Children more likely to die in Nigeria than in any other country participating in World Cup

Nigeria has the highest rate of child deaths among all the nations represented at the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup, a new scorecard of the 32 countries competing in the tournament has shown.

According to the scorecard, Nigeria has reduced child mortality by only 42 percent since 1990.

For every 1,000 births in Nigeria, 124 children will die before they reach age five, the report showed.

“The World Cup scorecard shows that when governments prioritize child health, dramatic progress can be made,” said Naveen Thacker, president-elect of the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association.

“Leaders from government, civil society and the business community must unite to ensure that preventable child deaths are soon consigned to the history books” he added.

However, the report says all countries have made significant progress in reducing childhood mortality since 1990, when the World Cup was hosted by Italy.

Yet, not all countries have progressed equally. This year’s host, Brazil, leads the way with a 77 percent reduction in deaths among children under age 5 since 1990.

The ranking, “Child Mortality: What’s the Score?” is being released in the run-up to the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Partners Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 30 – July 1.

At the conference, global leaders will call for accelerated action to improve the health of children, newborns and mothers everywhere.

“There are two main reasons for the reduction of child mortality in Brazil: expanding access to primary health care and Bolsa Família, the world’s largest cash transfer program,” said Paulo Vicente Bonilha de Almeida, child health coordinator with the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

“The National Immunization Program increased immunization rates among Brazilian children, and the National Breastfeeding Policy more than quadrupled breastfeeding.”

Since 1988, Brazil’s constitution has guaranteed its citizens universal health coverage, so that they may access life-saving health services regardless of ability to pay.

Bolsa Família provides cash transfers to poor families in exchange for ensuring that children receive vaccines and attend school. Today, for every 1,000 births in Brazil, 14 children will die before their fifth birthday – down from 62 in 1990, the report further revealed.

Unfortunately, like Nigeria, not every country is doing well as Brazil in saving children’s lives.

A major challenge to saving children’s lives is that nearly half of all deaths in children under age five occur in the first 28 days of life.

A prevalent myth is that to save newborns, sophisticated hospitals and intensive care units are needed.

“Simple low-cost solutions could help every country dramatically reduce newborn deaths,” said Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, co-director of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health inCanada.

“For example, wiping the umbilical cord with a disinfectant reduces deaths by half. Putting the baby onto the mother’s chest and encouraging breastfeeding also help prevent life-threatening infections.”

Source: Premiumtimes

Children more likely to die in Nigeria than in any other country participating in World Cup

Nigeria has the highest rate of child deaths among all the nations represented at the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup, a new scorecard of the 32 countries competing in the tournament has shown.

According to the scorecard, Nigeria has reduced child mortality by only 42 percent since 1990.

For every 1,000 births in Nigeria, 124 children will die before they reach age five, the report showed.

“The World Cup scorecard shows that when governments prioritize child health, dramatic progress can be made,” said Naveen Thacker, president-elect of the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association.

“Leaders from government, civil society and the business community must unite to ensure that preventable child deaths are soon consigned to the history books” he added.

However, the report says all countries have made significant progress in reducing childhood mortality since 1990, when the World Cup was hosted by Italy.

Yet, not all countries have progressed equally. This year’s host, Brazil, leads the way with a 77 percent reduction in deaths among children under age 5 since 1990.

The ranking, “Child Mortality: What’s the Score?” is being released in the run-up to the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Partners Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 30 – July 1.

At the conference, global leaders will call for accelerated action to improve the health of children, newborns and mothers everywhere.

2014 World Cup: Colombia to face Brazil in quarter-finals

James Rodriguez scored twice, as Colombia defeated Uruguay 2-0, to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

The Monaco player took advantage of a Uruguay team without the banned Luis Suarez, to help his country qualify for the round of 8.

His first goal was simply majestic. The 22-year-old controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest and thumped in an exquisite volley, beyond the despairing dive of Muslera.

Five minutes after the break, he made it 2-0, tapping in after great work from Cudrado.

Colombia will now play hosts Brazil, for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Source: Dailypost

2014 World Cup: Colombia to face Brazil in quarter-finals

James Rodriguez scored twice, as Colombia defeated Uruguay 2-0, to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

The Monaco player took advantage of a Uruguay team without the banned Luis Suarez, to help his country qualify for the round of 8.

His first goal was simply majestic. The 22-year-old controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest and thumped in an exquisite volley, beyond the despairing dive of Muslera.

Five minutes after the break, he made it 2-0, tapping in after great work from Cudrado.

Colombia will now play hosts Brazil, for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Source: Dailypost

I’m committed to politics of development –Amaechi

Rivers State Governor  Chibuike Rotimi

Rivers State Governor  Chibuike Rotimi,  has reaffirmed his commitment to politics of development and  provision of  dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Amaechi  disclosed this yesterday during an interview with Government House correspondents,  on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

The governor  explained  that  the  numerous projects, particularly,  in  the  areas  of education and healthcare,  executed  by his administration across the state were  geared towards meeting the needs of the people. He said the people of the state  were  not required to pay for healthcare services or educational opportunities as the costs had already been taken care of by the government.

“We will continue to champion the cause of all Rivers people, by fulfilling their needs through projects implementation,” he said.

On the Ekiti governorship poll, Amaechi said while he would not disprove the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the fairness of the poll exercise, he was disturbed by the militarisation of the state during the election. He said: “From the INEC point of view, yes, you can say it was fairly done, but what do you say about the military?

The military officers were escorting PDP people, sharing money and sharing wrappers, rice and beans; and that influenced.  Arresting APC supporters, especially those who were in the position to command votes and all that was also  a factor.”

Asked what the PDP victory in Ekiti governorship election meant for Rivers State in 2015, he said the two states and their voting masses do not share similar features. Amaechi said: “Why not wait until 2015? You see, there are basic differences. The differences are, first, Ekiti is mostly a civil service town, so if the civil servants decide on one way, then, you have to go along that way.

The second thing is the fact,  that we’ve been oppressed enough in Rivers State. You virtually can see, we are in the airport, why not video the airport there to show its state?  We have a situation where we don’t have development in Rivers State. Eighty per cent of development you have in Rivers State were done by me as governor of Rivers State, and the fact that the Rivers man is trying to liberate himself.  Now, you have to be present at politics in the national level before you emasculate the Rivers man, coupled with the fact that the voters here have two clear choices to make.’’

‘’You either, identify with God and His people or you identify with satan and his people. And I think, we are godly to the extent that we’ve built schools that impact directly on the lives of the people.

The education is free of charge. We don’t charge school fees, either at the Primary or secondary school level.  The university school fees is at its lowest level and we are providing free healthcare.  This is what the people call partially, ‘stomach infrastructure,’ then we will probably, increase the stomach infrastructure which means, we should be listening to what the people are saying. But I think the people took out their anger on the wrong person, because when you say stomach infrastructure, the Federal Government takes 56 per cent of the national revenue, what have they done with it? That is where they should be asking for stomach infrastructure, but because they relate directly with the governor, that is why they took out this thing on the governor, but you see, it discourages governors and you have to ask, ‘are we going to play development politics or we are going to play stomach politics?’ For me, I will continue with development  politics.”

Source: Sunnewsonline

I’m committed to politics of development –Amaechi

Rivers State Governor  Chibuike Rotimi

Rivers State Governor  Chibuike Rotimi,  has reaffirmed his commitment to politics of development and  provision of  dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Amaechi  disclosed this yesterday during an interview with Government House correspondents,  on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

The governor  explained  that  the  numerous projects, particularly,  in  the  areas  of education and healthcare,  executed  by his administration across the state were  geared towards meeting the needs of the people. He said the people of the state  were  not required to pay for healthcare services or educational opportunities as the costs had already been taken care of by the government.

“We will continue to champion the cause of all Rivers people, by fulfilling their needs through projects implementation,” he said.

On the Ekiti governorship poll, Amaechi said while he would not disprove the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the fairness of the poll exercise, he was disturbed by the militarisation of the state during the election. He said: “From the INEC point of view, yes, you can say it was fairly done, but what do you say about the military?

The military officers were escorting PDP people, sharing money and sharing wrappers, rice and beans; and that influenced.  Arresting APC supporters, especially those who were in the position to command votes and all that was also  a factor.”

Awesome benefits of eating Corn

Across Nigeria’s regions, corn is popular. Certainly, corn is not only seen as something to munch, especially during lunch hour in the country, but as a means of livelihood. Perhaps its aroma and the simplicity around it makes corn a food for all. But a lot of people who eat corn are unconscious of its health benefits. To them, corn is just a food that is easy to come by, especially during the rainy season when it can be seen being roasted by the roadside.

True, corn, being popular worldwide, is a staple food that many people enjoy in various forms like, whole corn, corn flour, cornstarch, corn gluten, corn syrup, cornmeal, corn oil, popcorn, cornflakes and pap among others.

Rated as one of the healthiest foods in the world, corn is sold and prepared in many forms. While it is called corn in the North American English it is known as maize in the British English. It is said that corn is mouth-watering when mixed with other food. It is used to produce other food such as popcorn, corn flakes. And corn could serve as a side savour for other food staples like prepared with porridge beans and also to make pap among others, when it comes to diet.

Naturally, corn has an appealing smell that passers-by fall victim to and a fetching shiny colour when out of its cob. It remains the only cuisine you can cook without ingredient yet with an inviting aroma and without salt yet a sweet taste. With is nature of long lasting-chewing before you can swallow; hence, it is very much satiating.

Even while your teeth gnash in the rain lovers of corn chew with ease and attention. However, for ladies, it could be a substitute for chewing-gum, since it lasts longer in the mouth. Corn is used as a sweetener in most of the soft drinks and other commercial products that call for a low-cost sweetening agent. A single corn bushel can sweeten about 400 cans of soft drinks.

Meanwhile, research has concluded that eaters of corn stand chances of having benefits from its high in carbohydrate content and multiple nutrients including: being a food with plenty of chewing satisfaction it is high ratio of insoluble-to-soluble fibre, the nutrient content gets enhanced more when combined with other foods like beans. Fibre and protein are key macronutrients for stabilizing the passage of food through digestive tract. Sweet corn is loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that promote healthy vision, provides many B-complex vitamins including vitamins B1, B5 and folic acid and its notable protein content (about 5-6 grams per cup), it also provides blood sugar benefits. Corn-bean meals (consumed in the form of porridge) have been shown to help improve overall nutrient status and to help provide outstanding nutrient richness in the diet.

Although, yellow corn is the most commonly seen in the environments and in farm produce, it comes in a host of varieties of colours including: white, red, pink, black, purple and blue respectively.  Each of these varieties has its own unique health-supportive combination of antioxidant phytonutrients.

Also, studies have shown that corn involves its potential anti-HIV activity. Lectins are special proteins found in virtually all foods (and in almost all organisms) that can bind onto carbohydrates or onto carbohydrate receptors found on cell membranes. In the case of some micro-organisms (including the HIV virus), the binding of lectins onto sugars has been shown to help inhibit activity of the virus. One specific lectin found in corn called, “GNAmaize”, has preliminarily been shown to possess this HIV-inhibiting property. But more research is needed to determine the relationship between everyday consumption of corn as a whole food and HIV infection risk.

Other Benefits of Corn
Antioxidant: Different varieties of corn highlight different combinations of antioxidant phytonutrients. In the case of yellow corn, carotenoids lead the way and provide high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. Blue corn has unique concentrations of anthocyanins. In the case of purple corn, it provides unusual amounts of the hydroxybenzoic acid called protocatechuic acid. Ferulic acid, beta-carotene, vanillic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and syringic acid are other key phytonutrients provided by corn.

Most studies of disease and risk reduction from dietary antioxidant intake have not looked specifically at corn and its impressive combination of antioxidants. However, in several small-scale studies, corn has been directly mentioned as a food that was important in overall antioxidant protection and a contributing factor in the decreased risk of cardiovascular problems. Some of the mechanisms for decreased cardio risk may be related to other properties of corn's phytonutrients that go beyond their antioxidant properties.

One great piece of news about corn's antioxidants is the practice of drying corn (still on the cob) or separated corn kernels. According to research studies the drying of corn in temperature ranges as high as 150°-200°F (65°-93°C) does not significantly lower corn's antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, more studies have determined that the percent of amylose starch found in corn may be related to its antioxidant capacity. Higher amylose corn varieties have shown higher antioxidant capacity in some preliminary studies. While the jury is out on the exact meaning of these findings, this research reminds us to keep an open mind about the potential importance of antioxidant health benefits from corn.

Digestive Benefits
Only those who have eaten fresh corn-on-the-cob or freshly popped popcorn will know how satiating this grain-food can be to chew. At 4.6 grams of fibre per cup, corn is a good fibre source and its intake is often associated with good overall consumption. For example, persons who eat popcorn tend to have two to three times more overall whole grain intake than persons who do not eat it as well as a higher overall fibre intake.

Corn fibre, which gives the chewing satisfaction, is one of the keys to its well-documented digestive benefits. From studies, it has been concluded that corn can support the growth of friendly bacteria in the large intestine and can also be transformed by these bacteria into short chain fatty acids, or SCFAs. These SCFAs can supply energy to the intestinal cells, thereby, help lower the risk of intestinal problems, including the risk of colon cancer. The amount of corn fibre analysed in recent studies has been relatively high at 12 grams per day. That's the same amount provided by about 2.5 cups of fresh corn.

Blood Sugar Benefits
It provides many B-complex including vitamins B1, B5 and folic acid. And with its notable protein content (about six grams per cup), corn is a food that would be expected to provide blood sugar benefits. Fibre and protein are key macronutrients for stabilising the passage of food through the digestive tract. Sufficient fibre and protein content in a food helps prevent too rapid or too slow digestion of that food. By evening out the pace of digestion, protein and fibre also help prevent too rapid or too slow uptake of sugar from the digestive tract up into the bloodstream.

In ordinary amounts of 1-2 cups, the consumption of corn has been shown to be associated with better blood sugar control in types 1 and 2 diabetes. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels have been used to verify these blood sugar benefits. Besides, in elementary school-age and teenage youths already diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, whole grain cornbread has emerged in one study as the food with the highest acceptability among all whole grain foods.

Anti-HIV Activity
A new area of research on corn involves its potential anti-HIV activity. Lectins are special proteins found in virtually all foods (and for that matter, in virtually all organisms) that can bind onto carbohydrates or onto carbohydrate receptors that are found on cell membranes. In the case of some micro-organisms (including the HIV virus), the binding of lectins onto sugars has been shown to help inhibit activity of the virus. One specific lectin found in corn (called GNAmaize) has preliminarily been shown to possess this HIV-inhibiting property.

Nutritional Content
The nutritional value of cornflakes is almost similar to that of cooked corn. One large ear of cooked yellow corn contains almost 4 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of dietary fibre, around 30 grams of carbohydrates, 1.5 grams of fat, 3.6 grams of sugar, around 100 grams of water, no cholesterol and amounts to 126 calories. Below is more corn nutrition facts and information about the vitamin and mineral content in one large ear of yellow corn, which is cooked without salt. Corn is a good source of pantothenic acid, phosphorus, niacin, dietary fibre, manganese, and vitamin B6.

Side Effects of Corn Consumption
As much as it has packaged much health benefits for consumers, corn, like every other food, has got some effects. Corn allergies are seen in adults as well as in children. When a person becomes allergic to corn, his body develops antibodies against corn proteins. Therefore, as soon as the person consumes corn products or even inhales corn particles or pollen, the immune system reacts against it, which gives rise to allergic reactions on the body. As corn is consumed by a large number of people, the number of corn allergy cases is increasing.

Symptoms of corn allergy vary from very mild to severe ones. They are also found to differ from person to person. When a person is over sensitive to corn, consuming even a small quantity of corn can result in development of symptoms including vomiting, migraine headache, rash, abdominal pain and bloating, gas, nausea, itchy skin, swelling of tongue and mouth, and fever Other several symptoms observed, from research are: Diarrhea, Urinary tract infection (UTI), Allergic asthma, Mood swing, Arthritis and Anaphylaxis, which is the severest symptom of corn allergy. Although a rare condition, it can be life-threatening. It can lead to impairment of several bodily functions. Anaphylaxis occurs unexpectedly and can be seen in children as well as adults. The symptoms of Anaphylaxis include: sudden drop in blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, tightness in chest, dizziness and unconsciousness among others.
As shown on MedPage Today research corn is harmless in those with diverticulitis. However, if you have diverticulitis and experience worsening of symptoms after eating corn, experts have advised to avoid it.

With both benefits and effects of corn, it can be determined that when consumed in moderation and in its fresh form, it remains one of the healthiest food in the world. Grown for human consumption worldwide, it remains one of the most used food staples in the globe. According to findings, commercial producers of corn are the United States, China, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and South Africa, Egypt, Canada, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Argentina as well as Nigeria among others. So, whenever you travel abroad, be rest assured that your corn, whether roast or boiled lurks for you so long you know where to get it.

Source: Thisday

Awesome benefits of eating Corn

Across Nigeria’s regions, corn is popular. Certainly, corn is not only seen as something to munch, especially during lunch hour in the country, but as a means of livelihood. Perhaps its aroma and the simplicity around it makes corn a food for all. But a lot of people who eat corn are unconscious of its health benefits. To them, corn is just a food that is easy to come by, especially during the rainy season when it can be seen being roasted by the roadside.

True, corn, being popular worldwide, is a staple food that many people enjoy in various forms like, whole corn, corn flour, cornstarch, corn gluten, corn syrup, cornmeal, corn oil, popcorn, cornflakes and pap among others.

Rated as one of the healthiest foods in the world, corn is sold and prepared in many forms. While it is called corn in the North American English it is known as maize in the British English. It is said that corn is mouth-watering when mixed with other food. It is used to produce other food such as popcorn, corn flakes. And corn could serve as a side savour for other food staples like prepared with porridge beans and also to make pap among others, when it comes to diet.

Naturally, corn has an appealing smell that passers-by fall victim to and a fetching shiny colour when out of its cob. It remains the only cuisine you can cook without ingredient yet with an inviting aroma and without salt yet a sweet taste. With is nature of long lasting-chewing before you can swallow; hence, it is very much satiating.

Even while your teeth gnash in the rain lovers of corn chew with ease and attention. However, for ladies, it could be a substitute for chewing-gum, since it lasts longer in the mouth. Corn is used as a sweetener in most of the soft drinks and other commercial products that call for a low-cost sweetening agent. A single corn bushel can sweeten about 400 cans of soft drinks.

Meanwhile, research has concluded that eaters of corn stand chances of having benefits from its high in carbohydrate content and multiple nutrients including: being a food with plenty of chewing satisfaction it is high ratio of insoluble-to-soluble fibre, the nutrient content gets enhanced more when combined with other foods like beans. Fibre and protein are key macronutrients for stabilizing the passage of food through digestive tract. Sweet corn is loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that promote healthy vision, provides many B-complex vitamins including vitamins B1, B5 and folic acid and its notable protein content (about 5-6 grams per cup), it also provides blood sugar benefits. Corn-bean meals (consumed in the form of porridge) have been shown to help improve overall nutrient status and to help provide outstanding nutrient richness in the diet.

Although, yellow corn is the most commonly seen in the environments and in farm produce, it comes in a host of varieties of colours including: white, red, pink, black, purple and blue respectively.  Each of these varieties has its own unique health-supportive combination of antioxidant phytonutrients.

Also, studies have shown that corn involves its potential anti-HIV activity. Lectins are special proteins found in virtually all foods (and in almost all organisms) that can bind onto carbohydrates or onto carbohydrate receptors found on cell membranes. In the case of some micro-organisms (including the HIV virus), the binding of lectins onto sugars has been shown to help inhibit activity of the virus. One specific lectin found in corn called, “GNAmaize”, has preliminarily been shown to possess this HIV-inhibiting property. But more research is needed to determine the relationship between everyday consumption of corn as a whole food and HIV infection risk.

Other Benefits of Corn
Antioxidant: Different varieties of corn highlight different combinations of antioxidant phytonutrients. In the case of yellow corn, carotenoids lead the way and provide high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. Blue corn has unique concentrations of anthocyanins. In the case of purple corn, it provides unusual amounts of the hydroxybenzoic acid called protocatechuic acid. Ferulic acid, beta-carotene, vanillic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and syringic acid are other key phytonutrients provided by corn.

Most studies of disease and risk reduction from dietary antioxidant intake have not looked specifically at corn and its impressive combination of antioxidants. However, in several small-scale studies, corn has been directly mentioned as a food that was important in overall antioxidant protection and a contributing factor in the decreased risk of cardiovascular problems. Some of the mechanisms for decreased cardio risk may be related to other properties of corn's phytonutrients that go beyond their antioxidant properties.

One great piece of news about corn's antioxidants is the practice of drying corn (still on the cob) or separated corn kernels. According to research studies the drying of corn in temperature ranges as high as 150°-200°F (65°-93°C) does not significantly lower corn's antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, more studies have determined that the percent of amylose starch found in corn may be related to its antioxidant capacity. Higher amylose corn varieties have shown higher antioxidant capacity in some preliminary studies. While the jury is out on the exact meaning of these findings, this research reminds us to keep an open mind about the potential importance of antioxidant health benefits from corn.

Digestive Benefits
Only those who have eaten fresh corn-on-the-cob or freshly popped popcorn will know how satiating this grain-food can be to chew. At 4.6 grams of fibre per cup, corn is a good fibre source and its intake is often associated with good overall consumption. For example, persons who eat popcorn tend to have two to three times more overall whole grain intake than persons who do not eat it as well as a higher overall fibre intake.

President Jonathan identifies how to defeat Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said for Nigeria to defeat the violent Boko Haram sect, the country must first overcome what he called political, religious and ethnic cleavages. He also said he had so far been silent on efforts being made to rescue the 219 students who were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok,  

Borno State over two months ago because he did not want to compromise investigation.Jonathan made his position known in an opinion he wrote and was published on Friday by the Washington Post.The article which has since gone viral in the social media was titled “Goodluck Jonathan, Nothing is more important than bringing home Nigeria’s missing girls.”The President said the country was in dire need of a greater understanding and outreach between Muslims and Christians if the terrorism war must be fought and won.Issues such as economic disparities, corruption, rights abuse and abuse of rule of law, he added, must and would be addressed to end the insurgency. 

Jonathan wrote, “In Nigeria, there are political, religious and ethnic cleavages to overcome if we are to defeat Boko Haram. We need greater understanding and outreach between Muslims and Christians.“We also know that, as it seeks to recruit the gullible, Boko Haram exploits the economic disparities that remain a problem in our country. 

We are addressing these challenges through such steps as bringing stakeholders together and creating a safe schools initiative, a victims’ support fund and a presidential economic recovery program for northeastern Nigeria.“We are also committed to ridding our country of corruption and safeguarding human and civil rights and the rule of law.“Something positive can come out of the situation in Nigeria: most important, the return of the Chibok girls, but also new international cooperation to deny havens to terrorists and destroy their organizations wherever they are — whether in the forests of Nigeria, on the streets of New York or sanctuaries in Iraq or Pakistan. 


Those who value humanity , civilization and the innocence of children can do no less.”Jonathan said he decided to remain quiet about the continuing efforts by Nigeria’s military, police and investigators to find the Chibok girls because he did not want to jeopardize investigation.He however regretted that his silence was being used by those he described as partisan critics to suggest inaction or weakness.His silence notwithstanding, Jonathan said his government would not spare any resources until the girls are rescued and their abductors brought to justice.He said he had ordered security agents to hunt the terrorists in the forests in Borno State. 

The President said as a parent himself, he felt the pain of parents whose daughters are still with the sect members.He wrote, “My silence has been necessary to avoid compromising the details of our investigation. But let me state this unequivocally, My government and our security and intelligence services have spared no resources, have not stopped and will not stop until the girls are returned home and the thugs who took them are brought to justice.

“On my orders, our forces have aggressively sought these killers in the forests of northern Borno state, where they are based. They are fully committed to defending the integrity of their country.“My heart aches for the missing children and their families. I am a parent myself, and I know how awfully this must hurt. Nothing is more important to me than finding and rescuing our girls.”Jonathan also vowed that his government was determined to stop the Boko Haram sect from overwhelming the country.“Since 2010, thousands of people have been killed, injured, abducted or forced by Boko Haram, which seeks to overwhelm the country and impose its ideology on all Nigerians. 

My government is determined to make that impossible. We will not succumb to the will of terrorists.“The abduction of our children cannot be seen as an isolated event. Terrorism knows no borders. This month, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Britain and the United States established an External Intelligence Response Unit to share security information on such threats in West Africa.“I propose that we build on this step to establish an enduring, worldwide commitment to destroying terrorism and those who finance or give safe haven to the terrorists.

“In September, I will urge the UN General Assembly to establish a UN coordinated system for sharing intelligence and, if necessary, special forces and law enforcement to confront terrorism wherever it occurs,” he added.

Source:Punchng

President Jonathan identifies how to defeat Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said for Nigeria to defeat the violent Boko Haram sect, the country must first overcome what he called political, religious and ethnic cleavages. He also said he had so far been silent on efforts being made to rescue the 219 students who were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok,  

Borno State over two months ago because he did not want to compromise investigation.Jonathan made his position known in an opinion he wrote and was published on Friday by the Washington Post.The article which has since gone viral in the social media was titled “Goodluck Jonathan, Nothing is more important than bringing home Nigeria’s missing girls.”The President said the country was in dire need of a greater understanding and outreach between Muslims and Christians if the terrorism war must be fought and won.Issues such as economic disparities, corruption, rights abuse and abuse of rule of law, he added, must and would be addressed to end the insurgency. 

Jonathan wrote, “In Nigeria, there are political, religious and ethnic cleavages to overcome if we are to defeat Boko Haram. We need greater understanding and outreach between Muslims and Christians.“We also know that, as it seeks to recruit the gullible, Boko Haram exploits the economic disparities that remain a problem in our country. 

We are addressing these challenges through such steps as bringing stakeholders together and creating a safe schools initiative, a victims’ support fund and a presidential economic recovery program for northeastern Nigeria.“We are also committed to ridding our country of corruption and safeguarding human and civil rights and the rule of law.“Something positive can come out of the situation in Nigeria: most important, the return of the Chibok girls, but also new international cooperation to deny havens to terrorists and destroy their organizations wherever they are — whether in the forests of Nigeria, on the streets of New York or sanctuaries in Iraq or Pakistan. 

Luis Suarez bite: Uruguay striker banned for four months

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has been suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Liverpool player, 27, has also been banned for nine international matches, ruling him out of the rest of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

He will also miss the first nine games of the Premier League season. The incident occurred during Tuesday's 2014 Fifa World Cup Group D game, which Uruguay won to qualify for the last 16.

Uruguay have three days to appeal against the decision. The ban is the biggest in World Cup history, beating the eight games given to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for elbowing Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.

"Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and, in particular, not at a Fifa World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field," Claudio Sulser, chairman of the Fifa disciplinary committee, said in a statement.

Suarez's first match back for Liverpool could be in round four of the Capital One Cup, with matches due to take place in the week commencing 27 October. Liverpool would have to win their third-round tie in September to reach that stage. Suarez has now been found guilty of biting three opponents in his career.

Source: BBC

Luis Suarez bite: Uruguay striker banned for four months

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has been suspended from all football-related activity for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Liverpool player, 27, has also been banned for nine international matches, ruling him out of the rest of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

He will also miss the first nine games of the Premier League season. The incident occurred during Tuesday's 2014 Fifa World Cup Group D game, which Uruguay won to qualify for the last 16.

Uruguay have three days to appeal against the decision. The ban is the biggest in World Cup history, beating the eight games given to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for elbowing Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.

"Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and, in particular, not at a Fifa World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field," Claudio Sulser, chairman of the Fifa disciplinary committee, said in a statement.

Suarez's first match back for Liverpool could be in round four of the Capital One Cup, with matches due to take place in the week commencing 27 October. Liverpool would have to win their third-round tie in September to reach that stage. Suarez has now been found guilty of biting three opponents in his career.

Source: BBC

Ekiti: Triumph of amala politics by Bayo Olupodunda

The shocking news hit me like a thunderbolt. Just like many Nigerians who had kept vigil to monitor the results of the governorship election in Ekiti State that pitted the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi, against his main challenger, Ayodele Fayose, I had been in no doubt about the outcome of the election. 

I first learnt of the results as they trickled in from a media friend who was in Ekiti to monitor the election. As they flowed in, it had become apparent that the enfant terrible of Ekiti politics was coasting home to victory. In the early hours of Sunday, I watched with bated breath as the Returning Officer announced a result that declared Fayose the winner. To say I was dumbfounded will be an understatement.

I am still in shock as to why an incumbent widely regarded as the ‘’poster boy’’ of Nigeria’s intellectual powerhouse could have lost so scandalously. I mean, Fayemi did not win a single local government area in the state-not even his own. It was that bad. Honestly, I must admit that I am still dazed. I was surprised not because I belong to nor have sympathy for any of the political parties.

 I had admired how Fayemi’s intellectual background has enriched political discourse both in our country and Ekiti in particular. I must admit that I also have a love-hate admiration for the doggedness of Fayose as the stormy petrel of Ekiti politics. Now, let’s put partisanship aside, we all admire the style and democratic credentials of Fayemi which he has proved when he conceded defeat to Fayose – a rare feat in this clime.

I am in doubt that if we sample opinions today from the leading parties, many of them will yearn to have a leader like him in their fold. In the last four years, I had completely fallen for Fayemi’s political style. His personal life is also worthy of emulation. His cerebral interviews are a delight to watch. He is an intellectual in the real sense of it. One cannot but not admire his antecedents in public life. Here was a man who played a pivotal and even dangerous role in ending military rule in the country. 

At the Ake Literary Festival in Abeokuta late 2013, I sat in the audience as I listened to the governor who spoke on the title of, “The Space Between: After the Struggle; Before Democracy”. His exploration of the intersection between our current democratic experience and the interregnum before the May 1999 handover was thought-provoking. He offered insights into what transpired when the military transferred power to the civilians 15 years ago.

As I listened to him, I was in no doubt that in a political landscape dominated by politicians with the wrong notion of the role of politics in governance, Fayemi represented the freshness we had long hoped for – or so it seemed. I was also proud as I browsed through his curriculum vitae, that Ekiti, reportedly known to have produced one professor per household deserves nothing less than a governor like Fayemi. But have I been proved wrong? Less than a year after my encounter with the governor, he was rejected at the polls on Saturday by his people who had now pitted tent with another son of theirs, who many say is the very antithesis of what Fayemi stands for.

What went wrong? In the days since the election, political discourse has centered on why Fayemi lost so shockingly. On social media, on the streets, and at homes, the debate has been about Ekiti. How on earth could Fayemi have lost? How could the “bad boy’’ Fayose have won? How could Ekiti have rejected their son so brazenly? Of all the reasons advanced for the Ekiti shocker, the one that had resonated with me is the portrayal of Fayemi as an “out-of-touch” elite and the tagging of Fayose the “champion of the poor”. 

When I say “out of touch”, it is not that the governor is an outsider; rather, he is definitely a bonafide son of the soil Ekiti should be proud of. Being out-of-touch in the Nigerian political lexicon, however, defines the politician who is not grounded in grass roots politicking characterised by dispensing government largesse in cash and kind (raw or cooked food items) directly to the people who, out of poverty, only understand the language of instant gratification. Rather than building enduring infrastructure, politicians of this school of thought believe their electability or popularity among will be enhanced by the amount of patronage they can dispense. In doing this, they create a cult-like figure in the eyes of the critical mass of the working poor. In a country where poverty stalks the citizens like a shadow, this has proved very effective. Over the years, this style of politics is known as amala politics used by the late strong man of Ibadan politics, Lamidi Adedibu.

Since he broke into Ekiti political life as a first-time governor, Fayose deployed this strategy effectively. In the last election, Fayose proved to be a good disciple of this school of thought. For more than four decades, Adedibu used the “politics of the belly” to dictate the political outcomes in the state. Politicians deferred to him. He seized the political space with a rather incomprehensible tact that left even the intelligentsia spellbound. For the period he reigned, amala politics became a familiar lexicon in the state’s body politics and the nation at large. Even presidents paid homage. A semi-literate Adedibu understood the prevailing economic situation of the state when he took charge of the political turf. He knew that by addressing the scourge of poverty, he would have enhanced his political status.

He discovered, perhaps, in his unscientific yet undisputable research that food, for an average indigene of the state, was uppermost. And that for as long as he could feed them amala for at least, three times a day, that aspect of poverty would have been taken care of. For merely buying into this initiative as a realist that he was, Adedibu firmly held sway for several decades. His following was incredible and cut across different strata of the society – from the educated to the motorpark touts. His wish was the command of the lot as Ibadan, where he was resident, was and still in the majority of what transpires whenever the game of number is put to play.

Although his sometimes approach to politics was excusable, given his level of education, he however beat the educated to the game by devising a strategy that seemed to have eluded them and held onto what they thought was naturally theirs. In recent years, poverty has deepened in Nigeria. According to the World Bank, over 100 million Nigerians are poverty-stricken. A majority are also said to be living on one dollar per day. These Nigerians are vulnerable to base inducement by politicians. It is a sad commentary of our democracy that has failed to lift Nigerians out of poverty. Rather than create sustainable wealth, our predatory leaders seek to exploit the misery of Nigerians to perpetuate themselves in power. In Ekiti, we now seem to be back to the era of “amala politics”, so much so for moving our democracy forward.

Ekiti: Triumph of amala politics by Bayo Olupodunda

The shocking news hit me like a thunderbolt. Just like many Nigerians who had kept vigil to monitor the results of the governorship election in Ekiti State that pitted the incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi, against his main challenger, Ayodele Fayose, I had been in no doubt about the outcome of the election. 

I first learnt of the results as they trickled in from a media friend who was in Ekiti to monitor the election. As they flowed in, it had become apparent that the enfant terrible of Ekiti politics was coasting home to victory. In the early hours of Sunday, I watched with bated breath as the Returning Officer announced a result that declared Fayose the winner. To say I was dumbfounded will be an understatement.

I am still in shock as to why an incumbent widely regarded as the ‘’poster boy’’ of Nigeria’s intellectual powerhouse could have lost so scandalously. I mean, Fayemi did not win a single local government area in the state-not even his own. It was that bad. Honestly, I must admit that I am still dazed. I was surprised not because I belong to nor have sympathy for any of the political parties.

 I had admired how Fayemi’s intellectual background has enriched political discourse both in our country and Ekiti in particular. I must admit that I also have a love-hate admiration for the doggedness of Fayose as the stormy petrel of Ekiti politics. Now, let’s put partisanship aside, we all admire the style and democratic credentials of Fayemi which he has proved when he conceded defeat to Fayose – a rare feat in this clime.

I am in doubt that if we sample opinions today from the leading parties, many of them will yearn to have a leader like him in their fold. In the last four years, I had completely fallen for Fayemi’s political style. His personal life is also worthy of emulation. His cerebral interviews are a delight to watch. He is an intellectual in the real sense of it. One cannot but not admire his antecedents in public life. Here was a man who played a pivotal and even dangerous role in ending military rule in the country. 

Aregbesola is dangerous to democracy in Nigeria – Fayose

The Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO) has described the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola as “one of the dangers to democracy in Nigeria” going by his utterances, especially his call on APC supporters to attack security agents with charms and amulets during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State.

The Fayose Campaign Organisation, described Aregbesola’s claim that the last Saturday governorship election, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Ayodele Fayose won convincingly was fraudulent, as “a function of fear of an impending defeat on August 9, 2014 that has enveloped the minds of Aregbesola and his All Progressives Congress (APC) cohorts in Osun State as a result of the party’s scandalous lost Ekiti to the PDP last Saturday.”

The Director General of AFCO, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, said in a release issued on Wednesday that Nigerians should not be surprised that Governor Aregbesola could describe an election that was applauded by the whole world as the best in the history of electioneering in Nigeria as fraudulent, adding that the governor was only expressing his fear of losing the power that he got through judicial manipulation.

While urging Nigerians to ignore Aregbesola, AFCO said; “It is shameful that some people whose mouths should naturally be padlocked still speak on elections in Nigeria.”

He said; “Isn’t it funny that Aregbesola who has never won any election in Osun State, but was Salamically imposed through a court judgment that cancelled results in 10 out of 30 Local Councils in Osun State is the only one talking about Ekiti election being fraudulent?”

Speaking further, Anisulowo said; “It is obvious that Aregbesola is afraid, having seen the failure of reliance on thugs to rig election during the last Saturday election.

“We are aware of his thugs known as ‘State Boys’ that he brought to Ekiti last week, but were rendered useless by the heavy presence of security agents.

“We have also heard the governor openly encouraging and inciting violence by openly saying that ‘any security officer who misbehaves will know that we are children of Oduduwa while asking members of his party to come to their polling units with charms and amulets.’

“Aregbesola has also called on his ‘State Boys,’ whom he has armed to attack security agents before and during the election, not to be rattled by security agents.

“Therefore, it is understandable that Aregbesola can never see the free, fair and transparent election that the entire world saw in Ekiti. But we are sure that the same God that liberated Ekiti people from the APC’s deceitful government will also liberated the people of Osun State on August 9, 2014.”

Source: Dailypost