Ebola spreads in Nigeria; Liberia has 1,000 deaths

A Liberian policeman warns residents of the West Point area to be calm, as they wait for a second consignment of food from the Liberian Government to be handed out, at the West Point area, near the central city area of Monrovia, Liberia, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. Two new cases of Ebola have emerged in Nigeria and, in an alarming development, they are outside the group of caregivers who treated an airline passenger who arrived with Ebola and died, Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said Friday.

Ebola spreads in Nigeria; Liberia has 1,000 deaths

Abuja, Nigeria • Two alarming new cases of Ebola have emerged in Nigeria, widening the circle of people sickened beyond the immediate group of caregivers who treated a dying airline passenger in one of Africa’s largest cities.

The outbreak also continues to spread elsewhere in West Africa, with 142 more cases recorded, bringing the new total to 2,615 with 1,427 deaths, the World Health Organization said Friday.

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Most of the new cases are in Liberia, where the government was delivering donated rice to a slum where 50,000 people have been sealed off from the rest of the capital in an attempt to contain the outbreak.

New treatment centers in Liberia are being overwhelmed by patients that were not previously identified. One center with 20 beds opened its doors to 70 possibly infected people, likely coming from "shadow-zones" where people fearing authorities won’t let doctors enter, the U.N. health agency said.

"This phenomenon strongly suggests the existence of an invisible caseload of patients who are not being detected by the surveillance system," the agency said. This has "never before been seen in an Ebola outbreak."

The two new cases in Nigeria were infected by their spouses, both medical workers who had direct contact with Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, who flew into Nigeria from Liberia and Togo and infected 11 others before he died in July. The male and female caregivers also then died of Ebola, Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu said Friday.

Nigerian officials initially claimed the risk of exposure to others was minimal because Sawyer was whisked into isolation after arriving at the airport. Lagos state health commissioner Jide Idris later acknowledged that Sawyer was not immediately quarantined.

The two new cases were quarantined two days ago while being tested, Chukwu said. They had previously been under surveillance, meaning they were contacted daily to see if they developed any symptoms, but their movements were not restricted. Once they showed signs of the disease, they were brought in.

Authorities are now trying to identify and monitor everyone they have been in contact with.

In all, 213 people are now under surveillance in Nigeria, including six people, all "secondary contacts" like the caregivers’ spouses, being monitored in the state of Enugu, more than 310 miles (500 kilometers) east of Lagos. A mobile laboratory capable of diagnosing the disease has been moved there, Chukwu said.

Nigeria’s total of confirmed infections is now 16. Five of them have died and five have recovered; the rest are being treated in isolation in Lagos, the commercial capital where Sawyer’s flight landed.

The damage has been far greater in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, each dealing with hundreds of cases. Liberia has been hit hardest, recording 1,082 cases and 624 deaths.

In Liberia, a teenage boy died after being shot by security forces in West Point, a slum that was blockaded this week to stop the spread of Ebola, a Liberia government spokesman said Friday. Shakie Kamara was hurt in a clash with police and soldiers who sealed off their peninsula from the rest of Monrovia.

Days earlier in West Point, slum dwellers ransacked a holding center for Ebola patients after realizing that some patients had come from other parts of the city. Looters then made off with bloody sheets and mattresses that could spread the disease.

The government began distributing rice, some of it donated by the World Food Program, to alleviate food shortages a day after cordoning off the slum, said Information Minister Lewis Brown.

Some countries also continue to impose travel restrictions, even though they aren’t recommended by the UN health agency.

On Friday, the Central African country of Gabon announced it was barring all flights and ships from Ebola-stricken countries. South Africa already announced a travel ban for non-citizens from these countries "unless the travel is considered absolutely essential." Senegal closed its borders with Guinea, and is barring air or sea travel from Sierra Leone and Liberia. Cameroon barred flights from Nigeria.

Pope Francis reveals he used to work as a bar bouncer

Nov. 27, 2013: Pope Francis waves as he conducts his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The NIGERIAN DREAM

It’s common knowledge that St. Peter guards the pearly gates. But what many people might not know is Pope Francis used to guard the door at a bar in Argentina.

That’s right: Pope Francis used to be a bar bouncer.

The 76-year-old pontiff disclosed his previous vocation in a parish visit to the church of San Cirillo Alessandrino in a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Rome on Sunday, the Catholic News Service reported.

The nugget from Francis’ past, when he used to be known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was disclosed during a four-hour conversation, in which the pope also mentioned he used to sweep floors and run tests in a chemical laboratory as a teenager.

The anecdote is yet another example of Francis’ growing reputation as a “pope of the people.” Since ascending to the papacy in March, Francis has eschewed such trappings as the Popemobile, washed the feet of prisoners and has shown a penchant for showing up unannounced wherever the faithful gather.

Last month, photos of Francis cradling and kissing the head of a man covered with tumors went viral, providing a powerful image of a pope dedicated to helping the poor.

In turn, Francis’ popularity has sparked renewed interest in the church. A recent survey by sociologist Massimo Introvigne of Catholic clergy in Italy noted an increase in the numbers attending Mass and confession since Francis’ election. In Italy alone, more than 100,000 are “returning,” often after decades of non-attendance.

Thai protests:

Thai protests:

END TIME: Watch this and you will know the world is ending soon!

Watch this and you will know the world is ending soon!

BOKO HARAM: SHAKAU SAYS GOD INSTRUCTED HIM TO SELL THE GIRLS.... WATCH THE VIDEO

SHAKAU SAYS GOD INSTRUCTED HIM TO SELL THE GIRLS.... WATCH THE VIDEO!

NYT's David Carr: Dean Baquet Threatened to Resign If Abramson Stayed

Last night I pointed to the track record of Dean Baquet, who has ascended to the hallowed perch of executive editor at the New York Times, and observed that "someone who has clearly been a troubling and disruptive presence is now in charge."

Two incidents spanning seven years support my contention. The first occurred in 2006 at the Los Angeles Times, where Baquet, then that paper's editor, petulantly refused to make budget cuts the paper's Tribune Company parent demanded, took his complaints public in the paper itself, metaphorically barricaded himself in his office, and dared the Trib to fire him (they did, two months later). The second occurred in April of last year, when Baquet, now at the New York Times, got into an argument with now deposed Executive Editor Jill Abramson, "burst out of Abramson’s office, slammed his hand against a wall ... stormed out of the newsroom ... (and was) gone for the rest of the day." Now we learn from David Carr at the Old Gray Lady itself that, in essence, Baquet did an "it's her or me" number on Abramson (HT Ann Althouse) to grease the skids for her firing.

Carr seems especially disappointed because the paper's "first black guy" moment is being ruined:

When Dean let Arthur (Sulzberger) know that he would leave the paper because he found the situation untenable, it was clear that an important insurance policy for the newspaper’s future was going to leave the building.

You can’t blame Dean for advocating on his own behalf — after all, life is short. And almost anybody at The Times will tell you that Dean will make a great leader. He is courageous and smart, and he makes newspapering seem like a grand endeavor.

But the sense of pride that we should all feel at his ascension — as a great, decorated journalist and the first black executive editor of The New York Times — has been overwhelmed by the messiness surrounding it.

Gee, that's funny. Just a year ago after the wall-punching incident, Baquet told the Politico that "I’m not quite sure people give her (Abramson) as much credit as she deserves." Now we know that at crunch time, he's just another opportunistic back-stabber.

Reiterating what I noted last night: "If the newsroom-executive suite relationship gets even rockier than it was under the now-departed Jill Abramson, Times management will have no one but themselves to blame."

So Flavour Has A Love Child?

He has a cutie

Nigerian celebrities will not cease to amaze us with new revelations on a daily basis; and the rate at which they are going, do not be surprised if all of them come up with one love child or the other.The latest in the line of surprises is sensational singer, Chinedu Okoli, the one we all know as Flavour N'abania, who has popped up with a girl child no one knew existed.

This is following in the footsteps of the likes of Wande Coal, 9ice, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Timaya, and many, many others who all have kids out of wedlock.Flavour, who once denied ever being engaged to his then lover, Beverly Heels, posted the photo of himself and his baby on Instagram and wants us all to see the beautiful girl...

Scotland boss Strachan opts for Rams raid

GORDON STRACHAN has named uncapped Derby County pair Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth in his squad for Scotland’s friendly with Nigeria.

Gordon Strachan (centre) is keen to test his players during the off season[GETTY]

And the national manager has also recalled a third Rams player, midfielder Craig Bryson, for the game at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on May 28.

Striker Martin, 25, who is English-born but has a Scottish father, has hit the net 25 times for County this season, helping them reach the Championship play-off final.

Former Dundee defender Forsyth has been one of the outstanding performers at Pride Park and Strachan yesterday paid tribute to County boss Steve McClaren for enhancing the players’ careers.

Enyeama Wins Best African Player Award in France

13 May 2014

Vincent Enyeama

Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has won the Radio France International Marc-Vivien Foé Award for the best African player in the French Ligue 1 football championship for the 2013-14  season.

The Lille goalkeeper was picked ahead of Ivory Coast defender, Serge Aurier (Toulouse FC) and Cameroun international player, Henri Bedimo (Olympique Lyonnais).

Enyeama, 31, was selected by a jury composed of French football journalists after each member selected three names from a list of 10 players previously drawn up by the RFI and France 24 sports departments.

After putting in some remarkable performances right throughout the season, Enyeama impressed football enthusiasts by keeping a clean sheet for 11 consecutive matches (1062 minutes).

With 82 caps to his credit in the national team, he helped the Super Eagles to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and will be playing with them in the World Cup in Brazil.

The trophy for the Best African Ligue 1 player was renamed the Marc-Vivien Foé Award in 2011 in tribute to the Camerounian player who died unexpectedly during a match in Lyon's Gerland Stadium on June 26, 2003.

Enyeama had lost the Professional Footballers Union (UNFP) best goalkeeper award on Sunday evening to Paris Saint Germain's Salvatore Sirigu.

Previous winners of the RFI-France 24 Marc Vivien Foe trophy are Marouane Chamakh 2009 (Morocco), Gervinho 2010 & 2011 (Ivory Coast), Younès Belhanda 2012 (Morocco) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) in 2013.

Mother IDs Her Daughter in Boko Haram Video of Nigerian Schoolgirls

A mother of an abducted Nigerian schoolgirl has identified her daughter in a video posted by Islamist rebels that showed dozens of girls in captivity, a school leader said on Tuesday.

The mother watched the video on television on Monday evening and spotted her daughter among the girls sitting on the ground and wearing veils, said Dumoma Mpur, parent-teachers association chairman at Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, northeastern Nigeria.

"The video got parents apprehensive again after watching it but the various steps taken by the governments and the coming of the foreign troops is boosting our spirit, even though I have not seen the any one soldier in Chibok yet," Mpur told Reuters by telephone.

The leader of rebel group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, issued the video on Monday offering to release more than 200 schoolgirls, who were kidnapped from the school in a raid on April 15, in exchange for prisoners held by the government. It was not immediately apparent when the video of the girls was filmed.

The Nigerian government said it was exploring all options in its effort to rescue the girls. The United States and Britain have sent experts to help with the search and Nigeria has sent two divisions to the northeastern border region.

'Russia will not be brought to its knees'

The only solution to the dispute between Moscow and the West is a neutral Ukraine, argues Clifford Gaddy. The Russia expert at the Brookings Institution spoke to DW.

The EU has just expanded its sanctions against Russia after Sunday's referendum (11.05.2014) in eastern Ukraine. What are the next steps for the United States? Will there be more sanctions in the run up to the Ukrainian election on May 25? Or is there still room for a negotiated agreement?

What both the United States and the EU will do prior to the elections is they will repeat their threat of stronger sanctions if Russia is to interfere with the elections. Basically what's very important for the United States: The US administration is looking pretty desperately to get out of this stand-off with Russia, but they need to do it in a way that will save face.

What could such a face-saving solution look like for the US and the EU?

They want to get Russia to the negotiating table, they want to arrive at some kind of a "Finlandized" Ukraine, that is a Ukraine that is territorially intact except for Crimea, that is nominally an independent and sovereign country but that is in fact neutral. That is it certainly would not have any association with NATO.

But they need to package that as a victory for the West and of course therefore portray it as some kind of a concession on the part of Putin. This is all public relations because in fact that's exactly what Putin wants and that's his ultimate goal. His preferred goal is essentially a Ukraine that is not a platform for any sort of operations against Russia and that Russia would have pretty strong control over.

Have the sanctions not had any effect on Russia at all?

The sanctions have caused pain. Do they have an impact on the Russian economy? Absolutely they do. Stronger sanctions would cause more pain. Are they effective in changing Russia's goals, strategy, and strategic behavior? No, they are completely ineffectual. And stronger sanctions won't do it either.

Why is it that the Russians seem to be so resistant to economic pressure?

They can endure more pain than we possibly can dole out to them and more pain than these sanctions will cause us because they will. It's Russian history, it's Russian culture, it's the Russian psychology. There is basically a cult of suffering that is part of the national narrative, the national identity. Nobody has ever forced Russians to their knees and accept being submissive to an outside power. They will fight to the last man.

Clifford Gaddy is an economist and Russia expert at the renowned Brookings Institution in Washington.

Square hole in Sun stumps NASA

So much more is still to be learnt about the universe. We know just a fraction of it. Square hole in Sun has surprised NASA

Astronomers have found coronal holes in the Sun. They spotted the holes after they noticed that the magnetic field was allowing hot plasma to fly off into space toward Earth.

Since then the coronal hole has been occurring less. The experiencing of a solar maximum has been attributed to the phenomenon. However what is disturbing is that the coronal holes increase in size and number. It is understood that in coming days it would extend further from the poles as the sun moves toward solar minimum again.

Scientists, who have been observing the Sun for some time, have reported that in the past they have spotted coronal holes. But the different is that they have been found to be even larger than the existing one. How are they formed? This and other questions have been doing the rounds sine square hole in the Sun has been spotted.

The source of the hole goes back to a high-speed wind of solar particles. The hole whose picture was only seen last week has been identified as the most noticeable features on the Sun. Further study and observation of the hole by NASA scientists is certainly going to throw new lights on it.

Robotic Catching Arm the Answer to Space Junk Problem???

Researchers from Switzerland have developed a robotic arm that can be used to catching debris orbiting Earth.

A robotic arm designed by researchers from Switzerland to catch projectile objects may be Earth's solution to the growing space junk problem, the Telegraph reported.

According to the team from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), their robotic arm can be placed in space and primarily used for collecting the debris surrounding Earth.

Originally, the arm was developed as an assembly tool in factories by Simlab, a robotics manufacturer. After it was programmed at EPFL's Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory, the researchers discovered its potential in catching moving objects.

The arm is 1.5 meters in length. Its movement and catching ability are aided by seven joints and a robotic hand that has four fingers. The joints allow the entire arm to twist in various positions to optimize its catching function.

Seungsu Kim, a researcher from EPFL, explained how the arm executes its function in three phases.

He said, "First thing is to predict the whole trajectory. Second thing is finding the best catching posture. And third thing is generating arm motion."

The concept behind the arm was inspired by how humans learn through trial and error.

Through a process called Programming by Demonstration, the researchers first showed the robotic arm multiple trajectory paths of projectile objects. To make sure the arm learns about the various trajectories, the researchers manually guided it repeatedly.

For its space application, the arm can be mounted on a satellite. Using its tracking abilities, it will monitor flying junk and catch it. The collected debris can then be placed inside a container and taken back to Earth for proper disposal.

Recently, three U.S. organizations appeared before the House of Representatives regarding the growing space junk problem.

According to their reports, there are around 500,000 pieces of junk traveling at speeds of 17,000 mph in space. Objects traveling this fast can easily damage a satellite or space shuttle.

The robotic arm can be deployed to catch these flying objects to ensure a safer path for the astronauts' spacecrafts.

'Nuclear winter' wiped out dinosaurs 66 mn years ago: Study

London: In a first physical evidence that a sudden dip in temperatures wiped out dinosaurs, a team of scientists has revealed that a massive asteroid hit the earth 66 million years ago, causing “nuclear winter” and the ultimate demise of giant animals. 

Global temperatures suddenly plummeted following the “Chicxulub” impact off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, researchers said. 

The “Chicxulub” impact is likely to have lowered global sea surface temperatures by as much as seven degrees Celsius.


The evidence was hidden in Brazos River region of Texas. Sedimentary rocks were analysed from the same age as the asteroid impact, containing layers of broken shells. 

“The global 'impact winter' perturbed a relatively stable, warm climate and likely represented a major stress factor for life on earth,” said Johan Vellekoop from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. 

The “winter” is thought to have lasted no more than two to three decades but that was long enough to wipe out the dinosaurs, flying and swimming reptiles, and many other forms of life, researchers noted. 


As seen in computer simulations, sunlight reaching the earth's surface might have been reduced to around 20 percent of its normal level after the impact.

The first hours of the impact were marked by earthquakes, tsunamis and global wildfires. Next, dust and sulphur droplets would have collected in the atmosphere and blocked out the sun's rays. 

The 'dark phase' would have caused a global collapse of terrestrial and marine food webs, said the study that appeared in the journal Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences.

FIFA 2014 Nigerian Supporters Demand for 62 Million Condoms

No, we are so not kidding.

Yesterday Monday 12th May 2014, the Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club (NFSSC) demanded for the provision of 62 million condoms for fans attending the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The President of the associationRafiu Ladipo made the demand in Abuja to the United Nations Programmed on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).

Ladipo appealed the decision of UNAIDS Country Director Bilali Camara, who said 2 million condoms would be provided for the entire duration of the 2014 World Cup.

Rafiu said two million condoms should be provided each day for the 31-day tournament. “So, I want to urge you (UNAIDS) to provide more condoms” he says.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 12.

Nollywood Actress Chika Oguine: “Nigerian Men Run Away When You Tell Them You Need Money”

Big-breasted up-and-coming Nollywood actress Chika Oguine

The Temple Of The Serpent star talked about her career in Nollywood, sex, relationships, and of course, her huge breasts. Check her below.

Excerpts from the interview below.

Who inspired you to go into acting?

It’s just been there since my cradle days. It’s something that I just felt I’m going to end up doing because I have always watched myself grown in front of a mirror, looking at myself and making some faces and all.

But then again, when I watched movies, I try to see why this person did this and that. What was the character? I tried to mimic those things that they did and tried to see if I could get close to what they’ve done or to see if I really did it well the way they did it. So, it’s just about me finding what I like to do. Sometimes, when I watch a movie, I get lost in it.

I’m not aware of my immediate environment. That is what makes me happy. I find happiness when it comes to art and media. I’m not talking about acting alone but entertainment as a whole. It makes me happy and I think whatever makes you happy will fetch you good money.

You recently released some bikini photos of yourself online. Where did you take those photos?

How Linda Ikeji got my pictures, I don’t know. To tell you the truth, those pictures were from the set of Sex on the Beach and I wasn’t the only person wearing bikini.

We had the likes of Moyo Lawal wearing bikini, most of us were all wearing bikinis but it was just me posted online by Linda Ikeji and I got calls saying ‘Chika, I saw your pictures on Lindaikeji’ . Some even said I paid Linda to put my pictures. I don’t know who Lindaikeji is. This is my phone, you can check. I don’t have her contact. I’ve not even seen her before in my life. People even have Lindaikeji app on their phone, I don’t even have it.

At first, I was shocked and I kept on calling my friends, I just kept on calling people who I know probably must have posted the pictures but all of them said they weren’t the ones.

I called my publicist and he said he wasn’t the one. It is still a mystery to me up to now, I do not know. But whoever did that sure has done so much good for me because at a point, I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is bad press but someone told me, my dear, there’s nothing like bad press in Nollywood’. So, I’m now beginning to adjust to it and its okay, its fine.

Your boobs are very big, are they natural?

I’ve never ever dreamt of going under the knife, whether for my boobs or for my body. I think God has created me perfectly. I am beautiful and I know that. I don’t need to go under the knife to enhance anything on my body. I just need to stay in shape, keep fit and that’s it. I’m good to go.

What’s your bra size?

The last I checked, it was a 44DD.

Do you think your boobs assist you in getting movie roles?

I’ve never heard in Nollywood where your boobs or your physical features get you a role. There are so many people out there who have bigger boobs but that’s not the key. This acting thing is a craft that you always have to keep improving on.

You always have to keep in trend and keep up with new challenges. In this business, if you have nothing to offer, nobody would call you. It does not matter whether you have big boobs or big bumbum, it doesn’t really matter but then again, it is just an added advantage. But the most important thing is to know your craft, then every other physical value can follow.

In a recent interview you said don’t believe in love, why?

I have come to understand that love means different things in Nigeria. Different things make people fall in love. It could be money, it could be sex, it could be for companionship, it could be for whatever reasons of which some are not really acceptable to me. The only people who have really shown me what love is, are my parents especially, my dad. If it’s the way Nigerians have reduced love to buying chocolate and ice cream, I guess everybody is in love then.

How do you deal with your male admirers?

You all know how I handle them. Since they are in love, there are always bills there to pay so they would have to run away.

It’s not like I tell them to pay my bills though, but I have seen that in Nigeria, the only way you can actually chase a man out of your life is to tell him, ‘I need this, I need that’.

For some who can actually give that, I don’t tell them to pay my bills, I don’t give them that option because I know they are ready to pay and all that, but I try to let them know I am not the kind of girl you can buy off with a gift or money. If that is the way to have a relationship, I should have about five now, but I am looking for something out of the ordinary. I’m sorry if I’m asking for too much but who am I not to.

Do you believe in vibrators?

Why do I have to get a vibrator when there are so many able men out there? It could be helpful for some people who do not have relationships but seriously, Nigerian guys are very able bodied men.

Personally, I don’t believe that. If you want to have a good sex, you should have one of your friends that you have feelings for, even if you guys are not really dating. Believe it or not, some men don’t like to be committed to a woman and don’t believe in dating.

Instead of jumping around from one place to the other with loads of people you don’t really know, it’s safer to do it with someone you know, someone close to you, someone you can actually give yourself to. Not for payment of any kind or for exchange of money.

I don’t believe in that kind of thing. I mean, if a guy walks up to me and tells me I’m going to pay you this for doing this, it might actually even turn me off. That’s why I’m me. I don’t know how other girls do that, but sex for me shouldn’t depend on how much you can give me because I may probably have sex with you but never come. I mean who wants to have sex and not come? It’s really annoying.

What would make you climax during sex?

For me, it’s really something out of the physical. It’s more of psychological than sex itself because I could have sex and not come but what makes me come is who the person is, what feelings I have for the person. That is why I can never have sex with someone I don’t have feelings for because I might not come.

If you have feelings for the person, how many times can you come in a session?

It depends on how good he is, but it’s not like it’s a must for me to come during sex. It depends on how good the guy is and I just have to like you very much for me to go down there. Most people won’t talk about this but I have to talk about it because it’s a real life situation.

I have actually started seeing someone but we’re not that serious at the moment because I’m trying not to rush things. Here in Nigeria, people feel that when you have sex with someone, the next thing is to have relationship with them but it doesn’t work that way with me. If you feel like doing it, it’s better to be safe than to just go about doing it with just anybody. When you have someone you like, I think it’s better to be safe.

Nigerian banks’ performance for 2013 shows winners and laggards

The year 2013 was turbulent for Nigerian banks as most had their growth slowed by regulatory headwinds caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continued tightening stance.

Some have been very nimble to respond and weather the storm of the aforementioned hike in cash reserve requirements and regulation that reduced fees and commissions, as both top- and bottom-line level performance grew. However, others were hit as profits shrank.

Our discussion today is on the performance of Nigerian banks for 2013, with a view to showing their rankings in terms of operational efficiency and returns to shareholders.

Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) emerged as the most efficient and profitable bank in terms of translating top-line performance to bottom-line growth. It also outperformed others in giving returns to owners of the business.

GTBank recorded net margin of 37 percent, while ROaE and ROaA were 29 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Standard Chartered Bank came next with net margin of 34 percent, while ROaE and ROaA were 28 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Others that recorded double-digit growth in net margin and returns are Zenith Bank, Access Bank, UBA, Diamond Bank, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC, Skye Bank, and FBN.

The laggards are Ecobank, Wema Bank, Unity Bank, Sterling Bank, Union Bank, and Fidelity Bank, as they battle with huge operating and loan loss expenses.

With regards to the aforementioned, Unity Bank had its profits eaten by huge operating loan loss expense, which culminated in a loss of N33.64 billion at year end 2013.

Our top picks, based on the results and stellar return on equity for shareholders are GTBank, UBA, Diamond Bank, and Zenith Bank.

Top EU court backs right to "be forgotten" in Google data case

In a surprise ruling on Tuesday, the EU's top court said individuals do have the right to ask US Internet giant Google to delete personal data produced by its ubiquitous search engine.

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LUXEMBOURG: In a surprise ruling on Tuesday, the EU's top court said individuals do have the right to ask US Internet giant Google to delete personal data produced by its ubiquitous search engine.

Taking up a complaint concerning a Spanish citizen, the European Court of Justice said individuals have this right "to be forgotten," under certain circumstances when their personal data becomes outdated or inaccurate.

Specifically, this applies when such data "appear to be inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant, or excessive in relation to the purpose for which they were processed and in the light of the time that has elapsed."

This was based on the finding that under current data protection norms in the European Union, "an internet search engine operator is responsible for the processing that it carries out of personal data."

Google said the ruling was a disappointment and "dramatically" at odds with an opinion last year delivered by one of the ECJ's top lawyers.

"This is a disappointing ruling for search engines and online publishers in general," Google said in a statement.

"We are very surprised that it differs so dramatically from the Advocate General's opinion and the warnings and consequences that he spelled out," it said.

"We now need to take time to analyse the implications," it added.

Google, which dominates the internet search industry, has previously argued that it is responsible only for finding the information.

As long as this is correct and legal, and therefore properly part of the public record, it believes it should not be obliged to delete such data, which it argues amounts to "censorship."

Last year, ECJ Advocate General Niilo Jaaskinen had argued that Google was not responsible for the data carried by websites appearing on its search engine and that EU citizens did not have a "right to be forgotten" under current law.

That opinion had suggested the ECJ would rule accordingly in due course and was warmly welcomed by Google.

"We are glad to see it supports our long-held view that requiring search engines to suppress 'legitimate and legal information' would amount to censorship," the company said at the time.

The case centres on Spanish national Mario Costeja Gonzalez who went to court because the personal details of his involvement in a debt recovery operation continued to appear on the online version of a Spanish newspaper long after the legal dispute had been resolved.

Spain's data protection agency, the AEPD, found that the newspaper was not at fault because the information was correct at the time it was published.

However, it upheld the complaint against Google, asking it to delete the material from its search results.

When Google appealed, Spain sought guidance from the ECJ to resolve the issue.

European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding proposed in 2012 that a "right to be forgotten" be included in EU legislation on data protection to meet concerns it was not adequate given the pace of techology change.

Personal data protection has become an even more sensitive issue with revelations of massive US and other intelligence service snooping, driving calls in the EU for much tighter oversight and redress against the huge companies such Google which dominate the Internet.

Analysis - Heineken eyes 'flexibility' with Nigeria merger

Heineken has said the merger could take "several months"

We'd almost packed up for the week on Friday whenHeineken announced plans to merge the two Nigerian breweries in which it has majority stakes.

Nigerian Breweries, the larger of the two, and Consolidated Breweries will be combined, subject to regulatory approvals. Heineken's stake in the merged company will be around 54%. But, what's behind the move?

Analysts at UBS suggest it is an indication of the increasingly competitive nature of the country's beer market.SABMiller and Diageo are both jostling for position in Nigeria. SABMiller in particular signalled its intent earlier this year by revealing plans to spend US$110m on tripling capacity at its Onitsha facility in the country.

Heineken remains the dominant force, however, with around 69% of the market. But, the economy end of the beer country's sector is seeing most growth. "Affordability of mainstream beer is still low," UBS says.

“Flexibility is needed in a more competitive market.” UBS expects Heineken to combine the two firms' salesforces and launch new products. “Gaining scale will create a more dynamic and agile structure,” the note says.

Heineken is likely to keep Nigeria Breweries' eight sites open, as well as Consolidated Breweries' three facilites, UBS predicts. Synergies, the analysts suggest, will come from combining the companies two head offices, which are both in Lagos, and merging back-office operations. 

A realistic target for cost synergies could be around EUR100m by year two of the new entity, UBS says.

But, it warns: “If competition intensifies further, part of these synergies will likely be reinvested in marketing to protect market share.”

Heineken is remaining predictably tight-lipped on the situation. A spokesperson told just-drinks that the move is still at the “pre-merger” stage, with shareholders of both groups still needing to approve the deal, as well as regulators. It warned last week that regulatory approvals could take “several months”. Perhaps this is due to instability in the country off the back of current high-profile terrorist activities.

On the prospect of redundancies, the spokesperson added: “In months to come, we will further develop the specific plans for such a merger, including the impact on the business footprint and employment.”

Clearly, Heineken is not in a rush on this one, suggesting its market dominance in Nigeria is not about to disappear anytime soon.

'Rough sex killed prostitute'

A Pretoria man pleaded not guilty to killing a prostitute instead claiming that rough sex had been the cause of her death.

The 25-year-old man pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery but pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.

Paul Andrew Opperman, who was arrested in April last year, told the Nelspruit Circuit of the High Court that he had picked up sex worker, Anita Tumelo Loba, at a petrol station in Steelport on March 13.

Loba allegedly told Opperman that she enjoyed rough sex.

"The woman asked to have rough sex with me and she even asked that I beat her up. When I did and when she screamed, I thought she was enjoying the sex and was in ecstasy," Opperman testified.

Opperman is alleged to have assaulted Loba with a blunt object and then rammed her head and face onto a hard surface repeatedly. After realising that he had killed her, Opperman then reportedly drove Loba to a mine site where he dumped her body. He is also accused of stealing Loba's cellphone and R70 from the deceased.

Opperman then returned to the petrol station where he attempted to sell the deceased's cellphone in order to pay for petrol.

Other sex workers noticed Opperman's return and confronted him on Loba's whereabouts. Opperman allegedly said that he had dropped her off where he had picked her up. One of the sex workers allegedly noticed blood on Opperman's shirt, took down his car's registration number.

The sex workers then alerted the police to Loba's disappearance.

Council Stopped From Probing Sanusi

Sanusi

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, May 12, barred the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) from investigating the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Justice Tsoho gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by the suspended CBN governor against the FRCN and its Executive Secretary, Jim Osanyade Obase.

The court described the action taken by the FRCN so far as bias, malicious, premeditated, frivolous, deliberately skewed, malafide and abuse of executive power.

The judge also held that there was clear evidence that FRCN’s bid to investigate Sanusi’s tenure at CBN was tainted with bias and motivated by bad faith.

Justice Tsoho’s verdict is coming three months after the President, Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi on allegations of financial recklessness.

Sanusi has denied the allegations, saying he had followed approved procedures while doing his job.

The CBN governor had gone before the court  challenging his invitation to appear before the investigation panel set up by the FRCN.

Sanusi had urged the court to declare that FRCN constituting itself into investigating body in the manner contained in newspapers advertorials of  March 24, 2014, acted ultra vires, and that the conduct, action, decision, and conclusion in respect of the plaintiff particularly as it manifested in brief note of  June 7, 2013, sent to the President were ultra vires and contravened the rule of natural justice.

He further seeks an order restraining the defendants and their agents in any form from conducting/continue any investigation, inquiry, hearing or proceeding whatsoever, as advertised in newspapers, as the defendants do not have power to conduct such investigation

Sanusi is also asking the court  to set aside and nullify any report, conclusion and recommendation based on any purported investigation conducted as advertised in newspapers.

But in a counter affidavit and preliminary objection filed by FRCN, the council argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit as the plaintiff had not exhausted the internal mechanism of resolution of grievances before taking the matter before the court.

The FRCN further submitted that the investigation panel, other than the decision to invite the plaintiff, had not arrived at any conclusion in respect of the investigation of the activities of the CBN for the financial years of 2011 and 2012 .

In his judgment, Justice Tsoho said that although the FRCN was saddled with ensuring good governance in financial matters, their posturing showed that they were already prejudiced.

The court also disagreed with FRCN’s argument that their recommendation to the presidency was merely advisory, holding that it was obvious that they had already decided Sanusi’s fate, even before their investigation.

Justice Tsoho held that FRCN’s declaration in a briefing note dated June 7 and submitted to President Jonathan was ultra vires (outside) their powers as contained in the FRCN Act, 2011.

He said the defendants, including FRCN’s Executive Secretary, having reached a conclusion as to Sanusi’s culpability as governor of CBN, as indicated in the briefing note and newspaper publications, could no longer conduct any investigation on the same matter.

“The language of the briefing note (transmitted by the FRCN to the presidency) conveys a sense of the defendant desperately goading the presidency to deal with the plaintiff,” Judge Tsoho said.

“The plaintiff submitting himself for investigation (by FRCN) is like the cockroach finding itself in the midst of fowls. Such a cockroach cannot be innocent,” he added.

Justice Tsoho said the defendants went against the principles of natural justice by not giving Sanusi the chance to defend himself before they issued a report on the basis of which he was suspended.

The court noted that the CBN chief was not called upon to make representation at any panel before his suspension.