Sunday, August 9, 2009

Nigeria Heightens Security ahead of Hillary Clinton's visit


Security has been heightened in and around Abuja ahead of the visit of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of her seven-nation trip to Africa.


Her 11-day trip to Africa serves to support U.S. President Barack Obama's goal to assist Africa in economic growth and conflict resolution.


U.S. Intelligence officers have been in Nigeria for days to ensure that adequate security will be provided for Hillary Clinton. The strict security being put in place and coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has taken security agents to many points Hillary Clinton is to visit, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport where she is expected to arrive  on Tuesday.


Hillary Clinton is expected to hold discussions with Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua on a number of issues affecting both countries. On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton is expected to be hosted at a breakfast meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ojo Maduekwe at the minister's residence.


Xinhua


Related stories: Hillary Clinton visiting Nigeria next month


President Barack Obama's speech in Ghana, in its entirety



Friday, August 7, 2009

CNN covers Nigeria's Drug War


CNN's Christian Purefoy delves into the depths of Nigerian jungles with agents from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to search and destroy illegal drug operations in Nigeria.


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


Two Nigerian drug traffickers excrete 160 wraps of cocaine while in custody


Nigerian criminals using Asian women as drug mules



Chinese Firm to manage Nigerian Airport

The Nigerian Government has approached a Chinese company to manage the Malam Aminu International Airport in Kano, Nigeria. This is part of the Federal Government's concession agenda.


The commissioner of commerce and industry, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahima Yakassai recently led a team of government officials to observe the activities of the Chinese firm in Germany.


Commissioner Yakassai said the current condition of the airport is very poor and he wants the airport restored to its former glory.


Trade Invest Africa


Related stories: Africa's Tallest building to be built in Lagos, Nigeria


Minister wants Abuja in the top 20 cities in the world



Thursday, August 6, 2009

Family of executed Boko Haram Leader Threaten to Sue Police

The family of executed Boko Haram Leader, Mohammed Yusuf, are threatening to take legal action against the police after it was revealed that Mohammed Yusuf's 72 year old father-in-law, Baba Fugu Mohammed, was also killed in police custody.


Spokesman for the family , Baba Kura Alhaji Fugu,  said his father fled his residence when the sectarian crisis erupted. But voluntarily gave himself up to the police when he heard that he was a wanted man.


Alhaji Fugu said news came back to the family that his father was killed and his corpse deposited at the morgue of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). He was later buried in a mass grave at an undisclosed location.


"The news of his assassination came to the family and we are surprised how he would be assassinated by the police and his corpse deposited at the UMTH mortuary on Friday and he would be buried in a mass grave on Saturday." Alhaji Fugu said.


Alhaji Fugu  revealed that his father gave the land on which Mohammed Yusuf built his house and mosque. His father also continually warned Mohammed against his anti-government, anti-Western education rhetoric. Fugu stated that he had sent a petition on the activities of his brother-in-law to the Borno State government before the incident last week and accused the government of laxity.


The petition was titled "Threatening Situation to Peace and Security of the State posed by Mallam Mohammed Yusuf and his Disciples." It was written on July 15,2009. Here are some excerpts from the petition:


"It could be recalled that few weeks ago, some members of Mohammed Yusuf's disciples had a logger-head with Operation Flush II team near the Custom Bridge in Maiduguri in which few of Yusuf's disciples sustained injuries."


"Against this background, since the occurrence of this incident, the group under the leadership of ill-educated Mallam Mohammed Yusuf is mobilizing both men and resources to retaliate the injuries inflicted on them by the said Operation Flush II team."


"The spate of which most of his disciples both with and far flung of Maiduguri are paying allegiance and solidarity visits to their leader shows they are busy preparing to launch an offensive attack on members of the Operation Flush II stationed at strategic locations in Maiduguri. In addition to this, they are targeting many government agencies and departments such as courts, the state house of assembly, police stations and formations across the state, the university and other tertiary institutions. They are also targeting all the democratic institutions and political office holders."


Alhaji Fugu advised the government to take action by alerting all security agencies in the North-east region.


This Day


Related stories:


Video and transcript of Boko Haram leader Mohammed Yusuf interrogated before his execution


Video report on the widows of Boko Haram militants


Training school belonging to Islamic radical group Boko Haram found in Taraba, Nigeria



Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Interview with G.I. Joe star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje part 2


Watch Adewale Interview in Entertainment  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


In the 2nd part of the interview with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, he talks about how he started his career in Hollywood. From living in London with his Nigerian parents, where he got his masters degree in criminal law by working as a bouncer and a model to pay for University. And to how his modeling got him into Hollywood.


G.I. Joe comes out this Friday. Should be fun!


Related stories: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje talks G.I. Joe


Nollywood will win international award