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8 March 2015

INEC card readers pass mock exam

INEC Boss, Attahiru Jega

The field testing of card readers which was held on Saturday was largely successful but not without some hitches.

These irregularities in the exercise that was meant to be a dress rehearsal according to findings by our correspondents ranged from the inability of the card reader to identify some finger and thumb prints and slow pace of the process.

However, occurrences of success permeated most of the poll units visited by our correspondents.

The major grouse of electorate in Niger State was the time spent on the accreditation of each voter. This, many of the participants in the mock polls described as “too slow”

This drew the attention of both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in the state on Saturday which commended the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Jonathan visits Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, on Saturday, demanded a total representation of the South-West in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan and the creation of the Oduduwa State with its headquarters in Ile Ife.

The monarch made the requests among others when Jonathan led notable chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, including the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Muazu, on a visit to his palace in Ile Ife, Osun State.

About 50 other traditional rulers from Osun State and environs were present to receive the president. This is the second time Jonathan would be visiting the palace to solicit the support of the royal fathers and the people of the state to ensure victory in the March 28 presidential election.

The Ooni delegated the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, to speak on his behalf. He said, “ We want total representation. There are ongoing projects in Osun State and we know there is paucity of fund but we want you to finish all the projects.”

President Goodluck Jonathan

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has refused to accept a phone conversation with President Goodluck Jonathan based on the notion that it is politically inclined.

According to www.moroccoworldnews.com, the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a communique released on Friday, said a request by Nigerian authorities for a phone conversation between Mohammed and Jonathan was refused by the Monarch who deemed it “inappropriate on grounds of the upcoming elections in Nigeria.”

The king refused to accept the request which he deemed “inappropriate” on grounds that it is linked to the important elections in Nigeria and also because of Nigeria’s positions regarding the sacred national, Arab and Islamic causes, the Ministry said in a statement.

Eedris Abdulkareem

It is no doubt that defunct Remedies made up of Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tutuila and Eddy Montana revolutionised today’s hip hop in Nigeria since their group was a hot cake back in the 90s.

Of course, the group broke up long ago, they even tried to come back, but so far, they are yet to come back with a hit since they made waves back in the days.

As much as they are not so vibrant as they used to be musically, Eedris Abdulkareem may likely not forget in a hurry what led to the break-up of the group.

Speaking to Saturday Beats recently, Eedris said, “Nothing serious led to our break-up. We did our 29th show during our Rothman’s Groove tour and the three of us were sharing the money given to us. It got to a stage where someone felt the other was not doing enough in the group. It did not come from me but one of my crew members. Then, the next thing that I noticed was that there was attitude change. I was close to both Tony and Eddy.

Azadus

When singer, Azadus, hit the limelight with his hit song, You is the One, in the late 1990s, many believed he had come to the industry to stay. Shortly after, nothing was heard from the singer again.

But in a chat with Saturday Beats, Azadus explained the reason for his hiatus.

He said, “It is obvious I left Kennis because my contract with them expired and my career dwindled. When I was with Kennis Music, all hands were on deck to push my music out but now that I am on my own, everything is left to me. But the major reason I was out of the limelight was because I was attacked by armed robbers. I was shot in my neigbhourhood at FESTAC. I was away from music for over a year because I was hospitalised. That was what affected me. I could not move freely because I lost faith in the security around where I was staying. I hardly went out because I was afraid of another attack. I went through a lot of trauma.”

Seyi Shay and President Goodluck Jonathan

Most entertainers have been having fun with President Goodluck Jonathan in recent times and earlier in the week, the President was in Lagos and hanged out with some of these celebrities.

Singer, Seyi Shay was among the entertainers and the pretty diva ‘broke’ the internet with the dress she wore to meet the president at the event.

The picture where the singer, wearing an incredibly short dress, while sitting beside the president, went viral and so many fans and foes have expressed their feelings concerning Seyi’s outfit.

Many people, including celebrities and notable figures such as comedian Wale Gates; social analyst, Omojuwa, took to their social media accounts to express their feelings over her choice of outfit.

However, when Saturday Beats contacted the singer, she explained that she had two outfits for the event and the outfit that caused the stir was what she wore to perform.

APC holds Lagos mega rally, as Jonathan, others jog in Abuja

All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) (left); and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, during the APC presidential rally in Borno State.

The All Progressives Congress is today holding a one-million-man march.

The march, which kicks off from the Maryland area of Lagos at 8am to Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in the city.

The march is expected to be led by stalwarts of the APC like the national leader, Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, in an attempt to psyche supporters ahead of the March 28 and April 11 presidential and governorship elections respectively.

The Coordinator of the APC Campaign Organisation in Lagos, Mr. James Faleke, had told journalists that the one-million-man march was to prepare the minds of supporters of the party for victory ahead of the polls.

He said, “In order to psychologically prepare the minds of our voters and give a psychological defeat to the opposition, we are planning a one-million-man march for Saturday (today) by 8a.m. It will commence at Maryland through Allen Avenue and will end behind Shoprite, Alausa.

Moji Olaiya

A popular cliché says life begins at 40 and for actress Moji Olaiya who clocked 40 earlier in the week, her life just began.

Granted Moji, in a chat with Saturday Beats, said she is grateful to reach this milestone, the actress believes that she still has a lot to achieve.

Even with her marriage that crashed some time ago, the actress said she has not ruled out getting married again in the nearest future. However, she said she wouldn’t even mind if she didn’t get married eventually.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega

The Independent National Electoral Commission will today test the card reader in 12 states amid controversy over the use of the new device in the conduct of the next general elections.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress have been engaging in war of words over the use of the card reader in the forthcoming polls.

While the Director of Legal Affairs of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, had said that the party did not support the use of the device because it is illegal and unconstitutional and that it had not been tested in any election in the past, the APC described the PDP’s rejection of the use of the device as a vindication of its claim that the ruling party was desperate to rig the general elections.

National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu

There are indications that the national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party might have perfected a fresh strategy aimed at stalling the March 28 presidential election.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday and Friday showed that the ruling party was actually the brain behind those who registered Young Democratic Party and that it may use this new party to achieve its objective.

The new party had on Thursday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the forthcoming general elections.

The party said this a day after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the commission to register YDP as a political party.

At a press briefing in Abuja, the party called on INEC to re-schedule the general elections if it could not accommodate it on its ballot paper.

Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri

The Federal Government has accredited over 300 foreign journalists to cover Nigeria’s general elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11.

The Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, who said this in an interview with our correspondent, also explained that more foreign journalists would be accredited before the commencement of the elections.

He, however, added that accredited foreign journalists would be expected to adhere to the agency’s guidelines.

He said, “It’s an ongoing process and about 350 foreign journalists have been accredited already. As they report here, we will give them the guidelines to follow.”

Nigerian Army

Boko Haram fighters are preparing in mass at their headquarters in the northeastern Nigerian town of Gwoza, Maiduguri, Borno State for a showdown with Multinational Joint Task Force, residents and an intelligence officer told The Associated Press.

A woman, who was trapped in the town since it was seized in July, 2014 told her daughter that the insurgents were urging civilians to leave town to avoid being killed in crossfire in an anticipated major battle.

Hajiya Adama said her mother told her that the insurgents had also released some young women being held against their will, including some made pregnant during their captivity.

N’Assembly slashes own budget by 25%

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said on Thursday that the National Assembly has reduced its overhead in the 2015 budget by 25 percent in response to the economic realities in the country.

Ekweremadu said the action would also help to boost the capital expenditure quotient in the 2015 fiscal year.

He said, “This year, because our money is on first line charge and comes as statutory transfer, the executive could not have tampered with it. They brought our overhead the way it should be in the 2015 Appropriation Bill.

“But on our own, we in the National Assembly looked at the state of the economy and decided to cut our overhead cost by 25 percent. We challenged the executive to go back and do the same.

Mr. Femi Falana

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the service of court papers on the Police Service Commission in Abuja in a suit seeking declaration that an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, is unfit to remain a police officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The ex parte application for leave of court to serve the PSC outside of jurisdiction was brought before Justice Ibrahim Buba by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

Falana had on Thursday appeared in court and announced appearance as counsel representing the plaintiff, a lawyer, Mr. Tope Alabi, who filed the case.

Alabi is urging the court to compel the Inspector General of Police; the Police Service Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately declare Mbu’s office with the Force vacant over alleged abuse of power.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said Nigeria’s peculiar challenges required leaders with requisite experience to tackle them.

He told guests inside the auditorium of his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, during the celebration of his 78th birthday and 2015 annual summit, that there were too many ‘think-tanks’ in the country instead of ‘do-tanks.’

The former President, who looked resplendent in a white flowing agbada, therefore prayed to “ God to give us leaders that occasion like this deserves.”

He said that West African countries and Britain were worried about developments in Nigeria.

Reiterating his commitment to the country, Obasanjo said each time he travelled to these countries, he was usually inundated with enquiries about Nigeria’s security, political and socio-economic challenges.

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed confidence that the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in their hostel in Chibok, Borno State last year are still alive.

Jonathan, who also said that his chance of winning the March 28 presidential poll was slimmer than in 2011, based his position on the fact that terrorists would naturally display the corpses of the girls if they had been killed.

He spoke while featuring on Kakaaki, a breakfast programme on a private television station, African Independent Television.

Reiterationg his promise that the girls would be rescued alive, Jonathan said, “The good story is that they ( insurgents) have not killed them because when terrorists kill, they display the corpses to intimidate the people.

Hundreds of candidates wishing to sit for Monday’sUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examination escaped death in Jos after they were fired at by policemen called to maintain law and order.

This happened on Wednesday after they went berserk following the inability of the authorities to release examination slips to them.

The candidates had gathered at the Murtala Mohammed Way office of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board following announcements that they should come for the details of their examination centres.

One of our correspondents gathered that the candidates were asked by JAMB officials to leave their slips and come back later to collect their details.

Ikeja Magistrate’s Court

A civil engineer, Oyebanjo Adeshina, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding one Anthony Obi of the sum of N1.4m.

Adeshina was said to have committed the offence in September, 2014 at Olowu Street, Ikeja.

Our correspondent learnt that Adeshina had borrowed the money from Obi for a project, with a promise to sell a Toyota Camry 2007 model belonging to him and refund the money from the proceeds of the sales.

He was, however, said to have defaulted on his promise and further issued a dud cheque to the complainant. He was subsequently arrested and arraigned on four counts of stealing, obtaining under false pretences and forgery.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Joe Egbo, said the offences were punishable under sections 409, 312, 285 and 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

Tinubu Magistrate’s Court.

Twenty-five-year-old Monday Maule has been accused of raping one Mrs. Chinyere Samuel, his neighbour’s wife, who is eight months pregnant and has four children.

Maule was said to have committed the act on Monday, February 23, 2015.

It was gathered that Mr. Samuel, Chinyere’s husband, was not always at home due to the nature of his job. Samuel, a Ghanaian by nationality works with a Chinese construction company and hardly returns home to his family.

Our correspondent learnt that Maule allegedly committed the act by sneaking into the couple’s apartment during the early hours of the day (5am) at Friends Colony Agungi, Lekki, Lagos.

One of the buildings

An Assistant Superintendent of Police, who lives in police college barracks, Ikeja, Lagos State, has likened his family’s stay in the college over the past five months to a sojourn in a refugee camp.

The officer, who did not want his name in print for fear of being dismissed, said they had been suffering from one ill health or another, since they were moved into one of the dormitories in the barracks. Apart from the family, it was learnt that some residents had contracted cholera because of the unhygienic nature of the surroundings.

PUNCH Metro gathered that about 54 families living in two buildings on the college premises were relocated to four dormitories in September 2014 when the renovation of the quarters began.

The officer was one of the lodgers, who were worried about the college authority’s refusal to move them back to the buildings since December when the renovation was reportedly completed.

Scene of the demolition

The Ogun State Government on Tuesday demolished a building worth N34m belonging to a Federal Government agency, Public Complaints Commission, in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The building, which was still under construction, had become a pile of rubble when our correspondent visited the site, located opposite the governor’s office, Oke Mosan.

Bulldozers and trucks belonging to the state government were also stationed at the site.

About four officials of the state government from the Ministry of Urban and Regional Planning were also present, supervising the demolition.

One of the officials who declined to disclose his identity to journalists, said the structure did not have the approval of the state government.

Joseph Mbu

The Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Command, CSP Gbenga Adeoye, says the Assistant Inspector General of Police, , Mr. Joseph Mbu, never ordered the killing of 20 civilians for every policeman killed during his visit to the Ogun State Police Command.

Adeoye in statement on Tuesday said the purported claim was “gross misinformation,” adding that those criticising Mbu should have watched the video which he said was in the public domain before berating him.

The statement read, “For the interest of the people of Zone 2, comprising Ogun and Lagos states, and the Nigerian public , they should go to Youtube to listen to what the AIG said in Ogun State.

The suspects

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday took 20 men including one Captain Daniel Lebile before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority.

The accused persons were arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba on three counts in relation to the offence.

Apart from Lebile, the others are Ala Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Fani-Kayode, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye and Kayode Ireti.

Others are Chuks Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy and Godwin Oputeh.

The accused persons were arraigned alongside their vessel, MV Long Island, and their companies, Afa Global Impex Services Limited and GFL Marine Service Limited.

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello

Nigeria is targeting over three million metric tonnes of imported cargoes from Niger Republic through improved seaport efficiency .

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, disclosed this at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos.

Bello said Niger Republic, a landlocked country, was annually importing the said amount of cargoes through Togo, Republic of Benin and Ghana.

He said, “We are talking with Nigerien shippers. We want them to import their cargoes through our ports. Already, we have lost a tremendous amount of money to other African ports through cargo diversion.”

Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that smartcard readers would be tested in 12 states chosen from across the six geo-political zones of the country to assess their efficiency ahead of the general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to the INEC boss, Lagos and Ekiti states have been chosen for the exercise in the South-West which would feature voters presenting their Permanent Voter Cards for accreditation and verification.

Orebiyi explained that the exercise would enable the electoral body to identify challenges that may rear its head on the election days with a view to correcting them.

Tinubu and Fashola

In a bid to neutralise the effect of the visits of President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, led by former Governor Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola, will on Saturday hold a one-million-man march.

Lagos, which has the highest number of voters in the country, will be a major battleground between the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the Lagos State coordinator of the APC Campaign Organisation, Mr. James Faleke, said the walk would begin from Maryland through Allen Avenue and end at Alausa, behind the Ikeja City Mall.

National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed

The All Progressives Congress says it has uncovered a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party to frame the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in order to justify his sacking.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday that the PDP was plotting to deposit a huge amount of money into the bank account of Jega and make it appear as if the money emanated from Tinubu.

Mohammed said since the PDP had been unable to stop the use of Permanent Voter Cards and card readers, the next step would be a plot by the ruling party to attempt to undermine Jega’s credibility in the eyes of Nigerians so as to get him sacked.

Editor's Report

Editor's corner

Former Nigeria coach, Adegboye Onigbinde

Former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, and ex-Golden Eaglets manager, Henry Nwosu, have knocked the Nigeria Football Federation for the lingering controversy over the appointment of a new coach for the national team.

Since November 2014, when Nigeria failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, the NFF has not been able to get a fresh coach for the national team or renew Stephen Keshi’s contract.

And since last week the federation has stuck in a controversy with Keshi over the details of contract proposal handed him.

Keshi’s agent was on Monday quoted as saying the new deal is a “slave contract” while insisting that the former Eagles’ captain would not accept it.

National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (left); former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Deacon Victor Durodola, during a novelty match organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library

It was a fun filled football match on Wednesday evening at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta when a team led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library slugged it out with a team of Ogun State Government led by the governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

At the end of the novelty match which was to commemorate the 78th birthday of Obasanjo, OOPL team beat the state government team 2-1.

The two goals were scored by Obasanjo while the Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties scored the only goal for the government team.

For the whole of 2013, 2014 and the first two months this year, a total amount of N1.43tn was recorded as the total petrol subsidy claims from oil marketers.

Out of this amount, the Federal Government is said to be owing marketers a total of N264bn. N164bn of this amount is the actual subsidy covering part of 2014 and the first two months of 2015.

The remaining N100bn, according to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, comprised accumulated interest on loans obtained by marketers from banks for petrol imports, and foreign exchange differentials occasioned by the devaluated naira.

Agitations by marketers last month had made the Federal Government agree to pay marketers a total of N264bn as subsidy arrears for the periods under review in March (this month).

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation on Wednesday described the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan as “an incredibly crude woman.” The party also commended Nigerians for putting up with her.

The campaign organisation was reacting to a report that Mrs. Jonathan described the APC Presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as brain dead at a campaign rally in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Tuesday.

The President’s wife also warned women against voting for Buhari because, according to her, the APC presidential candidate would put women in purdah and trample on their rights.

Musiliu Obanikoro

The Senate had a rowdy executive session for about two hours on Wednesday as a result of attempt by Senate President, David Mark, to convince his colleagues to give Musiliu Obanikoro an easy passage, in accordance to the tradition of the upper chamber in the screening of former senators nominated for appointment as ministers.

The Senate had over the years adopted the “take a bow” treatment for nominee ex-senators. Obanikoro was a member of the upper federal legislative chamber between 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy. His name is among the eight new ministerial nominees before the Senate for consideration.

Members of the opposition All Progressives Congress in the Senate had, last week, vowed to oppose the confirmation of Obanikoro.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The Federal Government on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the current petrol scarcity being experienced in many parts of the country would be over before the end of the week.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated this shortly after meeting with members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, was also attended by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, representatives of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency and depot owners.

President Idriss Deby

President Idriss Deby of Chad on Wednesday called on Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, to surrender or face death.

Derby told a news conference in N’djamena, that he knows the whereabouts of Shekau, who, according to him, was sighted in Dikwa , a village in Borno State two days ago.

“Abubakar Shekau must surrender. We know where he is. If he doesn’t give himself up he will suffer the same fate as his compatriots,” he said.

“He (Shekau) was in Dikwa two days ago. He managed to get away but we know where he is. It’s in his interests to surrender,” Deby added.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday engaged in a war of words over the fate of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the chairman of the the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Fayose began the verbal onslaught when he described the claim by the APC of a plot by the Presidency to fire Jega, as a “mere comedy.”

The governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, advised the opposition party to stop acting as if Nigeria belonged to it.

“President Goodluck Jonathan can sack Jega if he wishes and if he does, heavens will not fall,” Fayose boasted, alleging that the APC had, by its actions, shown that it had a pact with the INEC chairman.

Pope Francis didn't make pets in heaven comment

Vatican City - It was a heartwarming story for legions of pet owners and animal lovers around the world.

Pope Francis, talking to a distraught boy whose pet had died, declared there was a place in heaven for the creatures we share our lives with. His comment was reported this week by many news media outside Italy, with dozens of articles in the United States. It was veritable catnip to social media.

However, it turned out the pope had not made the comment.

Lagos - A double bomb attack that killed 31 people in a crowded market in the central Nigerian city of Jos was likely to have been carried out by Boko Haram, the state government said on Friday.

"It's an extension of the terrorist acts that have been penetrating all states and cities," Pam Ayuba, spokesman for the Plateau state governor Jonah Jang, told AFP by telephone.

The blasts happened at about 18:00 on Thursday at a makeshift market near the Terminus bus station, not far from the site of a previous attack in May that left at least 118 dead.

Twin bomb blasts have rocked Jos

Abuja - Twin bomb blasts on Thursday rocked Jos, the capital of Plateau state in north-central Nigeria, killing at least 31 people, the newspaper Vanguard reported.

Reports said the bombs exploded at a makeshift market near a busy motor park and a fast food restaurant.

"The bodies recovered so far are 31, but rescue workers are at the scene and the figures may change," Vanguard quoted a spokesman for Plateau state governor as saying.

Yola - Dauda Bello came face-to-face with Boko Haram militants but managed to escape their hail of bullets, fleeing to safety after a marathon drive on a brutal mountain road.

"It was terrible... [Boko Haram] was firing in every direction," he told AFP in Yola, the capital of northeast Nigeria's Adamawa state, where he fled from the town of Mubi in late October.

Bello is just one of more than 1.5 million Nigerians forced from their homes by the raging Islamist insurgency, which has left 13 000 dead since 2009 and raised fears of a humanitarian crisis.

Sierra Leone doctors die of Ebola

Freetown — Two more Sierra Leonean doctors have died from Ebola, further depleting the West African country's ability to respond to the devastating outbreak, health officials said on Saturday.

The deaths bring the number of Sierra Leonean doctors killed by Ebola to nine. The disease is spread through the bodily fluids of people showing symptoms and people who have died of the disease. Because transmission requires close contact with those fluids, health workers are among the most at risk of contracting it and hundreds have become infected in this outbreak.

Los Angeles - Khloe Kardashian and French Montana have split for a second time.

The 30-year-old reality star is said to have called time on her on/off romance with the rapper, who she split from in September after eight months of dating before reuniting in November.

A source told Us Weekly: "Khloe just wasn't ready after Lamar and it was getting too serious."

Abuja - Nigeria on Friday said that a decision to cancel US training of its soldiers to fight Boko Haram was a logistical, not a political decision.

The US Embassy in Abuja announced on Monday that the Nigerian government had halted a training programme of an army battalion, which would have developed into a unit to take on the militants.

Los Angeles - Kim Kardashian West's wedding photo has become the most liked Instagram post.

The shot of the reality TV star and her husband, rapper Kanye West, has made history on the social media site after a photograph of them sharing a smooch while tying the knot in Florence, Italy, on May 24 attracted a huge 2.4 million 'likes'.

Lagos - A coroner on Friday put on hold an inquest into the deaths of 116 people in a church building collapse in Nigeria's commercial hub after hearing an application to suspend proceedings.

The inquest in the city has been hearing from witnesses involved in the investigation into the 12 September tragedy at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).

Mugabe alleges US plot against himHarare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has accused his vice president of plotting with the United States Embassy in the country to remove him.

Speaking at the ruling party Zanu-PF's annual conference on Saturday, Mugabe said Joice Mujuru has attended secret meetings at the embassy in Harare.

Nigeria detains Russian cargo plane

Kano - Nigeria detained a Russian cargo plane and its French-speaking crew on Saturday after it made an unauthorised landing in the northern city of Kano with military hardware bound for neighbouring Chad, a security source said. An air force spokesperson confirmed the plane had been detained but gave no further details.

The plane had been travelling from Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, to the Chadian capital N'Djamena but was forced to make an emergency landing in Kano because N'Djamena airport was closed, the security source said.

Abuja - Gunmen broke into a prison in the central Nigerian city of Minna, freeing around 200 inmates, a police spokesperson and security sources said.

The sources said the gunmen stormed the facility late on Saturday in Niger state, near to the capital Abuja. Islamist sect Boko Haram and al Qaeda-linked group Ansaru have been behind several prison raids in recent years, although it was unclear whether they had anything to do with this one.

Below is a press statement from the office of former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu...

For a while now, I have noticed and read many published political stories on Lagos politics in particular and the personalities involved that are either concerted, unsubstantiated, pure conjectures or outright falsehood. In this instance, I reference a recent story ran by a major newspaper concerning my successor and me.

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