www.osundefender.org Saturday, april 23, 2016 The chickens have predictably come home to roost after the years of wholesale and retail looting coordinated by the party hilariously referred to as the P e o p l e ’s D e m o cratic Party (PDP).
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Front Page Comment
This time requires sacrifice and patience As even the uninitiated now know there was nothing pro- people about this contraption and it was anything but democratic.
The demolition job wrought on the Nigerian economy by the rampaging army of the PDP was horrendous. The party andThis time requires sacrifice
a n d p a t i e n c e its kleptomaniac factions literally forgot about tomorrow. While other countries built up their productive base and diversified their economies,
the PDP simply went on a corruption fuelled spending binge.This was not just run-of-themill corruption, it was more like an attempt to implode the country.
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The result is predictably disastrous. We simply did not prepare for the proverbial rainy day.By the time the madness of the PDP had run its course the country had become technically insolvent. ...Continued on page 6
Salary Crises:
Osun APC Makes Case For Fresh Bailout For States - See Story On Page 2
‘•Except it is handled nationally by the Federal Government, it is unlikely that the crisis will go away soon’
•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (2nd right), and Director of Forestry Matters in the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, State of Osun, Prince Olusoji Alex Ajayi (right), during the opening session of the public hearing on ‘Alleged Illegal Entry, Demarcation and Farming at the Shasha Forest Reserve, Ile-Ife’, held at Multipurpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo on Tuesday.
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By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
News
osun Defender Saturday, April 23, 2016
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Salary Crises: Osun APC Makes Case For Fresh Bailout For States
‘•Except it is handled nationally by the Federal Government, it is unlikely that the crisis will go away soon’ A call has been made to the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the escalating salary crisis affecting states of the federation. The call was made in a statement issued by today in Osogbo by the the party’s Director of All Progressives Congress Publicity, Research and
Strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi. According to the party, “we are approaching an emergency on this crisis, because not only is the crisis spreading
like wildfire the across statesý, it is assuming a dimension that would seriously affect the economy of the countr.” The APC however,
praised the Federal Government for its previous bailout intervention. But that intervention is not only inadequate, it has only
•The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his wife with other dignitaries at the maiden Nigerian Drums Festival last Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
By SHINA ABUBAKAR he Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has charged Nigerians to turn to agriculture for national revival, using the impetus of the current economic recession to go back to land and cultivate cash crops and food crops to achieve food security for the country. H e a l s o c a l l e d plantain innovation o n g o v e r n m e n t t o cluster/stakeholders encourage a revolution interactive session, a in agriculture. presentation of Humid The traditional ruler Tropics and Forum for spoke at a forum of Agricultural Research
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By ISMAEEL UTHMAN he Coordinator of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organization in the State of Osun, Senator Mudasiru Husain, has urged Nigerians to be more resilient and optimistic for a better Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress-led (APC) administration. Husain stated that it p o l i t i c i a n r e a s s u r e d was too early for Nigerians Nigerians that President to be losing hope in Buhari and the APC the administration of were highly committed President Muhammadu to the betterment and Buhari because of the development of Nigeria current challenges facing and would fulfill more of the country. their campaign promises He however urged in due cause . citizens of the country to Commenting on continue to believe in the economic situation of ability of the President the State of Osun, Senator in spite of economic Husain, who represented hardship, which is largely Osun West in the 7th as a result of the sharp Senate, said that the drop in crude oil prices. economic quagmire is H u s a i n b l a m e d not peculiar to the state, successive governments, expressing optimism who built the sustenance that the state would soon of Nigerian economy overcome the challenges majorly around crude within the shortest period oil, for the economic of time. crisis, just as he singled The former lawmaker out the immediate-past said Osun is isolated for administration of former media attack because of P r e s i d e n t G o o d l u c k Aregbesola’s immense Jonathan for failing to contribution to the defeat save for the raining day. of the PDP. The Ejigbo-born H e h o w e v e r
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in Africa (FARA), at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Represented by Elejesi of Ejesi-Ife, Oba Babatunde Awosunle, the monarch said, as part of his efforts to reduce youth restiveness and unemployment in his domain on assuming the throne, he acquired hundreds of hectares of land for cultivation of
both cash and food crops, where youths are fully engaged. “Ile-Ife from time immemorial is known for the production of both cash and food crops. We have land to encourage farmers particularly, the youths to go into farming. “We want to join hands with stakeholders on how to improve and increase plantain production in my domain. I am more
commended the people of the state for their understanding that the crisis is not peculiar to the state and that it is not Aregbesola’s doing, just
as he urged the people to keep on supporting the governor.
passionate about youth development,” the Oba said. In his remarks at the occasion, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said, the state government has created a conducive environment to ensure mass production of agricultural products to ensure food security in the state. According to him, one of the intervention programmes of his administration was in the area of poultry and fish production, which form part of the school feeding programme of the government.
By SOLA JACOBS former Executive Assistant to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola on Youths and Sports, Honourable Obafemi Fagbola, has been reported dead in Ile-Ife on Wednesday night. A f a m i l y s o u r c e indigenes but the nation d i s c l o s e d t o O S U N at large. The woman politician DEFENDER that the stalwart of the Peoples stated further that the Democratic Party (PDP), deceased was humane, reportedly died as a kind and patriotic. M e a n w h i l e , result of kidney-related sickness he battled for symphatizers have started to throng the home of the close to four years. Speaking on Fagbola’s deceased on Thursday death, the PDP Women m o r n i n g l o c a t e d a t Leader in Ife Central Road 7 area in Ile-Ife, L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t to symphatize with Council Area of the State his immediate family of Osun, Honourable members, while his body Mulikat Asungbalaja, in has been deposited at a chat with the medium, OAUTHC morgue. A family source also described his death as a rude shock and a revealed that the burial great loss, not only to Ife date of the deceased will
be announced later by the family. Fagbola, 51, is survived by brothers, sisters, two widows and children. It would be recalled that the deceased, with other prominent members of the PDP, was said to have been suspended from the party, prior to the just-concluded rerun election in Ife Central Local Government Council Area but was later absolved from the alleged allegations by the party. The deceased joined politics and became Chairman of Ife Central Local Government Council during zero party between 1996 and 1997, He became Executive
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marginally addressed the crisis. “To avoid an emergency that could create difficulties for the economy in the next decade, the Federal Government must address the problem now, even if it means having recourse to our reserves.” The APC decried a situation in which many states are owing their workers, salaries between five and 10 months. “What was cynically thought to be an Osun problem is now suddenly a national emergency, which the Federal Government can ill afford to ignore. “We cannot play the ostrich in a situation as critical as this. “Those politicians, who only few months ago, were mocking the State of Osun and cynically offering their salaries to pay workers in Osun, have suddenly become quiet now that their own states are owing between six and 10 months’ salaries, especially in Bayelsa.” The APC further stressed that the salary crisis is a critical factor in the economic stagnation the nation is experiencing currently. “Except it is handled nationally by the Federal Government, it is unlikely that the crisis will go away soon “We are therefore, appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to help the affected states out of this crisis,” the party said. “Since it has been impossible for states to use internally generated revenue to pay its workers, it is unlikely to do so in the next decade without major restructuring of the political and economic landscape of the country as it currently exist ,” the APC argued.
Assistant to Governor Bisi Akande under Alliance for Democracy and Commissioner for Water Resources between 2003 to 2007. During the Governor Oyinlola tenure, he was appointed Commissioner for Culture and Tourism between 2007 and2010.
Change Of Name I, formerly known as mISS KUBURAT K H ADI J AT MOHAMMED now wish to be called and addressed as DANIEL KHADIJAT KUBURAT. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.
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osun Defender Saturday, April 23,
Osun Commended For Generating Single Registry T
he State Government of Osun under a t t h e e v e n t , t h e Aregbesola for the Ogbeni Rauf A d e s o j i H e a d , P r o j e c t innumerable support Aregbesola has b e e n Implementation Unit received, which made commended for blazing the trail by (PIU), Osun YESSO, the current historic successfully generating the single registry M r O l u g b e n g a height attained by for the poor and the vulnerables in 12 local Odulaja, appreciated O s u n Y E S S O , a God and the State reality. government councils areas of the state. Government of Osun High point of The council areas I n h i s r e m a r k s u n d e r G o v e r n o r the event was the were Olorunda, Isokan, Ejigbo, Atakumosa-East, Ifedayo, Ife-North, Oriade, Ife-South, Boluwaduro, Aiyedire, Ila and Olaoluwa. he Loja Araromi Otokobo in Atakumosa-East anyone, otherwise they T h e S t a t e Local Government of the State of Osun, Chief would die. Coordinator, Adeniyi, has been sentenced to seven However, the illicit act S t a t e O p e r a t i o n years’Moses imprisonment a State High Court in Ilesa, of the chief came to the Coordinating Unit for raping two pupilsby of St. Margret Girls’ College, open when one of the (SOCU) for the girls‘ mother, got to know Youth Employment Ilesa. that did contrary would through another pupil, Adeniyi had on March and Social Support die. He then raped the a man gave the girls Operation (YESSO), 28, 2011 been arraigned pupils one after the other. that a ride. in court on a t woMr Olufemi The convict, according The woman, who was Ifaturoti, stated this count charge of rape to the pupils’ statements, worried over the lateness and indecent assault, at the selection of w i p e d t h e i r p r i v a t e of her daughter, went to beneficiaries for the contrary to sections 358 p a r t s w i t h a w h i t e the school to inquire from Public Work Fare and 360 criminal Code handkerchief, just as he the teachers. (PWF) component Cap 34 vol.11 Laws of warned them not to tell When asked where o f t h e s u p p o r t Osun State. During the hearing operation from the single registry of the case, the court already successfully was told that Adeniyi, generated by Osun sometime in May 2010, gave a ride to two pupils YESSO. I f a t u r o t i , w h o of St. Margaret Girls’ ousewives in most homes in the State of said, Osun is the College, Ilesa, who were Osun have found alternative meals to rice between the ages of 13 only state granted consumption, due to continual increase in the ‘No Objection’ by and 14 years old on their price of the popular food menu. way home from school. the World Bank to OSUN DEFENDER most homes. The victims said they proceed to the third investigation revealed She continued that the accepted the ride offer stage of the support that in order to cope with lull may be a blessing operation, having because Adeniyi was a the current economic successfully carried neighbour to one of them, crisis in the country, in disguise, as crave for out the first and and there was no reason indigenous meals such as imported commodity second stages to the to suspect him of any yam porridge, Ekuru, corn is decreasing, just as mothers make use of gr ea t a dmi r a ti on illicit act. meal and beans popularly local foods instead of the However, instead of and satisfaction of in Yoruba as Egbo imported commodity. the i nter na ti ona l dropping the pupils at known Ewa are back on the Mrs Olanrewaju financial institution, home, Adeniyi took them and table of most homes berated the idea that a d d e d t h a t t h e to his hotel, Prince Way Viola Olanrewaju, t h e c o u n t r y d i d n o t support operation Hotel, and walked them a Mrs n u t ritionist and have enough food w i l l c o v e r t h e into a room. h o u s e w i f e , s a i d t h e to feed its increasing W h i l e i n s i d e t h e remaining council economic in the p o p u l a t i o n , a r g u i n g areas of the state in room, the convict told country issituation changing the that the introduction the victims not to shout, no distant time. consumption patterns in
presentation of the soft version of the first set of selected Project Implementation Unit (PIU)-Public Work Fare (PWF) beneficiaries by the Management Information Specialist (MIS) Officer, Mrs Yemisi
Haastrup, on behalf of the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU) to Mr Niyi Oni, who collected the soft material on behalf of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), Osun YESSO.
Court Jails Village Chief For Raping 2 Secondary School Pupils
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By ismaeel uthman to control them. they had gone instead State prosecuting of their various homes, c o u n s e l , M r T i j a n i the two girls confessed A d e k i l e k u n , w h o that they were taken to a appeared along with hotel, where a man raped Mrs Folshade Adekomi, then. said the prosecution They had refused to h a d p r o v e d b e y o n d name the rapist chief reasonable doubt that because of fear he had Adeniyi raped the pupils. instilled on them, but Delivering her for the assurance of j u d g m e n t o n t h e their teacher, who told matter on Thursday, them that nothing would Justice Kudirat Akano of the court convicted happen to them. They said, the convict Adeniyi for the rape and might use fetish power sentenced him to seven
Food Scarcity: Housewives Find Alternatives To Rice Consumption
By Sola jacobs was largely responsible vogue and the people for the reduction in were feeding on varieties the production of local of food available in the foods, which had not only country. The nation was blessed depleted the country’s foreign reserves but had with varieties of yam, also taken toll on the corn and beans, as well as health of the people as a locally-produced Ofada, Ekiti, Abakaliki rice nation. T h e n u t r i t i o n i s t among others. She continued that attributed the increase of imported foods to consumption of rice then the scourge of cancer, was during the festive infertility, hypertension season and spaghetti, and other health-related noodles, pizzas were alien challenges in the society. to Nigerian homes save Going down memory the expatriates’ homes lane, she said, that prior who were working in the to the oil boom era in country. Mrs Olanrewaju Nigeria in 1976, the crave for imported foods and therefore, counseled that of foreign food items products was not in mothers should imbibe telling them that anybody the locally-produced rice and foods as it will encourage the local farmers to grow more, since the consumers will buy their products and urged the government at the state and national levels to fund rice growers to plant highyielding variety. Another housewife, Mrs Awa Ibrahim, in her chat with OSUN DEFENDER, said that government should promote local production of cassava for flour production, as well as encourage wheat cultivation in the Northern part of the country for bread menu, which is becoming difficult for an average Nigerian to buy. She added that bread and gaari, the stable foods on Nigerian table, are becoming expensive on daily basis, even the price of locally-produced corn. Mrs Ibrahim therefore, cautioned that in the quest to reposition the economy of the nation, •President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) in a group photograph with Ambassador Samantha Power, US Permanent Representative to the United the government should th Nations (5 left) and others in a group photograph during a courtesy visit by Ambassador Samantha to the President Buhari House, Abuja, last take note of the feeding Thursday.
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osun Defender Saturday, April 23, 2016
Osun Moves To Checkmate Deforestation •We’re Committed To Agric, Forestry Development - Aregbesola he governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Iye) for free distribution by his administration to in Ile-Ife, which is one
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Aregbesola, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to agriculture and forestry development for the attainment of self-sufficiency in the production of staple commodities. The governor stated shelter, life sustaining this at the opening session drugs and raw materials o f a p u b l i c h e a r i n g for the industries. by Inter-ministerial The governor stated Committee on report of t h a t a r e s p o n s i b l e illegal entry and farming g o v e r n m e n t , i n a on Shasha Forest in Ile-Ife developing economy at the Local Government Service Commission Hall like Osun, must give agriculture and forestry at Abere.ý Aregbesola noted that p r o m i n e n c e i n i t s the committee was set development plan. According to him: up in order to foster the peaceful atmosphere “Considering the global that is needed for the standard prescribed by development of the state Food and Agricultural in accordance with the six- Organisation, 35 per cent point integral action plan of any nation’s land mass of our administration. must be forested. In order H e h e l d t h a t t h e to achieve this objective, importance of agriculture our administration has, and forestry to national among other things, economy cannot be over- r a i s e d 2 . 5 m i l l i o n e m p h a s i s e d , a d d i n g seedlings of Teak and that the two sectors are Gmelina Arborea (Igiveritable sources of food,
in the state in 2014. “We have planted 120 hectares in the six geopolitical zones of the state and set up special task force with serviceable patrol vans to patrol and protect our forest against illegal logging. “We have also engendered a healthy environment through systematic application of community mobilization, volunteerism, technology and other best practices in waste, flood and vegetal management to attain Sustainable Development Goals standard in sanitation, beautification and forest resources management”. Aregbesola told the gathering. He reminded the sitting of the setting up of Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O’REAP)
empower farmers through guaranteed inputs, rural infrastructural development and youth training in farming and agro-entrepreneurship. The governor also hinted on government interventions on development of storage facilities and market linkages, development of farm produce processing, especially rehabilitation of the Cocoa Processing Industry at Ede among others. Aregbesola said: “In spite of all these efforts by the government to promote agriculture and give those willing to farm access to agriculture land and other farming inputs, some people have been encroaching on government forest reserves. “It is regrettable that Shasha Forest Reserve
of the oldest forest reserves in the country, is at the receiving end of this unsavoury development,” he emphasised.ý Aregbesola stated that the state is not just conserving forests to keep people away from land, but for the reason that forests are necessary to protect the biodiversity of the environment. He pointed out that forest encroachers are carrying out illegal activities, some of which are clearly criminal in nature, adding that it is more rampant in illegal logging activities. Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning, Architect Wale Ojo, stated that the forest reserve is a farmland of economic trees, especially
•There was a fire outbreak at Ladipo Auto spare parts market, Mushin, Lagos, recently.
Osun Waste Management Bill Passes Second Reading T By kazeem mohammed
he Osun State Waste Management Authority Bill has passed through the second reading before the State House of Assembly, with members canvassing the accelerated passage of the bill. Leader, Dejo Osuolale, At the plenary on said, the bill, when T u e s d a y , m e m b e r s passed, would make the c o n s e n t e d t h a t t h e people of the state to passage of the bill would be healthier, saying, if facilitate effective waste waste is not properly management, ensure management, it might cleaner environment, lead to epidemic. prevent communicable According to him, the disease and enhance state government has Internally Generated been doing a lot in the Revenue (IGR). area of environmental Reading the policy trust cleanliness, adding that of the bill, the Deputy the bill would further
assist the government in its efforts. Also, the Chief Whip, Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi, said waste management all over the world is always given serious attention to ensure environmental sustenance and ensure cleaner environment. He also said waste must be properly managed to ensure that the people are not generating materials that would lead to harmful diseases. According to him, the management of waste would also generate
employment, as those that would be in-charge would be engaged. Also, Kamardeen Akanbi, representing Ede North Constituency, said the bill, when passed, would prevent indiscriminate dumping of refuse. O l a t u n b o s u n Oyintiloye representing Obokun Constituency said in management of waste, recycling of waste would be encouraged to generate revenue for the government and the people. He added that the bill
would also discourage burning of refuse, which might cause diseases like asthma and cancer of the lung among others, saying, the people would then be conscious of their environment. Also, Ajibola Akinloye (Ola-Oluwa), Ibrahim Gbadebo (Iwo) and Olaolu Oyeniran (OdoOtin) also consented to the accelerated consideration and passage of the bill. Meanwhile, the parliament also dissolved to the committee of the whole for the consideration of the Micro Credit Agency Bill 2016.
timber. He added that the forest was conserved significantly to ameliorate climate change, provision of shelter for wildlife and the provision of raw materials for industries. Ojo also added that provision of material for drug industries, provision of watershed for stream and rivers and research as the reasons for the conservation of the forest. “The report that came to the Government is that illegal entries, demarcation and reallocation as well as farming have been taking place in the forest reserve. All these are antithetical to the purpose of keeping the forest and are therefore, not in the public interest. “Mr. Governor, who believes in peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue, has therefore allowed the public hearing by an interministerial committee”, he stressed. The Permanent Secretary noted that the committee is determined to carry out the assignment with objective perception and mindset and come up with a report that shall be in the public interest. In his paper, Professor of Forest Economics, and Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, Professor Labode Popoola,ý decried indiscriminate deforestation in the country. He noted that time has come for government at all levels to rise against deforestation in order to save the country from adverse effects of global warming and climatic change. Popoola condemned the clearing of forest, majorly for farming, confirming that 400, 000 hectares of forest is lost annually through what he described as shifting cultivation. According to him: “Forest is life, and there abound enough evidence that those who grow it, care for it and conserve it. “As diversely perceived, forest in our society are viewed as just ‘bush’, a dangerous place for demons and evil spirits, wild animals that can harm but it remains an ecosystem where human existence lies on. “Though we need to go back to land to farm, but it has to be systematically and intensively planned because sustainable agriculture does not imply creating environmental crisis,” he added.
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osun Defender Saturday, April 23,
This time requires sacrifice and patience
Contiuned from page 1
Not just that, dangerously dependent on one source of income (oil) the country was actually totering on the brink o f b a n k r u p t c y. Now someone else must do the difficult bit, which is to clean up the mess. Actually it is more than that. What we have is more like cleaning up the Augean stables.
Quite a daunting task but somebody has got to do it. Let us not pull our punches - the country is fortunate to have at the helm of affairs at this difficult time a man of unimpeachable integrity in President Muhammadu Buhari. Integrity matters. At a time of crisis the people will be asked to
This means that the motivating factor will have to be leadership by example . President Buhari has certainly set the right tone. The war against corruption has set the tone that ripping off the treasury will no longer be tolerated. Hand in glove with this, the emphasis is now on revenue generation in order to fund a pro-people budget and build up the productive base. This is the most sen-
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It will however require patience on behalf of the country as a patriotic government valiantly resets the template. The people of this country already know from their own personal experience that there can be no gain without pain. They are also aware that to turn things round will require time and patience.
A social contract is crucial in a democracy.
After all it is easier to destroy than to build. It is also important to state that the sacrifices required to reboot the economy will be equally shared. It will not be the hitherto unequal partnership between the government and the people. This time the sacrifices will be based on the execution of the social contract which sets out the obligations that determines the relationship between the government and the governed.
Such a relationship allows the government to deliver quality service with the cooperation with the people. This means that on the part of the populace the cooperation will come in terms of the payment of taxes and generally being good citizens. There is no doubt that this new cooperation is already manifesting itself. It is morn-
OSUN DEFENDER
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HEALTH
osun Defender Saturday, April 23,
E-cigarettes ‘May Harm The Lungs And Immune System’
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moking an e-cigarette Scientists found small amounts of toxic chemicals in e-cigarette vapour E-cigarettes contain some toxic chemicals and are not a safe alternative to smoking tobacco, US research suggests. In experiments on mice, scientists found that e-cigarette vapour could harm the lungs and make them more susceptible to respiratory infections. The PLOS One study also found traces of “free radical” toxins similar to those found in cigarette smoke. A lung charity said more research on the health impact of vaping was needed. There has been debate over the safety of e-cigarettes since they were introduced. Continue reading the main story Although they are generally thought to be less harmful than smoking real cigarettes, because they contain no tobacco, they do still contain the addictive chemical nicotine. However, this study which looked at the effects of e-cigarette vapour on mice, says
it still appeared to damage the lungs. ‘Harmful effects’ Thomas Sussan, lead author and assistant scientist in the department of environmental health sciences at Johns Hopkins University, said: “E-cigarette vapour alone produced mild effects on the
lungs, including inflammation and protein damage. “However, when this exposure was followed by a bacterial or viral infection, the harmful effects of e-cigarette exposure became even more pronounced.” When the study divided mice into two
Health Benefits Of Lemon he health benefits of lemon include its use as a treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, and fever, internal bleeding, rheumatism, burns, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure, while it also benefits hair and skin care,. Known for its therapeutic property since generations, lemon helps to strengthen your immune system, cleanse your stomach, and it is considered a blood purifier. Lemon juice, especially, has several health benefits associated with it. It is well known as a useful treatment for kidney stones, reducing strokes and lowering body temperature. As a refreshing drink, lemonade helps you to stay calm and cool. The health benefits of lemons are due to its many nourishing elements like vitamin C, vitamin B, phosphorous, proteins, and carbohydrates. Lemon is a fruit that contains flavonoids, which are composites that contain T
antioxidant and cancer fighting properties. It helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, fever, indigestion and many other problems, as well as improving the skin, hair, and teeth. Studies conducted at the American Urological Association highlight the fact that lemonade or lemon juice can eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of crystals. People use lemons to make lemonade by mixing lemon juice and water. Many people also use lemon as a washing agent, because of its ability to remove stains. The scent of lemon can also repel mosquitoes, while drinking lemon juice with olive oil helps to get rid of gall stones. Lemon is well known for its medicinal power and is used in many different ways. As per the results reported in a study by the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, lemon provides protection against inflammatory polyarthritis and arthritis. Health Benefits of Lemon
Various health benefits of lemon are explained below: Indigestion and Constipation: Lemon juice helps to cure problems related to indigestion and constipation. Add a few drops of lemon on your dish (take care, as lemon does not go well with milk), and it will aid in digestion. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and a cleansing agent, so a good drink after lunch or dinner is fresh lemon soda, which is also called fresh lime soda in many places. The recipe is lemon juice, cold water, soda, salts (common salt or rock salt) and sugar/honey for sweetness. You can also add some mint leaves or crushed fennel seeds for added flavor. Drink this whenever you have a heavy lunch or dinner. Fever: Lemon juice can treat a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fevers by increasing perspiration. Dental Care: Lemon juice is also frequently used in dental care. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the area of a toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. Massaging lemon juice on the gums can stop gum bleeding, while eliminating the bad odors that can come from various gum diseases and conditions. Additionally, lemon can be used in the regular cleansing of your teeth. Keep your eye out for a toothpaste containing lemon as one of the ingredients, or add a drop of lemon juice onto your normal toothpaste. Some people also rub their teeth with the outer shell (the inner side touching your teeth) of a lemon after removing the juice. But be careful, lemons are highly acidic, so if your mouth starts burning, rinse your gums and mouth quickly with water. Hair Care: Lemon juice has proven itself in the treatment of hair care on a wide scale. Lemon juice applied to the scalp can treat problems like dandruff, hair loss and other problems related to the hair and scalp. If you apply lemon juice directly on the hair, it can give your hair a natural shine. Skin Care: Lemon juice, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can also cure problems related to the skin. Lemon juice can be applied to reduce the pain of sun burn, and it helps to ease the pain from bee stings as well. Lemon juice can be applied on the skin for the treatment of acne and eczema. It acts as an antiaging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water and honey brings a healthy glow to the skin, and if you thoroughly search the cosmetic market, you will find some soaps containing lemon juice, but they aren’t too easy to find! Burns: Application of lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and since lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin when you currently have an irritating burn. Internal Bleeding: Lemon has antiseptic and coagulant properties, so it can stop internal bleeding. You can apply lemon juice to a small cotton ball and place it inside your nose to stop nose bleeds.
groups and exposed one group to vapour from e-cigarettes for two weeks, it found that the mice in the exposed group were not as good at clearing the bacteria from their lungs. As a result, the viral infection led to them losing increasing amounts of weight, which in some cases killed the mice. This was because they had a compromised immune system and could not fight off the infection. Graphic: What’s inside an e-cigarette? The scientists said further research in people with a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was needed to see how they were affected by switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes. The study also discovered the presence of “free radicals” in e-cigarette vapour, although at 1% of the level found in real cigarettes. These free radicals are highly reactive toxins which can damage DNA or other molecules within cells, leading to cell death. Dr Sussan said he was surprised by the finding, considering the fact that e-cigarettes do not produce combustion products. “Granted, it’s 100 times lower than cigarette smoke, but it’s still a high number of free radicals that can potentially damage cells.” ‘Low toxic effect’ Tom Pruen, chief scientific officer for ECITA, Electronic Cigarette Trade Industry Association, criticised the way the research was conducted. He said the mice were exposed to a vapour dose intended for humans, not mice. And the cartomisers in the e-cigarettes were not changed often enough in the study, which would expose the mice to “significant amounts of thermal degradation products”. He added: “In reality, this research indicates that for people using the products as intended, e-cigarettes really do offer significant harm reduction compared with smoking, and appear to have a remarkably low toxic effect.” Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “While there is still little doubt that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than regular cigarettes, this study in mice is yet another reminder of the lack of conclusive evidence currently available on the long-term health impact of vaping in humans. She said more research should be conducted on e-cigarette use by people with COPD. “Quitting smoking is the most effective way in which someone living with COPD can slow the progression of their disease. “With as many as 25,000 people dying of smoking-related COPD in the UK each year, greater certainty is urgently needed over whether e-cigarettes are safe to use by COPD patients looking to quit smoking. “Among the wider population, we know many smokers have found e-cigarettes a useful aid to quitting. “However, until such time as more research has clarified the long-term health impact of vaping, we wouldn’t advise their use by non-smokers.”
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Aregbesola, Farmers Discuss Future Of Agric osun Defender Saturday, April 23, 2016
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, last week, introduced another dimension in the handling of the affairs of the state. Instead of sitting in his cosy office and receive feedbacks from his aides on some of the challenges farmers experience, he decided to go to the farms to get first-hand information. SOJI ADENIYI reports. Olosin of Osin, Chief Lawrence Apata
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ow, let’s go to the farms!” That was how Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola mobilised his aides as he breezed out of his residence on Wednesday last week. It was not time for any flowing white agbada. Aregbesola wore a grey traditional Yoruba top–dansiki. Before his aides could say “jack”, he had hopped into the waiting caravan bus which he used during his campaigns for the 2014 governorship election. Thirty minutes of journey from Osogbo, the state capital, the convoy had arrived at Oke Osin in Atakumosa West Local Government Area. The convoy meandered through many other farm settlements, just as many farmers ran out of their houses to catch a glimpse of the governor and his entourage. Of course, words had gone round that Aregbesola would visit them in their farmsteads to listen to their stories. But not many were convinced that this would, indeed, happen. The best they had had over the decades was for few representatives of the farmers to be asked to meet officials of the Ministry of Agriculture to lodge their complaints. They hardly got feedbacks, let alone solutions to their problems. So, incredulity gave way to anxiety. Anxiety gave way to relief when eventually the convoy of the governor rode into the farm settlements; making straight for the farmstead which had been prepared to receive him and his entourage. No red carpets! There were only plastic chairs and wooden benches arranged under the canopy of dancing cocoa leaves. The bare ground had been covered by a rustling collection of drying cocoa leaves which combined to form beautiful scenery to receive the visitors. Those who could not find chairs sat on cocoa tree trunks. Accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Wale Adedoyin and a few other aides, Aregbesola cut the picture of the man who had come to listen to all shades of opinions, no matter how unsavoury, if only that would help him get the true picture of the state of his government’s investment in agriculture. Though, Chairman, Farmers’ Field School, Mr. Timothy Akingbade, had many words of commendations for the governor and his team, he nevertheless, was categorical on areas which require urgent interventions in order to ensure that government’s investment in the sector is better appreciated. Akingbade said: “It is only an ingrate that would close his eyes to the ongoing transformation in agriculture sector in this state since the inception of the current administration. “And, going by the drastic efforts and commitment of this administration at revamping the decadence in agriculture, we can boldly say that the current government has so far attained the feat. “The only thing to complement the government’s efforts is for us to show more interest in agriculture so as to
said: “Apparently, the disposition of the government is to turn around the state by empowering farmers for greater productivity as well as improve the general well-being of the people. “The visit of our governor to hold this crucial meeting with farmers in this rural area signifies utmost love, passion and greater sense of commitment to develop the state; most importantly in the area of agriculture. “We are excited because the visit was the first of its kind in the history of our community.” aving l i s t e n e d t o t h e farmers, the Governor, who had made notes as the speakers made their points, said his visit had nothing to do with politics or show-off. “We have come to have first-hand information on how farming activities are going on in the state and to show that government is not just paying lip-service to its commitment to the development of agriculture,” he said. Within the last three months, Aregbesola had had engagements with farmers, farm produce merchants, relevant officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. All indicate that the focus of his administration is agri-business. Earlier this year, the government announced that it has taken census of at least 60 million cocoa trees, in an exercise to ascertain the potential of the state in agriculture. That gives the government a rough estimate of revenue that can be generated from this source alone with the right regulations and incentives. Just last week, the Governor paid loans provided by the government to farmers. a visit to the resuscitated Cocoa While the governor was able to Production Company in Ede, which discover that some of the real farmers had become dilapidated since 2001. have been unable to access the loans, For months now, Aregbesola’s some of the farmers were informed emphasis has been on agriculture and about the activities of some of their how it can be turned to goldmine. colleagues who obtained loans but He told the farmers: “When there failed to pay back, a situation that has was free money coming from oil, hindered others from accessing the no government considered how loan facility. agriculture could contribute immensely epresentative of the Quick to the economy. We are back to the I m p a c t I n t e r v e n t i o n days where agriculture will be the main Programme for Farmers, Mr. Eluyemi Arowolo, said the sum of stay of our economy in Osun State. As N851, 669, 532.53 had been given out soon as we have a cabinet, most of our as loans to farmers under the QUIIP meetings will be held on farmlands. “In our commitment to support 1 and 2 schemes. Out of this, only N236, 759,413.63 subsistence and commercial farmers, we have so far granted loan of about N1 has been recovered. Arowolo said: “The purpose of this billion to them and also disbursed the report is to make public the financial needed facilities and chemicals for the commitment of this administration in development of their activities. “To this end, we are resolved to reviving the glory of the agricultural facilitate more benefits and support, sector. “The current government had to facilitate more participation in facilitated credit facilities through farming.” L’abe Cocoa, (under the canopy the Bank of Agriculture which our farmers had benefited from. The of cocoa trees), Aregbesola might gesture was aimed at enhancing the just have been, in rare metaphorical production capacity of all farmers language, been seeking for cover from across the state. the worsening revenue crisis in Nigeria “With this initiative, we have and the world as well. recorded great improvement just as we are hopeful for more benefits. “Though we are experiencing some challenges in recovering loans given to some of our farmers, we won’t relent in ensuring success in this regard.” The traditional ruler of the town, the •Culled from The Nation
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help government in fulfilling its goal of turning the state to an agricultural hub.” Akingbade noted areas such as proliferation of fake agro-chemicals, lack of clean water and lack of GSM and internet connections that would require government’s interventions. Fake agro-chemicals, Akingbade said, remains a major headache as the applications of these ruin farmers’ investments; making many of them become bankrupt. He suggested that the government should directly be involved in the procurement of the chemicals through partnership with certified manufacturers with the conviction that this would eliminate activities of fake producers. While acknowledging provision of light through the state’s rural electrification project, Akingbade said the Rural Accessibility Programme (RAMP) has not succeeded in making all the roads motorable, especially for transportation of farm produce from the rural areas to the cities. Many of the farmers informed the governor that they are educated and that facilities such as internet and GSM services should not elude them. Akingbade said information technology is so crucial to them at this stage because of the latest information on farming which could be of immense help to boosting their farm investments. The session provided the opportunity for the governor and the farmers to know the true state of the
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Opening Session Of The Public Hearing On ‘Alleged Illegal Entry, Demarcation And Farming At The Shasha Forest Reserve, Ile-Ife’, Held At Multipurpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo, Last Tuesday.
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National Economic Council (NEC) Meeting Held In Abuja Last Thursday
•Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo during the meeting.
•Governor, Nyesom Wike (right); his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal (left) and Zamfara State Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari (2nd right) with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, during the meeting.
Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting In Abuja Last Wednesday.
•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning, Arc. Adewale Ojo, at the event.
•33 (R-L) President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President, Professor Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Eyo-Ita and National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja last Wednesday. •A cross section of dignitaries at the event.
•A cross section of participants during the programme.
•Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi (left), and others at the event.
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osun Defender Saturday, April 23, 2016
Aregbesola Has Shown Commitment To Rural Development - CSDP GM
Mrs Funmi Abokede is the General Manager, State of Osun Agency for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), the agency seeing to the development of communities in the state. In this interview with KAZEEM MOHAMMED, he spoke on the activities of the agency and the commitment of the state government under Governor Rauf Aregbesola to the development of grassroots. Excerpt:
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SDF: What are the activities and mandate of your agency? ABOKEDE: It is about the development of our communities at the grassroots level. It is co-funded by the State Government of Osun and the World Bank and it is saddled with the responsibility of seeing to the development of communities, particularly in the rural areas with ultimate goal of reducing poverty, increasing access of the poor people to social amenities and natural resource infrastructure. OSDF: What then have you been able to do in this regard in Osun, especially within the last five years that the present administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has been in the saddle? ABOKEDE: Every administration has its own developmental agenda and that of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola hinges on six-point integral action plan and the achievements of this agency has been to contribute to this action plan. The agency has a mandate to fund multi-sectoral project, which cut across water, electrification, health and others. However, the beauty of it is that the methodology of project implementation is bottom up, that is, community-driven development, whereby, the communities identify their needs and co-finance with 10 per cent of the money needed for the project and at the implementation level, they are the actors. This is to ensure that they take ownership and ensure sustainability of the project. Because of the role they are made to play, it means that the project being funded is relevant to their needs. If you look at the six-point integral action, one is to banish poverty, which is multi-dimensional concept. We have the social poverty, economic poverty, and even exclusion, and when you don’t have a voice, is also poverty, but the way the project is arranged is that everybody in the community has a say on the project going on in his or her community. So, this has addressed social exclusion and increase access of the people to social amenities. In the area of banishing hunger, this agency has contributed in the sense that project implementation is done by the communities themselves, meaning that when they identify projects are to be executed, the artisans in the communities are the ones that carry out the labour and during that moment, they are able to have money to put into their pockets. When you talk of banishing unemployment, there are a lot of electrification projects that have been completed and people are now connected to electricity. So, a lot of artisans like welders, hair dressers, those that grind pepper, cold rooms and others whose source of livelihood are related to electricity can use to do their job. This has
empowered and live meaningfully. In all, so far, 311 multi-sectoral projects have been completed across all the 30 local government council areas and Area Council of the state before the creation of new councils and this has been made possible due to the passion of Mr Governor for grassroots development. The governor has been able to contribute the expected amount of N650 million so far to this project and in fact, in December 2015, he contributed N150 million despite the current financial challenges. I must say that CSDP is in 27 states, but it is only Osun and Cross River that paid the N150 million and that tells you how committed the government is to the development of our communities. OSDF: How much can be the maximum amount that can be injected into projects in any community? BOKEDE: There is no maximum in the sense that there is what we call community development plan which has a portfolio of microprojects. For that one, what the maximum development plan can be is N10 million, which will comprise of many projects. It now depends on the need of such community. We call it micro-project because it must be within what the community can manage. OSDF: What has been the level of acceptability of these projects by the communities? ABOKEDE: There is high acceptability, to the extent that we now have challenge of how to reach to all of them. 1,060 communities have expressed their interest so far and we have only been able to intervene in 252 communities, which is less than 20 per cent of those that really want this intervention. The people are showing more interest because they see that the way the project is being done is transparent, and they are the ones that implement the projects, we only facilitate the process for them to identify their needs, they come up with community development plans among themselves alongside with the local government. The fact that they implement makes them see the projects as theirs and they are very keen. For the 10 per cent that has to be raised by the communities, they raise it either by cash or kind. In kind in the sense that they can work as labourers and value their labour, they might supply blocks and some other materials and then value it. So, they are very interested and trying their best to make sure that they comply with the guidelines. OSDF: It is one thing to have the project in place and it is one thing to have them maintained, what mechanism are you putting in place to ensure the maintenance
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helped to banish unemployment. Also, on the enhancement of functional education, the agency has contributed by giving grants to communities to build and or renovate schools in their domains. An example is Oni-Oba community whereby, before now, they used to have their classrooms under the tree, but now, they have classrooms and with that, the pupils are able to go to school at anytime, as against the situation in the past, when they would not be able to go to school during raining season. Also, science laboratories have been constructed and examples of that are in Agunrodo in Ejigbo Local government, Otan-ile in Obokun Local Government Council Area and Oke-Atile in Irewole Local Government Council Area and we also have it in Isolo-Ijesa among other places. This has helped the students a lot especially in the area of practicals. If you also look at it, the reading habit is going down and we need to bring it up, hence, in Agbeye, OdoOtin Local Government Council Area, there is a library there and there is another one in Ilobu, so as to bring back the reading culture through the CSDP. Besides that, in the Holy Secondary School of the physically-challenged they did not have hostel before, but the CSDP funded the project, where they now have boys’ hostel.
There are so many others of such interventions by the agency. In the area of restoring healthy living, the agency has funded projects on boreholes which have given the people access to portable water and this has helped to reduce incidents of diarrhea and typhoid fever and they are living hygienic lives. For instance, there is a community where people there don’t take bath for three days atimes, but with the presence of borehole there, they can conveniently bath regularly. There are some communities, where they don’t have toilet, but now they have. We have them across the state. lso, there is funding of health centre. There is a far and remote community called Idi-Ogan, where such health centre has been funded, there is another one in Oke-Ila and such other places. In the area of enhancing communal peace and progress, there is a civic centre being funded by CSDP, where communities can come together to engage themselves on how to ensure the development of their communities to enhance communal peace. The physically-challenged are not left out, they also have a hall where they can come together to discuss issues and the next phase is that they will be funded to have equipment in the hall, which will now translate to skill acquisition centre. Through that, they will be
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Hajia Faosat Ayoni Omowumi Lawal Was Installed The Iyalaje Adinni Of Edeland And District Muslim Youths Association At The Ede Central Recently.
•Mosque recently.From right: Alhaj Olumide Lawal presenting the Chieftaincy the plaque to Hajia Faosat Omowumi Ayoni, with her husband Mr. Olagunju to the left.
Fuel Scarcity At NNPC Mega Filling Station, Osogbo.
•A scene at NNPC Mega Filling Station, Ring Road, Osogbo, few days ago.
Osun Hunters At Dynamic Reformers’ Group Award of Excellence Programme.
•A group of Osun hunters at Dynamic Reformers’ Group’s award of excellence programme to eminent Osun indigenes held at Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abere, Osogbo, recently.
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Aregbesola Has Shown Commitment To Rural Development - CSDP GM Top 10 Pros And Cons Of Apple Iphone 6 Plus S S T
•Continued from page 10
of the projects and what kind of feedback are you getting in terms of maintenance? ABOKEDE: One of the processes is that before they start to implement any project, they must elect Project Management Committee among themselves, who will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the projects and before release of fund to them, it is compulsory that their capacity must be built through training to know how to implement and maintain the project. So, anytime we move around and see fault somewhere, we call their attention to ensure t hat t he p roject is al ways functional. They also have ways of generating funds in their communities and have an account where money can be taken for the maintenance of such projects. OSDF: How much has the state government and World Bank contributed? ABOKEDE: Since 2009, the state government has contributed N650 million, while the
World Bank has contributed N1,191,721,373.65. OSDF: The contribution from the World Bank, are they grants for the state? ABOKEDE: It is not a grant, but a credit, and it is arranged in a way that it has a moratorium of 10 years and after that the state will then pay back for 30 years. It is a very relaxed kind of credit. OSDF: Are you also considering sensitisation of the people to ensure proper use of the project and effective maintenance? ABOKEDE: That might not really be a problem in the sense that the mechanism here is demand-driven and not supply. The community themselves are the ones that make the request to address the problem in their communities. From the onset, they will elect people that will manage the projects. In the CSDP, we have monitoring and evaluation unit and everyone of us in the agency is a monitor and evaluator and we all see to the functionality of these projects.
o, because it is what they need, you will see them doing everything possible to see the project working. In the past, the approach was up-bottom and those are the projects you see not working and then we had to seat down to adopt the bottomup approach. So, the problem of abandoning the project is very rare. If this bottom-up approach is adopted in project implementation in Nigeria, we will have minimal problem of projects not being utilised or not functioning. So, I strongly recommend the community-driven approach. OSDF: If you are to rate the commitment of this government when compared with the past in the area of community development, how will you rate it? ABOKEDE: We can see the commitment of this government in the community development. It is when there is no money and you struggle to bring out money that you will know that there is commitment. The N150
million contribution last year was a clear indication that the government under Aregbesola is committed to eradicating poverty and ensure human development in our communities. OSDF: What should the people be expecting from CSDP within the next few years? ABOKEDE: Firstly, I have to thank Governor Aregbesola for giving the enabling environment for CSDP and believing in me as a woman and giving me the opportunity and I want him to continue the support so that we can still do better thing. When that is given, we will be able to see more improvement in the development of our people, particularly, the poorest of the poor communities that need intervention. Also, the vulnerable people will get intervention and we will continue to see improve human development in Osun.
politics
We’re Lucky To Have Buhari At This Time - Prof. Sagay In this interview, Sagay takes a swipe at the Senate for initiating the amendment of the law establishing the Code of Conduct Bureau and also faults the National Assembly for the controversy trailing the 2016 budget. He also berates Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State over his letter urging the Chinese government to rescind its decision of a $2 billion loan to Nigeria. Excerpts: slaves and allow them to take away
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hat is your take on the ongoing process to amend the CCT Act by the
Senate? It is the nature of brazenness and impunity into which we have descended in this country that the highest legislative chamber in the country, which is supposed to be there to promote the interest of Nigerians, has constituted itself into a cabal for promoting lawlessness and providing what I will call immunity in advance of intended misconduct. But the argument of the Senate is that the amendment has nothing to do with the ongoing trial of the Senate President. Of course it cannot have anything to do with it, the act has been done. Constitutionally, it is not possible for them to do anything about it but they are trying to make room for their own intended misconduct in the future, perhaps they are already guilty of that misconduct and out of fear of what will happen, they are trying to cover themselves before any action is taken against them. The Kano railway line which favours the north, they collect that and then, remove the railway line which will favour the South and they now shared the N60 billion which was approved for it as counterpart funding amongst other northern projects including an artificial port in the north. Do you think the people from the South south will look up as
their patrimony? Do you think everything will be alright? That is why I said those southern senators were sleeping when these two conspirators decided to hijack the money meant for the LagosCalabar project and distribute it among northern projects. What I am saying now is that Buhari must insist that the project must be put back in the budget before bringing it back to Buhari. Supplementary Budget It is not a question of supplementary budget. What they have done now is an insult on the country, they have created a crisis which is totally irresponsible and nobody is ready to accept a slavery status in this country. A United Kingdom-based newspaper accused the Buhari presidency of using donations meant to combat insurgency to witch-hunt its opponents. hat is your position on this? Whoever said that is not just irresponsible but I regard that person as a beneficiary of those who looted this country, and who is being used as part of the corruption that is fighting back. I regard that person as a beneficiary of the corruption that is fighting back. Such a statement is irresponsible and should be disregarded. The president’s foreign trips has been described as a jamboree of sorts, what do you have to say to this?
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•Professor Sagay
Anybody who criticises those trips is either ignorant or mischievous. You can see that those trips are yielding fruits for this country, those trips are based on invitations and are made by countries that have great respect for him (Buhari) as an individual and therefore based in that respect, it is yielding immense benefits. It is not every African leader that is invited like that. This man is being invited everywhere because of his integrity and because he has a level of responsibility and because of the programme he has for the recovery of this country. Immense benefits He is being invited personally and he has to go. You can see that for every trip, he comes back with immense benefits. For instance, look at the trip from China which yielded $6billion potential loan, with various commitments to projects like the Lagos-Calabar railway, which they wanted to derail in the Senate and various other projects across
the country. We are lucky to have a man like that for whom the whole world has respect that they actually invite him to come and organise and discuss how to help this country. So, it will be irresponsible for anyone to criticize those trips. But what do you have to say to what Governor Ayodele Fayose has done in writing to the Chinese government not to grant Nigeria any loan? I think Fayose has a problem. The way I see it is that, the man who is on the brink of destruction has no restraint about what he does. To start with, what is the business of a state governor about a loan that is being given to the federal government? Is it right for him to take such a step? e has no business. In fact on the contrary, it is when a state government wants to
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take a loan, that it will require the federal government to guarantee the loan. So, he has no business at all and I regard him as being on a journey to self destruction and I wish him luck. Let him continue to destroy himself with his mad impulses. Two years down the line and the Chibok girls are still in captivity, what step should the federal government take in rescuing the girls? The federal government can only do two things. They can continue to search for them and prepare a military force to release them if it finds them. Secondly, if they have a credible evidence that people who captured them are ready to negotiate, they can negotiate with them so that they can be released peacefully. I think those options are presently being pursued.
•Culled from Vanguard
ince the day iPhone 6 Plus is exposed to the public, it has been at the forefront of the public voice. New features of iPhone 6 Plus? iPhone 6 Plus full specification, price? iPhone 6 HD wallpapers help? These questions are the most common ones iPhone fans care. Yet, recently, the Q related to Apple 6 Plus merits and demerits is asked daily on the increase. In such case, I think it’s of necessity to list out the top advantages and disadvantages of iPhone 6 plus and aid the vast numbers of fans to have a full picture about iPhone 6 Plus before they make some decisions. Plus, a useful iPhone 6 video converter app is also shared for you to take advantages of iPhone 6/6+’s big screen while enjoying videos and make best use of iPhone 6 without any disadvantages. Take Advantages of iPhone 6/Plus to Play Videos in HD You can try 5KPlayer - 100% free media player and downloader - to play any video, DVD, music on iPhone 6 (Plus) and download online videos for offline playback on iPhone 6, thus avoiding iPhone 6’s video limit disavantages. Top iPhone 6 Plus Advantages: * iPhone 6 Plus 5.5-inch screen with high resolution Retina HD display just amazing. Apple iPhone 6 Plus comes with a 5.5 inch LED-backlit IPS LCD capacitive display, up to1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density) and 16M colors yet multi touch supporting. Also, armed with shatter proof glass, this Apple flagship iPhone 6 Plus can well protect your iPhone from being inadvertently crushed. See the difference between iPhone 6S and iPhone 6 Plus * Exceedingly powerful and badly efficient. Built in the new A8 chip and Dualcore 1.4 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) processor, this new iPhone 6 Plus delivers more power, even while driving a larger display. Better still, assisted by the M8 motion coprocessor, it can more efficiently gathers and deals with various data with faster speed. iPhone 6 Plus sports such a fabulous 5.5-inch HD retina display and powerful processor, it would be the next best thing to watch movies and videos on iPhone 6 Plus while on the tour or way home. If worry about Apple iPhone video format limitation? Now with the world-class MacX Video Converter Pro, you can convert any SD or HD video to iPhone 6 Plus MP4, MOV, M4V video or iPhone Ringtone, MP3, AAC audio with intact quality. The first and unique support of hardware encoding technology makes the video converter for Mac achieve world’s No.1 fast conversion speed, up to 5x faster than its rivals when converting video to iPhone 6(6S Plus). More incredibly, this video to iPhone 6 converter can also support you to download and convert YouTube video to iPhone 6/6 Plus, as well as download and convert video audio from Facebook, Vimeo, Vevo, Dailymotion, Instagram, Myspace, Metacafe, etc. with over 300 video audio sharing sites supported. Thus, regardless of video music formatted with FLV, MP4, MKV, AVI, 3GP, MP3, AAC, FLAC, or featured with 720P/1080P/4K Ultra HD resolution, this all-inclusive video downloader yet converter can do all of them for you as long as you name it. * Payment without the wallet more convenient and secure. For some who prefer to shop online with convenience and private information security concurrently, the innovative iPhone 6 Plus Apple pay application is a must-mention advantage of iPhone 6 Plus. This novel Apple pay combines the convenience and security of Touch ID and Passbook with NFC technology, which support you to pay in stores via MasterCard, Visa, and American Express within apps with merely a single touch. * Incomparable battery life beyond your imagination. Compared with its brother iPhone 6, the pro of iPhone 6 Plus in battery life becomes apparent. Inherent with Non-removable Li-Po 2915 mAh battery (11.1 Wh), iPhone 6 Plus acts as a strong power supply to let you have talk time up to 24 h (3G), stand-by to unbelievable
384 h (3G) and for music playback up to 80 hours. With this excellent iPhone 6 +, you can watch YouTube videos, communicate with your friends or listen to the hit single without worrying power duration issue. Hot Search: iOS 9 iPhone 6s/Plus/7 Battery Life saving tips *More high-tech and impressive camera for photo buffs. The last but not least iPhone 6 Plus advantage I need to mention goes to the nascent high technologies iPhone 6 Plus brings and its improved 8MP camera. The high-tech iPhone 6 plus is infused including a barometer as a Health iSO 8 app, Family Sharing, iCloud Drive, and a faster LTE download, etc. In addition, Apple offers iPhone 6 Plus with an enhanced 8MP camera with 3264 x 2448 pixels, optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus, and dual-LED (dual tone) flash. Moreover, the iSight camera has a new sensor with Focus Pixels and new video features, like 1080p HD at 60 fps, slo-mo at 240 fps, and time-lapse video mode. Therefore, you’ll have more reasons to capture more moments on video, as well. ow wonderful if the pictures shot with iPhone 6 Plus 8MP camera can be transferred into a photo slidshow? No worries! The all-round video converter for iPhone 6/6S/6S Plus can also seamlessly accomplish this for you to let you make a stunning photo slideshow video with self-selected music and special effects. iPhone 6’s camera is swoonsome, but iPhone 6S/Plus’ camera is even better with 4K video recording feature. Yet, the camera of iPhone 6S/Plus is far from perfect, for iPhone 6S/Plus camera not working issue is constantly reported. Currently, Apple is sparing no efforts to fix this issue. Top iPhone 6 Plus Disadvantages: All things are imperfect, and so is iPhone 6 Plus. After getting the pros of iPhone 6 Plus, it’s high time to strip off its dazzling appearance and seep into its interior side to see what iPhone 6 Plus disadvantages are before you make some decision. No.1 iPhone 6 Plus Disadvantage-The Price is High! The previous iPhone 6 Plus purchase with a two-year contract is seemingly cost-efficient. Yet, the majority of consumers would still like to buy the contract-free iPhone 6 Plus. When visiting Amazon, you would find that iPhone 6 Plus should cost up to $1000 for 16GB and $1250 for 128GB, which are far more expensive than iPhone 5S in the last same period. Besides, Apple latest product Apple Watch sold at $349 also has fatal attraction to you, which works with iPhone to watch your health condition. And if both are your cup of tea, I bet that might go beyond your budget. No.2 Con of iPhone 6 Plus- Some Good Android Smartphones’ Features iPhone 6 Plus Lacks: Currently, the smart phone market is divided mainly by Apple and Android
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phones. They compete against each other and also make progress together. iPhone 6 Plus is the typical instance. See, here are some features iPhone 6 Plus absorbing from Android, like the 5.5 inch screens, NFC, video chat, custom keyboards… etc. Besides, the iPhone 6 Plus lacks Android MicroSD support and the speed barely goes only up to Cat 4, with only 150Mbps speed compared to LG G3’s 300Mbps! iPhone 6 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4 No.3 Disadvantage of Apple iPhone 6-The Annoying iOS 8 Bugs As the successor of iOS 7, iOS 8 does bring the Apple users an excellent performance since there are plentiful advantages of iOS 8 it brings to your iPhone 6 Plus. You see the pros of iOS 8: continuity between Mac OS and iOS; QuickType and 3rd-party keyboards; new features in Mail & Messages and new spirit of openness for app developers. Though the iOS 8 advantages are numerous, the cons of iOS 8 has recently discovered, like great demand in a massive amount of space to install; noticeably slow down older models; third-party keyboards, Apple’s own native keyboard, iMessage glitches, multitasking gestures, frequent crashes of the Settings app, laggy notifications, and overall sluggishness. Considering so many problems iOS 8 has, Apple instantly launches the upgraded iOS 8.0.2 to resolve these issue. Whether iOS 8.0.2 have any real impact, it still needs some time to test. Click for more iOS 8 upgrade problems and solutions No.4 Apple iPhone 6 Plus Disadvantage-Non-removable Li-Po Battery At least one point Android smart phones even better than iPhone 6 Plus is that Android phones support the users to freely insert or draw out the battery to independently charging. To Apple iPhones, you can only charge the battery with the whole iPhone, which sometimes leads to great inconvenience to the users when they need iPhone to make urgent calls on the move while iPhone are fixed to supplement power. The common iPhone disadvantage also becomes an obvious con of iPhone 6 Plus. No.5 iPhone 6 Plus Con-Lack of Dust Proof and Water Resistant Display Compared with its strong opponent Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 6 Plus is instantly dominated when it comes to the dust proof and water resistant display. As a latecomer, iPhone 6 Plus are supposed to surprise us more with some groundbreaking changes, e.g., the display. But unfortunately, besides the bigger yet higher resolution retina, it seems no other innovation breakthrough even lack of dust and water resistant display. Dust proof and water resistant Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 6 Plus, which one do you favor? Attention: Recently, multiple users suffer from the iPhone 6 Plus camera issue, which is hard to explain in detail
but is seemingly like the optical image stabilizing gizmo is going nuts, creating extremely wavy footage. Unfortunately, the issue isn’t limited to just video capture, with owners reporting that the camera is basically altogether useless. he strengthes and shortcomings of iPhone 6 Plus have presented for you. If you are considering to purchase iPhone 6 Plus for yourself or friends, hope it be helpful for you. In case you have already purchased iPhone 6 Plus and want to jailbreak your iPhone 6 Plus for more convenient use, it’s advisable to comprehensively understand the pros and cons of jailbreaking iPhone before you jailbreak your iPhone 6 Plus. Pros and Cons of Jailbreaking iPhone (iPhone 6 Plus) What is jailbreaking? Jailbreaking is not the same to unlocking. It means bypassing the restrictions Apple puts on the operating system and taking full control of the device. Once that is opened up, any software, good or bad can now be uploaded to your device without Apple’s approval process. The Advantages of Jailbreaking iPhone (iPhone 6 Plus) A world of new apps: You can install apps that aren’t available from the iTunes App Store. For example, Cydia is a framework that makes you add other unauthorized apps, such as games and networking apps.top free app for iPhone 6 Plus, must-have free app for iPhone 6S Customization: Customizing your iOS is a big enticement for jailbreaking iPhone. Simply download a jailbreak app named springboard and you’re able to practically change every aspect of the interface. Icons, text, default graphics, layout positioning, etc. Change wireless providers: You are allowed to “unlock” your jailbroken iPhone to go from one cellular provider to another at will provided they’re both carriers that use the GSM wireless standard. What you need to do is change the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. >>>Guide on Jailbreaking iPhone 6 Plus The Disadvantages of Jailbreaking iPhone (iPhone 6 Plus) Dangers of unscreened apps: Jailbreaking downright let your iPhone accessible to the malware, adware and even virus since jailbreaking completely steer clear of the protection walls Apple built into both iOS and the iTunes App Store. The usually the malware for iOS has affected only jailbroken iPhone iPad iPod. iracy: Jailbreaking means the flood of pirated apps, as well. You see if many a user jailbreaks iPhone or other iOS devices, they just can download countless pirated apps for free, which will dramatically harm the benefits and enthusiasm of the Apple store developer. And the last thing we want to do is deter developers from creating more superb apps. Fail to update: Once you’re on the dark side, you kiss goodbye to take advantage of newer Apple iOS updates. You can always just update and lose your jailbreak, but you’d be advised to just do a full restore to ensure stability. Shattered security: Jailbreaking is a double edged sword. It fundamentally changes the whole operating system and lets any app have full access to the phone. Supposed you download an untrustworthy app, you can open yourselves to all kinds of exploits, which might damage your device or slow down its running speed tremendously. More worse is that it might steal your personal information and lead to your privacy leakage with unnecessary trouble. Conclusion: No matter the purpose of watching this article is for more information before purchasing iPhone 6 Plus or jailbreaking iPhone 6 Plus, it would be better to postphone making decision before you think it twice. As after judging and weighing the advantages and disdavantages of iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone jailbreaking, you finally know what you desire most and if you can accept its imperfect sides.
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osun Defender Saturday, April 23, 2016
Job Vacancies In Nigeria
Base Logistician · Lagos, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sector: Admin · Posted by Action Against Hunger | ACF-International on Thursday, April 21, 2016 · Reference: 157914 Job Details Employer: Action Against Hunger | ACF-International Action Against Hunger | ACF-International works to save lives by combating hunger and diseases that threaten the lives of vulnerable communities, through nutrition, food security, water and sanitation, health and advocacy. Job Description · Manage the logistics supply chain. · Management of equipment, communication means and the vehicle fleet. · Manage the Base Logistics Team and follow HR related issues. · Reporting activities. · Manage all rehabilitation and maintenance for Office and premises. · Ensure proper security of office, warehouse, guest-house and equipment. Candidate Requirements · Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Logistics, supply chain management, or related field · Minimum of 4 years work experience required · Excellent attention to detail, highly organized, rigorous, self-motivated, strong sense of responsibility, ability to work independently · Expert User of Microsoft Office Suite 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) · Ability to manage and follow work plans · Capacity for analysis, synthesis and reporting of large amounts of information · Ability to think outside the box in problem management · Strong verbal, written and communication skills · Ability to maintain confidentiality · Ability to work effectively in diverse, cross-cultural teams in a complex, multi-site work environment · Fluent in English · Good interpersonal skills – approachable, diplomatic, able to negotiate, influence, give and receive effective feedback, be a team player · Ability to manage stress effectively, and juggle competing priorities · Experience in supervisory position an asset · Previous experience working for NGOs an asset, particularly international and/or health related NGOs · Fluency in one or more national or regional languages an asset · Proficient in IT and networking technology Apply before Saturday, April 30, 2016 - 10 Days left Companies may expire jobs at their own discretion. ……………………end……………………….. Audit Executive · Abuja, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sectors: Accounting, Finance · Posted by Hot Jobs on Thursday, April 21, 2016 · Reference: 157913 Job Details Employer: Hot Jobs A well established and fast growing ICT Company offering wide range of ICT products and services. We are expanding our operations and strengthening our workforce by offering opportunity to qualified and suitable candidates in this position. Responsibilities · Attending meetings with auditees to develop an understanding of business processes; · Travelling to different sites to meet relevant staff and obtain documents and information; · Researching and assessing how well risk management processes are working and recording the results using software such as Microsoft Word and Excel; · Providing ad hoc advice and guidance to managers and staff at all levels, sometimes by delivering courses and training sessions. Candidate Requirements · Candidates must possess a minimum of first degree/Higher National Diploma in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit. · Professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA will be an advantage · Minimum of 2 years relevant working experience in any reputable organization(s) · Candidate must be computer literate with ability to use accounting packages.
· Good analytical and investigative skills · Good understanding of financial accounting end auditing · Ability to work under tight reporting deadline · Good Communication · Good organizing, planning and coordinating skills Apply before Monday, June 20, 2016 - 61 Days left Companies may expire jobs at their own discretion. …………………………end…………………………. Information Technology Support Technician · Enugu, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sectors: Engineering, Technical, Graduate · Posted by Newgate Medical Services Limited on Thursday, April 21, 2016 · Reference: 157912 Job Details Employer: Newgate Medical Services Limited Newgate Medical Services Limited started operations in October, 2000 with committed staff of 10 with the aim of bridging the obvious gap identified in health care delivery service in Ikorodu. We decided to change the face of healthcare by raising delivery standard. We have over the year maintained our standards with continuous improvement of performance. Dynamism has been our watchword. We are recruiting to fill the vacant position: Duties · Installing hardware and software systems · Maintaining or repairing equipment · Troubleshooting a variety of computer issues Candidate Requirements · National Diploma in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Statistics, Information Technology/Systems · One year working experience Required Skills: · Strong knowledge of computers and how they operate, which includes having a broad understanding of hardware and software, operating systems and basic computer programming. Familiarity with electronic equipment, Internet applications and security · Comptia A+ (or any IT related) certification will be an added advantage Apply before Wednesday, April 27, 2016 - 7 Days left Companies may expire jobs at their own discretion. ……………………end…………………….. Sales Executive · Abuja, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sector: Sales · Posted by Hot Jobs on Thursday, April 21, 2016 · Reference: 157916 Job Details Employer: Hot Jobs A well established and fast growing ICT Company offering wide range of ICT products and services. We are expanding our operations and strengthening our workforce by offering opportunity to qualified and suitable candidates in this position. Responsibilities · Research and business intelligence gathering · Making effective outbound calls with key decision makers · Issuing quotes and identifying new sales opportunities · Account managing and taking responsibility for own accounts Businessto-business (B2B) cold calling · Making customers aware of suitable products available to meet their needs · Customer visits if and when required · Achieving individual sales targets. Candidate Requirements · Candidates must possess a minimum OND in relevant discipline with a minimum of upper credit. · Minimum of 1 year relevant working experience (preferably in business of mobile phones) in arty reputable organization, · Candidate must be computer literate. · Good communication skills · Good selling skills · Good marketing ability · Result oriented · Strong analytical skills. Apply before Monday, June 20, 2016 - 61 Days left Companies may expire jobs at their own discretion. ……………………………….end………………………………
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sports
Bayern Munich Must Avoid Barcelona-Like Stumble - Kingsley Coman
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ayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has said that Barcelona’s recent wobble can serve as a warning to the German champions. Bayern are still on season at the club. course for a Bundesliga, The French winger, 19, D F B P o k a l a n d almost managed a similar C h a m p i o n s L e a g u e feat in Italy with Juventus Treble in Coman’s first last season. Following a successful move from
Turin to Munich last August, he is looking forward to what could be a thrilling end to the season for Bayern. The former PSG player is sure to play an important part, having already scored four
•Former Premier League referee Peter Walton gives his take on the controversial decisions made in Leicester’s 2-2 draw against West Ham.
osun Defender Saturday, April 23,
goals in the Bundesliga and two in Europe — including an extra-time strike in a dramatic 4-2 win over Juventus in the quarterfinals. Speaking shortly before Barcelona returned to form with a crushing 8-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday, Coman said the dethroned European champions’ loss of form was a timely reminder for Bayern. Before thrashing Deportivo, Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid and lost three league matches in a row to see their lead in La Liga evaporate. “We’re still competing on three fronts,” Coman told RMC. “We can lose everything. You see
Barca at the moment. That proves that you really have to stay concentrated but we still have everything to gain. “Last year, with Juve, we did a league and cup double and made the Champions League final. “So if this year we could win the treble, for me it would be perfect. It will have been two marvellous years.” Meanwhile, Coman admitted that he has not spoken with Franck Ribery about the possibility of his Bayern teammate making himself available for France again. Ribery, 33, retired from international football after missing out on France’s 2014 World Cup campaign due to a back injury. Earlier this month the
pressure at Chelsea.” Arnesen has also urged Manchester United to keep faith with Louis van Gaal, despite rumours of Mourinho taking over the hot seat next season. “Van Gaal could not buy all his players, but he has done tremendously well with the young kids,” Arnesen explained.
“Manchester United should give him at least one year more. “What would happen if they replaced Van Gaal with Mourinho? The philosophy of Manchester United will go out of the window. But maybe they are that keen to have success...”
Association charge for improper conduct, to which he must respond by 6 p.m. on Thursday. An additional ban may follow but England manager Hodgson has no qualms about Vardy’s attitude and insists he did not dive at the weekend. When asked about the England team’s discipline, he said: “You take everything that the player brings with him. “You take Wayne Rooney — he, in my recollection, was pretty hot-headed, often getting himself into scrapes on the field, but you take what the player brings. “Vardy got sent off at the weekend, but once again I will go out on a limb: I don’t see that. I don’t see that as a dive. I just don’t. “I think he was unbalanced. I don’t think it was a penalty either, I think he was unbalanced, running at that speed. “I think there was a very slight sort of contact with the defender, who was trying to cover. “I think he went down, he lost his balance. I don’t think he was trying to dive. “But of course all the pundits I hear they say, ‘He dived, look how he dived.’ I don’t see it. I really don’t, I’m sorry. “I wouldn’t blame him for that. I sympathise with him, I think he was
very, very unlucky. “When you get sent off for something where he obviously feels like I feel — there is no doubt he is of that opinion. “But now he has had to swallow the fact that he has been made to leave the field and then, unfortunately, he has reacted like sometimes human beings react. “He hasn’t just said to the ref: ‘Thanks very much, I understand’ and shakes hands and ‘Have a good game.’ “He has called him a few names, but he is a human being and that can happen. “But I think our disciplinary record over the last few years has been pretty good. “I think it will remain good, but I can’t guarantee you that a Vardy, a Rooney, or a Dele Alli, or anyone else for that matter, is not
Mourinho Was Too Demanding, Man Utd Should Stick With Van Gaal - Arnesen
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ormer Chelsea sporting director Frank have appointed the right Arnesen reckons Jose Mourinho was too man for the job. “Conte has the winning demanding of his players and that was what mentality in his blood,” cost the Portuguese his job in the end. After guiding Chelsea Conte arrives at the club Arnesen added. “He is to the Premier League w h e n h i s E u r o 2 0 1 6 disciplined and tactically title and League Cup commitments are over, very strong. “But we don’t know in the 2014-15 season, and Arnesen feels that the M o u r i n h o ’ s t e a m Premier League giants how he will deal with the started this season in disappointing fashion and he was relieved of his duties in December, with Guus Hiddink taking over. “Mourinho is very demanding and oy Hodgson does not believe Jamie Vardy sometimes the players dived at the weekend and can understand the can’t take it,” Arnesen angry outburst that could see the England told Omnisport. striker miss yet more of Leicester’s title run-in. “He made some drastic T h o s e a t t h e K i n g booking having been changes and it cost him.” P o w e r S t a d i u m o n adjudged by referee Jon Arnesen’s comments Sunday looked set to Moss to have taken a c o m e a f t e r S p a n i s h witness the latest chapter tumble too easily under midfielder Cesc Fabregas in the Foxes’ fairy tale pressure from Angelo revealed earlier in the season as the 29-year- O g b o n n a , l e a d i n g week that Mourinho old opened the scoring tempers to fray and a trusted his players too a g a i n s t W e s t H a m , fractious encounter to much, giving them extra ending a move involving end 2-2. time off following their their three PFA Player of Leicester’s top scorer previous season’s title the Year nominees. will miss this weekend’s win. However, things soon c r u n c h c l a s h w i t h Chelsea are set to make went awry for Vardy and Swansea as a result and sweeping changes once his teammates, with the his reaction to being sent new manager Antonio striker handed a second off has led to a Football
attacking midfielder said he would like to have a discussion with France coach Didier Deschamps before deciding if he would try to add to his 81 caps with Les Bleus. Former France defender Marcel Desailly warned against bringing Ribery back for Euro 2016 but Coman said his compatriot had not brought up the idea of them playing together at this summer’s tournament. “We didn’t talk about the French team together,” Coman said on Wednesday. “The last time I talked to him about it, it was to know why he had quit the national team. But that will remain between us. “We haven’t talked about his return — it was in the papers that I learned about it.” Coman looks a certainty to make the cut for the Euro 2016 hosts’ 23-man squad after scoring a wonderful first goal for France in last month’s 4-2 win over Russia in Paris.
Jamie Vardy Didn’t Dive Against West Ham, Insists England’s Roy Hodgson
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•Kingsley Coman has made 21 Bundesliga appearances this campaign, scoring four goals.
going to do that.’’ The aforementioned trio are known for a competitive edge that can occasionally spill over. That edge, Hodgson rightly points out, was sometimes missing in the disappointing World Cup showing two years ago, with Rooney saying afterwards that England needed to be more “streetwise.’’ There is, though, a fine line between that and losing your temper, like David Beckham at the 1998 World Cup and Rooney during the 2006 tournament. “That’s another interesting topic which you could talk for ages about because how do you make people streetwise if they don’t grow up on the streets?’’ Hodgson said at an England media briefing ahead of Euro 2016.
•Jurgen Klopp has made it clear that Daniel Sturridge will not start every game till the end of the season.
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saturday, april 23, 2016
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igeria is, no doubt, going through difficult times. The citizens of the country are waiting patiently to see how the challenges are resolved. Indeed Nigerians are used to promises largely kept unfulfilled, thereby making many people skeptical. The two major difficulties faced by citizens now are the inability of people to freely buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, and the erratic supply of electricity. These two services are invaluable to the development of any society. The high cost of petrol has inadvertently affected virtually every aspect of our lives. Transport costs have skyrocketed, thereby increasing the prices of goods and services in the country. Inability of employees of labour, especially state governments to pay their employees’ emolument as and when due, is definitely not helping matters. In some cases, due to paucity of funds, state governments are being compelled to pay half salaries to their employees. In the current circumstances, the nation would expect that leaders show enough courage and example. In the past, only the electorate have been called upon to make sacrifice, while the political leadership have insulated themselves. The people are now arguing that sacrifice must cut across board. People now are saying that enough of sermons from the political leadership. The people, some have argued, have been pushed to the wall hence they are revolting so to talk. Some Nigerians say the political leadership should lead by example. By the time, President Muhammad Buhari was inaugurated, available facts and figures showed that the immediate-past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had plunged the country into a deep mess. So, concerned by the situation that Buhari offered to slash his salary and that of his deputy by fifty percent, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State also toed the line of the President. Then, what can be termed the elite conspiracy theory was unveiled by some analysts. They argued that no political officer has the right to slash his or her salary. According to the school of thought, it is only the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that has the constitutional duty to effect any changes in the remuneration of political office holders. Plausible, as this line of thought may seem, what has the RMAFC done since the coming to power of this administration? Again, some concerned Nigerians have said it is in the public domain that Nigerian lawmakers are the most highly-remunerated in the world. They came up with the salary
Audacious Exploit with Murtala Agboola Tel: 0806-119-7897 E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com
Are Our Leaders In Tune With Reality?
function of the parliament is? Are they not to provide the framework for the workings in government? It makes no meaning to any average Nigerian possibly a jobless graduate walking the streets searching for a job, a civil servant who is being owed over a year’s salary as in Benue State or in other states where they take half salary, that their elected legislators are purchasing a Toyota Land Cruiser at the rate of N37 million. Small entrepreneurs whose businesses have been closed due to lack of patronage or erratic power supply as the case may be are equally not convinced of the purchases made by the senators. Our leaders need to be sensitive to the plight of the people. Some critical minds have watched overtime, the argument of some of our legislators. They rationalise that the public only raise eyebrows when parliamentarians want to enjoy the perquisites of office. They more often than not refer to the members of the executive. When the issue of slashing salary was raised during the early part of this administration, the argument was the same. Members of the executive, especially ministers who are not elected enjoy so many benefits at public expense, so why should they be denied? lausible as that augment may seem, they should know that they have the power and capacity to make laws to reflect the economic reality of the current and any situation. The role played by the legislative arm is invaluable and it is the only arm of government that determines democracy. Under military regimes, the other organs of government operate except the legislature. We appreciate the fact that as elected representatives of the people. They need to earn fat salary but they should also be realistic and sensitive. If as at Wednesday, 20 th April 2016, over seven hundred thousand applicants have applied for police recruitment, where only ten thousand people are required, then one can easily conclude that there is a serious problem in the land. Parliamentarians are the closest to the people hence people are always in the know of how things go with them. The society appreciates their value. When they co-operate with the executive, they are termed collaborators, when they antagonise the executive, they are called saboteurs. Yes, all these are true about the legislators, yet they need to do their jobs and be sensitive to the public demands.
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and allowances, which Nigeria parliamentarians earned as compared with their counterparts in the world. This, the National Assembly has tried, albeit, hardly to convince Nigerians to the contrary. All their attempts have failed woefully. Another fact that has come to the fore is the newlyacquired service cars for the Senators. According to the Chairman of the Senate Services committee, Senator Ibrahim Gobir in an interview with newsmen recently, Senate brought 36 Toyota Land Cruiser VXR V8 at the rate of $90,000 per unit.” He added: “The vehicles eventually cost Senate the sum of N36.5 million each after tax was added but no loan was obtained to buy the cars.” Gobir debunked the fact that the senate bought 108 cars. Rather it was 36 pieces. From his analysis, a car is assigned to a Senator from each state of the federation who is either a chairman of a committee or a deputy chairman. He concluded by saying that the revenue for the purchase of the cars
was taken from the 2015 budget. From the foregoing analysis therefore, the price of each SUV bought cost N31 million minimum and with a tax of 10 per cent, the cost of one becomes N36.5 million or about37 million. ccording to him: “So I think what we have purchased the car for is very reasonable and we are sensitive to economic challenge.” “We are supposed to buy 109 cars, but because of the paucity of funds, we bought only 36 to go round per state”. Responding to public criticism to the procurement of the vehicles considered “reasonable and sensitive,” Gobir, said, “there is no minister that hasn’t got about three or four cars. One Land Cruiser, may be a backup and two Hilux pickups. There is no Director in the civil service that hasn’t got a car; there is no Permanent Secretary that hasn’t got a Land Cruiser.” Going by the rationalization of Gobir, one is tempted to ask, what the
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