scholarship positions

2013 Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students, University of Sydney, Australia 
2013 University of Sydney Achievers International Scholarships for International Undergraduate Students.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

2012 Bournemouth University Kaplan International College Diploma in Business and Management Scholarship, UK 
Undergraduate Scholarship for International Students in the field of Business and Management  at Bournemouth University, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Business and.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013-2014 Doctoral Research Scholarships Program for International Students at Québec University, Canada 
Research Fund of Quebec – Nature and Technology funded Doctoral Research Scholarships Program for International Students in the fields of Natural.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Eberhard Wenze Scholarship for International Public Health at Griffith University, Australia 
Honours and Masters Scholarship Programme in Public Health for Australian and International Students at Griffith University, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Public.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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International Student Study Abroad Scholarship for Undergraduate and Graduate Students, 2012-2013 
Ohio University offers Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate international students planning to study abroad during winter break or spring semester.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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PhD Scholarship for International Students at TUMS, Iran 
Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) offers PhD scholarship for International students, Iran Study Subject(s):Courses offered by university Course Level:PhD.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Continental Awards, Uganda 
African Union Commission offers Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Continental Awards for African scientists from African Union AU Member States in the.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Bursary Award, South Africa 
Undergraduate Bursary award in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the applicants of South Africa, 2013 South Africa.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 DAAD Research Scholarship for Egyptian, Germany 
DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service offers scholarship for Egyptian researchers for Bilateral Exchange of Academics program, Germany 2013 Study Subject(s):Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Creative Bioscience Fitness Scholarship for US Citizens, USA 
Creative Bioscience offers Fitness Scholarship for US Undergraduate and Graduate students, USA 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by university Course Level:Undergraduate.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Kat Montagu Scholarship at Vancouver Film School, Canada 
Vancouver Film School offers Kat Montagu Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students in the VFS Writing for Film & Television program,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 BNET Commonwealth Fellowship, Nigeria 
Research Fellowship for the citizens of any Commonwealth country (except Nigeria) at University of Ibadan, 2013 Nigeria Study Subject(s):Courses offered.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Richmond GI Bill Scholarship for US Undergraduate Students, UK 
Richmond University offers Richmond GI Bill Scholarship for US Undergraduate Students, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the University Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Scholarships for Rwandan Students 
Scholarships are the funds for the students which help them to move towards their academic career without any obstacle. Around.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Estonia Scholarship 
Various financial aids are offered for hurdle free education to students like scholarships, grants, awards, loans etc. Estonian government provide many.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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The Cranfield MBA Scholarship for Women Applicants, 2012 UK 
Full time and Executive MBA Scholarship for women applicants in the field of Business administration at Cranfield University, 2012 UK Study Subject(s):Business.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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ESPODs: EBI-Sanger Postdoctoral Fellowships Programme, 2012 UK 
Postdoctoral Fellowships Research in Experimental (wet-lab) and computational (dry-lab) approaches at EMBL-EBI & Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, 2012 UK Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013-2014 The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program for Irish and EU Citizens, USA 
Fulbright Commission offers Visiting Scholar Program for Irish and EU Citizens, USA 2013-2014 Study Subject(s):Any Subject Course Level:Research Scholarship Provider:.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Aileen Plant Memorial Scholarship for Australian Students at Curtin University, Australia 2012 
Curtin University offers Aileen Plant Memorial Scholarship for Australian Students in the field of Health Sciences, Australia 2012 Study Subject(s):Health.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 School of Media Dean’s Scholarship at Bournemouth University, UK 
Postgraduate Scholarship in Media School for Home/EU Students at Bournemouth University, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the Media School.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Km Hatano Scholarships for Undergraduate Students at Griffith University, Australia 2013 
Griffith University offers Km Hatano Scholarships for Undergraduate Australian Students, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the university Course Level:Undergraduate.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Department of Curriculum & Kinesiology Scholarship at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, USA 2012 
Texas A&M University-San Antonio offers Scholarship for Graduate Students in field of Early Childhood, Bilingual, Kinesiology, Reading, Special Education, USA.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Griffith Business School Honours Scholarship for Undergraduate Students, Australia 2012 
Griffith University offers Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in field of Business, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Business Course Level:Undergraduate Scholarship Provider: Griffith.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 University of Waikato Academic Merit School Leaver Scholarship, New Zealand 
University of Waikato offers Academic Merit School Leaver Scholarship for Undergraduate Students, New Zealand 2013 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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NIHR/CNO Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship, UK 2012 
National Institute for Health Research offers Fellowship for Doctoral Research Students, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the university Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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PhD Studentship in Nematology at Ghent University, 2012 Belgium 
Ghent University offers Doctorate Studentship in the Department of Biology, 2012 Belgium Study Subject(s):Biology Course Level:PhD Scholarship Provider: Ghent University.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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PhD Studentship in Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Ghent University, Belgium 
Doctoral studentship in the field of Applied Economics: Business Engineering or a Psychology or Educational Sciences at Ghent University, 2012.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Student Position in Nanomagnetism at University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
PhD Student Position in Nanomagnetism at Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC), University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg 2012 Study Subject(s):Nanomagnetism.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013-2014 Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship at Harvard University, USA 
Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship for Graduate Australian students to study at Harvard University in the United States, 2013/14 USA Study Subject(s):Courses.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Student Position in Economics at University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg 
PhD Student Position in Economics with a specialization in Microeconomics at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance of the.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Aileen Plant Memorial Scholarship at Curtin University, Australia 
Scholarship Undergraduate, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Health Sciences for Australian Citizen at Curtin University, Australia 2012 Study Subject(s):Health Sciences.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Daniel Tucker Scholarship for Undergraduate Students at Curtin University, Australia 2012 
Daniel Tucker Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in Mining industry or related specialist fields at Curtin University, Australia 2012 Study Subject(s):Mining.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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PhD Position in Developmental Psychopathology at Radboud University, 2012 Netherlands 
Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University  offers Doctoral Position in the field of Behavioural Science, Psychology or Educational Science, 2012.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Studentships in Atomic Layer Interface Engineering for Nanoelectronics at Newcastle University, UK 
School of Electrical Electronic Engineering, Newcastle University funded PhD Studentship in Atomic Layer Interface Engineering for Nanoelectronics program, UK 2012.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 National Scholarship Programme at the University of Worcester, UK 
The University of Worcester offers National Scholarship Programme for undergraduate students, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the University Course.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 MBA Scholarship for UK Students at Ashridge Business School, UK 
Ashridge Business School offers MBA  and Executive MBA Scholarship for UK Students, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):MBA, Executive MBA Course Level:Master.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Gordon Chapman PhD Scholarship in Speech Language Therapy at Newcastle University, UK 
Newcastle University offers Gordon Chapman PhD scholarship for UK/EU students  in Speech Language Therapy, UK 2012 Study Subject(s):Speech Language Therapy.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2013 Griffith Business School Masters with Honours Scholarship, Australia 
Masters with Honours Scholarship for Australian Citizens at Griffith Business School, Australia 2013 Study Subject(s):Courses offered by Griffith Business School.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Orion Awards for Excellence in Computer Science at University of Auckland, New Zealand 2012-2013 
University of Auckland offers Orion Awards for Excellence in Computer Science for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students, New Zealand 2012-13 Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Higher Education Multicultural Scholarship Program (MSP), USA 2012 
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program in the field of Food and Agriculture,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Kwi Am Choi Scholarship for Secondary and Post Secondary Students, Canada 2013 
Port Moody Arts Centre Society offers Scholarship for Secondary and Post Secondary Students in the field of Fine Art, Canada.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 PhD Studentship in Population Dynamics of Aquatic Ectotherms at Radboud University, Netherlands 
2012 Doctoral Studentship in the Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology at Radboud University, Netherlands Study Subject(s):Population Dynamics of Aquatic.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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2012 Research Assistant Position at University College London, UK 
NIHR-HTA funded Research Assistant Position in ACTIONS and AMICUS Studies at the Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London,.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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The Randall McDonald Memorial Scholarship for Aboriginal Health Research, Australia 2012 
Curtin University offers Randall McDonald Memorial Scholarship for Postgraduate Research Students in the field of Health Sciences, Australia 2012 Study.. [Read Full Scholarship Detail]

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Bishop Kukah speaks out on the insecurity of the country

The Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that Nigeria is at a very difficult stage and running out of time because of the current security happenings in the nation.

Speaking in Abuja  at the National Summit on the Freedom of Information Act , with the theme  “Ensuring the Effective Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act”, which started in Abuja yesterday, Bishop Kukah said those who are pushing  the country to the precipice are determined  to start a war that will be irreversible - a war between Christians and Muslims.

The cleric said he was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Nigeria was running out of time because of what is happening. According to him, it may be convenient for many of us to say it does not matter if  northerners kill themselves  because the battle is only taking place in the north, but “many of us who have been voices of restraint no longer know what to say. This country is ours to build and  construct, and how we are going to reclaim our lost glory and  make Nigeria marketable again requires more than just moral exhortation”.

He also said  that Nigerians could have seen a time like this coming as it was manifested many years ago when people who had no commitment to Islam began pretending about wanting to live under the Sharia’h law. Quoting from Lamido’s timeline, he said, “Are we Christians to stop worshipping or am I going to live in a country where every Sunday when I am going to church I have to look behind. Or the Christian question is: how long is this going to go on and, like Lamido said, is it going to cost the bombing of the mosques before we wake up? Is it really the case that we are going to continue to remain like this?” 

Bishop Kukah lamented that, even though the country is passing through very tough times  with enough blame to pass around, President Jonathan may not be responsible for what is happening, but  because he has been entrusted with the key  he is worried  about the future of the country.

He said, “I have been on the voice of those saying this is not about religion and I still believe so,  but many of us are running out of time and ideas because, clearly, the security of this country is in the hands of the president who is under a national security agency and, actually, life is becoming very cheap”.

He called on media houses to adopt high-quality reportage and editorials on current happenings and available information so that policy makers can adopt reports or editorials to become part and parcel of public policies. Media houses, he added, should be responsible for the training of journalists and must go beyond just allowing journalists to fend for themselves.

Meanwhile, country representative of  PACT , Dr. Audu Liman, in his welcome remarks, said Nigeria as a country had passed the FoI in May 2011 after years of advocacy  and demand but not much has happened in  one year after the signing at all levels of government.

He said even after setting up inter-ministerial committees at all levels, the work of the committee  remains very opaque  as there appears to be no consultations with interest groups in developing such strategy and also not taking public institutions at the states and local governments into account.

Liman said: “The FoI Act is one important bill that, when effectively implemented, will take our country over the threshold we currently stand. Despite various challenges, there are a number of issues that should make us proud as Nigerians.”

According to him, Nigerians  as a people can make this country great if and only if they can do the right things, but while there are many things that can be done in order of priority, “our biggest challenge is corruption”.

Paper presentations were made by the attorney-general of the federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN); MD/CEO, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Mr. Ehi E. Okoyomon; governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, among others.

A member of the House of Representatives Abike Dabiri in a brief remark said: “We have given you this law, it is left for everyone of us to ensure its implementation. The fact is that the power is in the hands of Nigerians. We have to join hands to fight corruption and make things work and not leave it in the hands of a few. If we do not implement it, we are only paying lip service to fighting corruption.”

culled from naijapundit.com

We are at war with Christians

Wearing a bullet proof vest and sandwiched between two AK-47s, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, the radical Islamic sect responsible for the death of over 500 people in 2011 alone can be seen in a video released earlier today listing the group's grievances against the Nigerian state and President Jonathan. Also mentioned by name is the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, whom the group singled out for condemnation after his call on Christians to protect themselves which call he made after the Christmas Day bomb attack at the St. Theresa's Catholic Church at Madalla, near the Federal Capital Territory. In the video, Abubakar Shekau boasted that the security agencies could not vanquish his group. It may be recalled that President Jonathan had himself admitted that the sect had infiltrated all arms of government including the security forces. Speaking further in the 15 minute video, Mr. Shekau said the group could only hold talks with the government in accordance with the teachings of Islam. He declared war on all Christians (presumably those living in Nigeria) "We are also at war with Christians because the whole world knows what they did to us," Shekau said that "the group's recent successes is an indication that they in the right path." In the video, Shekau took out time to single out Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as the object of the group's hatred and took offense to his call on Christians to defend themselves. Shekau spoke in Hausa throughout the video.

The Video has been removed from youtube for violating their terms of service

CBN Governor's chieftaincy title saga

The CBN Governor was persuaded by employees of the CBN to wear his chieftaincy robe says the spokesman of the apex Bank. CBN spokesman Ugo Okoroafor said the apex bank’s governor was “not on duty’’ the day he appeared in office in the regalia. He said, “For the avoidance of doubt we want to use this medium to state that the CBN Governor was on a short break, and was not on duty on the said day. “Malam Sanusi flew into Abuja after the ceremony and when staff got wind of his presence they persuaded him to pass through the office so that they could see the new Dan Maje.”

SHOOT AT SIGHT ORDER IN KADUNA

From naijapudits.com As the death toll from today’s sectarian violence in Kaduna State continues to climb, law enforcement officers have been given orders to shoot any perpetrators of violence at sight. Two senior police sources in Kaduna told media that more than 50 people have lost their lives in a spate of attacks and counter attacks by Muslims and Christians precipitated by bomb attacks at several churches in Kaduna and Zaria. “The government wants us not to announce the real number of those killed, but I can assure you that more than fifty lives have been lost,” said one source. He added that hundreds of people had been wounded. Another source added that people in most parts of the state were observing the curfew, but added that the level of tension remains “very high.” Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna had earlier declared a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect. Mr. Yakowa said it become imperative to declare the curfew considering the need to avoid escalation of violence. However, one of our police sources said that the order came after irate Christians had already taken to various streets in pursuit of Muslim targets. Governor Yakowa has condemned the multiple bombs that targeted Christian worshipers this morning in the state. Mr. Yakowa also warned against reprisal attacks. He threatened that security operatives would deal with those seeking to take the law into their hands. The governor’s statement, released by his media aide, Reuben Buhari, condemned “the unfortunate bombing of three churches in Wusasa in Zaria Local Government, Sabon Gari LG and Trikania, Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State.” In declaring a curfew, the statement added: “In view of the incidents and the need to have complete normalcy and to forestall further break down of law and order, the State Government has imposed a 24 hour curfew in the whole state. The curfew hours start with immediate effect until further notice.” The statement regretted any inconveniences caused to residents of the state by the “drastic measure.” Even so, the governor defended his action as a step “to avert further loss of lives and property in the state.” Mr. Yakowa’s statement pleaded with the residents of Kaduna State to “ignore various mischievous texts messages currently in circulation.” It was also learnt that the text messages galvanized members of both Islamic and Christian faiths to do battle with “common enemies.”

email wars between D banj and Don jazzy

Warring founders of Mo’Hits, Don Jazzy and D’banj, are throwing barbs at each other as they move to divest their investments and interests in the label, a confidential email correspondence between them has revealed.

If you are one of those who still think that the fallout of Mo’Hits founders, D’banj and Don Jazzy, is a rumour which will dissipate in no time, you probably still live in the past. In fact, in order to make the future safe from the past, the duo is already formalising plans to share their assets especially on the ownership of the mouth-watering Mo’Hits catalogue comprising all D’banj’s albums (No Long Thing, Rundown Funk U Up and The Entertainer), Wande Coal’s Mushin to Mo’Hits and The Mo’Hits Crew All Stars’ album, Curriculum Vitae among others. Thus, as you read, Mo’Hits is only waiting for legal certification before it is pronounced dead. And the pallbearers are already waiting in the flanks to ferry the remains of the beloved label to its final resting place, bringing to a painful end the reign and run of the successful label.

In the meantime, the Mo’Hits crew has been divided, as the two figures in the unfolding drama are moving out with their different disciples: D’banj’s younger brother, K-Switch, understandably, goes with him while Wande Coal, Dr Sid and D’Prince have settled for Don Jazzy. The future of the label’s artiste manager, Sunday Are, is unknown. Long before the separation became public knowledge, D’banj and Don Jazzy were no longer on speaking terms, an authoritative source tells E-Punch.

Neither do they see eye to eye. In fact, at their last concert in New York in February, they only met on stage because each artiste had his own cubicle. Rather, they communicate via email only when necessary. In a confidential email correspondence between the former collaborators, exclusively obtained by E-Punch, the sordid details that might have led to their break up are veiled, but the bitterness-laced correspondences are open about their claims for the assets of Mo’Hits especially the catalogues of all the artistes.

D’banj must pay all the debts of Mo’Hits – Don Jazzy

In regards to D’banj’s claim for 100 percent ownership of all songs recorded under the Mo’Hits imprint, the acclaimed producer in an email on March 17th, states, “That Mo’Hits Records does not already own 100 per cent of the songs. Note that Mo’Hits Records only owns 60 per cent of the songs and 40 per cent belongs to the individual artiste. So, 40 per cent of the songs is not mine to give.” He continues, “That me (I am) giving him (D’banj) my share of the catalogue does not and will never include him having the right to stop them (the artistes) from performing the songs or give him the right to claim any monies for live performances of these songs. And any loans or debt owed by Mo’Hits records as at today will be cleared by Mr D’banj as I am clearly not aware of any.”

Don Jazzy states further that the catalogues he is releasing to his former partner only consists of songs already released in an album exempting new singles and unreleased materials. “So, songs like Wande Coal’s Go Low and Been Long You Saw Me are not part of this catalogue he is receiving. Also, an artiste like D’Prince, not only has he not released any album, he has not signed any contract whatsoever with Mo’Hits Records. That he has no right to claim any monies for deals that have been brokered already as at today with the catalogues or stop their usage. It is important to note that any unreleased songs done by any artiste (including D’banj and K-Switch) MUST NOT be released and is not part of the catalogue I am giving away.”

He adds, “With these few points, I do hope that you all realise that I have been generous enough to facilitate the End of the “D’banj & Don Jazzy” era as a team. After this new deal has been signed and sealed, I do NOT look forward to seeing an email whatsoever or hearing from the DKM (D’banj, K-Switch, Mo’Hits) crew, and all is well again.”

Will you return the Bentley I bought for you? – D’banj

Same day, D’banj responded to the email, stating, “In case he (Don Jazzy) forgot, this is the arrangement! 50/50—–song writer/ production, which means for a song X for artiste Y, 75 per cent as per production is fully owned by Mo’Hits and writing is shared 25/25 with the individual artiste co- writing. So, that’s the deal! So him (sic) saying 40 per cent is not his to give away is more like 75per me and 25per each artiste.”

He then asks, “What do you mean by any bills or loans would be cleared by Mr. D’banj? That will never happen because when I ran the company, I ran it perfectly and well. So, if I give him my shares he is left with 100 per cent liability. My catalogue is everything that has been done with the Mo’Hits system and under the normal agreement we have, that means everything I have recorded or that has been recorded whether new or old, or even classic, whether beat with concept or even idea without beats, anything we did as a team and sponsored by me throughout, then, it is mine. Including K-switch clause and all mine and even Wande’s singles and all till the date of signing even today.”

Continuing, D’banj writes, “And now, (I) wanna clear the air on this Samsung deal! I would expect by now that you understand that me keeping quiet is being GENEROUS because this is a deal structured under Mo’Hits Records, (and it is) the first deal and income you would ever bring into the company in eight years. We shared the first 150k (One hundred and fifty thousand dollars) the right way, 1/3 down and that was cool. But after you collected another 130k and did not say anything (that) is and could be described as theft! I only refused to contact them (Samsung) directly because of your reputation. But please don’t call me a fool and let’s know who is generous!” D’banj was not coy about his anger. He states that after sharing over N1bn with Don Jazzy in their Mo’Hits days, he was shocked that the producer would now sideline him when he got the balance from Samsung.’’

D’banj writes further, “Please, please, will he (Don Jazzy) return the Bentley because I bought it for him and it was N5.2m more than mine? And Prince that he claims has no signed contract but is actively involved and signed via engagement– I win his catalogue too – all recorded whether released now or not! This is because no one questioned me when I bought D’Prince N11m naira car (LR3/Range) without releasing any album just to boost the image of the boy and it worked for him! So, let’s get the facts straight, I AM BEING MORE THAN GENEROUS.”

Good music deal and other issues

After Don Jazzy inferred on twitter that the end might have come for Mo’Hits, E-Punch reliably gathers that D’banj was prevailed upon by close friends and associates not to talk despite being aggrieved that his lifelong friend had painted him black before the public. But the hyperactive entertainer, the source says, may have reached his tether’s end and any moment from now would reveal to the world all that went wrong between him and Don Jazzy. Part of what he will talk about, E-Punch learns, will dwell on the genesis of their separation and the point at which Don Jazzy advised that they did away with Mo’Hits and concentrate on their GOOD Music deal. “It was D’banj who prevailed on him that even if they were going to concentrate on their deal with Kanye, they didn’t need to do away with Mo’Hits,” says the source. When the deal with GOOD Music sailed through, Don Jazzy was signed on as a producer while D’banj was the artiste. By virtue of how the American music system works, producers are only meant to be heard not seen. So, the source says further, “Kanye and D’banj and the other guys were always going out leaving behind the producers, including Don Jazzy, which didn’t go down well with him. After some time, D’banj noticed this and to placate him, he bought both of them a Bentley each. Further, he also bought a house in Atlanta, equipped with high tech studio equipment so that Don Jazzy could be working mostly from their new home but he was not appeased as he felt that he was being outshined by D’banj.”

On the other hand, Don Jazzy allegedly told his close associates that the reason he decided to part ways with D’banj was because of an alleged arrogance which was impacting negatively on the other artistes. Long before Mo’Hits evolved, they were friends before becoming partners, putting up with each other’s shortcomings but fame and money have combined to becloud their tolerance of each other.

Action Congress of Nigeria has asked the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan for admitting openly that he solicited “a bribe” from a foreign construction company, in violation of the Constitution that he swore to uphold.In a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said commencing the impeachment proceedings would enable the National Assembly to investigate the matter and also reach the appropriate conclusions, saying the President, by his own admission and without any prompting, had thumbed his nose at the constitution.The statement read in part, “To know the gravity of the President’s self admission of soliciting the church ‘gift’ from the Managing Director of Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited, one needs to understand Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for Public officers embodied in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (CAP C15) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.“The Act states: ‘A public officer shall not ask for or accept any property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties. For the purposes of subsection (1) of this subsection, the receipt by a public officer of any gifts or benefits from commercial firms, business enterprises or persons who have contracts with the Government shall be presumed to have been received in contravention…unless the contrary is proved’.”ACN said by his improper and unfortunate action, the President had also undermined the country’s fight against corruption and put Nigeria’s democracy in jeopardy, and must not be allowed to get away with such an egregious act.The party said, “Gitto has obtained contracts worth billions from the Nigerian government, amid reported allegations in the media that it has not executed such contracts well. How can the Federal Government hold the company to account, when it (firm) has obtained an ‘insurance cover’ by bribing the President? Is this not why the country’s anti-corruption efforts have not achieved anything? Can the EFCC and the ICPC honestly and boldly fight corruption when the President is knee-deep in the mud of corruption?”ACN added, “By openly and gleefully saying, at the inauguration of the church at his Otuoke hometown, that ‘the managing director of Gitto made him a promise to build and donate the church to Otuoke community after he (the president) had complained of the aging structure of his church’, the President has demonstrated that he is either not conversant with the Constitution he swore to uphold or thinks very little of the laws of the land.“Either way, he should be held accountable for his deeds.”ACN said it would amount to wishful thinking to expect the country’s anti-corruption agencies to probe Jonathan’s admission to soliciting and receiving a bribe, hence the call on the National Assembly to handle the issue.

Malian rebels declare independence

The Tuareg rebels who seized the northern part of Mali on Friday proclaimed independence for what they called the ‘State of Azawad’ and sought immediate recognition from the international community.The rebels, under the aegis of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (known by the French acronym MNLA), stated this in a declaration posted on their official website(www.mnlamov.net), the Pan-African News Agency reports.They affirmed the commitment of the MNLA to creating conditions for lasting peace, and initiating the institutional foundations of the state based on a democratic constitution for independent Azawad.“The MNLA Executive Committee invites the entire international community, in a spirit of justice and peace without delay, to recognise the Independent State of AZAWAD.“The MNLA Executive Committee, until the establishment of the Authority of the Territory of AZAWAD, continues to manage the entire territory,” PANAquoted the rebels as saying.Explaining their action, the rebels said Mali’s colonial master, France, attached Azawad to the “Malian state it created” at independence in 1960 without the consent of the Azawad people.The rebels, strengthened by returning Tuareg rebels from Libya, capitalised on March’s military coup in Mali to sweep through the entire north, taking the key cities of Kidal, Gaoand Timbuktu.The declaration of independence came as defence chiefs from ECOWAS meet in Abidjan to discuss the political situation in Mali, including the possible deployment of a regional military force in the country.The defence chiefs are discussing the possible deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force in Mali, following the overthrow of the government of democratically-elected President AmadouTourein the March 22 coup, led by a military junta, and the Tuareg rebellion in the north of the country.ECOWAS and the AU have also suspended Mali and are leading international efforts to isolate the junta and force it to hand power back to constitutionally elected authorities.

Police warn orderlies against carrying politicians’ bags

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has warned police orderlies to stop carrying handbags belonging to politicians or their principals.This came just as the IG cautioned federal highway patrol policemen against mounting roadblocks, adding that they were ordered back to the highways to ease traffic congestion, assist accident victims, fight armed robbery and other acts of criminality.The IG, who was fielding questions from newsmen in Calabar, Cross River State on Thursday, said the duty of an orderly was to ensure the safety and well being of his principal and not to play the role of a house boy.Abubakar said the era of assigning more than two police orderlies to everybody that applied was over.He added the force had put mechanism and monitoring gadgets in place to monitor and arrest those carrying bags for their principals.“So, VIP should take note that when we give them orderlies, they are not supposed to be turn into house boys and house girls,” he said.Abubakar commended the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-equipping the police force in the country, saying in the 21st Century policing, the police had created a department where Deputy Inspector-General would be in charge of Info-tech.He said the info-tech device would monitor the activities of people and anything that had to do with Internet, computers and the modern world of technology that could be used to track vehicles.The IG said he would create police that belong to the people, serve the people, respect the people and would be there for the people of Nigeria.He noted that Nigeria remained the only country in the world where the people castigate their police.He said, “We want to see a shift on that, we want to accept criticism that are real, realistic in nature because we want to change, not just for somebody to sit down and accuse the police that they have not done this or that.”He solicited the support of the media in the efforts towards protecting the country, describing the media as an important organ in the fight against crime and criminality.Meanwhile, Abubakar called on state governors to assist in the effective policing of the country.He was in Benin, Edo State on Thursday in continuation of his visits to police commands across the country.Receiving 50 Toyota Hilux patrol vans donated to the police by the Edo State Government, Abubakar commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for what he described as countless assistance rendered to security agencies in the state.

casey anthony to appeal conviction on lying

ORLANDO, Fla (Reuters) - Casey Anthony will appeal her convictions on four charges of lying to detectives who investigated the 2008 disappearance and death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, according to a notice filed on Friday by her criminal defense attorneys.

Meanwhile, Anthony is scheduled to give sworn testimony on Tuesday in a defamation lawsuit after her civil lawyer failed Friday to secure an order blocking the videotaped deposition.

But Anthony may not answer any questions. In his motion to stop the deposition, lawyer Charles Greene said Anthony likely would assert her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination due to the status of her criminal case.

A Florida jury acquitted 25-year-old Anthony on July 5 of killing Caylee, whose skeletal remains were found in woods near the Anthony family home after a five-month search.

Anthony was convicted of misdemeanor charges of lying to the detectives searching for her then-missing daughter. Among other lies, Anthony said she left Caylee in June 2008 with a nanny named Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez at an apartment complex in Orlando.

Anthony was sentenced to the maximum of four years in jail on four counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

She will be released on Sunday after receiving credit for time served awaiting trial and good behavior.

The deposition on Tuesday will be conducted by lawyers for a woman named Zenaida Fernandez-Gonzalez, who claims her life was ruined by Anthony's allegation that a nanny by that name kidnapped Caylee.

The defamation lawsuit was filed in 2008 but put on hold during the criminal proceedings. Fernandez-Gonzalez's lawyers this week asked for an emergency order to compel Anthony to appear at the deposition, telling the judge they were concerned she would disappear after her release from jail.

Greene countered with a motion for an emergency protective order, arguing that Anthony was emotionally and mentally exhausted by the seven-week criminal trial and has had no time to prepare for her defense in the defamation case.

At a court hearing Friday morning, Greene immediately asked Judge Jose Rodriguez for a private bench conference.

When it was over, Rodriguez announced he would step down from the case and adjourned the hearing. Neither Greene nor Keith Mitnik, who represents Fernandez-Gonzalez, would discuss what transpired in the private discussion with the judge.

Mitnik said Anthony's deposition is still on.

"What was accomplished today in my opinion is she's now going to get out of jail, and we've got to wait and see if she shows up," Mitnik said.

(Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jerry Norton)

james harrison

NEW YORK -- Heavily fined Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison calls NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a "crook" and a "devil," among other insults, in an interview with Men's Journal.
“
If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn't do it. I hate him and will never respect him. ” -- James Harrison on Roger Goodell
He even rips teammates Rashard Mendenhall ("fumble machine") and Ben Roethlisberger for their performances in this past season's Super Bowl loss to the Green Bay Packers.
"Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again. Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain't that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does," he said, referring to Roethlisberger's two interceptions in the game. Harrison had one tackle, a sack, in the loss against the Packers.
Harrison called Roethlisberger on Wednesday morning to explain his comments. Roethlisberger told ESPN's Merril Hoge that Harrison said the writer of the article twisted many of his comments around and it was not his intention to criticize the quarterback. Roethlisberger told Hoge that he is taking Harrison at his word and that their relationship is "fine."
Mendenhall didn't take offense to Harrison's comments when he posted a response Wednesday on Twitter.
Reaction to Harrison's Epic Rant
James Harrison's inflammatory language overshadowed his criticism of the commissioner, as ESPN.com's Ashley Fox notes. Story
• NFL bloggers on the fallout• SportsNation: Weigh in on the outburst• Stats & Info: Wrong about Big Ben
"And lastly, I dont have a problem with what @jharrison9292 said because I know him. But I want you guys 2 check this out," he wrote, providing a link to ESPN.com's 2010 rushing statistics page, which showed he fumbled just twice during the regular season in 324 rushing attempts.
Harrison, the 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year hasn't been shy about ripping the league after he was docked $100,000 for illegal hits last season. In the August issue of Men's Journal, which has Harrison on the cover holding two pistols, his rants against Goodell reach another level of wrath.
"If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn't do it," Harrison told the magazine. "I hate him and will never respect him."
His other descriptions of the commissioner include an anti-gay slur, "stupid," "puppet" and "dictator."
Harrison told ESPN that the interview took place "in April or May sometime."
If the Steelers had defeated the Packers in the Super Bowl, Harrison said, he would have whispered in Goodell's ear during the trophy ceremony: "Why don't you quit and do something else, like start your own league in flag football?"
Harrison also questions whether a black player is punished more for a hard hit on a white player than the opposite.
"I slammed Vince Young on his head and paid five grand, but just touched Drew Brees and that was 20," Harrison said. "You think black players don't see this s--- and lose all respect for Goodell?"
Steelers in the news
James Harrison isn't the first Steeler to make headlines since the team lost the Super Bowl to the Packers in February.Rashard Mendenhall• After the U.S. raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, he tweeted: "We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style" among other items viewed as sympathetic to Bin Laden. He took down the tweets and tried to clarify them, but eventually lost a sponsor. Hines Ward• Ward was arrested on July 9 in Georgia on a drunken driving charge. Ward said in a statement he was not impaired, but apologized for "this distraction." Later, police issued a report saying that Ward had glassy, bloodshot eyes and failed field sobriety tests during a traffic stop.
Harrison also criticizes other NFL executives, Patriots-turned-commentators Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi ("clowns"), and Houston's Brian Cushing ("juiced out of his mind").
Bruschi is an analyst on ESPN's "NFL Live."
Cushing, when asked to respond to Harrison's remarks, told KRIV-TV in Houston: "I'll pray for him."
While Harrison criticized some of his teammates, he had high praise for Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
"He's the one guy in football I respect absolutely, 'cause he's spiritual and lives it like he talks it. You know, he gets more flags than anyone on our team but never gets fined for nothin'. He's so polite and talks so softly that he could tell Goodell to kiss his a--, and Goodell would smile and say thank you," he told the magazine.
Beyond the insults, Harrison makes some serious points about what he believes are the league's misguided attempts to increase safety. He explains how non-guaranteed contracts make players more likely to hit high, because in the short term, a torn knee ligament is more costly than a concussion.
And Harrison suggests the real way to prevent head injuries is to shorten the season to 14 games, start offseason workouts later and trim the length of training camp so "we're not bangin' heads so much in August; that's where the brain trauma comes from."
In a statement released Wednesday, Steelers president Art Rooney II said he hasn't read the article or spoken to Harrison. "We will discuss the situation at the appropriate time, when permitted once the labor situation is resolved," he said

Bid laden was a fan of porno

A stash of pornography was found among the trove of evidence seized from Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compound by U.S. Navy SEALs, according to a report confirmed by ABC News.
The existence of the pornography stash, which one U.S. official told ABC News was "huge," was first reported by Reuters. The official said the pornographic material was found in a wooden box in bin Laden's bedroom and included electronically recorded videos.
Though bin Laden's compound did not have an internet connection or other hard-wired networks, a video recovered by the SEALs and publicized by the White House showed bin Laden watching himself on a television while inside the compound, suggesting those in the compound could play back videos.
The discovery of the pornographic videos is just the latest in a steady stream of information gleaned from evidence obtained by the SEALs during the mission that killed bin Laden nearly two weeks ago, from invaluable intelligence on al Qaeda operations to embarrassing personal revelations about the terror leader. Officials are analyzing one million pages of data recovered and said they've learned more about al Qaeda in the past ten days than in the last ten years combined.

Rahimullah Yousafzai/AP Photo
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden speaks to a... View Full Size

Rahimullah Yousafzai/AP Photo
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden speaks to a selected group of reporters in mountains of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, in this Dec. 24, 1998 file photo.


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READ: Osama Bin Laden Raid: Al Qaeda 'Playbook' Revealed

The cache of electronic and handwritten materials includes numerous hallmark al Qaeda plots including attacks on infrastructure targets such as water supply and transportation including rail and air, in what one official described as a "strategic guide for how to attack the U.S." Recently, officials said the al Qaeda leader wanted to find a way to kill President Obama and had aspired to attack the U.S. rail system.
A "professional journal" apparently handwritten by bin Laden also revealed that he encouraged attacks against smaller cities in the U.S. and was in communication with the Yemeni branch of al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which U.S. officials have recently described as the greatest threat to America. The al Qaeda leader even allegedly tallied how many American lives it would cost to force a U.S. withdrawal from the Arab world, according to officials cited in the AP report.

Caysey Anthony sued

A volunteer search group is suing Casey Anthony for more than $100,000 claiming she insisted her daughter Caylee was alive and pleaded with them to find her, although Casey Anthony now claims that she knew her daughter was already dead.
The civil lawsuit filed by Texas EquuSearch states that the company invested over two years, 4,200 personnel, hundreds of thousands of hours and $112,000 of their donor-funded resources in massive search and rescue efforts for 2-year old Caylee.
Even worse, the group's lawsuit states, the search for Caylee used up so much of its resources they were unable to help others who came to them seeking help in finding missing family members.
"During the time TES was searching for Caylee, TES received more than 15 requests for other families for missing loved ones, and was unable to offer assistance to any of these families as TES was fully devoted to the search for Caylee," the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit states that Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy Anthony, called EquuSearch founder Tim Miller in late August 2008 and "implored" him to assist in the search for her granddaughter. Miller traveled to Orlando, Fla., where Cindy and George Anthony told him, in Casey's presence, that Caylee was still alive.
"Casey Anthony likewise told Mr. Miller that Caylee was alive, and asked him to please bring her back," the lawsuit says.
EquuSearch said it launched the second most costly search in the organization's 11-year history, eating away 40 percent of its annual budget to finance motel rooms, rent vehicles and related expenses for the volunteers from 13 states who aided in the search.

witness tampering has been alleged in the trial of Casey Anthony

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Authorities were looking into allegations of witness tampering during Casey Anthony's murder trial, a Florida sheriff said Tuesday during a wide-ranging news conference with his top investigators in what he said was an effort to bring closure to a case that polarized the country.Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings also revealed that prosecutors were considering perjury charges against Anthony's mother, but a spokeswoman for the state attorney's office later said they would not be pursued.Casey Anthony was acquitted a week ago on charges of killing her 2-year-old daughter Caylee in 2008. Anthony was found guilty on four charges of lying to law enforcement officers. She is to be released from jail Sunday.The sheriff held the news conference to defend his investigation and because his office had been besieged with interview requests since the verdict."The ultimate goal ... is that our personnel can get back to work doing the business of the taxpayers and residents of Orange County," Demings said. "This is the only way that we can move forward."Demings wouldn't say who was accused of witness tampering, but it didn't involve Casey Anthony's mother, Cindy. She stunned prosecutors during the trial when she testified that she had done searches for chloroform on the family's computer. Prosecutors believed, along with sheriff's investigators, that Casey Anthony had performed the search as she plotted to kill Caylee.Later, testimony by two of Cindy Anthony's co-workers that the company's electronic records showed that she was logged into her work system for most of the day on both March 17 and March 21 when the chloroform searches were done.Cindy Anthony said she had performed the Internet searches for chloroform while looking up information on chlorophyll, a green pigment found in plants. Chloroform is a chemical that can be used as a sedative and is fatal to children in small doses.A co-worker said the system would not have recorded Cindy Anthony's presence if a person hadn't been actively using the work computer.The government presented evidence at trial that chloroform was found in Anthony's car trunk and insinuated that she could have used it to render Caylee unconscious.As for the alleged witness tampering, detective John Allen would only say the sheriff's office has interviewed some witnesses."In regards to where we will go, it really depends on what information we get and what people come forward to provide additional information," Allen said.The investigators at the news conference sat at a table alongside a big picture of Caylee. The sheriff said it was a reminder of what his investigators were pursuing during the three-year case that dominated his resources."This is what this was all about," Demings said. "It was about a missing child. That's what motivated our staff and our community."Demings said his office followed up on more than 600 tips and worked with more than 100 FBI agents. He said he is still in the process of working with his accounting department to total up substantial investigative costs. Prosecutors want Anthony to incur those costs because they said the lies she was convicted of telling investigators directly led to the expenditures."Obviously those were resources that could have been put toward finding other missing children," Allen said.Texas Equusearch, the private group that conducted several searches for Caylee in 2008, filed a lawsuit against Anthony on Tuesday, seeking $15,000 for what it spent on searches. The lawsuit claimed Anthony made misrepresentations to the group's founder, causing extensive, costly and time-consuming searches for Caylee.Anthony's defense said Caylee accidentally drowned in the family pool and her father, a former police officer, helped cover it up. Anthony's partying and shopping during the month before her daughter was reported missing was caused in part by her father's sexual abuse, her attorneys said.George Anthony denied the claims in court, and investigators said Tuesday they were rebuffed by the defense team when they tried to interview her about the allegations.Allen and the case's lead detective, Yuri Melich, said they wouldn't do anything differently in the case, despite not winning a conviction."Ultimately, it's up to the jury to decide," Melich said. "We respect that and honor that."The sheriff did acknowledge that finding Caylee's remains earlier could have built a stronger case. The remains were found by a meter reader in December 2008, six months after Caylee was reported missing. The meter reader initially called authorities as early as August about seeing what might have been a skull in the woods.Demings said the investigator called out after the meter reader's report no longer works at the sheriff's office, and he believed authorities correctly focused on Anthony."I certainly don't have any doubt," Allen said. "... I think our work was solid.".

amendments to efcc

I am pleased to learn that finally the Attorney General of Nigeria has exercised his functions under section 43 of the the Act that established the EFCC. The AG's office has issued an apparently sweeping rules and regulation aimed clearly at conforming the EFCC monster to the constitutional due process both in substantive and procedural regards.

Indeed, from the moment I was detained by the EFCC, I realized to my utter shock that the EFCC was operating like a criminal organization in forms worse than anything Nigerians saw during the worst of the military rules. I was so worried that Nigerians would allow such organization to operate at all. Not only were the EFCC leadership so terrible incompetent, the was corrupt and inept to the core. I immediately began to speak out against this menace. And they punished me for my outspokenness by holding me in detention for 90 days through a lawyer whose personal interests in the my case would soon come to light.

In a recent development, which has now been made public, the AG issued 27 rules/guidelines that could effectively deal a heavy blow on the EFCC abuses. I saw this coming, but I did not want to preempt the announcement. The new rules are to be effective from September of last year (2010). So, a number of the things that EFCC did are already in violation of the rules.

Despite this move, I am compelled to approach this development with caution. Many questions remain to be answered. First, given that the law clearly enabled the Attorney General to regulate the EFCC, why did it take the Attorney General until now to act? Why were many Nigerians allowed to suffer to much pain in the hands of the EFCC before the AG could act to uphold the constitution? We need to see concrete action and not mere pronouncements. Indeed, it is now a common fact that what the EFCC did to me and my family and business was heading toward a sweeping lawsuit in the United States. In that lawsuit, Nigeria would be on trial in a way it has never seen before. Certainly, with these rules, Nigeria will help itself by showing the world that it did not condone some of the extreme aberrations of the EFCC. Also, it is clear that I am presently representing many Nigerians whose rights have been violated by the EFCC over time. While these new measures by the Attorney General are a deep breadth of fresh air and are highly encouraged, they came too late for many victims of the EFCC.

I encourage the Attorney General to do more. I encourage President Jonathan to do more. For the abuses and corruption committed by the leadership of the EFCC, I urge that Mrs. Farida Waziri and certain officers of the EFCC be immediately arrested and prosecuted for corruption immediately. We shall keep our eyes open for further development. Thank you.

why the nigerian government created the trade and investment ministry

Vanguard) THE Federal Government, yesterday, created the Ministry of Trade and Investment in line with its promise to transform the economy within the next four years. It also announced the setting up of $500million capital for small and medium scale companies at single digit interest rate. The fund which will be administered by the new ministry in collaboration with Lagos Business School is aimed at breaking the country’s vicious circle of poverty through aggressive and productive investment drive.

It will be headed by former Minister of Finance, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

The Presidency said that with the creation of the new ministry, the Federal Government was targeting sustained double-digit growth, a private sector led investment flow of about N15 trillion in the next four years and the creation of adequate jobs to plug the country’s huge unemployment hole. The target is the creation of three million jobs annually.

According to the Vision 2020 document, the country needs to invest N34 trillion in growth oriented sectors in the next four years if it is to become one of the twenty largest economies of the world. Of the amount, the Federal Government is to provide investment outlay of N10trillion; state governments, N9trillion; and private sector (both local and international) N15trillion.

Presidency sources said the choice of Aganga to head the new ministry was based on his outstanding private sector background, result-oriented growth initiatives in his one year as Nigeria’s finance minister and experience as managing director of the world’s biggest investment bank, Goldman Sachs.

Under the new ministry, the small and medium enterprises which are the bedrock of growth in advanced economies, will enjoy the special attention that will enable them to perform their roles efficiently, thus providing the foundation for enhanced non-oil growth.

The new model was conceived based on the economic transformation achieved by the Department of Trade and Investment in the United Kingdom; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Investment of Japan; and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Competitiveness of Cape Verde, among others.

Historically, the UK’s trade and investment department, which is now known as the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, is headed by senior ministers with first_rate experience in investment matters.

BIS’ mission is to drive economic growth by enhancing business productivity, deepening private sector investment/involvement and developing the relevant skills for sustained growth.

For Nigeria, the functions of the former Ministry of Commerce and Industry will be accommodated under the Investment and Trade ministry, while the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Bank of Industry will be strengthened to keep pace with the new drive.

Aganga, during his term as finance minister, started the campaign for the creation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and got the bill passed under five months. The SWF is not only a tool for strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal framework, but also a vehicle for infrastructure development and wealth creation for the nation.

He successfully launched the first Nigerian Eurobond in the international capital market, which attracted credible investors from more than 14 countries across the continents. That the Eurobond was over_subscribed in an election year was also remarkable.

The new Minister of Investment and Trade was the driver behind the job creation initiative of the Federal Government, including the provision of N50bn for public works.

He pioneered the struggle for the reduction of Nigeria’s recurrent expenditure, developed the funding plan and strategy for the development of SMEs and set up a consumer credit scheme for made_in_Nigeria products to boost consumption and local production.

Under him, a $500m capital was provided at single_digit interest rates for SMEs, a feat that endeared him to the organised Private Sector.

Casey Anthony's mom to face perjury charge

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A sheriff in Florida says Casey Anthony's mother could face perjury charges for her testimony during her daughter's murder trial.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Tuesday that Cindy Anthony may have lied on the witness when she was testifying about who searched for chloroform on the family computer. Cindy Anthony initially told police she did not search for chloroform, but at the trial she said she did.

The sheriff also revealed that authorities are investigating a witness tampering allegation. He would not elaborate.

He spoke to reporters during a wide-ranging news conference a week after Casey Anthony was acquitted of murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee Anthony.

Casey Anthony was found guilty of lying to law enforcement and is to be released from jail Sunday.

Is Italy too big to bail

With Italy in the eye of the storm of the EU debt crisis amid rumors that the European Central Bank has intervened by buying Italian sovereign bonds on the secondary market, analysts are coming to the conclusion that Italy is 'too big to bail' given its massive funding requirements and total debt outstanding of €1.6 trillion ($2.2 trillion).

Italian equities managed to record some gains during Tuesday’s session, up 1.3% after a terrible two-day beat-down that led to some of the largest spread moves in sovereign bonds in the European monetary union’s history. Yields on benchmark 10-year Italian bonds fell marginally on Tuesday and stood at 5.66%, just below Spain’s 5.96%.

With a plethora of negative news coming out of Europe on a daily basis, it is hard to attribute this Italian crisis to one event, but what is undeniable is that markets are coming to the realization that Italy is a whole different animal from Greece, Ireland, and Portugal, and that bailing it out might deliver a final blow to the beleaguered European Union. (Read Euro Contagion: Italian Equities Tank, Yields And CDS Jump).

Differences are staggering. While funding requirements for 2012 for the three PIIGs that have already been bailed out total €91 billion ($127 billion), Italy’s funding requirements reach a massive €250 billion ($350 billion). Total outstanding debt for the country run by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is around €1.6 trillion ($2.2 trillion), compared with €345 million for Greece, and about €150 billion each for Portugal and Ireland, according to analysts at Nomura.

If Italy were to fail, the problem would be that it is too big to bail. Nomura points out that current European Financial Stabilization Facility (EFSF) mechanisms were designed to deal with the failure of relatively small countries being bailed out by a relatively large group of participating Eurozone countries. The equation changes for Italy.

Currently, the EFSF has an effective lending capacity of €320 billion ($448 billion) out of a total of €440 billion ($616 billion); Italy’s funding needs over the next two years exceed €500 billion ($770 billion). Not only would the EFSF (and its successor, the European Stability Mechanism-ESM-with total authorized capital estimated to be around €700 billion) lack the capacity to bail out Italy, the number of countries ready and willing to lend Rome a hand would be reduced to only two: France and Germany. (Read French Banks Hold $93B In Greek Debt As Sarkozy Announces Rollover Deal).

If Europe’s two big dogs were forced to cough up €500 billion for their Italian buddies, that would constitute approximately 10% of their combined GDP (around €5 trillion, according to Nomura). According to the note:

At some point the load will be too big for France and Germany too. For example, would France be able to sustain an AAA rating with contingent liabilities to Italy in excess of 10% of GDP?

There is not enough capacity to bail out Italy within the current bail-out infrastructure. And even an expanded EFSF may not be able to provide a credible backstop over the medium-term

One possible alternative is central bank intervention to lower rates. Traders on Tuesday were pretty sure they saw the hand of the ECB, through the Bank of Italy, in sovereign bond markets for Italian debt in a day when they auctioned off €6.75 billion of Italian debt at a much higher rate than usual. And on Monday, a meeting of European Finance Ministers allowed for the possibility that the EFSF could be allowed to buy sovereigns in the secondary market. (Read Europe's Debt Grind, Worry Over Italy Keep Traders Jumpy).

But this might not be enough, as FT Alphaville notes. While the ECB has already tried these interventions with Greece, Portugal, and Ireland, it has not succeeded in ensuring “depth and liquidity in those market segments which are dysfunctional,” as trade volumes in those suggest. And, given the size of the Italian bond market, with “daily turnover in May of €12 billion” and gross issuance in the third quarter of €31 billion in two, five, and ten-year bonds, it would be a disaster for the ECB to make Italy “a regular patient.”

The situation is dire indeed. The political battle in Germany over bailing out smaller nations was massive, eroding much of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s political capital. Bailing out Italy, then, seems like an economic, political, and social impossibility.

questions to ask before buying a house

Open houses can be a wonderful way to find your next house. They can be just as helpful in gathering intelligence about a neighborhood, getting a feel for its housing stock or simply scoping out real-estate agents that you might like to work with.

But what should you ask when you pay a visit? In this month's Buying Advice, we consulted agents and other real-estate experts for their insights on how to navigate open houses.

We'll also update you on the latest housing and mortgage stats, and see how most people are feeling about the housing market's prospects. And real-estate author and blogger Ilyce Glink will answer one reader's question about whether he can legally have two primary residences.

Open-house questions
If you play your cards right, an open house can tell you a lot more about a property than its floor plan or the condition of its floors. The key is asking the right questions, agents say. (Or if you're looking with your agent, making sure they do it for you.)

Here are some questions to ask the listing agent and how these questions might help you in your purchase of the home:

Have you had any offers on the property? That lets you know if you have competition for the property, says Kim Drusch, an agent with Century 21 Award in San Diego. You'd also want to know if the sellers had rejected any offers and why, agents say. It could help you better craft an offer that will meet with their approval.

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Has this house been in escrow? If it has, and didn't sell, you'd want to know why. Was it an appraisal issue? Did a home inspection turn up some major damage? If it has been in escrow, ask if any inspections were done on the house. If there were, ask for copies of these reports, so you know what you're dealing with, and what kind of secondary inspections you might need should you decide to make an offer.

How long has the property been on the market? If it's getting a little stale, it might be ripe for a lower offer, experts say. Likewise, find out if there's been a price reduction and when it happened.

Why are the owners selling? The agent showing the house is likely to remain mum on this one. But, then again, she might also let it slip if they are moving soon, are under financial pressure or are building another house and might need more time in the house if she's a little desperate to move the property. Any information you can glean can help you decide how much to offer, when to close, etc.

• Bing: What's the average home price in your area?

Are there any liens on this property? You don't want any surprises, so make sure there aren't any construction liens, tax liens or other claims on the property resulting from unpaid debt, such as unpaid homeowners association dues.

• MSN Money: Home-price index at lowest point since 2006 bust

Is the home going to meet a lender's appraisal expectations? Do you have comparable sales in the last 90 days? These days, with prices on the decline, and more and more properties getting taken back by banks, appraisal at the listing price isn't always a sure thing. Take a look at the recent comps and have your agent check pending sales to make sure you won't get stuck once you've starting spending money on inspections and other aspects of the process.

Are there any other costs of ownership? Here again Drusch says you want to make sure there's nothing to surprise you after closing. If it's in a condominium complex or other planned community, ask about association dues and additional taxes or assessments, especially if it's a newer community. And if there is a homeowners association, get its phone number and call it to make sure there aren't any rules that conflict with your lifestyle, pets, etc. You don't want to find out, after the fact, that your husband can't park his work truck in the driveway of your new home, Drusch says.

• On our blog, 'Listed': Housing issues top reasons for moving

Have your agent follow up with the listing agent via fax or email to get it all on paper.

"Make sure everything is in writing," Drusch says. And, as always, make sure you have your own home inspection done, even if you have been assured there are no problems with termites, plumbing, etc.

Home-sales update
Existing-home sales dipped 0.8% in April from the previous month and 12.9% from the previous year, when the homebuyer tax credit was in effect, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. The national median home price declined 5% from last April to $163,700.

Lawrence Yun, the NAR's chief economist, says tight credit and low appraisals are putting the brakes on many home purchases.

"Although sales are clearly up from the cyclical lows of last summer, home sales are being held back 25% to 20% due to the very restrictive loan-underwriting standards," Yun said.

Moreover, distressed homes, which trade at double-digit discounts to traditional listings, are still weighing heavily on the market. Distressed homes made up 37% of sales in April, down from 40% in March, but well above the 33% posted at the same time last year.

Investors are the most excited about the still-floundering market. All-cash deals accounted for 31% of transactions in April, down from a record 35% in March.

Mortgage rates drop
The one bright spot for buyers is that mortgage rates continue to drop, increasing affordability. Fixed-rate mortgages declined for the fifth straight week, as of May 19, Freddie Mac said in its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, with a 30-year fixed averaging 4.61% and the 15-year averaging 3.8%.

Economists versus consumers: The outlook
Just don't look for that investment to appreciate in value immediately. Economists don't predict a return to home-price gains until early to mid 2012.

Fannie Mae, for one, expects the median home price to decline 6% in the second quarter of this year from the same time in 2010, with those losses slowly tapering off this year, until the market hits bottom in the first quarter of 2012.

Analysts at J.P. Morgan expect an additional 6% decline in prices from where the market stands today.

But perhaps most bearish are consumers themselves.

In a joint housing survey conducted by Trulia and RealtyTrac, released in mid-May, 54% of those polled said they don't expect the housing market to recover until 2014 or beyond. Twenty-four percent expect a recovery in 2013.

It's clear, says Fannie's chief economist Doug Duncan, that despite low prices, low interest rates and improving job numbers, consumer attitudes have yet to rebound in a way that will really push the needle up on home sales.

"In spite of the positives surrounding the housing market, we see that consumers are still hesitant to take on a large financial obligation," Duncan says.

Still, he says he expects home sales to rise some this year, as the economy gets on surer footing.

And for many, it might begin to make more sense to buy. According to Trulia's most recent data, it is now more affordable to buy a home than rent a similar home in 78% of major U.S. cities.

Which cities spend the most online?

By Bundle.com

For many people, shopping online has become as ubiquitous as shopping at the mall -- minus the part where you have to search for parking, climb escalators and dodge mallrats.

According to Forrester Research, U.S. Web sales increased by 12.6% in 2010 compared with 2009. And with more people adapting to technology and accessing the Web, Forrester says the number is likely to soar by 2015.

And so we bring you the top 10 online shopping cities in the U.S. We analyzed data for the 65 biggest cities in the U.S. and figured which was spending the most and ordering the most often from these top online retailers: Amazon.com, Overstock.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, Apple.com, Netflix.com, Target.com and SonyStore.com.

We also looked at which cities were the most likely to have quick shipping times based on their proximity to major distribution centers, at cities' sales tax rates and at the cities where residents had the most access to the Internet.

Here are the top 10 online shopping cities (to see the list that ranks 65 cities, see the full article here):

10. Orlando, Fla.

• Residents shopping online: 1.9 times the national average
• Transactions: 1.92 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 55% (average is 49%)
• Sales tax rate: 6%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 19

9. Minneapolis

• Residents shopping online: 1.92 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.2 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 51%
• Sales tax rate: 6.88%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 5

8. St. Paul, Minn.

• Residents shopping online: 2 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.16 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 51%
• Sales tax rate: 6.88%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 5

Click here for a larger version of this infographic.

7. Washington D.C.

• Residents shopping online: 2.14 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.3 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 58%
• Sales tax rate: 6%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 0

6. Austin, Texas

• Residents shopping online: 2.15 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.2 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 58
• Sales tax rate: 6.25%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 27

Article continues after video.

5. Pittsburgh

• Residents shopping online: 2.4 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.4 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 44%
• Sales tax rate: 6%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 19

4. St. Louis

• Residents shopping online: 2.56 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.63 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 46%
• Sales tax rate: 4.23%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 7

3. San Francisco

• Residents shopping online: 2.64 times the national average
• Transactions: 2.67 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 62%
• Sales tax rate: 8.25%*
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 29

* Sales tax rate from 2010. The California rate dropped by 1% in July 2011

2. Manhattan, N.Y.

• Residents shopping online: 3.5 times the national average
• Transactions: 3.67 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 55%
• Sales tax rate: 4%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 13

1. Miami

• Residents shopping online: 5.6 times the national average
• Transactions: 5 times the national average
• Percentage of residents who access the Internet: 55%
• Sales tax rate: 6%
• Number of major distribution centers from top online retailers, including Amazon.com: 19