How Boko Haram raped, beat us every night – Abducted girls

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1u1i6mZ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ift.tt/1u1i6mZ" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: large;'><b><br/> </b> </span> <span style='font-size: large;'><b>He soon began to threaten me with a knife to have sex with him and when I refused, he brought out his gun, warning that he would kill me if I shouted.</b> </span> <b style='font-size: x-large;'>“Then he began to rape me every night … I had never had sex before; it was very painful and I cried bitterly because I was bleeding afterwards.”</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />These were the words of a 15-year-old girl, who was abducted by Boko Haram and forcibly married to one of its commanders in a camp in the Sambisa Forest, Borno State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The girl, according to a report by Human Rights Watch, was abducted in 2013 but she escaped after four weeks in captivity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The teenager is one of the five girls that personally recounted their ordeals in the publication which was made public on Monday. She said that after her marriage to the commander who was in his early 30s, she was ordered to live with him in cave.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The experiences of three others who suffered sexual violence were narrated by witnesses in the 63-page HRW report titled, Those Terrible Weeks in Their Camp: Boko Haram Violence against Women and Girls in North-East Nigeria.’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The publication provides details of how hundreds of girls and women aged between 15 and 22 were being made to suffer other forms of abuses and used for ambushes.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The HRW said in the report that it spoke to 47 witnesses and victims, including some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped from their hostel in April this year.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The group also described how some of the Christian abductees were ordered to convert to Islam or be executed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It claimed that four of the eight sexual assaults it recorded occurred after the girls and women were forced to marry Boko Haram combatants.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to the HRW, before “marriage,” the commanders appeared to make some efforts to protect the women and girls from sexual assault.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said that in two cases, the insurgents took advantage of the absence of a commander and sexually abused abductees who had yet to be “married.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An 18-year-old victim also described how an insurgent sexually abused her when she went to use the bathroom.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She said, “I did not know he followed me when I walked a short distance away from the tree under which we slept. He grabbed me from behind, roughly fondling me while trying to take off his pants. I screamed in fright and he hurriedly left me as I continued to shout for help.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Another woman, who was raped in 2013 in one of the militants’ camps near Gwoza, described how a commander’s wife seemed to encourage the crime.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I was lying down in the cave pretending to be ill because I did not want the marriage the commander planned to conduct for me with another insurgent on his return from the Sambisa camp. When the insurgent who had paid my dowry came in to force himself on me, the commander’s wife blocked the cave entrance and watched as the man raped me.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Another woman aged 19, who was married and had children, described how she and one other woman were raped after having been abducted in April 2014.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She said, “When we arrived at the camp, they left us under a tree. I managed to sleep. I was exhausted and afraid. Late in the night, two insurgents woke me and another woman, saying their leader wanted to see us.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We had no choice but to follow them; but as soon as we moved deep into the bush, one of them dragged me away, while his partner took the other woman to another direction.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I guessed what they had in mind and I began to cry. I begged him, telling him I was a married woman. He ignored my pleas, flung me on the ground, and raped me. I could not tell anyone what happened, not even my husband.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I still feel so ashamed and cheated. The other woman told me she was also raped but vowed never to speak of it as she was single and believes that news of her rape would foreclose her chances of marriage.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The HRW had previously documented the widespread abuses carried out by the Nigerian security forces in responding to the attacks by Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, the rights organisation asserted that few members of the security forces implicated in “serious violations of humanitarian and human rights law, including violations against girls and women, have been prosecuted.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It advised that “to ensure accountability, Nigerian authorities should investigate and prosecute, based on international fair trial standards, those who committed serious crimes in violation of national and international laws during the conflict, including members of Boko Haram, security forces, and pro-government vigilante groups.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The group said that “in addition, the government should provide adequate measures to protect schools and the right to education, and ensure access to medical and mental health services to victims of abduction and other violence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The government should also ensure that hospitals and clinics treating civilian victims are equipped with medical supplies to treat survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

How Boko Haram raped, beat us every night – Abducted girls

He soon began to threaten me with a knife to have sex with him and when I refused, he brought out his gun, warning that he would kill ...

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I refer desperate female fans to my unmarried friends – Tuface

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1DkqcIj" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://ift.tt/1DkqcIj" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Legendary singer, Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tuface, has explained how he handles female fans who do not want to respect his marriage.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a recent chat with <i>Punch Newspaper</i>, the singer said that when a lady is trying to be too familiar with him, he introduces her to any of his single friends that is around at the time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“When I meet a female fan who is being unnecessarily familiar with me, I just greet her and move on with my life. If she is still being persistent, I would tell her that what she is looking for she cannot have. Then I introduce her to any of my single friends that is around,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The singer hinted that three of his children are already showing signs of being singers. He also said that marriage has really brought a lot of changes into his life.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Three of my children are already showing signs of being good singers without my interference. I would say I am a natural coach. Marriage has made me calm and helped balance my life. I don’t do some certain things anymore because I am married,” Tuface said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Recalling the death of his father recently, he said that it was a painful period in his life and it was the last time he cried.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The last time I cried was when my father died. When the doctor told me that he was dead, I could not believe it. It was then it dawned on me that I would not see him again,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, the lanky entertainer also said that if he had not been a musician, he probably would have been a goalkeeper.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I refer desperate female fans to my unmarried friends – Tuface

Legendary singer, Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tuface, has explained how he handles female fans who do not want to respect his mar...

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Fashanu faults Keshi’s tactics

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1AoIZig" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://ift.tt/1AoIZig" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />John Fashanu has blamed coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi’s tactics as the reason why Nigeria lost to Congo at home.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The ex England International said Keshi’s tactics from the start cost the Eagles dearly in the game.<br/><br /><br/><br />“Stephen Keshi is one coach I admire a lot, but his tactics in the first half, and the players he selected cost Nigeria the game, “ he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I understand the idea of resting players because of the South Africa game, but leaving your best striker (Emenike) out, and starting with a player (Nwofor), who strikes no fear into the minds of the opposition, was a gamble that backfired.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former Wimbledon captain said for the Eagles to be at the Nations Cup next year in Morocco, Keshi needs to work on the defence line, which was shaky yesterday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It’s not looking good at the moment, but from what we saw in the second half, the Super Eagles are a good side in attack, but defensively there are so many issues.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“All the goals Congo scored are avoidable with some simple basics, but they weren’t there, if we are to be at the Nations Cup next year then a whole lot of work needs to be done on the defence.”<br/><br /><br/><br />Speaking on Wednesday’s game against South Africa, Fashanu said the game plan should be about not conceding first before anything else.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They should focus more on not conceding early because if they concede, the hangover of the defeat to Congo will demoralise them further.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have a good record against South Africa, but we must approach them with respect more than ever as they are on a high, winning 3-0 away, a new coach, a new mentality, they will be aiming to re-write history.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Fashanu faults Keshi’s tactics

John Fashanu has blamed coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi’s tactics as the reason why Nigeria lost to Congo at home. The ex England ...

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Ex-militants to storm National Assembly today over welfare

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/Ww7yfX" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://ift.tt/Ww7yfX" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Former militants from the Justice Camp in the Niger Delta have threatened to shut down legislative and all other activities today at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The aggrieved ex-militants, who claimed to have made other peaceful entreaties for Federal Government’s attention to their plight, said theyadopted the protest approach because their camp had been sidelined by the Amnesty Office in the Presidency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They said the officce refused to document and integrate them into the third phase of the amnesty programme.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Addressing reporters at the weekend in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, General David Owhegbe, the State Chairman of the Justice Camp, alleged that his members had been deliberately excluded from benefitting from the programme.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He described the development as a daylight robbery.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Owhegbe said counsel to the former militant, A. Movie, in a letter about three months ago to the Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, regretted that the time they were promised for documentation and payment of stipends had expired.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The letter reads: “On the proclamation of amnesty by the Federal Government, our clients, with a retinue of militants under their authority, voluntary submitted arms and ammunition under their control and management to Sector 1, Joint Task Force (JTF), at the Effurun Barracks, Delta State, recently.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Contrary to expectations, the express promise made to our clients that they would be paid stipends and documented at the slated period has elapsed and unfulfilled.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Note that the caption date – July 14, 2014 for amicable resolution of the issue raised in the said letter further briefed us to remind you and request for your urgent reply to the said letter within 30 days of the receipt of their letter and that, our clients’ modest demand; an urgent integration and documentation into the amnesty programme, like other ex-militants, who keep to the tenets of militancy renunciation be granted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If the office of the amnesty fails or refuses to accede to our clients’ demands, then we will have no option than to institute legal action against you and federal government and also organize an unusual demonstration in every part of the Niger Delta region, beginning from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to district the sitting of national legislators and others until our demands are met.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Ex-militants to storm National Assembly today over welfare

Former militants from the Justice Camp in the Niger Delta have threatened to shut down legislative and all other activities today at the N...

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Six battle for Adamawa APC gov ticket

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rYBCxq" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://ift.tt/1rYBCxq" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Barely five hours after the acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, picked the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for the October 11 governorship bye-election, the opposition All Progressives Congress has started the process of choosing its flag bearer.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Our correspondent learnt in Yola, on Sunday that 6, 478 delegates were participating in the exercise which did not begin at the various local government areas until about 12 noon.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The State Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Ahmed Lawal, explained that only members of the executive committee of the party at various levels were participating in the selection process.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “Only executive members of the party are delegates and the election was delayed to 12 noon to enable Christian delegates to participate.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have 6,478 delegates and because of the security situation in Madagali and Michika local governments, delegates from these areas will cast their votes in Gombi.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Those in the race are –Senator Bindiw Jibrilla, Senator Ahmed Hassan Barata, Yakubu Tsala, Emmanuel Bello, Ibrahim Mijinyawa and Boss Mustapha.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, a close associate of a former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the issue in the media, confided in The PUNCH that the former VP expected nothing less than a transparent exercise.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Six battle for Adamawa APC gov ticket

Barely five hours after the acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, picked the Peoples Democratic Party ticket for the October 1...

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Ebola scare at UCH, Ibadan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1lGntUY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://ift.tt/1lGntUY" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />here was panic among members of staff and patients at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Thursday evening over a patient thought to have been infected with the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sources informed The Nation that the patient was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of the hospital after the close of work.<br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the male patient manifested common EVD symptoms such as vomiting and weakness of the body, which made members of staff suspect that he was an EVD patient.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source further explained that the suspicion caused a scare among medical workers, prompting eyewitnesses to spread the news of the suspected case.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />When contacted, the Head, Public Relations Unit of the hospital, Mr Ayodeji Bobade, denied that the patient was infected with the virus.<br/><br /><br/><br />Bobade explained that the said patient was still under observation at the hospital, adding that his blood sample had been taken to the laboratory for test.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The spokesman said that the result of the test would be out in 48 hours to confirm his health status.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Ebola scare at UCH, Ibadan

here was panic among members of staff and patients at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Thursday evening over a patient though...

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How we escaped Boko Haram attack – Bama survivors

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1lGntUU" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://ift.tt/1lGntUU" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Some of the people who escaped the latest Boko Haram attack on Bama, Borno State, have narrated their experience, describing it as painful.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Many of the troubled residents, who narrated their close shave with death, revealed that they trekked more than 50 kilometers in order to get to safety in Maiduguri.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />When source visited the National Youth Service Corps orientation camp in the heart of the troubled city, many of the victims were seen queuing to collect blankets, sleeping mats and other relief items.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One of them, Mallam Bukar Gana, shared near-death experience with newsmen<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Gana said, “We suffered a lot in the process of escaping from Bama and we had to trek several kilometers to reach Maiduguri. The journey took an entire day and night. I got to Maiduguri the following day. I have seven children but I was able to escape with only two. Right now, I do not know the whereabouts of the rest of my children and their mother.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Though they provide food for us at the camp, I have not been able to eat like several other people here because we are presently suffering psychological trauma. We are concerned about the fate of the rest of our families and friends whom we are still searching for and do not know whether they are trapped in Bama or have been killed.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Recalling the moment the town came under the terrorists’ attack, he said the heavy sound of gunshots and mortars almost drove them out of their skins.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We heard deafening gunshots and it was as if the heaven was about falling on us. We could no longer stay indoors, we were afraid the danger was going to swallow us up. But miraculously we found the courage to run and escape in any direction available just to get to Maiduguri where we feel we could be a lot safer,” Gana said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Some of the displaced persons from Bama at the NYSC Camp, Maiduguri... on Thursday<br/><br /><br/><br />[/media-credit] Some of the displaced persons from Bama at the NYSC Camp, Maiduguri… on Thursday<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Tijjani Mamman, 25, is another victim. He is yet to get over the shock of the latest attack on the town by the insurgents as he told newsmen that he is lucky to be alive.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mamman said, “We initially thought the insurgents were soldiers deployed in Bama barracks because they were fully kitted in military camouflage and vehicles. When they reached the barracks, they started shooting sporadically to scare the military men away and when we saw this we knew the town was in danger. We had to run into the bush to save our lives.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We had to trek from Bama to Kawuri before we were able to board a vehicle to Maiduguri. As we speak, I do not know what might have happened to my parents back in Bama. I am only praying and hoping that they are safe wherever they are right now,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A 42-year-old woman, Kellu Kachallah, also had bitter tales to tell. She said that even in Maiduguri she does not feel safe with her children.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Kachallah said, “We passed through hell getting out of the town with our children.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It was hectic especially trekking all the way to Kawuri for several hours with little children before finally squeezing ourselves with others in a vehicle to Maiduguri. As I am talking to you, I am still feeling pains all over my body as a result of all we went through these past few days.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I do not pray to see what I saw in Bama in my life time again. The terrorists came in hundreds with sophisticated weapons and started shooting in every direction. They succeeded in scaring the security men away before taking their weapons. It was like a war scene. I still cannot believe I am alive and truly escaped from that place.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

How we escaped Boko Haram attack – Bama survivors

Some of the people who escaped the latest Boko Haram attack on Bama, Borno State, have narrated their experience, describing it as pai...

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Cameroon footballer dies during game

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1BTn2LU" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://ift.tt/1BTn2LU" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: large;'><br/> </span> <span style='font-size: large;'>Cameroonian Albert Ebosse has died after being hit by an object thrown by spectators following a game in Algeria.</span><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />African football must not become a “breeding ground for hoolignanism”, CAF president Issa Hayatou warned Sunday after Cameroonian striker Albert Ebosse died when he was hit by a projectile during an Algerian league match.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ebosse, 24, had scored the lone goal for his club JS Kabylie in a home match in what turned out to be a 2-1 defeat against USM Alger, on the second day of the Algerian championship.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Cameroon forward was hit by an object thrown from the stands following his team’s loss and was declared dead after he was rushed to a hospital at Tizi Ouzou, east of the capital Algiers, where the match took place.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fans had started throwing objects from the stands inside the Tizi Ouzou stadium after the match as the players were returning to their changing room.<br/><br /><br/><br />Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF, the sport’s governing body on the continent), expressed his condolences.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this young man who enjoyed his job peacefully and went further to pursue his passion for football abroad,” Hayatou said in a statement.<br/><br /><br/><br />Hayatou cautioned that “African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever”.<br/><br /><br/><br />“We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence. Violence has no place in African football in particular and sports in general.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We remain resolute and state in the strongest terms our determination to eradicate all forms of violence and unsportsmanlike conduct in stadiums on the continent.”<br/><br /><br/><br />Ebosse joined JS Kabylie in 2013 and was top scorer in the 2013-2014 Algerian championship.<br/><br /><br/><br />The Algerian interior ministry ordered an investigation to search for the culprit.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Algerian National Professional League also ordered the Tizi Ouzou stadium shut and called an extraordinary board meeting on Monday to investigate the incident.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also present will be officials from JS Kabylie, the match referees and the match commissioner.<br/><br /><br/><br />League president Mahfoud Kerbadj, who was present at the game, called the death a “catastrophe for national football”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Something unfortunate cost the life of a young player who, in the space of one season, won the hearts of thousands of Algerians in all stadiums in Algeria,” Kerbadj said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Talented, as his record as top goal scorer in the 2013/14 season attests, he was also much admired by his teammates and opponents for his big human qualities.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ebosse, 24, had scored the lone goal for his club JS Kabylie in a home match in what turned out to be a 2-1 defeat against USM Alger, on the second day of the Algerian championship.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Cameroon forward was hit by an object thrown from the stands following his team’s loss and was declared dead after he was rushed to a hospital at Tizi Ouzou, east of the capital Algiers, where the match took place.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Fans had started throwing objects from the stands inside the Tizi Ouzou stadium after the match as the players were returning to their changing room.<br/><br /><br/><br />Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF, the sport’s governing body on the continent), expressed his condolences.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this young man who enjoyed his job peacefully and went further to pursue his passion for football abroad,” Hayatou said in a statement.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Hayatou cautioned that “African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever”.<br/><br /><br/><br />“We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence. Violence has no place in African football in particular and sports in general.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We remain resolute and state in the strongest terms our determination to eradicate all forms of violence and unsportsmanlike conduct in stadiums on the continent.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ebosse joined JS Kabylie in 2013 and was top scorer in the 2013-2014 Algerian championship.<br/><br /><br/><br />The Algerian interior ministry ordered an investigation to search for the culprit.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Algerian National Professional League also ordered the Tizi Ouzou stadium shut and called an extraordinary board meeting on Monday to investigate the incident.<br/><br /><br/><br />Also present will be officials from JS Kabylie, the match referees and the match commissioner.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />League president Mahfoud Kerbadj, who was present at the game, called the death a “catastrophe for national football”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Something unfortunate cost the life of a young player who, in the space of one season, won the hearts of thousands of Algerians in all stadiums in Algeria,” Kerbadj said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Talented, as his record as top goal scorer in the 2013/14 season attests, he was also much admired by his teammates and opponents for his big human qualities.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Cameroon footballer dies during game

Cameroonian Albert Ebosse has died after being hit by an object thrown by spectators following a game in Algeria. African football must...

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Female dominance of Nigerian judiciary worries Senator

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mG7gua" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://ift.tt/1mG7gua" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, have expressed serious concern over the female domination of the Nigerian Judiciary at both the Federal and state levels, stressing that the development was putting men at the disadvantaged position.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Enang, who represents the Akwa Ibom South East at the upper legislative chamber, stated this on Saturday when he hosted students of the Nigerian Law School from Akwa Ibom state at his Apo Legislative Quarter in Abuja.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He noted that men over the years have been embracing private practice while leaving the women to take over the bench hence Nigerian leaders at the federal and state levels no longer have any choice other than to pick women as Chief Justices.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“For as many of you that may want to have jobs in the ministries, they are available but I want to encourage the male more, to go into the ministry, to the magistracy, the judiciary and the bench because it does appear as if the women are taking over every red point that men used to be.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Women are as equal as men, none is weaker than the other but it does appear that men are almost showing that they think they are stronger, hence they went for private practice and allow the women to take the greatest of places.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Imagine in Nigeria, the Chief Justice of the Federation is a woman; the President of the Court of Appeal is a woman; and it also appears now that the next Chief Justice of the Federal High Court is likely going to be a woman. Therefore it is dangerous for men, not too dangerous but men should also come forward.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In Lagos State, a woman retired as Chief Judge, from the same father and mother, another woman from the same parent with her succeeded her. So men, I think its time for us to come up.<br/><br /><br/><br />“In Akwa Ibom, it is becoming more dangerous, the Deputy Governor is a woman, the Chief Judge is a woman, the Head of the Civil Service of the state is a woman, and now, a woman is contesting to take over as the next governor.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The senator said part of his job as a lawyer was to mentor, to encourage and to tell the students that as they are coming out of the law school, they should become assets to the Nigerian state by building opinions of Nigerians about Nigeria and in favour of Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As you are coming out, create yourself in such a manner that you will not only be looking for employment but you will be looking for little opportunity to have experience and after that some of you will go and join one law firm or the other and gain further experiences, with the aim of setting up your private firms.” He added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He warned the new lawyers to refrain from joining those who are carrying out negative publicity against the government of Akwa Ibom state but to rather, join men of goodwill to further develop the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Instead of such bickering at home, he said the people should struggle for more attention at the federal level instead of engaging in local political issues.” Enang added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Female dominance of Nigerian judiciary worries Senator

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, have expressed serious concern over the female domination of the ...

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Adamawa PDP under pressure over Ribadu

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1BTn2vg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://ift.tt/1BTn2vg" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State is under intense pressure to zone the governorship ticket to the Central District of the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The zone is the area where four governorship aspirants hail from.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The aspirants are the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; a former Minister of a State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi-Hong; a former member of the National Assembly, Sen. Abubakar Girei and Awwal Tukur, son of the former chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the zone remained the only zone out of three, that has yet to produce a governor in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Already, stakeholders and leaders in the party from the 21 local governments were said to have held a meeting on in Yola, the state capital on Friday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A highly placed source who was part of the meetings told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that the stakeholders were unanimous in taking the decision which he said was to “placate the politically disadvantaged Central zone which is politically excluded despite its numerical strength”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the zoning consensus was being planned in line with what he described as the spirit of the PDP constitution which he said encourages zoning as a way of revolving offices to accommodate all geopolitical groupings.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, during the time Governor Murtala Nyako was in power, the Central Zone was not occupying any of the top five positions in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said this was not even corrected when the former governor was impeached, adding that the Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri has refused to correct what he described as injustice.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The acting governor is from the Northern zone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source said, “The Northern Senatorial Zone stands out as the highest beneficiary in terms of occupying prestigious political offices, both elective and appointive, among the zones.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They produced three governors, who were Saleh Michika, Boni Haruna and Wilberforce Juta.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They also produced two deputy governors in the persons of David Barau and James Ngilari. This same zone produced three speakers of the House, who were Paul Wampana, Ahmed Gulak and Ahmadu Fintiri.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Presently, the acting governor of the state well as two serving ministers – Haruna and Zainab Maina, are all from the Northern zone.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Southern Senatorial Zone, he noted, has produced two governors and a Deputy Governor. They are Tukur, Nyako and Chief Lynn Nathan.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He explained that various speakers at the meeting observed that at various times, capable and promising aspirants from the Central Zone were persuaded to shelve their ambitions for aspirants from another zone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In considering the zoning of the position of the Governor to the Central Zone, it would not be out of place to zone the position of the Deputy Governor to the Southern Zone in particular to the Ganye Chiefdom that comprises of Toungo, Jada and Ganye,” the source added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the party in the state had been mandated to forward the resolution to the national headquarters of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Adamawa PDP under pressure over Ribadu

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State is under intense pressure to zone the governorship ticket to the Central D...

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Boko Haram seizes riffles in Borno police academy attack

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1mG7j9g" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ift.tt/1mG7j9g" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Boko Haram insurgents, who attacked the Police Academy, Gwoza, Borno State, on Wednesday, seized not less than 200 assault rifles from the riot policemen on training.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Investigations revealed that about 159 of the guns were seized from men of the three mobile police units from Mopol 50, Abuja; Mopol 38 and Mopol 58 based in Akwanga and Lafia respectively in Nasarawa State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the men of the Force Mobile Police had been grumbling about the circumstances that led to the routing of the police and the seizure of such a large cache of arms and ammunition at the training.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the authorities resumed the suspended training with the batch of 159 personnel from the Police Mobile Force only for them to be attacked a week into the exercise on Wednesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was further learnt that 53 policemen were drafted from each of the three mobile police formations, thereby bringing the total number to 159 aside from those on the ground.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Investigations further revealed the insurgents did not encounter any strong resistance from the police personnel as the riot policemen were directed to keep all their guns at the armoury of the academy before Boko Haram attacked the academy and captured the armoury.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the policemen were left with no better option than to flee as they were cut off from the armoury where their guns were all kept.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source said the arms and ammunition, which the mobile policemen submitted at the armoury included AK 47 assault rifles.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Investigations further revealed that a Unit Commander, an Assistant Superintendent of Police of South South extraction (name withheld) who was part of the Mopol 58 tea from Lafia was among those missing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was further learnt that the police were still looking for a whole unit of mobile police, comprising 53 men.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source said, “A total of 159 personnel were taken to the training academy for this exercise which had been put on hold for a long time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Surprisingly, they were attacked on Wednesday about a week after their resumption for the training in Gwoza.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The policemen were taken from Mopol 50, Abuja, Mopol 38, Akwanga and Mopol 58, Lafia, Nasarawa State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“On that Wednesday, when they were attacked, the training was going on and they were directed to keep all their guns at the armoury.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It was during this period that the insurgents came from different directions, cut the men off from the armoury.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Under that circumstance, what do you expect the boys to do? They had to flee the academy for dear life.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As at today, we have not seen one of our units; also the Commander of one of the units is still missing. He is an Assistant Superintendent of Police.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One of our correspondents gathered that the insurgents were still in firm control of the Police Academy on Sunday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Boko Haram seizes riffles in Borno police academy attack

The Boko Haram insurgents, who attacked the Police Academy, Gwoza, Borno State, on Wednesday, seized not less than 200 assault rifles from...

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'Cash withdrawal on ATM of a customer’s bank is free' - CBN clarifies charges on ATM

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1BTn3zm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1BTn3zm" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has thrown more light on the introduction of Fees on Remote–On- Us, Automated Teller Machine, ATM transaction, saying cash withdrawal on ATM of a customer’s bank is free.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mr Godwin Emefiele answering questions during his screening by the Senate for Central Bank Governorship in Abuja on Wednesday<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The CBN noted that the clarification became necessary following mixed reactions from the general public when the announcement of introduction of Fees on Remote-On-Us was made.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Ibrahim Mu’azu, in statement said “ The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has noted some public comments on its recent circular in respect of fees/charges on the extended use of other banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />These reactions have been mixed with most commentators showing great understanding and other stakeholders expressing clear lack of understanding of the rationale for this decision of the Bankers’ Committee.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him “Cash withdrawal at the ATMs of a customer’s bank is free.” He explained that Remote-on-Us” transaction is when a card holder goes to the ATM machine of another Bank other than his or her own bank to make a withdrawal.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Continuing, Mu’azu, said “In December 2012, the CBN, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, transferred the payment of N100 fee on “Remote-on-us” ATM cash withdrawal transactions to issuing banks. The N100 was never removed. It was only transferred to customer’s bank to pay, and this was intended to encourage/promote the use of ATMs nationwide.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Having sufficiently raised customers awareness, the first three “Remote-on-Us” transactions in a month are FREE for the card holder but paid for by the issuing bank. The N65 charge only applies when a customer withdraws cash from another bank’s ATM other than that of his/her bank. The N65 starts to apply from the 4th transaction at another banks’ ATM in a month.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Buttressing further on the introduction of Remote- on- Us, he said “The charge is not intended to discourage financial inclusion. The CBN will not endorse any anti-customer policy. Charging of fees on interbank networks is a widely acceptable practice globally.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On the reasons for ATM charges, he said “This to ensure customers get better services; To increase healthy competition among the banks; Transaction volumes at other banks’ ATM have increased astronomically due to the free Cash withdrawal at other banks’ ATM; The wear and tear as well as the frequency of servicing the ATMs have increased significantly.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Indeed, some customers were beginning to abuse the use of ATMs through countless daily withdrawals; This development has led to increase in cash transactions, which negate the Bank’s Cash-less policy.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

'Cash withdrawal on ATM of a customer’s bank is free' - CBN clarifies charges on ATM

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has thrown more light on the introduction of Fees on Remote–On- Us, Automated Teller Machine, ATM trans...

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Jonathan desperate, behind Nyako’s removal - APC

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1wxsVc8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://ift.tt/1wxsVc8" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The opposition All Progressives Congress has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of masterminding the removal of ex-Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, called a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, where he accused the President of clamping down on opposition in his desire for re-election in 2015.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Odigie-Oyegun said, “Having bastardised the army, the police, the courts, aviation and the electoral commission, he has now moved to the next level: impeachment. Every impeachment or threat of it in recent times has the imprint of President Jonathan.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As we speak, the Governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako, has been impeached at the instance of the President and his party; they have moved to Nasarawa, their next stop, while Rivers, Edo and Borno, all APC states, are not being spared the destabilisation that precedes their new-found weapon.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“What was Nyako impeached for? Offences he allegedly committed five years ago. Those offences were not impeachable when he was in the Peoples Democratic Party. But the moment he defected to the APC, they became impeachable.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the Presidency, in its reaction, said the APC allegation lacked substance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said the opposition party owed the President and Adamawa lawmakers an apology for making unsubstantiated claims.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC chairman said the entire process that led to the impeachment of Nyako was fraught with “irregularities, bias, judicial contradictions and in violation of every procedural and constitutional provision” and that it was the worst manifestation of impunity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We intend to mount an immediate and rigorous challenge to this gross injustice to the party and people of Adamawa State,” Odigie-Oyegun said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC also said that the Nasarawa State governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, was being threatened with impeachment over allegations of extra-budgetary expenditure, saying Jonathan had serially committed the same offence.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said, “In fact, only on the 10th of July 2014, the Senate passed a resolution asking President Goodluck Jonathan to prepare and submit to the National Assembly supplementary budget to cover the expenditure in the sum of N90.693 bn (US$585 bn) for petrol subsidy 2012 and the sum of N685.910 bn (US$4.430 bn) for Kerosene (DPK) subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly in 2012 and 2013.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Now, who is guiltier of gross misconduct than a President who is frittering away our commonwealth to induce perfidious legislators to impeach their state governors? Who is guiltier of gross misconduct than a President who deploys troops to harass, intimidate and arrest the opposition during an election? Who deserves to be impeached for gross misconduct more than a President who uses national institutions against the opposition and shuts airports arbitrarily?”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Odigie-Oyegun, at the press briefing, was flanked by other party leaders, including a former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh; and a former Minister of the FCT, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said Jonathan’s desperation knew no bounds, and that the President was willing to set a record of presiding over the greatest number of impeachments under his tenure.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC chairman also said, “He (Jonathan) is subverting hitherto respected national institutions. The army has been so compromised that it can no longer be trusted by anyone to be neutral. The army has been so abused that it now carries out police duties.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Soldiers were deployed to guard the residence of the Chief Judge of Adamawa while the impeachment proceedings were on. Soldiers were deployed to guard each member of the impeachment panel. Soldiers were also deployed to guard the venue where the panel sat.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In Ekiti, soldiers were deployed to hunt down the opposition and prevent them from moving around freely, in contravention of the nation’s constitution. In Osun, soldiers are again to be deployed to shut down the state and go after the opposition.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The party said the President had been flouting a subsisting 2005 Court of Appeal judgment which declared unconstitutional the use of the military for election duties.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said people of Odigie-Oyegun’s stature holding sensitive positions must make only allegations that they could prove.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He explained that the process of removing a sitting governor was clearly stipulated in the nation’s Constitution and only the state House of Assembly was given powers to embark on such exercise.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, being a mature man and a politician of many years, ought to know that there is something in the laws of Nigeria called defamation of character.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“He also ought to know that in law, whoever alleges must provide proof. He should not assume that because he is playing politics, that that gives him the right to make irresponsible allegations.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“People of his stature occupying such a sensitive position must make only allegations that they can prove. Just speaking politically and accusing the President of something untrue does not protect him in the eyes of the law. What he is saying is absolutely untrue.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I think that members of the House of Assembly in Adamawa State should feel grossly insulted by the APC chairman, who is more or less making them look like persons who have no mind of their own.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Our belief is that those lawmakers are not children that can be pushed around by anybody.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“What needs to be stressed is the fact that President Jonathan has no hand in anybody’s impeachment.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the impeached Nyako remained unknown on Wednesday even as security was beefed up in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, a day after the former governor was removed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Soldiers and armed riot policemen were deployed in strategic locations in the state, especially in Jimeta-Yola.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the heavy security presence was to prevent a breakdown of law and order following the removal of the governor, a decision which had polarised the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A police Armoured Personnel Carrier was stationed at the popular Police Roundabout with several policemen on guard.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Armed soldiers were also seen patrolling the frontage of the Government House as well as the private residence of the former governor.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, said there was nothing unusual about the increased level of security in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are not anticipating any breach of the peace, people should not panic. The policemen are performing their normal functions,” Abubakar said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Jonathan desperate, behind Nyako’s removal - APC

The opposition All Progressives Congress has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of masterminding the removal of ex-Governor Murtala Ny...

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Osun belongs to PDP - Jonathan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zKMFgZ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://ift.tt/1zKMFgZ" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />AHEAD of August 9 Osun State gubernatorial election, President Goodluck Jonathan vowed yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP would win the election, saying the state belongs to PDP. He insisted that those presently occupying the government house did not get into office through elections.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Speaking during a meeting of PDP national campaign organisation for Osun State at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, chairman of the Committee, Vice President Namadi Sambo however assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would provide an enabling environment for the conduct of a credible governorship poll in Osun State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Sambo, his boss, President Jonathan had promised that in Osun State, the election would be free, and fair and it would be “one man, one vote, one woman, one vote and one youth one vote.<br/><br /><br/><br />“We all know Osun State belongs to PDP, people there now never got there through the poll”, he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He expressed appreciation of the President and National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu to members of the committee for their efforts to bring Osun back to the PDP, adding that the committee would work with members of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC and the people of Osun State to ensure the electorates in the state were allowed to make free choice during the governorship election.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also at the meeting were Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih; Chief Bode George; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; Erelu Olusola Obada; Minister of State, Works, Adedapo Adeyeye; Minister of State, FCTA, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Political Adviser to the President, Prof. Rufai Alkali; Political Adviser to the Vice President, Alhaji Abba Dabo; Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, Chief Olusola Oke; and some members of the National Working Committee, NWC.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Osun belongs to PDP - Jonathan

AHEAD of August 9 Osun State gubernatorial election, President Goodluck Jonathan vowed yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP wo...

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REVEALED: How Adamawa’s Deputy Gov was tricked into resigning

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><i><br/> </i><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zKMG4u" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://ift.tt/1zKMG4u" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><i><br/> </i> <i><br/> </i> <i>Forty-eight hours after Governor Murtala Nyako was removed from office, details of how the game plan was hatched and implemented by the House of Assembly have emerged.</i><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A top source at the Assembly told newsmen that the deputy governor, Bala Ngilari, who was billed to take over from Nyako, having not been found culpable of any offence, was reportedly tricked to resign as the only condition for the House leadership to impeach the governor and clear the way for him to take over.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The House, made up of mostly anti-Nyako elements, it was learnt, had convinced Ngilari that it was only after he had put in his resignation letter that they could commence the process of impeaching Nyako.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The pro impeachment lawmakers, who wanted the Speaker, Ahmadu Fintiri to take over from Nyako instead of Ngilari, made it clear to the deputy governor that it was better for him to resign and be installed as the governor than be impeached and sent packing.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Apparently not suspecting any foul play by the lawmakers, the then deputy governor rushed a three paragraph resignation letter and handed it over to the Speaker with the hope that he would be announced as a replacement for Nyako.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, few minutes after he had handed over the letter and with mounting expectation that he would be named the next governor, the lawmakers shocked Ngilari with an announcement that he had voluntarily resigned to avoid being impeached.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They did not read to the portion of the report indicting him along with Nyako and why he had surreptitiously quit his position before the offences against him were made public.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A top government official said in Yola, yesterday, that Ngilari played into the hands of his opponents in the House of Assembly by accepting to direct the letter of his resignation to the House of Assembly when the law expected him to hand it over to the governor of the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source said that it was when Ngilari realised that he had been deceived that he complained that he had been hoodwinked into resigning.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was the complaint by Ngillari that compelled Nyako to distance himself from the claim that his deputy resigned and asked his aide to issue a counter statement on the matter.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nyako, who spoke through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Sajoh, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the purported resignation of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State Mr. James Ngillari, which was supposedly read on the floor of the State House of Assembly.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We wish to state categorically that Section 306 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as Amended, requires that the Deputy Governor resigns not to the House of Assembly but to the Governor.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As at the time the supposed resignation was said to have been tendered in the House, Murtala H. Nyako was the Governor of Adamawa State. No such letter was written to him, none was received by him and none was approved by him.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It should, therefore, be known that in the eyes of the law, the Deputy Governor has not resigned. Mr. James Ngillari is still the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the Presidency was contemplating compensating Ngilari with a top appointment because of his loyalty to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He is said to have lost out at the last minute for trying to strike a deal with Nyako to escape impeachment or work with the former governor’s son in case of impeachment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

REVEALED: How Adamawa’s Deputy Gov was tricked into resigning

Forty-eight hours after Governor Murtala Nyako was removed from office, details of how the game plan was hatched and implemented by t...

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I'm too old to contest the 2015 governorship election - Fola Adeola

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1wxsUoG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ift.tt/1wxsUoG" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>A former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Fola Adeola, has said that at 60 he is too old to contest the 2015 governorship election in Ogun State.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said those linking him with the 2015 governorship election in Ogun State were not representing his ambition well.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Adeola, a delegate in the National Conference, made the clarification in Abuja against the background of a recent report that he was “oiling the machinery of his campaign” to take over from Governor Ibikunle Amosun, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “I come from Ogun State and being a governor of Ogun State is a major job. For me, that was 20 years ago. Our country, Nigeria is in need of attention and there are so many things that are being done today. Ogun State does not fit into my consideration at all and I can only wish the incumbent and all other aspirants very well in their attempt to improve my state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I also believe that just like a man can serve his God without being a clergy, so can a man serve his state without being the governor. So much is happening there but it is not for me.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I don’t know why the newspaper, embarked on such speculation. This is the third time they will be writing about it. It doesn’t matter to me anymore. I told them the first time, I told them the second time and if they like, let them report it for the fourth time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I do not want to contest the governorship of Ogun State. That is not what I want to do now, it is not in my agenda this year and next year and it will never be on my agenda. If offered, I will say no, I will not ask for it and it is not what I want to do. People who do this job (of a governor) today in Nigeria are in their 40s. Not now that I am 60 years old.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I don’t even want to speculate about those behind the publications, I have given you the answer. Becoming the governor of Ogun State is not in my agenda.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Adeola was the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in the 2011 Presidential election.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He served as the Chairman of the National Pension Commission, following the promulgation into law of the Pension Bill by the National Assembly.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I'm too old to contest the 2015 governorship election - Fola Adeola

A former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Fola Adeola, has said that at 60 he is too old to contest the 2015 governorsh...

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#Bringbackourgirls: Michelle Obama hails Malala

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1wxsU85" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://ift.tt/1wxsU85" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Two days after ending her three-day visit to Nigeria, Pakistani girls’ education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, has launched a petition seeking international intervention for the release of the abducted Chibok girls.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The 17-year-old activist, who survived assassination attempts by the Taliban extremist group, stated that she wanted the global community to stand with the Nigerian girls and shame those working to deny schoolgirls an education.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Malala, in the petition she hosted on change.org, a go-to website for hosting online protests, reminded world leaders that the abducted girls must get the assurances that “they are not alone.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As of Wednesday evening, Malala had collected over 60,000 signatures from concerned individuals and groups from different parts of the world, many of who demanded greater action for the prompt rescue of the girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the petition titled, “Stand with me and the Nigerian girls,” the girls’ campaigner said the world must not be silent “while our sisters in Nigeria and around the world are targeted in this war on education.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to her, young girls from different parts of the world have a right to an education adding that the safe return of “our innocent sisters in Nigeria” must be at the front burner.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Show the world we are stronger than those who deny schoolgirls an education. As strong and determined as we are, we cannot do this on our own. These girls in Nigeria must know they are not alone; we will not forget those still in captivity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We need you to stand with us. Sign this petition to show you are with us, and that together we are stronger than fear, oppression and violence. We are stronger than those who stand in our way. Stand with us, and together we will win,” she wrote on the petition.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to many of those who signed the petition, the missing girls must be found and brought home as their present predicament is simply horrible.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One of the petitioners, Mary Stevens from Guelph, Canada, said it was about time people stood up and did something about the freedom of the girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“All people deserve an education and an opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. We must all stand up and be counted and support this petition. We will make a difference. I am stronger than apathy,” she said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, hailed Malala for standing with the Chibok girls and other schoolgirls being denied the opportunity to further their education.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Writing on her official Twitter page, Michelle stated, “Thank you Malala for inspiring girls around the world to be stronger than adversity and pursue their education.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates, in a message on Twitter, stated that she has drawn inspiration from Malala’s solidarity with the young girls facing hardship with accessing educational opportunities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I’m inspired by Malala and girls around the world who are proof that courage is stronger than fear,” she tweeted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, and ex-British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has hailed the efforts of the #BringBackOurGirls coalition in campaigning for the freedom of the abducted girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Against the backdrop of allegations by the Federal Government that the group was politicising the abduction and being run as a franchise, Brown described the solidarity of the group for the girls as relentless.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In Nigeria ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ are leading the charge as they stand in solidarity with the girls who have now been in captivity for more than three months. The group has campaigned relentlessly for the girls’ safe release,” a message on Brown’s website on Wednesday, quoted him as saying.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In another message on his Twitter page, Brown stated that schools should be safe havens and places of learning and not theatres of war.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He added that the United Kingdom should extend more assistance to Nigeria to effectively contain the menace being posed by Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Britain must give more help to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram,” he tweeted.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the #BringBackOurGirls group meant well for the Nigerian nation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The #bringbackourgirls campaign groups are pursuing a good cause and that cause should be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians,” she wrote in a Twitter post.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

#Bringbackourgirls: Michelle Obama hails Malala

Two days after ending her three-day visit to Nigeria, Pakistani girls’ education campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, has launched a petition ...

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Security agents arrest six Boko Haram suspects in Jos

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1md94e6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://ift.tt/1md94e6" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Many questions remained unanswered at the weekend as Jos, the Plateau State capital which was bombed twice last week, was enveloped in fear.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Were there 100 suicide bombers unleashed on the Tin City ready to strike?<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Were there 10 bombs already planted around the city by Boko Haram insurgents ready to go off?<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Special Task Force (STF) on the Jos crisis said yesterday that three people died from the failed suicide attack on a football viewing centre in the city on Saturday night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Two others were injured. A vehicle driven by the bomber and a block of shops were destroyed, it said in a statement by the STF spokesman Capt. Ikedichi Iweha.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />More than 100 people were killed in the first attack in Jos last week.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source within the security agencies alleged that over 100 suicide bombers might have been deployed in Jos.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The senior security officer said: “Let me tell you, we are in serious trouble in this state. Do you know that since last Tuesday’s explosion more than six members of Boko Haram have been caught and arrested from various places within the city”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The source added: “All the tension and rumour you are hearing everywhere in town that some people were caught with bomb here and there in Jos are real. Don’t just call them rumour; they are real. We have discovered at least six of them since that Tuesday attack”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that one of the Boko Haram agents apprehended last Friday at the Air Force base in Jos had confessed that there were at least 100 of them deployed in Jos city to detonate explosives at identified points.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The suspect reportedly claimed that he was heading for the Airforce Hospital to deliver food to a patient on admission. But a security check on the suspect’s car revealed he was carrying explosives and was immediately apprehended and the explosive disabled.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to the source: “The suspect made a confession that even shocked the Air force men interrogating him. He revealed that he was on errand for Boko Haram to deliver explosives at identified location, and that he was not the only one on such errand, he claimed there were at least 100 already despatched to the city with explosives”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A man suspected to be spying for Boko Haram was apprehended at Mobile Police barrack, the MOPOL 8 close to the Air Force base Jos. The state police spokesperson Felicia Anslem said “the suspect was been arrested and detained for trespassing”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The arrest of the suspect at MOPOL 8, Jos came after letters of threat allegedly authored by Boko Haram were received at government establishments in the state capital. A similar letter of threat was received at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Federal Government College Jos, The Plateau State House of Assembly and other places.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A security source said: “These threat cannot be treated as mere threats, since after the twin bomb blast. Others explosive have been intercepted and the suspect already helping the security agencies on information about their mission in Jos”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Archbishop of Jos, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, yesterday challenged security agencies in Jos to comb and fish out the remaining bombs planted by members of the Boko Haram sect in the city.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said a member of the sect, arrested at the wake of last week’s twin bombs that rocked the city confessed that they (Boko Haram) had planted 10 bombs at different locations in the city.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Archbishop who spoke in Minna while delivering a sermon titled “The good Shepherd” at the dedication of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and the presentation of four Archbishops of the church, said:<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“There were twin bomb explosions a few days ago in Jos in which many people were killed. Just yesterday when I was about to come to Minna, another bomb exploded in Jos. We are aware that one of the Boko Haram men arrested by the security has confessed that they planted 10 bombs in the city. We are also aware that one of the bombs has been seen and detonated by the police.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“But where are the remaining six? The Police must urgently search and recover the hidden bombs to save lives and property”, he pleaded.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The clery lamented the insurgency has wrecked havoc on the Church in the troubled areas, citing the killing of three Deacons of the church in Taraba State and the wanton destruction of properties in the affected areas of northeast.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The Bishop in Taraba state sent me a report that we lost three of our deacons in the state while in Adamawa state, eight members were recently killed. No good shepherd will be happy about such loss of his herds”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Kwashi admonished the Church to remain steadfast in prayers while seeking for divine intervention for the country to overcome present security challenges.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Security agents arrest six Boko Haram suspects in Jos

Many questions remained unanswered at the weekend as Jos, the Plateau State capital which was bombed twice last week, was enveloped in f...

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APC asks FG to negotiate with B’Haram

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1kDqe6o" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://ift.tt/1kDqe6o" width="320"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>The All Progressives Congress has asked the Federal Government to negotiate with the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to secure the release of the kidnapped schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />About two weeks ago, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, had in a video offered to release the girls in exchange for the sect’s detained members.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Federal Government rejected the offer, with the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, saying the government would not engage in “trade by barter” in securing the release of the over 200 schoolgirls who had been held since April 14.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A debate had ensued over the Boko Haram offer, with the Northern Elders Forum, the Nigerian Bar Association and other prominent groups and persons urging the Federal Government to accept the proposal by the insurgents.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, others, including the United Kingdom, have said the Federal Government should not negotiate with the terrorists.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the APC, the largest opposition party in the country, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government to take up the offer.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The spokesman of the APC in the South-East, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday, said the Federal Government should do everything humanly and legally possible, including negotiation, to bring back the schoolgirls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Okechukwu noted that a military approach could endanger the lives of the schoolgirls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Asked to state the stand of the APC on the offer, he said, “Whatever is humanly, whatever is legally possible should be done to get the girls back, including negotiation and diplomacy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Whatever could be done to bring the girls back, we are in support of it.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If you decide to go in with armoured tanks, the girls could be harmed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If one were to be in the position of the President, we should ask them (Boko Haram) how many people they want and if the say 100 or 200, we should be ready to release them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If negotiation could work it should be explored to the fullest.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“It might even be the beginning of peace.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC chieftain added that the government should consider the plight of the schoolgirls’ families, who he said are going through a traumatic period.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Continuing, he said, “The offer has been made – a lot of people in the presidency were doubting the abduction of the girls until Boko Haram showed the video.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We can lose face as a people to negotiate with bandits but we are only doing that to bring back the girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“These (Boko Haram) are bandits and brigands, deranged people whose motives are opaque, whose motives are not in conformity to Islam, Christianity or even atheism.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“For the sake of the girls, every possible thing should be done to being them back.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

APC asks FG to negotiate with B’Haram

The All Progressives Congress has asked the Federal Government to negotiate with the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, to secure the relea...

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