By Chinedu Felix Opara Nigeria Spent N1 Trillion Naira On NASS Members -Oby Ezekwesili Former Minister of Education Mrs Oby Ezekwesili has again stirred a hornet’s nest. She expressed yesterday concern over the N1 trillion she alleged was spent by federal legislators in the last eight years. She said: “Since 2005, National Assembly members alone have been allocated N1trillion. Besides, she stressed, a research conducted in Britain identified Nigerian legislators as being the highest paid in the world. “N699b went to banks as interest on borrowed loans in 2012 alone; also, 82 per cent of Nigeria’s budgetary cost goes for recurrent expenditure,” she said. Mrs Ezekwesili spoke in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at a one-day dialogue session on the cost of governance in Nigeria jointly organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Federal Public Administration Reform Programme, United Kingdom (UK). She has been criticising the running of the economy, with Presidential aides challenging her to debate. The former Minister said the long military rule might have had a negative impact on governance in the country. She said one of the greatest mistakes of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in which she served, was that Nigeria delved into democracy without necessarily doing away with the military mentality. “There is a drawback to the military; one major mistake of the government under which I served was that we simply got into democracy and did not spend reasonable time of removing the militaristic ethos and principles from the minds of every citizen, every leader and every institution,” she said. Ezekwesili demanded proactive engagement of the government by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and others and canvassed part-time legislation as a means of lowering the cost of governance. She said part-time legislature would ensure that the right people got into governance, adding: “Things will improve through part-time legislations. It will also filter the number of people who will go into the National Assembly. “You must have means of livelihood and you don’t need to depend on public funds. We need to learn more on the good and bad side of it. But we can’t rule out the possibility. “There should be effective demand by civil societies for the Steve Oronsaye report. You should demand for a mini national transparent dialogue because it touches on the heart of good governance”, she said. Mrs Ezekwesili, also advised the diversification of the economy, noting that over-dependence on oil is bound to drag the nation down in view of the alarming poverty level in the country despite its numerous natural and human resources. She said: “While other countries are moving forward, Nigeria is entrapped in something called oil, where $1.6 billion is lost to theft annually. “We must debate public policies as a nation because if we don’t debate public policies, we are going to make silly mistakes because we didn’t involve the stakeholders. So, policy debates must be encouraged. The former minister went on: “The culture of personalising policy dialogues must stop. When you have a problem, you don’t leave the problem and begin to chase other matters. I feel sorry for any person who is fairly okay in this nation and doesn’t care about the poor because there will be an implosion. “Whatever treatment that is given to the poor and vulnerable in the society must matter to everybody because except we have social inclusion in the society, we stand the danger of implosion and it has happened in other countries which ignored the vulnerabilities. “We have to arrest what will happen if we don’t address the level of poverty in Nigeria.” Executive Director of CISLAC Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani criticised what he called “the 10-plane size of the presidential fleet which allegedly gulps N9.08billion annually for maintenance”. He faulted what he called “the recent media report of our National Assembly members being the highest paid in the world and the size of the government cabinet at the executive level, including the retinue of superfluous aides and special assistants. “ ************************************ HeartlandBlaze!! To update you with & real news is our mission.

WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY “THE WORLD NEEDS MORE” DATE: 19TH AUGUST 2013 “A person who has sympathy for mankind in the lump, faith in its future progress, and desire to serve the great cause of this progress, should be called not a humanist, but a humanitarian, and his creed may be designated as humanitarianism.” Irvina Babbitt Year after year, we see doctors, nurses, psychologists, engineers, logisticians, programme officers, information managers, security advisors and the rest of the humanitarian community worldwide give up the comfort of their homes while they go out into difficult territories and put their lives on the line to help those in need. They embark on dangerous missions to countries and parts of the world characterized by catastrophic conditions such as natural disast ers, war and conflicts, droughts and poverty. They endure bad conditions with lack of good health facilities and close to none basic needs and yet they still continue to persevere in their missions. The theme for this year World Humanitarian Day “The World Needs More” draws the world into coming up with solutions to what the world needs more. It is a campaign of words in support of those who are victims of the humanitarian crisis. In the past and in most recent times, a lot of humanitarians have lost their lives and have been victims of rape, torture, kidnapping, while they were working on missions in various parts of the world. The numbers keep escalading and this is a cause for concern, hence most missions have been pulling out of high risk areas in order to protect humanitarians. At World Assembly of Youth (WAY) we recognize and acknowledge the struggles and achievements of all the humanitarians. Their great effort to bring aid is well appreciated. WAY is also playing its role by raising awareness on issues such as eradicating hunger and poverty, gender equality, environmental sustainability and many more. We also encourage volunteer programs that are involved in counteracting these issues. The World Needs more people of Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela caliber, people who cherish peace, are selfless, humble and brave. Only then can there be peace, and can the efforts of our humanitarians be highly appreciated and their safety be intact. Youth around the world should look up to such figures and work on making the world a better place by taking part in humanitarian activities.The World Needs LOVE. Chinedu Felix Opara Follow @Nedumblaze

My Condolence to Dame Patience Jonathan

I SYMPATHISE with the wife of our President, Dame Patience Jonathan and her family, whose mother, Madam Charity Iwari-Oba, met her untimely death recently. Death is an opportunity to share the grief of our neighbours, rather than display mischief and play unsavoury politics. All will die, and none will escape bereavement here on earth. I urge her and family to be strong and depend on God, the Ultimate Consoler. He makes everything all right in the end. ‪#‎Chinedu‬ Felix Opara For Heartland Blaze

Privatisation: Peterside explains use of ATC & C for bidders - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/privatisation-peterside-explains-use-of-atc-c-for-bidders

At the opening of Financial Bids for Kaduna Distribution Company (DISCO) and Afam Generation Company (Genco) which held on July 31, 2013 in Abuja, Northwest Power Ltd had the highest Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection Loss reduction (AT&C) of 29.26 % with respect to Kaduna Disco while Taleveras Group emerged the preferred bidder for Afam Genco with an offer price of $260,050,000. The Reserved Bidder for Afam plant is TES Power which had an offer price of $222,900,000. The ATC & C Loss Reduction proposal by the other bidders for Kaduna Disco are LEDA Consortium (26.71%), NAHCO Consortium (22.83%), Incar Consortium (22.73%), Copper belt Consortium (21.07%) and Axis Power Distribution Ltd (17.40%). Chairman of the Technical Committee (TC) of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Mr. Atedo N.A. Peterside who presided over the bids opening said the results are subject to NCP’s final approval. The Chairman noted that: “For Kaduna Disco we are seeking to establish which bidder is offering the highest aggregate technical commercial and collection loss reduction figure (ATC &C). He added that the use of ATC&C method is a clear departure from NCP’s usual practice of awarding companies to the bidder who makes the highest financial offer after being technically qualified. Peterside noted that the NCP had done its very best to ensure that the level of transparency that heralded the previous sale of 15 companies was maintained in the sale of Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc. “Accordingly the NCP is confident that this process will produce the most appropriate core investors and fulfil the government objectives of rapid transformation of the electric power sector”, he added. Earlier, the Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki said that the event was another testimony of the success of the Reforms of the Power Sector that began with the constitution of the Electric Power Sector Implementation Committee (EPIC) by the NCP to undertake a comprehensive study of the electricity power industry. “The reform initiatives resulted in the preparation of a power policy blueprint that defined government’s new direction for the electric power sector that culminated in the production of the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP) in March 2001 and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in September 2001. The reforms of the power sector were however stalled until it was reinvigorated by the Transformation Agenda of the Goodluck/Sambo administration”, he said. The BPE boss noted that with the over one hundred submissions received for the NIPP plants less than two weeks ago and the quality of the bidders, “we can beat our chests and say the Power Sector reforms have succeeded. Our dream to introduce a better operating environment that is efficient, effective and well-regulated and enticing to private sector participation has become a reality. The participation of the private sector should bring about higher generation capacities through the provision of more efficient and cost-effective power stations and improvements in the distribution sector in the areas of billing and collection, distribution networks”. He recalled the imperatives that fuelled the need for the reforms in the telecoms and power sectors among others and stated that they were more compelling today than before. “The revenue profile of government when matched with the ever increasing demands on these resources should compel us to vigorously pursue the reforms in the other critical sectors of the economy like the transport and oil and gas sectors, seeing that we have made a huge success of the reforms in telecoms, power and pension. The Bureau should be commended for driving these reforms that have so clearly impacted on the economic fortunes of this country. The Bureau also solicits the support of all as it collaborates with Ministries and Agencies to undertake other reform initiatives in Housing, Transport and Agricultural Sectors among others.’ He added that with the bids opening, the preferred bidders will be given a timeline to pay and takeover the enterprises. It would be recalled that the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc (Kaduna Disco) and Afam Power Generation Plc (Afam Genco) were among the 17 PHCN successor companies that were advertised for sale in December 2010. Both companies along with fifteen others went through a full competitive tender process which culminated in the submission of technical and financial proposal in July 2012. However, following the rigorous technical evaluation of all the bids, none of the bids received for Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc scored the minimum 75% required to progress to the financial bid stage. This development compelled the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to order a re-run of the entire transaction as it was not prepared to settle for a sub- optimal outcome However, in order to fast track the process, NCP directed that no fresh adverts would be put out but instead all prequalified bidders who had earlier expressed interest in the power privatization and paid the US$ 20, 000 data room fees would be allowed to participate in the exercise. Following NCP’s directive, letters were sent to all the 163 bidders asking them to indicate their interest by submitting fresh bids for Kaduna Disco and Afam Genco. By January 31st, 2013 which was the deadline for interested bidders to indicate their interest, 29 bidders indicated interest in Afam Genco while 19 bidders indicated interest in Kaduna Disco. Requests for proposals (RFP) were subsequently forwarded to all the bidders and they were given up to April 16, 2013 to conclude their due diligence and submit Technical and Financial proposals.

35 killed as Boko Haram, JTF clash

AFP – Clashes between Nigeria’s military and Islamist extremist group Boko Haram in two northeastern towns have left at least 35 people dead, most of them insurgents, the army said Monday. The clashes broke out after attacks on soldiers and a police station, according to the military, and occurred as security forces wage an offensive in the region aimed at ending a four-year Islamist insurgency. A clash in the town of Bama sparked by an attack on a police base “led to the death of one policeman and 17 Boko Haram terrorists,” a military statement said. Fighting in the town of Malam Fatori after an attack on troops “led to the death of two soldiers and 15 Boko Haram terrorists,” it said. Both clashes occurred on Sunday. According to the military, the insurgents were armed with “sophisticated weapons” and explosives during the attacks. Both Bama and Malam Fatori are located in Nigeria’s Borno state, Boko Haram’s home base. The statement said soldiers had recovered weapons including 10 AK-47 rifles, bombs and three RPG tubes, among others, after the clash in Bama. “The situations in both places have returned to normal,” the statement said. Borno, badly hit by insurgent attacks as well as heavy-handed military raids, is one of three states currently under a state of emergency while security forces pursue the offensive. The military has claimed major successes, saying troops have pushed out the insurgents. The number of attacks has appeared to have dropped since the offensive began, but violence has nevertheless continued. The military’s version of events has been difficult to verify since the security forces cut phone networks in the northeast, and access to remote areas is increasingly limited. The military says it has restored phone connections to a number of areas, but service remains spotty. Violence in recent weeks in the northeast has included three deadly school attacks as well as a clash between insurgents and a vigilante group that recently formed with the encouragement of the military. There have also been recent attacks outside the areas covered by the state of emergency. Bomb blasts ripped through a mainly Christian area of Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria, a week ago, killing at least 24 people and shattering a recent lull in insurgent attacks there. The insurgency is estimated to have claimed more than 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security forces. Boko Haram has claimed to be fighting for the creation of an Islamic state in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, though the group is believed to have a number of factions with varying aims. Nigeria’s 160 million population is roughly divided between a mainly Christian south and mostly Muslim north.

By Chinedu Opara Abuja - Many groups on Saturday converged on the Presidential villa in Abuja to condole with the First Lady over the death of her foster mother, Charity Oba Heartland Blaze gathered that the groups of sympathisers were the last scheduled to be received at the Villa during the period declared for the condolence. Heartland Blaze reports that many groups had thronged the residence of the first family to add their names to the list of sympathisers in the last two weeks. The groups all prayed for fortitude for the family, stressing that death is an inevitable end. They prayed for strength for the president to remain focused in steering the affairs of the nation and returning the country to peace. President Goodluck Jonathan, who responded on behalf of the family, repeatedly referred to the deceased as a strong pillar "and a supporter who managed the home front and cared for the kids. "Her death was shocking because she took care of our home since 1999 when we moved to Yenagoa from Port Harcourt.’’ Some of the groups which visited the villa on Saturday included governors, service chiefs, Comptroller-General of Immigration, CEOs of PHCN successor companies, former governors, ministers, youth groups and the organised private sector. Heartland Blaze

By Chinedu Opara ABUJA– The President of Mothers’ Union/Women’s Guide and Wife of Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh has stated categorically that Anglican women will not support  legalization of underage girl marriage, currently being championed by some quarters. Vice president of the Union, Mrs. Grace Oluwarohunbi also described the recent violence on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly as a show of shame, urging all parties to the dispute to bury their hatchets for the sake of peace in the state. The duo was speaking at the Cathedral Archdeaconry Women’s Conference titled; ‘Looking unto Jesus’ organized by the women’s wing of the Cathedral Church of the Advent Archdeaconry, Gwar-inpa, Abuja. Mrs. Okoh said hiding under the pretence of religion to canvass for child marriage would not do the society any good, noting that Anglican women believe in training a child to build a better tomorrow. “We have always been emphasising that girls should be trained, when they are trained, we are influencing not only their home, but the wilder community, that is my belief and I know that, that is what our women believed,” she said. Mrs Oluwarohunbi, in her address, said leaders in Rivers state should bury their hatchets and concentrate of service to the people, rather than dwelling in frivolities. She said: “The show of shame displayed at the floor of the House of Assembly of Rivers State by those whom are supposed to be our leaders and show good examples is greatly appalling. We appeal to them to bury their hatchet and dwell less in frivolities.”

**WONDERS UNLIMITED!**.. Nigerian Break World Sex Record

A Nigerian undergraduate at Obafemi Awolowo University Ife is the current title holder of the Guinness Book of world record for the longest sex ever! The young man record is 15hrs 7mins 23secs…How did he do it and with who?

One dies as explosion rocks Dangote cement plant

By Chinedu Opara …As workers, community protest incident MAKURDI — Emotion ran high, Wednesday, evening, at the Gboko plant of the Dangote Cement, when an explosion allegedly claimed the live of a father of two and labourer at the factory, one Mr. Solomon Ashir. HeartlandBlaze gathered from an eyewitness, that the deceased was hit by limestone from the quarry site of the plant which led to his instant death before medical attention could get to him. According to the eyewitness, the incident sparked angry reaction from his colleagues and youths of the host community who barricaded the factory and Makurdi-Gboko road with bonfire in protest against alleged poor safety measures in the plant. “The deceased who was an indigene of the host community and staff of the parking plant of the company was hit by limestone at the quarry after an explosion that occurred when workers at the site were prospecting for raw materials. “His death sparked angry reaction from fellow workers and youths of the community who in protest took the corpse of the young man to the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Tyoor Ukpekpe, Chief Ishi Yonguigba. “At the palace, the paramount ruler pleaded with the protesters to remain calm and also have restraint in their action. “Not satisfied, the mob made bonfires on the highway and matched with the corpse into the factory where they insisted on seeing the Assistant General Manager, AGM, in charge of mines, who had fled the scene for fear of being molested. “They, however, forced their way into the AGM’s office where they dumped the remains of the deceased.” HeartlandBlaze, however, gathered that Ashir’s remains was taken away and deposited at the Gboko General Hospital by the management of the factory. Efforts to get a reaction from the company’s manager in charge of community relations, Mr. Bem Meladu, proved abortive as his cellphone was switched off. Meantime, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Daniel Ezeala who confirmed the incident said the command had commenced investigations into the matter.

Man absconds after wife delivered triplets

…As wife begs him to come home ABEOKUTA — A 30-year-old mother of triplets, Bose Akapo, has cried out for help in search of her husband, Biodun Akapo, 45, who reportedly absconded shortly after his wife delivered of triplets. HeartlandBlaze gathered that the father of the triplets, who is a farmer at Afojupa village, a suburb of Owode-Egba town in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, bolted when he received the news of the birth of the triplets. triplets-runaway-husband It was further gathered that the wife and the runaway husband are indigenes of Ibadan and have been living together as a happy family in the village for over a decade, before the arrival of the triplets. Narrating her ordeal, Bose, who delivered the babies last Wednesday at a maternity home in the town, explained that she was bailed out at the hospital by a traditional ruler of the town, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, who paid the hospital bill. She further said her husband had gone out before she started having pains and was assisted to the hospital on a motorcycle by a neighbour. According to her, “I never thought of three babies until when I put to bed because I already had two children who are ages five and eight. I was taken to hospital on a motorcycle by a neighbour when I started noticing signs of delivery, because my husband was not at home at that time. But, surprisingly, I gave birth to triplets and when the news got to my husband he did not visit me throughout my admission in the hospital, and has since remained incommunicado. I don’t even know his whereabouts till now, but I am begging him to come home for the sake of these innocent babies. “When I got to the hospital, because I could not find my husband, I contacted our traditional ruler who rendered financial assistance and provided clothings and other medical materials for the babies.” She, however, appealed to the state government, individuals and groups to come to the aid of the family, just as she sought for employment to alleviate the family’s plight, saying she could be reached through her phone numbers 08025213476 and 08061640242. HeartlandBlaze gathered that the woman and the triplets are all in stable condition and have been discharged from the hospital. Speaking on the development, the royal father of the town, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, expressed optimism that the state government would attend to the needs of the family, describing the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration as a government known for the welfare of the citizens and residents.

APC registration will bring vibrancy to politics – IBB

Minna – Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has described the formal registration of All Progressive Congress (APC) as a new political party as a new development that will give room for “vibrancy” into the politics of the country especially 2015 elections. apc-logo Answering questions from journalists in his Hill Top Mansion, Minna Thursday, the former military president said what is now left for the electorate is to make their choice and ensure that their votes count in the fort coming general elections in 2015. “With the emergence of the new party, (APC), we will now see a vibrant political activity and what is left for the electorate and the press is to ensure that the votes count and also allow the people to make their choice,” Gen. Babangida declared. He said as an advocate and believer in two party system, the time has come for Nigerians to really shine their eyes and make the right choice for the forthcoming elections. “I have been and will continue to be a strong believer of two party system and like the PDP itself said on the emergence of the APC, it is a welcome development but that is not to say that other registered political parties are dead but it is however clear that we now have two strong parties in the country,” he stressed. Asked to comment on what he foresees for the country in 2015, Gen. Babangida simply said, “I cannot predict the future and so I wait for God.” On the lingering ASUU strike in the country, the former president said from all indications, there is determination on the part of government to settle the rift finally adding that ASUU is actually pursuing a genuine course because it in the best interest of the country. “They do have national interest at heart to be honest and fair to them and I think they should not give up in negotiation with the government but as much as possible, they should also make the public understand the issue at stake,” he advised.

Residents discover 5 children’s corpses in Jigawa

There was pandemonium in Gwaram town, headquarters of Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State as residents woke up to find the corpses of five children on a street. Reports from the area revealed that the five dead children were between 10 and 13 years old and from two families. The corpses were found on the street by some people from a mosque after their morning prayers. Contacted, the Jigawa Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the incident, saying: “We received reports from our Gwaram division that five corpses were discovered on the street of Gwaram this morning. Our men rushed to the scene and picked the corpses to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, for postmortem and as I’m talking to you, there is no report on what led to their death.” Jinjiri said the kids were Almajirai, Islamic pupils, who were found by the residents around 5 a.m by the roadside near some residential houses, adding that the police as of now are treating the case as that of natural death but would brief the press on the outcome of the test from the hospital. Police arrest three He confirmed that the police had arrested three people for questioning and gave the names of the deceased as Basiru Malam Inusa,12; Mansur Malam Inusa, 12; Rabi’u Abubakar, 13; Buhari Abubakar,10 and Bashir Inusa,11. Meanwhile, a resident of the area who prefers anonymity told our reporter: “Their death might not be unconnected with something they ate in the night since all of them were almajirai residing in one of the houses at the old Gwaram town.” - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/residents-discover-5-childrens-corpses-in-jigawa/#sthash.GWZkedkx.dpuf