America replies Nigeria, releases details of aid to Nigerian military in war against Boko Haram

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="126" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/p75x225/10352343_666095320171025_2923561459881797927_n.jpg?oh=90fc4d5bde7b59d00a763f08218b7f53&oe=54E94171&__gda__=1424823798_dd940f9c61d02d82d354f204fd545120" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">danglingwar</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> The United States has faulted the claim by the Nigerian #government that it is standing in the way of the Nigerian military’s quest to procure weapons to strengthen its war against the extremist Boko Haram sect.<br /> <br /> Answering questions during a press briefing, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Jen Paski, said Wednesday the American government has been supporting the Nigerian military in the area of intelligence sharing, training of soldiers and other measures in combating the insurgency.<br /> On Monday, the Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., Ade Adefuye, had accused the U.S. of letting Nigeria down in its hour of need by refusing to help the country procure weapon to combat Boko Haram.<br /> “We find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly,” he said.<br /> <br /> He said the U.S. was standing in the way of the Nigerian military procuring lethal equipment that would have helped the country end the deadly insurgency mounted against Nigeria by Boko Haram.<br /> Dismissing the claims that the Nigerian military were involved in human rights violations, Mr. Adefuye also flayed the U.S. government for the manner it’s sharing intelligence with the Nigerian military, arguing that despite the claim by the Americans that things have improved in that aspect, “it is still there”.<br /> However, during Wednesday’s briefing in Washington, the Department of State spokesperson said the U.S. has actually increased its support for the Nigerian military, especially in the last six months.<br /> <br /> She said her government has improved intelligence sharing with the Nigerian military and has actually approved and sold some military equipment to the Nigerian military.<br /> “Let me just lay out the facts of our assistance. Over the past six months, the United States has started sharing intelligence with Nigeria, began training a new army battalion and held numerous high-level discussions with Nigerian authorities on additional measures to best address the Boko Haram threat.<br /> “We have also provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces. These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform with United States law,” she said in response to a question about Ambassador Adefuye’s claims.<br /> <br /> She explained that the U.S. refused to sell some Cobra attack helicopters to the Nigerian armed forces early this year because it was concerned the military had no capacity to operate and maintain it.<br /> Ms Paski said there were also concerns over the protection of civilians during military operations.<br /> “We shared those concerns with Nigeria before this decision and subsequent to it,” she said.<br /> She said that the Nigerian military has however purchased helicopters from other sources and that the U.S. government did not prevent such purchases.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria has purchased helicopters that originated in countries other than the United States, and nothing in our decision prevents Nigeria from obtaining weapons and equipment from other sources.<br /> “We’ll continue to look for ways to deepen our cooperation with Nigeria to help it acquire the systems and skills needed to restore peace and security. But obviously, we’ve provided a great deal of assistance over the past several months.”<br /> Ms Paski said the U.S. would continue to urge the Nigerian military to investigate allegation of abuses by soldiers and to do more in the area of training the country’s security forces to improve its effectiveness.<br /> “We wouldn’t be raising that concern if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted,” she said.</div>

America replies Nigeria, releases details of aid to Nigerian military in war against Boko Haram

danglingwar The United States has faulted the claim by the Nigerian #government that it is standing in the way of the Nigerian militar...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Nigeria vs America, says U.S has let Nigeria down in war against Boko Haram

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img height="138" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/s370x247/10353585_666100790170478_8488934730808257566_n.jpg?oh=55a7163821e80f2012136ca93985285d&oe=54EC10C8&__gda__=1427856632_2e3a6ba1e8ce0c5a9f0b1c4ecc236bf6" width="200" /></div> <br /> Disappointed by the refusal of the United States to help Nigeria procure #military weapons to combat Boko Haram, the federal government has now openly expressed its dissatisfaction with the American government decision, arguing that the Americans were letting Nigeria down at her hour of need, Empowered<br /> <br /> Speaking Monday while receiving a delegation of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye said both the Nigerian people and the government feel abandoned by America.<br /> According to Mr. Adefuye “I am sad to inform you that the Nigerian leadership: military and political, and even the general populace, are not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists.”<br /> Continuing, the Nigerian envoy stated that “we find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly”.<br /> <br /> Reviewing the situation further, Mr. Adefuye said that at first, Nigeria had problems with the manner in which intelligence was being shared, adding that even though the U.S. Government claims that the problem has been addressed, “it is still there”.<br /> Categorically, Mr. Adefuye stated that “the U.S. Government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.”<br /> <br /> Indeed the US government had equally explained that it would not be selling military weapons to Nigeria due to human rights allegations against the Nigerian military.<br /> But Mr. Adefuye, in his meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations, dismissed such allegations.<br /> Mr. Adefuye noted that Nigeria and the United States have had a long standing and healthy relationship reinforced by existing economic and geo-political realities. However he said in recent times “Nigeria has had reasons to complain about the style, nature and manner with which some United States’ policies are implemented with particular reference to terrorism in Nigeria.“<br /> He said the United States was the first to respond to Nigeria’s call for support in its battle against terrorists and has remained a major pillar of support in the struggle against the terrorists.<br /> <br /> But he said it is a sad commentary that right now inspite of the U.S. presence and help in Nigeria Boko Haram is becoming more deadly.<br /> Alleging that the US might have been reacting upon claims from the opposition media with sympathy for opposition parties, Adefuye insisted that the allegations could not be substantiated as many of the allegations were meant to “embarrass the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.”<br /> <br /> Professor Adefuye further emphasised that allegations of human rights violation are based on rumours, hearsays and exaggerated accounts of clashes between the Nigerian forces and Boko Haram fighters.<br /> He cited an example of an incident that happened in Baga in 2013, when human rights groups and the opposition press reported that based on pictures taken from satellite, over 1600 houses were destroyed in a village that has less than 600 houses.<br /> Besides, Mr. Adefuye stated regarding the video reports of human rights violations involving attacks on women and children purported to have been carried out by Nigerian soldiers in Boko Haram affected areas that those activities were carried out by Boko Haram members wearing stolen Nigerian army uniforms.<br /> <br /> He explained that disguise and subterfuge are standard practices of insurgent groups; and that the Chibok abduction of our school girls by Boko Haram succeeded because the girls thought that they were being carried to safety by soldiers of the Nigerian army.<br /> The Nigerian Ambassador said opinions on human rights violations by Nigerian defence forces are biased and are not subjected to the necessary verification.<br /> He went on to say that the Boko Haram issue is becoming heavily politicized especially with the approach of the general elections in 2015. Opposition media, he said, provide half-truths, exaggerated accounts which are then aired by the foreign media, forming the basis of reports sent to the capitals of Western nations.<br /> He, therefore, implored the embassies of western nations based in Nigeria to check and re-check their facts, and not use half-truths and rumours as the basis of their reports and recommendations to their capitals.<br /> <br /> He argued that the alleged violations are unfortunately the basis of U.S.’ refusal to sell necessary lethal equipment to Nigeria in order to fight Boko Haram.<br /> The Nigerian ambassador then implored the Council on Foreign Affairs to put pressure on the US State Department and the US Department of Defence to re-examine the basis of their refusal to sell equipment to Nigeria, insisting that Boko Haram threatens Nigeria’s corporate existence and territorial integrity.</div>

Nigeria vs America, says U.S has let Nigeria down in war against Boko Haram

Disappointed by the refusal of the United States to help Nigeria procure #military weapons to combat Boko Haram, the federal government...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Shocking!! Dismissed officer earned salaries from 15 police commands, IGP tells court

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-JyWilmTWANXA_Rn5CEEmZoXB0-3r8nV-NxG0BUxFVxV7m4j9F905SFUqLC19WSrn19NDKXeR4NL1iva7jSmTnEHZjndTCqoFU9ezEhG8yP_epQyFaI6cAerm-Uy5CUiR3COMlpnffA-/s1600/leave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-JyWilmTWANXA_Rn5CEEmZoXB0-3r8nV-NxG0BUxFVxV7m4j9F905SFUqLC19WSrn19NDKXeR4NL1iva7jSmTnEHZjndTCqoFU9ezEhG8yP_epQyFaI6cAerm-Uy5CUiR3COMlpnffA-/s1600/leave.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> THE Inspector-General of Police, Suileiman Abba, has revealed that a dismissed #police officer, Victor Afam Banor, has been earning salaries from 15 different police commands and also allegedly stole N20 million meant for salaries of officers of the Enugu State police command.<br /> <br /> This was made known at the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, when the retired police officer’s alleged crimes were read out.<br /> <br /> It emerged that Banor was dismissed while serving at the Umunede police division in Delta State, for allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal case under investigation.<br /> He escaped from detention and resurfaced at the Enugu command with a falsified signature, claiming to still be a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).<br /> When the officer-in-charge (O/C) of the command’s Mechanised Salary Section (MSS) retired, Banor assumed office as the O/C MSS. It was while holding this position, that, in March 2011, he allegedly absconded with the said money.<br /> <br /> “Before absconding from office, the applicant (Banor) dropped a note stating that nobody should look for him, because he has resigned to join his militant groups at the creeks of the Niger Delta region,” Abba said.<br /> These were contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to an application by Banor, praying the court to release him from police detention.<br /> <br /> The applicant said he had been held for over eight months without charge, and, therefore, prayed the court, presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, to either order his release or direct the police to charge him to a court.<br /> Banor said his continued detention violated his fundamental rights, as guaranteed in 1999 Constitution.<br /> In the counter-affidavit filed on Wednesday by the officer-in-charge of the Legal Department (O/C Legal), Zone 2, Mr Justin Enang, the police were urging the court not to release Banor, because investigation into his alleged crime is still ongoing.<br /> The police said several officers under Banor complained that their salaries were diverted and that he did not turn up until he was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, on April 15.<br /> <br /> The police further found badges and insignia of a Deputy Commissioner of Police in his house, adding that he absconded from the Enugu command with a Police Barretta pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.<br /> “Ongoing investigation revealed a barrage of forgeries leading to monumental fraud by the applicant, who opened more than 25 bank accounts, using fictitious names with which he had been collecting and still collects monthly salaries from over 15 commands’ payroll across the country,” the respondents said.<br /> Banor allegedly opened accounts in FirstBank Plc (four accounts), GTBank (three accounts), Skye Bank (two accounts), Access Bank (six accounts), Fidelity Bank (two accounts), Diamond Bank and UBA (two accounts).<br /> <br /> He allegedly opened one of the accounts in Onitsha, using police letter-headed paper with a Deputy Inspector-General of Police logo, claiming to be residing in the police barracks as a Superintendent of Police.<br /> Justice Aneke adjourned ruling on Banor’s bail application till November 21.</div>

Shocking!! Dismissed officer earned salaries from 15 police commands, IGP tells court

THE Inspector-General of Police, Suileiman Abba, has revealed that a dismissed #police officer, Victor Afam Banor, has been earning sala...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Argentine court summons Justin Bieber over alleged assault:

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">n #Argentine court has ordered pop star Justin Bieber to appear before it within two months to face questions about an alleged assault on a photographer at a Buenos Aires nightclub last year, state-run news agency Telam reported on Thursday.</span><img height="133" src="https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/l/t1.0-9/10689787_666227300157827_7503849235442100214_n.jpg?oh=02375ec8be2e1a2c86e4c85514c70a49&oe=54E19E93" width="200" /></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The photographer, Diego Pesoa, accused Bieber and one of his bodyguards of lashing out at him when he tried to take a picture of the Canadian singer as he left the club in the capital's trendy Palermo Hollywood neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Telam said the magistrate, Facundo Cubas, had requested the assistance of Argentina's Interpol branch to help locate Bieber, who has had a string or run-ins with the law in several countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bieber should be detained if he failed to appear or failed to explain why he was unable to present himself before the court, Telam cited Cubas as saying.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Bieber has to come to Argentina, and it won't be to sing," Pesoa's lawyer, Matias Morla, told local TV channel C5N.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There was no immediate reaction from Bieber's representatives to the report.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Published by ettefreeguy<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> United State FTC asking Apple about health data protection<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is seeking assurances from Apple Inc (AAPL.O) that it will prevent sensitive health data collected by its upcoming smartwatch and other mobile devices from being used without owners' consent, two sources told Reuters.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The two people, both familiar with the FTC's thinking, said Apple representatives have met on multiple occasions with agency officials in recent months, to stress that it will not sell its users' health data to third-party entities such as marketers or allow third-party developers to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple said it works closely with regulators around the world, including the FTC, to describe built-in data protections for its services. "We</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ve been very encouraged by their support,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told Reuters.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple developed its new HealthKit platform, which manages data from mobile health apps, to give consumers control over how their information is used and shared. "We designed HealthKit with privacy in mind," said Muller.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are no indications that the FTC intends to launch a formal investigation or inquiry into the matter, but the dialogue underscores the agency's interest in how the increasing wealth of consumer-generated health and fitness data will be safeguarded.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The FTC declined to comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The FTC is paying particularly close attention to Apple's upcoming smartwatch, which can track a user's pulse and potentially store health-related information, the two sources said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple hopes its upcoming Apple Watch and HealthKit platform will become the lynchpins in a broad push into mobile healthcare, a potentially lucrative field that rivals Google and Samsung are also exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">FTC Commissioner Julie Brill in May said the agency is concerned about the risks of health data that flows outside of a medical context, such as information collected via wearables and mobile health apps.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The agency also requested that Congress enact legislation to make the practices of data brokers more visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Most data that consumers store in mobile health apps is not covered by privacy rules known as HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But the FTC has stressed that this data is still highly sensitive and is keen on investigating how any consumer-generated data gathered is shared, exchanged, and protected.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The agency has made it a priority to examine whether mobile health developers marketing apps on Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms are taking precautions to safeguard user privacy, the sources said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The FTC also concluded in a recent study that many developers share or sell health data. The study found that developers of 12 mobile health and fitness apps were sharing user information with 76 different parties, such as advertisers.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple is turning to a team of outside experts, including health data protection lawyer Marcy Wilder, to respond on health issues, said one of the sources and another person familiar with the matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The company also is considering appointing an in-house health privacy czar, the sources said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Some experts say Apple is setting a strong precedent for health data privacy. Apple requires that users must give consent before app developers are granted access to their health information, and that data logged by its smartwatch is encrypted on the device.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In late August, Apple tightened its privacy rules to ensure that personal data collected through HealthKit would not be used by developers for the purposes of advertising or other data-mining purposes. It also said apps that access HealthKit are required to have a privacy policy, although it remains to be seen how Apple will enforce this rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez praised Apple for taking a step critical to maintain consumers' trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Posted by ettefreeguy<o:p></o:p></span></div> </div>

Argentine court summons Justin Bieber over alleged assault:

A n #Argentine court has ordered pop star Justin Bieber to appear before it within two months to face questions about an alleged assau...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

(Top news) BlackBerry signs up Samsung, others, in new mobile services push

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img src="https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1964769_666227296824494_4105407490926061602_n.jpg?efg=eyJvbGF0IjoxNjB9&oh=7350f418ccd22b9ab255f7d9caa09657&oe=54D8DA81" /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> #</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">BlackBerry (BB.TO) announced partnerships with Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) and other high-profile tech players on Thursday, broadening the reach of its new mobile-device management and security platform, and sending its shares 7 percent higher.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry and Samsung, the world's No. 1 smartphone maker, will offer a "highly secure mobility solution" for Samsung's Android devices starting in early 2015. The system will wed BlackBerry's security platform with the South Korean company's own security software for its Galaxy devices.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"The partnership with Samsung is a very big deal," said John Jackson, a technology analyst at IDC. "It's hard to imagine a partnership with more significant practical impact potential."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry said the tie-up is a long-term commitment.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"To make this Samsung partnership happen, we went to the highest levels of both companies, so this is a very serious relationship," said John Sims, BlackBerry's head of enterprise services, calling the deal "the tip of the iceberg."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry also touted a string of improvements to its existing products, including mobile video-conferencing via its messaging app and the ability to divide usage costs between employer and employee.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry's Nasdaq-listed shares closed 7 percent higher at $12.06, their highest close since June 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CONNECTING MACHINES<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The new platform, the BlackBerry Enterprise Service, or BES12, will allow corporations and government agencies to manage and make secure not only BlackBerry's mobile devices, but also those running operating systems such as Google's (GOOGL.O) Android, Apple's (AAPL.O) iOS and Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Windows platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For the first time, the platform will also be able to manage and make secure medical diagnostic equipment, industrial machinery and even cars.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The company also announced a BES12 deal with Brightstar, the world's largest wireless distribution company, and a tie-up with business software company Salesforce.com (CRM.N) that will let clients in healthcare and other regulated industries that use Sales force software securely access data via the BlackBerry platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"This plan is not different from what I laid out on day one, but it was hard for people to comprehend and believe me then as things were a mess then," BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen said. "The key message today is the ecosystem is coming back and the telecoms are very excited."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The new products and services are the backbone of Chen's plan to turn around the smartphone pioneer, whose devices have lost ground to Apple's iPhone, Samsung's Galaxy devices and a slew of other gadgets powered by Google's Android platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While still a player in the smartphone business, BlackBerry is pivoting its focus to services and the demands of a large base of enterprise clients that are increasingly grappling with data security concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Waterloo, Ontario-based company said its customers have registered for 5.1 million BES licenses since it launched a migration push in March, with some 30 percent of them moving from rival mobile-device management platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry also said it will launch its long-awaited Classic smartphone on Dec. 17 at events in New York, Frankfurt and Singapore. The device, which bears similarities to the once popular BlackBerry Bold, will go on sale immediately in launch markets and be priced at $449.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(Published by ettefreeguy)<o:p></o:p></span></div> </div>

(Top news) BlackBerry signs up Samsung, others, in new mobile services push

 # BlackBerry (BB.TO) announced partnerships with Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) and other high-profile tech players on Thursday, ...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Samsung Introduces Virtual Reality Smartphone You Wear On Your Head

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJ6RxMSs8a43ydqlGYf8mmPcHEI9TIIntT1NRejO3k5MU5v84unEJ_Th2arVgaUHQmbxXkSkMPEoMhtk91Y7jWwrLjsit8vuN6NbwxFEexduxx5czMvsn2gkwigdyacARQSSunu7cy-S/s1600/dm+of+danglingmedia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJ6RxMSs8a43ydqlGYf8mmPcHEI9TIIntT1NRejO3k5MU5v84unEJ_Th2arVgaUHQmbxXkSkMPEoMhtk91Y7jWwrLjsit8vuN6NbwxFEexduxx5czMvsn2gkwigdyacARQSSunu7cy-S/s1600/dm+of+danglingmedia.png" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> Virtual reality—almost as good as actual reality, but without those pesky smells. Okay, that may not be quite #Samsung's message, but the company is making a hard push for VR with two announcements out of its 2014 developer conference.<br /> <br /> The first is that its Gear VR headset, announced earlier this year, will ship in early December. Developed in partnership with virtual-reality-headset darling (and pending Facebook acquisition) Oculus, the Gear VR connects to Samsung's Galaxy Note 4, which the company says creates "an entirely new mobile category."<br /> <br /> Marketing hyperbole off the starboard bow! First of all, the Gear VR—which will be sold for an unspecified price—uses the Galaxy Note 4's 5.7-inch high-res screen for its VR capabilities, requiring you to actually snap the smartphone into the headset. That's all well and good, but as soon as you upgrade your phone the Gear VR seems like it'll just be another piece of expensive plastic that no longer fits the latest and greatest.<br /> <br /> Samsung's also attempting to woo consumers to the virtual side by partnering with a number of major names in software and entertainment to provide VR content. The list includes Cirque du Soleil, DreamWorks, Harmonix, Vevo, and Marvel, which will let Gear VR users explore Tony Stark's lab ahead of next year's sure-to-be-blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron. But most of the partners' ventures sound more like marketing gimmicks or proofs of concept than actual, useful applications.<br /> <br /> That said, Samsung is also making available an Oculus Mobile software development kit, letting developers create their own apps that take advantage of the interface. But the limited availability of hardware and small market niche means that there probably won't be rampant development in that space quite yet.<br /> <br /> To demonstrate its commitment to VR, Samsung also gave a sneak peek at a second device, called Project Beyond. It's a disc about the size of a medium-sized plate that contains "16 1" HD cameras that can capture a 360-degree view of a location and either store it or stream it live to someone wearing a Gear VR. It doesn't, however, record audio, which may lessen the feeling of actually "being there" and Gizmodo's Sean Hollister, who got to try it out at Samsung's conference, called it "abnormally grainy and ... a little bit awkward."<br /> <br /> Project Beyond Samsung<br /> Project Beyond is even less far along than Gear VR: Samsung says it's "not a product, but one of our many exciting projects currently under development." But if you snag a Gear VR, you'll be able to use it to view footage Samsung has captured with the 360-degree camera.<br /> <br /> Despite these announcements, virtual reality seems like it's still rooted strongly in the stuff of science-fiction rather than the practicality of the here and now. A headset linked to a specific smartphone and a prototype camera don't seem likely to catapult the technology into the mainstream.<br /> <br /> Published by ettefreeguy</div>

Samsung Introduces Virtual Reality Smartphone You Wear On Your Head

Virtual reality—almost as good as actual reality, but without those pesky smells. Okay, that may not be quite #Samsung's message, bu...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Capitalisation Rules

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> #Capitalization means using a capital letter (for example, N instead of n). The use of capital letters helps readers read your writing without confusion.<br /> <br /> Always capitalize the following:<br /> The first word in a sentence.<br /> • I grew up in Ghana.<br /> • She left a message on my phone.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJ6RxMSs8a43ydqlGYf8mmPcHEI9TIIntT1NRejO3k5MU5v84unEJ_Th2arVgaUHQmbxXkSkMPEoMhtk91Y7jWwrLjsit8vuN6NbwxFEexduxx5czMvsn2gkwigdyacARQSSunu7cy-S/s1600/dm+of+danglingmedia.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJ6RxMSs8a43ydqlGYf8mmPcHEI9TIIntT1NRejO3k5MU5v84unEJ_Th2arVgaUHQmbxXkSkMPEoMhtk91Y7jWwrLjsit8vuN6NbwxFEexduxx5czMvsn2gkwigdyacARQSSunu7cy-S/s200/dm+of+danglingmedia.png" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> The pronoun I.<br /> • Julie and I have been best friends since we were kids.<br /> <br /> The first letter of a proper noun (specific name).<br /> • Michael wants to play soccer with us.<br /> • This letter is from Fatima.<br /> • I graduated from the University of Calabar.<br /> • I like Coca Cola.<br /> • She likes Indomie noodles.<br /> <br /> The first letter of months, days, and holidays (but not seasons).<br /> • Today is October 22, 2014.<br /> • Benjamin's birthday is this Thursday.<br /> • The shops are always closed during Easter.<br /> • This summer is going to be very hot.<br /> <br /> The first letter of nationalities, religions, races of people, and languages.<br /> • Young ladies nowadays like Brazilian hair.<br /> • I want to master many languages, such as Spanish, Korean, Chinese, French and Russian.<br /> • Francis is an English teacher.<br /> • There is one Muslim mosque in my town.<br /> <br /> The first letter in a person's title.<br /> • This is Barr. Cohbam's  House.<br /> • I got it from Mr. Edward.<br /> <br /> Geographic areas: cities, states, countries, mountains, oceans, rivers, etc.<br /> • My destination is Paris, France.<br /> • Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.<br /> <br /> Historical periods.<br /> • The Renaissance began in the 14th century.<br /> • The Qing Dynasty is the last dynasty in China.<br /> <br /> The first letter of each major word in the title of a book, movie, article, etc.<br /> • Purple Herbiscus and African Child is my favorite novel.<br /> • I found the article "How to Write a Good Cover Letter" in this magazine.<br /> • I've never got bored watching The Lord of The Rings over and over again.<br /> <br /> Learning English with ettefreeguy.</div>

Capitalisation Rules

#Capitalization means using a capital letter (for example, N instead of n). The use of capital letters helps readers read your writing with...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

WAYS OF FORMING THE FEMININE OF NOUNS

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> The masculine (male) and #feminine (female) of nouns are called gender of nouns.<br /> There are three ways of forming the Feminine of Nouns:<br /> <br /> 1. By using an entirely different word:<br /> Masculine -- Feminine<br /> Bachelor -- maid, spinster<br /> Boy -- girl<br /> Brother -- sister<br /> Buck -- doe<br /> Bull (or ox) -- cow<br /> Bullock -- heifer<br /> Cock -- hen<br /> Colt -- filly<br /> Dog -- bitch<br /> Drake -- duck<br /> Drone -- bee<br /> Earl -- countess<br /> Father -- mother<br /> Gander -- goose<br /> Gentleman -- lady<br /> Hart -- roe<br /> Horse -- mare<br /> Husband -- wife<br /> King -- queen<br /> Lord -- lady<br /> Man -- woman<br /> Monk (or friar) -- nun<br /> Nephew -- niece<br /> Papa -- mama (or momma)<br /> Ram -- ewe<br /> Sir -- madam<br /> Son -- daughter<br /> Stag -- hind<br /> Uncle -- aunt<br /> Wizard -- witch<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_2Tu0iO1PAe_wOxeHroOf_C6BsnEetg8pTm4_TY_iuGnle5AdMUCFDdTayvLK-FEcOp3FXBFNPFiUdm39INyJmvoEaQJ24zcnQm5dsZaoId2NZYkle0srJLqPNCHipOBghbEpNM2p5xi/s1600/More.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_2Tu0iO1PAe_wOxeHroOf_C6BsnEetg8pTm4_TY_iuGnle5AdMUCFDdTayvLK-FEcOp3FXBFNPFiUdm39INyJmvoEaQJ24zcnQm5dsZaoId2NZYkle0srJLqPNCHipOBghbEpNM2p5xi/s1600/More.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> 2. By adding a suffix -ess, -ine, -trix, -a, etc.:<br /> Masculine -- Feminine<br /> Author -- authoress<br /> Baron -- baroness<br /> Count -- countess<br /> Giant -- giantess<br /> Heir -- heiress<br /> Host -- hostess<br /> Jew -- Jewess<br /> Lion -- lioness<br /> Manager -- manageress<br /> Mayor -- mayoress<br /> Patron -- patroness<br /> Peer -- peeress<br /> Poet -- poetess<br /> Priest -- priestess<br /> Prophet -- prophetess<br /> Shepherd -- shepherdess<br /> Steward -- stewardess<br /> Viscount -- viscountess<br /> Suffix -ess is added after dropping the vowel of the masculine ending:<br /> Masculine -- Feminine<br /> Actor -- actress<br /> Benefactor -- benefactress<br /> Conductor -- conductress<br /> Enchanter -- enchantress<br /> Founder -- foundress<br /> Hunter -- huntress<br /> Instructor -- instructress<br /> Negro -- negress<br /> Abbot -- abbess<br /> Duke -- duchess<br /> Emperor -- empress<br /> Preceptor -- preceptress<br /> Prince -- princess<br /> Songster -- songstress<br /> Tempter -- temptress<br /> Seamster -- seamstress<br /> Tiger -- tigress<br /> Traitor -- traitress<br /> Waiter -- waitress<br /> Master -- mistress<br /> Murderer -- murderess<br /> Sorcerer -- sorceress<br /> Note: The suffix -ess is the commonest suffix used to form feminine nouns, from the masculine, and is the only one which we now use in forming a new feminine noun.<br /> Masculine -- Feminine<br /> Hero -- heroine<br /> Testator -- testatrix<br /> Czar -- czarina<br /> Sultan -- sultana<br /> Signor -- signora<br /> Fox -- vixen<br /> <br /> 3. By placing a word before or after, it can be written as a compound word(s):<br /> Masculine -- Feminine<br /> Grand-father -- Grand-mother<br /> Greatuncle -- greataunt<br /> Manservant -- maidservant<br /> Landlord -- landlady<br /> Milkman -- milkwoman<br /> Peacock -- peahen<br /> Salesman -- saleswoman<br /> Godfather -- Godmother<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjatJJ0rtJDGxq6m7W5D5fuCPfxYh_qp7Prj4f9HIT4pU1QINsf7G6uObhZo8lhqQWqpDgEk7wRoBPizdDEayVuVj-tzlnCu8PNt4obaNWXWLa6lu9uMeT6d669-cGqFyuasPae22mNPOn/s1600/Best+teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjatJJ0rtJDGxq6m7W5D5fuCPfxYh_qp7Prj4f9HIT4pU1QINsf7G6uObhZo8lhqQWqpDgEk7wRoBPizdDEayVuVj-tzlnCu8PNt4obaNWXWLa6lu9uMeT6d669-cGqFyuasPae22mNPOn/s320/Best+teacher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> ettefreeguy</div>

WAYS OF FORMING THE FEMININE OF NOUNS

The masculine (male) and #feminine (female) of nouns are called gender of nouns. There are three ways of forming the Feminine of Nouns: ...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Learning English (TO GET)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCSOu_tBx4nGyWiClF_KocRtE66ePcbKZOOz5l45fno_gntTBOaR6sUDrKUrwD-YMKjzm0Nciabeqda6orI55dJuyDMOaXO6XNDIDSzBWKQPxSsg2zIaCZNspVSzMPZDuh4ETd1Cprv0Y/s1600/welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCSOu_tBx4nGyWiClF_KocRtE66ePcbKZOOz5l45fno_gntTBOaR6sUDrKUrwD-YMKjzm0Nciabeqda6orI55dJuyDMOaXO6XNDIDSzBWKQPxSsg2zIaCZNspVSzMPZDuh4ETd1Cprv0Y/s200/welcome.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> 'To get' can be used in a number of patterns and has a number of meanings.<br /> TO #GET + direct object = obtain, receive, buy.<br /> Example:<br /> • I got my passport last week.<br /> <br /> TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place.<br /> Example:<br /> • How are you getting home tonight?<br /> <br /> TO GET + adjective = become, show a change of state.<br /> Example:<br /> • I am getting old.<br /> <br /> TO GET + preposition/adverb is used in many phrasal verbs.<br /> Example:<br /> • This rain is really getting me down.<br /> <br /> TO GET has a number of other meanings:<br /> Examples:<br /> • Do you get it? (understand)<br /> • He's getting dinner tonight. (prepare a meal)<br /> • I'll get the bill. (pay the bill)<br /> • I'll get the phone. (answer the phone)<br /> • That really gets me! (irritate, annoy)<br /> <br /> Other expressions with GET:<br /> Examples:<br /> TO GET rid of something means to throw it away.<br /> Example: I'm going TO GET rid of all these old newspapers.<br /> TO GET out of bed on the wrong side means to be in a bad mood.<br /> Example: He got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning and he's been horrible all day.<br /> <br /> TO GET your own back means to have your revenge or punish someone.<br /> Example: She's getting her own back for all those rude things you said at the party last night.<br /> <br /> ettefreeguy<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIG-w8tRkLQG-F6O7N5apS22IBCb-PyJnm6OTE3z6ySe0Yvte0JEGr4miUYJ9ObsSjgGayh-BfqPC0UBny9NK8rZ-CaGBXWrvf6QMLpNU24CeDAGtbrXcYnwIeNwn2sboPa_4DQTN5_cH/s1600/More.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIG-w8tRkLQG-F6O7N5apS22IBCb-PyJnm6OTE3z6ySe0Yvte0JEGr4miUYJ9ObsSjgGayh-BfqPC0UBny9NK8rZ-CaGBXWrvf6QMLpNU24CeDAGtbrXcYnwIeNwn2sboPa_4DQTN5_cH/s1600/More.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> </div>

Learning English (TO GET)

'To get' can be used in a number of patterns and has a number of meanings. TO #GET + direct object = obtain, receive, buy. Exam...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Boko Haram sect: Lamentation of a Nigerian Solider.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> We recently received an anonymous message from a supposed Nigerian solider presently among the troops battling the Boko Haram #insurgents.<br /> <br /> In this slightly edited message of despair, he gives an insight on the why Nigerian soldiers may not win the battle against the terrorists in North East.<br /> It is time the pen pushers pick up their pens bcos the corruption in the system. More to self and less for National interest.<br /> <br /> Who is behind book haram? how come helicopters will come to Nigeria airspace to supply book haram equipment and nobody is saying anything? People are dying every day. Money that is supposed to be used for development we are using it for war. Let those who love this nation pick up their pen, like the Journalists who fought for our independence in the 60s.<br /> My eyes have seen a lot. We still need to pray for Nigeria.<br /> All members of book haram use anti-aircraft to fight. Let all who love Nigeria forget about religion and put National interest first.<img src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10678817_659867990793758_1898479418108272338_n.jpg?oh=35aa2087fe242d2425f6113670d3c681&oe=54D3C82F" /><br /> <br /> If you are in the field you will cry because the more you see the less you understand this battle.<br /> Things will come to light if my ogas ontop tell the truth. Everybody is after money.<br /> A day after sallah we took over Bazza, our own Airforce refuse to come for support and our commanding officer Lt Col Jones Emem called them but they did not come until this helicopters came to drop snappers and weapons for Bokoharam. Who is behind them? Why the army still using unserviceable equipment is when we were told new equipment were bought to fight insurgent.<br /> <br /> When you come to the field you will see the soldiers doing their best, but no support weapons. How do expect somebody with A47 to face somebody with anti-aircraft.<br /> <br /> All our soldiers presently shot. Some of them are in 44 military hospital Kaduna. Find out they were shot on the hand and legs with the snappers guns.<br /> Those APCs they claim they bought are old ones painted in Jaji APC wing. We need more investigative Journalists to investigate this war and the equipment used.</div>

Boko Haram sect: Lamentation of a Nigerian Solider.

We recently received an anonymous message from a supposed Nigerian solider presently among the troops battling the Boko Haram #insurgents. ...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Types of Doctors in English

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img src="https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p128x128/10645198_660221914091699_8141779861742391299_n.jpg?oh=9e4fd4ec93ee94b7d6e1f626a123d71e&oe=54EC7865" /></div> <br /> • #DOCTOR/M.D (MEDICAL DOCTOR): A person who has the degree of Doctor of Medicine, works to help sick people, and is licensed to prescribe medicine<br /> When you are sick, you should see a doctor.<br /> <br /> • GENERAL PRACTIONER/G.P.: an M.D. who treats most common diseases and ailments<br /> Our G.P. takes care of the whole family in one visit.<br /> <br /> • PEDIATRICIAN: a specialist in children’s health<br /> As soon as the baby was born he was examined by a pediatrician.<br /> <br /> • DENTIST: a doctor who takes care of the teeth<br /> It’s a good idea to see a dentist at least once a year. Everybody knows Dentist<br /> <br /> • ORTHODONTIST: a dentist who specializes in straightening teeth<br /> The orthodontist fixed her crooked teeth, and now she has a beautiful smile.<br /> <br /> • PERIODONTIST: a dentist who specializes in gums<br /> The periodontist was able to help prevent gum recession in most patients.<br /> • DERMATOLOGIST: a skin specialist<br /> A dermatologist can help you with your allergies.<br /> <br /> • ear, nose, and throat doctor/E.N.T.: a specialist for the ear, the nose, and the throat<br /> She sees an E.N.T. for her sinusitis.<br /> <br /> • EYE DOCTOR/OPTHALMOLOGIST: a specialist for eyes<br /> The ophthalmologistprescribed glasses for our son.<br /> <br /> • GASTROENTEROLOGIST: a stomach specialist<br /> He is seeing a gastroenterologist to help cure his digestive problem<br /> <br /> • GYNECOLOGIST: a specialist in women’s health<br /> Many women are checked by a gynecologist once a year.<br /> <br /> • OBSTETRICIAN: a specialist in the delivery of babies<br /> As soon as she suspected she was pregnant, she went to see an obstetrician.<br /> <br /> • ORTHOPEDIST: a specialist in bones<br /> When he broke his leg, the orthopedist put it in a cast.<br /> <br /> • PODIATRIST: a specialist in feet<br /> The podiatrist told her not to wear high-heeled shoes.<br /> <br /> • SURGEON: a specialist who performs major operations.<br /> The surgeon was in the operating room for four hours.<br /> <br /> <br /> Learning English with ettefreeguy</div>

Types of Doctors in English

• #DOCTOR/M.D (MEDICAL DOCTOR): A person who has the degree of Doctor of Medicine, works to help sick people, and is licensed to prescr...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Beyonce has become the highest paid Woman in Music in 2014 with $115 million

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> TOP NEWS<br /> <img src="https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p240x240/10384048_662352700545287_5502140614306962527_n.jpg?oh=7bc2b6914ac026f6a467ab7d727fa630&oe=551FD212" /><br /> NEW YORK (Reuters) - #Beyonce is the highest paid woman in music in 2014, with estimated earnings of $115 million, more than double what she pulled in last year, Forbes magazine said on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> The huge sum, most of which was from her world tour, propelled Beyonce, 33, from fourth place last year and put her firmly ahead of pop star Taylor Swift, 24, with $64 million, who jumped up one spot from last year to No. 2.<br /> <br /> Pop singer Pink, 35, climbed up from No. 8 in 2013 to third with $52 million.<br /> <br /> "Beyonce played 95 shows during our scoring period, bringing in an average of $2.4 million per city," said Forbes, citing data from the Pollstar trade magazine.<br /> <br /> The R&B singer's self-titled album released last December and endorsement deals pushed her earnings up further assuring her the top spot.<br /> <br /> Barbados-born Rihanna, 26, with $48 million and Katy Perry, 30, who earned an estimated $40 million, rounded out the top five on the annual list.<br /> <br /> Madonna, 56, ranked No. 1 last year, failed to make the top 10 in 2014. Lady Gaga, 28, slumped from No. 2 in 2013 to ninth place this year with estimated earnings of $33 million.<br /> <br /> Forbes compiled the list after estimating pre-tax income calculated for the 12 months from June 2013 to 2014 based on record sales, concert tickets, touring information merchandise sales and interviews with concert promoters, lawyers and managers.<br /> <br /> It also looked at data from the Pollstar, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan.<br /> <br /> (Reporting by Patricia Reaney; Editing by Eric Kelsey and Andrew Hay)</div>

Beyonce has become the highest paid Woman in Music in 2014 with $115 million

TOP NEWS NEW YORK (Reuters) - #Beyonce is the highest paid woman in music in 2014, with estimated earnings of $115 million, more than do...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

10 things you should know about Social Media

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-JyWilmTWANXA_Rn5CEEmZoXB0-3r8nV-NxG0BUxFVxV7m4j9F905SFUqLC19WSrn19NDKXeR4NL1iva7jSmTnEHZjndTCqoFU9ezEhG8yP_epQyFaI6cAerm-Uy5CUiR3COMlpnffA-/s1600/leave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-JyWilmTWANXA_Rn5CEEmZoXB0-3r8nV-NxG0BUxFVxV7m4j9F905SFUqLC19WSrn19NDKXeR4NL1iva7jSmTnEHZjndTCqoFU9ezEhG8yP_epQyFaI6cAerm-Uy5CUiR3COMlpnffA-/s200/leave.jpg" width="150" /></a></div> <br /> The social #media, which includes ( Facebook, Twitter, BBM, Whatsapp, <img src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/s200x200/1503825_659874967459727_5957200109168688477_n.jpg?efg=eyJvbGF0IjoiMTYwIn0%3D&oh=80795f584014371611890b44de8cfdf4&oe=54EA42E2" />Instagram, Google , etc), has no doubt become the most vibrant and fastest platform for communication in modern times.<br /> <br /> Individual, groups, corporate companies and even business organizations, all have adopted the social media as a veritable tool, in selling their image, products and services.<br /> However, there are important things that people should know about the use of the social media as highlighted below:<br /> <br /> 1. It’s not for idle interaction, it’s rather a learning tool.<br /> The social media should not be used for non profitable and lazy conversations, as it is usually the practice with many users (especially the youth bracket), rather it should be seen and used as a medium to learn and gain more knowledge and get vital information.<br /> <br /> 2. Offers opportunity to be a global citizen.<br /> With the use of the social media, every user has got the opportunity to reach other people in all parts of the world, just in a click. You can share and also receive information on latest developments globally, and again make your inputs suggest the ways forward on different burning issues rocking the world society, because the world, as is it said has become a “global village”. By so doing, you have made yourself an active citizen of the globe.<br /> <br /> 3. It is a work tool.<br /> The social media, again, serves as a very important work tool for people of all professions. You can easily reach out to more number of clients or customers at a time, through the social media platforms. By this doing disseminating important information about one’s business is more enhanced. It also encourages quick feedbacks, which in turn enables fast decision making and necessary changes for effective service delivery.<br /> <br /> 4. Be careful what you share on Social Media.<br /> You should be careful that you don’t do over-sharing and watch the contents of what you share on-line because you can be googled. Your name could be researched for, and everything that you have posted and shared on-line will come out. Your image will definitely be at stake, as the negative things that you have shared may give a wrong view or impression about your personality.<br /> <br /> 5. Spend quality time on-line (determine what you are going to do).<br /> As a social media user, you need to set out goals on what to do every time that you go on-line. You should spend doing quality work and not just see everything you find available on-line necessary for you to engage in. Do what you have to do and save your time to doing other profitable things. As it is said, “time is money”, so don’t spend your time dwelling on things that will not add much to you.<br /> <br /> 6. Your on-line preference should be things that matter to you.<br /> You need to know from the on-set the things that will add value to you, and enhance your lifein the long run, and those are the things that should be your preference. Don’t engage yourself in every social media activity just because other people are there. Have a scale for the things you are looking for and know the ones you ignore, as this will help you to focus on only things (contents) that are useful to you.<br /> <br /> 7. You don’t need to be on all social media.<br /> It is actually not a must to be on all social media platform. You, as an individual person needs to choose the ones (social media platform) that will be most useful and convenient for you. If possible, delete some of those accounts (in case you are on all social media). This will help you to avoid unnecessary distractions.<br /> <br /> 8. There are many fraudsters on-line; you need to be careful about the kind of response to others.<br /> You may need to know that fraudsters have also devised easier ways of carrying out their dubious activities, through the social media. They send fraudulent messages to people at random, and at different times. These fraudsters really do take advantage of careless and unsuspecting users, who reply them without taking their time to make enquiries and find out whom really they are chatting with, before striking a business deal with them. Many people, as a result, have ended up as victims. So once you are not sure about the identity of the person who has sent you a message, don’t reply!<br /> <br /> 9. The username you use on social media is very important<br /> Know that the name you use on the social media is as good as the opportunities and offers that will come your ways. It also makes it easier for people searching for you to easily locate you when you use your real name. Again, you tend to be taken more serious by an intending business partner or prospective employer when they find out your on-line name to be the same as your real name. Just imagine how such people will feel if, for example your name is Frank Johnson, and your facebook name is Fjo-boy; you will not be taken seriously. By this point serious opportunities may be forfeited.</div>

10 things you should know about Social Media

The social #media, which includes ( Facebook, Twitter, BBM, Whatsapp,  Instagram, Google , etc), has no doubt become the most vibrant a...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

U.S. opens channels with Iran over ISIS

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi1_V6amwoo663PFe8e6vPu3kCGjKKZAGt7_vhSu2DxDarM4HPe2clNge7OMupBvGaRZzEeLy97USRPszJjoITENpDZ6qpeLpjJ85zJzTS-7GOblpx_0cXFrpvhE8iSGPN-iYdOEEDRiB/s1600/mental+brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi1_V6amwoo663PFe8e6vPu3kCGjKKZAGt7_vhSu2DxDarM4HPe2clNge7OMupBvGaRZzEeLy97USRPszJjoITENpDZ6qpeLpjJ85zJzTS-7GOblpx_0cXFrpvhE8iSGPN-iYdOEEDRiB/s320/mental+brain.jpg" width="220" /></a></div> <br /> Obama sends secret letter to Iran<br /> <br /> STORY HIGHLIGHTS<br /> Sources say #Obama noted Iran, U.S. both interested in defeating ISIS<br /> United States is deep into talks with Iran about its nuclear capabilities<br /> Sources say that's the main block to the countries cooperating on ISIS<br /> Washington (CNN)-- President Barack Obama's administration is trying to open channels of communication with Iran regarding the war on ISIS.<br /> Amid revelations that Obama sent a letter to Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month pointing out the countries' shared interest in beating ISIS, a senior U.S. official and a Western diplomat tell CNN that Washington has gone through the Iraqis to communicate with Iran.<br /> The conversations do not include taking joint military action against ISIS targets, the sources said, but are seen as necessary to avert conflict in U.S. and Iranian operations.<br /> <br /> Senior White House adviser Dan Pfeiffer wouldn't address specific outreach efforts in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, but said: "We work very closely with the Iraqis and the Iraqis have a relationship with the Iranians."<br /> <br /> The discussions through the Iraqis are informal and conducted on a case-by-case basis via the Iraqi military, the sources said. The channels have become necessary, the U.S. military official said, because the United States and Iran are now operating in the same spaces. As a result, "accommodations must be made indirectly," this official said. This includes airspace management, so U.S. and Iranian forces do not conflict while carrying out military operations in the same airspace, CNN was told.<br /> <br /> The revelation of the communications channel comes even as the military and administration continue to insist it is not cooperating with the Iranians on strategy or intelligence.<br /> "With respect to Iran, we're not coordinating with Iran, as you know," said Gen. Lloyd Austin, the head of U.S. Central Command, at an event moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday, when asked how the United States prevents any accidental killing of Iranians who are on the ground advising Iraqi forces.<br /> The White House also stressed it is not working alongside the Iranian military.<br /> "The United States will not cooperate militarily with Iran in that effort. We won't share intelligence with them," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday when asked about another communication between President Obama and Iran's Supreme Leader.<br /> <br /> Earnest would not acknowledge Obama's letter, saying he would not talk about the "private correspondence" of the President.</div>

U.S. opens channels with Iran over ISIS

Obama sends secret letter to Iran STORY HIGHLIGHTS Sources say #Obama noted Iran, U.S. both interested in defeating ISIS United Stat...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Nigerias Political Rat

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <img src="https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/154562_660279790752578_6032188651660882563_n.jpg?oh=6f41846f4e8424f5eedbdd28e4fefa6d&oe=54E811AC" /><br /> This is Diepreye Alamieyeseigha former Governor of Bayelsa state and corruption mentor of GEJ as well as Senatorial aspirant from Bayelsa state in 2015.<br /> <br />  He was impeached from office because of his corrupt acts and was convicted in Nigeria with a mild sentence. Fast forward to 12th March 2013, Alamieyeseigha was pardoned by President Goodluck Jonathan his political son thereby enabling him to run for office again.<br /> <br /> This rogue is a fugitive from UK justice system and managed to escape around 8 years ago by disguising as a woman as can be seen in the first photograph.<img src="https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10639617_660279787419245_6151128956887297297_n.jpg?oh=a80233dab8457405ac5529bd8422d647&oe=54E739AC" /><br /> <br /> If you look at the 2nd campaign poster photograph he said he is tested and trusted. It is true that he has been tested with public funds and he has confirmed that he is a rogue irrespective of GEJ's pardon. He has also confirmed that he can be trusted to steal public funds and empty the treasury. If you are appalled by the penchant of GEJ for corruption and his penchant for hiring and associating with people tainted with corruption then vote for an incorruptible candidate that can rescue our pitiful and dreaded country Nigeria.<br /> <br /> GEJ's version of democracy can be called "corruptcracy."That is why he said that corruption is not Nigeria's biggest problem and buttressed his point by saying that that stealing is not corruption.<br /> <br /> Pls do not give him your mandate pls!<br /> <img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/p160x160/1979665_663886760391881_6308358875658701017_n.jpg?oh=93b5a7a237bd64fc083e29267d2f65c1&oe=54DD5774&__gda__=1423727386_cb031d920dcde1c9f2c48a46b6145deb" /></div>

Nigerias Political Rat

This is Diepreye Alamieyeseigha former Governor of Bayelsa state and corruption mentor of GEJ as well as Senatorial aspirant from Bayelsa ...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Question About Journalism

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> In his new book, ‘We Are All #Journalists Now – Africa in the Age of Social Media’, noted journalist, author, award winning investigative reporter, media researcher and now media adviser to former Governor of Lagos State and now foremost national opposition leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr Sunday Dare, examines the emergence, evolution and implications of the phenomenon of citizen journalism in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> Based on an academic research at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Oxford University, this stimulating work published by Visual Image, Lagos, in March his year and which covers 108 pages comprising five chapters, critically interrogates the impact of the phenomenal expansion in the mediums and use of social media platforms on the state, society and in particular the media profession in Nigeria. This offering combines the rigour of scholarly research with the accessibility of lucid prose.<br /> <br /> What has been the implication for the practice of journalism in Nigeria of the emergence of such on-line mediums as Facebook, Twitter, text messages, You Tube that provide opportunities for millions of Nigerians to become ‘Citizen Journalists’ reporting and disseminating news, images and ideas about themselves as well as issues and events around them to a mass audience? Has this development broken what can be describes as the professional authoritarianism/dictatorship of the traditional, mainstream media, which once enjoyed the monopoly of determining what constitutes news and in what form it is disseminated? What are the implications of Citizen Journalism for the democratic process and how has it empowered the weak or impacted governance? These are some of the questions that Dare seeks answers to through an exhaustive study of the operations of the path-breaking and unorthodox on-line medium, Sahara Reporters.<br /> After examining the research questions and objectives of the study in the first chapter, the author goes in the second to undertake a racy but informative overview of the origin and trajectory of the Nigerian media from the colonial period through the various post-independence civilian and military regimes to the present dispensation.<br /> <br /> Examining the implications within the Nigerian context of such electronic modes as mobile phones, Facebook, blogs, Wikipedia, Twitter and You Tube, he compares the present scenario to the previous one in which newspapers, magazines, periodicals, radio and television were the sole and dominant sources of news and opinions.<br /> <br /> In the preceding era, letters to the editor, opinion pieces published at the pleasure of the editor as right of reply as well as revenue-driven advert placements and commercials were the major avenues for audience participation in the media process.<br /> Dare defines Citizen Journalism as “the kind of journalism in which the users or audience create content online rather than wait to be fed by the traditional media outlets”. It is a process whereby an individual plays “an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing and disseminating news and information”. As a result of this development, he argues, millions of citizen journalists no longer constitute a passive and receptive audience.<br /> <br /> Rather, they are defining and writing ‘the first drafts of history by themselves’. Nigerians are thus part of a global process through which millions of ordinary citizens are being empowered by revolutionary technological innovations to set and communicate the news agenda.<br /> In chapter three, Dare X-rays the evolution of social media in Nigeria from the age of emails and emailing lists to discussion fora through social media networks. He notes that from an internet penetration level of just 0.1 per cent in the late 1990s, internet usage in Nigeria had exploded to 16.1 per cent of the population. Quoting figures from the International Telecommunication Union, the author put internet figures in Nigeria at 43, 982, 200 or 28.9% as at 2010. Similarly mobile technology has become the seventh mass information medium after film, television, radio, print and sound recording. From this general overview of the growth of citizen journalism in Nigeria, Dare moves on in the next chapter to the main focus of the book, which is a detailed case study of the rise and consolidation of Sahara Reporters as posing the pioneering challenge to the hegemonic dominance of the mainstream, traditional media<br /> <br /> The book offers a detailed study of the conceptualisation, editorial structure, modus operandi, agenda, funding as well as business model of Sahara Reporters and its journey since inception. The medium was established in 2006 and modelled fully as a citizen journalism site. It describes as a unique organisation made up of ordinary citizens rather than professional journalists but who are committed “to seek truth and publish it without fear or favour”. One of its main aims is to aggressively seek to expose corruption through ordinary citizens who act as its reporters and foot soldiers.<br /> <br /> Seventy per cent of Sahara Reporter’s content is news, 10 per cent opinion and 20% User Generated Content.<br /> Dare interrogates to what extent Sahara Reporters has set the agenda for political and social discourse in Nigeria and how effectively it has achieved its objective of exposing corruption and subjecting power wielders to closer scrutiny. One of its dramatic achievements was Sahara Reporter’s role in putting the Governor James Ibori corruption saga on the front burner and contributing significantly to his extradition, trial and eventual conviction in the United Kingdom. Between 2006 and 2010, Sahara Reporters produced 104 news items and investigative reports on the Ibori corruption scandal.<br /> The last chapter in which Dare interrogates the relationship between citizen journalism and the traditional media is easily the most insightful and thought provoking. Some of the advantages of citizen journalism he points out include immediacy of reporting, speed, minimal start- up capital and its greater vigour and audacity in investigative reporting. Indeed, Sahara Reporters claims it emerged to fill an investigative void created by the conservatism of the traditional media, which OmoyeleSowore claims had itself become a power bloc. Due to citizen journalism, the world including Nigeria can now benefit from the flow of news without boundaries or frontiers.<br /> <br /> However, the flipside Dare notes is that citizen journalism is faced with serious professional gate keeping issues including deciding news fit or unfit to publish, little concern for ethical constraints and scant regard for objectivity, fairness and accuracy in news gathering and information dissemination. In the final analysis he argues, the relationship between citizen journalism and the traditional media can be complementary rather than antagonistic.<br /> <br /> While citizen journalism can challenge the mainstream media to be more transparent, innovative and investigative, the former can learn from the traditional media’s better gatekeeping, factual checking and more matured news presentation. He submits that collaboration between the mainstream media and citizen journalism can lead to better journalism in the interest of the public good.</div>

Question About Journalism

In his new book, ‘We Are All #Journalists Now – Africa in the Age of Social Media’, noted journalist, author, award winning investigative r...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

ASUU, others Demand State of Emergency in Education

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIG-w8tRkLQG-F6O7N5apS22IBCb-PyJnm6OTE3z6ySe0Yvte0JEGr4miUYJ9ObsSjgGayh-BfqPC0UBny9NK8rZ-CaGBXWrvf6QMLpNU24CeDAGtbrXcYnwIeNwn2sboPa_4DQTN5_cH/s1600/More.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIG-w8tRkLQG-F6O7N5apS22IBCb-PyJnm6OTE3z6ySe0Yvte0JEGr4miUYJ9ObsSjgGayh-BfqPC0UBny9NK8rZ-CaGBXWrvf6QMLpNU24CeDAGtbrXcYnwIeNwn2sboPa_4DQTN5_cH/s1600/More.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> The Academic Staff Union of #Universities (ASUU) and three other unions in Nigerian universities have asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the education system.<br /> This was contained in a communiqué by the presidents of the four unions – ASUU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)) – at the end of one week National Education Summit in Abuja.<br /> <br /> A copy of the statement was made available to reporters in Ibadan by the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye.<br /> The unions called for “the reconceptualisation of the Nigerian education system” to enable it perform its transformative functions for the individuals, groups and the nation.<br /> The unions vowed to develop and present to the government a new education policy, to reflect the aspirations, culture, values and realities of the people within the context of a vibrant world.<br /> According to the unions, there was need for the government to declare a state of emergency in the education system, because “the current system is characterised by chronic underfunding, bad leadership, and infrastructural decay, poor conditions of learning and service, promotion of mediocrity, shortage of personnel (academic, technical and administrative) and entrenchment of orthodoxy, parochialism and chauvinism”.<br /> <br /> The four unions, which held the summit with the theme, “Towards a system of education for liberation in Nigeria,” warned the government not to use public funds, such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) among others, to fund private educational institutions and associated enterprises.<br /> While condemning corruption, lack of professionalism, poor and opportunistic leadership and unethical conduct  impinging on the learning environment and the integrity of teaching and research, the unions called on their members nationwide to rid the sector of these ills.<br /> <br /> <br /> While rejecting the systematic privatisation of education and selling off of public educational institutions, the unions described education as public good, which must not be left in the hands of private individuals who are driven solely by profit.<br /> The unions added: “The fundamental problem bedevilling the educational system is that it is located within a philosophical and political economic system which emphasises personal self-enrichment and individual aggrandisement instead of emphasising knowledge acquisition geared towards public good and national development.<br /> <br /> “The philosophy on education does not address the realities, identities, values, customs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.”</div>

ASUU, others Demand State of Emergency in Education

The Academic Staff Union of #Universities (ASUU) and three other unions in Nigerian universities have asked the Federal Government to de...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Over-dependence on oil revenue hurting Nigeria – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <img height="154" src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10426553_660782700702287_7422176571500743881_n.jpg?oh=0e068098fa133f63fc6793c5eab7e9a4&oe=54E70E66" width="200" /><br /> The Minister of #Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday in Abuja said Nigeria must plan differently in order to generate non-oil based revenues.<br /> Speaking at the ongoing Public Affairs Forum, Ms. Okonjo-Iweala said the present administration is working towards developing infrastructure and roads for businesses to strive.<br /> <br /> “We must help the businesses in setting up, in the sectors, in manufacturing, in agriculture, in other sectors; we must have that so that we can have the non-oil base to task,” Ms. Okonjo-Iweala said.<br /> She also said that the present administration has been able to get a lot out of Nigeria’s non-oil revenue; in agriculture and other sectors.<br /> <br /> Ms. Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria’s borrowing has reduced drastically since 2010 when Goodluck Jonathan’s became president.<br /> “By 2010, we borrowed N1.3 trillion to help finance our spending.<br /> “We have brought it down from N1.3 trillion to N571 billion and we will continue to take it down even if it is by N1, we will continue trending down.<br /> “Of course, the cost of debt is still high because of what we borrowed in the past,” she said.<br /> She said the President Jonathan administration’s policy is to keep Nigeria’s borrowing going down by being prudent in expenditures and also realizing additional sources of revenue.<br /> “We are too dependent on oil, I said it at my ministerial platform and now we all see that the price of oil is coming down, the quantity are also not as large as they used to be,” she said.<br /> <br /> Also speaking at the forum, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said the administration improved federal roads from 4, 500 kilometres of roads in 2011 to 25, 000km in December 2013 out 35, 000km of federal highways in Nigeria.<br /> He said over 70 per cent of Nigerian road networks are motorable especially when compared to about 16 per cent at the inception of the present administration.</div>

Over-dependence on oil revenue hurting Nigeria – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister of #Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Tuesday in Abuja said Nigeria must plan differently in order to generate non-oil based r...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

At last, Senate passes Cyber Crime bill into law

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> When Nigeria’s telecoms revolution took off after the licensing of GSM operators in 2001, it heralded positive developments for Nigerians as a people, and the economy in general.<br /> <br /> #Communications among Nigerians and between Nigeria and the rest of the world, which was very difficult, became simplified almost overnight.<br /> <br /> Cyber-bugged.<br /> As the GSM operators penetrated the virgin market, information technology devices became prime gadgets for acquisition by Nigerians.<br /> In no time, computers with internet connections became ubiquitous, and with the coming of data services, devices with mobile internet capability became choice attraction. When the tablet computer took the world by storm, Nigeria and Nigerians were not left out as tablets of various brands found their way to Nigeria, and were promptly gobbled up by a population whose desire to communicate became almost insatiable.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EZqYMc-TL7K4ZG7RCxxWZ5-eE_yAOV5cigQGm7_iRtYlfMyEl4w67ClqqNWxWDrqQKDZX3wgPfDj-irVqNABCCJ2MttPAjHwi6pd3ZFEa_XMr5Ab1pA-CjNHy8PJgTB9b6w5eM8dKQTh/s1600/danglingthings+mix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EZqYMc-TL7K4ZG7RCxxWZ5-eE_yAOV5cigQGm7_iRtYlfMyEl4w67ClqqNWxWDrqQKDZX3wgPfDj-irVqNABCCJ2MttPAjHwi6pd3ZFEa_XMr5Ab1pA-CjNHy8PJgTB9b6w5eM8dKQTh/s1600/danglingthings+mix.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> Thus, Nigerians joined the rest of the world in being active in cyberspace. Thousands, even millions, opened email accounts, and started playing games online. E-commerce gained ground, and online retailers are smiling to the banks. But like every good thing, the ugly came with it.<br /> Scammers started operating in cyberspace, ripping off the unwary. While the Police and other law-enforcementagents tried their best, a major flaw existed: there was simply no law that captures cybercrime and prescribes punishment for cyber criminals.<br /> <br /> It was this that prompted many interest groups in the ICT arena to clamour for a cyber crime law to regulate activities in the sector as well as to take care of the criminally-minded.<br /> Only recently, the Senate passed the long-awaited Cyber Crime Bill into law.<br /> It would be recalled that in the past 10 years, several bills on cybercrime had been pushed to the National Assembly by the Nigerian Information Technology experts, but none scaled through the final reading on the floor of the Senate.<br /> Many of the bills did not even get a mention, but recently, one of the bills eventually passed through the final reading and was approved by Senate, a development that has drawn commendations from ICT professionals in the country.<br /> In 2011, Senator Gbenga Kaka (APC, Ogun East) had presented a bill to stop cybercrime. But the bill came under controversy due to a section related to social media.<br /> <br /> In January, President Goodluck Jonathan in the bill titled, “Cybercrime Bill, 2013”, which was routed through the Senate President, David Mark, had urged members of the upper legislative chamber to consider its enactment into law.</div>

At last, Senate passes Cyber Crime bill into law

When Nigeria’s telecoms revolution took off after the licensing of GSM operators in 2001, it heralded positive developments for Nigerians a...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

The Presidency

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> No President resigns in war time -Presidency.<br /> <br /> The #Presidency has said there is no part of the world where the President resigns during an ongoing war.<br /> It therefore challenged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to tell Nigerians where such presidents had resigned during war time.<br /> The Presidency was reacting to the demand by the leadership of the APC, including its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that President Goodluck Jonathan should resign because of the ongoing war against the country by the members of the Boko Haram sect.<br /> <br /> Reacting on behalf of the President, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, asked Nigerians to ignore such calls.<br /> He said, “The suggestion by one of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu, that President Goodluck Jonathan resign from office as a result of the activities of insurgents in the north eastern part of the country has once again shown beyond doubt that the former Lagos State Governor and his colleagues in the opposition are a bunch of political anarchists and charlatans blinded by an unbridled appetite for power.<br /> <br /> “The assertion by Tinubu at a political rally in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday that in ‘civilised’ societies, the President should have resigned is unfounded and lacking in historical precedence.<br /> “We challenge him to tell Nigerians which part of his ‘civilized’ world has there been a call on a President to resign during an on-going war.<br /> “When terrorists attacked the United States of America in September, 2001, leaders of the Democratic Party did not demand a resignation of President George Bush but rather they rose in defence of the American Nation to support the various measures taken by the President to defeat the Al Qaeda terrorists.” In addition, politicians do not play politics keeping in mind national unity. Nigeria as a country is not one, sincerely speaking.<br /> <br /> Published by ettefreeguy<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_2Tu0iO1PAe_wOxeHroOf_C6BsnEetg8pTm4_TY_iuGnle5AdMUCFDdTayvLK-FEcOp3FXBFNPFiUdm39INyJmvoEaQJ24zcnQm5dsZaoId2NZYkle0srJLqPNCHipOBghbEpNM2p5xi/s1600/More.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_2Tu0iO1PAe_wOxeHroOf_C6BsnEetg8pTm4_TY_iuGnle5AdMUCFDdTayvLK-FEcOp3FXBFNPFiUdm39INyJmvoEaQJ24zcnQm5dsZaoId2NZYkle0srJLqPNCHipOBghbEpNM2p5xi/s1600/More.jpg" /></a></div>

The Presidency

No President resigns in war time -Presidency. The #Presidency has said there is no part of the world where the President resigns during...

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com