Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Stampede in Kano, Nigeria over Bin Laden's death


There was stampede in Kano on Monday when news of the death of al-Qaida leader, Osama bin Ladin, in Pakistan via US raids spread across the city just recovering from post-election violence.


The commercial city, which recorded violence that claimed several lives and properties, witnessed another round of stampede resulting in temporary closure of markets, shops and other business places, as residents in flash points where non-indigenes had suffered colossal losses in the past hurried out of the areas.


As news that America's most wanted man had been killed became public, panic and jitters set in resulting in massive movement as non-indigenes scampered for safety.


Some Muslim faithful in Christian dominated areas like Sabon Gari also took to their heels.


In the seeming confusion was the Kofar Ruwa building material market where properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the post election violence.


Traders at that side of the market horridly shut their business premises and moved into Sabon Gari inhabited predominantly by non-Muslims and non-natives.


Our correspondent reports that the anxiety on Monday was a clear manifestation of the fact that non-indigenes in Kano are still living in fear despite assurances by security agencies of their safety.


It was gathered that there was also a mass movement of people from Kurna-Asabe, Bachirawa, Mitara and Rijiya Lemo to the Army barracks, while residents in other identified flash-points such as Brigade, Badawa, Dakata, Hotoro and Zango, have also started a gradual movement to the different police barracks in the city.


However, there has never been any sign of possible violence arising from bin Ladin's death, but going by previous experiences where problems in the Arab world are considered as an attack on Islam, non-Muslims are always apprehensive because most times they were at the receiving end.


The situation has also provoked a reinforcement of armed security agents, some of who have been deployed to strategic locations while others are known to be on patrol.


The military men are still very much on the streets of Kano, with armoured personnel carriers also seen in some strategic corners of the city.


Daily Independent


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Friday, April 29, 2011

Video - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala shares a story about military intimidation



Managing Director of the World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala talks about standing up to military officials and cutting the Nigerian defense budget in order to invest in education and the future of Nigeria.


Reauters


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U.S. Says Nigeria's Elections Were Its Best Since 1999

As Nigeria concludes its series of elections, a senior Obama administration official says the voting in legislative, presidential and local government contests was the country's most successful since it returned to multiparty democracy in 1999.


"This reverses a downward democratic trajectory and provides the country a solid foundation for strengthening its electoral procedures and democratic institutions in the years to come," Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson told reporters April 28.


Carson acknowledged that there had been some problems, including allegations of fraud and ballot box snatching, but said he did not believe that "any of the irregularities or technical imperfections undermines the overall outcome of this election and that the elections do reflect the will of a majority of the Nigerian people."


He praised Nigerians for showing the world "their resilience and will to have their voices heard," and said their desire to participate in democratically run elections is shared by many across the African continent.


"It also is an indication, too, that if Nigeria, with its large size and population, can in effect run and manage successful democratic elections, that it is possible for many of the other, smaller states to do as well," he said.


He commended Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission and its chairman, Attahiru Jega, as well as Nigerian security services for addressing the challenges posed by the elections. Carson said they had improved their efforts "with each progressive election."


Carson said the Obama administration deplores the violence that accompanied the elections, particularly following the April 16 presidential vote that was won by incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, but said the level of violence has been less than in previous contests.


"I think that there has been a history of violence associated with Nigerian elections in the past. But in this election, we have clearly seen a much more responsible security force, security presence, in and around the electoral sites," Carson said. He added that the United States hopes the 2011 elections will serve as "a baseline for greater improvement in both their technical procedures as well as in their security."


U.S. Department of State


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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Music Video - Ikechukwu 'Still Standing'



The new single off Ikechuwu's third album "THE ALLIANCE RECONSTRUCTED"  produced by BENNY B TWISTED MINDZ. Directed by Udoka Oyeka.



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Voting underway in Nigeria despite violence



Officials are counting the votes cast in Tuesday's election for state governors across Nigeria.

The poll was marred by bomb blasts, shootings and accusations of ballot box snatching - after rioting in the country's north left hundreds dead in the week since Goodluck Jonathan was declared winner of the presidential election.


AlJazeera


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