THE Lagos state government has however allayed fears that some of the contacts may have been manifesting symptoms of the virus. Already, medical personnel from Canada are already in Nigeria working with their counterparts at the hospital where the victims died on how to control the spread of the virus. Hotlines have also been provided to enable members of the public pass information on any suspected case of the virus.
Victim of the deadly Ebola virus disease, Patrick Sawyer wth wife, Decontee
Victim of the deadly Ebola virus disease, Patrick Sawyer wth wife, Decontee
INDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, that one of the 15 airport contacts that assisted the late Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, that died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, may have contracted the deadly virus.
Unconfirmed reports revealed that already the contact has begun to manifest symptoms of Ebola Virus.
According to a member of the Joint Federal and State Team on Ebola outbreak who preferred anonymity; one of the persons who accompanied late Patrick Sawyer is already showing signs of Ebola.
The reliable source confirmed receipt of a short message service, SMS, text that the person who assisted late Patrick Sawyer to move out of the plane is presenting symptoms, identifiable with EVD. “In fact, I just got a text that the person who helped Sawyer, the Liberian, to get out of the air plane is down with a suspected case of Ebola. You can see we have to be very careful. I cannot say specifically whether he or she is a Nigerian or in Nigeria right now. He is still being monitored as we speak,” he said.
He added that the latest victim was among those who were being quarantined for having first contact with the victim.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government in a swift reaction through a text message said that no one of the 59 contacts is sick for now. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina who responded through a text message said: “It is not true. We are doing routine surveillance, no one is sick.”
It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government, Monday, disclosed that not less than 59 persons that had contact with the victim of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, Patrick Sawyer, who died in Lagos last Thursday have been identified and that the Joint Federal and State Team in collaboration with other health organisations on prevention of Ebola outbreak in Lagos, have begun close monitoring of the 59 persons.
Also, the Ogun State Governor; Senator Ibikunle Amosun has said that all health and other relevant officials in the border areas of the state have been put on red alert to forestall the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
He also appealed to doctors to end the lingering nationwide strike embarked upon by members of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, barely a month ago. Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute Medical Research, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah, has appealed to the federal and states governments as well as good spirited individuals to support the institute in its quest to upgrade its Human Virology Laboratory, HVL, to appropriately conduct research into the disease.
Ujah who spoke during a symposium to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day in Lagos said apart from conducting new research into the disease it would also help the institute to generate new information about the deadly virus. “We must invest in health research if Nigeria must make any headway in quality healthcare,” he stressed.
On steps taken by the institute since the outbreak of Ebola, Ujah said “ever before the first reported case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria last week, our institute had instituted proactive measures by repositioning the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team and Research Group for national response, in case there is an outbreak in Nigeria.
Proactive strategy
Our proactive strategy, in my opinion, has placed us in an advantaged position for national response. “Right now, some of our staff are on training with the National Response Team at the Mainland Hospital on the prevention and control of the disease, using internationally designed protocol. We are intensifying research on Ebola in Nigeria.”
Ujah allayed fears that EVD was not an African issue, stressing that because majority of the victims were Africans did not make it an African disease.
He, however, noted that “most animals in Europe are under surveillance and are well taking care off. The reason why we are victims is because these animals are also in Africa and not under surveillance. But that does not make it African issue.”
On how possible a person can be screened on Ebola, he said: “It is difficult to hide the symptoms. The ports authority needs to be at alert. Travellers must consult their doctor at the port before departure. And no matter the measures put in place at the port, some people will still slip through.”
Speaking on way out of the problems, he advised that hygiene was the solution and could save anyone from contracting the disease. “People should embrace hand washing. The virus is very small but with hygienic life style one can still stay healthy,” he added.
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Ebola: Quarantine Jim Iyke, social media critics cry
Following an earlier report on how Nollywood Actor, Jim Iyke fled Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia over Ebola virus desease outbreak -
Jim who was in Monrovia, Liberia for business, hurriedly left the country following the worsening Ebola virus disease crisis in the country that has led to closure of schools.
A social media commentator, Maxwell Eze writes on Vanguard facebook page that, “they should please quarantine Jim.” Bimbo Odususi begs that Lagos State Health officials should isolate and place him under serious observation.
“Life has no duplicate…. better run like Ben Johnson, but then go for check up as soon as you arrive Nigeria or your next destination… expect thorough screening” One commentator named, Lixxymore tells Jim.
Speaking on the deadly disease, one commentator with the handle ND asked” why are all these ‘odds’ always associated with Africa First?”
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Suicide bombers hit two mosques in Yobe
Suicide bombers attacked two mosques in Yobe state late Tuesday killing at least six people and injuring several others, witnesses told AFP blaming the Boko Haram Islamists.
The first explosion rocked an open air mosque belonging to a Shiite Muslim sect in the Dogo Tebo area of the town of Potiskum around 7:55 pm (1855 GMT) leaving four people dead.
The second blast five minutes later at a mosque within the compound of the chief imam in the town’s Anguwar Bolawa area killed at least two worshippers.
“A suicide bomber we believe was from Boko Haram blew himself up at the open air mosque used by Shiites which they name Saqafa shortly after saying their evening prayers there,” witness Balarabe Dahiru said.
“We took four dismembered bodies of the victims to the hospital along with five others who were injured,” said Dahiru who was sitting outside his house when the blast happened.
The body of the suicide bomber was left untouched by residents in protest, he said.
Resident Awwal Maikusa who gave a similar account said a second blast occurred five minutes later.
“They are obviously the handiwork of Boko Haram,” Maikusa said of the two attacks.
“We were trying to deal with the suicide blast in our neighbourhood when a second explosion was heard which we later learnt was from the chief imam’s compound,” he said.
A suicide bomber went inside the mosque while Muslim faithful were saying their evening prayer, said Sheriff Abdullahi who lives in the area.
“There was a loud explosion moments after the suicide bomber entered the mosque,” Abdullahi said.
“I saw two dead bodies whom I recognized being taken out of the mosque,” he said.
The town was locked down by soldiers following the attacks, with residents ordered to remain indoors.
Potiskum, Yobe state’s commercial hub, has been the scene of repeated deadly Boko Haram attacks in the last four years although they have become rarer in recent months.
The first explosion rocked an open air mosque belonging to a Shiite Muslim sect in the Dogo Tebo area of the town of Potiskum around 7:55 pm (1855 GMT) leaving four people dead.
The second blast five minutes later at a mosque within the compound of the chief imam in the town’s Anguwar Bolawa area killed at least two worshippers.
“A suicide bomber we believe was from Boko Haram blew himself up at the open air mosque used by Shiites which they name Saqafa shortly after saying their evening prayers there,” witness Balarabe Dahiru said.
“We took four dismembered bodies of the victims to the hospital along with five others who were injured,” said Dahiru who was sitting outside his house when the blast happened.
The body of the suicide bomber was left untouched by residents in protest, he said.
Resident Awwal Maikusa who gave a similar account said a second blast occurred five minutes later.
“They are obviously the handiwork of Boko Haram,” Maikusa said of the two attacks.
“We were trying to deal with the suicide blast in our neighbourhood when a second explosion was heard which we later learnt was from the chief imam’s compound,” he said.
A suicide bomber went inside the mosque while Muslim faithful were saying their evening prayer, said Sheriff Abdullahi who lives in the area.
“There was a loud explosion moments after the suicide bomber entered the mosque,” Abdullahi said.
“I saw two dead bodies whom I recognized being taken out of the mosque,” he said.
The town was locked down by soldiers following the attacks, with residents ordered to remain indoors.
Potiskum, Yobe state’s commercial hub, has been the scene of repeated deadly Boko Haram attacks in the last four years although they have become rarer in recent months.
Ebola: Liberia places senior officials under observation
The Liberian football association LFA said Tuesday it has suspended all activities in the country as a measure to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
LFA had decided “to cease operations of football activities considering that football matches are contact sports and Ebola is spread through body contacts with an infected person,” LFA chief Musa Bility said in a statement.
Meanwhile the finance ministry in Liberia, where 127 people have died of the disease, said it had placed several senior officials under observation for three weeks after a top ministry official died from the virus.
Patrick Sawyer was on official business in Nigeria last week when he contracted the disease.
“All senior officials coming in direct or indirect contact with Mr Sawyer have been placed on the prescribed 21 days observatory surveillance,” the ministry said in a statement.
Since March, there have been 1,201 cases of Ebola and 672 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ebola can fell victims within days, causing severe fever and muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.
LFA had decided “to cease operations of football activities considering that football matches are contact sports and Ebola is spread through body contacts with an infected person,” LFA chief Musa Bility said in a statement.
Meanwhile the finance ministry in Liberia, where 127 people have died of the disease, said it had placed several senior officials under observation for three weeks after a top ministry official died from the virus.
Patrick Sawyer was on official business in Nigeria last week when he contracted the disease.
“All senior officials coming in direct or indirect contact with Mr Sawyer have been placed on the prescribed 21 days observatory surveillance,” the ministry said in a statement.
Since March, there have been 1,201 cases of Ebola and 672 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ebola can fell victims within days, causing severe fever and muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, organ failure and unstoppable bleeding.
Boko Haram: Jonathan should exchange prisoners for Chibok girls — Evah
By Azu Akanwa
BOKO Haram bombing is getting deadly by the day, what is your opinion?
In fact, it is full blown war that we are witnessing and I am ashamed of our Northern leaders that they are helpless. Northern leaders should be ashamed of themselves that they can’t call their children to order. They thought they had the mandate of their people be Nigeria military rulers and civilian presidents. So what is happening? Why are they all running and hiding in Abuja? It is a shame if Niger Delta political leaders entered canoe to move into the creek why are these Northern leaders staying back?
What is your advice to President Goodluck Jonathan now?
President Goodluck Jonathan should use the Ramadan fasting period to exchange the prisoners of war now. He should bring out prisoners of Boko Haram and exchange them with the Chibok girls now. I am appealing to the president to go the extra-mile as an African statesman to do this for the sake of peace. Let the world know that President Jonathan means well.
Americans and Britain recently exchanged prisoners with the Taliban fighters, if America can do that we can try something similar. In fact, Israel did that with Hamas few years ago before this their current war. We want our girls to come out this period and I believe if we take this approach some of the Boko Haram fighters may report and help this nation in the peace process.
How will you describe the attack on General Buhari?
Let me tell you the truth the survival of Buhari in that bomb blast was the greatest miracle from God this year. It was not General Buhari that was lucky, it was Nigeria that was actually lucky that Buhari survived the attack. Some people don’t know the implications because they are ignorant of history. The killing of two political leaders in a plane crash that was bombed in Rwanda was what led to the worst genocide in Africa history.
In some families in Rwanda, there is no generation to tell the story. Let me tell you how the scenario will look like, if the bomb had succeeded, the same people who organised it will use their propaganda to say President Jonathan has killed Buhari and that his body has been taken away to Aso Rock or Niger Delta and the local people who are ignorant will start the killing that will spread like harmattan fire across the North and the Southern part will not be able to control their tempers.
So what I am telling Northern leaders who now appear helpless in this Boko Haram crisis is to say whether they don’t want Nigeria to remain together. Nobody wants to stay in any forced marriage. If they want us to end this marriage called Nigeria, let us go our different ways peacefully instead of pretending in the name of Boko Haram and telling us that your children (Boko Haram) are faceless. God we thank you for the miracle that Buhari is alive. Those who are boosting that if this bomb had killed him nothing would have happened need to re-examine their heads learn from history and pray against such calamity.
If you see the army killing themselves in the barracks what can anybody do? This is the senerio we are talking about that happened in Nigeria before Gowon took over. In Abeokuta barracks, no Igbo officer stayed alive to tell the story, almost all officers were killed with their wives on the bed. That is the power of propaganda and rumour in a crisis period.
Even now some abnormal people are already saying President Jonathan is behind the attack. Can you imagine such careless and dangerous talk?
The new states proposed by the National Conference did not include any Ijaw states. What is your reaction?
We reject the insult on us. Frankly speaking it was an insult that Niger Delta people were not considered for a state.
BOKO Haram bombing is getting deadly by the day, what is your opinion?
In fact, it is full blown war that we are witnessing and I am ashamed of our Northern leaders that they are helpless. Northern leaders should be ashamed of themselves that they can’t call their children to order. They thought they had the mandate of their people be Nigeria military rulers and civilian presidents. So what is happening? Why are they all running and hiding in Abuja? It is a shame if Niger Delta political leaders entered canoe to move into the creek why are these Northern leaders staying back?
What is your advice to President Goodluck Jonathan now?
President Goodluck Jonathan should use the Ramadan fasting period to exchange the prisoners of war now. He should bring out prisoners of Boko Haram and exchange them with the Chibok girls now. I am appealing to the president to go the extra-mile as an African statesman to do this for the sake of peace. Let the world know that President Jonathan means well.
Americans and Britain recently exchanged prisoners with the Taliban fighters, if America can do that we can try something similar. In fact, Israel did that with Hamas few years ago before this their current war. We want our girls to come out this period and I believe if we take this approach some of the Boko Haram fighters may report and help this nation in the peace process.
How will you describe the attack on General Buhari?
Let me tell you the truth the survival of Buhari in that bomb blast was the greatest miracle from God this year. It was not General Buhari that was lucky, it was Nigeria that was actually lucky that Buhari survived the attack. Some people don’t know the implications because they are ignorant of history. The killing of two political leaders in a plane crash that was bombed in Rwanda was what led to the worst genocide in Africa history.
In some families in Rwanda, there is no generation to tell the story. Let me tell you how the scenario will look like, if the bomb had succeeded, the same people who organised it will use their propaganda to say President Jonathan has killed Buhari and that his body has been taken away to Aso Rock or Niger Delta and the local people who are ignorant will start the killing that will spread like harmattan fire across the North and the Southern part will not be able to control their tempers.
So what I am telling Northern leaders who now appear helpless in this Boko Haram crisis is to say whether they don’t want Nigeria to remain together. Nobody wants to stay in any forced marriage. If they want us to end this marriage called Nigeria, let us go our different ways peacefully instead of pretending in the name of Boko Haram and telling us that your children (Boko Haram) are faceless. God we thank you for the miracle that Buhari is alive. Those who are boosting that if this bomb had killed him nothing would have happened need to re-examine their heads learn from history and pray against such calamity.
If you see the army killing themselves in the barracks what can anybody do? This is the senerio we are talking about that happened in Nigeria before Gowon took over. In Abeokuta barracks, no Igbo officer stayed alive to tell the story, almost all officers were killed with their wives on the bed. That is the power of propaganda and rumour in a crisis period.
Even now some abnormal people are already saying President Jonathan is behind the attack. Can you imagine such careless and dangerous talk?
The new states proposed by the National Conference did not include any Ijaw states. What is your reaction?
We reject the insult on us. Frankly speaking it was an insult that Niger Delta people were not considered for a state.
SAVE NIGERIAN POLITICS
History
of politics and elections in Nigeria is replete with cases of diverse
factors which hinder good governance and inability of political office
holders to deliver dividend of effective leadership to the electorates.
Some of these factors include lack of sound policy formulation and execution, lack of effective competition which reduces the freedom of choice, religion, ethnicity, absence of political ideology, weak and inconsistent parties policy positions among others.
PDP-APCTo address these recurring problems and prepare for successful 2015 general elections, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and Democratic Governance for Development, DGD set up the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre.
The aim of the Centre is to help develop capacity of political parties in order to improve the quality of political engagement as political parties are crucial for the stability and dynamics of a democratic political system.
To achieve this aim, the centre has conducted workshops for national officers of the 26 registered political parties in the country. The ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the major opposition, All Progressive Congress, APC, have, however, always recorded low turnout in each phase of the workshops.
It was in continuation of this that the director of the DGD, Mr. Daouda Toure paid a courtesy visit on the Director-General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Prof. Tijani Mohammed-Bande.
The visit coincided with the training workshop for National Youth Leaders of registered political parties in Nigeria, a workshop facilitated by NIPSS supported by the UNDP and Democratic Governance for Development, DGD.
Mr. Toure noted that the minds of politicians and their supporters should be addressed because that is where conflict starts and conditioned so that the culture of peace is enthroned there.
His words, “The UNDP/DGD is in partnership with NIPSS to strengthen the leadership and organizational capacities of political parties as institutional foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that political parties are policy-oriented, responsive, inclusive and more accountable to their members and the society.
“As Nigeria prepares for the general elections next year, we need a strong Nigeria in Africa, though losers in Africa are not always willing to accept defeat, wait and get ready for the next election but we need a change of attitude.”
He commended the series of training which political parties’ leaders in registered parties are receiving at NIPSS and asked for such to be replicated in other African countries for effective repositioning of political landscape in the continent.
However, the DG of NIPSS, Prof. Muhammed-Bande reiterated that the partnership with the United Nations has been beneficial as they collaborate to strengthen political parties to develop good policies.
He stated, “The task of politics congeal what policies political parties carry out, the Institute in partnership with UNDP/DGD is working to strengthen political parties to develop policies, better organized and understand their roles in governance. We help political parties learn how to develop policies that impact positively on the people.”
Similarly, the Project Director of DGD, Dr. Mourtada Deme said Nigerian politicians had been learning democratic process since 1999 so democracy and governance should not be compressed into a voting act performed every four or five years.
Dr. Deme pointed out that free, fair and meaningful elections are essential but not enough stressing that words like “do or die” should never be expressed regarding the conduct of elections in a nation seeking to strengthen its democracy.
Meanwhile, the Director, Research and Chief Operative Officer of the Centre, Prof. Olu Obafemi decried the near absence of the vulnerable groups like women, youths and the physically challenged in active political activities and called for a change.
Prof. Obafemi also recommended that political parties should “implement measure such as promoting internal democracy, diversifying their sources of funding and encourage participation of vulnerable groups in all aspects of party affairs.”
Some of these factors include lack of sound policy formulation and execution, lack of effective competition which reduces the freedom of choice, religion, ethnicity, absence of political ideology, weak and inconsistent parties policy positions among others.
PDP-APCTo address these recurring problems and prepare for successful 2015 general elections, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and Democratic Governance for Development, DGD set up the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre.
The aim of the Centre is to help develop capacity of political parties in order to improve the quality of political engagement as political parties are crucial for the stability and dynamics of a democratic political system.
To achieve this aim, the centre has conducted workshops for national officers of the 26 registered political parties in the country. The ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the major opposition, All Progressive Congress, APC, have, however, always recorded low turnout in each phase of the workshops.
It was in continuation of this that the director of the DGD, Mr. Daouda Toure paid a courtesy visit on the Director-General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Prof. Tijani Mohammed-Bande.
The visit coincided with the training workshop for National Youth Leaders of registered political parties in Nigeria, a workshop facilitated by NIPSS supported by the UNDP and Democratic Governance for Development, DGD.
Mr. Toure noted that the minds of politicians and their supporters should be addressed because that is where conflict starts and conditioned so that the culture of peace is enthroned there.
His words, “The UNDP/DGD is in partnership with NIPSS to strengthen the leadership and organizational capacities of political parties as institutional foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that political parties are policy-oriented, responsive, inclusive and more accountable to their members and the society.
“As Nigeria prepares for the general elections next year, we need a strong Nigeria in Africa, though losers in Africa are not always willing to accept defeat, wait and get ready for the next election but we need a change of attitude.”
He commended the series of training which political parties’ leaders in registered parties are receiving at NIPSS and asked for such to be replicated in other African countries for effective repositioning of political landscape in the continent.
However, the DG of NIPSS, Prof. Muhammed-Bande reiterated that the partnership with the United Nations has been beneficial as they collaborate to strengthen political parties to develop good policies.
He stated, “The task of politics congeal what policies political parties carry out, the Institute in partnership with UNDP/DGD is working to strengthen political parties to develop policies, better organized and understand their roles in governance. We help political parties learn how to develop policies that impact positively on the people.”
Similarly, the Project Director of DGD, Dr. Mourtada Deme said Nigerian politicians had been learning democratic process since 1999 so democracy and governance should not be compressed into a voting act performed every four or five years.
Dr. Deme pointed out that free, fair and meaningful elections are essential but not enough stressing that words like “do or die” should never be expressed regarding the conduct of elections in a nation seeking to strengthen its democracy.
Meanwhile, the Director, Research and Chief Operative Officer of the Centre, Prof. Olu Obafemi decried the near absence of the vulnerable groups like women, youths and the physically challenged in active political activities and called for a change.
Prof. Obafemi also recommended that political parties should “implement measure such as promoting internal democracy, diversifying their sources of funding and encourage participation of vulnerable groups in all aspects of party affairs.”
Don’t travel to W’ Africa, US warns Americans
Meanwhile, United States Cen tre for Disease Control, CDC, yesterday warned American health care professionals to avoid non-essential travel to the West African countries with high burden of the Ebola disease to prevent them from contracting it, expressing fear that the deadly Ebola virus could spread like a forest fire.
Stephan Monroe, Deputy Director of the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said, “The likelihood of this outbreak spreading beyond West Africa is very low.”
The warning issued in two notices, also warned travelers to avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids of sick people in the affected countries.
The World Health Organisation, WHO estimates that Ebola has killed at least 672 people in West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The CDC also sent out the notice to health care professionals in the U.S, reminding them to find out if patients had travelled to West Africa in the last two weeks, to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of Ebola and to isolate any suspected cases.
Most of the exposures to Ebola in health care settings had been through needle sticks and exposure while disposing of the diarrhoea, vomit and blood of sick people, said Monroe.
People are not contagious unless they exhibit symptoms, but often these signs — like fever and body aches — can be mistaken for other diseases like malaria and Lassa fever, experts said.
Also, only about half of cases involve bleeding, despite the perception that Ebola is characterised by widespread hemorrhage.
The State Department said the US was providing “personal protective equipment and other essential supplies” to the affected areas. We’re taking every precaution, of course, as would be expected,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki, noted that the situation was not expected to affect a planned summit of African leaders next week in Washington.
The CDC said the family members of the American doctor who contracted Ebola, Kent Brantly, had been living with him in Liberia.
“However, by the time he fell ill they had already returned to the United States. As a precaution, they are being monitored for signs of fever for the incubation period of 21 days. An outbreak could not be declared over until two full incubation periods — 42 days — have passed without new cases, he added.
”The concern is that the outbreak can be reseeded, much like a forest fire with sparks from one tree,” said Monroe.
”That is clearly what happened in Liberia,” he said, noting that the country made it for more than 21 days without cases, but Ebola returned.
”They were reseeded by cases coming across the border, so until we can identify and interrupt every source of transmission, we won’t be able to control the outbreak.”
Stephan Monroe, Deputy Director of the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said, “The likelihood of this outbreak spreading beyond West Africa is very low.”
The warning issued in two notices, also warned travelers to avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids of sick people in the affected countries.
The World Health Organisation, WHO estimates that Ebola has killed at least 672 people in West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The CDC also sent out the notice to health care professionals in the U.S, reminding them to find out if patients had travelled to West Africa in the last two weeks, to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of Ebola and to isolate any suspected cases.
Most of the exposures to Ebola in health care settings had been through needle sticks and exposure while disposing of the diarrhoea, vomit and blood of sick people, said Monroe.
People are not contagious unless they exhibit symptoms, but often these signs — like fever and body aches — can be mistaken for other diseases like malaria and Lassa fever, experts said.
Also, only about half of cases involve bleeding, despite the perception that Ebola is characterised by widespread hemorrhage.
The State Department said the US was providing “personal protective equipment and other essential supplies” to the affected areas. We’re taking every precaution, of course, as would be expected,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki, noted that the situation was not expected to affect a planned summit of African leaders next week in Washington.
The CDC said the family members of the American doctor who contracted Ebola, Kent Brantly, had been living with him in Liberia.
“However, by the time he fell ill they had already returned to the United States. As a precaution, they are being monitored for signs of fever for the incubation period of 21 days. An outbreak could not be declared over until two full incubation periods — 42 days — have passed without new cases, he added.
”The concern is that the outbreak can be reseeded, much like a forest fire with sparks from one tree,” said Monroe.
”That is clearly what happened in Liberia,” he said, noting that the country made it for more than 21 days without cases, but Ebola returned.
”They were reseeded by cases coming across the border, so until we can identify and interrupt every source of transmission, we won’t be able to control the outbreak.”
IS THIS FAIR? N100m LARGESSE: Our leaders cheated us — Chibok parents
The N100 million cash gift allegedly given to parents of abducted Chibok girls when they met President Goodluck Jonathan on July 22 at the Presidential Villa is now causing disquiet among the aggrieved parents.
They have reported ly cried out that they have been cheated by their community leaders in the sharing formula.
The Presidency allegedly handed over the money to leaders of the Chibok community in Abuja for onward presentation to parents of the abducted schoolgirls.
According to a report monitored on Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, however, some of the parents are now alleging that the Abuja-based community leaders have shortchanged them.
One parent, who was among those who visited the President, told BBC that he got only N200,000.
He said: “I got only N200,000 out of the said N100million allegedly received by our leaders in Abuja. Some of us got N300,000 and some less than that.
President Jonathan interacting with parents of abducted Chibok girls at the State House
He also said that he was not comfortable with the way the money was shared among parents of the kidnapped girls.
According to him: “Our leaders in Abuja are using the girls to enrich themselves. In fact, some of the parents were screened out of the entourage by the Chibok leaders in Abuja. Many of them are residents of Abuja, not parents of the kidnapped girls”.
Another parent, who was screened out of the delegation that visited the President, said he got only N7,000 out of the money shared.
“I was at the farm when they brought the N7, 000 to my house and I collected it. Some of us got even less, some got N300 and below,” he said.
The parents stressed that they were not selling their daughters and that the money from the President just came to them as they neither asked for, nor expected it.
One of the community leaders, Pobu Bitrus, who is also a member of the House of Representatives and was at the meeting with the President explained to the BBC that after meeting with the President, monies were distributed to the parents in envelopes.
“After we met with the president, the parents were given monies in envelopes and that’s all. All other things they are saying about N100million, I don’t know about that,” Mr. Bitrus said.
No money was given — Presidency
In its reaction, yesterday, the Presidency however said that it never gave N100 million to parents of the abducted school girls, who were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last week, saying the story was absolutely false.
In a text message to Vanguard yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who noted that the government only took care of the parents’ accommodation and feeding, said “the story is absolute falsehood.
“The President did not give any N100m to the visitors from Chibok. Government took care of their accommodation, feeding and transportation.
“Government’s plan is robust rehabilitation and resettlement of the girls who have escaped so they can continue their education.
“The government also plans to rebuild the school and in general terms, repair damaged infrastructure as a result of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.”
Three months after the Chibok girls were abducted, President Jonathan finally agreed to meet with their parents following an appeal by the Pakistan girl-child education activist Malala Yusoufai. The Presidency had faced intense criticism over its handling of the kidnap of the Chibok girls being held by the extremist Boko Haram sect since April 14.
They have reported ly cried out that they have been cheated by their community leaders in the sharing formula.
The Presidency allegedly handed over the money to leaders of the Chibok community in Abuja for onward presentation to parents of the abducted schoolgirls.
According to a report monitored on Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, however, some of the parents are now alleging that the Abuja-based community leaders have shortchanged them.
One parent, who was among those who visited the President, told BBC that he got only N200,000.
He said: “I got only N200,000 out of the said N100million allegedly received by our leaders in Abuja. Some of us got N300,000 and some less than that.
President Jonathan interacting with parents of abducted Chibok girls at the State House
He also said that he was not comfortable with the way the money was shared among parents of the kidnapped girls.
According to him: “Our leaders in Abuja are using the girls to enrich themselves. In fact, some of the parents were screened out of the entourage by the Chibok leaders in Abuja. Many of them are residents of Abuja, not parents of the kidnapped girls”.
Another parent, who was screened out of the delegation that visited the President, said he got only N7,000 out of the money shared.
“I was at the farm when they brought the N7, 000 to my house and I collected it. Some of us got even less, some got N300 and below,” he said.
The parents stressed that they were not selling their daughters and that the money from the President just came to them as they neither asked for, nor expected it.
One of the community leaders, Pobu Bitrus, who is also a member of the House of Representatives and was at the meeting with the President explained to the BBC that after meeting with the President, monies were distributed to the parents in envelopes.
“After we met with the president, the parents were given monies in envelopes and that’s all. All other things they are saying about N100million, I don’t know about that,” Mr. Bitrus said.
No money was given — Presidency
In its reaction, yesterday, the Presidency however said that it never gave N100 million to parents of the abducted school girls, who were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last week, saying the story was absolutely false.
In a text message to Vanguard yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who noted that the government only took care of the parents’ accommodation and feeding, said “the story is absolute falsehood.
“The President did not give any N100m to the visitors from Chibok. Government took care of their accommodation, feeding and transportation.
“Government’s plan is robust rehabilitation and resettlement of the girls who have escaped so they can continue their education.
“The government also plans to rebuild the school and in general terms, repair damaged infrastructure as a result of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.”
Three months after the Chibok girls were abducted, President Jonathan finally agreed to meet with their parents following an appeal by the Pakistan girl-child education activist Malala Yusoufai. The Presidency had faced intense criticism over its handling of the kidnap of the Chibok girls being held by the extremist Boko Haram sect since April 14.
EBOLA: NIGERIA IS NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET — Prof. Oyewale Tomor
Since the confirmation and subsequent death of a Liberian man who was the first to be diagnosed with the Ebola Virus Disease on Nigerian soil, anxiety, shock and fear have been expressed by a wide section of the populace. Although several assurances have been given by officials of the Federal and state governments, the generality of Nigerians remain worried and doubtful about their safety.
Foremost virologist and Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, President of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, is of the view that Nigeria’s effort in containing the first reported Ebola case was commendable. However, Tomori, who is currently the regional virologist with the World Health Organisation Africa Region and a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science, the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria and the Royal College of Pathologists of the United Kingdom, warns that as far as Ebola is concerned, Nigeria is not yet out of the woods. He speaks to Sola Ogundipe. Excerpts .
WHAT should be the best step for monitoring passengers entering Nigeria by air, land and sea from Ebola affected countries? Do they need to be quarantined?
Not necessarily. The Port Health staff needs to screen passengers coming into Nigeria from Ebola affected countries, by checking for anyone ill with fever plus signs and symptoms of Ebola fever. The screening can be done using a prepared investigation form for taking details of the passenger – name, age, contact address, travel history (which countries visited, for how long and which part of the country, etc), plus any history of illness or sickness over the last 2-3 weeks.
Those who are sick, like the Liberian case, must be taken for observation to hospital with isolation facilities. Others must be let off, but monitored and contacted DAILY by phone to check if they fall sick over the next 3 weeks covering the incubation period of Ebola infection. They should be carefully monitored by competent health staff
From what we have witnessed in the handling of the first Ebola victim, is Nigeria in any way up to the task of containing a possible outbreak of Ebola?
I will say that the health staff – federal, state and the hospital where the case was admitted and the laboratory staff have performed creditably well. However, the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place. We should count ourselves lucky that the Liberian case came into Nigeria already sick and landed in Lagos too sick to continue his journey to Calabar.
He arrived at a time when our government hospitals were operating at “half mast” because the doctors were on strike. We might have had a bigger problem in our hands, assuming this case was well enough to get to Calabar – (in which case he would have mingled with more passengers at the local airport and in Calabar) or that government hospitals were in full operation, (in which case he would not have been admitted into a private hospital, where there are fewer contacts). So, I am saying we were able to detect the case through fortuitous circumstances and not because of our preparedness.
We were simply lucky. In spite of our national penchant for declaring ourselves always on top of the situation, we were plain lucky on this occasion, not because we were prepared. Next time, we may not be so lucky. We must, however, commend staff of the Federal and State Ministries of Health and of the private hospital where the case was admitted for being alert and taking prompt action as soon as suspicion was raised. Another point about this issue which made me proud was the laboratory support within the country.
The lab in LUTH under Prof Omilabu received samples on July 22nd and the next day provided results of a pan-FILOVIRUS family diagnosis, that is evidence of presence of a virus belonging to the family of Ebola virus (including Marburg, Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan Bundibugyo virus, Reston virus, and Taï Forest virus).
Samples were also sent to Prof. Happi’s lab at the Redeemer’s University (RUN), late on July 23. The Happi team worked and tested and confirmed that the virus was the specific Ebola-Zaire type virus early on July 25, 2014. All these happened before confirmation came in from Dakar. I understand the RUN lab will commence sequencing studies pretty soon. My congratulations to our colleagues in LUTH and RUN for a great job.
What should we be doing currently that we are not in terms of (a) preparedness (b) response?
We are certainly not out of the woods yet, until we ensure that we monitor and ascertain that every of his contact is free from infection. We must trace all the passengers in the plane that brought him to Nigeria, to those in contact with him at the Lagos airport, and all those who attended to him, in the hospital where he was treated.
Every such person must be monitored for the duration of the incubation period of Ebola virus infection that is up to 21 days from point of contact. We must get in touch with them on a daily basis to find out if they fall sick, with fever and showing the signs and exhibiting the symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever. This must be carried out thoroughly, efficiently and rapidly. I repeat, we are not out of the woods yet.
One other issue we should take note of is to find out the itinerary of the ASKY flight that brought the case to Nigeria. Did the flight come direct from Liberia or were there stops on the way say, Lome, etc., and who had contact with the case.
We need to contact other countries where ASKY might have landed and is still landing. I hear also that other airlines – Arik does direct Abuja-Monrovia-Freetown flights. If that is so, then we must also mount our surveillance not only on Lagos, but also on Abuja, Not forgetting Idi-Iroko, Seme borders.
In the event of detection of subsequent confirmed cases of Ebola, what would be the implication and how should we respond to such?
Any suspected case arising from new comers into Nigeria or should any of the contact of the Liberian case become ill, the case should be admitted immediately into a hospital with isolation facilities and barrier nursing instituted.
Isolation facilities
This is why the monitoring at the border must not be scaled down. So long as we are still having people coming in from the affected West African countries, we must be on top alert with our border monitoring.
Are there any issues regarding the hospital where the victim was admitted and eventually died?
I am very pleased to say that the staff of the private hospital acted professionally in every aspect of the treatment and eventual containment of the case. I understand that the hospital has been decontaminate and closed for a period of time.
What is your last word on this?
As I mentioned earlier, the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place. We should have had our border monitoring in place soon after we learnt of the first case in Guinea.
Again, so long as ASKY or any other airlines are bringing in passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea, our border monitoring must remain in place until the countries are declared free and for another 2-3 weeks after the declaration.
Foremost virologist and Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, President of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, is of the view that Nigeria’s effort in containing the first reported Ebola case was commendable. However, Tomori, who is currently the regional virologist with the World Health Organisation Africa Region and a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science, the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria and the Royal College of Pathologists of the United Kingdom, warns that as far as Ebola is concerned, Nigeria is not yet out of the woods. He speaks to Sola Ogundipe. Excerpts .
WHAT should be the best step for monitoring passengers entering Nigeria by air, land and sea from Ebola affected countries? Do they need to be quarantined?
Not necessarily. The Port Health staff needs to screen passengers coming into Nigeria from Ebola affected countries, by checking for anyone ill with fever plus signs and symptoms of Ebola fever. The screening can be done using a prepared investigation form for taking details of the passenger – name, age, contact address, travel history (which countries visited, for how long and which part of the country, etc), plus any history of illness or sickness over the last 2-3 weeks.
Those who are sick, like the Liberian case, must be taken for observation to hospital with isolation facilities. Others must be let off, but monitored and contacted DAILY by phone to check if they fall sick over the next 3 weeks covering the incubation period of Ebola infection. They should be carefully monitored by competent health staff
From what we have witnessed in the handling of the first Ebola victim, is Nigeria in any way up to the task of containing a possible outbreak of Ebola?
I will say that the health staff – federal, state and the hospital where the case was admitted and the laboratory staff have performed creditably well. However, the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place. We should count ourselves lucky that the Liberian case came into Nigeria already sick and landed in Lagos too sick to continue his journey to Calabar.
He arrived at a time when our government hospitals were operating at “half mast” because the doctors were on strike. We might have had a bigger problem in our hands, assuming this case was well enough to get to Calabar – (in which case he would have mingled with more passengers at the local airport and in Calabar) or that government hospitals were in full operation, (in which case he would not have been admitted into a private hospital, where there are fewer contacts). So, I am saying we were able to detect the case through fortuitous circumstances and not because of our preparedness.
We were simply lucky. In spite of our national penchant for declaring ourselves always on top of the situation, we were plain lucky on this occasion, not because we were prepared. Next time, we may not be so lucky. We must, however, commend staff of the Federal and State Ministries of Health and of the private hospital where the case was admitted for being alert and taking prompt action as soon as suspicion was raised. Another point about this issue which made me proud was the laboratory support within the country.
The lab in LUTH under Prof Omilabu received samples on July 22nd and the next day provided results of a pan-FILOVIRUS family diagnosis, that is evidence of presence of a virus belonging to the family of Ebola virus (including Marburg, Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan Bundibugyo virus, Reston virus, and Taï Forest virus).
Samples were also sent to Prof. Happi’s lab at the Redeemer’s University (RUN), late on July 23. The Happi team worked and tested and confirmed that the virus was the specific Ebola-Zaire type virus early on July 25, 2014. All these happened before confirmation came in from Dakar. I understand the RUN lab will commence sequencing studies pretty soon. My congratulations to our colleagues in LUTH and RUN for a great job.
What should we be doing currently that we are not in terms of (a) preparedness (b) response?
We are certainly not out of the woods yet, until we ensure that we monitor and ascertain that every of his contact is free from infection. We must trace all the passengers in the plane that brought him to Nigeria, to those in contact with him at the Lagos airport, and all those who attended to him, in the hospital where he was treated.
Every such person must be monitored for the duration of the incubation period of Ebola virus infection that is up to 21 days from point of contact. We must get in touch with them on a daily basis to find out if they fall sick, with fever and showing the signs and exhibiting the symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever. This must be carried out thoroughly, efficiently and rapidly. I repeat, we are not out of the woods yet.
One other issue we should take note of is to find out the itinerary of the ASKY flight that brought the case to Nigeria. Did the flight come direct from Liberia or were there stops on the way say, Lome, etc., and who had contact with the case.
We need to contact other countries where ASKY might have landed and is still landing. I hear also that other airlines – Arik does direct Abuja-Monrovia-Freetown flights. If that is so, then we must also mount our surveillance not only on Lagos, but also on Abuja, Not forgetting Idi-Iroko, Seme borders.
In the event of detection of subsequent confirmed cases of Ebola, what would be the implication and how should we respond to such?
Any suspected case arising from new comers into Nigeria or should any of the contact of the Liberian case become ill, the case should be admitted immediately into a hospital with isolation facilities and barrier nursing instituted.
Isolation facilities
This is why the monitoring at the border must not be scaled down. So long as we are still having people coming in from the affected West African countries, we must be on top alert with our border monitoring.
Are there any issues regarding the hospital where the victim was admitted and eventually died?
I am very pleased to say that the staff of the private hospital acted professionally in every aspect of the treatment and eventual containment of the case. I understand that the hospital has been decontaminate and closed for a period of time.
What is your last word on this?
As I mentioned earlier, the detection of the case was purely fortuitous and not because we had our preparedness machinery in place. We should have had our border monitoring in place soon after we learnt of the first case in Guinea.
Again, so long as ASKY or any other airlines are bringing in passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea, our border monitoring must remain in place until the countries are declared free and for another 2-3 weeks after the declaration.
Monday, 28 July 2014
Words Successful people Don't Say
You'll never catch a successful person saying, "It's not fair."
Over 2,500 years ago, philosopher and poet Lao Tzu taught that our words become actions, which eventually become our destiny. In first century Greece, historian and essayist Plutarch declared that a speaker's state of mind, character, and disposition are exposed through their words. And Napoleon Hill, the twentieth century father of personal success literature, asserts that words plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. "Across the planet, sages insist that words are potent and should be chosen and spoken with care, for they are 'the most powerful drug used by mankind,' as Rudyard Kipling warns," says Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of "Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results." "If they're right, it stands to reason that what we say to ourselves and others plays a critical role in helping us achieve success." Regardless of how you may define success, words will help manifest that vision into reality. "There are also words and phrases that can damage your self-image, mar your reputation, and jeopardize your success," Price says. "To optimize your success, eliminate this language from your vocabulary and never speak it to yourself or another person."
Here are 17 phrases successful people never say:
"I have no choice," or, "I had no choice."
"Successful people always see the options, regardless of the circumstances," Price says. "To say we have no choice in the matter implies that we perceive ourselves as a victim; that we are less powerful than our environment." These weak words relieve the speaker of all responsibility. Successful people say: "I have a choice," "Here are our options," or, "Let's imagine all the possibilities." They know that claiming and exercising the power to choose is the first step toward achieving their goals, she says.
"I should have," or, "I could have."
The words "should," "could," and "ought" imply regret, blame, finger-pointing, and fault, whether you say them to yourself or another person. "Successful people don't wallow in the past, and they rarely regret a decision or action," says Price. "Even if it's deemed a failure by others, they accept it as a learning experience that gets them one step closer to their goal." Similarly, they avoid: "You should have," and, "You could have." "There's no quicker way to upset a boss, colleague, or customer than to suggest they're guilty of something (even if they are)." Instead, take a collaborative approach. Say, "Please help me understand why…" or, "Next time may we adopt an alternative approach…"
"I can't do that," or, "That's impossible," or, "That can't be done."
Not only are these words self-limiting, others perceive them as pessimistic, unconstructive, even defeatist, Price explains. "Achievers know there are countless roadblocks on the road to success — barriers that may stall or stump, but never stop them." They either remove the barrier, or figure out a way to go over, under, or around it.
The words "can't" or "impossible" rarely enter the minds of successful people.
"Instead of throwing in the towel," Price says, "they speak in terms of alternative ways to get the work accomplished: 'What I can do is...' 'I'm sure there's a way to...' 'Instead of ___, let's try___.'" As the great industrialist Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't — you're right."
"That's not my job," or, "I don't get paid enough for this," or, "That's not my problem."
Successful people help others succeed. As billionaire Warren Buffett says, "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." "Think of 'planting trees' as your job," Price says. "If you're asked to do something by your boss, coworker, or a customer, it's because it's important to them. Therefore, as a team player, goal No. 1 is to figure out how to help them get it accomplished." Even if it's not in your job description, by saying so displays a career-limiting bad attitude. Even if your boss lays an unreasonable request on your desk, reply positively by saying, "Sure, I'll be glad to help you accomplish that. Given my current tasks of A, B, and C, which one of these would you like to place on back-burner while I work on this new assignment?" "This response clearly communicates a prioritized workload, alongside a willing attitude to help," she says.
"But we've always done it that way," or, "That's not the way we do it here."
Successful people are passionate about innovation, finding a better way of doing something. In fact, Steve Jobs said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." For this reason, effective managers value employees who demonstrate creative thinking, flexibility, and problem-solving skill, Price explains. "These phrases, in one fell swoop, reveal you are the opposite: stuck in the past, inflexible, and closed-minded," she says. "Even if you disagree with someone's idea, say instead, 'Wow, that's an interesting idea. How would that work?' Or, 'That's a different approach. Let's discuss the pros and cons.'"
"It's not fair."
She got a raise, you didn't. He was recognized, you weren't. That department is receiving funding, yours isn't. "Injustices happen on the job and in the world every day," she says. "Successful people are proactive about issues versus reactive. Instead of complaining or whining, take action: document the facts, build a case, and present an intelligent argument to the person or group that can help you."
"He's a jerk," or, "She's lazy," or, "My job stinks," or, "I hate this company."
Successful people avoid words of judgment, insult, and negativity, says Price. "Regardless of your feelings or the circumstances, avoid making unconstructive or judgmental statements that convey a negative attitude toward people or your job." If a genuine complaint or issue needs to be brought to someone's attention, do so with well-documented facts, tact, consideration, and neutrality. "Nothing tanks a career faster than name-calling or mudslinging," she says. "Not only does it reveal juvenile immaturity, it's language that may be libel and fire-able." Successful people choose words carefully to state observable facts and avoid disparaging language.
Think positive at all time.
Over 2,500 years ago, philosopher and poet Lao Tzu taught that our words become actions, which eventually become our destiny. In first century Greece, historian and essayist Plutarch declared that a speaker's state of mind, character, and disposition are exposed through their words. And Napoleon Hill, the twentieth century father of personal success literature, asserts that words plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. "Across the planet, sages insist that words are potent and should be chosen and spoken with care, for they are 'the most powerful drug used by mankind,' as Rudyard Kipling warns," says Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of "Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results." "If they're right, it stands to reason that what we say to ourselves and others plays a critical role in helping us achieve success." Regardless of how you may define success, words will help manifest that vision into reality. "There are also words and phrases that can damage your self-image, mar your reputation, and jeopardize your success," Price says. "To optimize your success, eliminate this language from your vocabulary and never speak it to yourself or another person."
Here are 17 phrases successful people never say:
"I have no choice," or, "I had no choice."
"Successful people always see the options, regardless of the circumstances," Price says. "To say we have no choice in the matter implies that we perceive ourselves as a victim; that we are less powerful than our environment." These weak words relieve the speaker of all responsibility. Successful people say: "I have a choice," "Here are our options," or, "Let's imagine all the possibilities." They know that claiming and exercising the power to choose is the first step toward achieving their goals, she says.
"I should have," or, "I could have."
The words "should," "could," and "ought" imply regret, blame, finger-pointing, and fault, whether you say them to yourself or another person. "Successful people don't wallow in the past, and they rarely regret a decision or action," says Price. "Even if it's deemed a failure by others, they accept it as a learning experience that gets them one step closer to their goal." Similarly, they avoid: "You should have," and, "You could have." "There's no quicker way to upset a boss, colleague, or customer than to suggest they're guilty of something (even if they are)." Instead, take a collaborative approach. Say, "Please help me understand why…" or, "Next time may we adopt an alternative approach…"
"I can't do that," or, "That's impossible," or, "That can't be done."
Not only are these words self-limiting, others perceive them as pessimistic, unconstructive, even defeatist, Price explains. "Achievers know there are countless roadblocks on the road to success — barriers that may stall or stump, but never stop them." They either remove the barrier, or figure out a way to go over, under, or around it.
The words "can't" or "impossible" rarely enter the minds of successful people.
"Instead of throwing in the towel," Price says, "they speak in terms of alternative ways to get the work accomplished: 'What I can do is...' 'I'm sure there's a way to...' 'Instead of ___, let's try___.'" As the great industrialist Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't — you're right."
"That's not my job," or, "I don't get paid enough for this," or, "That's not my problem."
Successful people help others succeed. As billionaire Warren Buffett says, "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." "Think of 'planting trees' as your job," Price says. "If you're asked to do something by your boss, coworker, or a customer, it's because it's important to them. Therefore, as a team player, goal No. 1 is to figure out how to help them get it accomplished." Even if it's not in your job description, by saying so displays a career-limiting bad attitude. Even if your boss lays an unreasonable request on your desk, reply positively by saying, "Sure, I'll be glad to help you accomplish that. Given my current tasks of A, B, and C, which one of these would you like to place on back-burner while I work on this new assignment?" "This response clearly communicates a prioritized workload, alongside a willing attitude to help," she says.
"But we've always done it that way," or, "That's not the way we do it here."
Successful people are passionate about innovation, finding a better way of doing something. In fact, Steve Jobs said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." For this reason, effective managers value employees who demonstrate creative thinking, flexibility, and problem-solving skill, Price explains. "These phrases, in one fell swoop, reveal you are the opposite: stuck in the past, inflexible, and closed-minded," she says. "Even if you disagree with someone's idea, say instead, 'Wow, that's an interesting idea. How would that work?' Or, 'That's a different approach. Let's discuss the pros and cons.'"
"It's not fair."
She got a raise, you didn't. He was recognized, you weren't. That department is receiving funding, yours isn't. "Injustices happen on the job and in the world every day," she says. "Successful people are proactive about issues versus reactive. Instead of complaining or whining, take action: document the facts, build a case, and present an intelligent argument to the person or group that can help you."
"He's a jerk," or, "She's lazy," or, "My job stinks," or, "I hate this company."
Successful people avoid words of judgment, insult, and negativity, says Price. "Regardless of your feelings or the circumstances, avoid making unconstructive or judgmental statements that convey a negative attitude toward people or your job." If a genuine complaint or issue needs to be brought to someone's attention, do so with well-documented facts, tact, consideration, and neutrality. "Nothing tanks a career faster than name-calling or mudslinging," she says. "Not only does it reveal juvenile immaturity, it's language that may be libel and fire-able." Successful people choose words carefully to state observable facts and avoid disparaging language.
Think positive at all time.
Bakare wants FG to apologise to Boko Haram over killing of leader
Lagos—CONVENER of the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said one of the ways to end Boko Haram insurgency is for the Federal Government to apologise to members of the sect over the murder of their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009.
He, however, said last Wednesday’s attack on former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari’s convoy in Kaduna State is an indication that bombing in the country is taking a new dimension.
Bakare, who is the Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, spoke during a state of the nation address at a church service in Lagos.
Proffering ways of ending the Boko Haram insurgency, Bakare said there was need for “updating and strengthening of military capability, creation of jobs and enhanced welfare to discourage recruits of the sect, diplomatic engagement with the international community, creation of an atmosphere of political inclusion rather than exclusion, among others. We need a strong and well coordinated approach to terrorism.”
Bakare, who was Buhari’s Vice-Presidential running mate in the 2011 presidential elections, said “but for the timely intervention of God, last week’s assassination attempt on General Muhamadu Buhari might have marked the beginning of the end for Nigeria if it had succeeded. We will not also ignore the fact that at the root of the escalation of the Boko Haram crisis was oppression and injustice.
”The summary execution of the Boko Haram’s former leader, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009 provided the soil of martyrdom for the nurture and growth of the sect. Government must declare peace first of all; apologising for the murder of Mohammed Yusuf to the sect members not their sympathisers or bandits.”
Boko Haram attacks Cameroun
Maiduguri — Nigeria’s neighbour, Cameroon, yesterday, came under attack from Boko Haram Islamic sect as the terrorists launched an offensive on the home of Cameroon’s vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali, abducting his wife and killing three others in the northern town of Kolofata.
boko-abducted-girls
A local religious leader and mayor, Seini Boukar_Lamine, was also kidnapped in a separate attack on his home.
According to Cameroon=s Information Minister, Issa Tchiroma told Reuters news agency yesterday that, “I can confirm that the home of Vice Prime Minister Amadou_Ali in Kolofata came under a savage attack from Boko Haram_militants. They unfortunately took away his wife. They also attacked the lamido’s (religious leader’s) residence and he was also kidnapped,” he said, adding that at least three people were killed in the attack.
Boko Haram fighters clashed with the Cameroonian army in cross‑border attacks twice since Friday, killing four soldiers.
Cameroon has deployed more than 1,000 soldiers along its border to help combat the Nigerian armed group.
In May, Boko Haram kidnapped 10 Chinese workers from northern Cameroon._
A massive assault last week by Boko Haram in which the group took control of northeast Nigerian town of Damboa displaced more than 15,000 people.
Meanwhile, two persons suspected to be residents of Damboa community taking refuge amongst the over 10,000 displaced persons in Shaffa District of Hawul Local Government Area of Borno state were slaughtered weekend by gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect.
Sources in Shaffa explained that the attackers who also went away with two Pickup vans belonging to residents of the area. removed the heads of the deceased and placed them on their chest before fleeing without confrontation.
Another source added that the attackers who after slaughtering their victims also warned residents including the Traditional ruler in Shaffa to desist from accommodating any Damboa refugees or risk deadly attacks.
It will be recalled that multiple attacks on Damboa Local Government Area of the state which claimed the lives of the Commanding Officer of 195 Battalion, a Divisional Police Officer, DPO five policemen and 16 soldiers as well as many civilians led to the sacking of thousands of residents who fled to different locations, while others were taking refuge in designated camps in Biu and Maiduguri metropolis.
Speaking further on the attack on two of the refugees, a top politician from Shaffa who did not want his name to be mentioned in print for security reason, told our Correspondent that “the gunmen did not touch any residents of Shaffa as they only traced their victims and killed them before firing sporadic gunshots in the air warning people especially the traditional ruler (name withheld) to stop receiving or accommodation any Damboa fleeing victim or risk attacks on his community”.
It was also gathered that the gunmen before fleeing Shaffa told residents that they (terrorists) have vowed to hunt any fleeing Damboa refugee and kill, alleging that the people of Damboa were their enemies who were against their mission.
Ebola: Arik Air suspends flights to Liberia, Sierra Leone
We were under pressure to release victim – Hospital
By Sola Ogundipe, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Lawani Mikairu, Daniel Eteghe & Gabriel Olawale
Lagos—Arik Air yesterday said it had suspended flight operations to Liberia and Sierra Leone following the death last week, of a Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, of the dreaded Ebola disease, even as it advised that all inbound flights into Nigeria from any of the Ebola affected countries be immediately suspended by the Federal Government.
Sawyer flew into Nigeria onboard Asky Airline to attend an ECOWAS conference in Calabar, Cross River State.
This came as First Consultants Medical Centre Ltd, Obalende, Lagos, the hospital where the first Ebola victim in Nigeria died, said it was under serious pressure to release the victim.
Confirming the suspension of the flights yesterday, Arik Air General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Ola Adebanji said “As a result of the first Ebola virus death officially confirmed in Lagos, and involving a Liberian national who flew on a foreign (non-Nigerian) based airline from Monrovia via Lome (Togo) into the city last week, Arik Air will be suspending operations into Monrovia (Liberia) and Freetown (Sierra Leone) effective July 28, 2014.”
“The suspension will be in force until further notice. This decision is a pre-cautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the precious lives of Nigerians. Arik Air is taking this important measure as a concerned corporate citizen bearing interest of Nigerians at heart.“
According to him, the airline acknowledged steps the Federal Government of Nigeria was currently taking to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, saying “however, we feel compelled to take the decision to immediately suspend services into the two Ebola affected countries due to our interest in the well being of Nigerians.”
He explained that at the early stages of the development across West Africa, the Gambian government took the proactive decision to stop airlines, including Arik Air, from bringing inbound passengers from Monrovia, Conakry, Guinea, and Freetown into Banjul.
Adebanji added “Hence, in line with the actions taken by the Gambian Government, we trust, and are confident, that the Federal Government of Nigeria shall take all steps necessary to control and curtail the spread of the virus. We humbly suggest that as a first step, all inbound flights into Nigeria, originating from any of the Ebola-affected countries, be immediately suspended.”
Meanwhile, First Consultants Medical Centre Ltd, Obalende, Lagos, the hospital where the first Ebola victim in Nigeria died, has spoken out on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement by the hospital’s Chief Consultant/ Medical Director, Dr B.N. Ohiaeri and the Senior Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Dr. A.S. Adadevoh, it said the hospital was under pressure to release the victim.
According to the statement, “He was fully conscious and gave his clinical history and told us he was a senior diplomat from Liberia. We refused to let him out of the hospital in spite of intense pressure as we were told he was a senior ECOWAS official who had an important role to play at the ECOWAS convention in Calabar. The initial test result from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital laboratory indicated a signal of possible Ebola Virus Disease, but required confirmation.
“We then took the further step of reaching out to senior officials in the office of the Secretary of Health of the United States of America, who promptly assisted us with contacts at the Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organisation regional laboratory centre in Senegal. Jointly working with the state, Federal agencies and international agencies, we were able to obtain confirmation of Ebola Virus Disease (Zaire strain). The gentleman subsequently died on Friday at 6.50am (25th July, 2014).”
Following the death of the patient, the duo said there was “orderly temporary shutdown of the hospital with immediate evacuation of in-house patients. This was followed by appropriate professional removal of the body and its incineration under WHO guidelines witnessed by all appropriate agencies,” noting that the reopening of the hospital would also be in accordance with WHO guidelines.
The statement added that in keeping with World Health Organisation guideline, the hospital had been shut down briefly for full decontamination.
Meanwhile, a cross section of Lagos residents has urged the state and federal governments to spread their dragnet nationwide to ensure that all the co- passengers aboard the Asky aircraft that brought the victim to Nigeria are quickly located and screened for the virus.
Speaking to Vanguard at the departure wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, a middle-aged man, who identified himself as Olukayode, said it was not good enough for the co-passengers to have been allowed to go away without ensuring their health had not been compromised.
Another passenger who pleaded anonymity said screening of people should have been adopted earlier to stop the spread of the disease.
By Sola Ogundipe, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Lawani Mikairu, Daniel Eteghe & Gabriel Olawale
Lagos—Arik Air yesterday said it had suspended flight operations to Liberia and Sierra Leone following the death last week, of a Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, of the dreaded Ebola disease, even as it advised that all inbound flights into Nigeria from any of the Ebola affected countries be immediately suspended by the Federal Government.
Sawyer flew into Nigeria onboard Asky Airline to attend an ECOWAS conference in Calabar, Cross River State.
This came as First Consultants Medical Centre Ltd, Obalende, Lagos, the hospital where the first Ebola victim in Nigeria died, said it was under serious pressure to release the victim.
Confirming the suspension of the flights yesterday, Arik Air General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Ola Adebanji said “As a result of the first Ebola virus death officially confirmed in Lagos, and involving a Liberian national who flew on a foreign (non-Nigerian) based airline from Monrovia via Lome (Togo) into the city last week, Arik Air will be suspending operations into Monrovia (Liberia) and Freetown (Sierra Leone) effective July 28, 2014.”
“The suspension will be in force until further notice. This decision is a pre-cautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the precious lives of Nigerians. Arik Air is taking this important measure as a concerned corporate citizen bearing interest of Nigerians at heart.“
According to him, the airline acknowledged steps the Federal Government of Nigeria was currently taking to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, saying “however, we feel compelled to take the decision to immediately suspend services into the two Ebola affected countries due to our interest in the well being of Nigerians.”
He explained that at the early stages of the development across West Africa, the Gambian government took the proactive decision to stop airlines, including Arik Air, from bringing inbound passengers from Monrovia, Conakry, Guinea, and Freetown into Banjul.
Adebanji added “Hence, in line with the actions taken by the Gambian Government, we trust, and are confident, that the Federal Government of Nigeria shall take all steps necessary to control and curtail the spread of the virus. We humbly suggest that as a first step, all inbound flights into Nigeria, originating from any of the Ebola-affected countries, be immediately suspended.”
Meanwhile, First Consultants Medical Centre Ltd, Obalende, Lagos, the hospital where the first Ebola victim in Nigeria died, has spoken out on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement by the hospital’s Chief Consultant/ Medical Director, Dr B.N. Ohiaeri and the Senior Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Dr. A.S. Adadevoh, it said the hospital was under pressure to release the victim.
According to the statement, “He was fully conscious and gave his clinical history and told us he was a senior diplomat from Liberia. We refused to let him out of the hospital in spite of intense pressure as we were told he was a senior ECOWAS official who had an important role to play at the ECOWAS convention in Calabar. The initial test result from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital laboratory indicated a signal of possible Ebola Virus Disease, but required confirmation.
“We then took the further step of reaching out to senior officials in the office of the Secretary of Health of the United States of America, who promptly assisted us with contacts at the Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organisation regional laboratory centre in Senegal. Jointly working with the state, Federal agencies and international agencies, we were able to obtain confirmation of Ebola Virus Disease (Zaire strain). The gentleman subsequently died on Friday at 6.50am (25th July, 2014).”
Following the death of the patient, the duo said there was “orderly temporary shutdown of the hospital with immediate evacuation of in-house patients. This was followed by appropriate professional removal of the body and its incineration under WHO guidelines witnessed by all appropriate agencies,” noting that the reopening of the hospital would also be in accordance with WHO guidelines.
The statement added that in keeping with World Health Organisation guideline, the hospital had been shut down briefly for full decontamination.
Meanwhile, a cross section of Lagos residents has urged the state and federal governments to spread their dragnet nationwide to ensure that all the co- passengers aboard the Asky aircraft that brought the victim to Nigeria are quickly located and screened for the virus.
Speaking to Vanguard at the departure wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, a middle-aged man, who identified himself as Olukayode, said it was not good enough for the co-passengers to have been allowed to go away without ensuring their health had not been compromised.
Another passenger who pleaded anonymity said screening of people should have been adopted earlier to stop the spread of the disease.
KOEMAN PICKS UP THE PIECES AFTER SAINTS EXODUS
Ronald Koeman tried to insist earlier this month that Southampton are not a selling club, but the Dutchman has been unable to stop the summer exodus.
Luke Shaw has signed for Manchester United while Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert have moved to Liverpool.
Dejan Lovren is on the verge of a €25m switch to Liverpool and right-back Calum Chambers is set to join Arsenal in a €20m deal.
It won't stop. The only jewel left in the crown is Morgan Schneiderlin, with the midfielder a target for Arsenal and Tottenham.
Schneiderlin is, understandably, increasingly desperate to follow his team-mates out of St Mary’s and fears getting stranded in a relegation battle this season.
The asset stripping, which started with the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham, has left Southampton financially secure but they now have little over a month to build a squad that can survive in the Premier League.
It is unclear exactly what Koeman was told when he took the Saints job in June but a promising team - Southampton finished eighth last season - has been ripped apart and their new manager has been left to pick up the pieces.
SA disappoints Keshi, appoints ‘Shakes’ Mashaba
South Africa Football Association, yesterday named local coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba as new manager of the Bafana Bafana, thus ending all speculations concerning coach Stephen Keshi.
In the middle of the 2014 World Cup campaign, Keshi had sounded a warning that he could be heading for South Africa if the Nigeria Football Federation failed to offer him an improved contract.
Mashaba who is making a second coming to the job is presently in charge of the under-20 team. He said that he was honoured and humbled to have been appointed head coach of Bafana Bafana for a second time in his career.
“My first work would be to thank Mr Jordaan as well as the entire national executive. Words fail me. I’m sure I won’t disappoint,” Mashaba said.
“I will pull out all the stops to make sure that our people become part and parcel of our national team. The only way to do that is by bringing results.”
Mashaba did not attend the announcement because he was with the South African men’s under-20 team on a tour of West Africa, but he was contacted by Safa chief executive Dennis Mumble seconds after the announcement.
Mashaba spoke to the media from Mali by way of Mumble’s loud-speaker on his mobile phone.
Mashaba, 63, replaces outgoing boss Gordon Igesund, whose contract, which runs until the end of August, has not been renewed.
Jordaan explained that the national executive committee (NEC), who was tasked with making the final decision regarding the national coach, made a unanimous decision to appoint the highly-rated local coach.
“Everyone spoke in support of the national executive,” Jordaan said.
“We eventually had a list of 16 people who indicated their interest in taking this job. Ultimately that list was submitted to our technical team.
“We asked them to reduce the list to a short-list of names to be placed before the NEC, for the NEC to take a final decision. They placed before the NEC two names… that of Carlos Queiroz and Shakes Mashaba.
POLICE NAB FIRST CLASS GRADUATE, FIVE OTHERS OVER INTERNET FRAUD
By Evelyn Usman
LAGOS— The Police Special Fraud Unit, PSFU, has smashed a syndicate which speclialises in designing multinational organisations’ websites to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, particularly applicants, and arrested six members.
Among the suspects are a first class honours graduate and two final year students of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA.
The suspects’ modus oparadi, according to the unit, include using logos of multinational companies to place online advertisements for jobs and scholarships and demanding application fee from interested individuals.
Luck ran out for the suspects after the unit received a petition from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, last August, that a website designed as ‘OFID Scholarship Website’ (OPEC Fund for International Development for World Student Aid Scholarship) with OFID name and logo is being used to defraud unsuspecting Nigerian applicants.
How they were arrested
Explaining how they were arrested, spokesperson for the unit, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “The petition dated August 22, 2013, said in the website, applicants were required to pay a fee of N2,500 and over 2,000 applicants responded through FirstBank account number 2020874607 and Access Bank account number 0056941009 with the name, OFID WSAS NG.
“The petitioner stated further that it was one of the victims that contacted OFID via facebook, accusing it of being an accomplice in the fraud.
“ The Cybercrime Section of the unit swung into action and the mastermind of the fraud, one Falade Oluwapelumi Ayotunde, was arrested.
“His arrest led to the arrest of five other syndicate members. Police investigation so far revealed that over 2,000 applicants paid N2,500 each into the two bank accounts provided by the suspects and the principal suspect is the only signatory to both accounts.
“Twenty-five- year-old Falade Olowapelumi Ayotunde, a 500-level Estate Management student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, in his confessional statement to operatives of the unit, admitted to have designed the website of OFID WSAS in June, 2012.
“He, however, claimed that the idea was sold to him by Fajobi Olalekan and Bolatiri Opemipo. He also admitted in his statement that he opened an account in both banks with the name OFID WSAS NG for applicants to pay in their application fee which many responded to.
“The suspect who hails from Akure, Ondo state, further stated that he and his cohorts printed a postal for OFIDWAS which was on the website.
I was paid N120,000 for the job
On his part, Asaolu Victor, 25, a graduate of Mining Engineering from FUTA, admitted to have assisted to paste the posters on-line.
According to Asaolu, who is from Ilesha, Osun State, he was tempted to assist because of unemployment. “Yes, I assisted to paste it on-line and at the end, I was given the sum of N80,000 and later they added N40,000, totalling N120,000 for the job.”
Another suspect, Awote Temitope Emmanuel, 27, said: “I am a 500 level Estate Management student of FUTA. I assisted Ayotunde (principal suspect ) to guarantee the accounts he opened for the OFID programme and I was paid N70,000.”
Asked if he was aware that the scholarship programme was fake, he nodded in affirmative.
I lent Ayotunde N12,000
Also on his part, 27-year-old Fajobi Olalekan, a first class Mechanical Engineering graduate of FUTA and the best graduating student in his department for 2012, told operatives that he only lent the alleged mastermind N12,000 to host the website.
According to him, “while in school, I lived in the same lodge with Ayotunde. He and his friends were always coming to me for educational assistance because of my intelligence. I once fell a victim of a scam scholarship known as EDIADS.
“Ayo approached me then and got some information regarding it which I believe gave him an idea on how to design his OFID Scholarship Website.
“I lent Ayotunde N12,000 which he used to host the website but he paid me N20,000 and informed me that the plan was successful.”
Professional advice
Adebomi Oluwatosin, who is also a graduate of FUTA, said he only offered the alleged mastermind professional advice and also lent him N100,000 at the initial stage which was paid back with an additional N100,000.
Investigation, according to the Commissioner of Police in-charge of the unit, Umar Idris, was on-going, informing that the suspects would be charged to court soon.
He however, advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of any on-line advert before parting with their money, even as he called on the victims to visit the PSFU at Milverton Road, Ikoyi , Lagos in furtherance of the investigation.
LAGOS— The Police Special Fraud Unit, PSFU, has smashed a syndicate which speclialises in designing multinational organisations’ websites to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, particularly applicants, and arrested six members.
Among the suspects are a first class honours graduate and two final year students of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA.
The suspects’ modus oparadi, according to the unit, include using logos of multinational companies to place online advertisements for jobs and scholarships and demanding application fee from interested individuals.
Luck ran out for the suspects after the unit received a petition from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, last August, that a website designed as ‘OFID Scholarship Website’ (OPEC Fund for International Development for World Student Aid Scholarship) with OFID name and logo is being used to defraud unsuspecting Nigerian applicants.
How they were arrested
Explaining how they were arrested, spokesperson for the unit, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “The petition dated August 22, 2013, said in the website, applicants were required to pay a fee of N2,500 and over 2,000 applicants responded through FirstBank account number 2020874607 and Access Bank account number 0056941009 with the name, OFID WSAS NG.
“The petitioner stated further that it was one of the victims that contacted OFID via facebook, accusing it of being an accomplice in the fraud.
“ The Cybercrime Section of the unit swung into action and the mastermind of the fraud, one Falade Oluwapelumi Ayotunde, was arrested.
“His arrest led to the arrest of five other syndicate members. Police investigation so far revealed that over 2,000 applicants paid N2,500 each into the two bank accounts provided by the suspects and the principal suspect is the only signatory to both accounts.
“Twenty-five- year-old Falade Olowapelumi Ayotunde, a 500-level Estate Management student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, in his confessional statement to operatives of the unit, admitted to have designed the website of OFID WSAS in June, 2012.
“He, however, claimed that the idea was sold to him by Fajobi Olalekan and Bolatiri Opemipo. He also admitted in his statement that he opened an account in both banks with the name OFID WSAS NG for applicants to pay in their application fee which many responded to.
“The suspect who hails from Akure, Ondo state, further stated that he and his cohorts printed a postal for OFIDWAS which was on the website.
I was paid N120,000 for the job
On his part, Asaolu Victor, 25, a graduate of Mining Engineering from FUTA, admitted to have assisted to paste the posters on-line.
According to Asaolu, who is from Ilesha, Osun State, he was tempted to assist because of unemployment. “Yes, I assisted to paste it on-line and at the end, I was given the sum of N80,000 and later they added N40,000, totalling N120,000 for the job.”
Another suspect, Awote Temitope Emmanuel, 27, said: “I am a 500 level Estate Management student of FUTA. I assisted Ayotunde (principal suspect ) to guarantee the accounts he opened for the OFID programme and I was paid N70,000.”
Asked if he was aware that the scholarship programme was fake, he nodded in affirmative.
I lent Ayotunde N12,000
Also on his part, 27-year-old Fajobi Olalekan, a first class Mechanical Engineering graduate of FUTA and the best graduating student in his department for 2012, told operatives that he only lent the alleged mastermind N12,000 to host the website.
According to him, “while in school, I lived in the same lodge with Ayotunde. He and his friends were always coming to me for educational assistance because of my intelligence. I once fell a victim of a scam scholarship known as EDIADS.
“Ayo approached me then and got some information regarding it which I believe gave him an idea on how to design his OFID Scholarship Website.
“I lent Ayotunde N12,000 which he used to host the website but he paid me N20,000 and informed me that the plan was successful.”
Professional advice
Adebomi Oluwatosin, who is also a graduate of FUTA, said he only offered the alleged mastermind professional advice and also lent him N100,000 at the initial stage which was paid back with an additional N100,000.
Investigation, according to the Commissioner of Police in-charge of the unit, Umar Idris, was on-going, informing that the suspects would be charged to court soon.
He however, advised members of the public to verify the authenticity of any on-line advert before parting with their money, even as he called on the victims to visit the PSFU at Milverton Road, Ikoyi , Lagos in furtherance of the investigation.
Saturday, 26 July 2014
If there is one thing to be said for John Obi Mikel, it is that he is no stranger to difficult circumstances. The Chelsea midfielder is presently on an extended break, resting up from his World Cup exertions with Nigeria. Upon his return, he is sure to find the furniture at Cobham has been moved around quite a bit.
The world is, to this day, in awe of the genius of Harry Houdini, a master of escapology. He contrived the most difficult bonds and fantastical contraptions, and materialised from them unfettered to widespread adulation. However, a lot of his manacles were self-made. So it is with the Super Eagles’ number 10. The difference is people pay to see football in stadiums, not escape artists.
Not that magicians and footballers are much different. However, when expected to fulfil a role that indulges sleight of body and mind, Mikel conjured up no wonder in Brazil.
There have been reports that the London-based club are eager to get him off the books, and have slashed his asking price in a bid to generate interest. A year is a long time in football, and a decade seems a lifetime ago now for the 27-year-old, whose arrival to British football was in the wake of an acrimonious battle between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Mikel has gone from being sought after to being hawked around.
It is not hard to see why, neither is it overly surprising. Mikel has made a Blues’ career out of managing escapes, wriggling out of a hole he has steadily dug himself into. Under different managers, he has defied initial predictions of doom to stay relevant, but only just. The mental and emotional wear appears to have taken a toll: Mikel looked like a man running in treacle at the World Cup, and was completely unable to get to grips with the flow of the Nigerian team.
His contribution at Chelsea has also steadily petered out, and he now finds himself pretty much at the bottom of the Chelsea midfield pecking order. Oriol Romeu is back from one of those loans the club seems to specialise in; Marco van Ginkel is very highly rated, and may have gazumped Mikel already last season had he not injured his anterior cruciate ligaments; Nemanja Matic towers above him, physically and figuratively; and Ramires offers a staple all coaches love: tireless running round the clock.
The world is, to this day, in awe of the genius of Harry Houdini, a master of escapology. He contrived the most difficult bonds and fantastical contraptions, and materialised from them unfettered to widespread adulation. However, a lot of his manacles were self-made. So it is with the Super Eagles’ number 10. The difference is people pay to see football in stadiums, not escape artists.
Not that magicians and footballers are much different. However, when expected to fulfil a role that indulges sleight of body and mind, Mikel conjured up no wonder in Brazil.
There have been reports that the London-based club are eager to get him off the books, and have slashed his asking price in a bid to generate interest. A year is a long time in football, and a decade seems a lifetime ago now for the 27-year-old, whose arrival to British football was in the wake of an acrimonious battle between Chelsea and Manchester United.
Mikel has gone from being sought after to being hawked around.
It is not hard to see why, neither is it overly surprising. Mikel has made a Blues’ career out of managing escapes, wriggling out of a hole he has steadily dug himself into. Under different managers, he has defied initial predictions of doom to stay relevant, but only just. The mental and emotional wear appears to have taken a toll: Mikel looked like a man running in treacle at the World Cup, and was completely unable to get to grips with the flow of the Nigerian team.
His contribution at Chelsea has also steadily petered out, and he now finds himself pretty much at the bottom of the Chelsea midfield pecking order. Oriol Romeu is back from one of those loans the club seems to specialise in; Marco van Ginkel is very highly rated, and may have gazumped Mikel already last season had he not injured his anterior cruciate ligaments; Nemanja Matic towers above him, physically and figuratively; and Ramires offers a staple all coaches love: tireless running round the clock.
FIFA fines Argentina for Falklands banner
ZURICH (AFP) – FIFA has fined and reprimanded the Argentinian
Football Association after the World Cup finalists put up a banner
laying claim to the disputed Falkland Islands before a recent match.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,000) for the gesture before Argentina played Slovenia in a friendly in La Plata on June 7.
Argentine players displayed a banner proclaiming “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas (The Malvinas are Argentinian)” to the crowd before the game, which was five days before the World Cup started.
FIFA found the action in breach of regulations on “political action” at games.
The Falklands, which were at the centre of a 1982 war between Britain and Argentina after an Argentinian invasion of the South Atlantic islands, are known as Las Malvinas in Spanish.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,000) for the gesture before Argentina played Slovenia in a friendly in La Plata on June 7.
Argentine players displayed a banner proclaiming “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas (The Malvinas are Argentinian)” to the crowd before the game, which was five days before the World Cup started.
FIFA found the action in breach of regulations on “political action” at games.
The Falklands, which were at the centre of a 1982 war between Britain and Argentina after an Argentinian invasion of the South Atlantic islands, are known as Las Malvinas in Spanish.
ZURICH
(AFP) – FIFA has fined and reprimanded the Argentinian Football
Association after the World Cup finalists put up a banner laying claim
to the disputed Falkland Islands before a recent match.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,000) for the gesture before Argentina played Slovenia in a friendly in La Plata on June 7.
Argentine players displayed a banner proclaiming “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas (The Malvinas are Argentinian)” to the crowd before the game, which was five days before the World Cup started.
FIFA found the action in breach of regulations on “political action” at games.
The Falklands, which were at the centre of a 1982 war between Britain and Argentina after an Argentinian invasion of the South Atlantic islands, are known as Las Malvinas in Spanish.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/fifa-fines-argentina-falklands-banner/#sthash.nOkEvMiq.dpuf
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,000) for the gesture before Argentina played Slovenia in a friendly in La Plata on June 7.
Argentine players displayed a banner proclaiming “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas (The Malvinas are Argentinian)” to the crowd before the game, which was five days before the World Cup started.
FIFA found the action in breach of regulations on “political action” at games.
The Falklands, which were at the centre of a 1982 war between Britain and Argentina after an Argentinian invasion of the South Atlantic islands, are known as Las Malvinas in Spanish.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/fifa-fines-argentina-falklands-banner/#sthash.nOkEvMiq.dpuf
FG to procure 40 attack helicopters with night vision
BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI-ABUJA
Aftermathof the determination by the Jonathan administration to eliminate terrorism in the North East and smoke out insurgents from the hideouts, the federal government has ordered the procurement of 40 modern attack helicopters with capabilities for night operations and sound proof technology.
Saturday
Vanguard gathered that the attack helicopters which are being procured
from the United states and Russia, would not only shore up the inventory
of the Nigerian Airforce as a result of depletion following crashes and
grounding of some of the existing helicopters due to maintenance
challenges, but would also enhance the distance and reach capability of
the NAF in the fight against insurgency.
It was further gathered that some of the aircraft will arrive in the country as early as next month while the remaining will be received certainly before the end of the year to boost the Nigerian Airforce.
Saturday Vanguard had reported early in the year that pilots of the Nigerian Airforce prosecuting air attacks on Boko Haram terrorists, expressed the belief that if such attack aircraft, with sound proof capabilities were made available to the NAF, the issue of smoking out Boko Haram terrorists will be a thing of the past saying that when the present ones in the fleet were approaching their targets, the noise usually gave them out.
Also, military and other security forces have expressed frustration that their inability to storm the notorious Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram militants are keeping the abducted Chibok secondary school girls and also serving as operational headquarters of the group was because noisy attack helicopters would enable the terrorists use their surface to air weaponry in the possession.
Government’s action in procuring the equipment according to sources is that security operatives are not only aware of the locations of the girls but are also closely monitoring the way the girls are being moved around but are afraid of the backlash should any harm befall the girls in the course of a forced rescue.
The result of past incidences during attempts to rescue British and Italian nationals in Sokoto and SETRACO workers which boomerang were some of the reasons cited by security forces as to why they have been reluctant in storming the forest and rescuing the girls.
Said a security source, “Oh I wish we could have a consensus of opinion from Nigerians that we should storm the forest and rescue the girls. The day Nigerians decides that enough is enough in one voice, to clear the forest will take less than one week”.
Aftermathof the determination by the Jonathan administration to eliminate terrorism in the North East and smoke out insurgents from the hideouts, the federal government has ordered the procurement of 40 modern attack helicopters with capabilities for night operations and sound proof technology.
CAS, his entourage and one of the survivors (Flight Lieutenant NM Halilu) commiserating with Warrant Officer Augustine Nwanonen
It was further gathered that some of the aircraft will arrive in the country as early as next month while the remaining will be received certainly before the end of the year to boost the Nigerian Airforce.
Saturday Vanguard had reported early in the year that pilots of the Nigerian Airforce prosecuting air attacks on Boko Haram terrorists, expressed the belief that if such attack aircraft, with sound proof capabilities were made available to the NAF, the issue of smoking out Boko Haram terrorists will be a thing of the past saying that when the present ones in the fleet were approaching their targets, the noise usually gave them out.
Also, military and other security forces have expressed frustration that their inability to storm the notorious Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram militants are keeping the abducted Chibok secondary school girls and also serving as operational headquarters of the group was because noisy attack helicopters would enable the terrorists use their surface to air weaponry in the possession.
Government’s action in procuring the equipment according to sources is that security operatives are not only aware of the locations of the girls but are also closely monitoring the way the girls are being moved around but are afraid of the backlash should any harm befall the girls in the course of a forced rescue.
The result of past incidences during attempts to rescue British and Italian nationals in Sokoto and SETRACO workers which boomerang were some of the reasons cited by security forces as to why they have been reluctant in storming the forest and rescuing the girls.
Said a security source, “Oh I wish we could have a consensus of opinion from Nigerians that we should storm the forest and rescue the girls. The day Nigerians decides that enough is enough in one voice, to clear the forest will take less than one week”.
Friday, 25 July 2014
82 killed, scores injured as Buhari escapes death in Kaduna bomb blast
 | |
By Luka Binniyat
KADUNA - At least 82 persons were killed yesterday, and several others injured in two bomb blasts in Kaduna, targeted at former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. Both men, however, escaped unhurt.
In a statement he issued immediately after the incident, General Buhari declared that it was an assassination attempt and narrated how the suicide bomber tried to carry out the deadly assignment.
Kaduna State Governor, AlhajiMukhtar Ramalan Yero, in response imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town after the blasts.
In his reaction, President Goodluck Jonathan thanked God for sparing the lives of General Buhari and Sheikh Bauchi, and extended condolences to families of the dead, while commiserating with the injured.
The first bomb attack took place on Isa Kaita Road, off Ali Akilu road around 12:30pm, yesterday, when the convoy of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was returning home after he gave a Ramadan Tafsir sermon to thousands of Muslims of the Tijaniyya sect. The Police said 25 people were killed, but those who spoke to newsmen at the scene said about 40 died in the blasts.
Bauchi had escaped a bomb attack about three weeks ago near his home in Eskolia quarters of Kaduna.
The second blast took place around 2:30pm, about two kilometres away from the scene of the first blast at the busy over-head bridge at Kawo part of Kaduna town as Buhari was making his way out of town, leaving not less than 50 people dead.
Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the first attack, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Umar Shehu said: "All I can say is that the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and Road Safety Corps have told me that they recovered 25 corpses from this place. But you can see that we still have some human remains here. I cannot tell you the number of those injured at this point. That is all I can say".
But that differed from what some eyewitnesses said. One Isa Saidu, 23, gave his account thus: "I was at the Murtala Mohammed Square where Sheikh Dahiru preached to us. I was also in the convoy conveying him back home. It was a long convoy. Suddenly, I saw a man on a motorcycle carrying a sack or bag. He was driving very recklessly and defied the instructions of our security guard, who attempted to make him slow down. He then tried to come close to the car conveying the Sheikh but the security did not allow him.
 People look at the burnt out shell of a car following an explosion on July 23, 2014 in Kaduna, north of Nigeria. A second blast today in the city has killed at least 17 people, the national rescue agency said, after an earlier suicide attack in the city killed at least 25. An around-the-clock curfew was announced for the city after the bombings. AFP PHOTO |
“As he persisted, they pushed him off the road and he fell into a ditch, while the bomb device he was carrying exploded. I don't want to say what happened. Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi's body was covered with blood, but it was the blood of those who were protecting him. I can swear by Allah that I personally counted 41 bodies. It is the most terrible thing of my life," he said.
Others who spoke gave similar accounts. As news of the first attack spread through the state, another explosion took place two hours later.
According to eye witnesses, a man in a Sienna car had trailed the convoy of General Buhari from where it took off. An aide to Buhari, who asked not to be mentioned, told reporters that "the car overtook other cars and came very close to the SUV in which the general was.His security details tried to get in-between, then the Sienna car exploded.
"The security men’s car was destroyed, and the three men were severely injured. The general’s car was damaged badly, but because it was bullet-proof, he came out unhurt, and was transferred to another car and taken away," he said.
The explosion led to the killing of not less than 50 persons, according to those who came to the scene shortly after it happened.
About 22 cars were burnt and several people injured, Vanguard was told.
"There was no way more than 50 people could not have been killed", a reporter with a local radio station whose office was near the scene told some reporters.
"By the time we reached the place, there was so much blood and many corpses all over the place. I am too shaken to speak on this matter," he said.
But CP Umar Shehu said after visiting the scene that, "I am told that 14 people were killed and four were injured. I am told that a VIP car was affected, but I am yet to confirm to you. I shall update you in time".
I escaped assassination - Buhari
General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), in his account of what happened through a statement six hours after the attack said:
"I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today (yesterday) at about 2:30pm on my way to Daura.
 Military officers walk past the remains of a car after an explosion on July 23, 2014 in Kaduna, north of Nigeria. A second blast in the city has killed at least 17 people, the national rescue agency said, after an earlier suicide attack in the city killed at least 25. An around-the-clock curfew was announced for the city after the bombings |
"The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast-moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car, but was blocked by escort vehicle. We reached the market area of Kawo where he took advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly detonated the bomb which destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.
"Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle, I saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business, who became victims of mass murder. Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt, but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries. They have since been treated in hospital and discharged".
In its reaction, the Jamaa’tul Nasril Islam, JNI, said:
"We are dazed over the news of the twin blasts in Kaduna city, which claimed the lives of many innocent Muslims in a Tafsir closing session of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, held at Murtala Muhammad Square, Kaduna and within a short while, another blast was said to have rocked Kawo in Kaduna.
"We therefore, condemn in the strongest terms these repeated acts of terror being unleashed on Muslims in this blessed month of Ramadan. JNI equally sympathizes with all the affected victims and also condoles with the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. May Aljannatul Firdaus be the abode of all the deceased, Amin.
"As usual, JNI calls on all authorities concerned to be more committed to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians as no development can be achieved in a situation of fear, insecurity and chaos. All hands must be on deck to stop these unending massacre of lives and destruction of properties, as Nigeria is becoming a theatre of blood for no just cause, which must be stopped.
"Muslims should utilise the remaining days of Ramadan to complain to Allah, The Most Merciful, through vigorous supplications for relief, succour and ease against the evil masterminds of the nagging insecurity bedeviling our country.
"May Allah, The All-Mighty, The Compeller, The Supreme, and The All-Knowing, bring an end to this nagging evil, disgrace the perpetrators and grant us lasting peace, security, prosperity and a promising future full of happiness and development, Amin."
Curfew
Meanwhile Kaduna State Governor, Alh. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna State.
Yero condemned the bomb blasts that occurred in the metropolis, describing them as acts ofcowardice' by those bent on creating tension in the state.
In a statement signed by his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor said the blasts were clear manifestations of the resolve by 'agents of darkness' to soak the land with the blood of innocent people for no just cause.
He said: "Enemies of peace have visited us with their ungodly venom of wanton destruction of human lives.
“This blast, coming in the Holy Month of Ramadan is a clear indication that those behind the act have no iota of fear of God, as they have none for the sanctity of human life.”
Jonathan condemns bombings
President Goodluck Jonathan in his reaction to the bomb blasts thanked God for sparing the lives of General Buhari and Sheikh Bauchi. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said:
"President Goodluck Jonathan condemns the bombings in Kaduna today (yesterday) which appeared to have targeted former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.
"President Jonathan denounces the dastardly targeting of prominent political and religious leaders by terrorists and enemies of the nation in an odious attempt to inflame passions and exacerbate disquiet, fear, insecurity and sectional divisions in the country.
"While thanking God Almighty for sparing the lives of General Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the President extends sincere condolences to the families of those who were sadly killed by the bomb blasts.
"President Jonathan also commiserates with all those who were injured in the twin bombings in this Holy Month of Ramadan which defy the tenets of Islam, and provide further proof that the terrorists are nothing but blood-thirsty extremists bent on undermining the unity and progress of the nation.
"The President assures residents of Kaduna and all other Nigerians that the Federal Government will continue and further intensify its ongoing efforts to effectively curb the menace of terrorism in the country.
"He has specifically directed the Police and other national security agencies to take all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators of today's attacks on Kaduna and urges all residents of the city to give them the fullest possible cooperation and support as they work to bring the terrorists to justice".
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