Brazil seeks Nollywood expertise in film making

Governor Baba-tunde Fashola of Lagos State has said that in the next couple of months the state government, in collaboration with Nollywood, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Brazilian Government to teach Brazilian artistes movie production.

Governor Fashola made this known in Alausa during a courtesy visit by Nollywood actors and actresses under the aegis of Lagos Artistes for Fashola, LAFF, led by Mr. Segun Arinze who are championing the campaign for Fashola’s second term in office.

His said: “There is an offer on the table from the Brazilian government which the state government is yet to harness. The last time I visited Brazil, the Brazilian Minister for Tourism asked that they will like to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Nigerians to teach Brazilians on how to produce home videos.

“That offer is still on the table and we are yet to harness it because we are yet to have this type of forum where we can work out the necessary modalities. As soon as the artistes are ready,  I will  re-establish the contact and open up the network.”

so that whatever benefits comes from the contract, the credit goes to the country and the movie industry.”
Fashola, however, commended the artistes for their support during the 2007 electoral campaign and urged them to promote the ideals that would better the lots of the people in the society.

The Governor said: “By sheer deed of commitment, you have found a way where there seems to be no way. You have helped to address youth restiveness and unemployment.”

adding that lots of youths had not been harnessed in the area of cinematography.

“How many Nigerian universities offer courses in cinematography? I champion this course that Nigerian universities should offer courses in such area.  Many of you were probably forced into acting out of necessities.”

He appealed to the actors and actresses to use their movies to shape and fight the ills in the society rather than negative exposure, citing several cases were Police were portrayed in bad light in movie scenes.

He said: “Maybe you may not pay attention to the values you portray, but I do.  Your work is influential and you can use it to promote the image of this country.  For instance, our Police are doing well.

“Any time you produce movies and you get to a police scene, they are always portrayed as badly dressed, that is the image you are sending out.”

Speaking earlier, Arinze also commend Fashola. He said: “Governor Fashola had done tremendously well and is an actualiser. And that is the reason why  I have gathered my colleagues who have made impact in the movie industry in the state to come together to support your Second term bid.

“We have come together for the actualization of your second term.   I don’t care whose ox is gored.  We will stick with you throughout the campaign period until the victory is won,” he said.

Arinze added that the artistes would release album, jingles and the rest to sensitise the people and ensured that they voted for the governor next year, stressing that “there is now a brand called ‘BRF.’

“We will go to the grassroots to mobilize the people, we will support you; you will get our backing and support,” Arinze said.

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Dr. Amos Adamu gets three year ban from football

FIFA's Ethics Committee has finally released its ruling on the allegations of vote selling against Nigeria's Dr. Amos Adamu and others.

Dr. Amos Adamu got a three year ban from all football-related activites plus a $10, 000 dollars fine as punishment for his role in the scandal.

In a quick reaction, Dr. Adamu in a statement reiterated his innocence and expressed displeasure with the Ethics Committee's findings.

"I am profoundly disappointed with the Ethics Committee's findings and had honestly believed I would be exonerated of any charges by now," he said.

"I am innocent of all the charges levelled against me by the Ethics Committee and I completely refute the decision they have made.

"I will be lodging a full appeal against it with immediate effect." He said.

The Committee also found Tahiti's Reynald Temarii, Tunisia's Slim Aloulou, Mali's Amadu Diakite, Botswana's Ismael Bhamjee and Tonga's Ahongalu Fusimalohi guilty.

In addition to a $10,000 dollar fine, Bhamjee was banned for four years, Diakite and Fusimalohi for three and Aloulou for two.

Temarii got the least punishment - he was suspended for one year and got slammed with a $5,000 fine.

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Michael Emenalo appointed as Chelsea's assistant coach

Former Eagles defender, Michael Emenalo was yesterday confirmed as Chelsea number two. He is to replace Ray Wilkins, whose contract expired this month.

According to reports from Stamford Bridge, Emenalo was elevated to this position following the "great work" he has been doing for the Blues since he joined as chief scout in 2007.

Emenalo who won 14 caps for the Eagles was part of the team that shook the world at the USA'94 World Cup. He played against Argentina and Greece in the group preliminaries.He was brought to Chelsea by Avram Grant with whom he shared a player and coach relationship in Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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Mikel dares Siasia

Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel in a veiled response to suggestions by Eagles' coach Samson Siasia for him to quit Chelsea, Mikel has vowed to end his career at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel who has been adjudged the best passer of the ball in the English premier league, said that it was Chelsea that made him the professional player that he is today. He added that teammates at Stamford Bridge are like brothers to him and coach Carlo Anceloti is like a father.

"I love playing here. There are so many nice guys, the players and the staff, everyone. It is more like a home for me.

"I love England and I love London so why go somewhere else? I want to see this club win trophies and I want to be part of it. I want to stay here for the rest of my career,"said Mikel.

He added that when he joined Chelsea from Lyn Oslo, things were difficult because of the transfer tussle between Chelsea and Manchester United.

"It was a hard time, a difficult time, for me. "It put a lot of pressure on me. I didn't expect it to go that way I just wanted a normal transfer, but obviously it went on for more than a year.

"I went to Lyn Oslo and played maybe just five or six games and then it all happened. I've always said this is where I want to be. People said you're not going to get games because there are lots of big players.

"People were putting pressure on me, about the decision of whether to go to Chelsea or United. I made my choice and stuck by it."

He said that former Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho helped him to be focused.

"Every time I did something wrong, every mistake I made, he would get Didier Drogba to talk to me. I was off it, I didn't know what I was doing. It was hard for me to take responsibility,"

He said Ancelotti has also given him equal attention."Carlo's always talking to me. He's always there to give me advice and I take it, whether he's criticising me or giving me positive advice. He played the same role I played so maybe he is trying to make me be a bit like him."

Siasia said last week that Mikel's game has taken a dip following his stay at Chelsea. He urged the former under-20 star to join a new club if he is to rediscover himself in football.

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Militants threatens to cripple oil industry

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the attack on the ExxonMobil Ibeno oil facility in Akwa Ibom State, six weeks after it hit Abuja with bomb blasts that killed and maimed.

The MEND warned that it would, in the coming weeks, launch a major operation to cripple oil business, a reminder of the attacks on oil facilities that began in 2006 and lasted till the amnesty deal was struck in October last year.

MEND Spokesman Jomo Gbomo said the latest incident began at about 2040 hours Nigerian time and ended at about 2237 hours after its fighters detonated explosives earlier rigged to the facility, causing damage.

Seven employees were abducted, as happened in another attack at the Okoro oil field on November 7.

The MEND explained that hostages were taken to prevent the government from attributing the damage to an industrial accident.

Gbomo issued a statement which drew the attention of the international community to Nigerian troops' "indiscriminate bombing and strafing of communities" in the Niger Delta and locations in the creeks and swamps suspected of accommodating militia camps.

He alleged that at about 1400 hours on November 15, soldiers "carried out such an attack as described above, in one of our camps in Rivers State.

"Expatriate hostages held at this location had to be removed and relocated for their safety as rocket attacks by the Nigerian military came very close to these individuals.

"The Nigerian Government should be mindful of the fact that these activities are endangering the lives of these hostages who otherwise would come to no harm in our custody."

The statement said no amount of military activities will secure the release of the hostages, who will be set free when the MEND decides to.

It noted that Abuja "has refused to dialogue over addressing the injustice in the Niger Delta preferring instead to deceive the world into believing that the Niger Delta issue has been resolved by the government of Goodluck Jonathan who has only been successful in bribing a few miscreants."

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NFA sets 2014 World Cup semis target for Siasia

Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has set a 2014 World Cup semi-final target for Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia.

Eagles reached the second round qualification in 1994 and 1998, crashing out at the group stage in the 2002 and 2010 editions. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 edition in Germany.

No African team has reached the last four of the World Cup with Ghana's Black Stars coming within a whisker of this milestone at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Cameroon reached the quarter-final in 1990 while Senegal repeated same feat at the 2002 World Cup

But the NFA has asked Siasia to ensure that the team reaches the semi-final of the 2014 edition in Brazil.

MTNFootball.com has scooped that the four-year contract, which Siasia will sign on his formal presentation at the end of November, set out this target for the coach.

Interestingly, Siasia's Dutch assistant, Simon Kalika, has also disclosed their target is to reach the semi-finals of the next World Cup.

"What Samson has in his mind is that the Eagles must surpass what they have achieved so far. For him, Nigeria must play in the final of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup and must also play in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil," Kalika told MTNFootball.com.

"This may look like a tall order but it is achievable. Everything is a matter of good and long-term planning."

Siasia's contract also spells out semi-final targets at the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations for the new coach.

The renewal of Siasia's for another two years is dependant on he reaching the semi-finals at the tournament to be staged in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

Nigeria is three points behind Guinea in the qualifying campaign for the competition after two rounds of matches with only the group winners guaranteed automatic ticket to the finals.

The Super Eagles has won the biennial championship twice, in 1980 on home soil and in 1994 in Tunisia. Nigeria have at least reached the semi-finals of the tournament 13 times.

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Mikel Obi - between club and country

New Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, on Monday blurted out at Chelsea, criticising the premier league side for destroying John Mikel Obi's game. In this report, Salifu Usman x-rays Mikel's commitment to his club and fatherland.

Samson Siasia, shortly after his appointment as the Super Eagles coach, voiced his opinion about the effect of Chelsea's playing tactics on Mikel John Obi. Siasia lamented that Mikel's natural attacking instincts have been stamped out of his game entirely since moving to the English top flight. "The system in Chelsea actually destroyed Mikel's game," said Siasia. "Mikel is an offensive player, but when he moved to Chelsea, they changed him because they had a better player offensivewise, like Frank Lampard, who can score goals. What Jose Mourinho did was to bring Mikel back, because how many goals has Mikel scored? He brought him back so that Lampard and Ballack could play in the offensive."

Coach Siasia wasn't done: "I don't think he is playing in his natural position, because we all saw what Mikel played in 2005 and everybody loved him for what he did; he can keep the ball and create chances for the strikers to score goals."

Siasia's comments were born out of his frustration to find a creative midfielder who will drive his new Super Eagles. The 23-year-old Mikel, who was five years ago in Holland adjudged the second best player at the Under-20 World Cup behind Lionel Messi, is expected to play a big role in the Super Eagles under Siasia. Since the exit of Austin Jay Jay Okocha from the Super Eagles, Nigeria has been left without a consistently fine creative midfielder to direct Eagles' midfield, and after Mikel's superlative performance at the Under-20 level, it was largely expected by Nigerian soccer fans that the former young African Player of the Year would step into Okocha's shoes. But that did not come be, as the player's attacking instincts have been changed to defensive contentment by Chelsea's compelling structure.

Siasia advised the 23-year-old player to quit Chelsea and move to a club which can accommodate him in an attacking midfield position. However, the player himself is happy at the Bridge and does not intend to move away from his current club. "He has to start playing more offensive to become the Mikel we knew, because it would be difficult to change the way he is playing; he has to move to another club," Siasia said, matter-of-factly.

It has often been a topic of public debate by Nigerians on how Mikel's game is radically different when he pulls on Chelsea's shirt compared to when he plays for the national team. And now, Siasia has added his voice to it by asking the player to do more to his game. "Mikel is a fantastic player, but if you want to be a great player, you have to take risks, do something extra. As a defensive midfielder, you do not have to do much; you just win the ball and pass to the other player. The offensive player takes on more responsibilities," said the man who knows enough about the player.

In the summer of 2005, Mikel, after having an excellent tournament with Nigeria at the FIFA U-20 World Cup where they lost 1-2 to Argentina in the final, had the opportunity to join Manchester United which would have turned him to a better player of Nigeria's dream. Manchester United announced that it had struck a deal with Lyn Oslo to sign the player. United claimed that they had done a deal directly with the teenager and that he had signed a contract to join them. Mikel's agents were bypassed as the club persuaded the youngster to sign a 4-year contract without representation. Lyn Oslo allegedly sent a fax to his agents abroad, claiming their services were no longer required by Mikel. Reports said the deal was initially worth £4m and would see the player arrive at Old Trafford in January 2006.

Premier League rivals, Chelsea, later issued a counter-claim, suggesting that they already had an agreement with Mikel and his agents. But Lyn Oslo denied this claim. However, subsequent reports indicated that Chelsea claimed to have been involved in arranging the player's original move to Europe with a view to signing him at a later date. Further substance was added to this claim after it was revealed that the player had impressed then Chelsea manager, José Mourinho, while training with the club's first-team squad during the summer of 2004.

Mikel expressed his delight at joining United at a hastily arranged press conference, where he was pictured holding up a Manchester United shirt, which bore the squad number 21. But Mikel later insisted he was

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The first day of a planned three-day countrywide strike over pay went ahead in Nigeria Wednesday, despite last ditch attempts by President Goodluck Jonathan to avert it.

Federal government offices were deserted whilst banks were shut and public bus services were cancelled.

Schools and gas stations however remained open and privately run taxis were operating as usual as tens of thousands of commuters ignored the strike call.

Jonathan on Tuesday cut short a business visit to Lagos to fly back to the capital Abuja to personally take part in emergency late night talks with the country's main unions.

Those talks ended with the unions saying the strike would proceed as planned, but labour leaders said they would meet again later on Wednesday.

"The only thing we can say ... is that the strike is on until it is called off," said Promise Adewusi, acting president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The unions had initially demanded an almost 700 per cent pay rise on the national minimum wage, which has stood at 7,500 naira (36 euros) for the past decade despite double-digit inflation.

After months of negotiations, they settled for a 240 per cent pay hike to 18,000 naira (87 euros), but some three months on the government has yet to accept the recommended figure.

It is feared the strike could shut down Nigeria, the world's eighth-largest oil exporter and Africa's most populous country.

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MEND to launch fresh attacks on oil rigs

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has threatened to launch fresh attacks on oil installations across the Niger Delta soon, an online medium, www.oyibosonline.com posted yesterday.

In the report titled, "Mend Plans Serial Attacks on Oil Rigs", the medium said MEND had issued a statement claiming its readiness to turn the table on the amnesty programme by launching new attacks.

"In the coming days, our fighters will launch series of attacks on oil installations across the Niger Delta," the group said in the statement e-mailed by Jomo Gbomo, MEND's spokesperson, the report also said. It also reported that MEND has claimed responsibility for Sunday's hostage taking of seven expatriates after a swoop on oil workers at a coast line in Akwa Ibom State.

The online report posted a letter said to have been issued by mend saying its fighters on Sunday caught some oil expatriates working with Afren, a company engaged in drilling at the Okoro oil field in Akwa Ibom.

Meanwhile, the United States and France have called for the prompt release of all the hostages. "We're, of course, concerned about their safety and hope for their immediate release," U.S State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters. Also, the French foreign ministry spokesman confirmed it had received information indicating that two of its nationals had been taken hostage.

"We have indications concerning the abduction... and the possible presence of two French nationals among the people abducted," said ministry spokesman Bernard Valero.

Our correspondent called Lt. Col. Timothy Anthigha, the spokesman of JTF in the Niger Delta to speak on the report but he didn't respond.

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Samson Siasia appointed as new Super Eagles coach

Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, coach Kashimawo Laloko has described Samson Siasia 's appointment as the new Super Eagles coach as a beginning of a new era in the country's football.

Laloko said that Siasia knows where the shoe pinches, pointing out that he is on ground and has the knowledge on how to get the best out of the players while his consistency with Nigerian football would bring the problem of the game to an end.

Laloko urged Nigerians to be patient with the former Super Eagles striker saying he is not a magician but has the charisma to bring back the country's lost glory in football both in Africa and the world.

The former handler of the defunct Stationary Stores football club of Lagos said appointing Stephen Keshi would have looked like hiring a foreign coach .

"Siasia's appointment is going to bring change to the country's football. He knows where the problems lie and he is presently handling Heartland football club of Owerri in our local league.

"I know what Siasia can do, he has the charisma to carry the players along and as well transform the Super Eagles. He goes to the nooks and crannies of the country to fish out talents from nowhere. We all saw it with the U-20 team in 2005 both in Benin during the Africa Youth Championship and World Youth championship in Holland.

"Again the same happened when he qualified the country for the Beijing Olympics football game final three years later and the team won silver medal. What I am saying is that the right man has been given the job.

"I am not saying that Keshi is not good for the job, but bringing him to take over as the coach is like hiring a foreign coach to handle the team", Laloko surmised.

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Five hostages taken from oil rig

Five people were taken hostage on Monday from an oil rig off the coast of Nigeria.

Two of them are believed to be French, according to a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson. The rig in the Delta region was attacked early Monday morning, according to the company that overseas it.

"We have indications concerning the abduction off Lagos and the possible presence of two French nationals among the people abducted," said French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero. "We are looking to confirm these indications."

The British company that oversees the rig, Afren, said only that the oil rig in the Okoro oil fields was attacked and five crew members were likely taken hostage. Two other crew members were wounded.

"Two crew members are stable after receiving wounds to the leg, and have been evacuated by helicopter to a shore-based clinic," said the company in a statement.

The nationalities of the five hostages were not given, but a security source told the AFP news agency that there were two French, two Americans and a Canadian.

Kidnappings are frequent in the Niger Delta, Nigeria's oil production heartland, with groups calling for a better distribution of the country's oil wealth.

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FIFA boss condemns vote sting

A senior FIFA figure has condemned an undercover investigation into World Cup bidding as "unethical".

The probe by the Sunday Times led to the suspension of two FIFA executive committee members, Nigeria's Amos Adamu and Tahiti's Reynald Temarii.

They were suspended after allegations that they asked for money for projects in return for World Cup votes.

The newspaper also alleged that Qatar's 2022 bid has colluded with the Spain/Portugal 2018 bid.

Mohamed Bin Hammam, the Qatari president of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of the executive committee which will vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts, has now expressed doubts about the fairness of the newspaper's investigation.

His remarks will increase concerns that England's 2018 bid may suffer from a backlash by Fifa members unhappy at the Sunday Times sting and a programme currently being worked on by BBC Panorama.

Bin Hammam said on his website: "Forging identity, fabricating evidence and setting traps are unethical behaviours in my point of view.

"One thing about Middle East media, these are rare happenings there.

"Is it ethical to use unethical measures to protect the ethic?

"How can we serve justice and look for fairness by not acting justly and fairly? How will we clean dirty laundry by using dirty water?"

Bin Hammam also echoed FIFA president Sepp Blatter in conceding it was a mistake to have the 2018 and 2022 votes on the same day, 2 December.

He said: "We all underestimated the passion for the game around the world; we miscalculated how much football has influence over the feelings of people.

"By admitting that mistake, FIFA executive committee members realised how much it is impossible to demand from their member associations not to talk to each other about their bid.

"The World Cup is the largest business of FIFA. Collusion will always have a chance to happen as far as two bids will be decided together, but we all pray that no corrupted collusion will find its way to the bids."

Bin Hammam also revealed it was Uefa president Michel Platini who made the decisive intervention to prevent the 2022 vote being postponed until next year when he told last Friday's meeting 'we cannot change the rule of the game during the game'.

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5 year-old boy hangs self

Panic gripped the people of Moferere, a suburb of Ajilosun quarters in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State at the weekend as a five-year-old boy, Feranmi Oloyede, hanged himself on a tree within the compound his parents lived.

The development has heightened the suspicion in the State Capital that some dare devil men must have perpetrated the act.

Though, the deceased, whose mother trades in wine at a shopping complex at Moferere junction, was suspected to be playing with a rope hanging from the tree when the incident occurred.

It was reliably gathered that the little boy, identified as a pupil of St. Luis Nursery and Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti, got access to the rope by mounting a high bench which had long been abandoned near the tree.

His lifeless body was said to have been discovered on the tree, which precluded anybody from rendering any help that could bring him back to life.

Feranmi's parents were said to have been kept in an undisclosed location within the state, probably to prevent being disturbed by sympathisers and other interested individuals.

Responding to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Mohammed Jimoh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the incident was not reported to the police.

Sources close to the parents of the boy said his remains had since been buried.

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FIFA keeps the nation in the dark over ban

Nigeria is still awaiting a formal confirmation from world football governing body FIFA that tit has fully lifted the ban on the country.

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has informed FIFA that it has met all the demands that would avert a ban on the country.

NFA Acting secretary general, Musa Amadu, has disclosed that he is still waiting on FIFA to pronounce total lifting of the ban now that all impediments have been cleared.

"FIFA announced that the ban on Nigeria has been provisionally lifted until Tuesday, October 26. That is a day after the matter in the Federal High Court in Lagos. That matter has been struck out and we quickly let FIFA know that there is no legal impediment stopping the NFF board from functioning," said Amadu.

"If the ban were to be imposed permanently, FIFA would have contacted us to inform us that those provisions have not been completed and as a result the ban will come into effect.

"We are waiting patiently and positively for FIFA to get across to us and let us know that there is no problem whatsoever, and that the board can continue to function and that Nigeria can return to the comity of football-playing nations of the world."

It has been gathered that a final pronouncement with regard to the ban on Nigeria will be made public at the end of the executive committee meeting of FIFA this week.

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Ted Turner commits U.S.$1 billion to polio eradication

Chairman, United Nations Foundation, Mr Ted Turner, has committed one billion dollars to the fight against polio and other child killer diseases globally. Turner made the disclosure at the weekend, during a courtesy call to Sultan of Sokoto in his palace in Sokoto.

He told the Sultan that he was in the country to deliver a message to local community leaders that Nigeria must keep up the fight against child killer diseases by continuing to leverage the power of modern vaccine that are key to eradicating polio and reducing measles.

Turner acknowledged that Nigeria has made tremendous progress towards eradicating polio through partnership with community leaders that encourages parents to have their children immunized.

He stressed that the recent progress in stopping polio is a testament to Nigeria's power to accelerate progress in achieving the millennium development goals.

The founder of CNN added that the success recorded so far was as a result of the critical work of Emirs formed by the Sultan to ensure that everyone eligible for a polio vaccination receives one.

He maintained that by building on the success of partnership like these, measles and polio would be eliminated and children protected from other vaccine preventable diseases to achieve millennium development goals.

Responding, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar attributed the success recorded so far to concerted efforts between traditional rulers and community leaders in the sensitisation campaignon the need for parents to allow their children to be immunized.

He maintained that tremendous progress has been made in the reduction of polio and other child killer diseases in the North.

The monarch commended the Foundation in it efforts towards eradicating the scourge in the world, especially Nigeria.

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Kidnapping - soldiers declare war in Abia

The Joint Task Force (JTF) tackling the menace of kidnapping in the south-eastern part of the country yesterday allegedly killed 172 persons suspected to be members of the different kidnapping gangs that have been terrorising residents of Abia State and its environs.

President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered deployment of military personnel to Abia State in the wake of high-level insecurity, including kidnappings in that part of the country.

The kidnappers allegedly fell to the superior gunpower of members of the JTF during a gun duel at the different parts of the state. It was also gathered that some 237 suspected members of kidnapping gangs that have been operating in the state have been arrested by the task force. The JTF, it was also learnt, has so far questioned seven local government chairmen in Abia State alone.

A competent police source who disclosed this to LEADERSHIP in a telephone interview from Umuahia, Abia State capital, also added: "So far I can say we have succeeded by 70 percent, because business houses, including banks have opened for businesses. private schools have resumed. In short, lives have returned to normal and we hope to consolidate on this."

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim in a telephone chat stated that he can not confirm the casualty figure, "but I can tell you that, there have been casualties and we also made some arrests, including prominent Abia State residents. That is not the issue, the issue, is what we have been able to achieve in this short period and I can tell you that a lot have been achieved. Because banks in the state have returned back to work and there is relative peace in major cities of the state presently."

The police boss stated further that some security operatives had soiled their hands in the dirty business of criminality, stressing that those found wanting have been identified and shall be dealt with accordingly.

Ringim said that his dream is to leave Abia state and its commercial city of Aba, in peace. "We want to leave Aba, the way Aba used to be in those days. We cannot afford the activities of criminals in our midst, there is law and order in this country and it must be respected by all residents of Nigeria," the IGP stated.

He stated that his vision is to take kidnapping to zero level in Nigeria within the shortest possible time, arguing that no country progresses in the atmosphere of insecurity and fear. According to him, kidnapping is as worst as terrorism and armed robbery, stating that, every country that had advanced in the socio-economic life of the citizens must rise-up against criminalities of all phases.

Leadership

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HIV-positive muppet to star in Nigeria's 'Sesame Street'

Big Bird and the Cookie Monster have some new friends, but they're a long way from "Sesame Street."

One of America's best-loved children's shows, which began life on a fictional New York street over 40 years ago, is about to land in Nigeria under the title of "Sesame Square" -- bringing with it some distinctly West African twists.

The show stars Kami, a girl muppet who is HIV-positive, has golden hair and a zest for adventure; and Kobi, an energetic, furry, blue muppet whose troublesome escapades help others learn from his mistakes.

In a country with a population of over 150 million -- where, according to the CIA World Factbook, nearly half are under the age of 14 -- the show will address some of the biggest challenges faced by young people in the region: AIDS, malaria, gender inequality, religious differences -- as well as many positive aspects of Nigerian life. In the case of Zobi, this is characterized by an obsessive love of yams -- a staple food in the Nigerian diet.

"We have a very focused health and hygiene umbrella concept area that we're concentrating on," Naila Farouky, senior director of international projects at Sesame Workshop, told CNN. "This is something our local advisors have prioritized -- something that absolutely has to be addressed on the show."

In one episode, Zobi gets tangled up in a mosquito net, much to the amusement of the local kids. But there's an important message behind the antics -- mosquito nets are the best way to prevent infection from malaria on a continent where, according to the World Health Organization, a child dies from the disease every 45 seconds.

There are also an estimated 278,000 HIV-positive children in Nigeria, according to the National Agency for Control of AIDS.

However, like its American predecessor, "Sesame Square" is not solely focused on health and social issues, but a host of essential learning skills.

Farouky told CNN, "The thread of the show continues to be about basic life skills -- literacy, numeracy and pre-school education."

Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind "Sesame Street," received a $3.3 million grant to produce the show for five years, from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and President Barack Obama's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief.

So how did the producers go about adapting such an iconic show for a Nigerian market?

"If we're writing scripts for programs in Nigeria, the writers will be Nigerian scriptwriters," explains Farouky. "We'll often look for people who already have some experience in writing, but because we're aware [of] the format that we use and the methodology that we use, we'll provide training on how to write."

According to Farouky, collaboration is at the heart of the production process. "We work with our local teams to find ways in which we take the content that's important to them, to infuse the project with the cultural values, making sure we know which the taboo issues are and which are not," she told CNN.

Farouky recalled how, when making an Egyptian version of Sesame Street called "Alam Simsim," the character of Oscar the Grouch was firmly rejected on grounds that he glorified living in a garbage can -- something at odds with the cultural values of the region. Were there any similar issues in the making of Sesame Square?

"Our program is hosted by two muppets, a boy and a girl," she told CNN. "And because there is an entire region in Nigeria up in the North which is very Muslim, we had to be very sensitive. Even our publicity pictures could not have the muppets hugging, which we would normally have," she explained.

Roughly a quarter of households in Nigeria own television sets, according to the country's National Bureau of Statistics, which will inevitably limit the scope of its reach. However, the Sesame Workshop has used a significant proportion of its funding to produce additional learning materials, and is examining ways that it can use radios and mobile phones to help promote the messages in the show.

"[The material] has been developed in a way so it could stand alone, to reach out in communities where there is no broadcast," Farouky said. "So even if a child is not able to watch a television show, they would at least be able to make use of the outreach material."

Although the first adaptation to reach West Africa, "Sesame Square" will be the latest in a long line of region-specific shows around the world, which include "Sisimpur" in Bangladesh, "Ulitsa Sezam" in Russia, and "Takalani Sesame" in South Africa.

CNN

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Video - Alastair Soyode, from farming student to TV Network CEO

He may be the chief executive of a flourishing media company, but the last thing Alistair Soyode wants to be classified as is a media mogul.

"Classify me as someone like a farmer, because that's what I studied," he says as he attempts to describe a career arc that is as unorthodox as his television channel. "I'm a farmer who moved into television."

Soyode founded Bright Entertainment Network (BEN) television, the first and longest-running African and Caribbean-focused television channel in the United Kingdom, in 2002.

Eight years later, BEN TV's mix of entertainment, news and sports programs reaches nearly one million viewers daily -- not bad work for a man who originally came to England to play professional football.

However, his aspirations to become a pro footballer failed to materialize. "I think the chill and the weather didn't allow me to concentrate, so I decided to pack my bags and find something else to do," he says in an interview with CNN's African Voices.

After working in telecommunications and selling mobile phones, Soyode started BEN TV after trying and failing to find an appropriate production company to create shows for a Nigerian television station.

"I couldn't find a black TV station where I could go to ask them for programs ... so I thought 'if I set up a production house, I'll be able to produce a program and supply it to a Nigerian TV station'", he says. "And that's how the idea of BEN television came about."

While Soyode oversees BEN TV from offices in London, his first love is Nigeria, and he has two priorities toward this end. The first is to give something tangible back to his native country; the second to re-brand Nigeria as an iconic nation.

He is the European chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), set up by the government in 2000 to unite Nigerians living abroad with an interest in contributing to the development of the nation.

Soyode said he recently joined NIDO members in installing solar panels on the roofs of villages in Niger State, giving its inhabitants electricity for the first time.

"We're not just talking about conferences where you go and present a paper and talk and at the end of the day nothing happens," he says. "NIDO is not just talking about things -- we're actually using our resources to build."

Soyode says that while the BEN TV brand may have grown and changed over the past eight years, the focus of the channel remains the same -- to promote the importance of media in African and Caribbean communities and to counter what Soyode sees as a negative worldwide perception of both Nigeria and Africa.

Soyode is also putting together an effort to rebrand Nigeria from the ground up, starting with Nigerians who he says are actively engaged with their communities, in order to reverse negative stereotypes of Africa's most populous country.

"The people in Nigeria need to know that the power belongs to them," says Soyode. "When people are corrupt, we need to challenge it. What is wrong is wrong, so what do we do to change it? The change begins with you."

CNN

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Yar'Adua's brother, Abdul'aziz, quits military for politics

Lt.colonel Abdul'Aziz Musa Yar'adua, younger brother to late President Umaru Yar'adua has resigned from the Nigerian military and may join the race for Katsina Government House.

Daily Trust learnt from sources close to the Yar'adua family that Abdul'Aziz, also known as Audu Soja, may be seeking to actualise his governorship ambition on the platform of the newly formed Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

The source said the late President's younger brother tendered his resignation last week and it has since been accepted by the Nigerian military authorities, and that he had already handed over his official duties last Monday.

The source further confirmed that Yar'adua would be going into partisan politics but said he was yet to declare for any political party until his resignation notice expires at the end of October.

Before his resignation, Yar'adua was a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of records at the army secretary's office at the military headquarters, Abuja. He was closest to late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua amongst the family members.

Since the demise of the former president, rumours have been flying round Katsina that Audu Soja was joining politics and had since started mobilizing towards his ambition to contest the governorship race.

Daily trust gathered that Abul'Aziz is seen as the most appropriate and emerging leader of the late Yar'adua's family due to his acceptability in the family circle as well as his antecedents as a very religious, firm but easy going person.

Further checks revealed, however, that there may be a crack within the family if he decides to challenge the incumbent governor because some of the family members have public endorsed Shema for a second term.

Another hurdle the younger Yar'adua may face, sources say, is that the widow of the late President, Hajiya Turai Tar'adua may not support his candidature. Turai was said to have told her aides recently that she was not interested in supporting any politician or participating in any political activity.

Daily Trust

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Sixteen local banks in Africa's top 100

THE reform exercise in Nigeria's banking industry is after all not a ruse, as 16 Nigerian banks have made the top 100 in Africa, according to the latest ranking by the African Business.

In the latest ranking, Zenith Bank Plc maintained its lead in financial strength across the West African sub-region. A survey carried out by best selling Pan-African magazine, African Business revealed that the financial giant had secured the choice position in the 2009 ranking.

In the Sub-Saharan ranking, Zenith also came first. According to the report, even though the bank's capital valued at $2.2 billion in this year's survey seemed to have downed from $2.9 billion it was in 2009, Zenith Bank appears to hold the number one position up till next year.

Statistics showed that the bank's pre-tax earnings for the first half of the year stood at N25.34 billion, a sharp rise from N12.63 billion for the period in 2009, even as year-on-year gross income fell by 12.8 percent due to low interest rate regime of the apex bank.

Already, as part of further consolidation strategies, new boss of the bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has revealed that Zenith bank is currently seeking to expand its branch network at a time it has equally implemented a "strategy of ensuring a large capital and liquidity ratio to protect against harsh operating conditions.

Closely trailed by Zenith according to the survey is First Bank even with a similar drop in capital from N2.8 billion to her current N2 billion. The bank remains the largest in ownership of asset base in the West African region, a factor that has kept it strong even in harsh business operating environment.

The survey further revealed that "although the number of non-Nigerian banks in the top 20 has increased from two to five in one year to include banks from Togo, Gabon, Mali, Coted'Ivore and Senegal, Ghana Commercial bank leads two others within the Top 30 after securing 22 spot.

Giving details of the ranking process, the group said "the Top 100 African banks were ranked according to shareholders' equity as defined by Basle-based Bank for international Settlements (BIS)".

BIS stipulates that commercial banks should hold capital against risk-weighted assets. The BIS definition refers to the banks' soundness or underlying strength - the shareholders' core capital available for absorbing actual or potential losses occurring from non-performing loans, bad debts and investments in risky securities or speculative investment activities.

It said: "We used a $20m capital base as the benchmark for our listing. A number of smaller banks were excluded from the rankings because data on and from these banks is outdated".

"However, we hope to include more banks to our 2006 survey as and when up-to-date data becomes available.

"Banking profitability is calculated before corporate taxes and minority interest payments for end-reporting period. The financial health of a single bank is measured by annual Returns on Total Assets (ROA) employed and Returns on equity (ROE).

"African banking can be roughly split into two systems - sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa. The sub-Saharan Top 70 listing is dominated by the 'big five' South African financial giants, notably Standard Bank, ABSA, Nedcor, FirstRand and Investec - the investment bank. African Bank, South Africa's micro-credit specialist, occupies sixth position in our listing, ahead of three of the largest Nigerian banks. In fact, African Bank is ranked as the world's 14th strongest capitalised bank with a total BIS capital ratio of 40.4 percent. This compares with an average of 14 percent for the big five.

Further details showed that "In 2004, South African banks accounted for about 75 percent of the sub-Saharan Africa's total Tier 1 capital, 83 percent of aggregate assets and 70 percent of the total pre-tax profit".

Experts say the new generation of Nigerian banks, led by Zenith International Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and First Bank is emerging as dynamic players in regional markets, adding that in future, there will be fewer but more vibrant mega banks as a result of the consolidation drive currently driven by the on going reforms of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mauritius Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Barclays Bank of Kenya, the Lome-based Ecobank Transnational, Socit Generale de Banque en Cte d'Ivoire, Banco Fomento Angola, Bank Windhoek (Namibia) and Ghana Commercial Bank, among others, are major financial institutions in their respective markets.

The UK bank Barclays' $5.5bn takeover of ABSA will create the biggest pan-African banking group - managed from Johannesburg rather than out of London. ABSA, ranked third-biggest by assets, is the largest South African retail bank with 6.3m customers, 700 branches, 4,500 ATMs, and about 20,000 staff. According to Barclays, synergies from the two banks should increase ABSA's pre-tax profit by R1.4bn ($223m) per year. ABSA will remain a South African-registered company with its primary listing on the JSE securities Exchange.

Daily Champion

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Transcript of Henry Okah's interview on Aljazeera

Henry Okah: On Saturday morning, just a day after the attack, a very close associate of President Jonathan called me and explained to me that there had been a bombing in Nigeria and that President Jonathan wanted me to reach out to the group, Mend, and get them to retract the earlier statement they had issued claiming the attacks.

They wanted to blame the attacks on northerners who are trying to fight against him [Jonathan] to come back as president and if this was done, I was not going to have any problems with the South African government. I declined to do this and few hours later I was arrested. It was based on their belief that I was going to do that that President Jonathan issued a statement claiming that MEND didn't carry out the attack because they were expecting a kind of retraction from the group

Aljazeera: So just to be clear, why do you think that political aide was asking you to ask MEND to make that retraction? What was the reason for that?

Henry Okah: They don't want it to seem as if Jonathan does not have the support of his people, you understand? For months now they have been lying to everybody that everybody is so pleased with Jonathan, that he is going to bring peace to the region which is entirely false.

This attack now was actually going to be a great smear on his aspiration. They just needed the group to retract that statement which was why I was contacted. But I declined to make any such move.

Aljazeera: As far as MEND is concerned, what is the situation with MEND, because Goodluck Jonathan is trying to say that this group is not a problem anymore; the previous president had tried amnesty and rehabilitation programmes, can you give us a summary of what the situation is with MEND?

Henry Okah:Not just with MEND, with everybody who is fighting and to whichever way they are fighting. You don't just give people an amnesty and ask them to forget about the reason why they are fighting. Every one of us is fighting for something and if what we are fighting for is not addressed, it ushers problem in the area. You understand. It is not about Jonathan being president or about an amnesty being given. I mean, why will you steal my land and you give me an amnesty and then you expect me not to continue fighting you? Why would that happen?

Aljazeera: Are you saying none of these concerns you have are been addressed by the government?

Henry Okah: Absolutely none. With Yar'adua it was much better. He had a good understanding of the problem. And regardless of the fact that he was from the north he was making good attempt at addressing these problems. But with Jonathan it is entirely a different story. He doesn't know what the problems are and is also being tele-guided by other people, you know, who are giving him very bad advice.

Aljazeera: So Henry what do you think is going to happen to you now?

Henry Okah: I don't care, I really couldn't care. But one thing I tell you for sure, is just like I was able to talk to you, it only shows that South Africa is not like Nigeria. In Nigeria I was held for one year and four months in solitary confinement. I didn't kill anybody, I had no books, no newspapers, no TV, no radio, not even electrified. But the fact that I can speak to you on phone, even though I am being detained, shows that I am in an entirely different country from Nigeria. And I am arrested here at the instance of Nigeria, which threatened the South African government with diplomatic action if they didn't arrest me. That is the only reason why I am in detention. All those people I learnt have been arrested in Nigeria I have no contact with any of them, I don't even know them. They are just trying to do this thing, to point the finger at other political opponents in order to scuttle their attempts at being president. But as you see I am not a politician and I have no any business with any of the other aspirants for the posts of president in Nigeria. I have no connection with them. The story that I have been given a lot of money by different politicians to do one thing or the other, but I promise you I don't even have that kind of money myself. I don't have money.

Daily Trust

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FIFA suspends Nigeria

Lagos/Abuja — The crisis in the Nigerian house of football reached its zenith yesterday with the world football ruling body, FIFA, finally taking the decision to suspend the country's football federation (NFF) with immediate effect.

NFF got the FIFA hammer "on account of government interference" in football matters.

FIFA said in a statement announcing the ban that elected members of NFF executive committee were prevented "from exercising their functions and duties".

Other actions and decisions, which infuriated the world football body included "the stepping down of the acting NFF General-Secretary on the instructions of the National Sports Commission, the decision of the minister of sports to have the Nigerian League start without relegation from the previous season and the fact that the NFF Executive Committee cannot work properly due to these interferences".

The suspension of Nigeria from all football matters would, however, cease, according to FIFA, the moment the country put its football house in order.

One of the ways listed by the global body in putting the house of football on the right path is for all court actions against football administration in the land to cease and the duly elected NFF executive committee placed in a position to work without any interference.

The suspension means Nigeria cannot participate in all FIFA-organized football activities. This means the country will not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions.

It will also involve bans at club levels including international friendly matches, grassroots football relationship with any other country and friendly matches for any of the country's national teams with other countries.

"In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials can benefit from any development programme, course, or training from FIFA or CAF while the federation remains suspended," said the FIFA statement announcing the ban.

Nigeria had emerged the top issue on the agenda of FIFA's emergency committee meeting in Zurich.

The meeting was called to discuss the immediate and constant threats to the game of football among other issues.

The ban is the consequence of the decisions and events of the last few months in the country, beginning from the middle of June after the Super Eagles was knocked out from the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

After the Super Eagles' ouster, President Goodluck Jonathan placed a ban on the national teams from participating in international football for two years in order to plan and reorganise the sector.

The ban was greeted with public outcry from both within and outside the country and following a threat of a possible sanction by FIFA, the Federal Government rescinded the decision.

But this was followed by moves suspected to be anti-football such as the sacking of top members of the federation and the inauguration of a government appointed interim board to run football.

Meanwhile, the Acting Secretary-General of NFF, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, has disclosed that the Super Eagles will not be disbanded as the team will step up its preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations match against Guinea billed for Conakry on Sunday.

Reacting to the ban, Ikpeme assured Nigerians that everything would be done to overturn the ban before Friday.

By its action, FIFA had insisted on the validity of the August 26 board election, adding that it recognized Aminu Maigari as the elected president of the board of Nigerian football.

The home-based national players have been preparing for the Guinea match under the watch of interim national coach Austin Eguavoen since last week, while some of the foreign-based players were due to start trickling into Abuja last night.

"We won't disband the team, because the issue raised by FIFA disciplinary committee could be resolved at the higher level before we head for Conakry. While you can't be too sure what will happen I remain positive. We will sort the issues out before Friday. We don't want o dampen the morale of the players by asking them to disband," Ikpeme said.

The senior national team is due to travel to Conakry on chartered flight on Saturday, while the U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, will host Mauritius next week in Abuja in the second leg of the African Youth Championship qualifier.

It won the first leg away from home 2-0 to put its hope of a place at the African championship billed for Libya on course.

Ikpeme said he was not shocked by FIFA's action as the reasons given by the international governing body were very clear as it is against football matters being subjected to civil court dispute.

Maigari and 27 other people standing trial were yesterday cleared of contempt charges by Justice Okon Efreti-Abang at the Federal High Court of Lagos.

The NFF election became a subject of litigation arising from an application by the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) on the two grounds that its representative was not recognized to occupy one of the NFF board slots and the failure of the board to conduct the state FA elections as most of the state chairmen had overstayed their terms.

FIFA felt offended by NANF's action which was in violation of FIFA's statute and had asked NFF to sanction the footballers' body.

But a source at the NFF said the federation could not take action against the Harrison Jalla-led body because it is not affiliated to the NFF.

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Babangida campaign chief arrested over bombing

Barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan announced that the nation's security were closing-in on those who sponsored Friday bombings in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), there are indications that the Director of the IBB Campaign Organization, Chief Raymond Dokpesi may have been arrested in connection with the Bomb blast that almost marred the Nigeria's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Investigation revealed may have been picked up in the early hours of yesterday, following a revealing Short Message Service (SMS) text message sent to the Smartphone of one of the suspects in police, asking "if Dokpesi has paid the balance", and another SMS "inviting another suspect to a meeting at IBB Campaign office".

The alleged arrest of Dokpesi yesterday, it was learnt, bring to Seven the number suspects so far arrested out of the Nine in the wanted list of the police.

According to top security sources, Dokpesi was being detained for interrogation by the security agencies, following "a text message found in the phone of one of the arrested suspects. The text message reads: have you collected the balance from Dokpesi?"

The source said, "this was said to have send alarm signals across the nation's security apparatus, since the suspect concerned is considered to be neckdeep inn the bombing plot"

Vanguard further learnt that another text massage, said to be more dramatic, allegedly sent to the phone of another suspect in custody which reads: "lets meet at IBB campaign office"; thereby leading to what security operatives referred to as "a high tech sting operation which in a matter of hours, has netted a wider ring of suspects.

It was also gathered that a suspect who never knew he was already under surveillance confided in a friend that "na we do am…..meet me make I brief u", is currently confessing more details to the security agencies.

More worrisome, it was told, is the confession of another suspect who alleged that "in the last two weeks he bought a brand new Muraino SUV from funds received from Dopkesi".

Part of the confession, according to our source, includes a directive from Mr Henry Okah that should distablise the government since Jonathan "was not ready to put serious money on the table".

Vanguard

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Thousands of trafficked girls found in Mali slave camps

Nigerian girls are being forced to work as prostitutes in Mali "slave camps," Nigerian officials say.

The girls, many of them underage, are often promised jobs in Europe but end up in brothels, said the government's anti-trafficking agency.

According to BBC correspondent, the brothels are run by older Nigerian women who prevent them from leaving and take all their earnings.

Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (Naptip) said officials visited Mali in September to follow up "horrendous reports" from victims, aid workers and clergy in Mali.The agency said it was working with Malian police to free the girls and help them return to Nigeria.

They said there were hundreds of brothels, each housing up to 200 girls, run by Nigerian "madams" who force them to work against their will and take their earnings.

"We are talking of thousands and thousands of girls," Simon Egede, Executive Secretary of Naptip, told a news conference in Abuja, adding that they were between 20,000 to 40,000.

He, however, did not give details as to how the figure had been reached.

In a statement, Egede said girls were "held in bondage for the purposes of forced sexual exploitation and servitude or slavery-like practices."

"The madams control their freedom of movement, where they work, when they work and what they receive," he said.

The trade is centred on the capital Bamako and large cities, but the most notorious brothels are in the mining towns of Kayes and Mopti, where the sex workers live in "near slavery conditions," said Naptip.

Many of the brothels there also had abortion clinics where foetuses were removed by traditional healers for use in rituals, said Egede.

Most of the girls were reported to have come from Delta and Edo States in Nigeria.

Many were lured with the promise of work in Europe, given fake travel documents and made to swear an oath that they would not tell anyone where they were going.

On arrival in Mali, they were told they would have to work as prostitutes to pay off their debts. Prostitution is legal in Mali but not if it involves minors.

Naptip said it had also uncovered two major trafficking routes used to transport the women from Nigeria through Benin, Niger and Bukina Faso to Mali.

Egede said Naptip was working with the police in Mali to return the girls to Nigeria safely, shut down the trade and prosecute the traffickers.

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Video - MEND attack on independence day

Militant group MEND claims responsibility for a pair of car bombs that rocked indepedence day celebrations in Nigeria.

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