Fire Outbreak At Murtala Muhammed Airport

A fire has reportedly broken out at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos causing occupants to run for their lives

  A fire has reportedly broken out at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos causing occupants to run for their lives
(Punch)

According to emerging reports, a fire has broken out at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos causing panic among occupants and travellers.

The incident occurred on the second floor of the airport terminal but the fire was extinguished before it could cause any major damage, Daily Post reports.

The blaze is said to have originated from the commercial department of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) due to a power surge.

However, the situation has been reportedly been brought under control and airport activities are returning to normal.

First Lady Resigns As Permanent Secretary

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has resigned her position as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service

  Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan

Patience Jonathan, the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan has resigned her position as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.

The first lady is said to have vacated her position in the state Ministry of Education voluntarily but reports have it that her resignation might be connected with a rift between her and the state Governor, Seriake Dickson.

The governor and the first lady are said to have disagreed over the former’s ambition to be re-elected as governor for a second term.

Mrs. Jonathan was appointed as a permanent secretary in July 2012 leading to widespread criticism about her playing dual roles and being unsuitable for the position.

 A ministry source reportedly said:

“The whole thing is political. It appears Madam Peace is not happy with the governor. With her resignation, the battle-line has been drawn.”

“I feel the President’s wife resigned to enable her to have the moral right to slug it out with Dickson ahead of the governorship poll in the state. Let no one deceive you, the whole thing is politics. After all, she is 57 and the retirement age is 60.”

However, reports have it that the first lady’s terminal benefits and pension won’t be affected by her resignation as they are already being prepared.

Jonathan Declares Interest In Presidential Race

President Goodluck Jonathan has finally declared his interest in the 2015 presidential race after the Peoples Democratic Party announced an October 30 deadline for the purchase of nomination forms

  President Goodluck Jonathan

After months of speculation, President Goodluck Jonathan has finally declared his intention to contest in the 2015 elections.

The move was made necessary after the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced that all intending candidates must purchase nomination forms by October 30.

The president told the party leaders on Thursday, October 23, that he would procure the form before the deadline, Punch reports.

Jonathan is also said to have set up a presidential declaration committee to handle the intricacies involved in his official declaration which would take place between November 7 and 15

10th AFRICA-EUROPE Training Course for Youth Organisations

The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe is organising the 10th Africa-Europe Training Course for Youth Organisations
in Nairobi-Kenya, from 25th January to 1st February 2015. The training course is organised in partnership with the European Youth Forum, the Pan African Youth Union and the Network of International Youth organisations in Africa. The activity is organised in the framework of the Joint Management Agreement between the European Commission – EuropeAid Co-operation Office and the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe.

ELIGIBILITY

• Be representatives of youth organisations in Europe and Africa.
• Should be a key multiplier playing an active role within a youth organisation, network or service at national or regional level, and plan to continue this work in the near future;
• Seeking gender balance;
• Diverse social and geographical background (including disadvantaged and minority groups);
• Aged between 18 and 30;
• Have already some qualification or experience in terms of international youth work;
• Be committed to attend the full duration of the course and be supported by a youth organisation or service;
• Be able to present the context of their work, their way of tackling problems, the challenges they meet;
• Be able to work and communicate in English/French.

DEADLINE: 5^th November, 2014

To apply and for more information visit here

D’banj performs and gives ‘Believe in yourself’ speech in Washington 

D’banj was recently in Washington, US, to speak at the TEDxWBG conference, which had ‘ending poverty’ as its theme.
The superstar was invited to give a speech about using agriculture to end poverty, and also about his work with the ‘ONE’ campaign.
The Kokomaster gave a good account of himself as he delivered to his audience a speech titled, ‘Believe in yourself’.
He started with, “I’m D’banj and I’m from Africa. I know when you hear Africa, you are thinking ‘Oh that dark continent.”
D’banj would also perform his hit song, ‘On Top Of The World’, after the end of his speech.

 

Wiko, Europe’s fastest growing phone brand, launches in Nigeria

 

-         Ezekiel Adesawe

Wiko, French mobile phone maker has launched 10 models of its phones into the Nigerian market during a media launch event at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking at the launching, Marcel Van de Pas, International Business Director, Wiko Global said, “We are delighted to bring the Wiko brand to Nigerian consumers.” He added, “Wiko is confident that our combination of stylish design, technology, quality and pricing will be a huge success here.”

According to him, Wiko launched in Nigeria because the brand positioning represents a perfect match with Nigeria’s predominantly young population as well as the appeal of the Nigerian market.

He further noted that smart phones account for 20 percent or 400, 000 units of the estimated 2million monthly mobile device market in Nigeria.

Models of the Wiko brand launched into the Nigerian market are Highway, its flagship, Rainbow, Bloom, Lenny. Sunset and Goa, all smart phones. The feature phones are Kir-3, Riff and Lubi-3.

Flagship model Wiko Highway is one of the first smartphones to use 2.0 GHz Octa-Core technology. The Highway’s exceptional features include a Gorilla Glass body, super bright 5” FHD screen, 16MP back camera and 8MP front camera. A smartphone that guarantees superior speed and performance, Wiko says the Highway is one of the best-in-class smartphones available in Nigeria.

Wiko Mobile comes with the tagline, “My life my rules”, a message that appeals to the free-spirited, passionate, adventurous and independent nature of today’s youth.

Wiko Mobile already has presence in 19 countries including Nigeria.  It is the second bestselling brand in France with a market share of 13. 3 per cent traditional sales and 22.6 per cent online sales second only to Samsung.

 

 

Malala Yousafzai: 131st world famous

                                                                               

Malala Yousafzai, youngest Pakistani human rights activist is 131^st most famous person in the world. According to an online website, Biographyonline.net Malala occupies the 131^st position on the list of famous people, chosen mainly from the Ninenteenth, Twentieth or Twenty First Century. This list includes famous actors, politicians, entrepreneurs, writers, artists and humanitarians.

Malala Yousafzai who was in October awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is a Pakistani school pupil and spokesperson for women’s right to education. In retaliation for her high profile campaign for education and criticism of the Taliban, she was shot in the head at close range by a Taliban gunman. She survived the gunshot wound and has become a leading spokesperson for human rights, education and women’s rights. She has received numerous peace awards, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 along with Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights activist.

Malala was born (12 July 1997) in Mingora, the Swat District of north west Pakistan to a Sunni Muslim family. She was named Malala, which means ‘grief stricken’ after a famous female Pashun poet and warrior from Afghanistan.
Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai is a poet, and runs a chain of public schools. He is a leading educational advocate himself. In 2009, she began writing an anonymous blog for the BBC expressing her views on education and life under the threat of the Taliban taking over her valley. It was her father who suggested his own daughter to the BBC. She wrote under the byline “Gul Makai”
During this period, the Taliban’s military hold on the area intensified. At times, Malala reported hearing artillery from the advancing Taliban forces. As the Taliban took control of the area they issued edicts banning television, banning music, and banning women from going shopping and limiting women’s education. Many girls schools were blown up and as a consequence pupils stayed at home, scared of possible reprisals from the Taliban. However, for a time, there was a brief respite when the Taliban stated girls could receive primary education, if they wore Burkhas. But, a climate of fear prevailed and Malala and her father began to receive death threats for their outspoken views. As a consequence, Malala and her father began to fear for their safety. Her father once considered moving Malala outside of Swat to a boarding school, but Malala didn’t want to move.

On 15 October, UN Special Envoy for global education, Gordon Brown, visited Malala whilst she was in hospital and launched a petition in her name – ‘In support for what Malala fought for.’

Using the slogan “I am Malala” the petition contains three demands: We call on Pakistan to agree to a plan to deliver education for every child, We call on all countries to outlaw discrimination against girls, We call on international organizations to ensure the world’s 61 million out-of-school children are in education by the end of 2015. I am Malala – petition

On 12 July 2013, she spoke at the United Nations to a group of 500 youths calling for worldwide access to education.

She said “I am not against anyone, neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I’m here to speak up for the right of education for every child. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all terrorists and extremists.”