olice in Nigeria say six people have been killed in clashes linked to local governmental elections in the northern state of Kano.
Kano police commissioner Mohammed Aminu Yesafu said his officers had arrested dozens of people and recovered weapons including guns and machetes.
Violence erupted between government supporters and opposition party members as election results started to come in.
Voters in Kano cast ballots on Saturday for local constituency leaders.
"We have arrested 254 persons across the state for crimes ranging from assault (and) burning of government properties to killing," said Mr Yesafu, confirming the six deaths.
"Violence erupted spontaneously in all the local government areas following disagreements between political party supporters," Reuters news agency reported him as saying.
The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says although these are only local elections, political office in Nigeria means the prospect of considerable money and power, so political violence is never far away.
Kano state is one of the few in the country that is governed by the opposition.
So it was supporters of Nigeria's ruling party who said the results were rigged and decided to vent their anger.
Kano is now said to be relatively calm, but there are more results to come and there is concern the violence could flare again.
Our correspondent says that after the chaos, sponsored violence and massive vote-rigging of Nigeria's general elections in April, the president pledged to reform the electoral system.
But he says for now, at least, nothing has changed.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Nigeria: FG Rejects U.S. High Command
FEDERAL Government yesterday formerly rejected the hosting of the United States (US) sponsored African High Command (AFRICOM), opting instead for an African Standby Force for the Gullf of Guinea.
Government made the position known at the end of the National Council of State (NCS) meeting which was attended by former heads of state, governors and the leadership of the National Assembly.
Several Nigerian leaders, it would be recalled, have criticized the military initiative, saying it would amount to the expansion of US influence on the continent.
Speaking after the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki alongside his Kano and Bayelsa counterparts, Ibrahim Shekarau and Timipre Sylva said Nigeria would not allow the US-base in the country or elsewhere in the sub-region.
"We also addressed the issue of US-AFRICOM. The council of state was briefed on AFRICOM and some of the concerns and some of the views of the country were made known to us as members of the Council of State. The president restated the position of Nigeria not permitting US-base in our country or sub region but to work towards establishment of African Standby Force," Gov. Saraki said.
The US has said it aims to better protect America's strategic interest in Africa and assist African countries with military training and conflict prevention.
But a number of African countries-including Libya and South Africa-have expressed reservations about a move that could signal an expansion of US influence on the continent and may focus primarily on protecting oil interests.
Africom currently operates out of existing US bases on the continent with a headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
Wart-wrecked Liberia, settled by freed American slaves in the 1800s, is the only African nation that has publicly offered to host a headquarters.
Nigeria, an OPEC member and one of the top suppliers of oil to America, has seen militant unrest in its southern petroleum region cut production by about one quarter in recent years.
The council also implored President Yar'Adua to meet South East governors over the activities of the activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
The council said the president should meet the governors to discuss the activities of the movement locally and internationally.
He said the council also discussed feeding in prisons, especially as to whether states could take part in feeding the inmates.
he council was informed that the federal government spent about N5 billion annually to feed the prisoners.
Gov. Saraki said the council took cognizance of the constitutional nature of the problem, adding that it could even affect the revenue allocation formula.
The governor said the council similarly mandated governors to demarcate grazing fields from farmlands to avoid clashes between farmers and cattle rearers.
Government made the position known at the end of the National Council of State (NCS) meeting which was attended by former heads of state, governors and the leadership of the National Assembly.
Several Nigerian leaders, it would be recalled, have criticized the military initiative, saying it would amount to the expansion of US influence on the continent.
Speaking after the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki alongside his Kano and Bayelsa counterparts, Ibrahim Shekarau and Timipre Sylva said Nigeria would not allow the US-base in the country or elsewhere in the sub-region.
"We also addressed the issue of US-AFRICOM. The council of state was briefed on AFRICOM and some of the concerns and some of the views of the country were made known to us as members of the Council of State. The president restated the position of Nigeria not permitting US-base in our country or sub region but to work towards establishment of African Standby Force," Gov. Saraki said.
The US has said it aims to better protect America's strategic interest in Africa and assist African countries with military training and conflict prevention.
But a number of African countries-including Libya and South Africa-have expressed reservations about a move that could signal an expansion of US influence on the continent and may focus primarily on protecting oil interests.
Africom currently operates out of existing US bases on the continent with a headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
Wart-wrecked Liberia, settled by freed American slaves in the 1800s, is the only African nation that has publicly offered to host a headquarters.
Nigeria, an OPEC member and one of the top suppliers of oil to America, has seen militant unrest in its southern petroleum region cut production by about one quarter in recent years.
The council also implored President Yar'Adua to meet South East governors over the activities of the activities of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
The council said the president should meet the governors to discuss the activities of the movement locally and internationally.
He said the council also discussed feeding in prisons, especially as to whether states could take part in feeding the inmates.
he council was informed that the federal government spent about N5 billion annually to feed the prisoners.
Gov. Saraki said the council took cognizance of the constitutional nature of the problem, adding that it could even affect the revenue allocation formula.
The governor said the council similarly mandated governors to demarcate grazing fields from farmlands to avoid clashes between farmers and cattle rearers.
Fifth 21/7 London bomber jailed
The last of five would-be bombers to target London on 21 July 2005 has been jailed for 33 years after admitting conspiracy to cause explosions.
Earlier this year a jury was unable to reach a verdict when Manfo Kwaku Asiedu went on trial accused of conspiracy to murder. That charge has been dropped.
The judge recommended Asiedu, 34, should be deported back to Ghana.
Four other men were jailed for life after being convicted of conspiracy to murder over the failed 2005 bombings.
Muktar Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussain Osman were told they would serve a minimum of 40 years.
A sixth man, Adel Yahya, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge earlier this month and was jailed for six years and nine months.
After the jury in his original trial was unable to reach a verdict, Asiedu had been due to face a retrial, which would have been extremely costly.
But after he agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to cause explosions, the prosecution dropped the charge of conspiracy to murder and he was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court.
'Dedicated terrorist'
After the hearing, Peter Clarke, the head of the Metropolitan Police's counter terrorism branch, welcomed the jailing of Asiedu.
He said: "He is a dedicated terrorist who consistently lied about the role he played in this plot. Only now, has he finally admitted his guilt."
Mr Clarke said the public must remain alert and anybody with concerns about suspicious behaviour should report them to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline.
He said; "In the weeks and months preceding the attacks, Asiedu and his accomplices compiled the raw ingredients to build their bombs.
"Much of the material was purchased on the high street and then put together in a flat in a busy residential area.
"We want people to look out for the unusual - some activity or behaviour which strikes them as not quite right and out of place in their normal day to day lives."
'Central figure'
Earlier, Judge Mr Justice Calvert-Smith told the court Asiedu had lied on an "epic scale" about his part in the bomb plot and that it was "inconceivable" he did not know the gang's motives.
He told Asiedu he had become the "central figure" in researching and buying the chemicals needed for the bombs.
Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said the public had waited for Asiedu to admit his part in the attacks and "explain his motivation for the commission of such a dreadful crime".
"You have effectively chosen not to do so," he said.
The judge added Asiedu not only had not attempted to warn the police or Londoners of the plot, he had also continued to assist the conspirators by trying to dispose of incriminating evidence.
But he told Asiedu: "The maximum sentence for this offence is one of life imprisonment. I do not believe that the criteria for such a sentence are met in your case.
"Although your involvement was central, you were certainly not the leader or organiser of the plot."
'Wrong crowd'
Asiedu, whose real name is Sumaila Abubakari, had claimed he was oblivious of the plan to kill anyone until hours before the plotters went into action.
He said that as soon as he had had the chance he had dumped his rucksack, containing explosives, in a park at Little Wormwood Scrubs in west London.
Defending Asiedu, Stephen Kamlish QC, told the court his client was a devout Muslim who had had "fallen in with the wrong crowd" after arriving in Britain from Ghana seeking a better life.
He said the other July 21 plotters took him in and gave him somewhere to live but also exposed him to their extremist views while they were living in the 'cauldron' of the council flat.
But Nigel Sweeney QC, prosecuting, said: "The defendant's principal role in the conspiracy was in the purchase of 443 litres [97.4 gallons] of hydrogen peroxide, which were a vital ingredient in the main charge of the explosive devices required to be connected.
"Further he took part in a cover-up after the bombs failed to explode both for his benefit and the benefit of his conspirators."
Having arrived in the UK on a false passport, he adopted the name Asiedu after finding documents belonging to a previous lodger of that name.
Asiedu then began attending a mosque in Finchley, north London, which was also frequented by co-defendant Yassin Omar.
And in June 2005, after a fire in his flat, he moved in with Omar at Curtis House in New Southgate.
Bomb ingredients
Curtis House later became a "bomb factory", with hundreds of bottles of hydrogen peroxide littering the flat.
Taking the stand during the trial, Asiedu presented himself as a terrified man and unwilling participant in the events of 21 July.
However, he was intimately involved in the buying of bomb ingredients including the critical element of hydrogen peroxide hair bleach.
He had been working as a painter and decorator at the time and told several wholesalers he needed the chemical to bleach wood or to strip wallpaper.
Mr Sweeney said: "He is plainly, or thinks he is, a consummate liar or deceiver - only someone who thinks that could go about false entry into the UK, adopting a false identity to remain here and go to the police taking them on in over 1,000 transcripts of interviews during which he sewed an intricate web of lies to try and avoid his guilt.
"He went on to give false statements and evidence on oath
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Country profile: Chad
A largely semi-desert country, Chad is rich in gold and uranium and stands to benefit from its recently-acquired status as an oil-exporting state.
However, Africa's fifth-largest nation suffers from inadequate infrastructure and internal conflict. Poverty is rife, and health and social conditions compare unfavourably with those elsewhere in the region
OVERVIEW OF CHAD
Chad's post-independence history has been marked by instability and violence stemming mostly from tension between the mainly Arab-Muslim north and the predominantly Christian and animist south.
In 1969 Muslim dissatisfaction with the first president, Ngarta Tombalbaye - a Christian southerner - developed into a guerrilla war. This, combined with a severe drought, undermined his rule and in 1975 President Tombalbaye was killed in a coup led by another southerner, Felix Malloum.
Mr Malloum, too, failed to end the war, and in 1979 he was replaced by a Libyan-backed northerner, Goukouki Oueddei. But the fighting continued, this time with a former defence minister, Hissen Habre, on the opposite side.
In 1982, with French help, Mr Habre captured the capital, N'Djamena, and Mr Oueddei escaped to the north, where he formed a rival government. The standoff ended in 1990, when Mr Habre was toppled by the Libyan-backed Idriss Deby.
By the mid-1990s the situation had stabilised and in 1996 Mr Deby was confirmed president in Chad's first election.
In 1998 an armed insurgency began in the north, led by President Deby's former defence chief, Youssouf Togoimi. A Libyan-brokered peace deal in 2002 failed to put an end to the fighting.
From 2003 unrest in neighbouring Sudan's Darfur region spilled across the border, along with hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees. They have been joined by thousands of Chadians who are fleeing rebel fighting as well as violence between ethnic Arab and ethnic African Chadians.
Chad and Sudan accuse each other of backing and harbouring rebels.
Chad became an oil-producing nation in 2003 with the completion of a $4bn pipeline linking its oilfields to terminals on the Atlantic coast. The government has moved to relax a law controlling the use of oil money, which the World Bank had made a condition of its $39m loan.
Nigeria: N444.6bn N-Delta Budget Vote Not for Arms, David Mark Clarifies
Senate President, David Mark, yesterday clarified that the N444.6 billion voted for Niger Delta security in the 2008 budget was for the development of the region and not exclusively for security of the area.
His reaction came against the backdrop of claims by South-South senators and other prominent people from the Niger Delta that the amount tilted more in favour arms acquisition than development of the region.
But speaking in an interview with newsmen at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport shortly on arrival in Lagos, Senator Mark dismissed reports that the Senate was divided over the huge sum devoted to the security of the area in place of development.
According to him, " the N444.6 billion is for development of the Niger Delta and not for security, and it is mere speculation that the Niger Delta budget is for acquisition of arms for purposes of security of the area."
He said the Senate was unanimous on the budgetary allocation for the area, adding that stories of division over the matter were untrue.
The Niger Delta budgetary allocation has continued to generate controversies since President Umar Musa Yar'Adua presented the budget before a joint session of the National Assembly about two weeks ago.
While some senators, mainly from the South-South zone alleged that the budget was primarily dedicated to arms acquisition against development of the area, others said development of the region was the pivot of the budgetary allocation to the area.
Similarly, members of the Delta State House of Assembly appealed to the Senate to convert half of the allocation to actual development, alleging that a bigger chunk of the money was for security.
On Senate's refusal to screen some ambassadorial nominees over alleged security reports about them, the Senate President said there was no iota of truth in claims that some of the nominees have petitioned the Senate.
"It is speculation also that some ambassadorial nominees petitioned the Senate because they were not screened. I am not aware of that," Senator Mark added.
His reaction came against the backdrop of claims by South-South senators and other prominent people from the Niger Delta that the amount tilted more in favour arms acquisition than development of the region.
But speaking in an interview with newsmen at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport shortly on arrival in Lagos, Senator Mark dismissed reports that the Senate was divided over the huge sum devoted to the security of the area in place of development.
According to him, " the N444.6 billion is for development of the Niger Delta and not for security, and it is mere speculation that the Niger Delta budget is for acquisition of arms for purposes of security of the area."
He said the Senate was unanimous on the budgetary allocation for the area, adding that stories of division over the matter were untrue.
The Niger Delta budgetary allocation has continued to generate controversies since President Umar Musa Yar'Adua presented the budget before a joint session of the National Assembly about two weeks ago.
While some senators, mainly from the South-South zone alleged that the budget was primarily dedicated to arms acquisition against development of the area, others said development of the region was the pivot of the budgetary allocation to the area.
Similarly, members of the Delta State House of Assembly appealed to the Senate to convert half of the allocation to actual development, alleging that a bigger chunk of the money was for security.
On Senate's refusal to screen some ambassadorial nominees over alleged security reports about them, the Senate President said there was no iota of truth in claims that some of the nominees have petitioned the Senate.
"It is speculation also that some ambassadorial nominees petitioned the Senate because they were not screened. I am not aware of that," Senator Mark added.
Nigeria: Bakassi - Cameroun Hasn't Accused Nigeria, Says Azazi
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Andrew Azazi, has said that Cameroon has not accused Nigeria soldiers of being responsible for the death of the 21 Cameroonian soldiers in the Bakasi Peninsula , last Monday, because that country is aware of the high level of criminality along the Nigerian creeks.
Azazi who stated this while responding to questions from journalists in Port Harcourt, Friday, during a visit to the Joint Task Force (Operation Flush-Out 3), was of the view that Nigerian troops had long voluntarily withdrawn from the area.
"The Cameroonian army has not insinuated that the Nigerian army was involved in the attack, as has been reported in the media. You know I am in Nigeria and we have all heard in the media that soldiers were killed somewhere in Cameroon, well I issued a statement this morning saying that there are speculations that Nigerian military was involved and I said that is very untrue.
"We voluntarily withdrew from Cameroon and no troops are deployed in that area. So if troops were not deployed in that area, how could Nigerian soldiers have been involved? Cameroonians are not insinuating that Nigerian soldiers attacked them, so if Cameroonians are not insinuating, then how could they attack Nigeria ? There is a high level of criminality along our creeks, there is a high level of criminality along our roads all over Nigeria , let's put that in perspective. Nigerian soldiers cannot be involved in things like that", he said.
On his part, Brigade Commander of the 2 Amphibious Brigade and Chairman of JTF in Port Harcourt, Brigadier Sarkin-Yaki Bello, informed Azazi that the lack of equipment and proper medical arrangement for his soldiers as part of the problems facing the
JTF.
General Azazi, however, said the task force would manage the resources at its disposal to handle the task it has been mandated to execute
"You can never have a perfect situation where you'll have everything that you want at your disposal. What you'll want to do is to meet your needs as the situation arises, we can't have everything, but the task force has been working assiduously to make sure that with whatever they have they are able to meet their obligations", he said.
The Defence boss later visited the Marine Base Sub-sector headquarters of Sector 1 of the JTF Command as well as Nembe Waterside, Abonnema Wharf and Soboma George's former base before he was conquered and chased out of Port Harcourt .
Azazi who stated this while responding to questions from journalists in Port Harcourt, Friday, during a visit to the Joint Task Force (Operation Flush-Out 3), was of the view that Nigerian troops had long voluntarily withdrawn from the area.
"The Cameroonian army has not insinuated that the Nigerian army was involved in the attack, as has been reported in the media. You know I am in Nigeria and we have all heard in the media that soldiers were killed somewhere in Cameroon, well I issued a statement this morning saying that there are speculations that Nigerian military was involved and I said that is very untrue.
"We voluntarily withdrew from Cameroon and no troops are deployed in that area. So if troops were not deployed in that area, how could Nigerian soldiers have been involved? Cameroonians are not insinuating that Nigerian soldiers attacked them, so if Cameroonians are not insinuating, then how could they attack Nigeria ? There is a high level of criminality along our creeks, there is a high level of criminality along our roads all over Nigeria , let's put that in perspective. Nigerian soldiers cannot be involved in things like that", he said.
On his part, Brigade Commander of the 2 Amphibious Brigade and Chairman of JTF in Port Harcourt, Brigadier Sarkin-Yaki Bello, informed Azazi that the lack of equipment and proper medical arrangement for his soldiers as part of the problems facing the
JTF.
General Azazi, however, said the task force would manage the resources at its disposal to handle the task it has been mandated to execute
"You can never have a perfect situation where you'll have everything that you want at your disposal. What you'll want to do is to meet your needs as the situation arises, we can't have everything, but the task force has been working assiduously to make sure that with whatever they have they are able to meet their obligations", he said.
The Defence boss later visited the Marine Base Sub-sector headquarters of Sector 1 of the JTF Command as well as Nembe Waterside, Abonnema Wharf and Soboma George's former base before he was conquered and chased out of Port Harcourt .
England flops to cost UK economy £1bn
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley will be one of the big losers should Michael Owen and England fail to qualify for Euro2008.
The Daily Express says the English economy stands to lose a staggering £1billion in extra revenue if Steve McClaren's England team fail to qualify for next summer's European Championship finals.
According to the British Retail Consortium, around £1.25bn was spent in the UK as a result of last year's World Cup and fans will keep at least half of that money in their pockets if England are not part of Euro 2008.
Ashley will be one of the biggest losers. His Sports Direct company have already ordered all their unofficial merchandise and had planned to buy in excess of one million official England shirts from Umbro.
"It would be disastrous if England don't qualify," said a source close to Ashley. "The order to Umbro would be cut by up to 80 per cent and it would cost the company tens of millions of pounds in lost revenue.
"A quarter of the store becomes an England shop during a major tournament and we sell everything; shirts, car packs, flags and wigs. We would be one of the worst affected if England are knocked out."
Daniel Pearce, managing editor of the Publican magazine, claimed England's absence from the finals would be "devastating" and would cost the pub industry alone about £100m.
"Tournaments such as Euro 2008 are a massive pull for pubs, especially during this age of challenging trading constraints with the recent smoking ban," he said.
"It would be devastating for the industry if England failed to get through and pubs would be forced to look for other opportunities to attract the customers during the tournament. For the World Cup, pubs sold an extra 59m pints, resulting in an additional income of £188m.
"If England were not in the championships then at least 50 per cent of that income would be lost."
The Daily Express says the English economy stands to lose a staggering £1billion in extra revenue if Steve McClaren's England team fail to qualify for next summer's European Championship finals.
According to the British Retail Consortium, around £1.25bn was spent in the UK as a result of last year's World Cup and fans will keep at least half of that money in their pockets if England are not part of Euro 2008.
Ashley will be one of the biggest losers. His Sports Direct company have already ordered all their unofficial merchandise and had planned to buy in excess of one million official England shirts from Umbro.
"It would be disastrous if England don't qualify," said a source close to Ashley. "The order to Umbro would be cut by up to 80 per cent and it would cost the company tens of millions of pounds in lost revenue.
"A quarter of the store becomes an England shop during a major tournament and we sell everything; shirts, car packs, flags and wigs. We would be one of the worst affected if England are knocked out."
Daniel Pearce, managing editor of the Publican magazine, claimed England's absence from the finals would be "devastating" and would cost the pub industry alone about £100m.
"Tournaments such as Euro 2008 are a massive pull for pubs, especially during this age of challenging trading constraints with the recent smoking ban," he said.
"It would be devastating for the industry if England failed to get through and pubs would be forced to look for other opportunities to attract the customers during the tournament. For the World Cup, pubs sold an extra 59m pints, resulting in an additional income of £188m.
"If England were not in the championships then at least 50 per cent of that income would be lost."
NIGERIA POVERTY RATE
Dreams
Dunga Obeche, 31, is one of the estimated 100m Nigerians struggling to live on less than $1 a day.
As he beds down in the cramped back room of Don P Barbers in Abuja with his colleagues each night, he dreams of being an international hairstylist, winning awards and receiving great plaudits.
“I’m trying to save money for my own barbers but it isn’t easy,” he says.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Taking Pictures with a Digital Camera
Taking Pictures with a Digital Camera
Technology Articles |
This article talks about the benefits of using a digital camera. It also talks about automatic pictures for those who do not want to be behind the lens.
he development in science and technology in recent years has not just been about developing of devices that make life easier, it has also been a lot about making life more luxurious. One such great development has been the concept of digital camera.
Digital cameras are nothing but cameras that allow you to take pictures digitally instead of having to use cameras that take and store pictures on photographic films. They are easy to use, and are generally multifunctional, providing various facilities. Digital cameras are known for taking good images, which are as good as the pictures taken by the conventional cameras, if not better.
In fact, digital cameras allow one not only to click great pictures; they also allow one to view the pictures as and when taken. Therefore, if you take a picture, and are not satisfied with the way it looks, and if you still have the opportunity of capturing that special moment, you can go on clicking your camera, till you get exactly what you desire.
Digital cameras also allow the option of using a flash light as and when required, to obtain a much clear image. In many digital cameras, there is also an option for taking automatic pictures. This is especially meant for those special moments, when everybody wishes to get included in the picture, without being left out, staying behind the lens.
Technology Articles |
This article talks about the benefits of using a digital camera. It also talks about automatic pictures for those who do not want to be behind the lens.
he development in science and technology in recent years has not just been about developing of devices that make life easier, it has also been a lot about making life more luxurious. One such great development has been the concept of digital camera.
Digital cameras are nothing but cameras that allow you to take pictures digitally instead of having to use cameras that take and store pictures on photographic films. They are easy to use, and are generally multifunctional, providing various facilities. Digital cameras are known for taking good images, which are as good as the pictures taken by the conventional cameras, if not better.
In fact, digital cameras allow one not only to click great pictures; they also allow one to view the pictures as and when taken. Therefore, if you take a picture, and are not satisfied with the way it looks, and if you still have the opportunity of capturing that special moment, you can go on clicking your camera, till you get exactly what you desire.
Digital cameras also allow the option of using a flash light as and when required, to obtain a much clear image. In many digital cameras, there is also an option for taking automatic pictures. This is especially meant for those special moments, when everybody wishes to get included in the picture, without being left out, staying behind the lens.
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