The Students’ Affairs Division of the University of Lagos has commenced
the compilation of the list of graduates/prospective corps members (PCM)
for the 2014 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch ‘B’ Mobilization
Exercise.
All graduates of the 2012/2013 academic session are advised to confirm their inclusion and details on the list posted HERE (Please Click To View) and Notice Boards at the Students’ Affairs Division from NOW till Friday, May 30, 2014.
Please note that:
1.All complaints on the mobilization list should be made in writing to
the Dean, Students’ Affairs Division on or before Friday, May 30, 2014.
2.Letters to the Director General of NYSC to Request for Remobilization
and Concessional Posting on Medical and Marital Ground should reach the
Dean, Students’ Affairs on or before Friday, May 30, 2014.
campusflava
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Closure Of 2013/2014 Registration Exercise-UMYU
This is to inform all returning and fresh (including Post-graduate) students that the final date for the closure of registration exercises shall be Monday, 9th June, 2014.
In view of the above, all students are advised to ensure that they complete all registration formalities before the date as late registration will not be entertained.
Failure to register will be deemed as voluntary withdrawal from the University.
Thank you.
Abdu Halliru Abdullahi (FNIM)
Registrar
In view of the above, all students are advised to ensure that they complete all registration formalities before the date as late registration will not be entertained.
Failure to register will be deemed as voluntary withdrawal from the University.
Thank you.
Abdu Halliru Abdullahi (FNIM)
Registrar
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Appointment of a New VC Generates Controversy-UNIZIK
Crisis has erupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University following the appointment of Prof. Greg Nwakobi as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution.
The crisis was blamed on the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Air Vice Marshall Lary Koinyan (rtd) who was said to have adopted a criteria for selection different from the one adopted by the Governing Council.
According to the report the selection process was contrary to the Template and Guidelines from the Federal Ministry of Education which the university’s governing council adopted as the standard for selection.
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) UNIZIK chapter, Professor Ike Odumegwu, has called the selection process that named Prof. Greg Nwakobi the new VC’s a fraud and called for the removal of the Pro-Chancellor as chairman of the selection committee.
The crisis was blamed on the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Air Vice Marshall Lary Koinyan (rtd) who was said to have adopted a criteria for selection different from the one adopted by the Governing Council.
According to the report the selection process was contrary to the Template and Guidelines from the Federal Ministry of Education which the university’s governing council adopted as the standard for selection.
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) UNIZIK chapter, Professor Ike Odumegwu, has called the selection process that named Prof. Greg Nwakobi the new VC’s a fraud and called for the removal of the Pro-Chancellor as chairman of the selection committee.
Caleb University Students to Pay for School properties Damaged During Protest
All students of Caleb University have been mandated to pay for the damages caused during the protest that consequently led to a temporal closure of the school.
The male students are mandated to pay a sum of N100, 000 and the female students N50, 000 by bank draft.
The school will be resuming on the June 2nd and semester examination will kick off on June 9th 2014.
No student will be allowed into the school premises without evidence of payment and a letter of undertaking to be of good behaviour.
The male students are mandated to pay a sum of N100, 000 and the female students N50, 000 by bank draft.
The school will be resuming on the June 2nd and semester examination will kick off on June 9th 2014.
No student will be allowed into the school premises without evidence of payment and a letter of undertaking to be of good behaviour.
Important Information to Fresh and Final Year Students-OAU
The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University wishes to bring the attention of its students to the following important information:
•Final Year Accomodation
Application for Final Year Accommodation commences on Tuesday 27th May 2014 12 noon.
•Online Screening for Freshers
Fresh Students should complete all activities under Online Screening section before resumption.
•Accommodation for Fresher
Fresh Students who have secured bed spaces should come with printed Accommodation letter for bed spaces allocation on resumption.
•Final Year Accomodation
Application for Final Year Accommodation commences on Tuesday 27th May 2014 12 noon.
•Online Screening for Freshers
Fresh Students should complete all activities under Online Screening section before resumption.
•Accommodation for Fresher
Fresh Students who have secured bed spaces should come with printed Accommodation letter for bed spaces allocation on resumption.
ADSU: Students Flee Hostel Following Boko Haram Threat Letters
Following series of letters alleged to have been written by Boko Haram
to the management of Adamawa State University most of the students have
vacated the only hostel in the institution "Barde Hall", available to
men.
Some of the students who spoke confirmed this, saying that many students have left the hostels to seek accommodation in the nearby town.
According to a source, the threat letters could be real. It was gathered that the latest of the letters was found on Monday pinned to a wall in the campus covered with blood with some Hausa’s inscription written on it translated as “Last warning” and a piece of flesh pinned to the note.
The Vice Chancellor Dr. Alkassum Abba who arrived at the institution when he was notified of the letter was unable to give students satisfactory answers to the questions they threw at him on the present security issue.
This led to more students in fear for their lives, packing their loads ready to vacate the hostel.
Some of the students who spoke confirmed this, saying that many students have left the hostels to seek accommodation in the nearby town.
According to a source, the threat letters could be real. It was gathered that the latest of the letters was found on Monday pinned to a wall in the campus covered with blood with some Hausa’s inscription written on it translated as “Last warning” and a piece of flesh pinned to the note.
The Vice Chancellor Dr. Alkassum Abba who arrived at the institution when he was notified of the letter was unable to give students satisfactory answers to the questions they threw at him on the present security issue.
This led to more students in fear for their lives, packing their loads ready to vacate the hostel.
We can reach semi-final of the World Cup – Victor Moses
Victor Moses is targeting a World Cup semi-final spot ahead of Nigeria’s international friendly with Scotland in London on Wednesday.
Moses and his team-mates will step up their preparations for Brazil against Gordon Strachan’s improving side at Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham, recently relegated from the Premier League.
And the Chelsea winger, is confident Nigeria can make a major impression on next month’s global showpiece.
“I believe we can reach the semi-finals. But togetherness of the team under the coach is key.
“There is always a good vibe among the lads when we come together and we’ll need that at the World Cup.”
Moses has endured a disappointing season on loan at Liverpool where he found himself overlooked for long periods as the Merseysiders finished runners-up in the Premier League behind champions Manchester City, but he believes his frustrations can help fire his World Cup campaign.
“I think playing at the World Cup will be good for a lot of the players, and not just me,” he said.
After the Scotland clash, Nigeria will fly out to the United States where coach Stephen Keshi will decide on his final 23-man squad before international football governing body FIFA’s 2 June deadline.
Scotland failed to qualify for the finals — they haven’t reached the latter stages of a major tournament since appearing at the 1998 World Cup in France — but their improved performances under Strachan have boosted confidence ahead of next season’s Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Hull striker George Boyd returns to the Scotland squad after a 12-month absence following his decision to pull out of last year’s trip to Croatia because it clashed with his wedding.
“I’ve been on the fringes of things,” said Boyd. “I had a game in Serbia but then got married and had to miss the next squad, which probably killed me a bit.
“My wedding clashed with the June date when Scotland won in Croatia. That was really unfortunate and obviously wasn’t great from a football perspective.
“It was a great performance by the boys in that game and it’s hard to change when the team is winning. So really I’m just happy to be back in.”
He added: “I think we have that winning mentality with Scotland now.
“The past months have been really good in terms of results and performances so hopefully we can take that all the way into the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.”
Moses and his team-mates will step up their preparations for Brazil against Gordon Strachan’s improving side at Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham, recently relegated from the Premier League.
And the Chelsea winger, is confident Nigeria can make a major impression on next month’s global showpiece.
“I believe we can reach the semi-finals. But togetherness of the team under the coach is key.
“There is always a good vibe among the lads when we come together and we’ll need that at the World Cup.”
Moses has endured a disappointing season on loan at Liverpool where he found himself overlooked for long periods as the Merseysiders finished runners-up in the Premier League behind champions Manchester City, but he believes his frustrations can help fire his World Cup campaign.
“I think playing at the World Cup will be good for a lot of the players, and not just me,” he said.
After the Scotland clash, Nigeria will fly out to the United States where coach Stephen Keshi will decide on his final 23-man squad before international football governing body FIFA’s 2 June deadline.
Scotland failed to qualify for the finals — they haven’t reached the latter stages of a major tournament since appearing at the 1998 World Cup in France — but their improved performances under Strachan have boosted confidence ahead of next season’s Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Hull striker George Boyd returns to the Scotland squad after a 12-month absence following his decision to pull out of last year’s trip to Croatia because it clashed with his wedding.
“I’ve been on the fringes of things,” said Boyd. “I had a game in Serbia but then got married and had to miss the next squad, which probably killed me a bit.
“My wedding clashed with the June date when Scotland won in Croatia. That was really unfortunate and obviously wasn’t great from a football perspective.
“It was a great performance by the boys in that game and it’s hard to change when the team is winning. So really I’m just happy to be back in.”
He added: “I think we have that winning mentality with Scotland now.
“The past months have been really good in terms of results and performances so hopefully we can take that all the way into the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.”
Super Eagles hold training session, ahead Scotland friendly
The Super Eagles on Monday evening commenced effective training in London, ahead of next month’s World Cup in Brazil.
A statement issued by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles Media Officer, said the team’s training session held at the Fulham FC training ground.
It said 28 players out of the 30 invited participated in the training session as Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi and Sunday Mba in France had hitches with travelling documents.
Team Secretary, Dayo Achor, as explaining that the duo were scheduled to make it to the team’s camp any time from now, a development, Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, frowned at.
The technical crew was happy with the response of the entire squad towards arrival in camp and the friendship that existed among all the players.
“It’s one big family here and this is the spirit we should carry to the World Cup,” Lille of France goalie Vincent Enyeama was quoted as saying.
The statement also said there were no injury worries with the team, as all the players had been to the gym to maintain fitness before Monday’s training.
It also said the players were happy with the recall of team captain, Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwengie.
Yobo, was quoted as assuring to justify the confidence reposed in him, while Osaze said his recall was a family reunion that was bound to affect the fortunes of the team at the World Cup.
A statement issued by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles Media Officer, said the team’s training session held at the Fulham FC training ground.
It said 28 players out of the 30 invited participated in the training session as Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi and Sunday Mba in France had hitches with travelling documents.
Team Secretary, Dayo Achor, as explaining that the duo were scheduled to make it to the team’s camp any time from now, a development, Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, frowned at.
The technical crew was happy with the response of the entire squad towards arrival in camp and the friendship that existed among all the players.
“It’s one big family here and this is the spirit we should carry to the World Cup,” Lille of France goalie Vincent Enyeama was quoted as saying.
The statement also said there were no injury worries with the team, as all the players had been to the gym to maintain fitness before Monday’s training.
It also said the players were happy with the recall of team captain, Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwengie.
Yobo, was quoted as assuring to justify the confidence reposed in him, while Osaze said his recall was a family reunion that was bound to affect the fortunes of the team at the World Cup.
World Cup: 4 Arik Air customers get all-expense-paid trip
Arik Airline on Monday said it had rewarded four loyal customers with an all-expense-paid trip to Brazil following the conclusion of draws in the Brazil 2014 sales promotion inaugurated in March.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the airline’s Public Relations Manager, Adebanji Ola and made available to newsmen in Lagos.
It named the lucky winners as Onuegbu Chima Godwin, Fashawe Oluwayemisi, Aluko Bade and Samuel Bayode.
According to the airline, they were picked on 22 May from the tickets of loyal customers who flew on its business class from Lagos to London, New York or Johannesburg between 1 March and 30 April.
The statement said that the idea of the draw was conceived about a year ago when Nigeria qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“The draws were supervised by the Director, Consumer Protection Directorate, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi,” it said.
Abdullahi said he appreciated the airline’s gesture of rewarding customers with the all-expense paid trip.
Abdullahi also used the opportunity to address the issue of flight delays and cancellation in the industry.
“Delays and cancellations in aviation are inevitable,” he was quoted as saying, while appealing that passengers should be carried along whenever flights are delayed.
“I urge passengers to show understanding when there is a delay or when there is cancellation of flights.
“This is because no pilot can go up into the cloud for aircraft maintenance; because up there, there is no mechanic workshop.
“You rather do all the repairs here before you leave. Nobody wants to go up there when the weather is bad en-route or when the destination weather is bad,” he said.
Capt. Ado Sanusi, Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air said the dream of commencing commercial flights to Brazil before the World Cup could not be actualised due to some challenges.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the airline’s Public Relations Manager, Adebanji Ola and made available to newsmen in Lagos.
It named the lucky winners as Onuegbu Chima Godwin, Fashawe Oluwayemisi, Aluko Bade and Samuel Bayode.
According to the airline, they were picked on 22 May from the tickets of loyal customers who flew on its business class from Lagos to London, New York or Johannesburg between 1 March and 30 April.
The statement said that the idea of the draw was conceived about a year ago when Nigeria qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“The draws were supervised by the Director, Consumer Protection Directorate, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi,” it said.
Abdullahi said he appreciated the airline’s gesture of rewarding customers with the all-expense paid trip.
Abdullahi also used the opportunity to address the issue of flight delays and cancellation in the industry.
“Delays and cancellations in aviation are inevitable,” he was quoted as saying, while appealing that passengers should be carried along whenever flights are delayed.
“I urge passengers to show understanding when there is a delay or when there is cancellation of flights.
“This is because no pilot can go up into the cloud for aircraft maintenance; because up there, there is no mechanic workshop.
“You rather do all the repairs here before you leave. Nobody wants to go up there when the weather is bad en-route or when the destination weather is bad,” he said.
Capt. Ado Sanusi, Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air said the dream of commencing commercial flights to Brazil before the World Cup could not be actualised due to some challenges.
Nigeria needs $30bn for gas production – Senate
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas Resources, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu says 30 billion dollars is required for the development of infrastructure to achieve daily gas production target by 2015.
Nwaogu said this in Abuja on Monday, at the opening of a National Conference on Gas Resources organised by the Senate Committee on Gas Resources.
The three-day conference themed: “Deepening Domestic Utilization of Natural Gas and Routine Flare Elimination”, was aimed at creating an appropriate forum for stakeholders to find ways to increase domestic use of natural gas and to eradicate gas flaring.
She noted that the low utilisation of natural gas in Nigeria was due to the insufficient production and distribution infrastructure, which resulted into flaring of about 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas daily.
“The legislature and the executives have been collaborating to ensure total eradication of the regulatory, operational and commercial problems in order to attract greater investment into the sector.
“In achieving this bold aspirations, this committee is of the view that Nigeria will require huge investments from local and international communities in human-capital, finance and technological innovation.
“A significant investment of over 30 billion dollars in infrastructure is needed to achieve Nigeria’s target of producing 3.4 billion cubic feet of gas daily by 2015,” she said.
Senate President, David Mark urged all stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to ensure that Nigeria’s gas resources are used for sustainable development of the people.
Mark said that stakeholders in the exploration of the nation’s abundant gas resources should focus on creating opportunities that would improve the lives of the people and the various communities.
He noted that the effective exploration of the gas resources would not only engender the massive creation of new job but would also serve as a launch pad for the revival of nation’s industrial sector.
“I need to stress that the gas revolution is not just about hydrocarbons and wealth,” Mark who was represented by the Senate Minority Whip, Sen. Abu Ibrahim said.
“It is also about human beings and the betterment of the lives of people, their communities and the entire society.
“We have to explore the varying opportunities of this revolution and chart a sustainable way forward for the development of our people.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, said Nigeria was at a turning point in the history of gas exploration which would yield commendable results soon.
Represented by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, said the Ministry had embarked on several strategies to encourage gas production, supply and consumption.
She said the Ministry had continued to spearhead various interventions to stimulate development of infrastructure to ensure gas utilisation for economic growth.
She urged stakeholders to accelerate the infrastructure delivery to explore alternative means of boosting private sector investment in infrastructural delivery and supply development.
“Our strategy for gas is to leverage the full potential of gas to achieve massive impact on the economy and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
“A robust infrastructure is the minimum requirement for supply and market growth.
“We are also reviewing the gas transmission pricing to ensure that it is also commercially adequate to support private investment in infrastructure.”
Nwaogu said this in Abuja on Monday, at the opening of a National Conference on Gas Resources organised by the Senate Committee on Gas Resources.
The three-day conference themed: “Deepening Domestic Utilization of Natural Gas and Routine Flare Elimination”, was aimed at creating an appropriate forum for stakeholders to find ways to increase domestic use of natural gas and to eradicate gas flaring.
She noted that the low utilisation of natural gas in Nigeria was due to the insufficient production and distribution infrastructure, which resulted into flaring of about 1.4 billion cubic feet of gas daily.
“The legislature and the executives have been collaborating to ensure total eradication of the regulatory, operational and commercial problems in order to attract greater investment into the sector.
“In achieving this bold aspirations, this committee is of the view that Nigeria will require huge investments from local and international communities in human-capital, finance and technological innovation.
“A significant investment of over 30 billion dollars in infrastructure is needed to achieve Nigeria’s target of producing 3.4 billion cubic feet of gas daily by 2015,” she said.
Senate President, David Mark urged all stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to ensure that Nigeria’s gas resources are used for sustainable development of the people.
Mark said that stakeholders in the exploration of the nation’s abundant gas resources should focus on creating opportunities that would improve the lives of the people and the various communities.
He noted that the effective exploration of the gas resources would not only engender the massive creation of new job but would also serve as a launch pad for the revival of nation’s industrial sector.
“I need to stress that the gas revolution is not just about hydrocarbons and wealth,” Mark who was represented by the Senate Minority Whip, Sen. Abu Ibrahim said.
“It is also about human beings and the betterment of the lives of people, their communities and the entire society.
“We have to explore the varying opportunities of this revolution and chart a sustainable way forward for the development of our people.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, said Nigeria was at a turning point in the history of gas exploration which would yield commendable results soon.
Represented by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, said the Ministry had embarked on several strategies to encourage gas production, supply and consumption.
She said the Ministry had continued to spearhead various interventions to stimulate development of infrastructure to ensure gas utilisation for economic growth.
She urged stakeholders to accelerate the infrastructure delivery to explore alternative means of boosting private sector investment in infrastructural delivery and supply development.
“Our strategy for gas is to leverage the full potential of gas to achieve massive impact on the economy and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
“A robust infrastructure is the minimum requirement for supply and market growth.
“We are also reviewing the gas transmission pricing to ensure that it is also commercially adequate to support private investment in infrastructure.”
Nigeria: Up up goes electricity tariff
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Monday announced an increase in electricity tariff by between N1 and N5.
NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, told a news conference in Abuja that the new tariff would take effect from June 1 as provided for in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
He said with the review, most electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) will retain the N750 fixed charge.
He said that the MYTO provides for bi-annual reviews that take effect on June 1 and Dec. 1 to ensure that some critical and financial variables underlying electricity tariff in Nigeria were realistic, fair and current.
Amadi said the variables that determined the methodical reviews included rate of inflation, exchange rate, gas price and available power generation capacity in the country.
“The MYTO provides that where the review shows that the aggregate of these variables have changed by plus or minus five per cent of the MYTO figures, the changes are significant and would result in a review of the tariff,
“The present review shows certain significant changes. For instance, whilst MYTO had projected inflation rate of 13 per cent, the inflation as at March 30, is 7.8 per cent which is 5.2 per cent less than projected,
“Similarly, MYTO projected an exchange rate of $1 to N178, but the March 30, 2014 data from the CBN shows a rate of N157.30 to $1, which is 11.6 per cent less than projected’’, he said.
Amadi also said that the new tariffs would not be equally served to consumers nationwide.
He said some parts of the country would have reduced tariffs and others with slight increase based on the population covered by each DISCO, amount of electricity allocated and facility available to each DISCO.
The NERC boss said that the review indicated a reduction of the wholesale tariff that would be paid to electricity generating companies (GENCOS) from June 1.
He also noted that the cost of the energy charge would have been much higher but for the good macroeconomics management that produced a real reduction in wholesale generation tariffs.
He said that if the review had not been carried out, the fixed charge would have increased from the current N750 to about N1,500.
“The energy charge component for each DISCO would also have increased depending on the power allocation to the DISCOs’’, he added.
The NERC boss said that the three components that made up the total tariff paid by consumers included the generation, transmission and distribution.
He decried the gas challenge to the power plants and said that the fixed costs incurred in the three components earlier mentioned would be spread over a much lower quantity of energy projected to be sold to consumers.
Amadi said NERC would continue to ensure that electricity consumers had access to adequate and reliable electricity and put in place mechanisms for improved service delivery from the new electricity companies
Meanwhile, Mr Adekunle Makinde, President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), urged the Federal Government to improve on electricity supply before any increase in tariffs.
Adekunle told NAN that the upward review of electricity tariff might witness another round of protest by consumers across the nation.
He said that consumers were not enjoying power supply because of erratic nature of the supply.
“Now that the government is compelling consumers to pay more, it might result in another round of protests.
“The consumers are already protesting against poor power supply in every area in Lagos, so why do you have to increase power tariff when the supply is not regular”, he said.
Makinde also said that the increment did not come as surprise to him because the investors in power sector had been clamouring for it.
“From the operators’ angle, the increment is not surprising because the investors had been complaining of not making any profit from the inception.
“The mistake they made was that they did not study the sector before venturing into it.
“They should have known what is on ground and know how to meet up”, he said.
NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, told a news conference in Abuja that the new tariff would take effect from June 1 as provided for in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
He said with the review, most electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) will retain the N750 fixed charge.
He said that the MYTO provides for bi-annual reviews that take effect on June 1 and Dec. 1 to ensure that some critical and financial variables underlying electricity tariff in Nigeria were realistic, fair and current.
Amadi said the variables that determined the methodical reviews included rate of inflation, exchange rate, gas price and available power generation capacity in the country.
“The MYTO provides that where the review shows that the aggregate of these variables have changed by plus or minus five per cent of the MYTO figures, the changes are significant and would result in a review of the tariff,
“The present review shows certain significant changes. For instance, whilst MYTO had projected inflation rate of 13 per cent, the inflation as at March 30, is 7.8 per cent which is 5.2 per cent less than projected,
“Similarly, MYTO projected an exchange rate of $1 to N178, but the March 30, 2014 data from the CBN shows a rate of N157.30 to $1, which is 11.6 per cent less than projected’’, he said.
Amadi also said that the new tariffs would not be equally served to consumers nationwide.
He said some parts of the country would have reduced tariffs and others with slight increase based on the population covered by each DISCO, amount of electricity allocated and facility available to each DISCO.
The NERC boss said that the review indicated a reduction of the wholesale tariff that would be paid to electricity generating companies (GENCOS) from June 1.
He also noted that the cost of the energy charge would have been much higher but for the good macroeconomics management that produced a real reduction in wholesale generation tariffs.
He said that if the review had not been carried out, the fixed charge would have increased from the current N750 to about N1,500.
“The energy charge component for each DISCO would also have increased depending on the power allocation to the DISCOs’’, he added.
The NERC boss said that the three components that made up the total tariff paid by consumers included the generation, transmission and distribution.
He decried the gas challenge to the power plants and said that the fixed costs incurred in the three components earlier mentioned would be spread over a much lower quantity of energy projected to be sold to consumers.
Amadi said NERC would continue to ensure that electricity consumers had access to adequate and reliable electricity and put in place mechanisms for improved service delivery from the new electricity companies
Meanwhile, Mr Adekunle Makinde, President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), urged the Federal Government to improve on electricity supply before any increase in tariffs.
Adekunle told NAN that the upward review of electricity tariff might witness another round of protest by consumers across the nation.
He said that consumers were not enjoying power supply because of erratic nature of the supply.
“Now that the government is compelling consumers to pay more, it might result in another round of protests.
“The consumers are already protesting against poor power supply in every area in Lagos, so why do you have to increase power tariff when the supply is not regular”, he said.
Makinde also said that the increment did not come as surprise to him because the investors in power sector had been clamouring for it.
“From the operators’ angle, the increment is not surprising because the investors had been complaining of not making any profit from the inception.
“The mistake they made was that they did not study the sector before venturing into it.
“They should have known what is on ground and know how to meet up”, he said.
Police guarantees maximum security for Ekiti guber election
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has given the assurance that maximum security will be provided for the 21 June gubernatorial election in Ekiti.
Felix Uyannah, Commissioner of Police in Ekiti, conveyed Abubakar’s assurance while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.
Uyannah said he met with the Inspector-General recently in Abuja over the forthcoming election.
He warned that anyone or group planning to cause chaos before, during or after the exercise would have themselves to blame.
Abubakar assured the 18 participating political parties that the police would play the role of unbiased umpire, and urged them to caution their followers against causing trouble.
“He warned that cases associated with rigging, ballot snatching and impersonation would be viewed with serious consequences by the police.”
He also called on the people to conduct themselves properly on the election day, and ignore any threat that could prevent them from voting.
The commissioner urged candidates for the election to abide by the rule while campaigning.
Felix Uyannah, Commissioner of Police in Ekiti, conveyed Abubakar’s assurance while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.
Uyannah said he met with the Inspector-General recently in Abuja over the forthcoming election.
He warned that anyone or group planning to cause chaos before, during or after the exercise would have themselves to blame.
Abubakar assured the 18 participating political parties that the police would play the role of unbiased umpire, and urged them to caution their followers against causing trouble.
“He warned that cases associated with rigging, ballot snatching and impersonation would be viewed with serious consequences by the police.”
He also called on the people to conduct themselves properly on the election day, and ignore any threat that could prevent them from voting.
The commissioner urged candidates for the election to abide by the rule while campaigning.
Elderly citizens to enjoy free medical service – Ajimobi
Citizens who are 65 years and above will soon start enjoying free medical service in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said.
The governor stated this when he received leaders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church led by Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi in his office on Monday.
According to him, the services are part of government’s comprehensive health insurance scheme planned for launch soon.
“The scheme, which will be the first of its kind in the state, is part of government’s determination to make the people live a healthy and longer life,” he said.
Ajimobi said the government also planned to introduce a scheme whereby students would enjoy free food and would be given free uniforms to improve the quality of education in the state.
He commended the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its service to humanity, noting that it had always been at the forefront of social, economic, intellectual and moral development of the state.
Ajimobi said the government was committed to maintaining the culture of obedience, decency and integrity with a view to discouraging impunity.
“This administration has been able to restore peace and security, as well as transform the state through its urban renewal programme.
“We have encouraged the culture of Godliness, decency, integrity, and obedience to eliminate the culture of impunity,” he said.
Owolabi lauded the state government’s urban renewal programme and the religious liberty enjoyed by the people.
He pledged the church’s readiness to collaborate with the government in its efforts to develop the state, particularly in the areas of education and health.
The governor stated this when he received leaders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church led by Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi in his office on Monday.
According to him, the services are part of government’s comprehensive health insurance scheme planned for launch soon.
“The scheme, which will be the first of its kind in the state, is part of government’s determination to make the people live a healthy and longer life,” he said.
Ajimobi said the government also planned to introduce a scheme whereby students would enjoy free food and would be given free uniforms to improve the quality of education in the state.
He commended the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its service to humanity, noting that it had always been at the forefront of social, economic, intellectual and moral development of the state.
Ajimobi said the government was committed to maintaining the culture of obedience, decency and integrity with a view to discouraging impunity.
“This administration has been able to restore peace and security, as well as transform the state through its urban renewal programme.
“We have encouraged the culture of Godliness, decency, integrity, and obedience to eliminate the culture of impunity,” he said.
Owolabi lauded the state government’s urban renewal programme and the religious liberty enjoyed by the people.
He pledged the church’s readiness to collaborate with the government in its efforts to develop the state, particularly in the areas of education and health.
Rare Australian conjoined twins die
Australian conjoined twins Hope and Faith, who shared a body and skull but had separate brains and identical faces, have died almost three weeks after they were born in Sydney, medical officials said Tuesday.
The girls, who were born six weeks early by emergency caesarean, were with their parents — Renee Young and Simon Howie — when they passed away, the Nine television network reported.
“It is with great sadness that we share this news with you,” said the broadcaster, which has had access to the parents before and after the birth.
Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney’s west, where the sisters were undergoing treatment after their birth in early May, confirmed the deaths but said Young and Howie were not releasing further information.
The twins suffered from the rare condition diprosopus, where they shared an unusually-shaped skull with duplicated facial features and separate brains joined at the stem. They also shared their limbs and organs.
Howie told Woman’s Day magazine in an earlier interview that the “little Aussie fighters” had started developing their own personalities.
“Faith tends to cry a little more, while Hope takes after her mum and likes to sleep a lot,” Howie said.
“Faith blows little bubbles and loves sucking her thumb but Hope prefers the dummy.”
The couple, who are parents to seven other children, said they could not face terminating their pregnancy despite concerns about the babies’ survival.
There have been only 35 cases of diprosopus worldwide, a rare condition where a baby has two faces, Woman’s Day said. None of the newborns survived.
The girls, who were born six weeks early by emergency caesarean, were with their parents — Renee Young and Simon Howie — when they passed away, the Nine television network reported.
“It is with great sadness that we share this news with you,” said the broadcaster, which has had access to the parents before and after the birth.
Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney’s west, where the sisters were undergoing treatment after their birth in early May, confirmed the deaths but said Young and Howie were not releasing further information.
The twins suffered from the rare condition diprosopus, where they shared an unusually-shaped skull with duplicated facial features and separate brains joined at the stem. They also shared their limbs and organs.
Howie told Woman’s Day magazine in an earlier interview that the “little Aussie fighters” had started developing their own personalities.
“Faith tends to cry a little more, while Hope takes after her mum and likes to sleep a lot,” Howie said.
“Faith blows little bubbles and loves sucking her thumb but Hope prefers the dummy.”
The couple, who are parents to seven other children, said they could not face terminating their pregnancy despite concerns about the babies’ survival.
There have been only 35 cases of diprosopus worldwide, a rare condition where a baby has two faces, Woman’s Day said. None of the newborns survived.
Use e-card reader in Ekiti, Osun polls, APC tells INEC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday called on the INEC to
make use of e-card readers during the forthcoming elections in Ekiti and
Osun States.
INEC had earlier said that it would not use the card readers for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
It had, however, said that the non-deployment of card readers would in no way affect the credibility of the elections.
NAN reports that the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun are billed for June 21 and August 9 respectively.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said that use of the e-card readers would show INEC’s commitment to free, fair and transparent polls.
The party stated that using the simple but full-proof device for the polls would make it possible for INEC to fine-tune its deployment programme nationwide for the 2015 general elections.
It stated that INEC must stop trying to justify why it could not use the e-card reader during the two governorship elections.
“Contrary to what INEC has said, the e-card reader is very adaptable and its application is not subject to any environmental peculiarity once the basics of operations are met,” the APC said.
According to the party, the most compelling reason for the use of e-card reader by INEC is that it will eliminate the rigging of elections through the use of stolen or purchased voter cards.
“E-card reader will also ensure that only those with authentic voter cards are allowed to cast their votes on election day.
“Impersonation, multiple voting and endless altercations and associated tension will be eliminated at the voting centres,” the party said.
INEC had earlier said that it would not use the card readers for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
It had, however, said that the non-deployment of card readers would in no way affect the credibility of the elections.
NAN reports that the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun are billed for June 21 and August 9 respectively.
In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said that use of the e-card readers would show INEC’s commitment to free, fair and transparent polls.
The party stated that using the simple but full-proof device for the polls would make it possible for INEC to fine-tune its deployment programme nationwide for the 2015 general elections.
It stated that INEC must stop trying to justify why it could not use the e-card reader during the two governorship elections.
“Contrary to what INEC has said, the e-card reader is very adaptable and its application is not subject to any environmental peculiarity once the basics of operations are met,” the APC said.
According to the party, the most compelling reason for the use of e-card reader by INEC is that it will eliminate the rigging of elections through the use of stolen or purchased voter cards.
“E-card reader will also ensure that only those with authentic voter cards are allowed to cast their votes on election day.
“Impersonation, multiple voting and endless altercations and associated tension will be eliminated at the voting centres,” the party said.
Police, prison officials foil convict’s escape bid
A 25-year old man, Christian Akpohukah, on Monday in Lagos bolted after he was sentenced to a three-year imprisonment for stabbing his father with a knife.
Akpohukah escaped from prison officials while he was being led to the Black Maria after being sentenced by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, according NAN.
The convict was, however, given a hot chase by the prison officials and other law enforcement officials, who apprehended him in front of the Police College, Ikeja.
NAN reports that the incident which occurred at about 3:50 p.m. caused a stir.
Akpohukah was earlier sentenced to three years imprisonment for stabbing his father with knife in his stomach.
He had pleaded guilty to the charge of assault on his arraignment on 5 May.
The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju, had sentenced the man without an option of fine.
“You are hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour and without an option of fine.”
The prosecutor, Inspector Nurudeen Thomas had told the court that the accused committed the offence at 5:17 p.m on May 3 at their residence situated at No. 27, Fadeyi St., Olowora, Lagos.
He said the accused assaulted his father, Ayoryor Akpohukor, because he cautioned him against damaging the fence by throwing stones.
He said the offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Akpohukah escaped from prison officials while he was being led to the Black Maria after being sentenced by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, according NAN.
The convict was, however, given a hot chase by the prison officials and other law enforcement officials, who apprehended him in front of the Police College, Ikeja.
NAN reports that the incident which occurred at about 3:50 p.m. caused a stir.
Akpohukah was earlier sentenced to three years imprisonment for stabbing his father with knife in his stomach.
He had pleaded guilty to the charge of assault on his arraignment on 5 May.
The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju, had sentenced the man without an option of fine.
“You are hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour and without an option of fine.”
The prosecutor, Inspector Nurudeen Thomas had told the court that the accused committed the offence at 5:17 p.m on May 3 at their residence situated at No. 27, Fadeyi St., Olowora, Lagos.
He said the accused assaulted his father, Ayoryor Akpohukor, because he cautioned him against damaging the fence by throwing stones.
He said the offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
We know where missing girls are – Chief of Defence Staff
Nigeria’s highest ranking military officer on Monday gave a glimmer of hope to the families of more than 200 schoolgirls held by Boko Haram militants, revealing they had located the missing teenagers.
But Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, warned that any potential armed rescue operation was fraught with danger as the 223 girls still held hostage could be caught in the crossfire.
Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 276 girls from the remote northeastern town of Chibok on April 14, leading to global outrage.
“The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you,” Badeh told reporters in the capital Abuja, as the hostage crisis entered its seventh week.
Nigeria’s government and military have been sharply criticised for their slow response to the mass abduction and were finally forced to accept foreign help in the rescue effort.
US drones have been surveying northeast Nigeria and neighbouring Chad from the air while British, French and Israeli teams have been on the ground providing specialist assistance.
The military has previously said that the search was centred around the Sambisa forest area of Borno, in northeast Nigeria, where makeshift militant camps have previously been found as well as arms and ammunition caches.
Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram gunmen meanwhile stormed a Christian village in northeaster Adamawa state on Sunday, killing 20 residents, a local government spokesman said.
The attack in Waga by heavily armed fighters on trucks and motorcycles bore all the hallmarks of a Boko Haram attack and came after at least 24 people were killed in a similar strike on Kamuya village in neighbouring Borno.
Multiple raids in Borno last week, including two near the missing girls’ hometown of Chibok, left more than 80 people dead.
The wave of attacks cement the view that the group can strike seemingly at will, encountering little or no resistance from the military.
Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have all been under a state of emergency since May last year. Special powers were extended for a further six months last week.
But Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, warned that any potential armed rescue operation was fraught with danger as the 223 girls still held hostage could be caught in the crossfire.
Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 276 girls from the remote northeastern town of Chibok on April 14, leading to global outrage.
“The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we cannot tell you,” Badeh told reporters in the capital Abuja, as the hostage crisis entered its seventh week.
Nigeria’s government and military have been sharply criticised for their slow response to the mass abduction and were finally forced to accept foreign help in the rescue effort.
US drones have been surveying northeast Nigeria and neighbouring Chad from the air while British, French and Israeli teams have been on the ground providing specialist assistance.
The military has previously said that the search was centred around the Sambisa forest area of Borno, in northeast Nigeria, where makeshift militant camps have previously been found as well as arms and ammunition caches.
Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram gunmen meanwhile stormed a Christian village in northeaster Adamawa state on Sunday, killing 20 residents, a local government spokesman said.
The attack in Waga by heavily armed fighters on trucks and motorcycles bore all the hallmarks of a Boko Haram attack and came after at least 24 people were killed in a similar strike on Kamuya village in neighbouring Borno.
Multiple raids in Borno last week, including two near the missing girls’ hometown of Chibok, left more than 80 people dead.
The wave of attacks cement the view that the group can strike seemingly at will, encountering little or no resistance from the military.
Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have all been under a state of emergency since May last year. Special powers were extended for a further six months last week.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Jigawa State Poly Pulls Out Of ASUP Strike
According to the Chairman of the ASUP in Jigawa Poly, Comrade Sa’idu Abdullahi, The Jigawa Polytechnic, otherwise known as Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure has pulled out of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics strike.
In a communiqué issued after emergency congress of the union, it was stated that the suspension was to allow students complete the disrupted second semester of 2012/2013 academic session.
He however, said despite the calling off of the strike the union is still in solidarity with the general body of ASUP and their efforts to ensure a standard polytechnic education in Nigeria.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Kabir Ibrahim Matazu, who is also the chairman, Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS) commended the union for calling off the strike.
In a communiqué issued after emergency congress of the union, it was stated that the suspension was to allow students complete the disrupted second semester of 2012/2013 academic session.
He however, said despite the calling off of the strike the union is still in solidarity with the general body of ASUP and their efforts to ensure a standard polytechnic education in Nigeria.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Kabir Ibrahim Matazu, who is also the chairman, Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS) commended the union for calling off the strike.
ASUP STRIKE: An End In Sight
A source from the Federal Ministry of Education reveals that the protracted strike embarked upon by ASUP will likely be called off soon.
According to the source this will depend on the outcome of the following schedules:
Monday 26th of May-White paper NEEDS for Assessment and HND/BSC report would be concluded,submitted from the office of the secretary-general of the federation to the ministry of Education for deliberation and actions.
Tuesday 27th of May- A crucial meeting will be held by the leadership of Academic staff union of polytechnics(ASUP)and Federal ministry of education,to be presided by committee members of the National Assembly.
Wednesday 28th of may-In its final NEC meeting, Academic staff Union of polytechnic,ASUP is expected to deliberate and evaluate the stances agreed upon in their last meeting with Federal Government.If it is satisfactory,the strike would be SUSPENDED,but if the meeting with government was randy and unsatisfactory,then the strike will CONTINUE.
Hopefully,on Monday the 2nd of June,Resumption begins and students are expected to be ready for a Usain bolt session.
According to the source this will depend on the outcome of the following schedules:
Monday 26th of May-White paper NEEDS for Assessment and HND/BSC report would be concluded,submitted from the office of the secretary-general of the federation to the ministry of Education for deliberation and actions.
Tuesday 27th of May- A crucial meeting will be held by the leadership of Academic staff union of polytechnics(ASUP)and Federal ministry of education,to be presided by committee members of the National Assembly.
Wednesday 28th of may-In its final NEC meeting, Academic staff Union of polytechnic,ASUP is expected to deliberate and evaluate the stances agreed upon in their last meeting with Federal Government.If it is satisfactory,the strike would be SUSPENDED,but if the meeting with government was randy and unsatisfactory,then the strike will CONTINUE.
Hopefully,on Monday the 2nd of June,Resumption begins and students are expected to be ready for a Usain bolt session.
ABSU First Semester Examination (2013/2014) Date Announced
All students of Abia State University are by this announcement informed that the first semester examination for 2013/2014 academic session will commence from Monday, 2nd June, 2014.
We wish you all the best as you prepare for your exams.
We wish you all the best as you prepare for your exams.
UNIJOS Releases 2013/2014 Remedial Supplementary Admission List
The University of Jos has released the 2013/2014 Remedial Science
Supplementary Admission into her Remedial Programmes. Payment of
acceptance fee into the programme has commenced.
Lectures to start after payment of fees and registration.
To access the admission list follow this link: UNIJOS Remedial Supplementary Admission List
Lectures to start after payment of fees and registration.
To access the admission list follow this link: UNIJOS Remedial Supplementary Admission List
WAEC Fraudster Apprehended by the Police
The Edo state Government recently arrested a 31-year old man identified as Akharamen Ehizokhai for defrauding students.
According to a police source, the suspect has a website where he posts fake SSCE questions and normally charges his victims N5000 per subject.
After series of reports by both students and parents the police decided to trail him which led to his arrest.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funso Adebanjo said the suspect who was said to have been involved in such fraudulent business for two years has confessed to the crime.
Adebanjo who said the suspect will soon be charged to court also remarked that it is the search of students for quick means of passing examinations instead of reading their books that often make them victims of such frauds and frowned at the fact that often times it is the parents of these students that give them money to pay for such instead of discouraging it
According to a police source, the suspect has a website where he posts fake SSCE questions and normally charges his victims N5000 per subject.
After series of reports by both students and parents the police decided to trail him which led to his arrest.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funso Adebanjo said the suspect who was said to have been involved in such fraudulent business for two years has confessed to the crime.
Adebanjo who said the suspect will soon be charged to court also remarked that it is the search of students for quick means of passing examinations instead of reading their books that often make them victims of such frauds and frowned at the fact that often times it is the parents of these students that give them money to pay for such instead of discouraging it
May 29th Declared Public Holiday to Mark Democracy Day Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Comrade Patrick Abba Moro in a statement on behalf of the Federal Government Last week declared Thursday 29th May 2014 to commemorate Democracy Day.
The statement also urged Nigerians to join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in the sustained effort to build a peaceful and united nation.
The statement also urged Nigerians to join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in the sustained effort to build a peaceful and united nation.
Federer cruises as Serena, Venus eye Paris showdown
Roger Federer racked up a record-equalling 59th career win at the French Open on Sunday while Serena and Venus Williams edged closer to a third round sister showdown.
Federer kicked off his 16th consecutive Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko, his first victory since becoming a father of twins for the second time.
The 32-year-old Swiss, who won his only Paris title in 2009, was watched by wife Mirka and older twins Myla and Charlene but not three-week old Lenny and Leo.
Sunday’s triumph was also his 59th at Roland Garros, tying eight-time champion Rafael Nadal as the tournament’s all-time win specialist.
Federer was never troubled by Lacko, the world number 88 who has not won a claycourt match for three years.
He hit 40 winners and goes on to face either Portugal’s Gastao Elias or Diego Sebastian Schwartzman of Argentina for a place in the last 32.
“I’m happy I got off to a good start,” said the 17-time major winner.
“There’s always that little feeling that if you don’t feel well, if the opponent plays great, whatever happens so you could lose early. So I was happy seeing early signs out of the match that I was actually playing well and I was going to get my chances.”
Women’s top seed Serena Williams, who won the 2013 title to add to her 2002 maiden triumph in the French capital, started her 13th Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-1 win over French wildcard Alize Lim.
Three days after the close friends were snapping ‘selfies’ of themselves at the players’ party at the Eiffel Tower, Williams fired 37 winners past Lim, the world 138, although a sloppy final game left her relying on a fifth match point to seal victory.
The win extended Williams’ record in opening rounds of the majors to 54-1 — her only blip being a first round exit to Virginie Razzano in Paris three years ago.
Williams will face either compatriot Grace Min or Spain’s Gabrine Muguruza for a place in the third round where she could then play big sister Venus.
Venus, the 29th seed and 2002 runner-up, began her campaign with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Swiss 17-year-old Belinda Bencic who was two and a half years from being born when the American made her professional debut back in 1994.
- Veterans shine -
It was Williams’ second win over world number 81 Bencic, the 2013 junior champion, having defeated the teenager in Luxemburg in 2012.
“I think she has a great attitude, and it will take her a long way. Just doing everything better, serving, returning, just more experience helps a lot,” said 33-year-old Venus who is playing in her 17th French Open.
Venus next faces Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia.
It was also a good day for other veterans on the tour.
Russian 15th seed Mikhail Youzhny, 31, battled back to see off Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
Czech 35-year-old Radek Stepanek beat Facundo Arguello of Argentina 6-7 (8/10), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 and Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, 32, also needed five sets to see off Michal Przysiezny of Poland, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4.
Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych eased past Canada’s Peter Polansky 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on the back of 50 winners and 15 aces and next meets Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic unleashed 27 aces in his 6-3, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 win over teenage Australian wildcard Nick Kyrgios.
His reward is a second round clash with either Lukas Rosol or Jiri Vesely, both Czech Davis Cup teammates.
In the women’s event, Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska carved out a 6-3, 6-0 win over China’s Zhang Shuai, the world number 34.
Radwanska, sporting a vivid, floral-print dress, made heavy work of seeing off Zhang who has now lost all of her four first round matches at Roland Garros.
The first seven games all went against serve until the Pole held for 5-3. But she then swept through the final set in just 21 minutes.
Federer kicked off his 16th consecutive Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko, his first victory since becoming a father of twins for the second time.
The 32-year-old Swiss, who won his only Paris title in 2009, was watched by wife Mirka and older twins Myla and Charlene but not three-week old Lenny and Leo.
Sunday’s triumph was also his 59th at Roland Garros, tying eight-time champion Rafael Nadal as the tournament’s all-time win specialist.
Federer was never troubled by Lacko, the world number 88 who has not won a claycourt match for three years.
He hit 40 winners and goes on to face either Portugal’s Gastao Elias or Diego Sebastian Schwartzman of Argentina for a place in the last 32.
“I’m happy I got off to a good start,” said the 17-time major winner.
“There’s always that little feeling that if you don’t feel well, if the opponent plays great, whatever happens so you could lose early. So I was happy seeing early signs out of the match that I was actually playing well and I was going to get my chances.”
Women’s top seed Serena Williams, who won the 2013 title to add to her 2002 maiden triumph in the French capital, started her 13th Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-1 win over French wildcard Alize Lim.
Three days after the close friends were snapping ‘selfies’ of themselves at the players’ party at the Eiffel Tower, Williams fired 37 winners past Lim, the world 138, although a sloppy final game left her relying on a fifth match point to seal victory.
The win extended Williams’ record in opening rounds of the majors to 54-1 — her only blip being a first round exit to Virginie Razzano in Paris three years ago.
Williams will face either compatriot Grace Min or Spain’s Gabrine Muguruza for a place in the third round where she could then play big sister Venus.
Venus, the 29th seed and 2002 runner-up, began her campaign with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Swiss 17-year-old Belinda Bencic who was two and a half years from being born when the American made her professional debut back in 1994.
- Veterans shine -
It was Williams’ second win over world number 81 Bencic, the 2013 junior champion, having defeated the teenager in Luxemburg in 2012.
“I think she has a great attitude, and it will take her a long way. Just doing everything better, serving, returning, just more experience helps a lot,” said 33-year-old Venus who is playing in her 17th French Open.
Venus next faces Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia.
It was also a good day for other veterans on the tour.
Russian 15th seed Mikhail Youzhny, 31, battled back to see off Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
Czech 35-year-old Radek Stepanek beat Facundo Arguello of Argentina 6-7 (8/10), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 and Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, 32, also needed five sets to see off Michal Przysiezny of Poland, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4.
Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych eased past Canada’s Peter Polansky 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on the back of 50 winners and 15 aces and next meets Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic unleashed 27 aces in his 6-3, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 win over teenage Australian wildcard Nick Kyrgios.
His reward is a second round clash with either Lukas Rosol or Jiri Vesely, both Czech Davis Cup teammates.
In the women’s event, Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska carved out a 6-3, 6-0 win over China’s Zhang Shuai, the world number 34.
Radwanska, sporting a vivid, floral-print dress, made heavy work of seeing off Zhang who has now lost all of her four first round matches at Roland Garros.
The first seven games all went against serve until the Pole held for 5-3. But she then swept through the final set in just 21 minutes.
Super Eagles arrive London ahead Scotland friendly
The Super Eagles have arrived in London ahead of their international friendly against the Tartan Army of Scotland on Wednesday night in preparation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
A statement by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles Media Officer, said the team left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday morning.
It said the team arrived the Heathrow Airport in London at exactly 2:15 p.m. local time, which is also Nigerian time.
The statement said the team’s secretary, Dayo Achor and the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) friendly games Consultant, JairoPacho, were on ground to welcome the team.
Fourteen players made the trip from Abuja to London, while Ukraine-based striker, Michael Babatunde, was already waiting at the team’s hotel, the statement added.
Among them were nine foreign-based stars, while the rest are based in Nigeria.
The list includes Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Obinna Nsofor, Ahmed Musa, Michael Uchebo, Godfrey Oboabona, Gariel Reuben, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose and Sunday Mba.
The statement, however, said that as at the time of this report, Emmanuel Emenike and Ramon Azeez were the latest to arrive camp.
The home-based stars are Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Daniel Akpeyi, Kunle Odunlami and Ejike Uzoenyi.
According to the statement, other players are expected to join the team by midnight on Sunday.
It said the team would have its first training session for the friendly on Monday evening, with all the 30 players invited for the World Cup preparation expected to take part.
A statement by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles Media Officer, said the team left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday morning.
It said the team arrived the Heathrow Airport in London at exactly 2:15 p.m. local time, which is also Nigerian time.
The statement said the team’s secretary, Dayo Achor and the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) friendly games Consultant, JairoPacho, were on ground to welcome the team.
Fourteen players made the trip from Abuja to London, while Ukraine-based striker, Michael Babatunde, was already waiting at the team’s hotel, the statement added.
Among them were nine foreign-based stars, while the rest are based in Nigeria.
The list includes Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Obinna Nsofor, Ahmed Musa, Michael Uchebo, Godfrey Oboabona, Gariel Reuben, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose and Sunday Mba.
The statement, however, said that as at the time of this report, Emmanuel Emenike and Ramon Azeez were the latest to arrive camp.
The home-based stars are Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Daniel Akpeyi, Kunle Odunlami and Ejike Uzoenyi.
According to the statement, other players are expected to join the team by midnight on Sunday.
It said the team would have its first training session for the friendly on Monday evening, with all the 30 players invited for the World Cup preparation expected to take part.
Total to stop gas flaring in Nigeria
Total, a French oil and gas company, has expressed its determination to be the first multinational oil and gas company to stop off shore gas flaring in Nigeria.
A Senior Development Engineer for the company, made this known when he received some Nigerian journalists at Total’s headquarters in Paris, France.
He said the commitment to stop gas flaring was motivated by the company’s desire to provide better energy in a friendly manner.
“The motivation did not start today, it is the philosophy of Total to intelligently manage its resources and we are committed to better energy by using gas flaring to power our equipment on the field.
“Our footprint is not as big as our competitors on shore. We are mostly off shore and for gas we are beginning to monetise much of the gas and use the gas for reservoir purposes.
“In some cases, we re-inject the gases to do proper reservoir management to make sure that we are able to provide oil for a longer period without degrading the environment.
“We have been doing it for a longer period of time and that makes us different from other oil companies in Africa countries,” he said.
He said the company had also invested in renewable energy, with the aim of reducing gas flaring and carbon dioxide.
Betrand de Nadaillac, Vice President in charge of Environment and Health, said the company had another action plan to eliminate gas flaring.
Nadaillac said the action was to increase the energy efficient of its stations by promoting projects that emit low carbon dioxide in the downstream business.
He said the company would showcase its achievement in the area of low carbon and renewable energy at Conference of Parties (Cop 21) on Climate Change to be hosted by France in 2015.
“We are planning to showcase our efforts and achievements because people think that oil companies are polluters and they are not doing anything to address it.
“We are concern because it is a serious thing and we are addressing the problem of gas emission step by step though it is costly to do that but we are committed to achieving that,” he said.
On renewable energy, Mr Francois Le Cocq, Vice-President Country Adviser Nigeria, said the company had already partnered with the Federal Government on the provision of solar lamps.
Cocq said Total had started the sales of clean energy solar lamps in Nigeria and other African countries under its social business scheme.
A Senior Development Engineer for the company, made this known when he received some Nigerian journalists at Total’s headquarters in Paris, France.
He said the commitment to stop gas flaring was motivated by the company’s desire to provide better energy in a friendly manner.
“The motivation did not start today, it is the philosophy of Total to intelligently manage its resources and we are committed to better energy by using gas flaring to power our equipment on the field.
“Our footprint is not as big as our competitors on shore. We are mostly off shore and for gas we are beginning to monetise much of the gas and use the gas for reservoir purposes.
“In some cases, we re-inject the gases to do proper reservoir management to make sure that we are able to provide oil for a longer period without degrading the environment.
“We have been doing it for a longer period of time and that makes us different from other oil companies in Africa countries,” he said.
He said the company had also invested in renewable energy, with the aim of reducing gas flaring and carbon dioxide.
Betrand de Nadaillac, Vice President in charge of Environment and Health, said the company had another action plan to eliminate gas flaring.
Nadaillac said the action was to increase the energy efficient of its stations by promoting projects that emit low carbon dioxide in the downstream business.
He said the company would showcase its achievement in the area of low carbon and renewable energy at Conference of Parties (Cop 21) on Climate Change to be hosted by France in 2015.
“We are planning to showcase our efforts and achievements because people think that oil companies are polluters and they are not doing anything to address it.
“We are concern because it is a serious thing and we are addressing the problem of gas emission step by step though it is costly to do that but we are committed to achieving that,” he said.
On renewable energy, Mr Francois Le Cocq, Vice-President Country Adviser Nigeria, said the company had already partnered with the Federal Government on the provision of solar lamps.
Cocq said Total had started the sales of clean energy solar lamps in Nigeria and other African countries under its social business scheme.
France to assist Oyo State in micro-finance enterprises
France has pledged its readiness to assist Oyo State in the provision of credit to small scale enterprises through the state’s micro-finance programme.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques De Labriolle, made the pledge when he paid a courtesy call to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Dr Festus Adedayo, Special Adviser to Ajimobi on Media, the ambassador said France would offer assistance in the areas of health care delivery and agriculture to bring about economic prosperity and stability in the state.
He commended Ajimobi’s efforts at ensuring all-round development of the state through its various programmes and policies.
Responding, Ajimobi thanked France for playing major roles in the security of many countries including Nigeria.
According to the governor, no nation can achieve meaningful development without adequate security, hence the need to ensure the provision of adequate security at all times.
He said his administration would appreciate France’s contribution to the rehabilitation of water equipment to enhance supply of potable water to the people of Oyo State.
Ajimobi called for partnership with France in the state government’s micro-finance programme to boost trade, agriculture and other socio-economic activities.
He also said that the state government had concluded plans to designate some schools for teaching and learning of French Language.
The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques De Labriolle, made the pledge when he paid a courtesy call to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Dr Festus Adedayo, Special Adviser to Ajimobi on Media, the ambassador said France would offer assistance in the areas of health care delivery and agriculture to bring about economic prosperity and stability in the state.
He commended Ajimobi’s efforts at ensuring all-round development of the state through its various programmes and policies.
Responding, Ajimobi thanked France for playing major roles in the security of many countries including Nigeria.
According to the governor, no nation can achieve meaningful development without adequate security, hence the need to ensure the provision of adequate security at all times.
He said his administration would appreciate France’s contribution to the rehabilitation of water equipment to enhance supply of potable water to the people of Oyo State.
Ajimobi called for partnership with France in the state government’s micro-finance programme to boost trade, agriculture and other socio-economic activities.
He also said that the state government had concluded plans to designate some schools for teaching and learning of French Language.
30 Nigerian CEOs pledge N56bn CSR intervention
Thirty Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Nigerian companies have pledged their commitment to boost government’s effort in expanding the economy and social welfare of the citizenry.
NAN reports that the CEOs made the pledge at a dinner hosted by Shell Petroleum Development Company on Saturday in Lagos.
Their commitments when operational will inject about N56.82 billion (350 million dollars) fresh development funds into the economy.
The CEOs, who identified themselves as “Transformer in Lagos”, said their aim remained a coordinated Organised Private Sector (OPS) investment in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
They also identified their areas of concerns as skills-based education, energy, health and stimulation of sustainable creativity.
The convener, Mutiu Sunmonu said their aim is to mobilize CEOs to create a new platform for urgent and practical intervention of Corporate Nigeria in the socio-economic transformation of the nation.
Sunmonu, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), said the platform would harmonise the CSR actions to meet the demands of Nigerians toward sustainable development and self-reliance.
“Over the years, I have stopped talking about Shell’s commitment of about 250 million dollars every year in CSR.
“For me, and I know most of you feel the same way, it seems people are not listening or that we are not communicating.
“So, the urge for us to come together and develop new approach for intervention,” said Sunmonu who is also the Country Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria,.
“It is how we can actually get synergy on some of the things we do to promote the agenda of the Council of Sustainable Business Development in Nigeria.
“I want it to be the beginning of a foundation of a transformation. Transformation that is going to be led by business, transformation that all of us will hand over to generations yet unborn.”
Sunmonu said the ideal of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD) became imperative because it showed that business would only thrive in an environment that was prepared for the challenges of globalisation.
Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director, Julius Berger Plc, commended the convener for the initiative. He said the nation more than ever before needed urgent Corporate Nigeria intervention.
Goetsch also said that Julius Berger bought into the initiative because it would engender a holistic approach to national-driven needs intervention in skills-based education, health and general infrastructure.
Mrs Owanari Duke, wife of the former Governor of Cross River and Country Director, Empretec Nigeria Foundation; Chief Keith Richards, Chairman, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd
and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Mrs Bola Adesola agreed with Sunmonu and Goetsch.
“We at Promasidor will not only contribute but will devote our time and energy in actualising the goals of the intervention. We will only opt out when the idea becomes a talk shop, driven by workshops, seminars and bureaucracy,” Richards said.
The dinner which was held at the Federal Palace Hotel was attended by the CEOs of Oando Gas and Power, SEPLAT Petroleum, UBA Group, ETISALAT, MTN Nigeria, Coca Cola Nigeria and Gunniess Plc.
Others are Flour Mills Nigeria, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, First Bank of Nigeria, Accenture Nigeria, Interswitch Ltd, Intel Nigeria, Heirs Holding, BusinessDay and Standard Chartered Bank.
NAN reports that the CEOs made the pledge at a dinner hosted by Shell Petroleum Development Company on Saturday in Lagos.
Their commitments when operational will inject about N56.82 billion (350 million dollars) fresh development funds into the economy.
The CEOs, who identified themselves as “Transformer in Lagos”, said their aim remained a coordinated Organised Private Sector (OPS) investment in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
They also identified their areas of concerns as skills-based education, energy, health and stimulation of sustainable creativity.
The convener, Mutiu Sunmonu said their aim is to mobilize CEOs to create a new platform for urgent and practical intervention of Corporate Nigeria in the socio-economic transformation of the nation.
Sunmonu, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), said the platform would harmonise the CSR actions to meet the demands of Nigerians toward sustainable development and self-reliance.
“Over the years, I have stopped talking about Shell’s commitment of about 250 million dollars every year in CSR.
“For me, and I know most of you feel the same way, it seems people are not listening or that we are not communicating.
“So, the urge for us to come together and develop new approach for intervention,” said Sunmonu who is also the Country Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria,.
“It is how we can actually get synergy on some of the things we do to promote the agenda of the Council of Sustainable Business Development in Nigeria.
“I want it to be the beginning of a foundation of a transformation. Transformation that is going to be led by business, transformation that all of us will hand over to generations yet unborn.”
Sunmonu said the ideal of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBSCD) became imperative because it showed that business would only thrive in an environment that was prepared for the challenges of globalisation.
Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director, Julius Berger Plc, commended the convener for the initiative. He said the nation more than ever before needed urgent Corporate Nigeria intervention.
Goetsch also said that Julius Berger bought into the initiative because it would engender a holistic approach to national-driven needs intervention in skills-based education, health and general infrastructure.
Mrs Owanari Duke, wife of the former Governor of Cross River and Country Director, Empretec Nigeria Foundation; Chief Keith Richards, Chairman, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd
and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Mrs Bola Adesola agreed with Sunmonu and Goetsch.
“We at Promasidor will not only contribute but will devote our time and energy in actualising the goals of the intervention. We will only opt out when the idea becomes a talk shop, driven by workshops, seminars and bureaucracy,” Richards said.
The dinner which was held at the Federal Palace Hotel was attended by the CEOs of Oando Gas and Power, SEPLAT Petroleum, UBA Group, ETISALAT, MTN Nigeria, Coca Cola Nigeria and Gunniess Plc.
Others are Flour Mills Nigeria, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, First Bank of Nigeria, Accenture Nigeria, Interswitch Ltd, Intel Nigeria, Heirs Holding, BusinessDay and Standard Chartered Bank.
Jonathan not booed in South Africa
The Presidency on Sunday described as “unfortunate and absolutely untrue” a report that President Goodluck Jonathan was jeered during the inauguration ceremony of President Jacob Zuma in South Africa.
A statement issued in Abuja by the presidential spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati, said the allegation in the media report was the handiwork of detractors.
He said officials in the Presidency were shocked to read the report on arrival in the country from South Africa on Saturday evening.
“This is absolutely untrue and those who are peddling that kind of misinformation are being unfair.
“They are being uncharitable and it fits into an ongoing attempt to throw just about anything at this administration in an attempt to discredit the administration.
“If anything, what we witnessed in South Africa was that the people of South Africa showed much appreciation of President Jonathan’s presence at the inauguration ceremony,” Abati said.
He said President Jonathan received great hospitality in terms of the response from the people at the ceremony.
“The whole world recognises the challenge we face in Nigeria at the moment in relation to the abduction of the girls and the challenge of terrorism.
“The outrage is shared both by Nigerians and other people all over the world. But the world also realises that terrorism is a global challenge,” he said.
Abati reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to rescuing the schoolgirls and overcoming the challenge of terrorism.
“This administration will continue to show a great resolve to deal with this problem. The momentum is on.
“The categorical message from government is `No!’ to Boko Haram, `No!’ to terrorism.
“The people of Nigeria are calling on the terrorists to release the girls. Government is saying that it will do everything within its power, explore all options and leave no stone unturned to ensure that our girls are brought back.
“In that regard, there is a meeting of minds and Nigerians can be very sure that President Jonathan is really committed to this effort to ensure that the girls are brought back and safely,” he said.
A statement issued in Abuja by the presidential spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati, said the allegation in the media report was the handiwork of detractors.
He said officials in the Presidency were shocked to read the report on arrival in the country from South Africa on Saturday evening.
“This is absolutely untrue and those who are peddling that kind of misinformation are being unfair.
“They are being uncharitable and it fits into an ongoing attempt to throw just about anything at this administration in an attempt to discredit the administration.
“If anything, what we witnessed in South Africa was that the people of South Africa showed much appreciation of President Jonathan’s presence at the inauguration ceremony,” Abati said.
He said President Jonathan received great hospitality in terms of the response from the people at the ceremony.
“The whole world recognises the challenge we face in Nigeria at the moment in relation to the abduction of the girls and the challenge of terrorism.
“The outrage is shared both by Nigerians and other people all over the world. But the world also realises that terrorism is a global challenge,” he said.
Abati reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to rescuing the schoolgirls and overcoming the challenge of terrorism.
“This administration will continue to show a great resolve to deal with this problem. The momentum is on.
“The categorical message from government is `No!’ to Boko Haram, `No!’ to terrorism.
“The people of Nigeria are calling on the terrorists to release the girls. Government is saying that it will do everything within its power, explore all options and leave no stone unturned to ensure that our girls are brought back.
“In that regard, there is a meeting of minds and Nigerians can be very sure that President Jonathan is really committed to this effort to ensure that the girls are brought back and safely,” he said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)