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!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 09, 2010
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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.
Monday, October 19, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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/
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/
Friday, October 16, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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
Friday, October 02, 2009
get more twitter followers
RT: Great new credit system for getting followers on twitter #FastFlw . They also pay you for referrals. It just doesn't get any better. Click to check it out
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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
Friday, September 04, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, August 31, 2009
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
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
Saturday, August 15, 2009
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."
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."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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
I don't know when this corruption would stop
Monday, January 12, 2009
Detroit exhibition
Detroit carmakers were trying to impress at a recent expo.
DETROIT – We're different, and our new stuff is really good. In a nutshell, that's what General Motors, Ford and Chrysler tried to tell consumers — and taxpayers — Sunday as they rolled out an array of new vehicles at the North American International Auto Show.
They told their stories in different ways, with Chrysler LLC making its senior executives available to assure people that it remains a viable company. General Motors Corp. held a pep rally with hundreds of cheering employees and supporters who watched a parade of 17 new and upcoming vehicles. Ford Motor Co. emphasized its plans for electric vehicles, joining the list of automakers that have promised one next year.
The fanfare, on opening day of the Detroit show's press preview, comes after a year of dismal sales that forced GM and Chrysler to get $17.4 billion in federal loans to stay alive. Ford doesn't need money now but says it might in 2010 if U.S. sales don't improve.
But industry analysts say the automakers could still be in trouble this year if U.S. auto sales don't recover. Several are predicting annual sales of around 10.5 million — almost 6 million below 2007 levels — as consumers delay major purchases due to economic uncertainty. In the third quarter of last year, GM and Ford each spent more than $1 billion per month above their income.
On Sunday, the U.S.-based automakers touted new products with a focus on fuel efficiency that they say will help return them to financial health and ensure that their cars and trucks will roll off assembly lines for years to come.
GM said it would build a 40-mile-per-gallon minicar for the U.S. market, and it unveiled an electric-powered Cadillac concept car.
Ford announced plans to put a battery-powered commercial van on the market in 2010, with an electric car coming a year later, followed by plug-in versions of its gas-electric hybrid vehicles in 2012.
Chrysler showed off a sleek new midsize electric concept car called the 200C, and one of its executives said it could be the inspiration for a new midsize car to compete with Toyota's top-selling Camry.
Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli told reporters that while its key new products won't show up in dealer showrooms until next year, the Auburn Hills automaker expects to survive 2009 and remain an independent company.
Yet many analysts say that because of Chrysler's 30 percent sales drop last year and 53 percent decline in December, and a model lineup that doesn't change significantly this year, the company will be forced to sell itself to another automaker or be sold off in pieces by majority owner Cerberus Capital Management LP, a New York private equity firm.
Chrysler Vice Chairman Jim Press said dealers are reporting they are losing 25 percent of sales in showrooms due to a lack of available credit, and says sales will improve if credit loosens. He also said the December sales drop was due to an intentional cut in low-profit sales to rental car companies and other fleet buyers.
Nardelli said the company came out with the new Dodge Ram pickup, Journey crossover and Challenger sports car in 2008, all excellent products that should sell in a better economic environment.
GM CEO Rick Wagoner said his company's restructuring plans submitted to Congress, which include concessions from the United Auto Workers union and other cost cuts, combined with GM's lineup of new products, will make the company prosper when the worldwide auto market recovers.
"We'll be in a position to run the business at break-even or profitable at a much, much smaller industry than frankly a year ago that we ever felt would be possible to deal with," Wagoner said.
The new vehicles GM introduced Sunday included the Chevrolet Spark subcompact, which was called the Beat when GM unveiled it as a concept car in 2007. The three-door hatchback with a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine is about the size of a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris and is set to go on sale in Europe next year and in the U.S. in 2011.
GM also announced that the Chevrolet Orlando seven-passenger crossover vehicle will go on sale in North America that same year.
But the surprise of the automaker's event was the unveiling of the Cadillac Converj concept car, which is designed to go 40 miles on electric power alone after being recharged from a standard wall outlet. A small gasoline engine would extend the range to hundreds of miles.
It's the same powertrain technology GM is using in the Chevrolet Volt, a much-anticipated extended range vehicle set to go on sale next year.
GM's Wagoner said the Detroit automaker's vehicles are smaller, smarter and more fuel efficient, with "enough towing capacity" to pull GM out of its current troubles.
Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed plans to have an all-electric vehicle on U.S. roads by 2012, introducing an ultra-compact battery-powered concept car at this year's Detroit show. It also unveiled the 2010 Lexus HS250h sedan that will go on sale this summer. It's the first standalone gas-electric vehicle for the Japanese company's luxury nameplate.
Honda Motor Co. unveiled its next-generation hybrid, the Insight, which will arrive in U.S. showrooms in April. The much-anticipated car is expected to compete head-on with the Toyota Prius, which remains the top-selling hybrid in the U.S.
BMW AG said it's ramping up its production of gas-electric hybrid vehicles, giving consumers hybrid options with the 7 Series and X6 crossover vehicle.
Volkswagen AG showed off a concept sports car — the Bluesport — that is expected to get 55 miles per gallon based on clean diesel technology, while Lamborghini showed off its new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, which sprints to 62 mph in four seconds and gets 20 mpg on the highway, respectable for such a high-end sports car.
The 2009 Mini Cooper convertible made its global debut. The four-seater has a powered soft-top roof that allows the driver to open and close it while going up to 20 mph.
___
AP Auto Writer Bree Fowler reported from New York. Associated Press Writers Kimberly S. Johnson, Ken Thomas and David Runk in Detroit and Dan Strumpf in New York contributed to this report.
DETROIT – We're different, and our new stuff is really good. In a nutshell, that's what General Motors, Ford and Chrysler tried to tell consumers — and taxpayers — Sunday as they rolled out an array of new vehicles at the North American International Auto Show.
They told their stories in different ways, with Chrysler LLC making its senior executives available to assure people that it remains a viable company. General Motors Corp. held a pep rally with hundreds of cheering employees and supporters who watched a parade of 17 new and upcoming vehicles. Ford Motor Co. emphasized its plans for electric vehicles, joining the list of automakers that have promised one next year.
The fanfare, on opening day of the Detroit show's press preview, comes after a year of dismal sales that forced GM and Chrysler to get $17.4 billion in federal loans to stay alive. Ford doesn't need money now but says it might in 2010 if U.S. sales don't improve.
But industry analysts say the automakers could still be in trouble this year if U.S. auto sales don't recover. Several are predicting annual sales of around 10.5 million — almost 6 million below 2007 levels — as consumers delay major purchases due to economic uncertainty. In the third quarter of last year, GM and Ford each spent more than $1 billion per month above their income.
On Sunday, the U.S.-based automakers touted new products with a focus on fuel efficiency that they say will help return them to financial health and ensure that their cars and trucks will roll off assembly lines for years to come.
GM said it would build a 40-mile-per-gallon minicar for the U.S. market, and it unveiled an electric-powered Cadillac concept car.
Ford announced plans to put a battery-powered commercial van on the market in 2010, with an electric car coming a year later, followed by plug-in versions of its gas-electric hybrid vehicles in 2012.
Chrysler showed off a sleek new midsize electric concept car called the 200C, and one of its executives said it could be the inspiration for a new midsize car to compete with Toyota's top-selling Camry.
Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli told reporters that while its key new products won't show up in dealer showrooms until next year, the Auburn Hills automaker expects to survive 2009 and remain an independent company.
Yet many analysts say that because of Chrysler's 30 percent sales drop last year and 53 percent decline in December, and a model lineup that doesn't change significantly this year, the company will be forced to sell itself to another automaker or be sold off in pieces by majority owner Cerberus Capital Management LP, a New York private equity firm.
Chrysler Vice Chairman Jim Press said dealers are reporting they are losing 25 percent of sales in showrooms due to a lack of available credit, and says sales will improve if credit loosens. He also said the December sales drop was due to an intentional cut in low-profit sales to rental car companies and other fleet buyers.
Nardelli said the company came out with the new Dodge Ram pickup, Journey crossover and Challenger sports car in 2008, all excellent products that should sell in a better economic environment.
GM CEO Rick Wagoner said his company's restructuring plans submitted to Congress, which include concessions from the United Auto Workers union and other cost cuts, combined with GM's lineup of new products, will make the company prosper when the worldwide auto market recovers.
"We'll be in a position to run the business at break-even or profitable at a much, much smaller industry than frankly a year ago that we ever felt would be possible to deal with," Wagoner said.
The new vehicles GM introduced Sunday included the Chevrolet Spark subcompact, which was called the Beat when GM unveiled it as a concept car in 2007. The three-door hatchback with a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine is about the size of a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris and is set to go on sale in Europe next year and in the U.S. in 2011.
GM also announced that the Chevrolet Orlando seven-passenger crossover vehicle will go on sale in North America that same year.
But the surprise of the automaker's event was the unveiling of the Cadillac Converj concept car, which is designed to go 40 miles on electric power alone after being recharged from a standard wall outlet. A small gasoline engine would extend the range to hundreds of miles.
It's the same powertrain technology GM is using in the Chevrolet Volt, a much-anticipated extended range vehicle set to go on sale next year.
GM's Wagoner said the Detroit automaker's vehicles are smaller, smarter and more fuel efficient, with "enough towing capacity" to pull GM out of its current troubles.
Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed plans to have an all-electric vehicle on U.S. roads by 2012, introducing an ultra-compact battery-powered concept car at this year's Detroit show. It also unveiled the 2010 Lexus HS250h sedan that will go on sale this summer. It's the first standalone gas-electric vehicle for the Japanese company's luxury nameplate.
Honda Motor Co. unveiled its next-generation hybrid, the Insight, which will arrive in U.S. showrooms in April. The much-anticipated car is expected to compete head-on with the Toyota Prius, which remains the top-selling hybrid in the U.S.
BMW AG said it's ramping up its production of gas-electric hybrid vehicles, giving consumers hybrid options with the 7 Series and X6 crossover vehicle.
Volkswagen AG showed off a concept sports car — the Bluesport — that is expected to get 55 miles per gallon based on clean diesel technology, while Lamborghini showed off its new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, which sprints to 62 mph in four seconds and gets 20 mpg on the highway, respectable for such a high-end sports car.
The 2009 Mini Cooper convertible made its global debut. The four-seater has a powered soft-top roof that allows the driver to open and close it while going up to 20 mph.
___
AP Auto Writer Bree Fowler reported from New York. Associated Press Writers Kimberly S. Johnson, Ken Thomas and David Runk in Detroit and Dan Strumpf in New York contributed to this report.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Bazillion credit contest
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This contest will end exactly at 12:01 AM on 1/31/09.Prizes I'll like to win:
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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Investment in Crude oil
Just before Christmas Eve 2008, oil prices fell to their lowest level in four-and-a-half years -- $33.87 per barrel of NYMEX Light Sweet Crude.
Bad Santa
So forgive petro-investors if they're looking a bit glum these days. Even after Santa's conciliatory post-holiday boost in oil prices, the fact remains that when Christmas arrived, all these guys and gals got was (if you'll forgive the inexorable mixed hydrocarbon metaphor) a lump of coal.
Now, it's worth pointing out at this point that, as far as prices have fallen, we're still a ways away from the lowest price in recent memory -- $10.72, a nadir hit on Dec. 10, 1998, or $13.97 in today-dollars.
Today, oil trades for $42.63. In other words, for it to regain the crest of its recent super-spike -- $145.29, reached on Independence Day Eve 2008 -- it must more than triple in price. To revisit its lows of the decade, it must fall only 60%. And so I submit to you that ...
We're closer to the bottom than the top
Now, I'm not necessarily saying we'll see $145 oil, but at least based on these historical prices there's about 70% downside versus 240% upside. On the face of it, that makes for an interesting proposition, yes? For those of us who missed Big Oil's last bull run, now looks like a pretty propitious moment to jump in and catch the rebound.
So let's take a moment to consider a few options for how we might accomplish that:
| Price on Dec. 5, 2003 | Recent Price | Return | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleo Brasileiro (NYSE: PBR) | $5.60 | $27.08 | 394% |
| ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) | $36.31 | $79.09 | 137% |
| Chevron (NYSE: CVX) | $33.46 | $74.24 | 122% |
| Transocean (NYSE: RIG) | $21.75 | $56.63 | 160% |
| Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) | $11.54 | $21.16 | 83% |
Data courtesy of Yahoo! Finance. Stock prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
As it turns out, oil stocks haven't been hit as hard as oil prices. To the contrary, despite oil barrels selling for little more than they fetched five years ago, oil stocks are sitting on sizable gains. Why might that be?
Super-spike me!
I suspect that investors' memories are still fixated on that super-spike price of six months ago. Years of watching oil go nowhere but up conditioned us all to believe that this was the normal, usual, natural state of affairs. All the evidence seemed to point this way, right? After all:
- We're not making any more dinosaurs, hence no new oil.
- The cheapest oil has already been extracted. What's left is going to cost us.
- Remember China and India? They're becoming richer than ever before and signing up for driver's ed.
- Two-thirds of petroleum in the U.S. is used in transportation, so even if green energy companies like Suntech (NYSE: STP) and SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWRA) achieve grid parity, that won't have too meaningful an impact on oil prices in the absence of plug-in hybrid use.
As so oil bulls say that oil prices naturally want to gush, and today's downturn is just a temporary loss of pressure -- easily fixed. Problem is, with the global economy in recession, and oil demand dropping like a stone, it may take longer than people think for revenues to resume pumping.
Manage your expectations
But here's the thing: By the time oil is finally ready to rebound, people's recent experience may well have shifted once again. The longer oil stays down, the more people will expect this new trend to continue, and undervalue oil companies accordingly. That's just the way the human brain works -- we tend to take the recent past, and project it into the future. Fortunately, clever Fools can take this built-in psychological glitch and turn it into an opportunity for profit. Here's how.
Fools must:
- Recognize that when the reversal comes, it will surprise all of us. No one can time the market, so spread your investments out over time.
- When you do invest, demand a margin of safety, and make sure to buy with a 3-to-5-year time horizon. This process will take time to play out.
- Meanwhile, make sure your stock pays you to be patient, in the form of regular, robust dividends.
Ready to get started? Then sign up today for a free trial of Motley Fool Income Investor, where we have eight active energy recommendations that we think will profit from this opportunity.
Fool contributor Rich Smith does not own shares of any company named above. Petroleo Brasileiro is a Motley Fool Income Investor recommendation. Suntech Power is a Motley Fool Rule Breakers selection. The Motley Fool's disclosure policy has been collecting dividends for 15 years, and is saving up to buy a Prius.
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