Pope insists: - Muslims must speak out against terrorism, violence,

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014.

From the Vatican City, 
Nov 30, 2014 / 05:47 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- 
On his in-flight press conference returning from a three-day trip to Turkey, Pope Francis said that Muslim leaders around the world must speak out against violence and terrorism carried out in the name of Islam.

“I believe sincerely that it can’t be said that all Muslims are terrorists. You can’t say that. Just as you can’t say that all Christians are fundamentalists because we have them too, eh. In all religions, there are these little groups,” he said Nov. 30.

“I told the (Turkish) president that it would be nice if all the Muslim leaders, whether political leaders or religious leaders or academic leaders, say that clearly and condemn it, no?” he continued, explaining that “all of us need a worldwide condemnation, also from Muslims who have the identity who say ‘We aren’t that. The Quran isn’t that’.”

The Pope also offered a firm warning on the situation of Middle East Christians.

“Truly, I don’t want to use sweetened words. Christians are being chased out of the Middle East. Sometimes, as we have seen in Iraq, the area of Mosul, they have to go away and leave everything, or pay the tax which doesn’t do any good.”

Speaking of broader violence throughout the world, Pope Francis said he believes “that we are living through a third world war, a war in pieces, in chapters, everywhere.”

“Behind this, there are rivalries, political problems and economic problems, to save this system where the god of money and not the human person is at the center. And behind this, there are also commercial interests: arms trafficking is terrible; it is one of the strongest businesses of this time.”

He cautioned that while humanity has discovered the positive good of nuclear energy, it has also used this energy for destructive means.

Asked about his trip to Turkey, Pope Francis emphasized ecumenism. He spoke about the importance of dialogue based on shared experience.

The Holy Father voiced his conviction that Catholics are moving forward in their relationship with the Orthodox, who have both the sacraments and apostolic succession.

“Unity is a journey we must undertake together,” praying and working together, he said, also noting “ecumenism of the blood,” as both Catholic and Orthodox martyrs shed their blood for the Christian faith.

Division exists when the Church becomes self-referential rather than focusing outward, the Pope stated. But while there are still difficulties, “we must be respectful and not tire of engaging in dialogue, without insulting others, without dirtying ourselves, without gossiping.”

In addition, Pope Francis spoke about a particularly intense moment of prayer he had during the papal trip.

He explained that he came to Turkey “as a pilgrim, not as a tourist,” and “the main reason was the feast today to share it with Patriarch Bartholomew, a religious reason.”

“But then, when I went into the mosque, I couldn’t say, ‘No, now I’m a tourist.’ No, it was all religious,” he said. “I saw those marvels, also the Mufti explained the things well to me with so much meekness, with the Quran where it spoke of Mary and John the Baptist. And he explained it all to me and in that moment I felt the need to pray. And, I said to him, ‘Shall we pray?’ And he said, ‘Yes, yes.’ I prayed for Turkey, for peace, for the Mufti, for everyone, for myself because I need it. And, we truly prayed. And, I prayed especially for peace. Lord, let’s end wars. It was like that. It was a moment of sincere prayer.”

He also spoke about his visit with refugee children and said that he would like to go to Iraq.  

“For the moment it isn’t possible. It’s not that I don’t want to go, but if I went right now it would cause a quite serious problem for the authorities, for security. But, I would really like to and I want to,” he said.

Psquare's dad, Mr Okoye passed on yesterday

Psquare loses their father two years after the death of their mum

 

The Okoyes families are presently mourning the death of their father who passed away yesterday. A source close to the family exclusively revealed that the late Mr. Okoye  recently had a successful knee surgery and was about going for physiotherapy when he just fell. 

What a lost!. 

May his soul find eternal rest with GOD. (Amen). 

What is the appropriate means to dispose of an old Bible?

Holy Bible

There is no specifically mandated means of disposing of old Bibles. Some
Catholics follow a custom of disposing of religious articles that have been blessed either
by burying or burning them, but even that is not mandated by law. If
the Bible has been blessed you might choose to follow that custom. If
not, dispose of it as you would any other book. If it’s still in fair
condition, you might put it on a book donation table to benefit someone
else.

MVPLAGOS: Super Rich!!! Meet the four Nigerian billionaire w...

MVPLAGOS: Super Rich!!! Meet the four Nigerian billionaire w...: You Go Fear Fear!!! There are more private jet owners in Nigeria than any other country in Africa. There are about 177 private jets in N...

Governor Okorocha:- I’ll Be President Of Nigeria In 2015

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has proudly declared that he will be the president in 2015.

He made this declaration on Monday in Enugu while speaking at the APC rally.

According to the Governor who declared his intention to run for the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the APC.

“In 2015, I will be the president of the country” .

Okorocha who said his winning at the 2015 elections would come as a surprise to many stated that the impending victory had been prophesied.

Okorocha, who is among the top APC Presidential candidates said: “Three months ago when I said I wanted to be president, they asked, “Can an Igboman be president?.

SEE ALSO: Governor Okorocha & Senator Anywawu Exchange Hot Words

“But now when they count those contesting presidency, they will first count Rochas Okorocha, before Buhari, Atiku Abubakar and Kwankwaso.

“When they said they have zoned the presidency to the North, I asked, “When was the meeting held?”

“Now we have zoned it to Igboland. “In 2015 there will be a turnaround in the fortunes of Ndigbo.” “PDP has failed God. may God forgive PDP in Jesus name,” he said.

Also in recent Story, Governor Okoracha had boasted that he will defeat President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming 2015 elections saying:

“I have the capacity to govern the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I must also make it abundantly clear that the PDP and indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan, cannot defeat me in the forthcoming general election”.

I have been told that the Catholic Church teaches that anyone who commits suicide goes to hell. Is this true?

I have been told that the Catholic Church teaches that anyone who commits suicide goes to hell. Is this true?

THIS IS SO COOL! 2face and Annie Idibia on a road trip to Benue State

 2face and Annie Idibia

Isabella & her Lily Sister

MVPLAGOS: 2face shares a photo of his lovely daughters

MVPLAGOS: 2face shares a photo of his lovely daughters

Cement Price: Dangote announced N1,000 Per Bag for a Cement

In a move that will raise the stakes in the rapidly evolving Nigerian cement market, leading cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc, has announced huge cuts in the price of the essential construction product.

In a step that will make cement cheaper than it has ever been since 2005, the group managing director of Dangote Cement, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, said the company had pegged the Dangote 32.5 cement grade at N1,000 per 50 kg bag, while the higher 42.5 grade is to sell for N1,150 per bag.

The new prices, exclusive of the Value Added Tax (VAT), represent about 40 per cent discount on the prevailing market price of the product, which currently sells for N1, 700 across the country irrespective of the grade.

Edwin said the move was in line with the company’s commitment to the nation’s dire need for the development of infrastructure and to boost the federal and state government’s ongoing effort to reduce the near 20 million housing deficit in Nigeria.

“We recognise the need for a dramatic increase in the response to the huge infrastructure and housing deficit in the country, and one of the ways of addressing the issue is bringing the price of building materials down to much more affordable levels, especially cement which is within our own control, as part of our own contribution to the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and the attainment of key milestones in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” he said.

Since the commencement of the implementation of the backward integration policy for cement in the country over 12 years ago, the local production capacity of the product had risen from less than 2 million metric tonnes per annum to about 38 million metric tonnes per annum today.

During the over 12-year period of the backward integration policy, over $20 billion has been directly and indirectly injected into the Nigerian cement industry, with Dangote Cement Plc accounting for 60 per cent of that spend.

The GMD/CEO also noted that Dangote Cement Plc would continue to align its corporate social responsibility with its strategic business initiatives and would continue to evaluate its pricing regime in Nigeria’s best interest.

Meanwhile, the timing of the initiative has confounded industry watchers who say that, from experience, the cement market is entering the high demand phase as the rainy season is tapering off and the dry season, which provides the opportunity for increased construction and building activities, is setting in.

Recently, in further compliance with the ongoing Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) directive and regulation on the various grades of cement and their prescribed uses, Dangote Cement launched its brand of the premium 32.5 cement grade which is restricted to plastering use.

The largest cement producer in Nigeria noted that the move was to develop a full bouquet of cement types to meet the varying needs of consumers.

With this move, Dangote now produces 42.5 for column casting, block making, decking and other general purpose construction work that require high strength, and the 32.5 grade for rendering or plastering.

The company produces on demand the 52.5 grade for specialised construction of high strength structures such as bridges, flyovers and sky scrapers among others.

The 32.5 grade of cement which has the lowest strength among the cement grades was priced lower than the others, selling for N150 lower than the price of 42.5, a price cut that is part of the earlier announced price regime.

Dangote said in compliance with the SON standard for cement quality and packaging, the 32.5 type shelf life would be clearly labelled in order to minimise the incidence of building collapse in the nation’s building and construction industry arising from the misapplication of the different grades of cement.

The national president of the Block Moulders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Rasidi Adebowale, said he received the news with much happiness especially considering what the price reduction held for his members in Nigeria. He expressed the hope that the new price review would translate to reduction in the price of blocks

In his own comment, Alhaji Okunola Abegunde, the Lagos State chairman of the Block Moulders, said he had all along been looking forward to a time like this when the price of cement would come down so that the low income group could become house owners.

The chairman, Coalition Against Building Collapse, Kola Ojewuyi, noted that the downward review of prices had confounded the critics of Dangote Cement who had earlier condemned the campaign embarked upon by company for the adoption of the 42.5 cement grade as a ploy to increase price of the commodity.

The president, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc. Bruno Niyi, hailed the current move by Dangote and urged the management of the company to sustain the new price regime and ensure it is not hijacked by profiteers.

KNOW UR FAITH

http://www.kofc.org/un/en/catechism/index.html

SAINT OF THE DAY: ST. MARTIN DE PORRES

( Patron of Barbers )
Feast Day: 3rd November!

St. Martin de Porres was born at Lima, Peru, in 1579. At fifteen, he became a lay brother at the Dominican Friary at Lima and spent his whole life there-as a barber, farm laborer, almoner, and infirmarian among other things.

Martin had a great desire to go off to some foreign mission and thus earn the palm of martyrdom. However, since this was not possible, he made a martyr out of his body, devoting himself to ceaseless and severe penances. In turn, God endowed him with many graces and wondrous gifts, such as, aerial flights and bilocation.

This saintly man died on November 3, 1639 and was canonized on May 6, 1962.

PRAYER:
Lord, as You led Martin de Pores by a life of humility to eternal Glory, May we follow his example and be exalted with him in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

St. Martin de Porres, Pray for us!

How can we be more accepting of gay people? - Catholic News Service

How can we be more accepting of gay people? - Catholic News Service

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AKPOS VILLAGE: This Photos Will Make You Laugh So Hard! Annie Idi...

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Gombe Bomb Explosion: Three (3) Arrested

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with an early morning bomb explosion at the Gombe Motor Park which left an unconfirmed number of persons dead and several others injured.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kudu Nma, told newsmen in Gombe that a vehicle with an inscription “Yobe Line’’ was reported to have brought the suspected bombers to the park.

“A vehicle which was suspected to have carried the bombers who came in with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was recovered. 

“Unfortunately for them, they were caught when they were about to run away,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the explosion had gone off around 9.30 a.m. at the park, leaving many dead and several others with various degrees of injuries.

The explosion had occurred at a time when many passengers were at the park boarding vehicles to various destinations.

NAN reports that there was pandemonium around the area immediately after the incident as hundreds of youths from different directions descended on the park.

They threw stones at security personnel and other rescue workers who were evacuating corpses and the injured. The security operatives had to shoot into the air to disperse the rampaging youths.

The bodies of the victims were later conveyed to the Gombe Specialist Hospital, while those injured were also taken to other hospitals for treatment. At the Specialist Hospital, a mortuary attendant who pleaded for anonymity said 23 corpses were deposited there. Meanwhile, the park and the surrounding area have been cordoned off while normalcy has been restored.

Also, many residents of the city have been visiting the hospital, trying to check if their relatives were among the victims.(NAN

Gombe Bomb Blast Kills 'Many'

Many people' have died in a bomb blast in Central Park in Cross, Gombe State, a senior State Security Service (SSS) official has reported.According to the story the blast happened at about 9:30 am.

“They left the bomb inside one of the vehicles at the park,” said the SSS Official. “The blast went off at about 9:30 am. 

Up till now we don’t know the number of people, but it’s a very busy park so many people will have died in such a bomb blast.”Nigerian army officials, the police (with the commissioner present) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) arrived and cordoned off the scene and began the rescue operations.


A NEMA official speaking with “News Men” noted that more than 30 people have been found dead, as at the first count. He expects the toll to rise while a hospital source quoted by NAN confirmed the death of 23 people, women and school children were among them. At least 34 persons have sustained various degrees of injuries.


A resident of the area, who introduced himself as Abdulrahman Suae, confirmed that many people were being transported to the Gombe General Hospital. However, the condition of these persons could not be verified.The police and security services have reportedly cordoned the area off. Emergency officials are doing the best to continue evacuation of the victims to nearby hospitals.

Mark Predicts What Will Happen In 2015

David Mark

Nigeria’s Senate President, David Mark has predicted what will happen in Nigeria in the year 2015 after the general elections would have passed.

The Senate President in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, expressed optimism that despite the growing anxiety and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, Nigeria would come out stronger and more united as a nation.

Mark reportedly made the assertion while playing host to the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Michel Arrion, Nation reports.
Mark assured that the Nigerian government has improved and indeed strengthened political institutions to withstand any storm no matter the circumstances.

“Our political situation is steadily progressing. All Nigerians are now more conscious and indeed aware of elections and the processes. Both the government and the governed are now doing the right thing to guarantee a free, fair and credible election. Steadily, Nigerians have learnt how to play the game according to the rules. I have no doubt that the 2015 elections would be better than our previous elections. It would comply with international best practices. It is going to be exciting and the whole world would appreciate that Nigeria is on the right track democratically,” Mark said.

The senate president, however, appealed to the international election observers to report facts about the elections without sentiment or narrow perspective, and urged the election observers to endeavor to go round in order to get the true position rather than a situation where reports would be based on just a visit to one or two polling units.

Ebola Vaccine Trial To Be Approve By Swiss

Swiss authorities have approved the testing of an experimental Ebola vaccine, as part of an international response to the epidemic in West Africa that has claimed almost 5,000 lives.

On Tuesday, Swiss medical authorities said the trial will be held at Lausanne University Hospital and involve 120 healthy volunteers who will receive the experimental vaccine. The volunteers are all health-care workers who will work on medical teams in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the epicenter of the outbreak.

The Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, known by the shorthand Swissmedic, said the application for the trial “was handled as a priority given the dimensions of the Ebola epidemic.” The application was submitted last month.

The Lausanne trial, which has the backing of the World Health Organization, comes as health authorities around the world grow increasingly alarmed about the outbreak, which has spread to eight countries, including the U.S. and Spain. Reported cases of the Ebola virus disease have topped 10,000.

Health-care workers are at particular risk from contracting the virus, which is transmitted through an affected person’s bodily fluids.

The Lausanne vaccine is based on a modified chimpanzee virus, and the trial will test its safety and ability to provide an immune response to the Ebola disease, Swissmedic said.

Other trials are currently under way in the U.S., U.K. and Mali, and an application for a second trial in Switzerland was submitted earlier this month.

President Jonathan Welcome Emir of Kano; Muhammad Sanusi II

The Emir of Kano pays a visit to President Jonathan.

President Goodluck Jonathan welcomed the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, in Abuja on 30th October, 2014, Thursday. The media described the event as another reconciliation attempt between the two sides.

PremiumTimes reported, with the reference to their source at the meeting, that the emir arrived at the Aso Rock accompanied by the senior members of the council of Kano Emirate.


In his return, Muhammad Sanusi II supported the words of the president, saying he too had forgotten everything that happened

President Jonathan, Emir Sanusi and members of the delegation at Aso Rock, on October 30, 2014.

Jonathan’s administration was represented by the president himself, the Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Aminu Wali and the National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.

In his address President Jonathan reportedly said he had nothing against the newly-crowned emir. He also urged peace and noted that negative aspects have to be left in the past.

The duration of the meeting was about 15 minutes, the internal sources reported.
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The emir and his entourage left for Kano shortly after. They were on their way to the Abuja airport at the time of filing the present report.

POLICE:- SECURITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTION

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has has said he ordered the redeployment of its personnel attached to Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tanbuwal in compliance with provisions of 1999 constitution.

A statement by the spokesman of the Force, acting Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Ojukwu said the order was given because of the Speaker's defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The police said its decision relied on the provision of section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The statement reads: “In view of the recent defection by the Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal, CFR, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from the People Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), and having regard to the clear provision of section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has redeployed its personnel attached to his office.”

Gulder Ultimate Search - Season 11 - Full Episode 22

Catch exciting episodes of Gulder Ultimate Search 11 everyday on African Magic World (DSTV), Real -Stars (Star Times), Minaj TV Obosi (Terrestrial), Ebony Life TV (DSTV), Galaxy TV (Lagos, Ibadan and Ondo), Hip TV (DSTV & GoTV), Nigezie (Star Times) and WapTV (Star Times) from 10pm to 11pm; and

Gulder Ultimate Search XI - BTS - Undercover Selfies

Pope Francis warns: "You are hurting the Church if you are lukewarm".

From the Vatican City, Oct 27, Pope Francis In his homily for Mass celebrated at the Santa Marta residence Monday Him warned against the harm of “lukewarm” Christianity, calling on faithful instead to be “children of light.” The Lord has strong words towards Christian who avoid overstating their Christianity, the Pope told the congregation on Oct. 27. Such Christians do great harm “because their Christian witness is a witness which ultimately disseminates confusion, disseminates a negative witness.” At the End Times, the Pope continued, the Lord will say to these “gray” Christians: “You are neither hot nor cold. If only you were hot or cold. But because you are lukewarm – therefore gray – I vomit you from my mouth’.” Contrasting lukewarm Christians with the “children of light” and the “children of darkness,” the Holy Father described these “gray” Christians as going from one side to the other, making it difficult to determine whether they follow God or the devil. “They are always lukewarm,” he said. “They are neither luminous nor dark.” Pope Francis turned his reflection to the day’s first reading from Saint Paul, calling on Christians to be children of light, rather than children of darkness. In order to know which sort of children we are, the Pope said, we should consider whether the words we use fall into one of four categories: hypocritical, empty, frivolous, or obscene. Such words, he said, are not used by “the children of light. They are not from the Holy Spirit. They are not from Jesus, they are not the words of the Gospel. . . this way of speaking, always speaking of filthy things, or frivolously, or empty, or speaking hypocritically.” Instead, the Holy Father said, citing Saint Paul, we are called to imitate God by walking in charity, goodness, and gentleness. “Therefore, be imitators of God and walk in charity. And this is the word of a child of light.” “There are luminous Christians, full of light,” the Pope said, “who seek to serve the Lord with this light.” He added that there are “dark” Christians “who lead a life of sin, a life far from the Lord.” Warning against being deceived by statements which are “beautiful, well said, but empty,” Pope Francis challenged Christians to ask themselves: “Am I a Christian of light? Am I a Christian of darkness? Am I a Christian of gray?” In this way, he said, we can “take a step forward toward an encounter with the Lord.”

Mark Weeps As Constituents Purchase Nomination Form For Him

Senator David Mark, yesterday wept while accepting the 2015 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form from his Benue South senatorial constituents to return to the Senate next year. Nine local government council chairmen in Benue South senatorial district had purchased the party nomination form in Makurdi, the state capital yesterday, urging Mark to return to the Senate unchallenged. Accepting the nomination form at a crowded gathering in his Otukpo country home, Mark said, “ I will not depart from the path of honour, justice and equity in the service to my country men and women. This is the covenant with my people. Mark intermittently wiped tears of joy from his face on account of the overwhelming crowd surging to have a handshake with him and his wife, Helen, at the event. He said, “ For this trust and confidence reposed on me, I cannot afford to fail. Let us work together as a team. I am prepared to give the last pant of my blood to serve my people diligently .Together, we can reach the Promised Land. A statement by his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, also quoted Mark, saying, “This endorsement speaks volume of the immeasurable responsibility on my shoulder by my people. Please pray for me that God almighty gives me the grace, wisdom and courage to continue to serve to the glory of God and benefit to humanity.”

Minimum Wage:- NLC To Mobilise Nationwide Protest

Subsequent to the removal of the minimum wage from the Exclusive List to the coexisting List by the National Assembly (NASS), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)) has said it will mobilize its members to resist the scraping of the national minimum wage by the National Assembly. The union condemned in strong terms the removal in the on-going fourth amendment exercise to the 1999 constitution. In a statement signed yesterday in Abuja by its General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson the NLC warned that the removal is “extremely retrogressive and dangerous.” The union stated that, an emergency NEC has been convened for Monday October 27, to mobilize workers for further action. The statement reads in part, “We at the Congress see the removal of Wages from the Exclusive List as an act of treachery masterminded by conservative governors and their cohorts in the National Assembly which will do the polity no good. “We recall that last year our national campaign and mobilisation on this subject matter was suspended at the instance of the leadership of the Senate which promised to revisit the issue now that they “are better informed. ........................................................................" “We advise the National Assembly to hearken to the voice of reason and the voice of the people by urgently retracing their steps because the consequences of their action could be dire for the nation.” It stated that one of the implications of this amendment is the jettisoning by the NASS of the concept of a national minimum wage as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (Item 34 of the Second Schedule), stressing that what this means is that every individual employer will determine its minimum wage. It stated further, “The other implication is that it will turn the wage determination process in states into a ‘legislative’ exercise instead of the universal best practice model of collective bargaining as enshrined in the ILO Convention 154 on Collective Bargaining as well as Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining. “In light of the foregoing, the Congress believes the removal is a deliberate and calculated attempt to move us from the working poor to the slave-poor. “We also believe it is a conscious ploy by some people to truncate the on-going electioneering process. it added.

Nigeria's Super Falcons defeated South Africa

Good news! Nigeria's Super Falcons defeated South Africa (Banyana Banyana) 2-1 to secure the place in the FINAL of the 9th African Women Championship in Windhoek, Namibia. Semi-final #2, Cameroon vs Cote d’Ivoire, is about to start! Congratulations to our girls!

Chibok Parents: - We Are Waiting For Our Girls

Parents of the over 200 Chibok girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect are hopefully that their daughters will return back home. Speaking to Premium Times on Wednesday, Mark Enoch, a father whose two daughters were among those kidnapped expressed his disappointment with the way the FG is handling the issue despite FG’s claim of a ceasefire deal with the sect. Mr. Enoch, a Reverend of Church of the Brethren, however, hopeful that his two daughters, 20-year-old Monica Enoch and 18-year-old Sarah Samuel, 18 will return said: He said: “We are expecting they will return; I don’t even know anything about it again. They have been saying something will be done either as from Monday or Tuesday and today is Wednesday. We are waiting”. “We are waiting for the president to hear from him, we the parents we cannot say a word because we don’t know anything,” he said. The Publicity Director, Chibok community, Manasseh Allen, told Premium Times that everyone in Chibok community are expecting the return of the girls. Its been over six months since the over 200 Chibok girls were kidnapped from their school in Chibok, Borno state by the Islamist group, Boko Haram on April 14, 2014.

Senate: - HND Discrimination.

The Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diploma in the same Profession/Field and related matters on Wednesday scaled second reading in the Senate. The bill, which scaled second reading after heated debate at plenary on its relevance, seeks to resolve controversy over wage disparity and gross discrimination against HND holder in public and private sectors of the economy. The Senate President, Sen. David Mark in his remarks, said it would be difficult to legislate on the bill, given that polytechnics were not originally established to be degree awarding institutions. He said rather than canvass for abolishion of the dichotomy, polytechnics should be changed to degree awarding institutions. “ The problem here is whether we can legislate on this. I think obviously that is not going to work for several reasons that we have all advanced here. “We can’t legislate here and say you must employ an HND instead of employing somebody with B.SC. “I think it is more of attitude than what we can legislate on but we can get an arrangement where the polytechnics begin to award degrees, in which case the polytechnics will no more be polytechnics; they will be universities,’’ he said. Mark, who did not outrightly condemn the bill, said it should be sent for public hearing, to get the views of relevant stakeholders on the way forward on the issue of dichotomy. Sen. Abubakar Bagudu ( PDP-Kebbi), a member of Senate Committee Education, said if the dichotomy should be abolished, there would be standardisation of policy. He argued that standardisation of policy was vital because universities and polytechnics had different structures. “The university is theory and research oriented as compared to polytechnic which is supposed to turn out industrial ready graduates,’’ he said. Similarly, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye (APC-Osun), the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Education, canvassed for the harmonisation of the institutions to enable polytechnics to award degrees. “I believe that for as long as there is difference in admission standard and training for both institutions of learning, there will be difference in employment. “ Let us go the U.S. way and equalise both polytechnics and universities and have specialised institutions to handle the technical aspect.’’ The lawmaker explained that Nigeria inherited the polytechnic system from the colonial masters, who thought of having a middle level manpower where people could be trained without the lengthy period in university. He further explained that UK subsequently abolished the system after meeting the purpose for which it was established to meet its industrial need. “We need to make the admission standard the same for polytechnics and universities; forget the dichotomy issue. It is a lie to say you need HND to run an industrial state,” he said.(NAN)

Obama: Respect Ceasefire Deal

As controversies and doubts trail the ceasefire deal that was at the weekend reached by the federal government and the Boko Haram Sect in order to facilitate the quick release of the over 200 female students that were abducted by the insurgents in Chibok, the United States president, Mr. Barrack Obama, on Tuesday urged all the parties involved to implement the ceasefire deal. Speaking through the Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department, Ms. Marie Harf, in Washington, DC, President Obama said that it would be a thing of joy for the American government if the federal government and members of the Boko Haram Sect turn in and maintain such a ceasefire. Reacting to this, the Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adebowale Adefuye, said that he expected all and sundry to laud the capability of the federal government to reach an agreement with the insurgents. Adefuye pressed further that it is the lives of the “innocent” female students that should be paramount to everybody now rather than doubting the ceasefire deal on arrival. Speaking further, the Nigerian envoy said that the United States government and that of Nigeria would be able to discuss more about security and peace in the next US-Nigeria Bi-National meeting which will take place in Abuja next week.

SAINT OF THE DAY - Pope ST. JOHN PAUL II.

Pope ST. JOHN PAUL II. Feast Day: October 22 (Patron of World Youth Day) Best Known As: History's first Polish Pope St. John Paul II named Karol Wojtyla at birth was born in Wadowice, Poland on 18 May, 1920. He was elected Pope on 16 October 1978, becoming the Catholic Church's first non-Italian pontiff in over 450 years. He took the name John Paul II as a nod to his predecessor, John Paul I, whose term lasted only one month. John Paul II became known particularly for his globetrotting ways; as Pope he visited more than 100 countries worldwide. He was also known as a champion of human rights and for his conservative positions on social issues. He died in his apartment at the Vatican on 2 April 2005 and was succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI on 19 April 2005. St. John Paul II, Pray for us!

Helen Paul Opens a Multi-million Naira Film Academy In Lagos!

The Glo ambassador (Helen Paul) said the opening of the Film Academy is a dream come true for her, having nurtured the ambition from childhood. She explained that the effort is also geared towards contributing her own quota to the development of the Nigeria entertainment sector and education in general. “Our classes are going to be more practical, that is why we invested heavily on the studios and other equipment that will make our students one of the best. We have also created a platform that will make it easier for them to get jobs, before and after they finish from the school.” she said.

Falana Tells FG To Sue And Recover the Seized $15M

The advice was contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by Mr. Falana, a copy obtained by the Nation. Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has advised the Federal Government on what to do about the seized $15 million arms purchase money. The legal practitioner told the Federal Government to sue the Isreali and two Nigerians arrested in South Africa in connection with the $15million arms deal with a view to recovering the money.................. According to him, the Asset Forfeiture Unit in the office of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in South Africa had in the past three weeks seized two tranches of funds totalling $15million being payment for the alleged purchase of arms by the Federal Government. He said after the first $9.3 million smuggled into South Africa by an Israeli and two Nigerians was seized last month, the suspicion surrounding the development revealed that the South African company involved in the deal is not a licensed arms dealer and that the jet used to ferry the money belongs to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who is an ally of President Goodluck Jonathan.........................

Linda Ikeji Blog Shut Down

The blog lindaikeji.blogspot.com is owned by model turned blooger, Linda Ikeji who is refeered to as Africa riches blogger. The action was carried out on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 by parent body of her blogspot, Google as a result of series of complaints and reports of unethical practices by the millionaire blogger. The blog www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com is known to have become the No 1 online portal for news, gists and entertainment stories but most of her stories are said to be devoid of clear sources as Linda Ikeji is alleged to have been lifting stories from other sources of news both in mainstream media and new media. It got worse when a claim by cybersquatter with the twitter handle ‘AyeDee’ notified Google of her practices. According to Linda, Ayedee informed Google about alleged plagiarism/copyright infringement of his works on her blog and Google shut down the blog. Responding to the sad development, Linda who hails from Imo State and acquired a Range Rover Evoque worth 21 million naira recently says that she has been under severe attacks lately by some internet scammers known as cyber-squatters who are doing everything humanly possible to pull her blog down and they might succeed.

Police Recovered Arms and Ammunition Inside Uncompleted Building In Nnewi

At the time when the Federal Government is waging war against all the acts of terrorism across Nigeria, the Police in Nnewi, Anambra State, eastern Nigeria, has announced that it recovered arms and ammunition from an uncompleted building. According to a report published by Vanguard, the discovery was made on Sunday, 5 October, 2014, at an uncompleted estate owned by an overseas-based businessman at Uruagu Nnewi. Among arms and ammunition recovered from the building there were one AK4, military rifle, handcuffs, 1,500 live ammunition and 30 fully loaded magazines. It was gathered that the cache of arms was recovered following a tip-off. As at the time of compiling this report, the police says it is still investigating to know those behind the act. Advertisement Also, the police uncovered a criminal hideout in Nnewi after a search on an erosion site in Nnewi North Council Area Anambra State.

Who Needs 18 New States?

Proponents for the creation of additional states say it will correct some imbalances that existed in state creation and give marginalised ethnicities a sense of belonging. EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE queries the justification of the clamour in view of current realities that some existing states can barely sustain themselves. For the records, a majority of the states are highly indebted. Yobe had $31.8 million (N5.088 billion) in external debt as at June 2013, equivalent to 180 per cent of its internally generated revenue (IGR) for the whole of 2012. “Even if it takes my last breath, I want to pursue the creation of state. I will put in my last breath to ensure the creation of Apa State for my people,” the Senate president, David Mark stated recently. He is among several influential Nigerians that have fiercely advocated for the creation of more states. The recently concluded National Conference called for the creation of 18 more states to bring the total in Nigeria to 54. Apa, which is expected to be carved out of the present Benue State and made up of largely Idoma ethnicity, is one of the proposed states. Of course, opponents for the creation of more states say the existing ones can barely be sustained, so who needs 18 new states? The only viable states in the country as opined in some quarters, are the nine oil producing states and Lagos State. According to them, with only 10 out of the 36 states being viable, the remaining 26 states are regarded as parasites on the 10 viable states and the federal government. Proponents of the proposed new states boast of proven resources that will make them viable. But for now, those resources remain just potential. The present over-dependence on oil revenues, low internally generated revenue in most states, revenue sharing drawbacks and high recurrent expenditures are realities the country is presently trying to grapple with. Based on the present revenue sharing formula, the federal government gets 52.68 per cent; the states get 26.72 percent, while the 774 local governments get 20.60 percent. So, without contributing anything to the federation account, the states and 774 local governments receive 26.72 and 20.60 percent from the federation account respectively. A public affairs analyst, Victor Anya, says a combination of the revenue sharing drawbacks and high recurrent expenditures have left many states in a “vegetative” state. “All the states now engage in profligate yearly, leaving very little revenues for capital expenditure, which is the backbone of development. For instance, what is the relevance of private jets being acquired by governors for their states? Can we compare private jets with good roads, functional hospitals, quality education, adequate power supply, etc?” Anya posed. Last year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released data on the internally generated revenue profiles for Nigeria’s 36 states between 2010 and 2012. An analysis by BusinessDay on states’ IGR profile shows that southern Nigeria continued to show dominance in terms of economic activity. The oil producing states also featured prominently in the top ten in terms of states with the largest share of IGR. Northern Nigeria’s poor showing continued to be a concern. Eight of the least ten states in terms of IGR are from northern Nigeria, including Yobe and Borno which are mostly bearing the brunt of the current insurgency, while none featured in the top ten. Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital, led the pack for IGR by a wide margin, while Yobe had the least for 2012. While Lagos is 7 times more populated than Yobe, its N219.2 billion IGR in 2012 is 123 times that of Yobe State’s IGR of N1.78 billion. Nigeria’s oil producing states ramped up their capacity for IGR, perhaps due to the increased economic activity that oil and gas production provided. Five of the top ten states with the highest IGR were oil producers, including Rivers, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. An analysis of the data to see the regional champions showed that for the south west region, Lagos led with N219.2 billion, south south: Rivers N66.2 billion, south east: Ebonyi N14 billion, north central: Benue N8.4 billion, north west: Kaduna N11.5 billion, and north east: Adamawa N4.6 billion. The regional analysis for state IGR showed that states like Kano, Anambra, Abia and Borno underperformed in their respective regions as their relatively high GDP and commercial nature failed to translate into tax revenues for the state governments. Only 3 states generated tax revenues of above N1,000 per head and these were Lagos (population, 20 million) with IGR per capita of N10, 851, Rivers (population,.6.1 million) with IGR per capita of N3,280 and Delta (population 4.8 million) : IGR per capita of N2,258. A majority of the states were also highly indebted. Yobe had $31.8 million (N5.088 billion) in external debt as at June 2013, equivalent to 180 percent of its IGR for the whole of 2012. For now, the 2014 National Conference has recommended the creation of additional 18 new states. They are: Apa from Benue, Edu from Niger, Kainji from Kebbi State, Katagum from Bauchi, Savannah from Borno, Amana from Adamawa, Gurara from Kaduna, Ghari from Kano, Ekiti from South East, Aba from Abia, Adada from Enugu, Njaba from Anambra and Imo, Oil River from Rivers State, Anioma for Delta State, Ogoja from Cross River State, Ijebu from Ogun State, Ose State from Edo, New Oyo State from the present Oyo State. Proposed States In Detail Edu State For the proposed Edu State, which is to be created out of the present Niger State, it will be made up of Agaie, Bida North, Edati, Agbakoba, Katcha, Lapai, Labun and Mokwa local governments. Apa State Apa State is proposed to be removed from the present Benue State and made up of Agatu, Apa, Otukpo, Oju, Obi, Ohimini, Okpokwu and of Badigbo local government areas. Kainji State If Kainji State is created, it will be from the present Kebbi and Niger states and it will be made up of Danko/Wasagu, Fakai, Zuru, Shanga, Sakaba, Nhaski, Yauri, Rijau, Mariga, Magama, Kontagora, Agwara, Borgo and Mashefu local governments. Katagun State For the proposed Katagun State, which is recommended to be created out of Bauchi State, it will be made up of Gamasa, Daman, Misau, Giade, Shira, Jama’re, Itas/Gadau, Zaki and Azare. Savanna State Savanna State, as recommended, will be from the present Borno State and it will be made up of Gwoza, Chibok, Askira/Uba, Biu, Hawul, Shani, Kwaya-Kusar, Bayo and Damboa local governments. Amana State Amana State is expected to be created from Adamawa State from Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Hong, Michika and Madagali local government areas. Gurara State The conference also recommended that Gurara State be created out of Kaduna State, with Sanga, Jama’a, Jaba, Kargako, Kaura, Zango Kataf, Kachia, Kajuru, Chikun, Lere local governments as constituent parts. Ghari State If Ghari is created from Kano State, it will be made up of the following local governments:Bagwai, Bixhi, Dawakin Tofa, Dambatta, Gwarzo, Kabo, Kunchi, Makoda, Rimin Gado, Shanono, Tofa and Tsanyawa. Etiti State It will consist of Orumba North, Orumba South, Agwu, Animi, Oji River, Ivo, Afikpo North/South, Okigwe, Onuimo, Ehime Mbano, Umunneochi and Isiukwuato local government areas. Aba State The proposed Aba State will have its capital in Aba town, which is part of the present Abia State. It is expected to be made up of Isiala, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Aba South, Ugwunagbo, Aba North, Ukwa West, Ukwa East and Osisioma Ngwa local governments. Adada State Adada State, which is expected to be created from the present Enugu State, will have its capital in Nsukka. It will consist of Igbo-Etiti, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Isibor-Uzochukwu, Nsukka, Udenu and Uzo-Uwani. Njaba/Anim State Njaba/Anim State is recommended to be created from Imo and Anambra states. Local governments expected to be under it are Orlu, Orau, Oru East, Oru West, Ohaji/Egbema, Ogut! Njaba, Isu, Nwangele, Mkwere, Ideato Nirth, Ideato South and Ihiala. New Oyo State Local governments that are expected to be part of New Oyo State from the present Oyo State are Irepo, Olorunsogo, Oorelope, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Iseyin, Afijio, Oyo East, Atiba, Ogoja Oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomosho North, Ogbomosho South and Orire. Ijebu State The proposed Ijebu State from the present Ogun State will have its capital in Ijebu-Ode, and will be made up of the following local government areas: Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-North East, Ogun Waterside, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Shagamu, Ikenne and Remo North. Ogoja State Ogoja State, which is expected to be carved out of the present Cross River State, will have its capital in Ogoja. It will be made up of Bekwarra, Bokki, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala local government areas. Anioma State Anioma State is to be created from Delta State. It will also have its capital in Asaba if the proposal scales through. Local government areas expected to be under it are Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwaani.

Pics: IG of Police son living the life. See his watch collection & cars

Jamil Abubakar is the first son of the current Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar. He is a Kingston University-trained Computing Information Systems and Multimedia graduate and is currently a pilot with Elite Airwings. See his fast cars, wristwatch collection and more after the cut.................. Jamil with his dad

Boko Haram: ACF Knocks Jonathan

The North through its apex socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), yesterday, September 11, criticised President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of being insensitive. Members of the organization who are not happy with the way President Jonathan’s administration is handling the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast in ‘an open letter to Mr. President on security situation in the North’, listed their grievances against the present administration, The Nation reports. In the letter which was signed by the ACF Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, a former Inspector General of Police, and Secretary JIP Ubah, a retired colonel, the ACF described as worrisome Jonathan’s nonchalant attitude to the plight of northerners who have been at the receiving end of Boko Haram attacks. The organization is of the opinion that the crisis in the north is a ploy to punish them and neutralise its advantages and potentials by permanently destabilising the region. READ ALSO: Goodluck Jonathan Denies Traveling To Chad With Ali Modu Sheriff The letter reads in part: “We are left with no option but to strongly believe that a covert war is being waged against the North. “The spate of assassinations, murder, arson, destruction of lives and property of innocent citizens in the North East in particular and the entire North in general has continued unabated and assuming an unprecedented gravity and ferocity, it is looking more like an agenda being executed sequentially and successfully too.” They accused the government of failing to investigate and prosecute persons widely believed to be involved in the insurgency, even after the recent revelation by the Australian negotiator Mr. Steven Davis who fingered Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff and Gen. Ihejirika as Boko Haram sponsors. They criticized the President who declared a National Emergency on Ebola Virus which has just claimed a few lives with a whooping N1.9bn, while there was a greater catastrophe of killings, maiming, abduction, rape and displacement of many Nigerians taking place daily in virtually all states of the North, and he has not deemed it fit to declare a National emergency. READ ALSO: APC Reveals How Jonathan, PDP Benefit From Boko Haram The ACF gave a 3-point way forward which are: •Jonathan should put a “halt to the brazen seizure of Nigerian territories and confront the insurgents decisively. •He should constitute a high powered team to investigate persistent allegations of complicity now echoed by Stephen Davis against Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and others ; and •Implement recommendations of three panels – the Sheikh Lemu, Gaji Galtimari and Tanimu Turaki – set up on the insurgency. President Jonathan has come under severe criticism of late from Nigerians on his actions and in action over the spate of terrorism in the country.