Rescued African lion demands blankets to sleep on

As a household pet, Lambert was used to his creature comforts – especially blankets to sleep on.

It was all very well when Lambert was a small lion cub, but as a fully grown lion it is slightly more problematic.

Lambert was born in captivity and bought by an unnamed man as a pet for his children, aged two and three.

When the family was unable to keep him, Lambert was taken into care by Vicky Keahey, the founder of Texas' In-Sync Exotic Wildlife Rescue and Educational Centre.

But rehousing Lambert, who was too tame to be released into the wild, was challenging.

A conventional lion’s paddock was not to his liking, Ms Keahey said.

'We had heard from the previous owners that he slept in the bed with the grandfather.”

This prompted Ms Keahey to experiment with a blanket – which Lambert seized with alacrity, Mail Online reported.

Since moving to the Texas rescue facility, Lambert has learned to eat raw meat like his wild counterparts, Lambert will not give up his blankets and sleeps with them every night.

Lambert the lion relaxes on one of his many blankets  Photo: IN-SYNC EXOTICS

Lambert the lion relaxes on one of his many blankets  Photo: IN-SYNC EXOTICS

Lambert the lion relaxes on one of his many blankets  Photo: IN-SYNC EXOTICS

(TheTelegraph)

Together We Must Defend Our Christian Values – Prime Minster Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron led calls for people to “stand together” and defend Christian values in the face of terror. The Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury joined in speaking of faith that light will overcome the darkness.

With Europe still reeling from the Brussels attacks, Cameron said: “The message of Easter is a message of hope for millions of Christians in our country and all around the world.”

This hope can be witnessed every day in the faith-inspired projects that help the homeless, that get people into work, that help keep families together and offer homes to children in need,” he said.”We see that hope in the aid workers and volunteers who so often risk their own lives to save the lives of others in war-torn regions across the world. And at the heart of all these acts of kindness and courage is a set of values and beliefs that have helped to make our country what it is today.”

British values of responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion and pride in working for the common good are Christian values, he continued. “They should give us the confidence to say yes, we are a Christian country and we are proud of it,” he said. “But they are also values that speak to everyone in Britain – to people of every faith and none. And we must all stand together and defend them.”

Cameron said: “When we see Christians today in 2016 being persecuted for their beliefs in other parts of the world – we must speak out and stand with those who bravely practise their faith.”

The nation must never be cowed by terror.

“We must show that in this struggle of our generation we will defeat the pernicious ideology that is the root cause of this terrorism by standing up proudly for our values and our way of life.”

Buhari Easter Message to Nigerian Christians

Fellow Nigerians,

I rejoice with you all, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, as we celebrate Easter.

For Christians all over the world, this celebration is in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for the salvation of mankind.

The Gospels also tell us that during his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ repeatedly urged his disciples and followers to “love one another as I have loved you”.

As we celebrate Easter this year, I sincerely believe that it will serve our dear nation very well if we all imbibe this essential message of Jesus Christ and truly learn to love our countrymen and women as we love ourselves.

Indeed, we will surely make faster progress towards the achievement of the peaceful, united, strong, progressive and prosperous country we all desire if, as a nation, we eschew all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with our compatriots, as Jesus Christ and the founders of the world’s other great religions enjoined mankind.

Our unfortunate notoriety in recent years as a country where the blood of men, women and children are wantonly and callously shed in frequent orgies of criminal, political, ethnic and religious violence has become very embarrassing and utterly unacceptable.

My administration is determined to achieve greater peace and security across our nation by ending the avoidable conflicts and crises that hinder our national progress.

I ask for greater support from all Nigerians in this regard. We must put a stop to politically motivated killings. Our communities must be made safe again for all inhabitants to live together in peace and harmony.

Our armed forces, police and other security agencies are being progressively reformed, repositioned and empowered to win the war against terrorism and make mass killings, abductions and other criminal atrocities things of the past in our beloved country.

Let us all also play our parts as patriotic citizens and do all that we can to ensure that we make Nigeria a safer, more peaceful and happier place for its people and others.

Faith, belief and the fulfilment of expectations are also key themes of the Easter celebration. I urge you all therefore, to continue to have faith in the future greatness of our country and to believe that the CHANGE my administration promised will surely come to fruition.

That CHANGE, which we all yearn for, will certainly occur more rapidly if we all place the love of our country above selfish personal and group interests.

The National Assembly has just passed the 2016 budget. I assure all Nigerians that we will do our utmost best to ensure that the budget, the first since my election as President, is efficiently and successfully implemented towards achieving our objective of faster economic growth and development.

I thank the vast majority of Nigerians for their patience and understanding in the first ten months of this administration.

As we go forward, I assure you all that we are working very hard to overcome the challenges we encountered on assumption of office.

We are moving on with an unshaken resolve and determination to deliver on the mandate you gave us on March 28, last year.

I wish you all very happy Easter celebrations.

Fuel Scarcity: Tinubu takes exception to minister’s ‘I’m not a magician’ comment

National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday lambaste Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu for saying he should not be expected to conjure magic in resolving the current fuel crisis in the country.

He said the minister strayed from the progressive calling required of the Buhari administration by making the statement attributed to him.

Kachikwu who doubles as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had said, in reaction to public criticism of his handling of the fuel scarcity, that Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of fuel it is currently doing.

Tinubu, in a statement, threw in his lot with Nigerians who, according to him, were “as right to feel insulted as the minister was wrong to have said such a thing.”

He said those charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the country should learn to do things creatively and away from past practices.

His words: “The art of governance is difficult and complex, especially during trying times. The steep reduction in global oil prices from over 100 dollars per barrel to roughly 40 presents a hard challenge. “We can no longer afford past practices. Nigeria now requires creative reform, materially changing the substance of national economic policy as well as the objectives of that policy and how the policy is presented to the people. Therein lies the essence of progressive democratic governance.

“The Buhari administration represents the last best hope we have to install such governance in Nigeria and avert the catastrophe that would have befallen us had the prior government remained in place. Had the nation continued with the spendthrift corruption and vagabond economic policies of that administration, we would have soon experienced such a collision with the harsh consequences of that government’s malign ways that our very institutions of government may have been distorted beyond fixture and repair.”

Asiwaju Tinubu added, “In this effort, there may be no economic matter more difficult to unravel and more sensitive to the purse of the average person than the current fuel scarcity. Even here I am confident of progress because I know the commitment of the president to resolving this matter. I make no attempt to hide it. I am an avid and partisan supporter of this government and of the progressive policies of the party, the APC, upon which this government is based.

“With that I do reserve the right and the duty as a Nigerian to voice my opinion when I believe a member of this government has strayed from the progressive calling required of this administration. I do this because my greater devotion and love are for this nation and its people. Party and politics fall secondary.

“Much public ire has been drawn to the statement made by Minister of State (Ibe Kachikwu) that he was not trained as a magician and that basically Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of petrol fuel it is currently doing.

“Perhaps the statement by Kachikwu was made in a moment of unguarded frustration or was an awkward attempt at a joke. Whatever the motive, it was untimely and off-putting. The remark did not sit well with the Nigerian people; they were as right to feel insulted as the minister was wrong to have said such a thing.

“The fuel shortage is severely biting for the average person. They are forced to remain in lines far too long, for too much time, to pay too much money for too little fuel. This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare are at stake. With so much on the line, Kachikwu’s flippancy was out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they should be lucky that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they should just be quiet, and endure the shortage for several weeks more.

“Kachikwu’s intervention was unhelpful. It panicked and disappointed the public as to the duration of the crisis. It insulted the people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a member of the elitist government the people voted out last year and not the progressive one they voted in.”

He reminded the minister “that he was not coerced to take this job. He accepted the job and its responsibilities knowingly. He also must remember that he does not own NNPC. This also is not a private company that owes nothing to the public except the duty of fair dealing. He is a public servant. The seat he sits upon is owned by Nigerians not by him. The company he runs is owned by Nigerians not by him. They are his boss. He is not theirs. Power is vested in the people. He is a mere custodian or agent of their will. In talking to us in such a manner, he committed an act of insubordination.

“If he had talked so cavalierly to his boss in the private sector, he would have been reprimanded or worse. If wise, the man should refrain from such interjections in the future.”

In defending and asserting the rights of Nigerians to complain, Tinubu averred that “As his ultimate bosses, the people have a right to demand the requisite performance and respect from him.  He should apologise for treating them so lightly in this instance. His portfolio being a strategically important one, he needs to reestablish the correct relationship with the public. They no longer feel he is working for their optimal benefit as their servant. Instead, he seems to be standing above them, telling them to take it or leave it.

“For his policies and stint in office to be successful and a help to this government, he must have the support and belief of the people at this tough time. He must talk to them in a way that they believe he seeks their best interest and understands the hardship weighing upon them. He must ask them to work with him and perhaps to endure a bit longer but with the knowledge that he is working to resolve this matter as fast as he can and as permanently as possible. That he is dedicated to the position that once these current lines are gone that never again shall they reappear as long as he has any influence in the matter.

“To do this, requires no magic nor training in that strange craft. It requires empathy, compassion and the willpower to forge a better Nigeria. These must be the common trademarks of those serving in a progressive government for these attributes are integral parts of the spirit and ideals upon which the APC was founded. Upon such notions was this administration voted into office by the Nigerian people in the operation of their sovereign will to seek a national leadership that would pursue their interests to the utmost and give them every fair chance to live in a better Nigeria.

“Even though times are hard we must all realise that they would  be even harder and much darker would be the immediate horizon had we allowed the venal, kleptocracy of the PDP to continue to lord over the land solely for their selfish benefit and not for the common good.

“I am confident that President Buhari and this government can resolve the issues that press us. From establishing full security and safety to staking a claim to true economic prosperity and fairness, this government shall salvage our national pride and purpose,” Tinubu concluded.

(TheNation)

I am happy to face challenges and I am happy I became an entrepreneur - Mike Mlombwa

Mike Mlombwa

Malawian businessman and a billionaire, Mike Mlombwa, Who owns Countrywide Car Hire, a vehicle rental and chauffeuring service operating in major cities, airports and hotels across Malawi. He has also recently ventured into the hospitality business with the construction of hotels. Today he is considered one of the country’s business success stories and has given talks globally.

But Mlombwa’s story began in poverty – a fact he hopes will be a source of inspiration for others. He grew up in the southern border district of Mwanza and lived with various families who were able to pay for his primary education in exchange for odd jobs.“My mom was very poor… So, in the village, I grew up with several people who paid my school fees,” he recalled.“In the afternoon I would come back from school to work in gardens or look after cattle or whatever.”

But, after completing his primary schooling, he was unable to find anyone in his district that would fund his high school education. And so Mlombwa made a 60km journey – on foot – to the commercial capital Blantyre. With no income or place to live, he visited churches looking for assistance and eventually found part-time employment that allowed him to complete his secondary schooling.

“One family took me in as a servant. I was working… but I was going to school where I did my Form 1-4.”

Mlombwa then started selling stationary and used his earnings to buy a second-hand car so he could travel across borders to buy stock from wholesalers in Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa. He then managed to acquire a second vehicle, and then a third.

“But the business became flooded [by competitors], especially from India…  So I sat down and thought: ‘What should I do?’

“Then the idea of opening a care hire company came into my mind.”

In 1997, and at age 28, he began his service with three second-hand cars. “And little by little I started increasing my fleet. In 2005 I had about seven vehicles. Then in 2007 I had 15, but three quarters were second-hand vehicles. This is when I asked my friend to assist me with making my company a limited company.”

But it wasn’t long before he needed a loan to expand further and increase his fleet for a government tender for airport services. He approached banks, but with no luck.

“I didn’t have a very good education like a degree, so it wasn’t easy,” he explained. “I struggled… The banks were not giving me an opportunity.”

To expand his fleet and service, Mlombwa struck a deal with various car owners to use their vehicles for a 20% commission. “And that was how [my business] took off. I make very good money.”

He used the profits to buy new vehicles and, once his business started blossoming, was able to receive a bank loan. “When they saw I was doing fine, banks came to me and said: ‘Okay, we can assist you now’,” highlighted Mlombwa.

Today his company owns a fleet of 80 vehicles and can be found at airports and hotels across the country.

But Mlombwa believes there is still considerable room for his service to grow and is now seeking investment to double his fleet. He is also constructing a number of hotels, under the Countrywide brand, which are expected to be completed by December.

Proud of where he came from

“I came from a very poor family. When I say poor, I mean the poorest family. That is where I came from. Today sometimes I have to ask if I am dead in heaven or still alive, because I can’t believe that God has sent me here – that I have got a name in the world, in Africa.”

While Mlombwa had always wanted the opportunity to pursue a degree in university, he has no regrets.

“I am happy to face challenges and I am happy I became an entrepreneur. And to be honest, I don’t see it as a regret that I did not finish my schooling, because now I can employ people with master’s degrees or whatever. They are assisting me here and there.”

He noted it is not easy to start a small business in Malawi and compete with large international players. Access to finance and information also remain key hurdles for SMEs, and Mlombwa said the high interest rates on loans can cripple a business. To help combat some of these challenges, he started the Indigenous Business Association of Malawi (IBAM) to support local entrepreneurs with identifying opportunities and growing their ventures.

According to Mlombwa, a major reason many young entrepreneurs fail in Malawi, and across Africa, is because they are impatient and want to achieve success too quickly.

“They rush. When they see their business is doing fine in the first year, they want to start living a luxury life. They want to drive a Porsche; they want a certain life.”

He advises others to start small and grow strong, sustainable businesses over time.

“Younger people are always in a hurry to do things. They want to become billionaires in two years, but in another two years, they collapse,” he continued.

“That is why I always advise business people that only time allows you to [get there]… Time is going to allow you.”

Ex:howwemadeitinafrica.com

At 13 He Got an “A” in College Maths, Now at 17 In Howard University Student & a National Scholar

David Hill II

Even at just 13 years of age, David Hill II, had shown promises of genius when he became the first African American (and one of the youngest overall) in the State of New York to earn an “A” in college mathematics while on his summer break.

At 16 he’d already graduated from high school – at the top of his graduating class, no less – while at the same time having completed 53 college credits. He had shown an inclination towards computational science and engineering and led the software programming team with FIRST Robotics Challenge in New York.

His exemplary achievements have gone on to be noticed far and wide – right up to the ears of the family that established the Nobel Prize awards.

A senior member of the family, Claes Nobel, said, “I am proud to announce that David Hill has been selected to become a member of our esteemed organization as a National Scholar. I am also honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that David has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of excellence.”

Hill has been inducted into the National Honor Society as well as the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

While most students would probably kick back and lay off books during their school breaks, Hill uses the time to learn and grow more. He has, for example, spent previous summers at Northwestern University studying about leadership; at Cornell University learning about engineering and at Dartmouth College learning about mathematics.

Right out of high school, he accepted a software engineering internship for the summer at tech giant Corning Incorporated where he made vital contributions to the software and modeling simulation group.

Although, Hill has been accepted at the Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Virginia and New York University last fall, he has set his mind on joining the Howard University engineering program because they have multidisciplinary practical learning opportunities and merit scholarship.

Hill said, “I am currently a rising college junior at 17 years old conducting cyber-security research on global satellite systems with Dr. Gerard Bloom and find it very interesting. Shadowing with Cisco Systems during my spring break will allow me to develop market driven skills and obtain a practical perspective of market dynamics in the technology industry.”

Ex: theblackhomeschool

Maritime expert decries leadership instability in NIMASA

The Chief Executive Officer of Ships and Ports Communication Company, Mr Bolaji Akinola, on Monday said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has had 10 director-generals since May 1999.

Akiola, who stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, said NIMASA "is at the heart of the growth and development of the nation’s maritime industry’’.

According to him, NIMASA is responsible for not only regulating shipping activities and dock labour but also for developing Nigeria’s tonnage.

"Unfortunately, the agency has consistently failed to deliver on its mandate since inception. The failure of NIMASA is the failure of the maritime industry and a disservice to the Nigerian economy.

"Two factors stand out strongly for the failure of NIMASA over the years. One is leadership instability while the other is the undue politicisation of appointments into the Board and top Management positions of the agency,’’ he said.

Akinola said that the offices of the director-general and those of the executive directors had been most hit by politics.

The maritime expert noted that before the appointment of Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi as Head of the agency in December 2010, there had been too frequent changes in the leadership of NIMASA.

"In the history of the nation’s apex maritime regulatory body, only two people were appointed from within the organisation as substantive chief executive officers.

"The first was Mr John Egesi. Unfortunately, Egesi spent barely three months in office before he was replaced in 1999 as a result of series of political intrigues.

"The second was Dr Ade Dosunmu from May 2007 to July 2009.

"Mr George Eneh took over from Egesi. He was in office for less than a year before his replacement by Mr Ferdinand Agu.

"Agu had the fortune of heading the agency for over four years. The Cabotage Act was passed during his tenure and he was replaced by Mr Festus Ugwu of blessed memory,’’ Akinola said.

He said that, "After Ugwu, came the creation of NIMASA and the appointment of Mrs Mfon Usoro in 2006, as the first female Director-General.’’

Akinola said that Usoro’s tenure lasted for barely nine months before the appointment of Dosunmu in May 2007.

"By July 2009, Dosumu was replaced by Mr Temisan Omatseye. Eighteen months into Omatseye’s four-year tenure, he was kicked out,
paving the way for Akpobolokemi, who completed his first four-year term and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan but removed on August 2015.

"The leadership instability at NIMASA has led to underdevelopment of the maritime industry.

"NIMASA is struggling because there has been undue over-politicisation of appointments into its Board and Executive Management at the expense of professionals.

"Appointments in NIMASA in the past have been to the detriment of proper policy formulation, growth and development of the shipping sector, ‘’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Akinola saying.

It was reported that NIMASA was formerly known as the National Maritime Authority (NMA) but its creation came upon the fusion of the NMA with the defunct Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC) on Aug. 1, 2006 

(NAN)

Patrice Talon, opposition candidate won Benin Republic presidential elections

Patrice Talon (centre) Flanked by supporters (Photo: Yahoo)

Talon, who competed against Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou in a second-round run-off vote after neither won an outright majority in the first round of voting on March 6, won 64.8 per cent of the vote, against 35.2 for Zinsou.

Reports from Cotonu say Zinsou, on Monday called the winner Patrice Talon to congratulate him on his victory and wish him luck.

Talon, 57,  former ally turned political rival of outgoing President Thomas Boni Yayi defeated Yayi’s hand-picked successor  Lionel Zinsou on Sunday’s run-off election.

By relinquishing power after serving two terms in office, Boni Yayi stands in contrast to leaders in other African nations, including Burundi, Rwanda and Congo Republic, who have altered their constitutions in order to extend their rule.

The President-elect Talon attacked his main opponent  Zinsou dual French citizenship, presenting himself as the real Beninese.

Benin Republic Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou and Presidential Candidate in the election

Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, a former economist and investment banker backed by both Boni Yayi and the main opposition Democratic Renewal Party.

Buhari plans to improve power supply with additional 10,000 megawatts in next three years

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that his administration would ensure steady power supply before the expiration of his tenure through the provision of additional 10,000 megawatts.

The President gave the assurance at the National Economic Council Retreat holding at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja.

According to him, 2,000 of the anticipated 10,000 megawatts will be added to the national grid in 2016.

"Nigerians’ favourite talking point and butt of jokes is the power situation in our country. But, it is no longer a laughing matter.

"We must and by the grace of God we will put things right.

"In the three years left for this administration we have given ourselves the target of 10,000 megawatts distributable power.

"In 2016 alone, we intend to add 2,000 megawatts to the national grid.

"In our determination to change we must and will, Insha Allah, put a stop to power shortages.’’

The President, who stated that the nation was facing the classic dilemma of privatisation of the power sector, noted that no remarkable improvement in the quality of service had been recorded after the exercise.

He, however, stated that the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) must ensure that consumers get value for money and over-all public interest is safe-guarded as government will complete the process of the privatisation.

Buhari further gave assurance that government will hasten the completion of pipelines from gas points to power stations.

He said that more security to protect gas and oil pipelines would be provided while power companies should be encouraged to replace obsolete equipment and improve the quality of service and technicians.

He maintained that the companies must also address the problem of high electricity bills in spite constant power cuts.

On the manufacturing sub-sector, President Buhari expressed regret over the inability of some industries in the country to obtain foreign exchange to import raw materials and spare parts.

"Painful though this is, I believe it is a temporary phase which we shall try to overcome but there are deeper, more structural problems bedevilling local industries which this retreat should identify short and long-term answers to’’.

President Buhari, who also spoke on current state of the nation’s agriculture, noted that for too long government policies on agriculture had been ``half-hearted, suffering from inconsistencies and discontinuities.”

He, therefore, stressed the need for urgent government action to ensure self-sufficiency in food production.

According to him, the nation’s real wealth lies in farming, livestock, hatcheries, fishery, horticulture and forestry.

The President directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to convene early meeting of stakeholders and identify problems facing the agricultural sector with a view to addressing them.

He also urged the media to enlighten the public on government’s efforts towards increasing local food production so as to bring down food prices in the markets.

President Buhari called on state governments and commercial banks to provide more incentives to small holder and medium scale farmers to boost agricultural activities.

"Banks should be leaned upon to substantially increase their lending to the agricultural sector.

"Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should bear part of the risk of such loans as a matter of national policy.

"States should increase their financial support through community groups.

"The appropriate approach should be through leaders of community groups such as farmers’ cooperatives.

"Provision of feeder roads by state governments to enable more effective evacuation of produce to markets and processing factories.’’

He recalled the 1950s, when Nigeria’s foreign exchange earners were from the export of groundnuts, cotton, cocoa, palm kernel, rubber and all agro/forest resources.

He further stated that regional banks and development corporations in all the three regions were financed from farm surpluses.

"When I was a schoolboy in the 1950’s the country produced one million tons of groundnuts in two successive years.

"The country’s main foreign exchange earners were groundnuts, cotton, cocoa, palm kernels, rubber and all agro/forest resources.

"Regional banks and development corporations in all the three regions were financed from farm surpluses.

"In other words, our capital formation rode on the backs of our farmers.

"Why was farming so successful 60 years ago? The answers are simple:

"Access to small scale credits, inputs (fertilizers, herbicides etc)

"Now we have better tools, better agricultural science and technology, and greater ability to process.

"With determination we can succeed.’’

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, expressed displeasure at the drastic fall in income from the Federal Accounts Allocation.

He, however, stressed the need for the country’s natural resources to be harnessed to address the current economic challenges.

Yari expressed hope that the retreat will come up with practical solutions aimed at growing the nation’s economy.

All the governors except Rivers, Benue and Lagos states (represented by their respective deputies) attended the opening of the two-day retreat being presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, and the Minister of Budget and Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma were among other top government functionaries in attendance. 

(NAN)

Nigerian High School Student builds Himself A Car From Scraps And Drives It To School

Nigerian SS3 student builds car, drives it to school in Kebbi 21-year-old Muzzamil Umar from Kebbi state is a car maker.
He makes engines and cars from scrap materials found around Birnin Kebbi.

The young and hardworking SS3 student said he is using the car he made to go to school.

(africanleadership)

Army Killed Notorious Boko Haram kingpin In Dalore

Elements of 22 Brigade Garrison carried out clearing operation at Dalore camp on Sunday in which they killed 19 Boko Haram terrorists among whom was Ameer of Dalore. The troops also captured 2 AK-47 Rifles, 1 Small Machine Gun and 1 Hand Grenade and recovered 4 pickup vehicles.

The troops also rescued 67 hostages from the terrorists. The freed hostages are undergoing screening at Internally Displaced Persons in Dikwa.

Unfortunately, during the operation the troops Mine Resistant Anti-Personnel (MRAP) vehicle ran into an Improvised Explosive Device and had a damaged tyre.

Kindly disseminate this information and attached photographs to the public through your medium.

7 years to study medicine not 11 as reported - NUC

Medical students are required to do seven years in the universities and not 11 as erroneously reported in some news media recently.

The National Universities Commission (NUC), made the clarification during interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

The Director, Quality Assurance of the commission, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, said on telephone that every student in Medical science must have a first degree in anatomy, physiology and medical biochemistry.

"Another basic requisite is that there must be clinical skill laboratory, whereby in teaching, students would use mannequins, dolls, to simulate diseases.

"The students will then use the mannequins to practice, rather than using human beings.

"This will also assist the students to mature psychologically for the profession’’, Mafiana added.

Some newspapers last week had quoted Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, as saying student wishing to study medicine would henceforth spend 11 years in the university.

Okojie reportedly made the remark at the maiden matriculation and inauguration of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, in Ondo. 

(NAN)

Dangote Group Sponsors 800 Nigerians To Understudy Refinery Operations In India!

A source in the multi-billion Naira company, Dangote Group, has exclusively confirmed to TheCable on Friday that billionaire business mogul and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is sending about 800 Nigerians to India, to learn the operations of a petrochemical refinery, adding that the first batch to be trained will leave for India on Sunday, March 20, 2016.

It was learnt that the 800 Nigerians will travel to the Asian country over the next 24 months in a batch of fifties, to learn from the nation with the largest refinery in the world.
India is home to the world’s largest refinery, Jamnagar Refinery Reliance Industries, Jamnagar, which refines as much as 1.2 million barrels per day.

“About 800 will be trained in batches within 24 months. The first batch of 50 is leaving for India on Sunday,” the source said.
Dangote is looking to creating employment within the Nigerian economy, rather than importing expatriates to run the first private refinery in Nigeria.
The refinery, projected to worth $9 billion, is being built to have a refining capacity of about 500,000 to 650,000 barrels per day.

“After receiving a private licence to build a refinery, Dangote has commenced the building of a 650,000 barrel per day (BPD) petroleum refinery, which will be the single largest in the world.

“The refinery would have a larger capacity than all of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) refineries put together,” the conglomerate said in a statement more than a year ago.
Dangote, who hosted Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the site of the refinery in January, assured Nigerians that the refinery would be ready to meet the nation’s need by 2018.

NSCDC intercepts smugglers with 225 jerry cans of petrol in Borno

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) has seized 225 jerry cans containing 5, 625 litres of petrol from black market operators in Maiduguri, Borno.

The state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, said on Sunday that the products were seized from illegal sources in different locations of the town following night raids.

He blamed the thriving activities of black market operators in Maiduguri on some filling stations which prefer to sell to them to make brisk businesses.

Abdullahi, however, said the NSCDC was bent on stopping all illegal outlets of petrol as they may turn out a source of supply to Boko Haram insurgents.

"Why we must stop their activities is the fact that we do not even know where they are taking these jerry cans of petrol to.

"Some of these people can be hiding under the trade and be supplying Boko Haram.

"We have been sensitising them on the media against black market operations and advising them to look for other businesses to do.

"You will notice that petrol is very scarce these days in Borno; it is not because the fillings stations did not have supply but it is because they prefer to sell to black marketers who pay them very well.

"Our men are going round the town every day and night, what the filling stations do sometimes is to put off their lights so that our men will not notice their activities, "said Abdullahi.

He said the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that perpetrators of diversion were brought to book.

"We urge the good people of Borno to be vigilant and report to the command any suspicious activities concerning diversion of petroeum products and other acts of vandalism , "he said. 

(NAN)

Anti- Corruption Campaign: Iliya Pam and Lamide Oluwaseun emerges winners of Integrity Marathon Race

Iliya Pam and Lamide Oluwaseun have emerged winners of the male and female categories of the 42-kilometre Integrity Marathon Race sponsored by Splash FM 105.5, a private radio station in Ibadan.

It was reported that Pam, who had been an all-prize winner in the last three editions, emerged the winner of the male category after completing the race in 2 hours, 39mins and 37 seconds (2:39:37).

Pam, who hails from Nassarawa State had emerged 4th, 2nd and 4th in the fifth, sixth, and seventh edition respectively.

Oluwaseun from Lagos State emerged the winner of the female category after completing the race in 3 hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds. (3:15:20).

A report shown that Istiphanun Peter, Danjuma Gyan and Goar Moses came second, third and fourth in the male category of the race,.

Four-time winner of the female category, Genevieve Njoku, Kistinwa Stephen and Gyan Stephen emerged second, third and fourth in the female category of the race.

Cheques of N600, 000, N300, 000, N150,000, N90,000, N60, 000 were released for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions in the male category respectively.

Also, cheques of N400,000, N200,000, N100,000, N60,000 and N40,000 were given to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth position winners in the female categories respectively.

Pam, the winner of the male category, said he was in the race to finance his education, adding that he had just secured admission into a College of Education.

He said that he had emerged the runner-up in the recently concluded Access Bank race in Lagos but was yet to receive the cash prize.

"I decided to participate in this one to make money to finance my education because the Access Bank race money is yet to be paid," he said.

The marathon race was initiated by Splash Fm 105.5 in 2009, making this year’s edition the eighth.

In his message to the event, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, said that it was imperative that sports should be used to combat vices in the society.

Dalung, who was represented by Mr Demola Are, an official in the ministry, commended Splash FM for starting the initiative eight years ago.

He described the initiative as laudable, saying it would complement President Muhammadu Buhari's anti- corruption campaign while promoting good governance, transparency and accountability.

The minister called on well-meaning Nigerians, government as well as Non-Governmental Organisations to assist in grassroots sports development.

Earlier in his address, Chief Adebayo Akande (MFR), the Chairman/Founder of Splash FM, said that the race was aimed at promoting values that could help the nation to tackle corruption.

"As particular to every race, strength is exerted, devotion is required, resilience is needed, tenacity is important and consistency is key.

" These principles are needed in the fight against corruption that serves as hindrance to good governance," he said.

Akande, the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, said that the race was in support of the present government in its anti-corruption campaign.

"We understand that the level of corruption is rife in the country and there is need to jail corrupt officials.

" We must emphasise that the fight against corruption cannot be won without the cooperation of the people, " he said.

The event also featured a 5-kilometre race tagged, "Running for a Cause" , in which participants donated their cash prizes to various causes.

The programme also featured anti-human trafficking and child labour rally by the Nigeria Immigration Service. 

(NAN)

Anti Trump Protest in Arizona

Dozens of protesters blocked traffic near a Donald Trump event in Arizona on Saturday, while demonstrators marched in New York City to protest the GOP front-runner.

The protesters in Arizona parked vehicles sideways on Shea Boulevard, blocking both lanes of traffic into Fountain Hills, Arizona, where Trump held a rally Saturday afternoon, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joaquin Enriquez told CNN.

Enriquez described Shea Boulevard as the main artery into the area and the protesters' actions were causing motorists to drive into oncoming traffic as they tried to get around them. Traffic was backed up for miles due to the blockage.

"This is causing huge issues for us," Enriquez told CNN. He added, "We obviously have to get this road open."

Enriquez later told CNN that three protesters were arrested and two cars were towed from the boulevard. The deputy emphasized that the arrests were due to protesters blocking the roadway, not because of the protest itself.

Protests at Trump rallies increasingly have become more contentious in recent days. Friday night, protesters outside a Trump rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, tried to breach the venue's doors, causing police officers and Secret Service officers to abruptly shut them as Trump was speaking. And last week, scuffles between protesters and supporters in Chicago led Trump to cancel a rally there.

Trump on Saturday appeared with former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who endorsed the GOP front-runner in January. Arpaio rose to conservative fame with his aggressive roundups of undocumented immigrants and attention-grabbing tactics like clothing inmates in pink underwear.

Speaking to CNN's Fredricka Whitfield earlier in the day, Arpaio said authorities are "going to do everything we can to continue to have this rally," adding that authorities are "ready for any problems."

"We'll do everything possible to make sure we have free speech in this country. Donald Trump has a right to speak out and the people have a right to go in there and hear him speak," Arpaio said. "If certain groups don't like it, that's OK. They have freedom of speech, but they're not going to violate any laws. They're going to have to pay the consequences."

At the rally, Trump touched upon many of the themes that are familiar in his stump speeches -- including bringing jobs back to the U.S. from overseas, tariffs on products made in Mexico and criticism of President Barack Obama's foreign policy -- but particularly focused on illegal immigration, a major issue in Arizona.

"So much crime. Drugs pouring though the border. People are now seeing it. And you know what? We're going to build the wall and we're going to stop it. It's going to end," Trump said.

He added, "Unless you have a border, you don't have a country. Remember that."

Trump also criticized Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, his main GOP opponent, once again calling him "Lyin' Ted." And the GOP front-runner kept up his attacks on 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney -- who has led the charge to deny Trump the delegates he needs to win the nomination -- saying "he choked like a dog" in the last presidential cycle.

While the protest in Arizona was underway, crowds of demonstrators gathered in Manhattan to march from Columbus Circle near Central Park to Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.

A small skirmish erupted when protesters started throwing water bottles at police, who were trying to keep them from impeding traffic. A handful of protesters were pepper-sprayed and some were arrested.

Along the march, tourists stopped to snap photos.

Protesters carried signs with messages such as "#CrushTrump" and shouted, "Hey, hey / ho, ho / Donald Trump has got to go."

The march was organized by groups that included immigrant-rights activists and the "Cosmopolitan Antifascists." A Facebook page for the group said it stands for "inclusion, diversity and human rights."

One protester, Malu Huacuja, who is Mexican, said she was protesting Trump's rhetoric on immigration.

"I am not a drug dealer," she said. "I am not a criminal. I am not a rapist ... Hatred is a very dangerous poison in the soul of humanity."

CNN