Nigerian artists clean house at MTV Africa Music Awards

 

Nigeria artists were among the big winners at the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) that took place in Nairobi, Kenya over the weekend. Here's a list of the winners:

Best Male
Nameless (Kenya)

Best New Act
M.I. (Nigeria)

Best R&B
2 Face (Nigeria)

Best Hip Hop
M.I. (Nigeria)

Best Female
Amani (Kenya)

Best Performer
Samini (Ghana)

Best R&B
2Face (Nigeria)

Best Group
P-Square (Nigeria)

Best Alternative
Zebra & Giraffe (South Africa)

Best Video
HHP – Mpitse (South Africa)

Artist of The Year
D’banj (Nigeria)

Related story: CNN takes notice to the Nigerian booming hip-hop industry

Nigeria ranks second in the world in HIV infected countries

According to the Minister of State for Information and Communications, Aliyu Bilbis, Nigeria currently ranks second in countries infected with HIV.

The minister stated this on October 10th at the 2009 World Post Day Celebration and the flag-off of the National Postal Campaign against HIV held in Abuja.

Bilbis said that South Africa is currently at the top of the list and Nigeria is close behind with 2.6 million people infected with the virus.

"Despite concerted efforts made by governments and corporate bodies to curb the menace of HIV/AIDS, its statistics remain staggering and frightening.

"The HIV prevalence in Nigeria is discouraging. Whereas China with a population of 1.3 billion has 700,000 people living with HIV, Nigeria has 2.6 million persons living with HIV out of her population of 140 million people.

"Brazil's 192 million population has 730,000 people living with HIV, while Cameroon with a population of 18.5 million has 540,000 infected with the disease.

"Globally, Nigeria is second only to Republic of South Africa regarding the numbers of persons living with HIV/AIDS," he said.

Daily Independent

Related story: Unplanned pregnancies on the rise among Nigerian young women

Video report of Nigeria promoting marriage between HIV couples to prevent spread of the virus

36 year old man rapes 3 year old girl to cure himself of HIV

In a desperate attempt to cure himself of HIV, 36 year-old Cletus Agwu went to seek help from a witch doctor who allegedly advised him that raping a 3 year-old girl will cure him.

The victim was found over the weekend at 8 Yogbo Street in the North Bank area of Makurdi as her crying brought attention to neighbors who found her dripping blood.

The 3 year-old girl told the neighbors what happened to her and said the alleged rapist threatened to kill her if she told anyone what he did to her. An angry mob hunted down the suspected rapist who was then arrested by the police before the mob could have their way with him.

Cletus Agwu confessed to the police that his motive for raping the 3 year-old girl who he said lived in the same compound with him was to cure himself of HIV. He told the police that a witch doctor told him that having sex with a girl not more than thee years old will cure him permanently.

According to Benue State Commissioner of Police Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, medical tests carried out on the victim at the North Bank General Hospital in Makurdi confirm that she has been infected with HIV.

Vanguard

Related stories: Video report of Nigeria promoting marriage between HIV couples to prevent spread of the virus

Nigeria ranks second in the world in HIV infected countries

40 year old man jailed for having sex with a goat

Mr. Rabo Mohammed was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison for having sexual intercourse with a goat in Kebbi, Nigeria.  According to prosecuting police officer, Idrisu Sule, the accused was arrested with a stolen goat in the township stadium where he was caught having sexual intercourse with the goat.

The 40 year old man pleaded guilty to the charges and told the Sharia Court his reason for committing such a shameful act was because of the sexual desire that was burning in him during and after Ramadan fasting.

He informed the court that he was married with six children and his mother in-law was also living with them which made it inconvenient for him to spend quality time with his wife.

"I could not meet with my wife for a very long time now and that has been disturbing me and I have no money to spend on free women," he said.

Mr. Mohammed pleaded for forgiveness from the judge and promised never to engage in bestiality again.

Judge Alhaji Zasiru Zage sentenced Mr. Rabo Mohammed to two years in prison, a fine of 20,000 Naira ($134) and 25 lashes at five different locations in the town.

Champion

70 die in fuel tanker explosion in Anambra

70 people have died in Anambra state after a fuel tanker and five commuter buses were involved in an accident. The fuel tanker is said to have overturned after hitting a pothole, spilling fuel across the road, when a car crashed into it causing an explosion that engulfed the buses.

Several other people were badly wounded and are in critical condition in hospitals. It's been said the death toll could rise as more remains of victims are recovered.

Reuters