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iLounge Game Spotlight: JoyJoy
JoyJoy ($2) is a frantic, flashy shooter from Radiangames. Originally released on Xbox Live Indie Games four years ago, JoyJoy just hit the App Store this week with touchscreen controls. The developer has noted the scoring system has been revised for the new mobile version, as has the game's UI.
From the start, JoyJoy's look reminded us of an old-school handheld water tank game, where you'd have to push a button to get a ring or a ball to float to a certain place. It's simple, but inviting, with fluid animation. Screenshots don't really do the game justice. Your small ship is trapped inside a similar, blue area and you must zoom around, fending off enemies with a variety of weapons as you dip and dive past them. Each new level — referred to as a wave — brings new enemies, patterns, and challenges.
Luckily, the controls in JoyJoy are much more precise than in those old floaty games. For such an action-packed game, we found them quite enjoyable. Using onscreen controls, one stick controls your ship, and the other fires — though firing is done automatically, you can take manual control if you'd prefer. Another button switches through six different weapons, which can all be upgraded, and a fourth button activates Ultrafire mode, unleashing a rapid-fire torrent of shots from your ship. We played the game on an iPad mini and found the onscreen controls worked fine, but we can see why controller support would be quite welcome for a game like this — if you have a controller, your thumbs will thank you.
To the average gamer who isn't a huge shooter fan, games like these can become tiresome quickly. However, JoyJoy does a great job of providing several options to keep a gamer's interest — five different difficulty settings are there from the start, with two unlockable settings offered as well. Control options can be changed, and achievements are saved at every level of the game. Most notably, a separate challenge mode tasks players with surviving a particular level for four minutes while trying to get the highest score possible in that time. Some players might prefer it to the more traditional wave mode.
If we had any qualms, we'd like to see JoyJoy switch up its colors a bit more — an ominous red feels welcome whenever it takes over the screen — and we wouldn't mind larger levels and a bit more variety in the enemies. But the game's tight control, mix of weapons, and different game modes — not to mention the $2 price tag — should give many gamers reason to consider a download. For shooting buffs, JoyJoy is a no-brainer.
iLounge Rating: B
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The Global FlyFisher - The Largest and Best Place to go for Online Fly Fishing and Fly Tying
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Results 61-70, 1743 total, on "steelhead" (0.28 seconds)
62. Steelhead and Spines - Our addiction to mountains and rivers has always had us looking north to Alaska, where big fish and mountains existed on a level we had only experienced in our dreams. As the winter of 2012 continued to disappoint in the lower 48, it was obvious that Alaska was being buried in snow. It seemed like the time was right, that maybe after 10 years of "practice" in Utah, we were ready for our journey north. We hit the road in March, putting everything we had into our first and for all we knew, our last adventure to Alaska, with two things on our mind, steelhead and spines. We joined forces with three of our friends from Utah, for a ski-plane assisted camping expedition in the heart of south eastern Alaska's backcountry. Over 50 miles by wing from the nearest road, our pilot dropped the 5 of us off on a big lonely glacier encircled by jagged mountains, and in the spirit of adventure, wished us good luck. We would need it. From that point on, the feeling of being completely alone in a wild and unknown land for the first time in our lives penetrated every cell in our bodies. Only one person in our group had ever been to Alaska, Chris Coulter. On day 8 when he suddenly left to work in Haines as a heli guide, the feeling of isolation crept deeper into our minds, and it had never felt so good. We chose to do this trip without any guides, plans, itineraries, or rules simply because we wanted to have our own experience. We wanted it to be raw, unknown, and we wanted it to be an adventure. Of course the style we chose made things much more difficult for us than they could have been, but the feeling of accomplishment was immense. We found glorious spines to ride, and stumbled upon one of the best runs of wild Steelhead in the world. Returning home safely from our first journey to Alaska signified a successful mission, along with the wonderful new memories from the greatest riding and fishing experiences of our lives. http://facebook.com/provobros http://ianprovo.com http://neilprovo.com Big thanks to Outdoor Research, Orvis, Backcountry.com, Voile, and Smith Optics music: "Elephant" - Tame Impala "Golden" - Tired Eyes Music "Bicycle Bicycle" - Early B "Distant Time" - Tired Eyes Music "Such a Sky" - Tired Eyes Music "Shining Sun Riddim" - Riga / Hemp Higher Prod. "Heaven's on Fire" - The Radio Dept. - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
63. The Dean - A taxi to your local airport, a plane to Vancouver, a puddle jumper to Bella Coola deep in the mountains of BC, and a helicopter ride over rugged and unforgiving snow-capped peaks brings you to the most pristine and jaw dropping river you will ever see in your life. And there are steelhead, lots of steelhead. - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
64. Wild Steelhead - Alaska 2011 - Wild steelhead and beautiful Alaska in the Situk River - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
65. Steelhead in the Russian River - Adult steelhead in a tributary to the Russian River. Filmed in February 2013. - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
66. Kitimat Steelhead - Floating for steelhead - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
67. Huge Steelhead and Trophy Chinook Salmon flyfishing in BC - Please view our year-end video of our clients fly fishing for Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon and Chum Salmon whilst in British Columbia, Canada. The footage isn't true HD but the fish are - Huge Dorsals! - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
68. BC Steelhead - A short video depicting some great British Columbia Steelhead fly fishing in August/September of 2010. Fishing toiok place in the Skeena drainge. - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
69. Big Steelhead - Release of a monster steelhead caught on the fly, on Northern Vancouver Island. - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
70. Bead Fry Steelhead Tube Fly - MATERIALS LIST IS BELOW! This is a great fly for spring time Steelhead that are chomping down on eggs and fry. Due to the design, it is effective as both swung or drifted under an indicator, making it a great choice for a switch rod and in smaller tributaries. Based on a Greg Senyo pattern. Grocery List: Heritage Angling Products Tube (1.8mm mated with 3.0mm) Red Thread (Any will do) 8mm Trout Bead (Hole drilled to 2mm) Deer Creek UV Resins (Flex to mate the tubing, Hard to form the head) Deer Creek Gator Eyes Hareline UV Ice Dub (Pink) Hareline Senyo's Laser Dub (Grey) Red and Green Brush Tip Markers Required materials can be found at flymart.ca Awesome soundtrack by Head of the Herd www.headoftheherdmusic.com This pattern and more can be found on www.missionfishing.net Thanks for watching! - fly fishing video channel - Global FlyFisher
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subset: commoncrawl


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DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. - We all know that eating nutritious foods and getting enough physical activity is essential for good health. But when it comes to weight loss, some doctors believe chemicals are changing how our cells function, thereby actually training our bodies to hold onto fat. We went inside one Florida lab where they're looking for answers in people's cells.
"There's a lot that makes us fat," said Dr. David Blyweiss, Chief Medical Officer at Cell Science Systems in Deerfield Beach.
Inside what looks like a regular office building, is a lab analyzing the results of the "ALCAT" or "Antigen Leukocyte Antibody Test." It tests patients' white blood cells against hundreds of foods, chemicals, molds and other substances.
"We identify the foods they shouldn't eat which cause inflammation," said Dr. Blyweiss.
Here's how the test works:
If patients have a minor intolerance, their white blood cell swells up. If they have a severe intolerance, the white blood cell explodes.
"That biological clorox, which is how the white blood cells will kill viruses, is released into your bloodstream. The good news is that inflammation may last about six hours. The bad news is, what do you do after you eat breakfast six hours later? You eat lunch. And six hours later, you eat dinner," explained Dr. Blyweiss.
With more than a third of American adults considered obese by the CDC, Blyweiss and other researchers suggest diet and exercise are not the only factors.
They're focusing on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, sometimes referred to by scientists as "obesogens," found in seemingly healthy foods, cosmetics and other everyday products.
A report done by the White House task force on childhood obesity recommended more research on the effects of "obesogens," believed to lower metabolism and predispose people to gaining weight.
Blyweiss believes if they can pinpoint a chemical, food or substance triggering patients' health problems and they eliminate it, they can get patients back on track.
"There are pollutants in our environment that have now circulated and are in our air, in our water, in our food chains and they are directly causing obesity. And, we eat them, breathe them and drink them everyday," said Dr. Blyweiss.
There are many theories out there on what is fueling the obesity epidemic. While some patients swear by this test, some medical professionals and insurance companies say there's not enough evidence to support it. If you're struggling with weight issues, your best bet is to first ask your doctor for help.


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Highly publicized cyberattacks have put cybersecurity on C-suite and boardroom agendas, but this good news for entrepreneurs in the space also brings challenges. Ted Schlein, general partner at the venture firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and a veteran cybersecurity investor and practitioner, discussed the new industry landscape with Risk & Compliance Journal.
Saturday, November 15, 2014


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[ Masterweb Reports ] - Our attention has been drawn to the malicious and false publication by THISDAY online of November 26, 2014, to the effect of Abia PDP Appeal Panel disqualifying Orji's Son wherein it asserted partly that: "The alleged scheming by Governor Theodore Orji to foist his son, Chinedu, as a member, and possibly Speaker, of Abia State House of Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) may have hit the rocks following the disqualification of the aspirant (Chinedu) by the party's assembly screening appeal panel.
"The panel, which recommended the disqualification of the governor's son, comprised Augustus Mbanali (Chairman), Emmanuel Ogunsalu (member) and Emeka Odenigwe (member/secretary).
"Among the reasons for the disqualification of Orji junior who is gunning for Umuahia central state constituency, was the allegation of being a member of a secret society, the Black Axe Confraternity.
"A confessed member of the society in Umuahia had identified Chinedu as not only a fellow member, but actually the Capo (Head) of the cult."
That is not only false but also embarrassing and offensive as the totality of this publication is also diversionary and made in bad faith.
The said offensive publication is hereby refuted as not only being offensive but also defamatory in nature, false, mischievous and devoid of any shred of proof and maliciously made by the reporter in a bid to assail the hard earned integrity of Engr. Chinedum Orji.
It is on record that Engr. Chinedum Orji is not, and has not been a member of a secret cult as alleged in the said publication.
It is also on record that Engr. Chinedum Orji in a show of humility and compliance with the PDP rules and regulations presented himself for screening at the Finbarrs Road party secretariat on the 6th and 7th November 2014, wherein he was vetted and screened and consequently was issued a provincial clearance certification dated 7th November 2014 with serial number: 0000027 and Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji boldly written on it.
And there has never been any indictment or petition against his candidacy for any appeal panel to look into and hence there was no disqualification whatsoever. That one begins to imagine the source of the said publication which is at best the figment of the imagination of the reporter which is highly defamatory, maliciously made to injure the credit, character, reputation of Engr. Chinedum Orji to public shame, ridicule, odium and contempt for which it's demanded that the said false and defamatory publication be retracted forthwith with apology as there must be a limit within the law of freedom of the press not when it's as instant case, scandalous, embarrassing and defamatory.
Charles Ajunwa
Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor
*Photo Caption - PDP logo
[ Masterweb Reports ] - The National Coordinator, Initiative for National Rebirth, Mr. Patrick Okpomu had declared that President Goodluck Jonathan deserved more than a birthday card and has urged Nigerians to deliver their electoral mandate as a token of appreciation to the NIGERIAN CONSENSUS CANDIDATE; Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR comes 14th February, 2015 Presidential Election as he celebrates his 57th birthday today.
He stated this in a special birthday congratulatory message on behalf of the National Working Committee of Initiative for National Rebirth, the good people of Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora to felicitate with the President, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR in marking the President's 57th birthday celebration. He used the opportunity in thanking God for His amazing grace upon the life of the President. A life he had unambiguously dedicated to the service, uplifting and promotion of humanity. And prayed God to continue to magnify him before the world and make him wax stronger.
Mr. Okpomu emphasized that as a bridge builder, Nigerians are convinced that the President's Re-election in 2015 would herald peace in the country and foster unity among the various ethnic nationalities to achieve the President's vision of the NIGERIAN PROJECT. He assured the President of the organization's continuous support and co-operation at all times for the common good of Nigeria.
He further eulogized the President as a true and outstanding advocate of generational and transformational change. A leader of everything that symbolized progress, prosperity and excellence. Indeed a trailblazer yet too humble, whose trademark is empowerment. A rare leader, an institution in building humanity.
The National Coordinator of INR also prayed that the Almighty God would continue to grant the President good health, long life and more wisdom as he continued to serve the country with more commitment and love. He remarked that the President had shown greater commitment to infrastructural development and better deal for the citizens of the great country, Nigeria.
As the President add one glorious year to his sojourn on earth, Mr. Okpomu further prayed the Almighty God to add more healthy and fruitful years to his days, that he may leave more enduring legacies for generations yet unborn through quality service.
He also commended the President for his energy, intellect and humility which had separated him, "THE MAN from THE BOYS". And the story of development and growth in Nigeria today under his quintessential leadership, rekindles Nigerians hope in the NIGERIAN PROJECT; that with focused leadership, things could still be gotten right.
He further affirmed that the President had proved bookmakers wrong by his remarkable and enviable achievements in the health sector reforms and the eradication of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease which had prompted the World Health Organization certifying Nigeria Ebola-free nation. And as a testimony of the President's doggedness, uncommon intellect, focused leadership and co-operation of Nigerians.
He finally highlighted the administration's many successful exploits in education, infrastructure development, agriculture, health, youth employment and empowerment, road construction, aviation etc which stand the President out among equals. And concluded that the President's development records and bold steps as a bold and quiet achiever, a lover of sports and manager of resources were evident testimonies for all to see. And on this verge that the President's Declaration of Intent to run for the 2015 Presidential Election under the Peoples Democratic Party comes 14th February 2015 was quite commended by Nigerians in order to consolidate on the gains and laudable achievements of the TRANSFOR MATION AGENDA.
*Photo Caption - President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
[ Masterweb Reports: Steve Ochonma reports ] - I read online on Sunday October 24th, on Naij.Com news, an article entitled: Governor Amechi Reveals shocking truth about what caused Enemity between himself and Dame Patience Jonathan. In the said piece, Amechi was quoted to have said During the 1st graduating Ceremony of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, River State, on October 24th as follows: "Remember when I become governor, I fought militancy….., and chased the militants away. Some of them went to Lagos, Ivory Coast, Ghana, etc., today; they are back, because the wife of the president brought them back to protest against me. I refused to give them money in Abuja because , if I do that I won't be able to carry out any development project……., the quarrel between me and the wife of the president is because she said I should bring your money, Rivers people's money and share with her'.
Amechi also alleged further that the Federal government under president Jonathan has been unfair to Rivers State, refusing to carry out any project in Rivers State, and that the East-west road is now being reconstructed only because he had to "abuse" the Federal government. He also alleged that Jonathan had taken Oil wells from Soku in Rivers State and gave same to Bayelsa State, and that 41 Oil wells in Etche in Rivers State have also been given to Abia State, and asked if President Jonathan is from Abia.
But the height of Amechi irresponsibility and insensitivity was to be seen from his incitement of the young graduates. According to Amechi "you should be careful of who you vote into power come 2015. If you vote President Jonathan back into power in next year's general elections, Rivers State economy would crumble. Why do they want us to suffer? If President Jonathan comes back to power in 2015, Rivers State economy will crash'.
What could be more inciting and fear mongering than those statements credited to a governor of the Federal republic of Nigeria, all in the name of cheap politics. One would have thought that Amechi would tell us the bad policies and actions of President Jonathan that have impacted negatively on the economy of Rivers state. And submit the program of his new party aimed at addressing those policies, thereby giving us reasons to vote for change in 2015. To resort to cheap blackmail is disgusting and would not woo voters to the side of opposition. It also exposes Amechi and Co as desperadoes who have something to lose personally if Jonathan continues in office beyond 2015. The choice of whether Jonathan stays beyond 2015 or not is not Amechi's but that of Nigerian voters. Amechi was showing the wrong example of leadership to those young graduates of Ajuru University and solving seed of discord. Again that was not a political gathering so Amechi should have chosen his words carefully.
Not only was Amechi's account of the Soku and Etche Oil wells fabrication lies, it was morally wrong for Amechi to bring that up in such a forum, knowing full well that he was lying. The court records are there for any sincere investigator to verify. The Oil well in Soku belonged to Bayelsa as the court has decided, all Amechi could do is Appeal up to the Supreme Court for reversal of the judgment, or appeal to God as was the case in Amechi vs Omehia. He should remember that he was not on that ballot and so God would not have giving a stolen mandate through the back door. Amechi should have known as speaker of Rivers house of Assembly for 8 years and now governor for 7 years, that it was Obasanjo who constituted a panel to look into dispute between neighboring states regarding Oil wells ownership. These disputes involved Akwa-Ibom and Rivers, Rivers and Imo, Rivers and Abia, and Rivers and Bayelsa.
The report of the panel is there for everyone to see and read, so why politicize these issues. Rivers State had enjoyed the proceeds from the Oil well belonging to her neighbors, which were wrongly credited to her, over the years and still do till date. For Instance, all the oil wells under SPDC's operation designated as Obigbo North is actually in "Imo gate" in Abia State. But Rivers State still receives money from Federal government on them till date, so if some of the injustices melted to Abia is being reversed now, how does that amount to unfairness. The victim in this Oil well dispute is Abia and certainly not Rivers.
When Barr. Nyesom Wike was the Chief of staff, Rivers government house, he has alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices. An allegation, the EFEC was to investigate. In the midst of the outcry that followed Wike's purported investigation, Amechi-who had previously stated that after God, the next person he owes gratitude to was Mr. Nyesom Wike, threatened the EFEC and Federal government, that if Mr. Wike was to be arrested, Rivers people will resist it with their blood. The same Amechi was to reverse himself later to say that Mr Wike is indeed corrupt and has not executed contracts awarded to him by him to the tune of billions of Naira, up to date and queried why such a person should aspire to be Governor.
He warned "Rivers people" not to allow PDP or Mr Wike to win the election in 2015. One could see from the foregoing that Amechi is wavering, unstable and insensitive, saying one thing at a point and another later as it suits him. He only calls upon his so called "Rivers People" when he needs to fight personal enemies.
It was alleged that Amechi have given contract to his Cohorts running into several billions of naira without due process. He was said to have bypassed the ministries in awarding bogus contracts to friends and family and pay for jobs upfront. One would have considered such claims erroneous and a handiwork of his political detractors, but the Governor himself seems to have confirmed all that by admitting to have given Wike those contracts. Mr. Wike was never a construction contractor before Amechi's government so how did he become on overnight, and why were "Rivers people" not consulted prior to those awards. Now he remembers that the money he had been throwing away belongs to Rivers people. It does not seem Amechi is a frugal spender, no sooner was he sworn in as Governor, than he sold the two aircrafts bought "brand new" by his predecessor to other state governments and leased another from the Bank of Utah in the USA for himself purporting to have bought it for Rivers State. As I write, the opposition in the state are still asking question on the proceeds from those two aircraft and the billions of dollars appropriated for the purchase of another aircraft for Amechi, by the state house. I am not aware that a account of stewardship on those transactions have been rendered, to "Rivers people. So he should not involve the Rivers people now in his personal fight with Mr. Wike and Dame Patience Jonathan. They all will answer to us- the authentic "Rivers People" at the appropriate time.
In the midst of all these glaring proof of Amechi wastefulness, how does he want us to believe that the issue between him and the first lady of Nigeria is money? Amechi is reported to be the chief financer of APC, Weather that is true or not we are yet to ascertain. Ameachi has given out to cohorts more money under various disguise than any other Governor I know of today in Nigeria, and most of those who benefitted from the Ameachi largese in the last 3 years, at least, are non "Rivers People. So if the first Daughter of the state asked for help from her "younger brother", why should that bring quarrel? So Amechi would rather starve Rivers Daughter and give to cohorts?
How can Amechi convince us that the first lady asked him for money and for what purpose? I don't think any wife of the President of Nigeria that we know of is a poor person, with all the access to fund at their disposal. Who did the first lady sent to Amechi? Was Amechi to bring cash, pay money into a bank account or give contract to the first lady? The Governor of Rivers state also alleged that the wife of the president brought back the militants to the state to protest against him. Who are these militants, how did the first lady bring them back, and why would she want to bring them back, and why would she want to bring Amechi down, is she running for Governor in 2015, what exactly Is her interest in protesting against Amechi. Those are questions that we need answers to, and from the Governor. Ameachi needs to enlighten us on these, or in the absent of concrete proof, just retrace his footstep and apologies to the woman. We expect a Governor of a state to b sensitive and responsible in both his words and deeds and not to act like an ordinary street person. That's the kind of example that those University of Education graduates needs. To do otherwise is highly irresponsible and a "motor park" leadership.
Steve Ochonma ( Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ) reports.
*Photo Caption - Governor Rotimi Amechi -LEFT; Dame Patience Jonathan -RIGHT.
[ Masterweb Reports: Emeka Umeagbalasi reports ] - (Security & Safety, Onitsha Nigeria, 31st October 2014)-Various handling styles adopted by the Federal Government of Nigeria in its prosecution of war and counter terrorism against the Boko Haram terror group have failed woefully to address and tame the violence. Such handling styles have also exacerbated the country's horrible human rights situations and emboldened the violent armed opposition groups in commission of atrocious crimes against the citizens of the country. From planning/intelligence to field battles; and from aerial assaults to negotiation/ceasefire to information dissemination and management, the results have been very catastrophic and marked with total failures. Unconventional reportorial approaches adopted by the Nigerian media in covering the insurgency warfare have also worsened the situation. Principles guiding modern war media coverage and report are hugely absent in Nigeria. These have deeply worried the Security & Safety Program of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law.
Blunders of the warfare have remained the Federal Government's stock in trade since the insurgency became more disastrous and pronounced in 2009. The latest of such blunders was recent declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by the Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff without any convincing and concrete evidence of ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram terror group. Just like the recent Stephen Davies's Phantom Third Party Negotiation, all the fundamental principles guiding modern day ceasefire agreement and declaration are also totally absent in the so called ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Federal Government.
The declaration came days after the Federal Government, for the first time, earned an insignificant military advantage over the Boko Haram insurgents, which was achieved in collaboration with the Republic of Cameroun. The swift collapse of the phantom ceasefire is not surprising. This is because it is a clear evident that the Federal Government till now, is yet to study and understand fundamentals of guerrilla/insurgency/asymmetric warfare including their phases, features, dilemmas and vulnerabilities. The good study and understanding of the Boko Haram terror group in the context of its methodology will bring about better counter terrorist measures to deal with them in line with the international best practices.
Unfortunately, the terror group appears to be better strategically positioned than the Federal Government and its military advisers. The terror group's adoption of asymmetric/guerrilla war strategy against the Federal Government is one of such examples. The terror group is ingrained and tailored along modern unconventional warfare with a number of strategic advantages already secured against the Federal Government.
For the records, we talk of insurgency when a group of belligerents attempt violently and illegally to change the way a country is governed. There are various types of insurgency including anarchist insurgency, which best describes the present Boko Haram terror uprising. For guerrilla warfare, it is irregular and protracted warfare launched against a sitting government by voluntary forces usually in small bands or commandos operating outside conventional military organizations.
For terrorism, it involves systematic use of terror as a means of coercion or with intent to create fear or terror in the minds of the people particularly the non combatants/civilians so as to force a sitting government to submit to an ideological pursuit or positional, needs and interests under contention. For asymmetric conflict, it is a violent struggle between two or more States and non State actors or groups who possess considerable level of unequal power relation. In this, one party is regarded as inferior while the other is superior.
Asymmetric/guerrilla warfare is the most difficult war strategy in that it is very difficult to crush. Those who subscribe to this type of warfare also have different strategies to prosecute it. Generally, there are three major phases of guerrilla warfare as developed by Mao Zedong in 1938. Phase 1 involves Organization, Consolidation and Preservation. Phase 2 involves Progressive Expansion (sabotage, terror, active guerrilla warfare and deception) and Phase 3 involves resorting to conventional warfare and abandonment of asymmetric tactics. During this phase, orthodox combatants are formed and deployed to confront the enemy and possibly dislodge it and takeover sit of power.
In features of asymmetric warfare usually adopted by the inferior party (i.e. Boko Haram terror group) there are technologically advanced weaponry, speed and precision, favorable terrain, training and tactics, etc. In features of guerrilla warfare, there are operations, application of terror, surprise and intelligence, population support, blending with civilian population, withdrawal, logistics, terrain, foreign supports and guerrilla initiative & intensity.
Main tactics and strategies of guerrilla warfare are intelligence, ambush, deception, sabotage and espionage. There are also ethical dilemmas associated with asymmetric/guerrilla warfare such as intimidation, irresponsible attacks on civilian population, transferred aggression and disobedience of the laws of the war. According to Mao Zedong, when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; and when the enemy retreats, we pursue.
From the forgoing instances, it is clear that the Federal Government of Nigeria and its military advisers were fooled and deceived into declaring a unilateral ceasefire owing to lack of studying and understanding the war game plan of the Boko Haram terror group particularly against the backdrop of the terror group's recent setbacks in its war against the Federal Government. In the three-phase guerrilla warfare strategies, a failure at phase two or three automatically means reverting to Phase 1 or 2. Deception tactics such as pretentious acceptance of ceasefire might have been applied by the Boko Haram terror group with a view to rearming or re-strategizing. The military advantage recorded against the terror group should have been sustained so as to force the group into a number of meaningful concessions including real ceasefire and freeing of Chibok girls. The unilateral declaration of ceasefire by the Federal Government of Nigeria and its military advisers was hasty and an infantile calculation.
Condemned is also the way and manner the Federal Government of Nigeria and its military chiefs turned Aso Rock and the Nigerian Defense Headquarters into owambe carnival celebrating phantom ceasefire and mirage promise for the release of held Chibok girls. On the other hand, those who are desperate to win international awards over their internet campaigns on held Chibok girls compounded the situation by hurriedly ferrying themselves to CNN, Aljazeera and other international media headquarters to celebrate phantom promises made for the release of Chibok girls; forgetting that over 500 of such female vulnerable citizens are still under the captivity of the terror group since January 2014 without any sign of freeing a single one of them since then. As reports have it, release of Chibok girls has not only become elusive but also Mubi and other strategic communities in Adamawa State as well as Borno State have since been retaken by the butchery group with the Federal Government and its military advisers doing little or nothing.
The worst is the continuing lukewarm disposition of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the opposition political parties towards all these. While the country is on fire with dozens slaughtered daily, the political authorities are busy purchasing forms for the purpose of contesting 2015 polls by fire by force. It does not concern them that the terror group has become more menacing by engaging with reckless abandon in all kinds of heinous crimes including war crimes of ethnic and religious cleansing, forceful religious conversion, forceful movement of populations, abduction of the under aged and child soldiering as well as humanity crimes of murder, torture, rape and other terrorist activities. The number of those killed, maimed, displaced and "refugeed" has continued to swell. The Presidency is in the know that the Boko Haram terror group has killed over 13, 000 citizens since 2009, yet it does nothing to tame it. Our estimates have also continued to show that over 5,000 citizens have lost their lives to Boko Haram and Fulani Islamist terror groups since January 2014.
Compounded by the Federal Government's unwillingness and inability to sanction the atrocity criminals under reference and tame their heinous criminal activities is its blatant refusal to extent its obligatory invitation to the International Criminal Court for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting the atrocity criminals from both State and non-State divides. Just recently, the governing authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) extended similar invitation to the ICC Chief Prosecutor for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting those responsible for unlawful killings associated with recent political crisis in the country. In Nigeria, the authorities have chosen to watch their innocent people slaughtered and maimed day in day out with impunity.
Report By:
Emeka Umeagbalasi
Board Chairman, International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (41, Miss Elems Street, Onitsha Nigeria). Emeka Umeagbalasi is also a Criminologist & Graduate of Security Studies; and MSc candidate in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
*Photo Caption - Emeka Umeagbalasi
[ Masterweb Reports: Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu reports ] - Continued from the first part ( http://nigeriamasterweb.com/Masterweb/breakingnews-301014-benchmarks-willie-obiano ), the second part highlights further thoughts and ideas on the critical development benchmarks for Willie Obiano.
Small, Medium And Large Farms Mechanization:
Maximising agricultural productivity can be achieved through a special programme of small, medium and large farms mechanization. This can be done through the procurement of machines and equipment by the government for lease to operators of organised small, medium or large farms. Special storage and processing facilities should be constructed for the processing and storage of farm products. The possibility of establishing a marketing board to serve as a stop-gap to buy goods from farmers should also be considered.
New Awka City: Capital Territory
Anambra deserves a befitting capital that captures the ambitions and aspirations of the people. A modern capital city in the 21st century should ideally include metro lines, tramways, industrial parks, strategic service gates, central business districts, residential areas/modern housing estates, green areas or parks, schools, hospitals and other attributes of a well planned city. In the immediate short term, modern housing estates which can be aggressively developed in phases in partnership with the private sector under the "build and sell" scheme can deliver a modern city with a breathtaking skyline within 4-8 years. Priority should be given to high-rise apartments (about 50%) because of population density. This cost effective method will see the government spending very little as projects will almost completely be funded by private investors under the build and sell scheme once the government initiates and adequately incentivises the project.
The real estate industry is ordinarily one of the core areas of growth in every economy and a win-win strategy as houses in the complex will be duly advertised and sold at modest profits keying into the large Diaspora and local population desirous of owning homes in modern estates, while the initial capital could be immediately recycled to begin another phase of housing estates. Potential investors desirous of owning homes in the proposed estates could pay upwards of 10% deposit to secure their own homes even before construction begins. With this win-win method, a whole new modern city dotted with immaculate housing estates can be developed in phases with a construction induced growth taking root in the state.
Special Onitsha Regeneration Project:
Onitsha is in decline because there has been no significant investment in infrastructure over the years. A special Onitsha regeneration project should be undertaken to rebuild and modernise major areas of the city. A tolled city ring road or inner city road network that will be self financed through the tolls should be introduced. Green areas should be integrated parts of the city. A central business district (CBD) should be developed in Onitsha. New areas for modern residential estates should be established. The international market should be modernised and expanded. Major shopping malls such as Shoprite and others should in partnership with the private sector be established in Onitsha to boost upscale commerce. Special economic zones and self serviced Industrial parks should also be established to consolidate the commercial and industrial base of the city.
Revenue Generation: Introduction Of Development Levy And Diaspora Support Funds Or Bond
With the continuing fall in crude prices and the concomitant fall in federal allocations, it has become increasingly necessary to source other areas of income through a more aggressive internal revenue drive and the introduction of a development levy and Diaspora support fund. While the state government can intensify revenue collection possibly through privatisation, it should also introduce property taxes to be known as development levy which would apply a modest annual tax to different categories of properties. A Diaspora development support fund whereby all interested persons within Nigeria and from the Diaspora can donate to fund outlined specific projects should also be created. An investment Diaspora bond could be created as an added initiative that attracts a pool of investment funds/bonds that would be utilised for commercially viable projects with financial returns for investors. These strategies amongst others would create a sustainable revenue pool for the state government and provide revenue for fast-tracked development.
Street Lighting:
Street lighting might seem unimportant but it is a significant facelift and one of the few parameters with which a functional government can be judged. Lighting up all the towns and cities in the state can be done urgently by partnering with a reputable firm or firms that is charged with responsibility to install and maintain streetlights in towns and cities across the state. Solar energy has provided a shortcut to street lighting which the governor can harness. It is important that ongoing maintenance be part and parcel of any arrangement for street lighting to ensure that the street lights are kept functional through servicing and maintenance.
To be continued!
Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu ( Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ) reports.
*Photo Caption - Governor Willie Obiano
[ Masterweb Reports: Dr. Peregrino Brimah reports ] - The leadership of Nigeria by announcing a meaningless unilateral cessation of fire with Boko Haram terrorists succeeded in giving the terror organization unprecedented credibility. The terrorists now assumed a status as a "rebel" group with control of territory. From a group of bandits hanging out in Sambisa forest, Boko Haram has since April of this year, emerged and overrun and captured large chunks of the northeast.
Bokoistan is established and continues to expand reducing the territory of Nigeria. The Nigerian leadership is excited with the results from systematically carving out Bokoistan, an independent State for the President of Chad and Ali Modu Sheriff to manage in the farming fertile, oil rand uranium rich northeast; and to this effect have played all types of games including recently announcing the meaningless cessation of fire, to enable the success of this disintegration ploy.
Negotiations with terrorists; declarations of ceasefire's, albeit, unilaterally, the request by the Nigerian government for sanctions on Boko Haram and the refusal of Nigeria to engage the terrorists and enable the arming of its citizens to defend themselves from the occupying terrorist forces who have been left to "govern" over 12 local governments, implies the establishment of an autonomous region and state from Nigeria's former territorial boundaries. Bokoistan is alive.
The prediction that Nigeria would divide by 2015 has indeed come to pass. While Nigerians eyes were focused elsewhere, expecting a disintegration to be initiated by unsatisfied players in the Southeastern aspects, the division was taking place in the northeast and most were oblivious to it.
The full boundaries of Bokoistan are yet to be defined. One cannot yet determine how much of Nigeria's territorial land President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed upon selling to new found terrorist nation.
French is likely to be the official language of this new state according to most analysts as most leaders of Boko Haram are agents from neighboring Frenc h nations- Cameroon, Chad and Niger and negotiations with the terrorist leadership of the new State has been taking place in Cameroon and Chad , coordinated by Idriss Deby, the President of Chad.
Dr. Peregrino Brimah ( Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ) reports.
*Photo Caption - Map of Nigeria.
[ Masterweb Reports: Marelise Van der Merwe reports ] - Let me begin by stating that this opinion is not solely based on my own personal ruminations but rather on a relatively collective notion opined by South Africans of varying degrees whom I have discussed this salient topic with.
If truth be told, a certain negative connotation is unfortunately attached to the image of Nigerians in South Africa, formed by some unsavoury antics of her kinsmen within our nation such as drug pushing, internet fraud, armed robbery and illegal overstaying. I am not in anyway branding all Nigerians under the same illicit banner – but there are sufficient numbers who have done significant damage to arouse caution from the average South African.
In fact, Prophet T.B. Joshua's rise to popularity within South Africa has proven a key player in the 'rebranding' of the Nigerian image for many South Africans, buoyed by Emmanuel TV's brand of refreshingly practical, unorthodox Christianity. As many Nigerians living in South African can readily attest to, a question revolving around Joshua is almost certainly asked once their nationality is ascertained, exuding the influence he has within South African shores.
BBC's Chief African correspondent Will Ross recently reported how an uneducated local in rural Botswana identified Nigeria as 'T.B. Joshua's country' after learning Lagos was his base. It is an assertion similarly shared by many here, particularly in the rural areas of South Africa who automatically associate Africa's most populous nation with its most controversial pastor.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian government's response in the aftermath of the tragic building collapse at The SCOAN last month has done little to assuage this already precarious image. The private jet debacle whereby Nigerian money was illegally carried to South African soil for the purchase of arms, coupled by the painfully slow process of the repatriation of our fallen brethren in the collapse have only served to fuel an atmosphere of distrust and distaste.
It is unfortunate also that the inquest set up by the Lagos State Government into what truly transpired at The SCOAN has aroused equal qualms, its political undertones breeding scepticism within South Africa towards the genuineness of its intentions. From the initial sessions, it appears to be more of a platform for Lagos State Government to cover-up their own inadequacies in the rescue operation while ensuring a predetermined agenda is played out, ultimately bringing culpability on the part of The SCOAN for structural failures.
I have closely followed media updates surrounding the coroner's inquest, most of which came from Nigerian media sources as media coverage in the aftermath of the tragedy has reduced in South Africa. The propensity of focus toward debunking the claim of explosives being behind the collapse, alongside the insistence that T.B. Joshua himself appears at the inquest, certainly calls for questions. I am not saying such information is not valid but the sensational media headlines and lopsided reports suggest the outworking of a negative agenda against Joshua, orchestrated by both the Lagos State government and media houses reporting the incident.
For example, it was widely reported on Tuesday that pathologist Professor John Obafunwa ruled out claims of an explosion as the cause of the building collapse, saying none of the victims had blast injuries. However, a report from the following day's inquest where Obafunwa admitted he had only conducted autopsies on two bodies and could not authoritatively determine what was behind the collapse was barely mentioned.
Similarly, the apparent 'refusal' of church authorities to cooperate with external rescue bodies such as NEMA was disproportionately accentuated, to the extent that media commentators suggested such callous attitude actually increased the death toll. This was highlighted by the testimony of NEMA spokesman Ibrahim Farinloye at the inquest on Tuesday who claimed his team were not given access to the site until Sunday evening.
However, in Wednesday's session, a spokesman for the Nigerian Red Cross shared his own version of events, praising The SCOAN for their co-operation and efficiency and directly opposing Farinloye's claims. "When we got to the place, we met NEMA and LASEMA there, but we didn't see them carrying out any rescue operations," Ige Oladimeji told the court. Contrarily, he said the church officials were the ones who were championing the rescue mission, buoyed by The SCOAN's 10 ambulances and heavy duty rescue machinery provided by several local construction companies. Why was it that this aspect of the inquest was completely downplayed to barely a mention by the majority of media reports yesterday? Perhaps because it revealed shameful inadequacies within Nigeria's rescue team – both in attitude and action?
I recall reading an article by Nigerian-based journalist Simon Ateba, who was at The SCOAN on the day of the incident, sharing similar sentiments. "The truth is that NEMA has no equipment needed to rescue people," he bluntly stated. "All NEMA was doing was to release the number of the dead and the injured to the media. NEMA is a failed and incapacitated agency that cannot rescue anyone… They should shut the hell up and get enough funding and equipment to do their job rather than playing to the gallery and claiming that they "just coordinate ". Coordinate what? Interviews when people are trapped?"
In Thursday's session, Lagos State Commissioner for physical planning Olutoyin Ayinde was quoted as saying the airplane seen bypassing the ill-fated building on four occasions on the day of the incident was simply on a flight path towards Lagos airport. Why is it, however, that nearly two months after the incident, no official statement whatsoever has been made by the Nigerian government or aviation authorities concerning this? If indeed there was nothing sinister or suspicious in its movements, why wasn't there an immediate statement to that effect since this is an incident of grave international proportions?
Yesterday, a Nigerian lawyer called for the halting of the inquest, arguing that several agencies from within Lagos State had already made indicting statements against The SCOAN to the effect that structural inadequacies caused the collapse. He submitted that the inquest would 'seriously occasion miscarriage of justice' as it would base its decision on the testimonies of the same agencies. In the light of the above, I believe he has a very valid point.
As I wrote in an earlier article berating South African media's coverage of T.B. Joshua in lieu of this tragedy, I am an Emmanuel TV viewer and have visited The SCOAN once last year in what I would term a spiritually enhancing pilgrimage. The latest incident has not blighted this belief, although many pertinent questions still remain unanswered concerning the exact cause of the catastrophe.
It is unfortunate that the Lagos State inquest is not providing these answers but provoking even more questions, especially within South Africa.
Marelise Van der Merwe ( Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ), social analyst based in Johannesburg, South Africa reports.
*Photo Caption - Rescue workers Tuesday September 16, 2014 search for survivors in the rubble of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Lagos- Nigeria collapsed building. The building collapsed September 12, 2014.
[ Masterweb Reports: Uche Nwosu reports ] - In his thesis The Decay of Lying, Oscar Wilde, an Irish writer (1854-1900) declared that, "The final revelation is that lying, the telling of beautiful untrue things is the proper aim of the art". If we stress it further we can conclude that lying is the art of releasing information that is at variance or inconsistent with the reality.
Of recent, armed chair critics and political opponents of Gov TA Orji CON and his administration, in their uncanny attempts to sway public opinion against this performing governor of Abia – God's Own State, have tried unsuccessful to present falsehood as facts. They have been telling weird tales to the gullible; relentlessly concocting and fabricating pictures (both still and video) to goad the naive into accepting their falsehood and make-believe.
Take Aba as a case study; this epicenter of Igbo entrepreneurship has recently had its kismet recede colossally; thus becoming the object of the vitriolic attacks from the opposition camp. Certainly, before Aba's declivity, it served as a thriving municipality of commerce and industry. It held sway as the nucleus of small and medium scale enterprises in the West Africa sub-region. From 1960s till 1990s, Aba was a town that played host to all tribes and races of African descent who came from Lagos, Onitsha, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Cotonou, Yaoundé, Duala, Gabon etc to do business in it.
In retrospect, Aba's structural outlay was like that of London, Paris, Washington DC, or some few European and American cities which are charily planned and kept. Its roads were neat; the gutters were cleaned, letting current of water to flow ceaselessly to the huge Aba gutter; that gigantic drainage that traverses the town and empties its contents into the Aba River (the waterside) whenever it rained. Its filths were carted away as they were dumped. Indeed, Aba was (and still is) an architectural masterpiece. It was an organized city. For instance each street is separated from the other by a column of ten houses and numbered like that, thus making easier for any JJC in town to trace his way without missing road.
The houses are separated from each other by well maintained sanitary lanes with scintillating walkways which were cleaned up at every now and then. The Aba master plan was strictly adhered to during construction of buildings or factories in the years mentioned above. But alas! Aba lost its glory when OUK who now champions the network of virulent spleen against Gov TA ORJI and his government in the Sun newspapers took over the mantle of leadership as the second executive governor of Abia State.
From 1999 to 2007 Aba lost its splendor, it lost its shine; it lost its beauty and became blemish. Aba declined so retrogressively that to rebuild it will take years to do. Orji Uzor Kalu's administration encouraged the building of illegal structures such as shops, kiosks, motor parks, mini markets etc on the drainages, open spaces etc, including the Aba big gutter. His government then perfected the process of the blockage of the sanitary lanes which the military administrations before it started with the connivance of some dubious landlords and traders on the pretext of building more shops in the city and giving traders spaces to do business. The result was the colossal collapse of the fabrics of the town. Its aesthetics declined tremendously.
It turned out that what the drainages would have accommodated if they were open and scooped became the burden of the roads. Both the streets and roads suffered high degree of corrosiveness. His attempt to reconstruct and rehabilitate some of them was comical. The roads he tried to reconstruct or rehabilitate failed the test of road standard and quality. And because of their structural dubiety, Aba residents dubbed the roads he built in the city; "Dubai Roads" in derisive reference to some inferior goods (particularly shoes) were imported from Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirate.
It is ironical that the same man that laid the foundation for the present decay of Aba municipality under his watch as governor is the same man shouting blue murder against Gov Orji, who has carried out a lot of interventions to reclaim the city, preparatory to its holistic reconstruction.
Under OUK Aba ceased to have pipe-borne water. Other infrastructures like electricity that existed before he found himself in the apex political seat of the state were neglected. Certainly, Aba was worse under OUK. Roads such as: Ohanku, Obohia, East, Azikiwe, Ama Ogbonna, Ama Ikonne, Faulks, School, Clifford, Cameroon, Danfodio, Etche, Ulasi, etc were impassable before he exited in 2007; thus making him one of the most hated political office holders at that time.
In fact, the so called holocaust which he and his army of associates and writers claim Aba has relapsed into is totally of his own making. He is the architect of Aba's infrastructural and social declivity. If he had done the needful ie laying a strong foundation for a modern Aba that could compete strongly with the modern day Dubai, Shanghai, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, etc which Aba was their industrial and economic prelude, what would have laid at the bosom of the present administration under TA Orji would have been to consolidate on the foundation already laid and work would then start from there.
Even as he was not doing anything towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Aba which he and his paid writers are describing as hell on earth; as one of the worst cities on earth, OUK, through his aggressive diatribes against Aso Rock frustrated federal government's intervention on Aba or the entire Abia State. His regular vitriolic jabs against the federal authorities denied not only Aba but Abia its due share of the central government's largesse.
Has he forgotten how he made Abia a pariah state; a state where no investor or any serious national or international economic player could do business? Until Ochendo entered the arena, Abia was out of the circle; groping in the dark, isolated and treated as a leprous victim. Even though, Aba has not yet been placed on the pedestal of infrastructural bliss, a foundation is being laid to make the city to follow the foot paths of cities of Asia earlier mentioned in this piece.
Ochendo's administration has consistently rehabilitated federal roads in the city like Aba-Owerri road, Ikot Ekpene road, Azumini road, Port Harcourt road, Aba axis of Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway, without the central government giving it a dime. Presently, the government has set up another intervention task force led by the Commissioner for Works, Longman Nwachukwu and made up of crack team from the Ochendo's cabinet, prominent and non partisan Aba residents, captains of industry and civil engineers to once more rehabilitate the federal roads in the city following the subsiding of the rains. The work done so far by the task force has been exceptional.
Indeed, the intervention on Aba has been tremendous; if not for the lifeline thrown to it by the Ochendo's administration, Aba, would have been weighed down by the neglect of the past. The system of refuse disposal there has been outstanding; never mind some of the manipulated pictures being bandied about by the opposition camp.
However, like every other institution or city that is been started anew, the residents of the city has to endure some adversities. Everything has to start anew. The roads and other infrastructures will not have to be built overnight. It has to endure. What matters is the laying of the foundation. If Gov Orji, after laying a solid foundation for the reconstruction of Abia State does not have the time to start the proper reconstruction then the government after him will take off the gauntlet and do the needful.
But as for now kudos should be given to him for elevating and placing this state on the track of socio-economic recovery. He has laid the solid and quality infrastructural foundation which the government after him will find it easy work on and achieve decisive result that will be of immense benefit to Ndi Abia in particular and Nigeria as a whole. Abians are waiting for the person that will combine the dreams and forthrightness of Dr Michael Okpara; the resilience and accomplishment of Dee Sam Mbakwe, the vision and exploits of Chief TA Orji to take over from Ochendo.
For now, Ochendo has remarkably done well in all sectors. His seven and half years in office are not without concrete legacy projects: chief among them are the upgrade of the civil service, provision of quality education in the state, styling leadership that have compassed a new Abia. His administration has also restored sanity to the polity, empowered the women and youth as well as provided the road map for the much sought after Igbo unity and renaissance. No wonder he was elected as Chairman, South East Governors' Forum (SEGF) and recently conferred with a national award of Commander, Order of the Niger (CON).
Uche Nwosu reports.
*Photo Caption - Orji Uzor Kalu
[ Masterweb Reports: Ikechukwu Enyiagu reports ] - What a story! What a thought! The moment it entered into me I knew God was saying something again. Samuel and Saul, so it came. Why Samuel? And why Saul? We know they were both great men in their time but it's really much more; there was a relationship - a relationship birthed in love for God's word and from a passion to deliver the people.
Before we forget, prophet Samuel was begotten in faith by his mother Hannah and his father Elkannah after a period of groaning and desires. He, as his mother promised in pain and gratitude, had to grow up with prophet Eli's children; every christian and every history scholar have studied the three sons of Eli. Before I digress unintentionally, I only want to point out that it was through the young man Samuel who later became prophet to all that Saul got his kingly scepter. But he derailed. Therefore, through the same Samuel, the same Saul was brought back below himself - even yet below.
Having said enough, I implore, yet again, my brothers and sisters in positions of authority and responsibility to understand that God values accountability so much also. My God can give you anything. But He owns all and when His anger is aroused by your pride and foolishness, He will be there to take even the least from you. Be warned! Stand straight! Stand aside!
Ikechukwu Enyiagu ( Email: email@example.com ) reports.
*Photo Caption - Christian Symbol
[ Masterweb Reports: Godwin Adindu reports ] - The former governor of Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu is obviously angry. There is real bitterness in his heart. There is frustration all over him and this is clearly evident in his seminal writings. His ghosted writings, published under the Leadership Series in The Sun daily tabloid is scribbled with malicious ink and inspired by the estranged wife of Muse, the goddess of vengeance. There is fury in every line. There is murderous hatred. There is war.
The compilation, no doubt, is a good masterpiece of intellectual thuggery. I have read through all the series and they inspire me as a great narrative device, showcasing a knack for translating anger and frustration into a literary flow. The narrative pattern is superb, a great example of how to transmute emotional tantrum and unguarded ranting into a sentence structure; how to fume and be temperamental with the pen. Readers of his fictional narrative marvel at his extraordinary capacity for vengeful journalism, a tradition of turning words into pellets and destructive missiles; of unleashing mayhem, not with arms and bayonets, but with the written word.
If you consider that Kalu did not train in literary studies, then you must give him a prize and a crown for inventing this unique style of literary anger and adding to the world of scholarship. Many of us, even with our litany of degrees, have not brought anything to the body of knowledge. But, here is a man with a controversial certificate, unlearned in the art of the word, setting the pace and blazing the trail in developing a genre of writing and communication. In communicating a deep inner anger and an outer frustration with a flowing prose, all directed against Governor Theodore Orji, Kalu has broken a record in the history of Nigerian journalism.
Indeed, we must commend this business mogul for being an expert in tattered verse. For a whole season, the Leadership Series and the entire pages of The Sunhave been directed towards attacking the ebullient Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State. The literary attack has moved from malicious criticism to open warfare against Abia State. And what is Governor Theodore Orji's offence? His bold and audacious action of liberating Abia from the stranglehold of a family dynasty where Kalu is the grand emperor. The people's offence is that they rejected their captivity and joined Governor Orji in the grand match to freedom.
The cardinal aim of vengeful journalism as displayed by Kalu is character assassination and to instigate hate. But, the tragedy of his writings and his mission is that history already foreshadows his background and the standpoint from where he is coming from. His readers are in full knowledge of the history, circumstances and setting of his work and the reason that inspires his venom. They know that the writings are not shaped by objectivity but merely the desperation of a disgruntled fellow. His reputation of deceit and tyranny resonate over the message. Therefore, the enduring and universal appeal of the writings serves only as a reminder of a political relationship toured sour and of a lonely and deserted man struggling to cut a pound of flesh.
Kalu, by this sheer poetic irony, inadvertently exalts the object of his literary malice. His daily tabloid, The Sun, has so much been unleashed against Governor Orji and the good people of Abia State that rational observers quickly know that theirs is no more about journalism but a clear mission of mischief. Literary historians following the trajectory of a predecessor and a successor and recognizing the transformations that have come to Abia by virtue of the liberation know that Kalu's vengeful journalism is the last-ditch struggle of a drowning man. Therefore, the object of his criticism, Governor Orji, is instantly and universally recognized as the hero who tamed the mythological monster of traditional folklore.
What then is Kalu's anger? Kalu's anger is the same well known anger of all tyrants in history whose kingdoms are overthrown and crumbled by the very structures established by them. It is the same angry frustration of the ousted emperor who sits back in exile, full of regret and scruple, and watch his empire grow and triumph above him and without him. Kalu is shocked by the spontaneity of the people's rejection of him. Kalu is angry because the collective patrimony of the six million Abians is no more being used to service his home and his family. He cannot come to terms with the fact that he could be condemned to political limbo in a state he once bestrode as a colossus.
The humoured master strategist is angry because his boast that the structures he institutionalized would rule Abia for 50 years and that his daughter was going to be the youngest governor in Nigeria can no more prevail. Kalu's anger against his predecessor is rooted in Governor Orji's ardent determination to wrestle Abia out of the stranglehold of the dangerous cult of brotherhood headed by one family. He is angry because he has been stripped naked at the market square. The once enfant terrible of Abia has been de-robed. All the simulations that created the Kalu mystique have been unveiled. He is today a loner, denigrated and deflowered. He is as lonely as an orphan, abandoned by even his greatest die-hard followers. Thus,his battle is the ruthless struggle of the python hit on the head. Every grass, plant or the wild around bear witness to the fury of a python in its battle of life and death.
In the days of his pomp and power, Kalu and his mother were the very personification of power in Abia. For the eight years of his reign and the first three years of his successor, the master strategist held the state by the jugular. From the leadership of the Okada Riders Association, traditional rulers, market associations, clergy to every political appointment from local government councilors to even the aides of his successor, he held a suffocating grip on the state. Power started and ended at his doorstep. Now, he cannot reconcile himself with the bitter lesson of the aphrodisiac of power. The self-acclaimed master strategist is now a wandering minstrel, with no political worth or value.
This is, unarguably, Kalu's anger translated into an awkward literary narrative.
Adindu, President-General, Abia Renaissance Movement (ARM) reports.
*Photo Caption - Chief Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu


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TROPICAL GULF ACRES, Fla.- Charlotte County Sheriff's Major Crimes Unit detectives reported that the wife in an apparent suicide pact died Wednesday evening at Lee Memorial Hospital in Ft. Myers. Detectives said Patricia G. Wright, 57, had been critical and on life support since the shooting incident Sunday morning outside Friendship United Methodist Church, 12275 Paramount Drive in Tropical Gulf Acres.
Her 60-year-old husband, Bruce Wright, was found dead behind the church by the pastor; both were victims of self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head. Detectives recovered a shotgun and a rifle at the scene. The couple lived in Las Vegas and recently drove to Charlotte County in their Mazda Tribute SUV which was found in the church parking lot. They had been staying in a local motel. MCU detectives said the couple married in that same church over 40 years ago.
The investigation continues by MCU detectives trying to find out what happened that led to their suicide shooting deaths.


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Holiday Happenings
Check out all the Holiday Happenings at the CSB/SJU Bookstores!
Black Friday On-line Sale
Friday - Sunday, Nov. 28-30
Several items will be on sale on our websites only.
Christmas Open House
One Day In-Store Sale
Thursday, December 4
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December 10 - 16
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CSB Books Gift Set
Challenging Women Since 1913 & A Light Shining
20% off cover price


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Butterfly House
by Eve Bunting
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A young girl found a caterpillar and saved it from a jay. Her grandfather showed her how to take care of it until she was able to release it. Now, the young girl is much older living in her grandfathers home. Outside his house is full of butterfly's, and she believes it was all because of that day! Very touching story. It brings back memories that you once shared with those who have passed.
I enjoyed this story. I like how it has true facts about butterflies throughout it. I also like how the author provides facts in the back of the book, such as how to find a larva or how to feed a butterfly, so the reader can make their own butterfly house. I also enjoyed the book's pictures. The pictures are bright and colorful, giving the book a happy feel. Another thing that I like is how the author writes the story by breaking it down step by step. The reader is constantly informed of what the girl and her grandfather are doing. For example "We glued the painted flowers inside the box so it was bright with color." This gives the reader a really nice visual of what is happening in the story. Unfortunately, I think this book is more for young girls rather than boys. The illustrations are all in what is considered "girly" colors. This does not make it as appealing for a young boy, though the content is interesting. The main message of this story is what goes around comes around.
How girl builds butterfly house with Grandpa
This book is about a girl who helps who grandpa raise butterflies and when she get other they come back.
Age 3-5
After a little saves a caterpillar from a hungry Blue Jay, she finds out that it will become a butterfly. This is very exciting for this little girl. Her and Grandpa work together to make a caterpillar house and give the larva a safe place to live and mature. After the caterpillar matures in to a beautiful butterfly they release it back into nature. I love this story. The girl and her grandfather have a lovely relationship. The book includes the instructions to How to Raise a Butterfly like this girl did. This would be great to do with students, fun science project.
References to this work on external resources.
Wikipedia in English
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0590848844, Hardcover)With the help of her grandfather, a little girl makes a house for a larva and watches it develop before setting it free. And when the girl grows old, the butterflies come back to return her kindness.
(retrieved from Amazon Mon, 30 Sep 2013 13:21:25 -0400)
With the help of her grandfather, a little girl makes a house for a larva and watches it develop before setting it free, and every summer after that butterflies come to visit her.
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Best Living Science Fiction Writer?
If you like science fiction, you might be interested in this question on Quora: Who is the best living science fiction author and what is his/her best book? Some interesting picks here. My vote was for Ursula K. Le Guin, and I think her best book is The Left Hand of Darkness, but all of her books are great. Who would your choice be?
Filed under: Authors, Genres | 7 Comments
Tags: Science fiction, Ursula K Le Guin
7 Responses to "Best Living Science Fiction Writer?"
1 Joachim Boaz on September 26, 2011 said:
I agree completely. The Left Hand of Darkness is in my top three sci-fi books of all time — I think Robert SIlverberg ranks up there as well… Hawksbill Station, Thorns, The World Inside, A Time of Changes, The Stochastic Man, etc etc etc — the masterpieces are endless in number (alebit, along with a lot of crud).
2 Shannon on September 27, 2011 said:
I haven't read any Silverberg. Recommend a good title to get started with?
3 Joachim Boaz on September 27, 2011 said:
He's a very problematic author — he can be virulently misogynist. However, the ones I listed above stay away from that to a good degree. I loved Hawksbill Station, The Tower of Glass, and The World Inside.
I have reviews of two of those if you're interested (and a bunch of other lesser Silverberg works). Here's the list.
4 Joachim Boaz on September 27, 2011 said:
Oh, I forgot — Downward to the Earth is also a darn good read…
5 Shannon on September 27, 2011 said:
Thanks. I am never surprised to see misogyny in science fiction, although I have to admit, I don't much like to read it. But I will try any author once.
6 Joachim Boaz on September 27, 2011 said:
I agree with you completely — in a 40s/50s work I tend to vaguely tolerate it considering the time — however 60s and on get really angry…. But Silverberg is considered one of the greats so you should definitely read at least a few of his most famous.
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Dr. Jennifer L. Wallace, MD
Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric Health Care Alliance Fishhawk
- 5454 Lithia Pinecrest Rd
Lithia, FL 33547
- 1 Office Location
- (813) 571-6800
Dr. Jennifer L. Wallace has been practicing medicine for 12 years. Dr. Wallace graduated from the University of South Florida College of Medicine at Tampa in 2002. She practices medicine in Lithia, FL and specializes in Adolescent Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Wallace is affiliated with Saint Josephs Childrens Hospital and Florida Hospital Tampa. She speaks English and Spanish.
Gender: Female
Years in Practice: 12 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: University of South Florida College of Medicine at Tampa
Graduation Date: 2002
Hospital Affiliations: Saint Josephs Childrens Hospital, Florida Hospital Tampa
Specialties: Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics


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Complain as some people might, smartphones are getting bigger and bigger. Nothing exemplifies that fact more than phablets like the HTC DLX (or other variants, such as the J Butterfly), Samsung Galaxy Note II, and LG Optimus Vu II. Packing 5"+ displays, powerful CPUs, and 2GB of RAM, these phones aren't for your grandmother.
Last week, HTC announced the J Butterfly, a 5" phone with a monster 1080p display (that's 440ppi) mated to a quad-core CPU and 2 GB of RAM. The announcement made it pretty clear that the J Butterfly wasn't coming to the US, but similar devices certainly weren't out of the question.
Now, we're seeing blurrycam photos of what's claimed to be Verizon's variant, dubbed the DLX ("Deluxe"). Sure enough, it's apparently packing similar specs: the same 5" 1080p display, a quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 8MP rear shooter and 2MP front.
There are two types of people in this world: those who stick with the same carrier for decades at a time, and those who jump from one to another in order get the best phones. If you fall into the latter category, now may be the time to head over to AT&T, because the HTC One X just dropped to a penny at Amazon Wireless.
Sure, HTC may have already announced the One X+ with AT&T as its exclusive provider here in the States, but that doesn't take away from what a solid device the original One X is right now.
The rumor mill churns and, having churned, moves on. The big story today is that according to sources familiar with the matter, reports have leaked that lead us to believe that an employee who asked to not be named has told Digitimes that sources say the next Nexus may have already been patented by Apple as the subject of the latest lawsuit to come out of Cupertino.
According to the sources, LG, HTC, and Samsung are all working on their own Key Lime Pie-based variants of the Nexus Google Experience Galaxy 10 7 4G LTE series.
The worst kept secret in HTC's recent history, the One X+, was finally officially announced this morning by the Taiwanese manufacturer. Let's take a closer look at what has changed.
The updated One X variant features:
- A beefier Cortex-A9 NVIDIA Tegra 3 AP37 processor running at 1.7GHz (up from 1.5GHz)
- ULP GeForce NVIDIA GPU, running at 520MHz (up from 416MHz)
- 64GB of internal storage (up from 32GB)
- 2100mAh battery (up from 1800mAh), which HTC says may give you up to 6 hours of extra talk time
- 1.6MP front-facing camera (up from 1.3MP)
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- Sense 4+
- 135g - slightly heavier but only by 5 grams (up from 130g)
The rest of the specs remain the same, including a 4.7" 1280x720 display, 1GB of RAM (a real bummer considering Samsung's and LG's latest offerings contain and really benefit from double that), Beats Audio, and an 8MP rear-facing camera.
MasterCard and T-Mobile revealed some information about which devices we can expect Isis on when it launches at the end of September (according to Bloomberg), though we have no reason to believe this constitutes every supported device. Here's the list of compatible Android phones, as we've compiled it.
- T-Mobile
- Galaxy S II
- Galaxy S III
- HTC Amaze 4
- Verizon
- DROID Incredible 4G LTE
- Galaxy S III
- One X
- Galaxy S III
A number of other devices are listed as supporting "any" standard on MasterCard's list, some being international phones, so it's unclear whether phones labeled in this fashion that are in the US will actually support Isis, or if they are merely deemed compatible with it.
Since the debut of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean back at I/O, everyone has been clamoring for CyanogenMod 10. With the addition of each new device to the list of those with official nightly support, hopeful users of flagship handsets like the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy SIII wondered when their day would come. While most variants of the SIII have already received nightlies, the US Cellular variant (d2usc) joined that list last night, along with a few other devices.
Long after releasing the kernel source for other variants of the One X (as well as the US One S and EVO LTE), HTC has finally released the source for AT&T's variant.
Users may recall that the AT&T-connected One X was left out of the initial kernel source code drop just after HTC delivered a somewhat disheartening statement to the Verge indicating that the device was not eligible to participate in the Taiwanese manufacturer's bootloader unlocking program due to unspecified "restrictions," which many users read as "AT&T says no."
While it appears that the AT&T-connected One X still isn't compatible with HTC's bootloader unlocking tool (and may never be), the release of its kernel source code is still positive news for tweakers, tinkerers, and developers alike.
It may have taken over a month longer than the international version, but HTC has finally released the kernel source code for T-Mobile's version of the One S. HTC has offered no explanation for why the US model's source code was delayed for so long, but perhaps this means that the AT&T One X will see its kernel source released at some point.
They also released the kernel source for the EVO 4G LTE.


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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Care gaps emerged early for Phoenix
Precarious situation soon appeared: worker
BY the time she was nearly four, the ease with which little Phoenix Sinclair could fall through the cracks was alarming.
On Monday, the inquiry into her short, troubled life heard from a crisis-response-unit worker how big those cracks were in terms of her guardianship.
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She was supposed to be living with her natural father, Steve Sinclair, even though he already had told CFS he wasn't ready to parent or deal with his substance addictions.
Instead, a tipster to CFS revealed, Phoenix was briefly living with her birth mother, Samatha Kematch. The situation was not safe, the caller said, because Kematch would go drinking and leave Phoenix with her grandmother, who smoked crack in the girl's presence.
In between, she stayed with Kim Edwards and Rohan Stephenson -- a couple identified as her godparents and whose home CFS had approved as a "place of safety" the last time Phoenix was taken into care in June 2003.
Barb Klos's testimony Monday illustrated the difficulties in tracking Phoenix down when the tipster made the call in January 2004.
When Klos went to investigate, she learned Sinclair had been Phoenix's primary caregiver since Kematch left him in June 2001. He was also caring for a second baby, Echo, who died in July 2001 from a severe respiratory infection.
But Klos found out Kematch took Phoenix because Sinclair's sister called to report he had left his daughter home alone.
Klos passed the file and information on Phoenix's possible whereabouts to the intake unit and the case was assigned to social worker Lisa Conlin on Jan. 20, 2004. She and a co-worker went to the "place of safety" home on Selkirk Avenue the next day.
They found Phoenix there with Stephenson, who no longer lived in the home but stayed occasionally. Edwards wasn't home, Conlin said.
The files show the intake worker made no observation about Phoenix -- just three months shy of her fourth birthday -- other than that she was there.
"You weren't talking with her or playing with her?" commission counsel Sherri Walsh asked Conlin on Monday.
"Nothing concerned me about her appearance," said Conlin, who no longer works in child welfare and can't recall details of the case.
She was more interested in who was caring for Phoenix and how they were coping. Stephenson said he and Edwards were happy to care for Phoenix and didn't care about getting any money from CFS for it, Conlin said, referring to information from the file.
Since the home was deemed a place of safety, Conlin took Stephenson at his word. He told her Sinclair was welcome to visit Phoenix but he didn't know where he was or what he was doing.
Conlin and her colleague went to Sinclair's Magnus Avenue address. There were holes in the walls and the ceiling light fixtures had been yanked out, her notes said. She left notes for him and contacted his welfare worker. He called her back on Feb. 5, 2004, to say he was happy with Phoenix remaining with Edwards.
That left Phoenix in guardianship limbo, though.
"At any point, either parent could come and pick Phoenix up?" Walsh asked Conlin.
"Legally, yes," she said.
"In that case, neither Rohan (Stephenson) or Kim (Edwards) would have any legal authority to prevent them from doing that," Walsh noted.
Conlin closed the file in February, with the approval of her supervisor, Doug Ingram.
In 2005, Kematch and her partner, Karl McKay, killed Phoenix. Her death wasn't noticed for months. They were later convicted of first-degree murder.
Conlin's testimony continues today.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 4, 2012 A3
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Before I head off into the land of no Internet (could you believe it??? on my way to lead a workshop at Rowe Camp), I wanted to make sure that y'all knew that the most amazing FULL MOON, HUNGER MOON, WOLF MOON is set to rise at sunset on Saturday, March 19. It is the BIGGEST MOON in almost two decades (that's 20 years!).
The Hunger Moon (my favorite of its names), is reaching the 'perigree' side of its orbit, when it is closest to the earth. Perigree moons appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than moons from the 'apogee' side of the moon's orbit. (I think I got that right, but don't quote me; I'm clearly not a scientist!)
In addition, tomorrow's Hunger Moon, will coincide with a full moon! The last time that happened was in 1993! Keep an eye out for the Hunger Moon, tomorrow, Moon Rise (sunset) Time! (3 p.m. Eastern time).
Enjoy this once in two decades opportunity to gaze with wonder at the moon! Howl if you like!!!
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Overall confidence levels in the shipping industry held firm over the three-month period to August 2013, maintaining the highest level reached since November 2010, according to Moore Stephens' latest Shipping Confidence Survey, but some industry insiders they sounded out had mixed views.
There was a theme of quietly returning confidence running through the comments of a number of respondents. "There is a feeling of optimism and the sense that we have turned a corner, with supply and demand expected to come into balance," said one respondent." Another noted, "The market is waking up, and more opportunities will appear in the near future," and another still that, "The shipping market is very competitive and constantly evolving, with more and more new players entering the industry as the demand for shipping cargo by sea continues to increase."
Elsewhere it was noted, "The shipping industry is seemingly moving towards a positive place, albeit slowly," and, "The shipping market is on the rise, and will continue on that path." One respondent said, "A shrinking orderbook, combined with the anticipated US and European economic recovery, should help to increase demand in 2014."
Not everybody was so confident, say Moore Stephens, with one respondent going so far as to say, "We have never known a period in shipping where the uncertainty factor has been so high in so many areas." Another said, "Looking at the moves of some of the major players, we have to ask whether we are all blind or just plain ignorant. The rest of us will be paying for a handful of greedy CEOs who hide behind their number-crunchers who make everything look bright and shiny."
Another respondent observed, "Some niche markets are showing definite signs of a boom, but others are still in decline. Any overall recovery is still at least another two years away. Managing to survive the last five years is no guarantee that a company will survive the next five." Elsewhere it was noted that the abiding message must be, "Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate!"
A number of respondents expressed continuing concern about overcapacity. "Our biggest fear," said one, "is that the financial markets will enter the shipping sector and start ordering new vessels again before moderate growth and scrapping volumes have had time to absorb excess tonnage." Another said, "We are already worrying about the market from 2016 onwards because too many newbuilding orders are being placed on pure spec."
One respondent said, "A lot of companies and investment funds seem to have the money and courage to invest again in new orders because they see that building prices have bottomed out. But we already have a serious problem with oversupply in all sectors and all tonnage sizes which will certainly not be solved by the time those new ships now being ordered will be ready to enter service."
A number of respondents referenced the debilitating effect of overtonnaging on freight rates. "Freight rates need to rise," said one, "but this will not happen while the supply of ships exceeds demand." Another emphasised, "Freight rates cannot go up unless more ships are scrapped. Newbuilding should be stopped for a specified period, and the supply of easy cash should be regulated."
Source: Moore Stephens
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