Soldiers invade Assemblies of God Church in Yola over crisis

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Nigeria Army. AFP PHOTO/SUSAN NJANJI

It’s criminal, illegal duty, says Army
The crisis rocking the Assemblies of God Church has taken another dimension, as armed soldiers were said to have last Sunday disrupted the church service in Jimeta-Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

The pastor of the church, Rev. Patrick G. Waziri, told journalists yesterday in Yola that the military and the police invaded the church premises located behind St. Theresa’s Catholic Primary School at about 10:00 a.m. and blocked the entrance to the church with their vehicles denying members access to the church.

He alleged that a leader of the church, who belongs to Chidi Okoroafor’s faction, brought the soldiers and threatened to return next Sunday to cause more havoc if the station pastor refused to handover to him.

However, the spokesman of 32 Armoured Brigade in Yola, Major Adamu Yahaya Ngulde, confirmed that the command received the complaint of what he described as illegal operations and that the command had set up an investigation panel to uncover the soldiers that carried out such illegal duty.

He said the soldiers who invaded the church were not from the 32 Armoured Division, but that the command would arrest them and their sponsors. This, he said, would serve as warning to all soldiers and civilians who are in the habit of using soldiers to settle their problems with other people.

Waziri, who belongs to the faction of Prof. Paul Emeka, the General Overseer of the church headquarters in Enugu, said that some of the branches of the church in Adamawa State are under the control of the Okoroafor faction, but that 85 per cent of Assemblies of God Church in the state are under the control of Emeka group.

Meanwhile, when contacted for comments, the factional leader of Okoroafor group in the state, Mr. Thomas Taro, said: “I cannot talk to journalists without permission from my boss, Pastor Okoroafor. My concern is to use security to get what I want. So, I cannot talk to you journalists on this matter.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mlrxeq

Women in Airtel commended for courage, innovation

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Airtel

Female employees of Airtel Nigeria have been commended for their boldness, courage and for leading innovation in the telecoms industry.

This was the conclusion at a colourful event organised by the telecommunication’s company to mark the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2017.

The company was commended for maintaining a firm stance as an equal opportunity employer, offering an abundance of opportunities for exceptional Nigerian women to lead key functions such as customer service, finance, mobile money, enterprise division and other operations within the telco.

Chairman of First Bank Nigeria Plc, Ibukun Awosika, while commending women in Airtel Nigeria also used the platform to encourage them to continue learning and to invest in themselves; break away from the normal and be bold for change.

“There is too much pampering and lying to the womenfolk and this is bad because it never helps. As a woman, you must build yourself and cultivate a culture of continuous knowledge acquisition. This will help you have the boldness to be the best of you,” Awosika said.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, noted that women are very influential in the home, the workplace and all aspects of life.

“Every woman has a rod in her hand. This rod could be a pen, qualification, network, disposition; whatever it is, women should use the rod in their hands to create value for others,” he said.

The CEO, Fine & Country, Udo Okonjo, urged women to strive for financial education and empowerment in other to be contributory members of the society.

Renowned marriage and relationship expert, Funke Felix Adejumo, highlighted on the need for women to have good understanding and a beautiful countenance.

“Women need to understand themselves, believe in themselves and strive to be happy irrespective of the difficulties they go through. They must also learn to be financially independent, make an impact on our world and ensure they leave a legacy for their children.”

Other speakers include, Professor of Gynaecology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Abosede Afolabi, who spoke on women and their body; fashion and style expert, Veronica Odeka, and award winning make-up artist, Joyce Jacob.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2nhGmn4

Stakeholders endorse participatory budget to tackle infrastructural deficit in Southeast zone

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Budget

The seemingly infrastructural deficit in the five states of the southeast geo political zone could be tackled should policy implementers involve the people in the budgeting process.

Stakeholders at a two day experience sharing on participatory governance forum organized by DFID’s Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) programme in collaboration with the African Heritage Institution, held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, said the zone with its peculiar nature requires the inputs of the masses in her budgetary efforts to overcome the challenges of infrastructure.

The participants said that integrating the people who should be direct beneficiaries of annual budgets will help government ascertain their areas of need and inculcate them in the budgeting process, rather than the current practice, where government determines what they get from the budget.

The forum, which drew participants from the civil society, town unions, ministries, departments and agencies in the five states in the zone, agreed that Anambra and Enugu states models have helped encourage participatory budgets into governance activities by the people, stressing that documents from interactions with the people now guides yearly budgeting processes in the two states.

They agreed that Enugu through a presentation on the Visit Every Community (VEC) initiative by Eric Oluedo that the former administration of Sullivan Chime anchored its development strides on demands in the documents, stressing that the yearly budgets were planned using the documents.

They stated that since 2008 in which the effort started, it was subjected to periodic reviews in which projects not captured during the year were referred to the coming year, adding that the documents emanated from visits of government functionaries to the 472 communities of the state.
Partcipants said the government has gone further to institutionalize the effort by creating a directorate for it in the governor’s office, adding that there were plans to give it a legal backing in the state and ensure that communities are visited yearly to review performance.

Anambra in this presentation said before 2006, only the ministries, departments and agencies in the state along with the legislature and the State Executive Council participated in the budget process. They said the situation changed in 2007 when the administration of Peter Obi started organizing the annual Budget Forum where non state actors were invited. The development was said to have given rise to other participatory budget strategies in operation in the state include Community Charter of Demand (CCD) and Community Based Monitors (CBM).

Other states of the zone presented various ways in which their governments have prepared the yearly budgets, beginning with the line ministries, agencies and finally the House of Assembly and formal presentation by their governor.

State Team leader, DFID, Mrs Ifeoma Chukwuma had told the forum that the purpose was to facilitate experience sharing between the five states using budget as the entry point as well as explore and replicate best practices among the states.

She said it was also to review their approach and extent of citizen’s engagement and participation in governance in order to improve service delivery in the zone, adding that each state had developed models that had worked for it in governance processes.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mlEepP

Imperial Ohawuchi leads Zamalek’s 4-1 rout of Enugu Rangers

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Stanley Ohawuchi

• Rivers United beat Al Merreikh 3-0

Nigeria’s Stanley Ohawuchi was in his imperial best as he ran Enugu Rangers ragged yesterday, leading his Egyptian club, Zamalek to a 4-1 rout of Enugu Rangers at the El-Salam Stadium, Cairo. It was the first leg of their last qualifying round for the CAF Champions League and the Nigerian champions, who narrowly qualified for this round, had no answer to the devastating runs by Ohawuchi, Hossam Salama, Ayman Hefni and Mostafa Fathi in Zamalek’s attack.

The Nigerians came into the match with the intent of getting a result that would make the return leg in Enugu a bit easy, but they were served a cold dish by the home side.

The game was barely eight minutes old when Ohawuchi opened the floodgate of goals for the Egyptians. Hossam Salama made it two in the 29th minute, while Ayman Hefni increased the tally to 3-0 in the 34th minute. The first half ended 3-0 in Zamalek’s favour.

Rangers came into the second half determined to reduce the tally, but the Flying Antelopes, who missed some of the stars that helped them to their first domestic title in 32 years last year, including Chisom Egbuchulam, Obinna Nwobodo and Godwin Aguda, could not penetrate the Zamalek defence marshalled by Ali Gabr.

Rather than relaxing their foot on the pedal, the home team increased the tally to 4-0 in the 54th minute through Egyptian international, Mostafa Fathi. Rangers, however, got their consolatory goal in the 84th minute through Charles Negedu.

With this result, Rangers must beat Zamalek 3-0 without conceding any next week to qualify for the group stage of the competition.

While Rangers were going through a torrid time in Cairo, Nigeria’s second entrant in the competition, Rivers United had a fairly easy ride in Port Harcourt, where they hammered Sudanese side, Al Merreikh 3-0.

Rivers United went into the break with a 2-0 lead off the boots of Guy Kuemian (15th and 18th minutes), while Esosa Igbinosa made the scores more comfortable in the 85th minute.

The second leg will be played at the Al-Merreikh Stadium, Omdurman next week. The winner of the tie will qualify for the group stage of the competition.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mgX81G

Igbobi Hospital workers threaten indefinite shutdown as warning strike ends tomorrow

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National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi

As the ongoing national health workers strike enters its sixth day, workers at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL) have threatened to stop operations indefinitely, if their demands are not met by the end of the one-week warning strike on Tuesday.

The aggrieved workers under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee of Igbobi, comprising four unions namely: the Medical and Health Workers Union, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Mid-wife, National Union of Allied Health Professionals and Senior Staff Association of Tertiary and Research Institution, last Tuesday embarked on a seven-day warning strike over alleged corruption in the health sector after series of ultimatum given to the hospital management failed to meet their demands.

At a press briefing at the weekend, the striking workers had alleged the following: non-payment of their December 2016 salaries, non-remittance of third party deductions for November 2016 to February 2017, stagnation of its members under the guise of Federal Ministry of Health recommendation and directives, non-payment of three months teaching allowances deducted from workers’ salaries from October to December 2015, non-payment of nine months relative call-duty allowances arrears and non-payment of all outstanding promotion arrears from 2014 to 2016.

Chairman, National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Akinlade Temitope, said there have been several agreements reached with the Federal Ministry of Health through the hospital’s management, which have not been implemented till date.

When The Guardian visited the wards, patients were unattended to as there were no nurses on duty. The distraught patients on admission have cried out to the government to resolve the lingering crisis, as they were reeling in pains.

One of the patients, Mrs. Seyi Raji, said the strike has caused her serious pains on her leg, which is due for surgery, adding that there is no one to assist her ”.

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New dawn, as Tiv land crowns Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse King

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Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse

Yesterday, the entire land of Tiv tribe was agog with celebrations, as a new Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse, was installed. His ascendance to the throne marked the beginning of a new dawn, as his election was celebrated from far and near by notable personalities, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President described his emergence as an affirmation of his strength of character, integrity and moral authority garnered over the years as a lecturer, erudite scholar and administrator.

The new Tor Tiv succeeds Late Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, who ruled between 1991 and 2015.

Ayatse, an accomplished academic, was elected on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 by the kingmakers after a meeting of the Tiv Supreme Council, also known as Ijirtamen.

He had last week stunned his people when he elected to swear by the Holy bible rather than the local god of his people, “Swem”, affirming his believe in Christianity.

His Royal Highness, Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse hails from Mbakan kindred of Ishangev-ya in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State. He was born on May 12, 1956 to the humble family of late Iorzua Ayatse and Mrs. Adeior Iorzua.

He attended Local Government Education Authority School, Orbiam, Ikov, Ushongo Local Government Area, Local Government Education Authority School, Mbagbegba, Shangev-ya and later completed his primary education at St. Anne’s Primary School, Adikpo, where he obtained the First School leaving certificate.

He attended Government Secondary School Gboko, for his secondary school and passed with Grade One division. Armed with the excellent West African School Certificate result, Prof. Ayatse proceeded to the prestigious University of Ibadan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry. He was the best graduating student in the department.

Thereafter, he obtained his Master of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Calabar, where again, he was the best graduating student. He moved to the University of Surrey, England, as a Commonwealth student for his Doctorate Degree in Biochemistry. He returned to University of Calabar, for his Master in Business Administration (MBA).

Prof. Ayatse had a sterling career in academics and educational management. He started his career in 1980 as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Calabar and rose steadily and rapidly to attain the highest rank of a Professor of biochemistry in 1993, becoming the first ever, and perhaps, still the only Professor of Biochemistry of Tiv extraction. He has held several important positions in the university.

His Royal Majesty, Tor Tiv is the only Tiv man who has served as a Vice Chancellor of two federal universities in Nigeria namely: Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, 2001 – 2006 and Federal University, Dutsin-Ma.

At the University of Agriculture Makurdi, a once restive university, Prof. Ayatse used his sagacity and astuteness to restore peace and stability to the unending students’ violent unrests and strikes.

As vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Prof. Ayatse brought his experience to bear on the newly established university. He was the first Vice Chancellor out of the nine federal universities established at the time, to graduate students and mobilise them for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps. He also conducted the first ever convocation of the university before completing his tenure. He laid a solid foundation for an Information Communication Technology (ICT) driven system, with computerised and online services. In January 2015 and 2016, the institution was rated as the 14th best university in Nigeria ahead of many older institutions.

He served as a member of the Governing Councils of the National Youth Service Corp and Michael Okpara University, Umudike.

In all the positions he has held, he used them for the good of humanity. He facilitated the employment of not only several Tiv sons and daughters in universities and other establishments. Prof. Ayatse is intelligent, hardworking, self-motivated and result oriented, who steers his affairs with the fear of God Almighty.

Prof. Ayatse, a celebrated academic and university administrator emerged as Tor Tiv on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 when the Electoral College overwhelmingly voted him in a process that lasted three days. He scored the highest votes of 39 out of 46 votes to floor three other contenders.

His emergence after the death of the Fourth Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, who slept in the Lord last year is coming at a time the Tiv nation is faced with multifarious problems.

It is the expectation of the people that under Prof. Ayatse kingship, he will chart an agenda for the Tiv nation, which now appears to have no agenda. That Tiv nation must develop an inclusive agenda that would give them focus in their collective resolve to strengthen their cultural practices and language to make them stronger and more progressive, and to discard retrogressive customs that enslave or slow down development.

He is also expected to develop a smooth and cordial working relationship between the political class and traditional leadership by mediating in moments of crisis.

As a God-fearing leader, hardworking, self motivated and result orientated, the new Tor Tiv is also expected to use his vast connection to lobby the Federal Government for developmental patronage and placement of Tiv sons and daughters in the federal service, which is presently nothing to write home about.

As he settles down for the daunting challenge of offering traditional rulership, it is the hope of the Tiv man and woman that he will strive to find solution to the incessant farmers/herdersmen crisis that yearly bring displacement with its attendant difficulties.
Good enough, the new Tor Tiv, once remarked that under his reign, he will employd all avenue to boost farming in Tiv land.

In a nutshell, the general expectations of the people from the new Tor Tiv is for him to seek ways to return Tiv nation to God and seek His mercies to help heal their land and the mutual distrust that has divided the people. This he can do by reconciling his sons and daughters and build bonds of unity, peace and common destiny. It is their conviction that with his education, pedigree and antecedents, it is possible that he will repeat at home the feat he has achieved elsewhere.

Just a week ago, women drawn from the fourteen Tiv speaking council areas of the state, led by the Wife of the Governor, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom on a solidarity visit on the Tor Tiv V, at his private residence in Makurdi, called on him to to review high bride price and other negative cultural practices detrimental to the development of the Tiv nation.

Mrs. Ortom had stated that if the high bride price is reviewed in the Tiv nation, it would enable many to get married without hindrance, and stop the tide of many of their daughters remaining spinsters in their parents’ homes.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mS2rpc

UNICEF-assisted MHCHW has reduced mortality among women, children (Read full details)

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UNICEF

As the 14th round of the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) assisted Maternal New-Born and Child Week (MNCHW) program ends in Bayelsa, the state Ministry of Health says the program has been able to reduce the high morbidity and mortality rate of mothers and children in the state by 20 percent.

Dr. Tonbara Sigha-Ekere, Director, Primary Health Care Department of the Ministry of Health, says though there was more to work do as mothers and children are still dying through preventable ailments, the intervention of UNICEF, the state government and local government has brought the high rate to a manageable level.

Research has shown that every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-five year olds and 145 women of childbearing age, making the country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world.

According to the research it is even more devastating especially in the knowledge that essential interventions reaching women and babies on time would have averted most of these deaths.

Speaking with The Guardian, Dr. Sigha-Ekere, said the program, which is held every six months was delayed in the state due to some logistic problems during the pre-implementation period.

Also speaking, the Director, Nutrition, Mr. Robinson Berigha, decried the level of poverty in the communities which has a left a devastating number of malnourished children as their parents cannot afford to give them food to aid their growth.

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Mikel missing, as Musa, 24 others make Eagles’ squad for Lions, Etalons friendlies

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PHOTO:TWITTER/SUPER EAGLES

Ebuehi, Bazee get first call up
Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has listed goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and forwards Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho for this month’s international friendly matches against Senegal and Burkina Faso in London. But Skipper John Obi MIkel is conspiculoous by his absence in the list. Rohr did not give any explanation for the omission of the midfielder, who referred joined Tianjin Teda in the Chinese League.

But home–based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Leon Balogun and William Ekong, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon are in the list.

Experienced left back Elderson Echiejile, Portugal–based Chidozie Awaziem, Israel–based John Ogu and Watford FC of England forward, Isaac Success are also called.

Germany–based forward Noah Joel Bazee and Holland–based defender Tyronne Ebuehi will join up with the squad for the first time, while youngster Victor Osimhen, record top scorer at the FIFA U17 World Cup, returns.

The Super Eagles will be up against Senegal’s Teranga Lions on Thursday, 23rd March before taking on the Etalons of Burkina Faso four days later. Both matches will be played at The Hive, home ground of Barnet Football Club.

The full list
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (KAA Gent, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (FC Zeljeznicar, Bosnia Herzegovina); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Gijon, Spain); Kingsley Madu (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Noah Joel Bazee (Hannover 96, Germany); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany).

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mbcveS

Sir Godfrey: A true believer

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Sir: In a classic published in the 1950s, Eric Hoffer, an American self-trained intellectual and writer, coined the term, a true believer. The term quickly caught the popular imagination. A true believer is someone who genuinely and wholly believes in a given cause. To such a person, there are no half measures. A popular example is St Paul in the New Testament. When he was a Jewish teacher and polemicist, he was absolutely dedicated. And when he converted to the Christian faith, he became exemplary, quite quintessential. He even surpassed earlier converts if not in dedication, at least in writing. He wrote more books of the New Testament than any other person.

As Pa Godfrey Egbuniwe Okwuosa joins the saints triumphant after a most fulfilled pilgrimage on Earth following a requiem church service at St Jude’s Anglican Church in his country home of Oraifite in Anambra State, there is perhaps no better way to describe him than to acknowledge him as a believer through and through. To him, there were no half measures in all he undertook.

When he joined the nationalist movement in Cameroun and naturally joined the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC) then led by the Great Zik of Africa, he was burning with patriotic fervor. To him, politics was just an avenue to serve the public and humanity generally. In no time, he rose to the post of secretary general of the foremost political party in Anglophone Cameroun. People were not surprised. His love of service to the public was well known. This love led him to bring from Nigeria his Oraifite relatives to live with him while they were going to school or learning business or any legitimate trade.

Consistent with the tradition of true believers, Sir Godfrey was one of the first people to be initiated into the society of ichie in his hometown and consequently became a member of the royal cabinet under the leadership of Igwe Ude Ubaka. He cherished the status because he felt it was a way to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Igbo culture which has for several decades been under sustained attack by western civilisation.

However, when he felt at some point that his ichieship was somewhat in conflict with core Christian beliefs, Pa Okwuosa gave up the title and relinquished his membership of the royal cabinet. He re-embraced Christianity, this time with greater commitment and force, and displayed features of what is generally known as born againism. He went a step further and became a Knight of St Christopher in the Anglican Church. Henceforth, all he did throughout his life on Earth was to live in Christ and for Christ. His whole family got immersed in spirituality, as different from religiosity.

Sir Godfrey lived well for a whole 96 years. And he died well, too.
C. Don Adinuba.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lu8U7Q

Okpara university admits 5,615 fresh students at 24th matriculation

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Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) in Abia state has admitted 5, 615 fresh students at its 24th matriculation ceremony with a call on the students by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francis Otunta to focus on their studies.

Although Otunta said about 18, 994 students are qualified for admission according to Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Universities Commission (NUC) only allowed the institution a quota of 4,300 candidates and an attrition of 10 percent totaling 5,615 in line with its senate

He congratulated the new students on their success while assuring that the university is employing all known techniques to ensure it becomes a world-class institution.

“You are not just here to be prepared as employable citizens after graduation but for the inculcation of fundamental values which makes for good citizenship.

According to the VC, the institution has no stringent rules that are difficult to observe but mainly academic regulations and rules of residence.

The vice chancellor also mandated the students to be law abiding and cooperate with the constituted authority.
A Professor of Material and Corrosion Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara state, Makanjuola Oki has warned that continuous interaction of man with gaseous industrial wastes could accelerate ageing process and fast track early death.

Oki, while delivering the third in the series of Inaugural lectures of the institution said unless mopping up devices are promptly devised and applied for use, man’s extinction on earth may be imminent.

The university don in his lecture titled ‘The Tripodal Connection-Man, Material and Environment: Agricultural Inputs in Corrosion’, said Nigerian scientists should not relegate themselves from playing prominent role in the development of the theories and applications in the nation’s air space.

He said, “the environment can be defined as the air we breathe in and out as well as the various gases pumped into the atmosphere from diverse industrial processes and the interaction among man, material, plants, animals and water. Thus, interaction between rain water and industrial wastes gaseous components in the atmosphere will lead to acid rains which are common in industrial areas. Such acids are injurious to plant, man and the materials he created for his convenience. Such interactions among the components of the environment accelerate aging processes in man and materials.”

Oki who is from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, canvassed dutiful use of some agricultural produce for industrial gains and not used for exclusive consumption purposes, just as he recommended the extracts from the bark of plants, leaves, roots, fruits and seeds for corrosion protection.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mb4Gpv

Fish farmers want middlemen removed from CBN loan scheme

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Fishermen

• Allege agents demand bribes
The Federal Government has been called upon to prevail on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to dismantle the middlemen in its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to farmers nationwide.

President of United Ufuoma Fish Farmers Association, John Ihesinaulo, who made the appeal in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Council of Delta State, noted that the agents were posing an impediment to government’s quest for productivity and food sufficiency, as the facility hardly gets to farmers intact.

He averred that, however good an agricultural policy or intentions of government, the implementation aspect determines the effect, alleging that the agents/middlemen who now demand huge sums of money before disbursement of the loan to the targeted audience, were frustrating the good disposition of the present administration.

His words: “The Federal Government has taken the right step by asking people to go into farming as it would help in the food sufficiency drive of the government. But it should take a step further to empower existing farmers. Paper policy will not take us anywhere. Going down to the grassroots to identify existing farmers for empowerment, to me, is the best thing that will yield the desired result.

“We are aware of the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers’ Programme but we are being frustrated out of the scheme by middlemen who demand for huge sums of money all in the name of trying to help us secure the loan. Of what essence is the loan if it is out of reach of those it is meant to serve. Contractors are asking for too much from us. You cannot give an individual money and ask the group to pay collectively.

“Having said that, I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to prevail on the Central Bank of Nigeria to jettison the idea of middlemen as they are doing more harm than good. Government is empowering contractors not farmers. Contractors are asking for too much. I must tell you that the programme is not feasible. It will be more favourable to government if they pass through the cooperatives and deal directly with them.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mg9TwA

Mikel missing, as Musa, 24 others make Eagles’ squad for Lions, Etalons friendlies…See full details

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PHOTO:TWITTER/SUPER EAGLES

Ebuehi, Bazee get first call up
Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has listed goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and forwards Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho for this month’s international friendly matches against Senegal and Burkina Faso in London. But Skipper John Obi MIkel is conspiculoous by his absence in the list. Rohr did not give any explanation for the omission of the midfielder, who referred joined Tianjin Teda in the Chinese League.

But home–based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Leon Balogun and William Ekong, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo and forwards Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon are in the list.

Experienced left back Elderson Echiejile, Portugal–based Chidozie Awaziem, Israel–based John Ogu and Watford FC of England forward, Isaac Success are also called.

Germany–based forward Noah Joel Bazee and Holland–based defender Tyronne Ebuehi will join up with the squad for the first time, while youngster Victor Osimhen, record top scorer at the FIFA U17 World Cup, returns.

The Super Eagles will be up against Senegal’s Teranga Lions on Thursday, 23rd March before taking on the Etalons of Burkina Faso four days later. Both matches will be played at The Hive, home ground of Barnet Football Club.

The full list
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (KAA Gent, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (FC Zeljeznicar, Bosnia Herzegovina); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Gijon, Spain); Kingsley Madu (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Noah Joel Bazee (Hannover 96, Germany); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany).

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lYnIgA

Mugabe, 93, flies to Singapore for ‘medical review’…Read full details

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Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who celebrated his 93rd birthday last week, flew to Singapore on Wednesday for a “scheduled medical review”, his spokesman said.

Mugabe appeared frail at his birthday party on Saturday, when he stood for more than an hour to deliver his speech, but he paused for lengthy periods and mumbled at times.

“The president left this morning for Singapore for a scheduled medical review,” his press secretary George Charamba told the state-run Herald newspaper.

“We expect him back in the country early next week.”

Mugabe, the world’s oldest national leader, has held power since 1980 during a reign marked by repression of dissent, vote-rigging and a sharp economic decline for the country.

He recently spent several weeks in Asia on his annual vacation, returning in late January, though it has not been officially confirmed that he had medical treatment during the trip.

He has made regular trips to Singapore for medical check-ups, and his health is a frequent subject of speculation.

In 2011, WikiLeaks released a US diplomatic cable from 2008 saying that Mugabe was reported to have prostate cancer and had less than five years to live.

In 2016, the government had to deny that he had died abroad during his annual vacation.

The ruling ZANU-PF party has been riven by factionalism for years as Mugabe has declined to name a successor.

Senior Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seen as a leading contender to be the next president, as is Mugabe’s 51-year-old wife, Grace.

Mugabe’s spokesman was not available to comment to AFP.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mvyqyl

Fish farmers want middlemen removed from CBN loan scheme (Read full details)

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Fishermen

• Allege agents demand bribes
The Federal Government has been called upon to prevail on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to dismantle the middlemen in its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to farmers nationwide.

President of United Ufuoma Fish Farmers Association, John Ihesinaulo, who made the appeal in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Council of Delta State, noted that the agents were posing an impediment to government’s quest for productivity and food sufficiency, as the facility hardly gets to farmers intact.

He averred that, however good an agricultural policy or intentions of government, the implementation aspect determines the effect, alleging that the agents/middlemen who now demand huge sums of money before disbursement of the loan to the targeted audience, were frustrating the good disposition of the present administration.

His words: “The Federal Government has taken the right step by asking people to go into farming as it would help in the food sufficiency drive of the government. But it should take a step further to empower existing farmers. Paper policy will not take us anywhere. Going down to the grassroots to identify existing farmers for empowerment, to me, is the best thing that will yield the desired result.

“We are aware of the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers’ Programme but we are being frustrated out of the scheme by middlemen who demand for huge sums of money all in the name of trying to help us secure the loan. Of what essence is the loan if it is out of reach of those it is meant to serve. Contractors are asking for too much from us. You cannot give an individual money and ask the group to pay collectively.

“Having said that, I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to prevail on the Central Bank of Nigeria to jettison the idea of middlemen as they are doing more harm than good. Government is empowering contractors not farmers. Contractors are asking for too much. I must tell you that the programme is not feasible. It will be more favourable to government if they pass through the cooperatives and deal directly with them.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2lBgdeG