British-Nigerian Man in UK Banned from Work over Ebola Fears

Sam Ogunnoiki

A Nigerian man in the UK who is a British citizen, has been banned from his workplace over fears that he may have contracted Ebola during a recent trip to Nigeria.

The 46-year-old man, Sam Ogunnoiki, who is an employee of Stout Security Ltd where he works as a security guard, was told that he couldn’t resume work until was back in the UK for three weeks, and a British doctor certified him Ebola-free, Pulse NG reports.
According to reports, Ogunnoiki received a letter from his boss which stated:

I have spoken to you and expressed my very deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria.

 Several members of staff have now voiced their concerns about the possibility of your carrying the Ebola virus back with you and have made it very clear that they are extremely reluctant to work with you on your return.

One member of staff has even written a clear and concise letter stating the concerns of your work colleagues. In this case I have to support their concerns especially as I have already voiced them personally to you.

 In order to allay any fears that you are a carrier for this deadly virus I feel I cannot allow you to return to work until you have been back in the United Kingdom for three weeks, which is the incubation period.

I must also request that you visit your doctor on your return and get a clean bill of health before you can start work with us. I am very sorry about this Sam but everyone works in close proximity together and I have to put the concerns of the majority first.

In response to the ban, Ogunnoiki says “Nigeria does not have Ebola but he said I have to be cleared. There is this stigma surrounding me now – it’s just ignorance and a nightmare because I cannot work. I’m a British citizen. There is no justification for this at all.”

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Nigerian man banned from work in the UKafter visiting Nigeria

Sam Ogunnoiki, who works as a security guard
at Stout Security Ltd headquartered in
Cornwall, UK, has been told not to go to work
over fears he may have Ebola after visiting
Nigeria.
The 46 year old British citizen, faces a three-
week quarantine from his employers who told
him that he needs to get the all-clear from a
British doctor before he can go back to work.
Below is the letter (in full) his direct boss sent
to him
"I have spoken to you and expressed my very
deep concerns about your trip to Nigeria.
Several members of staff have now voiced
their concerns about the possibility of your
carrying the Ebola virus back with you and
have made it very clear that they are
extremely reluctant to work with you on your
return." Continue...
One member of staff has even written a clear
and concise letter stating the concerns of
your work colleagues. In this case I have to
support their concerns especially as I have
already voiced them personally to you. In
order to allay any fears that you are a carrier
for this deadly virus I feel I cannot allow you
to return to work until you have been back in
the United Kingdom for three weeks, which is
the incubation period. I must also request
that you visit your doctor on your return and
get a clean bill of health before you can start
work with us. I am very sorry about this Sam
but everyone works in close proximity
together and I have to put the concerns of
the majority first.’
Sam, who said he's on a zero-hours contract
now worries about not being paid. He said:
‘Nigeria does not have Ebola but he said I
have to be cleared. There is this stigma
surrounding me now – it’s just ignorance
and a nightmare because I cannot work. I’m
a British citizen. There is no justification for
this at all.’
The boss who sent the letter, Mr Mannell, later
defended his position saying:
‘I did send Sam a letter saying anyone
returning from any African countries for
safety reasons cannot work for three weeks
afterwards. I know Nigeria is Ebola-free but I
don’t know where he’s travelled. My problem
is that Pendennis [shipyard], which I have a
contract with, sent me an email saying they
cannot have anyone working there that’s
been in contact with Sam."
Source: Metro UK

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19 Year Old Super Falconettes Player Rejects $7,000 Pay Because She Feels Honoured to Play for Nigeria

  A 19-year-old who plays for the Super Falconettes, Nigeria’s Under 20 female football team has rejected the $7,000 paid to her by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for participating in the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup, Nigerian Watch reports.

She is said to have refused to accept the money because she felt that playing for Nigeria was enough reward.

The US-born athlete also plays for the Oklahoma State Football team.

“When we called her mother to confirm the delivery of the allowances, she declined it and insisted that the opportunity of playing for Nigeria was all the reward the family needed,” said Sanusi Mohammed, the NFF’s head of competitions.

Reacting to the news, Dilichukwu Onyedinma,  head of the Nigeria Women League board, said  “She is a star and patriotic Nigerian who put service to her fatherland above money. The minister is aware and we will push the act before the NFF so it can inspire many others. Doing this with the backing of her parents, Courtney Dike should be applauded and perhaps celebrated.”

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Winifred Adebayo: Concerned Citizen? Or Character Assassin

Moving to a new place has its ups and downs; so does finding yourself in any surrounding you’re not accustomed to. Your senses are operating on high-speed; you’re taking in all the smiles, hugs, and stares, while trying to discern who is who, and what group to place people as they come your way.

I’m sure everyone has experienced a concerned citizen grab your hand or shoulder and volunteer to help make your transition a little easier.
Now I’m all up for ‘angels’ and ‘present helps’ who show up when confusion just becomes your middle name. They almost feel like the breath of fresh air, taste of cold water, or the taste of mint. Most times everyone would welcome the new friend(s) that takes your hand to show you around.

What I find very disturbing is how much control he/she/they will have over the rest of your experience in that organization or environment.

Being the new girl on the block has its perks. From previous experiences, I have learned to be more careful, because how I make the transition from JJC to home girl will affect the rest of my stay in that given place. I’ve gotten my fair share of concerned citizen escorts. They are usually experts in loaded comments: few words which mean too much. Pointing at someone and dropping the atomic bomb ‘Be careful oh!’ and then when asked why; their response would always start with ‘I heard’, ‘they said’, ‘somebody said’, ‘they told me’ etc. The sources are always anonymous. Now these are the people I call ‘character assassins from the pit of hell’.

Why, oh why…are you spreading news without knowing the source of the information? If someone did not offend you directly, why have you made it a mandate upon your life to induct every new person into a pre-existing hatred-association against that person? Even if you know the source of the story or it happened to you directly, what do you stand to gain by poisoning someone’s mind about another person?

These are the questions that fill my mind each time I think of this. While gossip is enjoyed, the people involved don’t always fully understand how much damage is done with the movements of their lips. People’s characters are defamed, future relationships that would have yielded good things are destroyed before they even got a chance to start, new hearts and minds are poisoned about an individual and it follows them wherever they go. You could spread an ill story about someone in Lagos today and a cousin of the person you told in Australia would hear that same story and the story keeps growing wings. In case you haven’t realized, the world is a small place and news travels very far with little fuel.

I’ve met couples who heard negative things about each other before they met, only to find out that those things are lies and they are soul mates. What would have happened if they had listened to concerned citizens? Think of how many relationships or friendships you have missed out on because someone put a negative story in your heart.

Dear readers, no one is perfect. I have messed up a few relationships/friendships and I have my flaws, but that doesn’t mean I’m no good to any other person I come across in my life. Instead I should focus on being better and when people offend me directly or indirectly, I should extend the same courtesy and give them a chance to get it right with someone else, not destroy their name and character before they even meet a new person. And for those professional gossip representatives spreading stories you don’t know the facts about, FEAR GOD and STOP!

I’m fully aware that some people succeed in burning every chance you give them to get it right and you might feel the need to protect a new person, friend, or loved one from such person. The best way to do that is to learn how to state confirmable facts about an incident without making judgments about the person’s character, let people make decisions about other people for themselves. For example, I should say ‘When I did business with Bisi, she didn’t pay me my money’ not ‘Bisi is selfish, irresponsible and owes everyone she does business with’. One says this is my experience be careful, the other kills Bisi’s character without even giving any tangible facts.

Regardless of how many people warn or help you, getting hurt in life is INEVITABLE. We are all human beings and our flaws make us prone to mistakes that cause us and the people in our lives pain. So instead of being a ‘character police’ or ‘character assassin’, let people make their choices. Remember, we are stronger because of how many people we lift up, not how many people we pull down. Don’t be a concerned citizen aka character assassin. It destroys more than you and I could ever imagine.

So who has had a concerned citizen experience? How did you handle it? What other tips do you have?

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It’s About to go Down! Join Hip Hop DJ Tim Westwood at Heineken’s Green Light Party this November

The Heineken Green Light Party, which has hosted two international DJs in the last month, is set to hold the city of Lagos to an unforgettable experience with world famous Hip Hop DJ, Tim Westwood.

He has worked as a one-time host of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride“, and has also Deejayed for several international radio stations. Tim is going to rip it this Friday 14th November 2014 at Quilox club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“I am super excited to visit Lagos again”, says an elated Tim Westwood. “The Heineken Green Light party on Friday, November 14th is going to be ‘crazzzzy’ and I’m going to mix Nigerian and international songs like you all have never heard it before“, he added.

Westwood is a very big fan of Nigerian music. He has featured quite a number of Nigerian artistes on his show – from D’banj, Wizkid, Davido and Iyanya to rappers like M.I, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Show Dem Camp and many more.

The party will also feature DJ Xclusive, so bring your dancing shoes!

Date: Friday 14th November 2014
Time: 10PM
Venue: Quilox Club, Victoria Island, Lagos

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Ibinabo Fiberesima is Married? Shares Picture and Says “I Adore you my Husband Uche”

Last month Nollywood actress and former beauty queen Ibinabo Fibresima revealed that she will be getting married in December but from all indications the gorgeous mother of 5 may have already had a quiet and secret wedding to her fiancé Uche Egbuka.

According to her Facebook page where she shared a picture of the two of them almost locking lips, Uche is her husband. She captioned the cute picture of them together with a simple sentence “I adore you my husband Uche” that has resulted in a lot of congratulatory messages on her page.

A few days ago Ibinabo also tweeted about the beauty of love.

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Can Men Endure the Pain of Childbirth?

This one’s for all the men out there! Imagine you were pregnant and actually had to give birth to a baby. Do you think you would be able to bear the pain of childbirth?

Some men in China got to answer that question for themselves, after they were hooked up to a childbirth simulator to experience what their pregnant partners go through, Daily Mail reports.

One of the participants screaming in agony

The hospital located in China’s Shandong Province performed the experience to show men how much pain their partners had to endure during childbirth, to make them have greater respect for them.
Doctors at the hospital revealed that “to recreate the contractions and pain of childbirth, hospital technicians used machines to stimulate the men’s abdomens with electric shocks to make it contract.”

Many of the participants reportedly cried during the experiment and only lasted a few minutes, before begging doctors to switch off the machine.

One of the men crying after the experiment

“This was incredible. I couldn’t stand much of it all. I understand now why my wife screamed for drugs when she was giving birth,” said one of the men. Another man said:

“I must admit I was curious and if what I experienced is really what she goes through, then I have to say I have changed my attitude. It was really incredibly painful and I only had it for a few minutes. If it went on for hours I don’t know if I’d be able to bear it.”

***

Hey ladies, would you let your partner go through a similar experiment? And men, do you think you could handle it?

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Republican Party control U.S Congress in historic sweep

The Republicans have won control of the Senate in the US mid-term elections, increasing their power in the final two years of Barack Obama’s presidency.

The party won in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia.
And it is expected to post more gains as votes are counted in other states.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, poised to lead the chamber, said the result was a vote against “a government that people can no longer trust”.
In the mid-terms, so-called because they fell half way into Mr Obama’s second four-year term in office, about one-third of the Senate, the entire House of Representatives, 36 of 50 state governors, and countless state and local offices were up for election.
Throughout the campaign, Republicans focused on voter dissatisfaction with Mr Obama, a Democrat, describing the vote as a referendum on his presidency.
As the first results came in late on Tuesday, it became clear they had made convincing gains in the chamber.
With the votes still being counted in many states, the Republican Party easily won the six seats it needed to win control of the Senate.
The party now controls 52 seats, and is tipped to win more.
As well as taking the Senate, the Republicans are projected to increase their majority in the House of Representatives to levels not seen since before World War Two.
They also made gains among the 36 governorships up for re-election.
When the new Congress is sworn in in January, it will mark the first time the Republicans have held both chambers since 2006.
They will now have the power to complicate, if not block completely, Mr Obama’s agenda in the last two years of his tenure in the White House.
Control of the Senate will also enable the Republicans to stymie his ability to name new federal judges, cabinet members and senior government officials.
In addition to seats the party won from the Democrats, the Republicans retained seats in at least a dozen other states.
In Louisiana, neither of the top two candidates gained 50% of the vote, forcing a run-off election in early December.
In Virginia, Democrat Mark Warner was expected to retain his Senate seat amid a much tighter than expected race with Republican ex-lobbyist Ed Gillespie.
In other developments:

• Voters approved ballot measures legalising cannabis in Oregon and Washington DC, while Florida rejected a medical marijuana proposal
• Three states – South Dakota, Arkansas and Nebraska – approved increases in the minimum wage and a fourth – Alaska – was poised to do so as well.
• Michael Grimm, under federal indictment for fraud, was re-elected to his House seat from New York City.
• Republican Scott Brown has now lost Senate races in two states – New Hampshire on Tuesday and Massachusetts in 2012.
• Utah’s Mia Love has become the first black Republican woman to be elected to the House.
• One of the night’s key early results came in Kentucky, where Mr McConnell, the Republican Senate minority leader, fended off Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Mr McConnell will now become the Senate majority leader, giving him control over the chamber’s legislative agenda and floor proceedings.
“It wasn’t about me or my opponent,” he told supporters as he declared victory, “it was about a government that people can no longer trust.”
Current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated Mr McConnell in a short statement.
“The message from voters is clear: they want us to work together,” said Mr Reid of Nevada, whose role in the soon-to-be Democratic minority remains uncertain. “I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class.”
In the governor’s races, Republican incumbents survived tough re-election battles in Florida, Maine and Wisconsin.
Two other results illustrate the breadth of the Republican sweep – the party’s candidates won in Maryland and Massachusetts, two of the most Democratic-friendly states in the nation. Republican Bruce Rauner also won in Illinois – Mr Obama’s home state – against incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.
Current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated Mr McConnell in a short statement.
“The message from voters is clear: they want us to work together,” said Mr Reid of Nevada, whose role in the soon-to-be Democratic minority remains uncertain. “I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class.”
In the governor’s races, Republican incumbents survived tough re-election battles in Florida, Maine and Wisconsin.
Two other results illustrate the breadth of the Republican sweep – the party’s candidates won in Maryland and Massachusetts, two of the most Democratic-friendly states in the nation. Republican Bruce Rauner also won in Illinois – Mr Obama’s home state – against incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.
Political gridlock in Congress has already reached historic levels and was a major concern among voters, with many expressing their frustration with the lack of progress on the most pressing issues facing the nation.
Analysts say the Republicans’ victory could make the situation even worse ahead of the presidential poll in 2016.
Republican leaders have already pledged to move forward on their key policy priorities, pressing Mr Obama to negotiate on their terms
“It’s time for government to start getting results and implementing solutions to the challenges facing our country, starting with our still-struggling economy,” said Republican House Speaker John Boehner.

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We can reconvene the House without APC and Tambuwal – Ogor

The controversies trailing the defection of the Speaker-Aminu Tambuwal and the long recess the House of Representatives embarked on has continues to draw a lot of reaction, as the deputy majority leader of the House has put a lie to insinuations that the House cannot reconvene without it been sanctioned by the Speaker.

Ogor was reacting to APC’s position that only the Speaker can reconvene the House, stating that house leaders of other political parties in the House of Representatives can reconvene the house without consulting the APC or the Speaker.

He said according to the rules of the House, the remaining political parties can reconvene the plenary without input of the Speaker if there is the need to discuss issues of national interest like the budget.
He denied rumours that the PDP caucus in the House was eager to reconvene so that it can impeach the Speaker, saying the PDP does not have the numerical strength of 240 members needed to carry out the impeachment.
Ogor, spoke to Journalists yesterday at the National Assembly complex.
He cited Order 5(14)2 as the part 6 of the House rules that sanctioned their reconvening if they so wish.
“The House rules clearly state all political parties. Mind you, there are other parties. For anyone to go with the impression that there are no other parties except the PDP and APC, it is misleading,” he stated, adding: “it is easy for us to reconvene the House if we so desire. I disagree that we do not have the power to convene the House.
“This issue has nothing to do with impeachment or whatever; what the APC caucus has passed to the public is very wrong and unnecessary interpretation just because they want to be in the favour of the public.”

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glo premier league: Pillars to get trophy in Aba

Glo premier league winners, Kano Pillars are to kiss the league diadem on Sunday in Aba where they are billed to play Enyimba in one of the last pairings of the season.

Organisers of the league, League Management Company (LMC) has finalized arrangement for a colorful presentation ceremony immediately after the Enyimba, Pillars match whose result can not change anything . Win or lose in Aba, Pillars are already guaranteed of the crow.
Pillars emerged league champions after last weekend’s 4-0 bashing of Nembe City. The win saw them garnering a total of 65 points, four clear points ahead of Enyimba who are on 61 after the away draw they (Enyimba) secured against Dolphins last weekend.
It would be noted that what Enyimba needed last weekend away in Port Harcourt against Dolphins was an outright victory. Had Enyimba won in the Garden City, then the Aba game against Pillars would have been the decider. But as it stands now, Pillars are strolling into Aba to enjoy themselves and return home with the trophy which they are winning back to back for the third consecutive season.
LMC’s media consultant, Harry Iwuala confirmed yesterday that the Enyimba stadium will come alive Sunday with the coveted Glo trophy.
“Pillars are getting the trophy right there at Aba after their match against Enyimba and we intend to make it a colorful one,” Iwuala said.
LMC will however keep a close tab on the other games, especially the Heartland versus Bayelsa tie at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri and the Gombe, Abia Warriors clash in Gombe. While Gombe need a win to escape relegation, a victory for Warriors will see them finish on the top bracket for a continental ticket. Bayelsa on their part must get a result in owerri to avoid joining their Nembe City brothers on the painful journey to the less fancied lower division.

… As sponsor hails Kano side

Title sponsor of the Nigerian Premier League, Globacom, has congratulated Kano Pillars Football Club for winning the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League.
Kano Pillars club has now won the title for the third consecutive time.
Pillars emerged champions after thrashing Nembe by four goals to nil last week-end, amassing 65 points while the closest rival, Enyimba of Aba garnered 61 points. With 4 points ahead of the pack, the league standing will not be effected even if Pillars lose the last match and Enyimba wins during the final matches coming up this weekend.
Globacom, in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday congratulated the Kano-based team for winning the Premier League for the third time consecutively, having previously emerged the league champions during the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 league seasons.
The company commended the players, coaches and management of the team for its hard work and tenacity which has seen it dominate the Glo Premier League in the last three years, adding that the team should make football loving Nigerians happy by going all out to win the next edition of CAF African Champions League.
“We call on the management of Kano Pillars to start preparation in earnest for the CAF Champions League in order to perform brilliantly during the continental championship” Glo Added
Globacom also commended the League Management Company (LMC) for its focussed organisation of the league, urging them to keep the flag flying.
“We wish to congratulate the LMC on the successful completion of the 2013/2014 league season, we look forward to a more competitive 2014/2015 season as the LMC gradually moves to restore the glory of Glo Premier League,” Globacom said.
“We equally congratulate the club officials, players, referees and fans for their professionalism which has seen the league progressing weekly without glitches.
We also commend the Nigeria Football Federation for supporting the LMC and creating the enabling environment which has led to the ascendancy of the League”, the statement added.
‘’As we look forward to next season, we wish to commend the 20 club sides that participated in the out-going season for the sportsmanship that characterised their matches and also welcome the new clubs that will be joining the premier league in the coming season’’, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Glo Premier league will be rounded off this weekend as the clubs lock horns in the final match of the season. Champions, Pillars FC of Kano will be guests of runners up, Enyimba in Aba. Bayelsa will be away to Heartland in Owerri as relegated Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso host Akwa United while Taraba visits Sharks in Port Harcourt.
Gombe United will be home to Abia Warriors in a game that the hosts “must win” to stay afloat and Nasarawa United will attempt to subdue Warri Wolves in Lafia to appease their home fans for missing out on the trophy. Rangers will also aim to compound the woes of relegated Kaduna United as the Enugu side goes up North while El Kanemi Warriors host Sunshine Stars in Kano. Relegated Nembe City will host Giwa FC while Dolphins of Portharcourt will be guests of Lobi Stars in the last game of the final day.

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U.K. to return £6.8million of Ibori’s stolen loot to Nigeria

The U.K. government is to return an additional 6.8 million pounds of the confiscated loot of former Delta Governor, James Ibori, to Nigeria.

Rupert Broad, U.K. Metropolitan Police Senior Investigator, disclosed this in London on Tuesday at a meeting on “Supporting Policing in Nigeria: What Role for Police in the Nigerian Diaspora” held in the House of Commons.
While speaking on UK and Nigeria’s anti-corruption partnership, Mr. Broad said “out of the eight million pounds confiscated from Ibori, 1.2 million pounds had so far been retuned to Nigeria, while the rest was waiting for redistribution as to when it would be sent back to Nigeria.”
He also said that an additional 80 million pounds had been temporarily confiscated from Ibori and his associates, including Mr Patrice Gohil, one of his lawyers.
“Approximately, 80 million pounds is temporarily frozen and a confiscation hearing has been fixed for April 2015, where the judge will determine how much was stolen, after which it would be returned to Nigeria.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the British Southcrown Court in April 2012 sentenced Ibori to 13 years jail term for fraud and money laundering.
Broad, who attributed the success of the Ibori case to partnership with the nation’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said “the case signified Nigeria’s commitment to the fight corruption.
“In the light of the Ibori case, Nigeria has done a fantastic job in tackling corruption.
“Corruption does not go away easily, addressing it requires continuous process and the UK Metropolitan Police will continue to collaborate with Nigerian authorities on cross border international investigation.”
Similarly, Nsikan Etuk, the Director of the UK Nigeria Police Forum, said that the diaspora was a powerful tool for the reformation of the nation’s police force.
Mr. Etuk, who spoke on “Supporting Policing in Nigeria”, expressed the commitment of the Forum in collaborating with government in tackling challenges impeding efficiency in policing in the country.
He said that the Forum, whose membership included serving and retired police personnel, was established following challenges facing the Nigerian community in the UK.
In the same vein, Kunle Bamgbose, the Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, said the nation’s police officers were among the brightest in Africa, adding that they were only impeded by operational challenges.
He said “inadequate equipment such as communication gadgets, the lack of efficient forensic laboratories and other logistic problems are some of the challenges facing the police force.”
Mr. Bamgbose, however, said “it is difficult to impose UK policing culture in Nigeria because the environments are different.”
According to him, partnership in training and capacity building of officers will be an ideal area of collaboration.
The meeting, which had participants from the Nigerian community, was chaired by Meg Hillier, the Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria.

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Ghana sends 27-man delegation

The Ghana Football Association has dispatched a list of 18 players and nine officials of that country’s Olympic team, Black Meteors, to the NFF for Friday’s international friendly to commission the brand –new Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo.

The Leader of Delegation is Kweku Abaka Eyiah, a member of the GFA. Wahab Rahaman and Charles Kojo Ntim, members of the Management team, are also in the delegation.
The 18 –man playing squad includes Richard Ofori, Eric Ofori Antwi, Emmanuel Nti Mensah, Benjamin Agyari, Lawrence Lartey, Vincent Attinga, Kwasi Quansah, Richard Yamoah, Kojo Poku, Kennedy Ashia, David Osei Opoku, Isaac Oppong Osae, Abedel Latif Amadu, Enoch Kumi Frimpong, Samuel Afful, Noah Martey, Abdul Ganiyu Ismael and Elvis Opoku.
The Head Coach is Alhaji Malik Jabir, with Abdul Karim Zito as Assistant Coach and Andrew Ayim as Doctor. The physiotherapist is Albert Kwadwo Evedzi, Adjei Adjettey is Masseur and Kwabena Agyemang Agyin is Equipment Manager.
Officials have suggested Nigeria’s FIFA and CAF Match Commissioner, Etubom Paul Bassey as Match Commissioner for Friday’s game.

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Uyo Stadium commissioning: Etokebe, Udoh back Eagles to beat Ghana

Two former national team players, James Etokebe and goalkeeper Patrick Udoh have lent their support to the the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they prepare to face the Black Meteors of Ghana in Friday’s inauguration game of the ultra-modern Uyo Stadium.

Both players were at the training session of the team in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday, to show their solidarity to the team.
Etokebe, who is now the coach of Akwa United, said he was excited that the Nigerian national team will be playing two important games in his home state and thanked Governor Godswill Akpabio for the vision to build an edifice that is now attracting not only international football but attention across the world. Udoh spoke in a similar vein and assured that fans in Uyo and environs will turn out enmase to support the national team in the two games they have in the city in the coming days.
The team made up of entirely stars from the Nigerian league trained at the Uyo Township stadium under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coach, Dan The Bull Amokachi. He was assisted by Coach Valere Hyandonou and Goalies’ Trainer, Ike Shorunmu. The team was scheduled to have a feel of the much talked about Uyo Stadium later last night.
Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was still away in Abuja on some personal issues and he’s scheduled to join the team soonest. The training proper, which featured all 24 players lasted for over two hours with some of the players having a first feel of the rigorous regime of training in the Super Eagles camp.

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Expdonaloaded:Nkiru Sylvanus set to launch ‘Imo Film Academy’ November 14

Preparations are already at a final stage for the launch of Imo Film Academy in Owerri, the state capital. Not too long ago, sultry actress, Nkiruka Sylvanus, sometimes fondly called ‘Cry Cry actress’, was appointed the Director General of the Imo State Film Academy (IFACA).

All things being equal, the Imo Film Academy will be launched on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS) complex.
Many top stakeholders in the motion pictures industry are expected to grace the occasion, including top government functionaries.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nkiru explained that, “The Imo Film Academy is an initiative of His Excellency, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, a man of vision, a leader per excellence. The need for Imo Film Academy became very necessary and important because of his passion and love for talent and entertainment industry with the hope that it will improve, harness and create a platform to empower the youths just like he is been doing in other sectors.”
She added that, “The entertainment industry needs more of this lofty idea and the Imo Film Academy will create an enabling environment for film making, train, educate and equip men for better acting. We will prepare them to be leaders for the industry, and more importantly it will all culminate into creative employment opportunities for the people in imo state and Nigeria at large.”
Nkeiru was appointed DG of the Academy by the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha. She was formerly an aide to the governor on Lagos Affairs and later Public Affairs.
She is expected to take the Academy to an enviable height with her wealth of experience in the creative world.
The actress recently premiered her thrilling adventure movie, ‘The Voice’, in Lagos, which got several accolades pundits.
The Academy is expected to train its students in Photography, Acting, Cinematography, Directing, Voice-over Voice Training, Script Writing, Costume Make Up, Set/Prop, Lightning, Continuity Screenplay, Video Editing etc.

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Pastor TB Joshua keeps coroner inquest waiting

Pastor T.B. Joshua is running late in appearing at the coroner inquest, set up to probe the 12 September collapse of the guesthouse at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, in Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos.

The inquest headed by Oyetade Komolafe was expected to begin proceedings by 9 a.m in Ikeja, capital of Lagos State, with Joshua as the star witness. But as at 10.25 a.m, he was yet to appear.
The entire high court venue of the inquest, was overfilled, said our reporters.
Last week, the coroner threatened to arrest Joshua if he failed to testify on the collapsed building, caused the death of 116 people, most of them South Africans.
Komolafe rejected arguments from Joshua’s lawyers that the televangelist should not be summoned because he did not directly witness the September 12 tragedy.
Joshua, known to members of his church as “The Prophet” or “The Man of God”, has indicated that sabotage was to blame and linked the collapse to a low-flying aircraft seen in the area at the time.
“The court has the power to summon whoever it deems necessary to assist it,” Komolafe told the hearing in the city.
“The counsel should advise The Prophet to come. The church is not on trial. It’s not a matter of ego. Nobody is above the law. The court will be fair to all.
“If he is an institution with immunity, the court will not even go there. If the man refuses to come, he can be arrested… He has to appear. We summoned The Prophet. We summoned the contractors.”

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ATM: CBN gives reasons for N65 deduction

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given reasons the Bankers Committee came up with a policy of N65 charge on Automated Tell­er Machine (ATM) transactions.

The reasons adduced by the apex bank include intra-operability, need for profitability for banks, huge cost of ATM maintenance, huge cost of servicing telecommunications and switching firms.
According to CBN, Director, Banking and Payment System Development, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, who was reacting to matter arising from a lawsuit instituted by the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), during a- one day media training organised by the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) at the weekend , tagged: ‘E-Payment Media Academy 101’, said factors were the reasons for the deduction.
Fatokun, who was represented by a Deputy Director of CBN, Mr. Musa Jimoh Itopa, explained during a paper presentation tagged : ‘Understanding the policy of e-payments in Nigeria’, says, “Going to another bank’s ATM was killing the bank’s profitability. We devised means to identify cost of ATMs maintenance, switches that will do the processing and telecoms operators that are paid regularly on daily basis for broadband connectivity.
He disclosed that when the banks were deducting N100 for every transactions, complaints were not much, as banks had enough to handle maintenance. “What portion was your bank taking, when it was N100? The banks take N35,which is the issuer fee and there are payments here and there. While N35 still remain for the bank’s ATM but customers are still not happy with the N65 policy, which is quite transparent and flexible”.
He further disclosed that CBN, has restated its commitment in improving security issues around the electronic payment system to boost public confidence. Adding that CBN also wants to eradicate a situation whereby a particular ATM card cannot work in another machine.
The role of the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) has increasingly become oriented to policy advocacy, capacity building and training towards the achievement of the adoption of E-payment and improving service delivery.
E-PPAN realizes the important function of the media in achieving its objectives and has therefore entered into collaboration with Industry experts to train the men of the fourth estate of the realm whose duty included agenda setting for the society.
The objective of the training is to enlighten the journalists on the intricacies and peculiarities of providing electronic payment services and also to drive home the benefits to the society.
Earlier,Chief Executive Officer of E-PPAN, Mrs Onajite Regha, said their aim was to help informed analytical reporting on secured system, when it concerns electronic transactions.
Also speaking, Osa Odiase, Head, Public Sector and Corporate Nigerian Inter- Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), also disclosed that well over 100,000 Point of Sale (PoS) have been deployed across the country. Noting that there is a serious collaboration between NIBSS, E-PPAN and telcommunications operators to accelerate e-payment in the country.

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Court turns down moves to arrest Coca-Cola MD

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday ruled that the Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Adeola Adetunji, was not bound by law to appear personally in court to answer charges against him.

The Federal Government had filed a suit against the soft drinks company, Coca-Cola and Mr. Adetunji for allegedly violating an order of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) contrary to Section 21 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap C. 25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Another suit was also filed against the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and its Managing Director, Ben Langat, in a one-count charge of deliberately ignoring the order of the CPC, contrary to the same law.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, had filed both cases before Justice Evoh Chukwu.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bayo Ojo (SAN), who is the prosecuting counsel on behalf of the Federal Government, had asked for a bench warrant for Mr. Adetunji’s arrest to compel his attendance in court to personally answer to the charges.
Mr. Ojo said Coca-Cola was served the summons, but regretted that he was unable to do the same with Mr. Adetunji.
He said he resorted to apply to the court for substituted service of the charge by pasting the summons on Mr. Adetunji’s residence.
However, counsel to the defendant, Gbolahan Elias (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that his clients were not bound in law to be in court to answer to charges preferred against them since they had filed a notice of preliminary objection.
Justice Chukwu rejected the application for bench warrant against Mr. Adetunji, but granted the application for substituted service.
Meanwhile, counsel to the NBC and its Managing Director, Oluseye Opasanya (SAN), had informed the court that his clients planned to file a notice of preliminary objection against the appearance of Mr. Ojo in the case.
Mr. Opasanya, whose clients were also absent in court on Tuesday, said that the former minister and the other legal representatives in his team were private lawyers, who had not obtained the necessary permission to prosecute such cases.
The case was adjourned till Monday, November 10, for hearing of the notices for preliminary objection.

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NCS: FG tasked on inclusion of ICT professionals

President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof David Ad­ewunmi, has disclosed that the world is tilting towards cloud based and relevant agencies in the coun­try would need to collaborate with the NCS to drive this development.

Speaking shortly after anouncing the 2014 National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA), event coming up at the Muson centre, Lagos on November 14, Adewunmi hinted that the NCS needs inclusion because of its IT based platform, especially now that 2015 is round the corner.
“What government has to do is that NCS need to be involved and included as members in the board of INEC because majority of what INEC does is computer based and we must belong to that board to drive it. Today, we are on the board of the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA). “There is nothing wrong being on the board of INEC, so that we can give necessary guidelines, direction and technical directions. We have made a proposal several times and we have an MoU with them but it is the responsibility of government to do that and that has not been done”.
On the preparedness for e-voting, he affirmed that the country is more than ready for it and with more than enough capacity.
The NCS boss also disclosed that the current security situation in the country has prompted the NCS to make proposals and arrange serminas for the military.
He also informed that NITMA will celebrate the best of Nigerian Information Technology creativity and innovation that has fundamentally changed, and is still changing the Nigerian nation. Award winners are recognised for being inspiring symbols of the IT community.
Adewunmi also said that award winners will be be picked via electronic voting that starts on Nov. 1 and ends on the 12th of November..
While listing, Austin Okere, CEO of Computer WareHouse Group,Aneilkan Etiebet, Managing Director of Data Sciences and Collins Onuegbu, Managing Director of Signal Alliance as nominees for IT personality of the year, he also noted that Dr. Toga Gayewea Mcintosh, Vice President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) would receive award for his continuing and outstanding contribution to Information Technology development in Nigeria and the West Africa Region and Dr. Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, Chairman House Committee on ICT.
Others will receive special recognition awards because they have have distinguished themselves in the industry. They include Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman Zinox Technologies,Don Etiebet, Chairman Data Sciences, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary Federal Minisry of Agriculture, John Obaro, CEO Systemspec, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria,Sidmach Technologies and Mobile Knowledge Solutions.

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Fashola frowns at 2-year rent charge by landlords

Piqued by attitudes of landlords in Lagos State on rents, the state government has vowed to deal ruthlessly with any landlord who, despite legislative backing for one year rent, still demands two years rent from prospective tenants.

Governor Babatunde Fashola had threatened that any landlord found contravening the law on rentage would be made to face the music.
He particularly frowned at the situation where residents were asked to pay a two-year rent in advance in an economy where they receive their salaries in arrears. “We see it as a wrong when a society pretends that all is well when people are asked to put forward two years rent in advance when they are getting monthly wages in arrears; something is wrong. And if we are also comfortable with it there is something wrong with us,” he said.
The governor who disclosed this while presenting a keynote address at the 2014 Real Estate Unite organised by 3Invest Limited held in Lagos recently, also spoke on the science of building a mega city in Africa’s largest economy as part of the Finance, Infrastructure, Redtape and Education (FIRE). He added that with mortgage assistance, people with steady low income could own decent and affordable housing. He described the issue of providing accommodation as a serious matter that should be undertaken through self and public education.
He said one must understand issues of mortgage and affordable housing, stressing that access is a fundamental human right of citizens to their government. He stressed the need to understand the difference between low cost housing and affordable housing as the former is nearly impossible when the inputs to construction like financing, materials and skills are not cheap.
He further explained that his administration has been doing a lot to address the issue of affordable housing through the Lagos HOMS scheme, adding that currently construction is on in 25 sites across the state “with as little as 1,000 square metres in some places and as much as 10 hectares and 15 hectares in some places like Ibeshe in Ikorodu and Ajara in Badagry,” noting that about 222 construction companies are currently involved in the work.
On the benefits accruable from the massive construction, Fashola said it has woken up the real economy, adding that the Lagos HOMS initiative is currently keeping the businesses of those firms going with over 1,000 professionals – architects, quantity surveyors and builders – involved and about 3,000 plus other service providers like food vendors, artisans, welders, plant sellers, all down the chain that have benefited from the initiative.
Earlier, Ruth Obih, CEO of 3Invest, in her introduction said that Africa’s largest economy has a strong role to play in making real estate a major contributor to national GDPs across the continent, thus, the event brings together global experts to uncover untapped opportunities within the industry.”
She also used the opportunity to introduce the new real estate rewards card called 3Investor, which offers a range of benefits to its members saying, “this platform was created as a solution to address consumers challenges such as high cost of building and household materials, high agency fees, high interest lending rate and lack of construction finance.” The card was made available to all attendees as part of their participants’ package.

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Building collapse: NYP endorses Dangote 42.5 cement

For bringing innovation in the domestic economy through the introduction of the 42.2 3X(R) cement, members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) have commended the management of Dangote Cement Plc.

The NYP group led by Umar Etudaye, was last week at the corporate head office of Dangote Industries Ltd, Ikoyi, Lagos, to commend the firm for its various efforts at fighting building collapse menace in the country. The youths also conferred their centenary leadership award of excellence on the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, DVG Edwin.
Etudaye in his response, commended the management of Dangote Cement led by Edwin for introducing the 42.5 3X cement, which was aimed at eliminating the high incidence of building collapse in Nigeria. He said the new product is a proof of the resilience of Dangote Cement to always break new grounds while growing the economy with innovations.
He said, “the award is in recognition of your immense contributions to economic development, distinctive strides in the area of nation building, construction and infrastructural quality assurance in the Pan-African cement company.”
He specifically lauded the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Ltd, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for leading the initiative to make Nigeria self-sufficient in production of cement thereby ending importation of the crucial building material.
In his appreciation, Edwin said he feels deeply honoured by the award. He commended the NYP for the honour and recognition given to the firm. He noted that it is heartwarming that youths are working together to correct societal ills including juvenile delinquency. He charged the NYP to exert more efforts towards building right characters in the youths, adding that if bodies and organisations like the NYP work together to mentor and give youths good direction, Nigeria’s future would be bright.
Dangote Cement produces the 42.5 cement grade from its three factories in Obajana, Kogi State, Gboko, Benue State and Ibese, Ogun State. “The grinding of the grade is better, smoother, which makes it to expel pockets of air therefore preventing cracks in pillars, beams and other areas where it is used,” he said.
As part of efforts towards eliminating the menace of building collapse, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) embarked on the standardisation of the basic inputs in building and construction like iron and steel, roofing materials.
Having completed standardisation in other areas, the agency set out to review cement standard and therefore adopted a holistic approach to ensure that standards are maintained in all spheres of the building process.
“Following widespread protests over rampant building collapse, the regulatory agency took the commendable step of immediate response to review cement standards in the country. The technical committee of SON consulted widely with stakeholders from all sectors including the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), COREN, universities, researchers, builders, block makers, among others, towards fashioning a suitable cement standard regime.
“The stakeholders agreed to streamline cement types, with 42.5 cement for general purposes while 32.5 will now be restricted to plastering work. SON’s effort at reviewing cement type standard is commendable as it will restore sanity to the system,” the agency noted.

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Akwa Ibom guber, senatorial seat: Oron rejects one term

A group, Oron Ethnic Nationality of Akwa Ibom, State has rejected a term governorship tenure offered the nationality by Governor Godswill Akpabio to run from 2019 to 2023 after Mr. Udom Emmanuel’s one term between 2015 and 2019.

The group, the third largest ethnic group in the state, also rejected senatorial seat bribe in a meeting with the governor in Uyo on Sunday.
Daily Sun learned from a source at the meeting that the governor pleaded for support of Oron people, whom he described as his “minority brothers” to accord him support and understanding in his effort to instal Udom Emmanuel as his successor.
It was learnt that the meeting was held due to refusal of the immediate past attorney general and commissioner of justice, Mr Ekpenyong Ntekim to succumb to Akpabio’s entreaties that he should abandon his gubernatorial ambition and take up the Senate seat for Eket Senatorial District.
The source said Akpabio admitted in the meeting that he had pleaded with Ntekim to go to the Senate in exchange for a four-year ticket for his anointed aspirant, Mr. Emmanuel, but that Ntekim refused, and told the governor to convince the entire Oron people to forgo the governorship in 2015 since “governorship is communal while Senate is personal.”
In order to convince the Oron stakeholders, Akpabio was said to have vowed that Emmanuel would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oron people to handover to Oron after one term of four years, and that the MoU would be counter signed by him (Akpabio), Natioanl Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and President Goodluck Jonathan.

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Boko Haram: Gombe state governemnt shuts down all schools

Following the recent attacks by Boko Haram members in the state, the Gombe state government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state. Parents who took their children to school this morning were asked to take them back home following the directive by the state govt which was sent out to all school heads in a circular yesterday evening.The Permanent Secretary, Gombe state Government House, Sani Jauro confirmed the closure to NAN but said it was just a "normal mid-term break for students".

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An attack on my hometown Mubi is immaterial - Chief of Defense Staff

Reacting to reports that Boko Haram men attacked and ceased his home town, Mubi in Adamawa state, the Chief of Defence staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, said an attack on his village does not mean the military is helpless. He said its immaterial if it was his hometown that was attacked as the attack could have been on any other part of Nigeria and it would still have affected him as Security Chief.Mr Badeh made this remark while speaking to newsmen after the National Council of state meeting at the Presidential villa in Abuja yesterday.

"How can Nigeria be helpless? If the CDS loses his hometown, its the same thing as losing Lagos, its the same thing as losing Enugu. Any part of Nigeria that is lost, CDS carries the weight. So its immaterial, whether its my hometown or my house that is burnt or Emeka's house, or whoever's house that is burnt in Nigeria, the CDS is pained".

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Police release CCTV footage showing shocking moment woman was kidnapped

The police in Philadelphia yesterday released CCTV footage showing the terrifying moment a woman was grabbed and dragged into a car as she was walking on the road in Penn Knox on Sunday Nov. 2nd.The woman, identified as 22 year old nurse Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, was walking home alone around 9.40pm after attending her godson's birthday party on Sunday night when an unknown man grabbed her from behind. Carlesha screamed and fought the man for a few minutes, even kicking the glass out of two of the car’s windows before the unidentified man managed to overpower her and bungle her into his car. She has not been seen since then.

Speaking to CBS News, Philadelphia police spokesman, John Stanford, described the man as black, 5ft10 and aged between 25 and 30. The police say they believe the kidnapper is unknown to the woman who lives with her boyfriend and was just 3 blocks from her home when she was kidnapped.

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Meet the lady representing Nigeria at the Miss Globe International pageant

Stunning MBGN runner up, Sandra Ogbebor is representing Nigeria at the Miss Globe World Finals in Albania Eastern Europe. The University of Benin graduate is Nigeria’s Miss Globe 2014 and the only African at the Miss Globe contest 2014 amongst 42 other delegates from all over the world. 

The pageant will take place on November 8th at the Palace of Sports Shkoder – Albania

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Still going strong! Tiwa Savage gets beautiful puppy from husband

Despite all the rumours about a break up, these two are still going strong. Yesterday, Tiwa Savage gushed about the lovely puppy (pictured left) she got as a gift from her husband, Teebillz. See what she wrote after the cut...

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Pic: AIT boss, Chief Dokpesi gives his blessings to Dayo Adeneye's political ambition

Broadcaster Dayo 'D1' Adeneye pictured receiving blessings from his former boss Chief Raymond Dokpesi as he prepares to battle for a seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly in next year's general election

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Munachi Abii releases new sizzling photos as she turns a year older

   

Muna Abii releases new sizzling photos to mark her birthday today 5th November. Photographed by Paul Ukonu, the ex beauty queen poses in a jungle setting spotting African inspired head wraps, clothing and accessories. Happy birthday,

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Photo of GEJ at the presidential wing of Abuja airport on his way to Bukina Faso

Pres. Jonathan pictured this morning at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport on his way to Burkina Faso for crisis talk with other ECOWAS leaders.

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Kelly Rowland gives birth to baby boy, names him Titan Jewell

Kelly Rowland gave birth to a baby boy yesterday Tuesday November 4th. She and her husband Tim Witherspoon have named their new bundle of joy Titan Jewell. Big congrats to them.

"We are thrilled to announce that today we are the proud parents of our first son. We are blessed to report everyone is healthy and happy!' Kelly said in a statement.

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