Ayew Brothers, Others United Against Malaria As African Cup of Nations Kick-Off

21 Jan 2012 09:00 Africa/Lagos

African Football Stars Including Gervinho, Ayew Brothers and Sow Commit to Malaria Fight Ahead of African Cup of Nations Kick-Off

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, January 21, 2012/PRNewswire/ --


- Through new television public service announcements, stars deliver
life-saving messages to fans in malaria-endemic regions of Africa


As the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea prepares to kick off, some of football's biggest stars have been practicing more than just their moves on the football pitch; they've also been practicing delivering messages about malaria control. Andrew (Dede) Ayew, midfielder from Ghana, Gervinho, forward from Cote d'Ivoire, and Moussa Sow, forward from Senegal, were just a few of the tournament stars who delivered malaria prevention and treatment messages in new United Against Malaria (UAM) public service announcements (PSAs) that will air throughout Africa during the tournament.

Other UAM champions who lent their voice to the new PSAs include Jordan Ayew, striker from Ghana, Charles Kabore, midfielder from Burkina Faso, and Asamoah Gyan, striker from Ghana. The PSAs focus on the importance of malaria prevention and treatment for children in Africa, "because all children deserve a chance at greatness, just like their heroes on the football pitch." Although preventable and treatable, a child in Africa dies every 45 seconds from malaria.

"Malaria still kills many children in Africa, and it's important that we educate fans on how to protect themselves and their families," said Ghana Football Association President and CAF Executive Committee member Kwesi Nyantakyi, whose national team starred in a UAM PSA ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "Until we have no children dying from malaria in Africa, we need to spread the word about ways to prevent and treat this disease."

The new PSAs will be shown at half-time during matches aired in Ghana, Senegal and many other African countries through local and cable television stations.

"We are so grateful to the players and their national associations for their commitment to the fight against malaria," said David Kyne, United Against Malaria Campaign Manager. "Their support offers us an unparalleled opportunity to reach millions of viewers watching the tournament to deliver messages about the prevention and treatment of malaria."

Private Sector Support

In addition to the PSAs, UAM private sector supporter, Marathon Oil, have continued to support malaria control in one of the tournament's host countries, Equatorial Guinea. During the Africa Cup of Nations they are sponsoring mass media projects that educate fans in country with prevention and treatment messages including a 2012 edition of the UAM GOAL! Magazine that includes photos and quotes from UAM champions.

The UAM campaign is also highlighting official sponsor of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Standard Bank, and its successful implementation of the "Malaria Safe Playbook" with all employees in endemic malaria countries throughout Africa. The "Malaria Safe Playbook" is an interactive learning tool that Standard Bank has used to educate its global workforce and customers about malaria, after it previously distributed 11,000 ITNs to protect staff in 15 malaria-endemic markets and provided workers with UAM bracelets and educational materials to raise campaign visibility in their home countries.

To view the new UAM PSAs please visit http://www.UnitedAgainstMalaria.org.

About Malaria

Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. If left untreated, the infection in its most severe forms can lead to a coma and death. Malaria is preventable and treatable, but continues to kill a child every 45 seconds and nearly 800,000 people each year. Furthermore, malaria contributes to the cycle of poverty and limits economic development.

About United Against Malaria

United Against Malaria is a partnership of football teams and heroes, celebrities, health and advocacy organizations, governments, corporations, and individuals who have united to win the fight against malaria. Our goal is to galvanize partners throughout the world to reach the international target of reducing deaths to near zero by 2015. For more information please visit http://www.UnitedAgainstMalaria.org.

About 2012 Africa Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations is the continent's premier football championship, organized biannually by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 2012 tournament of 16 teams, co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea from January 21 to February 12, will be followed by millions of fans in Africa and around the world.

Source: United Against Malaria

Equatorial Guinea: David Kyne or Bremen Leak, +240-5512-46334; Africa: Mike Ngatunga, mngatung@jhsph.edu, +255-787-568918; US & Europe: David Kyne, david@unitedagainstmalaria.org, +1-917-969-3904

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Statement on Chevron's Appeal of The $18 Billion Judgment in Ecuador

Chevron is trying to wriggle out of paying for damages for decades of oil pollution in Ecuador. Photo Credit:The Minority Report

Statement on Chevron's appeal today of the $18 billion judgment in Ecuador:

Karen Hinton, U.S. spokesperson for the Ecuadorians, said:

"For almost two decades, Chevron has stood in the way of a comprehensive cleanup of billions of gallons of crude oil and toxic waste water it deliberately dumped into the pristine rainforest. Thousands of people have died or have suffered from illnesses as the oil giant and its legions of lawyers fought to distract attention from the overwhelming evidence against the company. Chevron has always believed that Ecuador's many laws prohibiting environmental contamination should not apply to the company's misconduct.

"In its latest notice of appeal, Chevron again seeks special treatment not afforded any other litigant under Ecuadorian law. Chevron's request that a bond requirement be waived would force the Ecuador appellate court to violate laws protecting the winning side in any litigation from further attempts by the loser to delay the proceedings and cause further harm -- which in this case includes a grave risk of illness and death to thousands of people from indigenous groups and farmer communities sickened by the company's toxic dumping.

"The arbitral order cited by Chevron as justification for its request for a bond waiver is not binding on the rainforest communities as they are not a party to the proceedings. It is the position of the communities that the relief Chevron is seeking is beyond the scope of the authority given the arbitration, and in any event would violate Ecuador's laws and international treaties protecting the fundamental human rights of indigenous groups and others who continue to suffer from the abuses visited upon them by Chevron. These rights include the right to life and the right to seek legal redress.

"By seeking a special waiver of the bond requirement that applies to all litigants in Ecuador, Chevron is playing high-stakes poker by counting on Ecuadorian courts to violate the law just so Chevron can delay the enforcement of the Ecuadorian judgment as allowed by law.

"We want to reiterate that Chevron has every right to appeal to Ecuador's National Court of Justice to seek review of the trial and appellate court decisions, but it has no right to special treatment during the pendency of the appeal."

NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW BELOW

The Ecuadorians have leveled their own fraud charges against Chevron. In briefs submitted to U.S. and Ecuadorian courts, they submitted evidence that Chevron staked out "clean" spots to test prior to the judicial inspections, switched "dirty" samples for clean, sent dirty samples to a secret lab and doctored a "judicial playbook" document so two academic experts would endorse its sampling protocol, among other charges. These charges also will be presented to other countries' courts where the Ecuadorians will seek to enforce the judgment.

Chevron's key defense is the 1995 remediation agreement negotiated between Ecuador and Chevron two years after the Ecuadorians filed their original lawsuit in the United States. The agreement, however, released only government claims, not third party claims, and tests taken the trial showed that well sites allegedly cleaned during the remediation were just as contaminated as those that were not.

Yesterday's 2nd Circuit ruling marks Chevron's third consecutive setback in U.S. federal courts on the enforceability of the $18 billion Ecuador judgment. In September, a federal appellate panel blocked Chevron's attempt to seek an unprecedented worldwide injunction blocking enforcement. In January, a federal district recently denied Chevron's illegal attempt to freeze the assets of the plaintiffs. Also, on January 3rd Ecuador's appellate court confirmed the validity of the trial court judgment.

****************
The following is Chevron's own side of the story in video.

Illegitimate Case Against Chevron in Ecuador



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The Task Before The Kogi State Governor Elect

Captain Idris Wada


The Task Before The Kogi State Governor Elect

~ By Clifford Adama

THE BATTLE FOR THE NEXT MAN TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF KOGI STATE OF NIGERIA HAS BEEN CONTESTED AND WON. CAPTAIN IDRIS WADA HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY DECLARED WINNER OF THE CONTEST BY INEC. THE NEXT ITEM OF FOCUS NOW IS FOR HIM TO PROVE THAT THIS VICTORY IS TRULY A VICTORY OF THE MASSES…



On Monday the 5th of December 2011, Captain Idris Wada, a retired pilot with over 35 years of experience in the cockpit with every international certification in the book as well as a very successful entrepreneur, emerged winner of a keenly contested and generally rated free and fair election to become the next governor of Kogi State of Nigeria.

The victory was a landslide; sweeping 19 out of 21 Local Government Areas in the state away from ACN, the only other political party that made an impressive showing in the contest. Of a total of 518, 949 votes cast, Wada took 300, 372, some 57%, leaving Alhaji Abubakar Audu of ACN and 13 other political parties that participated in the election to share 43% of the votes among themselves.



The ACN characteristically described the election as ‘demonic’ and promised to seek redress in court. There is nothing wrong with that, it is natural and expected. But with the clear and incontrovertible strength of his victory, this cannot constitute a distraction for the governor elect. 300,372 voters out of 518,949 cannot be wrong. The people have made their choice. The next duty of the newly elected governor is the uphill task of taking off from where his predecessor stopped in the project of moving Kogi State to the next level.


FORMING A GOVERNMENT
The first thing will be to look for talented manageable citizens of Kogi State, experienced people, to join him to form an effective administration and to be able to deliver on his promises which he made to Kogi people. He will do a search of kogi to find those people who are ready and willing to serve, to help in the transformation of Kogi State. In this task, some members of the out-going cabinet who are still valuable as state builders will also will also be co-opted into the new administration to foster stability, continuity and to further maximize their valuable experience in the onerous task of developing the state. The new government will continue with all the good projects that were started by Alhaji Ibrahim; that is the beauty of the situation here in terms of the fact that Alhaji Ibrahim was running a PDP government. The new government will equally be a PDP government thus the policies will be coming from the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. So there is no issue of abandoning ongoing projects; rather they will be pursued and finished to the benefit of the people.


POLITICAL STABILITY
The problem of insurgency in Egbira Land and other ethnic groups within the state who are agitating to have a shot at the government house, is partly under control now, the government of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has worked to stabilize various stake holders in the central zone. The new government will try to consolidate on the existing structures to protect this new found calm and to ensure that peace is sustained in Egbira land. That will be done through consultations and interactions with elders and old women groups and also by running a transparent, open and equitable government which is fair to all and which pursues justice for all. It will stop the discontent that arises when people see that things are not being done fairly; when they feel cheated, when they feel by-passed. The new government will try to be transparent, open and accountable. Thus the opportunities for trouble and restiveness will be greatly reduced. First will be consolidation on what has been done now and then show exemplary leadership that pursues equity, fairness and justice. That is what Kogi people are looking forward to and the new government should be in the right position to provide that. In terms of having a shot at the government house, every citizen of Kogi State is qualified to be governor of Kogi State once he/she meet the minimum requirements specified in the 1999 constitution as amended. Once a transparent government is in place, the people will be given equal opportunity then the citizens of the central and every other part of Kogi state are free to contest for that position. What the people want is transparent leadership, capable leadership. The new government needs to do everything possible to try and overcome this tribal phobia. Once an individual is a good leader, the tribe doesn’t matter. Selections for positions will be based on based on merit. The new will try to bring that spirit of unity back into Kogi State; so that it didn’t really matter where the governor comes from. Equal opportunity will be given to everyone to compete for any positions within the government house in this Kogi State.

AGRICULTURE
An area of primary importance is agriculture. Kogi is an agrarian economy and is reputed to be among the states that form the food basket of the nation. There must be efforts at improvement of agriculture with focus on crops in which Kogi has strategic advantage. The new government will look for appropriate technology to change the traditional method of farming which most Kogi farmers are using now so that the state can develop the potentials of agriculture which is one of its greatest assets. That will be the first focus; to restructure and re-organize agriculture, introduce mechanized agriculture at small and medium scale levels, in order to improve the yield per hectare from Kogi farmers. Part of Captain Idris Wada’s transformation agenda for Kogi State is to ensure radical improvement in agricultural production in the state. According to him, Plans are ready on the ground to make Kogi State the most active state in Nigeria in terms of value driven positive changes in agricultural production. The idea is to be able to produce enough to go round all the other states of Nigeria as well as for export. The essence of value change is that one does not just harvest the crops; you process them either into raw materials for finished products which can be sold in other states of the federation or outside Nigeria, particularly the ECOWAS countries so it’s a whole chain and ultimately will affect the world, not just Kogi State.


HEALTH CARE DELIVERY
During Captain Idris Wada’s campaign, he brought an NGO through the Aviation Support Group that went into the hinterland to perform free surgeries and proffer free medical treatment to the people. Many of the people whose lives have been touched by such medical services will want a continuation. The medical intervention by the Aviation Support Group was a welcome development.

During the period of two weeks, they were able to attend to five thousand, five hundred and eighty eight (5,588) medical cases and over a thousand surgeries were performed. People were very happy. Such interventions were mainly for underprivileged people; those who ordinarily could not afford the treatment. The new government has promised a good medical service delivery program and will promote such medical interventions with minimum cost to help in providing first class health care delivery in Kogi state as soon as it assumes office.

EDUCATION
Kogi people have the uncommon characteristic of being some of the best refined and most intelligent Nigerians, especially when they are educated. The new government needs to involve in serious educational intervention programmes to increase the number of children of enrolment age who are in school. Subsidies should be provided where appropriate and there need to be a massive overhauling and improvement of the educational structure of the state. The new government should kick start the payment of bursaries to students of Kogi state in Universities both within and outside the state. There need to be an improvement in the number of teachers employed and upgrading of their remuneration structure.

INDUSTRY
The federal government owns the Ajaokuta steel. One of the pillars of the vision 2020 program of the presidency is to have a viable steel industry. The federal government is determined to revive Ajaokuta Steel. As a state, the new Kogi State government will need to partner with the federal government to form the Kogi State component of the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, which the state can finance, using the Public Private Partnership arrangement. With the cooperation of the federal government, the new government will push to reactivate the steel industry so it doesn’t just lie fallow. Iron rods, nuts and bolts, some spare parts will be produced to create jobs for our people. The new Kogi State government will encourage the federal government to take the bold step of restructuring and activating the bigger elements of Ajaokuta Steel. The job creation strategy of the new state government will be anchored on cottage industries; using the raw materials available, as well as the solid minerals. The new government needs to bring in technology from China and India and Malaysia and Indonesia; countries that appreciate the level of technology the state is in and where the state wants to go. So that the machines are not so sophisticated that the indigenes cannot operate and maintain them. This will be achieved through Public Private Sector Partnership; establish cottage industries that will create jobs and provide employment for Kogi people. That is one of the fulcrums of the job creation strategy of the new government; cottage industries through the use of the solid minerals available in the state and through the use of raw materials gotten from value change driven agriculture.


TOURISM
The new government will has an enviable task of turning the confluence town at Lokoja into a major tourist attraction. Hotels, golf courses, tennis courts, quality accommodation nice environment need to be provided. Lokoja was the first capital of Nigeria. Lord Lugard, the first governor General of Nigeria had his office in Lokoja and that office is still intact. The new government must renovate such relics, the Royal Niger Company office need to be renovated. They will be preserved and turned into tourist attractions to attract revenue for Kogi State. Tourism and sports are symbiotic. If you just build hotels and there are no activities, no beaches no sports, the aims will not be achieved. Golf and tennis are very good for tourist promotion activities. The new government should build world class golf courses and tennis courts and use these as vehicles for attracting visitors to Kogi, promote Kogi. Every effort will be made to ensure that tourists can come to Kogi and feel safe and comfortable. The new government can turn Kogi State into a haven for those who are in the hustle and bustle of Lagos and Abuja; so that they can come to Kogi and have a break. The sort of golf courses that will be built will attract foreign visitors. People will come into the country to come and enjoy Kogi golf courses; see the confluence and the relics of British Colonial government. There are other tourist potentials all over the state, the new government must work on them and promote them so that every visit to kogi state will be a memorable one to continue to promote tourism. The New government needs to work closely with the federal ministry of aviation, to ensure that a proper airport is built in Kogi State. There are two airports in Kogi State at the moment, one at Obajana, which is the Dangote cement plant. There is one also at Ajaokuta which steel factory. Those airports are available and they will also serve, although they are not government owned airports.


CLARION CALL
The new government of Captain Idris Wada is appealing to everyone to come and work with it together for Kogi State. It needs all hands on deck to work hard for the people and improve their lives, that is what matters now. What matters now is moving Kogi state forward.


Clifford Adama wrote from Idah, Kogi State.

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A Beautiful Game on a Beautiful Continent

20 Jan 2012 07:55 Africa/Lagos

A Beautiful Game on a Beautiful Continent

LAGOS, January 20, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Being text of a goodwill message sent by the African Public Relations Association (APRA) to The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Mr. Issa Hayatou on the occasion of the 28th Edition of the Africa Cup of Nations

18 – 01 – 2012

It all started in 1956 in Lisbon, Portugal when a few visionaries came together to birth the vehicle for Africa's integration into global football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This was quickly followed in 1957 by the hosting of the first edition of All Africa football tournament in Khartoum in which only three countries namely Egypt, Ethiopia and host country Sudan featured.


Fifty Five years later with sixteen nations, the whole of Africa and indeed the world wait with palpable excitement, for the commencement of the 28th edition of the African Cup of Nations Finals (AFCON) holding between Saturday January 21 and Sunday February 12, 2012 and jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The African Public Relations Association (APRA), the continental body for the practice of professional public relations proudly shares the ideals of AFCON which include: promoting interaction and unity among Africans, showcasing the best of African talents, developing infrastructure and promoting tourism in Africa.

AFCON has no doubt put Africa indelibly on the global map. Sports, especially the game of football, can no longer be referred to as mere entertainment and vocation as its compound values in many respects far outweigh that of most traditional businesses. Its positive impact on the socio-economy and politics of many African nations cannot be over-emphasized.

Notably great African brand icons and indeed role models for African youths have emerged through AFCON attracting global brands such as Coca Cola, Samsung, Nike, Pepsi etc. Unarguably some of the highest paid footballers on the globe are Africans.

For this and other positive developments in African soccer, APRA salutes Mr. Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other members of his Governing Council.

APRA congratulates the host nations of the 28th edition of AFCON, the numerous officials and administrators, the sponsors, the media, the millions of fans across the continent and indeed the entire people of Africa on the occasion of Africa's biggest soccer fiesta.

APRA welcomes those visiting Africa and for the tournament and invites them to enjoy the warm hospitality and sights of our great continent. In this vein we wish them all a pleasant stay.

To the competing teams, APRA wishes you all the best of luck and may the best win.

There is nothing left to say but;


“Let this beautiful game begin, on this beautiful continent!”



Signed:


Yomi Badejo-Okusanya,

Secretary General,

African Public Relations Association

The Bridge House

77, Oduduwa Crescent, Ikeja GRA,

Lagos, Nigeria

+234 -803 407 1104

aprasecretariat@yahoo.com

www.afapr.org



About APRA:


APRA the successor body to the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA), was inaugurated in 1975 in Nairobi, Kenya.


APRA's aims and objectives are the attainment of the highest standard of professional practice of Public Relations in Africa; promote African Unity and co-operation especially as a consultant body to the African Union and its various agencies.


Source: African Public Relations Association (APRA)

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The Oil Cartel, the Cabal and the Rest of Us in Nigeria

Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN)
Eleganza Biro Plaza (5TH Floor),
Plot 634, Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.


The Oil Cartel, the Cabal and the Rest of Us in Nigeria

Dear Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria,

I read your public information advert on SUBSIDY FACTS with a pinch of salt, because the information you provided is nothing new.

The important issue you mentioned was the emergence of “briefcase” mafia of companies without any asset base and accountability in the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) scheme.

As you rightly noted the total cost of PMS imported into Nigeria as at December 6, 2011, was N141.38 Kobo. The regulated pump price is N65 and the subsidy claim was N76. 38 Kobo.

Ignorance has done more harm to Nigerians than corruption.

The anger of majority of Nigerians was provoked against the government when the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced the removal of the fuel subsidy on petrol on New Year’s Day January 1, 2012, because it was totally wrong for the PPPRA to sell subsidized petrol for N141 per litre when it is was regulated to be sold for N65 per litre! This was the initial cause of the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and supported by the Civil Liberties Organizations (CSOs). But the escapist government, rumour mongers and apologists of President Goodluck Jonathan desperately looking for scapegoats pointed accusing fingers at the major oil marketers as constituting a shadowy “CABAL”. That they were the ones holding the president to ransom and insisted on the perpetuation of the fuel subsidy on petrol under the PSF scheme since it has become fattest cash cow in Nigeria.

Please, I have the following questions for you.

1. If you are truly committed to deregulation of the downstream sector and accountability of the efficient utilization of national and corporate resources, why have you collectively failed to build new refineries that would have been the top priority of MOMAN and all the members of the board of the PPPRA as identified in your defence?


2. Why have you allowed the petrol imported duty free under the PSF scheme to pass through Nigerian ports without the approval of the Nigerian customs? And thereby violating the due process of the rule of law?


3. Why have you connived and conspired with the so called “briefcase” companies to misappropriate billions of dollars allocated to the PSF and diverted 24 million litres of petrol daily for which the Ministry of Finance paid over N672. 14 billion for this excess petrol in 2011? Because out of the 58.9 million litres imported daily, the daily local consumption was only less than 35 million litres!


4. Can you deny and refute the intelligence reports of security agencies that major oil marketers conspired with some legislators at a secret meeting in the U.S. to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan before the approval of the 2012 Budget, to prevent the implementation since it has no allocation for the fuel subsidy on petrol?


5. These intelligence reports are currently being verified by Nigerians Reports.


6. Finally, your email does not work and your website is STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION after making billions of dollars from the PSF?


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
Publisher/Editor
Nigerians Report

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Potential Benefits From Budget 2012 And Sure-P

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Potential Benefits From Budget 2012 And Sure-P

~ By Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Against the backdrop of the recent debate on the removal of fuel subsidies , and the calculated misinformation being peddled by opponents of this policy, it is pertinent to highlight, in more tangible terms, some of the significant allocations that have been made to essential sectors of the economy, both in the 2012 budget as well as the recently-launched Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). This programme is a 3—4 year programme designed to mitigate the immediate impact of the removal of fuel subsidy and accelerate economic growth through investments in critically-needed infrastructure.

It is noteworthy that, while the 2012 budget allocated the best possible amounts to these critical projects, additional resources are allocated to the same projects in the SURE programme to ensure that they are completed at faster rates than envisioned in the 2012 budget. Some of the projects and allocations are as follow:

WORKS
• N11bn is allocated to the Abuja-Lokoja road in the 2012 Budget, with an additional N14bn from the SURE-P.
• N6bn is allocated to Benin-Ore-Shagamu, with an additional N16.5bn to be financed through SURE-P.
• N3bn is allocated to Port-Harcourt–Onitsha road, with an additional N5bn from the SURE-P.
• Similarly, N18.5bn is allocated to Kano-Maiduguri road, with an additional N1.5bn from SURE-P.
• Provision is made in the 2012 budget for construction of the Second Niger Bridge (N2bn) and Oweto Bridge (N3.5bn). An additional N5.5bn and N4bn would be spent on both bridges respectively from the SURE-P.
• Provision of N23.5bn is made for maintenance of roads and bridges across the country through Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

POWER
• The total amount allocated to the power sector (including Bulk Trader, Nelmco, and Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) and PHCN privatization) is N248bn.
• A sum of N392 million allocated to Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company and N650 million for Bulk Trader.
• In the 2012 Budget Proposal, a sum of N3.7bn is allocated to the Kaduna Dual Fired Power Plant.
• Similarly, N2bn is allocated for the completion of the small and medium hydro-electric power plants Oyan Dam Hydro Power (Ogun state).
• A sum of N2.2bn is allocated for feasibility studies regarding the establishment of coal fired power plants.
• Additionally, N155bn will be spent on Power projects (Mambilla power plant, Coal Power Plant and Small Hydro power plants) through the SURE-P over the period 2012-2015.


AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT
• The total allocation to the sector is N78.98bn
• N4bn is allocated to research and mechanisation
• Provision of N1.22bn is made for the construction of access roads to each of the 6 Staple Crop Processing Zones.
• Value Chain: N720 million is allocated to the development of value chains in cocoa, rice, maize, livestock, cotton and others sectors.
• N1bn is allocated to the Price stabilisation scheme.
• N610 million to facilitate for the access to credit, fertilizers and seeds.
• An additional sum of US$500m is expected from Development Finance Institute to support the sector.

TRANSPORT
• Rail lines: The 2012 budget allocates N3.95bn, N3.15bn and N3.35bn to the construction and completion of Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan and Ajaokuta-Warri rail lines respectively. In addition, the SURE-P allocates N11.6bn to the Abuja-Kaduna line and N9.3bn to the Lagos-Ibadan line.
• Provision of N800mn is made for the procurement of wagons, coaches and locomotives.
• Dredging project: N1.2bn is allocated to the dredging of Lower River Niger (Warri-Baro).

EDUCATION
• The total allocation to the sector is N400bn
• N11.6bn is allocated for existing universities.
• N7.7bn is allocated for the restructuring to Unity Schools.
• National Teachers Institute: The 2012 budget allocates N3.5bn to the retraining of teachers for basic education and training in innovative teaching.
• Moreover, an additional N24.6bn will be spent on vocational training centres from the SURE-P.

HEALTH
• N4.6bn is allocated to the Polio eradication programme
• N3.5bn is allocated to the procurement of HIV/AIDS Drugs
• The sum of N174 million is allocated to Integrated maternal, newborn and child health strategy, including capacity building, and promoting school health initiatives.
• N8.42bn is allocated to Federal University Teaching Hospitals.
• N6bn and N3.6bn are allocated to the procurement of vaccines and midwifery service scheme respectively.
• An additional N73.8bn will be spent on Maternal and Child heath from SURE-P.

AVIATION
• Various Airports: N22.2bn is allocated for the modernization of airport terminals and upgrading of facilities in the six geopolitical zones of the country.


FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION
• N3.1bn is allocated to the construction of a 20,000m3/hr lower Usuma dam Water Treatment Plants.
• N2.5bn is allocated to the construction of Cultural and Millennium Tower.
• N1.25bn is allocated to the Development of Idu Industrial Area (1b Engineering Infrastructure).
• Various road projects including the completion of roads B6, B12 and circle road (N4bn), rehabilitation and expansion of airport Expressway (N7.53bn).


NIGER DELTA
• East-West Road (Section I—V): The 2012 budget allocated N22.2bn to this road. In order to accelerate its completion, an additional N21.7bn is allocated in 2012 from the SURE programme.

WATER RESOURCES
• N1.2bn is allocated to the construction of Central Ogbia Regional Water Project.
• A total of N4bn are allocated to the construction of dams.
• Other provision for water facilities (i.e. regional water supply scheme) of N8bn.
• Rehabilitation of river Basin authorities (12 nos) of N13.91bn.
• Moreover, over the period 2012-2015 an additional N205.5bn will be invested in rural water scheme, water supply scheme, irrigation scheme and other water related projects from SURE-P.

These projects will not only significantly improve the country’s infrastructure, but will also create millions of jobs for Nigerians. This struggle is not between the government and Nigerians, because government is squarely on the side of the people. The fight is between the government and Nigerians on one side, and persons who are bent on continuing their age-long “milking” of the system for their personal benefits on the other side.

Please let us support government’s efforts at defeating these persons, and creating a better country for all Nigerians.




~ Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is Nigeria’s Honouralbe Minister of Finance.


Source: Sent by Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, Publisher, Supple Magazine.

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There Was A Plot To Impeach President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

Nigerians Report is yet to verify the purported plot to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan, but was reported to have failed.

The plot was hatched in the U.S. to impeach him before the approval of the 2012 Budget and to stop the removal of the fuel subsidy on petrol. Top oil marketers of the cabal and legislators conspired in the plot, including the richest black man on earth according to the Forbes magazine. The plot leaked to President Goodluck Jonathan and the evidence is all on tape. That was why he hurriedly announced the removal of the fuel subsidy on petrol ahead of the scheduled deregulation of the downstream sector later in the year.

The plotters who have scammed the government for years are even major donors and sponsors of first Presidential Library in Nigeria and also sponsored the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. But can the President have the balls to prosecute the sacred cows who presently are above the law, because the law is an ass in country where there is a culture of impunity where public administration is an institution of corruption.The plotters are the enemies of Nigeria.

~ By Orikinla Osinachi


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Dear President Goodluck Jonathan, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Diezani Alison-Madueke

Dear President Goodluck Jonathan, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Diezani Alison-Madueke


Dear President Goodluck Jonathan, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Diezani Alison-Madueke, there is no need for long speeches now, because the chickens have come home to roost.

It is not rocket science to know the facts on the issues at stake on the 419 scam called Fuel Subsidy on Petrol.
I stand by what Prof. Tam David-West said, that there is really no subsidy on petrol, because from the cost of production to the filling station, the real pump price of petrol should even be less than N65 per litre since it is from our crude oil.
And why should the petrol from our own refineries be sold at the same price with the imported petrol?
Again, why should you inflate the pump price of the same subsidized fuel imported last year 2011?
When the 2012 8udget is still before the National Assembly?

If you made no provision for subsidy in the 2012 Budget, then why not wait until the implementation before increasing the pump price of petrol?
Is it not a rip off to import petrol with your so called "SUBSIDY" in 2011 and now sell it to us at a NO SUBSIDY price?

Finally, you pretend to be ignorant of members of the so called CABAL, but God knows you are a LIAR, because you know them all as I listed them on Nigerian Times: The Real Beneficiaries of the Misappropriated Fuel Subsidy in Nigeria.

Prove your competence or please RESIGN!

~ By Orikinla Osinachi

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Nigerians Strike over Removal of Fuel Subsidy on Petrol

Nationwide strike over removal of fuel subsidy shuts down Nigeria.




Nigerians rally against the removal of fuel subsidy on petrol at the popular Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos.Photo Credit: Nairaland.

In spite of the spate of terrorist attacks by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic Jihad group and other unidentified elements of the lunatic fringe on rampage in the middle belt and northern states, the nationwide strike to protest the undemocratic removal of the fuel subsidy on petrol has shutdown all commercial activities in Nigeria, except for neighbourhood convenience stores and canteens where the people could buy foods and drinks to feed and stay the course of the strike action.


Prof. Pat Utomi among protesters on the street at Falomo roundabout in Ikoyi, Lagos. Photo Credit: Nairaland.

The organized labour unions, Nigerian Bar Association, human rights bodies, student unions, both academic and non-academic staff unions and other coalitions called Occupy Nigeria led the vanguard of the nationwide strike with mass protests and rallies in every state in the country, from the commercial capital of the mega city of Lagos to the federal capital of Abuja. Millions of others joined on the popular social networks on the Internet using Googleplus, Facebook, Twitter and other online media to communicate and join the debate on the pros and cons of the strike.

Thousands of people rallied at the popular Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota on the Lagos mainland and Eagle Square in Abuja as leaders of labour unions and civil liberty organizations made protest speeches and chanted solidarity slogans chorused by the crowds. At the Gani Fawehinmi Park, they sang protest songs performed by Femi Kuti the first son of the legendary Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti of blessed memory whose hit songs were also amplified to motivate the protesters. Popular entertainers like Reggae artiste Ras Kimono and revolutionary political leaders like Mr. Femi Falana, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Mr. Yinka Odumakin and Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin addressed the rally.

All local and international flights have been cancelled until further notice and even road transporters were off the streets, except for those using their private vehicles for personal movement.

The government tried to convince public servants to ignore the strike and go on with their normal duties, but most of them could not even do so in fear of the repercussions of disobeying the general consensus of the organized labour unions.

Billions of naira will be lost. But the greatest loser is President Goodluck Jonathan who has lost the support and trust of the majority of Nigerians who voted for him during the last presidential election. They have now turned against him for betraying their trust and have passed a vote of no confidence in him. Many of his celebrated supporters who endorsed him said they regret doing so and cursed him for deceiving them. The House of Representatives had an emergency session on Sunday and dismissed his unilateral removal of the fuel subsidy. He has also done more harm to his ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); because the populace now sees it as an anti-people party that is oppressing and suppressing the democratic will of the people. And it would be a miracle for the PDP to win another presidential election in Nigeria, except by gerrymandering and rigging.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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Nigerian Legislators Dismiss the Removal of Fuel Subsidy

Inside the House of Representatives of the 7th National Assembly (2011-2015)

After their unruly emergency session on Sunday afternoon, the members of the Nigerian House of Representatives finally resolved to dismiss the unpopular removal of the fuel subsidy on petrol by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. And they advised the organized labour unions to dialogue with the government instead of going ahead with the nationwide strike planned to start tomorrow Monday January 9, 2012.

"We are sitting near a keg of gunpowder and we are playing with fire," said Rep. Pally Isumafe Obokhuaime Iriase of the Action Congress of Nigeria. "This will be the last straw that will break the camel's back if we do not act."

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