SOME OF TODAY'S NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, JULY 3, 2013

VANGUARD
*Cutting Off The North
*How woman married two men at the same time
*Langtang massacre: Death toll rises to 70
*Police parade Bishop Nwabueze over alleged rape
*Ladipo Market ex-President accused of embezzling N46m, other funds
*Tension in Delta as Ijaw youths kill 4 Itsekiri
*Eagles ‘ll fly over Elephants – Maigari
*Day Oliha dared death – Kalu
*Reps probe alteration of Armed Forces Act
*Nigeria not ready for state police, says minister
*Oshiomhole, Ashafa, Owie, others mourn Ewherido
*Obi wants to bury APGA in PDP — Azike, Chairman, APGA reconciliation committee
*The Visa Bond and our Driver’s Licence bondage
*Gombe is developing in the wrong direction – Hassan
*Obi’s political exit: The odd steps of a Nigerian governor
*Ewherido’s death, monumental loss to our nation—NGF
*UACN acquires 51% stake in Portland Paints
*USAID, AGRA set up $47m agric facilities
*SEC to develop whistle blowing mechanism
*Cameroon, the River Benue and Nigeria
*Shell raises alarm over rising crude oil theft spills
*China’s ICBC tops 2013 global bank *Banky W in Twenty Four Hours
*2013 BET Awards: Ice Prince knocks *Tuface, others to win ‘Best African Act’ Award
*Who goes down? Nuella, Okoro, Iwuji, Gideon, Ekubo or Okon?
*OJB kidney ailment: Govt officials withdraw support
*Photographer drags TuFace, wife to court over wedding pictures
*I don’t have a daughter out of wedlock – Benita Nzeribe
*Eagles ‘ll fly over Elephants – Maigari
*Day Oliha dared death – Kalu
*Believe in yourselves – Keshi tells home Eagles
*Lagos International Football Tournament gets new date
*Chukwu berates FG over Oliha
*Uruguay stop Nigeria again!

PUNCH
*Wedding: Deeper Life suspends Kumuyi's son
*PDP convention: Members warn *Jonathan against constitutional crisis
*Budget: National Assembly carpets Okonjo-Iweala
*Our colleague was slaughtered by B'Haram members - Survivor
*Wike, Opara betrayed me - Amaechi
*US blacklists Myanmar general over N'Korea arms deals
*19 die in Siberia helicopter crash
*Czech escapes death after falling under subway train
*Nigeria can reduce rural poverty - FG delegation
*Egypt: Protests increase as Morsi snubs army ultimatum
*Nigeria, others attain hunger eradication target
*Senegal remands ex-Chad leader over war crimes
*'16,213 S'African tourists visited Nigeria in 2012'
*EU delays Turkey's membership talks
*CITN, others to develop taxation
*Risk management: Banks urged to embrace information sharing
*Oil thieves spill 500 barrels in Adibawa - Shell
*FG begins implementation of sugar master plan
*Budget: Jonathan urges Senate to reverse N78.54bn cut
*Adegbola leads cricket team to world tourney
*Mikel hints at Chelsea exit
*Eagles did well at Confed Cup - Are
*Ogun lawmaker in soccer talents hunt
*Liverpool sign Toure
*Group sets up committee to monitor noise pollution
*Man arrested for raping seven-year-old girl in Calabar
*Actor aware of my wife's abduction - Monarch
*'Failure to pay market tolls, criminal offence'
*We pose as beggars to kidnap victims - Suspect
*At BET Awards, nothing happened by chance
*S'African artistes in love with Ice Prince

THISDAY
*Okonjo-Iweala Under Fire over Statement on Economy
*Cashless Policy: CBN Defers Charges in Abuja, Other States to Oct
*FG, NUPENG Meeting Ends in Deadlock as Oil Workers Vow to Continue Strike
*Babangida Aliyu Accuses Civil Society *Groups of Bias for Supporting Man with 86 Wives
*SSS Parades Suspected Kidnappers of Rhodes-Vivour's Wife, Daughter
*House Probes 'Secret' Amendment to Armed Forces Act
*Court: THISDAY Bomber Must Stand Trial
*Lawmaker: 70 Dead, DPO Missing in Plateau
*PDP in Dilemma over Special National Convention
*Yuguda Rescinds Decision to Quit Northern Govs’ Forum
*Amaechi Urges IG to Redeploy Rivers Police Boss
*Middle Belt Endorses Jonathan for 2015
*Jonathan Condemns Irregularities in Oguta
*Operators Begin Phased Disconnection of Unregistered SIMs
*NAICOM Sanctions 48 Insurance Firms over Reporting Deadline
*Ecobank Nigeria Gets Deputy Managing Director
*SEC Bullish on IPOs, Approves N57bn *DMO to Raise $1.56 Billion in Three Months
*Add Value to Organisations, ICAN President Urges Accounting Technicians
*Rainoil Acquires 2 New Vessels to Boost Fuel Supply
*Real Estate Subsidiary Fetches R.T. Briscoe N101m Profit
*MRS Oil Nigeria: In Dire Need of Cheaper Funding
*FMBN: NHF Contributions Hit N22 Billion
*Law Union & Rock Embraces e-Payment
*Legislators to Bar Managers of Failed Institutions from PenCom Board, Management
*It is Not Time to Relax Regulations, Insurance Regulators Say
*Legislators Want Senate Conference Hall Renamed
*Mortgage Banks and Burden of Recapitalisation
*When Audit Committees Abdicate Role for Pecuniary Gains
*Nigeria’s Transition to Cashless Economy
*Re-enacting PRA to Perfect Contributory Pension Scheme
*Ten Years of Chivita and Still Counting...
*VDT Exploits Customer Forum as Feedback Platform
*Maltina Promises Better Performance as Dance All Begins
*Tecno Pledges Quality, Launches New Offering
*Ecobank Nigeria Gets Deputy Managing Director

TRIBUNE
*2013 budget: NASS warns okonjo-iweala •Says don’t set us against presidency
*Jonathan vows to stop death by HIV/AIDS
*Randy bishop paraded in P/Harcourt for raping girl, 15
*Langtang killings: DCO missing, death toll now 70 •7,000 displaced
*We’ll soon stop funding police in Rivers -Amaechi •Calls for transfer of CP
*Yuguda returns to Northern Governors Forum
*Man beats wife to death, buries her
*Nasarawa killings: Police arrest Ombatse notorious member
*Australia, Canada vote $1.89bn to support Nigeria’s mining sector
*House of Reps member petitioned over alleged forgery
*Memories of Afenifere leader, Adesanya, come alive in Lagos
*ASUU strike paralyses varsities
*Bodija 10: Wailing as traders receive corpses
*Randy bishop paraded in P/Harcourt for raping girl, 15
*Langtang killings: DCO missing, death toll now 70 •7,000 displaced
*Yuguda returns to Northern Governors Forum
*Man beats wife to death, buries her
*Nasarawa killings: Police arrest Ombatse notorious member
*Australia, Canada vote $1.89bn to support Nigeria’s mining sector
*House of Reps member petitioned over alleged forgery
*Memories of Afenifere leader, Adesanya, come alive in Lagos
*ASUU strike paralyses varsities
*Bodija 10: Wailing as traders receive corpses
*Boko Haram: Human Rights Watch warns committee against injustice
*Why FAAN stopped concession agreements -MD
*Ewherido: Senate postpones debate on constitution amendment report
*SSS parades suspected kidnappers of Rhodes-Vivour’s wife, daughter
*2015: ACN, PDP aspirants bombard Ladoja/Alao-Akala’s committee
*South West: Heads of Service charged on socio-economic development
*105 cancer survivors to graduate from empowerment school July 6
*Power supply: Over 400 industries closed down in Kano —MAN
*Keyamo mourns Senator Ewherido, as Senate sets up burial committee

*You must always consider the masses —PDP chieftain

SOME OF TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES, JULY 2, 2013

VANGUARD
*FG merges EFCC, ICPC; Scraps BPE, NAPEP, others
*NBA canvasses review of criteria for judicial appointments
*Culture of Election Failings
*Commotion as two condemned robbers escape from courtroom
*Why I prefer stealing from churches – Robbery suspect
*Okada riders sue Edo govt over ban
*Assault: Court orders Gen Diya, others to pay N5.5m to victim
*Youths burn Borno ANPP chair’s house
*Nigeria loses N159trn as IOCs divest
*Afenifere faults Turaki, seeks compensation for victims of Boko Haram
*Turkey 2013: F/Eagles, Uruguay in clash of interest
*Community sues Army, oil firm over occupation of land
*A-Court dismisses ACN, PDP’s petitions against Mimiko’s victory
*Nigeria suffering from misrule – CIA boss
*Taskforce predicts improvement in power
*Rivers govt moves to check flooding
*Ewherido: The political tremor on ground
*Leadership challenges threatening Nigeria’s economic devt – NIM
*Lagos begins construction of seaport, airport at Lekki

PUNCH
*Tambuwal’s tortuous path to the Presidency
*Court declares appointment of service chiefs illegal
*No need for Amaechi to leave –PDP
*18 soldiers on trial for aiding Boko Haram
*Here’s why you can’t ignore sexually-transmitted diseases
*Be hospitable, LASG tells host communities
*Senate to suspend plenary over Ewherido’s death
*NGF crisis won’t threaten 2015 elections —Jang
*A’Court dismisses Oke, Akeredolu’s petitions against Mimiko
*Diya, others to pay undertaker N5.5m for assault
*Amnesty panel comes under fire over victims’ compensation
*Plateau stakeholders accuse mercenaries of killing residents
*Reps ask Jonathan for more explanations on budget
*Mosop demands Rivers 2015 gov seat
*Use ICT to fight crime, Ekweremadu tells police
*Scrap 36 states, LGs to cut cost – Jibril
*CJN faults anti-graft war, Adoke backs judiciary cleansing
*NLNG/NIMASA crisis pushes up cooking gas price
*Strike: Petrol scarcity hits Abuja, Minna
*SIM registration: NCC threatens to sanction defaulting operators
*ASUU begins indefinite strike
*FG forced us to embark on strike —ASUU
*Experts seek production of 21st century compliant teachers

TRIBUNE
*Flooding: I won’t tolerate any excuse -Jonathan
*Appointment of service chiefs illegal -Court
*Mimiko wins as Appeal Court throws out Akeredolu, Oke’s appeals
*Ray Ekpu, others no longer shareholders of Newswatch —Court
*Youths raze ANPP chair’s house in Maiduguri - Over alleged sponsorship of Boko Haram
*Police to phase out black uniform -FG approves N1.7 billion for purchase of new ones
*Ekiti opens sexual offenders register
*Adoke: FG’ll soon unfold National Anti-Corruption Strategy •Says FG backs CJN’s report
*2015: PDP to disqualify bribe-offering aspirants
*NBA set to expose corrupt judges
*Pension scam: Ex-pension director to remain in prison indefinitely
*NGF crisis no threat to 2015 elections -Jang faction
*Reshuffle your cabinet now, NUPENG tells Jonathan
*YOUWIN: FG creates additional jobs in 12 months
*Cashless policy good for Anambra businessmen —CBN
*Group wants FG to withdraw cut-off mark for unity schools
*World Bank okays $300m loan for Nigeria’s agric sector
*One officer, 17 others face general court martial
*Man murders farmer in defence of his mother
*Police alert Ibadan residents on Oloolu
*$27m US property scam: Conmen fooled Senate committee -Adefuye
*Senate suspends plenary in honour of late colleague
*Assault: Court orders Diya, others to pay N5.5m compensation

THISDAY
*May Scrap BPE, NAPEP, NEPC, 217 Other Agencies
*Court Nullifies Appointment of Service Chiefs
*Tambuwal Seeks Stiffer Penalties for Violence against Women
*Bank Customers Grapple with Cashless Policy in FCT
*ASUU Embarks on Indefinite Strike
*Army Officer, 17 Soldiers Arraigned for Communicating with the Enemy, Other Offences
*Boko Haram: Irate Youths Attempt to Raze Sheriff’s Residence in Maiduguri
*NUPENG Strike: FG Moves to Avert Fuel Scarcity as Queues Surface in Abuja
*NLNG Declares Force Majeure over NIMASA’s Blockade
*Jonathan Challenges Nigerians to Create Vibrant Media Industry
*Aboyade, THISDAY Editor, Others Shortlisted for SAN Interview
*Rivers PDP Crisis: Council Chairman Wants IG, CP Jailed
*Elumelu’s Firm Commits $2.5bn to Obama’s Power Africa Initiative
*Jonathan Orders MDAs to Prevent Flooding
*Governors, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal Mourn Ewherido
*Steve Osemeke Passes on
*Edo 4: Why, Oshiomhole?
*The Edo 4 and the Scent of Hypocrisy
*Edo 4: 'Ask Prison Authorities, Not Edo Government'
*Another First for Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun
*TCN Restores Power Supply to South-south, North-west, Niger Republic
*CJN: Reduction in Budgetary Allocation May Fuel Corruption in Judiciary
*Judge Remands Ex-pension Director in Prison Indefinitely
*Borno to Train Engineers in China
*No Negotiations with Govt as Polytechnic Strike Enters Third Month
*Court Restrains Ekpu, Agbese, Others from Parading Selves as Newswatch Directors
*INEC Cannot Legislate on Two-party System, Says Jega
*Aboyade, THISDAY Editor, Others Shortlisted for SAN Interview
*Rivers PDP Crisis: Council Chairman Wants IG, CP Jailed
*Elumelu’s Firm Commits $2.5bn to Obama’s Power Africa Initiative
*Jang Faction: NGF Crisis Cannot Threaten 2015 Elections
*Again, Akeredolu, Oke Lose Bid to Unseat Mimiko
*Bribes: PDP Threatens to Disqualify Aspirants
*Jonathan Orders MDAs to Prevent Flooding
*Governors, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal Mourn Ewherido
*Steve Osemeke Passes on
*TCN Restores Power Supply to South-south, North-west, Niger Republic
*PDP Names Wali, Babayo as Deputy Chairman, Deputy Secretary of Gana Committee
*CJN: Reduction in Budgetary Allocation May Fuel Corruption in Judiciary
*Judge Remands Ex-pension Director in Prison Indefinitely

SOME OF TODAY'S NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, JUNE 28, 2013

VANGUARD
*Adeboye, Suswam visit Suntai in New York
*NGF LEADERSHIP SAGA: You’re fake chairman, Amaechi taunts Jang
*Jega admits presence of corrupt staff in INEC
*Democracy can’t survive without strong political parties —Sambo
*Alleged N5.2bn scam: Court acquits Elumelu, Ugbane, Jibo, others -
*Man attacks 3 children in Tokyo stabbing spree
*Office romance: Secretary demands N.1m pay-off from lecturer ‘lover’
*Millions Of Troubles
*Adeboye, Suswam visit Suntai in New York
*Imo lawmaker escapes mob action
*Suprise! Keshi backs Ideye
*Strike: Travellers stranded as poly students protest
*Pay crash victims or face sanctions, FG tells Dana Airline
*Ijaw group to FG: Establish military academies in N-Delta
*Jonathan appeals to Reps over N72bn slash in 2013 Amendment Bill
*Reps urge CBN to implement cashless policy in phases
*32 dead as gunmen raid 3 villages in Plateau
*CP Mbu blames rift with Amaechi on media
*NMA threatens to sanction erring affiliates
*Elephants storm Nigeria on Wednesday

PUNCH
*Presidential dinner: Jonathan didn’t meet Amaechi for security reason–Presidency
*Student, who gave birth in toilet, names baby
*Northern govs protest forces PDP to postpone convention
*NEC meeting: Seating arrangement averts Amaechi, Jang clash
*Ogun PDP suspends Daniel, 12 others
*Jonathan hails Fashola at 50
*Access to general hospitals on referrals – Lagos
*Nigerians must resist bad leadership —David-West
*Ojukwu family seeks dismissal of burial rites suit
*I desire a legacy of prosperous Nigerians – Jonathan
*Erosion threatens N7.5bn projects in Anambra poly
*Only S’West can replace Oyinlola —Ogun PDP
*NEC cuts police reform budget by N1.3tn
*Budget: Jonathan sends details of amendments to Reps
*Lack of concentration ruined Eagles —Eguavoen
*National Youth Games excite Ondo State
*Keshi defends under-fire Ideye
*For Dolphins, basketball competition has just begun
*NEC cuts police reform budget by N1.3tn
*Budget: Jonathan sends details of amendments to Reps
*$27m missing in Nigerian Embassy in US
*Crash: Dana gets December deadline to pay up compensation
*Kidnappers seize trader in Lagos, demand N25m ransom
*59-year-old man arrested for raping girl, 8
*Tipper drivers decry extortion by policeme
*$27m missing in Nigerian Embassy in US
*Crash: Dana gets December deadline to pay up compensation

TRIBUNE
*2013 budget amendment: Jonathan writes Tambuwal, seeks urgent passage
*FG gives Dana Airline 6 months to pay claims
*I have drug addicts in my cabinet - Borno gov
*Gunmen kill 33 in Plateau
*PDP suspends special national convention, South-West zonal congresses
*FG recovers N5.5bn Abacha loot
*All states must implement 27.5% teachers’ enhanced salary scale —NUT
*Mixed reactions trail hanging of 4 persons in Edo
*Alleged drug-related offence: Lamido of Adamawa strips traditional ruler of title
*Implement cashless policy in phases, Reps tell CBN
*Assault on journalist: PSP operator ignores Lagos Assembly
*Telecom operators, technicians sue FG over NITEL/MTEL
*72 hours to deadline: Subscribers rush to register SIM cards •Date stands - NCC
*Continuity in govt, key to national development —Mark
*More oil discoveries in Lagos soon - Experts
*Jonathan divides Senate over boards’ appointments
*25 days after: Kenyan plane still grounded at Lagos airport
*Alleged forgery: FG re-arraigns 2 Leadership journalists
*Ekiti may no longer probe past administrations
*Oyediran family launches book
*Ribadu, Akinbode to give pre-Ramadan lecture
*NEC prunes cost of police reforms to N1.5trn Sets up committee on crude oil theft
*N25bn debt: NLNG may declare force majeure over gas exports
*Senate probes $27m proceeds of embassy property in Washington
*Police to now manage its pension scheme
*Poverty, major problem of my administration - Jonathan
*‘Kaduna rail accident would not have happened’
*Amosun decries N1.3trn yearly expenses on food importation
*$1.69m fraud: Court turns down Ajudua’s bail application
*ICPC backs BPP on reversal of NPA contract

THE NATION
*You can’t see Jonathan, guards tell Amaechi
*Police get 1% from federation account
*Budget amendment row: Jonathan succumbs
*Boko Haram burns 209 schools in Yobe
*Drama as Amaechi, Jang greet, sit side-by-side
*Madiba…how far can life support go?
*Obama calls Mandela a ‘personal hero’
*Adoke: Fed Govt has recovered £22.5m stolen assets abroad
*Reps seek 25-year jail for illegal arms possession
*Dana: Multiple claims stall compensation, says minister
*N10b suit: Court allows Braithwaite’s application to call witnesses
*Senate probes $27m ‘fraud’ in Nigerian Embassy
*PDP shifts mini convention
*Petrodollar fuelling corruption in Nigeria, say UK, UN officials
*Hard drug production suspects reject NDLEA’s interpreter
*Ban on public protests remain, says Rivers police chief
*Woman arrested for ‘threatening’ lecturer
*FAAC funds crises: Reps seek diversification of economy
*‘Fayemi, others responsible for Christ’s School’s growth’
*FRSC sues 10 transporters
*UNIPORT Four: Suspects’ trial suffers another setback
*Stakeholders disagree on zoning in Rivers PDP
*Communities want speedy development
*Fashola inaugurates COWLSO’s retirement villa
*CBN appointments divide Senate
*Police parade suspected attackers of ex-Offa council chair
*Banker arrested for stealing customer’s N4.7m
 *Monthly sanitation holds in Lagos tomorrow
*400 Ekiti residents get free surgery
*Why bank fraud persists, by police chief

THISDAY
*NIPP Privatisation: Suswam Assures Foreign Investors of Transparency
*Dana Crash: FG Gives Airline December Deadline to Settle Outstanding Claims
*Oteh: Why Waiver on Transactions Cost Yet to be Implemented
*Nigerian Banks Must Create Niche Markets, Says Citibank CEO
*Sambo: Power Asset Sale Most Transparent Transaction
*Diamond Bank Assures Customers on Improved Services
*Renaissance Credit Gets CBN Licence
*Diamond Bank Extends $550 Million Bond Issue to July
*PDP Bows to Pressure, Postpones Special Convention to August 20
*2015: Gulak Urges South-south Leaders to Back Jonathan
*Board Appointments by Jonathan Polarise Senate
*Rivers Governorship: We are Not Slaves, Akere Tells Obuah, Wike
*Rivers Crisis: Junaid Asked to Leave Jonathan’s Wife Alone
*Jonathan Provides Details on Budget Amendment to House
*FG Recovers N5.5 Billion from Abacha Family
*Obama Won’t Visit Mandela in Hospital
*Tinubu’s Daughter Installed Traders’ Leader Amid Controversy
*UN Report: Nigeria Has Highest Number of HIV Children Worldwide
*Drama as Amaechi, Jang Sit Together at NEC Meeting
*Obaigbena Endows Academic Prizes in Fashion, Tech, Entrepreneurship
*Gaidam: We Have Spent N4 Billion Combating Boko Haram Menace

Don Doubtful of Eko Atlantic City’s Safety

Despite several assurances from the Lagos State Government about the Eko Atlantic City Project, a new district bordering Bar Beach, which is being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic ocean, a hydrographer and consultant lecturer with University of Lagos, Dr.  Dupe Olayinka, at the weekend, raised fresh doubts on its safety.

When completed, the project, which is billed to sprawl on nine million square metres of reclaimed land, according to the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, would provide housing to about 250,000 residents as well as go a long way to curb the menace of erosion, which is fast eating into the Lagos coastlines.

But laudable as the project appears, especially in tackling the problem of housing deficit, it has continued to be dogged by criticisms, one of which was reiterated by Olayinka at the 2013 World Hydrography Day Celebration held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tagged, 'Hydrography – Underpinning the Blue Economy', this year's celebration which was organised by the Hydrographer of the Navy, who also doubles as the  President, Nigerian Hydrography Society (NHS), Rear Admiral Muhammed Inusa, the event saw several challenges trashed by the guest lecturers, discussants and captains of industries.

While admitting how laudable the project might sound, she stressed that unless proper monitoring is put in place, the Eko Atlantic City would not be safe, adding that the five cowries creek through which water should flow out of the commodore channel had been blocked.

She said: "I will like to state categorically that I have nothing against the Eko Atlantic City Project. It is a laudable project that will provide accommodation for thousands of people, as such, reduce the burden caused by housing in Lagos.
"But the fact remains that the hydro-dynamic process, which is a natural process must be monitored because whenever an activity is going on, definitely, there will be impact on the other side of the Gulf of Guinea and do not be surprised that the impact might be as far as Senegal or Cameroun.

"The truth is that it is too late to stop the Eko Atlantic City Project, but there should be a holistic approach in monitoring whatever process is going on around that area. Also, the hydrographic process around the Banana Island is such that when there are surges from the Atlantic Ocean, it goes through the harbour and commodore channel to the five cowrie creek."

She added: "So, the five cowries creek serves as a border zone for that area and when you block it through the Banana Island, definitely, there will be breakwater, which will go back towards the commodore channel and cause erosion.

"Unless there is proper monitoring, I do not think we have a safe environment there. We can see what happened in New York City through hurricane Sandy. When we have large storm surges, I am not sure what we have can withstand it."

She called on the government to consider the collaborative input of hydrographic surveyors, meteorologists and oceanographers, especially those with local content that know the layer of the land and water.

"To the best of my knowledge, there was no local content in the survey. We heard that they did simulations and contacted experts abroad, so maybe they want to prove to us that outsiders know more about our waters than some of us who have lived here for over 30 to 40 years."

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, said the Nigerian Navy (NN) was in the process of developing Nigeria’s hydrographic capability in line with the IHO’S 3- Phase Hydrographic Capacity Building Strategy.

He added that the navy has attained phase one of the development strategy, which is the ability to collect and disseminate maritime safety information, only in 2010 in collaboration with NIMASA.

He said: "The NN is currently on course to achieving the Phase 2 and 3 of the Capacity Building Strategy, which involves the creation of surveying capacity and the ability to produce nautical charts respectively.

"To this end, the NN is in the process of acquiring a hydrographic vessel from the United States of America and also upgrading the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School (NNHS) to an IHO certified center of excellence for hydrographic studies."
On challenges facing the society, he said the slow pace is largely attributed to government’s will and poor funding which is an anomaly considering the huge financial requirement involved in hydrographic operations and the enormity of surveying Nigeria’s vast maritime domain.

He said: "Over the years, the activities of the NNHO have been solely funded by the NN and in order to improve the situation and place the society on a new pedestal, the NN is seeking the Federal Executive Council’s approval to upgrade the Hydrographic Department of the Nigerian Navy to National Hydrographic Agency (NHA)."

Source: Thisday Newspaper

Nelson Mandela in critical condition, South Africa's presidency says

Former South African President Nelson Mandela is now in critical condition, officials said.

Mandela's condition worsened in the past 24 hours, the South African president's office said, citing Mandela's medical team. He has been hospitalized in Pretoria since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Previously, authorities had described his condition as serious but stable.

"The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands," President Jacob Zuma said in a written statement, referring to Mandela's tribal name.

Mandela, 94, has become increasingly frail over the years and has not appeared in public since South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010.

The anti-apartheid hero has been in and out of the hospital in recent years.
His history of lung problems dates to when he was a political prisoner on Robben Island during the apartheid era, and he has battled respiratory infections.

Considered the founding father of South Africa's democracy, Mandela became an international figure while enduring 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid, the country's system of racial segregation.In 1993, Mandela and then-South African President F.W. de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.

The iconic leader was elected the nation's first black president a year later, serving only one term, as he had promised. Even as he has faded from the spotlight, he remains popular and is considered a hero of democracy in the nation. Last year, South Africa launched a new batch of banknotes with a picture of a smiling Mandela on the front.

Source: CNN

Nigerians will have to pay a £3,000 fee to visit UK

 
Visitors from Nigeria and other “high risk” countries in Asia and Africa will be forced to pay a £3,000 cash bond before they can enter United Kingdom.

From November, a pilot scheme will target visitors India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana who will have to pay the UK government a form of cash guarantee or deposit to deter immigration abuse. They will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa has expired.

The controversial move by the UK home secretary, Theresa May, to introduce the Australian-style system reflects her determination to show that the Conservatives are serious about cutting immigration in the UK.

Ms May said: “This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, while still welcoming the brightest and the best to Britain.”

She added: “In the long run we’re interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.”

The Home Office is targeting countries which have high volumes of visitor visa applications and what it deems to be relatively high levels of fraud and abuse.

Ife Youths & Market Women Endorse Aregbesola for 2nd term...Pass Vote of Confidence on Hon. Makinde

In a bid to consolidate on the initiative of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to improve on the standard of education in Osun state, Hon Rotimi Makinde representing Ife Federal Constituency recently displayed support for the growth and prosperity of his teeming constituents especially in the aspect of education.

On June 20th, 2013, Ife Palace Square went agog as Hon Makinde financially empowered over 150 market women and youth leaders drawn from 42 wards. Similarly another group of youths numbering 150 who were trained by seasoned administrators in various computer skills and IT courses were also paraded and given certificates; an initiative sponsored and financed by Hon Makinde.

Hon Makinde, said, “many of our young men and women are capable and desirous of engaging in meaningful economic ventures, and can do a lot for themselves if they are provided with the right and required facilities as well as skills”, adding that, “the largesse was designed to create opportunities for meaningful self-employment for our youths”.

He disclosed that the beneficiaries were carefully nominated by political and community leaders from the 42 wards in the constituency, pointing out that “this presentation was with the conviction that our passion to serve our people, and reduce the risk of poverty and despondency will be reciprocated with the right attitude by the beneficiaries”.

A cross section of the beneficiaries who expressed their views to the press commended the deputy chairman of Human Rights, Hon Rotimi Makinde and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him, give him the wisdom and courage to offer his best as a true representative of the masses at the parliament and assured of their support and loyalty to him.

The event was well attended by personalities which included Deputy Gov, Otunba Laoye Tomori, Comm for information Hon Sunday Akere, Hon Famurewa Israel Ajibola (Makinde's colleague at NASS), and all Local Govt Chairmen in Ife. Others are party stalwarts, actors and actresses. Also in attendance were 15 traditional rulers, student union leaders, friends and associates.

Moreover, famous Ewi exponent, Ajobiewe who served as MC at the event exhibited his excellent literary prowess with his citation of various panegyrics, his delivery of the citations took several hours and nobody got bored.