Lagos - The popular December Shopping Dash, the brainchild of a local mobile network operator, has returned to Lagos.
Through the initiative, Etisalat Business Customers can win prizes.
The maiden edition recently launched in Lagos recently followed by another in Abuja which officials said was a success.
Following
that, the Etisalat December Shopping Dash train arrived in Port
Harcourt earlier this week before rounding-off in Lagos on Thursday.
"It is to this end that the December Shopping
Dash was berthed. The ten selected customers have a maximum of three
minutes to select any item within the store that they desire, courtesy
of Etisalat. Whatever they can carry, they can keep. It is our simple,
yet innovative way of giving back to our customers and showing them that
we truly care."
Dada said Etisalat had a lot more surprises in store next year.
"We urge all our esteemed customers to remain loyal because we will continue to deliver the very best to them," he added.
The
recent event held at the Shoprite, Apo, Abuja, was a special event
dedicated to reward ten lucky customers for their loyalty and commitment
to the Etisalat Network.
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Lawyer defends acts of Nigeria soldiers sentenced to death
Abuja - A human rights lawyer says 54 soldiers have been sentenced to
death because they embarrassed Nigeria's military by demanding weapons
to fight Islamic extremists, and says they were justified in not going
on what would have been a suicidal mission.
Defense attorney Femi Falana said Thursday he will take all legal measures to prevent authorities from carrying out a "genocidal verdict" of death by firing squad delivered Wednesday night by a court-martial.
A statement from Falana describes evidence given during the court-martial that is an indictment of Nigeria's military establishment and, the lawyer said, the reason journalists were barred from the trial.
All the soldiers convicted are aged between 21 and 25 and most joined the army around 2012, he said.
With little or no training, they were deployed against Nigeria's home-grown Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram. The lawyer charged that money for salaries and to purchase arms is often diverted by corrupt officers.
"Instead of bringing such unpatriotic officers to book, the military authorities have engaged in the diversionary tactics of wasting the lives of innocent soldiers by sentencing them to death without any legal justification," Falana charged.
He said Boko Haram on July 9 attacked the soldiers when the battalion of 750 troops was down to just 174. The extremists killed 26 soldiers including three officers and seriously injured 82. The soldiers demanded to be properly armed and were assured this would happen, he said.
Instead, the battalion was ordered Aug. 4 to recapture three towns controlled by Boko Haram. The few soldiers who deployed were ambushed and kidnapped. When some weapons were made available Aug. 8, another group of soldiers recaptured the towns and liberated their colleagues, Falana said.
"They were commended for their bravery and sacrifice. But for some inexplicable reasons, the army authorities ordered that the soldiers be charged with mutiny for allegedly exposing the armed forces to embarrassment by asking for weapons!" his statement said.
Falana told The Associated Press another 43 soldiers including a few officers remain on trial for mutiny and cowardice for refusing to fight the extremists.
Defense attorney Femi Falana said Thursday he will take all legal measures to prevent authorities from carrying out a "genocidal verdict" of death by firing squad delivered Wednesday night by a court-martial.
A statement from Falana describes evidence given during the court-martial that is an indictment of Nigeria's military establishment and, the lawyer said, the reason journalists were barred from the trial.
All the soldiers convicted are aged between 21 and 25 and most joined the army around 2012, he said.
With little or no training, they were deployed against Nigeria's home-grown Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram. The lawyer charged that money for salaries and to purchase arms is often diverted by corrupt officers.
"Instead of bringing such unpatriotic officers to book, the military authorities have engaged in the diversionary tactics of wasting the lives of innocent soldiers by sentencing them to death without any legal justification," Falana charged.
He said Boko Haram on July 9 attacked the soldiers when the battalion of 750 troops was down to just 174. The extremists killed 26 soldiers including three officers and seriously injured 82. The soldiers demanded to be properly armed and were assured this would happen, he said.
Instead, the battalion was ordered Aug. 4 to recapture three towns controlled by Boko Haram. The few soldiers who deployed were ambushed and kidnapped. When some weapons were made available Aug. 8, another group of soldiers recaptured the towns and liberated their colleagues, Falana said.
"They were commended for their bravery and sacrifice. But for some inexplicable reasons, the army authorities ordered that the soldiers be charged with mutiny for allegedly exposing the armed forces to embarrassment by asking for weapons!" his statement said.
Falana told The Associated Press another 43 soldiers including a few officers remain on trial for mutiny and cowardice for refusing to fight the extremists.
Jonathan, Mua’zu, Kalu in closed-door meeting
Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Adamu Mu’azu on Tuesday night held a
closed -door meeting with the former governor of Abia State Orji Kalu,
reports NewsDay.
The meeting was convened by President as part of efforts aimed at stopping Kalu, from dumping the party.
Sources at the meeting said President Jonathan prevailed on Kalu to stay in the party as he is an asset to the PDP.
Kalu, a few weeks ago had threatened to dump the PDP for another party after he was forced to withdraw from the Abia North senatorial race.
A former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame, accompanied Kalu to the meeting.
The meeting was convened by President as part of efforts aimed at stopping Kalu, from dumping the party.
Sources at the meeting said President Jonathan prevailed on Kalu to stay in the party as he is an asset to the PDP.
Kalu, a few weeks ago had threatened to dump the PDP for another party after he was forced to withdraw from the Abia North senatorial race.
A former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame, accompanied Kalu to the meeting.
An upsurge in violence in Nigeria
Lagos - Nigeria has seen an upsurge in violence since April linked to
the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, which was accused Thursday of
kidnapping at least 185 people in the volatile northeast of the country.
The insurgency has left more than 13,000 dead and 1.5 million displaced people since 2009. Here is a list of incidents since April:
- April 14: 276 young girls are seized from their school by Boko Haram gunmen in Chibok, a remote corner of Borno state in northeast Nigeria. Fifty-seven of the girls manage to flee, while 219 are still being held.
- April 14: At least 75 people die in a bomb blast in a packed bus station on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital Abuja -- the deadliest attack yet to strike the city. Boko Haram claims responsibility.
- May 5: Boko Haram gunmen raze the town of Gamboru Ngala in Borno state, killing at least 300 people, according to local sources.
Also read: Lawyer defends acts of Nigeria soldiers sentenced to death
- May 20: Twin car bombings in the central Nigerian city of Jos, blamed on Boko Haram, kill at least 118 and bring entire buildings down.
- June 3: Heavily armed gunmen raid four northeastern villages in Borno state, with local leaders putting the death toll as high as 400-500.
- July 23: Two blasts rock northern Kaduna city killing at least 42. A local official says former military ruler turned opposition figurehead Muhammadu Buhari was the target of the second attack but was unhurt.
- August 24: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claims he has made the town of Gwoza in Borno state part of an Islamic caliphate. On July 13, he had proclaimed support for the Islamic State group that controls part of Syria and Iraq.
- October 18: Around 60 women and young girls are abducted around Chibok, according to witnesses. On October 25-26, 30 adolescents are kidnapped in the village of Mafa in Borno state.
- October 31: Shekau says the 219 abducted schoolgirls have been converted to Islam and married off, ruling out talks with the authorities on a ceasefire.
- November 9: Shekau says that he has created a caliphate in the more than 20 northeastern towns conquered by the insurgents.
- November 10: A suicide attack kills at least 58 people at a boys school in Potiskum in Yobe state.
- November 28: Two suicide bombers blow themselves up and gunmen open fire during weekly prayers at the mosque of the Emir of Kano, one of Nigeria's top Islamic leaders. At least 120 people are killed and 270 others wounded.
- December 1: More than 150 people, including 44 police and security troops, die in a Boko Haram raid on the northeast Nigerian city of Damaturu.
- December 18: Local militia chiefs say Boko Haram kidnapped on December 14 at least 185 people from Gumsuri.
The mass abduction was part of an attack that also killed 32 people.
The insurgency has left more than 13,000 dead and 1.5 million displaced people since 2009. Here is a list of incidents since April:
- April 14: 276 young girls are seized from their school by Boko Haram gunmen in Chibok, a remote corner of Borno state in northeast Nigeria. Fifty-seven of the girls manage to flee, while 219 are still being held.
- April 14: At least 75 people die in a bomb blast in a packed bus station on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital Abuja -- the deadliest attack yet to strike the city. Boko Haram claims responsibility.
- May 5: Boko Haram gunmen raze the town of Gamboru Ngala in Borno state, killing at least 300 people, according to local sources.
Also read: Lawyer defends acts of Nigeria soldiers sentenced to death
- May 20: Twin car bombings in the central Nigerian city of Jos, blamed on Boko Haram, kill at least 118 and bring entire buildings down.
- June 3: Heavily armed gunmen raid four northeastern villages in Borno state, with local leaders putting the death toll as high as 400-500.
- July 23: Two blasts rock northern Kaduna city killing at least 42. A local official says former military ruler turned opposition figurehead Muhammadu Buhari was the target of the second attack but was unhurt.
- August 24: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claims he has made the town of Gwoza in Borno state part of an Islamic caliphate. On July 13, he had proclaimed support for the Islamic State group that controls part of Syria and Iraq.
- October 18: Around 60 women and young girls are abducted around Chibok, according to witnesses. On October 25-26, 30 adolescents are kidnapped in the village of Mafa in Borno state.
- October 31: Shekau says the 219 abducted schoolgirls have been converted to Islam and married off, ruling out talks with the authorities on a ceasefire.
- November 9: Shekau says that he has created a caliphate in the more than 20 northeastern towns conquered by the insurgents.
- November 10: A suicide attack kills at least 58 people at a boys school in Potiskum in Yobe state.
- November 28: Two suicide bombers blow themselves up and gunmen open fire during weekly prayers at the mosque of the Emir of Kano, one of Nigeria's top Islamic leaders. At least 120 people are killed and 270 others wounded.
- December 1: More than 150 people, including 44 police and security troops, die in a Boko Haram raid on the northeast Nigerian city of Damaturu.
- December 18: Local militia chiefs say Boko Haram kidnapped on December 14 at least 185 people from Gumsuri.
The mass abduction was part of an attack that also killed 32 people.
Monday, 15 December 2014
Oil workers begin strike today over fuel price, others
Oil workers under the aegis of the
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and
Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria will commence a
nationwide strike on Monday (today) to protest the inability of the
Federal Government to carry out turnaround maintenance of the nation’s
four refineries and reduce pump prices of petrol in line with the slump
in global prices of crude oil.
The unions said their members had been
fully mobilised, adding that the strike would not be suspended until
there was a strong commitment from the government and
managements/operators of affected oil companies on the issues.
They said in a joint statement made
available to our correspondents on Sunday by the Media and Information
Officer, PENGASSAN, Mr. Babatunde Oke, that the strike would affect all
oil and gas operations in the upstream, midstream and downstream
sectors.
The over 40 per cent decline in the price
of crude oil is expected to have brought about a reduction in the pump
prices of petroleum products in the country, as seen in other countries
around the world.
The oil workers had last Monday threatened to embark on the industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.
The President, PENGASSAN, Mr. Francis
Johnson, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on
Sunday night, confirmed the strike report.
“We are starting the strike by tomorrow (today) and as events unfold, we will let people know,” he said.
The NUPENG National President, Mr. Achese
Igwe, also said on Sunday that the strike was also to protest the
alleged sacking of the Zonal Secretary of the Senior Staff Association
(Port Harcourt Zone), Mrs. Elo Ogbonda, by Total Exploration and
Production.
The oil workers said the strike was also
to ensure that the government evolved new strategies to combat pipeline
vandalism and crude oil theft, which had adversely affected the nation’s
economy.
Other reasons listed for the strike are
delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, non-implementation
of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act expected to
reflect Nigerians in management positions and expatriate quota law,
appalling state of access roads to refineries and oil depots’
facilities, insecurity all over the country that has reportedly led to
the death of their members, casualisation of workers and unfair labour practices by companies and government agencies.
The oil workers said that the unfair labour practices included transfer and termination of national officers of the two unions.
According to them, the government has
refused to honour all engagements and agreements reached with them on
all their issues of concerns including the turnaround maintenance of the
refineries and ensuring adequate supply of crude oil to the refineries
to ensure that they function effectively.
The unions also demanded that the
government should put in place alternative strategies to stop pipeline
vandalism and crude oil theft, convene an industry stakeholders’ forum
on the PIB status and falling crude oil prices and address the ongoing
high rate divestment in the industry and its attendant job losses.
Copyright PUNCH.South African wins Miss World beauty pageant
A South
African, Rolene Strauss, 22, won the Miss World 2014 beauty pageant in
London on Sunday, the organisers said in a statement.
Hungary’s Edina Kulcsár came second and Elizabeth Safrit, representing the United States, came third.
This
year’s pageant, the 64th, was marred by tragedy after a Honduran beauty
queen was found shot dead in a suspected crime of passion, days before
she was due to take part.
The
pageant’s 124 contestants traveled to the Oxford Union society earlier
this month, to discuss whether such competitions still had a place in
modern society.
British
media reported that some students from Oxford University were
disappointed that the event failed to generate a lively debate on the
subject.
Boko Haram: Army commends troops for communities’ recovery
The Chief of Army
Staff, Lieutenant-General Kenneth Minimah, has attributed the major
breakthrough in the recovery of some communities held by insurgents in
north-east Nigeria to the resilience of troops and the determination by
the armed forces to restore peace in the region.
General Minimah reaffirmed the commitment of the military to restore law and order in the region.
He said the Army had continued to restructure and review its strategies to tackle the menace of terrorism.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, contemporary security challenges had made it imperative that beyond human personnel and weapons, other aspects of tackling insurgency and war needed to be deployed.
He stressed that the presence of more than 20 military working dogs deployed in the north-east had proved beneficial to the operations.
Besides the dogs, the Chief of Army Staff attributed recent success in retrieving seized territories from the insurgents to the resolve of the Army to flush out the insurgents in the shortest possible time.
The Nigerian Army has more than 200 working dogs and at the commissioning, some of the dogs, which range between the ranks of Privates and Lance Corporal also displayed some of their skills to the audience.
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