Gunmen Kidnap The Mother Of Timipre Sylva’s Running-Mate

Unknown gunmen on Thursday in Bayelsa, kidnapped 100 year-old, Madam Ebifieghe Dikoro, mother of Elder Wilberforce Agiri, the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.
DAILY POST reliably gathered from community sources that the old woman was forcefully abducted at gunpoint early Thursday morning, at her home in Foropa community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council of the State.

Community sources told newsmen in Yenagoa that the unidentified gunmen, thereafter, took the octogenarian away into the creek, aboard three speed boats.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, however, disclosed that the details of the incident were still very sketchy.

Following the incident, accusation and counter accusations have enveloped the political atmosphere in the state, as the APC and PDP governorship campaign organizations are currently drawn in a war of words.

Director of Media and Publicity for the Sylva/Agiri Campaign Organization, Chief Nathan Egba, told newsmen that the the abduction of the aged mother of Agiris could be attributed to the alleged violent campaign of the ruling PDP in the state.

He said: “We call on the PDP, particularly the Governorship candidate, to lower the political temperature in the state and lead by example as he seems to be preaching violence and insulting the APC leaders in all public events.

“The kidnap of the aged mother of the APC running mate is only the latest in a rash cases of kidnapping and sea piracy that has apparently overwhelmed the security agencies in the State.

“We recalled that last year, the uncle and guardian of our Governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, also died in the hands of the kidnappers. Yet, Governor Dickson kept shouting about peace and security.”

However, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Media Team, Hon. Dan Kikile, who responded on behalf of the PDP, condemned the kidnap of the old woman and equally, dismissed the claims by the APC as baseless.

He said the Gov. Dickson-administration had in the past raised an alarm over the increase in violent crimes in the state due to the activities of the APC.

”We are aware that these security issues are created to deliberately call to question our record on peace and security.

“Since they came, we have witnessed various kidnap cases of six traditional rulers in the State. Only recently, the political adviser to the Governor was kidnapped and now, the aged mother of the running mate of the APC.

“These people are desperate and want to put our good record into jeopardy,” Kikile said.

Source: Daily Post

Gunmen Kidnap The Mother Of Timipre Sylva’s Running-Mate

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Unknown gunmen on Thursday in Bayelsa, kidnapped 100 year-old, Madam Ebifieghe Dikoro, mother of Elder Wilberforce Agiri, the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.
DAILY POST reliably gathered from community sources that the old woman was forcefully abducted at gunpoint early Thursday morning, at her home in Foropa community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council of the State.

Community sources told newsmen in Yenagoa that the unidentified gunmen, thereafter, took the octogenarian away into the creek, aboard three speed boats.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, however, disclosed that the details of the incident were still very sketchy.

Following the incident, accusation and counter accusations have enveloped the political atmosphere in the state, as the APC and PDP governorship campaign organizations are currently drawn in a war of words.

Director of Media and Publicity for the Sylva/Agiri Campaign Organization, Chief Nathan Egba, told newsmen that the the abduction of the aged mother of Agiris could be attributed to the alleged violent campaign of the ruling PDP in the state.

He said: “We call on the PDP, particularly the Governorship candidate, to lower the political temperature in the state and lead by example as he seems to be preaching violence and insulting the APC leaders in all public events.

“The kidnap of the aged mother of the APC running mate is only the latest in a rash cases of kidnapping and sea piracy that has apparently overwhelmed the security agencies in the State.

“We recalled that last year, the uncle and guardian of our Governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, also died in the hands of the kidnappers. Yet, Governor Dickson kept shouting about peace and security.”

However, the Chairman of the Bayelsa Media Team, Hon. Dan Kikile, who responded on behalf of the PDP, condemned the kidnap of the old woman and equally, dismissed the claims by the APC as baseless.

He said the Gov. Dickson-administration had in the past raised an alarm over the increase in violent crimes in the state due to the activities of the APC.

”We are aware that these security issues are created to deliberately call to question our record on peace and security.

“Since they came, we have witnessed various kidnap cases of six traditional rulers in the State. Only recently, the political adviser to the Governor was kidnapped and now, the aged mother of the running mate of the APC.

“These people are desperate and want to put our good record into jeopardy,” Kikile said.

Source: Daily Post

Femi Fani-Kayode Reacts Over Ameachi’s Ministerial Confirmation:

Femi Fanikayode reacts to the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi as minister.

Femi Fani-Kayode Reacts Over Ameachi’s Ministerial Confirmation:

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Femi Fanikayode reacts to the confirmation of Rotimi Amaechi as minister.

Rivers Governorship Poll : APC loses Appeal to Governor Wike/PDP

Today’s session of the Court of Appeal was Presided over by Justice Datti
Yahaya JCA while Justice Tanim Yusuf (JCA) and Justice Mustapha
Mohammed (JCA ) were members of the panel.

According to the Court of Appeal, evidences that were led against
security agents and political thugs whether named and un-named in the
course of the hearing of the petition filed by the Rivers State APC
Governorship Candidate against the election of Governor Wike where the
said security agents and alleged political thugs were not joined as parties
should be struck out.

The Court of Appeal further directed that all the criminal allegations
contained in the petition against the said security agents and alleged
political thugs be expunged as they had no opportunity to defend
themselves at the tribunal .

It would be recalled that Justice Suleiman Ambrosa had in his judgment
at the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal relied copiously
on the testimonies of soldiers, mobile policemen and DSS operatives who
alleged electoral crimes in the course of the April 11 governorship
election in the state.

Counsel to Governor Wike, Mr Osima Ginah addressing journalists after
the judgement declared that the Court of Appeal judgment implies that
all statements credited to the said security agents will be expunged from
the records of the tribunal and will no longer form part of the appeal
process.

Mr Ginah said that today’s judgment of the Court of Appeal has
strengthened the case of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the second
leg Rivers State APC petition has been pulled out, pointing out that the
other pillar of their case, the card reader accreditation is no longer tenable
following decisions by Superior Courts on the matter.

Rivers Governorship Poll : APC loses Appeal to Governor Wike/PDP

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Today’s session of the Court of Appeal was Presided over by Justice Datti
Yahaya JCA while Justice Tanim Yusuf (JCA) and Justice Mustapha
Mohammed (JCA ) were members of the panel.

According to the Court of Appeal, evidences that were led against
security agents and political thugs whether named and un-named in the
course of the hearing of the petition filed by the Rivers State APC
Governorship Candidate against the election of Governor Wike where the
said security agents and alleged political thugs were not joined as parties
should be struck out.

The Court of Appeal further directed that all the criminal allegations
contained in the petition against the said security agents and alleged
political thugs be expunged as they had no opportunity to defend
themselves at the tribunal .

It would be recalled that Justice Suleiman Ambrosa had in his judgment
at the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal relied copiously
on the testimonies of soldiers, mobile policemen and DSS operatives who
alleged electoral crimes in the course of the April 11 governorship
election in the state.

Counsel to Governor Wike, Mr Osima Ginah addressing journalists after
the judgement declared that the Court of Appeal judgment implies that
all statements credited to the said security agents will be expunged from
the records of the tribunal and will no longer form part of the appeal
process.

Mr Ginah said that today’s judgment of the Court of Appeal has
strengthened the case of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the second
leg Rivers State APC petition has been pulled out, pointing out that the
other pillar of their case, the card reader accreditation is no longer tenable
following decisions by Superior Courts on the matter.

MEET The 26-Year-Old Lady Who Broke The Record At Nigerian Law School

Daily Trust reports that 26-year-old Fatima broke the existing record in the school by bagging nine separate awards compared to the previous record of seven awards ever received at the Call to Bar of the Nigerian Law School.

The talented young woman was honoured with a standing ovation by the chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and other members of the Body of Benchers and the Council of Legal Education, and other dignitaries.

The awards include: the “Best Student of the Year (1st Prize)’’, ‘’Council of Education Star Award’’, “Corporate Law Practice”, “Best Overall Female Student of the Year Award” and “Best Female Student in Criminal Litigation Award”.

The rest are “Best Student in Civil and Criminal Litigation Award” and the prize for 1st Class Students.

Fatima was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Engr Abel. She hails from Adavi-Ege in Adavi local government area of Kogi state and attended University of Abuja.

Meanwhile, a Nigerian student Ufot Ekong broke a 50-year-old record in Japan after graduating with a first class degree and best overall student from Tokai University in Tokyo, Japan.

The talented student graduated from the university with a first class degree in robotics and electrical engineering.

Source: Naij

MEET The 26-Year-Old Lady Who Broke The Record At Nigerian Law School

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Daily Trust reports that 26-year-old Fatima broke the existing record in the school by bagging nine separate awards compared to the previous record of seven awards ever received at the Call to Bar of the Nigerian Law School.

The talented young woman was honoured with a standing ovation by the chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, and other members of the Body of Benchers and the Council of Legal Education, and other dignitaries.

The awards include: the “Best Student of the Year (1st Prize)’’, ‘’Council of Education Star Award’’, “Corporate Law Practice”, “Best Overall Female Student of the Year Award” and “Best Female Student in Criminal Litigation Award”.

The rest are “Best Student in Civil and Criminal Litigation Award” and the prize for 1st Class Students.

Fatima was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Engr Abel. She hails from Adavi-Ege in Adavi local government area of Kogi state and attended University of Abuja.

Meanwhile, a Nigerian student Ufot Ekong broke a 50-year-old record in Japan after graduating with a first class degree and best overall student from Tokai University in Tokyo, Japan.

The talented student graduated from the university with a first class degree in robotics and electrical engineering.

Source: Naij

FRC, Stanbic IBTC Stand-off: Shareholders Seek FG’s Intervention

Shareholders of Stanbic IBTC on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to intervene in the altercation between the bank and the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in the interest of the banking sector.

The shareholders under the aegis of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) made the call at a press conference in Lagos.

 

Speaking on behalf of the shareholders, Mr Boniface Okezie, PSAN President, urged government to look into the activities of FRC to forestall more damage to the operations of businesses and the larger economy.

Okezie said that the altercation did not augur well for the growth of the banking sector and overall economy.

Okezie said that the shareholders were “shocked and disappointed that a government parastatal would be reckless and tactless in its dealings with a respected corporate body”.

He said that FRC needed to recognise that in an unsophisticated capital market reckless and defective proclamations could potentially affect share price and cause investors unwarranted losses.

“We have recorded losses in our share price over the last two days on account of the misguided actions of the FRC,” Okezie said.

NAN reports that they were reacting to FRC’s suspension of the registration of four directors of Stanbic IBTC and that of its audit engagement partner, KPMG.

FRC had requested that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate Stanbic IBTC and KPMG Professional Services for financial misstatements.

The organisation in a report on Oct. 26 also suspended the registration of four directors of Stanbic IBTC and that of its audit engagement partner, KPMG, until KPMG’s innocence is ascertained.

The four directors suspended were Atedo Peterside, Sola David-Borha, Arthur Oginga and Dare Owei.

The bank was alleged to have misstated its financial reports for the 2013 to 2014 fiscal year and ceded its banking application rights to Standard Bank of South Africa against the directives of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

According to FRC, “the schedules supplied to the council by Stanbic IBTC revealed that the total fee paid to KPMG for non-audit services was inconsistent with what was disclosed in the financial statements for the years under review.”

The bank was also alleged to have flouted a number of financial regulations, including a regular flouting of CBN regulations.

Okezie said that shareholders were shocked by the actions of the FRC which failed to follow procedure as outlined in the regulations.

He added that the role of the FRC “is to help enhance the quality of financial reporting in Nigeria” adding that the “FRC is not a regulator of banks neither is it a regulator of the capital market”.

Reacting to the issue, Mr Bolaji Balogun, Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Denham, called on regulators to be very careful in management of regulatory issues.

“The biggest challenge in the market is attracting investment. Regulators should deal with issues in a manner that it will not create fear or tension.

“Regulators should reflect on how to handle issues much better going forward because confidence is the main thing when it comes to investment,” Balogun said.

He said that regulators utterances on MTN and Stanbic Bank issues were a threat to investor confidence.

FRC, Stanbic IBTC Stand-off: Shareholders Seek FG’s Intervention

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Shareholders of Stanbic IBTC on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to intervene in the altercation between the bank and the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in the interest of the banking sector.

The shareholders under the aegis of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) made the call at a press conference in Lagos.

 

Speaking on behalf of the shareholders, Mr Boniface Okezie, PSAN President, urged government to look into the activities of FRC to forestall more damage to the operations of businesses and the larger economy.

Okezie said that the altercation did not augur well for the growth of the banking sector and overall economy.

Okezie said that the shareholders were “shocked and disappointed that a government parastatal would be reckless and tactless in its dealings with a respected corporate body”.

He said that FRC needed to recognise that in an unsophisticated capital market reckless and defective proclamations could potentially affect share price and cause investors unwarranted losses.

“We have recorded losses in our share price over the last two days on account of the misguided actions of the FRC,” Okezie said.

NAN reports that they were reacting to FRC’s suspension of the registration of four directors of Stanbic IBTC and that of its audit engagement partner, KPMG.

FRC had requested that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate Stanbic IBTC and KPMG Professional Services for financial misstatements.

The organisation in a report on Oct. 26 also suspended the registration of four directors of Stanbic IBTC and that of its audit engagement partner, KPMG, until KPMG’s innocence is ascertained.

The four directors suspended were Atedo Peterside, Sola David-Borha, Arthur Oginga and Dare Owei.

The bank was alleged to have misstated its financial reports for the 2013 to 2014 fiscal year and ceded its banking application rights to Standard Bank of South Africa against the directives of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

According to FRC, “the schedules supplied to the council by Stanbic IBTC revealed that the total fee paid to KPMG for non-audit services was inconsistent with what was disclosed in the financial statements for the years under review.”

The bank was also alleged to have flouted a number of financial regulations, including a regular flouting of CBN regulations.

Okezie said that shareholders were shocked by the actions of the FRC which failed to follow procedure as outlined in the regulations.

He added that the role of the FRC “is to help enhance the quality of financial reporting in Nigeria” adding that the “FRC is not a regulator of banks neither is it a regulator of the capital market”.

Reacting to the issue, Mr Bolaji Balogun, Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Denham, called on regulators to be very careful in management of regulatory issues.

“The biggest challenge in the market is attracting investment. Regulators should deal with issues in a manner that it will not create fear or tension.

“Regulators should reflect on how to handle issues much better going forward because confidence is the main thing when it comes to investment,” Balogun said.

He said that regulators utterances on MTN and Stanbic Bank issues were a threat to investor confidence.

US Commando Killed in Raid to Free IS Hostages in Iraq

Ali al-Saadi, AFP file photo | US soldiers stand guard at the Taji base complex which hosts Iraqi and US troops, 30 kilometres north of Baghdad.

One member of a US special operations force was killed during an overnight mission to rescue hostages held by the Islamic State group in northern Iraq, the first American to die in ground combat with the militants, US officials said on Thursday.

Sixty-nine hostages were rescued in the action, which targeted an Islamic State prison around 7 kilometers north of the town of Hawija, according to the security council of the Kurdistan region, whose counterterrorism forces took part.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said at a news briefing the operation did not mark a change in U.S. tactics in the war on Islamic State militants, who pose the biggest security threat to Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

“I would not suggest that this is something that is now going to happen on a regular basis, but I do think it is symbolic of the kinds of efforts that we are taking on behalf of our partners,” he told reporters.

It was the most significant raid against Islamic State since May, when American special operations forces killed one of its senior leaders, Abu Sayyaf from Tunisia, in a raid in Syria.

The U.S. rescue mission unfolded amid mounting concerns in Washington over increasing Russian intervention in the Middle East.

The hostages rescued in the raid were all Arabs, including local residents and Islamic State fighters held as suspected spies, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

The official told Reuters that around 20 of the hostages were members of Iraqi security forces.

“Some of the remainder were Daesh (Islamic State) ... fighters that Daesh thought were spies,” the official said. “The rest of them were citizens of the local town”.

More than 20 Islamic State militants were killed and six detained, the security council said.

Islamic State called the operation “unsuccessful” but acknowledged casualties among its fighters.

In a statement distributed online on Thursday by supporters, it said U.S. gunships had shelled areas around the prison to prevent the arrival of reinforcements, then clashed with militants for two hours.

The statement confirmed U.S. claims that some guards had been killed and others detained in the operation.

“Dozens” of U.S. troops were involved in the mission, a U.S. defense official said, declining to be more specific about the number.

“It was a deliberately planned operation, but it was also done with the knowledge that imminent action was needed to save the lives of these people,” the U.S. defense official said.

The U.S. serviceman was shot during the mission and taken to the Kurdistan regional capital Erbil, where he died, the U.S. defense official said. He was the first American serviceman killed in ground combat in Iraq since the United States withdrew its forces in 2011.

U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, spokesman for U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, said the possibility that Americans were among the hostages was not a consideration in carrying out the operation.

Some of the rescued people said Islamic State militants had told them they would be executed after morning prayers, Warren said.

The U.S. forces were acting as advisors then were sucked into the battle when Kurdish fighters came under heavy fire, he explained.

“They were pinned down and they were beginning to take casualties, so the Americans in the heat of battle made a decision,” he said.

Cook said he was not aware at this point that there were any Americans among those who were rescued. “My understanding is there was no indication there were specifically Americans present here.

“The understanding was that there were a number of hostages, although we were not sure exactly who was among that group, but that they had been held there for some time and again the information we had received ... was that those hostages did fear for their lives, that there was the threat of a mass execution perhaps within hours.”

He said the mission had been requested by the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Sources in the Hawija area said they heard blasts and gunfire overnight and that Islamic State militants had withdrawn from view after the raid, apparently relocating their bases.

Five U.S. helicopters launched from Erbil were involved in the mission, and the United States was providing helicopter lift, intelligence support, air strike support, and advisory support to the peshmerga, the U.S. defense official said.

Air strikes were launched before and after the mission to block approaches to the prison and destroy it afterward, the U.S. defense official said.

Hawija is a stronghold of Islamic State militants who have captured several dozen Kurdish peshmerga fighters in battle.

Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has been for more than a year the target of daily air strikes in Iraq and Syria by a U.S.-led coalition.

The United States’ former Cold War foe Russia has been conducting airstrikes in Syria against opponents of its closest regional ally Bashar al-Assad, as Iraq questions American resolve to fight militants on its soil.

Russia has also joined a Baghdad-based intelligence cell along with Iran, Iraq and Syria that has provided information on Islamic State targets.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces intense pressure from the ruling coalition and powerful Shi’ite militias to request Russian air strikes on Islamic State, which controls a third of the major OPEC oil producer.

(REUTERS, DAILYGLOBEWATCH)

US Commando Killed in Raid to Free IS Hostages in Iraq

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Ali al-Saadi, AFP file photo | US soldiers stand guard at the Taji base complex which hosts Iraqi and US troops, 30 kilometres north of Baghdad.

One member of a US special operations force was killed during an overnight mission to rescue hostages held by the Islamic State group in northern Iraq, the first American to die in ground combat with the militants, US officials said on Thursday.

Sixty-nine hostages were rescued in the action, which targeted an Islamic State prison around 7 kilometers north of the town of Hawija, according to the security council of the Kurdistan region, whose counterterrorism forces took part.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said at a news briefing the operation did not mark a change in U.S. tactics in the war on Islamic State militants, who pose the biggest security threat to Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

“I would not suggest that this is something that is now going to happen on a regular basis, but I do think it is symbolic of the kinds of efforts that we are taking on behalf of our partners,” he told reporters.

It was the most significant raid against Islamic State since May, when American special operations forces killed one of its senior leaders, Abu Sayyaf from Tunisia, in a raid in Syria.

The U.S. rescue mission unfolded amid mounting concerns in Washington over increasing Russian intervention in the Middle East.

The hostages rescued in the raid were all Arabs, including local residents and Islamic State fighters held as suspected spies, a U.S. official said on Thursday.

The official told Reuters that around 20 of the hostages were members of Iraqi security forces.

“Some of the remainder were Daesh (Islamic State) ... fighters that Daesh thought were spies,” the official said. “The rest of them were citizens of the local town”.

More than 20 Islamic State militants were killed and six detained, the security council said.

Islamic State called the operation “unsuccessful” but acknowledged casualties among its fighters.

In a statement distributed online on Thursday by supporters, it said U.S. gunships had shelled areas around the prison to prevent the arrival of reinforcements, then clashed with militants for two hours.

The statement confirmed U.S. claims that some guards had been killed and others detained in the operation.

“Dozens” of U.S. troops were involved in the mission, a U.S. defense official said, declining to be more specific about the number.

“It was a deliberately planned operation, but it was also done with the knowledge that imminent action was needed to save the lives of these people,” the U.S. defense official said.

The U.S. serviceman was shot during the mission and taken to the Kurdistan regional capital Erbil, where he died, the U.S. defense official said. He was the first American serviceman killed in ground combat in Iraq since the United States withdrew its forces in 2011.

U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, spokesman for U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, said the possibility that Americans were among the hostages was not a consideration in carrying out the operation.

Some of the rescued people said Islamic State militants had told them they would be executed after morning prayers, Warren said.

The U.S. forces were acting as advisors then were sucked into the battle when Kurdish fighters came under heavy fire, he explained.

“They were pinned down and they were beginning to take casualties, so the Americans in the heat of battle made a decision,” he said.

Cook said he was not aware at this point that there were any Americans among those who were rescued. “My understanding is there was no indication there were specifically Americans present here.

“The understanding was that there were a number of hostages, although we were not sure exactly who was among that group, but that they had been held there for some time and again the information we had received ... was that those hostages did fear for their lives, that there was the threat of a mass execution perhaps within hours.”

He said the mission had been requested by the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Sources in the Hawija area said they heard blasts and gunfire overnight and that Islamic State militants had withdrawn from view after the raid, apparently relocating their bases.

Five U.S. helicopters launched from Erbil were involved in the mission, and the United States was providing helicopter lift, intelligence support, air strike support, and advisory support to the peshmerga, the U.S. defense official said.

Air strikes were launched before and after the mission to block approaches to the prison and destroy it afterward, the U.S. defense official said.

Hawija is a stronghold of Islamic State militants who have captured several dozen Kurdish peshmerga fighters in battle.

Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has been for more than a year the target of daily air strikes in Iraq and Syria by a U.S.-led coalition.

The United States’ former Cold War foe Russia has been conducting airstrikes in Syria against opponents of its closest regional ally Bashar al-Assad, as Iraq questions American resolve to fight militants on its soil.

Russia has also joined a Baghdad-based intelligence cell along with Iran, Iraq and Syria that has provided information on Islamic State targets.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces intense pressure from the ruling coalition and powerful Shi’ite militias to request Russian air strikes on Islamic State, which controls a third of the major OPEC oil producer.

(REUTERS, DAILYGLOBEWATCH)

20,000 Israelis Sue Facebook for Refusal to Block Online Incitement of Terror

Fighting terrorism on all fronts, thousands of Israelis have joined a class-action lawsuit against Facebook for serving as a platform for Palestinian incitement to terrorism and hatred.

Some 20,000 Israelis have joined a class-action lawsuit against Facebook, charging that the social media platform is ignoring posts that include Palestinian incitement and calls to murder Jews.

“While everyone understands the need to keep the web free, Facebook’s decision to allow this flood of terrorist incitement and calls to murder Jews to continue has crossed all red lines,” the Shurat Hadin Law Center, a Israel-based human rights group, which is spearheading this venture, announced.

“Facebook is fanning the flames of the current Palestinian intifada and its refusals to actively monitor and block the incitement to violence is an outrageous abandonment of its obligations to the public,” the human rights group added.

The civil complaint that was filed by Shurat Hadin on Sunday in New York and contains a 76-page list of plaintiffs, seeks an injunction to require Facebook to block all racist incitement and calls for violence against Jews in Israel, but no damages.

Palestinian terrorism

The site of a terror attack in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)

The lead plaintiff was Israeli-American Richard Lakin, 76, who was shot in the head and stabbed multiple times while riding a bus in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood in Jerusalem on October 13 when Palestinian terrorists from Jerusalem, armed with guns and knives, carried out an attack. Lakin died Tuesday morning from his injuries. Two other passengers died during the attack.

The plaintiffs “have been living in the crosshairs of a murderous terrorist rampage carried out by killers who attack people with knives, axes, screwdrivers, cars and Molotov cocktails for no reason other than that the attacker perceives the victims to be Jewish,” the complaint stated.

“Many of these murderers were motivated to commit their heinous crimes by incitement to murder they read on Facebook – demagogues and leaders exhorting their followers to ‘slaughter the Jews,’ and offering instruction as to the best manner to do so, including even anatomical charts showing the best places to stab a human being.”

The law suit adds that Facebook is “far from a neutral or passive social media platform” and has sophisticated tools to contend with hateful content published on its site.

The phenomenon of Palestinians using social media for the spread of hatred is not new, but has significantly increased in the past weeks in tandem with the wave of Palestinian terror attacks against Israelis.

In another instance, Israelis complained to Facebook about a page calling for the stabbing of Israelis and demanded it be removed. Facebook declined to do so until it came under heavy public pressure, after which it obliged.


By: United with Israel Staff

20,000 Israelis Sue Facebook for Refusal to Block Online Incitement of Terror

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Fighting terrorism on all fronts, thousands of Israelis have joined a class-action lawsuit against Facebook for serving as a platform for Palestinian incitement to terrorism and hatred.

Some 20,000 Israelis have joined a class-action lawsuit against Facebook, charging that the social media platform is ignoring posts that include Palestinian incitement and calls to murder Jews.

“While everyone understands the need to keep the web free, Facebook’s decision to allow this flood of terrorist incitement and calls to murder Jews to continue has crossed all red lines,” the Shurat Hadin Law Center, a Israel-based human rights group, which is spearheading this venture, announced.

“Facebook is fanning the flames of the current Palestinian intifada and its refusals to actively monitor and block the incitement to violence is an outrageous abandonment of its obligations to the public,” the human rights group added.

The civil complaint that was filed by Shurat Hadin on Sunday in New York and contains a 76-page list of plaintiffs, seeks an injunction to require Facebook to block all racist incitement and calls for violence against Jews in Israel, but no damages.

Palestinian terrorism

The site of a terror attack in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood of Jerusalem. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)

The lead plaintiff was Israeli-American Richard Lakin, 76, who was shot in the head and stabbed multiple times while riding a bus in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood in Jerusalem on October 13 when Palestinian terrorists from Jerusalem, armed with guns and knives, carried out an attack. Lakin died Tuesday morning from his injuries. Two other passengers died during the attack.

The plaintiffs “have been living in the crosshairs of a murderous terrorist rampage carried out by killers who attack people with knives, axes, screwdrivers, cars and Molotov cocktails for no reason other than that the attacker perceives the victims to be Jewish,” the complaint stated.

“Many of these murderers were motivated to commit their heinous crimes by incitement to murder they read on Facebook – demagogues and leaders exhorting their followers to ‘slaughter the Jews,’ and offering instruction as to the best manner to do so, including even anatomical charts showing the best places to stab a human being.”

The law suit adds that Facebook is “far from a neutral or passive social media platform” and has sophisticated tools to contend with hateful content published on its site.

The phenomenon of Palestinians using social media for the spread of hatred is not new, but has significantly increased in the past weeks in tandem with the wave of Palestinian terror attacks against Israelis.

In another instance, Israelis complained to Facebook about a page calling for the stabbing of Israelis and demanded it be removed. Facebook declined to do so until it came under heavy public pressure, after which it obliged.


By: United with Israel Staff

Corp Members Not Forced To Serve In Northeast, Says DG

No member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is under compulsion to serve in the insurgency-troubled Northeast region of Nigeria, the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, said on Saturday.

Olawumi also said that the few corps members serving in the area opted to do so of their own free will and that they cut across people from all parts of the country.

“I salute those who choose to go there (Northeast) for their service. Corp members are not forced to go there, the few number we have now are those who opted to go there and they cut across the whole country”, he said.

The NYSC boss made the remark while fielding questions from reporters during the closing ceremony of the scheme’s maiden edition of a one week Preparatory Course for State Coordinators Course 1 (PCSC 1/15) for assistant directors, held at the Nigerian School of Military Engineering (NASME) barracks in Makurdi, Benue State.

Brig.-Gen. Olawumi expressed satisfaction that despite the risk taken by corps members to serve in insecure environments, no casualty has been recorded among them.

He added that the NYSC goes the extra mile to monitor and ensure corps members’ safety in the area.

Also speaking, the NYSC Coordinator in Benue State, Mrs. Esther Atamewan, said at least 5,000 corps members would be expected in the state as from tomorrow even as she urged the general public to adequately cooperate with them as they move from one part of the country to another.

Corp Members Not Forced To Serve In Northeast, Says DG

Posted by Sylvester No comments

No member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is under compulsion to serve in the insurgency-troubled Northeast region of Nigeria, the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, said on Saturday.

Olawumi also said that the few corps members serving in the area opted to do so of their own free will and that they cut across people from all parts of the country.

“I salute those who choose to go there (Northeast) for their service. Corp members are not forced to go there, the few number we have now are those who opted to go there and they cut across the whole country”, he said.

The NYSC boss made the remark while fielding questions from reporters during the closing ceremony of the scheme’s maiden edition of a one week Preparatory Course for State Coordinators Course 1 (PCSC 1/15) for assistant directors, held at the Nigerian School of Military Engineering (NASME) barracks in Makurdi, Benue State.

Brig.-Gen. Olawumi expressed satisfaction that despite the risk taken by corps members to serve in insecure environments, no casualty has been recorded among them.

He added that the NYSC goes the extra mile to monitor and ensure corps members’ safety in the area.

Also speaking, the NYSC Coordinator in Benue State, Mrs. Esther Atamewan, said at least 5,000 corps members would be expected in the state as from tomorrow even as she urged the general public to adequately cooperate with them as they move from one part of the country to another.

NCC Fines MTN N980bn For Failing To Disconnect Unregistered Subscribers

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), has slammed a hefty fine of US$5 billion (N980 billion) on leading telecommunications service provider, MTN Nigeria, for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered SIM cards bought before January 2012.

By law, all SIM cards bought in Nigeria from that date are supposed to be registered under the user’s name and all telecommunications’ companies were told to register their existing subscribers’ cards.

However, it was learnt that MTN Nigeria, which is the biggest telecommunications firm in Nigeria – failed to comply.
The fine is the largest in the history of telecoms infringements in Nigeria and may re-define the existing relationships between operators and the regulator.

Nigerians continue to groan under the weight of poor services from mobile network operators and blame the NCC for not doing enough to correct the anomaly.

A senior executive at MTN Nigeria told the BBC that an official statement on the fine would be issued later on Monday.

NCC Fines MTN N980bn For Failing To Disconnect Unregistered Subscribers

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), has slammed a hefty fine of US$5 billion (N980 billion) on leading telecommunications service provider, MTN Nigeria, for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered SIM cards bought before January 2012.

By law, all SIM cards bought in Nigeria from that date are supposed to be registered under the user’s name and all telecommunications’ companies were told to register their existing subscribers’ cards.

However, it was learnt that MTN Nigeria, which is the biggest telecommunications firm in Nigeria – failed to comply.
The fine is the largest in the history of telecoms infringements in Nigeria and may re-define the existing relationships between operators and the regulator.

Nigerians continue to groan under the weight of poor services from mobile network operators and blame the NCC for not doing enough to correct the anomaly.

A senior executive at MTN Nigeria told the BBC that an official statement on the fine would be issued later on Monday.

Current Vacancy:Pumpman

BWOffshore is a leading global provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry, with an operating fleet of 16 FPSOs and one FSO. 

The company has an excellent track record on project execution and operations, with more than 30 years of experience. The company is represented in the major oil regions world-wide, with presence across Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe and West Africa. BW Offshore is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is part of the BW Group, one of the world’s largest maritime groups.

Come join the Offshore Team

Pumpman

Key tasks and Responsibilities

• Assist in marine operations i.e. mooring/ unmooring, hose and hawser operations etc.
• Assist in all cargo operations i.e. loading / discharging of crude, crude oil washing, slop and ballast water transfer, sampling etc.
• Perform condition monitoring and troubleshooting of cargo and relevant utility systems and equipment as per Computerised Maintenance Management System
• Assist in tank entry preparations and tank inspections
• Assist to prepare cargo equipment for maintenance. Isolate, depressurize and drain. Ensure equipment is gas free
• Identify and report marine, cargo and relevant utility systems maintenance requirements
• Perform first line and preventive maintenance on cargo handling machinery and equipment as per Computerised Maintenance Management System
• Assist in routine and non-routine maintenance on mechanical equipment for marine, production and utility systems
• Use and maintain hand tools and instruments. Use workshop equipment
• Keep pump room tidy and in good order. Perform structural maintenance of pump room spaces
• Ensure sufficient stock of relevant spare parts and consumables
• Use the Permit to Work system. Follow the Permit to Work procedures. Complete the required checklists. Prepare the worksite. Ensure safe conditions are maintained. Close the Permit
• Assist to ensure that vendors and contractors are managed safely and effectively
• Undertake training relevant to the position requirements
• On-the-job-training of colleagues and trainees
• Member of Emergency Response Team

Qualification requirements

Education

• Minimum of WASC, SSCE certificate or GCE 'O' Levels; relevant Technical / Vocational certificate an advantage

Experience

• Employer also requires 5 years experience as a Pumpman on offshore facilities or marine vessels. Relevant experience in other environment will be considered

Skills

• Good inter-personal and communications skills

Other

• Open to Nigerian Nationals only

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

[ Send application ]

Current Vacancy:Pumpman

Posted by Sylvester No comments

BWOffshore is a leading global provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry, with an operating fleet of 16 FPSOs and one FSO. 

The company has an excellent track record on project execution and operations, with more than 30 years of experience. The company is represented in the major oil regions world-wide, with presence across Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe and West Africa. BW Offshore is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is part of the BW Group, one of the world’s largest maritime groups.

Come join the Offshore Team

Pumpman

Key tasks and Responsibilities

• Assist in marine operations i.e. mooring/ unmooring, hose and hawser operations etc.
• Assist in all cargo operations i.e. loading / discharging of crude, crude oil washing, slop and ballast water transfer, sampling etc.
• Perform condition monitoring and troubleshooting of cargo and relevant utility systems and equipment as per Computerised Maintenance Management System
• Assist in tank entry preparations and tank inspections
• Assist to prepare cargo equipment for maintenance. Isolate, depressurize and drain. Ensure equipment is gas free
• Identify and report marine, cargo and relevant utility systems maintenance requirements
• Perform first line and preventive maintenance on cargo handling machinery and equipment as per Computerised Maintenance Management System
• Assist in routine and non-routine maintenance on mechanical equipment for marine, production and utility systems
• Use and maintain hand tools and instruments. Use workshop equipment
• Keep pump room tidy and in good order. Perform structural maintenance of pump room spaces
• Ensure sufficient stock of relevant spare parts and consumables
• Use the Permit to Work system. Follow the Permit to Work procedures. Complete the required checklists. Prepare the worksite. Ensure safe conditions are maintained. Close the Permit
• Assist to ensure that vendors and contractors are managed safely and effectively
• Undertake training relevant to the position requirements
• On-the-job-training of colleagues and trainees
• Member of Emergency Response Team

Qualification requirements

Education

• Minimum of WASC, SSCE certificate or GCE 'O' Levels; relevant Technical / Vocational certificate an advantage

Experience

• Employer also requires 5 years experience as a Pumpman on offshore facilities or marine vessels. Relevant experience in other environment will be considered

Skills

• Good inter-personal and communications skills

Other

• Open to Nigerian Nationals only

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

[ Send application ]

Current Vacancy: Senior HSEQ Engineer

  An Onshore leading global provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry, with an operating fleet of 16 FPSOs and one FSO. The company has an excellent track record on project execution and operations, with more than 30 years of experience. The company is represented in the major oil regions world-wide, with presence across Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe and West Africa. BW Offshore is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is part of the BW Group, one of the world’s largest maritime groups.

Senior HSEQ Engineer

Responsibility 
Key tasks and Responsibilities
The Senior HSEQ Engineer has the following responsibilities and key tasks:

• Administration of the company’s HSEQ Reporting Systems and participate in improvement of company’s HSEQ standard and performance.
• Ensure operational compliance to local, national and international code, standards and legislation in Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ).
• Follow up nonconformities, near accidents and accidents and other reported HSEQ issues, including reporting to relevant authorities when required.
• To develop and maintain relevant procedures, routines and working methods within operational HSEQ.
• To provide technical expertise in reviewing incident reports, shutdown reports as well as review of the Management of Change requests.
• To provide support for units and offices in HSEQ related matters.
• To provide HSEQ awareness training to the offshore team as per clients/ regulatory permits requirements.
• Responsible for assisting in implementation of safety case, performance standards and monitoring compliance with Safety Critical Planned Maintenance on the units.
• To plan and carry out HSEQ verifications, inspections and audits in accordance with the BW Offshore supervisory plan on units and offices.
• To perform or assist in Formal Safety Assessments.
• To lead or participate in formal investigations.
• To perform or participate in HAZIDs, HAZOPs or any risk analyses
• To participate in safety studies, i.e. Dropped Object Studies, Layout reviews F&G detectors .
• Liaise with consultants, authorities and clients on HSEQ matters, when required.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor or higher Degree education in mechanical, environmental, technical, marine or process engineering or maritime/ offshore background as senior officer, safety officer or equivalent. Relevant experience can replace the educational requirements.

Experience

• Minimum of ten years of relevant practice preferably practices from the maritime and/or offshore industry.
• Hands on experience from Crisis Management and Emergency response development, planning and structures.
• Risk management experience.

Skills

• Excellent understanding of FPSO Operations.
• Knowledge and experience in conducting Risk and threat assessments across geographical and cultural boundaries, in medium and high risks locations.
• Understanding of investigative techniques and methods.
• Ability to deliver high quality work on time.
• Strong leadership qualities and initiatives.
• Good inter-personal and communications skill.

[ Send application ]

Current Vacancy: Senior HSEQ Engineer

Posted by Sylvester No comments

  An Onshore leading global provider of floating production services to the oil and gas industry, with an operating fleet of 16 FPSOs and one FSO. The company has an excellent track record on project execution and operations, with more than 30 years of experience. The company is represented in the major oil regions world-wide, with presence across Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe and West Africa. BW Offshore is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is part of the BW Group, one of the world’s largest maritime groups.

Senior HSEQ Engineer

Responsibility 
Key tasks and Responsibilities
The Senior HSEQ Engineer has the following responsibilities and key tasks:

• Administration of the company’s HSEQ Reporting Systems and participate in improvement of company’s HSEQ standard and performance.
• Ensure operational compliance to local, national and international code, standards and legislation in Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ).
• Follow up nonconformities, near accidents and accidents and other reported HSEQ issues, including reporting to relevant authorities when required.
• To develop and maintain relevant procedures, routines and working methods within operational HSEQ.
• To provide technical expertise in reviewing incident reports, shutdown reports as well as review of the Management of Change requests.
• To provide support for units and offices in HSEQ related matters.
• To provide HSEQ awareness training to the offshore team as per clients/ regulatory permits requirements.
• Responsible for assisting in implementation of safety case, performance standards and monitoring compliance with Safety Critical Planned Maintenance on the units.
• To plan and carry out HSEQ verifications, inspections and audits in accordance with the BW Offshore supervisory plan on units and offices.
• To perform or assist in Formal Safety Assessments.
• To lead or participate in formal investigations.
• To perform or participate in HAZIDs, HAZOPs or any risk analyses
• To participate in safety studies, i.e. Dropped Object Studies, Layout reviews F&G detectors .
• Liaise with consultants, authorities and clients on HSEQ matters, when required.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor or higher Degree education in mechanical, environmental, technical, marine or process engineering or maritime/ offshore background as senior officer, safety officer or equivalent. Relevant experience can replace the educational requirements.

Experience

• Minimum of ten years of relevant practice preferably practices from the maritime and/or offshore industry.
• Hands on experience from Crisis Management and Emergency response development, planning and structures.
• Risk management experience.

Skills

• Excellent understanding of FPSO Operations.
• Knowledge and experience in conducting Risk and threat assessments across geographical and cultural boundaries, in medium and high risks locations.
• Understanding of investigative techniques and methods.
• Ability to deliver high quality work on time.
• Strong leadership qualities and initiatives.
• Good inter-personal and communications skill.

[ Send application ]