A 24-year-old Undergraduate builds working helicopter

 A 24-year-old undergraduate from Nigeria, Mubarak Muhammed Abudullahi, a physics student, spent eight months building the helicopter above out of old cars and bike parts.

The 12-meter-long aircraft, which has never flown above a height of seven feet, is powered by a secondhand 133 horsepower engine from a Honda Civic. In the basic cockpit there are two Toyota car seats, with a couple more in the cabin behind. Controls are simple, with an ignition button, an accelerator lever to control vertical thrust and a joystick that provides balance and bearing. A camera beneath the chopper connected to a small screen on the dash gives the pilot ground vision, and he communicates via a small transmitter.

Mubarak says he learned the basics of helicopter flying Mubarak’s new creation will be powered by a brand-new motor straight from Taiwan, normally found in motorbikes.

Patience Jonathan was in a bad state of health on arrival – German hospital

Nigeria’s first lady Patience Jonathan was in a bad state of health when she arrived last week at the Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden, Germany, a spokesperson for the hospital has told LEADERSHIP.

The hospital’s official, who confirmed that initial records showed that Mrs. Patience Jonathan had earlier been treated for food poisoning in Nigeria before being brought to the Horst Schmidt Klinik, however, said she was responding to treatment after she had undergone a major surgery for a ruptured appendix to remove the poisons in her intestine.

During an eight-minute telephone chat yesterday through telephone with a senior consultant of the hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Mrs. Jonathan was brought to the hospital early last week after the management of the hospital had been contacted and briefed on the deteriorating health condition of the first lady.

She said that Mrs. Jonathan was getting better but added that the hospital management would ensure that she was fully fit before she would be allowed to go back to Nigeria.

When our correspondent demanded further details, the hospital official said it was improper and unethical for her to make such details available to a third party, ending the call and refusing to pick up subsequent calls.

Meanwhile, a reliable source in Aso Rock disclosed to LEADERSHIP that the decision to take the First Lady to Germany for better treatment was borne out of the fact that her medical aides in Nigeria complained that they could not get accurate diagnosis as a result of insufficient medical facilities in the country.

It would be recalled that the first lady’s media aide, Mr. Ayo Osinlu, had confirmed her foreign trip at the beginning of the week, but said Patience Jonathan was only taking a rest abroad and not seeking medical attention. Osinlu said that the First Lady is expected back in the country this week.

Meanwhile, the Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady, Ayo Osinlu yesterday dispelled report by an online media, claiming that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was air lifted to Germany for medical treatment.
Osinlu who spoke in a telephone call put to him by State House Correspondents from the council chamber at the presidential villa, Abuja, maintained that he can be quoted authoritatively on the matter that the report were all lies, adding that even at gun point, he had no more information to give on the issue.

He said for now, he still had no idea when the First Lady would return to the country, even as it was not in his capacity to find out. Ha added that he had no fresh information to add aside what he earlier said that was reported in the Media on Monday.

The Media Assistant to the First Lady said, “Nobody is going to put a gun on my head and force me to talk when I have no fresh information, my position is not different from what I told Daily Trust”

“I did not kill my wife” – Nollywood actor, Rich Oganiru cries out

Nollywood actor, Rich Oganiru

Following earlier report by a Lagos soft-sell alleging that Nollywood actor, Rich Oganiru killed his wife, the actor has opened up on the issue. He told another Lagos soft-sell magazine, High Society that what he was accused of was false.

According to what High Society magazine reported, his (Oganiru) late wife took ill over five months ago and was battling fibroid. He explained that they opted for some kind of treatment supervised by German doctors which will prevent normal surgery. But to his dismay, the fibroid kept growing back and causing his wife more pain.

Later, they decided to go spiritual and moved from Abuja to Prophet TB Joshua’s synagogue in Ikotun where
the prophet gave them emergency appointment based on his personal recognition.

His wife, he said, then suggested they move to her brother’s apartment at the Airforce Barracks in shasha. While there, she rejected all the provisions that the actor bought and insisted on having pap prepared by her sister at her brother, Group captain David Aluko’s home.

After the meal, he said her condition became worse and they decide to move her to Synagogue since the appointment was a few hours from then. Oganiru said his wife refused and told him to take her to the hospital, this he did with the aid of her brother Group captain David. But at the military hospital gate, the woman died.

That according to him was when the problem started as the brother became hostile despite his condition which resulted in his being medicated as the shock of the death of his beloved wife raised his blood pressure. Later when he came to, he discovered that his Air-force brother in-law had deposited his wife’s body at the morgue and ordered him, Oganiru to go tell their parents that his sister was dead.

This the actor said he will do, but demanded the death certificate so as to present to his in-laws to clear himself since the Air-force officer had started insinuating all sorts. Group Captain David he said ordered him out of the barracks and he left to his hotel room where he discovered his wife’s stuff had been removed and his belongings searched and scattered.

According to Oganiru: “They even seized the keys to my jeep and my international passport. I had to beg for my things to be returned. When I got the keys and my passport back and David insisted that
I cannot have the morgue tag for my wife, I left for our home in Abuja.

On arriving there, they had locked me out and carted away eveything that belonged to my wife and even our wedding pictures. Eventually I was allowed inside.

Three days later some policemen from force headquarters came to arrest me based on a petition written about me that I killed my wife. I was kept in cell with Boko Haram members and I was the one washing for them. The police didn’t care about my medication.

When they saw my health was getting bad, they released me. I was asked to report two days later to face my accusers. I took some journalist to the house to see how they vandalized my things. That same evening, a group of policemen came in commando style, broke down my window and said I was under
arrest.

That was how they took me to Asokoro police station after beating me mercilessly and I was bleeding from ear and nose, A few day later, a professor friend came and told them that they should release me or charge me.He insisted that they should do the autopsy and charge me based on that. When nothing was found after the autopsy was conducted, they let me go.

Meanwhile these heartless people have gone ahead to bury my wife without my consent. Now the next thing is that they are on the internet alleging that I poisoned my rich wife for her property.

Let me tell you, my wife was a hardworking woman but about being rich, i don’t know, otherwise why did we scrape to the bone to find money for her
treatment? We live in a rented apartment, so i don’t know the property I killed her for that I wanted to inherit.

See, the callous people said I also killed my two former wives. My ex wife is alive, healthy and bubbling with my two
children. But I know there is God and I must fight this to a logical conclusion.

God is with me and my accusers will soon be put to shame. Thank you for calling me to find out the truth.”
Thanks And God Bless

PHOTOS:Bus full of passengers catches fire This Morning In Lagos

This is so Pathetic,but the good news is that no one was injured as all passengers managed to run out of the bus before it was completely engulfed.It happened this morning in Lagos.

“N5000 note has come to Stay” – Jonathan Insists

Despite the outcry and protest of concerned Nigerians the introduction of N5000 note into the nation’s money market, President Goodluck, Aliko Dangote and other top Nigerians nod to the entry of the high currency.

The National Economic Management Team (NEMT) – a conclave of some senior government officials and prominent businessmen – also blessed the idea, following a briefing by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has asked the CBN to pull the brakes on the proposal – for now.

But NEMT argued that it was the primary responsibility of the CBN to effect changes in the nation’s currency with the approval of the President.

The economic team also allayed the fear that the note will heighten inflation, saying that there is no link between inflation and currency denomination.

Besides, the group argued that the introduction of the higher currency will help shore up the naira’s value as most people who store money in hard currency will now embrace the high denomination.

The NEMT, which is headed by the President, comprises the Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi, Minister of National Planning Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), one representative each of governors of the South and the North as well as key private sector players.

Usman spoke at the end of yesterday’s NEMT meeting presided over by President Jonathan.

He explained that contrary to criticisms that the introduction of the N5, 000 notes will bring about inflation in the economy, the new denomination according to him, will rather assist in big business transaction.

The note, he said, will not be high in circulation but will be used mostly by the banks.

His words: “Clearly, the N5000 note will not lead to higher inflation. There is absolutely no link. I am an economist; I have been deputy governor (Operations) of the Central Bank.

“During the last review of the introduction of N1000 note and the various coins, I was deeply involved; it was my responsibility at the Central Bank.

“There is absolutely no link between inflation and the currency denomination.

“So, obviously, the discussion today was basically to endorse.

“Mr. President had already approved; that is the only requirement by law. The CBN is to propose and Mr. President is to approve. And since Mr. President has approved, really, what is important is to just explain.

“I personally had some concerns about the coins but since some discussion with the CBN governor, he has actually clarified that even the media didn’t understand. The coins are being introduced on an introductory basis so that if people accept them and are using them, then gradually they will withdraw the other notes but they will run concurrently with the notes. Those were my concerns, initially, because you remember during my time in the CBN, we introduced the one naira and two naira coins.

“Unfortunately, they were not utilized at all. Part of that is really the value of one naira and two naira today; what can you buy? So because they are higher denomination, they may be accepted.

“I think even that aspect didn’t come out well in the communication and so the CBN is going to communicate to Nigerians that the coins will run concurrently with the note. They are like testing the waters; if they get accepted and are being utilized, only then will they take subsequent actions.”

Atedo Peterside, a banker and NEMT member argued that besides the fact that it does not add to increase in cost of printing of currency, money, being a store of value, the higher the denomination, the better it is for the economy as those who made money legally and illegally will want keep their loot in naira rather than hard currency.

He said: “If I were the CBN governor, I will prefer to print N10, 000 notes. Last year, Nigeria spent N47billion to print these small, small notes. If we were printing bigger denominations, we will print fewer number and you make phenomenal savings. Secondly, money is a store of value, all these thieves, rogues and vagabonds running around in various states and all over the country, when they steal money, they will want to keep it outside the banking system.

Access Bank Managing Director Aigboje Aig-Imoukuede described the reactions trailing the N5000 note as unfortunate.

He said: “It is very rare for you to have a central bank that does not look at the issue of currency management and issue new notes from time to time based on the reality of the economy. In the case of Nigeria, our economy is such that a N5000 note which is in effect a $30note is not strange.

“The greatest argument I have heard about is causing of inflation; the other argument is that it will cost money to introduce the new note. There is no relationship between the issuance of higher legal tender and inflation. It is unfortunate that some have misled people into thinking that it will lead into higher inflation.

“Every central bank by the nature of currency management will issue new notes all the time. So, printing of notes is an ongoing operation that every central bank engages in.

Frontline businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote said: “The introduction of the N5000 note has nothing to do with inflation. I think it is even to protect the economy. The cost of printing is not anything different from the amount they are using in printing any other note. It is the same cost.

Daily Post

World's shortest man and woman meet for the first time in history to launch .... (Read 8212 times)

People said it was always going to be a big event even though it involved two very small people......

Chandra Bahadur Dangi, the world’s shortest man and Jyoti Amge, the world’s shortest woman met for the first time to celebrate the organi...
sation which made them famous.

The 18-year-old from India and the 72-year-old Nepalese both made headlines last winter when they were given their titles by the Guinness World Records.

Chandra and Jyoti may be generations apart but were joking and laughing as they posed for photos with the new book, both dressed in traditional outfits from their native countries.

The photoshoot for the release of the book gave them another record to add to their list – it is the first time the world’s smallest man and woman have met in recorded history.

The book placed between them looks gigantic compared to the pair, but is in fact only 1ft high....

I was wondering if you would consider a love relationship with any of them?

Aki & Paw Paw see me as threat -Ibrahim Musa

The brouhaha raging in the midst of the small sized actors in the Nollywood industry could no longer be contented as one of them, Ibro Ibrahim Musa has taking the showdown attitude which he receives from two Nollywood actors, Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme popularly known as Aki N’Ukwa to the public.

According to the Benue state born actor who has so far featured in over sixty movies disclosed that the duo believe that his entrance into the Nollywood industry would bring down their longtime built reputation and fame to nothing, now enraging them to ponder hatreds on him as the surviving actor. “They believe I want to take over from them, while that is not my intention. The industry is so big that it can contain whatever good talent anybody is coming with. I have received series of report from people, both on pages of newspaper on how they are biffing me,” he said.

On if he is muttering intentions of hitting the formers back following the level of disrespect he receives from them, he said, “Not that I don’t care, but what keeps me going is the talent in me. Your talent is the determining factor, the level prominence and feed back you receive from your fans will tell you if you are trying or not. So, I keep telling them to take it easy, because they have their own fans while I have mine. I see and take them as my brothers”.

Having made his sojourn into the Nollywood industry in 2001, Ibrahim admitted that his achievement could be measured with that of when the entertainment industry took its place in the country. For him, Nollywood has changed his life, as he could boldly testify to it, “the kind of people I go out and hang out with now are mostly top business friends. Sometimes I wonder if I would have achieved the position I have gotten in life without being an actor,” he asserted

Jimoh Ibrahim sacks All the Staff of Air Nigeria,Shuts down Airline

Jimoh Ibrahim

Jimoh Ibrahim says he’s closing the airline to enable him restrategise for survival

All Air Nigeria flight operations nationwide are to be shut down effective from Monday next week.

It was gathered that the directive for the closure of the airline’s operations was handed down by its billionaire businessman owner, Jimoh Ibrahim, who also reportedly ordered that all, but 50 of the workers on the company’s payroll, be sacked with immediate effect.

The Airline’s Public Affairs Manager, Sam Ogbogoro, could not confirm nor deny the report, although he directed inquiries at the Chairman of the company.

“I am sorry I don’t have any information on this. Why don’t you reach Air Nigeria Chairman directly,” Mr. Ogbogoro told our reporter who called on Wednesday from Abuja to confirm the report. The manager advised the reporter to work with the information available to him.

But it was gathered that the decision to order the temporary shutdown of the airline operations was as a result of allegations of “staff disloyalty and the anti-business environment in the aviation sector”.

The airline, which had continued to run regional and international flights after the government suspended its domestic operations on bankruptcy allegations a few months ago, said the decision to shut down flight operations would remain in force for at least one year.

The company however expressed regrets for any inconveniences the decision would cause its passengers on all the routes across the country, and advised affected customers to contact agents from whom they had purchased their tickets for appropriate attention and necessary refunds.

Mr. Ibrahim assured customers the airline would survive its current ordeals, adding that the decision to suspend operation is for the good of all stakeholders.

“Corporations are like individuals who naturally will get sick and the usual thing to do is to admit them in the hospital, either for corporate surgery or for treatment, as the case may be,” Mr. Ibrahim is quoted to have said.

“The period of the temporary shut down of flight operations is to enable management to find a cure for the problem that have been identified.”


PREMIUM TIMES

BREAKING NEWS:Petroleum Minister,Diezani Alison-Madueke Rushed To London Hospital

A few days after breaking the news that President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience Jonathan, was hospitalized in Germany, it has been learnt that Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s Minister for Petroleum Resources, is also receiving treatment in a London hospital for a serious medical condition.

Sources disclosed that Mrs. Madueke’s condition did not require immediate hospitalization, but described it as “potentially serious.” The source, who is a medical doctor, was only willing to divulge that the minister’s diagnosis is for a condition related to abnormal cell development in her body. The doctor declined to disclose if the diagnosis was a form of cancer, but said Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s condition “assumed a dire dimension recently.”

The medical source and another source close to the minister’s family said that, prior to her recent hospitalization, Mrs. Alison-Madueke had made monthly medical trips to the UK. One source disclosed that she sometimes used private jets arranged by Kola Aluko, a business tycoon with whom she has business ties.

It was gathered that the Petroleum minister owns a jet that is kept in trust for her by Walter Wagbatsoma, an oil marketer recently charged by the EFCC for involvement in oil subsidy scam.

 It was also learnt that the minister hid the medical nature of her trips to London by telling friends and other government officials that she was going to see her children living in the UK. “For this trip three days ago, Madam said she was escorting her children who were returning to London to continue their schooling,” one sources said.

Another source revealed that the minister flew to London few days after accompanying Mr. Jonathan on an official trip to Anambra State. Even though the minister is married, there have been persistent speculations linking her to a romantic relationship with President Jonathan.

It was learnt that the president’s ailing wife had complained to her close friends that Mrs. Alison-Madueke had caused her condition because the oil minister wants to take her place at all cost.

Meanwhile, a source said that Mrs. Jonathan’s condition has stabilized in Germany where she is being treated for food poisoning. The source said the First Lady came down with food poisoning in Dubai where she had gone on a secret mission to explore undergoing some procedure.

The nature of the procedure remains a mystery, but a source at the Presidency said he knew that Mrs. Jonathan close friend, Bola Shagaya, had been persuading her to see a Lebanon-based cosmetic surgeon.

The source added that the First Lady was interested in enhancing her looks. The Presidency remains officially silent regarding the nature of Mrs. Jonathan’s current condition in a hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. Instead, Presidency sources have been releasing snippets of various versions of her condition to different news outlets.

A source in Abuja said she suspected that Mrs. Jonathan might have undergone a procedure in Dubai from which she got an infection.


Culled from Sahara Reporters