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Showing posts from September, 2013

Cameroon polls marred by complaints

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Cameroonians voted Monday in polls designed to shore up the parliamentary majority of President Paul Biya's ruling party and consolidate his three decades in power, as international observers complained of irregularities. Voting in the central African country ended at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT), but few people were observed casting ballots by an AFP correspondent in the capital Yaounde as the final count began by candlelight. One observer from the Lawyers Without Borders organisation said they had seen incidents where voters' names and numbers did not match those marked on the electoral roll. "It is almost certain that there will be an impact on the final numbers," the unnamed observer said. "A number of liberties were taken with the requirements of good practice," he added, saying that some voters were not guaranteed total secrecy to cast their vote. "I've just seen that the number on my voter's card is not the same as the one next to my na

Palestinians 'hit' by Israeli fire in Gaza----army

Israeli soldiers shot and "hit" two Palestinians as they tried to cut through the security fence separating Israel from the Gaza Strip on Monday, an army spokesman said. But it was not immediately clear if the Palestinians were wounded or killed in the shooting near the Beit Hanun area of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, the Israeli official added. Soldiers had opened fire at the Palestinians when they approached the fence and "hit" them when they began to cut the metal barrier. Palestinian security sources said ambulances rushed to the area in the Beit Hanun district of Gaza, but were unable to give further details. The sources said that the Israeli army had also fired a shell at the district.

Abuja-bound Ethiopian Airline with 200 passengers develops technical hitch

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(Nigeria) No fewer than 200 passengers on board an Ethiopian Airlines flight, escaped unhurt after their Nigeria-bound flight developed problems shortly after take-off. The ET 911 flight, heading for Abuja, took-off from the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa on Monday. Amb. Peter Iyamabo, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa, who confirmed the incident, told News Agency of Nigeria that the aircraft developed a technical problem shortly after taking-off at 9: 40 a.m. Ethiopian time. He said that some of the passengers boarded the same aircraft to Nigeria after it was repaired, while five of them rescheduled their flight to Tuesday. Effort to contact the Airlines Head of Information and Communications, Mrs Esete Yeshitila failed as she promised to call and provide more information about the development.

We started the struggle for Jonathan’s presidency-------Senator Magnus Abe

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…as Ogonis drum up support for Amaechi (Nigeria) The Senator representing Rivers South East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe has stated that President Goodluck Jonathan became Nigeria’s president from the South-South only after intense struggle for the position by eminent Rivers sons and other notable personalities from the South-South region. Senator Abe disclosed this when he spoke at the weekend at the third synod of St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, Bera Deanery and at a sensitization rally at Methodist Secondary School field, Bean, in Gokana and Khana Local Government areas respectively. According to him, the need to restructure the country propelled the agitation for a South-South president. This was as support soared for the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr  Rotimi Amaechi at the Ogoni sensitisation rally held in Bean in Khana Local Government Area of the state. Abe and other stakeholders at the Ogoni rally assure

53-year-old man held for alleged incest with 2 daughters

(Nigeria) A 53-year-old man, has been arrested by police in Lokoja, Kogi State, for allegedly indulging in sexual intercourse with his two daughters aged 15 years and 20 years. The state Acting Commissioner of Police , Mr Austin Ebvakhavbokun, told newsmen in Lokoja on Monday that the suspect was caught in the act by his son who later reported the matter to the police. He said the man gave himself out when he threatened to kill his son for his audacity to challenge him. According to him, the threat made the son, a secondary school student, to report the matter to the police. "Detectives immediately rushed to the scene to arrest the suspect,'' the police chief said. Police said investigations revealed that the suspect had been involved in serial sexual acts with his daughters for the past 10 years. The suspect when interviewed by newsmen, admitted having sex with his daughters to cure " their slimming ailment." He claimed that the sex cure was reco

Cameroon votes amid accusations of electoral flaws

Cameroon's 5.6 million registered voters on Monday elected a new parliament and municipal councils, amid accusations of a flawed electoral process. The ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, the main opposition Social Democratic Front and 41 other parties are contesting 180 seats in parliament, as well as 360 municipal council posts. The polls are expected to confirm the ruling party's strong parliamentary majority. Voting took place peacefully in the West African nation, which is rich in oil and cocoa. However, numerous opposition politicians and voters at polling stations across the capital, Yaounde, reported errors in the electoral roll. ``I noticed that there was confusion in the routing of ballot papers. I was supposed to vote in section Yaounde IV, but the ballot papers for Yaounde V were at my polling station", said one voter, Serge Tientcheu, who was unable cast his vote due to the mix-up. At other polling stations in the capital, voters said

Nigerian oil Union urges FG to tackle insecurity to avoid job losses in oil sector

(Nigeria) The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, on Monday said more jobs might be lost in 2014 if insecurity in oil and gas sector was not tackled. The President of PENGASSAN, Mr Babatunde Ogun, made the observation in a statement in Lagos. According to the statement, the actions of the Federal Government to reduce oil theft and kidnapping of oil workers thus far were inadequate. ``Investors are moving from Nigeria to more investment friendly nations in Africa because of inadequate security of personnel and infrastructural assets. About 20 thousand jobs will be lost by the first quarter of 2014, if divestment continues at this rate,’’ the statement warned. The statement said said that there had been no investments in the sector by the international oil companies in the last two years because of the delay in passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. The statement called on President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle the issue so that it would

Woman, 43, seeks divorce from blind husband

(Nigeria) Lami Shebu, 43, on Monday appeared in a Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, seeking divorce from her blind husband, Ibrahim, 56, of same address. She told the court that she was no longer interested in the marriage. ``I have lost love for him. I just want to be free from this bondage called marriage,” she submitted. The husband was not present in court. After listening to her complaints, the presiding officer, Malam Danladi Musa, adjourned the case to October 4. Musa said that he adjourned the case to enable the court hear the husband’s response.  

6 pregnant teenagers charged with trading in babies

(Nigeria) Six pregnant teenagers were on Monday arraigned in an Umuahia Magistrate Court, Abia State on a two-count-charge of conspiracy to commit felony, buying and selling newly-born babies. Four of the teenagers, Blessing David, Chikodi Samuel, Mercy Dickson and  Miracle Ifeanyi, appeared in court while Goodluck Erondu and Happiness Chinemerem were absent. The prosecutor, Insp. Agwu Okoronkwo, told the court that the fifth and sixth accused were not in court as they had given birth while in custody. Okoronkwo applied that the names of the two be deleted from the charge pending  the time that they would be fit to stand trial. The teenagers and one Isaac Okwuonu, a medical doctor, now at large, were said to have, between July and September, at Isaac Okwuonu Memorial Hospital, Ogbor Hill, Aba, conspired to commit felony and trade in newly-born babies. When the charges were read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.  Mr Ogbonnaya Nwannunu, the co

Okiro directs I-G to investigate alleged molestation of a female officer

(Nigeria) The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Mike Okiro, has directed the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the alleged humiliation and stripping of a female police officer in Onitsha, Anambra State. This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja by Mr Ferdinand Ekpe, the spokesman of the commission. The chairman asked the IG to thoroughly probe the alleged act said to have been committed by a businessman, and report the findings to the Commission. Okiro, who warned that the Commission would no longer condone lawlessness, including cases of extra-judicial killings or acts of incivility, also advised the public not to disrespect and molest police officers and men. He enjoined officers not to be deterred by attacks but to continue to discharge their duties as the commission was determined to give them maximum support.

86 suspects still in detention over communal feud in Ebonyi --- lawmaker

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(Nigeria) Chief Chijioke Enyi, the Minority Leader of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, said on that 86 Ezza indigenes were still in detention at the Abakaliki prisons over the Ezza/Ezillo communal crisis. The crisis between both neighbours which started since 2010, had claimed hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira. Enyi (ANPP Ezza North-West) said at  the plenary of the assembly which resumed sitting after a long break, that the detainees were members of his constituency held without trial. “They were arrested after the Dec. 31, 2011 killing of over 66 Ezillo indigenes, which included mainly the aged, women and children. This situation is appalling as it infringes on the fundamental rights of these people, who have the constitutional rights to fair and speedy trial, if accused of conspiracy in such crime.” Enyi, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Public Utilities, called on the state government to ensure the immediate release of the detainees. He ur

Fashola urges stiffer penalties for drug peddlers

(Nigeria) Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Monday said that stiffer penalties should be put in place for drug traffickers and manufacturers to achieve success in the fight against drug peddlers. The governor made the statement when he received the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, at the Government House, Ikeja. He said that the drug trade was "too dangerous" to be treated with a kid gloves, noting that the country's anti-drug law must be made more punitive to fight the menace. According to him, drug trafficking and use often motivate terrorism and other violent crimes.  "I support calls and campaigns for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, manufacturers and others who are one way or the other engaged in this unhealthy trade. In the face of increasing national and global insecurity, it is impossible not to put a sharper focus on the role drugs play in the conduct of those who perpetrate crimes. &quo

APGA is ready for Anambra governorship election -- party chieftain

(Nigeria) The FCT Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Steve Emele, has expressed the party’s readiness for the Anambra governorship elections scheduled for November 16. Emele expressed the readiness in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria, in Abuja. He said that the party’s chances of winning the election were very "bright" because the party had performed very well  in the state as could be attested to by the people. `` That is why the party will not leave any stone unturned until victory is achieved. In short, APGA is fully prepared and we are sure of doing once again what we know better, in Anambra and in other states,” he assured. The party chairman promised that if the party wins again, it will continue with the good work of the governor of state, Mr Peter Obi. He, however, urged INEC to place the interest of the electorate above other interest in the discharge of its responsibilities to ensure “free, fair and credible polls.”

Mark, Ekweremadu say Nigeria is making progress at 53

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(Nigeria) The Senate President, David Mark, says Nigeria has made appreciable progress worth commending, in spite of the challenges confronting her as an Independent nation. Mark made the remark in his good will message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, on Monday in Abuja, to mark Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary. He said that although Nigeria had yet to achieve all, it had, however, recorded great achievements.  "We are yet to get to the level of our dreams, but nobody can deny the fact that we have recorded some land mark achievements since the colonial masters left our shores. “Besides the infrastructural development across the country, we now have skilled and qualified manpower in virtually all fields of human endeavour,” he said. He called for support and cooperation of all Nigerians in the task of nation-building that, saying, "all of us may not be good doctors, lawyers, writers or engineers but we can all contribute our quota. &quo

Nigeria must protect students following university killings--Amnesty

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(Nigeria) Authorities in Nigeria must take urgent measures to protect schools and students in the north-east of the country following a fresh attack by unknown gunmen that left dozens dead, Amnesty International said. “Since 2012, we have seen an escalation of lethal attacks against students and schools. On top of the tragic loss of life children are being prevented from accessing education. It is high time for the authorities not only to investigate these deplorable incidents and take those responsible to justice but to take measures to prevent them,” said Lucy Freeman, Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International. The attack took place at 1 am on Sunday when gunmen entered the compound of the College of Agriculture in Yobe State and opened fire on students. Several individuals told Amnesty International the attackers ordered students to assemble and then opened fire on them. One resident of Damaturu said that on Sunday they counted 62 bodies at the Sani Abacha General

Fashola's apology to Ndigbo over deportation, belated ----Nwosu

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(Nigeria) A factional governorship candidate of  Labour Party, LP in Anambra State,  Mr Peter Nwosu, has described as belated,  the apology rendered to Ndigbo by the Lagos State governor,  Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN over the recent deportation of Igbo people from the state to Bridge Head, Onitsha. Speaking with newsmen in Awka, Anambra State, Nwosu said the action of Fashola had political undertone, saying that the apology that was coming after so long a time was because of the governorship election in Anambra state scheduled for November 16, which his party, All Progressive Congress, APC would participate. "I make bold to say that the apology to the Igbo people last week by the Lagos state governor, chief Babatunde Fashola on account of our brothers and sisters he deported from his state is belated. In fact, it is medicine after death." He added that the Igbo had had enough of such humiliation from other tribes in the country, adding that  the Igbo people would no l

Electricity workers protest handing over of PHCN to new investors

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(Nigeria) Some disengaged workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, in Lagos and Edo State on Monday staged protests over non-payment of their terminal benefits before handing over to the new investors. President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday handed over the certificates and licence to buyers of successor companies of PHCN. The gesture signaled the government’s disengagement from the management of the plants. The Federal Government would, however, continue to oversee the transmission network in the interim. All the PHCN offices in Lagos were under lock and key, while the workers, serving or retired, carried placards with various inscriptions demanding for payment of their benefits. Some of the inscriptions read: ``Pay our money; we are ready to leave, “Over 50 per cent of workers’ benefits are still outstanding” and “FG should pay us before handing over.” In Auchi, the workers also stormed the major streets calling on the Federal Government to pay

Gunmen kill 3 Egyptian policemen, militants post video

Gunmen killed three policemen in Egypt's volatile Sinai Peninsula on Monday, security sources said. A militant group released a video of a deadly drive-by shooting of a man identified as an army colonel. The Sinai has become a major security headache for the Egyptian authorities since the army overthrew elected President, Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July. Almost daily attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants have killed more than 100 members of the security forces since Morsi's ouster, said the Army spokesman on September 15. Instability in the Sinai worries western governments because the region borders Israel and flanks the strategic Suez Canal, the quickest sea route between Asia and Europe. The Sinai is also difficult to police because it borders the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Hamas group, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptian army says that Gaza-based militants take part in attacks over the border and accuses Hamas of doing too

N10.9b theft: EFCC asks court to dismiss Nwosu's no-case submission

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(Nigeria) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday urged a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja to dismiss the no-case submission filed by a former Managing Director of Finbank (now FCMB), Okey Nwosu, and three others. Counsel to the EFCC, made the submission in his reply to the applications before Justice Lateefat Okunnu seeking to stop the trial of the accused. Nwosu is standing trial with three former directors of the bank -- Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike. The EFCC had arraigned the managing director and the directors over alleged stealing of N10.9 billion, property of Finbank. EFCC, which argued that a prima facie case had been established against the accused, said they had a case to answer. It added  it had been established that Nwosu granted loans without the approval of the bank's board of directors. According to the EFCC lawyer, the funds were used to purchase the bank’s shares which were later allotted to the accu

Egyptian court upholds jail term for Morsi's PM

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An Egyptian court on Monday upheld a one-year prison sentence against former Prime Minister Hisham Kandil, who headed the government of deposed President Mohamed Morsi. Kandil was sentenced in April before Morsi's July 3 downfall for failing to implement a court ruling to renationalise a textile company sold off by the administration of Hosni Mubarak. Judge Khaled Hassan said the prison sentence must now be carried out. Morsi appointed Kandil in July 2012 after the Muslim Brotherhood politician won Egypt's first freely contested presidential election. Morsi was deposed by the army on July 3 after mass protests against his rule and had been in detention, charged with crimes including inciting the killing of protesters. The sentence against Kandil related to a 2011 court ruling demanding the government to repurchase textile company Tanta Flax and Oils from a Saudi Arabian investor who bought it in 2005. Officials in the Kandil government said renationalising state

APC to Boko Haram: Lay down your arms, embrace dialogue

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(Nigeria) Opposition political party in Nigeria, All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on Boko Haram to immediately cease all attacks and embrace dialogue in the interest of national peace and security, following what is undoubtedly a resurgence of deadly attacks believed to be perpetrated by the sect. In a statement in Warri, Delta State on Monday by its Interim National Publicity, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party strongly condemned the latest of such attacks that left many students of the College of Agriculture in Yobe State dead and injured on Sunday, calling the killings dastardly, senseless and indefensible. It called on traditional, religious, political and opinion leaders in the affected areas to intervene urgently to end the cycle of violence being perpetrated by the sect. ''It is clear that this Boko Haram menace cannot be resolved by the government alone, hence all stakeholders must urgently intervene to complement government's efforts to end the insu

2 police officers killed, one injured in militant attack on Sinai

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Two police officers were killed and one was injured on Monday in an Islamist attack on the Sinai Peninsula, reports ITAR-TASS. Al-Mayadin TV channel reports that the policemen were ambushed near the provincial capital of North Sinai - the city of El-Arish. Gunmen opened fire on law enforcement officers and fled in a car. As the Egyptian security forces noted, military checkpoints in the cities of El-Arish and Sheikh Zuveyd have also been attacked with fire.  Five people were injured as a result of the attacks. After the July 3 overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the army of Egypt the situation regarding security escalated. Since then, only on the Sinai Peninsula, where extremist groups intensified their activity after the ex-president’s removal, more than a hundred of security forces officers were killed.

Damascus under mortar bombardment

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Several districts of Syria’s capital have been bombarded by mortar shells on Monday. According to initial reports, two shells exploded near the Tishreen Palace, residence for the President of Syria in Muhajreen district, reports Itar-Tass. The shell landed in a park in direct vicinity of the president’s residents. Nearby upscale Al Malki neighborhood, housing several diplomatic missions, including China’s and Iraq’s embassies, was also bombed by militants. The attack resulted in a fire which spread to a residential building and parked cars near the Iraqi residence. Last Thursday a mortar shell landed on the territory of the Iraqi embassy in Damascus. According to Al Arabiya TV channel reports, the only victim of the incident became a female citizen of Iraq. The shell hit the visitors’ hall of the diplomatic mission, injuring three people. China’s embassy and its adjacent territory was also bombed. According China’s Central Television, explosion of one mortar shell in

At least 27 killed, 129 wounded in Baghdad car bombings

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At least 27 people were killed and 129 others wounded in a series of car bomb explosions across the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Monday, sources said, reports Xinhua. A total of 12 car bombings ripped through nine districts in Baghdad, an interior ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. An earlier report said that five car bombs went off in Baghdad, killing 13 people and wounding 55. Three people were killed and 10 wounded when a car bomb went off in the Shiite bastion of Sadr City district in eastern Baghdad, the source told Xinhua. Another car bomb was detonated in the southeastern New Baghdad district, killing two people and wounding 11 others, the source said. Four more people were killed and 12 wounded in a car bomb in Baghdad northern district of Kadhmiyah. Meanwhile, a car bomb exploded in the northern suburb of Sabie al-Bour, killing three people and wounding 13, he added. A fifth car bomb struck the eastern al-Baladiyat district and killed a civili

Lawyer sues FRSC over new number plates

(Nigeria) A lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Ofoegbu, on Monday, filed a suit before a Federal High Court Lagos, against the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, challenging the issuance of new plate numbers for motorists. The applicant is seeking a declaration that the threat by the respondents to arrest and impound the vehicles of motorists, who failed to acquire the new numbers from October 1, is unconstitutional. In his statement of facts, the applicant averred that the old plate numbers were issued under the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations, NRTR, 2004. He said that the NRTR 2004, is a subsidiary legislation made under the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Act, Laws of the Federation as revised in 2004. According to the applicant, the NRTR 2012, in Regulations 230 (2), provides that the revocation of the 2004 Regulations, shall not affect anything done, or purported to be done pursuant to that Regulation. Ofoegbu averred that there is no law made in accordan

Kogi Deputy Gov escapes unhurt in road accident

(Nigeria) Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, the Kogi Deputy Governor, on Sunday escaped unhurt in an accident which involved his convoy on the Abuja-Lokoja highway. A statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, said an escort van in the convoy ran into two stationary vehicles which were involved in an earlier accident. The affected vehicles, a Mercedes Benz jeep with Lagos registration number, YAB 966 AQ and a Honda Accord with Lagos registration number LND 742 BE had earlier collided before the van ran into them near Kwali. The statement which said the driver of the Honda Accord lost control while trying to overtake the Mercedes Benz added that Awoniyi, who was on his way to Lokoja after an official engagement in Abuja, escaped unhurt. Abu disclosed that those in the escort van sustained minor injuries along with four policemen and were receiving treatment at the Kwali General Hospital and were responding to treatments.

Jesse Jackson says US should end embargo on Cuba

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United States civil rights leader Jesse Jackson urged the United States to end its decades-old sanctions regime on Communist Cuba, official media said Sunday. Jackson made the remarks at Ebenezer Baptist church in Havana's Mariano neighborhood, the official news agency Prensa Latina reported. The United States has had a full economic embargo clamped on Havana since 1961.  The US sanctions have outlived the Cold War and have not brought down the Communist Cuban government now led by President Raul Castro, 82. The United States has said that when Cuba has multiparty elections, it will engage with that government. But the current Cuban government rejects any suggestion of a multiparty system. On his third visit to Cuba, it was not immediately clear if Jackson would meet with Cuban authorities. But on Saturday he agreed to a request from Colombian guerrillas to help mediate the release of a US military veteran the rebels captured in June. In a statement published on t

Gunfire stops after attack on Malian soldiers---Official

A firefight between gunmen and Malian soldiers in the northern rebel stronghold of Kidal came to an end on Sunday with several casualties, the regional government told AFP. A group of men identified by governor Adama Kamissoko's offices as rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad had exchanged fire with the army in the city centre for more than an hour. "The shooting has stopped. The Malian army is in control of its positions," a close aide to the governor told AFP. The aide said troops from the French-led Operation Serval mission fighting armed Islamists and United Nations peacekeepers had been deployed to protect the town hall, where Kamissoko lives and works. "There are some wounded, but I do not know on which side," he added.

Plane skids off runway at Rome airport

A plane skidded off the runway at Rome's Fiumicino airport on Sunday after its landing gear malfunctioned during a thunderstorm but no one was injured, Italian news agency ANSA reported. The plane, an Airbus A320 belonging to flagship carrier Alitalia and flying in from Madrid, had 151 passengers on board. It could be seen lying on its side near the runway, the report said. The national air transport safety agency said it had opened an investigation into the incident and dispatched two officers to examine the plane.

Nigeria is not an accident or a mistake - Jonathan

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(Nigeria) President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday declared that the amalgamation of Nigeria by Lord Lugard was not a mistake and called for caution on the convocation of sovereign national conference. The President said this on Sunday at the 53rd Independence anniversary Interdenominational Service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja. Jonathan said that the 1914 amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates of Nigeria by the then British colonial master, Lord Lugard, was neither an accident nor a mistake. He said that the amalgamation was an act of God designed to bring together the nation’s diversity for positive purposes. ``As we look up to our Centenary celebration, there are quite a number of questions people ask themselves. People asked, may be Lord Lugard made a mistake to amalgamate the Northern and Southern parts of the country. ``This informed why some talk about sovereign national conference and so on and so forth. But those who are Christians know that

Flood destroys property in Umuahia

(Nigeria) A heavy downpour in Umuahia and its surrounding villages in Abia State, on Saturday destroyed many houses and other structures worth millions of naira. At some of the affected areas, traders' wares were also washed off. It was also observed that many people missed Church services as they were busy sorting out valuables from the debris of collapsed structures. Mrs Victoria Ijeoma, of 46 Lagos Street, Umuahia, said that she lost more than N100,000 to the flood that ``swept out everything in the house’’. ``My room was submerged by the flood; I lost my clothes, money and other household items. At the moment, I don’t have anything to eat because the flood carried my pot of soup and the other food items I have in this house. That is why I did not go to Church today,” she said. Mrs Chinansa Oluchukwu, a widow and mother of four, said that she also lost everything in her room, including her children’s school books and uniforms. `We want the government and other good peo

Ibori assests case: Delta State did not funs Ibori's alleged assets----Defence

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...We  agree, but Delta was uncooperative---British Police At the weekend, the British Metropolitan Police investigators into the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori case agreed that they never questioned any Delta State official about any missing funds nor linked any property of Ibori as having been bought with the state’s money. Buffeted by a barrage of questions from Ibori’s legal team, the man who lead the investigation against Ibori, Police Detective Mr. Peter Clark, said “I agree, however, we were unable to ask Delta State Government because Delta State was uncooperative.” The reply came after a series of questions were fired at Clark, a prime prosecution witness, in relation to Ibori’s property having a link with Delta state funds in any way and even in some of the charges Ibori had already pleaded guilty to. Led by Mr. Ivan Krolic, QC, Obori’s lead counsel in the asset confiscation hearing put it to the court “that in confiscation cases, the issue

42 killed, 63 wounded in violence in Iraq

At least 42 people were killed and 63 wounded in violent attacks in Iraq on Sunday, government sources said. Up to 30 people were killed and about 40 wounded in a suicide bombing attack against a mosque in Mussaiyb town, south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Sunday, police said. A suicide bomber blew up himself before the sunset at a funeral held at al-Hussien mosque in Mussaiyb, some 50 km south of Baghdad, a local police source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, up to six people were killed in a series of explosions in the city of Arbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan on Sunday, a Kurdish official said. "The situation is under control of the security forces after they killed four terrorists and two suicide car bombers," Nozad Hadi, the governor of Arbil, told reporters without giving the number of casualties among civilians. Two people were killed and eight wounded when a car bomb went off in Husseiniyah district in