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Reps ‘kill’ bill seeking reduction of political parties to 5

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ABUJA — MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, ‘killed’ an amendment bill seeking to reduce the number of political parties in Nigeria from about 65 to five.
This led to a debate on the general principles of a “Bill for an Act to Alter Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Limit the number of Political Parties to five and for other Related Matters” promoted by Ali Mohammed Wudil (APC, Kano). Wudil had said the amendment would allow for a manageable number of political parties that could be structured toward exerting maximum impact during electioneering periods. He explained that the current structure of having over 60 political parties in the system had created platforms for mere adoption of popular candidates from politically viable parties for pecuniary exchange that adds no real value to the struggle for offices around the country. He said: “This is the 7th amendment, by and large, to allow other four parties to exist along side the party which is currently in power. “Some parties are not fit to be called parties at all by the sheer pronunciation of their names, the structure of their offices and leadership component, and as such should be removed by the provision of the amendment bill.” In her contribution, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said: “If we have a lot of political parties that have failed to measure up in the past, now is the time to reduce them.” Philip Shuaibu (APC, Edo) in his submission, argued that the bill was coming at the wrong time, adding that the nation’s political landscape was not matured for a reduction in the number of parties operating within it. Based on Shuaibu’s superior argument and the support it got from other lawmakers, who spoke against the bill, it was killed by voice vote as majority of lawmakers present rejected the amendment, following question by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

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We need to re-establish the integrity of Nigeria – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the urgent need to ensure that the potentials of Nigeria are harnessed and used for the good of the country.

The president stated this on Monday when he received the President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Dr Bernard Aliyu, at the State House, Abuja He said: “Nigeria needs to work on her potentials, so that we don’t remain permanently at the level of potentials. “If Ethiopia is sustained largely by her airline industry, we have greater potentials here. “But we must move out, engage with the rest of the world, as we need to re-establish the integrity of this country. “We need to rebuild this country again.’’ The president recounted that for the greater part of the last 16 years, oil sold above 100 dollars per barrel but expressed regret that the nation did not have much to show for it. “In the First Republic, more enduring infrastructure was built with meagre resources. But in the past 16 years, we made a lot of money without planning for the rainy day. “We showed a lot of indiscipline in managing our economy, and that is why we are where we are today. “But this time round, we’ll do our best,’’ he said. In his remarks, the Nigerian-born ICAO President, Aliyu, commended Buhari for strides on anti-corruption and urged Nigeria to pay more attention to development of civil aviation. “Civil aviation is a catalyst for economic development. The level of aviation development in any country mirrors the ecsulyben.blogspot.comonomic development of that country,’’ he added. The ICAO president pledged to support the development of the aviation industry in Nigeria. He, however, urged the country to improve on training and capacity development, aviation security, aerodromes and air navigation, runways, control towers and terminal buildings, among others.

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Ronaldo breaks Barcelona’s 39-game unbeaten run in El Clasico Read more at: http://sulyben.blogspot,com ronaldo-breaks-barcelonas-39-game-unbeaten-run-el-clasico/

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winner as 10-man Real Madrid came from behind to end Barcelona’s 39-game unbeaten run 2-1 in El Clasico at the Camp Nou on Saturday. Gerard Pique’s towering header put the hosts in front on the night they honoured legendary former player and coach Johan Cruyff. Yet, Karim Benzema quickly levelled before Ronaldo fired home five minutes from time after Madrid captain Sergio Ramos had seen the 21st red card of his career. Victory reduces Barca’s lead over third-placed Madrid to seven points with seven games remaining, but Atletico Madrid closed the gap on the leaders to six points with a 5-1 thrashing of Real Betis earlier on Saturday. There was an emotive homage to Cruyff before kick-off with over 90,000 fans holding up a display reading “Thank you Johan” alongside a Barca jersey with the number 14 the Dutch great adorned during his playing career. Once the action got underway, Barca started by far the better and only an incredible miss by Luis Suarez let Madrid off the hook on 10 minutes. Neymar unselfishly squared for his Uruguayan strike partner, but Suarez failed to make any connection from his low cross with the goal at his mercy. Keylor Navas was then forced to make a smart save from Ivan Rakitic as Madrid struggled to contain wave upon wave of Barca attack. The hosts were enraged midway through the half when Lionel Messi looked to have been brought down by Ramos right on the edge of the area, but referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez waived play on with Ramos already having been booked. Madrid grew into the game as the first-half progressed and finally threatened the Barca goal when Ronaldo’s shot was beaten away by Claudio Bravo before Gareth Bale blazed a volley over from a narrow angle. Barca started on the front foot again after the break and Navas made a brilliant save to prevent Messi’s cheeky chipped effort floating in at the far post. Yet, that save only momentarily denied Barca as Pique rose highest to power home Rakitic’s corner on 56 minutes. The lead lasted just six minutes, though, as Benzema swivelled by blast home Toni Kroos’s deflected cross into the bottom corner. Bale had the chance to turn the game on its head, but his tame effort on his favoured left foot was easily held by Bravo as Madrid again threatened on the counter-attack. The Welshman did have the ball in the net nine minutes from time, but was incredibly unfortunate to be penalised for a push on Jordi Alba as he headed in. Ronaldo then fired against the bar and Bravo saved a one-on-one with Bale as Madrid’s pace on the break began to tear a tired-looking Barca apart. The visitors’ hopes of a famous win looked to have gone when Ramos was finally given his marching orders for a second booking after chopping down Suarez seven minutes from time. Yet, just two minutes later Ronaldo struck the winner as he controlled Bale’s cross to the far post before slotting under Bravo.

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UK backs Nigeria Energy Forum Read more at: http://sulyben.blogspot.com /2016/04/uk-backs-nigeria-energy-forum/

The United Kingdom, has pledged its support for the 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF 2016), holding from 12th to 13th April, at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. The UK Minister for International Development, Hon. Nick Hurd, who will be speaking at the event, disclosed this in a letter to the organisers. ‘I am keen to keep up the momentum of the Energy Africa campaign and I would be delighted to speak at this event. Nigeria is a key partner in the campaign and it would be an honour to follow the speech by Vice President Osinbajo. There is a real momentum to drive the acceleration of energy access in Africa, and I am keen to support this event on the road to meeting Global Goal7’.   The 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF 2016) aims to facilitate increased energy access, strengthen energy capacity building initiatives and attract direct foreign investment to Nigeria’s electricity sector. Hon.Hurd, will make a presentation titled ‘Sustainable Energy in Africa – Rising to the Challenge’ while , the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been invited to be the Chief Host of the Forum and to formally open the event with a keynote speech titled ‘Sustainable Energy for All Nigerians – Grand Challenges, Big Opportunities’ on 12th April 2016. Recalled that in 2015, the UK launched an Energy Africa campaign to achieve universal electricity access in Africa using solar technologies by 2030. Nigeria was among the first of six other African countries to complete the agreement, which was signed in London by, Vice President Osinbajo, on October 22, 2015. About 80 million people in Nigeria are currently without electricity access – this is 45% of the population and equivalent to the total population of UK. Together with the UK Energy Africa campaign, the 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum will facilitate increased energy access to Nigerians, strengthen energy capacity building initiatives and increase investment in off-grid energy firms. The two day event will address the grand challenges and big opportunities for sustainable energy development in Nigeria. On Day one, there will be the Opening Plenary Session, Energy Innovation Exhibition, Four Super Sessions and a Sustainable Energy Dinner. The Super Sessions will focus on: The Energy Policy Landscape; Strategic Development of the Nigerian Gas and Electricity Infrastructure; Sustainable Energy for National Development; and Financing the New Energy System. Day two will open with a special session on Capacity Building for Regional Energy Sustainability, which is to facilitate sustainable development of regional energy resources for increased energy access. Also, four technical sessions will be held in parallel to focus on: Improved Energy Services for Large Industries and Manufacturers; Smarter Grids and Innovative Metering Solutions; Meeting the Sustainable Energy for All Goals; and Opportunities for Research Development and Innovation. According to the organisers, over 50 distinguished speakers and experts and 300 delegates across the world are expected to attend the event. Some distinguished speakers, who have confirmed participation in the Energy Forum include: Prof. Eli Jidere Bala (DG, Energy Commission of Nigeria); Prof. Henry Louie (Seattle University, USA); Prof. Akin Iwayemi (University of Ibadan, Nigeria); Dr. Dharshana Muthumini (Managing Director, Manitoba HVDC Research Centre, Canada); Dr. Jamil Gwamna (MD/CEO, Kano Disco); Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (Senior Partner, Olisa Agbakoba Legal); Mr. Baldeh Batchi (Power Director, Africa Finance Corporation); Mr Nasir Giwa (Country Manager, Siemens Power and Gas), Mr. Mohammed Mijindadi (MD, GE Gas Power Systems). The 2016 Africa Energy Essay and Photography competitions organized for the forum have attracted over 380 entries from young professionals under age 35 from 20 different countries across 4 continents. The essays were written in the form of a letter to the UN Secretary General, on the topic ‘How can Africa achieve sustainable and affordable energy for all by 2030?’. Winners will be awarded at the Sustainable Energy Dinner on 12th April. Furthermore, NEF 2016 is set to reward excellence in the sustainable energy sector at the 2016 Sustainable Energy Africa Awards. This prestigious award is to recognise organisations and individual who are setting the pace for sustainable energy development in Nigeria and other African countries. Awards Categories include: International Energy Partnerships of the Year, Outstanding Contribution in Energy, Energy Project of the Year; Women in Energy, and Emerging Leaders in Energy. On Tuesday, 26th January 2016, the Acting Nigeria High Commissioner in the UK, His Excellency, Mr Adah Simon Ogah, formally hosted the NEF 2016 UK Team during an official visit to the High Commission, London UK. Mr. Ogah endorsed the NEF 2016 goals towards sustainable development of Nigeria’s electricity sector. A flag-off event, hosted by the sulyben.blogspot.comNigeria High Commission UK, will be held in London on April 6, 2016.

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Breaking news

President Muhammadu Buhari speaks on
Nigeria’s stance on global terrorism
– President Buhari extolled President
Obama’s pace setting initiative and drive
which he said, has brought the global fight
against the threat of nuclear terrorism to its
present level
– President Buhari pledged Nigeria’s
continued support for all multilateral efforts
aimed at promoting a common approach and
commitment to nuclear security at the
highest levels
President Muhammadu Buhari shaking hands
with some delegates.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed
Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight
against the threat of nuclear terrorism and
other forms of terrorism.