Friday, September 18, 2009

MEND extend ceasefire


The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced an extension of its ceasefire that expired on September 15th. But MEND warned that the government must address their demands or attacks on oil installations and kidnapping of foreign oil workers will resume.


MEND issued a statement via email by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo:


"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is extending its unilateral ceasefire, which expired midnight, September 15, 2009, by 30 days.


"MEND does not recognize an amnesty that has not made any provision for meaningful dialogue on the root issues that gave birth to the Niger Delta unrest in the first place.


"We have, therefore, resolved to continue fighting because the reasons for fighting has not yet been addressed.


"The government should use this extension of time to do the right thing instead of pretending to talk peace while arming the military for a war it cannot win.


"The oil and gas industry, which will bear the brunt of renewed hostilities, should not be deceived by the amnesty charade or the recent military hardware purchases as this is only leading to another cycle of violence".


Leadership


Related stories: Nigerian militants declare ceasefire


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Oil War - Video recap




Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Video report on the fight against malaria


CNN's Christian Purefoy covers the fight against malaria in Nigeria.


Related story: Video report on Nigeria promoting marriage between HIV couples to prevent spread of the virus



Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Ikechukwu Uche out for Super Eagles


Ikechukwu Uche will unfortunately miss the last two World Cup qualifying matches for the Super Eagles due to injury. A scan showed the 25-year-old striker damaged the lateral and anterior cruciate ligaments of his left knee during Real Zaragoza's 4-1 loss to Sevilla in Spanish La Liga on Saturday.


Here's what he told the BBC in an interview:


"It's a terrible setback for me as it turned out to be worse than earlier thought,"


"I should be undergoing an operation in the next couple of days and the doctor said I could be out for at least five months.


"There's a chance that I could be back earlier but it's very remote." 


His injury adds extra pressure for Nigeria to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa seeing that Uche is the top scorer for the Super Eagles.


Related stories: Jay Jay Okocha becomes technical assistant for the Super Eagles


Football Legend Pele predicts Africa has a great chance of making it to the World Cup Final



Monday, September 14, 2009

Chimuanya ‘Aroma’ Ufodike makes history on who wants to be a millionaire


In it's sixth year. Chimuanya "Aroma" Ufodike has become the first person to win the 10 million naira grand prize ($65,160) on Nigeria's Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.


The 36-year old bachelor won in spectacular fashion, with only having to use his lifelines for the last 2 questions. He capped his awesome performance by mimicking Usain Bolt as he celebrated being the first to win the biggest cash prize on the show. Here are the questions that cemented Mr. Ufodike's place in Nigerian television history:


1. Which of these is the name of a British Football Club?
A. Blackburn Losers
B. Blackburn Rovers
C. Blackburn Lovers
D. Blackburn Wanderers


2. An establishment where money can be deposited or withdrawn is called what?
A. Fridge
B. Bank
C. Market
D. Shoe


3. Name given to a boy born on Sunday in Ghana is what?
A. Bassey
B. Kwesi
C. Abiodun
D. Ejima


4. Which of the following refer to the word fire?
A. Inferno
B. Domino
C. Stiletto
D. Tornado


5. According to the constitution a public officer is not allowed to do which of these?
A. Marry a wife
B. Bury a dead parent
C. Have thanksgiving in church
D. Accept gifts or favour in kind


6. The process by which genetic traits are transmitted from parents to offspring is called what?
A. Tenacity
B. Verifiability
C. Hereditary
D. Validation


7. Roland Garros stadium is in which city?
A. Paris
B. Copenhagen
C. New York
D. Madrid


8. Where is Tiananmen Square?
A. Mumbai
B. Beijing
C. Rio de Janeiro
D. Seville


9. The word supersonic denotes which of these?
A. A speed equal to that of sound
B. A speed greater than that of sound
C. A speed equal to that of light
D. A speed greater than that of light


10. Which of these holds bones together at the joints of the body?
A. Nephrons
B. Nerves
C. Ligaments
D. Stitches


11. Linus Mbah achieved fame in Nigerian sporting circles as what?
A. Swimmer
B. Referee
C. Football Fan
D. Judoka


12. DAX refers to the stock market of which country?
A. France
B. United States
C. Germany
D. India


13. Who won the Academy Award for directing the movie ‘Million Dollar Baby’?
A. Clint Eastwood
B. Oliver Stone
C. Peter Jackson
D. Morgan Freeman


14. In which country is the Galeras Volcano?
A. Lebanon
B. Columbia
C. Japan
D. Eritrea


15. Professor Maathai Wangari won the Nobel Prize for which of these?
A. Literature
B. Economics
C. Peace
D. Medicine


Related stories: Naija who wants to be a billionaire. Warning...extremely funny 


Nigerian lottery winner gives entire cash prize to beggar



Sunday, September 13, 2009

The Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Lagos



Sahara Reporters check out the Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. It's been almost a year since the yacht was purchased from the UK but still hasn't been put to use. From what you can see in the video it's in pretty bad shape due to lack of maintenance. As the multi-million dollar purchase remains derelict, homeless people litter around it.


Related stories: Nigerian governor living in opulence in midst of poverty


Nation in Darkness


Nigeria's Federal Fire Service