The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NGF: 10 PDP Govs protest Amaechi’s victory

     The division between Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan was on Friday thrown in the open by 10 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state-controlled governors.
    The pro Jonathan governors were left with the short end of the stick, as Ameachi, against all odds, trounced the Plateau State governor Jonah Jang who contested the position with Amaechi.
    The governors have rejected and denounced Amaechi’s 19-16 victory over Jang. The Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Geidam, did not show up.
    The protesting governors: Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Idris Wada (Kogi); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).
    Governors Jonah Jang (Plateau), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Peter Obi (Anambra) have also kicked against the result.. Obi is of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), one of the five opposition party state governors that voted in the election.
    Leading the protesting governors, Akpabio said Amaechi ought to have resigned his position as chairman of the NGF before contesting the election. The action, he insisted, breached the rules.
    Yuguda expressed disbelief at the outcome of the election in spite of the fact that the PDP Governors Forum supposedly presented a common candidate.
    The governors did not state whether they were speaking for the PDP Governors or speaking for themselves.
    Our correspondent put a call through to the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh at 9 .18 pm yesterday, to seek the party’s position on the outcome of the contest.
    He responded that it was solely an NGF affair, saying that the election was not about the PDP and that the party did not monitor the exercise.
    Metuh  abridged the conversation and excused himself. He promised to get back to our correspondent later. He had yet to do so at the time this report was being filed.
  • Glo mobile subscribers get free Facebook access

    Glo mobile subscribers get free Facebook access

    National Telecoms Operator, Globacom has launched the Glo Zero Facebook,  which gives millions of subscribers on the network free access to Facebook pages on their mobile phones without paying for data subscription or airtime.

     A statement signed by Globacom’s Marketing Coordinator, Mr. Niyi Olukoya said with the Glo Zero Facebook, Globacom has empowered its subscribers to network and socialize on Facebook free of charge.

     “The implication of this awesome service is that our subscribers can now keep in touch with their friends, family and even business associates on the social network site, Facebook from their Glo lines without having any data subscription or airtime on their phones,” Olukoya said.

    To access the service, Olukoya advised subscribers to type zero.facebook.com, 0.facebook.com or o.facebook.coms in the uniform resource locator (url) box on the web page, adding that the new mobile sites include all the key features of Facebook which are optimized for speed with zero data charges.

    The statement further states that customers will only pay for data charges when they view photos or when they leave 0.facebook.com to browse other mobile sites. “When you click to view a photo or browse another mobile site, a notification page will appear to confirm that you will be charged if you want to leave 0.facebook.com“, explained Olukoya.

    Globacom said that Zero Facebook is designed to solve the twin major challenges people around the world face when using the mobile internet – speed and cost of data.

    “With this Product, the subscriber can update his status, view News Feeds, like or comment on Posts, send and reply to Messages, or write on Friends’ Wall just as we do on Facebook.com. Rather than making photos viewable on 0.facebook.com, the photos are one click away, so it doesn’t slow down the experience. You can still view any photos on Facebook if you want, but your regular data fees will apply,” the statement said.

    According to Olukoya, “there is a lot of content on the Web and many customers do not have any idea about how to get it.  Globacom wants to bring this vast resource closer to the subscriber at no cost”.

  • NGF Chairmanship; Amaechi defeats Jang

    NGF Chairmanship; Amaechi defeats Jang

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi on Friday defeated the Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Jonah Jang to be re-elected  for a second term tenure.
    Amaechi garnered 19 votes to Jang’s 16 at the keenly contested poll held in Abuja.
    While Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam stayed away from the poll, there were indications that a governor might have stayed neutral.
    But anti-Amaechi governors were alleged to have threatened a protest march out of the poll venue.
    According to an insider, Amaechi won the poll at the first ballot by defeating Jang, who was earlier endorsed by the Northern States Governors Forum.
    The insider said: “At the count of the ballot, Amaechi secured 19 votes against Jang’s 15.
    “The verdict has been greeted with protest by pro-presidency governors. That is what we are now contending with. They want to stage a walk out.”
    Earlier the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) yesterday adopted Governor Jonah Jang as its consensus candidate for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
    This followed the refusal of Governors Ibrahim Shema and Isa Yuguda to step down for each other.
    Based on the resolution, Jang collected the form to contest for the seat with the incumbent at about 3.45pm before the NGF meeting started at 4pm.
    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “At the Northern Governors Forum session, neither Shema nor Yuguda was ready to step down. We felt it would not be good for the North to go to the poll disunited.
    “Some of us also felt that we should go for a neutral candidate so that the presidency and pro-Amaechi camps will not claim to any superiority.
    “We also went for a Christian governor to underscore our determination to bring peace and stability to the North.
    “He also appears to be one of the oldest in our midst having been a military governor twice when some members of the NGF were even in secondary school.”
    With the development, the NGF election will now be a straight fight between the outgoing NGF chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Jang.
    A highly-placed source said: “With a likely bloc votes from the Northern Governors Forum, Jang may emerge as the new NGF chairman.
    “I do not see the Northern governors betraying Jang. They all want to put this suspicion from the presidency behind them.”

     

     

  • Achebe buried amidst tears

    The remains of the Late world renowned Literary Icon, Late Prof Chinualumogu Achebe was laid to rest in his family compound, Nkwelle Ogidi by 5:18 pmon Thursday amidst wailing , tears and cries by immediate family, relatives and friends.

    Contrary to the anticipated between the traditionalists and Church members, Achebe was buried peacefully without any disagreement.

    Achebe was honoured at death by the presence of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, and six Governors including the host Governor, Mr Peter Obi of Anambra state and Dr Emma Uduaghan of Delta state .

  • Boko Haram: We’re yet to be communicated on detainees’ release – JTF

     

    There seem to be no sign yet of setting free the women and children in custody of the army in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital two days after the Presidential order that such women and children be released, The Nation had observed.

    Our correspondent who is monitoring the situation in the state since the presidential directives saw no sign of such process at the two popular detention camps otherwise known as Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib in Damaturu.

    Commenting on the issue, the JTF spokesman in the state, Lt. Lazarus Eli, said that “Yobe JTF has not received any official directives concerning the matter. We are still waiting for our headquarters and as soon as we are official communicated, we will begin the process.

    “You may be aware that the official directives if sent to us will contain details of the process of the release. We cannot begin to act on media pronouncement. Thank you,” he explained.

    The Nation checks gathered that there are a few women in the custody of JTF in Damaturu and some of them are suspected to be wives of top Boko Haram leaders. It was also gathered that a couple of them that were pregnant have delivered safely in custody.

    It would be recalled that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced in Abuja on Tuesday that it would release women and children detained in connection with terrorist activities.

    The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, said in a statement that the decision to release the suspects was based on the directives of President Goodluck Jonathan.

     

  • Berlin to stage 2015 Champions league final

    Berlin to stage 2015 Champions league final

    Berlin’s Olympiastadion has been announced by Uefa as the host of the 2015 Champions League final.

    It will be the first time the German capital stadium, which was built to host the 1936 Olympic Games will be hosting the final. The stadium has never staged the final of Europe’s top competition.

    The National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland will host the 2015 Europa League final.The arena hosted five matches in last summer’s European Championship.

  • An Evening with Pacino

    An Evening with Pacino

    Leading financial alchemist, DVK, a global boutique private equity and commodity trading company, has  announced its strategic partnership with the European Premiere of An Evening with Pacino at the London Palladium on June 2  , this year.

    The announcement follows the launch of DVK’s film and entertainment fund which will be governed by a leading international law firm Mishcon De Reya and structured by the world’s largest professional services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

    Tickets for the eagerly anticipated event with Al Pacino went on sale on Friday 5th of April, and sold-out in less than 24 hours, as demand soared to see the legendary actor of the silver screen.

    ‘An Evening with Pacino’ will explore the myriad highlights of one of the most celebrated careers in acting history, from his time off-Broadway in the 60s to the present day, with the actor himself, in intimate theatre surrounds.

    It will include an on-stage interview projected on a state-of-the-art large screen, bringing the action closer to the audience. This very special event will also give audience members a rare chance to speak directly to Al Pacino in an audience question and answer session.

    At the event DVK will be hosting an exclusive and select number of high profile, influential individuals, who will be flown to London from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, Bahrain, Russia, Israel and USA, for private meet and greet opportunities with the iconic legend and to attend a VVIP intimate dinner with Al Pacino himself.

    Excited to be performing in a city so rich in art and culture, Al Pacino said: “I am really looking forward to coming to London. I have always felt at home there. I consider it an honour to be appearing at the Palladium and I will be glad to be back on the boards in your great city.”

    One of the very few actors to have won the Triple Crown in acting (Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards), winning his first Tony in 1969 for Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie, Al Pacino won world-wide acclaim for his role as Michael Corleone in the Godfather, which also gave him his first of eight Academy Award nominations.

    An enduring and highly regarded acting career has followed with standout performances in Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Scarface, Sea of Love, Glengarry Glen Ross, Heat, Donnie Brasco, and Scent of a Woman for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1992 Oscars.

    He has also directed and produced several films including Looking For Richard and the soon to be released Wilde-Salomé and Salomé starring Jessica Chastain as Oscar Wilde’s Salomé. With an enduring devotion to acting Al Pacino has become one of film and theatre’s most respected players and one of the most famous and loved actors in the world.

    Deepak Kuntawala says: “”DVK is delighted to be partnering with An Evening with Pacino in London. Al Pacino is a global icon and one of the greatest actors in the world. DVK has recently launched an entertainment investment fund platform, which will focus on financing the world’s best entertainment and film projects one of which being the forthcoming event with Al Pacino.

    He has been one of my favourite actors since I was young and we are absolutely thrilled that our first project is with him. This is going to be very much ‘one moment in time and a once in a life-time opportunity that one must seize.”

  • Minister tasks NYSC board on reforms

    Minister tasks NYSC board on reforms

    The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Inuwa Abdulkadir, has called on members of the new board of the NYSC  to ensure the implementation of reforms to improve service delivery in the organisation.

    Abdulkadir made the call at the inauguration of the board of the NYSC on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, a high-powered committee has been put in place to look into the structure and operations of the NYSC with a view to recommending appropriate reforms.

    “The committee has since completed its assignment and submitted its report.

    “You have a responsibility to see to the smooth implementation of the reforms, which are designed to reposition the scheme for improved service delivery in fulfilment of its founding fathers’ dream.”

    Abdulkadir urged the board members to do their best during their tenure so that posterity would recognise their contributions to the attainment of the vision of the NYSCs’ founding fathers.

    The minister said that members should generate innovative ideas that would enrich policy formulation and reform processes.

    The minister said that there was need to provide effective access for corps members to acquire vocational skills and entrepreneurship training through collaboration with appropriate organisations, including the private sector.

    Abdulkadir also called for the resuscitation of NYSC farms and ventures with active involvement of relevant agencies.

    He listed the agencies as Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and the Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.

    “The effort will immensely increase opportunities for corps members and also contribute significantly in reducing the high rate of unemployment in the country.’’

    He noted that the scheme was facing the problem of inadequate infrastructure at the orientation camps.

    The minister lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in engaging other tiers of government to discharge their statutory responsibilities as assigned in the NYSC Act.

    Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the board, Mr Gordon Bozimo, pleaded for the cooperation of workers of the NYSC and the ministry.

    “I appeal for cooperation, no matter the zeal and determination, without cooperation little will be achieved,” he said.

  • Nasarawa governor seeks Canada’s assistance on education

    Nasarawa governor seeks Canada’s assistance on education

     

    Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has solicited the assistance of the Canadian government in the development of education in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Al-Makura made the request on Wednesday in Lafia when he met with the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter.

    The governor identified capacity building of teachers as an area requiring the Canadian government’s assistance as it would go a long way towards complementing his administration’s efforts at revamping the education sector.

    He said that vocational education was a priority of his administration as it would curb youth restiveness and help to create jobs.

    According to him, the state is willing to key into vocational training programmes available in Canada.

    The governor also called on Canadian investors to partner with the state government in waste management, especially at the Karu axis of the state.

    He pointed out that solid waste emanating from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was beyond the state government’s ability to manage.

    He said that waste management was a big business, calling on Canadian investors to take advantage of it in addition to other viable investments that abound in the state.

    The high commissioner condoled with the government over the recent killing of security agents, expressing hope that the culprit would be brought to justice.

     

     

  • Eagles face adidas XI Monday

    Eagles face adidas XI Monday

    The Super Eagles will face an adidas XI in a test game in Germany before flying out to United States for a friendly against Mexico on May 31.

    Nigeria Football Federation marketing director, Idris Adama, also told MTNFootball.com Eagles kits sponsors adidas has delivered 2013 adidas boots and the FIFA Confederations Cup officials match balls to the team.

    “Adidas has confirmed to us that the Eagles will be the first team in the world to get delivery of the new balls which has been designed for the Confederations Cup in Brazil,” announced Adama.

    “The boys would equally be the first to test the 2013 adidas ball when they take on Adidas XI on May 27 at the Adidas facility in Germany.”

    Meanwhile, the number of players in the Super Eagles training camp in Germany has swelled to 17 following the arrival of more players to the Novina Hotel camp late on Wednesday.

    The latest set of arrivals includes Germany-based striker Joseph Akpala and Ukraine-based forward Babatunde Michael.

    Also in is Portugal-based midfielder John Ogu.

    Defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile as well as Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi are expected in camp on Thursday morning.