Thursday, November 12, 2009

Nigeria join forces with Germany to combat drug trafficking

Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is teaming up with the German government to combat illegal drug trafficking in Nigeria through the exchange of intelligence information, training, and supply of drug detecting equipments for airports in Nigeria.


The announcement was made on Tuesday at the office of the anti-narcotics agency in Murtala Muhammed International Airport by the Vice President of the German Federal Criminal Investigation Office, Professor Juergen Stock.


"We are in Nigeria to pay a working visit, which is aimed at exchange of information, intelligence gathering, training programmes and other areas where we could learn how to pull down intimidation drug cartels that dominate the illicit business between Europe, Asia , South America and Africa.


We are doing this because we belive no country could do it all alone. Only global collaboration through networking could address the drug challenge. That is why we continue to forge stronger and closer ties through a multi lateral approach with our partners, for which Nigeria stands out in West Africa.


We are convinced that stronger partnerships, expertise as well as technology will assist law enforcement agencies in tracking criminal activities," he said.


The Director-General of NDLEA, Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho had this to add. "The visit by the German delegation will not only boost our relationship for better understanding but will motivate both countries for greater results in the areas of mutual interests such as crime control and prevention".


Daily Champion


Nigeria and Britain join forces in combating drug trafficking


CNN's video report on the illegal drug trade in Nigeria




Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Football player gets 40 lashes for drinking alcohol in Sudan


20-year old Nigerian football player Stephen Worgu who plays his club football in Sudan was found guilty on Tuesday of drinking alcohol and driving under the influence. He's been sentenced to receive 40 lashes and pay a fine of 50 Sudanese pounds ($20) for drinking alcohol and 200 Sudanese pounds ($80) for driving under the influence.


Stephen Worgu has been finding it difficult to adapt to the Sudanese lifestyle since his move in 2008. Here are some statements he made to the BBC in April:


"I am finding it hard to adapt (in Sudan). It?s a different culture, different religion, different language, everything,"


"They have this Sharia law, and it's really affecting me also, because you don't feel free to do the things you need to do."


Sahara


Related stories: Nigerian fraudsters targeting football youth


Globacom strikes five-year sponsorship deal with Manchester United




Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Anderson Cooper reports on Uwem Akpan


Anderson Cooper reports on Nigerian bestselling author Uwem Akpan.



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


Nigerian Legend Wole Soyinka on Democracy



Police gun down 70-year old man who refused to pay bribe

A 70-year old man on his way home after attending his son's wedding was shot dead by a police officer at a checkpoint in Osun State because he refused to pay police bribe. The amount the police officer demanded was N20 ($13 cents). Another passenger in the car was seriously injured.


It's been reported that one of the policemen at the checkpoint was drunk and fired a shot into the car as the 70-year old man was talking with another police officer. The policemen then shot sporadically into the air to scare away pedestrians and motorists as they fled the scene.


Related story: Video report on Nigeria police accused of illegal killings in Boko Haram incident


Champion



Monday, November 9, 2009

Bestselling author Uwem Akpan on CNN



CNN's Christian Purefoy talks with bestselling author Uwem Akpan who's collection of short stories titled "Say You're One Of Them" got mass exposure after Oprah Winfrey selected his book for her book club.


Related stories: Oprah Winfrey picks Nigerian author Uwem Akpan's "Say you're one of them" for book club


Chimamanda Adichie at 200 TED Conference


Wole Soyinka on African Voices