Friday, January 17, 2014
Video - Nigeria's anti-gay law denounced
In Nigeria, a gay man has been lashed 20 times, the first conviction for sodomy since President Goodluck Jonathan signed a law criminalising homosexuality earlier this week. Human rights activists said hundreds of gay men have been arrested and tortured by police. The international community said not only is the new law against fundamental freedoms, it will also affect services of millions of Nigerians living with HIV AIDS, as they scare away people to seek treatment, incase people think they are gay.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Video - Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor talks to Ellen about 12 Years a Slave
The talented star told Ellen about his incredible film, "12 Years a Slave," and Hollywood's response to his name.
President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked his military high command, his spokesman Reuben Abati has said.
No reason was given but the dismissals come amid growing concern about the military's failure to end the Islamist-led insurgency in northern Nigeria.
Mr Abati said Air Marshal Alex Badeh replaces Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new chief of defence staff, the most senior post in the military.
Boko Haram has been waging a four-year insurgency in Nigeria.
Mr Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in three northern states in May 2013, giving the military wide-ranging powers to end the insurgency.
'Tradition of sackings'
However, Boko Haram has continued with its campaign of violence - including attacks on two military barracks and an air base last month.
On Tuesday, the group carried out a car bomb attack in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, killing at least 17 people.
United Nations figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence since the state of emergency started.
Mr Abati said the new appointments would come into effect immediately.
The president had briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the changes "and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes", he added.
Mr Jonathan also appointed a new chief of army staff, replacing Lt Gen Azubike Ihejirika with Maj Gen Tobiah Minimah.
Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as chief of naval staff and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as chief of air staff.
BBC Nigeria analyst Naziru Mikailu says Mr Jonathan's decision does not come as a complete surprise because there is a tradition in Nigeria of sacking military chiefs.
It seems Mr Jonathan wants to show he is in charge, at a time when his leadership is being increasingly questioned within the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 elections, our correspondent adds.
Last month, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo called on Mr Jonathan not to seek re-election, accusing him of failing to tackle Nigeria's many problems - including the Islamist insurgency, poverty and corruption.
BBC
No reason was given but the dismissals come amid growing concern about the military's failure to end the Islamist-led insurgency in northern Nigeria.
Mr Abati said Air Marshal Alex Badeh replaces Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new chief of defence staff, the most senior post in the military.
Boko Haram has been waging a four-year insurgency in Nigeria.
Mr Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in three northern states in May 2013, giving the military wide-ranging powers to end the insurgency.
'Tradition of sackings'
However, Boko Haram has continued with its campaign of violence - including attacks on two military barracks and an air base last month.
On Tuesday, the group carried out a car bomb attack in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, killing at least 17 people.
United Nations figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence since the state of emergency started.
Mr Abati said the new appointments would come into effect immediately.
The president had briefed the leadership of the National Assembly on the changes "and will, in keeping with the provisions of the law, request the National Assembly to formally confirm the appointments when it reconvenes", he added.
Mr Jonathan also appointed a new chief of army staff, replacing Lt Gen Azubike Ihejirika with Maj Gen Tobiah Minimah.
Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin takes over from Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba as chief of naval staff and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu takes over from Air Marshal Badeh as chief of air staff.
BBC Nigeria analyst Naziru Mikailu says Mr Jonathan's decision does not come as a complete surprise because there is a tradition in Nigeria of sacking military chiefs.
It seems Mr Jonathan wants to show he is in charge, at a time when his leadership is being increasingly questioned within the governing People's Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 elections, our correspondent adds.
Last month, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo called on Mr Jonathan not to seek re-election, accusing him of failing to tackle Nigeria's many problems - including the Islamist insurgency, poverty and corruption.
BBC
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
President Goodluck Jonathan's photographer shot
President Goodluck Jonathan’s official photographer, Mr. Callistus Ewelike, was on Monday night shot by unknown gunmen in Abuja.
Ewelike, a photojournalist with the News Agency of Nigeria is attached to the State House, Abuja, and he is currently acting as the President’s official photographer.
The father of two was reportedly shot at a close range in front of his house in Nyanya in the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, between 10pm and 11pm.
He was said to be returning to his house after filing the photographs he took during Jonathan’s visit to Shape Community in the FCT, where the President inaugurated the Operation Light Up Rural Nigeria Project when the incident happened.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the attack was carried out by two men on a motorcycle.
The eyewitness said, “The two men were apparently waiting for him at his residence. While one of them was on the motorbike, the guy who pulled the trigger was standing, waiting for him.
“As the victim parked his car and was making his way into his house, the armed man shot him in the neck at a close range. The gunshot attracted some residents of the area, so the two men quickly sped off on the motorbike.”
No personal belonging was stolen from the victim.
Ewelike was rushed by his neighbours to the National Hospital, Abuja, where medical doctors as of Tuesday were attending to him.
Our correspondent visited the victim at the hospital on Tuesday.
A source in the hospital said the x-ray conducted on the photographer showed that the bullet that entered through his neck was lodged at a spot close to his shoulder.
Armed men had also visited Ewelike’s residence few weeks back.
They left with his working tools, including his camera and a laptop and a few other personal effects.
Our correspondent learnt that security agents were already investigating the attempt on Ewelike’s life.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Altine Daniel, on Tuesday confirmed the incident.
Daniel said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Ogunbayide, had directed that full scale investigation be carried out on the case.
PUNCH
Ewelike, a photojournalist with the News Agency of Nigeria is attached to the State House, Abuja, and he is currently acting as the President’s official photographer.
The father of two was reportedly shot at a close range in front of his house in Nyanya in the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, between 10pm and 11pm.
He was said to be returning to his house after filing the photographs he took during Jonathan’s visit to Shape Community in the FCT, where the President inaugurated the Operation Light Up Rural Nigeria Project when the incident happened.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the attack was carried out by two men on a motorcycle.
The eyewitness said, “The two men were apparently waiting for him at his residence. While one of them was on the motorbike, the guy who pulled the trigger was standing, waiting for him.
“As the victim parked his car and was making his way into his house, the armed man shot him in the neck at a close range. The gunshot attracted some residents of the area, so the two men quickly sped off on the motorbike.”
No personal belonging was stolen from the victim.
Ewelike was rushed by his neighbours to the National Hospital, Abuja, where medical doctors as of Tuesday were attending to him.
Our correspondent visited the victim at the hospital on Tuesday.
A source in the hospital said the x-ray conducted on the photographer showed that the bullet that entered through his neck was lodged at a spot close to his shoulder.
Armed men had also visited Ewelike’s residence few weeks back.
They left with his working tools, including his camera and a laptop and a few other personal effects.
Our correspondent learnt that security agents were already investigating the attempt on Ewelike’s life.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Altine Daniel, on Tuesday confirmed the incident.
Daniel said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Ogunbayide, had directed that full scale investigation be carried out on the case.
PUNCH
Video - CNN covers anti-gay law in Nigeria
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has signed a law banning same-sex marriage.
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92 percent of Nigerians support anit-gay law
Wole Soyinka advises anti-gay bill legislators to go back to school
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