247gistflash: 08/25/13

Sunday 25 August 2013

NERC Promises Improved Power Supply

The chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, has assured Nigerians that the challenges faced by Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, will soon be a thing of the past, as his commission had given licenses to companies that understand the major challenge facing Nigeria in the sector to generate power.

It was more of a disappointing Sunday service especially for those who had thronged the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) in Abuja to listen to the senior pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo, ‘confess his sins’ to members of his congregation. To genuine worshippers,

Professor Matthew Akintunde Ojo has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, by the university’s Senate. Ojo has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in English and Religious Studies, and Religious Studies respectively, from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, Osun State.

Thousands of Muslims rallied peacefully in northern Nigeria on Saturday to demand the return of Egypt’s Islamist former president Mohamed Morsi, ousted by the military early last month. Around 4,000 demonstrators carrying banners and placards chanted pro-Morsi songs and slogans outside a mosque in northern Nigeria’s biggest city, Kano, an AFP reporter witnessed.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has been called upon to arrest and investigate the National Coordinator of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, over his remarks that there will be mayhem if the 2015 polls are rigged in favour of incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Ex-militants in the Niger Delta has urged Northern political leaders to bury their 2015 presidential polls ambition and support President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfill his developmental blueprint for Nigeria. The ex militants under the aegis of Third Phase Amnesty Camps Committee (TPACC) declared that the Northern leaders for now have no business eyeing Aso Rock. “They should wait until 2019 after Jonathan had completed his second term.” Speaking, Friday, in Yenagoa at the end of their meeting, chairman of the group, Preye John aka, Gbikigbiki said President Jonathan had done creditably well in spite of the security challenges caused by the Boko Haram insurgency and as such deserved a second tenure. “The northern leaders should bury their face in shame for the country’s woes having ruled for more than 35 years,” he said and urged those spoiling for war to put Nigeria above their personal interest. “The South has over the years supported the North and this is the time for the North to support the South,” he said adding that ex-militants would soon embark on a peaceful rally in Abuja to rally support for Jonathan in his 2015 presidential bid. They group called on the Nigerian voting public to be wary of those they term “expired leaders” who are masquerading as progressives. He dismissed the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that “the party is no threat to Jonathan or the PDP.”

First International Commercial Flight Lands In Enugu Airport

The historic flight was made by the Ethiopian Airlines which will now be the first international carrier to operate from Enugu. The Enugu State Government has assured that adequate preparations have been made to ensure that the event described as a significant milestone in the economic life of the State and the entire South East, was successfully conducted. Governor Sullivan Chime and his colleagues from the other states in the region as well as many important dignitaries from within and outside the country, will be on hand to receive the historic flight. As expected, an atmosphere of excitement and jubilation now pervades Enugu and other States in the South East region as residents eagerly await the arrival of the aircraft. An Enugu-based billionaire businessman, Prince Engr. Arthur Eze, had on Tuesday flown into the Enugu airport in a private jet direct from Senegal, creating history as the first international flight that touched down at the upgraded airport. President Goodluck Jonathan gave approval for the upgrading of the Akanu Ibiam Airport to an international status two years ago and laid the foundation for the construction of the international wing early this year. The project is now on course while other existing structures within the airport including the old terminal complex had been renovated. The runway was expanded and extended to accommodate bigger passenger and cargo aircrafts that would patronize the airport.

Teenager flies Arik Air from Benin to Lagos hiding in tyre hole

A teenager named Daniel Ikehina unbelievably beat airline and airport security at the Benin airport yesterday Saturday August 24th and sneaked into the tyre compartment of a Lagos-bound Arik flight. The boy flew safely with the aircraft which left Benin around 9am yesterday and landed at Murtala Muhammed airport, hidden throughout in the undercarriage. He was immediately arrested by airport security after passengers saw him emerging from the aircraft tyre hole.

Arik spokesman Banji Ola explains what happened:

The management of Arik Air has expressed shock over the incident wondering how the teenager beat the Aviation Security personnel at the Benin Airport to get to the runway.

The pilot of Arik Air flight W3 544, departing Benin Airport for Lagos at 9.00am yesterday 24th August, 2013 reported to the control tower the presence of a strange boy in the bush about 200 – 300 meters at the end of runway 23.

The control tower told the Captain that they were sending security men to the place to arrest the boy.

As the captain was making his final turn, preparatory for take-off, a cabin crew called his attention to the information by some of the passengers that they saw a boy running towards the airplane.

The First Officer confirmed that they had observed it earlier and alerted the control tower which responded that they have sent the patrol team to arrest the boy. The Captain again reported to the control tower and was informed that the situation was under control and that he had been cleared for take-off.

On arrival at the domestic wing of MMA, Lagos, a teenage boy, who apparently had sneaked into the aircraft main wheel well jumped out and was arrested by Arik personnel and handed over to FAAN security.

Meanwhile the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) blamed Arik Air for the incident.
FAAN said in a statement:

"Arik Air acted with impunity by not stopping the aircraft to check when the crew and ground personnel’s attention was drawn to an abnormality on the tarmac. This is arrant display of impunity. The aircraft should not have taxied further, but return to the apron until a proper check is carried out on all parts of the aircraft. FAAN will not tolerate such impunity henceforth from Arik or any airline. Any violation would be met with applicable sanctions.

Lamar Odom's drug of choice is crack cocaine

From Tmz

Lamar Odom has been deep into crack cocaine for at least 2 years ... TMZ has learned. TMZ broke the story, Lamar has gone off the rails with drug use ... which is the principal cause of the crisis in his marriage to Khloe Kardashian. As we reported Lamar went to a rehab facility a year ago this month and stayed for 3 weeks before bailing -- and we're told the problem was crack. Sources say Lamar's crack use was extreme before he went to rehab, but he cleaned up his act during the basketball season that just ended. Sources say shortly after he hung up his jersey, he started again with a bang. As we reported ... Khloe threw Lamar out of the house a few days ago after he rejected an attempt at an intervention. It's unclear how Lamar's problem will affect his basketball career.

Photos: Olamide swarmed by fans at Computer Village

The singer visited Computer Village Ikeja yesterday and got swarmed by a mob of fans...Olamide literally shut down the busy business district as traders left their shops to catch a glimpse of him. When you get love on the street, you're a bonafide celeb. :-).