Fellow Nigerians, where and how do I begin this horrible epistle? Only last week, on this same page, I wrote about two unfortunate deaths which had occurred within days apart. The first was the cold-blooded murder of one of Africa’s greatest poets, Professor Kofi Awoonor, in the hands of some trigger-happy Somali terrorists, at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The second was that of a much younger person, Bunmi Adedayo, who was airlifted out of Nigeria after some health complications but lost the battle for his life. While both deaths were painful and unbearable, Bunmi’s case was sadder for…
Author: tech
A couple of weeks after the leader of dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau resurfaced in a video posted on the internet, Nigerian Army authorities are still investigating whether he is truly alive or dead. The spokesperson for the then Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, had claimed in August that Shekau may have died during exchange of gunfire with troops. “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorists leader may have died. He died of gunshots wounds received in an encounter with…
Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications service provider with operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa, has consolidated its position as one of Africa’s top ten most admired global brands. A new survey conducted by the African Business magazine indicates that despite only a 3 year presence in Africa, Airtel surpassed Japanese car manufacturer Honda and earned ninth position on the list of the top ten most admired global brands on the continent. Except for Samsung which grew its brand value year-on-year by 121 per cent, Airtel’s 30 percent brand value increase was better than any of the others in…
The Seychelles Government has agreed for Airtel Mobile Commerce (Seychelles) Limited, to engage in a pilot programme to test the practical and technical aspects of mobile payment services in the country. The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) and Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) will have oversight of the payment system and technological aspects, respectively. On Friday 27th September, 2013, the Government represented by the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment, the CBS, and DICT signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airtel to bring the M-commerce platform, Airtel Money, to Seychelles. Once the pre-requisites are met CBS will issue…
Profound changes are required at the regional and national levels for the reform of security sector in West Africa to strengthen democratic governance and human security, which are vital elements for the achievement of sustainable development, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman has said. Opening a two-day Consultative Workshop in Lagos on Thursday 3rd October 2013 for the Review of the Draft ECOWAS Regional Framework on Security Sector Reform and Governance (SSR/G), the Commissioner said the reform had become imperative to enable ECOWAS fulfill its role of assisting Member States “to prevent, anticipate,…
By: Gracious Akujobi A large number of Nigerians will be heading to Ethiopia to cheer the Super Eagles to victory in Addis Ababa as the senior national team confronts the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia on October 13 in a first-leg of the playoff qualifier for the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil. To ensure a hitch-free game, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved funds for the contingent, Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, told newsmen on Friday. He however did not disclose how much was approved. “I am delighted to say that Mr. President has given us his full support. He has…
The Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens, Abdul Adama has commended the feat recorded by goalkeeper, Rachel Ayegba in Europe and backs the former international’s recall to the Super Falcons. Adama believes the fantastic performance of the Kogi-born goalkeeper in goal deserves a recall to the senior women national team, noting that the Finland-based star has capacity to solve the country goalkeeping problems. The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Media Assistant to Abdul Adama on Friday. He however noted that the breakthrough of the Pk-35 shot stopper should inspire other female players in…
By: Gracious Akujobi Pablo Coira, a member of the 1999 FIFA- Under-20 World Cup-winning team hosted by Nigeria, has tipped the Golden Eaglets for success at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE. Now working with legendary Michael Salgado at the Spanish Coaching Centre in Dubai, Coira watched the last moments of the Golden Eaglets training on Wednesday at the practice pitch of the Dubai Higher Colleges of Technology and even wished the team success. “I am sentimentally attached to Nigeria since when we won the Under-20 World Cup in 1999 and I was part of the team,”…
By: Gracious Akujobi Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye has commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in Thursday’s Associated Airline plane crash in Lagos. Elegbeleye equally sympathized with the Government and people of Ondo State who he noted are experiencing an extremely painful time as a result of the passing away of a former Governor of the state, Olusegun Agagu, Olu Falae’s son, Deji and other government officials who died in the crash. The Ondo State-born former legislator lamented the loss of highly placed individuals from the state, praying to God to…
It amazes me why people do not always like to come to equity with clean hands; otherwise, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), which courted controversy from the manner it was secretly registered as a political party behind the back of a vast majority of its founding leaders and members, should have exercised restraint in its attempt to splash mud on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. I shuddered when I read the Open Letter to President Jonathan by the National Chairman of the newly registered PDM, Malam Bashir Ibrahim Yusuf in Leadership of September…