Despite
her noble intentions at cutting the cost of governance and stabilising
the nation's economy, the Minister of finance and Coordinating minister
of the economy, Okonjo Iweala cannot win the war against politicians
increased spending as the 2015 election
approaches. This assertion was made by the Governor Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido.
Lamido
who gave this troubling submission in Lagos said increased government
spending will keep the interest rate at the present benchmark of 12
percent and could spur increase in cash reserve requirement (CRR).
“Despite the best intentions of the finance minister, I don’t see her
stopping politicians from spending money in 2014. She’s got all the
intentions and all the commitments, but at the end of the day, she
doesn’t approve the budget. So there is no way in an election year, when
you are not going to have increased spending,” Lamido submitted.
Lamido pointed out that the federal government spending which hit over N2 trillion in four months will continue to grow
especially now that it is spending huge amount of money in fighting
terrorism and insecurity.
“So the point I am making is that if there is increased spending, what
is likely going to happen will be higher interest rate. So people should
not look forward to low interest rate at a time of increased government
spending.
“There is higher risk of increasing the CRR than reducing it at this
point in time. The central bank will have to respond in events of
elevated spending."
Sanusi, the MPC members did not see any reason to reduce
the benchmark interest rate at the last meeting, saying that “if we
reduce the MPR, credit and lending to especially the real sector would
go up.”
“ The CBN should not change rates for the sake
of changing rates, we respond to situations. The government will spend
more money; we will keep monetary policy very tight.”
Whatever has a beginning must have an end, so goes the saying. But endings are rarely what they are, they usually usher in a new beginning, perfecting the cycle that is the shape of the world and things in it. Wednesday night at the Bernabeu was a perfect example of an end and a signpost for a new beginning. The day dawned for Mourinho on a sad note but it broke into a new beginning for Athletico Madrid who last tasted victory against the Galacticos in 1999.
It is obviously the end of the road for Mourinho in Madrid, however, it may open a new chapter in Chelsea's burgeoning history. Moyes is ending it with Everton to start a new era with Manchester United while Sir Ferguson is ending a 28 year long reign in the premiership to assume the geriatric role at the theatre of dreams.
Speaking of dreams, David Beckham feels its time to end his footballing dream and kick-start something new at 38. The English legend is bowing out with a Ligue 1 cup victory with PSG who would be witnessing the end of Carlo Ancelloti's reign at the French outfit, the Italian would probably move on to build a new constellation of Galacticos in spain.
Away from sports, err football, times are ending and people are finishing. Good times are ending for bad people and good people are starting to feel the heat of bad things, what a paradox life is. The FG is set to spoil and end the party for Boko Haram as the president declared state of emergency in three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. It sounds like a berth of fresh air in those areas, but for those hundreds and maybe thousands who would be casualties of war, its the beginning of the end...
The government may end the reign of terror with the bombardment but what beginning awaits the motherless, the fatherless, widows and countless orphans that will continue this cycle when the smoke settles?
After unsuccessful declaration of state of emergency in some local governments in the restive North Eastern states, the raging and unending trend of terrorism has forced President Jonathan to declare yet another partial but state-wide state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
The declaration which was made by the President on Tuesday evening has rife opinion on the efficacy of the decision. The President announced that the civilian office holders will continue their constitutional duties while the military have their rules of engagement broadened.
"The troops and other
security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all
necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put
an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists" he said.
Some Nigerians who aired their opinion on the state of emergency criticised the continued stay of the governors in office, seeing it as an hindrance to the efficacy of the emergency rule.
GEJ's decision may have, however, been informed by the need to keep the ruling party's political structure in place and avoid political complications which may aggravate the already chaotic situation that necessitated the emergency rule.
Find below the full text of the president's address...
She had been touching me suggestively since I've stepped into her room and it got me so inconvenient. I was still a virgin and avoided any close contact with guys, though I play a lot with them. The presence of my beautiful and protective school mother always wade off 'unserious boys' loitering around me. Her beauty was so intimidating that most boys in the school couldn't garner enough confidence to approach her, or so I thought. But seated awkwardly in her room while she gloat and pressed me all over was becoming unusual and uncomfortable.
Cythia made it like a point of duty to get me something every time and everyday and wouldn't let any moment pass by without appreciating my beauty or how cute my school uniform or underwear was. I felt so pampered and though I was in SS1 and my beauty was actually coming out like of a rising sun, my school mother never made me see the need to have a boyfriend like every other girl my age. We were not in a boarding school, so the times we saw were limited to school hours and she was two classes ahead of me. Then she invited me to her house which was not too far from the school, just about 15 minutes trek, mine was farther into town.
So when I decided to visit her on a Saturday while her parents and siblings were away for a function I was looking forward to a special treat and all the goodies; indeed I had more than enough. She welcomed me with a big hug and I ran into her arms, she held on to me longer than usual. Though she made it casual, she was looking into my eyes asking me how much I bought my bra and what the name of my common vanilla powder was. I stood still and answered her trying to look beyond her into the large, well-furnished sitting room. She realised my discomfort and let me be. But not for long.
She would touch my cheek at the slightest gist, hitting my behind serially as I stood to check her family pictures hung on the wall. She stood by me with her arm around my waist, pulling on the band of my skirt playfully.
"Baby, you now have a big bum bum o" she said as she touched and turned my backside like she'd never seen it before.
I wanted to avoid the embarrassing situation and save the situation so I sat on the 3-seater and try to look relaxed. Her intent wasn't new to me, I had seen several porn videos while growing
up in the East so I should be able to tell a lesbian when I see one. She came and sat by me touching the fabrics of my skirt thereby rubbing my laps knowingly. Her touches felt like thorns on my skin and I hated the feeling, she must have misinterpreted my reluctance for consent as she made to put her hand under my skirt and in between my legs. I jumped up abruptly and dashed for the door. She rushed after me, whispering her apology but i wasn't going to wait and fall into this dirty act. I was scared out of my wit.
The following Monday while in school I tried as much as possible to avoid her, I sneaked out of class before break time and got back to class late afterwards. Eventually on Tuesday she closed in on me at the quadrangle leading to my class and dragged me to one end of the school with dilapidated and abandoned classrooms. There she threatened to kill me if I ever tell anyone what happened between us and I believed her. This is the first time I'm sharing this with anyone, I hope and pray she doesn't show up in my dream tonight.
Her trouble would not last for long as she graduated few weeks after the ugly incident. Although I still live with the fear of the fact that I almost went bend, I eventually went bad!
The journey was not as pleasurable as I thought it would be;
the roads are still very bad as they’ve always been. But going back to the
North was like a stole away for me, so I savoured it despite the stress. The
open deserted lands are gearing up for the raining season and the baobabs still
stand in surveillance over its vast expanse. I love the North, I can’t totally
say with a passion.
The change in scenery, weather and topography has always
mirror life for me; life is good wherever it places you. As I took in the
almost empty but beautiful sight, I saw a herd of cow and instantly felt ‘nunu’
in my mouth. The thought of 'fura da nunu' in a big bowl with kankara and my ‘abokis’
seated in a semi-circle on a mat thrilled me and I wished the driver would throttle
harder as we approached the city.
The weathered sign that welcomed us to the ancient town
doesn’t look familiar anymore, the road however does; they are as thick as the
Petroleum Trust Fund. The people I see around do not look very familiar. I had known almost everybody in town when I was here for almost 5years, they are my people. Except for few, most of the people I saw do not spark any memory. Time changes yesterday, the new governor must have fulfilled his electoral promises, the roundabout had gone even further into town, it was about 5 minutes drive from arrival to the town, but we've drove for about 20 minutes and it was not in sight. Then I realised something was amiss!
There appeared to be an accident or something chaotic happening in the town, our driver matched the break suddenly and made frantic effort to turn the vehicle around like other commuters.
"What's happening?" we all asked simultaneously and my heart began to race.
One of the commuters coming from the city centre urged us on saying "go back, they are killing people".
"who, why, where?" I asked all to myself as I became aware of people around me in the bus. Could the fight be religious? if yes which religion will I claim? I am a christian but my abokis call me Abdul. If sectorial, I'm doomed because my Hausa is grossly inefficient and is laden with heavy Yoruba accent. And Lagos is about 1000 km away. Mo gbe!
As we were trying to navigate through town, off the main road, I started noticing smoke rising from not too far away and people running and screaming for help. All the environment looked very unfamiliar, I must have boarded a wrong bus... other passengers in the bus kept urging the driver to keep driving to safety, but the more we go the dangerous it tended to become, we started hearing gun shots as more houses went up in flames.
We came across a little road block and I knew the end was almost near. A young man with several matchet cut rushed into the street and fell down bleeding, his afflictors were close-by chasing with matchets and guns. A man from our bus jumped down and ran into one of the houses, I was transfixed and scared and joined the call for the driver to run faster but the pits on the road wouldn't allow for a faster speed. I wanted to pee, I could smell death and I was scared.
As we were about leaving the street and negotiating a bend that led to an adjoining street we had a gunshot too loud not to have hit me. The shot was aimed at our vehicle and it shattered the glass beside me and the bullet sank silently into the head of the Mallam seated beside me next to the glass. His prayer bead hung loosely on his index finger as his bloodied head dropped on my shoulder.
The driver made the turn just in time to avoid the second shot and we were on a deserted road. The women in the bus were wailing and some of the men were screaming at the driver to stop, some were enraged and others, including me, were scared to death. I've never been that close to dieing.
I wanted to ascertain where I was so I could call my people. I looked around for a signpost and saw a dilapidated wall with the inscription "LEA Wukar". I was not sure whether the last letter was 'r' or 'n'. But, before I could decipher which, we arrived at a roadblock manned by some youth dressed for war with guns, machete, and charms. At the sight, my pants went cold. They stopped our vehicle and asked us to file out.
"He's one of them" one of the youth shouted pointing at the man before me.
A big blow to his head with the butt of the gun and the accused laid sprawled on the road, dead.
I fainted!
I heard the familiar whistle of my Samsung phone and I woke up sweating. I laid still for a while trying to take in my surrounding and I realised I was on my bed alone. I reached for the phone and checked the message, it was from my editor.
"Yinka will you be willing to go to Wukari in Taraba state to cover the
story there? The cost will be covered"
Then everything fell into place, I was in Wukari in my dream. I've not replied his e-mail till today. I'm still sundrying my matress, it must have been too much of sweat or could I have peed?
If Barcelona beat Bayern Munich I will do the impossible! Take me for my words! Yes, I will do it.
Guess what I will do? If Barcelona beat Bayern but fail to qualify for the final, I will buy Barcelona fans Adjen Robben-signed Bayern Munich Jerseys and miniature Muller boots.
Won't that be fun? I know it's not. But Balotelli has a better offer for Madrid if they could strip Dortmund naked.
Nothing makes a healthy and normal man's blood run hot than a beautiful woman with a promise of sex. Ballotelli has put the greatest bet so far on the line,
'If Madrid overcome Dortmund the players can sleep with my girlfriend"
I'm sure someone at the Bernabeu will be doing extra training as we speak, first for the match and later for the 'bash'!
But, come to think of it, why his girlfriend? Why not his salary, cars and all?
I remember this logic we learnt while in school;
Balloteli has a very beautiful girlfriend, trust him;
Ronaldo loves beautiful girls, no doubt
Ronaldo will do anything to qualify for the champions league final
Ronaldo will do anything to sleep with Balloteli's girlfriend.
I wish Balotelli had dared Chelsea team with this bet, that would have been TERRIFIC! lwkmd!
Hmm... Varane is french like Mario. Ok o!
I don't think their is anyone in Barcelona team that like women. Bartra is still a small boy sha!
I believe Real Madrid can do the magic if they put their acts together and it's not impossible for Barcelona to beat their German "oga at the top".
Although its becoming more spoken about, motivating players with sex is not just happening, I remember a German porn actor gave Lowe's boys an explicit pix to motivate then in South Africa at the world cup.
Association of Nigerian Prostitutes promised to give the Super Eagles free rounds of pleasure if they win the AfCON, which they did (I'm not sure they've redeemed their prices).
Some Cameroonians once complained that Nigerian girls were distracting them with display of bosoms like in Spartacus during a match against the Eagles.
So, if not for anything, just to show Balotelli that "omi to ba mon niwon ni eniyan n re ila si" I wish Madrid would qualify for the final. Sorry no time for interpretation.
And for every Barcelona fan domicile in Lagos, if u qualify for the final, I'll give u Amazon gift cards for shopping at Allen Avenue Ikeja tonight.
The media was agog recently when the news of the youngest pilot in the country broke out and it was a great challenge and a thing of pride for most people who felt that Favour Odozor's achievement, graduating from the Afrika Union
Aviation Academy, South Africa, at a tender age of 20 is unprecedented.
Emerging fact has shown that young Francis's achievement is not out of this world as honour for the youngest Nigerian licensed commercial
pilot belongs to Sam
Phil-Ebosie (1951 – 2012), who graduated as a licensed commercial pilot at the
age of 19 in 1970.
Sam
was born to Emman Phil-Ebosie and Yewande Phil-Ebosie on the 271h
July, 1951, in Lagos and was the third of four brothers. His father was the
foremost indigenous ENT Surgeon in Nigeria. Sam attended Ladi-Lak Institute and
later transferred to Government Demonstration School, Surulere, Lagos, for his
primary education. He then proceeded to Kings College, Lagos, for his secondary
education; after which he shocked his family, teachers and mates by his
decision to become a Civil Aviator. For
this, he sought and was admitted into the second course at the Nigerian Civil
Aviation School Zaria, graduating top of his class as a pilot in 1970.
He thereafter
commenced his commercial flying career with the then Nigerian Airways Ltd.
Through his career, he was trained on the Fokker 27, Fokker 28, Boeing 737,
Boeing 707 and DC 10. While at Nigeria Airways, he was confirmed the youngest
Fokker F 27 Captain at the age of 25 years in 1977. The height of his professional flying career
was when, as the youngest ever captain in the world, he flew the wide bodied
aircraft at the age of 30 years in 1981.
During
his career, he was the preferred long haul Captain for the Presidency on the
Presidential Fleet. He flew the then President Shehu Shagari to the Hajj in
Saudi Arabia, Australia for the Common Wealth Conference in 1981, New York to
the United Nation's Conference and several other destinations; and the Vice
President Alex Ekweme also on several occasions.
Sam
later retired from Nigeria Airways in 1985, after which he joined Saudi
Airlines, Saudi Arabia in 1985 where he worked as a Lockheed Tri-Star Ll 011
Captain. Between 1986 and 1995, he worked at PH Aviation Teterboro, New Jersey,
UPS, New York and Federal Express Memphis. Sam retired from commercial flying
after 27 years in 1995. Upon retirement he set up his own private aviation
support company called Skynote.
Sam,
until his death, remained a keen aviator, consulting in different areas of the
aviation sector.
That is the story and it personally reminds me of our ability as a nation to forget important things, issues and people. Don't be surprised if in 50 years time we forget we had a president named Yar' Adua!
Since the Boston bomb attack, security and safety have become
topmost on governments and businesses priorities, yet again. The
Boston attack came with a lesson that terrorism could come from
unexpected sources. But the lesson was lost on some people and
businesses and they are paying dearly for it. That explains the 4-0,
4-1 respective losses of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
I wished Bayern Munich would beat Barcelona, but never expected an
humiliation. I never saw Borrussia Dortmund as a threat to Madrid but
Lewandowski dusted Mourinho's CV. Like the athletes approaching the
finish line at Boston, the Spanish giants never envisaged any other
challenge than breasting the tape but the Germans have the blasts
ready.
Several reasons have been given for the falls of the Classico
duos but I have more.
1. No more Pep talks.
The exit of Pep Guardiola from the La Liga stage seems to have
created an unhealthy vacuum for the Spanish league. Mourinho no more
sees Barcelona as a threat and the remaining 18 clubs put together
are not worth the threat of Southampton on their good day in the
premiership. Barcelona's first eleven is now fairly predictable, so a
good coach can do the permutation and work out the mathematics for a
favorable result (most are yet to factor in Messi in the solution).
And with the Pep talk went the flare that characterised the
Classicos and by implication, Spanish representatives that lacked the
bite when it mattered, apologies to Malaga!
2. Too much of Messi really turned it messy.
For Real Madrid, it was pure lack of depth but for Barcelona it
was too much of Messi. A friend made a joke on Facebook that Messi
wears jersey No 10 because he's equivalent to 10 men on the field.
Against the Germans, Alaba and Dante took good and careful care of
the ten-man and the other just ran around the field for 90 minutes.
Barcelona's dependence on Lionel Messi will still pay in the La Liga
for one or two more seasons, then it will end.
3. La Liga is Faaji
Klopp, Dortmund's coach rightly noted that "La Liga is
Faaji". He claims that teams in the Spanish league pamper the
duo of Madrid and Barcelona; a luxury the German couldn't avail. Too
much space, that makes Messi dribble 7 different players and still
net a goal. Too much time that makes Ronaldo do funny monkey tricks
on colleagues and several other 'kantankantan' like that. I wonder
which Chelsea team Messi would do such moves with, was it the one
with Del horno or the one with David Luiz?
I still find it hard to believe Juan Mata and David Silva played
for same team in La Liga and didn't win any title!
4. Is Mourinho ageing?
Since the 'special one' turned 50, some things have been turning
filthy for him. Why did he keep Kaka on the bench until barely 10
minutes to the end of the match. The tactician must have planned for
a volleyball or beach soccer at the Allianz Arena. With the rate at
which his players were ballooning the ball every time it touched
their feet, one would wonder if the midfield was ever part of their
game plan. If the Portuguese nurture any plans of coaching well into
old age, he may need a sort of rejuvenation like Pep.
So what favoured the Germans?
Hand of Pep
Did anyone noticed Guardiola's tactical presence with the Munich
side? I did. I believe (right of opinion) Pep took Barca's groove and
gave it to Bayern. Those guys played Pep's tactics to the letter,
adding a decent defensive discipline. Bayern players were at their
individual best. Heynekes may not want to say 'the whole truth' but I
am convinced he got the gimmicks he used from his successor to come.
Ok, what about the announcement of Gotze's move to Munich, will you say
Pep is unaware of it?
Hunger
Although Dortmund
had no Pep in the waiting, they were hungry enough to go for the
kill. They rushed at every ball with the passion of an hungry Tiger
and ferocity of a feral cat. They knew what they needed for a
survival and they held Madrid at the jugular until they got it. Madrid on the other hand was like an obese Yak that couldn't run while the herd attacked.
Fledging Youth system
Since the
emergence of Muller, Gotze and others, it has become obvious that
Germany as a nation and Bundesliga is ready to challenge for the top
shot. They have been consistent ever since with outstanding performance both on the world and continental stages.
The bashing and
thrashing of the two teams that have produced the most World's 1st
and second bests in recent times, to some, signal the ends of their
reigns. I won't buy such in a haste. Madrid still have the depth to
spring a surprise on Dortmund and never say never with Barcelona,
except for the fact that the genius of Pep is clearly missing in the
team.
The paradox of
all-German clash on an English soil for a final place won by crushing
the Spaniards will be a fascinating one. Trust the English, Sir
Fergie will be at the Wembley to feast his eyes on, and maybe
finalise the Lewandowski deal as I throw my weight behind Dortmund
for an European crown; after which the Pep talks shall continue.
In what appears like a calculated terrorist attack, two huge explosions detonated near the finishing line of the Boston
Marathon killing two and leaving about 23 others injured. A third explosion has been reported at the JFK library, also in Boston but no casualties reported.
The explosions which occurred near
the city’s central Copley Square was reportedly between 30 seconds of each other and some of the injured are reported to have lost limbs. Victims
with horrific injuries were carried to the medical tent that was set up for
runners; others were pushed in wheelchairs on hand if competitors collapsed.
Pools of blood stained the pavements.
Pandemonium broke out among the crowds massed to watch one of the world’s biggest marathons.
Like the biblical analogy of Paul, you can't tell what's at the finishing line until you got there. The athletes and their teeming supporters had eyed the finishing line with great enthusiasm but some people had some other heinous intentions planned for the famous race.
The marathon, with about 20,000 competitors, takes place annually on Patriots
Day, a festive New England public holiday.
The scale of the double explosion, the popularity of the event and the
symbolism of the date – Patriot’s Day – prompted immediate fears of a
terrorism attack.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Boston Marathon termed the blasts as "bombs".
Two high-ranking law enforcement officials told Reuters the blasts had been
caused by bombs.
Law enforcement officials told the NBC network that they believed that at
least one-blast was the result of a home-made bomb. Some witnesses described
ball-bearing injuries, a further indicator that a bomb was responsible.
A senior US intelligence official said two more explosive devices have been
found near the scene. The official said the new devices were being
dismantled.
Paul Browne, New York police deputy commissioner, said that the department was
deploying counter-terrorism vehicles around landmarks in Manhattan,
including hotels and tunnels, in response to the explosions.
