Lessons From The Past

Have you ever thought about what some of your past experiences during your life were trying to teach you? Each of us have a life filled with a variety of circumstances, situations and people that were in our life to help us to learn valuable lessons so that we could use this teaching to create a better future.

The problem occurs for many people however when they refuse to see the learning as very personal and choose to point their finger outward or remain in a mindset of blame.

Every day we have the opportunity to learn about ourselves and life but unfortunately today most people are too busy, wrapped up in their own importance or just naïve about all of the potential learning and what it has to do with them. I call this – lessons from the past but there are two vital characteristics that need to be present to have this work for you in a positive way – you have to listen and you have to be willing to learn. Without these we are all destined to continue to repeat the same mistakes that cause pain, regret or disappointment of some kind.

Nigerian Diplomat Detained In Venezuela Over Alleged Fraud

A senior diplomat with the Nigerian mission in Venezuela, Dr. Olarotimi Ajayi, has been detained by Venezuelan immigration authorities for over two weeks now over allegation of fraud.

AEB gathered that Ajayi has been detained since July 19, 2012, when he returned to Venezuela from the United States of America, where he had gone for a promotional examination at Nigeria’s mission there.

According to an online news website thenigerianvoice.com, Ajayi’s travails are as a result of his running battle with Nigeria’s ambassador in Venezuela, Felix Oboro, over management of the mission’s finances.

Recapitalisation: PenCom Revokes Licences Of 2 PFAs

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has revoked the operating licences of Citi Trust Pension Managers Limited and IGI Pension Fund Managers Limited over their inability to meet the new minimum capitalisation of N1 billion required to operate as a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) in the country.

PenCom, however, assured the public, particularly the contributors of the two PFAs of the safety of their pension fund assets which are in the custody of Pension Fund Custodians licenced and strictly supervised by the Commission in accordance with the PRA 2004.

Naira Falls Further Against Dollar As CBN Boost Fades

The Naira fell against the United States’ dollar on the interbank market yesterday on strong dollar demand, erasing gains made after central bank took measures to strengthen the currency.

The naira closed at N160.80 to the dollar on the interbank market, weaker than the N160.35 it closed at on Friday.

The beleaguered naira received a breather last Wednesday, a day after the central bank took measures to stabilise the weakening local currency, closing at N160.02.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) left its benchmark interest rate on hold at 12 per cent on Tuesday, as expected, but took surprise measures to tighten liquidity.

Banks Risk Weaker Assets Over Credit Crunch – Fitch

In a newly-published special report yesterday,Fitch Ratings (FR) said that the recent rapid credit growth in the Nigerian banking sector may give rise to weakened asset quality and higher impairment charges if left unchecked.

“There was a marked improvement in banks’ asset quality during 2011 following the sale of problem loans to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria,” said Denzil De Bie, a director in Fitch’s Financial Institutions team.

“However, rapid underlying credit growth of 30 to 66 per cent was evident in most of the Fitch-rated banks in 2011 which the agency considers will be a negative credit driver if it continues,” De Bie added.

Insecurity: Jonathan asks us to intervene — IBB

President Goodluck Jonathan has turned to former Nigerian leaders for help in a fresh attempt to halt the raging violence in many parts of the country.
Former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida revealed this yesterday in an interview with Daily Trust in his Minna residence, Niger State.

Babangida spoke a day after he and former President Olusegun Obasanjo issued a joint statement decrying the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria and urged the government to utilise the “ample opportunities” available to dialogue with the insurgents.

Ex-militants On Rampage In Edo

Hundreds of ex-militants yesterday staged a mass protest in Benin City, Edo State capital over alleged non-payment of their outstanding salaries.

The ex-militants under the phase two of the amnesty program had stormed the premises of the State Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with placards bearing inscriptions such as ‘Justice must prevail; We need our money; No Payment; We Need Our Money; Amnesty 11,We Need Our Money.

The ex-militants who claimed to be representing over 6,166 members, also traced their plight of the second phase amnesty programme adding that soon after the Obubra camp in Calabar, they were made to open individual account, alleging that until when they were taken to Lagos for a non-violence training programme, no money was credited to the accounts

Insecurity: Mixed reactions trail Obasanjo, IBB warnings

Mixed reactions ranging from commendation to criticism, yesterday, trailed Sunday’s joint declaration of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida on the state of insecurity in the country.

While regional groups, including the Arewa Consultative Forum and Afenifere welcomed the intervention of the two elderstatesmen, the intervention received thumbs down from Ohanaeze which flayed the duo for failing to take heed during their separate stewardships of the country.

The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in its reaction dismissed the intervention as nothing new even as it affirmed that its national leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, himself a former Head of State, would not team up with the former rulers in their campaign.

Quote Of The Day! Tue Jul 31, 2012

Success produces success, just as money produces money. – Diane Ackerman

Nigeria needs brand new peoples’ constitution, not constitutional review – PRONACO

The Pro National Conference Organization (PRONACO) on Monday in Lagos cautioned the National Assembly not to supplant the overwhelming yearnings of the Nigerian stakeholders for brand new peoples’ constitution and self-determination through its current review of the 1999 military constitution

Speaking through its Spokesperson, Olawale Okunniyi, PRONACO averred that though the National Assembly, by the provisions of section 8 and 9 of the 1999 constitution, can amend the constitution and also make laws thereof, unfortunately, what Nigerians want at this point in time is a brand new constitution that can be initiated, owned and defended by them.