THE TOP 3 BANKS IN NIGERIA- MY RATING

ZENITH BANK OF NIG.

1) Awards & Achievements


Zenith Bank remains outstanding in the pursuit of excellence and commitment to high quality service, a result of which has enhanced our performance in the year under review.

Euromoney
arrow Best Bank in Nigeria (2008)

Vanguard Bankers' Award
arrow Best Bank in ICT (2008)
arrow Best Bank in Export Finance (2008)

This Day Award of Excellence
arrow Bank of the year, 2008
arrow Corporate Citizen of the Year, 2008
arrow CEO of the Year, 2008
arrow Most Corporate Socially Responsible Company in Nigeria, 2007


KPMG
arrow Most Customer-Focused Bank (2008)

Africa Investor
arrow Africa's Bank of the Year (2007)

Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE)
arrow Quoted Company of the Year (2007)

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African Banker
arrow Most Corporate Socially Responsible Bank in Africa (2007)

Federal Inland Revenue Service
arrow Best Collecting Bank (2007)

Fitch Ratings (AA-) 2007
arrow "The ratings reflect adequate levels of capitalisation and the potential
that capital levels will be further enhanced"

Standard and Poor's (BB-) 2007
arrow "The stable outlook balances the bank's ability to benefit, in terms of
size, profitability, from strong macroeconomic growth"

Web-Jurist Award (2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006) Phillips Consulting
arrow Best Bank Website in Nigeria
arrow 1st Overall rating

The Banker, Financial Times of London
arrow Bank of the Year (2005)

2)
GUARANTY TRUST BANK

RATINGS

Our financial capacity to meet obligations as they fall due has been recognized by several rating agencies.

* Agusto & Co, (one of the foremost credit rating agencies in Nigeria) has reaffirmed the Bank's triple A (Aaa) risk rating every year for the last four years. Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of only two banks in Nigeria with such a rating.

* In 2005, Fitch, one of the foremost international rating agencies assigned the Bank a double A minus (AA-) risk rating in recognition of the its strong domestic franchise, good quality assets and sound earnings record. This is the highest rating ever received by any Nigerian or West African based bank.

* In 2006, Standard & Poor's, another international rating agency assigned the Bank a double B minus (BB-) risk rating. The Bank is the only Nigerian financial institution with such a rating, which is the same as the Agency's Sovereign rating for Nigeria.



RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS

The Bank has over the years been a recipient of several awards for superior financial performance, customer service delivery, excellent share performance, management efficiency etc. some of these are:

* Nigerian Stock Exchange President's Merit Award - 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006
* Bank of the Year 2005 - ThisDay Awards
* Banker of the Year 2006 - ThisDay Awards
* Brand of the Year 2007 - ThisDay Awards
* Subject of case studies:

o Harvard Business School,
o Cranfield University
o Lagos Business School

* Africa's top 23 2005 - Africa Business Magazine
* Highly Commended Bank of the Year Award in Africa 2005 - African Investor
* ISO 9001:2000 Certification 2006 - International Standards Organisation
* $350 million debut Eurobond issue; the first of its kind by any financial institution in West Africa
* Most Respected Financial Institution in Nigeria 2006- Pricewaterhouse Coopers:
* Most Customer friendly Bank 2007 - Vanguard Awards
* Best Bank for Brand Development 2007 - Vanguard Awards
* Deal of the Year Award 2007 - The Banker Magazine Awards
* Listing on the London Stock Exchange 2007
* Best Bank in Mobile Banking Awards 2007 - Nigeria Telecoms Awards
* Brand of the Year 2007 - Lagos State Enterprises
* Grand Prix Award for Reputation and Credibility - 2007 Fortune & Class Enterprise Awards
* Corporate Best Practice Award - 2007 Fortune & Class Enterprise Awards
* Best Work Place Award - 2007 Fortune & Class Enterprise Awards
* Most Respected Company in Nigeria Award 2007 by PricewaterhouseCoopers & BusinessDay Survey Awards
* Sectoral Award for the Financial Services Segment 2007 by PricewaterhouseCoopers & BusinessDay Survey Awards
* Runner up in the 2007 Most Respected CEO in Nigeria Award 2007 by PricewaterhouseCoopers & BusinessDay Survey Awards
* Winner of the Nigerian Stock Exchange 30th Annual President's Merit Award for the 2006 financial year
* Transaction of the Year 2008 by ThisDay Newspapers
* Most Customer Focused Bank (Retail) 2008 by KPMG
* Bank of the Year 2008 by Vanguard Newspapers
* Best Bank in Corporate Governance 2008 by Vanguard Newspapers
* Most Customer-Friendly Bank 2008 by Vanguard Newspapers
* Best Architectural Bank Branch 2008 by Nigerian Institute of Architects
* Deal of the Year 2008 for Nigeria by The Banker Magazines published by Financial Times, London
* Best Bank in Mobile Banking 2008 by Logica Communications Limited organizers of the Telecoms Awards

3)UNIVERSAL BANK FOR AFRICA



Awards 2008
ThisDay Corporate Social Responsibility Award

UBA Foundation, the social responsibility harness for the entire company, was voted as the most Corporate Socially Responsible organization in Nigeria in 2007, clinching the highly contested ThisDay Newspaper Award.

City People CEO of The Year Award

Tony Elumelu recieved the accolade, CEO of the Year 2008 at the 11th City People Awards for Excellence Ceremony

------------------Awards 2007-------------------

ICAN (Institute of Charted Accountants) HONOURS UBA PLC

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc added another feather to its cap at the weekend by winning the coveted Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Award for the corporate category. A recognition for the bank’s support towards the upliftment of Accounting profession in Nigeria.

The Award was bestowed on the bank at the Institute’s 2007 Annual Dinner and Awards ceremony held in Lagos.

ICT (Information and Communication Technology) AFRICA IN THEIR TITANS OF PURE GENIUS TECH AWARDED UBA PLC AS THE ICT DRIVEN BANK OF THE YEAR 2007

POWER SOLUTIONS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2007 FROM POWERCAP LIMITED AWARDED UBA AS THE POWER FRIENDLY BANK OF THE YEAR 2007

------------------Awards 2006-------------------

TONY ELUMELU WINS THE HIGHLY COVETED AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Thursday, 9th of November, 2006 at the luxury Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, Tony Elumelu, GMD/CEO of UBA Plc, emerged winner of the prestigious and highly coveted AFRICAN BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR award.
The AI awards, dubbed the “Oscars” of the African corporate world, are the only Pan African awards that recognise and reward exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across the continent, as well as corporate responsibility towards the society. It is organized by Africa investor; a United Kingdom based bi-monthly business magazine which targets international investors with an interest in Africa’s commercial development. This year's awards is the third, following successful ceremonies in 2004 and 2005 in Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg, South Africa.
This Business Leader of the Year was the hotly anticipated finale of the 15 different award categories in a glittering ceremony that saw a stellar gathering of representatives of leading organizations and some of Africa’s best, including Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Professor Charles Soludo, Executive President of the African Business Roundtable & Chairman, NEPAD Business Group Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Kenyan Minister of Trade & Industry Dr. Mukhisa Kituyu, and Director, African Investment Advisory, Dr. Ken Kwaku, amongst many other distinguished guests, celebrating African excellence.

Tony Elumelu was voted winner in a strongly contested category, amongst finalists that include some of Africa’s finest and most successful Chief Executive Officers, including Phutuma Nhleko Group Chief Executive of the Telecoms giant MTN (South Africa), Papi Molotsane, CEO of Telkom (South Africa), Vimal Shah CEO of Bidco Oil Refineries, Kenya; the largest manufacturer of edible oils and fats and soaps in East and Central Africa, with operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Gerald Mahinda of East African Breweries which has extensive operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and Jim Ovia, CEO of Zenith Bank.

UBA PLC WINS MERGER & ACQUISITION OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 11TH THISDAY ANNUAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE.

On January 21, 2006, UBA Plc beat other banks namely; Intercontinental Group, Access Bank, PlatinumHabib and Skye Bank to win the Merger & Acquisition of the Year Award at the 11th Annual Thisday Awards. Below are excerpts of the citation on UBA at the awards ceremony which held at the Muson Centre, Lagos

“United Bank for Africa: August 1 2005, marked a watershed in the history of Nigeria's financial services industry, with the emergence of United Bank for Africa Plc as Nigeria's first mega bank following the merger of UBA and Standard Trust Bank Plc. Apart from its record as the first successful merger in the ongoing banking consolidation, the consolidated UBA's aggregate financial and non-financial strength clearly ranks it above its peers in the industry.

With a network of over 425 business offices across the country, balance sheet size of over N600 billion, and an active customer base of over two million, United Bank For Africa Plc ranks as the biggest on-line, real-time bank in Nigeria and indeed sub-Saharan Africa”.

UBA PLC WINS BANK OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 9TH CITY PEOPLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Nigerian celebrity magazine; City People, at the Eko Hotel, Lagos on Sunday April 9, 2006 adjudged UBA as banker of the year 2005 on account of its historic merger with Standard Trust Bank and several initiatives embarked upon to bring banking convenience to the unbanked and the underbanked.

ELUMELU WINS BANKER OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 9TH CITY PEOPLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

GLOBAL EXCELLENCE BANKER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2006

CITY PEOPLE'S CEO OF THE YEAR 2006 & BANK CEO OF THE YEAR 2006


Other UBA awards include;

Award


Organizers

Bank of the Year 2005


Newsday Newspapers

Sales Promotion of the year 2006 Award


National institute of Marketing of Nigeria

Best Bank of the year (Social Responsibility)


Ikeja City Awards

Bank of the year 2006


Thisday Newspapers

NIGERIA FLAG AND NATIONAL ANTHEM

White vertical stripe sandwiched between two green stripes of equal dimensions.

Symbolism of flag elements:
White stripe denotes peace and unity and is also symbolic of the Niger River bisecting the countryside. The green stripes represent agriculture.

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF NIGERIA

Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria's call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and
unity.

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice
shall reign.

NIGERIA MAP



I LOVE NIGERIA,I LOVE MY FATHERLAND,I LOVE MY CONTINENT.

upcoming events in the month of september

20 Sep 2008 - 21 Sep 2008

The Julian Bluegrass Festival is the oldest festival of its kind in California. Many of the finest bluegrass artists today started out here in contests and in performances. The park is beautiful, and the town is a charming, historic gold mining town located approximately an hour's drive east of San Diego. A lovely, peaceful atmosphere and some excellent bluegrass music await visitors to this event.
The 38th annual Julian Bluegrass Festival takes place in 2008

Times
Sat 0900–1800; Sun 0900–1600.

Where?

Frank Lane Park (Venue)

Frank Lane Park
California

Getting There

Road: Detailed directions are available from the festival website

How Much?
TBC.

For More Information
World Tourist Attractions and Events Guide Cover
Buy The World
Attraction & Event Guide

Melissa Hague Entertainment (Tourist Info)
PO Box 2322
Escondido
California
CA 92033
United States

Tel +1 (760) 480 0086
Email melissa@mhentertainment.com

Website www.julianbluegrassfestival.com

Future Events

01 Sep 2009 - 30 Sep 2009
Date to be confirmed
The 39th annual Julian Bluegrass Festival takes place in 2009.

Where
As above

More Information
As above






Musica Contemporary Music Festival,
Strasbourg, France

Musica Contemporary Music Festival - © Musica Contemporary Music Festival
© Musica Contemporary Music Festival
20 Sep 2008 - 04 Oct 2008

The aim of Musica is to present important 20th century works in the light of contemporary musical trends. Audiences are encouraged to appreciate innovative and challenging interpretations of the great classics and also to discover new works from young composers. An extensive programme runs through 16 days at venues across the city. There is a definite bias towards youth, and this is reflected in the audiences, although music lovers of all ages are welcome. The festival also encourages collaboration between music, dance and theatre, and gives young musicians the opportunity to meet and exchange views with composers and performers from all over the world.

Times
1100-2200.

Where?

Palais des Fetes and various other venues (Venue)

Various orchestral concert venues including Palais des Fetes, Salle Erasme, Pole Sud, Opera du Rhin

How Much?
€5.50-110.

For More Information
World Tourist Attractions and Events Guide Cover
Buy The World
Attraction & Event Guide

Festival Musica (Tourist Info)
6, rue des Charpentiers
BP 306
Strasbourg
Alsace
F-67008
France

Tel +33 (0)3 8823 4646.
Email info@festival-musica

Website www.festival-musica.org

Future Events

01 Sep 2009 - 31 Oct 2009
Date to be confirmed

Where
As above

More Information
As above

50 Tools that can Increase your Writing Skills

* Writing Tool #1: Branch to the Right
* Writing Tool #2: Use Strong Verbs
* Writing Tool #3: Beware of Adverbs
* Writing Tool #4: Period As a Stop Sign
* Writing Tool #5: Observe Word Territory
* Writing Tool #6: Play with Words
* Writing Tool #7: Dig for the Concrete and Specific
* Writing Tool #8: Seek Original Images
* Writing Tool #9: Prefer Simple to Technical
* Writing Tool #10: Recognize Your Story’s Roots
* Writing Tool #11 Back Off or Show Off
* Writing Tool #12: Control the Pace
* Writing Tool #13: Show and Tell
* Writing Tool #14: Interesting Names
* Writing Tool #15: Reveal Character Traits
* Writing Tool #16: Odd and Interesting Things
* Writing Tool #17: The Number of Elements
* Writing Tool #18: Internal Cliffhangers
* Writing Tool #19: Tune Your Voice
* Writing Tool #20: Narrative Opportunities
* Writing Tool #21: Quotes and Dialogue
* Writing Tool #22: Get Ready
* Writing Tool #23: Place Gold Coins Along the Path
* Writing Tool #24: Name the Big Parts
* Writing Tool #25: Repeat
* Writing Tool #26: Fear Not the Long Sentence
* Writing Tool #27: Riffing for Originality
* Writing Tool #28: Writing Cinematically
* Writing Tool #29: Report for Scenes
* Writing Tool #30: Write Endings to Lock the Box
* Writing Tool #31: Parallel Lines
* Writing Tool #32: Let It Flow
* Writing Tool #33: Rehearsal
* Writing Tool #34: Cut Big, Then Small
* Writing Tool #35: Use Punctuation
* Writing Tool #36: Write A Mission Statement for Your Story
* Writing Tool #37: Long Projects
* Writing Tool #38: Polish Your Jewels
* Writing Tool #39: The Voice of Verbs
* Writing Tool #40: The Broken Line
* Writing Tool #41: X-Ray Reading
* Writing Tool #42: Paragraphs
* Writing Tool #43: Self-criticism
* Writing Tool #44: Save String
* Writing Tool #45: Foreshadow
* Writing Tool #46: Storytellers, Start Your Engines
* Writing Tool #47: Collaboration
* Writing Tool #48: Create An Editing Support Group
* Writing Tool #49: Learn from Criticism
* Writing Tool #50: The Writing Process
courtesy :poynter institute

Military Won’t Be Intimidated in N’Delta

The Nigerian Armed Forces will not be intimidated by militants operating in the Niger Delta to abdicate its responsibility to defend the country, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshall Paul Dike, has said.
Dike said the military was committed to its constitutional duty of defending the territorial integrity of the country, particularly in the Niger Delta, “and nobody can intimidate the military forces into abdicating that responsibility.”
The CDS made the remarks yesterday while on a working visit to the headquarters of the Joint (military) Task Force (JTF) in Warri, Delta State.
He was accompanied on the visit by military top brass which included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Adbulra-hman Bello Danbazau.
Also yesterday, former Delta State Governor James Ibori sued for peace over the escalation of hostilities in the Niger Delta
He said: “If there is a season for everything under the sun as the Bible says, there being a time for war and a time for peace, then this is the time for cessation of hostilities in the entire Niger Delta.”
Militants operating in the Niger Delta have declared an all out war, attacking and destroying oil facilities.
In the offensive launched last weekend, two flow stations in Rivers State believed to be operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Agip were attacked, leaving the militants and men of the JTF to trade accusations over the attacks.
The attacks on the oil facilities, which have allegedly resulted in more oil shut-ins were carried out as Dike visited military installations in Rivers State to assess the security situation.
Dike, who reaffirmed the position of the armed forces, however, admonished all military personnel to adhere to their professional disciplinary norms in order to effectively deliver on their constitutional obligation.
In a subtle but firm response to the reported threat of “full-scale war” on the country’s security personnel in the area by militants, the CDS stressed that the military would continue to work for the restoration of peace in the area.
He also charged the officers and men to respect the people especially the civilian population in their area of national service, but avoid any act that could tarnish the image of the armed forces.
He, however, expressed satisfaction with the level of performance by the JTF personnel, saying the on-the-spot assessment of the troops’ battle-readiness was the primary reason for his visit.
In his statement last night, Ibori said: “Having heard the anguished cry of the people of the South-South, President Umaru Yar’Adua is determined to end the suffering of the people, and has therefore approved a large scale intervention in the form of the Niger Delta Ministry to reverse the decades old under-development which the area has suffered.
“So, what is called for now is discussion over the activities and funding of the ministry and how best to make it meet the aspirations of the people. Owing to this, I call on all persons of goodwill to join in this peace effort. Hostilities must cease to give the development process the Federal Government has put in place now the chance to succeed.
“War is like malignant cancer; it usually spreads uncontrollably to other areas. Therefore both sides must listen to the voice of wisdom and stop the conflagration - now.”
Ibori called on the angry youths of the Niger Delta to have faith in the President and his new initiative.
According to him, “The Niger Delta and Nigeria need their energy re-channelled into really productive ventures. The educated among them should be encouraged to contribute their talents to the needed battle of speeding Nigeria and Africa on the part of swift development and global respect, and themselves towards personal fulfilment and glory. “The uneducated must face intellectual and skill acquisition to enable them compete in the national and global space.
“Fortunately, the focus of the new ministry is two-pronged. While one corrects the abysmal lack of infrastructure in the area, the other faces the task of upgrading the intellectual and talent pool of the area.”
According to Ibori, the youths of the area must take advantage of this by ending the hostilities; emerge from their camps and exploit the opportunities that now beckon.
To the militants, he said: “You have made your point. The whole world now knows that your grievances are genuine, and for the first time, the Federal Government is truly addressing them. In every journey, there is always a place to stop. Your predecessor in arms, the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro realised this, came out from the bush, and reintegrated himself into the society – after leading the first Niger Delta uprising in the 1960s. You too must do like-wise.”
In Port Harcourt yesterday, Dike also expressed satisfaction with the performance of JTF, though he said there might be some areas needing improvements.
The CDS thanked Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for providing a conducive environment for their men to operate in addition to helping out with some logistics.
He called for further cooperation between the state and the armed forces, pointing out that such cooperation had existed right from the time of the civil war.
Responding, Amaechi pleaded with Dike to do everything possible to improve on the present security situation in the state.
He regretted that those he called criminals masquerading as freedom fighters had unleashed terror on the state, but expressed happiness that JTF was working to restore normalcy.
In Bayelsa, the state Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, asked the Federal Government to urgently consider the establishment of a military command in the state.
Sylva made the call when Dike and Dambazau paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Yenagoa.
He said the call became imperative due to the strategic position of Bayelsa as a border state and one of the highest producers of oil, the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

EU, RUSSIA WOO NIGERIA OVER TRANS-SAHARAN GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

Indications emerged on Wednesday that the European Union and China were currently wooing the Federal Government over the construction of the proposed N2.4tn ($21bn) Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project. The project, which stretches from over a distance of 4,300 kilometres across the Saharan desert, is to be shared among Nigeria (1,050km); Niger (750km), and Algeria (2,500km). Upon completion, the project would connect Nigeria’s gas reserves, estimated as the world’s seventh largest, to Europe through Algeria’s Mediterranean coast. A source in the Presidency disclosed that the EU and Russia were making spirited efforts to get the nod of the Nigerian authorities for the execution of the project. The source noted that the renewed interest from the two power blocks followed deliberate efforts by President Umaru Yar’Adua to execute the age-long proposal. The source also said the EU, which had previously displayed a cold shoulder towards the project, renewed its interest following fears that Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly, was planning to gain access to Nigeria ?s vast gas reserves. Gazprom had offered to back the planned 4,300km Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. The EU feared that by gaining control of Nigeria’s gas reserves, Gazprom could effectively succeed with its deliberate plan to further tighten its grip on energy supplies to Europe. According to the source, the EU’s fears heightened when Gazprom signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Moscow to cooperate on gas exploration, production and transportation. The source added that, as a result, the EU had offered Nigeria financial and political backing for the project. The EU intends to use the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline to pump its gas supplies from Africa directly to Europe. According to a recent report by The Financial Times magazine, the EU’s renewed interest may not be unconnected with its rising desperation to reduce its dependence on Russian for gas supplies following the conflict in Georgia. Punch

OIL PRICES REBOUND AFTER TWO-DAY TUMBLE

Oil prices rebounded yesterday, retracing part of a two-day $10 a barrel drop. Analysts said the decline may have been overdone. Prices also got a boost on news of the U.S. Federal Reserve's $85 billion emergency loan to rescue insurance giant American International Group, which helped stabilise global markets rattled by the recent failure of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers. "Prices had really fallen off a cliff," said Peter McGuire, managing director at investment firm Commodity Warrants Australia in Sydney. "When a market falls 25 per cent in three weeks and 40 per cent in two months, it tends to find some support for a bounce back." Light, sweet crude for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose $2.34 to $93.49 a barrel in electronic trading by mid afternoon in Europe. The contract fell $4.56 to settle at $91.15 on Tuesday, after dropping $5.47 on Monday. At one point Tuesday, oil touched $90.51 a barrel, its lowest since Feb. 8, and down 39 per cent from a record $147.27 on July 11. "Worries about the U.S. financial system, a lack of liquidity and fears for world oil demand all pressured the market," wrote analysts at JBC Energy in Vienna, Austria. But they added that a rebound in early trading yesterday could be attributed to the Federal Reserve's decision to bail out AIG. The Federal Reserve said in a statement Tuesday that a disorderly failure of AIG could hurt financial markets already reeling from a yearlong credit crisis that led to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers earlier this week. It also could have led "to substantially higher borrowing costs, reduced household wealth and materially weaker economic performance," the Fed said. It said in return for the loan, the U.S. government would receive a 79.9 per cent equity stake in AIG. With so much uncertainty surrounding the U.S. financial system and fears that slowing economic growth will undermine crude demand, Wednesday's jump in oil prices probably has not broken the recent downward trend, McGuire said. Events that would usually boost prices - such as Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cutting output by 520,000 barrels a day last week, or damage to oil installations on the Texas coast by Hurricane Ike last weekend - haven't done so. "The OPEC cut didn't have any impact," McGuire said. "Then Ike didn't slow the market either." Guardian

7 Principles of an Eagle - Dr. Myles Monroe

PRINCIPLE 1
Eagles fly alone at high altitude and not with sparrows or other small birds. No other bird can go to the height of the eagle. Stay away from sparrows and ravens.

Eagles fly with Eagles

PRINCIPLE 2
Eagles have strong vision. They have the ability to focus on something up to five kilometers away. When an eagle sites his prey, he narrows his focus on it and set out to get it. No matter the obstacles, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it.

Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed.

PRINCIPLE 3
Eagles do not eat dead things. They feed only on fresh prey. Vultures eat dead animals, but eagles will not.

Be careful with what you feed your eyes and ears with, especially in movies and on TV. Steer clear of outdated and old information. Always do your research well.


PRINCIPLE 4
Eagles love the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm’s wind to lift it higher. Once it finds the wind of the storm, the eagles uses the raging storm to lift him above the
clouds. This gives the eagle an opportunity to glide and rest its wings. In the meantime, all the other birds hide in the leaves and branches of the trees.

We can use the storms of life to rise to greater heights. Achievers relish challenges and use them profitably.

PRINCIPLE 5
The Eagle tests before it trusts. When a female eagle meets a male and they want to mate, she flies down to earth with the male pursuing her and she picks a twig. She flies back into the air with the male pursuing her.
Once she has reached a height high enough for her, she lets the twig fall to the ground and watches it as it falls. The male chases after the twig. The faster it falls, the faster he chases it. He has to catch it before it
falls to the ground. He then brings it back to the female eagle.

The female eagle grabs the twig and flies to a higher altitude and then drops the twig for the male to chase. This goes on for hours, with the height increasing until the female eagle is assured that the male eagle has mastered the art of catching the twig which shows commitment. Then and only then, will she allow him to mate with her.

Whether in private life or in business, one should test commitment of people intended for partnership.


PRINCIPLE 6
The Eagle Prepares for Changes: When ready to lay eggs, the female and male eagle identify a place very high on a cliff where no predators can reach. The male flies to earth and picks thorns and lays them on the crevice of the cliff, then flies to earth again to collect twigs which he lays in the intended nest. He flies back to earth and picks thorns laying them on top of the twigs. He flies back to earth and picks soft grass to cover the thorns. When this first layering is complete the male eagle runs back to earth and picks more thorns, lays them on the nest; runs back to get grass it on top of the thorns, then plucks his feathers to complete the nest. The thorns on the outside of the nest protect it from possible intruders. Both male and female eagles participate in raising the eagle family. She lays the eggs and protects them; he builds the nest and hunts. During the time of training the young ones to fly, the mother eagle throws the eaglets out of the nest. Because they are scared, they jump into the nest again.

Next, she throws them out and then takes off the soft layers of the nest, leaving the thorns bare When the scared eaglets again jump into the nest, they are pricked by thorns. Shrieking and bleeding they jump out again this time wondering why the mother and father who love them so much are torturing them. Next, mother eagle pushes them off the cliff into the air. As they shriek in fear, father eagle flies out and catches them up on his back before they fall and brings them back to the cliff. This goes on for sometime until they start flapping their wings. They get excited at this newfound knowledge that they can fly.

The preparation of the nest teaches us to prepare for changes; The preparation for the family teaches us that active participation of both partners leads to success; The being pricked by the thorns tells us that sometimes being too comfortable where we are may result into our not experiencing life, not progressing and not learning at all. The thorns of life come to teach us that we need to grow, get out of the nest and live on. We may not know it but the seemingly comfortable and safe haven may have thorns.

The people who love us do not let us languish in sloth but push us hard to grow and prosper. Even in their seemingly bad actions they have good intentions for us.



PRINCIPLE 7
The Eagle Knows when to Retire: When an Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast as he should. When he feels weak and about to die, he retires to a place far away in the rocks. While there, he plucks out every feather on his body until he is completely bare. He stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers, then he can come out.

We occasionally need to shed off old habits & items that burden us without adding to our lives.

100 People feared killed as oil war enters second day

Operation Hurricane Barbarossa, an oil war declared by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, entered its second day on Monday with the death toll put at 100 by Reuters.


Reuters, which attributed the figure to two security sources, also reported that Armoured Personnel Carriers and more troops had been deployed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Reuters, a global news agency with a strong presence in Nigeria however, did not give a breakdown of the figure. MEND and the military authorities have since the “war” began on Sunday claimed inflicting heavy casaulties on one another.

The Associated Press, which described the oil war as the heaviest between MEND and troops of the Joint Task Force, otherwise known as operation Restore Peace in the Niger Delta, so far, quoted its correspondent as saying that Port Harcourt was “on edge.”

The AP correspondent said, “I drove into Port Harcourt from the neighbouring state of Imo. It’s a distance of about an hour and 30 minutes by road and I counted no less than 20 checkpoints manned by heavily-armed police and troops.

“Within the city of Port Harcourt itself, there are sandbags protecting government installations. There are troops on pick-up trucks with machine guns.

There are APCs deployed at strategic parts of the city. People are moving around, but there’s some kind of tense situation. It’s a city on edge.”

MEND on Monday attacked the Alakiri Flow Station, a major oil platform operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company.

A community guard was killed and four others injured in the incident. The attack forced the SPDC to withdraw more of its workers from the Niger Delta.

MEND had, in an e-mail to THE PUNCH, said it burnt down the flow station around 12.15am on Monday.

It also claimed in the statement by its Spokesman, Mr. Jomo Gbomo, that scores of oil workers and soldiers, who violated its order to vacate facility, perished inside it (facility).

The statement reads in part, “Heavily armed fighters from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta stormed the facility and have razed it to the ground as promised.

“Resistance was non-existent as the soldiers fled their dug-in positions leaving behind their colleagues and the workers inside the facility to their fate. The foolhardy workers and soldiers who did not heed our warning perished inside the station. The facility was still burning when we left.”

MEND also warned that any oil vessel that violated its advice not to sail into the Niger Delta would be blown up.

The Director of Public Relations, Defence Headquarters Brig.-Gen. Emeka Onwamaegbu, dismissed MEND’s claim that it killed some soldiers.

He said, “There is absolutely no truth in the claim by MEND. MEND is employing propaganda to achieve its aims.

“There is an encounter quite alright between our men and MEND. We have just two of our men that were injured. I hope the MEND or whoever is behind all these will embrace dialogue. We have no reason not to disclose casualties if we have any.”

The JTF Spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, who spoke with one of our correspondents said the militants in 10 speedboats attacked a military post located at the facility.

He claimed that during the gun duel that lasted for about an hour, some of the militants probably died while detonating dynamites.

Musa said, “It is greatly feared that the flow station might have caught fire due to crossfire during the encounter.

“No casualty was recorded on the side of our forces and the situation is being closely monitored and is under control. The battle lasted for one hour, with the militants using dynamite and bombs, but the attack was repelled.‘”

Musa wondered how soldiers would be killed without their corpses being found anywhere.

He said, “The claim that soldiers were killed is just a wild propaganda. The so-called militants should know that the time is up. They are advised to come to terms with reality as the status quo will be reversed for the good of all.”

The Public Affairs Adviser of the SPDC, Mr. Tony Okonedo, confirmed the killing of the guard and the wounding of four others during the attack.

Okonedo said, “We confirm that our Alakiri flow station was attacked by unknown gunmen, and regrettably, a community guard was killed in the incident. Four other people also sustained injury during the attack and are being treated in our facility in Port Harcourt.

“As a precautionary measure, we have down-manned facilities in some of the field locations. That is, we have reduced the number of men in such facilities.

“The SPDC is aware of the difficulty the security situation places on staff and continues to monitor developments.”

He, however, refused to say how much production was shut down as a result of the attack.

Okonedo, who denied that the facility was torched, said, ”We cannot talk about production shut down because we do not give out our production figures. But I can tell you that the flow station was not raised.”

Also on Monday, MEND claimed in another e-mail statement that it had killed more than 17 soldiers since its repraisal attack on the JTF began on Saturday.

Another of its spokespersons, Cynthia Whyte, said most of the soldiers were shot dead while engaging in illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.

The statement reads in part, “On behalf of the larger coalition of the heroic combatants of the MEND, we wish to declare the ongoing success of operation Hurricane Barbarossa which began an hour after midnight of September 14, 2008, leaving in its trail about 17 to 24 dead soldiers of Northern Nigeria stock, many of whom are engaged in illegal oil bunkering across the creeks of the Niger Delta.

“This operation will continue and will remain undeterred. Our strategic objective will be to question the supposed might of the armed forces of the Nigerian state especially bandit units of the JTF who believe that they occupy our lands, rape our women, attack fishermen and render our lands desolate. They will fail.”

MEND also said that it would not surrender to the “violent approach” by the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and vowed to bring him to his knees through serial attacks on strategic locations.

It said, “We wish to remind the Supreme Court-appointed Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Amaechi, that this will not be over in a while. He chose the path of force and violence and that is what he will get.

“To the bandit soldiers of the Nigerian state, we will meet in the creeks. Welcome to the new edition of The Rumble in the Creeks.”

Fighting started on Saturday in Elom Tombia, Rivers State, when the suspected hideout of a militant leader, Mr. Farah Dagogo, was pounded by troops during an aerial and maritime onslaught.

In a reprisal action, MEND attacked the Soku Gas Plant and Chevron facility at Kula, where it said many soldiers sent as reinforcement were ambushed, killed and dispossessed of their weapons.

It also claimed that its men blew up several points on a major crude trunk pipeline at Nembe Creek.

The JTF has since denied the claim.

Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Customs Agents of Nigeria on Monday said that activities of militants in the Niger Delta had slowed down the work of its members.

The Zonal Eastern Ports Chairman of the association, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, that people were scared to go and bring many cargo vessels on the sea into the wharf.

Nwokeoji said that the militants obstructed the activities of his members in several ways, adding that it was expensive to provide security for the vessels.

EU BUDGETS N100B FOR NIGERIA IN FIVE YEARS

The European Union (EU) is to commit about N100 billion for execution of developmental projects aimed at building structures that could effectively tackle poverty, assist Nigeria to attain the Millennium Development Goals and also strengthen democratisation between 2010 and 2015. The union had spent about N82 billion between 2002-2007 in the execution of projects in the areas of water supply, state reform and anti corruption, support to democratic process and implementation of Micro-Projects in nine states of the Niger Delta. Minister of National Planning, Senator Sanuai Daggash, who disclosed this when he received European Commissioners responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr. Louis Michel and his Energy Counterpart, Mr. Andris Piebalgs who were on a visit to Nigeria said that out of the amount, only 50 per cent has been utilised while the remaining part might be released between now and December 2008. He stressed that EU is the greatest support of grant in Nigeria, adding that the country has an agenda to fight poverty as well as attain a double-digit growth and would adopt a pragmatic approach to actualise the dream. In his address the Head of Delegation Amb. Robert van der Meulen said that the partnership between Nigeria and European Commission, which dates back to 1976, is aimed at assisting the country's economic, political and social development, with an increasing focus on good governance. He observed that a lot has been achieved over the years ranging from EU support to Nigeria's 2006 national population and housing census, micro economic projects in the Niger Delta and the ongoing polio eradication actions. Meulen stressed that the partnership between EU and Nigeria is increasingly becoming one of crucial strategic importance for both sides, adding that the commission is working to develop an enduring partnership with Nigeria, built on mutual trust and respect and exemplified through regular and high level political and economic contacts. The ambassador said that as the 2002-2007 country support strategy agreed between EC and Nigeria comes to an end, a new strategy would soon be put in place with renewed expectation for the enhancement of mutual cooperation for both sides. Guardian.

4 THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD DO

4 THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW
YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD DO
There are a few things that can be done in
times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone
can actually be a life saver or an emergency
tool for survival. Check out the things that you
can do with it:

One: Emergency One: Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is
112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area
of your mobile; network and there is an
emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search
any existing network to establish the emergency
number for you, and interestingly this number
112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
Try it out.

Two: Have you locked your keys in the car? Two: Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This
may come in handy someday. Good reason to
own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car
and the spare keys are at home, call someone at
home on their mobile phone from your cell
phone.

Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car
door and have the person at your home press the
unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone
on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves
someone from having to
drive your keys to you. Distance is no object.
You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you
can reach someone who has the other 'remote'
for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the
trunk).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it
unlocked our car over a mobile phone!'

Three: Hidden Battery Power Three: Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To
activate, press the keys *3370# Your mobile will
restart with this reserve and the instrument will
show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will
get charged when you charge your mobile next
time.

Four: How to disable a STOLEN mobile
phone?
Four: How to disable a STOLEN mobile
phone?
To check your mobile phone's serial number, key
in the following digits on your phone!: * # 0 6 #,
a 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This
number is unique to your handset. Write it down
and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone
get stolen, you can phone your service provider
and give them this code. They will then be able
to block your handset so even if the thief
changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally
useless.
You probably won't get your phone back, but at
least you know that whoever stole it can't
use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there
would be no point in people stealing mobile
phones.

This is the kind of information people don't
mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and
friends

POWER EMERGENCY: GOVT, OIL MAJORS SET FOR SHOWDOWN

Can the rules of a game be changed midstream? This is the poser that multinational oil companies are raising as the Federal Government is set to order them to divert a great percentage of their gas exports to the local market. This is part of the government's efforts to meet its power emergency target. Sources told the Nigerian Compass that the companies are set for a showdown with the government, noting that the plan will result in huge financial losses to them. The companies believe that the government's plan is "an ambush," and a "strange" introduction into their operational agreements with Nigeria. The plan, it was further learnt, will badly hurt the revenue targets of the companies. They are already exploring the options available to them, which may include litigation. State assemblies have begun to pass power emergency spending budgets, which will enable the Federal Government to spend $5.5 billion to complete various independent power projects scattered across the country. President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is currently working on how to compel the international oil companies (IOCs) to divert a greater portion of gas from exports to domestic use. The plan has been acknowledged by the Economic Adviser to the President, Tanimu Yakubu, who said that to Yar'Adua, "emergency power declaration is about seizing gas from the exporting companies to meet our energy needs." Yakubu made the declaration during his recent visit to Moscow, Russia, to witness the endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a Russian multinational company, Gazprom. He said: "The President has fulfilled all the necessary conditions precedent to declaring a state of emergency in the power sector. He has now stabilised power generation at more than 3000 megawatts (MW), his threshold before emergency power declaration which, for him, is about seizing gas from the exporting companies to meet our energy needs." Yakubu added: "Power output is now heading towards 4000MW. He would not tell it himself. He hates that he deserves accolades for being so performance biased." The Special Adviser on Energy, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, also confirmed the development, disclosing that the government was in the process of reviewing "the oil contracts in place to provide for periodic review and renegotiation (and) that time has arrived." Presidency sources told the Nigerian Compass that Yar'Adua was particularly "convinced that more gas must be put into the domestic market to overcome chronic electricity supply problems, but the multinational companies, whose investments are based on exporting, are less convinced". The Federal Government Committee on Emergency Gas Supply Strategy to Power Plants and the Domestic Sector submitted that gas should be prioritised for emergency supply to power plants and homes. A source at the NNPC expressed doubts about the possibility of the President realising his plan, noting that some of his advisers are canvassing the discontinuation of some gas projects initiated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Nigerian Compass front page.

EU DUMPS RUSSIA FOR NIGERIAN GAS

Worried by last month's invasion of Georgia by Russia, the European Union (EU) is pinning its hope of regular gas supply in the future on the planned $10billion trans-Saharan gas pipeline project. The project, through which Nigerian gas will be piped into Europe via the Sahara desert, is seen as the safest alternative to Russian gas. Five European Union members are wholly dependent on Russia for their natural gas. Four others receive more than 50 percent of their natural gas from Russia. A third of all EU oil imports come from Russia. Russia is turning out to be a bully in the region and energy experts believe that it will not hesitate to use energy as a weapon. On December 1, 2006, Russia cut off natural gas supplies to and through Ukraine because of a contract dispute. With about 80 percent of the natural gas Europe imports from Russia passing across Ukraine, the effects were felt not just in Ukraine, but as far as Italy. In May last year, Russia cut off delivery of oil products and coal to Estonia because the country decided to move a monument to the Red Army to a less prominent location. EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, who expressed deep interest in plans to develop the 4,300-kilometre trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline from Nigeria through Niger and Algeria en route the Mediterranean, admitted that it could help the group diversify its energy sources. Piebalgs, who is in Nigeria, ahead of talks on energy projects and peace in the restive Niger Delta said: "Nigeria is already very important for our security of supply — 20 percent of their oil and 80 percent of their gas goes to Europe". Nigerian gas is currently shipped to Europe as liquefied LNG. A pipeline is therefore seen as improving security in Africa's transit regions, thereby reducing the flood of migrants to Europe. "The development of a trans-Saharan project with 20 billion cubic metres a year that might arrive to Europe by 2015 and increase the security of supply of Nigeria itself and the countries it crosses, makes it a very interesting project for Nigeria and Europe," said Piebalgs. Nigeria has the world's seventh-largest proven gas reserves, but has been unable to develop its gas industry to anywhere near its full potential because of a lack of funds and regulation. The EU is not alone in courting Nigeria for its oil and gas reserves. Last week, Russian gas giant, Gazprom signed an oil and gas exploration agreement with Nigeria with the hope of developing LNG exports to North America. Nigerian Compass front page.

Laila Ali a Knockout Mom

Laila Ali has motherhood down for the count.

The comely boxing champ and American Gladiators cohost has welcomed her first child with hubby Curtis Conway, son Curtis Muhammad Conway Jr.

Their new addition, whose middle name references his iconic grandpa, Muhammad Ali, arrived Aug. 26, according to a statement on Ali's website.

"He's a healthy baby boy who weighed 6.8 pounds and measured 19 inches long," the statement read. "Mama and baby are resting!"

Tara Reid Ain't Getting Hitched

Tara Reid has no plans for marriage right now.

The 32-year-old actress' rep is shooting down a tabloid report that Reid and her fashion executive boyfriend, Julien Jarmoune, are engaged.

"Not true," the rep says. "It's just a bunch of lies and rumors."

The rep did, however, confirm that the two are dating.eonline

EU CONDEMNS OPEC OVER PRODUCTION CUT

The European Union (EU) is rankled by Tuesday's announcement by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that it would cut oil production by 520,000 barrels per day, a development that initially led to a marginal rise in international prices of crude. The EU Commissioner for Energy, Mr Andris Piebalgs, who made this known to energy correspondents in Abuja yesterday, said the action by OPEC, which supplies 40 per cent of global oil output, was not in the interest of EU. However, Brent crude fell back below $100 a barrel yesterday as signs of weaker global oil demand have offset OPEC’s decision to reduce output levels, the BBC reported yesterday. Piebalgs said the EU and OPEC substantially disagreed on that move. “We believe that OPEC should not reduce or increase its production into the market,” he said. “Let market forces determine the price, as we still know that there is very high demand for oil by China and many emerging economies. This practice is what makes the world to look as if OPEC is responsible for high crude prices.” He said the market was still very volatile as a result of many factors, “so OPEC announcing a cut in production is adding to the volatility and is bad for the market”. He stated that too high price of crude and very low price of crude is bad for both the EU and OPEC. “This is one area we disagree with OPEC,” he said, “but I have tremendous respect for the professionals in OPEC, especially for the analytical dept at understanding the fundamentals for oil future.” Crude price shortly before the OPEC meeting slumped by $3.08 to $103.26 a barrel after peaking at $149 in April. But the announcement yesterday led to a marginal rise of about a dollar in crude futures supply. The EU Commissioner of Energy will again address the Press today after meeting with Nigerian Ministers of Energy. But despite initially rising following OPEC's announcement, Brent was down $1.67 to $98.67 by yesterday evening in Europe. US light crude was also lower, falling $1.41 to $101.85 a barrel. After talks in Vienna, OPEC’s member states decided to cut daily production levels by 520,000 barrels, starting within 40 days. While the news initially saw oil prices rise, they then fell back, helped by the International Energy Agency (IEA) cutting its estimate for global oil demand this year and next. The IEA - which had asked OPEC to keep its output unchanged - said consumers in industrial nations were changing their lifestyles in response to high prices.

DOLLAR FALLS ON U.S. ECONOMIC WORRIES

The dollar weakened against other major currencies yesterday as investors worried about the health of the U.S. economy after the nationalisation of two mortgage finance giants over the weekend. The euro rose to $1.4134 around 2100 GMT from $1.4129 late Monday in New York. Against the Japanese currency, the dollar fell sharply to 106.89 yen from 108.27 yen on Monday. The dollar on Monday had hit an 11-month high against the euro at $1.4045 on news of the federal bailout Sunday of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), which underpin nearly half of the US housing sector. But the euphoria faded, leaving markets on edge. The unease was exacerbated by fears of a meltdown at investment firm Lehman Brothers that prompted heavy selling on Wall Street. "While the news of the U.S. government's seizure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac led risky assets to gain throughout the financial markets, we've seen investor confidence dwindle as traders become skeptical of the long-term benefits of the intervention," said Terri Belkas, analyst at Foreign Capital Markets. Andrew Busch at BMO Capital Markets underscored the unforeseen implications of the extraordinary government action. "As the smoke clears and cooler number crunchers prevail, the take-over/ conservator ship of the GSEs is getting some skeptics," Busch said. "From the taxpayer footing the bill to the expansion of the U.S. government into the financial markets, worries hang over the longer term implications are swirling." Some dealers said the plan could also become costly for the U.S. taxpayer without repairing the fundamental problems of the housing market. "There are many areas in the government's plan that remains unclear and fresh concerns have cropped up over the U.S. economy, including its finances," said Chuo Mitsui Trust Bank chief strategist Yosuke Hosokawa. "Markets are questioning: is the U.S. really alright?" In late New York trade, the dollar fell to 1.1265 Swiss francs from 1.1311. The pound rose to $1.7611 from 1.7582. Guardian.

Yar’Adua Creates Ministry of N’Delta

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua yesterday stepped up ongoing moves to revamp the machinery of his government with the restructuring of the federal ministries under which a Ministry of Niger Delta has emerged.
Also, Aviation, Transport, Works, Housing and Urban Development, Water Resou-rces, as well as Agriculture and Rural Development are now substantive ministries.
THISDAY had reported exclusively last month that a plan to restore them as full-fledged ministries was under way.
Addressing State House Correspondents at the end of yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, said the new Ministry of Niger Delta which will have two ministers, would lead and coordinate environmental and youth empowerment policy initiatives as well as reinforce the administration’s commitment to the overall development of the region.
He said there would not be any duplication between the new ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commis-sion (NDDC) as the latter will be a parastatal under the ministry.
“To make sure that the workload is given the necessary focus, two ministers are being proposed. One will be in charge of development of Niger Delta area whereby construction of roads, electricity, etc instead of being handled by ministry of works or power will now be aggregated in this new ministry for better focus, quick implementation to demonstrate the seriousness and commitment of this administration.
“The minister of state will take charge of youth empowerment because the Niger Delta has a twin problem of development of youth empowerment,” he said.
Similarly, the Ministry of Police Affairs has been restored to give necessary attention to the security imperatives of the nation within the ambit of the Seven-Point Agenda of the present regime.
“It is in line with the reform of the police as an institution and also because the police is the largest employer of labour in the public sector now. There are nearly 400,000 police officers and men, which must be given the necessary focus and attention,” Ahmed said.
The Ministry of Energy has also been broken into two ministries - the Ministry of Power to be manned by a substantive minister and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources with a minister and a minister of state.
Furthermore, the ministers in the Ministries of Education, Mines and Steel Development, Science and Technology have been reduced by one each.
Under the new arrangement, there will be 28 ministries and 42 ministers in all.
A committee that will determine the new mandates of the ministries, their roles and relationship is expected to be inaugurated today by the SGF.
The committee is also to come up within one week the actual structure in terms of the number of departments and parastatals in each ministry.
The review of the current structure, according to the SGF, is predicated on the need to streamline and strengthen the mechanism for service delivery without sacrificing the objectives of the Public Service Reforms carried out in the twilight of the last administration.
Ahmed said: “Under this new structure which is expected to engender greater flexibility, direction and focus, there will be 28 ministries and 42 ministers to cover the constitutional requirements for federal character while addressing the issues of equity and affirmative action.
“Other ministries in the new dispensation are Finance, Health, Justice, Commerce and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Information and Communications, Labour and Productivity, Youth Develop-ment, Women Affairs and Social Development, Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Interior and Federal Capital Territory Administration. The National Planning Commission and National Sports Commission retain the same structure.”
He said President Yar’Adua had directed all ministers to re-articulate the mandates of their ministries and departments in line with the requirements of the Seven-Point Agenda under the guidance of the SGF and Head of Service.
The next FEC meeting will hold on Wednesday September 24, to allow the President enough time for the implementation of the restructuring exercise.
The restructuring is part of efforts to fast-track and effectively co-ordinate the implementation of the Seven-Point Agenda of the President.
Yar’Adua had decorated the new service chiefs last Monday, his first official assignment after he returned from a two-week sojourn in Saudi Arabia performing the lesser hajj.
And moments after the ceremony, the former SGF, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, was sacked and replaced by Ahmed who was formerly Minister of Defence. guardian..."WILL THIS SOLVE THE ON GOING CRISIS IN NIGER DELTA"?....this is one question i would love to ask mr president.

EU gives terms for intervention in Nigeria energy crisis

Thursday, September 11, 2008

EU gives terms for intervention in Nigeria energy crisis
From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja

THE European Union (EU) yesterday gave conditions that must be met if Nigeria is to enjoy intervention in the energy sector from its member countries.

Among such conditions, according to the European Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Andris Piebalgs, is the establishment of a strong legal framework to protect reforms and investments in the sector.

Piebalgs, who is in Nigeria with his team to hold talks with government authorities and other stakeholders in connection with the Africa-EU Energy partnership, stressed that Nigeria is an important country for the European Union, especially since all the member countries are present in Nigeria.

During a chat with some newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Piebalgs noted that Nigeria has a 580 Million Euros financing window under the European Development Fund (EDF). This, according to him, does not include country support from member states. He also canvassed Nigeria's support for the EU-Africa Energy Partnership programme.

However, Piebalgs noted that though Nigeria is aware of the enormous funding potentials from the EU, the country has never placed energy as a priority area for assistance in its bilateral relationship with EU.

He said: "Nigeria has never asked us for assistance in the area of energy. Rather, it had placed sanitation and institutional support, among others in its priority in its relationship with the EU. If Nigeria does, we will be glad to assist. We do not go into sectors that countries do not ask for assistance in.

"To be able to establish a working relationship with Nigeria in its electricity sector, we need to understand the reforms in the sector. We need to understand the privatisation plan for the electricity sector, the whole reforms, whether they can be sustained.

"We also need to get assurances that legal stability matters will be put in place for Nigeria to be able to access millions of Euros available for energy funding. For instance, how competitive is the electricity sector pricing, and how sustainable is the recently introduced reforms in that area?" the UN official added.

Answering questions on the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, he disagreed sharply with the cartel over its reactions to happenings in the international oil market.

Piebalgs explained: "I disagree with the policies of OPEC. Countries suffer from the problem that we suffer-volatility of prices. It is a nightmarish situation. The solution is not to cut production or increase production as the case may be. It should be a matter of allowing each country to produce to its capacity. It gives the wrong impression. These cuts and increases are not helpful. It is not good for anybody. The oil price is really high. Demand is strong and will always be there. Let's establish normal markets." guardian.

NEVER GO TO HR FOR HELP!!!

After 2yrs of selfless service, a man realized that he has not be promoted, no transfer, no salary increase, no commendation and that the company is not doing anything about it. So he decided to walk up to his HR manager one morning and after exchanging greetings, he told his HR manager his observation. The boss looking at him, laughed and asked him to sit down saying;"My friend, you have not worked here for even one day". The man was surprised to hear this, but the manager went on to explain.
Manager: How many days are there in a year?
Man: 365 days and some times 366.
Manager: How many hours make up a day?
Man: 24hours
Manager: How long do you work in a day?
Man: 8am to 5pm(1 hour break).i.e. 8 hours a day.
Manager: So what fraction of the day do you work in hrs?
Man: (He did some arithmetic and said 8/24hrs i.e. 1/3.
Manager: That is nice of you! what is one-third of 366 days?
Man: 122(1/3*366=122 in days).
Manager: Do you come to work on weekends?
Man: No sir.
Manager: How many days are there in a year that are weekends?
Man: 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays equal to 104 days.
Manager: Thanks for that. If you remove 104 days from 122 days, how many days do you now have?
Man: 18 days.
Manager: Ok! I do give you 2 weeks sick leave every year. Now remove that 14days from the 18 days left. How many days do you have remaining?
Man: 4 days.
Manager: Do you work on New Year day?
Man: No sir!
Manager: So how many days are left?
Man: 3 days sir!
Manager: Do you come to work on the Independence Day?
Man: No sir!
Manager: So how many days are left?
Man: 2 days sir!
Manager: Do you work on Xmas Day?
Man: No sir!
Manager: So how many days are left?
Man: 1 day sir!
Manager: Do you come on Boxing Day?
Man: No sir!
Manager: Let's even forget all the other public holiday. So how many days are left?
Man: None sir!
Manager: So, what are you claiming?
Man: I have understood, sir I did not realize that I was stealing company money all these days.
Moral: NEVER GO TO HR FOR HELP!!!
HR- HIGH RISK.