Brazil vs Germany

Brazil vs Germany match report World Cup 2014: Utter humiliation for hosts as Germany hit seven past hosts

They spent the previous four days weeping for Neymar. They will spend the rest of their lives grieving about Tuesday, 8 July, and the day that Brazilian football was demolished in one of its own great cities.
In the list of great sporting collapses it is hard to think of an occasion as raw, as painful and as humiliating as this, when Germany scored five goals in 29 minutes against a Brazil team that had taken leave of any semblance of a game-plan. Extraordinary and excruciating to watch it was a World Cup match like no other. Even the Germans sensed that they should mute their celebrations, as if they were also bystanders at a solemn state funeral.
Something was lost to Brazilian football yesterday that will never be recovered, not in this generation or perhaps many more to come. It was their misfortune that the second World Cup finals in their country coincided with one of the most mediocre Brazil teams in memory but even then no-one expected a defeat that Luiz Felipe Scolari himself described as “catastrophic, terrible”. This was football history being made.  It was a realignment of how we think about the world game and where the power lies.

Was this worse than Brazil’s defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup decider at the Maracana? How could it not be? The final say on that will have to be decided in the endless days, weeks, months of debate that will follow in Brazilian society but the irony will not be lost on them. This was the tournament that was supposed to exorcise the ghosts of the “Maracanazo” and instead it has lumbered a whole new generation of Brazilians with a complex they may never shift.
This was a World Cup semi-final lost in an avalanche of Germans goals midway through the first half that turned the rest of the match into an absurdity for the home fans. They went through anger, to disbelief on to irony, cheering Germany’s seventh goal and greeting every successful pass with an “Ole” and a sneer in the direction of their own hapless players.
If there was any consolation after the sixth and seventh goals were slotted away by the substitute  Andre Schurrle in the second half, it was that the Brazil players did not lose the plot or disgrace themselves with a sending off. It remains to be seen how this country, with so much social unrest kept repressed by the loyalty to the national team, reacts. They have paid $11bn to stage this World Cup finals and it has turned into the most expensive ritualistic moment of humiliation of which a nation state could conceive.

“Ordem e Progresso” it says on the flag. Disorder and chaos on the pitch. What happens to Luiz Felipe Scolari now is anyone’s guess. He says that he will be in charge for the third-place play-off on Saturday, which cruelly gives this team four more days together at their mountain-top camp in Teresopolis, with a hostile populace at the gates.
Afterwards the Brazil coach presented himself for cross-examination with humility and quiet fortitude. He deluded himself a little that there was “nothing that could be done” about that run of goals in the first half but there was one moment that stood out when he was asked to assess his legacy as a World Cup winner in 2002, and then the man who presided over this disaster.
“I'll be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat Brazil have ever had, but that was a risk I knew I was running when I accepted this position,” he said. “Life goes on. That's what I'll do.”
He will step down after this tournament, remembered best for 2014’s humiliation. His team were dreadful, falling to pieces after the second goal against a Germany team that never looked likely to lose control of the match. They took their chances in that first half run of goals when Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose Toni Kroos (twice) and Sami Khedira all scored. They did what all good teams do and hunted down an opponent that could not handle the pressure.
In goal Manuel Neuer was superb. Tonight, the Netherlands and Argentina face one another for the other finalist’s place on Sunday but it is Germany who have emerged from the pack with the stand-out performance of the knock-out round. It is hard to see past Joachim Low’s team now as the favourites for this trophy, the fruit of so much planning and well-laid plans over the last 14 years.
As for the game, the national anthem went well for Brazil, at the beginning of which Julio Cesar and David Luiz held up a Neymar shirt, and then it was downhill from there.
It was obvious from the very start that against a team with Germany rigour and qualities, it was going to be hard for Brazil’s two defensive midfielders Fernandinho and Luis Gustavo to pass the ball forward in any meaningful way. The Germans allowed the Brazil defence to have the ball and then ran their midfield pair down as soon as they were given it. The first scare came on seven minutes when Klose’s shot hit Kroos and deflected wide. Then the floodgates opened.
When the teams came out Scolari had presented Low with a small gift in a blue bag that took the Germany coach by surprise. He had nothing with which to reciprocate. It was the last time that Low was surprised by anything that Scolari did, apart from perhaps any mild feeling of disbelief the German might have had at how quickly Brazil fell apart. All the nasty surprises were for Scolari.

45 MINUTES THAT DESTROYED BRAZIL 
KLOSE BREAKS RONALDO RECORD 

The first of which was a badly defended corner on 11 minutes. Luiz allowed Muller to creep away from him and when Philipp Lahm’s ball from the right dropped it dropped at the feet of the 24-year-old who beat Cesar from close range. Was that the point at which Brazil fell apart? The feeling was that it was later. After the first goal, Brazil had a single attack, in which Lahm brilliantly tackled Marcelo in the box.
Then No 2 came from Klose, the goal that made him the record World Cup goalscorer with 15, ahead of the Brazilian Ronaldo. It started with Kroos who found Muller who could have shot but teed the ball up for his strike partner. Cesar saved the first effort and then Klose put the second one away. At that moment the realisation flooded Brazil that they may well lose this game and they responded in the worst way possible. They collapsed.
The third came from Kroos, rifled in by his left foot after Lahm’s cross from the right had been missed by Muller. Germany were running all over their opponents. To say that they figuratively smelled blood would be underplaying it. The opponent had already surrendered and they were sacking the city.
Another followed three minutes later. Fernandinho was entirely culpable in losing the ball and then came the breakaway. Muller passed to Kroos for the fourth goal. Brazil were on their knees. It happened again. Khedira breaking forward and switching the ball to Mesut Ozil. Khedira got it back and scored. The Germany bench erupted for the fifth time. Not even half an hour had been played. As they returned to their seats there was disbelief among the German staff.
Booed off at half-time, Scolari tried to change things with the introduction of Ramires and Paulinho. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, the brilliant Manuel Neuer made three great saves from Ramires, Bernard and Paulinho and the fight seeped out of Brazil.

On 69 minutes Schurrle, on for Klose, scored the sixth. The seventh was a marvellous hit by the Chelsea man from the left channel of the box. In his goal, Cesar looked like a man who was wondering how he might best get out the country at the first opportunity. Then with a minute remaining Oscar broke free and finally beat Neuer.

By then the hone fans had already been applauding Schurrle and greeting each German pass with an “Ole”. It was surreal, but then before this day they had never lost a World Cup game by more than two goals. For Brazil, this was a new territory, and the humiliation was like no other.

GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Permit the liberty I take in addressing this open letter to Mr. President. I am a bona fide Nigerian and a senior citizen. I am by the grace of God past eighty-four years walking this earth.
I remain perpetually grateful to the Lord God for the gift of salvation and the unprecedented privilege of being a joint heir with Jesus Christ, Our Saviour. I am one among His ambassadors, and a Minister of the Gospel and an Elder. This is not boasting: it is a testimony; 'I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad' (Psalm 34:1 and 2): If this is erroneously deemed boasting, we are permitted to boast in the Lord.
I have been active in politics since I was sixteen years old from the secondary school. I was a very active member of the disciplined Zikist Movement. I was a local president of the NCNC/NEPU alliance in Bukuru on the Plateau in the 1950s. I was a very effective and successful Trade Union leader as a young adult on the Plateau. I have made great contributions in both participating in sport and in the development of youth through sport.
Forgive my talking a bit of myself. I do so only to justify the liberty I take to address this letter to my President because I am going to base this letter to Mr President on my Christian faith and understanding of politics and governance.Mr. President; my understanding and only accepted definition of politics is that:  'Politics is the proper management of the affairs of men - preferably by the righteous'. Because I am told that you are a Christian, our Lord Jesus made a statement in John 10:10 which to my understanding reflect politics. It is from it that I drew my accepted definition. The Lord did say 'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly'.
Nigeria for decades has been indulging in politics and governance that uphold the first part of our Lord's statement: the politics of steal, kill and destroy Nigeria's economy and in consequence; the Nigerian people. I had hoped that you might incline your pattern of politics and governance to part 'b' of our Lord's statement: providing life and life more abundantly for our economy and people. Your Excellency's government and politics to my understanding, inadvertently mingles and battles to sustain the policy and practice of hurting Nigeria.  I, therefore, deem it a bounding duty and responsibility to draw your Excellency's attention to my personal views on events and developments since you became president. Corruption is not just the dynamic manifestations of the sordid acts of scoundrels and kleptomaniacs: it is the calculated ruining of that which is good by any individual, group of people, or government.
In Nigeria polity, Corruption has developed to a very dynamic and powerful major national religion. It is an admixture of religions in Nigeria championed and piloted by Christians and Muslims. Corruption as number one religion of Nigeria, craftily eschews tribe, gender and religion as qualification for membership. The only qualification for membership is that one can steal, kill and destroy the economy of Nigeria and in consequence what sustains Nigeria's greatness. Governments and some leaders in Nigeria are 'unconsciously' obligated to make a b-line for membership of the religion of corruption because of the attendant benefits of filthy lucre. Christianity is not a religion, and, therefore, genuine regenerate disciples of Christ should not be vehicles of corruption. Mr. President: the goings on in Nigerian polity under your leadership is progressively taking on new, worrisome and dangerous dimensions. It is beginning to appear that Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan is either re-elected in 2015 to rule us for another four-year term or there will be no Nigeria.  May it not be so please, Mr. President! The prevailing pattern of politics and governance in Nigeria is awkward, very irresponsible, heartless and treacherous.  It sustains a season of falsehood, deceit and confusion. These add up to one word: - Terrorism. You met us as one Nigeria - even though currently a very sick country. You can facilitate our healing and improve our lot by applying the 'Balm of Gilead'. If you cannot heal and improve our lot, please apply a soothing balm: The 'balm of Gilead'. The ongoing politics is perilous and portends nothing but intent towards the destruction of a nation.  Mr. President: I persuade you not to run for election in 2015. You are already Mr. President and as ex-President, your privileges will be immense and kept alive for as long as you live. You will also have the privilege of being a positive reference point for politicians because of your noble act in contributing to the preservation of your country, Nigeria.
The most unfortunate thing that has happened to Nigeria during your regime is the unfettered advantage and privilege given to hypocrites, evil doers, godless and dangerous folks who found their way into your choice team of senior advisers. They are vehicles of destruction. They are hell-bent on amassing wealth and destroying Nigeria. They desperately need another four years to accomplish their devilment.
Like the First Lady once rightly exclaimed, 'There is God O!' Let the mischief makers realize that there is a God Almighty - the final arbiter Who can kill both body and soul in hell. Only a fool says in his heart that there is no God. We know that there is a God - the creator of the whole universe and the one greater than that which He created. He will judge the quick and the dead.Mr President, think about the points I have raised.Do not contest the elections in 2015. GOD bless you Mr. President!  Save Nigeria and you will have a worthy name.
Jesus  the Christ left his majesty on high and came down here on earth for us as sinners and not for the righteous. He suffered and laid down his life atonement for our sins. He returned to heaven and today he has a Name that is above every name in heaven, on earth and beneath the earth. He set an example for us as Christians to emulate in our leadership style.
Mr. President! You can emulate Jesus! It is possible to emulate Jesus! Mr. President: Salutations and respect!
Iloh is the  President,   Eclectic Network

Jonathan, Obasanjo, others in Council of State meeting …promise Chibok girls' rescue

 

The Council of State, made up of former heads of government, on Tuesday held its second meeting in the year and came out with a promise that the abducted pupils of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, would soon be rescued.
More than 200 girls were seized from the school on the night of April 14 by members of the terrorist Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The incident has attracted global condemnation and protests. Almost 90 days in the custody of the terrorists, there have been many not-too-pleasant stories about the welfare of the girls.
But briefing journalists at the end of the Council meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio said the military high command had given assurances that the girls were safe and would soon be rescued.
Akpabio said the council was satisfied that those security agents knew where the girls had been kept and that the soldiers were on top of the situation.
He said, 'Top on the agenda of the meeting was the security of the nation. We were briefed by the President and the National Security Adviser on the steps that are being taken.
'Top on the security issue was the rescue of Chibok girls, which military authorities also confirmed that efforts were being made and that very soon we will have good news.
'It is also heart-warming to note that the issue is not whether we can rescue the girls, but the issue is how can we rescue them in a way that we can ensure their safety so that we don't end up endangering their lives in the attempt to rescue them?'
He advised that Nigerians be patient in view of the worsening insecurity in the country, stressing that terrorism was a new development in the nation and that it would take time to put an end to it.
Akpabio said, 'What also came out is the need for Nigerians to be patient because terrorism is a new challenge in Nigeria and it is not something that goes away immediately and we have to be meticulous in our approach and make sure that we take the best steps forward to reduce and minimise possible loss of lives in an attempt to curb the insurgents.
'We are very satisfied the security agents know very well where the girls are located and they are on top of the situation.'
At the meeting were ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Shagari; former heads of state, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar; ex-military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida; and former Head of the Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan.
Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is a national leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress, was the only living ex-head of government that did not attend the meeting.
Also on the attendance sheet were Vice President Namadi Sambo; President of the Senate, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; and some former Chief Justices of Nigeria as well as state governors.

Pistorius witness ‘too close’ to be credible

Prosecutors have claimed the evidence of a key defence witness in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial is not credible.

The trial resumed with the questioning of Professor Wayne Derman, the doctor for the South African Paralympic team.

Professor Derman testified last week that Pistorius was vulnerable, stressed and would have been unable to flee because of his disability.

But prosecutor Gerrie Nel put it to the court on Monday that Professor Derman was close to Pistorius, travelled the world with him and therefore could not be objective.

“You don’t want to give an answer that will not benefit the accused,” said Mr Nel.

The witness responded: “I have attempted to come to court to give as objective evidence as I can – I do not think I am biased.”

The prosecutor argued that even if the physician’s analysis was correct, and “hyper vigilance” caused Pistorius to shoot Reeva Steenkamp, the Paralympian was a “danger to society”.

Mr. Nel did not mention explicitly the video broadcast on Australian TV that shows Pistorius re-enacting the night he shot his girlfriend.

The defence commissioned the video but chose not to use it as part of their case – and they are furious it has been broadcast.

The footage shows Pistorius running on his stumps and miming shooting – and though Mr Nel did not refer to it in court, he suggested Professor Derman’s claims about the defendant’s lack of mobility were not accurate.

The physician maintained that Pistorius could not flee “as you or I” could – but conceded under questioning that fleeing to another room would have been an “option”.

Professor Derman also admitted that having a gun made the athlete “less vulnerable” on the night.

Sky’s Emma Hurd was in court and said the video broadcast in Australia was an “elephant in the room”.

“Gerrie Nel has asked Professor Derman about the level of movement Pistorius would have had,” she said.

“The video has not been mentioned explicitly but has been hinted at, so we’re not expecting it to be introduced as evidence.”

Pistorius, who is on trial for premeditated murder, denies deliberately killing his girlfriend, claiming he mistook her for an intruder.

He faces between 25 years and life in prison if found guilty.

The trial has been adjourned until Tuesday morning, when the defence is expected to close its case.

Israel launches new air strikes on Gaza Strip

Israel has carried out more air strikes on the Gaza Strip, following dozens of rockets fired by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

At least 14 Palestinians, including a woman and two children, were reportedly hurt in the strikes.

Hamas earlier said its members fired rockets to respond to “Zionist aggression”, after accusing Israel of killing five of its fighters.

Israel denied the claim, but said 1,500 reservists had been called up.

Tension has spiked in recent days over the murders of three young Israelis and a Palestinian teenager.

The Israeli military said its offensive was part of a campaign, targeting Hamas militants.

The military also deployed more troops near the Gaza border, reports say. However, the Israeli cabinet stopped short of ordering a ground operation for now.

Towns within 40km (24 miles) of the enclave were instructed by the central authorities to close schools and summer camps.

The army said that more rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza.

Palestinian medical and security sources said that nine of the 14 Palestinians were injured when one of the pre-dawn Israeli strikes hit a house of a Hamas activist in the southern town of Khan Younis.

Hamas militants reportedly warned they would enlarge the radius of their targets if Israel continued with the air strikes.

A Hamas spokesman had earlier accused Israel of killing the five militants during Sunday’s air strikes and called it a “grave escalation”.

He promised Israel would “pay a tremendous price”.

But Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner denied the claims, saying the men had died on Sunday in a tunnel that had been bombarded by Israel on Thursday.

He said the militants went into the tunnel to assess the damage from the air strike and meddled with some explosives, which were apparently detonated accidentally.

 A TALE FROM THE DISTANT PAST

I sit in my study silently: head-bowed, pensive and all alone on a pitch black, cold and wet December night sometime in the distant past. It is after midnight, the guard dogs are on the prowl and have long been released, the wind is blowing fiercely and it is pouring with rain outside. What a fearful and stormy night this is: it feels as if the elemental forces have unleashed their full power against we mortals and all the occupants of the earth. Such a sad, angry and lonely night.
Everyone in the house is fast asleep except for me. I sit back, meditate and reflect. My sadness almost overwhelms me as I think of the ugly events of the last few weeks and months. I ask myself, who was right and who was wrong? Where did the two of us go so badly wrong that we cannot even talk again or care to find out how one another are faring? Where did all the suspicion, bitterness and hurt suddenly spring from?
Where did it all start and when did our love suddenly end? Is it possible for love to turn to such deep hatred overnight? Can three years of love, friendship, fellowship, special moments and trust be wiped away by three months of doubt, betrayal, acrimony, deceit and a frenzy of blind rage, harsh words and mutual suspicion. All these thoughts race through my mind as the tears silently run down my cheeks on this lonely and stormy night.
My soul is deeply wounded and my spirit weeps and groans with pain. In truth my heart has been broken. Yes I too can talk about "this heart of mine". I too have a heart just like the one she often writes about in her short yet beautiful prose. And this heart of mine has been shattered into a thousand pieces.
All appears to be lost and there seems to be no longer any reason to live. Then suddenly and out of the blue I remember St. Barts. That distant West Indian island where it all began many years ago. I remember the white sands, the deep blue sea, the peaceful and empty beaches where no other soul could be heard or seen for many miles around. I remember the thousand stars that lit up the night, the bright and warm morning sun, the gentle breeze of the summer wind and the starch-white seagulls hovering to and fro: that was the beautiful paradise called St. Barts.
It was our island. It existed for just her and I. I remember the ecstasy that we both shared there. I remember the levels of passion that we attained. I remember how our souls touched with orgasmic pleasure. I remember that refreshing "La Vie En Rose" smile from this goddess of the Delta and this God-sent child. That smile that filled me with joy and made me throw back my head and roar with laughter. She brought passion, hope, strength and inspiration into my life. She ushered in a refreshing wave of blissful love and proved to me that I had every reason to live.
We made love on that beach over and over again and the light blue sky, the deep blue sea, the beautiful white sand, the twinkling stars and the bright yellow sun of St. Barts bore witness to our conjugal nights and our sacred union. This is a memory that I shall never forget and it is one that I shall cherish till the day that I die. The Lord may take La Vie En Rose away from me but He will never take away the joyous memories of our time together in St. Barts. Those memories alone wipe away the misery of this sad, lonely and stormy night.
Those memories alone are the evidence of the love that we once shared. Those memories alone are what shall give me strength and keep me going until I find love again. Those memories alone are what will sustain me through the darkest hours of each lonely night. Those memories alone will give me the courage to move on and live my life without La Vie En Rose by my side. I love you, O God sent child. I always will. And one day we shall return to St. Barts and have one more night of making love on that beautiful beach under the light of the moon and a thousand stars.
One day we shall return to our island and enjoy one last night of unrestrained pleasure and passion where our bodies, souls and spirits will be as one again. One day we shall return to our dream and on that day we shall look into each others eyes and once again roar with laughter as if we had no care in the world and as if there were no tomorrow. I thank God for the time we shared at St. Barts and I thank Him for the three beautiful, tumultuos, temptestuos and delightful years that I spent with La Vie En Rose. She was vivacious, fresh and effervescent. She had more passion and drive than anyone that I had ever met. For her the sky was the limit and no-one could hold her down.
She was our very own Khaleesi, the Mother of Dragons. She was our Helen of Troy whom men could not resist. She was our Cleopatra for whom kings gave away their kingdoms. She was our very own Calypso for whom mortals gave away their liberty and souls. She was our Mermidan Queen, a princess of the southern seas and a goddess of the Delta. She was wild and free. She was indeed the God-sent child.


 USA TO INSIST MOBILES PHONE S MUST BE FULLY CHARGED BEFORE TAKING ABROAD FLIGHT

The USA's Transport Security Administration (TSA) has announced new, 'enhanced security measures' that will require mobile phones to be fully-charged before taken aboard international flights to the nation.
The new requirement is simple. As explained here , the new arrangements will mean that 'During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.'
Secretary for Homeland Security Jeh Johnson says, in his own statement that testing mobile devices is necessary because his department ' continually assesses the global threat environment and reevaluates the measures we take to promote aviation security.' The re-evaluation has led to the new test.
The tests won't be take place at every airport. Instead, ' certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States' will conduct the checks.
The TSA hasn't revealed which airports will conduct the checks, but the BBC reports London's Heathrow is on the list.
It's not clear what devices other than cell phones will be investigated, but Vulture South imagines even external hard drives could come under the eye of security officers given fakes filled with little more than bolts and glue have been found in some parts of the world.

Incorporating ICT into Nigerian education system

As the world order is reaching or experiencing consistent technological landmarks every moment, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital literacy are now integral parts of individuals, corporate or institutional existence. Like never before, the need for digital literacy has become an essential aspect of education.  Digital literacy could be defined as the ability to use digital technology (computer), communication tools or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information; understand and use information in multiple formats (aspects) from a wide range of sources when presented through computers; and a person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment.
A digitally literate person should be able to use technology strategically to seek, find, collate, organize, disseminate, and evaluate information; connect and collaborate with others, produce and share original content, and use the Internet and technology tools to achieve many personal, corporate and professional goals.
In the process of digital literacy, vibrant  knowledge is acquired through instructions in the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) in relevant curriculum globally designed and accepted as a means of placing the recipient on competitive advantage in his/her choice of career. By definition IC3 is the acronym and registered trademark of the “Internet and Computing Core Certification.” It is a global certification program that is designed to certify an individual’s digital literacy skills in line with the fundamental of computer and Internet use. It is the first computer certification to be recognized by the National Skill Standards Board (NSSB).
Certiport Incorporation, an American ICT outfit has been in the lead in IC3 since 1997. Its  main goal is to validate basic computer skills and knowledge through performance-based testing in IC3 credential; provide official Microsoft Office certification programs;  Microsoft Technology Associate certification program;  Adobe Certified Associate certification program; Autodesk Certified User program;  CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals etc.
The Global Digital Literacy Council has committed years of hard work and dedication to design, create and define the new IC3 Standards. The official signing of this new IC³ Standard took place in August 2008. This significant occasion marked the next evolution in the continuous improvement and updating of the Internet and Computing Core Certification program. IC3 designed by Certiport addresses the need for a globally recognized and accepted standard of basic computing knowledge to be considered essential to academic learning and a minimum requirement for employment in various professions.
For the standard of education in Nigeria to be universally relevant and professionally competitive, it is important for all stakeholders to encourage and embrace IC3. It should be integrated as a core programme in the school’s curricula at the secondary, tertiary and, indeed, all levels of education in the country. IC3 certification is awarded on three separate exams. These are Computing Fundamentals,
Key Applications, and Living Online. Schools in the United States of America, USA, have integrated IC3 into vocational-technical education and secondary school education, thereby providing students to become IC3 certified upon completion of the three exams. IC3 has also gained acceptance in Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America etc. in education, vocational/technical schools and colleges; and government workforce development (capacity building) program.
Based on extensive research, IC3 reflects the foundational skills needed to excel in virtually all career fields and academic pursuits requiring computer proficiency. The objectives are, to understand and use computer hardware; navigate and configure an operating system; use common computer application programs and navigate and use the Internet. The benefits of IC3 have been identified to include,
industry-recognized certification for basic computer literacy; validates job knowledge and skills and provide a base-line measurement for job performance. The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) program is designed to provide the skills needed for the basic use of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet. It provides a starting point for anyone interested in computer and Internet basics.
As the nation braces up to make its curricula relevant in order to meet global standard, it is expedient and urgent to equip teachers and students at all levels of education with the knowledge and skill of IC3. IC3 is used as a gateway for advancement in education, employment, or other certification programs.  As a result, it should be infused into our education system on national spectrum; every state is expected
to promote its acquisition among teachers and students as essential skills in line with international standards. According to renowned education technology consultant, Dr. Niran Oyekale, IC3 will prepare the country’s graduates to be creative and thrive in self employment. Indeed, to cope with the digital age as well as with the challenges of the 21st century; every student should be equipped with IC3 to be able to have versatile and innovative mindsets. This is the new direction that education is taking globally and we must not be left behind.
It is in order to tap into the immense benefits which IC3 offers that the Lagos State Government has been making concerted efforts to incorporate it into the state’s education curricula. Consequently, the states in EKO Project, Teachers Establishment Pension Office (TEPO), Lagos State Education Resource Centre (LASERC) and Lagos State Technical Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) have been strategically positioned to improve and enhance teachers’ capacity on IC3 in order to place education in the state on higher pedestal. It is, however, vital that teachers and students are eager and readily prepared to take advantage of the state government’s IC3 initiatives.
In order to bring about a significant increase in teachers and students’ engagement in digital education , schools across the country need to ensure that students are aware about the frequently developing nature of the knowledge economy and that learning does not stop once basic education is completed. Equally, public and private schools need to be more equipped with IC3 related tools in order to help both teachers and students to become more adapted to the changing face of global education. It is only in doing this that the country can actually benefit from the enormous benefit possibilities of digital education.

 

CAC

CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH OKE- OLUWAREMILEKUN SAGBE IBADAN

17TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

For what the Lord has done in our life for the past 17th year we have to glorify the name of the Lord. Join the church in blessing and praising the name of the lord for all he has done and join our father in the lord in person of Pastor M. Bolorunduro J.P. and his co-Pastors working in the vineyard in praising the Lord .

• Venue: Christ Apostolic church sagbe ibadan
• Time:  10 a.m. prompt
• Date: 27th July, 2014.
• Theme: Sing praises to the Lord

Officiating ministers are: 

• Pastor S. Peter 
• Pastor E. Oyelakin
• Pastor A. Ali
• Pastor E. Ojeyemi
• Pastor A. Aribusola
• Pastor S. Aderinto

Under the Chiarmanship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Courtesy by the Choristers of the church

 Look up to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

AHMED WARNS SCHOOLS PROPIETORY AGAINST SUBSTANDAR EDUCATION

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, on Thursday warned private school proprietors against poor standard of education and unfavourable learning environment.

Saying that the state government placed premium on quality education and conducive learning environment, he warned that it would not hesitate to enforce standards and punish defaulters.

Ahmed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Saka Onimago, spoke in Ilorin during the inauguration of zonal executives, presentation of awards and public presentation of its newspaper by the Kwara State chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools.

The governor stated that the state government would soon renovate no fewer than 120 secondary schools in the state to international standard.

‘My administration pays attention to curriculum review and every child in Kwara State should have functional and quality education that will prepare them for the future.

“Government will not hesitate to enforce standards and punish private proprietors that default on standards,” he said.

President, NAPPS, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Adetunji, said security of lives and property was essential for educational growth in the country.

He decried the abduction and continued captivity of the students of the Government Secondary School, in Chibok, Borno State.

He added that it was sad that such development had led to the closure of schools in the affected areas. He also prayed for the urgent release of the abducted girls.

He further commended Ahmed for his efforts in the education and health sectors as well as the general provision of infrastructure, security of lives and property and human capital development in the state.

JAMB releases 2014 UTME, Poly, COEs cut-off marks

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has released the cut-off marks for the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), retaining the existing 180 cut-off mark for admission into universities in Nigeria.

The board has also pegged the cut-off marks for admission into Polytechnics and Colleges of Education (COE) at 150.

These were arrived at on Tuesday, after debate by stakeholders, including vice chancellors, Rectors and Provosts at the fifth combined policy meeting on admissions to tertiary institutions held at the National Universities Commission (NUC).

JAMB Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor 'Dibu Ojerinde, who made this known while speaking with newsmen, said the decisions were unanimously accepted by all stakeholders at the meeting.

Chairman of the Board, Mr Eze, however, urged the institutions to strictly adhere to 60:40 Science to Arts ratio for conventional institutions and the 70:30 Technology to non-Technology ratio for specialised institutions, which were aimed at entrenching the technical advancement of the country.

Eze equally urged both federal and state-owned institutions to abide by the guidelines approved by their proprietors to promote unity, integration, geographical spread and equity.

'Accordingly, the 45:35:20 admissions quota for the merit, catchment area and educationally-less-developed states criteria should be complied with by federal institutions,' he said.

Supervising Minister of Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, who declared the meeting open, frowned at the inability of most tertiary institutions to utilise their admission quota.

He, however, said in view of efforts to boost access, institutions which failed to utilise their admission quota for 2014 would be sanctioned.

He reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to the development of ICT training, which he said had already been inculcated as part of the standard curriculum at the secondary school level.

He said: 'I have been briefed that despite the rising demand for higher education vis-a-vis the availability of a large number of qualified candidates, some institutions did not fully utilise the admissions quota approved for them by relevant regulatory agencies in 2013.

'This disservice to the Nigeria child is totally unacceptable, in line with efforts of the Federal Government to improve access, let me urge you all to with effect from today, work assiduously to ensure that all admission spaces in your institutions for the current year are fully utilised within the approved time frame,' he stated.

Meanwhile, Professor Ojerinde, in his presentation, gave a statistical run down of candidates' preference for tertiary education.

He said after the conduct of the 2014 UTME candidates who applied for degree awarding institutions or universities were 1,584,348, representing 97.07 per cent, NCE applicants totalled 25,767, representing 1.579 per cent, National Diploma  and a paltry 22,072, representing 1.349 per cent, while NID had just 46, representing 0.003 per cent.

Ojerinde wondered why Nigeria's educational system had consistently failed to embrace technical education in its quest for industrialisation, saying the British which Nigeria copied the polytechnic education from awarded degree in all its polytechnics.

World Cup 2014: Millions watch glorious Brazil exit

Millions of Americans stopped work early to watch their national football team get edged out of the World Cup by Belgium in a thrilling match in Brazil.

After a string of fine saves from US goalie Tim Howard, Belgium went 2-0 ahead in extra-time. The US then pulled one back to set up a pulsating finale.

Thousands packed public viewing areas areas across the country, despite a a kick-off time of 16:00 EST (20:00 GMT).

Afterwards, the 2-1 defeat was hailed by many as the best game so far.

Leaving Soldier's Field in Chicago, where nearly 30,000 people watched the drama unfold on big screens, fans said they were "heartbroken" but proud of how the team had played.

It was a magnificent defensive effort, as Belgium launched wave after wave of attacks in the second half but each one foundered as American bodies - most often Howard's - were flung in the way.

Even England fans were impressed, many commenting on social media how much they admired the American spirit, which was ultimately extinguished after a late, desperate attempt to equalise in the closing minutes failed.

As many as 14 million workers were predicted to down tools to watch Tuesday's game, costing the US economy more than $600m (£350m) in lost labour productivity, according to an estimate by Yahoo Finance.

At the scene - Aleem Maqbool, BBC News, Chicago

It was only minutes before they were eventually knocked out of the World Cup that the final rousing chant of "I believe" rose up from Soldier Field.

About 28,000 people had been given hope by a US goal and noisily willed their team to repay the nation's seemingly undying faith and equalise.

Obama vows to act alone if Congress gridlocks, taunts Republicans: 'So sue me'

President Barack Obama speaks about transportation and the economy, Tuesday, July 1, 2014

President Barack Obama defiantly dared congressional Republicans on Tuesday to try to block his efforts to act on his own and bypass a divided Congress that has thwarted his policy initiatives.

'So sue me,' he taunted on a sweltering day, as he pushed lawmakers to pay for road and bridge repairs. 'I'm not going to apologize for trying to do something.'

Obama struck an aggressive tone in the face of a lawsuit threat from House Speaker John Boehner and in the wake of two defeats before the Supreme Court, including a unanimous decision from the court that he overreached when he appointed members of the National Labor Relations Board while the Senate was in recess.

His remarks came a day after Obama declared that he would act on his own to address weaknesses in the nation's immigration system after Boehner informed him that the House would not take up an immigration overhaul this year.

He has already taken a series of executive actions, including an order requiring federal contractors to pay a higher minimum wage and initiating steps to to lower carbon emissions in coal-fired power plants.

'So far this year, Republicans in Congress have blocked or voted down every serious idea to strengthen the middle class not ideas that are unique to me,' he said. 'But the Republicans have said no to raising the minimum wage, have said no to fair pay. They've said no to extending unemployment insurance for over 3 million Americans looking for a new job.'

Earlier Tuesday, Obama met with his Cabinet secretaries and urged them to 'be creative about how we can make real progress' on issues where Congress won't act.

Obama said he would prefer that Congress act on issues such as immigration and infrastructure because laws are more sweeping than his own administrative actions.

'We're not always going to be able to get things through Congress, at least not this Congress,' Obama said. 'I want to make sure we emphasize not what we can't do, but what we can do in the coming months.'

Speaking at Washington's Key Bridge, Obama in shirt sleeves and his tie undone made a pitch to fix the nation's bridges and highways.

He called on Congress to close tax loopholes and use the money on infrastructure projects, a long shot idea that has little if any support among congressional Republicans.

'It's not crazy. It's not socialism,' he said, mocking the criticism from some conservative quarters. 'You know, it's not, you know, the imperial presidency or no laws are broken.'

Happy New month

HAPPY NEW MONTH TO YOU ALL
As we enter a new month...the other half of the year...I want you to know that you can have a new beginning. If you feel your time up until this point has been wasted, remember that every new day, every new month is a time to start all over again. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose. And things can change. Things will change. Just stay focused and look up to the Man above.Happy new month to you and wish you all the best.

ABOUT DG IITA DR NTERANYA SAGINGA
IITA DIRECTOR GENERAL

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has named Dr Nteranya E. Sanginga as the new director general.

“Dr Sanginga was selected from an outstanding group. His achievements in reinvigorating the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute (TBSF) of the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), and tropical experience make him an ideal choice to take on the much broader task of guiding IITA into the next decade,” says Dr Bryan Harvey, chair of IITA’s board, today.

“We are confident that under his administration IITA will continue the outstanding work the Institute does in improving the lives of the tropical people in Africa and throughout the world,” he adds.

Currently serving as the director of the Nairobi-based CIAT-TBSF, Dr Sanginga has more than 21 years of experience with the University of Zimbabwe, IITA, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Austria, and CIAT-TSBF, in agricultural research and development, particularly in the fields of applied microbial ecology, plant nutrition, and integrated natural resources management in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Born and bred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Dr Sanginga did most of his postgraduate training at IITA and his PhD in Agronomy/Soil Microbiology under a joint program between IITA and the Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques, Yangambi, DRC.

He has extensive skills in research management, developing partnerships and institutional linkages, and institution building. Under his leadership, the CIAT-TSBF portfolio rose from $1.2 million in 2003 to over $14.5 million in 2010, and its research-for-development agenda expanded from focusing on western Kenya to covering the major agroecosystems of east, central, and southern Africa.

He has also played a major role in the creation of the Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihood in Central Africa (CIALCA) that includes three international research centers (IITA, CIAT-TSBF, and Bioversity), university partners in Belgium, national research and development partners in DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda.

His career has also focused on building the capacity of young scientists in Africa. He has trained more than 30 PhD candidates at the National University of Congo, School of Agriculture and University of Zimbabwe, who now hold leadership positions in their countries.

Prior to transferring to CIAT-TBSF, Dr. Sanginga spent 14 years in IITA in various capacities, including principal scientist and head of the soil microbiology unit; project coordinator of Improvement of high intensity food and forage crop systemsand Short fallow systems to arrest land degradation due to land use intensification; and leader of the multidisciplinary program Improving and intensifying cereal-legume systems in the moist and dry savannas of West and Central Africa,collaborating with many scientists in national and international institutions.

In his presentation to the Board, Dr Sanginga said that as the new DG, he will organize and strengthen IITA’s research and research partnerships, building on its past achievements and enhancing its scientific and administrative capacity to deliver on its mission of “increasing agricultural production, food security, and income in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Dr Sanginga will succeed Dr Peter Hartmann whose tenure will end on 31 October 2011. The new director-general will assume office effective 1 November 2011.

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