November 2014






Kano State Governor and All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Sunday said the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2015 presidential poll shows that the ruling party has gone from grace to grass.





Kwankwaso spoke to journalists in Enugu shortly after meeting with the party’s national delegates at the state party secretariat.



The presidential aspirant was responding to questions over the inability of the APC to present a consensus candidate for the presidential election.

He said there was nothing wrong with the APC having multiple presidential aspirants, and described the situation as a positive development.



Noting that some parties have no presidential candidate, Kwankwaso said, “A party like APC should have as many presidential aspirants as possible.

“PDP has gone from grace to grass now that they have only one candidate – that shows that PDP has gone down.”



Pointing out that the PDP had, over the years, always recorded several aspirants at its presidential primaries, the governor argued that the absence of any challenge to Jonathan’s candidacy means that times have changed for the party.



He went ahead to restate his earlier claim that it would be easy to defeat Jonathan.



“Jonathan has no capacity to rule the state – his government has failed, that is why there is a high level of insecurity and corruption.

“All these are as a result of poor leadership.



“People are looking for change,” he said, while explaining his reasons for believing that Jonathan would be easy to defeat.

“APC is moving from strength to strength and God willing, APC will defeat him (Jonathan) in 2015,” Kwankwaso added.



via nigerianeye






Controversy is still trailing last Saturday’s Peoples Democratic Party primaries for House of Assembly aspirants in Abia State following pockets of protests and crisis in some constituencies.



Findings revealed that the exercise was inconclusive in some constituencies as a result of heightened tension while it did not hold at all at Ukwa East constituency.





The exercise at Umuahia North was marred by clashes between supporters of the incumbent, Hon. Emeka Ejiogu and other contestants.



An agent of one of the contestants was said to have been beaten to a pulp for allegedly bolting with N1million graft.



In Ukwa East, the exercise was allegedly greeted with protests as those opposed to the fourth term bid of the Deputy Speaker, Asiforo Okere vowed to scuttle his re-election bid, thus causing commotion at the venue of the primaries.



Former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, alleged foul play as the exercise was yet to commence by 5pm in his Ukwa East Constituency.



He accused the Deputy Speaker of hijacking the exercise, warning that PDP will lose the constituency if Okere were imposed on the people.



Confirming the development when contacted on phone, the Deputy Speaker said the exercise had been rescheduled due to the crisis that broke out, but denied that he was being imposed on the people.



He said he would accept defeat if he lost out after the rescheduled election but refused to be intimidated by anybody .



Apart from results of few constituencies that had trickled in, the results of majority of the constituents are still being expected.



via nigerianeye






As campaigns for the 2015 general elections gather momentum, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that Nigerians deserve better treatment from the political class.



It, therefore, said that the elections must be based on performance, political ideology, as well as political manifestoes and agenda for national development.





The party, which said this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja on Sunday, also called on politicians not to heat up the polity with their utterances.



Metuh said, “Nigerians deserve better from the political class. The 2015 general elections must therefore be based on performance, political ideology as well as manifestoes and agenda for national development and not on propaganda, accusations and counter accusations that heat up the system, divide our citizens and erode our values as a people.”



He also explained that the party was committed to what he described as “issue-based campaign” during the 2015 general elections.



Metuh said the party’s action on the need to devote its campaigns to issues, was predicated on its desire to preserve peace and unity of the country.



Apart from this, he also said the action would help douse the tension in the polity, and that its campaigns would also devoid of statements capable of inflaming passions and overheating the system.



Metuh said, “This position stemmed from the party’s irrevocable stand on the unity and stability of the nation as well as to protect its fragile democracy and ensure that a conducive atmosphere is maintained for national development and well-being of all citizens in keeping with its manifesto and visions of the founding fathers.



“As a highly responsible and foremost democratic political organization in the country, founded on strong ideological background and principle of social justice, commanding the largest followership in the country, we cannot afford to allow a drift to politics of propaganda, insults and incendiary statements that threaten our democracy and corporate existence as a nation.



“Our national interest and welfare of our citizens irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliations remain paramount in our overall agenda and must be upheld at all times.



“We must therefore strive to bring down the tension in the land by redirecting the nation’s political discourse to productive issues that reinforce our unity, promote understanding and peaceful co-existence, creating the enabling environment not only for peaceful general elections in 2015 but also for the overall survival of our democracy and stability of our dear nation.”



Consequently, he said that the PDP leadership has directed all officials and members of the party at all levels to continue to focus on the numerous visible achievements of PDP-led administrations at the federal, state and local government levels, and the successes recorded through the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the present administration.



While assuring that the party would leave no stone unturned to ensure the continued delivery of its mandate, Metuh charged all elected and appointed officers of the ruling party to continue in the prudent management of resources for the benefit of the people.



via nigerianeye




Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the continued attacks on Nigerians by members of the Boko Haram sect can destroy the country.







The governor, who said this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Sunday by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, condemned last Friday terrorist attack on Kano mosque.

Aregbesola was quoted to have spoke in Osogbo on Sunday at a prayer session of Nasrullahi -il Fathi Society of Nigeria, Osogbo Branch where he joined other adherents to pray for Nigeria and Osun State.



The governor said it was disheartening to see members of the sect wasting innocent lives in violent attacks, saying every Nigerian irrespective of religion or ethnic background must condemn the act.



He said, “Last Friday’s bombing of the Central Mosque in Kano has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the nation is in the throes of life-threatening crisis. Nigerians should be alerted to the serious danger that lurks around with the ceaseless spate of bombing in some parts of the country.



“The bombing of Emir’s palace’s Mosque has proved ultimately and beyond any doubt that this country faces daunting challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.



“Condemnable as the act is, yet it baffles one that a lot of us still deceive ourselves by reading religious colouration to this whole violence.



“I do not believe that a Muslim, who is a true Muslim, can do this to a Christian let alone a fellow Muslim hiding under the guise of promoting his religion.



“It is painful to hear that the places of worship are no longer safe places for our people.



“It indeed saddens the heart that people would go to prayer on a Friday or Sunday and there and then in the Sanctuary of God meet his death in the most grievous manner.”



Aregbesola called on the people of Osun State to be vigilant and watch activities of their neighbours so as to prevent the violence from spreading to the state.



via nigerianeye




A security analyst, Mr. Jackson Ojo , has warned President Goodluck Jonathan against trusting Nigeria’s neighbours in his efforts to combat the activities of the Boko Haram.



Ojo said this in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday.





He said that the constant attacks on Nigerians and and Nigerian communities could have the support of some of the aggrieved persons in some of the neighbouring countries.



The security expert who condemned the deadly attack on Kano mosque also said that Nigeria should not seek help from the United States. He explained that the US had predicted the disintegration of Nigeria by 2015, saying they would not offer any help but would rather aggravate the problem.

Ojo said, “President Jonathan must do everything to put a stop to the activities of the Boko Haram sect.



“But he should no longer trust our neighbouring countries. Nationals of these countries: Chaldeans, people from Niger Republic, those from Central African Republic and even Benin Republic enter into Nigeria anyhow and this must stop.



“There are some aggrieved persons in these countries who would want to bring Nigeria down. Some of them are not happy about Nigeria’s stance against Gaddafi and the way our troops went to Mali.



“Majority of these Boko Haram members are aliens. Nigerians love life and would not want to be suicide bombers but aliens whose culture allow suicide bombing would go to any length to destroy our nation.



“We should not look on the direction of the United States of America for solution to this terrorism problem. The same US had long predicted the collapse of Nigeria and going to them would not solve our problem.”



Ojo also advised Jonathan to involve retired security officers in fashioning out permanent solution to the problem of terrorism in the country.

He explained that ex-service officers should be invited to a conference and their experience and expertise should be tapped to tackle the problem.



via nigerianeye




The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has expressed optimism that he would be declared the governor of the state by the Election Petitions Tribunal hearing his petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola.



Omisore said this in an interview with journalists after the proceedings at the tribunal in Osogbo on Friday.





Omisore had earlier in the day said the same thing at the summit organised by some Yoruba elders at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife that he would emerge victorious very soon.



Asked if he had confidence in the tribunal, the PDP candidate said that he would not have approached the panel if there were no evidence that the August 9th governorship poll was rigged by the All Progressives Congress.



He said, “I am very hopeful that justice will be done. I want to urge our people not to lose hope. We have a good case and that was why we came to the tribunal. We are law abiding people. We refused to be provoked when they kept attacking our people even after the election.



“Very soon, we will retrieve our stolen mandate from the thieves who robbed us. Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos will come track to the PDP fold in 2015 and then the South West will experience speedy development.”



But the Director of Publicity of the APC in Osun State, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, when contacted advised Omisore to stop deluding himself.

The APC’s spokesperson said that Aregbesola won the election convincingly despite the PDP’s tricks and the attempts to rig the poll.



According to him, the election was used by the people of the state to pay back Argebsola for his numerous achievements in his first term despite the meager resources available.



He said, “‎Omisore has no mandate anywhere. Ask him if he ever won election in his adult life. The senatorial seat was once awarded him from the prison.



“In 2011, he thought he had enough to win back the seat, he could not even win his ward.



“In 2014, he overrated himself, he lost woefully, even with all the federal support – the military, hooded operatives of the Department of State Security, the police and scandalous money.



“He should know by now, that the reality in the State of Osun is the All Progressives Congress.”



Omisore’s counsel, Mr. Nathaniel Oke (SAN), had applied to Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal to adjourn the sitting of the the panel to Monday for the continuation of the hearing of the petition.



The counsel premised the application on the alleged refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission to make ballot papers used for the election available for the use of the petitioner.



Oke said that Omisore needed the materials to further prove his case before the panel but INEC said the documents would be made available on Monday.



Mr. Charles Edosomwan, who is the counsel to the first respondent ( Aregbesola) and the APC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), raised objections to the application for adjournment.



via nigerianeye






Naval operatives from the Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have arrested nine suspected illegal oil criminals and a vessel laden with 66,000 barrels of oil.







The suspects were arrested through a tip-off at Eremor field in Eremor community, off Brass River, in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.



The vessel, MT Dera 1, belonging to an oil exploration and production company, was said to have gone to the Eremor field for product testing but was later discovered to have illegally loaded 66,000 barrels (11 million) litres of substance suspected to be crude oil.



Parading the nine-member crew on Friday, Commodore Salisu Jubril, put the value of the crude oil at over N1bn.



Jubril said the activities of the exploration company at the oil field had not been duly approved according to Nigerian Navy’s extant regulation.



He said naval operatives on patrol apprehended the vessel and its crew members about 6pm last Thursday.



He said, “Our men on patrol on Thursday, around 1800 hours made the arrest of this vessel, MT Dera 1, which we found to have substance suspected to be crude oil, about 66,000 barrels on board. The company is supposed to be testing for production and they already have this quantity on board.



via nigerianeye




Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has announced the reduction of the tuition being paid by students of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from N50,000 to N30,000.



Fayose, who announced this while featuring on a radio/television programme “Meet your Governor,” said the students could also pay the fees twice.





He said his administration would also ensure an enabling atmosphere for teaching and learning in state-owned institutions.



On the financial challenges facing the state, Fayose said apart from global economic meltdown, Ekiti’s situation was aggravated by the Kayode Fayemi-led administration’s excessive borrowing to fund project with little or no economic value.



He said, “On the day of my inauguration, I gave an overview of what the debt profile of the state is. Later, we have been discovering a lot of needless loans taken by that government on non-viable projects.



“For instance, the Civic Centre they started in Ado-Ekiti, they have committed N1.2 billion into it and the contractors are saying another N1.2 billion is needed to complete it. Over N2 billion was spent on Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and was given to their cronnies to manage, as of now, less than N10 million has accrued as income from it.



“They said I have been given some money on federal roads they worked on; that is a lie. The Federal Government is saying it won’t reimburse Ekiti because the Fayemi’s administration did not take permission to work on those roads.



“We are just liaising with them to get the situation redressed. No kobo has also been given to the state from Ecological Funds,” he said.



On the frosty relationship between him and All Progressives Congress members of the state House of Assembly, the governor accused the lawmakers of not putting Ekiti first in their considerations.



“Adewale Omirin, as the speaker, did not attend my inauguration ceremony. After the event, we met and talked and we agreed to work together. They asked that their monthly running grant of N48 million be paid in full, even when other agencies had theirs slashed by 60 per cent or stopped totally because of poor finances, we still gave them their full grant.



“The N2 billion loan for SMEs that we wanted to access from the CBN, they now said they should be given 10 per cent of it which is N200 million and I refused.



“They have a mindset and directive from their leaders that they must cripple my government and I know the people of the state will not allow that,” he stated.



On the retirement of some permanent secretaries, Fayose said the performance of some was below expectation, while one connived with the former administration to pay out more than N1 billion in the last four weeks of the former administration.



“A situation where we have 36 permanent secretaries to 14 active ministries does not make sense and we are not going to allow any waste.



“The former governor had 104 special advisers/ special assistants and they were given official cars at the expense of the state. By the time they left, most of the cars were not paid for and they left with them,” Fayose added.



via nigerianeye




Violence erupted in the Egyptian capital as security forces clashed with people protesting a decision to throw out charges against former president Hosni Mubarak over the killing of protesters during a 2011 uprising.



Egyptian security forces shot one person dead late on Saturday, either with live ammunition or birdshot, as they moved in and cleared the protesters off the streets.





Dozens more demonstrators, some hurling rocks, were injured as teargas and birdshot were fired near Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square.



Around 2,000 people had gathered to protest the decision to dismiss murder charges against Mubarak, his interior minister and six aides over the deaths of nearly 900 demonstrators in the 18-day uprising that toppled the former leader.



Mubarak and his sons, Alaa and Gamal, were also cleared by Chief Judge Mahmoud Kamel al-Rashidi of corruption charges related to gas exports to Israel.



The judge said too much time had elapsed since the alleged crimes took place for the court to rule on the matter.



Reacting to the verdict, Mubarak denied responsibility for the protesters’ deaths, in a phone call to a local television station.



“I felt I did nothing wrong at all. I was waiting to find out what they will come up with this time. It was an innocent verdict. I did nothing wrong at all,” he said.



“But, we cannot change destiny. When I heard the previous ruling I laughed. This time I was just waiting. I felt indifferent. It is all in the hands of God.”



Mubarak, 86, did not walk free after Saturday’s verdicts. He was found guilty in May in another case, related to the theft of public funds, and he has been serving that three-year sentence, under house arrest for medical reasons, in an army hospital in a posh Cairo suburb.



(Al Jazeera)



via nigerianeye




The white police officer who shot black teenager Michael Brown dead has resigned, nearly four months after the confrontation that fueled protests in the US city of St Louis and across the country.



Darren Wilson had been on administrative leave since the August 9 shooting.







Darren Wilson’s resignation has been widely anticipated.



Still, it’s likely that those in Ferguson who’ve been angered that Wilson wasn’t indicted will welcome his resignation.



It’s almost impossible to imagine him as a police officer patrolling a community that believes he’s guilty of at least the wrongful death of Michael Brown.



Civil rights activists have been calling for protests to focus now on changes in Missouri state law to restrict the use of deadly force by police and to explicitly outlaw racial profiling by officers.



That’s what marchers are calling for as they make their way 190km from Ferguson to the state capital Jefferson city over the next week.



via nigerianeye

Not less than 230 voters cards were on Saturday snatched by hoodlums at the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voters Card, PVC, in Nasarawa State.



The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Ahmed Makama said that 91 cards were snatched in Karu, 50 in Akwanga while another 90 were carted away in Agyaragu area of Obi Local Government.



There could also be many more incidences unreported.




The distribution of the PVC commenced on Friday and about 1.2 million cards are expected to be distributed till Sunday.







Mr. Makama explained that some of the culprits have been apprehended and would be charged to court. He said some of the cards have been recovered and his officers, in the areas were the cards were recovered, continued with the exercise.



“We encountered voters card snatching in Agyaragu ward area of Obi where some hoodlums were so inpatient, they at a point said that they were the ones that will be distributing the PVC’s, they didn’t know our process, so they snatched cards and were arrested”.



We invited the police and those arrested have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.



“My staff were faced with another challenge in Bagaji primary school Unit in Karu local government where the people said after the first day’s work that our staff will not leave their unit with the cards.

They insisted that the cards had to be deposited in the chief’s palace and ignorantly the Chief supported them”.



Mr. Makama said for peace sake, he allowed the cards to be left in the chief’s palace after which he invited the police who retrieved the cards. He said those involved will be charged to court.



Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson, Ugochukwu Theodore, said some boys attempted to snatch PVCs and INEC materials from Sabon Kwarra unit in Agyaragu of Obi and his men arrested two of them.

“Also at Tsowon Kasuwa, in Karu area, our men arrested two persons who also attempted to snatch PVCs from the area, and the four of them had been transferred to state CID for further investigation and would soon be charged to court”.



via nigerianeye

An irate and disappointed middle aged man has demanded that his church refund his past contributions, including tithes, or else face court action.



The middle aged man claims his Accra-based church refused to assist him, in a period during which he faced extreme financial difficulties.



The disappointed man insists that his contributions to the church, which cover a period of fifteen (15) years, should have afforded him some reprieve in his time of trouble.







However, he claims the one place where he expected to find help turned a blind eye on his predicament and his pleas for help fell on deaf ears.



He has decided to move to a new church which would be more willing to assist its members but before he leaves, he says he wants the church to pay back every cedi he has ever paid into their coffers.



“I want them to pay me all the money I have given to them since I started churching [fellowshipping] with them.





His demands are not restricted to donations and collection however. The frustrated man insists that even the tithes he paid over the fifteen (15) year period should be returned to him.



“Everything. Donations, everything they should refund my money to me. The tithes I am paying is not going to God, it’s going to one particular person and that is the pastor. It is not going to God, it is going to the pastor.”



The peeved man insists that the money he paid should still be in the church coffers and that the money “can never fly”.



I want them to give me my money, he reiterated. “If they do not give me back my money, I will take them to court!”.









via nigerianeye

FIVE out of every 100 people in Lagos is living with HIV and AIDS, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) stated yesterday.



Its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tokunbo Dabiri, explained that the high ratio is not unconnected to the large population of the state.



She spoke at the World AIDS Day programme in Lagos organised by LSACA.




It has as theme ‘Focus, partner, achieve: an AIDS free generation.’







Describing Lagos State as cosmopolitan, Dabiri added that it its also the melting pot accounting for about 21 million inhabitants. “This is why the disease is common in the state,” she noted.

She urged residents, who have not been tested to do so to confirm their status, adding: “The statistics the state is presently working with is 5.1 per cent. It can be more if we all know our status. The national figure, however, is 3.4 per cent.”



Besides, she said the high prevalence rate has made the state government to collaborate with neighbouring Ogun and Oyo states on counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS at the borders in order to reduce the disease burden.



via nigerianeye






Overland Airways, operator of the ATR 72 aircraft that veered off the runway shortly after it landed at the Ilorin Airport yesterday, said the aircraft was airworthy and has sufficient insurance cover.



The airline, in a statement yesterday, said:” Our ATR 72 aircraft with registration mark 5N-BPG and flight number OLA 1186 departed Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja to llorin Airport at 1543hrs with 59 passengers and 4 crew on board.







“It was a normal flight to Ilorin and standard procedures of flight were followed. The aircraft landed safely at Ilorin Airport at 1645hrs as scheduled and decelerated to a low speed and in turning off the active runway, veered off the pavement.




“At the directive of the Pilot- in- Command, our cabin crew calmly evacuated all the 59 passengers safely and they were moved to the airport terminal.



“No passengers or crew sustained any injuries whatsoever. Our Ilorin passengers have since collected their baggage and gone home while the Ibadan Airport bound passengers will continue on Overland Airways to Ibadan Airport.



“Overland Airways confirms that the aircraft was fully airworthy and insured.



“Overland Airways wishes to clarify that it was not a crash landing or an emergency landing.



“It was a smooth and normal landing and the passengers were safely and procedurally disembarked.

“We wish to assure all our esteemed passengers and public that Overland Airways will continue to operate within the strictest standards of safety.”



via nigerianeye




Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Saturday evening cancelled his 68th birthday celebration dinner in Abuja in honour of victims of friday’s Kano Bomb blast.



Atiku who is a presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress ( APC) stated that he could not continue with the celebration when the national mood is that of mourning.







” There will be more years to celebrate birthdays, but tonight is a sad and sober one for Nigeria. It’s best we pray and go home.

” I appeal to all who are able, to send donations to the victims of the bomb blast and Internally displaced Persons in the North East.” Atiku stated.



After Christian and Muslim prayers were said for the victims of the bomb blast and terror attacks Atiku left the venue.



via nigerianeye




Pieces of flesh, blood splatters, broken floor tiles, abandoned footwears and prayer mats littered Kano Central Mosque on Saturday when the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II, visited the worship centre following multiple bomb explosions in the mosque on Friday.





Bloodstains were also noticeable at the entrance and on the walls of the mosque. The bomb blasts had left gaping holes in the ceiling of the sprawling religious edifice.



The Emir subsequently directed that the mosque be washed and cleaned and prayers should continue there.



Hundreds of residents and Islamic faithfuls thronged the outside of the mosque to catch a glimpse of the scene of the carnage. Carcasses of dozens of burnt motorcycles and cars as well as water bottles and hand fans were scattered around the area.



A senior rescue official late Friday gave AFP the preliminary death toll of 120.



The official also said at least 270 people were wounded in the attack, which saw two suicide bombers blow themselves up and gunmen opened fire during Friday prayer in Kano.



Kano State acting police chief, Sanusi Lemu, told journalists that three of the attackers were grabbed and killed by the enraged mob.



Speaking on the incident, Sanusi said it must have taken at least two months for the Boko Haram insurgents to plan Friday’s attack on the Kano Central Mosque.



He also vowed that he would not be intimidated into renouncing Islam.



No fewer than 120 people were killed and 270 injured on Friday as two suicide bombers and a number of gunmen allegedly attacked the 10,000-capacity mosque where the Emir and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, usually leads prayers.



Sanusi said, “We will never be intimidated into abandoning our religion, which is the intention of the attackers.”



The Emir dismissed the speculation that the attack was a response to his call for northerners to defend themselves against the insurgents.



“From all indications, they (the attackers) have been planning this for at least two months,” Sanusi said in Hausa.”



The Emir, who did not give details supporting that assertion, directed the place be washed and cleaned, an Agence France Presse correspondent at the scene reported.



via nigerianeye






A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has taken a swipe at the United States on its refusal to sell arms to Nigeria to fight the insurgency by the Islamic group, Boko Haram.



Gowon, in an interview with Punch Newspapers, criticised the US for not selling military hardware to Nigeria, saying if the US was truly a diplomatic friend to Nigeria, it should do everything possible to keep the corporate existence of Nigeria.







This, according to him, includes assisting Nigeria to fight aggression from any quarter.



The US had on November 12, 2014, defended its refusal to sell cobra helicopters to Nigeria, saying the Federal Government was free to buy fighter jets from any other country.



The State Department’s spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said, “Nigeria has purchased helicopters that originated in countries other than the US and nothing in our decision prevents Nigeria from obtaining weapons and equipment from other sources,”














Obama and Jonathan



Psaki had reacted to the allegation by the Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, that Washington declined to sell arms to Nigeria.



Adefuye had told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on November 10 that Washington was not doing enough to assist Nigeria in combating the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East geopolitical zone of the country.



He said, “The U.S. government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.



“We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria, with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly.”



But Psaki had stated that the US refused to sell the helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about the ability of the military to use and maintain them.



The cobra is a combat aircraft with the ability to climb at the rate of 8.2metres per second. It is equipped with a 20 mm M197 3-barrelled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 rounds ammo capacity).



The spokeswoman also said there were ongoing concerns about Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations, adding that these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.



Gowon, while speaking to one of our correspondents, however, alleged that the US did same to the Nigerian government during the Civil War, when it refused to sell fighter jets to Nigeria to stop Biafra’s bomber jets.



As the military Head of State, Gowon had prosecuted the Nigerian civil war, aka Biafran War, which began on July 6, 1967 and ended on January 15, 1970.



The war was declared after an attempted secession by the Eastern Region of the country, which declared itself the ‘Republic of Biafra.’



Gowon said, “The same thing happened during the Civil War. The Americas refused to sell arms to us. I wanted them to help me with some modest aircraft so that I could chase out Ojukwu’s (Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu) B52 or B56 as they called it. That was all I wanted; not to shoot it down but to chase it away so that it does not drop bombs and kill innocent people.



“But the Americans refused to help us and they even refused to sell arms and ammunitions and the spare parts of the equipment that we got from them. And at the same time, they (America) were shipping aircraft and loads of arms and ammunition to Zaire. What sort of friends are they?



“You call them your friends and they say that they are helping us to fight terror. We don’t want their people (Americans) to come and fight the war (against Boko Haram) for us but, at least, we need the equipment.



“During my time (as Head of State), I had to go to the Russians to get the equipment we wanted in order to prosecute that war. If they cannot help us, they should allow us to go elsewhere and get what we want to ensure that we deal with this particular problem.”



A former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (retd.), corroborated Gowon, while decrying that Western allies, who were paying much attention to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in the Middle East, “have decided to turn a blind eye to what is happening in Nigeria.”



He pointed out that Boko Haram is to Nigeria what ISIS is to the Middle East, saying they both threaten global peace and security.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also backed Adefuye’s position on arms purchase from the US.



The Director, Public Communication Division, Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmedu Ogbole-Ode, said the Nigerian ambassador had said it all on the relationship between Nigeria and America.



“Our ambassador to the US has spoken. He did not send himself there, so there is nothing more for me to add,” he said.



The US, however, said despite its insistence on not selling arms to Nigeria, it was committed to helping the country address the threat posed by Boko Haram and other violent extremist organisations.



The Press Attache, US Embassy, Abuja, Sean McIntosh, in his response to why the US avoids supporting Nigeria internal wars, said his country had been working and continued to work with Nigerian authorities to provide assistance with humanitarian programmes, intelligence and strategic communications.



When asked to also explain the US policy that states America’s non-committal posture to Nigeria and to name other West African countries affected by the policy, McIntosh said the US had continued to advise the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive approach to violent extremists.



He said such approach emphasises respect for human rights including the freedom of religion, prioritises civilian security, and responds to the needs of victimised communities.



McIntosh listed the assistance rendered to Nigeria by the US to include the provision of $19m for the vulnerable and conflict-affected households in Nigeria by the American government in 2014.



He said, “More than $7m from the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance supports health, water and sanitation services; the delivery of emergency relief supplies and protection activities for women and children in north-eastern Nigeria.



“USAID/Food for Peace has provided nearly $7m in emergency food assistance and the US Department of State has provided more than $5m to fund protection activities in affected areas.



“In addition, the US government provided more than $54m in humanitarian assistance in Cameroon, Chad and Niger, targeting refugee populations from neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.”



The American embassy spokesman explained that the USAID was also in the process of starting two new programmes that would address critical educational needs for both boys and girls in northern Nigeria.



These, according to McIntosh, include a ‘crisis response’ programme to be funded with about $20m to $30m. He said the programme would reach out with basic education to internally-displaced persons and others affected by the violence in the north-east, including Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states.



“The programmes also include a ‘flagship’ five-year education programme that will strengthen systems to provide greater access and learning (increasing reading skills) for primary school children, principally in Sokoto and Bauchi, and other states of the North as conditions allow,” he explained.



McIntosh stated that two additional large USAID projects focused on maternal and child health and democracy and governance are geographically co-located in Bauchi and Sokoto states in an effort to maximise their developmental impact. He added that expansion into additional post-conflict states would be considered as conditions and resources allow.



via nigerianeye




A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, on Saturday died in a South African hospital after a long battle with a terminal disease said to be brain tumour. He was 66 years old.



One of the deceased’s brothers, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, confirmed the death to our correspondent on Saturday night.







He said, “It is true. He died at about five minutes to 6pm today.”



The Professor of Anatomy/Consultant Reproductive Endocrinologist said Olugbenga’s death was a great shock to the Ashiru family.



“He was one of our illustrious sons; a gentle soul; a gentle man to the core; an ambassador extraordinary, who rose to the peak of his career.”



He added that the family was proud of his performance when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as Minister of Foreign Affairs.



The professor said, “He had been ill for some time. We still don’t know why he had the problem (illness), probably due to frequent exposure to sunlight or frequent use of telephone.



“He recovered after a procedure and I was with him in South Africa in November 2013. He was full of energy and was raising fund for his church in Victoria Island. He was looking forward to getting back (to Nigeria).



“I told him that he would still be of use to the country in a different capacity. He was supposed to write his memoir when he gets back. Unfortunately, he had a relapse. His family spent Christmas with him in South Africa and just a day before the date he planned to come back, he had a relapse.”



President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Ashiru, who was said to have been nominated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2011. He was, however, removed in 2013 in a cabinet reshuffle.



Ashiru had been actively involved in the diplomatic face-off between Nigeria and South Africa in 2012 over the deportation of 125 Nigerians for not possessing valid yellow fever vaccination certificates. The stand-off was eventually resolved after Nigeria retaliated.



Ashiru, while handing over, said he had succeeded in securing 22 key international appointments for Nigerians during his two-year stay in office.



“I am leaving foreign ministry as a fulfilled man considering my achievements in just two years,” he had said.



The deceased was born on August 27, 1948 in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. The graduate of the University of Lagos was Third Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1972. He also served as Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea in 1991.



He was Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, with concurrent accreditation to Lesotho and Swaziland, in 2005.



via nigerianeye






Unbeaten league leaders, Chelsea FC were held to a 0-0 draw by a stubborn Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.



It was also the first time the league leaders failed to score in the league this season.



Jose Mourinho's men had scored in every league outing this season, yet could not find a way through against the team who handed them their last domestic defeat.





The pre-match expectation was for Chelsea, six points clear of their nearest challengers at kick-off, to collect an 11th win from 13 league outings this season.



Yet Sunderland, who triumphed 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in April, more than held their own for long periods.



The best chances were split in the opening period, Willian and Santiago Vergini each hitting the woodwork.



Sunderland had the better opportunities in the second half and Chelsea - who seemed fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men when Diego Costa was only booked for an apparent elbow on Wes Brown - will have been relieved to leave with their unbeaten record intact.



The early signs were ominous for the home side as Chelsea knocked the ball around with the confidence of a side topping the standings.



Yet Sunderland, driven by a raucous crowd and the tough-tackling Lee Cattermole, began to find a foothold in the game, epitomised by Connor Wickham curling an effort just over the crossbar.



That was a rare journey forward for the inhibited hosts in the opening exchanges, with Chelsea almost breaking the deadlock when Willian's low drive struck the outside of the post.



Mourinho's side looked threatening every time they went forward and Sunderland were indebted to a fine sliding challenge from John O'Shea that denied Costa an almost certain goal.



The resolute defending of Gus Poyet's side was best summed up by Cattermole, who threw his body in the way of several goal-bound efforts.



Costel Pantilimon was also alert when his time came, brilliantly saving with his right leg to deny Branislav Ivanovic after the right-back had been freed by Willian's pass.



Sunderland fashioned a great opening of their own soon after, though, as Cattermole's deflected cross ran into the path of Vergini - who saw a volley scrape the crossbar.



The visitors came out with plenty of intent after the break, Pantilimon keeping out a Gary Cahill header from Cesc Fabregas' corner.



Willian was the next to threaten, striking narrowly wide from 20 yards as Chelsea began to turn the screw.



They could easily have been down to 10 men not long after, only for Kevin Friend to show Costa just a yellow card following his challenge on Brown.



Undeterred, Sunderland continued to grow in confidence and made life uncomfortable for their opponents.



And they almost went ahead with 11 minutes remaining, lively substitute Jozy Altidore wriggling his way into the area and seeing a close-range effort blocked.



Adam Johnson spurned an even better opportunity soon after, poking narrowly wide from 12 yards after Altidore had again caused problems.



Chelsea continued to look vulnerable, Johnson threatening again with a curling 20-yard effort that flew just wide, but there was to be no breakthrough for either side.



via nigerianeye




The Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the attack on the Central Mosque in Kano by alleged members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect describing it as “an attack on all Nigerians.”



The association said the condemnation became necessary because “this particular attack is the greatest evil both to a fellow human being and to God almighty, it is an act that must be denounced by all Christians and Moslems for no God commissions the killing of a fellow being.”





The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja said it was unfortunate that “while some Nigerians were making efforts towards entrenching peace, others were indulging in drawing the road map to further destruction in our country.”



He recalled that during a recent interfaith meeting that had representations from the hierarchy of both faith in attendance, participants stressed the need for dialogue, mutual relations, cooperation and unity in the renewed fight against insurgency in the country.



The cleric said, “The meeting made far reaching decisions that could be important in finding lasting peace to our country and that in itself was supposed to be a step towards the much anticipated peace and security in the country.



“The entire Christian community in Nigeria received the news of the latest in the series of bomb explosions, this time around at the mosque near the Emir’s palace in Kano, with shock and disbelief. This is most unfortunate given the number of people that lost their lives in their bid to offer prayers to their Almighty in the usual Friday worship at the mosque.



“On behalf of the entire Christians community under the auspices of CAN, I wish to commiserate with the families of the victims especially those who lost their lives in the attack. This attack on the people of Kano is an attack on all Nigerians and must be addressed as such; this is the time for all to rise up and act, may God help us all as we make this strong efforts at curbing terrorism from our land.”



According to him, news of the death of one soul by any means, whether bomb blast, accident, illness of any form of attack was enough to sadden any human being adding, “but to learn almost on a daily basis about the death of hundreds of the lives of fellow compatriot is tormenting.”



Oritsejafor appealed to all Nigerians especially residents of the areas mostly prone to the attacks not to give in or succumb to the antics of the insurgents, because “this is the time to remain fearless in the face of terror.”



The CAN President said, “We cannot continue to allow the terrorists to continue to intimidate us in our land because we have no other place to call our own, we must cooperate with relevant authorities in addition to being extra vigilant, to defeat this terror; they are human beings and can be defeated, but we have to be united. Nigerians must be united both in prayers and in other practical steps, to defeat terror.



“I want to use this medium to reemphasise the need for all faithfuls, especially during their hours of worship to be watchful to forestall any further attack on their places of worship, this is a clarion call. I urge security agencies not to relent in their efforts but to work harder and to understand that our prayers remain with them day and night.”



via nigerianeye





The Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Sa’ad III, has challenged the different Islamic sects in the country to unite and fight insurgency.





He spoke while condemning the suicide bomb blasts at the Kano Central mosque saying “those behind all the attacks are not muslims.”



“I do not believe those perpetrating these are muslims because if they are muslims they are not professing what Islam teaches. In the world over it is the duty and responsibility of government to provide security for the citizenry. This is the time for all the various sects in Islam in this country to rally round one another and bring to an end insurgency in this country,”he said.



In the Kano attacks allegedly masterminded by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, about 120 worshippers were said to have been killed with many others seriously wounded.



Speaking on Saturday in Abuja during the Post-2014 Hajj Conference organized by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria held at the National Mosque, the Sultan lamented the dastardly act.



According to him, it was time for all stakeholders particularly the Federal Government to rise up to the responsibility with view to bringing to an end insurgency in the country.



He also enjoined stakeholders to join hands and end the problem of Boko Haram in the country.



While speaking on the 2014 Hajj operation, the Sultan who looked at the entire challenges of the operation and processes also called on stakeholders to look at the situation and sustain the tempo towards improvement in Hajj operation in the years ahead.



via nigerianeye




The federal government on Saturday said that the implementation of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan would create approximately 33 million jobs for Nigerians across the country.







The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, disclosed this during the 12th convocation ceremony of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.



The minister said that the 30-year NIIMP, which formed part of the transformation agenda initiated by the Jonathan administration, was a N485 trillion road map which would facilitate the provision of infrastructure in power, oil and gas, transportation, housing, water, agriculture, social infrastructure, information and communication technology and the federal capital territory.



“Nigeria as an emerging country is the next destination for investors.



“Our demographics, the re-basing of our economy, our GDP growth rate, which is between six and seven per cent over the last five years and one of the highest in the world, expected to continue positively in the years to come, and the huge untapped resources of our nation all point to a giant on the march.”



He said that over 10 districts in the federal capital territory were being developed with private funds while secondary investment in land swap districts are expected to rise to the tune of over N3 trillion and 250,000 new jobs would be created in the next five years.



He said that the private sector-led projects include the $2.7 billion Abuja Town Centre, the $18 billion Centenary City project and $1.2 billion World Trade Centre, among others.



While assuring the graduands of government’s commitment to integrate them in Nigeria’s quest to utilise its untapped resources, he, however, stressed the need for universities to build viable human capacities.



Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, explained that out of a total of 773 graduands, 549 received first degrees, 18 received masters degrees while 18 bagged doctorate degrees.



via nigerianeye




Nearly 7,000 people have now died from Ebola in west Africa, with the latest numbers from the World Health Organization counting over 1,200 more deaths than in a toll given on Wednesday.







Data published by the UN’s health body late Friday showed that 16,169 people had been infected with Ebola and that 6,928 of them had died in the three countries at the centre of the outbreak — Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.



via nigerianeye





A reporter of the Channels Television in Kwara State, Mr. Akeem Garba and his crew were assaulted in Ilorin while they were covering the State Assembly primary of the Peoples Democratic Party at Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.










Smashed Camera of the Channels TV crew



Garba and his crew had gone to Yebumot Hotel, Ilorin, venue of one of the congresses when some thugs attacked them.





Garba said that the clothe of his cameraman was torn while their camera was smashed.



Garba said, “This morning when I got to Yebmot Hotel to cover the congress, my cameraman was filming while the delegates were just going inside the venue. About 15 thugs pounced on us and asked us: Who are you? Who sent you? All the explanations that I gave to them to know that we are from Channels TV did not yield any positive result.



“They started beating us. Even the clothe of my cameraman was torn and the camera was smashed and damaged. They were beating us right in the presence of the security operatives and they were just looking at us as if somebody’s life was not as stake.



“After the intervention of some elders of the party, we were left alone. Again, we identified ourselves that we are from Channels TV. They pleaded with us that we should hold on that they did not know that we are from Channels TV, and we can continue filming when some of them are carrying placards to show their protest aganst certain individuals that we can then come and film.



“About 30 minutes later, as we were about filming the protest, another group of thugs, about 20 in number, pounced on us again and really smashed our camera again. We had to run to a petrol station for cover.”



There has been recurring violence in Ilorin West LGA. Our correspondent gathered that the violence affected the congress in the

LGA.



There was, however, no report of violence in other venues of the congresses as of the time of filing this report.



The Kwara State PDP Chairman, Mr. Iyiola Oyedepo, condemned the attack of the journalists, wondering why journalists on their official

duties would be attacked.



He said his party leadership will address their supporters on the need to avoid attacks on journalists.



via nigerianeye




A cricket umpire has died in the Israeli city of Ashdod after being hit by a ball, police say.



Hillel Oscar, 55, was taken to hospital on Saturday in the nearby town of Ashkelon in critical condition where he died of his injuries, police said. Oscar was also a former captain of Israel’s national cricket team.





“We’re simply in shock,” said Naor Gudker, the head of Israel Cricket Association.



One of the players, who witnessed the incident, told the Nana10 website that the umpire, standing at the bowler’s end, was struck by the ball in his face after it ricocheted off the stumps from a shot that came straight back down the pitch.



Police said they were investigating his death.



“We know a ball was hit in his direction, he tried to escape it, he fell – what happened there is still being investigated,” Gudker told the AFP news agency.



“The entire Israel Cricket Association and players bow their heads in his memory. He was a wonderful man, cricketer, and umpire,” Gudker said.



The death came two days after Australian batsman Phillip Hughes died in hospital after being struck by a ball during a domestic first-class match in Sydney.



Cricket is not a major sport in Israel but Ashdod is one of the main centres for the sport where a large number of Jewish immigrants from India live.



(AlJazeera)



via nigerianeye








A former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo and some chieftains of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state on Saturday defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).



Others who defected include Dr Oluyomi Finnih, former Lagos State Chairman, Elders Council of PDP and Chief Tunde Daramola, former state secretary of the party.



The declaration of the new members was held at the APC secretariat in Acme, Lagos.

Welcoming the new members, Chief Henry Ajomale, the State Chairman of APC, said they had made a good decision.







He promised that the party would be fair to them.



Finnih, who spoke on behalf of the new members, said that the defectors had come for the unity of the party and not to divide it.



“We took the bold decision because we see the party as a prosperous party.

“We defected based on lack of internal democracy in the PDP and our aim is winning the presidential election by APC,” Finnih said.



The State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said that the party was glad to accommodate the new members.



Fashola urged them to ensure that the party’s interest was placed above individual interest, saying that there would be a level playing ground.'



Meanwhile, the state chapter of PDP described the defection of Finnih and his group to the APC as a welcome development.



Mr Gani Taofik, the State Publicity Secretary, told NAN that “Finnih and his group have long been out of PDP.



“The defection ceremony today is just a charade for people who have long left our fold.



“Finnih and his group had always worked against the PDP even when they were our members.

“Their roles of playing moles and fifth columnists in our party have been extinguished. They had no choice but to be part and parcel of the APC, their real party.”



He advised other members of the party who are not willing to abide by its rules and loyalty to exit or risk being disciplined.



“The Lagos PDP can no longer tolerate insubordination. It is no longer business as usual. We want to enforce party discipline to the letter,” he said.



He, however, assured members that the party would emerge victorious in 2015 general elections.



via nigerianeye






Struggling Liverpool got back on track with a 1-0 victory over Stoke on Saturday.



Liverpool ended their three-match losing streak as Glen Johnson’s late goal clinched a hard-fought success against Stoke at Anfield.





Reds captain Steven Gerrard was dropped to the bench on the 16th anniversary of his Liverpool debut and Brendan Rodgers’ side were lacklustre without him.



Stoke’s Bojan Krkic hit the woodwork in the second half, but Liverpool improved after Gerrard came on for the final 16 minutes and England right-back Johnson popped up with the winner in the 85th minute after Rickie Lambert’s header had hit the bar.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/johnson-rescues-liverpool/#sthash.sI2BeBRR.dpu



via nigerianeye




Robin van Persie got back on the scoresheet after a disappointing run as Manchester United strolled to a 3-0 victory over Hull at Old Trafford on Saturday.





Louis van Gaal’s side retained their place in the Premier League’s top four thanks to a third successive win secured by Chris Smalling’s opener, a Wayne Rooney strike and Dutch forward van Persie’s first goal in his last four club matches.



And with one defeat in eight games, plus upcoming fixtures against Stoke and Southampton in the next nine days, there is a growing belief at Old Trafford that United can secure a place in next season’s Champions League.



The hosts had the contest completely under control by the interval against a Hull side who have won just once in the league since the opening day of the season and are plummeting down the table at an alarming rate.



After 15 minutes, Rooney’s corner was headed back across goal by two defenders, forcing goalkeeper Allan McGregor into an unconvincing attempt to clear the ball which served only to push it out to Smalling.



The defender’s shot was struck well enough and although it appeared that McGregor might have kept it out, rather than help if over the line, referee Anthony Taylor used goalline technology to confirm the goal.



The second goal followed a half of complete United domination, coming four minutes before the interval as captain Curtis Davis blundered in failing to clear Ander Herrera’s header, tapping the ball directly to van Persie.



The Dutchman laid the ball back to Rooney and he produced a superbly-placed finish from just outside the area, his eighth goal in his last nine games for club and country.



via nigerianeye




Pope Francis prayed on Saturday on the second day of his visit to Turkey alongside a senior Islamic cleric in Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.







The blue mosque, known officially as the Sultanahmet Mosque, opened in 1616 and was the most famous in Turkey.

Its popular name was a reference to the fine blue Iznik tiles in its main prayer room.



The Vatican City spokesman described it as a gesture of inter-religious harmony and a joint “moment of silent adoration” of God.

Francis took off his shoes as he entered the huge mosque before bowing his head in prayer for several minutes, facing Mecca and standing next to Istanbul’s Grand Mufti Rahmi Yaran.



A similar act by his predecessor Pope Benedict in 2006 drew criticism from conservative Catholics and some Muslims.

Halil Ibrahim Cil, 24, a hospital worker from Istanbul, said there was need to show respect for each other’s beliefs.

He said God willing the pope’s visit would help in this respect.



“We want to practice our religion in peace, as we want people to understand Islam, more so we don’t want war, Islam is a religion of peace’’, he said.

Hundreds of people, many of them tourists, watched from behind police barriers as the pope then walked to the nearby Aya Sofya museum, once the Christian church Hagia Sophia.



A group of school children waving Turkish and Vatican flags chanted “Long live Pope Francis” in Italian as the Muslim call to prayer rang out across the Sultanahmet square, the heart of Istanbul’s historic quarter.



Pope would later in the day, celebrate Mass at the Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and then meet the leader of the Orthodox Church, Bartholomew.



Discussions at Bartholomew are expected to focus on healing the schism in the Christian Church in 1054 that divided Rome and Constantinople.

Islamic State insurgents have captured swathes of neighbouring Syria and Iraq, persecuting and killing Shi’ite Muslims, Christians and others who do not share their ultra-radical brand of Sunni Islam.



via nigerianeye




The South African government will lead an international moment of noise and silence on the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, the former president’s foundation said Saturday.



Friday will mark one year since the 95-year-old statesman and Nobel peace prize winner passed away.





The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the event, lead by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, would begin with three minutes and seven seconds of noise using “bells and sirens, instruments, vuvuzelas and loudhailers”, followed by three minutes of silence.



“The time lapse from the ringing of the bells to the end of the moment of silence is six minutes, seven seconds and is symbolic of the 67 years Madiba spent in the service of humanity,” the foundation said in a statement.



The organisation called on “schools, community centres, places of worship, and individuals” to take part in the commemoration.

The event is billed to begin at 0756 GMT and finish at 0803 GMT.



It will follow an interfaith prayer service in Pretoria and the laying of a wreath by veterans from the country’s struggle against apartheid.

Several events have been planned to mark the one year anniversary of Mandela’s death, including a friendly cricket match between South Africa’s national cricket and rugby teams.



The icon of South Africa’s struggle against Apartheid spent much of last year in hospital. His death was met with a worldwide outpouring of grief.



via nigerianeye



The Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II, on Saturday said Nigeria’s Muslims will not be intimidated into abandoning Islam following coordinated bomb and gun attacks on the city’s central mosque that left at least 120 people dead.



“We will never be intimidated into abandoning our religion, which is the intention of the attackers,” the emir said during a 20-minute-visit to the mosque shortly after his return to the country.







The mosque adjoins his palace in the city. Sanusi was out of Nigeria on Friday, when the deadly assault on the mosque occurred.

\

Last week, the emir — who is the country’s second most senior Muslim cleric — made a call at the same mosque urging civilians to take up arms against the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.

But during his visit, he implicitly dismissed widespread speculation that the attack was in retaliation to that call.



“From all indications, they (attackers) have been planning this for at least two months,” Sanusi said in Hausa, the dominant language in northern Nigeria.



The emir, who did not give details supporting that assertion, directed the place be washed and cleaned, an AFP correspondent at the scene reported.



Pieces of flesh, blood splatters, broken floor tiles, abandoned footwear and prayer mats littered the mosque when the emir visted the mosque.



– Blood on mosque’s walls –


Bloodstains were also noticeable at the entrance and on the walls of the mosque. The bomb blasts had left gaping holes in the ceiling of the sprawling religious edifice.



“I have directed that the mosque be washed and cleaned and prayers should continue here,” Sanusi said.



He did comment on the victims of the attack.



Hundreds of residents and faithfuls thronged the outside of the mosque to catch a glimpse of the scene of the carnage. Carcasses of dozens of burnt motorcycles and cars as well as water bottles and hand fans were scattered around the area.



A senior rescue official late Friday gave AFP the preliminary death toll of 120.



The official also said that at least 270 people were wounded in the attack, which saw two suicide bombers blow themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers in Kano, the biggest city in the mainly Muslim north of the country.



Kano State acting police chief, Sanusi Lemu, told journalists that three of the attackers were grabbed and killed by the enraged mob.



He did not give further details.



Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vowed Saturday to hunt down those behind the “heinous” attack.



A statement from his office said he had “directed the security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation and to leave no stone unturned until all agents of terror … are tracked down and brought to justice”.



He urged Nigerians “not to despair in this moment of great trial in our nation’s history but to remain united to confront the common enemy,” the statement said.



More than 13,000 people are thought to have died since Boko Haram began its insurgency in 2009.



via nigerianeye




Danny Welbeck returned from injury to maintain Arsenal’s recent revival as the England striker’s second-half goal sealed a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.



Arsene Wenger’s side had been under pressure after successive Premier League defeats condemned them to their worst start for 30 years, but a midweek victory over Borussia Dortmund, which booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, had lifted spirits at the north London club.







Welbeck missed that win due to hamstring and knee problems, but he was back at the Hawthorns to net his sixth goal for Arsenal, ending a run of six club matches without a goal for the former Manchester United forward and giving the Gunners only their fifth league win of the season.



Arsenal climbed to fourth in the table, although they could drop back out of the Champions League places depending on results later on Saturday.



After another week of injury woe left Wenger without Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Wojciech Szczesny, the Gunners’ boss could have been forgiven for cursing his luck when Nacho Monreal limped off in the first half.



But Welbeck forced a good save from Ben Foster, and Olivier Giroud, making his first start since suffering a broken leg in August, almost punished a careless attempt to clear by Foster moments later.



via nigerianeye





A suicide and gun attack that killed more than 120 at one of Nigeria’s most well-known mosques was extreme in its brutality but part of an increasingly familiar pattern that has spread fear even beyond Nigeria’s borders.



Unsuspecting worshippers were blown up as they gathered for Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in the northern city of Kano; those who survived were cut down by gunfire as they fled.







The attack was widely seen as revenge for the Muslim Emir of Kano’s call at the same mosque last week for civilians to arm and protect themselves against Boko Haram.



“Boko Haram has repeatedly threatened religious and traditional leaders in northern Nigeria, who are seen by the group as allies and instruments of the state,” said Andrew Noakes, of the Nigeria Security Network of analysts.



But it was also in keeping with the Islamist group’s brutal violence over a greater geographical area in the last few weeks — and a likely wider strategy to further undermine national and regional security.



“Boko Haram are trying to create the perception that they are anywhere and everywhere,” said Ryan Cummings, chief Africa analyst at the Red24 security consultants in Cape Town.

“It almost seems that the trend in the insurgency is reverting to that witnessed in 2012 when it seemed that Boko Haram was expanding rapidly westwards and southwards,” he told AFP.


– Shifting tactics –



Just hours before the Kano massacre, a suspected remote-controlled roadside bomb, buried in the dirt near another mosque nearly 600 kilometres (375 miles) away in Maiduguri, was defused.



Maiduguri, where Boko Haram was founded in 2002, was already tense after two women blew themselves up within minutes of each other at a crowded market on Tuesday, killing more than 45 shoppers and traders.



The previous day, up to 50 people were killed in Damasak, 180 kilometres north of the city near the border with Niger, when Boko Haram fighters overran the town and ambushed those trying to escape.

Four days earlier, the militants slit the throats of and drowned at least 48 fish vendors in another town near Lake Chad.



Mass casualties from Boko Haram attacks are not a new phenomenon in the extremists’ five-year insurgency. More than 13,000 people are thought to have died in total since 2009.



But the regularity of attacks and the widening range of tactics — from hit-and-run strikes to suicide bombings, holding territory and even, it seems, the new attempt to use Al-Qaeda-style roadside bombs — marks a shift.



Violence had been concentrated for the last 18 months in the three far northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.



But there have been a string of suicide strikes since June across the wider north.

Neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad are also voicing fears about possible attacks there, particularly as the dry season approaches, which makes natural defences such as rivers easier to breach.



One humanitarian source in Niger described a “psychosis of fear” about attacks in border areas, which this week forced the closure of schools and pharmacies.

Boko Haram is opposed to secular, “Western” style education and has regularly attacked schools, teachers and students.



Earlier this month, 58 schoolboys were killed in Potiskum, northeastern Nigeria, when a suicide bomber blew himself up before morning assembly.

Boko Haram is still holding 219 schoolgirls that it kidnapped in mid-April.



– Regional fears –



In Cameroon’s far north, one military commander said they were “convinced” that Boko Haram’s aim to declare a hardline Islamic state “is aimed not only at Nigeria but also at Cameroon”.

The group has taken over more than two dozen towns in northeast Nigeria in recent months and declared some part of its caliphate, mirroring a similar declaration by militants in Iraq and Syria.

The Kano bombing and attacks elsewhere could be designed to make any renewed counter-insurgency efforts more difficult, analysts say.



Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria were supposed to have had a 2,800 troops in place along their borders by November 1, to assist the Nigerian army, which has struggled to put down the rebellion.

But as the year-end approaches, no deployment has been announced.

The Kano attack and others outside its traditional heartland leave Nigeria’s authorities with a dilemma.



“It basically stymies the reallocation of resources from such regions to counter-terrorism operations being conducted” in the three worst-affected northeast states, said Cummings.



via nigerianeye






The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in solidarity with the people of Kano State, has postponed its state House of Assembly primaries slated for Nov.29, due the bomb attacks on Kano Central Mosque on Friday .



This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Olisa Metuh, the party`s National Publicity Secretary, in Abuja on Friday.





The statement, which described the bomb attacks as very painful, said the party was grief-stricken when it received the news.



It stated that the gruesome attacks claimed the lives of innocent citizens worshipping at the mosque.

This, it said, was callous especially considering that the victims were harmless Nigerians offering prayers to the Almighty God.



“Indeed, our hearts ache for our brothers and sisters who were slaughtered in this horrible attack.

“We grieve for the bereaved, especially those who have been widowed and orphaned today.

“We share in their sorrows and pray that those behind this atrocious act must not escape justice”, the statement said.



It said victims of the incessant attacks in the country were productive citizens making useful contributions to the growth and development of the nation.



The statement called on those behind the attacks to have a rethink and embrace peace.



It stated that the nation would have been a better place if the human and material resources and the time and energy wasted as a result of security challenges were channelled towards national development.



The statement urged citizens not to lose faith but to continue to remain vigilant and co-operate with the government and security agencies to find lasting solution to the security challenges.

It prayed God to comfort the bereaved and bring enduring peace to the nation.



via nigerianeye

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