LETTER TO DSTV ON BBA FROM AFRICA YOUTH.

I urge and plead with All Africa Youths, let's ask DSTV to give Us a BBA where Africa Youths go and discuss, profer solution to solve Africa Problems not this morally loosed show where single parents who can't keep their relationships go into the house to show their fallen breast, drug addicts, porn stars , ill mannered people mix up and get rewarded. Ha! Having sex in the public with somebody who is not your spouse? God have mercy ! The demon of sexual immorality has etched its ugly head into the show, hence the next sane option is to nip the programme in the bud. The BBA is all about immoral behaviour and that is why it attracts lots of fans. They even prefer open sex every day. There is no single thing to learn from the programme, they just promote sex and immorality. It's time we ignore it & speak up against it, for what it's worth. How long does it take to imbibe a habit? 21 days; and BBA runs for 90days, subtly making people addicts to bad habits. Say No to TV shows without value. Reality shows with immorality is a No No!!!!!

ASUU STRIKE AND WIKE'S POLITICS.

The Nigerian establishment does not seem to have regard for qualitative education of its citizens. If it did, both President and the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquyyatu Rufa’i, would not... be as tepid on the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Nigeria is in a meltdown and if there is any fear that should keep Nigerians wide-awake in the night, it is not that 400,000 barrels of crude oil are being stolen daily; that this theft summed up to a hefty $10.9bn between 2009-2011 or, that a shortage of gunboats and fast-assault crafts were partly responsible for increased oil theft. It is because our future as a people is in a free fall with the decline in the quality of public education. No country can make anything of itself with a retrogressive education system. Whenever lecturers go on endless countless strike actions, the government of the day hesitates to negotiate with them. It forgets that the strike is as a result of its failure to implement past agreements. The government signed an agreement with ASUU in 2009 and till date, only two of the nine demands have been met. In the midst of the latest pretext of finding a lasting solution to ASUU strikes, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, dampened the ardour of everyone by stating on Tuesday that ASUU’s demands amount to N92bn and the Federal Government cannot meet it. Okonjo-Iweala’s excuse is that they need to streamline public expenditure. In 2011, Rufa’i claimed ASUU’s demands would cost N106bn and that they could not source the amount. Rather than trim a wasteful executive and a bloated legislature, they want to downsize education. Their negotiating start-offs are crooked since sincerity has never been the strong point of this government. Education seems an after-thought and that is why Nigeria is badly served. In the midst of this commotion is the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who is the opposite of Rufa’i. He is boiling hot, but not out of passion for education. Rather, he has found a larger calling in his home politics. The Rivers State crisis, by the way, has become a soap opera of sorts. While President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife have been consistent in their exemplary Underworld Bosses roles, the governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has successfully played multiple parts. Amaechi has acted the victim, warrior, villain and currently, a victim all over again. Mrs. Patience Jonathan, with maternal condescension referred to Amaechi as her “son.” The son-governor, like a schoolboy before his school ma’am, asked mediators to plead with his “mother” to restore his security detail. Their tussle has resulted in the desecration of the legislature. It is quite nauseating to note their drama is more about self-aggrandisement than ideals. Wike’s role in this drama is to play Jonathan’s Man Friday. In one of his narratives, Wike stated his annoyance with Amaechi was his disrespect for Jonathan; to welcome Jonathan to Rivers once, Amaechi brought only four commissioners to the airport. To the pageantry-minded Wike, it was to humiliate Jonathan and make him suffer. Pray, who thinks and talks like this in 2013? Precisely, why can’t Jonathan be welcomed with four commissioners? Is he suffering any form of handicap that he requires the entire state cabinet members as human crutches to find his way out of the airport? It is a cultural practice to stage elaborate welcomes but quite wasteful one. When people are consumed by their own VIP status, they need a village to drum their importance to them. It partly explains why African societies fail to progress. Unfortunately, men like Wike, who take umbrage when their egos are not sufficiently wound, propagate the culture. The other question for Wike is, how does the number of people who meet –or, failed to meet — Jonathan at the airport affect education in Nigeria? How does his persistent fight against Amaechi on behalf of Jonathan do anything for the ASUU strike? How does it help the sorry state of primary and secondary education in Nigeria? What is his agenda for northern education now that Boko Haram has burnt down an estimated 800 schools in Borno State? How does his politics improve funding to Nigerian universities on a regular basis? When is he going to talk about the 2009 government agreement with ASUU and how soon they will resolve the deadlock? Did he read Prof. Daniel Saror’s interview on the state of universities in Nigeria? What is his response to the critique of the university system as have been persistently enunciated by intellectuals like Prof. Niyi Osundare? Does it occur to him that when older academics throw up their hands in frustration that the universe has dropped out of Nigerian universities, younger academics and intellectuals need reassurance so that the system can continue? How does Nigeria plan to recruit from universities all over the world to boost universities back home? Do these things bother him at all or he is more concerned about doing the dirty laundry of the Jonathans-at-the-top? If I asked Wike what Nigeria’s 25-year plan for education is, would he have an answer at the tip of his fingers? Or, he is in Abuja just to get paid and build his career by making notice-me-monkey-jumps in front of Jonathan? Let me at this point reiterate that I have no problems with Wike’s politics. It is his constitutional right to take whatever sides suit him. I have posited on this page before that I understand that times are hard and certain folk will have to play some bend-bend game to survive. I therefore do not begrudge Wike’s survivalist politics. Who knows, it might turn out to be his greatest contribution to democracy. It is a man’s prerogative to chase rats even when his house is burning. But when such a man is entrusted with public office, and a sensitive one such as education, his ears need to be pulled. In one of his interviews, Wike said he was ready to resign because after two years, he has overstayed the life expectancy of his job. It is a statement that is uncomplimentary of his boss, President Jonathan, but I agree with him. In fact, he overstayed from his first day in that office. He should resign, go back to Rivers State and devote more time to measuring his manhood against that of Amaechi.

Super Eagles a big threat to Bafana Bafana.

Bafana Bafana are determined to use Wednesday's Nelson Mandela Challenge match against Nigeria as a confidence builder, South African midfielder Dean Furman said on Tuesday. "Winning breeds confidence and, going into these big games, there’s nothing better than feeling confident," Furman said on Tuesday. "The spirit in the group is great. "We’ve obviously spent a lot of time together in Cameroon and Ethiopia (for other recent qualifying games), where the one result wasn’t great for us. "But definitely we came out a lot stronger from that, which will hopefully help us in tough games like these and the ones ahead." The match would be the 19th edition of the annual event, played in honour of the former president, but the first to be played in Durban. Bafana Bafana’s record had been fairly poor over the years --seven wins, eight losses and three draws -- and they had not won the trophy since 2009. Furman, though, is adamant they can overcome the Super Eagles. "We know they’re the African champions and obviously had a great tournament a few months ago here in South Africa," the England-based player said. "We’ll look to be competitive against them, first and foremost. "We’re playing on home soil and it’s a very important match for the country." He acknowledged the credentials of the Super Eagles, adding that Nigeria posed a massive threat, based on their strong squad. "They’ve got a lot of threats and have some very good players at clubs in Europe and all over the world. "But we know that victory will give us some great confidence to take into our final qualification game against Botswana.” Bafana coach Gordon Igesund reported that all his players were fit for the game, although his squad was left with just 22 players following the non-arrival of Anele Ngcongca. The Belgium-based defender’s club, Genk, claimed he was carrying an injury which prevented him from travelling for the game. "It's a fabricated story and I expect justice to take its course," Igesund said earlier on Tuesday. "He was supposed to leave on Monday morning, but his club wanted to hold him back. "I explained the situation to them, saying we can't release him because we need him and it’s a Fifa date. "Then late last night, I got a call from their coach saying he's picked up an injury. Where it happened I don't know."

Boko Haram leader mocks US over bounty

Defiant Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, who claimed he was behind the latest terror offensive in the north eastern parts of Nigeria, taunted the United States and its allies in his latest video. In the video that has been released, where he rejects claims that a faction had unseated him, Shekau made a mockery of the bounty the United States had placed on him earlier this year. “I am challenging (US President0 Obama,” Shekau said in the video. He voiced similar challenges to French President Francois Hollande and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They are no match for me,” he proclaimed. The Boko Haram leader has been declared a global terrorist with the US subsequently offering $7 million for his capture. There were reports a faction of had deposed him. Other reports went to as far as suggesting he had been shot and killed. In a video released on Monday, the elusive leader insisted he was in “good health.” He laid claim to the recent deadly attacks on security forces in the northeast. The video contained footage of what Shekau said were Boko Haram gunmen opening fire on the military in the town of Bama, using heavy weapons mounted on flat-bed trucks. He also referred to fighting in the towns Baga and Gamboru Ngala near the border with Cameroon. Boko Haram gunmen are believed to have also launched deadly attacks against worshippers in Konduga, a village in Borno. The offensive killed 44 people. Another 12 were killed in a nearby village

Police nab two notorious robbery suspects in Enugu

The Enugu Police Command on Tuesday said it had arrested two notorious armed robbery and cult suspects in the state after a long tracking of the suspects.
The police operatives from Ogui Division, Enugu, said this in a news release issued by the command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu.
He said the suspects were nabbed on Aug. 12 within Ogui axis of the state capital.
Amaraizu said the police had been on the trail of the suspects over their alleged nefarious activities ranging from armed robbery and cultism within the environment.
The PPRO said the suspects reside at No 57 Onyiuke Ogui, New layout, Enugu.
He said the suspects were nabbed in a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No PZ 805 ENU alleged to have been stolen.

Boko Haram, gunmen kill 44 at mosque.

The killings took place during dawn prayers on Sunday, although news only emerged on Monday, as communications are disrupted by a state of emergency. The attack occurred in the town of Konduga, 35km (22 miles) from the state capital, Maiduguri. The gunmen are suspected of being from the Islamist group Boko Haram, which has killed thousands since 2009. Twelve further civilians were killed at Ngom village, closer to Maiduguri, reports say. Vigilantes targeted? A member of a civilian vigilante group told the Associated Press that four of their number were killed when they responded to calls for help in Konduga. Several such groups have been set up since the emergency was declared in Borno and two neighbouring states in May. BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says the gunmen may have attacked the mosque in the belief that some of the vigilantes were praying there. Map showing location of Maiduguri in Borno state, Nigeria "We believe the attack was not unconnected with the cooperation residents are giving to security operatives in identifying and arresting Boko Haram members in their midst," a senior government official told the AFP news agency. While the group has frequently attacked churches, it has also occasionally targeted mosques, sometimes those whose preachers disagree with their views. The attackers wore military uniforms, officials say, which they may have taken during recent attacks on a barracks. Nigeria's Daily Post reported that a further 26 people were being treated for injuries in hospital in Maiduguri. After a lull immediately after the emergency was declared, there has been a recent spate of attacks, blamed on Boko Haram. The military cut mobile phone networks when they imposed the state of emergency, saying they wanted to make it more difficult for the militants to organise attacks. However, some local officials have said this prevents civilians from getting help. Boko Haram wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state in the north. News of the attacks came as a video emerged of the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, claiming responsibility for recent attacks including some that targeted the police and the military.

UK fines GTBank for inadequate money laundering checks

The United Kingdom-based Financial Conduct Authority has fined the UK subsidiary of the Guaranty Trust Bank over £500,000 for failing to do thorough anti-money laundering checks on its potential clients from high-risk countries.
The FCA said on Friday that between May 2008 and July 2010, the bank had failed to assess potential money-laundering risks, screen customers against sanction lists, establish the purpose of the accounts being opened in their London branch or review the activity of “high risk” accounts, Reuters’ report said.
Guaranty Trust Bank opened a UK office in 2008 offering retail and wholesale banking to private and corporate clients, according to the regulator.
Specifically, the FCA said in a statement that it had levied a £525,000 fine on the UK subsidiary of the bank after it looked at the bank’s systems as part of a wider review into anti-money laundering controls among banks.
A similar report by the Financial Timesquoted the regulator as saying that the bank was not rigorous enough in pressing potential customers on their sources of wealth.
This, it added, included not pressing a client, who was a so-called politically exposed person “wanted by the UK authorities in connection with laundering millions of dollars of embezzled public funds”, on the ultimate source of a cheque for £500,000 that he deposited from an offshore account, according to the regulator’s final investigative report.
The regulator, however, declined to identify the individual, the report stated.
The Nigerian authorities in 2007 named GTB’s parent bank, the first African bank to list in London, as one of two banks used by the former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, in their money laundering investigation of him, in which he was acquitted.
Ibori was found guilty of money-laundering and fraud worth £50m last year at Southwark Crown Court and sentenced to 13 years, following a separate investigation and prosecution by the UK authorities.
The UK regulator and its predecessor, the Financial Services Authority, have made anti-money laundering controls a priority over the past two years as tighter directives from Europe and new UK anti-bribery legislation have taken effect.
Reacting to the fine, Bloombergquoted the Managing Director of GTB’s UK unit, Mr. Ade Adebiyi, as saying, “We have fully co-operated with the FCA in its investigation and we have accepted the findings.”
Adebiyi, in an e-mailed statement, however said, “The FCA found no evidence that GTB UK did in fact handle any proceeds of crime.”
He said the lapses occurred early in its set up in Britain and had since been addressed.