David Cameron - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos

English: DAVOS/SWITZERLAND, 29JAN10 - David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, United Kingdom, speaks during the session 'Rethinking Government Assistance' in the Congress Centre of the Annual Meeting 2010 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 29, 2010.
Date	29 January 2010(2010-01-29), 10:49:45

Anonymous hits US government site, threatens release of secrets

IDG News Service - Hackers working under the name of the Anonymous hacktivist collective hit a U.S. government website on Saturday, replacing its home page with a 1,340 word text detailing its frustrations with the way the American legal system works and a threat to release "secrets" gathered from U.S. government websites.

The website of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, which establishes sentencing policies for the federal court system, was offline for much of Saturday as a result of the attack.

"This mornings cyber attack on the Commissions website www.ussc.gov brought it down temporarily, but the site now has been restored," the commission said in a brief statement issued on Saturday evening.A "The Commissions publications, training materials, and federal sentencing statistics are again readily accessible to visitors to the site."

The site and timing of the attack was not random, according to the message that replaced the home page before it was taken offline.

"Two weeks ago today, a line was crossed," the message read. "Two weeks ago today, Aaron Swartz was killed. Killed because he faced an impossible choice. Killed because he was forced into playing a game he could not win -- a twisted and distorted perversion of justice -- a game where the only winning move was not to play."

Swartz committed suicide in New York on Jan. 11, apparently over an upcoming trial on computer intrusion, wire fraud and data theft charges that carried a maximum penalty of 35 years in jail. The charges stem from allegations that Swartz stole millions of scholarly articles and documents from the JSTOR database with the intention of making them available online at no charge.

His suicide sparked outrage among the hacktivist community, much of which blamed the prosecution of the case and potential penalties he faced as directly contributing to his death.

"This website was chosen due to the symbolic nature of its purpose -- the federal sentencing guidelines which enable prosecutors to cheat citizens of their constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair trial, by a jury of their peers -- the federal sentencing guidelines which are in clear violation of the 8th amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishments," the message on the hacked website read.

The message went on to say that the group had infiltrated numerous U.S. government websites and gathered material it judged would be embarrassing if released.

"We have enough fissile material for multiple warheads. Today we are launching the first of these. Operation Last Resort has begun..."

The message didn't reveal the nature of the "secrets," but the hackers made available on the site a multi-part encrypted file that was said to contain them. It's impossible to determine what's actually in the files, which were named for judges on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Will Apple, Google and Samsung lose the smartphone market?

Just five years ago, the global epicenters of the mobile phone universe included Finland and Canada, where Nokia and Research In Motion are headquartered.

After the launch of the Apple iPhone in 2007, and after Android phones started getting really good, iOS and Android devices began their sustained assault on market share, and today they dominate totally.

From the perspective of who is making the majority of physical smartphone handsets, the clear leader is South Korea's Samsung, which sells more than one quarter of the world's smartphone handsets, followed by Apple, which sells about 18%. No other company gets anywhere near a two-digit market share globally.

From the perspective of platforms -- who makes the operating systems and controls both the functionality and the app ecosystem that powers the world's smartphones -- it's clear that Google's Android is by far the world's leader, followed distantly by Apple's iOS.

From a business perspective -- who's making money on mobile phones in one way or the other -- the clear winners are Apple, Google (via advertising, mostly) and Samsung.

So today, we can say that the smartphone market is solidly controlled by two companies that are less than nine miles apart from each other in Silicon Valley in the U.S. (Apple and Google), plus Samsung in South Korea.

These three companies in two countries ship the handsets, make the operating systems and collect most of the profits.

But what will the mobile market look like five years from now?

Martin Luther King’s Bible Was Used By Obama for His Inaugural Ceremony Today

When President Obama is ceremonially sworn into office today (January 21) in Washington D.C., he will use two bibles. One bible is the bible that Martin Luther King Jr. owned and travelled with, and the other bible will be a bible owned by 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, which was used during his first inaugural ceremony.

Dr. King’s Bible is the same Bible used when Dr. King gave his first sermon at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in 1950.

It is also the same traveling Bible that Dr. King actually used just before he was assassinated in 1968.

Tomorrow when he is sworn into office, Obama will face the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech 50 years ago.

“We know our father would be deeply moved to see President Obama take the oath of office using his Bible,” King’s children said in a statement provided by the inaugural committee. “His traveling Bible inspired him as he fought for freedom, justice and equality, and we hope it can be a source of strength for the president as he begins his second term.”

The theme of this year’s inauguration is “Our People, Our Future,” and it is believed that as many as 800,000 people will be on hand for the celebration that will ceremoniously swear Obama into office.

Earlier today, Obama was officially sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, in a small ceremony in the Blue room of the White House using Michelle Obama’s family Bible.

Based on the Constitution’s 20th amendment, Obama’s first term officially ended at noon Sunday and his second begins subsequently there after.

“Two figures that I admire probably more than anyone in American history are Dr. King and President Lincoln. So for me to have the opportunity to be sworn in using the Blbles of these two men that I admire so deeply on the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the ‘March on Washington’ is I think fitting because their actions and I think the movements that they represent are the only reason its possible for me to inaugurated,” Obama explained in an official inaugural video preview.

Rappers from across the industry have weighed in on the historical significance of the inaugural ceremony and its activities as well.

Military and Police: Think Twice Be of the Politician – This is Election Year

This article is written with you in mind, Military and Police. As a former colleague, a Command Sergeant Major (RSM to be precise), think twice before associating with the dark side of Orders, a Reality many usually take for granted. Only to be caught in a rapid and spiraling current of Justice with no help from authorities. This admonition is to remind both Soldiers and Police of the incident associated with Mobilla saga. Never trust the Politician.

Beginning from the useful experiences of history we have an opportunity to keep away from what have been shed for in blood. Many a soldier or police delude themselves to have protection. As Service personnel we must understand it is not the blood of soldiers or the police that has paid the price for tyrants to cling to power. It is the blood of the innocents; it was paid for with the blood of those loyal to the tyrants.

Tyrants, like Nkrumah, Afrifa, Kutu Acheampong, Akuffo, and Rawlings have all paid for the lessons of history and must be our hope never to be repeated here in Ghana. You look at the Arab Spring; you have to wonder how this could have happened. A major part of it was the police and military going along with the social class agenda thinking they were all safe. History tells a different account.

Whoever thought Laurent Gbagbo would ever become tyrannical. If one follows the events of Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and currently ongoing events in Syria, the need to learn from history is self-evident. I do not want to see my fellow citizens being stripped naked in a military barracks or the police camp to have a bullet put in the back of the head. I do not want to see mass graves or the rounding up of innocent people to be sent to the firing squad. The kind of success of this type of tyranny is dependent heavily on the Military and Police going along with the Tyrants. Devoid of us following orders, these tyrants would not have the power.

Gbagbo and his cronies, Ghadhafi held families of the Military at gunpoint hostage with the threat of execution of their families if they did not carry out these morally wrong orders. The truth is the families all the same were executed along with the soldiers once they used them for their evil purposes. Many soldiers are made scapegoats for carrying both covert and overt duties for the Tyrants only to suffer for carrying out orders. Any soldier who feels threatened; this is what I say get your families off the base and out of the neighboring town completely out of the base. Please send your spouse and children back native land away from these loyal followers of Tyrants. Do not let the tyrants use the families of the military for their evil deeds to murder people.

Many Peace Officers appreciate importance of their oath of office and will defend freedom; however, many also fail to understand the truth of defending what is right. They know very well getting into a deal with the mischievous sprite does not make them safe. It does not give them any assurance of safeguard whatsoever of being in Alliance with National Security Apparatus. This is why I say to the Military and Police; think twice before joining the dark side. It is not safe, they are better off doing what is right than just proceeding by the side of the Politician whiles getting along under false protection.

In support of those Military Commanders and Police chiefs who pay no attention to the plea of citizen to follow the Constitution and protect the people from Tyrants out there at the Presidency and the NDC, they must rethink. If these politicians think, they have a deal with Bureau of National Investigation. If they think, they are the special ones and being the willing sitting duck to go along with the tyranny. Here is what happens. Reaching a concurrence with the mischievous sprite is no deal at all. The mischievous sprite lies and deceives to get what he wants. As soon as he is over and done with using them he will get rid of them with another group of henchmen to take their place.

The duration of the Red Terror under Stalin, Lenin and Trotsky, millions of people were murdered. Also, during the ?Days of 31st December Revolution? hundreds were murdered or got missing. Officers and Men used during the early days of 31st December Revolution were dispensed of on the altar of accountability and probity. No Soldier or Police is safe. You will see no one was safe under the Red Terror. Police Chiefs and the officers who went along with the Soviet Communist system where exterminated along with the downtrodden. A number of proficient professional Military and Police Officers were gotten rid off from their job, were replaced by people with criminal background or suspicious characters within the both the Military and Police under the PDC and ACDR concept. Most of these henchmen were bloodthirsty rampaging throughout all Ghana with utter impunity.

FIRST BANK’S SHARES BECOME TOAST OF INVESTORS, AS Q1 PROFIT DOUBLES

Following the impressive performance of First Bank Nigeria Plc in the first quarter 2012 and full year result of 2011 recently released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the bank’s shares have continued to be the toast of investors in the stock market.

First Bank’s profit doubled, while revenue jumped  by 42 per cent in its first quarter financial year ended March 31, 2012.

This is coming after the bank recorded a significant growth in its performance indicators for the full financial year ended December 31, 2011

A review of the bank’s performance on the stock market  show that its shares gained 14.2 per cent from N9.72 per share on17th April 2012 to close at N11.10 per share at the end of trading on Thursday, May 10, 2012.

Specifically, on April 17, 2012 when the bank released its full year audited result to the market, the market value of the stock rose by 4.97 per cent to close at N9.72. Also at the end of market transactions on May 3, 2012, the bank’s stock rose to N10.99 pr share, a whopping 18.68 per cent increase.

While commenting on the performance of First Bank, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology of the NSE, Mr. Adeolu Bajomo said, “The market has continued to respond positively to First Bank’s stock with added interest developing as its first quarter interim report was released on May 2 2012 with gross earnings having risen by 42.5 per cent in the first three months of the ongoing accounting year. This is an indication that investors of the bank will have cause to smile at the end of the current accounting period.”

Bajomo, commended the management of First Bank for building an institution which over the years, has purposefully transformed into a national pride.

A cursory review of the performance shows that First Bank’s profit doubled, while revenue jumped up by 42 per cent in its first quarter financial year ended March 31, 2012.

This is coming after the bank recorded a significant growth in its performance indicators for the full financial year ended December 31, 2011.

The first quarter result made available by the NSE showed that the bank’s net income rose to N24.5 billion for the three months through March from N12.2 billion in the corresponding period 2011.

It will be recalled that First Bank, which in October 2011 agreed to buy Congo’s Banque Internationale de Credit, is looking to acquire another lender this year in West Africa, Chief Financial Officer, Adebayo Adelabu  has said.

The bank, as gathered is planning to add 120 branches in Nigeria to make a total of 750 branches.
Other performance indicators shows that Bank’s loans and advances increased 12 per cent to N1.89 trillion , compared with a year earlier.  Its deposits climbed 8 per cent to N2.29 trillion.

Meanwhile, it will be recalled that the bank in its full year result ended December 31, 2011, recorded 27.6 per cent growth in gross earnings to N296.3 billion from  N232.1 billion in the corresponding period of 2010.

Operating income grew by 45.6 per cent to N259.2 billion in 2011, from N178.1billion in 2010. It also recorded 92.9 per cent growth in profit before tax and exceptional item to N65.6 billion as against N34 billion in the corresponding period of 2010.

Profit before tax grew by 48.2 per cent to N50.1 billion from N33.8 billion in 2010. Other performance indicators show strong improvement in cost to income ratio to 56.8 per cent from 67.0 per cent in 2010, while 55.1 per cent ratio recorded in the Bank from 65.8 per cent in 2010. Provision for losses of N44.8 billion was recorded in 2011, as against N21.6 billion in 2010, of which loan loss provision was N32.9 billion as against N22.4 billion in 2010.

Zenith Bank pre-tax profit grows to N75.22 billion

Gross earnings rise to N229.16 billion

Zenith Bank‘s profit before tax in the first nine months (January to September) rose 41.59 per cent to N75.22 billion, up from N53.13 billion in the same period last year.

Gross earnings rose to N229.16 billion, compared with N183.06 billiona year ago, Zenith Bank said in a statement on Monday.

“Given the available micro-economic indices, we are very confident that we will be able to sustain this strong performance and growth trend into the fourth quarter of the year,” Zenith Bank‘s chief executive, Godwin Emefiele, said.

Zenith stock traded at 18.36 naira on the Nigeria exchange, up 0.88 percent over the previous day’s closing price.

Google Reports A $14.42 Billion In Revenues For 2012

Google’s reported fourth quarter revenues of $14.42 billion, up by 36 percent on the same quarter last year – and bringing annual revenues up to over $50 billion for the first time.

Excluding traffic-acquisition costs, the company saw net revenue of $9.83 billion, up from $8.13 billion last year. The results exceed analysts’ expectations, with a recent poll by Reuters revealing an average forecast of $9.6 billion.

“We ended 2012 with a strong quarter. Revenues were up 36 percent year-on-year, and eight percent quarter-on-quarter. And we hit $50 billion in revenues for the first time last year – not a bad achievement in just a decade and a half,” says CEO Larry Page.
“In today’s multi-screen world we face tremendous opportunities as a technology company focused on user benefit. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be at Google.”

On the advertising front, cost-per-click was up two percent on the previous quarter, but down six percent on the previous year. The fall is related largely to the fact that many consumers are using mobile devices for search, where Google’s ad rates are lower.

Aggregate paid clicks, which cover clicks related to ads served on Google sites and on the sites of partners, were up by 24 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, and up nine percent over the third quarter of 2012.

Overall, advertising revenue was up by 19 percent, compared with a rise of 25 percent a year ago. The company’s own sites accounted for two thirds of this, generating revenues of $8.64 billion for the quarter. Partner sites brought in $3.44 billion, up 19 percent on a year ago.

Motorola Mobility continues to cause problems for Google, reporting an operating loss of $353 million during the quarter. However, as the company points out, it’s early days yet for the unit, which was only formally acquired by Google six months ago.

The company sold Motorola Home to Arris last month, and says its revenues would have been as high as $15.24 billion if the unit had been included

Odu’a rewards outstanding staff members

IN its strategic bid to reward excellence, long commitment and valued service to the company, Odu’a Investment Company Limited recently rewarded its long serving staff members and the best staff of the year 2012.
The event took place on Friday, January 18, 2013 at the company’s New Year and Long Service award party at Lafia Hall, Lafia Hotel, Apata, Ibadan.
The ceremony attracted personalities including the Chairman of the company, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, the Group Managing Director, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, directors on the board of ODU’A, friends and families of staff, who thronged the venue of the event to celebrate the faithfulness of God over the company and staff in Year 2012 and also honoured the best staff of the year and the eight staff members, who have meritoriously and selflessly served the company between 10-20 years.
The Best staff of the Year 2012 was  Mrs Bamidele Deborah Temilola, personal secretary to the General Manager (Human Resources), 1st runner up prize went to Mr. Tope Popoola, Subsidiary Control manager and 2nd runner up goes to Mr. Niyi Ogunba, a technician with the company.
Long service awardees include, Mr. Victor Ayetoro, Corporate Affairs manager, Mrs Akinsanya Bolanle, manager, Investment, Mr. Olaniyan Rasaki, manager, Audit, and Mrs Odukogbe Taiwo, asst. manager, Insurance for 10 years category.
Those in the 15 years category are, Mr. Olusoji Sangobiyi, manager, Research & Planning and Mrs Owoeye Alaba, personal secretary to general manager (Business Development).  The award for 20 years category went to Mr. Abimbola Ilori, general manager (Human Resources) and Mrs Osundeyi Taiwo, audit assistant.
The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, while congratulating the awardees stated that the company is rewarding long serving staff members and the Best staff of the year 2012 in keeping with the company’s corporate policy of rewarding excellence and outstanding achievements.
“At ODU’A, we are committed to identifying and rewarding excellence and dedication to assigned duties.
This staff members’ long service to the company and the best staff commitments are upbeat and exemplify our ardent support for value creation and outstanding achievements.
“We have rolled out drums today to honour them, as well as, appreciate all the staff for their commitments in their different duties all through the year,”

NSE’s market capitalisation hits N10 trillion mark, appreciates by N148 billion

THE market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange hit N10 trillion mark yesterday, occasioned by heavy price gains recorded by major blue-chip stocks, especially Unity Bank and Julius Berger.

NSE’s market capitalisation hits N10 trillion mark, appreciates by N148 billion

THE market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange hit N10 trillion mark yesterday, occasioned by heavy price gains recorded by major blue-chip stocks, especially Unity Bank and Julius Berger.

FG Begins Concessioning Of Onitsha Ports In 2 Weeks

FOUR months after commissioning the project, the Federal Government, through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), is to begin the process of concessioning the Onitsha River Port to a private individual in the next two weeks.
The N2.7billion Inland River Port in Oguta, Imo State will also be completed by March 2014.

The project, which was awarded to Scott Amede Engineering and Power Supply Ltd in partnership with Zhunhai Minghong Group Company Ltd in 2009, was originally scheduled for completion in March this year.
It was gathered at the weekend that, of the N2.7 billion value of the contract, the sum of N1.8bilion had been paid to the contractor.
Speaking when the National Good Governance Tour Team visited the port Complex in Onitsha, General Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Mike Dike, said contract for the rehabilitation of the port and supply/installation of Cargo handling equipment was awarded to Inter-Bau Construction Ltd in 2009 at the cost of N4.7billion, adding that the project was completed in March 2012 and commissioned by the President in September.
He observed that the President gave a directive that the port be concessioned. According to him, the concessioning process is in line with a “business study” that was sponsored by the World Bank. He noted that the satisfactory study was completed and submitted last month, saying that advertisement for the concessioning process would be due in two weeks time.
In his response, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said the first attempt to open up the nation’s waterways started in 1953 but was implemented under the late President Umar Yar’adua in 2009 with the dredging of the
Lower Niger, which has been completed.
The Minister noted that government has awarded the contract for consultancy services for the dredging of River Benue and is awaiting the report.
He observed that construction of the ports would open up economic activities in host communities as well as reduce pressure on the roads.
...To Revamp Lower Anambra Irrigation Project To Boost Rice Production

The Federal Government is to complete the rehabilitation of the deteriorated Lower Anambra irrigation project, which was established in 1981.
Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who stated this at the weekend when he led the National Good Governance Team on a visit to the project site in Omor, Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State, said it had become necessary for government to revamp the project and hand it over to the private sector.
Maku observed that the Federal Government had created synergy with the private sector to achieve self sufficiency in rice production by 2015, which gave rise to the renewed momentum to harness the full potential of the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project.
He said, “”What the government is doing now is to prepare this project site for investment.  I am sure that Anambra State alone can give Nigeria sufficient rice for domestic consumption and export,” he stated.
The Minister sadly noted that the irrigation project, which was established in 1981, was run down due to lack of maintenance, a situation he attributed to government’s characteristic inefficiency in handling such projects. According to him, under the new Agriculture policy, the private sector would take the lead in production to guarantee food security. He noted that the project, if handled by government agencies, would not achieve its desired goals.
“If we revive this agricultural project now and hand it over to the government to run, I can be very sure that, in another five years, we would come back and find the same problem,” he said.
He admitted that successive governments were unable to deliver on agriculture because they were based on the ideology that government should run agriculture to produce rice and sell in the market, the same reason many government agencies failed.
“If it was private farmers that had this opportunity, I am sure that the project would never have failed. It has not failed in other countries, but it failed here because of our attitude, in the public service particularly. This is the same reason the railway system failed, NITEL failed, Nigeria Airways and several other agencies… because government and public service was unable to run them…,” he said.
Managing Director of the project, Mr. Onu Eletuk, said that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources in 2005 commenced the rehabilitation of the project, but that work has not been completed due to inadequate release of funds.
According to him, the irrigation project, which was taking 20 cubic metres of water per minute from the Anambra River, suffered setback due to lack of maintenance from successive governments. This led to total collapse of the project.

Fayemi warns against erection of structures on waterways

THE Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has warned owners of landed property built without regards to laws guiding erection of structures in waterlogged areas to either obey the law or face its consequences.
He gave the warning in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise; saying that “it is very worrisome that people build houses along waterways without bearing in mind the potential danger of flooding that usually accompany the rainy season in water-prone areas.”
Fayemi said though the consequences of building in the wrong area would be borne by the people, government would not shirk in upholding the standard set by the law for structures in waterlogged areas.
He added that the Department of Development Control in the Ministry of Physical Planning had a lot to do in ensuring that people get proper approval to build houses or stalls, aside from getting their Certificates of Occupancy.
On the ongoing channelisation projects across the state capital, the governor stated that government had embarked on going on an extensive channelisation of 7000 meter- long NTA- Ureje waterway so as to protect citizens against all forms of loss that may be occasioned by flooding.
Fayemi expressed satisfaction at the ongoing dredging and channelisation of the waterways along Mercy Island and Embassy Island in Ado Ekiti; saying that his administration would continue to provide a safe environment for citizens.
Meanwhile, the governor has apprehended two middle-aged men who were caught in illegal timber lumbering on Saturday.
The two men: Olalekan Ogunleye and Ibrahim Osasona who are now cooling their feet at the Okesha Area Command of the Nigeria Police were caught at Adere Phase Two where they were loading timber without the stamp of the Forestry department.
On people’s compliance to the Sanitation Exercise, Fayemi expressed joy that the people had dutifully trooped out to keep their surroundings clean.
At Adere Phase Two, members of the community trooped out to meet the governor and commended him for the various projects implemented in the community.
The Chairman of the community’s Landlord Association, Dr. Olawale Sulaimon who spoke on behalf of the community lauded the Fayemi-led administration for embarking on the channelisation project, construction of five-kilometre road and the provision of an electric transformer to boost power supply in the area.
Sulaimon, a lecturer at Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti said the gesture had proved that the present administration, was indeed, people-oriented.

Nigeria probes banknote graft

Lagos - Nigeria's anti-graft agency said Friday the former head of the country's central bank had been questioned over a probe into alleged bribery related to a printing contract for banknotes.

The investigation centres on a contract for Securency, a note-printing firm partly owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Allegations have surfaced in Australia of corruption in various countries involving Securency and another RBA subsidiary, Note Printing Australia.

“We had Professor Charles Soludo in our custody yesterday. He was asked to explain his role in the award of contract for the printing of banknotes while in office,” Economic and Financial Crimes Commission spokesman Wilson Uwujaren told AFP.

He said the agency was probing allegations that Securency bribed top Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials to win the contract to print polymer notes between 2006 and 2008.

Uwujaren said Soludo, who was CBN governor from May 2004 to May 2009, was assisting the commission in the investigations and had been asked to report on Friday for further questioning.

After leaving the central bank, Soludo became the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for governor of his southeastern Anambra state in February 2010, but lost the vote. - AFP

 

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Obama criticized for white male cabinet

leadership posts in his second administration.
President Barack Obama on Thursday named Jack Lew as his Treasury secretary, the fourth white male he has named to the most prized cabinet posts in recent weeks.
Lew’s nomination follows Obama’s pick of Senator John Kerry to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. He has also named former Senator Chuck Hagel to be defense Secretary and John Brennan to head the Central Intelligence Agency.
Against this, he lost the first Hispanic woman in the cabinet when Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced her resignation on Wednesday. And last month Lisa Jackson, who is black, announced she was stepping down as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“It’s embarrassing as hell,” New York Democrat Charles Rangel, one of the most senior black members of Congress, said of the Obama appointments.
New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, whose state has the only all-female delegation in Congress, described the appointments as “disappointing.”
“We need a government that looks like America so we can address the concerns that we hear from across the spectrum,” she said.
Republicans joined in the criticism with former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee accusing Obama of waging a “war on women,” using the same words Democrats coined to criticize Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney during the election campaign last year.
“Now a lot of those females who supported Barack Obama are scratching their heads, and they’re saying, ‘Whoa! How come there is so much testosterone in the Obama Cabinet and so little estrogen?’” the former Arkansas governor said on his radio show.
Obama beat Romney 55 percent to 43 percent among women, according to Reuters/Ipsos exit polling on Election Day. He also won large majorities of the African-American and Hispanic vote.

Election of PDP BoT Chairman Inconclusive

It turned out to be an anti-climax as Nigeria’s ruling party the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) failed to elect the chairman of its Board of Trustee (BoT).
The election was expected to see to the election of a new chairman nine months after former President Olusegun Obasanjo resigned as the party’s BoT Chairman.
Although the former president was absent from the meeting, it was well attended by other members led by the President Goodluck Jonathan and other heavy weights in the PDP but they failed to elect a new leader.
After hours of horse trading and negotiations, the party leaders agreed to set up a six-man committee to properly align the membership of its board of trustees with its relevant constitutional provisions in order to enhance the legitimacy of the outcome of the eventual election of a new BoT chairman.
Briefing journalists after the meeting of the BoT which failed to elect the next chairman of the board, a former national secretary of the party and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada; Chief Ojo Maduekwe said the decision has become necessary for the party to continue to reinvent, remain united and forward looking in the best interest of Nigerians.
The six-man special committee is made up of Prof. Jerry Gana as chairman, Dr Shetima Mustafa, Governor Ibrahim Shema, Senator Stella Omu, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and Chief Bode George.
The committee has three weeks to submit its report.
The party’s board of trustees is meant to reconvene next month on the same matter as they say the meeting was for housekeeping purposes.

Homosexuality: Nigerian Anglican Church threatens to breakaway

Abuja - The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has threatened to breakaway from the Church of England over the Church's decision to elevate gay priests to bishops, Vanguard reports.

The Church of England had announced that it would allow gay clergy to become bishops if they promise to be celibate.

The decision has been condemned by Conservative evangelical Anglicans.

Uniben unveils possible cure for HIV/AIDS

Ibeh, who is the Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences of the university, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the herbal drug had undergone ``series of successful tests''. ``We are at the threshold of making history, in the sense that we seem to have with us something that will permanently take care of what over time seems to have defied all solutions.

``We are talking about the latest discovery of an oral drug made from plants extraction in Nigeria for the possible cure of the pandemic, HIV and AIDS virus.’’

According to him, research on the project was started in 2010 and culminated in the development of ``Deconcotion X (DX)–Liquid or Bioclean 11 for the cure of HIV and AIDS''.

``The existing retroviral drugs are intervention drugs for the management of AIDS but our new discovery is a possible cure.

``We have tried to look at the product first; its toxicological analysis and discovered that it has a large safety margin. ``This means that if animals or human beings are exposed to it, they will not suffer any serious harm at all from the exposure.

``It also helped us to know the quantity we can conveniently give to animals and will feel secure that nothing untoward will happen.

``We have also done the bacteriological analysis on it, after which we looked at its effect on the virus and the result was quite revealing and refreshing.''

Ibeh also said that the drug had been exposed to series of medical examination both in Nigeria and in the USA. He added that the drug had performed well on patients with the HIV virus and had shown evidence of total restoration of damaged tissues.

JTF impounds 700 illegal oil vessels

Port Harcourt - The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta said on Thursday it impounded 700 boats, badges, vessels and trucks in nearly 3 000 operations in the area.

Brig.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Commander of the 2 Brigade and Sector Two of the JTF, disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Buratai said the vessels, boats, badges and trucks were impounded because they were freighting illegally refined petroleum products to unknown destinations in the area.

He said the impounded vessels and arrested suspects had been handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution.

The commander said JTF succeeded in the operation because of the complementary efforts of other security agencies operating in the area.

“In the past 11 months, the JTF has carried out close to 3 000 operations and impounded and destroyed close to 700 boats, badges, vessels and trucks involved in various acts of oil theft.

“We have joined hands with the various security agencies in Rivers and Bayelsa states to rid the states of criminals.

“Our anti-kidnap operations have been very successful; we have arrested a number of criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers and arms and ammunitions have been recovered; the rate of armed robbery and kidnapping has drastically reduced.

“Security is very important; without security, development will be hampered and the JTF sector Two and Two brigade is up to the task and will continue to maintain the required security.

“I call on the general public to continue to give us timely information to enable us to continue the fight against these vices so that normal activities of law abiding citizens will be protected.”

Buratai said the task force had intensified its efforts to stop oil theft, kidnapping and sundry crimes in the region.

JTF destroys illicit drugs in Yobe

Yobe - The Joint Task Force (JTF) on security in Yobe on Thursday destroyed assorted illicit drugs seized during anti-terrorism operations in Damaturu and Potiskum. Lt. Eli Lazarus, the spokesman of the force, told newsmen in Damaturu that the JTF found it necessary to carry out public destruction of the drugs.

Lazarus said this was "because most of the youth involved in terrorism do so under the influence of these illicit drugs and substances". The spokesman urged parents to monitor their wards and ensure that they did not associate with persons of questionable character.

Lazarus said the force had begun public awareness campaign on the need to contribute towards ensuring peace and security in the state. "The fight against the menace of terrorism is a collective responsibility and people should volunteer to provide the JTF with relevant information.

"You should also endeavour to report strange and suspicious persons or movements in your nieghbourhood to security operatives. "You should not rent out facilities, including houses and shops, to people you do not know,” he said.

Lazarus advised members of the public to avoid harbouring persons whose background was unknown. He warned members of the public against boarding vehicles along highways and to always subject themselves for search at security check points.

Fashola Demands Relocation Of Tank Farms From Apapa

 

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has demanded that all the industrial facilities within the Apapa port axis be moved to the Lagos Free Trade Zone.
According to the state governor, the situation where industries have encroached into residential areas is no longer an acceptable practice for people living in those places.
He made this known when he visited the fuel tanker that caught fire after an explosion at the Tin Can Island port on Wednesday.
“Government must understand that its business is the welfare of its people and it cannot deliver that by amateurish standard. This place was not designed for fuel discharge, but they have converted it for that with all sorts of permits given by regulatory agencies, DPR, PPMC” he stated.
“I think that agencies of the Federal Government must step up their safety compliance levels, everybody must do his/her job and that is short term. The long term is to relocate all these facilities away from residential areas. Lagos state is ready to provide these facilities.”
Fashola urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the Oil and Gas Section at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in its relocation plan.

Oshiomhole Vs Airhiavbere: Tribunal Closes Hearing, Judgement Awaited

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin yesterday concluded hearing in a petition by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.), against the re-election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14, 2012, state governorship poll.
Airhiavbere had approached the tribunal to challenge Oshiomhole’s eligibility to contest the election, just as he alleged election irregularities.
Tribunal head, Justice Muazu Pindiga, after submission of adoption of written addresses by parties to the case, including lead counsel to the petitioner, Chief Efe Akpofure (SAN), counsel to 1st respondent (Governor Oshiomhole), Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) and Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, (for 3rd to 5th respondent), reserved ruling for a later.
“Case has closed, judgement date will be communicated to all parties in due course,” said the tribunal chairman.
Meanwhile the supreme Court sitting in Abuja will today rule on the application of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole brought by his counsels challenging the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Benin ordering the Election Tribunal to open hearing on the qualification of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole which had earlier been thrown out by Justice Suleiman Ambursa.