U2 Singer Bono Cheats Death after Private Jet Door Falls Off

<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 style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/113sCwM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/113sCwM"/> </a> </div><br /><p>U2 lead singer Bono and four friends cheated death yesterday when a rear door of their private jet fell off mid-flight.</p><br /><p>According to <a href="http://ift.tt/1EEmPwH" target="_blank">DailyMail</a>, the Irish rock star was on board the Learjet 60 D-CGEO making the two-hour afternoon trip from Dublin to Berlin. He was the only member of U2 on the plane, as bandmates Larry Mullen, the Edge and Adam Clayton were due to fly separately late last night. The group were lined up to accept an award at the Bambi International Music awards in Berlin, but Bono flew out early to attend a diplomatic function with the German minister of economic cooperation and development, Gerd Mueller.</p><br /><p>But when Bono and his crew reached the German coast, flying at about 8,000ft, the tailgate of the plane became detached.</p><br /><p>A source close to the singer told the Irish Daily Mail:<br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/> </p><br /><blockquote class='tr_bq'>‘He was extremely lucky, the plane could have gone down. About an hour into the journey they heard a big thud coming from the rear of the plane. They were startled for a bit but they continued on and made the descent into Berlin airport. When they landed they were horrified to learn that the compartment at the rear of the plane had completely detached.</blockquote><br /><blockquote class='tr_bq'><br /><p>The entire door along with Bono and his companions’ luggage had fallen out mid-air. They don’t know if the door and the contents landed over water or land but they were extremely lucky. They were at an altitude where anything could have happened and they are all feeling very lucky to be alive.’</p><br /></blockquote><br /><p>Aviation authorities in Germany have launched an official probe into the incident as it began its descent into Berlin’s Schoenefeld Airport. His £50million Learjet 60 was preparing for landing when at 12.27pm on Wednesday an 80 x 100 cm chunk of its door was ripped off.</p><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1v96HkZ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1v96HkZ"/> </a> </div><br /></div>

U2 Singer Bono Cheats Death after Private Jet Door Falls Off

U2 lead singer Bono and four friends cheated death yesterday when a rear door of their private jet fell off mid-flight. According to Daily...

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Ebube Nwagbo Wows in new photoshoot

<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 trbidi='on' style='text-align: left;' dir='ltr'><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1EzLbWd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1EzLbWd"/> </a> </div><br /><p>To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of her hair line “Posh hair by EB”, the stunning actress released these new photos<br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1EzLbWf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1EzLbWf"/> </a> </div><br /></div><br /></div>

Ebube Nwagbo Wows in new photoshoot

To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of her hair line “Posh hair by EB”, the stunning actress released these new photos

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Why we refused to sell Cobra helicopters to Nigeria - US

<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/1BikM32" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://ift.tt/1EzZQ3P" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The United States has said that it refused to sell its Cobra helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about the Nigeria’s military ability to use and maintain them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The cobra attack helicopter is a combat aircraft used by the US marines with the ability to climb at the rate of 8.2meters per second. It is equipped with a 20 mm M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 rounds ammo capacity).<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But America stated that it had provided and approved sales of military equipment to Nigerian armed forces.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The US State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, stated this in Washington on Wednesday while responding to questions from journalists on the allegations made by the Nigerian ambassador to US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Adefuye had told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that the US refused to sell lethal arms to Nigeria, adding that America was not doing enough to assist in combating the Boko Haram insurgency in North-Eastern part of the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The ambassador said the US was letting down an old ally in its hour of need, and that Nigerians and the FG feel abandoned.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “The U.S. government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria, with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Adefuye said that Washington had refused Nigeria’s requests to buy heavy weaponry because of allegations the defense forces have violated the human rights of Boko Haram suspects.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said allegations of human rights abuses by the military were “rumors, hearsays and exaggerated accounts put about by rivals of President Goodluck Jonathan and rights groups.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But Psaki in reaction to Adefuye’s allegations, claimed there had been “a great deal” of US aid to Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She said there were ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations, adding that these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Why we refused to sell Cobra helicopters to Nigeria - US

The United States has said that it refused to sell its Cobra helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about the Nigeria’s military ability t...

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APC agent snatched ballot box in Ekiti election – Police

<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/1oS2sbu" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://ift.tt/1yD5hgl" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Nigerian Police have said an agent of the All Progressives Congress in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Alabi, was involved snatching of ballot box during the poll in Ayedun Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They said Alabi escaped arrest but that the election of the unit where the incident happened was cancelled by the Independent National Electoral Commission.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The police who stated this in their report tendered before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Thursday, added that the incident was the only electoral offence recorded throughout the state during the election.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Justice Mohammed Siraju-led tribunal admitted the police report as exhibit.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This came as all parties in the petition challenging the victory of Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, brought their cases to a close on Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The police said in their report that the APC agent who snatched the ballot box had done so under the pretext of trying to cast his vote.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The report reads in part, “Result of Unit 6 Odogo under Ward 9 in Ikole Local Government Area was cancelled due to the snatching of the ballot box by one peter Alabi of Odo Ayedun Ekiti an APC agent who pretended to cast his vote and ran into the bush with the ballot box. When pursued by the security agents, he tore the ballot papers there in and escaped.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“INEC subsequently cancelled the unit result.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The police, represented by Chief Olusola Oke, said in their report that the snatching of the ballot box was the only electoral offence recorded during the election in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Where we experienced snatching of ballot box and tearing of ballot papers in which suspect mentioned is presently at large,” the police report signed by the Commissioner of Police (Election), Ekiti state Command, Ikechukwu A. Aduba, read in part.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The matter was then adjourned till December 17 for parties to adopt their final written addresses in the petition which was filed by the All Progressives Congress.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC fielded former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in the election.<br/><br /><br/><br />The petitioner alleged excessive militarisation of the election in a manner that jeopardised its chances at the poll and the ineligibility of Fayose to contest in the election on that he had been impeached as governor in 2006.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The party also challenged the eligibility of Fayose to contest in the election stating that he was undergoing criminal prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.<br/><br /><br/><br />But Fayose, represented by Yusuf Ali (SAN), had in his defence told the tribunal that the panel set up to investigate him as governor in 2006 cleared him and his purported impeachment by the state House of Assembly went to illegally remove him.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Apart from Fayose and the PDP, other respondents in the petition are Chief of Army Staff and INEC.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

APC agent snatched ballot box in Ekiti election – Police

The Nigerian Police have said an agent of the All Progressives Congress in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ala...

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Liberia lifts Ebola state of emergency

<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 /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1xSEwV0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOOf2dX98Yx5Pg0sd4JH5p-lCPWEJSXdzVm85mSGssgG812qWnNumEVqOtV4jSMjFavUtgFx0XJQhGUWxjRuW4SRc78AMURS26GJ7_AEFQxxbuqxKCFaKE8u9SHa84Ui7-luCWSYuN8Eo/s1600/liberia+sirleaf.jpg"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Liberia lifted its state of emergency Thursday, announcing huge gains in the fight with Ebola as Africa pinned its hopes on trials for a “miracle drug” to be tested on patients in Guinea.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The end of a raft of tough restrictions — the clearest sign yet that authorities in Monrovia believe they are beating the epidemic — follows a dramatic recent drop in new cases.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I have informed the leadership of the national legislature that I will not seek an extension of the state of emergency,” President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced on state-owned radio network ELBC.<br/><br /><br/><br />Sirleaf declared the emergency regime on August 6, speaking of “a clear and present danger” from Ebola, which at the time had claimed around 1,000 lives across west Africa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She said the relaxation was “not because the fight against Ebola is over” but because recent successes in battling the epidemic had combined “to reposition our efforts to sustain our fight against the virus”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sirleaf added that Liberia had acted “decisively” by imposing tough new regulations on closing borders, imposing curfews and quarantines, shutting schools and restricting public gatherings.<br/><br /><br/><br />Official figures show Ebola has claimed more than 5,100 lives across west Africa — 2,836 of them in hardest-hit Liberia — with the real death toll thought to be up to three times higher.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the Liberian government said this week new cases had dropped from a daily peak of more than 500 to around 50, confirming tentative announcements by experts worldwide of an apparent slowdown.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>- ‘Miracle drug’ -</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Aid agency Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said researchers would test a promising antiviral drug and transfusions of survivors’ blood in the first ever clinical trials on people with the virus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The tests in two of its treatment centres in Guinea — due to begin next month — are aimed at rushing out an emergency therapy, with results expected as early as February.<br/><br /><br/><br />Ebola, transmitted through bodily fluids, leads to haemorrhagic fever and — in an estimated 70 percent of cases in the current outbreak — death.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There is no specific treatment regime and, as yet, no licensed vaccine — although possible candidates are being tested in Mali and elsewhere.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The antiviral has been shown to work on other viruses, but not Ebola, said Annick Antierens, who is coordinating the trials for the medical charity.<br/><br /><br/><br />“Either it is very efficient, and then it is a miracle drug… (or) it is not efficient at all, and this is very much possible. We have reason to believe that that is not the case, but it is still very much possible,” she added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She added that there could be “an intermediary result, whereby it’s promising and we’re not sure if it will be efficient for every patient”.<br/><br /><br/><br />Ebola, which emerged in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, is one of the most aggressive pathogens known to humankind, and victims tend to die a few days after showing symptoms.<br/><br /><br/><br />The target for a successful trial in each of the treatments under consideration will be the patient surviving for two weeks, said MSF, adding that no one would be tested without informed consent.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />- ‘New experience’ -<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Patients in the Conakry trial will be administered with blood or plasma containing antibodies from survivors.<br/><br /><br/><br />“We want to find out whether it works for Ebola, whether it is safe and whether it can be scaled up to reduce the number of deaths in the current outbreak,” said lead coordinator Johan van Griensven.<br/><br /><br/><br />The antiviral was selected from a shortlist drawn up by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is overseeing the project, after a review of a wide range of issues, including trials on non-human primates and availability.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />MSF is in discussion for a third trial, on antiviral brincidofovir, in Liberian capital Monrovia but has not yet been given the green light.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Conducting clinical trials of investigational drugs in the midst of a humanitarian crisis is a new experience for all of us, but we are determined not to fail the people of west Africa,” said Peter Horby, who would lead the Monrovia team.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Almost all of the deaths in the current outbreak have been in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, but smaller outbreaks have emerged in Nigeria, Senegal, the United States and Spain.<br/><br /><br/><br />Mali is scrambling to prevent a serious epidemic after the deaths of an Islamic cleric in October and, this week, the nurse who treated him in the capital Bamako.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A ministry of health official told AFP “several dozen” of the people identified as possibly having been exposed to Ebola in the city had been tracked down and were under observation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The WHO announced on Wednesday that the outbreak had passed a gruesome landmark, with 5,160 deaths from around 14,000 cases since Ebola emerged in the forests of southern Guinea.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AFP)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Liberia lifts Ebola state of emergency

Liberia lifted its state of emergency Thursday, announcing huge gains in the fight with Ebola as Africa pinned its hopes on trials f...

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No Nigerian child should be HIV positive – 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/1sJ9Ou8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeymh9YCP77ZlfrGGvIedW16xkgEDPwrZZR4p91t7Sh2NoIlfuP5Xufgjvs5hcayZtBPGNv9oEh8SKYsULI_3FKY4gqq4g4U0fdgScW5iVl6H3lJFtjdhhRP9nIwO8BKncCusEms60OkI/s1600/jonathan+white+background.jpg"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />President Goodluck Jonathan has promised that by 2016 no Nigerian child should be born positive with HIV/AIDS.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In response to the recent protest by the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS, he also stated that the Federal Government has “begun the release of funds for the implementation of the Presidents Comprehensive Response Plan for HIV/AIDS.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, government was aware that international partners have withdrawn their funding support for some aspects of HIV/AIDS services in the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan, represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, expressed these feeling on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the national operational plan for the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS 2015-2016.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />At the event, the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Prof. John Idoko said, “Nigeria has made slow progress in the a prevention if Mother To Child Transmission of HIV av/AIDS with 30 per cent coverage by 2013 due to a number of structural challenges including inadequate services at Primary Health Care level, poor attendance of pregnant women at antenatal services, and many women preferring to go to traditional birth attendants, Churches and Mosques to access antenatal and delivery services.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Jonathan said, “No Nigerian child should be born with HIV. Together we shall end the AIDS epidemic among children. I therefore launch and present to you the eMTCT 2015-2016. The 2010 National Sentinel Survey for pregnant women attending antenatal care in Nigeria recorded a HIV prevalence of 4.1 per cent, while the population survey carried out in 2012 observed an HIV prevalence of 3.4 per cent. Nigeria records an estimated 6 million births annually and out of this number, a huge percentage of deliveries are outside health facility settings.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The government, he said, will continue to provide the needed level of commitment to ensure progress in combating HIV because his administration was committed to the implementation of the plan to eliminate Mother to Child Transmission of HIV by 2016.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />While appealing to international partners to be patient with Nigeria as it strives to provide more resources to the many challenges confronting the nation, Jonathan informed that government has begun the release of fund for the implementation of PCRP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The President also stated the efforts being put in place by his administration since 2011 to achieve 2016 eMTCT target.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “In addition to these, the Federal Government through the Subsidy Re-investment Program and other programs has initiated Health Systems Strengthening projects that are critical to achieving the elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in various communities.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

No Nigerian child should be HIV positive – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised that by 2016 no Nigerian child should be born positive with HIV/AIDS. In response to the recent ...

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I’ve fulfilled my promises to Nigerians – 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/1wklh4o" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://ift.tt/1wklh4u" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-family: inherit;'><br/> </span> <span style='font-family: inherit;'><b><br/> </b> </span><br/><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'><b>President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, said he has delivered on the promises he made to Nigerians four years ago as he declared to seek a new term.</b> </span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Speaking at the Eagles Square, Abuja, Mr. Jonathan assured that Nigeria will not go back in its old ways, but move to greater heights, if he was elected.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He also promised not to intimidate any Nigerian, but ensure the rule of law, expand the democratic space, give voice to the voiceless and uphold the weak.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Mr. Jonathan was adopted by all the organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in September as the party’s lone candidate in the February 14 presidential contest.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He assumed office as president on May 6, 2010, following the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and was elected in 2011 to the position.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>The president rounds off his current tenure on May 29, 2015.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>At the Eagles Square, Abuja, Mr. Jonathan told his supporters from the 36 states of the federation that he accepted to contest the coming presidential poll after seeking the face of God, held wide consultations and made deep reflection on the matter with his family.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Mr. Jonathan recounted his administration’s achievements since it came to office, saying infrastructure had been its major area of focus.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He listed some major achievements in critical sectors such as the water, agricultural, transport, road, housing, oil and gas, health, education, food production, anti-corruption crusade, youth development, military, entertainment, economy and electoral reforms.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He also praised his administration for the giant strides it made on the international scene.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“We have advanced our regional, continental and global objectives,” he said. “I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians, and it is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years, but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“History has shown that the path of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges. We must stand together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development. We must defend our future, for the sake of our children.”</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>The president, who called for a minute silence in honour of the students of the Government Science Secondary School in Yobe State on Monday, however, lamented the lingering security challenge in the country, which he said had led to the loss of lives and property.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He said, “Clearly, this has cast a dark cloud on our Nation but we will surely win the war against terror. A number of young men and women have been kidnapped by these criminal elements including our daughters from Chibok. We will free our daughters and defeat terrorism.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“We are equipping the armed forces and deploying special forces to engage the terrorist and end this senseless war. We must protect our country. We must save our people. I will do everything humanly possible to end this criminal violence in our nation.”</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Mr. Jonathan explained that to ensure the long term stability and development of the affected areas, government had launched three programmes, namely the Presidential Initiative for the North East, the Victim Support Fund and the Safe School Initiative.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He expressed gratitude “to all Nigerians for standing with me.”</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>The president said in furtherance of a peaceful, participatory and inclusive democracy that he signed the Freedom of Information, FoI, Bill into law, to expand the frontiers of the fundamental rights of Nigerians.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He affirmed that under his presidency, “your views, no matter how freely expressed, will not send you to prison or into exile.”</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He said the support by the party would enable him continue the conversation of development he began in the country.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Stating that democracy was a collective action, energized by individual responsibility, Mr. Jonathan said the mandate that would be given to him this time would inspire in him the strength to complete the good work his administration had begun.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He said he would ensure that the poor is lifted out of the depth of want and place their feet on the ladder of prosperity.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>While noting that leaders must always show temperance at all times, the president promised “That is a virtue, one which I treasure, and will always uphold.”</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>On the coming election, Mr. Jonathan, who thanked those who contributed their meagre resources towards his re-election bid, appealed to his supporters not to harm, maim or kill or incite any kind of violence.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He reiterated that his election bid does not worth the blood of any Nigerian.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“We must forget our common bond, one people from the womb of one Nigeria. Again I say: My ambition to serve you is not worth the blood of any Nigeria. I remain committed to this principle of non-violence,” he said.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>The president said he would be ready to continue in service to the people if they believed that a country that works for everybody must be built, where the strong lift up the weak, and not trample upon them, where the vote of every citizen determines who governs or represents them, and where democratic space is open to all citizens, irrespective of their aspirations and circumstances of birth.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He said the country would not return to its dark days, but must move forward.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>He told the crowd, “Do you want to go back to the old ways? We cannot go back to the old ways where individual freedoms were trampled upon and citizens were locked up for expressing their views or criticising government.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“Do you want to go back to the old ways? We cannot go back to the old ways! We must continue to have free and fair elections. We cannot go back to the era where ballot box snatching and stuffing became the norm, where your votes never counted.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“Certainly, we cannot! We have to move forward! Only forward!!, my dear people, forward!!!</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>The president said in moving forward, “I see a Nigeria that thirsts for progress with children across the nation, eager for knowledge and safely in schools!</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“I see a Nigeria where all who have taken up arms, would again embrace peace! I see a Nigeria where our women can aspire to any heights, without hindrance! I see a Nigeria where the flames in the Eagles will rekindle, and the Falcons soaring higher in victory!</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Mr. Jonathan also stated that he sees a Nigeria “where the children of Mustapha, and Christopher, Ade and Ada, Timi and Bunmi, Nnamdi and Namadi, do not go hungry!</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“I see a Nigeria where all, no matter their beliefs, live in peace and harmony!</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“I see a Nigeria where the green passport is accorded a royal reception the world over!</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>“I see a Nigeria where one day the next generation will take us to outer space.”</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Both the vice president, Namadi Sambo and the Senate President, David Mark, also delivered speeches at the event. Mr. Mark spoke on behalf of the PDP members of the National Assembly, who pledge support for the president for having performed well since he assumed office.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>The Senate President lamented the security challenge in the country, but assured that it was not insurmountable.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who spoke on behalf of the PDP governors, said the governors were solidly behind the president.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><div style='background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;'><span style='font-family: inherit;'>Solidarity messages were also delivered on zonal basis by a former Minister of Environment, Hassan Adamu, North East; former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, North West; former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, North Central; former military governor of the old Ondo State, Bode George, South West; former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, South South; and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, South East.</span> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

I’ve fulfilled my promises to Nigerians – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, said he has delivered on the promises he made to Nigerians four years ago as he declared to s...

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Cameroon’s army faces Boko Haram in ghost town on Nigerian border

<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/1v6ZKS4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://ift.tt/111TOvv" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A deathly silence hangs over the once lively trading town of Amchide in the far north of Cameroon, abandoned to the army by residents terrified of raids by the Islamists of Boko Haram.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />After several attacks in the past year by the armed extremists from Nigeria, just across the western border, the vast majority of residents have fled.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Houses of clay and brick stand abandoned with nobody to cook in the courtyards, while colourful robes and children’s laughter are things of the past.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The sole remaining human presence is a military one, dug in about 800 metres (875 yards) from the frontier and the lethal threat on the other side.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Before, this was a bustling town, with crowds. Chadians, Cameroonians and Nigerians came here and traded in all kinds of things,” said Abba, who comes from a nearby village.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Many people in Amchide ran the risk of atrocities and kidnapping by Boko Haram for months, but the situation further worsened when the Islamists in September overran Banki, the extension of their town on to Nigerian territory.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>–‘Firing almost every day’–</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Boko Haram fighters then stepped up bloody raids inside Cameroon, where they slit the throats of Christians and Muslims alike. The movement also launched attacks from their positions in Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br />“There is firing almost every day,” an officer in Cameroon’s elite military Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR by its French initials) told AFP at the scene, asking not to be named for security reasons.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Several hundred metres (yards) from their main base, dozens of soldiers on high alert manned a forward post, some keeping a lookout behind piled sandbags. Others were poised to ambush intruders, wary of the surrounding savannah grass and trees that offer cover to Boko Haram forces.<br/><br /><br/><br />On October 15, the Nigerian movement, which has frequently slaughtered students in its opposition to Western-style education, carried out an assault of “unprecedented scale” against Cameroon’s army, said Major Leopold Nlate Ebale, chief of operations in the border zone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Coming out of Banki, the Islamists struck at the military base with heavy artillery, while a suicide bomber drove a car loaded with explosives through Amchide. The car blew up on the outskirts of the base and was followed by an armoured vehicle and a pick-up truck, which were both “neutralised”, Ebale added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The fighting that ensued lasted for two days. The burned-out wrecks of the armoured vehicle and one of the others have been left standing by the entrance to the military base.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />During the clashes, 107 members of Boko Haram were killed, together with 86 civilians and eight soldiers of the BIR, according to official figures that cannot be independently confirmed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Military operations to “clean up” Amchide are a task rendered harder by the complexities of the border. “When you go into a house by a door in Cameroon, you can come out on the Nigerian side,” where Islamists have many hiding places, an official said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />‘They’re like ghosts’<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Boko Haram (fighters) are unpredictable. They’re like ghosts,” one soldier said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Cameroon’s army states that in the absence of “a right of pursuit” into neighbouring countries, it will never carry out ground attacks on Nigerian territory. However, several officers agreed that “for protection in the event of aggression”, they had the right to fire shells across the border.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The BIR responded to a Boko Haram attack last Monday by firing 36 shells, one of the officers said.<br/><br /><br/><br />In villages of the district, people still try to live as normally as they can despite the sound of almost daily blasts and gunfire.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Kourgui, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Amchide, “we’re afraid that Boko Haram will come this far,” elderly villager Oumate Mohamed said, sitting in the shade of a large tree.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In recent weeks, “many residents went through here, they were fleeing violence” closer to the border, Mohamed explained. Some decided to stop at Kourgui, but most headed on towards towns deeper into Cameroon.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the arid border territory where growing millet and cotton are the main tasks for poor local people, the end to trade with Nigeria caused by conflict is a tough blow.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Everything used to come from Nigeria before, even petrol, but we can’t go there now,” farmer Baba Chetima said, clad in a long white robe. “People have nothing left.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Cameroon’s army faces Boko Haram in ghost town on Nigerian border

A deathly silence hangs over the once lively trading town of Amchide in the far north of Cameroon, abandoned to the army by residents terr...

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Mali quarantines 90 over Ebola

<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/1v6ZHWC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RV4lAi6nMbasuOuk-0LNfQCemQAWPcRW8ArzekKrmmJXcBwcG-5AQod77WYlFrM99_Dze5OPKOBQD_MKScxjaAEMMSXwxEs-HPm2wPlbhJVTap5pPKEMsZwjNzUG14jC9J_GjXmoc4sv/s1600/ebola+asdf.jpg"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The death of a nurse in Mali from Ebola prompted the quarantine on Wednesday of more than 90 people in the West African country’s capital Bamako, as the World Health Organization said the disease had now claimed at least 5,160 lives.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The worst outbreak of the virus on record has ravaged the impoverished West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and led to a global watch for cases outside the region.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mali must now trace other people who had contact with the 25-year-old nurse and three others infected, just as an initial group of people linked to its first case completed their 21-day quarantine on Tuesday. Ebola’s maximum incubation period is 21 days.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The more than 90 quarantined in Bamako included about 20 United Nations peacekeepers being treated at the capital’s Pasteur Clinic, where the nurse worked, officials said. Police locked down the clinic on Tuesday night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Sierra Leone, more than 400 health workers at one of its few Ebola treatment centers went on strike over unpaid risk allowances, officials said. Some returned later in the day.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Echoing that walkout were protests and strikes by nurses across the United States over what they characterized as insufficient protection for health workers dealing with potential Ebola patients. Two nurses, who treated a Liberian man who died of the disease at a Dallas hospital in October, contracted the virus but recovered.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />California-based National Nurses United had expected about 100,000 nurses nationwide to participate in the protest, but officials from the union could not say how many people participated.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Washington, the Obama administration tried to assure skeptical U.S. senators that its efforts to combat Ebola were making progress and urged lawmakers to approve $6.2 billion in new emergency funds to contain the virus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We believe we have the right strategy in place, both at home and abroad,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell told the Senate Appropriations Committee.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Separately, the general leading the Ebola fight said the U.S. military force being sent to Liberia to build treatment facilities was expected to top out at about 3,000 troops in December, 1,000 less than initially approved. Ebola has killed at least 5,160 people out of at least 14,098 infected since March, predominantly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the WHO said in its latest status report from Geneva.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, in a rare piece of good news, the WHO said there were signs that the incidence of new cases was declining in Guinea and Liberia, although it reported steep increases in Sierra Leone.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In Bamako, the nurse died after treating a Guinea man who died with Ebola-like symptoms that were not initially recognized, the government said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AFP)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Mali quarantines 90 over Ebola

The death of a nurse in Mali from Ebola prompted the quarantine on Wednesday of more than 90 people in the West African country’s capital ...

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First Ebola treatment trials to start in west Africa

<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/1u6sx5B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://ift.tt/1Bi02s9" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Global aid agency Doctors Without Borders said on Thursday it would begin unprecedented trials on patients in west Africa to test Ebola drugs and the use of survivors’ blood as therapy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The trials in Guinea are aimed at rushing out an emergency therapy to battle an epidemic which has taken more than 5,000 lives since December.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“This is an unprecedented international partnership which represents hope for patients to finally get a real treatment against a disease that today kills between 50 and 80 percent of those infected,” said Annick Antierens, who is coordinating the trials for the medical charity, known by its French initials MSF.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The first trials are due to start in December and results could be available by February next year, MSF said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ebola, transmitted through bodily fluids, leads to haemorrhagic fever and — in an estimated 70 percent of cases in the current outbreak — death.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There is no specific treatment regime and, as yet, no licensed vaccine — although one of the leading candidates, known as ChAd3 and made by Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline, is being tested in Mali and elsewhere.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Patients’ best chance of survival, if their condition is caught early enough, is taking paracetamol for their fever, rehydrating and being kept well nourished.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) will trial antiviral drug favipiravir in Gueckedou, southern Guinea.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, the Antwerp-based Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) will lead trials of “convalescent whole blood and plasma therapy” at MSF’s Donka Ebola centre in Conakry, Guinea’s capital.<br/><br /><br/><br />MSF is in discussion for a third trial, on antiviral brincidofovir, in Liberian capital Monrovia but has not yet been given the green light.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>– ‘Miracle drug’ –</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The drugs have been shown to work on other viruses, but not Ebola, Antierens told AFP.<br/><br /><br/><br />“Either it is very efficient, and then it is a miracle drug… (or) it is not efficient at all, and this is very much possible. We have reason to believe that that is not the case, but it is still very much possible,” she added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />She added that there could be “an intermediary result, whereby it’s promising and we’re not sure if it will be efficient for every patient”.<br/><br /><br/><br />Ebola, which emerged in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, is one of the most aggressive pathogens known to humankind, and victims tend to die a few days after showing symptoms.<br/><br /><br/><br />The target for a successful trial in each of the treatments under consideration will be the patient surviving for two weeks, said MSF, adding that no one would be tested without informed consent.<br/><br /><br/><br />The charity said there would be little disruption to the patients’ normal care.<br/><br /><br/><br />Patients in the Conakry trial will be administered with blood or plasma containing antibodies from survivors.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Lead coordinator Johan van Griensven called on recovered patients to give blood, saying their help in coming up with a treatment could reduce the stigma they encounter back in their villages.<br/><br /><br/><br />“We want to find out whether it works for Ebola, whether it is safe and whether it can be scaled up to reduce the number of deaths in the current outbreak,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br />The antivirals were selected from a shortlist drawn up by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is overseeing the project, after a review of a wide range of issues, including trials on non-human primates and availability.<br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>– ‘New experience’ –</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Conducting clinical trials of investigational drugs in the midst of a humanitarian crisis is a new experience for all of us, but we are determined not to fail the people of west Africa,” said Peter Horby, who is expected to lead the Monrovia trial if it gets the go-ahead.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The trials will be the first ever on Ebola patients, Horby told AFP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Every time a patient gets to day 14, we will recalculate the numbers and see what proportion of patients are alive or dead… So once we have confidence that the fatality rate is 50 percent or worse, then we would say there is no evidence that the drug is improving things, because that’s about the rate we see, and then we would stop the trial,” he added.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If the survival rate is 80 percent or better, we would say that this is good evidence that the trial is effective.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Almost all of the deaths in the current outbreak have been in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, but smaller outbreaks have emerged in Nigeria, Senegal, the United States and Spain.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mali is scrambling to prevent a serious epidemic after the deaths of an Islamic cleric in October and, this week, the nurse who treated him in the capital Bamako.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The WHO announced on Wednesday that the outbreak had passed a gruesome landmark, with 5,160 deaths from around 14,000 cases since Ebola emerged in the forests of southern Guinea.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(AFP)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

First Ebola treatment trials to start in west Africa

Global aid agency Doctors Without Borders said on Thursday it would begin unprecedented trials on patients in west Africa to test Ebola dr...

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STF foils kidnap of three Plateau women

<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/1BhZWRe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://ift.tt/1u6svea" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Men of the Special Task Force on security in Plateau State, otherwise known as ‘Operation Safe Haven’, foiled an attempt to kidnap three ladies by gunmen in Jos on Wednesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The development came as some armed men abducted Mr. Sanusi Noma, the son the former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Alhaji Garba Noma.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />STF Media Officer, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, said in a statement in Jos on Thursday that the incident took place at about 11.37pm on Wednesday when three unidentified gunmen forcefully ordered three young ladies into a commercial tricycle otherwise known as Keke NAPEP at the West of Mines general area of Jos North, a popular joint in the Jos metropolis.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The gunmen were said to have directed the tricycle operator to drive towards the Farin Gada area also in Jos North but were intercepted around Utan area by a snap checkpoint mounted by operatives of the STF.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “On sighting the checkpoint, the tricycle operator jumped out hurriedly to report to troops allowing the kidnappers an opportunity to escape into a nearby crowd in the darkness, firing indiscriminately and abandoning their victims. Troops were restrained from opening fire to avoid needless loss of lives or injury to innocent bystanders and unnecessary damage to property.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Iweha added, “In the resulting chase by personnel of the STF, the gunmen were forced to abandon a bag containing one locally made pistol, one locally made SMG riffle, three cutlasses and a small hand knife.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The STF spokesman said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the gunmen.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, the son of the Bauchi PDP former chairman was abducted at the early hours of Thursday in front of his father’s residence in the Bauchi metropolis.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Bauchi state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said, “At the early hours of today (Thursday), the son of former PDP state chairman Jarman Bauchi,one Sanusi Garba Noma, male, was abducted by yet to be identified persons.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

STF foils kidnap of three Plateau women

Men of the Special Task Force on security in Plateau State, otherwise known as ‘Operation Safe Haven’, foiled an attempt to kidnap three l...

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Banks in Akure shut over robbery scare

<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/1xwG0Fr" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://ift.tt/1xwG0VJ" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Banks in the Akure metropolis on Thursday hurriedly closed their doors to customers after news spread that armed robbers were on the prowl in the city.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Customers, who approached their banks at 11am, met the gates locked and those who were already in the premises were politely told to leave.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the information first reached one of the banks from where it was related to other banks.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The police was also promptly alerted, which in turn, deployed its men in the city to counter any attack.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Security operatives comprising soldiers and policemen patrolled the Oyemekun, Oba Adesida and Arakale roads in the city, where the banks are located, while Armoured Personnel Carriers were also stationed at some strategic locations.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Wole Ogodo, confirmed the development, saying the police had fully taken control of the situation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the state police command was proactive and had quickly sent a formidable patrol to effectively man the likely areas of attack.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ogodo added that the police command would not relent in its fight against crimes in the state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Banks in Akure shut over robbery scare

Banks in the Akure metropolis on Thursday hurriedly closed their doors to customers after news spread that armed robbers were on the prowl...

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Gunmen abduct son of former Bauchi PDP Chairman

<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/1GTawhR" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://ift.tt/1xwG0Fl" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Unknown gunmen Thursday abducted the son of former Bauchi State People’s Democractic Party Chairman (PDP) Garba Noma.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the son of the former Chairman Sanusi Garba Noma was abducted at early hours of Thursday in front of his fathers residence in Bauchi Metropolisis.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Bauchi state police command who confirmed the incident through its Public Relation officer DSP Haruna Mohammed said ” at the early hours of today 13/11/2014, Son of former PDP state chairman Jarman Bauchi,one Sanusi Garba Noma male was Abducted by yet to be identified persons.<br/><br /><br/><br />” The 33 years old Sanusi was standing outside his father’s house near Tipper garage Bauchi when he was taken to unknown destination.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said the police has visited the Scene of the incident assuring that Police Special Anti robbery squad are trailing the abductors adding that” Efforts are seriously geared towards locating the victim and apprehend the culprits”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a related development, DSP Haruna Mohammed said the chief officer at Ministry of Agriculture Bauchi, Iliyasu Yakubu, male and 44 years who was abducted by two unknown persons on the 12/11/2014 at 4pm was found and he is in a stable condition.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Gunmen abduct son of former Bauchi PDP Chairman

Unknown gunmen Thursday abducted the son of former Bauchi State People’s Democractic Party Chairman (PDP) Garba Noma. It was learnt that t...

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APC primaries: I can’t step down for anybody – Atiku

<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/1GTaw1z" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://ift.tt/1xwG0Ff" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Against every expectation that the five presidential aspirants in the All Progressive Congress, APC, would reach a consensus on who becomes the party’s flag bearer in next year’s general election, one of the aspirants, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the idea does not exist.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the declaration of rally of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Former Vice President and presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the declaration of rally of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Atiku is vying for the APC ticket alongside former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, Kano state governor Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Imo state governor Chief Rochas Okorocha and a publisher Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Vanguard learnt yesterday that a high powered meeting of the aspirants from the north was convened in Abuja on Tuesday night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But the meeting which was to broker a truce among the contestants of the ticket ended in fiasco.<br/><br /><br/><br />In an interview with the cable Network on the issue of consensus, Atiku said the idea of withdrawal does not arise at the moment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“No, I don’t think so. The issue of withdrawal at this moment is not on the table because as candidates we have not met; let’s say the five of us. Before you talk of withdrawal, before you talk of consensus, the candidates must meet as a group. And when they meet as a group all of them must submit to a consensus process.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They must also agree what is going to be the mode of the consensus process. How are we going to get a candidate to emerge? So there has to be process, there has to be willingness of all the parties. At the moment, none. We have not even met; five of us, not to talk of agreeing to a consensus option. I would like to say, perhaps, we have passed the consensus option, because this is an option that did not go through the national working committee, did not go through the NEC.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“So, I think if it did go through all these statutory structures then there is a very slim chance, unless out of the willingness of five us we decide to sit down and produce a process that will throw up a consensus candidate”, he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The former Vice President said he was prepared for the party’s primaries, saying he was not green horn in the game of politics.<br/><br /><br/><br />“I am really prepared for the primary because this is a game that I have participated in more than the others. In other words, I have been involved in primary election since the early 90s, and that has given me a lot of experience when it comes to primaries whether they are direct or indirect because we have participated in both types of primaries.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The perception that the ticket is there for Buhari to take is a mistaken perception because Buhari has never participated in any primaries. In the three elections he contested he was simply given the tickets. He did not go through any primaries. I believe that is not going to be helpful to him in this very case.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“As of today, among the five of us who are going to participate in the primaries I am the only one who is running around the country. Nobody else is doing that. Nowadays delegates have become more enlightened than before. Most of them are very educated and most of them want to engage their candidates in discussions on what is it they have for them, for the electorate and for party. If they have not seen you, not to talk of interacting with you, how would they vote for you?<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He continued: “Secondly, this is not a party that is dominated by the influence of governors. In other words, the governors trying to force delegates to vote even against their own conscience like it happens in the PDP. This is a party that wants to bring about change. And that really wants to allow people to make choices based on their own convictions.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“So I have seen in a few states where we have governors; where I was very well received, and I had access to all the delegates, to talk to them, interact with them, and also to listen to all their own problems, and I like it and enjoyed it because you get to know quite a lot of things. You think you know all the problems, but when get down the bottom-line and then you begin to listen to ordinary people who live ordinary lives and you find there is a lot you learn.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I think all these experiences give me confidence that I have an edge over the rest of them. I know it is not easy. It is difficult. The physical terrain, going round the country is not good particularly, in terms of the road infrastructure, very bad roads. And you fly all over. I have never seen an election period so short like this one. So, for you to be able to cover the entire country, you need to be flying, sometimes covering two or three states in a day. Thank God most of the states I have covered them. The only thing is that you cannot stay too late because when it is dark most of the airports don’t operate. Only few airports operate in the night in this country.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Asked whether he would support General Mohammed Buhari should the lot finally fall on him, Atiku said he had done it before.<br/><br /><br/><br />“I think I have proved that I am a pragmatic politician. Recall that in 2010 when I failed to get the PDP ticket against President Jonathan, I and others went to try to bring about an electoral alliance between the CPC and ACN.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“And even when Buhari eventually disappointed a group of us, myself, General Babangida, General Aliyu Gusau and Mallam Adamu Ciroma, I still went out of my way to support Buhari even in CPC. So for me it is not a big deal. I think I’m a pragmatic politician and I don’t know of others. What I know is that we have an understanding to support one another. I don’t know of the rest, but I can say of myself, I can support anyone that emerges”, he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

APC primaries: I can’t step down for anybody – Atiku

Against every expectation that the five presidential aspirants in the All Progressive Congress, APC, would reach a consensus on who beco...

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APC challenges Jonathan - 'Expose and prosecute Boko Haram sponsors now'

<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 /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1GTaw1k" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://ift.tt/1xwG2Nu" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The All Progressives Congress has challenged the Federal Government to not only expose, but also prosecute sponsors of the Boko Haram Sect.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, threw this challenge at a press briefing on the state of the nation, in Abuja, on Thursday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He was responding to a pronouncement by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, would not hand over power to sponsors of the sect.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Akpabio, had while addressing supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, during President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration, said, “The opposition is fighting a selfish war; they are coming to distablise Nigeria. We will not hand over this country to blackmailers; we will not hand over this country to sponsors of terrorism.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In response, Oyegun said, “A few days ago, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State pronounced that they were not going to handover to sponsors of Boko Haram. PDP knows who the sponsors of Boko Haram are, why are they not tackling them? Why are they not arraigning them before the courts of law?<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Tell us who are those behind this? The Boko Haram issue is now being exploited for political advantage. The more they are allowed to progress, the more the people of this nation will feel the necessity to cling to the apron strings of a failed government.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Who is profiting? Who stands to benefit if three APC states are unable to effectively participate in the elections come February 15? Why is it that they (PDP) have repeatedly made this endless claim that they know those who are behind Boko Haram?”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He wondered why the insurgents could capture Mubi with ease. Oyegun asked why troops were withdrawn from the town shortly before the capture of the town.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The national chairman asked the federal government to wipe out the insurgents if that is what is required to end the insurgency.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

APC challenges Jonathan - 'Expose and prosecute Boko Haram sponsors now'

The All Progressives Congress has challenged the Federal Government to not only expose, but also prosecute sponsors of the Boko Haram Sec...

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Amnesty International tackles Shell over oil spill claims

<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/1xwG2Nk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://ift.tt/1GTatmq" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A humanitarian organisation, Amnesty International, on Thursday alleged that Shell repeatedly made false claims about the size and impact of two major oil spills at Bodo, Rivers State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a report on its website, the non-governmental organisation claimed that court documents showed that the multinational company tried to minimise its compensation payments and Shell had known for years that its pipelines in the Niger Delta were old and faulty.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The potential repercussions, according to Amnesty, are that hundreds of thousands of people may have been denied or underpaid compensation based on similar underestimates of other spills.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The report read in part, “The irrefutable evidence that Shell underestimated the Bodo spills emerged in a UK legal action brought by 15,000 people whose livelihoods were reportedly devastated by oil pollution in 2008.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The court action has forced Shell to finally admit the company has underplayed the true magnitude of at least two spills and the extent of damage caused.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the report, the non-governmental organisation’s Director for Global Issues, Audrey Gaughran, was quoted as saying, “Amnesty International firmly believes Shell knew the Bodo data were wrong. If it did not it was scandalously negligent – we repeatedly gave them evidence showing they had dramatically underestimated the spills.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Shell has refused to engage with us and only now that they find themselves in a UK court have they been forced to come clean.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The report further alleged that Shell’s joint investigation report for the first oil spill in the Bodo area of the Niger Delta had claimed only 1,640 barrels of oil were spilt in total, but that based on an independent assessment published by a US firm, Accufacts Inc., Amnesty International calculated the total amount of oil spilt exceeded 100,000 barrels.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Shell, according to the report, denied the allegation and repeatedly defended its far lower figure.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“For years, Shell has dictated the assessment of volume spilled and damage caused in spill investigation reports, now these reports aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. These spill investigation reports have cheated whole communities out of proper compensation,” Gaughran was quoted as saying.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to Amnesty, the “Joint Investigation Visit” reports decide whether a community gets any compensation and the amount they receive. They reportedly also determine the extent of the clean-up required.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The people of Bodo were said to have been able to take legal action in the UK, but that the vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of people in the Niger Delta who suffer oil spills from Shell’s operations would never have this opportunity to challenge the oil giant.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Pollution from Shell’s operations has wrecked people’s homes, farms and fishing waters – their ability to send their children to school and put food on the table,” Gaughran reportedly said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Amnesty International tackles Shell over oil spill claims

A humanitarian organisation, Amnesty International, on Thursday alleged that Shell repeatedly made false claims about the size and impact ...

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Boko Haram: Nigeria turns to Russia for arms as US refuses to sell

<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'><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1ugRQn8"><img alt="image" class="alignnone size-full" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1ugRNHX" title="Nigeria-Russia.jpg"/> </a> </p><br /><p>The Nigerian Military has turned to Russia for arms supply following an arms embargo by the United States government.</p><br /><p>It is however unclear at this time is the Russian government has agreed to supply weapons to Nigeria.</p><br /><p>A source in the military said a delegation has headed to Russia for talks on the arms purchase, and if all goes according to plan, orders for war planes, helicopters and other equipments will be made.</p><br /><p>“The US has refused to sell arms and lethal equipment to Nigeria to prosecute the war against Boko Haram.</p><br /><p>“The US, instead, prefers to concentrate on assistance to Nigeria to consolidate its democracy.</p><br /><p>“We have had pilots trained in the US. We train our military pilots in the US. They come to Nigeria for conversion.</p><br /><p>“The Federal Government has no choice than to look elsewhere for war planes, helicopters and lethal equipment against Boko Haram insurgents.</p><br /><p>“We have opened up negotiation with Russia for arms bailout. We want to buy military hardwares from them,” the source said.</p><br /><p>“More countries are also interested in assisting us. We need this help urgently now,” he added.</p><br /><p>It would be recalled that Nigeria’s ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, on Tuesday, criticised the US over its refusal to sell arms to the Federal Government. The US government however on Wednesday denied such claims and said they have assisted Nigeria a great deal in the fight against Boko Haram.</p><br /></div>

Boko Haram: Nigeria turns to Russia for arms as US refuses to sell

The Nigerian Military has turned to Russia for arms supply following an arms embargo by the United States government. It is however unclea...

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El-Rufai mocks Jonathan with a cartoon

<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/1v6Wq9E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://ift.tt/1sJ4FBk" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kaduna state governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has mocked Goodluck Jonathan led Federal government handling of insurgency in the Northern part of the country.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The social media critic posted a cartoon titled ‘Litany of confusion’ on his twitter handle, @elrufai, lambasting the series of confusion in the handling of the dreaded boko haram insurgents that has killed more than ten thousand Nigerians, taken over towns in some states in Northern Nigeria and kidnapped school’s children.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He made reference to the purported ceasefire agreement which was denied by the leaders of boko haram, the abduction of policemen in Gwoza, the $1 billion loan to fight boko haram and the death of Shekau among others.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />See the cartoon below...<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1sJ4FBm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://ift.tt/1v6Wq9I" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

El-Rufai mocks Jonathan with a cartoon

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kaduna state governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mal...

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People run away from me when I return to France because of Ebola – Enyeama

<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'><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1ugNVXt"><img alt="image" class="alignnone size-full" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1ugNVXv" title="vincent-enyeama_189v9kh72kc7j1e0pmancyl0so.jpg"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Nigeria skipper Vincent Enyeama has revealed that his French club Lille monitor him for three weeks for Ebola Virus Disease every time he returns from international duty, AfricanFootball.com reports.</p><br /><p>“My club monitors me for three weeks any time I return from Nigeria because of Ebola and nobody wants to sit around you or shake you then,” AfricanFootball.com quotes Enyeama as saying.</p><br /><p>“But I must now commend the Nigerian government for the massive effort they put up to eradicate it from the country and get an approval from the WHO (World Health Organisation).”</p><br /><p>However, Enyeama maintained that if he had his way, AFCON 2015 will still be shifted to a later date because of the Ebola disease.</p><br /><p>“If I were CAF, I will suspend the tournament because it is difficult to contain. But if we qualified, I will play in the tournament,” he said.</p><br /><p>Meanwhile, Enyeama has continued to train fully with the rest of the Eagles squad despite nursing a strain on his right shoulder.</p><br /></div>

People run away from me when I return to France because of Ebola – Enyeama

Nigeria skipper Vincent Enyeama has revealed that his French club Lille monitor him for three weeks for Ebola Virus Disease every time he ...

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The electorate will decide my successor - Akpabio

<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/1oRKgi5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://ift.tt/1EGRwRT" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />he Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, has said that he will hand over the mantle of leadership to any Akwa Ibom child the people choose to be their governor.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Akpabio, who was responding to interviewer questions on African Independent Television, which was monitored by our correspondent, on Thursday, stated that the success of his administration in the state is owed to legislators who approved 80 per cent capital and 20 per cent recurrent expenditure consistently for seven years.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On the 2015 governorship ticket that is currently generating tension in the state, Akpabio said, “If anybody tells you that there is any governor who is not interested in who takes over from him, that person is lying but the approach differs from state to state. Like in my state, I have identified about three young men who have had the privilege of working with me in my executive.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Three of them have bought forms to contest for the governorship. One of them is Udom Emmanuel. He served as Secretary to Government. He was an Executive Director in Zenith Bank and also Director in African Finance Corporation. He is quite an intelligent young man. He walked his way up. He is from Akwa Ibom State and today he has bought the form and resigned as Secretary to Government.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I also have an Attorney-General that I call a gentleman. One of the most brilliant lawyers that we have in the state, his name is Ekpenyong Ntekim. He has also bought the form to try his luck.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I have another young man called Barr. Effiong Abia. He served as my Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He walked with me as secretary of the Traditional Rulers’ Council when I served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs many years ago. He also served under me as Secretary, Finance and General Purpose Committee. He has also bought the form. These three are well known to me and I am encouraging them,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

The electorate will decide my successor - Akpabio

he Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, has said that he will hand over the mantle of leadership to any Akwa Ibom child the peo...

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