BARCLAY PREMIER LEAGUE RANKING AS AT 9TH DECEMBER [PHOTO]

are you are fan of the Barclays Premier League? and wanna know the current club rankings? check the picture below....... comments are highly welcomed in the comment box<img alt="Embedded image permalink" height="598" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbE2jLFCcAAPU1R.png:large" width="640" /><br /> <br />

BARCLAY PREMIER LEAGUE RANKING AS AT 9TH DECEMBER [PHOTO]

are you are fan of the Barclays Premier League? and wanna know the current club rankings? check the picture below....... comments are highly...

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"WE ARE IN TROUBLE" MOURINHO

<img alt="11" height="277" src="http://9jaolofofo.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1166-300x208.jpg" width="400" /><br /> <br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Jose Mourinho says his Chelsea side are “in trouble” after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Stoke City on Saturday, while he also called on his side to find their killer instinct in front of goal.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Andre Schurrle netted twice for the profligate visitors, but the Potters claimed all three points thanks to Oussama Assaidi’s stunning 90th-minute strike.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The defeat means Chelsea remain points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who face Everton on Sunday, and Mourinho blasted his side’s failure to convert their pressure into a win.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“I don’t feel comfortable enough to tell you what I think about the game,” the Portuguese fumed. “We’re in trouble.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><a href="" name="more" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></a><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“After 30 minutes we should have been winning 3-0 or 4-0 but we weren’t. When you play so well and it is so easy you find spaces, and when the three players behind the strikers were playing so well, you have to kill the game, and we didn’t.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“We played amazingly well at the beginning of the game, [Juan] Mata, [Eden] Hazard and Schurrle played very, very, well.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“But we didn’t score enough goals and, on top of that you make defensive mistakes and you concede.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“I think this team is a team that has to score goals; has to capitalize on the production and the way we are playing, because we are not a physical team.</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“We are not a team with the conditions to defend against physical teams, so I think we have to score when we have the game in our hands.”</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Despite this latest setback, Mourinho is impressed with the mentality of his team, although he accepted that their performance in the closing stages was below par.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“The team wants to attack, the team wants to have the ball and the initiative,” the former Real Madrid boss argued.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">“In the last part of the game we didn't play well, because we started playing in a way they (Stoke) can control.”</span></span></span>

"WE ARE IN TROUBLE" MOURINHO

Jose Mourinho says his Chelsea side are “in trouble” after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Stoke City on Saturday, while he also called on ...

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Thank you Nigerians, OJB is back from india for his kidney transplant. God bless you

<img height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelh0jdOBm1GtguHJGXzfyi3ydLzVld_VaCxehCxiTyZLofbEEJNTpNmn5d9r6a0IAhCoaar3Koj5kVzln1hB4U2cnnKQCrv7BOblPjZyXg4LzTtafnAfatnXCnc3erSe2oQqIZthWI9cQ/s400/omage+1.jpg" width="400" /><br /> <br /> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> Music producer, OJB Jezreel has returned to Nigeria months after undergoing a successful kidney transplant in India.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> Jezreel, who was earlier expected to return on Saturday, 7th December 2013, arrived on Thursday, 5th December 2013.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> His return at an earlier date was arranged to make it a surprise for everyone. <div style="float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px;"> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1378908632983-5"> </div> </div> Reports claim that Jezreel is being lodged now in a hotel at an undisclosed, secret location, not far from his Surulere, Lagos residence.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> This is to allow him have enough rest as he recuperates and to avoid being disturbed by fans who anxiously looked forward to receive him. The music producer returned with his wife, Mabel Okungbowa, who donated one of her kidneys to save him.</div>

Thank you Nigerians, OJB is back from india for his kidney transplant. God bless you

Music producer, OJB Jezreel has returned to Nigeria months after undergoing a successful kidney transplant in India. Jezreel, who was e...

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Nelson Mandela's funeral, farewell plans - a day by day breakdown

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Johannesburg (CNN)</strong> -- For the Xhosa people of South Africa, death is traditionally not something to be talked about or to be planned for, no matter how inevitable or close it may seem.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> But those close to Nelson Mandela had little choice as the country's first black leader lay in a Pretoria hospital and then at home in Johannesburg on life support.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> In the final years of his life, secret plans were hammered out between the government, the military and his family as they prepared for a fitting farewell for a great man.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Below is a breakdown of how those plans will unfold over the next 10 days, culminating in a state funeral to be broadcast to millions worldwide and a very private farewell for those closest to him.</div> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand15" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 27px 0px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="clickToPlay" id="clickToPlayvideoContainerexpand15" style="background-image: url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/video/416_player_Click_to_play_off.png); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 42px; left: 45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 27px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 136px; zoom: 1;"> </div> <img alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131205220802-ac-charles-ogletree-00002612-story-body.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="214" /><cite class="expCaption" style="background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; bottom: 0px; height: 20px; left: 10px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 214px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: white; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; left: 4px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Honoring Mandela's legacy</span></cite></div> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand25" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 27px 0px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="clickToPlay" id="clickToPlayvideoContainerexpand25" style="background-image: url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/video/416_player_Click_to_play_off.png); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 42px; left: 45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 27px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 136px; zoom: 1;"> </div> <img alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131205191511-tsr-beeper-former-prisoner-friend-of-nelson-mandela-00021925-story-body.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="214" /><cite class="expCaption" style="background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; bottom: 0px; height: 20px; left: 10px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 214px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: white; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; left: 4px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Small cell had a 'larger than life' man</span></cite></div> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand35" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 27px 0px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="clickToPlay" id="clickToPlayvideoContainerexpand35" style="background-image: url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/video/416_player_Click_to_play_off.png); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 42px; left: 45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 27px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 136px; zoom: 1;"> </div> <img alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131205183326-mandela-somber-story-body.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="214" /><cite class="expCaption" style="background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; bottom: 0px; height: 20px; left: 10px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 214px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: white; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; left: 4px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bizos recalls Mandela's life in prison</span></cite></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph5" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> As is often the case with events of this magnitude, plans might change due to weather, security and other factors. But for now, this is what the authorities and the family hope will happen.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph6" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> According to multiple sources involved with the planning of the final farewell to the South African icon, the 10 days of mourning will combine both Western traditions and those of the Thembu, Mandela's native clan.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph7" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph8" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Day 1 to Day 4</strong></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph9" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Mandela passed away at 8.50 p.m. Thursday (1.50 p.m. ET), surrounded by his family, South African President Jacob Zuma said. CNN understands that during his final hours, Mandela would have also been surrounded by Thembu elders. Importantly, at some stage - either at his home or in the mortuary - the traditional leaders will gather for a first ceremony, a tradition called "the closing of the eyes."</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph10" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Throughout the ceremony, they'll be talking to Mandela, as well as to his tribal ancestors, to explain what's happening at each and every stage to ease the transition from life to beyond.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph11" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> After the ceremony, it's believed Mandela's body will be embalmed at the mortuary, which is understood to be a military hospital in Pretoria.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph12" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph13" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Day 5</strong></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph14" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> No formal public events will be held until five days after Mandela's death when tens of thousands of people are expected to converge on the FNB Stadium, known as Soccer City in Soweto for a memorial service.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It was at that stadium that in July 2010 Mandela made his last public appearance at the World Cup final.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Spectators rose to their feet, their cheers partly drowned out by the deafening shriek of thousands of vuvuzelas to pay tribute to the then-92- year-old who some had feared might be too infirm to show up.</div> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand117" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 27px 0px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="clickToPlay" id="clickToPlayvideoContainerexpand117" style="background-image: url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/video/416_player_Click_to_play_off.png); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 42px; left: 45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 27px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 136px; zoom: 1;"> </div> <img alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131205191308-karsh-mandela-portrait-story-body.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="214" /><cite class="expCaption" style="background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; bottom: 0px; height: 20px; left: 10px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 214px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: white; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; left: 4px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ambassador: U.S. joins us in our grief</span></cite></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> In stark contrast to the mood of elation, the atmosphere on Day 5 is expected to hang heavy with grief as a nation mourns Madiba.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph18" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It is unclear whether Mandela's casket will be there.</div> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand119" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 27px 0px 10px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="clickToPlay" id="clickToPlayvideoContainerexpand119" style="background-image: url(http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/video/416_player_Click_to_play_off.png); border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; height: 42px; left: 45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 27px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 136px; zoom: 1;"> </div> <img alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/131206001209-nelson-mandela-spc-bernard-shaw-intv-00001114-story-body.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="214" /><cite class="expCaption" style="background-color: black; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; bottom: 0px; height: 20px; left: 10px; margin: 0px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 214px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: white; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; left: 4px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bernard Shaw: Mandela was 'forgiving'</span></cite></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph19" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Some world leaders might attend this memorial service instead of the state funeral later on in the week.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph20" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> A White House Official tells CNN the administration is working on plans for President Barack Obama to travel to South Africa to attend the memorial service.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph21" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph22" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Day 6 to 8</strong></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph23" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> According to sources, Mandela's body will then lie in state for three days at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the seat of power of the South African government.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph24" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The first day will be reserved for dignitaries. The public will be allowed to file past his casket on days 7 and 8. Viewing hours are expected to be limited to daylight. Long lines will likely form from the very early hours of the morning.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph25" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It was at the historic Union Buildings that Mandela was inaugurated as president on May 10, 1994. On that extraordinary day, crowds converged around the building to witness history being made. That day, a former political prisoner achieved what was once unthinkable and became South Africa's first post-apartheid black leader.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph26" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph27" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Day 9</strong></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph28" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Nine days after Mandela's death, a military aircraft will leave a Pretoria airbase and fly south to Mthatha, the main town in the South African province of Eastern Cape.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph29" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thembu elders and members of the Mandela family make the journey with Mandela's casket.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph30" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thousands of mourners are expected to line the streets from Mthatha airport to watch as the military transports Mandela's casket on a gun carriage to the remote village of Qunu, where the former leader spent his childhood years.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph31" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Along the way the procession is expected to pause for prayers to allow ordinary South Africans to pay their respects.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph32" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Once at Mandela's house, the military will formally pass responsibility for his remains to his family.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph33" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The South African flag that is expected to be draped over the coffin will be replaced with a traditional Xhosa blanket, symbolizing the return of one of their own.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph34" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> At dusk, ANC leaders, local chiefs and Mandela's family are expected to gather for a private night vigil before a very public funeral the next day.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph35" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph36" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Day 10</strong></div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph37" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The funeral and burial will be on the grounds of Mandela's Qunu home. It's expected that thousands of people, including dozens of heads of state, will gather for the state funeral. The funeral will take place under a large tent nestled in the hills where Mandela ran and played as a child.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph38" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> A tight military cordon is expected, in an attempt to assuage security fears. The event will be broadcast to an audience of millions around the world.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph39" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> At midday - when the summer sun is high in the sky - Mandela will be buried into the rocky soil of his homeland. Only a few hundred close family members will bid that final farewell to Mandela as he is laid to rest.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph40" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The burial area has been especially built for him; some of Mandela's long deceased family members are already buried at the site.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph41" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It will be, according to custom, a homecoming.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph42" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> His grave site is surrounded by rocky outcrops, hardy grass used for the grazing cattle and bright orange aloe plants.</div> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph43" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The aloes are indigenous succulents which are hardy, drought-resistant, medicinal plants that bloom across the bushveld when all else is dry and dull. A symbolic floral gesture to a man whose life was filled with sacrifice and tragedy but who triumphed with a tenacity of spirit and hope in even the darkest of days.</div> <a href="" name="em1" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><a href="" name="em2" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><a href="" name="em3" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><a href="" name="em4" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><a href="" name="em5" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br /> <div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph44" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; padding: 0px 24px 19px 186px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div>

Nelson Mandela's funeral, farewell plans - a day by day breakdown

Johannesburg (CNN)  -- For the Xhosa people of South Africa, death is traditionally not something to be talked about or to be planned for, ...

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World Cup draw: Nigeria to play Argentina, Bosnia, Iran

<div id="d_dep_titre"> <br /></div> <div id="content"> <div id="main" role="main"> <article class="post-423299 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-sports" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle"><div class="socialButton" id="facebookLike"> <div class="twitter_button"> </div> <div class="plus_button"> <div annotation="bubble" class="g-plusone" data-href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/breaking-news-nigeria-play-argentina-bosnia-iran/" size="medium"> </div> </div> <div class="sharethis_button"> <span class="st_sharethis_large" displaytext="ShareThis"></span></div> </div> <div id="entryContainer"> <div class="entry entry-content" itemprop="articleBody"> <div class="clear"> </div> <div id="d_depeche_header"> <div id="d_dep_titre"> <span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">COSTA DO SAUIPE  (AFP) -</span>World Cup organisers on Friday opened the draw ceremony for next year’s finals in the Brazilian resort of Costa do Sauipe. A total of 32 teams qualified for the finals and they were drawn into eight groups of four.</div> <div> </div> <div> Nigeria will begin it’s 2014 world cup campaign in Group F as the country will play against Argentina, Iran and Bosnia and Hezogovina  in Brazil.</div> <div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_422891" style="width: 422px;"> <a href="http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/world-cup-draw-fifa-puts-nigeria-pot-2-raises-prize-money/fifa/" rel="attachment wp-att-422891"><img alt="BRAZIL, Costa do Sauipe : Fifa president Joseph Blatter gestures during a press conference in Costa do Sauipe, state of Bahia, Brazil on December 3, 2013. The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil final draw will take place December 6. AFP PHOTO" class="size-full wp-image-422891" height="250" src="http://dvsl3w2q45hb8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fifa.jpg" width="412" /></a><br /> <div class="wp-caption-text"> BRAZIL, Costa do Sauipe : Fifa president Joseph Blatter gestures during a press conference in Costa do Sauipe, state of Bahia, Brazil on December 3, 2013. The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil final draw will take place December 6. AFP PHOTO</div> </div> </div> <div> <span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">      </span></div> <div> <span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">In Group A – Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon</span></div> <div> <div>       Group B – Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia<br /> Group C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan</div> <div>       Group D – Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy</div> </div> <div> </div> <div>       Group E – Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras</div> <div> <span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">      Group F – Argentina, Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria.</span></div> <div>       Group G – Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA</div> <div>       Group H – Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea</div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div> <div> <br /></div>

World Cup draw: Nigeria to play Argentina, Bosnia, Iran

COSTA DO SAUIPE  (AFP) - World Cup organisers on Friday opened the draw ceremony for next year’s finals in the Brazili...

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Universities open registers for lecturers

ABUJA — As the deadline given by Federal Government to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off the six month-old strike or be sacked expires tomorrow, several universities have opened registers to be signed by the lecturers even as the leadership of ASUU insisted that the strike will continue.<br /> <div align="left"> <b>Lectures resume at AAUA</b></div> At Ondo state-owned AdekunleAjasinUniversity, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) lectures resumed, yesterday, but few lecturers and students were seen in the lecture theaters. Lectures were held in the Department of History and the Faculty of Education as time table for the session has been released by the university authority. The university, in a reminder, by the Registrar, Mr. Bamidele Olotu confirmed the resumption of lectures. Olotu said in a statement that: “In line with an earlier circular to all students on resumption for the second semester 2012/2013 academic session, all students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in particular, their parents and the public in general are hereby informed that commencement of lectures on Monday, December 2, 2013, remains sacrosanct as announced. It added that “registration had indeed commenced in accordance with the university approved academic calendar.”<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM8_Ib1n1adt-1pOJj4BAChEMgQyNHRPUN9retKDSist-WAYXggTEoQ4kGV4rvnXrhYQKsuQHr5Yp3C8z-mccLX3j7c8DBUaQG08VbO0twC-8Rt4WpfIQ1U2LmqwplaBraeRsjBhiwlo/s1600/ASUU-UI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM8_Ib1n1adt-1pOJj4BAChEMgQyNHRPUN9retKDSist-WAYXggTEoQ4kGV4rvnXrhYQKsuQHr5Yp3C8z-mccLX3j7c8DBUaQG08VbO0twC-8Rt4WpfIQ1U2LmqwplaBraeRsjBhiwlo/s1600/ASUU-UI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_418068" style="width: 422px;"> <div class="wp-caption-text"> Cross section of stakeholders at a meeting to review the ongoing strike by ASUU held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan on Monday. Photo by Dare Fasube</div> </div> Some of the academic staff who spoke with the Information Unit of the university but would not want their names in print confirmed that they had resumed for work and that they attended the faculty board meetings held on Monday and Tuesday last week. Some of the students who also spoke said they were happy about the development. They urged ASUU to cooperate with the Management and expressed optimism that lectures would begin in full swing as announced.<br /> <div align="left"> <b>ESUT lecturers, students back to school</b></div> Students and lecturers of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) have also returned to school following a directive by the school authorities. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, correspondent who monitored the situation at the Enugu and Agbani campuses of the university reports that the students were in their various departments exchanging pleasantries and checking the notice boards.<br /> At the faculties of engineering and management sciences in the Enugu campus, students in their numbers were copying the second semester examination timetables pasted on the notice boards.<br /> The lecturers, on the other hand, held a meeting with the governing council of the university at the Agbani campus on the resumption of work.<br /> Addressing the lecturers, chairman of the council, Chief Chilo Offiah, appealed to them to sheathe their swords and return to classes in the interest of the students. Offiah thanked the lecturers for attending the meeting and assured them that the council would do all it could to ensure the improvement of their welfare.<br /> The executive members of the ESUT branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which called the strike, did not attend the meeting.<br /> It was however a different story at the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as only a few students and lecturers were on campus. NAN reports that the few lecturers were in their various offices discussing or reading while the non-academic staff members were busy working. Some of the lecturers who spoke on conditions of anonymity said they were waiting for directives from both the school authorities and the ASUU branch.<br /> “We heard on the radio that we should resume classes but we have not received any circular to that effect,” some of them said. Only the medical students who did not join the strike were fully on campus.<br /> <div align="left"> <b>Lecturers shun registers at UI</b></div> At the University of Ibadan, ASUU members resolved not to sign any register as directed by the government. The lecturers took the decision during a congress held in the institution yesterday.<br /> This came as all lecture rooms in various faculties were under lock and key. The campus was a ghost of itself as few people were seen moving around. Apart from the fact that students feel the government’s order would not help the face-off, the advice given by the academic union to parents that they should not expose their wards to danger may have been adhered to by most parents.<br /> Speaking with newsmen, the chairman, UI chapter of ASUU, Dr Olusegun Ajiboye said the union remained on course at ensuring that government funds public universities.<br /> Though, he stated that the union respects the office of Mr President, he alleged that Dr. Doyin Okupe and others in his government were trying to ridicule the office of the President through their unguarded utterances against the union.<br /> <b>Uniben</b><b> students stay away to honour Iyayi</b><br /> At the University of Benin, in spite of announcement by the university authorities that academic activities would resume today, there were no signs of resumption in the university yesterday, as both the Ekenwa and Ugbowo campuses were empty.<br /> Students of the university said they would not resume until the remains of ProfessorFestus Iyayi who they held in high esteem is buried. <b><i>Vanguard</i></b> also learnt that ASUU members in both UNIBEN and the state owned AmbroseAlliUniversity, Ekpoma were not ready to resume duties today.<br /> ASUU chairman, UNIBEN chapter, Dr. Tony Monye when contacted said they were busy preparing for the burial of Professor Festus Iyayi even as he added that ASUU members would not resume duties.<br /> <div align="left"> <b>No lecturers at Ambrose Ali University</b></div> Meanwhile, at the AmbroseAlliUniversity, Ekpoma, there were no signs that the university would soon re-open as no student was at the two campuses of the university at Emuado and the main campus. A lecturer who spoke with <b><i>Vanguard</i></b> on condition of anonymity said there has been no directive from the state government for the re-opening of the institution. He said the lecturers would continue to stay at home until ASUU leaders give the directive to go back to work.<br /> <div align="left"> <b>Lecturers shun directives at Unijos, Abu, FUT Minna, and others</b></div> At the University of Jos, the governing council directed heads of departments to open attendance registers for academic staff. Registrar of the university, Danjuma Jilly-Dandam in a statement yesterday, also requested departments to publish lecture time tables by today (Tuesday) to signal the resumption of academic activities and keep daily compliance registers for academic staff that report for work.<br /> However, despite the directive, lecturers were not visible at both the Bauchi Road and Naraguta campuses of the institution as only the non-academic staff members were seen in their offices.<br /> Students are also yet to return to school as hostels remained largely desolate when <b><i>Vanguard</i></b> visited, yesterday.<br /> The situation was the same at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, AbiaState, the two campuses of the Bayero University Kano, Federal University of Agriculture, FUT, Minna, AhmaduBelloUniversity, Zaria, and GombeStateUniversity as the lecturers and students have shunned the directive to resume<br /> <div align="left"> <b>ASUU vows to continue strike</b></div> Meanwhile, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge who briefed journalists in Abuja on the position of the union following the ultimatum, said the Federal Government was free to open all the federal universities in the country but all the members of ASUU would not go back to work unless government met all their demands.<br /> According to Fagge, “we shall bow only to what we as academics are convinced will serve the interest of Nigeria and its people, no matter their ethnic, religious or class origins. This is where we stand. We shall never be cowed. Since the issuance of the union’s response to the said letter, the salvos that have been coming out, allegedly from the Minister of Education makes one to wonder whether the person that is charged with the responsibility of superintending over Nigeria’s education system has the wherewithal to handle such a vital national assignment.<br /> “It is my intention therefore, to clear the air on the rumours, lies and mischief that are milling out of government circles (especially from Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission) all with the intent of misleading the Nigerian public.<br /> “I will establish, to all discerning minds that ASUU did not bring any ‘new conditions’ as claimed by the Minister of Education Nyesom Wike and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Mr. Doyin Okupe. Rather, it is the government that is trying to avoid taking responsibility.”<br /> Fagge stated that ASUU had no role in closing and opening of universities in Nigeria, rather it could withdraw its services which he said was the right of every worker.<br /> He said:  “The fact is very clear that our members are not going back to work and it is part of the sacrifice we are making that our universities meet up with other universities in the world.”<br /> <div align="left"> <b>Our agreement with FG</b><i> — ASUU</i></div> Dr. Fagge said in the agreement, the Federal Government promised to provide N1.1 trillion in the next six years starting from  2013 with N200 billion, 2014, N220billion, 2015 N220billion, 2016 N220 billion, 2017 N220billin and 2018 N220 billion, for the revitalization of the University system. It was further agreed that a dedicated revitalisation account should be opened at Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, by the Federal Government and fund would be paid into the account on quarterly basis from which the universities will draw.<br /> The ASUU President said after the November 4, 2013 meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and after the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Kano, the union communicated to the Federal Government on the agreement. He said ASUU also asked the Federal Government to include non-victimization clause and that a new Memorandum of Understanding should be signed by a representative of government, preferably the Attorney General of the Federation and a representative of ASUU, with President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC as witness.<br /> He denied speculation that 60 per cent of ASUU branches voted for the unconditional suspension of strike and 40 per cent voted against it.<br /> Fagge said instead, out of the 52 branches of ASUU, 48 branches which was roughly 92 per cent supported suspending the strike only if certain conditions were met while four branches advised the suspension of the strike before pursuing the implementation of certain conditions.<br /> <b>Sack threat, a tragedy</b><br /> He continued:  “For a Minister of Education to issue threat of sack of academic staff is a tragedy of huge proportion for Nigeria and Africa. While ASUU has been struggling for conditions in which Nigerian students would benefit from, the Minister of Education is thinking of a thoughtless mass sack as a solution to the problems arising from Government’s non-implementation of an Agreement reached with ASUU as if Nigerian rulers have made no intellectual progress since Abacha.<br /> “To be clear; Nigerian lecturers — from graduate assistants to professors, are not begging anybody for jobs. It is now well known that since 2003, successive governments have told Nigerian people, repeatedly, that the solution to Nigeria’s social and economic crisis is to kill public economic and educational institutions and institute the reign of private control of the economy and education, whereas the constitution of Nigeria states clearly that the commanding heights of Nigeria’s economy shall be publicly owned.<br /> “From all indications, the Minister of Education, on behalf of the present Government, is set to carry out in the sphere of education what one of its predecessors did with universities, Transcorp and the Nigeria Airways.<br /> “The way is being paved for privatization of education. Academic staff have a duty to defend the right of Nigerians to sound public education. To succumb to the present threat by Minister of Education on behalf of Government is to give-up on Nigeria. We in the academic profession have no such intention.<br /> <div align="left"> <b>ASUU and Nigeria’s past leaders</b></div> “We resisted Abacha’s dictatorship. We refused to succumb to Obasanjo/IMF attempt to weaken public in favour of private universities. We convinced Yar’adua to keep faith with interests of Nigeria’s youth and desist from privatising education. We remember Obasanjo’s position that the solution to ASUU resistance is to flood Nigeria with private universities.<br /> “In spite of all these, stretching from ASUU’s principled resistance since the military, we have noticed with disgust how easy it is for ministers and government to take refuge in political blackmail. We shall never succumb to this. Our country is our union’s constituency”.<br /> The ASUU president said instead of the Minister to respond to their letter which expressed understanding of their resolution on the November 4, 2013, meeting with President Jonathan, he chose to go public accusing ASUU of making new demands.<br /> On the allegation that ASUU was sponsored by the opposition political parties against the Federal Government, he said, “lot of people have asked me this question, am I a politician? ASUU is non partisan, non religious, non ethnic and tribal organisation, we are interested in addressing the problems of this country.<br /> “Politicians are the people that are compounding the problems of this country so how can we be influenced by any political party?  ASUU is a trade union of high intellectual people, so no political party can influence or sponsor us.”

Universities open registers for lecturers

ABUJA — As the deadline given by Federal Government to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off the six month-old strike...

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