22/07/2013

VIDEO of the Day: PINGU

Raise up your hands if you remember this Cartoon!

iPhone screen recording app slips onto the App Store

An iPhone application that allows users to record their screens, including screen activity while using third-party apps on your phone, has managed to sneak onto the App Store.
xRec, which was published on Saturday and costs $1.99 on (iTunes), can record screen activity in its entirety. The software requires an active Internet connection to work and, according to tech site Giga (Google Translate), uses code from jailbreak app RecordMyScreen, which offers a similar feature set and user interface.
The app shows a red, pulsing bar at the top of the screen when it's recording, something that cannot be removed. Users also can record audio at various quality levels with the app. You can save the captured data to your camera roll or send it to other installed apps

iPhone screen recording app slips onto the App Store

An iPhone application that allows users to record their screens, including screen activity while using third-party apps on your phone, has managed to sneak onto the App Store.
xRec, which was published on Saturday and costs $1.99 on (iTunes), can record screen activity in its entirety. The software requires an active Internet connection to work and, according to tech site Giga (Google Translate), uses code from jailbreak app RecordMyScreen, which offers a similar feature set and user interface.
The app shows a red, pulsing bar at the top of the screen when it's recording, something that cannot be removed. Users also can record audio at various quality levels with the app. You can save the captured data to your camera roll or send it to other installed apps

iPhone screen recording app slips onto the App Store

An iPhone application that allows users to record their screens, including screen activity while using third-party apps on your phone, has managed to sneak onto the App Store.
xRec, which was published on Saturday and costs $1.99 on (iTunes), can record screen activity in its entirety. The software requires an active Internet connection to work and, according to tech site Giga (Google Translate), uses code from jailbreak app RecordMyScreen, which offers a similar feature set and user interface.
The app shows a red, pulsing bar at the top of the screen when it's recording, something that cannot be removed. Users also can record audio at various quality levels with the app. You can save the captured data to your camera roll or send it to other installed apps

Dell XPS 27





The good: The updated Dell XPS 27 is highlighted by excellent performance and features, plus a higher-than-1080p touch screen, Nvidia graphics, and Intel's latest fourth-gen CPUs. An HDMI input lets it double as a display for a game console or cable box.
The bad: The main benefit of Intel's new chips, amazing battery life, isn't applicable here. The adjustable stand could offer more flexibility.
The bottom line: As a big-screen upscale all-in-one with touch and decent gaming chops, the latest version of Dell's XPS 27 is a great all-around home PC that covers a lot of bases.

How Funke Akindele’s 1-Year Marriage Collapsed

It was indeed a shocker when in the early hours of Monday, July 15, 2013 it was widely reported that actress Funke Akindele and her husband Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede are no longer together.
What started on blogs and social media soon spread to national newspapers. Akindele remained silent for days, and many fans hoped this was yet another wicked rumour.
But to the disappointment of her fans, the actress emerged in the evening of Friday July 19 to confirm she’s actually separated from her husband of one year Kehinde ‘Almaroof’ Oloyede.
Nigeria’s most talked-about wedding of 2012 is over. Gone, in one year, and on record as one of the country’s shortest celeb marriages ever.
Now Deleted: Kenny Oloyede’s Facebook page
Now Deleted: Kenny Oloyede’s Facebook page
NET investigations reveal that the estranged couple’s problems started months ago and got to its peak only a few weeks before the Facebook announcement by Oloyede. While Funke Akindele was trying to achieve a quiet separation and eventual divorce with little or no public coverage, hubby Oloyede took to social media to broadcast the break-up.
He wrote, ‘It’s with heavy heart that am announcing the separation of me and ma wife Mrs olufunke akindele, we’ve both agreed to go our separate ways coz of irreconcilable differences. we still best of friends nd we 4ever remain gud friends. Am doing just fine, gettn along without u, don’t need u anymore in ma life. u d greatest mistake av made in recent time.’
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Funke’s decision to marry the real estate businessman in 2012, was severely criticized by her fans and the media who wondered why she should get involved in polygamy. She rebuffed critics and went on to have one of the most glamourous weddings of last year on May 26, 2012, leaving days later for a honeymoon in the UK.
Months after the wedding, Kehinde was reported to have impregnated a certain lady, Modinat Nike Dada.
The couple did all they could to cover up the mess, but it was out in the open.
Apart from Modinat, there was the eldest wife, Fadekemi, who felt betrayed by Kehinde’s marriage to Funke. Sources maintained that Fadekemi and Modinat neither supported Funke’s marriage to Kehinde and even though he went ahead to marry her, they firmly objected the union.
NET gathered that there were issues from Funke’s family too, especially from her immediate family. But the lovers went ahead, against all odds. And it seemed to all that they had both found happiness in one another.
What went wrong?
It is no more speculation that the marriage, which was contracted on Saturday May 26, 2012, months after Nigerian Entertainment Today first spotted the couple at Industry Nite, at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, has entered seriously troubled waters.
With more angles now coming out, including allegations ‘Almaroof, the man who stole Funke’s heart last year, swept her off her feet and landed her in the altar, has become a serial baby daddy, keeping a string of affairs, and even returning to the women he had prior to the celebrity wedding with Funke Akindele, it was only a matter of time before it was all out in the air.
Just like Mercy Johnson, who had a big pre-wedding scandal on her hands after the wife of the man she was to marry stepped out and tried to stop the wedding, Funke also had disgruntled wives to contend with. There were many fans, friends and colleagues too, who felt she did not need to settle with an already married man; with the attendant drama and chaos. But, as it is in the things of love, just like Mercy, Funke went ahead to tie the knot in what was unarguably, the most expensive, most glamorous celebrity wedding of 2012.
‘Everyone close to them knows the thing is not working and Funke is very unhappy. People have been advising her. She has just been busy shooting and trying to occupy herself. They have not even lived together since, but they are not divorced, and it is not like it is officially officially over. Couples separate and come back together. Even some divorced couples still settle. So why are people talking as if this is final?’ one friend told NET, over the weekend, insisting ‘people should mind their business or pray for the couple’
Why the marriage failed
Prior to their high society wedding, it was widely reported that Kehinde had several children from different women, a fact that was no mystery to Funke. It was reported that he was married to two of the women, an allegation that the ‘Jenifa’ star denied in an interview with a publication.
She boasted, ‘I can tell you authoritatively that my husband is not married to anyone else. Yes, he has beautiful children, who are not mine and we have a cordial relationship, which dates back to even before we got married.’
But insiders have told Nigerian Entertainment Today that the actress would later shockingly find many surprises along the way; even as husband and wife started to discover there were so many things different about each of them. ‘You know when you are in a relationship, it is always a different thing from when you are in a marriage. Funke and Kenny have always had problems but they have managed to conceal it from the public. I don’t know if they have truly separated, but the marriage was becoming shakier by the day’, a confidant who did not want to be named told us..
For months there had been concerns that Funke’s husband was rarely seen around her at most events she honoured. Mr Oloyede’s photos are nowhere to be found on Funke’s Instagram page where she’s very active.
It was also widely speculated by observers that the marriage, right from the inception, seemed like it was destined to fail because of all the controversies that surrounded it. From Kehinde’s many wives to many children, and of course alleged strings of affairs, many opined it was surely going to hit the rocks sooner or later.
Moreover, for some reason, the couple allegedly chose to live apart, an action which, sources say, did not help their bonding.
If Funke no longer trusted her husband, then she was not alone. Many say it is possible Almaroof became suspicious of a very busy woman, especially withy her endorsement galore and frequent trips. But, unlike Almaroof, it is not certain if there were confirmed instances of infidelity on Funke’s part.
‘He can never say he caught her with any man, or that she cheated’, one Funke friend told us. Many others refused to comment on what is, understandably, a sensitive issue.
Whose mistake; Funke’s or Kehinde’s?
In his Facebook message which announce to the world the crack in their marriage, Kehinde refered to Funke as the greatest mistake he has made in recent times. ’Am doing just fine, gettn along without u, don’t need u anymore in ma life. u d greatest mistake av made in recent time’, he wrote.
This assertion leaves one thinking-who made a mistake? Was it Kehinde or Funke?
Funke had everything going for her, a budding career and a growing list of endorsement. Many believe her first mistake was getting involved with a man who was already married, and was rumoured to have an unquenchable thirst for women.
Her second mistake, according to NET findings, was assuming that once she and Kehinde were married, that he would only have eyes for her. If for some reason, she thought she could change the man, then that was her third mistake.
But it is apparent Almoroof has his many goofs too, and as one pundit put it ‘they will begin to emerge in no time. All the possible misdemeanour that could make a man say his wife is the greatest mistake he’s ever made. He’ll begin to speak soon. Only a matter of time’.
Will Funke marry again?
Many celebs that have been unfortunate to be involved breakups usually end up remaining single or just starting another relationship that may not necessarily lead to marriage. There are, however, others, who keep hopping from one marriage to another.
Funke in her case has a budding career to bother about, even though at 36, age is no longer on her side.
A bonafide Nollywood millionaire, will she go on to become a single mom while continuing to build her brand? Or will she give in to love again and give marriage another try?
The man Almaroof Oloyede
Before Funke Akindele’s path crossed with Almaroof Oloyede in 2008, the businessman and politician’s fame was only known in the Oshodi axis of Lagos State where he is actively involved in party politics.
Popularly known as Kenny Doo, he is the son of Alhaja Almaroof, who at present is the Iya Oloja of Oshodi market, as well as a woman leader in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Almaroof is highly into real estate.
He once contested for the position of Local Government Chairman and membership of the House of Representatives in two different elections on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later became the Special Assistant to former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe. After serving out his appointment, he returned to Lagos to focus on his property business.
Funke’s private world
Since the reports filtered into the media, Funke, has been inundated with calls from family, friends and colleagues, including politicians, pastors and Imams. And the messages are a mixture of consolation, counseling, and attempts at reconciliation.
NET gathered the actress shooting in Enugu when the news broke. She has since returned to her Ikeja, Lagos home to the support of her family.
One of the most influential faces in Nollywood, Funke Akindele shot to national fame following the success of her movie 2008 Jenifa. She has since joined the millionaires’ club, settling down to fame and fortune, years after entering the industry through the popular TV series ‘I Need to Know‘ sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund..
In 2009 she won the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’. Many of her movies, ‘Omo Ghetto’ parts 1 & 2, ‘Ojo Ketala‘ and ‘The Return of Jenifa‘ have become blockbusters grossing millions of Naira in returns.
And, in spite of controversies surrounding her rumoured romance with Femi Adebayo who was also married, her image remained mostly neat and clean, until the drama that came with her wedding to Almaroof.
She is currently brand ambassador for Globacom, Klin Detergent, Vitafoam, Jobberman and Lagos Inland Revenue Service
Why do celeb marriages fail?
Jennifer Eliogu who recently joined the league of actresses with broken homes admitted in an interview, ‘It’s unfortunate that marriages are breaking up, but it’s not synonymous with the industry. It happens in every sector. When two people are not compatible or having misunderstandings, there might be break up, sometimes they make up eventually and sometimes they don’t. I think it’s just the devil at work.’
In her own case, Chika Ike who recently finalized her divorce claimed her marriage wasn’t just working. ‘I ended my marriage because it wasn’t working’, the actress stated in a recent televised interview.
Some celebrities have also accused the media for being responsible for breaking many celebrity marriages. ‘Most of the things written about celebs in the media are lies. With all the scandalous stories, it becomes hard for any woman to allow her son to marry an actress’, Benita Nzeribe told Nigerian Entertainment Today.
It would be nice if we can also take lessons from the likes of Tunde and Wunmi Obe, Matthew and Omotola Ekeinde, Betty and Soni Irabor, Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs; and others who have, despite all odds, kept their union strong and safe…
Timeline of love gone sour
2008- Funke and Kehinde meet on a movie set where Kehinde had come to visit a friend.
2011- The pair remained friends until Kehinde officially asked to date the actress.
February, 2012- Kehinde proposes to Funke
March, 2012- NET reported the first official outing as a pair as they were spotted at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos for the May D hosted Industry Nite event.
May 26, 2012- The widely celebrated 3-part wedding between Funke and Kehinde took place at the Haven Event Centre, Ikeja, attended by a host of celebs and entertainers.
May 30, 2012- The newly weds flew to the UK where they enjoyed their honeymoon.
June 22, 2012- Funke accompanied by Kehinde was at the University of Ibadan where she was given an award of recognition for being a positive role models for Nigerian youths.
July 22, 2012- Funke made her first major public appearance (although without her husband) since her wedding at Davido’s ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ album launch concert at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
August 24, 2012- Funke celebrates her 35th birthday with a small reception for friends, colleagues and of course husband, Kehinde who later whisked the actress to an undisclosed location where the celebration climaxed.
October, 2012- A woman, Modinat Nike Dada is reported to be pregnant for Funke’s husband, Kehinde.
November, 2012- A popular soft-sell publication reports that Funke has had a miscarriage from a 4 months pregnancy, the actress denies report.
July 15, 2013- Kehinde Almaroof announces on Facebook that the one year old marriage is over.
July 16, 2013- Funke’s publicist, Ayo Ola-Mohammed denies telling a blogger, Linda Ikeji, that Funke’s marriage is over.
July 17, 2013- In a widely circulated text message, Funke denies the break-up stories, claiming her ‘marriage is intact.’
July 19, 2013- Funke eventually speaks through her publicist, admitting that the marriage is finally over.
Friends, colleagues, fans speak
Ope Banwo- ‘I encourage her to be calm even as things get are bound to get bit rough over the next few weeks in the wake of her heartbreaking separation. Yes, Bad things do happen to Good People, and regardless of what anyone may say is the cause, or why she even married the guy in the first place, I believed it is always better to have dared and fail, than never to have dared at all. So, my friend, keep your head up and NEVER LOSE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR.‘
AY, comedian- ‘I‘m sorry, I do not usually have a public opinion on other people’s marriages. It isn’t a good thing and I cannot comment’
Desmond Elliot- ‘I’m afraid I have no comments on that. And until I can get a proper confirmation from Funke, there’s no comments from me.’
Gbenga Adeyinka- ‘For reasons best known to me, I don’t want to talk about it at all. Please understand’.
Emem Isong- ‘I have not heard anything about it and there’s really nothing I can say.’
Ibinabo Fiberesima- ‘It is not in my place to make a comment about other people’s affairs, but I can only wish her well’.
Michael Aghragha: ‘What has happened is indeed unfortunate. The only thing left for her to do now is pick up the bits of her life and move on’
Mercy Oloku: ‘She is one of my favourite Nigerian actresses and I feel sorry for her. At least she has a viable acting career to get her mind off the whole break-up saga’.
Femi Fadiji: She should have seen it coming. A man that that already had other wives before you, would one day fix his eyes on other women outside. That’s just the way it works.
Chinonso Ekeh: Life goes on. It probably wasn’t working and so I don’t expect her to die there. Yes, she has made a mistake, but it’ time to move on and try not to make such mistake again.
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OUR DRAMA QUEEN: Tonto Dikeh Replies Iyanya

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iyanya
When asked who he would have dinner with, die for and dust off on Rubbing Minds yesterday, singer Iyanya said he would have dinner with Genevieve, die for Yvonne Nelson and dust off Tonto Dikeh. Trust Tonto Dikeh to reply…but she went easy on Iyanya, only writing ‘Nigg* sounds pained’. Guess she still has a soft spot for him. ( love matterz)

Child Marriage: Nigerians Misunderstand Us — Senators

FOLLOWING the barrage of attacks on the Senate by concerned Nigerians over alleged voting for child marriage during last week consideration of the Senate’s Committee Report on Constitution Review, some senators have said that the public misconstrued Senate’s position on the issue.
Senators Akin Odunsi, ACN Ogun West, and Atiku Abubakar Bagudu , PDP Kebbi Central, who spoke at separate briefings with journalists Monday, said the Senate position on the issue was completely different from both the public and media views.
Senator Odunsi,  explained that the alleged underage marriage provision was an existing law in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as contained in section 29 clauses 4 (a) and (b) which states that “any woman that is married in Nigeria  is of full age”
“What the Senate attempted to do that day was to expunge that clause but couldn’t do so due to shortage of 13 votes because 60 senators voted for its removal as against 73 required votes while 35 voted for its retention.
National-Assembly-Members
“Therefore, from what happened on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday, the Senate attempted to expunge the somewhat archaic clause and not in any way created the law as now wrongly portrayed by Nigerians”, he clarified.
On his part, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said it was quite unfortunate that the Senate was being drawn into  what he described as unnecessary debate.
He said the alleged endorsement of the Senate for underage marriage in Nigeria was a terrible misrepresentation of what the Senate considered or voted for under section 29 clauses 4(a) and (b) of the Nigeria constitution and as presented for consideration by its committee on Constitution review.
According to him, the issue of renunciation of citizenship was what the Senate considered and voted on as far as section 29 clauses 4a and b were concerned and not anything about marriage.
He said: “Clause 4a of section 29 of the 1999 constitution defines a full age for any Nigerian who wants to renounce his or her citizenship to be 18 years and above while clause 4b states further that in the case of women, aside the 18 years prescribed in clause 4a, any woman that is married can be considered to be of full age”.
Senator Bagudu said: “In many places around the world, marriage below the age of 18 years for girls is allowed by parental consent”. He insisted that the “Holy Bible, the Koran, the Torah etc , all view full age for women from the age of puberty.”

VIDEO: Banky W – Good Good Loving [DOWNLOAD]


Check Out the official video to Banky W’s – Good Good Loving off his R&BW album.
Press Play to Watch Enjoy & Share Your Thoughts.


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DOWNLOAD TO MOBILE

Look younger, live longer just by changing your lifestyle

If you look young for your age, chances are you’ll live longer than if you’re haggard and appear worn out. Even if you are 45 and still feel like a teenager, there is no avoiding the white hairs and fine lines. Growing old is inevitable, but there are easy ways to keep looking younger and, hopefully, live longer.
Don’t stress
Heavy workloads, reduced family time, higher costs of living and 24/7 communication devices are daily sources of stress. Do not to put yourself in unnecessary stressful situations like rushing to work, squeezing with the crowds, being overly competitive and trying to do too many things at the same time.
Exercise and keep fit
Regular exercise is definitely a youth booster although most of us don’t get enough and eat too much.  Vigorous exercise can reduce cellular aging by preventing the shortening of telomeres which are linked to several health problems, including diabetes and coronary heart disease and early death. A few minutes of vigorous or  moderate activity every week is recommended to moderately  delay the decline of age markers. One of the easy ways to incorporate exercise into your daily life is to go for a walk
Eat and drink healthy,
The best ways of eating healthy are debatable, however one definite no-no is sugar, which hastens the degradation of elastin and collagen especially on the face. Intake of antioxidants help your body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals,
Eating moderate amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and drinking plenty of water is the simplest way to keep the body nourished and young. A low body mass index (BMI) preserves a youthful appearance. Avoid smoking, alcoholism and drug use which all contribute to ageing.
Stay active
Boredom accelerates mental and physical aging by encouraging unnecessary binging and feelings of uselessness that may to lead to depression. It is important to lead a productive and active life by engaging in activities and keeping good company.
 
 

Download Music: DJ Jimmy Jatt feat. Iyanya & 4×4 – Emujo

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Veteran DJ Jimmy Jatt maintains his spectacular record of scoring hits as he teams up with Nigerian pop superstar Iyanya and Ghanaian super group 4×4 to deliver yet another massive hit for the summer with his brand new offering titled ‘Emujo’.
A catchy sample, sweeping pad, and movement-inducing snares form the basis for this surefire hit, as the best of Nigeria and Ghana take turns to deliver a massive performance that will drive fans to the dancefloor in huge numbers. Produced by Rundatrax, Jimmy Jatt once again convenes a summit of the hottest names in West African music, resulting in an instantly infectious and electric banger which is sure to be a staple of clubs and block parties this season.
DOWNLOAD TO MOBILE

VIDEO: Lynxxx ft Banky W – African Bad Girl [Behind the Scenes]


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Lynxxx to drop the official video -African Bad Girl featuring EME’s very own Banky W. I trust Lynxxx to deliver with top notch music video. Check the behind the scenes below & Share Your Thoughts!!

Boko Haram: Let’s do what America did to Mexico — Nigerian serving in the US Army

Boko Haram: Let’s do what America did to Mexico — Nigerian serving in the US Army

MAJOR Wisdom Osagiede Ogbewekon-Osemwende is a Nigerian serving in the United States Army; he served in Iraq during the American/Iraqi war. A member of the Benin royal family, he is currently attached to the African Command in Germany. In this interview conducted by telephone, he spoke on the security challenges facing the country and how the Boko Haram insurgency can be tamed. Excerpts:
On security challenges in Nigeria
Terrorism is an enduring situation worldwide. In Nigeria, this is causing a lot pains to the people and the armed forces. The extreme ideology of the Boko-Haram sect and what is happening in the North is very disturbing.   Northern leaders such as the late Sarduana of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; Mallam Aminu Kano; the late Major Gen Joseph Garba; and many others who labored to make the North what it is today will never forgive the sect for what they have turned the region into and I know that average northerners are  good people and are not in support of what they are doing. I am however pleased with what President Jonathan is doing to curtail the insurgency and the Niger Delta militants and needs the support of all Nigerians.
On security challenges, the country needs to create special branches in the armed forces, that is, the army, navy and air force that would be given specialized training on how to handle terrorism; they should be able to fight on land, sea and in the desert. This special force should be deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to maintain peace in the area.
There should be combined operations involving the army, navy and the air force to curtail the activities of Boko Haram; it should not be left in the hands of the police or army alone.
Stability of operations
This follows after combined operations of the military. They must not leave the scene of operations immediately, they should stay to stabilize operations and return normalcy to the area.
Border patrol
A division that is made up of men and officers from all branches of the armed forces should be created  to join the Customs, Immigration and police to patrol our porous borders with  Cameroun, Chad, Niger, etc . They should effectively man the border points because this is where the Boko Haram people leave for Mali and Mauritanian for training. The Nigerian government should be prepared to spend money on technology, censors and radars should be mounted at sensitive border points to monitor what is going on.
The Federal Government can establish three central control divisions to man Nigerian/Cameroun, Nigerian/Niger, and Nigerian/Chad borders with radar installed to monitor the movements of people. The radar will send information to the central divisions and place those on patrol at alert. This is what the Boko-Haram people do and they move with ease in and out of the country to train in Mali and other countries. There is also the need to install underground sensors along the borders with our neighbours  that will send signals to the central control system which, in turn, calls for air support in cases of emergency. The security agencies should train dogs to sniff persons and cars coming into the country because terrorism takes time to plan. It is not done overnight.
They select targets to be attacked, they have good intelligence network and so, to counter them, you must have an intelligence gathering system that is superior to their own.
How to defeat terrorism
Government should allocate more funds for the education of youths in the North; by so doing terrorists would not be able to brainwash or indoctrinate them on their cause. Northern youths should be able to compete with their southern counterparts in every field of human endeavours once they get the right education.
Nigeria should subscribe to the African Military High Command to make her strong in the  continent; for training, special assistance, among others.
*Ogbewekon
*Ogbewekon
The police should be properly equipped, they should have a rescue combat training and, above all, Nigerians should have faith in the police and know that they are serving their interest. I recall hosting some Nigerian police officers sent to the United States on community policing with another Nigerian U.S. army officer, Lt. Col. Oronsaye, and we tasked them to ensure that the training they received in the U.S should be well implemented while back in Nigeria. While I commend the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, for the innovation that he brought into the police, the men should be adequately funded, supported with adequate logistics provided, computerized vehicles for crime detection and arrests.
All Nigerians get national identity cards entered into a national data base. You must have records of people living in the country including foreigners.
The Federal Government should erect walls along our borders with our neighbours as the United States government did along its Mexican borders when it became clear that there were illegal aliens entering the country through its borders with Mexico.
The Federal Government should dialogue with religious leaders in the North especially Imams on the dangers of allowing Boko-Haram to keep weapons in the mosques. We discovered this in Iraq and we talked with them about the dangers of allowing them to do so.
The Boko-Haram sect and the Niger Delta militants should dialogue and embrace because there is no nation on earth that can survive two wars. Nigerians should give peace a chance.
Crisis in the Niger Delta and oil theft
It is regrettable that Nigeria reportedly lost about 191 Billion U.S. dollars to oil theft and vandalization. I commended the Joint Military Task Force set up by the government to tackle the issue. They should concentrate more efforts in tackling the issue and they should be properly equipped to provide security to Nigerians living in the region. The militants should embrace peace.

Europe to ban oil stolen from Nigeria

The European Parliament is set to stop the purchase of stolen oil from Nigeria in Europe.
Any crude oil meant to be sold in the European market is now to be accompanied with a certificate of origin.
This was one of the landmark decisions taken at the meeting of the members of the African, Caribbean, Pacific Parliaments and their European Union counterparts (ACP-EU) at the conclusion of their three-day regional meeting in Abuja last week.
Mitchell Rivasi (Acting Co- President ACP- EU) and Joyce Laboso (Co- Secretary General) told reporters that the need to stop the huge loss of Nigeria’s oil to organised syndicates of oil thieves necessitated the decision.
The Federal Government said last week after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting that 400, 000 barrels of oil, an equivalent of N7.3million, is lost daily to oil thieves.
Rivasi Said: “We want to ban European refineries from buying un-certificated oil. 400, 000 barrels a day is a huge loss. We need to get traceability of oil to avoid theft. The oil companies are involved in this and everybody is making big money.
“The bunkering tankers are better equipped than the Nigerian Navy, This is a huge international organised crime. We did it with diamond; we can also do it with oil.”
According to her, the country would have been better off if it had functional refineries. “Could someone please explain why you don’t have refineries in Nigeria?” She asked, describing Nigeria as a “paradox”.
Oil-Thief-cartoon
“There is a paradox in Nigeria. There’s a seven per cent growth in the economy, but growth and employment are not going hand-in-hand. We need to respond to this paradox.”
Rivasi also said she would insist that the Boko Haram issue be included in the communique. “They kill people and burn churches. The international community has to help and this is something that is not reflected (in the communique). We must say that they should anticipate or pre-empt before the situation gets worse or deteriorate.”
Rivasi, who is from France, recalled that Boko Haram captured a French family. “This problem, we need on the one hand to use force because these are people that kill civilians and rob banks, attack police stations and steal arms. There is a high level of inequality in Nigeria; some are super rich and others live on less than two dollars daily. We must provide jobs.”
Responding to a question on the planned £3000 visa bond proposed by the United Kingdom, she said:
“We (Europe) have unemployment of more than 12 per cent; others 20 and Spain 57. We are trying to get you to develop in your own country. People should be able to develop in their own country.” According to her, this could be done by funding small-scale industries.
The communique issued at the end of the meeting reads: “With particular regard to the Nigerian oil industry, Members stressed the need to ensure that the revenues generated from the extractive industry are distributed transparently and equitably through the national budget in order to contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction.
“Members also expressed concern at the high rates of oil thefts, wastage and illegal bunkering which lead to substantial revenue losses and environmental degradation. Members called on the Nigerian government to put in place appropriate mechanisms and measures to fight against this organised crime.”
House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal solicited the support of the international parliaments in addressing oil theft.
He said: “We ask for you to support Nigeria’s effort in addressing the issue of oil theft. Here, we will come up with stiff legislation against it. But the oil is being taken out and is going to other places. If possible, we require very stiff legislation from the European Union and other countries that are destination for the oil. It has very high negative impact on the economy and by extension, the people.”
Tambuwal said West Africa had been facing a lot of security issues. “Here in Nigeria, we have taken extreme measures to ensure there is peace. As a parliament, we are supporting the executive through legislation, especially on the issue of funding.”
The ACP-EU meeting was attended by 20 lawmakers (12 from Africa and eight from Europe)

Ndi Igbo can bring Nigeria to a halt if… – AmaechI

AmaechiELDER Statesman and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is the last man standing in Southern Nigeria among the generation of nationalists who fought for the nation’s independence. He is also the only surviving minister from the South that served in the first post-independence cabinet. The quartet in that cabinet still surviving are Shehu Shagari, Shettima Ali Mungono, Inuwa Wada and Maitama Sule all from the North.
Amaechi’s place in history nonetheless, he notes the chasm between the values of the founding fathers and the current generation of leaders who he asserts are engrossed in rapacious looting of the country’s common wealth. In this exclusive interview, Amaechi also raises issues with the place of Ndigbo in the nation’s history noting what he describes as a systematic policy of undermining the presence and place of the Igbo race in the polity. Excerpts:
HOW has life in the village been?
I was born in the village here and then in my early life, I was taken out of the village to pursue secondary and higher education, then the struggle for independence began. I later moved to the public service as a parliamentary secretary and later minister.
Nigerians expect that those of you that fought for the country’s Independence should be consultants of some sort. Are you recognized by those at helm of affairs?
Not at all. Governments in Nigeria now are by-products of the military junta that destroyed the country and destroyed the dreams of the founding fathers of this country and the subsequent regimes have inherited the hostility of the military. The governments are hostile to history and many of them don’t want to know about the history, particularly the political history of the country.
That is why in many places, the politicians who founded the country, particularly from our side of the country, that is, the Igbo side, are not given their due recognition. In places like the North or the West, the nationalists are being honoured.  With a pointer to Anambra State in particular, it is either they are ignorant of the history or something else.

Ndi Igbo can bring Nigeria to a halt if… – AmaechI

AmaechiELDER Statesman and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is the last man standing in Southern Nigeria among the generation of nationalists who fought for the nation’s independence. He is also the only surviving minister from the South that served in the first post-independence cabinet. The quartet in that cabinet still surviving are Shehu Shagari, Shettima Ali Mungono, Inuwa Wada and Maitama Sule all from the North.
Amaechi’s place in history nonetheless, he notes the chasm between the values of the founding fathers and the current generation of leaders who he asserts are engrossed in rapacious looting of the country’s common wealth. In this exclusive interview, Amaechi also raises issues with the place of Ndigbo in the nation’s history noting what he describes as a systematic policy of undermining the presence and place of the Igbo race in the polity. Excerpts:
HOW has life in the village been?
I was born in the village here and then in my early life, I was taken out of the village to pursue secondary and higher education, then the struggle for independence began. I later moved to the public service as a parliamentary secretary and later minister.
Nigerians expect that those of you that fought for the country’s Independence should be consultants of some sort. Are you recognized by those at helm of affairs?
Not at all. Governments in Nigeria now are by-products of the military junta that destroyed the country and destroyed the dreams of the founding fathers of this country and the subsequent regimes have inherited the hostility of the military. The governments are hostile to history and many of them don’t want to know about the history, particularly the political history of the country.
That is why in many places, the politicians who founded the country, particularly from our side of the country, that is, the Igbo side, are not given their due recognition. In places like the North or the West, the nationalists are being honoured.  With a pointer to Anambra State in particular, it is either they are ignorant of the history or something else.

Prince William's wife Kate has given birth to a baby boy.

Royal baby
Prince William's wife Kate has given birth to a baby boy.
Officials said Monday the baby was born at 4:24 p.m. and weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces.
The infant will become third in line for the British throne after Prince Charles and William.
Kate checked into a private wing at St. Mary's Hospital in central London early Monday morning.
William spent the long hours of labor at her bedside. This is the couple's first child.

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