''No going back on N5,000 note, says CBN''

DESPITE criticisms by economists and financial experts over the planned introduction of a higher bill of N5000 note to the Nigerian economy  next year, the spokesman of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Ugo  Okarafor has said the apex bank would go ahead with the plan, stressing that it was aimed at preventing the current dollarization of the Nigerian economy.

Okorafor who provided this new impetus to the on-going debate also maintained that the argument by some people that an introduction of a higher bill could possibly spur inflation defy every logic because no economic theory had proven that a higher currency bill could influence people’s spending habit.

The apex bank Director made these declarations yesterday in Abuja at the commencement of a sensitisation campaign by the CBN with journalists on the planned currency restructure programme.

He confirmed that no consultation was made to major stakeholders on the initiative before obtaining the Presidential blessings,  but expressed confidence that a successful buy-in by Nigerians would be recorded before next year flowing from the sensitization exercise.

But he debunked insinuations that the introduction of the new higher bill was counter to the Bank’s cashless programme, clarifying instead that the initiative was complimentary to the cashless programme as it would lead to a reduction of the cost of cash production and management.

His words: “The argument that the N5000 bill should not be introduced because it would spur corruption does not hold here because those that are using our currency for corruption have already migrated to the Dollar because the Naira has lost its value. The Dollar has now become the store of value.  That is why we are introducing a higher bill of value because we don’t want to dolarise our economy . We need to be in charge of the money that comes in and goes out. “

If we are not in charge we cannot effectively manage our monetary policy.

He continued: “The fact that we are introducing  the N5000 note does not mean we are scraping other currencies. There are still the lower units which everybody can use while the N5000 note will serve a set of individuals like traders and business people who need to move huge cash around. These people need the note and because they are part of society, we have a duty to serve them.

“It is also a logical step towards the successful implementation of the cashless programme because Nigerians will now spend less printing cash. It will generate huge savings to both the CBN and the Nigerian tax payers,” Okarafor said.

Culled: Guardian

Lagos Traffic Law Gazetted, Enforcement Begins

The Lagos State Government has finally gazetted the new Road Traffic Law and is now ready to enforce the provisions of the law.

After the law was enacted recently, commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Lagos, Ade Ipaye had said that the government would wait for the new law to be gazetted before it would start enforcement across Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Gazetted copies of the new law are being distributed to various arms of government, judiciary, House of Assembly, government parastatals, courts, among others to ensure adequate circulation.

With the law being gazetted, enforcement of the ban on okada riders from plying 475 roads across the state would soon commence.

Also, officials of the state government, led by the Deputy Governor, Joke Orelope-Adefulire will address a stakeholders’ meeting today comprising Community Development Associations, CDAs, traditional rulers, community leaders, among others.

At the meeting, the stakeholders will be sensitised on the need to voluntarily comply with the provisions of the law, failure of which enforcement would commence in earnest.

Governor Babatunde Fashola had vowed that he would enforce the new traffic law to the letter and would not mind whose ox is gored.

The Lagos State Government had warned civil servants to obey the law as anyone who flouted it would be made to face the wrath of the law, and warned officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA to desist from taking bribe as anyone caught would be sacked.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Justice, Lanre Akinsola told P.M.NEWS that the new law had been gazetted and that government would commence enforcement of the law soon.

He said after the law was signed by the governor, it became binding on all but that the government wanted to sensitise the public through advocacy, which was why the enforcement was delayed.

Lagos Traffic Law: Things You Must Not Do

•Driving against traffic (one way drive) – One year imprisonment (1st offender) 3 years imprisonment (repeated offender). Seized vehicle to be forfeited to government.

•Driving unlincensed or unregistered vehicle – N20,000 fine for first offender, N30,000 or 3 year jail or both for repeated offenders.

•Trailers banned from entering or travelling within Lagos metropolis from 6 a.m till 9 p.m. – N50,000 fine or 6 months jail, vehicle to be impounded.

•Neglect of traffic signs, traffic light – 1 year jail and forfeiture of vehicle for first offender and 3 years imprisonment and forfeiture for repeated offenders

•Driving and making phone calls or eating – N20,000 for first offender and 3 years imprisonment or N30,000 or both for repeated offenders.

•NURTW and other unions also outlawed from collecting money at the motor parks.

•Riding commercial motorcycle (Okada) on 496 major roads – N20,000 fine for first offender, N30,000 or 3 years jail or both for repeated offender.

• Carrying a pregnant woman on Okada – 3 years imprisonment and forfeiture of Okada

• Carrying a passenger with load on his/her head on Okada– 3 years imprisonment and forfeiture of Okada, passengers will also be prosecuted.

•Carrying a child below age 12 on Okada – 3 years imprisonment

• Other highlights include ban on sale of alcohol 100 metres to a motor park. Sale of goods and  begging for alms on the roads are prohibited.

•Where the law did not state a specific penalty, a fine of N20,000 will be imposed on first offenders and N30,000 or 3 years imprisonment or both for subsequent offenders.

''Man City draw Group of Death''

Manchester City landed the toughest draw in the Champions League group stages as they were drawn against Spanish champions Real Madrid, Dutch giants Ajax and Germany's back-to-back title winners Borussia Dortmund.

Elsewhere, current champions Chelsea face Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Denmark's FC Nordsjaelland. While Scottish side Celtic take on Barcelona as well as Benfica and Spartak Moscow.

There were relatively easy draws for Manchester United and Arsenal as the former picked up Braga, Galatasaray and Cluj; the latter Schalke, Olympiakos and Montpellier.

Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that Group D was the toughest and said: "It is the most difficult group in my opinion and I think that's the same for most people. But we are champions of Spain and we are ready to compete with everybody.''

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp told Sky: "You should have played against Real Madrid at least once in your life. We will fight against world-class players, I am looking forward to it."

The German club's chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke: "This is an incredible tough but also incredible attractive group with three former Champions League winners and the English champion. All four teams have won their league. In such a group heroes are born. We want to make it out of the group!"

  

GROUP A
FC Porto
Dynamo Kiev
Paris Saint Germain
Dinamo Zagreb

 

GROUP B
Arsenal
Schalke
Olympiakos
Montpellier

 

GROUP C
AC Milan
Zenit
Anderlecht
Malaga

 

GROUP D
Real Madrid
Manchester City
Ajax
Borussia Dortmund

 

GROUP E
Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk
Juventus
FC Nordsjaelland

 

GROUP F
Bayern Munich
Valencia
Lille
BATE Borisov

 

GROUP G
Barcelona
Benfica
Spartak Moscow
Celtic

 

GROUP H
Manchester United
Braga
Galatasaray
CFR Cluj

Manchester City Makes Move For Inter Milan Defender, Maicon

Manchester City have stepped up their bid to sign Inter Milan defender Maicon, but admit there is only an "outside chance" that a deal will go through before transfer deadline day.

Maicon, 31, has just one year remaining on his contract at the San Siro and City are hoping to broker a cut-price deal for a player Inter value at around €6 million.

City manager Roberto Mancini worked with the Brazil international at Inter for two seasons before leaving the Serie A club in 2008. He is eager to be re-united with Maicon, who can play anywhere on the right flank.

City are hoping to bolster their defence before Friday's transfer deadline but a club insider told ESPN that "there's only an outside chance" of the Maicon deal going through.

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni has named Maicon in his squad for Thursday night's Europa League play-off second leg against Romanian side Vaslui, indicating he still has a role if he remains at the club.

"Obviously Maicon has unique characteristics and we'll see what happens up to the transfer window. If he stays, we will all be happy," Stramaccioni said. "We won't be caught unprepared, as we have with Javier Zanetti and Jonathan."

However, Premier League champions City are on the brink of sealing a deal to sign Serbia defender Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina.

Nastasic, 19, has been a long-term target of Mancini, and the clubs are thought to have agreed a fee of around £12 million for his transfer. "It will very likely be completed today, with [Stefan] Savic going the other way," the City source said.

European Player Of The Year: Messi, Ronaldo Or Iniesta?

The 32-strong long list has been painstakingly whittled down to just three and today we will discover who was the best player in Europe last season.

The three shortlisted – Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – have already beaten off competition from some of the finest footballers on the continent – and the bizarrely included Les Davies, of Welsh side Bangor.

And as part of the glittering Champions League group stage draw in Monaco, we will discover which of the stellar trio will receive the prestigious accolade.

The award – renamed the Best Player in Europe Award last year to replace the Club Footballer of the Year gong previously bestowed on David Beckham, Kaka and Zinedine Zidane among others – is currently in the possession of Messi, who won by a landslide 12 months ago.
All three finalists have a strong claim

''How To Support Your Man''

From the time that they are little boys, men are taught NOT to ask for support— that they are “weak” or less than masculine if they need help. No wonder so many grown-up guys are clueless on how to ask for and accept support from their partners.

Ladies, the good intentions are here-- I think it’s just a matter of taking a different approach. Here are some ways you can support your man:

How to Support Your Man

1. Trust him. Yes we live in a culture that preaches that “All men are dogs,” and “Guys will sleep with anyone.” Those assumptions are so totally untrue. Men have a loyalty gene that begins to kick in the moment that someone who matters exhibits real trust and faith in them. So when he says, "I love you," KNOW that he means it.

2. Show Optimism. When he comes home with a harebrained scheme about building a rocket to the moon, respond to him, “Fantastic! I can’t wait to get there!” Sure it may seem a little nutty for anyone who isn’t an astrophysicist, but he sure will LOVE the fact that you’re on board regardless of the improbability of him completing that rocket. And your support is always an extra incentive – because your guy wants to reward your unconditional support.

3. Push him. Once he decides to build that rocket, don’t let him get away with NOT doing it! There’s a fine line though: do not turn his lack of completion into an insult. Guys tend to thrive on a gentle mixture of belief and prodding. Unless you’re with a guy who never seems to complete anything, you can’t hammer him with, “What happened to that rocket you were supposed to build? I knew you wouldn’t do it!” No, you want to go with something more along the lines of, “How is your rocket project going? How can I help you keep at it?” The message you’re sending is that you believe in him and that you want him to succeed. He’ll love you even more for that.

4. Remember that he’s your partner. There’s something to the saying, “Let a man be a man.” Guys want to provide and protect. This desire is probably driven in some aspects by biology but to an even greater extent, societal and sociological influences. And those influences are intense. The pressure to be that protector/provider is great, sometimes suffocating. Assure him that your love and support for him is unconditional. Let him know that you two are a team; working together towards the same goals... and that the success of your relationship is up to both of you.

The fact is that some guys won't open up about all the stressors in their lives. It’s the man mentality. Encourage him to be open and help him realize that manhood shouldn’t be predicated upon "appearing" strong.

In addition to these tips—ask your guy today, “How can I show you how much I support you?” The fact that you even thought to ask that simple question shows him you are there for him... and that's what being a supportive partner is all about.

No Pre-Marital Sex, No Pre-Marital Money: Will Ladies Agree?

These days, some ladies cheat on the men they are dating with the excuse that they won’t engage in pre-marital sex and are reserving their body for their husband, a guy told Nigeriafilms.com He went further to say that if you ask these ladies if they are still virgins they will say NO but that they have just decided to stop having pre-marital sex.

He added that many of such ladies sleep with sugar daddies because of money to buy BB, designers stuffs and other such luxuries, while still telling their men “NO” to pre-marital sex.

As Nigeriafilms.com was trying to analyse this guy’s allegations against ladies, we stumbled on a tweet by a Nigerian guy based in the UK, Prince Adekoya. See his tweet below:

New Rules For Relationships In The Digital Age

Technology, like most things in life (food, TV, super powers) can be used for good or for evil.

 Our beloved on-the-go gadgets can be a boon for relationships: They help us find each other in a crowded room; send a sweet message when we're too busy to talk; and see each other's faces when we're half a world away. But as much as our devices can help bring us together, they can also drive a wedge in the strongest of relationships.

Mobile technology makes it easier than ever to be distracted from your partner's needs. It's important to make an effort to get disconnected from school, work, and social media and just be present with our partners. This is hard to do when our gadgets are buzzing and flashing all the time.

It's Not a Competition, But Facebook Is Winning

Technology, it seems, creates a competitive atmosphere where significant others often lose out to their partner's Twitter and Facebook feeds. The instant gratification of someone reaching out to you can, in some ways, be more enticing for the brain than your regular interpersonal relationships.

Research bears this out. A recent survey of mobile phone users found that 33 percent would rather give up sex than their smart phone for a week. What's more, 28 percent said they'd go a week without seeing their significant other before forfeiting their iPhone.

Luckily, we don't have to choose between our mate and our phones; relationship experts believe ditching our digital devices isn't the answer especially since they help us manage the more mundane aspects of our relationship to make room for more quality time together.

Using Technology for Quality Time

Though some people may cringe at the thought of using a meeting request to book a romantic date with their spouse, it's an example of how technology can facilitate intimacy and a consumer research expert who studies the habits of Gen X and Y. We're redefining intimacy. It doesn't mean we're less intimate. It just means this is the technology that we now use to communicate.

For example, a woman in her 30s said her husband isn't the talkative type, but he does like to text. Two or three times a day, he'll say, I love you, babe.' That's intimate for him and she's learned to make that intimate for her.

When Digital Opposites Attract

But what if what works for one half of the couple doesn't work for the other? Technology has given us so many different ways to communicate-Facebook, texting, instant messaging, phone calls, email- that we're bound to butt heads when our partner doesn't use our preferred method.

You don't have to be on the same page digitally if you're compatible in other ways. Accept that people have preferred and uncomfortable ways of connecting."

Digital incompatibilities don't have to be a real problem if we accept each other's differences and find a middle ground. Instead of saying, "I don't know why you can't do this," ask, "how can we compromise in some way?" For the spouse that dislikes the phone, perhaps that solution is keeping calls brief, or having your partner ask if now is an OK time.

In fact, digital incompatibility can actually be a good thing if it gets couples to lay down some laws on how and when it's appropriate to use your devices. If both people are buried in their phones and neither has a problem with it, there will be less tension, but they may also slowly drift apart. Complaining is actually a good sign.

Digital Rules to Live-and Love-By

Here are a few digital ground rules they believe can help establish the basis of a healthy digital duo:

Impose tech-free zones: Keep gadgets out of the bedroom and off of the dinner table. Never keep your devices out when you're on a date or in the company of guests. If you're waiting on an important call, explain when you first sit down why you may need to leave it out, but don't look at it otherwise.

Keep multitasking to a minimum: Train your brain to be content with one distraction at a time. If you're watching TV, put away the laptop, iPad or phone.

Disconnect daily: Maushart, who pulled the plug on her family for six months, suggests carving out time together. Find a routine-something you can count on-for disconnecting with your gadgets and reconnecting with your partner or spouse.

Stifle your Pavlovian response: Don't automatically react to your phone. From a neurological point of view, if you're checking your phone 20 times a day or responding to it every time someone comments on your status, it's going to over-activate parts of your brain, so that you're thinking about it even when you're not logged on.

Work out disagreements in person: It's too easy to shoot off an angry text that you might later regret. It's a cop-out that keeps couples from having real discussions. By avoiding them, you're not fostering change that would bring you closer as a couple. Gadgets encourage superficial exchanges, and only by digging in deeply can you forge meaningful connections.

How To Abstain From Sex In A Long Term Relationship

In some societies, religions, or simply personal preference, people may choose to abstain from sexual intercourse with their significant other until marriage. If you want to stay sex-free with your boyfriend, take this tutorial.

1. Have a discussion about your reasons for abstinence. Engage your partner in a good give-and-take talk about your ideas concerning the timing for sexual intercourse. Seek their input, but explain where you stand, so there will be no misunderstandings later.
2. Be active together. In your free time: hike, bike, swim, walk, exercise, play sports, and so on. Get up and out, working your muscles, to relieve pent-up tensions.
3. Spend time together in public places away from home. Do not study together at home, for instance, but go to the library where you cannot do things in private.
4. Do nonsexual activities. Do things together that are not necessarily sexual, such as giving each other: massages, shampoos, pedicures, and manicures.
5. Be loving. You are in a relationship. Even without sexual intercourse, you can show your love for your partner by kissing, holding hands, hugging, sitting close, snuggling, and so on.
6. Meet with other people. Have group meetings with like-minded people to reinforce your ideas concerning sexual intercourse, giving each other feedback and a chance to describe strategies.
7. Give your partner positive feedback. Compliment him on his looks, mental prowess, and skills with hobbies or sports, for example. Do no take him for granted. Tell him how much you appreciate him being on the same page as you are as far as sexual intercourse goes.
8. Remind your partner that abstinence is not forever, and there will come a time when you will have sexual intercourse. Talk with him about making plans for that time.

Chocolate May Help Men Avoid Stroke - Study

Men who consume moderate amounts of chocolate each week may have a lower risk of stroke, a new study finds.

Published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, the study looked at the diet patterns in more than 37,000 Swedish men between the ages of 39 and 75, asking about their consumption of various foods and drinks, specifically chocolate, and then reviewed their medical records going back 10 years.

The  researchers  found  the stroke risk was lower in men who’d  consumed chocolate, especially in those who reported consuming it in large amounts. Men who reported eating  the largest amount of chocolate - about one-third of a cup per week - had a 17 percent lower risk of stroke compared with those who did not consume any chocolate, the study found.

“While other studies have looked at how chocolate may help cardiovascular health, this is the first of its kind to find that chocolate may be beneficial in reducing stroke in men,” the authors, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, wrote.

When the investigators  compared their results  to those of previous studies  they found that they reinforced what had been previously suspected about chocolate’s link to lower stroke risk. But  the previous studies looked only at the stroke risk in women; none had looked specifically at men.

“This will likely provide a rationale for chocolate lovers around the world to enjoy their treats with less guilt,” says Dr. Gary W. Small, director of the UCLA Longevity Center, who was not involved in this new research.

Surprisingly, the new study found that this chocolate effect was not specific to dark chocolate – about 90 percent of the chocolate the men in this study consumed was milk chocolate. Previous studies had suggested that the reduction of stroke risk was  linked only to dark chocolate.

Many of chocolate’s  benefits have been linked to substances called flavanoids, which appear to protect against cardiovascular disease, an effect researchers have attributed  largely to their  antioxidant, anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties. While present in most forms of chocolate, flavanoids are most prevalent in dark chocolate.  It’s suggested that their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects may improve blood flow, reduce blood pressure  and decrease levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Not everyone is buying into the idea that milk chocolate is what people should be reaching for if  they’re at risk for stroke.  Dr. Roger A. Brumback, a professor of pathology, psychiatry and neurology at Creighton University Medical Center, who was not involved in the current study, says that all chocolate is not created equal.

“The major advantage of dark chocolate over milk chocolate is that the flavonoids are not diluted by the addition of milk,” Brumback says. “Dark chocolate is about 35 percent cocoa, while milk chocolate can be as low as 10 percent. The patient would have to consume more milk chocolate, which would give a higher dose of sugars with its consequent negative possibilities.”

Other experts were quick to note that chocolate should not form the basis of anyone’s stroke prevention strategy — either for men or women. “Stroke prevention would be one of the many cardioprotective effects, but I would also note that the effect is modest and pales in comparison to overall diet, regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco,” says Dr. David  Katz,  founding director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center.

6 Things Women Do That Scare Men Off

Here are some potential early-in-the-relationship dating fumbles that set an alarm off for most guys. Stop yourself before you make one of these mistakes with a man you just started dating.

1. Ex-Talk - Ex-boyfriends will come up. And from my perspective, exes should come up. I've always found that knowing a little bit about the ex and why that relationship didn't work out is healthy and informative. You can learn a lot about a person by listening to how they talk about their former partner. But when that "talk" makes it obvious that you are still carrying a torch for your ex-boyfriend-- or worse, you show symptoms of stalker-like aggressiveness, you won't be getting a call back. What you should be getting is therapy.

2. Baby-Making - Sure, it's perfectly reasonable to want kids. But no guy wants to be sized up for fatherhood at the outset of the courtship. There's a hint of desperation in bringing up the topic too early. Even if you're THINKING about babies, keep it to yourself. Let me be totally honest here. Those first few weeks of a new relationship, men are thinking about two things: "Do I like and respect this woman enough to pursue a long-term relationship... and when are we going to have sex?"

3. Meeting The Parents - Parental introductions are a major step. Nothing puts the exclamation point on the statement, "We're a couple!" quite like meeting mom and dad. And most dudes are not down for that with just a few dates logged in. Don't push-- it comes off as desperate and manipulative, especially within the first few weeks of dating.

4. Being Controlling - Some people can't help themselves. They just have to manage every situation. That behavior repels guys, in particular. Don't try to dress him, don't try tell him what to eat, don't try to get him to exercise… or to get a job. You started going out with him in whatever state he was in, accept him or move on. Don't fall into the typical trap, "He'd be perfect if I could just get him to change…."

5. Claim-Staking - You're not a couple until you're a couple! Four dates in and you're changing your Facebook relationship status? That sound you hear is the screeching rubber and a sonic boom as that guy cracks the sound barrier trying to get away from you. Have "the talk" about where the relationship stands at some point, but give yourself and him the time and space to enjoy the launch of this blossoming romance. It'll all happen in time. Or it won't.

6. Sharing Sexual History Too Soon - This is a delicate subject, so tread lightly. This conversation can be uncomfortable to most long-term partners, imagine how odd it is to the new guy to be getting grilled about his sexual history after just a few dates. It's an absolute requirement to have this talk at some point, but it's got to be handled delicately. And whatever you do, unless he's asking or is turned on by the info, do not offer up the intimate details of your sexual exploits… the dude does not want to hear it. And he'll make sure he won't by not dialing your digits again. Ever.

‘FEELS LIKE A VIRGIN' - Ultratech Tightening Cream

A sex debate has emerged in India after a company released a cream to make women, ‘feel like a virgin’ again. The pharmaceutical company Ultratech believe the virginal tightening cream ‘18 again’, empowers women, however critics suggest it’s doing the opposite.

The cream which contains natural ingredients including aloe vera, almond and pomegranate, is to be applied twice daily to ‘rejuvenate and tighten.’

During clinical trials 89% of women reported an increase level of tightness and 78% reported an increase in satisfaction with their ability of reaching orgasm after using the product for 8 weeks, according to the product’s website. The controversial advert shows a young Indian women dancing around singing how she, ‘feels like a virgin,’ although the advert makes it clear she is not. The woman is then joined by her husband for further salsa dancing, while family members look on in horror.

Annie Raja from the National Federation of Indian Women, which fights for women’s rights in the country, believes that the cream sends out a negative message regarding women and their sexuality. Ms Raja suggests the cream does not empower women as the product suggests, but conforms to the patriarchal view that men want women to remain virgins until their wedding day. "Why should women remain a virgin until marriage? It is a woman’s right to have sexual relations with a man, but society here still says they should not until they are brides", she explains. Do you think ‘18 again’ cream sends out the wrong message to society about women’s sexuality?

Obama Crashes Social Media Site

If you had any doubt that the presidential candidates were trying to use every possible piece of technology and social media to communicate with voters, this should seal the deal. Today President Obama took to Reddit, a growing social media and forum site which has become a landfill of cat photos and animated GIFs, to participate in one of the site’s AMAs, or Ask Me Anything sessions. AMAs have become popular with other well-known individuals; users ask questions and the individual, well, answers.

The president began the question and answer session at around 4:00 p.m. ET, and within moments had received hundreds of questions. (You can see Obama’s answers here.)

At points the site even went down, returning an error message when users tried to update or log on. Many wondered if it was really the president on Twitter and on the service itself. The Obama campaign confirmed it was in fact the president with a photo of him at his computer and a tweet.

The president fielded questions on internet freedom, the space program, the most difficult decision of his first term (the surge in Afghanistan) and the White House beer (“it’s tasty”), among other things.

“Im thrilled, obviously, but what makes this even more exciting is that President Obama is doing this AMA from Charlottesville, VA - the same place where 7 years ago, Steve Huffman and I started the company that’d create Reddit. (We were undergrads at UVA),” Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian told ABC News in a quick email.  

Reddit and Ohanian have also launched an “Internet 2012″ bus. The bus will make its way from Denver to Danville, Kentucky, with organizers talking to Americans, including students and startup founders, about how they use the Internet and about legislation around it.

After an hour, Obama had hundreds of comments and questions on Reddit. The site still appeared to be up… for at least some.  His closing comment: “If you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!”

Varsity vs Polytechnic Education: The Unending HND-BA/BSc Dichotomy

…UTME may have worsened situation

With no more than 38 per cent of applicants sure to gain admission into the nation’s higher institutions this year, attention of students has started shifting from universities to polytechnics and colleges of education. The grass, however, is not greener on the other side as a large number of students still struggle for limited admission spaces.

For these students, the polytechnics and colleges of education are just a “how-for-do” option after unsuccessful attempts at securing university admission. This, coupled with discrimination against non-university degree holders by employers of labour does not bode well for the educational system.

While in office as President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on January 5, 2006, at a meeting with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the then Minister of Education, Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, approved a policy, which reversed the discriminatory policy restricting holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) from rising above Level 14 in the civil service, things are still not better in 2012.

Reason: the discrimination still persists, and thus, every student wants a university degree and would not even want to consider the HND in place of the BA/BSc.

Professor Godwin Onu, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, says that experience in the sector had taught him that more youths prefer gaining admission into universities than polytechnics or colleges of education.

“Only very few choose polytechnics as their first choice because of some particular courses and this can be attributed to societal values on varsity/polytechnic education. I’m not saying that the university is better than polytechnics or colleges of education, but I think if polytechnics are converted to polytechnic universities, it would solve most of these problems,” he said.

Commenting on the number of students that applied to the institution, the rector said: “We had about 74,000 applicants, but the school can only accommodate 4,000. Due to the insecurity in the North, there is now more pressure on schools in the South by students who are seeking admission.”

Speaking in like manner, Mr. Olu Akeusola, Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos State, opined that, “Nigerians will put education institutes in crisis if the discrimination against polytechnics and colleges of education continues.

“We know how to copy curriculum without implementing same. The theory and concept of the 6-3-3-4 system of education is that after a child has gone through compulsory six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary school, those who are educationally inclined would proceed to senior secondary while those who are not would opt for technical schools. From there, the technical students would proceed to polytechnics while those that went to senior secondary schools would go to universities to further their education.”

According to Akeusola, “this Post Unified Matriculation Examination (Post UME) into institutions of higher learning has compounded the problems because very few candidates would want to put a polytechnic or college of education as their first choice, and the universities don’t have the capacity to admit them all.”

With employers of labour, university degree holders are above others, little wonder many students see polytechnics and colleges of education as their last resort after waiting for admission for a long time.  “I’d rather rewrite my qualifying examinations than go to a college of education,” said Kelechi Obasi.

“Because universities are more recognised than polytechnics, I put in universities for my first and second choices. If I were to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exams (UTME) again, I may just put a polytechnic for the sake of it.”

Although she has never applied to a polytechnic, Chiamaka Madueke told Vanguard Learning that she wouldn’t mind getting into a polytechnic as, according to her, all she wants is admission.

“Some people prefer universities because their certificates are more acceptable, but I don’t really mind a polytechnic though it’s impossible for me to go to a College of Education because I have no desire to be a teacher.”

Oluchi Okorie says she wouldn’t mind attending a polytechnic. However, she said: “It isn’t really on the top of my list. I want to go to a university, but if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll think of going to a polytechnic. It’s still a higher institution.”

Nzube Onyemaechi wants to study Mass Communication and he chose  Nnamdi Azikiwe University as his first choice and Lagos State University as second choice.

“After burning the midnight candle and studying for that post-UTME, my result was not released. In fact, I don’t know if I’m not meant to go to a university because my father says he can’t afford LASU’s tuition fees, but I have no other option but to hang on to Yaba College of Technology for admission this year. Though it’s a polytechnic, all I want is to be admitted this year as all my mates that left secondary school in 2010 are in school.”

However, for Sarah Ofor, it’s the university or nothing. According to her, this is the second year she will be pursuing admission into tertiary institution.

The polytechnic discrimination saga, coupled with the near loss of respect for the teaching profession, alongside nearly 800,000 frustrated students who will not get admission into any tertiary institution this year, stakeholders in the education sector have to roll up their sleeves for more work.

ABU Is The Biggest University In Sub-Saharan Africa — Mustapha

  As Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, gears up to celebrate its golden jubilee on October 4, 2012, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, in this interview with our AHURAKA ISAH, says that the university has substantially achieved its objectives. He also calls on its alumni to continue to support the institution so that it can rank among the best in the world.

Fifty years in the life of an individual is a great milestone worthy of celebration. What are the achievements the university really wants to celebrate? Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) which is adjudged the largest university in Nigeria and second largest in Africa, second only to Cairo University, Egypt, would attain 50 years of age by October 4. It was founded exactly on October 4, 1962, as the University of Northern Nigeria.

ABU operates two main campuses – Samaru and Kongo campus. The Samaru campus houses the administrative offices, sciences, social-sciences, arts and languages, education and research facilities. The Kongo campus hosts the Faculties of Law and Administration.

The Faculty of Administration consists of Accounting, Business Administration, Local Government and Development Studies and Public Administration Departments. Additionally, the university is responsible for a variety of other institutions and programmes at a number of other locations.

The university runs a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Besides, it also offers Associate Degrees and other vocational and remedial programmes. The university has a large medical programme with its own teaching Hospital, the ABU Teaching Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals in Nigeria.

At the opening on October 4, 1962, thanks in part to absorbing existing institutions, ABU started with four faculties comprising 15 departments. However, students in all programmes numbered only 426. The challenges faced were enormous.

The university has announced that it would be celebrating its golden jubilee on October 4, barely a month from now. How is your preparations so far for this occasion? We commenced the preparation by setting up committees for various aspects of the occasion and these committees are all working round the clock. The various academic departments are also on ground to showcase their research achievements for the years of their existence.

We are distributing invitation letters to our alumni, general public, leaders within and outside Nigerians, to come and join us in marking our golden jubilee. We have an award committee that has already laid down the criteria for those to merit various awards that we shall dole out during the occasion.

What does your administration actually have in mind to achieve with this celebration? The key point in our celebration is the award of Ahmadu Bello golden trophies to some people who have distinguished themselves with their generous contributions towards the progress and development of this university.

The challenges of transforming universities in this country are a hard task. The bottom-line for the transformation or changing things or university is fund. With the lean resources at our disposal, we have had to prioritise our developmental strategies, because with almost 90 academic departments in the university, there is no way we can develop them at the same pace from such meagre resources.

This reminds one of your much talk of biotechnology and energy research centres. What are the level of progress in these centres and their ultimate uses in the country? ABU is the only university with the energy research centre aimed at researching into nuclear energy for electricity generation. With the commitment of the federal government towards adequate electricity production to cover the country, our energy research centre can readily come to hand.

So far, it is the only university that posses nuclear reactor and with adequate funding and commitment from the government, it is just a question of time to put electricity problem of the country to rest.

What can you say are the high points of the 50th anniversary celebration? One of the high points of the 50th anniversary celebration is the commissioning of the 30-kilometre campus wide fibre optic network with 10Gb Ethernet using high end devices that support Cisco’s Borderless technology.

The optic fibre campus network links the major campuses - Samaru, Kongo and Shika – on an intercampus 10Gb scalable backbone with 65+ locations enabled with a minimum of 2Gb uplink connectivity to faculties, halls of residence, digital centres, classes, libraries, laboratories, lecture halls and offices.

The new infrastructure will allow ABU to deliver Internet and Intranet access to over 40,000 students and staff in all its campuses and provide the ground for the university to facilitate e-Learning, online application processing and support multi-media communication services (video conferencing and VoIP) for staff and students.

This university can boast of the current vice president, eight serving state governors, CBN governors, GMD of the NNPC and so on as its alumni. How does the university intend to convert them into assets for the purpose of its developmental goals? I think, again, this is one of the virtue of Ahmadu Bello University. This is borne out of direct impact of teaching and research which goes with the aims and objectives of establishing the university. The university was set up primarily, among others, to develop man power needs of its immediate environment, that of the nation and the world as a whole.

The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua studied chemistry here. Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and the current Vice President Namadi Sambo passed through ABU. We also have eight serving state governors, current CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido, former and present GMD of NNPC, Mr. Austine Oniwon and Patrick Yakubu respectively, as alumni of ABU.

The eight serving state governors are Isa Yagudu (Bauchi), Umaru Tanko Al-makura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe), Usman Saidu Nasamu Dangari (Kebbi), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Danbaba Suntai (Taraba) as its alumni .

It is not just by accident that this university gave birth to these calibre of people in the society" it was all done to our human capital development teachings and researches. If all the alumni of ABU can indeed turn back to contribute to the development of their alma mata, I assure you that his university would indeed become one of the greatest and richest universities in the world.

What special message do you have for the ABU alumni? I wish the alumni to join us in the celebration because that would afford them the opportunity to observe the level of our infrastructural decay, the depleted or near absence of our research and teaching facilities.

They would be able to sincerely determine the level of assistance we need to replace and rehabilitate the teaching and research materials. We require their research to maintain our position, our teaching and research standard that laid their foundation for their greatness. Certainly, after 50 years, ABU needs adequate funds to replace and rehabilitate her infrastructure, teaching and research facilities.

We also know, all over the world, that great universities are those supported by their alumni. A clear example is Harvard University which is one of the richest universities in the world and receives $50 billion endowment fund mostly from its alumni.

Let me draw the attentions of our alumni that what we require from them is not just cash, but building infrastructure, teaching and research equipment they come to install or construct on their own.

The founder of BlackBerry is from Waterloo University and has donated over $250 million to that university so far. Here in Nigeria, the former group managing director of NNPC, Mr Austin Oniwon in conjunction with committee of friends built ultra modern ICT centre for ABU. I expect the rest of alumni of this university to emulate these ambassadors of their alma mata.

With such support, ABU would be transformed into one of the leading universities in the world. Our target is to compete favourably with Harvard and Oxford universities.

Top Nollywood Actor Kills Wife, Confesses In Kuje Prison

According to what National Enquirer magazine reported, Rich Oganiru`s name might not really ring a bell again but he`s one of Nollywood`s very good actors and stakeholders.

      In fact, he prides himself as one of the pioneering members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and has starred in over 300 movies. 

If you`re still in doubt because he`s presently battling a murder scandal for his alleged involvement in the complicity leading to the death of a very rich Abuja based multimillionaire businesswoman believed to be his wife.

National Enquirer gathered reliably is not his first wife, the first wife also died mysteriously years back and he was in a very poor state of life before he met the Abuja based multimillionaire who transformed his life in a matter of months.

Rich Oganiru, according to those who know him, he loves money and attention almost to a fault, aside that, he also likes blowing his own trumpet as he always praises himself, “I have starred in over 300 movies, I am the Corporate Marketing Consultant to the Abuja Chapter of AGN, a high flying Evangelist called to lead the skilled and unskilled gifted in art to realize their God`s given potentials in the Kingdom. I am the General Overseer of Davidical Order Ministry, we discover, develop, expose, empower and evangelise musicians, actors, and artistes to be relevant in their different churches- a non denominational outreach for the entertainment industry”, his self appraisal on facebook page.

The Owerri born actor is, as you read this, swimming in a murder scandal that might have him behind bars for the rest of his life except for divine intervention.

This office can exclusively disclose that the actor is presently at the homicide section of the force headquarters, Abuja where he’s being held for killing his wife, a top business woman in Abuja.

Tracing the genesis of their liaison, we gathered that the deceased met Rich Oganiru who already lost his wife and mother of his two boys at a time he was facing financial challenges and could hardly afford daily meal. Rich, our source explained was able to win the pretty woman’s heart after sweet tonguing her especially because he’s a known face who’s featured in several movies.

This, we further gathered was how the woman in a short while brought back smile to the face of the light skinned actor to the extent that, he became financially buoyant and had even started cruising one of her cars. The relationship as expected blossomed into marriage within a short period and the actor we learnt even had a traditional wedding with his supposed God sent wife. The union, we learnt however took a new dimension when Rich began to complain of his wife’s inability to get pregnant.

Meanwhile, the woman had, by this time handed over the documents of her landed properties as well as making him part of the signatories in her firm. The affair, we reliably learnt took another twist as the graduate of music, Rich started seeing a younger lover, Iyake, a calabar born undergraduate of Nassarawa State Polytechnic whose mother owns a shop in Abuja.

“He`s always hibernating everyday for hours with a young girl whose mother owns a shop at the popular area known as Food Court built by El Rufai where there are banks, it is so shameful for a man like that doting on a young girl,” the source disclosed.

While doting on a young girl outside, the actor, who the source revealed is also an ex Naval officer kept mounting pressure on his wife to get pregnant shunning the fact that the business woman was suffering from Fibroid. This, we gathered might not be far from the reason the woman had to take the decision to get the fibroid removed by all means.

Quoting the source “It was Rich’s unnecessary pressure on the lady that made her resulted into having a fibroid operation in a private hospital in Abuja which she luckily survived but only recuperating at the hospital before she was allegedly poisoned”.

The woman we were told, however met her untimely death few days after the surgery when her husband was said to have visited the hospital and allegedly gave her a pill without the doctor`s consent claiming that it would aid her speedy recovery, not knowing that it was poison.

The whole thing started looking suspicious when Rich who had sold some of his wife’s landed property for a church member for N2.5m requested for her death certificate. The actor we gathered claimed that he urgently needed the certificate to sort out some personal issues instead of informing the wife’s family or at least show a remorse for the irreparable loss.

In addition, the church member who bought the land, according to our source also smelled fowl play because Rich refused to have his wife’s signature on the land receipt neither did he even inform any of her family member claiming that he’s the husband and has the right to sell her land. This, we learnt informed the church member’s interest to investigate the actual cause of Rich’s wife death.

“This was how the man reported the whole land story as well as the woman’s death to her family and it was what made them involved the police before the doctor and Rich were arrested” the source revealed.

The doctor, knowing that his hands were clean, therefore suggested an autopsy which shockingly revealed a poisonous pill in the woman’s system. The said poison we gathered was ingested between the time her husband visited the night before she died.

The nurses were also said to have saw her sleeping few minutes after Rich left not knowing that she was dead in her sleep. The actor, our source added later confessed killing his wife after much torture in police cell without any cogent reason. We also learnt that Rich is still in the police custody in Abuja while remains of his wife have been deposited in the mortuary, we shall however bring you unfolding details as events unfold.

PHCN Employees Celebrate Nnaji’s Resignation

Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were on Wednesday seen in Abuja celebrating the abrupt resignation of the Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji.

The leadership of the workers union have made it quite clear that they will not miss the former Minister of Power.

Reacting to the resignation, the General Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSSAEA) said all the PHCN workers across the country were thanking God.

“God has eventually answered our prayers and made the government to listen to us. It is obvious that the government has noted his several misdeeds. We are all very happy. In fact, we thank God for answering our prayers” he said.

“We hope the government will appoint a right person that will carry all stakeholders along, especially the union to give Nigeria a stable power supply”

The Trade Union Congress have also hailed the Minister’s resignation, saying it is an essential move towards a transparent privatization process.

In his first reaction to the development, Mr Nnaji in an interview with THISDAY Newspaper said he knew it was only a matter of time before the fight waged against him by the ‘powers that be’, would cause him to be a casualty .

According to the former Minister, “the Federal Ministry of Power has always known that the beneficiaries of the old and decadent order in the electric power sector would not accept the new, far-reaching changes in the power sector without a fight.”

He blamed the development on the unprecedented achievement of the Ministry with increased power supply and the almost concluded privatisation process, which was unacceptable for some people.

“With power supply at an all-time high across the nation in the last few weeks and with the privatisation of PHCN assets at an advanced stage to the delight of the Nigerian people, those who have been feeding fat on the misery of our citizens have been fighting back with unimaginable ferocity” he said.

He also blamed the media for the development saying “they (the media) have not left anything to chance in the determination to scuttle the electric power reform, including spirited attempts to recruit some members of the mass media.”