Massive Explosion Hits Seattle Neighborhood in USA

A massive explosion ripped through a Seattle neighborhood early Wednesday -- obliterating at least one building, damaging several others and sending nine firefighters who'd been investigating a gas leak to a hospital in the Washington state city.

The one battalion chief and eight firefighters transported to Harborview Medical Center suffered minor injuries, said Seattle fire spokeswoman Corey Orvold. In a statement, Harborview Medical indicated that all nine were in satisfactory condition with injuries ranging from burns to cuts to abrasions.

While they recovered, their colleagues remained in a commercial part of the city's Greenwood neighborhood to address lingering flames and other issues. The Seattle Fire Department tweeted around 3:30 a.m (6:30 a.m. ET) that 67 personnel -- including firefighters, commanders and medics  were on site.

About 2½ hours earlier, an initial group of firefighters was dispatched to Greenwood to check on a reported natural gas leak, Orvold told reporters Wednesday morning. The explosion went off 39 minutes into that call -- destroying a building that included a restaurant and shattering windows as far as two blocks away.

Its destructive force was evident in images tweeted by the fire department showing debris stuck in trees and littering the street, as well as the shattered windows of nearby storefronts and restaurants.

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Oil Workers Strike Over NNPC Restructuring Plans

NNPC Towers

Unions shut down operations at Nigeria’s state oil firm Wednesday in protest at restructuring plans, a spokesman said, in a move that could worsen fuel supplies in Africa’s largest producer.

“Operations at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have been grounded nationwide,” said Babatunde Oke, of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN).

It followed a call by PENGASSAN and its junior workers counterpart NUPENG to protest “the unilateral decision of the minister of state for petroleum Ibe Kachukwu to unbundle the NNPC”.

Kachukwu, who also doubles as the head of the NNPC, announced the said the restructuring was to make the company more efficient and profitable.

The NNPC has long been accused of inefficiency and withholding billions of dollars in government oil revenue, prompting an overhaul aimed a boosting transparency and cutting corruption.

Oke said the unions were concerned about the effect of the planned restructuring on their members.

“We have asked our members in NNPC to withdraw their services until the minister is ready to engage us on the matter,” he added.

The workers action would hit the loading of petrol at NNPC depots, worsening already dwindling supplies that in the last two weeks have seen long queues form again at Nigerian filling stations.

Despite being Africa’s biggest crude producer, Nigeria has to import petroleum products because of a lack of capacity at its four functioning domestic refineries.

The government keeps prices at the pump low and pays the difference with the international market rate to fuel importers, who have frequently held the country to ransom over unpaid revenue.

The oil sector accounts for 70 percent of government revenue but has been hit by the global fall in crude since mid-2014, weakening the naira currency and forcing up the cost of living.

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HOOKED 4

Lara rolled on her bed. She had woken up earlier than usual and had spent longer than usual praying. She also prayed more fervently than usual. You never know the value of life until you almost loose it. She lay on her bed with little or no motivation for work. She thought of calling in sick but that would have been a lie and Lara certainly isn't on to lie her way out of responsibilities. She could call in late. "Lara" Zubby called from behind her door before popping her head through the door "morning love" she greeted. "morning" Lara responded, "no work?" Zubby asked.

"work dea o...but am in no mood for it...I think I will just take my time and go later. I'll call in late" "okay" Zubby said. "are you okay?" she continued " coz if your not, you could always call the cab guy...what's his name again?" "AB" "yeah AB....you can call him to take you to work" " zubby ...I'll be fine" "okay o...me am off to work, take care of your self today " Zubby left and Lara collapsed on her bed and closed her eyes..and resisted the thought of calling AB.

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Nigerian Army's Head Of Training Dies In Auto Crash

Major-General Y. M. Abubakar

The Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar has died.

General Abubakar died in an auto crash along Maidiguri-Damaturu road on Tuesday.

The Acting GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General M. S. A. Aliyu who was travelling with Abubakar survived but sustained severe injuries, the Nigerian Army spokesman, Sani Usman said in a statement.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public of the involvement of its Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Maj Gen YM Abubakar and the Acting GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General MSA Aliyu in a road traffic accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu road
“Sadly, we lost Maj Gen YM Abubakar as a result of the incident while Brig Gen Aliyu sustained some injuries & is receiving treatment.”

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The Cameroonian Army Intercepts a French Helicopter Delivering Weapons To Boko Haram

There are several allegations and counter allegations surrounding this story but the level of sophistication that the group has been operating on begs the question as to who is and who is not supporting them.

The unconfirmed says that the Cameroonian army caught a French helicopter delivering weapons to the terrorist group Boko Haram in the North Region of Cameroon.

God help our beloved country.

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Lagos Assembly Orders Relocation of Mile 12 Market to Parafa

Smarting from the last week’s crisis in the Mile 12 market area of Lagos, the State House of Assembly yesterday told the state government to begin arrangements for the relocation of the popular foodstuff market.

The market, which is due to be moved to Parafa, in Ikorodu, according to the House, has overstayed its welcome in the area and should no longer be tolerated in the heart of the city.

Also penciled for relocation is the Owode Market on Ikorodu road and others of such market that have expanded to the highway.
Presenting the issue at Matters of Urgent Public Importance, during Monday’s plenary, member of the House, Jude Idimogu, drew attention of his colleagues to the last week mayhem in which 12 people were killed, scores of persons maimed and raped and over 15 houses razed.

Idimogu noted that such violence and tribal clashes had become one too many in the market with security agencies also fingered for taking sides with one tribe against the other.

While he commended the state government for rising to the occasion to quell the crisis, the lawmaker said that it was high time the government had relocated the market to a better site and away from residential community.

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Disney’s ‘Zootopia’ Records Smashing Opening With $73.7 Million Debut

Disney’s “Zootopia” scored the fourth-biggest March opening ever, debuting to $73.7 million over the weekend.

The animated story about a rabbit who joins the police force ranks as the biggest Disney Animation launch (though not the best Pixar debut), outstripping “Frozen,” the 2012 blockbuster that bowed to $67.4 million. With no major family film opening until “The Jungle Book” lands on April 15, “Zootopia” is well positioned to be the de facto choice for moviegoers with children for the next month.

“There’s an absence of competition,” said Dave Hollis, Disney’s distribution chief. “We are set up to have a big, big run.”

March was once seen as a dumping ground for movies, but the success of spring releases like “The Hunger Games,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella” and now “Zootopia” has shattered that prejudice, analysts say.

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Internet Pioneer and Email Inventor Ray Tomlinson, dies at the age of 74.

Raymond Tomilson, the man widely cited as the inventor of email  has died, according to  CNN report on Sunday afternoon at age 74. He reportedly had a heart attack which lead to his death on Saturday.

The US computer programmer came up with the idea of electronic messages that could be sent from one network to another in 1971.

His invention included the ground-breaking use of the @ symbol in email addresses, which is now standard.

He sent what is now regarded as the first email while working in Boston as an engineer for research company Bolt, Beranek and Newman.

The firm played a big role in developing an early version of the internet, known as Arpanet.

However, Tomlinson later said he could not remember what was in that first test message, describing it as "completely forgettable".

His work was recognised by his peers in 2012, when he was inducted into the internet  hall of fame

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Emir Task Security Agents on Curbing Drug Peddling in Katsina

The Emir of Katsina , Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, has urged security agents to initiate strategies to eliminate illicit drugs peddling in the state.

The emir made the appeal on Monday in Katsina at a special meeting with the heads of security organisations to discuss the menace of illicit drug peddling in the state.

“It has come to the notice of the Emirate Council that several young boys, girls and women engage in the consumption of cough syrups with codeine without doctors’ prescriptions.

“The Katsina Emirate Council is worried that the future mothers of tomorrow are slowly killing themselves by taking illicit drugs,” he said.

Kabir advised parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards in order to prevent them from mixing with bad friends.

“We as the custodians of the culture and tradition of the people in Katsina, and we must do our best to make sure that youths shun drug peddling and abuse.

“I hereby call on youths to engage in skill acquisition training in order to avoid being idle, as idleness is one of the reasons for drug consumption by the youths,’’ the traditional ruler said.

Earlier , the state Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency , Hajiya Maryam Sani , said that the meeting was necessary to make plans to wipe out illicit drug trade and consumption in the state.

Sani said that state had been identified as holding the first position in the consumption and trade in illicit drugs in the North West.

She said that the command had intercepted large quantities of cannabis within the last two weeks and arrested some suspects.

Sani, who spoke on behalf of other security chiefs, said that many traders in the state had left their trades to engage in the sale of illicit drugs especially cough syrup.

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Residents of "Second Lagos" Protest 10 years of Power Outage

According to recent reports ,
Scores of residents of three communities on the Ibafo-Mowe axis of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway popularly referred to as “Second Lagos’’, on Monday protested what they called 10 years of power outage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communities were protesting the cutting off of electricity supply to their areas in the last decade.

The protesters, who converged on Punch Newspapers premises along the busy Lagos/Ibadan Expressway with some policemen on guard, also blocked part of the road at Ibafo, causing traffic jam.

The placard-carrying protesters, who had massed as early as 7.00 a.m., directed their protest at the Minister of Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBDEC) which serves the area.

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Nigerian Minister of Labour James Ocholi dies in Auto mobile accident with Son and Wife

News reaching Chifys world just revealed that the Labour minister James Ocholi  was involved in an auto mobile accident this afternoon by 3pm, along Kaduna Abuja express way. The Hon. minister and his son were said to have died on the spot while  his Wife who was earlier said to be in a coma as a result of the auto mobile accident that claimed the lives of her husband and son by 3pm this afternoon, also later died in Doka General Hospital, about 60 kilometres to Kaduna, having sustained severe injuries.

He also said that the Minister’s driver was in a critical condition at the same hospital. The Hon. Minister was a senior advocate of Nigeria from Kogi state. Three days of mourning from 7 to 9th March will be observed in honour of the late Minister.

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P-Square is Still GLO Ambassador

P-Square

Contrary to recent rumour that Globacom had terminated it’s contract with sensational music twins P-Square, the telecommunications operator has denied the media reports that it has ended brand endorsement deal with music duo, Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square.

The company confirmed in a statement it released in Lagos on Thursday that, contrary to such media speculations, the twins were still its brand ambassadors, stating that it was only in the process of reviewing contracts with its ambassadors, including the twins.

“We have not disengaged P-Square or any of our other ambassadors. We are currently in the process of reviewing our contracts with the brand ambassadors,” the statement said.

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What Do Your Kids Learn Unconsciously : Photo of the Day

Is this really a Mouse or a Giraffe

Your kids might be unconsciously learning some wrong things in school and from their surroundings... if a kids keeps seeing the picture of a Giraffe labeled as a Mouse, You will be shocked the day he sees a giraffe on somewhere or on TV and calls it a Mouse.

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FIVE THINGS YOU MUST NEVER DO ON THE STREETS

Na who no like better thing? Is a common statement among many Nigerians? It’s simply amazing how so many of us say this and go ahead to act contrary to their very own statements. We like a clean and beautiful environment but will never plant a single flower or aesthetic plant. They will throw things on the ground without regards for the environment and even themselves who live in the environment.What amuses one most is howreligious we are and yet  many of us ignore the most basic of our God given responsibilities to Cather for the earth. Many believe clean environments are expensive and hence only for the rich. But this is not true

These are five things you must never do on the streets if you want a better environment.

1) Do not throw things on the Ground, hold-on  to your trash until you find a trash can.

2) Don’t pea on the road side, get to a toilet first.

3) Don't throw dirt out of moving vehicles dispose of your garbage properly

4) Do not spit all over the place. It’s a disgusting habit

5) Don’t throw things into drainage. If it gets blocked, it will come back to you in a most disgusting manner.

It actually doesn’t cost much to keep the environment clean, a change of habit does the trick!

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HOOKED 3

Lara stood waiting for a cab . She closed late from work and was running late for church.
She took a glance at her watch 5:45 she had to be in church by 6:00pm and she wanted to get home first to pick up her bible and bible study materials. She wondered why all the cabs she saw for some weird reason were going to Dutse. She waited and silently prayed a Gwarimpa bound cab would come along so she could get going . She just might have to take a drop with the way things were going..."federal housing Gwarimpa!" she heard the familiar high toned cheerful voice "kai! its him"
Lara got in and the cab started moving.
"hello love" he said in an excited chatter
"How was work today" he continued " its been I while since I saw you, what can I offer you?"
Lara felt like disappearing from the whole scene and from curious glances of other customers. she looked at him with astonished gaze.
A passenger dropped and he still continued" would you like some vitamin c dear,? its all I have...please have some". " no thank y... " Lara didn't get to finish her reply because he went on. "oh come to the front love" other passengers grunted and yabbed him. surprisingly Lara found herself laughing at his continuous rapid talking...it was Canary like. she found it amusing. The remaining two passengers got down and Lara found herself in the middle of a conversation with the cabbie. He was telling her about his brothers wedding, Which he attended somewhere in his village. " where are you from?" she heard herself ask " Delta"
"what part of delta?" "Ogume" he replied "wow! I schooled there" she said " so how do you like my home town?" "what's special about your home town?" she asked " you want to tell me you didn't fall in love enough with it to want to go back?" she looked at him and smiled "Nope" They found themselves talking about places they both knew.There were almost at her stop and coincidentally she was the only passenger left. He quickly looked at her and said " please take my number and add me on whatsapp" "huh" she said

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JAMB: Lagos State Government Lifts Ban On Vehicular Movement During Monthly Sanitation

THE Lagos State government yesterday lifted the restriction order on human and vehicular movements during the monthly environmental sanitation slated for today.

This is to enable students, invigilators and other stakeholders participate effectively in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

Information Officer, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Tunde Awobiyi, said in a statement that the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, had directed residents of the state to still observe the day by cleaning their homes and environments.

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Supreme Court Upholds Verdict For Rev. King To Be Hanged

The Court has upheld the verdict that Rev. King will surely face the "hangman's noose"

EXCEPT for the final declaration of the Supreme Court, it would have been a birthday bash and wild jubilation for members of the Christian Praying Assembly (CPA) yesterday, if the death sentence of their General Overseer, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, had been repealed by the apex court, as some newspaper pages were already awash with birthday greetings for their spiritual leader, whose death verdict was ironically sealed on his birthday.

The Supreme Court yesterday set aside the appeal filed by the General Overseer of Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, also known as Reverend King.

The appeal was challenging the judgment of a Lagos High Court that condemned him to death by hanging, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

The Lagos State Government, in its reaction yesterday through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, applauded the judgment, saying it was another confirmation of the seriousness of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration to be decisive in fighting crime in the state.

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Sunday Oliseh Quits Job as Super Eagles Chief Coach

Sunday Oliseh 

NIGERIAN football followers woke up yesterday to the news that Super Eagles Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has quit his job.

The Eagles’ Manager, who recently had a run in with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following his ‘unsavoury’ comments in his twitter account, quit his job through the same medium in the early hours of yesterday.

The former Super Eagles’ captain, who took over from Stephen Keshi eight months ago, hinged his decision to quit the job on “contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages, benefits to my players, assistant coaches and myself.”

He wrote: “I feel fortunate, blessed and eternally grateful for having had the honour to play, captain and coach this great nation of ours, Nigeria.”

Before the sudden turn of events, Oliseh had declined to meet with the NFF Technical Committee on Thursday in Abuja as scheduled, saying he wanted to use the time to travel to England to meet some of the players that would likely feature for Nigeria against Egypt in the 2017 AFCON’s qualifiers in

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INSTITUTE OF HUMAN VIROLOGY ABLAZE

It's a CDs day and am chilling at home when I get a call from a friend telling me that my primary place of assignment P.P.A is on fire!

Apparently I don't believe her because I did not think it was possible. I call a friend at work and the news is confirmed. The top most floor was gutted by fire this afternoon, the fire service were there to put the fire out. Sources say it was as a result of power surge but  investigations are on going.who know's if  there would be work on Monday. See more pictures after the cut.

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What A Jewish Leader Said About Blacks

This interview was posted by Chinasa Nworu on feb 11 at 2:09 of Facebook

 You’ve got to read this Excerpt from an interview with a Jewish leader about Blacks. This message was forwarded to me some few days ago on WhatsApp. Please read and we’ll appreciate if you can share your thoughts on this interview with others.

INTERVIEWER: Why are blacks so behind economically? 

JEWISH LEADER: The only aspect blacks understand is Consumption. Blacks don’t understand the importance of building wealth. The fundamental rule is to keep your money within your racial group. We build Jewish business, hire Jewish, buy Jewish and spend Jewish. There is nothing wrong with that but it is a basic rule blacks cannot comprehend and follow. “He kills his fellow blacks daily instead of wanting to see his fellow blacks do well” 93% of blacks killed in America are by other blacks. Their leaders steal from their people and send the money back to their colonial master from whom they borrow the same money from. Every successful black want to spend his money in the country of his colonial Masters. They go on holiday abroad, buy houses abroad, school abroad etc. instead of spending this money in their own country to benefit their people. Statistics show that the Jew’s money exchanges hands 18 times before leaving his community while for blacks it is probably a maximum of once or even zero. Only 6% of black money goes back into their community. This is why Jews are at the top and blacks are at the bottom of every ladder of society. Instead of buying Louis Vuitton, Hermes, expensive cars, shoes, houses, dresses etc, blacks could industrialize Africa, build banks and get rid of colonial institutions by putting them out of business. 

INTERVIEWER: Your thoughts on failure of blacks after 150 years? 

JEWISH LEADER: Well, nothing is ever the Blackman’s fault. His compulsive habit of killing his own, compulsive material consumption, his inability to build business or preserve wealth are usually somebody else’s fault. 

INTERVIEWER: So what can blacks do to liberate themselves? 

JEWISH LEADER: Blacks must take responsibility. Blacks must unite and vehemently fight corrupt leaders who run down their country and run to IMF as though IMF is Father Christmas.

 END OF INTERVIEW

 Please forward this until it goes round Africa & particularly to our parasitic leaders. We all need to learn our lessons quick and build our African Nations.

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