Tehran. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,  rejected any idea of bilateral talks with the United States on Thursday in a  speech in which he scoffed at Iranian officials who might consider such  negotiations.

A staunch ideologue who has often rejected dialogue with America, Mr Khamenei  was apparently responding to a United States offer of one-on-one negotiations  between the two countries on a range of topics, including Iran’s disputed  nuclear program, a suggestion that Vice President Joe Biden reinforced last week  during a security conference in Munich. The Iranian foreign minister said then  he was open to such talks, although Mr Biden noted that they could proceed only  if the ayatollah showed serious interest.

The ayatollah’s objection is an edict to which other Iranian officials,  including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, must adhere, and it comes after several  high-ranking Iranian officials, including Mr Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister  Ali Akbar Salehi, had said the Obama administration had been taking positive  steps toward Iran. Mr Khamenei was straightforward in his speech on Thursday  before air force commanders in his Tehran office, which was reported on his  website.

He said that while some “simple-minded people” might be happy about the  prospect of bilateral talks, Iran had seen nothing from Washington other than  the same conspiracies.

“The Iranian nation will not negotiate under pressure,” he said. Noting the  international sanctions against Iran, Mr Khamenei said: “The US is pointing a  gun at Iran and wants us to talk to them. The Iranian nation will not be  intimidated by these actions.”

“Direct talks will not solve any problems,” he added.

His remarks came after new restrictions were imposed on payments for Iranian  oil Wednesday, a move that increased economic pressure on Iran, and as Iranian  and Western officials said Iran had agreed to resume multilateral nuclear talks  with world powers this month in Kazakhstan. The ayatollah’s rejection of talks  with the United States will not affect the Kazakhstan talks, set to begin  February 26.

He said the United States was desperate for talks because its policy in the  Middle East had failed.

“They need to draw a trump card,” he said. “Their trump card is urging Iran  to sit at the negotiating table.”

“I’m not a diplomat, I’m a revolutionary, and speak frankly and directly,” he  said. “If anyone wants the return of US dominance here, people will grab his  throat.” His speech was a reaction to continuing US sanctions against Iran,  people close to him said.

“There is no room for any optimism,” said Hamid Reza Taraghi, an influential  politician. Pointing to the new sanctions, decisions by US courts to seize  Iranian assets and the support for the opposition in Syria, where President  Bashar Assad is Iran’s last regional ally, he said, “We haven’t seen anything  good from the US.”

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/irans-top-cleric-rejects-direct-talks-with-the-us-20130208-2e31p.html#ixzz2KKjUSfRS

The Bayelsa State Government has commenced massive cultivation of cassava and rice for export as well as boost food production and internally generated revenue base of the State.

To this end, the state government has acquired a total of 600 hectares of land for the cultivation of improved varieties of cassava in various locations around the State.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Thomas Commander disclosed this at one of the cassava multiplication farms at Ebedebiri in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State during a media tour of facilities embarked upon by his Ministry to mark the one year anniversary of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s administration.

The essence of the tour, according to the commissioner, is that the administration was using agriculture to drive a programme of diversifying the State’s economy as well as generate employment opportunities.

The commissioner explained that the cassava cuttings sourced from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan were pest resistance and very high yields.

“They are pest resistant and give very high yields, and when they grow and we get the stem, these stems will be used to develop a commercial cassava factory.

“The Ebedebiri farm is kick starting with 40 hectares in size. This farm is meant for multiplication of improved variety of cassava cuttings; these cassavas, the ones you are seeing are improved varieties”.

“The total area will be 600 hectares some of which is located at Ebedebiri and Ofoni and other locations will make up the 600 hectares total size of the farm for the cassava project.

“It is going to be used for export, we are going to process the cassava mainly for export, it is going to be a major source of revenue for the State and the Nation.”

Dr. Commander also said that Government is to embark on the quick rehabilitation of the rice farms at Peremabiri, Isampou and Kolo for commercial purposes, adding that, Government will go into partnership with investors from Thailand and Malaysia for the rice and oil palm.

According to him, the State Government has concluded plans to install a very big palm oil mill for the diversification of oil products such as soap making, pomade, vegetable oil amongst others.

Former Chairman, Federal House of Representatives adhoc Committee on probe of Fuel subsidy regime, Hon. Farouk Lawan and his colleague, Hon.Boniface Emenalo were this morning granted bail by anAbuja High Court.

The due who have been in detention for 7days , are being prosecuted by the Federal Government for collecting a $620,000 bribe from billionaire Oil Merchant, Femi Otedola to delist his Company, Zenom Oil, from the list of those who defrauded the federal government with false subsidy claims.

The presiding judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, granted the lawmakers bail in the sum of N10 million each and two sureties each in like sum, and consequently directed them to submit their international passports with the court registrar, adding that they can only travel outside Nigeria with the permission of the court.

The High Court Judge has fixed April 10 and 17 for hearing.

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Source: oceanwaveng.com

Abia state government says it is ready to partner with Thailand to explore bilateral investment opportunities between them.
Governor Theodore Orji stated this at the government house, Umuahia when he met with the Royal Thai commercial counselor in Nigeria, Mr.Boon Intiratana who paid him a courtesy visit with the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA).
The governor advised the counselor to look round the state and ascertain areas of interest for investment.
According to him the state boasts of large human and material resources adding that apart from Lagos, Aba remains the commercial nerve centre of the country.
He described Igbos as very industrious and assured the counselor of adequate security of their investment in the state.
Chief Orji stated that Thailand is noted for rice production, which he said has helped in feeding Nigerians and pointed out that a major problem confronting Aba is power supply.
He however stated that the federal government is addressing the problem with the building of NIPP power plant in Aba which is being complemented by the Geometric power plant at Osisioma.
The governor used the forum to commend ACCIMA for the role it was playing in promoting trade and pledged to continue to assist the chamber.
In his speech, Mr Intiratana said the purpose of his visit was to see business and commercial opportunities that exist in Abia state and how to promote bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Thailand.
He said that his country is interested in agriculture especially rice production and food processing, electricity generation, tourism, as well as in construction and transportation and invited the governor to send a private mission to Thailand in May this year for an international food fair and the Nigeria – Thailand business forum.
Earlier, the president of ACCIMA, chief Eleanya Okoroji said ACCIMA is striving on its noble functions of attracting foreign investments to Abia state ,adding that the Thai commercial counselor is in Abia under their invitation to interact with business people as well as improve on the existing bilateral relationship between Abia state and Thailand.

A retired Manager with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Boniface Onwubualiri has dragged the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the City Securities Ltd, an Enugu-based stock-broking firm to the Industrial Arbitration Court (IAC) over acquisition of some blue-chip stocks.

The legal action according to the former CBN chief in his respective pre-action notices dated Feb 4, 2013, to both SEC and broker, receipts of both were acknowledged had become necessary following series of alleged tripartite fruitless meetings meant to resolve the disagreement amicably.

Onwubualiri told the reporters at the office of the Onitsha office of SEC where he admitted he was summoned apparently after the receipt of his pre-action notice, that vide an email dated Feb 28, 2008, which was repeated few days after, had detailed the broker to purchase certain listed stocks for him at the ruling rate then. He confirmed he had consequently sent a total sum of Eight hundred and forty thousand naira to the broking firm, made in three installments, through FCMB bank Plc, Enugu.

He also specified preference for 300, 000 Juli Pharmacy Plc stocks as well as 300, 000 stocks of Rocana Industries complications, while the remainder should be used to buy other equally listed named stocks.

But unfortunately the broker did not follow his instructions or buy the stocks at the time. He alleged they withheld his funds and when he raised objections and concern on their mode of operations, they went to purchase some other stocks outside his brief.

When he could no longer bear the alleged antics, he petitioned the SEC which after a long and tortuous detailed investigation led by its South East(Onitsha) Zonal Head, Mr B.E.Archibong vide letters of Dec 7, 2011, Feb 2, 2012 and March 19, 2012 directed the broker to refund five hundred and forty thousand (N540, 000) with an interest of 12.2% from Feb 2008 to Dec 2011 to Mr Onwubualiri. SEC also directed that, “…you are directed to forward a compliance report to reach the Commission on or before Feb 16, 2012.”

But CSL in a letter by Imade George-Ogbonna who is incharge of its Risk Management, Control and Compliance to SEC dated March 22, 2012 refered to a pending appeal they filed against their earlier directive for refund of N540,000 to Mr Onwubualiri, before the Commission’s Director General. Repeated attempts to get their further comments were repeatedly rejected.

SEC had insisted that only compliance of its earlier order would avail the broker opportunity to make further representation on the issue, as a way to restore investors’ confidence in them/ the market.

The petitioner stated that surprisingly none of these directives were complied with and SEC has so far taken no further action to assist him recover his money. Almost coming to tears, Mr Onwubualiri told reporters that the transaction has crippled his financial base and means of sustenance, hence the legal action which he described as his last resort.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State returned yesterday to a tumultuous reception at Enugu after his extended vacation abroad.

The Governor who had arrived Abuja, Wednesday from London, touched down at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu around 3.pm yesterday amidst cheers from the crowd of enthusiastic citizens who had thronged the airport since morning to welcome him.

He was welcomed on arrival by the Acting Governor, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi accompanied by his wife, Nneka, National and State Assembly members and other top government officials.

Spotting a cream white jacket, blue stripped shirt and a pair of black trousers, Governor Chime acknowledged cheers from the ecstatic crowd that included many federal and state legislators, traditional rulers and top government officials before being driven to the Governor’s Lodge.

Another huge crowd of singing and dancing people was at hand at the Lodge. Governor Chime and his wife, Clara took time to receive many guests.

It was also celebration galore on the streets of Enugu as soon as news filtered in that the governor had arrived the Coal City, with the people chanting victory songs. His return finally marked the end of his absence as the excited residents heaved sighs of relief.

10 polio vaccination staff were shot dead on Friday morning at two locations in Kano state.

The first incident happened around 9am at a clinic called Shargalle at Filin Cashew in Unguwar Uku when gunmen in a tricycle appeared and opened fire on the vaccination officers, killing two workers and wounding four others, hospital sources have confirmed.

Earlier reports had said four of the workers were killed in the attack

Eight other women were gunned down when another set of tricycle-riding gunmen attacked another clinic at Wuro Pagga along the Western By-pass as they were about to head out for the day’s exercise.

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Contacted, Spokesman of the Kano Police Command, ASP Magaji Musa, who confirmed the incident said, this morning at about 9.30am, some gunmen stormed Hotoro and Angwar Uku Health centres and killed nine people, including two women.
 
The Health workers were on routine immunization exercise. Meanwhile, Musa disclosed that the area has been cordoned off as no arrest has been made, adding that investigations into the incident has commenced.

Confirming the attack, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran said that some gun men attacked some health workers, most of whom were women at Anguwar Uku, killing two women and injuring two others. Labaran said that already those killed and injured have been rushed to the hospital, describing it as a sad development, pointing out that nine people, all women were killed by the unknown gunmen.

However, before the arrival of the Joint Task Force, It was learnt that the gunmen, who stormed the area on tricycle have made good their escaped.

The sad incident coincided with the visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar who was billied to visit Police Academy, Wudil for inspection of facilities in the Academy which has been upgraded to a degree awarding institution.

Also, in recent times, security agencies have continued to clamp down on leaders of Islamic Boko Haram sect in the ancient City as the JTF claimed three top members of the sect believed to have carried out attack on the convoy of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, have been arrested.

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Stay tuned

To further boost the morale and spirits of the Super Eagles ahead of the AFCON 2013 finals, President Goodluck Jonathan is sending a high-powered delegation led by the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark to represent him and the Federal Government at the match in Johannesburg on Sunday.

President Jonathan who, because of urgent official commitments in London and Paris, cannot be physically present in Johannesburg to lead the cheering for the Super Eagles as he would have wished, has charged the delegation to ensure that the members of the team are properly motivated and in the best possible spirits to win a resounding victory for the nation on Sunday.

The President asked the delegation which also includes Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and the Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda to reassure the team of his full support and best wishes for victory.

They are to also inform the team that President Jonathan will host a dinner reception for them at the State House Banquet Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 to personally thank and honour them for their positively transformed performance in South Africa which has undoubtedly re-established Nigeria as a major power in international soccer.

The President charged the team to go out against Burkina Faso on Sunday with the greatest determination to win a final victory that will bring immense joy and happiness to the millions of Nigerians at home and abroad who have had their pride restored by the triumphs against Ethiopia, Cote D’Ivoire and Mali, and are praying for ultimate success at South Africa’s National Stadium.