Terrorism: Pope prays for Nigeria, S’Sudan, others

Pope Francis

Pope Francis in his first Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, on Wednesday, prayed for Nigeria and other countries contending with terrorists’ attacks.

In his Christmas message,  the Pope specifically asked God to defend Nigeria’s innocent and defenceless people.

Other countries the Pope prayed for are South Sudan, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Philippines, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said the countries had been torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty, where so many people had become homeless, lacking water, food and the necessities of life.

He said, “Prince of Peace, in every place turn hearts aside from violence and inspire them to lay down arms and undertake the path of dialogue. Look upon Nigeria, rent by constant attacks which do not spare the innocent and defenceless.

Obasanjo, other politicians don’t own Nigeria –Jonathan

 

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan again on Wednesday hit out at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over an  18-page letter  in which  he  accused  him  of deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence and clannishness.

He had on Sunday  described the  letter  as full of lies.

The President revisited the issue during a Christmas Day service held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

Though he did not mention the name of the former President specifically, Jonathan regretted that some politicians who thought the country belonged  to them had started thinking about the next election.

In the process, he said,   such politicians had   started doing what they ought not to do, including writing letters.

He said contrary to what they thought, the country did not belong to any politician or group of politicians.

Rather, he said Nigeria  belonged to statesmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, men, women and youths.

Jonathan said, “We politicians that think we own this country and  are already  thinking  about next election; we are doing what we ought not to do;  making statement we ought not to make and writing letters we are  supposed not to write.

“This  country belongs to our statesmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, our men, our women, our youths.  Nigeria does not belong to any politician or group of politicians. So,  we will  continue to urge the clergymen  to pray for this country.”

Jonathan also spoke on  terrorism in parts of the country,  saying  Nigerians were lucky that the situation was  being brought under control.

Citing the example of Pakistan, Jonathan argued that naturally, countries infested with terrorism hardly survived  it.

Presidency, others to fuel generators with N836.6m in 2014

 

The Presidency and other ministries, departments and agencies of government will spend  N836.6m for the fuelling of plants and generators in 2014.

The amount is contained in the 2014 budget proposal before the National Assembly.

The figure is striking when considered from the standpoint that the government, had after the privatization of the power sector promised that Nigerians would begin to see significant  improvement in power supply from the first quarter of next year.

Specifically, President Goodluck Jonathan had while inaugurating the Phase II 500 megawatt Omotosho National Integrated Power Project Plant in Ondo State two months ago promised reasonably stable power supply in the country by the middle of 2014.

He added that the Federal Government was targeting 4,700mw from 10 NIPPs, which he said would be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2014.

According to him, the 10 National Integrated Power Projects will be handed over to the private sector next year after their completion and inauguration.

Waiver: Reps query Okonjo-Iweala over import duty losses

 

The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to produce a detailed report on the exact amount of money Nigeria lost to import duty waivers between 2011 and 2013.

She was also mandated to provide the full names of the beneficiaries; what the waivers were used to import; and the justification for granting such duty exemptions.

The directive was contained in the 50 questions on ‘state of the economy’, which the House Committee on Finance handed over to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy during a session with the committee in Abuja on Thursday last week.

The details of the questions showed that the committee was worried over the Federal Government’s commitment towards the anti-corruption war and the dwindling non-oil revenues as a result of the duty waivers approved by the minister.

The question on waivers was number 15 on the list, where the committee asked, “How much exactly has been the amount of money lost in government revenue as a result of import duty waivers in 2011, 2012 and 2013?

United primed for fixture frenzy

Football | Barclays Premier League

 

 Manchester United manager David Moyes believes that his squad are ready for the rigours of the festive period as they prepare for Thursday's Premier League trip to Hull City.
After suffering consecutive home defeats against Everton and Newcastle, United have improved with a run of four wins in three different competitions.
They now face back-to-back away matches after Christmas, with a trip to Norwich City following their game at the KC Stadium.
United then host Tottenham Hotspur on January 1, but although Moyes acknowledges that the schedule is not ideal, he is growing in confidence about his group's ability to cope.
"Away games are always much harder than the home games and you have to make sure that we go and do the job right," said the Scot, whose side approach Thursday's game in eighth place in the table.
"We've done the job quite well away from home this season so far, so we'll try to keep it going, keep the away form up and hopefully pick up some points.
"It's felt like we've had to use the squad over the last month as well and we've had it most of the season.

Kano Pillars undecided on Emordi, Ikhana

Football | Nigeria

Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars are undecided on which of the duo of Kadiri Ikhana and Okey Emordi to lead their team for the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.
Already the Pyramid City side have contracted three undisclosed Italians to work with the yet to be named Nigerian coach.
The Nigerian duo have been shortlisted for the plum job but the Pillars management is yet to agree on whom to hand over the mantle of leadership.
An official of Kano Pillars, Idris Malikawa said the board is still assessing the two coaches and will very soon name one of them to lead the side in their Africa and domestic league campaigns.
“The government has mandated the board to go ahead and name a coach for the side. The board's searchlight has been narrowed down to Kadiri Ikhana and Okey Emordi both of whom have been interviewed by the technical committee specially set up for the purpose.
“The board is still assessing the two coaches and once they are satisfied one of them will be named the head coach to work with the Italians already contracted.

City's Milner wary of red-hot Suarez

Football | Barclays Premier League

Manchester City midfielder James Milner says that his side will be facing one of the country's outstanding players when they host Luis Suarez and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Thursday.
Uruguayan striker Suarez has already scored 19 league goals this term despite having been suspended until the end of September for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season.
His run of form has helped Liverpool go top with a run of four straight wins, in which they have scored 17 goals, while City, who could move above the Reds with a win, have scored 16 in a similar run of four victories.
However, while Suarez will be the centre of attention, Milner feels it would be wrong to underestimate the rest of Brendan Rodgers's players.
And as City look for a second title in three seasons, Milner feels that the visit of Liverpool, and the following home game against Crystal Palace, offer City a real opportunity to take charge in the title race.

Mou tells Chelsea to keep looking up

Football | Barclays Premier League

Jose Mourinho has urged Chelsea to "enjoy the moment" and make sure they overtake at least one of their Premier League title rivals in Thursday's traditional Boxing Day fixtures.
Swansea City are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on a day that also sees leaders Liverpool travel to Manchester City, who are in third place.
Just two points separate the top five, with Arsenal second, Chelsea fourth and Everton fifth.
"The best way to get the first objective, which is top four and Champions League (qualification), is to be close in the title race, so let's enjoy the moment," Mourinho said.
"I know Swansea are a good team with good players and a certain style of play, but we are two points behind and two title contenders are playing each other. It is important for us to win."
Chelsea drew 0-0 at Arsenal on Monday, the day after Swansea had been beaten 2-1 at home by Everton.

Wenger keeps faith in Arsenal

Football | Barclays Premier League

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced that his players remain on course in their Premier League title challenge despite having picked up just two points from their last three games.
Wenger's side will make the short trip across London to West Ham United on Thursday having drawn at home with Everton and Chelsea either side of a 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City.
Arsenal had been seven points clear at the end of November, but now find themselves behind leaders Liverpool – who visit City in Thursday's late game – on goal difference.
Wenger's men struggled to create chances against Chelsea in Monday's 0-0 draw, but Wenger insists that the Gunners' prospects are far healthier than they had appeared at the start of the season, when they lost 3-1 at home to Aston Villa.

Gerrard cools Liverpool title talk

Football | Barclays Premier League

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has played down talk of a first Premier League title in almost a quarter of a century, insisting the destination of the championship will be decided over the last 10 games.
The Anfield giants won their most recent English title in 1990 but are top at Christmas ahead of their tricky trips to Manchester City on Thursday and Chelsea on Sunday.
"I think we're title contenders if we're in the title race with 10 games to go – I don't get carried away or I don't change targets or raise expectations around the city just because we've started the season very strong," the midfielder told Sky Sports News.
"To be in the title race you've got to be there with 10 games to go with a realistic challenge of winning it. I do have confidence and belief in my teammates that we're capable of surprising a few people this season."