NAIJAFEED

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

732 Nigerians in Chinese Prisons

It's been reported by Vanguard that about 732 Nigerian are in imprisoned in China for various offences. Out of the 732 Nigerians, 322 are in detention, 304 are awaiting deportation, and 106 are serving prison terms for trafficking, fraud, and robbery.

The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joe Keshi made these following statements during discussions between the two countries:

" Nigerian side is expected to raise and collaborate with the Chinese, to find lasting solutions to the increasing arbitrary arrest and detention of Nigerians who have over stayed their visas in China.

"Discussion on the consular problems has become inevitable in view of increasing number of Nigerian being arrested for violating Chinese immigration laws, with available statistics that about 732 Nigerians are in various Chinese prison for various offences; 322 out of the number are in detention and another 304 are awaiting deportation, while the remaining 106 are in prison for trafficking, robbery and fraud",

" By Chinese penal code, foreigners who overstay their visas' period, face severe penalties including arrest, detention and payment of fines before they could leave the country.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Video report on Nigerian Police accused of illegal killings in Boko Haram incident

The violence that erupted in Nigeria earlier this year left at least 1,000 people dead. Human rights group say the Nigerian police carried out illegal killings during their attempt to suppress Boko Haram fighters.

Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege reports on the hundred of families in northern Nigeria that are accusing the Nigerian police of murder.

Video report on the widows of Boko Haram militants

Boko Haram declare Jihad

Oprah Winfrey picks Nigerian author Uwem Akpan's "Say You're One of Them" for book club

Uwem Akpan said he was "humbled" to know that his debut collection of short stories titled "Say You're One Of Them" was picked by Oprah Winfrey for her book club.

Say You're One of Them becomes the first book of short stories to be added to Oprah's book club and is her 63rd book club selection. She said the stories left her stunned and profoundly moved.

The Nigerian author who runs a parish in Lagos said he was "very, very humbled" to have Say You're One Of Them chosen by Oprah. Due to work with his parish Uwem said he's been too busy to work on another book but that the church still supports his writing.

"I have permission to write, but I do not need an imprimatur from the church -- that is more for people who are writing about theology and philosophy. They see that I am writing fiction and assume it is made up," Uwem said.

"Don't forget that Jesus was a priest and a poet."

With almost two million online members. Oprah's book club is the biggest in the world and books chosen for the club usually end up becoming bestsellers.

Uwem Akpan studied English and philosophy at Creighton and Gonzaga universities then went on to study theology for three years at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

In 2003, he was ordained as a Jesuit priest and received his masters degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006.

Say You're One Of Them is a collection of five short stories published in 2008. The stories are from the perspective of an African child that captures the resilience of children growing up in the face of unimaginable devastation.

Times Live

Related stories: Anderson Cooper reports on Uwem Akpan

Chimamanda Adichie on African Voices

Nigeria's Wole Soyinka on CNN's special African Voices

Drug traffickers stuff cocaine in roasted chicken

29-year old Owolabi Opeyemi was arrested for drug trafficking at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.

Mr. Opeyemi who claimed to be a trader in Mumbai, India was about to board an Ethiopian airline flight to India when he was called aside for mandatory baggage screening. As screening of his bag was about to start, Owolabi confidently took the cocaine stuffed roasted chicken out of his bag, took a few bites then handed it to a Mr. Lekan Fagbemi who claimed to be his brother as the screening ensued.

With the screening completed and nothing incriminating found in his luggage, he was cleared to board. As Owolabi proceeded, he reached out and collected his roasted chicken. But was unaware that NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) agents were keeping a close eye on him.

As Owolabi was triumphantly waving goodbye to his accomplices, he was swiftly pulled aside by NDLEA agents who wittingly asked to have some of the roasted chicken. The agents found 3.55kg of cocaine stuffed in the chicken and Owolabi was arrested on the spot. His cohorts were also arrested as they were about to get on a Taxi.

Owolabi broke down in tears and confessed to the crime when NDLEA agents presented his accomplices to him. He blamed hardship for his predicament.

Airport Commander of the agency, Mr. Victor Cole Shower was amusingly impressed with the attempt of concealment and called it "superb". He also said "drug pushers are daily devising means of perpetrating their devilish act".

Vanguard

Two Nigerian drug traffickers excrete 160 grams of cocaine while in custody

CNN reports on the Drug War in Nigeria

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Nigerian Government lashes out on District 9 and demands apology from SONY Pictures

The Nigerian minister of information and communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili has expressed her utter contempt for how Nigerians were depicted in this summer's sci-fi blockbuster District 9.

In the interview up top, she calls for cinemas to stop showing District 9, demands an unconditional apology from Sony Pictures and even asks for a re-cut of the movie.

Playstation 3 ad changed after Nigerians protest against it

SONY apologizes to Nigeria for Playstation 3 ad

Dora Akunyili wants SONY apology letter re-written

Nigerian scammers scammed and arrested

Nigerian fraudsters targeting football youth

Ben stiller making 419 film