Bolton have terminated the contract of Super Eagles defender Danny Shittu.

The 30-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Trotters when he moved to the Reebok Stadium from Watford for a reported £2m fee in August 2008.

The big defender made 12 appearances in his first season at Bolton but he fell down the pecking order and did not feature for the first team last season.

However, the centre-back was still named in Nigeria‘s 2010 World Cup squad and played in all three of their Group B games in South Africa.

Shittu, who is also part of Nigeria‘s squad for the African Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Calabar, began his career as a trainee at Charlton, moved in 2002 to Queens Park Rangers after he impressed during a loan spell.

He played more than 160 games for the QPR before moving to Watford for £1.6m in the summer of 2006.

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Some officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have conspired with members across the country to encourage truancy, Maharazu Ismail Tsiga, director general of the NYSC, said yesterday.

Mr. Tsiga spoke during a course programme on zonal inspectors’ development at the NYSC orientation camp, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

He said the officials were helping members to perform their monthly clearance procedures, allowing them to receive their personnel allowances for work they did not do. He also said that some banks were overcharging corps members. He blamed the situation on “poor monitoring and supervision of corps members by field officers.”

“It is quite unacceptable and any inspector found engaging in this immoral act will face the wrath of the law accordingly,” Mr. Tsiga said.

More involvement

Mr. Tsiga said he had received reports that some NYSC zonal inspectors had no ties with their host communities because they did not reside in them. He also said his directives that local government committees should be set up for the welfare and security of corps members have not been carried out in many states. All the committees must be in place before the year runs out, he said.

Elizabeth Adimorah, the course organiser and NYSC director of corps welfare and inspection, said the development programme would improve inspectors’ performance of their duties.

She said the theme of the course was ‘Enhancing the Capabilities of the NYSC Zonal Inspectors for Optimum Performance’.

“The theme is apt because of the need to repackage and refocus the field officers, so as to overcome the growing challenges of the scheme,” she said

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The deal, which includes the option to make the transfer permanent when the loan ends next summer, was completed yesterday afternoon ahead of the closure of the Turkish transfer window, after the 29-year-old agreed terms and passed a medical.

A deal had been agreed between the two clubs earlier this week. Fernerbahce once had in its fold former Super Eagles captains, Okechukwu Uche and Augustine Okocha, and they have won the Turkish Super League a record 17 times; a record they share with fierce rivals Galatasaray.

Yobo, who joined Everton from French club Olympique Marseille in 2002, has not played for the Merseyside-based club this season.

His arrived Everton initially on loan from Marseille – the deal was made permanent before the end of the 2002/03 season – thus becoming the first signing to be made by the club’s boss David Moyes, who joined Everton from Preston North End.

Yobo, made over 250 appearances for Everton and back in 2007 captained the side in the absence of club captain Phil Neville, but the form of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka saw him lose his place in the first team towards the end of last season – he started only 14 league games.

His current deal with the club doesn’t however expire until the summer of 2014 and English tabloid The Mirror reported that the defender has ruled out signing permanently with the Turkish side.

The newspaper says that the Nigerian, who only got married at the start of the year, plans to come back to England for the sake of his children’s education.

Kaita moves to Ukrain

Meanwhile, midfielder Sani Kaita has signed a three-year deal with top Ukrainian side FC Metalist Kharkiv.

According to one of the player’s representatives, Tijani Babangida, in a report on a Nigerian website, Kaita signed on Tuesday and was thrilled to turn his back on AS Monaco of France.

“It’s a big move for Kaita because Metalist are involved in the Europa League and it will therefore be a great platform for the player to show the whole world what he is capable of,” said the former Ajax and Nigeria winger.”

Metalist are drawn in Group I of the Europa League along with PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands, Italy’s Sampdoria and Debrecen of Hungary.

“He’s delighted to have finally made this switch, but we have told him that everything is now up to him – to start playing a minimum of 20 games a season. He will be judged by his performance,” Babangida added.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder, who could also have moved to English Championship side Leicester but for his lack of international games, has already played on loan in Russia.

The deal taking the 24-year-old to the Ukrainian outfit was brokered by his manager, Dimitri Seluk, who also manages Manchester City’s Ivorian international Yaya Toure.

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The 2005 edition included the phrase Ruby Murray, as rhyming slang for a curry, and chav – a pejorative term used to describe a “young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of [real or imitation] designer clothes”. In this third edition of the dictionary, climate change issues have given us carbon capture and storage – the process of trapping and storing carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels. Geo-engineering – the manipulation of environmental processes in an attempt to counteract the effects of global warming – has also made it into the dictionary, as has quantitative easing – the introduction of new money into the national supply by a central bank. And the internet has produced a rich supply of words and phrases. New entries include social media – websites and applications used for social networking – as well as microblogging – the posting of short entries on a blog. Other terms included in the latest edition of the dictionary include staycation – a holiday spent in one’s home country – and national treasure – someone or something regarded as emblematic of a nation’s cultural heritage.

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THE much-awaited clean-up at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began yesterday, with the retirement of two directors. Thirteen more are likely to go.

The retired directors are those who have spent more than eight years on the same position – in line with the Federal Government’s policy on retirement of directors. Some of the directors are at the state offices of the commission.

The two directors – Deputy Secretary (Publicity and Election Observation) Steve Osemeke and Deputy Secretary (Administration) E.A. Johnson – have been given their retirement letters.

INEC chair Prof Attahiru Jega has also replaced the Director of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit, Mr. Emmanuel Akem, for not being able to cope with the new demands of the position ahead of October’s voters registration. The former Director of Voters Registry, Mr. Adetunji Adesina, has replaced Akem.

The Federal Government had on August 26, 2009 ordered all permanent secretaries and directors, who will be eight years in office and in the same position by January 1, 2010, to submit their pre-retirement notices.

The circular, which emanated from the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mr. Steve Oronsaye, said the new eight-year tenure for permanent secretaries and directors is without prejudice to the mandatory 60 years of age or 35 years in service for retirement.

The new benchmark is the eight-year tenure and not attainment of retirement guidelines.

Although some INEC directors were affected by the directive, the management of the electoral body under Prof. Maurice Iwu ignored the policy.

It later became an issue between the OHCSF and INEC until a change was effected in the electoral commission by President Goodluck Jonathan.

A source in the commission said: “The reorganisation of the commission has started but it is going to be in phases.

“Although some of the retired directors are tested and experienced, INEC has no choice but to effect the policy of the government. Some of them have also spent 15 to 18 years on the same post and have become rustic.

“The case of Osemeke is more challenging as he was among those rated to succeed the Secretary to the commission, Abdullahi Kaugama, but, with a policy in place, INEC cannot retain his services.

Other top officials likely to be affected by the retirement gale are Director, Voters Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu (Due for retirement in three months’); Dahiru Ibrahim (Human Resources); Mustapha Kuta (Audit); Mrs. O.O. Adejumo (DD Discipline); Jafaru Gabdo (Bauchi); Umar S. Aliyu (Nasarawa); Musa T. Kuta; Nadabo Usman (Sokoto); Michael S. N’Allah (Kebbi); Mrs. Edwins Ene (FCT); Anthony Agbache (Delta); Muktar Aliyu (Zonal Director-Minna) and Dr. Aniemena Chukwudi (Zonal Director, Port Harcourt).

The source added: “The management is still looking into the records of these directors to avoid any miscarriage of justice.

“Some of them are disputing the number of years spent on the same spot; they will go in the next few days.”

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In a country where there is an increasing tendency for citizens to plug for easy ways of becoming wealthy, ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ could be viewed as a performance on the “minding” of money, where what separates one from wealth and poverty is implicitly theorized as developing a more accommodating attitude to risk-taking.

The name of the game with its interrogative sentence, implicitly suggests that becoming a millionaire is a personal choice.

Like the irredeemable weekly pools players on Nigeria’s Poverty Street, someone playing ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ as a computer game is already in another world where it remains “just a little extra effort” for them to strike it big. Theorized implicitly as a gamble, becoming a millionaire engages a different kind of thinking for those who believe that there is always an element of chance or luck in escaping from poverty in this world.

Presenter Frank Edoho’s show on NTA exposes the player who makes desperate efforts to surmount the obstacle of questions and the questioner’s tactics to get to the reward. It is not easy to be on Edoho’s “hot seat” defending one’s integrity as a “knower”.

The “hot seat” perhaps reflects the mental state of the guest on trial before a television studio audience and the millions of viewers that include professional colleagues, relatives, friends, and even enemies. By extension, this “hot seat” is shared by those whom the guest elects to phone for assistance in providing the required answer. To furnish the wrong answer is not just to reduce the chances of winning but also to ruin one’s reputation as an informed “helper.” The contestants and their friends thus share the experience of hypertension on the “hot seat”.

Frank Edoho, frankly speaking, is not always “Mr. Hypertension,” not when he is acting as a sympathetic host, sometimes calling for cold water for the guest, or granting the guest a lifeline. Commercial breaks are inevitable in this kind of TV game show, forthe sponsors, MTN, must sell. But the timing of the breaks very clearly signifies that they are also the means through which Frank plays his part of the game of “helping” his guests and his audience on behalf of the sponsors.

When anticipation is very high for the gatekeeper to reveal or confirm the answer, especially when the guest’s answer is correct, he helps us to enjoy it, creating and heightening the suspense by deferring the announcement of the answer till after the commercial break. Frank is frankly a player who knows on which side to play, how to play, and when to play.

When Frank comes suddenly to confirm the answer as correct, does he not sometimes mischievously announce the wrong answer as correct and then quickly corrects himself? Frank’s tactical error and tactical self-repair is someone’s terror and great despair! Some players sometimes do confess that they are petrified. Yet, the presenter’s friendliness and remarkable sense of humour also help in trying to repair his guests’ nerves in this quest for mega bucks.

Frank indeed plays two roles at the same time: he is the sympathetic reward giver and the reluctant gatekeeper who has to hold on tight to the reward and do everything possible to dribble the guest. Part of the test for the guest is the demonstration of an ability to avoid deception and maintain confidence. The game is not just about money but about confidence building and psychological maturity in the pursuit of one’s material needs.

Isn’t it telling that, in the set in the studio, the “hot seat” is built in such a way that the legs of the guests (as well as those of the host) do not touch the ground, conveying the precariousness of the situation? One that sits with legs not touching the ground while looking for big money needs to be on guard, symbolically.

At a time when the assumption that one does not need brains to become a millionaire has almost ruined the attention to education and the pursuit of the culture of industry. ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ ought to be viewed as a symbolic statement about getting rich through acquisition of knowledge and psychological stability.

Playing ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ from a Stingerweb software on a computer and living the illusion of winning in US dollars are obviously not as attractive as being Frank Edoho’s petrified guest. The truth is that some thousands of naira in hand are worth millions of US dollars in the imaginary computer bush. Even if the naira has become local wallpaper that lacks power compared to the US dollar, its real game value rises for Nigerian players looking out for the secret to survival.

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A British doctor volunteering in DR Congo used text message instructions from a colleague to perform a life-saving amputation on a boy. Vascular surgeon David Nott helped the 16-year-old while working 24-hour shifts with medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Rutshuru. The boy’s left arm had been ripped off and was badly infected and gangrenous. Mr Nott, 52, from London, had never performed the operation but followed instructions from a colleague who had. Mr Nott knew he needed to perform a forequarter amputation, requiring removal of the collar bone and shoulder blade. He contacted Professor Meirion Thomas, from London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, who had performed the operation before. He texted him and he texted back step by step instructions on how to do it. The operation is only performed about 10 times a year in the UK, usually on cancer patients, and requires the back-up of an intensive-care unit. Patients usually lose a lot of blood during the procedure. Mr Nott had just one pint of blood and an elementary operating theatre, but the operation was a success and the teenager made a full recovery

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Our client is one of the foremost financial institutions in Nigeria. The group offers multi-disciplinary financial services to a wide range of clients across industries through its subsidiaries, associates and divisions, including insurance, asset management, pension services, trusteeship and real estate investment.

Our client, as part of the initiatives to achieve improving its service quality and re-positioning in the industry seeks to recruit focused, energetic, results-oriented and suitably qualified professionals to fill the following positions in its composite insurance subsidiary:

Job Title: Managing Director/
Ref: CEO-ES00548

Reporting to the Board ofthe insurance company, the successful candidate will serve as the principal strategy and business development executive of the company. He/she will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing short, medium and lo’ng-term strategies that will ensure the continued growth and profitability of the company in line with the vision and mission of the Group.

Specifically, the candidate will:
• Champion the development of the company’s corporate strategy, lead a facilitate management team strategic thinking, identify the company’s strategic imperatives for growth, facilitate the development of new policy initiatives and provide strategic guidance and oversight to the departmental heads.
• Conduct affairs and activities of the composite company within the framework set by the group’s corporate mission, strategic plan and policies.
• Drive the development of annual operating plans inclUding business plans, operational requirements, staffing and budgets to ensure business continuity.
• Plan and lead the execution of market penetrating strategies aimed at attracting new business from the target sectors of the economy in line with the company’s strateoic policies.
• Plan and the execution of customer satisfaction and retention strategies to ensure that the company is the insurer of choice to its clients.
• Provide leadership to employees and motivate them for peak performance and personal growth.
• Develop and direct the implementatio’n of the company’s strategic investment plans and programmes; coordinate the positioning of the company for sustainable competitive advantcge.
• Take full responsibility and ownmship of the company’s P&L and growth, initiatives, as well as provide periodic updates to the Board on the company’s financial performance.
• Co-ordinate the business development initiatives of the company for sustainable growth and development.
• Serve as a key brand icon for the company, creating a niche for it in the insurance sector and consistently reinforcing and promoting the corporate brand value and identity.

Qualifications, experience and attributes
• A good first degree in any field of study from a reputable tertiary institution. An MBA or any other higher degree will be an added advantage
• Professional qualification(s) in Insurance (e,g. ACIIj is essential
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years’ post-qualification experience, including five (5) years’ experience in the insurance industry and at least five (5) yeafs’ experience at executive management level
• Excellent relationship management and strategic networking skills at the highest level in the private and public sectors
• Strong understanding of the application of
• Risk management in the context of insurance businesses
• Sound knowledge of regional and global trends in the insurance industry as well as an understanding of the key macroeconomic drivers
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, marketing, planning and organization skills

Method of Application
To apply, please quote the reference number as the subject of your e-mail and send your current curriculum vitae (prepared as a Microsoft Word document, and saved with your full names), a statement of how you meet our selection criteria and the names and contact details (including telephone and e-mail addresses) of three referees who are knowledgeable about your professional achievements and abilities to us at recruitment@ng.kpmg.com not later than 14th September 2010.

All applications will be treated in confidence. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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Acergy is seabed-to-surface engineering and construction contractor to the offshore oil and gas industry worldwide.

We provide integrated services, and we plan, design and deliver complex projects in harsh and challenging environments.

We are currently recruiting an Anchor Foreman

Job Details
The Anchor Foreman is responsible for overseeing the positioning of anchors during the set up of the barge and during pipelay operations. They also have responsibility for the recording and maintenance of all relevant documentation in relation to all anchor handling activities in accordance with vessel procedures. Where specific Client documentation is requested in relation to anchor handling, the Anchor Foreman will provide this.

Key Responsibilities:

- Work in conjunction with the Offshore Manager, Master and Anchor Operators to supervise Anchor and Tower Operations and liaise with the Survey Crew to carry out operations.
- Ensure that all personnel directly reporting to them are suitably trained for the work that they are carrying out and are working according to the Safety rules of the concerned area.
- Monitor position of barge during the repositioning of anchors onto the seabed with Anchor Handling Tugs (AHTS) in order for the barge to maintain required orientation and position through all phases of the lay operation.
- Direct the AHTS to their respective anchor positions, making use of information from anchor plans, field charts, radar and other information given by client or surveyors.
- Monitor pipelines and underwater obstructions when using midline buoys/blocks and to keep cables clear of seabed obstructions.
- Monitor the condition of pennant wires, buoy handling slings etc. for wear and tear and change out as necessary.
- Liaise with the Offshore Manager and/or Captain when adverse weather conditions arise.
- Conduct Toolbox Meetings with Anchor Operators.

Job Status: Contract

Required Skills/Experience:
Extensive Experience of supervising anchor operations in an offshore operational pipelay environment

Required Qualifications:
- Appropriate recognised rigging / lifting qualification
- Valid offshore medical suitable for geographical area of work
- Valid offshore survival course suitable for geographical area of work

Location: International, NIGERIA

Offshore Certificates Required? Survival & Medical

OilCareers Ref. No.: J373134

Method of Application
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Application Deadline is 23rd September 2010.

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The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable Nigerian Nationals for the following positions at the Institue’s Headquarters, Ibadan

Job Title: Human Resources Assistant (2 years renewable contract)

Successful candidate will among other things
* Maintain focal point of the HR central data base system;
* Input and update the Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) data in the electronic data base.
* Assist in the IRS recruitment
* Manage the job vacancy website;
* Assist in processing of IRS benefits;
* Process all leave application forms for approval;
* Assist in the orientation of new staff;
* Produce simple analysis, statistics and reports;
* Prepare power point presentation when required;
* Retrieve information (manual and electronics) from the records
* Maintain HR archival files and
* Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor

Qualification and Experience
* BSc/HND in Management Sciences with minimum of 5 years post-qualification working experience in Human Resources administration.
* Candidate must have high stress tolerance level and ability to manage and priotize work, be able to handle confidential issues and be willing to work beyond normal hours.
* He/she should also possess sound analytical mind, high integrity, good inter-personal and communication skills (oral and written) and strong knowledge of computer office softwares.

REMUNERATION:
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:
Interested applicants should forward their applications with detailed curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three professional referees which must include either the Head of applicant’s current or previous organization or applicants direct Supervisor/Superior Officer at work. Evidence of current remuneration package and photocopies of credentials, to the

Personnel Manager,
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,
PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Application Deadline is 7th September 2010.

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Last Tuesday, an executive member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State, Surajo Audu, drowned while crossing a river to his village, Gwanamarde, from Yammama after a heavy rainfall. The councillor representing the late Mr. Audu’s ward, Mainasara Abubakar, who confirmed the deaths on Thursday, added that dozens of houses collapsed as a result of the inundation. Elsewhere, a woman identified as Lubabatu Umar from Kurmin-Sarki village and a two-year-old child were also killed when a house collapsed on them.

The flood overran villages in about seven states, with increasing number of deaths and loss of cattle reported across the region, and thousands of people displaced. Although flooding has become more or less an annual environmental disaster for the region in recent years, especially during the peak of the rainy season, this year has recorded some of the worst cases. Dutsema Local Government Area (LGA), which is the largest LGA in Kastina State, has recorded over 1700 displaced people. Hundreds of houses were also destroyed by the rainfall.

Thousands of people were also displaced following the flood which swept through Goronyo local government of Sokoto State, while more than 2,000 houses were destroyed in the four villages of Kagara, Boye Kai, Balla and Giyawa. Property worth millions of naira was lost to the rising waters. In addition, farm produce and farmlands were washed away.

The governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, yesterday ordered the immediate release of N200 million for the rehabilitation of victims of the flood disaster in the state. Mr Wamakko, who spoke while on a visit to the victims of the flood disaster in four villages in Goronyo, also promised more support for the victims. He said another N30 million will be released to the council for the purchase of essential commodities for the victims.

A great threat

The flooding in Goronyo, according to reports, was as a result of attempts by some of the villagers to expand the water channels of Goronya dam to prevent it from bursting. The vice chairman of the local government, Faruk Rimawa, said the dam posed a great threat to the people of the area because of the likelihood that it could burst at anytime. The displaced people in the four villages have been relocated to a temporary camp at the Adamu Mu’azu Model Science Secondary School, Goronyo.

In Jigawa State, about 25 villages were reportedly submerged after a river burst its banks owing to the torrential rainfall, displacing about 7,000 people and washing away 3,000 hectares of crops in the last two weeks. Umar Kyari, the government’s spokesperson, said the state government was working hard to mitigate the impact of the flood.

A cross-section of residents in Kastina State called on the state government to construct more drainage. They, however, commended the state governor, Ibrahim Shema, for diverting the Ashada Lafia river that passed through Malumfashi town, otherwise the devastation would have being worse.

In Zamfara State, over 2000 acres of farmland was washed away in Gummi Local Government Area while 3,000 people are displaced in Kano State, with Shanono and Gadasawa local government areas being the worst affected.

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All of United’s players from the first-team through to the Academy are eligible to play in the Premier League this season after the Reds submitted squad details for the 2010/11 campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his fellow top-flight managers had until 17:00 BST on 1 September to submit a squad of 25 players (plus an unlimited number of U21s) to the Premier League.

There had been media debate as to whether Owen Hargreaves – still receiving treatment in the US for a tendonitis problem that has limited him to one substitute appearance since September 2008 – would make the final squad. But he has been included, along with 23 other players, in the main squad.

United’s Champions League squad has also been submitted to UEFA and now has to be verified before being confirmed.

Premier League squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak; Neville*, Evra, J.Evans*, Ferdinand*, W.Brown*, Vidic, O’Shea*, De Laet*; Nani, Anderson, Giggs*, Park, Carrick*, Scholes*, Fletcher*, Valencia, Gibson*, Hargreaves; Berbatov, Rooney*, Hernandez, Owen*. U21s: Ajose, Amos, Bebe, Blackett, Brady, R.Brown, Chester, Cleverley, Cofie, Cole, Coll, Devlin, Drinkwater, Dudgeon, Eikrem, Ekangamene, C.Evans, Fabio, Fornasier, Fryers, Gill, Hendrie, Hussain, Jacob, James, Johnstone, Keane, King, Lawrence, Lingard, Macheda, Massacci, McCullough, McGinty, Morrison, Norwood, Obertan, Petrucci, Pogba, Rafael, Smalling, Stewart, Thorpe, Tunnicliffe, Vermijl, Welbeck, Wootton. *Indicates player is home-grown.

Note: Each club must submit a squad, maximum 25 players, containing eight home-grown players (trained in England or Wales for 36 months before age 21), with an additional unlimited number of players aged 21 or under on 1 January that year

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Tottenham new boy Rafael van der Vaart has declared he is ready to show the quality to rubbish reports he is a Real Madrid failure.

Spurs pulled off the shock signing of the Netherlands international at the end of the summer transfer window. After falling behind Kaka, Sergio Canales and Mesut Oezil in the Madrid pecking order, some quarters have viewed the switch as a sign of defeat.

Speaking to to www.talksport.co.uk, Van der Vaart stated he was ready to prove his worth in the Premier League.

He said: “I have not been a failure at Real Madrid.

“I have always given my best over the last few years for both club and country. Now I have arrived at Tottenham and I want to show my quality.

“A number of clubs have been interested in me, but I always wanted to consider the best option at the last moment.

“When I saw that I would not be playing, I knew I had to leave.

“The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. I can only say if I have been worth the money at the end of the season.”

The 27-year-old added: “I don’t think I am going to have any problems adapting in England to the style of play and the country I am living in.

“The fact that Tottenham were playing in the Champions League influenced my decision a great deal. I have to earn my place in the team.

“Tottenham have a number of sensational players and I know it is not going to be easy, but that is the challenge I am looking forward to.”

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is recruiting for: Associate Director for Finance & Operations

Position: ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Location: Abuja
The Associate Director for Finance and Operations oversees the overall accounting and office operations functions for all projects and programs operating in the office. This includes accounting, financial analysis and reporting, travel and logistics, and general office management and administration.
The Associate Director for Finance and Operations safeguards the financial and physical assets of MSH against fraud, loss or misuse by ensuring that internal controls are implemented and enforced. He/She ensures that any money expended is done in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, MSH Policy and any cost principles imposed by MSH or a donor agency.
He or she must demonstrate the ability to use sound business judgment in assuring that all costs are reasonable and necessary for the completion of the office projects and MSH’s mission.

Specific Responsibilities
• Maintains oversight over finance and operations responsibilities including accounting, inventory, transport, logistics, office administration and facilities management.
• Establish and maintain systems for purchase approval and asset use which ensure adequate internal control, in accordance with MSH standard operating procedures for finance and accounting.
• Assure field office finance and operations are well managed and applying all MSH policies and procedures.
• Establish and communicate office operations standards to MSH staff and consultants.
• Ensure that all local and regional purchases are as per the defined threshold, and maintain tracking and documentation systems that will facilitate future processing, payment and audit requirements.
• Ensure that all local tax laws and regulations are strictly adhered to and taxes are paid to the tax authorities as prescribed by law.
• Provide an audit interface between MSH Corporate’ Accounting, Internal Auditors, External audit firms and donor auditors.
• Oversee preparation or prepare and interpret standard financial reports per MSH requirements; specialized reports for COMU Director, Program Directors and/or Country Director and any required reports from USAID and other donor agencies.

Qualifications
• Masters level degree ill Accounting or Business Management.
• 10 or more years experience in finance and business management, with at least 3 years at a senior management level.
• Experience in USAID project accounting and operations management.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in broad-based office management functions, especially financial management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a culturally diverse staff, clients and consultants, including Headquarters staff, upper management and clients.
• Written and spoken English fluency mandatory.
• Demonstrated computer skills in word processing, database, presentation and spreadsheets (Microsoft Office preferred.)
• Demonstrated experience in accounting software,

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons may send comprehensive resume with a brief cover letter as ONE MS Word document to: lmsnigeria@msh.org . If you wish to be considered for a post, please specify the position for which you are applying in the subject line. Note that if the underline instructions are not followed application will not be considered.

Suitable candidates living with HIV/AIDS will have an added advantage. Women are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: 10th September 2010

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Elections to the office of the president will hold January 15 next year, NEXT has been informed.

The date is historical because it was on the same date that the military truncated the nation’s first democratic experiment after the 1960 independence.

The military toppled the government of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on January 15, 1966. The prime minister, along with several prominent politicians, were killed, and this later precipitated events that led to the 1967 civil war. It is not clear if INEC took cognisance of this fact in deciding the date for the elections.

The actual election kicks off on January 8, with the National Assembly and state houses of assembly elections, while the governorship election is slated for January 22nd.

What the law says

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who declined to be named because the date has not been formally announced, confirmed the date yesterday in Abuja. At least one political party confirmed that the electoral body has notified it about the schedule.

Formally, the electoral body has remained silent on the date, fuelling speculations on the election timetable, which are computed based on the time limit set by the new Electoral Act, signed into law by the president, Goodluck Jonathan, weeks ago. The electoral commission has promised to unveil the timetable this week. Yesterday, at a meeting with Farida Waziri, the chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega, made no mention of the widely anticipated schedule for the crucial elections. However, his media aide, Kayode Idowu, told NEXT the timetable is expected “soon”.

But officials within the commission said January 15 has been fixed for the start of the elections, which, according to the Electoral Act, begins with the highest office -the presidency- based on the allowance of the Electoral Act which stipulates that polls must be held not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 120 days to the expiration of the current tenure. Based on May 29 termination date for that tenure, the 30 days common to the two limits falls on January next year.

Mr Idowu said the commission is awaiting the release of the date, but refused to state a categorical position. He said it is hoped the announcement will be made soon.

But political parties responding to inquiries yesterday appear to be in the know of the January 15 date. The All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) acknowledged receiving formal notifications to that schedule.

Work for electoral success

Spokesperson for the party, Emmanuel Eneukwu, said the party has been notified in writing by the commission’s chairman.

“We are aware of that, and we have no option but to work towards it,” he said, when asked if that will be a convenient date for the party. The national publicity secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Lai Mohammed, said his party too, will be satisfied with the date, although he could not confirm being in official receipt of the date.

“Whatever dates the INEC puts,” he said, “we will work towards it, provided they assure there will be free and fair elections.”

However, the All People Grand Alliance (APGA) said it was not aware of the date, but promised to also abide by the schedule too.

“The problem is not the date, but whether INEC will be able to deliver given that date,” said Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, the party’s director of publicity. “We don’t have any problem.”

The official announcement is expected to be made this week. This is expected to heighten preparations by political parties pushing for the polls, which is expected as vital test of the promise for credible elections by Mr Jega.

Mr Jega reaffirmed the commitment at the meeting with Ms Waziri yesterday. He said both commissions will work closely as they draw closer to the elections, but did not state specific areas of collaborations.

Ms Waziri denied media reports that the commission is considering compiling names of persons deemed to be unfit for public office on account of corruption allegations.

“I only see that in the newspapers, but I did not say we will disqualify bad politicians,” adding, “However, if there are areas that we can assist INEC, we will do that, but it must be within the confines of the law.”

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A member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Abel Oshevire, was reportedly kidnapped by unknown persons in Benin, Edo, at about 11.45am on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the incident was said to have taken place in the premises of World Paradise Church located around Agbor motor park, on the Benin-Asaba highway.

Mr Oshevire, who represents Ughelli North II constituency in the Assembly, was said to have been accosted by three armed men as he walked towards his car after worshipping in the church. Friday Onodjae, his colleague, who represents Ughelli North I, confirmed the incident, saying that the armed men forced Oshevire into his Prado Jeep and sped off.

He said the pastor of the church had called him (Onodjae) via telephone immediately after the incident, adding that the police were quickly alerted on the development.

Another legislator in Delta State who preferred anonymity, disclosed that Oshevire’s abductors had made contact with his elder brother, Edward Oshevire, a Permanent Secretary in the state, and demanded N60 million ransom.

Attempts to reach the older Oshevire failed, as he was said to be somewhere in a village near Ughelli. The spokesman of the Delta Police Command, Charles Moka, also confirmed the incident but noted that the information was still sketchy, as it happened in Edo, a different command.

Mr Oshevire was for eight years, the Chief Press Secretary to the former Delta governor, James Ibori. He was elected into the Assembly in 2007

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As the summer transfer market nears its close in the next 24 hours, many clubs are bringing in players to strengthen their squads. Among the latest deals is Joseph Yobo’s move to West Ham on a 6-month loan with an option of a sale.

Yobo will be joining Obinna Nsofor at the Hammers, also on loan at the English club from Inter Milan. Both players are part of the Eagles squad that will play Madagascar on Sunday in Abuja.

A statement on MTNFootball.com said: “Yobo will wrap up his loan deal with West Ham later on Monday (yesterday).”

Yobo joined Everton in 2002 on loan from Olympique Marseille and was a regular until he lost his place on the first team after leaving for the Nations Cup in Angola without the blessings of coach David Moyes and returning injured. The centre back has not hidden his desire to quit the Goodison Park outfit as a result of that altercation.

Manchester United is also looking to secure the signature of Everton’s Jack Rodwell on deadline day with Michael Carrick making the trip to Goodison. The 19-year-old is comfortable anywhere in the midfield and the Red Devils are believed to be offering Carrick plus £10m for his services.

The transfer window will re-open on January 2, 2011.

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To check if you were among the shortlisted candidates for the interview, click on the position you applied for on the time-table (if you did not see the list for your cadre, please note that this website will be fully updated in due time).

- Candidates with Educational qualifications for the posts of Education Officer and Teacher Cadres who passed the aptitude tests should await the announcements for their dates of interview to be conducted by the Ministry of Education, SEMB/SUBEB
- Candidates short listed for the interview must complete their bio-data forms before the interview date.
- Candidates must note that irregularity of personal data could attract disqualification.
- Candidates must also note that, the State Government is an equal opportunity employer, so the bases competence, performance and fairness in this recruitment exercise is our watchword. Interlards, candidates are strictly advised to study hard and prepare for questions ranging from their respective fields to current affairs pertaining to Imo State and beyond.
- Candidates are advised to come along with the original of the following to the Interview venue:
First school leaving certificate, Seniour secondary school certificate, HND, Degree Certificate, Masters Degree Certificate where applicable, Birth Certificate, NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate, Original of Online exam slip, Original Result confirmation Printout, Passport photograph which must correspond to the one used for online registration, Relevant Certificates/Credentials including; FSLC,WASSCE,HND/B.Sc/M.Sc/ P.hD Certificates.
- Candidates should appear for the interview at the Government Secondary School Hall,Owerri at 10:00am on the specified dates as highlighted.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TIMETABLE AND CHECK IF YOU ARE SHORTLISTED

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with ensuring security in Jos since the outbreak of the 2010 crisis.

Zanna Umar, the Director, Volunteers for

Sustainable Development, a Jos-based NGO, said this in Jos on Tuesday

at a workshop on mitigating the effects of HIV/AIDS on physically

challenged persons.

“We are distributing a minimum of 10,000 condoms

every month to the soldiers you see on our streets maintaining internal

security. We were distributing 7,000 condoms to them after the 2008

crisis; that figure has been increased to 10,000 since the 2010 crisis

broke out,” he said.

Mr Umar claimed that STF personnel “have too much

money on them but have nowhere to spend it. That is why they spend a

lot of time with the ladies.” He said the organisation was disturbed by

the development and had to respond with the free distribution of

condoms to protect both parties from being infected with HIV.

According to him, HIV/AIDS was a development

problem that had affected all sectors of the economy and was

threatening the security of our nation. He also said some physically

challenged persons took to prostitution to survive because of the

discrimination against them in employment opportunities.

“Unstable source of livelihood for persons with

disabilities generally is a serious risk factor for the spread of

HIV/AIDS, especially among the women. Have you not heard about people

with disabilities being taken advantage of and abused even sexually?

“What do we make of cases of some women that

suffer mental disability that were forcefully impregnated by some

unscrupulous individuals, mostly for rituals?” he said.

He added that physically challenged persons, who

were also infected, were not courageous enough to seek support because

of an intolerant society.

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Unidentified gunmen shot Sule Giwa, a police sergeant who serves as orderly to the state’s governor, Isa Yuguda, within the metropolis on Saturday in what seems like an assassination attempt on the state’s helm’s man.

The state Police Commissioner, Danlami Yar’Adua, confirmed the report to the News Agency on Sunday. Mr Yar’Adua, described the incident as part of the “routine crime” in the state and dismissed insinuations that the attack was an assassination attempt. He, however, gave assurance that his command was doing everything possible to curb criminal activities in the state.

This incident is coming barely one week after the son of the governor’s special adviser on pilgrims’ matters, Mahmud Dahiru, was abducted by unknown persons. Master Dahiru, 10, is yet to be released by his abductors.

It will also be recalled that the Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee in the state, Bala Hadis, was recently shot and wounded in his house in the state. Mr Hadis is currently reported to be recuperating in an Indian hospital.

Also, a gubernatorial aspirant of the CPC, Sarki Muktar, popularly known as ‘Dan China’ narrowly escaped an attack when a group of unknown assailants recently raided his house at Narabi Village in Toro local government area of the state. One of Dan China’s security guards was, however, killed while another was injured during the attack.

Reacting to the latest incident, the Senior Special Assistant to the state’s governor on media, Sanusi Mohammed, described the new wave of criminal activities in the state as “unfortunate” stating that the government was taking every step to secure the lives and property.

“The government is collaborating with relevant security agencies to introduce new security measures with a view to stopping the ugly trend in the state” he said.

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