Baby pulled from Nepal earthquake rubble after 22 hours

(CNN)A photo of a baby boy being pulled from the rubble of the Nepal earthquake has become the defining image of a disaster that has devastated the country.

His tiny face is coated in dust from the debris that crashed around him as the earth shook on Saturday, April 25, killing more than 5,000 people and injuring at least twice as many more.

His name is Sonit Awal, and he's just four months old.

On Saturday, Sonit was at home in Muldhoka, Bhaktapur, east of the capital Kathmandu, when the 7.8-magnitude quake sent tremors through Nepal and neighboring countries, according to Kathmandu Today.

Baby Sonit Awal spent 22 hours buried in the rubble of his home.

The house collapsed, burying the child, leaving his father Shyam Awal frantically searching for him amid the rubble.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/30/asia/nepal-earthquake-baby/index.html

TECHNOLOGY: Ford introduces new Mustang as its’ fastest model in Europe

Ford Motor Company has announced that its all-new Ford Mustang will deliver 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in under 5 seconds – making it the fastest accelerating high-volume Ford model ever offered in Europe.

The company also revealed that more than 2,200 customers have ordered an all-new Ford Mustang since the iconic car became available to order across Europe earlier this year.

The Ford Mustang was said to be on sale in Europe for the first time in the car’s 50-year history – is available with Ford’s 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering 421 PS and 530 Nm of torque, or the more fuel-efficient 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering 317 PS and 432 Nm of torque.

The 5.0-litre V8 fastback model with six-speed manual transmission reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start in 4.8 seconds – faster than any Ford in the Europe since the low-volume Ford GT supercar launched in 2005. The Ford Mustang 2.3-litre EcoBoost fastback manual reaches the marker in 5.8 seconds.

The all-new FordMustang’s high performance engines are supported by a standard Performance Pack in Europe that delivers uprated brakes, cooling for high-speed driving, sophisticated chassis/body structure, and advanced technology, also help optimise driving dynamics to deliver the sporty experience Ford Mustang.

Amazingly the new Mustang is now available in Nigeria at Ford’s dealerships companies, R.T. Briscoe Ford and Coscharis Motors Limited.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/ford-introduces-new-mustang-as-its-fastest-model-in-europe/

My wife has no Vagina' - Man cries out in court

An Abeokuta Customary Court sitting in Ake on Wednesday dissolved a three-year-old marriage between Mr Femi Olayiwole and wife, Kemi, due to the absence of vagina, deceit and frequent fighting.

Olayiwole told the court that his wife deceived him to marry her knowing that she could not bear him a child.

He accused his wife, who had failed to appear in court after being summoned several times, of living a false life, frequent fighting and threatening his life.



“My wife had been deceiving me since we got married I have never seen her pass through menstruation. My wife does not have any vagina opening.

“Anytime I ask her for sex, she would give an excuse to back up her refusal. Meanwhile, we have been praying to God to give us children.

“My wife did not tell me anything about her condition before we got married, until February this year that she confessed to me that she had never experienced menstruation in her life.

“I thought she was lying, so I went to see her parents who told me it was true, and that they thought their daughter explained to me before we got married,” Olayiwole told the court.

He pleaded with the court’s president to dissolve his three-year-old marriage that had nothing to show for both now and in future.

The defendant was absent in spite several summons by the court.

The court’s president, Mr, Olalekan Akande, dissolved the marriage, saying that both parties had made up their minds to part ways.

Akande said that both parties were free to remarry anybody of their choice, adding that the document of the marriage dissolution should be sent to Kemi.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/my-wife-has-no-vagina-man-cries-out-in.html?m=1

160 more women, children rescued from Sambisa Forest

Nigerian troops have rescued about 160 more hostages from Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold in northeast Nigeria, the country’s army told AFP on Thursday.

"We are still working to verify the actual number of the rescued hostages but I can say they include around 60 women and 100 children," said Sani Usman, an army spokesman.


A female hostage and a soldier were killed during the rescue operation at Sambisa Forest, where the Islamist extremists operate from.

This week, the military said it rescued nearly 300 hostages in a different operation at the same forest.

The 200 girls and 93 women rescued Tuesday are not the Chibok girls, according to Usman. However, one official did not rule out that captives might include some of the 200 girls abducted in April 2014 from a school in Chibok.

Amnesty's Africa director for research and advocacy, Netsanet Belay, said the rescues were a "cause for celebration" but he warned: "This is just the tip of the iceberg.

"There are thousands more women and girls, and men and boys, who have been abducted by Boko Haram," he said in a statement.

Female former hostages have described being subjected to forced labour, sexual and psychological abuse as well as having to fight on the frontline alongside the rebels.

The first release of 200 girls and 93 women was announced on Tuesday, raising hopes that some of the 219 girls snatched from their school in Chibok in April last year were among them.

Army spokesman Sani Usman has said the Chibok girls were not part of the group but defence headquarters in Abuja has said it was too early to say.

The mass kidnapping from Chibok, in Borno state, prompted global outrage and forced President Goodluck Jonathan to accept international help in the search operation for the missing girls.

All the former hostages -- some of whom are said to be traumatised by the experience -- were being screened to determine their identities and from where and when they were kidnapped.

- 'End the nightmare' -

On Thursday, Usman said about 160 more hostages were freed in an operation involving troops from the army's 7th Division, which has been tasked with fighting Boko Haram.


The Nigerian military warns that girls rescued from militant group Boko Haram may not be the same on …
"We are still trying to compute the actual number of those rescued. But tentatively there are about 60 women of various ages and around 100 children," he told AFP.

One woman was killed in the fighting and eight other rescued hostages were injured. A soldier was also killed and four others wounded.

Several "terrorist training camps" were cleared during the operation while equipment and vehicles were seized, he added.

A military source indicated the women were used as human shields and in some cases fired back at soldiers until they were subdued.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/160-more-women-children-rescued-from.html?m=1

Jonathan, Sambo, others to get N3.24bn severance pay: Is this not crazy?

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-president Namadi Sambo, non-returning federal lawmakers, ministers and   presidential aides will collect N3.24bn as severance allowances, investigation by The PUNCH has shown.

The severance allowances   are contained in the Remuneration Package   put together by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

According to the package, Jonathan, who will hand over to the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 29, is entitled to 300 per cent of his annual basic salary.

The President’s annual basic salary is put at N3, 514,705 and therefore his severance allowance will be N10, 544,115 after May 29.

The severance allowance is without prejudice to his other constitutional entitlements as a former head of government.

Similarly, Vice-President Sambo, who leaves office the same day as Jonathan, is also entitled to 300 per cent of his annual basic salary put at N3, 031,572.50. This means that his severance allowance after May 29 is N9, 094,717.50.

For having held the office of vice- president, Sambo also has some constitutional entitlements and perks.

About 76 senators are not returning to the National Assembly either because they did not stand for election or because they lost their bids to return. They are however entitled to N462,019,200 at the expiration of their tenure on June 5.

Like Jonathan and Sambo, they are entitled to 300 per cent of their annual basic salaries as severance allowances. This amounts to N6, 079,200 per senator.

In the House of Representatives, about 290 members are not returning to the 8th National Assembly to be proclaimed into existence by Buhari on June 5.

Each of the members is entitled to N5, 955,637.50 as severance allowance. This means that the 290 members   will be paid N1, 727,134,875.

The ministers, on the other hand, will be collecting a total of N253, 967,212.5. There are 42 ministers in Jonathan’s cabinet. Thirty one of them are senior ministers and 11 are ministers of state.

Each of the senior ministers is entitled to N6, 079,200 severance allowance while each of the ministers of state   will receive N5, 872,740.

This means that collectively, the senior ministers will get N188, 455,200 at the expiration of their tenure on May 29 while collectively, the ministers of state will be collecting N65, 512,012.5 .

The aides to the President comprising special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants   will   get   N775, 207,125.

There are 23 of them who work with the president as special advisers. Apart from this number, however, there are several others estimated at 110 who work with the vice-president, the First Lady(Patience Jonathan) and special advisers that are designated either as senior special assistants or special assistants to the President.

This means that there are about 133 aides to the president and each of them is entitled to 300 per cent of their annual basic salary which amounts to N5, 828,625.

The Nigerian democracy has been identified as one of the costliest in the world as a result of a large number of political office holders.

Some experts, for instance, think that a cabinet made up of 42 ministers is too large. However, constitutionally, each of the 36 states   is expected to be represented in the Federal Executive Council.

Bicameralism is another source of worry for many observers who believe that Nigeria can do with one chamber of the National Assembly. Some Nigerians have called for part-time legislature as a means of saving cost.

However, the worry of many Nigerians is not what the lawmakers earn monthly but what accrues to them through self-appropriation and   constituency projects.

Two activist   lawyers – Jiti Ogunye and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa – faulted the basis for earmarking such an amount of money for such purposes in the face of the economic challenges the country is grappling with.

While Adegboruwa argued that the political office holders were not entitled to any severance allowance given what they earned as salaries and benefits while in office, Ogunye called for a drastic cut in the allowances.

Adegboruwa said that since the political office holders had   been paid what could sustain them and their families for the rest of their lives, they   were   no longer entitled to severance allowance.

He said, “I believe that given the monumental and outrageous salaries, benefits and allowances that are being paid to the outgoing members of this executive, the legislators especially the House of Representatives, senators and ministers, I believe they should save Nigerians from the luxury of any outrageous allowance.

“This incoming government needs a lot of resources to fulfil its campaign promises. Our incoming government is likely to remain stagnant for now. Nigeria cannot afford the luxury in the name of severance allowance. Our people are suffering. They should have mercy on Nigeria. What they have taken is enough to sustain them and their families for the rest of their lives.”

Ogunye said, “While the RMAFAC could have its own scale, guidelines and parameters for determining those political office holders who qualify for these severance benefits and the quantum each of them and all of them should recieve, we cannot but point out that this amount, in the circumstances of our dire economic situation, is outrageous.

“It is carrying the culture of profligacy and corruption in the conduct of our public affairs too far. At this point of economic recession and dwindling oil revenue, RMFAC ought to be chiefly concerned with revenue mobilisation to cater for the shortfall in the funding of the yet to be passed 2015 Appropriation bill.

“We suggest a drastic cut in the amount. Political office holders do not necessarily serve Nigeria more and better than school teachers, lecturers, judges, health workers et cetra, who take home modest gratituities and pensions after 35 years of service.”

The Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere,   Yinka Odumakin, said, “It is   unjust   and morally reprehensible for these officials who mostly have fleeced the public till with veracious rapacity to legislate crazy retirement benefits.

“It is nothing but robbing the public for people who lived off the state for four or eight years to want to become permanent liability on the system.

“This is a country where civil servants who served the country for 35 years are queuing to death for pensions that mostly remain unpaid. There are no serious countries in the world where public officials earn what ours take not to talk of the sickening retirement benefits they ask for.”

Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/jonathan-sambo-others-to-get-n3-24bn-severance-pay/

Importance of BVN: Go get yours today.

THE Bank Verification Number, BVN, is an-other important step the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is using to strengthen the security of banking transactions and to ensure that fraudulent transactions are minimised, if not totally eliminated. The campaign is on, but the public may not realise its importance until it closes in June 2015.

Yet as the public embraces the initiative with enthusiasm, it should be aware that some fraudsters are trying to undermine the exercise by providing seemingly easier registration options for bank account holders. They request these details online and threaten that the account would be closed if the owner does not provide them the details. Their target is the account holder’s money. The best way of enrolling remains direct communication with one’s bank.

BVN uses biometric technology to register customers in the financial system.   It records these physical features which are unique to individuals – fingerprints and the face. The record would be used to identify the person afterwards. Once a person’s biometrics have been recorded, and BVN issued, the account would be accessed through BVN. The major objectives of the initiative are to protect bank customers, reduce fraud and strengthen the Nigerian banking system.

Biometric enrolment is helpful to people who cannot read and write. Their finger prints and pictures would serve the same purpose as signatures. Multiple account holders would be covered with a single registration in any of the banks where they have accounts.

BVN will help the banking system reduce situations where loan defaulters, for instance, move from one bank to the other and the banks extend new credits to them, without knowing their history.  Banks would be able to track transactions across all banks in Nigeria with more ease.

As CBN implements the BVN initiative, it has to ensure the security of the data, from rogue bankers and also importantly from damage, as has been the experience with other sectors that engaged in biometric enrolments. It should also create measures to punish banks that might exploit the information they have to blackmail customers with whom they have disagreements.

BVN is a great initiative that would reduce illegal banking transactions and improve national financial intelligence gathering. The interests of account holders should be accorded importance so that their increased confidence in the banking system would improve the financial standing of banks. Customers will use banks more when they know that their transactions are safe. BVN offers vast opportunities to protect customers, banks and the entire financial system.

The CBN should enhance the security of BVN to protect the entire financial system. It should be on the watch for technologies to keep improving BVN capacities.

FG hands over NITEL to NACTOM

The Federal Government, yesterday, formerly handed the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, and its subsidiary, Mtel , over to NATCOM Consortium after the full payment of $252,521,000 (about N42. 4 b) bid price to acquire the assets and business units of the nation’s premier telecommunications company.



NATCOM Chairman, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, who received the operational licences of NITEL and Mtel on behalf of his consortium said that the team would work towards investing about $ 1 billion, with a view to providing Nigerian subscribers first-class rated services.

His words, “the task ahead is enormous. As you know, what we are taking over is the carcass of what used be NITEL/MTEL; advancement in technology has made it imperative for us to start from the scratch in rolling out services; and as you aware, over 130 million subscribers are already in the kitty of the existing service providers.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/fg-hands-over-nitel-to-nactom.html?m=1

Four Nigerians executed by firing squad in Indonesia

Four Nigerians executed by firing squad in Indonesia

Four Nigerians and four others from other countries who were convicted drug smugglers have been executed by firing squad in Indonesia.

The executions took place in Besi prison on the island of Nusakambangan early on Wednesday morning local time, local media reports say.

They were executed by firing squad on Tuesday, despite pleas by the Nigerian government, UN and Amnesty International for the death sentence to be lifted.

The men had tried to smuggle heroine into the country.

The four Nigerians, had originally been sentenced between 1999, and 2004, for different drug-related offences.

They were; Martin Anderson, who was found guilty of possessing 50 grams of heroin. The 50 year old had travelled to Indonesia on a false passport, and was reportedly shot in the leg, during his arrest.

Raheem Agbaje Salami, 50, was arrested in Surabaya, with 5.5 kg of heroin, and was initially handed a life sentence

Final Goodbyes

Four other convicts are being held at the high-security prison in Indonesia and they are expected to be put to death by firing squad in several hours.

Two Australians, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, are among convicts being held at the high-security prison in Indonesia, where they are expected to also be put to death by firing squad.

Eleventh hour vigil was held in Sydney for death row Australians.

On Tuesday, the prisoners’ families were heard wailing as they boarded a boat for what’s expected to be their final goodbyes. Reporters at the port in Cilacap described harrowing scenes on Twitter.

Under Indonesian law, the death penalty is carried out by a 12-man firing squad, although only three guns are loaded with live ammunition.

Prisoners are given the choice of whether to stand or sit, and whether they want to wear a blindfold, hood or nothing. The shots — aimed at the heart — are fired from between 5 and 10 meters (16 to 33 feet), according to Amnesty International.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/four-nigerians-executed-by-firing-squad.html?m=1

Rescued girls not from Chibok

Nigeria’s army has stated that the rescued 200 girls and 93 women from Boko Haram camps during a military operation are not the school girls abducted from Chibok community more than a year ago by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Army spokesman: 293 females rescued in northeastern Nigeria are not girls abducted from Chibok.

Breaking News: Nigerian army rescues 293

Report reaching us now says the Nigeria troop fighting the Boko Haram group just rescued 200 girls and 93 women from the stronghold of the terrorist group, Sambisa forest on the 28th of April, 2015.

$370m Abacha loot traced to Luxembourg

Nigerians ferrying money to Switzerland will now have to prove that such wealth is acquired legally before they are allowed to lodge such in the European nation’s banks.

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Hans Rudolf Hodel, who disclosed this after a meeting with the President elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, also disclosed that about $370million recovered from the late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, has been traced by the Swiss government to a Luxembourg account.


Hodel said in the past the banks only needed to prove that the money deposited with them are legal money, adding that situations Switzerland has changed with depositors now needing to prove that they acquired the money legally before they will be allowed to deposit money in any bank in that country.

He said that collaboration between the Nigeria government and its Swiss counterpart in fighting corruption is a long standing issue, adding “our laws are there to help all countries fighting corruption. We will help this government.

“If you remember, many years ago, we gave back the Abacha money to Nigeria. The situation in Switzerland has changed. The policy is no longer the same. In the past, people come to deposit money in Switzerland without too much controversy. Now, it is not possible to deposit money in Switzerland because of legal origin.

“Before now, the bank has to prove that the money is legal. But now, before you deposit money in any Swiss bank, you have to prove that you have earned that money legally.


“If you are a wealthy businessman, you have money in billions legally, but if, for example as a journalist, you come to Switzerland with two million dollars and say you earned it because you did a very good job, nobody will believe you.”

The Ambassador said the Nigerian government and the Abacha family have sought legal assistance from the Swiss government to enable them retrieve the money, pointing out that Swiss government has offered the legal assistance.

He said further that his government is directly involved since the money is not in a Swiss bank.

On what he discussed with Buhari, he said “Even if the relation is perfect there is always room for improvement. Investors are looking towards Nigeria and it is a good example Nigeria gave to the world by its peaceful election.

“I congratulate the President -elect for this fantastic election and indeed the whole Nigeria people which has shown the world what they are capable of doing and with this election Nigeria has become an example not only to Africa but to the whole world on how election can be conducted.”

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/370m-abacha-loot-traced-to-luxembourg.html?m=1

Probe me, I am ready' - Jonathan tells Buhari

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said he is ready for any probe of activities under his watch when he leaves office on May 29.



In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said that he is not afraid of any investigation after leaving office.

He noted that investigations will not be out of place since Jonathan’s administration also reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office.

“As Alhaji Mohammed threatened in his statement, the incoming administration will be perfectly within its rights to review all actions of the present government as it may deem fit.

“We see nothing wrong with that. After all, the present administration reviewed the actions of previous governments on assumption of office with resultant benefits for policy and project implementation,” he said.

He also disclosed that President Jonathan has ordered the immediate release the full report of PriceWater Cooper’s investigations into the alleged unremitted $20 billion to the Federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

He said: “President Jonathan is also deeply concerned by the continuing suggestions that his administration still has something to hide about the unproven allegation that about $20 billion is unaccounted for by the NNPC during his tenure.

“To lay the matter to rest, President Jonathan in line with Section 7(2) of the NNPC Act, has directed that the full report of the PWC Forensic Audit of the NNPC accounts be released immediately to the public so that all Nigerians will be properly informed on the matter.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/probe-me-i-am-ready-jonathan-tells.html?m=1

Nepal quake death toll rises to 5,057 - official

The death toll from a devastating earthquake in Nepal has risen to 5,057, the home ministry’s national disaster management division said on Tuesday.



More than 10,000 people are now known to have been injured in Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude quake, the division’s chief Rameshwor Dangal told newsmen.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/nepal-quake-death-toll-rises-to-5057.html?m=1

Barber, others shot dead in Edo cult war

A 27-year-old barber was on Tuesday shot dead by gunmen suspected to be cultists at New Benin in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was learnt that the late barber, simply identified as Patrick, was accosted by his assailants in front of his shop and shot at a close range.

Another man was reportedly killed ‎at about 7am, at Second East Circular road, in Benin, the state capital.


A 65-year-old wood seller, Mrs. Philomena Evbuomwan, who witnessed the barber’s death, said the gunmen shot their victim in the head and chest and ensured that he was dead before they left.

Evbuomwan added that she was threatened by the gunmen, who pointed a gun at her.

‎She said, “I was selling wood when Patrick greeted me. I later sat with him. Suddenly, three boys walked towards us.

“One pointed a gun at my head and later dropped it. He shot Patrick; the other one also fired a shot.

“The third person took his gun and tapped Patrick. When he saw that he was dead, they ran away. After that, I fainted.”

This brings to six the number persons said to have been killed by suspected cultists, four of which were reportedly shot dead last weekend.

It was gathered that the cult clashes might be a fallout of a scuffle at one of the polling units in the state capital, during the March 28 election, which led to the death of a member of one of the cult groups.

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Stephen Onwochei, could, however, not be reached for comments on the incidents as of the time of filing this report.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/barber-others-shot-dead-in-edo-cult-war.html?m=1

2 Kids Corpses Found In Deep Freezer

 

Confusion and sadness reigned in Owa Alero, Ika North-east local government area of Delta State, last Thursday, when the family of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Oseni discovered the corpses of two of their children, David Oseni, 6, and Shedrack,4, inside their parents’ deep-freezer, purportedly used for their ‘iced block’ business.

According to reports, the children were found in ‘perfect’, frozen condition, as it was clear that they had been there for some time. All efforts to revive them proved abortive, as they were confirmed dead from hypothermia.


The Osenis, natives of Etsako, Edo State, have been living in Owa Alero, the ancestral homeof the mother.

Neighbours revealed that the parents had locked the children indoors and went to conduct their daily businesses after they retuned from their holiday classes, only to discover the tragedy upon their return.

The father, Oseni, who spoke to this writer, said he had taken the generator for repairs and, upon returning, powered it on to confirm its state, before loading it for the next day’s business.

“After 25 minutes, I lifted the top to check if the freezer was working optimally, only to behold the lifeless bodies of David and Shedrack in the freezer. I raised the alarm, calling the public to the scene.”The children were immediately rushed to a private hospital where they were both confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The police at the Divisional Office, Owa Oyibu, were contacted and investigations are on to unravel the mystery behind the tragedy,” Oseni said.

When contacted for comments, the Superintendent in charge of the Police Divisional Headquarters Owa Oyibu, SP Lawrence Ogoregbulem, said the Police have concluded their investigations, adding that “because of the parents’ uncooperative stance”, the matter had been transferred to the state headquarters for further investigations.

When contacted, sources within the station told this reporter that “the family of the victims have written to withdraw further investigations into the matter, saying that they don’t want [police]cases”.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/2-kids-corpses-found-in-deep-freezer.html

FG names Abuja streets after Jonathan, Sambo, Muazu, Atiku, Dangote, others

ABUJA—In what appeared as parting gifts ahead of the official hand-over date of May 29 to another government, the Federal Government, Monday, named the yet to be commissioned Inner Southern Expressway which dissects Abuja city centre after President Goodluck Jonathan.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed  disclosed that the FCT Administration has honoured eminent Nigerians and other Africans by naming major streets in Asokoro Extension, Guzape, Wupa, Wuye and Maitama Extension districts as well as expressways and roads after them.

According to him, a major road in Wuye district was named after Vice President Namadi Sambo, and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.  Bala Mohammed also named a street after himself.

File: Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan (L) and vice president Namadi Sambo

While the yet to be commissioned Inner Southern Expressway which dissects Abuja city centre was named after President Jonathan, the longest Wuye district Boulevard express road measuring 1,730 metres was named after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Other beneficiaries were  former Senate President, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, former Speaker of House of Representatives and Katsina State Governor-elect, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, business moguls, Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote.

Other prominent personalities also honoured by naming streets after them in Asokoro district extension include former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan, South African anti-Apartheid activist, late Walter Sisulu, former President of Sudan, Gaafar al-Nimeiry, former Minister of State for FCT, late Prof. Miriam Ikejiani-Clark, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, and 16 others.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/fg-names-abuja-streets-after-jonathan-sambo-muazu-atiku-dangote-others/

[PICTURES] One of the worst earthquakes in decades occurs in Nepal, over 1,800 dead (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES)

A massive earthquake killed more than 1,200 people Saturday as it tore through large parts of Nepal, toppling office blocks and towers in Kathmandu and triggering a deadly avalanche at Everest base camp. 

The government of Nepal has declared a state of emergency after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country and killed hundreds of people, touching off a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest.



Officials said that more than 1,800 people were known to have died on Saturday in Nepal's most powerful quake in decades, that struck 80km east of Pokhara, about half way between the town and the capital Kathmandu.

As aftershocks continued throughout Saturday, the toll was was expected to rise significantly as the scale of the disaster became clear.

Of the dead retrieved so far, 634 were reported dead in the Kathmandu Valley and at least 300 more in the capital, a police spokesman told Reuters news agency.

A further 36 fatalities were reported in northern India, 12 in Tibet and four in Bangladesh.
Photos posted on Twitter showed buildings left in rubble, large cracks along roads and worried residents on the streets.

The earthquake destroyed many historical landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage temples at Basantapur Durbar Square and the Dharara tower, both in central Kathmandu.

It has been reported that around 250 people may have been in the Dharara tower when it collapsed. At least 50 people are believed to be trapped under an ancient tower in Kathmandu which collapsed in the quake.

Emergency workers and army and police personnel, with the help of residents and bystanders, continued to work tirelessly on Saturday to clear the rubble from these sites and to rescue any survivors from under the debris, although bodies were mostly being pulled out.

As night fell the country, thousands of people were staying outdoors and found refuge in Kathmandu’s open spaces, in fear that subsequent aftershocks may cause further damage.

– Historic tower collapses –
Kathmandu was severely damaged, and the historic nine-storey Dharahara tower, a major tourist attraction, was among buildings brought down.

At least a dozen bodies were taken away from the ruins of the 19th-century tower, according to an AFP photographer who saw similar scenes of multiple casualties throughout the city.

“It was difficult to breath, but I slowly moved the debris. Someone then pulled me out. I don’t know where my friends are,” Dharmu Subedi, 36, who was standing outside the tower when it collapsed, said from a hospital bed.

At least 42 people were known to have died in India, including 30 in the eastern state of Bihar, while buildings in the capital New Delhi had to be evacuated.

The United States Geological Survey said the shallow quake struck 77 kilometres (48 miles) northwest of Kathmandu at 0611 GMT, with walls crumbling and families racing outside their homes.

The quake tore through the middle of highways in the capital and also caused damage to the country’s only international airport which was briefly closed.

Kari Cuelenaere, an official at the Dutch embassy, said the impact had swept the water out of a swimming pool at a Kathmandu hotel where Dutch national day was being celebrated.

“It was horrible, all of a sudden all the water came up out of the pool and drenched everyone, the children started screaming,” Cuelenaere told AFP. “Some parts of the city fell down, there was dust rising… There were many (rescue) helicopters.”

Aftershock tremors could be felt more than two hours after the initial quake.

USGS initially measured the quake at 7.5 magnitude and later adjusted it to 7.8, with a depth of 15 kilometres.

Nepal and the rest of the Himalayas are particularly prone to earthquakes because of the collision of the Indian and Eurasia plates.

The thrust of the India plate beneath Eurasia generates a large amount of seismic activity, the USGS says on its website.

– Tremors felt across region –
A spokesman for Nepal’s home ministry said the government had released around $500 million as emergency funds for rescue operations.

India dispatched two military transport planes to help with the rescue and relief efforts and there were similar offers from around the region, including Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said a disaster response was being flown to Nepal and that the Obama administration had authorised an initial $1 million “to address immediate needs.”

In Europe, Britain, Germany, Norway and Spain also pledged support and assistance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to his Nepalese counterpart Ram Baran Yadav and offered to provide assistance.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said that 13 people, including an 83-year-old woman, were killed in the Tibet region.

The area has a history of earthquakes, with a 6.8 magnitude quake that hit eastern Nepal in August 1988 killing 721 people. A magnitude 8.1 quake killed 10,700 people in Nepal and eastern India in 1934.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/pictures-one-of-worst-earthquakes-in.html?m=1

Another Buhari’s supporter starts walk from Yola to Abuja to celebrate victory at the polls

A supporter of president-elect Muhammadu Buhari, identified as Abubakar Duduwale, has set for a walk from Yola in Adamawa to Abuja.

He told newsmen in Yola on Saturday at the onset of the walk that the adventure was to express his joy over the emergence of Buhari as president-elect.



Duduwale, from Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa and Chamba by tribe, reportedly began the journey at Yola Gate on Yola-Numan highway at about 6:30 a.m.

He said he had wanted to start the journey a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Buhari as a winner but somebody from Lagos pre-empted him.
“The reason why I am trekking from Yola to Abuja is to express my joy and solidarity with president-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

“I want to trek from Yola to Abuja to witness the inauguration ceremony of President elect, Duduwale said.

NAN recalls that Suleiman Hashimu, a supporter of Buhari had earlier undertaken such walk from Lagos to Abuja which he concluded recently.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/another-buharis-supporter-starts-walk.html?m=1

Nigerian woman living in United States, kills husband for sleeping with sister

Temitope Adebamiro, 35, a Nigerian, has been charged with killing her husband, Adeyinka Adebamiro, 37, over infidelity claims.

 The culprit told New Castle County police that her husband cheated severally on her, including with her sister and their nanny’s daughter. She, however, did not own to the crime, initially claiming her husband stabbed himself. Following a distress call from the couple’s 1300 block of Healy Court home early Thursday, the police said they found Adeyinka in a pool of blood and a knife pierced into his neck.



Adeyinka died some hours after then.

Temitope told investigators her husband had been cheating on her with various women and had ordered her back to Nigeria and back multiple times to enable him time to frolic.

Temitope, with who Adeyinka had two children, explained they had been married for more than 10 years, during which time she told investigators that he’d physically abused her, even while pregnant with their children.

She said husband sent her to Nigeria for several months, and upon her return in December, she had to stay in a hotel near the Philadelphia airport for four days because her husband refused to let her into their Red Lion home. He, later, paid for her to fly back to Nigeria for a few more months, and about this time, she learned that her husband had spent Christmas with the nanny’s daughter.

The husband later flew out to Nigeria and flew back with her to Philadelphia. As he showed her the cameras inside their home over his cellphone, Temitope saw the nanny’s daughter inside the home.

At one point, Temitope saw several texts and images in her husband’s phone, which she took pictures of using her cellphone. Some of the pictures included images of her sister and the nanny’s daughter.

Temitope said an argument ensued between them after he discovered the photos she’d taken on her cellphone and he began erasing them.

As he yelled at her, Temitope told police there was a power outage at which time she went to the kitchen until power returned. Investigators checked with Delmarva Power, which indicated no such power outage occurred at that time, police said.

Temitope then told police that when the power returned, she found her husband in the first-floor bedroom lying in the bed. As she got closer to him, she saw a knife on the ground which she picked up and took to the kitchen. As she put it away, she noticed blood on the tip and that’s when she realized that he was stabbed

Temitope has been charged with first-degree murder and other charges, arraigned and committed to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution where she is being held without bail.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/nigerian-woman-living-in-united-states.html?m=1

[PHOTO] What describes your Friday? #TGIF

Indonesia set to execute Nigerians, others by firing squad

The Indonesian government said Thursday it had ordered officials to make preparations to execute a group of drug convicts, most of them foreigners, despite mounting international criticism.

The attorney general’s office also revealed that a Filipina among the group will be moved on Friday to a prison island where the executions will take place, joining other death row convicts already there.
Ten convicts — from Australia, France, Brazil, the Philippines, Nigeria, Ghana and Indonesia — will face the firing squad at the same time after recently losing appeals for presidential clemency, typically the final chance to avoid execution.



Tony Spontana, the spokesman for the attorney general’s office, told AFP that a senior official in the office had “ordered officials in charge of executions to make preparations for an execution”.

“This order has been issued so that the officials make preparations concerning their role,” he said, without giving further details.

No date has been set for the executions. Convicts must be given 72 hours notice before being put to death, and Spontana said that those awaiting execution had not yet been given this notice.

Authorities were now waiting for the Supreme Court to decide on an appeal lodged by the Indonesian convict among the group, Spontana said.

His is the final Supreme Court appeal pending, and a decision is expected soon. The court on Tuesday rejected appeals by Frenchman Serge Atlaoui and Martin Anderson from Ghana.

Death row convicts can pursue appeals in other courts — and several in the group facing execution are doing so — but they are seen as having little chance of success, and authorities say such efforts simply attempts by condemned prisoners to buy time.

Foreign countries have been heaping pressure on Indonesia to change course over the executions. Australia has mounted a sustained diplomatic campaign to save two Australians among the group, ringleaders of the so-called “Bali Nine” drug-trafficking gang.

Since Atlaoui’s appeal was rejected, France has also dramatically stepped up pressure on Jakarta.
French President Francois Hollande has warned his execution could seriously damage bilateral ties, and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius wrote a letter to his Indonesian counterpart, raising concerns about Atlaoui’s trial.

Despite the criticism, President Joko Widodo has insisted that the executions will go ahead, saying that Indonesia is facing an emergency due to rising drugs use.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/indonesia-set-to-execute-nigerians.html?m=1

Boko Haram run out of arms and ammunition, resort to using bow and arrows, local weapons - DHQ

As troops continued their mop operations to rid the Sambisa Forest of the remaining Boko Haram terrorists in the forest, the insurgents are said to have run out of arms and ammunitions, an escapee and military sources have revealed.

This is even as the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade confirmed to newsmen in Abuja that ground troops with support from air strikes have stormed the forest, smoking the terrorists out of their hideouts.



Although, Olukolade did not disclose whether the troops have succeeded in killing or destroying terrorists’ camps in the ongoing raid which began yesterday, an escapee from Tabe village in Damboa Local Government Area said “the Boko Haram terrorists have run out of arms and ammunitions as the military have intensified attacks on Sambiza Forest”.

“You can find more than 500 of the insurgents with only few of them having rifles and even when one or two of them have rifles, they have no ammunitions. It is just like somebody holding a stick…, as they have run out of ammunitions, because the usual supplies they get are not forthcoming.
“I am optimistic that the military will succeed by killing many of these sect members who have been terrorising residents in the past three years from the forest,” he stated.

According to him, “the Boko Haram terrorists have only bow and arrows, matchetes, daggers and other local weapons, as they have run out of arms and ammunitions and were roaming about in the bushes of the villages along the fringes of the Sambiza forest.”

Another resident of Yamtake village told newsmen that, “ As a result of the recent aerial bombardment on the Sambiza Forest, many of the sect members including their commanders have fled into the nearby bushes in Yamtake.

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2015/04/boko-haram-run-out-of-arms-and.html?m=1