THE NEWS: Trump claims win in US House race, but Democrat surge looms

Trump claims win in US House race, but Democrat surge looms
source: AFP

GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP / SCOTT OLSON US Democrats, like Ohio congressional candidate Danny O'Connor, are seeking to upend Republicans in November's midterm elections, even in districts that voted solidly for President Donald Trump in 2016

The weaknesses of the US Republican Party heading into November's midterm elections were laid bare Wednesday as a special House election featuring a candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump remained unresolved -- a contest that also underscored Democratic momentum.

Trump proclaimed victory for Republican state senator Troy Balderson in Tuesday's race in Ohio for a seat in the House of Representatives, despite it remaining too close to call.

Even if Balderson is eventually declared the winner in Ohio's 12th district, the fact that Democrats were competitive in the solidly red region was the latest example of amped up grassroots energy in the opposition camp.

And it further exposed Republican peril -- already on broad display -- just three months before the elections that will determine whether the GOP can maintain control of Congress.

The Ohio race carries powerful implications, as it is the final direct face-off between Republicans and Democrats before the midterms.

Trump, who made an 11th-hour campaign stop for Balderson, looked to past victories to boost his argument that Republicans were not in trouble.

"The Republicans have now won 8 out of 9 House Seats" in special elections since his inauguration in January 2017, the president tweeted.

"Yet if you listen to the Fake News Media you would think we are being clobbered."

The signs are nevertheless ominous for the GOP.

In many of the races mentioned by Trump, the Republicans underperformed, only narrowly winning elections that should not have been remotely close.

In Tuesday's contest, Balderson was ahead of Democrat Danny O'Connor by just 1,754 votes, with thousands of provisional and absentee ballots outstanding.

The margin, less than one percent, comes in an affluent district that is 88 percent white, and which Republicans have held for 35 years. Trump beat Hillary Clinton there by some 11 points in 2016.

But with the midterm races being seen as a referendum on the president, opposition momentum in Trump country is becoming undeniable.

"Democrats' morale was the big winner last night," tweeted congressman Keith Ellison, the deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Several key Republicans have agreed with that sentiment, including Ohio Governor John Kasich, who said it was "shocking" that the special election was so close.

"It's clear the energy and intensity is on the Democratic side" nationally, said moderate former Republican congressman Charlie Dent.

- Democratic 'intensity' -

AFP/File / MANDEL NGAN US President Donald Trump has made several trips in recent weeks to campaign for Republican congressional candidates -- on August 4, 2018 he stumped with Troy Balderson at a rally in Lewis Center, Ohio -- ahead of November's midterm elections


The Ohio race also laid bare a critical dimension that could have dramatic implications in November: turnout in the district's fast-growing suburbs was an impressive 42 percent, while in the more rural, lightly populated counties -- the base of Trump support -- turnout ranged from 27 to 32 percent.

Another danger sign for Trump's party: there are more than 60 Republican-held congressional districts that are rated as more competitive than the 12th in Ohio.

Democrats need to flip 23 seats nationally to reclaim the 435-seat House, and they are looking for a "blue wave" to get them over the top.

Trump is worried that losing the House, and potentially the Senate, could hurt his ability to advance his agenda -- and expose him to Democratic efforts to oust him from power.

But he remained insistent that candidates benefit from his endorsement.

"As long as I campaign and/or support Senate and House candidates (within reason), they will win!" Trump tweeted.

In recent weeks, he has made several campaign appearances seeking to boost his picks ahead of state primaries.

But in Kansas, a controversial Trump-endorsed candidate, Kris Kobach, was locked in a race for governor. After Tuesday's primary, which pitted Kobach against the Republican incumbent, the race remained undecided, with Kobach ahead by just 191 votes.

Back in Ohio, O'Connor, who has not conceded and stressed he will run again in November regardless of the outcome, scoffed at Trump's claim to have had an outsize impact on his race.

"I don't think he knows what he's talking about," O'Connor told CNN.

The party in the White House traditionally loses seats in midterm elections.

And Democrats believe mounting voter frustration with Trump is tilting the political playing field further in their favor.

But there were mixed messages Wednesday, when RealClearPolitics put the generic ballot -- a poll of whether Americans will vote for Democrats or Republicans for Congress -- in favor of Democrats by 5.7 percentage points, down from the 6.1 recorded on Friday.

Tuesday's round of primaries in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington also put Republicans on notice that women could play a determining factor in the midterms.

A record number of women, 183, will now be running for US House seats in November, a surge that follows a year marked by the #MeToo movement and defiance of Trump.

THE NEWS: Russia vows to retaliate against new US sanctions

Russia vows to retaliate against new US sanctions
source: AFP

 AFP/File / ALEXANDER NEMENOV The ruble tumbled as investors took fright at the impact of new US sanctions

The Kremlin on Thursday vowed to retaliate against "unacceptable" new US sanctions against Russia over its alleged role in a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain, which prompted the ruble and Russian stocks to tumble.

The action by the US State Department is the latest salvo in a series of disputes between the rival powers and comes less than a month after US President Donald Trump met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

The State Department said Wednesday the new sanctions were in response to "the use of a 'Novichok' nerve agent in an attempt to assassinate UK citizen Sergei Skripal" -- who was a Russian double agent -- and his daughter Yulia on English soil in March.

They were aimed at punishing Putin's government for having "used chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law," spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.


 AFP/File / DON EMMERT, Natalia KOLESNIKOVA US President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July


But the punitive measures triggered a furious reaction from Moscow.

Russia will "work on developing retaliatory measures," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told journalists.

"Whatever the sanctions against Russia are, the retaliatory measures will be the same," she said.

"If they dream up some (measures), we will answer -- it's not our choice."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was equally emphatic.

"We consider categorically unacceptable the linking of new restrictions, which we as before consider illegal, to the case in Salisbury," he told journalists.

He said Moscow felt it could now "expect anything at all from Washington" but nevertheless retained "hopes of building constructive relations."

The announcement of sanctions caused Russian stock markets to drop dramatically on opening and the ruble reached its lowest point since November 2016. The markets and the currency rebounded slightly over the day while remaining sharply down.

Finance minister Anton Siluanov assured Russians that the government and the central bank have "all the necessary tools to ensure financial stability," saying the economy has become more resistant to external shocks in recent years.

Vladimir Vasilyev, a senior researcher at the Institute of the US and Canada in Moscow, said the Americans were strengthening sanctions "from an element of pressure into an ultimatum."

He said the countries were now in a state "balancing on the verge of war."

- Threat of wider sanctions -

The move could cut off hundreds of millions of dollars worth of exports to Russia, said a senior State Department official on condition of anonymity.

The official told reporters the administration decided to impose a "presumption of denial" for the sale to Russia of "national security sensitive" US technologies that require federal government approval.


 AFP / Laurence CHU Map locating Amesbury and Salisbury, where attacks of the nerve agent Novichok occurred in March and July.

Such technologies have often been used in items including electronic devices as well as calibration equipment. The exports were previously allowed on a case-by-case basis.

In the event of non-compliance, the official added, a second round of "draconian" sanctions would be given a green light. These could go as far as a ban on Russian airlines using US airports.


 Kommersant Photo/AFP/File / Yuri SENATOROV Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal was poisoned along with his daughter in March in the English city of Salisbury


The latest US action follows the treasury's imposition of sanctions in March against 19 Russian citizens and five entities for interfering in the 2016 US election -- the toughest steps against Moscow since Trump took office.

Also in March, Washington ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats, and the closure of Russia's consulate general in Seattle.

Moscow ordered 60 American diplomats expelled in a tit-for-tat response.

- 'Provocative, reckless behaviour' -

Britain said it welcomed the US response to the chemical attack in Salisbury, the English town where the Skripals were poisoned.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said the sanctions would send "an unequivocal message to Russia that its provocative, reckless behaviour will not go unchallenged."

This week, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported that London was preparing to ask Moscow to extradite two Russian citizens suspected of carrying out the Salisbury attack.

The Skripals survived but one of two people poisoned by the same Novichok agent in a nearby town, 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess, subsequently died.


AFP/File / Adrian DENNIS Britain's Guardian newspaper reported that London is preparing to ask Moscow to extradite two Russian citizens suspected of carrying out the Salisbury nerve agent attack

Moscow has angrily rejected any involvement in the poisoning, plunging diplomatic relations with London into crisis.

The Russian economy is still reeling from international sanctions imposed on Moscow in 2014 over its actions in Ukraine and a crash in oil prices the same year.

While Russia returned to growth in 2017 after two years of recession, it pales in comparison with growth figures seen during Putin's first two terms in office from 2000 to 2008 thanks to soaring oil prices.

THE NEWS: At least 29 children killed in strike on Yemen bus

At least 29 children killed in strike on Yemen bus
source: AFP


AFP / STRINGER A Yemeni child awaits treatment at a hospital after he was wounded in a reported air strike on the rebel stronghold of Saada on August 9, 2018

An attack on a bus at a market in rebel-held northern Yemen killed at least 29 children Thursday, the Red Cross said, as the Saudi-led coalition faced a growing outcry over the strike.

The coalition said it had carried out what it called "legitimate military action" in the area targeting Huthi rebels responsible for a deadly missile attack on southern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

But the International Committee of the Red Cross said the strike hit a bus filled with children at the Dahyan market in the Huthi stronghold of Saada.

"A hospital supported by our team in Yemen received the bodies of 29 children under the age of 15 and 48 wounded, including 30 children," the ICRC said on Twitter.

A spokesman for the Red Cross in Sanaa told AFP the toll was not final as casualties from the attack were taken to several hospitals.

The Huthis' Al-Masirah TV, quoting the rebel health ministry, reported that 50 people were killed and 77 wounded, "mostly children", though it was not possible to verify that toll.


AFP / AFP Yemen


The Save the Children charity, quoting its staff, said that at the time of the attack the children were on a bus heading back to school "from a picnic when the driver stopped to get a drink".

"Save the Children condemns this horrific attack and is calling for a full, immediate and independent investigation into this and other recent attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure," it said.

- 'Innocent children's lives' -

Geert Cappelaere, the UN Children's Fund regional director in the Middle East and North Africa, said all the children on the bus were "reportedly under the age of 15".

"Does the world really need more innocent children's lives to stop the cruel war on children in Yemen?", he asked.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that "civilians continue to pay the highest price after three years of war in Yemen, thousands of them have been killed, injured or maimed."

Footage provided by the rebels' Ansarullah Media Centre showed a number of wounded children lying two to a hospital bed, while in a separate shot medics tend to casualties in a crowded room.

The coalition, which also includes the United Arab Emirates, intervened in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government after the rebels drove it out of the capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia shot down a missile fired by the Huthis on Wednesday, with debris killing a Yemeni man and wounding 11 others, the coalition said.

The missile was fired from the rebel-held Yemeni province of Amran towards the Saudi city of Jizan, the coalition said.

"The coalition will take all necessary measures against the terrorist, criminal acts of the Huthi militia, such as recruiting child soldiers, throwing them in battlefields and using them as tools," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said after Thursday's attack.

- Huthis ramp up missile attacks -

The Huthis have in recent months ramped up missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, which Riyadh usually says it intercepts.

Wednesday's attack brings the tally to 165 rebel missiles launched since 2015, according to the coalition, which that year joined the Yemeni government's fight against Huthi rebels.

On August 2, attacks on a hospital and a fish market in the strategic rebel-held port city of Hodeida killed at least 55 civilians and wounded 170, according to the ICRC.

The coalition denied responsibility for those attacks.

Aid agency CARE International noted that Thursday's air strike came a week after the Hodeida attacks

"This latest air strike, only a week after the attacks on Hodeida city, demonstrates a continued disregard for human life and suffering," said Johan Mooij, the agency's country director in Yemen.

"It is beyond cruel; innocent children's lives have been lost."

The war in the impoverished country has left nearly 10,000 people dead and unleashed what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, told the Security Council last week that "a political solution" to end the war in Yemen was "available" and that the warring sides would be invited to talks on September 6 in Geneva.

UN-brokered negotiations on Yemen broke down in 2016 amid demands for a rebel withdrawal from key cities and power-sharing with the Saudi-backed government.

THE NEWS: Israel, Gazan militants in new exchange of fire after deadly flare-up

Israel, Gazan militants in new exchange of fire after deadly flare-up
source: AFP

AFP / MAHMUD HAMS People inspect the rubble of a building after an Israeli air strike on Gaza City, which Palestinians say housed a cultural centre while the Israeli army says it was used by the Islamist Hamas group

Israel and Gazan militants engaged in a new exchange of fire Thursday after a brief pause in deadly hostilities, with a strike flattening a building in the Palestinian enclave and a rocket landing deep inside the Jewish state.

It was not clear if the exchange marked the start of another escalation between the two sides or if Gazan militants would return to a ceasefire they had declared earlier in the day.

The strike on the building in Gaza City wounded 18 Palestinians. The rocket that hit an open area outside the major Israeli city of Beersheba caused no damage or injuries.

It was the first time since a 2014 war that a rocket had hit that deep inside Israel, according to Israeli media. Beersheba is some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Gaza Strip.

Gaza militants had at around noon halted fire after targeting Israel with some 180 rockets and mortars beginning Wednesday night and into Thursday.

The rocket fire provoked a wave of Israeli strikes across the enclave overnight that killed three Palestinians, including a toddler.


 AFP / Sophie RAMIS Gaza Strip


It was the third major escalation since July and came despite attempts by UN officials and Egypt to secure a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli strike later Thursday, after the rocket landed near Beersheba, hit a building that Palestinians say housed a cultural centre and other offices in the middle of the city.

Israel's military said the five-storey building was used by Hamas's "interior security forces for military purposes."

The Said Meshal Cultural Centre confirmed on its Facebook page the offices in Gaza City had been destroyed, saying the building also hosted offices for the Egyptian community in Gaza.

The building was not publicly known to include facilities for Hamas.

- 'Never leave' -


AFP / MAHMUD HAMS An explosion rocks Gaza following an Israeli air strike on August 8, 2018

Beginning on Wednesday night and into Thursday, fireballs and explosions shook the Gaza Strip while plumes of smoke rose from the enclave.

In nearby Israeli communities, residents were sent scrambling to bomb shelters.

Most of the rockets fired by Palestinian militants landed in open areas, but at least two hit the Israeli town of Sderot and sirens sounded throughout the night.

Medics reported at least four wounded taken to Israeli hospitals, including a seriously injured 30-year-old Thai woman.

Israel's military reported seven civilians wounded.

Those killed in the Gaza Strip included Enas Khammash, 23, and her 18-month-old daughter Bayan, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled enclave.


AFP / SAID KHATIB Palestinian mourners carry the coffin of 18-month-old Bayan who was killed with her mother in an Israeli air strike on Gaza


They were killed in an air strike in Jafarawi in central Gaza, the ministry said, while her husband was injured. The ministry said Khammash was also pregnant.

A Hamas militant was also killed in the overnight strikes and at least 12 others injured, the health ministry said.

"Bayan was sleeping with her mother and father. The rocket hit their house and smashed it, you can see the damage," said Abdullah Khammash, 31 and a cousin of the woman and child killed.

In Sderot, the Israeli city near the Gaza Strip, a gaping hole could be seen in front of a small, three-storey building. A car parked nearby was smashed.

"I will never leave, never," said Hagit Shetreet, 45, who had to run to a shelter due to the rocket fire.

- 'Deeply alarmed' -


AFP / JACK GUEZ People inspect damage from a rocket fired by Gaza militants at the southern Israeli town of Sderot on August 9, 2018

Israel's army said it targeted more than 150 Hamas military locations, including militant compounds and weapons manufacturing sites.

Military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said he had no information on the woman and child killed, but noted a pregnant Israeli woman was taken to hospital Wednesday night after a rocket landed nearby.

"What I can say is that we targeted by definition only military targets that were clearly used by Hamas where there was an active presence of Hamas and nothing else," he told journalists on Thursday morning.

The military said 30 of the some 180 rockets and mortars fired at Israel were intercepted by air defence systems.

The three flare-ups since July, which follow months of tensions due to protests and clashes along the Gaza border, have raised fears of a fourth war between the two sides since 2008.


 AFP / MAHMUD HAMS A member of the Hamas military police walks through rubble at a site hit by Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on August 9, 2018


Nickolay Mladenov, the UN envoy for the Middle East conflict who has been seeking to negotiate a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, said he was "deeply alarmed".

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called on the international community to "immediately and urgently intervene".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of his security cabinet.

Protests and clashes along the Gaza border began on March 30.

At least 165 Palestinians have killed by Israeli fire since then. One Israeli soldier has been shot dead by a Palestinian sniper.

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THE NEWS: 'Time has come' to create US Space Force, sixth military branch: Pence

'Time has come' to create US Space Force, sixth military branch: Pence
source: AFP

 AFP / SAUL LOEB US Vice President Mike Pence speaks about the creation of the Space Force at the Pentagon

Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday unveiled details of plans to build a US Space Force that would become the sixth branch of America's massive military, saying the "time has come" to prepare for "the next battlefield."

President Donald Trump ordered the creation of Space Force in June, arguing the Pentagon needs it to tackle vulnerabilities in space and assert US dominance in orbit.

Its creation however is not a done deal, as it needs to be approved by Congress, and the concept has met with some skepticism from lawmakers and defense officials who are wary of the cost and added bureaucracy.

But Pence was unequivocal in presenting the administration's wish for it to become a reality -- preferably by 2020, the end of Trump's term in office.

"The time has come to write the next great chapter in the history of our armed forces, to prepare for the next battlefield where America's best and bravest will be called to deter and defeat a new generation of threats to our people, to our nation," Pence told an audience at the Pentagon.

"The time has come to establish the United States Space Force," he said, repeating Trump's call for Congress to invest an additional $8 billion in US space security systems over the next five years.

Shortly after Pence's speech, Trump tweeted: "Space Force all the way!"

- Countering Russia and China -

The creation of a US Space Force reflects the drastically changed reality of space's role in national security.

When president John F. Kennedy delivered a speech in 1962 explaining why America was sending men to the Moon, he famously said, "There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet."


 ESA/AFP/File / A computer-generated artist's impression showing some of the thousands of objects in orbit around the Earth


But 56 years later, space plays a vital role in just about every aspect of modern warfare, with many military technologies reliant on a network of sensors and satellites floating in orbit.

Pence said an independent Space Force was essential to counter Russia and China, which are "aggressively" working toward anti-satellite capabilities.

"China and Russia have been conducting highly sophisticated on-orbit activities that could enable them to maneuver their satellites into close proximity of ours, posing unprecedented new dangers to our space systems," he said.

The White House said in a statement that "President Trump knows that space is integral to our American way of life and economic prosperity, and is a vital domain for national defense."

Currently, the Air Force oversees most space capabilities and there is some push back from officials who worry Space Force's mission would be duplicative and create turf wars.

Given the stakes surrounding building a new branch of the military, the issue is likely to be a political football.

Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said on Twitter that Space Force "won't happen."

No Republican is willing to tell Trump it's a "dumb idea," added the lawmaker from Hawaii. "It's dangerous to have a leader who cannot be talked out of crazy ideas."

The Pentagon's existing military branches are: the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force.

- US Space Command -

Pence outlined a series of steps the Pentagon will undertake ahead of the creation of Space Force.

Key among these is the creation of US Space Command, a new organizational body that would draw in members of existing military branches.

The vast US military divides the globe into various commands, such as Central Command in the Middle East or Indo-Pacific Command in Asia, and so a new Space Command would be on an equal footing with these.

It would require a new headquarters and major organizational changes.

The Pentagon sent a report to Congress on Tuesday detailing steps towards meeting Trump's order.

The document outlines how America's military is at risk in space due to adversaries pursuing "counter-space" capabilities to neutralize America's satellites during a conflict, such as by jamming or hacking them.

"It is imperative that the United States adapts its policies, doctrine, and capabilities to protect our interests," the document states.


AFP / SAUL LOEB US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (with Mike Pence in the background) last year voiced skepticism on the need to create a separate Space Force

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said this week that Pence is Trump's "point man" for Space Force, and Pentagon officials are working closely with his office.

But just last year, Mattis voiced skepticism on the need to create a separate Space Force.

In a letter to a US congressman, he said he did "not wish to add a separate service that would likely present a narrower and even parochial approach to space operations," adding it would create extra bureaucracy and cost.

On Tuesday, however, the Pentagon chief said he fully supported the idea of creating a new US Space Command.

"We need to address space as a developing, war-fighting domain and a combatant command is certainly one thing that we can establish," he said.

Job Vacancy For Offshore Construction Manager at Desicon Engineering Limited

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Marine Coordinator

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Coordinating movement of marine spread and transportation sets (tugs and barges for line Fuel consumption monitoring of all vessels and working closely with Marine Gas Oil (MGO) Team/procurement team with regards to fuel replenishment
• Proper coordination with bunker supplier, logistic agent, bunker barge to ensure timely delivery onboard vessels.
• Organizing suitability surveys by SKTLO and client’s 3rd party surveyors upon readiness.
• Monitoring punchlist close out prior to mobilization. To ensure all findings/observations (raised by attending surveyors are attended and closed.
• Liaising meeting with client, ship owners/ agems.
• To ensure the smoothness of attaining the Certificate of Approval (COFA) for transportation set in a timely manner.

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 10 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction.
• Qualification: Degree in Mechatronics Engineering.

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Senior Project Manager 2018

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Responsible for preparing project execution plan, planning and schedules, project operations, reviewing and providing engineering and operational support during offshore installation of jackets, decks, sub-sea pipelines, PLEM, SPM, riser's and tie-ins cables and other offshore activities.
• Liaising with clients, vendors, third party, marine warranty surveyors and the sub-contractor.
• Job responsibilities include allocating resources for project and forming team for project, Monitoring progress, coordinating with marine operations for sourcing and allocating appropriate cargo and construction vessels for project.
• Job responsibilities include review, prepare SOW and RFQ’s review, and prepare technical and commercial bid evaluations.
• Updating schedule based on the progress of project. Conducting weekly and monthly meeting with clients.
• Providing bid support for the new and upcoming projects.

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 20 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction.
• Qualification: Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Marine).

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the email.

Job Vacancy fOR Senior Project Manager at Desicon Engineering Limited 2018

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Responsible for preparing project execution plan, planning and schedules, project operations, reviewing and providing engineering and operational support during offshore installation of jackets, decks, sub-sea pipelines, PLEM, SPM, riser's and tie-ins cables and other offshore activities.
• Liaising with clients, vendors, third party, marine warranty surveyors and the sub-contractor.
• Job responsibilities include allocating resources for project and forming team for project, Monitoring progress, coordinating with marine operations for sourcing and allocating appropriate cargo and construction vessels for project.
• Job responsibilities include review, prepare SOW and RFQ’s review, and prepare technical and commercial bid evaluations.
• Updating schedule based on the progress of project. Conducting weekly and monthly meeting with clients.
• Providing bid support for the new and upcoming projects.

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 20 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction.
• Qualification: Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Marine).

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Deputy Project Manager at Desicon Engineering Limited 2018

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Deputy Project Manager

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Responsible for the management of all phases of life, extension projects from scope definition, engineering solutions, procurement technical assistance, construction, commissioning to completion.
• Ensuring the delivered scope meets high uptime, low maintenance and reliable long term operational performance requirements.
• Responsible for preparation of project budget, schedule, and other technical inputs into the upgrade.
• Assuring all objectives are achieved and that project complies with agreed contract requirements, specifications, safety standards, regulatory requirements and company procedures.
• Leading and guiding members of the project team by setting goats, clarifying direction, authorizing roles and assigning tasks along a time plan for all those on the project team.
• Responsible for planning, resourcing, managing and motivating the project organization throughout the project
• Maximizing output by coordinating, planning and ensuring the logical sequence and timely delivery of the Project within agreed budget and schedule.
• Responsible for stakeholder management, including clients, management, partners, vendors, yards and sub-contractors for project clarifications
• Ensuring highest level of HSE performance is attained during all project phases.
• Leading and supervising key project management activities including reporting, project cost and schedule control, invoicing, risk management, etc.

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 10 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction.
• Qualification: Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Marine).

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Chief Electrician at Desicon Engineering Limited 2018

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Chief Electrician

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Participating in pre-tour and toolbox meetings with all team members.
• Complying fully with all QHSE requirement, policies and standards and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Completing formal training sessions on QHSE and technical subjects.
• Obtaining all required certifications.
• Maintaining all equipment in good, safe working order and reporting any problems or deviations.
• Performing preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical equipment on the rig and the camp.
• Is fully familiar with preventive maintenance programmes.
• Writing analytical reports.
• Supporting the development of employees and acts as a mentor.
• Setting annual objectives for subordinate employees and reviews them periodically.
• Participating in QHSE audits.
• Setting a safe work example to the team.

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 8 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction.
• Qualification: Degree in Industrial Electrical or Electronics.

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the emai

Job Vacancy For Senior Field Engineer at Desicon Engineering Limited 2018

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Senior Field Engineer

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Providing conceptual Engineering, Planning and Logistics support for Offshore Installation work.
• Managing end-to-end process of the installation projects, from development detail, offshore installation procedures (eg. Pipeline Trenching, Installation of sub-sea pipelines & Cables/Umbilical's, platforms. etc.).
• Recommending and selecting of materials & equipment, studying and modifying the drawings
• Assisting field operations on the existing/new projects.

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 8 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction.
• Qualification: Degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Marine).

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Marine Captain at Desicon Engineering Limited 2018

Desicon Engineering Limited and its partner, Saidel Limited are building a Team of professionals aimed at achieving a brand name in the Oil and Gas industry. We are currently looking to engage experienced professionals in the capacity below:

Job Title: Marine Captain

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• Overall, in charge of marine administrations and activities at project site.
• Executing main work heavy lift pipe lay vessel/barge movements and anchor operations.
• Responsible for efficient running of marine spreads for smooth operations i.e. Anchor Handling Tug, Supply Boat, Crew Boat etc.
• Piloting all support matine spreads vessel movement at project site.
• Liaising with clients on daily marine operations.
• Ensure efficient communication at project site between main work vessel/barge, spread vessels, oil platforns and operation personnel.
• Carrying Out inspection of marine spreads prior to hire and upon off hire.
• Continuous monitoring and recording of weather conditions at Site and advice management on safe operations.
• Supervising other Marine Captains and assisting in planning/execution of company’s marine and logistics strategies

Requirements

• Years of experience: Minimum of 12 years in Oil and Gas offshore pipeline construction
• Qualification: Degree in Engineering.

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV's to: application@saidelafrica.com With the position applied for as the subject of the email.

Job Vacancy For Solution Consulting & Digital Transformations Manager at Oracle Nigeria 2018

Oracle provides the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems, with more than 370,000 customers including 100 of the Fortune 100 representing a variety of sizes and industries in more than 145 countries around the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Solution Consulting & Digital Transformations Manager

Ref: 17001B03
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Job: Pre Sales
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Type: Regular Employee Hire

Job Description

• To grow the revenue of Oracle SaaS solutions and develop a sustainable business in designated geographies by leading the SAAS/CLOUD focused solution consulting team and leveraging the solution consulting deliveries supporting our sales cycle.

Scope

• Manage the solution consulting (Applications PreSales team) supporting Nigeria & Ghana.
• Lead and Develop a Modern Solution Consulting team. Ensure Team Excellence.
• Improve Win Rate to meet set objectives.
• Be a Business Partner to the Sales Leaders of Nigeria & Ghana. Work in close collaboration with the Sales Team to ensure Sales & PreSales alignment for success.
• Actively contribute to the achievement of the SAAS/Cloud License revenue target and growth.
• Have a leading role in developing a growth strategy in collaboration with Nigeria & Ghana Sales Leadership. The growth shall be translated into a pipeline development; this can be done at different levels: industry / solution / market segment/ geography.
• Leading role in driving transformational & strategic deals
• Ensure that our SAAS/CLOUD product portfolio is properly exposed and positioned.
• Work in close collaboration with all other Lines of Business (LoBs)
• Focus on all industries in the private and public sectors (Communications, Energy & Utilities, Manufacturing, Retail, Distribution, Financial Services, Governments, Healthcare, Higher Education, Defence, etc.)
• The role reports to Oracle Sub-Saharan Africa Solution Consulting Leader

Main Responsibilities

• Position Apps Solution Consulting organization as a leading force among others to drive the cluster business. Build visibility and reputation across different LOBs, functions, and geographies.
• Work closely with the SAAS/CLOUD Sales Leaders and Sales Team to ensure improvement of the win rate as per set objectives.
• Demonstrate strong sales acumen. Understand the sales cycle and account strategy. Act as trusted adviser to the SAAS/CLOUD Sales Leader and sales team. Develop account base solution map. Recommend and drive action plans to develop the pipeline and move the opportunities to sales stage 5 (Resolution stage).
• Able to disrupt the sales cycle through innovations, and demonstrates solid analytical thinking to winning the deals.
• Work closely with and build relationships with other Oracle Lines of Business, including Sales Management, Industry Architects, Product Strategy Team, Development, Alliance & Channel, Marketing, etc.
• Drive Competitiveness and Innovation
• Use deep customer understanding to deliver competitive advantage. Proactively address changing priorities and operating environment.
• Foster innovation: create WOW effect and high Customer impact to show case Oracle innovation
• Maintain clear visibility of Top Deals and Top Accounts for the Fiscal. Ensure close follow-up of Top deals/accounts with the SAAS/CLOUD Sales Leader.
• Contribute to account qualification, develop solutions value proposition, understand  risks and success factors, competitive landscape,  objections handling and ensure that necessary resources are assigned to the deal.
• Develop and communicate value propositions at executive and C-levels that exploit Oracle’s solutions, its architecture and capabilities/benefits in different industries.
• Promote Customer Advocacy. Support customer success and referenceability by driving a focus on go-live, user adoption and customer journey roadmap.
• Lead the development and delivery of Solution Consulting capability, ensuring that it matches current and future demand. Recruit and induct new team members as required.
• Build a Modern Solution Consulting team which exemplifies the high standards of the role and continuously raises the bar in performance. Modernise SC Services. Drive Customer Engagement Innovation & Competitive Differentiation across the team.
• Foster a sense of excitement, ownership, and personal commitment to the work.
• Drive Field SC Productivity. Increase customer facing time by driving re-use, reducing preparation time required and utilising remote Solution Consulting Resources.
• Love Public speaking. Speaker in Oracle Marketing events.
• Fulfil the following management responsibilities:
  • Provide accurate and timely management information
  • Set objectives and review the performance of the Solution Consultants and take action to ensure targets are met and individual Solution Consultants are developed.
  • Support, coach and mentor individuals in achievement of their personal development needs. Manage competencies of the team to anticipate and meet demand. Provide skills development and training where required to provide these competencies.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of the Sales Consulting team in supporting specific opportunities.
• Operate in line with Oracle's HR policies and procedures
• Maintain a broad technical and business awareness of Oracle’s current and future products and solutions

Detailed Description and Job Requirements

• Provides direction and specialist knowledge in applying the technology/application to client business. Facilitation of customer product/application understanding through presentations demonstrations and benchmarks; provision of support throughout the sales cycle.
• As part of the Oracle sales team you will direct and manage pre-sales resources throughout the sales cycle. Provides technical/functional leadership to the sales team in the development and implementation of customer applications and customer products. Participates in account planning and strategy development. May publishes technical information of specific applications and/or technical articles. Works with management to define new products. Serves as the company liaison on specific technical projects with customers.
• Manages and controls activities in multi-functional areas of sections. Ensures appropriate operational planning is effectively executed to meet Corporate business needs
• Knowledge of software industry relating to all aspects of ebusiness solutions. Demonstrated leadership skills. Strong presentation skills. Ability to travel as needed. BA/BS degree or equivalent.

Essential Skills:

• Experience in leading digital transformations
• Very knowledgeable in the SAAS/CLOUD solution area and the corresponding products
• Able to pitch at C-Level, develop and communicate value propositions at executive level
• Strong leadership skills, with a results-oriented attitude that overcomes barriers
• Strong interpersonal skills to leverage other functions within the organization
• Proactive, accessible and reliable. Demonstrate sense of Ownership. Meets deadlines. Ensure transparent/responsible communication with colleagues, managers, sales team and external parties (customers, partners, etc.):
  • Personal Drive, Positive & WIN attitude
  • Commitment to team and effort spend teamwork.
  • Value Based Sales Skills
  • Influencing & Negotiating
  • Customer Focus
  • Teamwork
  • Coaching &Mentoring
  • Results Orientation
  • Customer Needs Analysis
  • Consultative Selling
  • Industry Mastery
  • Opportunity Management
  • Sales Process Acumen
  • Competitive Awareness
• Passionate for success

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• As part of Oracle's employment process candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment screening process, prior to an offer being made
• This will involve identity and employment verification, salary verification, professional references, education verification and professional qualifications and memberships (if applicable)

Job Vacancy For Events Manager at Oracle Nigeria 2018

Oracle provides the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems, with more than 370,000 customers including 100 of the Fortune 100 representing a variety of sizes and industries in more than 145 countries around the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Events Manager

Job ID: 18000PA9
Location: Nigeria

Detailed Description and Job Requirements

• Plans, executes, and measures demand generation marketing programs to grow sales pipeline and revenue for Field Sales organization.
• Meets with Sales leaders to create strategic marketing plan in Sales support of pipeline and revenue objectives.
• Participant in regular pipeline and forecast review meetings.
• Develops and implements tactical marketing programs in conjunction with Sales, Channels, Product Marketing, Product Management, Oracle Direct (Telesales), and external influencers such as user groups and industry trade associations.
• Provides onsite execution support for marketing programs.
• Tracks lead flow to ensure the appropriate Sales channels are following up with event attendees and campaign responders in a timely manner.
• Creates and manages program budget, measures ROI through metrics analysis and reporting.
• Acts as a virtual team liaison for corporate business initiatives, programs and launches.
• Communicates program status, action items, and deliverables across Field Marketing team and Sales.

Requirements

• Proven track record executing multi-faceted event programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide consultative input to senior Sales leaders.
• Basic understanding of business management and operations, including finance/revenue/pipeline principles.
• Able to engage customers in dialogue about their business needs and IT solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal skills, and ability to work on far-flung virtual teams.
• Moderate technical and strategic understanding of Technology, Applications, and Industry solutions being marketed.
• Attention to detail and discipline to follow established policies and processes from event design to execution to lead flow.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Vacancy For Cloud Platform Senior Account Manager at Oracle Nigeria 2018

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Cloud Platform Senior Account Manager at Oracle Nigeria

Posted on Thu 09th Aug, 2018 - hotnigerianjobs.com --- (0 comments)

Oracle provides the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems, with more than 370,000 customers including 100 of the Fortune 100 representing a variety of sizes and industries in more than 145 countries around the globe.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Cloud Platform Senior Account Manager

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Responsibilities

• Develop opportunities and maintain customer relationships in the defined customer territory
• Presenting Oracle solutions in front of strategic customers and key decision makers in the Nigerian  market.
• Building and maintaining relationships at all relevant levels within the client including C-Level people
• Develop sales plans that provide territory and sector specific coverage
• Collaborate effectively in a matrix organization and across LoBs
• Work with approved partners to define, recommend and drive sales
• Understanding and representing business strategy (business objectives, business drivers, business relationships, key performance indicators, industry drivers etc.) in front of external and internal customers.
• Advising customers on how Oracle is positioned relative to the competition on key IT issues
• Take part in account planning, customer/market analysis and strategy sessions

Job Requirements

• Proven capacity to create, maintain and develop account plans and sales plans.
• Proven achievements regarding sales targets, forecast accuracy and prioritization.
• Technology Enterprise Product knowledge, good understanding of Data Center technologies.
• Oracle’s technology knowledge will be considered an asset.
• Experience in selling Technology, Enterprise solutions and Cloud Technologies would be an asset
• Extensive Experience on the Nigerian market with focus on Public Sector
• Deep knowledge of competition in the areas of Cloud and Enterprise Solutions
• Personal: Creativity, Credibility, Personal Drive, Influencing and Negotiating, Problem Solving
• Inter-personal: Building Effective Relationships, Customer Focus, Effective Communication
• Excellent communication skills and especially strong writing skills
• Computer literate
• Fluent English

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

NNU Income Program 2018

Kindly Read Details and How It Works Including Registration Process On This Page.

About N.I.P And How It Works

N.I.P means NNU Income Program, an initiative conjoined with Nigeria New Update platform, nnu.ng. NIP is a program with a mission of dealing with financial problems in Nigeria among the youths, students, middle class and whoever that wish to take advantage of earning opportunity and making money online legitimately as it creates the channel for participant to earn passive income on monthly basis.

N.I.P is a two earning opportunity division

NARS: NNU Ad Revenue Sharing With NARS, participant earns residual income by login in to their NNU account daily, reading news, comment, posting forum topics and even share assigned sponsored post on social media. We share our ads revenue with you monthly when you make NNU community your news and information household / info hub.
NAP: NNU Affiliate Program With NAP, you are automatically an affiliate when your account get approved after registration. As an affiliate, you earns huge commission of 62.5% per referral on anyone who join NNU income through your referral link. When you introduce your friends or anyone to participate in N.I.P earning opportunity, you earn instant 62.5% = N1,000 naira commission when anyone successfully register on NNU Income Program through your referral link. The more people you refer to join N.I.P earning opportunity, the more 62.5% commission earning. So, if you can refer at least 10 people to take advantages of N.I.P opportunity daily, you will be earning N10,000 Naira in a day.
NOTE: You have the option to earn passive income taking part in NNU activities daily even when you can’t refer anyone (terms and condition applied).

Who Can Participate and Why You Should Join N.I.P

Anyone with daily expenses can take part in N.I.P. It is an equal opportunity open for Students, Fresh Graduates, Job Seekers, Bloggers, House wives or anyone who wish to earn money online. Take advantage of your Facebook friends, Twitter, WhatsApp, phone contacts, and stop wasting your precious time online.

If you are a student, getting started with N.I.P is a great decision as an affiliate because there are lot of students like you on campus who are in need of cash daily. Entry fee is very affordable for anyone. The economy has changed a lot over the past few months with the present government tenure.
Employers are hiring less full time employees and more part timers so they don’t have to pay benefits. Becoming an affiliate and getting involved with earning opportunities online is the best option for you. As an affiliate and online business owner, you can alleviate poverty, headache and uncertainty of working for someone else.

Keep in mind though that you must have an entrepreneurial spirit and positive mindset. Affiliate and online business are not for everyone. But, if you like the idea of breaking away from financial bondage in this country, working and making money in the comfort of your home or wherever you are, owning your own business and growing your business at your own pace, then becoming NNU Affiliate is a good starting point and a great choice for you.
Apply here>>>

How Can I Earn And How Much Can I Earn On N.I.P?

As a participant, you have 5 options to earn more money to your bank account every month on NNU Income Program.
1. NAP: As an affiliate, you earn 62.5% per each referral. When you introduce your friends to participate on NIP, you earn N1,000 Naira from their entry fee / product purchase and becoming part of NNU Community. In future when we will be having more valuable products, you will be earning more commission per sales.
NARS: As a participant, we share ad revenue with you when you take part of NNU activities monthly.
2. Active daily login: When you login to your account daily on NNU browsing and reading news, you earn N50 or more depending on daily revenue share.
3. Reading post, Commenting and Contributing: When you browse each post, read and contribute your view by comment, you earn from N2 and above on each post you commented depending on daily ad revenue.
4. Posting Forum Topic: You earn N100 for posting relevant, interesting and well structure forum topic that get approved on the website.
5. Sharing sponsored post on Facebook and Twitter: We assign a sponsored post to members in their dashboard to share on their Facebook timeline Twitter, you earn N100 Naira daily on assigned post you share as recommended.
We assign a particular post to members on daily basis which we only pay for. On pay day, your Facebook timeline will be reviewed to see if NNU assigned sponsored post is present on your timeline as recommended, we then calculate your eligibility and pay you including other activities and affiliate earning with our monthly revenue share.
Earning activities amount are not limited to the above mentioned, we do overall calculation monthly and share among all top active earners while we disburse payment on 27th - 30th or end of the month. So once you register and activate your account by purchasing NIP pack, you will need to edit your profile and provide your bank account details while you start taking part in NNU activities. In conclusion, You could be making more than N10,000 Naira daily when you are serious in taking part in NNU activities.
Your referral earning + Daily login earning + Commenting + sharing post on Facebook could earn you at least N50,000 Naira or more every month.
Click Here To Apply 

How Genuine And Who Is Behind N.I.P?

Now you may ask, is this not another scam? NO. Not at all. NNU Income Program (NIP) is a financial solution not a quick rich scheme and it's a Double Your Hustle (DYH) idea created July, 2017 by a young Nigerian netpreneur Paul Samson under the auspices of G-Cyber Technologies. A professional web and ICT business registered under Corporate Affairs Commission (2453653).
Paul Samson is an internet marketer, affiliate marketer, freelancer and a Blogger who has achieved a lot and already made a good living using internet daily by God’s Grace. We have done it before and we are still doing it up till date. We started from Coolnaira.com a referral network with over 70,000 active members and has paid out over 15 million Naira within 1 year+ and still running smoothly. You may check the site for statistic.
We are the same guys on Eboss.ng an empowerment network with over 5,000 members and has paid out over 60 million naira within 6 months.

Click Here To Apply Now >>>

So Why N.I.P?

Having running a successful network which a lot of Nigerians has benefited from, it seems like MLM referral network is not for everybody. We found out some Nigerians often lose interest in a program that requires members to refer before earning. But still, many people are looking for alternative options to earn money online to sustain daily need with less stress without having to refer anyone. NNU has been running for a while using nnu.com.ng as a news aggregator. We look at where there is a financial problem and try to create a possible solution for the general public to live comfortably. This gave birth to N.I.P. (Option That Works)
Apply Now And start Earning>>>