I LIED OVER ALLEGATIONS ON QATAR BID

Dr. Amos Adamu

The “whistleblower” behind a series of corruption allegations involving FIFA executive committee members and Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has told the BBC she fabricated the claims.

Phaedra Al Majid, a former international media officer for Qatar 2022, said she wanted to exact revenge after losing her job on the campaign.

She decided to go public after she said her “lies had gone too far”.

Al Majid has now signed a legal affadavit retracting the allegations.

My intentions were to make a few headlines, I never expected that my lies would be carried on and discussed in parliament

Originally made anonymously to journalists, the claims became the subject of an inquiry by the parliamentary select committee for culture, media and sport.

She says she is deeply sorry for the trouble she has caused World Cup officials in Qatar and the three FIFA executive committee members she accused of accepting bribes.

“I was very upset after I left the bid and wanted to basically hurt the bid back,” she said. “My intentions were to make a few headlines, I never expected that my lies would be carried on and discussed in parliament.

“It just went too far. I never expected it to come to this point. There was never anything suspicious or any wrongdoing on Qatar’s part.

“I cannot tell you how sorry I am. I have hurt reputations of three members of the FIFA exco, I have hurt their reputation, and more importantly I have hurt my colleagues on the Qatar bid.”

Al Majid originally said African Football Confederation president Issa Hayatou, Cote d’Ivoire FIFA member Jacques Anomua and Nigeria’s suspended exco official Amos Adamu were paid $1.5million to vote for Qatar.

The allegations were denied by all three men but were made public under parliamentary privilege when the Sunday Times submitted evidence from their investigation into FIFA to the select committee in May.

Pregnant Women At War With Jimoh Ibrahim

The way things are going, shrewd businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim may have conquered many in his quest to be recognized as one of the very best business heads in the country. But what many don’t know is that the man who is used to taking over dying business concerns may have bitten more than he can chew in his bid to do something extraordinary and get noticed.
The Ondo State-born lawyer has over the years been taking over businesses. Some were successful some, while in others he was outbidded by other companies and had to re-strategize.
If it would be recalled, it was Jimoh who was denied the opportunity to own a bank in Nigeria and had to move to neighbouring Ghana to found Energy Bank. His determination to win is also evident in the ferocity of his battle to retain his ownership of NICON, Nigerian topmost insurance company in which he had acquired majority shares.
Though the lawyer turned businessman has over the years turned a dogged ,the latest challenge coming the way of the man that just acquired the former Virgin Nigeria and the late Dele Giwa-founded Newswatch Magazine may have bitten more than he can chew as the current opposition is coming from the pregnant women in his establishments.
The whole drama started some years back when Jimoh Ibrahim started acquiring companies that have married women in their employment ranks. Because he did not want to be viewed as someone who does not want his female staff to raise a family, he was forced to retain them against his better judgment. This, it appears, is now haunting him. Since he came out with a pronouncement reducing the maternity leave of pregnant women in his business empire from 12 weeks to 6 weeks, they have been spoiling for war.
This decision, according to many of the female staffers, is a ploy to force them out of his companies. And many of them are now considering tendering their resignation because they believe that six weeks will not be adequate for them to have fully recovered from the stress of childbirth, while those who are not ready to resign are spoiling for a fight over what they termed as injustice against motherhood.
Jimoh’s draconian rule is coming at a time some women groups are advocating for longer leave period for pregnant women in Nigeria . They want it extended to six months, as is currently being enjoyed by their counterparts in developed countries like the United Kingdom and USA . It is surprising that the man who would do anything to ensure the freedom of his mother from the clutches of kidnappers recently because of his closeness to her will give mothers in his establishments little time to nurture their newly born babies.
If the information at our disposal is anything to go by, the billionaire businessman may have to go back to his drawing board to fashion a strategy to pacify the angry pregnant women in his employment. If not, he will soon be fighting a war he can never win because his mother may team up with the women to fight the injustice.

The woman accused of killing her baby

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Casey Anthony briefly wept Sunday as prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments that she murdered her 2-year-old daughter Caylee to reclaim the carefree life she had before the girl was born.

Prosecutors portrayed Anthony as a young mother who killed her daughter because she got in the way of her love life.

"Something needed to be sacrificed, that something was either the life she wanted or the life thrust upon her. She chose to sacrifice her child," prosecutor Jeff Ashton said during his 90-minute argument.

Defense attorney Jose Baez said the prosecutors' case was so weak they tried to portray Anthony as "a lying, no-good slut" and that their forensic evidence was based on a "fantasy." He said Caylee's death was "an accident that snowballed out of control."

Prosecutors contend Caylee was suffocated with duct tape by her mother, who then crafted elaborate lies to mislead investigators and her parents. Defense attorneys countered that the toddler accidentally drowned in the family swimming pool, and that Casey in fact was hiding emotional distress caused by alleged sexual abuse from her father. Her father has denied that claim.

Judge Belvin Perry ruled Sunday morning that there was no evidence of such abuse and that the defense could not allude to it in closing arguments. Jury deliberations are now expected to begin Monday after the prosecution gives its rebuttal arguments.

Baez began his closing argument by telling jurors they have more questions than answers, including the biggest: How did Caylee die? Neither prosecutors nor the defense have offered firm proof of how Caylee died.

"It can never be proven," he said.

Baez spent most of his four-hour argument attacking the prosecution's forensic evidence. He said the prosecution's air analysis of the trunk of Anthony's car, which allegedly showed air molecules consistent with decomposition, could not be duplicated. He said no one could prove a stain found in the trunk was caused by Caylee's body decomposing there. And witnesses showed maggots found in the trunk came from a bag of trash that was found there, he said.

"They throw enough against the wall and see what sticks. That is what they're doing ... right down to the cause of death," Baez said. He later conceded his client had told elaborate lies and invented imaginary friends and even a fake father for Caylee, but he said that doesn't mean she killed her daughter.

He also attacked Anthony's father, George Anthony, as unreliable. He said that a suicide note that George Anthony wrote in January 2009 that claimed no knowledge of what happened to Caylee was self-serving and that the attempt was a fraud. He said George Anthony claimed he was going to kill himself with a six-pack of beer and some high-blood pressure medicine.

Earlier during prosecution's closing argument, Casey Anthony appeared mostly stone-faced for about the first 45 minutes, but she began to cry when Ashton said the story that Caylee drowned was also false.

Ashton, the prosecutor, said Caylee's death wasn't an accident because three pieces of duct tape were placed on her face — one on the mouth, one on the nose and one over those to be "thorough."

The case has played out on national TV since Caylee's disappearance in the summer of 2008 and continued through her mother's trial, with spectators traveling from all over the U.S. to jockey for coveted seats in the courtroom gallery. Anthony, a single mother, was 22 when her daughter died. No one has come forward as the father of Caylee.

Ashton began his closing argument by showing a video of Anthony playing with Caylee, causing Anthony to apparently choke back tears. But she quickly regained her composure.

He then told the jury that Anthony worried Caylee was getting to the age where she would have told Anthony's parents that the woman was spending her days and nights with her boyfriend — not going to work and leaving Caylee with a nanny.

"Casey is very bright," Ashton said. "Her lies are very detailed. ... But when Casey wants to do what Casey wants to do, she finds a way."

The prosecutor then described the lies Anthony told her parents, George and Cindy Anthony, about why she couldn't come home and why she couldn't produce Caylee after the toddler was last seen June 16, 2008: that she was with a nanny named Zanny, a woman who doesn't exist; that Anthony and her daughter were spending time in Jacksonville with a rich boyfriend who doesn't exist; and that Zanny had been hospitalized after an out-of-town traffic accident and that they were spending time with her.

It only fell apart, Ashton said, a month later when a junk yard told George and Cindy Anthony their daughter's car had been towed. When they picked it up, they discovered a foul odor — George Anthony, a former police officer, and the tow yard operator said it smelled like human decomposition.

Cindy Anthony then tracked down her daughter. When she couldn't produce Caylee, her parents called police. Casey Anthony then told investigators she worked at Universal Studios theme park as an event planner. She went so far as to take them there, talk her way past security, take them to an office building. She gave up the lie as she was walking down the hall.

Ashton then attacked the defense contention that Caylee drowned and that George Anthony helped Casey Anthony cover it up. No one faced with an accidental drowning would do that instead of calling 911, Ashton said.

"It is a trip down a rabbit hole into a bizarre world where men who love their granddaughters find them drowned and do nothing," Ashton said. "Where men who love their granddaughters take an accident, a completely innocent act, and make it look like a murder for no reason. A world where a man who buries his pets will take the granddaughter who was the love of his life and throw her in a swamp."

Baez conceded that Anthony told elaborate lies, but he said those inventions should have signaled to investigators that "there's something wrong with this girl."

"Instead, they had a murder case, and that was it. That was all they were interested in was evidence of murder. There's nothing sexy about a drowning," Baez said.

Judge Perry angrily stopped Baez's closing arguments after he referred to Ashton as "this laughing guy." Television showed Ashton smiling behind his hand at Baez's contention that the prosecution's forensic evidence was based on fantasy. One of Perry's written orders is that the attorneys not show emotion to the other side's statements.

Ashton apologized and said he tried to hide his expressions. Baez also apologized. Perry warned all of the attorneys that any other incidents would result in that attorney's removal from the trial.

Casey Anthony has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. She could face a possible death sentence or life in prison if convicted of that charge.

Anthony also is charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and four counts of providing false information to law enforcement. The child abuse and manslaughter charges each carry a 30-year prison term if convicted.

Lying politicians

Why is it that in this country we are fond of suppressing the truth. I can remember the pandemonium that the then ailing president Umaru Yaradua caused aand how the cabinet led by the then Attorney General and minister of justice Michael Aondokaa and the Governor's forum tried to suppress the truth.

Now with the advent of wikileaks with documents that the United State Embassy has not denied its contents, the presidency is denying the authenticity of the document and instead trying to play us for fools.

Excerpts from the cable suggested that Jonathan told Sanders that he (Jonathan) lacked ‘political and administrative experience.’

He was quoted as saying, “I was not chosen to be Vice-President because I had good political experience. I did not. There were a lot more qualified people around to be Vice-President, but that does not mean I am not my own man.”

“I am not a politician and had very limited experience as an administrator; I will not tolerate a brawl.”

The account also said Jonathan blamed some influential persons for the political crisis in the country at the time.

“This terrible situation in the country today has been created by four people: Turai Yar’Adua (the ailing President’s wife), his Chief Security Officer (CSO) (Yusuf Mohammed Tilde), his Aide-de-Camp (ADC)(Col. Mustapha Onoyiveta) and Professor Tanimu Yakubu (Yar’Adua’s Chief Economic Advisor).”

However, the Presidency, in response to the publication, said the website’s accounts of the discussion was ‘a souped up version,’ aimed at portraying the President in a bad light.

In a statement titled, ‘On Wikileaks and all that,’ the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, Mr. Ima Niboro, said Jonathan, with all his experience in public office before becoming vice-president to the late Yar’Adua, could not have told Sanders that he lacked political and leadership experience.

The statement reads, “WikiLeaks is the new travesty that international diplomacy has to deal with. Nigeria is no exception. The point to be made is that the accounts of meetings between President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and US diplomats are essentially third party narratives, and are largely inaccurate.

“The President, in those tempestuous days during which the nation tottered on the brink, held meetings, and then more meetings, with different groups, the diplomatic community inclusive. The President met with different diplomats and special envoys, who offered different suggestions on a way out of the impasse that our late leader’s health had imposed on the nation.

“We note that this account is largely silent on these suggestions. Instead, what is served up is an unfair account severely impacted by selective perception and individual expectations. For instance, how can it be said that a man who had been a Deputy Governor, an Acting Governor, a Governor, a Vice-President, and then Acting President could have described himself as lacking in administrative experience?”

“That the President holds a Ph.D, was a lecturer for 10 years and was an Assistant Director in the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission do not make the statement less rankling. This only goes to show that the report itself is a souped up version of the standard conversation that takes place in such meetings.

“We find this account as wholly unfortunate and we are only employing the best of diplomatic finesse in that statement!

Christ Embassy Sued

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday ordered Christ Embassy Church to pay N1 million to Ivory Properties, Managers of Coscharies Plaza, as damages.

Presiding Justice, Mohammed Dodo, gave the order after finding the Church liable by bridge of contract. “This court is awarding the sum of N1 million as damages, N2,167,187.50 being arrears of rent owed the plaintiff, N350,000 being cost of renovation carried out by the plaintiff after the defendant had vacated the property and N200,000 for cost of action,’’ Dodo said. The plaintiff (Ivory properties) had stated that it granted for one year a portion of the first floor Office of Cosharies plaza, Wing B, from October 1,

2005 to September 30, 2006 to the defendant (Christ Embassy) to be used as Church. “Christ Embassy stayed three months after the expiration of its tenancy without paying in full” adding that the rent to be paid by the defendant from Oct. 1, 2007 to Sept. 30,

2008 was N3,318,750, but they made part payment of N1.5 million only in July 2008. The counsel to the plaintiff Seun Olekeogun said “the defendant’s failure to pay its rent in whole sum and being in arrears is a breach of contract, thereby entitling the plaintiff to a claim of damages.” The defendant never appeared in court to defend the claims and so lost opportunity for cross-examination of witnesses.

Smart Nigerians

An undisclosed number of the Direct Data Capture machines ordered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been stolen from the cargo section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The remaining machines, some of which carry the tags of the Saudi Airlines Cargo with airway bill number 06584662572, were sighted at the National Aviation Handling Company premises yesterday. The contractor was identified as Zinox Nigeria Limited.

At the scene, Custom officials and staff of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria were seen monitoring the movement of the remaining machines to the tarmac. When asked why, one of the officials who was in mufti and refused to identify himself replied, “we are asked to return them or what do you want to know?” The missing machines had led the authority to stop further clearing of other consignments.

According to clearing agents at the scene, officials of the State Security Services came to the place early in the morning to arrest the Customs Officer in charge of operation who was simply identified as W. Waziri and some other officials who were on night duty when the machines arrived the country.

Porous security

“It is not a new thing, but this must be from above,” one airport official said, adding, “Who needs such things (DDC machines) if not the politicians? So many things use to go missing here and I cannot blame anybody for that. The equipment to offload them from the aircraft are not many. So due to that, they sometimes allow the clearing agents and some individuals to go into the place, especially that place from the tarmac (pointing at the gate that linked a warehouse called Shed 4 to the tarmac) to find their goods.”

According to an official of one of the companies involved in the importation of the data capturing machines, the theft is not such a shock. He said, ”that is Nigeria for you. It is not only DDC. I heard they stole some PHCN equipment also.”

He blamed the lax security in the airport and the cargo section for the theft, observing that many people who had no business entering the place are allowed to loiter there aimlessly.

However, he said as far as the company is concerned, the consignments are still with the Customs and clearing agencies and have not been handed over to the company, “they are still at the airport. I learnt it was at the clearing point in the airport that they learnt that some equipment have been tampered with inside the shed of FAAN.’’

In a telephone interview, Kayode Idowu, the spokesman to the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission described the news that some of the data machines have disappeared as “a bizarre piece of fiction.”

According to him, “I think somebody is playing games with fiction. Only a while ago, somebody called me to say some ballot boxes have been stolen and now this. The truth of the matter is that it is a bizarre piece of fiction. It is not true.”

Silence rules

The State Security Service whose officials were said to have come from Abuja to make some arrests refused to talk. Marilyn Ogar its spokesperson did not respond to both calls and text messages sent to her. She later told the reporter to call her this morning as she was busy in a meeting.

An e-mail to Jamil S. Zamzami, the spokesperson of the airline that brought in the cargo also went unanswered. However, airport officials who spoke to NEXT on condition of anonymity said there was no doubt that the disappearance occurred on Nigeria soil.

Although other sources said the missing items were ballot boxes, Mr Idowu described this as untrue. He said, “How could ballot boxes have been stolen? The contracts were just awarded just last week. How can it be that they are in the country already? You need to ask questions.”

Expensive equipment

Firms contracted for the manufacturing and supply of the DDC Machines include Zinox Technologies Ltd. which is to supply 80,000 units at $1, 771. 73 per unit; Messrs Haier Electrical Appliances Corp Ltd, which is to supply 30,000 units at $1, 699. 60 per unit; and Avante International Technology Inc., expected to supply 22,000 units at $1, 699. 60 per unit.

The total unit costs of the 132 units stand at about $230m, inclusive of all taxes and charges.

Already, the commission had embarked on the training of its staff that would in turn train the ad-hoc staff to be engaged for the exercise, which will be mainly Youth corps members.

The contract for the supply of about 150,000 pieces of the collapsible ballot boxes for the sum of N1.95 billion has been associated with controversies since it was awarded by Mr. Jega.

Just last week a law suit brought against INEC, the Federal Government of Nigeria and four others by Beddings Holdings Limited, was thrown out by an Abuja High Court. The plaintiff claimed he has the patent for the collapsible boxes, and has filed a new action asking that he be paid 50% of the total sum of the contracts.

SHELL IN NIGERIA

Online whistleblower, WikiLeaks, has revealed that multinational oil giant, Shell, has inserted staff into all the main ministries of the Nigerian government, giving it access to politicians’ moves in the Niger Delta, the Guardian of London reports.

Ann Pickard, then Shell’s vice-president for sub-Saharan Africa, told US diplomats that Shell had seconded employees to every relevant department and so knew “everything that was being done in those ministries.”

The leaked US diplomatic cable said the unnamed executive boasted that the Nigerian government had ‘forgotten’ about the extent of Shell’s infiltration and were unaware of how much the company knew about its deliberations,

The cache of secret dispatches from Washington’s embassies in Africa also revealed that the oil firm swapped intelligence with the US. In one case, it provided US diplomats with the names of Nigerian politicians it suspected of supporting militant activity and requested information from the US on whether the militants had acquired anti-aircraft missiles.

Cables from Nigeria show how Pickard sought to share intelligence with the US government on militant activity and business competition in the Niger Delta – and how, with some prescience, she seemed reluctant to open up because of a suspicion the US government was ‘leaky’.

According to the report, “But that did not prevent Pickard disclosing the company’s reach into the Nigerian government when she met US ambassador Robin Renee Sanders, as recorded in a confidential memo from the US embassy in Abuja on 20 October 2009.

“At the meeting, Pickard related how the company had obtained a letter showing that the Nigerian government had invited bids for oil concessions from China. She said the minister of state for petroleum resources, Odein Ajumogobia, had denied the letter had been sent but Shell knew similar correspondence had taken place with China and Russia.

“The ambassador reported, “She said the GON (government of Nigeria) had forgotten that Shell had seconded people to all the relevant ministries and that Shell consequently had access to everything that was being done in those ministries.”

According to the paper, a spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonoma, denied the report.

He said, “Shell does not control the government of Nigeria and has never controlled the government of Nigeria. This cable is the mere interpretation of one individual. It is absolutely untrue, absolute falsehood and utterly misleading.

“It is an attempt to demean the government and we will not stand for that. I don‘t think anybody will lose sleep over it.”

Pickard also said Shell had learned from the British government details of Russian energy company Gazprom’s ambitions to enter the Nigerian market.

The report adds, “Pickard alleged that a conversation with a Nigerian government minister had been secretly recorded by the Russians. Shortly after the meeting in the minister‘s office she received a verbatim transcript of the meeting “from Russia,” according to the memo.

“The cable concludes with the observation that the oil executive had tended to be guarded in discussion with US officials. ‘Pickard has repeatedly told us she does not like to talk to USG (US government) officials because the USG is ‘leaky‘. She may be concerned that ... bad news about Shell‘s Nigerian operations will leak out.”

Governors fooling themselves

By Jide Ajani, Dayo Benson & Henry Umoru
CALABAR—CROSS River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, said yesterday, that all the 28 governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were behind the President and would carry on with their support if he decides to contest next year’s presidential polls.

This came just as President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to meet state governors in Lagos today in continuation of his consultations on his political future.

Meantime, the PDP Governors’ meeting for the purpose of picking a consensus presidential candidate for next year’s elections ended in a deadlock, yesterday, as the governors were split over the choice of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking in Calabar yesterday when he granted audience to a select group of journalists, Imoke said it had become imperative for the governors to back Jonathan because as the leader of the country, he needs all the support he could get to succeed.

He said that as Chairman of the South South Governors Forum, he owed the region a duty to project Jonathan to the country and work for his success at all times.

He said though the PDP has agreed to retain the zoning formula, the party had also agreed to allow Jonathan to contest, adding that they would do everything possible to support the President.

Imoke said the support of the governors was very crucial if the country’s democracy was to make a headway, stressing that it was wrong for Nigerians to assume that the governors had become too powerful now.

He said the alleged influence of the governors played a stabilising factor for the country during the illness of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and the subsequent emergence of Jonathan as acting president in February this year.

Imoke said: “Our influence did not start today. It was not by accident. If you look at what happened in 2003 and 2007, the governors were very visible in political activities of the country. In fact in 2007, governors emerged both as the President and Vice President. So if you consider the crucial role we play in the sustenance of this democracy, you won’t say we are too powerful.”

On whether the President should sign the amended constitution before it becomes operational, Imoke urged Nigerians to savour the joy of achieving a huge feat by the amendment process, saying the country should not dissipate energy on technicalities which might later overcome the success recorded.

PDP govs split over Jonathan

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors’ meeting for the purpose of picking a consensus presidential candidate for next year’s elections ended in a deadlock, yesterday, as the governors were split over the choice of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Vanguard gathered that the meeting, which lasted more than four hours, became very stormy between those in support of Jonathan, who were in the majority, and those who were opposed to him

The meeting which was held at the Kwara State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, was billed to commence at 8.00 pm, but did not start until 9.00 p.m, Tuesday night and ended 1.15 a.m, yesterday, with the Chairman, Governors’ Forum and the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, presiding.

It was gathered that the governors had earlier discussed with President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, and that the President informed them that he would be seeking the party’s nomination.

Thereafter, the governors returned to the Asokoro meeting to take a position.

Vanguard learnt that while the governors were meeting, the National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, also held an all night meeting with the 36 states’ chairmen and that of the Federal Capital Territory.

It was understood that the meeting was designed by the chairman to reach out to all stakeholders ahead of the elections, especially before the leadership of the party issued guidelines for the primaries.

A source told Vanguard that the meeting which ended at 1.00 a..m, yesterday, was part of the chairman’s consultative meetings with the leaders on how to arrive at decisions that would be favourable to all members of the party across the country. The meeting took place at the National Secretariat of the Party, Wadata Plaza.

Vanguard gathered that at the PDP governors’ meeting, all the South South governors spoke in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan contesting, just as the Southwest governors also spoke solidly in favour of Jonathan contesting the 2011 presidential election.

The source said the President faced very strong opposition from the Northern governors, where the ten governors that had earlier insisted that zoning should be retained, maintained their position at the meeting. It was gathered that as the meeting progressed, it got to a point that the PDP governors asked their Chairman, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to tell them whether he had an interest in contesting to become the presidential candidate of the party.

The source said that when Saraki failed to give the governors an answer on whether he was contesting for the Presidency, he was then asked to state his position because of his opposition to the presidential aspiration of President Jonathan.

Governors in support of Jonathan

Those who championed the presidency of Jonathan in 2011 at the meeting were Governors Jonah Jang of Plateau, and Gabriel Suswam of Benue State.

Opposing governors

Those who were opposed to Jonathan’s presidential aspiration were Governors of Kebbi, Zamfara, Bauchi and Katsina states. It was gathered at the meeting that these governors were at the forefront of those opposing the presidential aspiration of Jonathan, even as the source said: “This is understandable, because they were the same group that insisted on zoning when we met to take a position on the same matter in Kaduna last month.”

At the end of the meeting, the governors left, just as the governors of Rivers, Kwara, Bauchi and Delta began another meeting which lasted for thirty minutes. At the end of the meeting, the Delta State governor left at 1.15 a.m, while his Bauchi State counterpart came out at 1.45am.

Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who left the venue of the meeting at about 2.00 a.m, refused to speak to the waiting journalists.

It was gathered that the governors’ inability to arrive at a compromise following a very strong division among them, made it impossible for the governors to issue a communiqué on the meeting.

Governors that attended the meeting

Present at the meeting were governors of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio; Isa Yuguda of Bauchi; Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa; Gabriel Suswam of Delta; Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta; and Martin Elechi of Ebonyi. The others were Segun Oni of Ekiti; Sullivan Chime of Enugu; Ikedi Ohakim of Imo; Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna and Ibrahim Shema of Katsina.

Abacha "go to hell"

The Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State chapter, on Wednesday rejected a consignment of rice allocated to it by Mohammed Abacha's Campaign Organisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Abacha is believed to be one of the four applicants for the Governorship of Kano state on the platform of the Peoples' Democratic Party.

The journalists returned the five bags given by Ibrahim Ado Gwagwarwa, director of publicity of the organisation and thanked him, after a decision which its members unanimously agreed to.

In his response, Mr Gwagwarwa, a former director of press to former Kano State governor, Rabi'u Kwankwaso, expressed dismay at the reporters' action, saying it showed their ‘lack of appreciation' towards the gesture.

He explained that the gift was of his own volition, as the chapel was not one of those listed as beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, each of the 50-kg bags of the rice carried the PDP logo and the following phrases: ‘Ramadan Kareem', ‘Compliments of Alhaji Mohammed Abacha'.

The other candidates jostling for the party's flag are: House of Representatives member, Faruk Lawan, Sen.Mohammed Bello, and former military administrator of Niger and Plateau states, Habibu Shu'aibu.

Back

First lady scolds Rivers State Governor

In the Nigeria constitution, there is no place for the first ladies of the federation neither is there no place for their counterparts in the state as there are none for the first men. THE First Lady’s two-day visit to Rivers State ended in a fiasco Tuesday.

All was well, until Dame Patience Jonathan and her chief host, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi got to Okrika – the First Lady’s home town.

The governor was explaining by video his school project in Okrika, saying there must be demolition of some buildings to have space for the schools.

Mrs Jonathan cut in, grabbed the microphone and said the governor should reconsider the way he was going about the demolition.

An attempt by Amaechi to explain the situation sent the First Lady boiling.

She shouted at Amaechi: "Listen!, you must listen to me!"

The governor was embarrassed, like a scolded school pupil. The audience hailed Mrs Jonathan, goading the First Lady on.

The President’s wife, however, described land as a serious issue in Okrika and told Amaechi to always avoid "must" when talking about waterfronts’ demolition.

The governor never mentioned "waterfronts", but Mrs. Jonathan went on: "I want you to get me clear. I am from here (Okrika). I know the problems of my people. So, I know what I am talking. I do not want us to go into crises. We are preaching peace and we must maintain peace at any time.

"But what I am telling you is that you always say you must demolish. That word ‘must, you use is not good. It is by pleading. You appeal to the owners of the compound, because they will not go into exile. Land is a serious issue."

Downcast, Amaechi shunned a reception organised for the First Lady. The reception was, however, not on the programme.

Mrs Jonathan hurriedly left for Abuja. Her planned visit to Port Harcourt prisons, where the Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu, was expected to release some prisoners, was cancelled. So was her visit to the new Model Secondary School at Ebubu-Eleme, among others.

A civic reception in honour of the President’s wife was held at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt on Monday. Her pet programme, Women for Change Initiative (WFCI), was launched.

This was followed by a state banquet/Award Night at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where the former Miss World, Agbani Darego, who hails from the state, and some women were honoured for their outstanding contributions to society.

communication

communication is indeed a powerful need. While it is a key to solving all problems, it is often the symptoms not the problem. However since the average individual loves rumours, effective communication is then very important.

In the publication, it is imperative that the organisation should establish effective communication as it is the solution to almost every organisational problem.
Interetingly, there is a poser for every organisation that handles the issue of communications with levity. "can I think of any problem at work or in my life that was not solved on some level by communication?" Think about it. It is again stressed that poor communications is often a symptom of ineffective management and other organisatgional problems, while it is not the problem itself. However, improving communications should definitely be part of the solution.

The fact that communication is also essential to the organisation underlines its importance for it is an extremely powerful force that cannot be stopped. Information would be communicated in the organisation by one means or the other. To put it staraight, if the management creates a void with regards to communication, the employees would fill it. In the end without effective communication and feedback, the organisation would be left with nothing but speculations. Hence this is why it is so difficult to keep confidential information confidential as doing this disregards this natural force.

EQUITY

EQUITY is a balancing act and people expect democracy in an organisation. equity has a point of no return as it evokes powerful emotions. Equity is in the hands of the beholder.

AS a natural force for business success, equity is about fairness, either perceived or real. for employers in an organisation,perception is REALITY when it comes to fairness as people are concerned on how fairly they believe they are being treated. This is a highly sensitive fforce in the sense that it can stir up much emotion and influence employee's behaviours and attitudes toward the organisation.

A tinge of democracy is the expected organisational system; basically, employees at all levels are concerned about getting their fair share of the corporate pie. Since equity issues involve administration of policies and practices, employees are concerend whether they are being treated fairly. Moreso, equity has a point of no return in that when there is perceived unfairness in an organisation, the Natural force of Equity begins to take over. As such it manifests itself in labour conflicts or strikes, employee turnover, government intervention, legal action and lawsuits and even outright sabotage or workplace violence.

CHANGE

This is the second natural force needed for business success. It is a necessity. it is that which can invole a paradigm shift. For without change there would be no progress; adapting to change is essential for survival; Change is no enemy and it must be anticipated in every organisation. change which is often called the only constant thing in life takes us out of our comfort zones and away from the safe and familiar. It is not only that, change creates a new sometimes strange way of doing things and forces us into a process that we may know nothing about or with which we have very little experience.

In other words, change may invove a paradigm shift. A paradigm as a set of rules and regulations (written or unwritten) that does two things
- establishes or defines boundaries
- tells us how to behave within the boundaries in order to be a success.
While success is measured by the problems you solve using the rules and regulations. Hence a paradigm becomes the lens through which we see the world.

Paradigm shifts are distinct form of change in that they have the potential to alter the natural order of things. It should therefore be anticipated that change is one constant, patient and anticipated Natural force that is constantly eroding the status quo in organisations. You can resist it but you will be fighting a losing battle.

NATURAL FORCES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS I

SURVIVAL
This is the most basic need, which has many faces, is unpredictable, and that has emotional costs. Survival is an innate drive in all human beings, and organisations as a whole are not different.
For employees, survival in any suggests steady employment, while for an organisation, it means maintaining operations. Once a fundamental level of survival is ensured, the next level requires feeling that the situation will continue (at least for the immediate future). Again, in the employees eyes survival simply means being able to depend on the organisation to provide jobs and paychecks for as long as they choose to remain with the organisation.
Whereas, on the part of the organisation, survival means being able not only to sustain profitability but also to improve profitability as employees know when the business is bad; they also recognise the reverse situation as well. They know when business is improving and will want their fair share of the business they helped to achieve. In certain organisations, when faced with a threat to survival, certain organisations suddenly turn into cold and cruel career executioneers sending most of their most loyal and hardworking employees into the street. it is a drive to survive that perpetrates a species just as the first stage of survival is security.

HIGHEST PRICED US STOCKS

I stumbled on this article on http://www.code4gold.com/blog and thought I should also share it here for my readers

With all the talk about Google Inc’s stock pushing upwards of the $600 mark, and no split in sight, there’s been scores of people asking the inevitable question, “Is Google the Highest Priced Stock in the US”? While Google is definitely up there in terms of price (it currently ranks #9 in the US markets) there are several stocks that far exceed Google in price per share. Of course, the eternal sage of investment philosophy, Warren Buffett (pictured at the left) tops the list with Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. but do Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, their CEO Eric Schmidt and CFO George Reyes intend to topple Warren from his post with their technological marvel ? Here’s a roll call of the 10 most costly investments available through the US markets, their exchange, basic details, website address and their current price as of 10/20/2007.
#1 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-A) $127,100 @ share - Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and it’s subsidiaries primarily engage in the insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks business.http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/
#2 Mechanics Bank (OTC BB:MCHB.OB) $19,300 @ share - The Mechanics Bank and its subsidiaries provide community banking products and services to individuals and businesses in California.http://www.mechbank.com/
#3 BERKSHIRE HATH HLD B (NYSE:BRK-B) $4324 @ share - A holding company formed by Berkshire Hathaway, whereas Warren Buffett is the major holder of BRK-A, The Gates (Bill and Melinda) Foundation is the major shareholder in BRK-B.http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/
#4 Sunwest Bank (OTC BB:SWBC.OB) $2455 @ share - Sunwest Bank provides various commercial banking products and services to small and medium sized businesses and professionals in southern California.http://www.sunwestbank.com/
#5 First National Bank Alaska (OTC BB:FBAK.OB) $2050 @ share - First National Bank Alaska operates as a commercial bank in Alaska. It engages in generating deposits and originating loans.http://www.fnbalaska.com/
#6 Seaboard Corp. (AMEX:SEB) $1743 @ share - Seaboard Corporation operates in the food processing and ocean transportation industries in the United States and internationally.http://www.seaboardcorp.com/
#7 Washington Post Co. (NYSE:WPO) $790 @ share - The Washington Post Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified media and education company in the United States and internationally.http://www.washpostco.com/
#8 First Citizens Bancorp., Inc. (OTC BB:FCBN.OB) $666 @ share - First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. and The Exchange Bank of South Carolina, Inc., which provides commercial and retail banking services.http://www.fcbsc.com/
#9 Google Inc. (NasdaqGS:GOOG) $644 @ share - Google, Inc. provides targeted advertising and Internet search solutions worldwide. It offers intranet solutions via an enterprise search appliance.http://www.google.com/
#10 CME Group, Inc. (NYSE:CME) $613 @ share - CME Group, Inc. operates as a diverse financial exchange. The company brings together buyers and sellers on the CME Globex electronic trading platform and on its trading floors.http://www.cme.com/

Fifa under 20 final

Ten-man Ghana won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 by defeating Brazil in a sudden death penalty shoot-out after the two teams failed to break the deadlock in 120 minutes of football.
The African and South American champions, who had not lost a game during the competition, keep that proud record intact, but at the end of the day, it was the Black Satellites, who followed in the footsteps of Argentina, victors at Canada 2007, in lifting the famous trophy.
Brazil had the better of the early stages and went agonisingly close to taking the lead early on when Giuliano's free-kick was put into the box and Alex Teixeira was inches away from connecting with a header. Giuliano prompted A Seleção once again, playing the ball to Paulo Henrique on the left who crossed for Alan Kardec, but his volley was wide.
Douglas stung the hands of the goalkeeper with a shot from distance, but the major talking point of the first half came in the 37th minute when David Addo was given a straight red card for a foul on Alex Teixeira, after the latter was breaking quickly on the counter attack. While the Belgian believed Addo to be the last man, the Africans protested that both Jonathan Mensah and David Addy had tracked back to cover.
Ghana, who boasted the tournament's most prolific strikeforce in Dominic Adiyiah and Ransford Osei failed to muster a single shot on goal in a stop-start opening 45 minutes, punctuated by no fewer than 17 free-kicks, yet this was not the bruising encounter those statistics may suggest.
Abeiku Quansah had a goalbound shot saved four minutes after the break, but it was a routine stop for Rafael as Brazil did most of the pressing. Alex Teixeira should have done better, but headed wide from Diogo's centre and Alan Kardec had a golden opportunity, but headed straight at Daniel Agyei from Souza's cross.
As the midway point to the second half approached, Ghana had more possession, but still Brazil looked the more dangerous. Rafael Toloi slipped a perfectly-weighted pass for Alan Kardec to latch on to, but he fired wildly into the side netting. The No9 was guilty of missing yet another chance seconds later when he planted a free header from Douglas Costa's cross over the crossbar.
There was no doubt who the 67,814 in the stadium were supporting, as there was a tremendous roar from the home fans whenever their fellow Africans crossed the halfway line and the noise levels increased further when Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu's deflected shot forced Rafael to make a fine, low save to his right.
As the half wore on, the Black Satellites seemed to increasingly get into their rhythm of playing with ten men and their attacking forays became more and more regular, while at the back they defended with tremendous spirit. They earned the right to take the tie into extra time, but there was still drama to come in the latter stages of the 90 when Andre Ayew and Rafael Toloi clashed for the ball, the latter requiring serious treatment.
With Rogerio having made all three of his substitutions, there was a distinct possibility that Brazil would have been forced to play extra time with ten men. Yet despite running with a noticeable limp, the defender continued heroically to maintain the numerical advantage for his team.
The South Americans had a glorious chance to take the lead six minutes into extra time, but Agyei pulled off a world-class save to deny Maicon, who still had his hands cupped to his mouth in disbelief for a full minute afterwards.
Agyei frustrated Wellington Junior in the second period of extra time, with a smart stop at his near post, but with some players having played 11 and a half hours during this competition, the pace of the game decreased - and the game limped into a penalty shoot-out.
That is when the fireworks began. First, Alan Kardec and Ayew and Giuliano and Inkoom traded successful penalties, but Brazil got the first advantage after seeing Douglas Costa score and Jonathan Mensah miss. Souza then had his penalty saved, but Bright Addae failed to reduce the deficit when his strike from 12 yards was comfortably claimed by Rafael.
That left Maicon with the chance of winning it for Brazil, but he blasted the chance high over the bar. Adiyiah kept his cool to take the shoot-out into sudden death. Then Agyei denied Alex Teixeira before Agyemang-Badu made the victory certain with the decisive spot-kick.

US HOUSE PASSES FOI AMENDMENT TO HIDE ABUSE PHOTOS

It is heart breaking that a country like The United States of America which professes to be the longest standing democratic state and also preaches the freedom of the press would pass a vote to sanction the hiding of photographs of abused detainees. This portends a very bad trend aspecially for developing countries like Nigeria. Nigeria would take a cue from US and may not pass the freedo of Information Bill.
It is deeply dissappointing that a government that derives its powers from the people and its entire existence( finances) from the citizenry would then want to hide its subversive flaws from its source of existence.

Money laundering in Nigeria

Michael Kaase AONDOAKAA is soiling his hand in history as the most inefficent, stupid and tracherous justice minister in the history of the nigerian political system. Even with sufficient proves, he seems to be shorthanded in prosecuting highly placed corrupt officials. I wonder what gives him impetus to remain as justice minister. The National assembly has also failed because, I guess he is enough reason to initiate impeachment processes against lame dog Umaru Musa Yaradua. The dog that is living on part time with rabies.

Above you find money stolen by Aandokaa's friend James Ibori. Mr. Aandokaa in order to get the Metropolitan police to drop the case, had to travel to London to remind the british government of a treaty which has hitherto not been functional without recourse to the office of the Foreign minister. I wonder where this treaties lie when Nigerians in malaysia, Indonesia, China are being put on death row. I believe what is best for this foolish man is for him to be stoned to death. Imagine the quantum money stolen by James Ibori, you could even lay the foundation of a house with it as building material.

The attorney General should be cut from limb to limb

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The price Nigerians Pay for being patient

When the tyrant General Sani Abacha died, no body not even of his supreme ruling council lifted an eye brow talk less of calling for the investigation into circumstances surrounding his death. Before him, there were many uninvestigated deaths and after him there have been more. The most recent of a state sponsored killing is that of the Boko Haram. The government labelled them militants and anti western culture. Simple civil law states that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, so what led to the assasination of the leader of the Boko Haram group, his family members, his mother and most especially his innocent children. I think if Yaradua wants to die, he shouldn't be going to his grave with human heads. I think this image calls for the immediate resignation of the President. Check out the interview just before he was assassinated on sahara reporters

Evaluating your investment

There are many investment strategies that can be used in the capital market but there are certain characteristics to look for in any plan. Before developing a strategy for investing, you must have a set of critreria for judging if it is a good plan or not. The following nine criteria can be used to judge if it is a good plan or not.
　
Let gains run their course but cuts losses
This is a necessary element for any god plan of investing, especially the part of letting gains run their to their full potential. as well as a portfolio is well diversified, you can make the mistake of holding on to your losers, but you should not make the mistake of prematurely cashing on your winners. since we expect our gains over long periods to exceed 100% of our initial investment, the amount of damage that could be done for cutting our winning stocks far surpasses the damage we can get for failing to cut our losses.
A lot has been said on when to cut losses. some analysts believe losses should be cut at 10% while others feel 5% is preferable. But these two positions are rather too short and does not allow a good stock enough room for normal day to day fluctuation. Also at 5-10%, it is easy to get bumped out of a sock only to have it recover and begin soaring again without you being on board.

Aim never to lose more than 5% of your total portfolio on a single stock position
If you aim not to lose more than 5% of your cash on any one position, it will take a long string of uniterrupted losses in order to seriously deplete your portfolio capital. There is nothing magical about the number 5 but the point is that you should greatly minimise your losses so that it does not affect your portfolio. Even in bears, it is improbable that all of your positions would drop to your sell point.

Gradual entry into major positions as long as the positions remain profitable
it is inevitable that any system which attempts to let gains run will eventually build some large positions in a few stocks as the stocks grow in value. this is a good way to develop a large position. Also it is OK to build a position by adding to the position as it advances in value. In fact most professional add to their stock holding as the price moves in their favour.In this way, they maximise the the potential reward for holding a particular stock or basket of stocks. However, some approach makes an investor to plunge a large amount of his capital into and out of the market all at one time. this type of approach must be avoided at all cost. it is risky to enter into any market all at once because it maximises your ability to lose a lot of money in a hurry. One poor timing decision can result in a loss of a large percentage of your capital and those depletion of your capital really hurts your portfolio.


Minimal chance of a large loss from any one position
This is an adjunct to #2, as the gradual entry into a position is a means for minimising the chance of loss from a single bad decision. Again it cannot be over emphasised that massive loss of capital should be avoided at all cost. ideally, no stock should form more than 25% of your total portfolio value.
Clear, predetermmined criteria for initiating, adding to, or liquidating a position
In the heat of battle when you are dealing with your hard earned money, the instruction from your system must be as clear as crystal. if not you'll find yourself making judgement calls that relieve short-termstress, and yet are poor long term decisions.Precise and unambiguous signals and marching orders are the best way to head off the the effects of euphoria and fear. You may still feel these emotions but as long as your system is sound and you adhere to it fastiduously, everything would turn out well. Set exit and entry positions early in the game
Sell a stock once it begins to underperform
While we want to make sure we have a means of riding a stock's trend for as long as it can go, when it becomes clear that the trend is beginning to profoundly weaken or even reverse, we need to have a system which allows for selling the stoclk we can redeploy capital to greener pastures
　
Maximum Naira invested in biggest winners
If a strategy allowsus to build a large position in an issue that is lagging or even losing money for us, there is nothing seriously wrong with that strategy. A successful strategy has to ensure that ourbiggest investments are in our best stoccks not in the worst. Restructure your portfolio as often as the market allows especially during bull markets

Minimum naira invested in losers/ underperformers
This is the converse of#7. it is interesting to note that the only way you can accomplish having too much invested in a lose is to either plunge into it all at once and fail to cut your losses or add to a losing position once it is established as a loser

Not time consuming to maintain
This is important because tim is your most valuable asset after your mind and probably is short supply as well
　

Patience as a virtue in investing

Most successful market beating investing strategies tell you to buy the right company, pay the right price and wait for the market to realise your foresight.
These strategies in themselves are great- take for instance the first that says you should buy the right companies- Isn't this the obective of every investor. the second also advises that you pay the right price- how do you establish the right price?
With the third, there is a little problem while you are waiting, it is your maoney that is at risk in the period.

From the time you make your purchase to the time your investments workout; the market would have its own ideas as to how much your companies are worth. Obviously, there would be times it doesn't agree with you.


It has been said that patience is a virtue in investing. However when you are looking at a sharp drop in price so after buying a stock, it is tough to be patient without having irregular heartbeats. Fortunately, there is a way of reducing all the anxiety by insisting on being paid while you wait. this is by buying companies that pay their owners well via dividends and look most likely to continue.This way even if it takes a while for the market to catch up with your thinking, atleast you are getting some cash for your efforts. However, there is a caveat here, to beat the market over the long haul, those businesses must be backed up with solid businesses and staying power. if a company has an attractive yield but a weak business, the dividends would surely cease. Therefore, the business must pay attention to the business behind the stockin order to be in a position to know when the dividend is at a risk.
In spite of this, patience is needed throughout the cycle of any investment ie at the entry(buying), holding and sale(exit). Lets now consider the role of patience in these scenarios.

Waiting for Entry
The investment process usually starts with determining an acceptable entry position for an identified stock. With this in mind, you are expected to wait for the price to reach your target entry point. Unfortunately, rather than moving towards the price, the stock hovers far above your stated position. This ordinarily pushes you to panic. and buy at a price higher than what your strategy dictates. Having done your homework and developed a plan,emotions can undermine your capacity to achieve your long term goals, hence the need to focus on the long term objective. It has been proven that impatient investors who violate their disciplined plan usually ended down the path of ruination.
Following a predetrmined strategy keeps the emotional side of investing at bay. Waiting for the right entry point is the essential characteristic of every successful investor.


Searching for winning positions
Patience in investing is similar to that experienced on the high seas while fishing. There are many fish in the sea and it is not essential to catch every fish that comes your net's way.It is important to note that there are many investment oppurtunities in the market, so the difficulty is not so much in finding oppurtunities but in making sure they fit into your sset plan.
The fact is that catching those few that meet your criteria is the mostimportant objective. It is vital that you concern yourself with good entry points while making sure that you have defined exit points. Having done this, even if the stock deviates from your set plan and you are sure for the underlying reasons for buying, dont panic, BE
PATIENT.

Though on the contrary, there are times that inspite of your faithfulness and patience, the price of your stock barely moves. With this it is important to re-examine your analysis of the stock. In many cases, this may be as a result of the market's interest in other sectors at the time being and this also buttresses the need for patience.



By and large, most of investing is psychological; therefore exhibiting patience at entry points and having patience

while an investment position develops are integral parts to successful investing. Moreso, investing in stocks with

good and consistent dividend pay-out history and being rewarded with numerous dividend while you wait is a plus in

this wise. Therefore, the key to success is to find the right company at the right price. in this case, the right

companies are those that have a strong underlying business; have a history of paying their owners well; and trade

at a decent price when compared to their underlying worth.

Debt recovery solutions

Debt recovery is the collection of overdue debts. Whther a person owes money or is expecting payment, several key points can ensure the best experience possible. Understandingboth sides of the proverbial coin creates a stronger knowledge base in either instance. Debt recovery solutions may include learning how to write a better contract for business, but more importantly, it helps the client understand the position the business owner is stuck in. Compassion instigates creativity in matters of how money is spent. If a case describing the human-like characteristics a business owner has is conceptualised, then more often than not the money appears.
　
On the other hand, when a person cannot come up with the money required to pay a bill and serviceshave been rendered in full, honesty is the best route. financial hardships occur out of nowhere and honesty brings out the most compassionate trait even in the most serious of businessmen. However, honesty has to come from a decent understanding of personal finance. Debtors have to open their financial lives up to the people they owe money to.
debt recovery system can mean consolidation, elimination, building credit or negotiation. Understanding all these concepts enables the consumers to make the right situational decision concerning debt recovery solutions.
Consolidation of debts means paying off all the debts with a loan and making one simple payment each month. This makes the process less overwhelming,difficult and helps build credit at the same time. Sometimes, the same debt recovery services that offer consolidation also offer elimination and / or negotiation services. though this sounds tempting to simply get rid of debts, it is however not ethical nor good for credit rating. In some cases the action is worse than not paying at all. this will all depend on the credit and the attitude of the creditor at the time of the application. Although the results can be unpredictable, the best thing to do is to work hard for the best credit history as possible.
　
In regards to companies trying to collect money owed them, remember that unexpected circumstances happen even to the most well laid plans. that being said, it is not unreasonable to expect payment according to a contract. spending time with a client before starting a project in order to determine how trustworthy their word is. If any doubt remains, then clever ways to alter a contract may be required to better ensure payment when desired. likewise, not pressuring someone into more than they contracted for increases the chances of getting paid. Wanting more than a person can afford is normal but if this decision determines whether a bill collector gets paid at all, then consider the most realistic approach.

HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS CHEAPLY
First check out
It is ridiculous for anyone smart enough to be in business not to make routine credit checks. There is no point chasing a debtor with summons when there is nothing there. You'll get plenty of legal actions but you'll pay for them all by yourself and the debtor would not be touched.

Then get it in writing
the more you get in writing, the stronger your hand would be if the debtor goes badly and if you decide to go to court, your case would be tight( yo'll not need to because the debtor realises that his position is too weak.

Have a credit management system
how much documentation you use and what sort depnds on the size of your business, how much bad experience you,ve had with debtors, how much you know about credit management, how tolerant your customers are about signing papers. and a host of other things. one very important thing is to have a right credit management system. whether or not you like it, if your credit management is wrong, it'll come back to thump you. if you get it right, you'll get your money almost every time.
There are various ways of getting your clients to pay up on time. however despite your best efforts, you may find that some still end up paying late. if this happens, you should get in contact with them to resolve the issue and review your procedures to reduce the possibility of customers paying late again in future. note that you have right to charge interest and/ or debt recovery costs for late payment. you can exercise these right at your discretion.
You can take a non court action in debt recovery which may involve a collecting agency, solicitor, or an accountant. A court action may be your last resort. keep an eye on cash flow to allow you avoid insolvency and do not allow debts to exceed assets

Paris and Berlin out of recession

Fresh signs of a nascent economic recovery came from hard-hit Europe on Thursday, with Germany and France unexpectedly becoming the first major industrialized nations to officially pull out of the global recession. Though their recoveries were modest by virtually any standard and may yet stall in the months ahead, the surprising bounce back to growth in Europe's largest economies comes on the heels of steadily rising economic optimism across the globe.
Analysts are pointing to improving indicators in the United States, China and even Japan, the world's second-largest economy, which some observers predict is set to announce its own return to growth in the coming days. Though a host of other European economies -- including Britain, Italy and Spain -- are still mired in one of the worst recessions in generations, contractions are moderating even in many of those nations, an indication that they too may be close to rebounding. It underscores, analysts say, how ramped-up government stimulus spending around the globe appears to be having at least some of its desired effects.
A significant rebound in the global economy could both help and hurt the United States. Growth abroad could fuel an eagerly anticipated uptick in U.S. exports, boosting the manufacturing sector and potentially channeling more investment into U.S. soil. Yet too quick an increase in global demand could spark a painful price spike for commodities such as oil, driving up inflation before the United States and other nations have fully emerged from recession.
In the United States, the Federal Reserve this week signaled that it sees the American recession easing. The central bank said that it will begin pulling back from two years of unprecedented intervention in the economy this October. Even countries that were spiraling downward only a few months ago, such as South Korea, appear to be on more stable ground. The International Monetary Fund this week predicted that the South Korean recession, while severe, may not be as deep this year as originally thought.
The turnaround in Germany and France drove up major stock indexes from Seoul to Paris to Moscow on Thursday, while the euro gained more ground against the dollar. The Dow Jones closed up 36.58 points, to 9398.19. "We don't know whether these numbers are going to hold out in the long run, but they do seem to indicate that we're reaching a bottom a lot sooner than we thought," said Raj Badiani, senior economist for IHS Global Insight in London. "It looks like the worst might be over."
Yet analysts including Badiani caution that it is still far too early, and that the indicators remain too weak, to declare the global recession dead. Recent gains, particularly in Europe, mask the still-ample threat of more pain ahead.
In Germany, economic activity jumped 0.3 percent from April to June compared with the previous three months after a 3.5 percent quarterly contraction in the beginning of the year. Though detailed economic data have yet to be released, the rebound in the second quarter there, analysts said, came partly from consumer spending related to government-sponsored programs, such as a cash for clunkers plan, that are set to expire soon.
In addition, the German government so far has cushioned job losses through state-sponsored corporate incentives that are also due to run out, leading many analysts to predict a further surge in the unemployment rate there in months ahead.
France also reported growth of 0.3 percent in the quarter.
Economists also do not discount a fresh wave of bank rescues in Europe, where financial officials are still under pressure to do more to force the cleanup of balance sheets at ailing institutions. Recent signs of recovery will also be tested if, as many observers predict, unemployment rates across Europe continue to edge higher.
With many analysts also predicting a "jobless recovery" in the United States, such as the one following the 2001 recession, a projected global turnaround later this year may be more visible in statistical calculations than in consumer pocketbooks around the world.
Though Germany and France may have exited their yearlong recessions, Europe as a whole is still struggling. Economic activity across the 16 member nations that use the euro fell by 0.1 percent in the second quarter, the European statistical office reported Thursday. The drop was less than predicted by most economists, but it signals that the deep recession that started in Europe in the first half of 2008 continues. Just Wednesday, the European statistical office also reported that June industrial production fell 0.6 percent from a month earlier while the unemployment rate climbed to a 10-year high of 9.4 percent.
Yet optimists were taking heart on signs that Germany and France -- now statistically ahead of the United States in the race toward recovery -- were aided in the quarter from April to June by recovering global demand for everything from German-made power plants to French cheese. In both nations, exports, which had fallen off a cliff in recent months, either ceased their precipitous fall or edged upward.
Those are among the strongest signs yet, analysts say, that robust growth in China and a budding recovery in the United States may finally be pumping life back into world trade, which suffered its worst declines since World War II recently.
"They are good signs, but not yet conclusive," said Janet Henry, chief European economist for HSBC in London. "We still have to wait and see."

The Nigerian stock exchange

I have realised with dismay the frustration one has to get before one gets information about activities on the floor of the stock exchange. I recently visited the site of the NSE and realised that to get information about daily trades, I must be a subscriber with a minimum annual fee of N15000. I then decidedd to visit the NASDAQ and amazingly, I didn't see any login nor subscription link.
I don't know when this corruption would stop