Nigerian Politicians Are The Most Difficult To Manage – Jega

Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has described Nigerian politicians as the “most difficult to deal with in the world”.
Jega made the remarks at Chatham House in London yesterday in an interactive session after delivering a lecture titled: ‘Challenges of Modernising Election Processes: the Nigerian Experience’.

“When I was vice-chancellor, I thought students were the most difficult to deal with”, he said, but added that at INEC, he found out that politicians in Nigeria were the most difficult to relate with.
He said despite efforts aimed at “carrying the politicians along” by keeping them abreast with INEC activities and initiatives, the politicians would later turn round to reject what they approved or accused the commission of trying to favour rival parties if things were not going the way they wanted.
He said  both the former government and the National Assembly approved funds for smart card readers and permanent voters cards, among others, after being convinced of their necessity in ensuring credible elections, but when it dawned on them that they would not be able to manipulate elections as they did in the past, they strongly opposed the initiatives.
Describing Nigerian politicians as dogged and adept at pursuing their interests by “hook or crook”, Prof. Jega said the politicians could easily change tunes and cry foul when they realise that issues do not favour them or they could not manipulate them for their personal gains.
He attributed the huge success of the 2015 general elections to the adoption of technology in both the planning, management and conduct of the elections, and expressed optimism that “transparent and credible elections have come to stay in Nigeria”.
He listed funding, people’s suspicion of technology and aversion to changes by politicians, security of data, qualified manpower, among others, as some of the challenges of using technology in the conduct of transparent and acceptable elections.

SOURCE: nigerianmonitor

Oil Price Still Crashing Despite OPEC Seeking Higher Anchor Price

Oil prices are crashing again Tuesday after a short-lived spike on Monday. Crude oil fell by 1.19 percent by 7 a.m. GMT to around $37.50 a barrel, while Brent crude, the European benchmark, fell by 1.22% to hover just above $40 a barrel. If this price trend continues, it will eradicate the 3.5% gains that oil experienced on Monday.


Oil started to recover two weeks ago, with some analysts saying the commodity had finally bottomed out after a near-constant 18-month slide. Oil prices were in the triple digits in the summer of 2014 but are now about 60% lower because of a glut of oversupply by the OPEC cartel of oil-producing countries.


OPEC’s bid to push Western counterparts out of business seems to be working, with Juan Prada from Barclays writing in a note on Tuesday: “Data showed that active US oil rigs fell last week to the lowest level since December 2009. Sentiment was further supported by expectations of policy stimulus in China.”


But after initial concern that OPEC’s pledge to freeze its production wouldn’t make a difference — because of oil-rich countries such as Iran starting to pump huge amounts of oil — the oil price was given a boost by improving market sentiment.

OPEC also said it would be seeking a higher anchor price for oil. The slide in oil prices, however, supports some analysts’ view that the rally is and will be short-lived. Norbert Ruecker, the head of commodities research at the Swiss private bank Julius Baer, said this week that there would be no “long-term recovery” in the price of oil:

 Shale’s cost deflation, Iran’s return, and Mexico’s market opening suggest that supplies remain ample for longer, overshadowing the industry’s investment cuts for the time being. Supply glut fears have taken a backseat as of late with the oil market’s focus shifting from pessimism over ample inventories to optimism over declining US production. We still believe that oil prices experience a short-term bounce but no long-term recovery but see further upside in the near term.

SOURCE:nigeriamasterweb

Abraham Attah Reportedly Moving to USA & Will Attend School Under a Netflix Scholarship

"Beasts of No Nation" star Abraham Attah is apparently moving to the USA (from Ghana), where, according to Nigeria's EbonyLife TV network, he'll attend school thanks to a scholarship from Netflix - the company released "Beasts of No Nation" as you'll recall, hence the connection.

Attah received much deserved acclaim for his performance in the film, including the Best Actor trophy at the 2016 Spirit Awards just a couple of weeks ago. 

I assume his move to the USA will also mean more potential acting work for the young thespian. As of today, he isn't attached to any other film or TV series; last year, he filmed a short film titled "Out of the Village," which was directed by Jonathan Stein, and counts "X-Men" director Bryan Singer as one of its producers. The 16-minute film that follows a brother and his sister during the Ebola outbreak (set in an "unnamed West African village" of course), is currently touring the international film festival circuit. 

The film, which was shot in Ghana raised over $20,000 via a Kickstarter campaign last year. I'm sure Attah's newfound fame will help draw attention to it wherever it screens.

My Company Can Generate Enough Power For Nigeria By 2018 – ALiko Dangote

The President, Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, has said his company should be able to generate about 12,000 megawatts of electricity for the country by 2018.

He also said that his business estate would start selling foreign exchange to the Central Bank of Nigeria by 2020.

Dangote, who spoke in Lagos on Monday at the Nigerian Economic Summit organised by Economist Events, an arm of The Economist of London, said, “We are looking at a situation that by 2020, we will be the one selling FX to the CBN. Our projects are mainly import substitution. We are working to be self-sufficient to grow about a million tonnes of rice over the next five years.

“Our gas project would have our gas pipelines on the seabed. The output should be able to provide about 12,000MW of power. We see a lot of transformation when we are done with most of our projects by 2018.

“We have 15 countries in the ECOWAS community that are duty-free. The export market is big and profitable if you have the capacity. Players in the manufacturing (sector) should be encouraged to export if they have the capacity. We must also meet local consumption.”

Dangote said the fall in crude oil price was not a curse and that the nation must use the opportunity to explore the potential in other sectors of the economy.

He said, “This is the right moment to pursue the diversification of the economy, which we have been talking about. I know that once oil gets back to $80 per barrel, we will go back to the same misbehaviour.

“But I think this is the right time for that. Government must come up with the right policy, because if we don’t do it now, we may not do it. But low prices do not mean doom. In 1998-1999, the price of oil was $9. What we need to do is just to block the leakages and pursue diversification.”

According to Dangote, the monthly revenue inflow from oil, which used to be $3.2bn, is now around $1bn, and this has caused a number of challenges for businesses in the country.

“There are some areas where we are facing serious challenges and there are some where we are not. It depends on your business model. If your business model is to import 100 per cent, definitely, you will be facing challenges, because the inflow of foreign exchange is not where it used to be a year and a half ago,” he added.

SOURCE: Nigerismonitor

International Women's Day Celebration...I pledge For Parity

On this International Women’s Day, let’s commit ourselves to improving women’s Professional Qualifications, enlarging their scope of Professional Opportunities and promoting their Entrepreneurial Power.

#IWD2016, #PledgeForParity, #ISupportPledgeForParity, 

5 dead as 5 Storey Building Collapses In Lekki

A Five storey building has collapsed in the lekki area of Lagos this morning. The collapsed building is opposite Oando filling station by Chisco bus stop along the Lekki-Epe expressway corridor. 



So far, 6 persons have been rescued alive while 4 dead bodies have been recovered. 




Confirming the incidence, the spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr Ibrahim Farinloye said rescue operations are currently ongoing.

Ese’s abduction by my subject embarrassing – Emir Sanusi

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi II, described the abduction of 14 year old Miss Ese Oruru from Bayelsa State by one of his subjects as an embarrassment.

Sanusi said this after a meeting with members of his council over the issue on Monday.

The royal father further explained that when the matter was first brought to his attention in September 2015, he ordered for her repatriation after it was established that she was under aged.He explained that he received two calls from people in far away South Africa on Monday morning over the matter.

He, however, expressed surprise that the matter still lingered months after he gave instructions.

Sunusi said, “I ordered her repatriation since September 2015 through the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1.

“But to my surprise, the issue is still in between the Sharia Commission, Hisbah (religious police) and the Police.

“The matter is worrisome, to the extent that two people phoned me in the morning today from South Africa over the matter. I told them clearly that I had directed for her repatriation since the last six month.

“I can also remember that I ordered the District head of Kura, The Sharia Commission and Hisbah to investigate the allegation she (Ese) raised that her mother wanted to kill her.

“The duo confirmed to me that the allegation raised by Ese is true. I requested police intervention just to get her a cover to take her back home.

“I think it is the Police authorities that caused the delay. I have done my best for her and even directed for action. It’s unfortunate that the police delayed this matter which has embarrassed us.

“Ese is under aged and she can’t be married off as an under aged. Every Muslim also knows that marriage can’t be without guidance. She must be taken back to her parents; she can only marry when she reaches the age of 18 years.

The Emir further said, “It is un-Islamic for someone to marry a lady without guidance. This abduction of Ese by my subject to Kano is bad because it will cause disunity among our people.”

Sanusi reiterated his directive to the Shariah Commission to immediately repatriate the girl back to her family, pointed out that “this issue is something that is unbecoming among our people”. 

SOURCE: Premiumtimesng