UEFA Champions League Last 16 Draw

Manchester United will face Real Madrird in the last-16 of the Champions League, Arsenal will travel to Bayern, while Celtic have been handed a tie against Italian champions Juventus.

The tie of the round sees Cristiano Ronaldo return to his old club for the first time since leaving for £80 million in 2009, while there is also a glamour game with fellow Spanish side Barcelona drawn against AC Milan.

First legs: February 12, 13, 19 and 20
Second legs: March 5, 6, 12 and 13

Round of 16

Galatasaray	v	Schalke 04
Celtic	v	Juventus
Arsenal	v	Bayern Munich
Shakhtar Donetsk	v	Borussia Dortmund
AC Milan	v	Barcelona
Real Madrid	v	Manchester United
Valencia	v	Paris Saint-Germain
FC Porto	v	Malaga

Via ESPN

National Assembly queries N5.7bn for 249 PPPRA Workers

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has asked the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency to justify the N5.7bn budget for overheads and personnel for the 2012 period.

The committee, which comprised the Senate and the House of Representatives committees on Petroleum (Downstream), while considering the budget performance of the agency on Tuesday, noted that the said amount was voted for the payment of allowances and salaries of 249 members of staff of the agency.

Details of the PPPRA budget also showed that N2.1bn was earmarked for regular allowances, and had been released and utilised even before the end of the fiscal year.

According to PPPRA’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Reginald Stanley, out of the N5.7bn, a total of N4.95bn had been released.

But the committee wondered why the agency would spend N5.7bn on 249 workers and instructed it to submit to its nominal roll.

The committee also observed that the agency’s budget statement did not include the revenue profile, which should detail its sources of revenue.

In response, Stanley said PPPRA had two sources of revenue namely; internally generated revenue and the 15 kobo administration charge per litre of petroleum products on which subsidy was being paid by the Federal Government.

He also said the IGR raised through Value Added Tax and withholding taxes were paid directly into the Federation Account.

Via Punch

Sanusi to FG: Sack 50% of Civil Servants

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido yesterday lamented the high cost of servicing the nation’s civil service and called on the Federal Government to fire at least 50 per cent of its entire workforce.

Sanusi, in his presentation at the  Second Annual Capital Market Committee Retreat in Warri, Delta State,  said the country  spends  70 per cent of its earnings on salaries and entitlements of civil servants.

He argued that having the Federal Government’s staff strength reduced by half would free up capital for infrastructure development in the country and buoy the economy.

The CBN governor had in a lecture  last year claimed that 25 per cent of the overheads of the Federal Government budget went to the National Assembly.

“Twenty five per cent of the overhead of the Federal Government budget goes to National Assembly. I have figures from the office of budget for the year 2010. Total government overhead is N536, 268,49, 280. Total overhead of the National Assembly is N136,259,768, 112 which is exactly 25.1 per cent of Federal Government overhead. The overhead of the National Assembly as a percentage of the Federal Government budget in 2009 was 19. 87 and in 2008 was 14.19”, he had  said.

Sanusi, at the retreat on Tuesday, advocated a more compact and less expensive system of government that would reduce overhead costs.

He said, “At the moment 70 per cent of Federal Government’s revenue goes for payment of salaries and entitlement of civil servants, leaving 30 per cent for development of 167 million Nigerians. That means that for every naira government earns, 70 kobo   is consumed by civil servants.

“You have to fire half of the civil service because the revenue  of the government  is supposed to be for 167 million Nigerians. Any society where government spends 70 per cent of its revenue on its civil service has a problem. It is unsustainable.

“The various tiers of government should cut down their recurrent expenditure and use the fund to provide basic infrastructure like schools, hospital, etc.

“How can we be using the proceeds from our major source of revenue to service recurrent expenditure, by paying salaries, allowances, etc. The country should be thinking of enhancing its productivity base rather than spending on things that cannot create wealth.”

Sanusi  added that  the country did not need  over 100 senators,  400 members of  the House of Representatives to make laws. He said when the expenses of lawmakers, civil servants and those in the executive arm of government are totalled, Nigerians will find out that their national revenue has been consumed by the Executive,  lawmakers and civil servants.

He also  faulted ‘wastage’ of funds on  the maintenance of 774 Local Government Area chairmen,  their   aides, councillors and other appendages of the  third  tier of government.

“Do we need 774 LGAs? Do we need 36 states some of which are  not viable? why not just remove them and have only state governments?,” he asked rhethorically.

According to him, “there are state governors whose monthly allocations are barely enough to pay salaries. I hear such governors complain and I say ‘why complain when the solution is simple?’ It is irresponsible to use all your money to pay salaries and wait for another month’s allocation and pay salaries and after four years, you would have done nothing.”

Via Punch

Boko Haram writes FG asking for dialogue

The Islamist militant group,  Boko Haram,  has distributed a letter requesting dialogue  with the Federal  Government. The letter, which was  sent through head of journalists in Borno State, Aba Kakami, came less than 72 hours after a double suicide bombing  led to the death of  at least 17 people at the Protestant Military Church, Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State.

Kakami  has often received and distributed statements from the sect.

According to an  international news agency, Reuters, the letter was signed by Sheik Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, a man known  in  security sources to be a moderate senior member of the sect.

The letter, if  genuine,  would  mark a change  of departure  of  tactics by the  group which has been been responsible for  many  bombings in the country.

Nearly 3,000 people have died violent deaths related to the conflict since the sect launched its uprising in 2009, according to a count by Human Rights Watch. Boko Haram has replaced militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta over that time to become the biggest security threat to Nigeria.

Communication  with Boko Haram , which   wants  imposition of  sharia  on Nigeria, has been even more sporadic than normal since the military killed its  spokesman, Abu Qaqa, in September.

Abdulazeez first contacted journalists in Maiduguri earlier this month, setting conditions for peace talks in the teleconference and nominating former Head of State,   Muhammadu Buhari , as a mediator. Buhari has since declined the offer.

“We are by this letter of invitation to our respected elders proving to government that we are not joking with the government, but we are awaiting the response of those concerned,” Abdulazeez said in the letter.

Abdulazeez said he was speaking on behalf of Abubakar Shekau, the sect’s leader.

But even if Abdulazeez does represent Shekau, the extent to which Boko Haram is controlled by Shekau is in doubt, and analysts think military pressure has fragmented it.

The letter nominated  Imam Gabchiya, an official  of  the University  of  Maiduguri, Borno State as  mediator.

Via Punch

Woman Dies After Three Airlines Say She’s Too Fat to Fly

Late last month, Bronx resident Vilma Soltesz and her husband Janos tried to board three separate airlines from Hungary to New York City, but they were repeatedly turned away. Why? Well, because they couldn't stuff Vilma's fatness into the plane, a seat, a wheelchair, an elevator — take your pick. This whole thing is a big mess and ends with a horrific twist. Vilma was was headed to New York to get treatment for kidney-failure to save her life, and since she was obviously unable to make the trip, she died. Ugh.

The couple originally travelled from their house in the Bronx to their vacation home in Hungary via Delta and KLM airlines. Their travel agent bought Vilma two tickets to ensure she'd have proper space, so it appears they were doing everything right per fat person flying protocol.

The return flight is where things get weird. On October 15, the couple attempted to board their KLM flight home for Vilma's meeting with her physicians about her kidneys. However, KLM didn't have the proper... I'm not sure what. KLM spokeswoman Ellen van Ginkel explained the set of circumstances that had them unable to take Vilma back home.

"It appeared on the passenger's return that it was not physically possible for her to board the aircraft, despite every effort made by KLM to this end," van Ginkel said. "A seat or belt extender did not offer a solution, either."

Wait, why didn't the seat belt extender work? What was difference between this flight and the ones that brought her to Hungary? I'm honestly confused.

So, after a five-hour wait, the couple was directed to Prague for a Delta flight but the wheelchair couldn't hold her. I'm guessing she had her own personal wheelchair, I'm not sure why that wasn't used? Also, allegedly the elevator couldn't hold her. 

Delta spokesman Russel Cason said that "despite a determined good-faith effort by Delta in Prague, we were also physically unable to board her on our aircraft."

Finally, the couple tried to board a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to New York on October 22, but issues "arose when the plane crew and local fire officials could not fit Vilma in a three-seat gap after 30 minutes of trying."

Via Jezebel

Jose Mujica: The World’s ‘Poorest’ President • Donates 90% Salary to Poor • Shuns Presidential Mansion • Rides 1987 Volkswagen

It’s a common grumble that politicians’ lifestyles are far removed from those of their electorate. Not so in Uruguay. Meet the president – who lives on a ramshackle farm and gives away most of his pay.

Laundry is strung outside the house. The water comes from a well in a yard, overgrown with weeds. Only two police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep watch outside. This is the residence of the president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, whose lifestyle clearly differs sharply from that of most other world leaders.

President Mujica has shunned the luxurious house that the Uruguayan state provides for its leaders and opted to stay at his wife’s farmhouse, off a dirt road outside the capital, Montevideo. The president and his wife work the land themselves, growing flowers.

This austere lifestyle – and the fact that Mujica donates about 90% of his monthly salary, equivalent to $12,000 (£7,500), to charity – has led him to be labelled the poorest president in the world. “I may appear to be an eccentric old man … But this is a free choice.”

“I’ve lived like this most of my life,” he says, sitting on an old chair in his garden, using a cushion favoured by Manuela the dog. “I can live well with what I have.”

His charitable donations – which benefit poor people and small entrepreneurs – mean his salary is roughly in line with the average Uruguayan income of $775 (£485) a month. All the president’s wealth is a 1987 VW Beetle.

Elected in 2009, Mujica spent the 1960s and 1970s as part of the Uruguayan guerrilla Tupamaros, a leftist armed group inspired by the Cuban revolution. He was shot six times and spent 14 years in jail. Most of his detention was spent in harsh conditions and isolation, until he was freed in 1985 when Uruguay returned to democracy. Those years in jail, Mujica says, helped shape his outlook on life.

“I’m called ‘the poorest president’, but I don’t feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more,” he says.

“This is a matter of freedom. If you don’t have many possessions then you don’t need to work all your life like a slave to sustain them, and therefore you have more time for yourself,” he says.

Via Punch

Total Fuel Subsidy Removal Is A Must – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday launched a fresh campaign to totally remove the subsidy on fuel, barely a year after a similar campaign and forceful removal of subsidy almost brought the country to a standstill.

Jonathan said only the total removal of subsidy on petroleum products would attract investors to the oil sector and put an end to the importation of petroleum products as it is currently being done.

Jonathan started the fresh campaign to totally remove subsidy while receiving the report of the graduating participants of the Senior Executive Course 34, 2012, of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Why is it that people are not building refineries in Nigeria despite that it is a big business? It is because of the policy of subsidy, and that is why we want to get out of it,” the President said. “There are certain decisions that government must take that may be painful at the beginning and people must be properly informed so that they will be ready to bear the pains.”

“I believe that you do not need a lifetime to change a nation. Under 10 years, Nigeria can change and people will not even believe that this is Nigeria again. Immediately you come up with strong policies in key sectors of the economy and keep it for 10 years, the change will be astronomical,” he said.

He said Canada had 16 functional refineries and Nigeria has four that are struggling to refine at 30 per cent of installed capacity because all the refineries in Canada are privately-owned.

Via Punch

N100 charge on ATM transactions cancelled

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee on Tuesday finally agreed to put a stop to all charges associated with the use of Automated Teller Machines.

The agreement was the high point of a meeting between the committee made up of Chief Executive Officers of Deposit Money Banks, and directors and top officials of the CBN.

The committee also agreed to boost liquidity in the mortgage sector as well as come up with a relief package that would help ameliorate the sufferings of flood victims.

At the end of the meeting, the Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN, Mrs. Agnes Martins, addressed journalists in company with the Group Managing Director, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa; Group Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya; and acting Managing Director, Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Shehu Muhammed.

Before now, account holders had been made to pay a flat rate of N100 per withdrawal any time they used ATMs other than the ones that belonged to their banks.

But Onasanya said the decision to stop the charge would help to increase the patronage of ATMs, thus deepening the financial inclusion strategy of the central bank. He said the modalities for the stoppage were being worked out, adding that within the shortest time possible, the adjustments would be reflected on all the ATMs.

Via Punch

Student wins MTN Aeroplane, opts for N64m

Ebube Essien-Garricks, a 27-year-old student of College of Health Science and Technology, Rivers State, has emerged the winner of a Cessna 182T aircraft in the MTN Ultimate Wonder promo. She won after a draw held at the head office of MTN in Lagos on Tuesday.

Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Mr. Larry Annetts, said the draw leading to the winner was interesting, credible and transparent.

He said, “When we came out with the promo, many doubted us but today we have an Ultimate winner who will go home with the promised Cessna 182T aeroplane. The take-home for us here is that MTN is committed towards enriching the lives of its consumers.

“When we say we will do something, you can be sure that we don’t renege on our promises. The can-do- spirit is forever guiding our paths in offering utmost satisfaction to our consumers and we are glad that today a Nigerian has been enriched and empowered with an aeroplane.”

Ebube who was notified of her winning, via a phone call immediately opted for the cash value of the plane, which is N64m.

She said,  “I am short of words, there is no word to describe what I feel right now, it is almost as if it is a dream but I know that nothing can be more real than what I am feeling right now. This must be the best Christmas gift ever. It is truly wonderful.”

Via Punch

President Obama wins 2012 Election!

United States President Barack Obama has been re-elected, after picking 275 electoral college votes to his opponent, Mitt Romney’s 203. In one of America’s most keenly contested presidential elections, the Democratic president picked key states and completed the victory run with Ohio.

Watch the video of his Complete Victory Speech below:

Instagram Finally Lets Users Have Functional Web Profiles

A little over two years after its iOS-only launch, eight months after its acquisition, five months after designer Cole Reinke leaked an image of Instagram’s efforts to bridge mobile and web, and one week after the company hit its most photographed event ever, Instagram has finally bulked up its web presence.

Citing overwhelming user demand as the motivation, the fourteen-person team behind Instagram has built a simplified web interface for User Profiles, viewable at http://www.instagram.com/tolulope (or whatever your username is). While it’s currently launched to a whitelist, the web functionality should roll out to all 100 million registered users by the end of this week.

“This allows you to have a single destination to point people at to see all your photos,” Instagram founder Kevin Systrom said earlier today. “It’s hard to have a service like this without being able to view images online, and we didn't want to limit Instagram behind a log-in.”

The web profile functionality is still extremely stripped down and simple. You can Like and Comment on other users’ photos as in the past, in addition to being able to browse your own and other users’ photos, which is what the Instagram team wanted to focus on with this launch. You can also change your name, bio and profile photo via the web, but not the random assortment of photos in your Facebook Timeline-esque header. Photos beneath the header are sorted chronologically.

While Systrom wouldn't reveal other future web functionality, or whether or not users will eventually be able to view a stream of photos from Instagram users they follow online, he did hint at more stuff in the works. “It’s not the last thing you’re seeing from us on the web.”

Via Techcrunch

Airtel hosts ‘Night of Influence’ with Fareed Zakaria

Airtel Nigeria has announced plans to host select influential personalities at a high profile event that will feature Fareed Zakaria, renowned journalist, internationally acclaimed author and host of popular Fareed Zakaria’s GPS on CNN.

The event tagged, Airtel’s Night of Influence, is a distinct platform that will provide a networking opportunity to prominent international personalities, successful Nigerians and the Airtel brand. It will hold on Sunday, November 18, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

Fareed Zakaria, who has confirmed to speak on the theme: Africa’s Political Economy: The Challenge of Leadership, will bring on hand rich insights into the continent’s economy and its interactions with the global socio-economic and political landscape.

About 500 men and women drawn from both the private and public sectors within and outside the country as well as top politicians and government officials will be attending the event.

Fareed Rafiq Zakaria is an Indian-American journalist and author. From 2000 to 2010, he was a columnist for Newsweek and editor of Newsweek International. In 2010, he became Editor-at-large of Time Magazine. He is the host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS. He is also a frequent commentator and author on issues related to international relations, trade and American foreign policy.

Via YNaija

CAF unveils 10-Man Shortlist for African Footballer of the Year Award

CAF has published the shortlist for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year award composed of 10 players, including current holder, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure. The five nominees for the domestic-based African on the continent were also released alongside other categories for which winners will be announced at the Awards Gala scheduled to take place in Ghana on December 20.

Three Ivorians including Yaya Toure, Gervinho of Arsenal and two-time winner Didier Drogba feature on the list after their contributions to their country's run to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The former Chelsea striker also starred in the Blues' Champions League triumph, having scored the equalsing goal and the winning penalty in the showpiece against Bayern Munich.

Ghana’s Andre Ayew, who was in the final trio last year, had a worthwhile 2011-12 season, scoring 16 goals for Marseille, also starred in Afcon as the Black Stars made the semi-final stage.

As widely expected, Zambia captain Christopher Katongo made the list, for leading his side to their first Continental title and for his role in the Chipolopolo's recent qualification for the 2013 tournament.

Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Newcastle’s Demba Ba of Senegal and Moroccan star Younes Belhanda were included for their efforts at club and national team levels, while Barcelona's Alex Song was picked for contributing to Arsenal’s impressive end to the Premier League last season.

Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel was vital to Chelsea’s success in winning the Champions League and FA Cup double last season.

Shortlist for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year award in alphabetical order

1. Alexandre Song, Cameroon
2. Andre Ayew, Ghana
3. Christopher Katongo, Zambia
4. Demba Ba, Senegal
5. Didier Drogba, Cote D’Ivoire
6. Gervinho, Cote D’Ivoire
7. John Obi Mikel, Nigeria
8. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
9. Yaya Toure, Cote D’Ivoire
10. Younes Belhanda, Morocco

Shortlist for African Player of the Year based in Africa

1. Mohamed Aboutreika, Egypt
2. Rainford Kalaba, Zambia
3. Stoppila Sunzu, Zambia
4. Yannick N’Djeng, Cameroon
5. Youssef Msakni, Tunisia

Other Awards categories

1. National Team of the Year

2. Women’s Footballer of the Year

3. Women’s National Team of the Year

4. Club of the Year

5. Most Promising Talent of the Year

6. Coach of the Year

7. Referee of the Year

8. Legend Award

9. Fair Play Award

10. Platinum Award

11. Africa Finest XI

The above shortlists, which were decided by Caf’s technical, football and media committees, will now be passed on to head coaches and technical directors from Caf member associations who will vote to decide the eventual winners. 

Via Goal

Police arrest 500 as Group declares Biafra Republic

Policemen in Enugu arrested over 500 persons yesterday for allegedly being part of the purported re-declaration of  Biafra as a sovereign state. The  group under the aegis  of Biafra Zionist Movement had  converged on an open field in Coal Camp area of Enugu where the leader, Mr. Ben Onwuka, addressed them.

However,  after   Onwuka’s address, policemen led by the  Enugu Central Police Station Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ike Mba, arrested him and other  members of the group, who displayed Biafran, American and Israeli flags. The suspects were  arraigned before a court  and remanded in police custody afterwards.

Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrests. He said, “No fewer than 500 persons believed to be members of BZM, which is also believed to be a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of  Sovereign State of Biafra, have been arrested by the police.

The group was led by one Ben Onwuka and the members were arrested at Akwata, off Agbani Road, Enugu. They were arrested with 61 Biafran flags, 13 berets, three bands and eight BZM forms. While addressing the crowd, Onwuka  said, “It is clear that the security of lives  and property of Biafran people is  no longer  guaranteed in the entity called Nigeria. Therefore, we  have resolved to re-declare our independence today based on the mandate given to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu on May 30,  1967 to provide our people security according to international law."

“It is clear that our people’s right to worship, according to our Christian faith, is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, we Biafra people have resolved to opt out of Nigeria. Today, the re-birth of the Republic of Biafra is finally actualised. On the international arena, the Republic of Biafra would establish and maintain a very pro-Israel international relations. Biafra would consider an attack on Israel and the Jewish people as an attack on Biafra.”

Via Punch

Bidding: Abdusalami’s company to get biggest electricity firms

Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, a firm in which the former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, is the chairman, is in the lead to acquire three of the juiciest electricity distribution companies in the country.

The electricity distribution companies are Eko, Ikeja and Ibadan.

Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing was prequalified to take control of the companies at the opening of bids submitted by 20 firms jostling for controlling stakes in 10 electricity distribution companies put up for privatisation by the Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja.

Although frontline bidders for the companies emerged, clear winners of the bids had yet to emerge, as the rules for the bidding employed by the Bureau of Public Enterprises prescribed that the bidders would still be subjected to further tests.

Although some bidders emerged top contenders in a number of companies, one of the rules states that no company can be allowed to win more than two bids.

In addition, no company will be allowed to win both the Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies, which collectively generate about 45 per cent of the total revenue of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

Based on the rules, the National Council on Privatisation, led by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, will still subject the top contenders to scrutiny before announcing the eventual winners.

The Chairman, Technical Committee, NCP, Mr. Atedo Peterside, said successful bidders were contractually bound to deliver on the Average Technical, Commercial and Collection loss reduction levels they had submitted.

Peterside said, “The bidder offering the highest ATC&C loss reduction is in a leading position subject to the ground rules.

“The regulator will not adjust tariffs upwards to accommodate the inability of a Disco operator to deliver on the ATC&C levels that they commit to; rather tariffs will be adjusted downward annually to reflect the agreed ATC&C loss levels irrespective of the operator’s ability to meet its contractual obligation.”

However, going by the strategy adopted, the Federal Government will realise N197.25bn at the end of the sale of the 10 companies, whose bids were opened on Tuesday.

Instead of allowing the bidders to compete based on their financial strengths, they were evaluated based on ATC&C loss reduction proposals.

The eventual winners will have to pay 60 per cent of the asset worth of the companies as determined earlier by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

A breakdown shows that N25.79bn will be realised from the sale of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company; N20.23bn from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company; N21.19bn from Eko Electricity Distribution Company; and N19.81bn from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

Via Punch

Police arrest Debtor who set up UNIPORT Students

The Police yesterday announced a major breakthrough in their investigation into the lynching of four University of Port Harcourt students. The videotaped lynching of the students sparked outrage nationwide and the clip of the killings went viral on the Internet.

The IG disclosed the arrest during a security meeting with Chief Executive Officers and security officers of banks at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. “I want to announce that we have made a breakthrough in the Aluu killings. The two main suspects in the case have been arrested and they will be prosecuted,” he said. The arrest brings the number of suspects arrested by the police to 23.

The students were set upon by a mob in Aluu, a community close to the university, and lynched. They were later identified as 19-year-old Lloyd Toku ( 200 level Civil Engineering); 18-year-old Ugonna Obuzor (200 level  Geology student); 20-year-old Chiadika Biringa, (200 level Theatre Arts student); and Tekena Erikena, a 20-year-old  a diploma (Technical) student by the management of the university.

The police, on Monday, had named Coxson Lucky, alias Bright, as the mastermind of the lynching. Lucky, who was said to owe one of the students an undisclosed sum of money, reportedly raised the alarm that the students were robbers when they went to his house to demand for the money. The mob, which converged on the venue of the altercation, then beat and burn the students to death.

While the IGP was speaking in Abuja, the Rivers State Police Command was parading some of the suspects. The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Ndabawa, gave the names of the suspects as Segun Lawal, Felemo Solomon, Cynthia Chinwo, Ozioma Abajuo, Ikechukwu Louis and Chigozie Samuel Evans. He accused the suspects of playing major roles in the killings.

“It is not the philosophy of the Inspector General of Police to parade suspects. Nonetheless, the gruesome manner in which the crime was committed coupled with the direct and glaring involvement of some of these suspects, and the interest generated by the heinous crime, left the police with no option than to parade them,” Ndabawa said.

He said that an investigation aimed at arresting others involved in the killing of the four students and bringing them to book was  ongoing.

However, two of the suspects, who admitted taking part in the mob action, claimed that their involvement was “minimal”. While the first suspect, David Chinasa Ugbaje, said he only hit the students twice, another suspect, Ikechukwu Loius Amadi, claimed that he only beat the students once with a small stick.

Via Punch

2013 Budget Proposal: Refreshments to cost Ministries N1bn

The budgeted amounts for purchasing generator fuel and refreshments appear to be a major part of the proposed spending recently submitted by the Executive Arm of government to the National Assembly.

According to reports, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will spend a total sum of N1.126 billion on refreshment and meals as well as another N843 million on generator fuel, according to the 2013 budget proposal.

As the breakdown of the allocations to various MDAs show:

1.  Ministry of Education will receive N20 million for generator fuel and N10.6 million for refreshment and meals;

2.  Ministry of Culture and Tourism: N3.16m for generator fuel, N41.57m for refreshment;

3.  Ministry of Defence: N23.7m for generator fuel, N14.2m for refreshment;

4.  Ministry of Environment: N11m for generator fuel, N2m for refreshment;

5.  Federal Civil Service Commission: N24m for generator fuel, N180m for refreshment;

6.  Federal Character Commission: N6m for generator fuel, N8m for refreshment;

7.  Ministry of Finance: N65m for generator fuel, N44m for refreshment;

8.  Fiscal Responsibility Commission: N4.9m for generator fuel, N4.7m for refreshment.

9.  Ministry of Agriculture gets N5.9m for generator fuel, N3.2m for refreshment;

10. Ministry of Communication: N5m for generator fuel, N18m for refreshment;

11. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: N66.8m for generator fuel, N75m for refreshment;

12. The Code of Conduct Bureau: N3.6m for generator fuel, N10m for refreshment;

13. Ministry of Aviation: N13m for refreshment;

14. Wages Commission gets N6.5m for refreshment;

15. Petroleum Resources gets N35.5m for refreshment;

16. Power gets N8.7m for refreshment;

17. Special Duties gets N4m for refreshment;

18. Water Resources gets N19m for generator fuel.

Via YNaija

Husband Material by Tope Olofin of Toperants.com

I read this post from toperants.com and immediately fell in love with it, which gave impetus to the idea to re-post it here for my readers. This lady is somebody I admire a lot. She's down to earth and a very creative and intuitive writer. Enjoy!

This one is on request and might be opinionated. If you don’t agree, you always have the comment box to air your views, but for the next five seconds or so give me some space to rant away my feelings on the subject that has been thrust upon me.

The newest student in my class had me proof read his latest write up “Wife Material”. I must confess, as I read it, I had to blurt out “we have our own list too”. As one of the commenter’s pointed out, we most certainly have a list and Oknuges, don’t you worry we also do our own fair share of discussions on what we look out for as ‘husband material’. Here are a few of them. 

To all the beautiful and hardworking ladies on my BBM (Blackberry Messenger), who won’t settle for anything less than the specifications on their list a big shout out to you. To all the ladies who decide to compromise just because they feel life is passing them by, oh well all the best and if there is any other group I missed out, ‘sorry’ will have to do. I am not a robot, so you don’t expect me to remember everything. 

Before I go on with the list, I just want to set the record straight. Contrary to the popular opinion of the male species we aren’t looking for a guy with a fat account to drain just for the fun of it. Mind you I am not saying we would mind if he has twice the cash, I am just saying that it isn’t top priority. Of course we would like him to be financially stable, but take note of the word “POTENTIAL”. He must have potential and we will be willing to grow with him.These are the things we look out for: 

•  He must be godly, God-fearing. Seriously, if you cannot lift me up spiritually, then I think it is better you just leave me in my father’s house, after all who wants an anti-climax after marriage? It is supposed to lift you innit? This goes first on the list of any female individual.

• Don’t be domineering. We recognized and accept the fact that our Creator made you the head of the home. We are willing to respect and even acknowledge that, but you need not remind us every five seconds. Afterall the Lion is the king of the jungle and he doesn’t remind the lizards about it every blessed minute.

• He must be respectful. I believe the common saying is “respect begets respects” if you demand it from us, I believe we would be better followers if we see you being an example. Don’t you know that when respect is showered on any individual, it gives the feeling that you are appreciated despite your short comings?

• It has been said that a confident man is a successful man. Confidence in most cases gets you the girl. The opposite of confidence is a big turn off.

• He must be responsible. That is the big elephant in the room. I am entrusting my life into your hands, you are taking over from where my family left off. So if that trait is lacking you can be certain that I won’t budge no matter your other credentials are. Actually this comes second.

• He must be sensitive and patient. It is known that a lady has seasons. Sometimes we nag (it is in our DNA), sometimes we are rude, naughty and get angry unnecessarily. It is not an excuse, but your ability to overlook it and treat us like you would treat your younger sister will endear you to us. In our silliness, be patient with us. If and when you do this, we will be willing to give an arm for you.

He must be TRUSTWORTHY, understanding, supportive, caring, intelligent, hardworking, and kindhearted. Please don’t stop me, because I intend to keep on going. Okay, my time is up, but it still doesn’t change the fact that we want it all. And yes we want him to be knowledgeable in other matters which I chose not to mention here. But since we do not live in a perfect world, we might settle for close to 90 percent. (You aren’t allowed to judge, afterall, that’s an A.)The point is we are looking for someone who we can be ourselves with. We want a friend.I agree that loneliness can be horrific, but let’s face it guys, you cannot do without us!!!