Nigerian militants release kidnapped sailors

Six foreign crew members of an oil tanker kidnapped by Nigerian militants MEND (Movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta) three weeks ago have been released.

MEND said the release of the hostages was part of the 60-day cease fire announced. They are hoping "the Nigerian government would reciprocate."

The militant group also wants the Nigerian military to withdraw its troops from the Gbaramatu community in Delta State, and allow displaced people to return home.

BBC

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10 minute video recap of the oil war in the Niger Delta of Nigeria from Ken Saro Wiwa to Present

Nigeria ranked 15th in the 2009 index of failed states in the world

ForeignPolicy.com in collaboration with The Fund for Peace have released The Failed States Index for 2009. Nigeria is ranked 15th in the list of failed states in the world.

Somalia tops the list with Zimbabwe, Sudan, Chad, and Democratic Republic of Congo rounding up the top 5 failed states in the world. For the complete list that consists of 60 countries click here.

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Nation in Darkness

Forensics show that Stella Obasanjo's death was avoidable

The death of former first lady, Stella Obasanjo was avoidable with suitable treatment administered during the liposuction operation that lead to her death as declared by a Spanish forensic scientist during the criminal prosecution case being deliberated in Spain.

The physician noted that Stella Obasanjo had perforations in her liver and abdomen and the quantity of liquids given to her after an intervention was "insufficient", she also had symptoms of shock.

According to the expert, the evidence of shock could have been detected "hours earlier" and with a blood test and an ultrasound scan it would have been possible for the doctor to detect the symptoms of a shock. The accused doctor could have detected the complications approximately 10 hours before her death.

The accused is a plastic surgeon from a Molding Clinic in Marbella, Spain. He is charged with the 2005 death of Mrs. Obasanjo and faces two years in prison and a five year ban from practicing if found guilty.

AllAfrica

Related story: Criminal prosecution case against surgeon charged with Stella Obasanjo's death begins in Spain

Nigerian Philanthropist gives 5,000 students scholarships

Alhaji Lawan Umar Shakka gave scholarships to about 5,000 students in Kano State, Nigeria. The philanthropist explained that the scholarship will help the students cushion the cost of pursuing an education:

"It's part of my policy to ensure that students of Ungogo Local Government Area and it's environs benefited from the gesture."

Alhaji Shakka added that the President's 7-point agenda is in dire need of people to support the government's policy and that his scholarship program will help President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's administration by assisting people to find employment, which will improve the country economically.

This Day

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New American TV Show The Philanthropist starts in Nigeria

Deportation case of Nigerian family in Britain currently being reviewed

The immigration authorities in Britain previously dismissed a campaign started by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen and Manchester Blackley MP Graham Stringer to keep the Nigerian family in Britain. But have now agreed to review the case after mounted pressure from the public and media.

A bail hearing will decide whether the family can go back to Rochdale while the case is being reviewed. Usually a cash guarantee must be offered, so a fundraiser has been started by friends and supporters for the Iloba family currently in detention at Yarl's Wood detention centre pictured above. Teachers and pupils from North Manchester High School have so far donated hundreds of pounds to prevent the deportation of Saskia Iloba and her family.

It's been reported that crucial documents to support the claim that Mr. Iloba was murdered, including a copy of his death certificate and a DVD of his funeral had been sent to immigration authorities in Britain but were never acknowledged.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said he was urgently seeking confirmation that the items were received.

Rochdale Online News  managed to meet with the family currently at the Yarl's Wood detention centre. Saskia Iloba shared her harrowing experience with Rochdale Online News:

In an exclusive interview with Rochdale Online News yesterday (Saturday 19 July), the family spoke of the moment 13 officers in bullet proof vests burst into their Falinge home and arrested them on 6 July, before trying to force them on a plane to Nigeria.

Saskia, 17, was naked in her bedroom when officers came in and told her she had 20 minutes to gather all her belongings.

She said: “I froze in shock, sort of waiting for them to say sorry and leave the room.

“But they didn’t, they stood there and watched me get dressed. I was horrified and really scared.

“I felt like I had done something really terrible, like I’d murdered someone or something.”

The former Head Girl at North Manchester High School looked away as she fought tears, before adding: “We have never hurt anyone, and we are being kept here like animals.

“This place is hell on Earth; we are sleeping on thin mattresses and eating the worst food I have ever tasted."

She continued: “It’s like they’re trying to break us; trying to make us give in and go to Nigeria, but we are trying to keep each other strong.

"I have started to lose my hair with the stress. That hasn't happened since my dad died."

For more on the interview with Rochdale Online News please click here

manchestereveningnews      Rochdale Online

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