Thursday, 29 November 2012
Thursday, 11 October 2012
12 tips for business success
these 12 attitude attributes can put you in the right mindset for achieving entrepreneurial success.
1. Have passion for your business
Work should be fun. Your passion will help you overcome difficult moments and persuade people to work for you and want to do business with you. Passion can't be taught. When it wanes, as it surely will in difficult times, take some quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a week, take inventory of all the reasons you started the business and why you like being your own boss. That should renew your passion.
2. Set an example of trustworthiness
People have confidence in trustworthy individuals and want to work for them in a culture of integrity. The same is true for customers.
3. Be flexible, except with core values
It's a given that your plans and strategies will change as time goes on. This flexibility for rapid change is an inherent advantage of small over large business. However, no matter the pressure for immediate profits, do not compromise on core values.
4. Don't let fear of failure hold you back
Failure is an opportunity to learn. All things being equal, venture capitalists would rather invest money in an individual who tried and failed founding a company than in someone who never tried.
5. Make timely decisions
It's okay to use your intuition. Planning and thought are good. But procrastination leads to missed opportunity.
6. The major company asset is you
Take care of yourself. Your health is more valuable than the most expensive machinery or computer software for the company. You don't have to choose between your family or your company, play or work. Maintain your health for balance and energy, which will, in turn, enhance your mental outlook.
7. Keep your ego under control
Don't take profits and spend them on expensive toys to impress others. Build a war chest for unexpected needs or opportunities. This also means hearing out new ideas and suggestions no matter how crazy they sound.
8. Believe
You need to believe in yourself, in your company, and that you will be successful. This confidence is contagious with your employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and everyone you deal with.
9. Encourage and accept criticism graciously. Admit your mistakes.
You need to constantly work on convincing your employees that it's OK — even necessary —to state their honest opinions even it if conflicts with the boss's opinion. Just stating it once or putting it in a mission statement won't cut it for most people.
10. Maintain a strong work ethic
Your employees will follow your lead. It will also help you beat your competition by outworking them, particularly when your product or service is very similar.
11. Rebound quickly from setbacks
There surely will be plenty of ups and downs as you build the business. Learn from the setbacks and move on. You can't change the past.
12. Periodically get out of your comfort zone to pursue something important
Many times you will feel uncomfortable in implementing a needed change in technology, people, mission, competing, etc. For the company and you to grow personally, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone.
1. Have passion for your business
Work should be fun. Your passion will help you overcome difficult moments and persuade people to work for you and want to do business with you. Passion can't be taught. When it wanes, as it surely will in difficult times, take some quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a week, take inventory of all the reasons you started the business and why you like being your own boss. That should renew your passion.
2. Set an example of trustworthiness
People have confidence in trustworthy individuals and want to work for them in a culture of integrity. The same is true for customers.
3. Be flexible, except with core values
It's a given that your plans and strategies will change as time goes on. This flexibility for rapid change is an inherent advantage of small over large business. However, no matter the pressure for immediate profits, do not compromise on core values.
4. Don't let fear of failure hold you back
Failure is an opportunity to learn. All things being equal, venture capitalists would rather invest money in an individual who tried and failed founding a company than in someone who never tried.
5. Make timely decisions
It's okay to use your intuition. Planning and thought are good. But procrastination leads to missed opportunity.
6. The major company asset is you
Take care of yourself. Your health is more valuable than the most expensive machinery or computer software for the company. You don't have to choose between your family or your company, play or work. Maintain your health for balance and energy, which will, in turn, enhance your mental outlook.
7. Keep your ego under control
Don't take profits and spend them on expensive toys to impress others. Build a war chest for unexpected needs or opportunities. This also means hearing out new ideas and suggestions no matter how crazy they sound.
8. Believe
You need to believe in yourself, in your company, and that you will be successful. This confidence is contagious with your employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and everyone you deal with.
9. Encourage and accept criticism graciously. Admit your mistakes.
You need to constantly work on convincing your employees that it's OK — even necessary —to state their honest opinions even it if conflicts with the boss's opinion. Just stating it once or putting it in a mission statement won't cut it for most people.
10. Maintain a strong work ethic
Your employees will follow your lead. It will also help you beat your competition by outworking them, particularly when your product or service is very similar.
11. Rebound quickly from setbacks
There surely will be plenty of ups and downs as you build the business. Learn from the setbacks and move on. You can't change the past.
12. Periodically get out of your comfort zone to pursue something important
Many times you will feel uncomfortable in implementing a needed change in technology, people, mission, competing, etc. For the company and you to grow personally, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone.
12 tips for business success
these 12 attitude attributes can put you in the right mindset for achieving entrepreneurial success.
1. Have passion for your business
Work should be fun. Your passion will help you overcome difficult moments and persuade people to work for you and want to do business with you. Passion can't be taught. When it wanes, as it surely will in difficult times, take some quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a week, take inventory of all the reasons you started the business and why you like being your own boss. That should renew your passion.
2. Set an example of trustworthiness
People have confidence in trustworthy individuals and want to work for them in a culture of integrity. The same is true for customers.
3. Be flexible, except with core values
It's a given that your plans and strategies will change as time goes on. This flexibility for rapid change is an inherent advantage of small over large business. However, no matter the pressure for immediate profits, do not compromise on core values.
4. Don't let fear of failure hold you back
Failure is an opportunity to learn. All things being equal, venture capitalists would rather invest money in an individual who tried and failed founding a company than in someone who never tried.
5. Make timely decisions
It's okay to use your intuition. Planning and thought are good. But procrastination leads to missed opportunity.
6. The major company asset is you
Take care of yourself. Your health is more valuable than the most expensive machinery or computer software for the company. You don't have to choose between your family or your company, play or work. Maintain your health for balance and energy, which will, in turn, enhance your mental outlook.
7. Keep your ego under control
Don't take profits and spend them on expensive toys to impress others. Build a war chest for unexpected needs or opportunities. This also means hearing out new ideas and suggestions no matter how crazy they sound.
8. Believe
You need to believe in yourself, in your company, and that you will be successful. This confidence is contagious with your employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and everyone you deal with.
9. Encourage and accept criticism graciously. Admit your mistakes.
You need to constantly work on convincing your employees that it's OK — even necessary —to state their honest opinions even it if conflicts with the boss's opinion. Just stating it once or putting it in a mission statement won't cut it for most people.
10. Maintain a strong work ethic
Your employees will follow your lead. It will also help you beat your competition by outworking them, particularly when your product or service is very similar.
11. Rebound quickly from setbacks
There surely will be plenty of ups and downs as you build the business. Learn from the setbacks and move on. You can't change the past.
12. Periodically get out of your comfort zone to pursue something important
Many times you will feel uncomfortable in implementing a needed change in technology, people, mission, competing, etc. For the company and you to grow personally, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone.
12 tips for business success
these 12 attitude attributes can put you in the right mindset for achieving entrepreneurial success.
1. Have passion for your business
Work should be fun. Your passion will help you overcome difficult moments and persuade people to work for you and want to do business with you. Passion can't be taught. When it wanes, as it surely will in difficult times, take some quiet time. Whether it be an hour or a week, take inventory of all the reasons you started the business and why you like being your own boss. That should renew your passion.
2. Set an example of trustworthiness
People have confidence in trustworthy individuals and want to work for them in a culture of integrity. The same is true for customers.
3. Be flexible, except with core values
It's a given that your plans and strategies will change as time goes on. This flexibility for rapid change is an inherent advantage of small over large business. However, no matter the pressure for immediate profits, do not compromise on core values.
4. Don't let fear of failure hold you back
Failure is an opportunity to learn. All things being equal, venture capitalists would rather invest money in an individual who tried and failed founding a company than in someone who never tried.
5. Make timely decisions
It's okay to use your intuition. Planning and thought are good. But procrastination leads to missed opportunity.
6. The major company asset is you
Take care of yourself. Your health is more valuable than the most expensive machinery or computer software for the company. You don't have to choose between your family or your company, play or work. Maintain your health for balance and energy, which will, in turn, enhance your mental outlook.
7. Keep your ego under control
Don't take profits and spend them on expensive toys to impress others. Build a war chest for unexpected needs or opportunities. This also means hearing out new ideas and suggestions no matter how crazy they sound.
8. Believe
You need to believe in yourself, in your company, and that you will be successful. This confidence is contagious with your employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers and everyone you deal with.
9. Encourage and accept criticism graciously. Admit your mistakes.
You need to constantly work on convincing your employees that it's OK — even necessary —to state their honest opinions even it if conflicts with the boss's opinion. Just stating it once or putting it in a mission statement won't cut it for most people.
10. Maintain a strong work ethic
Your employees will follow your lead. It will also help you beat your competition by outworking them, particularly when your product or service is very similar.
11. Rebound quickly from setbacks
There surely will be plenty of ups and downs as you build the business. Learn from the setbacks and move on. You can't change the past.
12. Periodically get out of your comfort zone to pursue something important
Many times you will feel uncomfortable in implementing a needed change in technology, people, mission, competing, etc. For the company and you to grow personally, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone.
Friday, 5 October 2012
Nissan car drives and parks itself at Ceatec
The car seems to "recognise" road markings and is able to stop at a crossing
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Will driverless cars mean computer crashes?
Chatting cars - a reality soon?
How would driverless cars change motoring?
An electric car that is able to park itself and come to the driver when "called" has been unveiled at the Ceatec 2012 show in Tokyo.
Nissan's NSC-2015 is only a prototype, but its name suggests the carmaker aims to have it on the market by 2015.
Many car companies have been working on autonomous technology, with a number of driverless cars unveiled in recent months.
But one analyst warned that the mass use of such cars was a long way off.
The NSC-2015 is a modified version of Nissan's Leaf model.
It relies on sensors, cameras, computers and 4G communication technology for wireless links to navigate, and robotics to turn the steering wheel, change gears and brake.
When demonstrated at Ceatec, the car drove itself at about 3mph (5km/h) in a straight line forward and in reverse, and was able to turn.
It was shown that the car could recognise road markings and was able to stop at a crossing.
A Nissan representative also controlled the car from the outside, making it drive towards him as he pressed some buttons on his phone.
"After the driver exits the NSC-2015, it starts to park itself automatically, following the instructions given by smartphone," the company said.
"The vehicle looks for a vacant parking space while identifying its surroundings; once it detects an open parking space automated parking begins.
"The driver can also use smartphone commands to make the NSC-2015 vehicle leave the parking space and return to the place where he or she is.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
I think that market for driverless cars is limited at the moment... people still have a fairly strong desire to control their car”
Paul Newton
IHS Automotive
"While parked, the car's security camera system automatically works with a camera installed in the vehicle. If the system detects suspicious behaviour, the driver is alerted automatically by a report to his or her smartphone."
However, Tooru Futami, engineering director at electronics engineering development division at Nissan, told Forbes that the car was not yet able to self-drive down the street or park itself in any space.
He said the demo version could only self-park in an area equipped with sensors and restricted to other robotic cars to avoid the risk of collision.
Showcasing technology
Several car manufacturers and other companies such as Google have recently demonstrated driverless vehicles and three US states - California, Nevada and Florida - even allow self-driving cars on their roads.
But one analyst told the BBC the mass use of such vehicles was still some way off.
"Self-driving cars is the way we're heading - it's the pinnacle of the convergence of a lot of technologies," said Paul Newton from IHS Automotive.
"You have ad hoc car-to-car networking which will alert cars of problems ahead, roadside transmissions to limit speed, controlled steering and braking - and all these technologies will eventually converge to a point where you can arrive at something that drives itself.
"But I think that market for driverless cars is limited at the moment in terms of consumer perception. People still have a fairly strong desire to control their car, and producing these vehicles is more showcasing what's possible than what's likely at the moment."
He added that it was more likely the driver would be able to actively operate the vehicle in some places, but once he or she got into a controlled urban environment, the vehicle would take over.
"You'll arrive in a town - and there will be a signal sent to your car not to exceed a maximum speed, and you won't be able to, and distance to the car in front will also be controlled," he said.
"But it's still a long way off
Samsung sees record profits on smartphone sales
smartphone sales
Samsung is the world's biggest maker of mobile phones as well as televisions
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Samsung challenges Apple verdict
Apple enforces Galaxy Nexus ban
Apple told to pay Samsung damages
Samsung Electronics has estimated record profits in the three months to September, led by strong sales of its Galaxy smartphones.
The South Korean company said it expects operating profits of 8.1 trillion won ($7.3bn; £4.5bn), nearly double last year's figure.
The estimates beat analyst expectations sending Samsung shares 1.5% higher.
However, ongoing legal tussles with Apple have cast a shadow over its future performance.
Smartphone sales drive much of the profit at the company which also makes screens, semiconductors and televisions.
Analysts said the record profits were largely driven by gains in that sector offsetting other parts of the business which are not showing drastic change.
"Stronger than expected sales of Galaxy S3 and high-end television models appear to have propelled strong earnings growth in the third quarter," said Lee Sun-Tae, from NH Investment & Securities.
However, Samsung's higher-end Galaxy line of smartphones pits it directly against Apple's iPhone.
This has led to several different legal disputes between the two smartphone market leaders in various countries around the world.
Analysts said, the recent decision in a California court in Apple's favour would be one of the factors putting pressure on Samsung going forward.
In a court ruling in August, Samsung was ordered to pay more than $1bn in damages to Apple after Apple accused Samsung of violating several of its patents.
"Fourth-quarter earnings will depend on how much Samsung will (set aside) provisions for possible fines relating to a lawsuit with Apple," said James Song from KDB Daewoo Securities.
Samsung has now called for a retrial.
The company is due to officially report full earnings later this month
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Flood takes over road to Jonathan’s hometown
Flood takes over road to Jonathan’s hometown: http://www.punchng.com/news/flood-takes-over-road-to-jonathans-hometown/ Shared via Nigeria News for Android.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Thursday, 20 September 2012
NIGERIAN AGIP OIL COMPANY LIMITED Operator of the NNPC/NAOC/Phillips Joint Venture 2011/2012 TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS SCHEME
Nigerian
Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) Joint Venture in pursuance of its
Community Development Programme invites suitably qualified candidates
for its 2011/2012 Tertiary Institutions Scholarship Awards Scheme.
1. CATEGORIES OF AWARDS
2. ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for consideration applicants MUST be:
NOTE: The following categories of students should NOT apply:
Only indigenes of NAOC host communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states SHOULD apply for the Host Communities Merit Award.
Only candidates studying Engineering, Geology and Geosciences are eligible for the National Merit Award.
3. METHOD OF APPLICATION
To qualify for consideration applicants must complete their online application and verify their application details on or before 6th October 2012.
All applicants for Host Communities Merit Award MUST attach current (2012 –2013) Letters of Identification duly signed by:
• the current (2012) Chairman and Secretary of his/her CDC
• bona-fide traditional/paramount ruler of the community; and,
• the current (2012) Local Government Chairman or the Secretary
4. APTITUDE TEST
An Aptitude Test for the applicants in both Categories of Award will be conducted at the following centers:
NOTE: Candidates are to fully bear the cost of transportation to and from the Aptitude Test center.
5. SUBMISSION
Applications must not be made after the the deadline October 6th, 2012
http://dragnetnigeria.com/naocscholarships/
1. CATEGORIES OF AWARDS
- Host Communities Merit Award: For applicants strictly from NAOC host communities
- National Merit Award: For applicants from non-host communities.
2. ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for consideration applicants MUST be:
- Registered FULL TIME undergraduates in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions
- Certified 100 level students at the time of application.
NOTE: The following categories of students should NOT apply:
- 200 level students and above
- Current beneficiaries of similar awards from other companies and agencies
- Dependants of employees of NAOC, AENR and NAE
Only indigenes of NAOC host communities in Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states SHOULD apply for the Host Communities Merit Award.
Only candidates studying Engineering, Geology and Geosciences are eligible for the National Merit Award.
3. METHOD OF APPLICATION
To qualify for consideration applicants must complete their online application and verify their application details on or before 6th October 2012.
All applicants for Host Communities Merit Award MUST attach current (2012 –2013) Letters of Identification duly signed by:
• the current (2012) Chairman and Secretary of his/her CDC
• bona-fide traditional/paramount ruler of the community; and,
• the current (2012) Local Government Chairman or the Secretary
4. APTITUDE TEST
An Aptitude Test for the applicants in both Categories of Award will be conducted at the following centers:
- Port Harcourt
- Omoku
- Yenagoa
- Asaba
- Lagos
- Owerri
- Abuja
NOTE: Candidates are to fully bear the cost of transportation to and from the Aptitude Test center.
5. SUBMISSION
Applications must not be made after the the deadline October 6th, 2012
http://dragnetnigeria.com/naocscholarships/
Monday, 17 September 2012
Adamawa Cries Out as Flood Washes Away 89 Schools
The Adamawa state government has appealed to the federal government
and other multi-lateral organisations to urgently come to the
assistance of the people of the state, as the magnitude of the flooding
disaster is far beyond the scope of the state government.
The appeal came as the flood threatens to cut off the state from other part of the country, as two culverts on the Yola—Gombe road situated at Ngbalang , near the Numan bridge-head, were partially washed away on Friday.
Speaking to pressmen at the weekend, the Secretary to state Government, Adamawa state , and chairman of the state emergency committee on the flood disaster, Chief Kobis Ari—Thimnu, said the flood situation was compounded by the opening of the sluice gate at the Dadin- kowa and Kiri dams in Gombe and Adamawa states.
He stated that with the combined effect of the Rivers Benue and Gongola, over flooding its banks, with excess water from the Lagdo dam in the republic of Cameroon, and the two neighborhood dams, in the country , Adamawa state is literally drowning .
He said that the state is being confronted with a disaster of enormous proportion.
Meanwhile the state Government has announced an indefinite closure of its public schools throughout the state, as a result of the flood ravaging the state.
The state commissioner of Education, Mr . Gabriel Hamman-Adama, said the indefinite closure became necessary as a total of 89 primary and secondary schools have so far been submerged across Adamawa in the on-going flood disaster ravaging the state.
He said over 48 other schools had been taken over as camps by communities displaced by the flood disaster.
“About 89 primary and secondary schools are seriously submerged in the flood to the extend that you cannot get to these schools as at now”, Hamman-Adama said.
The commissioner explained that the development had forced the ministry to now shift the coming resumption date for government schools in the state, indefinitely .
“We have held a meeting with stakeholders and resolved that the initial resumption date of coming Monday 17th be shifted indefinitely until the situation improves. ‘’, Hamman-Adama said.
The commissioner explained that if the flood water did not recede in October, the ministry would be forced to merge students from the submerged schools and those converted to camps with those in schools that were not affected
The appeal came as the flood threatens to cut off the state from other part of the country, as two culverts on the Yola—Gombe road situated at Ngbalang , near the Numan bridge-head, were partially washed away on Friday.
Speaking to pressmen at the weekend, the Secretary to state Government, Adamawa state , and chairman of the state emergency committee on the flood disaster, Chief Kobis Ari—Thimnu, said the flood situation was compounded by the opening of the sluice gate at the Dadin- kowa and Kiri dams in Gombe and Adamawa states.
He stated that with the combined effect of the Rivers Benue and Gongola, over flooding its banks, with excess water from the Lagdo dam in the republic of Cameroon, and the two neighborhood dams, in the country , Adamawa state is literally drowning .
He said that the state is being confronted with a disaster of enormous proportion.
Meanwhile the state Government has announced an indefinite closure of its public schools throughout the state, as a result of the flood ravaging the state.
The state commissioner of Education, Mr . Gabriel Hamman-Adama, said the indefinite closure became necessary as a total of 89 primary and secondary schools have so far been submerged across Adamawa in the on-going flood disaster ravaging the state.
He said over 48 other schools had been taken over as camps by communities displaced by the flood disaster.
“About 89 primary and secondary schools are seriously submerged in the flood to the extend that you cannot get to these schools as at now”, Hamman-Adama said.
The commissioner explained that the development had forced the ministry to now shift the coming resumption date for government schools in the state, indefinitely .
“We have held a meeting with stakeholders and resolved that the initial resumption date of coming Monday 17th be shifted indefinitely until the situation improves. ‘’, Hamman-Adama said.
The commissioner explained that if the flood water did not recede in October, the ministry would be forced to merge students from the submerged schools and those converted to camps with those in schools that were not affected
See what a husband did to his wife
How would you explain this wicked act from Mr. Kehinde Adesamuye,
39,who set his lover on fire because he was angry and jealous over her
relationship with other men.35-year-old Janet Udegba narrated how her
live-in lover poured fuel on her and set her ablaze in Ikotun area of
Lagos State.
She said she was at the Junction where she does her business of selling cooked Indomie before kehinde came that night, poured petrol on her and lit it with fire.
She said she was at the Junction where she does her business of selling cooked Indomie before kehinde came that night, poured petrol on her and lit it with fire.
Janet however says Nigerians should not let kehinde go scot free with what he has done to her. Janet narrates how it all started
‘’My husband has always been jealous. He used to beat me every time, under any guise and excuse.
I’ve tried several times to leave him, but he always threatens to
harm me. I stayed with him because I was afraid of him and my life. He
always told me that I could never escape from him, except I leave Lagos
State. Anytime I said I was leaving him, he would say, no problem, but
that he would do something to me which I would not forget. Now, see what
he had done to me. He wanted to kill me.
“I
used to sell indomie at Ikotun round about. There are other men and
women selling there too. We’re all friends. Last two weeks Friday, one
of the traders had a baby. We went for the naming ceremony. Kehinde was
there with me. One of the traders gave me a drink; I just took a sip
because I was in my flow.
“That
was how it all started. He said I was kissing another man in his
presence. He said that I sipped from the bottle that the man drank from.
Right there, he started threatening that he was going to deal with me
when we get home.
To be on the
safe side, I called my younger sister, telling her that I might come
over to spend the night at her place. I didn’t want him to beat me. When
we got home, he cursed, abused and said all sort of things, but I
didn’t respond or reply because I didn’t want him to pounce on me. This
behaviour continued till Saturday. He even kicked off the bed, but I
didn’t mind. I slept on the floor.
When
I woke up on Sunday, he had gone out. I rushed to take my bath because I
wanted to leave the house before he came back. But he suddenly came
back, and started beating me for no reason. He beat so much that I
thought he was going to kill me. It was due to the intervention of our
landlord that he left me. After that beating, I moved in with my younger
sister.”
Government should make
sure Kehinde pays for what he did to me. I am an orphan. I have no
father or mother. I sell Indomie to live. Now, I’ve spent all my money.
In fact, I need help she said.
For reasons
best known to Kehinde, he started sending friends to Janet’s shop, to
beg on his behalf. He wanted her to forgive him and come back. But she
refused. Last week Tuesday, Kehinde came to the shop with another friend
to beg once more, but Janet told him that she was through with the
relationship. Fuming, Kehinde jumped up from his seat, told her that he
had nothing against her leaving, but that he was going to deal with her.
He made good the threat by dousing her.
POISONOUS SNAKES in africa
Living snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica, in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and on most smaller land masses — exceptions include some large islands, such as Ireland and New Zealand, and many small islands of the Atlantic and central Pacific.[1] More than 20 families are currently recognized, comprising about 500 genera and about 3,400 species.[2][3] They range in size from the tiny, 10 cm-long thread snake to the Reticulated python of up to 8.7 meters (29 ft) in length.[4][5] The fossil species Titanoboa cerrejonensis was 15 meters (49 ft) long. Snakes are thought to have evolved from either burrowing or aquatic lizards during the mid-Cretaceous period, and the earliest known fossils date to around 112 Ma ago. The diversity of modern snakes appeared during the Paleocene period (c 66 to 56 Ma ago).
Most species are nonvenomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Nonvenomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction.
N5000 note: Nigerians are wasting their time- Sanusi Lamido
“My job is to do my best in whatever circumstance I find myself. I did not choose this time to be CBN governor. If we have fiscal leakages and reserves are crashing and naira weakening I have to tighten naira supply. Interest rates go up everyone attacks SLS. But you can have low rates with high inflation, a weak naira and no reserve buffers. You can’t eat your cake and have it. I am improving the efficiency of the banking system and currency operations. Is it popular? I don’t know and frankly don’t care. I have a job to do and will do it.
The problem is that the CBN is the only institution doing anything. Roads are not being built. We have no new airports. No progess on new power plants. No rail lines. So every time we do something all hell breaks loose.
Governance is not about seeking popularity. The only thing that will stop this is a solid argument proving that the costs outweigh the benefits. But when people start fabricating falsehood such as those claiming a bill of N40b for new notes they obviously are not interested in the nation or policybut have other targets.
If I am the target I wish them luck. But they are wasting their time”. – Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Islamic Sect threatens to bomb Radio Station(Cool FM 96.9)
A top security source in Kano has informed SaharaReporters that a
group claiming to be an affiliate of Jama’atu Ahlis sunna Lida’awati wal
ihad (popularly called Boko Haram) has threatened to bomb Cool FM 96.9,
a radio station based in Kano, the capital of Kano State. The sect,
which identified itself as Jama’atul Qatlul Kafir fi Sabilillahi,
reportedly accused the radio station of being pro-Christian and
anti-Islam.
SaharaReporters learnt that the sect dispatched a letter to the broadcaster accusing it of blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
We are working to establish if the sect truly exists so as to avoid a repeat of the January, 2012 attacks in which hundreds of people were killed in Kano,” said our source. He added that the agencies were working hard and had taken the threat letter seriously. “I cannot say much more in order not to jeopardize our investigations,” the source told our correspondent.An official of the radio station made the text of the letter available to Sahara Reporters. The highly ungrammatical letter is reproduced below, unedited:
“As we embark on fresh attacks to commemorate the insult done to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SWT) .This is hereby warning you/alerting your station that you might be affected due to some disregard attitudes towards Islam and our people. Reports came to us that your stations are Christian inclined and we made our investigations to ascertaining that.
There are some people among you that fall in our target list as we noted their CAN membership and they shall expect our wrath in a short-while, but for now.
We warn you. We also forewarn our Muslim brothers in the station not to be involved in any act of offence to Islam and that they should limit their movements into the stations to avoid being affected.
We once again commend the jihad of our brothers in Libya that killed an American envoy and some non Muslims; It is indeed an act worthy of commendation and adoption.”
SaharaReporters learnt that the sect dispatched a letter to the broadcaster accusing it of blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
We are working to establish if the sect truly exists so as to avoid a repeat of the January, 2012 attacks in which hundreds of people were killed in Kano,” said our source. He added that the agencies were working hard and had taken the threat letter seriously. “I cannot say much more in order not to jeopardize our investigations,” the source told our correspondent.An official of the radio station made the text of the letter available to Sahara Reporters. The highly ungrammatical letter is reproduced below, unedited:
“As we embark on fresh attacks to commemorate the insult done to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SWT) .This is hereby warning you/alerting your station that you might be affected due to some disregard attitudes towards Islam and our people. Reports came to us that your stations are Christian inclined and we made our investigations to ascertaining that.
There are some people among you that fall in our target list as we noted their CAN membership and they shall expect our wrath in a short-while, but for now.
We warn you. We also forewarn our Muslim brothers in the station not to be involved in any act of offence to Islam and that they should limit their movements into the stations to avoid being affected.
We once again commend the jihad of our brothers in Libya that killed an American envoy and some non Muslims; It is indeed an act worthy of commendation and adoption.”
Friday, 14 September 2012
ABU 50th Anniversary Celebrations:
 S/N activity |
Activity | Splited Activity (=N=) | Overall Budget (=N=) |
| 1. | National Marathon | 5,750,000.00 | |
| 2. | World Press Conference (A) | 5,000,000.00 | |
| World Press Conference (B) | 5,000,000.00 | 10,000,000.00 | |
| 3. | Town and Gown Complementarity Forum | 1,000,000.00 | |
| 4. | Prize for Students Project Exhibition | 1,500,000.00 | |
| 5. | Prize for Best Research Presentation | 2,000,000.00 | |
| 6. | Prize for Inter-Faculty Games/Fun Fares | 500,000.00 | |
| 7. | Prize for Essay Competition (A) | 2,500,000.00 | |
| Prize for Essay Competition (B) | 2,500,000.00 | 5,000,000.00 | |
| 8. | Public Lecture on Vision and Mission of the Founding Fathers of ABU (A) | 5,000,000.00 | |
| Public Lecture on Vision and Mission of the Founding Fathers of ABU (B) | 5,000,000.00 | 10,000,000.00 | |
| 9. | Public Lectures, Awards and Book Fair (A) | 5,000,000.00 | |
| Public Lectures, Awards and Book Fair (B) | 5,000,000.00 | 10,000,000.00 | |
| 10. | Cervical Cancer Screening, Blood Pressure Check and Diabetes Screening | 1,000,000.00 | |
| 11. | Home-coming/Alumni Day/Dinner/Awards (A) | 2,500,000.00 | |
| Home-coming/Alumni Day/Dinner/Awards (B) | 2,500,000.00 | ||
| Home-coming/Alumni Day/Dinner/Awards (C) | 2,000,000.00 | ||
| Home-coming/Alumni Day/Dinner/Awards (D) | 3,000,000.00 | 11,500,000.00 | |
| 12. | Mock AU Summit/Gamji Drama/Moot Court | 1,200,000.00 | |
| 13. | Friendly Football Match with Golden Eaglets | 2,450,000.00 | |
| 14. | Production of Various Souvenirs (A) | 5,000,000.00 | |
| Production of Various Souvenirs (B) | 5,000,000.00 | ||
| Production of Various Souvenirs (C) | 5,000,000.00 | ||
| Production of Various Souvenirs (D) | 5,000,000.00 | ||
| Production of Various Souvenirs (E) | 5,000,000.00 | 25,000,000.00 | |
| 15. | Production of ABU Alumni Compendium (1962-2012) | 5,500,000.00 | |
| 16. | Building Exhibition | 1,000,000.00 | |
| 17. | Agricultural/Veterinary Shows | 3,700,000.00 | |
| 18. | Fine Arts Exhibition/Tug-of-War | 750,000.00 | |
| 19. | Fire Service and Dog Display/Bomb Scare Demonstration | 850,000.00 | |
| 20. | Drugs/Anniversary Emergency Clinic | 2,000,000.00 | |
| 21. | International Conferences/Workshops and Book Fairs (A) | 3,500,000.00 | |
| International Conferences/Workshops and Book Fairs (B) | 3,000,000.00 | ||
| International Conferences/Workshops and Book Fairs (D) | 2,000,000.00 | ||
| International Conferences/Workshops and Book Fairs (E) | 1,000,000.00 | 11,500,000.00 | |
| 22. | Pre-Convocation Lecture | 1,500,000.00 |
| Bank Name | First Bank of Nigeria Plc. |
| Account Name | A.B.U at 50 Fund Account |
| Account Number | 2020712110 |
| Swift Code | FBNINGLA |
| Sort Code | 011150000 |
Thank you in anticipation of your generous contribution and in identifying with the University in celebrating the milestone.
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Recycling Paper
Sawa Hiroshi is an engineer employed by the Oriental Development Company in Japan to develop green inventions.
"Global warming is a serious environmental problem and we wanted to develop an eco-friendly recycling product," says the 37 year-old inventor.
"We wanted zero-emissions and something that was economical and would contribute to conservation."
Funded by Oriental Development and Sanko Electronics, Sawa focused his efforts on an invention that would recycle waste paper. He invented a small-scale recycling machine that converts waste paper into toilet paper.
Paper is thrown into a hopper and the machine untangles, shreds and uses hot water to dissolve the paper into a pulp.
The machine then automatically adjusts the consistency of the pulp, removes any foriegn particles, dries and compresses it into sheets and rolls it into toilet paper that exits out the other end.
It takes about 30 minutes to make a roll and each one is made with the equivalent of 40 sheets of standard size office paper. Over a period of a year the machine would save about 60 cedar trees.
This green invention, affectionately named the "White Goat", has already won awards for innovation and is expected to be available for distribution later this year.
Flying Car Takes Wing: Invention Makes Its First Test Flights
Flying Car Takes Wing: Invention Makes Its First Test Flights
At 7:40 a.m. on March 5, the winged car taxied down a runway in Plattsburgh, N.Y., took off, flew for 37 seconds and landed further down the runway -- a maneuver it would repeat about a half dozen times over the next two days. In the coming months the company, a Woburn-based startup called Terrafugia, will test the plane in a series of ever-longer flights and a variety of maneuvers to learn about its handling characteristics.
Aviation enthusiasts have spent nearly a century pursuing the dream of a flying car, but the broader public has tended to view the idea as something of a novelty. Still, such a vehicle could have more practical appeal now that the Federal Aviation Administration has created a new class of plane -- Light Sport Aircraft -- and a new license category just for pilots of such craft, including Terrafugia's two-seater Transition. The "sport pilot" license required to fly the Transition takes only about 20 hours of training time, about half that required to earn a regular pilot's license.
The street-legal Transition is powered on land and in the air by a recently developed 100 hp Rotax engine that gets 30 mpg on the highway using regular unleaded gasoline. As a plane, its 20-gallon tank gives it a 450-mile range with a 115 mph cruising speed. The pilot can switch from one mode to the other from the driver's seat, simultaneously folding up the wings and shifting the engine power from the rear-mounted propeller to the front wheels in about 30 seconds.
Speaking at a March 18 news conference in which the Transition's first test flight was announced, Terrafugia CEO and co-founder Carl Dietrich '99, SM '03, PhD '07 said the FAA rule change and the Transition could help transform the way people move around the country -- especially in rural areas. "One of the biggest problems pilots have right now is that most of the 5,000 general aviation airports in the U.S. don't have any car rental facilities, or even a cab stand," he said, noting that the Transition could open many of these underused airports to easier, more practical use by private pilots.
The vehicle may also lead to improved safety. "One of the largest causes of accidents is pilots flying in bad weather," he said. With the Transition, a pilot who spotted bad weather ahead could simply land at the nearest airport, fold up the wings, drive through the weather on local roads, and take off from another airport once past the storm.
The first testing of Terrafugia's car-plane concept took place with a one-fifth scale model in MIT's Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel in 2005, while Dietrich and his wife, Anna Mracek Dietrich '04, SM '06, now the company's COO, and VP of Engineering Samuel Schweighart SM '01, PhD '05, were all students here, as were two of the other company principals.
The full-sized version being tested now is a proof-of-concept vehicle, to be followed later this year by a production prototype. The company is taking deposits now and hopes to start delivering its first Transitions -- or "roadable planes," as the company calls them -- in late 2011.
Test pilot Phil Meteer, who was at the controls in Plattsburgh, said that the short and simple first flight was both "remarkably unremarkable" and vitally important: "Ninety percent of the risk in the total program comes in the first flight, and now we're past that."
A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Meteer said the plane handled so smoothly in the test flights that all of the possible contingencies he had practiced became irrelevant. "You're in a hypervigilant state" during the initial takeoff, he said, but as he saw how smoothly the flight was going he had a "wahoo moment: none of this is happening!"
At 7:40 a.m. on March 5, the winged car taxied down a runway in Plattsburgh, N.Y., took off, flew for 37 seconds and landed further down the runway -- a maneuver it would repeat about a half dozen times over the next two days. In the coming months the company, a Woburn-based startup called Terrafugia, will test the plane in a series of ever-longer flights and a variety of maneuvers to learn about its handling characteristics.
Aviation enthusiasts have spent nearly a century pursuing the dream of a flying car, but the broader public has tended to view the idea as something of a novelty. Still, such a vehicle could have more practical appeal now that the Federal Aviation Administration has created a new class of plane -- Light Sport Aircraft -- and a new license category just for pilots of such craft, including Terrafugia's two-seater Transition. The "sport pilot" license required to fly the Transition takes only about 20 hours of training time, about half that required to earn a regular pilot's license.
The street-legal Transition is powered on land and in the air by a recently developed 100 hp Rotax engine that gets 30 mpg on the highway using regular unleaded gasoline. As a plane, its 20-gallon tank gives it a 450-mile range with a 115 mph cruising speed. The pilot can switch from one mode to the other from the driver's seat, simultaneously folding up the wings and shifting the engine power from the rear-mounted propeller to the front wheels in about 30 seconds.
Speaking at a March 18 news conference in which the Transition's first test flight was announced, Terrafugia CEO and co-founder Carl Dietrich '99, SM '03, PhD '07 said the FAA rule change and the Transition could help transform the way people move around the country -- especially in rural areas. "One of the biggest problems pilots have right now is that most of the 5,000 general aviation airports in the U.S. don't have any car rental facilities, or even a cab stand," he said, noting that the Transition could open many of these underused airports to easier, more practical use by private pilots.
The vehicle may also lead to improved safety. "One of the largest causes of accidents is pilots flying in bad weather," he said. With the Transition, a pilot who spotted bad weather ahead could simply land at the nearest airport, fold up the wings, drive through the weather on local roads, and take off from another airport once past the storm.
The first testing of Terrafugia's car-plane concept took place with a one-fifth scale model in MIT's Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel in 2005, while Dietrich and his wife, Anna Mracek Dietrich '04, SM '06, now the company's COO, and VP of Engineering Samuel Schweighart SM '01, PhD '05, were all students here, as were two of the other company principals.
The full-sized version being tested now is a proof-of-concept vehicle, to be followed later this year by a production prototype. The company is taking deposits now and hopes to start delivering its first Transitions -- or "roadable planes," as the company calls them -- in late 2011.
Test pilot Phil Meteer, who was at the controls in Plattsburgh, said that the short and simple first flight was both "remarkably unremarkable" and vitally important: "Ninety percent of the risk in the total program comes in the first flight, and now we're past that."
A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Meteer said the plane handled so smoothly in the test flights that all of the possible contingencies he had practiced became irrelevant. "You're in a hypervigilant state" during the initial takeoff, he said, but as he saw how smoothly the flight was going he had a "wahoo moment: none of this is happening!"
Virgin Birth by Shark
Scientist have found a case of a birth by a Shark
without having sex with male. This is the second ever case of Virgin Birth in a Shark. This has proved that female sharks have a capability by which they can reproduced without mating.
Team Of Scientist
The team of scientist that carried out this research consists of Dr. Demian Chapman , shark scientist with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University, Beth Firchau, Curator of Fishes for the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Dr. Mahmood Shivji, Director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Professor at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
They have proven that offspring of a female blacktip shark named Tidbit contained no genetic material in its DNA from a father. Tidbit is in Virginia Aquarium in Norfolk Canyon Aquarium for eight years since shortly after her birth in the wild.
First Reporting of Virgin Birth
Chapman and Shivji were a part of team that reported a virgin birth in a female shark in May 2007. That shark at Omaha, Nebraska zoo had not been in contact with male shark for atleast 3 years. This news captured global media and scientific attention, when it was published in journal Biology Letters.
Parthenogenesis
Parthenogenesis is the technique used for DNA fingerprinting in human paternity testing. The same technique was used to prove both cases of Virgin Birth in sharks.
Scientific Point of View
According to Chapman, "Sharks' ability to reproduce alone should not be viewed as an adequate replacement for normal sexual reproduction". The Blacktip and Hammerhead sharks that reproduced without mating both only produced one pup, rather than an entire litter. Shark litters normally contains few to more than a hundred shark pups, depending upon the species.
This case can't stop us worrying from decreasing of shark population due to overfishing.
According to Chapman, "It is very unlikely that a small number of female survivors could build their numbers up very quickly by undergoing virgin birth."
without having sex with male. This is the second ever case of Virgin Birth in a Shark. This has proved that female sharks have a capability by which they can reproduced without mating.
Team Of Scientist
The team of scientist that carried out this research consists of Dr. Demian Chapman , shark scientist with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University, Beth Firchau, Curator of Fishes for the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Dr. Mahmood Shivji, Director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Professor at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
They have proven that offspring of a female blacktip shark named Tidbit contained no genetic material in its DNA from a father. Tidbit is in Virginia Aquarium in Norfolk Canyon Aquarium for eight years since shortly after her birth in the wild.
First Reporting of Virgin Birth
Chapman and Shivji were a part of team that reported a virgin birth in a female shark in May 2007. That shark at Omaha, Nebraska zoo had not been in contact with male shark for atleast 3 years. This news captured global media and scientific attention, when it was published in journal Biology Letters.
Parthenogenesis
Parthenogenesis is the technique used for DNA fingerprinting in human paternity testing. The same technique was used to prove both cases of Virgin Birth in sharks.
Scientific Point of View
According to Chapman, "Sharks' ability to reproduce alone should not be viewed as an adequate replacement for normal sexual reproduction". The Blacktip and Hammerhead sharks that reproduced without mating both only produced one pup, rather than an entire litter. Shark litters normally contains few to more than a hundred shark pups, depending upon the species.
This case can't stop us worrying from decreasing of shark population due to overfishing.
According to Chapman, "It is very unlikely that a small number of female survivors could build their numbers up very quickly by undergoing virgin birth."
The Square
Jack Dorsey, the co-inventor of Twitter, is promoting his latest invention called the Square.
The square is a small plug-in attachment to your mobile phone that allows you to receive credit card payments.
The idea originated from Dorsey's friend Jim McKelvey who was unable to sell some glass work to a customer because he couldn't accept a particular card being used.
Accepting credit card payments for something you're selling isn't always easy, especially if you are mobile like a tradesman, delivery service or a vendor at a trade show.
This latest invention uses a small scanner that plugs into the audio input jack on a mobile device.
It reads information on a credit card when it is swiped. The information is not stored on the device but is encrypted and sent over secure channels to banks.
It basically makes any mobile phone a cash register for accepting card payments.
As a payer, you receive a receipt via email that can be instantly accessed securely online. You can also use a text message to authorize payment in real time.
Retailers can create a payer account for their customers which accelerates the payment process.
For example, a cardholder can assign a photo to their card so their photo will appear on the phone for visual identity confirmation. Mobile devices with touch screens will also allow you to sign for goods.
There are no contracts, monthly fees, or hidden costs to accept card payments using Square and it is expected the plug-in attachment will also be free of charge.A penny from every transaction will also be given to a cause of your choice.
As with Twitter, it's anticipated that Dorsey will direct the company based upon feedback from users.
Square Inc. has offices in San Francisco, Saint Louis and New York and is currently beta testing the invention with retailers in the United States.
The square is a small plug-in attachment to your mobile phone that allows you to receive credit card payments.
The idea originated from Dorsey's friend Jim McKelvey who was unable to sell some glass work to a customer because he couldn't accept a particular card being used.
Accepting credit card payments for something you're selling isn't always easy, especially if you are mobile like a tradesman, delivery service or a vendor at a trade show.
This latest invention uses a small scanner that plugs into the audio input jack on a mobile device.It reads information on a credit card when it is swiped. The information is not stored on the device but is encrypted and sent over secure channels to banks.
It basically makes any mobile phone a cash register for accepting card payments.
As a payer, you receive a receipt via email that can be instantly accessed securely online. You can also use a text message to authorize payment in real time.
Retailers can create a payer account for their customers which accelerates the payment process.
For example, a cardholder can assign a photo to their card so their photo will appear on the phone for visual identity confirmation. Mobile devices with touch screens will also allow you to sign for goods.
There are no contracts, monthly fees, or hidden costs to accept card payments using Square and it is expected the plug-in attachment will also be free of charge.A penny from every transaction will also be given to a cause of your choice.
As with Twitter, it's anticipated that Dorsey will direct the company based upon feedback from users.
Square Inc. has offices in San Francisco, Saint Louis and New York and is currently beta testing the invention with retailers in the United States.
The World's Largest Land Mammals
Mammals Grew About 1000 Times Bigger
Researchers have demonstrated that the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago paved the way for mammals to get bigger - about a thousand times bigger than they had been. The study titled, "The Evolution of Maximum Body Size of Terrestrial Mammals," released today in the prestigious journal Science, is the first to quantitatively explore the patterns of body size of mammals after the demise of the dinosaurs.The research, funded by a National Science Foundation Research Coordination Network grant and led by University of New Mexico Biology Associate Professor Felisa Smith, brought together an international team of paleontologists, evolutionary biologists and macroecologists from universities around the world.
The goal of the research was to revisit key questions about size, specifically in mammals. "Size impacts all aspects of biology, from reproduction to extinction," said Smith. "Understanding the constraints operating on size is crucial to understanding how ecosystems work."
Building a Comprehensive Mammal-Size Database
In order to document what happened to mammals after the extinction of dinosaurs, researchers collected data on the maximum size for major groups of land mammals on each continent, including Perissodactyla, odd-toed ungulates such as horses and rhinos; Proboscidea, which includes elephants, mammoth and mastodon; Xenarthra, the anteaters, tree sloths, and armadillos; as well as a number of other extinct groups. The researchers spent three years assembling the data."The database is unique," said Smith "because it's comprehensive, including mammals from all continents since the extinction of the dinosaurs. We estimated body size from fossil teeth, which are the most commonly preserved parts of mammals."
ammals grew from a maximum of about 10 kilograms when they were sharing the earth with dinosaurs to a maximum of 17 tons afterwards. The researchers found that the pattern was surprisingly consistent, not only globally but also across time and across trophic groups and lineages - that is, animals with differing diets and descended from different ancestors - as well.
Mammal Size Peaks in the Oligocene
maximum size of mammals began to increase sharply about 65 million
years ago, peaking in the Oligocene Epoch
(about 34 million years ago) in Eurasia, and again in the Miocene Epoch
(about 10 million years ago) in Eurasia and
Africa. The largest mammal that ever walked the earth - Indricotherium
transouralicum, a hornless rhinoceros-like
herbivore that weighed approximately 17 tons and stood about 18 feet
high at the shoulder - lived in Eurasia almost 34 million years ago.
"The remarkable similarity in the evolution of maximum size on the different continents suggests that there were
similar ecological roles to be filled by giant mammals across the globe," said Smith. "This strongly implies that
mammals were responding to the same ecological constraints."
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