Daily Manna: As The Old Year Exit!
Tuesday 31, December 2013
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 7:1-12
KEY VERSE: “And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. Then Samuel…called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:10,12).
An American businessman in Boston once declared, “Before I die, I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I’m gonna climb Mount Sinai. And when I’m up there I’m gonna read the Ten Commandments aloud at the top of my voice!” A listener, Mark Twain quipped, “I got a better idea. Stay in Boston and keep them”. In today’s text, we note Samuel’s directive to backsliding Israel. Their prompt obedience really set the stage for the LORD Jehovah to proof His power in their midst by comprehensively dealing with and discomfiting the enemies (the Philistines) that rose against them.
How we need to renew our consecration to obey God unconditionally! We suffer and totter miserably when our obedience is incomplete. We come short of God’s glory when we fail to acknowledge His goodness and mercies and how He has seen us through a most challenging year. Even so, Samuel’s designation of the place of sacrifice as “Ebenezer…hitherto hath the LORD helped us” is a fitting acknowledgement of God’s manifold mercies to an undeserving people over the ages.
The Philistines, no matter how formidable, are not strong enough to defeat the true believer who lives by the unchanging standard of God’s word. Obedience, a song writer penned, brings a blessing. A grateful heart before God opens up a floodgate of blessings from the Most High.
As we bid the year 2013 goodbye and stand at the threshold of a new year, how we need to fully obey the Lord with all our hearts and put away every form of iniquity and idolatry from our lives so that the desired victories for 2014 will not elude us. And when we fully obey God and follow His will, we must learn to break forth into praises when enemies harass us. God will surely see us through in the new year.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: His grace will see you through.
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Monday 30 December 2013
Daily Manna: Odour Of Sweet Smell. Monday 30, December 2013
Daily Manna: Odour Of Sweet Smell
Monday 30, December 2013
TEXT: PSALM 100:1-5
KEY VERSE: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).
The speaker in a convention attended by a quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada (who cannot walk because of a diving accident she had at age seventeen), urged everyone to kneel to worship God. Joni began to cry being the only one unable to do that. With tearful eyes, she said, “Lord Jesus, I can’t wait for the day when I will rise up on resurrected legs. The first thing I will do then is to drop on grateful, glorified knees and worship you.”
God inhabits the praises of His children (Psalm 22:3). The Psalmist was mindful of this truth when in our text he calls on us to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.” God deserves our praise for His greatness. He is the very foundation of our existence and is infinitely most powerful. He is greater than all things man has ever venerated. The Creator and Manager of all nature and the Deliverer of the helpless is most worthy to receive all glory, honour and praise as best as we possibly can muster. Many are the benefits you have enjoyed from the Lord; without Him, you would have been a victim of war, natural disaster, accident, assassination, ritual murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorist attack, etc. Perhaps, you may even have been dead before now.
We dishonor God when we show by the way we speak, look or act, that we are ungrateful to Him maybe as a result of present pain or challenges of life. But if we learn to praise and appreciate God for what He has done and promised to do, He will do much more for us. We should learn to worship God for the redemption benefits we are enjoying through Christ. His Kingship, divine and eternal attributes should make us bow our hearts and bend the knees to worship the Almighty God. Let us then come with pure hearts and give Him all adoration and praise. Make it a habit to constantly praise and venerate the King of kings and Lord of lords.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Praise is the ingredient which moves God to rend the heavens.
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Monday 30, December 2013
TEXT: PSALM 100:1-5
KEY VERSE: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).
The speaker in a convention attended by a quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada (who cannot walk because of a diving accident she had at age seventeen), urged everyone to kneel to worship God. Joni began to cry being the only one unable to do that. With tearful eyes, she said, “Lord Jesus, I can’t wait for the day when I will rise up on resurrected legs. The first thing I will do then is to drop on grateful, glorified knees and worship you.”
God inhabits the praises of His children (Psalm 22:3). The Psalmist was mindful of this truth when in our text he calls on us to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.” God deserves our praise for His greatness. He is the very foundation of our existence and is infinitely most powerful. He is greater than all things man has ever venerated. The Creator and Manager of all nature and the Deliverer of the helpless is most worthy to receive all glory, honour and praise as best as we possibly can muster. Many are the benefits you have enjoyed from the Lord; without Him, you would have been a victim of war, natural disaster, accident, assassination, ritual murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorist attack, etc. Perhaps, you may even have been dead before now.
We dishonor God when we show by the way we speak, look or act, that we are ungrateful to Him maybe as a result of present pain or challenges of life. But if we learn to praise and appreciate God for what He has done and promised to do, He will do much more for us. We should learn to worship God for the redemption benefits we are enjoying through Christ. His Kingship, divine and eternal attributes should make us bow our hearts and bend the knees to worship the Almighty God. Let us then come with pure hearts and give Him all adoration and praise. Make it a habit to constantly praise and venerate the King of kings and Lord of lords.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Praise is the ingredient which moves God to rend the heavens.
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Wednesday 25 December 2013
Daily Manna: Knowledge Of His Will. Thursday 26, December 2013
Daily Manna: Knowledge Of His Will
Thursday 26, December 2013
TEXT: COLOSSIANS 1:9-19
KEY VERSE: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9).
Bilquis Sheikh shared with us her conversion and life experience in her book “I dare to call Him Father”. Bilquis was a devoted Muslim from a prominent family living in Pakistan in the 1960’s. In her deeper search into the Koran to find hope and meaning to life, she noticed the mention of Prophet Jesus and asked her maid to get her a Bible so she could read more about Him. This started her journey from Islam into the Christian faith. As she began to read the Bible, the Lord Jesus appeared to her to confirm what she was reading, a number of times. These experiences struck her such that she approached the local Christian missionary, Synnove Mitchell to learn more. Over the following weeks and months, God revealed to her that the Christ of the Bible is the true Hope for life here and hereafter. She got soundly converted and through rejection and persecution, the Lord made her life a strong testimony, demonstrating God’s ability to sustain all who would come to Him through Jesus Christ.
In our text today, Paul made two powerful requests for believers. The first is that God will fill the believer with the knowledge of His will. A deep and true knowledge of God’s word is essential for the spiritual health of all Christians. It is this knowledge that controls our thoughts, our habits and blossoms into a blessed Christian character. The second prayer is the result of the first that the believer will walk worthy of the Lord. Walking worthy of the Lord leads to bearing fruit in every good work, increasing in the full knowledge of God and living a thankful, God-honouring life.
All this begins with the knowledge of God’s will and word. The centrality of His will is that “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9) and live a life worthy of the Lord in all purity and righteousness. How we need to heed the word of God in its entirety!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The Scripture will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Scripture.
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Thursday 26, December 2013
TEXT: COLOSSIANS 1:9-19
KEY VERSE: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9).
Bilquis Sheikh shared with us her conversion and life experience in her book “I dare to call Him Father”. Bilquis was a devoted Muslim from a prominent family living in Pakistan in the 1960’s. In her deeper search into the Koran to find hope and meaning to life, she noticed the mention of Prophet Jesus and asked her maid to get her a Bible so she could read more about Him. This started her journey from Islam into the Christian faith. As she began to read the Bible, the Lord Jesus appeared to her to confirm what she was reading, a number of times. These experiences struck her such that she approached the local Christian missionary, Synnove Mitchell to learn more. Over the following weeks and months, God revealed to her that the Christ of the Bible is the true Hope for life here and hereafter. She got soundly converted and through rejection and persecution, the Lord made her life a strong testimony, demonstrating God’s ability to sustain all who would come to Him through Jesus Christ.
In our text today, Paul made two powerful requests for believers. The first is that God will fill the believer with the knowledge of His will. A deep and true knowledge of God’s word is essential for the spiritual health of all Christians. It is this knowledge that controls our thoughts, our habits and blossoms into a blessed Christian character. The second prayer is the result of the first that the believer will walk worthy of the Lord. Walking worthy of the Lord leads to bearing fruit in every good work, increasing in the full knowledge of God and living a thankful, God-honouring life.
All this begins with the knowledge of God’s will and word. The centrality of His will is that “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9) and live a life worthy of the Lord in all purity and righteousness. How we need to heed the word of God in its entirety!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The Scripture will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Scripture.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Tuesday 24 December 2013
Daily Manna: Doubts: Needless Hiccup. Tuesday 24, December 2013
Daily Manna: Doubts: Needless Hiccup
Tuesday 24, December 2013
TEXT: LUKE 1:5-26
KEY VERSE: “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season” (Luke 1:20).
Jeremy Taylor, an English clergyman, once said: “In dwelling on divine mysteries, keep your heart humble, your thoughts reverent, your soul holy. Let not philosophy be ashamed to be confuted, nor logic to be confounded, nor reason to be surpassed. What you cannot prove, approve; what you cannot comprehend, believe; what you can believe, admire and love and obey. So shall your ignorance be satisfied in your faith, and your doubt be swallowed up in your reverence, and your faith be as influential as sight. Put out your own candle and then shall you see clearly the sun of righteousness.”
This virtue was exactly what Zacharias would have appropriated into his life when God bestowed him a unique privilege of being the father of the forerunner of Jesus, but he expressed doubts.
Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, had outstanding relationship with God. The Scripture noted that they walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, in spite of their childlessness. God decided, sequel to their faithfulness, to grant them an exceptional blessing.
As Zacharias was in the temple performing his priestly duties, God sent His angel to announce to him His plan to give him a precious son, who would be the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. Zacharias was just to believe God, no matter how foolish His word might look before an ordinary eye, because God’s ways are not man’s ways. Sadly, he doubted His word looking at his age and that of his wife. Consequently, God struck him with dumbness.
Many Christians, today, dishonour God through unbelief. At every challenge of life, they exhibit lack of faith. They doubt God and His word. But you can experience a total breakthrough today if you trust Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We corrupt God’s word when we entertain doubt.
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Tuesday 24, December 2013
TEXT: LUKE 1:5-26
KEY VERSE: “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season” (Luke 1:20).
Jeremy Taylor, an English clergyman, once said: “In dwelling on divine mysteries, keep your heart humble, your thoughts reverent, your soul holy. Let not philosophy be ashamed to be confuted, nor logic to be confounded, nor reason to be surpassed. What you cannot prove, approve; what you cannot comprehend, believe; what you can believe, admire and love and obey. So shall your ignorance be satisfied in your faith, and your doubt be swallowed up in your reverence, and your faith be as influential as sight. Put out your own candle and then shall you see clearly the sun of righteousness.”
This virtue was exactly what Zacharias would have appropriated into his life when God bestowed him a unique privilege of being the father of the forerunner of Jesus, but he expressed doubts.
Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, had outstanding relationship with God. The Scripture noted that they walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, in spite of their childlessness. God decided, sequel to their faithfulness, to grant them an exceptional blessing.
As Zacharias was in the temple performing his priestly duties, God sent His angel to announce to him His plan to give him a precious son, who would be the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. Zacharias was just to believe God, no matter how foolish His word might look before an ordinary eye, because God’s ways are not man’s ways. Sadly, he doubted His word looking at his age and that of his wife. Consequently, God struck him with dumbness.
Many Christians, today, dishonour God through unbelief. At every challenge of life, they exhibit lack of faith. They doubt God and His word. But you can experience a total breakthrough today if you trust Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: We corrupt God’s word when we entertain doubt.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Daily Manna: Punishment for Oppressors. Tuesday 10, December 2013
Daily Manna: Punishment for Oppressors
Tuesday 10, December 2013
TEXT: ISAIAH 27:1-13
KEY VERSE: “Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together” (Isaiah 27:4).
Of thirty Roman emperors, governors of provinces and others in high office who distinguished themselves by their zeal and bitterness in persecuting the early Christians, one became speedily deranged after some atrocious cruelty, one was slain by his own son, another became blind, the eyes of one started out of his head, one was drowned, one was strangled, another died in a miserable captivity, one fell dead in a manner that will not bear recital, one died of so loathsome a disease that several of his physicians were put to death because they could not abide the stench that filled his room, two committed suicide, a third attempted it but had to call for help to finish the work, five were assassinated by their own people or servants, five others died the most miserable and excruciating deaths, eight were killed in battles, or after being taken prisoners. Among these was Julian the Apostate. In the days of his prosperity, he is said to have pointed his dagger to heaven defying the Son of God whom he commonly called the Galilean. But when he was wounded in battle, he saw that all was over with him, and he gathered up his clotted blood and threw it into the air, exclaiming, “thou has conquered, O thou Galilean.”
From the passage under consideration, the Lord promised Israel deliverance from the great Babylonian captivity. He dismissed their captors as incapable of withstanding His wrath in the day of battle. With their proud army destroyed, they shall be made to suffer more than Israel suffered as punishment for the cruel treatment meted to Israel when they were in captivity.
This should serve as lesson to all who oppress others. There comes a day when the Lord will avenge every iniquity and injustice. Those who are in the habit of violating the rights of the weak and vulnerable in society should expect a full dose of God’s wrath. Since He is the creator of all, He retains the absolute power to check every tyranny and overthrow all evil regimes anywhere in the world.
Those who are under oppression should look inward to discover what may have given the enemy the advantage over them. Sin opens the doors to many troubles. Come to term with your sins today. Now is the accepted time, now is the hour of salvation.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sin is Satan's Forerunner
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Tuesday 10, December 2013
TEXT: ISAIAH 27:1-13
KEY VERSE: “Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together” (Isaiah 27:4).
Of thirty Roman emperors, governors of provinces and others in high office who distinguished themselves by their zeal and bitterness in persecuting the early Christians, one became speedily deranged after some atrocious cruelty, one was slain by his own son, another became blind, the eyes of one started out of his head, one was drowned, one was strangled, another died in a miserable captivity, one fell dead in a manner that will not bear recital, one died of so loathsome a disease that several of his physicians were put to death because they could not abide the stench that filled his room, two committed suicide, a third attempted it but had to call for help to finish the work, five were assassinated by their own people or servants, five others died the most miserable and excruciating deaths, eight were killed in battles, or after being taken prisoners. Among these was Julian the Apostate. In the days of his prosperity, he is said to have pointed his dagger to heaven defying the Son of God whom he commonly called the Galilean. But when he was wounded in battle, he saw that all was over with him, and he gathered up his clotted blood and threw it into the air, exclaiming, “thou has conquered, O thou Galilean.”
From the passage under consideration, the Lord promised Israel deliverance from the great Babylonian captivity. He dismissed their captors as incapable of withstanding His wrath in the day of battle. With their proud army destroyed, they shall be made to suffer more than Israel suffered as punishment for the cruel treatment meted to Israel when they were in captivity.
This should serve as lesson to all who oppress others. There comes a day when the Lord will avenge every iniquity and injustice. Those who are in the habit of violating the rights of the weak and vulnerable in society should expect a full dose of God’s wrath. Since He is the creator of all, He retains the absolute power to check every tyranny and overthrow all evil regimes anywhere in the world.
Those who are under oppression should look inward to discover what may have given the enemy the advantage over them. Sin opens the doors to many troubles. Come to term with your sins today. Now is the accepted time, now is the hour of salvation.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sin is Satan's Forerunner
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Thursday 5 December 2013
Daily Manna: Danger of Unbelieve. Friday 06, December 2013
Daily Manna: Danger of Unbelieve
Friday 06, December 2013
TEXT: GALATIANS 4:21-31
KEY VERSE: “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” (Galatians 4:21).
Many people trifle with the simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ and the extent of the transformation it can bring to their lives.
The same was the case with the Christians in Galatia. They thought that it would take obeying all the Old Testament laws before they could be accepted before God. They had been taught well by Apostle Paul, but no sooner did he leave their province than some new teachers introduced error to the believers. They told the believers that they must obey all the Laws of Moses, else their salvation was not complete. It was left to Apostle Paul to write an epistle debunking the erroneous teachings of the false prophets. In it, he drew attention to the story of the sons born to Abraham: one by a strange woman, a maid; and the other by his wife, explaining that the story was an illustration of the Old and New Testaments, as well as the lofty position of believers in the kingdom of God. While the son of the maid represented the old order which ends in bondage, Isaac, the heir of Abraham, stood for the new order, and the freedom that is found in Christ. Believers today are the children of promise. Born after the Spirit, they should expect persecution from those who live in the flesh. Nevertheless, believers must remain unmoved, knowing that they are free from the curse and condemnation of the law.
Jesus Christ has paid the ultimate price for us all. We should therefore readily accept His salvation by faith, and not seek to please God merely by struggling to keep the Old Testament laws. We are saved, strengthened and sustained in our Christian lives only by faith. God demands nothing more from us than to take Him at His word, trust Him to fulfill all His promises, and follow Him obediently for the rest of our lives.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith only is the key to God’s heart.
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Friday 06, December 2013
TEXT: GALATIANS 4:21-31
KEY VERSE: “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” (Galatians 4:21).
Many people trifle with the simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ and the extent of the transformation it can bring to their lives.
The same was the case with the Christians in Galatia. They thought that it would take obeying all the Old Testament laws before they could be accepted before God. They had been taught well by Apostle Paul, but no sooner did he leave their province than some new teachers introduced error to the believers. They told the believers that they must obey all the Laws of Moses, else their salvation was not complete. It was left to Apostle Paul to write an epistle debunking the erroneous teachings of the false prophets. In it, he drew attention to the story of the sons born to Abraham: one by a strange woman, a maid; and the other by his wife, explaining that the story was an illustration of the Old and New Testaments, as well as the lofty position of believers in the kingdom of God. While the son of the maid represented the old order which ends in bondage, Isaac, the heir of Abraham, stood for the new order, and the freedom that is found in Christ. Believers today are the children of promise. Born after the Spirit, they should expect persecution from those who live in the flesh. Nevertheless, believers must remain unmoved, knowing that they are free from the curse and condemnation of the law.
Jesus Christ has paid the ultimate price for us all. We should therefore readily accept His salvation by faith, and not seek to please God merely by struggling to keep the Old Testament laws. We are saved, strengthened and sustained in our Christian lives only by faith. God demands nothing more from us than to take Him at His word, trust Him to fulfill all His promises, and follow Him obediently for the rest of our lives.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Faith only is the key to God’s heart.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
POWER: Consumers decry tariff system
Electricity consumers have said that there was no justification for the rising estimated bills handed to them by the Distribution Companies, DISCOs, in view
of the worsening power supply situation in the country.
of the worsening power supply situation in the country.
They also condemned the recent suspension of the installation of pre-paid meters, which they said could reduce the burden of crazy billings.
The public outcry came even as the Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said the Commission had not approved any increase in electricity tariff or charges by the DISCOs.
Some Lagos residents that spoke with Vanguard, said they have been experiencing unprecedented blackout since the unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria’, PHCN’s assets, while their bills are still based on estimation.
Prepaid meters
Mr. Chibuike Igbokwe, a resident of Ojodu, said while residents experienced almost total blackout in November, his bills however, rose from N5,000 to N8,000. He questioned the rationale behind such high bills.
Search for pre-paid meters
He also disclosed that he had applied for pre-paid meter since June, to rescue him from such outrageous billing.
Igbokwe said: “I paid for pre-paid meter since June, with the hope that I will know exactly my consumption rate.
“I have not been given the meter, which means that my bill is still based on estimation. It is unfair.”
A resident of Ikeja, Mr. Emmanuel Etim, said residents in his area have not experienced electricity supply in the last three weeks, thus making it difficult for him to run his tailoring business.
He said: “The power situation has gone from bad to worse since the private investors took over. I use inverters to supple-ment public power supply.”
Etim told Vanguard that he had concluded plans to relocate his tailoring outfit to a more power-friendly area, to cash in on the seasonal boom.
in on the seasonal boom.
Similarly, Mr. Boyo Oke, who lives in Oregun, disclosed that he paid for a pre-paid meter since January, but is yet to receive the supply, while his bills have gone up.
He said: “Go from house-to-house in Oregun and tell me where you will see the prepaid meter. How many houses are using the pre-paid meter in the state?
“You journalists should get the data and publish it. It is not available. The new investors know what they are doing.
“They can’t supply electricity; they can’t give the meter, yet they bring outrageous bills.”
100% increase in charge
Even those with pre-paid meters are not spared, as Femi Adisa, who lives at Alausa, said not only has the electricity supply situation deteriorated, but the bills are rising daily.
He accused the DISCOs of introducing hidden charges without informing consumers such as increasing the service by 100 percent.
He said: “I bought a recharge card worth N4,000 for my pre-paid meter. On getting home, I found out that the service charge has been increased by 100 percent from N750 to N1,500.
“I felt very annoyed not only because of the increase without notice, but because I have been without electricity for three weeks now.”
Source: Vanguard
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Daily Manna: Warn People Against Sin. Thursday 05, December 2013
Daily Manna: Warn People Against Sin
Thursday 05, December 2013
TEXT: EZEKIEL 3:15-21
KEY VERSE: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17).
Many times, we desire great privileges, responsibilities and reward. We pick and choose those assignments that we think will lead us to quick realization of these incentives. And because we are not patient enough to wait until the Lord hands us His mandate, most times, we miss the mark of His expectation.
Not so for Ezekiel. The Lord had called him to be a messenger to the people of Israel. But He did not immediately outline his responsibility. It was, therefore, incumbent on him to wait patiently for seven days until the Lord told him the task he was to carry out. He was being sent as a watchman to the Israelites. God would speak to him, and he in turn was to convey the same words to the people of Israel. He would essentially address two categories of people: the wicked and the righteous. He was to warn the wicked and backslider to change their sinful ways and escape God’s judgment. But if they remained adamant and died in their sins despite the warning, God would absolve Ezekiel of blame. But if he failed to warn them to turn from their evil ways and they died in their sins, God would hold him responsible because he failed in his task.
The Lord has called us, essentially to carry out a labour of love for sinners and believers alike. All around us, sinners are sinking deeper into evil and are dying and heading into a doomed eternity. It is our duty, as believers, to warn them of the danger ahead, and hopefully, win them to Jesus Christ. We are also to warn believers against backsliding, irrespective of the pressure they face. If we do this conscientiously, God would appreciate our efforts. But if we fail to do it, we would be guilty of disobedience. The question is: When last did you warn someone against sin?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “He that winneth souls is wise.”
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Thursday 05, December 2013
TEXT: EZEKIEL 3:15-21
KEY VERSE: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17).
Many times, we desire great privileges, responsibilities and reward. We pick and choose those assignments that we think will lead us to quick realization of these incentives. And because we are not patient enough to wait until the Lord hands us His mandate, most times, we miss the mark of His expectation.
Not so for Ezekiel. The Lord had called him to be a messenger to the people of Israel. But He did not immediately outline his responsibility. It was, therefore, incumbent on him to wait patiently for seven days until the Lord told him the task he was to carry out. He was being sent as a watchman to the Israelites. God would speak to him, and he in turn was to convey the same words to the people of Israel. He would essentially address two categories of people: the wicked and the righteous. He was to warn the wicked and backslider to change their sinful ways and escape God’s judgment. But if they remained adamant and died in their sins despite the warning, God would absolve Ezekiel of blame. But if he failed to warn them to turn from their evil ways and they died in their sins, God would hold him responsible because he failed in his task.
The Lord has called us, essentially to carry out a labour of love for sinners and believers alike. All around us, sinners are sinking deeper into evil and are dying and heading into a doomed eternity. It is our duty, as believers, to warn them of the danger ahead, and hopefully, win them to Jesus Christ. We are also to warn believers against backsliding, irrespective of the pressure they face. If we do this conscientiously, God would appreciate our efforts. But if we fail to do it, we would be guilty of disobedience. The question is: When last did you warn someone against sin?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “He that winneth souls is wise.”
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Tuesday 3 December 2013
..Daily Manna: Right Attitude In Trouble. Wednesday 04, December 2013
Daily Manna: Right Attitude In Trouble
Wednesday 04, December 2013
TEXT: ISAIAH 26:12-21
KEY VERSE: “LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them” (Isaiah 26:16).
Charles Swindle once said, “The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have and the string is attitude.”
In this prophetic song in our text about the latter days, Isaiah prophesied what the attitude of Judah will be in reaction to the judgment of God in scattering them among the nations. Judah had lived in sin and God had visited them with judgment, allowing their enemies to take them into captivity. However, in this song, Isaiah was hopeful that Judah would eventually demonstrate the right attitude by turning to God in repentance. For this reason, they will be saved from the onslaught of the antichrist who will torment the world.
It is clear from the submission of Isaiah that what is needed while in trouble and perplexity is the right attitude. Unfortunately, however, many people portend an adamant attitude when faced with God’s chastisement. Rather than return to God, they choose to go farther away from Him. Conversely, the attitude of some others are even more alarming when God shows undeserved acts of mercy and kindness to them. Rather than be grateful, they choose to be contemptuous.
It is important for everyone to know, as Swindle has noted, that we all have a choice concerning the attitude and course of action we adopt each day. A positive attitude goes a long way to determining an eventual end. It is futile for anyone to fight his Maker. How we need to humble ourselves and wholly submit to God’s counsel even while passing through divine chastisement!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Decision determines destiny.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Wednesday 04, December 2013
TEXT: ISAIAH 26:12-21
KEY VERSE: “LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them” (Isaiah 26:16).
Charles Swindle once said, “The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have and the string is attitude.”
In this prophetic song in our text about the latter days, Isaiah prophesied what the attitude of Judah will be in reaction to the judgment of God in scattering them among the nations. Judah had lived in sin and God had visited them with judgment, allowing their enemies to take them into captivity. However, in this song, Isaiah was hopeful that Judah would eventually demonstrate the right attitude by turning to God in repentance. For this reason, they will be saved from the onslaught of the antichrist who will torment the world.
It is clear from the submission of Isaiah that what is needed while in trouble and perplexity is the right attitude. Unfortunately, however, many people portend an adamant attitude when faced with God’s chastisement. Rather than return to God, they choose to go farther away from Him. Conversely, the attitude of some others are even more alarming when God shows undeserved acts of mercy and kindness to them. Rather than be grateful, they choose to be contemptuous.
It is important for everyone to know, as Swindle has noted, that we all have a choice concerning the attitude and course of action we adopt each day. A positive attitude goes a long way to determining an eventual end. It is futile for anyone to fight his Maker. How we need to humble ourselves and wholly submit to God’s counsel even while passing through divine chastisement!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Decision determines destiny.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Power privatisation: Operators raise concern over MYTO2 compliance
There are serious indications that the power sector privatisation exercise is experiencing some hiccups following alarms raised by some core investors in Distribution and Generation of electricity Companies over the insistence on strict compliance on Multi Year Tariff Order, MYTO 2.
These developments emerged at a general meeting with the new owners of all successor companies, organised by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, in Abuja to apparently weigh the initial problems of the Discos and Gencos and craft interventions that will address such challenges.
Many stakeholders, who spoke at the meeting lamented the non-functionality of the MYTO2 following the prevailing realities which they insist make compliance difficult, urging the NERC to review the realities on ground rather than hold them with their business plan.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of Kano DISCO, Dr. Jamil Gwamna, express grief that his company is not getting the required power allocation as stated in the MYTO which has drastically led to short fall in revenue generation.
Jamil Gwamna explained that the company received less than two percent of the designated eight percent distribution allocations to it as provided in the guidelines in non-compliance to the MYTO2 model.
“It is not a hidden thing. Every DISCO knows that if you generate for example X capacity, every DISCO will get a certain percentage of that generation. It is there in the MYTO model. And the MYTO model is like the Bible of this industry. That is what we work with. But that is not happening. It is not happening in my DISCO.”
He further stated, “We are supposed to have eight percent of our generation and we are getting less than two percent. In fact, in the last few days, we have been getting less than 40MW, and Kano has a special issue, the issue is that, it is like a pass through allocation. We have to give Niger Republic 30MW. We are not allowed to touch that power. We can only touch what is meant for us.”
In his response, the Chairman and Chief Executive of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, attributed the shortfall in power supply to problems relating to transmission.
According to him, “Some of them are based on transmission issues while some are based on capacity received. So for us, it implies looking at the commercial framework. How do we ensure that the concerned DISCO that received insufficient power is able to also have the revenue to service their operation?
“And the MYTO provides for what we call balance in settlement so that the company that receives more power that the distributor there is a framework for settling that person. “So this calls us to now go back and review it. So this is not a new problem because before the sales, there were issues about power allocation. So, we intend to deal with the issue.
On the interim rule, Amadi explained that the new owners raised concern over the rule, which would temporarily suspend the operations of the PPAs.
“They are wondering that if they have signed gas supply agreement with the gas companies, and interim rule concept, how will the interim rule would cover that gap. The answer is that the interim rule will provide a settlement of all the obligations.
“The issue raised is vital but we are saying that they should go by the interim rule which will also advise us on how to pay for those gases because if the gas is not patronised, it is going to send the power producers out of business,” he stated.
Amadi also said the attitude of some new owners of the Generation and Distribution Companies for failing to attend crucial meetings with the regulatory agency would no longer be tolerated.
He said the commission would device stringent and stiffer conditions against some of the CEOs of the companies that fail to attend subsequent meetings with it just as he threatened to suspend the first scheduled meeting after take-over of the power generation and distribution plants with the companies in Abuja.
Amadi, who was visibly angry with the absent of CEOs of some of the new companies said, “This high level meeting is mandatory that CEOs come and when they cannot come for any good reason, they are expected to write to the commission informing us of their inability to attend because we want to have discussions at the high level on issues on the regulatory intervention.
“NERC requires that the Chief Executives of the GENCOs and the DISCOs are in attendance because it is very important that they attend this meeting personally and in company of their relevant technical persons.
“This meeting is very important to us because we do not want any licensee to have cause to disagree with us on any issue. We want to get their inputs on issues that affect the market, and we want to get their necessary inputs on all issues that affect the market. So, we should learn to take the meeting very seriously”, Amadi warned.
Amadi threatened that the meeting would have been called off but because of the number of persons in attendance, ‘we have to go ahead.
Source: Vanguard
These developments emerged at a general meeting with the new owners of all successor companies, organised by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, in Abuja to apparently weigh the initial problems of the Discos and Gencos and craft interventions that will address such challenges.
Many stakeholders, who spoke at the meeting lamented the non-functionality of the MYTO2 following the prevailing realities which they insist make compliance difficult, urging the NERC to review the realities on ground rather than hold them with their business plan.
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of Kano DISCO, Dr. Jamil Gwamna, express grief that his company is not getting the required power allocation as stated in the MYTO which has drastically led to short fall in revenue generation.
Jamil Gwamna explained that the company received less than two percent of the designated eight percent distribution allocations to it as provided in the guidelines in non-compliance to the MYTO2 model.
“It is not a hidden thing. Every DISCO knows that if you generate for example X capacity, every DISCO will get a certain percentage of that generation. It is there in the MYTO model. And the MYTO model is like the Bible of this industry. That is what we work with. But that is not happening. It is not happening in my DISCO.”
He further stated, “We are supposed to have eight percent of our generation and we are getting less than two percent. In fact, in the last few days, we have been getting less than 40MW, and Kano has a special issue, the issue is that, it is like a pass through allocation. We have to give Niger Republic 30MW. We are not allowed to touch that power. We can only touch what is meant for us.”
In his response, the Chairman and Chief Executive of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, attributed the shortfall in power supply to problems relating to transmission.
According to him, “Some of them are based on transmission issues while some are based on capacity received. So for us, it implies looking at the commercial framework. How do we ensure that the concerned DISCO that received insufficient power is able to also have the revenue to service their operation?
“And the MYTO provides for what we call balance in settlement so that the company that receives more power that the distributor there is a framework for settling that person. “So this calls us to now go back and review it. So this is not a new problem because before the sales, there were issues about power allocation. So, we intend to deal with the issue.
On the interim rule, Amadi explained that the new owners raised concern over the rule, which would temporarily suspend the operations of the PPAs.
“They are wondering that if they have signed gas supply agreement with the gas companies, and interim rule concept, how will the interim rule would cover that gap. The answer is that the interim rule will provide a settlement of all the obligations.
“The issue raised is vital but we are saying that they should go by the interim rule which will also advise us on how to pay for those gases because if the gas is not patronised, it is going to send the power producers out of business,” he stated.
Amadi also said the attitude of some new owners of the Generation and Distribution Companies for failing to attend crucial meetings with the regulatory agency would no longer be tolerated.
He said the commission would device stringent and stiffer conditions against some of the CEOs of the companies that fail to attend subsequent meetings with it just as he threatened to suspend the first scheduled meeting after take-over of the power generation and distribution plants with the companies in Abuja.
Amadi, who was visibly angry with the absent of CEOs of some of the new companies said, “This high level meeting is mandatory that CEOs come and when they cannot come for any good reason, they are expected to write to the commission informing us of their inability to attend because we want to have discussions at the high level on issues on the regulatory intervention.
“NERC requires that the Chief Executives of the GENCOs and the DISCOs are in attendance because it is very important that they attend this meeting personally and in company of their relevant technical persons.
“This meeting is very important to us because we do not want any licensee to have cause to disagree with us on any issue. We want to get their inputs on issues that affect the market, and we want to get their necessary inputs on all issues that affect the market. So, we should learn to take the meeting very seriously”, Amadi warned.
Amadi threatened that the meeting would have been called off but because of the number of persons in attendance, ‘we have to go ahead.
Source: Vanguard
Proceeds from the sale of NIPPS to be ploughed back into power secto – Olotu
Mr. James Olotu, Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, was in Lagos recently where he commissioned some NIPPs built by NDPHC. He spoke to some journalists on the NIPPs and the interface with the new owners of generation and distribution companies. SEBASTINE OBASI was there. Excerpts
Can you tell us the significance of the commissioning ceremony?
We of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited are very happy to see that there are more additional projects being delivered in Lagos State generally. We are also happy that since the handover of the privatized distribution companies to the new owners, we are joining them hand in hand to work together to achieve the objectives of Mr. President through his transmission agenda for power, driving back darkness by bringing light.
We were at Eko Electricity Distribution Company. We met with the new owners, West Power and Gas Company. Our relationship and association during that meeting showed that they are people of focus. They are determined to improve the power efficiency we have in Nigeria. They are prepared to invest more by buying the right equipment that will ensure that power gets to the people they want to provide power to.
We were able to join hands with them to commission four power injection sub-sections in those locations. Those four gave us about 105 MVA added to the sector. That is about 90 megawatts. Some four stations are doing very well. Some of them have two transformers. Three of them have two transformers, while the other one has one transformer. Each of the transformers has 15 MVA capacity.
Already customers are feeling the impact. We have been to Magodo, where we commissioned an extension of an existing sub-section by adding 15 MVA transformer to the station and improving and updating the equipment in the control building, from the old technology to the new technology, making them state-of-the-arts, making it easy for the operators to manage them.
Formerly, when they were using the old equipment, there was risk that sometimes it could blow up. We are happy we are contributing equipment that are new and that have high stake steel standard and that improved the power delivery system to the people of Lagos.
We also commissioned another 15 MVA transformer at Ogba Ijaiye. In these locations, the new majority shareholders, Sahara Energy were also with us. We went round together. We held a meeting also with them. The meeting introduced a lot of wonderful interface relationship between us. Coming out with us made them see practically what is obtainable in the field and the challenges that they have to worry about and to bring solutions to.
When the private sector comes into a place what they look at is the business models, they look at performance and to the private sector, the customer is always right. We are looking for eminent customers around them who are willing and ready to pay for quality and sustainable power delivery. And then they will have to assess how much is that estate or how much is that group worth. And how much do we need to invest to make that group happy.
When there is a balance in that equation that makes them feel it is a profitable venture, they will surely invest. But before now, no matter how profitable a place is to the business, as long as it does not meet any political agenda, it might give them the power. Today things are different. We are happy that government privatized. We are happy the privatization is ongoing. Even the NDPHC has joined the fray. We also want to privatize the 10 plants we are building, two of which you all know were commissioned by Mr. President some weeks ago – Geregu and Omotosho.
We have seen other stations that were commissioned. Everything was ready before your arrival. We expected this one to be commissioned by now. Giving that you have been checking off these projects across timelines, what measures are you deploying against non compliant contractors?
You notice that at Oworonshoki, where we went first, the Lagos state government demolished the building three times. We had to meet them and let them know that this project is for the people of Lagos before they allowed us to resume work. How do you blame such a contractor for not finishing a project at the right time? So there are many situations like that.
There was another location where the contractor started work and it was demolished for not meeting one standard or the other. He had to start all over again. Some people had the freedom to start their project and finish them, while some had difficulties on the way and we had to tackle those difficulties and then worked together to achieve the needed result.
The important thing is that we delivered the projects to Nigerians. Yes, I agree with you that some contractors are slow. There are very few of them. If for example you put Julius Berger on a project and you put Olotu on the same project, you will not get the same result. And you will not pay me the same amount you will pay Julius Berger. All fingers are not equal. Truly, some of them are slow and we invited them to several meetings. We are taking punitive measures against them. Some of them who are very slow, we have taken part of the projects away from them and gave to others who have finished their own.
At Ijesha, where we have 2×15 MVA injection sub-station, it was handled by Messrs Pivot. By the delivery of that project yesterday, they became the second EPC contractor to finish their project in the NIPP distribution team. That is a fantastic accolade for such a contractor. Such a contractor knows that in the books (In our green, red, yellow and black book), his name is recorded somewhere. If tomorrow comes and we are looking for contractors that delivered projects, we know where to look at.
Those ones who slowed us down for reasons that are not caused by things that are beyond them, we marked them. They are going to be on the red register. Those ones can never get projects from us again. It is their own problem. Let them work the way they work. Those who want to remain in business of working for us, especially where I am involved, they must make sure they deliver their projects on time. Those who do not, will not get another projects again.
After the close of bids, what follows?
The close of the receipts of bids is not the close of the transaction. After the close of bids, the bids are opened. The bids would be given to an evaluation committee, which includes technical people, such as engineers, lawyers, accountants, EFCC and SSS officials, World Bank and other members of the international community represented. It will be monitored by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Ministry of Power, as well as staff of NDPHC.
We will lock them up somewhere, quiet, safe and they will be working for the next two weeks to do the evaluation. It is after the evaluation, that the report will be submitted, which will be taken to the board and the owners of the company. Upon their approval, we announce the results. Then we open the financial bid. The technical bid is to ensure that the people have competencies technically to be able to run efficiently and effectively a power plant of the size of which they themselves said they want to buy.
This is to safeguard Nigeria from people who are just coming in to buy, strip the assets and then take away the money. Having been satisfied that the people who want to buy are technically competent and effectively able to run the kind of power plant they are talking about, we now look at their financials. Again, sometimes somebody may be technically good but he does not have the money to pay. We look at the financials and see that they have the clout to do so. Then we announce the financial results.
That hopefully according to our agenda will finish by January next year. Thereafter, the preferred winners and the runners up would be made known. Then we give them a period of six months to be able to gather all the money they need to gather. By June or July next year, all the payments would have been made. Do not forget they are investing in 80 percent shares in the individual power plants that are existing. It is not as if we are selling the assets. They are buying into a growing concern. What they are buying is the ability of that growing concern to make money by giving power efficiently into the grid.
You had discussions with the investors, both in Eko and Ikeja. What was the kernel of your discussions?
The meetings we held with them was to first of all let them know, because what they purchased, what they bought into does not include anything that NIPP is doing. They did not include NIPP facilities. I let them know that in Ikeja, we have 33 or 34 projects being done by NIPP for the distribution company that they have bought into. The equipment were provided by the three tiers of government. They are not part of what they bought, but this is what these equipment and facilities can do for them and are already doing for them.
I did not come to demand for any payment. We will discuss those things later. First of all, know that we are taking inventory of these items. Incidentally, I discovered that what we are doing for Ikeja is about 100 percent of what they had before in terms of the aggregate value of the MVA that we are putting into the system.
Secondly, the board of NDPHC has agreed that we should take inventory of the facilities and as we commission, we handover the inventory sheet to the new owners. Somebody would do the evaluation, not necessarily contract evaluation. Then the regulator would look at what that valuation is, so that you don’t inflate the value unnecessarily. If you put too much value, it will translate to what the price of the tariff will be. If you put too less value, I lose.
The regulator therefore has to balance it. Then we give them the financial statement, based on the equipment and their value and demand a cheque. Then we negotiate. However, the board has given the new owners a period of 10 years to recover and pay us that money. The board has also approved that even when we get the money, we are not going to give it to the governors and the states to share. It will still be ploughed back into the power sector, in certain areas of the sector where we currently know there are still bottlenecks. Nigeria must continue to invest in the power sector.
Source: Vanguard
Can you tell us the significance of the commissioning ceremony?
We of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited are very happy to see that there are more additional projects being delivered in Lagos State generally. We are also happy that since the handover of the privatized distribution companies to the new owners, we are joining them hand in hand to work together to achieve the objectives of Mr. President through his transmission agenda for power, driving back darkness by bringing light.
We were at Eko Electricity Distribution Company. We met with the new owners, West Power and Gas Company. Our relationship and association during that meeting showed that they are people of focus. They are determined to improve the power efficiency we have in Nigeria. They are prepared to invest more by buying the right equipment that will ensure that power gets to the people they want to provide power to.
We were able to join hands with them to commission four power injection sub-sections in those locations. Those four gave us about 105 MVA added to the sector. That is about 90 megawatts. Some four stations are doing very well. Some of them have two transformers. Three of them have two transformers, while the other one has one transformer. Each of the transformers has 15 MVA capacity.
Already customers are feeling the impact. We have been to Magodo, where we commissioned an extension of an existing sub-section by adding 15 MVA transformer to the station and improving and updating the equipment in the control building, from the old technology to the new technology, making them state-of-the-arts, making it easy for the operators to manage them.
Formerly, when they were using the old equipment, there was risk that sometimes it could blow up. We are happy we are contributing equipment that are new and that have high stake steel standard and that improved the power delivery system to the people of Lagos.
We also commissioned another 15 MVA transformer at Ogba Ijaiye. In these locations, the new majority shareholders, Sahara Energy were also with us. We went round together. We held a meeting also with them. The meeting introduced a lot of wonderful interface relationship between us. Coming out with us made them see practically what is obtainable in the field and the challenges that they have to worry about and to bring solutions to.
When the private sector comes into a place what they look at is the business models, they look at performance and to the private sector, the customer is always right. We are looking for eminent customers around them who are willing and ready to pay for quality and sustainable power delivery. And then they will have to assess how much is that estate or how much is that group worth. And how much do we need to invest to make that group happy.
When there is a balance in that equation that makes them feel it is a profitable venture, they will surely invest. But before now, no matter how profitable a place is to the business, as long as it does not meet any political agenda, it might give them the power. Today things are different. We are happy that government privatized. We are happy the privatization is ongoing. Even the NDPHC has joined the fray. We also want to privatize the 10 plants we are building, two of which you all know were commissioned by Mr. President some weeks ago – Geregu and Omotosho.
We have seen other stations that were commissioned. Everything was ready before your arrival. We expected this one to be commissioned by now. Giving that you have been checking off these projects across timelines, what measures are you deploying against non compliant contractors?
You notice that at Oworonshoki, where we went first, the Lagos state government demolished the building three times. We had to meet them and let them know that this project is for the people of Lagos before they allowed us to resume work. How do you blame such a contractor for not finishing a project at the right time? So there are many situations like that.
There was another location where the contractor started work and it was demolished for not meeting one standard or the other. He had to start all over again. Some people had the freedom to start their project and finish them, while some had difficulties on the way and we had to tackle those difficulties and then worked together to achieve the needed result.
The important thing is that we delivered the projects to Nigerians. Yes, I agree with you that some contractors are slow. There are very few of them. If for example you put Julius Berger on a project and you put Olotu on the same project, you will not get the same result. And you will not pay me the same amount you will pay Julius Berger. All fingers are not equal. Truly, some of them are slow and we invited them to several meetings. We are taking punitive measures against them. Some of them who are very slow, we have taken part of the projects away from them and gave to others who have finished their own.
At Ijesha, where we have 2×15 MVA injection sub-station, it was handled by Messrs Pivot. By the delivery of that project yesterday, they became the second EPC contractor to finish their project in the NIPP distribution team. That is a fantastic accolade for such a contractor. Such a contractor knows that in the books (In our green, red, yellow and black book), his name is recorded somewhere. If tomorrow comes and we are looking for contractors that delivered projects, we know where to look at.
Those ones who slowed us down for reasons that are not caused by things that are beyond them, we marked them. They are going to be on the red register. Those ones can never get projects from us again. It is their own problem. Let them work the way they work. Those who want to remain in business of working for us, especially where I am involved, they must make sure they deliver their projects on time. Those who do not, will not get another projects again.
After the close of bids, what follows?
The close of the receipts of bids is not the close of the transaction. After the close of bids, the bids are opened. The bids would be given to an evaluation committee, which includes technical people, such as engineers, lawyers, accountants, EFCC and SSS officials, World Bank and other members of the international community represented. It will be monitored by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Ministry of Power, as well as staff of NDPHC.
We will lock them up somewhere, quiet, safe and they will be working for the next two weeks to do the evaluation. It is after the evaluation, that the report will be submitted, which will be taken to the board and the owners of the company. Upon their approval, we announce the results. Then we open the financial bid. The technical bid is to ensure that the people have competencies technically to be able to run efficiently and effectively a power plant of the size of which they themselves said they want to buy.
This is to safeguard Nigeria from people who are just coming in to buy, strip the assets and then take away the money. Having been satisfied that the people who want to buy are technically competent and effectively able to run the kind of power plant they are talking about, we now look at their financials. Again, sometimes somebody may be technically good but he does not have the money to pay. We look at the financials and see that they have the clout to do so. Then we announce the financial results.
That hopefully according to our agenda will finish by January next year. Thereafter, the preferred winners and the runners up would be made known. Then we give them a period of six months to be able to gather all the money they need to gather. By June or July next year, all the payments would have been made. Do not forget they are investing in 80 percent shares in the individual power plants that are existing. It is not as if we are selling the assets. They are buying into a growing concern. What they are buying is the ability of that growing concern to make money by giving power efficiently into the grid.
You had discussions with the investors, both in Eko and Ikeja. What was the kernel of your discussions?
The meetings we held with them was to first of all let them know, because what they purchased, what they bought into does not include anything that NIPP is doing. They did not include NIPP facilities. I let them know that in Ikeja, we have 33 or 34 projects being done by NIPP for the distribution company that they have bought into. The equipment were provided by the three tiers of government. They are not part of what they bought, but this is what these equipment and facilities can do for them and are already doing for them.
I did not come to demand for any payment. We will discuss those things later. First of all, know that we are taking inventory of these items. Incidentally, I discovered that what we are doing for Ikeja is about 100 percent of what they had before in terms of the aggregate value of the MVA that we are putting into the system.
Secondly, the board of NDPHC has agreed that we should take inventory of the facilities and as we commission, we handover the inventory sheet to the new owners. Somebody would do the evaluation, not necessarily contract evaluation. Then the regulator would look at what that valuation is, so that you don’t inflate the value unnecessarily. If you put too much value, it will translate to what the price of the tariff will be. If you put too less value, I lose.
The regulator therefore has to balance it. Then we give them the financial statement, based on the equipment and their value and demand a cheque. Then we negotiate. However, the board has given the new owners a period of 10 years to recover and pay us that money. The board has also approved that even when we get the money, we are not going to give it to the governors and the states to share. It will still be ploughed back into the power sector, in certain areas of the sector where we currently know there are still bottlenecks. Nigeria must continue to invest in the power sector.
Source: Vanguard
Monday 2 December 2013
Daily Manna: A Godly Thought For Children. Tuesday 03, December 2013
Daily Manna: A Godly Thought For Children
Tuesday 03, December 2013
TEXT: MARK 10:13-16
KEY VERSE: “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:14,16).
In many nations, godly care and concern for children are observed in their breach. Children grow up, mostly in the midst of a near zerotolerance for their well-being by the society.
Our text reveals the mindset of the Lord towards children. The disciples had, for curious reasons, forbade children from coming to the Lord. In their erroneous estimation, children had no part to play in Christ’s emerging Kingdom. The Lord’s surprising response must have startled them. Not only did He upbraid the disciples for preventing the children from coming to Him, He declared pointedly that it requires a child-like innocency and simplicity of faith to enter His eternal Kingdom.
How we need to take appropriate cues from the Master and learn afresh what our disposition towards children ought to be. In many nations, there are no clear-cut policies to govern the affairs of children let alone, identify and sustain godly disposition that will create the enabling environment for them to flourish. Yet, children sometimes constitute over fifty percent of the population. The resultant error of omission and indeed of commission has produced delinquent, vagabond, wayward miscreants among children who daily pose a threat to society. Worse, there are so-called Christian assemblies with scant regards for the spiritual welfare of children.
No effort must be spared towards raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Today’s disciples of Christ must encourage those who have genuine call into the children ministry to fulfill their God given mandate for the sake of our hapless children and posterity. Parents, on their own part, must follow-up on the efforts of the children church by providing a godly example and environment for their children to emulate. The spiritual well-being of our children must never be left to chance.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A trained child today is a treasure tomorrow.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Tuesday 03, December 2013
TEXT: MARK 10:13-16
KEY VERSE: “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:14,16).
In many nations, godly care and concern for children are observed in their breach. Children grow up, mostly in the midst of a near zerotolerance for their well-being by the society.
Our text reveals the mindset of the Lord towards children. The disciples had, for curious reasons, forbade children from coming to the Lord. In their erroneous estimation, children had no part to play in Christ’s emerging Kingdom. The Lord’s surprising response must have startled them. Not only did He upbraid the disciples for preventing the children from coming to Him, He declared pointedly that it requires a child-like innocency and simplicity of faith to enter His eternal Kingdom.
How we need to take appropriate cues from the Master and learn afresh what our disposition towards children ought to be. In many nations, there are no clear-cut policies to govern the affairs of children let alone, identify and sustain godly disposition that will create the enabling environment for them to flourish. Yet, children sometimes constitute over fifty percent of the population. The resultant error of omission and indeed of commission has produced delinquent, vagabond, wayward miscreants among children who daily pose a threat to society. Worse, there are so-called Christian assemblies with scant regards for the spiritual welfare of children.
No effort must be spared towards raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Today’s disciples of Christ must encourage those who have genuine call into the children ministry to fulfill their God given mandate for the sake of our hapless children and posterity. Parents, on their own part, must follow-up on the efforts of the children church by providing a godly example and environment for their children to emulate. The spiritual well-being of our children must never be left to chance.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A trained child today is a treasure tomorrow.
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Daily Manna: Insincere Lifestyle. Monday 02, December 2013
Daily Manna: Insincere Lifestyle
Monday 02, December 2013
TEXT: NUMBERS 14:40-45
KEY VERSE: “And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies” (Numbers 14:41,42).
Pastor Lewis Llewellyn says that the Koreans have a curious new-year custom. Desiring to forget unpleasant things and make a fresh start, each person determines what bad habits he would like to eliminate and what past deeds he wants forgiven. Then he writes the names of those evils on a kite and flies it high into the air. When it is almost out of sight, he cuts the string. As the “paper bird” takes a nosedive and disappears from sight, he thinks that all his faults and previous transgressions are forever removed.
This preamble describes the action of the Israelites in the text under review. Without genuine repentance, the people felt they could easily be accepted before God. They presumptuously determined to go up “unto the place which the LORD hath promised”. However, God did not confuse their admission of guilt with true repentance because He knew their hearts. Sure enough, they soon went their own way again.
God expects every sinner to genuinely repent and turn away from the old lifestyle of sin. Repentance is the acknowledgement of sins and the willingness to turn away from them. After repentance from sin, faith must be anchored in Christ who forgives sins and produces the grace for a righteous living.
Moses emphasized the danger of not being sincere before God. He told them that the presence of God would depart from them and that they would fall by the sword of their enemies. It is the same today. A sinner is at the mercy of the devil. Genuine and heart-felt repentance must therefore be undertaken by those who truly want to be pardoned. This done, a life-long commitment to holy living and obedience are required to ultimately enter heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Repentance and faith connect a sinner with God.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Monday 02, December 2013
TEXT: NUMBERS 14:40-45
KEY VERSE: “And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies” (Numbers 14:41,42).
Pastor Lewis Llewellyn says that the Koreans have a curious new-year custom. Desiring to forget unpleasant things and make a fresh start, each person determines what bad habits he would like to eliminate and what past deeds he wants forgiven. Then he writes the names of those evils on a kite and flies it high into the air. When it is almost out of sight, he cuts the string. As the “paper bird” takes a nosedive and disappears from sight, he thinks that all his faults and previous transgressions are forever removed.
This preamble describes the action of the Israelites in the text under review. Without genuine repentance, the people felt they could easily be accepted before God. They presumptuously determined to go up “unto the place which the LORD hath promised”. However, God did not confuse their admission of guilt with true repentance because He knew their hearts. Sure enough, they soon went their own way again.
God expects every sinner to genuinely repent and turn away from the old lifestyle of sin. Repentance is the acknowledgement of sins and the willingness to turn away from them. After repentance from sin, faith must be anchored in Christ who forgives sins and produces the grace for a righteous living.
Moses emphasized the danger of not being sincere before God. He told them that the presence of God would depart from them and that they would fall by the sword of their enemies. It is the same today. A sinner is at the mercy of the devil. Genuine and heart-felt repentance must therefore be undertaken by those who truly want to be pardoned. This done, a life-long commitment to holy living and obedience are required to ultimately enter heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Repentance and faith connect a sinner with God.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Saturday 30 November 2013
Daily Manna: A Blessed Union. Sunday 01, December 2013
Daily Manna: A Blessed Union
Sunday 01, December 2013
TEXT: GENESIS 24:61-67
KEY VERSE: “And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death” (Genesis 24:67).
Marriage is a unique relationship established by God to fulfill His plan and purpose on earth through man (Genesis 1:27,28). No wonder Solomon, the wisest man of his time, said, “live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity” (Ecclesiastes 9:9). The marriage institution is established to better the lives of both spouses. The benefits of marriage are best realized when both spouses are committed to it. A breach in the duties and obligations of marriage by either or both partners, often leads to frustration and disappointment.
Our text x-rays the possibility of a joyful, blissful and fulfilling marital life in the midst of all negative experiences arising from different quarters. The basic indispensable ingredients of a satisfying relationship in marriage as revealed in our text are acceptance and love on the part of the husband and submission from the wife. Isaac loved Rebecca and brought her to himself and she became his wife. Rebecca on her part, submitted to the headship of the man and became a comfort to him. A home where there is peace is a home where there is no fault-finding, hardness and bitterness on the side of both husband and wife.
Godly communication is the lubricant of marriage and family relationship. There must be a cordial relationship, with a determination to produce a lively and productive togetherness.
Couples must learn to accept and appreciate one another. No two individuals can ever be the same. Hence, offences must be overlooked to create room for reconciliation even as both strive to create the enabling environment for children to flourish.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A blessed conjugal union is the product of two blood-washed saints, free from ego and pride.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Sunday 01, December 2013
TEXT: GENESIS 24:61-67
KEY VERSE: “And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death” (Genesis 24:67).
Marriage is a unique relationship established by God to fulfill His plan and purpose on earth through man (Genesis 1:27,28). No wonder Solomon, the wisest man of his time, said, “live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity” (Ecclesiastes 9:9). The marriage institution is established to better the lives of both spouses. The benefits of marriage are best realized when both spouses are committed to it. A breach in the duties and obligations of marriage by either or both partners, often leads to frustration and disappointment.
Our text x-rays the possibility of a joyful, blissful and fulfilling marital life in the midst of all negative experiences arising from different quarters. The basic indispensable ingredients of a satisfying relationship in marriage as revealed in our text are acceptance and love on the part of the husband and submission from the wife. Isaac loved Rebecca and brought her to himself and she became his wife. Rebecca on her part, submitted to the headship of the man and became a comfort to him. A home where there is peace is a home where there is no fault-finding, hardness and bitterness on the side of both husband and wife.
Godly communication is the lubricant of marriage and family relationship. There must be a cordial relationship, with a determination to produce a lively and productive togetherness.
Couples must learn to accept and appreciate one another. No two individuals can ever be the same. Hence, offences must be overlooked to create room for reconciliation even as both strive to create the enabling environment for children to flourish.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A blessed conjugal union is the product of two blood-washed saints, free from ego and pride.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Friday 29 November 2013
Daily Manna: Effectual, Fervent Prayer Please! Saturday 30, November 2013
Daily Manna: Effectual, Fervent Prayer Please!
Saturday 30, November 2013
TEXT: ACTS 4:23-37
KEY VERSE: “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God…And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts. 4:24a,31).
A Professor once remarked that there are elements that will always stand against success in life. “When one starts a project,” he said, “they (elements) want to truncate it; when one has a goal or vision in life, they threaten to obliterate it.” “Therefore,” he concludes, “those in quest of excellence, must take appropriate action, buckle up and be determined to achieve success at all costs.”
The devil knew quite well that Jesus Christ had commissioned His disciples, before His ascension, to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”, and that this must begin from Jerusalem (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). Therefore, he wanted to truncate that move which had rightly begun in Jerusalem by the disciples.
As soon as the disciples performed their first notable miracle, it facilitated the preaching of the gospel by attracting many to the Lord. The enemies of the gospel moved swiftly to stop it. They arrested Peter and John and locked them up.Their intention was to instill fear in the hearts of the disciples thus preventing them from fulfilling Jesus’ mandate. Thank God the disciples knew the appropriate action to take. They were determined to be successful in ministry and that they did! They employed the appropriate instrument of prayer and God came to their rescue.
It is good to know that the only solution when confronted with any problem is to seek the face of God in prayer. A mindless resort to complaining, grumbling and despondency is unhelpful. The prayer that will cause the Holy Ghost to come down will be the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous (James 5:16). This prayer cannot be ignored by heaven; a prayer that causes things to happen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Importunate, fervent prayer is key to overcoming the challenges of life.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Saturday 30, November 2013
TEXT: ACTS 4:23-37
KEY VERSE: “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God…And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts. 4:24a,31).
A Professor once remarked that there are elements that will always stand against success in life. “When one starts a project,” he said, “they (elements) want to truncate it; when one has a goal or vision in life, they threaten to obliterate it.” “Therefore,” he concludes, “those in quest of excellence, must take appropriate action, buckle up and be determined to achieve success at all costs.”
The devil knew quite well that Jesus Christ had commissioned His disciples, before His ascension, to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”, and that this must begin from Jerusalem (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). Therefore, he wanted to truncate that move which had rightly begun in Jerusalem by the disciples.
As soon as the disciples performed their first notable miracle, it facilitated the preaching of the gospel by attracting many to the Lord. The enemies of the gospel moved swiftly to stop it. They arrested Peter and John and locked them up.Their intention was to instill fear in the hearts of the disciples thus preventing them from fulfilling Jesus’ mandate. Thank God the disciples knew the appropriate action to take. They were determined to be successful in ministry and that they did! They employed the appropriate instrument of prayer and God came to their rescue.
It is good to know that the only solution when confronted with any problem is to seek the face of God in prayer. A mindless resort to complaining, grumbling and despondency is unhelpful. The prayer that will cause the Holy Ghost to come down will be the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous (James 5:16). This prayer cannot be ignored by heaven; a prayer that causes things to happen!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Importunate, fervent prayer is key to overcoming the challenges of life.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Thursday 28 November 2013
Daily Manna: Eli's Compromise. Friday 29, November 2013
Daily Manna: Eli's Compromise
Friday 29, November 2013
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:20-36
KEY VERSE: “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?” (1 Samuel 2:29).
Someone once wrote: ‘some sins, like the falling of heavy burden in still water, produce wider and more violent effects than do others. The effect is always pernicious but when prominent men and professed servants of God sin, the consequences are painfully and conspicuously injurious’.
In the earlier verses of this chapter, we read about the nature of the sin of Eli’s two sons and how they carried them out with recklessness and mindless frivolities. In an apparent sinful acquiescence, Eli their father had only said: “I hear of your evil dealings, by all this people” (verse 23). He could have gone ahead to invoke the necessary penalty. Yet, he curiously refused to do so.
On the other hand, Hannah and her husband never relented in their desire that Samuel should turn out an acceptable servant of God as they continued to visit him with precious and encouraging presents. Little wonder then, the Lord visited Hannah so that she conceived and bare three sons and two daughters. They lent one child, Samuel, to the Lord and got five back. What a gracious God!
Our text teaches us some very vital lessons on sowing and reaping. The lending of the child Samuel to the Lord resulted in a more bountiful blessings as the woman who was mocked for her barrenness became a mother of six.
But Eli’s failure both as a father and a minister of God to discipline his sinful sons attracted God’s judgment upon the entire family. Disrespect and disregard for the priesthood will always attract a just recompense of judgment from the Lord who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Paradoxically, the laity who walk humbly and justly with a contrite disposition will surely receive a glorious upliftment from God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is safer to daily work out one’s salvation with fear and trembling.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Friday 29, November 2013
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:20-36
KEY VERSE: “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?” (1 Samuel 2:29).
Someone once wrote: ‘some sins, like the falling of heavy burden in still water, produce wider and more violent effects than do others. The effect is always pernicious but when prominent men and professed servants of God sin, the consequences are painfully and conspicuously injurious’.
In the earlier verses of this chapter, we read about the nature of the sin of Eli’s two sons and how they carried them out with recklessness and mindless frivolities. In an apparent sinful acquiescence, Eli their father had only said: “I hear of your evil dealings, by all this people” (verse 23). He could have gone ahead to invoke the necessary penalty. Yet, he curiously refused to do so.
On the other hand, Hannah and her husband never relented in their desire that Samuel should turn out an acceptable servant of God as they continued to visit him with precious and encouraging presents. Little wonder then, the Lord visited Hannah so that she conceived and bare three sons and two daughters. They lent one child, Samuel, to the Lord and got five back. What a gracious God!
Our text teaches us some very vital lessons on sowing and reaping. The lending of the child Samuel to the Lord resulted in a more bountiful blessings as the woman who was mocked for her barrenness became a mother of six.
But Eli’s failure both as a father and a minister of God to discipline his sinful sons attracted God’s judgment upon the entire family. Disrespect and disregard for the priesthood will always attract a just recompense of judgment from the Lord who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Paradoxically, the laity who walk humbly and justly with a contrite disposition will surely receive a glorious upliftment from God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is safer to daily work out one’s salvation with fear and trembling.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Details on JAMB registration for 2014/2015 academic session.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for admission into Nigeria Tertiary Institutions through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for the 2014/2015 academic session which shall be on Computer Based Test (CBT) with the option of Dual Based Test (DBT) and Paper Pencil Test (PPT).
2.0 Registration Period
2.1 The registration period is 4th November, 2013 to 14th March, 2014 and the website closes on Tuesday, 25th March, 2014.
3.0 General Entry Requirements
3.1 The general entry requirements approved for admission into the First Degree, National Diploma (ND), National Innovation Diploma (MD), and Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Universities, other Degree-Awarding Institutions, Monotechnics, Polytechnics, Innovation Enterprise Institutes and Colleges of Education are available in the Brochure which accompanies registration materials.
3.2 Please note that a matriculated student in any university is not eligible to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) except those who are transferring from foreign Universities.
3.3 Entry by Direct Application (DE)
Applicants with one of the following qualifications may be considered for admission by Direct Entry:
A minimum of five (5) subjects passed at not more than two sittings with at least two at the Principal or Advanced level of the G.C.E. and the others, at credit level of the SSCE/GCE, NTC/NBC. No subject shall be counted at both Ordinary and Advanced levels.
Two passes at the LIMB Advanced Level Examination or Cambridge moderated Schools of Basic Studies Terminal Examination or Institute of Baccalaureate from recognised institutions with SSCE/GCE, NTS/NBC credits equivalent in three other subjects (SUBJECT TO UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS).
Passes in two major subjects in the NCE with S.S.C.E, NTC/NBC credits or equivalents in THREE other subjects (mainly for Education Courses). Education may be accepted as a third A’Level subject for those taking courses in Education.
4.0 Change of Courses and/or Institutions.
Change of course(s) and/or institutions shall be allowed by the Board after the release of results.
The fee for change of course(s) and/or institutions is N2,500.00 (Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira only).
5.0 Date and Venue for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
The date for the conduct of the examination is Saturday, 5th April, 2014 for Paper Pencil Test (PPT) and Dual Based Test (DBT). The date for Computer Based Test (CBT) will be announced later.
The venue of the examination will be at the candidates’ chosen town during on-line registration.
6.0 Registration Fees
6.1 Registration fee for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination is Four Thousand Naira (N4,000) only payable in cash in any of the approved banks listed below:
Union Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc
Skye Bank Plc
6.2 Application documents can also be obtained from any of JAMB Offices across the country with Bank Draft addressed to THE REGISTRAR, JAMB and made payable in Abuja.
7.0 Registration Documents.
At the point of purchase of the c-registration scratch cards, the following documents shall be made available for collection by every candidate.
Writing Materials and Calc1ilator. These should be kept and brought to the examination centre on the day of the examination.
Syllabus for the examination in soft copy.
Guidelines on admission (Brochure) in soft and hard copies, detailing list of Tertiary Institutions and available programmes of study.
7.1 Please note that the items listed above are at NO EXTRA cost to the candidates.
8.0 Registration Centres
The Board has obtained the list of accredited cyber-cafes throughout the country from the National Communication Commission (NCC).
All cyber-cafe owners who are interested in the UTME registration exercise should visit JAM B’s website for necessary documentation.
Documentation of cyber-cafes is compulsory as it is being introduced to prevent fraudulent practices that can jeopardise the interest of the candidates.
Candidates are advised to register at such cyber-cafés only for a fee not more than Seven Hundred Naira (N700.00).
9.0 General Information
The registration fee, once paid is not refundable.
Registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is On-line (via internet) and all applicants are advised to register by themselves. All required information must be provided.
Applicants are advised to read and understand the instructions on how to complete the on-line registration before visiting any cybercafé that has flatbed scanner or digital camera to handle passport photograph capture.
Candidates should study the guidelines on admission before registration.
Candidates who damage or lose their scratch cards before registration will have to purchase another scratch card.
Multiple entries are not allowed. Candidates who register more than once will have their entire results cancelled.
Candidates should note that their uploaded image or photograph will be embossed on their result slips and admission letters.
Candidates can access the Board’s website on www.jamb.org.ng for registration using the registration scratch card. Registration can be done on the website at anytime within the stipulated registration period through any of the accredited and authorised internet cafes.
Candidates are to note that irrespective of their choice of course of study or method of testing, they will also be tested on these two general books.
The Successors by Jerry Agada
The Potter’s Wheel by Chukwuemeka Ike
Candidates are to note that there will be no extension of the date of registration.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
National Headquarters
Suleja Road, Bwari,
P.M.B. 189, Gark1, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone: 08072522813, 07031283713, 07031283662, 08080116631.
Website http://www.jambng.com, http://www.jambonline.org, http://www.jamb.org.ng. Email: enquiries@jambng.com .
LAGOS
11, Ojora Road, Ikoyi
PMB 12748, Lagos
Lagos State
Email: jambconsult@hyperia.com
Tel: 08058510273 (Mr. Kamaldeen Oladeji)
HEADQUARTERS ANNEXES
Liaison Office (FCT)
2nd Floor, Annex II
Federal Secretariat Complex
Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja
Tel: 08035769697 (Mr. Ademiloye Babatope)
KADUNA
Tafawa Balewa Way
PMB 2200, Kaduna
Kaduna State
Tel: 08033338039 (Mr. Matthew Audu)
2.0 Registration Period
2.1 The registration period is 4th November, 2013 to 14th March, 2014 and the website closes on Tuesday, 25th March, 2014.
3.0 General Entry Requirements
3.1 The general entry requirements approved for admission into the First Degree, National Diploma (ND), National Innovation Diploma (MD), and Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Universities, other Degree-Awarding Institutions, Monotechnics, Polytechnics, Innovation Enterprise Institutes and Colleges of Education are available in the Brochure which accompanies registration materials.
3.2 Please note that a matriculated student in any university is not eligible to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) except those who are transferring from foreign Universities.
3.3 Entry by Direct Application (DE)
Applicants with one of the following qualifications may be considered for admission by Direct Entry:
A minimum of five (5) subjects passed at not more than two sittings with at least two at the Principal or Advanced level of the G.C.E. and the others, at credit level of the SSCE/GCE, NTC/NBC. No subject shall be counted at both Ordinary and Advanced levels.
Two passes at the LIMB Advanced Level Examination or Cambridge moderated Schools of Basic Studies Terminal Examination or Institute of Baccalaureate from recognised institutions with SSCE/GCE, NTS/NBC credits equivalent in three other subjects (SUBJECT TO UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS).
Passes in two major subjects in the NCE with S.S.C.E, NTC/NBC credits or equivalents in THREE other subjects (mainly for Education Courses). Education may be accepted as a third A’Level subject for those taking courses in Education.
4.0 Change of Courses and/or Institutions.
Change of course(s) and/or institutions shall be allowed by the Board after the release of results.
The fee for change of course(s) and/or institutions is N2,500.00 (Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira only).
5.0 Date and Venue for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
The date for the conduct of the examination is Saturday, 5th April, 2014 for Paper Pencil Test (PPT) and Dual Based Test (DBT). The date for Computer Based Test (CBT) will be announced later.
The venue of the examination will be at the candidates’ chosen town during on-line registration.
6.0 Registration Fees
6.1 Registration fee for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination is Four Thousand Naira (N4,000) only payable in cash in any of the approved banks listed below:
Union Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc
Skye Bank Plc
6.2 Application documents can also be obtained from any of JAMB Offices across the country with Bank Draft addressed to THE REGISTRAR, JAMB and made payable in Abuja.
7.0 Registration Documents.
At the point of purchase of the c-registration scratch cards, the following documents shall be made available for collection by every candidate.
Writing Materials and Calc1ilator. These should be kept and brought to the examination centre on the day of the examination.
Syllabus for the examination in soft copy.
Guidelines on admission (Brochure) in soft and hard copies, detailing list of Tertiary Institutions and available programmes of study.
7.1 Please note that the items listed above are at NO EXTRA cost to the candidates.
8.0 Registration Centres
The Board has obtained the list of accredited cyber-cafes throughout the country from the National Communication Commission (NCC).
All cyber-cafe owners who are interested in the UTME registration exercise should visit JAM B’s website for necessary documentation.
Documentation of cyber-cafes is compulsory as it is being introduced to prevent fraudulent practices that can jeopardise the interest of the candidates.
Candidates are advised to register at such cyber-cafés only for a fee not more than Seven Hundred Naira (N700.00).
9.0 General Information
The registration fee, once paid is not refundable.
Registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is On-line (via internet) and all applicants are advised to register by themselves. All required information must be provided.
Applicants are advised to read and understand the instructions on how to complete the on-line registration before visiting any cybercafé that has flatbed scanner or digital camera to handle passport photograph capture.
Candidates should study the guidelines on admission before registration.
Candidates who damage or lose their scratch cards before registration will have to purchase another scratch card.
Multiple entries are not allowed. Candidates who register more than once will have their entire results cancelled.
Candidates should note that their uploaded image or photograph will be embossed on their result slips and admission letters.
Candidates can access the Board’s website on www.jamb.org.ng for registration using the registration scratch card. Registration can be done on the website at anytime within the stipulated registration period through any of the accredited and authorised internet cafes.
Candidates are to note that irrespective of their choice of course of study or method of testing, they will also be tested on these two general books.
The Successors by Jerry Agada
The Potter’s Wheel by Chukwuemeka Ike
Candidates are to note that there will be no extension of the date of registration.
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
National Headquarters
Suleja Road, Bwari,
P.M.B. 189, Gark1, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone: 08072522813, 07031283713, 07031283662, 08080116631.
Website http://www.jambng.com, http://www.jambonline.org, http://www.jamb.org.ng. Email: enquiries@jambng.com .
LAGOS
11, Ojora Road, Ikoyi
PMB 12748, Lagos
Lagos State
Email: jambconsult@hyperia.com
Tel: 08058510273 (Mr. Kamaldeen Oladeji)
HEADQUARTERS ANNEXES
Liaison Office (FCT)
2nd Floor, Annex II
Federal Secretariat Complex
Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja
Tel: 08035769697 (Mr. Ademiloye Babatope)
KADUNA
Tafawa Balewa Way
PMB 2200, Kaduna
Kaduna State
Tel: 08033338039 (Mr. Matthew Audu)
Wednesday 20 November 2013
Daily Manna: Be Not Deceived. Thursday 21, November 2013
Daily Manna: Be Not Deceived
Thursday 21, November 2013
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-20
KEY VERSE: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Man’s entire being is to be regulated by sound moral principles. God in His unique wisdom knew that man’s freedom to choose his actions must be moderated by a stronger force, the force of God’s law, which if he obeys, his choice of action would not be his ruin.
The brethren in the church that was at Corinth displayed a lot of carnal behaviours. Disagreements among them were rife and they took easy recourse to the law courts. Litigations were very common and should not have been so. This is because it is doubtful whether the unbelieving court official’s could adjudicate in matters brought before them with appropriate godly wisdom.
Man, as a free moral agent, must choose to honour God. Moreover, believers have a binding duty to preserve their body and stay away from sin for the purpose of inheriting God’s kingdom. Sinners may make a joke of hell and heaven. Yet, the truth remains unflagging that “it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
The escape route is still open to all. Today, “if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart.” The door of salvation is still open. Do not mortgage an endless eternity for the brief so-called enjoyment of sin today. Christ is still receiving sinful men and women and He will receive you if only you will come to him now in repentance.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It’s deadly to toy with sin.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Thursday 21, November 2013
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-20
KEY VERSE: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Man’s entire being is to be regulated by sound moral principles. God in His unique wisdom knew that man’s freedom to choose his actions must be moderated by a stronger force, the force of God’s law, which if he obeys, his choice of action would not be his ruin.
The brethren in the church that was at Corinth displayed a lot of carnal behaviours. Disagreements among them were rife and they took easy recourse to the law courts. Litigations were very common and should not have been so. This is because it is doubtful whether the unbelieving court official’s could adjudicate in matters brought before them with appropriate godly wisdom.
Man, as a free moral agent, must choose to honour God. Moreover, believers have a binding duty to preserve their body and stay away from sin for the purpose of inheriting God’s kingdom. Sinners may make a joke of hell and heaven. Yet, the truth remains unflagging that “it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
The escape route is still open to all. Today, “if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart.” The door of salvation is still open. Do not mortgage an endless eternity for the brief so-called enjoyment of sin today. Christ is still receiving sinful men and women and He will receive you if only you will come to him now in repentance.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It’s deadly to toy with sin.
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Tuesday 19 November 2013
South African Bafana beat the World Champs Spain
South Africa recorded a famous 1-0 win over World and European champions Spain in an international friendly at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Bernard Parker scored the decisive goal 10 minutes into the second half as Bafana Bafana racked up a victory that will boost both their self-confidence and placing in Fifa World Rankings.
Spain dominated the opening quarter hour and enjoyed the majority of possession, though they didn’t really create any clear scoring chances. Striker David Villa twice had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors, but he was correctly flagged offside on both occasions.
Bafana Bafana gradually grew into the game and on 18 minutes they almost opened the scoring via a deflected Oupa Manyisa shot that bounced away off the top of the crossbar with goalkeeper Iker Casillas left stranded.
Two minutes later Casillas was called upon to make the first notable save of the match, punching away a well-struck long-range effort from Bernard Parker.
Juventus forward Fernando Llorente had a free header in the 27th minute after some weak defending from Bongani Khumalo, but the tall Spaniard put his effort wide of the target with only Itumeleng Khune to beat.
The last chance of the first half went the way of Khumalo in injury time. The centre-back got on the end of Parker’s corner kick, but put his header wide of the near post to leave the game goalless at the break.
International Friendly: South Africa v Spain
Duration: 5 min, 0 sec
Highlights of the International Friendly match between South Africa and Spain from FNB Stadium
Bafana also created the first clear opening of the second half, with Tokelo Rantie put free on goal down the right of the penalty area, but he blazed a shot over the bar when a square pass may have seen Parker score a tap-in.
On 54 minutes Spain created a great chance to break the deadlock, with left-back Nacho Monreal put through on goal, but his attempt to beat Khune at his near post was well saved by the goalkeeper.
Two minutes later Bafana Bafana took the lead against the run of play. Rantie played a low cross from the left, Oupa Manyisa provided a perfectly weighted ball for the run of Parker, who was able to chip substitute goalkeeper Victor Valdes and find the back of the net despite an attempted clearance on the goal line.
Spain ran into a problem late in the game when ‘keeper Valdes went down with a knee injury and was forced off the pitch with the visitors having used up their allotted six substitutions. Alvaro Arbeloa initially put on the goalkeeper’s jersey, but – after much argument on the sidelines – Pepe Reina was allowed on and the visitors were able to end the game with a full complement of players.
Reina made a crucial save in the 85th minute to deny Rantie one-on-one and keep the Spaniards in with a chance of rescuing the game, but it wasn’t to be for the World Cup winners, whose return to FNB Stadium ended in defeat.
South Africa (0) 1 (Parker 56’)
Spain 0
SA: Khune, Ngcongca, Khumalo (Xulu 46’), Nthethe, Matlaba, Furman, Jali (Mokotjo 50’), Manyisa (Zungu 63’), Claasen (Tshabalala 46’), Parker (Patosi 90+3’), Rantie
Spain: Casillas (Valdes 46’ [Reina 81’]), Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Monreal, Busquets, Alonso (Mata 62’), Iniesta (Koke 75’), Pedro (Navas 62’), Villa (Negredo 57’), Llorente (Cazorla 46’)
Source: SuperSport.com
Bernard Parker scored the decisive goal 10 minutes into the second half as Bafana Bafana racked up a victory that will boost both their self-confidence and placing in Fifa World Rankings.
Spain dominated the opening quarter hour and enjoyed the majority of possession, though they didn’t really create any clear scoring chances. Striker David Villa twice had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors, but he was correctly flagged offside on both occasions.
Bafana Bafana gradually grew into the game and on 18 minutes they almost opened the scoring via a deflected Oupa Manyisa shot that bounced away off the top of the crossbar with goalkeeper Iker Casillas left stranded.
Two minutes later Casillas was called upon to make the first notable save of the match, punching away a well-struck long-range effort from Bernard Parker.
Juventus forward Fernando Llorente had a free header in the 27th minute after some weak defending from Bongani Khumalo, but the tall Spaniard put his effort wide of the target with only Itumeleng Khune to beat.
The last chance of the first half went the way of Khumalo in injury time. The centre-back got on the end of Parker’s corner kick, but put his header wide of the near post to leave the game goalless at the break.
International Friendly: South Africa v Spain
Duration: 5 min, 0 sec
Highlights of the International Friendly match between South Africa and Spain from FNB Stadium
Bafana also created the first clear opening of the second half, with Tokelo Rantie put free on goal down the right of the penalty area, but he blazed a shot over the bar when a square pass may have seen Parker score a tap-in.
On 54 minutes Spain created a great chance to break the deadlock, with left-back Nacho Monreal put through on goal, but his attempt to beat Khune at his near post was well saved by the goalkeeper.
Two minutes later Bafana Bafana took the lead against the run of play. Rantie played a low cross from the left, Oupa Manyisa provided a perfectly weighted ball for the run of Parker, who was able to chip substitute goalkeeper Victor Valdes and find the back of the net despite an attempted clearance on the goal line.
Spain ran into a problem late in the game when ‘keeper Valdes went down with a knee injury and was forced off the pitch with the visitors having used up their allotted six substitutions. Alvaro Arbeloa initially put on the goalkeeper’s jersey, but – after much argument on the sidelines – Pepe Reina was allowed on and the visitors were able to end the game with a full complement of players.
Reina made a crucial save in the 85th minute to deny Rantie one-on-one and keep the Spaniards in with a chance of rescuing the game, but it wasn’t to be for the World Cup winners, whose return to FNB Stadium ended in defeat.
South Africa (0) 1 (Parker 56’)
Spain 0
SA: Khune, Ngcongca, Khumalo (Xulu 46’), Nthethe, Matlaba, Furman, Jali (Mokotjo 50’), Manyisa (Zungu 63’), Claasen (Tshabalala 46’), Parker (Patosi 90+3’), Rantie
Spain: Casillas (Valdes 46’ [Reina 81’]), Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Monreal, Busquets, Alonso (Mata 62’), Iniesta (Koke 75’), Pedro (Navas 62’), Villa (Negredo 57’), Llorente (Cazorla 46’)
Source: SuperSport.com
Nigeria’ll sell oil refineries next year – Diezani
NIGERIA, Africa’s largest oil producer, plans to begin privatizing its four state-owned oil refineries before the end of the first quarter, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke said.
Alison-Madueke said in an interview with Bloomberg TV Africa in London, “We would like to see major infrastructural entities such as refineries moving out of government hands into the private sector. Government does not want to be in the business of running major infrastructure entities and we haven’t done a very good job at it over all these years.”
Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke
A presidential audit of the facilities last year recommended their sale due to inadequate government funding and “sub-optimal performance.” The refineries, which have a combined 445,000 barrel-a-day capacity, should be privatized within 18 months, according to the report submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan in November 2012. Nigeria, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, produced 1.99 million barrels a day of crude in October, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
While Nigeria is also Africa’s top crude exporter and the most populous with more than 160 million people, it relies on fuel imports to meet more than 70 percent of its needs. Its state-owned plants operate at a fraction of their capacity because of poor maintenance and aging equipment. Nigeria also exchanges 60,000 barrels a day of crude for products with Trafigura Beheer BV and a similar amount with Societe Ivoirienne de Raffinage’s refinery in Ivory Coast, according to Nigeria National Petroleum Corp.
“We are right now undergoing a major turnaround maintenance program” of the refineries, Alison-Madueke said.
Improvements to the two-unit 210,000 barrel-a-day Port Harcourt refinery, the country’s biggest, will be completed by the end of the year, to be followed by enhancements at the Warri and Kaduna sites in 2014, according to the NNPC. Warri has a daily processing capacity of 125,000 and Kaduna 110,000 barrels.
Towards the end of former President Obasanjo’s administration in 2007, the refineries were sold to companies owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, but the sale was reversed by the President Musa Yar’Adua government that took over from Obasanjo.
Source: Vanguard
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/nigeriall-sell-oil-refineries-next-year-diezani/#sthash.WCv5gozF.xaPMZRvt.dpuf
Source: Vanguard
Monday 18 November 2013
NIGERIA vs ITALY. - today, get the full gist and kick off time.
Kick-off: 8.45 p.m.
Africa champions Nigeria are set to close out a phenomenal 2013 with a clash against Italy today at Craven Cottage.
Both sides have secured their place at next year’s FIFA World Cup, with this match offering them an opportunity to set the tone for next year.
NIGERIA, Calabar : Nigeria’s (top L-R) midfielder John Obi Mikel, defender Kenneth Omeruo, forward Brown Ideye, forward Emmanuel Emenike, defender Godfrey Oboabona, defender Efe Ambrose, (bottom L-R) midfielder Victor Moses, defender Uwa Echiejile, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and midfielder Ahmed Musa pose for a group picture before the 2014 FIFA World Cup African zone second leg play-off football match between Nigeria and Ethiopia in Calabar on November 16, 2013. Nigeria won 2-0. AFP PHOTO/
The respective mangers will be free will to tinker with their line-ups in London as they begin preparations for Brazil.
Nigeria will have to consider a replacement for Godfrey Oboabona,
while Italy will look to cover for Andrea Barzagli after both players were injured and pulled off in their team’s respective matches this past weekend.
The Super Eagles were unbeaten in all eight matches of their World Cup qualifying campaign. They topped Group F to set up a contest against Ethiopia in the mandatory playoffs.
The men from west Africa won with a 4-1 aggregate score, after beating Ethiopia 2-1 away in the first leg and 2-0 in the return leg played on home-soil on Saturday. Goals by Victor Moses and Victor Obinna cemented their place in the showpiece.
While Nigeria played their CAF play-off, the Azzurri tested themselves against Germany at the San Siro.
AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate cancelled Mats Hummels’ goal to secure a 1-1 draw and maintain Italy’s record of having not lost to the Germans since 1995.
Cesare Prandelli’s charges were convincing in their qualifying campaign, also going unbeaten to top Group B four points ahead of Denmark.
Source: Vanguard
Africa champions Nigeria are set to close out a phenomenal 2013 with a clash against Italy today at Craven Cottage.
Both sides have secured their place at next year’s FIFA World Cup, with this match offering them an opportunity to set the tone for next year.
NIGERIA, Calabar : Nigeria’s (top L-R) midfielder John Obi Mikel, defender Kenneth Omeruo, forward Brown Ideye, forward Emmanuel Emenike, defender Godfrey Oboabona, defender Efe Ambrose, (bottom L-R) midfielder Victor Moses, defender Uwa Echiejile, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and midfielder Ahmed Musa pose for a group picture before the 2014 FIFA World Cup African zone second leg play-off football match between Nigeria and Ethiopia in Calabar on November 16, 2013. Nigeria won 2-0. AFP PHOTO/
The respective mangers will be free will to tinker with their line-ups in London as they begin preparations for Brazil.
Nigeria will have to consider a replacement for Godfrey Oboabona,
while Italy will look to cover for Andrea Barzagli after both players were injured and pulled off in their team’s respective matches this past weekend.
The Super Eagles were unbeaten in all eight matches of their World Cup qualifying campaign. They topped Group F to set up a contest against Ethiopia in the mandatory playoffs.
The men from west Africa won with a 4-1 aggregate score, after beating Ethiopia 2-1 away in the first leg and 2-0 in the return leg played on home-soil on Saturday. Goals by Victor Moses and Victor Obinna cemented their place in the showpiece.
While Nigeria played their CAF play-off, the Azzurri tested themselves against Germany at the San Siro.
AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate cancelled Mats Hummels’ goal to secure a 1-1 draw and maintain Italy’s record of having not lost to the Germans since 1995.
Cesare Prandelli’s charges were convincing in their qualifying campaign, also going unbeaten to top Group B four points ahead of Denmark.
Source: Vanguard
WELCOME TO DAY 3 UPDATES OF ANAMBRA ELECTION - 18th November, 2013.
6:10am: INEC declares Anambra Governorship Election ‘inconclusive’. To hold supplementary election across the state.
6:50am: In the official result announced by INEC, out of 21 Local Governments,APGA candidate,Willie Obiano won in 16 LGAs.
7:10am: Comrade Tony Nwoye of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Dr Chris Ngige of All Progressives Congress won in two councils each. While PDP won in Dunukofia and Oyi, APC won Idemili North and Idemili South where Ngige holds sway.
7:15am: Dr Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party only won in his local governemt area, Nnewi North Local Government.
7:20am: Summary of election results
APGA won 16 LGAs, with 174,710 votes
PDP won in 2 LGAs, with 94,956 votes
APC won in 2LGAs, with 92,300 votes
LP won in 1LGA, with 37,466 votes
8:30am: 16LGAs won by Obiano of APGA are: Aguata, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, Ekwusigo, Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Orumba North and Orumba South.
8:33am: Tony Nwoye of PDP won Dunukofia and Oyi LGAs; Dr Chris Ngige of APC won Idemili North and Idemili South councils,while
Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party won Nnewi LGA
Banks plan shut down nation wide over DSS detention of officers
Indications emerged, weekend, that banks operating in the country may shut down operations nation wide in protest over the continued detention of key officers of about 18 banks by the Department of State Services over allegation of money laundery.
The arrest and detention of the officers was generating panic and furor in banking quarters following over two weeks arrest and detention without charges brought against the concerned bankers.
*File Photo
Senior personnel of 18 Nigerian banks have been languishing in detention in the holding facility of the Department of State Services for almost two weeks over allegations of terrorist financing and money laundering alleged by government functionaries to have been perpetrated by Aminu Suleiman Lamido, son of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.
Aminu and his brother, Mustapha Lamido were arrested by Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N10 billion fraud.
They were arrested in Kano and flown to Abuja and have since been under interrogation at the Commission’s headquarters.
The banks whose staff have been picked up are Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, FCMB, Wema Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, First Bank Nigeria Limited, FBN, Sterling Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, GTBank, and Citibank. The DSS, it was learnt, which has been on the trail of Aminu Lamido, had sought an ex parte motion from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to freeze the accounts, in 13 banks, of Adold Engineering Company Limited, believed to be owned by the governor’s son.
The ex parte motion was granted by Justice A.F.A Ademola on November 6, 2013.
The fear of the banks, it was gathered, was that the DSS had no capacity to analyse information sent daily to CBN and EFCC related to money laundering.
They argue that banks on daily basis send report on suspected money laundry activities to the CBN and the EFCC.
stated that: “An order is hereby made freezing the accounts of the underlisted corporate body and financial institutions in the banks (1st 14th respondents) indicated against their names for their suspected involvement with acts of terrorists= financing and money laundering.
“An order is hereby made compelling the 2nd to 14th respondents (the banks) in this case to deliver up and furnish the State Security Service/applicant in this case with the respective bank statements and mandate cards of the 1st (Adold Engineering) and 2nd respondents (Fidelity Bank) in this case.
“An order of the Honourable Court is hereby made keeping the above listed accounts frozen until the conclusion of investigations. The ex parte order of the court made is to last for one month from date of service on the respondents with liberty to party(ies) to comply to this court as they deem fit within the said period.”
A bank chief Executive said that in some of the above banks, the chief inspectors were picked. According to the bank executive who do not want his name in print, last week in one of the banks the Department of State Security officials visited the head office under the guise of inviting the officials to their Lagos office, but unknown to them they were flown in military aircraft to Abuja. Since then no one has been allowed access to the officials. In one of the first generation banks an Executive Director was picked. Among those being detained by the Department of State Security are Bank Treasurers, head of Information Technology and other key officers whose day to day activities in the banks are key to the operations of banks. The absence of such key officers is causing the banks a lot
Source: Vanguard
The arrest and detention of the officers was generating panic and furor in banking quarters following over two weeks arrest and detention without charges brought against the concerned bankers.
*File Photo
Senior personnel of 18 Nigerian banks have been languishing in detention in the holding facility of the Department of State Services for almost two weeks over allegations of terrorist financing and money laundering alleged by government functionaries to have been perpetrated by Aminu Suleiman Lamido, son of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.
Aminu and his brother, Mustapha Lamido were arrested by Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N10 billion fraud.
They were arrested in Kano and flown to Abuja and have since been under interrogation at the Commission’s headquarters.
The banks whose staff have been picked up are Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, FCMB, Wema Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, First Bank Nigeria Limited, FBN, Sterling Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, GTBank, and Citibank. The DSS, it was learnt, which has been on the trail of Aminu Lamido, had sought an ex parte motion from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to freeze the accounts, in 13 banks, of Adold Engineering Company Limited, believed to be owned by the governor’s son.
The ex parte motion was granted by Justice A.F.A Ademola on November 6, 2013.
The fear of the banks, it was gathered, was that the DSS had no capacity to analyse information sent daily to CBN and EFCC related to money laundering.
They argue that banks on daily basis send report on suspected money laundry activities to the CBN and the EFCC.
stated that: “An order is hereby made freezing the accounts of the underlisted corporate body and financial institutions in the banks (1st 14th respondents) indicated against their names for their suspected involvement with acts of terrorists= financing and money laundering.
“An order is hereby made compelling the 2nd to 14th respondents (the banks) in this case to deliver up and furnish the State Security Service/applicant in this case with the respective bank statements and mandate cards of the 1st (Adold Engineering) and 2nd respondents (Fidelity Bank) in this case.
“An order of the Honourable Court is hereby made keeping the above listed accounts frozen until the conclusion of investigations. The ex parte order of the court made is to last for one month from date of service on the respondents with liberty to party(ies) to comply to this court as they deem fit within the said period.”
A bank chief Executive said that in some of the above banks, the chief inspectors were picked. According to the bank executive who do not want his name in print, last week in one of the banks the Department of State Security officials visited the head office under the guise of inviting the officials to their Lagos office, but unknown to them they were flown in military aircraft to Abuja. Since then no one has been allowed access to the officials. In one of the first generation banks an Executive Director was picked. Among those being detained by the Department of State Security are Bank Treasurers, head of Information Technology and other key officers whose day to day activities in the banks are key to the operations of banks. The absence of such key officers is causing the banks a lot
Source: Vanguard
Anambra Governorship Election: Ngige, Nwoye, Ubah reject election
AWKA -The three governorship candidates of PDP, APC and LP, Tony Nwoye, Chris Ngige and Ifeanyi Ubah vowed last night to reject whatever result that would be announced by INEC from Saturday and Sunday gubernatorial elections in
Anambra State.
At a joint news conference addressed at 8pm at Finotel Hotel, Awka, Senator Ngige presented the official position of the three contestants on the election.
The three candidates who had earlier in the day expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election which is yet to be announced by INEC as at press time last night.
From Left; Labour Party candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, All Progress Congress candidate Dr Chris Ngige and People Democratic Party candidate Comrade Tony Nwoye at a joint press conference by the candidates in Awka, Sunday.
Ngige said: “Our stand is that Saturday election was characterized by fraud, malpractices and massive irregularities and we call on INEC to put in place another process to conduct a fresh election to enable the people of Anambra elect their governor that will take over from the present governor on March 17 next year.
“The irregularities clearly noticed included the omission of the names of many voters in the registers presented for the election in the over 4,000 polling units.
We were assured that the process will be free and fair during the stake holder’s meeting with the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, but little did we know that they had planned to disenfranchise many of our supporters by deleting their names from the register everywhere in the local government areas. It was so massive and we hereby reject the voters registers used for this election.
“We were assured by the INEC chairman that the electoral process would be transparent but we experienced was to the contrary.
“Thirdly we discovered that result sheets were translocated other than the purpose for which they were meant. For instance some result sheets meant for some polling booths in Idemili were taken to another area even when they were coded.
“There were massive. harassment and intimidation of voters and our party agents. The party agents’ accreditation cards were described as fake and they were hounded out hence we had no agents at most poling booths.
“There was massive deployment of money by APGA through its serving commissioners, party chieftains, contractors and some other individuals who were deployed to pay each voter as much as N10,000 to vote for APGA.
“Having noticed the various flaws …we have come to inevitable conclusion that this commission is determine to go back to its old ways and that the much gains made in 2011 election is being reversed.
“We therefore urge the INEC to cancel the charade called election conducted in Anambra and deploy transparent officials including a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC to conduct a fresh election in the state.
“No election result should be announced as the elections have not been concluded. What they are doing now is an exercise in futility.
“We are peace-loving people in Anambra state and they should not provoke the people to violence. A word is enough for the wise.”
Both Ubah and Nwoye said they all agreed to take a common position on the issue, insisting that the election should be cancelled.
Source: Vanguard
Anambra State.
At a joint news conference addressed at 8pm at Finotel Hotel, Awka, Senator Ngige presented the official position of the three contestants on the election.
The three candidates who had earlier in the day expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election which is yet to be announced by INEC as at press time last night.
From Left; Labour Party candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, All Progress Congress candidate Dr Chris Ngige and People Democratic Party candidate Comrade Tony Nwoye at a joint press conference by the candidates in Awka, Sunday.
Ngige said: “Our stand is that Saturday election was characterized by fraud, malpractices and massive irregularities and we call on INEC to put in place another process to conduct a fresh election to enable the people of Anambra elect their governor that will take over from the present governor on March 17 next year.
“The irregularities clearly noticed included the omission of the names of many voters in the registers presented for the election in the over 4,000 polling units.
We were assured that the process will be free and fair during the stake holder’s meeting with the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, but little did we know that they had planned to disenfranchise many of our supporters by deleting their names from the register everywhere in the local government areas. It was so massive and we hereby reject the voters registers used for this election.
“We were assured by the INEC chairman that the electoral process would be transparent but we experienced was to the contrary.
“Thirdly we discovered that result sheets were translocated other than the purpose for which they were meant. For instance some result sheets meant for some polling booths in Idemili were taken to another area even when they were coded.
“There were massive. harassment and intimidation of voters and our party agents. The party agents’ accreditation cards were described as fake and they were hounded out hence we had no agents at most poling booths.
“There was massive deployment of money by APGA through its serving commissioners, party chieftains, contractors and some other individuals who were deployed to pay each voter as much as N10,000 to vote for APGA.
“Having noticed the various flaws …we have come to inevitable conclusion that this commission is determine to go back to its old ways and that the much gains made in 2011 election is being reversed.
“We therefore urge the INEC to cancel the charade called election conducted in Anambra and deploy transparent officials including a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC to conduct a fresh election in the state.
“No election result should be announced as the elections have not been concluded. What they are doing now is an exercise in futility.
“We are peace-loving people in Anambra state and they should not provoke the people to violence. A word is enough for the wise.”
Both Ubah and Nwoye said they all agreed to take a common position on the issue, insisting that the election should be cancelled.
Source: Vanguard
Friday 15 November 2013
Don't miss the final countdown to Brazil 2014
Don't miss the final countdown to Brazil 2014
In the next seven days, the final pieces still missing in the 32-piece puzzle that is the 2014 Fifa World Cup will fall into place.
Twenty one nations, including hosts Brazil, have all booked their place in next year’s football extravaganza. Twenty two will battle it out for the 11 spots still up for grabs, to be broadcast exclusively live on SuperSport.
The World of Champions will broadcast all 15 of the final playoff matches live.
On the continent, Ghana look to have snatched one of the spots after blacking out Egypt’s campaign 6-1 in Kumasi in the first leg.
The second leg should be all but a formality barring a miracle. The Ivory Coast are in a similar position having swatted aside a lacklustre Senegal 3-1.
There’s still everything to play for in the three other fixtures: Nigeria and Burkina Faso hold slender leads against Ethiopia and Algeria respectively while there’s nothing separating Cameroon and Tunisia going into the second leg.
The biggest disappoint looming over Brazil 2014 is that the tournament will be without one of the two most in-form players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Portugal and Sweden go head-to-head for one of the four spots still up for grabs for Europe.
The dynamic duo of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are also in danger of missing the World Cup.
After failing to finish in the top four of the South American qualifying campaign with Uruguay, which guarantees automatic qualification, the duo have one last chance to make Brazil 2014 through an intercontinental playoff against Jordan.
BROADCAST DETAILS (CAT, SA, GMT+2)
Wednesday, November 13
Jordan v Uruguay - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N (4:55pm)
Friday, November 15
Greece v Romania - SS8 (8:40pm)
Portugal v Sweden - SS6HD/Maximo (8:40pm)
Iceland v Croatia - SS9 (8:55pm)
Ukraine v France - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N (9:55pm)
Saturday, November 16
Nigeria v Ethiopia - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo2/Select (4:30pm)
Senegal vs. Ivory Coast - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo/Select (8.30pm)
Sunday, November 16
Cameroon v Tunisia - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo/Select (4pm) Tuesday, November 19
Egypt v Ghana - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo/Select (5:30pm)
Romania v Greece - SS2HDA/SS5HD/SS5/SS5N (7:55pm)
Algeria v Burkina Faso - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo360/Select (8pm)
Croatia v Iceland - SS8 (8:10pm)
Sweden v Portugal - SS7/SS7N/Maximo (8:45pm)
France v Ukraine - SS1HDA/SS6HD/SS6 (9:55pm)
Thursday, November 21
Uruguay v Jordan - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N (10:15pm)
Source: Supersports.com
In the next seven days, the final pieces still missing in the 32-piece puzzle that is the 2014 Fifa World Cup will fall into place.
Twenty one nations, including hosts Brazil, have all booked their place in next year’s football extravaganza. Twenty two will battle it out for the 11 spots still up for grabs, to be broadcast exclusively live on SuperSport.
The World of Champions will broadcast all 15 of the final playoff matches live.
On the continent, Ghana look to have snatched one of the spots after blacking out Egypt’s campaign 6-1 in Kumasi in the first leg.
The second leg should be all but a formality barring a miracle. The Ivory Coast are in a similar position having swatted aside a lacklustre Senegal 3-1.
There’s still everything to play for in the three other fixtures: Nigeria and Burkina Faso hold slender leads against Ethiopia and Algeria respectively while there’s nothing separating Cameroon and Tunisia going into the second leg.
The biggest disappoint looming over Brazil 2014 is that the tournament will be without one of the two most in-form players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Portugal and Sweden go head-to-head for one of the four spots still up for grabs for Europe.
The dynamic duo of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are also in danger of missing the World Cup.
After failing to finish in the top four of the South American qualifying campaign with Uruguay, which guarantees automatic qualification, the duo have one last chance to make Brazil 2014 through an intercontinental playoff against Jordan.
BROADCAST DETAILS (CAT, SA, GMT+2)
Wednesday, November 13
Jordan v Uruguay - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N (4:55pm)
Friday, November 15
Greece v Romania - SS8 (8:40pm)
Portugal v Sweden - SS6HD/Maximo (8:40pm)
Iceland v Croatia - SS9 (8:55pm)
Ukraine v France - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N (9:55pm)
Saturday, November 16
Nigeria v Ethiopia - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo2/Select (4:30pm)
Senegal vs. Ivory Coast - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo/Select (8.30pm)
Sunday, November 16
Cameroon v Tunisia - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo/Select (4pm) Tuesday, November 19
Egypt v Ghana - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo/Select (5:30pm)
Romania v Greece - SS2HDA/SS5HD/SS5/SS5N (7:55pm)
Algeria v Burkina Faso - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N/Maximo360/Select (8pm)
Croatia v Iceland - SS8 (8:10pm)
Sweden v Portugal - SS7/SS7N/Maximo (8:45pm)
France v Ukraine - SS1HDA/SS6HD/SS6 (9:55pm)
Thursday, November 21
Uruguay v Jordan - SS3HD/SS3/SS3N (10:15pm)
Source: Supersports.com
Monday 4 November 2013
Daily Manna: Praise That Enthralls. Tuesday 05, November 2013
Daily Manna: Praise That Enthralls
Tuesday 05, November 2013
TEXT: PSALM 147:1-20
KEY VERSE: “Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely” (Psalm 147:1).
There is a direct relationship between enthralling praise and supernatural intervention. The Bible is replete with such proven examples. Jehoshaphat praised the Lord and the confederacy of enemies against Judah scattered. The Lord Jesus Christ thanked God at Lazarus’ grave and the dead man came back to life. Paul and Silas sang praises too. To those who praise the Lord from truly transformed hearts, God often responds with immediacy. Real praise brings the power of God to bear in our world.
David didn’t praise God just because it caught his fancy. His praise was borne out of an intimate relationship with God, a keen awareness of His majesty and a tacit acknowledgement of His great deeds. He acknowledged God as great in power and understanding. He blessed the Lord for sending forth His commandment upon the earth. Praises ignite God’s power.
Accepted praise cannot be acted out. It is a voluntary acknowledgement of the wholesome nature of the Almighty that is worthy of infinite adulation. Acceptable praise needs be sincere, relational and enthralling.
Do you find it difficult sustaining your praises and thanksgiving before the Lord? Then ask the Lord for a walk in the spirit that compels an instinctive praise and thanksgiving even in the face of stiff challenges. From today, give praise a prominent place in your prayer. Let your praise outstrip narrow supplications and self serving prayer schedule. You will surely discover the awesome power that moves mountains.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Real praise has the capacity to open doors and confound adversaries.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
Tuesday 05, November 2013
TEXT: PSALM 147:1-20
KEY VERSE: “Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely” (Psalm 147:1).
There is a direct relationship between enthralling praise and supernatural intervention. The Bible is replete with such proven examples. Jehoshaphat praised the Lord and the confederacy of enemies against Judah scattered. The Lord Jesus Christ thanked God at Lazarus’ grave and the dead man came back to life. Paul and Silas sang praises too. To those who praise the Lord from truly transformed hearts, God often responds with immediacy. Real praise brings the power of God to bear in our world.
David didn’t praise God just because it caught his fancy. His praise was borne out of an intimate relationship with God, a keen awareness of His majesty and a tacit acknowledgement of His great deeds. He acknowledged God as great in power and understanding. He blessed the Lord for sending forth His commandment upon the earth. Praises ignite God’s power.
Accepted praise cannot be acted out. It is a voluntary acknowledgement of the wholesome nature of the Almighty that is worthy of infinite adulation. Acceptable praise needs be sincere, relational and enthralling.
Do you find it difficult sustaining your praises and thanksgiving before the Lord? Then ask the Lord for a walk in the spirit that compels an instinctive praise and thanksgiving even in the face of stiff challenges. From today, give praise a prominent place in your prayer. Let your praise outstrip narrow supplications and self serving prayer schedule. You will surely discover the awesome power that moves mountains.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Real praise has the capacity to open doors and confound adversaries.
***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!
TCN To Ration Power For Six Days Due To Shutdown Of Afam Power Plant For Maintenance
Starting from today, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will ration power across the country for six days so as to carry out a scheduled maintenance work.
A statement by the TCN yesterday announced a reduction in power generation by 400 megawatts due to plant shutdown for maintenance by Shell.
“Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) will be carrying out scheduled maintenance work on Okoloma Gas Plant which supplies gas to Afam VI Power Plant, thereby leading to the shutdown of the power plant, resulting in nationwide power rationing”, the statement said.
The shutdown of Afam VI power plant became necessary to allow SPDC inspect and carry out routine maintenance work on the Okoloma natural gas station in Afam, Rivers State, to ensure its technical integrity.
SPDC revealed that maintenance work on Okoloma gas plant was important to guarantee continuous and uninterrupted supply of gas to Afam VI for power generation into the national grid.
The statement quotes TCN as regretting any inconveniences the six-day power rationing will cause all electricity consumers nationwide.
-Daily Trust
A statement by the TCN yesterday announced a reduction in power generation by 400 megawatts due to plant shutdown for maintenance by Shell.
“Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) will be carrying out scheduled maintenance work on Okoloma Gas Plant which supplies gas to Afam VI Power Plant, thereby leading to the shutdown of the power plant, resulting in nationwide power rationing”, the statement said.
The shutdown of Afam VI power plant became necessary to allow SPDC inspect and carry out routine maintenance work on the Okoloma natural gas station in Afam, Rivers State, to ensure its technical integrity.
SPDC revealed that maintenance work on Okoloma gas plant was important to guarantee continuous and uninterrupted supply of gas to Afam VI for power generation into the national grid.
The statement quotes TCN as regretting any inconveniences the six-day power rationing will cause all electricity consumers nationwide.
-Daily Trust
Sunday 3 November 2013
Daily Manna: Avoid That Trap! Monday 04, November 2013
Daily Manna: Avoid That Trap!
Monday 04, November 2013
TEXT: LUKE 4:1-15
KEY VERSE: “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).
Hunters who set traps for animals do so not because of their love and care for those animals but to catch them and possibly kill them. They do it to entice and destroy them. Baits are put in traps to entice and kill their victims. Satan uses different kinds of attractions to distract people and ensnare them. Jesus says, “the thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy…” (John 10:10).
The devil tried to make Jesus Christ satisfy His hunger in an ungodly and illegitimate way but He wisely said that man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Satan also demanded worship from Christ and to use His power for vain glory, but Christ defeated him by the word of God. Happily, the Saviour overcame the temptations of the devil.
Temptation is a common experience of every one since the fall in the Garden of Eden. It is an enticement to do evil and sin against God. Circumstances of life are generally the means the devil uses to gain an inroad into every heart. Many of our desires may be normal and good; yet, God wants us to satisfy them in the right and legitimate way.
Every situation has the potential for possible temptation from Satan. Believers must be careful and watchful not to fall into temptation. Christ overcame and lived a holy life, so we can. An attempt to fulfil legitimate desires outside of God’s will is a manipulation of the devil to sin against God. To avoid his trap, we must constantly cross-check all suggestions and align them with the word of God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayerfulness and watchfulness give the victory
Have a wonderful week
Monday 04, November 2013
TEXT: LUKE 4:1-15
KEY VERSE: “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).
Hunters who set traps for animals do so not because of their love and care for those animals but to catch them and possibly kill them. They do it to entice and destroy them. Baits are put in traps to entice and kill their victims. Satan uses different kinds of attractions to distract people and ensnare them. Jesus says, “the thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy…” (John 10:10).
The devil tried to make Jesus Christ satisfy His hunger in an ungodly and illegitimate way but He wisely said that man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Satan also demanded worship from Christ and to use His power for vain glory, but Christ defeated him by the word of God. Happily, the Saviour overcame the temptations of the devil.
Temptation is a common experience of every one since the fall in the Garden of Eden. It is an enticement to do evil and sin against God. Circumstances of life are generally the means the devil uses to gain an inroad into every heart. Many of our desires may be normal and good; yet, God wants us to satisfy them in the right and legitimate way.
Every situation has the potential for possible temptation from Satan. Believers must be careful and watchful not to fall into temptation. Christ overcame and lived a holy life, so we can. An attempt to fulfil legitimate desires outside of God’s will is a manipulation of the devil to sin against God. To avoid his trap, we must constantly cross-check all suggestions and align them with the word of God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayerfulness and watchfulness give the victory
Have a wonderful week
Friday 1 November 2013
FG Set To Hand Over Power Assets
As the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) readies to withdraw its members from all Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) facilities across the country tomorrow, plans have also been concluded by the Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Alhaji Namadi Sambo, to formally hand over the physical assets of 14 PHCN successor companies to their new owners.
The event is expected to occur simultaneously at the headquarters of the successor firms across the country where the vice-vresident would be represented by ministers and other top government functionaries.
A statement from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), which was signed by its spokesman, Chigbo Anichebe, however said the Sapele Generation Company (SGC) would not be affected by the exercise since the NCP had directed its legal committee to undertake a comprehensive legal review of the status of the company following the failure to complete payment by the preferred bidder.
The successor companies expected to be handed over to the new investors include Abuja Distribution Company (owned by KANN Consortium Utility), Benin Distribution Company (Vigeo Power Consortium), Eko Distribution Company (West Power & Gas), Enugu Distribution Company (Interstate Electrics Ltd) and Ibadan Distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited).
Others are: Ikeja Distribution Company (NEDC/KEPCO Consortium), Jos Distribution Company (Aura Energy Limited), Kano Distribution Company (Sahelian Power SPV Limited), Port Harcourt Distribution Company (4Power Consortium) and Yola distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited).
The generation companies expected to be handed over are Shiroro (owned by North-South Power Company), Kainji (Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd), Geregu (Amperion Power Distribution) and Ughelli (Transcorp Ughelli Power Plc).
Expected to represent the vice-president at the various hand over venues are: Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (Abuja), Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Ibadan): and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke (Enugu).
Others are Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga (Eko), Minister of Transport, Senator Idris A. Umar (Kainji/Jebba) and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (Yola).
Others include the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Musa Sada (Kano), Minister of Information, Labaran Maku (Jos), Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu (Ughelli) and Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda (Shiroro).
Director General of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki (Ikeja & Egbin), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Godswill Igali (Port Harcourt), Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Mr. Beks Dagogo-Jack (Benin) and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu (Geregu), will also participate in the exercise.
Out of the 14 successor companies scheduled for handover, a total of US$2, 525,824,534 has been realised as proceeds so far. US$1,256,000,000.00 out of the amount came from the Distribution Companies (DISCOs), while the Generation Companies (GENCOs) raked in US$1, 269,824,534.
According to the federal government, it has set aside the entire proceed of N384 billion from the transaction to settle labour liabilities.
In its determination to resolve all labour issues before the handover, the BPE said it had despatched a team of consultants and its staff for the biometric data capture of 1, 478 employees of the Enugu Distribution Company who could not be audited because of virus attack on the system where their names were stored.
Meanwhile, the federal government yesterday disclosed that it had paid a total of N214.22 billion to 40,093 workers of the workers as severance allowance, adding that the sum of N80.290 billion had been paid as pensions and gratuities.
While briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of stakeholders in the power sector at the Presidential Villa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, said government would ensure that all PHCN workers, whose record had been validated are duly paid their entitlements.
He further said the payment was coming ahead of the handover of the assets of the PHCN by private investors tomorrow simultaneously across the country, stressing that an additional 605 workers have also been validated on Tuesday and their payment have just been paid.
In a statement signed by NUEE’s Secretary, Joe Ajaero, the group claimed that only 68 per cent of the gratuity payment had been made, noting that “no member has received a dime of the pension funds savings into his/her Retirement Savings Account (RSA) as agreed.”
The event is expected to occur simultaneously at the headquarters of the successor firms across the country where the vice-vresident would be represented by ministers and other top government functionaries.
A statement from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), which was signed by its spokesman, Chigbo Anichebe, however said the Sapele Generation Company (SGC) would not be affected by the exercise since the NCP had directed its legal committee to undertake a comprehensive legal review of the status of the company following the failure to complete payment by the preferred bidder.
The successor companies expected to be handed over to the new investors include Abuja Distribution Company (owned by KANN Consortium Utility), Benin Distribution Company (Vigeo Power Consortium), Eko Distribution Company (West Power & Gas), Enugu Distribution Company (Interstate Electrics Ltd) and Ibadan Distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited).
Others are: Ikeja Distribution Company (NEDC/KEPCO Consortium), Jos Distribution Company (Aura Energy Limited), Kano Distribution Company (Sahelian Power SPV Limited), Port Harcourt Distribution Company (4Power Consortium) and Yola distribution Company (Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited).
The generation companies expected to be handed over are Shiroro (owned by North-South Power Company), Kainji (Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd), Geregu (Amperion Power Distribution) and Ughelli (Transcorp Ughelli Power Plc).
Expected to represent the vice-president at the various hand over venues are: Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo (Abuja), Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Ibadan): and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke (Enugu).
Others are Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga (Eko), Minister of Transport, Senator Idris A. Umar (Kainji/Jebba) and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (Yola).
Others include the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Musa Sada (Kano), Minister of Information, Labaran Maku (Jos), Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu (Ughelli) and Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda (Shiroro).
Director General of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki (Ikeja & Egbin), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Godswill Igali (Port Harcourt), Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Power, Mr. Beks Dagogo-Jack (Benin) and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu (Geregu), will also participate in the exercise.
Out of the 14 successor companies scheduled for handover, a total of US$2, 525,824,534 has been realised as proceeds so far. US$1,256,000,000.00 out of the amount came from the Distribution Companies (DISCOs), while the Generation Companies (GENCOs) raked in US$1, 269,824,534.
According to the federal government, it has set aside the entire proceed of N384 billion from the transaction to settle labour liabilities.
In its determination to resolve all labour issues before the handover, the BPE said it had despatched a team of consultants and its staff for the biometric data capture of 1, 478 employees of the Enugu Distribution Company who could not be audited because of virus attack on the system where their names were stored.
Meanwhile, the federal government yesterday disclosed that it had paid a total of N214.22 billion to 40,093 workers of the workers as severance allowance, adding that the sum of N80.290 billion had been paid as pensions and gratuities.
While briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of stakeholders in the power sector at the Presidential Villa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, said government would ensure that all PHCN workers, whose record had been validated are duly paid their entitlements.
He further said the payment was coming ahead of the handover of the assets of the PHCN by private investors tomorrow simultaneously across the country, stressing that an additional 605 workers have also been validated on Tuesday and their payment have just been paid.
In a statement signed by NUEE’s Secretary, Joe Ajaero, the group claimed that only 68 per cent of the gratuity payment had been made, noting that “no member has received a dime of the pension funds savings into his/her Retirement Savings Account (RSA) as agreed.”
Daily Manna: Be Courageous! Friday 01, November 2013
Daily Manna: Be Courageous!
Friday 01, November 2013
TEXT: JOSHUA 1:1-9
KEY VERSE: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
Courage is a contagious virtue, but discouragement and despair are strong weapons in the hand of Satan to destabilise and derail a seemingly mighty strategist. Many mighty men have lost the battles of life in moments of discouragement and despair. So, add to your faith courage to have good success.
Joshua was a brilliant military strategist, a warrior and a special assistant to Moses before the latter died. God told him to take over the leadership of Israel to lead them to the Promised Land. He repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be strong and of good courage.
Change is a natural occurrence in life. Times of difficulty, depression and dire needs often come and go. These periods of crises and challenges are not strange to men and women of God in every generation. Standing on the promises of God courageously is the only panacea when believers are faced with illness, fear, discouragement, disappointment and seemingly overwhelming tasks and circumstances of life. The exit of one person does not necessarily close the chapter of God’s promises for His own people.
Moses’ death was a great blow to Joshua and the nation of Israel. Joshua needed courage to move ahead and fulfil God’s instruction for his life because he was afraid to lead a rebellious nation like Israel.
Courage is the bedrock of success or achievement in life. Only those with persistence, faith and courage can obey divine commands when the task seems impossible. Attitude of dependence on God moves Him to pour His grace upon us and we are empowered to achieve great things.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Courage is like a propeller that moves the engine
HAPPY NEW MONTH
Don't forget to share or comment
Friday 01, November 2013
TEXT: JOSHUA 1:1-9
KEY VERSE: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
Courage is a contagious virtue, but discouragement and despair are strong weapons in the hand of Satan to destabilise and derail a seemingly mighty strategist. Many mighty men have lost the battles of life in moments of discouragement and despair. So, add to your faith courage to have good success.
Joshua was a brilliant military strategist, a warrior and a special assistant to Moses before the latter died. God told him to take over the leadership of Israel to lead them to the Promised Land. He repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be strong and of good courage.
Change is a natural occurrence in life. Times of difficulty, depression and dire needs often come and go. These periods of crises and challenges are not strange to men and women of God in every generation. Standing on the promises of God courageously is the only panacea when believers are faced with illness, fear, discouragement, disappointment and seemingly overwhelming tasks and circumstances of life. The exit of one person does not necessarily close the chapter of God’s promises for His own people.
Moses’ death was a great blow to Joshua and the nation of Israel. Joshua needed courage to move ahead and fulfil God’s instruction for his life because he was afraid to lead a rebellious nation like Israel.
Courage is the bedrock of success or achievement in life. Only those with persistence, faith and courage can obey divine commands when the task seems impossible. Attitude of dependence on God moves Him to pour His grace upon us and we are empowered to achieve great things.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Courage is like a propeller that moves the engine
HAPPY NEW MONTH
Don't forget to share or comment
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