Nigeria Sixth Worst Country To Grow Old, Says UN Report

Nigerian Pensioners have to stage Protests to get their due

On the day that Nigeria celebrated its 53rd anniversary as an independent nation, a new study released today by the UN backed Help Age International advocacy group ranked Nigeria among the worst countries in the world that least care about their old population.
The Global AgeWatch Index ranked 91 countries, with Nigeria ranked 85th, the sixth worst, with a poor record of catering for the well-being of the elderly, people older than 60.

Though Nigeria has the highest GDP among the African Index countries, it ranks third lowest for income security, the report said.

"This reflects its limited pension coverage, at 5 per cent. It ranks 84th in the health domain and, with Rwanda, has the lowest life expectancy at age 60 – 16 years.

"For employment and education, Nigeria ranks 70 with the fourth highest proportion of older people, 17.4%, with secondary or higher education among its African Index counterparts.

"Nigeria ranks second lowest regionally, at 76, in the enabling environment domain, with only 53% of older Nigerians enjoying civic freedom.

The report indicated that older Nigerians are taking part in the Age Demands Action campaign for the first time this year.

In contrast, Sweden offers the best environment to grow old. Expectedly, Afghanistan is the worst – but general affluence does not necessarily mean better conditions for the over-60s, reports the London Guardian.

While Sweden's top ranking – followed by Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada – may be predictable, the Global AgeWatch index throws up some surprising results.

The US, the world's richest country, languishes in eighth place, while the UK fails to make the top 10, residing instead at No 13. Sri Lanka ranks 36, well above Pakistan at 89, despite similar levels of gross domestic product (GDP). Bolivia and Mauritius score higher than the size of their economies may suggest, while the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China are a mixed bag. Brazil and China rank relatively high on the index; India and Russia sit much lower.

The ageing index is calculated using 13 indicators under four headings: income security, healthcare, employment and education, and an enabling environment. All indicators have equal weight, except for pension income coverage, life expectancy at 60, healthy life expectancy at 60, and psychological wellbeing. These categories were given increased weighting because of better data quality, and countries were included only if there was sufficient data.

The best and worst countries to grow old: the UN rankings
The index was compiled by the HelpAge International advocacy group and funded by the UN Population Fund

Top 10

1. Sweden

2. Norway

3. Germany

4. Netherlands

5. Canada

6. Switzerland

7. New Zealand

8. USA

9. Iceland

10. Japan

Britain came in at 13, ahead of Australia (14) and France (18).

Lower down in the rankings were the emerging economies of Brazil (31), China (35), South Africa (65), India (73) and Russia (78).

Bottom 10:

82. Honduras

83. Montenegro

84. West Bank and Gaza

85. Nigeria

86. Malawi

87. Rwanda

88. Jordan

89. Pakistan

90. Tanzania

91. Afghanistan

I Have No Interest In Man Utd Return – Ferguson

(AFP) – Alex Ferguson says he has no interest in returning to Manchester United and that he has full confidence in David Moyes as manager of the reigning English Premier League champions.

Ferguson, in a US interview aired Monday night on PBS, said he was content to stay retired and not fretting over the current two wins, three losses and one draw of the club he guided from 1986 until retiring earlier this year.

"I'm not interested in managing again or getting myself worked up about Manchester United's results," Ferguson said.

"United are in good hands with David Moyes. He will be fine. He is a good manager."

Ferguson, 71, also said he rejected overtures from Chelsea when Roman Abramovich took over the London-based club.

"I always come back to this point — why would you leave United?" Ferguson said.

Ferguson said he wants to visit vineyards in France and Italy and see sports events like golf's Masters and horse racing's Kentucky Derby in his retirement.

"I made my decision," Ferguson said. "The timing was perfect. There's no way back for me now. I've got a new life."

Ferguson said he always told players at half-time "the last 15 minutes, throw the kitchen sink", and said one of his governing philosophies was to "never hold a grudge. It's very important".

Nigeria Police prosecutes two homosexual suspects in Osogbo

Two suspected homosexuals Samuel Friday, 19, and Oni Oluwatobi, 18, were on Wednesday arraigned before an Osogbo Chief Magistrates' Court.

They were arraigned on a two-count charge of indecent sexual practice and seducing another into homosexuality.

The prosecutor, Inspector Solomon Oladele told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in May 2012 at about 2 a.m. at Peace of Jesus Apostolic Church, Asubiaro, Osogbo.Mr. Oladele said the accused conspired and unlawfully committed indecent sexual practice and had homosexual sex between themselves, adding that this could have caused breach of peace.

He said the offence committed by the accused contravened sections 516 and 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun, 2003.Mr. Friday was also arraigned for allegedly seducing one Oladipupo Moruf by indecently touching and sucking his penis.

The prosecutor said that the offence was also committed in May 2012 at about 4 p.m. at Sadiat area of OsogboMr. Oladele said Moruf's complaints led to the arrest of the accused.

He said the offences committed by the accused contravened sections 516, 249(d) and 217 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun, 2003.The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsel, Nnena Ngwu, applied for their bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Olusola Aluko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.

Mr. Aluko said the sureties must reside within the court's jurisdiction, swear to an affidavit of means, and provide three years tax clearance certificate as well as two passport photographs.

The case was adjourned to November 14 for mention.

Two Brothers In Court For Raping 50yr Old Woman

Two brothers, Uba Emehelu and Nnanna Emehelu, have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate's court, Ebute Meta, Lagos, for allegedly raping and assaulting a 50-year-old woman, Victoria Ezechukwu.

The incident was said to have occurred at Orile area of Lagos.

It was learnt that Ezechukwu, whose husband is based in the United States and has a grown up son, had lived in the same flat with the defendants for many years.

She was said to have sub-let a room and parlour to the brothers when she could no longer afford the full payment for the apartment.

Around 10pm on September 4, 2013, the victim was said to have arrived from her shop and settled down in her room to eat.

She allegedly became pressed and went to ease herself, but on her return, it was learnt that 33-year-old Uba pounced on her and forcibly removed her dress and slept with her.

The police told the court on Wednesday that Uba further gripped her in the neck to keep her from shouting.

After the act, the police said the victim held Uba to stop him from escaping, and began calling for help.

Uba's brother, Nnanna, 32, however, allegedly assaulted the woman "with fist blows in an effort to free Uba from her grip."

The police were called in to arrest the two brothers.

The defendants, who were represented by three lawyers- Dr. K.U Ekweme, E.E Bassey and D.C Makanjuola- pleaded not guilty to the charges of rape and assault.

Ekweme, while making application for the bail of the defendants, said the complainant had contrived the plot to extort his clients.

Arsenal 2 Napoli 0: Mesut Ozil masterclass ruins Rafa's return as Wenger's wonders roll on

He met the ball, on the volley, with the side of his left foot. The merest touch, from just inside the area, but it fairly flew into the net. That is what you pay the money for, the shot seemed to say as it whistled past Pepe Reina; and inside the Emirates Stadium, every supporter would have been in agreement.

They had been waiting for a night like this from Mesut Ozil. Yes, he’d had his moments, and had never disappointed, but this had so far been the season of Aaron Ramsey, and Olivier Giroud.

Ozil had been the catalyst for so much that was good about Arsenal without yet having one game in which he was, well, the difference.

Too hot to handle: Mesut Ozil (centre) celebrates the opening goal with his Arsenal team-mates

Match facts

ARSENAL (4-3-2-1): Szczesny 6; Sagna 7, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Gibbs 7; Flamini 8, Arteta 7, Ramsey 7 (Monreal 88); Ozil 9, Rosicky 6 (Wilshere 63, 6); Giroud 7.
Subs not used: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Bendtner, Jenkinson, Gnabry
Manager: Arsene Wenger: 7
Goals: Ozil 8, Giroud 15
NAPOLI (4-2-3-1): Reina 5; Mesto 5, Albiol 6 (Fernandez 83), Britos 6, Zuniga 5; Behrami 5, Inler 6; Callejon 5 (Zapata 77), Hamsik 6, Insigne 5; Pandev 5 (Mertens 61, 5)
Subs: Cabral, Dzemaili, Fernandez, Armero, Cannavaro.
Manager: Rafa Benitez: 5
Man of the match: Ozil
Ref: Milorad Mazic (SRB) - 7
Attendance: 59,536
*Player ratings by SAMI MOKBEL at the Emirates

And then, against Napoli, it arrived. Ozil scored the first — and his first for his new club — then Ozil made the second, Ozil was quite simply a class apart. Napoli did not know what to do with him, and by the time they had worked something out, Arsenal were 2-0 up.
It really doesn’t matter the circumstances, whether Ozil was a hasty solution to another emerging crisis or an established, long-term objective of Arsene Wenger’s, kept shrewdly hidden all summer. Plan A, B or even C, what matters is that Ozil is here now, and the effect he has had on Arsenal’s confidence and stature this season is stunning.
They are playing with the ambition and finesse of old now, the best of Arsenal, not the pale imitation of previous seasons. Wenger took his first training session 17 years ago to the day, and when he did so, must have aimed to one day play football that looked like this. And he has done, on occasions, but not very much recently. Until Ozil arrived, and turned Arsenal’s story around.
As he turned this match, as he had it won inside 15 minutes. Arsenal had a two-goal cushion before Napoli settled and although the Italians enjoyed more possession in the second half, there was only going to be one winner.
It is hard to imagine what Rafael Benitez uses for target practice in Naples, but the evidence here suggested a gasometer. It is hard to recall an elite team that shot so wide so often. It was not so much that Wojciech Szczesny did not have a save to make, more that he would not have been forced into action had he been defending a goal three times the size. Ozil, by contrast, was the model of clinical efficiency. A match-winner of German precision.
It was a very sweet move that opened the scoring after eight minutes. Bacary Sagna played a ball down the line which Giroud held up well, feeding Ramsey, who sped with purpose along the right flank. He cut the ball back and there was Ozil. It was a tough finish but he made it look like child’s play. The next foray into the penalty area close to ended the contest. 

What a finish: Ozil latched on to Aaron Ramsey's cross to side-foot the ball past Pepe Reina

 

 

Back of the net: The German playmaker's cool finish flies past the helpless former Liverpool goalkeeper

Breakthrough: This graphic shows the move that gave Arsenal the lead, with Ozil (11) providing the finish

Thumbs up from Murray

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray was in the stands at the Emirates on Tuesday night and was impressed by what he saw. He said on Twitter after the match:

'Was at Arsenal vs Napoli, top performance from Arsenal... Flamini has been a great signing, love his work.'

This time it was Ozil’s invention that did the damage, neat skill at close quarters and a pass clipped back to Giroud, who finished from close range. With Borussia Dortmund beating Marseille, Arsenal have already established a three-point lead after two matches in Group F. So much for the draw that produced winces when it was made in Monaco.
Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Olympique Marseille. Most thought Arsenal had the worst of it that day, yet while Chelsea have already suffered defeat and both Manchester clubs will, for different reasons, approach Wednesday night’s fixtures with no little trepidation, Arsenal sail on. The next two matches are against Borussia Dortmund, Champions League finalists in May, but three points from one of those encounters should see Arsenal with one foot in the last 16.

Tap-in: Oliver Giroud (centre) converts Ozil's cross at the near post to score the second easily past Reina

Flying start: The French striker celebrates his sixth goal of a successful season so far

Carry on like this and the trip to Italy in December may be negated. Napoli’s home, the Stadio San Paolo, can be a hostile place, but not to a team who have already qualified and Arsenal are well on their way. Italy itself should hold no fear after this, either. Benitez’s team may have topped the Serie A table on occasions this season, but the Italian league is not the force of old and this was a reminder of the time not so long ago when a Tottenham Hotspur team who finished fifth in the Premier League put away the eventual champions of Italy, AC Milan.
Arsenal are the Premier League’s form team right now, but the same could be said of Napoli in Italy and they had them on the end of a jab all evening. Napoli’s black away kit had a camouflage pattern and it worked perfectly because for the first 20 minutes they couldn’t be seen anywhere.
After that, even when they gained possession, it was to little effect. Arsenal were comfortable and simply too strong, their slick short passing backed up by a fierce competitiveness, particularly in midfield where the return of Mathieu Flamini has proved something of a masterstroke.
Flamini was a far greater loss than Arsene Wenger ever imagined, but at least the Arsenal manager, having made the mistake of letting him go, was not too big to bring him back. On nights like this, one is left wondering how much easier his life would have been had he kept Flamini as the uncomplicated ball-winner at the heart of his midfield. Even when he slipped, catastrophically, he recovered, chased down and won the ball back from the Napoli player advancing on goal. His part in Arsenal’s transformation has been every bit as great in its own way as that of Ozil or even Ramsey.
As for Napoli, the best that can be said of their target practice is that no-one was hurt. Lorenzo Insigne, Miguel Britos, Jose Callejon, Gokhan Inler, Callejon and Insigne again, all had efforts that proved more of a challenge to air traffic control than they did to Szczesny.

All the time in the world: Ozil takes a touch during a stellar performance for his new club in Europe

Pleasant viewing: Arsene Wenger watches his team cruise to victory from the sidelines

I know you: Wenger and Rafa Benitez shake hands before kick-off, but the match turned sour for Napoli's boss

Arsenal were not exactly demanding of Reina, but they had the best chance of the night, defender Laurent Koscielny forcing a save after being set up by Mikel Arteta. It was in midfield, though, certainly in the first half, where Napoli looked stretched to the limit.
Clearly it was a blow to them to be without the injured Gonzalo Higuain, but even so, Arsenal’s domination was a surprise. They had 69 per cent of possession in the opening 45 minutes — a Barcelona-like figure. And not, for once, Barcelona Lite.

Pulling the strings: Aaron Ramsey was again influential for Arsenal in midfield

Reduced role: Jack Wilshere (centre) was dropped to the bench but was brought on in the second half

Passion: Napoli supporters stoked up a heated atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium

These boots are made for scoring: And Ozil's boots certainly walked all over Napoli at the Emirates

Catch me if you can: Ozil (second right) waltzes through the Napoli midfield

Terry G Looking Dapper in Newly Released Promo Shots [PHOTOS]

Weird singer and Ginja master, Gabriel Amanyi popularly called Terry G has released some promo shots for his teeming fans.

Check the photos out;

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PHOTO : Olamide "Badoo Lee"Shows Off His Gold Ring And Wrist Watch

The rapper captioned this photo ” Riding with my bloods .. Off to airport fi da next show.. It’s levels to this igbe loool #Frosh”

PHOTOS :Linda Ikeji Blushes as D'Banj Pecks Her

Linda met DBanj at OhBox TV in London where she was invited for an interview and he gave her a kiss on the cheek.  'This is the second time i am meeting D Banj in person' says Linda and s you can see in that picture Linda is all grin and blushing.

See more photos below

Jim Iyke & TB Joshua Were Just Acting – Ghanaian Radio

Kwame Bee, the Host of Cruise Control drive time programme on Ghanaian based private owned radio station Hitz 103.9 FM blasted T.B. Joshua and Jim Iyke, on air and in the social media today saying,in this modern world where people are trying to take advantage of God, anything is possible.

“I don’t really believe in this T.B. Joshua and Jim Iyke’s deliverance, I don’t believe in T.B. Joshua and his well-planned Gimmicks. Take a careful look at the video, as a good film maker so you can’t simply tell is not real. It was planned, a lot of pastors do this, is a way to prove they are powerful” Kwame Bee said on air.

See his controversial post on his facebook page and reactions below

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/48576.html

Yobe Massacre: Nigeria Is Under Attack – Tinubu

APC leader, Bola Tinubu

Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday reflected on the killing of over 40 students by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe State. He described it a “one massacre too many”

In a statement from his media office, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader said “Nigeria is under attack.”

The statement, which is a follow up to a letter he wrote to Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, said:

“As a father and leader, I am deeply saddened by the senseless killings of innocent students. It is unacceptable and indefensible under any guise. It is an act that must be punished.

“The recent carnage in Borno State and now at the College of Agriculture in Yobe reminds us of the sinister nature of the enemy our nation now faces.

“There should be no mistake at this sombre moment. Those who launched these attacks did not launch them at the people they killed. They knew not the names of their victims or who they were.
“The dead were just unfortunate souls who happened to be close enough to murder. The real targets of these massacres were our nation, society and any semblance of civilized, modern life. Nigeria is under attack and the earlier those in charge realised this, the quicker the situation can be arrested. In terms of security, the present is not safe, neither is the future secured.

“The killings at the College of Agriculture were particularly jarring. Under cover of darkness, evil crept unto a campus of higher learning, turning it into a place of slaughter.

“These murderers snatched the lives of young people who were just entering the fullness of life. The attackers fell upon them so early that many of the students were still in bed.

“These young people only wanted an education to improve their future and that of the nation. They
were armed only with this desire and with the tools of students. They had done no one any harm.

“Yet, their attackers executed them in the cruelest fashion. This is terror in its basest form. By this act, the crazed and armed menace we face tells us that attending school, attempting to get an education, is now a capital offence. Those guilty of seeking to learn are to be executed.

“This is a dire affront to fundamental humanity. It is also a frontal attack on our quest for economic development and social progress. Those that did this seek to cast a veil of fear and ignorance over Nigeria. We must remain steadfast in the belief that enlightenment and progress is best for our people.

“These killers want us to hide in the shadow of fear and live in the cave of ignorance. We must be brave enough to tell them “no.” No matter how they try to frighten us, we shall walk in the light of learning, justice, hope and tolerance, unity and progress.

“What we face is nothing less than a contest for the soul of the nation. We dare not lose the contest. These young people died just because they wanted to learn and live better. We can’t allow their deaths to be in vain. “Thus, we must rededicate ourselves that all of our children shall learn and live better because of the education they shall receive.

“We must look beyond the deaths and spilled blood of these innocent children. In times like these, it is easy to give up and recede into our fears. Yet, we must be of good courage. We must not give way to sorrow or despair. We must forge ahead with our best plans and preparations for the people.”

That said, we must beseech the federal government to tend better to our security. I make this not as a partisan jab. I make this as a Nigerian who sees the larger danger lurking behind these attacks. These murderers seek to shutter the educational system in the north. Should they accomplish this, they will only attack another social institution, then another, until all are flattened. They intend to make Nigeria desolate. In their warped minds, this will be paradise. Paradise for them will be purgatory for the rest of us.

With grim determination that Nigeria shall overcome this pestilence and that justice shall ultimately prevail, we cannot give up and retreat from the task of governance and building this nation. We must be of good courage. We cannot allow their violence to dictate the path that we must go.

They see a nation they want to destroy. I see a nation we should build. We shall win. They may have guns and terror. But they lack the moral force to stop us from building the nation we seek. We have justice and right. We shall win. They shall lose and get swept into the wash of history. The only issue is how long will it take and how many lives will be lost before this evil folds. Again, this is where the federal government must become more proactive in developing a comprehensive law enforcement, intelligence-gathering and economic incentives strategy that checkmate this plague.

On such a grave matter of national security, there is no partisanship. We are all Nigerians. We stand ready to help in this fight. We await the call of the Federal Government to do so.

Our condolences are extended to the governor of Yobe, the people of the state, and the families of those killed. Your grief is heavy and thick because of the senselessness of this tragedy. But you don’t carry this grief alone. All Nigeria grieves with you. Those were our children, too”.

Presidency: North Should Wait Till 2019 – Ex-Minister

Chief Ebenezer Babatope

A former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has backed Jonathan’s 2015 bid, asking the North to wait until 2019 for their turn.

Also, a former governor of the old Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has said President Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God to implement God’s designs for Nigeria.

He said Jonathan’s tolerance, cool-headedness, fear of God and respect for people and their constitution had neutralised Boko Haram violence in Nigeria.

The duo spoke during the state’s 17th anniversary public lecture organised by the Bayelsa State Government in Yenagoa on Monday.

Other dignitaries at the lecture which took place at the state’s Banquet Hall on Monday evening were a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; his deputy, Rear- Admiral John Jonah (retd.); elder statesman, Chief Diete Spiff; Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Friday; and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri.

Babatope in his lecture, had described Jonathan as a detribalised Nigerian, whose right to contest the 2015 presidential election was non-negotiable.

“If Jonathan declares to contest the 2015 election, I will be among the people that will campaign for him. I submit it is right and proper that the Ijaw man, President Goodluck Jonathan, completes his term in 2019. After that, if I am still alive, I will be one of those that will fight to ensure the North have its turn in 2019,” Babatope said.

Ezeife said through Jonathan’s style of leadership, which could not be compared with any President before him, had been able to contain the Boko Haram’s insurgency.

The former governor said, “Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God to implement God’s design for Nigeria. His tolerance, cool-headedness, fear of God and respect for people and their constitution has neutralised the Boko Haram sect. We must sympathise with the aggrieved people, even as we must not allow injustice to take root. And we must not be provoked as to endanger, Nigeria, which our God Almighty has given us. Everybody knows who would lose most, should the unthinkable happen.

“Which President had faced determined efforts to making the country ungovernable, under him? If we help put a bag of salt on somebody’s head and make rains to beat the person, do we have a right, at the end of the rain, to ask how much salt is left in the bag?”

Ezeife also said for Nigeria to survive as one united country, there was the urgent need to restructure the country for efficiency and effectiveness.

Dickson, in his remarks, said a new Nigeria was born with the election of Jonathan, a man from the minority tribe, as the President of the country.

He sued for peace in the country, stressing that Nigeria was not only a country of contradictions, but had endless potential, which if well harnessed, would drive the nation’s socio-economic and political development.

“May I call on the present generation to learn to see national issues as they are. Because it is when you have a nation, you can have a G7 governors. Disagreement is healthy – whether we agree or not, it is legitimate. All politicians are ambitious and ambition is legitimate but the way you go about it matters,” Dickson said.

Na’Abba, speaking on the theme, ‘Good governance as a panacea for promoting a stable and sustainable democracy,’ said good governance should be the hallmark of democracy.
He said in view of the myriad of problems confronting the nation, there was the need to guarantee good governance and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.