Monday, July 01, 2013

The Blackberry smartphone manufacturer has posted a net loss of $84m for its first fiscal-quarter of this year, sending its share price plunging by a quarter in early trading.

The loss was a considerable improvement on the $518m the company lost a year ago, but was still much worse than analysts had been expecting, according to cellular-news.com.

Revenues at $3.1bn, were however were up by nine per cent compared to a year ago. The revenue breakdown for the quarter was approximately 71 per cent for hardware, 26 per cent for service and three per cent for software and other revenue.

The company shipped 6.8 million smartphones, which it noted was an improvement on the previous three months. However, it was still down on the 7.8 million units shipped in the comparable quarter a year ago — the more usual measure of performance.

The company also shipped approximately 100,000 BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

"During the first quarter, we continued to focus our efforts on the global roll out of the BlackBerry 10 platform," said Thorsten Heins, President and Chief Executive Officer of BlackBerry.

"We are still in the early stages of this launch, but already, the BlackBerry 10 platform and BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 are proving themselves," he added.

Monday, July 01, 2013

The Lagos State Government has advised residents on safety measures to take during the July rains, which it said would be heavier  and characterised by thunderstorm.

The Commissioner of the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said in a statement on Sunday that the advice was imperative to ensure that Lagosians were safe as the rainy season approached its peak, following reports from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency

He said, "Rainfall intensity is expected in July but Lagosians are advised not to panic. There is a need for residents to be safety conscious during this period.

"Residents are advised to avoid driving through flooded areas as there might be difficulty in judging its depth.

"Do not drive on high speed and ensure that your vehicles are in good condition. Except only on compulsory occasions, avoid going out during rainy seasons."

Bello said the rains in Lagos were expected to be of high intensity with accompanying wind and thunderstorms in July.

He said, "There will be accumulated water concentration on some part of the roads and highways, depending on the intensity of the rains but the accumulated water will recede in no time.

"Due to the rains since January, the water level of the soil has increased causing low infiltration capacity across the state. This has resulted in the saturation of the soil, causing delayed discharge of rain water into the water bodies."

Bello said Lagos, as a coastal state, was susceptible to flash floods in times of heavy rains but added that the  flood would be effectively discharged into channels that had been cleaned in anticipation of the rains.

He added that the government had intensified its  cleaning and maintenance programme, and would not relent until zero tolerance for flooding was attained in the state.

Monday, July 01, 2013

A man has been charged to court for manslaughter after knocking down a 63-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth Toby-Lade with his car while she was in her home.

At the time of the fatal accident, Toby-Lade who sold water and drinks in her house in Fadeyi Street, Ikeja, was in her compound with her grandson and the child of another resident when a Sports Utility Vehicle, drove uncontrollably into the compound hitting them in the process.

The driver, Samson Orofin was said to have been trying to make a U-turn on the narrow street when he first drove in through the open gates of the compound to get enough room for a turn but didn't engage the gear in the reverse.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident and said the suspect had been charged to court.


The Punch reports:

The deceased's 77-year-old husband, Joseph Toby-Lade told PUNCH Metro that he had yet to get over the shock because he witnessed the incident.

He said, "My wife sold drinks in our compound and her shop is located at the entrance. She was looking after our grandson and the son of one of our neighbours while I was at the balcony. There was heavy traffic on the street and because the main gate was open, the driver of a Toyota Land cruiser with plate number EPE960AC, drove in to make a U-turn.

"Probably the driver put the gear in drive instead of reverse because immediately he accelerated, he rammed into my wife and she hit her head against the wall. The vehicle continued to move and it hit my grandson, Evans Toby-Lade, and a resident's son, Usman, before ramming into one of the pillars of my house.

"I quickly rushed downstairs and we took them to Holy Trinity Hospital which is opposite my house. The kids were treated for head injuries, but the doctors told me that my wife was in critical condition, so she was referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja."

Joseph, who was an engineer with Daily Times and Nigeria Printing and Minting Company, told PUNCH Metro that he took his wife to LASUTH immediately.

He said, "My wife was not breathing properly when we got to LASUTH. I asked the nurses to put her on oxygen but they said they did not have oxygen. I told them I was willing to buy and they said Holy Trinity Hospital should have provided the oxygen.

"Around 6pm, on May 21, 2013, my wife died."

A copy of the death certificate made available to our correspondent stated that Elizabeth died of "head injury and cardio pulmonary arrest."

The deceased's husband said he could not imagine life without his wife, adding that everything happened so suddenly.

He said, "We were married for 47 years and we had six children and over 10 grand children. We were happy and we understood each other. We were always together because I have a business centre just beside her shop.

"My wife loved children, and my grandchildren have been asking me where grandma is. It is just too sad."

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased would be buried in Lagos on July 12.

It was also learnt that the suspect had been arrested by the Ikeja Police Division.

A copy of the police report made available to our correspondent stated that the matter had been transferred to the traffic section of the police station for further investigation.

Monday, July 01, 2013

The Governing Council of Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo during the weekend, demoted about 15 lecturers over alleged involvement in certificate forgery, and the false claims that they have acquired PhD from reputable institutions outside the country.

It was gathered that the management of the college had earlier set up a committee to look into the alleged claims by the lecturers in order to restore sanity and discipline back the state's education sector.

However, reports and recommendations from the committee revealed that the lecturers forged their PhD certificates.

Commenting on the lecturers demotion, the Special Adviser to Ebonyi state Governor on Higher Education, Professor Mike Ituma, said that the discovery came as a shock, stressing that the action of the affected lecturers was a reflection of the level of decay that has taken over the sector.

According to him, the action of the management of the college was a step in the right direction and government is completely in support of its decision on the lecturers.



In a statement, Public Relations Officer of the college, Mr. Nkwuda Bethrand Otukobelu, noted that the 15 affected lecturers would not be allowed to run any promotion course packaged by the college till after three years.

In his words, "A lot of processes were followed in verification and evaluation of the certificates of the lecturers involved. Six of the affected lecturers who had their Ph.Ds from the institutions should stop parading themselves as PhD holders and stop adding the title 'Dr.' to their names.

"That as regards to their present positions, nine of them have been demoted to Lecturer III; two to Assistant Lecturers and the remaining two to non-academic staff for not possessing relevant qualifications to be in the academic cadre.

"That six of them who enjoyed financial benefits with the controversial certificates are to refund such benefits which accrued to them in excess of their present new position."

"Findings by the committee and letters from the National Universities Commission, NUC, and the Federal Ministry of Education show that the institutions were neither approved nor recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria."

Monday, July 01, 2013

A serving senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly under the platform of DPP, Pius Ewherido, has passed on. Senator Ewherido died yesterday at the National Hospital in Abuja after suffering a stroke.
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed "shock" over the death of the Senator.

The late senator was the Vice-Chairman, Senate committee on Marine Transport, and was a member of the committee on Trade and Investment. He was 50. May his soul rest in peace..

Monday, July 01, 2013

Brazil produced a breathtaking performance at the Maracana to overwhelm Spain and claim their third consecutive Confederations Cup title.

Driven on by the passion of a fiercely partisan crowd, the five-time world champions signalled their intent ahead of next summer's World Cup by ending Spain's 29-match unbeaten record with a majestic display.
Fred scored twice, but Neymar again stole the show, scoring Brazil's second goal with a rasping left-foot shot.

To compound Spain's misery, Sergio Ramos missed a second-half penalty before Gerard Pique was sent off for bringing down Neymar as last man, with 22 minutes remaining.
At the final whistle, the Brazil fans proudly chanted 'the champions are back'. With David Luiz and Thiago Silva providing solidity at the back, the midfield generalship of Paulinho and the mercurial talents of Neymar in attack, the Selecao will certainly be a formidable proposition next year.

The streets around the Maracana had been a place of contrasts in the hours before the game. While protestors clashed with police a mile or so away, tens of thousands of Brazil fans danced in the streets.

The noise built to an incredible crescendo in the hour before kick-off, culminating with the Brazilian anthem, that stirred the passions of the partisan crowd.

History, too, was against Vicente Del Bosque's Spanish side. Brazil have not lost a competitive match on home soil since 1975 and you have to go back to 1934 to find the last time Spain had beaten them in a competitive match, home or away.
If Spain had dreamt of conjuring an early goal that might take the sting out of the mighty Maracana, they were made to think again by a Brazil side that pressed and probed and, carried on by the sheer emotion inside the stadium, snatched the lead inside two minutes.

Hulk's cross from the right was knocked down by Neymar at the back post. Fred lost his footing but as the ball came back his way, he swung a boot at it from the ground, lifting the ball up and over Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas and into the net.

Spain, normally so calm and controlled, briefly lost their way. Oscar fired narrowly wide from a fantastic chance, while Casillas scrambled back to claw Paulinho's deft lob from under his crossbar.
Brazil pressed Spain with an intensity that has become their own hallmark in recent times. They attacked with a fluency and flair that unsettled the world champions and that left Pique and Ramos flummoxed time and time again.
On two occasions during the first half, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers decided against sending Spain defenders off after first Neymar and then Oscar were tripped when through on goal. Both Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa were show yellow cards, much to Brazil's frustration.
Spain did create chances, but Andres Iniesta forced a save from Julio Cesar. Indeed, the Barcelona midfielder was at the heart of Spain's few constructive moments. He started the move that saw Torres's reverse pass free Jordi Alba who in turn found Pedro only for David Luiz to appear from nowhere and slice a shot that was rolling into the net, high over the bar to safety.

Brazil were finding the strength to block crosses, charge down shots and they attacked with cohesion and confidence. Hulk sent Fred through on goal only for Casillas to come to Spain's rescue.
But Brazil would not be denied. With half-time approaching, they poured forward again, this time with Neymar. The 21-year-old exchanged passes with Oscar, cleverly coming back onside, took one touch and fizzed a left-foot shot high beyond Casillas and into the net.

The Maracana rose to acclaim their boy wonder as one, but Spain looked shell-shocked as the celebrations continued all around them.
Spain were desperate to hear the half-time whistle. But even that brought only 15 minutes of respite. They were booed as they re-emerged onto the pitch and within two minutes they were three behind, as Fred rolled a delightful first-time finish beyond Casillas to twist the knife.
Nothing was going Spain's way. Even when they won a penalty when Marcelo flicked a leg at substitute Jesus Navas, Ramos pulled his shot tamely wide, much to the delight of the Maracana. It was a moment that encapsulated Spain's evening.
The world champions continued to push, with Pedro twice drawing top-class saves from Cesar late on before the hosts lifted the trophy.
For Brazil, the party has only just begun.

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