Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Global Nominating Commission Launches Campaign to Raise Number of Women on Boards Worldwide




11 Dec 2012 16:00 Africa/Lagos
   
Global Nominating Commission Launches Campaign to Raise Number of Women on Boards Worldwide

Newly Formed Commission Identifies Action Steps and Resources to Build Diverse "Talent Supply Chain"

NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Announced at the WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) Global Institute this spring, the WCD Global Nominating Commission has launched a series of initiatives – beginning this fall and to be rolled out in 2013 – designed to improve board diversity worldwide. Co-chaired by Myra Hart , Ann Korologos , and Maggie Wilderotter , the Commission is a high-level task force of top board nominating chairs and committee members, as well as CEOs, dedicated to actively building diverse boards and candidate slates. In the first six months, the group has grown rapidly, with 40 members representing six continents.

Along with debuting new board education seminars in early 2013 – first in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and then moving on to other cities – the Commission is today issuing its "Best Practices for Director Selection and Development." The report comes out just as Catalyst releases its 2012 Catalyst Census of Fortune 500 Women Board Directors , which reports that this year women hold 16.6% of board seats of Fortune 500 companies, a number unchanged from last year, and years previous.

Ilene H. Lang , president and CEO of Catalyst and a member of the WCD Global Nominating Commission, says: "Despite heightened conversation globally around women's representation on corporate boards, the 2012 Catalyst Census once again showed no change for the seventh consecutive year – and the challenge is not lack of qualified women." She continues, "our research also shows the advantage to companies when women gain access to the boardroom. Catalyst hopes that by bringing research-based data to the table, we can work together towards gender diversity on corporate boards, which will enable companies to benefit, finally, from the expertise of their talented women leaders."

"Companies are becoming starkly aware of the push for diverse boards from multiple stakeholders, including regulators, but they need guidance on how to get there," says Susan Stautberg , a member of the Global Nominating Commission and co-founder/co-chair of WCD.

"Our goal is to provide decision makers with a roadmap to build diverse boards that are multi-gender, multi-skilled, multi-national, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational. In order to do this, WCD is creating partnerships with leading organizations around the world such as Catalyst."

The Commission has developed Best Practices for Director Selection and Development as a tool for nominating committees and other influencers of board diversity. Produced by KPMG, it is the first comprehensive resource to pull together best practices for boosting diversity as well as links to:

    Articles and thought leadership about diverse boards and governance practices;
    Research reports on the metrics and impact of diversity; and
    Director databases and education tools.


"Ultimately, the goal is to improve governance, which is a vital factor in helping organizations survive the current economic and political uncertainty globally," says Ann Korologos, a director of Harman International Industries, Vulcan Materials, Host Hotels & Resorts, Kellogg, AMR Corp, and American Airlines, and former U.S. Secretary of Labor. "New mindsets are required for the multiplicity of challenges boards face – so that we can think expansively and consider all the opportunities."

"Think of our Commission in terms of a supply chain, and our mission as ensuring that nominating committees have a ready pool of great candidates for every type of board," says Maggie Wilderotter, chairman and CEO of Frontier Communications (NASDAQ: FTR), and a director of Procter & Gamble, Xerox, and Catalyst. "By streamlining the nominating process, we speed the time it takes to get a great director on a board, which makes it easier to nominate the next candidate. When we reach the magic number of three diverse directors, I believe the process will take on a life of its own at that company."

WomenCorporateDirectors has exploded in membership worldwide, with new chapters opened in Cleveland, Finland, Japan, Milan, New Zealand, and San Diego this fall, and plans for Chile, Netherlands, Panama, Philippines, Rome, and Turkey in early 2013. The organization now comprises more than 1,800 members serving on over 2,100 boards worldwide. WCD issued a "Call to Action" at its inaugural Global Institute in 2011 – calling on multiple stakeholders to do their part in improving board diversity – and the Commission's recent and upcoming activities mark the progress in shifting board perspectives.

"As companies expand globally in their supplier networks, employee bases, and customer markets, they need the new kind of thinking that more diverse boards can bring," says Dr. Myra Hart, a director of Kraft Foods, Nina McLemore, Inc., and the Smithsonian Institution. "The Global Nominating Commission is already helping companies think differently about the directors they bring on who will help guide them into the next chapter of their growth."

For more information about the Global Nominating Commission and WomenCorporateDirectors, or to receive a copy of the Best Practices report, please contact CEO Davia Temin or Managing Director Suzanne Oaks of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or news@temin.co .

About WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD)

WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors, comprised of more than 1,800 members serving on over 2,100 boards in 49 chapters around the world. In 2012, WCD launched the Global Nominating Commission, a high-level task force of select corporate board nominating committee chairs and members from around the world, as well as CEOs, focused on proactively building diverse boards and candidate slates. Each year, WCD conducts a Global Board Survey in conjunction with Heidrick & Struggles and researchers from the Harvard Business School. Heidrick & Struggles and KPMG are Global Founding Partners of WCD.

WCD has 49 global chapters, located in Arizona, Atlanta, Beijing, Boston, Brazil, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Colombia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gulf Co-operative Council, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Indonesia, Israel,, Japan, London, Los Angeles/Orange County, Malaysia, Melbourne, Mexico, Milan, Minnesota, Morocco, Mumbai, New York, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern California, Peru, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, South Africa, South Florida, Switzerland, Sydney, Tennessee, Toronto, and Washington DC. For more information, visit www.womencorporatedirectors.com.

SOURCE WomenCorporateDirectors

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



The 2012 Catalyst Census: Fortune 500 Women Board Directors provides  critical statistics to gauge women’s advancement into leadership and  highlights the gender diversity gap. Each year Catalyst tracks:
  • Women’s share of all board seats and of positions of board leadership.
  • The representation of women of color directors.
  • Companies with 0 percent, 25 percent or more, and 40 percent or more women directors.
  • Companies with zero to three or more women of color directors.

The appendices provide additional points of comparison by region  and industry as well as list companies with the highest and lowest  representation of women board directors.
  • In 2012, women held 16.6 percent of board seats at Fortune 500 companies.
  • In both 2011 and 2012, less than one-fifth of companies had 25  percent or more women directors, while one-tenth had no women serving on  their boards. In 2012, women of color held 3.3 percent of all board  seats.

In response to the stagnant growth in women board directors, Catalyst has created the Corporate Board Resource, a unique directory of CEO-endorsed board-ready women.


Appendices










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Delta and Virgin Atlantic To Form Strategic Alliance


11 Dec 2012 14:01 Africa/Lagos

Delta and Virgin Atlantic To Form Strategic Alliance
Delta to invest $360 million in acquiring a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic
New joint venture to include expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhanced customer benefits

ATLANTA and LONDON, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. have reached an agreement for a new joint venture that will create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the U.K. and North America, offering greater benefits for customers traveling on those routes.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090202/DELTALOGO )

As part of this joint venture agreement, Delta will invest $360 million in Virgin Atlantic, acquiring a 49 percent stake currently held by Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain the majority 51 percent stake and Virgin Atlantic Airways will retain its brand and operating certificate.

Highlights of the agreement include:

A fully integrated joint venture that will operate on a "metal neutral" basis with both airlines sharing the costs and revenues from all joint venture flights.
A combined trans-Atlantic network between the United Kingdom and North America with 31 peak-day round-trip flights.
Enhanced benefits for customers including cooperation on services between New York and London, with a combined total of nine daily round-trip flights from London-Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
Shared access to Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse airport lounges for elite passengers.

The airlines will file an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for antitrust immunity, which will allow a closer relationship and coordination on schedules and operations. The transaction also will be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union's competition regulator and other relevant authorities. The share purchase and the joint venture are expected to be implemented by the end of 2013.

"Our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic will strengthen both airlines and provide a more effective competitor between North America and the U.K., particularly on the New York-London route, which is the largest airline route between the U.S. and Europe," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson. "By combining the strengths of our two companies in a joint venture, we can provide customers with a seamless network between North America and the U.K., and continue building a better airline for our customers, employees and shareholders."

Steve Ridgway, Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive, added: "Consumers will reap the rewards of this partnership between two great airline brands on services from the UK to the USA, Canada and Mexico through a shared ethos in the highest standards of customer service. This joint venture will deliver much more effective competition at Heathrow.

"Both airlines are confident that the Department of Transportation will be as convinced as we are of the extensive consumer benefits arising from this joint venture, with expedited approval being granted by the end of 2013. The trans-Atlantic market is Virgin Atlantic's heartland - it's where we started. By aligning with Delta we can continue to grow our North American network and offer greatly enhanced connectivity across the USA."

Virgin Atlantic President, Sir Richard Branson, commented: "This is an exciting day in Virgin Atlantic history. It signals the start of a new era of expansion, financial growth and many opportunities for our customers and our business. I truly look forward to the possibilities our partnership with Delta will offer. We have always been known for our innovation and service and have punched above our weight for 28 years. That is why our customers love us so much. We will retain that independent spirit but move forward in a strengthened partnership with Delta."

Delta and Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to earn and redeem miles across Delta's SkyMiles and Virgin Atlantic's FlyingClub frequent flyer programs. Premium customers also will have reciprocal access to the Delta Sky Club and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse airport lounges. Full details will be announced as services become available.

The partnership allows both carriers to offer a greatly expanded network at Heathrow and to overcome slot constraints, which have limited the growth and competitive capability of both airlines. The two carriers will operate a total of 31 peak-day round-trip flights between the U.K. and North America, 23 of which operate at London-Heathrow. The enlarged network will benefit customers of both carriers by providing greater access to a broader network, improved connectivity and convenient booking options.

As part of a $3 billion investment in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities, all of Delta's flights between the U.S. and London-Heathrow feature full flat-bed seats offering direct aisle access in the BusinessElite cabin. These flights also offer Delta's popular Economy Comfort seating in the forward section of the economy cabin. Economy Comfort offers four additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline compared to standard economy seats. All cabins offer in-seat audio and video on demand with a broad range of in-flight entertainment options. Delta also will begin introducing in-flight WiFi service on international flights beginning in 2013.

Virgin Atlantic has recently completed a £150m upgrade program. A new Upper Class cabin has been introduced across its Airbus A330 aircraft, which features the longest fully flat bed in the sky. This is complemented by a redesigned onboard bar and new Clubhouses at both JFK and Newark airports. The airline's Boeing 747 leisure fleet has been completely refitted and features onboard connectivity and VERA Touch – Virgin Atlantic's award-winning touch screen in-flight entertainment system – offering passengers hours of entertainment at their fingertips.

Corporate and travel agency customers of both airlines also will benefit from an aligned sales effort on both sides of the Atlantic.

About Delta
Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. During the past year, Delta was named domestic "Airline of the Year" by the readers of Travel Weekly magazine, was named the "Top Tech-Friendly U.S. Airline" by PCWorld magazine for its innovation in technology, won the Business Travel News Annual Airline Survey and was the recipient of 12 Executive Travel Magazine Leading Edge Awards for U.S. airlines. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to nearly 313 destinations in 58 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, a world-class airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $3 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

About Virgin
Virgin Atlantic flies to 34 destinations worldwide, including locations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Far East and Australia. Some of its most recent additions to its flying network include Cancun, Vancouver and Mumbai.

Virgin Atlantic has enjoyed huge popularity, winning top business, consumer and trade awards from around the world and was recently placed 8th in the UK Coolest Brands League. The airline has pioneered a range of innovations setting new standards of service, which its competitors have subsequently sought to follow. Despite Virgin Atlantic's growth the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation.

Virgin Atlantic currently has a fleet of aircraft which includes 747-400s, A340-300s, A340-600s and A330-300s. The airline is expecting delivery of 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners from 2014.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

CONTACT: Delta Corporate Communications, +1-404-715-2554, news archive at news.delta.com; or Virgin Atlantic Corporate Communications, +1-203-750-2570

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







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Nigerian Journalist Assaulted by Governor's Security Staff

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.

11 Dec 2012 04:26 Africa/Lagos

Nigerian journalist assaulted by governor's security staff

NEW YORK, December 11, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Authorities in Nigeria must immediately investigate Sunday's attack on a journalist by a state governor's security operatives and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Three plainclothes operatives of the State Security Service beat to unconsciousness Kazeem Ibrahym, a journalist with The Nation newspaper, at the Akwa Ibom State Government House in the capital Uyo, when he tried to cover Gov. Godswill Akpabio's birthday celebration, according to local journalists and news reports. Ibrahym and other journalists were initially denied entry to the hall by security operatives until Anietie Ukpe, the governor's chief press secretary, intervened, news reports said. Ibrahym told CPJ he was third in the line of journalists to enter when a security agent refused him entry with a push. His request to know why he was being refused despite identifying himself and having an invitation to the event prompted other security agents to gang up and beat him, he said.

"They came from my back, held my neck, pulled me to the ground and continued beating me. I lost consciousness at that point," Ibrahym told CPJ. Ibrahym regained consciousness after a few minutes; he sustained bruises on his back, according to local journalists. The Nation reported that one of Ibrahym's assailants also threatened Ukpe, the governor's press secretary, when he tried to intervene.

"We are deeply disturbed by the savage assault on Kazeem Ibrahym and call on the State Security Service to investigate and bring to account everyone responsible," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita in New York. "Journalists must be allowed to cover public events without fear for their safety."

Marilyn Ogar, spokeswoman for the State Security Service, did not immediately respond to CPJ's calls and a text seeking comment. Joe Effiong, the Akwa Ibom State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, told CPJ the union is meeting on what action it will take.

Journalists have suffered a series of attacks in the state, according to news reports. On June 9, during local elections, a senior police officer ordered his men to beat a correspondent for the News Agency of Nigeria and the editor of News Net, an Akwa Ibom-based tabloid, who both lost their equipment, according to news reports. On March 8, a journalist with a local tabloid was assaulted by police officers during a protest by community youth against a Chinese-managed oil company, Sahara Reporters reported. A journalist with The Punch newspaper was assaulted and sent out of the state's High Court at an event marking Nigeria's new legal year in September, according to state-run News Agency of Nigeria.


Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

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Monday, December 10, 2012

GHANA 2012 – PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

John Dramani Mahama.

John Mahama wins Ghana's presidential election


10 Dec 2012 11:54 Africa/Lagos


GHANA 2012 – PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

ACCRA, December 10, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- PRELIMINARY DECLARATION




I. INTRODUCTION


1. Pursuant to the Constitutional Convergence Principles of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001), and within the framework of the Program of Assistance to Member States organizing elections, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, deployed an ECOWAS Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana on 7 December 2012.


2. The ECOWAS EOM, made up of 250 observers, is led by H.E Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is supported by Dr. Christiana Thorpe, Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Sierra Leone National Electoral Commission and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions, as Deputy and, the President of the ECOWAS Commission. The Mission includes delegations from the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, West African Ambassadors accredited to Abuja, and the Community Parliament and Court of Justice. It also includes experts drawn from the relevant Ministries and Electoral Management Bodies of Member States, Civil Society Organizations, and the Media. It is supported by a 22-member technical team from the Commission.


3. Prior to the deployment, ECOWAS had been monitoring the political and security situation in the country in the build-up to the elections through its Early Warning Mechanism. Furthermore, in October 2012, the President of the Commission dispatched a Fact-Finding Mission to the country to interact with the principal stakeholders in the electoral process, with a view to assessing the state of preparedness for the elections.


II. BACKGROUND


4. The 7 December 2012 General Elections in Ghana were the sixth to be conducted since 1992 under the Fourth Republic. The previous elections had seen three alternations of power between the two leading political parties - the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The elections took place against the background of the sudden death of the sitting President, H.E. John Evans Atta Mills, on 24 July 2012. In addition, the Electoral Commission was introducing the biometric registration and verification system for the first time in electoral administration in the country. All this added up to a highly competitive electoral process.


III. ARRIVAL AND DEPLOYMENT


5. The ECOWAS Observer Mission began arriving in the country on 28 November 2012. On arrival, the Mission maintained contacts with the State authorities; interacted with political party leaders, the Judiciary, the Electoral Commission, security agencies, and the media; and held consultations with other observation missions, including the African Union, the Commonwealth, the European Union Delegation and Civil Society Organizations. It also monitored the concluding phase of the electioneering campaign.


6. Following a briefing and orientation session on 5 December 2012, 125 teams of ECOWAS observers were deployed to Districts throughout the ten administrative Regions of Ghana to monitor proceedings on Election Day as follows: 12 Districts in Greater Accra Region; 13 in Volta Region; 12 in Eastern Region; 25 in Central Region; 18 in Western Region; 19 in Ashanti Region; 19 in Brong Ahafo Region; 17 in Northern Region; 7 in Upper West Region; and 10 in Upper East Region.


7. Having closely monitored the preparations towards the elections, analyzed the reports and feedbacks from Team leaders in the field, and after a debriefing session with returning observers, the ECOWAS Observer Mission to the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Ghana makes a Preliminary Declaration as follows:


IV. THE PREPARATIONS


A. The Legal Framework


8. The 1992 Constitution provides the framework and basis for the laws governing the conduct of inclusive elections at all levels, consistent with regional and international standards. However, the decision of the Electoral Commission to create 45 new Constituencies following the late publication of the 2010 Census in May 2012, barely six months to the polls, caused tensions in the run-up to the elections. On the whole, electoral adjudication provisions are quite elaborate and the Electoral Adjudication Manual provides a useful guide to procedural matters regarding disputes.


B. The Electoral Commission


9. The Electoral Commission exhibited financial and operational autonomy as well as credibility in the preparations of the 2012 elections. The decision to go biometric in the registration exercise in order to improve efficiency and cut down fraud were commendable.


C. The Biometric System and the Registration Exercise


10. The introduction of the biometric registration system greatly improved the security of the registration exercise through multiple and complementary identification (Photo ID, finger-prints and secure barcodes and serial numbers). It also reduced the incidence of double registration in comparison to the manual registration exercise. However, the novelty of the equipment and lack of ample testing and training time resulted in hitches and the late publication of the Consolidated Voters Register, only two weeks to the election.


D. Women's Participation in the Electoral Process


11. Women constitute 51.2 percent of the population. However, while women's participation as voters in the electoral process was massively impressive, their aspirations for elective positions in the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections were severely limited. There were no women among the seven candidates in the Presidential election. Of the 1, 332 candidates vying for the 275 parliamentary seats, only 134 were women, constituting a paltry 10.06 percent.


E. Conflict Management Mechanism


12. Ghana is endowed with an internal conflict management and resolution architecture, a best practice example applicable also to electoral disputes. The National Peace Council (NPC), originally composed of faith groups and civil society organizations for Track II conflict resolution, was enacted into law in May 2011 under Act 811, with plans to develop a similar mechanism at the regional and district levels. The NPC was instrumental, alongside the traditional Manshia Palace and CSOs, in bringing the major party leaders to sign up to a non-violence pact – the Kumasi Declaration – on 27 November 2012. The Observer Team visited and held discussions with members of the Council before the elections. The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), though not regularly convened, also played a major role in electoral dispute resolution and consensus building in the run-up to the elections.


V. ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGN


13. In the main, the electioneering campaign did not witness any major incident and generally passed-off peacefully.


VI. ELECTION DAY


A. Arrival of Stakeholders at Polling Centers


14. 7 December 2012 began with long and meandering queues of enthusiastic and expectant voters of all categories – women, youth, the aged, nursing mothers, and the physically challenged – some of whom had arrived at the polling centers as early as 01:00 am. By the official opening time of 07:00 am, the centers were filled to capacity. The demographic spread among the voters showed a good mix of women, youth and the elderly.


15. At most of the polling centers observed, electoral officials and materials, in sufficient quantities, arrived by the official opening time, allowing voting to commence within one hour of the official time of 07:00 am. In a number of centers across the country, however, voting was delayed by between two and five hours due to the late arrival of electoral officials and/or materials. These include Golden Gate Regi Manel and Manet Court Estates, and Atta Oko Forward polling Centers in Accra;


16. Security at the centers was provided by the Ghana Police Service, supplemented by the Prison, Ambulance and Fire Services, and other para-security agencies. Security was considered inadequate at some centers with large numbers of voters.


17. In most of the polling centres visited, agents of the two main parties were present in addition to, the occasional presence of the representatives of the other parties. Observers from the African Union, the Commonwealth, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, were observed in some of the polling stations.


18. At a number of polling stations, inadequate measures to refer voters to designated polling stations, coupled with the inability of queue control officials to perform their functions satisfactorily, led to restlessness and agitation within the queue. From the observations of the Mission, the absence of trained queue control officials and the absence of directions to lead voters to their designated polling stations created confusion and tensions in some polling stations, particularly at the commencement of voting.


19. The situation was made worse at some polling stations across the country, in particular parts of the Greater Accra, Northern, Upper East and West Regions, where electoral officials and/or materials did not arrive for several hours.


20. The arrangements at the polling stations guaranteed the secrecy of the ballot; however, the layout of the polling booths in some stations had the effect of compromising the secrecy of the ballot.


21. The improper functioning of the Biometric Verification Machines (BVMs) and inadequate training of some BVM operators caused the incomplete identification of voters, delays in the voting process, and at times the disenfranchisement of duly-registered voters due to contradictory interpretation of the procedures by the Electoral omission officials.


22. In some polling centers, however, the BVMs completely broke down. In the absence of back-up BVMs or their early replacement, voting was suspended for several hours or postponed till the next day.


23. As a consequence, tension and disturbances were recorded at a number of polling centers. These include centers in Ayawaso Central and Ablekuma South; Dzorwwolu J.H.S. 2 (CO 61402); Madina Local Government Training School in the Okaikwei Constituency; Salaga EA Primary School HO 60201 and New Market Centre HO 60402 (East Gonja District) in Northern Region.


24. Where voting did take place, the process followed the rules, guaranteeing the transparency and credibility of the process. The polling officials demonstrated adequate efficiency and professionalism in carrying out their duties while party agents ably watched over their party and candidates' interests.


25. ECOWAS observers observed cases of suspected underage voting in some polling stations. This was however not material enough to affect the credibility of the elections.


26. At several polling centers observed, the physically challenged, the aged and nursing mothers, were supported in accessing polling stations and in exercising their franchise. In others, the special needs voters, particularly nursing mothers, were treated just like the other voters.


27. Polls closed at the official time of 5:00 pm at several polling stations where there were no glitches and delays. However, at a few stations, the presiding officials insisted on ending the voting at the prescribed time despite the presence of voters on the queue and contrary to laid down regulations.


28. In spite of the late closing of polls in many Polling Stations, the tallying and certification processes at the polling stations were carried out in a professional, transparent and credible manner, and under the watch of party agents and observers, even though there were challenges of adequate lighting where there was no electricity.


VII. PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


29. In light of the preceding observations and analysis, and the fact that voting has unusually extended into a second day for reasons enumerated above, the ECOWAS Observer Mission to the 2012 General Elections wishes to make the following preliminary conclusions:


30. The ECOWAS Observation Mission notes the delays caused by the late delivery/non-delivery of electoral materials and the malfunctioning of the Biometric Verification Machines in some cases.


31. Against this background, the Mission notes that the decision to exclusively use the BVMs for voter identification without a fallback manual identification mechanism based on the physical Voter IDs and the Manual Voters Register, was arrived at by the majority of stakeholders, including most of the political parties and civil society within the framework of IPAC consultations. The adopted slogan “No Verification, No Vote” was, therefore, a collective decision.


32. The ECOWAS Mission has so far found no reason to suspect that the breakdown of the biometric identification mechanism was deliberate. The Mission therefore urges all the stakeholders in the process, in particular the party leaders and the media, to exercise restraint and demonstrate a high sense of patriotism as the Electoral Commission endeavors to rectify the situation and bring the electoral process to a successful end.


33. Ghana has come a long way since 1992 in her commendable efforts to ensure transparent and credible electoral management processes, and strengthen democratic culture. All stakeholders therefore have a responsibility to preserve these achievements.


34. Against this background, the ECOWAS Mission is of the view that apart from the logistical challenges that caused undue delays in completing the electoral process, the Electoral Commission provided the necessary environment and facilities to eligible Ghanaians to exercise their franchise in a secure and transparent manner and ECOWAS expects this spirit to continue till the concluding phase of the electoral process. In the main, the electoral process was peaceful and transparent.


35. While appealing to political parties and candidates to accept the eventual verdict that would emerge from the poll, it does not exclude the possibility of disputes. In that event, ECOWAS enjoins all aggrieved parties to resort to only legal means in seeking redress. The ECOWAS Observer Mission will continue to closely monitor the concluding phases of the electoral process, in particular the voting process in the extended ballots, as well as the tallying and declaration of provisional results by the EC and should the need arise, will not hesitate to make further declarations.


36. The ECOWAS Observer Mission warmly congratulates the electorate of Ghana for their courage, patience, determination and commitment in the face of the challenges enumerated earlier and appeals to them to maintain the same spirit till the end of the process. It also congratulates the security agencies for their commendable role in ensuring election security.


37. The ECOWAS Observer Mission urges the EC to expedite action on the proclamation of the provisional results, to prevent further anxiety within the polity.


VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS


38. In the light of the challenges identified by the ECOWAS Observers in the field, the ECOWAS EOM makes the following recommendations:


A. The Electoral Commission


39. Despite the challenges, the ECOWAS EOM recognizes the advantages of the Biometric Electoral Process. In that regard, the Mission urges the Electoral Commission to continue perfecting the equipment through their use in lesser elections, including the District Assembly Polls.


40. The Electoral Commission, in cooperation with the National Commission on Civic Education, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Civil Society Organizations and the Media should intensify the education of all the stakeholders involved in the electoral process, particularly electoral officials and the electorate on the evolving electoral process in the country.


41. The Electoral Commission should seriously consider the adoption of a viable back-up verification mechanism to the BVM, by exploring the alternative use of voter IDs and the manual voters register.


42. The ECOWAS Observer Mission encourages the Electoral Commission to review the distribution of electorates among the polling centres to minimize the wide disparity in numbers assigned to polling stations across the country and to fine-tune the system of distribution of voters at polling stations as the alphabetical order system created a lot of disaffection.


B. The Media


43. The ECOWAS Mission urges the in-coming Parliament to expedite action on the adoption of a media regulatory framework capable of checking the excesses observed in the course of the electoral process.


C. Women's Participation


44. The ECOWAS Mission urges the in-coming administration and Parliament to consider the adoption of affirmative action to enhance the capacity of women particularly their participation in the elected positions in the country through special support to women, as well as political parties that promote the active role of women in the leadership within their parties and as candidates in future elections.


D. Inter-Party Advisory Committee


45. The in-coming Parliament may consider endowing the Inter-Party Advisory Committee with the mandate of an autonomous statutory state body as a platform for regular and predictable consultations among the stakeholders in the electoral process, during and in-between elections.


E. The Judiciary


46. The ECOWAS EOM encourages the incoming parliament and the judiciary to review the legal framework governing elections with a view to minimizing the incidents of litigations designed to unduly delay the preparation and conduct of elections in the country.


Done at Accra, this 8th Day of December 2012


The Head of the ECOWAS Observer Mission

Source: Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)

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Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
10 Dec 2012
18:40 National Press Club to Host "NEWSMAKER" Media Briefing on Measuring Human Rights Issues and Other Goals of the First Muslim Commission on Human Rights 
14:05 Noble Corporation Announces Sale of Two Jackups for $79 million
11:54 GHANA 2012 – PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
09:37 African Union Legal Instruments and Issues Communiqué
05:28 African media urged to push for "zero tolerance to corruption"







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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Great Nation by Timi Dakolo is Nigerians Report's Song of the Year





Great Nation by Timi Dakolo is Nigerians Report's Song of the Year. 

This awesome song of patriotism is the greatest song ever done so far by any Nigerian musician in honour of Nigeria and is one of the greatest songs of all time in the history of modern music.
Timi's voice has never been so magnificent and awe-inspiring and the orchestra was perfect to produce such a great song for a great nation.  
Timi Dakolo sang this song from the depth of his heart and soul and highly lifted by the spirit of God to use him as a vessel for national revival at such a time as now when Nigerians really need divine intervention and inspiration to overcome the trials of the present social, economic and political crises challenging us and threatening the peace and unity of our beloved nation.

Timi Dakolo


Timi Dakolo is a role model, worthy of emulation among the teeming millions of Nigerian youths who are milling about like wandering sheep without a shepherd and others in the freewheeling milieu of Nigerian hip hop are making more noise than sense. They would fare better when they learn how to compose and sing good songs with substance that will not corrupt the hordes of impressionable and vulnerable young Nigerians who need the inspiration and motivation to excel and succeed in the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations.
Great Nation is a song that every citizen and friend of Nigeria should cherish and share gladly and proudly and it is more awesome than even the national anthem.
 
Great Nation is worthy of being our Song of the Year.

Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
Publisher/Editor,
Nigerians Report
Rebranding Nigeria Clubs on Facebook







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L'Oreal Paris Celebrates its Seventh Annual Women of Worth Awards

L'Oreal Paris brand ambassadors Aimee Mullins, Andie MacDowell and Julianna Margulies with L'Oreal Paris president, Karen Fondu, at the Women of Worth awards. (PRNewsFoto/L'Oreal Paris).


7 Dec 2012 15:00 Africa/Lagos

L'Oreal Paris Celebrates its Seventh Annual Women of Worth Awards and Announces National Honoree, Risa Vetri Ferman

L'Oreal Paris Spokespeople, Andie MacDowell, Julianna Margulies and Aimee Mullins, and Celebrity Guests Arianna Huffington, Allison Williams and Trisha Yearwood Gathered at Hearst Tower Last Night to Recognize 10 Outstanding Women

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night at the 2012 Women of Worth awards ceremony, L'Oreal Paris and Hearst Magazines recognized the work and efforts of 10 extraordinary women for their dedication to making a beautiful difference in the world.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121207/NY24782)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111107/NY00509LOGO-a)

The event featured an awards presentation hosted by Karen Fondu, president of L'Oreal Paris, and Michael Clinton, president, marketing and publishing director of Hearst Magazines. Special guest presenters included L'Oreal Paris spokespeople Andie MacDowell, Julianna Margulies and Aimee Mullins, as well as inspiring women in the entertainment, publishing, media and digital industries, including Arianna Huffington, Allison Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Jessica Seinfeld and Randi Zuckerberg, among others. Former Women of Worth honorees were also invited to ring in the seventh annual awards.

"Every year, these incredible women raise the bar on what it means to make a beautiful difference in our communities, and this year is no exception. L'Oreal Paris' 2012 Women of Worth honorees exemplify our brand's philosophy - 'Because You're Worth It'- and inspire those around them to be a force of positive change in our world," said L'Oreal Paris President Karen Fondu. "We are proud to recognize this year's honorees and extend a special congratulations to our National Honoree, Risa Vetri Ferman of Mission Kids."

NATIONAL HONOREE: RISA VETRI FERMAN
Chosen by a group of elite judges, each of the 10 honorees received $10,000 for her charitable cause. During the month of November, consumers had the opportunity to visit womenofworth.com and cast their vote for the honoree and charity that inspired them the most. After almost 70,000 votes, Risa Vetri Ferman , co-founder of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center , a non-profit that gives child abuse victims a voice and helps them heal, was awarded the title of National Honoree and an additional $25,000 for her charitable organization.

"I am so honored that Mission Kids was selected from all of these amazing organizations. I hope this recognition will showcase that child abuse victims still need our help, and we can all work together to keep our children safe," said L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth 2012 National Honoree Risa Vetri Ferman.

HONOREES
Each of the 2012 honorees have received $10,000 for her charitable cause. This year's amazing women represent a wide range of social causes and commitments across the country. The women behind these organizations are living proof that one person can make a difference:

Amy Paterson – Portland, OR; Co-founder of My Little Waiting Room, an organization that promotes the health and well-being of families by bringing drop-in child care to the hospital so that children can thrive as families heal.

Catherine Meek – Los Angeles, CA; Executive Director of School on Wheels, an organization that enhances the educational opportunities for homeless children by pairing homeless students one-on-one with volunteer tutors.

Dr. Ida Johnson – Davenport, IA; Founder of United Neighbors, Inc., an organization that helps others help themselves while building self-worth, and includes youth, education, housing, financial literacy and multicultural healthcare programs.

Kate Bialo – Larchmont, NY; Founder and Executive Director of Furniture Sharehouse, an organization that empowers underprivileged families by providing basic furniture to turn their house into a home.

Lorraine Kerwood – Eugene, OR; Founder of NextStep, an organization that focuses on people, the planet and education by providing community members with disabilities the tools they need to succeed academically and in the workplace.

Olivia Stinson – Charlotte, NC; Founder of Pen Pals Book Club and Support Group, an organization that strives to promote literacy and provide cultural and social activities for the children of incarcerated parents.

Risa Vetri Ferman – Abington, PA; Co-founder of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit that gives child abuse victims a voice and helps them heal.

Sandy Puc' – Littleton, CO; Co-founder of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, an organization that provides the gift of remembrance photography for parents suffering the loss of a baby.

Sarah Cronk – Bettendorf, IA; Founder of The Sparkle Effect, a student-run program that empowers teens nationwide to include students with disabilities in school-based cheerleading and dance programs.

Sue Runsvold – San Jose, CA; Founder of TurningWheels for Kids, an organization that provides a brand new bike to every low-income, at-risk child who needs or wants one.

WOMEN OF WORTH PROGRAM
The Women of Worth initiative, now in its seventh year, is inspired by L'Oreal Paris' iconic brand philosophy, "Because You're Worth It." Since its inception, the program has recognized 70 women for their outstanding devotion to their causes, with honorees embodying the spirit of the L'Oreal Paris brand through their commitment to their communities, their selflessness and their drive to make a difference in the world. For more information about the Women of Worth program and its 2012 honorees, please visit womenofworth.com.

ABOUT L'OREAL PARIS
The L'Oreal Paris division of L'Oreal USA, Inc. is a total beauty care company that combines the latest technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in luxury beauty at mass. The L'Oreal Paris brand encompasses the four major beauty categories – hair color, hair care, skincare and cosmetics – and includes such well-known brands as Preference, Excellence, Feria and Healthy Look hair color; Elnett Satin Hairspray, EverPure, EverStrong, EverSleek, EverCreme, EverStyle, VIVE Pro, Studio Line and L'Oreal Kids hair care; Youth Code, Revitalift, Age Perfect, Go 360 Clean, Sublime Bronze, Sublime Sun and Men's Expert skincare; and the Colour Riche, True Match, Infallible, and Studio Secrets Professional cosmetics collections, along with a portfolio of mascara including Voluminous, Double Extend and Telescopic among many others. For more information on L'Oreal Paris and its brands, and to get comprehensive, personalized beauty information from the experts, visit www.lorealparis.com for access to unique content and dynamic interactive features, including the exclusive "Can I Help You" diagnostic tool.

SOURCE L'Oreal Paris

CONTACT: Danielle Weingarten, L'Oreal Paris, +1-212-984-4799, dweingarten@us.loreal.com; or Elyse Koenig, Alison Brod Public Relations, +1-212-230-1800, elyse@alisonbrodpr.com

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







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Diary of the Memory Keeper Out On Kindle


Orikinla Osinachi, the most prolific African blogger, prize winning writer and author of the bestselling collection of poems Scarlet Tears of London and In the House of Dogs is out with his new Kindle book Diary of the Memory Keeper, a small collection of the true life confessions of a Nigerian artist and writer sharing his most intimate experiences of love affairs, the Nigerian civil war and contemporary issues affecting human survival and welfare in Nigeria as Nigerians are terrorized and traumatized by social and political conflicts of the turbulent 21st century.


Read the eye witness accounts of the Nigerian civil war in Memories of A Refugee Child, invasion and occupation of Ogoni Kingdom by the Nigerian Army and how soldiers attacked and raped both single and married Ogoni women in She Came in the Rainfall and the first ever true life account of the femme fatale in Nigerian literature in Love Child and other thought provoking experiences by one of the best contemporary writers from Nigeria.

You can get any of the books by clicking on the titles and Amazon links.













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Friday, December 7, 2012

Top Hot Technology and Design Jobs in 2013

Mobile Apps Developers will be more in demand in 2013. Photo Credit: DENIM GROUP.

Following are descriptions for six hot technology and design jobs in 2013, along with their anticipated average starting salaries in 2013*:

1. Mobile applications developers -- As companies strive to reach consumers on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, they need professionals who can develop for the small screen. Average starting salaries for mobile applications developers are expected to rise 9 percent, with compensation ranging from $92,750 to $133,500 .

2. Business intelligence analysts -- These individuals assist firms in making critical business decisions by gathering and analyzing data to better target marketing efforts. Business intelligence analysts should see a gain of 7.3 percent, with starting salaries ranging from $94,250 to $132,500 .

3. Network architects -- These individuals provide the backbone of a company's communication infrastructure. They assess business and applications requirements for corporate data and voice networks, making it possible for data to be shared. Network architects are forecast to receive a 7 percent starting salary boost, to between $102,250 and $146,500 , on average.

4. Interactive creative directors -- As companies of all sizes add interactive roles, they seek professionals with superb leadership skills and digital expertise to manage these growing teams. Interactive creative directors can anticipate a 4.9 percent bump in base compensation, with average starting salaries ranging from $95,500 to $160,000 .

5. Interaction designers -- The best interaction designers step into the shoes of a company's customers and maximize their online experiences. These professionals understand the connections between people and products. Those with one to five years of experience should see a gain of 4.9 percent, to between $52,250 and $77,500 .

6. User experience (UX) designers ­-- Since so much customer interaction happens online, companies are looking for workers who can create positive digital experiences. UX designers can expect a 4.8 percent salary increase, with starting compensation of $73,750 to $110,500.

Click here to read more.

Top Reports

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
7 Dec 2012
17:13 Kola Aluko Finishes Third With Kessel Racing at Rome 6 Hours
15:30 The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: IBM, Oracle, salesforce.com, SAP and Chevron 
14:30 Blue Sphere Receives Approval From The Government of Ghana for Implementation of the First of its Landfill Gas-to-Energy Projects in Africa!
13:01 U.S., Indian Rotary club members join Nigerian clubs to fight polio

04:19 In Cameroon, journalists given suspended prison terms

01:11 Al-Jazeera journalists detained in Mali for two days

07:59 ECOWAS MEMBER STATES ACHIEVE IMPRESSIVE MACRO ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN 2012
07:50 Capetown - Italian Ambassador's trophy
05:32 AfDB and Kenya Sign Multi-Million Dollar Loan Agreement to Finance Hydroelectric Power Project and Enhance Higher Education
04:25 Leaders warn of diminished enthusiasm in COPs if Doha fails









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Africa Can Create Millions of Jobs Through Value-Addition To Commodities

Emmanuel Nnadozie, Director of Economic Development and NEPAD Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

7 Dec 2012 09:48 Africa/Lagos

Africa can create millions of jobs through value-addition to commodities, says ECA's Nnadozie


ADDIS ABABA, December 7, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Industrialization can help African countries grow at high levels, create millions of jobs for its young population and address poverty reduction in a sustainable manner, according to Emmanuel Nnadozie, Director of Economic Development and NEPAD Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

In remarks made during this week's commemoration of Africa Industrialization Day, Nnadozie said that while Africa seeks to diversify its commodity-focused economies, there are opportunities in industrializing on the basis of its commodities as well. If Africa is exporting huge amounts of commodities, then according to Nnadozie, it is time to make more out of them by adding value, instead of exporting them in raw form.

“Creating linkages in the value chain is where the good jobs lie and we can get the benefits that lie therein,” he said adding that transforming enclave-economies linked to the industrial commodities, such as iron and copper by establishing forward and backward linkages offers opportunities for mining or transportation suppliers to be sourced within these communities. This, said Nnadozie, creates jobs and can be a “source of industrialization.”

Furthermore, with intra-African trade, countries can avoid the controversies within the international trade regime, such as the EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and escalated tariffs that result in unfair terms of trade between African countries and the European Union.

In a related session on imperatives for harnessing new public-private strategic investment partnerships in the industrial sector as powerful engines of economic growth in Africa, Nnadozie said that the consensus that manufacturing provides the greatest potential for job creation and creating domestic linkages warrants the focus on new means by which to harness all available investment for this sector. PPPs, he said, can propel the continent's own manufacturing as a main supplier of goods for domestic consumption.

“Businesses can share their progress in certain areas, such as pursuing trans-national trade and transactions, to cooperate in formulating more effective short, medium and long-term policies for trade and industrial development,” he said adding that the private sector holds valuable information on the potential of new industries and the means by which to productively guide assets, such as Africa's growing labour force and new financial investments to these industries.

Background:

Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1991-2000), the UN General Assembly, in 1989, proclaimed 20 November Africa Industrialization Day (resolution 44/237). The Day is intended to mobilize the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa.

This year's Africa Industrialization Day highlights the important role intra-African trade can play in reducing poverty, increasing food and nutrition security and supporting sustainable development.

The event also exhibited manufactured products such as Ethiopia's textile and leather industry.

The event was held at the headquarters of the African Union. It was organized by the African Union Commission, UNIDO and the ECA on 5th December 2012.

Source: Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)







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