globalized world that preaches equality. It is not too much to ask for.
Uche Igwe wrote from Africa Program Johns Hopkins University Washington DC via ucheigwe@gmail.com
The most painful of all is the trip I wanted to make to Portugal. I was invited for the African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meetings and had pre-purchased my ticket before the visa application and also indicated the importance of my visit in the invitation. The visa officer at the embassy of Portugal in Abuja would not hear any explanation. She simply said that she could not attend to any application even when I had more than a week to the event and dropped the phone on me. The AfDB country office in Nigeria intervened and issued me a note verbal. The visa officer was not moved and prevented me from attending the meeting.
Another interesting one happened in Washington DC. It was a trip to Austria. Initially, the officer was cheerful and receptive but as soon as she spotted my green passport, her countenance changed. She later hoodwinked me into paying my non-refundable visa fees only to tell me five days later that I should reschedule my trip. In all the three cases I lost at least $300 each on visa fees, health insurance and transport logistics. From what happened to me, I began to imagine what my compatriots in Nigeria go through to get visas.
I suspect that some of the toughest visa policies in the world exist in Nigeria and for Nigerians. If you visit some embassies in Lagos and Abuja, you will weep at the experience of applicants. They put out a telephone number that is either not working or perpetually busy. When you manage to get through to them, they will be extremely impolite to you. If you have to wait to go in, you will endure the scorching sun or showers of rain as if your life depends on it. Whether you are a governor, senator or minister, you are subjected to the same dehumanizing conditions. After several complaints, some embassies started using vendors to handle the administrative side of the applications. That was only a partial solution. A friend of mine confided in me that he was asked to pay N50,000 for a visa appointment only last week.
Concerned embassy officials should not sit in mute indifference amidst this mindless extortion. These days we hear that as soon the quota is exhausted for the day, no visa officer will screen your application. They will simply pocket your money with the phrase "sorry, we cannot give you a visa at this time". Visa denial costs an applicant sometimes up to $500. Many applicants pay transport, accommodation, visa fees and purchase appointments, only to receive that rehearsed apology. And the story ends there.
I agree that many visa applicants break the rules in Nigeria, in desperation or ignorance. But there are many others who are qualified but whose applications are refused. Many top government functionaries queue in person whenever they need to apply for a visa, even with a note verbal. This is unacceptable and can only happen in Nigeria. Countries like Chad, Gabon and Niger even receive better treatment than Nigerians when it comes to visa issuance. In contrast, many of these foreign embassies in Nigeria raise millions of dollars every year from non-refundable visa fees. Some of the revenue is used to subsidize their embassies.
I am interested in the debate that will put the flow of the so called development aid inflow into Nigeria side by side the amount of money that is raised from visa fees. The visa policies in Nigeria and on Nigerians need further review. We are a country of more than 150 million people with a growing middle class. All those who stand as friends and partners of Nigeria cannot stare helplessly at discriminatory visa policies. Those Nigerians who have genuine travel intentions must be allowed to have a visa without much ado. Some advice that it is time for Nigerian missions abroad to begin to retaliate.
The hassle of international travel now means that many people undertake it only when they have to. Stress free visa application process and less discriminatory visa regime should be permissible in a globalized world that preaches equality. It is not too much to ask for.
Uche Igwe wrote from Africa Program Johns Hopkins University Washington DC via ucheigwe@gmail.com
Happy birthday Nelson Mandela
Today, July 18th, is marked by the United Nations as the first annual international holiday honoring former South African president Nelson Mandela, on the occasion of his 93nd birthday.
It's a day for celebration and gratitude to a man who, although born as Rolihlahla Madiba to a family of royal lineage, grew up under a steadily-tightening noose of racial oppression that climaxed with the South African National Party's imposition of apartheid law in 1948. Apartheid forced South Africans to carry passes designating their race, and it relegated black citizens to overcrowded "homelands" that were unfit for cultivating food or much of anything else.
Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact.
The Mandela Day campaign message is:
"Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes."
"We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation," according to a statement issued on Mandela's behalf.
Mandela Day also celebrates a campaign known as “46664”, in reference to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number. The campaign was originally launched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS but focus expanded to broader humanitarian work. The efforts from Mandela Day support the campaign’s ongoing work and other charitable organizations.
MANDELA'S KEY DATES
* 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape province
* 1956 - Charged with high treason, but charges dropped
* 1962 - Arrested, convicted of sabotage, sentenced to five years in prison
* 1964 - Charged again, sentenced to life
* 1990 - Freed from prison
* 1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize
* 1994 - Elected first black president
* 1999 - Steps down as leader
* 2001 - Diagnosed with prostate cancer
* 2004 - Retires from public life
* 2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness
* 2007 - Forms The Elders group
* 2010 - Appears at closing ceremony of World Cup
It's a day for celebration and gratitude to a man who, although born as Rolihlahla Madiba to a family of royal lineage, grew up under a steadily-tightening noose of racial oppression that climaxed with the South African National Party's imposition of apartheid law in 1948. Apartheid forced South Africans to carry passes designating their race, and it relegated black citizens to overcrowded "homelands" that were unfit for cultivating food or much of anything else.
Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact.
The Mandela Day campaign message is:
"Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes."
"We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation," according to a statement issued on Mandela's behalf.
Mandela Day also celebrates a campaign known as “46664”, in reference to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number. The campaign was originally launched to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS but focus expanded to broader humanitarian work. The efforts from Mandela Day support the campaign’s ongoing work and other charitable organizations.
MANDELA'S KEY DATES
* 1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape province
* 1956 - Charged with high treason, but charges dropped
* 1962 - Arrested, convicted of sabotage, sentenced to five years in prison
* 1964 - Charged again, sentenced to life
* 1990 - Freed from prison
* 1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize
* 1994 - Elected first black president
* 1999 - Steps down as leader
* 2001 - Diagnosed with prostate cancer
* 2004 - Retires from public life
* 2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness
* 2007 - Forms The Elders group
* 2010 - Appears at closing ceremony of World Cup
Japan first Asian nation to win women's World Cup
Japan defeated the United States in a penalty kick shootout to win the Women's World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday.
It became the first Asian nation to win the FIFA women's World Cup, after both sides were tied 2-2 after 120 minutes of action packed football.
Japan captain Homare Sawa kept her side in the game with a header in the 117th minute after US striker Abby Wambach's header had put her side ahead early on during extra time after the final finished 1-1 over 90 minutes.
The Japanese had defender Azusa Iwashimizu sent off in the 121st minute for a foul on US striker Alex Morgan.
Morgan put the US up 1-0 when she chased down a clearing pass from Megan Rapinoe and shot from outside the goal box in the 69th minute.
Aya Miyama tied it 1-1 in the 80th minute from only a few yards in front of US goalie Hope Solo. The goal was the result of a chaotic scene in front of Solo, and was finished when Miyama gained possession off a failed clearing pass from Ali Krieger and shot it into the corner of the net.
The US played the second half and overtime without attacker Lauren Cheney, who suffered an ankle injury.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Forbes suggests Mike Adenuga might be Africa's Richest Man
The 2011 Forbes publication of its annual rankings of the world's richest people has been trailed with controversies owing to the rating of debutant Mike Adenuga as the second richest Nigerian, with a net worth of $2billion behind Aliko Dangote's $13.8 billion.
According to a Forbes reporter, controversy erupted in the Nigerian media circles as some analysts and Adenuga's staff dismissed the Forbes valuation as incorrect not matching Adenuga's wealth.
According to Forbes annual rankings of the world’s richest people, they prefer to be conservative in their estimates. Forbes would rather be too low than too high. When working on the 2011 list of the world’s richest, a Forbes reporter tried to reach Dr. Adenuga’s representatives to verify his assets, but Adenuga, a chronically reclusive tycoon, did not respond. As a result, Forbes' valuation of the man was based solely on his stake in his telecom company Globacom Holding, which at the time was worth $2 billion.
According to Forbes, fresh from a variety of sources including staff from some of his offices, the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission and analysis from professionals in the energy and telecom sectors indicate that the reclusive telecoms and energy tycoon is easily worth more than $2 billion, and depending upon who you talk to, could be richer than Aliko Dangote, last worth $13.8 billion.
Apart from his 74% stake in Conoil PLC, a Nigerian-listed oil marketing firm he founded (the stake is held through ConPetro Limited, a holding company he fully owns) and his holding in Equitorial Trust Bank, Adenuga owns 100% equity in all his other businesses. Of those, the major assets include Conoil Producing, Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil exploration and production company, which operates six producing oil blocks and holds a 25% stake in Joint Development Zone Block 4, an oil prospecting license which has proven reserves of close to 1 billion barrels of oil and close to a trillion cubic feet of gas.
According to Forbes findings at Conoil Producing, the company produces 100,000 barrels of oil per day – much more than any other indigenous exploration firm in the country. In April, Adenuga spent $650 million acquiring Shell’s stake in Oil Mining License (OML) 30, Shell’s most profitable onshore oil block in Nigeria, which is located in the western swamps of the Niger Delta. Adenuga currently controls total equity of Conoil Producing, which analysts estimate could be worth as much as $10 billion. (Inconclusive)
Among his other assets: mobile telecom firms Globacom Holding and Globacom West Africa, two distinct companies with a combined subscriber base in excess of 30 million people and operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin. Adenuga also single-handedly owns Globacom – at least on paper.
Adenuga also owns equity in Equitorial Trust Bank, one of the few privately-held commercial banks in the country. I haven’t been able to establish Adenuga’s stake in the bank, or its market value. However, Equitorial Trust Bank is one of Nigeria’s less popular banks, so I reckon it won’t be worth so much. The man also owns extensive real estate holdings in some of Nigeria’s most expensive neighborhoods, including the Mike Adenuga Towers, a landmark building in Victoria Island, Lagos. He also owns property in Banana Island – Nigeria’s most expensive neighborhood – and several other properties in Abuja, London, the US and Dubai.
Tracking down Adenuga’s net worth is tough work, involving intensive research, series of meetings, conversations and consultations with analysts, journalists, and Adenuga employees. The man himself continually refuses to talk. Speculations are rife in Nigeria that Adenuga might be a front for Nigeria’s former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. So in a real sense, Adenuga might not own it all. However, Adenuga’s people have denied a business relationship between their boss and the former Nigerian ruler.
A couple of weeks ago, the Forbes reprter had a lengthy conversation with Chief Dele Momodu, one of Africa’s most legendary publishers, a former Nigerian presidential candidate, and a protégé of billionaire Mike Adenuga. I was doing research for one of our Forbes lists, and I was seeking his insight into the wealth of some of Nigeria’s richest people. Speaking on Adenuga, he said: “No one in Africa is as rich as Mike Adenuga.”
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Nigerian women are 9th most stressed women in the world
A recent study, released by the Nielsen Company that examines the consumer and media habits of women in emerging and developed countries has found that Women in India are the most stressed, and Nigerian women placed
9th.
The Women of Tomorrow Study, which examined 6,500 women across 21 different nations from February through April 2011, released a list, in order of most stressed women:
1- India (87%)
2- Mexico (74%)
3- Russia (69%)
4- Brazil (67%)
5- Spain (66%)
6- France (65%)
7- South Africa (64%)
8- Italy (64%)
9- Nigeria (58%)
10- Turkey (56%)
11- U.K. (55%)
12- U.S.A. (53%)
13- Japan (52%)
14- Canada (52%)
15- Australia (52%)
16- China (51%)
17- Germany (47%)
18- Thailand (45%)
19- South Korea (45%)
20- Malaysia (44%)
21- Sweden (44%)
9th.
The Women of Tomorrow Study, which examined 6,500 women across 21 different nations from February through April 2011, released a list, in order of most stressed women:
1- India (87%)
2- Mexico (74%)
3- Russia (69%)
4- Brazil (67%)
5- Spain (66%)
6- France (65%)
7- South Africa (64%)
8- Italy (64%)
9- Nigeria (58%)
10- Turkey (56%)
11- U.K. (55%)
12- U.S.A. (53%)
13- Japan (52%)
14- Canada (52%)
15- Australia (52%)
16- China (51%)
17- Germany (47%)
18- Thailand (45%)
19- South Korea (45%)
20- Malaysia (44%)
21- Sweden (44%)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Goodluck Jonathan names new foreign minister
President Goodluck Jonathan has named career diplomat Olugbenga Ashiru as the new foreign minister.
Ashiru was Nigeria's former ambassador to South Africa, replaces Odein Ajumogobia, a lawyer.
Ten of the 31 newly sworn in ministers, including Oil Minister Diezani Alison Madueke, retained their portfolios, while two others were redeployed to other ministries.
Former World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, nominated and cleared for a post in Jonathan's new cabinet, is yet to be officially assigned a ministry.
But Harvard-educated economist Okonjo-Iweala, acclaimed for negotiating the cancellation of $18 billion of Nigeria's debt in 2005, is widely expected to retain her former finance post.
Here is the cabinet list:
■Emeka Wogu - Labour
■Zainab Maina - Women Affairs
■Ita Okon Bassey Ewa - Science and Technology
■Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi - Aviation
■Bala Mohammed - Abuja
■Diezani Alison-Madueke - Petroleum Resources
■Abba Moro - Interior
■Zainab Ibrahim - Niger Delta Affairs
■Bukar Tijani - Agriculture and Natural Resources
■Elder Godsday Orubebe - Niger Delta Affairs
■Onyebuchi Chukwu - Health
■Mike Onolememen - Works
■Navy Captain. Caleb Olubolade - Police Affairs
■Bart Nnaji - Power
■Yusuf Suleiman - Sports
■Viola Onwuliri - Foreign Affairs
■Ruqayyatu Rufai - Education
■Shamsudeen Usman - National Planning
■Mohammed Musa Sada - Mines and Steel Development
■Bello Mohammed - Defence
■Mohammed Adoke - Justice
■Bolaji Abdullahi - Youth Development
■Olusegun Aganga - Trade and Investment
■Labaran Maku - Information and Communication
■Samuel Ioraer Ortom - Trade and Investment
■Olugbenga Ashiru - Foreign Affairs
■Erelu Olusola Obada - Defence
■Olajumoke Akinjide - Federalk Capital Territory
■Idris Umar - Transport
■Yerima Lawal Ngama - Finance
■Bashir Yugudu - Works
Ashiru was Nigeria's former ambassador to South Africa, replaces Odein Ajumogobia, a lawyer.
Ten of the 31 newly sworn in ministers, including Oil Minister Diezani Alison Madueke, retained their portfolios, while two others were redeployed to other ministries.
Former World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, nominated and cleared for a post in Jonathan's new cabinet, is yet to be officially assigned a ministry.
But Harvard-educated economist Okonjo-Iweala, acclaimed for negotiating the cancellation of $18 billion of Nigeria's debt in 2005, is widely expected to retain her former finance post.
Here is the cabinet list:
■Emeka Wogu - Labour
■Zainab Maina - Women Affairs
■Ita Okon Bassey Ewa - Science and Technology
■Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi - Aviation
■Bala Mohammed - Abuja
■Diezani Alison-Madueke - Petroleum Resources
■Abba Moro - Interior
■Zainab Ibrahim - Niger Delta Affairs
■Bukar Tijani - Agriculture and Natural Resources
■Elder Godsday Orubebe - Niger Delta Affairs
■Onyebuchi Chukwu - Health
■Mike Onolememen - Works
■Navy Captain. Caleb Olubolade - Police Affairs
■Bart Nnaji - Power
■Yusuf Suleiman - Sports
■Viola Onwuliri - Foreign Affairs
■Ruqayyatu Rufai - Education
■Shamsudeen Usman - National Planning
■Mohammed Musa Sada - Mines and Steel Development
■Bello Mohammed - Defence
■Mohammed Adoke - Justice
■Bolaji Abdullahi - Youth Development
■Olusegun Aganga - Trade and Investment
■Labaran Maku - Information and Communication
■Samuel Ioraer Ortom - Trade and Investment
■Olugbenga Ashiru - Foreign Affairs
■Erelu Olusola Obada - Defence
■Olajumoke Akinjide - Federalk Capital Territory
■Idris Umar - Transport
■Yerima Lawal Ngama - Finance
■Bashir Yugudu - Works
Some Eagles players were jealous of Yekini- Oliseh
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh confirmed the existence of the once dreaded 'Mafia' group in the USA 94 squad in a recent interview, when he said some Eagles were jealous of Rashidi Yekini.
Sunday Oliseh believes Nigeria could have gotten better results from Rashidi Yekini at USA 94 and the team could have done better but for the deep rooted division in the team.
Oliseh said, "The only reason why I am saying this is that for the future and for the country, for people to learn and because I feel that honours have not been given to Yekini like it should…some players had beefs with Yekini and all that."
One would never forget Yekini's famous goal celebration inside the Bulgarian net after a sweeping move initiated by Oliseh inside Nigeria's half. His quick change of pace and precision passing to Daniel Amokachi who brilliantly guided the ball down the right flank to Finidi George.
Finidi accelerated down the flank and picked out Yekini for the simple tap in, score and the stadium erupted into a sea of green and white and joyous chants of Nigeria.
The world would watch in amazement as Yekini moved into the net and alone, all alone.He would chant, scream all by himself, an image that personified the legendary goalscorer supreme and one of the defining moments of USA 94. No one came to meet him.
Of course he had some beef with some players because I was in the background, I was watching everybody and I know those who were…”
“Some of our our players were madly, sickly, mentally jealous and the moment Yekini was named the highest player. he was leaving for Panathinaikos. There was some jealousy there and Yekini himself, was not smart enough to calm things down…but with due respect…”
Oliseh believes Yekini was special, "which other striker do we have in the history of Nigeria, who strikes 30 metres shots. If Yekini can count the number of goals at the highest level, it will be over a hundred… of all the strikers we talk about in Nigeria, which other striker?" he queried.
"None! None! None! “He exclaimed “None!…the only striker that comes close was maybe Ikpeba…None! None! None!” Oliseh recalled.
Sunday Oliseh believes Nigeria could have gotten better results from Rashidi Yekini at USA 94 and the team could have done better but for the deep rooted division in the team.
Oliseh said, "The only reason why I am saying this is that for the future and for the country, for people to learn and because I feel that honours have not been given to Yekini like it should…some players had beefs with Yekini and all that."
One would never forget Yekini's famous goal celebration inside the Bulgarian net after a sweeping move initiated by Oliseh inside Nigeria's half. His quick change of pace and precision passing to Daniel Amokachi who brilliantly guided the ball down the right flank to Finidi George.
Finidi accelerated down the flank and picked out Yekini for the simple tap in, score and the stadium erupted into a sea of green and white and joyous chants of Nigeria.
The world would watch in amazement as Yekini moved into the net and alone, all alone.He would chant, scream all by himself, an image that personified the legendary goalscorer supreme and one of the defining moments of USA 94. No one came to meet him.
Of course he had some beef with some players because I was in the background, I was watching everybody and I know those who were…”
“Some of our our players were madly, sickly, mentally jealous and the moment Yekini was named the highest player. he was leaving for Panathinaikos. There was some jealousy there and Yekini himself, was not smart enough to calm things down…but with due respect…”
Oliseh believes Yekini was special, "which other striker do we have in the history of Nigeria, who strikes 30 metres shots. If Yekini can count the number of goals at the highest level, it will be over a hundred… of all the strikers we talk about in Nigeria, which other striker?" he queried.
"None! None! None! “He exclaimed “None!…the only striker that comes close was maybe Ikpeba…None! None! None!” Oliseh recalled.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Is Amos Adamu innocent afterall?
Phaedra Al Majid, who worked as a press officer for Qatar 2022 retracted her allegation that Jacques Anouma, of Ivory Coast, Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou and Amos Adamu, of Nigeria, were offered bribes of up to $1.5 million to vote for Qatar.
Last year, Fifa's ethics committee banned Nigeria's Adamu and Tahiti's Reynald Temarii following a Sunday Times investigation into World Cup bidding.
Adamu, who denies the claims and has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, was banned for three years for seeking bribes from undercover reporters.
With this latest development, what happens to Amos Adamu?
Recently,in a letter to Fifa and the Qatar bid, accompanied by a sworn affidavit, the whistle-blower, Phaedra Almajid, claims that she lied because she was “hurt and bitter” at being placed under pressure by the bid for failing to control the international media reaction to Qatar’s bid. She said she has received no financial inducement to make her statement.
Almajid left the Qatar bid in November 2009 after being advised that she could be replaced. In the affidavit she said she “wanted to hurt the bid like they had hurt me”.
In her letter, circulated to Fifa, the Asian Football Confederation, the Confederation of African Football, the Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid, and the Nigerian, Ivorian and Cameroonian football associations, Almajid said: “I wish to offer a full and formal apology for the fabricated allegations concerning the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup bid committee and Fifa executive committee members Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma and Amos Adamu.
“I have lied about all facts concerning the behaviour and practice of the Qatar 2022 bid. Never, at any time, were any bribes even offered, suggested or paid on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid during any time in exchange for votes from Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma, and Amos Adamu.
“These allegations were in full a fabrication on my behalf. Never at any time did I wish, nor did I foresee, the extent to which these lies would be projected by the international media – even to the extent that they were presented to the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into Football Governance.
“I am very sorry for any and all embarrassment caused to the various individuals and authorities concerned. I was very proud to work on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid committee.
“I also wish to state that the decision to make this admission is entirely my own: I have not been subject to any form of pressure or been offered any financial inducement to do so.”
Last year, Fifa's ethics committee banned Nigeria's Adamu and Tahiti's Reynald Temarii following a Sunday Times investigation into World Cup bidding.
Adamu, who denies the claims and has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, was banned for three years for seeking bribes from undercover reporters.
With this latest development, what happens to Amos Adamu?
Recently,in a letter to Fifa and the Qatar bid, accompanied by a sworn affidavit, the whistle-blower, Phaedra Almajid, claims that she lied because she was “hurt and bitter” at being placed under pressure by the bid for failing to control the international media reaction to Qatar’s bid. She said she has received no financial inducement to make her statement.
Almajid left the Qatar bid in November 2009 after being advised that she could be replaced. In the affidavit she said she “wanted to hurt the bid like they had hurt me”.
In her letter, circulated to Fifa, the Asian Football Confederation, the Confederation of African Football, the Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid, and the Nigerian, Ivorian and Cameroonian football associations, Almajid said: “I wish to offer a full and formal apology for the fabricated allegations concerning the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup bid committee and Fifa executive committee members Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma and Amos Adamu.
“I have lied about all facts concerning the behaviour and practice of the Qatar 2022 bid. Never, at any time, were any bribes even offered, suggested or paid on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid during any time in exchange for votes from Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma, and Amos Adamu.
“These allegations were in full a fabrication on my behalf. Never at any time did I wish, nor did I foresee, the extent to which these lies would be projected by the international media – even to the extent that they were presented to the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into Football Governance.
“I am very sorry for any and all embarrassment caused to the various individuals and authorities concerned. I was very proud to work on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid committee.
“I also wish to state that the decision to make this admission is entirely my own: I have not been subject to any form of pressure or been offered any financial inducement to do so.”
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Heavy rainfall cripples Lagos
On Sunday the city of Lagos was crippled as heavy rainfall rendered the state impassable,the roads were rendered unmotorable, while residents in some areas struggled to salvage their household items from the flood.
Vehicular and human movements, including commercial activities in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub were paralysed.
The rain, which started at about 5am in most parts of the state, lasted till late into the night, flooding homes and roads across the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola declared a public holiday for all public schools in the state.
According to a respondent based in the Netherlands; If the Lagos state government had concentrated on effective flood control measures across the state we would have have been able to control the flood levels. The Netherlands is below sea but they have been able to control flood by building a network of canal which run through their cities. Lagos needs 30ft wide flood channel that will act as storm drain along every major street. BRF had better discontinue the Eko Atlantic project and concentrate on building proper drains for Lagos, in doing this only competent construction firms track records most be engaged, not the likes of Hitech who invert 3ft culvert across a highway as drains check Lekki expressway and the disaster they 've created in the Area. If heavy rain fall can bring us to a halt what will high tides and ocean surge ..
The ministry of Environment started a drainage project Last year in Lekki during the rains, the contractors abandoned that project on Silverbird Tv road and Agungi area till date. The question is. How do you start a drainage construction job in the peak of the rainy season only to abandon it during the dry season ?? its the same across the state.
Vehicular and human movements, including commercial activities in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub were paralysed.
The rain, which started at about 5am in most parts of the state, lasted till late into the night, flooding homes and roads across the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola declared a public holiday for all public schools in the state.
According to a respondent based in the Netherlands; If the Lagos state government had concentrated on effective flood control measures across the state we would have have been able to control the flood levels. The Netherlands is below sea but they have been able to control flood by building a network of canal which run through their cities. Lagos needs 30ft wide flood channel that will act as storm drain along every major street. BRF had better discontinue the Eko Atlantic project and concentrate on building proper drains for Lagos, in doing this only competent construction firms track records most be engaged, not the likes of Hitech who invert 3ft culvert across a highway as drains check Lekki expressway and the disaster they 've created in the Area. If heavy rain fall can bring us to a halt what will high tides and ocean surge ..
The ministry of Environment started a drainage project Last year in Lekki during the rains, the contractors abandoned that project on Silverbird Tv road and Agungi area till date. The question is. How do you start a drainage construction job in the peak of the rainy season only to abandon it during the dry season ?? its the same across the state.
Three Nigerians executed for killing countryman
Three Nigerians who murdered fellow countryman in Saudi Arabia were executed on
Sunday at Baiah Square in downtown Jeddah after they carried out a fatal robbery, the Saudi Arabian authorities said in a statement according to the SPA.
Muhammad Ismail, Abdul Quddus Adam Abdul Quddus and Muhammad Abdullah were found guilty of murdering fellow countryman Umar Muhammad Adam in a home invasion in 2008.
In addition to breaking in, the men were found guilty of beating the victim’s wife and stealing mobile phones and cash from the home.
The body of the victim was found bound and gagged, indicating he was alive before being tied up, along with his wife. An Interior Ministry statement said the victim was strangled to death.
Sunday at Baiah Square in downtown Jeddah after they carried out a fatal robbery, the Saudi Arabian authorities said in a statement according to the SPA.
Muhammad Ismail, Abdul Quddus Adam Abdul Quddus and Muhammad Abdullah were found guilty of murdering fellow countryman Umar Muhammad Adam in a home invasion in 2008.
In addition to breaking in, the men were found guilty of beating the victim’s wife and stealing mobile phones and cash from the home.
The body of the victim was found bound and gagged, indicating he was alive before being tied up, along with his wife. An Interior Ministry statement said the victim was strangled to death.
Ghana humbles Nigeria 2-0 in All Africa Games qualifier
Ghana qualified for the football event of the All Africa Games ahead of Nigeria with a 2-0 victory and qualfied on the away goal rule after it lost the first leg 3-1 to tie 3-3.
Here's a play and play action of the match
Ghana line-up: Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Masawudu Alhassan, Edward Kpodo, Adams Ahmed, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Isaac Cofie, Latif Salifu, Richard Mpong, Saddick Adams, Dominic Adiyiah.
– Nigeria line-up: Theophilus Afelokhai-Anyanwu Emmanuel, Lawal Raheem, Amoda Usman, Igiebor Emmanuel-Ekigho Ehiosou, Eneji Otekpa, Suswam Peter Terna, Otubanjo Ussif- Udoh Kingsley, Nnamdi Oduamadu.
– The Dream Team V are in their traditional green colours and Ghana have opted to play in red jerseys as the referees and match officials walk onto the pitch.
– The two sides have taken their places on the pitch and the Dream Team will start the match after winning the toss.
– Ghana will play from right to left that is from the Amakon end of the pitch while Nigeria will play from the Accra Road end of the pitch.
1’ – Nigeria get the match underway.with a long ball to the right and Masawudu fails to clear and it is a free-kick for Nigeria.
2’ – Free-kick gliding in but Mpong heads away for a corner-kick... Nigeria are piling the pressure now in the early stages.
3’ – Ghana midfielder Agyeman-Badu is fouled in midfield. Free-kick is quickly taken and Adiyiah is released on the left flank. He sends in a cross but goalkeeper Afelokhai grabs that one on the turf.
5’ – Cofie puts Latif through and he beats his marker on the edge of the Nigerian box but his cross for the Ghanaian strikers is poor.
6’ – Foul in the midfield by Musa Emmanuel... Ghana attacking Nigeria now.
7’ – Quick counter-attack for Nigeria and Yusif Otubanjo shoots from 20-yards but the ball went just inches wide. What a miss for Nigeria! The Ghana defence was caught ball-watching.
9’ – Inkoom sends the ball back to goalkeeper Agyei and his long ball is cleared out.
10’ – Mpong gets the ball and has been brought down mid-way in Nigeria’s half... The ball is taken quickly but the referee calls for retake...
10’ – GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL! Agyeman-Badu fires and goalkeeper Afelokhai is beaten. What a cracker!
– Ghana have taken the lead here in Kumasi and this is what the Black Meteors need to overturn the defeat. A good start and they need another one and prevent Nigeria from scoring.
12’ – Ghana attacking again but Latif Salifu loses the ball. The Ghana fans are in raptures and are cheering. Agyemang Badu is definitely the toast of the fans and has proven why the Ghana FA fought his Italian club Udinese to release him.
13’ – Otubanjo Yusif enters the Ghana box but the ball is cleared. Ghana will launch their attack now but powerful Nigeria defender Emmanuel Anyanwu clears the ball away.
15’ – The Black Meteors start another attack with Mpong racing down the right, he beats his marker and sends in a cross but Adiyiah could not connect with only the goalkeeper to beat... This is a glorious chance and Adiyiah should have connected.
16’ – It’s the turn of Nigeria now and Oduamadi breaks away but Masahudu checks him and Nigeria gets a throw in.
20’ – Agyemang Badu starts another attack for Ghana but the Nigeria defender do well to clear the ball for a corner kick for Ghana. The kick has been wasted.
23’ – Nigeria start their own attack but the Ghanaians are quick to clear for a corner kick to Nigeira.
24’ – The kick is cleared for another corner for Nigeria. Kick is quickly taken by Oduamadi and it is cleared out again for a throw-in to the Dream Team.
27’ – The game is now slowing down in pace as both sides seem to have run out of the energy the game started with.
29’ – Free-kick to Ghana but it has been wasted by the Black Meteors.
30’ – Ghana striker Dominic Adiyiah cracks in a shot from 20 yards, but the Nigerian goalkeeper parries it away.
34’ – Ghana regain possession again but Sadick Adams is crowded out by the Nigerian defenders.
36’ – Another good chance for Ghana but once again Adiyiah is wasteful. I hope he doesn't live to regret that.
38’ – Ghana striker Sadick Adams is down on the pitch after a savage tackle from a Nigerian defender.
39’ – Adams is up and the match starts again.. Agyemag Badu fires another one but it goes just wide.
39’ – Nigeria seem to be too content with their first leg win and have completely lost the midfield to the Black Meteors.
41’ – The Dream Team must probably withdraw one of their two strikers to help out in the midfield to stop Badu and Mpong from distributing the balls to the Ghanaian attackers which is causing problems for the Dream Team.
42’ – Igiegbor as if has heard what I said has moved to the midfield and he sends in an enticing pass to Oduamadi but Masawudu checks him.
43’ – Swift response from Ghana with a counter attack but Nigeria defender Amoda Usman stops Sadick Adams.
45’ – Needless yellow card to Richard Mpong after a foul on Igiebor.
45’ – Two minutes of time added-on to play.
45 + 2’ – The whistle goes for the end of the first half. The score now is 3-2 on aggregate in favour of Nigeria but if the Dream Team want to qualify or maintain this result they must pack their midfield and defence. They have not tested the Ghanaian goalkeeper ev
– Ghana on the other hand have been purposeful and have created all the chances. Now they need to convert the chances they have to be able to get more goals. We will be back for the second half.
– Welcome back to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium here in Kumasi, Ghana for the second half of this all-important All Africa Games qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria in Kumasi.
46’ – The Black Meteors kick start the second half and right away launch the ball into attack.
47’ – Throw-in for the Nigerians to be taken by Arnoda Lisman...
47’ – Ghanaians regain possession now with Agyemang-Badu but his intended pass to Adiyiah is intercepted by Anyanwu.
48’ – Early change by the Ghanaians as Ben Acheampong comes in for Latif Salifu.
49’ – Acheampong immediately gets into the act but he is checked by the impressive Anyanwu.
50’ – Super save by Daniel Adjei to deny Otekpa of what could probably be the winning goal of the tie.
51’ – The Nigerians have improved their game in this early period of the second-half silencing the stadium in the process.
53’ – The home side are currently struggling to regain their rhythm allowing the visitors to dictate the pace.
54’ – Referee is having none of the theatrics from substitute Ben Acheampomg as Agyemang-Badu fires wide from a rebound.
55’ – Nigeria affect their first substitution with Sanusi Kabiru coming on for Odumandi Nnamdi. The AC Milan player looks to be limping.
56’ – Nigerians bossing play at this point but are unable to provide the killer passes to their men upfront.
57’ – Adjei takes a goal-kick from yet another broken attack of the Nigerians. The ball finds Mpong at the edge of the penalty area but is robbed of the ball.
58’ – The Black Meteors gradually coming into the game but just like the Nigerians, they cannot find the defence splitting passes.
59’ – Referee awards a free kick to the homesters in a very dangerous area.
60’ – It is in a similar position from where the Ghanaians opened the scoring but deflected wide. A corner for Ghana.
61’ – Wasted effort by the Ghanaians which gives the Nigerians chance to break but have also turned the ball over.
63’ – Play halted due to injury to Nigeria's Otekpa, the fans getting anxious at this point complaining that the Nigerians are wasting time.
65’ – Fans shout in dismay for a foul called on Saddick Adams. I think its a soft one to give away to be honest.
67’ – The Dream Team are gradually crawling into their defensive shells as the Ghanains push up.
68’ – Agyenag-Badu with the ball, passes to Adiyiah but he is downed by Otekpa and referee duly obliges.
69’ – The set piece is wasted on this count and Nigeira's goalie Afelokhai will take all the time to take this goal kick.
70’ – Ghana regains possession and Adiyiah dashes down the left hand side, cuts in , loses the ball but its recovered by Mpong, he shimmies, he shoots...
70’ – GOAL!!!!!!! Ghana are back in it now and the Black Meteors have the goal they need to make the Nigerians come off and attack.
– Fantastic Goal! Ghana 2-0 Nigiera. As it stands now Ghana are through but they must fight to hold on to the result.
71’ – That wonderfully-placed shot beats goalkeeper Afelokhai and Ghana are currently on their way to Maputo.
72’ – Confidence has definitely soared for the Ghanaians as they surge forward again but this time Awako is flagged offside.
73’ – Quick substitution effected while the goal celebration was going on, Gladson Awako comes on for Saddick Adams.
74’ – Play halted but this time for a Ghanaian. Agyemang-Badu recieves treatment as the referee urges the medical men with the injured player to the sidelines.
75’ – Nigerians looking to pull a goal back but Lisman is caught offside.
76’ – The Ghanaians now bossing the game, they only need to keep the ball with barely 15 minutes to go.
77’ – Coach Eguavon orders his men out of defence, he and his team desperately needs to score now to have any chance of qualifying.
78’ – Quick substitution for Nigeria as Saka Ayo Ajani comes in for Suswan Peter.
79’ – Nigeria gradually piling pressure in the Ghanain half who have all but two players on their side of the pitch.
80’ – Ben Acheampong breaks for Ghana, wonderful tackle by Anyanwu, both players remain on the turf calling for treatment.
81’ – Mistake in the Ghana defence but Kpodo recovers with a timely intervention.
82’ – Substitution for Ghana: Aziz Tetteh comes in for goalscorer Richard Mpong, the last throw of the dice for coach Kwasi Appiah.
83’ – The Black Meteors now defending with their lives as one is hooked away by Kpodo.
84’ – Nigeria now using a lot of the long balls, perhaps to capitalise on their size but the Ghana defence remains resolute.
85’ – Augustine Eguavon getting more animated on the touchline as his opposite number urges his boys to keep their concentration.
86’ – Another long ball launched into the Ghanaian penalty area but goalkeeper Adjei races out to gather.
87’ – A rare attack in the last 10 minutes by the Ghanaians but Adiyiah is flagged offside.
88’ – Ghana surge forward with Coffie, this could be a chance but Anyanwu is once more there to clear.
89’ – A Ghanaian player is down calling for treatment, probably just to run the clock down.
90’ – Three minutes added on to the huge cheer of the Kumasi crowd here.
90 + 1’ – Play halted once more again to allow Ghana captain Samuel Inkoom to receive treatment. I guess they are trying to waste some time.
90 + 2’ – Play resumes with the Nigerians laying siege around their opponent's penalty area.
90 + 3’ – Corner kick to Nigeria and surely the last chance for the Dream Team to restore qualification status.
90 + 4’ – The corner kick is wasted as the crowd begs for the final whistle.
90 + 5’ – Referee ends it all here, Ghana has qualified for the All Africa games ahead of arch rivals Nigeria on the away goals rule.
– The Ghanaian players are marching towards their supporters to greet them for the massive support given during the match.
– Ghana will surely revel in this victory especially aganist the star-studded squad of their arch foes.
– This must be worrying times for Nigeria coach Eguavoen as this game has exposed his tactics.
– Akwesi Appiah needed to win this game to restore confidence in him and Ghana will play in a tournament this year after their youth teams failed to shine this year.
– Congratulations to Ghana and better luck to the Dream Team next time. The tie ended 3-3 on aggregate but Ghana are through on away goals rule.
Here's a play and play action of the match
Ghana line-up: Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Masawudu Alhassan, Edward Kpodo, Adams Ahmed, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Isaac Cofie, Latif Salifu, Richard Mpong, Saddick Adams, Dominic Adiyiah.
– Nigeria line-up: Theophilus Afelokhai-Anyanwu Emmanuel, Lawal Raheem, Amoda Usman, Igiebor Emmanuel-Ekigho Ehiosou, Eneji Otekpa, Suswam Peter Terna, Otubanjo Ussif- Udoh Kingsley, Nnamdi Oduamadu.
– The Dream Team V are in their traditional green colours and Ghana have opted to play in red jerseys as the referees and match officials walk onto the pitch.
– The two sides have taken their places on the pitch and the Dream Team will start the match after winning the toss.
– Ghana will play from right to left that is from the Amakon end of the pitch while Nigeria will play from the Accra Road end of the pitch.
1’ – Nigeria get the match underway.with a long ball to the right and Masawudu fails to clear and it is a free-kick for Nigeria.
2’ – Free-kick gliding in but Mpong heads away for a corner-kick... Nigeria are piling the pressure now in the early stages.
3’ – Ghana midfielder Agyeman-Badu is fouled in midfield. Free-kick is quickly taken and Adiyiah is released on the left flank. He sends in a cross but goalkeeper Afelokhai grabs that one on the turf.
5’ – Cofie puts Latif through and he beats his marker on the edge of the Nigerian box but his cross for the Ghanaian strikers is poor.
6’ – Foul in the midfield by Musa Emmanuel... Ghana attacking Nigeria now.
7’ – Quick counter-attack for Nigeria and Yusif Otubanjo shoots from 20-yards but the ball went just inches wide. What a miss for Nigeria! The Ghana defence was caught ball-watching.
9’ – Inkoom sends the ball back to goalkeeper Agyei and his long ball is cleared out.
10’ – Mpong gets the ball and has been brought down mid-way in Nigeria’s half... The ball is taken quickly but the referee calls for retake...
10’ – GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL! Agyeman-Badu fires and goalkeeper Afelokhai is beaten. What a cracker!
– Ghana have taken the lead here in Kumasi and this is what the Black Meteors need to overturn the defeat. A good start and they need another one and prevent Nigeria from scoring.
12’ – Ghana attacking again but Latif Salifu loses the ball. The Ghana fans are in raptures and are cheering. Agyemang Badu is definitely the toast of the fans and has proven why the Ghana FA fought his Italian club Udinese to release him.
13’ – Otubanjo Yusif enters the Ghana box but the ball is cleared. Ghana will launch their attack now but powerful Nigeria defender Emmanuel Anyanwu clears the ball away.
15’ – The Black Meteors start another attack with Mpong racing down the right, he beats his marker and sends in a cross but Adiyiah could not connect with only the goalkeeper to beat... This is a glorious chance and Adiyiah should have connected.
16’ – It’s the turn of Nigeria now and Oduamadi breaks away but Masahudu checks him and Nigeria gets a throw in.
20’ – Agyemang Badu starts another attack for Ghana but the Nigeria defender do well to clear the ball for a corner kick for Ghana. The kick has been wasted.
23’ – Nigeria start their own attack but the Ghanaians are quick to clear for a corner kick to Nigeira.
24’ – The kick is cleared for another corner for Nigeria. Kick is quickly taken by Oduamadi and it is cleared out again for a throw-in to the Dream Team.
27’ – The game is now slowing down in pace as both sides seem to have run out of the energy the game started with.
29’ – Free-kick to Ghana but it has been wasted by the Black Meteors.
30’ – Ghana striker Dominic Adiyiah cracks in a shot from 20 yards, but the Nigerian goalkeeper parries it away.
34’ – Ghana regain possession again but Sadick Adams is crowded out by the Nigerian defenders.
36’ – Another good chance for Ghana but once again Adiyiah is wasteful. I hope he doesn't live to regret that.
38’ – Ghana striker Sadick Adams is down on the pitch after a savage tackle from a Nigerian defender.
39’ – Adams is up and the match starts again.. Agyemag Badu fires another one but it goes just wide.
39’ – Nigeria seem to be too content with their first leg win and have completely lost the midfield to the Black Meteors.
41’ – The Dream Team must probably withdraw one of their two strikers to help out in the midfield to stop Badu and Mpong from distributing the balls to the Ghanaian attackers which is causing problems for the Dream Team.
42’ – Igiegbor as if has heard what I said has moved to the midfield and he sends in an enticing pass to Oduamadi but Masawudu checks him.
43’ – Swift response from Ghana with a counter attack but Nigeria defender Amoda Usman stops Sadick Adams.
45’ – Needless yellow card to Richard Mpong after a foul on Igiebor.
45’ – Two minutes of time added-on to play.
45 + 2’ – The whistle goes for the end of the first half. The score now is 3-2 on aggregate in favour of Nigeria but if the Dream Team want to qualify or maintain this result they must pack their midfield and defence. They have not tested the Ghanaian goalkeeper ev
– Ghana on the other hand have been purposeful and have created all the chances. Now they need to convert the chances they have to be able to get more goals. We will be back for the second half.
– Welcome back to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium here in Kumasi, Ghana for the second half of this all-important All Africa Games qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria in Kumasi.
46’ – The Black Meteors kick start the second half and right away launch the ball into attack.
47’ – Throw-in for the Nigerians to be taken by Arnoda Lisman...
47’ – Ghanaians regain possession now with Agyemang-Badu but his intended pass to Adiyiah is intercepted by Anyanwu.
48’ – Early change by the Ghanaians as Ben Acheampong comes in for Latif Salifu.
49’ – Acheampong immediately gets into the act but he is checked by the impressive Anyanwu.
50’ – Super save by Daniel Adjei to deny Otekpa of what could probably be the winning goal of the tie.
51’ – The Nigerians have improved their game in this early period of the second-half silencing the stadium in the process.
53’ – The home side are currently struggling to regain their rhythm allowing the visitors to dictate the pace.
54’ – Referee is having none of the theatrics from substitute Ben Acheampomg as Agyemang-Badu fires wide from a rebound.
55’ – Nigeria affect their first substitution with Sanusi Kabiru coming on for Odumandi Nnamdi. The AC Milan player looks to be limping.
56’ – Nigerians bossing play at this point but are unable to provide the killer passes to their men upfront.
57’ – Adjei takes a goal-kick from yet another broken attack of the Nigerians. The ball finds Mpong at the edge of the penalty area but is robbed of the ball.
58’ – The Black Meteors gradually coming into the game but just like the Nigerians, they cannot find the defence splitting passes.
59’ – Referee awards a free kick to the homesters in a very dangerous area.
60’ – It is in a similar position from where the Ghanaians opened the scoring but deflected wide. A corner for Ghana.
61’ – Wasted effort by the Ghanaians which gives the Nigerians chance to break but have also turned the ball over.
63’ – Play halted due to injury to Nigeria's Otekpa, the fans getting anxious at this point complaining that the Nigerians are wasting time.
65’ – Fans shout in dismay for a foul called on Saddick Adams. I think its a soft one to give away to be honest.
67’ – The Dream Team are gradually crawling into their defensive shells as the Ghanains push up.
68’ – Agyenag-Badu with the ball, passes to Adiyiah but he is downed by Otekpa and referee duly obliges.
69’ – The set piece is wasted on this count and Nigeira's goalie Afelokhai will take all the time to take this goal kick.
70’ – Ghana regains possession and Adiyiah dashes down the left hand side, cuts in , loses the ball but its recovered by Mpong, he shimmies, he shoots...
70’ – GOAL!!!!!!! Ghana are back in it now and the Black Meteors have the goal they need to make the Nigerians come off and attack.
– Fantastic Goal! Ghana 2-0 Nigiera. As it stands now Ghana are through but they must fight to hold on to the result.
71’ – That wonderfully-placed shot beats goalkeeper Afelokhai and Ghana are currently on their way to Maputo.
72’ – Confidence has definitely soared for the Ghanaians as they surge forward again but this time Awako is flagged offside.
73’ – Quick substitution effected while the goal celebration was going on, Gladson Awako comes on for Saddick Adams.
74’ – Play halted but this time for a Ghanaian. Agyemang-Badu recieves treatment as the referee urges the medical men with the injured player to the sidelines.
75’ – Nigerians looking to pull a goal back but Lisman is caught offside.
76’ – The Ghanaians now bossing the game, they only need to keep the ball with barely 15 minutes to go.
77’ – Coach Eguavon orders his men out of defence, he and his team desperately needs to score now to have any chance of qualifying.
78’ – Quick substitution for Nigeria as Saka Ayo Ajani comes in for Suswan Peter.
79’ – Nigeria gradually piling pressure in the Ghanain half who have all but two players on their side of the pitch.
80’ – Ben Acheampong breaks for Ghana, wonderful tackle by Anyanwu, both players remain on the turf calling for treatment.
81’ – Mistake in the Ghana defence but Kpodo recovers with a timely intervention.
82’ – Substitution for Ghana: Aziz Tetteh comes in for goalscorer Richard Mpong, the last throw of the dice for coach Kwasi Appiah.
83’ – The Black Meteors now defending with their lives as one is hooked away by Kpodo.
84’ – Nigeria now using a lot of the long balls, perhaps to capitalise on their size but the Ghana defence remains resolute.
85’ – Augustine Eguavon getting more animated on the touchline as his opposite number urges his boys to keep their concentration.
86’ – Another long ball launched into the Ghanaian penalty area but goalkeeper Adjei races out to gather.
87’ – A rare attack in the last 10 minutes by the Ghanaians but Adiyiah is flagged offside.
88’ – Ghana surge forward with Coffie, this could be a chance but Anyanwu is once more there to clear.
89’ – A Ghanaian player is down calling for treatment, probably just to run the clock down.
90’ – Three minutes added on to the huge cheer of the Kumasi crowd here.
90 + 1’ – Play halted once more again to allow Ghana captain Samuel Inkoom to receive treatment. I guess they are trying to waste some time.
90 + 2’ – Play resumes with the Nigerians laying siege around their opponent's penalty area.
90 + 3’ – Corner kick to Nigeria and surely the last chance for the Dream Team to restore qualification status.
90 + 4’ – The corner kick is wasted as the crowd begs for the final whistle.
90 + 5’ – Referee ends it all here, Ghana has qualified for the All Africa games ahead of arch rivals Nigeria on the away goals rule.
– The Ghanaian players are marching towards their supporters to greet them for the massive support given during the match.
– Ghana will surely revel in this victory especially aganist the star-studded squad of their arch foes.
– This must be worrying times for Nigeria coach Eguavoen as this game has exposed his tactics.
– Akwesi Appiah needed to win this game to restore confidence in him and Ghana will play in a tournament this year after their youth teams failed to shine this year.
– Congratulations to Ghana and better luck to the Dream Team next time. The tie ended 3-3 on aggregate but Ghana are through on away goals rule.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Nigerian woman with five babies on the NHS cost £200,000 is married to a richman
If the report published in the Daily Mail Newspaper that a Nigerian woman who traveled to Britain to give birth to quins at the taxpayer’s expense is married to a wealthy businessman, then the woman and her husband must be brought to book.
Not only have they successfully embarrassed and disgraced Nigeria, they have also proven why the average Nigerian even a pregnant woman can't ever be trusted.
The woman, Bimbo Ayelabola, 33, had two boys and three girls in April by caesarean section and remained in hospital for almost two weeks, costing the NHS up to £200,000.
According to the Daily Mail she came into the UK with a visitor’s visa, which has expired and she is now fighting to remain in this country, claiming a return to Lagos, Nigeria would leave her homeless and without a ‘support network’ to help her raise her five children.
However the report revealed that her husband, who remains in Nigeria, is a wealthy businessman. A University graduate Ohi Nasir Ilavbare is chief executive of his own logistics company whose clients include British American Tobacco and DHL.
He also owns and runs an upmarket hotel and business centre in an exclusive suburb of Lagos, where his company, Spry Logistics, is based.
Here are comments by British nationals, what's your take?
Brian Spennymoor, Well are we really surprised.....Just wait until her extended family start arriving claiming they have the right to live here because of "Human Rights"....this country is the dumping ground for the worlds rubbish...Thanks "Dodgy Dave" you certainly did away with the Human Rights Act....Well didn't you....Well less than four years to go and the clock is ticking.
- Brian, Spennymoor
Jim Dyer, Disgraceful! They should be sent back immediately and the NHS bill paid by her husband. No way should she be allowed to soak the benefits and welfare system here like many others do. They both wanted a lot of children so hey should support them in Nigeria
Richard Clarke, How much longer are the British people going to put up with this abuse of the NHS and all the other freebies handed out to people who have no right to them. This woman is a disgrace, but then so are the authorities for allowing these situations to continue on a regular basis without any intervention.
Anonymous, When is this government going to enforce an overhaul on the system.These people from the developing countries are taught to deceive.lt is a learned culture to get what they want through deceptive means.They do not give a dam about compassion. Stop them before they even enter Britain by using policies that has laws of commonsense. So,not Britain has become the baby breeding incubator of the world now.l feel so ashamed with this system of ours
Anonymous
Vicky, "get out of our country!!!!!!"
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Nigerian Senate approves Okonjo-Iweala
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a managing director at the World Bank have been approved for a cabinet position by Nigerian lawmakers, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Government sources, have said Okonjo-Iweala who as finance minister of Africa’s largest oil producer between 2003 and 2007, spearheaded talks that led the Paris Club group of creditors to write off $18 billion in debt. She was named finance minister of the year by the Banker magazine in 2004 and by Euromoney in 2005. The Harvard University-educated economist resigned from the Cabinet in August 2006 following a demotion by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Jonathan, who is forming a new government after winning April elections, will now assign her a portfolio. She is expected to return to her previous post with additional powers to oversee the country’s economic management.
The president has so far appointed 14 ministers of a 34- member Cabinet, including 12 ministers who will be returning to their former portfolios. Ex-Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga is among the proposed members and is due to appear before senate hearing today.
Jonathan has pledged to invest in roads and railways and reform the petroleum industry, the mainstay of the economy, to boost growth. Nigeria’s economy, the third-largest on the continent after South Africa and Egypt, will probably grow 8 percent this year, compared with 7.8 percent in 2010, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Government sources, have said Okonjo-Iweala who as finance minister of Africa’s largest oil producer between 2003 and 2007, spearheaded talks that led the Paris Club group of creditors to write off $18 billion in debt. She was named finance minister of the year by the Banker magazine in 2004 and by Euromoney in 2005. The Harvard University-educated economist resigned from the Cabinet in August 2006 following a demotion by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Jonathan, who is forming a new government after winning April elections, will now assign her a portfolio. She is expected to return to her previous post with additional powers to oversee the country’s economic management.
The president has so far appointed 14 ministers of a 34- member Cabinet, including 12 ministers who will be returning to their former portfolios. Ex-Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga is among the proposed members and is due to appear before senate hearing today.
Jonathan has pledged to invest in roads and railways and reform the petroleum industry, the mainstay of the economy, to boost growth. Nigeria’s economy, the third-largest on the continent after South Africa and Egypt, will probably grow 8 percent this year, compared with 7.8 percent in 2010, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Nigeria's secret police apprehend 100 'dissidents'
Nigeria's State Security Service (SSS) told reporters on Monday in Abuja it is holding over 100 leaders and members of a northern-based "dissident" group it did not disclose.
The northeastern part of Nigeria have in recent months ben undersiege by frequent attacks staged by a radical Islamist sect Boko Haram.
"Successful security operations have led to the arrest of some identified key cell commanders and members of the dissident group in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe and Adamawa states," State Security Service (SSS) spokesperson Marilyn Ogar said.
She declined to name the group nor indicate the numbers involved. "I know we have arrested over a hundred."
An extremist sect, Boko Haram, based in northeastern Borno state, has in recent months unleashed a reign of terror in parts of northern Nigeria, bombing and shooting targeted spots and individuals. It also bombed the national police headquarters in the capital Abuja last month.
Meanwhile, British Intelligence has warned its home country of Al Qaeda's plan to use Nigeria as its new command and control centre for plotting aattacks on the West.
The northeastern part of Nigeria have in recent months ben undersiege by frequent attacks staged by a radical Islamist sect Boko Haram.
"Successful security operations have led to the arrest of some identified key cell commanders and members of the dissident group in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe and Adamawa states," State Security Service (SSS) spokesperson Marilyn Ogar said.
She declined to name the group nor indicate the numbers involved. "I know we have arrested over a hundred."
An extremist sect, Boko Haram, based in northeastern Borno state, has in recent months unleashed a reign of terror in parts of northern Nigeria, bombing and shooting targeted spots and individuals. It also bombed the national police headquarters in the capital Abuja last month.
Meanwhile, British Intelligence has warned its home country of Al Qaeda's plan to use Nigeria as its new command and control centre for plotting aattacks on the West.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Nigeria striker Emenike detained over match-fixing in Turkey
Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike, who was recently transferred to Fenerbahçe from Karabükspor in a deal worth $9 million, was detained on Sunday over match-fixing allegations. Emenike did not play in the last season's Fenerbahçe-Karabükspor game, with complaints of injuries.
Meanwhile at least 40 people, including Turkish league champion Fenerbahçe Chairman Aziz Yıldırım and officials and players from other soccer clubs, were detained on Sunday as part of a police operation launched in a number of Turkish provinces over match-fixing allegations.
Teams from the İstanbul Police Department's organized crime bureau searched the home of Yıldırım around 7 a.m. and subsequently detained him. Apart from Yıldırım's home, the Fenerbahçe sports club's headquarters, Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium and several locations in Antalya were also searched.
Police were reportedly investigating alleged match-fixing in the Spor Toto Super League, which ended in May with Fenerbahce's victory, and Bank Asya League 1. According to initial reports, Yıldırım stands accused of establishing an organized criminal group, match fixing and bribery.
Fenerbahçe Deputy Chairman Şekip Mosturoğlu, Giresunspor Chairman Ömer Ülkü, former Diyarbakırspor Chairman Abdurrahman Yakut, Eskişehirspor coach Bülent Uygun, Adanaspor coach Levent Eriş, and soccer players Ümit Karan, Serkan Çalık, Serdar Kulbilge, Mehmet Yıldız, Korcan Çelikay and Sezer Öztürk were reportedly among the detainees.
Condoms in the Church: To speak or not to speak?
It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon. A group of youth can be seen chatting and laughing soon after attending the second service at one of the most-attended churches in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Their youthful Pastor has asked them to stay around for a special announcement he could not deliver during the service.
The news, the Pastor says a few minutes later after the youth are gathered again, is all about a youth camp the Church has organised. It will be held in Bagamoyo, and so, individuals have to make some cash contributions.
In the meeting are Nevil, a 23-year-old choir member, and Abraham, 24, also an active church member. Sitting next to each other, the two seem excited at the news. They sign in for the camp meeting.
Since that day, the two have been calling each other and meeting secretly after several Church services. At first, it is as innocent friends. But before long, Abraham makes his intentions known to Nevil. She also confesses that she has had feelings for him since a long time ago. So, the affair starts.
It blossoms a month later, when the two join the youth on a bus to Bagamoyo for the two-day-camp. They are sitting next to each other, singing and chatting with everyone else. Many of their peers are also sitting in pairs on the bus – sister next to brother.
Abraham makes a move on Nevil. She can’t resist, and before they know it, they have become intimate. From here, sex becomes a part of their affair. This is despite the ‘no sex before marriage’ teachings in their church. They have made sure their sexual relationship is a closely guarded secret.
While the Church continues to preach against sex before marriage in accordance with the Bible, the influence of the media and a host of other external factors are increasingly making it difficult for this message to be taken seriously, especially by the young generation.
In Tanzania, cases of Church member pregnancies out of wedlock are no longer news to many. For instance, by all indications, an increasing number of young people are tying the knot when the girl is already pregnant.
Moral decadence
It is the new generation and the Church has not been spared by a wave of moral decadence fanned especially by the media, and a tendency by today’s young people to worship Western celebrity culture.
So, despite all the strict rules that the Bible and religious leaders have set, youth in churches still practise sex and it is no longer a secret. And forget about those kinds of youth who go to Church every Sunday for a service and come back. Think of choir members, praise and worship members and many more who are very active in Church.
How safe are the sex exploits by this group of Tanzanian youth? Should sex education be a part of the sermon on Sunday?
“I think the time has come where by sex is supposed to be taught to our youth in churches because the more we make it a taboo the more we see them being destroyed by it,” says Emmanuel Mosha, a Lutheran Church elder with a Dar es Salaam parish. “It is time we came out in the open to say something about it.”
Mosha recalls three years ago when he was a youth elder at his parish. “We had a case of a choir chairman who impregnated two girls in the choir at the same time,” he says.
“He was a dedicated young man, but he fell for the temptation. No one believed it when the news broke out. Nobody ever imagined that this young man could mess up that way,” the Church leader says.
He adds: “Sex is all over in today’s world. It is talked about everywhere. Unfortunately, the Church is lagging behind in taking the bull by its horns.”
However, there are many other Church leaders who would not agree with the idea of talking condoms at the altar, and for obvious reasons. “If we start telling them how to use condoms and how they can have safer sex it will be like justifying that sex before marriage is good,” argues Pastor Andrew Mgonja of the New Holy Spirit Church in Mbezi Beach. “As Christians we are not supposed to justify sins. A sin is a sin no matter how small and sweet it is,” the cleric observes, adding:
“By allowing the youth to have sex before marriage, the Church would be going wrong. On the contrary the Church is supposed to keep on telling the youth that sex before marriage is dangerous not only because of the religious rules but also for their lives and health.”
Alice Kimambo, a praise and worship member with a Pentecostal church in Dar es Salaam corroborates. She notes that today the Church is less strict than it used to be when it comes to dealing with issues of sexual immorality.
“I can not really differentiate the experience I had in college and the one I am observing at church today,” says Alice, who is in her late 20s.
“I can tell you that in some places it is not such a big deal to see a guy dating two or three girls from the same Church. It happens and everyone knows it.”
This trend might not be too difficult to understand, after all. There are stories all over, of some people going to Church, not so much to worship but to seek marriage partners.
“I know of one beautiful girl, who used to be known for her loose behaviour in our neighbourhood, and nobody wanted to marry her. But when she realised time was running out she ‘repented’, joined a local church and became an active member of the choir,” says John, a 35-year-old Makongo Juu resident in Dar es Salaam, who attends a Pentecostal church. “It was not long before she got herself a serious brother, who wanted to settle down because she is stunningly beautiful. But she quit the Church soon after getting married, and she is back to her old ways.”
This is not an unusual case. For Christians, one is reminded of Bible teachings on ‘wolves in sheep clothes’, or warnings about ‘dogs in the Church’. Apparently, the place of worship today has become a strategic hideout for some people with bad intentions.
Too many people no longer go to Church with the same purpose of serving and worshiping God. Some women and men, take the Church as the place where they can easily prey on love partners. No wonder cases of HIV/Aids have become common in then Church.
“Our Pastors seem to hesitate when it comes to telling youth about sex. Their assumption is that since they are in the Church, these youth are saved. But this is not the reality on the ground,” says Alice, who joined her Church’s praise and worship team last year. “You see this especially during the youth seminars and camps. We are not told about sex and the safe way of doing it. What we hear is that sex is bad and no one is allowed to do it before marriage,” she adds.
Pastor Abel Kinana of Jesus Celebration Ministry believes talking about sex and condoms in Church is not such a bad idea, only that it has taught carefully.
Says the youth Pastor: “We hear about sex all the time. When the topic comes up among my youth in the Church, I do not push it to the corner.”
He notes that if the Church fails to openly talk about such issues from a Biblical perspective, the youth are going to get information from their friends, movies, TV shows or by experimenting for themselves.
“God wrote about physical intimacy in the Song of Solomon. He wrote about proper relationships, how to court each other (without sex involved) and how once we are married that we can consummate a wonderful and sometimes wild sexual relationship with each other,” concludes Pastor Abel.
The news, the Pastor says a few minutes later after the youth are gathered again, is all about a youth camp the Church has organised. It will be held in Bagamoyo, and so, individuals have to make some cash contributions.
In the meeting are Nevil, a 23-year-old choir member, and Abraham, 24, also an active church member. Sitting next to each other, the two seem excited at the news. They sign in for the camp meeting.
Since that day, the two have been calling each other and meeting secretly after several Church services. At first, it is as innocent friends. But before long, Abraham makes his intentions known to Nevil. She also confesses that she has had feelings for him since a long time ago. So, the affair starts.
It blossoms a month later, when the two join the youth on a bus to Bagamoyo for the two-day-camp. They are sitting next to each other, singing and chatting with everyone else. Many of their peers are also sitting in pairs on the bus – sister next to brother.
Abraham makes a move on Nevil. She can’t resist, and before they know it, they have become intimate. From here, sex becomes a part of their affair. This is despite the ‘no sex before marriage’ teachings in their church. They have made sure their sexual relationship is a closely guarded secret.
While the Church continues to preach against sex before marriage in accordance with the Bible, the influence of the media and a host of other external factors are increasingly making it difficult for this message to be taken seriously, especially by the young generation.
In Tanzania, cases of Church member pregnancies out of wedlock are no longer news to many. For instance, by all indications, an increasing number of young people are tying the knot when the girl is already pregnant.
Moral decadence
It is the new generation and the Church has not been spared by a wave of moral decadence fanned especially by the media, and a tendency by today’s young people to worship Western celebrity culture.
So, despite all the strict rules that the Bible and religious leaders have set, youth in churches still practise sex and it is no longer a secret. And forget about those kinds of youth who go to Church every Sunday for a service and come back. Think of choir members, praise and worship members and many more who are very active in Church.
How safe are the sex exploits by this group of Tanzanian youth? Should sex education be a part of the sermon on Sunday?
“I think the time has come where by sex is supposed to be taught to our youth in churches because the more we make it a taboo the more we see them being destroyed by it,” says Emmanuel Mosha, a Lutheran Church elder with a Dar es Salaam parish. “It is time we came out in the open to say something about it.”
Mosha recalls three years ago when he was a youth elder at his parish. “We had a case of a choir chairman who impregnated two girls in the choir at the same time,” he says.
“He was a dedicated young man, but he fell for the temptation. No one believed it when the news broke out. Nobody ever imagined that this young man could mess up that way,” the Church leader says.
He adds: “Sex is all over in today’s world. It is talked about everywhere. Unfortunately, the Church is lagging behind in taking the bull by its horns.”
However, there are many other Church leaders who would not agree with the idea of talking condoms at the altar, and for obvious reasons. “If we start telling them how to use condoms and how they can have safer sex it will be like justifying that sex before marriage is good,” argues Pastor Andrew Mgonja of the New Holy Spirit Church in Mbezi Beach. “As Christians we are not supposed to justify sins. A sin is a sin no matter how small and sweet it is,” the cleric observes, adding:
“By allowing the youth to have sex before marriage, the Church would be going wrong. On the contrary the Church is supposed to keep on telling the youth that sex before marriage is dangerous not only because of the religious rules but also for their lives and health.”
Alice Kimambo, a praise and worship member with a Pentecostal church in Dar es Salaam corroborates. She notes that today the Church is less strict than it used to be when it comes to dealing with issues of sexual immorality.
“I can not really differentiate the experience I had in college and the one I am observing at church today,” says Alice, who is in her late 20s.
“I can tell you that in some places it is not such a big deal to see a guy dating two or three girls from the same Church. It happens and everyone knows it.”
This trend might not be too difficult to understand, after all. There are stories all over, of some people going to Church, not so much to worship but to seek marriage partners.
“I know of one beautiful girl, who used to be known for her loose behaviour in our neighbourhood, and nobody wanted to marry her. But when she realised time was running out she ‘repented’, joined a local church and became an active member of the choir,” says John, a 35-year-old Makongo Juu resident in Dar es Salaam, who attends a Pentecostal church. “It was not long before she got herself a serious brother, who wanted to settle down because she is stunningly beautiful. But she quit the Church soon after getting married, and she is back to her old ways.”
This is not an unusual case. For Christians, one is reminded of Bible teachings on ‘wolves in sheep clothes’, or warnings about ‘dogs in the Church’. Apparently, the place of worship today has become a strategic hideout for some people with bad intentions.
Too many people no longer go to Church with the same purpose of serving and worshiping God. Some women and men, take the Church as the place where they can easily prey on love partners. No wonder cases of HIV/Aids have become common in then Church.
“Our Pastors seem to hesitate when it comes to telling youth about sex. Their assumption is that since they are in the Church, these youth are saved. But this is not the reality on the ground,” says Alice, who joined her Church’s praise and worship team last year. “You see this especially during the youth seminars and camps. We are not told about sex and the safe way of doing it. What we hear is that sex is bad and no one is allowed to do it before marriage,” she adds.
Pastor Abel Kinana of Jesus Celebration Ministry believes talking about sex and condoms in Church is not such a bad idea, only that it has taught carefully.
Says the youth Pastor: “We hear about sex all the time. When the topic comes up among my youth in the Church, I do not push it to the corner.”
He notes that if the Church fails to openly talk about such issues from a Biblical perspective, the youth are going to get information from their friends, movies, TV shows or by experimenting for themselves.
“God wrote about physical intimacy in the Song of Solomon. He wrote about proper relationships, how to court each other (without sex involved) and how once we are married that we can consummate a wonderful and sometimes wild sexual relationship with each other,” concludes Pastor Abel.
Reuben Abati now spokesman for Goodluck Jonathan
Renowned columnist and Editorial Board chairman of The Guardian newspapers, Dr. Reuben Abati, has been appointed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Special Adviser on Communications. This is authoritative.
Abati, who runs two columns weekly in the newspaper, has thus become the official spokesman of the President.
The appointment, has put paid to speculations about how the president plans to rejig his information management. On Friday, the media was awash with reports claiming that the appointment of Abati was a hoax.
By the appointment, he becomes a cabinet member of the Jonathan administration. The highly respected columnist bagged his doctorate degree at age 25.
http://victorikoli.blogspot.com/
Abati, who runs two columns weekly in the newspaper, has thus become the official spokesman of the President.
The appointment, has put paid to speculations about how the president plans to rejig his information management. On Friday, the media was awash with reports claiming that the appointment of Abati was a hoax.
By the appointment, he becomes a cabinet member of the Jonathan administration. The highly respected columnist bagged his doctorate degree at age 25.
http://victorikoli.blogspot.com/
Saturday, July 02, 2011
British Taxpayers pick up £200,000 bill to care for Nigerian mother
A Nigerian mother who flew into Britain when she learned she was pregnant and had quintuplets has cost taxpayers an estimated £200,000.
The health tourism row erupted after it emerged Bimbo Ayelabola, 33, has asked the Home Office for a six-month extension of her visa which expired last Monday.
She claims that the children - boys Tayseel and Samir, and girls, Aqeelah, Binish and Zara - are too fragile to take back to Nigeria.
They were born at Homerton Hospital, in Hackney, east London, by caesarian surgery at 32 weeks on April 28.
Ayelabola also says that all her friends and family live in the UK and she has no 'support network' in Lagos where she lived.
Her husband visited her in hospital but flew back home after discovering it was a multiple pregnancy and he faced having to care for his big family..
She said: 'If I go back I'll be on my own without even a roof over my head.'
Ayelabola, now living in a two-bedroom flat in Poplar, east London, was reported to have been taking twice the prescribed dose of a fertility drug when she became pregnant.
Soon after discovering she was expecting, Ayelabola quickly obtained a UK visitors' visa. On arrival, she had an emergency NHS scan which showed she was expecting quads.
Doctors only discovered the fifth baby during the caesarian operation.
She told the Sun: 'I had already had miscarriages and couldn't bear the stress another pregnancy would cause.
'I thought I would stand a much better chance of avoiding another miscarriage in a calmer place with friends and family.'
Ayelabola may still have to pay the cost of her care which includes treatment by consultants, midwives, paediatricians and social workers.
But Home Office officials know she will be unable to pay the bill.
A spokesman said: 'The NHS is a national health service not an international one. We expect those with no rights to be in the UK to leave otherwise we will remove them.'
The health tourism row erupted after it emerged Bimbo Ayelabola, 33, has asked the Home Office for a six-month extension of her visa which expired last Monday.
She claims that the children - boys Tayseel and Samir, and girls, Aqeelah, Binish and Zara - are too fragile to take back to Nigeria.
They were born at Homerton Hospital, in Hackney, east London, by caesarian surgery at 32 weeks on April 28.
Ayelabola also says that all her friends and family live in the UK and she has no 'support network' in Lagos where she lived.
Her husband visited her in hospital but flew back home after discovering it was a multiple pregnancy and he faced having to care for his big family..
She said: 'If I go back I'll be on my own without even a roof over my head.'
Ayelabola, now living in a two-bedroom flat in Poplar, east London, was reported to have been taking twice the prescribed dose of a fertility drug when she became pregnant.
Soon after discovering she was expecting, Ayelabola quickly obtained a UK visitors' visa. On arrival, she had an emergency NHS scan which showed she was expecting quads.
Doctors only discovered the fifth baby during the caesarian operation.
She told the Sun: 'I had already had miscarriages and couldn't bear the stress another pregnancy would cause.
'I thought I would stand a much better chance of avoiding another miscarriage in a calmer place with friends and family.'
Ayelabola may still have to pay the cost of her care which includes treatment by consultants, midwives, paediatricians and social workers.
But Home Office officials know she will be unable to pay the bill.
A spokesman said: 'The NHS is a national health service not an international one. We expect those with no rights to be in the UK to leave otherwise we will remove them.'
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