NAIJAFEED

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Corruption in Nigeria

Nigerian politician James Ibori says corruption charges against him are "pure politics". CNN's Christian Purefoy reports.

Nuhu Ribadu Testifies before U.S. Financial Services Committee

Video report on the EFCC crackdown on corruption in Nigeria

Nigerian Governor living in opulence in midst of poverty

Monday, March 15, 2010

Dora Akunyili honoured in U.S.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili has been honoured in the United States where she received an award as one of the 50 Powerful Women in an event organised by MEA Magazine at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Washington, D.C.

MEA Magazine, the organisers of the prestigious award has The Theme: "Women Going the Distance" for this year's award in which 50 most successful business leaders across the United States were honoured. This is the first time a Nigerian is being honoured.

In a statement signed by Debra Williams, Publisher of the magazine, Prof. Akunyili's efforts at Re-branding Nigeria is applauded. "I applaud Akunyili's efforts in re-branding Nigeria and for going the distance for success and excellence and her contribution to her country."

According to the group, these deserving women will be chosen from a pool of public nominations from the ranks of professionals. This is an occasion to celebrate women who have endured; gone the distance for success and excellence and have contributed to their communities. The group stated that the objective of the awards was to celebrate these women as role models for their hardwork, honesty, perseverance, resilience and integrity.

"I am honoured to be recognized as one of MEA Magazine's '50 Powerful Women in Business' said Akunyili. I could not have achieved this honour without God and Nigerians for whatever I am today I owe to Nigeria and the good people of Africa... I will not end my acceptance speech without mentioning that African women are good women and I will receive this honour on their behalf. The honour is to all of us."

In attendance were the Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations Prof. U. Joy Ogwu and other important dignitaries amongst the African Americans. At the event the minister seized the opportunity in her speech to reinforce the Re-branding Nigeria project, and called on all Nigerians in the diaspora to join hands in moving Nigeria forward.

This Day

Dora Akunyili says Nigeria may cut ties with U.S.

Dora Akunyili wants SONY apology letter re-written

Documentary on rebranding Nigeria

Friday, March 12, 2010

Aliko Dangote makes Forbes rich men's list

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Nigerian born billionaire commodity merchant, industrialist has again made it on the list of the world richest men alive, according to a Forbes World Richest Billionaires released yesterday. But his friend and arch rival, Femi Otedola has, however, dropped out of the list probably due to the stock market crash that has gravely eroded his fortune.

Dangote has been in business for many years with interest in almost all sectors of the economy, including politics where he is known to be one of the financial backers of the ruling party, the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP.

Dangote's net worth was put by Forbes at $2.1 billion. This is the third time the 52 year old Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies would be making the list. He was listed as the 463rd in the world.

Meanwhile some well known South African billionaires also made the list. Nicky Oppenheinmer, a citizen of Johanesburg, South Africa was listed as 154 in the Forbes list of world's richest billionaires in 2010. He runs De Beers, the world's largest producers of diamond. He accumulated his fortune from inheritance. He is married with a child, while his estimated fortune is put at $5.0 billion.

Patrice Motsepe, a self-made billionaire was listed as 421 with an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion. The South African is married to a beautiful lady who runs African Fashion International and together they have three children. His major business interest is mining.

Johann Rupert Family, another South African, also has an estimated net-worth of $2.3 billion. Also listed as 421 on the world's richest list 2010, is Johann who deals in luxury goods.

Meanwhile, Carlos Slim Helu, a Mexican-born billionaire has been declared the 2010 Forbes world's richest man alive, ahead of Bill Gates. He has a net worth of $50.3 billion. Bill Gates has $50 billion dollar as total net worth.

Mexico's Carlos Slim beat Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for the top spot on Forbes magazine's annual list of billionaires, becoming the first person from outside the U.S. to lead the rankings in 16 years.

The net-worth of Slim, 70, who built a telecommunications empire after buying Mexico's state-run phone monopoly two decades ago, rose $18.5 billion to $53.5 billion. Gates, 54, chairman of Microsoft Corp., fell to second as his net worth increased $13 billion to $53 billion. Buffett, 79, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., was third with $47 billion, a rise of $10 billion.

Slim is the first person other than Gates, last year's richest person, or Buffett to top the list since 1994, which was also the last time a billionaire from outside the U.S. led the ranking: Japanese real estate tycoon Yoshiaki Tsutsumi.

Asia's richest person, Mukesh Ambani, 52, of India, chairman of Mumbai-based refiner and energy explorer Reliance Industries Ltd., was ranked fourth with $29 billion, up from $19.5 billion last year, when he was seventh.

Lakshmi Mittal, 59, also of India, the chief executive officer of the world's biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, rose to fifth from eighth. Mittal's net-worth increased $9.4 billion to $28.7 billion as shares of his company have almost doubled in the past year.

Larry Ellison, 65, chief executive of Oracle Corp., fell to sixth from fourth as his net-worth increased $5.5 billion to $28 billion. Bernard Arnault, 61, of France, chairman and chief executive of luxury goods maker LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, rose to seventh from 15th as his net worth jumped $11 billion to $27.5 billion.

Vanguard

Video report on Nigerian oil tycoon Kase Lawal

Adebayo Ogunlesi, 56, acquires London Gatwick Airport

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Nollywood stars murdered

Two Edo State Nollywood stars were shot dead this Tuesday in Benin by gunmen suspected to be hired killers. Mr Erhauyi Ogbeide a.k.a Ukeke and Eghosa Idehen a.k.a Erejiro were killed at the home of Ukeke's father-in-law located at 39, Ore-Oghene Street in Benin at about 8pm.

They were said to be coming from a location in a community (Iguomo) where they had gone to shoot a film soon to be released.

The killers, who may have been on their trail, arrived at the house about an hour after they got there. The five killers were said to have made straight for the sitting room where the actors and their host were meeting.

They shot Ukeke twice at close range while Erejiro who had escaped into a bathroom was also shot at close range where he hid.

Ukeke and Erejiro's host simply referred to as Chief Olaye, was also shot by the bandits at the mouth before making away with handsets of the victims in a Toyota Camry car they had parked outside. Chief Olaye is now receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Benin.

The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command ASP Peter Ogboi who confirmed the incident said the state commissioner of Police had directed the Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.

Daily Trust

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Kidnapping culture in Nigeria on the rise

Plans to introduce the death penalty for Kidnapping underway in Nigeria

Nigeria's religious wars examined

A cross examination from different media sources gathered by Newsy investigates the motives behind the recent massacre in Jos, Nigeria.

Newsy

Video - Hundreds dead in religious violence in Nigeria

Video - Residents worry about their future in Jos, Nigeria

Resurgence of religious riots in Nigeria