| News Summary |
- Game On! Mayweather to fight Pacquiao on May 2
- Naira hits N215 to dollar at BDC’s segment
- Watch out: Deadly ‘thogotovirus’ discovered in US
- Pacquiao, Mayweather mega-fight confirmed
- Pirlo’s wonder strike lifts Juventus 10 points clear
- UN ‘strongly urges’ Nigeria not to postpone elections again
- Security operatives foil attack on Calabar prisons
- Chief of Naval Staff calls for cordial civilian-military relations
- Ireland plans gay marriage referendum on May 22
- Lagos begins demolition of burnt Balogun Market
- Lagos INEC yet to recieve 400,000 PVCs
- Agric Minister, 4 other Africans for AfDB presidential race
- APC will be shocked on election day, says Obanikoro
- Okocha Elected Delta FA Chairman
- Protected: Jonathan deserves second term in office, says Immigration boss
- PDP will free Lagosians from oppression, says Jonathan
- Poll shift affects naira, stock exchange
- Rodgers backs Balotelli over penalty storm
- Nigerian woman latest victim in India’s rape capital
- Controversy Trails Varsity SUG Election
Game On! Mayweather to fight Pacquiao on May 2
Mayweather throws a left to the face of Maidana
Unbeaten American Mayweather made the long-awaited announcement on Friday via the social media website Shots.com, ending weeks of increasingly intense speculation that the showdown had been set. “What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal,” Mayweather wrote. “I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did,” he added, posting a picture of a signed contract. Eight-division world champion Pacquiao dedicated the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to fans who “willed” it into being. “I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” said Pacquiao, who also posted a picture of the contract on Twitter. “They have waited long enough and they deserve it.” The welterweight world title showdown — Mayweather owns the World Boxing Council title and Pacquiao the World Boxing Organization crown — is sure to be the most lucrative in boxing history, generating massive pay-per-view revenue. – Pound-for-pound greats – More importantly for fans, it will finally pit the two boxers long considered the best “pound-for-pound” fighters of their generation against each other. Previous bids to put together a fight between the two — most notably in late 2009 — had run aground over various issues, including division of the purse and a drug testing protocol. Animosity between Mayweather’s camp and Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum has also been a stumbling block. Filipino southpaw Pacquiao, 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, has won three fights in a row since being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in his fourth bout against the Mexican. “Pac-Man,” who is 36, won a unanimous decision over Chris Aligieri in Macao last November in his most recent fight. 
Manny Pacquiao
Mayweather is homing in on the iconic 49-0 record of 1950s legend Rocky Marciano, who retired as an undefeated heavyweight champion. Mayweather is coming off a unanimous decision over Argentine fighter Marcos Maidana last September in a rematch of a bout that Mayweather won by majority decision. Both fighters said after their most recent victories that their showdown should happen. In January, the two met unexpectedly at a Miami Heat NBA game and arranged a meeting at which discussions apparently got serious. Pacquiao said last week he had agreed to the drug-testing procedures Mayweather wanted as well as other demands, and he believed an announcement of the fight was imminent. A British newspaper reported last Sunday that Pacquiao had signed a contract and Mayweather was poised to announce the bout, possibly at the NBA All-Star Game in New York. But in his brief courtside interview from the game, Mayweather denied the deal was done, leaving oft-disappointed fans to wonder if negotiations had stalled again. As recently as Thursday, Arum said he “knew nothing” about the state of negotiations. US media reported that Mayweather will garner 60 percent of the ultimate purse and will make in the region of $120 million while Pacquiao will make $80 million. – Pay-per-view bonanza – Because each fighter is contracted to a different US telecaster, contracts also had to be signed by rivals Showtime and HBO, who will team for an historic joint pay-per-view. It is the second time Showtime and HBO have made such a deal. In 2002 they teamed for the fight between then-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who was with HBO, and former champion Mike Tyson, who was with Showtime. Not surprisingly, the trash talking was already underway. “Floyd should enjoy being the A-side while he can,” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said. “Because on May 2, Manny is going to put him on his backside.” Mayweather was having none of it. “Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful,” Mayweather said. “He will be number 48.”  |
Naira hits N215 to dollar at BDC’s segment
Naira bundles: dollar rate now N215, despite CBN intervention
It also depreciated by N7 at the black market, selling at N217 to the dollar. A dealer, who preferred anonymity, told NAN in Lagos that the depreciation might be due to the closure of the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) by the CBN. It was closed by CBN on February 18. NAN reports that the RDAS is a foreign exchange window at CBN where the Bureau de Change and commercial banks buy forex. The dealer said that the CBN's decision, which was meant to control speculations, had made other currencies to be scarce. He also said that dealers were left to source for forex only at the interbank market unlike in the past when they had three to four segments to buy. Besides, the naira against the pound at the BDCs exchanged for N332 from the N307 it sold on Monday. It went for N335 at the black market from the N314 it sold four days ago. The naira lost N5 to the Euro to sell at N240, when compared with the N235 it sold on Monday Feb.16 at the BDCs. The currency, at the black market, traded for N244 as against the N237 it traded on Monday.  |
Watch out: Deadly ‘thogotovirus’ discovered in US
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 04:58 PM PST
US health authorities on Friday announced the discovery of a new virus believed to be responsible for the death of a previously healthy man in Kansas last year.
The virus — named “Bourbon” after the county where the victim lived — is part of a group of viruses known as thogotovirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement. It is the first time a virus from the family has caused a human fatality in the United States, and only the eighth known case of a thogotovirus causing symptoms in people, the CDC said. Thogotoviruses have been linked to ticks or mosquitoes in Europe, Asia and Africa and officials said the Bourbon virus may also have been spread the same way. The victim in Kansas, described as a man in his 50s, had been bitten by ticks multiple times in the days before falling ill, the CDC said. The infection was the only known case, he said. The discovery of the case came after tests for several other infectious diseases proved negative, prompting further analysis of a blood sample by a CDC laboratory. Researchers using advanced molecular detection technology were able to determine that the man died from a new virus. Doctors who treated the man found a tick full of blood on his shoulder. He fell ill suffering from a headache and a fever, according to a study published in the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal. The man was treated with antibiotics but his condition worsened leading to kidney failure and an inability to breathe without assistance. He died 11 days after the onset of symptoms.  |
Pacquiao, Mayweather mega-fight confirmed
Manny Pacquiao
The unbeaten American made the announcement via the social media website Shots.com. “What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal,” Mayweather wrote. “I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did.” 
Mayweather: ready
“I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” he said. “They have waited long enough and they deserve it. The welterweight world title showdown is sure to be the most lucrative in boxing history, generating massive pay-per-view revenue. More importantly for fans, it will finally pit the two boxers long considered the best “pound-for-pound” fighters of their generation against each other. Pacquiao is 57-5 with two draws and 38 knockouts, while Mayweather is 47-0 with 26 knockouts. Previous bids to put together a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather had run aground over various issues, including a drug testing protocol. US media reported the contract Mayweather signed for the fight gives the American 60 percent of the purse. Pacquiao said last week he had agreed to the drug-testing procedures Mayweather wanted as well as other demands, and he believed an announcement of the fight was imminent. Because each fighter is contracted to a different US telecaster, contracts also had to be signed by rivals Showtime and HBO, who will team for an historic joint pay-per-view. It is the second time Showtime and HBO have made such a deal. In 2002 they teamed for the fight between then-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who was with HBO, and former champion Mike Tyson, who was with Showtime. “It’s going to be a great fight,” said Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum. “We are confident our fighter Manny Pacquiao will emerge victorious.”  |
Pirlo’s wonder strike lifts Juventus 10 points clear
Andrea Pirlo
In a Serie A clash moved forward to Friday night, Juventus extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points over idle Roma with the capital side not in action until Sunday when they travel to Verona. The victory also maintained Juventus’ unbeaten run at home this season, and extended their run without loss in all competitions at the Juventus Stadium to 31. Fernando Llorente and Andrea Pirlo got the goals for the hosts after the visitors had taken an early lead through Guilio Migliaccio. Atalanta took a shock lead against the run of play when they won a corner on the right on 25 minutes that was superbly delivered by former Dutch international Urby Emanuelson. A near post cross was met by a glancing header from Migliaccio whose decisive touch bounced off the far post and behind the startled Gianluigi Buffon for only the seventh goal conceded by Juventus all season at their home ground. It was Migliaccio’s first league goal of the season. Roberto Peyeyra almost equalised immediately following the restart when set up by Argentine Carlos Tevez but his close range shot was deflected behind by the legs of Atalanta ‘keeper Marco Sportiello. However, constant pressure from Massimiliano Allegri’s league leaders paid off six minutes before half-time when they levelled the match. A corner from the right led to a scramble inside the six-yard box and Llorente stabbed the ball over the line for his fifth goal of the season. Juventus then took the lead moments later thanks to a stroke of brilliance from Pirlo, who sent a powerful swerving shot from 35 yards past the despairing dive of Sportiello just before half-time. It was harsh on the visitors who had battled gamely but Pirlo’s strike was unstoppable, his third of the league campaign, and another example of why he remains one of the best midfielders in the game. The rest of the match remained scoreless as Juventus protected their advantage and gave themselves the ideal preparation ahead of the arrival of Dortmund next Tuesday.  |
UN ‘strongly urges’ Nigeria not to postpone elections again
United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon
Nigeria pushed back the presidential and legislative polls from February 14 to March 28 because of security fears as the army battles Boko Haram. Regional and parliamentary elections were moved to April 11. Ban called on Nigeria's government and the elections commission "to ensure these new dates are maintained," his spokesman said. The UN chief urged political leaders to "refrain from inflammatory statements and to immediately condemn any statements from their supporters that amount to an incitement to violence or subversion of the electoral process." Ban has sent his special envoy, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, to Abuja for talks on the upcoming elections and efforts to fight Boko Haram. Led by Chad, countries in the region are putting together an 8,700-strong force to battle the insurgents, but Nigeria has been criticized for its weak response to the violence. Chambas last week said Nigeria's military needed to "demonstrate greater resolve" in the fight against Boko Haram.  |
Security operatives foil attack on Calabar prisons
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 12:59 PM PST
FILE PHOTO: Inmates at a prison
Mr Horgan Bassey, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Cross River Command, who confirmed the incident, told NAN an unspecified number of gunmen attempted to force their way into the prison but were repelled. “There was an attempt to break into the Afokang Prison this morning by some hoodlums but it was repelled by a joint security force on ground and the situation has returned to normal. “There was no casualty, and investigation has commenced to ascertain the mission of the invaders,” he said. A resident of Afokang, Mr Emmanuel Ijen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they started hearing sporadic gunshots at about 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning around the prisons. “We just started hearing gunshots around the prisons and everyone began to run for safety,” Ijen said. Another resident, Mr Uwem Ekong, told NAN that the gunmen came through the creeks of Calabar River. “I saw some of them scampering through the waterside; so I suspect that they came through the creeks,” he said. All attempts to speak to prison officials proved abortive as the whole street was cordoned off by stern looking security men.  |
Chief of Naval Staff calls for cordial civilian-military relations
Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin
Jibrin made the call while addressing the officers at the Nigerian Navy Ship Quorra in Lagos. He said that the members of Boko Haram sect were the country's core enemy, adding that it was the duty of the military to protect civilians. Jibrin said that the officers should always protect the good image of the Nigerian Navy with and without uniform. He expressed appreciation with the officers for their efforts in protecting the country's territorial waters, adding that their hard work had contributed to his effectiveness in office. He also said that their fight against oil theft would continue until the Nigerian waters were totally safe from illegalities.  |
Ireland plans gay marriage referendum on May 22
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 12:51 PM PST
 Ireland is planning to hold a historic referendum on lifting a ban on same-sex marriage on May 22, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s office said on Friday. Kenny said the vote “sets out our image of a very tolerant and inclusive Ireland.” “This is about the tolerance and respect and understanding and sensitivity,” he told RTE television. If carried, the constitutional amendment would allow for marriage “in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex”. Polls indicate that the amendment will pass in the historically Catholic nation and follows the introduction of civil partnerships in 2011. But polls also suggest many supportive voters have indicated “reservations” on the issue, which could narrow the lead currently enjoyed by the “Yes” side. The debate had been largely subdued so far although the announcement last month by Health Minister Leo Varadkar that he is gay — the first openly homosexual cabinet minister in Irish history -– generated headlines around the world. While the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has waned in the wake of a series of child sex abuse scandals, Catholic groups are expected to play a major role in the pre-vote discussions. In December, Ireland’s Catholic bishops reiterated their opposition to same-sex marriage. In a letter distributed to parishes, the bishops said “marriage means the union of a man and woman”.  |
Lagos begins demolition of burnt Balogun Market
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State
NAN reports that the demolition was being carried out by a firm, Blackrock Construction Company. Fire gutted the buildings housing about 100 shops and destroyed goods worth millions of naira. Officials of the company who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity said that it was the government that gave directive for the buildings to be demolished. The head of the demolition team who did not state how many days the demolition would take, said that the work would take some time to finish. Mrs Uju Agunna, a trader who sold clothes in one of the shops gutted, told NAN that she would rent the same place anytime the shops were rebuilt. “I will like to go back to my shop. I have been in this Balogun for over 15 years so it is difficult for me to go and rent somewhere else. “We hope that when the demolition exercise is completed the owners can start building. But now I am sharing a shop with my friend as you can see,” Agunna said. She, however, said that she had to begin retail trading to find her feet again because she lost up to five million naira worth of goods to the fire. Another victim, Mr Aliu Gbadamosi, said that since his two shops got burnt, he was yet to rent a place to display his wares. “I have goods worth over N25 million but they are still in a warehouse. I have not been able to sell them since the incident happened in January. “I borrowed money to import the goods and now it will be difficult for me to pay as at when due.  |
Lagos INEC yet to recieve 400,000 PVCs
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:32 AM PST
PVCs
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Akin Orebiyi, said this while addressing newsmen in Lagos. Orebiyi pleaded with eligible voters whose cards were among those still expected to be patient with the commission, assuring that the outstanding cards would soon be delivered. “As at the first week of January, the percentage of distribution of PVCs was hovering around 38 per cent, but as at the end of last week, it was 62.7 per cent. “But, we are still working seriously because we know that quite a number of people are still yet to collect their PVCs; we want to make sure that they are able to collect these cards. “As we speak, out of 5,905, 000 cards for Lagos State, we have distributed 3,654,000, but I also need to say that out of 5.9 million, we are still awaiting the arrival of about 400,000 cards. “As soon as we are able to receive them, we will also be able to push them out so that people can come out to collect them. “We are expecting additional cards in practically all the 20 Local Government Areas,” he said. He said that commission had outstanding cards in some polling units in Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin, Ibeji-Lekki, Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badagry, Ikorodu, Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Eti-Osa, Apapa, Ojo, Lagos-Island, Kosofe, Surulere, Amunwo-Odofin, Somolu and Epe. “Also, in Alimosho, we want to urge our people to continue to exercise patience, especially in Shasha, Akowonjo, Idimu, Isheri-olofin, Ikotun, Ijegun, Egbe, Agbojo as well as Ipaja. “These are the specific areas where we are expecting cards, but we have been given assurance from our headquarters that as early as Monday next week, these cards would start arriving. “Again, we want to appeal to our people to kindly continue to bear with us and exercise patience; we are working to ensure that these cards arrive in time,” he said. Orebiyi said that the commission was compiling the distribution for the outgoing week, which could be released by next week. He said, however, that the commission had no fewer than 1.8 million PVCs not yet claimed in the state. The commissioner urged owners of the yet-to-be collected cards to find time to pick them up before the deadline on March 8. Orebiyi said that the commission would go beyond the local governments and distribute the cards at the polling units on Feb 27, Feb 28, March 6 and March 7. He also spoke on the allegation of sidelining some sections of the community from getting their cards. “There is no intention on the part of INEC or any of its officials to deny any single ethnic group, any single community or any single individual of his card. “But, if any person has difficulties, he should let us know,” Orebiyi said. He said that the state had received over 12,000 Smart Card readers and they were being configured specially to each polling unit in the state. “Each smart card reader is configured to work only in a particular polling unit; it cannot work in any other where it is not configured for and no person can use another person's card. “The issue of stealing or buying cards will come to naught; we want to beg our people to desist from buying cards. “The issue of cloned cards will not work on that day, if anyone comes with a fake card, such will answer some questions from the law enforcement agents,” he said. NAN reports that the commissioner demonstrated how the smart card readers work to add value and credibility to the elections.  |
Agric Minister, 4 other Africans for AfDB presidential race
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:10 AM PST
Agriculture Minister, Akinwunmi Adesina
The AfDB Board said the selection of the most eligible candidates to succeed President Donald Kaberuka was done by a Steering Committee of the Board of Governors at a meeting held in Abidjan on 11 February. Cape Verdean Finance Minister, Cristina Kamara, currently Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank, Birama Sidibe and Chad’s Finance Minister, Kordjé Bedoumra have also been shortlisted for the elections slated for May 2015. Report says Kaberuka is currently serving his second five-year term as AfDB President. He was first elected in 2005 as the seventh President of the Bank Group since its establishment in 1963. However, he was re-elected in May 2010 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, for a second five-year term. Adesina has since stated his readiness to take on the job and develop Africa. “I am excited to be shortlisted for position of President, African Development Bank. I will develop every part of Africa. Africa is my home!” he wrote on Twitter.  |
APC will be shocked on election day, says Obanikoro
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:01 AM PST
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro: says APC will be shocked
Obanikoro, who accompanied leaders of market women groups, popularly known as Iyalojas, to pay a solidarity visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Marina, Lagos said he was optimistic of Peoples Democratic Party’s chances at the governorship poll. He told the president that the group was working to tell the world that the ruling party in Lagos “are not untouchables”. “These women are more concerned about the reality than news in the social media. APC will be shocked on Election Day; we believe in our president. “I do not know of any president that is as humble as Jonathan. If you have such a man as president your interest will be protected,” Obanikoro said. He said that the North had served as president for so many times, and that the West had taken its turn “and the only president elected from South-South which provides the country with its wealth, should be allowed to complete his tenure”. The leader of the market women, Hajia Aminat Hussein, had told the president that they had stood behind PDP since its inception but regretted that the members suffered harassment under in Lagos state. She said that in spite of the attempts by APC “to buy over many of the market women”, the women would mobilise themselves in the state and in other states to ensure victory for the president. “We are promising you that you will not lose in Lagos; this coming election is for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and God is with you,” she added.  |
Okocha Elected Delta FA Chairman
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 10:50 AM PST
Austin Okocha: elected Delta State FA chairman
At the elections conducted in Asaba on Friday, and supervised by a member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli, Okocha polled 26 out of the 27 votes cast. One of only two Nigerian footballers to play at three FIFA World Cup finals, Okocha's club career took him through Germany, France, England and Turkey, and he is presently Head of the NFF Technical Study Group. Okocha, who had served as vice chairman, replaces Amaju Pinnick, who announced his intention to relinquish the post on the same day he was elected President of Nigeria Football Federation, 30 September, 2014. Meanwhile, Chris Green, a member of the NFF Executive Committee and chairman of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, was elected Rivers FA Chairman on Thursday after polling 14 out of the 17 votes cast at the elections monitored by Chairman of the NFF State Elections Monitoring Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. His opponent, China Acheru got two votes, while one vote was declared invalid. In Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, former member of NFF Executive Committee, also retained his seat, but was unopposed. The composition of the new Kebbi State FA executive board is now: Ladan (chairman); Moh'd Tukur Hassan (vice chairman); Haliru S. Haliru (member); Yakubu Daudu Machika (member); Yunusa Sama'ila Jega (member); Abubakar Moh'd Carlos (member); Abubakar Rufa'i Gwandu (member); Sani Bara Zana (member); Aminu Musa Yaldu (member). In Abeokuta, incumbent Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and his entire executive board got 20 'yes' voice votes to retain their seats, at a congress declared open by the Ogun State Director of Sports, Mr. Sola Faleti. The chairman of the Abeokuta local council football body, who said he has sent a protest letter to the NFF, was the only person out of the eligible 21 delegates that did not vote, at an election supervised by Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, member of the NFF Executive Committee and chairman of the NFF Referees Committee.  |
Protected: Jonathan deserves second term in office, says Immigration boss
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 09:47 AM PST
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PDP will free Lagosians from oppression, says Jonathan
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 09:40 AM PST
President Jonathan meeting with a group of market women at the State House, Lagos
He stated this when the leaders of market women groups, “Iyalojas”, in Lagos and environs, paid him a solidarity visit at the State House, Marina, Lagos. Jonathan, who was reacting to the complaint of high-handedness and witch-hunting made by the market women against the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Lagos state government. He told the market women, and indeed, all traders in the country that the PDP administration would provide the enabling environment for them to ply their trades. “Our victory at the polls will free all Lagos traders from oppression. You need to be free; we will remove Lagos from bondage,” he assured. He commended the women for supporting his re-election bid and urged them not to be intimidated by their opponents. “I have listened to you; you have been carrying the PDP flag; you have been humiliated but you still marched on. “Thank you for working hard for PDP; this is the final struggle and time for us to use all our strength to achieve victory,” he said, adding that, the country belonged to every Nigerian. “If we struggle and win Lagos state, everybody will do his business without being harassed or intimidated,” the president added. Earlier, the leader of the market women, Hajia Aminat Hussein, had told the president that they had stood behind PDP since its inception but regretted that the members suffered harassment under in Lagos state. She said that in spite of the attempts by APC “to buy over many of the market women”, the women would mobilise themselves in the state and in other states to ensure victory for the president. “We are promising you that you will not lose in Lagos; this coming election is for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and God is with you,” she added. Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, former Minister of State for Defence, who accompanied the group, told the president that the group was working to tell the world that the ruling party in Lagos “are not untouchables”. “These women are more concerned about the reality than news in the social media. APC will be shocked on Election Day; we believe in our president. “I do not know of any president that is as humble as Jonathan. If you have such a man as president your interest will be protected,” Obanikoro said. He said that the North had served as president for so many times, and that the West had taken its turn “and the only president elected from South-South which provides the country with its wealth, should be allowed to complete his tenure”.  |
Poll shift affects naira, stock exchange
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 09:22 AM PST
Dealers at the Nigeria stock Exchange
The six-week suspension was granted to give the military more time to secure and stabilise the northeast, which has been under assault by Boko Haram Islamists since 2009. But doubts about whether that goal can be achieved, fears that a further delay may be necessary and suspense over who will actually win the March 28 vote has buffeted markets and left investors jittery. “It (the delay) has sent a panicky signal to investors of an unsure tomorrow in our economy,” economist and author Vincent Nwanma told AFP. On February 6 — the day before the postponement announcement — the Nigerian All-Share Index closed at 29,985, and had dropped 2,399 points or 8.0 percent one week later. Top losers included blue chip firms such as National Salt Company Nigeria, a number of leading banks, Flour Mills Nigeria, the conglomerate UAC and Guinness Nigeria. Bloomberg said in a February 9 report that the Nigerian stock market was the worst-performing in the world this year. “The uncertainty occasioned by the six-week extension has taken its toll on the stock market,” said Gabriel Ilori Akinyemi, managing director of stockbroker firm Valmon Securities Ltd. “People are selling their stocks at a loss,” Rotimi Fakayejo, the managing director of Enterprise Capital, told a local television station in Lagos. Nwanma said the share losses were to be expected given the overwhelming negative sentiment. “Buyers reduce their exposure in stocks and in the economy. The market is currently witnessing a lot of sell-off of their portfolio,” he said.  |
Rodgers backs Balotelli over penalty storm
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:58 AM PST
Brendan Rodgers defends Balotelli’s decision to take penalty
Reds captain Steven Gerrard was angry that Balotelli overruled Jordan Henderson when the stand-in Reds skipper tried to take an 85th-minute penalty in the last 32, first leg at Anfield on Thursday. With the game goalless, Jordon Ibe won the spot-kick and England international Henderson appeared set to fulfil his role as the assigned penalty taker in the absence of the injured Gerrard. But Balotelli took the ball out of Henderson’s hands, prompting an exchange of words with the Liverpool midfielder before a visibly irritated Reds striker Daniel Sturridge arrived on the scene to protest on Henderson’s behalf. Ignoring their complaints, Balotelli, who has endured a difficult time at Liverpool since his move from AC Milan last year, didn’t seem bothered by the fuss as he deliberately stutter-stepped in his run-up before coolly stroking home the spot-kick. And, although he has had his own issues with Balotelli, on this occasion Rodgers insisted the forward had done nothing wrong because he was following the established penalty order agreed earlier in the season. “There has probably been a lot more of a drama been made out of it than it actually was,” Rodgers said. “With the players who were initially on the pitch last night Jordan was our nominated taker. “But if Jordan and Steven and Mario are on the pitch at the same time we would normally have Steven and Mario as the penalty-takers. “History shows he (Balotelli) has scored nearly 30 penalties in big games so he is an outstanding penalty-taker, but none of them were on (at the start) so you have to nominate someone. “Jordan was happy enough to take it but he gave it to Mario.”  |
Nigerian woman latest victim in India’s rape capital
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 08:29 AM PST
Police in Delhi arrested four men on Friday in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a Nigerian woman in a moving car, the latest in a series of sex attacks in the Indian capital.
The 35-year-old, who has been staying in India on a tourist visa, told police the men kidnapped her after midnight on Friday morning outside a popular shopping mall in New Delhi’s Saket area before bundling her into a car. 
Policemen mask rape suspects in India
The woman, who cannot be named, was finally rescued after a passerby spotted her on the side of the road in Mayur Vihar, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) away in east Delhi. “We have received a complaint from the woman and investigations are ongoing,” Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told AFP. “We have filed a case under relevant sections.” Bhagat said the four men arrested were Indians, and the car allegedly used had been impounded. Local media, quoting police sources, said the victim was in an inebriated condition at the time of her rescue and had suffered minor injuries but was released from hospital by Friday afternoon. Nigerian embassy officials in New Delhi were not available for comment. The city sealed its reputation as India’s “rape capital” two years ago when a medical student died after being gang-raped on a moving bus, prompting mass protests and triggering a series of policing and legal reforms. Last year, a driver for US-based online taxi service Uber allegedly sexually assaulted a woman passenger in New Delhi while driving her home from a dinner. Police figures released earlier this year said 2,069 rape cases were registered in New Delhi during 2014, a 31 percent jump compared to the previous year.  |
Controversy Trails Varsity SUG Election
Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:55 AM PST
Damilare Okunola
All is not well with Nigerian students studying at the Ecole Professionale Specialissee, EPS, following controversy that trailed the recent Students Union Government, SUG, election in the institution.
Feelers from the institution located in Tunde Motors area of the state, disclosed that the election which was held on Friday, 13 February, had been won and lost before some young men suspected to be cult members, disrupted it.
P.M.NEWS Campus Square authoritatively gathered that students, especially those who lost the election, were aggrieved and maintained that the election must be rescheduled and conducted to pacify them.
A former Public Relations Officer, PRO of the SUG, Afolayan Peter, who lost out in the election, told our correspondent: "I cannot say much about the election. All I know is that the election was not properly conducted and the school has not approved the inauguration of the new executive because of anomalies surrounding the conduct."
This claim was immediately rebuffed by another student who insisted that losers would always find an excuse whenever things do not go in their favour.
The student who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some students disrupted the election when it was not going well for them.
"As a matter of fact, the election was successful until those cult guys came around. They sensed that the process may not favour them, so they caused a lot of trouble here.
"But I can assure you that the only people who are making noise are those who lost out in the election and they cannot do more than all that has been done already," the Mass Communication student explained.
Dare Akubioko, the newly-elected Social Director of the SUG, confirmed that the election was free and fair, adding that not everybody is happy about the outcome of an election.
"I was elected the Social Director of the SUG and I am raring to go," he said.
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