Conte wary of Carroll on return to West Ham…See full details

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West Ham United's English striker Andy Carroll (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at The Boleyn Ground in Upton Park, in east London / AFP PHOTO / Ian Kington

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expects a searching examination when his side return to West Ham United’s London Stadium on Monday, scene of one of their four defeats this season.

Only Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have bested leaders Chelsea in the Premier League, but Conte’s men were knocked out of the League Cup by West Ham following a 2-1 loss in October.

Chelsea’s 10-point lead is likely to have been eroded by the time they take to the field at the former Olympic Stadium and Conte says they will have to produce a much sharper display than on their last visit.

“I hope so because the result wasn’t good for us and we want to try to take three points,” said the Italian.

“It will be a difficult game. We all know the difficulty of derbies, but we are preparing very well for this game, in the right way with great commitment and focus.

“For sure it will be a tough game and also we will know the results of the other teams, so there will be positive or negative pressure. But we are ready to play this game and try to do better than last time.”

Chelsea’s defeat at West Ham occurred amid a run of 13 straight wins in the league and came after Conte made a number of changes to his starting XI.

But with in-form winger Eden Hazard expected to shrug off a knock received in training, Chelsea will be at full strength for Monday’s derby.

West Ham will be without winger Michail Antonio following his dismissal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Watford, while Angelo Ogbonna (knee) and Diafra Sakho (back) remain out.

Andy Carroll returns after two games out with a groin injury, however, and captain Mark Noble believes the towering striker could make the difference for Slaven Bilic’s men.

“Andy is massive for us whenever he is fit and everyone knows it,” Noble told the club website.

“He was fit for 11 (league) matches over Christmas and New Year and scored six goals, so we need to keep him available.

“Andy knows how important he is to our team and he hates not being involved with the lads on the training pitch. Having a fit Andy Carroll is a massive boost for us.”

– ‘Chelsea can slip’ –

Carroll missed the League Cup win over Chelsea and failed to find the target when West Ham lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in August, but Conte remains mindful of the threat he poses.

“Andy Carroll is a really good player, very strong physically and we must pay great attention,” he said. “But we must pay attention to the whole West Ham team because in the League Cup they beat us.

“We are preparing different solutions to limit the strengths of our opponent, but it’s important for us to play our idea of football, bring our philosophy, try to play, score, defend very well and play with high intensity.”

While Chelsea continue to carry the air of champions-elect, their momentum has slowed since their autumn surge and they have won just one of their last four away games in the league.

West Ham manager Bilic, meanwhile, believes the title race is far from over.

“It is still very open. There are many, many points available,” said the Croatian.

“Like the clubs below us. Let’s say we are in the position of Chelsea, or even better, regarding the clubs in the relegation zone.

“We are not afraid of our position, but you know that you need points to stay up and improve.

“Those teams who are down there, like Sunderland, Hull, they are hoping and planning to get the points. They know if they get the points they have a chance.

“It is the same with Chelsea and the five teams chasing them. They still think they have a chance to catch Chelsea if Chelsea slip, and they can slip in every game.”

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Aregbesola greets Adeboye at 75

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Rauf Aregbesola, Governor State of Osun.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has congratulated The General Overseer of The ‎Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)‎, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
‎
Aregbesola in a statement signed by the Director of Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon noted that Adeboye is a truly inspiring leader who has dedicated his life to humanity and service in the vineyard of the Lord.

The governor also commended the General Overseer of RCCG for his spiritual and prayerful support to the nation’s leadership at all levels.He said: “You have lived a truly inspiring life of dedicated service in the vineyard of the Lord. Rising above the limitations of a background of deprivation to thrive in academics before going into full time ministry, the phenomenal growth of the RCCG, all clearly testify to God’s hands upon your life and your productive leadership qualities.

“In these critical times in Nigeria’s developmental history, we need, more than ever before, to seek the face of the Lord. Your readiness at all times to offer spiritual and prayerful support to the nation’s leadership at all levels deserves special commendation.”

Aregbesola, who prayed for longer life for Adeboye, added: “On behalf of my family and the good people of Osun, I wish you a happy birthday and many more fruitful years ahead.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m522PU

Working on yourself

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PHOTO: google.com/search

I get a lot of questions from readers regarding attracting love, and about how to get more love into their lives or their current relationship. Often we think that if we just tell our partner that we are not happy with what they are offering, and share what we do want, that this will bring the change we are hoping for in the relationship. That if he knows how unhappy we are, that he will be inspired to fix it, that if we share how unhappy we are when they do or maybe don’t do something, we think that if we tell them what to do, then we will create the relationship we want.

I have also learned the hard way that love and relationships do not work this way, at all.
I remember I used to always tell my guy that we needed to talk. I would want to talk about the relationship and tell him what he wasn’t doing enough of and what I needed from him to feel happy and secure in the relationship. I am very certain that it came off very controlling! This definitely did not inspire him at all to step up and take charge. It felt filled with expectation and obligation. It actually created more disconnection and tension.

I learned the hard way that inspiring changes in love and relationships starts with ourselves.
To heal my own relationship I had to completely go back to the basics and take full responsibility for my happiness or at that time, the lack of it that I was experiencing. This started very small and gained momentum with time and practice. The wonderful thing about it though is that it didn’t take long for my guy to notice a shift in my vibe and energy. I learned how forgiving and kind my guy was and that he had not changed at all, but it was me that inspired the relationship to completely shift for the better. I went from needy, insecure, and angry to calm, independent and peaceful and I bet you that this change was authentic and lasting, it is who I now am. I still have moments of the old me, but I can recognize and own when I am looking for him to fill me up emotionally vs. myself.

A question I often ask is what can you do right now to get yourself to a better feeling place? What can you turn towards to get things going in a more positive direction? Let me quickly share this with you…about 4 Saturdays ago, I remember the day being extremely hot, I’m sure it was 70 degrees and so sunny. I took a drive with my bestie to a place in Ikoyi called the waterfront. Was actually tired of being indoors and away from the cooling system to fresh unadulterated fresh air. So we got to the waterfront, set out our picnic blanket and just laid there looking into the water and its surroundings, feeling the cool/warm breeze on our skin and I just started thinking about how amazing it felt to feel the sun on my skin and how truly healing nature is. Something as simple as a little sun on my face and warm breeze on the skin felt so inspiring and so healing. It elevated my whole mood and completely lifted my whole spirit. It got me back in the present moment and allowed me to see that there was nothing going on that was urgent. Nothing in my life required that kind of immediate action oriented type of response.

We often think it is going to take something major or some sort of big overhaul to create a shift, but it truly starts with something as simple as turning towards what feels good for you in that moment. It can really be as simple as redirecting your focus and what you are choosing to focus your energy and attention on.

So back to what we were talking about, the next time you want to tell your man what he needs to do for you to be happy, or you feel the urge to sit him down and discuss the relationship, consider going a different direction. Consider feeling your challenging feelings and just allowing them to pass through, while simultaneously turning towards something that puts the focus back on you in a positive way.

It’s not about doing things perfectly but it’s about creating those little shifts that over time create something beautiful for us.
To our happiness. Cheers.

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

‘Why Nigerians should patronise locally made drugs’

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Medicines for sale PHOTO CREDIT: healthnewsng.com

*Study shows home grown drugs are cheaper than imported versions
*FG pledges to buy indigenous brands, inaugurates committee on expedited medicines’ access programme

The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) and a recent independent study have given more reasons why Nigerians should patronize locally made medicines.

Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Dr. Obi Adigwe, told The Guardian: “That the prices of most commodities in Nigeria have gone up is no longer news. Expectedly too, the prices of medicines needed to safeguard healthcare have also increased.”

Adigwe called on government and Nigerians at all levels to patronise made-in-Nigeria medicines, which have been certified by National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and proven to match international quality standards.

Healthcare professionals have also advised the government to ensure that the Ministry of Health directs all government hospitals and agencies to show preference for medicines manufactured in Nigeria, which are more affordable, and are of high quality. Policy analysts and experts have indicated that based on the evidence, the Federal Ministry of Health should execute a medicines’ supply programme that would further bring down the cost of medicines and ensure availability of essential medicines at affordable prices.

Also, a recent independent study has however revealed that high quality medicines, which are made in Nigeria, are still more affordable when compared to imported brands of the same medicines. Comparative price analysis of local and imported brands showed that for anti-diabetic drug with Glibenclamide 5mg tablet 10 x 10 as active ingredient, the imported brand Daonil sells at N3, 000 while the local version Glibenclamide goes for N900.

Septrin, which is the imported brand of Co-trimoxazole 480mg tablet 10 x 10 used for respiratory tract infection sells for N6, 000 while the local brand, Primprex, goes for N2, 500.

Flagyl, imported brand of Metronidazole 400mg tablet 10 x 10, antiprotozoal drug, sells at N2, 400 while the local brand, Loxagyl, goes for N500. Also, Co-Artem, imported Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT), anti-malarial drug containing Arthemeter plus Lumefantrine tablet x 6 sells for N1, 600 while the local brand, Arthemed, goes for N500.

Adigwe said this independent study’s findings clearly invalidate the argument that the 20 per cent Import Adjustment Tax has any influence on the affordability of medicines for the average Nigerian.

He said emerging evidence has further revealed that while the scarcity of foreign exchange (FOREX) had been identified as the cause of increase in prices of medicines, local manufacturers were still able to absorb some costs, thereby ensuring that made in Nigeria products were still affordable for patients. Adigwe, however, said importers of pharmaceutical products on the other hand, simply passed on the costs of FOREX and importation to the patients who were at high risk of discontinuing treatment when they are no longer able to afford the high cost of drugs.

He recalled that in the 2016 Fiscal Policy, government placed a 20 per cent Import Adjustment Tax on four categories of medicines for which Nigerian manufacturers have more than enough capacity to satisfy local consumption. Adigwe said this laudable move by the Federal Government is not only aimed at ensuring sustainable access to high quality and affordable medicines, it will also protect the local industry, increase employment for Nigerians and attract Foreign Investment.

Already, he said, indications from industry experts suggest that based on the 2016 Fiscal Policy, there is a re-invigorated interest in the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector, as indicated by the number of foreign companies seeking to establish new factories, as well as buy into existing ones.

Health policy experts have confirmed that the measures highlighted in the 2016 Fiscal Policy will prevent dumping from foreign countries as well as improve sustainable access to medicines, since local capacity will be increased.

Evidence also suggests that since most fake and counterfeit medicines in Nigeria are imported, another major outcome of the 2016 Fiscal Policy is to further limit our exposure to fake drugs as well as safeguard Nigerians’ access to high quality medicines. It has been long established that drug-manufacturing plants in Nigeria are not only highly compliant to NAFDAC and Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN) regulations, but also meet the highest international standards.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has re-iterated the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to partner with local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to ensure access to quality medicines by the Nigerian populace at affordable cost.

The Minister made this known in Abuja while meeting with members of PMG-MAN, in Abuja.

Adewole said that in line with the National Drug Policy that stipulates that Nigeria should aim at producing 70 per cent of its medicines need; the Health Ministry was ready to support willing and capable groups to expedite action towards the achievement of that goal.

In view of this, Adewole stressed that import duties on imported drugs would remain while waiver on tariffs would be sought on imported drugs yet to be manufactured in Nigeria. This, he added was one of the ways to encourage competiveness and create enabling environment for local drug manufacturers.

Adewole inaugurated a committee of experts, headed by the Director, Food and Drugs Services, Modupe Chukuma to come up with a list of drugs that Nigeria was yet to have the capacity to produce so that waiver on tariffs on importation could be sought from the Finance Ministry.

He advised the manufacturers to strive to reduce cost of locally manufactured drugs by as much as 30 per cent and create efficient systems to ensure that drugs get to the last person in need of them.

Earlier in his presentation on the proposed Expedited Medicine’s Access Programme (E-MAP), the National President of PMG-MAN, Dr. S. Okechukwu Anpa, enumerated its benefits to include: improved access to medicine and affordability; assurance of quality drugs; sustainability of essential medicine needs and supply to Nigerians; employment of innovative techniques to absorb some local content cost and employment generation, amongst others.

Anpa noted that the fiscal policy of the government was not responsible for the recent hike in cost of medicines witnessed across the country. He sought for the support of the Federal government to assist the PMG-MAN by adopting the E-MAP and ensuring access to forex for basic raw materials required for production.

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

Obasanjo seeks revival of story telling culture, donates books to Ibogun pupils

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Olusegun Obasanjo

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday advised parents and community leaders to revive the culture of story telling among children to enable them imbibe good moral standards.

Obasanjo gave the advice yesterday at a programme tagged “Story time with baba,” at his ancestral home at Ibogun in Ifo council area of Ogun State as part of activities marking his 80th birthday anniversary which comes up on Sunday

The former president sat among the pupils of Baptist Day School, Ibogun where he had his primary school education and told them folk stories.He recalled that while growing up in the community, his parents and other community leaders usually gathered young children, including him, under the moonlight to give riddles and tell them fables.

The elder statesman, however, expressed concern that such practice had been jettisoned by parents and thereby denied the children a good platform to build character.

He said that he had written 12 books containing several of such stories to sustain the culture.He distributed copies of the books to pupils of the school and other schools in the state.

Obasanjo who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo and some close associates enjoin the children to improve on their reading habits, saying “Only regular reading, hardwork and commitment to your studies can get you to greater heights.”

The Chairman of the Celebration Planning Committee and Director of the Centre for Human Security of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Prof. Peter Okebukola had earlier in his address, described Obasanjo as a great writer and author with several books to his credit.

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

NEITI to establish open contracting data standard platform

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The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has unveiled plans to establish an open contracting data standard platform for procurement of goods and services.

The online platform is to provide comprehensive public information and disclosure on all procurement opportunities and contracting information by NEITI to the general public.

This decision, according to NEITI, is consistent with President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to agreements reached at the Anti-Corruption Summit held in London in 2016.

To strengthen the partnership between NEITI and Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), a non-governmental organisation, on the implementation of the open contracting data standard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Agency while Seember Nyager, the Chief Executive Officer of PPDC signed on behalf of her organisation.

Endorsing the agreement, Adio expressed delight that NEITI has become the first federal government agency to fully embrace the Open Contracting Data Standard in line with the Public Procurement Act and bidding regulations of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

Nyager of the PPDC welcomed the partnership between NEITI and her organisation in promoting an open, accountable, competitive procurement process to ensure efficiency and value for money in the procurement of goods, works and services.

The online platform (Open Contracting Data Standard) is to be hosted as a portal on the NEITI website and will have a feedback component aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and value for money in public transactions.

The platform will enable NEITI to provide regular information and data to the public on all procurement opportunities, contracting processes and requirements.

The development is coming on the heels of the recent ranking of NEITI by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) as one of the few Federal Government Agencies making significant strides in good corporate governance using the BPSR self-assessment tool for measurement.

The reform tools where NEITI ranked very high include integrity of its procurement process, corporate governance, change management, understanding and clarity of mandate, corporate strategy, performance and the ability of NEITI to align its plan and mandate with available resources in the discharge of its responsibilities.

As part of efforts to fully embrace corporate governance, NEITI recently unveiled a special portal to deepen its implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.

At the event Adio remarked that ‘‘the FOI portal on the website is an important tool for checking sharp practices, promoting development and restoring the rights and powers of citizens to know. Because transparency is the middle name of NEITI, we have to walk the talk.’’

He explained that the new website which is FOI compliant is designed to provide access and feedback to the public on NEITI’s operations in compliance with the provisions of the FOI Act.

Adio urged the public to use the FOI portal and the new website to avail themselves of information and data contained in the NEITI reports and other issues in the extractive sector”.

The FOI portal was a product of a partnership between NEITI and another non-governmental organisation Right 2 Know (R2K) under the funding of MacArthur Foundation.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lS5Jdt

Oil community accuses firm, indigenes of concealing toxic wastes (Read full details)

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Toxic waste containers

• Disgruntled elements behind story, says official

The oil-producing community of Koko in Warri North Local Council of Delta State has alleged that a company operating in the area (name withheld) was sand-filling the toxic dumpsite it exposed a day ago apparently to cover up the evidence.

Community leaders Tony Ede, Eyitemi Brown-Dibofun, and Benson O. Asamat disclosed that the firm commenced work yesterday after the community last week petitioned the Minister of Environment and regulatory agencies indicting it over the presence of the harmful wastes.

They named the substances to include massive toxic and carcinogenic oil sludge as well as slurry waste, claiming that some leaders and indigenes leaders were working in cahoots with the company to cover up the incident.

Ede alleged that the firm had ferried tons of sharp and lateritic sand to the dumpsite to bury the harmful and carcinogenic wastes in open pits, defying the attendant health and ecological hazards.

The three leaders claimed that a series of tests carried out by reputable laboratories on the materials suggested that were highly toxic and carcinogenic.

They went on: “It has been ascertained that the current toxic wastes which are from within the country and the earlier one imported from Italy in 1987/1988 may have long term consequences on the residents of Koko. The town is currently witnessing an unusual degree of infertility, stillbirths and deformities from a combination of poly aromatic hydrocarbons from the Italian toxic waste dump. People are still dying from the debacle of the 1988 toxic waste dumped in Koko.

“The irony of the matter is that some Koko community leaders and residents are aiding and abetting the company in the cover-up of the criminal dumping of highly toxic and carcinogenic wastes in their town because they are on the payroll of the firm and its backers.

“We also understand that some officers of the regulatory body that were sent to the site were alleged to have been compromised.”Efforts to speak with the firm’s management were avoided as workers claimed that there was no one available to talk to the press. Even calls to its public relations officer (PRO) were not taken.

However a senior official said the company would soon give its own side of the story, adding that some disgruntled individuals, who were allegedly denied contracts, were behind the “blackmail.”

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Oil community accuses firm, indigenes of concealing toxic wastes

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Toxic waste containers

• Disgruntled elements behind story, says official

The oil-producing community of Koko in Warri North Local Council of Delta State has alleged that a company operating in the area (name withheld) was sand-filling the toxic dumpsite it exposed a day ago apparently to cover up the evidence.

Community leaders Tony Ede, Eyitemi Brown-Dibofun, and Benson O. Asamat disclosed that the firm commenced work yesterday after the community last week petitioned the Minister of Environment and regulatory agencies indicting it over the presence of the harmful wastes.

They named the substances to include massive toxic and carcinogenic oil sludge as well as slurry waste, claiming that some leaders and indigenes leaders were working in cahoots with the company to cover up the incident.

Ede alleged that the firm had ferried tons of sharp and lateritic sand to the dumpsite to bury the harmful and carcinogenic wastes in open pits, defying the attendant health and ecological hazards.

The three leaders claimed that a series of tests carried out by reputable laboratories on the materials suggested that were highly toxic and carcinogenic.

They went on: “It has been ascertained that the current toxic wastes which are from within the country and the earlier one imported from Italy in 1987/1988 may have long term consequences on the residents of Koko. The town is currently witnessing an unusual degree of infertility, stillbirths and deformities from a combination of poly aromatic hydrocarbons from the Italian toxic waste dump. People are still dying from the debacle of the 1988 toxic waste dumped in Koko.

“The irony of the matter is that some Koko community leaders and residents are aiding and abetting the company in the cover-up of the criminal dumping of highly toxic and carcinogenic wastes in their town because they are on the payroll of the firm and its backers.

“We also understand that some officers of the regulatory body that were sent to the site were alleged to have been compromised.”Efforts to speak with the firm’s management were avoided as workers claimed that there was no one available to talk to the press. Even calls to its public relations officer (PRO) were not taken.

However a senior official said the company would soon give its own side of the story, adding that some disgruntled individuals, who were allegedly denied contracts, were behind the “blackmail.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lUME8V

Passengers panic as Med-View plane develops fault (Read full details)

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Med-View

Turkish Airlines denies travellers fainted onboard

Air passengers yesterday panicked as the Med-View plane VL 2102 they were travelling in developed fault, with the cooling system shutting down.
It was, however, not clear where the fault occurred, either prior to takeoff or mid-air. While some passengers claimed that the plane had to abort mid-air after takeoff, the airline explained that the plane did not even takeoff after noticing the fault.

In a related development, Turkish Airlines has also denied that at least three of its passengers fainted onboard following cooling system failure mid-air on Monday.

The European airline said contrary to claims in the social media, only a passenger had medical issue at the airport and was taken care of following the rescheduling of the Monday night flight.The Med-View incident was recorded barely 24 hours after an Air Peace aircraft allegedly busted a tyre, rattling all 105 passengers onboard.

A passenger on the mid-day Med-View flight said passengers had suspected that the plane was faulty before takeoff, but they were assured by the pilot and crew that all was normal.

The plane was Abuja bound, before a final journey to Yola, Adamawa State.Spokesperson of the airline, Oyibotha Obuke, told The Guardian that the fault was a minor snag on the cooling system, noticed by the pilot prior to takeoff.

Obuke said that the fault was not unusual, as the cooling system would normally come on upon takeoff. “But the pilot decided not to takeoff in that circumstance, since the cabin was already hot and passengers uncomfortable. I can tell you that the plane didn’t even takeoff,” he said.

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Experts insist CBN must float naira to remove country from recession

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Economic experts yesterday in Lagos insisted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must float the naira to deliver the nation from the current economic quagmire, noting that the current policy of the apex bank on forex lack direction and does not boost confidence of investors.
  
The experts, who gathered at a breakfast meeting organised by the Nigerian-America Chamber of Commerce to discuss on, ‘Getting Nigeria out of recession: How the 2017 budget affects business outlook,’ said the apex bank created distortion in the economy through its multiple foreign exchange rates.
  
The noted that if the naira be floated, expectations are that the inflation would increase further, the country’s debt profile will rise, investors will be able to project adequately, poverty level will rise further, as the price of petrol and power supply, which is largely dependent on gas will rise.

   
The experts, including Chief Economist at PWC, Andrew Nevin, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Limited, Bismarck Rewane, Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Bukar Kyari, National President, Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Olabintan Famutimi said key changes were required, particularly on foreign exchange, misappropriation of fund as well as corruption otherwise the hope that the 2017 budget would have desired impact on the economy may remain elusive.
   
Kyari projected a situation where the naira would fall between the parallel market rate, standing at about N400 naira on the official rate rather than N305.
  
The experts lamented that the current market structure created so much fear and uncertainty and may continue to cripple the economy if urgent solution is not provided.
 
They said the lack of sufficient involvement by the private sector in the constitution of the nation’s economic management team was adding to the current economic woes. In addressing the country’s rising poverty level, Famutimi said a serious national population policy is needed to monitor growth of population.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l4oSbG

How I credited church account for Gen. Atewe, EFCC witness tells court

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Maj-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe

The first persecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nkem Ahidjo, yesterday told a Federal High Court, Lagos that Maj-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe paid N35million into the account of the Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel, out of the N8.5 billion he allegedly diverted.

Atewe, who served as the Commander of the Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, in the Niger Delta before his retirement, is facing 22 counts charge, together with others, before Justice A.O. Faji.

The other defendants in the case are the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga.

The EFCC accused them of conspiring among themselves to divert N8.5billion from Operation Pulo Shield between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015, using six companies.

The six companies are Jagan Ltd; Jagan Trading Company Ltd; Jagan Global Services Ltd; Al-Nald Ltd; Paper Warehouse Ltd; Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-Newlink Integrated Services Ltd.They have been arraigned on three occasions and had on each occasion pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Ahidjo, who introduced himself as a businessman, who deals in stationeries, printing and general contracts, said he carried on his trade under his five companies based in Abuja.

He added he was a registered contractor with the National Assembly, the National Population Commission (NPC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to which he made supplies.

He claimed to have known Atewe from Villa Church in Abuja, where they both worshiped, when the retired general was still a Guards Commander.

Testifying, he said: “Each time I received it (money), I would call a BDC operator, named Jimoh. I knew him before this time. “He would change the money. I would pay him the naira equivalent and take the dollars. Once I changed it, I would wait for instruction either from Atewe or Kime.

“That was what we continued to do until the end of the transaction in 2015.”He said he received a total of N4, 915,163,103 within the period, out of which about N4.1billion were converted to dollars and delivered to Engozu, who in turn issued a receipt for each payment based on Atewe’s instruction.

Ahidjo said of the remaining amount, he was instructed by Atewe to transfer N35million to Winners’ Chapel; N103million to INP Ltd; N170million to First Investment Ltd; N99million to Lord Fem Ltd; N88million to Ocean Gas; and N297million to Cisco Nobot.

Asked by the prosecutor the purpose of the transfer to Living Faith Church, Ahidjo said: “I don’t know what it was for; it was on the instruction of Atewe.

“All these monies, I don’t question what they were meant for. It is not my money, so I can’t question what it was for. Atewe asked me to act on instruction.”

The witness said he cultivated a good relationship with Atewe to the extent that he attended “midnight church” in Atewe’s house in Abuja three times a week.

Ahidjo narrated to the court how Atewe moved to Bayelsa State between July and September 2014, where he served as JTF Commander.
“He invited me to Bayelsa State and I went. He told me that the Federal Government gave JTF a grant for security and building of barracks and if I had any company into which account money could be paid.

“And being somebody I knew very well from Guards Commander to Major General, I provided the companies that I listed earlier,” Ahidjo said.

He said on a second invitation and visit to Atewe in Bayelsa State, Atewe told him that three payments were about to be made into his accounts and as soon as they were made, he should acknowledge the payments and await further instructions.

He said within two to three days of the meeting, he started receiving the payments and accordingly informed Atewe, who asked him to hold on till he (Atewe) returned to Abuja.

The witness said upon Atewe’s return to Abuja, he invited him to his office at Niger Barracks, where he introduced Engozu, who is the 3rd defendant, as the person that would take delivery of the money from Ahidjo.

Ahidjo said in view of the volume of the monies, Engozu advised him to change the money from naira to dollar before delivery, and he according contacted a Bureau de Change operator, named only as Jimoh.Justice Faji adjourned till March 21, 2017 for Ahidjo to continue his evidence.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kItW1X

Fleeing Boko Haram insurgents torch Borno village

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PHOTO:AFP

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists in convoy of vehicles, motorcycles laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) attacked Mussa village in Askira/Uba council area of Borno State, and set it ablaze in the early hours of Saturday.

Several house and palace of the community leader were also torched, while the villagers scamper for safety, by running into nearby farmlands and bushes.
Musa, which is a farming community on fringe of Sambisa Forest, had been severally attacked by the fleeing insurgents.

Confirming the incident on Saturday in Maiduguri, a military source said: “The fleeing insurgents are venting their anger on communities bordering the forest, as they have no other place to go, but to attack some of the villages, while fleeing their hideouts.”

The military source could not however give casualties, besides the torching of houses, palace and shops.Yesterday’s incident, is barely a day after a group of Boko Haram insurgents killed seven soldiers and injuring of 20 others in an ambush along the Ajiri-Dikwa road in Borno State.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l6WO7T

Again, UNICEF links FGM with high mortality rate

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Embraces Teenagers Who Rejected FGM

Seventeen-year-old Confident Mbam, and 18-year-old Faith Ekwede, from Achacha 1 Igbeagu in Izzi Local Council of Ebonyi State, recently ran into the warm embrace of UNICEF, after escaping from the village in order not to undergo the dreaded female genital mutilation (FGM)

The girls, The Guardian understands ran away from their village when they got wind of the impending mutilation.While on a sensitisation visit to the community, the United Nations agency explained that women circumcision, apart from the complications that come with it, also causes devastating, social, emotional, legal and economic repercussions for young girls and women.

Narrating their ordeal during an advocacy visit to Achacha by UNICEF and other organisations, Mbam said that she ran away from the house when she got the news that she would be circumcised that night.

She noted that she first took refuge at her pastor’s house, who later aided her to run to Cross River State.She said her father, who is the traditional ruler of the village, had told her to prepare herself for the ritual, explaining that it is the only way to be initiated into womanhood.

She continued, “So, I asked myself why will my parents want to mutilate me now that I am 17 and beside, our pastor (Anglican Priest) has told us that the practice is against our faith and we should not indulge in it.

So at that point she said: “I made up my mind to run away and my first destination was our pastors place, who hid me till the next day before I ran to one of my elder brothers living in Cross River State.

In her own case, Ekwede, a JSS 1 student of Comprehensive College, Achacha 1, said she also ran away when the news of her impending mutilation filtered out.

UNICEF Communication Officer Mrs. Ijeoma Onuoha, said: “It’s unacceptable that in this age, millions of women and girls continue to undergo the harmful practice of FGM/C, which research, science has proven to be a high risk factor for maternal mortality, VVF, and other socio-economic repercussions for the survivors.”

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

El-Rufai pledges to apprehend, punish culprits

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Nasir El-Rufai

Southern Kaduna Indigenes Condemn Destruction

Kaduna government and security operatives are on the trail of those who destroyed the foundation structure of the proposed Nigerian Army Battalion in Southern Kaduna, after the foundation laying ceremony by Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Burutai to establish a military formation in the troubled area, last weekend, at Ungwan Yashi, Zango Kataf Local Government.

While government and the military have decided to expedite action in ensuring the takeoff of the construction of the barracks and army formations, some persons moved into the area and destroyed the foundation.

Irked by this development, Governor El-Rufai issued a strongly worded statement yesterday, condemning those behind the destruction, saying those behind the act would be fished out and dealt with according to the law of the land.

In the statement issued by the Media aide to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday, frowned at the destruction of the foundation laying structure of the proposed Nigerian Army Battalion in Southern Kaduna.

The statement said El-Rufai, who received the news with shock, described the situation as unfortunate, as it further confirms that the conflict entrepreneurs “are determined to continue to create obstacles and setback to our stabilisation and peace building efforts.”

He said: “It is unbelievable that some people would destroy the very structure we erected to establish the long-awaited Army Barracks to assist promotion of peace and end the decades of senseless bloodletting in the southern part of Kaduna State. But we will not be deterred. We urge our people that cherish peaceful coexistence to continue to be resilient, focused and resolute in overcoming the antics of forces of darkness and evil. Those that did this are determined to derail the contributions of the security agencies, having failed to spread their tentacles of hate, bigotry and penchant for divisiveness.

“I want to use this medium to appeal to all men and women of conscience to remain firm and optimistic, while government in collaboration with security agencies, civil society, religious and traditional institutions will continue to work assiduously for peace and security of life and property.”

Meanwhile, El-Rufai has vowed to ensure that the Southern Kaduna crisis that erupted under his administration, will be the last ever experienced out of the 11 crises in the state, just as the Army has commenced deployment of soldiers to strategic locations in the troubled area after the foundation laying ceremony of military formations.

Last week, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Burutai, led top army officers for the foundation laying of the formations, barracks and the temporary buildings made available for the soldiers in Kafanchan to enforce security in Southern Kaduna.

Meanwhile, indigenes of Southern Kaduna, under the umbrella of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), have condemned the destruction of the foundation structure of the military formation in the crisis-ridden part of the state.

A statement by SOKAPU’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Yakubu Kuzamani, said, yesterday, that “SOKAPU totally condemns the vandalisation of the structure in very strong terms. As an organisation that has been vigorously pursuing an increased presence of the military in an area deliberately neglected and abandoned for a long time, we totally frown at such acts of recklessness.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l6L4CB

How nuts inhibit growth of cancers

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*Using enough water to cook rice reduces heart disease, tumour risk
Roasted and salted, ground as a baking ingredient or fresh from the shell — for all those who enjoy eating nuts, there is good news from nutritionists at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany). Their latest research shows that nuts can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

“For a long time now we have known that nuts are full of substances that are good for the heart and the cardiovascular system, or that protect against becoming overweight or developing diabetes,” says Dr. Wiebke Schlörmann.

Some studies have also indicated a protective effect against colon cancer, she adds. “What we have not known in detail up to now is what this protective effect of nuts is based on.”

Schlörmann and her colleagues from the Department of Nutritional Toxicology at the University of Jena are now in a position to give specific answers to that question. In a publication in the specialist journal ‘Molecular Carcinogenesis’, they present results from a recent study, which throw light on the molecular mechanisms of this protective effect.

According to this study, nuts have a positive effect on health because, among other things, they are involved in activating the body’s own defences for detoxifying reactive oxygen species. Such substances, which are created by ultraviolet radiation, various chemicals or distinct food metabolites, for example, can cause Deoxy ribonucleic Acid (DNA) damage that leads to cancer development.

“The body has a whole series of protective mechanisms that render reactive oxygen species harmless,” explains Schlörmann. The nutritionists in Jena have now shown that these mechanisms are stimulated by nuts and the substances they contain.

The researchers investigated the effect of five different types of nuts: macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and walnuts, as well as almonds and pistachios. The nuts were artificially ‘digested’ in test tubes and the effects of the resulting digestion products on cell lines were then analysed. The researchers established that the activity of the protective enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase increases in the cells that are treated. In addition, the digestion products induce what is called programmed cell death in the cancer cells thus treated.

Also, scientists have found that using enough water to cook rice reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. They said that cooking the grains in excess water helps to flush out arsenic, preventing any possible chemical poisoning.

A contamination expert claims that while soaking rice overnight slashes levels of the industrial toxin by around 80 per cent, cooking rice in excess water flushes out arsenic – which has been linked to a range of health problems. Arsenic gets into the rice as a result of industrial contaminants and pesticides that were used in the past. It can remain in the flooded paddy fields where the rice is grown for decades, research has suggested.

Professor Andy Meharg, a leading expert on rice contamination from Queens University Belfast, tested chemical levels after cooking rice three different ways. He first used a ratio of two parts water to one part rice, whereby the water was absorbed or evaporated during cooking. Increasing the ratio to five parts water halved arsenic levels and soaking it overnight cut the toxin levels the most.

Typically, rice has ten times more inorganic arsenic than other foods and the European Food Standards Authority has reported that people who eat a lot are exposed to worrying concentrations.

Chronic exposure can cause a range of health problems including developmental problems, heart disease, diabetes and nervous system damage. However, most worrying are lung and bladder cancers.

Professor Meharg has previously suggested that cooking rice in a coffee perculator would stop any arsenic from binding to the rice.

By allowing steaming hot water to drip through the rice, contaminants will be washed away. In previous experiments, there was a 57 per cent reduction in arsenic with a ratio of 12 parts of water to one of rice and in some cases as much as 85 per cent.

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