Saturday, 13 June 2015

undertow


Saraki, Dogara, Ekweremadu and PDP redivivus

Three weeks ago, a few Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials had defiantly, and with rousing, prescient confidence, announced that their party would be readied on time for the reclamation of the presidency in 2019.  Against an aggressive All Progressives Congress (APC) party, President Muhammadu Buhari’s cult following, APC’s near total dominance of the National Assembly and the states, and pushy, sometimes cantankerous APC propagandists and publicists, it was felt that PDP’s sanguineness was both far-fetched and gaseous talk. Last Tuesday, after the PDP almost single-handedly determined the outcome of the NASS leadership positions, and in the process grabbed the coveted post of Deputy Senate President, few still held on to the belief that PDP’s 2019 hope was a chimera.
In both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the PDP made the difference. Two years after its founding, the APC had still been unable to accrete power brilliantly and elegantly or crystallise its essence. Formless, quarrelsome, and self-satisfied, the new ruling party recklessly opened its flanks for external exploitation and manipulation. Gifted by political circumstances with the unique opportunity of insinuating itself into the confidence of APC’s legislative leaders, the PDP hungrily appropriated the chance and immersed itself in the internal politics of the APC, accentuating the divisions and distrust festering within the ruling party. Former Senate President David Mark relished the primal role of thrusting the dagger deeper into the back of the neophyte ruling party by masterminding the Machiavellian humiliation of the APC as a ruling party.

Tinubu and the parable of the ‘first supper’

ASIWAJU


WHEN I wrote the piece: ‘Tribute to Tinubu: A Parody of Shakespeare,’ a few friends and colleagues said I was un-characteristically ‘patronising’. Some wondered if I too had not fallen for the Tinubu ‘cult of the personality’; or as one of them put it, ‘cult of the insatiable power-seeker’. And to quite a few of those friends and colleagues whose opinion about my professional integrity I do give a damn about, I did vouchsafe some cogent explanation: first I said that even as I was sure they knew me not to ‘advocate for the devil’, yet they should not forget that I was not one either not to ‘give the devil his due’.
I should say, for the records, that I believed and I still do- that Tinubu deserved that tribute which I paid to him; that I still think him worthy of all the sentiments contained therein and that I still feel proud that I wrote that piece. Tinubu has fathered a peaceful political revolution in Nigeria which has not only moved our democracy beyond a notch by its shattering of the myth of the invincibility of incumbency, but it has saved the nation from the malignance of a ruinous era of political impunity which was bent on balkanising our country.

Gbajabiamila: Travails of a loyal party man

Femi Gbajabiamila


Femi Gbajabiamila


THE decision to set aside party directives in electing the new principal officers of the House of Representatives on Tuesday must be a big blow for former Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate, who was narrowly defeated by the new Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
But, something in his demeanour suggests that what happened to the brilliant, hardworking and sound parliamentarian is a temporary setback and that he would bounce back in no time. In spite of the painful and controversial loss, he still congratulated the winner. He took a full page advertisement in a national daily yesterday, where he spoke on the eletion of the Speaker and rededicated himself to the service of his country.
He said, inter alia: “The contest has come and gone and God’s will has been done. I am greatly humbled and deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support from well wishers from across the country and beyond.
“I rededicate myself and I intend to continue to work hard in whatever capacity I may find myself for the progress of my constituency, state and country.”

Fashola, Segun Oni, Amaechi, Ezekwesili, Danbazzau may make Buhari’s cabinet

Fashola and Amaechi


One year after! Rest In Peace Kefee Obareki




The very talented singer died exactly today June 12th in 2014 in the US. Continue to rest in peace, Kefee Obareki Don Momoh.

NA election: Femi Gbajabiamila accepts defeat, says God's will has been done


Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was APC's choice of House of Reps Speaker, says he's accepted defeat of the election that held this past Tuesday. More tweets after the cut...

First assignment for anyone appointed as AGF is to probe Amnesty Int'l report- Buhari


President Buhari says the first assignment he will give anyone he appoints as the Attorney General of the Federation will be to examine the recently released Amnesty International report which indicted some top military officers of gross Human Rights Abuse.

In a statement released by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu today June 12th, President Buhari said the allegations leveled against the Nigerian military is quite disturbing and will require the AGF to look into the report and advise the govt on an appropriate course of action.

"The president is quite disturbed by the allegations contained in the report. The next step is to look into the allegations and confirm or disprove the disturbing details." The statement went further to add that allegations of Human Rights Abuse during President Buhari's tenure will be investigated immediately "Any allegation of human rights abuse that takes place during the tenure of President Buhari's government will be swiftly investigated and dealt with" the statement said.

Buhari off to South Africa, heads AU Summit


President Buhari will be departing Nigeria for South Africa on Saturday, June 13, to attend the 25th African Union Summit which is currently taking place in Johannesburg.

A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari will be undertaking his first continental assignment since taking office by chairing  the meeting of the  Peace and Security Committee of the AU summit, which will hold on Saturday, the day of his arrival.

He will also be holding a number of bilateral meetings that will consolidate his ongoing drive to secure Nigeria and the neighboring countries from Boko Haram.

The theme of this year's AU meeting is itself the issue of security. President Buhari will return to Nigeria on the morning of Tuesday, June 16.

World's first penis transplant recipient to become a father


The South African man who made headlines in March for having the world's first successful penis transplant is to become a father. His girlfriend is said to be 4 months pregnant. His doctor, Professor Andre van der Merwe says this development proves without a doubt that 'the transplant worked'.

The 21 year old recipient, who has not been identified, lost his penis in a botched traditional circumcision three years ago and had the ground-breaking, nine-hour surgery in December 2014.


"This is what we intended, that he should be able to stand up and be able to urinate and have intercourse, so it is a milestone for him," Dr Van der Merwe, head of Stellenbosch University's Division of Urology, told the BBC. He added that he was “very pleased” for his patient that he was to become a father.

Buhari to present ministerial list to National Assembly next week


Baring any last minute changes, President Buhari is expected to present his ministerial list to the National Assembly members for screening and consideration next week. The ministerial list is expected to be made up of only technocrats who he believes will be very productive in whatever capacity they are to function in.

Names like ex Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola, Oby Ezekwesili, Kayode Fayemi, former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Abdurrhaman Dambazau amongst others are rumored to be in the list.

There are also reports that the President will be picking his Ministers from all 36 states which is against his wish as he is reported to have wanted a smaller number of Ministers for cost effectiveness. The constitution however dictates that all states must be represented in the Federal cabinet.

Friday, 12 June 2015

Buhari intervenes in Senate dispute to save APC’s unity

President Muhammadu Buhari (second left) with (from left) Benin’s President Boni Yayi; Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou; and Chadian President Idriss Deby after the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Abuja...yesterday.


President Muhammadu Buhari (second left) with (from left) Benin’s President Boni Yayi; Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou; and Chadian President Idriss Deby after the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Abuja...yesterday.
The crisis sparked by the election of National Assembly officials was still smouldering yesterday.
President Muhammadu Buhari has invited Senator Ahmed Lawan’s Unity Forum, which is contesting the election of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President , for a meeting today.
“It is all to save the party from being factionalised,” an All Progressives Congress (APC) source said.
The meeting is expected to resolve the crisis, which deepened yesterday as:
•the APC National Working Committee called off a proposed visit by Senator Saraki; and
•some members of the Senate discovered that the chamber breached its rules in electing Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Security expert explains why Osinbajo can't attend national security meetings for now


A security expert has explained why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has so far not been allowed to attend any of the national security meetings President Buhari has had with Service Chiefs since he assumed power. On June 2nd and yesterday June 10th, President Buhari met with the Service Chiefs without Osinbajo and this has led to some media houses reporting that the Vice President was "locked out" from the Defence House, venue of the meetings.

A security expert explains why the pastor and lawyer can't be allowed into such meetings for now. See that after the cut...

The security expert explaned that Vice President Osinbajo is not a trained military officer and so it will take the military some time before sensitive intelligence can be shared in his presence. He also made reference to the Vice President's affiliation to Tinubu. What he said below...

"I am sure he would have been invited if he had security background. Being a Professor of Law is fine, but in terms of intelligence and access to security information, you are nowhere near the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the Nigeria Military. Look, I have watched some footages that if the VP gets to see, he would lose appetite for days. Now, we have someone who has been in luxury virtually all his life, attaining the position of VP and some people are clamouring for his presence in highly sensitive talks. The truth is that the military hierarchy would not even feel comfortable saying some things in his presence. I can tell you that they respect Prof. Osinbajo as VP but they cannot trust him with information yet.
You cannot compare him to Buhari who served in many military roles, chased away a militia that was threatening Nigeria security, overthrew a military government, became Head of State, fought corruption and went ahead to instill discipline among a stubborn citizenry. The VP would have to go through what is called ‘Stimulation’. This is a process where he is lectured on terms, dealings, operations etc. of the military. His inner strength, strong heart and ability to keep things to himself will first be put to test before he gets access to some classified materials and information. We must understand the fact that Osinbajo was a candidate promoted by Bola Tinubu (ex-Lagos Governor), he was not handpicked by Buhari. If the President had picked a vice, it is likely that such individual may get the access Osinbajo isn’t getting now. Everyone knows the VP has been loyal to Tinubu for decades and he cannot swear that he would not divulge details of these security meetings to his political godfather. So he has to earn it. Tinubu may have used his influence to put him in this position but he must draw a line between blind loyalty and national duty.” he told Daily Independent

Voting Public Decide Winner of Etisalat-Sponsored Nigerian Idol V This Week


After several months of music, hard work and tension filled shows, the on-going Etisalat sponsored Nigerian Idol is finally down to the Top 2 contestants; the small but very mighty, Dolu and the King of Fuji, K-Peace.

British woman facing imprisonment for upsetting mountain gods with her nudity & causing an earthquake


A British woman has been arrested in Malaysia for allegedly posing naked on top of a sacred mountain and upsetting mountain gods, causing a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on the mountain last Friday June 5 which killed 18 people. Eleanor Hawkins is being held with four other Westerners while they are investigated for indecent behaviour. The five face possible prison sentences. How do you blame an earthquake on someone's nakedness? Some things you hear eh...

Metro UK reports
They are believed to be part of a group of 10 people who stripped naked before taking photos at the peak of Mount Kinabalu on May 30 – an act which a senior minister in Malaysia has blamed for causing an earthquake that killed 18 climbers last week.
Miss Hawkins, a 23-year-old Southampton University graduate from Derby, was detained on Tuesday at Tawau airport as she was flying from the island of Borneo to the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Her father, Timothy Hawkins said last night: ‘We spoke to her this morning. She’s okay, she’s very scared, she’s very upset. She’s been arrested. It’s not a situation she’s been in before so it’s not good.
‘We’ve talked to the consulate and arranged a lawyer.’


Mr Hawkins, who runs a mechanical engineering business, said his daughter is ‘obviously in the photos’ but he did not want the situation to be ‘blown out of all proportion’.
‘It’s fair enough to charge for the misdemeanour committed,’ he said. ‘What we don’t want is her lumbered with further charges.’

After a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit the 13,400ft-high mountain on Friday, Sabah deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan blamed the tragedy on the tourists for showing ‘disrespect to the sacred mountain’ by posing naked at the peak.

He has said a special ritual will be conducted to ‘appease the mountain spirit’ after 18 people were killed in the disaster.

Port Harcourt refinery to commence operation by end June - NNPC


The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Joseph Dawha today said the refinery in Port Harcourt will start refining petroleum products by the end of this month. Dr Dawha made the announcement while inspecting some petrol stations in Abuja today. He said;

Photos: New speaker Dogara visits former PDP chairman Mu'azu


Former PDP Chairman Adamu Muazu turned a year older today June 11th and the new speaker of the Federal House of Reps, Hon Yakubu Dogara paid him a visit to felicitate with him.

Oh by the way, I was on the same flight from Paris to Lagos with Adamu Mu'azu and former president Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday. I said hello to Mu'azu and introduced myself to him but I was too scared to go near Baba ...lol...and he was sitting just two seats away from me. My first time seeing him in real life so close and I was excited...lol. Anyway, more photos after the cut...

2 teenage girls electrocuted while trying to take selfies on top of a train


In May, an 18-year-old Romanian girl died as she tried to take "the ultimate selfie" on top of a train, now these 2 teenage girls are in a serious condition after being electrocuted as they tried to take a selfie on top of a train which they though was no longer in use.

Job at Forte Oil Plc


Forte Oil PLC currently has over 300 vacancies available within its petrol stations in Lagos. These jobs include station managers, supervisors, cashiers and attendants. 

To apply, register at www.joblinknigeria.com/applynowor visit the Job-Link head office at 8 Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

Applicants must write Forte on the application form when asked which vacancy they wish to apply for. Interviews and aptitude tests commence from 1st June 2015. Apply now!

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Access Bank Graduate Recruitment Programme 2015 - Nigeria & Ghana

Access Bank Graduate Recruitment Programme 2015 - Nigeria & Ghana

Apply now
Job no: 970731
Work type:
Location: Nigeria, Ghana



Access Bank Graduate Recruitment Programme

Industry: Banking and Finance

Location: Nigeria & Ghana

Are you energetic, highly intelligent and results oriented?

Are you passionate about Africa?

Are you willing to join us in our transformation to a world-class financial institution? If yes, we are interested in you

Access Bank Plc is a full service commercial Bank operating through a network of about 366 branches and service outlets located in major centres across Nigeria, Sub Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom. Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1998, the Bank serves its various markets through 4 business segments: Personal, Business, Commercial and Corporate & Investment banking.

As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible and socially relevant.

Having the right people is one of the Bank's competitive advantage and we constantly seek to recruit high performing talents who are passionate about working for Access Bank.

Role Description:

Access bank is looking for graduates who want to work as part of a growing professional services company within the field of Banking and Finance. At Access Bank, the people make the place. The place where everyone feels valued and hard work is recognised and rewarded.

The graduate programme is a great way to gain exposure and get an insider's view of the career opportunities on offer at a leading banking company. You will enjoy working as part of a team initially and later in your career as an individual dealing directly with clients and stakeholders.

Opportunities offered will provide the platform for a rewarding and professional banking career. Your career journey will start with a 4-month intensive training program at the Banking School of Excellence, giving you the opportunity to be trained.

Person Specifications:

Qualifications Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree with minimum of 2nd class upper division from top UK universities.

• 1st Degree with minimum of 2nd class lower divisions at Bachelor level in other universities & Master degrees from top UK universities.

• A genuine passion for customer satisfaction

• Excellent communication skill

• Entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed

• University degree, in any of the listed course of study :

o Art and Humanities

o Life Sciences

o Physical Sciences

o Social Science



Advertised: 08 Jun 2015 W. Central Africa Standard Time
Applications close: 22 Jun 2015 W. Central Africa Standard Time


http://careers.pageuppeople.com/455/africa/en/job/970731?lApplicationSubSourceID&utm_source=Key+Candidates+List&utm_campaign=2ba29e1bb4-can_gen_access_ngr&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0135ecb09c-2ba29e1bb4-92834693

Friday, 22 May 2015

Billboard Music Awards 2015 Winners List


Who doesn't love an award show? Especially an award show celebrating achievements in music, since it means watching three hours of performances rather than enduring ho-hum acceptances speeches.
Sunday's 2015 Billboard Music Award hopefully will not disappoint with performances from Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Iggy Azalea and more. And with Ludacris and Chrissy Teigen hosting, it's sure to be an interesting night.
The Billboard Music Awards finalists are "based on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social-media interactions," and it could be Taylor Swift's night as she leads with an impressive 14 nominations, followed by Sam Smith at 13, Iggy Azalea with 12 and Meghan Trainor with nine nominations.
Check back for the full list of the 2015 Billboard Music Awards winners, which will be updated throughout the night:
TOP DUO/GROUP
5 Seconds of Summer
Florida Georgia Line
MAGIC!
Maroon 5
One Direction
TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM
Maroon 5, V
Pentatonix, That's Christmas to Me
Ed Sheeran, x
Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Taylor Swift, 1989
TOP BILLBOARD 200 ARTIST
One Direction
Pentatonix
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
TOP ARTIST
Ariana Grande
One Direction
Katy Perry
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
TOP NEW ARTIST
5 Seconds of Summer
Iggy Azalea
Hozier
Sam Smith
Meghan Trainor
TOP MALE ARTIST
Drake
Pharrell Williams
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Justin Timberlake
TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Katy Perry
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
TOP HOT 100 ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
TOP DIGITAL SONGS ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST
John Legend
Maroon 5
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
TOP TOURING ARTIST
Lady Gaga
One Direction
Katy Perry
The Rolling Stones
Justin Timberlake
TOP SOCIAL ARTIST
Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Taylor Swift
TOP STREAMING ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Nicki Minaj
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
TOP R&B ARTIST
Beyoncé
Chris Brown
John Legend
Trey Songz
Pharrell Williams
TOP RAP ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
J. Cole
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Rae Sremmurd
TOP COUNTRY ARTIST
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert
Blake Shelton
TOP ROCK ARTIST
Bastille
Coldplay
Fall Out Boy
Hozier
Lorde
TOP LATIN ARTIST
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel
Enrique Iglesias
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos
TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST
Avicii
Clean Bandit
Disclosure
Calvin Harris
Lindsey Stirling
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Casting Crowns
Hillsong United
Lecrae
MercyMe
Newsboys
TOP SOUNDTRACK
The Fault in Our Stars
Fifty Shades of Grey
Frozen
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix: Vol. 1
Into the Woods
TOP R&B ALBUM
Beyoncé, Beyoncé
Chris Brown, X
Michael Jackson, Xscape
John Legend, Love in the Future
Pharrell Williams, G I R L
TOP RAP ALBUM
J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Drake, If You're Reading This It's Too Late
Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint
Iggy Azalea, The New Classic
Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP 2
TOP COUNTRY ALBUM
Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt
Garth Brooks, Man Against Machine
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am
Miranda Lambert, Platinum
TOP ROCK ALBUM
AC/DC, Rock or Bust
The Black Keys, Turn Blue
Coldplay, Ghost Stories
Hozier, Hozier
Lorde, Pure Heroine
TOP LATIN ALBUM
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Enrique Iglesias, Sex and Love
Romeo Santos, Formula: Vol. 2
Santana, Corazon
Marc Anthony, 3.0

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

Avicii, True
Disclosure, Settle
Calvin Harris, Motion
Skrillex, Recess
Lindsey Stirling, Shatter Me
TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUM
Lecrae, Anomaly
Casting Crowns, Thrive
MercyMe, Welcome to the New
NEEDTOBREATHE, Rivers in the Wasteland
Chris Tomlin, Love Ran Red
TOP HOT 100 SONG
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, "Fancy"
John Legend, "All of Me"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"
Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off"
Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass"
TOP DIGITAL SONG
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk!"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"
Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off"
Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy
TOP RADIO SONG
John Legend, "All of Me"
MAGIC!, "Rude"
Nico & Vinz, "Am I Wrong"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy
TOP STREAMING SONG (AUDIO)
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, "Fancy"
Hozier, "Take Me to Church"
John Legend, "All of Me"
Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"
Tove Lo, "Habits (Stay High)"
TOP STREAMING SONG (VIDEO)
Idina Menzel, "Let It Go"
Bobby Shmurda, "Hot Boy"
Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"
Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off"
Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass"
TOP R&B SONG
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne, French Montana, Too $hort & Tyga, "Loyal"
Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz, "Talk Dirty"
Jeremih feat. YG, "Don't Tell 'Em"
John Legend, "All of Me"
Pharrell Williams, "Happy"
TOP RAP SONG
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, "Fancy"
Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora, "Black Widow"
Big Sean feat. E-40, "I Don't F--- With You"
Nicki Minaj, "Anaconda"
Bobby Shmurda, "Hot Boy"
TOP COUNTRY SONG
Jason Aldean, "Burnin' It Down"
Luke Bryan, "Play It Again"
Sam Hunt, "Leave the Night On"
Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke Bryan, "This Is How We Roll"
Florida Georgia Line, "Dirt"
TOP ROCK SONG
Bastille, "Pompeii"
Coldplay, "A Sky Full of Stars"
Fall Out Boy, "Centuries"
Hozier, "Take Me to Church"
Paramore, "Ain't It Fun"
TOP LATIN SONG
J Balvin feat. Farruko, "6 AM"
Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, "Bailando"
Romeo Santos, "Eres Mía"
Romeo Santos feat. Drake, "Odio"
Romeo Santos, "Propuesta Indecente"
TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONG
Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne, "Rather Be"
Disclosure feat. Sam Smith, "Latch"
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, "Turn Down For What"
Ariana Grande feat. Zedd, "Break Free"
Calvin Harris, "Summer"
TOP CHRISTIAN SONG
Francesca Battistelli, "He Knows My Name"
Hillsong United, "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
MercyMe, "Greater"
Newsboys, "We Believe"
Carrie Underwood, "Something in the Water"
BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG GALAXY (FAN-VOTED)
Iggy Azalea
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor