Diplomatic Tension Rises Between Russia And US Over Ukraine Showdown

April 29, 2014

Diplomatic dust is daily rising between the United States of America and Russia, with the latest seeing Moscow accusing Washington of bringing back “Iron Curtain” policies in the fierce showdown over Ukraine, while the West revealed its new sanctions included measures against Russia’s military chief.

The furious escalation in language from Russia underlined the Cold War echoes of the crisis as the United States and Europe set in motion sanctions to hammer powerful Russian figures and firms close to President Vladimir Putin.

The increasing geopolitical tensions were doing nothing to ease the situation on the ground in east Ukraine, where sporadic violence is unabated and negotiations to free seven OSCE inspectors held by rebels continued.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov tore into the United States for leading the sanctions charge on Monday, especially for its decision to curb hi-tech exports to Russia that could have military uses.

“All of that is a blow to our high-tech enterprises and industries,” Ryabkov said in an interview with online newspaper Gazeta.ru.

“This is a revival of a system created in 1949 when Western countries essentially lowered an ‘Iron Curtain’, cutting off supplies of high-tech goods to the USSR and other countries.”

The European Union, meanwhile, revealed that General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russia’s armed forces and the country’s deputy defence minister, was one of 15 Russians and Ukrainians targeted by an asset freeze and travel ban in bloc’s latest blacklist.

Russia’s foreign ministry responded by saying the European bloc was “doing Washington’s bidding with new unfriendly gestures towards Russia”.

The White House on Monday slapped sanctions on seven Russian officials and 17 companies close to Putin, while Canada added nine names and two banks and Japan said it was denying visas to 23 targeted Russians.

An outraged Kremlin has vowed “painful” retaliation against Washington for the measures.

But for all the fury, there was no sign the sanctions were having any immediate effect on getting Russia to use its influence to defuse the crisis in Ukraine.

On Monday, a mayor in east Ukraine’s biggest city of Kharkiv, Gennady Kernes, was shot in the back by an unknown gunman, leaving him in a critical condition.

Kernes, who is Jewish, was flown Tuesday to Israel for medical treatment, his spokesman said.

Fourteen people were also seriously hurt on Monday when pro-Moscow militants wielding bricks, bats and knives attacked their march for Ukrainian unity in the city of Donetsk.

Kalashnikov-toting militants the same day seized the town hall of Kostyantynivka — the latest of more than a dozen towns held by the pro-Russian rebels.

Russia, which has massed tens of thousands of troops on the border with Ukraine, has repeatedly said it has no plans to invade the ex-Soviet republic.

Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu repeated that assurance in a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Chuck Hagel, the Pentagon said.

Shoigu again denied US accusations that covert Russian forces were already deployed in Ukraine to sow unrest, and urged Washington to tone down its rhetoric on the crisis.

Hagel in turn called for an end to Russia’s “destabilising influence inside Ukraine and warned that continued aggression would further isolate Russia and result in more diplomatic and economic pressure”.

The US defence secretary also asked for Moscow’s help in securing the release of the seven OSCE inspectors held by pro-Russian militants in Slavyansk.

An AFP journalist in Slavyansk said early Tuesday there was still no sign of the captive inspectors leaving the occupied town hall, where they were being kept under armed guard.

The OSCE has been negotiating for several days to free the seven Europeans, who were seized on Friday along with a Swede, who was released on Sunday because he suffers from diabetes.

The local rebel leader has given the OSCE a list of pro-Russian militants detained by Ukrainian authorities who he wants freed in a prisoner swap.

Kiev’s soldiers are surrounding the flashpoint town in a bid to prevent reinforcements reaching militants there.

Rio De Janeiro’s Olympic Preparation Worst I Ever Witnessed, Vice President Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

April 29, 2014

International Olympic Committee vice-president, John Coates has piled pressure on 2016 host, Rio de Janeiro, blasting its preparations as the worst he has ever seen.

The Australian, who has made six visits to Rio as a member of the IOC Coordination Commission overseeing the Games, painted a dire picture of the progress being made, which he said was of “critical concern”.

He told an Olympic Forum in Sydney: “there is little co-ordination between the federal, the state government and the city — which is responsible for a lot of the construction.

“And this is against a city that’s got social issues that also have to be addressed; a country that’s also trying to deal with the FIFA World Cup coming up in a few months. It’s the worst that I’ve experienced.”

He said that that the IOC had been forced to take “unprecedented” action, embedding experts in Rio’s Organizing Committee to ensure the sporting spectacle proceeds.

“The IOC has formed a special task force to try and speed up preparations but the situation is critical on the ground,” he said, adding it was “the worst I have experienced”.

“The IOC has adopted a more hands-on role, it is unprecedented for the IOC but there is no Plan B. We are going to Rio.”

With the clock rapidly ticking before the first Olympics in South America, many facilities in Rio have yet to be completed because of construction delays and soaring costs.

Earlier this month, the IOC drew up a list of urgent recommendations aimed at breathing life into the flagging preparations.

These include the creation of three task forces with a number of aims including easing the fears of an increasingly angry population who have protested at the costs of both the Olympics and the 2014 World Cup, which is also in Brazil.

International sports federations is expected to send teams of experts to work alongside local organizers in a model of co-operation which was used in the build-up to the Sochi Winter Olympics.

“I think this is a worse situation than Athens (in 2004),” said Coates, who has been involved in the Olympics for nearly 40 years.

“In Athens, we were dealing with one government and some city responsibilities. Here, there’s three.”

Nollywood Star Actress, Amaka Igwe Dies Of Asthma

Greenbarge Reporters

April 29, 2014

Nigerian Nollywood has again lost a star actress, Amaka Igwe. She died of asthma attack at the age of 51.

She was said to have died in Enugu where she had gone, in company of her husband, for pre-production preparations for a new Igbo soap.

She was said to have suffered an asthma attack and was immediately rushed to the hospital after initial interventions had failed but died before getting to the hospital,’ a statement issued this morning read.

Amaka Igwe, who was trained in theater arts, has produced movies, series and soap operas for television, film and video. In the 1990’s the immensely popular soap opera, Checkmate catapulted her to national renown and is among the standard-setting works for Nollywood productions. Her short film, The Barber’s Wisdom is one of the few shot on celluloid among contemporary Nigerian filmmakers, which attests to the popularity of the home video movement from which Nollywood evolves.

In addition to the central role she plays as filmmaker, Igwe is an important stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry. She is founder and organizer of BOBTV the acronym for Best of the Best TV, a film and television program market held annually in Abuja, Nigeria. In addition, it is a venue for meetings, conferences and workshops related to film/video.

Mrs Igwe is survived by her husband of 21 years Charles Igwe, three children, an aged mother, siblings and a large extended family. Mrs Igwe’s last major outing was at the inaugural edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference held on April 26, 2013 at the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotels and Suites. Participating as a keynote speaker, Mrs Igwe delivered a speech on the ‘Reflections from an unapologetic commercial Nollywood filmmaker’. Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher. She is the founder of BoBTV Expo, founder and CEO of Top Radio 90.9FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

The Lagos mainland based Top Radio station was launched years ago, with preparations underway to launch Q Networks, a DSTV channel in a few weeks. A visionary and pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama and film, she hit national limelight as the writer and producer of award-winning TV soap ‘Checkmate’ and its off shoot ‘Fuji House of Commotion’. Her Nollywood projects include RattleSnake and Violated – two critically-acclaimed movies that set apart Amaka Igwe Studios in the much-criticised Nollywood industry.

Adamawa Monarch Turns To God Over Boko Haram Operations

Greenbarge Reporters

April 29, 2014

The District Head of Gude in Mubi South Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Alhaji Sali Bello, has his subjects to turn to God and seek divine intervention over the security challenges pose by Boko Haram activities in many parts of the North and other criminal activities across the country.

Alhaji Sali Bello said in an interview today that the security challenge threatening the North-East, claiming several lives and property is alarming, adding: “the prevailing insecurity in the north-east region is a matter of concern.

“We should, therefore, seek God’s intervention through prayers in our Mosques and Churches for peace and peaceful co-existence among the people of the state and the nation at large.”

The traditional ruler, who was a former General Manager of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) inYola, Adamawa state said that security issues should not be left for the government alone, he called for collective action for the development of the state.

“People should give their maximum support and cooperation to the Federal, state and local governments to curtail the present security situation.”

According to him, the support of the subjects to the government will enable it to deliver more dividends of democracy, even as he advised youths in the area to engage themselves in meaningful ventures that would earn them decent living.

He also enjoined them to show respect to their parents and elders for blissful life

Boko Haram Members Forcefully Marry Abducted Female Students, Ferry Them To Chad, Cameroon

Greenbarge Reporters

April 29, 2014

Some of the schoolgirls abducted by members of the deadly Boko Haram Nigeria are believed been forcefully married off to themselves at the bride-price cost of N200 each and have transported them to neighbouring countries, including Chad and Cameroon.

A local leader, Pogo Bitrus told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that he sighted some gunmen crossing with the girls into Cameroon and Chad as he confirmed that some of the girls have been forced to marry the militants.

Bitrus said 230 girls were missing since militants attacked the school in Chibok, Borno state, two weeks ago.

Bitrus who is a Chibok community leader, said that 43 of the girls had “regained their freedom” after escaping, while 230 are still in captivity.

“Some of them have been taken across Lake Chad and some have been ferried across the border into parts of Cameroon,” he told the BBC.

“And then we got this information that the captors went and auctioned these girls into marriage for a bride price,” he added.

The students who were about to sit for their final year exam are mostly aged 16-18.

Workers’ Wages: How Federal Government Used To Throw State Governments Into Trouble, By Governor Uduaghan

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2014

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has complained that federal government has always thrown state governments into trouble with labour movement whenever it increases workers’ salaries without involving the states in negotiations.
The governor registered his complain Monday in Asaba when he received members of the Senior Executive Course 36 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru at the government House in Asaba.
“The Federal Government goes into negotiations with labour leaders in Abuja without involving the states and reach agreements which are expected to be binding on all. Most states do not have the financial capacity to implement these decisions and this has led to frequent strike actions and disharmony in the affected states”, he stated.
He emphasized that oftentimes, most states do not have the financial capacity to pay allowances and wages agreed with the organised labour by the Federal Government, adding that industrial disharmony witnessed in the states could therefore be easily linked with payment of agreed wages and allowances between the Federal Government and the organised labour, as the agreements are assumed to be binding on the states even when they lack the capacity to pay.
This industrial disharmony, he argued, could be avoided if the states are allowed to be part of the negotiations with labour and pay agreed wages and allowances in line with their capacity
He called on the federal government to learn to involve state governments in negotiations of wages and allowances with the organised labour.
The Governor lauded the theme of the study which is ‘Industrial Relations, Labour Productivity and National Development’ and expressed hope that the course participants will proffer lasting solution to industrial disharmony in the country.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan with members of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS)

He said that the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ initiative of his administration is aimed at positioning the state to be less dependent on revenue from oil and gas.
The governor said that despite that the state being is rich in oil and gas, his administration is diversifying its economy for it to be more buoyant.
Uduaghan called on the industrialists to take advantage of the friendly investment environment in Delta State, assuring that such industrialists will have quick returns on their investments.
He called for short-term courses for political office holders and politicians, even as he noted that the way NIPSS courses are structured made it difficult for politicians to benefit from.
“NIPSS should organise shorter courses that will be for one or two weeks because it will be difficult for political leaders to leave office to attend the one year course.”
Leader of the study team which comprises sixteen Nigerians from different sectors of the economy, Ambassador Adamu Abbas told the Governor that they were on a study tour of the state which seeks to proffer solutions to recurring strike actions by the organised labour.
“The Federal Government is worried with the frequency.”
He said that Nigeria needs industrial harmony for improved productivity.

This Was How My Marriage Failed, Nollywood Actress, Rachel Oniga Opens Up

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2014

Top Nollywood Actress, Rachael Oniga has opened up on how she separated from her late husband. The scandal free single mother of three tells The Entertainer in this interview.

On the extent her late ex-husband hurt her: He hurt me badly.Yes. During our years of courtship and marriage, I never suspected that we would just break up like that or anything could ever come between us. Back then he told me everything. I could tell you where he was at every moment; I trusted him so much.

On meeting the other woman her ex-husband left her for: It was later, much later and when I did I was like ‘did he leave me because of this thing?’ I don’t know how to put it but men don’t really appreciate what they have until they lose it.

On how she got over the shock and the journey afterwards: I believe so much in myself, and when I got over the shock of the separation and all that, I made up my mind that I was going to make a statement without a man. I wanted to prove that a hardworking woman could make an impact and with God’s grace I have come a long way.

The truth is that when you’re focused and you know where you’re going to, you’re likely to succeed. I made up my mind then that I wasn’t going to remarry. I was determined to make it and make all men including my late husband know that with God by her side, a woman can make it in life without a man’s support.

Rachael also advised other women going through the same situation she said: “Just believe in yourself and with hard work, you will get there. God is always faithful. I killed my emotions and I said to myself ‘Rachael, your kids must go to the best schools.’ It was just work and my children.

Rachael Oniga, a computer programmer who got into Nollywood in 1993 has remained one of the few actresses that has successfully carved a niche for herself both in the English and Yoruba sector of the movie industry.

The Delta born veteran actress whose first job was on a TV series, a programme called Memorial Hospital played a challenging role in her first movie called ‘Onome” has since featured in over 100 movies.

I Resigned To Save My Family From Attacks, Says Libyan Prime Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2014

Interim Libyan Prime Minister, Abdallah al-theni has said that he was forced to resign order to save members of his family from attacks and prevent looming bloodshed, even as he admitted that pressure from parliamentarians and the intense media campaign against him also contributed to the action he took.

Al-theni said that he submitted his resignation letter to the parliament six days after he was appointed, making him the second PM to step down in as many months.

The parliament has since embarked on efforts to find a replacement, having interviewed seven candidates for the job.

But the friction between the two main political parties in the country, the Liberals, under the leadership of the Alliance of National Forces (AFN), and the Islamists of the Party for Justice and Construction (YPP), the political arm of the Muslim Brothers in Libya has not allowed a consensus candidate to emerge.

Tribal, regional factors and the activities of the various armed militias have combined to heighten tension in the North African nation since the end of the 2011 uprising that toppled the Khadafi regime.

Nigeria Begins Campaign For World Table Tennis Championships In Japan Today

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2014

Nigeria is among the more than 200 countries that have arrived in Japan for the 2014 World Table Tennis Championships beginning today. Eight players will represent the country at the Championships slated to hold from April 28 to May 5 in Tokyo.

The Nigerian contingent is led by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) President, Waheed Enitan-Oshodi and the Technical Director, ACP Anderson Bankole.

Also in the contingent is the NTTF Sectary, Chinedu Ezealah-Ogundare.
The male players are Segun Toriola, Aruna Quadri, Onaolapo Ojo, and Kazeem Makanjuola.

The female players are Effiong Edem, Cecilia Otu-Akpan, Funke Oshonaika and Tosin Oribamise.
Meanwhile, Makanjuola on telephone from Tokyo said that he and his colleagues were in top gear for the competition.

“Segun Toriola is playing his opening match today in Group E against Asia.
“He is up to the task and I believe in him, he is the captain of the male side and he knows what he’s up against,” he said.

Makanjuola added that the players were fully prepared before embarking on the trip and that they would make the country proud.
“We are up to the task and we will deliver because that is why we are in the competition,” he said.

This is the 52nd edition of the tournament and the 7th edition to be hosted by Japan.
Nigeria will on Tuesday compete against the Czech Republic and Belgium.

The country’s team will also be in action on Wednesday where they will play against Bosnia-Herzegovina and on Thursday against Canada.

Women Plan One-Million-Women March In Abuja, Protesting Abduction Of Female Students In Borno

Greenbarge Reporters

April 28, 2014

Women all over the country have concluded plan to converge on the Nigerian federal capital, Abuja on Wednesday to stage a one million women march in protest against the abduction of over 200 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state by members of the deadly Boko Haram,

One of the women leaders, Professor Hauwa Abdu Biu made this known yesterday at an emergency meeting convened by the first lady of Borno state, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima on the way forward for the release of the school girls.

Professor had earlier spoke on behalf of coalitions of Borno women in which they call for the release of the school girls and offer to go to the Sambisa Forest in search of the school girls.

She told the first lady that the one million march which was tagged “Free our girls” will involve women all over the country, even as she emphasized the need for them to mobilize Borno women to Abuja for the rally.

“The last time, we were in black but this time around, the colour for the Abuja rally is red. So, we should all be prepared and mobilized ourselves for the rally.”

Early, the first lady, Hajia Nana had called on the wives of the service chiefs both in the state and at the federal levels to assist in mounting pressures on their husbands to intensify efforts towards rescuing the abducted school girls.

“I want to seek this opportunity to appeal to women of security chiefs at the national and state level to run and mount pressures on your spouse’s to intensify effort to rescue our dear children however I feel it is necessary to call on all women in Borno to come up with their resolutions and harmonize them” she said

“Let us all put our differences aside irrespective of our faith, ethnic, let us all join hand together to rescue these girls, I know that we can do it, Almighty Allah is with us, he knows our intention” Hajia Nana said amidst sob”

“I am sure for now we are not on our own, I am happy to informed you that the wife of the president call me two days ago, I believe that she is also with us, let us all join hand together irrespective of political affiliations” she also said.

Most of the women who spoke at the meeting called on the Federal Government and the Security agencies to intensify efforts towards rescuing the kidnapped school girls.

They also called for prayers and fasting in Mosques and Churches so that God can torch the heart of the insurgents to release the girls and they agreed to mobilized themselves to Abuja for the rally.

Barrister Aisha Wakil who has been in the forefront of calling on the insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue cautioned against the use of force in rescuing the girls.

The meeting had in attendance wives of service chiefs in the state, nongovernmental organizations, women professional bodies, representatives of Federation of Muslims Women Associations (FOMWAN), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) among others.

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