Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sad news: Nigerian woman dies while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
of one Hajiya Safiya Musa in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The state's Executive Secretary for the board, Alhaji Sani Alhasan,
announced the death of the pilgrim shortly before the departure of the
state's intending pilgrims to Mecca.
Alhaji Alhassan explained late Safiya Musa who was 58 years died in
motor accident on Monday.
Reports from the holy land indicated that the deceased was trying to
cross a road in Medina after prayer.
The executive secretary noted that the deceased died in the hospital
where she was rushed to after the accident.
The state government had already informed her family.
President Jonathan hands over power plants to new core owners
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday read riot act to Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) cautioning the power sector staff to
re-orientate themselves in order to be able to meet up with their new
roles under the on-going reforms in the power sector.
Giving the warning after formally handing over share certificates and
licenses to new core owners of Power Holding Companies of Nigeria
(PHCN) successor companies at the Banquet Hall, Abuja, to 10
Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and four Generating Companies
(GENCOs), he said that it is no longer going to be business as usual.
He said the government is committed to providing the investors with
all enabling environment in order to make them succeed in giving
Nigerians uninterrupted power supply.
According to him, the Federal Government has provided the Nigeria Bulk
Electricity Trading Company (NBET) capitalization fund of over $750
million to carry out its functions without financial constraints.
He said: "However, I must remind you that the work is not over. Your
staff must re-orient themselves to play the needed new roles that have
been assigned to them as a result of the reform.
"They must be prepared to collaborate efficiently with our private
sector partners; business it can no longer be as usual; all the
relevant MDAs must be ready to work in a more determined, proactive
and result-driven manner," he said.
On the government support for the investors, he said: "The
administration is committed to providing all elements that are
necessary for our private sector partners to succeed in providing
Nigerians with uninterrupted power supply."
"To start with, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET),
the off-taker, has been provided with a capitalization of $750 million
positioning it to carry out its mandate without financial constraints.
"Arrangements are also on-going to ensure that the Nigerian
Electricity Liability Company (NELMCO) is adequately funded, to assume
all of the liabilities associated with the privatisation of the PHCN
successor companies, as well as other related liabilities."
He continued: "The new GENCOs owners are inheriting signed gas supply
and transportation agreements, a new phenomenon in the gas-to-power
industry, thereby moving the industry away from the prior status of
best endeavor supply and transportation basis.
"Accordingly, we will maintain the agreed gas pricing policy in order
to encourage new investments in gas supply and infrastructure
development. The implementation of the gas policy will culminate in a
willing buyer-will seller structure to establish a fully market-driven
environment," he added.
Stressing that adequate measures have been taken to resolve all labour
related issues in the sector, he said that contributions of relevant
MDAs in the realisation of the privatisation of the power sector was
critical.
While urging Nigerians to exercise patience with the government,
President Jonathan declared that better days are ahead in the power
sector.
Also speaking at the occasion, Vice President, Namadi Sambo maintained
that it is only the private sector investment in the power sector that
can guarantee satisfying Nigeria's yearning for stable power supply.
He said the new owners of the generating companies are expected to
build up capacity from the present levels of performance to additional
5,000 megawatts within a period of five years.
"It is noteworthy to state that the privatization of the power utility
is unique and different from previous privatization programmes in the
country, that of the power sector is driven by the need for efficiency
and investment rather than optimisation of proceeds to the government.
Moreover, only bidders' technical ability and financial capability
influenced outcomes," he stated.
Departments and Agencies (MDAs) cautioning the power sector staff to
re-orientate themselves in order to be able to meet up with their new
roles under the on-going reforms in the power sector.
Giving the warning after formally handing over share certificates and
licenses to new core owners of Power Holding Companies of Nigeria
(PHCN) successor companies at the Banquet Hall, Abuja, to 10
Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and four Generating Companies
(GENCOs), he said that it is no longer going to be business as usual.
He said the government is committed to providing the investors with
all enabling environment in order to make them succeed in giving
Nigerians uninterrupted power supply.
According to him, the Federal Government has provided the Nigeria Bulk
Electricity Trading Company (NBET) capitalization fund of over $750
million to carry out its functions without financial constraints.
He said: "However, I must remind you that the work is not over. Your
staff must re-orient themselves to play the needed new roles that have
been assigned to them as a result of the reform.
"They must be prepared to collaborate efficiently with our private
sector partners; business it can no longer be as usual; all the
relevant MDAs must be ready to work in a more determined, proactive
and result-driven manner," he said.
On the government support for the investors, he said: "The
administration is committed to providing all elements that are
necessary for our private sector partners to succeed in providing
Nigerians with uninterrupted power supply."
"To start with, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET),
the off-taker, has been provided with a capitalization of $750 million
positioning it to carry out its mandate without financial constraints.
"Arrangements are also on-going to ensure that the Nigerian
Electricity Liability Company (NELMCO) is adequately funded, to assume
all of the liabilities associated with the privatisation of the PHCN
successor companies, as well as other related liabilities."
He continued: "The new GENCOs owners are inheriting signed gas supply
and transportation agreements, a new phenomenon in the gas-to-power
industry, thereby moving the industry away from the prior status of
best endeavor supply and transportation basis.
"Accordingly, we will maintain the agreed gas pricing policy in order
to encourage new investments in gas supply and infrastructure
development. The implementation of the gas policy will culminate in a
willing buyer-will seller structure to establish a fully market-driven
environment," he added.
Stressing that adequate measures have been taken to resolve all labour
related issues in the sector, he said that contributions of relevant
MDAs in the realisation of the privatisation of the power sector was
critical.
While urging Nigerians to exercise patience with the government,
President Jonathan declared that better days are ahead in the power
sector.
Also speaking at the occasion, Vice President, Namadi Sambo maintained
that it is only the private sector investment in the power sector that
can guarantee satisfying Nigeria's yearning for stable power supply.
He said the new owners of the generating companies are expected to
build up capacity from the present levels of performance to additional
5,000 megawatts within a period of five years.
"It is noteworthy to state that the privatization of the power utility
is unique and different from previous privatization programmes in the
country, that of the power sector is driven by the need for efficiency
and investment rather than optimisation of proceeds to the government.
Moreover, only bidders' technical ability and financial capability
influenced outcomes," he stated.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Strike: ASUU Is Lying, Says FG
The Federal Government has accused the Academic Staff Union of
Nigerian Universities (ASUU) of being economical with the truth on
lecturers prolonged industrial action in the universities.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students
Matters, Com. Jude Imagwe, stated that the claim by the union that its
action was to restore infrastructural decay in universities was
nothing but a lie, noting that ASUU was fighting for allowances.
Imagwe was speaking in Abuja when he received some youth groups, who
were on a visit to his office. His words: "They initially told us that
it was about infrastructure, but it is about allowances.
N30b has been released for the payment of their accumulated
allowances, and N100b earmarked for infrastructural development. It is
important for the public to know that government did not say this is
all that it will give, but government says go and start the payment
with this amount and let us know the amount it will add".
Meanwhile, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU,
will tomorrow join ASUU on strike as the union said it has mobilized
its members across the country to embark on industrial action over
alleged stoppage of their salaries for two months. SSANU, in a letter,
dated 27 September, 2013, and addressed to its branch chairmen in all
the universities in the country, directed its members to stay away
from work from tomorrow until the salaries are fully paid.
The President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, said the strike will be
total, while the General Secretary, who signed the letter directing
members to stay at home from tomorrow, Comrade Promise Adewusi, said
no member should go back to work until a counter directive was given.
Adewusi stated that the union took the decision following its letters
to the vice-chancellors in universities, the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Ministers of
Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and Education, Nyesom Wike,
as well as the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission,
Prof. Julius Okojie. In the meantime, the suspended strike by the
Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is to resume on Friday.
The union alleged insincerity and failure of the Federal Government to
honour agreement entered with the union.
The union also passed a vote of no confidence on the National Board
for Technical Education (NBTE), alleging that the board has failed to
meet the needs and demands of polytechnic education in the country.
Source: Vanguard
Nigerian Universities (ASUU) of being economical with the truth on
lecturers prolonged industrial action in the universities.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students
Matters, Com. Jude Imagwe, stated that the claim by the union that its
action was to restore infrastructural decay in universities was
nothing but a lie, noting that ASUU was fighting for allowances.
Imagwe was speaking in Abuja when he received some youth groups, who
were on a visit to his office. His words: "They initially told us that
it was about infrastructure, but it is about allowances.
N30b has been released for the payment of their accumulated
allowances, and N100b earmarked for infrastructural development. It is
important for the public to know that government did not say this is
all that it will give, but government says go and start the payment
with this amount and let us know the amount it will add".
Meanwhile, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU,
will tomorrow join ASUU on strike as the union said it has mobilized
its members across the country to embark on industrial action over
alleged stoppage of their salaries for two months. SSANU, in a letter,
dated 27 September, 2013, and addressed to its branch chairmen in all
the universities in the country, directed its members to stay away
from work from tomorrow until the salaries are fully paid.
The President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, said the strike will be
total, while the General Secretary, who signed the letter directing
members to stay at home from tomorrow, Comrade Promise Adewusi, said
no member should go back to work until a counter directive was given.
Adewusi stated that the union took the decision following its letters
to the vice-chancellors in universities, the Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Ministers of
Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and Education, Nyesom Wike,
as well as the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission,
Prof. Julius Okojie. In the meantime, the suspended strike by the
Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is to resume on Friday.
The union alleged insincerity and failure of the Federal Government to
honour agreement entered with the union.
The union also passed a vote of no confidence on the National Board
for Technical Education (NBTE), alleging that the board has failed to
meet the needs and demands of polytechnic education in the country.
Source: Vanguard
Moyes dejected after defeat
after West Brom netted a shock 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
After getting back to winning ways in the Capital One Cup against
Liverpool on Wednesday night, United were expected to comfortably
secure another home victory over the Baggies in the Premier League on
Saturday.
But a solid Baggies defensive display, along with some impressive
counter-attacking football, proved too much for the Red Devils to
handle, and Moyes felt his side got what they deserved.
"Disappointing performance, disappointing result. We never really got
up to speed," Moyes said.
"We had a few chances, but West Brom held their shape and defended well.
"They always looked a threat on the break, in the first half
especially and even more so in the second half.
"We missed that spark and West Brom deserved it no question. I can't
argue with that."
The United manager introduced Adnan Januzaj at half-time in place of
Shinji Kagawa, but the change had little effect on proceedings.
"I just tried to find another way, change things from the first half,"
Moyes explained.
"We want Shinji to feel he's getting an opportunity to show what he
can do and his best position may be number 10.
"But even for Japan he plays off the left as well so it's not
something which is strange to him or a position he's not used to.
"I thought young Adnan came on and did really well.
"I have a strong team here at United, some good players, so I am in no
doubt we will put it right.
"We will just go out and try and win the next one."
She’s a sister with SWAG! Mary J. Blige rocks the stage at a concert in Lagos (PHOTOS)
Mohammed International airport, yesterday for the much talked about
'Sisters with Soul' concert which went down at the Expo Hall of the
Eko Hotel and Suites yesterday night.
Read her tweet below:
Lagos, Nigeria! I'm on my way! I look forward to seeing you on Friday!!
— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) September 25, 2013
The 'Sisters with Soul' concert was an all female performance with
Mary J. as the lead act, other female artists who rocked the stage
were Seyi Shey, Zaina, Niyola, Lola Rae, Emma Nyra, Eva, Victoria
Kimani, and DJ Cuppy.
Tania Omotayo savours limelight
award-winning artiste, Wizkid. Tania, who shuttles between America and
Europe including Nigeria, has been spending a lot of time in the
latter country lately.
During this time, she has made herself more visible on the social
scene as opposed to her previous visits. Only recently, she attended a
wedding and a launch in Lagos, where all eyes were on her. She is
already on first name basis with a lot of A-list celebrities, who now
see her as one of their own and treat her as such
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