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Shooting, violence characterise Osun rerun election

Information Nigeria — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:53:08 +0000

SPORADIC shooting, ballot snatching and violence characterised the Ejigbo state constituency rerun election in Osun State, on Saturday, as no fewer than eight supporters of the Action Congress were attacked in two polling units.

This was a sharp contrast to the peaceful rerun election for the vacant Etsako Contral Constituency seat in the Edo State House of Assembly also held on Saturday amidst tight security.

The public affairs officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Osun State announced the Peoples Democratic Party won the election with 7,451 votes which was closely followed by 6,402 of the AC.

The polling units where ballot box snatching, violence and shooting occurred in Ejigbo included Unit 4, Ward 7, Ile-Ilupeju and Ward 2, Unit 12 near Obelawo Garage, in Ejigbo town.

The AC agent in Unit 4, Ward 7 in Ile-Ilupeju, Alamu Moshood, alleged that PDP thugs stormed the unit, shot into the air and carted away the ballot box.

In ward 2, unit 12, where thugs invaded at 2.45pm, no fewer than six persons suffered machete injuries when thugs stormed and carted away the ballot box.

Moshood, who spoke with our correspondent, explained that voting was going on smoothly before PDP thugs invaded the polling unit, disrupted voting and carted away the ballot box.

He said, “The thugs are students of a higher institution in the state. They came in two buses and two cars. They lined up and pretended as if they came to vote. All of a sudden they ran to their vehicles and brought out guns and machetes. They caught everybody unawares.

“They returned to the House of PDP member in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bade Falade, where they came from. They are not indigenes or residents of Ejigbo.”

But Falade, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone, denied the allegation, which he described as a tissue of lies.

Falade said, “I have personally contested and won three elections in Ejigbo, I did not rig or engage in violence. Is it now that a member of my party is contesting that I will engage in violence? I‘ll rather spend my money to better the lots of the people of Ejigbo rather than spend it on importing thugs from a higher institution to disrupt election.”

A victim of the violence in unit 12, ward 2, Aremu Mohammed, alleged that some PDP thugs stormed the unit and were resisted by AC agents, adding that he was wounded when he was trying to protect the ballot box from being snatched.

Aremu said, “The thugs wounded Iya Isa, Jimoh, Richard and two others when they were trying to protect the ballot box from being carted away.”

Another victim, Salau Ahmed, said he was wounded in the fracas when thugs stormed unit 4, ward 7.

An AC chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Mudasiru Hussain, who voted at Beula primary school, unit 1, ward 3, Ejigbo, said there was no violence at the unit.

Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr John Dansu, visited the units where violence and ballot box snatching took place, and he said that elections in the two units will be cancelled.

The Director, Research and Strategy, Osun AC, Mr. Sunday Akere, who monitored the election on behalf of his party, urged INEC and the police to investigate cases of election violence in unit 4, ward 7 and unit 12, ward 2.

The Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Mr. Solomon Olusegun, said the election was free and fair, adding that the command would announce the number of election violence suspects next week.

He said, ”We cannot make public the names of suspects when the election is still going on. I‘ve been in Ejigbo since 9am I‘m still there as at 6pm. We are fully on the ground here.”

Results released so far from the collation centre at the Headquarters of the Etsako Local Government Area, Fugar, indicated that the candidate of the AC, Mr. Johnson Oghuma had an early lead over his PDP counterpart, Mr. Chris Umogbai, in the electionwhich held in 10 wards and 73 polling units.

Anxiety over the possibility of widespread violence in the election had increased when soldiers attached to the Joint Security Outfit code named ”Operation Thunderstorm” were withdrawn early in the week there by giving room to speculation that their withdrawal was not unconnected with plots to rig the election.

But the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday, invited the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, to the Presidential Villa, and directed him to ensure that the election was peaceful.

Jonathan was also said to have warned that he would hold Onovo responsible for any breakdown of law and order during the election.

However, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, led 1,6000 policemen to the exercise ensuring that the elections were devoid of violence.

The police who had earlier arrested the manger of a Benin Hotel and 10 other persons with 20 AK4, 50 pump action rifle and live ammunition on Friday, also arrested eight persons who claimed to be agents of the All Nigeria Peoples Party at Imhokhena Primary School, Ogbonna, when they were found to be fake.

Ogbonna is the home town of the Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih.

Apart from preventing moves by some party supporters to snatch electoral materials at Ogbonna and Anagbette, a riverrine community, security operatives were said to have effected the replacement of 20 unaccredited members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

There was an impressive turn out of voters as people trooped out in their numbers to cast their votes as early as 9a.m in centres like Emhakhena Primary School and the Fugar where the Principal Secretary to the Vice President, Dr. Mike Ogiadhome, who was also a former Deputy Governor of the state voted at 10.19am.

Prominent indigenes from the area including a former number two citizen, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, Senator Albert Legogie, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Kaduna Eboigbidin, were of the view that the election was impressive with what they saw at the time they were speaking with journalists.

Security operatives did not leave anything to chance as they mounted a roadblock at the border between Etsako Central and Etsako Central Local Government Areas, where they subjected people to serious searches.

Also, the state governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, was at the constituency.
Source: punchng.com

Google Nigeria Job Vacancies For a Technical Program Manager

Information Nigeria — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:46:33 +0000

Google Nigeria Job Vacancies.
Google Nigeria is recruiting for the position of Technical Program Manager, Infrastructure – Lagos
This position is located in Lagos, Africa.
The area: Engineering Management
Google’s engineering teams exhibit high energy, deep technical skills and a drive to get things done. Our Program Managers need to be technical leaders and motivators who are comfortable leading diverse teams in a high-pressure, dynamic – and global – environment. Jobs are broadly defined and interact with external organizations, product management, sales and many other groups at Google.
Job Description (”The role”):
Technical Program Managers are the core of managing Google’s continued growth. As the first Technical Program Manager based in Africa, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact. Specifically you will be responsible for driving the progress of various initiatives focused on infrastructure. These include helping Universities strengthen their ICT services, working between ISPs and IXPs to increase peering agreements, managing Google infrastructure deployments and lots, lots more.
Ideally coming from a senior operations & infrastructure engineering background you will have gained extremely strong business project management skills and have great judgement when it comes to evaluating infrastructure challenges and implied cost or engineering efforts. Based in Lagos, Nigeria you will be expected to travel frequently within Africa and to our offices in Zurich and California.
Responsibilities:
Manage technical projects or programs, working closely with external partners, Google engineers and technical staff to design and launch infrastructure projects.
Gather requirements and define the scope of the project. Find resources, manage resource allocation for projects. Develop a plan and schedule, with well-defined milestones.
Manage communication of progress/status within the core team and external to the team (customers, partners, etc); escalate issues as necessary.
Requirements:
Computer Science degree or equivalent experience. Masters or PhD preferred.
Experience managing multiple international projects and people acting as a technical lead.
Proven ability to work on assignments that require data evaluation, recommendation development, and decision making.
Click here to Apply

Globacom Nigeria Jobs: Accounting Jobs In Nigeria

Information Nigeria — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:23:59 +0000

Globacom Limited, a National Operator in GSM, Fixed, Broadband, Gateway is currently recruiting for Experienced Accountants, REF: EA

Qualifications

* University degree or its equivalent in accounting, finance, business administration and any other related field.
* Professional chartered accountancy qualification.

Experience

* Minimum of 8 years post qualification experience in accounting or audit related functions.

Method of Application:

Qualified candidate should e-mail their resumes with a passport photograph if possible (quoting the relevant references for the vacancy) to accountants.job@gloworld.com

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline is 2nd February 2010

Edo, Abia, Rivers Evacuate Indigenes From Jos

Information Nigeria — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:32:12 +0000

Edo State Government has dispatched a team to evacuate its indigenes trapped in the mayhem in Jos, Plateau State in which scores of people have been killed in a brawl sparked off by ethnic-cum religious differences.

Led by the Director General of the State Liason Office, Abuja, Mr Tony Aiyejina, the group is to ensure the safe passage of its citizens and resettle them away from harm’s way.

Also, Abia state government directed the immediate evacuation of all Abia indigenes, especially students of Abia State origin holed up in troubled Plateau State.

Chief Theodore .A.Orji , through his Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Mr. Kingsley Emereuwa, said the government sent two luxury buses with armed Policemen to be stationed at Abuja Hostel, University of Jos to commence evacuation of Abians from the crisis area from today, Saturday January 23, 2010. They are to call President Abia State student in plateau state, Sam Ogazi with GSM No. 08035481667.

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole says it is the responsibility of Government to protect the life and properties of its citizens just as he expressed confidence in the ability of the police to ensure a peaceful election in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

The Governor who also announced a restriction on movement of persons in the area from 7:00am to 6:00pm in Etsako Central during the period of the election spoke during a visit to him by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Felix Ogbaudu and the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Ahmed Raji.

According to the Governor, “as you would have noticed, there a lot of anxiety, worries. People are concerned for different reasons. People are concerned about stories, allegations and counter-allegations about the deployment of firearms that might be deployed in a way that would endanger lives and properties.”

He however assured the electorate not to entertain fears as the security agencies are in the position to guarantee law and order.

He noted that with the presence of the police in the area, “we feel we are more secured irrespective of the stories and allegations. I have confidence that officers of the Nigeria Police, like the rest of us, recognize that Nigeria is greater than any individual and must put the country first.”

He warned that the Police have the mandate to deal decisively with anyone with plans to disrupt the election. He also urged the Resident Electoral Commissioner to ensure that the rules of the game are adhered with.

He said: “the beauty of democracy is that if you don’t have to give reasons why you are voting for one person or the other. I am sure the people can’t wait to vote.”

On the restriction of movement, the Governor said: “there will be a restriction on movement from 7:00am to 6:00pm in Etsako Central. I’m sure this will help the Police to ensure that those wandering about, those not particularly involved in the election are put away by the Police.”
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

ZAIN AFRICA CHALLENGE: Five Nigerian Universities Qualify For Season IV

Information Nigeria — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:18:42 +0000

Five Nigerian Universities have qualified to fly the country’s flag in this year’s edition of Zain Africa Challenge, Africa’s top television quiz show involving 32 Universities across the continent.

The institutions that qualified for Season IV of the Zain Africa Challenge include: University of Ibadan (UI); University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka; University of Abuja; University of Maiduguri and University of Jos (UNIJOS). The five Nigerian Universities will compete against 28 other Universities in Africa for this season’s trophy.

The schools emerged tops after a highly competitive National Qualifying Tournament (NQT) held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, on January 6th involving 16 Universities across Nigeria.

For students of the University of Ibadan, the qualifying tournament brought back special memories as its representatives, once again, showcased amazing intellectual ability, easily earning one of the five slots for Nigeria.

With the qualification, UI will not only represent Nigeria at the International Festival in Uganda’s capital, Kampala later in the year, but will defend the highly prized trophy it won last season. Last year, UI conquered 31 Universities in Africa to emerge winner of the Zain Africa Challenge Season III.

The 16 Universities, which participated in the National Qualifying Tournament (NQT) of Zain Africa Challenge, were selected by the National Universities Commission (NUC). They included Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Bowen University; Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Katsina State University (now Musa Yar’ Adua University, Katsina).

Others were Niger Delta University; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Abuja; Ambrose Ali University; University of Calabar; University of Jos; University of Maiduguri; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University of Technology, Akure; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Lagos, Akoka and University of Ibadan.

Speaking at the NQT, Emeka Oparah, Zain’s Head of Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility said the Zain Africa Challenge is tangible expression of Zain’s brand philosophy of “a wonderful world”, which undergirds its relationship with its esteemed customers.

Oparah added that it was a special experience that Nigeria, in its first participation in the tournament last year, brought back the winners’ trophy, adding that the country’s representatives at this year’s tournament again has all it takes to win the trophy back-to-back.
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

Soft Alliance And Resources Jobs For An Oracle Developer

Information Nigeria — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:23:51 +0000

Soft Alliance and Resources Limited is a leading IT firm, has the following vacant positions to be filled:
SENIOR ORACLE DBA/DEVELOPER with strong UNIX background
Requirements
• E-Business 11i/R12 DBA Skills, PL/SQL
• Unix/Linux; Shell scripting, Oracle Developer tools
• Good knowledge of SQL performance tuning & PL/SQL
• Backup & recovery techniques, database security.
• Experience in 11 i/R 12 and Discoverer installations
• Upgrade, cloning, system & workflow administration.
• Strong UNIX skills with scripting experience (korn, perl).
Method of Application
Applicants should Click Here To Apply
Closing Date: 26th January, 2010.

University Of Benin Teaching Hospital Job Vacancies

Information Nigeria — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:59:11 +0000

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for appointment into the following positions in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (U.B.T.H.) Benin City.
The Hospital is commending a new initiative that is driven by the concept of objective and structured training.
Registrar II (Resident Doctors)
MSS II (as obtainable in Public Service)
Candidates for the post must be fully registered with the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council
In addition, they are expected to produce evidence of completion of the NYSC, or exemption from the service.
All prospective candidates for Residency Training Programmes must possess at least a pass in the Primary Fellowship Examination or the relevant professional examination.
The departments are:
Anaesthesiology Child Health
Medicine Morbid Anatomy
Obst. & Gynaecology Chemical Pathology
Gen. Surgery Medical Microbiology
Radiology Haematology
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Neurosurgery
Preventive Dentistry ENT
Periodontics Cardiothoraxic surgery
Restorative Dentistry Urology
Oral Pathology Orthopaedics & Trauma
Mental Health Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology Paediatric Surgery
Method of Application:
Application forms are obtainable from the office of the Deputy Director of Administration, (Personnel Matters), University of Benin Teaching Hospital. P.M.B. 1111, Benin City by callers on receipt of evidence of payment of the required fees.
Applicants should request their Schools (Universities) to forward to the Hospital, copies of their transcripts
Screening Examination:
Part of the interview entails a written screening examination meant to determine candidate’s academic and attitudinal disposition to residency training.
Completed application form accompanied with fifteen (15) copies of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) should be returned to the Chief, Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 1111, Benin City.

Interview Date:
• Screening Examination: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010.
• Oral Interview: Friday 12th March, 2010.
Referees:
• Applicants are advised to request their referees (3 each) to forward their reports directly to the Chief Medical Director
Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
Closing Date: 3rd March, 2010.

Jos Religious Riots: 150 Dead, Jonathan Decries Riots

Information Nigeria — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:38:02 +0000

THE renewed violence in Jos, the Plateau State capital, appeared to have overwhelmed security agencies deployed to quell it when it erupted on Sunday.
As Vice President Goodluck Jonathan described the bloodbath on the plateau as one crisis too many; declaring that “the Federal Government finds it most unacceptable, retrogressive, and capable of further sundering the bonds of unity in our country.”

In this vein the army authorities, yesterday, deployed additional troops from the 3 Armoured Division in Jos to trouble spots in the city following the escalation of the violence with a view to bringing normalcy to the state.
VP says crisis is one too many
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan described the bloodbath on the plateau as one crisis too many; declaring that “the Federal Government finds it most unacceptable, retrogressive, and capable of further sundering the bonds of unity in our country.”
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, said Nigeria cannot afford these constant eruptions, warning that government is determined to find a permanent solution to the Jos crisis.
The full text of the statement reads: “Once again, there has been an eruption in Jos, the Plateau State capital, accompanied by a most regrettable loss of lives and property. This is one crisis too many, and the Federal Government finds it most unacceptable, retrogressive, and capable of further sundering the bonds of unity in our country.
“The country cannot afford these constant eruptions, and while the situation has been brought under control by the security agencies, government is determined to find a permanent solution to the Jos crisis.
“Today, the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, convened a meeting of security chiefs to review the situation and initiate forward processes to reign in the violence. This is in addition to the initial orders for the urgent containment of the crisis. He has further directed an urgent meeting of all key stakeholders, towards achieving lasting peace in the area.

“Today, he also directed the Inspector General of Police and the top hierarchy of the security services, to proceed to Jos immediately to assess the situation and advise on further steps.
They are also to put in place comprehensive security strategies to ensure that these constant eruptions do not happen again. “The Vice President seizes this opportunity to call upon all Nigerians to remain law abiding and shun subversive tendencies such as we have just witnessed in Jos.
The Federal Government is determined to maintain law and order at all times since there can be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of disagreement and rancour.
“The Vice President is confident that our nation can move beyond our current challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem, to build an even greater Nigeria.”
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

NFF:Amodu remains Eagles’ Coach

Information Nigeria — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:59:43 +0000

The Nigeria Football Federation stated on Tuesday that Shaibu Amodu is still the head coach of the Nigeria national football team, Green Eagles.

Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, said in Lubango: “We have heard several rumours going round concerning the sacking of Shaibu Amodu. That is not correct. Amodu is still the head coach of the Green Eagles.
“It is true that there are two types of coaches: those who are being hired and those who are being fired. The Nigeria Football Federation hired Shaibu Amodu to do a job and he has been doing it. He qualified us for the World Cup finals and he is presently at the Cup of Nations.
“The team may not be playing as well as people expect but it is a combination of factors and it is unfair to heap all the blame on the head coach. With the win over Benin Republic, the confidence is back and the players know that Nigeria expect victory over Mozambique. Everyone is working towards that.
“The rumours are not good at this moment when the team wishes to concentrate fully on the job at hand. We plead with Nigerians to exercise patience and retain faith in the team as we go ahead in the tournament”, said Ogunjobi.
Nigeria take on Mozambique in Lubango today in one of the two concluding matches of Group C of the 27th African Cup of Nations, with many feeling the World Cup –bound Eagles have not impressed in Angola.
The Eagles need at least a draw against the Mambas at the 20,000 capacity Tundavala Stadium to reach the championship’s quarter-finals
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com

WAEC Releases 2009/2010 WASSCE/GCE November/December Examination Results

Information Nigeria — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:57:54 +0000

West African Examina-tion Council (WAEC) has released its November/December 2009 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Exami-nation (WASSCE/GCE) results.
According to WAEC of 57,792 candidates, representing 16.87 per cent, were withheld for their involvement in examination malpractice.

Out of the 342,443 candidates that sat for the examination, he said 316,075 candidates, representing 92.30 per cent, had their results fully processed, while 26,368, representing 7.70 per cent, had few of their subjects still being processed, as various errors and omissions are being sorted out by the council.

Also, Of the 265,335 candidates, representing 77.48 per cent, had two credits and above; 230,335 (67.2 per cent) had three credits and above; and 192,806 (56.30 per cent) got four credits and above. Also, 151, 919 candidates (44.36 per cent) obtained five credits and above, while 108,574 (31.70 per cent) obtained six credits and above.

The WAEC/GCE November/December Results are now available on the WAEC website: www.waecdirect.org within 24 hours.