INEC Reveals That Over 14,000 PVCs Have Been Stolen In Rivers State

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Rivers State says over 14,000 Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, have been stolen by thugs in the different parts of the state.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Gesila Khan said the stealing of PVCs had become a source of worry for the election umpire.

Khan in an interview with the media in Port Harcourt also said despite all odds, INEC had achieved about 80% distribution of the PVCs in the state.

While condemning the excesses of the PVC thieves, Khan noted that the cards could not be used except they were in the possession of their owners.

She assured that over 500,000 PVCs would be distributed in the state before the general elections in two weeks time.

“All the cards that are being snatched are useless and meaningless because we are going to use a new system called card readers.

“Your card readers are just like the ATM cards. You take it there and they slot it in to confirm its yours before you are allowed to vote.

“So if you go there with another person’s voter’s card, it is meaningless. So I’m advising those of you with other people’s cards to return them to the Local Government offices.

“I’m appealing to Rivers people because we have lost a lot of cards. We have lost more than 14,000 PVCs and its so bad. This is one of the highest figures in the federation,” Khan said.

WHO: New Ebola cases drop to lowest level in 7 months!

-Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone had 99 new cases for week to January 25

-It's the first time the number has fallen below 100 in a week since late June

The number of new Ebola cases reported in the three worst-hit countries fell to its lowest level since late June, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone had a combined total of 99 new cases for the week to January 25, the WHO said.

The total breaks down to 65 in Sierra Leone, 30 in Guinea and four in Liberia.

The number of cases continued to fall in Liberia and Sierra Leone, WHO said, but Guinea's figure rose from 20 confirmed cases in the previous week.

The response to the Ebola epidemic has now moved to a second phase, WHO said "as the focus shifts from slowing transmission to ending the epidemic.

"To achieve this goal as quickly as possible, efforts have moved from rapidly building infrastructure to ensuring that capacity for case finding, case management, safe burials, and community engagement is used as effectively as possible."

By Laura Smith-Spark
CNN's Debra Goldschmidt contributed to this report.

Punishing Perpetrators Will End Violence Not Peace Accord – Ajulo

A Nigerian lawyer and the National Secretary to Labour Party, Kayode Ajulo, says violence, before, during and after elections, will end when strong security institutions and justice system are in place and not through peace accord between politicians.

Presidential candidates of political parties in Nigeria signed a peace accord last week, promising to do their best to ensure that the elections would be violence-free.

The need to ensure that the general elections are free of violence was also stressed by the US Secretary of State , John Kerry, at a meeting with two leading Presidential candidates, the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

Mr Ajulo, however, said that the peace accords had no legal backings and could be pushed aside by individuals involved, when they feel unsatisfied.

“What is the legality of the accord? Peace accord is not enforceable,” he said, insisting that ineffective institutions are responsible for the violence.

The so much talk about a violence-free election is aimed at forestalling a repeat of a post-election violence as experienced in 2011 in the northern part of Nigeria.

Mr Ajulo said there were chances that such violence could be witnessed again, as no one had been punished for being part of the 2011 violence.

“Violence has continued because people commit crimes and get away with it.

“In 2011 i was abducted and i reported the issue to the police. No one has been able to tell me who my abductors were. No arrests were made.

“We have our security agencies and what have they been doing? A crime is a crime and the police should deal decisively with the perpetrators of crimes. Crime perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions. The police should pick the offenders no matter who they are.

“Since 2011, no one has been prosecuted for the violence of that time. There is a procedure that had been set to help reduce crime within the society and that procedure should be followed.

“If we have strong institutions, no individual will feel he is untouchable.

“To make actions match words, there must be strong institutions. There must be a strong judiciary,” he said.

By Channels Television. 

Fire razes buildings at army barracks in Ibadan

Properties worth millions of naira were lost in a fire incident at the Supply and Transport Corps Barracks of the Nigerian Army at Eleyele, Ibadan, on Saturday.

According to NAN, no fewer than 23 apartments were burnt in the incident.

An eye witness, who said the fire outbreak occurred at about 1.p.m., added that the cause remained unknown.

But one of the victims, Mrs Priscilla Kilyobasi, said the incident could be due to the carelessness of a resident in the barrack who was cooking on a kerosene stove.

“We started seeing smoke coming out from a room on the back row and some people raised an alarm.

“On entering the room from the back door, we saw a pot on the stove that was completely burnt and had affected the wood walls.

“Sympathisers helped to pour water to contain it, but the fire had started spreading to the other rooms.

“Some passers-by helped to call the Fire Service officials at the Government Secretariat and they responded with a truck to contain the spread,’’ she said.

A fire officer at the scene, who pleaded for anonymity, told NAN that his team had to seek for reinforcement from the Eleyele station which deployed two fire trucks.

He, however, said the buildings could not be saved as the structures were made of wood.

“We were only able to curtail the fire by soaking nearby rooms with plenty of water, ” he said.

Another victim, Samuel Ufot, ruled out the possibility of power surge, claiming there was power outage at the time.

“ The room where the fire started had a burnt kerosene stove,” he said.

NAN reports that no life was lost in the fire incident while attempts to reach officials of the Army Post Service Housing Scheme, where the structures were located, proved abortive.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

BREAKING: Curfew imposed on MAIDUGURI with immediate effect.

A Curfew has been imposed on MAIDUGURI with immediate effect till further notice as pursuit of retreating terrorists are on going. Defence Headquarters announced this earlier on Sunday as Nigerian millitary were repelling the terrorrist attacks at the wake of morning amidst heavy bombardment and shelling rocking the suburbs of Monguno, Njimitilo and other towns surrounding Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The exclusive report posted by NUJEurope revealed earlier today stated that ''BREAKING: @DefenceinfoNG via @nujenews:  Boko Haram terrorists are facing heavy shelling this morning as the NigerianTroops are repelling a simultaneous attack on #Monguno and #Maiduguri by belligerent Terrorists. Co-ordinated Air and Land operations are being conducted by Nigerian armed forces. The  fight was being monitored by high-tech information experts from Defence Headquarters.

The Nigerian Military had earlier announced to Nigerians that 'a final onslaught' to crush out Boko-Haram terrorists should be expected before mid-February and warned that all innocent citizens must leave the affected areas where terrorists parade."

The panic  rendered the atmosphere in many parts of Borno and surrounding states as Boko-Haram prepare to occupy more towns as channels of enterring other more states. The Sunday  repel fightings by the armed forces were severely conducted to stop the Boko Haram Members advancement.

An eye witness who briefed the newsmen said “We had a sleepless night till this morning because this elements tried to enter Maiduguri from Dalwa and Limanti axis but our soldiers were able to repell them. They retreated and took another flank around Njimtilo this morning and our troops have been engaging them there too.”

As at the time of filing this report more troops, together with operatives of the Civilian-JTF, were seen moving towards Njimtilo.

Residents of Maiduguri 1000 Unit Housing Estate, not very far away from Njimtilo, are fleeing their houses and moving toward the downtown.
Witnesses said bullets were flying and empty shells were seen littering the roads as soldiers of the Nigerian Air Force Base and 33 Artillery brigade continued to shoot into the air.
Fighter jet of the Nigeria airforce was heard hovering over the town at about 9am local time.

A verified twitter handle of @DefenceinfoNG  stated that:  "#COINUpdate: Curfew is imposed on #MAIDUGURI with immediate effect till further notice as pursuit of retreating terrorists begin."

Keep safe and be well informed.

by Lashley Oladigbolu

Private Equity in Africa Unblocking the Pipes

Africa needs a lot of capital. Private equity offers lessons on how to get it there.

Africa is desperately short of investment, both from locals and international investors: an extra $90 billion a year is needed for infrastructure, never mind other businesses. This is throttling development. Infrastructure bottlenecks alone are thought to cut growth in sub-Saharan Africa by two percentage points a year. But many of the normal routes by which capital gets into economies are blocked in Africa.

The one door that has been wide open is that of private equity, which raised a record $4 billion for Africa last year, helping businesses from toothpaste factories to mobile-phone providers. Private-equity managers have always been willing to venture where others dare not. And for investors who want exposure to Africa, handing cash to such pioneers is often more attractive in terms of risk-adjusted returns than putting it in the underdeveloped public market.

In contrast to its reception in the rich world, private equity has been warmly welcomed in Africa. Some African governments have not only opened their gates to the barbarians, but have also offered sweeteners by, for instance, agreeing to have any disputes adjudicated abroad to mitigate the risk to investors of their assets being seized. But private equity alone cannot meet all Africa’s investment needs. Even if they could raise enough capital, funds generally want to sell the firms they acquire within five years, whereas Africa especially needs longer-term investors to pay for railways, power lines and the like. It also needs a multitude of loans for small businesses because banks across large parts of the continent have proved very poor at providing these.

Given the huge shortfall in capital, the returns to investors who do dare to venture into Africa can be enormous. Shareholders in Uganda’s privatised (and now publicly listed) electricity grid, for example, get a state-guaranteed return of 20% a year in dollars on all capital invested in the network. And the macroeconomic story is an appealing one: many African economies have grown by 5% a year or more over the past decade. Africa has the youngest population in the world. By 2060 the continent’s middle class is expected to triple in size, to more than a billion people.
With such juicy prospects investors should be flocking in. One reason they are not is because of capital restrictions in the rich world. New rules for insurance firms and pension funds in Europe, for instance, penalise long-term illiquid investments, such as the roads, ports and railways Africa so desperately needs. African governments are also to blame. Investors have not forgotten the rash of nationalisations across the continent in the 1960s and 1970s. Those governments that have defaulted on their debt (or had it forgiven) have to work particularly hard to regain international trust.

Priming the pump

To get capital flowing more freely, rich countries need to review their own regulations. Rules that punish the holding of long-term assets are one place to start. So too are over-tough rules against money laundering, which discourage honest savers from using the banking system, reducing the capital that banks have to recycle into corporate loans.

Finally, African governments could do more to encourage the growth of their nascent capital markets. The recent issue by several countries of inaugural bonds has helped establish the basics, such as benchmark interest rates and a corporate-bond market. But more is needed. Setting up larger regional stock exchanges could provide the liquidity, security and ease of access that investors crave. For this to happen, the continent’s leaders would have to set aside national vanity and instead focus on enriching the capital diet for all.

Culled from The Economics

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Nigeria’s 2015 General Elections And The Role Of The Media

Nigeria’s 2015 General Elections And The Role Of The Media By Kalshingi H Jedidah

As the need for a stable democratic system continue to increase among Nigerians, issues relating to successful elections have also continue to gather momentum, particularly, as the country’s 2015 general election draws nearer. This in most cases exposes high expectations of Nigerians on authorities concern particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, government, politicians, the Media, and all other stakeholders.

Taking a look in to some of the issues revealed that, the prevailing issues of insecurity particularly in the north east, the increasing number of Internally Displaced Persons, gender insensitivity, massive ignorance among Nigerians on electoral processes, religious and ethnic sentiments are some of the key areas that needed to be focused on especially in regards to the success of the elections.

This urgent need requires particularly the media as the fourth estate of the realm to take up its responsibility of informing and educating the public on electoral processes taking in recognition of  conflict management for the interest of the nation.

For instance many political observers believe that the 2011 general election which was greeted by serious tension that emanated into crisis claiming many lives and properties would have been minimised or even avoided  through massive enlightenment on electoral process and voter education by the media.

It has also been argued that crisis that are peculiar with politics were usually stirred up whenever there were massive ignorance on  electoral process, some causes were identified as free flow of misinformed reports and inciting statements that are capable of raising tension and rivalry among supporters of various parties of groups.

However, the Media which are believed to have the capability of molding the society, has been identified as a key stakeholder in the struggle of ensuring successful conduct of elections in Nigeria, even as a tool for deepening democracy in the country.

In a communiqué issued at a workshop organized for Northeast journalists sometime in Abuja last year by International Press Center IPC in collaboration with Democratic Governance for Development Project of the United Nations Development Programme and other development partners,challenges were posed to the media on some of their key responsibilities which include the need to improve on their responsibility to keep the public well informed about electoral processes and the need to encourage women to actively participate in exercising their civic rights.

Other observation include the need for the media  to  engage  in conflict management reporting rather than reporting inflammatory statements that are capable of generating tension that were always associated with politics. These according to the communiqué could be done through total adherence to the code and ethics guiding the profession of journalism, by ensuring facts based unbiased, balance and neutrality in reporting.

Taking a looking into issues regarding past elections in the country as it relates to the function of the media, it has been observed that, the media had not properly provide informed analysis of all stages of the electoral process, including the inadequacy to report developmental and gender sensitive issues, and the failure to overcome some impact of sentiments based on ethnicity and religious bias in their reportage.

While these may be true, the fact still remains that, the media which have the role of agenda setting must rise up to its responsibility and assist in preventing political conflict for the general interest of the society.

In a paper presentation by a Media analyst Umar Farouk Musa at the workshop on media Report and conflict Management, he pointed out that journalists at all cost must be seen to work toward protecting public interest and not individuals based on any form of reason by keeping it well informed with factual information through recognizing professional standards of journalism, that will be seen to ensure conflict management rather than raising tension that may lead to crisis.

In his words “Beside the original accepted roles of the media as informing, educating, and entertaining, there is a major opportunity for it to help manage conflict, by strictly adhering to the ethics of the profession. The ethics of the profession demands among others, that media professionals should be truthful, accurate, and fair and balance in their reports and broadcasts.”

Making emphasis on the need to strictly adhere to the ethics of journalism while reporting, a paper presentation by Chairman TRIM Communications Nigeria Limited Dr Tom Adaba on ethics of journalism and electoral reportage, also dwelt on the need for the media to abide by professional ethics in their reportage, according to him, it was expectant of the Media to always take into consideration the rules of engagement for the media and electoral laws in regards to reporting electoral process.

He said Broadcasting Corporation Code section 5.2 has provides that the transmission of all aspects of political enlightenment are civic duties which the Media  must carry out in other to provide information to the public, adding that, the same section of the code also prohibits partisanship, or any act of favoritism to any political party for any reason among others.

According to him, abiding by the set standards of professionalism as enshrined in the codes and ethics of journalism, would not only strengthen the Media, but would assist in maintaining integrity of the Media as well as keeping the profession from undue crisis.

Giving highlights on the need for the Media to exercise highest level of responsibility and integrity were given in a paper presented by Editor of the Chronicle Newspaper Mr Sam Egbala, he also emphasized that reporters of various Mediaorganizations must always ensure that reports were packaged in a manner that promotes national growth and

unity.

According to him, every media organization must acquaint themselves with the ethical codes of journalism, he said reports must be written in professionally accepted techniques that include truth, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, public interest and trust, social and press freedom responsibilities among others. He said the Media must stand to its responsibility with commitment particularly at this present time when the society was flooded by the influx of the social media.

The two day workshop was said to be organized with a view to encourage Nigerian Journalists particularly those practicing in the northeast sub region, on role the media needs to play particularly as the nation faces its forth coming general elections.

Because of the importance attached to democracy, organizers of the workshop said they were working towards promoting best practices among journalists on election reporting, in other to facilitate peaceful and credible elections in the country, to also encourage the media to take up its duty of public education, information dissemination that will promote transparency and true democracy.

One of its set objectives particularly in relation to the media was said to be an effort to support media pluralism, and capacity development of journalists towards achieving professionalism in election reportage.

Recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission has in a statement signed by its chairman Prof Atahiru Jega and made available to journalists implored all Nigerians to improve on their confidence in the commission by setting aside unnecessary primordial sentiments and accept the exercise with patriotism, it urged all stakeholders to put in their best and ensure success of the forthcoming elections.

Posted by Ekene Isreal for Universal Reporters

Middlesex University London rated best for research power among the British Uni!

Middlesex University located in the north axis of London has been ranked as the best modern university in London for research power in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. Carried out by funding councils, the national exercise measures the quality and impact of research at British universities.

The result represents significant growth in many research areas at Middlesex. It sees a big climb up the rankings for research power, a measure of the research quality and the number of people conducting it. Not only is Middlesex now the top modern university in London for power, we are also close to the top third across the entire sector.

By this recent rating, Middlesex London's claim to offer students a first-class education  through investments of more than £200 million into transforming the new concentrated campus into a state-of-the-art centre for excellence, can further boast of facilities and equipment that rival those of the world's top universities.
The Univeristy indicated in one of their outlet portals ''that investment included a new purpose-built centres for art, design, media and performing arts students, as well as dedicated labs and studios for those studying science, technology and health courses. Whatever you study at Middlesex London, you will have access to the best possible tools to help you achieve success in your field.''

Across the board Middlesex received high marks for its research quality and impact, with 58% of our research being classed as world-leading and internationally excellent. The figures also show 92% of Middlesex's research is internationally recognised, which is a significant increase compared to the 77% score from the last assessment in 2008.

Commenting on the REF results, Middlesex University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Waqar Ahmad said: "I am delighted that our continued major investment in staff and facilities has been driving up the quality of our research. Our research has real-world impact. The result demonstrates how our research is changing the world across disciplines, sharing our knowledge to deliver positive outcomes for society. We will continue our strategy of investment in research to gain even greater outcomes."

The REF results are used by funding bodies to allocate block-grant research funding to universities from 2015-16, estimated to be £1.6 billion a year for the next six years across the sector. In addition, the REF provides accountability for public investment in research, demonstrates its benefits, and provides important reputational yardsticks and benchmarking information about the research performance of UK universities. Middlesex University in London, over a decade now has one concentrated campus sited at The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8411 6060.

Take a tour of the University campus here  (Youtube http://youtu.be/M-HenCJizKA )

Posted by:  Lashley Oladigbolu

Credit: Middlesex University. 

 Research Excellence Framework 2014

I insist I have A Certificate - Buhari

Live from Kano;

Being the Press Statement by General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the School Certificate Issue.

Good Morning ,

Gentlemen of the Press.
I only consented to address you this morning because of the genuine concern expressed by many supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians that the issue be addressed. Otherwise, I would have dismissed it for what it is—sheer mischief and would not have considered it an issue worth the nation’s while.
I had assumed all along that all my records were in the custody of the Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army. Much to my surprise, we are now told that although a record of the result is available, there are no copies of the certificates in my personal file. This is why I formally requested my old school the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina [which is now known as Government College, Katsina] to make available the school’s copy of the result of the Cambridge/West African School Certificate. This will be made available to the press the moment this is available.
However, before we obtain that, let me say for the record that I attended Provincial Secondary School, Katsina. I graduated in 1961 with many prominent Nigerians, including General Shehu Yar’adua, former chief of staff at the Supreme Headquarters, and Justice Umaru Abdullahi, a former President of the Court of Appeal. We sat for the University of Cambridge/WASC Examination together in 1961, the year we graduated. My examination number was 8280002, and I passed the examination in the Second Division.
And although the ruling party may want to wish this away, the issue in this campaign cannot be my certificate which I obtained 53 years ago. The issues are the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of our young people, the state of insecurity, the pervasive official corruption which has impoverished our people and the lack of concern of the government for anything other than the retention of power at all costs.

Thank you very much.

General Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria 2015: I’ll focus on youth empowerment if re-elected, Jonathan says

President Jonathan at PDP Rally in Ibadan
President Goodluck Jonathan says his second term in office will be to empower and encourage more youth to be great leaders through youth-oriented programmes.

Mr. Jonathan made the promise at the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Saturday.

He said his administration recognised the creative ability of the youth, especially in sports and the entertainment industry, which must be encouraged and appreciated.

“We recognise the creative attributes of our young people which must be appreciated through grants and other supports.

“The YouWIN and agricultural programmes of this administration are all geared towards making our talented youth young millionaires”, he said.

He said his administration also recognised the value of education in preparing the youth for the future hence had established 12 conventional and two specialised universities in the last six years.

“Our aim is to prepare the young people for their future roles as leaders in sports, education, and in the entertainment industry”, he said.

The President said his government would continue to carry Nigerian women along and ensure that they were projected to the outside world.

He promised to do this by boosting the office of the first lady and giving more support to women empowerment programmes.

“It is not enough to just give ministerial appointments; my administration is focused now on projecting Nigerian women to the international limelight”, he said.

Mr. Jonathan said through TETFund and Sure-P, his administration had initiated and completed major projects in Imo.

He called on Imo sons and daughters to vote massively for the PDP in all the political positions.

The National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, stressed the commitment of the party to youth development.

Mr. Mu’azu noted that Mr. Jonathan’s administration was result-oriented and called on all Imo residents to support the party in the senatorial, representatives, gubernatorial and presidential elections.

The Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ahmadu Ali, urged Imo residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and support the party in the upcoming elections.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia who is the South East zonal campaign coordinator of the presidential campaign, commended Imo residents for coming out in their numbers to honour the president.

He urged them to vote massively for the party and for Mr. Jonathan who he said had interest of the Igbo’s at heart.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and PDP governorship candidate in Imo, Emeka Ihedioha, said the state had complete faith in the party and would continue to support it.

He promised to reinstate the displaced beneficiaries of the 10,000 jobs created by the former Governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim, if elected.

Mr. Ihedioha held that a great number of the youths had been rendered jobless with the cancellation of the scheme.

He also promised to revive vocational schools in the state to encourage youth self-employment.

The gubernatorial candidate said his administration would give qualitative and free education in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education programme of the Federal Government.

Mr. Ihedioha also promised to improve the health sector in the state, promising free health care for pregnant women.

He thanked the president for dualisation of the Owerri/Aba Road and asked for its completion as soon as possible.

The National Woman Leader of the party, Kema Chikwe, called on Imo women to support the PDP as it had always recognised and appreciated the contributions of women to national development.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the party’s flag to the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Mr. Ihedioha.

Also present at the rally were former Super Eagles stars, Kanu Nwankwo and Joseph Yobo, who added colour to the rally as well as other PDP political big wigs.

(NAN)

Nigeria 2015: I’ll focus on youth empowerment if re-elected, Jonathan says

President Jonathan at PDP Rally in Ibadan
President Goodluck Jonathan says his second term in office will be to empower and encourage more youth to be great leaders through youth-oriented programmes.

Mr. Jonathan made the promise at the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Saturday.

He said his administration recognised the creative ability of the youth, especially in sports and the entertainment industry, which must be encouraged and appreciated.

“We recognise the creative attributes of our young people which must be appreciated through grants and other supports.

“The YouWIN and agricultural programmes of this administration are all geared towards making our talented youth young millionaires”, he said.

He said his administration also recognised the value of education in preparing the youth for the future hence had established 12 conventional and two specialised universities in the last six years.

“Our aim is to prepare the young people for their future roles as leaders in sports, education, and in the entertainment industry”, he said.

The President said his government would continue to carry Nigerian women along and ensure that they were projected to the outside world.

He promised to do this by boosting the office of the first lady and giving more support to women empowerment programmes.

“It is not enough to just give ministerial appointments; my administration is focused now on projecting Nigerian women to the international limelight”, he said.

Mr. Jonathan said through TETFund and Sure-P, his administration had initiated and completed major projects in Imo.

He called on Imo sons and daughters to vote massively for the PDP in all the political positions.

The National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu, stressed the commitment of the party to youth development.

Mr. Mu’azu noted that Mr. Jonathan’s administration was result-oriented and called on all Imo residents to support the party in the senatorial, representatives, gubernatorial and presidential elections.

The Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ahmadu Ali, urged Imo residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and support the party in the upcoming elections.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia who is the South East zonal campaign coordinator of the presidential campaign, commended Imo residents for coming out in their numbers to honour the president.

He urged them to vote massively for the party and for Mr. Jonathan who he said had interest of the Igbo’s at heart.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and PDP governorship candidate in Imo, Emeka Ihedioha, said the state had complete faith in the party and would continue to support it.

He promised to reinstate the displaced beneficiaries of the 10,000 jobs created by the former Governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim, if elected.

Mr. Ihedioha held that a great number of the youths had been rendered jobless with the cancellation of the scheme.

He also promised to revive vocational schools in the state to encourage youth self-employment.

The gubernatorial candidate said his administration would give qualitative and free education in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education programme of the Federal Government.

Mr. Ihedioha also promised to improve the health sector in the state, promising free health care for pregnant women.

He thanked the president for dualisation of the Owerri/Aba Road and asked for its completion as soon as possible.

The National Woman Leader of the party, Kema Chikwe, called on Imo women to support the PDP as it had always recognised and appreciated the contributions of women to national development.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the party’s flag to the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Mr. Ihedioha.

Also present at the rally were former Super Eagles stars, Kanu Nwankwo and Joseph Yobo, who added colour to the rally as well as other PDP political big wigs.

(NAN)

Presidential election is no war, Buhari says

The presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, said on Saturday that he does not consider the February presidential election as a war and advised electorates to eschew violence during the elections.
While advising other candidates not to see the race as a do-or-die affair, Mr. Buhari said, “I have no reason to see the presidential ambition as a war, because I am not fighting for myself but the interest of the people of this country”.

Mr. Buhari stated this at the township square, Lafia, during his campaign rally in the Nasarawa state capital.

He said if elected, his administration would address the issue of Boko Haram insurgency to ensure security in the country
“The fundamental challenges facing this country now are insecurity and the problem of economy-which are worsened by corruption. I pledge to tackle insecurity in the North-East caused by the Boko Haram sect.

“I assure you that we are going to finally assemble a competent team of Nigerians to efficiently manage the country. I am appealing to you; the damage done to this country is great.

“The level of unemployment, level of insecurity is intolerable. The journey has begun. It will take time, it will take patience, it will take support from you to make sure that we succeed.

“My administration will be poised to serve the people of this country judiciously, through improved healthcare delivery system, and quality education, to enable the citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy,” Mr. Buhari said.
He said that his administration would provide good roads and other infrastructure.

The APC presidential candidate, who noted that Nigeria was endowed with natural solid minerals, said his administration would articulate a plan to reposition the country’s mineral sector, which would enhance mining activities in Nasarawa state.
He said that mineral exploration was “a veritable tool for economic transformation” as it would create employment opportunities and diversify the means of income for the state, so that it would not be waiting for revenue from oil to develop.
According to him, if given the mandate, his administration will also place high premium on the execution of developmental programmes to enhance the well-being of the populace.

In his remarks, Mr. Buhari’s running mate, Yemi Osinbajo, urged Nigerians to vote for the party’s presidential candidate as well as its gubernatorial candidate, Umaru Al-Makura.

Mr. Osinbajo also appealed to them to protect their votes.

(News Agency of Nigeria)

TERRORISM: UK-BASED NIGERIANS IN SOLIDARITY RALLY FOR NIGERIAN TROOPS HOLDS TODAY !

CONCERNED NIGERIANS RESIDENT IN THE UK HOST A RALLY ON FRIDAY 16-01-2015 IN SUPPORT OF NIGERIAN MILITARY TROOPS !

#SupportNigerianTroop  Rally at the Nigerian High Commission, London

The first rally in support of Nigerian Troops from diaspora took place in London on Friday. It was held amdist calls for maintaining territorial integrity and fight against terrorism as Nigeria marked annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja on 15th of January..

 According to a statement made available to NUJ Europe Chapter Acting President, Prince Lashley Oladigbolu, the ''London Rally Support For Nigerian Troops are calling on Nigerians and the International community to support our troops and commend their efforts to eradicate terrorism in Nigeria. Terrorism is currently a global problem which needs a global solution.''

The statement added that ''We want to remind the International community that 'what is good for Syria and Iraq is also good for Nigeria'. Nigeria deserves the same support given by the world leaders to France when they were attacked by terrorist last week.''

''We are calling on every Nigerian to support our troops, report any person or groups of persons that are promoting or sympathetic towards Boko Haram.

Join us for a PEACEFUL rally as scheduled below:

DATE: Friday, 16th January 2015
TIME: 11am - 1pm
VENUE: NIGERIA HIGH COMMISSION : 9, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE LONDON
WC2N 5BX

The co-ordinators of the event encourage participant to come with their little Nigeria flag if possible. They also implored Nigerians not to use the rally to garner support for any political parties but only to show genuine cause to unite against Boko Haram, the nations's common enemy and offer support to Nigerians troops.

 ''Placards already available, just come warm as it is very cold now .. Pls share, tag your friends and family'' as indicated in one of the group posts on social media. 

Marking this year Remembrance Day in Abuja yesterday, the Federal Government urged Nigerians to spare a thought for those who have given their lives to ensure the peace and unity of the country.
Ceremonies are usually held across the country and include march pasts and laying of wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier.
In Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan led government officials to lay wreaths at the tomb of soldiers.
The annual event which is used to honour the veterans who are alive as well as the families of the departed also featured inspection of guard of honour by the president as mounted by the guards brigade.
Other government officials who joined the president in the Abuja ceremony include Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Emeka Ihedioha.
In an interview after the event, the Senate President, David Mark and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Bade told journalists that the protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria from any internal or external aggression cannot be questioned.

 It was also noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces in a matter of time will overcome the challenges of terror.
Being the first of its kind the London Rally tagged #SupportNigerianTroop is expected to take place subsequently in major cities across the globe after Friday.

Below are some of the Coordinators of Friday's London Rally.

 Hilda Avwenagha
Chidi Cali
Chinenye
Gold Emmanuel 

READ ALSO : International Action On Nigeria Needed Now- Carson

Boko Haram evil, serious threat not just in Nigeria – Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry branded a Boko Haram massacre in northern Nigeria a “crime against humanity” Thursday as satellite images suggested massive destruction in the two towns reported razed by its fighters.

“What they have done… is a crime against humanity, nothing less,” Kerry said as first images of what is feared to be the worst atrocity of the six-year Islamist insurgency emerged.

Hundreds of people, if not more, are reported to have been killed in attacks on the towns of Baga and Doron Baga on the shores of Lake Chad in Borno state, according to Amnesty International.

Boko Haram was “evil” and a serious threat “not just in Nigeria and the region but to all of our values”, Kerry said during a visit to Bulgaria. He said he had spoken earlier to his British counterpart Philip Hammond — who was also in Sofia — about the possibility of “a special initiative with respect to Nigeria and with respect to Boko Haram”.

Amnesty and New York-based watchdog Human Rights Watch published separate satellite images Thursday claiming to show massive destruction in the adjacent towns, adding to fears they may suffered the deadliest strike yet in Boko Haram’s bloody campaign.

Amnesty’s images showed aerial shots of the towns on January 2 — the day before the attack — and January 7, after homes and businesses were razed.

– ‘Catastrophic’ devastation –

The group said the images suggested “devastation of catastrophic proportions”, with more than 3,700 structures — 620 in Baga and 3,100 in Doron Baga — damaged or completely destroyed.

HRW said 11 percent of Baga and 57 percent of Doron Baga was destroyed, most likely by fire, attributing the greater damage in Doron Baga to the fact that it houses a regional military base.

Nigeria’s military, which often downplays death tolls, said that 150 died and dismissed as “sensational” claims that 2,000 may have lost their lives in the attacks.

Local officials have said at least 16 settlements around Baga were burnt to the ground and that at least 20,000 people fled.

HRW said the exact death toll was unknown and quoted one local resident as saying: “No one stayed back to count the bodies.

“We were all running to get out of town ahead of Boko Haram fighters who have since taken over the area.”

Amnesty said Boko Haram were believed to have targeted civilian vigilantes helping the army after they overran a Multinational Joint Task Force base for troops from Nigeria, Niger and Chad who have been involved in operations against them.

– ‘Killed in labour’ –

Harrowing testimony has been emerging from survivors about the scale and brutality of the assault in Baga, included one woman reportedly killed while in labour.

Witnesses who spoke to AFP described seeing decomposing bodies in the streets and one man who escaped after hiding for three days said he was “stepping on bodies” as he fled through the bush.

Amnesty said on Thursday it had received accounts from survivors of Boko Haram fighters killing a woman as she was giving birth, during indiscriminate fire that also cut down small children.

“Half of the baby boy (was) out and she died like this,” the unnamed witness was quoted as saying.

A man in his fifties added: “They killed so many people. I saw maybe around 100 killed at that time in Baga. I ran to the bush. As we were running, they were shooting and killing.”

Another woman said: “I don’t know how many but there were bodies everywhere we looked.”

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Tuesday that its team in capital of Borno state, Maiduguri, was providing assistance to 5,000 survivors of the attack.

The UN refugee agency has said that more than 11,300 Nigerian refugees fled into neighbouring Chad.

Some 300 women were said to have been rounded up and detained at a school, witnesses told Amnesty, adding that older women, mothers and children were released after four days but younger women kept.

Amnesty said the witness accounts and images reinforced fears the attack was Boko Haram’s “largest and most destructive” in its fight to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, which has killed over 13,000 people since 2009.

“The deliberate killing of civilians and destruction of their property by Boko Haram are war crimes and crimes against humanity and must be duly investigated,” it added.

The Baga attack came before presidential and parliamentary elections in Nigeria next month and an upsurge in violence apparently designed to undermine the vote.

Nigeria’s electoral commission said voting was “unlikely” in rebel-controlled areas and arrangements were being made to allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people to cast their ballots.

Credit: Vanguard

Nigerians in Diaspora should be allowed to vote – Soyode

                                           Mr.Alistair Soyode & Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Mr Alistair Soyode, the Chairman of BEN Television, UK, has urged the Federal Government to allow Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote in subsequent elections after 2015.

Soyode told Newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that the authorities would have to take the necessary steps to make the demand a reality through a constitutional amendment.

Cue in audio

“I think it is very important for Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote.

“Since the advent of the present administration they have always been trying to promise that the Nigerians in Diaspora should be able to vote from that 2011.

“But now as we know, this is a new era, Nigeria is celebrating her centenary year as well – 2014 from 1914.

“There’s no better time as much as we have been than to actually move into a new century season which starts again from 2015 for Nigerians.

“So, we are hoping that whoever is going to come in, if it is the same government, would absolutely deliver the promise they have been making for Nigerians that they should be able to vote.

“And if it is a new government that is coming in, then we want them to make it a priority that they remember that other African countries are actually doing the same allowing their Diaspora community and citizens to vote.

“There’s no any other impediment that should not allow Nigerians who have contributed massively towards national development.

“And have contributed immensely in their host countries to be able to vote, especially, bearing in mind that they want to vote.’’

Cue out audio

Soyode, however, admitted that it might not be possible to allow all Nigerians in Diaspora to vote because of their scanty presence in those countries.

He said that countries like the UK, U.S., Germany, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore could be used as a springboard for Nigerians in the Diaspora to exercise their civil rights.

NAN reports that Soyode is a founding member of Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) and the former the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the organisation.

He is also the founder and initiator of Africa Diaspora Investment Forum, an NGO mobilising the Diaspora to invest in Africa, through organising forums and seminars between African businesses in Africa and the Diaspora since 2004.

Credit: Vanguard.

International Action On Nigeria Mostly Needed Now - Carson

Top U.S. Figure Calls for International Action On Nigeria

President Barack Obama's former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, spells out the dangers facing Nigeria in the coming month and calls on the U.S., Britain and the European Union to be more openly and actively engaged in working with Abuja to navigate the difficult period the country is going through.

Nigeria is awash with serious problems which are not likely to go away soon. Africa's largest and most important country is going through an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous period that could over the next two months see an already high level of violence spike even further and spread to other parts of the country.

Nigeria is facing three major challenges:

Cascading insecurity in the north-east; contentious national elections in mid- February; and growing economic pressures due to the precipitous drop in global oil prices.

These issues are generating renewed uncertainty about the country's long term stability. Given Nigeria's regional political and economic importance, the international community needs to push Nigeria up the global priority list and actively engage and help the country in trying to navigate the turbulent period that lies ahead.

Insecurity on the Rise

Boko Haram, the Islamic religious sect that has terrorized northern Nigeria for the past five years, has stepped up its operations in the north-east. In 2014, Boko Haram killed more than 11,000 people, carried out a high-profile kidnapping of 276 school girls, assassinated dozens of government officials and attacked numerous military bases.

Several recent attacks demonstrate Boko Haram's strength, capacity and changing tactics. On December 29, the group captured a Nigerian military base in the far north-eastern corner of the country, killing dozens of soldiers and civilians and capturing more arms and munitions. The base was intended to garrison a multinational force with troops from Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

And on January 3, Boko Haram militants stormed the town of Baga, destroying homes and shops and leaving more than 500 people dead. During this same period Boko Haram carried out several high-profile suicide bombings, deploying young girls to carry out the attacks.

Taking a tactic out of the playbook of Iraq's Islamic State (ISIS), Boko Haram has set up a caliphate in Borno state, where it controls an estimated 40 percent of the territory. The government's efforts to turn back its onslaught have proven ineffective, and the violence has risen and spread further across the north every year since Boko Haram's founder was killed in 2009. Nigeria's once-strong military has sustained repeated defeats at the group's hands and is suffering from low morale, a shortage of arms and poor senior leadership. The situation is unlikely to change and the level of Boko Haram-inspired violence will almost certainly intensify as Nigeria's elections draw closer.

Presidential Elections Will Increase Tensions

Nigeria is scheduled to hold presidential and legislative elections on February 14. The country's presidential contest, between President Goodluck Jonathan and opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari, will increase political tensions across the country and contribute to further unrest in the north-east. Although President Jonathan appeared to have a strong edge at the start of the campaign, the elections are now expected to be closely and hotly contested.

President Jonathan, a southerner and a devout Christian, believes he can win re-election and appears determined to do so. He has the power of incumbency on his side, as well as substantial financial resources. His People's Democratic Party has the advantage of having the only national political party organization in the country.

He also stands to benefit from the unrest in the north; his critics say the conflict will reduce voter turnout for his opponent, who is a northern Muslim politician. There are also concerns that Jonathan will use the country's security forces to help turn the election in his favor. In late November, security forces illegally prevented members of the National Assembly from entering their chambers.

Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking the presidency for the fourth time, believes he has finally positioned himself to win. Unlike in other recent presidential contests, there are only two candidates on the ballot, and a once-divided and fractious opposition has closed ranks behind Buhari. Many of the leading northern politicians are supporting him, including his two most prominent political rivals - Kanu governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former vice-president Atiku Abubakar.

To the surprise of many, Buhari has also gained some traction in the south, where he has long been viewed with great suspicion. His selection of Yemi Osibajo, a widely respected lawyer from Lagos, as his vice-presidential running mate appears to have gone over well. In addition to his legal credentials, Osibajo is a senior pastor at a large evangelical Christian church and a member of a prominent Yoruba royal family. Osibajo's presence on the ticket is likely to divide Nigeria's large evangelical community, which has traditionally voted for Jonathan.

Buhari has also allied himself to some of Jonathan's strongest political critics in the south-eastern part of the country, where the president has traditionally drawn his greatest support. The popular governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has come out strongly for Buhari, saying that Nigeria needs change in Abuja, that the violence and instability in the north threatens all of Nigeria, and that Buhari is the only person who can put an end to the Boko Haram crisis.

The outcome of the presidential election is still unclear. However, as February 14 approaches, the prospects for a very close contest are increasing - and so are the prospects for post-election violence. If President Jonathan should win narrowly, with a margin less than the number of displaced eligible voters in the north unable to cast their ballots, widespread and sustained violence is almost certain to erupt.

Credible reports of vote rigging and blatant interference in the electoral process by security forces will also spark northern violence. Although some observers predict violence in the south-east if Jonathan loses, no one expects those protests to generate the type of reaction expected in the north.

Economic Pressures Mounting

Nigeria's oil-dependent economy is going through a turbulent period. The sharp drop in global oil prices has had a negative impact on the country's entire economy and has clouded the outlook for 2015.

For most of the past decade, the economy has been growing at seven percent a year but that has come to an end. Declining oil revenues have put additional stress on the President Jonathan's government as he prepares for elections and deploys additional resources to battle Boko Haram. Oil production accounts for 35 percent of GDP, 80 percent of government revenue and 90 percent of the country's foreign exchange.

The value of the naira has fallen by 17 percent, forcing the government to devalue the currency. Nigeria's benchmark interest rate has also gone up to 13 percent and the country's once-booming stock market has lost 30 percent of its share value. The government has reduced its spending and placed new foreign currency restrictions on companies. With Nigeria importing more than 80 percent of what it consumes, including large quantities of wheat and rice, inflation and the cost of living are rising.

Nigeria is Too Big and Important to Ignore

Although weighed down by multiple challenges, Nigeria is Africa's pre-eminent country and largest democracy. With a population of 177 million, it is Africa's most populous state, the seventh largest in the world, and the world's fifth largest Muslim country.

Nigeria is also Africa's leading economy with a GDP substantially greater than that of either of its two closest rivals, South African and Egypt. Nigeria is a player in the global petroleum market. In addition to being Africa's biggest oil producer, it is the sixth largest oil exporter in the world.

In West Africa, Nigeria is the top economic and commercial power, dominating the banking, insurance, telecommunications, transportation and small-scale manufacturing sectors. And even though its troops have performed poorly at home, Nigeria is one of the United Nations' top 10 peacekeeping contributor nations.

What happens in Nigeria directly impacts not only the people of that country but the entire West African sub-region and the larger international community. If Nigeria faces a crisis like the one that followed Kenya's disastrous 2007 presidential elections or is overwhelmed by further Boko Haram advances, there is no international emergency line capable of responding quickly or effectively.

Washington and London Have a Role To Play

Given the likelihood of a close and highly-contested election followed by significant violence in the north if Buhari loses, the United States, Britain and the European Union need to be more openly and actively engaged in working with Nigeria to navigate the difficult period it is going through.

The first order of business is to help ensure that there is a free, fair and peaceful election. A flawed election that ends in violence will exacerbate the security problems in the north-east and further undermine the country's tightening economy. (Once this election is over, the U.S. and Nigeria need to deal with the second order of business: how to develop a realistic and workable strategy to degrade the continuing onslaught of Boko Haram.)

Related post : Boko Haram evil seious threat, not just to Nigeria - Kerry

Washington, London, and Brussels should be acting now. In Washington, the Obama Administration should be calling publicly for:

Peaceful, transparent and well organized elections; Full and immediate funding of the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Expedited passage by the National Assembly of legislation allowing eligible northern voters who have been displaced to cast their ballots outside of their home states; and An assurance from President Jonathan that presidential elections will be held throughout the entire country, including the north-east. (The U.S. and Britain know that if elections can be held in Iraq and Afghanistan, they can be held throughout northern Nigeria.)

The Administration should call on both candidates to personally pledge that they (and their political parties) will engage in a non-violent process, that they will adhere to election guidelines and that any electoral disputes will be adjudicated in the courts and not on the streets.

Recognizing the role that local political leaders play in the process, the Administration should send a strong and clear signal to State governors, saying they have a responsibility to ensure the electoral process goes well in their respective states, and they need to cooperate with INEC to make that happen.

The Administration also needs to tell Abuja and the Nigerian people that the international community is watching the election process closely and that flawed and/or violent elections will set back Nigeria's economy and undermine its image. The Administration should also make clear that Washington will condemn anyone seen to be undermining the electoral process, provoking violence or engaging in vote rigging.

Presidential phone calls to African leaders are not commonplace at the White House, but this is probably a time for President Obama to reach out directly to President Jonathan and Mr. Buhari before any potential crisis occurs. British Prime Minister David Cameron and the relevant European Union President would be wise to do so as well.

Much like the Kenyan elections seven years ago, the fear is the Nigerian elections are going to be close and potentially violent and destabilizing. Working to ensure a good election before "Things Fall Apart" will be better for Nigeria, all its neighbors and its friends in the international community.

Pope: When religion insulted, freedom of expression not boundless

There are limits to freedom of expression when religion is insulted, Pope Francis has said in reference to the cartoons in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. However, he also pointed out that killing in God’s name is an "absurdity."

Francis spoke to reporters on a flight from Sri Lanka to the Philippines.

Answering questions on the Paris attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, he said that freedom of expression was a “fundamental human right” like freedom of religion, but it should be exercised “without giving offense,” the Catholic News Service reports.

“One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people’s faith, one cannot make fun of faith,” Francis said, adding that every religion “has its dignity.”

The Pope said that one can react violently when being offended. He offered an example, referring to his trip planner saying that if his “great friend says a swear word against my mother, then he is going to get a punch. But it’s normal, it’s normal.”

However he added that “one cannot offend, make war, kill in the name of one’s own religion, that is, in the name of God.”

In this handout picture released by the Vatican press office (Osservatore Romano), Pope Francis (C) arrives in the Philippines in Manila on January 15, 2015. (AFP Photo/Osservatore Romano)

In the wake of the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo’s offices over its Prophet Muhammad caricatures, the satirical magazine published a record 3 million copies of its new edition Wednesday. The latest cover depicted the Prophet crying. Pope Francis was among other figures caricatured in the magazine.

The new cartoons triggered outrage among Muslims all over the world, and threats from radical Islamists.

READ MORE: ‘Act of war’: New Charlie Hebdo edition triggers Muslims’ anger, threats

In his annual foreign policy address to Vatican-based ambassadors on Monday, Pope Francis condemned the Paris attacks that killed 17 people last week.

He said they were the result of a “throwaway culture” where people and God are rejected outright.

The Pope denounced religious fundamentalism that inspired the perpetrators of the killings.

In this handout picture released by the Vatican press office (Osservatore Romano), Pope Francis (L) arrives in the Philippines in Manila on January 15, 2015. (AFP Photo/Osservatore Romano)

“Religious fundamentalism, even before it eliminates human beings by perpetrating horrendous killings, eliminates God himself, turning him into a mere ideological pretext,” he said.

Cheering crowds met Pope Francis in the capital, Manila, on Thursday as he began his first visit to Asia’s largest Catholic nation. Ahead of his visit, Manila launched one of the biggest security operations in years as previous pontiffs have been targets of assassination attempts during their visits to the country.

Francis told reporters during his flight to the Philippines that he had decided to canonize St. Joseph Vaz, a 17th- and 18th-century missionary to Sri Lanka, without going through the usual process, including verification of a second miracle attributed to the saint’s intercession.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HANGOUT SESSION WITH JIMI AGBAJE, PDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE FOR LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

These are highlights from the Hangout session with Jimi Agbaje, the PDP Governorship candidate for LAGOS State, Nigeria.

#HangOutWithJimiAgbaje: Five per cent of the budget will be set aside for the young entrepreneur - Agbaje

#HangOutWithJimiAgbaje:
We will open a job portal to prepare the graduates to be able to work. It will help in training them - Agbaje

#HangOutWithJimiAgbaje: Government will work with those that provide capital to give a back up to the small business owners.

#HangOutWithJimiAgbaje: Government will work with those that provide capital to give a back up to the small business owners.

#HangOutWithJimiAgbaje
We are going to bring into foreplay the revenue generation  from Ocean Economy as technologies and business opportunities for stakeholders will be provided.

#HangOutWithJimiAgbaje: You can't have a mega city that does not have a rail system. We must make Lagos that kind of a mega city.

With the hashtag #AskJimi on twitter the Google+ Hangout anchored by the Channels TV anchor, Kayode Akintemi went live at 6PM local time and watched via https://t.co/uevXrR5HNg
follow @nujenews
Thank you.
Compiled by Lashley Oladigbolu

Nigerian Military Repels Boko Haram in Biu; Recover Anti-Aircraft Gun

Biu in Borno State was a theatre of war on Wednesday morning as members of the Boko Haram terrorist group marched on the town. They were however given battle by security forces and some courageous men of the Civilian JTF who rose up to the occasion.

 

Residents disclosed that dozens of the insurgents fell to the firepower of the military and they were forced into a retreat. The Anchor Online’s investigation revealed that the operation was boosted by aerial cover provided for the troops by Air Force jets.

While confirming the foiled attack on Biu, a message from the Defence Headquarters read ” Terrorist attack repelled by the Military in Biu, Borno State. Two Anti-Aircraft Guns have been captured from the Terrorists.

Troops in pursuit of fleeing terrorists as Mopping up operation is ongoing. Five (5) terrorists have so far been captured.”