Naira Rebounds After NNPC Sells Dollars

The exchange rate for the Naira to dollar reached and passed the alarming milestone of N200:$1 last week at the parallel market but action by the government is now stemming the negative tide!  

The naira firmed sharply on Wednesday after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) sold around $350 million to lenders, helping the currency recover from a record low against the dollar.

The unit closed at 186 naira to the dollar, gaining 3.55 percent in volatile trade from Tuesday’s record low close of N192.10.

The NNPC, which accounts for the bulk of hard currency traded on the interbank market, sells dollars every month to buy naira for its local operations.

Source: Channels TV

How Not to Report a Storm

I know reporters are under pressure to get a story but this is ridiculous!

Jimi: Agbaje We Still Need Okada in Lagos

Election campaign is obviously heating up.

Jimi Agbaje Speaks on Getting Youths Employed

I am not so sure he has it all figured-out.

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Kerry Warns Against Violent Elections in Nigeria

John Kerry with President Goodluck Jonathan

We need not have violence because of elections...

Kerry warns Nigeria against post-poll violence

In a rare high-level visit to Africa's most populous country, US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged Nigeria's leading presidential candidates to refrain from fomenting violence after next month's vote, and he condemned savage attacks by Boko Haram, an al-Qaeda-linked insurgency.

On a day when Nigerian troops battled extremists who attacked Maiduguri, the biggest city in the north-east, Kerry played down reports that the US had grown frustrated with Nigeria's military commitment to fighting the radical Islamist movement.

Kerry said the US was sharing intelligence with Nigeria and stood ready to do more if the February 14 election proceeded in a nonviolent, democratic fashion.

“The United States is deeply engaged with Nigeria,” he said.

“Does it always work as well as we would like or as well as the Nigerians would like? The answer is no.”

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan said he reaffirmed a strong commitment to working with the United States “to put an end to global terrorism and particularly Boko Haram.”

“I firmly believe that enhancing and expanding various channels of cooperation between our two countries, in the context of growing international coordination, are of the utmost importance,” Jonathan said in a statement following the meeting.

“I discussed a number of ideas with Secretary Kerry to move such cooperation forward.”

Kerry was in the country's commercial capital, Lagos, about 1 000 miles south-west from the skirmishes that killed more than 200 combatants.In a rare high-level visit to Africa's most populous country, US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged Nigeria's leading presidential candidates to refrain from fomenting violence after next month's vote, and he condemned savage attacks by Boko Haram, an al-Qaeda-linked insurgency.

On a day when Nigerian troops battled extremists who attacked Maiduguri, the biggest city in the north-east, Kerry played down reports that the US had grown frustrated with Nigeria's military commitment to fighting the radical Islamist movement.

Kerry said the US was sharing intelligence with Nigeria and stood ready to do more if the February 14 election proceeded in a nonviolent, democratic fashion.

“The United States is deeply engaged with Nigeria,” he said.

“Does it always work as well as we would like or as well as the Nigerians would like? The answer is no.”

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan said he reaffirmed a strong commitment to working with the United States “to put an end to global terrorism and particularly Boko Haram.”

“I firmly believe that enhancing and expanding various channels of cooperation between our two countries, in the context of growing international coordination, are of the utmost importance,” Jonathan said in a statement following the meeting.

“I discussed a number of ideas with Secretary Kerry to move such cooperation forward.”

Kerry was in the country's commercial capital, Lagos, about 1 000 miles south-west from the skirmishes that killed more than 200 combatants.In a rare high-level visit to Africa's most populous country, US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged Nigeria's leading presidential candidates to refrain from fomenting violence after next month's vote, and he condemned savage attacks by Boko Haram, an al-Qaeda-linked insurgency.

On a day when Nigerian troops battled extremists who attacked Maiduguri, the biggest city in the north-east, Kerry played down reports that the US had grown frustrated with Nigeria's military commitment to fighting the radical Islamist movement.

Kerry said the US was sharing intelligence with Nigeria and stood ready to do more if the February 14 election proceeded in a nonviolent, democratic fashion.

“The United States is deeply engaged with Nigeria,” he said.

“Does it always work as well as we would like or as well as the Nigerians would like? The answer is no.”

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan said he reaffirmed a strong commitment to working with the United States “to put an end to global terrorism and particularly Boko Haram.”

“I firmly believe that enhancing and expanding various channels of cooperation between our two countries, in the context of growing international coordination, are of the utmost importance,” Jonathan said in a statement following the meeting.

“I discussed a number of ideas with Secretary Kerry to move such cooperation forward.”

Kerry was in the country's commercial capital, Lagos, about 1 000 miles south-west from the skirmishes that killed more than 200 combatants.

Source: iol

What is Wrong with this Quote?

Saudi King Abdullah Dies

 

Late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

Inna LiLlahi Wa Inna IIaihi Rajiun (From God we came and to him we shall return)

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Dies; Witnessed A New Era

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died. The health of Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud had previously been the subject of rumors; word emerged earlier this month that he was indeed ill with a lung infection.

Abdullah was 90 years old. He ruled Saudi Arabia for nearly 10 years, having assumed the throne after his brother King Fahd died in 2005.

The kingdom's new ruler is King Salman, Abdullah's half-brother, according to state TV. Salman is reportedly 79.

The news has just emerged. We'll update this post as we learn new details.

"Abdullah was born before Saudi Arabia was even a country," NPR's Kelly McEvers reports for our Parallels blog.

But in his lifetime, he saw the country rise to prominence — thanks to the discovery in 1938 of massive oil reserves.

Abdullah's death comes as Saudi Arabia faces two difficult tasks: insulating itself from the civil unrest and terrorist violence that have beset other countries in the region; and maintaining its primacy in the world's oil market.

Source: NPR

APC Complains About NCC Barring Its Promotion on Mobile Platforms

Remember this post? The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has barres such promotions by telecom operators and the All Progressives Congress is not finding it funny ... read the report from the Nation as well.

10 Great Quotes on Blogging

Blogging has become pervasive in the last 2 decades with billions of blogs created.I thought it would be nice to read some quotes about it, these 10 are the best I found, enjoy and be inspired by them.

1. “Developing your blog is a balancing act between appeasing current readers and reaching out to new ones.” ― Scribendi, How to Write a Blog

2. “I finished the [blog] post reflecting on the fact that, despite all the changes in my life, maybe I wasn't so different after all. If I typed it, maybe I could believe it, too.” ― Stephanie Nielson  

3. “Create a link through which you can market your dream products. Create a blog or a website of your own depending on what you want to be recognized for. Share your experiences through these media.” ― Israelmore Ayivor, Shaping the dream

4. “There is some blogging jerk out there who feels he can generalize his way to validity.”
― Neil Young, Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream 

5. “Q: Why do you blog?

A: Partly to make Butterflies and Wheels more frequently updated and more interactive (as well as that bit more interesting, I hope), but also because I think the world des-perately needs to hear my opinions, and I like to oblige.”
― Ophelia Benson

 

6. “A blog is only as interesting as the interest shown in others.”
― Lee Odden, Optimize: How to Attract and Engage More Customers by Integrating SEO, Social Media, and Content Marketing 

 

7. “My blog is a collection of answers people don’t want to hear to questions they didn’t ask.”
― Sebastyne Young 

 

8. “Only on the Internet can a person be lonely and popular at the same time.”
― Allison Burnett, Undiscovered Gyrl 

 

9.     “Every time you post something online, you have a choice.
You can either make it something that adds to the happiness levels in the world—or you can make it something that takes away.

I tried to add something by starting Girl Online.

And for a while, it really seemed to be working.

So, next time you go to post a comment or an update or share a link, ask yourself: is this going to add to the happiness in the world?

And if the answer is no, then please delete.

There is enough sadness in the world already. You don’t need to add to it.”
― Zoe Sugg

10. “Content is not king, but a president elected by the votes of those whom it aims to rule.”

― Raheel Farooq

 

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WhatsApp Comes to Computers

Great!

WhatsApp adds messaging from Web

The popular mobile messaging application WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook last year for nearly $22 billion, unveiled a new service Wednesday for sending messages from a Web browser.

WhatsApp, which claims some 500 million users, said its Web service will be a “mirror” and would require an Internet-connected phone to work.

“Our Web client is simply an extension of your phone: the Web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device — this means all of your messages still live on your phone,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.

The new messaging service currently only works with Google’s Chrome browser and will not be available to iPhone users “due to Apple platform limitations,” according to WhatsApp.

Source: Inquirer

Oil Marketers Demand Payment of N250 Billion Subsidy Arrears by FG

 

Interesting...

Nigeria: Marketers Demand Payment of N250 Billion Subsidy Arrears By Govt

The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has pleaded with the Federal Government to pay its members outstanding subsidy claims of N250 billion for 2014.

Besides, the association has directed all its members to adjust their pump price to reflect the new price of petrol announced by the government.

Meanwhile, a poll conducted by NOIPolls to evaluate the perception of Nigerians towards kerosene consumption, purchase, usage, and pricing has revealed that majority of Nigerians (97%) buy Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) popularly known as kerosene above the official price of N50 per litre. Only a small proportion (2%) confirmed they bought the product at the official price.

The poll further revealed that almost eight in 10 Nigerians (77%) are unaware of the official price of kerosene, demonstrating that the subsidy enjoyed by Nigerians on petrol has not really impacted kerosene. Interestingly, more female (83%) than male (70%) respondents are unaware of the official price of kerosene, even though more females actually buy and make use of it for cooking (97%).

An assessment of the use of kerosene in Nigeria revealed that 65% of Nigerians buy kerosene, and it is mainly used for cooking (96%).

"Affordability, availability and convenience play a great role in the preference of kerosene as a means for cooking, over other choices such as cooking gas, charcoal or firewood. "

The findings clearly demonstrate that most of the marketers do not sell kerosene at the official price and this calls for more strict regulation and closer monitoring by regulatory organisations to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the subsidy on kerosene at the official price. "

Also, awareness needs to be created by the government on the official price of kerosene, especially in the rural areas. This can be done through sensitization events, radio jingles and television adverts amongst other means, and tailored in the major languages of each region", the poll concluded.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Obafemi Olawore, told journalists in Lagos yesterday that the claims include N155 billion outstanding subsidy and N97 billion outstanding payment for interest and foreign exchange. He said prompt payment of the claims is necessary to enable oil marketers to continue to import petroleum products into the country.

Reacting to claims by the Federal Government that it had paid all subsidy arrears, Olawore stated: "The N166 billion paid to marketers last year was only a part payment of 2014 subsidy arrears and that was the only money the marketers got from government last year. "

Source: The Guardian via All Africa

APC Takes Fundraising Campaign to Mobile Phones

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken its funding-raising campaign to mobile phones. You can donate N100 to the party by sending 'APC' to 35350.

26 Things to Note Before Developing a Website

,

Google Sets-Up Nigeria 2015 Elections Hub

Google is showing its preparation for the forthcoming elections in Nigeria by setting-up a hub where you can get all the latest news on the general elections in Nigeria.

The company stated on Google+: "We've recently launched an Elections Hub where you can stay informed on the latest news leading up to the general elections. News and video content around the elections are surfaced on the Hub and can be viewed on mobile, tablets and desktop devices."

To learn more go to Google

Voters Are the Best Teachers for Politicians

General Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria is less than a month away from its presidential election that is shaping up to be a classic contest between President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and General  Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.) of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Elections are also going to be held for governors and legislators at federal and state level in February. 

The campaign has reached fever-pitch with the candidates and their supporters throwing their best shots at their opponents in the process of attempting to convince the electorate that they are the best candidate for the office they are running for. 

One key factor that has characterised this campaign is the use of negative tactics by the two major parties that can at best be described as attempts at destroying the image of the opponent. However, this is only leading to deep division along ethnic and religious lines which are well-known fault lines in Nigeria. The suggestion that because of a certain candidate’s religion, he should not be voted for or that a candidate should get our votes because he is from a certain part of the country only help to entrench division and hatred that can lead to conflict and violence.

A bad example of an attempt at destroying an opponent’s image was the front page advert in the Punch newspaper on Monday, January 19, 2015. In the advert sponsored by Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state, a PDP member and supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan, it was suggested that General Muhammadu Buhari might die in office if elected as President, like former Heads of State, General Muritala Mohammed, General Sani Abacha, and President Umar Musa Yar’adua. This has caused outrage in the public with many people including some PDP supporters condemning the advert.  

However, until we the voters begin to teach politicians that we seek proper governance by asking them to tell us in clear unambiguous detail how they intend to address issues like insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and economic downtown that affect us, we will continue to be ruled by such crude people who don’t care about our needs.

What can we expect from Governor Fayose and his ilk when he got elected into office in Ekiti state on the back of a campaign based on “stomach infrastructure”? The premise that Nigerians will vote for you as long as you can give them “something to eat” immediately rather than empower them to feed themselves and others for life was shockingly successful in Ekiti state last year. Should we blame him if he takes encouragement from his success in Ekiti state and then tries to support his preferred presidential candidate with odious effrontery at the national level? 

I submit that we should not blame Governor Fayose and his ilk at all, rather, we as a people should blame ourselves for not teaching politicians in the past that such political rascality as he exhibited during his first tenure as governor would not be tolerated by us and punished at the polls with our votes against them.

We must as a matter of urgency begin to ask all the major candidates at all levels the pertinent questions and not allow ourselves be victims of our collective poor decision-making as voters once again.  The chance to right some of the wrongs of the past beckons on us in February 2015, the big question for us is: shall we get it right this time?

Meet Venus, the Amazing 2-faced Cat

Venus the 2-faced cat

Nigeria's Tuface Idibia, is a fake when it comes to being "2-faced". Venus, the amazing Chimera cat, takes the price. You don't believe me? Check out its fan page by clicking here.

EU Calls for Help from Muslim Countries Against Terrorism

 

European Union Flag

This is good but whilst they are at it, they should also look at the idea of "freedom of expression" again and define it differently from freedom to be abusive...

EU calls for Muslim world’s help against militant threat

EU foreign ministers called on Monday for an alliance with Muslim countries to fight the growing Islamist militant threat as anger over the Charlie Hebdo cartoons fed fresh protests and violence.
Foreign policy head Federica Mogherini met Arab League chief Nabil al Arabi to urge better cooperation in the wake of last week’s deadly Paris attacks and anti-terrorism raids in Belgium.

On the other side of a widening divide, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Russia’s Chechnya while dozens of churches were torched in Niger during protests over the publication of the blasphemous caricatures.

In Brussels, where Belgian troops guarded the EU headquarters and other sensitive buildings, ministers were discussing how to prevent battle-hardened jihadis returning home from Syria and Iraq.
“Terrorism and terrorist attacks are targeting most of all Muslims in the world so we need an alliance,” Ms Mogherini told reporters.

“We need to strengthen our way of cooperating together, first of all with Arab countries but also internally. The threat is not only the one we faced in Paris but also spreading in many other parts of the world.”

Mr Arabi, the Arab League’s secretary general, said that “every country in the world is suffering from terrorism”. “It is not just a military or security issue, it covers the intellectual, cultural, media and religious spheres and that is what we are trying to get,” he said.

Europe is on high alert after three French gunmen killed 17 people at the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in Paris earlier this month, claiming they were acting on behalf of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Two suspected militants were also killed in a police raid in Belgium on Thursday.

Many of the ministers will meet again on Thursday in London when US Secretary of State John Kerry co-hosts talks with some 20 countries, including Arab states.

The EU meeting on Monday was to prepare for a special European summit on Feb 12 dedicated to fighting terrorism.

Source: The Dawn

Inspirational Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.

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How to Make Anger an Asset

Anger is a negative emotion if not properly managed

In our interactions with other people, we experience a wide range of emotions varying from hapiness, sadness to anger. Of the entire list, anger is perhaps the most dangerous and destructive for the individual involved and society at large.

Anger is basically a state in which you feel offended and have aggression triggered in you. It is quite possible to feel offended and not feel aggression towards the person that has offended you. Hence, you can distinguish between feeling hurt, betrayed or abandoned from being angry with this simple difference.

So, how do you manage your anger such that you don't do something harmful to the person or thing that caused it? I have a few tips for you and if you follow them, I am confident you can turn your anger into an asset that is useful to you.

Tips to Turn Anger Into an Asset

1. Understand Why You Are Angry

Are you angry because someone has genuinely hurt you, they have done something you don't like or have made you feel bad about yourself? You should consider the situation carefully and truthfully determine if the other party is right with what they have done and if it is you that needs to change. A proper assessment of the situation will empower you to move forward in a meaningful manner, a jaundiced one might leave you stuck in a negative mood and this can last for a very long time, some people have borne grudges for practically a lifetime.

2. Take Steps to Reverse the Negative Mood

Remaining angry is negative and it does little to improve your relationships and performance at work or elsewhere. Therefore, it is important that after identifying who is at fault for your anger, you take steps to address the person or people and the related issues properly. If you are the one at fault, admit your mistakes and apologise for them sincerely.

If other people are at fault, communicate your dissatisfaction with their behaviour and let them know how they have made you angry. A lot of people know when they have done something wrong and if you communicate with them in a polite rational manner would be willing to apologise and end conflict with you. However, if they refuse, you should simply appreciate and understand the fact that they have a character defect and your getting angry about it won't change them. You should move on and stop wasting your time being angry at them when you should actually pity them.

3. Learn from the Experience to Avoid Repeat Occurrence

You should learn from the experience by identifying and noting the causal factors that led to the situation that got you angry. This should help you avoid being in a similar situation in the future. For example, if you interact with someone that is abusive thereby making you angry, take steps to end that relationship as quickly and amicably as possible. If a certain place gets you irritated because of the kind of people or things you experience there, avoid going to the place as much as possible.

4. Get Motivated to Be Better

We have gotten to our destination; you should be motivated to be that person that rarely ever gets angry such that even those who oppose you for any reason will see trying to get into conflict with you as a futile endeavour. At this point,  you would have mastered the art of turning anger into an asset.

West Ham Submit Transfer Bid for Azubuike Egwuekwe

 

Azubuike Egwuekwe

He has been performing well for the Super Eagles and this is not a surprise at all...

High-flying West Ham have submitted a bid for Warri Wolves and Nigerian defender Azubuike Egwuekwe.

 

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is keen to strengthen his defensive options during the January winter as the future of Winston Reid remains unclear.

The Kiwi defender has six months remaining on his current deal at Upton Park but is yet to commit to a new deal with north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hostpur keen to be interested in the player that is believed to be available for a fee in the region of £4million.

The Hammers have already signed Canadian international Doneil Henry but according to reports at talkSPORT the club could be close to adding another defender before the end of the month.

Egwuekwe, 25, is rated one of the best defenders in Africa and is rumoured to be keen to make a move to the Premier League.

Source: Sports Vibe

FG to Provide 1 Million Pre-paid Meters for Electricity Customers

 

Prepaid Meters

I have no prepaid meter and the area where I live has not received prepaid meters from the distribution company...

FG To End DISCOs Exploitation of Consumers

In a bid to reduce the number of unmetered electricity consumers exposed to excessive estimated billing, the federal government has disclosed that it will provide one million pre-paid electricity meters for distribution in the coming months, the minister of power, Chinedu Nebo, has said.

Nebo, who disclosed this at a town-hall meeting in Abuja, yesterday, said that the gesture was part of efforts to end estimated billing served consumers by the various electricity distribution companies (Discos).

He revealed that government still owns 40 per cent equity in the privatised power sector companies and reiterated government’s determination to ensure that consumers are billed for energy consumed.
With about 50 per cent of consumers still unmetered, Nebo said, government will continue to insist that discos provide meters for customers.

“The problem is if you have no meters you are subject to estimated billing. That’s why some people may not even be happy to give you meters. But we think we should continue to insist that every consumer must be metered. When government kick starts the massive deployment of meters, estimated billing will stop,” Nebo said.

Source: Leadership
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8 Trends to Watch from CES 2015

CES 2015: Havas Media's Trends from Cake New York

The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2015 has come and gone but these are the trends that emerged from the event and if you are into technology, you should note them. 

Be My Eyes App: A Brilliant Way to Help Visually Impaired People

This is a really cool idea that should spread, so spread the word if you can.

10 Great Quotes About Politics

We are in the political season in Nigeria with virtually every Nigerian feeling politically inclined at the moment and I am not left out. As a result, I present 10 great quotes on politics. I hope you'll enjoy reading them as much as I have:

1. “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.”― Mark Twain

2. “In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.”
― Napoléon Bonaparte

3.“The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.”
― Plato

4. “You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.” ― Malcolm X

5. “The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.”
― Karl Marx

6. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
― John F. Kennedy

7. “I have left orders to be awakened at any time during national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting.” ― Ronald Reagan

8. “Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

9. “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” ― Edward R. Murrow

10. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.” ― Pericles