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Abuja — A deal worth $25 million has been concluded between Israel Shipyards and the Nigerian defense ministry for the manufacture and delivery of two Shaldag patrol boats, an Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. One boat has already been delivered and Nigerian crews have been trained in Israel by Israeli instructors who will provide further training in Nigeria The report is coming just as the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Avigdor Lieberman is in Nigeria as part of his tour of African countries that will also take him to Ethiopia, Angola, Uganda and Kenya. He is reportedly accompanied by dozens of businessmen, most of them arms dealers, as well as security advisers and representatives of the military industries. Amit Sadeh, the middleman in the $25million deal, was involved in the controversial sale of air and sea drones by the Yavneh-based Aeronautics Ventures to the Nigerian defense ministry, as well as the sale of used planes from Ukraine to Nigeria. Sadeh also represents I...

Onigbinde, Chukwu hail FG over soccer ban reversal

Two former coaches of the Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde and Christian Chukwu, have commended President Goodluck Jonathan on his decision to reverse the ban on the national teams from international competitions for two years. The Federal Government on Wednesday banned the national teams from all international competitions following the Eagles’ poor performance at the World Cup. It also set up a caretaker committee to reorganise football in the country. But FIFA frowned upon the decision and threatened to sanction Nigeria if the decision was not reversed. Both coaches, who admitted Nigeria needed a reformation in the sport, told our correspondent in separate telephone interviews on Monday that the FG‘s decision to reverse the ban was right. Onigbinde said, ”I have confidence in our leaders that they will put the interest of the nation before any other thing. The reversal is good for our football. ”Inasmuch as some people see it as a way to improve grass roots football, I t...

The Nigeria Failure Syndrome: Jonathan and football

Goodluck Jonathan stopped the presses around the world last week when he slapped a two-year ban on Nigeria’s participation in international football contests. It didn’t matter where one stood on the merits of the case, no one could deny that Mr. Jonathan’s decision had gusto. Having admitted that much, let me state, for the record, that I consider the moratorium wrong-headed. Here’s why. Despite the disappointing outcome in all the matches played by Nigeria at the World Cup tournament in South Africa, the Nigerian players are more deserving of praise than censure. I don’t see how Mr. Jonathan, or any other Nigerian politician, or even any other Nigerian professional has earned the right to chastise the men who represented us in South Africa. Believe me, it was heartbreaking to watch the Nigerian team fall short in game after game. Like many other Nigerians, I fumed in outrage and uttered an unkind thought or two. Yes, our players lost to a Greek team they should have beaten handily...

Law to standardise tourism, hotel practice signed by Fashola

• Offenders now to pay N500, 000 fine The Lagos State government on Monday firmed up the law regulating the operations of hotels, brothels and social event centres in the state with the signing of the Hotel Licencing Law 2003 by Governor Babatunde Fashola as amended by the state House of Assembly. Part of the provisions of the law which aims to streamline and sanitise the operations of such places as mentioned above, imposed a fine of N500,000 on person(s) who operate a hotel, brothel or event centre without being duly licensed by the government. Fashola, while signing the law, said it is now an offence for any operator to run hotels and brothels without obtaining licence from the state hotel licencing authorities, and failure to comply would attract a fine ranging from N100, 000 to N500, 000 or a two-year jail term. The governor who noted that tourism has become a major contributor to strengthening economies around the world, added: “It is already clear that the future holds m...

Private sector to take control of electricity by June 2011 - FG

•11 distribution companies, 7 others to be sold •FG to provide N200 billion for labour related liabilities In what will be seen by local and international investors as a radical shake up of its energy policy, Nigeria is now working at delivering a full-fledged private sector led power industry by June 2011. The policy shift appears to be a key deliverable that the present administration in Abuja, which has barely a year to run, would want to hand over to Nigerians before it comes to an end after elections scheduled for between later this year and early next year. "Expect the full privatisation of the 11 distribution companies, one transmission company and the six generation companies. In other words, by June next year, we expect to be handing over these companies and consequently the power sector to private investors," said one senior government source close to the engine room of the policy formulation now taking place. A draft work plan is said to have been prepare...

2010 World Cup closes in grand style

South Africa’s Soccer City erupted in lights for the World Cup closing ceremony, with singers performing a melody of local music from urban hip-hop to a cappella chorals. The blazing farewell to Africa’s first World Cup began with a flyover of three Gripen fighter jets, as the calabash-shaped stadium was bathed in blue and red lights and then ignited by fireworks that appeared to set the field alight. Performers danced into the shape of a vuvuzela that spouted lights leading to Colombian superstar Shakira performing her song “Waka Waka”, the tournament’s official anthem, with local band Freshlyground. About 780 dancers clad in colourful urban youth gear broke into synchronised dance, sending the 85,000 fans into a celebratory frenzy. Giant projectors illuminated a highlights reel using the pitch as a screen, showing the best moments of the 32 teams who played in games leading to the final between the Netherlands and Spain. Performers marched across the field with lights leavi...

Federal Govt, UK at Loggerheads over Tinubu, Ibori, Attah

Abuja — The Federal Government has rejected a request by Britain for release of evidence needed for further investigation and prosecution of three Nigerian ex-governors in a London court. Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) made the disclosure in Abuja, yesterday. The said ex-governors including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of Lagos State; Obong Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom State and James Ibori of Delta State were alleged to have involved themselves in activities touching on official corruption and abuse of office while holding power. Ex-governors James Ibori, Obong Victor Attah and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu They were specifically accused to have pooled their respective states' resources together to form an organisation styled African Development Fund Incorporation (ADFI) with the sole purpose of acquiring shares in ECONET, a telecommunications firm. The ex-governors were said to have contributed whopping sums of monies running into millions of dollars into t...

NARD Strike: Resident doctors say no going back

The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), on Monday, insisted that the strike embarked upon by its members would continue until the Federal Government meets their demands. The National President of the association, Dr. John Tunde Aremu, disclosed this at a press conference, held at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, where he appealed to well meaning Nigerians to assist in making government see why the current impasse, between them should be immediately resolved. Making reference to an emergency National Executive Committee meeting, held on Saturday, July 3, 2010, in Zaria, he said NARD stance as contained in its ultimatum still stands and remains the same. It would be recalled that resident doctors nationwide went on strike, about three weeks ago, to press for, among other things, improvement of infrastructure in the hospitals, proper funding of residency training, re-introduction of post-part 1 overseas clinical attachment and the implementation of the...

True federalism is the answer for Niger Delta

Former Minister of Defence and Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi spoke to Abuja Deputy Bureau Chief, MADU ONUORAH on the Niger Delta, security, and the political situation in Nigeria. Excerpts: WHAT do you make of the security situation in Nigeria? The nation's security situation is precarious. I am not blaming any individual or institutions, as security should be the business of everyone. Obviously our security machinery has to be revamped and strengthened. Something close to the "Homeland Security" machinery as instituted in the United States is urgently required here. Our borders remain porous. It may not be the best thing to be too detailed about our security concerns in the media but with increasing urbanisation and the emergence of mega cities, security challenges will continue to rise. There is a close relationship between hunger and political instability that also increases security concerns. 'Taliban' and religious zealots,' including politicians ...

‘Nigeria at 50’ gift

SIR: Let me state that the above is not my original idea. It was suggested by a concerned lady that opened discussion on the subject on Nairaland.com, Nigeria’s largest online discussion forum. Aisha2, as her moniker goes, is a lady with an uncommon passion for humanitarian services. I find her suggestion above not only laudable but also worthy of trumpeting to the outer world. Nigeria is a nation of jesters. It baffles me when we brazenly celebrate failure. Ghana celebrated 50 years of independence three years ago without much fanfare. They had something to show for it, yet they did not go on spending spree like this. Now three years after, Ghana is gradually becoming a lesson in what good governance can earn you – from politics to economy and even to mundane aspects like football, the country is getting it right. Now, Nigeria is 50. The state of things in the country is currently in its all-time low. Our politics is in a shambles and the economy is hovering around the va...

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