Monday, February 2, 2015

How To Combat Nigeria's Growing Insecurity - Dr. David Leffler


Combating Nigeria's Growing Insecurity

~ By Dr. David Leffler


A roundtable, held last week at the Institute of African Studies reports that the Nigerian government's "...campaigns have not addressed their plans for combating the growing insecurity that has left Nigerians living in fear, and paralyzed educational and economic activities in large swaths of Northeastern Nigeria." A string of terrorist attacks have occurred as Nigeria has struggled to build a functional and coherent response. Fortunately, there is a science-based approach to create societal coherence that can protect Nigeria from both internal and external threats. It is called Invincible Defense Technology (IDT) because it assures invincibility, peace, and even economic progress, to the nation and the military that employ it.

Invincible Defense Technology (IDT), a Proven, State-of-the-Art, Non-violent Military Solution

The IDT approach to defense has its basis in a radically new preventive model that has been thoroughly field-tested in numerous world battlegrounds. This approach results in rapid reduction of individual, societal and national collective stress. Its methods have been proven and adopted as part of the training of America's future commanders at Norwich University, a nationally respected and oldest military academy in the USA (see also the YouTube video "Meditation Improves Performance at Military University" and the Official Homepage of the US Army). IDT is further validated by 23 peer-reviewed studies carried out in both developed and developing nations. Its coherence-creating effect has also been documented on a global scale in a study published in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation. When large assemblies of civilian IDT experts gathered during the years 1983 - 1985, international conflict decreased 32%, terrorism-related casualties decreased 72%, and overall violence was reduced in nations without intrusion by other governments.

IDT is totally unlike any other defense technology because it does not use violence in an attempt to quell violence. It is a more civilized approach, one especially worthy of nations that abhor violence as a means to power. IDT uniquely goes to the root cause of violence - the built-up stress in the individual and collective consciousness. Scientists have evidence that high levels of collective societal stress are the underlying cause of war, violence, crime and terrorism. When the IDT methodology is applied, stress levels throughout the population are rapidly reduced.

In an environment of lowered stress even staunch adversaries find ways to cooperate and overcome long-standing differences.

Abubakar Shekau is the leader of the Nigerian militant Islamist group Boko Haram, which been behind a deadly insurgency in the north-east of the country for the last five years.


 Military personnel in Latin America, Africa and Asia practice group Transcendental Meditation to help protect their nations.

IDT Reduces Societal Stress

IDT uniquely neutralizes the underlying power base of contending groups, which is the stress, frustration and civil dissatisfaction prevailing in the general population. By eliminating the root cause of insurgency, violent outbreaks are pre-empted and prevented. IDT is effective because it gets to the heart of the matter. Terrorism often thrives in nations in which decades or even centuries of under-employment, poverty, and hunger have created a huge societal weight of stress, frustration and endemic unhappiness. This inevitably finds expression in acts of terrorism, civil unrest, social violence, and a downward spiral of economic degradation.

A specially trained military unit, an "IDT Prevention Wing of the Military," uses IDT to reduce stress in the national collective consciousness. IDT could also be introduced into other large groups such as the police forces, or militias. As the stress and frustration ease, the population is more capable of finding orderly and constructive solutions to their problems.

Experience with IDT in other war-torn nations demonstrated increases in economic incentive and growth. Entrepreneurship and individual creativity also increased. With increased civic calm, people's aspirations are raised and a more productive and balanced society emerges. Such a society abhors violence as a means for change or as an expression of discontent. With this, the ground for terrorism is eliminated. What is more fascinating, this change takes place within a few days or weeks after IDT is introduced. The changes are measurable from such statistics as crime rates, accidents, hospital admissions, infant mortality, etc.
 President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria bows in despair over the appalling state of national insecurity..

Rapid Transformation Through IDT

The daily routine for the IDT military personnel includes the nonreligious practice of the Transcendental Meditation® program along with its advanced form, the TM-Sidhi program. As a societal coherence-creating military unit, they practice these programs twice a day, seven days a week, preferably in a secure location near the targeted population.

Such coherence-creating groups have achieved positive benefits in society, shown statistically, in a short time. Modern statistical methods used in this research show a low probability of any explanation other than a causal influence of the technology. The IDT approach has been used during wartime resulting in the reduction of fighting, a decreased number of deaths and casualties, and an improvement in progress toward resolving the conflict peacefully. The war in Lebanon in 1983 was dramatically impacted in a peaceful way by an IDT Intervention Group. A thoroughly documented study of this phenomenon was published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, and summaries of follow-up studies were published in the Journal of Social Behavior and Personality and the Journal of Scientific Exploration.

Summary

IDT works by utilizing our natural human brain mechanics, the most powerful natural resource possessed by every nation on earth. The beneficial transformational effects of IDT have been statistically proven numerous times to decrease and prevent violence and terrorism, and boost the economy.

IDT defense technology supersedes all other known defense technologies (which are based on electronic, chemical, and/or nuclear forces). These old, fear-based modalities are ultimately self-destructive for any nation, and for the human race as a whole, and must be replaced with IDT. So far, IDT is the only known, proven constructive approach.

The military that deploys this powerful, human-resource-based technology disallows negative trends and prevents enemies from arising, and as a result, it has no enemies. No enemies means no war, terrorism and no insurgency.

The Time for Action is Now

IDT is the twenty-first century's leading-edge defense system. If Nigeria establishes IDT Prevention Wings of the Military, they will ease high tensions, reverse mistrust, crush hatred, create stability and permanently prevent war and terrorism. Extensive scientific research objectively says, "Yes, the system works." Why not use it in Nigeria? Time is running out. The best time to act is now, before Nigeria's perilous situation worsens.

NOTE: Over 900 locations have published articles about Invincible Defense Technology.

 About the author:

Dr. David Leffler was a member of the US Air Force for nearly nine years. Dr. Leffler served as an Associate of the Proteus Management Group at the Center for Strategic Leadership, US Army War College. He now serves as the Executive Director at the Center for Advanced Military Science (CAMS) in Fairfield, Iowa and teaches IDT. Contact at: http://www.davidleffler.com

References

1. Dr. David R. Leffler (Fall 2009). A New Role for the Military: Preventing Enemies from Arising-Reviving an Ancient Approach to Peace. Journal of Management & Social Science (JMSS), Vol. 5, No. 2., pp. 153-162. This peer-reviewed journal is published by the Institute of Business & Technology BIZTEK in Pakistan. The abstract was published in Session 6, p. 44 of the proceeding of the "International Sociological Association Research Committee 01 Seoul National University & Korea Military Academy International Conference on Armed Forces & Conflict Resolution in a Globalized World." July 14 - 17, 2008, Seoul, Korea. The paper was also presented at KIDA, the Korea Institute of Defense Analyses.

2. Col. (Retd) S. P. Bakshi, Gerald Geer, and Dr. David Leffler (Special Issue May, 2013). Defense Personnel Worldwide Find Transcendental Meditation To be an Effective Tool in Combating Stress. Defence and Security Alert. Vol. 4, Issue No. 8, pages 34-39. PDF available online at:http://davidleffler.com/2013/defence-security-alert-magazine

3. Dr. David R. Leffler (2008, February). An Overlooked, Proven Solution to Terrorism. In "55 Trends Now Shaping the Future of Terrorism." Edited by Dr. Marvin J. Cetron and Owen Davies: The Proteus Trends Series, Volume 1, Issue 2 (pp. 18, 79, 176, C-13 through C-16). Dr. Leffler served as an Associate of the Proteus Management Group at the Center for Strategic Leadership, US Army War College where he was published in this US government-sponsored report aimed at governmental and military leaders. Excerpts about Invincible Defense Technology taken from the 254 page report are available online at: http://www.DavidLeffler.com/terrorism-trends.html Note: The entire paper version of the report is available online at:http://www.amazon.com/Trends-Now-Shaping-Future-Terrorism/dp/1441451412

4. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kulwant Singh and Dr. David Leffler (July 2014). Preventing Future Boko Haram Attacks. CBRNE-Terrorism Newsletter (CBRNE is an acronym that stands for "Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive". PDF available online at:
http://www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com/resources/JULY_2014_Part_C.pdf

5. Lieutenant General Jose Villamil (Ret.) with Dr. David Leffler (2003, January 29). Project: Coherence. India Defence Consultants. Available online at:http://www.indiadefence.com/proj_cohere.htm

U.S. Policy to Counter Nigeria's Boko Haram Paperback – November 24, 2014 By John Campbell 

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The Rise of the African Online Sector





The rise of the African online sector

Whilst the digital revolution may have profound effects in terms of its democratizing potential, its influence is still far from equal. Despite the promise of offering information for all, the benefits of the online world still remain in the hands of the privileged few.

However, there are a few signs that this is slowly changing. And none more so than the rise of the African online sector.

At the turn of the century only 0.5% of the sub-Saharan population used the internet. But this figure has leapt to 10.6% this year according to statistics released by the International Telecommunication Union.

Smartphone revolution


One key reason as to why there has been such a jump in internet usage will be the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. Just looking at Nigeria’s mobile phone statistics will illustrate this turn around with only 30,000 users in 2000 compared to 87 million just ten years later.

With smartphones allowing not just one-to-one communication but the power to engage with the internet, this has led to some great African online innovations.

From simple, but highly user-friendly classified listings such as Nigeria’s OLX site to South Africa’s popular Yebo Yes online gaming resource, it’s refreshing to see African brands taking on the local markets with their own locally sourced pools of talent.

E-commerce




And one area that has really taken off in the past few years is e-commerce. Whilst multinational companies such as Amazon have yet to make a presence in these massive emerging markets, there have been some innovative African companies that are keen to take the lead.

Jumia started in Nigeria in 2012 with only three employees but is already one of the largest e-commerce sites in West Africa with a subscriber base of over one million customers.

Such companies are able to respond quickly to the needs of the local market, and offer a convenient way for buyers and sellers to complete transactions with just a click of a button. And with the massive growth of smartphones, it is expected that internet commerce could account for as much as 10% of the region’s GDP by 2025.

Limitations



However, as this emergent technology is still in its infancy, there still remains a few obstacles to overcome.

Key issues amongst these will be government tax policies, cross border regulations, as well as relatively high internet costs and slow connection speeds.

But as these obstacles get ironed out, and developers reach agreement on a convenient and reliable way to pay for goods online, it looks like there is no stopping the African online revolution!

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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Video: Asiwaju Tinubu, Fashola Laud KWAM 1@ APC Lagos Rally

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Friday, January 30, 2015

APC and the Symbolic Power and Popularity of the Traditional African Sweeping Broom


The hand holding a traditional African sweeping broom is central in the logo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party in Nigeria and currently the biggest and largest political party in Africa by the total population of the states under the leadership of the APC. 

The symbolic logo of the APC is a green-white-blue background with a broom on the white background and a red base.
“Justice, Peace and Unity” is the motto with “Change” as its slogan. And the slogan has been resonating everywhere in Nigeria and making the APC the catalyst for change igniting and rejuvenating the spirit of patriotism among millions of Nigerians and galvanizing the youths for the revival of the Nigerian Dream for the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa.

 A new broom sweeps well, but the old broom knows all the corners 
.~ Nigerian proverb

 From left -Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; All Progressive Congress (APC),Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun during the Presidential Campaign Rally in Ogun State at MKO Abiola International Stadium Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday 13/01/2015. Photo Credit: Osun State Government.

The APC has increased the power and popularity of the traditional African sweeping broom with makers of brooms thanking God and the APC for restoring the dignity of the native sweeping boom and making their trade to boom with thousands of broom stalls sold before APC rallies in every state in Nigeria and millions of sweeping brooms have been sold, because every member and supporter of the largest political party wants to have a broom to display at a rally.


We know that thousands of jobs have been created for makers of sweeping brooms since the All Progressives Congress (APC) made the traditional African sweeping broom, the most common household implement used for sweeping and cleaning homes and workplaces as the national symbol of the party. The broom is made in Nigeria and every household has a broom. But the umbrella, the symbol of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) is not made in Nigeria and only useful when it rains with little or no meaning in Nigerian culture.
The traditional African sweeping broom is made with fibers of palm fronds from palm trees or bamboo plants (including variety of raffia and coconut trees).

The Power and Symbol of the Broom in African, American and European Cultures  

Used in the Holy Bible as mentioned by Jesus Christ
In the Gospel of Luke 15:8 "The Parable of the Lost Coin", the broom is mentioned: "Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?"
Symbol of Victory 
During World War II, American submarine crews would hoist a broom onto their boat's fore-truck when returning to port to indicate that they had "swept" the seas clean of enemy shipping.The tradition has been devalued in recent years by submarine crews who fly a broom simply when returning from their boat's shake-down cruise. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broom
Symbol of Family Unity
But perhaps the most symbolic use of the broom in many African and particularly Nigerian traditional setting is its typification of strength in unity.
My father told me a folktale (I believe, it could well have been a real story) of a man who, while on his deathbed, summoned his children on his side and asked each of them to pick a single broomstick. When they did, he requested them one after the other to break the stick they held. And they all did. He then asked each to take turn and break the bunch of broom, and none was able to break a broom bunch. He then said to them, “if you stand alone, you can easily be broken, but if you remain united, no one can break you”. That is why each stick of the broom is only a fragile piece of a vulnerable material. But when they are all tied together they are very strong and unbreakable. The weakest is only so because it stands alone from the bunch. ~ Chidi Oguamanam, Professor of Law, University of Ottawa: Follow @chidi_oguamanam http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/28/abuse-broom-chidi-oguamanam
Symbol for African American Wedding Tradition of Jumping the Broom
Clean Sweep:
 An African American tradition dating to early slavery days, jumping the broom has become part of the wedding ceremony of the those who want to honor the tradition. Some say the ritual itself was created by our ancestors during slavery, an act symbolizing sweeping away the old and welcoming the new. The slaves could not legally marry, so they created their own rituals to honor their unions. The straws of the broom represents family, the handle represents the Almighty, and the ribbon represents the tie binds the couple. In some parts of Africa, ceremonial brooms are stills used to sweep away evil spirits. Hence, the name Clean Sweep! http://www.thumbtack.com/One-Of-A-Kind-Ceremonial-Wedding-Brooms-Inkster-MI/service/432761
Jumping the broom is about incorporating your past, and giving it a place of honor in your new life. Therefore combine it with your personality and style. It should be an uplifting and spiritual addition to any ceremony. http://www.african-weddings.com/wedding_broom_ceremony

The mass appeal of the sweeping broom has made the APC the popular party of the masses and they are flocking to rallies and following the mass movement for Change for the reformation and transformation of Nigeria and hoping for a new political administration that will put an end to their nightmares of widespread  insecurity and poverty after 16 years under the PDP in Africa's most populous nation.


 ~ Ekenerengozi Michael Chima, Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report Online.

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Did President Goodluck Jonathan Lie About His Age?

Did President Goodluck Jonathan Lie About His Age?


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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Jenny, Every View Counts! Even Through Your Google Glass!

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God Can Choose Anyone To Lead Nigeria Whether Young Or Old

 Man of God Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) shakes the hand of General Muhammad Buhari, Presidential candidate of the All progressive Congress (APC) at an important meeting.

God can choose anyone to lead Nigeria no matter the age of the person. 
Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. and Moses is a son of eighty years, and Aaron is a son of eighty and three years, in their speaking unto Pharaoh. 7:1-7 God glorifies himself. 
~ Exodus 7:7
Joshua and Caleb, who were now about eighty years old when they led the nation of Israel to cross the river Jordan. ~ Joshua 3:1-4:24, http://soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/joshua.pdf.

In modern Israel the  Shimon Peres became Prime Minister at the age of 72 and was in office from  November 4, 1995 – June 18, 1996 and 9th President of Israel from 15 July 2007 – 24 July 2014. And the current President of Israel Reuven "Rubi" Rivlin elected last year 2014 is 75 years old ( born on September 9, 1939).  The current Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is 65 years old. 

Can the corrupt and incompetent leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria be compared to the great leadership of Shimon Peres and Reuven "Rubi" Rivlin of Israel?
Therefore, I advise President Goodluck Jonathan and others making mockery of the age of General Muhammad Buhari (retd) and saying that he is too old to lead Nigeria at 72 years of age to beware, because making mockery of the old age anyone is making mockery of God our maker who has blessed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will long life and more prosperity to have the great faith and strength to offer to serve Nigerians as the President of Nigeria.

God will qualify the unqualified.
Power belongs to God and not to the People's Democratic Party (PDP)

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
~ Psalm 62:11,  Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Psalm 75: 4-7, Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)



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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

7 Quotes Against President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP By Femi Fani-Kayode



7 Quotes Against President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP By Femi Fani-Kayode

Chief Femi Fani- Kayode, Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Campaign Organization.

1. Jonathan will lose 2015 elections by God's grace

2. When 2015 comes and PDP loses to an APC candidate, and they try to jiggle and wiggle it and say that the loser actually won, then will know we are all men in this country.

3. There is more corruption under this government (PDP) than any other government in the history of this country. It is a fact.

4. If President Goodluck Jonathan continues, two things will happen, first, Nigeria will become worst than Zaire in 1 or 2 years in term of failed state, in term of corruption and in term of insecurity and we will not be able to fix it any more after that it would that bad. Secondly Jonathan will eventually divide Nigeria.

5. Nobody is going anywhere with the oil, the oil belongs to all of us the north , the south, it does not belong to south-south alone or Niger-Delta.

 6. Obasanjo's letter is the end of Jonathan and it is the end of PDP.

7. The PDP of today is a Ship that has sunk, it has failed the nation, destroyed the economy, destroyed our security systems; this was not the case before 2007.




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Consumer Confidence Increased Four Index Points in Nigeria

 Photo Credit: Nielsen Nigeria
 CONFIDENCE RISES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Consumer confidence increased four index points in Nigeria in the fourth quarter to a score of 127—the highest score of the three countries measured in Nielsen's mobile survey for sub-Saharan Africa.
The perceived outlook for job prospects increased 12 percentage points in Kenya (62%), six percentage points in Nigeria (64%) and remained flat in Ghana (42%). Eight-two percent of Nigerian respondents were confident about their personal finances, but only just over half (56%) believed now was a good time to spend. In Kenya, 69% of respondents believed money matters were good or excellent, and 41% were confident in their current spending capacity—an increase of five percentage points from the third quarter. Likewise, 66% of respondents in Ghana were optimistic about their finances, and 36% were confident about spending.

Global Consumer Confidence Down Two Points in Q4 2014, Up Two Points for the Year
Every region down slightly in Q4 of 2014 but confidence scores in 39 of 60 markets improved year over year.  

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consumer confidence ended 2014 with an index score of 96—a decline of two index points from the previous quarter, which comes after several quarters of positive momentum, according to a new study by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. While confidence fell slightly in every region in the fourth quarter from the previous quarter, year-over-year, the index is still above a pre-recession level of 94 from third-quarter 2007.

Consumer confidence declined one point in North America (106) and Asia-Pacific (106) in the fourth quarter—the only regions to score above the baseline reading of 100. Confidence also decreased one point in the Middle East/Africa (95), three points in Latin America (88) and two points in Europe (76) from the previous quarter.

Among the world's biggest economies, consumer confidence decreased two points in the U.S. (106), four points in China (107) and four points in Japan (73). Conversely, confidence rose one point each in Germany (98) and in the U.K. (94).

"Confidence in more than half of the global markets measured retreated slightly in the fourth quarter with continued geopolitical tensions and some slowing in emerging-market growth," said Louise Keely, senior vice president, Nielsen and president, The Demand Institute. "Latin American markets, such as Brazil, saw particularly large declines in confidence compared to last quarter and a year ago, reflective of the economic slowdown there. While recovery in Europe continues to be weak, and there is recent speculation of quantitative easing by the European Central Bank, confidence is still up slightly in most economies from a year ago, suggesting that fears of yet another eurozone recession have not yet hit overall consumers' outlook. In the U.S., where labor markets have continued to recover, confidence is up significantly from its level a year ago."

IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS: YEAR-OVER-YEAR PERFORMANCE IS POSITIVE
Progress is slow, but it is indeed taking place in more than half of global markets measured. Confidence scores in 39 of 60 markets improved year over year. Eleven markets reported double-digit confidence climbs, including the U.S. and the U.K., which rose 12 and 10 points, respectively. Other notable increases from the previous year include Romania (+15), Egypt (+14) Ireland (+13) and Bulgaria (+13).
Year-over-year key indicator performance metrics improved most dramatically in North America. Job prospect expectations rose 12 percentage points to 50%, the state of personal finances increased six percentage points to 64% and immediate spending intentions jumped eight percentage points to 51% in the 12-month period.

Just under half of global respondents (49%) believed the job market would be good or excellent in the next 12 months, up from 47% in fourth-quarter 2013. Likewise, perceptions of personal finances slightly improved to 56% (from 55% the previous year) and immediate spending intentions rose to 40% (from 38%).

"There was a small step back in the fourth quarter reflecting some increased consumer apprehension, following improvements across the whole of 2014," said Keely. "Some regions of the world are still not out of the woods, including the eurozone, while others—like China and some Latin American countries—may be entering a period of slower growth in 2015."

RECESSIONARY SENTIMENT IMPROVED FOR MOST IN 2014
Just over half of the global respondents (53%) believed they were in a recession in the fourth quarter, a one-percentage point improvement from the previous quarter and a four-point improvement from the previous year (Q4 2013). In total, 58% of global markets measured reported a year-over-year recessionary-sentiment improvement.

Global discretionary spending/saving intentions were either flat or declined slightly in the fourth quarter. Almost half (48%) plan to save their spare cash, about three-in-10 expect to spend on holiday/vacations (34%), new clothes (34%) and out-of-home entertainment (30%). One-fourth of global respondents plan to buy new technology (24%) and pay off debts (25%). One-fifth will spend on home improvements (21%) and invest in stocks (21%), and one-in-10 will save for retirement (10%). Globally, 13% of respondents said they have no spare cash.

NORTH AMERICAN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS STILL STRONG 
U.S. consumer confidence decreased two index points in the fourth quarter to a score of 106—the first decline in 2014, but a 12-point improvement from the previous year. Confidence also declined in Canada, falling one point to an index level of 102 from the previous quarter.

While all U.S. consumer confidence indicators decreased slightly in the fourth quarter, there were significant year-over-year improvements: Job prospect confidence increased 13 percentage points to 50%, personal finance confidence increased six percentage points to 64% and the percentage of respondents who believe now is a good time to spend increased nine percentage points to 52%, from fourth-quarter 2013.
"Despite the most recent declines in the U.S. for job prospects and personal finances, consumers appear to be more upbeat than other regions going into 2015," said Keely. "Declining unemployment, falling oil prices and the continued low interest rates together place consumers in the world's largest economy in a better position to spend than in recent years."

PROGRESS IN EUROPE REMAINS SLOW
Clouds of pessimism returned to the eurozone in the fourth quarter, with confidence declining in 20 of 32 markets. Only Denmark, with a consumer confidence score of 103, had an optimistic reading, and Germany and Switzerland were the only two countries where half of respondents (49% and 56%, respectively) were optimistic about job prospects in the next 12 months.

Confidence in Germany, the biggest economy in the region, increased one index point to a score of 98—a continuation of small upticks that have occurred over the past several quarters to a near-baseline score, which stands in stark contrast to the region's average index score of 76. The biggest regional index increase compared to the third quarter came from Ireland (+6 to 90). Conversely, Russia's index declined eight points to a score of 79 after three consecutive quarters of increases. Italy (45) and France (57) also declined, dropping two points each, compared to the third quarter.

CONFIDENCE IN ASIA-PACIFIC IS STILL HIGH DESPITE RECENT DECLINES
Consumer confidence in Asia-Pacific increased in only three of 14 markets measured in the fourth quarter, but nine of 14 countries remain at or above the 100-optimism baseline. China's index fell four points to 107 in the fourth quarter, which comes after four consecutive quarters at 111.

Malaysia reported the most dramatic consumer confidence decline in the region, falling 10 points to 89—the lowest score since 2009. Confidence also declined five points in Indonesia (120) and four points each in Australia (93), Japan (73) and South Korea (48).

LATIN AMERICAN CONFIDENCE CONTINUES A DOWNWARD SLIDE
Confidence in the Latin America region decreased three index points to a score of 88 in the fourth quarter, as scores fell in five of the seven countries measured. Peru was the only country in the region with an improved score, rising four points to 101—the highest score in the region and outperforming Brazil (95) for the first time since 2011. Confidence in Brazil dropped six points quarterly—the biggest decline and lowest score for the country since 2011. Mexico (85) decreased three points, Colombia (94) and Chile (81) decreased four points each and Argentina (67) dropped one point in the fourth quarter. Venezuela's (70) score was flat from the previous quarter.

The outlook for job prospects declined in three of seven Latin American countries and perceptions of personal finances fell in every country except Peru. A recessionary sentiment worsened by seven percentage points in both Brazil (73%) and Chile (59%)—the highest levels since the start of tracking this sentiment in 2008.

Discretionary spending intentions showed the most dramatic pull back of all the regions, with decreases of five percentage points for new clothes (24%) and home improvements (15%), four points for new technology (16%), three points for saving (28%) and two points for out-of-home entertainment (30%). Almost one-in-five respondents (18%) said they have no spare cash, a quarterly increase of two percentage points.

THE MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA REGION SHOWS SLOW BUT STABLE PROGRESS
Consumer confidence increased in three of five countries measured in the Middle East/Africa region in the fourth quarter. At 114, the United Arab Emirates had the highest index in the region, an increase of two points from the third quarter. Confidence also increased five points in Egypt to 90 and two points in South Africa to 88. Conversely, confidence decreased three points in Saudi Arabia to 102 and two points in Pakistan to 101.

Regionally, quarter-on-quarter discretionary spending intentions in the fourth quarter increased four percentage points each for new clothes (27%) and out-of-home entertainment (23%), two percentage points each for paying off debts (20%) and home improvements (17%) and one percentage point for retirement (6%). Twenty-two percent of Middle East/Africa respondents said they have no spare cash, which was flat from the previous quarter and the highest percentage of any region.

CONFIDENCE RISES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Consumer confidence increased four index points in Nigeria in the fourth quarter to a score of 127—the highest score of the three countries measured in Nielsen's mobile survey for sub-Saharan Africa.
The perceived outlook for job prospects increased 12 percentage points in Kenya (62%), six percentage points in Nigeria (64%) and remained flat in Ghana (42%). Eight-two percent of Nigerian respondents were confident about their personal finances, but only just over half (56%) believed now was a good time to spend. In Kenya, 69% of respondents believed money matters were good or excellent, and 41% were confident in their current spending capacity—an increase of five percentage points from the third quarter. Likewise, 66% of respondents in Ghana were optimistic about their finances, and 36% were confident about spending.

Confidence also increased eight points in Kenya (113) and five points in Ghana (102) from the third quarter. The majority of respondents in the three countries (70% in Ghana, 61% in Nigeria and 59% in Kenya) did not have spare cash, a level that decreased in Kenya and Nigeria from the third quarter. Among those who did have discretionary funds, saving was a priority for 89% in Kenya, 86% in Nigeria, and 85% in Ghana, followed by spending on home improvement projects (73% in Kenya, 73% in Nigeria and 71% in Ghana).

ABOUT THE GLOBAL SURVEY
The Nielsen Global Survey, which includes the Global Consumer Confidence Index, was established in 2005. This Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions was conducted Nov. 10-28, 2014 and polled more than 30,000 online consumers in 60 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East/Africa and North America. The sample has quotas based on age and sex for each country based on its Internet users and is weighted to be representative of Internet consumers. It has a margin of error of ±0.6%. This Nielsen survey is based only on the behavior of respondents with online access. Internet penetration rates vary by country.

Nielsen uses a minimum reporting standard of 60% Internet penetration or an online population of 10 million for survey inclusion. The China Consumer Confidence Index is compiled from a separate mixed methodology survey among 3,500 respondents in China.

The sub-Saharan African countries in this study are compiled from a separate mobile methodology survey among 1,600 respondents in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. These three countries were added to Nielsen's measurement of consumer confidence in the first quarter of 2014 using a mobile survey methodology, which differs from the online methodology used to report consumer confidence and spending intentions for the other 60 countries outlined in this report. As such, the three sub-Saharan African markets are not included in the global or Middle East/Africa averages discussed throughout this report.

ABOUT NIELSEN
Nielsen N.V. (NYSE: NLSN) is a global information and measurement company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence and mobile measurement. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.

SOURCE Nielsen

CONTACT: Andrew McCaskill 347.331.5725 andrew.mccaskill@nielsen.com
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Monday, January 26, 2015

I Will Not Stay In Office Beyond 2015 - President Goodluck Jonathan


President Goodluck Jonathan has already made a wise choice not to stay in office beyond this year 2015, as clearly reported on the front page of The Guardian newspaper of Nigeria shown in the proof above.
With his own words he has sealed his fate. Finis.


As a noble statesman, he should honorably respect himself and hand over to a new President in 2015.
To the only presidential candidate who can guaranty the national security of Nigeria and restore the dignity, integrity and stability of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

We cannot continue to watch the Boko Haram terrorists besiege and occupy villages and towns in the north east of Nigeria, attacking and killing thousands of people while the Commander-in-Chief continues to live in denial of the tragedies; with more than 12, 000 innocent Nigerians murdered by the Boko Haram marauders and over 1.5 million people displaced and fleeing Nigeria to become refugees in neighboring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger and as IDPs in different locations in the country.
This is our worst humanitarian emergency since the Nigerian civil war.

The Commander-in-Chief has abandoned the search and rescue of the missing Chibok school girls and as we speak cannot even tell us their whereabouts and you wonder what has happened to military intelligence with the SSS chasing after the opposition party instead of monitoring and reporting signals from the movements of the Boko Haram.
We see the terrorists invading towns for hours with several Toyota Hilux SUVs and captured armored vehicles without any strike from the Nigerian Air Force to exterminate them and the Commander-in-Chief is busy hosting Nollywood stars and other entertainers from Abuja to Lagos instead of focusing on the national security of Nigeria.
The depletion of Nigeria's foreign reserves and excess crude revenue is the most glaring indication of the mismanagement of our resources by an incompetent government.

The critical analysis of the corruption and maladministration of President Goodluck Jonathan by Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo has confirmed our worst fears and the only solution is to change the corrupt and incompetent administration without apologies or regrets no matter the childish and foolish threats of the avaricious political contractors and their notorious gangsters in the Niger Detla and Abuja who have turned the Nigerian government into the grand casino of their political mafia controlling the oil cartel of the oligarchy.

President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to protect and secure the citizenry and sovereignty of Nigeria and should leave now before it is too late, and give the opposition the chance to save the country from total collapse.
Nigerians deserve a better and safer nation where every citizen will not live in fear of being attacked and killed tomorrow.
Nigerians deserve a new government that can secure their future.

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