Archive for March 2010
How plantain extract boosts kidney health, sexual functions in men
A MEAL of unripe plantain with local spices like cloves, onions, garlic and ginger could be the answer to erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, ulcer, kidney problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Unripe plantain cooked or roasted has been proven over the years to induce, sustain and maintain erection. It also helps to make semen thick and increases sperm volume.
“Roasted plantain fruit is good for men with weak erection and low sperm count. Make a habit of eating one or two roasted plantain daily. If you wish, you can eat it with vegetable soup. Enjoy yourself while you improve your health the natural way. The ripe plantain fruit can be used to treat indigestion. Mash some ripe plantain to make a paste. Take one tablespoon twice daily,” said Director, Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Centre Ewu, Edo State, Rev. Fr. Anslem Adodo.
Adodo added: “Take more plantain or unripe bananas. They help to rejuvenate the sexual organ with high level of potassium. Include garlic in every meal. Garlic is generally a good anti oxidant and a good remedy for impotence in particular. Include ginger in every meal too. Ginger has healing properties to treat erectile dysfunction. Include onion as much as possible in all your meals. It has been taken fresh by ancient Greece to lighten the balance of blood and to firm up their muscles. Fresh green vegetables, all kinds of nuts, grains and fresh fruits, which are rich in mineral are generally good to impotence cure.”
According to “Medicinal Uses of Fruits and Vegetables” written by Mr. Olalekan Jagun, unripe plantain contains special dietary fibre called pectin, which increases the number of calories ingested thus can shed weight or treat obesityá
Researches by alternative medical practitioners have shown that people experiencing frigidity, sterility and most especially very cold sexual drive may not necessarily need to take drugs like Viagra, but natural diets like plantain.
Although some herbal doctors call it natural remedy for weak penile erection, but many other neuropaths say it should not be regarded as Viagra because of its negative interpretation. They say it is only a libido enhancing natural therapy that has no dangerous effect on body organs like the heart as that of Viagra._
Researchers have shown that co-treatment of extract of root of plantain to streptozotocin-treated diabetic rat resulted in a significant correction in the levels of sex organ relative weights, serum insulin and testosterone levels, sperm count and viability, androgenic enzyme activity, antioxidant enzymes, conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels in testis and germ cells counts at stage VII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle.
The results of the study published in Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants support the validity of this herbal drug for the management of diabetes as well as diabetes-induced testicular disorder.
How does plantain boost sexual performance, reduce impotence, unsatisfactory erection, sexual weakness and increase sex drive, including women you may ask? How can it be prepared might be the question of some people? The answer is that only unripe plantain is required for this purpose. Fresh unripe plantain would be used with the peel removed. _
Some naturopaths recommend: “Unripe plantain, pure honey, cloves and walnuts will be grinded, mashed or pound together to make a gel or paste. After this, the gel will be sun-dried to form a cake or flakes. During sun-drying, the materials should be protected either with tiny, spacing wire mesh or iron mosquito nets from flies. __Once totally dried and has become a flake, it has become a “drug” referred to as sex enhancing drug capable of improving penile-erection, cure sexual coldness in women and also prevent early or premature ejaculation in men during sexual intercourse.”_
Nigerian researchers have also shown the blood sugar lowering potential of unripe plantain. The study, titled “Hypoglycemic effect of methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca (Musaceae) green fruits in normal and diabetic mice” was published in Experimental Clinical Pharmacology by J. A. Ojewole and C. O. Adewunmi.
The results of the experimental study indicate that, in the mammalian model used, methanolic extract of mature, green fruits of Musa paradisiaca (MEMP) possesses hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) activity.
They wrote: “Although the precise mechanism of the hypoglycemic action of MEMP is still unclear and will have to await further studies, it could be due, at least in part, to stimulation of insulin production and subsequent glucose utilization. Nevertheless, the findings of this experimental animal study indicate that MEMP possesses hypoglycemic activity, and thus lends credence to the suggested folkloric use of the plant in the management and/or control of adult-onset, type-2 diabetic mellitus among the Yoruba-speaking people of South-Western Nigeria.”
A study on the effect of plantains on Desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertension in rats indicates that chronic consumption of plantain diet is capable of lowering the DOCA-induced elevated mean arterial pressure in rats.
According to the study published in Pharmaceutical Biology by E. E. Osim of the Department of Physiology College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar; and J. O Ibu of the Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, plantain diet can also prevent the onset of DOCA-induced hypertension in rats.
They wrote: “DOCA administration to rats placed on normal rat feed elevated the mean arterial blood pressure. The consumption of plantain diet by rats previously treated with DOCA lowered the mean arterial blood pressure to control values. DOCA administration to rats previously placed on plantain diet produced no significant change in the mean arterial blood pressure when compared with control.”
Plantain is also recommended for the treatment of urinary stones. The stem juices of Musa paradisiaca have been reported for dissolving pre-formed stones and in preventing the formation of stones in the urinary bladder of rats. Stem juice is also used in nervous affectations like epilepsy, hysteria and in dysentery and diarrhoea. Several oligosaccharides comprising fructose, xylose, galactose, glucose and mannose occur naturally in plantain, making it an excellent prebiotic for the selective growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
Adodo wrote in Pax Herbal Magazine: “The green leaf of plantain is very useful in treating diabetes. Simply boil the fresh leaves in water. Drink a glassful twice daily. However, pregnant women should not take this preparation, as it is capable of stimulating the uterus, thus promoting miscarriage. The whitish fluid that shows when plantain leaf is cut is very effective for treating wounds, especially fresh wounds. The juice stops the flow of blood very quickly.”
He said the sap is the most medicinal part of plantain. “The sap is present in every part of the plant. By piercing any part of the plant, especially the trunk one can collect the sap.”
How can the sap be collected? Adodo explained: “Cut the trunk of a plantain into pieces. Pound the pieces in a mortar. Then squeeze out the juice. What you have is a potent herbal juice that can be used for varieties of illnesses. Mix one bottle of the juice with half bottle of honey. Henceforth, this preparation will be referred to as plantain solution.”
Adodo said plantain juice could be used for nervousness, epilepsy, dysentery, ulcer, skin infections. He said: “Plantain Solution (PS) offers quick relief for nervousness and even hysteria. It calms the system and promotes sleep. Drink two tablespoons of PS twice daily.
“PS offers great hope for those suffering from epilepsy. It effectively hinders electric discharge in the brain, thus preventing epileptic fits. The dosage is two tablespoons of PS thrice daily.
“Drinking two tablespoons of PS twice daily will bring relief to those suffering from dysentery as well as diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion. For intestinal ulcer, drink two tablespoons of PS twice daily. For chronic external ulcers, use cotton wool to apply PS to the wound twice daily. Apply PS to the skin in cases of burns, skin rashes and insect bites.”
Adodo said plantain root is very useful for a number of illnesses. “Cut some plantain roots into pieces, and then pound in a mortar. Press out the juice and throw the chaff away. Mix half bottle of honey with one bottle of the juice. Once again, what you have left is a potent herbal solution, henceforth referred to as Plantain Root Juice (PRJ). PRJ is effective for the following complaints,” he said.
The catholic monk continued: “Prostrate cancer is on the increase everyday. Orthodox medicine has nothing to offer except surgical operation, which is of little value. Does that mean there is always hope? Well, there is always hope. There is no hopelessness in nature. PRJ is of great help in reducing prostrate tumour, retention of urine and other related ailments. Drink three tablespoons of PRJ thrice daily.”
The Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Centre Director said PRJ offers great hope for all forms of kidney problems and diabetes. “It promotes the flow of urine and helps in metabolism. PRJ has proved helpful to diabetics who are lucky enough to know about it. The dosage is two tablespoons thrice daily,” he said.
Adodo said PRJ could also be used to treat venereal diseases like gonorrhoea and syphilis. “If you are one of those many people who suffer from any or all of the various forms of venereal diseases, such as staphylococcus, gonorrhea or syphilis, then I have good news for you. PRJ is the hidden solution to your problem. Drinking three tablespoons of PRJ for two months will eradicate chronic gonorrhea and staphylococcus. For syphilis, continue the medication for four months. Venereal diseases take time to cure, so do not think that you can eradicate them overnight. And beware of herbalists who claim that they can cure gonorrhea or syphilis in a week or two. Never hurry nature. Allow the body to repair itself. That is natural way,” he said.
Adodo added: “Plantain leaf is useful against skin rashes and burns as well as convulsions. Grind some plantain leaves into powder. Mix four tablespoons of the powder with half coca-cola bottle of palm-kernel oil or vegetable oil and apply to the whole body.
“The peel of both ripe and unripe plantain is cure for stomach ulcer. Dry the peels and grind to ashes. Mix one teaspoon of the powder with some honey, then lick. Do this twice daily.”
By Chukwuma Muanya
Nickelodeon's Annual Kids' Choice Awards Highlights
Los Angeles – Mega-stars Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Jim Carrey, Black Eyed Peas and Jay-Z reigned as this year’s favorites, winning top honors at Nickelodeon’s 23rd Annual Kids’ Choice Awards live telecast.
Hosted by funnyman Kevin James and broadcast from UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, the evening got off to a slime-filled start as James and Adam Sandler opened the show with their own rendition of “Get Slimed Tonight” while soaking the audience with the green goo.
Nickelodeon stars and music group Big Time Rush introduced international superstar Rihanna who was joined onstage by a giant dancing robot as she rocked the house with a medley of her hits “Hard,” “Rude Boy” and “Please Don’t Stop the Music.”
Orange blimps were presented to Taylor Lautner for Favorite Movie Actor, Miley Cyrus for Favorite Movie Actress. Jim Carrey won top honors for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie and in the television categories, Favorite Reality Show went to “American Idol,” and Favorite Cartoon to “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
In music, top honors went to Taylor Swift for Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Song for “You Belong With Me,” Jay-Z for Favorite Male Singer and Black Eyed Peas for Favorite Music Group.
In a special honor, The First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama accepted the first-ever Nickelodeon Big Help Award for inspiring families to be healthy and active through her recently launched Let’s Move! Initiative. In a taped acceptance speech, she acknowledged it was an honor to receive the award and encouraged kids to take control of their lives and health.
Samantha Ofole-Prince is an entertainment journalist based in Los Angeles and can be reached on sofole@gmail.com
Pictures by Kevin Winter
Cabinet NG and TSC Group extends National Boundaries with New document mgt software
Battle Creek, MI – Cabinet NG (CNG), provider of document management and workflow software, has announced that it has signed an agreement with Michigan-based Company TSC Group, Inc., an efficiency consulting firm with extensive expertise in designing systems and processes that optimize organizations’ operational efficiency. The agreement allows TSC Group to market and resell CNG’s document management software in the US and Africa.
TSC Group, Inc. specializes in Efficiency Consulting services, providing critical business information management technology solutions, including document and content management, archiving and imaging needs to discerning and dynamic organizations. By extending CNG’s software systems to African businesses, TSC Group is helping generate substantial cost savings, improving operational efficiencies and enabling their operating systems to par with emerging global best practices in information management.
“Introducing CNG-SAFE and CNG-ONLINE to Nigeria is fulfilling a dream of contributing to the project of moving Nigerian businesses from the ‘Industrial Age’ to the ‘Information Age,’” said Dozie Ononiwu, President, TSC Group, Inc. “CNG’s products bring the capacity to improve the way critical business documents are handled, generating substantial cost savings through improved operational quality and efficiencies for businesses in both the private and public sectors. We are excited at the prospect of providing solid business information management solutions to help position Nigeria/African businesses on the global business map,” said Ononiwu.
“We are glad to see TSC Group, Inc. bringing such a powerful document management system into the country,” said Kene Ikedife, Engineer and CEO, All Technology, Ltd. “With the amount of documentation used in businesses today, it will be a welcomed solution and one that will help companies streamline their office operations, protect the environment by minimizing waste and positively impact their bottom line.”
Today’s businesses are faced with challenging economic conditions, stiffer competition, spiraling operations costs and increasing demand for quality by their customers. More than ever there is a need to balance customer satisfaction, maximize ROI and optimize a business’s available capacity and resources – all critical components for business survival. CNG-SAFE consolidates information into one organized and easy-to-use system, allowing instant document filing and retrieval. Its unique features enable organizations to optimize document security, enforce retention policies, and apply workflow to help businesses automate processes and dramatically improve efficiency.
“By offering a solid platform with its ability to easily integrate with other applications, TSG Group, Inc. is helping their customers achieve the critical balance of being able to generate cost savings and increase operational efficiency with CNG-SAFE,” said Jon Clark, VP Sales, CNG. We are excited to see what this new relationship brings for our international reach.”
About Cabinet NG:
Cabinet NG’s (CNG) document management software moves manual paper-based processes into efficient electronic workflows. As a result, businesses can increase productivity, reduce paper, save money and meet compliance requirements. CNG’s intuitive, secure and affordable filing approach provides a way to achieve a paperless office that scales with business growth. Patent pending integration technology ensures smooth workflow and seamless connection to many existing Windows-based business applications. CNG software supports interdepartmental collaboration, allowing users across the company to accomplish tasks more efficiently with centrally managed and instantly accessible documents. CNG also provides industry specific configurations to help industry verticals more quickly attain a paperless environment.
Caption: Jon Clark, VP Sales, Cabinet NG (L) and Dozie Ononiwu, President TSC Group, Inc. (R)
Prof. Adefuye feted at the Nigerian chancery in Washington DC
WASHINGTON, DC – The recently appointed Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America Prof. Ade Adefuye has presented his official credentials to President Barack Obama at the White house. A reception in his honor was later held at the Nigerian Chancery in Washington DC.
Prof. Adefuye was previously the Nigerian Ambassador to Jamaica, deputy high commissioner in the UK and director of the Africa section in the commonwealth secretariat in London. His most recent engagement was as adviser on democracy and good governance to the President of the ECOWAS commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
View exclusive clips of the reception below.
Photo documentary by Damilola Odetola for Trendy Africa USA
Titilola Akinnola Celebrates 50th Birthday in Dallas
DALLAS – Its Official! 50 is one number that is really worthy of celebration. As they say; 50 is the new 40 but the phrase “Golden Jubilee” would always be for 50. The ever graceful and beautiful Titi Akinnola found a worthy cause to celebrate as she stepped out of her private corner to be amongst friends on a cold and windy evening in Dallas.
The evening started out quiet and chilly but ended up too hot to handle as guests turned up in colorful and creatively designed attires to add some flavor to the great celebration. “Kebe” the DJ, Baba Magana the video impresario and yours truly “Trendy Africa” all took care of business professionally.
Photo documentary by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa USA
Aghabie Osarenkhoe and Emmanuel Obisesan Unite in Holy Matrimony
ARLINGTON, TX – Hey Band boys! you better watch out for Emmanuel as you may notice the increase in his tempo especially after the fantastic nuptial ceremony to his heart throb; Aghabie, at the RCCG HOF in Arlington.
The cool Mediterranean breeze combined with clear sunshine made for a perfect and loving atmosphere. The wedding party ended up at the admiral hotel also in Arlington amidst so much celebration and fun. This is wishing the newly wed a blessed married life.
VIEW AND ORDER MORE PHOTOS HERE
Photo documentary by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa USA
African Fashion Rocks New York City
NEW YORK – Friends of Africa gathered at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in New York to witness an exciting collection of African designs at an event organized by Oga ju couture, inc. The event showcased couture and luxury fashion and was hosted by Nkem Odum and Chinedum Nwaneri with special guest appearance by Aminat Ayinde from cycle 12 of America’s Next Top Model.
The fashion show included high fashion couture from upcoming African designers including Oyato, Kreatif designs, Almira Wilsons Leonche, Galapego, Violet couture, Irijah Stenett and Bewaji.
Agency reports by Julie Van Lare for Trendy Africa USA
Trendy Africa is the Official Media Partner to African Fashion Rocks N.Y.C
EFCC: No one is above the law
EFCC: No one is above the law
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri has said no offender would escape the long arm of the commission, as nobody is above the laws of the land.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja, Waziri vowed that her commission would “get these people” who think they can escape from prosecution.
The EFCC boss, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the inauguration of the new board of the Code of Conduct Bureau expressed her frustration over the way Nigerians condone corruption by shielding corrupt people and preventing their arrest by law enforcement agencies.
In an apparent reference to the way former Delta State governor James Ibori refused to honor the commission’s invitation to answer questions over an alleged money laundering offence, Waziri said all hands must be on deck in the fight against corruption.
She said: “You find a situation where we needed somebody to come and answer a few questions, former governor of Delta, he fled and then the police went in and his villagers or people came out to support him.
“These are some of the things. But my belief is that nobody is above the laws of the land and the law is no respecter of persons, we are going to get these people and it is a situation where all hands must be on deck including you the media, you have to inform the people truthfully, sincerely, taking the commitment of your father land into consideration and then the job will be done.”
DONALD DUKE RESIGNS FROM PDP
With the 2011 general elections looming, the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke has resigned from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, preparatory for the launch of his much rumored presidential campaign on the platform of another party.
Citing among other reasons for the decision, Duke said the PDP had become “dysfunctional, unable to articulate a road map and lead Nigerians on a clear and concise path to national renewal.”
In his resignation letter dated April 29 and addressed to the Cross River State chairman of the party, Duke said: “When in 1998, we came together and forged a vehicle destined (as we thought at the time) to carry forward our beloved country’s hopes and dreams, there was a sense of being on the cusp of something that would endure. That has not proved to be the case.”
He regretted that PDP rather than building a robust and people-oriented party, “what has endured has been a lack of commitment to the purpose and focus of the founding fathers of the party and our country, which has emasculated the PDP.”
Duke continued: “Faithfulness and favor have been dissipated by a seamless stream of internecine factional warfare.”
He acknowledged that with his departure from the party, he would be leaving behind friends, “many with whom I shared sincerity of purpose but, regrettably, no longer share commonality of purpose.
President Obama receives Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at the Blair House
UPDATE: President Obama met with Act. President Goodluck Jonathan today at the blair house, the official guest house of the USA President. The courtesy visit was witnessed by The Nigerian Ambassador to the USA, Adefuye as well as the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanders. Jonathan adorned a grey outfit with a fedora-like hat to match.
President Obama welcomed Nigeria’s Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to Washington today. The President expressed his appreciation for Nigeria’s participation in the Nuclear Security Summit and the opportunity to meet with Acting President Jonathan to discuss issues of mutual importance. Both President Obama and Acting President Jonathan agreed to continue to work together on matters of advancing global security, particularly nuclear security and international compliance to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The leaders also discussed important security issues, including efforts to combat terrorism.
Recognizing the regional importance of Nigeria, including its role as a regional leader and its substantial contributions to peacekeeping missions, as well as the longstanding friendship between the peoples of Nigeria and the United States, the President reiterated that the United States places great importance on the U.S. relationship with Nigeria and the Nigerian people. The President added that a strong, democratic, prosperous Nigeria is in the U.S. national interest.
Acting President Jonathan agreed on the importance placed on the U.S.-Nigerian relationship and recognized that the recent signing of a bilateral framework between the two countries provides an important way forward in addressing mutual strategic goals. Both leaders agreed that such goals include: respecting constitutional law and processes, achieving free and fair elections, building the capacity and commitment to fight corruption, respecting human rights, promoting economic development, and resolving internal conflict. The President urged Acting President Jonathan to use his tenure to make historic and tangible progress in strengthening the Nigerian government’s commitment to follow through on countering corruption. The President also said that the U.S. would support Acting President Jonathan in realizing his public promise for electoral reform.
Nigerian Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has arrived the USA ahead of a three day official visit. He is to meet with President Obama at the white house today Sunday the 11th of April and then address the Council for Foreign Relations during his visit. Other assignments include a meeting at the world band and a meet and greet with Nigerian’s at the Nigerian Chancery in Washington DC.
Also expected to join the Acting President at the meeting with Obama are Adefuye, former Ambassador Hassan Adamu and Nigeria Ambassador to the United Nations, Professor Joy Ogwu.
Tomorrow, the Acting President would hold a breakfast meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations and then have lunch with US Vice President, Joe Biden. Jonathan will also meet with the World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, at 3p.m from where he would depart for the opening ceremony of the Nuclear Security Summit at 4:30p.m.
The Acting President would spend the whole of Tuesday at the Nuclear Security Summit. On Wednesday, according to the itinerary,Jonathan would have a breakfast meeting at the Center for Global Development and hold lunch with Corporate Council on Africa.
A meeting had also been scheduled to hold between him and the President of ExxonMobil at 3p.m the same day. The Acting President is expected to depart US 6p.m on Wednesday for Nigeria after meeting with the Nigerian community at 4p.m.
The US trip also marked Jonathan’s first official trip outside the country since he became Acting President.
The presidential jet, a Boeing 737-700, was converted to BBJ- a business jet. It has the capacity to travel 10 hours without stopping to refuel. The fuel capacity can therefore not enable the plane to make a direct flight to the US. What this means is that the jet would stop-over either in Darka, Senegal or London, United Kingdom where it is expected to refuel before it continues with the trip.
On Jonathan’s entourage are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajuimogobia (SAN); minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Aliyu Idi Hong, Minister of finance, Olusegun Aganga, Wakili Adamawa, Amb. Hassan ÆAdamu, Dr Emmanuel Egbogah, Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum; Dr Martins Uhomoibhi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and oil magnate, Mr Femi Otedola. Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke who on official duties is in Los Angeles, United States will also join the acting president’s team in Washington.
Five state governors are also in the entourage, amongst whom is Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, who had earlier gone to the US.
His advance team had left for the US since Friday. Members of the advance team included senior special assistant on strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas and his colleague in charge of media, Mr. Ima Niboro.
Until November 2009, he was serving out his time as a low-key deputy to a low-key president. But then, President Umaru Yar’Adua was taken to hospital in Saudi Arabia and has not been seen in public since. Step forward, Mr Jonathan. After months of political wrangling, Nigeria’s elite finally accepted him as acting leader.
source – the Nigerian Chancery, thisdayonline
Agency reports by Trendy Africa USA @ 2010
OFFICIAL LIST OF FGN MINISTERS
Senior: Prof. Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah
Junior: Awodele Najeem Adewale
2.Justice
Mohammed Bello Adoke
3. Aviation
Mrs. Fidelia Njeze
4.Commerce & Industry
Senior: Jibril Martins Kuye
Junior: Ms. Josephine Tapgun
5.Culture & Tourism
Abubakar Sadiq A. Mohammed
6.Education
Prof. (Mrs) Ruqayyatu A. Rufa’i
7.FCT
Bala Muhammed
8.Environment
Mr. John Ogar Odey
9.Finance
Senior:Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga
Junior: Aderemi W. Babalola
10.Foreign Affairs
Senior: Henry Odein Ajumogobia
Junior: Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong
11.Health
Senior: Suleiman Bello
Junior: Idi Hong
12. Information & Communication
Senior: Prof. Dora Akunyili
Junior: Mr. Labaran Maku
13.Interior
Senior: Emmanuel Iheanacho
Junior: Mr. Humphrey Enemakwu Abah
14.Labour & Productivity
Mr. Chukwuemeka Ngozichineke Wogu
15.Mines & Steel Development
Musa Mohammed Sada
16.Niger Delta Affairs
Senior: Peter Godsday Orubebe
Junior: Samuel Ode
17.Petroleum Resources
Deziani Alison-Madueke
18.Defence
Senior: Adetokunbo Kayode
Junior: Murtala Shehu Yar’Adua
19.Power
Arc. Nuhu Somo Wya
20.Police Affair
Alh. Adamu Waziri
21.Science and Technology
Muhammed K. Abubakar
22.Special Duties
Ernest Olubolade
23.Transport
Yusuf Sulaiman
24.Youth Development
Akinlabi Olasunkanmi
25.Women Affairs
Josephine Anenih
26.National Planning Commission
Shamsudeen Usman
27.National Sports Commission
Ibrahim Isa Bio
28.Works
Senior: Sen. Sanusi M. Dagash
Junior: Chris Ogiemwinyi
29.Lands, Housing & Urban Development
Nduese Essien
RIMI DIES AFTER ROBBERY ATTACK
He was reportedly unhurt in the encounter with the robbers around 11pm last night. The robbers were said to have recognised him and decided not to rob him. Instead, they seized his phones so that he would not report to the police.On getting to Kano, he was said to have been in shock. His personal doctor, it was gathered, checked his blood pressure and decided to take him to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. He never recovered and was pronounced dead shortly after.His body has been moved to his residence in Kano and will be buried according to Islamic rites this morning.
Initial reports said he was shot in the head in the attack which took place at a village called Darki in Wudil Local Government Area, Kano State, while he was returning from Bauchi State where he had gone for his eldest daughter’s wedding.
But it was later revealed that he suffered no gunshot wounds. However, given that his blood pressure had shot up during the attack, he might have suffered a massive stroke, leading to his death.
The radical politician, who was instrumental to the victory of Chief MKO Abiola in the June 12, 1993 presidential election in Kano State, was travelling in a Landcruiser SUV in company with three other persons who are believed to be his relations.
Rimi had become politically reclusive in recent times and led a faction of the PDP in Kano called Garkuwa (Shield). He also staunchly supported President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He was born in 1940 in Rimi Village, Sumaila Local Government Area, Kano State. According to wikipedia.com, Rimi attended an instructor’s course at the Institute of Administration, Zaria. He obtained a General Certificate of Education (GCE) from the University of London.
In 1972, he did a diploma in International Affairs at the London institute of World Affairs, and later obtained a Master’s Degree in International Relations.In January 2006, his wife was killed at his home. His son was among those charged for the murder, but was later released. It was treated as an armed robbery case.
Rimi was co-founder with the late Mallam Aminu Kano and other progressives the People’s Redemption Party (PRP).
In December 1978, he was elected PRP’s Deputy National secretary at the party’s first national convention in Lagos. He was the PRP candidate in the 1979 general election and was elected the governor of the old Kano State.
After a disagreement with the party’s leader, Alhaji Aminu Kano, he defected to the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) in 1983 and resigned as governor “on principle”. He lost the governorship election that year to Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo, who ran as the PRP candidate.
In 1993, Rimi was appointed Minister of Communications, and later Chairman of NACB and NSPMC.
He was one of the foundation members of the PDP in 1998. He was the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the party.
He was briefly touted as former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s running mate in the 1999 presidential election, but Obasanjo eventually settled for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Rimi began to openly oppose Obasanjo and ran against him for PDP’s presidential ticket in 2003, although the PDP had insisted that the position was zoned to the South.
He later moved to the Action Congress (AC) in 2006, but returned to the PDP in 2007. In December 2008, he called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, to resign from office, citing irregularities in the presidential election that brought Yar’Adua to power.
RIBADU’S CASE STRUCK OUT: In what is seen as a prelude to his appointment as Special Adviser to the Acting President on Anti-Corruption, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has applied to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for the withdrawal of the case of non-declaration of assets instituted against the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
It is not yet clear if the current EFCC Chair, Mrs Farida Waziri, will report to him if he is eventually appointed by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
At the CCT sitting in Abuja yesterday, the AGF, represented by the Special Assistant on Litigation, Dr. J. O. Olatoke, stated that his application for withdrawal of the case had nothing to do with a new application the defence counsel intended to submit for CCT to strike out the case.
The defence counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, represented by Mr. Samuel Ogalla, had earlier made known to the Acting Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Murtala A. Sani (SAN), his intention to submit an application to the CCT to strike out the case against his client.
Ogalla’s application was rejected by Justice Sani based on the fact that the tribunal had no substantive chairman and therefore could not take a new motion but could only attend to non-controversial matters.
Justice Sani then advised the prosecuting counsel to formalise his application for withdrawal of the case for proper documentation at its next sitting on Thursday, April 8, 2010.
Speaking after the sitting on what prompted the withdrawal of the case, the prosecuting counsel said before the dissolution of the cabinet, “the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), reviewed the cases on ground and directed that this case should be withdrawn”.
Olatoke said the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vested in the AGF the power of nolle prosequi to discontinue any criminal prosecution at any stage of the case and that it is within the prerogative of AGF under the constitution to decide the cases he wants to prosecute.
Ribadu had praised the elevation of Jonathan to the position of acting president in February, adding that the resolution of the National Assembly indicated that things were changing for the better in the country.
The former EFCC chairman also said he was ready to return to the country to be part of the process of reconstruction desperately needed in the society.
THISDAY had reported in February that the Federal Government was wooing Ribadu and was ready to drop the “trumped-up” charges against him, in addition to restoring Ribadu’s rank, who was demoted by two ranks from Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) before he was finally dismissed for going AWOL (away without official leave) after failing to report for duty in Edo State.
The police disciplinary committee that recommended his dismissal was headed by Ogbonna Onovo, who is now the Inspector General of Police (IG).
When Ribadu was denied his certificate by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for failing to wear his police uniform – which would have meant donning his demoted rank and subsequently challenged the demotion in court at the time – it was Jonathan who ordered NIPSS to release his certificate.
source – thisdayonline
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama has signed into law a landmark health care reform bill that had been seen as impossible just two months ago.
The president said the law “will set into motion what generations of Americans have fought for.”
He said he was confident the Senate would make fixes to the legislation “swiftly.”
Agency Report by Trendy Africa USA @ 2010
Movie: “A Crack in the Wall” Launched in Dallas
Dallas – The flaming sword film productions, Dallas and the Mount Zion film productions, Nigeria at the weekend presented their latest flick; A Crack In the Wall part 1 and 2 at a launching ceremony at the Regency Inn, Arlington Texas.
The movie which is written by Wole Adeyi and Mike Bamiloye and directed by Mike Bamiloye stars Margaret Anenih, Michael Cole, Gbenga Awotoye, Gloria Bamiloye and others. The Flaming sword is a faith based ministry that incorporates theater and movie production to spread the word and teach Christian values.
Agency Report by Trendy Africa USA
Olateju Opegbemi and Abayomi Ishola Solemnize their Union in Dallas
Dallas – The white snow flakes that fell from the skies reminded one of a Cinderella fairy tale scenario on a day that also recorded sub zero temperatures in Dallas.
This surely added to the greatness of the occasion that witnessed a massive turn out of family, friends and well-wishers some of whom drove for hours to be the wedding of Teju and Yomi Ishola.
The reception at the Marriot was a carnival of rich African heritage characterised by mix and match coloration. The happy couple danced with friends at different stages of the event while appreciation poured on them endlessly.
MORE PHOTOS TO VIEW AND ORDER HERE
Photos by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa USA @ 2010
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