How I was kidnapped and taken into the bush – Boy, 7, narrates ordeal (PHOTOS)

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Eight suspected kidnappers were paraded  recently in Cross River State for kidnapping a seven-year-old pupil of Martha Dei Primary School in Ogoja, Cross River State.

The boy, Williams Ebele, has since narrated his ordeal saying he was enticed by the ice cream they offered him and that they had lied that his father sent them before abducting him on June 10, 2013.

Ebele was in captivity for four days and said he fed only on biscuits (cabin) and had a bath once by the river before he was rescued by the police.

On Friday at the headquarters of the Cross River State Police Command in Calabar, Ebele said:

S-èx addict Father rap-ed 3 Year Old daughter as wife held her hand

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A s-èx addict Michigan dad repeatedly raped his toddler daughter as his wife held her hand to calm her down, police said. The 27-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the girl, allegedly confessed to cops that he s-èxually assaulted the 3-year-old "too many times to remember."
The sickening acts were carried out over a period of six months in front of the girl's mom, who reportedly soothed her hands "so it wouldn't hurt so much."

It's also claimed he took illicit pictures of the girl "for his own s-èxual gratification," forced her to watch disgusting child po-rn and had showers with her. The couple, who lived at the Avalon Hotel in Jackson, are believed to have abused the girl between late last year until May.

Social services were called in May 7 after reports she was displaying "s-èxualized behavior," had asked her brother for s-èx and wanted to watch a po-rn movie.

Short sightedness is killing the economy – Ex-National Planning Minister

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Rasheed Gbadamosi

Mr. Rasheed Abiodun Gbadamosi is an economist. His credentials include being minister, National Planning, Chairman, National Committee on Industrial Development for the Industrial Master Plan project, Chairman, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) and member, Nigeria’s External Debt Rescheduling team. 

He speaks, in this interview, on the state of the economy in the last 14 years, the initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make cashless monetary policy a universal phenomenon, privatisation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the need for government to harness the potentials in agriculture. Excerpts:

Nigeria has just celebrated 14 years of uninterrupted democracy. How has democracy impacted on the economy?

To start with, I do not like this exultation about democracy. It does not mean that if we do not have democracy we won’t have relative prosperity. Economic indices were positive even in non-democratic governments.

Continue After The Break

Sign death warrants, Jonathan tells govs on Father’s Day

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President Goodluck Jonathan (4th r) leading other fathers in the presentation of a
special song during the 2013 Father’s Day celebration at the Aso
Villa Chapel Abuja on Sunday (16/6/13).

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on state governors not to shy away from signing death sentences passed on convicted criminals saying that as leaders, their responsibilities include doing both the “sweet and the ugly part” a long as it is sanctioned by law.

In a message at the Villa Chapel to commemorate the Fathers’ day celebration, president Jonathan expressed worry that discipline which used to be the hallmark of the family is gradually being eroded because of negative influence of modernism.

R.I.P: Bola Tinubu's late mother buried

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Former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu's mother, Abibatu Mogaji, died yesterday June 15th at the ripe old age of 96. The former President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, was buried this morning Sunday, June 16 at the Vaults and Gardens Cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos.  Photo above is Tinubu kissing his mum. May her soul rest in peace.

Ukrainian plane suspected to be carrying Military hardwares detained in Kano

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Security agents have detained an Ukrainian cargo plane at the Kano International Airport for carrying suspected military hardware. Vanguard gathered that investigation is ongoing on the owners and the destination of the cargo.

This is coming few weeks after weapons believed to belong to Hezbollah was uncovered in a building belonging to a Lebanese businessman in Kano. The items recovered from the building include; 40 air-to-surface missiles, 50 cluster bombs, 200 rocket-propel launcher, eight AK-47 rifles, 200 military hand grenades, uncountable number of live ammunition and certain military hard wares deployed to destroy Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC.

Details later.

German spy service plans more online surveillance, injects 100M Euro: Report

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Germany's foreign intelligence service plans a major expansion of Internet surveillance despite deep unease over revelations of US online spying, Der Spiegel news weekly reported Sunday.

Spiegel said that the BND planned a 100 million euro ($130 million) programme over the next five years to expand web monitoring with up to 100 new staff members on a "technical reconnaissance" team.

The report came ahead of a state visit to Berlin by US President Barack Obama during which the German government has pledged to take up the controversy over the US phone and Internet surveillance programmes.

Spiegel said the BND aimed to monitor international data traffic "as closely as possible", noting that it currently kept tabs on about five percent of emails, Internet calls and online chats while German law allowed up to 20 percent.

Alleged Abuja Bombing: We Exploded Two Fuel Tankers In FCT – MEND

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3 weeks after it called-off what it described as planned attacks on mosques and related institutions over the bombings and killing of southerners in the North by Boko Haram insurgents, the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, claimed it struck in the early hours of Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The militant group said it secretly attached portable military limpet explosives on two articulated petrol tanker vehicles outside the NNPC depot in Abaji, Abuja, at about 5.00 am and detonated the devices.

Sunday Vanguard could not verify the claim at press time while the media manager of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidy of the NNPC, Nasir Imodagbe, denied the bombing claim.

Kaduna man allegedly sedated & raped man who called him 'uncle'

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You read some stories and all you can do is shake your head. According to this story from Nigerian Tribune, a Kaduna based successful business man named Alhaji Habu (pictured right in hospital after being stabbed) invited Kabiru (pictured left) to his home, where he proceeded to drug his tea and have sex with him. Kabiru claimed he was initially too weak to fight him off when Alhaji Habu penetrated him but eventually managed to gain enough strength to get the man he called 'uncle' off him, using a knife.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Habu is telling a different story. He claimed Kabiru came to his house and asked to spend the night, and in the middle of the night Kabiru tried to rob him and attacked with him a knife. The first explanation sounds more plausible. Read the full story after the break.

From Nigerian Tribune

Anambra to use Bill Gates money to build 10 hospitals

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AWKA- Anambra State government said yesterday that it would use the money it won from being the best state in the coverage of immunization programme in the South-East to build 10 maternities in the rural parts of the state.

Governor Peter Obi, who made the disclosure during the flag-off of the National Obstetric Fistula Repair Programme at the Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Awka, said the state had matched the $US1 million monetary award with N120 million for the project.

The governor also flagged-off the fumigation exercise against mosquitoes in the state, explaining that the exercise was part of the state government’s programme towards elimination of malaria.

He called on the people of the state to corporate with those carrying out the fumigation exercise since it was for their own good.

Obi also flagged-off the construction of a hostel block at the teaching hospital to house medical students.

Vanguard Nigeria

SEE How These Filling Station Armed Robbers Were Nabbed

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If Sunday Ayogu and Kenneth Kingsley had known that their robbery operation could be botched, perhaps they would have experienced a rethink. Nevertheless they didn't and now they're cooling their heels in police custody. How made it happen happen?

Residents of Igboeze in Igbo Eze North Local Government Section of Enugu State were recently raised from their deep sleep by shouts of ‘Nyere m aka, Oye oshi'(Help! thief) from one of its residents.

The voice later turned out to be that of a filling station manager. On that fateful Wednesday, June 5, 2013, two suspected robbers stormed his residence and demanded for several he had. The suspects had scaled the fence of the home and forcefully gained entry into the main sitting room downstairs before they made their method to his bedroom where he was reportedly sleeping along with his wife and children.

Nigeria must Arrest and prosecute IBB, Obasanjo – Opadokun ( Do You Agree ?)

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Former Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Ayo Opadokun, in this interview with LEKE BAIYEWU, explains the national mistakes in June 12 and the danger ex-military chiefs pose to Nigeria’s democratic system

Have you ever been worried that June 12, is being celebrated annually only in the South-West?

A significant number of those who have succeeded in capturing power – those who were military apologists, con-federates, sympathisers and friends – will not understand where the shoe is pinching ordinary Nigerians, since they did not participate in the various campaigns that the National Democratic Coalition established. They got into political offices through influence peddling and commercialisation of the Nigerian political landscape. They have failed to show a modicum of etiquette and attitude to those who made it possible for the restoration that took place in 1999.

Former Governor, Peter Odili gives out his daughter

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Many have not stopped talking about the one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony, which former governor, Peter Odili, staged for his daughter, Njideka.   She got married to Uzoma Iheme. Those who were in attendance have not stopped talking about it. Many are yet to get over the sheer magnificence of the wedding which was broadcast live on African Independent Television.  The guest list contained names of the crème de la crème including President Goodluck Jonathan and wife. On hand to supply music were hip hop acts, Banky W, Iyanya, May D and lots more.

Man Killed Over 100 Naira

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A 23-year-old man has been stabbed to death at No 37, lkarigbo Street, Igbogunrin in lgbokoda, llaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The deceased was said to have been attacked by three young men owing to his inability to pay N100 he borrowed from one of his friends. Police sources said the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital mortuary, Akure, for autopsy.

Two suspects Iwajomo Oluwise and Fayemi Ajide have been arrested in connection with the murder. It was gathered that the suspects approached the deceased and demanded that he pay back the debt being owed one of them.

His refusal to repay the money reportedly provoked a hot argument that later degenerated into a fight, prompting one of the suspects to stab the deceased in the stomach.

Tinubu’s mother, Abibatu Mogaji, dies at 96 -R.I.P

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President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Abibatu Mogaji, on Saturday died at 96.

Mogaji was the mother of former governor of Lagos State and National Leader, Action Congress of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu.

A statement issued said she would be buried on Sunday (today), at the Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.

Mogaji recently received an honorary Doctorate Degree from the Ahmadu Bello University during its 50th anniversary.

Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, described the death of the matriarch as a great loss to millions of people.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Osun State, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said Mogaji’s death would leave a big vacuum both in politics and commercial sectors of not only Lagos State but Nigeria at large.

Nigerian Prof. makes history in US, heads Ivy League school

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It was encomium galore when Provost Ilesanmi Adesida was honored at the Urban-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois, United States  where Nigerian-Americans gathered to celebrate his elevation as the first African to head an Ivy League school in the country.

Speakers at the occasion urged him to use the position and knowledge to effect changes in the developing world.

“You’ve served with great integrity and brilliance in all the positions you’ve held in the United States for the past 26 years,” Dr. Abiola Akanbi  said while urging him to direct his energy, knowledge and his current unique position to effect dramatic but positive changes in Nigeria and the developing world.

IRAN: Thousands of supporters take to streets to celebrate Rowhani victory - Full Update

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Tens of thousands took to the streets of Tehran on Saturday evening to celebrate the election of moderate cleric Hassan Rowhani as president, with chanting pro-reform slogans and demanding more freedom. Large crowds were converging in main streets and squares, as security forces and police units looked on.

Thousands of cars honked their horns throughout the capital, and many people were dressed in purple, Rowhani's campaign colour. Some even handed out purple balloons to the crowd.

"We said no to commander, we said no to mayor, (we chose) the courageous Rowhani," people chanted.

That was a reference to two defeated candidates, ex-Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezai and Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, both hailing from the conservative camp.

UpDATE: Injuries reported as police fire tear gas, water cannon at Istanbul protesters

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The police have fired water cannon and tear gas to drive away protesters from both Istanbul’s Taksim Square and Gezi Park, hours after Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan demanded the square to be “evacuated.” Protesters claim multiple injuries.

Several people have been taken away in ambulances after being loaded onto stretchers, RT reports from Istanbul.

The crowd, which had been chanting: "Everywhere is Taksim, everywhere is resistance," was sent scrambling by the police, the latest escalation of tensions in more than two weeks of mass anti-government demos.

Turkish PM warns security forces will evict Istanbul park protesters

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned protesters occupying a central Istanbul park that they should leave before a ruling party rally on Sunday or face eviction by the security forces.

"We have our Istanbul rally tomorrow. I say it clearly: Taksim Square must be evacuated, otherwise this country's security forces know how to evacuate it," Erdogan told tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in the capital Ankar

Protesters took to Hong Kong streets: " Shame On The U.S Government, Respect Human Right, Support Snowden" - Protesters (photo)

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Protesters took to the streets in Hong Kong Saturday to show their support for NSA leaker Edward Snowden and demand a "thorough explanation" of the secret surveillance program he exposed. Roughly 200 people braved the rain to march to the U.S. consulate, chanting "Free Snowden" and "Arrest Obama." Others carried large posters with pictures under the headline "Big brother is watching you."

Outside the U.S. consulate, demonstrators blew their whistles saying they "were all whistle-blowers today," then handed over a letter to Consul General Steve Young, demanding an end to all surveillance of "innocent internet users" under the NSA program.

"The idea of mass surveillance not only violates the right to privacy and human dignity, but threatens the very fundamental Human Rights of freedom of thought, opinion, expression and association," the letter said.

US' moves in Syria to intensify bloody stalemate - expert

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US allegations about the use of chemical weapons reinforce the need for UN inspectors to be deployed to Syria, and for increased efforts to find a political solution to the conflict, the European Union has declared. Following the claims US President Barack Obama has given the green light to sending US weapons to Syrian rebels after the White House said it has proof the Syrian government used chemical weapons against opposition forces.

This became the “red line” that Barack Obama was talking about when threatening to initiate military intervention into Syria.

For more in this I'm joined on the phone by Richard Heydarian, a Manila-based foreign affairs analyst.