Nigerian Northern Leaders Opt For Dialogue On Zoning

Northern Leaders Opt For Dialogue On Zoning

Political leaders and Governors of Northern States in Nigeria have agreed to consult with other stake holders in the country over the zoning arrangement of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP for the Presidency to North.
Rising from a meeting in Kaduna, the political leaders said after consultations, they would take a definite stand on the zoning arrangement.

Meanwhile, a member of the PDP, Suleiman Yerima has advised Northern Political leaders to accept the new political reality in Nigeria and forget about zoning of the presidency in the 2011 election to the North.

He told voice of Nigeria that, the South-south were President Goodluck Jonathan comes from should be allowed to produce the next President.
Suileiman Yerima promised to reach out to Northern Political gladiators to convince them on the need to allow President Jonathan run for the Presidency in 2011.

10 things you should never buy new- By Donna Werbner

Never, ever buy this stuff new - get it second-hand or free instead!

Before buying an item new, it’s always a good idea to stop and ask youself: Is there any way you could get the same item, or a decent equivalent, for less if you buy it second-hand? Can you even get it for free?

Follow some of these tips, and you could cut your shopping bills by as much as 50%!

1) Designer clothes

Why pay rip-off prices for a new piece of designer clothing? Instead, simply head to a ‘swishing’ party and swap any designer clothes you currently own with like-minded fashionistas. Check out swishing.org for details of swishing events near you, or swap them online via Posh Swaps and BigWardrobe. Alternatively, invite some friends round to yours and host your own clothes swapping party!
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2) Electrical goods

You may worry that if you buy electrical goods secondhand, they won’t work. But did you know several well-known high street retailers sell their reconditioned electrical goods online, complete with limited warranties? For example:

* the Comet Clearance auction website specialises in refurbished kitchen appliances
* the Tesco Outlet on eBay sells everything from refurbished digital cameras to televisions
* Argos Clearance Bargains sells a wide range of refurbished electrical goods including laptops and DIY tools
* whilst MPB Photographic sells high-end used digital camera equipment.

Just remember to research such websites first using search engines, to pick up any bad reviews.

3) Self-assembly furniture

Why bother buying furniture from Ikea and Homebase when community freebie sites such as Freegle and SnaffleUp often offer the items you want, pre-assembled, for free? You can even post ‘wanted’ notices asking for specific items. Alternatively, find out where regular house clearance auctions are held in your local area, and bag some bargains that way.

4) Cars

Everyone knows the price of a brand new car depreciates the moment you drive it out of the showroom. As long as you know how to buy a good value used car, it shouldn’t depreciate too much and your car insurance should be reduced as a result. Follow these tips to pick up a bargain at a car auction and read up on what to check before you buy.

5) Books

As long as you can read the words on the page, a book is exactly the same whether you buy it new or secondhand. So stop buying books! Either head down to your local library, or if you hate the hassle of returning your books, swap them instead for free. Read Where to get free books for more information.

6) Software

Instead of buying software, get it for free online. Here are some alternatives to the big brands:

Instead of…


Free alternative

Microsoft Office


Open Office, Google docs

Microsoft Windows (operating system)


Ubuntu, Freespire and openSuse

Kapersky/McAfee security software


Barclays’ customers can download Kapersky's internet security suite software, which includes anti-virus software and firewall (worth £51) for free, while HSBC's customers can download a free 12-month subscription to McAfee Security software here

Anti-virus software


AVG

Anti-spyware software


AVG

Firewall


Comodo and Zone Alarm.

Photo editing


F-spot and Gimp

Media players


WINAMP or VLC

Games


Scratch

7) Property

If you buy a newly-built property, you’re likely to pay what’s known as a ‘new-build’ premium. In other words, it’s worth more because it’s all shiny and new – but the moment you move in, it falls in value. Plus, developers often give discounts to buyers if they can’t sell the entire block – which means an identical property to the one you buy may be sold soon after yours at a lower price. Also, if you buy in an area with lots of space for other new build developments, you may be surrounded by a building site before too long, and local buyers may prefer newer properties to yours. Read The true value of new build property to find out more.

8) Sports equipment

The world is full of people who try, and fail, to take up a new sport, despite their best intentions. That’s a fact. Many of them end up selling the equipment they bought at knockdown prices on gumtree, vivastreet, eBay or even for free on Freegle and Snaffleup. Most have hardly been used at all.

9) Blu-ray DVDs

Everyone knows it’s much cheaper to buy a CD, DVD or computer game secondhand – the big concern is whether the disc is scratched. However, bear in mind there are lots of ways to fix a scratched CD and blu-ray DVDs are particularly hard to scratch. Swap them via xhangemy.co.uk or swapshop.co.uk, or buy them from musicmagpie.com.

10) Pedigree pets

Why pay hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds for a pedigree pet when you can rescue one for a fraction of the cost? If you’re set on a pedigree cat, for example, there are loads of pedigree cat rescue centres around the country for specific breeds, while the Kennel Club allows you to search for a pedigree rescue dog by breed.

Get help from lovemoney.com

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First, adopt this goal: Save money in every room of your home

Then, watch this video: Slash your energy bills

Finally, why not have a wander over to Q&A and ask other lovemoney.com members for hints and tips about what worked best for them?

Paintball Sports Debut in Nigeria

Paintball Sports Debut in Nigeria
Qasim Akinreti, Lagos
Paintball, one of the fastest growing sports in the world has been introduced into Nigeria by Empire Sports Company at the Elegushi Private Beach in Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.
Paintball is a sport meant to generate team spirit and develop leadership skills among participants. The game is also ways to develop inter departmental rivalry, sports challenges and company challenges as the hallmark of the game is mental alertness.
A typical Speed ball game, takes about 7 minutes. This can also be arranged to suite individuals or corporate requirements.
According to Usman Al- Hassan the initiator of the sport project in Nigeria, “Most first time players are attending a corporate event day, stag party, birthday party or just a group of friends getting together to have a day of fun.
He said after playing for the first time a large number are "bitten by the bug" and return on a regular basis. The common presumption of non-players is that paintball caters for the Rambos of society and those with a paramilitary bent. Little do they know that paintball is a well organised, exciting and expanding sport.
The location
The location of the Paintball sport is quite inviting and reassuring for a good relaxation Empire located on the Elegushi Private Beach. Sun, sea and energetic atmosphere is an attractive offer to fun seekers and sports enthusiasts.
The Grey Areas
Usman also used the opportunity of the first outing of the gamer in Nigeria to answer most common questions asked about the sport as a perceived dangerous venture in Nigeria’s clime.
In his words, “if you are wearing sensible clothing. Close range shots do hurt and cause a bruise but we tailor games to reduce the instances of close range shots therefore reducing the chances of bruises etc. Safety is the key word on our site. On arrival at our site you will be issued with a safety mask, specifically designed for paintball, coveralls to protect your clothes and other items of equipment. A comprehensive safety talk will be given at the start of the day before any player is allowed to touch a marker (gun) or start the day's play. We use pump action or semi automatic markers”.
As a fun game, moderate charges of N1000 are collected for safety equipment, coveralls, and the use of a marker.
Valued added
Before and after the game, participants and spectators have the unique opportunity refreshments, spice with barbeques and good music on site to make the day more enjoyable and memorable. Tailor package can be made for corporate clients, friends, families and children (over the age of 10).

awares 7

2010 budget: Can N1.85tr boost infrastructure devt?

BY UDEME CLEMENT

After what could be described as exhaustive debate and thorough scrutiny, the Senate and House of Representative finally endorsed N4.6 trillion budget, being the total financial package proposed by the Federal Government for 2010 fiscal year. Approval for the much-talked about budget came on the heels of the declaration by government to grant refineries autonomy to operate independently with a view to enhancing capacity utilisation to boost crude oil production in the country.

TOTAL BREAK-DOWN OFTHE BUDGET

The total financial statement of N4,608, 676,276, 213 trillion, for the economic year is made up of capital expenditure of N1, 853,906,761,420 trillion, while recurrent expenditure is put at N2, 077, 358, 560, 347 trillion. N497,071,797,452 billion is the amount appropriated for debt servicing while N180,279,158,994 billion is reserved for statutory transfers. The budget is pegged on a benchmark of $67 per barrel of crude oil production capacity of 2.35 million barrels per day with an exchange rate of N150 per dollar.

BACKGROUND DETAILS

Accordingly, the 2010 budget also gives priority for infrastructural development in the country, with N1.85 trillion, which is 40 per cent of the total budget for capital expenditure. Thus, going by the previous records on financial appropriations in Nigeria , the current budget is the highest proportion earmarked for capital development since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

This financial document shows a great disparity between what the present government wants to achieve in terms of social-economic development and what was obtainable in the past. But the questions begging for answers are, can N1.85trillion boost infrastructural development in the country, considering the level of deficiency in the industrial sector of the economy? When would budget for capital expenditure be higher than what is required for other services in Nigeria ?

CRITICISM

Judging from the above financial analysis, the 2010 budget, with
N1.853,906,761,420trillion for capital expenditure, is a clear indication that government would spend more money in paying salaries and other services than capital investments in the economy. This, according to experts, has serious economic implication because economic growth and development, especially for a third world country like Nigeria requires huge investments in various sectors.
The experts believe that tangible investments must be on ground for government to achieve more income flow in the economy and relative full employment, since absolute employment is not attainable in any economy no matter the level of growth. They are also of the opinion that more money ought to have been appropriated for capital expenditure to foster industrial development with a view to propelling economic growth in the long-run.

SENATE’S PERSPECTIVE

A member of the Upper House, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada, also the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum, told Sunday Vanguard that immediate passage of the budget became imperative to boost infrastructural development and continuity in government’s policies. “We want the nation to move forward. Ultimately, we want economic growth and development. So, for us to achieve these objectives, the budget must be passed on time to ensure projects execution at the three tiers of government”, he enthused.

INDUSTRY PLAYERS

However, most manufacturers are of the opinion that sufficient funds should be put into the energy sector to solve the perennial power crisis that is almost crippling every sector of the economy, especially manufacturing. This implies completion of power projects across the country and adequate gas supply to power the plants.

Feature: What's Different about Writing for the Web-Trenton Moss

Writing for the web is totally different to writing for printed matter. We tend to scan content on the web hunting for the information we're after, as opposed to reading word-for-word. As a result of this, there are certain guidelines you should be sure to follow when writing copy for your website:1. Use clear and simple languageReading from computer screens is tiring for the eyes and about 25% slower than reading from printed matter. As such, the easier the style of writing the easier it is for site visitors to absorb your words of wisdom.Some techniques for using clear and simple language include:- Avoid slang or jargon - Get your grandmother and ten year old nephew to read your site - if both can understand the page content you've done well! - Use shorter words where possible - ‘Begin’ rather than ‘commence’, ‘used to’ rather than ‘accustomed to’ etc. - Avoid complex sentence structures - Try to include just one idea or concept per sentence - Use active ahead of passive words - ‘We won the award’ is shorter and easier to comprehend than, ‘The award was won by us’ 2. Limit each paragraph to one ideaIf you assign just one idea to each paragraph site visitors can:- Easily scan through each paragraph - Get the general gist of what the paragraph is about - Then move on to the next paragraph All this and without fear that they'll be skipping over important information, because they will already know roughly what the paragraph is about.Limiting each paragraph to just one idea is especially effective when combined with front-loading paragraph content.3. Front-load contentFront-loading content means putting the conclusion first, followed by the what, how, where, when and why. The first line of each paragraph should contain the conclusion for that paragraph, so site visitors can:- Quickly scan through the opening sentence - Instantly understand what the paragraph is about - Decide if they want to read the rest of the paragraph or not Because each paragraph contains just one idea, users can do all this safe in the knowledge that if they jump to the next paragraph they won't be missing any new concepts.Front-loading also applies to web pages, as well as paragraphs. The opening paragraph on every page should always contain the conclusion of that page. This way, site visitors can instantly gain an understanding of what the page is about and decide whether they want to read the page or not.Unfortunately many websites don't adhere to this guideline and end up writing page content in a story-format. On each page there's an introduction, middle and conclusion, in that order. Unfortunately, when scanning through web content we don't tend to read all the text nor read all the way to the bottom of the screen. As such, you may easily miss the conclusion if it's left until the end.So remember, conclusion first, everything else second! For a great example of front-loaded content, just read any newspaper article. The opening paragraph is always the conclusion of the article.4. Use descriptive sub-headingsBreaking up text with descriptive sub-headings allows site visitors to easily see what each section of the page is about. The main heading on the page provides a brief overall view of what page is about, and the opening paragraph gives a brief conclusion of the page (because you've front-loaded the page content). Within the page though, there are various sub-themes which can be quickly put across with sub-headings.There's no hard and fast rule for how frequently to use sub-headings, but you should probably be roughly aiming for one sub-heading every two to four paragraphs. More importantly though, the sub-headings should group on-page content into logical groups, to allow site visitors to easily access the information that they're after.5. Embolden important wordsAnother way to help users locate information quickly and easily is to bolden important words in some paragraphs. When site visitors scan through the screen this text stands out to them, so do make sure the text makes sense out of context.Embolden two to three words which describe the main point of the paragraph, and not words on which you're placing emphasis. By seeing these boldened words site visitors can instantly gain an understanding of what the paragraph is about and decide whether or not they want to read it.6. Use descriptive link textIn the same way that bold text stands out to screen-scanning web users, so does link text. Link text such as ‘click here’ makes no sense whatsoever out of context so is useless to site visitors scanning web pages. To find out the destination of the link, site visitors have to hunt through the text both before and after the link text.7. Use listsLists are preferable to long paragraphs because they:- Allow users to read the information vertically rather than horizontally - Are easier to scan - Are less intimidating - Are usually more succinct 8. Left-align textLeft-aligned text is easier to read than justified text, which in turn is easier to read than centre- or right-aligned text.When reading through justified text the spacing between each word is different so our eyes have to search for the next word. This slows down our reading speed. Right- and centre-aligned paragraphs slow down reading speed even more because each time you finish reading one line your eye has to search for the beginning of the next line.ConclusionThese eight guidelines are nothing revolutionary nor are they difficult to implement. Yet so many websites structure their content so poorly to the detriment of their site visitors. Have a quick look over your website now - how does it do?