MEANING OF PUBLIC OPINION

 One can start to look into the ‘public opinion’ by defining the two terms separately. The word “public” is any thing that is opening expressed. It can also mean any group of individual held together by a common purpose. We belong to different public and a person can belong to unmans’ public.

On the other hand, “opinion” can be reffered to as an individual’s view on a particular issue. Opinion, whether publicly expressed or not, it an individual feeling or view on an issue.

In a not shell, public opinion is not any opinion of the majority or minority but rather it is a diversified opinion on a controversial issue which require some action. It is usually on an issue of  controversial nature which is of public concern.

Simply, defined  the effort, public opinion is the collection of individual opinion within a public on a controversial issue which require some action. Public opinion is always aimed of affecting actions of others directly or indirectly towards the object or issue concerned.

According to Babatunde Isamako (2009) the following are the element of public opinion: a)         There must be an issue

b)         The issue must be of public concern and it must be controversial

c)         The issue must exist in the public

d)         The sum of individual’s opinions of all the people are not the majority or minority

e)         The issue must require some action for solution or dissolution

f)         The Issue must be correct

I DON'T HAVE FOREIGN ACCOUNTS - JONATHAN

         President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that he does not own any bank account or property outside the country, adding that all his kids live and school on the shores of Nigeria. His revelation came few days after the United States ordered a freeze on $458 million in assets stolen by former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha and his accomplices. The stolen funds were hidden in European accounts.

       Jonathan however made the remark during the swearing-in of 11 new Ministers yesterday. His words as tweeted by his Special Assistant on New Media, Reno Omokri, @renoomokri, “I am loyal to Nigeria’s economy. I don’t have accounts or property abroad. All my children live and school in Nigeria"

        Nigeria former leaders have severally come under heavy attacks for slashing stolen money in foreign accounts and owning expensive property abroad....READ MORE===>>>www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com

OBAMA URGES PUTIN TO PURSUE DIPLOMACY OVER UKRAINE CRISIS

      US President Barack Obama has urged Russia's Vladimir Putin to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine, in a lengthy telephone call. The Russian president told Mr Obama ties between their two countries should not suffer because of disagreements over Ukraine, the Kremlin said. A move by Crimean MPs to seek union with Russia has heightened tensions. The Ukrainian Paralympic team is set to decide whether it is participating in the Sochi Winter Paralympics. The Games, which opens in the Russian Black Sea resort later on Friday, has already been boycotted by many foreign dignitaries.

President Obama stressed to Russia's president that his country's actions in Crimea were a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. He said there was a solution available that suited all parties, involving talks between Kiev and Moscow, international monitors in Ukraine and Russian forces returning to their bases. For his part, President Putin said US-Russian "relations should not be sacrificed due to disagreements over individual, albeit extremely significant, international problems," the Kremlin said.

      It was the two leaders' second telephone call concerning Ukraine in less than a week. It comes after the EU and US joined Ukraine's government in condemning as "illegal" a move by the Crimea region to set up a referendum to endorse joining Russia. The Crimean parliament on Thursday said it had decided "to enter into the Russian Federation with the rights of a subject of the Russian Federation" and asked President Putin "to start the procedure". MPs in Crimea - whose population is mostly ethnic Russian - earlier set a date of 16 March for a referendum on the issue.

PASTOR WAS ARESTED FOR CONDUCTING VIRGINITY TEST ON MEMBER WITH FINGER

          Kayode, a pastor in charge of Jesus Is The Way Evangelistic Ministry, Olorunsogo, Abeokuta, was reportedly arrested by detectives attached to Kemta Division in his house, 3, Okeyidi Street, Abeokuta.
        The Ogun State Police Command said yesterday, that it had arrested a pastor identified as Adekunle Kayode, 34, for conducting virginity test on a 20-year-old female member of his church in Abeokuta, the state capital, using his finger. The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said the pastor’s arrest was carried out when the victim narrated her ordeal to her father who then informed the police of the incident.
          The pastor was reported to have been engaging in the act in the church weekly in a bid to confirm the girl’s virginity status.
          According to the PPRO, “there was also a drama when the victim received ‘holy spirit’ which propelled her to reveal the misdeeds of the pastor who has indulged in this ungodly act for years. “Another suspect arrested for similar offence is one Onatade Oluwasegun, 23, of 4, Sheriff Onatade Street, Obantoko for conspiring with the said pastor to use the victim for a ritual purpose. “The father of the victim alleged that the duo were fond of dipping their fingers in the victim’s private part even when she was menstruating for reasons best known to them. “She also claimed that the pastor recently confirmed her virginity status when she was to take part in a church programme.
     The victim has also claimed that Oluwasegun used a charm while attempting to r**e her as directed by the pastor possibly for a ritual but she miraculously escaped. Meantime, the police have recovered the charm from the pastor within the church premises.
          The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Ikemefuna Okoye, has directed that the matter be transferred to the SCID, Eleweran for further investigation....Read more at = =>> www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com

Davido’s “Aye” Hits A Million Views On Youtube

Nigerian’s simply can’t get enough of the hot new singing sensation Davido, as video to the hit song "AYE" just released on the 7th of February already has over a million views! Amazing right? The video was directed by our very own Clarance Peters and produced by Ty Spize. Still dont have? WATCH  "AYE" HERE

        This star who took the music industry by storm in 2011 with his hit song- ‘Back When’ has more than proved himself with several tracks receiving massive airplay. 

       Although born to a billionaire father, Davido still strives to make a name for himself, which just makes us love him more. DOWNLOAD HERE

WHAT NEW CORPER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE ENTERING NYSC CAMP

1.   There are washer men and women available at your disposal for mostly the Aje-butter children and those who do not want to stress themselves. I can proudly say I used them. Registration stops 12 midnight preceding swearing –in day.

1. Never forget to wear your cap

1. You would be given your meal ticket. Never misplace it. I actually never used mine till end of camp.

1. I never knew what otondos meant ==MUMU

1.            Adjustment of clothes: You definitely have to adjust your khaki given, no one escapes this. Make sure you do this on time and also make sure you follow those tailors up if not you would be given flimsy excuses. Ensure you negotiate price for adjustment very well. They think you have money to waste.

1.            You would meet different types of human beings the crazy, spoilt, razz, dirty, complicated, stupid,…… holy, party, drunk, beautiful, ugly, different tribes etc.  Be open-minded and smile at someone. New friends! The truth of the matter is, you shouldn’t go through camp alone.

1. Read your call up letter thoroughly both back and front

1.             Just have enough t-shirts and shorts to wear throughout the week because some camps, the activities are time consuming leaving little or no time for you during the week till weekend.

1.          You will be fed three times a day in camp, but the food is barely edible. The kitchen is run by incredibly hard working women who are assisted by fellow otondos from different platoons assigned to the kitchen for each meal. If you are someone who loves to eat good food, or you don’t want to have the mammy feel, no problem just come loaded to camp with provisions. Like cereals and beverages, garri, biscuits etc. You should also hold extra cash to eat at the Mammy market, you will get good food there and won’t spend much to eat well, and the price however depends on the state to which you have been posted.

1.               There are places available where you can charge your batteries at the camp market.

1. Always fetch water down for the next morning. You can be shocked that water supply might finish before it gets to your turn and that’s the end for you .As for drinking water you either bought pure water or bottled water; there was no free drinking water whatsoever.

1. Ladies try not to go with heavy or synthetic hair to avoid excess heat and time to care for it. You could advisable make short hair to avoid heat and save time, I did a short hair which lasted me three weeks, braids is also advisable, don’t do lace wig or even fringe.

1. Pocket Money: The question is “How much money do you really need for the NYSC Orientation Course, you will be paid a N1, 500 allowance once you arrive the NYSC camp and also another one (first ALLAWI) after 3 to 4 days on camp.  if you intend to drink and hang out at the Mami market, then you can take more money depending on how much you can finish, be wise though!

1. Just be prepared to wait in line for EVERYTHING

1. The bathrooms and toilets are nothing to write home about. It is always dirty and terrible in fact if not careful disease could be contacted. Well some ladies don’t know about guys, had buckets for the sole purpose of relieving themselves with what I can call ‘pit bucket’

1. Do not dare the soldiers, some can be ruthless and you know they have authority to deal with you in name of discipline.

1. Always switch your phones off or put them on silent while on parade ground. Just don’t bring it out, it could be seized and destroyed not minding if it’s a blackberry z10.

1. The accommodation was something else. Rooms were jam-packed with little or no space to pass and walk freely. I had up to 60 roommates if not more. It was always stuffy, dirty and ventilation was poor.

1. There are fellowships for Christians and Muslims.  The 3 recognized associations are NCCF (NIGERIAN CHRISTAIN CORPERS FELLOWHIP), NACC (ANGLICAN) and MCAN (MUSLIM CORPERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA). But there were others like Redeemed, Winners, catholic, Christ embassy and deeper life. So you could make your choice. Also they have morning devotions and weekly service.

Overall, the NYSC camp was fun and I met a lot of people and I can say it was worth it was well worth it. It is an experience every Nigerian should have. It was the best 3 weeks of my life.Read more... www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com

DANIEL STURRIDGED RESCUED ENGLAND WITH A LATE WINNER GOAL AGAINST DEMARK

   

       Daniel Sturridge was one of five Liverpool players named in Hodgson's starting line-up and the striker carried his rich vein of club form on to the international scene, heading in Adam Lallana's cross for his 12th goal in as many games to give England a first win in three matches. This was a last chance for Hodgson's players to impress their manager at international level if they are to be included in his travelling party for Brazil, and Sturridge will have done his chances no harm.

           His Reds team-mate Raheem Sterling was named sponsors' man of the match for an encouraging display, while Lallana again pressed his case for selection after coming off the bench. It was only the Southampton captain's third cap, but he looks comfortable on the big stage. Saints colleague Luke Shaw, 18, replaced Ashley Cole at half-time and justified suggestions he will be England's future first-choice left-back, showing ambition and composure on his debut.

            For all the encouragement, however, there was also cause for concern in the way England struggled to convert their possession into chances and looked vulnerable to the counter-attack. There was a general lack of urgency and Denmark, who failed to qualify for the World Cup and lacked genuine quality, still came close to opening the scoring on more than one occasion.

               Hodgson will name a 23-man squad and seven standby names on 13 May, a friendly against Peru at Wembley on 30 May. England then travel to Miami for a warm-weather training camp, where they will play Ecuador and Honduras, before flying to Brazil.read more = =>> www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN PUT BLAMES ON CAMEROON FOR BOKO HARAM

         The Nigeria President  put blames on cameroon for not cooperating with plans on capturing boko haram. When his speaking in an interview; the President Goodluck Jonathan accused its eastern neighbor, Cameroon of not cooperating with it and allowing cross-border pursuit of Boko Haram terrorists it claims return to Cameroon after attacks in Nigeria.

       The Boko Haram insurgency has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria since the President assumed power over Africa’s most populous nation. The economy of the north has been seriously impacted by the uncontrolled spats of terror and the President has come under increasing pressure to act or resign as his administration loses its remaining credibility within Nigeria and abroad. This would not however be the first time the President looks for candidates to blame for failures of the administration, both locally and internationally.

        It would be recalled that at the beginning of his tenure, with each initial event of Boko Haram terrorism, the President of Nigeria encouraged the blame of ‘northern elements.’ As time progressed, with the amalgamation of several political parties, forming the merger, APC party, the Presidency blamed all matters including the provision of stable power and resolving an intractable ASUU education sector strike on the ‘opposition.’ It can be recalled that during an interview with CNN international anchor, Christian Amanpour, the President claimed Nigerians were celebrating better power and accused Christian Amanpour of being ‘with’ the ‘opposition,’ who denied this ‘better service.’

        Blaming others for the problems of the current administration is also not unique to the President. Recently at the Powerlist 2014 programme in London, an intimately close minister, the embattled minister of oil, Diezani Alison-Madukwe accused foreign nations of ‘economic terrorism,’ for being the ones who purchased stolen oil. However in the face of accusations of NNPC theft of up to and over 100 billion dollars, the minister did not claim to be a terrorist as she had labeled such gravid acts of financial sabotage, but submitted that investigations of the illegal looting activities of the national oil corporation must extend to the predecessor regime. On the topic of oil theft, the President of Nigeria also played the same blame card in an interview with CNN’s Amanpour, accusing foreigners who purchased stolen oil.

          It is quickly becoming the defining feature of the Jonathan administration to either flat-out deny or find others to accuse of all its challenges and inadequacies. During the recent escalation in Boko Haram terrorism, the Presidents media man, Reno Omokri was found to have even gone as far as preparing press releases under an alias, Wendel Simlin, to accuse the whistleblower, suspended CBN governor of being behind the escalation in Boko Haram attacks which followed a replacement of army chief’s and appointment of a questionable character, three-time failed NSA as minister of defense.

          Though the need for cooperation with Nigeria’s neighbors in the battle against terrorism cannot be undermined, the difficult position of Nigeria’s neighbors can be appreciated given the administration’s record of recklessness, incompetence and protection, appointment and recognition of terror masterminds and corrupt thieves.

           In April of 2012 when the ex-governor of Borno, Ali Modu Sherif, who has been clearly implicated in the metamorphosis of Boko Haram terrorism and is indicted in the Abba Moro White-paper report with the president, was arrested by the Cameroon government for Boko Haram terrorism, the Nigerian Presidency facilitated his release with another senator who was arrested with him. Upon his arrest, Ali Modu Sheriff said, “I did not know that Cameroonians are like this, I prefer to go back to where I came from.” Indeed, Nigeria where he came from under the Jonathan administration embraces and rewards terror sponsors. Here is where he is most comfortable.

          Again, when another non-repentant MEND terrorist who has admitted a relationship with Boko Haram founder, late Mohammed Yusuf, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari was arrested by the Benenoise security services, the Nigerian Presidency immediately sent to his rescue. The relationship of the Nigerian President with terror sponsors and terrorists has challenged his repute and commitment to the battle against terrorism both locally and internationally. In a current lament, Noble Laureate, Wole Soyinka who has called the ruling PDP party a ‘terrorist organization,’ described Nigeria’s president as having ‘canonised terrorism’ by awarding a confirmed ex-dictator who looted billions of dollars, of which up to $1.2 billion has been certified and recovered, and a known killer, an award of ‘national honor.’ Professor Soyinka described ex-dictator Abacha as equivalent to Boko Haram terrorists. The terror impact of the billions he looted which has been confirmed, to the nation cannot be debated.

       With a history of dining with and protecting terrorists and facilitating the release of terror sponsors from neighboring countries, the cooperation of such nations and their permission for Nigerian troops to crisscross their borders freely is unfortunately legitimately jeopardized.

Without a true commitment to abating and fighting terror, which selectively targets the poor and less affluent, Nigeria fails to garner international support in its ‘war against terror.’ It will be remembered that until Nigeria showed some seriousness and declared a state of emergency against the wishes of his head of national security, as impressed on the President by certain intelligence media in a May 8 2013 article captioned, “Nigeria at war,” did the US and UK government swiftly adjust their positions, declaring Boko Haram members wanted and freezing their assets.

Rather than a policy of denial of responsibility for failure and trading blame with local and international players, how about the Presidency accepts its credit for enabling terror and mass murder of Nigerians reminiscent of the progrom years? Denial can never solve this problem, and there is urgency for critical action or resignation. A friend of the President said ‘he is still learning.’ Well people are dying, if he hasn’t learned enough in 7 years so-far in Aso rock, he should have pity on the poor who are dying and give way to people who have commitment, moral competence, respect and balls. It is enough of politics with Nigerian lives.

At this critical point in Nigeria’s history, Nigeria needs a strong President who can cross party lines and also international borders with respect and regard.

THE ROLES OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDITOR IN FRAUD DETECTION

             Current auditing standards: International Auditing and Assurance Standard Board (IAASB)

require that external auditors to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud, in order to make an unqualified (clean) opinion standard on the financial statements.

               The level of the reasonable assurance is considered as a high level of assurance but not absolute assurance. However, in complying with their professional standards, independent auditors provide reasonable assurance that financial statements are free from material misstatements. 

               The central issue vital to the audit quality is the nature and extent of auditors’ responsibility to detect financial statement fraud. Nevertheless, there is a widening expectation gap between what auditors should be doing and what auditors are willing to accept and are capable of doing to discover fraud according to their standards of auditing and the fees collected for their services.

              However, the auditors are to focus on fraud in the financial statement. The external auditors had discovered fraud, fraudulent financial reporting in particular, as the main purpose of financial audit. In recent years, in the statement of auditing standards (SAS) no. 99 entitled consideration of fraud in a financial statement audit, it was directly referring to the professional role and profession of accounting estimates of the external auditors in detecting fraud in financial statements

            SAS no.99, request independent auditors to obtain information to determine the risk of financial statement fraud, risk assessment by participating in the program and control of the entity, and response with the evaluation result by changing the audit plans and programs. SAS no.99 also:

-          Increases emphasis on professional skepticism by requiring members of the audit team exchange ideas or brainstorm how fraud could occur

-          Requires discussions with management about their knowledge of fraud, suspicion of fraud, any awareness of allegations of fraudulent financial reporting, its understanding about the risks of fraud in the entity, and controls the programs. It has been established to mitigate specific fraud risks.

-          Request discussions with management about the nature and extent of monitoring of operating locations or business segments and whether and how it communicates with employees their views on business practices and ethical behavior requires auditors to make a point of taking to employees in and outside management in order to give employees and others the opportunity to blow the whistle

-          Requires auditors perform unpredictable audit test and respond to management override of controls.

On the other hand, in the corporate governance structure, the role of external auditors is to provide reasonable assurance related to the quality, integrity and reliability of the published, audited financial statements. Thus, the public expects auditors to detect financial statement fraud. 

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVED VISA FOR ISLAMIC TERROR PREACHER

          The FG on Sunday said they have not done anything wrong in granting visa to an alleged Islamic terror

preacher, Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips. Our sources reported that Philips who lives in Qatar had been issued a Nigerian visa to visit and preach in the country.

The preacher was said to have already been banned from entering countries such as Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America and Kenya. The report said Philips celebrated his visa issuance with his followers on his Facebook page on Saturday morning, when he wrote, “Al hamdu lillaah. I just got a visa for Nigeria and will be going there in a few days, in shaa Allaah. So, I hope to see all my Nigerian muslim brothers and sisters. Baarakallaahu feekum.”

              Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, told State House correspondents that the fact that somebody was denied visa by other countries could not be a reason for such person to be denied visa in Nigeria since the country had its visa requirements. Moro said it would be wrong for any applicant to be denied Nigerian visa after meeting the requirements.

           He however said the government would not hesitate to deport whoever was found to be engaging in activities that were inimical to the security of the country. He said, “Every country has its own requirement for the granting of visa  and in Nigeria’s situation especially against the backdrop of our security challenges, we also have our requirement for granting of visas. “We have our own blacklist of people that because of our security situation should not be allowed into the country.

            And if this preacher that you talk about for instance did not fall within the list of people blacklisted for their activities that are inimical to internal security; If he is preaching and the content of what he has submitted for the granting of visa will not undermine the security of the country, then certainly we will grant him the visa. That is the purpose we have achieved here.

           Let me also say here that we should not set some double standards, when the Nigerian government signed the anti-gay law and the West was complaining, we stated that Nigerian nation is a sovereign country that should be allowed to determine its destiny and practices.

ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITY (ASUU) READY TO CLASH WITH GOVERNOR FASHOLA OVER TUITION FEE INCREASE

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has rejected the tuition increase in the Lagos State University which was implemented by the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration. Dr. Nasir Fagge, ASUU President made this known at the symposium organized by the Education Rights Campaign group at the University of Ibadan. He said, “Universities are not commercial centres for internally generated revenues but knowledge production centres. The new fee introduced by the school would have come earlier than now but it was halted by the intervention of ASUU through a delegation led by Dr. Dipo Fashina.The ASUU boss has called for a review of immunity clause in the Nigerian Constitution and exposure of corrupt public officers in order to reduce the cost of governance in the country.

                He said, “The law which protects leaders from being prosecuted for stealing public money during their reign is against the masses. The law is against those who are daily suffering from the consequences of unchecked stealing and pilfering of the collective wealth of the nation.            President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Nasir Fagge, has said that the union will resist the rise in tuition fee at the Lagos State University.He added that the establishment of universities by the government should be for knowledge acquisition rather than for profit making.          While speaking at a symposium organised by the Education Rights Campaign group held at the University of Ibadan, Fagge said the hike in tuition fee would not take care of infrastructural demands in LASU but would deny children of the  poor masses access to public education.He said, “Universities are not commercial centres for internally generated revenues but knowledge production centres. The new fee introduced by the school would have come earlier than now but it was halted by the intervention of ASUU through a delegation led by Dr. Dipo Fashina.“ASUU will not support hike in fees in any public university in Nigeria. The union’s final response will be determined by the outcome of the meeting of delegates sent to meet the visitor Governor Babatunde Fashola and the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. John Obafunwa.

BOKO HARAM INVADED MAFA IN BORNO

Yestarday, the suspected Boko Haram terrorists, invaded Mafa, the headquarters of Mafa local government area of Borno state, killing scores of residents before setting ablaze many residential and public buildings.

              This incident is happening barely 24 hours when another set of terrorists laid an ambush on Mainok village, Saturday night, killing over 40 residents while sacking the whole community, destroying property worth millions of naira.

              In the past week, more than 200 people have been killed while property worth billions of naira were destroyed in separate attacks masterminded by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.

The gunmen it was gathered invaded the town on Sunday night where they had a field day after overpowering the security operatives on guard and wreaked havoc on civilians.

             The gunmen , according to sources, ” came into Mafa town using Hilux Toyota vans armed with AK47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices ( IED’s ), Rocket Propelled Launchers, petrol bombs and opened fire on residents who were asleep, killing many people killed and several others injured.

Borno State Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawal Tanko confirmed the incident but said, he is yet to get the number of casualties from the Divisional Police Officer in Mafa Council Area.

see more==>> www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com

LAGOS STATE EXPERIENCE FUEL SCARCITY

The fuel scarcity in Lagos worsened, over the weekend, as only a handful of petrol stations were seen selling the commodity in some areas of the state. Efforts to get the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to comment on the worsening fuel situation proved abortive, as the spokesperson for the DPR, Mr. Paul Osu, refused to respond to text messages sent to his phone, yesterday.

                All the petrol stations along the Apapa Oshodi expressway were closed to vehicles, while a few, though shut, were seen selling fuel to individuals in jerry cans.

Along Lawanson Road, Surulere, only Oando filling station, near Ojuelegba was seen selling the products to both vehicles and individuals in containers, a development which caused a major gridlock along the ever busy road.

          All other filling stations along Lawanson Road, such as Total, Mobil, Conoil, among others, were closed. Mobil, the only filling station along Ijesha road was shut, but residents told Vanguard that they open occasionally to sell only to individuals    with containers.The DPR’s only response to the scarcity was when its officials embarked on an enforcement drive two weeks ago, a development which vehicle owners, said helped a bit in salvaging the situation, as a few petrol stations where made to re open for fear of being closed. The DPR failed to step up the enforcement activity after that action it carried out with some journalists, giving the marketers a free hand to carry out their nefarious activities with impunity, leading to the suffering and hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing.

                All other petrol stations across Surulere were closed, with a few seen dispensing to jerry cans. However, the scarcity has given rise to black market activities, with a number of youths, standing in front of closed petrol stations, beckoning to vehicle owners, trying to sell the products stored in various sizes of plastic containers. One of the youths said that he was selling a five litre container of fuel for N1,000.

               A visit to the tank farms at Ibafon, along the Apapa Oshodi Expressway, throughout last week, saw tankers leaving the depots with the commodity, while a few others were on the queues, which almost stretched down to Mile 2, causing serious gridlock on the road. Relatedly, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC said yesterday that the fuel scarcity noticed in Lagos and some parts of the country was artificially induced and has commenced fresh measures to halt it. Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim in a statement yesterday said the NNPC in conjunction with the Department of Petroleum Resources, and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, will commence monitoring of fuel stations in Lagos and its environs as well as any other state to checkmate the incidence of hoarding and panic buying of fuel .

           Long fuel queues have also returned to filling stations in Yenagoa and its environs as fuel scarcity bites harder in the predominantly riverine state. Virtually all the retail outlets in town have since closed shop due to non availability of fuel, a development that has forced most car owners to park their vehicles at home and make do with public transport.

        Our correspondent who went round the capital city observed that only the NNPC mega filling station along the Sani Abacha expressway, was dispensing fuel at the official N97 pump price.
Meanwhile, the Warri branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, blamed the current fuel scarcity in Delta on panic buying.

The branch’s Chairman, Akpos Edafevwotu told journalists in Warri yesterday that there is enough fuel at the Warri Depot of the Petroleum Procuts Marketing Company, PPMC, to cater for the people of the state and its surroundings. SEE MORE ==>> www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com

AL-QAEDA REBELS IN SYRIA TELL CHRISTIANS TO LEAVE OR DIE

The Islamist rebels running the northern Syrian city of Raqqa have made the Christians living in the area an offer they can’t refuse: pay for protection, convert to Islam, or “face the sword. In a statement posted to Jihadi websites and signed by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-designated emir of the future Islamic caliphate of Raqqa, as well as the founder of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS] rebel brigade, Christians are urged to pay a tax in order to continue living under ISIS’s protection. The terms are simple: twice a year wealthy Christians must pay the equivalent of half an ounce of gold — about $664 by today’s market value. Middle-class Christians have to come up with half that sum, and poor Christians can get away with paying a quarter, or about $166.

      Terrorism analyst Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi offers a translation of the statement for the Syria Comment blog. ISIS’s so-called “dhimmi pact,” which refers to an ancient piece of legislation that allowed Christians and Jews to live and practice their religion in Islamic kingdoms as long as they paid a tax and submitted to specific rules, lays out what they can expect in return. Their churches will not be attacked, their wealth will not be confiscated, and they will not be physically harmed. They will have the right to practice their religion — as long as they keep their crosses, their Bibles and their churches out of sight. They are not allowed to ring bells, evangelize or pray within earshot of a Muslim, nor are they allowed to sell pork and alcohol to Muslims or bear arms.

         Raqqa, the only Syrian city completely under rebel control, was seized by ISIS in May. Since then the group, which was an al-Qaeda franchise until last month, when it was expelled for being too radical, has attempted to establish a new Islamic kingdom governed by laws dating back to the days of the Prophet Mohammad and his successors. www.newssporteducation.blogspot.com Fierce battles between ISIS and other rebel groups aligned against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad over the direction of the revolution have resulted in some 2,000 dead over the past few months. ISIS’s latest dictate will raise hackles, but there is little that the other rebel groups can do, short of opening another front in their war.

        In the statement, ISIS members said that some 20 Christian leaders had already agreed to the terms. It’s a figure that has many scratching their heads. Before the Syrian conflict started three years ago, less than one percent of Raqqa’s 300,000 population was Christian. Most of those Christians had already fled by the time ISIS moved in. “I find it hard to believe that after all that happened, there are any Christians at all left in Raqqa,” says Bassel, a 36-year-old Christian from nearby Aleppo, who asked to use only one name in order to protect his family still in Syria. To Bassel, the attention the statement has garnered outweighs the impact and has diverted attention from more important issues, like civilian casualties. The Syrian regime has long used Islamists’ threats against Christians and other minorities to justify their assertion that all rebels are terrorists. ISIS, on the other hand, gets to highlight its Islamist bona fides. Christians, says Bassel, are an easy way to focus the world’s attention.

JOINT TAX FORCE JTF ARREST 8 SUSPECTS

Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, on Sunday said that it arrested eight suspected oil thieves and destroyed 17 illegal refineries in multiple raids. A statement issued by Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Media Coordination of JTF in Yenagoa, said the anti-oil theft raids were conducted from Feb. 11 to Feb. 18. Nwachukwu said that several items were seized during the operation in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo. He said that the JTF troops in Edo and Delta destroyed five illegal oil distillation sites and 40 boats and seized 300 metal tanks, 64 plastic storage tanks, 72 drums and 68 cooking ovens. He added that four pumping machines and one Lister Generator were seized at Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta.

            The spokesman said the troops also intercepted a locally made tug boat conveying 30 drums of stolen petroleum at Ajide on Benin River in Edo. He said that six suspects were arrested during the operation and moved to the Tactical Headquarters of the Battalions for preliminary investigation. In another development, Nwachukwu said JTF personnel patrolling the waterways and creeks on Soku-Ofumakiri, Bolo, Oloma and Isaka in Rivers, destroyed four illegal refineries. He said 40 cooking ovens, 30 plastic storage tanks, 50 drums, one welding machine, two pumping machines and a 45 KVA generator were seized.

          He said two suspects arrested in the operation were assisting investigators at the Sector 2 of the JTF in Port Harcourt. Our troops patrolling the waterways in Bayelsa have shutdown eight illegal crude oil distillation sites. The troops also destroyed six “cotonou“ boats used by oil thieves in Tebidaba and Igbematoru communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa. Nwachukwu said, the operatives also destroyed 69 metal drums and two pumping machines used by the oil thieves to operate their illegal refineries. He said that the eight suspects would be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies after preliminary investigations. (NAN)

WHO WILL RESCUE US? 70% OF NIGERIAN ARE SUFFERING BITTERLY

 There is need to seek divine assistance for the nation to witness change from poverty, diseases, violence, blood shedding among other problems. It was under probability that the country would soon experience genuine turnaround. Nigeria is shining outside. It is known to be flamboyant but 70 percent of the people in the nation are suffering. All forms of sickness we have never heard before are happening.
        What an evil is happening in this nation, greed, fornication, shedding of innocent blood, idolatory. Tonight we should be sober.
In the book of 2nd Chronicles chapter 15 says; Who can be against us, If the lord be for us.
          Millions of Nigerians are now living below standard which is not suppose to be. this is the country that has resources with many thing to leave a convenient life. Some people go to dustbin or where they throw refuges to get their daily meal. People are dying of hunger on a daily basis.
Can we now put blame on our leaders or whose fault?
        Some people replied that, we cannot blame only the leaders for corruption and 419. The leaders are Mirrors. The head of state and his goverment reflect the collective consciousness, be it military regime, democracies, or anarchies. If a government is unstable or corrupt, or if a tyrann comes to power, it is because the collective consciousness is at that level. If the results of a government are limited, its is because the consciousness of the nation is limited. A government can never be better than its people. Nowadays, the focus is on the fruits, while it should be on the root.
      Should Nigerian citizen make a Protest and march to Abuja,Lagos? some people suggest that, we should make a protest, in fact all over Nigeria and make a Heavily protest to shut down the Airport like Thailand did to remove all the bad leader.Thailand does not have the resources Nigeria Had but they have the power to say whatever they want to say.You are there doing 419,Steal,Burn peoples Alive, 1 million Nigeria can march down to Abuja,Lagos shut down every Important investment in Nigeria,The hole World will look on Us and there will be a Solution and then they will give us Answer. We are here playing Innocent Soul who work his hard earn money to play for Fraud.and they said we are rock of Africa. Who will rescue us from this suffering?

Cultists kill LAUTECH student and mutilate body

 It wasa tragedy news when a 100-level student in the Department of Transport Management at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Mba Ikechukwu, has been killed by cultists. His body was mutilated. It was learnt that the cultists stormed Mba’s hostel on Tuesday evening and shot into the air many times. Sources said they went into Mba’s room, where they shot him and removed his arms. Mba’s body was deposited in the mortuary by the police.

       The university’s management met with security agencies on Wednesday on how to apprehend Mba’s killers and tighten security in hostels. LAUTECH is an off-campus institution. Security has been beefed up in hostels. Student held a peaceful rally on campus to mourn Mba and sensitise one another on the ills of cultism. Academic activities are going on smoothly at the institution.

          The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Tunde Olabiyisi, debunked rumours that the institution had been closed for two days (yesterday and today) to douse tension. He said: “You can see for yourself that the campus is peaceful and students are receiving lectures. There is no disruption whatsoever. Everywhere is peaceful. The incident happened outside the campus and appropriate actions are being taken. though, investigation is still on.

SOLDIER PICK RACE AS BOKO HARM KILLS 37 IN ADAMAWA

            It was Yobe State on last week tuesday where 59 schoolchildren were massacred. On Wednesday, the bloodletting extended to Adamawa State where Boko Haram terrorists, armed with rocket-propelled grenades nearly sacked four communities. An official death toll in the attacks was not available as of 9.40pm on Thursday. But the British Broadcasting Corporation Hausa Service put it at 37 while the Agence France Presse reported 33. 

            Banks, shops, part of a local government secretariat and houses were reported to have been looted and burnt during the six-hour simultenous raids on the three communities – Michika, Gulak , Shuwa and Krichinga – by the militants. It was gathered that in Shuwa, Madagali Local Government Area, a repeat of the Yobe massacre was averted when the insurgents attacked the Christians Teacher College, Christian Secondary School and a Catholic Convent.
           A resident told The PUNCH that the head of the Christian Secondary School, on hearing gunshots in the community, advised his pupils to run into nearby bushes to avoid being killed by the terrorists. The resident, who declined to give his name, added that when the hoodlums eventually arrived and saw the school deserted, they burnt down almost all the structures on the premises.
           He however did not say if all the pupils came out of the bushes unhurt since the incident took place at night. A pastor in Shuwa told the AFP that soldiers retreated when the armed insurgents invaded the community. When the soldiers at the military checkpoints saw the number of the attackers, they retreated into the nearby bushes as the gunmen operated without challenge during the operation that lasted throughout the night,” the cleric said. It was also gathered that among the over 20 persons killed in Shuwa, was a priest at St. Augustine Catholic Church. The home of a former commissioner in the state, Idris Nuhu, was among those burnt in the community.
          In Michika, Michika LGA, another group of Boko Haram gunmen burnt three banks, a police station, part of the Michika LGA secretariat and shops.  A resident, who identified himself simply as Fide, told the News Agency of Nigeria, that the attackers, who arrived in nine vans firing guns and throwing explosives, killed a banker and a villager. Fide said, “They burnt three banks, a police station, shops and part of the Michika LGA secretariat. One of the dead body is that of a member of staff of the Bank of Agriculture. Some other residents of Michika said they slept in the hills and nearby bushes during the mayhem that lasted for about five hours.
           The BBC Hausa Service quoted witnesses as saying that some of those killed in Michika and Shuwa either had gunshot wounds or had their throats slit. The Chairman of the Michika LGA, Ulama Maina, confirmed to journalists that banks, police station, shops and some houses were torched. Maina however did not give the casualty figure.
            The spokesman for the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Yola, Capt. Ja’afaru Nuhu, who also confirmed that communities in Madagali and Michika LGAs were attacked, told NAN that details of the incident would be released at a later stage. Grace Hassan, an indigene of Michika, told The Punch that the attacks that started at about 8pm lasted till 2am, adding that information at her disposal indicated that the mayhem sent fears into the hearts of residents of Lassa, a neighbouring town in Borno State. According to her, the residents of the community fled into the bushes to avoid being killed.
           A resident of Lassa, Peter Satumari, said many of them fled their homes into the bushes when the sound of gunshots and explosives were becoming unbearable. Satumari said, “No one could sleep because of the sound of gunshots which we thought were being fired from our village. We had to run into the bushes believing they might come to attack our houses. It was later on Thursday morning that we saw smoke billowing from afar and got to know there were attacks in Shuwa, Gulak and Michika, all in Adamawa State. It was also gathered that the sect attacked Krichinga, a village about five kilometres east of Shuwa. There, four people lost their lives and many were injured.
          A furious governor of the state Gov. Murtala Nyako suggested there must be collusion with the Boko Haram terrorist network. Nyako, a former navy chief of staff, said the attacks ridiculed President Goodluck Jonathan’s insistence that the military was winning the war against Islamic militants. When Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima claimed that Boko Haram fighters were “better armed and better motivated,” than the troops fighting them, Jonathan upbraided him.
           The Defence Headquarters has however launched what it described as specialised campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents.

           The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, that the campaign had already taken off in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states which are under emergency rule. He explained that part of the arrangement was to pursue and prevent the insurgents from escaping from the country. The Defence spokesman said that terrorists fleeing towards Nigeria’s borders with Cameroun had severely attacked some communities in desperation for food and money.
             He said, “The purpose of this briefing is to intimate you with the elevation of counter terrorism campaign in the country. The new approach marks another phase in the operations designed to further contain the terrorists and their activities.
            The specialised campaign which has commenced is being undertaken simultaneously in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states. This operation is also in furtherance of efforts at apprehending the terrorists and ensuring they do not escape out of Nigeria as they are now desperate to do. Unfortunately, however, they have in the course of their flight towards various borders, continued to perpetrate mayhem as noticed in some parts of Adamawa State yesterday (Wednesday), where they attacked communities. In desperation for money and food, they looted and burnt banks, shops and filling stations along their way through Michika as they headed for the Camerounian border.”
            Olukolade said that three civilians and a soldier were killed in the attacks on the Adamawa communities while six insurgents were gunned down and two captured alive. He said that the DHQ believed that the insurgents who attacked the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe State were the same people behind the Michika onslaught.

SOUTHAMPTON READY TO KEEP SHAW IN SUMMER

Southampton's fast-increasing "prestige" can help keep England new boy Luke Shaw at St Mary's beyond the summer, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Saints boss Pochettino hailed full-back Shaw's first senior England call-up for Wednesday's friendly clash with Denmark at Wembley. Pochettino said teenager Shaw's England elevation can aid the fight to fend off the circling Manchester City and Chelsea, with both Barclays Premier League giants keen on prising the 18-year-old away from the south coast.
       The Argentine manager backed Southampton's England quartet to force their way into Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad for the summer tournament in Brazil.
"That's clearly our intention; we want to keep hold of our young players, such as Luke Shaw: we want to keep hold of our young, talented players, and that's our intention for the future," said Pochettino.
"It's very important that Southampton have four players in the England squad, that's a massive boost for this club, but it also enhances the prestige of this club, so it's a very important thing."
Southampton academy graduate Shaw has joined Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana in the full England squad. Pochettino believes all four have a realistic opportunity to make England's final World Cup roster.
          For any player it's a massive boost to get called up to the English national side, especially looking at the fact there's such a short time until the World Cup," he said. It's a great opportunity for them, and it's a great chance for them to actually be on that plane to Brazil."
        Southampton will give defender Jos Hooiveld and midfielder Victor Wanyama as long as possible to prove their fitness for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool. Hooiveld missed the league encounter at West Ham last weekend with an eye injury while Kenyan midfielder Wanyama is set to remain sidelined by the unspecified knock which kept him out of the squad to face the Hammers.
          Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has returned to training after two months out with a hamstring injury but Daniel Agger will retain his place at centre-back for the trip. Midfielder Lucas Leiva is back working with the first-team group after a six-week absence with a knee injury but will not be considered for the weekend. Left-back Jose Enrique continues his rehabilitation from a knee operation which has sidelined him since early November. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is less concerned about his defence than he is about winning their way to a successful end to the season.
         Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 games stretching back to mid-December, have conceded seven goals in their last three matches and their defensive record is the second-worst of the top 11 teams. But, in contrast, they are the Premier League's leading scorers with 70 in 27 games and their superior firepower in their last two league matches against Fulham and Swansea is what has kept them afloat in the title race.
          That does not mean defence is not an area Rodgers wants to improve but with just over two months of the season remaining results become ever more important. We obviously conceded disappointing goals last weekend (in beating Swansea 4-3) but ultimately at this stage of the season it is about winning," said Rodgers. We conceded one goal from a free-kick, another was a penalty and another was an incredible finish by Jonjo Shelvey. We have put in some outstanding team performances over the last four to six weeks and been so exciting to watch going forward. It's a collective effort. When we attack and score the goals we have it is because of the squad. If we've scored 70 goals and are the highest goalscorers it is because we are building a platform for the team to go forward and play. If we defend (badly) it is because we haven't pressed the ball high enough at the top of the field and that is a consequence for the rest of the team. It is just (having) that composure and focus but it is not just the back four and goalkeeper. Ultimately we won the game.
          This is a team evolving and improving all the time, and I will never move that to the side. You can never stop: performance is important for us because winning is a natural consequence of that. We don't put the team out every week to look nice, we are working to win. We won't play perfect football but we have put ourselves in a great position with 11 games to go."

STOKE CITY COACH (HUGHES CONFIRMS OLIC INTEREST

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has confirmed the club's interest in signing Wolfsburg and Croatia striker Ivica Olic. Olic, whose current contract runs out in the summer, was quoted in the last few days by Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List as saying he had held talks with Hughes and the Potters hierarchy. He said he had been made an offer by the Staffordshire outfit and that he was yet to choose between that and an offer of a new deal from Wolfsburg.

          Asked on Friday about the 34-year-old, Hughes said: "It is fair to say he is an interesting player - one I have faced in the past and have always been impressed with.

"There is an interest there and we'll see how it progresses."

Hughes has also given his thoughts on the contract situations of Stoke stalwart Andy Wilkinson.

Defender Wilkinson, a Potters academy graduate, is on a deal that expires at the end of the season.

He has already indicated he has been offered a new one and that, despite his frustration at a lack of game time this term, he hopes to stay put.

         Hughes said of the 29-year-old: "We'd like Andy to stay - I think he typifies the Stoke attitude and he has good ability. "He is a local guy, has been here a long time and is very much part of the fabric of the place, and you can't have too many of those type of players in your club.

"So we'll be delighted if Andy can agree a new deal and is here for a longer time."

Stoke will check on the condition of Peter Odemwingie ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League home clash with Arsenal after he sustained a calf problem.

Fellow Potters forward Jon Walters has missed a couple of days of training this week due to illness but is expected to be available, and on-loan Manchester City striker John Guidetti is eligible once again after sitting out last weekend's defeat at his parent club.

         Defender Robert Huth, who last played for the Stoke first team in November and has been recovering from knee surgery, successfully came through 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday but is not yet ready for a competitive return. On-loan Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi (knee) remains sidelined. Mesut Ozil will return after hip trouble and a two-day rest for Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will leave a decision on whether or not to field fit-again defender Thomas Vermaelen at left-back to the last minute.

      Nacho Monreal (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (gluteus) both remain doubtful, and if neither make it back in time for the Potters clash, Wenger could deploy Vermaelen, fully recovered from a shin problem, on the left of his defence. Tony Pulis' muscular Stoke side intimidated Arsenal's cosmopolitan crew into untold headaches over the years, but now new boss Hughes is battling to expand that regimented gameplan.

Wenger admitted Arsenal may be more suited to taking on a team built by the former Manchester United and Wales striker than facing up to Pulis' pressgang tactics. "We had some bad memories but also some good ones as well," said Wenger. It's a stadium where before, first of all the pitch was narrow and difficult to play, a bit more open to the wind. But recently we have shown as well it's down to the performance on the day.

        If you perform on Saturday that's all that counts. Yes it probably is better for us now though, because we went sometimes to Stoke, who had a rough style, we had young players and it was difficult. But they have good players, they have done well in the league, they qualified for the Europa league. So they are a real challenge. Every manager has his own style, he (Hughes) has experience and has shown he can do well.