ASUU is Unreasonable!

A Nigerian University

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will never stop asking for increments, but increase in salaries is not what is urgent in Nigerian universities, but re-engineering the entire academic system from the classroom to the laboratory.

Ineffectual lecturers in ASUU are also clamouring for increments, but they do not have the brains to overhaul and improve the outdated curriculums of their respective faculties. The increments they have been receiving over the years have not freed them from the retrogressive academic stasis that has made majority of their students clones of intellectual underdevelopment or what I call the GIGO Generation who are presently posing and posturing as the Nigerian Facebook Generation.
These lecturers should examine themselves, because many of the members of ASUU are not even qualified to teach and have been found guilty by complicity in various cases of admission racket in Nigerian universities.

The raison d'être of ASUU’s strike is not enough to waste the precious quality time of Nigerian students who need to be on campus studying and not at home!
By going on strike ASUU is making innocent students the scapegoats of their disagreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

What is the business of the FGN with the members of ASUU employed by the state owned universities? I mean members of ASUU teaching at the state universities should not have gone on strike with ASUU. This is simple ratiocination.
Many of these lecturers are even moonlighting and have never paid a kobo of tax every time they moonlighted. So who is fooling whom?

Chidi Amuta wrote a very comprehensive analysis of the genesis of the academic crisis that has left the Nigerian academia in intellectual stasis in his “ASSU’s Untidy Robes” published in his column Engagements in This Day newspaper of Nigeria.
ASUU should grow up and stop behaving like confused junior high school pupils.

The Untold Truth About the Niger Delta Crisis

The Untold Truth About the Niger Delta Crisis

• MEND is not responsible for the Niger Delta Crisis
• The Nigerian Government and Multinational Oil Companies are responsible for the Niger Delta Crisis
• The Solution to the Niger Delta Crisis is the Administration of True Federal Democracy as Practiced by the United States of America.

In 2004 as I was aggrieved by the rampant cases of cultism and gangesterism in Rivers state and the destruction of innocent lives and properties, I felt the urgency to address the critical issues and meet with the leading principal actors I could reach and persuade them to end the violence. I informed the international headquarters of Shell of my pacific mission before I left Lagos for Port Harcourt on a night coach.

I arrived Diobu at midnight and was told that the town was a danger zone after the mayhem caused by warring cultists. But I went on to the residence of my elder sister Mrs. P William-West on Nnewi Street in Rumumasi. I discussed my mission with her two sons and daughters and one of my nephews told me that he had to leave a cult when he saw one of his closest friends shot and killed in a violent clash with a rival cult in the oil city of Port Harcourt in 2003. I told him I was glad he had become born-again as he confessed. He gave me the details of the genesis of the cultism ravaging Rivers state since they were affected by the violence from their home town in Buguma to the state capital of Port Harcourt. I stayed for a couple of days and crossed over to Bonny Island to continue my investigation and pre-production of my documentary on the causes and consequences of the Niger Delta crisis aggravated by the recruitment of many members of the cults as political thugs of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

From my safe haven on Bonny Island, I contacted an insider named Felix and told him of my critical mission and we agreed to meet at a popular hotel off Olu Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt. He told me that Shell and the other multinational oil companies operating in the littoral states of the Niger Delta were not interested in peace, but to fish in the troubled waters, because they had little or nothing to lose. They were breaching the contract of the MOU they signed with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and they did not care about the devastation of the eco-system or the deprivations of the host communities.
Their cosmetic social community welfare projects and scholarships were only meant to white-wash their horrible and terrible acts since they began oil exploration in the Niger Delta region. I found out that the hotel was owned by a retired Major in the Nigerian Army and he has been actively engaged in illegal oil bunkering with other retired and active senior military officers, especial those in the Nigerian Navy and their criminal activities were not secret. Those engaged in illegal oil bunkering and those who acquired oil blocks were partners in crime and were well known title-holders in their respective communities. In fact my in-law Asari Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF) had a suite in the hotel.

I returned to Bonny Island and called Asari and we discussed on how to put an end to the violence and he told me that he was already now engaged in providing security service for the oil service companies in the region and was no longer engaged in any violent dispute with any rival cult or gang. I was glad to hear that and told Felix that Asari would fare better as a leader by contesting in a democratic election and could in fact be elected as the governor of Rivers state.
“He only needs to improve his manner of dressing and public relations,” I said.
I was glad that Asari would be willing to participate in my documentary film and commended the website Akumafiete of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force

I was meeting with a top official of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Lagos, because Shell wanted to sponsor my documentary film and in fact the top official asked me if the documentary could be produced in a week, which was not realistic, even though I was working with one of the best filmmakers in Nigeria who has won awards for his documentaries.

I was still making progress when the Nigerian government ordered for the arrest of Asari Dokubo and detained him for outrageous statements of treasonable felony. I warned the government to release him or the situation in the volatile Niger Delta region would become worse. But the government ignored my warning and the SPDC now felt that the government had succeeded in caging the lion of the Niger Delta militants and thought the unconstitutional detention of Asari Dokubo would tame the thousands of members of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force and allied groups. But I warned the government there was a greater militant group in the offing and they thought I was joking until the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) shot up from the creeks!

The solution to the protracted Niger Delta crisis is the administration of true Federal Democracy as practiced by the United States of America and this is what both MEND and NDPVF have been demanding for and also the prosecution of all the retired and serving senior military officers found guilty of illegal oil bunkering.
The Nigerian Navy can actually stop illegal oil bunkering by asking for the assistance of the US Navy to patrol the territorial waters of Nigeria and to attack all tankers, boats and barges engaged in illegal oil bunkering since they can be easily identified from the authorized tankers and vessels on Nigerian waters.
Then the multinational oil companies must be prosecuted for the violations of the MOU they signed with the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 1956 to date.

The Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the Niger Delta should be withdraw, because it an unconstitutional mission.
All licenses of illegal oil blocks must be withdrawn.
The local and foreign bank accounts of Nigerians suspected of ill-gotten wealth from misappropriations of revenue allocations for the oil producing states and over-invoicing of government contracts should investigated and those found guilty should be prosecuted in a public trial and not behind closed doors.

The former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former governor of Bayelsa State and Obasanjo's successor, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua have the full list of the criminals who are still engaged in illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Nigerian Investors Should Be As Ambitious As The American Investors

The NSE

Nigerian investors should be as ambitious as the American investors who have gone online and invested over $32.2billion into two major online brokerages, TD Ameritrade and Charles Schwab.

Zecco for example is a good online brokerage and offers start from $4.50 per trade.


The Best Online Brokers.

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Breaking News: Michael Jackson's Hair From Fateful Pepsi Commercial: Part of Pop Culture History Soon to Become Diamonds

24 Jul 2009 17:11 Africa/Lagos

Michael Jackson's Hair From Fateful Pepsi Commercial: Part of Pop Culture History Soon to Become Diamonds

CHICAGO, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- When executive producer Ralph Cohen scooped up the charred hair Michael Jackson lost in the filming of the now-infamous Pepsi commercial, he had no idea that he was saving an important piece of history.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090724/CG51565)


Now, this closest connection to Jackson himself is being preserved by John Reznikoff one of America's most highly respected collectors, and being used by LifeGem the world's first purveyor of diamond memorials to create high quality diamonds.


Cohen, executive producer for the Pepsi commercial, was among the first to reach Jackson when he was set on fire.


As seen on the now famous video, Cohen threw his jacket over Jackson's head to help extinguish the flames. As Jackson was being rushed off the set and to the hospital, Cohen instinctively, picked up the charred lock of hair and put it in his pocket- where it remained undisturbed for 25 years until Jackson's death last month.


"The provenance and authenticity of this lock of hair is impeccable, including the highly publicized video showing the original owner of the hair using his Armani jacket to extinguish Jackson's hair, said John Reznikoff. "This jacket was included with the purchase of the hair."


A portion will remain in Reznikoff's collection. Another portion is being used by Chicago-based LifeGem to create a small number of certified, high quality laboratory diamonds.


Back in 2007 LifeGem & Reznikoff collaborated to successfully create diamonds from Beethoven's hair.


"LifeGem specializes in creating diamonds from locks of hair, our plan is to give people an opportunity to own a diamond made from Michael Jackson's DNA," said Dean VandenBiesen founder of LifeGem. "We are currently evaluating the hair sample to determine how many diamonds can be created. This will be a limited collection and we anticipate great interest."


Reznikoff has assembled the most extensive collection of hair from history's most famous figures, including Lincoln, Kennedy, Einstein and Marilyn Monroe.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090724/CG51565
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: LifeGem

CONTACT: Dean VandenBiesen of LifeGem, 1-866-543-3436, dean@lifegem.com;
or John Reznikoff of University Archives, +1-203-247-1155,
john@universityarchives.com


Web Site: http://www.lifegem.com/
http://www.universityarchives.com/


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Dear Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase, Akin Alabi and Co. Limited

Dear Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase and Akin Alabi and Co. Limited,

May I know how much the get-rich-quick tutorials and schemes of Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase and Akin Alabi have contributed to the GDP and GNP of Nigeria or improved the per capita income in Nigeria?

"The challenge for Nigeria is in terms of per capita income, which is still low. Nigeria is still facing widespread poverty and infrastructure deficiency. And on the policy side, the country is in a critical juncture."
~ Mr. Konrad Reuss, Managing Director of S&P in charge of South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa.

Country GDP - per capita (US Dollar)
Afghanistan $800 (2008 est.)
Albania $6,000 (2008 est.)
Algeria $7,000 (2008 est.)
American Samoa $8,000 (2007 est.)
Andorra $42,500 (2007)
Angola $8,800 (2008 est.)
Anguilla $8,800 (2004 est.)
Antigua and Barbuda $19,000 (2008 est.)
Argentina $14,200 (2008 est.)
Armenia $6,400 (2008 est.)
Aruba $21,800 (2004 est.)
Australia $38,100 (2008 est.)
Austria $39,200 (2008 est.)
Azerbaijan $9,000 (2008 est.)
Bahamas, The $28,600 (2008 est.)
Bahrain $37,200 (2008 est.)
Bangladesh $1,500 (2008 est.)
Barbados $19,300 (2008 est.)
Belarus $11,800 (2008 est.)
Belgium $37,500 (2008 est.)
Belize $8,600 (2008 est.)
Benin $1,500 (2008 est.)
Bermuda $69,900 (2004 est.)
Bhutan $5,600 (2008 est.)
Bolivia $4,500 (2008 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina $6,500 (2008 est.)
Botswana $13,300 (2008 est.)
Brazil $10,100 (2008 est.)
British Virgin Islands $38,500 (2004 est.)
Brunei $53,100 (2008 est.)
Bulgaria $12,900 (2008 est.)
Burkina Faso $1,200 (2008 est.)
Burma $1,200 (2008 est.)
Burundi $400 (2008 est.)
Cambodia $2,000 (2008 est.)
Cameroon $2,300 (2008 est.)
Canada $39,300 (2008 est.)
Cape Verde $3,800 (2008 est.)
Cayman Islands $43,800 (2004 est.)
Central African Republic $700 (2008 est.)
Chad $1,600 (2008 est.)
Chile $14,900 (2008 est.)
China $6,000 (2008 est.)
Colombia $8,900 (2008 est.)
Comoros $1,000 (2008 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the $300 (2008 est.)
Congo, Republic of the $4,000 (2008 est.)
Cook Islands $9,100 (2005 est.)
Costa Rica $11,600 (2008 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire $1,700 (2008 est.)
Croatia $16,100 (2008 est.)
Cuba $9,500 (2008 est.)
Cyprus $28,600 (2008 est.)
Czech Republic $26,100 (2008 est.)
Denmark $37,400 (2008 est.)
Djibouti $3,700 (2008 est.)
Dominica $9,900 (2008 est.)
Dominican Republic $8,100 (2008 est.)
Ecuador $7,500 (2008 est.)
Egypt $5,400 (2008 est.)
El Salvador $6,200 (2008 est.)
Equatorial Guinea $31,400 (2008 est.)
Eritrea $700 (2008 est.)
Estonia $21,200 (2008 est.)
Ethiopia $800 (2008 est.)
European Union $33,400 (2008 est.)
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $35,400 (2002 est.)
Faroe Islands $31,000 (2001 est.)
Fiji $3,900 (2008 est.)
Finland $37,200 (2008 est.)
France $32,700 (2008 est.)
French Polynesia $18,000 (2004 est.)
Gabon $14,400 (2008 est.)
Gambia, The $1,300 (2008 est.)
Gaza Strip $2,900 (includes West Bank) (2008 est.)
Georgia $4,700 (2008 est.)
Germany $34,800 (2008 est.)
Ghana $1,500 (2008 est.)
Gibraltar $38,200 (2005 est.)
Greece $32,000 (2008 est.)
Greenland $20,000 (2001 est.)
Grenada $13,400 (2008 est.)
Guam $15,000 (2005 est.)
Guatemala $5,200 (2008 est.)
Guernsey $44,600 (2005)
Guinea $1,100 (2008 est.)
Guinea-Bissau $600 (2008 est.)
Guyana $3,900 (2008 est.)
Haiti $1,300 (2008 est.)
Honduras $4,400 (2008 est.)
Hong Kong $43,800 (2008 est.)
Hungary $19,800 (2008 est.)
Iceland $39,900 (2008 est.)
India $2,800 (2008 est.)
Indonesia $3,900 (2008 est.)
Iran $12,800 (2008 est.)
Iraq $4,000 (2008 est.)
Ireland $46,200 (2008 est.)
Isle of Man $35,000 (2005 est.)
Israel $28,200 (2008 est.)
Italy $31,000 (2008 est.)
Jamaica $7,400 (2008 est.)
Japan $34,200 (2008 est.)
Jersey $57,000 (2005 est.)
Jordan $5,000 (2008 est.)
Kazakhstan $11,500 (2008 est.)
Kenya $1,600 (2008 est.)
Kiribati $3,200 (2008 est.)
Korea, North $1,700 (2008 est.)
Korea, South $26,000 (2008 est.)
Kosovo $2,300 (2007 est.)
Kuwait $57,400 (2008 est.)
Kyrgyzstan $2,100 (2008 est.)
Laos $2,100 (2008 est.)
Latvia $17,800 (2008 est.)
Lebanon $11,100 (2008 est.)
Lesotho $1,600 (2008 est.)
Liberia $500 (2008 est.)
Libya $14,400 (2008 est.)
Liechtenstein $118,000 (2007 est.)
Lithuania $17,700 (2008 est.)
Luxembourg $81,100 (2008 est.)
Macau $30,000 (2007)
Macedonia $9,000 (2008 est.)
Madagascar $1,000 (2008 est.)
Malawi $800 (2008 est.)
Malaysia $15,300 (2008 est.)
Maldives $5,000 (2008 est.)
Mali $1,200 (2008 est.)
Malta $24,200 (2008 est.)
Marshall Islands $2,500 (2008 est.)
Mauritania $2,100 (2008 est.)
Mauritius $12,100 (2008 est.)
Mayotte $4,900 (2005 est.)
Mexico $14,200 (2008 est.)
Micronesia, Federated States of $2,200 (2008 est.)
Moldova $2,500 (2008 est.)
Monaco $30,000 (2006 est.)
Mongolia $3,200 (2008 est.)
Montenegro $9,700 (2008 est.)
Montserrat $3,400 (2002 est.)
Morocco $4,000 (2008 est.)
Mozambique $900 (2008 est.)
Namibia $5,400 (2008 est.)
Nauru $5,000 (2005 est.)
Nepal $1,100 (2008 est.)
Netherlands $40,300 (2008 est.)
Netherlands Antilles $16,000 (2004 est.)
New Caledonia $15,000 (2003 est.)
New Zealand $27,900 (2008 est.)
Nicaragua $2,900 (2008 est.)
Niger $700 (2008 est.)
Nigeria $2,300 (2008 est.)
Niue $5,800 (2003 est.)
Northern Mariana Islands $12,500 (2000 est.)
Norway $55,200 (2008 est.)
Oman $20,200 (2008 est.)
Pakistan $2,600 (2008 est.)
Palau $8,100 (2008 est.)
Panama $11,600 (2008 est.)
Papua New Guinea $2,200 (2008 est.)
Paraguay $4,200 (2008 est.)
Peru $8,400 (2008 est.)
Philippines $3,300 (2008 est.)
Poland $17,300 (2008 est.)
Portugal $22,000 (2008 est.)
Puerto Rico $17,800 (2008 est.)
Qatar $103,500 (2008 est.)
Romania $12,200 (2008 est.)
Russia $15,800 (2008 est.)
Rwanda $900 (2008 est.)
Saint Helena $2,500 (1998 est.)
Saint Kitts and Nevis $19,700 (2008 est.)
Saint Lucia $11,300 (2008 est.)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon $7,000 (2001 est.)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $10,500 (2008 est.)
Samoa $4,900 (2008 est.)
San Marino $41,900 (2007)
Sao Tome and Principe $1,300 (2008 est.)
Saudi Arabia $20,700 (2008 est.)
Senegal $1,600 (2008 est.)
Serbia $10,900 (2008 est.)
Seychelles $17,000 (2008 est.)
Sierra Leone $700 (2008 est.)
Singapore $52,000 (2008 est.)
Slovakia $21,900 (2008 est.)
Slovenia $29,500 (2008 est.)
Solomon Islands $1,900 (2008 est.)
Somalia $600 (2008 est.)
South Africa $10,000 (2008 est.)
Spain $34,600 (2008 est.)
Sri Lanka $4,300 (2008 est.)
Sudan $2,200 (2008 est.)
Suriname $8,900 (2008 est.)
Swaziland $5,100 (2008 est.)
Sweden $38,500 (2008 est.)
Switzerland $40,900 (2008 est.)
Syria $4,800 (2008 est.)
Taiwan $31,900 (2008 est.)
Tajikistan $2,100 (2008 est.)
Tanzania $1,300 (2008 est.)
Thailand $8,500 (2008 est.)
Timor-Leste $2,400 (2008 est.)
Togo $900 (2008 est.)
Tokelau $1,000 (1993 est.)
Tonga $4,600 (2008 est.)
Trinidad and Tobago $18,600 (2008 est.)
Tunisia $7,900 (2008 est.)
Turkey $12,000 (2008 est.)
Turkmenistan $6,100 (2008 est.)
Turks and Caicos Islands $11,500 (2002 est.)
Tuvalu $1,600 (2002 est.)
Uganda $1,100 (2008 est.)
Ukraine $6,900 (2008 est.)
United Arab Emirates $40,000 (2008 est.)
United Kingdom $36,600 (2008 est.)
United States $47,000 (2008 est.)
Uruguay $12,200 (2008 est.)
Uzbekistan $2,600 (2008 est.)
Vanuatu $4,600 (2008 est.)
Venezuela $13,500 (2008 est.)
Vietnam $2,800 (2008 est.)
Virgin Islands $14,500 (2004 est.)
Wallis and Futuna $3,800 (2004 est.)
West Bank $2,900 (includes Gaza Strip) (2008 est.)
Western Sahara $2,500 (2007 est.)
World $10,500 (2008 est.)
Yemen $2,400 (2008 est.)
Zambia $1,500 (2008 est.)
Zimbabwe $200 (2008 est.)

Copyright © 2000 Tong Siak Henn. Last modified on Friday, July 24, 2009

Pastor(Dr.) Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase has been successful as the leading Publisher of Complete Sports and Success Digest and the founder of the Success Attitude Development Centre(SADC), but he has said that the majority of his students have not succeeded after graduation and he blames them for failing to practice what he taught them. But what does he expect from them when most of them have not been taught the difference between get-rich-quick schemes and human capital development.
The key to real success is not get-rich-quick schemes, but creating jobs and creating wealth. Looking for short-cuts to financial success by sharp practices online is a negative way to making it in life.

A student of SADC who has made about $40, 000 at 24 is claiming to be the youngest millionaire in Nigeria! Such erroneous and ambiguous notions have only exposed the narrow-mindedness their get-rich-quick mentors and the shallow promises of their formulae.

The only way to fast track the Vision 2020 is to develop enterprises that will create jobs for the millions of the unemployed in Nigeria and only by job creation can we create real wealth and not endorsing and promoting get-rich-quick schemes online under various labels and tags.

There is no difference between the so called smart Alec who manipulates the Google AdSense program to rip-off the advertisers and earn regular pay-offs from the sharp practices and the notorious 419 Yahoo-Yahoo Internet scammers.
So who is fooling whom?

We should encourage Nigerians to study and work hard in developing businesses that would be beneficial to the majority of Nigerians in the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) and the realization of the Vision 2020 of Nigeria.

There are no short-cuts to success, even if you win the million dollar lottery or Baba Ijebu lotto.
Having only N10 million in your bank account does not mean you are successful until you have used that money to make positive impact in your family, community and country and not engaged in the selfish acquisition of the status symbols of the rat race to catch up with the Joneses.

Obama More Popular With Investors Outside U.S.: Bloomberg Poll

23 Jul 2009 14:32 Africa/Lagos

Obama More Popular With Investors Outside U.S.: Bloomberg Poll

NEW YORK, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama has overwhelming support among the world's most influential investors outside of his own country, according to the first-ever Bloomberg Global Poll, a quarterly survey of economic, financial and political attitudes among Bloomberg users around the world.


The first Bloomberg Global Poll interviewed a random sample of 1,076 subscribers to the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL(R) service, a universe of more than 300,000 decision makers in finance, the markets and economics. The survey provides a window on how this valuable community of investors views the prospects for economic recovery, investment opportunities and risks in the wake of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.


87 percent of investors surveyed in Europe and Asia say they approve of Obama, compared to just 49 percent in the U.S. Obama's standing among American investors is even lower on economic matters: Only a quarter of respondents rate his policies favorably, compared with more than half in Europe and Asia. Climate change also ranked differently for investors in the U.S. than investors elsewhere. 61 percent in Asia said higher global temperatures and sea levels are a major problem and 56 percent in Europe agreed, while almost two-thirds in the U.S. say climate change is a minor danger or no real threat, according to survey results, which are available at www.bloomberg.com.


The Bloomberg Global Poll was conducted by Selzer & Company, whose survey of Iowa Caucus voters in 2008 was the only one to accurately predict Barack Obama's victory. The firm has conducted surveys for more than two dozen major newspapers in the U.S., and was named the best of 32 polling firms ranked by polling Web site FiveThirtyEight.com.


About Bloomberg


Bloomberg is the source of critical information and tools with which to analyze, customize and use it. The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service and Bloomberg's media services deliver data, news and analytics that create transparency and allow users to transform knowledge into success.


The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL Service


The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service combines the best market intelligence and powerful analytics, allowing users to view, compare and contrast information in a way that they can tailor to their needs. The all-inclusive BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service delivers instantaneous data, prices, charting, searchable documents, workflow utilities and critical news integrated with analytics, trading, communication and order management tools. Subscribers can access their BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service from their desktops, laptops and mobile devices.


Bloomberg Media Services


Bloomberg's media services cover the world with more than 2,200 news and multimedia professionals at 145 bureaus in 68 countries. Five hundred media organizations subscribe to BLOOMBERG NEWS content, which is integrated onto the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service. The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION 24-hour network reaches more than 200 million homes around the world. BLOOMBERG RADIO services broadcast via XM, Sirius and WorldSpace satellite radio globally and on WBBR 1130AM in New York. The award-winning monthly BLOOMBERG MARKETS magazine, the BLOOMBERG.COM financial news and information Web site and BLOOMBERG PRESS books provide news and insight to investors. For more information, please visit http://www.bloomberg.com/.


The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service and data products are owned and distributed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. (BFLP) except that Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries (BLP) distribute these products in Argentina, Bermuda, China, India, Japan and Korea. BFLP owns and distributes Bloomberg Markets Magazine. BLP provides BFLP with global marketing and operational support and services. Bloomberg Tradebook is distributed by Bloomberg Tradebook LLC and its subsidiaries. BLP owns and distributes Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, the Bloomberg Website and Bloomberg Press.


BLOOMBERG, BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL, BLOOMBERG MARKETS, BLOOMBERG NEWS, BLOOMBERG ANYWHERE, BLOOMBERG TRADEBOOK, BLOOMBERG BONDTRADER, BLOOMBERG TELEVISION, BLOOMBERG RADIO, BLOOMBERG PRESS and BLOOMBERG.COM are trademarks and service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or its subsidiaries. BTV is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. All rights reserved.


Source: Bloomberg

CONTACT: Angela Martin of Bloomberg LP, +1-212-617-1211,
angelamartin@bloomberg.net


Web Site: http://www.bloomberg.com/


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Publics Want More Aggressive Government Action on Economic Crisis: Global Poll

21 Jul 2009 22:00 Africa/Lagos

Publics Want More Aggressive Government Action on Economic Crisis: Global Poll

COLLEGE PARK, Md., July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new poll by WorldPublicOpinion.org finds that the public in 14 of 19 nations surveyed feel their government's efforts to address the economic crisis do not go far enough. Three additional publics lean to this view. Most publics favor government support for troubled companies and a global body that would monitor large financial institutions.


However, nations differ on whether, in the current crisis, their government should put up new trade barriers to protect domestic industries.


A majority or plurality in nearly every nation polled faults their government for not doing enough to remedy the economic crisis. Across all nations, an average of 56 percent say their "government's efforts to address the current economic crisis do not go far enough;" 25 percent say they "are about right"; and only 15 percent say these efforts "go too far."


The notable exceptions to the desire for governments to do more are the Chinese public (63% feel government efforts "are about right") and India, where as many think efforts "go too far" (37%) as think they "do not go far enough" (36%; 21% say "about right").


"People around the world want more robust action from their governments in the face of the economic crisis", says Stephen Weber of WorldPublicOpinion.org. "Only in China and India, rare countries still on a growth track, do the public seem content with policy."


Government action to provide financial support for large industries in trouble is widely supported, with majorities in most nations taking the position that "if they fail it damages the general economy and too many people lose their jobs." The American public, alone among nations polled, opposes government financial intervention.


WorldPublicOpinion.org conducted the poll of 18,066 respondents between April 4 and June 12, 2009 (margins of error +/- 3-4%) in 19 nations that comprise 62 percent of the world's population (China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Great Britain, France, Poland, Ukraine, Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, and South Korea). Polling was also conducted in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.


WorldPublicOpinion.org, a collaborative project of research centers worldwide, is managed by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland.


For more information, please visit www.worldpublicopinion.org


Source: Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland

CONTACT: Stephen Weber, WorldPublicOpinion.org, +1-202-232-7500


Web Site: http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/

Advocates for Health Millennium Development Goals Unite to Demand World Leaders Honor Funding Commitments

21 Jul 2009 12:17 Africa/Lagos

Advocates for Health Millennium Development Goals Unite to Demand World Leaders Honor Funding Commitments

Found: Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to Save the Wealthiest Corporations Lost: Billions of Dollars of G8 Commitments to Save Millions of Human Lives

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented and historic show of unity, advocates for all the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have charged the leaders of G-8 countries with reneging on their commitments to health by chronically underfunding programs for AIDS, TB, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and health systems strengthening across the globe.


The coalition of advocates demands that world leaders make the health of men, women, and children around the world as important a priority as the health of banks, Wall Street investment firms, and auto companies and calls on donor governments to partner with civil society to strengthen accountability from recipient countries.


"We are already seeing people die and families forced further into poverty by healthcare costs as a direct result of this global economic crisis," said Dr. Lola Dare, Executive Secretary of the African Council for Sustainable Health Development (ACOSHED). "The fickle policy decisions of world leaders and national government are further compounding these problems. The global health community is speaking with one voice on this urgent need. We can no longer permit the world to be distracted by false choices -- between one disease and another, between a mother's life and that of her children, between treating sick people now, in their home communities, and building sustainable health systems for the future to deliver basic health care that can save lives."


"Investments now in HIV and health broadly are fundamental prerequisites for global development," said Julio Montaner, President of the International AIDS Society.


The global economic downturn is leading to significant backsliding in governments' commitments to funding for health programs in developing countries. "The rhetoric by heads of state at this year's G-8 summit was, as usual, noble and righteous. They produced statements about their support for health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, and integrated health service delivery," said Gregg Gonsalves, a co-founder of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition. "But, as has come to be the unfortunate pattern, the financial commitments made by the most powerful of the world were unacceptably low or worse, not made at all."


"At least a million additional lives are in jeopardy because of this economic crisis. We are calling for the world's richest countries to support their words with concrete action and back up their promises with the money necessary to fulfill them," said Ann Starrs, President of Family Care International.


"We estimate that to meet the promised health needs of less developed countries would take an increased investment by high income countries and developing country governments of around $150 billion a year(1). The AIG bailout alone was $170 billion," said Brook Baker, Professor of Law at Northeastern University and Policy Analyst for the US-based Health GAP. "Or to look at it another way, for 36% of what countries have spent in one year on direct bailouts of corporate and financial interests, rich countries alone could fully fund the additional $944 billion that we estimate is needed from now through 2015 to meet all MDG and health systems strengthening needs in less developed countries." Developed countries have so far contributed over $2.5 trillion in direct bailouts and over $6 trillion in 'guarantees.'(2)


"All we seem to be getting from the bailouts so far is record level projected bonus payouts for Wall Street," added Gonsalves. "But we know with one hundred percent certainty that many more people will die in 2010 because of this bailout, probably 100 times as many as the 13,000 Goldman Sachs employees who are projected to get compensation of over $500,000 each."


The coalition of global health advocates demands that each G-8 country pays 100% of the commitments they have made for 2010 including: for Universal Access to AIDS treatment, prevention, and care; full funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; as well as additional commitments made for maternal child health and health systems strengthening.


"The fact that governments have quickly passed legislation to bailout the banks and companies that created this global financial crisis proves that there is sufficient capital to support those whose lives have been most affected by the crisis. What is needed is sufficient will," said Donna Barry of Partners In Health in the USA.


The U.S. President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been flat funded for three years; the G-8 countries have underfunded the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria by $4 to 9 billion; donor country promises to fund maternal and child health and sexual and reproductive health programs are wholly insufficient to the task; and no G-8 country has made sufficient commitments to contribute significantly to expanding and strengthening the health workforce, to supporting community-based prevention and care, or to strengthening health systems and health infrastructure.


"The global economic situation cannot be used as an excuse to renege on financial commitments," said Kieran Daly, Executive Director of the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO). "Hundreds of billions of dollars, pounds, and euros magically appeared to bail out global financial markets and corporations. We do not want to believe that this bailout came at the cost of millions of human lives."


"The only way we will make real progress on meeting the MDGs is for donor countries to engage with developing country governments, and for developing country governments to commit financially and politically to revitalizing their national health systems to meet the challenges of HIV, sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, child survival and other health problems. Governments also can not forget that before 2015, they have other goals to meet, including UNGASS-AIDS 2010 and the Cairo Plan of Action," said Alessandra Nilo of GESTOS in Brazil.


Leaders representing advocates for more than 25 organizations focused on AIDS, TB, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health and primary health care came together in Stony Point, New York in May 2009 to initiate a partnership devoted to advocating for the universal right to health. A Declaration of Solidarity for a Unified Movement for the Right to Health was drafted at that meeting, and is being endorsed by health and human rights organizations around the world(3). This growing union of advocates, many of whom are signed on to this document, is now working in solidarity to hold the powers of the world accountable.


"We are all health and human rights advocates and we refuse to be pitted against each other," said Paula Akugizibwe of the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, "MDGs are simply categories of different needs that exist within the same human being. The same mother who needs ART to prevent the transmission of HIV to her infant also needs adequate nutrition and her children need clean water and immunizations. The same community that needs infection control for TB also needs it for influenza; and insufficient financial and human resources for health may prevent them from having any of these rights fulfilled."


Following is the initial group of health organizations supporting this statement:


A la Alianza Nacional "Campana por una Convencion Interamericana de los Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos" - Bolivia


ABIA - Brazil
ACCSI - Accion Ciudadana Contra el SIDA, Venezuela,
African Council for Sustainable Health Development (ACOSHED)
African Council of AIDS Service Organizations (AfriCASO)
African CS Partnership for Health Systems Strengthening
AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa
AIDS and Society Research Unit, University of Cape Town
Aids Fonds
AIDS-Free World

Alianza Nacional de Grupos de Personas que viven con VIH o sida de Guatemala


Alianza Nacional de Hombres Gay, Trans y Hombres que Tienen Sexo Con Hombres (A-GTH) - Dominican Republic


Amigos Siempre Amigos (ASA) - Dominican Republic


Asamblea Nacional de ONG's y Organizaciones Sociales con trabajo en SIDA (ASOSIDA) - Chile


ASEPO - Uruguay
Asian Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS
Asociacion Nacional de Personas Positivas Vida Nueva - El Salvador
Asociacion Vida - Guatemala
Balance Promocion para el Desarrollo y Juventud - Mexico
BRAC
Caribbean Treatment Access Group
Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition
Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Mexico
Center for Health and Gender Equity
Central African Treatment Access Group
Centre for Health Sciences Training, Research and Development (CHESTRAD)
Centro de Informacion y Desarrollo de la Mujer - CIDEM.- Bolivia

Centro de Promocion y Defensa por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (PROMSEX) -Peru


CNS Mujeres - Uruguay
Colectiva Mujer y Salud - Dominican Republic
Colectiva por el Derecho a Decidir - Costa Rica
Colectivo Feminista Mujeres Universitarias.- Honduras
Colectivo TLGB de Bolivia

Comunicacion, Intercambio y Desarrollo Humano en America Latina A. C. -CIDHAL A.C.


Convergencia de Mujeres - Honduras
Cordaid
Corporacion Chilena de Prevencion del SIDA (ACCIONGAY) - Chile
East African Treatment Access Movement (EATAM)
El Closet de Sor Juana, Mexico
Equidad de Genero: Ciudadania, Trabajo y Familia A.C - Mexico
Family Care International
FEIM - Argentina
Foro de Mujeres y Politicas de Poblacion - Mexico
Forum de Ong Aids do Estado de Sao Paulo - Brazil
Fundacion Arcoiris pro el Respeto a la Diversidad Sexual - Mexico
Fundacion Buenos Aires SIDA - Argentina
Fundacion Igualdad LGBT - Bolivia
Fundacion REDVIHDA - Bolivia
GAPA-SP
GAPA/RS - Brazil
GAPA/SP - Brazil
GESTOS - Soropositivity, Communication and Gender Issues - Brazil
GRUPAJUS - Brazil
Grupo De Antropologia Medica Critica Universidad Nacional De Colombia
Grupo de Informacion en Reproduccion Elegida (GIRE) - Mexico
Guyana Human Rights Association. - Guyana
Health & Development Networks (HDN)
Health care is not for Commerce - LAC
Health GAP
Helene De Beir Foundation - Belgium
Instituto para el Desarrollo Humano - Bolivia
International AIDS Society
International Civil Society Support
International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS - UK
International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO)
INTILLA Asociacion Civil - Argentina
International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC)
ITPC India
ITPC Nepal
ITPC RU - Eastern Europe/Central Asia
Jovenes Feministas Universitarias - Honduras

La Coalicion Internacional de Activistas dn Tratamientos (CIAT) - Latinoamerica


La Red de Voluntarios de Amigos Siempre Amigos (RevASA) - Dominican Republic


Latin American and Caribbean Council of NGO with AIDS Services (LACCASO)
Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network (LACWHN)
LIGA Bonaerense de Diversidad Sexual - Argentina
Liga Colombiana de Lucha Contra el Sida - Colombia
Mujer y Salud - MYSU - Uruguay
National AIDS Committee - Guyana

Observatorio de Violencia Social y de Genero de la Sierra Norte de Puebla - Mexico


Partners in Health
Physicians for Human Rights
PLUS, International AIDS Coalition
Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA) - Nigeria
Red Argentina de Mujeres
Red Argentina de Mujeres Viviendo con VIH-SIDA (RAMVIHS) - Argentina
Red Argentina de Personas Positivas (REDAR POSITIVA) - Argentina
Red de Personas viviendo con vih/sida- de Mar del Plata - Argentina
Red Latinoamericana de Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Latin America
Red por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos - Mexico
Redlac - Honduras
RESULTS USA
Senderos Asociacion Mutual - Colombia
SIDACTION
STOP AIDS NOW!
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)
Treatment Action Group (TAG)
West African Treatment Access Group
Women Won't Wait - Latin America


(1) Baker, B. The Long and Tortured Road to Adequate, Sustained, and Spendable Domestic and Donor Financing for Health. Available at http://www.icssupport.org/PDF/Discussion%20paper%20on%20Health%20Financing%20b y%20Brook%20Baker.pdf


(2) Grail Research, http://www.grailresearch.com/pdf/ContenPodsPdf/Global_Bailout_Tracker.pdf


(3)The full text of the declaration is available at: http://act.pih.org/page/s/declaration


Source: International Treatment Preparedness Coalition

CONTACT: Gorik Ooms, +27(0)727634603, or gooms@itg.be, Gregg Gonsalves,
+1-203-606-9149, or gregg.gonsalves@gmail.com, Kay Marshall, +1-347-249-6375,
or kaymarshall@mac.com, all for International Treatment Preparedness
Coalition

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News Video Documentary: The Life and Crimes of Bernie Madoff

News Video Documentary: The Life and Crimes of Bernie Madoff
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Nigeria: A New Beginning

Nigeria is starting to take a much more serious stance towards breaking from the issues of it's past. There is a very bright and talented pool of individuals equipped to make bold and impactful moves in today's tech business world. This event will bring the best and the brightest of Nigeria together for the first time to brainstorm on ideas and create new startups that will bring it's communities into success and abundance
~ http://nigeria.startupweekend.com/

Our faith is the greatest pillar of our strength on earth.

The level of your faith will determine the level of your strength to overcome all the temptations, trials and weaknesses of life and to achieve the zenith of success.


Startup Weekend Nigeria is part of the startups revolution of the successful Startup Weekend in America and our goal is to propel Nigerians into the dot-com bubble as dot-com companies did for America in the late 1990s when such awesome phenomenal startups like Amazon.com and eBay and others were launched and millions of new jobs were created.

Startup Weekend Nigeria will propel the dotcom boom that will fast-track the MDGs for the realization of the ultimate goals of our Vision 2020.

We invite you to join us today for the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa in the comity of nations.

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Yours Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
CEO, Startup Weekend Nigeria
The Publisher/Editor
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Coming Soon: The Life and Crimes of Bernie Madoff

News Video Documentary: The Life and Crimes of Bernie Madoff

Nigerians Report is bringing you this exclusive news video documentary of the celebrated case of Bernie Madoff for the first time in the Nigerian news media.

For Advert Placements and Sponsorship Considerations, contact:
The Publisher
publisher@guarantysuccess.com

GUINNESS®Announces More Acts for Arthur's Day 250th Anniversary Celebrations

PRESS RELEASE - EMBARGOED UNTIL 15th July 2009 15:00hrs GMT

GUINNESS ANNOUNCES MORE ACTS FOR GLOBAL CELEBRATION

Dublin, Ireland, July 15, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — GUINNESS® announces today additional line-up of Artists joining the Arthur's Day 250th anniversary celebrations on 24th September 2009. Joining previously announced artists including The Black Eyed Peas, Estelle and Kasabian are music industry legend Sir Tom Jones and some of the hottest acts today including Razorlight, Imelda May, Calvin Harris, The Kooks, Jamie Cullum, Sugababes and David Gray. Over 60 Artists will pledge to perform in Dublin and around the world including New York, Lagos, Yaoundé and Asia to mark this remarkable milestone.

The celebrations begin in Dublin at 17:59 local time with a global toast to Arthur Guinness to mark the 250 years since he signed the 9,000 year lease on the St. James's Gate brewery and kick off the beginning of the Arthur's Day global events. In Dublin thousands of people will be coming together to experience the live music events in over 30 venues across Dublin from intimate gigs in pubs to music venues and even a concert at the St. James's Gate brewery itself. One of the most historic buildings in the brewery, Hop Store 13, will become a live music studio for Arthur's Day where more than 2,000 guests from around the world will enjoy performances from global artists in honour of this remarkable milestone and the legacy that is Arthur Guinness.

At 17:59 in and around the world, consumers will be joined by Artists and celebrities including Sir Bob Geldof, Guy Ritchie, Carson Daly, Jerry Hall and Sophie Dahl as they take part in this once in a lifetime moment and raise a GUINNESS to Arthur and toast the Arthur Guinness Fund. Arthur Guinness and his family were responsible for some of the most well known acts of philanthropy in Ireland and to honour and continue this legacy we are establishing the Arthur Guinness Fund. The aim of the Fund is to enable and empower individuals with skills and opportunities to deliver a measured benefit to their communities. The Guinness & Co. will donate €6 million to the Arthur Guinness Fund which will be active from September 2009.

New artists joining the Arthur's Day lineup today are: Sir Tom Jones, Calvin Harris, Razorlight, Richard Hawley, Black Swan Effect, Republic of Loose, Imelda May, David Gray, The Hot Rats, Jamie Cullum, Sugababes, The Kooks, The Blizzards, Golden Silvers, Jay Jay Pistolet, Mick Flannery, Dirty Epics, The Chakras, Cherbourg, Eoghan Colgan, Hoarsebox, Nat Jenkins, Noise Control and The Chapters.

Notes to editors:
For detailed information about GUINNESS 250 and Arthur's Day visit www.guinnessmedia.com. This information is just two of thousands of photos, facts and video that helps to tell the unique and colourful story of GUINNESS. www.guinnessmedia.com is restricted for media access only.

The Arthur Guinness Fund is an internal fund created by Guinness & Co. which will be used by Guinness & Co. to create opportunities for communities in several countries around the World including providing skills for life and supporting social entrepreneurs. The Fund is not a separate charity but its monies are held separately by Guinness & Co. and will be independently audited.

The GUINNESS word and associated logos are trademarks.

Press Contact:
Beth Davies
beth.davies.ryan@diageo.com

guinnessglobal@taylorpr.com

The Best Hospitals in America

16 Jul 2009 13:00 Africa/Lagos

U.S. News Media Group Announces 2009-10 America's Best Hospitals

-20th annual edition includes top hospitals 'Honor Roll,' rankings in 16 specialties, and exclusive web video series-

WASHINGTON, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News Media Group, the nation's leading source of rankings and service journalism, today announced the 2009-10 publication of America's Best Hospitals, accessible today online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals and on sale at newsstands Tuesday, July 21.


Now in its 20th year, the multi-platform 2009-10 America's Best Hospitals guide is the most extensive hospital ranking to-date. It includes rankings of 174 medical centers nationwide in 16 specialties -- with full data available online for another 1,500 unranked hospitals. In addition, the Best Hospitals "Honor Roll" highlights 21 medical centers that were ranked at or near the top in at least six specialties.


The 16 ranked specialties are cancer; diabetes & endocrine disorders; digestive disorders; ear, nose, and throat; geriatric care; gynecology; heart and heart surgery; kidney disorders; neurology and neurosurgery; ophthalmology; orthopedics; psychiatry; rehabilitation; respiratory disorders; rheumatology; and urology.


"When the stakes are high, you want the best care you can get for someone close to you," said Avery Comarow, health rankings editor. "These are hospitals that are used to getting the sickest patients."


The 2009-10 Best Hospitals guide also includes a web video series on USNews.com where visitors can watch HealthiNation Chief Medical Editor Dr. Holly Atkinson interview Comarow and Dr. Bernadine Healy, U.S. News health editor, to capture their expertise and insight into the Best Hospitals ranking process. The videos take viewers behind the scenes of the rigorous selection process, include profiles of top winners across categories, and reveal what it takes for a hospital to be named one of "America's Best."


"Over the past two decades, America's Best Hospitals has proven to be an essential resource for consumers facing difficult healthcare decisions," said Brian Kelly, editor of U.S. News & World Report. "With this year's Best Hospitals video series, we're not only bringing this topic to life, but also highlighting examples of hospital excellence and quality care."


Of the medical centers ranked in the 2009-10 America's Best Hospitals, 21 earned Honor Roll status, demonstrating excellence and breadth of expertise by ranking at or near the top in at least six specialties. The top hospitals in the 2009-10 Honor Roll* are:


1. Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore)
2. Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN)
3. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles)
4. Cleveland Clinic
5. Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston)
6. New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell
7. University of California, San Francisco Medical Center
8. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
9. Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University (St. Louis)
10. Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston)
10. Duke University Medical Center (Durham, NC)

*For the full "Honor Roll" list, visit www.usnews.com/besthospitals.


In addition to the hospitals that appear in one or more specialty rankings in the print magazine, the 2009-10 America's Best Hospitals package includes an online consumer guide where readers can find information on more than 1,500 hospitals that qualified for rankings, but did not score high enough to be ranked (fewer than one-third of the 4,861 U.S. hospitals evaluated did qualify).


Methodology


The rankings in 12 of the 16 specialties -- all but ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and rheumatology -- are predominantly driven by hard data. There are four components: reputation, death rate, patient safety (new this year), and care-related factors such as nursing and patient services. In these 12 specialties, hospitals have to pass through several gates to be ranked and considered a Best Hospital:


1. The first gate determines whether a hospital is eligible to be ranked at all by requiring that it must meet any of three conditions: be a teaching hospital; have at least 200 beds; or have at least 100 beds plus at least four out of eight key medical technologies such as current-generation CT scanners and precision radiation therapy.


2. The second gate determines whether a hospital is eligible to be ranked in a particular specialty. To be eligible, the hospital had to either have at least a specified volume of certain procedures and conditions over three years, or had to have been nominated by at least one physician in the last three years of our annual specialist survey.


3. The third gate is whether a hospital does well enough to be ranked, based on its reputation, death rate, patient safety, and factors like nurse staffing and technology.


In the four other specialties -- ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and rheumatology -- ranking is based solely on nominations from the three most recent physician surveys.


About the U.S. News Media Group


The U.S. News Media Group is a multi-platform digital publisher of news and analysis, which includes the monthly U.S. News & World Report magazine, the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Money & Business, Education, and Public Service/Opinion, the U.S. News Media Group has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. The U.S. News Media Group's signature franchises include its News You Can Use brand of journalism and its "America's Best" series of consumer guides that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, health plans, and more.


Source: U.S. News Media Group

CONTACT: Liz Putze, U.S. News & World Report, +1-202-955-2136,
eputze@usnews.com, or Lucy Byrd, U.S. News & World Report, lbyrd@usnews.com


Web Site: http://www.usnews.com/

Nigeria's Largest-Circulation Newspaper Recognizes Role of World Congress of Families in Africa

16 Jul 2009 10:00 Africa/Lagos

Nigeria's Largest-Circulation Newspaper Recognizes Role of World Congress of Families in Africa: Pro-Family Message Will Be Carried To Europe, August 10-12

Registration Still Available For World Congress Of Families V In Amsterdam, August 10-12

WASHINGTON, July 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sun, Nigeria's largest-circulation newspaper, was fulsome in its praise of World Congress of Families for helping to organize the conference, "The World Congress of Families Dialogue of Civilizations," in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital, June 4-7.


The "Dialogue of Civilizations," hosted by the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage, brought more than 400 participants to the Musa Yar'Adua Centre, for what The Sun called "the first pro-family conference in Africa."


The paper described the event as "aimed at giving the Nigerian perspective to a troubled world lurching from one moral crisis to another."


The Sun noted that addresses included: "A Plan of Action on the Family in Africa," "A Christian View on Sexuality and Family," "Population Decline of the Developed World - A Lesson for Africa," "Pornography and the Family," and "A Plan to Defend the Family at the United Nations." Besides Nigeria, participants came from Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Netherlands and the United States.


WCF Communications Director Don Feder, who represented the Congress at the event, said, "We're pleased to have Nigeria's largest-circulation newspaper recognize the importance of the Abuja conference and the role World Congress of Families is playing in strengthening the pro-family movement in Africa."


The Abuja Conference was a preparatory-conference for the upcoming World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam, Holland, August 10-12. Representing the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage, Theresa Okafor will report on the Abuja conference at World Congress of Families V. The Amsterdam program on August 11th will focus on the families of Africa and other developing countries. Click here for the full program and schedule of speakers: www.worldcongress.nl/en/program/.


Participants and delegates can still register for WCF V online at www.worldcongress.org/WCF5/wcf5.reg.mem.htm. Click here. Student discounts and scholarships are available. Contact Simon Polinder at spolinder@gmail.com.


For more information on World Congress of Families V, go to www.worldcongress.org. Click here to read The Sun story: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/july/08/national-08-0 7-2009-05.htm .


Representatives of the media can register free for WCF V in Amsterdam with press credentials at www.nl.worldcongress.pl/?wl=en .


The World Congress of Families (WCF) is an international network of pro-family


organizations, scholars, leaders and people of goodwill from more than 60


countries that seek to restore the natural family as the fundamental social


unit and the 'seedbed' of civil society (as found in the UN Universal


Declaration of Human Rights, 1948). The WCF was founded in 1997 by Allan


Carlson and is a project of The Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society


in Rockford, Illinois (www.profam.org). To date, there have been four World Congresses of Families - Prague (1997), Geneva (1999), Mexico City (2004) and


Warsaw, Poland (2007). A fifth World Congress of Families will be held in
Amsterdam, Netherlands, August 10-12, 2009 (www.worldcongress.nl and
www.worldcongress.org).

Source: World Congress of Families

CONTACT: Don Feder, World Congress of Families, +1-508-405-1337,
dfeder@rcn.com


Web Site: http://www.worldcongress.nl/
http://www.worldcongress.org/
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/
http://www.nl.worldcongress.pl/
http://www.profam.org/

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Happy Birthday Our Dear Wole Soyinka

Prof. Wole Soyinka of Nigeria

Happy Birthday to Professor.Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Prize laureate in Literature who clocks 75 today. The great African dramatist, poet, novelist and essayist, we call our own WS, said he is not having any "Owambe" party and would rather address why President Barack Obama snubbed Nigeria, the so called Giant of Africa in favour of Ghana in his first official visit to sub-saharan Africa.

The video below is a must view for all those who appreciate the genius of Soyinka.



Nigerians Report is wishing Prof. Wole Soyinka many more happy years of long life and peace of mind.

Americans Say Jackson's Death is Receiving Too Much Media Coverage

2 Jul 2009 19:57 Africa/Lagos

Americans Say Jackson's Death is Receiving Too Much Media Coverage

- More than one-third (39%) believe Farrah Fawcett's death is not receiving enough coverage -

FLEMINGTON, N.J., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national media study among 1,850 Americans revealed that the majority of respondents (63%) believe that Michael Jackson's death is receiving too much media coverage in comparison to the coverage of Farrah Fawcett's death.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO )


The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com(R) website on July 1, to obtain Americans' perceptions of recent celebrity deaths, with regard to the amount of media coverage they are receiving. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.


While the majority of respondents (63%) reported that Michael Jackson's death is receiving too much media coverage, an even larger majority (80%) reported that they are engaged in the topic when they are exposed to it by the media. However, a slightly higher percentage of respondents (84%) indicated that they are engaged with the topic of Fawcett's death when they are exposed to it by the media.


Among the study findings:


"With regard to the topic of Michael Jackson's death, indicate whether or not you feel the media coverage is appropriate."


Total
Too much coverage 63%
Appropriate coverage 36%
Not enough coverage 2%


"Please indicate how engaged you are in this specific topic (Michael Jackson's death) when you are exposed to it in the media."


Total
Extremely engaged in the topic 13%
Engaged in the topic 29%
Somewhat engaged in the topic 38%
Not at all engaged in the topic 20%


"With regard to the topic of Farrah Fawcett's death, indicate whether or not you feel the media coverage is appropriate."


Total
Too much coverage 5%
Appropriate coverage 56%
Not enough coverage 39%

"Please indicate how engaged you are in this specific topic (Farrah Fawcett's death) when you are exposed to it in the media."


Total
Extremely engaged in the topic 11%
Engaged in the topic 32%
Somewhat engaged in the topic 41%
Not at all engaged in the topic 17%

About MediaCurves.com

MediaCurves.com(R) (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements. MediaCurves.com is a service of HCD Research, a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO
Source: HCD Research

CONTACT: Vince McGourty of HCD Research, +1-908-483-9121,
vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net; or Barbara Taylor, director of MediaCurves.com,
+1-908-483-9146, barbara.taylor@hcdi.net.


Web Site: http://www.mediacurves.com/


NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flemington-NJ/MediaCurves/86691908820


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Niger Delta Crisis: Amnesty or Travesty of Justice

Amnesty or Travesty?


I have decided not to approve the so called Amnesty the Federal Government has given to the so called militants in the Niger Delta region, because the celebrated Nigerian Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka already spoken my mind in his critical analysis of the anomie in Between Amnesty and Amnesia.

The recourse to Amnesty after the punitive campaign of the Joint Task Force (JTF) failed woefully is begging the question of the Niger Delta crisis and not a solution. The solution to the Niger Delta crisis is not a Herculean task if the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wants to be truly honest and transparent.

The bloody battle in the Niger Delta over resource control is actually a power struggle between mercenaries of the oligarchy in Nigeria fighting over illegal oil bunkering in the oil rich states of the Niger Delta. Both the serving and retired top military officers are actively engaged in the criminal operation of illegal oil bunkering and the Nigerian Navy cannot deny this fact, because the tankers and barges used for illegal oil bunkering are not invisible in the territorial waters of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are ruthless in their greed for political power and money that they have usurped the rights of the host communities and took over the reins of power in government to control the Nigerian Armed Forces and ruling party to plunder the mineral resources in the country.
They have shared the oil blocks and are now engaged in a do or die battle in illegal oil bunkering that fetches over $20 million daily.

President Umaru Yar’Adua knows the truth and the sooner he says the truth the better.
The most ridiculous is amount of N50 billion being projected for the conflict resolution as proposed in the presidential Amnesty. Before our very eyes, that N50 billion would be embezzled by the same mercenaries of the oligarchy in power in Nigeria and the devastated host communities would be left with the crumbs.
This so called Amnesty is a travesty of justice.
Who is fooling whom?

MacArthur Foundation Grants $7.6 Million To 9 Universities in 7 Countries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; CONTACT: Amy Martin, 202-745-5118

MACARTHUR TO SUPPORT MASTER’S PROGRAMS AROUND THE WORLD OFFERING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR FUTURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT LEADERS



Chicago, IL, June 30, 2009 – Supporting rigorous professional training for future leaders in the field of sustainable development, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced today grants totaling $7.6 million to nine universities in seven countries to establish new Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) programs.



The Foundation has committed $15 million to seed the creation of such programs at up to 15 universities worldwide over the next three years. With MacArthur support, Columbia University is creating the first MDP Program, which will launch this fall.



MDP programs are designed to provide graduate students with training beyond the typical focus on classroom study of economics and management found in most development studies. The program’s core curriculum combines classroom study in a range of disciplines, including agriculture, policy, health, engineering, management, environmental science, education, and nutrition with field training experiences.



“Through our work around the globe, we at MacArthur understand that poverty, population, health, conservation, and human rights are all interconnected, requiring sustained and comprehensive interventions,” said Foundation President Jonathan Fanton. “These new programs are a model for training the next generation of these critically needed professionals.”



A Global Master’s in Development Practice Secretariat, supported by MacArthur and based at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, will help manage the MDP network of universities, develop an open-source repository for the MDP curriculum and other teaching materials, and will offer an online, Global Classroom on sustainable development for students worldwide.



The universities that will receive funding to establish the nine MDP programs are:



· Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia) will emphasize the health and governance-related aspects of sustainable development through its work with partners that include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CARE and the Carter Center.



· The Energy Resources Institute University (New Delhi, India) will emphasize energy and climate sciences, building on its contributions to scientific and policy research in energy, environment, and sustainable development.



· James Cook University (Cairns and Townsville, Australia) will offer coursework at its two campuses and field training in the Philippines and Indonesia, focusing on the challenges to sustainable development and governance in tropical island nations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.



· Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland) will integrate their teaching in international development and also partner with the National University of Rwanda to offer field training and coursework in conservation and sustainable development.



· Tsinghua University (Beijing, China) will build on its English-language degrees and Master’s programs in international development and public administration to focus on development models for China.



· University of Cheikh Anta Diop (Dakar, Senegal) will focus on current development challenges facing Africa by integrating health, social and natural sciences, engineering, information technology, and management. It will also serve as a MDP program hub for French-speaking West African nations.



· University of Botswana (Gaborone, Botswana) will create a modular program designed for working professionals. Rigorous independent study will be complemented by two to three weeks of on campus training each semester. University of Botswana will partner with University of Florida to offer field training experiences in Botswana.



· University of Florida (Gainesville, Fla.) will implement a program that includes the core curriculum, building on University of Florida’s expertise in conservation and sustainable development, especially in Latin America. The program also incorporates faculty and student exchanges and a field-training program in Botswana, in partnership with University of Botswana.



· University of Ibadan (Ibadan, Nigeria) will build on existing graduate programs in health, science, and natural resources with the long-term goal of creating a Centre for Development Studies. It will also serve as a MDP program hub for English-speaking West African nations.



The universities are expected to produce 250 graduates with a Master’s in Development Practice degree by 2012, with a total of 750 students enrolled. They were selected based on five criteria, including support from top university leadership, excellent infrastructure and academic programs, and the ability to serve as regional hub; geographic representation among students and exceptional faculty across the four core competencies of the natural, health, and social sciences and management; and a timeline and business plan for financial sustainability when funding ends in three years. In 2010, MacArthur will fund up to five additional universities to create additional MDP programs.



The creation of the Master’s in Development Practice Program was a key recommendation of the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice, whose report was released in October 2008. Established in 2007, the year-long Commission was co-chaired by John McArthur, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Promise, and Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and comprised of 20 top thinkers in the field of sustainable development from around the world.



The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is changing children and society. More information is available at www.macfound.org.



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Amy Martin

Managing Supervisor

GYMR Public Relations, LLC

1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Ste. 300

Washington, DC 20009

P: (202) 745-5118

amartin@gymr.com