Jonathan seeks US’ support to end Boko Haram Insurgency

Jonathan seeks US’ support to end Boko Haram Insurgency

pres Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, solicited the support of the United States (US) government to end the  security challenges facing the country, especially the Boko Haram insurgency.
He made the call while speaking to  Commander of the United States’ Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Carter Ham, who paid a visit to the State House.
The president said Nigeria was facing various security challenges, which include policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping, this, apart from the Boko Haram insurgency and called on the US government to support the Federal Government’s efforts to find lasting solutions to these problems.
President Jonathan also briefed General Ham, who was in the country to present a paper at the National Defence College, Abuja, on his visit to Mali and the efforts by th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve the conflict in that country, adding that the situation could still be contained if the right steps were taken.
He commended the US government for its role in global peace and security, while he congratulated President Barrack Obama on his re-election.
Earlier, the Commander of AFRICOM, said he used the opportunity to present a paper at the National Defence College to hold talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.
He said the US government was ready to cooperate with Nigeria in areas such as maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities, and resolution of the conflict in Mali.
General Ham commended the Nigeria’s Defence College for the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians with participants from neighbouring countries on security issues.

Ekiti Govt To Develop1942 Plane Crash Site In Ikogosi, Ogun Groove In Ire To Tourist Site

 Ekiti  Govt To Develop1942 Plane Crash Site In Ikogosi, Ogun Groove In Ire To Tourist Site

In a bid to ensure  thorough  development of tourism in Ekiti state, the state government has concluded plans to include the 1942 plane crash site in Ikogosi as one of the tourist site  in the state  and upgrade Ogunnire grove in Ire Ekiti to UNESCO standard

      Engr. Olorunleko who made this known while inspecting the crash site at Ikogosi Ekiti, stressed the resolve of the Fayemi led administration to turn the State into an attractive tourism centre of choice in West Africa.
    Stressing government’s determination to making the State a tourist destination, the Special Adviser said that the development of the new site into a tourist attraction where people could visit and see the relics of the airplane would complement the appeal of the warm spring
in the area.
    Speaking on the incidents surrounding the crashed plane, one of the elders of the Community who claim to be an eye witness to the incident, Mr. Olu Adeniyi recalled that the plane crashed on April 12, 1942 at about 8.15 pm.
    According to him, it was a war place that contained arms and ammunitions including explosions that went off with loud bangs throughout   the night.
    Visible at the site were the relics of the two engines of the plane
and other aluminium and metal materials.
Also, the State Government has declared its intention to develop and upgrade the Ogunnire groove in Ire-Ekiti to an acceptable UNESCO standard for heritages.
    The State Commissioner for Culture,     Arts and Tourism, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu made this known at Ire-Ekiti during an assessment of the site.
   Alhaji Jinadu who said government’s gesture was the first major attempt to develop the groove, assured that the legendary groove would witness a tremendous change in terms of cultural and art development.
    The Commissioner described ‘Ogun’ deity as a symbol of creativity and technology, stressing that government’s gesture should not be seen as worshipping idols but a way of promoting the people’s rich cultural heritage.
    In his remarks, the Onire of Ire, Oba Victor Adeleke Bobade expressed delight at government’s giant stride at developing the groove.
    A surveyor has been assigned to immediately carry out a comprehensive
survey of the groove.

EKITI FREE HEALTH BENEFICIARIES HIT 400,000

EKITI FREE HEALTH BENEFICIARIES HIT 400,000

No fewer than 400,000 people have benefited from the free mobile health mission of the Dr Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti State since inception in 2011.

The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi made this known, Saturday in  Igede Ekiti at the end of the 6th edition of the quarterly free health mission.

Dr Fayemi who stated that the free health mission was established to cater for the section of the population not covered by the free health programme  of the government, which is meant for children under five years, pregnant women, elderly people above 65 years and the physically challenged.

He expressed satisfaction that the free health mission has helped in attending to medical needs at the grassroots.

The Governor, however,  urged the people to patronise the 293 Primary Health Centres across the State, even as he disclosed plans by the government to fortify the health centres.

Fayemi also advised the people against  consumption of too much starch, explaining that the record of the sixth  mission had shown that many of the patients were prone to diabetes.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event lauded the Governor for the initiative.

In her remarks, Mrs Folakemi Olorunfemi said aside the treatment, she received at the mission, she also got  drugs that are worth more than Five thousand Naira.

She said the medical assistance people got from the mission is a confirmation of the Governor's commitment to the welfare of the citizenry.

Mrs Mimiko Advocate for Improved Reading Culture Among Youth

  Mrs Mimiko  Advocate  for Improved Reading Culture Among Youth

The wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko has advocated virile reading culture as a proper tool for youth development in Nigeria.

Mrs. Mimiko stated this in Akure at the Global Reading Festival which held in 17 cities in Nigeria and 17 countries across the world at the weekend. After reading a book titled: “17 Secrets of High-Flying Students” to the admiration of over 500 students present at the event, Mimiko said the advent of internet has afforded students the opportunity to easily gather required knowledge to go ahead of their teachers.

She said: “with the advent of internet, the world is becoming smaller, people from different parts of the world now connect easily with one another and it is what you know that would separate you from others. You can only get knowledge through reading; read newspapers, school textbooks, listen to news, it’s not too early for you to start reading research materials, all these will help to widen your horizon and keep you ahead of others.”

Mrs Mimiko also told the students that for them to get to greater heights and become men and women of influence that the society will be looking up to, they must be consistent and hardworking, because, according to her, greatness can never be achieved through playfulness, but through virile reading and effective and wise use of time.

Mimiko however tasked parents and guardians to also help in the task of imbibing reading culture in their wards, saying that the revolution to improve and institutionalize the act of reading in Nigeria must start from homes to the schools.

Ondo to partner private investors, international agencies on power generation

Ondo to partner private investors, international agencies on power generation

 

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has restated his administration's preparedness to partner private investors and international agencies to boost power supply for its industrialization drive.

Governor Mimiko, who said this on Monday in Akure while declaring open a capacity building workshop with the theme "Training on Diffusion of Turbine Technology for Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development in West Africa,” said Nigeria is blessed with vast water bodies to aid hydro-power supply.

He noted that his administration was devising means of generating power to grow businesses in the areas that are far away from the gas line which is currently under execution by his administration.

The Governor disclosed that the State government established a Small Hydro Power (SHP) committee two years ago in a tripartite relationship among State government, Bank of Industry (BOI) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) regional centre with the intention to make power available for industrial cluster, cottage industries and SME's across the State.

He added that efforts were being intensified by the State government's committee in collaboration with the BOI towards establishing SHP plants to power SMEs having identified viable water bodies in the State.

Mimiko said: "We appreciate the fact that our IPP initiative is not enough at this point, given its present capacity and have come to embrace the need for power generation for businesses in communities too far from the gas line through small hydro power projects that will take advantage of available water resources in the State.”

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the workshop and Acting Director of the Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Akure, Dr Olugbenga Olusunle in his remarks described SHP as the solution to the increasing demand for rural electrification in Africa.

Don’t fail on your campaign promises, Cleric tells Mimiko

         Don’t fail on your campaign promises, Cleric tells Mimiko

The re-elected Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been tasked not to give room to laxity in his second term in office.
The Pastor-in-charge of Ondo Province 1 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Richard Adeboye, made the call in his sermon at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving service for the re-election of Dr Olusegun Mimiko, at the arcade ground in Akure on Sunday.
In his sermon titled "Sustaining the Victory,” Pastor Adeboye opined that God does not gives out victory anyhow, but God put into consideration the personality to be given the victory before giving

His victory. He stressed that God knew that Mimiko would not abuse the victory if given to him, hence the governor’s victory at the last governorship election. Adeboye also stated that God does not waste resources, He rather multiplies them.
He urged the Governor not to deviate on his campaign promises to the people of the state and to work harder in his second term so as to justify the peoples’ confidence in him. He also urged the people not to relent in their prayers for the governor always.
He said: “to sustain your victory you must consider the cost of the victory, reference the giver of the victory and you must also fulfil all the vows you made during your campaigns, by doing this, your
government will make greater impact than it made in your first term.”
Governor Olusegun Mimiko in his remarks thanked the people of Ondo state for their prayers and support before, during and after the poll.
He appreciated other arms of government, traditional and religious leaders, trade unions and public workers for their collaboration and support for his administration.
While thanking the religious leaders, Mimiko said “I want to specially thank our religious leaders, during the difficult days you were there, when darkness was looming in the horizon, you went on your knees and pray for this state.
“Everything about our victory was made in heaven and I believe that at the end of the tribunal, our victory shall be sustained.” Mimiko said.
He vowed to work harder for the progress of the State in his second term in office, and he also urged the people to continue to pray for the sustainability of the peace in the state.

Chelsea sack Di Matteo after damaging defeat

Chelsea sack Di Matteo after damaging defeat

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked after the European champions were left facing elimination at the group stage of the Champions League, the club said on Wednesday.
"Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo," a statement said, following Tuesday's 3-0 defeat by Juventus.
Chelsea said the team's "recent performances and results have not been good enough".
"The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions," they added.
 According to AFP,Tuesday's loss in Turin means Chelsea are poised to become the first ever Champions League winners to be knocked out in the group phase the following season.
Even victory at home to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in their final group match may not be enough, as a draw between Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk in the other Group D game would take both sides into the last 16.
Di Matteo was only appointed on a permanent basis in June, having led Chelsea to their first ever Champions League title after replacing his sacked predecessor Andre Villas-Boas in March.
Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on penalties in the Champions League final in May, two weeks after defeating Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
"The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March," Chelsea added, saying the Italian "will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge".
The statement continued: "The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."
Di Matteo, 42, is the seventh coach to have been sacked by owner Roman Abramovich since the Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003.
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was immediately installed as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Di Matteo on a permanent basis.
Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach, and ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp were also rumoured to be in the running.
Chelsea had made a superb start to the season, but since losing 2-1 at Shakhtar on September 23, their campaign has come off the rails.
They won seven and drew one of their opening eight league games to move four points clear at the Premier League summit but a 3-2 loss at home to Manchester United last month marked the start of a run of four games without a win.
Saturday's 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion, Di Matteo's former club, left Chelsea four points behind leaders Manchester City in third place.
The loss to United was surrounded by controversy, after Chelsea's claim that referee Mark Clattenburg racially abused midfielder John Obi Mikel prompted a Football Association investigation that is yet to conclude.
A former Chelsea player, who scored in two FA Cup final successes, Di Matteo had been trying to revolutionise the club's playing style by introducing a more attacking approach.
Chelsea spent over £80 million ($127 million, 100 million euros) on new players in the close season, notably bringing in Belgian winger Eden Hazard from Lille and Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar from Internacional.
Although the quality of their football drew praise from pundits in the season's early months, that initial momentum appears to have disappeared.
Di Matteo, who was born in Switzerland but represented Italy at international level, was in only his third senior managerial position.
He started his coaching career with third-tier MK Dons in 2008 before joining West Brom a year