Governor Peter Obi Announces Retirement From Politics

Chairman of South-East Governors’s Forum and Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has announced his retirement from active politics.
The Governor, who disclosed this on Sunday, said he would quit active politics at the end of his current tenure in March 2014.
He spoke at the thanksgiving service and award ceremony to mark the end of the 2nd Session of the 15th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu at the St. Bartholomew’s Church, Asata, Enugu.
“A very prominent person called me today and asked me, what is your plan concerning politics after your current tenure, I’m telling you now what I told him.
“For me, I have come to the end of it; I want to quit and rest. However, I have been praying to God that for the sake of the good people of Anambra State, please give them somebody like Peter Obi.
“The level of greed in Nigeria is overwhelming, where people can’t see the suffering of other people, they are just accumulating wealth, for me, it is time to go.
“I wonder why one person should own a house in Ikoyi, Asokoro, Dubai and he is not using them for anything, people accumulate what they don’t need, it is madness, the level of greed in Nigeria is intolerable.
“I want all of us to be praying for Nigeria, so that God will touch the heart of our leaders to use public money for the people. In Anambra State we have never borrowed money despite all the works we are doing”.
The Governor, who was quite emotional lamented the level of financial waste in government, stressing “the cost of running a governor’s office in Nigeria is too much.

“When I came in as Governor, I discovered that the state had 70 workers in Abuja office, apart from their salary we spend close to 15 million maintaining that office. They have nothing doing there than to come to the airport and welcome me, constituting nuisance, so we re-deployed the workers and closed down the place. Till date, we have not missed them, which means they were really doing nothing there”.
“I urge all of us to pray for greedy people in this country; they are accumulating what they don’t need, stop accumulating things for your children”, he charged politicians, stressing that he had never bought a car for any of his children.
“I have told them to buy cars when they make their money, I have also never celebrated birthday for them. They can do that when they leave my house. We should stop wasting public fund”.
Earlier in a homily, the Anglican Bishop of Ijebu South West, Rt. Rev. Dr. Babatunde Ogunbanwo charged Christians to have a right view of Jesus Christ in order to overcome the challenges of life.
Speaking on the theme “overcoming the challenges of the time”, at the service presided over by the Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma of the Enugu Diocese, Ogunbanwo observed that the society was no longer conscious of good virtues, stressing that lesbianism, homosexuality, nudity, terrorism, suicide bombing, and greed had all become part of life.
“Therefore, you must make deliberate effort to remain focused as a Christian, you must have a right view of the world and your position”, he advised.
Highlight of the event was presentation of award to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Prince Engr. Arthur Eze and Unoma Ekaete Akpabio, wife of Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio.

Woman Cuts Off Husband's Penis and Throws It in The Waste Disposal

A woman has been sentenced to life in prison for cutting off her ex-husband's penis and throwing it in the waste disposal.
Catherine Kieu, from California, attacked her husband in July 2011, drugging him with sleeping pills and tying him to the bed before attacking him with a knife.
Defence lawyers for the 50-year-old woman said she was suffering from mental health issues after being abused as a child and by her husband. She reportedly told police officers her ex-husband "deserved it" and may seek parole in seven years.
In the UK, mother-of-four Maria Topp was handed a 12-month sentence in November, suspended for 18 months, plus a restraining order after biting off her partner's testicles.
Martin Douglas required emergency surgery and 19 stitches to re-attach his scrotum after the drunken assault by then-girlfriend Maria Topp.
However, after a “chance” encounter in Newcastle in March this year, the pair got back together again.
The pair had a “friendly chat” after bumping into each other in Yates’ wine bar in the city centre.
The pair resumed their love affair, but it had fizzled out once more in June, at which point Douglas reported Topp's breach of her restraining order.
Topp, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, was fined £150 and ordered to pay £15 a week surcharge from her £40.50 a week Jobseeker's Allowance.

Happier times: Topp and her former boyfriend Martin Douglas
---Huffington Post

Tonto Dikeh Denies Promoting Marijuana Smoking On Instagram. Claim Mischief Makers At Work. Read more

Tonto Dikeh has come forward to publicly deny promoting the smoking of Marijuana, she claims it is the handwork of mischief makers who photo shopped her pictures . Hear her.
"As much as I would like to ignore the current issue on hemp, I think I owe well-meaning people some clarification. It is so easy the misconception that can come from a picture- the genius of technology. If you cannot find me holding a wrap of marijuana then you may want to slow down on your assumptions. We shouldn’t use our platforms to spread half-truths.

A fan wrote those words with herbs on my birthday on instagram, and I replied: “Thank you #teampoko”.
... Now how does someone else’s action become my crime? If I said those words ('Mi smoke gaja mi smoke weed while my hatez smoke ma gossip' ) I will stand by them but I didn’t, and just because it is convenient for people to believe the lies still doesn’t make it the truth. The whole thing is falsified by people who just love to have fun at other’s expense.

Let’s put some thought to some of the things we write. Don’t do cut-and-paste. The original pictures are there to see; but no! That is too boring to be the truth. We want the truth to be nasty and spicy for our enjoyment, even if it is a pack of lies. Visit my instagram page and see if the original picture is the same as the ones being circulated

Personally, I have moved on to more significant things and I want you to join me. Do you know how many women suffer domestic violence in Nigeria? What can be done to stop it? Shouldn’t we try to revive the Nigerian homes so we can groom happy and confident children? I am putting the weight of my voice behind domestic violence. What about you?

Stop hitting, slapping, cursing, hurting your partner! Where is the love? Let’s restore the dignity of society with the platform given to us by God. Use that platform of yours to build awareness for more important issues.
---Tonto Dikeh

Why we oppose use of condom – Catholic church

The Catholic church says it opposes artificial family planning techniques, because it encourages bastardisation of sexual activities by young people and “impedes normal procreation.”
The Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, made this clarification in a response to an enquiry by The PUNCH on Sunday.
He said, “The Catholic Church believes that modern means, including the use of condoms is morally bad because it impedes normal procreation. You can meet with your wife when you do not want children and those periods when the woman is not fertile instead of having to destroy the sperm and all other forms of artificial prevention.

Condoms

“They are very artificial means and they do not really give the moral lesson that borders around the use of the sexual organs.
“The one that gives you the opportunity to exercise your sexual urge without the consequences is the natural method and the church says you should go for the natural means.”
According to him, the excuse that it reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS remains invalid and untenable, adding HIV/AIDS is a disease that is prevalent among young people.
Madu added, “When you are talking about condom among young people, you are also talking about promiscuity. People have adduced arguments in case of people with HIV/AIDS and especially couples who do not want children. The use of condom and other modern means are being bastardised among young young people because they will resort to the use of condom so that they can have sex freely without impregnating the woman or getting pregnant.
“Those are various artificial means and the church is strongly against them. Instead, the church endorsed the natural method of copulation.”

-- Punch

Unbelievable - Indian Man Who Has Not Had Any Food or Drink In 70 years...Read more

A holy man in India claims that he has not eaten or drank anything for 70 years. Prahlad Jani is the 83-year old man who lives in a cave near Amba JI Temple without any kind of food or water.

Mr. Jani claims that he has left his home at the age of seven, searching for spiritual mystery, and at the age of eleven years, he was blessed by holy goddess Amba. Ever since ...
that blessing, Prahlad Jani claims that he lives without food and water as he has gained his sustenance from the nectar that filters down through a hole in his palate. His claims were scientifically studied by a team of 30 specialists during three weeks of a variety of tests at a hospital

The took him into then Sterling Hospital in Ahmedabad, India. They put him under 24 hour observation in front of cameras and found out that he did not take any kind of food or water in the 15 days that he was in hospital.And he did not pass urine or stool. The doctors were completely surprised at this miracle. "We believe that the sadhu Prahlad Jani's body went through biological transformation as a result of meditation and powerful yoga in a completely natural environment that he stays."

The doctors in India are guessing that this phenomenon relates the Amrita Chakra (third eye chakra), as Hindu vedas speak of it being able to produce a divine nectar which sustains life. What's more is that his brain resembles that of a 25 year old man at 83 years of age. His practices have somehow miraculously transformed the biological functioning of his body, which no longer needs energy and sustenance from external material sources.

--- Fox News

Government Scraps Discriminationary 3,000 Pounds Visa Bound - UK Foreign Office

An immigration bond scheme which would have forced certain visitors entering Britain to hand over about £3,000 has been dropped by the government.
The government has decided not to press ahead with the returnable deposit scheme after it stirred angry reaction among anti-racist and immigration support groups. A pilot study of the proposals, aimed at people from some Asian and African countries whose visa applications might be considered borderline, was due to be introduced in the autumn. Foreign Office Minister Keith Vaz confirmed on Saturday that the programme had been dropped for good. Racist threatMinisters have been hinting the scheme would be shelved since it sparked outrage from immigration campaigners and the General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, Bill Morris. In April Mr Morris said the scheme could encourage racists. On Saturday he told BBC News Online the union welcomed the decision to drop the scheme. "I'm delighted that people seeking to come to the UK will be judged on merit of their application rather than the size of their wallet," he said. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes added: "The idea of bonds as a surety for visitors from some countries was clearly discriminatory. "When will the government learn that what we need are sensible policies, not tough-sounding but half-baked ideas?" First stepMr Morris said the T&G would keep up pressure on the government to drop the "iniquitous" voucher system for asylum seekers. Under the scheme, asylum seekers are given vouchers instead of cash to do their weekly shopping, which campaigners say is degrading. They mounted protests outside supermarkets around England and Wales on Saturday, calling on retailers to pull out of the scheme. "We believe the government should take the next step and abolish it," he said. The National Assembly Against Racism and Indian Workers' Association Great Britain have also campaigned against the scheme and previous moves to charge up to £10,000 for relatives from the Indian sub-continent visiting residents in Britain. The groups said the impact of the bond scheme could cause severe financial hardship for black families who are already over-represented among the poorest in Britain.

BBC News

Abuja High Court Orders the Arrest of EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Lamorde

Justice Peter Kekemeke of an Abuja High Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to arrest the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, for disobeying a valid court order. Justice Kekemeke directed that the EFCC boss and an operative of the anti-graft agency, Mr Friday Ebelo, should be apprehended and kept in prison custody within the next two weeks, except they apologize to a lawyer whose fundamental human rights were allegedly violated by the commission. Meantime, EFCC, yesterday, vowed to appeal the ruling. We ‘ll appeal ruling — EFCC Reacting to the order, spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who acknowledged that a copy of the order was served on the agency, said EFCC has perfected plans to get it vacated. The court had on March 8 and December 5, 2012, ordered Lamorde to release the call-to-bar certificate of one Mr Innocent Onwu, apologize to him through a national newspaper as well as pay him N50, 000 as compensation. Onwu who is an Abuja-based lawyer had on October 31, 2011, initiated a fundamental rights enforcement proceeding after he was detained by the EFCC between June 27 and July 1, 2011 without order of court. His detention was sequel to a petition by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, accusing him of complicity in fraud pertaining to a case he was investigating for a client. Dissatisfied with the way he was allegedly manhandled by the commission, Onwu demanded N300 million as compensation for the unlawful search of his house and office and the trauma he suffered in the hands of the EFCC. Besides, the lawyer, claimed his ailing mother was admitted at the Garki General Hospital on the day he was arrested by the EFCC, insisting that despite his passionate pleas, the commission refused to release him to attend to his mother, resulting to her death three days later. The court had on June 4 and June 24 this year, dismissed two applications filed by the EFCC counsel, Mr James Onu, wherein he sought to void the contempt proceeding.

--- Vanguard

Revealed: Abubakar Shekau, Leader of Boko Haram is a Kanuri from Niger Republic -- Senate Joint Committee Report

Leader of the Boko Haram sect Imam Abubakar Shekau hails from Niger Republic, according to the report of a Senate joint committee that investigated the deadly violence in Baga town of Borno State in April.
Shekau is widely believed to be from Shekau village of Yobe State, but the Senate committee in its report submitted yesterday said Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima told visiting senators that the man was actually from the neighbouring Republic of Niger.
The report, a copy obtained by Daily Trust, said senators were told that “although the Boko Haram sect members have some Chadians and Cameroonians within their midst about 80 per cent of them are of Kanuri tribe, adding that the leader of the sect Abubakar Shekau is a Kanuri from Niger Republic.”
Shekau became leader of the group in 2009 following the death in police custody of erstwhile leader Mohammed Yusuf.
He is believed to have spearheaded the regrouping of the sect, which quickly graduated from conducting targeted drive-by shootings in Maiduguri to launching massive bomb assaults in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and other places in the North.
Although he has not been seen in public since July 2009, Shekau has released occasional internet videos in which he makes claims of responsibility of attacks and taunts the Federal Government.
‘Exaggerated’
The Senate on April 23 mandated its committees on Defense and Army, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to investigate the Baga violence in which local leaders accused soldiers of killing 185 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes.
Military authorities had denied conducting indiscriminate killings, saying only 37 people died in a gun battle between soldiers from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Boko Haram fighters.
In its report, the Senate committee disputed the Baga death toll given by both sides but failed to provide a specific figure.
“The death toll of 185 was exaggerated but there may be more than 37 deaths. This is possible as there is no documentary evidence from either the natives or the military to ascertain figure quoted,” the report said.
The report also tried to exonerate the military, saying the incident was caused by Boko Haram who pulled out an army officer from a bus and killed him on March 29, and also killed another soldier on April 16. It said MNJF troops sent 70 soldiers to repel the Boko Haram fighters in Baga on the night of April 16, resulting in a shootout that caused “some deaths.”
But the report said the military carried out a hasty operation and this might have contributed to the level of destruction.
“The operation to flush out the Boko Haram members between 20:30HRS and 2100HRS on April 16, 2013 was carried out hastily. The MNJTF should have cordoned the area till day break and carry out house to house check; this would have reduced number of casualties and damages,” the report said.
On the destruction of houses, the report also said the “quantum of destruction of houses, vehicles and motorbikes were exaggerated. There was actual physical count of 155 houses burnt as against the figure of 2000 given by Governor Shettima and 3,059 given by the district head.”
Shettima, the report said, classified Boko Haram into three categories: “criminal elements that send text messages to individuals to extort money, political Boko Haram who sought to advance their political interstate and the real Boko Haram which are made up of moderates that are prepared to dialogue with government and the crazy religious elements who are die hard and are not ready for compromise.”
In its recommendations, the 28-member Senate panel urged troops on internal security operations to adhere to the provisions of the Geneva Convention, Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement in order to minimise casualties.
The committee called on President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the armed forces to carry out urgent recruitment of soldiers and officers as insurgency has overstretched the military.
Senators are scheduled to consider the report this morning.

Daily Trust

Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi Backs Single Currency For Africa

 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has thrown his weight behind the proposed Africa Monetary Union which will see the continent have one central bank and a single currency.
Sanusi expressed his support when the Africa Union Commission/Association of African Central Bank (AACB) joint steering committee visited the CBN in Abuja.
The CBN Deputy Governor in charge of Economic Policy, Dr Sarah Alade represented Sanusi to welcome the committee.
He urged the members to “all see the project as a collective African project which must start on a strong foundation given lessons from other monetary unions.”
The committee had met in Abuja from June 17 to 20, 2013 to consider a commissioned report on the establishment of African Central Bank (ACB). The Africa Union (AUC) Steering Committee set up under the chairmanship of Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in partnership with the Association of African Central Bank (AACB) set up a joint technical committee to closely monitor the progress and carry out preparatory work towards the establishment of the African Central Bank.
He called for understanding, commitment and compromise from all member states for the success of the project while emphasizing the importance of meeting the basic preconditions before moving to the final destination of single currency.
The joint technical committee is made of experts from the five Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa, experts from the African Union Commission and representatives of central banks from the five regions. The experts met in Abuja to consider the strategic report in preparation for a Joint AUC-AACB meeting and the annual assembly of the AACB which will take place in Algiers, Algeria on June 27, 2013.
Specifically, they were mandated to provide deeper insight on the prerequisites and challenges of monetary integration with a view to advising on the practical challenges of creating a single currency and common African Central Bank including market unification and macroeconomic convergence as well as provide practical recommendations for the fulfillment of the preconditions.

Why Abacha Didn’t Kill CBN Gov, Sanusi In 1995…His Role In Akaluka’s Murder

Fresh facts have emerged as to why the government of late Sani Abacha did not kill Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), governor, Lamido Sanusi, in 1995, after he and eight other jihadists mobilized crazed extremists to behead Gideon Akaluka in jail
Akaluka, a young igbo trader, allegedly desecrated the Koran. He was arrested after his wife allegedly used pages of the Koran as toilet paper for her baby. After he was locked up by the police, a group of Muslim fundamentalists break into the jail, beheaded Akaluka, and paraded his bodiless head around the streets of Kano.
Pointblanknews.com investigation has revealed the role Sanusi, an alleged Boko Haram sympathizer, and proponent of the controversial Islamic Bank, played in the murder of Akaluka, and why the Abacha regime decided to  lock him up for two years for the murder of Akaluka.
Sources hinted that shortly after returning from Khartoum, Sudan where he earned a degree in Sharia and Islamic studies, at the International University of Africa, Sanusi became a recluse and immersed himself in the Koran and became a teacher of the Hadith as espoused by the Wahabbists.
Wahhabism  is an ultra-conservative branch of Sunni Islam. It is a religious movement among fundamentalist (with an aspiration to return to the primordial fundamental Islamic sources Qur`an, Hadeeth and Scholarly consensus (Ijma)) Islamic believers. Wahhabism was a popular revivalist movement instigated by an eighteenth century theologian, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703–1792) from Najd, Saudi Arabia.
Sanusi, who is alleged to detests the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, because according to him, it is anti-islam, was part of a nine man clique of extremists who had a huge following.
A source said, “ when Sanusi returned from Sudan where he associated with very extreme personalities, he was not a happy man. he was treated like an outcast in royal circles because his grandfather,  was deposed as Emir of Kano. So his anger grew. “
During that period, the incident of desecration of the Koran by the Akalukas surfaced. According to our source, during that period the Abacha government was not comfortable with the activities of the extremists in Kano, who they view with suspicion.
The regime, it was gathered, silently assassinated a lot of them. Said our source “ When Akaluka was locked up, Sanusi and eight others mobilized some extremist mob who stormed the prison and killed Akaluka. The regime identified the masterminds, so  mandated its hit squad to eliminate the nine, including Sanusi .”
Pointblanknews.com gathered that eight of the masterminds were assassinated by Abacha, but for the intervention of former First Bank chairman, and father of Christmas Day bomber, Alhaji Umar Mutallab and others.
“ It was Muttallab and the rest who were heavy sponsors of Islamic activities who prevailed on Abacha to spare Sanusi. They are argued that since he has gone through a lot, treated like a pariah in the royal circles because his grandfather was deposed, he should be spared. So They decided to remove him from Kano to Sokoto where he was locked up for two years.” Said the source
It was further learnt that after his release from prison, Sanusi was handed over to Mutallab who pushed him into banking because he(Sanusi) had a degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). From there he moved to the United Bank for Africa, and the First bank, from  where he rose quietly until late President Umar Yar’Adua recruited him to head CBN and spearhead the introduction of the Islamic Bank.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Begins a Five Day Evangelism Crusade In Ogbomoso

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo may dump politics for evangelism soon, DailyPost has learnt.
The Ota farmer, we gathered has joined other clerics in organising nationwide crusades.
The reason, it was learnt may not be unconnected to the fact that President Jonathan could not allow him to dictate how he wanted Nigeria to be governed.
In protest, Obasanjo was said to have dumped politics for evangelism, having been trained at the National Open University.
He was said to have teamed up with a royal father from his home town, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Karounwi III, and the world-renowned evangelist, Kayode Williams whose ministry is Bishop Kayode Williams World Outreach, to hold crusades nationwide.
Sources disclosed that Obasanjo, Oba Tejuoso and Kayode Williams, an ex armed robber who repented while in the Sokoto prison, have begun a five-day crusade in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, yesterday.

Confirming the new status of Obasanjo, a cleric who is also an indigene of Ogbomoso, Pastor Kayode Alabi, said, “Yes, it is true that former President, Obasanjo, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso and Bishop Kayode Williams are coming to Ogbomoso for a five-day crusade beginning from today (yesterday).
The whole city is agog for the programme tagged ‘‘Healing Ogbomoso Land Gospel Crusade’’ holding at the Beulah Baptist Convention Ground, Ogbomoso. The programme is being hosted by Ogbomoso Christian Ministers’ Fellowship.”
According to him, Obasanjo may have resolved to spend the remaining years of his life serving God who brought him out of prison and made him president for eight years. He said: “Baba Obasanjo has many reasons for returning to God to serve him. You would recall how Gen. Abacha arrested him with others, sentenced him to death for alleged involvement in a phantom coup; he was set free after spending three years, three months and three days in prison. He was elected president and served for eight years and today he has many reasons to serve the same God. Don’t forget that he graduated as an evangelist from the National Open University. God could use anyone who is ready and willing to serve him.”

-- Daily Post

Uk Drops 3,000 pounds Visa Entry Bond On Nigerians

The United Kingdom has aborted its plan to place a £3,000 bond on Nigerians seeking entry to the country, a spokesman for Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry told Daily Trust in Abuja yesterday.

The Sunday Times of London had quoted UK Home Secretary Theresa May as saying that a pilot scheme that would target visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana would take off in November under which travellers from those countries would pay a cash deposit of £3,000 to deter immigration abuse. They will forfeit the money if they overstay their visas.

But when contacted for comments yesterday, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja, Mr Ode Ogbole, replied with text message saying: “It’s been rescinded”. He did not give further details and did not answer subsequent telephone calls.

Another official of the ministry who chose to remain anonymous also told Daily Trust that a message from the UK government rescinding the plan had been sent to the Presidency.

Earlier yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru told journalists at the ministerial platform commemorating the mid-term anniversary of the Jonathan administration that no official communication had been received from the British government by Nigeria on the subject.

He assured Nigerians of government’s readiness to defend and protect them all over the world but urged them to always conduct themselves in a manner that will portray Nigeria in good image.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has described the proposed UK entry bond as discriminatory and unacceptable.

“This is totally discriminatory and unacceptable. It is targeted to non-white Commonwealth. We would take a critical look at the policy as it affects Nigerians and come up with a way forward,” committee chairman Rep. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje (PDP Abia) said in a statement.

“We agreed totally with the UK Foreign Minister that the policy is totally unworkable and impractical. It is contrary to the commitment made to our President by David Cameron during their last meeting. We believe it is for political reason ahead of general election. We seek that our long historical relationship should take precedence over political expediency,” Ukeje said.

 

---Daily Trust

Rotimi Amaechi Summons Governors For NGF Meeting...Akpabio, Jang Invited

Acclaimed winner of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) election Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has summoned all governors to an inaugural meeting in Abuja tomorrow.  In a press statement signed by Chidinma Onyenalim, the governor said the meeting would hold at 8 PM at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge in the Federal Capital Territory.
“There will be a meeting of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Wednesday 26th June, 2013. Time: 8.00pm prompt. Venue: Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, No. 5 Justice Mohammed Bello Street, Asokoro, Abuja,” the governor said in the brief statement. Amaechi defeated his counterpart, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State to emerge chairman of the NGF.
But his election has further polarised the union making some of the governors to pitch their tenth with Jang who was endorsed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to the election.
But the governor had vowed never to give up his mandate.

Four convicts hanged in Edo as Oshiomhole ignores Amnesty International, others

Four death row inmates have been reportedly hanged in Benin, the Edo State capital. The convicts were hanged on Monday evening, prison sources and officials said.
Local and International organisations including Amnesty International had appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole not to sign the death warrants of the convicts.
However, President Goodluck Jonathan last week advised state governors to be bold and act constitutionally by signing the death warrants of death row inmates convicted by the courts.

OJB: Nomoreloss Denies Tuface Idibia Donation, Says It's Just Rumours

“As head of the committee for #SaveOJBJezreel Please end the RUMOURS. Tuface has made no such payment. He said he will do what he can. However, artistes have been visiting his home at 4 GBAJA street Surulere to personally donate whatever they can amongst them being RUGGED MAN and WHIZKID. Many more have promised to be at his residence on monday while others not in the country presently have contacted OJB and promised to donate in person within the week upon their return. Thanks. Nomoreloss."

---Ladun Ladi

Container Ship Carrying Weapons for Syrian Rebels Splits in Half and Sinks

‘A large fleet named “Mol Comfort” carrying Arms for FSA from the U.S. has crashed in the Indian Ocean as it made its way from Singapore to Jeddah, on board were 4,500 containers loaded with arms for the Syrian rebels’
‘MOL Comfort sank due to yet unclear reasons, sailing from Singapore to Jeddah and after that to North Europe, leaving behind hundreds of drifting containers and a huge aftershock hitting liner sector and all of the maritime industry.
Even the scale of the consequences is hard, impossible, to estimate, not to mention consequences themselves. This is the 1st case in liner sector, when modern ocean-going liner container vessel (built in Japan!) sank in the ocean after breaking in 2 parts, like a poorly built and managed bulk carrier or over aged coaster. Nothing like this ever occurred, and no one believed it was possible, even theoretically. It just could not happen, but still, here it is.’


---Vessel finder

Rihanna Boldly Promotes Legalising Marijuana While Smoking Rolled-Up Cigarette

Rihanna has once again gone public about being in favour of legalizing marijuana.
The superstar - who had been performing in Ireland - posted a picture on Instagram which showed her smoking a rolled up cigarette with '#legalizeit' written below the image on Saturday.

And now she has moved on to Amsterdam where she posted new Twitter images holding two huge cigarettes that look like joints.
One reads: Where am I ??? At Heauxm !!! - while in the other she writes: I'm just a girl ...#Amsterdam.
The Umbrella singer has posted numerous images on social media of herself smoking suspicious looking cigarettes before but this is a clear indication on where she stands on the issue.
Dressed in a trendy white mermaid sweatshirt, baggy jeans with converse sneakers, the performer is also seen dripping in diamond jewellery.
Her heavily made-up face is hidden behind a veil attached to her customized pink beanie hat as she sits in what appears to be a hotel room alone.
In another image released on Twitter she blows some thick smoke from her mouth with the message:  Naked mermaid on my shirt #WAVES #silverspoonattire.
Yet the superstar did show a gentler side to her personality when she posted an image sitting opposite her father Donald Fenty while writing: 'Pops giving me word last night #dublin'.
Rihanna is no stranger when it comes to controversy over pot smoking - back in April she celebrated 'US weed day' by posing with four girlfriends on bicycles.
As she sat beside her friends smoking another rolled up cigarette the Barbadian crooner wrote 'Our ~420 #clique' referring to the day which was founded by a group of High School students in 1971.
The sassy singer showed off her amazing figure in a pair of tiny shorts while she performed in Dublin as part of her World Diamonds tour on Friday.
After the concert Rihanna went partying and was spotted looking a little tired leaving Lillie's Bordello Club at 4a.m.
In contrast to her skimpy stage outfit she dressed more comfortably in an army print bomber jacket jeans and white T-shirt complete with rude slogan.
After performing to over 30,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin Rihanna will head to Amsterdam on the next leg of her world tour.

47 year old, Halle Berry Eats For Two, As Baby Bump Increases

She's expected to give birth to her second child at the end of summer.
And Halle Berry is making sure her new addition is getting a taste for the good stuff.

The Catwoman star was spotted chowing down on a craftfully prepared toasted hors d'oeuvres as she chatted with friends at a party in the beachside Los Angeles enclave of Venice, California on Saturday.
The 47-year-old didn't let her protruding baby bump get in the way as she proceeded to bite down on the treat, keeping a plate close by as to not spill on her attire.
As the party made its way to the breezy outdoor patio, the actress covered up her sleeveless grey and white with a soft black sweater.

She finished off her look in dark shades, a black skirt and T-strap sandals to match.Presumably she had left her five-year-old daughter Nahla at home, whom she shares custody with her ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry.
Also missing in action was her fiance, French heartthrob Olivier Martinez.

Before making her way to the party she was spotted throwing a bit of petrol in her car in Hollywood ahead of the long drive across town.
Halle probably gave onlookers a start when she pulled up to the petrol station and proceeded to fill up her white Lexus SUV.
The Swordfish star, who is due around late summer, no doubt had a list of errands to do on this non-school day.
Halle is said to be thrilled to be having a boy with Unfaithful star Olivier, 47.
And it appears that Nahla can't wait to be a big sister.
On Thursday Halle was seen leaving Nahla's school in L.A.'s Studio City area with her arms full of artwork, including a sheet in which the youngster exclaimed her excitement about her new sibling.

Nahla responded 'a baby' to the question 'What is one thing you wish for?' as shown on one of the pieces of paper.
Halle is equally thrilled to be pregnant again at 46, having called the conception a 'miracle'.
With her scenes completed on X-Men: Days Of Future Past, in which she reprises the role of Ororo Munroe and her alter-ego Storm, Halle can relax somewhat before the arrival of her little one
Although Olivier is a French citizen, the couple intend on remaining in Los Angeles for the next few years.
Appearing at the Champs-Elysees Film Festival in Paris on June 12, Olivier told People: 'My son will be an American, but I remain French. I remain a Frenchman in America, but I adapt to American culture. I feel good there - but I’m still a foreigner.'

At Last, Kanye West 'asks Kim Kardashian to marry him after she gives birth to their daughter

Kanye West proposed to Kim Kardashian after she gave birth to their daughter North, it has been claimed.
The 36-year-old rapper asked the reality star to marry him just days after the couple welcomed their first child, The Sun reports.

The pair are said to be planning a September wedding in Paris.
While Kanye is said to have asked Kim to marry him without an engagement ring he is said to have spent £500,000 on a rare black diamond ring, as a gift to mark the birth of their child.
A spokesperson for Kim was unavailable for comment on Sunday.
Kim gave birth to her first child Saturday 15 June - a month ahead of her due date.
Mail Online exclusively revealed that the reality star had been admitted to hospital in Beverly Hills the night before.
Kim had taken out a birthing suite at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - a hospital of choice among many celebrities including Britney Spears, Victoria Beckham and Jessica Simpson.
The reality star is said to have splashed out more than $100,000 on her four day stay at the hospital.
A source told The Sun; 'Kanye wasted no money in making sure Kim had the best of everything while she’s in hospital.'
'He has spent half a million on a ring as a push present and had it designed months ago in preparation.'
'He’s even more in love with her now than ever and they can’t wait to get married.'
Kim only finialised her divorce from her second husband Kris Humphries earlier this month after a long and bitter legal battle.
Their marriage lasted just 72 before Kim filed for divorce in October 2011.
Kim was also married to music producer Damon Thomas from 2000 until 2004.
Kim and Kanye's decision to name their child North West has raised eyebrows among fans.
The pair are said to want to call their daughter 'Nori' for short and the child doesn't have a middle name.
Kim left hospital on Thursday and is currently getting used to being a new mother.
Since the birth Kim, who is a social media enthusiast, has failed to post anything to her Twitter page

Deeper Life Members Cry Out At the 'Flambouyant and Worldly' Wedding Of Pastor Kumuyi's Son

It is no longer news that son of ‘holiness preacher’ and the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F Kumuyi walked down the aisle with his heartthrob over the week.
However, teeming followers of the respected former university don have condemned the classy wedding, which they tagged: Un-deeper-life-stic.
A close look at the weeding pictures of the couple posted online saw the bride donned in accessories that had been anathema to the ministry.
She was clad in a transparent fitted stylish short sleeves wedding gown, eyelashes, earrings makeup and wedding flower, which had never happened in the history of the ministry.
An angry follower of Kumuyi, after viewing the pictures commented, “People have refused to live their own life but rather attach it to an apron of hypocritical philosophy and man made doctrine. I exonerate the dynamic Senior Kumuyi,I think it is the people that have refused to change, I respect Kumuyi and his teachings but the people he is teaching are not learning, it is a pity, religion should embrace freedom, that is what the bible said. It only warned that you should not use your liberty for evil, or take the grace for granted.”
To another Emeka Jane, the development would lead to something else. She voiced her conviction thus, “I believe that with this, Deeper Life will metamorphose into something else. Those (some members) who have been looking for an opportunity like this to dress as they like, will cease this particular opportunity.
“And who says the lady is not a believer? Another John Edward querried, “Doing what pleases her without being condemned by God on a one in life time event, does that make her an unbeliever. One hymn says, ‘if heart condemns you not, you will have a glorious rest’ and please don’t indulge in sin by judging others, most especially servants of the most high, leave the judgment to God who created all of us.” He warned.

Chinese Men Marrying African Women, A New Trend

 A new trend of Chinese workers marrying African locals may be on the horizon. This rise of interracial matrimony is said to be a plausible solution to the overpopulation of males in China due to its cultural mandate of one child per household and strong proclivity for boys.

Over the weekend I stumbled across an interesting article on The Atlantic about Chinese workers in Africa marrying "locals." The article, "Chinese Workers in Africa Who Marry Locals Face Puzzled Reception at Home," was based on a post on the site ChinaSmack that wondered if these new marriages could be the key to solving the gender imbalances in China.

Because boys are lauded in Chinese culture and because families are limited to only one child per household, men far outnumber women in China. One of the many problems this creates manifests itself in dating and marriage. Some estimate that for every 100 Chinese women, there are 110 Chinese men, which leaves many men uncoupled and unmarried. And apparently, Chinese workers in Africa are finding ways to level the playing field.

Despite the growing trend of Chinese workers marrying local African women, predictably, many in their home country have a lot to say about it. On the Chinese culture blog, ChinaSmack, one writer suggests that the "large-scale" marrying of African women could be the key to Chinese men finding love, but of course, only if they marry "high end black girls" without "greasy skin."

Fauna of ChinaSmack translates:


Chinese women marrying blacks is no longer something rare, whereas in comparison men very rarely dare to bring black girls back home to China. I won't say anything and go ahead and post the photos.


In my neighborhood is a Chinese engineer who returned from Angola, and his wife is a black girl. However, she's one of those very pretty high-end black girls. She's very slender and not one of those fat auntie types. Her skin also isn't the kind of oily/greasy black but rather black-brownish and more brown. They have two children, about five or six years old, twin boys.


As for their appearance, unfortunately, the father's genes were really too strong. Aside from their skin being slightly darker, their faces look very much like their daddy.


Large-scale marrying of African women can effectively solve China's male-female sex-ratio imbalance problem!

Although I'm sure something is lost in translation, I'd wager that the intent of this writer -- to encourage Chinese men to marry the right kind of African women -- remains intact. And judging from the comments on the ChinaSmack website, many of these men and their wives will face discrimination, racist rhetoric, and down-right disgusting behavior when/if they decide to return to China.



---newsone

"Plan More, Talk Less" General T.Y Danjuma Urges Northerners

General Theophilus Danjuma has urged leaders in the Northern part of Nigeria to apply wisdom and talk less in these difficult times.Danjuma who made this remark in Zaria during the conferment of the traditional  title ,Jarmai Zazzau on him by the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris   said “we urgently need to put our house in order so we can overcome our various challenges.This is the time for elders to be circumspect and temperate in their utterance.It is not in our character as northerners to talk too much.We need to think more,pray more,plan more,work harder,relate better,but talk less.Battles are better fought and won through wisdom and strategy than through inflammable pronouncements and political tantrums.”
Danjuma noted  that there are  clear signs of leadership failure in Nigeria and in deed northern Nigeria; and there is therefore  need for “patriotic elders statesmen”.
“Nigeria ,and indeed northern Nigeria ,has never  been in short supply of politicians scheming and screaming  for due and undue advantage”,Danjuma said,adding “What  has been in short supply are patriotic elder statesmen who would use their experience and wisdom to give our country a clear sense of purpose and direction.When elders become decadent, the youth are bound to become delinquent.Our people are confused and perplexed ,they have become flock scattered on many hills without a shepperd.This is a clear indication of leadership failure”
The former defence minister also said “our society and economy are in tatters.In a highly  competitive world,our children are missing out in getting qualitative and functional education .The masses of our people are chained down in dehumanizing and grinding poverty, while we continue to maintain few islands of prosperity in a turbulent ocean of penury and squalor.There cannot be peace and harmony where there is wide disparity  between the few rich and a multitude of the poor.”
Meanwhile,President Goodluck Jonathan h congratulates General  Danjuma on today’s conferment on him of the high traditional title of Jarmai Zazzau by the Emir of Zaria, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shehu Idris.
President Jonathan joined General Danjuma’s family, friends, associates, former colleagues in the Armed Forces, protégés and admirers in all parts of the country in felicitating with him on being honoured yet again for his immense contributions to the development of the nation.
A statement by Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said the President believes that General Danjuma’s  splendid career in the Armed Forces and public service of the Federation, as well as his colossal philanthropy and generosity to communities in all geo-political zones of the country have ensured that he will be continually honoured and celebrated by an appreciative nation.
“President Jonathan also commends the Emir of Zaria for honouring the former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence whose outstanding personal  contributions to the progress of institutions and communities in Nigeria include the recent donation of over N2 Billion to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the construction of a new library, lecture hall, auditorium and administrative block”,Abati said,adding that “he prays that God Almighty will continue to bless General Danjuma with good health and grant him many more years of great service to his beloved fatherland.”

-

-Newsdairyonline

Pirate of The Carribbean Star"Johnny Depp' Loses Eye Sight

 
He's famous for always wearing tinted glasses.
But now Johnny Depp has revealed the real reason for the accessory, admitting he is 'basically blind as a bat' in his left eye.
The 50-year-old actor told Rolling Stone magazine that he has been suffering from eyesight issues from birth, and is forced to rely heavily on his prescription glasses.
In addition, Johnny said that he is near-sighted in his right eye, and neither condition can be treated.
He explained: 'Everything is just very, very blurry. I've never had proper vision.'


And while the actor is able to rely in his glasses in his personal life, when it comes to his film roles it's more difficult.
In his most famous guises such as Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands and the most recent Tonto in The Lone Ranger, Johnny is forced to go without his glasses while filming - meaning he can only see a few inches in front of him at any one time.

Johnny also opened up about his split from Vanessa Paradis, his former partner of 14 years with whom he has two children, admitting the break-up last June 'wasn't easy' on anyone.
He said: 'The last couple years have been a bit bumpy. At times, certainly unpleasant, but that's the nature of breakups, I guess, especially when there are kiddies involved.
'Relationships are very difficult. Especially in the racket that I'm in because you're constantly away or they're away and so it's hard. It wasn't easy on her. It wasn't easy on me. It wasn't easy on the kids. So, yeah. The trajectory of that relationship - you play it out until it goes, one thing leads to another.
'So for whatever reason that ­ceases, it doesn't stop the fact that you care for that person, and they're the mother of your kids, and you'll always know each other, and you're always gonna be in each other's lives because of those kids. You might as well make the best of it.'
But Johnny, who was famed for his tumultuous making and breaking up with British model Kate Moss, days he handled his relationship meltdown with more maturity this time round.
He said: 'In terms of the breakup, I definitely wasn't going to rely on the drink to ease things or cushion the blow or cushion the situation.


'Cause that could have been fatal. I felt it was my duty to be real clear throughout that. I had something pretty serious to focus on, really, which was making sure that my kids were gonna be cool.'
And he added that his children are doing well.
'They've been incredibly understanding, incredibly strong throughout the whole ordeal. And it's hard on every side. You know, Vanessa's side, certainly not easy. My side, not easy. The kids are the most complicated,' he explained.
'The thing is, kiddies come first. You can't shield them, because then you'd be lying. So you can at least be honest with your kids, and you say the absolute truth to your child - that was very important to not pussyfoot around.'

"I am not Jealous of Beyonce" Kelly Rowland clears air on rumuor

Kelly Rowland has denied that she is “jealous” of her best pal Beyonce despite admitting that she was envious of the 'Single Ladies' singer's lucrative solo career after Destiny's Child split eight years ago, on the track 'Dirty Laundry.'
The X Factor USA judge shocked the world when she released the tell-all ballad lifted from her brand new album 'Talk A Good Game,' and spilled the beans on an abusive relationship and also her feelings towards Beyonce's success after Destiny's Child called it quits in 2004.
Shortly after premiering the track, fans began speculating that Kelly was “jealous” with Beyonce's success and angry that her own solo career didn't take off as quickly, however, Kelly says this couldn't be further from the truth.
“I’m not saying I’m jealous of her by any means!” Kelly told In Touch before adding that the song is about "personal battles."
“It’s so sad that people always go straight to that place [of jealousy]. It’s ridiculous. It’s basically about me going through some struggles in my life while she was doing her thing."
The 32-year-old also revealed that 'Halo' hitmaker Beyonce loved the candid ballad when she first heard it and approved of Kelly being so open about her personal relationships.
“She’s incredibly supportive. She was proud of me and thought the song was incredible,” Kelly revealed.
After Beyonce and Michelle Wlliams teamed up with Kelly on the track 'You've Changed' from the album, rumours have been rife that a Destiny's Child reunion could be on the way and Kelly admits that she wouldn't say no!
“If the ladies want to do it. I’d totally be excited. It’d be beautiful!” Kelly admitted

Coke, Pepsi Used as Agricultural Pesticide By India Farmers

 

 

For farmers in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh it is cheaper than pesticides and gets the job done just as well. The product? Pepsi or Coca-Cola.

Agricultural scientists give them some backing - they say the high sugar content of the drinks can make them effective in combating pests.

Unsurprisingly, Pepsi and Coca-Cola strongly disagree, saying there is nothing in the drinks that can be used in pest control.

Cheaper

Farmers in the Durg, Rajnandgaon and Dhamtari districts of Chhattisgarh say they have successfully used Pepsi and Coke to protect their rice plantations against pests.

It is a trend that has been seen in other parts of India, with farmers also using Indian brands of colas.

The practice of using soft drinks in lieu of pesticides, which are 10 times more expensive, is gaining so much popularity that sales of the drinks have increased drastically in remote villages.

Farmers say the use of pesticides costs them 70 rupees ($1.50) an acre.

By comparison, if they mix a bottle of Pepsi or Coke with water and spray it on the crop it costs 55-60 rupees less per acre.

Old practice

Agricultural specialist Devendra Sharma says farmers are mistaken in thinking that the drinks are the same as pesticides.

He says the drinks are effectively sugar syrups and when they are poured on crops they attract ants which in turn feed on the larva of insects.

Mr Sharma says using sugar syrup for pest control is not a new practice. "Jaggery made from sugar cane has been used commonly for pest control on many occasions. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are being used to achieve the same result," he says. Fellow scientist, Sanket Thakur, has a different explanation: "All that is happening is that plants get a direct supply of carbohydrates and sugar which in turn boosts the plants' immunity and the plantation on the whole ends up yielding a better crop." Vikas Kocchar, regional manager for public affairs and communications of Coca-Cola, says claims that the drink can be used as a pesticide have no scientific backing. Anupam Verma, Pepsi sales manager in Chhattisgarh, says sales figures in rural areas of the state have increased by 20%. But he adds: "If there was any truth in these claims then we would rather be selling our product as a pesticide rather than soft drinks. "There is more money in selling pesticides than in selling soft drinks. Their claim smacks of lies. At best it is idle natter." ---BBC news

Free South African Visas For Nigerian Officials. Read More...

Nigeria and South Africa on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at ending visa acquisition by holders of official and diplomatic passports. Ministers from both countries have been charged to ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed instruments and the conclusion of outstanding agreements. Both Presidents, Jacob Zuma and Goodluck Jonathan met in Cape Town, South Africa where various issues were discussed on how to improve on relationship between both countries as they agreed on so many issues aimed at boosting development in the continent.

---naijanews

3D-Printed Robohand Helps Children Born Without Fingers. Read more

People who have lost fingers can try to get robotic hands that cost tens of thousands of dollars. Or they can try to 3D-print their own hand.
That's what Richard van As did after a woodworking accident in 2011 cost him four fingers. The South African carpenter decided to build his own fingers from hardware store parts but eventually turned to 3D printing.
Using a MakerBot Replicator 2 printer, he collaborated with Ivan Owen to create a prosthetic finger after much trial and error. They've since printed hands for four South African children who lack fingers. The first was Liam, a 5-year-old boy with amniotic band syndrome, who was born without fingers on his right hand. At the request of his mother, Van As and Owen produced Robohand, a low-cost, 3D-printed prosthetic.
The Robohand works by a series of cables and bungee cords that are controlled by movements of the wrist and arm.
Check out this video of Liam using his Robohand, performing precise movements like picking up coins.
Aside from distributing the open-source files for Robohand on Thingiverse, the partners are now trying to raise $10,000 in an Indiegogo campaign so they can help more children for free.
The cash is needed to buy materials such as PLA plastic for the 3D printer and hardware to assemble the hands.

Smallest Guitar in the World, About the Size of a Human Blood Cell. Read more

The world's smallest guitar is 10 micrometers long -- about the size of a single cell -- with six strings each about 50 nanometers, or 100 atoms, wide. Made by Cornell University researchers from crystalline silicon, it demonstrates a new technology for a new generation of electromechanical devices.The guitar has six strings, each string about 50 nanometers wide, the width of about 100 atoms.
 If plucked -- by an atomic force microscope, for example -- the strings would resonate, but at inaudible frequencies.
The entire structure is about 10 micrometers long, about the size of a single human blood cell.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. For comparison, the diameter of a human hair is about 200 micrometers, or 200,000 nanometers.

--cornel.edu

Our Favourite Super American Artists Who Have Been To Africa

JayZ and Beyonce on their African Tour 

American artists are visiting Africa at an increasing rate, and we love it..as long as they are doing good in Africa, we support them. Here is a list of some of our fav American Artists in Africa

Keri Hilson in Côte d’Ivoire /Ivory Coast

Alicia Keys in South Africa for her "Keep A Child Alive" HIV/AIDS Charity

Chris Brown perfoming in Ghana 

Michelle Williams singing the nigerian national anthem in  Lagos, Nigeria

Rick Ross shooting his music video  In Lagos, Nigeria 

50 cent in Somalia for his charity

Shakira in South Africa (2010) for the World Cup

John Legend in Tanzania (2008)launching a campaign called “Show me  

Beyonce in Nigeria 

Japan Makes Car that Runs on Water, Runs on Tea Too. Read more

Japanese company Genepax presents its eco-friendly car that runs on nothing but water. The car has an energy generator that extracts hydrogen from water that is poured into the car’s tank. The generator then releases electrons that produce electric power to run the car.  The electric powered car can run on any type of water (you can even use tea and soda…etc).  The car can run for an hour at about 50 miles per hour  on just a liter of water; about 2 cans of soda worth.  Genepax, the company that invented the technology, aims to collaborate with Japanese manufacturers to mass produce it.
Unlike other electric cars, the       Genepax car does not require that batteries be recharged and has no emission. The water electrical generator is located in the back of the car and when water is poured it is then broken down in order to create electricity to power the car. Imagine what such a generator could do to the oil industry, the nuclear plants and the electrical grid.
That story broke in 2008.  Today Japan is producing hydrogen fueled cars – the Honda FCX Clarity.  Combine the technology of Genepax with the technology of the Honda FCX Clarity and you have a full production vehicle that uses no gasoline.  No gasoline combustion means zero emissions.
In 2010, it is reported that there are a total of 50 FCX Clarity available for lease in the U.S with a target to have 200 available world-wide.
The Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell-electric vehicle has been chosen to be the pace car for the opening race of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series, from 25-27 March 2011.  This is the first-time a hydrogen-powered vehicle will pace an IZOD IndyCar Series race in the United States.
Propelled by an electric motor that runs on electricity generated in a fuel cell, the FCX Clarity’s only emission is water and its fuel efficiency is three times that of a similar-sized petrol-powered automobile. The FCX Clarity’s performance and acceleration are comparable to a 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine with an EPA certified range of 240 miles. The compact and powerful Honda V Flow Fuel Cell Stack allows for unprecedented spaciousness and a futuristically stylish, low-slung design and spacious interior.
Since the vehicle’s unveiling there were nearly 80,000 people around the world who expressed interest in owning a FCX Calrity.  80,000 people who won’t be buying any more gasoline once they take possession.

-- Press core

Odinkalu, Federal Law Makers and Others Escape Death As Power Cut Stops Arik Plane From Landing

What could have been another  major disaster for the country was narrowly averted in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, on Friday night, following a sudden interruption in electricity supply to Ibom airport as an Arik aircraft, with its landing gear fully engaged, was just about to land on the runway.

Passengers on Flight W3 533 said there would have been a devastating air accident had the American pilot not been vigilant enough to hurriedly terminate his landing plan and re-engage the engine to quickly fly back to the sky.

The passengers were full of praises to God for saving their lives as their flight returned to the nation’s capital after authorities of the airport failed to provide an alternative source of power supply to enable the plane to land in the Akwa Ibom state capital.

On the flight were an estimated 50 passengers, including  the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, and some unnamed federal lawmakers, believed to be heading to Uyo for a retreat.

Mr. Odinkalu confirmed the incident. Contacted on the telephone early this morning, a relieved Mr. Odinkalu said, “Thank God we survived. If it had been a rainy night with thunderstorm, anything could have happened to us. Some people need to answer questions over that incident.”

The flight, originally scheduled for 6:25 p.m, left Abuja at about 7 p:m.  It returned to Abuja at 9: 35 p.m. after hovering in the sky for over 30 minutes in expectation that authorities at the Uyo airport would be able to light the runway to enable it to land.

Some passengers on the flight told PREMIUM TIMES that the plane was only 500 metres from the tarmac in Uyo when the airport suddenly blacked out.

“As he re-engaged the engines to go up, the pilot informed us that the control tower had told him there was a power outage at the airport,” a passenger on the flight said. “So they needed a little time to switch to alternative source. So we were told.

“Meanwhile, the aircraft was in a holding pattern over Uyo. So we flew around and  waited. After about 15 minutes, the pilot explained that the man responsible for turning on the back up power unit was about 10-15 minutes from the airport and had been reached. So he was on his way back to switch it on. So we kept holding.”

It is not clear why the technician was not at his duty post at a time the airport was in operation and planes were still expected to land.

The passenger said after another 15 or so minutes, the American pilot announced that the control tower had informed him  that the man expected to switch on the generator had arrived and that power would be restored to the airport in 10 minutes. So the plane held on, hovering in the sky.

But fifteen   minutes later,  PREMIUM TIMES was told,  the pilot again informed passengers that even though the technician to switch on the generator had arrived, the airport authorities were unable to locate the keys to the source of the alternative power unit.

Officials didn’t say who took the keys away and at what point they realized the keys were missing.

They however advised the pilot to return to Abuja.

“Gratefully, the evening was devoid of Uyo’s potentially destructive thunder and rainstorm,” a passenger said. “The information we later got was that the airport’s alternative power source was not in working condition and that they actually lied to the pilot for all the time we hovered in the sky.”

But the ordeal of the passengers was far from ending. On arrival at the Abuja airport, the stranded passengers found, to their irritation, that the Arik Ground Manager had disappeared from his desk, and that there was no one to provide information or arrange transportation or lodging for them.

Some junior staff of the airline, who were approached, simply told the visibly angry passengers they had no idea what to do about the situation,  as they were not given any instruction by their superiors, a witness said.

“Thirty minutes later and very responsible looking men in their suits and expensive silk ties have been reduced on the tarmac to vigilantes using every available part of their anatomy to preclude the pilot from closing the doors and heading off on another trip,” one of our sources said, while still at the airport. “The Arik Manager remains disappeared and this place is going to degenerate.”

The General Manager, Public Affairs of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Akin Olukunle, as well as Arik Air spokesperson, Banji Ola, could not be reached for comments early this morning.

Nigeria’s Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) had in some of its reports blamed avoidable human errors and dereliction of duty by public officials working in the aviation sector as major reasons for the loss of hundreds of lives in air crashes in Nigeria.

The bureau, which is saddled with the responsibility of investigating air accidents in the country, stated these in its reports after the crashes involving two airlines, Sky Executive Aviation Services (SEAS)  and Sosoliso airline in 2002 and 2005 respectively.

Some of the human errors identified by the AIB as causes of plane crashes include non-lightening of runways and airfields (as it happened last night), poorly constructed drainage culverts, inaccurate information by the control tower, lack of proper certification of radio operators and poor supervision of aircraft imported into the country.

 

--- Premium Times

Please Let Us Save A Life

$50m worth of cocaine seized At Container Terminal. Read more...

The police say an estimated $50 million worth of cocaine was seized during an operation by members of the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division and the Contraband Enforcement Team of the Jamaica Customs Agency at the Kingston Container Terminal in Newport West, Kingston this morning.

No one was arrested in connection with the seizure.

It is reported that about 1:30 a.m., during security checks, a 40-foot container was searched and two bags containing cocaine weighing approximately 43.9 kilograms were found.


--- Jamaican gleaner

Kanye West Says He's A God - Has He Gone Too Far?

On his upcoming sixth studio album, titled Yeezus, controversial rapper/producer Kanye West raps that he is "a God". Of course, the lyrics have drawn huge controversy from around the world.

Here are the exact lyrics: “I am a God, even though I’m a man of God. My whole life in the hands of God, so y’all better quit playing with God."

Some are upset at his remarks calling it blasphemy. But others are defending him saying that "god" simply means a powerful being; They say he didn't claim to be God Almighty.

Despite his controversies, Kanye West is one of the best-selling digital artists of all time, and he's expecting a baby with girlfriend Kim Kardashian, one of the most talked-about woman in showbiz. He has 9 million Twitter followers, 21 GRAMMY awards, and millions of albums in sales.

He new album will be released on June 18 on Def Jam Records.

Pastor Tells Congregation to Pay for His Helicopter, and God Will Buy Them a Car

Bishop Ira V. Hilliard of the New Light Church in Houston, Texas, is being criticized for recently telling his followers that if they give money to pay for his broken helicopter, God will bless them with a new vehicle. In fact, he promised that God would give a brand new car in “52 days or 52 weeks” to anyone who donated exactly $52 to fix his helicopter.

"Do you need better transportation?" he asked in a letter to the congregation. "Do you have a dream vehicle or luxury automobile you long to purchase? We have an urgent transportation need that the Lord said can be an opportunity for you to see His favor and His wisdom released to help you. Scripture teaches when you give to a Kingdom need God will raise up someone to use their power, their ability and their influence to help you."

Aviation experts estimate that the value of the church’s helicopter is at $1 million. The church also owns a Hawker jet valued at $2 million, and an aviation hangar valued at $3 million.

- Blacknews