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Hundreds donate blood on World Blood Donor Day
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VARANASI: The mega blood donation camp, titled 'A Drop to Life', jointly organised by THE TIMES OF INDIA.com and Shubham Hospital, in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Varanasi branch and Red FM, received overwhelming response on Tuesday.
Hundreds of people queued to donate their blood voluntarily in two sessions, which were organised at Sigra and Khajuri branches of Shubham Hospital to mark the World Blood Donor Day. While huge turn out of denizens was witnessed at Sigra branch, the highlight of the day was special contribution and encouraging response from hospital staff and doctors of Shubham Hospital.
The mega blood donation camp began with voluntary blood donation of Dr Prashant Singh of Shubham Hospital, who also motivated other people to donate blood on the occasion. Later, a number of people including professionals, businessman, doctors and bank employees also volunteered for blood donation.
Joining the list of blood donors were Ashish Verma, station head, Red FM. A total of 72 units of blood was collected in the mega camp. The collected blood would be stored in the IMA blood bank, which would be later used for general public.
Meanwhile, a group of 47 young people also donated blood at the blood bank of Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Opposition seeks cancellation of Legislative Election In Ebonyi
Nigerian Tribune News
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All the major opposition parties in Ebonyi State have called for the cancellation of the result of the last national assembly election in the state, following what they described as massive irregularities in the exercise.
The parties, including the Accord Party (AP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the People’s Democratic Convention (PDC) warned that subsequent elections in the state will be accompanied by bloodshed if the last one was not cancelled.
The leaders of the party, who addressed a world press conference held at Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital, accused officials of employing state machinery to work against the opposition.
“It is sad and regrettable that while the elections in other states of the federation are being commended, it was a brazen show of shame in Ebonyi to return the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to power by all means by the combined forces of PDP government officials, the Army and INEC ad-hoc electoral officials. The conduct of the election was against all known laws and regulations guiding election process in the country,” they said.
The parties stated that contrary to the much-advertised rules of INEC that the appointment of electoral officials, notably the collation officers and returning officers, shall be from state institutions and agencies, all the collation and returning officers in the election were appointed from staff of the Ebonyi State-owned university.
The parties said the returning officers, despite protests from other political parties, accepted falsified figures that were not signed by presiding officers. “These results were all recorded in favour of the PDP. This happened in most wards in Ikwo and Izzi local Government Areas,” they said.
How it was done
The opposition parties further alleged that the election was characterised by brazen diversion of electoral materials to private homes by thugs, in collaboration with soldiers and policemen.
Cameroon Soccer Star Samuel Eto'o Lashes Out at Reporter
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Journalists: Beware of questioning the performance of Cameroonian international
soccer superstar Samuel Eto'o on the field. The act could result in a head butt--as
reporter Philippe Boney experienced in 2008--or in rough words, as a Senegalese
reporter experienced in a postgame press conference on Saturday.
That day, Cameroon's Indomitable Lions lost to Senegal's Lions 1¬0 in a qualifier
match for the 2012 African Nations Cup in what observers considered an upset. In
the postgame press conference in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, Moussa Tandian,
a local correspondent for leading Cameroonian independent broadcaster Equinoxe,
asked the 30¬year¬old striker and team captain whether he thought the
disappointing performance meant that the golden era of his generation of players had
passed.
The answer came with contempt as Eto'o lashed out at Tandian while the cameras
were rolling. "I'm rather surprised, dear brother, because you are making yourself
noticed negatively," Eto'o said. "You should rather think about excusing yourself."
Eto'o told the journalist he should "thank" Cameroonian players for their performance.
"I think that you are not Cameroonian," he went on. "I will speak to your boss at
Equinoxe because you don't deserve to work for this wonderful channel." He went on
to say he was struggling to make Cameroon and Africa proud before questioning the
motives of critical journalists.
"You journalists, certain journalists like you, you who do not want Africa to advance,
you who do not want Cameroon to advance, you are always negative, try to change a
little," he said, as he pointed to Tandian.
Eto'o later apologized to Tandian, according to Théophile Biamou, a top executive for
Equinoxe. "There are no bad questions," Biamou said to CPJ after the apology.
"There are rather bad answers."
Jonathan: His Promises,His Champaigns
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President Goodluck Jonathan came into the political scene almost unannounced. Before 1999, he was wracking his head in the laboratories of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) as a Director. He busied himself with environmental research, bordering the much talked about environmental degradation of the Niger Delta states. There were reports that Jonathan resisted the attempt to name him the running mate to former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. Jonathan had to capitulate following the insistence of respected leaders in Bayelsa, who insisted he had to leave OMPADEC to serve the young Bayelsa State. Twelve years down the line, Jonathan has found himself as the nation’s number one man. He has risen from being the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State to being the Acting Governor, the Governor in 2005 to being the Vice president of Nigeria in 2007. Jonathan then found himself sandwiched by a seemingly innocuous political situation, which eventually threatened to snuff life out of the nation’s democracy. His quiet mien and calm disposition ensured that the nation overcame the challenge. When the nation was dragging towards the precipice, the National Assembly had to intervene by way of the Doctrine of Necessity. The lacuna in the 1999 Constitution had been exploited to advantage by some loyalists of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who had planned to run the country with an absentee President. The Constitution guarantees that the President would transmit a letter to the President of the Senate whenever he was travelling abroad for vacation or is temporarily incapacitated. That letter would automatically empower the Vice President to step in as Acting President until the return of the substantive President. The late President Yar’Adua proceeded on medical trip in Saudi Arabia late in 2009 without transmitting that letter thus creating a practically lame duck Vice president, who was head of government without necessarily being empowered as the head of the government. Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa ensured all the legal loopholes that could guarantee Jonathan’s Acting Presidency were blocked. The ding dong continued from the day of Yar’Adua’s departure till the next 90 days. Nobody was directly in charge and Jonathan was merely in government without having executive powers. When on February 9, 2010, the National Assembly passed the Doctrine of Necessity; a sense of renewal grabbed the political scene. Government business, which was comatose before the adoption of the motion, came alive again, paving the way for the Acting President to receive Ambassadors, assign Permanent secretaries and even dissolve the Federal Executive Council. To further dampen the political horizon, Yar’Adua’s handlers decided to return him to the country, though in bad medical frame, just as things appeared to be taking shape in the polity. The late President, who was returned through an Air Ambulance was not seen by any government functionary until his demise on May 5, 2010.
The Making of Jonathan Presidency
Some political strategists who were behind the return of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua from medical trip abroad had calculated that the late President can be kept in the vegetative state until after the presidential primaries of the party. They were also banking on early elections in view of the plan to ensure that a Northern candidate replaced Yar’Adua as President and the then ongoing constitution amendment exercise. On the basis of such calculations, the minders had projected that the plan to elevate Jonathan as Acting President would be stalled till after the presidential primaries. The calculation was also that with the plan for early election in either in December 2010 or January 2011, the coast would have been cleared for the emergence of a Northern candidate as Yar’Adua’s successor. The calculation was that Jonathan would agree to run with a new candidate from the North as vice President. While the adoption of Doctrine of Necessity by the National Assembly altered the configurations to a big extent, as the Acting President then got faced with three options; running for Presidency, running as Vice president or stepping aside in 2011, the demise of President Yar’Adua finally changed the scenario. It meant that Jonathan has to be sworn in as Nigeria’s substantive president and he then had only two options; to contest or not. The nation was eager to hear from Jonathan almost immediately after he was sworn-in. Even before the expiration of the one wek mourning period declared for Yar’Adua, reports had started linking Jonathan with the 2011 presidential contest. He refused to hop into the train immediately. The president asked to be allowed sometime for consultations and that he did not want to rock the boat of state because of his ambition.
When he finally opened up on September 18, 2010, he told the nation he was ready to throw his hat into the ring for the contest. Jonathan further insisted that he had what it took to run the affairs of the country and that his emergence would be passing a story to Nigerian youths. “If I can get to where I am today, you too can get there,” was the clear message of Jonathan, who told the nation that he once had no shoes or bags to carry his books to school. He stated that he was from parents regarded as poorest of the poor, but that with education, he was able to break the shackles of poverty and penetrate the power set up to emerge the nation’s number one man. From that time onwards, Jonathan has emerged the candidate to beat in the presidential race.
Three Million Nigerians Are Living With HIV - Liman
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Available statistical data has revealed that as of the end of 2010, about three million people in Nigeria were living with HIV virus just as five couples who are living with HIV have been joined and integrated into the society of People Living with HIV PLWH.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) Dr Mohammed Liman, on Sunday in Bauchi during a dinner in honour of five newly wedded HIV positive couples in Bauchi organised by the agency in its effort to reduce the spread of the disease in the state.
He also said that Nigeria had remained one of the most burdened nations with a large population of people living with HIV virus noting that there was a major imbalance between prevention and the treatment of new HIV related conditions.
The BACATMA chairman further said that the couples were individually diagnosed of HIV and had since enrolled in the HIV/AIDS care adding that, they have now individually decided to marry from within the network with the support of the agency.
He said, “because of the increase of the epidemic, we encouraged match making as another way to reduce the menace , the match making package has a package of interventions that include individual and couple counselling, HIV test, enrolment into HIV prevention, care and support services, registration with support groups through which members meet to share experiences, provision of psychological support and advancements of marriage proposals in order to reduce the epidemic by 50 per cent by the 2015.”
The wife of the Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Aisha Isa Yuguda, congratulated the five newly wedded couples and commended the efforts in agency’s match making bringing together HIV/AIDS couples into marriage for the purpose of restoring hope and giving more meaning to the lives of infected persons.
Fashola tackles guber candidates on Alpha Beta’s Role In Tax Policy
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The role of Lagos state tax consulting firm, Alpha Beta, was the focus of the debate organised for governorship candidates by the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion yesterday.
The debate, which held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, had Governor Raji Fashola (ACN); Dr Ade Dosunmu(PDP); Abdullahi Tokoya(ANPP); Mr. Michael Adegbola (APGA) and Comrade Ayodele Akele(NCP) in attendance.
The session commenced with brief introductory remarks and plans for the state by governorship candidates.
It however heated up when Tokoya accused Fashola of using Alpha Beta to siphon tax payer’s money.
He urged him to cancel the contract immediately to clear his name in the scandal generated by the tax consultants.
Fashola explained that the firm does not collect revenue for the state government as widely believed, pointing out that it only helps to reconcile its account and ensure the state does not lose money to fraudsters.
Alpha Beta, he explained, brought information technology support and blocked all conduit pipes for siphoning public funds.
He said the firm is a limited liability company with records at the Corporate Affairs Commission that are verifiable.
’It is a known fact that before my being in government, it was very difficult to know how many accounts the state has as it was possible to open account in the name of the state government and money never get into the account.
“It is the new information technology support that AIpha Beta brought that moved the monthly revenue generation of the state government from N600 million to N14 billion today.
“They are providing knowledge based service, employing young people and giving them an opportunity to do something for themselves and helping us to verify the integrity of our records, payment receipt and other documents that are brought to us”.
Fashola said since the firm has helped the state to realise its target of N17 billion IGR monthly, he does not see any reason why it should not be adequately rewarded.
‘’We are about the only state that publishes her monthly records and transaction through the new technology we have benefited from the partnership with AIpha Beta and I feel it is only fair that they are duly rewarded”.
Dosunmu said taxation was serious matter that must be given priority attention.
He promised to expand the tax drag net to accommodate more people, while reducing taxes paid by Lagosians, if elected.
He argued that the state government can save a whopping N6 Billion if collection is left for agencies saddled with the responsibility.
Serena's Health Scare AlarmsTtennis Pros
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INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Serena Williams’ harrowing account of her brush with a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism has evoked a mixture of relief and fear among the world’s top female players.
Williams is now recovering at her Californian home after undergoing emergency treatment for blood clots in her lungs, an experience she described as the “scariest moment””of her life.
The former world number one said doctors told her she probably developed the life-threatening clots because of complications from surgery to repair a foot injury and the effects of constant flying, a regular hazard for all professional tennis players.
Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, the reigning U.S. and Australian Open champion, said she was relieved that Williams was now fine but said the incident had deeply alarmed her.
“(When) you are an athlete and healthy, you don’t think too much about those kind of things,” Clijsters told reporters at the Indian Wells WTA tournament.
“Injuries can happen, but to be close to dying...it opened my eyes and made me even more aware of where we need to be.
“The toughest part for us is flying all over. It’s very scary. It’s very serious.”
Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, the current world number one, paid a visit to Williams after arriving in Indian Wells and reported the American was in high spirits.
“She’s such a sweet person and strong character,” Wozniacki said.
“She’s always keeping her head high and she was laughing and coming up with jokes and we talked about singing some karaoke together and having some fun.”
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus said she was also relieved that Williams was recovering and already talking about a return to the game.
“All you can do is feel sad and be supportive. I hope she can come back, but it’s totally up to her,” Azarenka told Reuters.
“She’s a great champion and people love to see her play. Serena is Serena and when she comes back, she’ll be the same fighter on court.”
Williams has not played competitively since winning last year’s Wimbledon championship in July, giving her a 13th grand slam singles title. Shortly after the victory she sliced her foot on broken glass while celebrating at a restaurant in Germany.
The American has had two operations on her foot since then and was planning to make her comeback at a tournament in Miami this month before the latest setback.
Williams, who has tumbled to 11th in the world rankings during her enforced eight-month absence, said the experience had only reinforced her determination to play again, but she did not know when.
“She doesn’t want to set a date and not be able to meet it and then disappoint people,” her agent, Jill Smoller, told Reuters. “Health is her number one priority.”
Mahan Leads Storm-Delayed Cadillac Golf; Woods, Mickelson Trail in Florida
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Hunter Mahan was 7-under par through 11 holes when first-round play at golf’s Cadillac Championship was suspended because of darkness.
Charley Hoffman is in a group of players two shots behind, having completed his round yesterday before a storm with 50 mph (80 kph) winds caused an almost three-hour interruption at the World Golf Championships event at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Florida.
World No. 1 Martin Kaymer and third-ranked Luke Donald are also 5-under, after 10 holes. Only 11 players out of 65 have completed the opening round.
Tiger Woods, who has dropped to fifth in the Official World Golf Ranking, and No. 4 Graeme McDowell are tied at 1-under through 15 holes. World No. 6 Phil Mickelson, who is playing in the same group, is 2-under.
The storm toppled 17 trees, two television towers and hurled a television camera into a pond.
Anyone with a first-round ticket will gain admission again today. Play is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m., with the second round getting under way as originally scheduled at 11:20 a.m.
Bad Governance: The Monster Plaguing Nigeria
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There is an axiom that says that bad things happen to good people” but contrary to that good people are very hard to come by. This is against the backdrop of what the belief of Nigerians and the initial agenda of our leaders which is founded on true democracy wrapped with the motto-Nigeria-GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION. But there are some factors missing which are good governance, credible leaders and a strong foundation on leadership.
We are all aware of the fact that we breed mediocres as leaders and we hardly come by technocrats with philanthropic spirit in piloting the nation’s affairs. We hardly come by people who has the nation’s interest at heart and who will take us out of the shackles of misery, poverty darkness, etc we only have people that have the nation’s treasury at heart, who think of the nation’s wealth and riches, who are ready to serve our money than to serve us the people. We are plagued with the reality of bad government and all other monsters that stems from it.
The last 50 years have reared some of the monsters who called themselves our leaders-including the ones who entered power by power (force), favour and by crook just to suck the nation dry and we have produced among the greatest tyrants of the world like, the late General Sanni Abacha of cursed memory, among the latest mediocres like Lt. Col. And later General Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babadasi Babagida and of recent, our ever political god- fathers in politics amongst whom are immediate past president Olusegun Obasanjo and a host of others.
Over the years, we have gone through bad governance and leadership, even weak ones as characterised by the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and we are aware of the result they bring. With them come all sorts of negativities like lack of insights, purpose and vision, wrong sense of direction for the people, insensitivity, injustice of the highest order and hopelessness, in all its forms. It is obvious that we are suffering from the syndrome of bad leadership-not only in politics but in the private sector, economy, public operations, even in our homes, churches and markets and associations.
Bad leadership is like a cankerworm-a communicable disease-it has spread like flu to even individuals. It is corruptible and has corrupted the social fabric of the nations body polity. No wonder Nigeria was rated one time as the most corrupt nation. This issue of unhealthy and bad governance has brought other militating factors to terrorize Nigeria among which are mismanagement and undermanagement which are subjects on their own.
Eagles Won’t Under-rate Ethiopia –Odewingie
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Super Eagles and West Brom striker, Osaze Odewingie has revealed that Nigeria will not under-rate Ethiopia ahead of the March 27 Nations Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ethiopia which is a must-win for the Super Eagles.
“I know some people who are close with the Ethiopian team, they have a progressing team and they are a tough opponent, so, we are not under-rating anyone, especially now that we’ve lost one match in Guinea, the match is a must-win for us and there is no doubt about that, and that is why we must prepare very well.”
These were the words of Osaze Odewingie in a chat with Etisalat Mega Sport on Beat 99.90 fm based in Lagos.
Odewingie, who has been in a great form since he arrived West Brom from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer, has scored over ten goals in his debut season in England, thus earning accolades from soccer pundits.
The Super Eagles must beat the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia in Abuja on March 27 to boost its chances of picking the sole ticket for a Nations Cup place from its group.
Nigeria currently lies second on the log behind Guinea in its Nations Cup qualifying series group.
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