Monday, January 13, 2014
Video - Victims of secterian violence in Nigeria still waiting for justice
Thousands of victims of sectarian violence in Nigeria are still waiting for justice years after crimes were committed against them. Hundreds of internally displaced people continue to live in refugee camps that they fled to when violence broke out after the 2011 general elections. Many say they still do not feel safe returning to their old homes and few believe justice will ever be served. Human rights groups have blamed the government for the lack of justice.
Mali upset Nigeria in African Nations Championship
Mali shocked African champions Nigeria 2-1 in the sides' opening Group A match at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Goals from Abdoulaye Sissoko and Adama Traore (pictured) gave Mali a stunning start to the competition.
Mali took the lead in the 17th minute with a ferocious drive from Sissoko after breaking free on the right flank after Mali had cut open the Nigeria defence.
They then missed two chances in quick succession - on 20 and 21 minutes - to double their lead as they dominated the Super Eagles, and just after half-time Nigeria cleared off the line after a corner.
On 50 minutes the Eagles got reward for their pressure when Traore made it 2-0 with another vicious shot which went through the legs of Nigeria keeper Chigozie Agbim.
Although Nigeria hit back four minutes later with a glancing header from substitute Fuad Salami, it was not enough to prevent defeat for the tournament favourites.
Earlier on Saturday, a stunning goal from Hlompho Kekana helped hosts South Africa to a 3-1 victory over Mozambique in the opening match of the competition.
With the tie delicately poised at 1-1, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder powered home a 40-yard shot that left goalkeeper Soarito a bemused spectator.
And the goal changed the complexion of the Group A clash in Cape Town.
Bernard Parker, who had earlier cancelled out Diogo's deflected shot, grabbed his second to seal the win.
Mozambique went into the match on the back of an intensive two-month training camp.
And they took the lead after just 11 minutes when South Africa goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune was fooled by Diogo's deflected shot.
But the hosts equalised on the half-hour mark when Parker scored from the penalty spot.
And they could and should have gone to the break 2-1 up but for a horror miss from Katlego Mashego.
Siphiwe Tshabalala flighted a delightful cross into the area but Mashego fluffed his lines from just four yards when it appeared easier to score.
Bafana Bafana would not be denied, though, and after Kekana's stunning strike, Parker put the result beyond doubt when he netted from close range in the dying minutes.
BBC
Goals from Abdoulaye Sissoko and Adama Traore (pictured) gave Mali a stunning start to the competition.
Mali took the lead in the 17th minute with a ferocious drive from Sissoko after breaking free on the right flank after Mali had cut open the Nigeria defence.
They then missed two chances in quick succession - on 20 and 21 minutes - to double their lead as they dominated the Super Eagles, and just after half-time Nigeria cleared off the line after a corner.
On 50 minutes the Eagles got reward for their pressure when Traore made it 2-0 with another vicious shot which went through the legs of Nigeria keeper Chigozie Agbim.
Although Nigeria hit back four minutes later with a glancing header from substitute Fuad Salami, it was not enough to prevent defeat for the tournament favourites.
Earlier on Saturday, a stunning goal from Hlompho Kekana helped hosts South Africa to a 3-1 victory over Mozambique in the opening match of the competition.
With the tie delicately poised at 1-1, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder powered home a 40-yard shot that left goalkeeper Soarito a bemused spectator.
And the goal changed the complexion of the Group A clash in Cape Town.
Bernard Parker, who had earlier cancelled out Diogo's deflected shot, grabbed his second to seal the win.
Mozambique went into the match on the back of an intensive two-month training camp.
And they took the lead after just 11 minutes when South Africa goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune was fooled by Diogo's deflected shot.
But the hosts equalised on the half-hour mark when Parker scored from the penalty spot.
And they could and should have gone to the break 2-1 up but for a horror miss from Katlego Mashego.
Siphiwe Tshabalala flighted a delightful cross into the area but Mashego fluffed his lines from just four yards when it appeared easier to score.
Bafana Bafana would not be denied, though, and after Kekana's stunning strike, Parker put the result beyond doubt when he netted from close range in the dying minutes.
BBC
Friday, January 10, 2014
Nigeria signs prisoner exchange deal with the UK
The UK and Nigeria have signed an agreement to allow the transfer of prisoners between the two countries.
It means citizens of one who commit crimes in the other will serve sentences in their homeland.
The UK government said it meant inmates could be "properly prepared for release into the community in which they will live following their release".
Both countries already have prisoner-transfer treaties in place with several other states.
The UK-Nigeria agreement was one of the objectives outlined by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan following a meeting in 2011.
It is expected the first prisoner transfers will take place before the end of this year.
UK Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said: "Removing foreign national offenders is a key priority for the British government and the prisoner transfer agreement I signed this morning with the Nigerian attorney-general plays a significant role in supporting this.
"Both the United Kingdom and Nigeria have prisoner transfer arrangements with other countries and it is right that our two countries, which have such strong ties and shared interests, should develop our own arrangements.
"I strongly believe that this agreement will have significant benefits for both our countries."
BBC
It means citizens of one who commit crimes in the other will serve sentences in their homeland.
The UK government said it meant inmates could be "properly prepared for release into the community in which they will live following their release".
Both countries already have prisoner-transfer treaties in place with several other states.
The UK-Nigeria agreement was one of the objectives outlined by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan following a meeting in 2011.
It is expected the first prisoner transfers will take place before the end of this year.
UK Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said: "Removing foreign national offenders is a key priority for the British government and the prisoner transfer agreement I signed this morning with the Nigerian attorney-general plays a significant role in supporting this.
"Both the United Kingdom and Nigeria have prisoner transfer arrangements with other countries and it is right that our two countries, which have such strong ties and shared interests, should develop our own arrangements.
"I strongly believe that this agreement will have significant benefits for both our countries."
BBC
President Goodluck Jonathan asks bank chief Sanusi to resign
But Mr Sanusi refused, telling Goodluck Jonathan that others could have leaked his memo about the state oil firm's failure to account for $50bn (£30bn).
Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo referred to this in a letter criticising Mr Jonathan's leadership last month.
President Jonathan was angered by the criticism, denying government fraud.
In a rebuttal letter before Christmas, the president said that Mr Obasanjo, who is also a member of the governing People's Democratic Party, was threatening "national security" by whipping up opposition to his administration.
He dismissed allegations of "high corruption" in government and said that Mr Sanusi's allegations - made in a letter dated 25 September - were "spurious".
A respected banker, Mr Sanusi has spearheaded reforms in Nigeria's troubled banking sector since his appointment in 2009.
'Heated exchange'
According to Nigeria's This Day newspaper, President Jonathan demanded the bank chief's resignation over the phone, asking him to leave by 31 December 2013.
But in a heated exchange, Mr Sanusi refused to leave his post before his term ends later this year, a source confirmed to the BBC.
Mr Sanusi said that about $10bn (£6bn) was still unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and expressed surprise that those responsible were not being asked to resign instead.
Mr Jonathan accused the Central Bank governor of leaking the letter to Mr Obasanjo after which the full letter was published in the Nigerian media.
Mr Sanusi said the leak could have come from the presidency or ministry of finance and the blame could not lie with him.
Nigeria has recently been listed among countries that could become the next set of economic giants in years to come - known as the "Mint" nations.
Correspondent says deep divisions have engulfed the PDP over the last year amid fears that it could lose the election under Mr Jonathan's leadership.
BBC
Thursday, January 9, 2014
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