US warns Western oil workers in Saudi of attacks

Western oil workers in Saudi Arabia risk being attacked or kidnapped by “terrorist” groups in the OPEC kingpin, the US embassy in Riyadh said in a warning posted online.
The US mission said it “has information stating that, as of early March, individuals associated with a terrorist organisation could be targeting Western oil workers, possibly to include those US citizens working for oil companies in the Eastern Province, for an attack(s) and/or kidnapping(s)”.
The statement, which was published on the embassy website late on Friday, did not identify the source of the threats and said no details were available on the planned attacks.
Saudi Arabia is taking part in US-led air strikes that began in September against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, raising concerns about possible retaliation.
Westerners in Saudi Arabia have come under attack four times since October.
The latest was last month when US defence contractor Vinnell Arabia said two of its American employees were shot at in Eastern Province, where most of the kingdom’s oil wealth is concentrated.
Saudi police said that one of them was wounded but results of the investigation that followed have not yet been revealed.
In October, another Vinnell employee was shot dead and another wounded at a petrol station in Riyadh, in what Saudi authorities have said was not a “terrorist-related” incident.
A Dane was wounded in November as he was driving away from his workplace when he was fired upon from another car.
Authorities said the three Saudis arrested on suspicion of involvement in that attack had acted “in support of” the Islamic State group.
A week after the Dane’s shooting, someone stabbed and wounded a Canadian while he shopped at a mall on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast.
“All US citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, and take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country,” said the US embassy, urging citizens to “carefully consider the risks of travelling to Saudi Arabia”.
Shiite-populated Eastern province is also the scene of unrest sparked by members of the minority who occasionally clash with police.
In January last year, gunmen attacked the car of two German diplomats, who escaped unharmed.
Saudi Arabia has also blamed IS-linked suspects for the November killing of seven members of the Shiite community in Eastern Province, including children.
Several Westerners in Saudi Arabia were killed in a wave of deadly Al-Qaeda attacks between 2003 and 2006

US soldier injured by gunfire in Iraq

A US Army soldier has been slightly wounded by gunfire at a base in Iraq where American troops are training their Iraqi counterparts, the Pentagon said Friday.

The incident marked the first time an American soldier was wounded on the battlefield in Iraq since US forces returned to the country last year to help troops take on the Islamic State group.

The soldier suffered a superficial “laceration” on his face from gunfire directed at a guard tower where he was on duty at Besmaya base, southeast of the capital Baghdad, spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters.

The wound may have been the result of a ricochet of a bullet off a concrete barrier, officials said.

The two US troops on the guard tower “returned fire” and the injured soldier was treated and returned to duty, Warren said.

After invading and occupying Iraq between 2003 to 2011, US troops withdrew but returned last year to help counter the IS militants.

About 2,600 US troops are advising and training Iraqi and Kurdish forces while American aircraft are carrying out daily air strikes against the IS group.

But President Barack Obama has ruled out sending American soldiers into direct combat against the IS jihadists.

Facebook buys shopping search engine, TheFind

Facebook waded further into e-commerce with the acquisition of shopping search engine TheFind.com.
“For the last nine years we’ve worked hard to bring you a shopping experience that’s easy, efficient and fun — searching all the stores on the web to find just the right products you’re looking to buy,” TheFind said in a message at its website.
“We are now starting our next chapter by combining forces with Facebook to do even more for consumers.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Members of TheFind team are joining Facebook, where they plan to put their technology to work making ads at the leading social network “more relevant,” according to the post.
The acquisition will result in TheFind.com shutting down in the next few weeks.
Facebook has been playing catch-up regarding searching for information at the social network and becoming a middle-man of sorts for online commerce.
“Together, we believe we can make the Facebook ads experience even more relevant and better for consumers,” the social network said in a statement.
TheFind — “Everything you need when shopping to quickly decide what to buy and where to buy it” — will shutter the Silicon Valley base it has operated from since launching in 2006 and move team members

My husband must complete his two terms – Mrs. Jonathan

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

The wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Saturday insisted that her husband would remain in office for eight years to complete his two terms in office, despite the opposition.
Mrs. Jonathan, said this during the Peoples Democratic Party women rally, under the auspices of Women for Change and Development Initiative, in Benin, Edo State.
She was accompanied by national and state leaders of the party.
Women, drawn from different support groups across the state had turned out for event as early as 9am. They, however, began to leave the stadium at about 1.30pm, when Mrs. Jonathan arrived at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the rally.
‎Unable to bare the scorching heat, two women fainted but were later revived by a medical team provided by the party.
A mild drama ensued shortly before the ‎First Lady’s address, when two men, said to be aggrieved PDP youths, tore down some banners bearing the image of the President’s wife.
They were, ho‎wever, whisked away by some security operatives at the arena.
Addressing the women, she said that the presidency had been occupied for eight years by other ‎geopolitical zone and wondered why the South South should be denied the opportunity.
She also noted that the Jonathan administration had performed creditably in various sectors, such as transport and education, and by her assessment, was satisfactory.
Mrs. Jonathan described the present administration as a gender sensitive government, which had prioritised women development through the appointment of several women in key positions, the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme and the YouWin initiative.
She stressed that re-electing of her husband was an opportunity for Nigerian women to appreciate his good performance, adding that the opposition party was not dependable ‎and had nothing to offer.

Jonathan taking advantage of Immigration jobs tragedy -APC

The All Progressives Congress has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of taking political advantage of calamities that have befallen Nigeria under his watch, saying giving N5m to
each family that lost a relative in the Immigration recruitment exercise after one year is not only belated but aimed at soliciting votes.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party wondered why it took the
President one year to act on the promise he made to the families, adding that but for the forthcoming elections, the President would have simply ignored the families, “in his usual style.”

”The truth is that this President was forced to act because of the elections. Otherwise, why has it taken one year for the President to redeem his promise to the bereaved families? Why has his
Administration not sanctioned those who sent innocent job seekers to their early graves after extorting them? Why is the Interior Minister,
Mr. Abba Moro, who presided over the deaths, still in office, virtually dancing on the graves of those innocent youths?

”Sunday, March 15th, will mark one year since those vibrant youths were lured to their deaths by a callous federal government that failed them in all ramifications, including the security of their lives and the assurance of their welfare, the raison d’etre of any government.
It is therefore utterly reprehensible, immoral and wicked for the same administration to seek to make political gains out of the needless tragedy,” it said.

APC said President Jonathan, “in his desperation for re-election, has also sought to take political advantage of other tragedies, including the Buni Yadi massacre of school children and the abduction of Chibok girls.

”After refusing to even visit the families of those school children in Buni Yadi and Chibok, the President suddenly woke up and started sending delegations to meet with them, all this because he needs votes. As a parent himself, how will the President feel if he had been so treated? Why must the President put his re-election over and above everything else, including the welfare and security of Nigerians? Is there no limit to desperation.”
It said Nigerians are keenly aware of the fact that this President has suddenly woken up from his deep slumber and become artificially
hyperactive, making repeated visits to regions that he had neglected in the past six years and doling out hard currencies even at a time the Naira was taking a beating, all for election purposes.

”No one is fooled by the antics of a desperate President, and in the fullness of time, Nigerians will show President Jonathan and his cohorts that they are not impressed by his pretend governance,” APC said.

India Elderly nun gang-raped in school robbery

A nun in her 70s was gang-raped by a group of bandits Saturday when she tried to prevent them from robbing a Christian missionary school in India, police said, the latest crime to draw attention to the scourge of sexual violence in the country.
The nun was hospitalized in serious condition after being attacked by seven or eight men at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in Nadia district, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of the West Bengal state capital of Kolkata, a police officer said.
The men escaped and police are searching for them, said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.
The robbers tied the school’s security guards with ropes early Saturday and entered the nuns’ room, where the women were sleeping. They took one of the nuns to another room when she tried to block their way and then raped her, the officer said.
The woman who was attacked is either 71 or 72 and is the oldest nun at the school, he said.
The men escaped with some cash, a cellphone, a laptop computer and a camera, all belonging to the school, the officer said. They also ransacked the school’s chapel and holy items, the Press Trust of India news agency cited the archbishop of Kolkata, Thomas D’Souza, as saying.
Scores of angry students, their parents and teachers blocked a nearby highway and railroad tracks for several hours demanding swift police action leading to the arrest of the culprits.
Mamta Banerjee, the state’s top elected official, strongly condemned the attack and ordered a high-level police investigation. D’Souza appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony in the area.
India has a long history of tolerance for sexual violence, but the December 2012 fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman aboard a moving bus in New Delhi caused outrage across the nation.
The outcry led the federal government to rush legislation doubling prison terms for rapists to 20 years and criminalizing voyeurism, stalking and the trafficking of women. The law also makes it a crime for officers to refuse to open cases when complaints are made.

EPL: Aston Villa stun Sunderland, win 4-0

A significant day in the Premier League relegation battle saw Aston Villa pull off a stunning 4-0 win at fellow strugglers Sunderland while a 13th away defeat in 14 for QPR left them in deep trouble.
Villa opened up a six-point cushion to the bottom three with back-to-back league wins as new manager Tim Sherwood’s side start to gather some much-needed momentum.

Burnley dent Man City’s title hopes, win 1-0

Disband Rivers special police unit, Wike tells IGP

Chief Nyesom Wike

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, to disband the special police unit known as C4I in the state before the March 28 presidential election.

Wike alleged that the special police unit was put in place by the state government to manipulate the forthcoming elections.

The PDP governorship candidate, who spoke in Port Harcourt when the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, visited him at his campaign office, claimed that the C4I squad in connivance with the All Progressives Congress was responsible for an attempt to kill a member of his party identified as Ayella.

He explained that the C4I should be disbanded before the elections in the interest of peace.

Wike, who spoke a few days after PDP took similar position on the C4I, said the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, should be blamed for the political crisis in the state.

Wike added that the governor had frustrated the state judiciary and House of Assembly from performing their responsibilities.

“The governor has been buying AK-47 for some persons, but those who know how to buy guns should also know how to die first. Disband it (C4I) and bring it back after the elections,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate, however, expressed surprise that the NHRC had not addressed the frustration the judiciary is passing through in the state.

Wike said, “You (NHRC) have to protect us; the less privileged like us. Mr. Chairman, you have a lot of work to do by looking into the activities of the governor who will soon be leaving office. It is certain that I will be taking over by May 2015. No amount of money can challenge that.”

Earlier, Odinkalu congratulated Wike for emerging as the state PDP governorship candidate, even as he condoled with the state for losing some of its people to political violence.

Odinkalu, who acknowledged that the country was facing economic and security challenges, expressed the need for the nation’s security assets not to be stretched further due to political violence.

But APC and the state police command had since responded to the allegations.

They said the C4I was specially set up to fight kidnapping.

Defence ministry’s workers threaten strike over pay

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has threatened to embark on strike if the Defence Ministry fails to pay thousands of civilian employees their allowances, including promotion arrears that have been outstanding since 2011.

The ASCSN in a statement by its Secretary-General, Mr. Alade Lawal, and obtained by Saturday PUNCH in Abuja, said the ultimatum was necessary because it was unfair that “an institution which prides itself as an epitome of discipline, equity, and fairness could decide to oppress and dehumanise thousands of its civilian workers by denying them their entitlements.”

The organisation said efforts to discuss the labour issues causing restiveness and negotiate with the ministry authorities had been unsuccessful, urging the Defence Ministry to “convey the meeting or face industrial action.”

Lawal said, “It is necessary to emphasise that if within this period the meeting is not called, the national leadership of the union should not be held responsible if thousands of civilian employees in the Ministry of Defence decide to resort to self-help to resolve the impasse.”

The ASCSN regretted that even though the leadership of the union and the management of the ministry had agreed that there should be quarterly meetings to address the lingering labour issues and new ones that might emerge; no meeting had been held since the agreement was reached on December 16, 2014.

The issues in dispute include non-payment of promotion arrears since 2011 to date; non-placement of staff after their promotion; short-payment/non-payment of salary arrears and non-payment of hanging salaries.

Others are non-payment of Duty Tour Allowance to staff on duties outside their station; non-payment of death benefits and package/repatriation allowance and delay in conversion/upgrading of staff.

The union recalled that the first quarterly meeting was fixed for February 5, 2015, but was subsequently rescheduled for February 10 on the excuse that the Permanent Secretary, who had been scheduled to be part of the meeting, was out of the country.

The ASCSN said, “On February 10, 2015, when the national leadership of the unions arrived at Ship House, Abuja to attend the rescheduled meeting, no management team of the Ministry of Defence was available for the parley. All efforts to get information on why the meeting could not hold proved abortive.

“The Deputy Director (Staff Welfare), however, promised that he would liaise with the Permanent Secretary with a view to getting a new date for the first quarterly meeting. Unfortunately, no meeting has been fixed up-till now.

“If the 14-day ultimatum expires without the management of the Ministry convening a meeting to address the labour issues, thousands of civilian workers in the Ministry would have no other alternative but to embark on strike action to drive home their demands.”

Ekiti APC lawmakers condemn planned attack on Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

The 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers in Ekiti State House of Assembly have condemned the alleged plan to attack the party’s National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, telling agents of the Peoples Democratic Party to respect the sanctity of human life in their pursuit of power.

Reacting to an alarm raised by Tinubu over an alleged plan to assassinate him by PDP over political differences and threats posed by him against the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, the APC lawmakers said nothing justifies the killing of opposition figures to secure victory at the polls.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the embattled Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Wole Olujobi, the lawmakers said PDP should note that Nigerians had seen its deceits, corruption and ineptitude in the last sixteen years and had decided to vote for change.

The lawmakers challenged the PDP to demonstrate in practical terms the declaration by Jonathan that his re-election was not worth the blood of any Nigerian, adding that it would be dangerous to re-enact Ekiti bloody scenario of intolerance on the national scale.

The statement said, “It is dangerous that what we thought was a local problem in Ekiti State in the hands of an intolerant and desperate administration is fast spreading to the national stage where our national leaders are being targeted for elimination.

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“We condemn this as totally unacceptable. PDP has done enough damage to the national psyche and economy and has created conditions that gave bleak hope for the future of young Nigerians.

“After succeeding in killing Nigerians’ dreams, it should spare the lives of the opposition figures, who have the vision to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians for good.” The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Olisa Metuh, who reacted to the assasination plot allegation by Tinubu, described it as mere hallucination on the part of the APC leader.

“Our response is simple: Did he speak from Bourdillon, or from a psychiatric hospital? We are asking, whether it is well with Tinubu. We are worried because this is a form of hallucination and we call for urgent medical attention. This isn’t politics; we call on Nigerians to come to his aid, immediately,” Metuh said.

Many dead in Myanmar ferry accident

At least 27 people have drowned after an overcrowded ferry capsized in northwestern Myanmar, government officials said.
The vessel was carrying 209 passengers when it encountered bad weather and was hit by huge waves on its journey from the coastal town of Taunggok to Sittwe, capital of the western coast state of Rakhine, according to officials. The vessel called the Aung Tagun 3 sank late on Friday.
“Twenty bodies have been found while 27 are still missing. Rescue workers are looking for them,” Pyay Nyein, a senior official from the Inland Water Transport Department, told the Reuters news agency.
Rescuers have brought 167 passengers to safety. At least 47 people, including about 30 women, remain unaccounted for, said the Ministry of Information in a statement.
Search and rescue teams aided by Myanmar’s navy are scouring the capsize site for survivors.
Residents in Taunggok, where the ferry embarked from, believe the toll will be higher, as the government-owned vessel would have carried unregistered passengers, reported Reuters.
Boat accidents are common in the country’s river deltas and coastal regions due to bad weather, cyclones and the overcrowding of poorly-maintained vessels. People in Myanmar often travel by boat because of the low cost and as many parts of the country are inaccesible by road.

Turkey detains 16 Indonesians ‘attempting to join ISIL’

Sixteen Indonesians have been detained in Turkey while attempting to cross into Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, Turkish foreign minister has said.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday that police were looking for another group of 16 Indonesians reported missing in Turkey.

The group that was caught in the Turkish city of Gaziantep near Syrian border included 11 children, four women and one man, Turkish media reported.

Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, Indonesia’s security minister, said late on Thursday the country was investigating the incident, but it was clear that the group wanted to join ISIL “to have a better life in accordance with Islamic sharia laws”.

Retno Marsudi, Indonesia’s foreign minister, said that a team was being dispatched to Turkey to work with authorities after the incident.

More than 500 Indonesians are believed to have gone to fight with ISIL, according to Indonesian counter-terror chief.

Jakarta has already banned support for ISIL, although experts have called on authorities to take further steps to stop the flow of fighters.

NFF plans big for Enyeama’s 100th cap

The Nigeria Football Federation would specially fete goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama when he makes his 100th appearance for Nigeria during their friendly match against Bolivia on March 26.

Enyeama would become only the second Nigerian to reach the century mark in 70 years since the organization was founded.

Former captain Joseph Yobo was the first player to reach the milestone in 2014 in a World Cup match against Argentina which the Eagles lost 3-2.

There was muted celebration of Yobo’s feat perhaps as a result of that defeat.

However, the NFF has announced plans to celebrate Enyeama at the Uyo Stadium in front of fans from his home state.

As part of the plans, the NFF announced a competition via Twitter where an autographed hand glove of the goalkeeper would be given out to a lucky fan.

“Nothing matches being recognized by your own country. I am very excited at the prospect of reaching 100 caps, and more so at the decision by the NFF to honour me on the day,” Enyeama told the federation’s website.

“The NFF media department has also been speaking with me and I have followed the publicity they have generated about it. It is a delight. I am also excited by the fact that it will happen in Uyo, my hometown. What a great honour!”

Enyeama made his Nigeria debut in May 2002 against Kenya. He has played at three World Cups and says that his most memorable match was against Argentina in 2010.

“I can tell you that is one match I will always remember. I was highly inspired, and although we lost, I was selected the Man of the Match. We lost 0-1 but Lionel Messi did not score. That was some sort of joy for me,” he said.

Enyeama was named the 2014 Goal Nigeria Player of the Year for his exploits with French club Lille and the Super Eagles.

He led the team to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Policeman, four others die in Abuja road crash

Five persons, including a riot police officer and a woman, died in an auto crash at NICON junction, Abuja on Friday, when a red Nissan Sunny was crushed by a blue truck carrying sand chippings.
Seven others, including passers-by, also sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident which caused a traffic gridlock along the busy Berger Road.
The injured persons were rushed to various hospitals while the dead were taken to the National Hospital morgue.
Checks indicated that the car was crushed and it took some time for men of the Federal Road Safety Corps and others to retrieve the bodies of the victims from the mangled car.
The Federal Capital Territory FRSC Sector Commander, Mrs. Susan Ajenge, attributed the crash to wrongful overtaking by the driver of the car.
She explained that the car overtook the truck on the right side and the truck inexplicably crushed the car, killing the five occupants on the spot.
Ajenge said an AK47 rifle and a beret, belonging to the policeman, were recovered and handed over to the Mabushi police station.
She said, “The accident was caused by wrongful overtaking by the Nissan Sunny, which overtook the truck on the right side. But I don’t know how the truck managed to crush the car, killing the occupants and injuring seven others, including passers-by. We will check on the injured persons in hospital to know how they are faring.”

26 Iraqi soldiers killed in clashes with IS

A total of 26 members of Iraqi security forces were killed and 72 others wounded in clashes with Islamic State militants Friday in northern Iraq, security sources said.
A security source told Xinhua that Iraqi forces on Friday continued their offensive in Tikrit, the capital city of Salahudin province.
Three members of security forces were killed and four others wounded in clashes with the IS militants near the Tikrit hospital, as well as six forces were killed and 11 wounded in a suicide bomb attack in western part of the city.
Dozens of militants were killed in the battles, but the exact number is unknown temporarily.
The source said that the IS militants launched an attack near a highway in southwest of Samarra, the second largest city of Salahuddin province, but foiled by the security forces.
Eight security forces and nine extremist militants were killed in the clashes, and other 14 soldiers injured.
The sources added that nine members of the Iraqi Kurdish forces were killed and 53 others were injured in the clashes with IS militants in southwest of Kirkuk, some 250 km from Baghdad, when they surrounded and tried to free some villages occupied by IS.
Some 30,000 Iraqi troops and thousands of allied Shiite and Sunni militias have been involved in a week-long offensive to recapture Tikrit and other key towns and villages in northern part of the Salahudin province from IS militants.
Large parts of the province have been under IS control since June 2014 after bloody clashes broke out between Iraqi security forces and the IS group.
The militant group has taken control of the country’s northern city of Mosul and later seized swathes of territories in Nineveh and other predominantly Sunni provinces

Chidoka leads pro-Jonathan jogging in Anambra

Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka is leading some youths in Jogging for Jonathan campaign in Obosi, Anambra State, as part of the activities for the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.
At the Saturday jogging campaign, the minister told his audience that there is no credible alternative to Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election.
Details later…

S’Africa denies military deployment in Nigeria

South Africa on Friday denied reports that its military personnel were deployed in Nigeria to help fight against militant group Boko Haram.
Any South African citizen fighting against Boko Haram will be regarded as mercenary and might face prosecution for violating the nation’s law, said South African National Defence Force spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini.
Earlier reports said Nigeria has brought in hundreds of mercenaries from South Africa to the northeastern state of Borno.
“These people are not members of the South African army,” Dlamini said.
Boko Haram launched its insurgency in Nigeria in 2009 aiming to create an Islamic state within the country. At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by the group this year.

Davido, is there something you want us to know? (Photos)

Looks like Davido has a new girlfriend. Well, when you're posting photos of a stunning girl & adding love emoticons, it's safe to assume there's romance brewing abi? He's posted two photos of the girl on his instagram page in the last few days, that must mean something, bah? Lol. She's a stunning model from Guinea but lives in the US. See more photos of the girl after the cut...

He posted this photo of her on his instagram page a few days ago and called her his trap queen..

 She also posted his own photo on her instagram...

And she was at his snake video shoot...

 She's stunning!

I cannot ask my people to vote for you - Awujale tells GEJ

While receiving President Jonathan in his palace in Ijebu-Ode yesterday March 12th, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona was quoted to have told the President that he cannot ask his subjects to vote for him.

"In Ijebu here, it is not possible for any Oba, not even in Yorubaland, to go out and say vote for this, vote for that, that person is looking for trouble.The only thing the Oba can do is to give them the opportunity to present their programme so that people can make up their minds on what to do. I think this is a very sound democratic principle and that is what I have decided to do, to give you the opportunity of meeting with the people.
One, they see you as a person, how beautiful you are, whether to engage with you or not, to listen to you and see if there are areas where we can meet, as a result, everybody congregating here, they belong to different groups, they are PDP members, APC members, APGA members. They belong to various interests, and when they come, they get to the gate, they shed their toga. PDP will remove their PDP, APC will remove their own, APGA will remove their own, they are going to the palace, to meet their ruler, their paramount ruler, to receive that important august visitor who is coming to their lands and give him all honour that is entitle to him.

“In all our churches, after prayer, they will pray for you, pray for the Governor, pray for me and all their leaders both in the mosque and churches as it is so required both in the bible and also in the Qur’an, therefore, I thank you Your Excellency for having this opportunity to address our people to listen to you, to hear your programme, what you have in stock for them and we shall all then pray to God for guidance, because the Muslims would say ‘guide us to the right path’, and God will show us the way because He is the only one that can show the way to people. Therefore, I thank you, Your Excellency most sincerely for making this trip. God knows the best, He is the ruler of the Universe. He knows everything and He can do everything, everything is possible in the presence of God, that is why I occasionally go to church to put up a songs.

“Each time I have cause, occasionally to talk to our people, I have always told them, in the churches and mosques that when you’re going to vote, make sure, you back your sons and daughter who will give something back to you, not the ‘Ojelus’, those who will be honest with you, who knows the way of God, those are the people you should vote for, not those who will give you two three spoons and mortgage your future, it is not right. I am sure over the years, there has been improvement but this election is full of tension, I don’t know how it is so, why has elections never been like this, about 55 years, I have never seen any election that is full of tension and the one we are having now, my prayer if God should guide us and make sure that there’s peace, harmony and tranquility in the country.” - the Awujale is quoted to have said by Sahara Reporters

21 year old man has organ restored in world's first successful penis transplant

A 21-year-old man has undergone the world's first successful penis transplant. The 'ground-breaking' operation took South African surgeons nine hours to perform, and allowed the patient to urinate normally and become sexually active again. 

Three years ago the man, who remains unidentified, was forced to have his penis amputated after a botched circumcision. The operation was carried out by surgeons from Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, using a penis donated from a deceased person.

They said the procedure allowed the man to regain all function in the newly transplanted organ. Nine more patients will now receive penile transplants.

Professor André van der Merwe, head of the University's Division of Urology, said they were surprised by the patient's rapid recovery.

He said: 'Our goal was that he would be fully functional at two years and we are very surprised by his rapid recovery.

Professor Frank Graewe, another of the hospital's surgeons who assisted on the operation, said: 'It's a massive breakthrough. We've proved that it can be done – we can give someone an organ that is just as good as the one that he had.'

'It was a privilege to be part of this first successful penis transplant in the world.'

Professor van der Merwe said having a penis amputated is known to have a seriously adverse psychological effect on men.

'This is a very serious situation,' he said.

'For a young man of 18 or 19 years the loss of his penis can be deeply traumatic.

Exceptional Adesina tells story of the Jonathan decision that saved Nigeria from Famine

Sponsored post. Read below...

When there was a flood in this country 2012, everybody panicked, President Jonathan didn’t panic, people said there was going to be food crisis. I remember I went to him, I had my detailed analysis done, Mr President people are telling you that we are going to have food crisis, I said; No, you didn’t choose to shock we choose our response

The President had that day on his desk quite a lot of people that had sent him letters asking for waivers to bring in food and flood the country with food. The President didn’t listen to them and he called his Minister of Agriculture, that is a great leader and he said can we survive? Do you think we are gonna survive?

Mr. President, I said, we can survive if you help us to do dry season rice. I gave him the plan, he took his pen, he used his green pen and he cancelled every single one of those things on his desk asking for waivers. He said Akin as he normally calls me go get the job done.

Today he launched dry season farming program the first President in the history of this country to launch a program for National dry season farming, so we can produce food during the main season, food during the dry season.

All across the North of this country it started and that is why we have been able to boost so much food production, farmers, young people that use to leave the north to come and work in Lagos or Abuja as mai guards or night guards or stuffs like that have stopped.

We create a lot of jobs, agricultural sector alone in terms of farm jobs have been able to do 2.3million farm jobs, you go and ask people not on the internet, not on Facebook, you go ask the in Jigawa, you go ask them in Katsina, ask them in Sokoto ask them in Kano, ask them in Bauchi and ask them in Gombe; they will tell you that there is no other President that has loved farmers more, supported farmers more, encouraged them more and being there for them all the time, he truly is the farmers President and he truly is the farmers president because he loves Farmers, he supports farmers and I believe that the farmers are going to reward him back because the farmers don’t want to be naked again, they want the clothing on their body and they are not going to loose that to just empty promises from others.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is the Farmers President and the Farmers are for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

#UNITEDMANDATE

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Lekki Robbery: Statement by Gov. Fashola totally irresponsible - Reuben Abati

Presidential Media aide, Reuben Abati has described as totally irresponsible the statement made by Governor of Lagos state Babatunde Fashola that the success of the robbery incident that occurred in Lekki yesterday March 12th was as a result of the drafting of all police formation in the state to protect President Jonathan who was in the state when the robbery incident occurred. Reuben Abati spoke to state house correspondence

"We consider the statement attributed to Governor Fashola as grossly and utterly irresponsible. We expect that a man of his status who is the Governor of a state should speak more responsibly. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever that the entire police formation in a state would be deployed to protect the president of Nigeria. The visit of the President or any part of the country does not necessitate the depletion of the police force active in that particular state or its environment. The President has a defined team that protects him anywhere he goes and again President Jonathan does not need the entire police force to protect him in a state where he is loved by the people and where as we have seen, he enjoys overwhelming support to the leadup of the 2015 presidential election" he said

 

Tit for tat! Iraqi soldiers torture and behead ISIS prisoners (photos)

Iraqi Special forces have started torturing and beheading captured ISIS militants in apparent revenge attacks - and now are sharing photos on social media. The images above was posted on instagram by someone who claimed to be an Iraqi soldier and showed the disembodied heads and mutilated bodies of the militants. He said it was in revenge for the hundreds of Iraqi soldiers that have been killed by ISIS. See more photos after the cut...

Photo: Akwa Ibom commissioner kneels before the state First Lady

Here's a photo of Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Etim kneeling before the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio at an event recently. Some of you may say he's not really kneeling, just having a close conversation...but...there are several empty seats beside the woman that commissioner Etim could have sat on to speak with her...you get? Lol. The pic is making a lot of people from the state mad! And they sent it over for y'all to judge...:-)

Photos: Alaafin of Oyo and his wives visit the University of London

The Alaafin of Oyo and just two of his wives were at the University of London, UK, recently on the invitation of legal icon, Afe Babalola, who was being honoured with the Doctor of Letters at the university. See more photos after the cut...

Televangelist Creflo Dollar deletes website begging for $65m jet after online backlash

Popular televangelist and founder of World Changers Church International, Creflo Dollar, has deleted the website where he was begging people to donate $65million for him to buy a brand new luxurious. (read story here). He also deleted the Gofundme page where he asked 200,000 people to donate $300 each for him to acquire the Gulfstream G650 airplane, following backlash from online community.

Jobs At Skill Enhancement Centre (SENCE) Limited

Skill Enhancement Centre (SENCE) Limited – We are a Business Consultancy firm focused on small/medium businesses. Our goal is to provide our clients with the support they need to grow their businesses by providing them with value -added and convenient services in a friendly atmosphere.
SENCE is recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Opportunities

CLICK ON JOB ID TO APPLY

 

Job opening ID Asc Des	Posting title Asc Des	Location Asc Des	Roles and Responsibilities Asc Des	Skill set Asc Des
159	Food & Beverages Manager	Lagos	This position is a senior manager position. The position plans, organizes, directs, controls and ev ...	• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people. • Coordination - Adjusting action ...
158	Medical Sales Representative	Lagos	• Establish and maintain relationships with customers. • Correspond with customers via telephone, e ...	• A relevant degree from a reputable University • Commercial awareness • Sales skills • Maturity ...
157	Head of Knowledge and Evidence	Lagos	The Head of Knowledge and Evidence will provide accurate, credible and relevant market information ...	• Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Anthropology, International Development, Public Policy ...
156	HR/ADMIN MANAGER	Lagos	This position is responsible for ensuring that the office is operationally efficient and effective. ...	• Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Law. Industrial Relations, Human Resource ...
155	Research Officer	Lagos	The Research Officer is responsible for creating research instruments/survey instruments (questionn ...	• Master’s degree in statistics, Economics, Anthropology, International Development, Public policy ...
154	Accountant (Medical Diagnostics)		• Examine statements to ensure accuracy • Ensure that statements and records comply with laws and ...	• The right candidate must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a recogni ...
153	Head of Operations (a cleaning outfit)	Ikoyi, Lagos	The HOO will oversee all the departments in the organization with the sole task of improving operat ...	• At least a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field. • Performance Management, ...
152	ARCHITECT		• Create building designs and highly detailed drawings both by hand and by using specialist compute ...
151	CIVIL ENGINEER		• Investigate sites to determine the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction • Researc ...
150	QUANTITY SURVEYOR	Lagos	• Prepare tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the architect and/or th ...
149	Business Development Lead(in an agric company)	Lagos	The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: • Maximize revenue for the company ...	• A good first degree in any relevant field. A degree in agribusiness, agricultural development, o ...
148	Project Assistant	Lagos	The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: Research and Documentation: • Due D ...	• Proven ability to manage multiple projects/activities in a dynamic fast paced environment • Supe ...
147	Customer Service Representatives (Medical Diagnostics)		• Deal directly with customers either by telephone, electronically or face to face • Respond prom ...	Applicant is required to have 2 years progressive customer service or direct marketing experience. ...
146	Admin Officer(Medical Diagnostics)		• Analyzes and organizes office operations and procedures such as filing systems, requisition of su ...	To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfa ...
145	Medical Representative (Medical Diagnostics)		• keeping detailed records of all contacts; • Analyze the current and past budgets, expenses, sale ...	To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfa ...
144	Business Development Manager(Medical Diagnostics)		• Determine targets and ensures they are successfully achieved by the Marketers/Business developmen ...	 First degree in Marketing, Economics or related field with strong knowledge of the Medical/Diagno ...
143	Nurses		• Document patients' medical histories and symptoms, help doctors perform diagnostic tests, adminis ...	* Relevant degree and 3-4 years experience in Diagnostics field. • Maturity • Confidence • Patience ...
142	Medical Consultants (For Diagnostics)		• Consults with clients • Review patient charts/record and makes recommendations regarding medicat ...	-A degree in Medicine and 7-8 years experience in the Industry. -Ability to show empathy yet be ...
141	Maintenance Officer (Medical Diagnostics Company)		• Evaluate all equipment issues, implement appropriate repairs as assigned, perform planned mainten ...	-A degree in a relevant field and up to 5years experience in the Health(Diagnostics) Industry. -Ab ...
140	Laboratory Technician		• Maintain glassware by picking-up, cleaning, washing, sterilizing, and distributing. • Provide gla ...	• A minimum of bachelor’s degree in the relevant field • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the Hea ...
139	Laboratory Scientist		• Determine normal and abnormal components of body fluids by conducting chemical analyses of blood, ...	• A minimum of bachelor’s degree in the relevant field • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the Heal ...
138	ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGY (ABUJA)		The Associate Director of Business Development and Strategy will be responsible for developing and ...
137	Client Service Executive	Lagos	The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: • Deliver all social media activit ...	• Excellent documentation skills and attention to detail. • Ability to deliver technical presentati ...
136	Accountant/Book keeper (PORT HARCOURT)	PortHarcourt	The following are the roles and responsibilities of this role: • Prepare budgets for each month ...	• Have adequate knowledge of all office applications • Knowledge of cashbook, quick books and fina ...
135	Office Assistant (Lekki)		1. Get to the office before staff to open up for cleaning 2. Run errands for staff 3. Perform sim ...	1. Fast, smart and neat. 2. Streetwise and be knowledgeable of the area(Lekki) 3. SSCE/OND degree. ...
134	Receptionist	Lagos	The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: • dealing with bookings by phone, e ...	• excellent written and spoken communication skills • strong customer service skills • a friendly ...
133	Porter	Lagos	The role and responsibilities of this role are; A hotel porter is a hospitality professional who en ...	• A porter must be courteous, professional, friendly, and outgoing at all times, and he or she need ...
132	General Manager		The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: The GM is responsible for achieving ...	Education: • Graduate or advanced education related to hospitality, on middle and higher management ...
54	Certified Financial Analyst	Lagos	• Review financial spreadsheets and other reports in order to predict current and future financial ...	 At least 5 years working experience.  Must have a business, finance or accounting degree or e ...
126	Sales & Marketing Manager(ENUGU)	ENUGU	• Responsible for developing annual sales strategies for a company. • Responsible for creating ongo ...	Passionate about the sales industry • Have superior expertise in sales • Critical and independ ...
125	SALES EXECUTIVE (LAGOS)	Lagos	• Assist Senior Management in various Sales media, procedures and concepts. • Ability to develop ...	• Passionate about the sales industry • Have superior expertise in sales • Be able to do extrem ...
124	MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT( MALE/ ABUJA)		Responsible for providing general and confidential administrative duties, support the Executive & M ...
123	PRACTICE COORDINATOR	Lagos	The Practice Coordinator is responsible for managing the practice’s patient care based on the Smile ...	• Reporting Skills, Attention to Detail, Deadline-Oriented, Confidentiality, Time Management, Data ...
122	OUTLET MANAGER		A reputable fruit and vegetable store aimed at to revolutionising the retail of fresh fruits, veget ...
121	SENIOR DENTIST	LAGOS	A modern and rapidly growing Specialist Dental Practice highly specialized in Advanced Dentistry; k ...
75	Farm Manager		• Oversee day to day operations in the Farm i.e. planning the running of the farm; setting budget a ...	• A degree in Agricultural Science or any related field • Not less than 6 years experience in a re ...
84	ELECTRICAL Field Engineer		The field engineer is responsible for hardware installation and maintenance. He/she should be able ...	-Knowledge of practical application of engineering- application of principles, techniques, procedur ...
120	SHOP MANAGER IN ARTS & CRAFTS INDUSTRY		• Passionate and very knowledgeable about the Arts and Crafts Industry • Responsible for managing t ...	• Knowledge of Microsoft word &excel • Good written and oral communication • Innovative and highly ...
119	Premium Sales Personnel		o Coordinate all activities for the Accounts assigned, to strengthen and expand existing business ...	- 5 Years of Experience in IT Solution Sales - MBA is a plus - Have connections within the Gov ...
118	Manager- Apartment Hotel & Spa		• Implement goals, policies and procedures of the organization. • Produce annual marketing plan • ...	• Minimum 5 years proven experience in a management position in a spa, hotel or related position. • ...
67	Facilities and Administration Manager (IN A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION)	Lagos	The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: • Responsible for the management ...	• Minimum of 4 years experience in this field. • 2 years in supervisory position. • In-depth know ...
117	Chief Financial Officer (CFO)		Executive Responsibilities: · Accountable for the overall financial position of the company Fin ...	 Management skills: management of professional teams, chair responsibilities for a number of key ...
116	HEAD, ACCOUNTS-COST ACCOUNTANT	LAGOS	Responsible for the financial well-being of the company. • Ensure finances are being managed respo ...	*Not necessarily Chartered* 1. A very good experience in Cost accounting and financial engineering ...
114	VACANCIES FOR SSCE & OND HOLDERS		We are hiring SSCE and OND holders to fill vacancies or take on special jobs in various Organizatio ...	-Interested applicants must be: -Smart and well-mannered -Fast and Proactive -Professional -Bas ...
113	ESTATE ASSISTANT	Location	• Provide assistance in general operations and administration of the firm on a routine basis as may ...	• Acute business skills in areas of finance, computer, planning and organisation • Excellent Negot ...
112	Commercial Lawyer	Lagos	• Consult and handle all corporate legal processes (e.g. intellectual property, mergers & acquisiti ...	• 4-5 years of comparable law firm experience • Proven background on corporate law (contract law, t ...
111	Strategic Marketer			Can you sell saw dust to a Lumber mill? If you answered Yes to the question above then you are ...
110	RETAIL OUTLETS MANAGER(MEN'S OUTFIT) IKEJA & LEKKI	Lagos	• Passionate about the Fashion Industry i.e. Luxurious, expensive clothes and shoes • Responsibl ...	• Knowledge of Microsoft word &excel • Knowledge of Social Media Marketing • Good written and ...
109	LANGUAGE TEACHERS(HAUSA, IGBO & YORUBA)		• Implement appropriate instructional activities that will guide students in the knowledge of Haus ...	• Excellent written , oral and communication skills • Strong Planning Skills • Good attention ...
60	CHANNEL OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR(ABUJA, OGUN, OWERRI)	Abuja, Ogun , Owerri	Take responsibility for managing project at multi-location and multi-state level to ensure the achi ...	• Ability to effectively deploy project strategies and customer oriented growth initiatives • Str ...
106	HEAD OF HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT	Lagos		A start-up Health-Maintenance Organization with emphatic focus on provision of effective access to ...
107	HEAD OF UNDERWRITING DEPARTMENT			A start-up Health-Maintenance Organization with emphatic focus on provision of effective access to ...
102	Human Resource Officer (Outsourcing)PORT HARCOURT	Lagos-Ibadan Expressway	• Review and develop an Organogram • Ensure accurate Job descriptions are in place • Ability to d ...	• Ability to work in a Union • Very strong Industrial relations • Supervisory skills. • Team ...
19	Commercial Lawyer	Lagos	• Conduct proper research and prepare basic written arguments • Attend matters in Court • Take pr ...	Good communications skills • Basic interest and knowledge of the law • A willingness and ability ...
1	Research Fellow	Abuja	• Develop with the Director of Research annual business plan for the unit. • To assist the Direct ...	The Research Fellow must be able to work independently and produce high quality output. • Signific ...
99	Associate	Lagos	The Associate will support Programme Managers towards the achievement of EFInA’s five year strategy ...	● Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Economics, Anthropology, International Development, Public Polic ...
98	Office Administrator	Lagos	The Office Administrator will actively support EFInA to meet its goals through the effective delive ...	• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or any related discipline in the Social ...
96	SALES & DISTRIBUTION	Lagos	• Maintaining and increasing sales of your company's products • Reaching the targets and goals set ...	• A minimum of 4 years commercial experience in leading a Sales & Distribution function for a brand ...
85	Marketer	Lagos	• Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction. • Identify, dev ...	• Critical Thinking – ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses o ...
59	General Manager (Operations)	Lagos	• Attend to high profile customers. • Oversee the general business activities. • Hire, train and ...	• Must be passionate about Interior designs. • Business development skills. • Negotiation and Adv ...
57	Management Executive Assistant (MEA)	ABUJA	Responsible for providing general and confidential administrative duties, support the Executive & M ...	• First degree in Arts, Business,Administration course with a minimum of 2nd Class Lower Division ...
31	Human Resource Manager	Lagos	The following are the roles and responsibilities for this role: • Ensure that accurate job descrip ...	• Ability to work in a Union • Very strong Industrial relations • Supervisory skills. • Team bui ...
21	Secretary	Lagos	• Type, send and receive mails. • File documents. • Answer telephone calls • Maintain diaries ...	• Minimum of an HND in Secretarial Studies or any related course • Very good Interpersonal skills ...