Pass it on if you think it has merit.

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . . The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?” In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

Announcement

Announcement: President Goodluck Jonathan, former US President, Bill Clinton and several governors are expected to arrive Lagos tomorrow, February 21st, 2013, for the opening of Eko Atlantic City. Lagosians, prepare for possible road closures.

N13.5bn debt: Babalakin, AMCON to settle out-of-court

Roygate Properties Limited and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) have commenced talks aimed at ensuring an out-of-court settlement of dispute between them over N13.5 billion debt allegedly owed by the former. Roygate is owned by businessman-lawyer, Wale Babalakin. Officials of the Federal High Court in Lagos had, in execution of an order by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the court, sealed off a property located on 43A, Afribank Street, Victoria Island on February 8. The property was said to have been pledged by the company in tripartite legal mortgage registered on October 14, 2010 between Roygate (the borower), Stabilini Visioni Limited (surety/mortgagor) and Guaranty Trust Bank (the lender). AMCON later acquired the loan. In the order made exparte on February 5, Justice restrained Roygate, its directors, subsidiaries and sister companies from transferring or dealing with any of its funds in 20 banks listed in the application, or anywhere else up to the N13.5bn allegedly owed by the company. He also restrained the banks from allowing Roygate to operate any bank accounts held by it in the banks and fixed yesterday as the return date. When parties and the affected banks returned to court yesterday, lawyers to Roygate and AMCON, Olawale Akoni (SAN) and Adebola Sobowale told the court that talks were on to ensure amicable settlement of the dispute. Akoni told the court that he received a call from his client, before entering the court, to the effect that talk is going on between parties. He said he had told AMCON’s lawyer about the development and sought an adjournment. Sobowale confirmed the development. He told the court that he has equally confirmed that information about the ongoing talks by parties from his client and agreed to a short adjournment. The court refused request by lawyers representing the banks to be excused from further proceedings. They had sought to be excused on the ground that having filed reruns, as ordered by the court, those without banking relationship with Roygate should be allowed to go. But AMCON’s Head, Corporate Communication, Kayode Lambo, said Roygate may have approached the corporation, indicating its willingness to commence settlement negotiation. He however, said negotiations are yet to commence. Justice Aneke has however adjourned to February 28 for parties to either report settlement or argue on which of the pending applications should be heard first.

PHCN sets up monitoring team to check abuse of meters

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has set up a market monitoring team to check customers who are bypassing pre-paid and analogue meters, Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs Division of PHCN, said on Tuesday in Lagos. He said that some consumers were bypassing their meters. ``They will not connect electrical appliances that consume more power like pumping machine, pressing iron and air-condition to pre-paid meters. At the end of the month, such a customer will pay less because the pre-paid meter has been tampered with,” he said. According to him, each monitoring team is set up to check pre-paid meters in the zone and is directly under the supervision of the business unit in the different units. ``Any customer found guilty of bypassing pre-paid meter or adjusting the analogue meter will be invited to the business unit. If found guilty of this offence, the customer will be asked to pay N50, 000 fine within three days. Failure to pay the fine, the customer will be charged to court,’’ he said. Adeyanju urged consumers to always report any staff of PHCN who demanded money from them to write-off their bills to the business manager of their unit. He advised them to allow officials of PHCN to do their lawful duties anytime they visited their compound. Adeyanju promised that PHCN would continue to serve them better and stressed the need for consumers to always pay their bills promptly

Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove donates incubator, waterbeds to LUTH

IN continuation of its humanitarian services, the Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate on Tuesday donated an incubator and five waterbeds to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos. Delivering the items to the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Chris Bode, who represented the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Akin Osibogun, past President, Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate, Dr. Alex Thomopulos, prayed that the incubators would help in saving the lives of babies who otherwise would have been at grave risk. “This institution has a very bright future and we would like to associate with you. However, we would also like to raise the issue of maintenance culture, which will strengthen our relationship and enable us to bring in more items in future. “I am hoping that this would be the beginning of our assisting the hospital with necessary equipment as the way this incubator is handled, will determine our bringing in more incubators and other needed items,” he said. Receiving the items, Bode thanked the club and assured the members that the incubator would be well-preserved according to the hospital’s maintenance programme. “LUTH, as the largest serving hospital, attends to about 20 million people from all over the country. “Compared with the number of people we attend to, the incubators we have at present, are quite inadequate. “I was in a small hospital in Boston not long ago and was surprised to see that the hospital, with its size, had 60 incubators. “We are the largest hospital but the incubators we have are not enough. “We assure you of our maintenance programme and expect more incubators to meet our needs. “On behalf of the CMD, management and staffers, we express our profound gratitude for the gifts and assure you that they are on record,” he said. The Chairman, LUTH at 50 Anniversary Committee/Past Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Olugbenga Ogunlewe, said the gift was premised on the 50th Anniversary of LUTH. “Last year, LUTH clocked 50 and as part of the ceremony, we decided to write to different organizations, including the Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove, to support the institution. “Two days ago, I got the message that Rotary would be coming today with its promise of incubator and water- beds” and we quite appreciate the fulfillment its promise,” she said. The District Governor, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho, Assistant District Governor, Ayo Onafuwa, lauded the activities of Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove, especially in the area of health care. “The club has been bringing in experts from India to remove cataracts and treated other problems affecting eyes and has also given out artificial limbs and are here again to donate incubator and five water beds. “We hope you will have a committee to look after the incubator with a view to sustaining it for long and if there is any need, you can call on us and we will be happy to come. “With this, you may be preserving the lives of future leaders because 10 years ago, this type of privilege was not there and a lot of lives had been lost. “If you collaborate with the club, I believe you have a lot more to benefit,” he said”. The Chartered President, Dr. Deep Mirani, described the gift of the incubator and waterbeds as what the Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove, loved to do to show its appreciation to the government and people of Nigeria. “We have given out 46,000 limbs to different people in this country and have carried out 13,000 free eye surgeries in Lagos, Abeokuta, Kano, Kaduna and Yola. I can remember that the Governor of Ogun State had promised to support our cause, which the Lagos State Governor has also been doing. “We are putting up a hospital along Airport Road very soon to attend to people with eye problems,” he said. The Director, Administration, Mr. Ayo Olagunju and Retired Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Phebian Adedeji, were present at the event. < Prev Next > Author of this article: By Isaac Taiwo

FRSC boss for ABC 20th Anniversary

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, OFR, will deliver the keynote address at ABC Transport’s 20th Anniversary event scheduled for March 1, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. ABC Transport recently unveiled 7 new coaches equipped with enhanced onboard security features and also announced a donation of 3 demonstration buses to the automobile/mechanical engineering departments of Lagos State University, Imo State University, and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. ABC Transport plc commenced operations on February 13, 1993 as Associated Bus Company Limited, with 6 mini buses. Since then ABC Transport has grown to become West Africa’s leading coach operators pioneering many groundbreaking innovations in the road transport industry and g’arnering many awards and accolades. It remains the only road transport company listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange after its successful initial public offer in 2006. The company has also diversified its scope to include Cargo, haulage, Hospitality and tourism. Chidoka, a graduate of Business Management from the University of Nigeria (1995) holds a Master’s degree in Transport Policy and Logistics from the George Mason University, USA, a graduate Diploma in Maritime and Ports Management from the University of Singapore (2002) and a certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy from Mansfield College, Oxford University in 2004. His experience spans areas of public policy, economy and politics. Under his leadership the FRSC has evolved into a dynamic government institution applying the best internationally recognised practices as well as introducing many innovative safety policies and practices that have drastically reduced the number of road traffic accidents on Nigerian highways.

Veteran Nollywood actor Justus Esiri is dead.

Veteran Nollywood actor Justus Esiri is dead. The legendary actor, who had acted in many blockbusters, passed away Tuesday night. He was aged 70. Secretary-General of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Abubakar Yakub, confirmed the death of Esiri to our reporter. According to him, the popular actor died of complications from diabetes in a Lagos hospital. “This is a very sad one. I don’t know why death seems to have focussed on our industry for some time now. We have lost four members already this year. Uncle Justus was like a father to all of us, and we will miss him greatly,” Abubakar added. When P.M.NEWS called Ibinabo Fiberesima, the National President of AGN this morning, she was still in shock to make comments. “My brother, na so we see am o. Honestly, I’m not in the right mood to make any official statement right now. I will do that later. May his soul rest in peace.” Two years ago, the late Esiri was one of the actors who ran to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye for a special prayer session against consistent deaths and sicknesses in the industry. The event was held at the church’s headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Esiri, Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, is famous for his role as the village headmaster in the then popular television series of the same name. Born on 20 November 1942 in Oria-Abraka, Delta State, Esiri attended Urhobo College, Effurun, Warri in the then Bendel State. Warri is now part of Delta state. He was at the Maximillan University, Munich, Germany, 1964, Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin, 1967 and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts, 1968. Esiri started his acting career in Germany. He was the only Nigerian male performing on stage between 1968 and 1969. He also worked for Voice of Nigeria, German Service as a translator. He was performing on stage when in Germany when a delegation from Nigeria invited him home to perform in a governmentt sponsored programme. He never returned to Germany. Justus Esiri: passes on Justus Esiri: passes on The veteran actor had won several awards including THEMA Awards, NTA Honours Awards and AMAA Awards. He was also the star actor in acclaimed productions such as Wasted Years, Forever, The Prize, Six Demons, Corridors of Power, Last Knight, The Tyrant, The investigation, The Ghost . He was also reputed to have performed on more TV Network drama programmes than any Nigerian actor. Esiri is the father of Nigerian fast-rising musician, Dr. Sid. Asked in an interview how he felt about his son becoming a musician, he said; “I just called him and told him both the negative and positive aspects of the entertainment industry and he has to be focused. I scolded but gave him my blessing and he picked up.” Assasin’s Practice, one of the most recent movies where he featured, was produced last year.