Outrage as FG grounds Oshiomhole’s helicopter - Jonathan has lost focus –Opposition parties

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Outrage as FG grounds Oshiomhole’s helicopter - Jonathan has lost focus –Opposition parties
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The Federal Government on Friday grounded a helicopter chartered by Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, at the Benin Airport, 42 days after a similar fate was visited on his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi.
  
  Amaechi’s Bombadier BD70 jet was grounded at Akure Airport in Ondo State on April 26 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority after he had attended the burial of the former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, in Ado Ekiti.
  
  Oshiomhole and some aides were on their way from Government House, Benin to Awka, Anambra State in the chartered OAS helicopter marked 5N-BPX AS335 for the burial of Mrs. Collette Obi, the wife of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi when the aircraft was recalled to Benin Airport.
  
  When the Filipino pilot, Capt. James Manahash, received the signal from the airport’s control tower, he immediately altered course and headed to the airport. He disembarked and went to enquire why he was recalled.
  
  He was told that he did not pay aerodrome and landing fees and that he did not also file a passengers’ manifest.
  
  The pilot was, however, told that he would not be allowed to fly the helicopter for reasons which were not stated to him.
  
  Not even the intervention of the governor, who was forced to disembark after sitting in the aircraft for one hour, could make the airport staff to allow the aircraft to continue with the journey.
  
  When it became obvious that he would not be allowed to fly, Oshiomhole and his aides cancelled the journey and called up the governor’s convoy.
  
  When it arrived, the governor left the airport to his hometown, Iyamho, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
  
  Efforts to get his comments on the development, however failed.
  
  The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Supo Atobatele, confirmed the incident to one of our correspondents, saying the pilot refused to pay because he was carrying a governor.
  
  He also indicated that that was not the first time the pilot would committed the same infraction, a charge the expatriate subtly confirmed in his chat with journalists.
  
  Atobatele said, “Again, the pilot refused to pay our charges. He refused to pay because he was carrying a governor. You are carrying a governor doesn’t mean that you cannot pay our charges.”
  
  Asked if the helicopter was allowed to fly later, he said, “Well, we gathered that there was an agreement between our staff and the pilot. The governor tried to intervene and then there was a kind of settlement as the governor used his influence.
  
  “But the fact still remains that the pilot refused to do the needful and it is a commercial helicopter. He has to pay the adequate navigational charges; and because he was carrying a governor he refused to pay, so we had no option but to ground the helicopter.”
  
  He stressed that the revised civil aviation policy had made it clear that all pilots must pay their dues to the respective aviation agencies before they would be allowed to fly regardless of the occupants of their aircraft.
  
  In a statement released some hours later, Atobatele said the pilot called from Edo State Government House, stating that he would be lifting from there to Awka, Anambra State. He said the pilot was, however, informed of the need for official documentation for the safety and security of people onboard.
  
  He said, “His (the pilot’s) initial response was that he was flying the governor and they were going for an important meeting in Awka. He was advised to lift from the airport direct and do the documentation. This would have taken only three minutes.
  
  “The pilot hesitated for a while and later consented to fly to the airport. At 10.18am, the helicopter landed at the airport and the pilot went straight to the Aeronautical Information Service without manifest as he claimed he didn’t know the names of those on board.”
  
  NAMA said the pilot was assisted to write the names of those onboard for the sake of the governor. It noted that its officials in line with requirements for safety and security ensured that the pilot complied with the flight procedure in a process that lasted 30 minutes.
  
  Atobatele said, “The Benin Airport Air Force Commandant, Air Commodore U.J. Atiku, told the pilot of the need to file in the necessary papers as a professional and that he should not give impression that the governor was denied departure to Awka.
  
  “Amidst of all these, the governor sought to speak with the airspace manager on the cause of delay. The ASM was never given chance to explain the need to observe mandatory procedures for safety and security; rather he was verbally assaulted severally while trying to explain the primary reason for the delay.”
  
  He said the pilot, who was simply addressed as Capt. Vame, believed to be a Korean, later apologised to NAMA officials for his refusal to document his flight and pay the necessary charges.
  
  “He pleaded that the incident should not be filed against him. There is no political issue in this case. NAMA is an air navigation service provider and we operate within globally acceptable standards.
  
  “We are professionally guided by rules and procedures. The service we render borders on safety from the ground to the air and back to ground.”
  
  But, the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Kassim Afegbua, pointed an accusing finger at the Presidency, saying they “are at it again.”
  
  He said, “I think the government of the day is competing with too many crises. It is disturbing that governors are no longer recognised and respected in the scheme of things even when it is known that they were duly elected by the people.
  
  “How else do you explain the role of the NAMA clerk who grounded the governor’s helicopter and prevented him from keeping his appointment in Anambra because he was acting out a script that has become the rule of engagement by a dictatorial regime? We remain unprovoked because we are civilised people.”
  
  In his comments, the Benin Airspace Acting Manager, who gave his name as Mr. Okolie, said, “I don’t have anything for you. If anyone said his aircraft was grounded by us, ask him why.”
  
  Speaking to newsmen, the helicopter pilot said, “I was surprised that I was recalled after taking-off from Government House because I had communicated with the control tower on radio.
  
  “We were already airborne when we got a call to return to the airport and they even threatened that failure to do so would lead to the complete grounding of the aircraft. The governor prevailed on me to return and listen to them.
  
  “When we got back to the airport, I was told to pay landing and aerodrome fees which ordinarily we could pay later because we were already airborne.
  
  “Even after completion of the process of payment within 10 minutes, we were still delayed for one hour fifteen minutes, with the governor still seated and thereafter left in anger.
  
  “I’m surprised by this development because this is not the first time I would be coming to Benin to fly the governor. I was even threatened after payment, that the aircraft would be grounded completely if I argued with them. I have flown for 35 years, seven of which I spent in Nigeria and this is the first time I’m encountering a situation like this. I did not know what problem they have with the governor.”
  
  OAS Managing Director, Capt. Everest Nnaji, told Saturday PUNCH on the telephone that he was still trying to find out why his pilot was being delayed.
  
  The Congress for Progressive Change described the grounding of the aircraft as the antics of a “dying regime.”
  
  CPC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, told Saturday PUNCH in a telephone interview that the action had the imprints of the Presidency.
  
  He said, “That is what you see with dying regimes. They lose focus, vision and start to bare their fangs.
  
  “Can you imagine President Obama grounding the aircraft of an opponent just because they disagree politically? May be we are getting to a level where pedestrians will be grounded.
  
  “I wonder if Oshiomole had declared intention to run for the office of President in 2015, because that is usually what happens when someone shows interest.
  
  “It is the level of our development. This too shall pass.”
  
  National Publicity Secretary, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said, “Aggression is the outward manifestation of frustration. The present Federal Government is frustrated and has resorted to hunting imaginary opponents. Suspending governors, grounding aircraft and issuing threats are all signs of despondency. A popular government has no business intimidating and coercing the opposition.”
  
  But the Presidency said there was no truth in the claims by opposition parties that the grounding of the helicopter was political.
  
  Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents that the issue had nothing to do with the President.
  
  He said NAMA as a statutory body has the responsibility to discharge its constitutional duties according to the law.
  
  He added that it is the responsibility of the pilot to abide by the rule of the aviation industry, irrespective of the status of his passengers.
  
  Abati added that Oshiomhole, being a respecter of the rule of law, would not encourage anybody to do otherwise.
  
  He said, “It is not true that President Jonathan is behind this. It is wrong to say so. It has nothing to do with the President.
  
  “NAMA is a statutory body. It has the responsibility to discharge its duties according to the law. It is important that we abide by the rules notwithstanding who is involved. There is nothing political about it.
  
  “No matter who his passengers may be, the pilot has the duty to respect the law. Even Governor Oshiomhole who believes in the rule of law will not encourage anybody to flout the rules.”
  
  Oshiomhole has been a staunch supporter of his Rivers State counterpart in his battle with Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, over the headship of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
  
  The Edo governor had last Friday issued a statement denouncing attempts by Jang to claim the chairmanship of the forum. He had noted that Amaechi was duly elected for a second term at the NGF election on May 24 in Abuja.
  
  In the April incident involving Amaechi, NAMA had explained that the Rivers governor’s aircraft was operating illegally in Nigeria, an explanation which was keenly contested by the state government.
  
  Aviation authorities also said a charter services company, Caverton, had denied any link to flight clearances allegedly obtained in its name for the Bombadier jet. The Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, had also alleged that the aircraft did not have a valid flight clearance for its operations on April 26, 2013 as the last one obtained for the aircraft expired on April 2, 2013.
  
  But the state government through the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, had described the aviation minister’s claims as a “deliberate distortion of facts.”
  
  The House of Representatives stepped into the matter on April 30 and mandated its committees on aviation and justice to investigate the issue.
  
  In a May 14 report, the panel blamed the ministry for the incident. The ministry, however, refuted the report, as it declared that the aircraft operators had failed to make necessary documentation in respect of the jet.

Customers kick as First Bank shuts down operations

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Customers kick as First Bank shuts down operations
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  There have been mixed reactions from First Bank customers over the temporary nationwide closure of its operations for an upgrading exercise.
  
  Some branches in Lagos State witnessed calmness as customers were able to withdraw money via the Automated Teller Machines.
  
  However, in virtually all the branches, customers had long queues to contend with.
  
  At Ojodu/Berger Road, Lagos, Saturday PUNCH observed that customers were making withdrawals via the ATM points.
  
  Some customers in Lagos commended the bank for adequate publicity ahead of the exercise, but many customers outside Lagos complained of inadequate publicity to enable them to prepare for the consequences of the bank’s action.
  
  In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Friday, customers described the recent hitch being experienced in the bank’s operation as disappointing.
  
  They said it was a common sight to find customers crowding the banking halls with long queues at the ATM points for transactions.
  
  A financial expert, Tunde Alalade, said, “This development is affecting in many ways. It reduces customers’ trust, frustrates business transactions and creates hiccups in commercial activities. The experience is nationwide and one wonders how long this would last.”
  
  A Business Administration student of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Damilola Afolabi, said students’ registration was affected as a result of the hiccups being experienced in the bank’s services.
  
  In Jos and Bukuru environs, all the First Bank branches were locked in line with the bank’s scheduled upgrading exercise.
  
  At the branches at the City Centre, Market, Ferin Gada and Bukuru, customers, who had no inkling of the exercise, were seen around the bank premises.
  
  They complained that they were not given adequate information to enable them to withdraw some money to feed their families pending the conclusion of the exercise.
  
  A customer, who identified himself simply as Haruna, said that he had an important transaction to make and was surprised when he went to his bank and saw it closed for business.
  
  In Ilorin, Kwara State, there were diverse reactions from customers over the temporary closure of First Bank.
  
  Saturday PUNCH found that about 2.30 pm, many of the customers that went to the Geri Alimi branch and a few other branches to collect cash via the ATMs were disappointed as the machines were reportedly not dispensing cash.
  
  But the experience was different at the Unity Road branch, the bank’s head office in Ilorin and some other branches in the metropolis.
  
  At these points, many customers were seen queuing up to make use of the ATM, which was functioning well.
  
  In Awka, the Anambra State capital, the closure of First Bank banking halls is taking its toll on its customers.
  
  Many of those affected were traders at the Eke Awka market, the biggest market in the city.
  
  Some customers seen withdrawing money at the ATM points said they had little to do with banking hall transactions.
  
  Sunny Okeke told Saturday PUNCH that he went to the bank on Friday morning to pay in the proceeds from his transactions but he was turned back on the grounds that the bank did not open.
  
  Okeke wondered how he was going to keep the proceeds safe until Monday that the bank would open again.
  
  Mrs. Uju Okoye, who was turned back at the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway branch of the bank, said she was desperately in need of cash to pay her rent.
  
  “My landlady says she is travelling on Sunday and wants the money now. The most you can get from an ATM is N100,000. I don’t know what to do now?” she lamented.
  
  In Ondo State, some First Bank customers lamented its temporary closure.
  
  In separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, they said they could not access their money through any of its branches or cash points.
  
  Mostly affected are some of the Batch ‘B’ corps members, who said they were unable to travel back to their destinations after completing their service year.
  
  They alleged that the time of the notice sent by the bank to customers on the issue was too short and that it did not allow them to make adequate preparations.
  
  Despite the prior notice given by First Bank of Nigeria Plc that it would shut down operations to upgrade its banking application system, a large percentage of customers were still caught napping.
  
  In Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, many First Bank customers said the closure notice was off the mark.
  
  A customer, Emem Moses, said people could use the ATMs to access their accounts, but added that they had to endure long queues for between two and three hours, as they could withdraw money via other banks’ ATMs.
  
  He noted that on Thursday, only three out of six ATM points in Uyo FBN main branch worked. He added that on Friday, none of the ATM points worked.
  
  A customer, Miss Iniabisi Eyo, said she had to suspend her business trip to Dubai as she could not get the money for her flight.
  
  In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Friday, customers bemoaned the closure of the bank.
  
  Many of the banks’ customers, who besieged the branches in Sapon and Pansheke areas of Abeokuta, kicked against the action of the bank’s management.
  
  At Sapon, a customer, Mr. Emmanuel Madu, told Saturday PUNCH that the action of the management had clearly demonstrated a lack of feeling and insensitivity.
  
  Another customer, Mrs. Bisi Daniel argued that the bank did not need to completely shut down its operations because it wanted to carry out some duties.
  
  At Pansheke branch of the bank, scores of customers, many of whom were students of the nearby Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, were seen loitering around the premises.
  
  In Abuja, many of the customers, who besieged various ATM points, were jolted when they could not access their accounts for withdrawal or money transfer.
  
  Some of them complained that the notice was so short even as it was not properly communicated.
  
  A customer, who identified herself as Comfort, said, “As you can see, the queue here is too long, majority of the people have been complaining about the closure of the bank. Many of us were not even aware of the closure because if we had gotten the information earlier, we would have prepared for it.”

Exciting Opportunity At CitiBank Nigeria

• Exciting Opportunity At CitiBank Nigeria
  
  Vacancy - Risk Officer
  
  CitiBank Nigeria is today´s preeminent financial services company and was built to create a highly diversified financial services company that could act as one to deliver solutions to clients throughout the world. With the most diverse array of products and the greatest distribution capacity of any financial firm in the world, our employees manage 200 million customer accounts across six continents in more than 100 countries.
  
  Citiis is currently recruiting to fill the position of ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT (ERM)  RISK OFFICER
  LOCATION: EMEANGALALagos
  REF: 13027386
  
  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  Conduct BRCC (Business Risk, Compliance, and Control Committee) as required by governance policy guidelines
  Participate in Proactive Integration Reviews across the Africa Division.
  Participate in the Africa Enhanced Control Framework initiative.
  Assist the Cluster Head with the implementation of the Fraud Management Programme within the region
  Monitor changes in the operational environment (in Citi's strategy, in our operational and technology capabilities)proactively and oversee appropriate modifications/enhancements to the control environment that arise from those changes.
  Work with Operational Risk Management (ORM) to determine resource key areas that require focus. Assist local management in properly highlighting inherent risks and associated key controls related to country Prioritization / re optimization projects.
  Travel within Nigeria and across Africa on a periodic basis as designated by the Division.
  Conduct Infrastructure Risk Reviews to assess control environments, identify vulnerabilities, develop solutions and oversee implementation of enhancements.
  Track open issues / corrective action plans and independently validate issue closures.
  Partner with controls design specialists to oversee implementation of Points of Control standards.
  Work with Operational Risk Management and business management to remediate inconsistencies as required.
  Provide country specific insights when required.
  Partner with relevant business and control groups to ensure their best practices conform to country's operating standards and/or regulatory requirements.  Provide input into Compliance Control Matrix in this regard.
  Coordinate with the cluster/region in providing information on control environment, implement control related initiatives initiated at region and cluster level
  Identify emerging risks for the Citi Franchise.
  Administer the Manager's Control Assessment (MCA) process.
  Facilitate the MCA process for all MCA entities in the Country. Oversee the facilitation of the MCAs for all other entities in the region. Track the MCAs, corrective action plans, and other required followup through the Citi Risk system.
  
  JOB DESCRIPTION:
  The ERM Risk Officer will report directly into the ERM Nigeria Head.  Be responsible for the provision of control advisory support, assisting the Head conduct the relevant Governance meetings, execution of the Control Framework and assisting in ERM activities within the wider Africa Division.
  
  JOB BACKGROUND / CONTEXT:
  Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is part of the Franchise Risk and Strategy organization. Comprised of a few hundred employees globally. ERM was created to proactively assist the businesses, O&T, and the independent control groups in enhancing the effectiveness of controls, managing operational risks across products, business lines and regions.
  
  SKILLS:
  Strong interpersonal skills
  Strong written and oral communication skills
  Unwavering commitment to cooperative and collaborative working
  Strong Excel and presentation skills.
  Strong analytical abilities Significant attention to detail
  Strategic and goaloriented focus
  
  JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
  A good University degree
  An MBA will be an added advantage.
  Exceptional candidates who do not meet these criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience.
  
  KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
  Familiarity with corporate and investment banking
  Strong experience in operational / product control.
  Minimum of 10 years post qualification experience of which a minimum of 7 years  must be in Risk, Compliance or Controls, preferably in an international financial institution.
  A thorough knowledge of multiple control environments.
  
  Method Of Application
  CLICK LINK TO APPLY
  
  DUE DATE: 17th June, 2013

Service year of 158 corps members extended

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Service year of 158 corps members extended
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The National Youth Service Corps has sanctioned over 158 corps members for various offences, The Punch gathered on Thursday.
  
  While some of them would repeat the service year, others had theirs extended for between two weeks and five months.
  
  The culprits were part of the 2012 Batch ‘B’ corps members, who passed out across the country on Thursday.
  
  This came as seven corps members died within the period in Rivers and Nasarawa states.
  
  In Osun State, the NYSC state Coordinator, Mrs. Mojibola Eboagwu, said 21 corps members, who absconded from service, would be sanctioned.
  
  In an address at the ceremony in the state, Eboagwu added that nine corps members, who absented themselves from duty, would face sanction.
  
  Eboagwu said, “I am glad that the majority of the 3, 797 corps members passing out today have proved to be good ambassadors of the scheme.
  
  “Ten corps members, who have distinguished themselves in various ways shall receive state awards.
  
  “Twenty-five others will be given commendations. Nine corps members, who have committed such offences such as absenteeism and 21 who absconded from service are to be sanctioned.
  
  “Their penalties range from extension to outright repetition of service in the case of absconding.”
  
  The Enugu NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Hilary Nasamu, said three errant corps members had their service year extended.
  
  “One corps member, who absconded from service, will be remobilised to start afresh whenever he resurfaces,” said Nasamu.
  
  Meanwhile, 21 corps members, whose performances were exceptional, were honoured in the state.
  
  The Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Josephine Okuonghae, said 17 corps members were sanctioned for various offences.
  
  According to her, eight of the corps members will repeat the service, while the remaining nine will have theirs extended to between two weeks and five months.
  
  She noted that the state lost four corps members within the period.
  
  In Akwa Ibom State, coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Akinkunmi Martins, said three corps members would repeat the service year, while 49 others had an extension  of between one and four months.
  
  He said, “A total of three corps members will repeat the service, while 49 others will serve extension periods ranging from one month to four months.”
  
  The Ondo State NYSC Director, Mr. Isiaka Kuoye, said 13 corps members would repeat the programme, while 19 others had the service year extended for commiting various offences.
  
  According to him, 13 of the corps members refused to report to their primary places of assignment.
  
  From Nasarawa State, the NYSC Coordinator, Mr Stephen Alabi, who said the ceremony was shelved because of the security challenges, added that 18 corps members would repeat the service, while five others had theirs extended for between two and five months.
  
  The culprits, he said, committed various offences.

Wamakko suspended for disrespecting Tukur – PDP

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Wamakko suspended for disrespecting Tukur – PDP
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday denounced insinuation that it suspended Sokoto State Governor,   Aliyu Wamakko,  because of the outcome of the   Nigeria Governors’ Forum election won by   Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
  
  The party explained  in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja that Wamakko was punished for  “disrespect and act of insubordination” to its National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, and his office  in April.
  
  According to the PDP, when the governor was queried, he instead directed the Sokoto State Secretary of the party, Mallam Aminu Sokoto, to reply the national chairman.
  
  This, the PDP said, amounted to gross disrespect to Tukur and his office.
  
  Wamakko’s suspension from the party on Wednesday came few days after Amaechi was suspended for refusing to reinstate a local government chairman in the state.
  
  Metuh said the action against Wamakko was taken after a very wide and exhaustive consultation in accordance with the party’s constitution.
  
  He added in the statement that the governor needed to be disciplined because  the party’s leadership was not comfortable with his  statements and conduct  in April.
  
  Wamakko was said to have frowned on the manner the Presidency and the party imposed the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, on   PDP governors as their chairman.
  
  Metuh’s statement reads in part, “Sometime in early April, the leadership of the party was concerned with the statements and conduct of the governor whereupon the national chairman placed several calls to draw the attention of the governor to the matters concerned.
  
  “However, it was not possible for the national chairman to speak with the governor despite several attempts. The national chairman thereafter vide a letter dated April 12, 2013 requested an explanation from him to the NWC within seven days.
  
  “Instead of replying the national chairman, Wamakko directed the Sokoto State Secretary of the party   to reply the national chairman. This amounted to gross disrespect and act of insubordination to a national officer and a lawful organ of the party which is in violation of Article 58.1 (c ), (h) and (m) of the PDP constitution.”
  
  Article 58.1 (c ), (h) and (m) of the party’s constitution prescribes sanctions for any member, who:
  
  disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party
  
  engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or is likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the Party or;
  
  fails, refuses or neglects to treat a petition, complaints or appeal  speedily.
  
  Metuh said the National Working Committee of the party in letters dated April 17 and May 23, 2013   requested  the governor to appear before it on May 8, 2013, to clear the issues raised against him but that he declined.
  
  Wamakko, according to him,  was again  asked to meet with the NWC members on June  5  but he still  refused.
  
  He added that the  PDP  was angry that the governor travelled out of the country on the same day he  was billed  to appear before the NWC without an explanation.
  
  Metuh  said   the NWC also wrote to Bello requesting  explanations for his action  as a state party officer, in replying Tukur.
  
  He said the governor and the party’s secretary in Sokoto State did not only  refuse to respond to   any of the letters   but  failed to  honour  invitations extended to them.
  
  He added that the party’s secretary had also been suspended from the PDP.
  
  “The NWC frowned on this act of gross indiscipline and disrespect to the party and was therefore left with no other option but to invoke relevant articles of the PDP constitution in furtherance of the determination to enforce discipline at all levels within the party,”Metuh said.
  
  Efforts by one of our correspondents to speak with Wamakko failed as he was said to be out of the country.
  
  But a source close to him said the governor would set the record straight.
  
  He, however, notedthat the action of the party might have been influenced by an aide of  Tukur, who he (Tukur)  had wanted to use to replace Wamakko during the rerun governorship election in the state.
  
  Meanwhile, the PDP in the North-West has faulted the suspension   of Wamako, saying it is capable of destabilising the  party in the geo-political zone.
  
  “The suspension is unfortunate.  We would have done a wide consultation because we have enemies within. PDP is a party not a club.  It has its  constitution. I am not saying   what they have done is wrong but all I am saying is that they  should have been a wide consultation before the action,” the PDP  Chairman  in the  zone,   Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, said.
  
  Kazuare argued that the party  should have  explored  other means of resolving the matter against the governor before the suspension order  was slammed on him.
  
  He also  cautioned the people of the South-South  against  statements  that could rock the boat of the party  ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Jose Mourinho is confident he can snare Hulk, Cavani, Dzeko, Jovetic

• Africcon  Media Football
  Africcon Report: Jose Mourinho is confident he can snare Hulk, Cavani, Dzeko, Jovetic
  Africcon Media Sport – Football
  
  From: Africcon Media Football-Sport
  
  It seem there is no player that returning Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho thinks he can't lure to Stamford Bridge. As earlier reported, Brazil international Hulk has hinted a move to London could be on the cards, but the Daily Mail claims Chelsea have opened talks with Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, while lining up moves for Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic and Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko. Cavani, Jovetic and Dzeko are all wanted by a host of top European clubs but try telling Mourinho that - the Portuguese coach is apparently seeking embarrassment of riches up front when the new Premier League season kicks off.
  
  The Daily Mirror claims Liverpool are preparing for life without Luis Suarez by readying a bid to snatch Carlos Tevez away from Manchester City. Suarez, Liverpool's top scorer last season, has recently been making noises about leaving Anfield, raising fears the Reds could further tumble down the ladder next season. But according to the Mirror, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Argentine Tevez could easily fill the void left by Suarez should the Uruguay international leave for the likes of Real Madrid. How they plan to pay his wages is another matter.
  
  Premier League champions Manchester United are about to complete their first piece of summer business under new manager David Moyes: the Daily Mail is reporting that the Red Devils are ready to sign young Uruguay defender Guillermo Varela. The 20-year-old spent time at the Old Trafford outfit on trial at the end of last season and did enough to impress the club's coaching staff. Varela is expected to fetch in the region of £1 million for his current club Penarol.
  
  And, finally, Norwich City are said to be looking to bring Jimmy Kebe back to the Premier League. The 29-year-old winger was relegated with Reading last season but, according to the Daily Star, Norwich manager Chris Hughton is willing to give Kebe another shot at the big time.

Nigeria can’t survive another civil war –Mark

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Nigeria can’t survive another civil war –Mark
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The President of the Senate, David Mark, on Thursday said those beating the drums of war ahead of the 2015 elections, should realise that no nation survives two civil wars.
  
  Mark said this in Abuja while addressing his colleagues during a special plenary session to mark the end of the Second Legislative Session of the 7th Senate.
  
  He said, “Those beating the drums of war should realise that no nation can survive two civil wars in one lifetime.
  
  “These trends must stop, and we must all remember that the nation is greater than the sum total of its parts.”
  
  Mark said this just as he lashed out at elected public officeholders whom he accused of abandoning governance in pursuit of their personal ambitions ahead of the elections.
  
  According to him, the vaulting personal ambitions among politicians was over-heating the polity and distracting officeholders from the onerous task of governance.
  
  Mark said, “Elections are two clear years away, yet the collision of vaulting personal ambitions is over-heating the polity and distracting the onerous task of governance.
  
  “Overheating the polity is unnecessary, diversionary, divisive, destructive, unhelpful and unpatriotic.”
  
  The Senate President used the occasion to recall critical interventions by the Senate in terms of national crisis during the year under review.
  
  He listed Senate’s support for the war against terrorism by providing the legislative support for the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
  
  Mark explained that the Nigerian Armed Forces were not at war with the communities in which the terrorists had entrenched themselves, nor were they at war with Islam.
  
  The war he said was with Boko Haram and its affiliates, especially the terrorists’ network preaching the ideology that violence against Nigerians and foreigners was justified.
  
  Mark equally stressed the need for the military to quickly dispense with the operations of the emergency rule and defeat the insurgents with minimal damage.
  
  He said, “The military campaign against violent extremism, both at home and abroad must be quick, surgical and precise with as little collateral damage as possible. We know that the foe is faceless, unyielding, unreasonable and more often than not blinded by zealotry.
  
  “This notwithstanding, we expect our fighting men and women to respect and abide by the rules of engagement.”
  
  He maintained that the nation could not afford to be in a permanent state of war, adding that Nigerians were eagerly awaiting a quick, but decisive victory.
  
  Speaking on the executive and legislature’s relationship, Mark said the Senate resisted any attempt to cast the legislature as a rubber stamp, but recognised the complementary and collaborative role it plays with the executive branch as long as it was in the best interest of Nigerians.

Yuguda, Shema, Geidam shun Northern govs’ meeting

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Yuguda, Shema, Geidam shun Northern govs’ meeting
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The reported crack in the ranks of the Northern Governors’ Forum became obvious on Thursday as three state governors shunned the forum’s crucial meeting in Kaduna.
  
  Governor Issa Yuguda of Bauchi; his Katsina State counterpart, Ibrahim Shema and Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State failed to attend the meeting and did not send any of the states’  officials to represent them.
  
  In all, only five of the 19-member body were present at the meeting held at the Gen. Hassan Katsina House, Kaduna, while 11 of the governors sent either their deputies or their secretaries to the state governments.
  
  Yuguda and Shema had played prominent roles in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum election penultimate Friday, where Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, defeated Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang by 19 to 16 votes.
  
  It was reported that the failure of either Yuguda or Shema to step down for each other led to the choice of Jang as the northern governors’ consensus candidate.
  
  However, the chairman of the Forum, and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, defended the turnout,   explaining  that the fact that most of the governors  sent their deputies showed  that they were adequately represented. He said most of them  gave reasons why they could not attend.
  
  He said, “If I send my deputy to a place whether I like it or not whatever decision is taken there is part of my decision and I have been saying it loud and clear that if I die today before  I am even buried,  my deputy will be sworn in. “We  have had  an example in Kaduna State. So sending a deputy did not reduce the level or the importance of any decision taken there.”
  
  The governors,  according to Aliyu,  kicked against the proposed banning of the Almajiri system of education in the region where children of school age roam the streets in quest of Islamic education.
  
  Urging    political  leaders  to focus on issues that would engender national development and the consolidation of  the democratic gains,  the governors  condemned the killing of security operatives in Nasarawa State  by the Ombaste group.
  
  “The forum further expressed concern over the economic problems facing the nation, especially  the North  and resolved to have an economic plan  that would  form the basis for the economic  development of the North.
  
  Also, speaking on the controversial Nigeria Governors’ Forum election, Aliyu said, “I am speaking to you as the chairman  of the NSGF (Northern State Governors  Forum) and  if you want my view, I will tell you we had an election.”    Aliyu, who also dismissed the  threat by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda  never to attend the meeting of the NSGF , said it was unfortunate that “we seem to be developing a culture  where when you are  preparing   for an election , you  must  also prepare to contest in the court.”
  
  But Yuguda also on Thursday accused  NSGF of being responsible for the  crisis which  caused  the factionalisation of the hitherto strong NGF.
  
  One of the factions is  led by  Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who reportedly won the May 24 election. Jonah Jang of Plateau State    lays claim to the leadership of the  second group.
  
  Yuguda had on Sunday withdrawn his membership of the NSGF, citing what he  called  failure  by his colleagues in the North to honour an agreement to support   Jang during the controversial NGF poll.
  
  However,  Aliyu   after reading the  communique of  the Forum on Thursday at the General Hassan Katsina House, Kaduna,told journalists that  the brouhaha over the NGF  election was not unexpected.
  
  The governor, who said he was not prepared to open up on what led to the problem trailing the NGF poll, added that  in every  election,  there must be  crisis  which the   participants  must  resolve among themselves.
  
  He  said, “If  I am to tell you what led to the problem in the NGF,  we will stay here till tomorrow; so I have no intention of doing that. I will only tell you that in whatever process of election or whatever, there may be one person or  two  that will be aggrieved.
  
  “We seem to be developing a culture where when you prepare  for an election,   you  must also prepare to contest in  court. As  I am   speaking to you as the chairman of NSGF, if you want my view, I will tell you we had an election; we have a problem and we will solve it.”
  
  On Yuguda’s threat   never to attend the meeting of the NSGF meetings, Aliyu said he (Yuguda) was free to do so since  the  forum was a voluntary group.
  
  He said, “The situation is that when people feel aggrieved, you don’t go back retaliating on what they have said. He (Yuguda) did not write to this meeting and it is a voluntary organisation and we have resolved as a group to follow this informally. You (journalists) did not hear any one of us replying  him  the way you heard him.”
  
  Meanwhile, Yuguda has  said he has yet to understand why   Aliyu  did not stand up for the integrity of  the Northern Governors’ Forum after he and the other Northern governors  resolved to endorse Jang as their consensus candidate  for the NGF election.
  
  The governor however said despite the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party leading to the suspension of two state governors, no party was capable of dislodging it.
  
  Yuguda spoke with State House corespondents shortly after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
  
  He said where there was integrity, if 19 governors presented a consensus candidate in a 35-member association as the Northern governors did, the game should have been over.
  
  He added that the NGF had never been known to be conducting elections as its leaders were always chosen by consensus.
  
  He said, “My words should be my bond. If I had sat down with 19 of my colleagues and we agreed on something, I should not see the chairman of that forum not coming to protect the integrity of the Northern State Governors Forum and by extension the NGF  and that is why I say all the crisis and all the unfortunate comments made about the governors today, the fault should be traced to the NSGF    because we are the culprits.
  
  “That is why I say on his honour, let the chairman of the NSGF  come out and tell Nigerians that either we in the forum did not come out with Jang as our consensus candidate or we, 19 governors, picked Jang as our consensus candidate.
  
  “If that had been done, all these things will not happen and that is why I say if I will sit with my colleagues and we take a decision and you go and do a different thing, I am not part of that. Me as a person, I don’t want to attend their (Northern governors’) meeting but my deputy can attend on behalf of the people and government of Bauchi State. But as a person, I will not. That has always been my position.”

Single tenure: Jonathan, govs may forfeit second term

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Single tenure: Jonathan, govs may forfeit second term
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Chairman of the Senate Committee on Review of the Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has said if the committee’s recommendation on single tenure succeeds, President Goodluck Jonathan will sacrifice his presidential ambition in 2015.Ekweremadu, who is the Deputy Senate President, also said some governors would sacrifice their second term ambitions in 2015.
  
  He stated this in Abuja on Thursday while explaining the fate of the President and some governors on the proposed six-year single tenure amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
  
  The deputy senate President said, “For us, it would have been easy to say let’s put it six years and let whoever wants, including those who are available now, let them benefit, so long as it will help in keeping overheating the system away.
  
  “But we don’t want Nigerians to say that we have colluded with the executive to give tenure elongation to the President and certain governors.  That means somebody instead of staying for eight years; he will now be staying for 10 years.
  
  “I think it will be easier for someone to deal with the issue of making a sacrifice than for someone to have the period for 10 years; I am not sure what our colleagues will say. If they say that those who are there now should benefit, that is fine. Those who are currently serving should be able to excuse themselves and say we make this sacrifice on behalf of the system.”
  
  Ekweremadu recalled that the President was one of the persons that called for a single tenure of six or seven years.
  
  The deputy senate president said, “He (Jonathan) was grossly misunderstood. They were saying he wanted to get a third term; he wanted to elongate his tenure and all kinds of things were said.”
  
  He also said his committee did not insert a specific time frame when the amendments would take effect.
  
  Ekweremadu added that the constitution would take effect as soon as the requirement for the passage of each amendment clause was met.
  
  He said, “Since we did not provide for any particular date, it means that as soon as the Constitution is passed, it starts; that is the implication.
  
  “Unless you are suggesting that we put the time frame when it will start, but in the last amendment to the Constitution, we did not put any time frame for its take off, we also did not put in this one.”
  
  He argued that it was certain with the current amendment that the President’s assent was not required to authenticate amendments to the Constitution.
  
  According to him, it is an absurdity for the President to sign the amendments given that two thirds of the members of the National Assembly had been secured, which is the same requirement for overriding the President’s veto.
  
  He noted that since the state assemblies also passed the amendments by two thirds, it would mean that the bill would be sent to the state governors for their signature since the law required the governors to sign bills passed by the state assemblies.
  
  With regard to the new Section 136 relating to the Vice-President succeeding the President in the case of death, Elweremadu explained that the new provision bars the Vice President from running to succeed him, after completing the six year single tenure of the President.
  
  He said, “You will recall that in Venezuela, when the President died, their constitution provides that the Vice President does not automatically take over. Fresh elections take place that option was available to us, but we considered the cost of elections.
  
  “No democracy looked like the other one, we had to look inwards to see the one that works for us and we said the President dies and if the Vice President can finish the tenure;  and having completed the term, there should be no extra mile to get himself back to the office that normally causes crisis.”
  
  Ekweremadu also restated his views that having state police was the best for the country, with its vast population and size.
  
  He however said it had to be droped because of the majority views, arguing that although he was Chairman of the committee, his business was to articulate the views of members of the committee and that of Nigerians.

Container truck crushes man, govt meat van

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Container truck crushes man, govt meat van
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Tragedy struck on Thursday at Ikeja Along Bus Stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos State, after a heavily   loaded 40-foot container truck fell on a government meat van, crushed a passerby, and wounded several others.
  
  Eyewitnesses said the truck had swerved off the road to avoid colliding with some policemen, who were chasing a motorcycle rider, before the incident occurred around 9am.
  
  The victim, identified as Samuel Ogunnaike, was an employee of a popular phone dealer in Computer Village, Ikeja, and was on his way to the office when he met his death.
  
  Any hope that he could survive the accident was dashed after he was trapped for about four hours before his body was retrieved from the wreckage.
  
  The van, Eko Meat Van, with number plate XY 433 AA was levelled after one of the containers fell on it. The driver and three passengers in the vehicle, however, escaped with injuries.
  
  Eyewitnesses blamed the accident on the police.
  
  One of them, Michael Energy,  said overzealous policemen, who were chasing a motorcyclist, caused the confusion that led to the accident.
  
  He said, “I was coming from Agege when I saw a commercial motorcyclist, popularly called okada, driving against traffic. He was carrying a man and a lady as passengers.
  
  “Some police officers who were coming from Ikeja Along tried to stop him, but he ignored them.
  
  “They gave him a chase and brushed the okada with their vehicle, which sent the rider and his passengers sprawling on the road.
  
  “Another police van came, and seeing the scene, decided to wait. At this point, the two police vehicles blocked the road.
  
  “The Eko meat van was coming on the same road, and since the police had blocked the major road, he had no option, but to stop.
  
  “The trailer, carrying two containers, was on top speed. I think his brake failed because he was unable to control the speed.
  
  “The driver of the trailer, while trying to avoid colliding with the police officers, swerved and ended up ramming into the van and killing the man who was passing by.”
  
  Energy claimed that immediately the accident occurred, the police vehicles disappeared from the accident scene.
  
  A member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who would not want to be named said, the corps treated two of the casualties at the accident scene, before they were taken to the state’s hospital.
  
  He said two other people that were badly injured had also been taken to an undisclosed hospital before the NSCDC officials arrived.
  
  Mukaila Rauf, a 24-year-old meat seller, who escaped unhurt in the meat van, said he sat at the back of the van.
  
  Rauf said, “I saw the police pursuing three bikes. Suddenly, we heard the trailer hooting. He tried avoiding us, but its tail hit the van and one of the containers fell on us. Our driver was badly injured.”
  
  The atmosphere quickly turned to that of hostility as the crowd jeered and booed the policemen who later cordoned off the area.
  
  This began a long line of traffic, just as passengers of vehicles began to disembark and started trekking to their destinations.
  
  A police officer at the scene, however, told Punch Metro that the police was not to blame for the accident.
  
  She claimed that the accident had occurred because the bike rider and the meat van had taken one way.
  
  She said, “The motorcycle and the van were taking one way when the police were trying to stop them. The driver of the truck then on top speed hit the van.”
  
  South-west coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “We got conflicting accounts from the policemen and the public, so we don’t know exactly the number of the casualties and what exactly transpired. We only took out one dead body.”
  
  Timeline of rescue efforts
  
  At 11.00am, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority brought a towing truck which had to be pushed by policemen to the accident scene after it broke down. This drew jeers from the crowd.
  
  When it was 12:00pm, it became clear the truck was useless and had to be abandoned as LASEMA and NEMA brought their generator and gadgets to remove the trapped body.
  
  At 1.14pm, the rescue agents were tired. The generator was off and when they tried to restart it, it didn’t respond for some time.
  
  At 1:16pm-, a bigger towing truck belonging to Dex Project Limited, arrived the scene, but at this time, the body had been retrieved  from the gravel-covered ground.
  
  At 1.18pm, Ogunnaike’s corpse was removed and put into a blue bag, then carried into an ambulance belonging to the State’s Environmental Health Monitoring.
  
  School children stuck
  
  Some metres away from the accident, a train was on motion. It was fully loaded with school children from eight different schools who were occupying different compartments of the train.
  
  The children were on excursion.
  
  The train, however, got a call to stop because part of the accident happened on its tracks.
  
  By the time our correspondent was leaving the scene at 2pm, some of the schoolchildren had started disembarking because the road was blocked.

Shell Coop East - Staff Vacancies.. Nigeria

• Shell COOP EAST - Staff Vacancies
  
  At Shell East Staff Investment Cooperative Society limited (Shell COOP EAST)
  Having the right people is one of the Cooperate competitive advantage and we constantly seek to recruit high performing talents who are passionate about working for hell COOP EAST.
  
  The Shell East Staff Investment Cooperative Society limited (Shell COOP EAST) is a society registered under the Department of Cooperatives. Ministry of Commerce, Rivers State of Nigeria. Membership of the society is drawn from employees of Shell Companies in Nigeria. The Shell COOP EAST is based in Port Harcourt and caters for its members' welfare by providing the following services: Thrift and loans, housing schemes, commodity purchases, car loans, financial advisory services, etc.
  Applications are hereby invited from Internal and External candidates for positions listed below:
  
  VACANCY - HEAD, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
  
  Degree in Economics, Finance or other related disciplines. Post-graduate degree will be added advantage
  Minimum of five years relevant experience in a similar or comparable Institution
  Appreciable level of computer literacy and knowledge of Office productivity tools
  Good knowledge of Financial management concepts and principles
  Strong quantitative and problem solving skills
  Good teaming skills.
  Good written and oral communication skills
  Strong leadership skills
  Independence and objectivity
  Ability to think strategically and holistically
  Result oriented/quality focused disposition
  Good level of accountability and dependability
  
  VACANCY - OFFICER, NEW VENTURE
  
  Degree in Social Sciences and other relevant fields
  2 -4 years relevant experience
  Proficiency in the use of MS office tools especially Excel and PowerPoint
  Good financial and commercial knowledge
  Good negotiation, networking and relationship management skills
  Good analytical and problem solving skills
  Good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
  
  VACANCY - OFFICER SALES AND MARKETING
  
  Degree in Social Sciences and other relevant fields
  2-4 years relevant experience
  Experience in planning marketing strategies advertising campaigns and PR efforts
  Good selling skills
  Good business, negotiation and relationship management skills as
  well as demonstrated ability to cultivate productive business networks
  Strong communication, report writing, record keeping and presentation skills
  Strong entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills
  Strong quantitative and problem solving/critical thinking skills
  Ability to formulate and champion ideas and concepts to improve business performance
  
  VACANCY - EXECUTIVE HR AND ADMIN
  
  Degree in Humanities, Social or management Sciences
  3 - 5 years relevant experience at least one of which one must have been in a supervisory role
  Good understanding of HR concepts (man-power sourcing, placement, learning & development, performance management, reward & recognition, retention and exit management, etc)
  Knowledge of Nigerian labour and employment legislations
  Good leadership skills.
  Good communication and interpersonal skills
  Good relationship building/management skills
  Good appreciation and working knowledge of Microsoft office tools
  
  VACANCY - OFFICER IT/SYSTEMS
  
  Degree in Computer Science or related discipline from a reputable tertiary institution
  Professional qualification in Information Technology
  Minimum of 3 years cognate experience
  Good knowledge of relevant systems and technologies
  Knowledge of information management tools and techniques
  Strong knowledge of office automation including the ability to install and troubleshoot PC
  Working knowledge of server network protocols and internet/intranet applications
  Ability to think strategically, balancing objectivity and enthusiasm
  Excellent problem management, user requirement analysts and process/diagnostic questioning techniques
  Adept in imparting knowledge to others
  Excellent communication skills
  Excellent customer service skills
  
  VACANCY - HEAD, INTERNAL AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT
  
  Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline
  Mernbership of ICAN. CIA, ACCA, CPA or other professional bodies
  Minimum of 5 years audit experience
  Computer literacy and knowledge of audit software applications
  Knowledge of SAP
  Knowledge of Financial Regulations and treasury accounting
  Financial/data analysis skills
  Good report writing and oral communication skills
  Good decision making and problem solving skills
  High level of integrity, confidence, attention to detail and objectivity
  
  VACANCY - OFFICER TREASURY
  
  Degree in Finance or Accounting
  Professional qualification as added advantage
  2 -5 years relevant experience at least two of which must have been in Leadership/supervisory position
  Good knowledge of generally accepted finance and accounting principles and standards
  Hands-on experience and use of accounting packages and systems
  Oral and written communication skills Presentation and facilitation skills
  
  VACANCY - OFFICER, BUDGET AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
  
  Degree in Finance or Accounting
  Professional membership/qualification
  2 - 5 years relevant experience at least two of which must have been in a supervisory role
  Good knowledge of generally accepted finance and accounting principles
  Hands-on experience and use of accounting packages and systems
  Oral and written communication skills
  Quantitative and problem solving skills
  Strong negotiation skills
  Working knowledge of office productivity tools and other applicable tools
  
  VACANCY - HEAD FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
  
  Degree in Finance or Accounting, Post-graduate degree will be added advantage
  Professional qualification/membership in Finance or Accounting (ICAN, CFA,ACCA)
  5 -6 years relevant experience at least two of which must have been in a leadership/supervisory rate
  In-depth knowledge of generally accepted finance and accounting principles and standards (IFRS, SAS, lAS, etc)
  Advanced knowledge and understanding of Financial Management
  Hands-on practical experience and use of accounting packages
  Strong communication skills
  Strong negotiation skills
  Strong presentation and facilitation skills
  Strong quantitative and problem solving skills
  Good appreciation and working knowledge of office productivity tools as well as other tools such as the Oracle Financials.
  
  VACANCY - EXECUTIVE LOANS AND PAYROLL
  
  Degree in Finance, Accounting or other related discipline
  Minimum of four years relevant experience gained from the Banking Institution or other related Institutions
  Computer literacy and knowledge of office productivity tools
  Good leadership and supervisory skills
  Excellent customer relations skills
  Ability to Clearly explain and defend analytical results
  Good teaming and training skills
  Good organizational skills to ensure prompt reporting and account record maintenance
  Ability to interact with individuals at both senior and junior levels of Organizations
  Strong integrity and dependability
  
  TO APPLY
  Application letter and Resume only should be sent to info@coopeast.com  with the position being applied for as the subject matter.
  SITE:  www.coopeast.com
  Closing date: Two Weeks from date of advert
  The Society is a private commercial entity governed by the Cooperatives Society
  Act 2004 and its registered bye-laws which is voluntarily acceded to by its registered members, Notwithstanding the name or the fact that it is a Society established and subscribed to by employees of Shell companies in Nigeria, the Society and its activities are independent from and not in any way, associated or affiliated with Royal Dutch Sheff Plc and/or any of the affiliate companies of Royal Dutch Shell Pic in Nigeria (‘Shell').
  
  DUE DATE: 20 June, 2013

Access Bank Plc - Graduate Recruitment 2013

• Employer: Access Bank
  
  Vacancy - Graduate Trainees Recruitment 2013
  
  Job Ref: GTP01
  Location: Lagos, NigeriaAccess Bank plc
  
  Our Client,
  Access Bank Plc is a financial institution with presence in 9 countries in Africa and the United Kingdom and in all major cities in Nigeria. Also referred to as the Africa's Bank of Best Practice, Access Bank operates on a platform of strong ethics, governance and professionalism.Fresh Graduate Trainee Job Opportunities exist at Access Bank Plc (Nigeria).
  
  JOB DETAILS
  Access Bank Nigeria Plc is recruiting fresh graduates for its 2013 Graduate Trainee Program.
  
  JOB REQUIREMENT
  Graduate-Level Qualification (HND / B.Sc)
  
  CLICK LINK below TO APPLY
  www.accessbankplc.com

Access Bank Plc - Graduate Trainees Recruitment 2013 - Nigeria

• Employer: Access Bank
  Vacancy - Graduate Trainees Recruitment 2013
  
  
  Job Ref: GTP01Location: Lagos, Nigeria.Our Client,
  Access Bank Plc
  
  is a financial institution with presence in 9 countries in Africa and the United Kingdom and in all major cities in Nigeria. Also referred to as the Africa's Bank of Best Practice, Access Bank operates on a platform of strong ethics, governance and professionalism.
  
  Fresh Graduate Trainee Job Opportunities exist at Access Bank Plc (Nigeria).
  
  JOB DETAILS
  Access Bank Nigeria Plc is recruiting fresh graduates for its 2013 Graduate Trainee Program.
  
  JOB REQUIREMENT
  Graduate-Level Qualification (HND / B.Sc)
  
  CLICK LINK below TO APPLY
  www.accessbankplc.com

Kenya 0-1 Nigeria: Musa goal wins it

• AfricCon Entertainment plus
  
  Africcon Nigerian Entertainment Report: Kenya 0-1 Nigeria: Musa goal wins it
  
  Africcon Media Entertainment plus, – Africa
  
  Kenya 0-1 Nigeria: Ahmed Musa goal stuns Harambee Stars in Nairobi
  Kenya's hopes of reaching 2014 World Cup final in Brazil were dashed on Wednesday after winger Ahmed Musa scored a late goal to silence Stars
  
  Nigeria winger Ahmed Musa scored a late goal to dim Kenya’s hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup final to be held in Brazil after the Super Eagles won 1-0 at Kasarani on Wednesday .
  
  Musa latched onto a through ball from John Obi Mikel to beat his marker David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng’ before beautiful chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng’ in Kenyan goal.
  
  The win now takes Nigeria back to the top of Group F with 8 points while Malawi are second on six after battling to a 0-0 draw with Namibia in a match played in Blantyre earlier on Wednesday.
  
  Kenya, who had win to keep alive their hopes of gracing the World Cup final, started the match badly with defender Brian Mandela almost handing the visitors a quick goal in the 1st minute of the match.
  
  The South African-based defender failed to deal with a loose ball after restart allowing Nigerian striker Brian Ideye to charge forward but the Super Eagles' star could not find the back of the net with keeper Ochieng’ to beat.
  
  Five minutes later, Musa Ahmed beat the Kenyan defense but his attempt to pick out an advancing Sunday Mba was blocked by Brian Mandela.
  
  The Kenyans were having a great time in midfield and Oman-based Jamal Mohammed was showing some awesome creativity though he appeared self-fish sometimes.
  
  In the 10th minute with Kepha Aswani advancing towards the Nigerian goal, Mohammed hesitated and allowed the Nigerian defense to recover lost ground.
  
  One minute later, Nigeria had their first free-kick which Chelsea star John Obi Mikel lifting it high towards the Kenyan goal and rested on the side netting.
  
  Duncun Ochieng in goal threw the ball quickly to a running Victor Wanyama but he failed to keep it into play. In the 13th minute, the visitors got their second free-kick just near the Kenyan goal but Musa Ahmed's shot was defended well.
  
  Kenya got the first corner in the 24th minute when Francis Kahata efforts to beat Efe Ambrose in the Nigerian defense ended in vain.
  
  Ambrose was forced to come out and stop Kahata once again in the 29th minute after Jamal Mohammed had picked him out with a splitting pass but Stars could only get a corner from the effort.
  
  Kepha Aswani making his return to the Kenyan team after a long time was a pale shadow of himself and he looked injured as he time and again limped. He never made any effort at goal allowing Vincent Enyeama to have a long rest in the first half.
  
  Nigeria got their first corner of the match in the 34th minute when a goal bound Musa Ahmed was stopped in his tracks by David Ochieng.
  
  Four minutes later, Ahmed's shot was deflected by Mandela and calmly picked by Duncun Ochieng’, who made a throw to Johanna Omollo and he made the first attempt at goal but his effort was stopped by Vincent Enyeama.
  
  The Kenyans were gaining confidence as the first half wore off and Peter Opiyo made the second shot at the Nigerian goal in the 39th minute.
  
  Nigeria got their second corner in the 43rd minute but it was the home team who ended the first half on a high note with Victor Wanyama coming close only to shoot wide.
  
  The worst would come with less that 15 minutes left to play, Stephen Waruru giving away possession cheaply in the opponent’s third, a counter attack resulting in Ahmed Musa lifting the ball over an advancing Duncun Ochieng.

Mourinho hints at Terry omission

• Africcon News
  Africcon Media Report: Mourinho hints at Terry omission
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media - Nigeria
  

  Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that he could consign club captain John Terry to the Stamford Bridge bench, just as he did with Iker Casillas at Real Madrid.
  
  Mourinho's return after seven years away from Chelsea sees him reunited with many former players who played key roles during his first successful spell in charge, including Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech and Michael Essien.

  
  With all these players now in their thirties however, and Blues owner Roman Abramovich reportedly providing the incoming boss with a £100 million warchest to freshen up the squad he has inherited, Mourinho may now be faced with managing the expectations of senior players who he has long claimed to be close friends.
  
  Talking Spanish TV programme Punto Pelota about his 'feud' with Madrid captain Casillas this season, the Portuguese said he always wants 'meritocracy' in his dressing-room, even if it means upsetting senior players, while he also alluded to tension between Terry and Chelsea's former interim boss Rafa Benitez in recent months.
  
  "I am a coach who looks for a meritocracy," Mourinho said. "Whoever I think is best must play. Without looking at status or the past. You play as you train. It is a normal situation. As it was normal for me to leave [Marco] Materazzi, a mythical player at Inter, on the bench. Or like Benitez this year at Chelsea with Terry.
  
  "The fans can think that Iker is better than Diego [Lopez]. I accept that, but I am the coach. If there are players who change their 'modus operandi' if they play or not, that is a problem for the player."
  
  Mourinho's clashes with senior players at Madrid last season - also including Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Karim Benzema – has left some pundits claiming that the new Madrid coach struggles to bring together big personalities in a dressing-room.
  
  The former Inter Milan boss, however, insisted that the Bernabeu dressing room was now in a much better state than when he arrived three years ago.
  
  "The coach who comes in will find themselves in a different situation from the one I faced," he said. "Now we are psychologically on top of our biggest rival. Also the president will make two good signings."

La Liga dilemma looms for Bale

• Africcon News
  Africcon Media Report: La Liga dilemma looms for Bale
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media - Nigeria
  
  Gareth Bale has taken Tottenham by storm, but can he handle a move to Real Madrid?
  
  Even though it would be natural to conclude that the grass at Real Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabeu arena is a little greener than the lush turf at White Hart Lane, Tottenham's Gareth Bale would be wise to remind himself that mirages have a habit of deceiving.
  
  On face value, the fantasy of being handed a glistening white Real Madrid shirt and being asked to perform keepie-uppies in front of ecstatic Madridista's attending your grand unveiling as the club's latest star signing seems like a dream no-one could turn down, yet Bale is not your typical attention seeker.
  
  Quiet, polite and fiercely private, this is a clean-cut sportsman who bucks the modern trend of chasing the bright lights of stardom and swaps it for the more simple life. As his former manager Harry Redknapp once stated, Bale's idea of letting his hair down involves heading back home to Wales for some home cooking with his Mum, so would life in the Spanish capital as a ready made superstar really suit him?
  
  So while it may now be inevitable that Spain's most talked-about club will tempt Tottenham with a vast financial offer to sign their PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year in the coming weeks, the prospect of this humble 23-year-old throwing himself into an unknown world in Spain may prove to be the breaking of him.
  
  Lest we forget that this is a young man whose lack of confidence and self belief so nearly saw him drown amid the modest expectations he was trying to live up to following his move from Southampton to Spurs in 2007.
  
  It was only when Redknapp found the keys to unlock his fledgling talents that the football giant who has become a worldwide hit in the last three years started to come to prominence and Bale would be wise to consider whether this is the moment to sacrifice his position as huge piranha in relatively tranquil waters at Tottenham to become one of a flock of big sharks in unknown terrain.
  
  As Croatian midfielder Luka Modric would doubtless confirm, the dream of swapping a comfortable life at Tottenham for the bright lights of Real Madrid does not always guarantee happiness and while a move to a rival Premier League club may be impossible for Bale right now, that may be the more attractive long-term option.
  
  Over the last three years, the constantly smiling Bale has cut the figure of a boy who can barely believe how his career has exploded, with his public image very much backed up by his demeanour when he grants occasional interviews to the media.
  
  "All this fuss is a bit surreal to be honest," was Bale's reaction when I interviewed him shortly after his Champions League wonder show against Inter Milan three years ago.
  
  "It's quite nice that people are saying I'm playing well and the consistency I'm showing is the most pleasing aspect of my play, but the fame that goes with this game is not something that interests me and it never will. All I know is the temptations out there will not trip me up as I'm not interested in them.
  
  "I don't drink much alcohol as I would rather do normal things with my friends and family. Playing computer games or watching a DVD is my idea of relaxing rather than going to nightclubs or that kind of thing."
  
  With the worldwide phenomenon that is the Premier League now starting to use Bale as one of its fresh-faced poster boys, a move to Spain would end that promotion on home soil in an instant. Then, should he to fail to start in sparkling fashion with Real Madrid, ‘Brand Bale' could take a fatal hit just at a moment when it is about to take off.
  
  So at a moment when Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett is doing all he can to talk up the biggest move of this summer transfer market with his constant briefings to media outlets, the question should be asked whether Real Madrid provides a suitable stage for Bale to take his career to the next level.
  
  If it was Premier League champions Manchester United or even Jose Mourinho's Chelsea attempting to prize Bale away from Spurs, few would question the wisdom of the buying club or the commodity at the centre of this professional and personal dilemma for leaving a Europa League side for one of the game's genuine Champions League contenders.
  
  Yet as Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy confirmed as he turned down Chelsea's extravagant advances for Modric in the summer of 2011, selling star assets to domestic rivals is not on his agenda and so Bale may soon be faced with a delicious dilemma.
  
  Risk everything to become one of the world's biggest sporting stars at Real Madrid or bide your time and wait for the right moment to seal a transfer that has the potential to make or break Bale's seemingly unstoppable rise to the top.
  
  Here's hoping one of the modern game's finest assets makes the right decision and this is one good news story that should not be allowed to end in tears.

US issues fresh travel alert on Nigeria

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: US issues fresh travel alert on Nigeria
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The United States has issued fresh travel alert on Nigeria, warning its citizens not to travel to North and nine other states in South.
  
  The US predicated the alert on the emergency rule in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states, saying extremists could expand their operations beyond the three states to other parts of the country.
  
  “The ability  of the mission to provide assistance to US citizens in those states remains severely limited,” the US government stated in an updated alert on Monday.
  
  President Goodluck Jonathan on May 14, declared emergency rule in the three states to restore order following the violence orchestrated by members of Boko Haram.
  
  The travel warning came just as the US State Department placed $7m bounty on the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.
  
  It warned that the latest alert superseded earlier one saying, “It replaces the travel warning for Nigeria dated December 21, 2012.’’
  
  The advice read, “The Department of State warns US citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria and recommends that they avoid all travel to Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states because of the proclamation on May 14, 2013, by the government of Nigeria.
  
  “Based on safety and security risk assessments, the Embassy maintains restrictions for travel by US officials to all northern Nigerian states (in addition to those listed above); officials must receive advance clearance by the US Mission for any travel deemed as mission-essential. US citizens should be aware that extremists could expand their operations beyond northern Nigeria to the country’s middle and southern states.”
  
  The alert listed other states as Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Zamfara citing kidnappings, robberies, and other armed attacks for the travel alert.
  
  Meanwhile, the US has picked holes in Nigeria’s war against terrorism.
  
  It said Nigeria was not doing enough to end the threat posed by Boko Haram.
  
  The US faulted Nigeria’s legislation, and law enforcement, adding that the Jonathan administration was not keeping a close watch on  non-profit organisations  in the country to prevent terrorism financing.
  
  The US described Nigeria’s main anti-terrorism law, Prevention of Terrorism Law of 2011, which prohibits acts of terrorism and related offences; terrorism funding and makes provision for the Investigation and prosecution of terrorists as “weak”.
  
  This was contained in the 2012 Country Reports on Terrorism released by the US Department of State Counterterrorism Bureau, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent on Wednesday.
  
  It read in part, “The Nigerian government’s efforts to address grievances among Northern populations, which include high unemployment and a dearth of basic services, continued to fail, as did the security forces’ efforts to contain Boko Haram.”

The $8bn refinery Proposed by Dangote & President is to be site in Olokola FTZ

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: The $8bn refinery Proposed by Dangote & President is to be site in Olokola FTZ
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Indications emerged on Wednesday that the $8bn refinery proposed by Africa’s richest man and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, would be located at the Olokola Free Trade Zone, Ondo State.
  
  A senior official of the company, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told our correspondent that the refinery would be located in the OFTZ.
  
  One of the factors considered for the location of the refinery, according to the source, is that it is the biggest deep seaport in the country and other big industries are located there; besides, Ondo is one of the oil producing states in the country.
  
  The source added that stable crude oil supply was also a vital element in the choice of the location for the refinery because Chevron and a number of other oil producers had oil fields in the oil-rich region of the state.
  
  On why Lagos was not chosen, industry analysts said though the state was a coastal state, Dangote would have to build pipelines to transfer crude from oil fields to the refinery, thereby incurring additional expenses.
  
  The source explained that necessary approvals had been secured for the refinery, adding that the Dangote Group was just waiting for the necessary equipment with which to build the refinery to arrive.
  
  Another source told our correspondent that Dangote, who was listed on Monday as the first African entrepreneur to lay claim to a $20bn fortune and one of the 25 richest men in the world, would put down $4bn of his personal fortune to build the refinery, while international financial institutions had raised the balance.
  
  Dangote had in April announced plans to invest up to $8bn in building an oil refinery with capacity for around 400,000 barrels a day by late 2016.
  
  The capacity, experts had said, would almost double Nigeria’s current refining strength.
  
  “This will really help not only Nigeria but sub-Saharan Africa. There has not been a new refinery for a long time in sub-Saharan Africa,” Dangote had told Reuters in a telephone interview.
  
  Nigeria currently has the capacity to produce some 445,000 barrels per day in four refineries, which operate well below that owing to decades of mismanagement and corruption in Africa’s leading energy producer.
  
  The country relies on subsidised imports for 80 per cent of its fuel needs.
  
  Dangote said the country’s ability to import fuel would soon be challenged.
  
  “In five years, when our population is over 200 million, we won’t have the infrastructure to receive the amount of fuel we use. It has to be done,” he said.
  
  Past efforts to build refineries have often been delayed or cancelled, but analysts have said Dangote should be able to build a profitable Nigerian refinery, owing to his past successes in industry and his strong government connections.
  
  Analysts have said previous attempts to get the refineries going were held back by vested interests such as fuel importers profiting from the status quo.
  
  “The people who were supposed to invest in refineries, who understand the market, are benefiting from there being no refineries because of the fuel import business. Some are going to try to interfere,” Dangote said.
  
  He said making a new refinery run at a profit would work even if the government failed to scrap the subsidised fuel price that has deterred others from investing.
  
  “We’ve done our numbers and the numbers are okay,” he said.
  
  Dangote, who spoke on the sidelines of the recent World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, said he had secured $4.25bn loans from banks to build the refinery.
  
  He said the loan was secured from “two offshore banks and some Nigerian banks.”

PDP Has Just suspended the Sokoto State gov - Wamakko

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: PDP Has Just suspended the Sokoto State gov - Wamakko
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Few days after the suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, from the People’s Democratic Party, the party on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Wamako, from the party
  
  The party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, that the suspension was due to the breaching of the party’s  constitution by the governor.
  
  Metuh said the decision to suspend the governor was taken at the meeting held by the members of the National Working Committee at its meeting,  in Abuja on Wednesday.
  
  The statement read, “The NWC notes that on several occasions, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko had ignored invitations and lawful directives of the NWC in this regard and has continued to show complete apathy to the affairs of the party and contempt to an organ of the Party.
  
  “Consequent upon the refusal of the Governor to honour yet another invitation by the NWC to appear before it today, Wednesday, June 5, 2013 without any reason, the Committee, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 57 (7), 58. 1(c), (h), (f) and 59 (1),(2), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, as a member of the party and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the Party.
  
  “This is in furtherance of the determination of the leadership of the party to enforce discipline at all levels within the party.”
  
  The suspension, it was gathered, might not be unconnected with an alleged refusal of the governor to recognise the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
  
  The governor, it was gathered, was said to have been miffed at the way Akpabio was allegedly imposed on the governors by the Presidency and the leadership of the party.
  
  Besides, he was also alleged to be working with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and that he could have been the backbone of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Mallam Aminu Tambuwal, who the Presidency and the party had recognised as an opposition figure.
  
  Meanwhile, it was learnt that more governors may also be suspended from the party soon.
  
  Sources close to the party named the governors as Dr. Babangida Aliyu(Niger), Rabiu Kwakwanso(Kano) and Sule Lamido(Jigawa).

Senate stops N4bn first ladies’ mission house project

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Senate stops N4bn first ladies’ mission house project
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  The Senate on Wednesday dropped the controversial African First Ladies’ Peace Mission House project when it passed the N259.65bn budget of the Federal Capital Territory for the 2013 fiscal year without approving the N4bn appropriated for it.
  
  In February when the budget proposal was brought to the National Assembly, it contained N4bn vote for the construction of the mission house in Abuja, a development that attracted a lot of criticisms from members of the public.
  
  The Senate, during the second reading of the bill, questioned the rationale of committing scarce resources to prosecute a less important structure.
  
  Civil rights groups and political parties had also berated the Federal Capital Territory Administration for budgeting N4bn for the construction of the building for a non-governmental body headed by the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
  
  They had contended that since the Federal Government had earlier declared the mission as a non-governmental organisation, it would be inappropriate for the same government to spend public funds on it.
  
  Presenting the budget report on Wednesday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, said, “It is worthy of note that the proposed appropriation for the construction of building for the African First Ladies’ Peace Mission has been distributed to meet pressing needs in the area of engineering and satellite towns.”
  
  A breakdown of the budget showed that N48.03bn was approved for personnel matters; N49.5bn for overhead; N97.54bn for recurrent expenditure; and N155.66bn as capital expenditure.
  
  Adeyemi said the budget was predicated on a projected revenue of N259.698bn with a fiscal surplus of N645,666.
  
  He also said that in carrying out its oversight duties, the committee identified critical areas of need for the development of the territory and to ensure improved standard of living for its inhabitants.
  
  “Therefore, the committee jostled with the budget estimates, deploying funds to meet areas of critical needs like roads, water, health, education and development of satellite towns within the territory, city maintenance and cleaning, recreational facilities, construction of rehabilitation centres, agriculture, transportation, security services and rehabilitation of the ECOWAS Parliament Building,” he said.
  
  After passing the budget, the President of the Senate, David Mark, called on the committee to rise up to its responsibility by discharging its oversight functions effectively.
  
  He said the city was dilapidating and receding in its development with traffic congestion and ill maintained streets and gardens depicting the decay.
  
  Mark said, “There is a lot of traffic congestion. The streets are not being kept in very good condition; the gardens and the lawns are not being maintained; I think there are a lot of areas where the city has to work very well.
  
  “This is where we have to implore your oversight functions. It is our responsibility to ensure that things work properly.”

Cadbury Nigeria Plc - Vacancy - Mechanical Engineers

• Career.. Cadbury Nigeria Plc
  Vacancy - Mechanical Engineers
  Job Reference:Mech 01
  Position:     Mechanical Engineers
  Department:     ENGINEERING
  Job Details:     
  Description
  
  Manage all mechanical engineering activities and drive TPM and Continuous Improvement  initiatives
  Draw up, set up and fully implement PPM programme for mechanical related equipment in the plant
  
  Ensure plant availability and reliability at required OEE of lines
  Ensure minimal mechanical related machine breakdowns on all equipment
  Deliver all mechanical related aspects of projects on time, in full and within budget Ensure availability of critical mechanical spares for equipment in the plant
  Implement asset care management initiatives in the plant
  
  Job Qualifications, Experience and Attributes
  
  First degree in mechanical engineering from a reputable institution.Higher degree(s) will be an advantage
  Minimum of Five (5) years' relevant experience in a process plant, preferably in FMCG
  Strong strategic orientation, demonstrable leadership, interpersonal and financial management skills
  
  To Apply
     Click HERE

Jobs Opening At Oxfam Novib

• Jobs Opening At Oxfam Novib
  
  
  Oxfam Novib is an international non profit organization committed to ridding the world of poverty. We have a conviction that once given the chance to do so people are well capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own. To do this, we work with local organizations, build their capacity and provide strategic funding to local projects in developing countries. We also lobby governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people, and campaign to involve men and women also in our work.
  
  VACANCY - INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING OFFICER
  
  DIVISION: International
  JOB FAMILY: Fund-raising
  DEPARTMENT: Oxfam GB & Oxfam Novib
  LOCATION: Duty station Nigeria (Abuja)
  SALARY: net salary range Naira N 3,648.088- N 4,924,919
  LEVEL: C2, national post.
  OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering.
   
  TEAMS PURPOSE:
  To raise funds for Oxfam GB and ON's programmes in Nigeria; to build relationship with potential donors; to develop programs with staff and partners; to ensure quality and consistency in relationships with institutional donors; and to support programme teams,in planning and managing their funds
  
  JOB PURPOSE:
  In collaboration with the Dakar -based OGB Regional Programme Funding Team (RPFT), and The Hague based ON External Funding (EFU) team, support the Oxfam in Nigeria Country Programme Teams (50% OGB & 50% ON) to manage new and established relationships with donors for development and advocacy & when relevant humanitarian work in Nigeria. To identify opportunities for fund-raising with institutional donors and private sector. Provide specialist information internally and externally to donors in order to meet the Oxfam affiliate funding strategy objectives for Nigeria. Provide the quality check in Nigeria for delivery of quality concept notes, full proposals and assist in editing when and where needed. Provide grant compliance guidelines to the relevant stakeholders in the country office on the various donor requirements  Organise staff & partner meetings for program development purposes. Organise grant compliance workshop & monitoring information for program staff and partners. Support proposal writing efforts and manage their funds.
  
  REPORTING LINES:
  The post holder reports to the Oxfam In Nigeria Country Director in Nigeria directly and liaises with Oxfam GB regional funding Unit and Oxfam Novib’s funding Unit in the Hague.
  
  VACANCY - BUDGET
  
  RESPONSIBILITY:
  A small program development budget will be available for travel, research, documentation, communication purposes.
  DIMENSIONS: Manages new and existing program development and fund-raising processes
  Facilitates and organises program development processes involving Oxfam staff and counterparts (both content & budget dimensions)
  Good communication and facilitation skills for multi-actor processes
  Collate information from a defined range of sources (external and internal) for colleagues.
  Deals with people both externally and internally to influence adherence to Oxfam ways of working
  Frequent internal and /external negotiations
  Representation and acquisition
  Mobilise specific technical and professional knowledge in program development, and provide this to colleagues on grant management ; significant training/capacity building of non-specialist staff in funding responsibilities.
  
  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  Responsible for supporting the development and/or implementation of a funding strategy for Oxfam GB’s programmes in Nigeria  (50%) and for Oxfam Novib’s programme in Nigeria (50%)
  Responsible for developing good relationships with key potential donors in Nigeria  & pro-actively identify funding potentials Nigeria, including advising & guiding Oxfam GB/ON colleagues on country funding plans and donor liaison
  Support  Oxfam country colleagues OGB/ON in the development and submission of donor proposals for Nigeria .
  Conduct a quality check on all proposals & reports to back donors.
  Supporting and delegating quality contract management, including donor reporting, in collaboration with the Oxfam colleagues.
  Deliver training and support country offices with project cycle management and donor contract management according to capacity building plans in order to strengthen relationships with key donors, this in collaboration with OGB’s RPFT and ON’s EFU units.
  Represent Oxfam (GB/ON) as required with donors
  Understand and maintain Oxfam in Nigeria  donor database & give advise on how to develop this for Oxfam
  Coordinate and share information with OGB and ON HQ, including attending planning and training meetings and upholding standards.
  
  SKILLS &COMPETENCE:
  Essential
  University degree in relevant area or proven experience at this level.
  At least 5 years of work experience in the field of development cooperation, pref. with NGOs
  Three years experience of raising funds, preparing project proposals for DFID, EU and other institutional donors which are predominant in Nigeria, preferably for NGOs as well as experience with donors’ rules and regulations in order to ensure grant compliance
  Significant capacity building and training experience
  High level numeracy, budgeting, financial reporting and IT skills
  Works effectively with others in a team situation to achieve fundraising targets
  Organisational awareness – understanding how to get what information and who to keep informed
  Excellent research skills – knowledge of how to find new sources of funding for advocacy work
  Good communication skills – both written and verbal; experience of writing proposals and reports
  Experience of capacity building non-funding staff in all aspects of funding and contract compliance & able to facilitate training sessions
  Ability to represent Oxfam to donors and external institutions, good networking skills
  Influencing skills and tenacity
  Good administrative skills and ability to follow departmental procedures
  Experience with project cycle management (planning, monitoring, reporting, evaluation, learning)
  Educated to degree level.
  Fluency in written and spoken English
  Knowledge of NGO programming in development/campaigning and if possible emergencies
   
  OTHER: Knowledge or experience of Oxfam's and civil society programme work an advantage.
  Regular travel within Nigeria is compulsary and to Head Offices OGB in UK and ON in The Hague may be required.
  The salary will be paid in Naira
  
  TO APPLY
  If you are interested in this position please send a motivational letter and
  Curriculum vitae in English to   vacancies-nigeria@oxfamnovib.nl   to the attention of The Recruiter, no later than18th of June 2013.
  Further enquires on the position can be sent to Chinedu Ohanyido, Information Officer, chinedu.ohanyido@oxfamnovib.nl.
  
  DUE DATE: 18 June, 2013