Following a distress call received from Local Divers at about 3:10 pm today, 12th August, 2015, that a Helicopter plunged into the Lagos Lagoon at Oworonshoki, a team of Policemen and other emergency management agencies swiftly moved to the scene. During the rescue operation, six persons on board the helicopter were rescued alive and taken to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment, while four corpses were recovered.Initial enquiry revealed that the helicopter belongs to Bristow Helicopters and that twelve(12) persons were said to be on board the ill-fated helicopter.In another development, there has been a high rate of fire incidents in Lagos State, arising from carelessness and mishandling of petroleum products through black marketeering and mass storage at homes due to perceived scarcity. Yesterday, 13/08/2015 at about 2030hrs, along Maidan Street, by Ajiliti area of Mile 12, a Motorcycle conveying a woman with a gallon of petrol stacked in a polythene bag collided with another Motorcycle. In the process, the content spilled on the road and caught fire. The fire engulfed both motorcycles and four others close by.The rider, the passenger and two others suffered severe burns and have been admitted at a nearby hospital for treatment. The Command therefore appeals to members of the public to be mindful of how they handle petroleum products, stop mass storage of the product in their homes. Motorists, especially Tanker Drivers are equally admonished to observe traffic rules and speed limits to avoid such occurrences.
Wednesday 12 August 2015
AGIP EXPLOSION, BAYALSA THREATENS AGIP OVER DELAY OF VICTIMS BURIAL
Bayelsa State government has threatened to sanction the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, management for unnecessary delay in releasing documents and remains of victims of the July 9 pipeline explosion at its oil field in Azuzuama.Fourteen people, including two regulatory officials of the Ministry of Environment and National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, died in the explosion at Agip’s oil fields in Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa.Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, in an interview yesterday accused the NOAC management of withholding autopsy reports and death certificates of the victims.Wills, who berated the stance of the oil firm, said Bayelsa government frowned at the development, which had frustrated burial plans by families of the deceased.He said the state government would wield the big stick and give appropriate sanctions if the documents were not released immediately to allow the families bury their dead.“Managing Director of Agip has refused or has been foot-dragging to release the autopsy report, death certificate and collection card for our staff ’s remains several weeks on. We find this to be grossly indecent and an aggravation of the Azuzuama tragedy that we and the families are still grappling with.“The family continues to be in suspense and has had to change burial plans because of this. We would treat it as a provocation and respond with appropriate governmental sanctions if we don’t receive these papers immediately,” Wills said.Officials of NAOC, representatives of the host community and Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of a recent oil spill in the area when the explosion occurred.Public Affairs Manager of NAOC, Mr Dan Jumbo, declined comments when contacted for reactions on the developments.
AMAECHI ON SUBSIDY
Dr. Boniface Chizea, an Economist based in Lagos takes a dispassionate look at subsidy environment in Nigeria.Since after President Muhammadu Buhari declared his stand on the subsidy removal issue indicating that he was still pondering over the matter as according to him removal of subsidy will hurt the poor thereby by extension announcing his pro poor stance, I had thought of joining issues to explain that even if removal of subsidy could be inflationary it might not harm the poor as feared, as studies had established the fact that only a negligible proportion of the poor enjoy the benefit of subsidy and therefore what really needed to be done is to build in some palliatives to cushion this probable effect before effecting the removal.But I was reluctant and not convinced that it was worth my while until I stumbled on and watched a program on Sunday night after the popular Channels Television News at Ten which was on the 16 years of public service of Rotimi Amaechi; the immediate past Governor of Rivers State who most marveled at his courage at taking on a sitting President particularly the way and manner he did so and thought that it was a must watch and I was glad I did.After Amaechi declared during the program speaking on the subsidy regime that the cost of subsidy was N 300 billion under both Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua’s governments but suddenly increased to N 1.9 trillion (I heard N 1.4 trillion earlier) under President Jonathan and how he was invited to a meeting at which it was announced that the amount of the subsidy was going to be jerked up which he balked at in conscience as he was supposed to get a share as the Chairman of the Governor’s forum and how he was upbraided and called all manner of names by President Jonathan, I thought that I needed no further motivation to join issues regarding the subsidy removal debate.What therefore I intend to do in this article is to dispassionately look at the subsidy environment as it is presently, highlight some of the murky issues relating to it, avert our mind regarding a preferred strategy for the removal of subsidy in the country mindful of our recent experience and recommend the way forward. But it will be most unfair if I do not in the first place say one or two things about the entire program during which Amaechi was celebrated which was transmitted by Channels Television.As the Vice President who was the Chairman of the occasion observed when it was his turn to make some remarks at the event, Rotimi Amaechi had certainly been the toast of the moment as he had one event or the other celebrating him recently.I recall particularly a book launch here in Lagos which was held at the Institute of International Affairs for which Bishop Kukah was the reviewer which was supposed to be on Amaechi’s time as the Governor of Rivers State and particularly the observation made by Bishop Kukah to the effect that there was a misalignment between the title and the content of the book as it was really a collection of testimonials by some notable stakeholders on his tenure rather than an account of his stewardship.I was particularly fascinated that I shared a lot in common with Amaechi. We both share the Catholic faith. In fact I am a knight of the Church (Knight of Saint Mulumba) since the year 2000 and both of us share the culture of attendance at daily morning Mass which I agree with Amaechi is quite efficacious as it tantamount in faith to literally handing the day over to the Lord and asking Him to take preeminent control which will probably account for the boldness and courage which Amaechi is reputed to have exhibited; a child of God has really no fear.What was not probably added is the fact that to enjoy the full benefit of the protection of the Lord that you must strive to avoid sin particularly the sin of the flesh, which is a sin against the Holy Spirit as, our bodies are temples of Holy Spirit. Once one commits sin he loses sanctifying grace and God literally turns away from the sinner.The subsidy environment in the country today is characterized by the payment of unearned subsidy, which had placed an unsustainable toll on the treasury; the amount of subsidy is variously estimated at about 30 per cent of government expenditure, 4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product and 118 per cent of Capital expenditure.The level of subsidy as has been severally demonstrated breeds the worst type of corruption, encourages the smuggling of imported refined products across the borders to take advantage of the subsidized prize, creates occasional scarcity, productivity sapping long queues, cost of product in many parts of the country outside the main urban centers of Lagos and Abuja at prices higher than the regulated price, potential damage to car engines as citizens purchase adulterated products owing to the activities of greedy hawkers and the growth of the sector is undermined as even associated gas is not optimized and as private capital remains shy of going into a regulated environment and generally a poor advertisement for a country which is the sixth largest producer of crude petroleum but which is woefully dependent on importation to meet its needs for refined products.Obviously it goes without saying that this level of subsidy payment is injurious to the development of the national economy and cannot therefore be sustained. And therefore there is the urgent need for some initiative in this connection.As a quick win it will be necessary to activate the refineries in the country to begin to operate optimally to reduce the burden of importation, which also contributes in no small measure to the pressure, which the country presently confronts in managing the exchange rate.It is welcome development as it has been recently announced that all the refineries in the country are roaring back into operation; the fear of President Buhari! And my considered view is the fear that the poor will be impacted is to a large extent exaggerated.One is of course mindful of the experience during the most recent attempt to remove the subsidy in January 2011 which resulted in total gridlock as the country grind to a halt over the whole of one week and there was palpable fear that an environment was being inadvertently created for the return of the military and therefore we recommend consultation with organized labor to convince them of the unassailable need for the subsidy to be removed.And we would wish to caution that what we recommend is once and for all removal of subsidy by total deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector.Experience has shown that partial increase in the price of products will not do as President Obasanjo alone is reputed to have increased product price seven times; the last of which was undertaken a few months to the end of his two term tenure as civilian President. All that will be required is to agree some palliatives as product price increase works through the economy. The savings from the subsidy payment could for instance be deployed for the provision of social infrastructure for the benefit of the poor to cushion the unlikely effect of this proposed and recommended course of action.
NSCDC UNDERCOVERS ILLEGAL FERTILIZER FACTORY IN NIGER STATE
Chinwendu Nnadozie / Minna The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command has uncovered a factory which mixed coloured clay with Notre Granule Urea and sold them to unsuspecting members of the public, particularly farmers as genuine fertilizer.The adulterated fertilizer factory owned by one, Hassan Karfe, who is now on the run, is located in a secluded compound directly behind the Abdulsalam Abubakar motor park in the Tunga area of Minna, the state capital.Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Mr. Philip Ayuba who announced the discovery to journalists said that they uncovered the factory during routine surveillance by the patrol team over the weekend.Investigations revealed that while genuine fertilizer sold for N7, 500 or more per 50kg bag, the fake fertilizer packaged by the factory sold for N4, 500.00.According to the NSCDC boss, “We are here to brief you of what our surveillance team has discovered lately. The illegal act is being perpetrated by some unpatriotic Nigerians who want to make money through a dubious means, some people are adulterating fertilizer.“What the people do is criminal, sabotaging Federal Government by mixing some concoctions with some coloured clay and mixed it with Notre Urea, for it to have the smell of fertilizer and selling same to unsuspecting farmers.“This act is not good for this country; it is evil because people put their money in farming business without knowing that they are buying fake fertilizer. This is another way of sabotaging the economy of this country because we know those who must have bought this type of fertilizer are into the business and expect bumper harvest”, he said.Although, no arrests were made because the operator of the factory was said to have fled on sighting the patrol team advancing towards the compound, the NSCDC Commandant, said that efforts were being made to track down the suspects and their accomplices.Items found inside the factory included; standby tipper loads of coloured clay, sack stitching/sealing machine, some sachets of Notre urea and as well bundles of empty 50 Kg bags with the inscription of the illegal company’s name on them.Mr. Ayuba expressed regrets that many unsuspecting Nigerians may have fallen victim to the antics of the fleeing suspects and would have wasted their money purchasing the adulterated fertilizer.He called on farmers in the state to beware of fraudsters and ensure they buy fertilizers from the approved distributors. He also enjoined farmers to insist on testing the commodity they bought henceforth before paying to ensure they are genuine.
SEVEN THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF TO AVOID HEARING "NO" IN A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
The thought of a lady saying no to a marriage proposal to many is unrealistic. Many a time ladies are characterized by their attitude towards trapping a man into marriage rather than refusing a proposal but as uncommon as it may seem to many, guys still get their rings thrown back in their faces. 7 common reasons why ladies reject marriage proposals include: 1. Financial independence When financial independence is mentioned, a lot of people are quick to say ladies are only after the money, want a well to do man but this isn't about the man. Not that the "independent state" of a man doesn't count but some ladies reject marriage proposals because they (the lady) want to be financially stable before starting a family. Not every girl likes the idea of a man taking care of all her needs. Some ladies want to also be able to contribute and support their husbands financially before their answer is yes.2. Family attachment A man who loves his family can be said to be a good man. He can also be said to be one who would make a good husband and father but when a man is too attached to family it can be a reason not to be taken seriously when he pops the question. A man who can't make decisions until he gets approval from his family still has an invisible umbilical cord round his neck. A guy who has to meet all the needs of his family before considering the needs of his "to be" wife may not change after marriage. No woman wants a man whose decisions can only be final after the parents have certified3. Age factor Many ladies have lost great men because they have allowed themselves to be consumed by the feeling of "still young".A lady who feels she is too young to get married shouldn't be in a relationship. Some ladies claim to be ready but when the proposal comes they say they are too young. This has more to do with their inability to deal with commitment. 4. Mending fences strategy Relationships are never perfect and a good surprise is always welcomed but proposing during a misunderstanding or a fight usually backfires. It is good to want to work through issues easily and have them sorted out quickly but proposing when she's mad at you is risky. A no may just be what you get.5. Proposal method and ring choice Ladies usually have things they fantasize about. One of which is their wedding and also the way you propose. Ladies have been known to turn down marriage proposal because they felt it wasn't romantic enough, others because it was too extravagant. Choice of ring too has not been left out. Ladies love to show off among their peers, no wonder a lady would say no to a guy simply because she feels the ring used in proposing is not befitting. 6. Sexual satisfaction. The importance given to sex in relationships these days cannot be over emphasized. A lady could reject a proposal upon considering if the guy satisfies her in bed or not. In a relationship, a lady can still try to get her sexual satisfaction from someone else but in marriage she may not. Knowing that a guy can't sexually satisfy her is a good enough reason to say no for some ladies. 7. Lack of trust (too many female friends) Lack of trust is one of the most common issues faced by relationships today. A lot of people are in relationships where trust is only a mirage. A major cause of lack of trust for ladies is encompassed in the fact that the guy has too many female friends. In such situations, the lady is likely to feel insecure and unsure. Even when the guy proposes, she tends to take it as a joke and the reply is usually no.
Married Men and 20 Costly Mistakes They Make
In this piece, we will be looking at the flip side of my earlier article titled 16 COSTLY MISTAKE MARRIED WOMEN MAKE. Like I wrote earlier, the purpose of these write-ups is to help our marriages become better. Many marriages are in crisis today become many married people have deviated from what God intended marriage to be. What is you see today are marriages as men want it and not marriages as God intended it.There are many costly mistakes married men make and these are some of them;1.As the spiritual head of the home, when was the last time you led your family (wife and children) in prayers? Yes, your wife also can lead prayers also but are you doing enough spiritually for your marriage and family?2.Comparing your wife with your ex, especially for those that did many ‘permutation’ and ‘combination’ with many ladies whilst single is a sign that you have not left your past.3.Condemning your wife’s meal, soup, stew as you compare it to that of your ex-gilrfriend, ex-wife or your mother.4.The private things that happen in your marriage that you tell your family members will ultimately create a negative impression and perception of her. Ultimately, you will also reap what you sow as her husband.5.Not acknowledging or paying for your wife’s hair and personal make up and appearance. You don’t like her appearance yet you are not paying for her to look good.6.Mr Husband, your mouth odour, your body odour, your dirty boxers and socks are serious put-off to your spouse. Take a little time to wash, to tidy up yourself. She probably may have even told you but you get offended. Mr, there are truth nobody will tell you except your wife!7.Husband, your 2 minute expulsion is serious punishment for your wife. If she has told you, please change. If she has not complained, she is merely enduring. A sexually and emotionally dissatisfied wife is an unhappy wife!8.Sex in marriage ought not to be boring. But yours is boring because you want it only at your own time and not at a more conducive time to both parties.9.Your wife is not a slave. You need to assist with house chores. And if you think you are too big for the chores get technological tools that can help and a house-help to support. A distressed wife is a stressed wife!10.It is selfishness to keep your educated and skilled wife idle at home. It does not matter how much you earn, how much you pay or give her, she also has a dream to fulfil in life. There is greater joy in marriage when both husband and wife are fulfilled! Support her dream!!11.Getting intimidated by your wife’s achievement, career and business successes is a reflection of your insecurity and low self-esteem. Your wife’s achievement should be a thing of pride to you also and not of intimidation!12.It just does no make sense to be suspecting your wife. How can you become a detective in your home and expect to have joy and fulfilment?13.Yes, the Bible instruct that wives should submit to their husbands but you have turned submission to subjugation. You have become a terror to your wife!14.Beating up your wife no matter what she did wrong is not a prove of your seniority, masculinity, or manhood, instead it is a show of your immaturity and irresponsibility.15.There is no time that you are ever home with your wife and children even on public holidays. When your business or job ends, will you still have a wife and children to be proud of. Your wife and children need you more than money and toys that you buy for them!16.Engaging in extra-marital affair that can never ever give you joy and fulfilment. Extra-marital affair is an unprofitable venture. You loose spiritually, you loose physically, you loose financially. By the time you loose your wife and children, you are the biggest looser of all!17.How can you be attracted to your wife’s maid, sisters or her friends? What is attracting you in them that your wife don’t have? Have you discussed those things with your wife in a loving way?18.Irrespective of your religion, polygamy is not the solution to your insatiable sexual appetite. It will ultimately cost you more for less satisfaction and joy19.How have you secured your wife and children against the predators of your properties, assets and estates? Do you have a will?20.Taking your wife through the pain and rigour of divorce because you have found a ‘sweet sixteen’ is not the way to go. Most men who change women like diapers end up miserable also as they become serial divorcees.Friends, it is high time we tell ourselves the Unclad truth. If you want to enjoy being married, be responsible. There is alot of responsibility that God placed on men. Let us see what God expect of husbands in the Bible;“…..Love your wife, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself forit’’ Ephesians 5 Vs 25If you appreciate how much Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, you will know the magnitude of responsibility on you as a husband and father. An irresponsible husband is likely to be an irresponsible father and you know Christ is not like you!“…..love your wife as your own body. He who loves his wife loves himself”Ephesians 5 Vs 28It is in your own interest to love your wife. If you love her you love yourself‘’…….dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered”1 Peter 3 Vs 7Simply put, you hinder yourself by the way you treat your wife!If it is true that man was created in the image and likeness of God, guys, it is time we wake up to the expectation of our maker. I doff my cap to husbands who are responsible and doing quite alot to make their marriages work. God will bless you the more and encourage you. Your labour will not be invain. Amen!
SMART WAYS OF WOOING GIRLS IN PUBLIC BUSES.
In Lagos, the girls are beautiful and smart. They can easily spot and rebuff a guy preying on them from a distance. But Lagos guys are proving to be smarter. They too have devised a way of getting their heart desires–even in a public bus.Lagos-DanfoThe guy arrived at the motor park and met a half filled Danfo bus with a few passengers. We were all waiting patiently at the Ikeja bus stop. The bus heading to Obalende on Lagos Island was taking too long to fill up. But what can we do but wait?The motor park milled with people. Area boys and street urchins were harassing drivers and conductors. Vendors of beverages were shouting themselves hoarse and practically coercing agitated passengers for patronage.In my end of the bus, I poked my head outside to avoid the I-don’t-know-strange odour emitting from the bus. Another sweaty guy has just arrived; He stood outside and surveyed the bus I look at him closely. He was disheveled. There was a gaping wound in his arm which he had not bothered to treat. Then to my horror, he mounted the bus and headed for my direction.I prayed silently for him to change his mind. But he sat close to me and for a moment, I was almost choking. I poked my nose out of the window to avoid the stench only to be confronted by a beggar who pleaded for money to cure his prostate cancer. A bag of urine with a tube dangled loosely from his groin. Much as I had tried to avoid the bedlam around me, I was confronted from all sides by the chaos.Then, from the gloom appeared an angelic figure that seemed to have come to take all my troubles away. Yes, she was a thing of beauty. Her figure eight was visible under the tight gown she wore. Eyes turned in her direction as she stood outside the door of the bus. She enjoyed the attention.She peered in and surveyed the ramshackle inside. Realizing how dirty the bus was, her face broke out in a frown. But she entered nonetheless. She picked a seat in front of me and sat gingerly–aware of the attention. I observed her closely as she whipped out a top range Samsung phone and began fiddling with it like a toy. Her nails were out of this world. Beautifully designed. She handled the phones stylishly.All the while, her jaw moved to the rhythm of a mouthful of candy. In the midst of my obsession with the beau, I had forgotten about the guy that had stood outside of the bus all this while. He had been aiming for the seat beside the conductor.He did not want to ‘’enter inside’’. But all that changed as soon as the girl moved inside the bus. Like a bolt out of the blue, the guy who had all the while been standing at the door had appeared beside the girl. So that is the trick. You stand long enough at the door to see which babe is agreeable enough. Then as soon as you spot one, you spring into action like a tiger and sit beside her. The guy initiated a conversation but the girl was not responding.Occasionally, she will remove her earpiece when the guy ask a question or say something. She will put them back even as the guy kept pestering her. At a time she would laugh, at another, she frowned or ignored him altogether.Then finally she removed the earpiece and the discussion seemed to come alive.I was thinking to myself. I like this guy, his tenacity and perseverance. The girl had been putting up a front., but it soon dissolved like sugar in hot tea with the guy’s persistence.In a Obalende, I watched as the two alighted and walked together for a moment and stood laughing to exchange numbers. Some guys can be very smart.
"I Refuse to Bring Myself Down to His Level, I don't Know Gideon Okeke" Tonto
Speaking with Channels TV, Tonto said she's never heard of actor Gideon Okeke, who shaded her on Twitter two days ago after photos from her introduction ceremony were released online..."The truth be told, I don't know who he is. They had to bring a picture of him to say this is the person and when I saw the picture, I recognized that he's been the one... I do not know him, and I refuse to bring myself to his level to speak about him. I wish him the best in life. That's all I can say" she said. Watch the video after the cut...