Dora Akunyili releases statement about her health, says she's not dead

Pls disregard the rumour about Prof. Dora Akunyili's purported death. It's the same baseless rumour circulated every 2/3 days by some people for reasons best known to them. They have been at this for about 4 weeks now and are likely to continue, since they apparently derive pleasure from doing so. The situation, as confirmed by former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, who visited Dora in the hospital earlier this week, is that she is getting better. Thank you all. -Isaac Umunna, Media Adviser to Prof. Dora Akunyili, Lagos, May 30, 2014.

Why Android users pay more for data – NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission says it is not turning a deaf ear to the lamentations of Nigerian users of Android smart phones and tablets over the high cost of data.

It notes that the differences in data allowance for Android and Blackberry users have been generating a lot of controversy among consumers of late.

The apex regulatory agency in the telecoms sector says it is still committed to protecting Nigerians against unfair practices by telecoms service providers in the country.

According to the NCC, Internet subscribers using BlackBerry smart phones pay far less than their counterparts making use of Android devices because BlackBerry Limited (Formerly Research in Motion) utilises a special algorithm to serve its users better.


Writing on its Facebook page, the NCC argues that BlackBerry indirectly subsidises bandwidth for its users by compressing the content downloaded by subscribers.

Unfortunately, the NCC adds, downloads and consumption was not compressed for Android phones. The result is that Internet surfing on such operating devices will require more bandwidth.

The NCC says, “The manufacturer of BlackBerry utilises a special compression algorithm to serve users of Blackberry handsets who have subscribed for the Blackberry Internet Service. Whenever such a subscriber browses the Internet and opens a webpage, a request is sent via the handset’s browser requesting for the page to be downloaded to the phone.

“This request is channelled to BlackBerry Limited’s gateway in Canada, which fetches the webpage, compresses it and sends the compressed data back to the BlackBerry phone as a download.

“On an Android phone, the request to open a webpage by telephone subscribers is sent to the gateway of the network operator, which then processes the information and sends back the page to the Android phone as a download. But the data is not compressed – thereby requiring more bandwidth.”

As a way out of the current predicament of Internet subscribers on Android devices, the NCC notes that there is a need to make bandwidth cheaper and more accessible for Nigerians. This, it argues, requires the successful implementation of the Broadband Roadmap of the Federal Government.

The Broadband Roadmap aims at achieving a fivefold increase in broadband penetration over the 2012 penetration rate by the end of 2017. Traditionally, broadband refers to high-speed communications networks that connects end-users at a data transfer speed greater than 256 Kbit/s.

In the Nigerian context, the Ministry of Communications Technology defines broadband as an Internet experience where the user can access the most demanding content in real time at a minimum speed of 1.5 Mbit/s.

Noting that bandwidth in Nigeria continues to be “an expensive resource,” the NCC blames the development on the dearth of wired infrastructure.

“Most data are transferred wirelessly. This is the reason why the NCC is promoting wired infrastructure around the country through such projects as WIN (Wire Nigeria) as well promoting a Broadband Roadmap for the country which will greatly reduce the cost of bandwidth, thereby reducing the cost of browsing the Internet on smart phones,” it explains.

The commission states that as the regulator responsible for promotion of fair competition in the communications industry, it will continue to protect consumers’ interests against anti-competitive and unfair practices.

Noting that the services of its Consumer Affairs Bureau are rendered free-of-charge, the commission explains that its offices across the country, alongside its online platforms, are available to receive complaints on telecoms services.

Dissatisfied consumers, the commission says, may lodge complaints by calling its Contact Centre toll-free number, 622, to present the facts of the matter for onward resolution.

Such details, it says, should include the name, address, phone number(s) and e-mail of the dissatisfied customer; a statement of the problem and the duration; as well as a brief explanation of the circumstances that led to the complaint and name of service provider.

“Telecoms consumers have the right to be informed, the right to safety, the right to choice, the right to be heard and the right to good quality of service. We protect the rights of Nigerian telecoms users by mediating between the consumer and the operators and protecting consumers against fraudulent and unscrupulous dealings,” the NCC says.

Eagles force Scotland to 2-2 draw

The Super Eagles began the preparations for the 2014 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Scotland on Wednesday at the Craven Cottage in London.

The African champions rested key players like Mikel Obi, Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa for the match against the Tartan Army who were unbeaten in their last five outings.

Captain Joseph Yobo was given his 96th cap. He played alongside Austin Ejide, Elderson Echejile, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami, Gabriel Reuben, Joel Obi, Michael Babatunde, Michael Uchebo, Ejike Uzoenyi and Shola Ameobi.

The match began slowly with Shola Ameobi and Michael Uchebo troubling Allan McGregor in goal for Scotland. The Scots grew into the game as the match progressed with Nigerian-born Ikechi Anya bursting down the flanks to trouble the Nigerian defence.

Substitute Uche Nwofor rescued Nigeria from defeat with a late goal after the Scots held on to a 2-1 lead with few minutes left in the match. Charles Mulgrew gave Scotland the lead after just 10 minutes when he deflected James Morrison’s effort beyond Ejide in goal for Nigeria. Eagles levelled in the 40th minute when Uchebo’s shot from distance was also deflected and goalkeeper McGregor was wrong footed.

Scotland regained their lead in the 52nd minute when Egwuekwe scored an own goal but Nwofor snatched a late equaliser to save Nigeria the embarrassment.

Coach Stephen Keshi made six changes in the second half as the African Champions struggled to get a hold in the match. Michael Babatunde was replaced by Nnamdi Oduamadi, goal scorer Uchebo left for Osaze Odemwingie, Nosa Igiebor also replaced Joel Obi. Shola Ameobi went out for Uche Nwofor, Ejike Uzoenyi was also replaced by Victor Moses while Efe Ambrose replaced injured Kunle Odunlami.

Scotland coach, Gordon Strachan, told BBC Radio after the match that the game was an even and fair one.

He said, “We’ve had three days hard work and we were one pass away from another three or four goals. Some of these guys haven’t played in weeks and I think you could see that in a few of the final balls.

“I’ve got a squad in there where every one of them wants the others to do well.”

Eagles force Scotland to 2-2 draw

The Super Eagles began the preparations for the 2014 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Scotland on Wednesday at the Craven Cottage in London.

The African champions rested key players like Mikel Obi, Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa for the match against the Tartan Army who were unbeaten in their last five outings.

Captain Joseph Yobo was given his 96th cap. He played alongside Austin Ejide, Elderson Echejile, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami, Gabriel Reuben, Joel Obi, Michael Babatunde, Michael Uchebo, Ejike Uzoenyi and Shola Ameobi.

The match began slowly with Shola Ameobi and Michael Uchebo troubling Allan McGregor in goal for Scotland. The Scots grew into the game as the match progressed with Nigerian-born Ikechi Anya bursting down the flanks to trouble the Nigerian defence.

Substitute Uche Nwofor rescued Nigeria from defeat with a late goal after the Scots held on to a 2-1 lead with few minutes left in the match. Charles Mulgrew gave Scotland the lead after just 10 minutes when he deflected James Morrison’s effort beyond Ejide in goal for Nigeria. Eagles levelled in the 40th minute when Uchebo’s shot from distance was also deflected and goalkeeper McGregor was wrong footed.

Scotland regained their lead in the 52nd minute when Egwuekwe scored an own goal but Nwofor snatched a late equaliser to save Nigeria the embarrassment.

Coach Stephen Keshi made six changes in the second half as the African Champions struggled to get a hold in the match. Michael Babatunde was replaced by Nnamdi Oduamadi, goal scorer Uchebo left for Osaze Odemwingie, Nosa Igiebor also replaced Joel Obi. Shola Ameobi went out for Uche Nwofor, Ejike Uzoenyi was also replaced by Victor Moses while Efe Ambrose replaced injured Kunle Odunlami.

Scotland coach, Gordon Strachan, told BBC Radio after the match that the game was an even and fair one.

He said, “We’ve had three days hard work and we were one pass away from another three or four goals. Some of these guys haven’t played in weeks and I think you could see that in a few of the final balls.

“I’ve got a squad in there where every one of them wants the others to do well.”

Four more girls escape from Boko Haram camp

Four girls out of the 168 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, that were abducted by Boko Haram in April, have escaped.

The Chairman, Chibok Local Government Area, Mr. Bana Lawan, announced this on Tuesday in Abuja at a one-day stakeholders meeting for validation of draft humanitarian response plan for the abducted girls. The meeting was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency.

Lawan, who was represented by the Director for Personnel and Management, Mr. Musa Elijah, said the number of escapees had risen to 57 as against 53, while 164 girls were still held by the terrorist group.

He said, “The people of Chibok are anxiously waiting for the safe return of their children. Except for the unfortunate situation where two of the parents have passed on. They were known to have BP (blood pressure) issues, although I am not a medical expert, but they will not be opportuned to welcome back their daughters.

“Latest report reaching us is that instead of 53, those that have escaped are now 57 and those remaining are 164 and not 168 as before. This is out of the 221 girls that were abducted.”

Lawan explained that it was not all those who registered for the Senior School Certificate Examination in the school that stayed back.

“Those that registered for the SSCE are not all that sat for the exam. Over 500 registered and those who had relatives around decided to move to various places like Kaduna and Maiduguri to write the exams. Those that were left with no relations decided to stay back to take the risk and among them 221 were abducted.”

The chairman said the moral of the girl child in the North-East was low as most of them were discouraged.

“The school in particular has been existing for long and the quality of education in it has been diminishing. So I want to appeal to the Federal Government, through NEMA and the presidential committee, to intervene in rebuilding the school,” he added.

Full List of Winners from AMAA 2014

Bayelsa state, presents the full list of winners from the 10th edition of the awards…

Best Short Film – Dialemi

Best Animation – Khumba (South Africa)

Best Documentary – Hamu Beya (Mali) & Portraits of a Lone Farmer (Nigeria & Denmark)

Best Film(African Language) – B for Boy

Best Diaspora Short Film – Passage

Best Diaspora Documentary – Through The Lens Darkly (USA)

Best Diaspora Feature – Kingston Paradise (Jamaica)

Achievement In Production Design

Award – Northern Affair (Ghana)

Achievement In Costume Design – Ni Sisi (Kenya)

Achievement In Make-up – Once Upon

A Road Trip (South Africa)

Achievement in Soundtrack – Onye Ozi (Nigeria/UK)

Best Marketer – Okiki Films

Best Actress in a Leading Role – Clarion Chukwurah (Apaye)

Best Film – Of The Good Report

Special Jury Prize for Short Film – New Horizon

Joyce Banda Award for Film on Women Empowerment – B For Boy

Mandiba Award – Ni Sisi

Best Director – Jamil Quebeka (Of Good Report)

Best First Feature Film by a Director – Harikrishna & Sharvan Anenden

Special Jury Prize – Bob Manuel-Udokwu

Best Actor – Mothusi Magano (Of Good Report)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

– Patience Ozokwor (After The Proposal)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role –

Thapelo Mofekeng (Felix)

Best Young Promising Actor -Petronella Tshuma (Of Good Report)

Best Child Actor – Lebohang Ntsane (Forgotten Kingdom)

Best Nigerian Film – Accident

Achievement in Screenplay – Of Good Report

Achievement in Editing – Potomanto

Achievement in Cinematography – The Forgotten Kingdom

Achievement in Sound – The Forgotten Kingdom

Achievement in Visual Effects – A Mile From Home (Nigeria)

Nigeria’s Boko Haram kills 28 in three village attacks NEWS

MAIDUGURI Nigeria (Reuters) – Suspected Islamist Boko Haram gunmen rampaged through three villages in northern Nigeria, killing 28 people and burning houses to the ground in a pattern of violence that has become almost a daily occurrence, according to police and witnesses.

All three attacks happened on Thursday in remote parts of Borno state, the epicentre of Boko Haram’s increasingly bloody struggle for an Islamic kingdom in religiously mixed Nigeria.

One took place right next to Chibok, by the Cameroon border, from where more than 200 school girls were abducted last month.

The most deadly was in the town of Kerenua, near the Niger border. Scores of militants opened fire on residents, killing 20 of them, and burned houses, a police source said.

Since the girls’ abduction on April 14, at least 450 civilians have been killed by the group, according to a Reuters count.

A spate of bombings across north and central Nigeria has killed hundreds, including two in the capital Abuja and one in the central city of Jos on Tuesday that killed 118 people.

In a sign Jos could be targeted again, a suicide bombing on Saturday that was meant to target an open air viewing of a football match in the central Nigerian city of Jos killed three people before reaching its target, a witness told Reuters. [ID:nL6N0OA152] The bomber approached Jos Viewing Centre while people were watching Real Madrid play Atletico Madrid, but failed to get there before his car exploded, Mohammed Shittu, a local journalist at the scene said.

The source said some phone signals to the militants had been tracked to Niger itself, suggesting they may have been directed from there. Dozens had been wounded by bullets, he said.

Another attack occurred in a small village of Kubur Viu, a few kilometres away from Chibok, resident Simeon Yhana said.

The police source concurred with the attack and toll.

“They killed five people. This place is right next to Chibok. The military is supposed to be protecting this area but we fear these people (Boko Haram) are coming back,” Yhana said.

Militants shot dead three other people during an attack on the village of Kimba, the police source said.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was in South Africa on Saturday, his office said, to discuss ways of tackling Islamist militancy across the continent with African heads of state.

Nigeria and its neighbours say Boko Haram – which has killed thousands during its five-year-old insurgency in Africa’s top oil producer – now threatens the security of the whole region.

The insurgents initially attacked mostly security forces and government officials after they launched their uprising in northeast Borno state’s capital Maiduguri in 2009. When Jonathan ordered an offensive a year ago to flush them out, civilians formed vigilante groups to help out – making them targets too.

Nigeria accepted help from the United States, Britain, France and China last week and around 80 U.S. troops were arriving in Chad to start a mission to try to free the girls, who remain in captivity.

URGENT PRAYER OF RESCUE

URGENT PRAYER OF RESCUE .
All over the world on tv we see the picture of that evil dog called Shekau head of Boko Haram proclaiming the name of his god :allah and thereby taunting the Living God Jehovah..As Ejihah called on the only God of heaven it is time for us as Christians to call upon our God for vengeance.Imagine being the parents,sisters and brothers of those innocent girls.My stomach churns with revulsion when i imagine what those girls are going through.
Let us pray:
Arise O Lord and scatter that demonic creation called boko haram
O Lord expose their financiers and sponsors within the govt heirachy in Nigeria and uproot them..
Give shekau and his men no rest nor sleep O Lord until they surrenders those girls.
Your word says there is nothing hidden O Lord therefore expose the hideout of this evil gathering so that your children be rescued.
Lord protect these girls supernaturally with u love favour and mercy.
Lord give them the spirit of love and let them be bold and fear not.
Let u fire locate this evil doers and they be consumed in Jesus name.
Lord grant the parents and loved ones of these girls inner strength during this temporary ordeal.
Lord all eyes are on u worldwide,show these heathen and abominable dogs worldwide that we indeed serve a living God who answers by fire and cannot fail.
Lord we invoke your Word(U) Ps 91 into lives of each of this innocent girls.U cannot return void O Lord.
Daddy we are sure you will hear us and do for us what we ask for and vindicate your name because You said if two or more of us shall agree as touching anything on earth U will do it.Millions are agreeing O Lord.
Thank u Daddy for honouring your Word and terminating this despicable debacle and anniliating this evil vernom called boko and its sponsors.
To you be all the glory,honour and adoration.
Beloved kindly pass this to all contacts as a prayer chain and see what our God will do in the next 48 hours,be blessed as u do.