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PTDF 2011 / 2012 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS)

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 4 comments

in Education News

Development Fund () Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) has earned quite a reputation over the years. The programme is designed to meet the long-term capacity requirements of the oil and gas industry through training of young Nigerians in related fields of Engineering, Geological Sciences, Environmental and Energy Studies both at the master’s and doctoral levels. Beneficiaries are expected to fit directly into the oil and gas industry and/or the academia and contribute meaningfully to development of the sector. Sponsorship under the OSS is for Master’s and Doctoral Degree programmes in UK universities

2011/2012 PTDF SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME In pursuit of its mandate the PTDF is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for its MSc and PhD Scholarships as well as Undergraduate, under the PTDF scholarship scheme. Scholarships will be awarded for studies in areas listed below, in the United Kingdom and upgraded Universities in Nigeria for the 2011/2012 session. However, the undergraduate level will be awarded for studies in Nigeria only.

Application forms can be accessed online using an ATM card or through purchase of a scratch card from designated major branches of First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Skye Bank Plc in all state capitals and FCT, upon the payment of a NON-REFUNDABLE sum of N1,000 (One Thousand Naira Only). Instructions on how to access the form online is clearly stated on the backside of the cards.

PTDF however wishes to inform all its esteemed applicants that its Overseas Scholarship Scheme was instituted as a short term measure to address identified skills gaps, pending the outcome of the various capacity building efforts being made to enable our domestic universities effectively handle the onerous task of grooming qualitative professionals in the oil and gas related disciplines. With the numerous upgrade programmes executed by the Fund in some Federal Universities in Nigeria, the Fund intends to shift emphasis to training Nigerians in-country from next session. Consequently, only a limited number of candidates will be sponsored overseas and the rest in Nigerian Universities listed below.

LIST OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES:
African University of Science and Technology – Petroleum Eng
Institute of Petroleum Studies, Port Harcourt
University of Port Harcourt- Gas Eng
University of Ibadan- Petroleum Eng
University of Nigeria Nsukka- Geology
University of Benin- Renewable Energy
University of Jos- Mining & Geology
University of Maiduguri – Geology
Ahmadu Bello University – Chemical Eng
Usman Dan Fodio University – Industrial Chemistry
Federal University of Technology, Owerri – Applied Chemistry
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife – Geology
University of Calabar – Applied Chemistry
University of Uyo – Chemical & Petroleum Eng
Bayero University Kano – Electrical Eng
Federal University of Technology, Minna – Chemical Eng
University of Ilorin – Geology & Mineral Science

Applicants are hereby advised to note that only those who meet the requirements below shall be shortlisted and invited for Electronic Aptitude Test for Undergraduate and MSc, while oral interview will be conducted for PhD applicants on dates to be announced later.After the aptitude tests and interviews, the best qualified candidates will be selected and awarded PTDF Scholarships. PLEASE NOTE THAT UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS MUST BE IN THEIR 2ND YEAR IN ANY OF THE LISTED NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES, WHILE THE POSSESSION OF A VALID UNIVERSITY ADMISSION LETTER IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL PHD APPLICANTS. PTDF will assist successful MSc candidates in securing admission into suitable Universities (within and outside Nigeria) BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. UNDER GRADUATE (Nigeria Only)
Possession of 5 credits in WAEC/SSCE/NECO including English Language and Mathematics
Must have concluded the 1st year of their study in any of the PTDF upgraded Federal Universities listed above.
Must have scored a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on scale of 5 or 4.5 on a scale of 7 in their 1st Year.
Must scan and attach a copy of their admission letter
Students admitted into the University through Direct Entry i.e. 200 level must have either of the following:
Minimum f Upper Credit at the Diploma level
Minimum of 10 points in interim Joint Matriculation Board (I.J.M.B) examination.
Minimum of 8 points at the Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (G.C.E).

B. MSc (Nigeria and Overseas)
A minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) in an Oil and Gas related field OR a 2.2 with oil and gas industry experience
National Youth Service (NYSC) certificate
Applicants must be computer literate
Possession of O/level or credit in English language in WAEC,GCE and SSCE and
Applicants must not be above 35 years of ageApplicants without credit in English language as in (4) above but possess any of the following may apply
Test of English language as a foreign language (TOEFL)
G.R.E ( Graduate Record Examination)
GMAT –for Management related courses
International English Language Testing system (IEL TS) Applicants are advised to scan copies of the following documents and attach to their online application forms:
First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result
NYSC discharge certificate
WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO Results or provide PIN numbers on their application forms to enable PTDF view on the relevant authority’s website; and
Recent Passport Photograph

C. PhD (Nigeria and Overseas)
Applicants must be in the academics teaching oil and gas related discipline;
Applicants must possess minimum of 2.2 on first degree and a good second degree certificate;
Applicants must submit a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (of not more than 5 pages) to include: Topic, introduction, objective, methodology and mode of data collection;
Applicants must include valid admission letter;
Applicants must not be over 40 years of age; and;
Applicants must include their masters degree project

LIST OF APPROVED COURSES FOR SPONSORSHIP
Applied Instrumentation and Control
Asset Engineering
Basin Evolution and Dynamics
Bio fuels Development
Computing
Diving and Underwater Technology
Energy Systems Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Remote Sensing
Fire & Explosion Engineering
Gas Engineering and Management
Gas Pipeline Economics & Engineering
Health Safety and Environment
Marine Computational Fluid Dynamics
Maritime Operations
Naval Architecture & ocean Engineering
Occupational Health & Safety
Occupational Health and Safety
Offshore and Ocean Technology
Offshore Engineering
Petroleum , Gas & Energy Engineering
Petroleum Downstream Technology
Pipeline Engineering
Power Plant Engineering
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Refinery Design and Operations
Remote sensing and computing
Safety Engineering and Risk Management
Subsea Engineering
Thermal Power (Gas Turbine Option)
Welding Engineering
B. PhD PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS The PhD research areas in addition to the afore-listed MSc program areas may also include any of the following related areas:
Environmental Studies and HSE (Health, Safety and Environment).
Marginal Fields Development.
Flow Assurance and Pipeline Engineering.
Geology and Petroleum Geology.
Civil and Marine Engineering.
Renewable Energy.
Reservoir Engineering/Production Technology.
Refining Technology.
Ship Building & Marine Technology.

PLEASE NOTE THAT:
RECIPIENTS OF A SIMILAR SCHOLARSHIP NEED NOT APPLY
CANDIDATES WHO ATTAIN THE HIGHEST SCORES MAY BE PLACED IN UK UNIVERSITIES OVER OTHERS WHO PERFORM LESS.
CANDIDATES WHO ALREADY POSSESS A MASTER’S DEGREE SHOULD NOT APPLY FOR MSC PROGRAMME, BUT ARE QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR THE PHD.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 31 JANUARY 2011.

Signed Management

CLICK HERE OR HERE to Apply

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Federal University Of Technology, Yola Admission List 2010 / 2011

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 0 comments

in Education News

Federal University of Technology, Yola has released its 2010/2011 . Candidates for admission into the university can now check their admission status by following the instructions below:
Procedure
1. Visit the FUT Yola admission checking portal, click here
2. Select the admission type
3. Enter the required details, then check your status.

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Jonathan to engage Atiku in presidential debate

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 1 comment

in Featured Headline News, Politics

President has accepted to engage his main opponent for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in a political debate.

Though he said this must be done at the instance of the party, he said he expected that the party’s flag bearer and other candidates will debate on issues based on manifestos rather than challenging each other as if to a wrestling competition.

Mr. Jonathan’s 2011 political ambition took a step forward when he was yesterday unanimously endorsed by South-South delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention during a meeting between the president and the south-south delegates in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

The delegates from the six states of the region openly endorsed the Jonathan/Sambo ticket as the best ticket. While thanking delegates for their support, Mr. Jonathan said he was ready to take up the challenge of his main opponent whenever the party deems it fit for them to meet.

“I am waiting for the party to invite me for presidential debate,” he said.

The president also assured the people of the region that he will do his best not to let them down, noting that whatever he does while in office will rub off positively or negatively on the people from the south-south region.

He further noted that he will ensure that he does nothing that will jeorpardise the chances of others from the region in the nearest future.

“If I mess up, the people will reject us (zone) completely, and this is why I have to do everything possible to ensure that we do well as a government,” he said.

Working for progress

He reassured the people that come March next year, the country will enjoy relative power stability, as all the efforts put in by the administration should have yielded tons of fruits.

The president said after considering the other aspirants from the party, he is convinced that he and his vice president present the best that will lead the nation out of the woods.

“That is why our administration is assuring Nigerians that if given another four years, we would try and make the country better,” he said.

Mr. Jonathan, who had earlier met with the chairman of Rivers State traditional ruler, King TJT Princewill JP Amachree, Amanyanbo of Kalabari Kingdom, also reiterated his plan to send to the National Assembly a bill that will recognise the traditional institutions in the country.

This he said he will do early next year. He asked the traditional rulers to contribute towards the bill when the National Assembly commences public debate on the it.

The president, who also reacted on the Jos killings, said the situation is a national embarrassment, adding that terrorism has become a global plague which the government is working hard to tackle and make a thing of the past.

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Police find 15 AK-47 rifles in hotel room, arrest one

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 0 comments

in News

The police in Abuja on Thursday recovered 15 AK 47 rifles in an hotel room in Nyanya, one of the satellite towns bordering the Federal Capital Territory.

The raid on the hotel led to the arrest of an unnamed male suspect.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Nyanya – Karu, Mallam Aminu Garba, told religious and community leaders as well as hotel managers in Abuja that the arms cache was recovered by a detachment of policemen in the border town. The community serves as an entrance route to Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, the entire North-East and some parts of the South-South.

He stated that recent events had given the police and other security agents cause for concern, noting that this informed the enhanced security operations in the satellite towns. He stated that this led to the recovery of the rifles.

Garba said the meeting was informed by the activities of suspected terrorists in Jos and Maiduguri and the likelihood of a spill-over in the FCT. The police officer appealed to religious and community leaders to monitor the activities of their subjects and shun radical teachings that might cause problems in the society.

He said that he would henceforth hold religious and community leaders responsible for the breakdown of law and order in their areas.

“Security today is a collective responsibility of every citizen. Therefore, I call on you to give your maximum support to tackle the problem. I would want

us to collaborate to build a strong security apparatus for ourselves by providing information on the activities of criminals in our domain who hide under the canopy of religion or any other guise.

“It is sad that a few days ago, we raided a hotel in this our area and recovered about 15 AK 47 rifles and one suspect was arrested. I wish to appeal to hoteliers to put strong security measures in their hotel rooms in order to avoid this kind of situation,” Garba stated.

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Ex-Oceanic Bank CEO, Cecilia Ibru, moved to LUTH

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 0 comments

in Business News, Featured Headline News

INDICATIONS emerged on Thursday that the convicted former Chief Executive Officer of International Plc, Cecilia Ibru, had been moved from the Lagos highbrow private hospital, Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos.

A source had confided in our correspondent in Lagos that the ex- CEO had left Reddington Hospital for LUTH since November 2010, saying that the development was to enable her receive further treatment.

He said, “Madam Ibru has left Reddington Hospital for LUTH since November and she has been receiving treatment from the place.’

When asked about the motive of leaving Reddington, an hospital that has adequate medical facilities for LUTH, the source added that the question should be directed to the appropriate quarters. He also claimed that there was no need for the convict to seek further treatment abroad as she claimed that she would soon complete her prison terms.

The ex-CEO, who was said to be suffering from cardiac ailment, was sentenced to six months imprisonment by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu, on October 8 without an option of fine.

The development was sequel to the convict’s guilty plea for granting $20m and N2bn credit facilities above approved limit by the and her decision to enter into a plea bargaining with the Economic and Commission.

Though details of her movement to LUTH was sketchy as at press time, The PUNCH further gathered that Ibru would regain her freedom in February 2011.

The convict had earlier urged the court to transfer her from Reddington Hospital to LUTH for further treatment. She had also through her lawyer, Margaret Orakwusi, filed an application on October 29, asking the court to transfer her from Reddington to LUTH.

But the matter could not be heard on November 2, due to the absence of the lead lawyer to the prosecuting , Dr Kanyinsola Ajayi (SAN).

The EFCC had prosecuted the ex- CEO on a 25 –count charge of alleged financial crimes before the plea bargaining with the anti-graft agency and pleaded guilty to a reduced three –count charge

In his judgment, the CJ had convicted the ex-banker on the said three –count charge and directed the forfeiture of Ibru’s N191bn assets comprising 49 properties in Nigeria, United States and Dubai to the Federal Government’s agency, the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria.

When our correspondent visited the Reddington hospital on Sunday, a source who pleaded anonymity said that Ibru had been transferred from the hospital since October but refused to disclose which hospital she had been transferred to.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Chief Medical Director of the LUTH, Prof.Akin Osibogun, neither denied nor confirmed whether Ibru was receiving treatment in the hospital, saying that it was against the ethics of the medical profession for him to disclose whether she was a patient at the hospital or not.

”No comment. It is not right for me to disclose whether a patient is presently receiving treatment in the hospital or not. Everybody has the right to their privacy. As a rule I cannot say whether she is presently here or not,” Osibogun said.

The forfeited properties also included shares in over 100 firms that were listed and not listed in the Nigerian Sock Exchange.

The CJ added that the convict was sentenced to a six –month imprisonment on each of the three -count charge, saying that the terms would run concurrently. The development indicated that the ex-banker would only spend six months in Ikoyi Prison.

But the CJ had added a caveat when he directed the prison authorities to take the convict to Reddington Hospital for continuation of treatment, following a passionate appeal for leniency on the convict.

The CJ then said, “The convict is hereby convicted is hereby sentence to six months imprisonment on each of the three –count charge. The sentence is to run concurrently. In addition, all the assets set out in section VI of the settlement agreement are herby forfeited to AMCON.

“ The prison authorities shall not later than two hours of after receiving the convict into their custody , take the convict to Reddington Hospital from where she was brought to court to continue her treatment in the hospital until she is certified fit by the hospital authority to continue to serve her sentence in the prison.”

Ibru had surrendered herself to the EFCC on August 31, 2009 while Governor, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, removed her and other errant ex-CEOs on August 14, 2009.

The court had granted bail to the convict on September 4, 2009.

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Suspected Islamic militants kill eight in Borno

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, News, Politics

Maiduguri, the capital, was the scene of yet another bloodbath on Wednesday night as assailants believed to be members of a radical Islamic group killed eight people, including three policemen, in the city.

An army spokesman, Lt. Abubakar Abdullahi, told the Agence France Presse by telephone that the members of the group known as Boko Haram struck at five different locations in the city.

“Eight people, including three policemen were killed late Wednesday in five separate attacks by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that ”the policemen were killed in Ruwan Zafi district of Maiduguri in an attack on a police patrol team,” adding that many suspects had been arrested over the incidents.

Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Lawal Abdullahi, also confirmed that three policemen were killed in the attack.

Abdullahi said, ”We lost three men in a shoot out with suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram when its members launched an attack on one of our patrol vehicles and burnt it.

The policemen were outnumbered by the attackers.”

Another Islamic group, Jama’atu Alhlus Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, had claimed responsibility for the Christmas eve bombings in Jos, Plateau State and attacks on churches in Maiduguri.

Jama’atu Alhlus Sunnah Lidda’ Awati Wal Jihad, was also reported to have killed three people, including a police officer, in a hospital in the Borno State capital on Tuesday night.

In Jos, the , Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, said that a secondary school teacher in Barakin Ladi was being interrogated over the explosion on Tuesday.

Akano had said on Wednesday that the explosion occurred when the teacher was conducting an experiment during a class with his pupils at the Islamic Orientation School.

The teacher, who is in the custody of the police, was said to have been badly burnt on the face and hands.

Akano, who said that calm had returned to the state, appealed to the residents of Jos to remain law abiding and to cooperate with security agencies in their efforts to stem the violence in the city.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government will soon roll out a public security communications network to tackle the rising cases of violence in the country.

The network will be managed by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited in collaboration with security agencies in the country.

The Managing Director of NigComSat Limited, Mr. Ahmed Rufai, made this known at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday night.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government would embark on the construction of two new communications satellites as soon as the NigComSat-1(R) was completed.

NigComSat-1(R) is expected to provide the transmission backbone for the network as it is designed to be an all-Internet Protocol network.

It will also be used to backhaul Internet Protocol from United States and Europe into Nigeria to ensure there is national coverage everywhere at all times.

The satellite is the replacement for the first Nigerian Communications Satellite known as NigComSat-1 inaugurated in the orbit in May 2007. It however, developed a problem with its power supply system on November 8, 2008.

Following this, the firm that handled its construction, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, undertook to replace the satellite at no cost to the country.

Ahmed told journalists at the interactive session that “NigComSat Limited has been appointed by the Ministry of Finance to oversee the implementation of the public security communications network.”

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Eleweomo, Oyo NURTW factional boss Shot Dead

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, Politics

The Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress elections ordered by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) turned bloody yesterday, with the killing of the factional leader of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Salako (a.k.a Eleweomo).

Eleweomo, Oyo NURTW factional boss killed
…2 Senate Leader’s aides too
• 4 vehicles burnt, 10 others damaged
• Pandemonium in Ibadan
From YINKA FABOWALE AND GBENGA ADESUYI, Ibadan
Friday, December 31, 2010

Salako, said to be one of the party delegates from Ona-Ara Local Government area was shot dead during a fracas which erupted at the I.D.C Primary School, Ogbere-Olunloyo, on the outskirts of Ibadan venue of the local government congress expected to produce representatives to the state congress billed for today.

Salako who has been engaging Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo) in a running battle over the leadership of the NURTW died two days to his 58th birthday and house warming already slated for tomorrow.
Daily Sun learnt that policemen from Ogbere Police Station and some others deployed in the area recovered Salako’s corpse and deposited it at the Adeoyo General Hospital mortuary in the state capital.

Four vehicles were burnt, while another 10, including a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) said to officially belong to the Interim Chairman of the council, Mr. Tunde Olayiwola, were damaged while the rage lasted.
News of Salako’s death sparked off widespread violence between his followers and members of the rival group led by the state Chairman of the union, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a. Tokyo) at motor parks across Ibadan municipality. In Iwo Road and Olomi area, where the union has its secretariat, pandemonium broke out as the drivers clashed, using charms and dangerous weapons such as matchete, daggers, guns and cudgels.
By press time, however, police had moved in with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to restore normalcy to the two volatile spots.

Eye witnesses told Daily Sun that trouble started, when the convoy of the Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, who hails from the local government area was attacked by suspected political touts and thugs led by the late transporters union boss. The late Eleweomo was allegedly hit by bullets from the Senate Leader’s security aides, while trying to repel an attack on the lawmaker. But, Folarin, in a reaction made available to journalists said he was the main target of the hoodlums and could not be held responsible for the death of the unionist.

Before Folarin arrived at the scene, there had been a face-off between his supporters and loyalists of Governor Adebayo Alao Akala with the two groups singing abusive songs against their principals. The situation, however, degenerated as they hurled stones and other missiles at one another, leading to a forceful retreat of the Folarin group. Salako, sources said, was the arrowhead of the Alao Akala group.
Immediately after the group left, the congress was hurriedly conducted and the result announced to the glee of party leaders in the area loyal to the governor, including the interim chairman of the council, Olayiwola and a permanent member of the State Universal Basic Education Board [OYOSUBEB], Stella Sobowale, who described it as peaceful and the Folarin group as dissidents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] official, Toyin Oyedele, who observed the process also certified it as free and fair. Unknown to the celebrating party members, the dispersed Folarin’s supporters had gone to re-group. They allegedly stormed the venue of the congress in company with the Senate Leader and his official entourage. This led to a bloody conflict in which Salako was reportedly shot by a security detail who was trying to defend the Senate Leader.

In the ensuing melee, vehicles including two said to belong to the immediate past chairman of the local governmement, Oke Akeem Taiwo, now an aspirant to the House of Representatives of the Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal constituency were torched. A party member, Yetunde Olayiwola, who lost her car in the mayhem condemned Folarin, accusing him of leading the hoodlums, who burnt her vehicle and those of others.

She described the incident as appalling, saying that the future of democracy ‘’is at risk in this country. If a whole Senate Leader would descend so low as to be leading hoodlums to attack his own immediate constituency the way he did, what message are we sending to the younger generations’’. However, the Senate Leader, in a reaction, maintained that the attack on him and his supporters was premeditated. He said he had been reliably informed of a plot hatched to assassinate him during the ongoing congresses in the state.

His words: “On Wednesday, at the commencement of the ward congress, I learnt Eleweomo and his people in about 20 buses had stormed my ward 5, Idi Ose area of the local government. They were armed with guns, and on getting there, I enquired from supporters what the business of Eleweomo was. Shortly after, he (Eleweomo) went and stayed in one of the classrooms of the school with heavy smoke of marijuana coming from their end. But we were not perturbed.

“You journalists would recall that on the fateful Wednesday afternoon, I told you at Senator Lekan Balogun’s house what we saw in the hands of Eleweomo and his people, but you never reported it. I wondered why you did not carry it in your papers. Today again, he (Eleweomo) and his people in multifold of the Wednesday’s number had besieged the local government brandishing dangerous weapons, arms and ammunition. And immediately, I recalled privileged information from an Ibadan-based prominent supporter of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s camp of the party that I should tread softly during these congresses because a plan had been hatched to assassinate me. Then, this made me to call the , Baba Adisa Bolanta, to alert him to the presence of Eleweomo and his gun-totting hoodlums, who invaded the lawful assemblage of PDP congress.

“Noticing that the atmosphere was becoming more charged as Eleweomo and his team were surging towards where we were having the congress, I put a call again to the Commissioner of Police to inform him of the plans to disrupt the congress by the NURTW factional leader, but he replied that what he (CP) got from that end was contrary to what I told him. And this made me to call the Director of State Security Services (SSS), who then assured me that he would talk to the CP on the matter. Notwithstanding, I still made another call to the CP on the need to arrest the situation, but his Orderly picked my call and told me that the CP was not on seat.

“Ordinarily, because of the threat message I got two days earlier, I should not have gone to my constituency to partake in the ongoing exercise, but as a politician, at times you have to brave some odds, knowing full well that I had no sinister intention against anybody, why would anybody be after my life? So, I went there yesterday and today and alerted the CP more than five times of the happenings in my constituency. And as a peace lover, shortly after our congress, I left there with my people and on my way home, I got information that Eleweomo and his men clashed with some members of the outlawed Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) at the area.

Even my convoy was severally attacked on my way home and this resulted in the death of two of my supporters while I also learnt that two others had their arms chopped off. If I had wanted to attack Eleweomo and his people, I would have done so since Wednesday because I have my orderly and security aides in my convoy. But I never did so and I now wonder why anybody would now link the death of Eleweomo to me and my aides”.

The Senate Leader also added that the Caretaker Committee Chairman for the council, Alhaji Taofeek Olayiwola gave Elweomo and his people, undue backing, and at a stage, “I wondered whether they wanted to jointly appoint delegates for Alao-Akala.”

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Etisalat to buy Multi-Links Nigeria

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 31, 2010 · 0 comments

in Business News

South Africa’s Telkom is reportedly in talks with UAE based over the sale of its Nigerian CDMA network, Multi-Links. Telkom previously stated that it was looking to sell the Nigerian subsidiary, and already owns an existing GSM and 3G license in the country.

According to reports citing a report by the Communications Workers Union (CWU), an option to sell 80% of the company to Etisalat was initially rejected by Telkom, but that talks are still continuing.

According to company’s executive, in the interim, it is common knowledge to the entire company that Multi-Links acting Chief Executive and acting CSMO (chief officer) are involved in discussions with Etisalat regarding the merger/sale due to the absence of viability of the company. This absence of viability was totally created and is still being engineered by them.

Telkom SA brought a 75% stake in the Nigerian mobile network operator in 2007 for US$280 million, and took full ownership in 200 for US$130 million.

Multi-Links provide fixed, mobile, data and international communications services in Nigeria

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Police avert fresh bloodbath in Jos

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 29, 2010 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, News

Tension heightened in Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday as youths mobilised to protest the killings of two of their colleagues by soldiers .

At Jenta Mangoro area of the city where one of killings took place, the police averted a bloodbath by dispersing the youths. But in Gada Biu, where the second killing allegedly occurred, violence broke out but no casualties was recorded.

Gada Biu is the scene of the Christmas eve multiple bomb blasts in which scores of residents were killed and others injured.

The in charge of the state command, Mr. Abdulrahman Akano, confirmed the Jenta Mangoro incident.

He said the soldier that killed one of the youths was arrested but did not confirm whether he was a member of the Special Task Force in the city or not.

Akano said that he pleaded with the youths to disperse with a promise to unravel the identity of the soldier.

He said, “We have a soldier in our custody at the moment. I met a group of youths from the direction of Jenta Adamu, who said they were marching to the Government House because soldiers had killed some of them.

“The youths were out to exercise their fundamental human rights and what they complained about is the activities of soldiers in their area.

“I addressed them and pleaded with them to go back. I told them that their presence could worsen tension in the city. I told them I will convey their message to the government.”

One of the youths said the soldier who killed the youth grew up in Angul Jos and was presently serving in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“He suddenly emerged overnight in Jos and started killing people in Angul Jos. We knew when he enlisted into the army,” he said.

When contacted, the STF spokesman , Captain Charles Ekeocha, said he was not aware of the arrest of the soldier nor his identity.

But he said that there was a misunderstanding between a soldier and a youth in Gada Biu, which resulted in a commotion.

He said, “Our soldiers have been very cautious in their dealings with the public, but they should also refrain from acts of provocation.

“A situation where youths will set up a barricade almost close to a an army checkpoint is clearly an act of provocation and such action is putting the lives of soldiers at risk.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council has said that the crises in Jos are lingering because of the inability of successive governments to identify and punish their perpetrators.

It, therefore, urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Solomon Lar panel on the crises as a way of restoring peace to the city.

The Co-Chairmen of NIREC, Ahaji Muhammadu Sa’ad, and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, addressed journalists on the crises in Lagos on Tuesday.

Sa‘ad, who is also the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said, ”These seemingly unending killings and violence in Jos must stop, especially now that NIREC is building up a new culture of tolerance, peace and unity among religious adherents in the country.

”The council calls on the relevant authorities to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act and bring them to book without further delay. This will serve as a deterrent to others who might be planning any of such devilish things in the future.”

Sa’ad also reiterated his earlier position that the crises were being masterminded by politicians for “selfish interest.” He added that the involvement of Muslims and Christians in the crises also gave the problem a religious colouration.

”I stand by my opinion and I don‘t have to mention names. We will help the President to find a solution to the crises. I believe that when we sit down and talk, we will find a solution,” he said.

Oritsejafor, who is also the President of Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, said the problems in Jos had political and religious undertone.

He accused some politicians of instigating the crises in order to frustrate 2011 elections.

The NIREC co-chairman said, ”It is political but it has a very strong dose of religion. I believe there are politicians, who know the weakness of our people and who know how to manipulate them.

“In Maduguri, , a pastor and four elders of his church were killed. Also churches were burnt. It is difficult to separate religion from politics in the crises.”

Expressing concern that no one had been punished in the past for the crises, he advised the governments to send experts to the crises-prone areas of Jos to arrest those behind them.

He said, ”The moment someone is jailed we will see changes. People will then understand that they don‘t have the right to kill fellow human beings, burn down places of worship and think they can go scot-free. The government has the political will and they can do it.”

The group, which on Monday claimed responsibility for the attacks, Jama‘atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda‘Awati Wal Jihad, posted a video on its website on Tuesday.

In the video, its purported leader was shown reading from a text with a rifle beside him.

He said the group was falsely labeled Boko Haram and that it carried out the attacks in retaliation for acts of violence against Muslims in some parts of the country.

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Joseph Yobo Joins Siasia in US

by Nigerian Information Directory on December 29, 2010 · 0 comments

in Sports News

Super Eagles’ skipper, , has moved to the United States of America with his family to celebrate the New Year before reporting to Nigeria for the Nations Cup preparations next week.
The Eagles’ captain, who was recently in the United Kingdom to pick his wife and son, Junior, before returning to Turkey to prepare for the American trip, has had meaningful discussions with Coach Samson when he visited Turkey with his assistant, Simon Kalika.

Yobo pledged to Siasia on behalf of his other teammates that they would give the coach 100 per cent support for him to succeed as Eagles’ new coach.
The former Everton defender is already enjoying himself by visiting his family friends, who have been longing to see him in the US.

Yobo is excited about the trip, as he may use the opportunity to visit Siasia and his family during the New Year day, as both parties may book their return tickets back to Nigeria on the same day.
The former Marseille player, who left the UK aboard British Airways to America, had vowed to win a laurel for Eagles under Coach Siasia. The player said he was ready to sacrifice everything to see that Eagles triumph during his time as the national team skipper.
Yobo promised to mobilise his teammates to give their best to the team in all their endeavours.

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