Kidnapping culture in Nigeria on the rise

A recent surge in kidnapping in Nigeria has seen prominent members of society — from all-singing, all-dancing “Nollywood” film stars, to the elderly father of a former central bank governor — becoming victims of abductions.

This year has seen a shift in kidnapping. Previously the targets were foreign oil companies’ Western workers who were taken by oil rebels usually in attacks in the energy-rich Niger Delta region. Now criminal gangs are becoming ever more interested in snatching wealthy locals.

“Kidnapping has become a serious criminal problem this year,” said Chief Adewole Ajakaiye, a recently retired police commissioner who has over 20 years’ experience in different parts of Nigeria. “If someone robs a house, maybe they will get a TV and a stereo. With this the profit is much higher — they can make millions of naira even after negotiating the ransom.”

Last month’s abduction of Nkem Owoh, a Nollywood actor known for a song about financial scams called “I Go Chop Your Dollar,” seems to have made high returns for his attackers. At the start of November, Owoh was snatched while driving along an expressway in eastern Nigeria. His abductors originally demanded 15 million naira ($99,000). He was freed a week later for an unknown fee, though local press reports say the kidnappers finally received 1.4 million naira plus the actor’s car.

Yakubu Lame, Nigeria’s minister of police, said in July that 512 kidnappings had been reported in the first half of this year, compared with 353 for the whole of last year. Nigeria is in the world’s top eight kidnapping hotspots, alongside war zones and failed states such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, according to U.S. security group Clayton Consultants.

Stories of kidnapped expatriates in the country have made headlines on many occasions this decade. In recent years, Niger Delta insurgents have abducted scores of foreign oil workers, both to draw attention to their political campaigns and to make a profit. From January 2008 to July 2009, foreign nationals were being snatched in the delta at an average rate of one every 10 days, according to U.S. State Department data — though the vast majority of kidnappings still go unreported.

But, as Western oil giants operating in Africa’s most populous nation — such as RoyalDutch Shell, Total and ExxonMobil — have tightened security and shifted staff out of the delta, attackers have had to start looking elsewhere. These days, oil workers who remain in the delta are confined to guarded compounds after dark.

Of the 35 Britons reported snatched in Nigeria since 2006, only four were abducted this year, according to the British government. Shell says 133 of its employees were kidnapped in the country between 2006 and 2008, but only 19 of those incidents took place last year, showing the start of a downward trend. The company refused to release data for this year.

In a country that has the stark income gaps often associated with an oil economy, and where appearance is a matter of great pride, rich Nigerians can be easy to spot.

“Wealth here is conspicuous. The average Nigerian likes to show his wealth, to show that God has blessed him,” said Ajakaiye. “And when you feel that your right [to also be wealthy] has been taken from you, what do you do? You want to fight for it.”

The shift toward Nigerian victims has also seen kidnapping move beyond the delta, which is in the southeast. The father of Chukwuma Soludo, the former central bank chief, was seized at the end of October in Anambra state. Simeon Soludo, in his late 70s, was released some days later. His family denies paying a ransom. A senior government official was also abducted in the north this summer.

“The expat has become a more difficult thing to seize,” said one security expert in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, who wished to remain anonymous. “So kidnappers have rapidly turned their attention to wealthy Nigerians, their children, even their grandmothers. We can expect more in the leadup to Christmas, when crime traditionally increases here.”

Nigeria’s government is currently debating an anti-kidnapping bill, which, if passed, would mean life sentences for abductors and their assistants. Six of the country’s 36 states have this year adopted the death penalty for the crime, according to Amnesty International. More are considering it.

However, security analysts say tougher penalties are not the solution. In another sign of unevenly distributed wealth and opportunities, jobs are scarce in sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy. Many Nigerians are on a daily hunt for instant cash. Some jobless young men, seeing the riches of foreigners and the country’s small elite, turn to crime to plot ways to get rich quick.

“This problem has root causes: unemployment, poverty, a lack of voice and a sense of disenfranchisement, all of which sit against the wealth of a few,” said the security expert in Lagos. “Draconian punishments won’t deal with it.”

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77 year old man love machine to 16 women

"They can all testify to the fact that I satisfy them sexually in spite of my age. I don't use any drug. It is God Almighty that is behind me that created me like that, but sometimes, I used agbo, native herbs."

Those were the words of Pa Jimoh Iti-Ogede, a 77-year-old man, who shocked the people present in court while giving his testimony in a divorce suit he instituted against Mrs. Sukurat, one of his wives recently before an Igando Grade 'B' Customary Court, Lagos.

The man, who claimed that he is married to 16 wives, said that though some of them have deserted him or died, he was able to perform his duty in bed as a husband to all the women to the extent that some of them hailed and cherished him.

He told the court that all his wives could testify that he is a great performer when it comes to love making.

In his testimony, Jimoh told the court :"If my wife (Sukurat) leaves me today, another one will come in tomorrow as far as she has interest in me. I take good care of women," he said.

Sharing his experience in marriage, he said: "I have married up to 16 wives. Presently, three of them are living with me; some have packed out to live alone or live in their own houses, while some are dead. I have built houses for the majority of them.

I take good care of the ones that are living with me."

Insisting on separation from his estranged wife, he told the court to immediately dissolve the union between him and the woman, Sukuratu.

"This is because she fights all our neighbours and my tenants frequently. She does not respect me, she goes out at her own free will and comes back whenever she prefers. In fact ,I don't love her anymore."

Asked by the president of the court, Mr. J. A. Eko, where he is getting the powers to satisfy the women and if his action is not injurious to his health, he said: "The wives can testify to my claims that I satisfy them well in bed. If you ask me to bring any of them ,I will oblige the court. I don't feel bad or tired of it" .

Speaking further on the attitude of his estranged wife, the man said, "when she was served with the court summon, she came and gave me a thorough beating but I did not take it low. I invited policemen who arrested her. Like I said, my lord, I cannot sleep with her anymore, I want a divorce. I don't want her again; she should let me have the custody of my three-year old child and I need my peace."

In her own response, the woman told the court that the man had denied her sex since November last year. She claimed that contrary to the man's testimonies, he possess no power to satisfy her in bed again but she said she is still in love with the man if he is ready to reconcile with her.

"My Lord, he does not come to my room anymore. He made love to me last in November last year. I can tell the court that he was not doing it well again like before."

The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.

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U.S. to pressure Nigeria to embrace change

The United States has said that it will vigorously put pressure on the Federal Government to make changes that will be beneficial to Nigerians.

The US Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, made this known while presenting an overview of the President Barack Obama administration’s agenda on human rights and democracy at the Georgetown University in Washington DC on Monday.

The US government regularly focuses on human rights, good governance and democracy issues, including an annual human rights reports as mandated by the US Congress in its relationships with governments of other nations.

In her speech, Clinton classified some governments under three categories.

The first are those that are able but unwilling to make changes desired by their people while the second are those willing but unable. The third are governments that are both unwilling and unable.

Nigeria and Cuba were listed by Clinton as those in the first category, while young democracies in Africa came under the second.

She did not mention such young democracies in her speech that was gazzetted and made available on Tuesday by the State Department to a US-based Nigerian news agency, Empowered Newswire.

Congo was the only country mentioned by Clinton as being among nations that belong to the third category of ‘unwilling and unable.’

In the speech, the Secretary of State said Washington would vigorously put pressure on Nigerian and Cuban leaders to end repression, improve on their human rights records and democratic practices.

She said, “like Cuba or Nigeria, (these) governments are able but unwilling to make the changes their citizens deserve. There, we must vigorously press the leaders to end repression, while supporting those within the societies who are working for a change.”

In the case of countries where “governments are willing but unable to establish strong institutions and protections for citizens,” the Secretary of State said the US would “extend our hand as a partner to help them try to achieve authority and build the progress they desire.”

Three former US Ambassadors to Nigeria, including Mr. Walter Carrington, had recently expressed the view that Nigeria‘s global significance was declining.

Referring to countries like Congo and others ” where governments are both unwilling and unable,” Clinton said, “We have to support those courageous individuals and organisations who try to protect people and who battle against the odds to plant seeds for a more hopeful future.”

She said that in all countries, human development must be part of “our human rights agenda.”

Clinton said, “Because basic levels of wellbeing - food, shelter, health, and education - and of public common goods like environmental sustainability, protection against pandemic disease, provisions for refugees - are necessary for people to exercise their rights, and because human development and democracy are mutually reinforcing.

“ Democratic governments are not likely to survive long if their citizens do not have the basic necessities of life.”

Referring to US President Barack Obama‘s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize last week, Clinton reiterated Obama’s position that ”while war is never welcome or good, it will sometimes be right and necessary.”

The Secretary of State added that the same set of values in the US Declaration of Independence were also ”the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the prerequisite for building a world in which every person has the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential and the power behind every movement for freedom, every campaign for democracy, every effort to foster development, and every struggle against oppression.”

She declared that the US government’s human rights agenda for the 21st century was ”to make human rights a human reality, and the first step is to see human rights in a broad context.”

Clinton said, “People must be free from the oppression of tyranny, from torture, from discrimination, from the fear of leaders who will imprison or ’disappear’ them.

“But they also must be free from the oppression of want - want of food, want of health, want of education, and want of equality in law and in fact.

”I don‘t need to tell you that challenges we face are diverse and complicated. And there is not one approach or formula, doctrine or theory that can be easily applied to every situation.”

She added that sometimes the US government ”will have the most impact by publicly denouncing a government action, like the coup in Honduras or violence in Guinea.”

“Other times, we will be more likely to help the oppressed by engaging in tough negotiations behind closed doors, like pressing China and Russia as part of our broader agenda. In every instance, our aim will be to make a difference, not to prove a point,” the Secretary of State said.

According to her, the US ”will hold governments accountable for their actions, as we have just recently (done) by terminating Millennium Challenge Corporation grants this year for Madagascar and Niger in the wake of government behavior.”

She added that Washington was ready ”to help governments that have committed to improving themselves by assisting them in fighting corruption and helping train police forces and public servants.”

She disclosed that the US government would also “support regional organisations and institutions like the Organisation of American States, the African Union, and the Association of South-East Asian Nations, where they take their own steps to defend democratic principles and institutions.”

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Osaze to miss Nations Cup opener

Eagles workaholic striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie may miss the opening game of the Nations Cup 2010 against Egypt as his Russian club Lokomotive Moscow have requested that he attends a mandotary medicals for all the club players on January 9.

Osaze is faced with the dilemma of ignoring the club and staying in camp with the Super Eagles. The Eagles are scheduled to play their opening game against the Pharaohs of Egypt on January 10.

The Lokomotiv Moscow directive, contained on the schedules of the club for the new season commencing early next year, also revealed that the team would travel to Belek in Turkey for the first pre-season training camp on January 11.

It further disclosed that the camping would last till January 24 before the commencement of the second round holding from January 30 to February 12 and February 16 to March 1 next year.

The report titled 'Holiday Time for the Players' read in part: "The Lokomotiv main team will go on holiday, which will last until January 8.

"On that day, the team will meet to receive all equipment and kits. On January 9 and 10 all the players must report for medical test.

"On January 11, the team will travel to Belek in Turkey for the first pre-season training camp. The Yuriy Semin's side will stay in Turkey until the January 24.

"The second and third pre-season training camps of Lokomotiv will take place in Marbella from January 30 to February 12 and then from the February 16 to March 1." 

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Emmanuel Amuneke fears for Eagles in Angola

Former Eagles winger and 1994 Nations Cup winner, Emmanuel Amuneke has expressed reservation about the Super Eagles' ability to be in the final four and probably win the trophy at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

Amuneke whose brace earned Nigeria a second Nations Cup win in Tunisia based his argument on the Super Eagles work ethics during the group B African qualifiers for the 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup.

"No body is going to do Nigeria any favour in Angola 2010. We have to work hard and earn our victory, we all saw what happened during the qualifiers.

"Every team that has qualified for the Nations Cup has equal chance to win. But it all depends on hard work and the Eagles must have to raise their game if they hope to make any impact," Amuneke said yesterday.

The former Manchester United scout and now Ocean Boys of Bayelsa coach said Nigeria has abundant players, but it depended on what the coaches want to achieve.

He said it was up to them to raise a good team and come up with the right match plans.

Amuneke who played in local league and earned starting place in the Eagles under Clemens Westerhof observed that there are quality players in the Globacom League, but they must have to be responsible if they want to earn a place in the national team.

"I have been around and seen some quality players. However, football is a growing game, players who want to excel must have to grow with it. Our local players have to raise their game and they must be responsible too," Amuneke said.

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FIFA World Ranking - Nigeria retains Africa's 3rd spot, 22nd in World

Super Eagles of Nigeria end the outgoing year on a good note by maintaining its 3rd and 22nd position in Africa and world, respectively. In the latest ranking released by the world soccer ruling body (FIFA) yesterday, the west African giant garnered 848 points to retain their previous 3rd and 22nd position in Africa and the World.

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon remain Africa's top ranking, finishing 11th, just outside the global top ten. Cote d'voire finished second in Africa and 16th in global arena.

Algeria have reached their highest ever Fifa world ranking, after securing a place at the World Cup in 2010. The Desert Foxes needed a play-off against their north African rivals, Egypt to make it to South Africa. They are now at 26th in the global table and 5th in the African rankings, sandwiched between Egypt and Ghana who finished 4th and 6th in Africa respectively. Algeria have had a good year overall, earning as many points as Brazil and soaring 38 places up the table.

Because only around 30 matches were taken into account for the final FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of the year, there was no change at the top, with Spain continuing to lead the way ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands.

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UN nuclear watchdog chief holds talks in Nigeria

 

The new head of the UN nuclear watchdog, YukiyaAmano, on Monday held talks here on future cooperation with Nigeria, which plans to build its first nuclear power plant with Russian assistance.

Amano, 62, a Japanese diplomat, chose Nigeria as his first official visit since taking over as director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on December 1.

"I discussed future cooperation between Nigeria and the IAEA on nuclear energy, especially the infrastructure to support a nuclear energy programme," Amano told reporters after a meeting with Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan and the country's science and technology minister.

Africa's most populous nation with about 150 million people is on the verge of building its first nuclear power plant for which the IAEA is providing technical assistance.

"We are getting people from Moscow to build it for us.... I just came back two days ago from Moscow and it is the Russians who are going to build the nuclear facilities for us, working with Nigerians," Science and Technology Minister Alhassan Bako Zuma said at a press conference with Amano.

Zuma said he signed an accord with the Russians but did not provide details on the plans to give a much needed boost to Nigeria's electricity supply.

Amano said he also discussed cooperation on a cancer therapy programme which the Nigerian president's wife, Hajiya Turai Yar'Adua, is spearheading with the recent launch of an International Cancer Center in the capital city of Abuja. Amano is scheduled to visit the cancer centre on Tuesday as well as a nuclear technology centre at Sheda on the outskirts of Abuja.

Nigeria has been an IAEA member since 1968 and has been receiving assistance from the agency through projects related to radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, water resources, food safety monitoring, nuclear safety, the introduction of nuclear power, agriculture and radioactive waste management.

AFP

Cuba seeks Nigeria's help in feud with U.S. over alleged spying

Havana is seeking Abuja's assistance in its effort to persuade the United States to release five Cubans serving life sentence jail terms for allegedly spying for their country.

Leading a delegation to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the weekend, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Elio Savon, accused Washington of the unjust detention of the five Cubans in five different U.S. high security prisons for 11 years.

Also on the delegation is the Vice President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship of the People - an organisation that coordinates all solidarity activities - led by Alicia Morales, who said she was in the country as part of her job schedule to brief the Nigerian people about recent developments on the campaign for the detainees to seek global support for their freedom.

The Cuban Five, were sentenced in 1998 to life imprisonment for alleged spying, which constitutes a threat to U.S. security.

Separate statements by participants comprising social fighters, trade unionists, parliament members, pacifists, party leaders, intellectuals, religious leaders and students at the 5th international colloquium "For the Release of The Cuban Five Heroes Against Terrorism" held in Holguin after the refusal by the U.S. Supreme court to review the detainees' case in June 2009.

One of the statements read in part: "To all women and men in the world, justice lovers, to the people of the United States, five courageous Cubans, Gerado, Ramon, Antonio, Fernando and Rene, have been unjustly imprisoned in the U.S. jails for more than 11 years. Their only crime has been to fight against terrorism and to defend their people's right to live in peace. While fighting terrorism and defending the fairest causes of human dignity and liberty, these five heroes harbour their entire people's decorum, as well as that of the progressive mankind."

The statement stressed that following the delay and politicisation of the process, "the most outrageous physical and mental tortures have been committed against them and their families. This is a flagrant violation of the most basic principles of international law, of established procedures with regards to due process, and of the regulations on the treatment of detainees."

By this action, the statement said the U.S. Government maintains a double standard in its policy to fight against terrorism, as it harbors, protects and supports U.S.- based 'terrorist' organisations that operate with impunity, causing victims not only among the Cuban people, but also in their countries.

Consequently, it therefore demanded that the U.S. Government should respect its own laws and act in accordance with the rules of International Law to immediately cease the systematic and repeated violations of human rights against Cuban people and their relatives as well as financial support provided to 'terrorist' organisations in that country.

The statement also called for the immediate arrest of a 'notorious terrorist', Luis Carriles for the blowing up of a Cuban airline in which 73 civilians were killed.

It added: "We call upon all honest people on our planet and especially the noble U.S. people to work intensely to disseminate the fair cause for which the Cuban Five are fighting and to demand their liberation as a way of paying tribute to decency and truth.

"All our efforts being made in the struggle for the release of the Five are intended to influence the United States, where the Big Media countries continue to snub the case of the five. We assure the Cuban Five and to everyone fighting for their freedom that we will not relent in our efforts denouncing the injustice and we will continue to fight until they return to their homeland."

He explained that the campaign for support was brought to Nigeria first "to acknowledge the solidarity" Havana enjoyed with Abuja especially with trade Unions and to update the NLC about the Cuban solidarity for the five worldwide.

He added: "First these five men went through unfair trial which was held in Miami which first of all is a hostile place. The crimes they were accused of spying and constituting a threat to the US security were never proofed and still they have been subjected to extreme cases of even two life sentences. Even an appeal court in Atlanta declared that the trial was null and void. Still nothing has been done."

The General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. John Odah, said the labour union has since 2003 during its delegates conference called for the release of the five but noted that the U.S. Government was still yet to heed the call.

However, he expressed hope that the ventilation that has been provided by the Obama administration has opened a new window of hope for the release of the five and the readiness of the NLC to seek political resolution to the matter through its international and bilateral partners.

His words: "We have been calling on the U.S. Government to release the five Cubans since 2003 and nothing has been done yet. But with the new democratic wave in the U.S. under President Barrack Obama, we are hopeful that we can adopt political solution to the matter through our international and bilateral sister organisation. The call for the release of these people is a genuine one, especially since they have been acquitted by another U.S. court. We also call on the Nigerian government to rise up and play more than passive role in this struggle."

The Guardian

Nigerian university sacks over 1,000 workers

A state-run Nigerian university has dismissed more than 1,000 workers, including senior teachers, over huge monthly salary bills and to save it from bankruptcy, the university announced on Wednesday, 9 December 2009.Authorities of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in southwest town of Ago-Iwoye said in a statement that they sacked a total of 1,076 workers, including 94 teachers, in a restructuring exercise.

The new management of OOU inaugurated earlier this year said that it met a total debt burden of 1.9 billion naira (US$12.7 million, €8.64 million) and an "overbloated workforce, far in excess of need."

The monthly salaries of workers which stood at 65 million naira (US$436,000, €296,000) in 2006, ballooned by almost four times to 248 million naira this year, it said.

Departments and faculties in the university were also cut to save costs, it said.

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Nigerian couple facing 55 years in U.S. Jail for alleged slavery

A Nigerian couple based in Arlington, Texas in the United States of America (USA), now face the possibility of spending about 55 years in jail if convicted of slavery against a widow they brought to the US from Nigeria as a nanny.

The couple identified as Emmanuel Nnaji and Ngozi Nnaji is now standing trial before a Texas district court for allegedly holding their nanny, whose name was protected, against her will and without paying her for her services as a domestic staff.

An investigation report signed by Jennifer Baker, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and approved by Charles Bleil, a judge, said the nanny was brought from Nigeria to the US under disguise and was held in servitude without payment for her services as domestic staff.

The indictment report said the couple kept the nanny, who has six children in Nigeria, in the US for nine years without access to her children and family.

Officials believe the Nnajis promised the woman that she would be paid, and there would be support for her children, if she came to work for them as a domestic servant.

Part of the seven-count indictment alleges that the couple used unscrupulous means to get fraudulent immigration documents, confiscated the victim's official documents, secretly kept her in their home and forced her to work long hours with no days off for little or no pay.

Nnaji is also accused of sexually assaulting the victim and threatening the woman if she called police.

Officials claim the couple kept the woman isolated from the outside world and refused her requests to be returned home or be paid for her services.

Along with not paying the victim, the couple also allegedly failed to provide support for the victim's children back in Nigeria. Contact with her Nigerian family was also monitored and she was prevented from attending church regularly, the indictment report said.

Arrested on September 30, they have been charged with conspiracy, forced labor, document servitude, alien harboring and false statements.

Part of the charged read: "Knowingly and willfully combine, confederate, conspire and agree with each other and others known and unknown to the grand jury, to commit offences against the United States in violation of USC 1589, specifically, to provide or obtain the labour or services of a Nigerian female national known as C: (2) by means of a scheme, plan, and pattern intended to cause C to believe that, if she did not perform such labour and services, she would suffer serious harm or restraint and (3) by means of the abuse and threatened abuse of the law and legal processes, in violation of title 18, United states Code, sections 371 and 1589(a)(2) and (3)(2004)(amended by Public law 106-386, effective December 2008, and re-codified as Title 18 United States Code Sections 1589(a)(3) and (4).

"Knowingly and willfully combine, conspire and agree together with others known and unknown to the grand jury, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that C, an alien, came to, entered, and remained in the United States in violation of law, to conceal, habour and shield C from detection for the purpose of private financial gain: in violation of Title 8, United States Code, sections 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii), 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I), and 1324(a)(I)(B)(i).

"knowingly conceal, remove, confiscate and posses the purported passport and immigration documents of an individual known as C in the course of a violation of Title 18, US code, section 1589; with the intent to violate Title 18, United states code, Section 1589; and to prevent or restrict or attempt to prevent or restrict, without lawful authority, C's liberty to move or travel, in order to maintain the labour or services of C when C was a victim of a severe form of human trafficking in persons; in violation of Title 18, US Code 1589.

Charge four specifically accused Ngozi Nnaji of lying about their servant's coming to the US.

It reads: "On or about December 4, 2006, the forth Worth division in the northern district of Texas or elsewhere, the defendant, Ngozi Nnaji, knowingly and willfully made false, fictitious and fraudulent statement or representation, when the defendant stated to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents the following: that in May 1999, C (whom the defendant, Ngozi Nnaji, identified by name), surprised Ngozi by showing up at her house; that at no time did C work as an employee for the Nnajis; and that C was not required to do any work around the house, when in fact, as the defendant well knew, C did not surprise Ngozi by showing up at her house but rather, was brought to the United States by the Nnajis in 1997 to perform child care as an employee; and that C was required to work for the Nnajis full time as their domestic servant and employee."

It also accused Nnaji of lying about the widow's remuneration as a domestic employee.

It said about Emmanuel Nnaji: "Knowingly and willfully make a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation when the defendant stated to FBI agents the following: that C ( whom Emmanuel identified by name) came to stay with the Nnajis about May 1999 for two months at the request of C's relatives; that Emmanuel Nnaji never saw C's passport or personal documents and that C cared for Nnajis' child in exchange for room and board, when in fact, as the defendant well knew, C did not come to stay with the Nnajis about may 1999, for two months at the request of C's relatives but rather Emmanuel Nnaji recruited C through Ngozi's Nigerian relative and C came on or about December 11, 1997; that Emmanuel Nnaji did see C's passport and personal documents when he confiscated and kept them, and that C cared for not just one Nnaji child but three children and C cooked, cleaned and laundered clothes and that C did not agree to work in exchange for only room and board but rather was promised a $100.00 per month salary."

Daily Champion

Martins will be back for Nations Cup

Nigeria's striker Obafemi Martins has assured his countrymen of his services as the nation prepares to play in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

The Wolfsburg striker who recently underwent surgery on his troubled shin says he is well on his way to recovering in time for Nigeria's preparations for the continental tournament.

"Let me first assure Nigerians that I will be very fit for the Nations Cup" Martins told Complete Sports in an interview.

"The operation went very well and I am happy to report that I have started doing some stuff with the bike. I believe in about [ten] days from now I should be back on the field to commence full training."

Martins, popularly referred to as the Weapon of Mass Destruction by his countrymen said he looks forward to a very interesting tournament in Angola in January.

"I am happy too that I will have an opportunity to play for my country at the Nations Cup again. I was there in 2008 in Ghana but the experience wasn't a good one. I hope we can do better than we did in Ghana this time around in Angola."

Martins also commented on Nigeria's draw in the World Cup where the Super Eagles have been grouped alongside two-time former champions Argentina, former European champions Greece and two-time Asian champions South Korea.

"I think it is a good draw for us. The Super Eagles are a big team and should think and act as such. We already know it won't be a stroll in the park for us in South Africa and this should determine the kind of preparation we make for the championships.

"This is better than drawing teams we feel we can run over easily and (then) fail to prepare adequately. In Argentina we know we will be playing against a former world champion while Greece were also once champions of Europe.

"South Korea are no pushovers too. I still remember what they did in 2002 when they co-hosted the FIFA World Cup with Japan. I think they went as far as the semi-final which means they have the experience at that level as well."

In conclusion, Martins who scored two goals in the 3-2 win over Kenya that saw the Eagles qualify for the World Cup said, "I am always ready to help my country and Nigerians should give us the support we will need to succeed in Angola."

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FIFA congratulates Nigerian police on security

World soccer governing body, FIFA, has congratulated Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force for how they handled security for the FIFA U-17 World Cup competition last month, saying that the country deserves to be praised for performing beyond expectation. In a message it issued recently, FIFA  praised the police for providing what it called "excellent security services" during the championship.

FIFA's National Security Officer in Nigeria, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Gideon Akinsola said yesterday that the soccer body was satisfied that no hitch was recorded in the country while the tournament lasted. He said that the security arrangements put in place allayed fears that the country was unsafe.

Akinsola who was the tournament's Security Operations Officer, disclosed that in one of their meetings, FIFA's Security Liaison Officers from other countries, gave Nigeria a pass mark for ensure security. He therefore said that the Nigeria Police deserved commendation for a job well done.

"After the tournament, FIFA Security Liaison Officers from various countries, while assessing security arrangements during the period, praised the country for a good job. I think their comments were in order. During the fiesta, I shuttled from one sub-seat to the other, and in each one, I noticed that law and order were highly maintained.

"To this end, it is fitting to appreciate the country for organising a peaceful tournament. FIFA's appreciation goes to the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna O. Onovo; Chairman of the tournament's Security Committee, Assistant Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar as well as the Secretary of the Security Committee, Col. T Fagbemi for their kind contributions in hosting a hitch-free tournament.

"Coming at a time we are re-branding Nigeria, there was probably no better period to organise a global championship than when the cadet tournament was held. Some of the visiting teams and their handlers enjoyed themselves so much that they would have loved to stay back in the country," Akinsola enthused.

The Guardian

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Nigerian government to sign deal with Real Madrid

A deal between the Nigerian government and one of the most richest football clubs in the world, Real Madrid FC will soon be signed according to Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State. "The commissioners for sports and investment are going to Spain to confirm and sign an agreement with Real Madrid for sporting and football collaboration," he said.

Once the deal goes through, Real Madrid will use Nigeria as a ground to scout for talents to train and market. The governor said a stadium will be built for the project, stressing "land has already been set aside for that purpose".

Daily Trust

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Man stabs friend to death over woman

26 year old Udoka Ibemesi has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his friend Okechukwu Agbana to death during a fight over a lady named Judith Chukwu.  The suspect is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department as homicide detectives conduct their investigation.

It has been gathered that the two friends started out verbally assaulting each other. Udoka accused Okechukwu of stealing his girlfriend, while Okechukwu accused Udoka of stabbing him in the back because he was financially buoyant. Verbal assault later escalated to physical assault and Udoka  allegedly stabbed Okechukwu in the neck with a kitchen knife. Okechukwu was rushed to a hospital by neighbours but died before arrival.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Fank Mba confirmed the incident and said the body has been taken to a mortuary and an investigation is ongoing.

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Nigerian police out of control according to Amnesty International

A  report by Amnesty International released on Wednesday exposed a shocking level of unlawful killings committed by the Nigerian police force. The director of Amnesty International's Africa Progamme, Erwin van der Borght, made these statements:

"The Nigerian police are responsible for hundreds of unlawful killings every year,"

"Police don't only kill people by shooting them; they also torture them to death, often while they are in detention."

"The majority of the cases go un-investigated and the police officers responsible go unpunished. The families of the victims usually get no justice or redress. Most never even find out what happened to their loved ones."

Amnesty International said that some police officers see the killings of 'armed robbers' in dentention as acceptable practice. The orgianisaiton also pointed out that one of the main issues is 'Nigeria Police Forcer Order 237' under which police officers are allowed to shoot suspects and detainees who try to escape or avoid arrest, whether or not they pose a threat.

"Force Order 237 is so impermissibly broad. It simply gives police officers permission to shoot people. It is against international standards, and is being abused by police officers to commit, justify and cover up illegal killings," said Erwin van der Borght.

"The government must repeal Force Order 237 and publicly announce that the use of lethal force is only allowed when strictly unavoidable to protect life. This simple step could make a big difference to the number of unlawful police killings we are seeing in Nigeria."

Enforced disappearances in Nigeria are rife. Typically, in the first days or weeks following arrest, families are allowed to visit their relatives in detention. Later on, police tell them their loved ones have been "transferred to Abuja". Other times, they simply deny any knowledge of their whereabouts.

The Nigerian government says that they do not condone extrajudicial killings. But they are not doing enough to stop them and bring the police perpetrators to justice. Even on the rare occasions when police officers implicated in an unlawful killing are prosecuted, they are often released on bail or escape custody. Some are simply transferred to other states.

"Ending unlawful killings and enforced disappearances by the police will require serious legal reform and commitment and support from the Nigerian police force," said Erwin van der Borght. "The Nigerian Police Force must introduce a new code of conduct throughout its chain of command – from the very top to the bottom. If not, the cycle of violence will simply continue."

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Hollywood making Fela movie

The story of the iconic Nigerian artist Fela Kuti will soon be gracing the silver screen. Hollywood's film production company Focus Features will be making the movie in collaboration with new British director, Steve McQueen, who's debut film titled Hunger received critical acclaim and won numerous independent film awards. The screenplay will be an adaptation of the book "Fela:The life and Times of an African Musical Icon." McQueen and  Biyi Bandele will be working on the screenplay together.

Focus Features CEO James Schamus released this statement about the project:

"Fela might be the most globally influential pop artist outside the Beatles in the last 50 years,"

"The Broadway show is pure joy, but Steve and Biyi's vision is very cinematic and distinctive. Fela was a revolutionary figure in world culture, and Steve is an artist who had a strong vision of politics and the world even before he made his first film. They are kindred spirits."

First Showing

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Government failing to provide pension for the elderly

CNN's Chritian Purefoy reports on  the Nigerian government failing to provide pension for the elderly and also how the rapid urbanisation and a worsening economy has eroded the traditional respect given to elders.

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CNN's Christian Purefoy learns respect...The Naija way

On his report on how the Nigerian government is failing to provide adequate pension for the elderly, Christian Purefoy gets a few lessons on how to show respect to his elders in traditional Yoruba fashion.

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Video overview of Group B in the 2010 World Cup

Nigeria faces stiff competition in the first round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. This will be our chance for payback to what Argentina and coked up Maradona did to us back in the '94 World Cup. But with the likes of Messi and Tevez, it shall be quite the feat. And South Korea and Greece aren't exactly pushovers either...Godspeed Super Eagles.

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Japan gives Nigeria $1 billion grant

The government of Japan signed a $1 billion private sector financing grant with the African Development Bank (ADB) in Abuja, Nigeria this past Thursday. The grant is for promoting private sector enterprises in Nigeria.

The first beneficiary of the grant was Michael Barleon, the managing director and chief executive officer of an Ikeja, Lagos based microfinance bank, which marked its first anniversary of operation about two weeks ago. The grant was presented to him by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Toshitsugu Uesawa on behalf of his country.

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Nneka talks to the BBC about winning the 2009 Best African Act Award

 

Nigerian singer and song-writer, Nneka talks to the BBC about winning the UK's 2009 Mobo (Music of black origins)  award for best African Act. Mobo celebrates music from African, African American, and black Europeans across the globe. The 2009 Mobo awards was hosted by Keri Hilson and Reggie Yates. A tribute to the late Michael Jackson was also made during the award ceremony.

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Femi Kuti nominated for a grammy

Femi Kuti nominated for a grammy

Femi Kuti, the son of late Afrobeat king, Fela Kuti, has been nominated for best contemporary world music album in the 52nd annual Grammy awards. This is Femi's second time of being nominated for a Grammy.

The grammy award nomination is for his last album Day By Day.

The 52nd annual Grammy awards will be taking place on the 21st of January 2010.

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Ikechukwu Uche welcomes Super Eagles criticism

Super Eagle striker Ikechukwu Uche, who's still recovering from a knee injury has revealed his conviction that public and media criticism of the Super Eagles will help the team become better.

After the dramatic cliff hanger that the Super Eagles subjected Nigerians to in the 2010 World Cup qualification rounds, the Super Eagles have received mass criticism and even leading to calls for Amodu to be replaced. Here's what Uche had to say:

"All of Nigeria wants to see us win in the first half. They want to see us play good football, but other teams try to frustrate us and it is not easy. But the criticism is allowed. It is not something we should fight about. I don't think it is a problem for Nigerians to say the team is not playing well. For me I think that it is healthy. What it means is that we have to go back, watch our games and learn from our mistakes."

"Qualifying for the World Cup will give us confidence. It will motivate us to do better. I think it is the only motivation we need as players.

It will make everybody come out and give out the best of what he has and that will see us playing good football for the fans."

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American financial analyst testifies against Nigerian fraudsters

Dr. Carl D. Vance, a financial analyst from the United States testified in a Lagos High Court, about how Nigerian fraudsters were able to defraud him of about $1.8 million between 1995 and 1996. Dr. Vance said the fraudsters promised to facilitate a contract with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

A Chief Collins Onyejiaka is currently being tried after Dr. Vance submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that led to an investigation that linked Chief Onyejiaka to the scam.

Here are excerpts of Dr. Vance testimony to the court:

"In late February 1995, I attended a reception at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. where I was invited because of my kind of work.

"I met some guys at the dinner and we talked about investment in Nigeria and typical of me I gave out my business card, like as I use to.

"Afterwards in late March, 1995, I received a call from a person who introduced himself as a Managing Director in NNPC, who claimed to be in a position to do business with me.

He told the court that in October 1995, "we agreed to do business together," which he said started in March 1996.

"We started the processes of paying monies, with a start sum of $56,000, which was to be paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Service in Nigeria and I was told the file would be forwarded to the CBN.

"Few days later I received a call from someone who said that he was Katchy. He said to me that if I could release $5,000 he would be able to facilitate my file and I sent him the money.

"I was later called that my file has been approved and I was told to wire $57,000 which I did on August 27, 1996, which I sent to CB-Trust account through Ecobank".

Dr. Vance said that subsequent payments made to the fraudsters at different instances amounted to $1,813,728.00. He explained that the money was transferred in 16 different transactions to accounts in at least seven countries: Nigeria, Switzerland, Benin Republic, Dubai, Belgium, Hong Kong and Japan.

Daily Trust

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FELA! on Broadway

Afrobeat music Legend, Fela Kuti, gets the broadway treatment in New York. The opening night of FELA! produced by Jay-Z and Questlove from the roots got a spectacular reception. Hit play in the video up top to check out the opening night of FELA!

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Roberto Mancini might be the new Super Eagles coach

According to Sky Sport Italia, former Inter Milan coach, Roberto Mancini has been contacted by Nigerian football authorities to lead the Super Eagles to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. However Mancini has not made any comment on the report.

Former Secretary-General of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Fanny Amun, made this statement about the idea of replacing Amodu:

"He should be left to lead the team to the Nations Cup in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa in 2010,"

"Amodu has done so well, and for me he deserves to lead the team to the competitions even if it means our having the worst result with him.

"The issue of foreign coach has always come up as a fire brigade approach in our country,"

"If the NFF wants a foreign coach, let him start from scratch. Why should we go and invest so much money in nothing that at the end of it, the foreign coach will not even perform better than Amodu," he said.

When asked about reports on the possibility of Amodu quitting due to the controversy, Amun said "Nigerians do not resign."

Daily Trust

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Federal Government fails to deliver 6000MW of electricity

The Federal Government of Nigeria failed in its attempt to bring the country's electricity generation to 6000 Megawatts of electricity by December 2009. Kano based industrialist, Alhaji Mohammed Umar made this statement about the government's attempt:

"It is only an irresponsible leadership that would set an unrealizable target for itself. Why did government set a target when it knew it was not in control of a critical component such as gas supply? In more advanced countries, this is more than enough to cost a government its tenure. But not here, I bet you nothing will happen," he said.

The Minister of Power, Dr. Babalola made this statement:

"Towards the 6000 MW target, PHCN is repairing some of the generating plants units in Afam, Sapele, and Ughelli. In terms of machines available to highlight some of the issues in gas supply, we have about 5300 MW of capacity available. With those units being repaired and one of the IPPs being finished, we should be able to have the 6000 MW.

"Two things at any point in time will determine what you generate, number one is the demand that I just explained and the other one is gas supply. Gas supply has actually improved as we have seen over the past several months that it is a pure constraint in power production in Nigeria.

We expect that production will vary from base load which is when demand is low especially at night. Anything from about 4000 MW during the day, that is why we want to ensure that we have at least 6000 MW to be able to cope with the demand when it is needed,"

"What determines actual generation is gas. It's just like your car, what determines the distance it covers is the amount of fuel in it. If you have a full tank you can cover more mileage. What we have seen so far is that if gas supply improves, and we expect more to be available before the end of the year.

With the Niger Delta issue then, most of the gas supply pipelines were badly affected and one of the major plants, that is the one operated by Chevron was out for a long time but they are fixing that now and that alone accounts for about 2000 mmscf per day or 800 MW of electricity generation per day," he said.

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Martins might miss Nations Cup due to surgery

Super Eagle and Wolfsburg FC striker Obafemi Martins is to undergo surgery in the next few days for a shin issue. Reports say that Martins will be out for at least a month. This development might jeopardize his chances of taking part in the African Nations Cup and also severely weaken Nigeria's offense.

Sources close to Martins say he is determined to fight his way back to full fitness in time for the Nations Cup.

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Nigerians account for 90 percent of crime by Africans in China

Nigeria's Ambassador to China Alhaji Aminu Wali announced that Nigerians accounted for about 90 percent of crimes committed by Africans in China.

"Comparatively of all the crimes committed by Africans in China, Nigerians occupy about 90 percent. Currently, we have over 100 Nigerians in various jails across China, excluding those already sentenced to life imprisonment," he said.

However, the ambassador refuted reports that the 23 Nigerian corpses, awaiting cremation in China, were of those who died in prison. Ambassador Wali said some of the corpses had been in a morgue for more than three years and had not been claimed by relatives.

Ambassador Wali also mentioned that most of the Nigerian illegal immigrants came to China as nationals of other African countries, "so when such people die, it becomes difficult to repatriate their bodies home because they do no not have Nigerian passports".

About the challenges faces the Nigerian community in China, the ambassador said that "they were being harassed constantly as offenders of the law and robberies in the Guangdong Province where there is a large concentration of Nigerians".

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Return to Nigeria's Witch Children

"A year ago, Dispatches told the story of how children in Nigeria's Niger Delta were being denounced by Christian pastors as witches and wizards, and then killed, tortured or abandoned by their own families. Following the introduction of the Child Rights legislation and an increase in financial support for a British charity providing a refuge for affected youngsters, the programme returns to find out what happened to some of the people featured in the first film," Dispatches.

Support 'Stepping Stones Nigeria'

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Police officer murders 2 children in hospital

A police officer allegedly suffocated two children at Oni Memorial Children Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria, after he was told that doctors could not save the life of his three-year old daughter. He allegedly removed the drips being used to treat five other children in the hospital and sprayed them with tear gas canisters.

He proceeded to attack the doctors and nurses in the hospital and threatened he would have shot them all if he had his gun on him. The police officer is said to have lost another child in similar circumstances in another hospital.

The daughter of the police officer, Destiny Raymond, had severe malaria, a chest infection, and respiratory disorder.

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China to cremate 21 Nigerians if bodies are not claimed by December 15

The Government of the Republic of China has extended its deadline to the 15th of December,2009 for the cremation of about 21 Nigerians who died in China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja released this press statement:

"The Government of China, after another diplomatic representation by the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, has graciously extended the deadline when the remains of all foreigners still lying in the various mortuaries in that country must be claimed or will be cremated according to Chinese laws. The new date is now 15th December, 2009."

"Information received from our Mission in China indicates that the Nigerians died in that country from various causes ranging from sickness/illness, motor vehicle accidents, drowning, drugs and unknown causes, whose remains are yet to be claimed by their relations or families."

Unfortunately, efforts by the Ministry and our Mission in Beijing, China to contact the families and next - of - kin of the deceased have not been successful due to paucity of information on the deceased at the time of death. In cases where such information were found (such as telephone numbers on some of the deceased,), when they were contacted, there were no responses; and in other cases, the family members who responded were not cooperative, regarding decision on what to do with the corpses of their relations."

Some of the deceased include are Akinola Akinsanya, who died in Guangzhou of unknown causes; Chris Nwanekezie who died in Dongguan from a car accident; Tunde Bombata who slumped and died in Beijing; Susanah Imbasi who died of AIDS in Beijing and Tunmise Razak who drowned in Nanjing.

The press statement continue: "The general public and in particular members and family of the deceased are kindly requested to urgently contact the Ministry (Consular and Immigration Services Division) to indicate how they wish to arrange to repatriate the remains of their loved ones for burial in Nigeria or in the alternative, grant appropriate approval for cremation by the Chinese Authorities."

"Chinese authorities have stressed that failure to comply with the new deadline of 15th December 2009, they would, inline with its domestic laws, cremate these bodies, some of which been in the mortuaries since 2006. It also should be noted that it is truly a gesture of goodwill, respect for Nigeria's culture and the dead, coupled with the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries that the Government of the Peoples Republic of China has not over the years taken the unilateral decision to cremate the bodies."

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