This Is Christmas Without Merry

This is Christmas without the Merry Today is Christmas Day and Kenyans don’t have money to celebrate according to Standard Digital. This Christmas will be short on merriment, pomp, colour and fanfare. Ordinary Kenyans are becoming poorer day by day while the rich are becoming richer. The Kenyan elite have looted from the poor through corruption. Inflation is high and the cost of living is unbearable.

Majority of Kenyans cannot afford three meals a day. In our heyday, every home in Kenya used to slaughter an animal to feast on a holiday like this.

Huge Gas Plant Explosion Kills Several On Xmas Eve

Huge Gas Plant Explosion Kills Several On Xma Eve A huge explosion at an industrial gas plant in southeastern Nigeria razed nearby buildings and killed several people on Christmas Eve, police said Friday. The blast at the Inter Corp Oil Limited gas plant, a subsidiary of Nigerian conglomerate Chicason Group, started at 1:00 pm on Thursday, swallowing the plant in a fire that gutted surrounding buildings and vehicles in Nnewi city. "Definitely more than two people are dead," police spokesman Ali Okechukwu told AFP. "It was a huge inferno." Okechukwu could not confirm local reports that more than 50 people were killed, saying an investigation was underway. "A few persons are feared dead after the explosion," Okechukwu said over the phone from Awka, the capital of Anambra State. "As of yesterday evening, the underground tunnel tank was still burning, but it had been stopped from spreading to other facilities." Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, deriving the bulk of its money through the commodity. Accidents happen frequently in the country, where pipelines are often damaged by people stealing crude oil. The country loses an estimated 300,000 barrels a day to gangs that syphon crude from pipelines in the oil-rich southern states, according to the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

COSON Kicks Off 2015 Royalties Distribution

COSON Kicks Off 2015 Royalties Distribution The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has commenced the annual distribution of royalties to its members and affiliates. This took place during the society’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) which held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The main purpose of the meeting was for members to pass a resolution to approve this year’s distribution of music copyright royalties after which distribution commenced immediately.

In his address, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman of COSON thanked the members of COSON for their continuous support for the society since its inception. He said the Extra-Ordinary General Meetings which are held in the month of December “is an essential element of that desire to go the extra mile as we bring together the members of COSON during the end of year period, a period of goodwill so that as a family, we can break bread, share a drink and a song and be updated on the state of our society. Moreover, our members can ask questions and obtain answers from those who manage the society on their behalf so that we can march on as one unit. “It is my belief that the policies of putting our distribution proposals before our members and seeking your mandate before distributions are undertaken have helped to bring about confidence within the membership and have ensured the stability that COSON has enjoyed. I believe that all of us here have an obligation to tell everyone that a Nigerian organization called COSON is working and that COSON is 100% transparent and professional. This is necessary to ensure that our society enjoys the right kind of confidence that gives it the momentum to continue to serve you and your children for many years to come. Continuing, Chief Okoroji said, “At COSON, we are constantly working hard to improve our service delivery. During the year, COSON began the digital monitoring of music played by over 90 broadcast stations across the country. By this development, COSON which has become one of Africa’s most respected collective management organizations now has at its disposal, empirical evidence of every song played by the said broadcast stations and similar users of music across the Nigerian nation. This is providing critical information necessary for licensing and accurate distribution of royalties. Working with your society on this important monitoring project is a firm of young Nigerian IT professionals, PlaySpread Ltd. which has signed an agreement with your society for delivering cutting edge information on which COSON is building its licensing and royalty distribution processes. This gives us an additional tool to ensure that we provide world class services to our members. “In the attempt to expand our income base, we have appointed licensing consultants across the country. These consultants face tremendous challenges as there are many in our country who still do not want to accept that the era of free music is gone. For instance, in Edo State, the licensing activities of COSON have been challenged by a significant gang which has filed multiple court actions against the society, our consultants and the Police working with COSON. The harder they come, the harder they fall. We have just received good news that as a result of the untiring efforts of our lawyers, the Federal High Court in Benin just yesterday threw out one of the big cases in which the authority of COSON to collect royalties was being vigorously challenged. The court robustly reaffirmed the mandate of COSON under the law to collect royalties on behalf of our members and affiliates from any one or group of persons deploying music in a public or commercial setting. The court also affirmed our right to enforce the compliance of that mandate”. Speaking on the 2015 royalty distribution, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “There is no gainsaying that COSON has continued to be on top of her game. Since our approval, COSON has never failed for once to distribute royalties to hardworking members and affiliates; even in the face of harsh economic down turns. We remain committed to the growth of our industry and COSON will continue to live up to her mandate as the sole CMO for music in Nigeria”. Also commenting, female artiste and COSON Board member, Azeezat Allen said, “It is that time of the year again when COSON members are rewarded for their hard work and great contributions to our nation. I know there may be several watching out to see if COSON will ‘do it’ again this year. We have never failed on our promise to our members and affiliates and we will not at any time. COSON is here to stay and we shall deliver at all times”.

Parents Applaud FG Over Varsities Investigation Committees

Parents Applaud FG Over Varsities Investigative Committees Some aggrieved parents of students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia have commended the Federal Government for setting up investigative committees for some federal-owned tertiary institutions. The parents were of the view that the committees were not only timely but would stop the schools from sliding under as a result of “sharp unethical practices and financial recklessness pervading in some of the schools”. In a statement issued in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital at the weekend, and signed by the Chairman, Hon Obinna Nwosu and the Secretary, Hon Tony Okoro, the parents regretted that some of the Vice Chancellors had elevated themselves into tin gods to the point of running the institutions like personal fiefdoms. According to them, matters had been made worse in some of the institution by the brazen usurpation of the duties of the Governing Council by the Vice Chancellors thus, rendering the system ineffective. The parents noted that at Michael Okpara University, their petition to the Governing Council over the excesses and recklessness of the management was largely ignored. “When we openly demonstrated against the academic and financial fraud in the University, the management arrested some of us and tortured us in their secret chambers until the police rescued us. Some of the scandalous activities we complained against have been thriving since then”. The aggrieved parents disclosed that they were forced to take their grievances to the National Assembly when it became clear that Prof Edeoga was impervious to reason. “We are appearing before the Senate this Wednesday to defend our petition against Edeoga because our children have really suffered under this man who has compromised the standard of education,” they said. They pointed at the recent “skewed and predetermined selection of a preferred candidate as the next Vice Chancellor by Prof Hillary Edeoga as the greatest academic fraud to be visited in the University.” They also lamented that their wards have lost so many years as their courses had not been accredited whereas the management deceived them to believe otherwise. While urging the Education Minister, Alhaji Adamu Adamu to ensure that the Committees are not only thorough but beyond reproach in the execution of their assignments. They pledged to make available to the Committee visiting Umudike relevant documents that would aid them in the discharge of their duties.

ADELE'S "25" Is The Fastrst Million-Selling Album In UK Chart History

Adele's '25' is the fastest million-selling album in UK chart history Adele's "25" sold 1 million copies faster than any album in British chart history and topped the album charts for the second week running on Friday reports Reuters. Fans bought up 1 million copies of the British singer's third album in just 10 days, beating previous record holder Oasis' "Be Here Now", which took 17 days to hit the milestone in 1997, the Official Charts Company said. Coming four years after her chart-topping album "21", 25 sold 439,000 copies this week and outsold the rest of the top 10 albums combined.

Elsewhere in the album charts, Elvis Presley held second position with the "If I Can Dream" compilation while Justin Bieber's "Purpose" held on to third. Bieber and Adele are also fighting it out in the UK singles chart, with Bieber pushing his own single "Sorry" out of number one position to replace it instead with "Love yourself". Adele's "Hello", from 25, followed at number three. Love yourself was the most streamed single of the week with 5.97 million plays. Replacing oneself at number one was last done by Elvis Presley in 2005 and the last living act to do it was The Beatles in 1963 with "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". Another Bieber song, "What Do You Mean" was fourth while fifth spot went to Grace ft. G-Eazy's "You Don't Own Me" which stormed up from 44th place this week.

OAU To Honour Alex Dduyemi With DBM

OAU To Honour Alex-Duduyemi With DBM In recognition of his remarkable contribution in entrepreneurship and philanthropy to humanity, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) will on its 41st convocation ceremony, confer elder Statesman and renowned entrepreneur Oyekunle Alex-Duduyemi (Aro-Asiwaju of Ife) with a Doctor of Business Management (DBM) Honoris Causa of the institution. The event is slated for 10am, Saturday, 12th December, 2015, at the Oduduwa Hall of the University.

A letter from the institution with a title ‘’Conferment of Honorary degree’’ signed by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole hailed Duduyemi who was also honoured with the award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President Olusegun Obasanjo government for his outstanding input in building the nation’s economy. Part of the letter reads ‘’ it is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that the Governing Council and the Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have approved that an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Management (DBM) Honoris Causa for your outstanding achievements in the world of business, contributions to public, national and international spheres as well as your sustained philanthropic gestures and positive interest in the progress and development of the university’’ In accordance with the University laws, the honorary degree cannot be awarded in absentia and it was gathered that Duduyemi who is a lawyer by training, has indicated in writing his acceptance for the award. Through his philanthropic gestures, Duduyemi has helped many to rediscover lost destinies and find hope for daily living. The story of Aro of the world (as popularly called by friends and well-wishers) is one of resilience, commitment, doggedness and of course, grass to grace. The octogenarian who clocked 80 last August, 9, is a shrewd multi-dimensional personality and highly industrious with ability for multi-tasking. He had a brief stint with the politics of the first republic where he was a quintessential and cerebral politician, very eloquent with the gift of the garb. As a parliamentarian, he represented the Ife Central Federal constituency and was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt Hon Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was a member of the Nigerian Delegation to the 20th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, 1965.

Effects Of Beer On Health Of Women

Effect of Beer On Health Of Women – Experts Moderate intake of beer can positively impact the health and wellbeing of women. This submission was made by Mrs. Dolapo Coker, a nutritionist and a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, FNIFST even as she warned that alcohol abuse impacts the health of the woman through the direct interaction of alcohol with organ systems such as the brain, liver and gastro intestinal system, when the alcohol is ingested and transported through the blood. Coker, who spoke at the Beer and Lifestyle Symposium organised by Nigerian Breweries PLC in Lagos recently, explained that in the health/lifestyle hierarchy needs, special attention should be given to women because they are classified “as belonging to the risk group where micronutrients shortages are most likely to occur during their different stages of development.” “Although the man is the ‘head’ of the house, the woman is the ‘captain of the home’. She is in charge of everybody’s healthy living. Even if taken in small amounts, the effect of alcohol on women is more than on men. Women are more sensitive to alcohol. Alcohol dehydrogenase is a metabolising enzyme that helps the body to get alcohol out of the system. Women have less of this enzyme than men, so more of what women drink enters the blood stream as pure alcohol”, she said. Coker added that beer is an alcoholic beverage, but it can be classified as food, because of its nutrient value. She listed the nutrients to include: carbohydrates, like dextrins and polysaccharides; proteins in the form of amino acids; load of vitamins like the B vitamins, vitamin C, folic acid etc; minerals like magnesium, potassium, silicon, selenium etc; it contains fibre like betaglucans etc. She emphasised that women in particular are worried about their looks, and that beer has got a lot to do with that. Coker revealed that Ancient Romans used beer baths to sweat out toxins, exfoliate their skin and infuse the body with vitamins. This, she said, led to a clearer skin and an improved immune system. “Beer Spas are pretty popular in Europe. The Spas claim to fight against Acne. Most beers are made from ingredients that are rich in selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc and some B vitamins. Beer is also known to have antibacterial properties that protect against infections within your stomach. It is believed that if it is so good for your inside, surely it can be just as good for your outside, “ she noted. According to her, from loads of research and studies on the effect of beer on the wellbeing of women, moderate drinking of beer is recommended. She also listed the following are health benefits of beer for women: Beer can increase vitamin B levels, as it contains vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. A Dutch study found that beer drinkers had 30% higher levels of vitamin B6 than their non-drinkers, and twice as much as those of wine drinkers. Beer is also a generous source of B12, an anti-anaemic factor not found in many foods; The fibre in beer helps to reduce your LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) which is called the “bad cholesterol”. LDL collects in the walls of blood vessels causing the blockages of atherosclerosis which leads to heart attack; Beer aids digestion, as the soluble fibre from the cell walls of barley in it, protects you from intestinal disorders like constipation and diarrhoea. Dark beer in particular contains up to one gram of soluble fibre in each 30cl glass, unlike wine which does not contain any fibre at all; Beer contains flavonoids which have preventive effect against hormone-caused cancers, such as breast and uterine cancers; Certain vitamins in beer can regenerate the skin. This makes the skin smoother, suppler and more beautiful. Also speaking at the symposium, Dr. Henk Hendricks, a biologist and a project leader in the Institute for Food and Nutrition in The Netherlands explained that moderation level of beer consumption is beneficial to cardiovascular health. According to Hendricks, some of the inherent advantages of beer include: Low percentage of alcohol; large quantities of water; its role in rehydration; a good source of minerals; a good source of polyphenolic antioxidants; contains anti-inflammatory xanthohumoles; and a large variety of raw materials, including gluten-free' Rich in fibers. In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Nicholaas Vervelde noted Even though beer has been with us for thousands of years, the appreciation of its unique benefits are only beginning to grow. “The knowledge about the benefits of moderate consumption of beer is multiplying every day with so many empirical research findings from all over the world,” he said.