Obasanjo has broadened Africa’s democracy — Mandela

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FORMER South African president, Nelson Mandela has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a prominent role in actualising the survival of democracy not only in Africa, but also the world at large.
Mandela described Obasanjo’s outstanding leadership qualities as epochal, which he added, assisted him to restore democracy in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan.
The ex-South African leader made his stand known in the foreword he wrote in a two-volume book entitled Olusegun Obasanjo: The Presidential Legacy, 1999-2007 co-edited by Professor Oladipupo Akinkugbe and Ahmed Joda.

We can’t achieve our aim through violence – Boko Haram

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A splinter group of the Islamic Boko Haram group, led by Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Adam on Saturday insisted that it was ready to dialogue with government to the group’s current bloody campaign. 

Ibn Adam made the announcement at a news conference in Maiduguri. He said that the group had come to realise that it could not achieve its aim through violence.  “You will recall that we announced a cease fire last month as a precondition for talks with government. 

Primate of Anglican Church of Nigeria Tasks Bishops To ‘Resist Standardizing Homosexual Lifestyles’

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As Anglican Church of Nigeria Consecrates 3 New Bishops, Primate Charges Them Not To Condone Homosexual Marriage

Three new bishops were yesterday consecrated by the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, at the Cathedral of Saint Jude, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Ebute-Meta.

The three new bishops are the Very Rev. Simeon O. Borokini, as Bishop of Akure. He was until his election, Provost of the Cathedral Church of St. David, Akure; Ven. James O. Odedeji, as Bishop of Lagos. He was formerly the Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja and Ven. Geoffrey E. Okoroafor, as Bishop of Egbu. He was the former Vicar of Zion Anglican Church and Archdeacon of Okpala Archdeaconry.

In his message, the primate charged the new bishops to “concentrate on the spread of the gospel, maintain high standard of morality among the people and to, in every way, resist the attempt to make homosexual lifestyle a standard in the church.”

Teenager Shoots 12-Year-Old To Death In Osun

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A 15-year-old boy, Mojoyinoluwa Abioye, shot his 12-year-old friend, Timilehin Oguntoye, to death while playing with a loaded locally-made gun at Akiriboto in Osun State.

It was learnt that the incident happened on Saturday in the agrarian community in Ife-North Local Government Council.

A source explained that the incident, which threw the village into mourning, also caused pandemonium.

Man Beheads Wife After Fight In Delta State

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A mere misunderstanding that should have been considered normal between a man and his wife has resulted into serious tragedy in a one time peaceful home, as a middle aged woman, Ndidi Emeka Mordi, was brutally murdered by her husband, Chukwudi Mordia at their home in Egbudu-Aka town, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the couple had allegedly disagreed over an issue the previous night before the ugly incident happened.

It was learnt that Chukwudi woke up the next day and dealt severe machete cuts her wife, Ndidi before disappearing into thin air in order to avoid the wrath of the people.

Rapper Eva Writes Touching Tribute To Goldie

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How do i begin this? It is already too difficult to talk about you using words like ‘Was’ when i really want to say ‘is’ and ‘Would have been’ when my heart whispers ‘Would be’.

This is absolute insanity. How one minute you are here, vibrant, happy, excited about all the work you have mapped out for 2013. How you stayed cheering me on, telling me how you admire me, how you want to be there to help, you stoop low enough till I can hop on your back and bear my weight on your shoulders, regardless of the luggage you already have on yours.

‘Police foil terrorist attack in Minna’

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The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, AIG Suleiman Abba, has revealed that the zone foiled an attempt by a terrorist sect to attack, Minna, Niger State. Abba, whose zone covers FCT, Niger and Kaduna States, stated this while giving an insight into the activities of the zone at the zonal headquarters in Abuja. The AIG said policemen in Niger State had intercepted and arrested members of a terrorist sect operating in Minna, adding that they were on their way to receive their operational items for an attack when there were apprehended. According to him, “We have arrested these.

At least the level of security and safety has improved not only in the FCT but also in Niger and Kaduna. “This is as a result of not only the strategy that we have put in place but also the hard work of officers and men of the various commands, who have made diligent efforts in collaboration with members of the public to make sure that crime is brought to the barest minimum.” Earlier, the AIG presented cheques ranging from N500, 000 to N350, 000 to families of 33 deceased police officers in the zone. AIG Abba noted that what the families received was not commensurate, but urged them to put it into good use, saying it was a way the Nigeria Police could assist family members of their fallen colleagues.

Two Bankers Bag 2 Years Jail Term for Fraud

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Justice Dije Abdu Aboki on February 21, 2013 convicted and sentenced Funsho Olayele and Ayoade Peter Abiola to two years imprisonment with option of N410, 000 (Four Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira) fine each. The first accused was ordered to pay a compensation of N700, 000, while the second accused had already restituted the victim in the course of investigation.

The convicts, both former staff of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on six count charge of conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.

Boko Haram Shot Dead Five Persons Playing Cards In Gombe

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Suspected Boko Haram sect members last night shot dead five persons they found playing cards in Gombe, Gombe State. Several others were also seriously injured. Aside from the five that were confirmed dead, ten victims are reportedly in critical condition from bullet pellets that pieced their bodies. A security source told SaharaReporters that doctors in area hospitals were currently battling to save the lives of the injured.

How Gov. Peter Odili Stole ₦100 Billion Naira Of Rivers State Money and Put It In Arik Air, Thisday

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Ọmọ Oódua has obtained detailed draft charges that never made it to the courts regarding the brazen looting of Rivers State treasury by the state’s former governor, Peter Odili. The documents show how Mr. Odili used a combination of government officials and personal companies disguised as fronts to fleece Rivers State to the tune of N100 billion between 2004 and 2007.

Ọmọ Oódua analysis of the draft charges, which were prepared by well-known Nigerian lawyer Festus Keyamo on behalf of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the chairmanship of Mrs. Farida Waziri, reveal that, between December 2004 and September 2006, Emmanuel Nkatah, a personal staff of the governor operating at the Rivers State liaison office in Abuja, alone withdrew over N4 billion naira from Zenith Bank account No. 6010916567 which belonged to Rivers State Government House.

Goldie, Buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.

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The deceased, popularly known as Goldie, was buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.

The deceased’s colleagues in the industry such as Kenny Ogungbe, Denrele Edun, Essence, Kenny st Brown and Weird Mc.

Friends and family rendered written tributes to the 31-year-old whom they described as determined and loving.

One of such tributes was a written one from her husband, Andrew.

The Position of Authority in Nigeria Youth Unemployment

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It is the duty and responsibility of the government and different policy makers to provide such an environment and conditions which are conducive for the youth entrepreneurial activities. Different policy initiatives encourage and motivate young people to come up with new ideas and start their own youth enterprises. This will first reduce the incidence of unemployment to a great extent and as such would have dealt a massive blow to the problem of youth restiveness.

To do this effectively, the policymakers need to realize that alone public spending is not going to contribute towards the welfare of the youth. It is the policies of the states that must be created in a way that will help to stimulate the younger people as well as their parents and communities to invest in themselves. The main essence of implementing youth friendly policies is they are not as costly as direct investments but require a lot of political trade-off to actually implement the policies so that they benefit each and every young person living in the country.

Why Nigeria’s economy may collapse soon, by ACN

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THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has raised an alarm that the nation’s economy may collapse unless the Federal Government cuts the “astronomical cost of running a bloated government and takes urgent measures to diversify the economy and shore up the production of oil which remains the mainstay of the economy.”

The party, in a statement issued in Lagos Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that if the listed measures are not taken, the government may not be able to pay its bills, including workers’ salaries, in the next few years.

‘’Contrary to what the Federal Government may say, this warning is not about crying wolf but is actually borne out of a patriotic fervour devoid of politicking, which is the usual refrain of this government when alerted to its shortcomings. We will like to be proven wrong, but this will depend on uncommon and monumental effort, rather than on the basis of the usual canned response from the government,’’ the party said.

Two gunmen killed, four arrested in Nigeria

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KANO, Nigeria, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops in northwest Kano State on Saturday killed two suspected gunmen and arrested four others in Kano metropolis when the gunmen attacked the checking point.

A security source told Xinhua that the incident happened around 1:10 p.m., local time, at a security check point along Hadejia road, during "a stop and search" on a commercial vehicle at the check point.

"It was in the process when one of the passengers of the vehicle opened fire on the security operatives at the check point, " the source added. "Soon after the incident security operatives at the check point responded by killing the attacker instantly," the source said.

Mahama calls for closer relations between Ghana and Nigeria

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President John Dramani Mahama on Friday called for closer relations between Ghana and Nigeria as both countries have had the same developmental potentials and challenges over the years.

He said Ghana would particularly partner Nigeria, which had developed effectively in the banking reforms sector and could share her experiences with others.

President Mahama made this statement when Dr Ngozi Okanjo Iweala, Nigerian Minister for Finance and Economics called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.

Nigeria, Brazil Sign Agreement to Boost Trade, Investment

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Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4) expects to expand oil production in Nigeria as the Rio de Janeiro-based company looks to strengthen its presence in Africa’s top oil producer.
“Petrobras has been producing oil in Nigeria for 14 years, and expects to increase production,” Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said today during a speech in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. “Petrobras expects to establish an ever-stronger presence here in Nigeria.”

Oscar Pistorius' older brother also accused of killing a woman

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Carl Pistorius (left), the older brother of the Blade Runner, accused of killing his girlfriend, is also facing a manslaughter charge. Carl is charged with culpable homicide over the accidental death of a woman in a car crash in 2010.
His lawyer Kenny Oldwage, who also represents Oscar Pistorius, confirmed the charges today. Carl Pistorius appeared in court just two days before his brother's bail hearing last week, according to the Daily Mail.

According to the BBC, police conducted tests on Carl Pistorius' blood at the time of the accident, and he was found not to have been drinking alcohol. 
Carl was initially accused of reckless or negligent driving, but the matter was later provisionally withdrawn. However, the charges were reinstated after the victim's family said they believed it was more than an accident. Carl Pistorius' trial is set to begin at the end of March. 

Oshiomhole Bans Edo Farmers From Paying Dubious Royalty To Igbinedion

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Governor Adams Oshiomhole has stopped farmers currently farming in government reserved forest at Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State from paying N40m annual royalty to Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin kingdom.

It was gathered that the land was leased to Chief Igbinedion who later sublet to individual farmers for a certain amount of money.

Chief Igbinedion, father of the former Governor of the state, Lucky Igbinedion, is widely known for his flamboyance.

Locals say he actually regards himself as an authority in the ancient state.

Check Out The Best Payday Loan Information Guide

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Payday loan is the best friend of a man when he is badly in need of money but just doesn't have it. Payday loan is the fastest and best way to acquire cash. Basically a payday loan provides you with an unsecured, short-term cash advance until your payday. Payday loans are the ideal way to acquire money in case of any uninformed expense such as a car repair bill, an instant costly trip, check bounces, other penalties, an accident, death or such unfortunate happening in the family and so forth. For many people payday loans are a means to pay off their monthly rent, grocery bills, utilities and other such day-to-day expenses.

Mother Sentenced To 6 Years In Jail For Burying Her Only Child Alive

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A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, sentenced an 18-year-old mother of one, Mrs Adeola Joseph, to six years imprisonment with hard labour for burying her only child alive for three days.

 Presiding Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, held that the convict did not deserve to be in the midst of human beings and looked unperturbed by her criminal action, saying that “the convict is callous and may not change from her devilish act.”