Bomb blast at Church in Bauch, Nigeria - 9 dead

A suicide bomber who tried to drive an explosives-packed car into a church in northern on Sunday killed at least nine people, including himself, and injured 35, officials said.

The attacker sped his vehicle as he approached a checkpoint near the church in Bauchi State, which had heightened security following previous attacks in the area blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram.

“We have a checkpoint not far from the church which prevented the bomber from gaining access to his target,” said State police commissioner Mohammed Ladan.

“So he rammed the car into a security gate and the car exploded, killing him and eight other people. … Many people were injured but I can’t give you any precise number because the hospital is still trying to take a toll,” he added.

The head of the Nigerian Red Cross in Bauchi state, Adamu Abubakar, told AFP he counted 35 people injured at an area hospital.

Residents said that the explosion caused the church building to collapse, prompting dozens of people to flee seeking refuge, but some ran straight into a fire raging outside.

“There was confusion as residents and churchgoers tried to flee. Some of them out of fright fell into the fire caused by the explosion,” said resident Timothy Joshua.

Another witness, who requested anonymity, said a presumed accomplice tried to escape the scene after the blast went off and was later chased down and killed by enraged residents, although police could not confirm this account.

“The other bomber abandoned the car they came with and wanted to flee, but he was pursued by a resident and worshippers and beaten to death,” this witness said.

Boko Haram has claimed attacks killing more than 1,000 in Nigeria since July 2009, with some of the worst bloodshed coming in the northeast.

The group staged a daring jailbreak in Bauchi in September 2010 during which it said roughly 100 of its members were freed.

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Nigerian wins banker of the year

At the 6th edition of the African Banker Awards, under the patronage of the African Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday in Tanzania, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria, was awarded the African Banker of the year.

He was presented with his Trophy by Tim Turner, Director, Private Sector Operations, ADB, at the picturesque Frangipani Gardens, where the Awards ceremony took place. Also, Ecobank beat tough competition posed by six other contestants in its category to come out on top as African Bank of the Year.

The Bank which was given particular credit for its continued expansion throughout Middle Africa as the pan African bank, got a strong endorsement when South Africa's Public Investment Corporation officially signed the $250 million investment agreement in the Group.

The Best Regional Bank category named a winner from each of the five regions of Africa: Attijariwafa Bank, Morocco, for North Africa; BGFI, Gabon, for Central Africa; Bank of Kigali, Rwanda, for East Africa; Access Bank, Nigeria, for West Africa; and BCI, Mozambique, for Southern Africa.

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Video - Nigeria's electricity generation crisis continues

There is anger in Nigeria over the rising cost of electricity, with many upset about paying more for a service the government barely provides.

The country's electricity sector has been heavily subsidised for years, but government officials say the current rate is simply unsustainable.

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Nigerian wins top prize at world science contest

All African countries stood still for Oluwaseun Alamu when he emerged best science student in Africa during UNICEF World Science Day 2012 competition.

Seun, 16 who represented Rainbow College, Ogun State, came first in Africa and was awarded a trophy and certificate for excellence. With this feat, he has made a bold statement that Nigeria and Africa are no longer the dark country and continent but that if given the right opportunity, we can be the best.

In the UNICEF World Science contest, Rainbow College succeeded in writing Nigeria's name in the world book of records having produced the Third Best Science School in the world, Best Science School in Africa, Best Science Student in Africa and 38 ruby awards/certificates.

By this achievement, high priority is now placed on African education as the breakthrough has enabled Africa take its pride of place in the world. More importantly, the world is now forced to recognise Africa in the rating of world schools.

The online competition which took place within 24 hours on March 8, 2012, requires a knowledge of facts, quick thinking and Information Communication Technology (ICT) readiness. It covers three key curricular areas which include: Mathematics, Science and spelling in English Language.

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Italian kidnapped in Illorin,Nigeria

An elderly Italian working as a construction engineer with Borini Prono Construction Company has been kidnapped in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Kwara police public relations officer (PPR0), DSP Fabode Olufemi, who confirmed the incident in Ilorin yesterday said the state police command was aware of the incident but could not give details of the whereabouts of the victim.

Olufemi said the incident was capable of frustrating the efforts of the state government at delivering democracy dividends to people.

Daily Trust gathered that the victim, who had gone to inspect one of the ongoing road construction projects, awarded to his company by the state government was whisked away at about 5:30 pm on Monday to unknown destination. The projects he went to inspect are located at Bishop Smith Road, opposite Stella Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, it was learnt.

Our correspondent also gathered that the kidnappers were yet to make any contact with the associates of the Italian four days after he was kidnapped.

And no contact has been made with the kidnappers and all what the police could confirm about the incident was that he was an Italian working with Borini Prono, according to the PPRO.

The police, however, assured the general public that the victim would be rescued soon without any hurt.

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